I made a commitment for our family to go meatless for dinner once a week. Per EWG, going meatless just once a week saves on energy and sustainability tremendously. And, given we are trying to reign in our budget, going meatless also makes for a very inexpensive dinner option. Bless my poor husband for patiently going along with all of this. Last week, his after dinner comment was, "that was surprisingly fulfilling...".
Last night, I made a quiche. I am not a huge egg fan...the texture gets the best of me. But, this quiche was so good I thought I'd share the recipe. I served it with a cup of roasted vegetable soup (see recipe below).
Anywho...here is the quiche recipe (the original came from The Taste of Home Cookbook, but I made changes to better suit our personal tastes):
Cheddar Broccoli Quiche
Serves 4 - 6 adults
Crust (or a store bought one will do fine too or your favorite crust recipe)
1 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. shortening (if you have cold bacon fat, use it here - it makes a great savory crust!)
3 Tbs. cold milk
Cut flour and salt with the shortening. Add cold milk until the dough forms into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll out to fit a 9 inch pie plate. Fit into pie plate. Do NOT prick. Line with double layer of foil. Bake for 5 minutes at 450 degrees. Uncover and let bake another 5 minutes. Let cool slightly before filling.
Reduce Oven to 350 degrees before baking full quiche.
Quiche Filling
2 c. cooked (roasted is great!) chopped broccoli (cauliflower, or other veggies would be good too)
3 eggs
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. whole mayo (light and reduced fat will break)
1 1/2 c. grated, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, divided
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
Evenly place broccoli into baked pie crust. Place eggs, milk, mayo, nutmeg, pepper, salt and 1 cup of cheese into a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour over broccoli and top with remaining cheese.
Bake, uncovered 28 -- 33 minutes, or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Be careful not to over or under bake as the texture will not be a as creamy. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Roasted Vegetable Soup
Serves 2 - 4 adults
2 c. cherry tomatos
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped carrot
1/4 c. chopped celery
2 garlic cloves, smashed
olive oil
salt and pepper
1/4 c. heavy cream
water as needed
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil and salt. Place on sheet pan in a single layer. Roast for 30 minutes. Set aside.
Coat the bottom of a sauce pot in olive oil. Add onions, carrots and celery. Sprinkle with salt. Let sweat for 10 - 15 minutes, until tender and onion translucent. Add garlic and chopped fresh tomato. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Add roasted tomatoes (including any pan juices and olive oil). Let simmer for another 10 - 15 minutes, until everything is soft and all juices rendered from the vegetables.
Place everything into a blender (or use an immersion blender). Blend until desired consistency. We prefer it very smooth. Put back into sauce pot. Stir in heavy cream, and water until the desired soup consistency you like. Add salt, pepper and olive oil as needed for taste. Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Grandma was right!
For months now, the Lord has put on me (us) to revise how we spend money. Constantly, folks would talk about the "envelope system" as presented by Dave Ramsey. It seemed cumbersome, limited and, well, I spend money just fine on my own, thank you very much. There was the problem. I spend money just how I please. We have a monthly budget. Thankfully, our bills are paid in full and on time. We joyfully give back where the Lord directs us. But, each month we seem to be squeeking to the next paycheck. It's not because we have nothing left over after our set amounts are paid. In fact, I am often amazed at how much is left over. Yet, some how that pile of money would evaporate quickly. But, no, I don't need any help here. I'll keep spending money the way we always have been. (You know the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over again and expect a different result!)
I would talk to people about this cash system and what does that Dave Ramsey guy have to say and determine it was just not for me. Well, of course, those folks paid off their debt, they sold their car, or stopped getting weekly pedicures, etc. etc. (i.e. excuse, excuse!). And, we are not big-spending-shoppers, so just what were we supposed to cut, Dave?!? (The Lord did sell our car and we were at least faithful to applying that payment towards our monthly credit card debt.)
I prayed the Lord to change how we were handling our finances. As you know from previous posts we prayed over (and continue to do so) our credit card debt. The Lord has been so incredible in helping us to get rid of it to the point that one is paid and closed already! We were praying, but honestly, my heart had not changed about this whole cash and envelope way of spending money. (Lord, give us a way, but I am not going to listen to the wise counsel that seems to be working for all of these other people!)
Then, my brother-in-law up and gets a job with Dave Ramsey and gives us his first book, Financial Peace.Ugh! Now, I have no excuse but to read the dang thing. And, just like that my heart finally changed! Thank you, Lord!
This week has been week #1 of using cash. While some folks use this system to a very detailed extent - many different envelopes for each line of their budget, we started small. One for groceries and one for "other fun" - eating out, kids play-dates, etc. I went through our bank records to get an estimate of just what we were spending on groceries and then we decided what we are willing to spend on the "other". I also created a one-time "back to school" envelope as I knew we needed one new pair of shoes and I had promised each child a first day of school outfit. So, I took out cash for all of that.
It's only been a week (and I still have to make what I have left in the envelopes last for another week), but I have to tell you...IT WORKS! Since I have a set amount to spend, I have to make a conscience choice on what is a priority. The grocery store is somewhat easy for me. I meal plan and make a list. I spent more than I thought I would, and realize that we may have to adjust that after the first month. It's not that I am blowing money on groceries (8% of our total budget is low), but we may have underestimated just what things cost right now. A friend also advised an "entertaining" envelope as we often have people over for dinner. We'll see how the month as a whole averages out before making a change.
The most encouraging was the "Back to School" envelope. I hope these examples encourage you as I am not sharing to pat myself on the back. I had a budget set for Colin's new shoes. We found ones he liked (on sale with a 20% off code!). The store was having a huge sale on women's and girl's shoes. Normally, I would have cruised through that section looking for myself and Cate (though we had just tried on her shoes and she clearly is not in need). But, I did not because I knew that spending more there, would mean no new first day clothes for them.
When we went clothes shopping it was easy to stick to my guns about what they could get. I knew what I was able to spend, so Cate had the choice of ONE outfit (shorts/shirt or a dress) as did Colin (the dress not being an option). And, let me tell you, there were some CUTE things all under $10. In all honestly, they have so many clothes thanks to their grandmothers that they did not NEED these new things. It was just a fun way to help them get excited about their first day. So...for the first time in my life I paid cash as Target! It was awesome! I even had a few bucks left over and bought a little something to send to my niece. It was such a cool feeling! I have no doubt that two weeks ago, I would have spent double.
Here is another example: in the "other fun" envelope we intended that money to be used for eating out and any play-date expenses. This week, I had an opportunity to have dinner/drinks with a friend. We also have set plans with a group to go to the baseball game this coming Sunday evening. In all, each would cost about the same amount. Two weeks ago, I would have done both. I would have whipped out the debit card at the friend dinner without a second thought. I had to look at what was left in the envelope and see that we could not do both. I feared I would be resentful about having to make a choice, but I did not at all. In a way, making a sacrifice seems like what we should be doing. After all, I did not make any sacrifice when racking up the credit card bills!
Though, at the time I justified it as needs because it was often on groceries when my husbands salary was cut. But, really, we just did not want to adjust our lifestyle, not adjust just what I was cooking. Nothing was cut from our budget while we put legitimate needs on the credit card. It absolutely stinks to be paying for a loaf of bread three years later!
Week one was liberating! It was not confining at all. It was so much easier to say "no" to the kids when they wanted to eat lunch out because I had this set amount we could spend over the next two weeks. I have had to act as though the money left in our bank account simply does not exist.
I have learned that a debit card still allows me to have a credit card mentality. It's a mentality I have fully embraced for the past 20 years. Up until last week I have been a 100% committed debit card gal. I just pray the Lord will continue to encourage me on this and hold me accountable for what I spend. My husband works very hard to earn this money, the very least I can do is not only honor the Lord, but him in how I spend it.
Plus, it gets me one step closer to being my grandma...if you cannot pay cash for it, don't buy it!
I would talk to people about this cash system and what does that Dave Ramsey guy have to say and determine it was just not for me. Well, of course, those folks paid off their debt, they sold their car, or stopped getting weekly pedicures, etc. etc. (i.e. excuse, excuse!). And, we are not big-spending-shoppers, so just what were we supposed to cut, Dave?!? (The Lord did sell our car and we were at least faithful to applying that payment towards our monthly credit card debt.)
I prayed the Lord to change how we were handling our finances. As you know from previous posts we prayed over (and continue to do so) our credit card debt. The Lord has been so incredible in helping us to get rid of it to the point that one is paid and closed already! We were praying, but honestly, my heart had not changed about this whole cash and envelope way of spending money. (Lord, give us a way, but I am not going to listen to the wise counsel that seems to be working for all of these other people!)
Then, my brother-in-law up and gets a job with Dave Ramsey and gives us his first book, Financial Peace.Ugh! Now, I have no excuse but to read the dang thing. And, just like that my heart finally changed! Thank you, Lord!
This week has been week #1 of using cash. While some folks use this system to a very detailed extent - many different envelopes for each line of their budget, we started small. One for groceries and one for "other fun" - eating out, kids play-dates, etc. I went through our bank records to get an estimate of just what we were spending on groceries and then we decided what we are willing to spend on the "other". I also created a one-time "back to school" envelope as I knew we needed one new pair of shoes and I had promised each child a first day of school outfit. So, I took out cash for all of that.
It's only been a week (and I still have to make what I have left in the envelopes last for another week), but I have to tell you...IT WORKS! Since I have a set amount to spend, I have to make a conscience choice on what is a priority. The grocery store is somewhat easy for me. I meal plan and make a list. I spent more than I thought I would, and realize that we may have to adjust that after the first month. It's not that I am blowing money on groceries (8% of our total budget is low), but we may have underestimated just what things cost right now. A friend also advised an "entertaining" envelope as we often have people over for dinner. We'll see how the month as a whole averages out before making a change.
The most encouraging was the "Back to School" envelope. I hope these examples encourage you as I am not sharing to pat myself on the back. I had a budget set for Colin's new shoes. We found ones he liked (on sale with a 20% off code!). The store was having a huge sale on women's and girl's shoes. Normally, I would have cruised through that section looking for myself and Cate (though we had just tried on her shoes and she clearly is not in need). But, I did not because I knew that spending more there, would mean no new first day clothes for them.
When we went clothes shopping it was easy to stick to my guns about what they could get. I knew what I was able to spend, so Cate had the choice of ONE outfit (shorts/shirt or a dress) as did Colin (the dress not being an option). And, let me tell you, there were some CUTE things all under $10. In all honestly, they have so many clothes thanks to their grandmothers that they did not NEED these new things. It was just a fun way to help them get excited about their first day. So...for the first time in my life I paid cash as Target! It was awesome! I even had a few bucks left over and bought a little something to send to my niece. It was such a cool feeling! I have no doubt that two weeks ago, I would have spent double.
Here is another example: in the "other fun" envelope we intended that money to be used for eating out and any play-date expenses. This week, I had an opportunity to have dinner/drinks with a friend. We also have set plans with a group to go to the baseball game this coming Sunday evening. In all, each would cost about the same amount. Two weeks ago, I would have done both. I would have whipped out the debit card at the friend dinner without a second thought. I had to look at what was left in the envelope and see that we could not do both. I feared I would be resentful about having to make a choice, but I did not at all. In a way, making a sacrifice seems like what we should be doing. After all, I did not make any sacrifice when racking up the credit card bills!
Though, at the time I justified it as needs because it was often on groceries when my husbands salary was cut. But, really, we just did not want to adjust our lifestyle, not adjust just what I was cooking. Nothing was cut from our budget while we put legitimate needs on the credit card. It absolutely stinks to be paying for a loaf of bread three years later!
Week one was liberating! It was not confining at all. It was so much easier to say "no" to the kids when they wanted to eat lunch out because I had this set amount we could spend over the next two weeks. I have had to act as though the money left in our bank account simply does not exist.
I have learned that a debit card still allows me to have a credit card mentality. It's a mentality I have fully embraced for the past 20 years. Up until last week I have been a 100% committed debit card gal. I just pray the Lord will continue to encourage me on this and hold me accountable for what I spend. My husband works very hard to earn this money, the very least I can do is not only honor the Lord, but him in how I spend it.
Plus, it gets me one step closer to being my grandma...if you cannot pay cash for it, don't buy it!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Who needs a campfire?!?
A couple of weeks ago while watching something on Food Network (you could take away my other channels and leave me just this one and I would be just fine) I came across a chef's favorite dessert in the form of a s'mores pie of sorts. I looked at my husband and his eyes were wide and wanting that dessert. So, yesterday, since we had company coming for dinner, I decided to create it. It needed a few components to make it more special than a regular s'more, but too many and it would lose its initial purpose. I needed a good graham cracker crust; a creamy peanut butter layer (the surprise element), rich chocolate and toasted marshmallows. Oh my, what I created was y.u.m.m.y.! I just have to share the recipe so others can enjoy this awesomeness! (Side note, I did not realize that "awesomeness" is a real word, but apparently it is as spell check did not just underline it. Interesting.)
S'mores Peanut Butter Tart
10 inch tart pan (you could also use a spring form pan, but do not recommend a pie plate.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Crust
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 Tbs melted unsalted butter
3 Tbs sugar
Mix together until well combined and course. Press into pan, coming up the sides.
Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool while preparing the peanut butter filling.
Peanut Butter Filling
3/4 cup natural creamy peanut butter (preferably with no added sugar)
1/4 cup condensed milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix until smooth and well blended. Pour onto crust and smooth out to edges. This is easier said than done as the peanut butter filling is pretty thick, so take your time so as to not tear up the crust. Place in oven for 7 minutes. If needed, spread filling out a bit more as it will be much softer once heated.
Turn oven off. And, let tart cool while preparing the chocolate filling. And, if you are already wondering just how much more sweet and fattening this thing can get...just hold on and plan to hit thecouch gym a little extra tomorrow.
Chocolate Filling
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (any chocolate will be good here. I may use milk chocolate next time)
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 Tbs light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract (I also think coffee would be good instead)
Put all but the vanilla extract into a bowl over a pot of hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until all is melted and well-combined. Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour over the peanut butter filling, smoothing to the sides.
Allow to cool for an hour on the counter-top and then in the refrigerator for an hour before topping with marshmallow cream.
Marshmallow Cream (you could use Fluff here, but it will not set up like a real marshmallow and lose some of the "s'more effect")
2 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
2 Tbs plain powdered gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp salt
Simmer the sugar and 3/4 cup of water until soft ball stage (135 - 140 degrees). While simmering, put 1/2 cup cold water into the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle powered gelatin over water and gently stir so it dissolves.
Once sugar mixture reaches temperature pour over gelatin mixture and gently stir to combine and dissolve all gelatin. (be warned this will have a funky smell from the gelatin, but it will not taste funky.)
Let cool for 10 minutes. Next, whip on high speed until white and fluffy with stiff peaks (about 7 minutes). Add vanilla extract, powdered sugar and salt. Let mix for a moment to combine.
Spread onto chocolate layer. Do not overly smooth the top but make swirls with the knife so that little peaks form.. Place in refrigerator until 15 minutes before ready to eat it.
***you will have left over marshmallow cream. You can make regular marshmallows with it. Dust a pan with powdered sugar and pour mixture into it. Sprinkle mixture with more powdered sugar. Let cool completely and slice into squares.
To serve: Preheat broiler to low with oven rack about four inches from the top. Remove tart from refrigerator at least 15 minutes before serving. Place in oven and brown the marshmallows for 5 minutes (you may want to keep close watch so they do not burn). Let cool for a moment and slice. This is very rich, so small slices are necessary. Enjoy!
S'mores Peanut Butter Tart
10 inch tart pan (you could also use a spring form pan, but do not recommend a pie plate.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Crust
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 Tbs melted unsalted butter
3 Tbs sugar
Mix together until well combined and course. Press into pan, coming up the sides.
Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool while preparing the peanut butter filling.
Peanut Butter Filling
3/4 cup natural creamy peanut butter (preferably with no added sugar)
1/4 cup condensed milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix until smooth and well blended. Pour onto crust and smooth out to edges. This is easier said than done as the peanut butter filling is pretty thick, so take your time so as to not tear up the crust. Place in oven for 7 minutes. If needed, spread filling out a bit more as it will be much softer once heated.
Turn oven off. And, let tart cool while preparing the chocolate filling. And, if you are already wondering just how much more sweet and fattening this thing can get...just hold on and plan to hit the
Chocolate Filling
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (any chocolate will be good here. I may use milk chocolate next time)
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 Tbs light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract (I also think coffee would be good instead)
Put all but the vanilla extract into a bowl over a pot of hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until all is melted and well-combined. Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour over the peanut butter filling, smoothing to the sides.
Allow to cool for an hour on the counter-top and then in the refrigerator for an hour before topping with marshmallow cream.
Marshmallow Cream (you could use Fluff here, but it will not set up like a real marshmallow and lose some of the "s'more effect")
2 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
2 Tbs plain powdered gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp salt
Simmer the sugar and 3/4 cup of water until soft ball stage (135 - 140 degrees). While simmering, put 1/2 cup cold water into the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle powered gelatin over water and gently stir so it dissolves.
Once sugar mixture reaches temperature pour over gelatin mixture and gently stir to combine and dissolve all gelatin. (be warned this will have a funky smell from the gelatin, but it will not taste funky.)
Let cool for 10 minutes. Next, whip on high speed until white and fluffy with stiff peaks (about 7 minutes). Add vanilla extract, powdered sugar and salt. Let mix for a moment to combine.
Spread onto chocolate layer. Do not overly smooth the top but make swirls with the knife so that little peaks form.. Place in refrigerator until 15 minutes before ready to eat it.
***you will have left over marshmallow cream. You can make regular marshmallows with it. Dust a pan with powdered sugar and pour mixture into it. Sprinkle mixture with more powdered sugar. Let cool completely and slice into squares.
To serve: Preheat broiler to low with oven rack about four inches from the top. Remove tart from refrigerator at least 15 minutes before serving. Place in oven and brown the marshmallows for 5 minutes (you may want to keep close watch so they do not burn). Let cool for a moment and slice. This is very rich, so small slices are necessary. Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
I want more!
I want more! Not more stuff. Not more things to clutter the house, to make me feel pretty, to entertain the kids. I want more of what I can in no way buy. I want more of what only being in the Lord's wheelhouse can get me. I find myself just not sure how to get it.
I am a content person. The Lord has sharpened me to be content in plenty and in need. Prior to this move, we fell into the need category.. The Lord has surely blessed our family since moving us here. We live in a lovely home; have met some wonderful people; my husband has a good job; our finances are stable. We have no outward needs. Yet, I want more.
I found myself mid-workout last week just sitting there on the bench with dumbbell in hand, thinking, "is this it, Lord?". Is this our life moving forward? We are not in need, yet here I sit in a fitness center where I am not completely comfortable. I seemed to do better in the run-down YMCA for some reason. I found myself sitting by the pool with our children looking around and thinking, "I am not like these ladies. Our kids are not like theirs"...and rather thankful for that given what makes us different. (At least on the outward, what you can learn from hearing a mother talk to her young kids kind of way.) I want more relationships than what this offers.
Our kids start preschool next week. I am not 100% thrilled with the program. We have them there because we know it will prepare them for the magnet school test they will have to take before entering kindergarten. I do not have any confidence in the elementary school up the road, so I want to be sure they get into the magnet school. It is nowhere near our home and will be wholly inconvenient to have them there. I want better education for our children, not some "test and hope you get picked" education.
We attend a nice church. It is a bit overwhelming for us because it is so large. Here we found you go with the denomination that feels the least like a denomination. Non-denominational churches are few here. We had to allow ourselves to settle knowing we will not find what we really seek in a church here. The teaching at this church, while rarely piercing, has indeed convicted us to make some changes to our lives. Our kids are being well fed there. There are ample mission opportunities. We are serving and tithing. Yet, our real gifts are still hidden because of its size. My heart hurts to know the Lord gave my husband an amazing voice that will more than likely not get used because worship is a production and the cast is already set. We are committed to our Lord no matter our place of worship. It is not a complaint, just a reality that we settled and that just does not seem good enough. I fear we could become lukewarm Christians and not even realize it.
We have been here nearly two years and my husband has not one friend. I have a few but they are slow relationships to build upon. (I am very thankful for those few!) It is difficult to feel like relationships are at an arms length. It is difficult to know that in a few weeks football season will begin and my husband will be stuck with just me to watch the game. We are not from here and we are not in the military so we fall into some odd social zone. I want friends for us.
I miss family being around the corner. We left my family to move to my husband's family initially. Those first few months were tough (tough!) as we all got to know each other. Getting to develop such a relationship with my mother-in-law, and our kids to build a foundation with their grandmother, was worth every tough day. Of course, I miss my side of the family. I sometimes feel like we are wasting time being in a place with no family. Our kids deserve to know their extended family more than the occasional visit and phone calls.
There are things the Lord has put on us that will be our mission no matter where He has us - adopt, pay off our debt, serve Him in any way He asks. We were guns-a-blazin' with adoption and then felt the Lord pause us.We are moving full steam ahead with our debt pay-off. He has blessed that path so far. We are doing what we can to serve Common Ground (it feels like we should be doing more, but until nap time is not needed, I am limited).
Maybe the Lord just wants us to focus on these things and let the rest fall as it may?
But still, I want more. More of what only God can provide.
I am a content person. The Lord has sharpened me to be content in plenty and in need. Prior to this move, we fell into the need category.. The Lord has surely blessed our family since moving us here. We live in a lovely home; have met some wonderful people; my husband has a good job; our finances are stable. We have no outward needs. Yet, I want more.
I found myself mid-workout last week just sitting there on the bench with dumbbell in hand, thinking, "is this it, Lord?". Is this our life moving forward? We are not in need, yet here I sit in a fitness center where I am not completely comfortable. I seemed to do better in the run-down YMCA for some reason. I found myself sitting by the pool with our children looking around and thinking, "I am not like these ladies. Our kids are not like theirs"...and rather thankful for that given what makes us different. (At least on the outward, what you can learn from hearing a mother talk to her young kids kind of way.) I want more relationships than what this offers.
Our kids start preschool next week. I am not 100% thrilled with the program. We have them there because we know it will prepare them for the magnet school test they will have to take before entering kindergarten. I do not have any confidence in the elementary school up the road, so I want to be sure they get into the magnet school. It is nowhere near our home and will be wholly inconvenient to have them there. I want better education for our children, not some "test and hope you get picked" education.
We attend a nice church. It is a bit overwhelming for us because it is so large. Here we found you go with the denomination that feels the least like a denomination. Non-denominational churches are few here. We had to allow ourselves to settle knowing we will not find what we really seek in a church here. The teaching at this church, while rarely piercing, has indeed convicted us to make some changes to our lives. Our kids are being well fed there. There are ample mission opportunities. We are serving and tithing. Yet, our real gifts are still hidden because of its size. My heart hurts to know the Lord gave my husband an amazing voice that will more than likely not get used because worship is a production and the cast is already set. We are committed to our Lord no matter our place of worship. It is not a complaint, just a reality that we settled and that just does not seem good enough. I fear we could become lukewarm Christians and not even realize it.
We have been here nearly two years and my husband has not one friend. I have a few but they are slow relationships to build upon. (I am very thankful for those few!) It is difficult to feel like relationships are at an arms length. It is difficult to know that in a few weeks football season will begin and my husband will be stuck with just me to watch the game. We are not from here and we are not in the military so we fall into some odd social zone. I want friends for us.
I miss family being around the corner. We left my family to move to my husband's family initially. Those first few months were tough (tough!) as we all got to know each other. Getting to develop such a relationship with my mother-in-law, and our kids to build a foundation with their grandmother, was worth every tough day. Of course, I miss my side of the family. I sometimes feel like we are wasting time being in a place with no family. Our kids deserve to know their extended family more than the occasional visit and phone calls.
There are things the Lord has put on us that will be our mission no matter where He has us - adopt, pay off our debt, serve Him in any way He asks. We were guns-a-blazin' with adoption and then felt the Lord pause us.We are moving full steam ahead with our debt pay-off. He has blessed that path so far. We are doing what we can to serve Common Ground (it feels like we should be doing more, but until nap time is not needed, I am limited).
Maybe the Lord just wants us to focus on these things and let the rest fall as it may?
But still, I want more. More of what only God can provide.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Channeling my inner "Sandy".
As a housewife my job is to keep our home clean. If you came to our home, I think you would say it looks neat and clean, but the truth is, I have been horribly lazy in the actual cleaning department. I have gotten into the "wipe it down" habit. You know, where you just kind of wipe everything down as you go, sweep every couple of days and keep up with the laundry, but do not bust out the mop and really clean the house.
When I was recovering from surgery, out of necessity, I hired a wonderful college student named Sandy to clean the house. Wow! It was the best $50 spent. She cleaned like I never have! Grant walked in with amazement with how clean the home was after Sandy had been here. I found ways to work our monthly budget to have her come back again. Then the thoughts of, can we stretch things to have her come weekly, or bi-monthly? After all, she is a college student and needs the money. It will not just to help me, but really help her, right? Mind you, I am healed from surgery. I can hold my own in the gym again, so I can certainly hold a mop.
Then, reality hit that with a second preschool tuition being added to our monthly budget, spending money on such a luxury is just not possible. I kind of got a little pouty about it.
Today, after my husband had his quiet time, we talked about his own encouragement from the Lord to remember that we work for Him. Grant may have a boss to whom he is responsible, but his daily tasks are ultimately accountable to the Lord. It was with those words that I realized I had to change my outlook on, of all thing, cleaning our home.
What if I approached keeping this home clean as though I am doing it for the Lord first, and then my husband? In reality, this is Jesus' home. He provides it. He resides here. He allows me to stay home with our children and in turn, has made me responsible for keeping up with it. So, why am I trying to put my responsibility onto someone else? Why am I letting another woman's work please my husband?
Today, I looked at housecleaning in the way, I assume, Sandy does. She comes and works for a few hours earning money for her hard word. It was not cumbersome. It became rewarding as the house is sparkling. When Grant gets home tonight he will be thrilled. There really is something great about walking into a clean home after a very long week at work.
Today, I cleaned like Sandy. And, it felt great!
When I was recovering from surgery, out of necessity, I hired a wonderful college student named Sandy to clean the house. Wow! It was the best $50 spent. She cleaned like I never have! Grant walked in with amazement with how clean the home was after Sandy had been here. I found ways to work our monthly budget to have her come back again. Then the thoughts of, can we stretch things to have her come weekly, or bi-monthly? After all, she is a college student and needs the money. It will not just to help me, but really help her, right? Mind you, I am healed from surgery. I can hold my own in the gym again, so I can certainly hold a mop.
Then, reality hit that with a second preschool tuition being added to our monthly budget, spending money on such a luxury is just not possible. I kind of got a little pouty about it.
Today, after my husband had his quiet time, we talked about his own encouragement from the Lord to remember that we work for Him. Grant may have a boss to whom he is responsible, but his daily tasks are ultimately accountable to the Lord. It was with those words that I realized I had to change my outlook on, of all thing, cleaning our home.
What if I approached keeping this home clean as though I am doing it for the Lord first, and then my husband? In reality, this is Jesus' home. He provides it. He resides here. He allows me to stay home with our children and in turn, has made me responsible for keeping up with it. So, why am I trying to put my responsibility onto someone else? Why am I letting another woman's work please my husband?
Today, I looked at housecleaning in the way, I assume, Sandy does. She comes and works for a few hours earning money for her hard word. It was not cumbersome. It became rewarding as the house is sparkling. When Grant gets home tonight he will be thrilled. There really is something great about walking into a clean home after a very long week at work.
Today, I cleaned like Sandy. And, it felt great!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Homemade Pop Tarts...well, kind of.
My sister sent me a link to a blog with a challenge to make a homemade Pop Tart. I made them today. I would not say these are Pop Tarts, but I will say they are pretty yummy! I guess in reality a Pop Tart is just a mass-produced little pie. So, if you like little pies, you will enjoy this.
Homemade Pop Tarts
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 - 3 tbsp. cold water
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 - 3 tbsp. cold water
1 egg, beaten
Jam (I used strawberry jam and peach butter)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add shortening and butter and blend with pastry cutter. Blend until mixture is fairly coarse. Add water, 1 tbsp. at a time, gently mixing dough after each addiction until dough forms a ball.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a square/rectangle. To about 1/8 thickness. Cut out long strips about 2 inches wide and 3 inches long. You can also cut out any other shapes with cookie cutters. I made the peach ones round. Repeat until dough runs out.
Take one pie crust rectangle and place 1 tsp. of jam on top (do not over-fill as the filling will come out the sides). Cover with another piece of pie crust and crimp all edges with a fork. Repeat with the rest of dough. Brush with an egg wash and then sprinkled with sugar. (The original recipe does not do this, but instead glazes them when they come out of the oven.) Place Pop-tarts on a baking sheet with parchment paper, and bake for 8-9 minutes, until just barely browned.
Jam (I used strawberry jam and peach butter)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add shortening and butter and blend with pastry cutter. Blend until mixture is fairly coarse. Add water, 1 tbsp. at a time, gently mixing dough after each addiction until dough forms a ball.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a square/rectangle. To about 1/8 thickness. Cut out long strips about 2 inches wide and 3 inches long. You can also cut out any other shapes with cookie cutters. I made the peach ones round. Repeat until dough runs out.
Take one pie crust rectangle and place 1 tsp. of jam on top (do not over-fill as the filling will come out the sides). Cover with another piece of pie crust and crimp all edges with a fork. Repeat with the rest of dough. Brush with an egg wash and then sprinkled with sugar. (The original recipe does not do this, but instead glazes them when they come out of the oven.) Place Pop-tarts on a baking sheet with parchment paper, and bake for 8-9 minutes, until just barely browned.
Let cool on wire wrack and enjoy!
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