So today as I sit back and think about all the family fun we've had the past couple of days, I also have been praying for each of you as we celebrated Jesus birthday.
I bet many of you are like us starting Christmas Eve starting our progressive Christmas festivites going from house to house, visiting with family with lots of laughter and sharing stories of the past year, weeks or months since we last got together, enjoying delicious food and exchanging gifts. Christmas is my favorite time of year, the joy of the season, the anticipation of watching the children celebrate, and now it's over for another year but we are able to take Jesus with us and celebrate Him in our lives each and every day. I was blessed this Christmas to spend time with many of you and yes, Santa was very good to me as well.
We are off to enjoy some non-traditional Christmas food, Spaghetti!
Hope you all enjoyed Christmas with family and friends and celebrated the birth of Christ.
Have a blessed day and Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tis the Season of Sweet Treats!
As Christmas draws near I know many of you, like me, find yourselves making your traditional sweet treats to take to every house you visit during the holidays and/or to give as gifts.
This year I cut back my sweet treat selections and made a couple of my favorite and easy recipes that I would like to share with you and I added Reindeer Cupcakes for all the little ones in our family. Unfortunately our camera is broken and can't locate the usb adapter for my phone so no pictures to go along with my post today.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter (soft but not melted)
2 cups peanut butter
chocolate bark
hand mix your peanut butter and butter together, place in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds, take out and stir, heat for 30 more seconds, take out and stir. Add powdered sugar, stir until all sugar is blended, it will be stiff. Roll into small balls and place on wax paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour if not longer.
Heat your chocolate bark in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute, stir, heat for 35 seconds, stir, 30 second, stir, 25 seconds stir until melted but not burned.
Using two spoons, place your peanut butter balls in the chocolate roll over and place covered balls on wax paper. Once all are done, refrigerate until serving. Makes approx 60 balls.
Orange Coconut Balls
1 can frozen orange concentrate
1 box powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 stick butter soft
1 package fresh shredded coconut
Stir together and roll into balls. Roll in coconut and place on wax paper. Refrigerate until serving. Makes approx 40-50 balls depending on size of balls.
Reindeer Cupcakes
1 box milk chocolate cake mix (follow directions, use hot water for your water measurement and add 1 large heeping spoon of sour cream to cake mix).
chocolate icing
1 pkg vanilla wafers
1 pkg small prezels
2 single pkgs of m&m's (need brown and red ones)
1 pkg. mini marshmellows
Make 24-30 cupcakes (fill 1/2 full so don't overflow on top when baked). I used holiday cup cake liners. Lightly ice with chocolate icing. Add prezels for antlers. Add a vanilla wafer to each cupcake. Using icing place mini marshmellows for eyes on each vanilla wafer. Add a red or brown m&m, m side down with a dot of icing to hold in place and you have Rudolph and Friends.
Super cute and easy to make. 1 box of cake mix made 30 cupcakes tonight.
Bon Appetit and Merry Christmas!
This year I cut back my sweet treat selections and made a couple of my favorite and easy recipes that I would like to share with you and I added Reindeer Cupcakes for all the little ones in our family. Unfortunately our camera is broken and can't locate the usb adapter for my phone so no pictures to go along with my post today.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter (soft but not melted)
2 cups peanut butter
chocolate bark
hand mix your peanut butter and butter together, place in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds, take out and stir, heat for 30 more seconds, take out and stir. Add powdered sugar, stir until all sugar is blended, it will be stiff. Roll into small balls and place on wax paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour if not longer.
Heat your chocolate bark in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute, stir, heat for 35 seconds, stir, 30 second, stir, 25 seconds stir until melted but not burned.
Using two spoons, place your peanut butter balls in the chocolate roll over and place covered balls on wax paper. Once all are done, refrigerate until serving. Makes approx 60 balls.
Orange Coconut Balls
1 can frozen orange concentrate
1 box powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 stick butter soft
1 package fresh shredded coconut
Stir together and roll into balls. Roll in coconut and place on wax paper. Refrigerate until serving. Makes approx 40-50 balls depending on size of balls.
Reindeer Cupcakes
1 box milk chocolate cake mix (follow directions, use hot water for your water measurement and add 1 large heeping spoon of sour cream to cake mix).
chocolate icing
1 pkg vanilla wafers
1 pkg small prezels
2 single pkgs of m&m's (need brown and red ones)
1 pkg. mini marshmellows
Make 24-30 cupcakes (fill 1/2 full so don't overflow on top when baked). I used holiday cup cake liners. Lightly ice with chocolate icing. Add prezels for antlers. Add a vanilla wafer to each cupcake. Using icing place mini marshmellows for eyes on each vanilla wafer. Add a red or brown m&m, m side down with a dot of icing to hold in place and you have Rudolph and Friends.
Super cute and easy to make. 1 box of cake mix made 30 cupcakes tonight.
Bon Appetit and Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Greetings!
Hello friends, family and bloggers. Sorry it's been a while since my last post. Life has just been so hectic lately.
Family Update:
Mother and Terry were both in the hospital same week. Terry is fine, Mother is still dealing with prolapse issues but saw a new doctor today and was encouraged. My car is now running to get me to and from work only but at least I can do that. Greg had a setback with his recovery from his auto accident this summer and Mike is doing better with all his heart issues. Brad is busy traveling with work so all is well in his world.
Thankful and Giving Back:
As I hear news of so many friends and family losing jobs due to cut backs and losing homes due to hard times and even have a friend who lost his car to theft, I pray and thank God for all we have and for giving us the ability to help others when we can. So many times I think wow, how much more can I take, really dropping something else in my lap is more than I can handle, but I am still very lucky and have to remind myself of that and know God is by my side at all times. If you are feeling down, know that God is by your side, holding you hand or holding you up. Sending prayers and blessings your way.
Have you thought of others this Christmas Season? Bless others around you! Your coworker may not be able to have christmas for their child or even pay their utilities-help them out; your neighbor may not have family in town and would love an invite to join your family for Christmas; invite your coworkers, neighbors, family and friends to join you at Church. Think of others and how the little things make go a long way in anothers life. Give back this holiday season!
Hope you remember the reason for the season and have a blessed day!
Family Update:
Mother and Terry were both in the hospital same week. Terry is fine, Mother is still dealing with prolapse issues but saw a new doctor today and was encouraged. My car is now running to get me to and from work only but at least I can do that. Greg had a setback with his recovery from his auto accident this summer and Mike is doing better with all his heart issues. Brad is busy traveling with work so all is well in his world.
Thankful and Giving Back:
As I hear news of so many friends and family losing jobs due to cut backs and losing homes due to hard times and even have a friend who lost his car to theft, I pray and thank God for all we have and for giving us the ability to help others when we can. So many times I think wow, how much more can I take, really dropping something else in my lap is more than I can handle, but I am still very lucky and have to remind myself of that and know God is by my side at all times. If you are feeling down, know that God is by your side, holding you hand or holding you up. Sending prayers and blessings your way.
Have you thought of others this Christmas Season? Bless others around you! Your coworker may not be able to have christmas for their child or even pay their utilities-help them out; your neighbor may not have family in town and would love an invite to join your family for Christmas; invite your coworkers, neighbors, family and friends to join you at Church. Think of others and how the little things make go a long way in anothers life. Give back this holiday season!
Hope you remember the reason for the season and have a blessed day!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Praising God (especially when you think you can't take anything else)
The old saying "when it rains, it pours" comes to mind when I think of the past week. It's one I don't want to re-live ever again. I'm praising God and thanking him for renewed strength. Here's a brief look into my week...
My car died - officially as of last Sunday, time to look at replacement but new isn't in the budget so going shopping for a gently used SUV in the mean time and then maybe in the next year or so upgrading. With this said, Terry has been taking me to and from work for almost two weeks. This too is getting old. I like the independence of my own transportation.
My Mother has had uterine and bladder prolaspe since October and has he outpatient surgery postponed twice. An ultrasound showed irregular findings which turned into a D&C and Hysteroscopy (camera view), her BP has been very high so the cardiologist required admission and overnight stay at house. The "C" word has been discussed by the doctor prior to this week’s procedure but we won't know anything until the biopsy results come in next week. The good news is the Doctor said her uterus looking good considering the ultrasound results. If all is well and nothing contains the big "C" then she will be scheduled to get a bridge device to set things back where they belong. She is very uncomfortable and has lots of pain in the back and legs because of the 2 displaced organs. Please remember her in your prayers.
So I get home Thursday evening from being with Mom at hospital and the first time I've been home since Monday to find he needs to go to the ER with his heart. So off the ER we go at 9:30 pm Thursday, he is admitted at 2:30 am and his heart was in a-fib, irregular racing heartbeat. They were able to trip it back to normal rhythm with medication and we didn't get home until 10:00 Friday night.
I am praising God that Terry's heart is back in rhythm and that my Mom is home recovering. I am really praising God that I actually got a good night’s sleep last night, first time in 5 days.
Remember God never gives us more than we can handle, even when we think we can't take anything else; he is there for us to lean on and renew our strength. Today I am renewed and ready for a new adventure, hopefully one that does not involve a doctor or the hospital.
Have a Blessed Day!
My car died - officially as of last Sunday, time to look at replacement but new isn't in the budget so going shopping for a gently used SUV in the mean time and then maybe in the next year or so upgrading. With this said, Terry has been taking me to and from work for almost two weeks. This too is getting old. I like the independence of my own transportation.
My Mother has had uterine and bladder prolaspe since October and has he outpatient surgery postponed twice. An ultrasound showed irregular findings which turned into a D&C and Hysteroscopy (camera view), her BP has been very high so the cardiologist required admission and overnight stay at house. The "C" word has been discussed by the doctor prior to this week’s procedure but we won't know anything until the biopsy results come in next week. The good news is the Doctor said her uterus looking good considering the ultrasound results. If all is well and nothing contains the big "C" then she will be scheduled to get a bridge device to set things back where they belong. She is very uncomfortable and has lots of pain in the back and legs because of the 2 displaced organs. Please remember her in your prayers.
So I get home Thursday evening from being with Mom at hospital and the first time I've been home since Monday to find he needs to go to the ER with his heart. So off the ER we go at 9:30 pm Thursday, he is admitted at 2:30 am and his heart was in a-fib, irregular racing heartbeat. They were able to trip it back to normal rhythm with medication and we didn't get home until 10:00 Friday night.
I am praising God that Terry's heart is back in rhythm and that my Mom is home recovering. I am really praising God that I actually got a good night’s sleep last night, first time in 5 days.
Remember God never gives us more than we can handle, even when we think we can't take anything else; he is there for us to lean on and renew our strength. Today I am renewed and ready for a new adventure, hopefully one that does not involve a doctor or the hospital.
Have a Blessed Day!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
What are you Giving?
It's here, the Christmas Season! We all have been busy decking the halls, checking out black friday deals and wrapping the gifts we already purchased just to get them out of the closets and under the tree. We are working on our Christmas Cards and working on the Christmas Shopping List. Have you thought to take time to Remember the Reason for the Season?
I ask each of you to take a few minutes, read the Christmas Story (Luke Chapter 2) in the bible, share this story with your family and friends. This IS the REASON for the Christmas Holiday Season.
We were given a Gift, the son of God, Jesus Christ born in a stable to Mary and Joseph. How are you sharing this gift? Not only is it our responsibility to share the story of Jesus with others, we need to think about others.
I just read a blog by a woman who is doing just that; she is passing it forward (http://lillightomine.com/light-em-up-2011.php). She recommended taking a bag of goodies with you wherever you go this holiday season and spreading God's love. Give the person that gives you your order at the drive-thru window a piece of candy with a sweet note attached. Give the "cookie lady" at the grocery store a bundle of flowers. Give the person checking you out in that busy department store a candy cane and a smile. It doesn't take a lot of money, it's the little things that go a long way to make someone smile and make them feel appreciated. You can make gift tags and add to your tokens you hand out with the Scripture reference for the Christmas Story or just add God Loves You - Merry Christmas!
Give of yourself this holiday season. We all get busy with work, kids, church activities, parties, shopping and family gatherings. I encourage each of you to Remember the Reason for the Season and Pay it Forward! Share the love of God this holiday season with your kind smile, sweet spirit and gifts of sweet nothings.
Have a blessed day and remember God Loves You!
I ask each of you to take a few minutes, read the Christmas Story (Luke Chapter 2) in the bible, share this story with your family and friends. This IS the REASON for the Christmas Holiday Season.
We were given a Gift, the son of God, Jesus Christ born in a stable to Mary and Joseph. How are you sharing this gift? Not only is it our responsibility to share the story of Jesus with others, we need to think about others.
I just read a blog by a woman who is doing just that; she is passing it forward (http://lillightomine.com/light-em-up-2011.php). She recommended taking a bag of goodies with you wherever you go this holiday season and spreading God's love. Give the person that gives you your order at the drive-thru window a piece of candy with a sweet note attached. Give the "cookie lady" at the grocery store a bundle of flowers. Give the person checking you out in that busy department store a candy cane and a smile. It doesn't take a lot of money, it's the little things that go a long way to make someone smile and make them feel appreciated. You can make gift tags and add to your tokens you hand out with the Scripture reference for the Christmas Story or just add God Loves You - Merry Christmas!
Give of yourself this holiday season. We all get busy with work, kids, church activities, parties, shopping and family gatherings. I encourage each of you to Remember the Reason for the Season and Pay it Forward! Share the love of God this holiday season with your kind smile, sweet spirit and gifts of sweet nothings.
Have a blessed day and remember God Loves You!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
You've got to try this!!!
Good Evening!
Sorry it's been a few days since my last post, started work a week ago today and it has been busy. I really like it so far so hope that continues. It's one of those jobs where you don't really get a lunch hour, you eat at your desk which makes the day go by fast, you save on eating lunch out and you tend to eat healthier meals. It's a good thing!
I have been trying a variety of recipes from the Skinny Crock Pot group on Facebook and this one is by far my favorite. I never used to like to cook in a crockpot, not really sure the reason why other than recipes I tried never turned out. When we first moved to Florida, we in the move found the crock pot we received as a wedding gift and I decided to make my delicious pot roast recipe in it. Terry said to cook it on low for 8 hours, well it took about 2 days to get tender and it didn't taste anything like the one I made in the oven so I immediately gave up on the crock pot. With age and being adventurous, I have since made many delicious meals.
So back to this recipe. It's for Balsamic Chicken. This morning I put everything in the crock pot before I got ready for work, I have to say it took about 15-20 minutes for me to do it all (I had just woken up so that may have had something to do with the timing). When I left for work at 7:30 I turned the crock pot on low and 9 hours later when I returned home it was perfect, we actually didn't eat until 6:30 so it held up nicely for being in the crock pot all day. I made one change to the Skinny Crock Pot recipe, in lieu of adding the 2 cans of diced tomatoes at the end, I added 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth.
So here is the delicious recipe, be sure to put your items in crock pot in the order of the recipe, it is amazing how it turns out.
Ingredients:
4-6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
2 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (OR SUB 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth)
1 onion thinly sliced (Not chopped)
4 garlic cloves
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tblsp olive oil
1 tsp each: dried oregano, basil, and rosemary
1/2 tsp thyme
ground black pepper and salt to taste
Preparation:
Pour the olive oil on bottom of crock pot
place in chicken breasts, salt and pepper each breast
put sliced onion on top of chicken
then put in all the dried herbs and garlic cloves
pour in vinegar and top with tomatoes (OR skip the tomatoes and top with 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth.
Cook on high 4 hours or cook on low (like I did) for 6-8 hours.
Absolutely delicious! Serve it over pasta or rice. If you'd like you can shred the chicken and serve like a soup. The flavors are incredible. BTW,I used fresh rosemary and a peeled a whole garlic bulb and added all the garlic cloves.
Hope you try it and like it. Have a great week.
Bon Appetit!
Sorry it's been a few days since my last post, started work a week ago today and it has been busy. I really like it so far so hope that continues. It's one of those jobs where you don't really get a lunch hour, you eat at your desk which makes the day go by fast, you save on eating lunch out and you tend to eat healthier meals. It's a good thing!
I have been trying a variety of recipes from the Skinny Crock Pot group on Facebook and this one is by far my favorite. I never used to like to cook in a crockpot, not really sure the reason why other than recipes I tried never turned out. When we first moved to Florida, we in the move found the crock pot we received as a wedding gift and I decided to make my delicious pot roast recipe in it. Terry said to cook it on low for 8 hours, well it took about 2 days to get tender and it didn't taste anything like the one I made in the oven so I immediately gave up on the crock pot. With age and being adventurous, I have since made many delicious meals.
So back to this recipe. It's for Balsamic Chicken. This morning I put everything in the crock pot before I got ready for work, I have to say it took about 15-20 minutes for me to do it all (I had just woken up so that may have had something to do with the timing). When I left for work at 7:30 I turned the crock pot on low and 9 hours later when I returned home it was perfect, we actually didn't eat until 6:30 so it held up nicely for being in the crock pot all day. I made one change to the Skinny Crock Pot recipe, in lieu of adding the 2 cans of diced tomatoes at the end, I added 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth.
So here is the delicious recipe, be sure to put your items in crock pot in the order of the recipe, it is amazing how it turns out.
Ingredients:
4-6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
2 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (OR SUB 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth)
1 onion thinly sliced (Not chopped)
4 garlic cloves
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tblsp olive oil
1 tsp each: dried oregano, basil, and rosemary
1/2 tsp thyme
ground black pepper and salt to taste
Preparation:
Pour the olive oil on bottom of crock pot
place in chicken breasts, salt and pepper each breast
put sliced onion on top of chicken
then put in all the dried herbs and garlic cloves
pour in vinegar and top with tomatoes (OR skip the tomatoes and top with 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth.
Cook on high 4 hours or cook on low (like I did) for 6-8 hours.
Absolutely delicious! Serve it over pasta or rice. If you'd like you can shred the chicken and serve like a soup. The flavors are incredible. BTW,I used fresh rosemary and a peeled a whole garlic bulb and added all the garlic cloves.
Hope you try it and like it. Have a great week.
Bon Appetit!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Sharing a Gift - Snickerdoodles
Sharing a Gift – Snickerdoodles
As you may have read in an earlier post how thrilled I am for my Better Homes & Garden’s Cookbook given to me by my dear friend Tammy Storms many years ago.
I used to make Snickerdoodles from this cookbook on a regular basis for the Storms boys as well as my CPI friends and coworkers when we would go out of town on events. I thought I would share the recipe.
Snickerdoodles:
½ cup butter
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 egg
½ tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. cream of tartar
2 Tbsp. Sugar
1 tsp. ground Cinnamon
In a mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add about half of the flour, the 1 cup of sugar, egg, vanilla, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Beat till thoroughly combined. Beat in remaining flour. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Combine the 2 Tbsp. Sugar and cinnamon. Roll balls into cinnamon sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake on 375 for 10-11 minutes or till edges are golden. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Makes about 36 cookies.
Snickerdoodles are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Bon Appetit!
As you may have read in an earlier post how thrilled I am for my Better Homes & Garden’s Cookbook given to me by my dear friend Tammy Storms many years ago.
I used to make Snickerdoodles from this cookbook on a regular basis for the Storms boys as well as my CPI friends and coworkers when we would go out of town on events. I thought I would share the recipe.
Snickerdoodles:
½ cup butter
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 egg
½ tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. cream of tartar
2 Tbsp. Sugar
1 tsp. ground Cinnamon
In a mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add about half of the flour, the 1 cup of sugar, egg, vanilla, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Beat till thoroughly combined. Beat in remaining flour. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Combine the 2 Tbsp. Sugar and cinnamon. Roll balls into cinnamon sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake on 375 for 10-11 minutes or till edges are golden. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Makes about 36 cookies.
Snickerdoodles are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Bon Appetit!
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