Slow Cooking Thursday

Like every other person in this day and age we are trying to stretch our food budget money. We are trying meatless suppers at least once or twice a week. This is one that we don't even miss the fact that there is no meat. Add some corn muffins/buttermilk biscuits.


Wheat Berry Stew

5 cups marinara sauce
1 1/2 cup Great Northern beans
1 cup wheat berries
6 small potatoes cut in half
1 large onion sliced (I dice them are people here who do not like onions)
4 garlic cloves minced
5 teaspoons ground cumin
3 teaspoons tumeric
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 green peppers diced

Mix together all ingredients in crockpot, adding water as needed to just cover. Cook at HIGH for 8 to 10 hours.

Go check out other Slow Cooking recipes at Sandra's blog Diary of a SAHM.

Let it snow let it snow......Enough already!!

Not that we didn't already have enough snow, this is what we woke up to this morning.

This is our side deck, notice the grill? The snow is almost half way up!

Front of the house looking up the road. Can you tell where the road it? We can't either.

This is our pine tree in the side yard. This picture you can still see the snow coming down...it is almost 5pm! We are all snuggled in the house safe and sound....OK at least we are safe...LOL!

Simple Devotion

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I bring you my shortcomings... of always worrying about things I can not change instead of giving them all to you.

I bring you my worship and praise... to be able to stay home and take care of my family. Also that we are able to homeschool our children.

I bring you my prayer... to lead us through this uncertain time of raising a teenager. I pray that she would find you again and learn to lean on you instead of the world.

You spoke to me... this morning as I awoke to a winter wonderland yet again. At first, I was very quick to complain, but once I stepped back and admired your handiwork I noticed how beautiful our world is.

To read other Simple Devotions please go on over to see Peggy at the Simple Woman.

Gratituesday

To read other Gratituesday posts visit the Heavenly Homemakers blog.

We all have many things to be thankful for on a daily basis. But so many times we complain too much about what we don't have, instead of being thankful for what we do have. I've been doing that very same thing recently. I try not to complain on the out side, but I do on the inside often. I complain about the house, me not healing fast enough, the children, schooling the children, ect. Instead I should be thanking God everyday that I have a nice house to live in. It is small yes, but very cozy and warm. It may not always be as clean as I like. I complain that I'm not healing fast enough, instead of thanking God that I can feel my feet again. It had been at least a year since I could feel my feet. I've also been complaining that the Children do not seem to listen to me, instead I should be thanking God once again that I have 3 healthy children. I've been struggling with homeschooling because we are behind. I sat this morning and asked myself behind in what??? Isn't that the joy of homeschooling? Being able to go at our own pace?

I got my book out again "The secret of contentment" by Juanita Purcell and read the chapter on complaining. If anyone wants a good Bible study they should pick that one up. I had the pleasure of hearing her at a Ladies retreat.

The following verse has become a verse I go to when I start with my complaining.

Philipians 4:11

"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:"

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window... The sun is shining with light snow. The temps are supposed to be in the 20's.

I am thinking... about the direction our homeschool is going. We need to make some changes to it. Also, about the message yesterday in church.

I am thankful for...my Husband, he works so hard for us along with going to school. This coming Saturday will be his first day off in a week. We are very thankful for the overtime the Lord has provided.

From the Learning Room…a lot of disorder. We have not gotten back in the swing of things since my surgery. I need to buckle down and get them back on track.

From the kitchen...chicken and biscuits, carrots. I'd love to get back into making bread but I need to take small steps.

I am wearing...sweatpants, sweatshirt, socks and slippers.

I am Creating…order! Along with some simple scrapbook pages.

I am reading... through the Bible in a year with my Husband. We are in Exodus. It is such a wonderful time that we spend together as a couple reading and talking about God's Word.

I am hoping/praying... for a better week than we had last week. I am starting to get frustrated with what I can't do yet. I want to clean, do dishes, make supper ect. I'm praying for the Lord to give me a restful spirit so I can heal the rest of the way.

I am hearing... the cats playing behind me.

Around the house... too many things to do.

One of my favorite things... hot cup of coffee on a cold winter's day.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... getting the children back on track with school. Wednesday we are off to church for mid week service. Nothing much the rest of the week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... This is our middle child, Hannah. Such blue eyes and a great smile.

To see other daybooks stop on by the Simple Woman's Day Book blog.

Gifts from across the sea...

A good friend of my Husband recently served another tour in Afghanistan. Before he left we made up a care package of different items for him to take. Included in that was a Bible with some passages marked for him. He is not a Christian....yet. The children also made things for him to remind him of home. He was so moved by this he picked up a few items for us while over there. When I heard this I was very excited but had no idea they were going to be this grand.

This is a hat worn mostly by people in the cities. It is hand made. The picture doesn't do it justice. There is so much detail to it.

This is a wool hat worn by men in the country, shepherds and farmers. Also handmade, you do not see handmade items like this any more here in the states.

This is I believe a table cloth, although Adam thought it may be a blanket. This is also hand made. Woven in green and gold thread. It has such detail. It is pretty large, I have though about putting it on our table on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter. I would not know how to clean it it anything got on it. I could get a clear plastic table cloth to place over it. Any other ideas on how to display it?

This is also the same pattern as the above picture. But on a smaller scale. I thought it might be a place mat, but now that I look at it, it seems way too big. It might be a throw rug. I might use this as a table runner.

No collection from another country would be complete without samples of their currency. The children had a lot of fun looking at these. It will be a great addition to our study when we learn about the Middle East.

Slow Cooking Thursday

Since Sandra has me hooked on Curry anything. I thought this one would be good to share. Fruit, pork and curry how could you go wrong??

To read other slow cooking recipe posts visit Sandra our hostess with the mostess (I'm not sure that is even a word LOL) to see a list.

Apricot Curry Pork Chops

4-6 pork chops

¼ cup white wine (or white wine vinegar)
2 tsp crushed garlic

1 tbls or more curry powder
250ml apricot nectar (thick juice) found at larger grocery stores.
½ tsp mixed herbs (thyme -we have lemon thyme)

Optional
Vegetables - If you want a one pot meal put a selection of your favorite vegetables in first. Carrots, or green beans perhaps.

Mix the wine, garlic, curry powder and apricot nectar together. Put the meat in the Crock Pot. (Vegetable on bottom if using). Pour in Liquid. Put on Lid, turn on and walk away. On low cook for 8-10 hours OR on high 4-5.

An hour prior to serving, stir in the herbs. At this stage if the sauce is very runny just mix a tablespoon of corn flour with enough water to make a paste. Stir this into the Crock Pot and turn on high for half an hour.

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Jen for a really fun tag. What I am to do is go to my picture files and pick the fourth folder and post the fourth picture. Then tell what the picture is about. Here goes......

This is Andrew learning how to make an arrow. This was last year at our co op classes. He took beginning archery and loved it!

So now I have to pick 4 people to tag as well. But I'm going to leave it open to anyone who wants to participate. Just leave me a comment and let me know so I can see your picture. It really is a fun tag.

Simple Devotion

I found this on the Simple Woman's blog and thought it would be great to start. If you would like to join in on this go to her blog.

For Today...January 21, 2008

Dear Lord,

I bring you my shortcomings... when things are going wrong I cry out to you, wondering why you have done this to us. Then over and over again I realize you are not "doing" this to us. I constantly worry over things that are beyond my control instead of giving you everything, including our finances.

I bring you my worship and praise... over your continued blessings on our family.

I bring you my prayer... of thanksgiving for your watch care over us in our times of need. I am humbled by your care over us. I ask that you help me turn my worries in to praise.

You spoke to me... last night when we were without heat. While I was in my "poor us" state you gave me peace and comfort knowing that you would be there for us.

*side note....we had no heat last night when it reached 9 degrees....but praise God we have an electric fireplace to keep us warm. The children enjoyed their "camp out" in the living room. Also our pipes did not freeze!!

James 1:6 "Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."

Gratituesday

I am so thankful to be living in a country where we are free to make our own decisions. Today as the children and I watched the inauguration of Barack Obama I started thinking about how far our country has come. Regardless of who you voted for we are commanded by God to respect our government. Is it easy? NO. So we need to be lifting them up in prayer each day and turning it over to God. God has placed Obama in the office of President for a reason that will only bring him glory in the end. The time of Christ's return is coming quickly. It may even be in mine or your lifetime. The world will only get worse before it gets better. Have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior? Please don't wait until tomorrow. If you do not know how to do so please email me or ask someone. Tomorrow may be to late.

So for school today we watched and discussed the new president. Here are some pictures of the them watching. They were so full of questions, some I could answer and others I couldn't. It is great to see how their minds work in this time of history.


Watching the oath of Joe Biden our new Vice President.


Watching the oath of our new President Barack Obama.

To see other Gratituesday posts visit the Heavenly Homemaker's Blog to read more.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ...January 19, 2009

Outside my window...The sun is shining reflecting on the fresh layer of snow. The temperatures are supposed to reach the high 20's today! YEAH!!!

I am thinking...it feels great to be getting back to a normal schedule. I was able to do dishes yesterday! I never thought I'd be thankful for that!!

I am thankful for...the fact that the Steelers are going to the superbowl!!!!!!

From the learning rooms...we are finishing up our study of South America this week. We are preparing for the end of the year exams.

From the kitchen...fresh pot of coffee, homemade waffles, oranges. For supper we are having skillet lasagna, salad along with cupcakes for desert!

I am wearing...sweat pants, tshirt, and a sweater. I am SO excited to be able to wear these again.

I am creating...a normal schedule in our home.

I am going...no where today. Wednesday we will be going to Church, then no where until Sunday.

I am reading...through the Bible in a year with my Husband.

I am hoping...for continued healing

I am hearing...the children talking behind me about Church yesterday. It really does my heart good to hear them discussing the sermon yesterday!!

Around the house...the kitchen sparkles. The dining room and living room are also clean. They both need to be swept again though.

One of my favorite things...waking up early in the morning. I never used to be a morning person but since my surgery I've started to loving watching the sun come up. I appreciate much more in life.

A few plans for the rest of the week...schooling, more light cleaning, laundry, Church on Wednesday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...I found our cats, Cookie (the black and white one and Caspian the grey one) cuddled up on the chair. It was adorable!!

To see other Simple Woman daybooks stop by and visit Peggy at the Simple Woman Daybook Blog.

Are you kidding me????

While reading the paper the other day there was an article on weddings in our area. They said that the average amount that people pay for their weddings is $30,000!!! How can anyone justify paying that much on a wedding? Call me old fashioned but my Husband and I decided before we were married that we would keep everything simple. We would rather put the money into our home. So I decided to give everyone a break down of our wedding costs. You will see, at least we thought so, how beautiful a wedding can be done on a very small budget.

My dress: We had done some shopping for a dress but I couldn't find anything I liked or could afford. Some of the dresses were well over $500! My Husband and I were coming home from Walmart and we saw this small wedding dress store. I didn't want to stop because being a small store I thought it would be more than the big stores I'd already checked out. So I said OK we can stop but you sit in the truck! I walked in and they showed me the dresses, guess what...the first dress I saw was the one I wanted....it was only $99! Right in our budget! I tried it on and it fit great. Just need to be taken in a small bit on the top.

Next was the Church. Since we were newly saved we didn't belong to a Church yet. So we had always talked about getting married in the Living History Museum near our home. This ate up most of our budget. It was $900 but we had the museum all to ourselves. For the reception we rented the fire hall in our town. That cost $100 with $50 returned upon clean up.

We paid for my daughter's dresses which was a total of $100 and my son's tux was $70. My Husband's tux was free. We had a friend of the family do the alterations for $20 for all the dresses!!

Then came the flowers. Thanks for my wonderful Sister in law we saved a ton of money in this area. We went to the local craft store and bought fake flowers. She put them all together for a very minimal amount of money. I think we paid $75 for all of them including the ones to decorate the church and the ones the girls carried. The arch was one that was used in my Aunt and Uncle's wedding. We borrowed it to use at the alter.

As for the food and cake. The food we just did simple sandwiches with chips and a baked pasta. Along with some finger foods. This all together costs about $200 which my parents paid for. It was a big hit and we didn't break our budget. The cake we made cupcakes a couple of days ahead of time we made cupcakes. Cake mixes are very inexpensive and easy to prepare. This way we could make a variety of kinds and there was something for everyone. Another reason we did cupcakes was so we didn't have to cut and serve the cake. People could just come over to the table and take one. This is only a portion of the cupcakes. There you will see the cake we were keeping for our first anniversary. We cut a cup cake to feed one another. Yes we were nice to each other!

We did have a photographer and DJ who were also friends of the family. We paid $500 for both. We received a CD with all the pictures from the wedding for us to make copies as needed of pictures.

So the grand total of our wedding was $2000 including a night in a hotel for our honeymoon. We didn't take a big trip because we really wanted to come home and be with the children. We didn't just get married, we became a family on that day as well. So as you can see it doesn't have to break the bank to have a beautiful wedding.

Slow Cooking Thursday

To see other slow cooking Thursday posts visit Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

I have added some orange zest to make the orange flavor "pop". Enjoy!

Orange Chicken

6 boneless skinless chicken breast
1/4 cup molasses
2 T cider vinegar
2 T orange juice
2 T Worcestershire sauce
2 t Dijon mustard
1/8 to 1/4 t hot pepper sauce (optional)

Place chicken in greased 4-6 quart slow cooker. Mix the rest of the ingredients in a bowl and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours or on low 7-9 hours. Makes 6 servings.

Gratituesday

To read other Gratituesday posts visit Heavenly Homemakers to see the list.

I am so grateful for all the blessing that have come out of my recent surgery and recovery. I know I have talked about this to death but I'm always amazed at how I can see God's hand in everything!!

Here is a short list of some of those blessings.
1. My eyes are open more to seeing the hand of God in my life.
2. I have learned what total submission to my Husband means.
3. My Children have learned how to be self sufficient in some areas.
4. I have been humbled by the out pouring of affection from many people, in person and through blogging.
5. I have learned that I can't "fix" everything and I need to be quiet and wait on God!

God uses every situation to "polish" us up. People have a misconception that when you become a Christian everything is great all the time. The difference is that God uses these situations to make us lean on him for everything. Until my surgery I didn't do that, I tried to fix everything myself. It is such a wonderful feeling to give all this to God. It is like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders!! It is great to know that I do not have to "fix" everything, God will do it.

Side note: We have allowed our 14 year old daughter to have her very own blog, Katrina's Happenings. We would appreciate it if you would go to her blog and give her some words of encouragement. I'm trying to show her that writing can be really great. Also, since I can't be on here all the time I'm asking that you all be our eyes when we can't. Thank you in advance.

Simple Woman Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window... a fresh layer of "sugar snow". It looks like someone sprinkled glitter all over. It is sunny outside, but very deceiving! It is very cold!

I am thinking... about all the people in our lives who have been such a blessing to us. Even those through blogging that have been praying for us during this time.

I am thankful for... a warm home!! We are expecting temps in the single digits. God has so graciously provided many things for us over the past few months. I'm also thankful for the wonderful friendships we have developed in our Church. I'm so happy to finally be excited about going to Church!!

From the Learning Room…we are still working on catching up on missed school work.

From the kitchen... chicken in the crockpot.

I am wearing...sweatpants, sweatshirt, socks and slippers.

I am Creating… nothing at the moment. I am anxious to get back to my scrapbooks.

I am reading... my Bible, various cookbooks (which I shouldn't because I miss being in the kitchen)

I am hoping... for continued healing. My biggest obstacle is myself. I start feeling better and then I'm up and around doing too much. Later I pay for it.

I am hearing... the children at the table working on their assignments.

Around the house... too many things to name. I would like to finally get the tree down today!

One of my favorite things... is when I'm able to see God's hand at work in every area in my life. During the time in our lives it is easy for us to count our blessings.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Since I've been cleared to drive my daughter will start her speech classes again. That will give me some more freedom.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...our church had a cookie baking day the beginning of December. One of the ladies graciously volunteered to make gingerbread houses with the children. Here is Hannah's house. The children had so much fun.

To see other daybooks please visit The Simple Woman Day Book Blog.

Slow Cooking Thursday

To read other slow cooking posts visit Sandra at Diary of a Stay at home Mom.

I got this recipe from my Sister in Law. We tried it last weekend it was YUM!

Salsa Chicken with Black Beans

4 - 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (frozen!) (I didn't put them in frozen)
1 or 2 jars of your favorite salsa
1 can of corn (drained)
1 can of black beans (drained) (used dried and soaked them the night before)

Throw it all in your crockpot and cook on low all day. When you're ready to eat, shred the chicken with forks and serve over rice or fill soft tortillas & add your favorite toppings - sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, etc.

Enjoy this. It is such an easy recipe to play with.

Word Filled Wednesday

To see other Word Filled Wednesdays stop on by the 160 Acre Woods and read them.

Psalm 90:12
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

With the recovery from back surgery I feel as if I have numbered my days! I am doing well I went to the doctor yesterday and was cleared to drive again! YEAH!!! A month without being able to drive was not fun. But God really used this time to teach me many things...I've gained a heart of wisdom. I have learned to appreciate many things in my life. Being able to take care of my family is precious to me now. Before my surgery I would complain about a lot of things I had to do, dishes, cleaning, picking up after people ect. Now I can't wait to get the ok to go back to doing all of this. I have done so much reading and studying of God's word that now I can't get enough of it. My Husband and I have begun reading through the Bible in a year. It is our quiet time before bed. I have really grown to love that time we spend together reading, talking and listening to what God is telling us. Do not take anything for granted, even housework. Have a great day. Sorry there is no picture today. God Bless! Thank you for all the prayers.

Simple Woman Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window... Day light is starting to break. I never noticed how many cars go by our home this early in the morning.

I am thinking... It feels great, I'm starting to get my "old" self back. Also, how great it felt to attend Church yesterday. I really missed being there.

I am thankful for... The many blessings we have received during the time of my surgery and recovery. We had many unexpected expenses come up before my surgery. Things that we found out a week before that insurance wasn't going to pay. They amounted to around $500, which is a lot for us to come up with. By the grace of God we were able to pay for them with no trouble. PRAISE GOD!!

From the Learning Room… We will be continuing with our study of Brazil. Along with our study of winter birds in our area. My Husband has been taking over the schooling for the past month. Today is my first attempt at it. We will see how it goes.

From the kitchen... Many wonderful meals the ladies of our church have prepared. Our freezer is still stocked. It is such a blessing to belong to such a giving church.

I am wearing... a flannel nightgown, my VERY stylish brace and wool socks with slippers. Very chilly here this morning. But yesterday morning was colder....a whopping 3 degrees.

I am creating...nothing at the moment. I have from time to time worked on my son's afghan that I'm crocheting. By the time I get it done it may be a wedding present! LOL!!

I am reading... many Bible passages. They have gotten me through these past few weeks. It is so reassuring that God's Word is always there for you.

I am hoping... For a good doctor's appointment tomorrow. Also for continued healing.

I am hearing... The clock ticking and the dog snoring...LOL

Around the house... Many things to do, but I'm unable to do them as of yet. I am just so thankful for my Husband. He has really kept things running around here, along with his job and school.

One of my favorite things... Peacefulness of the morning, with the fresh smell of coffee.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Not much, I still need to rest as much as possible. School, doctor's appointment.

Here is a picture/video thought I am sharing with you... Our 14 yo daughter sang in Church with my Mom, her grandmother. I was sad that I wasn't able to attend so my Father made this video. The last time she sang this in Church she was 2 years old!! I never realized how much she has grown up...Sigh!!

To read other Simple Woman Day book posts head on over to Peggy's blog, The Simple Woman Daybook.

I'm back a little bit

Well I am able to sit for a short time at the computer. A little bit more than last week. I am getting better everyday. I still have nerve pain in my legs but that is a good sign since I didn't have any feeling in my lower left leg and foot at the time of surgery. I pray everyone had a very Merry Christmas. We had a great one. We spent the morning here then I was able to go to my sister's for dinner. It was nice to be able to get out. Tomorrow will be my second outing in 3 weeks. Wednesday I will be going back to the doctor for a post op. Hopefully he will let me do a bit more. I never thought I would miss cleaning and doing the dishes....LOL!!!

I pray that each and everyone of you have a wonderful and Christ filled new year!