Happy Birthday--Katie!

It seems like just yesterday my KBum was born...aka Katrina. But today she is 15 years old!! She is such a blessing to have around. She is always there to cheer people up. She loves talking with elderly people. She is very compassionate towards people.

Here she is a few weeks ago during her Father, Daughter dinner out. The day was very nice so they went to the park.

She had a lot of fun singing praises to God on Resurrection Sunday. You can just see her over the shoulder of the woman in blue. Katie loves to sing, and looks forward to the day she can join the choir.

We had everyone over on Friday to celebrate her birthday. Here she is telling her cousin NOT to blow out the candles!! LOL! This morning Matt called her and sang in his opera voice...you have to hear it to appreciate it! It is very funny, especially seeing the look on the kids faces when they pick the phone up first thing in the morning!! Its a family tradition.

Weigh In Wednesday

Food: I did very well this week with what I ate. I did not count calories or anything else I just was careful.

Water: this is still a struggle for me. I need to drink more water.

Exercise: walking with the children in the mornings around our property.

Challenges: I need to up my exercise. I'd like to get a low impact video to do here in the house. Since I had back surgery I need to have it real low impact. I'm thinking of trying to find a Richard Simmons video...I know he is VERY...well you know....but I use to work out to his videos with great success.

Successes: eating one helping at supper time. I have started packing my Husband's lunch before we sit down to supper. That way he always has a healthy lunch for work and I do not have seconds.

Plans for the next week: drink more water!!

Weigh-in: I'm down 3 and 1/2 pounds! I'm excited about that. I think that is a good number weekly.

Helpful Hints: drink a full glass of very cold water before you eat, it will help you feel satisfied and not over eat.

Healthy Recipe you tried or would like to try: I made this last night. Anyone who knows my Husband will be amazed that he loved this and took 4 pieces for lunch today. I made up this recipe so forgive the measurements. I do not usually measure stuff except for baking. This is enough to make 2 fairly large cookie sheet size pizzas.

Spinach Alfredo Pizza

whole wheat pizza dough (I make my own)

2 cups healthy Alfredo sauce (I use Wildtree Herbs brand...we use to sell these products)

1 bag shredded low fat mozz. cheese

2 boxes frozen chopped spinach

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pat dough into pans. Spread Alfredo sauce onto dough. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the pizza. Bake for 25-30 mins. Depending on the size of your pizza.

How was your week. If you post on your blog about your progress leave me a comment and let me know.

Happy Homemaker Monday

To see other HHM posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

On my bedside table: My Bible, Passionate Homemaker

On my TV: nothing

On the menu for tonight: steak and pork chops....didn't have enough steaks for everyone so I'm having pork chops.

On my To Do List: clean the house, get children ready for testing.

New Recipe I tried last week: Amish Spice Cake (will post the recipe later)

In the craft basket: skirts for the girls and I

Looking forward to: our Bible conference at Church this week. I am really enjoying the Pastor, he is speaking on the book of James.

Homemaking Tip for this week: make your home inviting for your Husband. Make it a place for him to want to go to.

(Favorite Blog Post of the week(mine or other):

Favorite photo from last week: Andrew out with Father on their night out. The kids look forward to this every month. He finished a whole double cheeseburger!!Lesson learned the past few days: Christian friends are great to have around in time of need. Read below.

On my Prayer List: My Husband....his brother, Dave, has been battling cancer for a year now and is in his final days. Matt went to see him last night at the hospice house. Matt and his brothers do not speak much at all. It is hard for me to watch him struggle so much. None of his family members are saved. He has witnessed to Dave many times. We pray that the Holy Spirit convicted him in this time. Please pray for Dave and his family. Also keep Matt in prayer as he seeks opportunities to share the Gospel with his family.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: James 1:2-8

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But 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. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

This has been our study in Church the past few days. One thing I have written down for myself to remember is: "If I love Him; I trust Him!"

"You don't say"...Award

It's no surprise that I love to comment on other blogs. If we did not comment on each other's blogs how are you to know that people are really reading what you say? I have received this great award for commenting on Wandering Quail Road. Thank you so much for this award!!

Here is the info on the award.

"We give and get awards for having a great blog and being a good friend. What I want to award is those people whose comments have meant THE WORLD to me. It takes time to visit a blog and leave a comment ... I wanted to recognize some special bloggers whose comments have made such an impact on me. The “You Don’t Say?” Award is awarded to these special bloggers in hopes that they will pass the award along to 5-10 of their best commenters!"

I love ALL comments, So if you have EVER commented on my blog please grab the button below and know that I love each comment I've ever received. It lets me know that I actually have readers and I'm not just talking to myself....again....LOL!!

Gratituesday

I have so much to be grateful for. This is going to be a collage of those things. I am so grateful to be able to live in a small town. We live in a town where you know almost everyone by name. Most of us grew up here and stayed after school. Many move away but always find themselves coming "home" again. Almost everyone who lives here has a lot of lawn for their children and grand children to play in. The property we live on is the same property my Husband has lived on all his life. There are so many memories here. I love that we are making memories with our children here as well. We sit out on our deck and enjoy the evenings...well eventually when it starts to warm up. We can hear the peepers, birds chirping, animals walking in the woods. We even have a deer that loves to torment our dog from across the road.

I am so grateful for the skills God has given me. Some take more work than others. About a year ago I learned how to crochet. This is a pot holder I made. I'm working now on dish cloths. There is nothing greater than being able to create things for our home. I'm working on my sewing. A few years ago my Husband bought me a sewing machine for my birthday. I told him I would make him some pajamas....well those still are not done yet. But I will get them done!! I love being a keeper at home, creating a warm and inviting place for people.

I am grateful for the opportunity to home school our children. I always loved my children but through home schooling I fell in love with them. I love to see God working in their lives each and every day.

I am grateful for my Husband! He works hard all day providing for us, going to college, and leading our family. We have been called into ministry. He loves to study God's word and I enjoy sitting and listening to him ponder what God is telling him through His Word. We both have changed so much in the past 3 years. I'm so excited to see what God has for us in the future. Right now our ministry is right here in our small town.

To see other gratituesday posts visit the Heavenly Homemakers.

Happy Homemaker Monday

On my bedside table: My Bible, Passionate Housewives, Healthy Cooking magazine.



On my TV: Little House on the Prairie Season 4



On the menu for tonight: Stuffed Pepper Soup, corn bread, crackers and a garden salad.



On my To Do List: Home school group lessons today, Woman's Bible study tonight.



New Recipe I tried last week:
Amish Spice Cake


2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup sour milk
2 1/2 cups flour sifted
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg or cloves
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream sugar and butter together until fluffy. Add eggs and beat until light. Sift together all dry ingredients, then add them alternately with the milk to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla. Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

In the craft basket: aprons



Looking forward to: the start of the Woman's Bible study again.



Homemaking Tip for this week: a clean home is a happy home. I have been keeping up on the cleaning of our home and I am SO much happier.



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other): do not really have one.



Favorite photo from last week: This is the scripture cake we made last week. The kids and my Husband loved it! Next time I will put it in a 8 x 8 pan.
Lesson learned the past few days: can't really think of one right now.

On my Prayer List: my Husband, my kids, our Church family. My Husband's brother Dave, who is being placed into hospice today. There is not much more they can do for his cancer. It has spread aggressively to many areas of his body.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."

To see more Happy Homemaker posts stop on by Sandra at Diary of a SAHM.

Card Making

Back in February my good friend Happy Mama moved away. We used to get together on Fridays to scrapbook. Although many of the last Fridays we had we were unable to get together. Well anyway I haven't want to scrapbook at all. Until last night! I found this group not far from here who meets once a month to make cards. I have made a few cards but really want to learn more. So I joined, the company that the lady works for is Close to My Heart. I love their stuff. They have more stamping and paper products than other scrapbook places. Last night was our first meeting. We made this tri fold mini card. I loved it, it is so cute.

These were so much fun to make. Instead of card stock the woman saves her cereal boxes and cuts the squares from them. How cool is that. I'm saving them from now on. Then we wrapped the cards in paper and added a top piece.

Then we added another piece of paper to the underside of each square. In the center we put an accordion folded paper with the message on it. Some of the women stamped just on the outside and left the inside blank for them to put pictures. The yellow daises are hard to see in this picture. Well I must go, I'm pulling all my stuff out and working on my scrapbooks today.

Slow Cooking Thursday

Carrot Cake

1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup grated carrots

Combine all ing. in a mixing bowl and mix well. Spread batter in greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours or until firm in the center. Makes 4-6 servings.

I'm going to try and make this low fat and calorie later today. I'm going to substitute egg beaters for the eggs. I'm going to replace the oil with applesauce. I'll let you know how it turns out. Enjoy!!


To see other slow cooker recipes go on over to Diary of a SAHM and check them out.

Weigh In Wednesday

I will be hosting this each week starting this week. Once we get enough interested I will post a Mr.Linky. Just leave me a comment telling me that you are doing this.

Food: I did ok with food this week. Easter was Sunday so ham was not the best choice for me in that area because of the salt. But I had a small piece along with salad, fruit salad, and veggies.

Water: I need to drink more water during the day. This is something I have a hard time doing.

Exercise: We did lawn clean up, I walked 2 times this week. I'd like to find a low impact workout video I can do in the mornings.

Challenges: Not eating at night!! I'm frustrated that this is so hard for me.

Successes: I got more exercise into my week.

Plans for the next week: Again, I want to start a food journal.

Weigh-in: Down only a pound.

Helpful Hints: Drink a full glass of water before a meal, it will help you feel full.

Healthy Recipe you tried or would like to try:

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

1 cup water
1/4 cup 100% apple juice
1 apple, cored and chopped
2/3 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup skim milk

Combine the water, apple juice, and apples in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, and stir in the rolled oats and cinnamon. Return to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer until thick, about 3 minutes. Spoon into serving bowls, and pour milk over the servings.

Happy Homemaker Monday

On my bedside table:

The Bible

On my TV:

nothing much

On the menu for tonight:

shepherds pie with turkey

On my To Do List:

freeze the rest of the left over turkey, clean the kitchen, get ready for upcoming birthdays (Katrina on the 29th, our nephew on May 1, Hannah on May 8, our niece on May 9)

New Recipe I tried last week:

Sandra's crockpot corn pudding. It was a BIG hit at Easter supper.

In the craft basket:

crocheted pot holders, cards.

Looking forward to:

planting our garden.

Homemaking Tip for this week:

If your fabric allows, when washing your curtains do not dry them. Hang them up and open your windows and let them dry in the breeze. Your house will smell very fresh!

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):

Then came the morning over at Michele's Morsels. It is a video post of the Gaither's singing this song. Brings tears to my eyes each time I hear it.

Favorite photo from last week:

We were on our way to our Son-rise service yesterday and saw this!!

Lesson learned the past few days:

When problems arise in life there is no sense getting all worked up over them. Rely on God and he will take care of you.

On my Prayer List:

My Husband, children, our Church, family, missionaries.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

To see other Happy Homemaker posts stop by Sandra at the Diary of a SAHM blog.

Slow Cooking Thursday

This is a wonderful recipe!

Almond Chicken

1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
2 strips of turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
4 boneless,skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1 (4 oz.) can mushrooms,drained (I used fresh button mushrooms sliced)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 cups celery, sliced
hot cooked rice
1 cup tasted slivered almonds

Combine all ingredients except rice and almonds in greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours or on low 6-8 hours. Serve over rice and garnish with almonds.

ENJOY!! To see other slow cooking recipes visit Diary of a SAHM.

Weigh In Wednesday...on Thursday!

This week has been completely crazy. I completely forgot about my weekly weigh in! Thank you Happy Mama for reminding me! LOL! On Monday night my Great Grandmother (my Dad's Grandmother) passed away. She was 98, she would of been 99 on May 1. We are saddened by her death for many reasons but one, we are unsure of her salvation. Today after my Husband gets out of work it is off to a doctor's appointment for me then drive an hour or so for her funeral. Anyway here is how my week went.

Food: I did very well with what I ate this week. We are adding more fruits and veggies to our diet. My Husband even bought asparagus!! I love it but he has never tried it. Anyone who knows him knows he is not a big fan of veggies....at least not yet!

Water: I've drank a lot of water this week. The BP medicine my doctor put me on is also a diuretic and I have to drink water or I'll get dehydrated.

Exercise: I've been able to get out and walk. I'm so excited about this because last year at this time I couldn't walk out to our driveway with out being in agony. I've been able to walk about 4 miles!!

Challenges: Getting outside as much as I wanted. Believe it or not we had 3 inches of snow here the other day! I'm not a fan of cold weather so I stayed inside. I do not have any work out videos to use inside.

Successes: Getting into a routine. The kids and I go out and walk every morning before school. It's a great time for us.

Plans for the next week: I'm going to start keeping a food journal. I want to see everything that I consume, including my water.

Weigh-in: I'm down 3 more pounds. Bringing my total since December to 40 pounds! I'm still in shock over how much I lost after my surgery. I feel so much better eating healthy....go figure...isn't that how God intended us to eat?!

I have not seen this posted on the Happy to be Home blog since March 18. But if you participate leave me a comment and let me know how you are doing. It really encourages me!!

***EDIT*** I will be hosting this starting this Wednesday April 15, as long as I can figure out all the technical things. Like mr. linky, making a button ect. Anyone with experience in this please let me know. Thank you!

Scripture Cake

With Easter this week the kids and I have been busy preparing for Sunday. I found this recipe in one of our home school books. It is called Scripture cake. Monday we had fun looking up all the verses and figuring out the ingredients.

SCRIPTURE CAKE


Ingredients:
1 cup Judges 5:25 last clause (butter)
1 cup Jeremiah 6:20 (sugar)
3 Jeremiah 17:11 (eggs)
1 tablespoon I Samuel 14:25 (honey)
1 cup I Samuel 30:12 second food (raisins)
1 cup Nahum 3:12 (figs), chopped
1/4 cup Numbers 17:8 (almonds), blanched and chopped
2 cups 1 Kings 4:22 (flour)
1/4 teaspoon of each II Chronicles 9:9 (spices, cloves,allspice,nutmeg)
1 teaspoon Exodus 30:23 (cinnamon)
Pinch of Leviticus 2:13 (salt)
1 teaspoon Amos 4:5 (leavener, such as baking soda)
3 tablespoons Judges 4:19 last sentence (milk)

Cream first 3 ingredients.

Beat in the 3 Jeremiahs (eggs), one at a time.

Add honey and beat again.

Sift together Kings (flour), II Chronicles (spices), Leviticus (salt), and Amos (leavener, or baking soda). Add alternately with milk to creamed mixture.

Add almonds,raisins,and figs. Mix gently until well incorporated.

Beat egg whites until stiff. Then fold into batter. Pour into a loaf pan. Next time I will put the batter into a 9X13 cake pan.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour, or until done.

This activity was so much fun I HIGHLY suggest doing it yourself or with your children. It taste like a spice cake with raisins.

Gratituesday

I am so thankful that God sent His Son Jesus to die in my place. Had Jesus stayed in the tomb I would be responsible for my sin debts. Jesus conquered the tomb, which means I can also!! Those who believe are released from the death that sin brings and invited to spend eternity with my Heavenly Father. I get so excited every time I think about spending eternity with my Heavenly Father. I also get equally saddened by the fact that I know many of my family members will not share in that joy. They have not taken that step of faith to accept Christ as their Savior.

Easter is NOT chocolate bunnies and egg hunts. Many people do not even know the true meaning behind this holiday. It is up to us to tell others. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands us to go and tell everyone about him.

Matthew 28:19 (New King James Version)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

We as Christians are also expected to be able to answer those who ask us questions about our faith.

1 Peter 3:15 (New King James Version)
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

We as Christians are to be sharing our faith with everyone we meet, at home, work, with friends, or while doing our hobbies. Are you celebrating Easter every day?

Happy Homemaker Monday

On my bedside table:
Bible, Passionate Housewives Desperate for God, homeschool catalogs

On my TV:
nothing. We are concentrating on what Christ did for us.

On the menu for tonight:
Veggie stir fry

On my To Do List:
Prepare for Resurrection Sunday
Review with the kids for testing next month
Doctor on Thursday

New Recipe I tried last week:
Pizza dough in the bread maker....just make sure you pick the dough cycle and NOT quick bake! We had a nice loaf of pizza crust bread! Pretty tasty.

In the craft basket:
The Jelly Bean Prayer baggies. We are making them to give out to family members this Sunday. I will be posting the directions on my home school blog later this week.

Looking forward to:
Spending time with family on Sunday. My Grandmother is coming up with my Aunt, Uncle and my cousin. My Grandmother is saved but my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin are not. They are coming to church with us!!

Homemaking Tip for this week:
When you are not feeling well and friends or family offer to help....LET THEM!!

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Did not really read many or blog much this week.

Favorite photo from last week:
Have not put them on the computer yet.

Lesson learned the past few days:
When things are upsetting you give it to God! He knows how to handle it better than we do. Since my good friend moved away I have been struggling when it comes to having Christian friends. I am a very social person and need that interaction of friendship from a Godly Woman. I prayed about it and have started developing friendships at church with some women.

On my Prayer List:
My Husband and children
Victims from the Italy earthquake
missionaries

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Psalm 142:3
"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me."

To see other Happy Homemaker posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Slow Cooking Thursday

There is just something kids love about dipping their food into stuff. My children must have something to dip at almost every meal. I found this recipe and they love it! I usually double it so we have some for the following day. They love it for lunch.

Pizza Fondue

1 jar spaghetti sauce with meat
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon cornstarch or instant tapioca
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (I've also used sausage cooked first and drained)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Combine all ingredients except cheese in greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 2-3 hours. Add cheese the last hour of cooking. Makes 8-10 servings.

Dip bread sticks, pita bread chips or crusty Italian bread. ENJOY!!

To see other slow cooking recipes visit Sandra at Diary of a SAHM.

Weigh in Wednesday

Food-this week I did OK with what I ate, but not great! I did eat 3 meals a day every day this week. Most of the time I skip breakfast, which I know is wrong.

Water-I drank a lot of water this week. The meds they put me on make me really thirsty. But I've noticed my rings fit a lot better.

Exercise-I got out and walked 5 times this week. Most of the time it was walking around our yard. But yesterday we went on a field trip and walked about 2 miles in the woods. I did very well. My back didn't hurt me at all!

Challenges-eating good meals. I've started adding more to our dinners to make them complete. We try to have a salad before every meal. I'm excited about planting our garden. I'm going to do a variety of lettuce this year and spinach.

Successes-I am down 3 pounds this week. I was a bit disappointed because usually at the start of things I usually loose more. I know 3-4 pounds a week is good.

Plans for the next week-keep a food journal. I'm going to write down everything I eat. Then on the opposite page I'll put my activity/exercise.

Weigh in-See my successes.


I'm not sure if they are hosting this any longer or not but go to Happy to be at Home to check out their site.