Counting....

His goodness... His mercy... His grace... His love...

# 89-100

- Rain

- Gift cards= dinner out with my family!

- Listening to my hubby read about The Lords Supper

- The cross

- Making Resurrection cookies!

- Cadbury Eggs

- Being Called "Mommy"

- Resurrection = Hope!

- Watching my boys play with friends

- Late night movies with the Hubs

- Messy house after the holiday weekend

- Happy House noises: washing machine, dishwasher, pandora, boys playing...


(These two sweet faces call me "Mommy"... what blessings!)

Counting... 4/19/11

I was going to skip this week because I was so busy yesterday... but after the day I've had I think it will be good to go back over what I wrote down this past week.

# 78-88

~ Finding a birds nest in the birdhouse that Luke and my Dad build... with eggs!

~ Walking (exercise!) while the boys play! Good for the body and soul!

~ Excitement of new beginnings

~ Eli's face when he learned how to blow a pin wheel

~ Early bedtimes

~ Choclate ice cream covered faces...



~ Big brother comforting little brother during the storm




~ Sunny Sunday Morning and my new favorite breakfast



~ Foot Rubs

~ Listening to my boys sing "Hosanna"

~ Grace

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23-24

Menu Plan Monday - 4/18

I have a few repeats this week!

French Toast, Papa's Fruit Salad

Apricot Herb Glazed Salmon, Sauteed Spinach, Brown Rice

Taco Corn Fritters, Black Beans, Salsa

Italian Roast Wraps, Salad

Chicken Pot Pie with Savory Herb and Cheddar Crust, Green Beans

Breakfast: Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins (posting redo recipe this week), cereal, yogurt/cheese, fruit

Lunch: PB&J/honey, Cheese Quesadillas, Corn Dog Muffins, Veggies and Fruit for sides!

I have no idea what we're having for Easter! I've got to get with my mom so we can plan our meal! We typically have ham and lots of sides! I'm thinking of making a Pina Coloda cake.. the kind with coconut cream! Yum! Do you have any favorite Easter dishes? Care to share?

We Live Here

My house is not a castle, pristine and fancy. It is not spotless or sterile. My house is a home. The home where two little boys live... where my husband and I laugh and love. God is here and it is holy. It is a beautiful place.


























"So whether you eat or drink or whatever
you do, do it all for the glory of God"
-I Corinthians 10:31

Chicken Ranch Pasta

This recipe is a made over recipe! It's a great quick weeknight meal!

Chicken Ranch Pasta
(serves 4-6)

2 large chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
2 TBS butter
2 TBS flour
2 TBS ranch dressing mix
1 1/4 cup milk
1 cup green peas
cooked whole wheat pasta (I used about a half box, we like shells or the spiral-y kind)
Parmesan Cheese (optional)

Heat butter in pan, add chicken and cook through. Sprinkle chicken with flour and mix well. Add ranch dressing mix and stir. Add milk and peas and bring to a boil, stirring often. Turn heat down to simmer and let thicken. Once sauce is thickened, turn off heat and stir in drained pasta. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

**If you notice in my picture, I didn't add peas last night! I was in a hurry and didn't have time to dig in the freezer for them! So, you can leave them out but it's really best when they are in it! And I did add 4 slices of cooked crumbled bacon to mine. So the recipe can be flexible! I'm not a fan of the bacon because it makes it too salty (for me) but my hubby is a bacon fan! So, if I have some bacon I throw it in the pan, cook it and then let it drain on a paper towel while I'm cooking the chicken. Then I add it in at the end, to keep it from getting soggy. And typically I have the time to locate my bag of frozen peas! ;)

Extra tip: This recipe is yummy the next day but sometimes it can get a little dry (as with any cream sauce). My solution: add a little sour cream or milk to the pasta and stir, then reheat. Perfect leftovers!

I'm linking up with:



and Homemaking Link-Up Day at:



and these others: Old Fashion Recipe Exchange, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday,

Good To All... Counting

God is so very sweet....


#67-76

- Listening to Luke tell stories as he plays

- Pancake Night



- Smiles around the table

- A tiny Pansy growing in the crack of the sidewalk



- Brotherly love



- Sweet prayers to God from Luke

- Popcorn popper from Mom



- Husband folding laundry

- Sunny, windy days.. perfect for flying and riding in the wind!



- Fresh flowers on my stove

- Friends in my home, talking... laughing

"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made." Psalm 145: 8-9


,

Menu Plan Monday 4/11/11 (recipe review)

I meant to post this review last week but I forgot! We love our pancakes around here and I have a very favorite recipe. But I saw a link for Peanut Butter Pancakes over at I'm an Organizing Junkie and thought I'd have to try it! And they were so yummy! My boys really enjoyed them! I don't think I'll be replacing my normal recipe but it will be a nice recipe to have for a change every now and then! Oh and I used all whole wheat flour and sucanat in this recipe, too. Now, here's what we're eating this week:

Chicken Fingers, Peas, Mashed Potatoes

Italian Roast Wraps, Sauteed Green Beans

Taco Corn Fritters with Salsa, Salad

Apricot Herb Glazed Salmon (new recipe), Steamed Broccoli, Brown Rice

Chicken Ranch Pasta (re-making a recipe), Salad

I didn't get to make Maple Pecan Muffins last week so I'm making them this week! I did make the granola though! It was soo good! I made it with 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries and 1/4 cup chocolate chips. I gave in a bought the boys a box of Chocolate Cheerios. That's as close as they get to 'junk' cereal. The box is gone though and it will be a while before I give in again. I've regained composure. ;) We get so much cereal on WIC that we usually have too much! I'm not a huge fan of boxed cereal because there are much healthier options but it's free so the boys get it sometimes for breakfast and occasional snacks. WIC cereal is healthier cereal (Cheerios, Multigrain Cheerios, Frosted Mini Wheats, Honey Bunches of Oats w/ Almonds, ect) So...

Breakfasts: Maple Pecan Muffins, Peanut Butter Pancakes (from freezer), Cereal, Fruit, Yogurt, Cheese, Scrambled Eggs

Lunch: PB&J/Honey, Cheese Quesadillas, Leftover Veggies from Dinner, Fruit (and we always have a bag of baby carrots for lunches too!)

Visit Menu Plan Monday at OrgJunkie for more recipes and menu ideas!

Digging

If you've noticed here lately much of my posts have revolved around food. Why? Mainly because I love to cook. I'm no great cook but I'm hoping that with enough practice I will be remembered by my grand-kids for my yummy food! It's easy for me to write about food. I have a recipe, I share it. I make a menu, I share it. But I so want to share with you the amazing things God's doing in my heart. Can we just sit down and chat? There is so much He's doing and it's hard for me to get it out.

It's strange for me to say this but my walk with Him has been a struggle here lately. And what I mean by that is not that I'm struggling in whether or not I believe. I've been digging deep in His word, looking for answers and looking for Him. I've been going through some personal struggles (physically and emotionally) which has really just driven me to seek Him more. I know that's one reason why we go through things... to know Him greater and deeper. I've had questions and wondered. I've found His truth and it has been such a comfort to me. My desire has been to saturate myself with Him and His word. When you're grounded in absolute truth, The truth, there is such security. I'm striving to know deeper truth.

Though I've been a believer for 10 years, I feel like I'm really just now learning who I am in Christ.... really who I am. It's been amazing what I've learned so far and I can't wait for more. Digging into Gods word and studying Him is the only way for us to be sure of anything. And it's a promise He will keep.

"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6

"My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding: yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" Proverbs 2: 1-6

Chocolate Cake with Fudge Icing

This cake is sinful. If you know me, I like healthy for everyday life. But special occasions call for special treats! And this cake is a special treat! The recipe came from a friend who got it from a friend. It's a tried and true one! It's not difficult but there is a little work to it! Believe me, it's WORTH it. I made this for my mom's birthday recently and thought I should share! (full recipe below)




Mix flour and sugar together (I'm using sucanat whole cane sugar here, which is why it's brown)




Boil water, oil, butter and cocoa and pour into flour mixture and mix until combined.




Add eggs and beat well.





Add buttermilk and vanilla. Beat well.




Pour into a greased and floured 9x13 in pan and bake in a 350 preheated oven for 25 minutes.



Bring butter, cocoa and buttermilk to a full boil.





Remove from heat. Mix in vanilla. Add sifted powdered sugar slowly, mixing well. (Add chopped pecans here if wanted. I did half with and half without.)




Pour onto warm cake. Let cool before serving. YUM! (Yes, this is a real life shot from a messy kitchen!)

Here is the recipe:

Chocolate Cake with Fudge Icing

2 cups sr flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup oil
1 stick butter
4 TBS cocoa
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together flour and sugar. Put water, butter, oil and cocoa onto stove and bring to a boil. Add cocoa mixture to flour mixture and mix to combine. Add 2 eggs, beat well. Add buttermilk and vanilla mix well. Pour into a greased and floured 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Icing:

1 stick butter
4 TBS cocoa
6 TBS buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1 box powdered sugar, sifted
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Bring butter, cocoa and buttermilk to a full boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir in powdered sugar slowly, mixing well. Add nuts. Pour over warm cake. Let cool before serving.

This is seriously good. Enjoy!

I'm linking up with Comfy in the Kitchen: Feasting in Fellowship Friday




Raising Homemakers: Homemaking Link Up



and



and Don't Waste Your Homemaking:

The Great Things... Counting

It's April! Bring on the warmth and sunshine! What a beautiful weekend we had! I'm, continuing my counting... and I pray that if you haven't you'll pick up One Thousand Gifts, read it and start counting!


Gifts... #58-66

~ Iron burns on the carpet, but not on Eli



~ Time alone to think and pray
~ Funny People
~ Sunshine after many cloudy days
~ Tiny tomato plants leaning toward the sun
~ Mom's birthday and chocolate cake to celebrate



~ Mary's song of praise (Luke 1)
~ Watching the boys eat cake at a birthday party
~ Friends


In the words of Mary, "for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." Luke 1:49