Friday Night

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We sure did. It was nice to all be together and we sure had waaaaayyyy too much food! We could have fed an army and we had all sorts of wonderful things to suit all taste buds!

I'm amazed at what good cooks we have in our family! What a blessing.

This morning my help came. Thank goodness! She had come on Wednesday and helped get my tree up. I decorated it "in between" things yesterday and today. But, she helped me get some other things unpacked and out... then more help came and helped me put more ornaments on the tree...

We ate leftovers... we stuffed again... yeah, it was good again...

The fun thing is that our sons both brought their daughter for me to keep tonight. So, at one point I had all 5 grandchildren here playing and laughing and having fun... and both daughters... It was so much fun! Our sons and their wives are working at their church's Christmas Train. It's an awesome experience that goes from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

I feel blessed beyond measure today. I am so thankful!

Tomorrow I get to go to our weekend parsonage.
Sorry no pictures... my batteries died in the middle of the process...

NO, I did not get out in the fun shopping today. I enjoyed my family.... have I mentioned how blessed and happy I am???

Redecorating Progress

This is how the kitchen looked the first time I saw it. I think the wallpaper was original to the house...it ran under the cabinets and under the heavy ceiling tray thingy... It was definitely dated! (the house was built in 1978 I think!)

We are a tall family with four of us measuring in at 6'3", so the ceiling was very low and made it hard to breath! Plus, the walls were dark and paneling dark... BUT, the cabinets and counters and back splash are all white. That was nice and we wanted to keep that...




So one day our son was visiting and he informed me that the ceiling box could easily be removed and he reached up and showed me how easy... a section came down... leading to the removal of all the wood part of the box and the plastic sheet things - this lead to our ceiling being opened up and looking like this...



I loved the openess of it and the area above the cabinets... however, we had to remove the "beautiful " exposed florescent light fixtures... we had several people come and give us estimates on replacing the lights with canned lights. I'm talking highway robbery! YIKES! So, we held off for a few months... then someone came into our lives who was willing and able to fix our problem at a price we could deal with.

Meanwhile, we removed the wallpaper and had to have the walls resurfaced - something they call "skim coat" or something like that. Basically they came in and put a thin layer of sheet rock all over the wall to smooth it out and make it nice.

After that was done I needed to paint... and thought that I was priming the paneling ... nope not what I thought... after I painted the "primer" on it and then the paint it began to roll off the wall - not a pretty sight. So, I had to strip the walls, sand them and then prime with the right stuff and then paint...




After all that work, it turned out like this... looked much nicer I think!


So, finally, I got the ceiling painted to cover all the discolored orange stripes and holes in the ceiling... and this is what I got!








I think it looks much nicer - brighter, cleaner, um, just better. Our next project will be to update the appliances ...
Later I'll show you the rest of the house and the changes we made. The former owner came by one day and he was amazed at how much better it looked. He had no idea what a difference it would make to remove the light box.

Still Here....

I'm still here.... just had no internet over the weekend.

Then I got home and started finishing (is that an oxymoron?) my paint project. Whew! I did it! I put the second coat on the kitchen ceiling... (remind me NEVER to try to another paint popcorn ceiling - EVER-... seriously!)

Then I painted the laundry room. That involved moving LOTS of stuff that had been stuck in there because I could put it there - out of the way... Well, that didn't work because it was definitely IN the way!

That is done and cleaned out and now I need to figure out what to do with the stuff I didn't know what to do with to begin with... (was that a run on sentence and did it make any sense?)

Today I get to keep GD1 and GD3... and maybe GS1, GD2 and GD5... and do some fun Christmas projects.

I'll post pictures of the decorating process soon... when I can figure again how to do the pictures and stuff without hassle...

Oh, I forgot to mention that my sweet and wonderful hugsum got ALL my Christmas decorations down from the attic so that I can decorate!!!! Yes, I'm excited... I didn't even ask him to do that. He just knew!

Okay, have a blessed day - I'll be back soon!

Saturday Stirrings - French Toast Casserole

Today is Saturday Stirrings at Carol's place, I Throw Like a Girl. This is a fun meme to share our recipes. If you can't think of something to fix, you can always run over here and get some great ideas! She has a great contest going to give away a Progresso Perfect Recipe Gift Basket. Really, go over there and check it out!

Today I'm sharing something WONDERFUL! It is a Christmas morning treat or a great thing to serve for brunch. My wonderful friend, Susan, shared this with me a few years ago. It is perfect because it is prepared the night before so you don't have to do anything but stick it in the oven.

French Toast Casserole

Melt together (don't boil) and pour into 9 x 13 baking dish:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 Tbs corn syrup

Arrange over sugar mixture tightly:
1 loaf french bread cut 3/4 inches thick

Blend and pour over bread:
5 large eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Uncover: sprinkle with chopped nuts. Leave out of refrigerator until room temperature. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until puffed and brown.

Friday rambly things

This is third Friday.... meaning covered dish fellowship meal and a long weekend at our "weekend parsonage".

I am cold... we turn the heat way down to save energy and money. When we get here, it is either very hot or very cold... today, it is very cold! It doesn't take long to heat it up, but for the first hour, it is shivering cold! I am always tempted to crawl under the covers and try to warm up. Today, I have a little more to do and I don't have time... even though I did plan ahead and cook my meat yesterday and my brownies this morning. (I know you are so proud of me!)

But, I have to warm up the meat and add bbq sauce to it. I hope I can get the oven on to warm it. I don't like microwaved meat. It changes the texture, taste and nutrients... I know, I'm a snob...

A couple of months ago I did the Angel Food ministry thing. It was the third month I did it. Since I was the only one doing it, I decided to do two... yeah... my freezer has been full. That's been nice, but we don't eat everything we get... like um unnamed hotdogs made of unknown things. But, we did get two very nice pork loins. I had been waiting to cook them for such a time as this. I don't normally eat pork. It is more of a health issue than anything else. If I don't THINK about it, I'm okay.... but yesterday as I was thinking I was having a hard time with it...

Oh well, it did smell good.

Today I pulled it apart and plan to pour bbq sauce on it. I just don't think I'll be eating it. I hope they enjoy it.

Then I fixed brownies. They smelled good, too. I'd be glad to share pictures - but I don't have any and I have been having this bad trouble dealing with pictures and posts... it taxes my skills and patience and I just don't want to deal with it today - sorry.

Back to the brownies... many many years ago (all the kids were small) I happened upon a Hershey's 5 minute Deep Dish Brownie recipe. (It mixes up in 5 minutes). It is easier and cheaper than a mix... and I think it is better. My son-in-law prefers a more milk chocolate brownie than these, but that's okay... I still love him very much! He doesn't like nuts in them either.... again, okay... it is his preference and he is loved very much and I respect that about him. However, he isn't here and he isn't going to be eating any of these, so I did it my - and yes, I was singing when I typed that.

All of that to say, we (hugsum and I) aren't' going to be eating anything I brought. Sad, but true. We are on a "diet"... trying to watch and cut back. I hate to admit that I've been gaining and my clothes are becoming tight and uncomfortable. I guess it is because I have been trying to be cute and when someone asked how I was doing I would cutely say, "fat and sassy"... not good. It has caught up with me. So now I'm changing my tune and saying, "sweet and thin"!

Yes, this is a long say nothing blog...Thanks for reading it... hope you have a great and wonderful weekend...

Oh, lest I forget... Carol, at I Throw Like A Girl is having a neat giveaway for Progresso Perfect Recipe Gift Basket. You need to go and check her out!

15 Things I'm Not Afraid to Admit

ADHD Me blog, has a fun meme that I got from Beverly at Dancing With Daffodils. She admitted one... the new found friend over at ADHD... admitted to 16... So, I guess there are no hard and fast rules, except to admit things...

So, here goes... I'm going to try this...

1. I love my husband. Even though I know he reads this some times... he doesn't always so this isn't a "have to" thing... Not that he is perfect - even though I "know" that I am (jk) , he loves me anyway... we do enjoy laughing and having fun... and eating out... which brings me to number 2...

2. I love to eat out. I don't really care where it is. I'm just as happy eating at Wendy's or Chick-fil-A as I am a nice expensive place. Well, truth be known, I'd rather not waste all the money on those big expensive places. For our anniversary we went to a very nice place and afterward I thought, "man, I could have used all that money to do.... (other things)". But, because he loves me (see #1) he wanted to bless me.

3. I hate cold weather. I much prefer the nice warm (hot) summer. I hate to have to put on layers and layers of clothes. By the time you put on enough to stay warm, you can't move and besides that, you look about 4 sizes larger! And to go to the bathroom... well, we won't go there!

4. Related to #4 and looking larger, I'm looking larger for another reason... I've been enjoying eating out (see #2) and I've been eating way too much! I love cookies... I love sweets...

5. I also love fruit... which does not undo #4... I love cookies just as much..

6. I like to shop. I get so excited with finding a good deal! My favorite places to buy clothes are Ross, TJ Maxx, the Crate (we don't have these where I live now)... It does me so much good to wear a beautiful new outfit and get lots of compliments and know that I paid less than $20 for that look... like Sunday - I had on a new outfit that I got last spring at Ross... It is a NICE 3 piece suit (pants, skirt and jacket)... it was on sale for less than $20 plus I bought it on Tuesday
so I got an extra discount for being older (nuff said about that). I loved that I got a ton of compliments and even hugsum said it was a very "classy" outfit and I looked great! (that's worth less than $20 any day!)

7. I love to sew! Back in the day I sewed all my clothes. I even designed some. I got to be pretty good. But, other things took over my life and I quit sewing. In high school my favorite class was "home ec"... the cooking and sewing classes were tops! I got so much pleasure and it was somehow therapeutic for me to sew. Yesterday we (daughter and I) made sock monkeys... you should go and check out her blog to see...

8. I hated school. I was miserable going to school. I was so shy that I wouldn't say a word. I would "be sick" so I could get out of giving reports ... I would not answer any questions in class even though I knew the answer... sad, I know. Thankfully, I'm not so shy and fearful anymore.

9. I miss my parents. They are still living and healthy. They just live so far away. I enjoy talking with them, but sometimes it hurts so much that I don't call. Mama is sweeter than ever. She just doesn't always know who I am. When she does it is such a gift. I miss my parents knowing my grandchildren and enjoying them. I also miss that my grandchildren don't know my parents. They are missing a great blessing!

10. I love Christmas. I want to hear "Merry Christmas" and not "Happy Holidays". I love to decorate for Christmas and love my house when it is all decked out. I have way too many decorations, and the sad thing is that every time I go to a store I see MORE that I would love to have. I have lots of my Mama's decorations. She quit decorating a few years ago and told me to go to her attic and get whatever I wanted. So, I obeyed! (Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right that you may live a long life and it will go well with you!)

11. I dread getting all my Christmas stuff out and packing it back up (see #10). It takes a huge amount of time to get it down, unpack it and put it out and then repack it. One of the things that made it hard for me was moving so much. Figuring out how to decorate a new/different house takes time. And then repacking to make sure that IF we moved, my priceless decorations would not be broken...

12. I love my family. I'm so blessed with my children. They have all made me so proud. If I could have hand picked them, I would have chosen them! The neat thing is that they are all so different from each other - yet so much alike. Each has a unique personality and purpose... they are so much fun! And... they married well... Their choices for mates is just as unique... Yes, we are very blessed! I love them all!

13. I'm crazy about my grandchildren! Have I said how thankful I am to be close to them and to be able to keep them? Well, let me tell you... I am beyond blessed! Again, they are all so different and wonderful! I don't have a favorite - my favorite is the one I'm with! Yeah, I'm a happy woman!

14. I have great friends... all over the place! The neat thing is keeping in touch with friends from my childhood. Not being able to see them often hasn't stopped the friendships. Thank goodness for the internet - it keeps friendships alive!

15. I love my computer and being online... I've been accused of spending too much time online - imagine what I could get done if I were not sitting here typing and reading for hours! Oh well, it keeps me happy... I wouldn't be connected with you if I were folding clothes instead of blogging and emailing... right??? doesn't that justify it all?? I think so!

Well, in keeping with the no rules... just decide for yourself if you want to do this and then leave me a comment so I can come read... I would do the Mr. Linky... but I haven't figured it out and I don't have time now... I've got to do laundry and iron! drat! I'm not afraid to admit that I do NOT like doing laundry or vacuuming!

Wednesday Cousin Love

Cousins...

Where's Noah???



Noah's coming!!!1

Fall into Flavor - Brunswick Stew

Today is the last day that Lid over at 2nd Cup of Coffee is hosting the fun food meme of "Fall Into Flavor". You should jump over there and catch up on her fun blog (okay, so I really typed "flog" which is a merger of "fun" and "blog".)

I wanted to post some really awesome recipe that would "wow" you with my cooking skills and abilities.... a recipe that speaks of my heritage and a true comfort food that spreads warmth and love and joy all through your body and being...

So, I chose "Brunswick Stew". I really don't know the origination of this delightful concoction. The original version was made in huge iron pots hanging over an open fire. The ingredients were "interesting" and you really didn't want to know what went in it... I'm sure that there were a few squirrels, coons, possums, etc... that made all that much more tasty. It was an all day process and well worth the effort (well, with all the wild things in it).

It is chocked full of pork, beef, chicken, tomatoes, corn and potatoes... what's not to love?

The first time I ever went to someone's home to help them make some - I almost lost my entire year's worth of eating and never touched the stuff again. My dear friend, IlaMae had a pot on her stove when I walked in. I thought something was falling out because it was "flapping" over the edge. So I went to rescue it... at which point I was horrified... There in the pot looking up at me was a REAL hog's head!!!! Seriously... looking at me... ears flapping in the boiling water...

It didn't help that I was pregnant with my third child...

However, because I LOVED Brunswick Stew I learned to eat it again... just to make sure who made it and what they put in it. Then a dear friend gave me a recipe that I could handle. It makes LOTS - takes about 15 minutes and is delicious!

Here is the simplest recipe you can imagine. The hardest part is finding the stuff in the grocery store!

Brunswick Stew

1 24 oz can Castleberry's Brunswick Stew
2 10 oz cans Castleberry's BBQ pork
2 10 oz cans Castleberry's BBQ beef
2 10 oz cans Castleberry's BBQ chickene
2 7 oz cans Corn (one creamed, one whole kernel)
2 16 oz cans Tomatoes cubed
1 TBS Vinegar
1 TBS Lemon juice
1 TBS Worchestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Open all cans and pour into LAGE pot
Bring to a boil, cover and simmer.
Stir often...

Note: I also cut up some potatoes and cook in the microwave while I'm opening all the cans and add them to the pot.

You don't have to use Castleberry's - I just know and trust that brand.... you can buy frozen bbq and use that... We have had to make adjustments out here since we can't buy the same ingredients here (Castleberry brand things).

It is like soup... it gets better and better as it ages... I always had a big pot on the stove when the kids would come home from college. It was a warm welcome and filling after such a long (18 hours) drive home.

Hope you enjoy it and please go over to 2'nd Cup of Coffee to see more great recipes@

Catching up...

This week has been busy... and NOT busy... I actually had to spend a couple of days in bed as a "dizzy blond"... hate those days. Nothing stays still and nothing wants to stay down. It is hard to throw up when you don't know which way is "UP"!

But, other than those couple of days it was a great week!

I was going to post pictures, but lately I've been having trouble getting them to post and move around and then comment on them... so frustrating - so I just deleted them and decided to say what I want to and another time put pictures.

Besides, I'm in my weekend parsonage and working with the internet is tentative - at best.

so, on with my week of non posting... I got to spend time with Grace. She is growing so fast and is sitting and getting all around by rolling and scooting backwards. She can maneuver herself to whatever toy catches her fancy.

Keeping Kate has been such a joy and pleasure. She is constantly keeping me on my toes with "whatcha doin?" She helped me fold clothes and make banana nut muffins this week...

Also, we got to enjoy the other three precious grandchildren for a short time. I didn't get to have as much time with them this week as normal for several reasons, like I was in the bed...

Also, the official closing of the pool got me for some reason. I enjoy the warm weather and the thought of "going swimming"... but with it covered over it was just depressing... a real harbinger of winter and cold and ice and snow!

Hopefully, I'll be back in my posting schedule and maybe catch up since I messed up on my NoBloPo commitment to blog everyday in November...oops...

Thanks for stopping by ... see you again soon... and maybe even catch up on your blogs! I've sure missed them and you!

A Sad Day In November

The pool is officially closed. Even though the water has been too cold to get in for a few weeks now, I hate to see it closed.
Hugsum spent a day this week winterizing and covering it. It won't be long before it will be warm and sunny again and we can enjoy it... that's my confession and I'm sticking to it!

Tuesday Thanks

Thanks to the veterans who have given their lives and lively hood for us so that we can live free. I honor them and am so appreciative of what they do and have done...

We are blessed to have the military and we should support and pray for them daily!

Fall into Flavor - Cookies

To celebrate Fall and all the wonderful flavors of fall and the season of overeating and enjoying all the sugar and butter and nuts, (my mouth is drooling here) it just seems right to share some of my favorite recipes for my weakness - cookies... I just want to thank Linda at 2nd Cup of Cofffee for the opportunity to share and to add another few inches to my hips!

The first one is OLD... I mean it is written in my 3rd grade handwriting.! I first made these at my friend's house. I went home from school with her and spent the night. My son's don't like this cookie as much as others, but I love them. We always called them "Chinese Rocks", but everyone else knows them as "Lady fingers" or "Wedding Cookies".

The next one is just called, "Cookies"... it never had any other name That's the way we got the recipe. My 2nd son actually made these the first time. They were an instant hit around our house and we made them often. I still whip up a batch for comfort.

The third cookie is a fairly new one to our family. I only started baking these about 8 years ago. That year we happened to have a HUGE crop of pecans. At Christmas that year I was looking for places to use our abundance... I found this recipe and have personally been responsible for eating the ENTIRE batch myself... yeah, I did myself proud that year!

"Chinese Rocks"

1 stick of butter (melted)
1 cup of flour (self-rising)
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 cup broken pecan "meats" (I laughed when I read that because it sure does date the recipe)

Mix nuts and flour and set aside. Cream butter,sugar and vanilla. Add flour and nuts. Form into balls about walnut size (I make mine much smaller - like the size of a large bubblegum ball)
Bake at 300* for 45 minutes (until brown - about 30 for my bbgum size)
Roll in powdered sugar while hot...

"Cookies"

Mix: 1 cup butter
2 cups sugar

Add: 2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix in: 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 6 oz package chocolate chips
2 - 4 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup chopped nuts (optional for some, but never for me)

Bake at 350* 10-12 minutes until edges are brown

NOTE: I have used white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts - yummm! Also butterscotch chips, milk chocolate, peanutbutter chips... well the options are limitless... these cookies adapt to what you have in your house, or any taste you prefer. So easy!

"Pecan Kisses"

Beat to soft peaks: 1 egg white
1/4 teaspoon salt

Slowly add: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup brown sugar

Fold in: 1 to 2 cups pecans (halves are perfect)


Drop covered pecan halves (or small clumps) onto greased pan.
Bake at 250* for 30 minutes.


These are so simple and easy to make... not many ingredients at all, but everyone who eats one, comes back for a handful! Then they want to know WHAT is this???

Thanks for letting me share my addiction with you...
Go and check out Lid at 2nd Cup of Coffee for more great Fall comfort food.

Saturday Stirrings - Chocolate Chip Pie

Carol at I Throw Like A Girl, celebrates Saturdays with fun recipes. Here is my humble offering to Saturday Stirrings.

This is an easy delicious recipe that always gets rave reviews. My cousin, Sharon, gave me this recipe over 25 years ago and it has been a family favorite ever since.

In fact, I took it to a covered dish fellowship meal one time during revival. It was a huge mistake because the ladies at that particular church take much pride in their ability to cook. The visiting preacher took a bite and let out a hoot and said, "this is so good it makes ya want to slap yer mama!"... well, evidently the competition was on and they were upset that my dessert received the highest compliments. I was informed before the next meal that there was "no need" for me to bring anything. :)

So, thanks Sharon for the recipe...

Chocolate Chip Pie

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup self-rising flour
1 small bag chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate or even white chocolate)
1/2 cup butter (melted)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts
2 pie shells, or one deep dish shell

Mix the chips and nuts with about 2 tablespoons of the flour. Mix all the other ingredients together and then add the chips and nuts. (this keeps them from falling to the bottom when it is cooked)
Pour into pie shells. (I usually make 2 pies, but sometimes when it is something real special I make the one deep dish for a nice presentation. But after a big meal, the 2 smaller ones are perfect.)

Bake at 325 degrees for 30 - 45 minutes for the 2 pies. Toothpick comes out clean when done. You will have to cook longer, 45 min to an hour for the deep dish.

NOTE: I have used butterscotch chips or a combination of whatever chips I have. When it is still hot, it is delicious with ice cream... After it is cool, it can be sliced and eaten with the hands and you don't need a fork and plate.

Enjoy!

Friday Mistakes...

Okay, so I went to Walmart. All I needed were some apples and butter and popcorn.

I wandered around... picked up a pretty red towel... it was in the middle of the aisle and I fell prey... The Christmas music was playing I was feeling Christmasy...

Then I did well and got back on course. I found what was on my list and heading to check out...

Detour! Well, not really... it was sitting in the middle of the floor calling my name!!!!!

My weakness overcame me. I had already walked past an entire aisle of this downfall and remained strong...

But, no... there it was a BIG gallon ice cream size bucket of "Fresh Baked" Christmas cookies... complete with sprinkles and swirls and jelly centers... all for a mere $3.00!!!!

They landed in my buggie before I knew it and in my bag, car, house and mouth!

Addiction ... Weakness... I hate to admit it... My name is "Merrie and I'm a cookieholic".... I need help to get off the wagon!

Thursday ...

Yes, that's my title... for lack of anything else creative...

I'm working hard on my studies and am almost through with the course I'm taking now. I can hardly wait. I find all sorts of fun facts and things that amaze me.

Here is an example an interesting case study I came across...

A man - past middle age - complained of pain in his left side... about where the sciatic nerve hit. He had already been diagnosed with a herniated disc and was facing surgery...

He went to another doctor who examined him and found that the man had soreness and tenderness in the area of his left back pocket and he had the worst pain when he was driving. The wise doctor asked to see his billfold... yeah, it was almost 2 inches thick... so, instead of back surgery for a herniated disc the doctor did a "walletectomy" (removal of the wallet from the back pocket). This completely cured the problem...

Note: this almost always is exclusively a male disorder.

The Day After...

No more polls... no more debates... no more political adds ... it is over....

Some are in mourning, some are rejoicing....

No matter what your response....

Please.... PRAY. Now is the time to cover our future President in prayer and blessings. He is to receive our respect and honor and support.

God Bless America!

Thoughts of the Election

(Note: this is an email that I received and thought it was good... I did change it to reflect the day after the election instead of before...)


Dear Friends,

For months now my email Inbox has been besieged by nearly hysterical warnings about what will happen if Barack Obama becomes President. I have been encouraged to be worried, afraid, concerned, prepared for disaster, and a whole host of other maladies if this happens. I do not deny the importance of this election, but it seems to me that we need a dose of perspective. So here, on the day after the election, I would like to make my own statementl concerning this election.

It's a True/False test. I'd like for all of us to take it.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, Jesus will still be King.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, our responsibilities as Christians will not have changed one iota.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the greatest agent for social change in America will still be winning the hearts and minds of men and women through the gospel, not legislation.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my primary citizenship will still be in this order
(1) the Kingdom of God, (2) America, not vice-versa.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the tomb will still be empty.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the cross, not the government, will still be our salvation.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, our children will still be more concerned with whether or not we spend time with them than with who is President.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my neighbor will still be my neighbor, and loving him/her will still be the second greatest commandment. (Do you know the first?)

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the only way to see abortion ultimately overturned will still be winning men and women to a high view of life through the gospel of Christ.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the only way to see gay marriage ultimately defeated will still be winning men and women to a biblical view of marriage through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my retirement will still not match my treasure in Heaven.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, JESUS IS LORD will still be the greatest truth in the Universe.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, we will still know that God is in control.

How did you score?

So no matter how you voted, remember who you are and who He is. Let's keep it all in perspective!

Election Days

We have been anticipating this day for 2 years now.... we have heard speech after speech, pundit after pundit, debate after debate, news release after news release...

Now is the time to vote - please vote your conscious. Vote according to the Word of God. Vote for life! Do not base your vote on money or fear, but only on who aligns themselves with God and His Word. Then, we will be blessed.... when the righteous rule, there is joy in the land!

And remember... Republicans vote today - and I've heard that Democrats vote on Wednesday... yeah, I got the memo on Facebook... it must be true! Pass the word around!

Seriously, VOTE! (today)

Fall into Flavor - Taco Soup

Here it is, Monday again! This seems to come around often... like at least once a week!

I have really been enjoying this fun time of "Fall into Flavor" hosted by Lid at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

We are supposed to share a recipe of some nice fall comfort food... You really need to jump over to Lid's and check out all the recipes and even go back and read more...

One of my favorite things when the weather gets cold is soup. It is warming and soothing. Even though right now we are experiencing some really nice nice warm fall weather, I'm going to share a soup recipe. As usual, this recipe has a story with it too... most of my favorite comfort foods have special emotional ties - which, I'm sure explains why they are so "comforting".

Last year was our first year in our new home state. The weather, country side, residents and tastes are much different from our old "home" state. There is a local restaurant in the town and we enjoyed eating there often. Everything was homemade and Mel developed her own recipes and was always generous to share them.

One day after lunch it seemed like all the girls were talking about the delicious soup they had at Mel's. I had missed it because I just went home... BUT, we went there for supper that night and I ordered the soup. I was so excited because it was a cold day and I was wanting some nice warm soup.... they were OUT!!!!!! I was so disappointed I thought I was going to cry (yes, an emotional eater here). Anyway, Mel came out and was so kind and she GAVE me the recipe and told me when she planned to fix it next and that she would make sure to save me a bowl!

Sure enough, the next week, I got a bowl of this delicious soup... and it has become a staple in our home now... oh, it's also good to take to covered dish dinners and is a hit! (trust me on this, you can put it in a crock pot and you don't take any home!)

Taco Soup

2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 (4 oz) can green chilies
1 (1 1/4 oz) package taco seasoning
1 (1 oz) package ranch dressing mix
1 can corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can kidney beans
1 can chili beans

(all cans are undreained)

Brown beef with onion, salt and pepper (to taste)
Drain grease
Add everything else and enough water depending if you ant it thick or thin.
Bring to a boil and then simmer 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy with some cornbread (NOT sweet!)

Wise Words from Abe

Wisdom from Abe Lincoln


WISE WORDS

During this political season let's be reminded of these wise words:

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.

You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiativeand independence.

You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.


ABRAHAM LINCOLN

(again: thanks Charles for this email)

Saturday Stirrings - Cowboy Cornbread

Here it is, Saturday... again...
Happy All Saints DAY!... So glad that All Saints Eve is over and November is here!

Another thing today brings is "Saturday Stirrings"... Over at Carol's, I Throw Like A Girl, she hosts this fun meme... Make sure you run over there and find more fun recipes...

One of the fun things about moving around is finding new foods to enjoy that are local specialties. A friend brought one to my house and we fell in love with it. She was kind enough to share the recipe.

Cowboy Cornbread

1 pound of hamburger, browned and drained
1 can chopped green chilies
3 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Mix together:
1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
1 package Mexican cornbread mix
1 can creamed corn
3 eggs
1 cup of milk

In the bottom of a 9 X 13 inch greased dish spread less than 1/2 the cornbread mixture.
Layer hamburger, chilies and cheese
Cover with remaining cornbread mix.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes...
oh my goodnes it is good!!!