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Hello to those who have linked over from Lysa's. Thanks for visiting. I'm looking forward to visiting your sites and getting some new recipes. Here are a few soup recipes that my family enjoys: Sorta Zuppa Toscana 1 lb. Italian Sausage 2 T. olive oil 1 med. onion (chopped) 2 garlic cloves (minced) 6-8 cups chicken broth (I use water and bouillon cubes) 2-4 russet potatoes (halved length-wise and sliced 1/4 in. thick) 1 t. salt 1/2 t. pepper half bunch kale (chopped) 2 c. heavy whipping cream Brown sausage in the olive oil. Remove sausage from pan leaving 2 T. oil and pan drippings. Drain sausage on paper towels. Cook onions and garlic until softened. Add chicken broth, potatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook until potatoes are done (about 20-30 minutes). Add sausage and kale and cook for about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and add heavy whipping cream. For extra "heat" sprinkle with red pepper flakes. I like to serve this with garlic bread! Potato Cheese Soup 6 c. water 6 chicken bouillon cubes 2 lbs. frozen country-style hash brown potatoes 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can cream of celery soup 1 can evaporated milk 1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed Bacon bits Chopped green onion Bring water and bouillon cubes to a boil. Add hash browns, cream of chicken soup, celery soup, milk, and cubed Velveeta cheese. Cook until potatoes are tender. Top with bacon bits and chopped onion. Chicken Corn Chowder 1/2 lb. bacon 1 med. onion (chopped) 6 c. chicken broth 2 diced potatoes 4 cooked chicken breasts (diced) 1 cup milk 2 cans cream of chicken 1 can corn 1 can creamed corn Cook bacon, drain and set aside, leaving drippings in pan. Cook the onion in the drippings until soft. Add broth and potatoes. Cook until potatoes are soft (20 minutes). Add milk, chicken, soup, and corn. Cook until heated through. I like to serve this with corn bread and some grated cheese. Enjoy! |
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My list of "50 Questions to Ask" seems to have made it to the back burner in my to do list. Here's one for #30: Where were you born? I was born in Midland, Texas, where we live now! Two of my kids were born here as well, the last one in the same hospital I was born. It's kind of funny because I always imagined that I would live far away from here, and we did live away for a while but ended back here--a great place to raise a family! |
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My son finished Cub Scouts on Saturday and had a crossover/arrow of light ceremony. I thought that I would be pretty sad when the time came, but it was time to move on and it was exciting for him and us too. My husband gave the speech/charge to the boys and also to their dads. He has had many compliments about the speech. He said a lot of things that aren't often said but need to be said to men and boys. He challenged them to make scouting a priority and not quit or get distracted. Then he challenged them to be prepared by making wise choices in their friends and in all their decisions. Next he challenged all the dads to give their sons their time and their blessing.
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Wow! I can't believe December is gone--has anyone seen it? Time flies when you are too busy...I was way too busy and also way too sick. I'm still fighting off bronchitis and the nasty cough that comes with it. At least I have my voice back somewhat. I love to sing and I really LOVE Christmas music so it was very disappointing to not be able to sing this year. I hope you all had a great Christmas and that Christ was very real and personal to you. Here are a few pics of our lives in December--the only proof I have that December did actually happen: I took my girls and a friend of theirs to see the Nutcracker:
The Home School choir performed for us:
My son had a birthday party at Putt-Putt:
We hosted our Play Group for a Christmas Cookie decorating contest and some fun games:
Christmas Eve at our house:
This has been a very blessed year for me and my family. God has been good and faithful as always to provide for our needs in every way. I always like to "take stock" of my life at this time of year, and see what needs to be given more attention. Some people call it New Year's Resolutions, some call it goal setting, etc...Whatever you call it, I always try to evaluate my time and efforts and see if there are changes I need to make. There are always areas that need improving, some are always on the list. Anyhow, I say all of that to say, here's my LIST: 1. Stick to a schedule better. 2. Be more diligent and faithful to Bible study and prayer. 3. Attend a marriage conference. 4. Save money. 5. Get some house "projects" completed. 6. Be more faithful with the kids' piano lessons. 7. The old faithful--LOSE WEIGHT! 8. Learn how to make jar candles. 9. Start counseling training. 10. Spend more one on one time with my kids. I'm asking God to show me where I need changes in my heart and the answer that I keep hearing is that I need to be still and KNOW that He is God, He is in control, I'm to be still and wait patiently for Him. I've got to let go of trying to "change people" and let God be who He is, let His Holy Spirit do the changing and it will be for real. I'm always telling my kids, "who is the only one you can change?". The answer, of course, is myself. I need to listen to my own advice and work on changing myself and my poor attitudes. I'm determined to take my hands off, stand still, and see the Glory of God. I can't wait to see what He's going to do! Have a great year everybody! |
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I see I haven't posted since Thanksgiving, probably because we have had quite a busy schedule. These are some of the things that have been keeping us occupied: 1. Delivering popcorn that my son sold for Cub Scouts. This was his best year ever, which is great, except then you have to actually, you know, "DELIVER" what you sold... 2. Decorating for Christmas--FUN!
3. My daughter had a stomach virus two weeks ago and that was FUN too... 4. We delivered Meals on Wheels one day. We only do this two days a month but I was thinking about taking a break from it for a while to help ease our busy-ness. However, I was listening and watching my kids pass out the meals (we deliver to a high rise retirement apartment and the cottages next to them) when I realized that they were learning how to really care about people. I could hear them asking how the people were feeling, telling them to have a nice day, etc., etc., and I decided that this may be one of the most important activities we do. 5. Our small play group took a field trip to the Museum here where they had a gingerbread house display and a great toy train to see. Afterwards, we went to a "coffee house" where the kids played with board games and the moms visited. That was a lot of fun.
6. Last Saturday, my son was supposed to have a group violin lesson that was canceled. Then, the kids were supposed to have a pine car derby race with their Awana group. It was canceled because the track wasn't working properly. Having the cancellations helped the day not seem so bad after all. After that, we went to a birthday party at the bowling alley. They loved that. Later, Scott, Emily, and I went to our church Christmas outing which was dinner at a very nice restaurant and then the Christmas symphony. We have gone to the Christmas symphony for 11 years now. I guess you could call that a tradition. However, for Emily it was her first year to get to go and I thought she would love it. Instead, I think she imagined it so much greater than it was so she was a little bit disappointed. Oh well... 7. On Monday, our scout Pack had their Christmas party. 8. Tuesday-today has been a lot of home school choir practices since their concert is next week. 9. Tonight, Emily is gone to a friends birthday party at a hockey game. Have I ever told about my experience with a hockey puck. Remind me later...Jordan and Scott are visiting a Boy Scout Troop tonight. They have to visit at least a couple of Troops before Jordan's Blue & Gold graduation in February. That way they can decide which Troop to go into. 10. Tomorrow I am taking my two girls and one of their friends to see the Nutcracker. Last year Katy was a mouse and we had to work. This year will be nice to go and just ENJOY! This next week is just about as full of activity. I am thankful for the health and the ability to be able to do all these things with my kids. Making these memories are what makes it all so sweet.
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We had a beautiful White Thanksgiving! It started snowing on Thursday, let up on Friday, and then snowed again Saturday and Sunday. We also had a White Easter this year--here's hoping for a White Christmas!
My son built a Pumpkin Snowman - precious! This is my table last year:
This is my table this year:
My son wanted to know what happened to the way we did it last year, he liked that better. Two things are apparent about him: he does NOT like change, and he is a bit more CITY-FIED than COUNTRY-FIED if you know what I mean. I cooked: turkey, dressing (REAL cornbread), sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese (the "rich" kind I only make at holidays), and yum-yum cherry salad. My mom brought pecan pie, bread pudding, and cookies. My brother brought rolls and pumpkin pie. I DO NOT want to know the points value of all these items. I'll worry about that tomorrow... I was expecting my grandmother to come to my house on Thanksgiving but when it was so cold and snowing, she decided to stay put and we went up and saw her in the afternoon. She's having trouble with her oxygen levels, not to mention her memory. She will NOT wear the oxygen tube that they have given her and it makes me sad. On one hand, if I was 85, I would want to be able to decide that myself. On the other hand, I know she would feel so much better if she would use it. I also think that she may be a bit homesick for heaven and her daughter who passed away around this time last year. I began thinking on all this while I was shopping for the Thanksgiving meal and it made me cry - right there in Wal-Mart. Then, my youngest daughter came down with a stomach bug last night. She and I stayed home from church today and I think she is finally improving. I hate stomach bugs! I just finished reading a book called 90 Minutes in Heaven, by Don Piper. There were two things that spoke to my heart as I read this book: 1. As Christians, we should allow others to help us when we are in need of help. It gives them the chance to receive the blessing of giving and serving. This is hard for us to do because of pride. We don't want anyone to be "put out" or imposed upon. The truth is that others WANT to help and we are robbing them of the blessing and joy they will receive when they are given the chance to do something for us if we refuse their help. 2. The author found a purpose for everything that had happened to him, the comfort he could provide to those who have lost loved ones, the empathy and advice he could offer to those who were experiencing the same injury he had experienced. I want God to take the trials I have had and use them for His purpose. Finding a way to do that has been the hard part. 3. Then, I read a story he relates in the book about a little girl who was missing from her house. Her mother called and called for her. She finally returned home to her mother who asked her where she had been. The girl said she had been over at the neighbor's house, he had recently lost his wife and she was helping him. The mother asked her what it was she did to help him. The little girl said, "I helped him cry." When I read this, I cried...This is what I can do, I can help people cry. I can use the gift of mercy to do this, I just need God to bring people to me who need help crying... Now I am going to read, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Joanna Weaver. I'll let you know what I glean from that when I finish. It seems to take me a while to get through a book even though I enjoy reading. Hope you had an extraordinary Thanksgiving! |
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I thought that my days would slow down in November and I could feel rested, but, they aren't...sigh... My son completed his "God and Country" badge for Cub Scouts which is a little time consuming so I'm really proud of him. We went to "Merry Marketplace" which is a retail preview of sorts emphasizing Christmas. There were about a gajillion booths and I bought NOTHING!!!! Yeah!!! I usually like to go because I love the atmosphere of Christmas music, cinnamon in the air, etc., etc. I guess we were all so tired this year that it didn't seem as much fun. Plus, the prices were sky-high (surprise, surprise!). Last weekend I was really sick for several days (headache, stomach ache, then "female" aches). I'm just now feeling better. There sure is a lot of stomach bugs going around our town. I almost feel like barricading my family at home and avoiding all those germs, but that's not exactly an option, is it? Our co-op had a potluck dinner and silent auction on Saturday. My daughter's home ec. class made a Christmas tree skirt and matching ornaments. We made sure to win the ornaments that she made. I thought that she would be pleased but as it turns out, she wanted to "get rid" of them and not have to see them again. I kind of understand her thoughts but I know that she will be more grateful we got them years down the road. On Monday, our cub scouts had their annual "Lad and Dad Cake Auction". The boys and dads make cakes without any help from Mom and then they auction them to raise money for the boys. Here is how my "Boys" cake turned out:
The sad part is that this is the last Lad and Dad cake they will make for cub scouts. Five years sure goes by fast! Tonight all of our popcorn arrives that the pack has sold and now we have to deliver. This was the very best year ever, for our pack and also for our son. Another memory... On Thursday, our home school group will have its annual Thanksgiving Feast which always fun. I really should triple all of my recipes. Then I will have food prepared for our church feast on Sunday and our family's feast on Thursday, hmm.... I have a baby shower to attend on Saturday and a den meeting at my house on the following Monday. Then my family's coming to my house on Thursday for Thanksgiving. I'm hoping to decorate for Christmas on Friday after Thanksgiving. Maybe after all that November will SLOW DOWN! I know this sounds like complaining, maybe it is, a little. But really I enjoy making all these memories with my family. I know it will all go by before we know it and I'll be having to find other things to occupy my time. I'm very thankful for this season of my life, even though it's racing by me. I saw a little girl in a grocery cart the other day. She was probably 1 or 2 years old. She reminded me so much of my girls when they were that small. She was leaning in on her mother and the mother was holding her and patting her on the back. I thought I might have myself a good cry right then and there. Wasn't it just yesterday I was doing the same thing. Now my kids won't even FIT in the cart and they are going here and there in the store helping me shop. I enjoy the help but I miss the moments of leaning on Mom and patting their small backs. Well, how's that for RAMBLING. Have a great season of Thanksgiving wherever you are! |
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I recently talked with someone about some serious life changing issues going on his life. I offered sympathy. I did not offer advice or counsel because that usually goes in one ear and out the other--besides, I don't have all the answers, only Christ can be what they need. He told me that he has always been jealous of me because I seem to have the perfect life, a good husband, a nice home, etc., etc. Before we could continue the conversation he was interrupted by another call. I have had this on my mind all week. I struggle with knowing how to let others know that I am human too--I sin too--I have problems too, and at the same time not be a whiner, complainer, wallowing in self-pity. God gives us all trials and tests. He works in our lives, I believe, for the sole purpose of bringing glory to Himself. I have lots of struggles, hurts, and trials just like everyone else. I want to be able to learn from them and use what I learn to help others and point them to the One and Only who can heal their hurts and carry them through their trials and struggles. I just don't know quite how to go about this. Another thing that I can't stop thinking about is the way others see me and envy me. Am I being prideful in how I portray my life? Maybe so...I also wonder, if the people who say this to me truly love me, why are they so envious? I thought that when you love someone, you are happy for their successes - not envious...Just some random thoughts in my mind and heart this week... I Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. |
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I'm really looking forward to November and staying at home on the weekends...We had something going on every weekend in October and the condition of my house shows all the signs of "neglect". We were gone the 1st weekend--State Fair, 2nd weekend--The Wedding, 3rd weekend--Cub Scout Pack Campout,
and then the 4th weekend--Cub Scout Pushmobile races,
a friend's birthday party, and my oldest was out of town on a youth retreat. Whew!! Makes me tired just remembering it all. I'm now looking forward to Thanksgiving, one of my favorite times of the year. I love the family time and I love planning all the food. Mostly, I love that my family takes special effort to thank God for all He's done for us--something that I never really had at Thanksgiving while I was growing up. The memories I have from Thanksgiving while growing up are: family (extended family) "pigging out", family arguments, and all the men absorbed in football and themselves--yelling at the top of their lungs if ANYBODY came between the TV and where they were sitting. Nice, warm, cozy, memories huh? One of the most vivid memories I have of Thanksgiving as a child was when my Papa was drunk and got in a fight with one of my aunts. The kids were all sent outside where we could still hear all the yelling and cursing (but at least we were out of the line of fire). I know that a lot of families endure much worse circumstances, but as a child, this was really etched in my mind and really burdened my tender heart that wanted it all to stop and everything be nice, warm, and cozy... God has redeemed those memories for me and given me a sweet family that loves the Lord and realizes all that He has done for us, and takes the time to say so. I love Thanksgiving! Thanks to God for all He's done for me! |
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Question #29: What things show you my appreciation for you? This kind of reminds me of the "5 Love Languages". For me, it would be words of praise and encouragement. To hear someone voice words of affirmation really lifts my spirit and keeps me motivated to keep on keeping on. Maybe that's why I did pretty well on Weight Watchers... |
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A very good friend of ours was married on Saturday night and my girls were in the wedding. It was probably the prettiest wedding I've ever been to.
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Well, today is my BIG birthday - 40! I'm happy to be alive and happy to be where I am today. My family brought me breakfast in bed and gifts. My daughter hid a whole bag of hershey kisses throughout the house. She made a chart for the restaurants that I can choose from according to how many kisses I find. I finally made it to the highest tier. I was stuck on Popeye's Chicken for quite a while. Woo Hoo! Now I'm choosing between Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Outback, Cattle Baron, Cattleman's, and Venezia's (a really nice Italian place). I'll let you know what I pick - we aren't actually going until Sunday. |
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Question #28: What do you enjoy doing with your mate? 1. Time alone - date night. 2. Trips 3. Marriage conferences 4. Movies 5. Walking Side note: I am skipping over 17 of the questions on the original list because they are quite personal. They are, however, very good for communicating your needs and desires with your spouse. If you would like to have them, email me and I will send them in an email. I will add 17 more "vague" questions so that there will still be 50! |
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We went to the Texas State Fair in Dallas this past weekend. It was a lot of fun. I especially enjoyed a Corny Dog and I finally had a fried snicker. I know, I know, it's definitely NOT on the South Beach Diet is it? It was pretty crowded since it was the weekend for the UT and OU game. There were burnt orange and maroon shirts everywhere. We decided we should leave before the game ended and there was a mass exodus. So, about 5:30 we went back to the motel, ordered pizza, went swimming, and rented a movie. I think that part of the trip was the favorite for the kids. Our motel was right across the street from Six Flags and it made us sort of wish that we had gone there instead. It would have been CHEAPER... |
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We were very privileged to "get away" last weekend (BY OURSELVES!). We spent a couple of days in San Antonio. This is a picture of us after having dinner on the River Walk. We shopped at an outlet mall, ate at Cracker Barrel, and finally got to go see the "new" Bourne movie. Action movies aren't my first choice but I know that Scott likes them and there really weren't a lot of choices... We stopped at Fredericksburg on the way home and went to a few of the shops that we know we like. I got a new primitive board that says, "Memories Made Here". I hung it over one of the entries to our living room. I want to fill the house with them (the primitive boards), well, memories too!!! Before we left on the trip I took our van to Walmart for an oil change and tire rotation. It was a two hour wait so, on a whim, I went to the hair salon and had my hair cut. The Proverb is so true that says "Pride goes before a fall." I told my Mom just last week that I'm not real picky about where I get my hair cut because I've never really had a bad cut. I have now!!! You should see what the back of my hair looks like. It has been BUTCHERED let me tell you. I just wanted to cry. The only consolation is that I know it will grow back and my sweet man keeps telling me that it looks fine...I'm thankful for that! |
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I received this video in my email today of "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns. This was amazing. Please go see it! |
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Question #27: With what chores and responsibilities do you like help? Personally, I like for my husband to take care of the outside while I take care of the inside. He does help out in the kitchen every now and then but in general, this is how it works for us at our house. We are blessed to have our 3 kids to help us out with the inside and outside. The oldest mows the yard and they all help take care of the pets. They also have assigned nights to clean the kitchen. They are all responsible to clean their own rooms and put up their clean laundry which I have washed. On the weekends I assign various chores depending on what needs to be done and what our schedule looks like. I have found that my kids respond better to chores when they have a list. It also put an end to my endless "harping" on what needs to be done and it put an end to the phrase "I forgot..." What works at your house? |
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Question #26: What things (personal, home, car, etc.) need repairing? This would definitely be a question for a husband (not a friend or boyfriend), right? My list could go on and on because we still have a bunch of projects that we've needed to get done since we moved into this house last August. Painting (mostly) Flooring We have a green mold growing on our brick outside. That really bugs me but I don't know how to get rid of it. We also have a carpenter ant problem that needs to be seen about. Odds & Ends, etc., etc. Well, I'll stop there. That's probably already TMI if you know what I mean... |
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If you have a moment today to pray for me, I could really use the intervention. Some days are just a whole lot harder than most and I feel like I need to make some major decisions that I really don't want to face. Thanks! |
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Question #25: What are your weaknesses? Wow! This is kind of like telling how much you weigh--a little revealing... Here goes: My main weakness would be a critical, negative spirit. I also struggle with depression sometimes because I get caught up in that negative cycle and for get to keep my focus on my heavenly Father and all the good things He has done and is doing for me. Another weakness I have is procrastination. If there is something I really don't want to do (like clean the bathroom...) I tend to put it off longer than necessary. I really need to work on self-discipline. I'm sure if you asked my family there are a lot more weaknesses than these but that's all for now....I'm so thankful for the shed blood of Christ that has paid for these weaknesses (sins) of mine. I pray I will never take that for granted. This is one of my favorite Scripture passages (especially verse 26) that help me out when I'm overcome by these sins: Romans 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. I pray that God makes Himself very real and known to you through the Scriptures and through His Spirit. We all need Him and He's always there for us. Thank you Father!
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