Yummy soup on a cold day!

Last night I had it easy in the kitchen, whipping up our 7 can soup recipe. This came to us through a good friend at least 10 years ago and I know the first year we ate it at least every 2 weeks while it was cold…and probably then some! Last night I used ground Turkey meat instead – just as good. Nothin’ could mess this soup up – that is, as long as you don’t deviate from Campbell’s Minestrone soup, which I did once before and regretted it! Enjoy with corn muffins or corn chips, and sprinkled cheese on top. Here goes!

Ingredients
1 lb. hamburger meat
1 med. size onion
3 cans Campbell’s Minestrone Soup
2 cans Ranch Style Beans (drained and rinsed…don’t forget this as it gives a totally dif. taste)
1 can Stewed or Diced tomatoes
1 can Rotel

Brown meat in skillet; add onion and cook. Drain fat. Combine canned ingredients in soup pot. (Don’t forget to drain and rinse beans). Add meat and onion mixture to soup pot. Here, I add 1 Rotel can of water – you could add more or less, depending on the level of chunky/soupiness you like. Simmmer for 30 minutes.

Freezes well – but again, I no longer have much left over! Today we could probably dine on the leftovers as a SNACK!

Enjoy!

A Soft Landing

Soft landing. This is how I describe my dear Judy’s home. I’ve known here for over 15 years since she first help me get my sinuses under control after moving back to East Texas. She has no title..but for us, she’s our homeopathic “go-to” gal and we love her like a dear part of our family. My boys LOVE to go to Mrs. Judy’s house and she loves them. Their favorite snack there is apples with peanut butter and honey and today she served up some cooked turkey meat (which reminded me to add the turkey to my shopping list). The only thing that would make a trip to her house better in my boys humble opinion, is if they could pet the dogs! Bessie is a large boxer – beautiful, and they’ve recently acquired a new mixed bred named Sadie. We look forward to the day when they can go outside with the dogs, but until then there are visits across the gate when we drive up and checking them out through the kitchen door window.

Grateful for her. Thankful for when I can experience a bit of heaven on this side. And blessed that my boys experience this relationship between us and her.

Funny – I noticed a bottle of essential oil while in her kitchen; read the label “Peace and Calm” – took a whiff and pretended to douse myself with it! I got to leave with some and used it tonight with some lotion and then a bit on my wrist. Yummy.

Well, my next soft landing today (other than my home of course) was dinner with my Mother’s Leauge friends. Girls Night Out is priority on my list when the calendar comes out. We laughed. And laughed. Grateful for these precious women in my life at such a vital time. I couldn’t be a Godly mother without my Heavenly Father. I couldn’t be a sane mother without my husband’s love and support. And I think I’d be sorely missing out on something unexplained if I didn’t have my Mom friends who are in the trenches with me.

So my next soft landing is my BED! With my new flannel PJ’s! Goodnight

Recipe Sharing

I love recipe sharing!  Where would I be if folks didn’t share their recipes?  A friend of mine has a funny story about actually stealing a recipe from a family member b/c she refused to share this wonderful pie recipe (note to self:  get that recipe!)!  But this friend of mine ALWAYS has a funny story at hand!  Anyhow, on with the recipes!

A bit of background.  Turkey meatloaf is my family’s FAVorite – it rotates on about every 2 weeks.  I’ve about got it memorized.  I got the recipe off Recipezaar (which I love, by the way – and I will only try something that has at least a 4 star rating with at least a handfull of folks trying it).  From there the recipe actually comes from a fresh turkey label – the gal tried it and loved it.  I’ve tweaked it a bit for our spicy tastes here – so I’ll give you the original and then leave notes about what I do.  Chicken Pot Pie is my Auntie’s MIL’s recipe (who went to see Jesus about 3-4 years ago now).  My Auntie usually makes her own crust – me, I need peace and quiet while trying to make a homemade crust.  So I buy the pilsburry crust near the biscuits.  Works great.  You can put chicken in it, or leave it with just vegies, or as I do, use left over roasted chicken.     Porcupine Meatballs – if this recipe doesn’t make it on here you can bet my kids have woke up and it’s time for me to get to work!  However, time given, I’ll post.  I’ve never heard of these until reading The Secret (By Beverly Lewis – she writes about Amish folks) – so I thought I’d google them and give them a try.  I was missing a few ingredients, so I substituted.  They were good, but I’d like to try with the tomato soup and chili powder.  AND, they are CUTE!  I see where they got their name.  Family ate them up, even needing to be tweaked!

Turkey Meatloaf

1. 2 T butter
2. 1 c. onion, chopped
3. 3 cloves garlic, minced
4. 1 1/4 lb. ground turkey *
5. 1/2 c. breadcrumbs
6. 1 egg
7. 3/4 c. catsup **
8. 2 t. Worcestershire sauce
9. 3/4 t. salt ***
10. 1/2 t. black pepper

Melt butter in skillet and cook onion and garlic in melted butter for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Place mixture in large bowl to cool for about 5 minutes

Combine turkey, bread crumbs, egg, 1/4 c. catsup, Worchestershire sauce, salt, and pepper with onion mixture

Press meatloaf into and 8X4 inch loaf pan and spread remaining ketchup on top ****

Bake in 350 degree oven for 50-55 minutes.  Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes.

NOTES: * I buy ground turkey that has fat and costs about 2.99.  I’ve tried the lower fat version (I think it’s the ground turkey breast meat) and it is drier when cooked.    **I use 1/4 c. in my mix, but then squirt ketchup on top when time comes.  ***Here I use Tony Chacheres (sp?) – about 1 tsp or 1 1/4 tsp – we like a little spicey.  ****I make mine in muffin tins – I did this b/c they were easy to store in the freezer for another meal.  However, I no longer have leftovers since I now am feeding 3 males!  My cook time this way is halfed, so they take about 25 minutes to cook – watch out, or they will burn if you leave them longer!

(Kids are still asleep)

Chicken Pot Pie

1. Chicken Thighs – 6-8 , deboned  and  cut up(or any left-over chicken meat)
2. 1 stalk celery, chopped
3. 1 large onion, chopped
4. 1 can Cream of Celery
5. 1 can Cream of Chicken
6. 1 can Cream of Onion
7. Package of mixed frozen vegetables (corn/peas/carrots/green beans, or any combo you’d like)
8. Crust – from scratch or purchased

Cook onion and celery (and minced garlic if you prefer, we do) in water until done.  Mix soups and heat (I added some water with chicken bouillon at this point – about 1/2 c. water and 3 bouillon).  Spoon meat in bottom of 9X13 pan, put veggies on top of that, then pour your soup over it.  If too thick, can add more chicken broth or water (I’d already done this).  Put your crust over top and seal on inside of the edge.  Cook at 350 for 30-45 minutes then cut down to 300 (Auntie’s note says that if you cook it too fast, the crust will get too brown). 

(Kids are indeed awake, but watching Dinosaur Train -perfect timing!)

Porcupine Meatballs (cut and paste works great – recipe came from http://southernfood.about.com)

1 pound lean ground beef

• 1/3 cup uncooked long-grain rice
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• dash ground black pepper
• 1 can condensed tomato soup
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 cup water

Preparation:

Combine the ground beef, rice, onion, 1/4 cup of the water, salt, and pepper. Shape meat mixture into 12 to 15 meat balls. Combine the soup, chili powder, and water in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Add meatballs; reduce heat, cover, and simmer over very low heat for 1 hour. Stir occasionally.
Serves 4.  (Mind didn’t take this long to cook – I put mine in my deep skillet and my meatballs might have been smaller.  Don’t over cook, or you’ll lose the “porcupine” look!)

Well, I must run.  So happy to share.  Cooking for my fam is one of my favorite things (trying not to disdain cleaning up, though).  Enjoy with your family and come back and tell me what you think!

Happy Eating!

Praying with one eye open!

Funny, I was thinking about my last blog post today (Worshipping with one eye open!) while in church – not realizing it was the last post I’d made!  But today I was laughing as Tony went to take my hand during the last prayer and I was laughing (quietly, of course) and praying with eyes open as Sammy was slipping into the isle…ready to GO!   Pastor Glynn is a wonderful man of God and preacher/teacher of God’s Word, yet I find myself wishing he would get on with it so that church is over!  This, of course, is only due to the movability of my son!  Today I was telling the Lord while in church that I felt like a black momma cat with it’s back arched and claws dug in – and I wanted to be that fluffy gray kitty with brown spots all curled up and comfy. 

I WAS grateful for the portion of Pastor’s message that I heard (with my ears consciously, Thanking Father in advance for whatever portion I “missed” would make it to His Spirit living in me).  It was on coveting.  I appreciate the opportunity to take that back to Father for His examination in my heart.  We are in the process of decluttering again as it seems the walls are closing in (and there’s not even a Christmas tree up yet!).  I have experienced Father’s gifts of things needed…and even wanted.  And when I see His hand bring a gift – oh, the joy!  And then His joy b/c of MY joy over His gift!  So, I ushered to Him all that is in my living room (even my dresser and coffee table, hand-made by my great-grandpaw Roberts and my grandmother’s small library table – one of her first pieces of furniture).  Everything is HIS.  So declaring He may take out and put in whatever HE wants!  And wondering if I should read up on Feng Shui!

And speaking of bringing in – He brought in some cool curtain panels for our bedroom that I’m anxious to tea stain and hang this week!  And needing to google if 100% polyester will tea stain!

Yesterday we sang a song by Chris Tomlin “I Will Rise.”  One of the fav part of the lyrics is “I will rise when He calls my Name” – I know this full  well, as well as I know my name, He WILL call my name one day and I WILL see Him face to face.  It IS well with my soul.

 

Worshipping with one eye open

This was me today in worship. My Sammy is now in worship with us.  I can’t say that I’ve been ready for this day, but it is here.  Today was actually his 2nd time in a row to be in worship.  For some time I’ve enjoyed the joy of closing my eyes while singing worship songs – this keeps any distractions out and for me, helps me to visualize the One I’m singing for, to and because of.  It helps me to internalize the Truth of the words I’m singing, so that they become more than words. 

But with my Sam beside us, now I’ve got one eye open…knowing he’s capable of catching Mom not looking, and deciding to perhaps…crawl over the pew, run down to the front and tell the worship leader the music is too loud for him, draw on the pew, get into my purse and eat ALL of our favorite mints for church.  I’m sure there are others.  It keeps things interesting and me laughing (most of the time).

But as we talked about how pleased we were with his behavior in worship today, we talked about how glad Mom and Dad were to have him there – to worship God as a family.  And we talked about looking forward to the day when Saw Wayne was with us as well.  What a blessing to worship together.

 

His funny the other day:  “Mom, when I go to be with Jesus, can I still talk when I’m in the dirt (buried)?” 

I love that kid.

Back to the basics

Last night I was blessed to have a Mom’s Time Out with my ML friends.  I had about an hour spare time, so I headed to Starbucks and took out my Bible, asking Father for HELP!  My responses to my Sammy had not been God-honoring the past several days.  I apologized to him before we left, but knew I needed Father’s direction.  So He and I went to 1 Corinthians 13 – the LOVE chapter! 

So I’m back to the basics.  Love is patient.  Love is kind.

Although I had apologized to Sammy, that wasn’t enough.  I was delighted to sit down with him and let him know I’d met with Father and showed him the scripture He had directed me to, confessing that Momma had not been patient nor kind, but that she wanted to be because she loves God and she loved him.  He seemed to be quite receptive to the process Mom went through to make things right with God and right with him.

I don’t like messing up, but since I do it fairly often, I guess I better get used to it!  My hope and prayer is that my children see me running to Father, unashamedly approaching His throne of grace.  He is faithful to forgive when we confess. 

Thanking Father for all that transpires to allow me the opportunity to practice patience and kindness, demonstrating His love to my children through these attributes.  I have already had opportunity this morning as I’ve battled a neighbor’s runaway dog, shaving cream, toothpaste, a fish hook in a batman cape, and a 2 year old that continues to have to poo-poo whenever I decide it’s time to start school!

Patience ran off with my sense of humor..

It doesn’t take much to make me laugh and I like that about myself.  Although I laughed rather easily while in the workforce, it has been a bit more challenging at home.  Which, while in the kitchen getting lunch ready, I realized that I just needed to RELAX and LAUGH!  Laugh at the interruptions, the messes, oh the messes made by these sweet, cute, adorable and FUNNY boys! 

Enjoy.  Embrace.  Laugh.  Love. 

So here I am for a quick note to remind myself of my humanity and reflect on Christ’s sustaining power and strength.  When the boys wake up, WE are going to have us some FUN!

I’m off for a quick and necessary nap!

Oh, I was just on the Living Proof website looking up info about the Beth Moore simulcast I’ll be attending this weekend.  This sentence was part of a description of Beth (which I totally agree with) - ”She is a woman of purpose, preparation, prayer and passion.”  Those are admirable qualities I need posted – and I think I’ll add “patient” to mine!

Has anyone seen my patience?

I know a gal named Patience.  I’m now wondering what was going through that Mom’s mind when she named her….

When T and I decided I would leave the workforce to come home to raise our Sammy, a friend of mine who already had 2 boys said of our decision “Oh, I could never do that!  I don’t have the patience!”

Stopping by a homeschooling friend’s house (also a mom of 2 boys…I’m noticing a pattern) some time ago, I noticed she looked rather frazzeled and her sweet giggle was missing….

This is where I am today – looking for my patience.  And sadly, I think I’m the biggest part of the problem!  I’ve gone to bed way past my bedtime for at least 3 nights in a row – which means I haven’t woke up on time.   I’ve had no nap the past 2 day.  My house is in disaray.  And yet, school must carry on. 

So here I am, needing to go fix us some lunch and needing just a few minutes to escape…and search for my happy face that’s somewhere with my patience!

It’s going to be ok.  I knew this would be a process.  If my head was in the clouds, it’s out this week.  Tomorrow is another day of no school b/c of ML membership brunch.  I think I’ll offer up ANOTHER prayer for God’s wisdom and request for peace in the midst of interruptions and ETC.

Now, where were we?

This is how I felt today.  Tuesday pay-day is big shopping day.  And today I had a list made out and plans to head out early so we could get home b/f lunch and still have some time for school.  This did not happen.  Me and the boys woke up at the same time – 8am.  Late start according to my plan.  And I wake up so much nicer when I’ve had some time with my God and my coffee – ALONE.

Speaking of alone.  I watched the movie The Soloist last night.  Interesting.  Sad.  Sensitive.  Thought provoking.  But there was a scene when the journalist (Robert Downey, Jr.) was alone in his apartment lightly dancing to (what I belive I heard) was Neil Diamond singing Mr. Bonjangels.  I was watching the movie alone, as T has the bank this week and rises early, and the boys were asleep.  Seeing that scene reminded me of my need and often times desire to be alone.  Like – no one else in the house.  Not for just a few minutes, but like at least a few hours.  And sometimes in the midst of a challenging day (or more…) I think how much easier my life would be alone.  Being a wife and parent takes work – and I haven’t always wanted to work so hard!  Anyhow, seeing that scene gave me a reflection of what my life would be like without my family.  And I thanked God He had not given me what I sometimes long for  and that He had indeed blessed me with a great gift in my Love and two precious, funny and energetic boys!

Well, now.  Where was I?  So, it took forever to get out the door today for shopping – like, we didn’t leave until about the time I had planned on us returning!  Agh!  Several things kept delaying us – just life.   But I did manage to put my beans in the crockpot and cook the spanish rice during this time to go with the pleasant surprise of chicken tamales from one of T’s co-workers.  So tonight’s meal was warmed up and ate up!  Bless me with leftovers to send T for his lunch!  Usually I’ve been pooped from shopping and we have oft dined on pizza or Tuesday Sonic burgers.  Tonight’s dinner was a gift indeed!

I was going to complain about shopping with my boys.  But I’m too tired and it’s water under the bridge.  Let’s just chalk it up to grocery shopping during nap time.  I believe that says it all.  At one point I looked at Sammy (after having to correct him for the upteenth time) and thought, “If I enrolled you in school, I could have an easier go at this…”  Fleeting thought.  So although we didn’t get any school done today (which wasn’t my expectation anyway), I did talk with him about my list and budget and needing to cut back on extra  unecessary stuff. 

I’ve been two days without a nap.  I am so looking forward to tomorrow when I will have one!  I’ve veged out to TV and gained some energy to put my kitchen in order.  The thought of schooling tomorrow morning AND waking up to a kitchen disaster was not appealing. 

Sammy said the funniest thing today – He was playing with his pet rock we made last year and pondering what he should name him.  He came up with “Rockie!” I died laughing!

I feel the need to read about 3 pages of the 4th book in the Abram’s daughters series.  This book has been slow going.

Tomorrow I shall hopefully report on good-school effort, a better smelling bathroom, fruit wash, and a crock-pot spaghetti sauce I’m cookin’ up tomorrow.

Snack gone awry

Well, the baked bread was great this morning – except Saw Wayne didn’t eat his.  The yogurt was yummy with organic grape jam - me and Sam ate ours up with our bread, but again, Saw Wayne passed.  Which is fine since he’s got snot and milk products not so good for snot issues. 

So when snack time rolled around, he was serious about saying “nack” several times to  make sure I knew he was lookin’ for some food!  To which my reply was he should have eaten his breakfast!  Sometimes I get stumped by snack time – and would rather pass it all together.  I don’t keep a lot of snack bread/cracker stuff around – b/c I would eat it! 

So I sent the boys outside while I took a breather and contemplated what on earth we were going to have for snack???  1 apple.  A few grapes.  3 bananas.   Bananas.  That’s it – I’ll put some unsweetened carob chips in a pan with a bit of corn syrup (for sweetener) and some butter and then dip them in these small nuts dear Judy had passed me. 

Well, carob doesn’t quite melt like baking chocolate.  So we had 1/2 banana on a popcicle stick with chocolate goo a la nuts.  Worth a try.  The carob/nuts combined with the banana was yummy – but not so much alone. 

So, here’s a recipe for Chocolate dipped bananas from Recipezaar….they never let me down!  This sounds like a good snack to re-try.  I sure do wish someone would put bananas on sale - we are either eating them or not.  We are in one of those “eating them” times.