JulieD'sBlog

• Jul. 19, 2008 - In Our Home

Bethany returned yesterday from her week of internship with Worldview Academy.  She had a wonderful week but came home very tired.  One of her responsibilities was to patrol the halls at night making sure the girls went to sleep.  A few nights she was doing this until 2:00 am.  We are letting her sleep in this morning.     Ben is spending the day with his rock climbing class in the mountains.  This class has pushed him out of his comfort zone.  A couple of the guys in his class were on his high school football team and have been great encouragers to Ben this summer.  He has a fun deep sea fishing trip planned later this summer with family members and is very excited.      Sam and David are busy with yardwork and cleaning the outside of our house.  I love driving down our street into our driveway and admiring all of their hardwork.  We've gotten 5 hydrangeas as gifts the last few years.  They are blooming so beautifully.      I am busy packing as we head to the beautiful beach tomorrow.  Sadly, Ben will not be going on our family vacation with us because of school and work.  This has grieved my heart; but I know the restful week will be so good for my husband who has a very demanding schedule during the year.  We are going to a very quiet place this year and look forward to soaking up the sun.  A young couple from our church will be helping Ben this week while we are away.  They came over for dinner last night and are so eager to help.     Today is my precious sister's birthday.  She is one of the funniest people I know (Carol Burnette funny).  We live very different lives as she lives in fast paced California and sees the world as a flight attendant.  We talk by phone just about every day and words cannot express how much I love her. Happy Birthday Dana!

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• Jul. 14, 2008 - The Simple Woman's Day Book - 2

July 14, 2008 Outside my window... it is so beautiful.  We have had much needed rain just about every day for the last week.  My garden is so beautiful and lush as are all of our trees, flowers and grass.  Thank you Lord! I am thinking... of all that I need to do this week as we prepare for our vacation.  Also, of our precious daughter, Bethany, as she is serving as an intern this week with a worldview ministry.  I would appreciate prayers for her and for the young girls she has in her small group. I am thankful for...  our wonderful church where my husband serves as pastor.  I appreciate the three weeks in July they afford him to rest, reflect and recharge.  From the kitchen...  a bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables.  I will make bread today. I am wearing... black patterned capris with a pink shirt. I am creating... a container of colorful summer flowers for the front of my house. I am going... to lunch with 3 dear friends to celebrate one of their birthdays.  It is a surprise! I am reading... Humility - True Greatness  by C.J. Mahaney and Persuasion by Jane Austin I am hoping...  that Bethany has a wonderful week at camp. I am hearing...  my husband and son talking about their plans for the day. Around the house...  laundry, straightening up a bit, cleaning out kitchen cabinets and refrigerator One of my favorite things... the beach!  Lord willing, this time next week we will be there. A few plans for the rest of the week...  doctor appointment, and just being home.  Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Our butterfly bushes are blooming again: If you would like to participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook, visit Peggy's blog to get the details. Happy Day!

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• Jul. 12, 2008 - Sugar Cookie Cake

I mentioned that I had made a Sugar Cookie Cake in my last post and many of you asked for the recipe.  I first read about this cake on Kelli's blog.  She linked her post to Amy's blog at Simple Folk, for the recipe.  I have made this cake twice and my family loves it! Enjoy! Sugar Cookie Cake 3/4 cup cold butter, cut in pieces 3 cups flour 2 cups sugar 1 and 1/2 cups buttermilk 1 tsp. baking soda 2 eggs, beaten 1 tsp. vanilla Mix butter, sugar and flour into crumbs. (I used a food processor for this step)  Reserve one cup of the crumbs and set aside. Stir the baking soda into the buttermilk and add to the crumbs.  Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Pour batter into a 9x13" greased pan and top with the one cup of reserved crumbs. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Serve with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

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• Jul. 7, 2008 - Simple Woman's Daybook 1

July 7, 2008 Outside my window...  it's a beautiful sunny day. I see our oldest son's car and I am glad he's back home after house-sitting for some friends last week. I am thinking...  of my new week and the many things I need/want to do. I am thankful for...  the long week-end we had and the freedom we celebrate in the U.S.A. From the kitchen...  I made a Sugar Cookie Cake over the week-end that all have greatly enjoyed.  (I'll share the link to the recipe in a few days)  Today I will make sour dough bread from my 19 year old starter. I am wearing... floral capris with a white sweater set. I am creating... my schedule for the new week and appointments for my daughter to take placement tests at the community college. I am going... to take Bethany and Samuel with me on my errands today.  Samuel has been saving his money for something special and I have to be with Bethany when she applies at the community college since she's a high school student. I am reading...  To Fly Again, by Gracia Burnham and various books on Nature Journaling. I am hoping... we get a soaking rain soon as our area is in extreme drought. I am hearing... my puppy yelp at my feet wanting me to pick her up.  (I picked her up)   Also, Samuel is listening to my ring tones on my cell phone. Around the house...  we are busy decluttering a bit and I have laundrey to catch up on.  My houseplants are thirsty. One of my favorite things... is spending time on our backporch watching my beautiful feathered friends.  The baby chickadees that fledged from our birdhouse a couple of weeks ago are a feisty little group.  The yellow in the gold-finches is spectacular. A few plans for the rest of the week...  I think I will be home a lot this week helping Bethany prepare for an internship for next week.  I'm also taking a meal to a friend who is caring for her terminally-ill mother.  We may swim with some friends one afternoon this week.  Here is a picture thought I am sharing... I found this precious petunia plant just blooming away in the crack of a downtown sidewalk.  When I showed the picture to my friend Heather, visiting from Florida, she said, "I am always amazed at how beauty perseveres in the most ordinary of places." This was so much fun!  If you would like to participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook, visit Peggy's blog to get the details. Happy Day!

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• Jul. 5, 2008 - Bluegrass Salad

Bluegrass Salad Southern Living Magazine 2 Heads of Romaine Lettuce, cleaned and torn in bite size pieces 2 pears, chopped Asparagus Tips, steamed until tender and then cool (add as many as you like) 3/4 cup walnuts or pecans (you may saute them in 1 teaspoon butter before adding to the salad.) 1/2 cup blue cheese 1/2 cup dried cranberries Toss all ingredients together and toss with dressing. (Below) Salad Dressing: 1/2 cup Canola oil 1/4 cup rice vinegar 1 T. Balsamic vinegar 2 T. sugar or honey Place all ingredients in a jar and shake very well.  Drizzle over salad. Enjoy!!!

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• Jul. 1, 2008 - Encouragement

• Jun. 30, 2008 - Brain Fog and Veterinarian Appointments

• Jun. 26, 2008 - Dogs vs. Cats

Dogs vs. Cats Dog's Diary 8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing! 9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing! 9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing! 12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing! 1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing! 3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing! 5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing! 7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing! 8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing! 11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing! Cat's Diary Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously crazy! One of my dog loving friends sent me this the other day and I thought it was so cute! Julie

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• Jun. 23, 2008 - Celebration

Over the week-end my family celebrated my birthday.  On Saturday David and I drove to Black Mountain, NC to have lunch at The Veranda.  We enjoyed a delicious meal and a wonderful time together in a beautiful mountain setting.  After lunch and a piece of Key Lime pie we visited a few shops and then drove up to Montreat before returning home.  Here we are in Black Mountain:      On Sunday we attended church and then had a relaxing afternoon as I had not been feeling well. That afternoon David made me a delicious cheesecake.  This meant so much to me as he had not baked a cake before.  For dinner Bethany and he prepared kabobs and we ate outside enjoying sweet time with one another.  I thank the Lord for my precious husband and children and each day we have together. Nancy's Cheesecake 2  8oz bars Cream Cheese, softened 1 cup sugar 3 eggs Cream the softened cream cheese and then add the sugar mixing well. Add eggs one a time combining well.  Pour into a well-buttered pie plate and bake for 25 minutes in a 375 oven.  Let cool for 20 minutes and then place topping (recipe below) on top of cheesecake and bake for 10 minutes in a 350 oven. Topping: 1 8oz. container sour cream 4 Tablespoons of sugar 1 teaspoon of vanilla pinch of salt Stir all ingredients together and pour over cheesecake, follow directions above. We serve the cheesecake with fresh strawberries or blueberries.  Enjoy!

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• Jun. 17, 2008 - Oh My!

It has been so long since I've updated my blog.  We are all doing well; we've just been enjoying the beautiful Carolina weather and one another.  Here are a few things we've been up to: Millie:  Training a new puppy is hard work!!!  Millie has become a sweet part of our family.  She could very easily become a circus dog as she is incredibly limber, can leap tall buildings and run faster than lightning.  Abby  (our black lab) has grown to love her and has become more playful.  Millie was spayed last Thursday and the veterinarian told us to keep her still for ten days.   That lasted about two days.  She is healing well. Garden:  We have a smaller garden this year but it is still so fun to look outside and see all of the vegetables growing.  We planted 3 kinds of peppers, 3 kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, pumpkin, yellow squash, zucchini and radishes.   And of course, we have been spending a lot of time on our backporch.  David has been meeting individually with our children early in the morning discipling and encouraging them through God's Word.  We thank the Lord for a beautiful spot to spend time with Him and to enjoy His beautiful creation. Benjamin is taking summer classes this summer at the community college.  He also continues to work part time and also is gearing up for the football season when he will write for the local newspaper.  He is busy meeting with coaches and other journalists.  I love watching the Lord work out His plans in Ben's life. Bethany will be interning with Worldview Academy this summer.  They sent her a large manual that she needs to be very familiar with.  She is excited but a little unsure about going from a student to an intern with authority over her peers.  She has begun volunteering at the Pregnancy Care Center and they have her organizing the room where donations are kept.  She is a wonderful organizer and loves her responsibilities there.  Samuel has been working hard this summer.  He is mowing our entire yard (2 acres) and helping with projects around the house.  I am amazed at his discipline and commitment to not wasting his time; but working hard.  He has had a lot of fun too.  He is blessed with very good friends.  They have spent fun times swimming at the lake, friend's pools and outside playing ball.  He is Millie's number one caretaker and I appreciate his help so much.  He returns today from a week at his grandparents.  I can't wait to see him. Here they are with their dear grandparents: I have also gotten some requests for specific recipes, so in the next few days I will be posting them.  If I forget the one that you want just leave me a comment telling me the recipe you need.  The first one is a delicious breakfast casserole that I got from Southern Living years ago.  Country Grits and Sausage Casserole 2 cups water 1/2 cup quick-cooking grits, uncooked 3 and 1/2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese 4 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon dried whole thyme 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1.5 pounds mild bulk pork sausage, cooked, crumbled and drained Bring water to a boil; stir in grits.  Return to a boil; reduce heat to low, and cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add cheese, stirring until melted. Combine eggs, milk, thyme and garlic powder; stir well.  Gradually stir about one-fourth of hot grits mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly.  Stir in sausage.  Pour into a lightly greased casserole.  At this point you may cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 50 minutes or until set. Yield: 6-8 servings Happy Day Dear Blogging Friends!!!

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