Check out more Wordless Wednesday picture fun over at 5 Minutes For Mom and Wordless Wednesday!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Fall in love with Autumn Apple Salad
Autumn Apple Salad
This recipe looks odd, but it is sooo good! I usually make it without celery as my family aren't big fans of it. I made this one with my catering business. :D
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
2/3 cup white sugar
1 (3 ounce) package lemon flavored gelatin mix
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup diced, unpeeled apples
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, boil the pineapple and sugar 3 minutes. Mix in the lemon gelatin mix, stirring until dissolved. Stir in the cream cheese. Remove from heat and allow to cool 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Gently fold the apples, nuts, celery and whipped topping into the mixture. Transfer to a 9x9 inch square pan. Refrigerate 4 hours, or until firm.
Check out more great recipes at Ultimate Recipe Swap,Tasty Tuesdays and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, and Tuesdays at the Table!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
In real life...
Started the week off thinking it wouldn't be too busy or eventful. Wrong! As I was perusing Nikowa's blog, she wrote a blog about real things that were happening not just the fun stuff. I thought I would join in and give you a taste of my world. :D
1. God is AWESOME! As some of you know I have battled severe depression, but with God's strength and healing plus counseling and medication I believe I am coming out the other side!
2. Piano got moved up to morning time but ended up being an hour longer, hence school took longer after coming home.
3. We wanted to go to fair, but no money to go even on cheap day. :(
4. Kids had ortho appointments on Tuesday afternoon and found out Jeffrey needed 2 fillings to be done next day. Oh, great! I don't give them soda unless we go out to eat and the only candy they get is what they buy. Guess that means he isn't cleaning well enough. Ugh! :(
5. Jeffrey's fillings were scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. I had tried to make him scared of getting cavities, but not as scared as locking himself in his room. I had to coax him out and tell him that it would hurt to have cavities more so than getting fillings done. He read in the Bible (not by my own encouraging) and then prayed to God that He wouldn't be in any pain. He wasn't! Praise God!
6. My son has had a lot of acting out lately especially against his sister. I've been trying to encourage him to have a good attitude and tell him to pray and ask God for help. Well, he said the other day "God doesn't help me". I had to tell him that God won't physically remove you from the situation, but can help you make the right choices.
7. If you have an issue with someone or something they've done that has hurt you, don't think that you can't go to them for fear of what they might think. I have been battling with this for a while with being upset and finally came to terms and talked to the person after praying and asking what to do. They were so glad I talked to them and wanted to rectify the situation.
8. Spiders scare the living daylights out of me! I've had quite a few around and even had to vacuum in the basement ceilings all the webs. Well, Kaycee found a HUGE spider on her bed yesterday after picking up a skirt. Then after remembering at 4 am that Kansas has brown recluses, I skeedaddled out of bed onto the computer to check them out. Getting shivers here! Going to call the base entomology on Monday, but no sleep until then. Ugh!
9. Pulling off surprises are the best! The ladies of our church were able to pull off a surprise bday party for our pastor's wife. Yeah!
10. Thursday was the ladies Bible study/surprise party for our pastor's wife. I had a lot of things to do that day including make some goodies for chapel, go to chapel, homeschooling, make bday cake, make other goodies, etc. I was worn out! I used to do all kinds of cooking in Japan as a caterer, but I don't know how I did it along with everything else. Maybe it is because I'm getting older?
Finally, a picture of me not dudded up with makeup, but what I look like on any given day. This is just this morning.
So what realizations have you come to lately? Get a real post and let me know! :D
1. God is AWESOME! As some of you know I have battled severe depression, but with God's strength and healing plus counseling and medication I believe I am coming out the other side!
2. Piano got moved up to morning time but ended up being an hour longer, hence school took longer after coming home.
3. We wanted to go to fair, but no money to go even on cheap day. :(
4. Kids had ortho appointments on Tuesday afternoon and found out Jeffrey needed 2 fillings to be done next day. Oh, great! I don't give them soda unless we go out to eat and the only candy they get is what they buy. Guess that means he isn't cleaning well enough. Ugh! :(
5. Jeffrey's fillings were scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. I had tried to make him scared of getting cavities, but not as scared as locking himself in his room. I had to coax him out and tell him that it would hurt to have cavities more so than getting fillings done. He read in the Bible (not by my own encouraging) and then prayed to God that He wouldn't be in any pain. He wasn't! Praise God!
6. My son has had a lot of acting out lately especially against his sister. I've been trying to encourage him to have a good attitude and tell him to pray and ask God for help. Well, he said the other day "God doesn't help me". I had to tell him that God won't physically remove you from the situation, but can help you make the right choices.
7. If you have an issue with someone or something they've done that has hurt you, don't think that you can't go to them for fear of what they might think. I have been battling with this for a while with being upset and finally came to terms and talked to the person after praying and asking what to do. They were so glad I talked to them and wanted to rectify the situation.
8. Spiders scare the living daylights out of me! I've had quite a few around and even had to vacuum in the basement ceilings all the webs. Well, Kaycee found a HUGE spider on her bed yesterday after picking up a skirt. Then after remembering at 4 am that Kansas has brown recluses, I skeedaddled out of bed onto the computer to check them out. Getting shivers here! Going to call the base entomology on Monday, but no sleep until then. Ugh!
9. Pulling off surprises are the best! The ladies of our church were able to pull off a surprise bday party for our pastor's wife. Yeah!
10. Thursday was the ladies Bible study/surprise party for our pastor's wife. I had a lot of things to do that day including make some goodies for chapel, go to chapel, homeschooling, make bday cake, make other goodies, etc. I was worn out! I used to do all kinds of cooking in Japan as a caterer, but I don't know how I did it along with everything else. Maybe it is because I'm getting older?
Finally, a picture of me not dudded up with makeup, but what I look like on any given day. This is just this morning.
So what realizations have you come to lately? Get a real post and let me know! :D
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday Funnies - Blonde Cops
Blonde Cops
A blonde cop stops blonde motorist and asks for her driving license.
The Motorist scuffles around in her purse and can't find it. She says to the cop, "I must have left it at home officer."
The cop says, "Well, do you have any kind of identification?" The motorist scuffles around in her purse again, and finds a pocket mirror.
She looks at it and says to the cop, "All I have is this picture of myself." The cop says, "Let me see it, then." So the blonde motorist gives the mirror to the blonde cop, who looks at it, and replies, "Well, if I had known you were a police officer, I wouldn't have even pulled you over. You can go now."
Check out more Friday FUnnies at the Homesteaders Heart and laugh yourself through the weekend!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Finer Things Friday - Fellowship with new friends!
This past Friday I decided to go out of my element and ask a lady over with 2 of her daughters. My son had gone to a friend's house to sleepover. Both of her daughters take piano with my two. Well we are presently in the same situation with having our husbands gone, so I thought it might be fun to get together for games and fellowship.
She came over around 6:30. We played games and fellowshipped.
Her daughters are lots of fun. Her younger daughter and mine are two peas in a pod. LOL! I don't think I have laughed that much in a long time.
It was so neat because her and I have a lot in common from homeschool, love for cooking, love for God, and more. She even brought me a hospitality gift of a jar of brownie mix and a cookbook. What a blessing!
Thank you so much Laura, Michelle, and Hannah for coming over! We had a blast!
What finer thing are you celebrating this week? Share it and/or check out more at Finer Things Friday!
She came over around 6:30. We played games and fellowshipped.
Her daughters are lots of fun. Her younger daughter and mine are two peas in a pod. LOL! I don't think I have laughed that much in a long time.
It was so neat because her and I have a lot in common from homeschool, love for cooking, love for God, and more. She even brought me a hospitality gift of a jar of brownie mix and a cookbook. What a blessing!
Thank you so much Laura, Michelle, and Hannah for coming over! We had a blast!
What finer thing are you celebrating this week? Share it and/or check out more at Finer Things Friday!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Wordless Wednesday - Flower Fun!
This pic is one my daughter took and did special effects to. Great job, Kaycee! :D
Check out more Wordless Wednesday picture fun over at 5 Minutes For Mom and Wordless Wednesday!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Works For Me - Cutting the Cord
For months, I have talked to my husband about cutting out the cable. He loves his golf channel and hunting channels though. He is the only one that usually watched it. Since he wanted it though, I said ok.
Sure, I would watch the Food Network, but that is because we have it. I haven't sat down and watched it in a while though. I was also tired of the horrible things that were on tv that my children had to flip through.
Well, I finally convinced him at least for a little while to cut the cable down to basic. I told him how much it would save us, and he was flabbergasted. It was kinda funny because when I tried to call the cable company the gal and told her I wanted basic cable. She was like "You don't want to do that." I'm like "Yes, I do. We don't watch hardly any tv." She said well you won't get this or that. "We don't use those." I was a little intimidated and ended up saying I would think about it. She told me to just return the box to the store then said "Can I interest you in our phone plan?" "Uh, no, thank you!"
I got off the phone and figured out how to unplug it and took it back. They didn't give me any sales tactics at the store and were very helpful.
So do you want to hear how much it will save us?! $65 a month or $770 a year! WOW!
Have you cut your cable?
Check out more great ideas at Works For Me Wednesday!
Blogiversary Answers to Questions
In case you missed it, I had my Blogiversary and wanted to see if anyone had questions for me that I would answer as long as they were nice. :D
Here are the questions and answers:
The Real Me! - So I wanna know if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? - Probably the Carolinas as that is where the majority of our family is.
SnoWhite - What was your dream job when you were a little kid? - Being a stewardess! I loved flying and thought that would be the coolest job in the world. :D
Mom2Ben99 - Have you been Skiing since? and, you wake up at 530am? On purpose? - Yes, I've gone skiing several times since then. :D Yep, 5:30 although sometimes I wake earlier and can't go back to sleep. Naps are great! :D
Tracey - We share the same wake up time! (So, do you go to bed at 10pm like I do??) - I go to bed at 10 pm, too. :D I used to be a night owl, but not anymore with waking at 5:30 as it comes early. :D
Tracy - Are you SURE, it's only a one year anniversary? - I know it does seem like more but only 1. :D
Have any more questions? :D
Here are the questions and answers:
The Real Me! - So I wanna know if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? - Probably the Carolinas as that is where the majority of our family is.
SnoWhite - What was your dream job when you were a little kid? - Being a stewardess! I loved flying and thought that would be the coolest job in the world. :D
Mom2Ben99 - Have you been Skiing since? and, you wake up at 530am? On purpose? - Yes, I've gone skiing several times since then. :D Yep, 5:30 although sometimes I wake earlier and can't go back to sleep. Naps are great! :D
Tracey - We share the same wake up time! (So, do you go to bed at 10pm like I do??) - I go to bed at 10 pm, too. :D I used to be a night owl, but not anymore with waking at 5:30 as it comes early. :D
Tracy - Are you SURE, it's only a one year anniversary? - I know it does seem like more but only 1. :D
Have any more questions? :D
Monday, September 14, 2009
Loaded Mashed Taters!
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
I got this from her magazine and let me tell you that these are amazing!! They were made by a firefighting chef, Mike Wathen, where she visited in Alabama. Here are the adjustments I made: red potaotes, light sour cream, light cheddar cheese, and turkey bacon. I actually just fried up the bacon and then crumbled it. Hubby and kids were raving about how these were the best mashed potatoes they have ever had!
6 lbs idaho potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/2 cup butter
1 head garlic, roasted
1 (12 ounce) carton sour cream
milk
1 (8 ounce) package sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/2 lbs bacon, julienned and browned
1/2 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
In large stockpot, cook potatoes in enough salted water to cover until tender.
Drain and return to stockpot.
Add butter, garlic, and sourcream; beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
Add a little milk, if needed.
Stir in cheese, bacon, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Check out more great recipes at Tasty Tuesdays and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, and Tuesdays at the Table!
Making My Home Sing Monday - Stepping out of my comfort zone and not wasting money
Over the past month or so, I've had little things that I've needed to do, but somehow they have gotten put on the back burner. They are simple things but somewhat out of my comfort zone.
I'm not much of a bargainer, but I guess you have to keep on doing it to get better at it. One of the things that I need to do is change my cell phone plan. Why? We have 1400 minutes that are shared and we don't even use 1/2 of that. It is a waste of money that we could use for something else.
The other thing is cable tv. I have permission for now to do with it what I want. We are going to go to basic cable - no frills. We hardly watch any tv during the week and there is too much that I don't want them to watch. Another waste of money which can be better used.
Those are two of the ones that I want to get accomplished even today! :D Hold me accountable! LOL!
I don't want to not be using the money which God has blessed us with unwisely, as He does keep a count of what we do.
How are you making your home sing today? Check out more at Mom's The Word's Making My Home Sing Monday!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Menu Plan Monday - Sept 14 - 24
On Friday, my son spent the night with a friend, so I invited a gal over her with her daughters. I didn't know her very well, but her daughters do piano with my two children. She came and brought me some brownies in a jar and a cookbook. I'm all about cookbooks. Thank you, Laura! I'm going to try a few recipes this week from it. :D
Monday - quesadillas, carrots
Tuesday - sweet and sour meatballs over rice
Wednesday - omelettes, toast
Thursday - chicken tortilla soup from cookbook
Friday - homemade pizza w/garlic crust from cookbook
Saturday - tater tot casserole, green beans
SONday - leftovers
Monday - Spicy Tilapia, rice, salad
Tuesday - spaghetti w/whole grain pasta and homemade sauce, homemade garlic bread, salad
Wednesday - whole wheat pancakes, fruit
Thursday - boneless buffalo chicken, roasted potatoes (from Happy Housewife - these are scrumptious!
Stay tuned tomorrow for some yummy Loaded Mashed Potatoes!
Check out more great menus at I'm An Organized Junkie!
Monday - quesadillas, carrots
Tuesday - sweet and sour meatballs over rice
Wednesday - omelettes, toast
Thursday - chicken tortilla soup from cookbook
Friday - homemade pizza w/garlic crust from cookbook
Saturday - tater tot casserole, green beans
SONday - leftovers
Monday - Spicy Tilapia, rice, salad
Tuesday - spaghetti w/whole grain pasta and homemade sauce, homemade garlic bread, salad
Wednesday - whole wheat pancakes, fruit
Thursday - boneless buffalo chicken, roasted potatoes (from Happy Housewife - these are scrumptious!
Stay tuned tomorrow for some yummy Loaded Mashed Potatoes!
Check out more great menus at I'm An Organized Junkie!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Last barbecue of summer?
Fall is right around the corner with cooler weather, changing leaves, and end of summer barbecues. I love fall! This is one of our favorite burgers to make.
Come check out my post at Cents to Get Debt Free for
Southwest Burgers!
Come check out my post at Cents to Get Debt Free for
Southwest Burgers!
Friday, September 11, 2009
How can I forget?
I remember this day like it was yesterday. I've been in tears today thinking of those that lost their lives. I am thankful for those that went in to help - policemen, firemen, and others and paid the ultimate price. I am thankful for my husband, brother-in-law, friends, family and all those that serve in the military to keep our country safe from another attack!
God bless America! America bless God!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tres Leches Cake (Three Milk Cake)
As some of you might have read last week, we had a Mexican fellowship. I was looking for desserts. I needed something that would be ok through choir and service (3 hours) and I could use a fridge. Well, I ended up making this recipe. It was delish! There was one person that ate about 4 pieces and took 2 home. LOL!
Three Milk Cake (Tres Leches)
This cake is a delicious creamy cross between a cake and a pudding --- plan ahead the cake needs to be refrigerated overnight.
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/3 cups milk
2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 eggs, room temp.
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl; beat on low speed until blended. Turn mixer to high and beat for 3 minutes. Pour into greased 13x9. Bake at 350* for 40-45 minutes (13x9" pan). Poke holes all over cake with fork or thin straw.
TOPPING
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream (unwhipped)
7 tablespoons evaporated milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
In a saucepan, combine condensed milk, cream, and evaporated milk.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook and stir 2 minutes.
Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
Slowly pour over warm cake, letting milk absorb into cake.
Cool completely, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
ICING
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
FOR ICING: In a mixing bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form.
Gradually beat in sugar until stiff peaks form.
Stir in vanilla.
In a bowl, combine the sour cream and powdered sugar.
Fold in the whipping cream into the mixture.
Spread over topping.
Refrigerate until serving.
Check out more great recipes at Tasty Tuesdays and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays!
Three Milk Cake (Tres Leches)
This cake is a delicious creamy cross between a cake and a pudding --- plan ahead the cake needs to be refrigerated overnight.
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/3 cups milk
2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 eggs, room temp.
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl; beat on low speed until blended. Turn mixer to high and beat for 3 minutes. Pour into greased 13x9. Bake at 350* for 40-45 minutes (13x9" pan). Poke holes all over cake with fork or thin straw.
TOPPING
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream (unwhipped)
7 tablespoons evaporated milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
In a saucepan, combine condensed milk, cream, and evaporated milk.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook and stir 2 minutes.
Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
Slowly pour over warm cake, letting milk absorb into cake.
Cool completely, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
ICING
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
FOR ICING: In a mixing bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form.
Gradually beat in sugar until stiff peaks form.
Stir in vanilla.
In a bowl, combine the sour cream and powdered sugar.
Fold in the whipping cream into the mixture.
Spread over topping.
Refrigerate until serving.
Check out more great recipes at Tasty Tuesdays and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
September Goals
I didn't accomplish all of my goals for August, but I did get a lot of headway and finished some. :D
Homeschooling
Plan a field trip with other homeschoolers
Get my daughter into a photography class
Personal
Work on some curtains/blinds for back window
Plan to have a friend over or go out to lunch
Continue with list of gifts to give for CHRISTmas
Start reading Bible w/husband
Plan out 2 dates w/kids
Budget
Set aside extra money for principal on loan
What are your goals this month?!
Homeschooling
Plan a field trip with other homeschoolers
Get my daughter into a photography class
Personal
Work on some curtains/blinds for back window
Plan to have a friend over or go out to lunch
Continue with list of gifts to give for CHRISTmas
Start reading Bible w/husband
Plan out 2 dates w/kids
Budget
Set aside extra money for principal on loan
What are your goals this month?!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
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