fall leaves

Saturday, November 27, 2010

On to Christmas....


To kick off the Christmas "season" I got up early ....not insanely early like some....and hit a couple Black Friday sales . I went to Athens and went to Sears,Penneys and AE. Then on the way home I went to Tractor supply . I got everything that I had put on the list I made while perusing on-line sale fliers . It was a pretty good success ! I had to order one thing for the princess. They were out of her size but JcP offered free shipping to store and I still got the BF sale price . AND...it gives me an excuse to go browse the mall one day in the next week or so when it's not such a mad-house . It's a win-win situation ! :-)

Thanksgiving was a rousing success . Way too much food , of course ;-) . We had opened it to anyone who didn't have a plan , but it ended up just being family . That's OK . We want to try again next year and spread the word earlier . We raided the house of most of the fall decorations and took them to the church to decorate there. It wasn't planned to be a huge help to me but it was...now, the slate is mostly blank ---ready for Christmas decorations ! I hope to work on that next week but I have an election to work and sometimes that throws things off for days . This is looking to be a small run-off for 2 judges seats so maybe I won't be too wiped out ! It's still a long day !

Today my hubby got down winter clothes for me to go thru . I better go get back to it . The dryer will be done in just a few minits and then I can swap the cloths over . This is only our 2nd cold day this season . But looking at the forecast it is forecast to be much cooler this week and we will be needing the jeans and long sleeve shirts I am finding !

Blessings ! Lora

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Thanksgiving week

I cannot believe this is Thanksgiving week ! This year has FLOWN !
Wednesday would have been my brothers 51st birthday . My mom and Dad are both down with colds. My min-pin is in heat . And I may have bitten off more than I can chew!
We are going to have our Thanksgiving meal at our church . And we put out an open invite to anyone who needed someplace to go . And ppl might actually come ! Ummm....Help me Jesus ! I need some guidance .
So... I guess we will see if He chooses to use us to bless others . He is the miracle worker after-all !

Monday, November 8, 2010

Menu Plan Monday


This might be my first blogged menu this year! My DH will be home this week (which is unusual) and I decided I need a plan so we don't eat out too much .

Here goes....


Sunday - Chicken Enchilada Stew made with this mix I found at Ross. (I paid $2.99) I made it in the Crock-pot so it was waiting on us after church!


Monday - Baked Chicken per this recipe . It gets lots of stars ! I will serve with baked squash and a pasta side dish.


Tuesday - 15 bean soup with homemade cornbread ! This will be cooked with a HoneyBaked ham bone that you can get at thier store for $5-$6 ....totally worth it !


Wednesday- Left-over Enchilada Stew from Sunday. Church usually means something quick !


Thursday - this is usually my daughters day to cook - so we'll see !


Friday - Baked Country-fried Steaks . It is my friend Gina's recipe . You egg dip and flour batter the chopped steak . Fry it up in a skillet . Then place in a 9x13. Mix up a pack of onion soup mix with hot water . Pour soup over steaks and bake for 20 mins on 350 . I know it sounds crazy , but it is wonderful ! served with corn or baked potatoes and salad(spinach or fruit)


Saturday-Baked French toast

sandwichs and chips with pasta salad

2 for $20 at Applebees for date night !


Sunday - Chinese after church

grilled cheese and soup for dinner

OR

breakfast for dinner
Well that wasn't so hard . I don't know why I hate sitting down and doing it so much ! :-)
Ya'll have a good week !




Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sunday rest

Today is Sunday . The day of rest . It has been a good one .
Church was wonderful . God is doing some really cool stuff ! The worship leader even threw in an old hymn that many of us didn't know and it worked . In a Contemporary Worship service only God can do that ! :-)
I got a nap after church . Took the prince to "coffee house" , checked on my S-I-L's kitties , dabbled in the pond area for a few minits . Resisted the siren song of the ice-cream truck (that darn chipwich was calling my name!) And made a simple dinner that was scarffed up by all ! Pretty sucessful day ! :-)
I have been thinking about blogging about my escapades in trying to follow FlyLady . And I am newly addicted to craft blogs and blog parties . I will have to post a few of my own ideas...if I ever have time to actually craft them . I guess it equates to less computer time (:-/) which I need to work on anyway ! :-P
Ok ... gotta go start the dishwasher since hubby is out of the shower now !
Blessings !

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

End of August

Well today is the last day of Aug. Which means we made it thru it ! The one year anniversary of my brothers dead was Friday . None of us can hardly believe it has been a year ! I get thru knowing I will get to see him again ! The HOPE of heaven ! My dad is not a Christian , I have no idea how he makes it !
The Princess started a new job at the tiny restaurant in town . She is loving it ! And I am SO glad she is working again . We are back to butting heads . Seems to happen when she has a beau . I have a hard time relating since I was married with a baby by the time I was her age .
The Prince is in his second week of school . We are using a cover school this year and so far he likes it ! I can hardly believe he only has 2 years left ! I try not to think what I will do after I have no more to school ...it generally causes panic or depression ...neither of which I usually struggle with .
Tonight is ladies night out at the church . They are doing a covered dish night at church and I will be bringing sausage and peppers ...or whatever it morphs into ! LOL
I am looking forward to fall . I totally want to decorate ! I figure it is pushing it too much when it is still 90 degrees here . But SOON ! Very SOON ! LOL

Thursday, August 12, 2010

soggy clutter

I am a clutter Queen . Sigh... I usually blame it on my small house , but it's just me . Wednesday I walked down first thing in the morning to throw in a load of laundry (It's the habit for Aug. flylady followers) ...anyway, there was a puddle on the garage floor by the washer . I mopped up the water with a towel or 2 and threw them in the wash too . I was figuring something was wrong with the washer so I packed towels around it .
I turned off the water to the washer last night , only to come down this morning to find a huge puddle again . DH said maybe the water heater that is next to the washer.
I had clothes and towels and lots of "stuff" by the washer and water heater...and guess what? It either needed immediate washing or was ruined already . I have spent 2 days cleaning down there in the garage/dungeon . I have gotten 3 barrels of trash out , and 2 boxes of "give-away" . Only a dumpster load to go !
I am taking the hot part of the day off and need to clean in the house . My dh comes home tomorrow and it is a mess , even more that usual !
I think I will store some of my plastic storage tubs over there from now on. no more clothes ! That thing had been leaking for a LONG time and I was blissfully unaware!
Yikes !

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Homekeepers Journal (July 6th)


Here I am back for another edition of the HomeKeepers Journal. :-) I love this meme ! I would love for it to "Catch-on" a bit more since I also enjoy reading other bloggers entries.


In my summer kitchen.... Last week I was elbow deep in peaches . I stayed busy for days with them . I canned crushed and halved peaches . They turned out beautiful ! And yummy too . We opened one jar after a week to make sure they were "fit to eat" as one of our friends says ! This week the kitchen is quiet and cluttered. We are heading to summer camp and will be mostly gone for 2 weeks . After that I will be back to canning and cooking !


In my summer yard.... a small garden with tomatoes and peppers , some green beans and wax beans . Oh , and some ground cherries too !~ The rest of the yard is mostly dandelions and dogs ! LOL


On my summer reading list... I am currently reading "Demon:a memoir" by Tosca Lee . It is awesome Christian Fiction . Order it ! I promise you will find it thought provoking ! I also have Liz Curtis Higgs newest book "Here burns my candle" . I love her fiction books !

When camp is done I will also be starting the Beth Moore study on Revelation . I think my whole family is going to do it together !


In my summer plans .... Well , seriously , camp always occupies a large chunk of my time and attention ! I work while I am there , so it isn't leisure at all . But it is enriching. I love it ! Our other plans are ... well , not sure ! I would like to find something fun and low stress to do as a family . Totally not sure what !


On my summer to do list ... Conquer my bed-room messiness ! Get the carpet and couches cleaned (professionally) and use my new coffee bar frequently !


To read more entries like this (but much more interesting !) follow this link to this site .

Friday, July 2, 2010

Homekeepers Journal June 29th


Here's what's going on around my home...


In the yard.... Trying to get my little plastic pond in a happy place again . My pump broke and I have a new one ordered . I also have a crazy amount of green gook in there . It's an algae bloom that won't quit . And I haven't found anything I can get that's safe for my kitties (who drink from it often!)


On the grill ... grass fed beef steaks ! It was a heck of a splurge but I knew it would make my man smile . :-)


With my children... Trying to get ready for summer camp ! It is 10 days long and takes lots of energy and prep work !


On my mind... What I have to get done before we leave ! Too over-whelming !


The book of the bible I keep finding myself turning to lately ... Corinthians (mostly bk1)


What I am reading .... Demon by Tosca Lee , and my Fave blog right now "Ruffles and Stuff"


I am looking forward to ...getting my carpets cleaned after camp ! And the up-coming elections (I am a polling place manager)


That's all for now ya'll ! Have a wonderful 4th of July week-end ! And find a VET to say thanks too ! :-)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Homekeepers Journal - June 15th



What's going on in my kitchen this week .... lots of raw veggies ! We are all helping out at VBS and they are making some food there . Not all of it can/will we eat so I have sandwich stuff . Trying to make smoothies in the morning . (Almond milk, frozen mixed fruit, banana,ice, sometimes flax seeds , coconut oil...whatever!) I got veggies at a stand this week-end and a few more (like celery) at the store. If they are available they will get eaten! We are also in a heat-wave here so if I do make a full dinner I will be using my new crock-pot !





Every time I try to .... send cards out I get them written but hardly ever get them mailed !If the thought is what counts I am good ! LOL But I am highly suspicious that my friends and church family would love to actually get a card ! :-/





Thinking very heavily on this right now... Summer camp ! I am working up examples and playing with craft ideas . We are all emailing back and forth about all the details and such . It is getting exciting !





I wish my Mother or someone had told me that ... laundry NEVER ends ! I was not taught to keep house. My mom kept house well but she felt it was her job . I was an awful kid too so I doubt I would have been teachable if she tried !





I am determined to ... keep trying to make more of what we eat from scratch . Weeding out as many harmful additives as possible ! Esp. MSG . I would like to scale back on eating out too but that's how my family likes to celebrate and such . And it's just plain too easy ! I just told my DH that I want to plan weekend food similar to a camping trip . Do as much prep ahead of time as I can so it throws together easily and quickly . I am going to try freezing some breakfast burritos and extra muffins too !

That's all for this week ! :-) Ya'll leave a comment if you stop by and don't forget to go by Christianhomekeeper.com to see the other posts ! Just follow the link <-----

homemade frapp'e

Those icy coffee Fraps are a delight to me and my kidd-o's (15 & 21 , I am not giving it to toddlers! LOL) The ones at the coffee shop are $3-$5 and the Mickey D's are about $2.50 or more . THat adds up ! I got one the other day when they were on the $1 special . I asked myself what makes them SO good ?! They are rich , creamy,sweet and COLD ! SO ...I have experimented here at home to see if I could make something satisfying .
Here's what I have found we like . :-) It is seriously yummy !
1 cup of coffee
2 Tbs unrefined sugar (or what ever you use)
1 Cup raw milk (or whole milk , or 1/2 & 1/2)
3 cap-full of vanilla
12 sprinkles of cinnamon
1 Tbs virgin coconut oil (I use spectrum)
lots of ice
I put the sweetner in the warm coffee and mix to dissolve , I pour that in the blender . Then the coconut oil . Next put the milk or cream , add vanilla and cinnamon ( I have fallen in love with Pampered Chefs) fill the blender with a large amount of ice ( I fill 3/4 of the way full) Blend ! I just guesstimate the amounts so play with it . The coconut oil adds a richness to this and it is a GOOD for you addition . It staves off hunger ! Seriously ! Look it up . :-)
If ya'll try it let me know !

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Homekeepers Journal


This is for the Homekeepers Journal posted on June 8th . I didn't find it until today . :-) I checked Monday and early Tuesday for it but then the week went crazy ! The princess has started a new job working with some cute little girls she just loves ! And the prince was away at an out-of town friends house. I did get quite allot done (not that you can much tell) And I did start working on crafts for camp . Playing with new ideas . I came up with a bracelet I think I am going to offer to the kids . I really like it ! I will try to post some pics Monday . DH is home and not feeling well so I know i won't get it done this weekend ;-)!

So here's the Homekeepers Journal entry:

My definition of a Homekeeper is.....well...a person whose life and ministry centers around the home .


My favorite place to practice the profession of home keeping is... The kitchen. I love finding nutritional recipes that my family actually likes. I love the nights we can have dinner all together (rare indeed!) I love canning too . But that also falls under providing good stuff for the consumption of ppl I love !

I do/do not find joy in keeping my home and I think the reason is.... I do find joy in it ! I know it is because I love my family . We homeschool so we really do live, love and learn here . We eat here , minister to neighbors , have bible study ,tend a garden and small pond . We have 6 pets so lots of life lessons there too . And since dear hubby travels allot with his job , I live to provide him a safe haven to come home to. And I am also , by default, the parent on call ...for what-ever arises .

At this point in my life , I believe my children, husband and/or other family members think about our house... Hubby loves coming home . When you frequently live out of a motel home is a luxury . DS enjoys being home . The princess is yearning for a home of her own . And by her age I was married and had a baby so I do understand . She can enjoy home , resent us, nit-pick it what-ever . She is at a dis-contented place. We try not to worry too much about the "others" part . Our home is far from picture-perfect but it is a work in progress and as I am finding out , so am I !

Things I wish someone had told me about homekeeping when I was young... That it's a real job ! That it is respectable to stay home and make your family priority #1 . I didn't know the Lord until 10 years ago and I certainly wish I had met Him as Savior long before that , He really changes the whole equation !

The message I received about being a wife and mother when I was growing up ... That they had to do it all , and it should come naturally . My mom did it all . Dinner on time , yard work , laundry . She didn't teach me any of it so I just assumed it must come natural when you needed it . HA.HA ! Wrong ! My poor hubby had some rough times as I struggle to learn what i needed to know . I crashed and burned ALLOT in the beginning ! I have totally raised my girl differently ! She knows most of what she needs . She my have a limited menu rotation ...but she wont starve of scare him . LOL

Six blessings God has given me this week ... healing for the awful dizzy spell I was having (praise God , none this week!)
Healing our kitty , bringing dh and ds home safe , advancing ds a grade in school , a wonderful floating light in my newly re-newed pond (got it at a thrift store for $3 !) a couple of nice hours with my mom . She rode with me to do some errands . It was a nice , low-stress time . Kind of rare sine my brother died last August .
Ya'll feel free to comment ! And don't forget to check the other entries !! Go here http://christianhomekeeper.org/blog/homekeepers-journal-june-8-with-linky-love/ to read the others !
Blessing ! Lora

Thursday, June 3, 2010

It's Thursday

It's Thursday ! Yay !
Why am I excited that it's Thursday ? Because today our prince got to come home from his special invite camping trip . He got to go on a beach camping trip ...for free ! He had an awesome time (which is great for a guy who isn't fond of the beach). He got sunburned a bit , because he fell asleep in a hammock . And he came home tired , and kind of hungry...since it was a beach trip , it made sense to the men-folk to have sea-food...except the prince doesn't really eat sea-food . LOL
So I made one of his faves for dinner . Beef-tips in rice . Well basically . I just shred up a small roast , use the drippings to make gravy , mix it together and ladle over brown rice . Simple , filling ...and the only GRAVY anything that he will eat !
Also , Thursday means my DH will be home tomorrow ...we have home-group too . Awesome !

Hopefully see ya'll tomorrow for 5 faves !

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Homekeepers Journal


I was super excited to find this ! :-) Thank you Sylvia for letting us join .

Here's what's happening in my home this week ...

1. In my Kitchen.... Homemade muffins , some of my moms favorite cookies (a recipe from her childhood that's really easy)
cooking a London Broil (that will be made over 3 times), trying to figure out how to cook for just 2 people , since it is just me
and the princess at home this week ! I will be making hard boiled eggs and some fruit salad as some safe "grab-it" foods to
satisfy that munchie attack I tend to get around 4pm daily !

2. In my marriage.... DH is out of town on a job . I did get a very welcome surprise and got to have lunch with him today since
he had to come back for something ! It was a great surprise ! And Cracker Barrel is always a winner for me . :-) We had a great
week-end over Memorial Day and I look completely forward to this coming weekend . It is my 40Th BD Sunday and we are going
to get together with friends . It should be very good .

3. With my children... The prince is away on a special invitation camping trip . He is at the beach , camping out , in his very own tent !
And I miss him ALLOT ! I am working on his room , more specifically , his laundry quandary while he is away . He just has too many
clothes ! And when I go to get a load I set the timer and do 15-20 mins worth of pick-up . I already see improvement ! And that makes
me happy.
The princess is out with a friend tonight . A girl that she has known since she was 10 and we were at our first church . She has a couple
jobs this week , so I will have quite abit of quiet time ...if I manage to stay home anyway ! I am trying to stay home more , it's hard to
tho' . (Does anyone else have this problem??)

4. I feel so relieved when... things work the way they are supposed to ! Recently my favorite crock-pot died . Then my back up didn't
work right either ! That ended up being one meal out and one meal of eggs and quickly thawed sausage ! Very frustrating !! When I
need papers printed for an interview I was suppose to conduct , the printer wouldn't work this morning ! I was out of black ink ! (and
because I had bought a refilled cartridge , it didn't tell me!) Sigh... I had warned the gentleman I was not a professional ! And then proved
it ! LOL

5. My spiritual life is declining (alittle) ..... We have had several people on our prayer list die in the last month . And I think that is a
whammy . I don't doubt Gods wisdom , timing or sovereignty . It just took the wind from my sails a little . We watched a friend lose his
battle with cancer . And saw how his wife fell apart and is fighting bitterness . Very sad ! One friend from church had his daddy die from
a horrible boating accident . God gave them 12 days together , to talk , and love each other tho' . Both my bible studies groups are 'off' for
the summer . So I HAVE to make the effort to get into the Word on my own !

6.If I am honest , the thing that keeps me from praying as often as I should is ... busy-ness , fake busy-ness even ! It seems to be satan
s favorite ploy for me . "just keep her going in circles"

7. I see God moving in ... My desires to make our home more home-y and welcoming . To have less stuff and stream-line a little . Not that
it's easy ... I have been a pack-rat (but I don't want to be a hoarder!)

8. This is in the deepest recesses of my mind but it should be moved into the light ... My tentative probing of how I feel about turning 40 .
My husband is 10+ years older than I am , and he makes me feel very loved ....just 40 is a biggie , or at least the world says it is ...so I am
wondering if it IS ?? And how I feel about that ?

That's all for this week ! Ya'll make sure to read the other posts over at Christian Homekeeper Network .
Have a blessed week !
Love,
Lora Lee

Friday, May 7, 2010

Friday's Five Fave

This week I had to think a little for my 5 faves ! The stomach flu has been hitting us hard for 2 weeks . Hubby has it now ...sigh .

#1 . Still having my precious mama ! I love her , she is a friend and such a great grandmom !

#2. Proving ppl wrong ! My hubby and I celebrated 20 years of marriage on Wednesday. The longest ppl gave us was 6 months . (we were both a bit of a train wreck then) And by Gods Amazing Grace we are saved , raising godly & good kids and more in love today than ever !

#3. Knowing that God promises that "this too shall pass" . Most virus ills are short in their course . And we really needed to remind ourselves of that lately ...at 3 am ....throwing in another set of blankets.....

#4. Air Conditioning ! It was really hot in here yesterday and I turned the air on today . With hubby sick I hope the coolness will help him rest . (GA is really humid right now)

#5. My sweet dog , AbbyJean . She has comforted us all during the sickness . She is my friend and my more when my hubby is gone . She even encourages me to walk more . How can a 12 lb dog be so great yet so bossy ??) LOL

Ya'll feel free to comment ! I know I am LATE today ...but hopefully a few will stop by ! Have a wonderful Mothers Day

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Major Anniversary !


Tomorrow - on Cinco De Mayo , when 100's of ppl flock to the Mexican restaurants for food {and often drinks} - My DH and I will be celebrating 20 years of marriage ! WoooooHooooo !

We can honestly say that we have a wonderful testimony of Gods amazing grace . If anyone had given us a list of what not to do--we did that . God let us go on our own rocky path for over 9 years . Then by our 10th anniversary we had gotten saved and we decided to get re-married in church by our Pastor . It was the start of a true covenant relationship . We have truly been blessed ! I am so thankful !

Strangely enough , we have to wait until this weekend to celebrate . DH is out of town on a job and I have a funeral to go to . I was really trying to work out going to have dinner with him (it's about 2 1/2 hours away) but my DD needs the car in the morning for going to a job and my brothers widows daddy just passed away this week , so I really feel like I need to go to the viewing to support her . Seriously , she lost her husband 8 months ago and now her dad . She has no children to be with her ...sigh . It saddens me greatly .

So I have a joy and sorrow tomorrow . Interesting , isn't it !? AND...I am praying for my DH because tonight when I talked to him he said he isn't feeling too good . The prince and I were sick with the stomach flu last week . I am asking God to please let Rick NOT get it ! Especially away from home .

Blessings all ! Have a good evening !

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Blah !

This has been a pretty sorry week !
I went to the Beth Moore conference Saturday (which was really good!) But I had to leave early because I was getting sick . I Proceeded thru the stomach flu the rest of Saturday and 1/2 of Sunday ... so no church for me !
Monday I was doing OK . Sore muscles , but livable . Tuesday I felt good . We even went to visit my folks and see a movie . THen Wed. .....UGH..........It was back ! I had everything but the fever . Sigh ....I am so far behind on my house , and errands ! My biggest praise is that DD got her license and has still been able to make it to her various sitting jobs . DS is not so sure about being home with no car tho' .
Anyway.........I took a phenegran and if I can keep my eyes open that should help !
Hopefully I will be back for F5F tomorrow ! See ya'll then !~

Friday, April 23, 2010

Friday's Five Fave #4

#1. this week my CELL PHONE ! Seriously ...my dh was able to call and say he would be home 7 days earlier than expected ! With out our cells he might have just showed up . Have I mentioned I am NOT a surprize or change kinda gal ?? Remind me to tell you about when he rearranged the furniture as a surprize for me while I was shopping one time ! LOL I was horrified ; he was heartbroke and felt rejected!
And...My moms transmission went out this week and she had the cell to call my daddy ! I love our cells !
#2. Farmers markets . Our produce co-op started again at church . Someone goes every 2 weeks . I love this ! We got blueberries , strawberries,fresh corn , baking taters etc...yummy stuff!
3# New drip pans ! I bought new drip pans for my electric stove , and i love the clean look ! Small investment , big appeal !
#4.The eye care club . DD went for her contact exam and it did not cost her anything this time ! They are ordering the trial pair . She likes contacts best , they are an expensive accessory when you have astigmatism like hers !
#5. Being able to bless someone we love ! We were able to give the van I used to drive to someone who can really use it ! We are praying the Lord gives them 200,000 miles out of it!

So...there my 5 faves this week ! Good thing I haven't found a whine and grumble meme ! I could sure fill that list some days ! :-P

good week!

This week has seemed less hectic than last week . DH is out-of-town on a job . He was not scheduled to be home this weekend but called a bit ago to say that , indeed he would be home. SO ...gears switching....we are getting ready for Daddy ! And I am glad . I woke up missing him much today .
DD had a break-up yesterday . She's nearing 21 and is getting that husband fever . I understand ...but it's frustrating ! I just wish the Lord would put a neon sign on the fella that says "this one!" LOL
DS had friend over to play air-soft . Sweating , shooting each other , getting dirty , ripping jeans ... the ultimate male bonding ! :-) They had fun ! We got pizza for lunch (gotta love Little Ceaser deals!)
I still have dishes to swap out so I better go get busy !
Have a wonderful weekend !

Friday, April 16, 2010

Friday's Five Fave #3

This week I have looked for what my 5 faves would be all week ! LOL . It was a refreshing way to approach things .
1. Whan last summers shorts still fit ! LOL
I got out all the summer clothes and was pulling on the shorts with trepidation ! I was sure they would not go up ! But they did ...and they are not tight , just comfy ! Yay !

2. Having gran-pups ! Our sons Pitt-bull had 8 pups this week . They are ugly and cute all at the same time . I will try to post some pics on here soon .

3. Things that work as advertised . We are in high pollen season here and everything is yellow . I bought one of those swiffer dusters and it really did pick the pollen up and hold on to it ! My fave is how well it did the TV and all the little nooks and crevices in the back . Good product !

4. Coupons for things I really need ! This week I had a $3 coupon on dog food and $1 off the swiffer duster mentioned in #3 ! I am getting good at looking for printable coupons on line too . The Avenue has a $10 coupon which I think my daughter will use today . They have the best "foundation garments" there ! more on that later too !

5. Watching things grow ! I have 9 tomato plants on the window sill ...almost ready to go to the garden . I also have some new baby plants poking up . The wonderful , new leaves still have seeds on them ...it looks like they are praying ! Ahhh...love that !

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend ! Be looking for what makes your heart smile next week . It really does change your attitude ! :-)

Friday, April 9, 2010

Friday's Five Fave

I am back for a second round ! Yea !


#1. My absolute fave this week is the RAIN we had yesterday ! After several day with pollen counts hovering around 6000 , it RAINED and washed the air clean ! Easier breathing and cleaning for so many . Thank You GOD for the rain !


#2. Going to the thrift store and leaving empty handed . I think it speaks much about contentment level for me . Now don't get me wrong , I love a good deal ! In fact I am going on the hunt for a yard sale or 2 as soon as I am done here !


#3. Homeschool flexibility ! We can make the school day fit the rest of of life . When we need to visit someone in the hospital , we just work around that . When my son comes home from CAP and says he needs to teach a safety class ...we can make it fit into school time . I love that!


#4. Hot coffee on a chilly morning . Ummm...my hubby left me some in the pot this morning .


#5. WIsteria ....it's everywhere here in GA now and it smells heavenly ! I know it is a pest of a plant but it is beautiful (and I LOVE the smell !)




Monday, April 5, 2010

Menu Plan Monday


I am trying to get back to menu planning . I do so much better when I have a plan . Less trips to the grocery , to the drive-thru etc... less stress at 5pm when I realize I haven't got a CLUE ! LOL
Sunday we had a crock-pot mis-hap ! For some reason the roast did not get done ! So after church the princess and I were scrambling for what to make the family for our after church meal ! We ended up with quite the feast ! Left-over grilled chicken , salad, steam veggies and chips with cheese dip !
M- When the roast did get done late Sunday after-noon I broke it apart and refrigerated it . So tonight we will have pulled pork in gravy over rice . The prince , who is gravy phobic any other time LOVES this ! LOL
I will add some mixed veggies with it and some sweet tea
T- hamburgers and brats on the grill ! Served with chips and green shake smoothies
W-chicken and dumplins ! And hopefully enough to share with the Pastor .
T- Pork chops with baked potatoes(w/real butter,sour cream& fresh chives) and steamed green beans
F- Making an finger food to take to home group meeting
S- Steaks on the grill , baked sweet potato and salad
S- Crock-pot beans and cornbread (hope to have my new oval crock-pot by then!)
Ya'll have a blessed week !


Saturday, April 3, 2010

Saturday at last....

Ah....Finally a Saturday with-out alot of demands .
Oh, don't get me wrong, there's plenty to do . The "to do list" is as long as ever ! Some things on the list have to wait until there is money enough to do them (like building the new deck) . But...the kids are at Gram & Papa's , and it's just us and Abby home . We slept later than normal , had egg and cheese sandwiches for breakfast and did some cyber surfing . Sitting here listening to the wind chimes ring in the delightfully cool spring breeze . It is in the 68-75 degree range .
I think DH is feeling the call of the grass . The mowers need to be checked over since the first trim of the season is surely only days away . The garden is needing tilled . Our church is planning a community garden for the first time this year . I want to help and am excited to see what God will do with it !
Well , have a joyous Resurrection Sunday !
See ya back here on Monday for MPM .

Friday, April 2, 2010

Friday's Five Fave




Ok ....this is my first try at this so hereeeeeeeeee goes !








1. In honor of Good Friday .........



I thank Jesus for all He has done for me (for the world! John 3:16-17)









2. I am surrounded by beautiful spring flowers !





3. My min-pin Abby is my fave !







4. Spring isn't my favorite season ........but I am glad it's here ! GA is SOOOOOOOOO beautiful in the spring !

5. And last , for this week, my current fave song :-) Derek Webb "Wedding Dress" you can look it up on youtube and have a quick listen for free !

Well .... it wasn't fancy . But not bad for my frist try !

Have a blessed Resurrection Weekend !


Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Everytime I say I want to try to post with some regularity it seems LONGER between postings ! It is silly really !
I have been trying to stick with menu planning fairly loosely ; mostly in my head . I have not been posting it. But with my DH home last week and this week failure to plan is certainly planning to fail . I may occasionallly be able to tell the kids that it is fend for yourself night but that will just not do for my hard-working man . LOL
Case in point , this morning it is 22 degrees and he is in the shop , handling all manner of tools and frozen steel . While we are in the nice warm house , cats and all . I am getting ready to have a cup of "Pure Empower-mint" tea (my fave!) My hubby has to be drinking coffee and adding and subtracting layers of clothes through out the day . He is a good man and a hard worker !
I am trying to participate in FlyLady's decluttering olympics . Yesterday didn't go so good but as MS marla says ...you are not behind , jump in where you are .
I did do a major closet clean out . Then I got stuck thinking about how much $$ I had spent on those clothes I was trying to purge , Ironically 1/2 of what was in the basket I actually bought new 1 ;-( ! I am the Good Will diva for the most part ! LOL
I also started doing Breaking Free Bible study by Beth moore . I am LOVING it . She encourages you to dig into the word and explore it . Think for yourself and then own it . there are a few questions that are introspective enough to sting a little . But we are hanging in there ! LOL
There are only 6 of us in the group and that includes the facilitator !
Back to the idea of menu planning...
I made Beef Stew in the oven for after church on Sunday . It turned out spectacular ! I used beef I had gotten on the markdown sale at my local grocery . I added 2 bags of frozen "for stew" veggies . The recipe on the veggie bag called for tomato soup and I couldn't find any so I sub-ed some beef broth (with no MSG) and some organic speg. sauce I had in the fridge. It cooked in the cast iron dutch oven at 250 degrees for about 5 hours . YUM ! I made some quick garlic cheese bread out of some hogie rolls . It is SO nice to have something new to add to the usual winter rotation .
I am ALWAYS looking for suggestions for after church meals to help keep us from going out . My DH is out of town allot with his work and that means he eats out all the time. So it is good for him to have nutritious , home cooked meals for body and mind . And on the financial side there are usually 6 of us and even at the Chinese cheap lunch , that adds up fast !
OK ........I guess I have prattled on long enough .
YA'LL have a great week and I will try to get get back here next week and post a menu plan . :-) Maybe I will manage to spend less at the grocery that way .

Monday, January 4, 2010

A new year !

I am very excited to have a new year ! I am trying to get back into menu planning , organizing and baking ! The weather is definately co-operating on the baking end ! Wowzers ! It is SERIOUSLY COLD ! It isn't expected to crest the freezing mark today . This is GA folks...it ain't supposed to be this cold . I am Thanking God for the sun-shine tho' and least I can open the curtains and park the car in it ! Yes...simple pleasures !
Looking forward to posting more here too . See ya'll back soon !