My how time flies.

Time is a funny thing, I remember being in school and thinking I still have 3 more years before I graduate, it seemed like an eternity. I remember working at a small convenience store, I worked there for 2 years and I remember thinking man I have worked here forever. 9 months to a pregnant woman is the 9 slowest months that ever existed, 30 minutes to wait for an ultra-sound feels like a decade.

Today 3 years is a blink of an eye, it quiet literally feels like just yesterday I was laying in my hospital bed about to meet my baby girl. I remember it so vividly, as I do with all 3 of my kids. Every time I turn around another year has passed. You never understand why your Aunt said we grew like weeds, or why your Mother got teary-eyed each passing birthday until you are a mother. I honestly need a remote to just freeze time.

Happy Birthday Avery Brooke, Do Mommy a favor and slow down love, you are growing too fast.
I love you!

I am going to bloom where I am planted.

For those of you that know me, you know I went through a dramatic change about probably 8 years ago then again about 4 years ago. I used to be very abrasive, would fight with the wall, spoke my mind and was very angry. I used to let people get me so upset that I literally couldn't sleep they made me so mad. The first revelation for me was when I finally decided to let this one particular person just hate me and I would just smile and take the high road, it worked! Eventually I decided to be the bigger person all the time. Sometimes people think the High road is the cowards way out, they wish I would stand up for myself.

Around 3 1/2 years ago I had another challenge this would be the challenge that would change the way I viewed life and the way I lived forever. I prayed hard about it, I finally found myself on my knees screaming to God, It is in your hands, what ever your will I will accept it. The outcome was not the one I wanted nor the one any of us expected but when I got on my knees and released all of it to God I MEANT it (I mean TRULY MEANT it) and I have chosen to accept it. I never really questioned why things happened the way they did, I just accepted that they happened and went on with life, was it hard abso-freaking-lutley, is it still hard, yep everyday. I think (I say think because I won't know until I can stand before him and ask) that God challenged me that day I dropped to my knees, I think he wanted to see if I really was at that place in my faith that I was. I passed that challenge, which has brought on numerous new challenges in my opinion.

I watched a sermon this morning on TV, he talked about blooming where you are planted how even though we may hate our life, house, job, spouse whatever the case is, that is where God put us and until we grin and go through life "blooming" we can't move on to the next challenge. No matter what you go through, no matter why you are where you are there is a divine reason for it and until you finish that course you cannot move on to the next. It made a lot more sense when he preached the sermon, I am far from a preacher.


so here is a small clip from his sermon this morning

So many people live life waiting for something to change before they will be happy and satisfied. They think, "If I could just get out of this small house…" "If I could just get a better job…" "If I could just find new friends…" Did you know that where you are in life is no accident to God? Psalm 37 says, "The steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord." We all have times and situations where we're not ideally where we would like to be, but take heart; God is ordering your steps for good. If you will trust God with all aspects of your life, stay in faith, and be all that God has created you to be right now, He will get you w"here you need to be. You'll not only live your life happy and enjoy your life more, but you'll be sowing a seed for God to take you where He wants you to go.


Sometimes you listen to a sermon and take absolutely nothing from it, then there are those sermons that really speak to you, that you can relate to. This was one of those for me. It kinda validated that I was doing the right thing by not running that lady over in Walmart that almost knocked me down trying to get the last bag of flour, or the smile I gave to the woman that just butted in front of me in line, I am not a push over, I am just blooming.

Be Thankful.

No matter how rough this year has been we should all be thankful. We get busy cooking and preparing to put on the perfect "show" for the holidays and we tend to forget the simple things. We go through everyday life at such a speed we don't slow down and enjoy the little things, savor the smells, enjoy the moment.
I have learned a lot in the past few years the biggest lesson of all is be thankful. Life is so precious. Sometimes I find myself upset with one of the kids because they have written on something, broke something or just plain out don't listen. Then I realize I am thankful for those moments because in 9-18ish short years I will look back upon the days it took me 10 hours and a lot of elbow grease to get crayon off the walls. Or, the 5000 times a day I have to pull someone off the top of a table or something. I could go on and on with examples but you get what I am saying.

I so often hear people say life sucks, I hate my life etc... I too am guilty of these things. Sometimes we should stop, think, look around and count the things we have to be thankful for.

I lost my Grandfather in October, It has been such an emotional roller coaster. I know that he is so happy, he has achieved his life goal, to be with Jesus. The holidays are going to be so strange to me for a while, with out his crooked grin and soft voice. That blue chair in the sun room, empty, but through all of those emotions, I am thankful. Thankful that I had a Grandaddy like him, I wouldn't have traded it for the world.

So while you are surrounded by whomever you are with this Thanksgiving, eating whatever it is you have to eat, be thankful.

LOVE IS GIVING!

As I watched the news this morning I was overwhelmed by the statistics of families that will go without this holiday season. I wish I could help them all, but I can't, or can I?

On a whim I started a FaceBook page, all I need to do is get as many people to like it as I can. I want to be able to pair needy families with donating families in their area! I think it could work but I need every Facebook-ers help!!!!

Like the page, then send it to all of your friends, the more people in different cities, the more people we can help! Even if you know of a shelter that doesn't have enough blankets or food, let us know!!! We will do our best to find donations in that city. It can all be confidential, or you can post on the wall...



Facebook page

Wow It's been awhile.

I haven't done such a great job of keeping up with this "blogging" thing have I?

I have a few random things floating around in my head, I think to myself, I should blog that. Then someone cries MOMMA and I completely lose my train of thought. Maybe I should carry a pen and paper, like a comedian (remember that Seinfeld episode?)

Anyway, For those of you that are not on Facebook, I had a brawl with some Tortellini dough, I say hats off to the sweet Italian ladies that have the strength to fight that dough by hand until its perfect... Here is my rambling about that.

"I set off this week with ideas of a whole new menu, did my grocery shopping but couldn't find one KEY ingredient, Tortellini. I thought well I could run across town, but nonsense, I can make pasta, I do it all the time! I woke this morning to conquer the quest, scoured the internet for Ideas and techniques and decided HEY! I can do this!.



I decided to use 3 1/2 cups flour and 5 large eggs everything I read said to do this right on top of your workspace make a well in the flour so your eggs don't end up on your floor. Yeah, that didn't work right, so maybe it was really 3 1/2 cups flour and 4 large eggs plus an egg wash for my left foot.I was positive I could knead this dough until it was ready but after 15 minutes I decided that it would be best to use my food processor. 5 minutes in smoke plumed from the back of my poor appliance and I decided I should finish by hand. TWENTY FIVE minutes later I had the PERFECT dough, Thank you sweet baby Jesus. Now to let it rest, 30 minutes good I can keep my Facebook world up-to-date, and a beer, well deserved I believe.

Time to roll the dough, now pasta should be thin, very very thin, and I don't own a rolling pin ( a rum bottle does the trick) so off to the table rolling dough, I started to sing "just keep rolling, just keep rolling" FINALLY THIN DOUGH. I filled my pretty little pastas and posted them for the world to see.



I think I would do it again, I really do. But just a word from the wise (lol)when preparing tortellini pasta do the following

Drape your ENTIRE house in plastic, it makes clean up a breeze.

USE A BOWL! No matter what that little old lady told you, put your flour and eggs IN A BOWL.

Do NOT use a 15 year old food processor, buy a mixer for goodness sake.

Have LOTS of Alcoholic beverages on hand.

Then while your family scarfs down in minutes what took you hours ( a little sanity, an appliance and a foot with salmonella) Smile and realize, you just accomplished something."

It turned out really yummy, I don't think I could have purchased anything that tasted that great!

Then of course the weird way my mind works I started to think about all the fuss about the McDonald's happy meal toys and fighting obesity today. I thought about a story my dad would tell, either my Great-Grandmother or Great-Great, I cannot recall, she used to ring chickens (sorry animal lovers, the woman had to eat) BY HAND, as many of our ancestors did. Do you realize the strength it takes to do that? I bet she got that strong cleaning and kneading dough not to mention ringing her clothes dry. I mean it's not like they had Mr. Clean Erasers or HE washers and dryers. So basically THAT is why we are fat, technology. We have become so lazy, so reliant on technology that we are out of shape. If any of us had to live a day in the life of one of our ancestors I seriously think we would croak! (I however would have loved it, or at least that is what I tell myself).

I hate that "we" are blaming the world of fast food for our obese children. Is it Healthy, most likely not, but nor was 2 lbs of butter in Great Grandmas pound cake, but they weren't "obese". Our children are un-healthy because "we", as parents, are LAZY! What ever happened to the word "NO"? I never owned a power-wheel, I had a bike *gasp* one you had to PEDAL! I went outside first thing in the morning and you had to BEG me to come in to eat. Our kids sit in front of the TV or Video games or Computers all day long and eat junk, not because that is all that's available, because it is easy.

Which brings me to my next rant...

I realize that boxed Mac and cheese and Canned Ravioli and McDs Dollar menu are quite inexpensive and simple for the busy mom, I too am guilty of looking at the time hearing My kids beg for pizza or a happy meal and give in, its a convenience! But why IS it so much cheaper, the government is saying we need to eat healthier so make it CHEAPER! I have the luxury of a garden, well not really luxury it is a lot of work! Not everyone has the time or space for it. I certainly cannot feed us for more than a few months from our harvests. I can buy the store brand Mac-n-cheese in a box for around .79 cent, to make homemade I have to buy noodles usually somewhere around $1, canned milk also around $1 and cheese which even store brand costs you around $3 and that is if you only put ONE cheese in your mac, not to mention the electricity to bake it and the time to shred the cheese cook the noodles etc! So I say if the Government is going to make Mcdonald's take their happy meal toys away then they should make Kraft stop making sponge bob shaped noodles in the mac, make Campbell stop making Dora soup, no more fun cereal or gummy snacks, or ice cream shaped as a super hero. I get that times have changed, there are more working moms lots of after school activities that make people have busy lives, I understand that, believe me I have three kids! I just wish everyone could see it is OUR fault, not the companies.

anyway end rant.

Much love, I promise it will be sooner than MONTHS before I post again.

healthy, cheap, EASY Crackers!

So for about a month now I have been trying to find a way to duplicate those wonderful Gerber toddler/crawler snacks. They are SO expensive and due to some issues it is about the only solid food G will eat. But the boy cannot live on Puffs, crunchies and Cheerios, so desperate to get REAL food into his system I made this recipe. It works out great because the whole family likes them...wait no, LOVES THEM, and AB and the G get plenty of veggies and fruits!!!


Veggie Crackers

2 Cups flour (I used white but I bet you could do any flour you like)

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt (I would back off just a tad if you use left over veggies that have been seasoned)

(I sprinkled onion powder for some seasoning, dill would be good too!)

4 TBSP butter softened (I used salted sweet cream butter, you could use unsalted if you use the 1/2 tsp and salted veggies)

about 1 1/2 cups mashed veggies (I used broccoli and cauliflower And cheese just a little maybe a 1/2 cup shredded Cheese, I added about a tbsp of milk (you can use water as well) and mashed it up, it was still a bit chunky, if you use potatoes or squash I would probably only use about a cup)



1/4 cup water



Whisk together your dry ingredients in a LARGE bowl. Add softened butter and cut with a pastry blender/fork/knife whatever until the mixture looks like small crumbs. Add Veggies mix thoroughly.



Sprinkle the water over using ONE TABLESPOON AT A TIME until the dough just comes together.



wrap in plastic wrap and stick in fridge for an hour.



preheat oven to 375°

Pull out dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface, the thinner the crispier. I did mine a little thick in order to not be Doritos texture. Poke holes through out the rolled out dough with a fork then cut (I used cutters at first but that wasn't fast enough for AB so I just used a pizza cutter and cut squares). Place on Greased cookie sheet.



Cook 18-22 minutes (I averaged about 19-20 minutes so they weren't too crispy for G).



Cool on wire rack and enjoy.




AB stole them off the cooling rack faster than I could get them on.


Ok here is the fruit cracker recipe, a little more sticky, but OH SO GOOD. (I didn't take pics of these but I promise you they look great and the kids are eating them and fast....

Preheat to 350°

2 Cups Flour
1/4 Tsp salt
1/8 tsp baking SODA (the other recipe i did was powder so don't assume :))
1/4 tsp Cinnamon (or any spice you desire)
6 TBSP butter softened
To sweeten you have 2 choices (some people stay away from honey until babies are 1-2 years old)
2 TBSP of honey mixed with 2 TBSP of warm water OR 2 TBSP of Maple syrup mixed with ONE TBSP of warm water
1 Large mashed banana OR 2/3 Cup of your favorite fruit mashed (or even applesauce)

Whisk together your dry ingredients in a LARGE bowl. Add softened butter and cut with a pastry blender/fork/knife whatever until the mixture looks like small crumbs. Add mashed fruit mix thoroughly. Slowly add your sweetened water to the mix once it forms a cohesive ball then that is enough (I didn't use all of my maple syrup mix but did with my honey, guess it just depends)

This dough is a bit stickier so make sure you flour well roll out in the same manner as the veggie crackers, cut place on greased cookie sheet (you can sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar if you like) bake for 15-20 minutes.

A new spin on an old Favorite.

Oreo Cookies, Who doesn't love them?? I hate chocolate, but I LOVE Oreo Cookies ( I am weird I can't help it).

I got this recipe from Bakerella She is so talented, and I love making her stuff and putting my own twist on them.

Ok to the good stuff. Here is what you need to make your self-induced Sugar Coma ;)

A package of Oreo Cookies

An 8 oz package Cream Cheese Softened

White Chocolate Almond Bark (Bakers Chocolate, or vanilla flavored candy melts would work)

A food processor (or a ziploc bag, a Hammer and all of your frustration:))
A bowl
A spoon
A Cookie Sheet
A piece of wax paper

That is it, now lets get started.

Bakerella suggests that you take 7 Cookies out crumble them in the food processor and set aside to sprinkle ontop of your goodies (my 7 oreos didn't make it to the food processor, we ate them...oops)

Ok take the remaining oreos and chop them in the food processor Until all the cookies are crumbled into a Powder almost (not chunks). Take that and add in a bowl with your cream cheese using the back of a large spoon mix together until it is all blended.



Now you need to roll them into balls (the original recipe suggests that you do 1" balls in hindsight, I wish I would have done them way smaller, bite size they are super rich and one ball goes a long way). Place on your cookie sheet (that is covered with wax paper) I popped mine in the freezer while I prepared my white chocolate.




In a microwave safe bowl put your almond bark/candy melt/ white chocolate (whatever you decided on) nuke it in 20-30 second intervals stirring after each 20-30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drop the balls in (don't move around a lot and for Heavens sake don't stir!) Drizzle the chocolate over the oreo ball with a spoon until coated.



I should have coated mine more, but they were still super yummy!

have fun enjoy!

*sorry for the craptastic photo job (I NEED a new Camera)

One year journey.

Just a few quick things

Happy St. Patty's day all!
Today was a good day. Gorgeous outside. We played outside almost all day.

I found a four-leaf clover today, it was awesome. I just looked down and there it was. :)


Anyway I came across a really cool website today. It is a barn owl(s) mom and dad. Waiting for their eggs to hatch. It is a live cam, and they (the owls) are beautiful. The eggs are expected to hatch any day now. It is addicting for sure. I just watched the owl catch a mouse in her box and she is currently eating it. It is absolutely amazing, nature that is. Such beautiful creatures. I hope you will look at it and see what all the fuss is about. :)
Goodnight! God bless!

http://www.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Live_Owl_Nest_Box_Cam.html

Is that Gordon Ramsay in my kitchen?

No,it is just me. Sharing a yummy recipe, it helps if I post them here because I make these things up and NEVER write them down...

I have no title for my recipe so feel free to suggest one.

Prepared Risotto *see instructions below*

3 boneless skinless chicken breast

1/2 tsp oregano (guessing because I eyeball it)

1 tsp parsley

1 garlic clove minced

broccoli

asparagus

Parmesan cheese about 2 TBSP shredded


cut up chicken breast into bite size pieces place in skillet with minced garlic and olive oil. Add parsley and oregano. cover and cook until chicken is done add broccoli and asparagus (I cook my asparagus separately since I am the only one that eats it) Just before the veggies are done add parm cheese.

*Risotto* (HEAT 46oz of Chicken broth)In a deep skillet saute onion in 3 TBSP olive oil add Risotto make sure all is covered with oil. add HALF of the broth bring to boil and stir often add the rest of the broth a little at a time being sure to stir often. Once all liquid is absorbed add 3 TBSP of Parmesan cheese and fresh ground pepper.

Serve the chicken and veggies over risotto and top with Mozzarella and Parmesan (if desired)


The good thing about this is, it is filling and is packed with protein and iron and vitamin c!!

A good friend, a kind heart, and new life.

Hello friends, Sorry it has been so long since I posted. I have been so busy lately, every day I say that I am going to post and I just don't. I am sorry, I will do better.

Some of you may know that I am a member of an online community, have been since September 2008. Over time I have made some very good friends. There are 18 of us total we have a small private group, we chat on the phone, internet etc... Few of us have met in real life, but I consider them all my best friends.

Yesterday I watched a story unfold, a story of courage and love. A woman (We will call her "A"), 32 weeks pregnant had been hospitalized for preeclampsia if she didn't get better soon they would have to fly her to Denver to deliver immediately. She was a friend of one of my internet friends (Shana). Shana told us her story not knowing what would unfold later that day. Shana was rushing around trying to find the right items to take her friend while she sat bored in the hospital, she told us that "She ("A") is the sweetest and most upbeat person i know. it doesn't matter what life hands her she finds a way to be thankful for it." Just before she was about to leave to get the items for her friend she apparently received a call, her friend was being flown to Denver. She posted the story and we all read and responded, but one of us lived 5 minutes away, Cathi.

Cathi posted saying she would do anything, whatever, take pictures hold her hand whatever she needed. At first the friend said no that she was fine and her Husband was driving (from Nebraska) and should make it... He didn't. It was minutes before delivery and Cathi dropped everything and drove to the hospital to hold the hand of a woman she had never met, that was a friend of another woman she had never laid eyes on.

Cathi got there just in the nick of time, she scrubbed up and proceeded to support and help a woman she had never met. I am glad to announce that "A" gave birth to a beautiful baby girl 2 lbs 15oz and 14" long...I will keep you as updated as I can.

Do you realize what type of person that takes?

My entire day has been just upbeat and wonderful knowing that "good" does really exist, that nice/kind people are still in this world.

Watching that whole even unfold made me realize that I consider myself extremely lucky to have Cathi in my life. Everyone should have a Cathi.

I love my 17 girls, they are good girls...

Chicken Parmesean $3.75 a serving!

This turned out to be a super cheap and delicious meal!

2 Chicken breast boneless and skinless (I bought a pack of 11 breast for $15.00 and divided them into smaller bags) $2.72

bread crumbs (I always use my left over stale pieces of bread and turn them into bread crumbs and season them as I go) or you can buy store bought Italian seasoned. $0.80 (if using store brand)

egg beaten with a splash of milk $0.30

1/2 bag of shredded mozzarella cheese (I got mine on sale 3 for $5 store brand) $0.84

Grated Parmesan cheese ( i always have this on hand.) $0.85 (is a guesstimate)

1 box angel hair pasta (store brand) $0.86

1 Jar (or can) of spaghetti sauce $1.12

preheat oven to 350
Pound the chicken breast out with a meat mallet until it is about doubled in size (not too thin!) (it makes a large piece which can be cut in half when serving)
Coat the chicken in the egg and milk allow excess to drain
In another bowl mix the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese leaving enough cheese to sprinkle over the tops of chicken (if plain or home-made mix in your seasoning, I use oregano, basil, garlic and salt)
Coat the chicken with bread crumbs make sure to pat the crumbs in and get a good coating, to be sure that I have a good coating I double dip/coat mine)
place coated chicken breasts on a baking sheet and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes so your breading doesn't fall off in the skillet
in a skillet heat a couple TBSP of olive oil
Fry chicken pieces just until browned
place in a dish and cook for 35-35 minutes or until done (add your mozzarella cheese and Parmesan to the tops of your chicken 10 minutes before they are done (this way you don't brown the cheese and it doesn't all melt off into the dish)
Meanwhile warm your sauce in a pan on the stove top
10 minutes before taking chicken out of the oven boil pasta according to package directions.
Plate noodles, then chicken then sauce and top with a tad more cheese if desired!

Bad Banana

I couldn't help but hop on and share this recipe with you. It seems with the current economic struggle and busier families desserts are nonexistent (well at least homemade desserts).

So I always have bananas in the house, but sometimes the kids just can't eat them before they turn black, I ALMOST threw them out yesterday and I said "Hey why not banana bread!" This recipe is so super simple, and you are bound to have all the ingredients right in your pantry! I love this recipe because all you need is a bowl and wooden spoon, and your imagination, it is so versatile you can add just about anything that you like!


3 or 4 ripe bananas and by ripe I mean black
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar (or sugar substitute)
1 egg beaten
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour
(you can spice it up if you like with some cinnamon or nutmeg)
(you may also add walnuts or raisins what ever you like!)

Mash your Bananas in a bowl add the melted butter, then the sugar mix with spoon, add eggs, then vanilla, then salt then baking soda. After all ingredients have been stirred together add flour and stir. (if you are adding nuts or raisins add them after the flour)
Pour into a buttered loaf pan cook on 350 for 1 hour!

Patches ( and a super simple killer roast beef)

I don't have too much to talk about today, and if you know me in real life, then that must come as a shock to you! I am rarely without words. I do want to talk just a little bit about my day yesterday, so kindly bare with me and then I will share a recipe for some yummy easy pot roast!

Yesterday I was going about my normal Sunday routine, cleaning and laundry. I put a load of whites in the washer and went to switch the load over when I heard the washer stop. I didn't think it had been long enough to finish a load but I was busy and thought I had lost track of time. I opened the washer to find it was still full of water! Great just what I need, I had at least 5 more loads to wash and we are by no means in a position to buy a new one. I kicked the washer, unplugged it and plugged it back, turned the dial a couple times hoping it would start again, it didn't. Then I realized that there must be something that tells the washer that the lid is shut so it will spin. Sure enough there was and it was broken.
I once met a man in the valley that swore all you needed was a Phillips head screwdriver, vice grips, pocket knife and duct/electrical tape and you could fix anything. Well it was a good thing because that was about all I could find! So I pulled the little mechanisim out and looked at it studied it, I realized what I needed to do. I needed a rubberband and vice grips STAT. So I patched the washer, it works, but I soon realized that it wouldn't work forever, it was only patched.
Often in life we do the same thing, we patch our life with something that makes it better for the time being, when fixing it right the first time is so simple. It is so simple to just take a couple minutes from your hectic day and talk to God. Ask him to be in your life. That is a permanent fix.


Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken...

1Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you...




Sunday dinner!

This is SO super simple and it just melts in your mouth!


1 roast (any cut will do, but don't get one too lean the fat helps keep the meat juicy! Rump roast is my fav)
5 red potatoes peeled (or unpeeled if you prefer) and quartered
small bag of baby carrots
1 onion peeled
1 brown gravy pack (any brand will do)
Worcestershire sauce
kosher salt
fresh ground pepper

put roast in a skillet with a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, sear on all sides.

Put carrots, potatoes and onion ( I use a whole onion b/c I am the only one that eats it, you can quarter it if you like) in bottom of crock pot. place seared roast on top(fat side Up VERY IMPORTANT). Sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, add the packet of gravy mix. Put enough water in the pot to come no more than halfway up on the roast. (I put water in the skillet and get all the good juices that were seared in the pan). Turn your crock pot on low and cook about 10 hours (if I need to cook it faster I put it on hi-lo auto shift), the longer and lower you let it cook the more tender and juicy it will be.

I was going to add a picture for you but the family dug in so fast I didn't have time to :)

Tonight we are having Chicken Parmesan YUM!

Football, Food, Family & Fat

It's funny the things that run through my mind when thinking of my next blog entry. I come up with all these ideas and things I want to post but none of them really go together.
So today is Saturday and it's playoff season (Go Dallas!! I know, I know don't give me too much crap over it) I remember growing up and watching football with Dad, he was and still is a Redskins fan, I liked the Redskins for a long time because after all I was a Daddy's girl. My preference in teams changed about as fast as my taste in clothes. It all depended on either who was good, who my friends liked etc. Some where a long the line I settled on Dallas and it stuck. I have been a fan for years now, and I have managed to corrupt my oldest in to a Dallas fan as well. I tried with the girl, but as said above "daddy's girl". She cheers no matter who is playing and says "SCORE! GOOOO REDSKINS" I have to admit that it is cute, just wrong team, princess.

So this is where we turn to food, with the playoffs on and the house is filled with my Husbands friends, in and out all coming for some great food and football. Now I have never, ever been one to like the boxed or processed foods, just not my style. If you were coming to Mama's house to eat you brought a huge appetite because it was good (yeah I will toot my own horn) and there was enough to feed an army (literally). So today is a lazy day and we ran over to the Walmart to get some groceries and the Husband wanted some "dip". Now this "dip" is the easiest thing in the world to make, but it does have a WHOLE block of processed cheese (hang on arteries we are clogging up). The guys eat it all day long and it is so filling that it gets me out of supper (and dishes for that matter). So I figured what the hey, I am starting the big "D" on Monday with some girlfriends so lets have one last HOORAH.
Now for this recipe you need the following.
1 Block of processed cheese
1-2 lbs of ground beef (depends on how you like your meat to cheese ratio)
a can of Rotel tomatoes with Chiles (the guys here like the hot but I like the mild and add a little bit of Cumin and cayenne pepper spice to mine)
Brown and drain your ground beef dice the cheese into cubes open the can of tomatoes throw it all in a crock pot and wah-lah the guys are fed!
Now if you leave the lid on or leave it on high for too long it will get watery, just either remove the lid or cut the heat down and it should thicken back up for ya. (and I drain some of the juice off my tomatoes but you don't have to)

Another good one I like to serve is a nice little easy recipe I picked up from my Nanny. These are great and get eaten up quick! (you also have to forgive me, I am one of those cooks that "eyeballs" measurements, I will have to do better for you guys!)
Flour tortillas
Soft spread butter or a stick softened
Jar of pimentos (drained)
Cumin
Monterrey Jack Cheese (shredded)
Cheddar Cheese (or Colby if you like the milder cheeses)
heat your oven to (and I am guessing again sorry) I would say 375
Mix your cheese and pimentos (or green chiles or whatever you like) a sprinkle of cumin (it is more potent than you think)
Spread butter on each tortilla and pop in the oven (not very long you have to watch them) until they start to bubble up and brown just a tad.
take them out and sprinkle your cheese mixture on them (don't get too close to the edges or it will melt over)
Pop them back in the oven and bake just 'til the cheese is melted
Cut with a pizza cutter into 1/4s and there you have a cheap, easy snack sure to please!

Now back to our trip to Wal-mart and the big diet on Monday. Eating Healthy can be expensive! Also as I mentioned before, I like home-made good ole southern cooking. I once had the best brown beans of my life by a lady in the valley, she put and I quote "2 scoops of lard" in her beans, my heart probably couldn't take but so much but man, my mouth could eat them ALL DAY! Just about everything I cook, is breaded, fried, buttered, salted, cooked in side meat etc.. I am going to attempt to eat some chicken breast (not fried of course) some salmon and a lot of veggies. So I went through the store and got some goodies and walking through the produce section a country gal just can't pass up a nice looking bundle of kale. Now I hesitated a minute because can you really cook a healthy pot of kale? I picked up 2 bundles and decided, there has to be a way! So over to the tater (I said tater just for you Steph) aisle I go and I see this "Wiley's Healthy Southern Classic Green seasoning" Now I think well There ya go! So at .98 who can pass it up right? So I get home and start putting the groceries away and think what does this wondermuss concoction contain? ingredient #4 Dehydrated rendered bacon fat..seriously? That CAN NOT be healthy?!? I mean what made a guy say "this is "healthy" lets fry up some bacon, save the grease and dehydrate it!" Now it claims to be fat free (how?) and cholesterol free so we will try it out and then blog about it later :P)

Hopefully this Diet works out for me, I am not trying to lose a ton of weight, but tone up and drop a few (20) pounds from pregnancy. I will when I have a good recipe share it with you guys!

So until tomorrow!
God bless!

1 year ago today.

First let me just say HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD, I LOVE YOU!

It is funny, the days that stay burned in your memory. I can't tell you what day my graduation was or the day that I bought my house. I can vividly remember the days I found out I was pregnant and the day that my husband swept me off my feet.

One day that is burned in my memory until I die is January 8th, 2009. On that day not only did I find out that my youngest was a bouncing baby boy, but I found out that he had Spina Bifida, hydrocephalus, and possible Arnold Chiari II. Now God has worked in my life many many ways, but on this day, laying in a cold room, looking at my baby boy on a huge flat screen TV, God walked in and took my hand. The Doctor entered the room again, and told us she couldn't give us a prognosis and was sending us to a pediatric Nuero surgeon. She gave me a grim outlook. She began to offer abortion, I declined before she could even finish. She offered amnio, I again, declined. My baby boy was going to be just fine.

I am proud to say that on May 11th I gave birth to a gorgeous baby boy. He is now almost 8 months old and after 2 surgeries and a lot of TLC and even more Prayer he is doing wonderful and has exceeded all of the Doctors expectations. Believe in the power of prayer friends, it is amazing!

There are many times in our lives where we talk to God, but only when we need him. 4 years ago, that was me. Then things happen in life and God pushes you to trust him. It is strange how the easy way out most time is the wrong way. Being the bigger person, taking the high road, doing what is right, is usually the hardest thing to do. I cannot tell you the relief that you feel, when you are laying in a floor crying not knowing what to do and then you cry out loud, LORD I GIVE IT TO YOU, IT IS IN YOUR HANDS, DO WITH ME WHAT YOU WILL. I have been there, many, many times, and sometimes it doesn't work how you plan, because it isn't what we want...it is Gods will. I can promise you what ever God brings you to, he will bring you through.

I try so hard to explain the way I feel knowing that God is in my life, and it is something that is inexplicable, something you have to feel for yourself.

With all of that being said, I hope none of you have to experience a time so hard as I did, but I urge you, if you don't know the Lord, there is no better time than now to find him....


***a special thanks to some special friends that helped me get through, and a wonderful family I love you all***

Where to start...

I have wanted to start a blog for a long time, but there are so many things that spark my interest that I just couldn't choose one. So lucky for you this blog will contain ramblings, hence the name. I hope to bring you great money saving tips, recipes and ideas as well as getting to know me along the way.

So a little about me. I am a not so young, but not so old Mother of three beautiful children. My oldest will be 9 on the 19th, time flies so fast! He plays football and is great at it! My middle child the "princess" more like the princess of drama is 2, she is a mess as I am sure you will soon find out, if you care to follow my boring blog :). My youngest, well he is my hero (all of my children are but G, he is in a different way) G was born this past May with Spina bifida and hydrocephalus, I am glad to report that God has healed him in more ways than I can explain and has taught me some lessons along the way. It is still a battle at times, but he is doing well at 8 months old! None of my children ever cease to amaze me.
I love to knit, and I have started my own Etsy store, I got a ton of orders over the holidays and I am still working on some!!! I hope to be adding some summer dresses and some tutus and purses this spring! I also love to cook, and I am really excited to start blogging about my new found recipes (and disasters for that matter) along with some healthy and money saving tips!