He told her...

 

I think this story begins with how thankful I am for the relationship that my husband has with Eugene....sometimes....no, seriously I  am thankful.  Respect for each other...and friendship.  Alot of common interests.....Eugene was here for a week and what a week we had!  We lost our water while he was here.  That was not convenient at all.  He didn't complain...he rolled up his sleeves and helped whenever he could...without being asked.  Between you and me, I think our Sara Rose picked a good one. Other than our water problem (yes, it lasted the entire week and yes, things are fine now) we had a very good week-enjoying time together.  Sara Rose planned the menu and activities.

Remember in the beginning I said "sometimes"?  My hubby and Eugene had a secret....yep, I was left out....

Sara Rose pulled out a quilt for a picnic for two. The food was just right...beautiful sunny day.  Oh, we must not forget the appearance of a water pump repairman....then it happened....He told her he loved her! That was the secret the two men had.  I will interrupt here.  This is what I love about Eugene.  He went to my husband to talk to him about it before he said anything to Sara Rose. Eugene is doing it God's way.  In case you are wondering...she said she loves him, too.  Sara Rose and I had been talking for a while about love and relationships. Love is definitely in the air...I am so thankful for young people who are wanting to do things God way!

I will admit..it is still "different" for me to walk through the room and hear,"I love you, too."

The Picnic Menu

Ham and Swiss Sliders

Tortellini Salad

Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade

Pretty sure the recipes for the sliders and salad are here on my site.

Thank you for reading today!



Here we go....As I sit here gazing out my window...I get a better view when I lean over to avoid the Burger King signs.  Passing cars, a trailer park, heat rising from the street....Thankful that Burger King is air conditioned!  When we moved closer to town, I was (well, still am) ecstatic that we were closer to everything, yet still lived in the country.  Seven acres... a yard full of a variety of trees, a stream that flows through the property (except now....too dry!), 
woods in the back with a path...secret treasure of morel mushrooms. Two outbuildings... Two of our cats are enjoying the outdoor life....Big Kitty enjoys chasing the wild turkey family.  He might regret that one day.  We even have a pool!  Ummmm, I will surprise you with that picture....Now that you get the picture of my home place setting...my Internet service (who will remain nameless) is a bloggers nightmare.  Even uploading pictures is not something possible. Moving closer meant a better Internet service....right? wrong. I need to get organized, load up my computer..  So, looks like I will be blogging with an order of onion rings and a diet coke! 
I have decided to use the crock pot this month...so I have several new recipes to try!  We did a teriyaki chicken last Sunday....a definite 5-star, do again meal...and the smell was wonderful when we walked in the door after church!

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

One bag of baby carrots

One red onion, chopped in large chunks

Two large cans of pineapple, undrained

Garlic, to taste
4 chicken breasts
1 cup teriyaki sauce

Love this part...Just put it in the crock pot.  8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
Delicious!

Thanks for dropping by today...Oh, our courting couple?  They are doing fine!  New news in that department....but they deserve their own story....I'll blog about that soon.

See you then!



I'm back....

It has been a long time.  My life became quite hectic.  Different things...The Lord has been teaching me things.   One of the biggest things I can encourage you with now is that when times are tough and you can't see through the fog....just remember that God does see through the fog and He sees the big picture.  I see the big picture now (I didn't when going through the trial)...believe me....God is so good!

My Sara Rose and Eugene are still courting.  It is fun to watch them find out more about each other.  The other day she told me that she and Eugene "broke up." I would have been concerned....but she was smiling.  She said she discovered that he hates banana popsicles....that is a big one!  Eugene is going to spending some time with us in June.  Looking forward to seeing him (I KNOW Sara Rose is).

This past month my family was busy looking for a new house so experimental time in the kitchen was limited...no, it was non-existent!  So, today I will write about two recipes I hope to make soon this summer.  The first is a cool summer salad involving tortellini.  Yum!

Tortellini Salad

4 16 oz bags of cheese tortellini

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1 block of mozzarella cheese, cubed

1 large green pepper, chopped

1 large red pepper (not hot), chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

16 oz.Italian dressing

Boil the tortellini al dente'.  Rinse with cold water and let cool.  In a large bowl mix all ingredients.  Refrigerate 1 hour or more.  Enjoy!


Homestyle Cheesy Veggies
2 16 oz pkg frozen mixed veggies (I used broc/cauliflower)
1 can mushroom soup
8 oz Velveeta cheese
8 oz sliced water chestnuts, drained
salt and pepper to taste

Cook vegetables according to pkg directions; set aside.  Heat soup and cheese together until cheese melts.  Mix all ingredients together.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.  Serves 10-12.

I am glad to be blogging again!
Thanks for stopping by....

Sunning snakes, chirping birds, flying squirrels...

Okay, maybe not flying squirrels, we do have a lot of them running and jumping from branch to branch.  Enough to drive my cats crazy...

The weather here has unusually warm (no complaints here).  We have been spring cleaning the yard!  Gutters cleared, lots of raking...it is always fun to see all the "green"  popping up everywhere.  So, outside we went again this morning...with a rake and camera.

Can you find the frog?

We enjoyed our morning time together.   Spring is my inspiration season.  I have started the "to do" list of things that need to get done inside and outside the house....and it is almost that time again...MENU TIME!  I need to get started on planning next month's menu.  I am excited about April.  We have Easter, Eugene is coming to spend a few days, and I think we should fire up the grill.  That means NEW RECIPES...It also means that the family will start putting in grill requests!  With being outside more I look for quick ideas...

On the menu..

(because I am craving it and it is a quick and cool meal)

Taco Salad

This is not your typical Italian Dressing Taco Salad....

1/2 pound ground beef
Brown and drain.
ADD:
1/2 cup chopped onion
garlic seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. chili powder
Saute together.
In a double boiler:
Melt 8 oz. Velveeta cheese. Add one can Ro-tel tomatoes.

Cut up a head of lettuce and one large tomato in a large bowl. Add meat and mix lightly. Add crushed tortilla chips (one bag) and toss. Stir in hot cheese mixture. Serve immediately.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with us today...I hope you are enjoying some fresh air and sunshine!

St. Patrick's Day is Almost Here!

Last Sunday we had our St. Patrick's Day dinner.  My Irish husband will be out of town on St. Patrick's Day this year so we celebrated early this year with a new Irish recipe.  It was delicious!  We will definitely do this again...

         

          1 (3 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 medium head cabbage, cored and sliced thin
• spicy brown mustard
• 12 slices sourdough bread, lightly toasted

Directions

1. Place corned beef in large pot or Dutch oven and cover with water. Add the spice packet that came with the corned beef. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer approximately 50 minutes per pound until tender. Remove meat and let rest 15 minutes. Slice meat across the grain.
2. Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Place the shredded cabbage in a large bowl and pour the dressing over it; toss to coat the cabbage with the dressing.
3. Spread a layer of mustard on 6 slices of toasted bread. Place some shredded cabbage and corned beef on each slice and top with remaining slices of bread.       

I found this on www.allrecipes.com .  This is one of my favorite websites! 

  My daughter and I did this one last night.  Pizza Bites! We ate them right out of the oven... served with a pizza sauce.  These will definitely be put on next month's menu.  Go on over to www.annies-eats.com for her Pizza Bites recipe.  They were so easy to make...small piece of cheese and pepperoni wrapped in pizza dough...yum!  There are many good recipes on this site also.

Remember Dippin' Dots...."The Ice Cream of the Future"?  All you need is yogurt (1/2 cup will make a lot), spoon or small icing tip and bag.  Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper and drop the yogurt from a small spoon or the icing bag.  Put the dots in the freezer...When set....enjoy!  You will have to watch them, though.  They melt quickly!  I am not a big fan of yogurt, but I really enjoyed this home made treat.

http://familyfun.go.com/st-patricks-day/st-patricks-day-crafts/to-catch-a-leprechaun-710897/

         Why did I not think of this when my kids were younger??  The idea of catching a leprechaun is so much fun!  Family Fun has some cute ideas to celebrate the day with your children.  Build those memories and traditions!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me today.  The weather today is beautiful!  I think this calls for a cup of coffee and my swing on the front porch.  I'll take some time to start planning my flower beds.  Enjoy your day!



Recipes, recipes, recipes....

The weekend was wonderful!  Our couple got to spend a lot of time together.  The banquet was absolutely incredible..well, that's what I heard as we whispered about it after the lights were turned off.  I am so thankful for the time spent with Eugene.

So the courtship continues....

On a side note.  Awhile back I took a look at Pinterest....funny, but I seemed to find so many excuses to get on the computer and "happened" to check out Pinterest...again and again.  I quickly filled my house with more ideas than is humanly possible...and more recipes than I could imagine.  I am relieved to report that I am actually trying the recipes!  I thought I would share a few of them with you...

coca cola cake

http://www.mayflaum.com/

home made crunchwrap supreme

http://www.fullbelliesmakehappykids.wordpress.com/

crab rangoon dip

http://www.recklessabandoncook.com/

lasagna soup

http://www.thedeenbros.com/

mini snickers caramel cheesecakes

http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/

It really has been fun trying these recipes (all have been hits with the family).  Several more new recipes have found their way to next month's menu.  Speaking of next month's menu...the menu is only half way done and I don't have much time before shopping day....shopping for the whole month is not always easy, but it works for us.  Guess that means I need to get busy!

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit.  I hope you have a great week.

Don't forget to give your family a hug!

The Balance of Logic and Romance

I was recently asked why our family would take the romance out of a courtship.  Just logic and reasoning...?  By no means do we ignore the area of romance.  We believe in a BALANCE of romance and logic.  To not have the proper balance could lead to trouble in the relationship.  That is why it is good to have parents and pastors involved in the courtship.  Godly guidance is a very good thing! 

Logic. 

Ask each other questions.  Watch carefully how the other reacts to other people and situations.  Keep your eyes open.  Be honest with each other.

Romance.

Never commit to more than you are ready.  The romance side can often make the relationship go too quickly.  Hmmm...some chocolate...a note...flowers...being called pretty (or handsome)...baking something special...

How do you react to flowers, notes, etc.? Is it enjoyable?  Hopefully it is not, "EWWW!"   Now do not get me wrong.  Not all girls enjoy  flowers and chocolate...Part of the fun is finding out individual preferences... 

Now our princess, Sara Rose, is making preparations for her ball.  Well, maybe not a ball, but a banquet.  We are taking a weekend trip...hmmm.  A balanced trip.  Spending more time getting to know Eugene.  The college he attends is having a formal Valentine's Banquet.  Yes, Sara Rose has a beautiful dress...pictures will have to wait.  She wants to surprise her date.  Jewelry, shoes, clutch....It has been so much fun getting everything together!  They also are planning on exchanging gifts....
I am looking forward to our trip.
 Getting to know Eugene more, watching our young couple interact, seeing our beautiful daughter all dressed up (Well, dad cries...). 
Too much parental involvement?
 I think not.  One of the biggest mistakes parents make is when the children turn 18, then say, "Have a nice life.  You are an adult now.."
 Our "children" make some of the most important decisions of their lives at this stage.
 Love them, support them, pray for them.

Thanks for stopping in today.  On your next visit I will let you know more about our trip...maybe even have some pictures!
Have a wonderful day!