This is an easy recipe that I use when I'm in a hurry or I want to throw something easy together in the crock pot. My family loves it and the gravy left over is great to put on top of potatoes. I hope you all enjoy this!
5-8 frozen skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 (12 oz) bottle of barbecue sauce (any flavor is good, I've tried most)
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 TBL Worcestershire sauce
Place chicken in slow cooker. In a bowl mix together remainder of ingredients and then pour over the chicken. Cover and cook 3 - 4 hours on high or 6 - 8 hours on low. Save the gravy and use on potatoes. OPTION: Add diced onions to mixture and cook with the chicken. I also add more Worcestershire sauce because I love it.
Let me know how you like this meal! I love to hear feedback and different versions of this recipe. Also make sure you share this recipe from my blog with others!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Parenting... what's the right way to be?
Hahaha! If you thought I was going to have the answer to that question you have come to the wrong place! I am not the perfect parent, nor do I claim to have the answers on how to be a parent without mistakes. I'm really writing this in defense to the parents who are shunned and scolded because they DON'T do things the way others would have them do.
I have my shortcomings, one of them being impatient. Yes, I am impatient. I work on it every day. I count to ten, I bite my lip, I walk out of the room, I do everything I can think of to be more patient, especially to the ones I love. However, I am not as successful as I would like. God gave me children who test my patience EVERY SINGLE DAY! Some days I can give them a quiet response, other days I yell. Some days I count to ten when the kids are picking on each other and other days I tell them to go to their rooms with the frustrated yell of an impatient mom. I am not perfect when it comes to parenting. I work on it every day.
So... there are parents out there who DO think they are perfect parents. They believe they DO know what is best for their kids and for everyone elses kids. Those are the parents I would rather NEVER be around. I especially LOVE it when a brand new parent thinks they know everything about raising kids because they have had a kid for two minutes! Or the people who have never had kids and they say, "How dare they do that" when they see a parent scold or spank their child in public. Or when a parent walks right over a child throwing a tantrum in the middle of the store. Or when a parent decides they think a child leash is best for their wandering child. It amazes me how many JUDGEMENTS people spew out for everyone elses decisions for their own children. Don't get me wrong... everyone has the right to decide what they will or will not do with their kids, but who gives them to right to tell me or anyone else how we should raise ours.
I know not everyone is going to agree with me and that is okay. The world would be pretty boring if we all had the same opinions. So here is my complete opinion on raising children...
Parents should raise their children the best they know how. Use your instincts. I believe in intuition and I know parents have an ability to know what is best for their kids. Let kids be kids. Let them enjoy their innocence and allow them to freely express themselves. Be honest with them and teach them necessary steps of life when you feel it is time. When my daughter was nine she asked me about the birds and the bees. I told her... I didn't go into details, but I told her the basics. As she has gotten older I have filled in gaps that she has become more curious about. Don't let anyone tell you when they believe it is best for a kid to hear things like that. YOU decide and use YOUR best judgement. After all, they are your kids and your responsibility.
My mom burned my finger when I was about seven. She cried the whole time. And it was a lesson I will never forget. Do you know why she burned my finger? Because I had played with matches and I had nearly burned down the whole field across the street from our house. Did I ever play with matches again? No. Some times I think I have done my kids an injustice by NOT being as harsh to them as my parents were on me. I got spanked, slapped a few times, had my mouth washed out with soap, weeded the garden for hours on a Saturday instead of playing, and I got my finger burned. My time out was not sitting on a chair or the toilet, it was weeding the yard, cleaning out the garage, scrubbing the bathroom floor with a toothbrush or cleaning out the barn. My parents taught me that there were consequences for my actions. I didn't just get to sit and think about it, I got to work my tail off AND think about it! Imagine that! Giving children consequences. Maybe if we used consequences more kids these days would not feel so entitled.
My parents also rewarded me. Every time I read three chapter books my mom would take me out for ice cream! I LOVED it! And I gained a love for reading. Maybe I should take myself out for ice cream! HAHA! I got rewarded for good grades, I got rewarded for cleaning the house, etc. etc. etc. My parents were NOT perfect, but they did the best they could and for that I am grateful. I could be mad at them for their mistakes or I could realize we are all human and as long as my parents were not abusing me then how they raised me worked out just fine!
So here's the run down... Don't judge others (unless they are abusing and/or neglecting their kids, then by all means judge away), love your kids, let them be innocent, teach them there are consequences AND rewards, do not enable them by doing everything for them and teach them the value of hard work. I hope this is some good information for someone out there. I really just want others to know that it is okay, it is okay to be human and to know we are not perfect parents. Just do the best you know how to and don't worry about what others think or say. They aren't any better at it then you are and the ones that say they are, well... they live in a dream world.
Peace and light to all! Good night!
I have my shortcomings, one of them being impatient. Yes, I am impatient. I work on it every day. I count to ten, I bite my lip, I walk out of the room, I do everything I can think of to be more patient, especially to the ones I love. However, I am not as successful as I would like. God gave me children who test my patience EVERY SINGLE DAY! Some days I can give them a quiet response, other days I yell. Some days I count to ten when the kids are picking on each other and other days I tell them to go to their rooms with the frustrated yell of an impatient mom. I am not perfect when it comes to parenting. I work on it every day.
So... there are parents out there who DO think they are perfect parents. They believe they DO know what is best for their kids and for everyone elses kids. Those are the parents I would rather NEVER be around. I especially LOVE it when a brand new parent thinks they know everything about raising kids because they have had a kid for two minutes! Or the people who have never had kids and they say, "How dare they do that" when they see a parent scold or spank their child in public. Or when a parent walks right over a child throwing a tantrum in the middle of the store. Or when a parent decides they think a child leash is best for their wandering child. It amazes me how many JUDGEMENTS people spew out for everyone elses decisions for their own children. Don't get me wrong... everyone has the right to decide what they will or will not do with their kids, but who gives them to right to tell me or anyone else how we should raise ours.
I know not everyone is going to agree with me and that is okay. The world would be pretty boring if we all had the same opinions. So here is my complete opinion on raising children...
Parents should raise their children the best they know how. Use your instincts. I believe in intuition and I know parents have an ability to know what is best for their kids. Let kids be kids. Let them enjoy their innocence and allow them to freely express themselves. Be honest with them and teach them necessary steps of life when you feel it is time. When my daughter was nine she asked me about the birds and the bees. I told her... I didn't go into details, but I told her the basics. As she has gotten older I have filled in gaps that she has become more curious about. Don't let anyone tell you when they believe it is best for a kid to hear things like that. YOU decide and use YOUR best judgement. After all, they are your kids and your responsibility.
My mom burned my finger when I was about seven. She cried the whole time. And it was a lesson I will never forget. Do you know why she burned my finger? Because I had played with matches and I had nearly burned down the whole field across the street from our house. Did I ever play with matches again? No. Some times I think I have done my kids an injustice by NOT being as harsh to them as my parents were on me. I got spanked, slapped a few times, had my mouth washed out with soap, weeded the garden for hours on a Saturday instead of playing, and I got my finger burned. My time out was not sitting on a chair or the toilet, it was weeding the yard, cleaning out the garage, scrubbing the bathroom floor with a toothbrush or cleaning out the barn. My parents taught me that there were consequences for my actions. I didn't just get to sit and think about it, I got to work my tail off AND think about it! Imagine that! Giving children consequences. Maybe if we used consequences more kids these days would not feel so entitled.
My parents also rewarded me. Every time I read three chapter books my mom would take me out for ice cream! I LOVED it! And I gained a love for reading. Maybe I should take myself out for ice cream! HAHA! I got rewarded for good grades, I got rewarded for cleaning the house, etc. etc. etc. My parents were NOT perfect, but they did the best they could and for that I am grateful. I could be mad at them for their mistakes or I could realize we are all human and as long as my parents were not abusing me then how they raised me worked out just fine!
So here's the run down... Don't judge others (unless they are abusing and/or neglecting their kids, then by all means judge away), love your kids, let them be innocent, teach them there are consequences AND rewards, do not enable them by doing everything for them and teach them the value of hard work. I hope this is some good information for someone out there. I really just want others to know that it is okay, it is okay to be human and to know we are not perfect parents. Just do the best you know how to and don't worry about what others think or say. They aren't any better at it then you are and the ones that say they are, well... they live in a dream world.
Peace and light to all! Good night!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Shish Kabobs
This is one of my most favorite ways to grill shish kabobs. The marinade is made the night before and then the meats our marinated for the next 18 hours. It is so super delicious, you would have to eat them to understand!
Marinade:
1/3 c. soy sauce
3/4 c. salad oil
1/8 c. Worcestershire
1 tbsp. dry mustard
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. parsley
1 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
1 crushed garlic clove
1/4 c. lemon juice
Blend all ingredients together and put in bowl or jar.
2 1/2 lb. beef or chicken or both, cut in 2-inch squares
12 cherry tomatoes
12 mushrooms
12 sm. onions
2 green peppers, cut in 1-inch squares
12 bacon squares
2 zucchini, cut in slices
After meat is cut into pieces put in bowl with the marinade and put into the fridge. Let it marinade for at least a few hours, but preferably 12-18 hours. Put on skewers along with other ingredients. Grill for 15 minutes, rubbing marinade on both sides during the cooking process. Very delicious!
Marinade:
1/3 c. soy sauce
3/4 c. salad oil
1/8 c. Worcestershire
1 tbsp. dry mustard
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. parsley
1 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
1 crushed garlic clove
1/4 c. lemon juice
Blend all ingredients together and put in bowl or jar.
2 1/2 lb. beef or chicken or both, cut in 2-inch squares
12 cherry tomatoes
12 mushrooms
12 sm. onions
2 green peppers, cut in 1-inch squares
12 bacon squares
2 zucchini, cut in slices
After meat is cut into pieces put in bowl with the marinade and put into the fridge. Let it marinade for at least a few hours, but preferably 12-18 hours. Put on skewers along with other ingredients. Grill for 15 minutes, rubbing marinade on both sides during the cooking process. Very delicious!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Yummy Red Potatoes recipe
My friend Syd gave me this recipe and it was a huge hit at my house even for my pickiest eater!
5 lbs red potatoes - cut into chunks
1 Tbs minced garlic
3 chicken bouillon cubes
8 oz cream cheese
8 oz sour cream
1/2 c. butter
Salt & pepper
Cook potatoes, garlic and bouillon in water until potatoes are tender. Drain, saving 2 cups of water.
Mash the potatoes with the cream cheese and sour cream. Add water if needed. Put in slow cooker for 3 hours. Stir in butter and salt and pepper. This is absolutely delicious, so give it a whirl and ENJOY!
5 lbs red potatoes - cut into chunks
1 Tbs minced garlic
3 chicken bouillon cubes
8 oz cream cheese
8 oz sour cream
1/2 c. butter
Salt & pepper
Cook potatoes, garlic and bouillon in water until potatoes are tender. Drain, saving 2 cups of water.
Mash the potatoes with the cream cheese and sour cream. Add water if needed. Put in slow cooker for 3 hours. Stir in butter and salt and pepper. This is absolutely delicious, so give it a whirl and ENJOY!
Chili Verde Soup
Now that the weather is getting cooler I have a fabulous soup recipe that can be done on the stove or in a crock pot! My friend Rebecca gave me this recipe a few months ago and my family LOVES it!
Chili Verde Soup
2 big cans of mild green La Victoria enchilada Sauce
2 c. water
2 cans or 2 cups of chicken broth (or use water and 4 chicken bouillon cubes)
2 cans rinsed/drained black beans
2 cans corn (drained)
1 bunch green onions, chopped
4 chicken breasts cubed (can boil chicken in the water first, then cube)
1/2 bunch cilantro chopped
sour cream
grated mozarella chees
tortilla strips (or Chili Cheese Fritos RECOMMENDED!)
Heat first section of ingredients together. Let flavors marinate at least 30 minutes. Then, serve with the following set of ingredients. Half the recipe if only making it for 3-4 people, unless you like leftovers.
I like to make this soup with homemade crescent rolls! Warm soup and warm rolls are perfect for fall time! ENJOY!
Chili Verde Soup
2 big cans of mild green La Victoria enchilada Sauce
2 c. water
2 cans or 2 cups of chicken broth (or use water and 4 chicken bouillon cubes)
2 cans rinsed/drained black beans
2 cans corn (drained)
1 bunch green onions, chopped
4 chicken breasts cubed (can boil chicken in the water first, then cube)
1/2 bunch cilantro chopped
sour cream
grated mozarella chees
tortilla strips (or Chili Cheese Fritos RECOMMENDED!)
Heat first section of ingredients together. Let flavors marinate at least 30 minutes. Then, serve with the following set of ingredients. Half the recipe if only making it for 3-4 people, unless you like leftovers.
I like to make this soup with homemade crescent rolls! Warm soup and warm rolls are perfect for fall time! ENJOY!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Connecting
Today was the anniversary of my mom’s death... I’m not really sure how I felt about it. I definitely cried, but I’ve cried almost every day since she died. Some days are better then others... I laughed as well! It was a pretty normal day actually, except I spent more time thinking about my mom then usual. I miss her a lot.. but I know she is with me. Some people ask how I know... well, I just know. It’s something more than science could ever explain. I feel her presence. Her spirit is here with me and she is with the rest of my family at the same time. It’s not my mind making it up, because I’m not thinking about it... I’m feeling it. Spirit to spirit, heart to heart. She is here with me always and although she has temporarily gone from my earthly sight, she is still here with me. She IS my guardian angel!
The day began pretty normal. Wake up, wake up the kids, make sure they get ready for school, feed the baby, begin working from home, hurry my kids out the door to school, go back to working, etc., etc., etc. However, today I did something I do not USUALLY do... I opened up my back door and enjoyed the sun rise from my deck. I have a beautiful view...
I should do it more often. Life is too fragile, too short and too special to NOT enjoy the beauty that surrounds each and every one of us. God gave these visual gifts to all his children and when I take notice of the beauty and serenity I feel peace and love directly from Him. He is mindful of me and He knows my heart. He knows I miss my mom and He knows I have the ability to feel her close every moment of my choosing. I am so grateful for my knowledge of God and of heaven. I could NOT imagine life without the possibility of being with my family after this single adventure of my existence.
My day continued on... the power at work got knocked out due to an accident on the street next to it. I was kicked off my computer for about 2-1/2 hours while they fixed. Shortly after this happened my 14 month old boy began to get “whiny”. He just wanted mom to hold him. I believe the power outage was meant to be. Maybe for many reasons, but for me I was needed by my baby and if I had been working I would have found some other means to entertain him while I finished my work. He had had a rough nights sleep... I believe he is teething but it could possibly be another ear infection. If he has another rough night, I will be taking him to the doctor tomorrow. Any ways, back to my day... This was at about 9 AM. I turned on Sesame Street (he LOVES Elmo) and I pulled him into my lap and I held him. I held him for over 30 minutes... and if anyone knows my baby boy, he does not sit in a lap for more than a few minutes. He was tired, but not ready for a nap. I held him and let him snuggle into my body as he watched his favorite show. I knew he deserved my direct love right at that moment so I just sat and watched his show with him. I have to say, it was the BEST part of my day. I felt very connected with my child and I knew this is exactly where I was supposed to be.
After he went to bed, I took some time to take a HOT bath and relax. Usually during his first nap of the day I exercise and then take a quick shower and get ready for the day. However, today I deserved a relaxing bath with no children and no noise. It was heavenly, divine and definitely relaxing. My body and soul deserved the few moments of relaxation and peace.
The power at work came back on and work resumed as usual. Brayden, my baby, woke up from his nap and was quite happy. He played happily with his toys while I worked. The day was pretty ordinary... I had my moments, as I stated above, but all in all it was a pretty satisfying day.
Later in the evening, we got to go to Parent/Teacher Conference. Last year had been horrible for both my older kids. Partly my fault, partly my kids fault. So, I was dreading what I was going to hear even though I knew both of them were doing far better this year than last. Chandler struggles in reading and composition... they put him in resource at the end of last year. Over the summer we got a reading composition book from Barnes and Nobles and he worked hard on it. I was hoping this extra assistance would keep him from falling back through the summer break and I was actually right. He not only did NOT fall back but he had come leaps and bounds in his reading and composition. His teacher and his resource teacher were so proud of him. They were amazed at his progress and they felt very confident in his abilities and knowledge. His teacher actually called him a sponge... he soaked in everything they were learning. A complete turn around from last year! I joyful moment for mom and dad!
MaKayla was next... last year had been hard. She was late a lot, thanks to me and she missed a lot of assignments that I never heard about until it was too late to really catch up. I felt like a failure of a parent. We talked a lot about it this summer and she agreed to give it everything she’s got and to never miss an assignment again. She is in 6th grade now and I told her they would be preparing her for Junior High so there is no room for missing assignments. That’s all it took with her. Her teacher is amazed with her. She is a delight to have around he had said along with (paraphrased), “I don’t have to worry about what she is doing, because she is always doing what she is supposed to be doing.” He also said when it comes to reading and composition she is way above her level, she has excelled in the subject. On her testing scores for the state she is far above the school and state average in all subjects. A very proud moment!
The day was actually pretty amazing. Although I missed my mom and I had a few very hard moments through out the day, I felt a lot of peace and I KNEW God and my mom were there with my family and I. It was a day of reflection, a day of remembering and a day of acknowledgment.
As the sun was setting I stepped outside on my back porch once again to take in the beauty of our world once again. I really do have a beautiful view and I am TRULY blessed! Count your blessings people...
The day began pretty normal. Wake up, wake up the kids, make sure they get ready for school, feed the baby, begin working from home, hurry my kids out the door to school, go back to working, etc., etc., etc. However, today I did something I do not USUALLY do... I opened up my back door and enjoyed the sun rise from my deck. I have a beautiful view...
I should do it more often. Life is too fragile, too short and too special to NOT enjoy the beauty that surrounds each and every one of us. God gave these visual gifts to all his children and when I take notice of the beauty and serenity I feel peace and love directly from Him. He is mindful of me and He knows my heart. He knows I miss my mom and He knows I have the ability to feel her close every moment of my choosing. I am so grateful for my knowledge of God and of heaven. I could NOT imagine life without the possibility of being with my family after this single adventure of my existence.
My day continued on... the power at work got knocked out due to an accident on the street next to it. I was kicked off my computer for about 2-1/2 hours while they fixed. Shortly after this happened my 14 month old boy began to get “whiny”. He just wanted mom to hold him. I believe the power outage was meant to be. Maybe for many reasons, but for me I was needed by my baby and if I had been working I would have found some other means to entertain him while I finished my work. He had had a rough nights sleep... I believe he is teething but it could possibly be another ear infection. If he has another rough night, I will be taking him to the doctor tomorrow. Any ways, back to my day... This was at about 9 AM. I turned on Sesame Street (he LOVES Elmo) and I pulled him into my lap and I held him. I held him for over 30 minutes... and if anyone knows my baby boy, he does not sit in a lap for more than a few minutes. He was tired, but not ready for a nap. I held him and let him snuggle into my body as he watched his favorite show. I knew he deserved my direct love right at that moment so I just sat and watched his show with him. I have to say, it was the BEST part of my day. I felt very connected with my child and I knew this is exactly where I was supposed to be.
After he went to bed, I took some time to take a HOT bath and relax. Usually during his first nap of the day I exercise and then take a quick shower and get ready for the day. However, today I deserved a relaxing bath with no children and no noise. It was heavenly, divine and definitely relaxing. My body and soul deserved the few moments of relaxation and peace.
The power at work came back on and work resumed as usual. Brayden, my baby, woke up from his nap and was quite happy. He played happily with his toys while I worked. The day was pretty ordinary... I had my moments, as I stated above, but all in all it was a pretty satisfying day.
Later in the evening, we got to go to Parent/Teacher Conference. Last year had been horrible for both my older kids. Partly my fault, partly my kids fault. So, I was dreading what I was going to hear even though I knew both of them were doing far better this year than last. Chandler struggles in reading and composition... they put him in resource at the end of last year. Over the summer we got a reading composition book from Barnes and Nobles and he worked hard on it. I was hoping this extra assistance would keep him from falling back through the summer break and I was actually right. He not only did NOT fall back but he had come leaps and bounds in his reading and composition. His teacher and his resource teacher were so proud of him. They were amazed at his progress and they felt very confident in his abilities and knowledge. His teacher actually called him a sponge... he soaked in everything they were learning. A complete turn around from last year! I joyful moment for mom and dad!
MaKayla was next... last year had been hard. She was late a lot, thanks to me and she missed a lot of assignments that I never heard about until it was too late to really catch up. I felt like a failure of a parent. We talked a lot about it this summer and she agreed to give it everything she’s got and to never miss an assignment again. She is in 6th grade now and I told her they would be preparing her for Junior High so there is no room for missing assignments. That’s all it took with her. Her teacher is amazed with her. She is a delight to have around he had said along with (paraphrased), “I don’t have to worry about what she is doing, because she is always doing what she is supposed to be doing.” He also said when it comes to reading and composition she is way above her level, she has excelled in the subject. On her testing scores for the state she is far above the school and state average in all subjects. A very proud moment!
The day was actually pretty amazing. Although I missed my mom and I had a few very hard moments through out the day, I felt a lot of peace and I KNEW God and my mom were there with my family and I. It was a day of reflection, a day of remembering and a day of acknowledgment.
As the sun was setting I stepped outside on my back porch once again to take in the beauty of our world once again. I really do have a beautiful view and I am TRULY blessed! Count your blessings people...
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Painting the basement room!
I have been ignoring/avoiding this painting job for a few years now. First, this room basically became our black hole. It was the place where all the "stuff" we didn't want to see upstairs, got put. It used to be my scrapbooking room and the kids play room, but the kids stopped playing down there and my tables became so cluttered with junk that I stopped scrapbooking period! So, I finally have tackled the project of cleaning house and getting the painting done. We have so MUCH junk down there it is ridiculous. I donated a bunch of things, threw out two huge garbage sacks of trash and now I am finishing up the painting. Here are the before pictures...
As you can see it was a complete wreck down there and it was painted this awful mustard color. We have now lived here almost 5 years and I am barely tackling this room! Maybe the reason we stopped venturing into this room is because the color on the walls were so unappealing! Who knows... I am almost done painting it a soft beige/tan color and I will organize it all and post the pictures as soon as it is done. Don't expect it soon though. I'm thinking it will be done in the next few weeks... Happy day when it is complete, but until then I will enjoy the journey of making this room more appealing and useful!
Friday, September 24, 2010
I never said it would be easy...
The last couple of days have been very draining on me. Not for any reason that should be draining... but for some reason I have been feeling very drained and almost sad. It might be because my husband is out of town again, or it might be because I have a million things on my plate right now. Or it might not be either of those things. I have been attempting new avenues in my life because I don't feel I am doing what I SHOULD be doing. Don't get me wrong... I am happy with my life, I have a beautiful family, a wonderful husband, a house to shelter me, food to eat, a great job, cars to get us places... basically I have it made. But for some reason I have felt I have a purpose I am missing. I'm not sure what it is and I almost feel because I have been so relentlessly looking for it... IT has been evading me. :(
Maybe that is why I feel so drained. I have a picture of Christ next to me at my desk with a saying on it. It is one of my favorites and I read it constantly...
Maybe that is why I feel so drained. I have a picture of Christ next to me at my desk with a saying on it. It is one of my favorites and I read it constantly...
The reason I am writing this post, as you can see by the title, is for this exact saying... "I never said it would be easy... I only said it would be worth it." I have been telling this to myself for the last couple of days. I have been spending a lot of time on my knees praying for guidance and comfort. I know God is always there and He wants me to be happy. However, I almost feel like He wants me to push myself more. My mom was always here before and she was not only my rock but she pushed me to be the best I could be. Now that she is gone I feel I don't have that push any more. So... I can either go find the push from someone else or I can "woman" up and push myself. I'm not sure if I have the strength right now, but I am going to go some where inside myself I have never been before and I am going to HAVE to find the strength.
Advice, constructive criticism or just your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Love to all of you!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
My kitchen cupboards...
I always hated my drab looking cupboards but didn't want to spend the money on new ones... so I painted them and I love them. All they need now is some knobs and they will be good to go! I did one coat of red paint and two coats of chocolate glaze... and boy do I love that glaze. I used it on my fireplace as well!
I also painted and glazed my railing on my stairs and I think it looks a 1000 times better!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Strawberry salad recipe
This is my friends recipe and is one of the best salads and dressing I have ever had! Thanks Syd for sharing such a great recipe!
SALAD
-Iceberg lettuce
-Red leaf or green leaf lettuce
-Mozzarella cheese
-Sugared pecans
-Sliced Strawberries
-Shredded chicken (optional)
DRESSING
-1 cup strawberries
-1 Tbs. chopped purple onion
-1/2 cup sugar
-1/2 cup rice vinegar
-1/2 tsp dry mustard
-1/2 cup oil
-1 Tbs. poppy seed
Add the first 5 ingredients in the blender. Blend until smooth. Continue blending while slowly adding the oil. Add the poppy seed and pulse a few times to mix. Drizzle, pour or smother salad with dressing!
SALAD
-Iceberg lettuce
-Red leaf or green leaf lettuce
-Mozzarella cheese
-Sugared pecans
-Sliced Strawberries
-Shredded chicken (optional)
DRESSING
-1 cup strawberries
-1 Tbs. chopped purple onion
-1/2 cup sugar
-1/2 cup rice vinegar
-1/2 tsp dry mustard
-1/2 cup oil
-1 Tbs. poppy seed
Add the first 5 ingredients in the blender. Blend until smooth. Continue blending while slowly adding the oil. Add the poppy seed and pulse a few times to mix. Drizzle, pour or smother salad with dressing!
I thought this poem had a lot to do with what I posted last night. I feel like God answers our prayers always... most of the time it is not in the way we would have wanted, but it is always in the way God feels is best for our progression in life. I have had so many prayers answered in my life, some immediately and most over a period of time, some times even years. But they have all been answered even when the answer was no. It is hard some times to accept the way God does things, but He is ALL knowing and truly is doing things this way so we can learn our lessons and become better people in the process. The key is to actually learn the lesson and not require Him to reteach you later on down the road! I know for me personally I have had to learn the same lessons over and over again and some times it takes learning it multiple times to reach the potential God always intended us to attain! Keep praying, keep believing and keep working towards BEING the soul He KNOWS you already are!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Life... hmmm...
It has been nearly 2 months since my last post and I almost feel like I am starting over! My life got pretty crazy this past May and I feel I have been playing catch up ever since. But the other day I had a ah-ha moment! This past spring I was complaining about NOT having enough time to get everything done... well, God must have heard my complaining and truly wanted to teach me a lesson. Now when I tell you what happened, I do NOT believe this incident happened just for me, but for many others as well including the star of the show.
I got a call just before 6am one morning towards the end of May from my dad. I was barely awake when I answered the phone and soon discovered it was not my dad on the other end of the phone. It was the paramedic who had picked my dad up from his house after he had called 911. Apparently my dad had fallen and had hit his head hard enough to cause a brain hemorrhage. From that moment on until now, life has been a whirlwind of the ER, intensive care, rehab therapy and once released being there to assist my dad wherever needed.
Now back to my ah-ha moment... I realized that although at first I had NO extra time to do ANYTHING for my family or myself I have slowly worked the chaos into my schedule and I now KNOW I had a large amount of time to do all the things I "needed" and wanted to do, I just chose to fill it with things that were not as important as I thought they were. Heavenly Father has his ways of showing you how much abundance you DO have in your life. Some times these lessons do not come in the way you would prefer, but they are lessons nonetheless and I feel I will be a far more organized person in my time from here on out.
I am striving to have a complain free life... NOT because I don't want the lessons... well maybe that's part of it! But more because life feels so much more satisfying when there is less complaining and more compassion, organization and service to others.
My dad is doing much better and each day I am with him I see more and more improvement. I pray every day he will continue to progress in his healing and return to his normal self. Life is so short and it goes by so quickly. It only takes a moment to stop rushing around and enjoy the small things, even if it is taking your dad for a drive around town because he is going stir crazy... or getting on the ground with your baby and crawling around with him... or jumping on the trampoline with your pre-teens and realizing how much work jumping takes these days! Enjoy life!
I got a call just before 6am one morning towards the end of May from my dad. I was barely awake when I answered the phone and soon discovered it was not my dad on the other end of the phone. It was the paramedic who had picked my dad up from his house after he had called 911. Apparently my dad had fallen and had hit his head hard enough to cause a brain hemorrhage. From that moment on until now, life has been a whirlwind of the ER, intensive care, rehab therapy and once released being there to assist my dad wherever needed.
Now back to my ah-ha moment... I realized that although at first I had NO extra time to do ANYTHING for my family or myself I have slowly worked the chaos into my schedule and I now KNOW I had a large amount of time to do all the things I "needed" and wanted to do, I just chose to fill it with things that were not as important as I thought they were. Heavenly Father has his ways of showing you how much abundance you DO have in your life. Some times these lessons do not come in the way you would prefer, but they are lessons nonetheless and I feel I will be a far more organized person in my time from here on out.
I am striving to have a complain free life... NOT because I don't want the lessons... well maybe that's part of it! But more because life feels so much more satisfying when there is less complaining and more compassion, organization and service to others.
My dad is doing much better and each day I am with him I see more and more improvement. I pray every day he will continue to progress in his healing and return to his normal self. Life is so short and it goes by so quickly. It only takes a moment to stop rushing around and enjoy the small things, even if it is taking your dad for a drive around town because he is going stir crazy... or getting on the ground with your baby and crawling around with him... or jumping on the trampoline with your pre-teens and realizing how much work jumping takes these days! Enjoy life!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Little Smokies
I have a new recipe that I absolutely LOVE!
Tim's Little Smokies
1 pkg. little smokies
1 c. brown sugar
3 tbsp. flour
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 c. pineapple juice
1/2 c. white vinegar
2 tsp. soy sauce
Blend sugar, flour and mustard in saucepan. Stir in remaining ingredients, except little smokies. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Add sausages and warm. Keep warm in crock pot. Cooks.com
I doubled this recipe for my family of four and there was a little bit left. Maybe enough to serve 2 more people. So if you have a family bigger than 2-3 I would definitely double. Delicious!
Tim's Little Smokies
1 pkg. little smokies
1 c. brown sugar
3 tbsp. flour
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 c. pineapple juice
1/2 c. white vinegar
2 tsp. soy sauce
Blend sugar, flour and mustard in saucepan. Stir in remaining ingredients, except little smokies. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Add sausages and warm. Keep warm in crock pot. Cooks.com
I doubled this recipe for my family of four and there was a little bit left. Maybe enough to serve 2 more people. So if you have a family bigger than 2-3 I would definitely double. Delicious!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Re-stained my Grandma's dresser
Last summer my mom gave me a small dresser that had belonged to my grandma. It looked really bad when I got it and I was not sure what I would do with it. I decided to re-stain it instead of painting it. I had a hard time sanding out a water stain on the top of it, but I did get it mostly out. I wish I had taken a picture of it before hand, but here is the after picture... Oh yeah, I bought new hardware but the bottom drawer is really thick so the screws did not go all the way through. I found one screw in my extras that fit, but I need to go back to Home Depot to find another one. So one hardware is missing...
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Chicken Enchiladas
SAUCE:
Sour Cream
Enchilada sauce
Cream of chicken soup
Mix together and put aside.
4-5 chicken breasts cooked and shredded
Cheese
Tortillas (corn or flour)
-Spread sauce on the inside and outside of tortillas
-Add chicken and cheese
-Roll up tortilla
-After all tortillas are filled and added to pan, top with remainder of sauce and add more cheese
-Cook at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes
Sour Cream
Enchilada sauce
Cream of chicken soup
Mix together and put aside.
4-5 chicken breasts cooked and shredded
Cheese
Tortillas (corn or flour)
-Spread sauce on the inside and outside of tortillas
-Add chicken and cheese
-Roll up tortilla
-After all tortillas are filled and added to pan, top with remainder of sauce and add more cheese
-Cook at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes
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