Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Closer Than I Was Yesterday
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Growing Grateful Kids
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Am I Doing This Right?
for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9
Praying Daily for your Children Calendar - http://www.momandlovingit.org/MeMs/MeM_2009-10w.html
Monday, April 05, 2010
Fruit Salsa
Ingredients
- 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
- 2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
- 8 ounces raspberries
- 1 pound strawberries
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor
- 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
- butter flavored cooking spray
- 2 cups cinnamon sugar
Directions
- In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray.
- Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Potatoes
* 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
* 3 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided, plus additional for drizzling
* Salt
* 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
* 1 medium onion, chopped, divided
* Black pepper
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
* 1 cup smoked shredded Gouda cheese
* 1 pound ground sirloin
* 1 can mixed veggies (you can use fresh or frozen too)
* 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons flour
* 1 1/2 cups beef stock
* 2 tablespoons spicy brown or Dijon mustard
* 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Yields: 4 servings
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
1/2 Cup Butter
12 Tablespoons Cocoa*
4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil*
2 Cups Flour
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoons Salt
2 Cups Sugar
4 Large Eggs
1 1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla
Powdered Sugar
*or 4 Squares of Unsweetened Chocolate
Instructions:
Melt butter, then add cocoa and oil until smooth
Beat chocolate mixture and granulated sugar until combined
Add eggs and beat well
Mix in vanilla
Mix in flour, baking powder and salt and beat until just combined
Refrigerate dough until very firm, at least 2 hours
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease cookie sheet (or use parchment paper).
Place confectioner's sugar on a paper plate.
Roll dough into small balls and then roll in powdered sugar until completely covered.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until tops of cookies are set.
Cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes and then transfer to rack to cool completely.
Makes about 5 dozen cookies.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tis The Season!
Ingredients:
1/2 c butter
2 T season salt
1/2 - 2/3 c Worcestershire sauce
2T garlic powder
1/2 T ground mustard
1/4 - 1/2 T curry, to taste (optional)
6-8 c chex cereal: 2 honey nut, 2 rice, 2 corn, 2 wheat
2 handfuls (approximately 2 c) pretzels
1 - 2 c mixed nuts
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 250. While oven is pre-heating, put the stick of butter in your large roasting pan and put it in the oven to melt the butter at the same time.
- Remove pan once butter is melted and combine the rest of the ingredients together with the butter and mix well to coat the majority of the ingredients.
- Heat for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Spread on paper towels to cool for approximately 30 minutes to cool.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Love and Respect Conference
Marriage expert and best-selling author of Love & Respect Emerson Eggerichs presenting live in person at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria
When:
Nov. 13, 2009 • 6:45–10pm | Nov. 14, 2009 • 8:45am – 1:30pm
Sarah and Emerson are convinced that a truth hidden in plain sight for 2000 years can make a difference in every marriage. This truth is found in Ephesians 5:33. Husbands must love their wives and wives must respect their husbands.
Emerson received his B.A. in Biblical Studies and an M.A. in Communications from Wheaton College and Graduate school. He was awarded his Masters in Divinity from Dubuque Seminary. Later, he earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Child and Family Ecology. Emerson was the senior pastor of East Lansing Trinity church from 1980 to 1999. He loved the pastorate in this college town with nearly 45,000 students. When he came, the church had 450 in attendance, and when he left over 2000 attended. He oversaw a paid staff of 40. He also initiated a building program, relocating Trinity Church on 70 beautiful acres in the Lansing area. That was completed in the year 2000.
Focus on the Family is sponsoring many of the Love and Respect Conferences across the nation.
The book Love and Respect (The Love She Most Desires / The Respect He Desperately Needs) won two awards in 2005: the Gold Medallion and Retailers Choice.
The Love & Respect book has been selected as the 2007 Book of the Year for Family Christian Stores."
10700 N. Allen Road
Peoria, IL
(309) 243-1375
Monday, October 19, 2009
Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
3 cups milk
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup imported Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup imported Romano cheese, grated
12 egg yolks from fresh jumbo eggs
Salt and black pepper to taste
Procedures
1. HEAT milk and cream in a heavy bottom saucepan until it begins to simmer. Turn off heat. Slowly whip in cheese, then remove from heat.
2. PLACE egg yolks in a separate bowl and slowly whip in a portion of the hot milk and cream mixture. Slowly add egg yolk mixture back into remaining cream mixture. Place back on very low heat and continually stir until simmering. Take sauce off heat so it thickens. (This will increase temperature of egg yolks, known as tempering).
3. SEASON to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve over your favorite pasta.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Serving Size: 8
Shared via AddThis
Italian Chicken
Chicken breasts (6)
8oz Italian Salad Dressing
8oz Cream Cheese
14oz Chicken Broth
10.5oz Canned Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 teaspoon Rosemary
1/2 teaspoon Thyme
Angel Hair Pasta (or pasta of your choice)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:
Monday, October 05, 2009
Cheeseburger Soup
1 1/2 cups water
1 small onion, chopped
1 tblspn beef bouillon granules
1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
8oz process cheese, cubed
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1/2 tspn salt
2 1/2 cups milk (2 cups & 1/2 cup)
1/4-1 tspn cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tblspns all-purpose flour
In a large saucepan, combine: water, potatoes, onion, green pepper, garlic, bouillon and salt; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in beef and 2 cups of milk; heat through.
Combine flour and remaining milk until smooth; gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. While pot is heating, cube your cheese.
Reduce heat stir in cheese until melted.
Add cayenne pepper. Top with bacon just before serving.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
TGI Friday's Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
* 4 (4 ounce) chicken breasts
* salt and black pepper (to taste)
* 1 lb angel hair pasta
* 6-8 medium size roma tomatoes
* 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
* 2 minced garlic cloves
* 10tsp dried basil leaves or 10tbsp fresh basil leaves
* 2 garlic cloves, sliced into thin coins
* 1/2 cup tomato sauce
* 1 cup balsamic vinegar
* 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Directions:
1. Chicken Breasts: Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Grill 3-4 minutes per side for grill marks or until the chicken breasts reach 165 degrees F. Grill right before serving.
2. Pasta: Boil pasta as per directions on box until al dente.Drain and transfer to bowl.
3. Tomato Salad (Step 1): Wash, core and dice tomatoes to 1/4" pieces, save juices and place in small bowl. Wash, dry and cut basil leaves into thin strips. Combine tomatoes, basil, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and minced garlic and hold for 2 hours before use.
4. Tomato Salad (Step 2): Heat heavy bottom saucepan under medium-low flame. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, heat oil for 20 seconds. Saute cloves of garlic, that are sliced into thin coins, in oil (if small use 3) for 45 seconds on each side until soft and tender - do not brown garlic (if brown DISCARD and start over). Increase heat and add tomato salad and stir.
5. Tomato Salad (Step 3): Add plain tomato sauce to pan and bring to a boil. Add pasta to sauce pan and toss with fresh sauce (sauce should just coat pasta). Transfer to a service platter or plate individually. Garnish with balsamic glaze.
6. Balsamic Glaze: Bring to a boil vinegar and sugar in small pan and turn down flame to a simmer Reduce by 75% until sauce turns to a thick syrup, hold at room temperature
7. To serve: Slice chicken breast into strips on a bias (45 degree angle) and place on top of pasta.Enjoy!
45 min | 15 min prep
SERVES 4
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Sausage Gravy
* 1 (12 ounce) package maple flavored sausage
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 3 cups whole milk
* salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Remove sausage with a slotted spoon, leaving the drippings in the pan.
Stir in the butter until melted. Add flour, and stir until smooth.
Reduce heat to medium, and cook until light brown. Gradually whisk in milk, and cook until thickened.
Season with salt and pepper, and stir in cooked sausage.
Reduce heat, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. If gravy becomes too thick, stir in a little more milk.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
BBQ for Pulled Chicken or Pork
3tbs oil
2 1/4 c ketchup
2 1/2 c chicken broth
1 c lemon juice
1/2 c + 1 c brown sugar
1/2 c + 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 c + 2 tbsp mustard
2 tbsp salt
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
Here's the bbq part of the recipe:
Tastes best when cooked a day ahead so the meat can marinate in the sauce overnight.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Herb Crusted Pork Loin
1 (4-pound) boneless pork loin, with fat left on
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon dried basil or 2 teaspoons fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried rosemary or 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
brown sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Love Believes the Best, Day 7
Journal: Which list was easier to make? What did this reveal about your thoughts? What attribute did you thank your spouse for having?
So, what room do I spend more time in? Yikes...Not sure I want to think about that, so lets move on to the journaling.
For me, the positive list was easier to make. I take this as a good sign!!I really am so lucky to have him as a husband. The list of positives by far outnumbered the negatives. And the list of negatives that I came up with were so very minor, that it hardly was worth it to write them down, tho it did make me realize how inconsequential they were in the grand scheme of things. I won't bore you with the entire positive list, but some of the things listed included the following:
* Patient
* Kind
* Hard working
* Trusting
* Loving husband and father
* Forgiving
* Thoughtful
* Honest
I won't bore you with any of the negatives, because I'm believing the best in my husband and not going to focus on them.
What does this reveal about my thoughts? I realized that if I were making the lists about ME, it would be easier to write negative things over positive things. It seems I spend more time in the Appreciation Room when it comes to my husband, yet when it comes to me I tend to hang out more in the Depreciation Room.
We were then supposed to thank our spouse for something on the positive list later in the day. Tonight when he got home from work, I thanked him for being so trusting. He never questions anything that I do or who I'm with.
Now to hide the lists and see what's in store for them!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Love Is Not Irritable, Day 6
Journal: Where do you need to add margin to your life? When have you recently overreacted? What was your real motivation behind it? What decisions have you made today?
Today's chapter talks about how selfishness can take other forms, such as: lust, bitterness, greed, and pride. Out of this list of 4, I know that I have an issue with bitterness. I hold onto things and let them leak out when the smallest thing sets it off. I sit and I stew. I can hold onto things for days before either finding a way to let it go or go off. Grant it, usually I can end up letting it go, but there are those occasions that that doesn't happen. Since starting the Love Dare, I have tried to not hold onto things if they are not important.
Where do I need to add margin to my life...whew...most of you girls have seen my schedule! Is this question a joke? :) I probably need to add in some more "at home" time...the time where I just say "no" and stick to it. (This will probably kill me, so pray for me girls!)
When have I recently overreacted? That's a tough one because I'm a pretty easy going person. I suppose last week when Mike told me he was going to have to set up for VBS right after church instead of Sunday evening. That was not his fault, other than he didn't say no. He didn't plan that time, it was told to him. I did let it go and got over it...and I apologized for my reaction. My real motivation behind it was selfishness...that sounds so ugly.
What decisions have I made today? I'm going to let things go...not sweat the small things and not make mountains out of molehills. I also need to prioritize things and stick to my schedule, whether it's busy or has nothing on it.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Love is Not Rude, Day 5
Journal: What things did your spouse point out about you that need your attention? How did you handle hearing it? What do you plan to do to improve these areas?
Okay, I didn't want to do today's challenge, of course, who does? Who really wants to find out what irritates their husband about themselves? Should I just take a fail on this one? Should I just blow it off...yeah, that's it! Okay, I didn't blow off the challenge all together, because I know how important it is and I really do want to better my marriage, I just went about it in a different way...I e-mailed him. I figured it would be easier for him to answer me honestly if he weren't telling me my faults to my face...I'm just hoping that he limits my faults to only three! I'll update with the results once he responds to the e-mail. Good luck with this one girls!
Update: Here was his response:
I don't know if I have three things that really bother me, but I'll give you what I've got.
One thing that bothers me (that you already know) is how you leave things lying around instead of putting them where they go. To sum it up lack of order.
As far as personality traits/character stuff, there really isn't anything that bothers me much. It used to bother me how you didn't think ahead or get stuff ready ahead of time, but since the girls have come along you seem to get better about that all of the time.
Do you HAVE to have three things?
Monday, July 13, 2009
Love is Thoughtful, Day 4
Journal: What did you learn about yourself or your spouse by doing this today? How could this become a more natural, routine, and genuinely helpful part of your lifestyle?
First off, I'm going to start by finishing off yesterday's challenge. Today I bought Mike a lovey-dovey card and put a little coupon in it for dinner at the restaurant of his choice next time we're going out together.
Now to Day #4...I must confess that this challenge is super duper easy for me because we do this already on a regular basis. We normally talk on the phone several times a day while Mike is at work. He calls to check on me and the kids, and I fill him in on the day's activities. I hate that he misses out on so much that we do, so I do my very best to help him feel connected, even while he is at work. Someone asked me a couple weeks ago if my hubby was very controlling because I call him to let him know what's going on...No, I don't call him because he wants to know where I'm at every second of the day or everything we do all day long...that would take more time and energy than it would be worth, I do it because I love him and because I want him to know that no matter what we're doing I'm thinking about him. (I also sent him a message on Facebook today, so do I get extra credit?)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Love is Not Selfish, Day 3
Journal: What did you choose to give to your spouse? What happened when you gave it?
Okay, first off, I have to laugh because Friday I was feeling selfish...should have looked ahead in the book!
Day 3, and I have already failed a challenge. I did not buy Mike anything today. Nothing. Nadda. Zippo. Zilch.
Today Mike had to help set up the sound system for VBS so I went with my parents and the girls to the Air Show. There wasn't too much opportunity to buy something that Mike would need there. I should have planned ahead. I should have made it a priority to go buy him a gift. I didn't. I have my reasons that would completely validate why I could not follow through, but the raw truth is I did not make him a priority today, the Love Dare a priority.
Honestly, buying anything for Mike scares me...what in the world would he want or need? So, in the spirit of honesty, maybe I did not follow through not because of all my "valid" reasons, but because I have a hard time with this anyway so I just used those reasons to validate my failure.
I will complete this task, it just has to wait until tomorrow when I am not spending the day at the Air Show getting sunburnt. :) On to Day 4! Bring it! :)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Love is Kind, Day 2
Journal: What discoveries about love did you make today? What specifically did you do in this are? How did you show kindness?
Okay, in my effort to accomplish Day 2, I was thinking about discoveries about love that I made today and I realized how we really need to make an effort to show acts of kindness to our spouse. I mean, if you think about it, we seem to really go out of our way to do this for others, even complete strangers...we will hold the door for someone entering a store, drop everything to reach out to others in our lives and communities, take on too much for others, but when it comes to our husbands and children we tend to give them the "leftovers". I feel like I try hard NOT to do this, but today I realized I am guilty of this as well. I get busy with anything and everything in my day to day life, I tend to be very tired or stressed or just too lazy to make an effort to give my family what I am more than willing to give to others, even complete strangers. Makes lots of sense, doesn't it? Why in the world do we do this?
I wanted to do something out of the ordinary today as my "unexpected gesture of kindness", but it didn't happen quite like I was hoping. Saying nothing negative to my hubby today was extremely easy, but I didn't see Mike for most of the day today. :) As an unexpected gesture of kindness, since Mike worked on a friend's garage all day, we went out for dinner as a family. It was a nice evening. I also left a note on the bathroom mirror,
I feel like today, as far as the Love Dare stuff goes, was a success. Day 2 down, life to go. :)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Love is Patient, Day 1 cont...
Love Is Patient, Day 1
Journal: Did anything happen today to cause anger toward your husband? (What about your kids?) Where you tempted to think disapproving thoughts and to let them come out in words?
My morning for Day 1 started off with a bang...Mike has been asked to help out with some of the setup for VBS at Harvest and that was fine. This morning he told me that the setup time is now following church. This didn't sit well with me and I as far as the dare goes I was successful in not "saying" anything negative to him, but my attitude was all wrong. Actions speak louder than words, right? The Lord reminded me again just how selfish I am and when he gets home from work, I know that I need to ask his forgiveness for being so selfish.
As far as how I did with the girls on the dare, well considering they weren't with most of the day I did great. My parents met me at the library and dropped them off at lunch time, afterwards we ran some errands and they've been playing great together all afternoon. Praise God! But I wasn't perfect, I did react in anger a time or two when they were getting on each others nerves (not taking into consideration how tired they are), and therefore getting on my nerves. The Lord is really working on me with my short fuse and I know that as I yield to Him that He will allow me to improve in this area.
I am looking forward to tomorrow and seeing what is in store and I am going to keep on working on Dare #1 until I get it right. (It could be a while!)
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Make An Investment in YOUR Marriage...I DARE YOU!
Earlier this week, while talking to some of the girls in the mom's group on the phone, we discussed the study book we were doing and some feelings about it. After those phone calls I was feeling led to suggest changing our study book for the time being. I had decided last week that I would do the Love Dare book myself and Kathy was going to do it with me, but after praying about it for a couple days I felt a great peace about suggesting it as a replacement study book. Fast-forward to today in our Mom's Group Bible Study we decided to switch gears and do the Love Dare book instead.
I’m determined to get through the entire book, be completely transparent with myself, and to make an improvement in myself and in our marriage. Please pray for me, and the other mom's that are taking on this dare, and look for my Day 1 post tomorrow!
By the way, Fireproof came out on DVD a few months ago. Check it out with your spouse and take on the Love Dare yourself. I’d love to hear about your journey.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
When life gives you lemons...
22 oz fresh lemon juice (about 7 large lemons)
2 1/2 to 3 cups sugar
1 cup hot water
1 gallon cold water
strawberries (optional, but recommended)
(Fresh squeezed lemon juice can be frozen in a freezer safe container for up to 4 months! So get them while they're on sale and freeze the juice for when you need it!)
Tastes great if you add pieces of strawberries either to your glass of lemonade or to the entire pitcher of lemonade.