Nov. 5, 2008 - Getting away from reality

I have decided to turn to my blog today to get away from all the feelings I'm having about the turn our country has taken in the past 24 hours.  My kids can't stop talking about it, my friends are all abuzz and I'm just sad.  I don't want to speculate about what is going to come of our country in the next 4 years, I'd rather pray about it and trust that God has it under control.  My biggest fear about the new president is not of his color (I could care less if he were purple for cryin' out loud), or his socialist views, my greatest fear is that he is going to try to take God out of our country.  Now, I KNOW he could never take God out of our hearts, but I fear that he will try to remove all traces of God from our country.  People were singing Psalms that you sing about Jesus about Obama...that scares me!

So for today as every day, I will continue to rely on God and his mercy to please bless the USA and keep us in the palm of His hand, because I have a feeling we're going to need it now more than ever.

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Sep. 18, 2008 - Perspective

Ok, lately I've been feeling overwhelmed to the point of tears.  Not enough of me for the masses and not enough time in my day.  I've also been feeling a bit taken advantage of in some areas of my life.  I'm always the one to feel bad for my friends that are so busy (helloooooo what am I?) and I take their problems on myself.  This usually creates an enormous amount of resentment on my part (even though I am totally allowing myself to be taken advantage of) and then I wind up feeling cranky.  You know the deal...what about me?  Poor me.  Why doesn't anyone ever care about my feelings and my busy schedule?  Ok, well I had an epiphany the other day in the midst of one of my inner temper tantrums.  I have been listening to different lectures on my MP3 player (downloaded from this awesome site ) and one of them spoke to me.  The speaker said, when someone asks you for something and you feel yourself getting frustrated...think.  Imagine that Jesus is asking you for whatever this person is asking you for.  Think about how happy you'd be to do it for God.  Well, this person was created by God and we all know the newest commandment (Love thy neighbor as thyself) and we need to do whatever we can to help our neighbors.  Well, I reluctantly went and did what the person had asked me to with a much different attitude then I had when the request was originally put before me.  I was reminded of a favorite hymn in church when I was a child....the words go like this

"Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.

When I was hungry, you gave me to eat;

When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink.

Now enter into the home of My Father.



Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.



When I was homeless, you opened your door;

When I was naked, you gave me your coat.

Now enter into the home of My Father.



Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.



When I was weary, you helped me find rest.

When I was anxious, you calmed all my fears.

Now enter into the home of My Father.



Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."

How I LOVED that song....why not apply it to my life???  I'm trying, but God knows that I'm a work in progress. 

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Sep. 13, 2008 - Ice Cream Social

Last night we had our "Back to No School" Ice Cream Social at a local park with our homeschool group.  It was so much fun!  It was a beautiful summer night (minus the pesky mosquitos) and the kids had a blast running around playing with their friends. Claudia  brought enough ice cream to feed the free world and everyone else brought toppings and fun stuff.  It was so much fun!

It's so funny how they say homeschoolers are unsocialized.  We were watching our kids all interact and play together (even though some of them hardly ever see each other)  and the kids that were not part of our group kinda just looking on.   When Lori went over to this little boy who was not part of our group terrorizing the little girls to tell him to stop, he growled at her!  Growled!!!!!  Oh yeah, but homeschoolers are unsocialized!  I just found that so funny!

I just always have such a sense of peace after a fun time like that.  It was a great way to end a rollercoaster week.

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Sep. 11, 2008 - Always Remember and Never Forget!

Today is a very difficult day for my family.  We lived in New York during the attacks on the World Trade Center.  I remember that Tuesday morning like it was yesterday.  The weeks and months to come were followed by memorials, funerals, fear and sorrow.  I remember calling everyone I knew who had a loved one working in Manhattan that day.  Luckily for my family and very close friends no one was hurt.  However, everyone of us knew someone who hadn't been that lucky. 

My niece's classmate lost her dad, this changed my niece drastically (she was only 6 at the time), she wouldn't let her parents out of her sight without becoming histerical.  My friend lost her brother, he was a fireman with a young family.  We knew of a family that went to our Pediatrician where 2 brothers were killed and 1 brother lived.  The nieces and nephews continually asked their uncle to please find their daddy.  8 Children were left without fathers, a mother without her 2 sons, 2 wives without husbands and a brother left without his siblings in that family alone.  I could go on and on about the people that were in a different office that day and were spared.  Those who came in late because it was their child's first day of school and they wanted to be with them...and their lives were spared.  That is when you have to know that God is with us always and He knows the plan for your life, we just need to listen to Him.

In New York we felt that this tragedy was ours alone.  We didn't really think about how it affected the rest of the country.  Selfish, maybe, but those were our neighbors you saw jumping out of those buildings.  Those were our brothers and friends walking across that bridge covered in the ashes.  However, since moving to Arizona in 2004 I realize that this tragedy affected America as a whole.  So many people ask me about that fateful day in 2001, I still tear up when I talk about it-it was surreal.  I remember thinking, who would be stupid enough to hit the Trade Centers?  (That was before I realized it was intentional)..

I couldn't sleep for weeks after that day.  I was haunted by those visions I had seen on television and horrible what ifs (my brother and I used to work together blocks from the Trade Centers and my husband often went into Manhattan for business).  I thank the good Lord for protecting my loved ones that day (and always) and I pray that those who perished that day are enjoying everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven.  And I beg you to never forget......

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Sep. 9, 2008 - Tightwad Tuesday

Make sure to go visit Mary to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday.  As I previously posted I am trying to stay out of the grocery stores during the month of September.  Here's a favorite family recipe for Pasta Fagioli (pronounced Fazool- for all you non-italians :) )

Pasta Fagioli

3 tbs. olive oil

4 stalks of celery chopped

1 onion diced

2 cloves of garlic minced

4 cans of Bush's canned navy or northern beans (blended in a food processor or blender until liquid paste)

2 large containers of chicken broth ( or 64 oz. of chicken stock)

1 lb. elbow macaroni (cooked and drained)

Heat the oil in a skillet.  Simmer celery, garlic and onions until soft.  Season with oregano, basil and italian seasoning. 

In a large pot add the chicken broth, bean paste and the simmered vegetables.  Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes.  Add cooked elbow macaroni and simmer 3-5 minutes more.  Enjoy!

A hearty, inexpensive meal.  Soooo yummy and great with crusty bread.

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Sep. 7, 2008 - So true! Had to share it-

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Sep. 4, 2008 - Day 3 of Frugal September

Well last night we had steak (marinated in greek seasoning and garlic--yum!) and Macaroni with herbed butter.

Macaroni with Herbed Butter

1 lb. rotini or penne rigate (if you want it to be colorful  use tri color macaroni) cooked.

6 tbs. and 4 tsp. butter (I have used margarine in a pinch)

1-2 tbs. basil, oregano or sage

Garlic salt - to taste

Pepper - to taste

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.  Toss until butter is melted.

It has been one of our favorites for years!  It's soo easy and goes with everything imaginable, from beef to seafood.  Also, if you want you can just add some cooked chicken or shrimp to the pasta itself and have a meal.

Lunch will be leftover quiche (I made 2 the other night so that I'd have leftover) and macaroni with butter (I was hoping to have the herbed butter macaroni leftover but that didn't happen---it's THAT good!!!)

Tonight, one of my favorites from my mom - pasta fagioli - yummy!  I'm feeling a bit under the weather today and this is such comfort food to me. 

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Sep. 3, 2008 - Day 2 of Frugal September

Ok, well last night's dinner went well.  I tried a new quiche recipe which I'm going to post now that I know it was good!  I have lots of yummy quiche recipes but this was a new one with stuff that I always have in the house.  The soup was (gulp) canned Progresso Weight Watchers soup but everyone gobbled it up!  (which is a good thing since I have A CASE of it from when it was on sale and I was on Weight Watchers, lol)

Lunch today was mac and cheese.  Dinner will be (boring) steak and macaroni with garlic butter and broccoli.  The only one complaining (*already*) is Richie.  His comment was (and I quote) "Does  you not shopping mean you won't buy anymore ice cream when we run out?" ,  I said,  "Yesssss, we have tons of other desserts that need to be eaten too" to which he replied, quite obnoxiously, "You know, we have all that ice cream left over from Danny's party and his dumb friends picked disgusting flavors and now I'm stuck with that!"  I know, he sounds so sweet doesn't he?  He's lucky if he makes it to 15 at this rate, but I digress!!!

Spinache and Cheese Quiche

1 refrigerated pie crust (15 oz. package)                                   4 oz. swiss cheese, shredded

5 large eggs

3/4 cups milk

1/2 tsp salt and pepper (to taste)

1/2 of 16 oz pkg of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry.

Heat oven to 375.  Fit pie crust into 9 inch pan, crimping edge.  In medium bowl whisk eggs, milk, salt and pepper.

Spread spinach into bottom of prepared pie crust.  Pour egg mixture evenly over spinach then sprinkle with cheese.  Transfer quiche to 375 oven and bake 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 325 and continue to bake for 20 minutes until puffed and brown.  Let cool 5 minutes and enjoy!

I have a feeling that I'll be making another quiche by the end of September but I'm sure it will be full of leftover stuff, lol.

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Sep. 2, 2008 - Tightwad Tuesday

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Welcome to my first Tightwad Tuesday entry!  Thank you to Mary for inviting me to join!  As of yesterday I decided to boycott foodshopping for the month of September.  This is no easy task for me because I love to cook and I love to grocery shop!  But,  my pantry is overflowing, our checkbook is not, so I decided to make do with what we have.  It should be an interesting month--stay tuned!

Lunch today-  chicken salad sandwiches and apples

Dinner - spinach and cheese (whatever kind I have!) quiche and soup.  Nothing too interesting, but I'm sure it will get tougher by the end of September!

I'm looking forward to learning lots of new things from all of you lovely ladies.  I am off to make my first batch of Shani's homemade chocolate syrup---(previously posted in her tightwad Tuesday) I had everything already in the pantry, thank goodness, because remember, I'm not allowed to grocery shop!

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Sep. 1, 2008 - Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook is hosted by Peggy so if you'd like to join, please stop by her blog and join us! OUTSIDE MY WINDOW...I am seeing a beautiful sunny afternoon. I AM THINKING...how glad I am that Shani and I are friends again. I AM THANKFUL FOR...the cruise we will be taking at the end of this month--we are so looking forward to it. FROM THE KITCHEN...I see the pattern I cut out for Em's pantsuit which I can't wait to finish! I AM WEARING...blue shorts and a light blue tank top. I AM CREATING...a home that will hopefully be easier to maintain. I AM GOING...get off this computer and get started on that outfit. I AM READING...Guiding your Catholic Preschooler I AM HOPING... to have some time at home this week. I AM HEARING...Danny and his friend hysterical laughing over something----  AROUND THE HOUSE...I'm seeing the results of a lazy weekend--not a good thing : ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...when my husband kisses me after he's just shaved. A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...baseball, dance, haircut, sewing, birthday party.  HERE IS A PICTURE THOUGHT I AM SHARING... This is Roxie, our dog, when she was 1 day old!  She'll be 2 the end of September.  She is such an amazing part of our family.  We all love her to death (sometimes I think the kids will literally love her to death!)

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