Christmas Goodies

We wanted to make some goodies for friends for Christmas this year. 

So...

Almond Bark  - Milk Chocolate
Dry roasted peanuts
Pretzel rods
Sprinkles

Begin by melting your almond bark in your crock pot.  This is the best way that I have found to melt chocolate.  You don't have to constantly stir it, and it keeps it hot without over cooking.

Wal-Mart or your local grocery store candy section.

I use my small crock pot.

Add 1 jar of peanuts, and stir.

Drop by large spoonfuls onto wax paper.  Let cool.

Pretzels are dunked into the chocolate, then lay on wax paper, add sprinkles, let cool.

Enjoy!

Hamburger Soup or Stew

Okay-
I laid out some ground beef (again), and really was trying to decide what to do with it.

So...

Hamburger Soup or Stew (whichever you prefer to call it)
2 pounds of ground beef - cooked medium than drain off fat
1 medium onion - chopped
4 stalks of celery - chopped
4 carrots - chopped
3 cloves of garlic - chopped
1 box of beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can of tomato paste
1 can of corn (drained)
1 can of green beans (drained)
2 cups of Pearl Barley

You can really throw anything you have in the fridge or pantry  - i.e. peas? lima beans? etc.
But, this is what we had.
So.

Chopped onion, celery and carrot

Chopped garlic

Add to ground beef, and cook until translucent.  Then add the diced tomatoes, and paste.

Also, add the corn, and then the beef broth.

Simmer, for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes have cooked down.

Add in the corn and the green beans.  I also add the barley here.

You may need to add about 2 to 4 cups of water depending on the water from the vegetables.

Cook for an additional hour.

Serve with warm bread or crackers.

It is a good hearty soup (or stew -ha).

Enjoy!

Potato Soup

Ms. Paulines Potato Soup

1 stick butter
2 onions chopped
3 stalks celery - chopped (didn't have any - used celery seed)
4-5 carrots chopped
2 T ground mustard
8-10 medium *Yukon Gold Potatoes chopped (varied in size - I like a chunk soup)
4 cups cheddar cheese
4 cups Chicken Broth
1 can Carnation Milk
1 cup milk
parsley (chopped for garnish)
bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Salt and pepper to taste

Chopped Potato

Saute onion in 1 stick of butter (Scream Paula Dean!)

add celery, (or celery seed), mustard,

carrots, and

and broth.

Bring to boil, and then simmer until fork tender.

I mash the potatoes a bit, then add

the Carnation Milk, regular milk and cheddar cheese.

Stir until creamy.

Chop some parsley to add freshness.

Oh, yummy, bacon.

Sprinkle some cheese, parsley, and bacon on top and serve.

Enjoy!

Painting

Why is it that when you want to paint, it doesn't seem like it is that difficult?  But...then you start...and it takes forever.  Well, for my family, it does, just because we rearrange everything.

So.  We picked out sample colors, going from Tuscan Blue, to bright Sun Yellow. 

We choose a color called Moon Tide.  Really Moon Tide?  I thought the moon was pretty much black and white with some gray mixed in...but it is a green.  Vibrant.

It really isn't this bright...but in the pictures it seems more lime in color.

I found this in the garage!  I love finding things.  

 

This pretty much says it all. I love it.

Come by sometime.

Now to decorate for Christmas.  How many days are left? Oh, right - 6!  UGH!

Common Ground

I am truly amazed at God's blessings. 

I was approached several months ago by a new Mom and her infant to help a colicky child and a transition into motherhood.  

I prayed to have God show me what I was to be for them, and wow, has He shown me.

Common ground is uncommon in generations.  Bring an infant in, and it changes the scales.  Balanced.  Being reserved, and not being critical is crucial.  I can honestly say that I do not have it with my own children, my beautiful teenagers, but I do when God reminds me of my purpose.  Listen.  Amazing what ground can be covered when I do that.

The simple act of taking an infant from it's mother's arms and give loving care while the parents have dinner, can be a hard two hours for you and the child, but blissful for the parents.  And, really - it wasn't that difficult.  And, then there is a bond that is created between you, the parents, and child. 

How often do we get answers to prayers so quickly, and not even realize it?  I am amazed at God's love, and how wide it spreads, just by doing what He asks. 

Kind words, hugs, smiles, all of these are so simple, yet spread so very far.  You will never know how you affect someone by any of these things. 

Simple. Comforting.


Remaining on common ground with God ---well, now that is a different story. But, I am trying. 

Be an encourager, smile at someone today!

Moods

Have you ever just got into a funk (a down mood) and really never feel that you can get out?

I feel that way.  Nothing is really wrong, just don't feel well.  And, it isn't just in body, but in emotions as well. It is really difficult to explain.  I don't think there really is an answer to it either.  Which really bothers me.  I want to "will" it to be better.  Me to be better. 

My body feels better than it used to, although sometimes it doesn't sound that way.  Fatigue is really getting me, and sometimes I feel that I can't get enough sleep.


Last night was extremely difficult to get to sleep.  Too many things rushing through my mind, and no way of stopping any of them.



http://thefunniesetc.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/a-womans-mind-explained-in-one-easy-diagram/

This link shows, what I believe to be true... a constant going of the mind. At least my mind.  =)

Friends are wonderful, they take away thoughts at the moment and let you concentrate on just being there for them.  Family is better, but can also add to the mind wandering.

Out of sink.  Truly.
Prayers are welcome.

Stephen's 13th Birthday

We celebrated Stephens 13th Birthday on Wednesday, December 2nd.  It was a school day, and work day, so not much celebrating.

But we did have cake.

chocolate cake.

 And 13 candles, and maybe a wish or two.

We did have a small party for him at the bowling alley with two of his friends, Nico and Alex on Friday. I think they had fun.  We did.  

It is hard to believe that my youngest is 13.  I know that we all have to go through this...but I am feeling really old.

We have two great kids.  And, now both are teenagers.  It's not as bad as everyone talks about.