Monday, July 23, 2007

On vacation...


Our family will be off on vacation this week. I hope everyone has a wonderful week with their families!!

Be sure and take some extra time in the Word this week!!!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Really bad produce... How (and why) to Clean your Refrigerator...


Yes!!!! That icky bag of, what used to be, lettuce was in MY refrigerator!!! And do you know when I discovered it? I discovered it when we had a dear friend over for dinner!!! She was in the kitchen with me, helping with the meal. I reached into the vegetable crisper to pull out some newly purchased romaine lettuce when, lo and behold, I pulled out this disgusting bag of very old lettuce!!!!! I had to laugh to cover my embarrassment!!! It was horrible!! And, to make matters worse, I had two very old tomatoes in there, too!! They were, well, horribly nasty!!!

Hence, this post.

Ladies, please, Please, PLEASE go through your refrigerator WEEKLY and discard any old produce. Also, please check all of your leftover containers to make sure you aren't growing any penicillin in there (yes, I've been guilty of that before, as well). I don't want anyone to be as astonished as I was at the discovery of this repulsive find. So, head to your refrigerators today and make sure everything is fresh!!!

Also, while you are in the refrigerator, you may as well clean it. Clean it, as in use soap and water and wash it out. Never done that before? You're in luck! I happened upon this site just yesterday and the author gives clear steps to clean it in a flash!

Let's all get our refrigerators in top shape with NO old veggies inside!!!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Freezer meals..


Mrs. Pear is doing a fabulous job of sharing about her method of freezer meals. She gives very clear instructions and some to-die-for-recipes, too!!! Y'all be sure and head on over and learn about this wonderful way to bless your family with homemade food AND save yourself time as well!!!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

How to fold fitted sheets...


In case you have ever struggled with neatly folding fitted sheets, here's a video for you. To be honest with you, I sort of just semi folded mine and sat the fitted sheet on top so that no one could see my poorly executed attempt at folding. I tried to comfort myself with the fact that at least I DID try to fold it, however bad the end result was. I have actually heard of people that didn't bother to fold them at all. They just wadded them up and stuck them in the back of their linen closet!!

When I found this video, I followed her instructions and now I can happily say that I can neatly fold a fitted sheet!!!!!


Are you able to fold a fitted sheet?? If not, try following this ladies helpful advice. :)

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Creating a SenseSational Home


About a month before Mr. U and I married in 1998, I had the opportunity to attend a seminar with Christian author and interior designer Terry Willits. She gave many ideas for little touches here and there that you could make around your home to make it more "SenseSational". She has writte several books, but the one I was blessed with purchasing that night was "Creating a SenseSational Home".

What exactly is "SenseSational"? It is using your five senses to enhance your home. For example:

sight- fluff your pillows
taste- try a new recipe
hear- play a CD of beautiful music
touch- dust your furniture
smell- fill a vase ful of fragrant flowers

I'm sure there are a million ideas that you could come up with in these areas, and Mrs. Willits shares a good number of them in this book!!

I must confess, I've read this book before years ago when I first purchased it. However, I didn't really appreciate it like I do now. So, I've pulled it out and I am re-reading it. There is so much wonderful information to glean from this book.

Here's just a little peek at Mrs. Willit's thoughts from the first chapter:

Throughout Scripture, God is referred to as our spiritual refuge. We are told to run to him for safety, security, rest, replenishment, comfort, and never-ending love. In the same way, I believe God created our homes to be our physical refuge. He knew we would need a corner of the world to call our own. We go to our homes in hopes of finding physically many of the same qualities God offers us spiritually- a restful place, safe from the storms and stresses of the world, filled with love, comfort, and absolute acceptance. A warm bed, an encouraging word, a tasty meal, a crackling fire all give comfort, security, and love. Home is to be the refuge we run to after doing battle in the world. It should be where we are reminded of who we are, to whom we belong, and what really matters in life. Home needs to be a safe place where we house not only our bodies, but our hearts and our souls.


How do YOU make your home SenseSational?

Do you have this book? If so, please share what you've learned!!

Monday, July 16, 2007

Mrs. U’s Meat Loaf Pie



Our family loves all types of meatloaf, but this recipe is TOPS in our home!! It's sooo easy and soooo delicious!! It's even great reheated the next day- IF you actually have any leftover!!!

Mrs. U’s Meat Loaf Pie

1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
1 cup milk
1 ½ cups Italian bread crumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
½ cup ketchup
2 cups shredded cheddar (we like extra sharp)
½ tablespoon dried oregano

In a bowl, combine ground beef, milk, bread crumbs and garlic powder. Mix well and press into the bottom of a prepared 9 inch pie plate. Bake at 375 degrees, uncovered, for 35 minutes. Drain if needed. Spread ketchup over meatloaf, half of the oregano, top with cheddar cheese and then sprinkle the other ½ of the oregano on top of the cheese. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes longer until the cheese is melted.

Serves 8

What do I like to serve with this? Mashed potatoes and green beans, of course!!!

(As always, every oven is different. The first time you make this, you may want to cut into the meat to make sure it is done before adding the ketchup, cheddar and oregano. Adjust cooking time if needed.)

Friday, July 13, 2007

Show and Tell Friday- Flowers by God...

Today and Friday and time for Kelli's Show and Tell Friday!! There are so many wonderful blogs to visit, so y'all please head on over there and see who is participating! I LOVE Show and Tell Fridays even when I'm not able to take part!!

For my Show and Tell Friday, I would like to share with y'all a few of the flowers that the Lord has grown in our garden this year. I haven't spent nearly as much time with the flowers this year as I have in the past. I still haven't quite figured out how to watch Elizabeth AND pull weeds at the same time. Next year, though, watch out!!! I'll be super ready to really play in the dirt!!!

This is one of the blooms on my hibiscus plant. They have HUGE blooms that are bigger than my hand is long!!! Such a lovely deep, rich, red color, too.

This is one of the oriental lillies that are blooming currently. I had some pink ones bloom a few weeks ago and now the whites one are all blooming. Interesting how God has them timed to open like this. :)

These are some of my black-eyed Susans. I think these are such happy flowers. They grow very easily around our home- who doesn't love easy to grow flowers!!!!


Thank you for visiting with me and seeing just a few of the flowers that God has grown in our yard this year!!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Blogging finds...


Aaahhh... don't you just LOVE when you find a fabulous new blog? You just want to run out and tell everyone you know about it!! So... I am!!!

I discovered Muffins, Buns and Biscuits recently. I loved her posts so much, that I went back and read them all!! No, I am not joking. She has some very wonderful posts about being ladylike and, well, I'm saying no more. You just need to go pay her a visit and find out for yourself. :)

And while this isn't a blog, I did want to let you know about it. I've read and loved So Much More: The Remarkable Influence of Visionary Daughters on the Kingdom of God by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin. I just found out they are in the process of making a documentary entitled "Return of the Daughters". The link has snippet of the project that they hope to release later this year.

Another soon-to-be-released film that has my attention is "The Monstrous Regiment of Women". You can click on the link and view the trailer. I am sure this will be an eye opening piece.

I hope y'all enjoy visiting some of these new-to-me places today!!!

Monday, July 09, 2007

Chicken Pot Pie

My mom makes the BEST Chicken Pot Pie!! She doesn't make it a traditional way with pie crust on the top and on the bottom. She makes a simplified version that is my family's FAVORITE!!! There is a crust on top that is yummy and flavorful and the juice thickens up and has the perfect hint of spices in it.

Mom's Chicken Pot Pie
4 to 5 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
1/2 stick of butter
3 (14 oz) cans of mixed veggies
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups chicken broth
poultry seasoning, to taste
freshly ground pepper, to taste
garlic powder, to taste
1 1/2 cups self rising flour
1 1/2 cups milk

Melt butter in a 9x13 pan in your oven that is heated to 350 degrees. Once the butter is melted, remove pan from oven and add drained veggies. Season to taste with poultry seasoning, freshly ground pepper and garlic powder. Place chicken on top. Combine cream of chicken and chicken broth and pour this over the chicken in the 9x13. Season again. Mix flour and milk and pour on top (this will form the "crust"). Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serve this with a big salad and, of course, I always welcome dessert with any meal. :)


NOTE: I did not have any cream of chicken soup when I made this the other day so I made a substitute. This is probably much healthier than buying the canned stuff anyway!!!


Cream of Chicken Soup Substitute
3 T Butter
3 T Flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chicken stock, water or milk

Melt butter in heavy saucepan. Blend flour and salt into saucepan while cooking and stirring until bubbly. using a wire whisk to prevent lumps, stir in liquid ingredient choice slowly. Medium thick sauce is comparable to undiluted condensed soups and makes approximately the same amount as a 10 oz can.

Friday, July 06, 2007

When Queens Ride By...


John and Jennie Mangrave had eager plans when they married and took over the old farm. But their great faith dwindled as the first years passed. John worked later and later in the evenings. Jennie took more and more of the heavy tasks upon her own shoulders and had no time for the home and children. They were no further on, and life had degenerated into a straining, hopeless struggle.

Continue reading here...

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Giveaway: Ballantyne Christian Adventure Library


Crystal over at Biblical Womanhood is giving away a 10 volume set of Ballantyne books!!! What an incredible giveaway!!!! Be sure and go by and enter before this coming Saturday- I know I am!!!

Monday, July 02, 2007

Sausage Cheese Muffins...


When Mr. U and I were first married, our town had a quaint coffee shop called Calico Coffee. At first, we visited every once in a while. Then it turned to weekly visits and before we knew it, we were there at least twice a week!!

We went in for breakfast. The owner had WONDERFUL coffee (and offered endless cups, too, if you ate in her shop!!) and big, Texas sized muffins. Yum!! I can still smell the fresh coffee brewing, the warm muffins coming out of the oven and hear Andrea Bocelli playing over her sound system.

Unfortunately, the coffee shop closed a few years ago. But the owner was kind enough to share a few of her recipes with me!! Mr. U's favorite, by far, and her best-seller-muffin was the Sausage Cheese Muffin. Y'all, it is SOO delicious!! Maybe you should surprise your family one morning with this scrumptious offering.

Sausage Cheese Muffins

3 cups Bisquick *
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup grated cheddar (feel FREE to use MORE cheese!!!)
1 pound sausage (we use hot)
1 1/3 cup milk

Brown sausage and onion until brown. Drain. Stir together Bisquick and cheese and then sausage/onion mixture. Stir in milk and mix well. Pour into prepared muffin tins (we use Texas size muffin tins). Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until they are golden brown on top.

* I will almost always use 3 cups of self-rising flour and then cup in about 1/4 cup of Crisco instead of using Bisquick.

Note: ALWAYS watch your oven! Oven temperatures vary so your oven may cook slower OR quicker!!!

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin