Hi Ladies! I am on a “Mystery Vacation” this week….can anyone guess where I’m at??? I’ll be back to tell you all about it!
Archives for November 2012
Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances.
November 21, 2012 · by · 13 Comments
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Oh this video. I cry every time I watch it . It literally stops me in my tracks and humbles me to my knees. Just Watch and you’ll see what I mean…
*This was shown during our church service last Sunday. Oh, how I love that church.
So, the other day:
I walked into my son’s room and stepped on a Lego. OWCH! Those things hurt! After my first reaction of “displeased” passed, I sat in my “Thanksgiving chair” for just a moment…”Lord, you have blessed me and my family with so much that I am literally tripping over things..I’m so grateful.”
The alarm rang at 6 am in the morning. Ugh. Mornings!!! I’m so comfortable right now, I don’t want to get out of bed!!! It seriously cannot be time to get up right now-it’s dark! The kids will fight me, the furry begins… I then looked over at my sleeping husband, got out of bed, and sat in my “Thanksgiving Chair”. “Lord, my husband works hard to support our family, I get to stay at home, my children get to go to a Christian school, my body is healthy…I am SO grateful.
I was thinking about how the Holidays have changed in my family…loved ones have moved, divorce has effected us, deaths…things aren’t the same anymore. Then, I sat in my “Thanksgiving Chair”…”God you have given me some great memories to look back on, and some amazing people to share my life with now. But most importantly, you gave me your Son Jesus Christ. I’m eternally grateful. I don’t even know how blessed I am.
How many times can you sit in the Thanksgiving Chair today? Try it…I dare ya 😉
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!
Back in Time Day {A Room Mom Day}
November 20, 2012 · by · 3 Comments
Hi Ladies, I just wanted to share with you one of my “room mom” days at my son’s school. The theme was “Back in Time Day” …the teachers did such an excellent job putting this all together. The children had the opportunity to make homemade applesauce using old fashioned apple peelers, to grind corn into meal, to make home decorations using corn stalks, to wash pennies, and so much more!
What a blessing it was to be part of this! I learned every bit as much as my son did! Ahhhh….I have to say, it was so nice to get back to basics for just a day.
Making homemade butter and applesauce!
That peeler worked great!!!! Wow!
Freshly ground corn meal.
The beloved game of checkers….
They didn’t always have washers and driers, kidos!
Hanging up clothes
Children brought in “old fashioned” items from their grandparents homes…a beautiful buffet of antique nicknacks!
Shinning up those pennies!
Prettiest pennies I ever did see 😉
This was neat- the children would literally “blab” out answers! They had a ton of fun at this station!
And most importantly, they learned how this great nation was built on The Rock ….The Word of our Lord.
Thanks for letting me share one of my day’s with you, Ladies! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!!!!
A Thanksgiving Potluck at Take them a Meal!
November 15, 2012 · by · 4 Comments
Hostessing Thanksgiving can be very stressful- the grocery shopping, cleaning, meal planning, cooking, baking, financial stress-just all of it added up can leave us feeling quite exhausted. Ladies, this really shouldn’t be. I am asking you to accept help this year. Please join me over one of my favorite websites Take Them a Meal where I’m sharing ideas on how to create the perfect potluck for your Thanksgiving meal. You don’t have to do it on your own!! Drop the guilt and enjoy this time with your family!!!
***Don’t forget about The Perfect Potluck website- it makes planning a potluck SO EASY!!!!***
Noodle Art at The Better Mom
November 15, 2012 · by · Leave a Comment
“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury, play is a necessity.” ~Kay Jamison, Clinical Psychiatrist
As the cold winter days quickly approach us, this fun and easy craft I’m sharing on The Better Mom will be sure to keep your little ones busy. Just 4 simple ingredients that you already have in your very own kitchen and you are set for some Comfy FUN!!!!
Speaking of fun…please have lots of it. This life is way too short and those children grow up way too quickly to pass it up. ;)
Butternut Squash Pizza {Allergy Friendly and SO yummy!}
November 14, 2012 · by · 5 Comments
I’m currently doing the “Butter Churn Dance” for this “Butternut Squash Pizza”!!! On my GF journey this year, I have had quite a few GF pizzas but I have to say….this is up there with one of my FAVORITES. The most awesome thing about it? You don’t have to “make” a crazy concoction of different flours- you just cut a veggie and roast it! Now, that’s what I call “Comfy”. The aglio e olio sauce gives the “crust” a delicious flavor. Mmmmm….boy, was I pleasantly surprised by this one.
* I got this idea from my friend Andy who posted it to FB- this is where he got it: Empowered Sustenance- her version is a bit healthier if you want to take a gander!
Start by preheating your oven to 400. Lay out parchment paper on a large cookie sheet. Then, peel your Butternut Squash. I recommend finding a squash that has a long “stem” because that will serve as your mini pizza crusts.
Slice 1/4 of an inch slices. Resist the urge to make them thicker….it will be mooshy. Thiner slices will give you a nice crispy crust.
Make the aglio e olio by placing in a bowl 1/2 stick of butter, 1 Tbsp of olive oil, 2 cloves of freshly minced garlic, 1/2 tsp of oregano and 1/2 tsp of salt. Microwave for 1 min.
It’s already smelling goooooood!!!!
Spoon a little of the aglio e oilio on each mini pizza crust.
Roast in your 400 oven for 20 mins on one side- flip- then another 20 mins. So, 40 mins total or until nicely browned.
Get your toppings ready! Here I have freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, olives, pizza sauce, pepperoni and parmesan cheese.
Add your toppings as desired and bake for another 4-5 mins until cheese is melted. I am SO pleased with this recipe!!! For all my GF friends out there- this is a must make!
| Butternut Squash Pizza {Allergy Friendly and SO yummy!} |
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 45 mins
Total time: 55 mins
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash with a long stem {peeled}
- 1/2 stick of butter
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- toppings as desired {I used mozzarella cheese, pre made pizza sauce, olives, pepperoni, and parmesan cheese}
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 and lay out parchment paper on a large cookie sheet. Your butternut squash may make enough for 2 cookie sheets.
- Peel butternut squash.
- Slice the stem into 1/4 inch slices and lay on covered cookie sheet.
- Make your aglio e olio by melting butter, oil, garlic, oregano and salt together in the microwave for about 1 min.
- Spoon butter mixture over top of mini crusts.
- Roast for 20 mins, flip and roast another 20 mins until nicely browned. 40 mins total.
- Top with your favorite toppings and bake another 5 mins until cheese is melted. Enjoy!
The Perfect Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey {Herbs and Citrus}
November 12, 2012 · by · 6 Comments
Hi Ladies! Thanksgiving is in 10 days! The countdown begins now! Wohoo!
I’m over at Candace Cameron Bure’s Roomag this morning sharing one of my favorite ways to roast a Turkey. This recipe comes from Giada de Laurentiis from The Food Network.
{She is Coooooomfy!}
Here are a couple photos from this weekend….I made a mini Thanksgiving meal for my In-laws…such great evening!
The herb butter gives a great flavor and nicely browns the skin. Stuffing the bird with citrus gives it a delicious mildly sweet flavor.
Winner, Winner…..Turkey Dinner.
Cranberry Sauce
November 5, 2012 · by · 4 Comments
Cranberry sauce is a deliciously sweet and tangy addition to a Thanksgiving Meal. Here is a simple recipe that I am sure you and your family will enjoy this Holiday season.
Place 3/4 of your fresh or frozen cranberries in a medium saucepan {reserve 1/4 to the side}. Turn heat on medium heat. Then, add orange zest by simply grating the peel right over your cranberries. This gives the sauce a stronger “citrusy” flavor.
Add water sugar and cinnamon – let simmer for about 15 mins {stirring frequently} until cranberries start to open and liquify. Add your reserved cranberries and stir. You’ll have a delicious flavor and a mix of textures.
*Bonnie this was delicious last Thanksgiving!!!
| Cranberry Sauce |
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Total time: 25 mins
Serves: 10
Ingredients
- 12 oz bag fresh or frozen cranberries {3/4 of them place in sauce pan, reserve 1/4 of them for the end}
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp orange zest {grated orange peel- you can use the small side of your cheese grater if you don’t have a zester}
- 2 Tbsp water
- Juice from 1/2 an orange {appx 2 Tbsp}
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Place 3/4 of your cranberries in a medium sauce pan. Set your other 1/4 to the side in a bowl for later.
- Add 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp orange zest, 2 tablespoons water, orange juice, and cinnamon to the pan and cook over medium heat for about 15 mins. Stir frequently. Cranberries will start to turn into a sauce.
- Add your reserved cranberries into the sauce and stir.
Featured Recipe
November 2, 2012 · by · 2 Comments
Gobble, Gobble…its November Ladies! I can’t believe Thanksgiving is JUST around the corner! My dear friend Courtney, from Women Living Well is Featuring these ADORABLE Turkey Pops courtesy of my other sweet friends Shannon and Katina! Have fun making these {and gobbling them up} with your kidos this month!
I also want to encourage you {while you are there} to take a look at Courtney’s FALL CHALLENGE! Ladies, don’t think for one second that your jobs at home are not important…being the “Matriarch” of the family is such an honor and blessing. Your “touch” on your family is invaluable and I am so THANKFUL for all of you who want to give yourself to serving God and your families. You are raising the next generation! Bless you! Bless you! Bless you!
