Saturday, October 31, 2009

Are you taking the 30 Day Giving Challenge?



Keeping the Kingdom First is having a 30 day giving challenge in November. What a great way to bless others! Even if you don't have a blog, you can participate!! :D

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:9

Check it out by clicking the button above!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Friday Funnies = Man versus Mouse



Check out more Friday Funnies at the Homesteaders Heart and laugh yourself through the weekend!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Comforts of home





Since being a month gone to the East coast, it was great. We did , however, miss our friends and church family here. There is nothing like being at home with your own schedule, comfort of your bed, living out of your dresser/closet instead of suitcases, etc. :D

Don't get me wrong as we had a great time while gone, but there comes a point where you are like "It's time to go home".

The drive home was long and my first time driving the whole time by myself for 2 days. The trees along the way through Tennessee, N.C. were glorious in all the fall spendid color. God paints some beautiful colors on his fall canvas! :D

Since we had been sick, we decided to take it easy on the way home. I didn't have them do any schoolwork on the ride home. We did stay at 2 hotels that had pools, but unfortunately dd got sick one night and we didn't go.



Know what else, we went to our church on SONday and boy did we feel like we had been missed. It was wonderful to see everyone again! I sure have missed them all!
My pastor's wife was so sweet. She made me this wonderful cross-stitch to go on my wall along with a bookmark.



Do you ever feel like it is time to go home again after a long trip?

What finer thing are you celebrating this week? Come by and share it at Amy's Finer Things Friday!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Cream Cheese Cranberry Muffins

I went into the store today and got so excited!! I saw cranberries in the produce aisle! I got super excited! I stock up usually to have plenty in my freezer for several months.

One of the things I love making is these little gems with cranberries. I found the recipe a couple of years ago on RecipeZaar. They are my one of my favorite go to places for recipes!

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Cream Cheese Cranberry Muffins

1 c. softened butter
1 (8 oz) pkg softened cream cheese
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 eggs
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. chopped cranberries or 1 - 12 oz bag works as well)
1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.
2. Add one egg at a time and beat well after each egg.
3. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in smaller bowl.
4. Stir into creamed mixture just until moistened.
5. Fold in cranberries and pecans.
6. Grease muffin tins. Fill 3/4 full.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a tooth-pick comes out clean.
8. Cool for 5 minutes before moving to wire racks.

What food do you look forward to seeing during the CHRISTmas season?

Check out more wonderful breakfast recipes at the Ultimate Recipe Swap today!

Wordless Wednesday - Princess Parking

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Check out more Wordless Wednesday picture fun over at 5 Minutes For Mom and Wordless Wednesday!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Traveling this holiday season?!

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I've been on a road trip this past month and had to stay at a few hotels. We had a lot of bags including 2 huge suitcases. What a pain to take in and out of the trunk! Ugh!

One thing that was suggested to me was to take a travel bag with clothes and necessities for the hotel, so I don't have to lug suitcases in and out. Boy, oh boy was this a great idea and helped tremendously!

I put in pjs, clothes for the next day, brush/comb, deoderant, toothbrush and toothpaste, and any other necessities.

Traveling with older children

What traveling tip have you found useful?

Check out more great ideas at Works For Me Wednesday!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Pepper Poppers

Ultimate Pepper Poppers

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1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (4oz.)
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese (4oz.)
6 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 lb fresh jalapeno, halved lengthwise and seeded
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
sour cream or salsa or prepared onion dip or ranch salad dressing (or any combo of the above!)

1. In mixing bowl, combine first 7 ingredients, mix well.

2. Spoon about 2 Tbl. filling into each pepper half.

3. Roll in breadcrumbs, and place into greased 15"x10"x1" baking pan.

4. Bake, uncovered, in 350ยบ oven for 20 minutes for spicy, 30 minutes for medium, and 40 minutes for mild.

5. Serve with sour cream, salsa, dip or dressing.

Check out more great recipes at Tasty Tuesdays and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, and Tuesdays at the Table!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Menu Plan Monday (October 26 - Nov 1)

We got back from our trip on Friday and had to go through our freezer and cabinets to see what I had and could make do with. Most of the recipes are super easy peasy! :D

Monday - Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup w/green salad

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Tuesday - BLTs, carrots

Wednesday - pancakes, applesauce

Thursday - Chicken Curry over brown rice, green beans




Friday - homemade pizza, salad

Saturday - Harvest Festival at church

SONday - chili cookoff at church

Check out more fabulous meals at The Organized Junkie's Menu Plan Monday!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Driving, illness, and getting back into the swing of things? HUH?!

Well, we are finally home after almost a month of seeing friends and family. We had a great time at everyone's house - my parents, in-laws, brother's house, and then my dear friend Amie's house.

We had planned to go see another dear friend of mine in PA, but unfortunately both my kids got the flu so we had to stay longer at my friend Amie's house and isolate them both. Thankfully, it wasn't swine flu!

We had a good time playing games and even got to learn some new games, too. It was good though because we could help take care of each others kids as she had two of hers that were sick, too.

Dh and I have started contemplating more about where to retire, so Amie and her husband are trying to convince us to retire where they are. There definitely is a lot to offer in their town besides having great friends there.

I finally got back on Friday but so much to catch up on - getting groceries, checkbook, go through the ton of mail. LOL!

I'm so far behind in reading blogs that I hope you forgive me. My children's illness and this trip took a lot out of me and not having time to read them much. :(

I'm looking forward to this week! :D

Have a great night!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday Funnies - Fun Flying?!



Check out more Friday FUnnies at the Homesteaders Heart and laugh yourself through the weekend!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Friday Funnies - 911 Call



Check out more Friday FUnnies at the Homesteaders Heart and laugh yourself through the weekend!

Monday, October 12, 2009

In 1492... (complete the line)

Columbus sailed the ocean blue. :D



I've been at my MIL's house for several days. She has dial-up, so it is extremely slowwwwwww! I can't check out other blogs because of it taking so long......, so I'm going to give you some links for Columbus Day for fun.

History of Columbus Day

Columbus Day Printables

Columbus Day Word Search

Activities to Do on Columbus Day

Friday, October 9, 2009

Friday Funnies - Printer Kitty




Check out more Friday FUnnies at the Homesteaders Heart and laugh yourself through the weekend!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Finer Things Friday - Getting to see Family and Friends

Kids and I have been on a trip to see friends and family. We've stayed with my parents and are at my brother's house now. Friday we go to see my MIL, BIL and their families.

I even got to meet up with my high school best friend whom I haven't seen since 1997-98.

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My niece who is full of questions.  I'm so glad that she is inquisitive. Helps her to learn the world around her.
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My niece and grandpa.  She is wide awake and cheery in the morning unlike me. LOL! 
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My SIL, mom, and me!I always wanted a sister, but God gave me wonderful SILs. :D
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Check out some more pics of gardens and horses when we were at my parents house!


What finer things are you celebrating this week? Share them over at Amy's Finer Things Friday!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Wordless Wednesday - Save Me!! LOL!

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Check out more Wordless Wednesday picture fun over at 5 Minutes For Mom and Wordless Wednesday!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Works For Me Wednesday - Cleaning the Blender

This post was originally posted on October 8, 2008



I like to use my blender in the morning to make smoothies (my normal breakfast).


Strawberry Banana Smoothie
SERVES 2 -3

1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 banana
8-10 ice cubes
Put all ingredients in blender.
Blend until smooth.

I sometimes add in yogurt, egg white, and use honey or sweetener.

But then I'm stuck with trying to figure out how to clean the bottom contraption doohickey. LOL! Well, a couple years ago while at my mother's house, she showed me a little trick that she does.

She rinses it out really well. She then puts a little soap in the bottom of it,



then about a cup of water,



and turns on the blender to low and lets it take a whirl for about 30 seconds. It suds up.


Then rinse it out really well




and turn over to dry. Now I do stick the other parts in the dishwasher after a few times.

Check out more great ideas for cleaning at the themed Works For Me Wednesday!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Spiced Up Tilapia

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This is our go to recipe for fish. My kids love this. Even my daughter who dislikes almost any kind of fish except fried loves this recipe! :D If we have leftovers, I like to make a fish sandwich with it. :D

Spiced Up Tilapia

1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon paprika
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon basil
3/4 teaspoon italian seasoning
4 (4 ounce) tilapia fillets
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons sliced green onions
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
In a small bowl combine the spices from the salt through the Italian seasoning and set it aside.
In a shallow container mix the bread crumbs, dried parsley, and green onions.
Measure 4 tsp of the spice mix and sprinkle that all over the 4 fish fillets.
Add the remaining spice mix to the bread crumbs, mixing well. Add the olive oil to the bread crumb mix, blending it in with your hands.
Dredge the fish in the breadcrumbs, coating well.
Shake off any excess breadcrumbs.
Place the fish on a baking pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
Bake for 6 minutes.
Turn over and bake for 4 minutes.
Turn over again and bake until flaky, about 4 more minutes.
Serve immediately.

Check out more great recipes at Tasty Tuesdays and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, and Tuesdays at the Table!

Apology

I want to apologize to those who read. I went off and left you hanging. LOL!

My mom and aunt came for a little while to visit and take a genealogy trip, but I then decided to take some time with mom and come to her house. We had a great trip to my mom and dad's house. It is great to homeschool as one of the benefits is we aren't tied down to school schedules. They are doing school while here though.

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Kaycee, my mom and I all got our hair done one day. Kaycee got about 4 inches or so cut off. LOL!

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Wednesday we went to some beautiful gardens and then went around town taking pictures of the painted horses.
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Friday we went to a planetarium and saw a show about Jupiter and then afterwards got to go up and see out a telescope and actually see Jupiter with its moons. How cool is that?! :D

We went to a Chocolate Carnival this past weekend here in their town, but unfortunately it wasn't all we hoped for - tons of chocolate. LOL! They had some bake sales, so we did get some chocolate.

My dad and Jeffrey have gone out golfing several times, so they have had some fun.

We've also gone shopping a few times. I even got a beautiful dress for Kaycee that was originally marked at $50 for only $9.65!

Stay tuned for more pics and adventures....
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