~~Projects~~

I am in the middle of that picture project.  I am copying all the photos's on to a cd and then will have prints made to update the photo albums.  In the past years there have been some great, inspiring photo's taken! 

(click on the image to view it full size!)

 









Will try to post again later!

Terrific Tuesday

Terrific Tuesday~ with a recipe!

I've enjoyed this dish every time I've gone to The Cheesecake Factory.  It is so very good.  If you don't cook with wine, you could substitute juice, a good balsamic, or vinegar for the madeira.

I also stumbled on a couple neat websights.  Thought I'd share.  www.all-restaurantrecipes.com

www.restaurantrecipesbook.com



Pasta Da Vinci

• Penne Pasta – Enough for 2 servings according to the box
• 1/4 Red Onion – Chopped
• 1/2 cup Button Mushrooms – quartered
• 1 tsp Garlic – chopped, not minced or crushed
• 1/2 lb Chicken Breast – Cut into bite-size pieces
• 3 Tbsp Butter
• 1 Tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Madeira wine (red)
• 1/2 cup Water
• 2 Tbsp Heavy Cream
• 1 Tbsp Parsley

Directions

1. Follow the directions on the box for the pasta.  Make sure you cook them “al dente”.
2. Saute onions, mushrooms and garlic in 1 Tbsp of the butter until tender.
3. Remove the onions, mushrooms and garlic and set them aside until later.
4. In the same pan, cook the chicken, stirring frequently.
5. Remove the chicken and it aside until later.
6. To the same pan, add 2 Tbsp butter and melt over a low-medium heat.
7. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and stir to make a roux.
8. Slowly add in the wine, water and heavy cream, stirring constantly.
9. Cook over a medium-high heat until thickened – Stirring often to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
10. Add the parsley and let simmer for a few minutes.
11. Add the chicken, mushrooms, garlic and onions back in and simmer for 2 more minutes.
12. Pour over the pasta and serve with Parmesan cheese.

~~Menu Monday~~

 

I think I missed lunch.  I am hungry.  I was cleaning my oven.  It took two hours!  May the Lord richly bless the person who invented self cleaning ovens.  I HATE MY STOVE!!  ( Ha!!  I feel better now!)

Monday-  Pork taco's, or burritos with all the trimmings...shredded lettuce, salsa, cheese, olives, guacamole...maybe even homemade chips.
Tuesday-  Hamburgers on the grill, homemade fries
Wednesday-  Barbecued pork and bacon pizza
Thursday-  Cheese Ravioli's with Alfredo sauce, Rosemary bread, green salad
Friday-  Pancit, Spring rolls, wontons
Saturday-  Grilled chicken, Baked potatoes, green salad
Sunday-  Grilled steaks, potato salad, baked beans, fruit salad

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Remember this guy?  He is still recovering from having all four of his wisdom teeth extracted.  He skipped classes at college today in favor of resting.  he is up and doing more today.  He has been outside twice and climed the stairs a lot.  He watched many movies this weekend.

(Terribly sad...don't watch it unless you want a good cry)

(I didn't see this one...maybe next time)






(A good action movie.)

I saw "The Inheritance"  It was very good, also good for a cry.

That's all for now,  Got laundry calling to me to be completed.  I hope dinner time is soon!

Super Saturday

My Patient.  He is recovering nicely.  He's already eaten this morning and taken his pain medication.  He is very sore this morning.


Swelling is not to bad yet.  Bruising hasn't shown up yet either.

Watching movies together on brothers bed.

My buffet was decorated for my birthday.  What a pleasant scene!

It's My Thursday Birthday!

Outside my window... Gorgeous day today and the next few promise to be just as nice. 

I am thankful for... My family and friends who have showered me with blessings.
 



Thanks Mom for bringing me into the age of the CELL PHONE!  What a nice gift   (She says she sent it to me so I can text her!  How cute is that!?)
 
I am wearing...  

(I need to fix that hair a bit more!)

I am praying for... Praying that my life makes a difference to those I touch with what I do and say.

I am creating...  I'm getting set to fry some brain cells on my new game...Nancy Drew ...The Haunting of Castle Malloy

  I am enjoying... (Still enjoying) I really enjoyed this movie!!  It had a few surprising, unnecessary words...I wish they would have gone more into the spiritual side of the family as well.  I think it's based on a book,  I would be interested in reading it.



From my kitchen... I've been told that my manly man is cooking my birthday dinner to night.  We're going to Cheesecake Factory in a few hours.  I'll be enjoying the Pasta Da Vinci and maybe a coconut cheesecake

 
 One of my favorite things... Beautiful Spring days like today.
 



From the learning rooms... Nothing today.  Teacher has taken the day off

  A few plans for the rest of the week... Organize photo's.  Waste time playing Nancy Drew.  Yard work.  Choir practice for our Easter Cantata.

Around the house... Kinda messy.  Beds are unmade.  Dishes in the sink.  Toilets unclean.  Army men have invaded several rooms around here.


((A beautiful new tea pot from a store I've never been to, called Christmas Tree Shop, a glorified dollar store!  I was able to purchase this pot, some flower seeds and a wind chime with a gift certificate from Christmas!))
 
Leaving you with... My song of praise for today, my 40th birthday...
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."  Psalms 139:14

~ ~Have a GREAT weekend!~ ~

Terrific Tuesday Recipe

Coconut Cake

1 package yellow cake mix
1 pkg. (7oz.) bakers coconut, flaked, divided
1 c. cold milk
1 pkg. (4 oz.) vanilla instant pudding
1/4 C. powdered sugar
1 (8oz.) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

Prepare cake mix according to package directions, adding  2/3 cups flaked coconut to the batter.  Divide prepared batter between two prepared 9" round cake pans.  Bake as directed on package until cakes test done.  Cool in pans 10 minutes then remove cakes to wire racks to cool completely.

Meanwhile*  Pour milk into bowl, add pudding mix and sugar.  Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended...(mix will be very thick) Gently stir in whipped topping.  Chill 15 minutes.

**To Frost cake...place one cake layer onto desired cake stand.  Spoon about 1 c. frosting onto bottom layer.  Spread evenly.  Sprinkle 3/4 c. coconut over this frosting.  Place second layer of cake over the first layer on the cake stand.  Use remaining frosting to cover top and sides of cake.  Press remaining coconut into top, or sides of cake.  Keep cake chilled until ready to serve.

Menu Monday

You know how I was feeling Friday when I posted?  I thought I was suffering from allergies.  Turns out, #2 son and I spent the whole weekend ill with colds.  We skipped church yesterday.  We're both better today.  The congestion is easing in the nose and we are breathing better.  I slept better last night and feel much better this morning.



My menu suffered because I didn't feel well.  I cooked a bit after coming home from the store Friday.  My little son asks for me to make Hot and Sour soup when he has a cold, he thinks it makes him feel better.  I made a big pot of that soup and a Taco Salad.  What a combination!  That was all from the cooking department here.  I may cook tonight.  It is cloudy dark and rainy today.  We're expected to get heavy rain and winds.  Tonight may be a good soup and grilled cheese night.

~~Menu~~

Monday~  Soup, Salad, Grilled Cheese
Tuesday~  Salmon Patties, Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Broccoli
Wednesday~  French Toast Breakfast
Thursday~  It's My Birthday...not sure what is going on for that.
Friday~ Baked Potatoes, Green Salad, Grilled Chicken
Saturday~Ravioli Alfredo, Green Salad, Rosemary Bread
Resurrection Sunday ((Easter))-  Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans, Frog Eye Salad,  Coconut Cake
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Yep...It's my 40th birthday this week.  Not feeling extra different or weird about it.  What really gets me is it's amazing to have a grown son and still feel like I am 19!

  
(that's me )
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My manly man is almost done with that car for our deaf friend Brenda.  It is all painted and really pretty...if a car is pretty.  I think he is just finishing up getting all the trim put back on it.  Then he'll put the key in and make sure it's running fine.  It may go home today or tomorrow.  Yippee!

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#1 son has decided to change his major at school.  He is struggling with Spanish and doesn't know if he can successfully pass summer and fall Spanish classes (required for his degree).  He'll be switching from Associate of Arts/Liberal Arts to Associates of Science/Liberal Studies (exploring science and arts)(no more Spanish classes in that degree!)  Next term he'll be taking a computer course and 4 electives and will  be done with that degree!  I am pretty excited for him.  It sounds like his last term will be pretty fun.

Some big changes are in store for him.  He thinks he has decided to enlist in the United States Coast Guard.  The Coast Guard is a smaller service and has already met it's enlistment quotas for this year.  He is working on scheduling an ASVAB and getting his physical done.  Please pray for him.  He needs wisdom and peace. 

This Friday he is going to a dentist to have all 4 of his wisdom teeth pulled.  I feel for him in the misery department.  I'd rather have a baby than have teeth pulled.  Thankfully my wisdom teeth have been pulled already.  I'll be sure to be a good nurse to him.  Can't wait to take pictures to post of that!


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My bachelor friends seem to be doing okay.  The older one calls me almost everyday.  Today he was especially alert and seemed almost NICE.  (he tends to be kinda crabby)  We need to have both of the bachelors back over again for a meal.  They love coming here to do that.  Continue to pray for their health and wisdom for folks in charge of their care.  I am praying I help make a difference to them.

 

"And some have compassion, making a difference."  Jude 1:22

That's it for today from my house.  Have a great week!