Almost There!

I am only 18 months behind, but the end is near! My 2008 (yes, 2008) New Year's Resolution was to read the entire Bible. I am only 2 months away from finishing! Some books are not easy to get through and have required sheer determination to read. For me, many of the "prophet" books at the end of the Old Testament are not easy. It is difficult to understand what many of the prophesies are referring to and difficult to make much of it relate to my everyday Christian life. I am sure that using a study guid book would be helpful.

To help motivate myself in this final drive home here is a list of the books that I have read:

Old Testament

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

Isaiah

Jeremiah

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Phillippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Gluten Free Recipe for Chicken Tenders

During my hiatus, my husband and I became increasing aware of your son's stomach issues. As he has gotten older and more equip to communicate with us, we have gradually figured out that, he keeps a stomachache...all the time.

After a few initial tests, which came back negative, our pediatrician threw out the possibility of Celiac Disease, more commonly known as a gluten allergy, and referred us to a specialist. We have approximately 8 weeks until our appointment so I decided to experiment a little with our diet by gradually dropping gluten.

Well, I must say that this has been a real learning experience. Here is a list of the things I have learned:

1. You can buy just about any gluten-free item you are craving: cakes, granola, bread, cookies, etc., if you have won the lottery. My grocery bill has felt the sting of this one.
2. Trader Joes is by far the most reasonably priced grocery store for gluten-free products.
3. Gluten-Free bread is tastes pretty good and the whole family has eaten it.
4. Watch out, going gluten-free can play bad tricks on your digestive system. Ward off constipation by increasing your intake of veggies and fruits.
5. Many of our suppers were already gluten-free. The challenge has come with breakfast and lunchbox meals.

In a nutshell, I am on the prowl for inexpensive, fast, easy and portable gluten free meals. Last night, we came across a great meal that satisfied everyone. I located the recipe in one of my favorite Rachel Ray cookbooks and adapted it more to my liking.

Gluten Free Chicken Tenders and Dip

3 Tablespoon each – sesame seeds, poppy seeds, grated parmesan cheese, dried minced onion
1 Tablespoon – garlic powder
Olive oil
Chicken tenders
4 oz low fat cream cheese
½ cup low fat buttermilk
1 grated carrot
1 celery stalk – finely chopped
2 green onions – finely sliced.

Directions:
Mix all seeds, cheese and garlic in a bowl. Coat chicken with olive oil and place in seed mixture to coat. Place on baking sheet and bake at 375 for about 25 minutes (or until done).

Using an electric mixer, mix cream cheese and buttermilk until combined. Stir in carrot, onions and celery. Add salt and pepper if desired. EAT!

Do you need a wallet to help you go CASH ONLY??

They are back! The Envelope System Wallets are back on the market! Be sure to check on my Etsy Store!

The Envelope System Wallet features:

1) a Velcro closure and one main pocket, in which the envelopes fit using Amy Butler’s Gothic Rose fabric (gorgeous!!)
2)Three envelopes have been made in a coordinating fabric. I transferred labels to each of the wallets for easy reference. I would be happy to transfer a Bible verse, saying or other labels at your request.
3) Last but not least, there is a zippered pouch for coins, driver’s license and pictures of the kids (plenty large enough for up to 10 cards).
4) This wallet could easily also hold your checkbook and deposit slips.
5) Envelopes and zippered pouch are entirely removable for easy access and budgeting. Remove it if it not to be used!

Lenton Season

Well, as usual, I am a little behind the power curve. Even though Lent officially began on Ash Wednesday, I am just now contemplating what I want to eliminate from my life to help prepare my heart for Easter. I considered chocolate (like so many others) but while I love it, it is certainly not a constant source of distraction for me. Perhaps, caffeine? Breads? Exercise???

After spending several days thinking about Lent, I finally came to a decision. I have decided to give up the computer and my online sales until Easter.

Recently, I have been grappling with this idea anyway. Placing my enjoyment of the hobby and its extra income on one side of the scale and the added stress and time not focused on my family on the other side of the scale. This gives me an opportunity to truly evaluate the effect of the computer and sewing business has on my daily life.

Thank you for your support and have a Happy Easter!

Amy Butler Pattern and Fabric Giveaway!

I just could stand not telling you about this giveaway! This collaboration between Fresh Squeezed Fabrics and The Fabric Shopper. The winner receives one Amy Butler Design Frenchy Bags pattern and a $25.00 gift certificate to spend at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics. Go over and take a look at the multiple ways to enter!

It's Monday! Get Organized!

It’s is time for Menu Planning Monday! We are still running crazy around here with practices and meetings so our menu is simple and sweet.

Sunday: Fish Sandwiches and sautéed asparagus (I used grouper. They were breaded and pan fried.

Monday: Crust-less Quiche, Oven roasted broccoli. This I made this quiche last weekend and froze it. It really comes together more like a breakfast casserole – cubed bread, 6 eggs or so, a little milk, cheese and ham or sausage, cooked. The key to it tasting “not-frozen” is to freeze it unbaked. Thaw, then top with cheese and bake. You would never know it was prepared ahead of time.

Tuesday: French Dip Sandwiches and Green beans. These sandwiches are made from baked sirloin that was then sliced. Top with sautéed onions. Then I make brown gravy from a packet and add in Liptons, French onion soup mix. The sandwiches are supposed to be dipped into the sauce. My kids LOVE that, but my husband pours his on top.

Wednesday: Spaghetti and spinach salad

Thursday: Chicken and Dumplings and spinach salad. YUM! To make this quick, I roll out refrigerated biscuits for the dumplings.

Have a fabulous week!

It is about LOVING not being RIGHT - The Indian Talking Stick

The smell of residual smoke is in the air. It is tense. Angry voices can be heard. Far off drums are beating. The sound of stone scraping against stone is heard where the grown men huddle. Younger men are eager. Older men are solemn. The ground seems to vibrate under scurrying feet. It is humid and difficult to breathe. Older women pack dishes and clothing into messy piles and rush them into the tent. Wishing they could say something, but knowing, now is not the time. Older children push smaller children into dark tents. Babies are hushed.

Boundaries have been crossed. All could be gone. In 5 minutes? In and hour? Tomorrow? An entire people could be gone, forgotten.

Fate arrives. Angry voices are yelling, screeching. Boastful young men beat on their chest. Weapons are shaken in the air. You don’t have to understand the Cherokee language to know war is at hand.

An old man reaches from a large bag and slowly pulls out the Talking Stick. Everyone knows what this means. In an almost instant, bodies sit; yelling turns to hot glares and weapons sit on folded legs.

Everyone knows the rules and is willing to abide by them. The person with the Talking Stick gets to speak first. They get to speak as long as they wish until they feel their point has been made. No else may speak, only listen, until the talking stick is handed off to the next. Time passes. Some yell when they speak, some become frustrated, some are calm, but all get an opportunity. The yelling slowly fades and weapons sitting in laps become something to pick and twiddle instead of an object to injure.

It is over and anti-climatic at the least. Days of endless talking have resulted in tribes shuffling down a dusty path. Some young are disappointed; they wanted to show their new found strength. The wise, though, are solemn and relieved; they go hug their families. They understand that life is about love, not about who is right.

The disaster has been averted. This time it worked. It doesn’t always work, but this time it did.

I need to think about this. Does the Indian Talking Stick need a place in my family? Jesus understands love. He was willing not to just comprise, but to give it all up for love. Even for people who were determined to be right.

Here is a cute craft tutorial that explains how to build an Indian Talking Stick.

Indians would make their own Taking Stick, decorating the talking stick to symbolize their life, accomplishments and strengths. This site gives some great ideas for embellishing the Talking Stick. Have your kids reflect on their accomplishments and strengths as they decorate. Your family could even add decorations as conflicts are resolved.

Thanks for visiting!

Boutique Wild Child Giveaway!

Don't forget to check out Boutique Wild Child Blog! They are hosting their fisrt giveaway! Photoshop and Microsoft Digital Imaging guru, Stacy, has several digital frames for you to use for digital scrapbooking or any other digital photo projects you might have!

How do you win?? Just become a Boutique Wild Child Follower and post a comment and you are entered to win! A winner will be chosen on Friday March 6th. Deadline to enter is midnight eastern time on Thursday March 5th.

Good luck!

Frugal with the All-American Snack

My daughter is addicted to popcorn. She eats it almost everyday as a snack. I purchase a box of little microwaveable pocorn at the grocery store and *POOF* it's gone. Not to mention, those bags are not inexpensive!

A couple of weeks ago, the family was watching "Good Eats" during TV time and Alton Brown did a show about popcorn (we love this show, by the way). The episode included how to cook your own popcorn on the stovetop. Now I know what you are thinking as you begin smelling that all too familar burnt smell, but his trick actually worked. He proposed that the shape of the cooking pan/bowl plays a key role in how many kernels pop. Most store-bought stove-top popcorn is done in aflat aluminum pan. Alton says that a nice stainless steel bowl works much better because it always popped pieces to move upward and leave kernels at the bottom for more heat.

Long story short, my family tried his trick and it worked to perfection!

Pour about 2T of vegetable oil in your bowl and about 1/3 c popcorn. Cover with aluminum foil and poke wholes to let steam out. Using your tongs, gently, shake your bowl (constantly) on the stove eye.

It takes about 5 minutes total, about the same time to use the microwave, to get perfect popcorn! The frugal part?? Well, a box of microwave popcorn can cost almost $4 for 10 snack bags. A bag of just popcorn kernels costs about $1.50 and contains more servings.

Oh, one more hint. If you are still using the microwave bags, store the unpopped kernels in a plastic bag and when you have enough, cook them as mentioned above. Voila, an extra serving!

Happy Popping!

Menu Planning Monday

Well, we survived a viral attack on our family this past week. Both the kids were home a couple of days from school. This threw my schedule off a bit, but we are back in action for this week!

The past couple of weeks, I have devoted a little more time to menu planning than usual. Soccer season has started and we are all getting home later than usual so I am on the lookout for meals that can be made in 30 minutes or LESS but are also CHEAP! This is what I came up with this week!

Sunday: Pan fried pork chops, vegetable egg noodles, oven roasted veggies.

Monday: Crock pot ham and potatoes, salad

Tuesday: Sausage and Egg Hash, Almond orange apricot crescent rolls

Wednesday: Homemade Egg Rolls

Thursday: Homemade Pizza - Ok you caught me, it is frozen and I bought it from the store :)


VEGETABLE EGG NOODLES
1 package of egg noodles cooked according to directions
1 T. butter
1 small onion, sliced
1 cup fresh mushrooms, slided
1/2 bag of spinach

Melt butter in skillet. Add onions and mushrooms and cook over medium low heat until onions are transluscent. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Add to cooked egg noodles and season with salt and pepper as desired.