A Story

One tween girly girl with day old braces

one rambunctious boy who turns 8 at 9:07pm

one average mom who carries a little more weight in the hips than she used to

one all-american dad who looks more distinguished with the years but still has his mischievous boyhood grin

leave breakfast dishes still half filled with homemade buttered biscuits dipping with thick honey

to don 6 layers of water absorbing cotton clothing (because purchasing real winter clothing here in the south is a waste of hard earned money)

to run out into the bright morning light to play, long before the mail has even run

all because they saw the water running down off the rooftops; a sign that the sun was keeping its promise to take their fun away!

Lord, please help us always to throw routine to the wind and take advantage of the gifts you give! Amen

Make Me French Toast Til I Tell You To Stop!

My wonderful husband is known for his difficult mornings. They all began when he was a young child. His horrible mother would come wake him up, help pick out clothing and then had the nerve to ask (in her bright cheerful voice), "What would you like for breakfast?". Appalled that she would actually expect him to make a decision like that in the early morning hours, finally resulted in my future husband answering back, "Make me French Toast, til I tell you to stop and don't ask me again!"

Well, she did. She made French toast each morning for his breakfast for almost 8 years. Then one day, he told her to stop (I think this is because he was leaving for college or something).

This statement has become quite famous in our family. It is still mentioned around holidays and all the 13 grandchildren know of its story.

Luckily, my husband's grumpy morning self has mellowed with age as I am not sure I would have been able to see the humor in it! But I thought I would share my mother-in-law's famous french toast recipe with all of you just in case you have a grumpy morning child who doesn't want to be spoken to!

Make Me French Toast Til I Tell You To Stop Recipe
(make enough for 4 pieces of french toast)

3 eggs - lightly scrambled with a whisk
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons of sugar
4 pieces of sliced bread

Place skillet over medium heat and put in a pat of butter to start melting.















In bowl, whisk first 4 ingredients.





























Soak each piece of bread individually for about 3 seconds.














Place bread in skillet and cook about 3 minutes on each side. You may need to slightly pick up a corner to check for doneness, it should be golden brown. Serve hot with syrup.















Around my house, french toast is a Saturday morning affair. To dress it up, I also make strawberry syrup to go on top!

Strawberry Syrup

1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries (in summer I use fresh)
2 Tablespoons of sugar
1/4 cup water


First let me tell you that the proportions mentioned above do not have to be exact in order to make great strawberry syrup. I am sure that sometimes I have a little more of this and a little less of something else, but regardless, it always tastes delicious! Place strawberries in blender (if using fresh strawberries, you can skip this step and just slice them up. Place in pot over medium heat. Add sugar and water.






























Stir occasionally to make sure that it is not sticking. Syrup will come to a boil and slowly thicken. When it is to your desired thickness remove from heat and serve!



Because it snowed, we decided to have an extra healthy French toast recipe, made with Angel Food Cake instead of bread. We served it with the Strawberry Syrup and it was heaven! Just follow basic french toast recipe using store bought or homemade angel food cake insead.



































I am getting hungry just thinking about it!

Visit Organization Junkie for more wonderful recipes and menus!

A little Februaury Sewing Inspiration

I thought I would take a minute and show you a few things I have been working on!


I love this new Envelope System wallet! A suggestion from a promising customer influenced my fabric choices here. So cute and bright for spring!
This wallet can be purchased at my Etsy Shop!!





How cute is this Burlap sack? I have been eying some burlap for a while now. I tried to make an Envelope System Wallet using it, but Burlap does not do well for small projects. But this turned out better than expected! I love the flat bottom and hand applique! This bag is for a challenge project presented by my sewing design group! It is not ready for listing yet, but will be soon!






Happy Spring - or so the groundhog said!

Everlasting Love

The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued to extend faithful love to you.
Jeremiah 31:3


Lord, I praise you for loving me always and for drawing me toward you with your faithful love.



I praise you for giving us a heart that craves love for your to fill.

Your love is bigger than I can understand and much more than I am capable of giving to others without your help.



Please allow me to feel your love today and show me how to pour that love on others.


Thank you for all your blessings...

Amen

Need to Re-Think the Menu Plan

We made our first visit to the orthodontist last week and it seems as though life as we have known it is about to change. Both youngsters will be in braces next month. Luckily the orthodontist uses payment plans, but I have a feeling that this is going to take all the "fun money" out of our budget. Exactly HOW much is yet to be seen.

Regardless, the little man is overly excited about this new adventure and very proud to be one of the firsts in his class to wear braces. The sweet tween is not happy to say the least.

I am in search of ways to save on the grocery bill. For the past year or so, I have not been restrain ted by a confining grocery budget. But I need to now! On average, I spend $150 on groceries and the goal is to knock it to $100 or less. Coupons do NOT work for me as I have tried to use them on and off during the years, so I am trying to just cut back the old fashion way. Budget friendly meals, homemade snacks, shop from what you already have on-hand.

I am proud to say that I have made this goal for 2 weeks now even on a restricted diet!

Sunday - Nana's homemade vegetable soup and grill cheese sandwiches ( all ingredients at home already)
Monday - Spaghetti with rice noodles (noodles on hand, buy sauce and meat) I already have Parmesan cheese too!
Tuesday - Chicken Stirfry and rice - bought a frozen pack of stirfry vegetables ( I like to make my own seasonings and rice to add so I buy vegetables only). I added fresh broccoli and canned water chestnuts and bamboo shoots. Chicken tenders were also purchased for this meal.
Wednesday - Black Beans and rice. I already had 2 cans black beans. I bought some celery, carrots, onions and smoked sausage.
Thursday - Chicken sandwiches and roasted fresh veggies. I marinate the chicken overnight ( all ingredients for marinade were already on hand) I bought chicken breasts, tomato and lettuce. I all ready had buns. Andy I bought a pack of fresh cut up veggies to roast.

For school lunches I added lunch meat, bread, yogurts, chips, granola bars, grapes and strawberries. Carrots and celery will be used here too. I eat left-overs for my lunches.

Breakfasts will include cereal, oatmeal and homemade muffins.

Add in couple of cleaning supplies and my total was $93.00!

Don't forget to visit Organization Junkie for more ideas!

Envelope System Wallet

After a very busy holiday, I am slowly cranking out more of the Envelope System Wallets! I will be listing 3 wallets today with a varying price range to accommodate different budgets! After a year, I am still using AND loving my wallet. I would like to take a moment and answer the most frequent questions I receive.

1. How many envelopes will fit in the wallet? My listings show 3 envelopes. You can request additional envelopes for $3.00 a piece. The wallet will realistically fit 5-6 envelopes. I actually have 6 envelopes that I use, but they are rarely all in my wallet at the same time. WHY YOU ASK? Because I would "dip" and spend out of them!! This is one of my favorite features about this wallet....THE ENVELOPES ARE REMOVABLE! The 3 that spend most of the time in my wallet are groceries, gas, and other. The other envelope usually has about $40 in it for incidentals like field trip $$ the kids need or haircuts. My other envelopes are only inserted when I am planning to use the money, like school clothing shop or Christmas shop.

2. Can I order additional envelopes? Yes, please see answer above.

3. Can I order special order my wallet in a certain fabric? Currently, my time does not allow me to do special orders. I have tried this before only to get really backed up in orders and I regretted the delayed shipping time. All wallets are pre-made.

4. How long before I receive my wallet? Within the week! Since all wallets are pre-made, I will add your customized labels and additional envelopes and ship using Priority Mail.

5. Will the labels come off? Not even if you wash them, which is what I managed to do accidentally (luckily not $$ was in it!).

6. How large is the outer wallet? This is an important question because we all want it big enough to suit our needs but still fit into our purses! The wallet is approximately 8.5 inches by 4.5 inches. If only 3 envelopes are in the wallet, you still have plenty of room for your checkbook, receipts, and whatever else you throw in!

7. My budget can not handle this purchase And I know how to sew. Will you be making a pattern for this wallet? YES! Well, eventually. I have been doing some preliminary work, but will probably not have a completed pattern ready for purchase until summer.


Thanks again! And be sure to visit my etsy shop!

Gluten Free Casseroles

Yes - you read it right! Going gluten free does not mean that you have to give up your creamy comfort foods! Below is one of our favorites!

Vegetable Casserole - this works well with carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and/or potatoes! I sometimes buy the bag of vegetables mix of these three that are already cut up and ready to use!

1 head of cauliflower/broccoli cut into small florets (or a bag of those baby carrots)
Cooking spray
3T. butter, divided
1/3 cup rice crispies cereal, placed in a baggie and crunched up using the back of a spoon by an overactive child!
1/2 cup grated swiss cheese (or Gruyere if your feeling adventurous)
1 small onion finely chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 cups of milk (use low fat if you are watching your waistline, use whole milk if it has been a long day!)
1/4 cup rice flour
salt and pepper to taste!

Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. Place vegetables on foil and lightly spray again. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven for about 15 to 20 minutes or until fork tender. Meanwhile, melt 1T butter in a small bowl. Stir in cereal and cheese (this will be the topping). In a skillet, melt 2 T. butter and saute onion and garlic for a few minutes. Stir in rice flour and cook for about a minute. Slowly add milk and bring to a boil. Stirring often, milk mixture will slowly get thick and creamy. This may take 10 minutes or so.

Taken vegetable out of oven and place in a casserole dish. Pour milk mixture over top then sprinkle cereal mixture on top. Broil in oven under high until top is golden brown. YUM!

Cash Only!

Even CNN is noticing the Cash-Only budgeting system!

Judge

It is late.

I have been falling in and out of sleep for hours. Not like the gentle rolling hills of the countryside but like the crashing, choppy ocean waves before a storm.

The phone rings again all too loudly and my stomach tightens.

I hear the man next to me sigh and let the phone ring one more time before answering. It is too dark to see his face.

“Hello?”

That is all I can make out of the hushed conversation. But I know. Quiet tears roll slowly down my face. Emotions flood my heart as we wait for morning light.

He is gone. His job was done and the Maker called him home.

The next few days are a tornado of extended family, church services, emotionally draining decisions, laughter, sick children, tears, well-wishing friends, cards, flowers, baked ham and brownies. The Christmas tree stands only partly dressed with white sparkling lights.

I look at the photograph of him from two Christmases ago. He was reading the Christmas story from the Book of Luke. A family tradition that took place before the mad ripping of paper and flying of bows. You see my son, who was about 5 years old perched on the back of the recliner reading over his shoulder. My sister-in-law artfully shot this photograph. You cannot see any faces as it was photographed from the back, behind my son. I don’t even know if he knew my son was back there.


…but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Deuteronomy 5:10


Precious Savior, thank you for our family ancestors who kept your commandments. For a thousand generations have been blessed and continue to be blessed for their faith and example set before us. May my children pass on the Christian faith to our future family for a thousand more generations. Amen

Thank you to everyone who has prayed with my family these past few weeks. “Judge” was an inspiration to many and he will be missed.
"Judge"

My First Award!

How exciting! A new reader friend, Wanda at WandaStricklinRoberston awarded me the honor of the Superior Scribbler Award based on my post about our new role in life as my in-laws caretaker. Thank you Wanda!

The award rules:

Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List.

That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

I am still searching for my favorite reading blogs so I will post those hopefully tomorrow!