DAILY - WEEKLY - DOESN'T MATTER - QUALITY DOES

How does a daily blog turn into a weekly blog? I've asked myself that many times over the last few months. Without trying to make excuses, I will just say - the hours in a day seem to shrink and by 11:00 (when I am finally free), I am just too tired and sleepy! So I will try really hard to offer something of value when I can! I took food to the Red Cross Retreat yesterday - and one of the things I took was the Strawberry Cake that I posted a week or so ago. It was a definite hit - everyone bragged on it! Also my salsas were well received. IT was a long day - but hopefully we know what we have to do this next year. National RC is reorginizing a lot of things - but in the long run - what matters most -- is what we do right here in SMith County - continuing to serve the less fortunate that have tragic things happen - such as a house fair, tornado, etc. And we do that and we do it well!!!

The other day I made some bread for Michelle to take to a Salad Lunch at Style. It is a recipe called "REINDEER BREAD" - named that because it was first introduced to us for a meal we had for a Ladies Day at CHristmas time. It is very good anytime of the year -- so here it is:

REINDEER BREAD

1 Stick Margarine (remember this was in 1976) so of course I suggest you use butter!)
1 Tablespoon parsley flakes
1/2 Tablespoon lemon pepper
1 Tablespoon onion flakes
2 Tablespoons poppy seeds (I now use Penzey's Blue Poppy Seed)
1/2 Tablespoon minced garlic*
2 Cans Hungry Jack biscuits (I could not find Hungry Jacks (they may not still exist) so I used Grands - they worked great!)
* Optional - I added that!)

Melt "butter" and pour 1/2 into bottom of Bundt pan. Mix seasonings and poppy seeds together and pour 1/3 into Bundt pan. Add remaining to reserved butter. Cut bicuits in halves and put in butter and seasoning mixture to coat. Arrange in Bundt pan and let rise for 1/2 hour. Cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until a light golden brown. Yield 20 servings. IT TAKES LONGER THAN 20 MINUTES TO GET THE BIG BISCUITS DONE! Add 10 to 15 minutes - TEST FOR DONENESS!!


"THAT'S GOD"
Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?
THAT'S GOD! He speaks to you through the Holy Spirit.

Have ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to?
THAT'S GOD! He wants you to speak to HIM.

Have you ever been thinking about someone that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them?
THAT'S GOD! There's no such thing as coincidence.

Have you every received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford.
THAT'S GOD! He knows the desires of your heart!

Have you ever been in a situation and had no clud how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it?
THAT'S GOD! He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day.

Don't tell GOD how Big your storm is!
Tell the storm how Big your GOD IS!

I loved this and wanted to share it - as someone else shared it with me.
Look forward to a good week - and it will be!!!!
God Bless you!!!

ALL TIMES ARE NOT HAPPY!!

Tuesday - what a day! Busy, Busy and one of the saddest I have experienced in a long, long time! My Harley - my oldest and most precious Schnauzer got sick on Sunday and Travis took him to the doctor today and he has congestive heart failure. They kept him overnight, giving him an IV to help hydrate him, medicine for his heart - but I can hardly bare it. He is always wherever I am - and if I walk by him, he is watching me! Just two days ago he was running down the hall, playing and now fighting for his life. Some of you will sympathize and some will think I am crazy - but when you know something loves you more than anyone else in the world - then you know how I feel. I told the girls at work "He loves me when even Travis doesn't!"

I made the salad "Chicken and Tortellini" last night and it was great. I don't think I told you this but: On any salad that calls for chicken, you can't beat a good Rotisserie chicken. I've tried different ones from all the stores and the very best is the one from Sams -- they are bigger, jucier, and really delicious. (Usually big enough for 2 to three meals!) The salad was really good and I hope you try it soon!!

Here is a recipe that Michelle served at VBS to people who happened in the fellowship hall. It is really delicious (and easy) and I don't even like chocolate!

NO BAKE CHOCOLATE OAT BARS

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup butter
1/2 Cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Cups Quick Cooking Oats
1 Cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 Cup peanut butter

DIRECTIONS:
1. Grease a 9 X 9 ubcg square pan.

2. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Mix in the oats. Cook over low heat 2 to 3 minutes, or until ingredients are well blended. Press half of mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Reserve the other half for topping.

3. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture over the crust in the pan, and spread evenly with a knife or the back of a spoon.

4. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing in gently. Cover, and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before cutting into bars.

Hope you enjoy this!!

Well - I am emotionally drained and promise to write more next time! Thank you for joining me on this blogging journey. Have a great evening and do good as you travel this road!!

4th of JULY JUST AROUND THE CORNER - REFLECT

My, breaking habits - Friday night and I am posting on my blog. Just too much to tell that I don't want to wait!! There are some awesome people going to church at Shiloh -- on Tuesday night I posted a need for food (strange food for snacks like olives, seeds, honey, etc) and the wonderful ladies (some I don't even think I have met) met the call and offered to bring what ever was needed. I only need dates, bread, cheese, and lemonade to make the kid's snacks a wonderful retreat into Nazareth!!

I am so sore in my legs and my right arm that I cannot walk without looking like I have a artificial leg or even press the hair spray can. It is all because I helped Travis put styrophane stones on his 24 foot city of Nazareth. If you get an opportunity or not - go see the city of Nazareth that Travis in room 102 - it really is amazing -- his vision and ability!!

Last night I took dinner to a friend who used to work at the bank and now is battling cancer. She just had a double mastectomy and 19 lymph nodes removed - still facing chemo and radiation. I went the easy way - Chicken Taquitoes Ole', green salad ( mine had mixed greens, strawberries, red onion, toasted almonds, with Raspberry vinaigrette to put on as desired,and Sopapilla Cheesecake. I am not bragging - please believe me - I am just telling you how easy it is to do something good - even if you do have an outside the home job!]]

Well - it is almost July 4 - I heard the liquor stores were so full you waited in line for over 10 minutes, Sam's lines were even longer and on and on and on. How many of these people do you think will stop on that day, and remember the loved ones that gave their lives for our freedom. Wave that flag and never forget!!!Read this and truly take the words to heart. They were recited in 1969 by Red Skelton, a wonderful comedian then!!

Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance
by Red Skelton


As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton's teachers explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to his class. Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this lecture. It is followed by an observation of his own.





I - - Me; an individual; a committee of one.
Pledge - - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance - - My love and my devotion.

To the Flag - - Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

United - - That means that we have all come together.

States - - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

And to the Republic - - Republic--a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation - - One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible - - Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty - - Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice - - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

For All - - For All--which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.


And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?
Red Skelton

Well - how smart that funny man was! 42 years later and it is sad! Let's never forget what it really should mean when we recite the Pledge of Alegiance.!!
(You can google "Red Skelton's Plede" and see him recite this!!)

What are your plans - are you cooking?? I have given you about 200 recipes over the last couple of years -- so please allow me a "by" for tonight! Have a wonderful weekend, a great 4th of July and please - as you boat, waterski, barbeque or just relax, reflect on how we got to where we are and how God took care of us! May He continue to bless each of you!

TIME IS HERE - TIME I GOT TO WORK ON BLOG

My goodness - the last post I made was like June 27! I apologize! Lots has happened since then -- in fact, so much I don't even know where to begin!! I went on vacation with my sister, Alice and Maura. We went to the Woodlands for a couple of days and then on to Galveston. It is the first time in the last 15 years that I can't say I loved Galveston. Not its fault -- it is BACK! Buildings are all back - pretty in new paint, new fences, everything! It was just too hot and as bad as I hate to admit it - the hot sun is not as appealing as it was even a couple of years ago! We only ate dinner out one night - but we did find this WONDERFUL place to eat breakfast. The SunFlower Bakery and Cafe. Everything had a wonderful homemade flavor and was so wonderful!!! The picture is one of the waffle I had - covered in fruit! Don't worry - I haven't fallen off the old diet - only ate about 1/2!!

VBS at Shiloh was the most awesome thing! Everyone was in costume resembling back when Jesus was a boy in Nazareth. Travis built and designed the most awesome building to represent Nazareth. It was 24' X 12", made of plywood and covered with syrophome stones, and then painted. (Picture is above!)I had the Snack Market and the children were served lentils, grapes, olives, bread, honey, nuts and anything else we could duplicate from Jesus time in Nazareth. There was very little complaining - the kids were awesome - really loving being where Jesus was back then! Marla is due a lot of thanks and admiration for pulling this off. Yes, she had help, but she was the driving force and we love her for it!!!!

Honestly - I have not hardly cooked at all. Travis doesn't want the kitchen heated up and I haven't argued -- but am dying to try some new ideas and recipes. Here is one that I can't wait to make because I have been told how wonderful it is!

CHICKEN AND TORTELLINI SALAD

2 (9 OZ.) packages refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
1/2 Cup olive oil
1/2 Cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 galic cloves
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 Cups chopped cooked chicken
1 Cup frozen sweet peas, thawed
1/2 Cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 Cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Prepare tortellini according to package directions.
2. Process olive oil and next four ingredients in a blender until smooth. Toss olive oil mixture with tortellini, chicken, and next three ingredients. Add salt and Pepper to taste. (Friend said make a little more dressing!! Oh course, I would at the very least add a couple of dashes of cayenne pepper to dressing!!!! Next week I am promising myself!!!

Oh my gosh - here is a wonderful cool dessert:

TEXAS STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

16 OZ. Sour Cream
1 lb. Powdered Sugar
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk (such as Eagle Brand)
1 Large Cool Whip
1 Large Baked Angel Food Cake, cut up into 1 inch squares
1 Strawberry glace'
1 Large Frozen Strawberries

Mix together sour cream, powdered sugar, and milk. Fold Cool Whip and cake with the first three ingredients. Mix strawberry glaze and strawberries together and pour over top of other ingredients. Allow to chill several hours!!! Very cool and refreshing - and EASY!!!

I have another dessert that Michelle made for workers at VBS and it is also wonderful! Another time - wait in patience - but you will love it!!!

Here is a thought for all of us:

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for YOU, declares the LORD

Dear Woman of God

Be still for a while and praise God for His favor, His grace and His awesomeness!
God is able to do the impossible and is always near…He loves us unconditionally



May God bless each of us as we labour to do HIS Will. Thanks for visiting my blog!!