Paul (with Ann trying to jump in the picture)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
I can't keep thinking of titles!
Although my digi cam is up and running, and I have a ton of pics taken....I can't believe I still don't have pics up yet on my blog! Paul has worked on it a couple of times, but there are more important things. Last night we were looking at my Facebook together and he noticed all the neat pics that everyone else has, my neice, his cousin, a couple friends, etc. I think he's motivated now! Our computer can be such a pain to load stuff on and take stuff off. I really don't blame him!
Community Bible Study (CBS) this morning. I absolutley love this study! This is my fourth year. I schedule the time every year from Sept. through May. Sometimes this makes my Thursdays very busy, especially when I have Advisory Board the 3rd Thursday of the month, but it is absolutely worth it. There are so many great things about it:
- while I'm at my class-my kids have their own class with solid Bible teaching, with different teachers besides mom and dad! (by-product of being PK's)
- the lessons stick to Scripture only- while there is some commentary at the end, there isn't any preachy devotionals which means I have to get the message out of it for myself
- I am in the Word solely for myself, not preparing to teach it or preach it. So I'm getting fed and filled up because I'm not having to put out
- it keeps me accountable week to week because nobody wants to show up without their lesson being done!
- the women who lead CBS are professional in their dealings, and keep everyone on strict rules- no discussing denominations, no discussing politics, no discussing church doctrine. Basically it's Scripture only- what a way to avoid conflict and "holier than thou" attitudes!
- I meet so many different women from different walks of life and makes me feel more connected to the community
So this afternoon, I am hurriedly (I must not be in that much of a hurry because here I am blogging!) getting ready to leave for 2 days for Round 2 of our Officer's Christmas Party at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA. Last time it was cancelled (postponed). Fortunately for us, when they re-scheduled it worked fine into this weekend! So we're leaving at 7:30am tomorrow morning and coming home Saturday evening. I am half packed (the children and me) but I also like to have a clean home when I leave to go somewhere-1. because it's so nice to come home to a clean home 2. because if we were to all die, I would want things to be nice for those who come behind us to clean out all our stuff. I also need to finish preparing for Sunday, beecause it's Family First Sunday, which always takes extra prep time, and I won't be here Saturday to catch up. I also know it will feel much better on the drive home to know that Sunday is all ready to go :)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
I love Crockpots!
I’m big on planning ahead so I use my crock pot a couple of times a week to make dinner ahead of time. I get all ready the night before, assemble and start cooking in the morning. I especially use it on Wednesday nights after Troop meetings and Youth Discipleship classes. I also use my crockpot for Sunday lunches, so when we come home late for lunch it’s all ready!
So it’s Wednesday, and what’s for dinner tonight?
This is one of our favorite crockpot meals. Delicious, Easy, Inexpensive, Healthy. The kids love it and so do Paul and I! I will need to start making a double batch soon!
This is the way I make it…
2 Cups of dried split peas (sold in the dried beans section of the grocery store)
4 Cups of vegetable broth
3 Cups of water
1 medium to large onion (depends on your tastes) finely chopped
2 Cups of chopped up ham
Mix it all in the crockpot, set it to low and cook for 8 hours. You can salt and pepper it to taste when it’s time to serve. Also, you can add more or less liquid depending on how thick or thin you like it. I have also added grated carrots to this soup and it gives it a nice flavor too.
I like to set my bread maker to be finished at dinner time, so we eat our soup with warm ww bread.
When I have just a tad leftover, I freeze it and mix it in a meatloaf (added veggies that noone knows about!).
So it’s Wednesday, and what’s for dinner tonight?
This is one of our favorite crockpot meals. Delicious, Easy, Inexpensive, Healthy. The kids love it and so do Paul and I! I will need to start making a double batch soon!
This is the way I make it…
2 Cups of dried split peas (sold in the dried beans section of the grocery store)
4 Cups of vegetable broth
3 Cups of water
1 medium to large onion (depends on your tastes) finely chopped
2 Cups of chopped up ham
Mix it all in the crockpot, set it to low and cook for 8 hours. You can salt and pepper it to taste when it’s time to serve. Also, you can add more or less liquid depending on how thick or thin you like it. I have also added grated carrots to this soup and it gives it a nice flavor too.
I like to set my bread maker to be finished at dinner time, so we eat our soup with warm ww bread.
When I have just a tad leftover, I freeze it and mix it in a meatloaf (added veggies that noone knows about!).
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Yummy Recipe!
I got most of this recipe from my Taste of Home magazine, but after trying it once, needed to spruce it up for our own tastes. This mix makes enough for 2 casseroles, I use ½ right away and freeze the other ½ for later, just making up a new stuffing mixture when I go to bake it.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Mix together:
8 Cups Cooked Cubed Chicken
10 Ounces of Ham Lunchmeat
3 Cups of Peas
2 Cups of Swiss Cheese
1 Cup of Cheddar
2 Cans of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Cup Milk
¾ Cup Mayo
½ Cup Mustard
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Spread out in 9x13 Dish
Mix together 2 6 ounce boxes of stuffing mix with 3 cups water and one stick of melted butter. Let it set until all liquid is absorbed (about a minute or two).
Spread over chicken mixture in baking dish. Cover with foil.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, take of foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, until stuffing topping is crispy golden.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Mix together:
8 Cups Cooked Cubed Chicken
10 Ounces of Ham Lunchmeat
3 Cups of Peas
2 Cups of Swiss Cheese
1 Cup of Cheddar
2 Cans of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Cup Milk
¾ Cup Mayo
½ Cup Mustard
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Spread out in 9x13 Dish
Mix together 2 6 ounce boxes of stuffing mix with 3 cups water and one stick of melted butter. Let it set until all liquid is absorbed (about a minute or two).
Spread over chicken mixture in baking dish. Cover with foil.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, take of foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, until stuffing topping is crispy golden.
Are people assets or liabilities?
I just read the following on a blog I read occasionally. I'm so glad I read it today! I agree wholeheartedly with this post and wholemindedly! The Jueb family has said it best in regards to Nany Pelosi's, President Obama's and countless other socialist minded democrats, who are anti-life. Read on....
"You’d hate to ask this question, but sometimes reality forces the issue. Nancy Pelosi is making the headlines today over her ABC News exchange claiming $200 million in contraception is needed to boost the economy. Her logic goes something like this:
People consume.People drain the economy.Therefore, $200 million in contraceptives will help the economy.
Brilliant. That is, if you’re Planned Parenthood, one of Pelosi’s favorite lobbyists. Such a stretch is incredibly revealing as to who is in whose pockets. $200 million for “family planning” to reduce the number of children born in America? Sure, that may work, but this would somehow boost the economy? Who is Pelosi trying to fool? Andrea Tantaros of Fox News has declared Pelosi’s brain “officially gone numb” in her well-worded title blog, “Show Me the Economist Who Says We Are In a Crisis Because of a Birth Control Shortage.” That’s a good request!
There was 19th century economist Carl Marx who believed humans to be a burden to society. Adolf Hitler would agree, too, but he was a military dictator, not an economist. China’s leaders have been limiting family size for three decades, but I wonder where they’ll be once that generation reaches retirement?
Perhaps where Japan is today. Tokyo reports corporations are aggressively urging couples to start multiplying. In a CNN article, it was reported that the economy is tanking in Japan. “Japan in the midst of an unprecedented recession, so corporations are being asked to work toward fixing another major problem: the country’s low birthrate.”
America is not built on the notion that the government needs to take care of its people. Quite contrare, Ms. Pelosi. America is built on the notion that its government is of the people and for the people. People are the driving force of our economic prosperity and our freedoms. Reversing this to make government the driving force has been tried before, but never succeeded (note Marx’s successors above). As long as people are given opportunity to prosper, they will give into the economy and everyone will grow. Economists who believe this are a dime a dozen.
A government who actively encourages through millions in funding to terminate pregnancies and limit births is begging for–at least–an economic bruising. Change is definitely in the air. One of the first executive orders from the Obama administration was to reverse the Bush policy of refusing federal funds for overseas abortions. So now tax-payers are paying for overseas abortionists. Just what is needed to help stimulate the American economy!
You see, only populations that procreate are ones that have the opportunity to prosper and grow. This isn’t Jeub bias talking here; this is the reality of demographics. Japan–whose birthrate is 1.3 per couple, below the replacement ratio of 2.1–are wising up. They’re seeing the devastating effects of a childless society: they’re getting old, and there are no children left to fill the jobs.
This is why we believe it is quite obvious: people are assets. Ms. Pelosi is sorely short-sighted, seeing only babies in diapers needing government-assisted childcare. We see every person as a unique and special gift from God, a contributor in unique ways to society. On a purely economic level, the Jeub children will grow into 15 adult contributors to society, through their work and their ingenuity. Here’s a much more logical syllogism:
People contribute to society.Government takes from people.Therefore, give back to those families creating more people.
Granted, this logic is Jeub-biased. I would love to see the per-child tax credit go up, and see our government actively encourage couples to stop fearing parenthood and start engaging in this most beautiful stage of life. Such incentives would work better than Pelosi/Obama’s call for contraception spending." -from the Jeub family blog
"You’d hate to ask this question, but sometimes reality forces the issue. Nancy Pelosi is making the headlines today over her ABC News exchange claiming $200 million in contraception is needed to boost the economy. Her logic goes something like this:
People consume.People drain the economy.Therefore, $200 million in contraceptives will help the economy.
Brilliant. That is, if you’re Planned Parenthood, one of Pelosi’s favorite lobbyists. Such a stretch is incredibly revealing as to who is in whose pockets. $200 million for “family planning” to reduce the number of children born in America? Sure, that may work, but this would somehow boost the economy? Who is Pelosi trying to fool? Andrea Tantaros of Fox News has declared Pelosi’s brain “officially gone numb” in her well-worded title blog, “Show Me the Economist Who Says We Are In a Crisis Because of a Birth Control Shortage.” That’s a good request!
There was 19th century economist Carl Marx who believed humans to be a burden to society. Adolf Hitler would agree, too, but he was a military dictator, not an economist. China’s leaders have been limiting family size for three decades, but I wonder where they’ll be once that generation reaches retirement?
Perhaps where Japan is today. Tokyo reports corporations are aggressively urging couples to start multiplying. In a CNN article, it was reported that the economy is tanking in Japan. “Japan in the midst of an unprecedented recession, so corporations are being asked to work toward fixing another major problem: the country’s low birthrate.”
America is not built on the notion that the government needs to take care of its people. Quite contrare, Ms. Pelosi. America is built on the notion that its government is of the people and for the people. People are the driving force of our economic prosperity and our freedoms. Reversing this to make government the driving force has been tried before, but never succeeded (note Marx’s successors above). As long as people are given opportunity to prosper, they will give into the economy and everyone will grow. Economists who believe this are a dime a dozen.
A government who actively encourages through millions in funding to terminate pregnancies and limit births is begging for–at least–an economic bruising. Change is definitely in the air. One of the first executive orders from the Obama administration was to reverse the Bush policy of refusing federal funds for overseas abortions. So now tax-payers are paying for overseas abortionists. Just what is needed to help stimulate the American economy!
You see, only populations that procreate are ones that have the opportunity to prosper and grow. This isn’t Jeub bias talking here; this is the reality of demographics. Japan–whose birthrate is 1.3 per couple, below the replacement ratio of 2.1–are wising up. They’re seeing the devastating effects of a childless society: they’re getting old, and there are no children left to fill the jobs.
This is why we believe it is quite obvious: people are assets. Ms. Pelosi is sorely short-sighted, seeing only babies in diapers needing government-assisted childcare. We see every person as a unique and special gift from God, a contributor in unique ways to society. On a purely economic level, the Jeub children will grow into 15 adult contributors to society, through their work and their ingenuity. Here’s a much more logical syllogism:
People contribute to society.Government takes from people.Therefore, give back to those families creating more people.
Granted, this logic is Jeub-biased. I would love to see the per-child tax credit go up, and see our government actively encourage couples to stop fearing parenthood and start engaging in this most beautiful stage of life. Such incentives would work better than Pelosi/Obama’s call for contraception spending." -from the Jeub family blog
Afternoon of Learning!
Yesterday afternoon my friend and church member, Linda, came over to teach me how to make her most absolutely fabulous, best ever pie crust. Now I too am an expert and will be able to stop buying pre-made pie crusts because I've always been a failure when it comes to them. My mom taught me when I was a kid, I've had other helpful people offer advice but I could just never make one that was satisfying to me. I've even used an all butter recipe from my sis-n-law, but it never turned out like hers. Anyways this pie crust has two unique ingredients- an egg and a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Soooo delicious, thick and flaky! I will post the recipe, but be warned.... it has shortening. I kept thinking... I'm poisoning my family for dinner but then I thought, okay that's not really rational and I don't use a pie crust that often either, about as often as a store bought pie crust (which is way worse!) The pie crust is for 2
Mix together in separate bowl
1 Egg
About 3-4 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (according to your preference, make sure it smells strong, and you're good)About 1/4 water
In another bowl cut in 12 tablespoons of shortening (I remember buying a non-hydrogenated form at Wild Oats when we lived in Springfield, so it does exist! Lots of luck finding it)
into 2 Cups of flour
until about the size of peas
Now, add about 1/2 the egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix up. Keep mixing in the egg mixture until the dough is almost wet/sticky. Stop when it reaches this consistency, you may not use all of the egg mixture.
Roll out on a heavily floured board.
Enjoy!
With one of the pie crusts, I made a Quiche for dinner (aka egg pie, we eat it monthly in my home). This time I made it with Monterey Jack Cheese, Ham (I use Hormel Natural... nitrate free!) and Finely Chopped Broccoli. 12 eggs (I use cage free, eggland's best... nice to the chickens and the eggs are much better!), about a cup of half and half a dash of salt and pepper and about 1 1/2 Tsp of nutmeg. Served with salad and this delicious pie for dessert:
With the other pie crust, Linda introduced me to this easy and tasty pie!
Coconut Macadamia Nut Pie
Whisk together:
1 Cup Sugar
3 Eggs
Add- 1 Cup light corn syrup
1/2 Cream
1Tablespoon of melted butter
1 Cup coursely chopped Macadamia nuts
1 Cup flaked coconut
Pour into unbaked pie crust
Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Last Few Days
Friday was Hannhah's 2nd Birthday. She really seemed to know what was going on. I think because we have so many birthday celebrations in our house that it's old hat to her. I did my usual "decorate the dining room" when she went to bed the night before. So when she woke up and we were all telling her "Happy Birthday!" she kept saying "Oh!" with her eyes real big. It was so cute!! Elijah wrapped her gifts (one from mom and dad, one from siblings) and made her some birthday signs. David was at guitar, so he didn't get to help much. Ann decorated her cake. I put the white frosting on, and Ann purplefied it with a tube of frosting. She was sooo proud, and it actually looked really good! There were "flowers" and stripes all over it.
I also took the the kids to our free local zoo (aka Petco) especially for Hannah who loves to look at the fish. She was screaming "fiiiish" most of the time. Atleast people think it's cute at her age. We love going there! There are a ton of cute critters to look at, all at a kid's eye level. Plus people bring in their own animals for us to gawk at. AND there are the cutest little buggies for the kids to push, I put stuff in it for them and then put it back before we have to pay for it! David and Elijah always want to go next door to look at the store, not Big 5, but Staples! Weirdos! They love to save up and buy their own rubberbands, paperclips and whatever else you can reinvent into something else. I just take them, and pick-up supplies for the Corps. I love to pick on the youngest children and ask them to help me lift the 50 pound box of copy paper into the buggy. It makes me laugh so hard! Everyone's had their turn, lately it's been Hannah who tries soooo hard and grunts and everything!!
Saturday we had our very good friends, Stacie and children (minus the husband who had to work), over at lunchtime. The kids played and played and I talked and talked. Paul played and talked. It was great. The Brown kids are just about a perfect match for all of our kids. Their older boy is a few months older than our oldest. Their next 2 are one year older than our next 2. Their fourth just kind of roams about. It's funny to keep track of him, but so nice that he keeps himself entertained! And then we have babies, well 2 yods, that are the same age by about a month. It makes for everyone to have a playmate of their own, including us adults when Steve's around, plus extra! Our next babies will only be 2 weeks apart. Crazy! In fact when I met Stacie, I had just moved here and was pregnant with Ann, and she had just been pregnant with Andrew. I try to play matchmaker with the kids, but the personalities are still not mature enough to figure it out for sure. Elijah has already said that if Stacie has a girl next, he gets dibs on her!! Great way to think ahead! Ha!Ha!
Today is a full day, especially for me. My turn to preach (Psalm 71, "A Lifestyle of Dependance") and my turn to go to Evergreen nursing home to hold church (the boys and Ann will come with me to help), in addition to my regular teaching Sunday School, pick-ups/drop-offs, and be bombarded by 50 people at church (oooops... did I say that? he!he!). That on top of the regular get my own children out the door and kept track of! Wow, when I write that down, I don't feel so guilty about my feelings toward the day! But I've done it long enough to know that when all is said and done, I'm really the one who gets the blessing! And I've learned that in just fulfilling my duties (being obedient!), God gives me enough grace for the day!
I also took the the kids to our free local zoo (aka Petco) especially for Hannah who loves to look at the fish. She was screaming "fiiiish" most of the time. Atleast people think it's cute at her age. We love going there! There are a ton of cute critters to look at, all at a kid's eye level. Plus people bring in their own animals for us to gawk at. AND there are the cutest little buggies for the kids to push, I put stuff in it for them and then put it back before we have to pay for it! David and Elijah always want to go next door to look at the store, not Big 5, but Staples! Weirdos! They love to save up and buy their own rubberbands, paperclips and whatever else you can reinvent into something else. I just take them, and pick-up supplies for the Corps. I love to pick on the youngest children and ask them to help me lift the 50 pound box of copy paper into the buggy. It makes me laugh so hard! Everyone's had their turn, lately it's been Hannah who tries soooo hard and grunts and everything!!
Saturday we had our very good friends, Stacie and children (minus the husband who had to work), over at lunchtime. The kids played and played and I talked and talked. Paul played and talked. It was great. The Brown kids are just about a perfect match for all of our kids. Their older boy is a few months older than our oldest. Their next 2 are one year older than our next 2. Their fourth just kind of roams about. It's funny to keep track of him, but so nice that he keeps himself entertained! And then we have babies, well 2 yods, that are the same age by about a month. It makes for everyone to have a playmate of their own, including us adults when Steve's around, plus extra! Our next babies will only be 2 weeks apart. Crazy! In fact when I met Stacie, I had just moved here and was pregnant with Ann, and she had just been pregnant with Andrew. I try to play matchmaker with the kids, but the personalities are still not mature enough to figure it out for sure. Elijah has already said that if Stacie has a girl next, he gets dibs on her!! Great way to think ahead! Ha!Ha!
Today is a full day, especially for me. My turn to preach (Psalm 71, "A Lifestyle of Dependance") and my turn to go to Evergreen nursing home to hold church (the boys and Ann will come with me to help), in addition to my regular teaching Sunday School, pick-ups/drop-offs, and be bombarded by 50 people at church (oooops... did I say that? he!he!). That on top of the regular get my own children out the door and kept track of! Wow, when I write that down, I don't feel so guilty about my feelings toward the day! But I've done it long enough to know that when all is said and done, I'm really the one who gets the blessing! And I've learned that in just fulfilling my duties (being obedient!), God gives me enough grace for the day!
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