Recipe Thursday/Anniversary

Usually every week, I like to try a new recipe and share it with you guys. Some I may get from friends, Internet, or some I just make up..

However, you notice the title is doubled that is because on this day 4 years ago my hubby and I were married.. Yay!!!

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SHREDDED POTATOES AU GRATIN

4 c of shredded potatoes it also recommends frozen hash browns. I shredded my own..

2 c of whipping cream

1 1/2 of shredded cheese

1/4 c of sliced green onion ( I omitted due to family preference)

1 t of salt

1/4 t of black pepper

Preheat oven only after you have shredded your potatoes(cause this took me FOREVER!!!!) 350. Spray a glass nonstick dish

Combine the shredded potatoes, cream, 1 1/4 c of the cheese, onion, salt and pepper. MIX well.

Pour the potato mix into the dish sprinkle with cheese and bake until bubbly.. about 35-45 mins.. The top should be golden brown and a little crunchy looking..

My hubby and I loved them. Not such a big hit with Bro..  But, I am sure the other two would like them. I will fix them again.. however, I may use frozen hash browns (just kidding)



HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY

That right it has been a whole year since I have started blogging. Going back and looking I see there were some months that I was not a good blogger. (naughty Arica) But, don't worry your pretty little head about that I have come a long way baby.

It is funny when I started this WHOLE blogging thing I didn't think I was really going to have a whole like to say.. But, boy to I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE TO TALK..OR WRITE..either way...

So, I just want to send a SHOUT OUT TO ALL WHO READ OR EVEN JUST CLICK TO SEE PICTURES.Thanks for being there.. Thanks for listening  reading. Thanks for making my blogging experience one worth talking writing about.

Okay, to pick up where I have so loving left off at.. Last, Saturday was a special day for a family in our home school group.. The Cargiles left for China to pick up to beautiful child. And, my babies and I went to the Airport to welcome them home... Okay, so this is the very first time any of us had ever been in an airport and it was TOTALLY cool, awesome, wonderful, exciting.. Whooo!! I must have looked like an American tourist.. I mean we were taking pictures of everything. I even tried to get some of the pilots as they were walking through the terminal. You could hear my kiddos say look mama.. No look over here.. Mama this is so cool look.

I was bout to go crazy I couldn't very well look at everything at the same time, but boy I sure wish I had, had more eyes than just the two God gave me.

LOOK, LOOK HERE WE ARE GOING IN THE AIRPORT... WE WERE HOLDING OUR BREATHES.

HEY MOM TAKE A PICTURE OF THIS.. UH HONEY TAKE A PICTURE? OF COURSE I WILL!!!!

oh btw, this was the first time I have ever heard Ty say that mark your calenders guys this is a first..!!hoot hoot..

WOW. WHOA. LOOK. AT THAT.. !!!!!

Ty says "Mom I want one of those"..

Sure honey, just become an airport security guy and it's all yours..

Okay play time is over it was time to get ready.. To welcome home the Cargiles..

Were watching, and waiting. On the edge of our seat anticipating..(Phineas and Ferb soundtrack)

Wait who is this.. Yay!!! Here they come.. They are FINALLY home.

Welcome back to AMERICA!!!

Look at that precious little girl Amy is holding... Just a cutie pie..

Hold on who else is coming down the terminal.. There's Andy and Samuel... Who you looking at Willis? (That is what is looks like Samuel is saying)

Some girl time.. I know Emma was ready to see some friendly and familiar faces.. Jie Jie means big sister... How sweet..

Uh this was a difficult to get everyone to stand still for me.. But, hey the whole family is in there.. All smiles guys.. Right?!?  Guys, guys over here..
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What a trip..It was such an honor to be able to welcome home the Cargiles.. I just love that family.. WE had a great time even though it was an 11:00pm journey.. This is only I will never forget..

The emotions were high. (only for me). I couldn't help myself they new family is just so beautiful and I am so glad for them.. WE love you guys..

May God continue to carry y'all...

Chesed

Describes God's loving kindness. It describes a love tied directly to the covenant and to God's dependability.

The motivation of Love.

2 Corinthians 5: 14-15

Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ dies for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will now longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

Sometimes, showing love to those who don't love us back is difficult. But, if we let God's love control us then we will surrender our own agenda and submit to God's.

Stand firm on love and trust in our Saviour Christ Jesus..

My P90X

Over the course of my life my weight has fluctuated.. kinda like when I bake bread. Sometimes it is nice and high, and sometimes it is flat and hard..

Ok so, I would like to be like the flat and hard bread. I am now like the nice and high/fluffy bread.. So, a couple of years ago I saw P90X on an infomercial and I lost five pounds just watching it.. I got my husband to watch and it wasn't long after that we order it.. As soon as it came in we began. At first did the entire thing the workouts and the food. ( I am NOT giving up my food this time.) I will just work harder..

Well as time went on I just sorta stopped.. and from time to time I would just casually start back. But, I never really got back into it like I was in the beginning.

**Caution** This is personal and very embarrassing if you have been where I am you will understand!!!!


The other day I was standing in front of a full length mirror (in my birthday suit) just checking out all the RRRROOOOLLLLLLSSSS.. Seriously it looked like  a cross between the Micheline man and the Pillsbury dough boy... I almost started to cry. But, I didn't yay me. I knew I had to be strong. I couldn't let my family see how depressed I was over my rolling body. So, as I drove the two oldest kids to school. I just got to thinking..

NO MATTER HOW HARD I THINK THE WEIGHT AWAY IT WONT GO AWAY...Darn it..

When I stepped through that door that morning I made up my mind. I said

"Honey, do you want to workout with me? I have got to do something. When we got married I was in a 12 and I am now in a 16w."

Argh that just makes me want to scream.. AAAHHHHHHHH. There I feel some what better.

That was 3 weeks ago... It is not easy. There are days I don't want to keep going. And, there are days I don't want to keep going...oh nevermind I said that twice. 

Seriously... It is a no joke kinda workout..

There are 12 different Discs to do.

Take a peek    this is a 14 min segment..

I must remained focused and determined.. I haven't lost any weight yet, but I am not discouraged muscle weighs more then fat..

I have lost 1/2" in my waist, and hip line....Watch out Victoria Secrets here comes ARICA!!!! (THE SKINNY)

The Birthday Boy!!!

Eight is Great!!!

We had some friends come and spend the night after Graduation.. This was Bros first spend the night party.. And, well let me just say that 3 8-6 years old can wear you out pretty quick..

They just about couldn't pull themselves away from the Wii..

We had chocolate cupcakes with orange icing and green cupcakes with chocolate icing. And, well, orange is Bro favorite color so guess what he ate?

YEP!! That's right an orange one..

This was the small Birthday party we have ever done and I have to say that I enjoyed it better than spending a pile of money. Small and sweet.. a few friends and family make for the best mix.

This is the second year that we have decided to do no presents just card and/or money.. I love this idea..

The key is to catch them by surprise

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Just a side note I have learned how to put more pictures on my posts now...YAY!!!

Another funfilled day

at HES..Friday I got to spend another day with Syd.. However, they wouldn't let lil man come, but I believe he handled it just fine.. I got there about well right at 8:00 in the morning.. Remember the Recipe Thursday  I told you guys about.. Well it turned out to be awful to me.. I couldn't get the mixture to harden like I thought it was suppose to. So, I just spooned it out on plates and sprinkled some of the powdered sugar on top of it.. Some of the kids liked it and some did not.. Anyway, I ended up making WAY to much..

However, this was a very educational day. We learned much about other countires and got to try different foods from each one...

Middle east
Mexico
USA
China.

So, when I say there was pently to each I mean it.. I do belive I loved the middle eastern food the best. It has to really great spices. Some I had never tasted..

The guests came dressed in the etire.. I really thought they were beautiful.

There was even Henna tatoos going on.. I thought this was grougeous..

Hula dancing..

Lots of eating.. When lunch came around no one was hungry.. I guess that was a good thing..


In addtion to being a great day for Syd.. My Bro turned 8 years old this day.. I was proud of him.. I am blessed to have the chance to be his mom.. I love you, Lil Man..

Last week Thursday

was a blast for both Syd and Bro.. HES actually let my little man join the big kids in a school day activities.. The made necklaces, spinner tops, masks, and sharpie painted shirts... It was so much fun for me too.. I was able to go from class room to class room with my babies..

Here they are working on their spinner tops.. These things were really neat.. First they colored a spinner design on card stock, and cut it out.. Then they glued it on to an old CD and hot glued a bottle top to the top and a marble on the bottom. What a clever idea..

This was another great idea.. It was art dot work on the T shirt and once you made a design with the dots you put alcohol on the ink to make it spread..

All smiles before they got started... I really enjoyed that day with my kiddos... A funny thing Bro said when the day was over.. "I couldn't do public school. I am beat." and then he took a nap on the way home..

A twoferoner!!!

Say that 3 times real fast.. Ha ha I couldn't do it either..

Anyway, I have had a busy, busy week and it will finish up busy..

Monday---Bro and I did school. Day went as usually. Early start, early finish. Nap time..
Work out---yuck did I just say that? Yes I did. My husband and I have started back (for the 14th million time) doing P9*X.. It will kick your X... I also still do the treadmill.. only because I can't yet do and entire disc of the workout..

But, I will get there... (hopefully)

Tuesday- Syd had an Academic Banquet..I am super proud of her. She did a great job. She has almost completed this year with an 93.4 or a 94.3 average. I can't remember what was said..

I don't know what was going on. But, I do believe they were excited about the Banquet.. I know I was looking forward to some good food.. Right.. I mean that is what you would consider a banquet.. Not.. All I got was a piece of cake.. And, I didn't eat at home only because I thought we were getting a MEAL!!! HA IN MY FACE..

Wednesday--CO-OP, CO-OP, AND CHURCH..Not a lot to say but a very busy day.. Had lots to do and got lots done.. I just love going to co-op.. This one was a little special to me. I got to wear, in an baby carrier, my little nephew who is too cute for words..

See, I told you... Just too cute.. Momaw!
And, that just leaves me with today... way to much to say on this post..

Recipe Thursday

Every week I try a new recipe. It could be one I get off line, from a friend, or one I just make up. Then, I write it here to you all can try if you like..

Turkish Delight

Do you remember what movie that came from..?  

Yep... That's right.. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. by C.S Lewis..

I am making it as I blog. I will be taking it to Syd's school tomorrow. They are doing different countries. So, I ended up being the one who get to do food.. Yay. Because I. JUST. LOVE. TO. COOK.

 WARNING THIS RECIPE IS VERY, VERY SWEET.

4 c of Granulated Sugar

1 1/4 c of Cornstarch

1 t of Cream of Tarter

4 1/4 c of water

1 T of Lemon Juice

1 1/2 T of Rose water

1 c of Confectioners Sugar

veggie oil or shorting (I am using shorting)

See I told you very, very sweet.

Preparation

in a 9" pan, grease sides and bottom with veggie oil or shorting. Line with wax paper and grease it too.

In a sauce pan, combine lemon juice, sugar, and  1 1/2 c of water on medium heat. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves. Allow mixture to boil.. (This is the tricky part for me) Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer, until mixture reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and set aside.

In another sauce pan, combine cream of tartar, 1 c of cornstarch and remaining water over medium heat. Stir until lumps are gone and the mixture begins to boil. (DO NOT STOP STIRRING). Once the mixture is a glue like consistency stop stirring. Add, the sugar mixture. Stir constantly for 5 min... Reduce heat and let simmer for 1 hour stirring frequently.

Once mixture has become golden brown add the rose water. Pour mixture into wax paper lined pan. Spread evenly and allow to cool overnight.

Turn over baking pan containing Turkish delight onto clean counter or table and cut into 1" pieces.

Coat with confectioners sugar mixture, serve or store in an airtight container in layer separated with wax or parchment paper.

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OK, so far, this has been a complete STICKY MESS. I will probably NEVER make this again. But, I am sure it will be fun to try all the different foods..

I will post tomorrow picture and let ya know how we liked or disliked..

Wish me luck.. I am going to be up a while..



HAPPY MOM'S DAY

What a blessing it is to share this day with family. Today is a great day of cards, flowers, and happy Mothers day wishes.

In church today Bro. Roger showed a small snippet of mothers and daughters, and mothers and sons. What great  memories where brought up on that screen today.

Proverbs 31:25-28

Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness
Her children rise up and call her blessed Her husband also, and he praises her:

I know that some days seem harder than others, and some days I may feel like you can't go on. But, when these beautiful faces smile at me and tell you how much they love me. Those days don't seem as bad any more and I feel like I can take on anything.

What a blessed Mother's Day this was.. And, I pray yours was too.

A new beginning

I know, I know.. Resolutions are to come "Only" at the beginning of the year. But, I just can't help myself.

Two weeks ago LCBC had revival...

Revive- to become active again or flourishing again. To restore from depressed, inactive and unused state. 

It's kinda sad when we have to be revived again.. When Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit after setting out to kill the Christians.. He had a zeal to tell everyone about the word of God. But, here in the great USA. We "need" revivals to get us to move in our lives.. I love revival.. I love the newness of the preacher coming. I enjoy hearing what God has to say. But, I feel like I am cheating God when I "have" to wait for revival at church to make me want to do something.  Austin Deloach was our revival leader for the week.. And, I have to say I was thoroughly impressed.. God knew just what I needed to hear.. and where I needed to change things in my life. 

Shortly, after the revival I began and intimate study of the book of Acts. What a great way to learn where and why the Church was started..

So, here are some of my Resolutions.

*To come when Christ calls.  Just as Peter did when he stepped out of the boat onto the water..

*Resolve to change my heart with prayer and to put others needs before my own.

*To be a prayer warrior for my Country, my Community, my Husband, my Children, my Pastor, my Family.

These are only just a few that God has revealed to me over the past few weeks... And, as I continue to stay in His word. I pray He will show me the paths I need to take..

Here are a few books I am reading to help me get started on the journey of transformation.

Resolution is by Priscilla Shirer. I only just started this one a couple of days ago.. What a revealing message it has offered already.

Come is by Austin Deloach.. That's right our Revival leader. This book can be checked out at the local library.

Praying for your Children is by Towns and Elmer. This too can be checked out at the local library.

I believe that prayer can change things. I have seen, I have felt, and I have been it..

I told all of this so that I can and will be held accountable. What good is a resolution when I am not. I know there will be days where I will not seek Christ first in all situations. I know there will be day when I will fall flat on my face. But, my God is a forgiving God and He wants to me succeed in all things. However, He never said it would be easy. 

Recipe Pictures

Okee dokee.. This was excellent.. WE all loved it..

This is the mix from the sausage, shredded cheese, ricotta, and seasonings

The secret to these is to let the cool not get cold.. Because once they start getting cold they will get hard..

All stuffed and ready to go..

Finished product....PURE DELIGHT..!!!!!

Try and enjoy....

Recipe Thursday

Every week I will try new recipes or ones that my family really enjoys. I may get my recipes from books, friends, Internet, or some I will just make up. I love to cook and try different food. Sometimes, that is difficult in a house full of picky eaters, but I say they are coming around..

Let me say I will be altering this recipe just a little bit. And, I haven't made it yet we are eating it for supper but, I wanted to go ahead and get it on here. I will have pic of the finished product.

MANICOTTI

12 Large Manicotti shells.. I am using smaller shells
4 cup Shredded Mozzarella ...I will be using a mixed cheese and only 2 cups
2 c. of Ricotta Cheese
Basil for seasoning.. I will be adding more than Basil
1 (26 oz) Spaghetti sauce. I will be making my own with tomato sauce and added ingredients
1/2 c of grated Parmesan

*I will also be adding Deer sausage to it.. Must be browned before mixing..

First cook noddles as directed on box or bag. Drain, cool and let dry.

In a medium bowl stir together 2 cups of shredded cheese, ricotta, seasoning, and  browned sausage. Once mixed carefully stuff your cooled shells.

In a lightly greased baking dish smear about 1/2 c of sauce on the bottom.. Place shells in dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the stuffed shells. (*this may be to much sauce. cutting this part in half will not hurt the recipe..I intend on using only half of the called amount)

Heat oven at 350 and bake for 15 mins.. Remove and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and place back in over for an additional 10 min..

Taking a moment

to recognize my husbands hard work on his job.. It seems to me that every few months or so my husband gets these little thanxs notes in the mail..

The note are to my husband going the extra mile at work..

So, I am not bragging but merely stating how proud I am of him and is dedication to his work..

On, another note, one reason I like love his dedication, is because he called me yesterday morning to ask if I needed anything from L*wes..

Well, I said I don't need but I really could use some stools for the bar..

He was able to get two from the store and one I had to order off line.. Thanxs honey for all your hard work.. 

Yippee I have been wanting stools ever since we moved in... I am so excited.

Brains and love who could ask for more...