Good times!!

Saturday we had our S.S. picnic and each year that I have been going to this church it has rained.. really I am not lying.

But, this year it didn't and I was super psyched about that.. We had so many wonderful people out there to talk, and great food to eat!! I don't know what it is about getting together at church but it just seems to make the food taste better and the fellowship fantastic.

I loved seeing all the kids and husbands playing kickball...

We are working on getting the teams separated.

 

Still working on getting the teams..

 

Alright here we go!!!!  Pep talk by daddy for Bro!!

They are waiting and watching for the kick!!

After Kickball!! We all decided that play some Volley Ball....Not Olympic style but, LCBC Style!!!

 

HUH???  What you say??

 

Oh yeah!! I think I'm ready???

 

And the game has begun!!!

After a few good action moves I had to join in so the pictures stopped.. but here are a few more

Jump! Get IT!!!

Hurry R.J...hit it over!!

When all these girls get together you can be sure of one thing!!

TOTAL CUTIES!!!

After all the fun had worn off and the crowd started to split and head home I was amazed by the wonderful day God had given and then later amazed at the beautiful sky line on the way home from church.

I just love the colors that blaze across the sky when the sun sets..

 

 

Doulos

In Greek it means slave.. A person who belongs to someone else as property.."Slave to sin"

If you have never read Jeremiah.. I recommend that you do..

But, all this month I have been reading about this amazing prophet that stood firm on God's warnings and heeded them intently. However, all through our Jeremiah you see he is trying to get Judah, Jerusalem to repent of their sinful ways. Here you can see the "slave to sin" that Jeremiah worked so hard to get them to turn from.

There was no victory for Judah. They were over take by the Babylonians just as Jeremiah predicted. No matter the king the reigned in Judah the out come was still the same defeat. All because they were not giving on their rebellious ways..

We are just like that today, stubborn as some may say, or set in our ways but, Christ calls us to be free from our ways.. free from being Doulos (slaves of sin). We can find redemption in Christ, we can find mercy in Christ, we can find Forgiveness in Christ, and we can find FREEDOM in Christ..

What holds us back from moving toward Him? 

Sin, Pride, Shame, Unworthiness...

All of these things can way a person down..right into slavery if we are not careful.

What can save us from all these?

Prayer..Seeking Christ...Asking for Forgiveness..

It doesn't take much.. Just TRUST!!!!

A special treat!!

Okay earlier today I mentioned that I was going to make this really great dessert for our Sunday School Picnic tonight..

I am done and I just couldn't wait to bring it to ya'll

It is call a Devil Dog!! However, I feel the name should be changed to pure sin!!!!!


I just used a standard cake mix

It calls for 3 eggs.. I add 1 extra
1 1/2 Water
1/2 oil...I use olive oil
1 teaspoon of vanilla

spread it out in a large pan

I usually  make pizza in these pan, but they worked splendidly.

Bake according to box..

I allowed the cake to cool in pan.. lifted it upside down and use a small cup to cut out circles

Next, comes the cream..Now this is not your average cream

1 c of milk---I used 3/4 c of half and half and 1/2 c of milk
5 Tablespoon of whole wheat flour

heat and stir constantly until thick like a brownie mix... Remove from heat and let cool completely

Now cream the butter (make sure it is room temp) and sugar 1 c of each...Use granulated sugar not powdered

 

 

This gourgeous beaut belongs to my MIL.....Thanks MIL.... I should really look into getting a mixer.!!

Back to topic

Once the butter and sugar are light and fluffy...

Now that your milk mix is cool add a 1 teasp. of vanilla and mix good...

Then add it to the cream and butter mix...Beat it to death... for hours just beat it, beat it.. Sorry I can't say Beat it without singing..

After all that beating is done. use what ever you have to squeeze the icing onto the cake circles..

I topped it with some mint garnish...

Enjoy your special treat.. All of this only because I love ya'll

 

Menu Aug 27-Sept. 1

Today is the our Sunday School picnic and I am looking so forward to hanging out with my fellow believers.

And, I am making a special treat for them, now it was not on the menu only because I forgot. So, what is a girl to do except look on The Pioneer Woman and see what great recipes of desserts I can make.. But, you will have to wait until later..

Menu Aug 27-Sept 1

Monday:
Muffins (Banana nut & Choc.chip)
Meat loaf, green beans, cream corn
Leftover lunch

Tuesday:
Eggs, Bacon, and Toast
Tuna Sandwiches, Fruit
Salmon, Cheese grits, Broccoli (New Recipe)

Wednesday:
Pancakes
Leftovers from the beginning of week
Pizza

Thursday
Grits, eggs, Sausage
Hamburger, French fries
Chicken Fajita

Friday
Cinnamon Rolls
Sub Sandwiches (Italian, pizza, meatball)
Chicken Alfredo

Saturday:
Breakfast cake
Chicken N Dumplings
Falafels (New Recipe)


Oh...and I went ahead to the grocery store..Only spent 105.58....

I am doing so good.. Well, some days..!!!!

Co-op Days!

Some months ago, I joined a food co-op. I was thrilled by the idea of all my food being organic and just down right good for you. I must admit it did take my family some getting use to, because some of the things that I would buy were not what we were used to eating.

And, so over the months I just loved co-opping. I was able to see many new friends and enjoy good fellowship with them.

But, last month or my hubby and I got to talkin about budget and cost of food, traveling and other expenses that we are dealing with.  One of the options for me was to quit co-op, it made me sad. I am struggling with where I buy my food and the quality of it.  However, when we decided to do this, that is when the menus really came in to play and the grocery list. I mean I am pinching every dime that I can.

See, driving Syd and Ty back and forth to Hoboken and Nahunta every other week is killing us in gas. I travel 104 miles a day just dropping off and picking up from school. But, that is a different story for another post.

Now, I am a regular grocery store shopper, just like I used to be.

I miss co-op, I miss the quality of the food-meats mainly, I miss the people, I miss the work.

DOGONIT I just miss the CO-OP!!!! WHAAAAAAA!!!!

I am not saying that my co-opping days are done for good, they are just done for now, or until I can win the lottery or the Brantley county school bus came all the over here to pick them up!! Either one of those would work for me!!!

Recipe Thursday

Ham Potato Casserole..

3 pounds Russet Or Yukon Gold Potatoes, Washed Thoroughly ( I didn't use 3 lbs)
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 whole Yellow Onion, Diced
3 cups Diced Ham
1-1/2 cup Half-and-half
1-1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1/4 cup Flour
Black Pepper To Taste
1 cup Grated Cheddar Cheese ( I used a blended cheese)
1 cup Grated Monterey Jack Cheese
Chopped Parsley (optional)
Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a large casserole dish.

Heat butter in a large skillet.

                                                                                          Add onions and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they start to turn translucent. Add ham and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat and set aside.

                                                                      



Combine half-and-half and cream in a microwave-safe container and nuke for a minute or so, until no longer cold. Whisk in flour and black pepper until totally combined. Set aside. (You may add salt, but cheese and ham are salty, so add sparingly.)

Combine the two grated cheeses. Set aside.

Using a mandoline( I used the side of my cheese grater) or slicer, slice potatoes into 1/8-inch slices (very thin.) Layer 1/3 of the potato slices in the buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle on 1/3 of the ham/onion mixture, then 1/3 of the cheese, then pour on 1/3 of the cream mixture.

        Repeat this twice more, ending with a sprinkling of cheese and a pouring on of the rest of the cream mixture. Cover dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes at least, or until bubbly and hot.

Cut into squares and serve. Sprinkle on chopped parsley if you'd like!

(Note: To speed along the process a bit, you may boil sliced potatoes for 3 to 5 minutes before assembling the casserole. Just drain and slightly cool before assembling.)

I just couldn't resist

to post one more blog today..

Because lately, I have been cookin like a mad women all jacked up on Mt.DEW!!!! really!!

And, last week we had two new menu items and I just don't seem to do enough recipe Thursdays to get them all out there.

So here ya go... On from earlier of last week...

The Patty Melt.....From The Pioneer Woman.. I bet you would have never guessed it.

1 stick Butter
1 whole Large Onion, Halved And Sliced
1-1/2 pound Ground Beef
Salt And Pepper, to taste
5 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
8 slices Swiss Cheese
8 slices Rye Bread----(I just used my regular homemade bread)
Preparation Instructions
In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Throw in the sliced onions and cook slowly for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and soft.

In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, salt & pepper, and Worcestershire. Form into 4 patties.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties on both sides until totally done in the middle.

I made these really flat and wide.. So when you fry them becareful they will fall apart..
Assemble patty melts this way: Slice of bread, slice of cheese, hamburger patty, 1/4 of the cooked onions, another slice of cheese, and another slice of bread. On a clean griddle or in a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and grill the sandwiches over medium heat until golden brown. Remove the sandwiches and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Turn the sandwiches to the skillet, flipping them to the other side. Cook until golden brown and crisp, and until cheese is melted.

They were delicious... I will make these again...

Kitchen Thangs

I spend what seems to me most of my day in the kitchen. I could be cooking, doing school work, or blogging mostly all of these take place in my kitchen area..

But, what I love most about my kitchen is the utensils that I have. I know most of you have them and it took months or years to acquire your favorite pieces. I have never really had an opinion about what kind of pots, bowl, or silverware to use until a few years ago. I started noticing how this pot was better than the other or how I liked the feel of my wooden stirring spoon rather then my plastic.

However, over the past several years I have been gradually trying to get rid of stuff that I have found well not to my liking. Then, there are those pieces that just seem to make your kitchen run better. The kind that you will dig out of a dirty dishwasher and clean just because you can't seem to cook anything without it . I feel the same way about several of my favorite pots, mixing bowls and spoons.

A couple of months ago I splurged and bought my kitchen some new mixing bowls. I had several reasons too.

1.I needed more than the 4 that I had..(really)
2.I want to get way from using as much plastic as possible.
3.I really well just wanted them...

While I was at Wal*art one day I decided to hop on over to the kitchen isle just for a little window isle shopping. When all of the sudden there was a bright light that came down from the ceiling and was shining down on these beautiful mixing bowls. There were 15 of them and all different sizes. I just knew this was a sign from above to get them.

Then, just last week I needed some new knives with a straight edge..So, once again I hopped right over to the home stuff isle and found these beautiful knives.. for only 14.96 for 3 of them....

I know I only have two in the photo, that's because the other one was dirty from breakfast.

Here are some of the ugliest cutting boards you will ever see, but my kitchen doesn't run smoothly without them.

Why you ask?

Because for almost every meal I am cutting something up and they protect my counter top perfectly..Not only that but they are flexible. I can fold them with scraps and just scrape them off into the trash can. So, they are also convenient.


In my kitchen I some really nice things to use and I have some really not so nice things to use. However pretty or ugly they all play an IMPORTANT part in my everyday cooking life.

So, the next time you are in the kitchen be sure to marvel over all the little gadgets that seem to help you run a more efficient kitchen.

Zamar

Where does real joy come from?

It only comes from the Lord. We can be happy in our human state but that can change from moment to moment, situation from situation. But, to have sure fire joy now that only comes from the Lord.

This week in our Sunday School class we have been studying out of Jeremiah. After going through and reading so much about the prophet I almost want to weep for him and what he went through.

Day after day he was out on the front line proclaiming Gods word just as God told him to and everyday people laughed, mocked, spit at him. Yet, he endured.

Did Jeremiah get frustrated, did Jeremiah want to quit, did Jeremiah get angry with God?

Yes to all. But, he also knew how to take it to God in the proper way. In prayer..

I said all that to say this...

Zamar--sing, praise (the act of using the voice)

Jeremiah even though terribly tormented he still found joy in the Lord.

Jeremiah 20:13

"Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord! For though I was poor and needy, He rescued me from my oppressors."

Jeremiah trusted that God was there the whole time. In verse 11 Jeremiah said "But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior."

I get this picture in my mind of a stressed out very young man. His shoulders are slumped, head hangs down, dark circles under his eyes. He just looks like he couldn't take another step. Then you look beside him and there is this massif, glorious man with His sword held high, his shield ready for battle, and stern face.

I can't help but to feel that same as Jeremiah did during times in my life, but I too needed to remember that I have a great warrior standing with me through it all.

As, a believer it is a necessity that we remain in faith that our Lord is standing with us. And, if He is with us who can stand against us?

I want to you to spend some time in prayer today thanking God for always being there, even at times when we may think He is not. Because I think of how life would be without Him.

No Joy
No Peace
No Love
No Compassion

Menu...

Here we are again. I am getting pretty good about my menus.. I am so proud of myself. Are you allowed to say that? 

Anyway I am. It takes hard work on my part to want to stick to a menu of any kind. See MY WHOLE life I have been Mrs. Spontaneity. And, doing things on a whim was well how I did things.

But, not anymore now you can call me Mrs. Organize.. Yeah, I think that will work..

Menu Aug 20-25

Monday:
Biscuits and gravy
Ham Casserole (new recipe)
Left over lunch

Tuesday:
Eggs and Bacon
 Tuna Melt, grapes
Steak, Garlic Bread, and Broccoli

Wednesday:
Pancakes
Salad
Pizza

Thursday:
Omelet (sausage, cheese, tomatoes, bell pepper)
Cube steak gravy, Cream Corn, Rice
Left over lunch

Friday:
Cereal, Bananas
Roast (new Recipe)
Leftover lunch

Saturday:
Egg bake
Hamburgers, French Fries
Sandwiches

I went had ahead and jump to fun gun and did my grocery shopping yesterday only because I didn't want to have to do it to.

An Update!!

I just wanted to give everyone an update on how our first week of school went.

The very first day was difficult as expected..jumping right back into school is not mine or Bro's idea of fun. But, we finished that day with success. I really had to talk to him our responsibility.. I know he is ONLY eight but, it is time that he learns just as most do to sit and do his work without someone constantly telling him to get back to work. That talk took place on Tuesday. With lots of prayer Wednesday was looking mighty fine. He and my hubby had gotten up early (I already had breakfast ready) they ate and Bro was on school work before I even got home from taking the other two to school. Tid bit of info, It take me an 11/2 to get them to school and home again.. So, it is a pretty long ride for me in the mornings. Sometimes, I get tired and really feel like I could us a nap, but I can't..I was so thankful for my hubby getting Bro up and going. So, as you can see, my week had done pretty good after a talk and much prayer.

The Show Stopper.... When I got home this morning my hubby came walking down the hall and said that Bro had started on his work without even being told. I was so proud. I pray that it continues to got like this.

Ty had a great week as well, although this is their second week he seems to be really enjoying H.S. I just want to shed a few tears when I have to write that. Anyway, he (Ty) climbed in the car with a huge smile on his face and said

"Me and one other person was the only ones that scored a 100 on their science test."

I am so proud of my kids.

Recipe Thursday

I think I need to come up with a better title than Recipe Thursday..What do you think?

Shrimp Scampi

4 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/2 whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced
4 cloves Garlic Cloves, Minced Or Pressed
1 pound Large Shrimp, Peeled And Deveined
1/2 cup White Wine
2 whole Lemons
4 dashes Hot Sauce (I Used Tabasco; More To Taste)
Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
8 ounces, weight Angel Hair Pasta
Chopped Fresh Basil To Taste
Chopped Fresh Parsley, To Taste
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Preparation Instructions

Boil water for pasta; have it ready.




Heat olive oil and melt
 butter in large skillet over
 medium heat.






Ty was my meal helper the the night.
He did a great job.

                                                                                     Add onions and garlic and cook for two or three minutes, or until onions are translucent. Add shrimp, then stir and cook for a couple of minutes. Squeeze in lemon juice. Add wine, butter, salt and pepper, and hot sauce. Stir and reduce heat to low.

 

Throw angel hair pasta into the boiling water. Cook until just done/al dente. Drain, reserving a cup or two of the pasta water.
Remove skillet from heat. Add pasta and toss, adding a splash of pasta water if it needs to be thinned. Taste for seasonings, adding salt and pepper if needed.
Top with grated Parmesan and minced parsley and serve immediately.

Loved it... I loved it so much I ate two plate full.. Yep that's right TWO count them TWO  and loved every bite.!!!!!!

Back to it again!!

It feels like to me that about every other month I talk about working out. And, you are right I do only because I can NEVER seem to stay with it. Back about 50 million years ago I posted how my hubby and I were doing P90X.  We were doing so good with it encouraging one another to push ourselves, but then the unthinkable happen my hub hurt his elbow and had to quit doing it for a while. WE actually thought he was going to have to take some time off of work. But, luckily he didn't.. Anyway, when he had to quit so did I.. I mean really I couldn't do it without him.

I NEED HIM RIGHT THERE WITH ME!!!

So on August the 6th we started back full force and I mean full force!!!  My bones even hurt!!

We got serious about. We are determined to loose some weight and inches. I know I don't like to look in the mirror and see rolls and rolls.

This time to make sure that we are doing our very best we took some measurements. Now, this was a definite eye opening moment for me..

Arms -- 13 1/2" left   13 1/2" right

Chest-- 40"

Waist--37 3/8"

Hips0--46"

Thighs-- 26" left  26" right.

Okay when we did the hips and waist I almost started to cry. This isn't the biggest I have ever been but, I am pretty big.

So wish me luck and if you see me tell me I look fat.. So, I will keep working my hardest.

School's In Session!!!

Yesterday was our (mine and Bro's) first day of school...  Yay!!!!

There is a lot to be expected from my determined 8 year old this year. I have been going over the curriculum almost everyday and everyday I seem to learn this year is going to be a learning year. Not that last year was not a learning year but, there are new hurdles that he and I will have to jump in order to make this new school year a success.

Yestrdy, we ran into a lot of what I would call first day trials.. I guess he wanted to see how much he could get away with, while not doing work. And, I need for him to know that responsibility is a big part of home school and being trusted to do the work with out having to sit right beside him.

I pray that we, yes we, will both be compassionate about learning and taking our time to really show each other love. Sometimes, I can't determine which part I want to play the teacher or the parent. I want to be loving, huggy, kissy, sweet. But, on the other had I need to be firm, expecting him to do is best. Being at home with Bro everyday I know his potential, I know he can push him self and just how far he can go. But, being a child he needs that encouragement from me, coaching him, praising him, and loving him all at the same time. Now, that can and does get to be a little overwhelming.

But alas, I will be encouraged each day and approach each day with a new heart and refreshed spirit!

It's hard not to love a face like that!!!