tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12483475599063906062024-03-13T15:15:01.720-07:00DevotionistaWhitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-29449995037617632132013-04-06T09:05:00.004-07:002013-04-06T09:05:38.745-07:00Do you know the muffin? Man!<br />
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Muffins – I love
them!! They are a quick fun breakfast, snack, anytime food that packs a lot of
flavor in a tiny little package of absolute cuteness… sometimes!!</div>
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Over the
last few weeks I have been experimenting with some muffin recipes as I love me
some berries and bananas and I hate mornings… thus a muffin made well and in
advance makes my mouth and my morning happy ! Yay for not having to get up earlier to make breakfast!! I have had some triumphs and some
serious pitfalls! And when I say pitfalls I am specifically referring to the
next week of my life – why? Because I made a double batch of what I can safely
say are my <u>least </u>favorite muffins of all time just because the bananas were on
the blackish side… Argh! I can't throw away perfectly edible (although some may debate this) food... thus we'll be chowing on these puppies till they're gone... At least my consolation is this- the glorious reproduction of a fantastic muffin which will be mine once these pitiful excuses for sustenance are no more... </div>
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First – the banana
muffin… I’ll admit it straight off – I bought the bananas from the market and
they were a bit on the green side. Wanting to try this recipe I threw them in
the fridge to “ripen” them… I will not do that again… while the peel darkened I’m
fairly confident that desired ripening within did not! All the same, I did
expect that a recipe titled, “Perfect Banana Muffin” would be tastier than
these were. I do believe that I have discovered what it was missing. Even now,
as I am typing I’m nodding my head “yes” and agreeing with myself that indeed
it is the lack of tang given by the (wait for it!!) mayonnaise typically found
in banana bread that is decidedly absent here. Just in case you are wondering
what pin to avoid or are just curious to know what I did not enjoy <a href="http://allshecooks.com/2013/03/05/perfect-banana-muffins-2/">here</a> is
the link.</div>
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Now – for the
sheer delight – which is inspiring me to hurry up and eat the yuck muffins so
that I can remake the heaven muffins… Coconut Blueberry Muffins!!! I never
would have put these two flavors together except that I had some coconut that I
really wanted to use up and so on a whim I searched for coconut blueberry
recipes… SOOOOO glad that I did!! They are moist! They have the perfect
texture! They are simply delicious!! Normally I would post a link to the
original recipe here but according to <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest </a>and my anti-spyware software
the original path is dangerous… below is the recipe I used with the healthified
modifications I made when I baked these.</div>
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<b>Coconut
Blueberry Muffins</b></h2>
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2c. all
purpose flour</div>
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1tsp. baking
powder</div>
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½ tsp.
baking soda</div>
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¼ tsp. salt</div>
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1c. sugar</div>
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1 large egg</div>
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½ c. apple
sauce</div>
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1tsp.
vanilla extract</div>
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¾ c. milk</div>
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¾ c.
shredded coconut</div>
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1c.
blueberries (fresh or frozen – it isn’t necessary to thaw if frozen)</div>
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Preheat the
oven to 375-degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners.</div>
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In a bowl
whisk together flour, baking soda & baking poweder. In another bowl whisk together sugar and egg.
Then, add applesauce and extract. Stir in half the dry ingredient mix. Add milk
and then stir in the remaining flour mixture. When everything is nearly
combined, gently stir in the coconut and
the blueberries. Fill the muffin cups ¾ full and bake for 15-18 minutes. </div>
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<b>MAKE THESE
NOW!!! You will not regret it!!!</b></div>
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So… some of
you may be wondering about the last five six months… yeah… I've been working
like a mad crazy person. Shortly after my last post we decided to home school
our kids for the year so in addition to everything else I was doing, I became a
full-time teacher. Then came the holidays… In January I started my masters
degree at Regent – Practical Theology with a concentration in Social Justice.
There have been some other family concerns – a death, some sickness, and other
concerns…. In short – life looks a lot different this spring compared to last
fall. It looked fun then and it looks fabulous now!! Life is full and there is
never a dull moment!!! I’m getting the hang of this new world and I continue to
be surprised by the seasons God gives!! Perhaps this is what is meant by John
10:10, “I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.” Boy –
and!</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-46863627169169023502012-10-14T13:20:00.001-07:002012-10-14T13:20:22.149-07:00Oh by golly, have a Holly Jolly!!This has been a different kind of week for me!! I've had just weird stuff going on - between my allergies, a virus and a million balls in the air that all simply must be juggled I think I may go crazy... but alas! NO!!! I refuse to give up and give in to the preholiday ugh!! Being a Salvation Army officer this can be the busiest, and easily the most stressful time of year but let's be honest - things are only what you allow them to be most of the time... And I absolutely refuse to be overwhelmed! I choose joy - or rather - this week, anyway - I choose HOLLY JOLLY!!!<br />
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"What is this "Holly Jolly" of which she speaks?" you may say... Let me tell you - it is holiday heaven in a mug!!! <br />
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I was reading a lovely Hannah Swensen "Murder She Baked" novel by <a href="http://www.murdershebaked.com/">Joanne Fluke</a> last holiday season and the lovely Hannah went to a Christmas Tree farm and ordered a "Holly Jolly." This beverage was described as an orange cinnamon mocha and seriously sounded like something I absolutely had to have!!! Since I was technically reading the book with my ears (LOVE me some <a href="http://audible.com/">audible.com!!)</a> I didn't have access to the recipe index in the print version and search as I might I never could find an actual recipe for this tasty sounding treat! I asked at my local coffee shop and at Starbucks if they could possibly make something similar for me but they didn't carry orange syrup so that was a bust... UNTIL NOW!!!! I've come up with a recipe all on my own and I can't wait for everyone to try this!!! Seriously - you had better be prepared to bust out a tacky Christmas sweater and put on some carols - or at least watch <u>Elf</u> for goodness sakes! <br />
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HOLLY JOLLY MOCHA COFFEE CREAMER</div>
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1 3/4c. milk (I used skim)</div>
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1, 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk</div>
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3Tbsp. Cocoa powder* </div>
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1/2 Tbsp. Orange Extract</div>
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1/4-1/2 tsp. cinnamon (it really depends on how spicy you like it!!)</div>
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Over medium heat, whisk together milks in a medium sauce pan. Add cinnamon and gradually whisk in the cocoa powder - it will not all "dissolve" - just won't. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3plBrBmqjeJC2PN5Z8hwYAT_zOZtUoLLQVqyojArl2apMnzP4zpUGHcJJ92sTt3mp0XFvrZgRThHOsPw8XGFeV7PlhMBCHlC7jdViBzC9OJtq4S-hyBHNb3vd7I_7KHPtrxXzcCQ4U7EG/s1600/131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3plBrBmqjeJC2PN5Z8hwYAT_zOZtUoLLQVqyojArl2apMnzP4zpUGHcJJ92sTt3mp0XFvrZgRThHOsPw8XGFeV7PlhMBCHlC7jdViBzC9OJtq4S-hyBHNb3vd7I_7KHPtrxXzcCQ4U7EG/s320/131.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Continue to whisk and stir until combination begins to steam - about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in orange extract. Allow to cool ten minutes or so before transferring to creamer container. Refridgerate - lasts about 3 weeks. </div>
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**please use Fair Trade Cocoa if it is available - I'm currently out and had this left from a while back... the little things we can do go a LONG way!! For more on what Fair Trade means and why this is so important, click <a href="http://www.ehow.com/about_6733548_should-buy-fair-trade-products_.html">here</a>, <a href="http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/19/child-slavery-and-chocolate-all-too-easy-to-find/">here</a>, and <a href="http://globalexchange.org/news/raise-bar-hershey-campaign-welcomes-hersheys-announcement-source-100-certified-cocoa-2020">here</a>.**</div>
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I do have a little confession to make - I have alterior motives for making my coffee creamers... Yes... it's true!! I make them to help motivate me to get out of bed in the morning!! I know I shared a few weeks back about the "<a href="http://www.devotionista.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-rude-awakening.html">plague</a>" that visited our house and how I took that as a kick in the pants to be more committed in my quiet time each morning. At first, for fear of frogs and other such things, I was really good about waking on time. I really do enjoy that quiet, predawn time alone with God... but... dawn is coming later these days and my allergies are acting up, and I've got some back issues, and, and, and... the list goes on... So as I've begun to slack off, my sisterchick <a href="http://www.traceyguilliams.com/">Tracey</a> over at "A Shabby Chick Ministry" and I have challenged each other to keep up this positive momentuum and not give in to the grouchies that would say sleep trumps time with Jesus... because well - sleep doesn't trump Jesus- He promises, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=come+to+me+and+I+will+give+you+rest&qs_version=NIV">Matthew 11: 28</a>.</div>
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... and thus the coffee!!! Not because getting up earlier has made me exhausted!!! But in addition to getting to spend time with Jesus I really do look forward to a tasty cup of coffee!! It is added motivation for sure ... AND... I've picked back up a series that I have long loved and I'm working my way through "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Glahn/e/B000APTI6C">Coffee Cup Bible Studies</a>." They've inspired many a morning, and I'll be honest with you, they have really been used to spur me on, and challenge my heart in ways I've TOTALLY needed it!! Check it out - maybe you'll find it is helpful to you too!!</div>
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Until next weekend - Have a Holly Jolly!!!</div>
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Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-37029508575314756012012-10-06T16:32:00.000-07:002012-10-06T16:32:27.491-07:00Julie/Julia Project<div style="text-align: justify;">
A couple years ago what is perhaps now my favorite movie came out - <u>Julie & Julia. </u>This evening, as a way of relaxing and just unwinding from what has been a bit of a stressful week, I am watching this wonderful expression of personal discovery! Once again I am whisked (pardon my pun!) away by this beautiful story with which I identify on several levels. I am comforted by Julie's honesty - her feelings of inadequacy, struggle with a sense of accomplishment, and sense of escape found in the kitchen. I adore Julia's deovtion, her goofiness, and the way she is utterly in love with her husband! I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie!!!</div>
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So here I am enjoying this incredible feel good movie and I am taken aback by this line, "So there I was and... it turned out to be Julia. It's always been Julia." Ahhh... I suppose I'm just a hopeless romantic at heart. Then I look over at my husband and I am wooed once again by his cuteness, his intelligence, and his willingness to let me just be me. What an incredibly blessed girl I am.</div>
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This week I have nothing exciting in the world of kitchen adventures or crafting exploits to report. I have only this - I am one lucky lady! I've seen a lot this week - not all of it so pretty which is an unfortunate part of the ministry, and not all of it has been disturbing - not by a long shot! Tonight, I guess I'm just writing this post to say that if I could convey any one thing, it would be that whether you've see pretty things this week or not so much - whether you've been pretty things this week or not so much - you are loved!! </div>
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In watching this movie & looking around my living room with my kiddos cuddled under a blanket, the kitties atop that, the laundry stacked and ready to be put away and my husband by my side this is just what I feel - so incredibly loved! More than the love of my family, I am loved by Jesus. </div>
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Nothing deep or revolutionary and yet this is the most revolutionary thing ever - the love of Jesus that is... I could go on and on about this but for now I will leave you with that thought alone to think on, contemplate and meditate... I am loved! YOU ARE LOVED!! </div>
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"AMAZING LOVE!! HOW CAN IT BE? THAT THOU MY GOD WOULDST DIE FOR ME!!!!"</div>
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Good night all!! Have a LOVELY week!!</div>
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Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-22358617826694223822012-10-02T18:36:00.001-07:002012-10-02T18:37:39.320-07:00$100 for a Month of Dinner Entrees? Can it be done? YEPPERS!!Over the weekend my sisterchick Tracey (<a href="http://www.traceyguilliams.com/">www.traceyguilliams.com</a> - check her out!!) challenged me to try and make 22 dinners with $100 or less! At first I thought there was NO WAY this could be accomplished! I mean seriously - I spend almost $100 a week for groceries and that just dinners and breakfasts!! NEVER AGAIN!!! I will never again go back to wasting money like that... I mean of course we would eat all of the food, but there were many non-food purchases or junk food splurges that are made when I go every week - for example - there is a Starbucks in my grocery store and so there is a "mandatory" splurge of ~$4 every 10 times I go it there - of course that 11th trip is free (Note to self - update Starbucks account with new address!!!) since I have a gold card but still... that's some bankable splurge $$ - in a year, if I just cut out 3 trips to the grocery a month, I've saved $144 in coffee splurge money alone!! That's a really great spa treatment!!! Ahhhhh!!!<br />
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These are the steps I took in preparing for this adventure (and that's totally how I view this - an adventure!!) in uber-thriftiness - hope you find them helpful!! Keep in mind that this is only the main course of our dinner meal - it's not like I've made 22, 3-course meals here... but it is a decent sized entree for four people (we're two girls, two boys in our house - ages 34, 34, 10 & 9...)<br />
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<ul>
<li><strong><u>Determine what meals you'd like to make</u></strong> - think of thing that freeze well. For inspiration take a stroll down the freezer aisle (inlist a friend to take your wallet from you so you don't "accidentally" stock up on Stouffer's mac& cheese!) or - and this is safer - explore pinterest! Type in "freezer meals and you'll be bombarded with everything you ever wanted to know about the subject! For reals!</li>
<ul><ul>
<li>Here's my menu - I'll make two of each... I've linked these recipes to my pinterest board for October 2012 with the exception of the Moravian Chicken Pie which is further up in my blog ("A Little Comfort Please" post)</li>
<ul><ul>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296090859/">Chicken tacos</a></li>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296090920/">Enchiladas</a></li>
<li>Moravian Chicken Pie</li>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296088777/">Chicken Noodle Soup</a></li>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296090830/">Chili</a></li>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296090865/">Meatloaf</a></li>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296088663/">Chicken Cordon Bleu</a></li>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296088606/">Chicken Kiev</a></li>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296090855/">Chicken Gyros</a></li>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296090852/">Flank steak</a></li>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296088744/">Oven Fried Chicken</a></li>
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<ul>
<li>Make a master shopping list - I included most everything except for stuff that is regularly in my pantry unless there was an extraordinary amount of something like the chili powder for this shopping trip. Here's my master list...</li>
<ul><ul><ul><ul>
<li>38 chicken breasts (I've started splitting the breasts I get at the store - they're portioned so large they should be split for healthy eating reasons anyway...)</li>
<li>6lbs ground turkey/beef</li>
<li>1lb. ham</li>
<li>6 cans Cream Of Chicken Soup</li>
<li>4 cans Kidney beans</li>
<li>4 cans diced tomatoes</li>
<li>2 cans (19. oz) red, mild enchilada sauce</li>
<li>2 cans (4.5 oz) chopped green chilis</li>
<li>4 cans chicken broth</li>
<li>3 taco seasoning packets</li>
<li>2 packs Burrito size tortillas</li>
<li>1lb. Swiss cheese</li>
<li>vegetable oil</li>
<li>olive oil</li>
<li>self rising flour</li>
<li>chili powder (1/2 c.)</li>
<li>soy sauce</li>
<li>Worchestershire sauce</li>
<li>parsley (dried will do)</li>
<li>red wine vinegar</li>
<li>Italian bread crumbs</li>
<li>16oz jar of salsa</li>
<li>noodles</li>
<li>dijon mustard</li>
<li>5 sticks butter</li>
<li>Parmesan cheese</li>
<li>Greek yogurt</li>
<li>eggs</li>
<li>frozen carrots</li>
<li>onions</li>
<li>celery</li>
<li>garlic</li>
<li>lemon juice</li>
<li>cheddar cheese</li>
<li>American cheese</li>
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<li>Time to shop your own kitchen!! I got this tip from <a href="http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/">www.blissfulanddomestic.com</a> (click <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296065248/">here</a> for exact post I read) Go through your freezer and pantry and see what you already have - such a simple step but I wasn't regularly doing this - this tip has totally changed my world!! Here's everything I found in my pantry:</li>
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<li>4 frozen chicken breasts</li>
<li>1lbs. ground turkey</li>
<li>frozen carrots</li>
<li>onions (frozen)</li>
<li>celery (frozen)</li>
<li>2 cans Cream of Chicken soup</li>
<li>3 cans of black beans - subbing in for 3 of the cans of kidney beans</li>
<li>1 large can of tomato sauce - subbing in for 2 cans of diced tomatoes</li>
<li>4c. noodles</li>
<li>bread crumbs</li>
<li>Worchestershire sauce</li>
<li>3 sticks of butter</li>
<li>Greek yogurt</li>
<li>cheddar cheese</li>
<li>American cheese</li>
<li>garlic</li>
<li>red wine vinegar</li>
<li>soy sauce</li>
<li>veg oil</li>
<li>1 can diced chilis</li>
<li>bouillion cubes - subbing in for cans of broth</li>
<li>bisquick - subbing in for self-rising flour </li>
<li>salsa</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Bust out the ol' computer and your coupon file and search it out!! Look for all the deals you can! Don't forget to check your favorite brands website for any special coupons or perhaps their facebook pages too - a lot of times if you like a product on fb, you get a coupon towards your next purchase - yay!! Also be sure to check sites like <a href="http://www.southersavers.com/">www.southersavers.com</a> and <a href="http://www.couponmom.com/">www.couponmom.com</a> that will compile all the specials and coupons for you - takes a TON of the work out for you! Double check the "VIP" programs for the stores in your area, or their websites to see if they have a "silent" sale for their members or personalized sales. I found that my store had frozen chicken breasts as the manager's special for the week - yeah - I'd rather have fresh, but given the cost savings how could I refuse?! Seriously the 2.5lb. bag was $3.99!! Can't beat that!!! I grabbed a couple of coupons from <a href="http://www.target.com/">www.target.com</a> too. We don't have a super target, but the pantry section is pretty decent and they had a special on their store brand tortillas too!! Sweet!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Shop!! I know - what every woman lives for, right? Umm... no, not me... I can think of 100 different ways I'd rather spend my off-time!! Here's the list I took with me to the stores...</li>
<ul><ul><ul><ul>
<li>34 chicken breasts</li>
<li>5 lbs. ground beef/turkey</li>
<li>1lb. ham</li>
<li>4 cans Cream of Chicken soup</li>
<li>1 can Kidney beans</li>
<li>2 cans diced tomatoes</li>
<li>2 cans (19oz) red, mild enchilada sauce</li>
<li>1 can chopped chilis</li>
<li>3 packets taco seasoning</li>
<li>2 packs Burrito size tortillas</li>
<li>1lb. Swiss cheese</li>
<li>Parmesan cheese</li>
<li>eggs</li>
<li>2 sticks butter</li>
<li>milk</li>
<li>lemon juice</li>
<li>olive oil (of all the times to run out!!!)</li>
<li>chili powder</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
So here's how I made out in the end...<br />
Target $42.82<br />
Harris Teeter +<u> 51.97</u><br />
TOTAL $94.17<br />
<br />
Now you may have noticed, I left out the flank steaks... and I intended to buy it with what I had left over once I realized I forgot it... but now I've got an overage of chicken breasts and I'm going to use the marinade on that instead of buying the beef... yes - it's a chicken heavy month but seriously - with Cordon Bleu on the menu, who cares!!!??!!! Once the groceries are in your kitchen get to cookin'... Some folks advise doing it all at once - I've been doing a little at a time. I've made the chicken tacos, enchiladas (I froze them as rolled burritos and I'll make as the casserole when we decide to have it... this way we can eat them as burritos if we'd rather...), meatloaves, chicken pies, chicken cordon bleus, chili, chicken noodle soup, and oven fried chicken. I've still got the chicken gyros, marinated chicken breasts (subbed in for flank) and the chicken kiev to go... Hopefully I'll be done by tomorrow and then the rest of the month should be smooth sailing and happy eating!!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfUfN8m20z494LusV_6utXs2c9VA8eA4ySGiw-rVaxNm0X0m4LBhq9pSFjeC2CYJqJj7HKbTjbDEyTHmURpKjG_RAIlapye3_W2C9PVfyoXf0B3N3pU6KbNgpujz6lENd5eW5rMceFR6i/s1600/Big+Bag+o%2527+Baby+Burritos%2521%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfUfN8m20z494LusV_6utXs2c9VA8eA4ySGiw-rVaxNm0X0m4LBhq9pSFjeC2CYJqJj7HKbTjbDEyTHmURpKjG_RAIlapye3_W2C9PVfyoXf0B3N3pU6KbNgpujz6lENd5eW5rMceFR6i/s320/Big+Bag+o%2527+Baby+Burritos%2521%2521.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVxhNHEaMdzPkRLavZK4T-Orp7_WOFH3_gSvIAenG7ZH_K65vkFG1t2an1FTrM0gP2AFzOMNEQDnH9_q9ijXddheoao8NMeIkw4Z2y-bPLrjeRy2zEBh3F6lOF2cWYUg2CLQsMtmkccwM/s1600/Filled+freezer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVxhNHEaMdzPkRLavZK4T-Orp7_WOFH3_gSvIAenG7ZH_K65vkFG1t2an1FTrM0gP2AFzOMNEQDnH9_q9ijXddheoao8NMeIkw4Z2y-bPLrjeRy2zEBh3F6lOF2cWYUg2CLQsMtmkccwM/s320/Filled+freezer.jpg" width="239" /></a>That's it - I hope you found it helpful. Between the links and the tips you should totally be able to do this too. Most of what I was able to get came from store specials and not coupons - I had almost $40 in specials savings and only $4 in coupons... Imagine what the savings will be when I amp up the couponing - woot!! I can see a lot more spa trips on the horizon... ok - so truthfully, it enables our family to pay off our bit of credit card therapy faster and have savings for those fun things we want to do - to the tune of almost $300 each month!! What?! And eating at home is healthier than eating out... and eating planned meals just takes the one decision out of the days craziness!! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To this I say - woot!! I can do all things - including feeding my family for less - through Christ who gives me strength - and kitchen savvy! Yeah - not exactly Philippians 4:13 but it is the essence of what is there... along with this one... "My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory," Phil 4:19... not as often memorized but nonetheless true and power-filled. Walk in His provision today... <br />
<br />
PS - ok - so not exactly a "post script" but... Seeing as all these meals freeze super well, you will always have something in the freezer to take to a friend in need - when a baby is born, when a loved one dies, when someone is sick, and even when you just see a sister stressed beyond measure... share what you've got in that freezer - you've just saved a bundle on your grocery bill so you can afford to be generous ;-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-54268667286319079892012-09-18T05:33:00.001-07:002012-09-18T05:33:48.527-07:00A Rude Awakening!!!<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Were you aware that 5 o’clock happens TWICE a day? I was
totally clueless… ok – so not completely! I have, however, had a recent
reintroduction to this hour that was well – shocking to say the least!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“MOM!!!! COME QUICK!!!!!!” Yes – that’s the sound that roused
me at 5AM – I thought that perhaps my son had a bloody nose as he often does
during peak allergy seasons. And if not that, perhaps Jbird’s feeling sick –
really, really sick! And if not ill, perhaps he’s had a nightmare, the really
terrifying kind… no, it was none of these things. It was something MUCH more
surprising – MUCH more unexpected – a never-in-a-million-years-would-I-have-guessed-it
kind of thing! It was a frog – on his bedpost – looking at us wondering what we
were doing in his forest! Am I for real – of yes – I most assuredly am! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was one of those moments that you wish you had only
thought to grab the camera before disposing of the problem… but as it was,
catch and release was the only thing on my mind after I stopped laughing – and when
I say laughing – it was the kind of laughing you expect that the old lady who
swallowed the fly did – “she swallowed a bird – how absurd!” I wonder what the
lyrics would have been if she had swallowed a frog – “it felt like a log to
swallow a frog”? I digress… <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But this is how I awoke… It took about fifteen minutes to
settle my boy back down – I can only imagine the fun dreams he had after that
one!! And of course, going back to his bed was not really an option just yet…
so that meant dear ol’ mom was up for the day… what could I possibly do for the
next hour and a half whilst waiting to be able to make racket?!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I made Ramen noodles for Zebra’s lunch. I read several
internet articles. I prayed. I wiped the kitchen counters… and then I sat down,
cup of coffee in hand. I sat down in a spot that I am confident will be my spot
in this new-to-us house… and I prayed some more… I prayed for my Jbird, that as
he grows that he would have confidence & be strong in mind, body and
spirit. I prayed for my husband, to have certainty in the plans being laid. I
prayed for my Zebra who is seemingly as resilient as the day is long, that she
would keep that happy spirit and always know joy. And I prayed for myself to –
to feel at home. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s funny how God uses strange things to get our attention.
It’s funny too that we don’t always get it the first go round, or the second,
or even the third… and if you’re as stubborn as I am you still don’t get it the
fourth or the fifth time either!! I’ve been struggling with keeping my quiet
time lately – not feeling settled into a routine, and not feeling at home in
this house – not feeling at home in my skin, truth be told… and this bothers
me! Oddly enough – as bothered as I have been it hasn’t prompted me to be any
more intentional in keeping the one meeting I know will help with this… that
meeting being my time alone, in the still quiet with Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m sooooo not a morning person, so I justify not getting up
early saying that God made me the way He did and so He must know that I’m more
a meet-you-in-the-watch-of-the-night kind of girl… but then when 9PM comes, I
put the kids to bed and click on HGTV until I pass out… I vow, if only I could
sleep well at night then I wouldn’t have a problem getting up in the morning…
but the alarm goes off, my back aches, my sinuses protest and I hit snooze,
getting up with just enough time to get the kids out the door for school with
breakfast in their bellies and, on a good day, a smile on their faces… the
cycle continues… tomorrow… tomorrow… tomorrow… and much like the 80s Larnelle
Harris song, “tomorrow might very well be to late…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So today, God sends a frog – at 5AM!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thinking I’d better have my heart turned
by this “plague of frog” because when I read Exodus, and see gnats, flies,
livestock, boils…. I think yeah – I think I’ve learned my lesson – I’ll not
keep Your child from worshipping You, Lord, any longer… Whether my back cracks,
my sinuses scream, my alarm annoys… 5AM – ready or not – here I come!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<span class="text"><sup>1 </sup>Then the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-NIV-1713"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 </span></span></sup>If you refuse to let them go, I
will send a plague of frogs on your whole country.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-NIV-1714"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3 </span></span></sup>The Nile will teem with frogs.
They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the
houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading
troughs.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-NIV-1715"><span style="font-size: x-small;">4 </span></span></sup>The
frogs will come up on you and your people and all your officials.’”</span>
Exodus 8:1-4, NIV<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the best part is – the days will
only get better from here! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Oh - and FYI - our friend looked something like this....</div>
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Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-73661399001359203342012-09-17T16:50:00.000-07:002012-09-17T16:50:23.649-07:00Crazy Good Caramel Coffee Creamer<h4 style="margin: auto 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I know I’m supposed to be working on my tutorial for amazing meatloaf sliders, but when I got in the kitchen tonight I just wanted to make creamer more!! So… I did!! <o:p></o:p></span></em></h4>
<h4 style="margin: auto 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">It’s just been a sleepy kind of day – cloudy, raining off and on through out the afternoon… and well – it’s Monday! Enough said I do believe!!<o:p></o:p></span></em></h4>
<h4 style="margin: auto 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Since it’s getting to be fall, and because I just love caramel… that’s the kind of creamer I made – blending a couple of recipes pinned on pinterest<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> (<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479295994443/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple;">I Like All Beverage- yea... The nonalcoholic kind... / The Virtuous Wife: Homemade Caramel Macchiato Coffee Creamer Tutorial</span></span></a> & <a href="http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/951509/do-it-at-home-homemade-flavored-coffee-creamer-recipes"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple;">Do it at home: Homemade flavored coffee creamer</span></span></a>)</span></span></em><em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> I came up with this recipe.<o:p></o:p></span></em></h4>
<h4 style="margin: auto 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Right now I’m enjoying my first cup of joe even as I write this blog (decaf – it’s evening afterall – and the school bell rings so dog gone early!! Hope you enjoy it as much as I am!!! Have a happy!!<o:p></o:p></span></em></h4>
<h4 style="margin: auto 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></em></h4>
<h4 style="margin: auto 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Crazy Good Caramel Coffee Creamer</span></em> </h4>
<div style="margin: auto 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<h4 style="margin: auto 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Creamer Ingredients:</span></em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<ul id="yui_3_5_0_4_1347912170835_251" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">14 ounces milk (1 ¾ c.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- I used skim<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 c. caramels (1 used 24 Kraft caramels – unwrapped of course!!)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 tbsp. vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin: auto 0in;">
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Directions:</span></em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<ol type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In a small sauce pan, whisk together <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>milks – no heat Is required for this step…</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3. Whisk continually until caramels are blended in smoothly – about 8 to 10 minutes – it took me 11 minutes… </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 4. Allow to cool a little – about 10 minutes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">5. Pour into creamer receptacle – whether you have an awesome glass jar, a cute tiny pitcher for creamer, or are doing like I did and reusing an old creamer container it will need to be large enough to hold about 2.5 cups of liquid gold!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">6. Store in refrigerator – keeps for several weeks – or so I’ve heard!! Won’t be lasting that long at my house!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-53706402090366764872012-09-15T17:40:00.001-07:002012-09-15T17:40:12.351-07:00A Cinnamon Kind Of Day!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This week has been the first crazy busy week since arriving in our new home! It’s been WONDEFUL!!! I love activity! I thrive on it!! There is nothing quite so awful as being bored out of your skull!!! Don’t get me wrong – it’s exhausting! But it’s the good kind of exhausting – the kind that when you put your head on the pillow at night you realize that you did something with your day!! I love that!! I’ve met with some new colleagues in nonprofits and service fields! Visited with old friends! Shared meals & God’s Word with His people. Cuddled up beside the best kiddos in the world! Planned, snuggled and loved on my husband. Welcomed my mom home safely from <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Armenia</st1:place></st1:country>!! And… successfully helped my Dad carry out a surprise Mom mission – SUCCESS is so sweet!!!</div>
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I’ve had a one notable culinary adventure too!! YAY!! Although Chicken Carbonara Ravioli was on the menu wednesday, and I do totally still want to give that one a go, it felt more like a nachos kind of night!! So I started browning the ground turkey (yeah – I’ve got hi cholesterol so I sub in the low fat turkey stuff when I can…) and I realized that I don’t have any more taco seasoning… I’ve got about a bajillion recipes for that pinned so I pulled one up and went to adding ingredients…. Chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and cinnamon… yeah – you read that right!! I totally thought I had put my hand on the cumin – for the life of me, I totally thought that I had cumin in my hand… and after adding 1.5 TBSP to my meat I gasped!!! WHAT HAD I DONE!!!! Gross!!! Cinnamon nachos?! What? There was no time for back up brownies as prayer meeting was a mere 45 minutes away… I did what all good mothers and food conservationists everywhere have done – I served it up anyway!! And it was truly the most unique thing we ate this week – YIKES! No one got sick and no one went hungry… we did however go through a huge jar of salsa that would normally last us a week!! Yeah… this summed up this crazy, run-around-the-world, meeting-filled, exciting-week-of -Woot!!</div>
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I only ended up making one of the dishes verbatim off of the pinterest list this week – We were out of town or entertaining guests (not letting them be guinea pigs unwittingly!!) for several nights, and we NEVER skip pizza night!! </div>
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The dish I made was the Mac & Cheese quiche. I made this Tuesday whilst Mr. Chill was unavailable – and… once again – I’m the only one who liked it!! In our house we’ve adopted a scale rating – more than thumbs up or down… if it rates 6 or under we throw away the recipe and never make it again… if it’s a 7-10 we keep it in regular rotation…</div>
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Here’s how the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479295844151/"><span style="color: purple;">Mac & Cheese Quiche</span></a></b> rated:</div>
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JBird:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5</div>
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Zebra: 4</div>
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Me: 7 </div>
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So – it won’t be made again in our home sadly… oh well… it was a bit bland. The recipe doesn’t really call for much seasoning so I would recommend adding flavors you know you like – if I were doing this one over I would add salt, garlic powder and some mustard.</div>
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The dish I tried this week was a meatloaf slider!!! It’s my own invention – my very first foray into written recipes and…. Drum roll please…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Meatloaf Sliders:<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>JBird:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>10!!</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Zebra: 9</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mr. Chill: 9 </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Me:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>9</div>
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I will be posting the tute for that really soon!! I forgot to take pictures so when I make it as a freezer meal later on this week (preparing for my sis to babysit in a two weeks whilst Mr. Chill & I attend a conference) Zebra has graciously offered to photograph for me! Yay for team efforts!!</div>
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This week has also been crazy for many of my friends and family – in some good ways and in some not so much ways… And the “not so much” ways - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that’s rough! There’s nothing quite so hard as seeing someone you love in pain (the physical or emotional kind) and not being able to make it all better with the snap of a finger, a quick, witty word or a hug – afterall hearts don’t rebound, the lost don’t get found, and the new seasons don’t come ‘round quite that quickly or easily sometimes… Unlike my cinnamon debacle, fixing those times that we reach for the wrong thing isn’t as easy as adding more salsa. </div>
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There was a time in my life, not to long ago, when I questioned just about everything I was doing – was I on the right career path? Was I really following God’s call for my life? Was I really trusting Him – if so, then why was I struggling so much? Lots and lots of questions… during an afternoon visit with some friends who also happen to be pastors, they shared some words of real wisdom that have gotten me through every dark time of questioning since – “Never question in moments of darkness decisions made in the Light.” I’ve taken that to mean that when I’m filled with doubt, and guilt (not to be confused with conviction) and shame – things that are not of the Lord, I need to be reminded of those things that He has shown me when I’ve been in a better place – emotionally, yes – and spiritually. </div>
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When I’m embodying Negative Nancy or Debbie Downer, it’s important for me to get perspective and not be persuaded to believe that everything God has shown me is wrong… If I know He helped with certain decisions, even if the resulting consequence or reward was not what I expected, I have to trust His leading! If I know that He is at work in my body when I am well, I have to trust that He is still working within me when I’m physically sick – to overcome, or to allow me to learn through the experience… In all things, I have to know that whether the situation makes sense to me or not, now or tomorrow, His love remains – He remains – unchanged.</div>
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The key to discernment is not in having all the answers. It’s in knowing where to look for them. This is definitely good on those rough days – when we reach for the cumin and wind up with cinnamon… </div>
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<span class="textprov-2-1">“My son, if you receive my words,</span><br /><span class="textprov-2-1">And treasure my commands within you,</span><br /><span class="textprov-2-2"><span id="en-NKJV-16436">So that you incline your ear to wisdom,</span></span><br /><span class="textprov-2-2"><i>And</i> apply your heart to understanding;</span><br /><span class="textprov-2-3"><span style="color: #993366;"><span id="en-NKJV-16437">Yes, if you cry out for discernment,</span></span></span><span style="color: #993366;"><br /><span class="textprov-2-3"><i>And</i> lift up your voice for understanding,</span><br /><span class="textprov-2-4"><span id="en-NKJV-16438">If you seek her as silver,</span></span><br /><span class="textprov-2-4">And search for her as <i>for</i> hidden treasures;</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="textprov-2-5"><span style="color: #993366;">Then you will understand the fear of the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: #993366; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textprov-2-5"><span style="color: #993366;">,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #993366;"><br /><span class="textprov-2-5">And find the knowledge of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-2-5">Proverbs 2:1-5 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="textprov-2-5">On my dark days... my cinnamon days… I just want to know Him more!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-86747320904812752452012-09-08T12:12:00.002-07:002012-09-08T19:25:36.257-07:00The Results Are In... Pinterest Menu, Week 1As I confessed yesterday - we didn't exactly stick to the menu this week - we had some successes and some - well... less than successful culinary moments! Here's the breakdown...<br />
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<strong><u>September 1</u></strong> - Pizza Puffs - these were spicier than we expected but super good!! Didn't like them so much with pizza sauce for dipping but with ranch - YUM!!</div>
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Mr. Chill: Ok</div>
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Jbird: Not so much</div>
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Zebra: Not so much</div>
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Me: Yum!</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">September 4: </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Cheesy Oven Fried Chicken— I messed this one up—I confess. I couldn’t believe that the chicken would be done in such a short period of time, so I added ten minutes to the cook time. DO NOT DO THAT!!! The flavors were all there but the chicken itself was difficult to ear. I made enough to freeze a meal’s worth so when I make it later this month from the frozen I should, hopefully, be able to give a better opinion of this!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN;">Mr. Chill: Next time don't bake it so long...</span></div>
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<span style="language: EN;">Jbird: Totally forgettable</span></div>
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<span style="language: EN;">Zebra: Yeah - we don't need to keep this recipe.</span></div>
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<span style="language: EN;">Me: whoopsy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In other news, my school days friend Susie from over at www.castleblake.blogspot.com<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has nominated me for a Leibster Award… So sweet! And it’s really fun too. Here’s how the award works:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bhy3yv7TjgWm0nwAXaVsmaUKvP9KueNrO2un617uVvOKawqVYKOK0IpTOReb53Hs36ey61KsKICwLejndLuZtySrEs6PHIshmxDJtPgrkTRvvH-xdiPcQcebL_axCGUDNGTZKptHtgXa/s1600/The+results+are+in+-+week+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bhy3yv7TjgWm0nwAXaVsmaUKvP9KueNrO2un617uVvOKawqVYKOK0IpTOReb53Hs36ey61KsKICwLejndLuZtySrEs6PHIshmxDJtPgrkTRvvH-xdiPcQcebL_axCGUDNGTZKptHtgXa/s1600/The+results+are+in+-+week+1.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">The Rules of the Award:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"> The Liebster Award is given to bloggers, by bloggers. It is a way to acknowledge each other and say, "You are doing a great job." It is for blogs with 200 or less followers, so it is also a great way to spread the word about smaller blogs and get them more readers and followers! When you receive the award you post eleven random facts about yourself, and answer eleven questions from the person who nominated you. You pass the award onto eleven other blogs, (make sure you let them know they were nominated,) and ask them eleven questions. You are not allowed to nominate the blog that nominated you.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">These are the questions Susie asked for me to answer—putting my thoughts and answers down was surprisingly more difficult than I thought!! </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>1. What is the best vacation you've ever taken?</span><span style="color: #993366; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">A few years ago we took the kids to NYC for their first time. It was also my husband’s first time there as well. We traipsed all over the place, road subways, and the museums—oh my!! We were in heaven!! We also had the opportunity to visit with family and our best friends as well… And for the first time in my life, I was relaxed enough to enjoy the city and not be afraid and completely over stimulated by the sheer size of it all. It was incredible!!</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>2. What is the most daring thing you've ever done?</span><span style="color: #993366; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">That’s a funny question for me!! Seriously! I am the most boring human being on the face of the planet and rarely try things I don’t think I will succeed at doing—so not an uncalculated risk taker! However, there was this one time… isn’t that how all the best, juicy stories begin… So there was this one time I was on a trip with all the freshmen teaching fellows… we were at a state park ( I think it was Chimney Rock but could totally be wrong!) and it was hot! There was a waterfall there so we decided that we would just strip down to our skivvies in broad daylight, with other tourists all around, and jump in the waterfall… Yeah—that was pretty awesome!</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>3. What is something you wish you could do better?</span><span style="color: #993366; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">I wish I were a better pianist! And I know I could be if I would practice and such, but that’s not really something I make time for… if you really want to be better at something doesn’t it stand to reason that you then work towards that end? So I suppose my actual wish is that I were better at site reading piano music… </span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>4. What are your favorite food flavors?</span><span style="color: #993366; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">OOOOOH!!! This is a fun one!! My favorite flavors are those of fall!! Yeah—I know that you won’t find that on your taste buds exactly, but I love the flavors of that season more than any others out there!! Apple, cinnamon, chili… the quintessential Thanksgiving bite is what I live for!! Any time of year there is just something about an apple crisp, sweet potato anything and a pumpkin latte! And like I said, don’t forget the chili and all the fabulous weekend with friends and a good football game (as if I watch any of them!!) kinds of food!!</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>5. What is your favorite dessert?</span><span style="color: #993366; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">Hands down—easiest question here—Crème Brule !</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>6. What is your favorite thing to actually cook?</span><span style="color: #993366; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">Hmmm… I love to cook different kinds of chicken—I love the blank canvas of chicken that will absorb any of the flavors you decide to play with at any given time… </span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>7. What do you long for?</span><span style="color: #993366; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">I long to feel settled! This is an incredibly temporal question—the answer to which is constantly changing… Today, I long for my boxes to be all unpacked and for the house we are living in to feel like home… I long to feel I’m settled in my office—that I know where things are and what my new role is… That’s today’s longing—tomorrow—perhaps something completely different! World peace!</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>8. How do you celebrate your favorite holiday?</span><span style="color: #993366; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">It’s hard for me to pick just one… but weird as it is gonna sound, I love that we celebrate Hanukah in our home the most. Each of those eight crazy nights, we push pause on everything at sundown, turn out all the lights and everything electronic, light candles, pray as a family and remember God’s incredible provision! Being Christian, we recognize this provision through the gift of Jesus Christ. We play games by the candlelight and simply enjoy God’s provision through the love and the support of each other...</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>9. When/how/why did you know your spouse was "the one"?</span><span style="color: #993366; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">At the start of our sophomore year of college, Ray & I found ourselves living in different towns, attending different universities. I knew that what we had was a forever kind of love when I exerted my own voice and made decisions on my own and had some pretty different opinions on what was really important and he didn’t back down either… I found that I wasn’t lost in being what he wanted and that he wasn’t deterred by our views not being 100% identical. We maintained our own identities and could see being my own person and at the same time one with him… does that make sense? All this, over the course of one weekend and a conversation from a bathroom stall in a dorm room… yeah—we’re strange!</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>10. What is your favorite beverage?</span><span style="color: #993366; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">Well—what is the weather outside? My number one go-to drink would have to be… hmmm… apple cider—just love that stuff—hot or cold—and yes, the American, nonalcoholic version is what I mean… </span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">11. What is one tradition your family had when you were growing up that you'd like to continue with your family?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">Dinner time. Every night growing up my mom cooked supper for our family. We all gathered around the table, partook of her amazing culinary genius and shared our day together. We had to always use proper table manners (“may I please be excused to go…”) and we always had to eat our vegetables… We drank sweet tea by the pitcher and learned what love tasted like… it was good!</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The following folks for their sheer awesomeness and total likeability, on you I bestow the Liebster Award!<br />
1) Tracey @ <a href="http://www.traceyguilliams.com/">www.traceyguilliams.com</a><br />
2) Amanda @ <a href="http://www.boyflowerbird.blogspot.com/">www.boyflowerbird.blogspot.com</a><br />
3) Leslie @ <a href="http://www.lesliepjackson.blogspot.com/">www.lesliepjackson.blogspot.com</a><br />
4) Deanna @ <a href="http://deanna-l-deaton.blogspot.com/">http://deanna-l-deaton.blogspot.com/</a><br />
5) Oh my goodness - I leave for a minute and where did my list go?!! And now a storm? Let me upload what I've got and re-input the rest later!! Yikes!! Technology and organization (maybe I should've wished to be better at one of those?!) you are not my friends!!<br />
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;">Please answer these questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>1) If you could be any animal other than human, what would you choose to be?</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>2) What is your favorite board game?</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>3) What subject from school do find you utilize the most in your everyday life?</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>4) What artist’s creative stylings have had the most profound impact on you? This could be art in any of it forms—dance, music, sculpture, painting...</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>5) Most profound truth you would like to pass on to your children, or to others in your life?</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>6) What is your favorite season of the year?</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>7) Do you find yourself to be a morning, day or night person?</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>8) NPR—love it or hate it?</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>9) What is your most vivid, positive memory from the playground?</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>10) reality TV—take it or leave it?</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><span dir="ltr"></span>11) Finally, and perhaps least importantly, if you were a hot dog, would you eat yourself? (yep—that’s for Tracey!!)</span><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.8pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Georgia; mso-default-font-family: Georgia; mso-greek-font-family: Georgia; mso-latin-font-family: Georgia; mso-latinext-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p></o:p><br />Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-6701272314100123702012-09-07T19:10:00.000-07:002012-09-07T19:11:45.601-07:00Weirdness of this week...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although it was my sincere hope to post every Thursday, it’s
looking like Saturdays it is… just fits better with our schedule… Also seems as
though my menu was a bit, shall we say, overly ambitious! I intended to cook
every night this week and to stick to the pinterest menu, but alas, life has
once again happened! I would love to say that I’ll be completely back on track
this week, in all honesty, however, I know my life. We eat together every
night, but it can’t always be a scratch-made or even semi-homemade meal each
night… Time together around the table with no mobile devices, televisions, or
screens of any kind this is my aim… so dear readers, I hope to make most of the
things on the menu and I plan to continue to make monthly menus, but please
forgive me, in advance, for not being so strict – I know you understand…
thanks! I’ll be posting this weeks meal pics and family ratings tomorrow – for reals!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ok – so weirdness of this week…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In January I chopped my hair off… Actually the major
trimmings began months earlier, but in January I went short – shorter than I’ve
ever gone… and predictably, I loved it for like two months but have been trying
to grow it out ever since! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Currently, the hair (I don’t claim it as my own – it has a
life of its own!), has had the most bizarre shape and I can’t keep up with it
well. We’ve hit one, of what I am certain will be many, awkward phases. In an
attempt to not shell out money every pay period for trims to avoid the mullet look
it is rapidly developing, I have busted out an old friend from the 80s and
early 90s! My curling iron!! WHAT?! Seriously – and yes – I do still own one! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I plugged that puppy in on Wednesday morning and I was
surprised! Pleasantly so! Not by the coiffeur – although having some sense of
cuteness returning to my do was more than welcomed!! I was surprised by the
smell of my curling iron heating up – yeah – I notice weird stuff – but ladies –
seriously – you know of what I speak!! There’s this scent of heating metal that
is unique to styling devices – crimping irons have the same scent… and no, I
don’t still have one of those. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What made the smell pleasant, however, was the way it
immediately reminded me of Sunday mornings, special occasions, and holiday
parties when my mom (you are awesome Lady!!) would curl my hair for me. She had
a super hot curling iron that she had purchased from our hair dresser. Being in
a family of super fine hair, this excess heat was necessary, as well as half of
a bottle of Jhirmack hairspray (oh yeah – we were not an Aquanet house!!) in order
for my feathered bangs to stay feathered, and my under roll to stay page-boy
perfect. These were special times though – Mother-daughter times… times when my
sister and I would fuss over who got to be with her first… times that occasionally
were polished off with pink lipstick and a pair of Mom’s earrings! Good stuff! </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s amazing how scents do that – they transport us in a way
– no wonder Yankee Candle is such a powerful addiction!!! Scripture mentions
smells as well – “…the pleasing aroma of Christ...” In fact we are called to be
such scents among those who don’t yet know Him… in essence – they’ve had
stuffed up noses and we are to be the “Vick’s.” We are to be the “squirt” girls
of the department stores – well – not exactly… we are to wear the perfume of
Jesus so that when we are around those who have never smelled the sweet scent
of His love catch a whiff they simply MUST know where we got that scent… is it
our soap, an expensive perfume… and then we tell them – it was a gift and the
Giver of that sweet smelling nectar wants to give them a lifetime supply too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>2 Corinthians
2:14-17</u></b>, “<span class="text">But thanks be to God, who always leads us as
captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of
the knowledge of him everywhere.</span> <span id="en-NIV-28840"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">15 </span></sup>For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among
those who are being saved and those who are perishing.</span></span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-NIV-28841"><span style="font-size: x-small;">16 </span></span></sup>To the one we are an aroma that
brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such
a task?</span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-NIV-28842"><span style="font-size: x-small;">17 </span></span></sup>Unlike
so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in
Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God</span>.”</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, as the scripture notes – not everyone likes the scent.
It’s their choice – so unlike with the “squirt” girls, we don’t force the
perfume on others. We don’t sell it. We don’t bathe ourselves in the overkill
of it so that it becomes a stench either. Rather – we wear it, with gladness
and pray that it makes a lasting impression – one that as they say, “rescue[s]
the perishing.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How do you smell?<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-33310073568031554792012-09-01T07:12:00.000-07:002012-09-01T07:12:02.330-07:00Back Up Brownies!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">This week's dinners have been comforting and calorie laden!! Thursday night, however, the frozen pizza I purchased- subpar doesn't even begin to describe the nastiness we attempted to partake! <br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />Enter my rescue strategy- BACK UP BROWNIES!! There is nothing, and I mean nothing that can't be fixed with a little bite of chocolate scrumdiddeliumsciousness - yeah- its a real word ;-)! <br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />Ok- so perhaps not everything- bad dinner, sure, and maybe even some bad days... But what about those days your bank account runs dry but the bills have not yet been all paid; the day the doctor's office calls and says they'd like you to come in to review your test results; the day the divorce papers arrive; the day the whole world stops and seemingly crumbles to the ground... Chocolate doesn't make those days better by a long shot.<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />On those days friends, well intentioned folks, and family members may say things like, "it'll get better with time," or "I'll be praying for you" and maybe they do... It's so hard to feel that God is a loving God on those. On those days we don't want to stand and sing, "This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it." But does our lack of "feelin'" it make it any less true? Is God still the good God, Great Physician, Prince of Peace and Mighty Comforter on those days? YES! And He is so much more! <br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />Keep in mind that God is the God who goes before the Israelite people in battle. He is the One who has seen afflictions of every kind and has used them to bring about His glory. Christ is the one who suffered on the cross and dealt with that very real, very painful reality. He knows what it is to do without- friends, money, food, shelter... He's been there too. <br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />Two things to keep in mind on those dark days... 1) If Jesus Christ, Lord of all, Creator & Sustainer of the universe dealt with pain, suffering, and difficulty when He came as a man, why should we expect any different? and 2) If Christ Himself went thru all these things, then He knows what it takes to deal with them and He can certainly see us through our trials of many kinds. <br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />Chocolate may make a rough dinner better, but for everything else, there's Jesus. I don't say that as a patent answer, I say that from experience as I've quit asking, "but why?" and learned to embrace the embrace of God Himself as He alone carries me – day be day.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br /><strong>"Even though I walk<br />through the darkest valley,<br />I will fear no evil,<br />for you are with me;<br />your rod and your staff,<br />they comfort me." Psalm 23:4 NIV<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><strong><u>Week Of Meals In Review<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><strong><u>Monday – Croque Monsieur Mac & Cheese<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So tasty!!! So time consuming!! But did I mention that it is really tasty?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our votes:</span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> Jbird: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Smile" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_1_1.gif" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Zebra: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Smile" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_1_1.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Mr. Chill: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Thumbs Up" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_3_16.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Me: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Thumbs Up" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_3_16.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"><strong><u>Tuesday - Top of the Ridge Chicken</u></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Can I have some more please?! For this meal I went ahead and made doubles and froze one meal's</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> worth - if it trns out I'll post a tute on that soon!! YAY!!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Our votes:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Jbird: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Thumbs Up" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_3_16.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Zebra: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Thumbs Up" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_3_16.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Me: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Thumbs Up" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_3_16.gif" /></a><br /> Mr. Chill: dinner meeting = no vote</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"><strong>Wednesday - Moravian Chicken Pie</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Jbird: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Roll" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_21.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Zebra: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Wakka Wakka" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_20.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Mr. Chill: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Brows" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_6.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Me: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Way Too Happy" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_112.gif" /></a> (yeah - it was my favorite!!)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"><strong><u>Thursday - Crack bread</u></strong> - the pizza doesn't need further review ( <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Blah" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_2.gif" /></a> )</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Jbird: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Woohoo!" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_30_104.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Zebra: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Clappy" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_2.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Mr. Chill: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Thumbs Up" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_3_16.gif" /></a> </span></span><br />
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Me: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Teethy" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_107v.gif" /></a> </div>
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<u><strong>Friday - Emanadas!!!! </strong></u></div>
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Celebrating the end of the week with a wonderful meal!!! And that it was!! I made enough to have leftovers today!! YAY!! When I went to make this, however, I discovered that I had no taco seasoning - my home blended stash was walkabout... so I just started adding a dash and a smidge of the things I remembered were in it and Mr. Chill said it was the best ever to which I responded that he'd better enjoy it while he can because I didn't use a recipe... to which he rolled his eyes and hugged me and said, "Ahhh, yes, my wife - the mad scientist!"</div>
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<br /></div>
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Jbird: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Rolly 1" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_210.gif" /></a> </div>
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Zebra: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Brows" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_6.gif" /></a> </div>
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Mr. Chill: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Raise The Roof 1" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_9_1.gif" /></a> </div>
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Me: <a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt424YYUS" target="_blank"><img alt="Sunshine" border="0" src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_203.gif" /></a> (I'm walkin' on sunshine! Oh-oh!! And don't it feel good?! Hey!)<br /></div>
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Until next time - have a great Labor Day weekend!! Enjoy friends, family, fun times!! And remember to be devoted to whatever you may do with all that you are!! <br /><a href="http://www.smileycentral.com/dl/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb113_ZNxpt424YYUS&utm_id=7921" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb113&pp=ZNxpt424YYUS" /></a></div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-46952389286592944252012-08-27T08:00:00.001-07:002012-08-27T08:00:18.942-07:00A Little Comfort Please!!!<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a big week in our house!! School starts!!! What?! And although
I adore time with my children – I cherish every incredible moment, particularly
the ones where they still like me!- I am THRILLED that they will be returning
to that esteemed place of childhood learning, known here as Ben D. Quinn
Elementary School. Ahhhh- they will once again be engaged in conversations that
do not revolve solely around SkyLanders and whether or not they will dress for
the day! They will meet new friends, face new challenges and be educated! I
love this!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Along with this new school thing, comes another new thing for us –
UNIFORMS!!! Seriously!!??!! Now for J this is a blessing! He loves that he
doesn’t have to ever face the dreaded question of, “what shall I wear today?”
No more guess work! Wake – shower – dress mindlessly – breakfast – brush teeth
– school. Morning routines couldn’t be more fitting for my boy child… My girlie
girl on the other hand… not so much! We’re talking about my child who longs to
wear patterns of many types all at the same time! I mean seriously – look at
this outfit! So tame compared to most – and yep – it was like 105-degrees when
she wore this!</span></div>
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</v:path></v:stroke></span></v:shapetype></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She’s my budding fashionista who initially redesigned many of her
clothes out of necessity because she’s so “willowy” as Aunt Audrey is fond of
saying… but she quite enjoys it now! So when we saw that school uniforms were
in our future – well – dread is the word that comes to mind! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last night, however, Z put on one of her outfits and danced around
with joy! She enjoyed putting together fun combinations, and discovered that
accessories are the new passion of her life! Initially we thought we were going
to have to be uniform down to the hair bows, but have since found out that she
can be as funky as she wants where that is concerned – “holla!” She has ordered
a few fun scarves and has purchased a crafting kit from “Little Miss Match”
that is full of fun do-das to attach to carabineers and then clip on to her
backpack for as she says, “fashionista flair!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">RELIEF!!! SWEET RELIEF!!! All that panic for nothing!! This of course
reminds me greatly of one of my favorite verses in Philippians, seeing as I am
the worry-wart queen!! </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“<span class="text">Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God” Phil 4:6<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I seriously take my worrying too far so much of the
time. And I know this is a verse that we hear about and talk about all the time
in the church… I hate to drone on and on about the same ol’ thing but when I
find myself plagued with the same problem time after time, I know that I’m most
likely not alone in the struggle – that there are others out there who are
worry-warts like me! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This verse is freedom folks! It is the solution to
being bogged down in the “what ifs…” of life and the giving in to the “but
wills…” that immediately follow. Worry - we don’t need to and are in fact told
straight up not to do it! We are instructed on how to correct our hearts –
PRAYER!! The simplest, most important thing we can do as mothers, wives,
sisters, daughters, friends, individuals in Christ! Without a healthy prayer
life the worry takes over, the depression sinks in and the negativity takes
root. From that nothing but bitterness, sadness, and dissatisfaction can grow…
I don’t want that in my life – and I certainly don’t want that for my kids! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Resolution – as a devoted mom – I want to pray for my
babies – and let’s face it that’s what they will always be to me. I want to
pray for them to love where they are – they’re city & school, yes, but more
importantly where they are in life. I want to pray that they feel covered up in
love every day! I want to pray for them to have the confidence and self
assurance that comes from knowing Jesus – which is certainly more confidence
than wearing just the right dress! And at the end of the day, I want to be so
covered up in Jesus that they are bathed from head to toe in His presence, and
not just the Dial Gold I hope they remembered to use in the shower (come on,
you know you wonder sometimes too! They’re 9 & 10 – priorities are not
always on hygiene!) As this new school year starts I vow to pray more for these
cuties I’ve been given on loan, for however long God allows, and worry less… <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And in that worrying less I say, “Let them eat
comfort food!” Comfort in the Spirit & comfort in their bellies… so we
start the school year with a week of our FAVORITES!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also – here’s how awesome they look in their uniforms
as they boldly go into this brave new school year – because every mama’s gotta
brag a little ;-)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text">Monday – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Croque
Monsieur Mac & Cheese</b> </span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: 115%;">(</span></span></span><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/croque-monsieur-mac-and-cheese-recipe/"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/croque-monsieur-mac-and-cheese-recipe/</span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">) <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
may quite possibly be the most labor-intensive mac & cheese you will ever
make, but friends, it is SOOOOO worth it!! This is a recipe from the Food
Network and I certainly want to make sure the credit goes where it belongs so
follow this link to the recipe. I will tell you, however, that I have used
sliced, sautéed mushrooms instead and in addition to the ham and if you could
see my face right now you would know that it tastes like heaven!! This is a bit
of a pricey recipe too so watch for the gruyere to go on sale – and oh my! You
will be so glad you did!!! Can’t wait for dinner!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text">Tuesday - </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Top
Of the Ridge Chicken: a Momma Hartsell Recipe</u></b></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 stick (1/2c., 8Tbsp.) butter, melted</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1c. crushed herbed bread crumbs (I use Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 clove garlic, minced or 1 Tbsp. garlic powder</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 oz. parmesan cheese – I use the can stuff (1 small can = 3oz.) and
it’s just fine, but, if you’re a foodie, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">go for the real stuff…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Put butter in a shallow dish and microwave to melt. Place bread
crumbs, garlic & cheese in a gallon size zip-top bag. Dredge/dip chicken in
butter and then place in gallon bag with all the goodness. Once all chicken
pieces are in the bag, shake to coat. Line cookie sheet with foil and place
chicken on it. Bake at 375-degrees for approximately 45 minutes, a little less
if you’re using the thin cut breasts… THIS IS SOOOOOOO GOOD!!! This is my
hubby’s favorite thing that my mom makes – better than her amazing cheesecake,
better than Christmas standing rib roast dinner, better than ANYTHING!! Yep –
it’s that tasty!! (Did you know that mom?!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday -<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u> Moravian Chicken
Pie: a Momma Hartsell Recipe<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4 poached chicken breasts, roughly chopped (or 1 rotisserie chicken,
or leftover chicken… you want </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">about 3-4c.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 cans, cream of chicken soup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1c. self rising flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 stick butter, melted</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1c. milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a small bowl, mix together chicken and soup. Pour into a 9”13”
casserole dish. In a separate bowl, combine flour, butter and milk. Whisk
together until smooth. Pour over top the chicken mixture already in casserole
dish. Bake at 400-degrees for 45 minutes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You’ll note that this does not have any vegetables in it – if you were
lucky enough to visit the Tavern in Old Salem (Winston-Salem, NC) when it was
open (I heard it closed recently – boo!!) you could have ordered “Moravian
Chicken Pie” and it would have come as a slice of pie without veg. We were
blessed when we were at The Salvation Army Training School to have a wonderful
chef who had once been at the Tavern and for special Sundays she would make
this dish!! As a child I refused to eat veggies so when Momma made chicken pie
she was particularly sweet to me and would make an extra dish just for me
without those little “beasties.” I adore chicken pie of all varieties these
days, but when I want good ol’ comfort food – this is where I go!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Homemade Pizza
& CRACK Bread</u></b> (</span><a href="http://www.plainchicken.com/2011/07/cheddar-bacon-ranch-pulls.html"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.plainchicken.com/2011/07/cheddar-bacon-ranch-pulls.html</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">OK – so I may totally cop out and buy a DiGiorno this week (budget
allowing) because my J informed me that he doesn’t feel like any of my homemade
pizza attempts have ever come quite up to par – yes, those were his words! But
I will be making Crack Bread. I absolutely adore a blog called, “Plain
Chicken,” and if you have never visited it you need to go straight over there
after reading this entry! Soooo many great recipes and ideas!! My favorite
recipe thus far, however is the one for Crack Bread, aka Cheddar Bacon Ranch
Pulls. It’s got bacon. It’s got ranch. It’s got cheddar. It’s got BUTTER!! Do I
seriously need to go on? This stuff is positively addictive! The first time I
made it we went through the whole loaf in like 5 minutes – I wish I were
kidding but no – our faces and hands were covered in scrumptious, buttery
deliciousness. This is the perfect food for football parties, church
receptions, slumber parties, movie nights, celebrations, rough days, rainy
days, TGI-Thursday parties… you get the picture – there is nothing, and I mean
nothing, that can’t be made better with a bite of this amazing, awesome-sauce
edible!! As a quick note – I do usually make it with a French loaf because by
the time I get to the bakery, they’re usually out of the round loaves for the
day – bummer, I know, but the flavorful goodness is still there!! Oh – yeah!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Empanadas</u></b>! <span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: 115%;">(</span></span><a href="http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/beef-empanadas/c660cfe7-83f1-4830-a246-b9bc3f9bb318?src=SH"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/beef-empanadas/c660cfe7-83f1-4830-a246-b9bc3f9bb318?src=SH</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love a money saving meal!! I really love it when it tastes good to
boot!! This recipe from Pilsbury does not disappoint. I have modified it by
making it even cheaper – I make my own pie crust using Melissa d’Arabians super
easy recipe found here (</span><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/potato-bacon-torte-recipe2/index.html"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/potato-bacon-torte-recipe2/index.html</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).
Yes, I know the link takes you to her potato torte, and no I have not tried
that although it is on my list!! The pie crust here couldn’t be simpler or
tastier – try it – you’ll see!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
other modification I do to this recipe is to make smaller, individual size
empanadas- it makes the food more fun if you can eat it with your hands, right?!
Just reduce the cooking time slightly – the best thing to do is to keep an eye
on it and when they start to brown pull them out to cool. Seriously – you need
this empanada in your repertoire for those days when a taco just won’t do! It
feels really special to have this little baked pie of deliciousness!! YUM!</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-73375327037111508112012-08-24T13:39:00.004-07:002012-08-24T14:48:02.603-07:00Pinterest- it's what's for dinner + some thoughts!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So –
September is almost here!!! YAY!! Fall is almost here!! Apples! Pumpkins!!
CINNAMON!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In an
attempt to be more organized this fall I’ve resolved to set and maintain menus!
YAY! Weird – yes? Ummm… afraid so but I don’t claim to be otherwise… Although, I’ve
never longed to be Martha Stewart or a contributor to Family Circus (Isn’t that
the mag that has as a feature “A Month Of Menus”?) but I’ve pinned all these
things on pinterest and seriously – I really want to try them all!!! YUM!!!! It's my plan to cook these platters of palate pleasers and review the previous week each Thursday- if you're cooking along be sure to let your taste buds comment too!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This month’s
menu, includes dinners (the evening meal that is) from pinterest exclusively!!
Yeah baby!! I’m also adding a board to my pinterest account that is pinned in
order with my menu, in case you want to follow along and cook with me. The more
the merrier I say… I also say, this is a constructive, albeit calorie laden at
times, way to deal with stress</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In other
news – I am feeling like one really blessed chick these days!! And you know
that ol’ song “Count Your Blessings,” well let me share a handful of my most
recent ones in the hopes that maybe they’ll make you laugh, or smile or giggle
a bit…</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday night I was bitten by the paint-me bug.
The bug hit in my office and as I returned home from work I made an
announcement to my children, “I think I’m gonna paint my office tonight, anyone
want to help?” My Zoe girl immediately hopped to and got really excited! We
jumped in the minivan and drove to Lowe’s. Bought a gallon of paint and got to
work. Z stayed and worked with me until after 10PM and never complained. Not
even once! She rolled until her arms felt like they might fall off. When that
happened she just cranked up the Pandora and entertained me with her creative
lyrics! I was so thankful!! Imagine my surprise then when I opened my laptop on
Wednesday morning and there was a handmade note from my girl which read, “Thanks
so much for letting me help!” Seriously – is this child real?! Answer – Yep!
And she’s all mine!!</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were on vacation last week – and now that we
live on the coast – the mountains are much further away. That being said, we
were two hours away when my boy J started to rouse and got really – REALLY –
talkative. In fact, I’m fairly confident he only stopped long enough to swallow
hard once!! He talked about everything – from the book he had just finished
reading to the activities he had done with his god-brother whilst on vacation
(for which we were present, no less), to the things he wanted to do in his game
once we arrived home, and when might that be? how far away? what’s our speed?
You get the idea – if it came up in his thoughts it found its way out of his
mouth! And although my ears got kind of tired, I count it as a blessing because
he’s 10 – and the fact that he still wants to talk to his parents about everything
in his life thrills this momma’s soul!!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My shoulder and neck were sore – my husband, who
hates massages, rubbed my sore spots! What a sweety! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are so many more things – and funny
things – and thoughtful things, that I could share – and I will, semi-soon
perhaps even! I know that some of these things are not exactly stop the presses
kinds of things, but they are the stuff of my life. When I feel like screaming
at the top of my lungs, crying into my pillow, or pulling out my hair something
like one of these blessings will happen – God gifts for sure!!! These are the
things that get me through and remind me that I am never alone – not a for a
minute!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm 116: 7, “<span class="text">Return to
your rest, my soul,</span> for the <span class="small-caps"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></u></i></b></span><span class="text">
has been good to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you counted your
blessings lately?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">September Dinner Menus<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pizza Puffs<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Breakfast for Dinner
Casserole<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taco Pancakes<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cheesy Oven Fried Chicken
(make enough to freeze!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lasagna Rollups (make
enough to freeze!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Savages Pizza *<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chicken Pad Thai<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leftovers – no recipes
needed!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Revival in Elizabeth
City – no cooking two days in a row?!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crockpot Cube steak<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mac & Cheese Quiche<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chicken w/ravioli Carbonara<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Savages Pizza<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chicken Gyros<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Potato Soup Yummo<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pizza Pot Pie<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">17)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pollo Loco<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Melt In Your Mouth
Chicken<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">19)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Turkey Meatballs<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">20)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby’s Birthday – Can’t
say – it’s a surprise!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">21)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sausage puffs – snacks before
the fundraiser – what?! Festival of Tables – don’t know what this is? – ask me!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">22)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roasted Tomato Soup</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">23)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crock pot Bourbon Chicken</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">24)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cordon Bleu Casserole</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">25)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meatloaf Goodness</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">26)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cheesy Oven Fried Chicken</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">27)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lasagna Rollups</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">28)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chicken Noodle Soup</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">29)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">World’s Best Chicken</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">30)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grilled Chipotle Lime Shrimp</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For links to all these recipes and more, check out my
September board on pinterest!</span></div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248347559906390606.post-49040661779105394212012-07-17T12:58:00.001-07:002012-08-24T13:41:16.446-07:00"Clean-up on aisle..."Having recently moved, there has been a ton of cleaning going on in my house - from bed sheets, to bookcases and cupboards and curtains... These chores are necessary parts of life and to some extent I must say there is a certain amount of satisfaction that comes from completing these tasks! <br />
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However... and this is the part we all know way too well!! Cleaning solutions can seriously put a dent in one's budget!! Seriously! From the grout cleaner to the shower spray, to the laundry detergent - this stuff ain't cheap! I know I dread the week when I run out of laundry detergent and have to place that item on the shopping list! One bottle that will get me through about a month of laundry costs anywhere from $12-16! With this in mind I am endeavoring to find much less expensive alternatives to the bank draining hogs of my cleaning closet! <br />
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Below are a handful of "recipes" (NOT TO BE EATEN OR INGESTED IN ANY WAY!!) that I have tried and that have worked well in my estimation. Many of them are from other blogs or pinterest. When possible I have tried to link to the original home science genius so that proper credit is given where it is due! <br />
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While going through receipts from the last few weeks of this moving adventure, I started having heart palpitations! Totalling up all that I have spent trying to get just the right products, or to cook up the perfect recipes, really blew me away! Really - and y'all - that takes a lot! I couldn't believe it! And now that all that mopping, and scrubbing are done it's time to start all over again! I'll keep needing cleaning products, and I'll keep having to "rinse and repeat..."<br />
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When I got to thinking about the cost to get things clean - the effort - the labor - the elbow grease... my mind and heart meandered down the road of personal reflection - and I had to stop and look at my attitude, my thought patterns, may actions towards Ray & our kids... My life was in serious need of cleaning! Honestly - cleaning can sometimes just make me plain cranky and I am not who I ought to be. And then CALVARY! The price for clean-up on aisle Whitney was not cheap - but it was free to me - a gift of love from my Savior who knew the price and chose to pay it for me. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><strong>Isaiah 1:18 says, "Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><strong>In Romans 6:23, we are told, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."</strong></span><br />
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If you are finding yourself in the need of housekeeping, know that the only Cleaning Solution you need is Jesus Christ - and His love doesn't cost a cent! And incredibly - He doesn't ask that we tidy things up before having Him over - He knows what we've swept under the rug and He wants to come over anyway. He not only wants to come over, but when He comes, He seeks out the deepest darkest corners of our lives and dusts, scours and scrubs until the cleaning is done... <br />
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I could go on forever with this housekeeping analogy - it's one that has a lot of simple application to the life of this southern girl... but the main point remains - if you feel dirty, Jesus wants to clean you up. <br />
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<h3>
<u><span style="color: purple;">Laundry Soap</span></u></h3>
(<a href="http://www.greatoakcircle.com/homemade-laundry-detergent">http://www.greatoakcircle.com/homemade-laundry-detergent</a>)<br />
<span class="keywordresultextras"></span>6 cups Borax<br />
4 cups baking soda<br />
4 cups washing soda<br />
4 cups Fels-Naptha laundry soap (approximately 2 bars, grated)<br />
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Mix all ingredients together in a large air tight container - a shoe box size rubber maid container should do the trick - I doubled the recipe and put it in a 5 gallon tote with plenty of room to spare. The original blog post has some labels and fun suggestions on how to do this up to make your laundry room look pretty. I have to admit this laundry powder smells AMAZING! So clean!!<br />
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The Math...<br />
Borax $3.67<br />
Baking Soda 1.94<br />
Washing Soda 1.74<br />
<u> Fels-Naptha 1.94</u><br />
TOTAL $9.29<br />
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Now I haven't finished my first recipe but according to some bloggers, this recipe makes a <strong><u>9 MONTH</u></strong> supply!! Please & Thank You!! OH!!! And my mom shared that I originally left out how much to use - 2-3Tbsp/load... Thanks Momma! You're the best!!!<br />
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<h3>
<u><span style="color: purple;">Grout Cleaner</span></u></h3>
1 part Peroxide (3%)<br />
3 parts Baking Soda<br />
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Mix ingredients to make a paste. Lay paste in grout lines and let set up for about 30 minutes. Lightly brush over with a grout brush. Wipe off tiles & grout area with a warm damp cloth. If there's any residue leftover, use a combination of vinegar & water to wipe it up. Seriously - you will be amazed!! I could not believe how well this worked!! I won't lie - if you have a huge area, it's gonna take some time, but for a small area - this is so worth it!!!<br />
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The Math<br />
Peroxide $0.80<br />
<u> Baking Soda 1.49</u><br />
TOTAL $2.29<br />
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<h3>
<span style="color: purple;"><u>Shower Cleaner</u></span></h3>
(<a href="http://www.lewisvillelove.blogspot.com/2012/05/tips-and-tricks-tuesday-6-clean-your.html">http://www.lewisvillelove.blogspot.com/2012/05/tips-and-tricks-tuesday-6-clean-your.html</a>)<br />
1 cup vinegar<br />
1 cup Dawn dish soap<br />
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Warm vinegar in the microwave for 2 minutes (FYI - the steam created will help dissolve things hanging out in your microwave - bonus!). Pour warm vinegar into a spray bottle. Pour Dawn dish soap into spray bottle. Screw on the top and spray all over shower and tile surround. Wait ~15 minutes. Wipe down the shower with the scrubby side of a sponge - shouldn't take much if any effort. Spray off with water and bust out your sunglasses - the sparkle and shine may blind!<br />
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Thanks Alena - my awesome friend who first pinned this one!<br />
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<span class="keywordresultextras"></span><br />Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15019687978559190695noreply@blogger.com1