Crock Pot Wednesday

I've been invited to participate in this. Although I do one on Thursday's it should not be a problem. I use my crockpot all the time! Many people think that just because I'm a stay at home mom I have all the time in the world to make supper. Wrong!! I wear many hats one being homeschooling mom. That takes up a lot of time. I'm sure people have many chili recipes but this one is a great go to recipe that is easy.

Simple Chili

2 pounds ground beef browned and drained
1 large onion chopped
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, with liquid
2 cans (8 oz each) tomato puree
2 cans (16 oz each)with liquid use less depending on how your family likes it
1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies with liquid (optional)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon garlic minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons salt (I usually leave this out because of using canned products)
1 teaspoon pepper

Mix all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on high 2-3 hours or on low 4-6 hours.

To see all the Crock Pot Wednesday posts visit Dining with Debbie.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods: very autumn like. I love it. The leaves are beginning to change colors, bright yellows, oranges, deep reds.

One of my simple pleasures: sitting in the house with NO noise at all except for the tick tock of the clock.

On my bedside table: Bible, fan, cell phone

On my TV: nothing

On the menu for tonight: Brown sugar chicken I saw Giada make on Food Network.

On my To Do List: get ready for my son Andrew's 10th birthday party Saturday. His birthday isn't until the 12th but this is the only time family can get together. I can't believe my baby is going to be 10. I'm having a very difficult time with it.

New Recipe I tried last week: none last week

In the craft basket: scrapbooking and cardmaking.

Looking forward to: the ladies craft fellowship at church at the end of October.

Homemaking Tip for this week: with the threat of the flu lurking at every turn, keep hand sanitizer with you at all times! We bought huge bottles of it this weekend. Make sure you wash and cleanse your cars also.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other): did not read any this week.

Favorite photo from last week: my aspiring firefighter!

Lesson learned the past few days: there are many judgmental people in the world. EVEN in Christian circles. Just let me say that the kids and I were called baggage. My husband was talking with someone about a few things and this is what we were called his baggage!! I do not want to go into detail. But please pray for me....I'm feeling VERY bitter towards this person who is a part of our church. It has made me question a lot of things, especially about the church we attend. That is just one of many things this person said. I did go to church yesterday but my heart was full of bitterness the whole day.

On my Prayer List: my Husband (he did not get the promotion at work), my Grandmother (my aunt called and said she has early onset of dementia), my daughter Katie (who has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder), my sister Sherri (she has a brain injury and her husband has filed for divorce. Not only that, he is seeing another woman. He is unsaved), my parents, I rarely ask for prayer, but I'm feeling very overwhelmed lately.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: Proverbs 14:33 (New American Standard Bible)
Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.

To see other HHM posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods: very autumn like. Cool mornings with mild daytime temperatures.

One of my simple pleasures: watching the leaves change colors.

On my bedside table:Bible, Love and Respect

On my TV: my son is watching a recap from all the football games yesterday.

On the menu for tonight: spaghetti and meat sauce

On my To Do List: laundry, straighten up the kitchen, finish Bible study for tonight.

New Recipe I tried last week: did not try one

In the craft basket: I'm making the new welcome packets for church.

Looking forward to: finding out if hubby gets the promotion at work.

Homemaking Tip for this week: involve your children in daily housework.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other): did not read many blogs

Favorite photo from last week: I did not upload any pictures this week.

Lesson learned the past few days: just when you think you have settled into a routine, God has other plans. My Husband has learned that he is up for a promotion at work. He would be a supervisor....BUT he would have to switch to second shift (3pm till 11pm). These hours will actually work better for our family. He is still going to school and it will give him more time to study. He can do his school work while the kids are doing theirs.

On my Prayer List: family, husband's job, services men and women.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 16:27 "Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and gladness are in His place."

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

Slow Cooking Thursday

Oriental Chicken

1 fryer chicken 3-4 pounds cut up

2 tablespoons veg. oil

1/3 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons water

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 cup slivered almonds

In a large skillet brown chicken in oil on both sides. Place in slow cooker. Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, garlic and ginger; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour.

Reduce heat to low; cook 4-5 hours until chicken is done. (160 for chicken) Sprinkle with almonds. OR remove chicken and then sprinkle with almonds. Thicken juices for gravy. YUM!!

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods: I love autumn!! Need I say more?

One of my simple pleasures: watching my children getting along! :-)

On my bedside table: "Love and Respect", Bible, cell phone

On my TV: football and Yankees game...hubby going back and forth...lol!

On the menu for tonight: We had hamburgers on the grill and tater tots. So simple but yummy!

On my To Do List: school, clean, laundry, scrapbooking/cardmaking

New Recipe I tried last week: did not try anything new

In the craft basket: paper crafting

Looking forward to: a week with nothing planned...not in the near future!!

Homemaking Tip for this week: do your major cleaning in the fall when the temps are cooler. You will also have a nice clean home to "hibernate" in for the winter.

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

Favorite photo from last week: my twins!!

Lesson learned the past few days: make sure when your driving around a lake on narrow roads you do your homework....make sure there will not be a benefit ride the day you want to travel!!! We encountered over 100 bicycle riders on Saturday while traveling to visit friends.

On my Prayer List: family, our government, soldiers.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: Psalm 121:1-2 "I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth."

To see other posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Remembering 9/11

This day was a moment in history when you remember exactly what you were doing, the weather where you live. We were all glued to the TV for days. The silence that followed the days ahead from the sky.

This is a poem I got from Diary of a SAHM last year.

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

♥♥♥♥

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialled. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK...I am ready to go.'

♥♥♥♥

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

♥♥♥♥

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'

♥♥♥♥

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls.I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

♥♥♥♥

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

♥♥♥♥

I was in Texas , Virginia , California, Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

♥♥♥♥

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

♥♥♥♥

Some sought Me with their last breath.Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

♥♥♥♥

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

♥♥♥♥

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I maybe found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'

♥♥♥♥

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

♥♥♥♥

But take this moment to remember those lost this day 8 years ago.

God Bless everyone.

Give a way and this and that...

I came across this give a way today. The Creative Cowgirl is having a give a way of a chipboard album kit from one of her favorite scrapbook stores...Green Tangerines.

To enter all you have to do is go to her blog and leave a comment answering what your favorite part of a crop is. Is it the giveaways, food or just the girl time?? For those of you who do not know what a crop is, it is where you get together with a group of women to work on your scrapbook pages or make cards. Usually one of the ladies is a consultant for a scrapbook company. Kind of like me!! I suggest you find one in your area. These women are full of great ideas to get your pictures into albums to preserve for years to come.

Leave a comment by September 15th midnight and she will be picking a winner on September 16th.

Then leave a link on your blog to her giveaway! Easy!

GOOD LUCK!

Now on to other business. Our new idea book has been released! Please contact me to see how you can get your book. I'm also having an open house soon so I'll keep you posted on that.

PRAISE GOD!!! My husband just called me and told me there had been an accident at his work. The rig that he works on had fallen apart and a large piece landed on his partner that he works with, hitting him in the head. It missed my husband which I'm SO thankful for. His partner has a head injury and an injury to his shoulder. Please remember Tim in prayer. For those that do not know, my husband builds electrical bushing that weigh sometimes over a ton. They work on huge metal platforms with metal tables and hoists. The metal table is what broke and fell. My husband a lot of times works on the bottom where Tim was working today.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods: in one word: B*E*A*U*T*I*F*U*L!!!!

One of my simple pleasures: having my family around me.

On my bedside table: Love and Respect (the book I'm reading for a review), Bible, Idea Book from Close to my Heart.

On my TV: nothing...and loving it!!

On the menu for tonight: chicken cooked in the cast iron pot with biscuits, fresh green beans from our garden.

On my To Do List: lesson plans, painting the house...I can't wait until this is over!!

New Recipe I tried last week:

Honey wheat bread

1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast

Add ingredients to your bread machine according to manufacturers instructions.
Do on either light or medium crust.
When it begins to mix, watch to make sure it is the right consistency adding a tad more water if needed OR a tad more flour.

In the craft basket: i've started my faithbook, making more cards

Looking forward to: fall!! The start of group lessons next week. Saturday we travel to visit friends! I'm really looking forward to this!!

Homemaking Tip for this week: making your own bread is very therapeutic!

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other): did not really read many blogs.

Favorite photo from last week: honey bread. This was so good. It did not last very long, but boy was it tasty!

Lesson learned the past few days: even though your children are growing up they still need a lot of guidance!! Sunday morning we woke up to a phone call telling us that our 15 year old had not been seen since Friday at supper. She went camping with my parents for the weekend. I (understandably) was hysterical! We prepared to leave and Matt was on the phone with our pastor, then what seemed like a life time, my dad called to tell us he had found her and was on his way home with her. She decided on her own to stay with a friend in her camper, without telling my parents where she was!

On my Prayer List: family, unsaved friends and family.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: 1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."

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

Slow Cooking Thursday

I completely forgot it was Thursday yesterday!!! I was not feeling very well yesterday and did not do much except lie on the couch. But here is a very simple and quick recipe.

Beef and Mushrooms
3 pounds stew meat, cubed
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cans mushrooms, with liquid
1/2 cup apple juice
1 envelope dry onion soup mix

Combine all ingredients in greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 10 hours. Serve with rice or over egg noodles.

To see other slow cooking recipes go on over to Diary of a SAHM.

Country life.......

Monday night the girls and I went to a Tastefully Simple party and the guys went out fishing. The joys of living in the country, where just a short ride up the road takes them to a wonderful creek to fish in. We actually have 3 areas very close to our house. My husband is an amazing man, the kids are not his biologically, but he treats them like they are. He is so great at teaching them things he learned from his Dad. Fishing being one of them. I thank God for him each day.

Matt and Andrew have so much in common. Now recently they enjoy fishing. Last weekend while at the lake they were fishing more times than not. Andrew would hop on his bike and ride to the lake and fish by himself. He was so proud that he was able to take the fish off on his own.

Bring it on!!!
Waiting for the big one!!

And another joy (I'm saying this sarcastically) of living in the country are nasty, horrible, creepy, ugly, snakes!!! Anyone who knows me well knows I'm deathly afraid of them. I break out in hives and sweat just thinking about them....doing it now as a matter of fact!! Well last night I was mowing our lawn....on a large riding mower mind you....and Andrew came running out from behind the tree yelling for me to stop. I did and he started yelling snnnnnaaaake!!! He knows his Mom very well!!!

He ran to get his snake wrangling partner....Gloria our dog. She loves to play with them...LOL! They played ring around the tree with it for about 10 minutes.
I'm not sure if you can see it or not in the above picture, but Gloria was playing and barking at it for some time. Pretty funny.....From a distance of course!!! I was sitting on the lawn mower about 100 feet...or more....I sent Matt out to take the pictures.

Here is Gloria's toy! UGGGGLY! Boy with the zoom lens on the camera it looks like a huge snake. It was pretty small. OH yes here is my little side note...no animals were injured during this....yeah right....just the creepy critter!!!! There is a reason God changed satan into a snake!!! But like any home schooling family will do....we turned this into a nature/science lesson. We wanted to find out what kind it was....well THEY wanted to know. So they looked it up on the internet and found out it was just a simple garder snake....ewwwww! LOL!

I actually love living in the country. The peace and quiet, enjoyment of God's creation. Being able to see the stars at night in the sky. The smell after a storm, hearing the crickets singing their tunes. Planting a garden and eating of the wonderful items. And in the future fresh eggs from your chickens, fresh goats milk, cheese, yogurt!