A Week Of Journaling: Monday

Hubby ended up working all night last night, he went to bed sometime this morning and was called bright and early to fix another problem that he was able to handle from home. Since he worked about 15 hours yesterday, they gave him today off. After fixing the problem he went back to bed and slept in quite late today.

While he slept, I sewed. I made a dress last week, and it was absolutely hideous! lol It was just the wrong style for me. It looked like a giant Hawaiian moo moo. So not flattering. The arm holes were gigantic, they went all the way to my waist. And two other people probably could have fit into it with me! lol So I decided I would cut off the bottom and gather the skirt. Then I cut and seamed down the top and arms quiet a bit, and added another pleat at the bottom of the bodice. Then I sewed the top and bottom together and WaLa! A whole new dress!

Hubby woke up and we watched some more of the movie that we had started yesterday. I heated up some left over BBQ pork and we had BBQ pork sandwiches for lunch.

My Mom came over for dinner and visited with us for a little while. After she left Hubby got called into work again for about an hour. I tided up the house a bit and finished sewing a lining for a sewing bag that I'm currently making. I now have the exterior, interior, and handle finished, just got to put them all together now! When Hubby got home we finally finished our movie and watched another one. And now its time to sleep!

A Week Of Journaling: Sunday

Not much happened today. Hubby and I slept in, I didn't feel well.

I decided to try something new, Sweet Potatoes! I baked them in my aroma oven on 300 degrees F for about an hour. They baked so well, when I got them out, the skin just peeled right off! First I tried them plain. They tasted okay, but not great. So I decided to add butter and brown sugar. Then tasted them again. I didn't like them at all with the butter and brown sugar! Hubby refused to even try a sweet potato....

A server messed up where Hubby works and he had to go in for about an hour. While he was at the office I fixed Cajun Chicken Alfredo, so yummy! I had it ready for him when he got home! He fixed the on site problems and then came home to finish the rest of the work remotely.

I managed to run to Big Lots, they were having a store wide 20% off sale. I just bought a few items, toilet paper, puppy pads, and a few other things. I would have loved to have been able to afford some of their furniture! I forgot to get a loaf of bread while I was there, so I stopped by a store close to the house.

Later I fixed BBQ pork sandwiches for dinner and washed dishes. Hubby and I started watching a movie, I was too tired to finish it and hopefully we'll finish it tomorrow. Hubby is still working and I'm off to bed!

A Successful Day

• Today was such a successful Day!
  
• I got the baby quilt finished! Pictures coming soon!
  
• I planted five hanging baskets of strawberries! Yum!
  
• I got started on a matching sewing tote and machine cover!
  
• Successful Days Are So Wonderful!
  
• Don't you love it when you feel like you've got a lot accomplished?

I'm So Happy

I finally found a quick and easy way to make Rice Milk! The last time I tried to make rice milk I blew my blender up! This recipe is even better for you because it is raw! You don't even have to cook the rice! So this is how I did it!

Rice Milk

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 4 cups water
• stevia to taste

Instructions

1. Pour rice and water in a bowl with lid, refrigerate overnight.
2. Blend the rice and water on high with a stick blender for about two minutes or in a regular blender for about one minute.
3. Strain through a cheese cloth, blend in some stevia to taste.
4. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
   

Happy 4th of July

Just wanted to stop in and say Happy 4th of July!

And also tell you what I've been up to lately! A while back I posted about my best friend being pregnant, well her Baby Shower is July 11! I've been super busy trying to get her gifts ready! Everything I'm giving her is going to be homemade! So, I've been working overtime! lol So far, I have finished a Baby Toboggan and I'm just about finished with her baby Quilt. All I lack on the quilt is the edging. I will be making a few more items for her also. I'll post pics within the next few days!

Have the Promises Been Kept?

Menu Plan Monday

Monday
Chicken Fajitas

Tuesday
Nacho Bell Grande

Wednesday
Cajun Chicken Alfredo

Thursday
Lasagna and Garlic Bread

Friday
Tacos

Saturday
Potato Chip Chicken Casserole and Green Beans

Sunday
Manwhich and Green Beans

Don't Let Your Rights be Taken Away!

Dear Friend of Parental Rights,

Monday in a Harlem middle school, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told a group of 120 students that administration officials are actively discussing “when and how it might be possible to join” (that is, ratify) the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). As before, she also communicated what a disgrace it is that the U.S. would stand with only Somalia against such a widely-accepted treaty.

This is the first direct public statement by the Obama administration that it will seek ratification of the UN CRC.

In my 30 years of political involvement, I have learned to recognize this as what is called a “trial balloon.” Like in World War I trench warfare, our opponents have “sent up a balloon” to see if it will draw fire. If things remain quiet, they will proceed with their plans to push for ratification of the CRC in the U.S. Senate.

To discourage them from doing so, we need to make sure that our voices are heard with unmistakable clarity. We must let the Obama administration know that we oppose this anti-family, anti-American treaty.

Here’s what we need you all to do:

1. Call the White House comments line at 202-456-1111. Tell them you heard the administration wants to ratify the CRC, and you strongly oppose this giving away of U.S. sovereignty to the UN. Also keep in mind that this treaty gives the government jurisdiction to override any decision made by any parent if the government thinks that a better decision can be made—even if there is no proof of any harm.

2. Call Ambassador Susan Rice’s office at the United Nations. Tell her that you want her to represent the United States to the world rather than trying to get the United States to go along with international law initiated by the UN. Her office number is 212-415-4000.

3. Contact your Senators and urge them to oppose ratification of this treaty. (Find your Senators’ contact information by typing your zip code into the box here.) Ask them also to defeat it once and for all by cosponsoring SJRes 16 – the Parental Rights Amendment.

It is very important that we speak up right now. Please call before you close this email!

Sincerely,

Michael Farris

Find this letter online.

A Poem

Here is a Poem I wrote for my father for Father's Day.

My Forty-Five
Year Young

Father is
Always
There for me!
He is
Everything a
Real Dad should be!

To Do List

Today is my Dad's Birthday, so I will be heading to his house today. I planed a surprise party for him. There is only a few things to get done today, before I leave.

1. Ice Cake, Top With Walnuts
2. Morning Routine
3. Bible Study
4. Load Up The Car, Don't Forget:
   

• Cake
• Camera
• Potato Salad
• Potato Chip Chicken Casserole
• Potato Chips and Tomatoes
• Present
  

To Do List

Tomorrow is my Dad's Birthday, so I have a lot to do today in preparation for a surprise party I am throwing him. I thought I ought to make a list of all the things I need to do today to keep me on track.

1. Morning Routine
2. Make Lunch For Guest
   
3. Take Out Trash
4. Bible Study
5. Bake Banana Cake
6. Make Potato Chip Chicken Casserole (Refrigerate, Bake Tomorrow)
7. Make Potato Salad
8. Wash All Dishes
9. Clean Up Kitchen
10. Get Dad's Gift Ready
11. Get Non-Perishable Food Ready
12. Tidy House
13. Make Dinner
14. Evening Routine
    

Anniversary Gifts

These Gifts were for Both of Us, from my Mom.

These Manicure sets were to Me, from Hubby.

And Hubby's Gift was a Dinner at his favorite Restaurant,
two hours away!

Friday In the Kitchen

This was this past Friday in the kitchen, this completes one week in my kitchen.
Sorry I'm three days late with this post.
Friday was very simple.
We had left over Chicken and Rice Soup for Lunch.

And for Dinner we had Potato Chip Chicken Casserole with green beans.

Vote Yes on 8

Thursday (not) In the Kitchen

Today was my Husband's and my Anniversary
and we spent our day visiting Huntington, West Virginia.
Therefor, I wasn't at home to cook.
I wanted to take him out to his favorite place!
Red Lobster!
He ordered the Ultimate Feast!

And I ordered the Cajun Chicken Linguine Alfredo.

It was really late on our way home
so we stopped by a Dairy Queen
and picked up a Cheeseburger and a Treat.

Wednesday In the Kitchen

Today for Lunch we had left over Chicken Tacos.

And for dinner we had BBQ Chicken Bacon Cheese Fries.
First I peeled and cut up the potatoes and got them going in the oven.
Boiled the Chicken, Fried the Bacon, Shredded the Chicken, Crumbled the Bacon.
When the fires where ready I poured half a bottle of BBQ sauce on them,
then added the Chicken and poured on the rest.
Sprinkled on one cup of Mozzarella Cheese and then the Bacon.
Put it back in the oven to heat.

Delicious!

Tuesday In the Kitchen

Today we had Chicken Quesadillas for Lunch!

And I used up the rest of the Chicken saved back from the
Whole Chicken by making Chicken Tacos!
We still have plenty of Chicken and Rice Soup left over too!
That whole Chicken has been very economical for us!!!

My Husband's favorite is Hard Shells and Mine is Soft!

Monday In the Kitchen

Today for lunch I had a BBQ Chicken Pizza made on a tortilla crust and Watermelon on the side, sorry I forgot to take pictures.

And for Dinner we had Crisp Yummy Chicken Quesadillas!

Sunday In the Kitchen

This is the Chicken Stock that I made from the carcass and drippings.

I decided I'd use the left overs, instead of all the chicken I saved back.

I used about 2-3 oz. of the chicken I had saved back.

Here are the Veggies!

Here is the Soup cooking away!

After I got the soup going, I fixed a Hearty Breakfast.
Here are the eggs frying.

Here are homemade biscuits fresh out of the oven.

Here are more getting ready to go in.

Here is our completed Breakfast.
Homemade Biscuits, Over Medium Eggs, Turkey Sausage, and Bacon.

Here I am two hours before Dinner adding the Rice to the Soup.

Ready to Eat!
A bowl of Chicken and Rice Soup and a Homemade Biscuit!

And for dessert we had Peach Cobbler, that was made the day before.
Delicious!

You can get the recipe for this tasty soup at Keeping The Home.

Saturday In the Kitchen

I tried a couple of new things today. I cooked a Whole Chicken in the Crock Pot and made Peach Cobbler, both for the first time.

The Peach Cobbler turned out fabulous! I served it hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. I didn't get a picture of it, but if Hubby or I eat any of it tomorrow I'll try to get one then.


The Whole Chicken was pretty good, but I'd like to try it again sometime. There are a few things I'd like to do differently. First, I would clean the giblets and such out, I don't like them!!! Yuck! Secondly, I would cook it less. I called and asked a relative how long it would take to cook a whole chicken in a crock pot on low. The answer I got was 8-10 hours. Well, I let it cook for eight. Way too long. When I went to pick the chicken up out of the pot it all broke apart, I didn't even have to cut it. And the giblets and liver came out and were floating in the pot, it was gross. So, I'm definitely gonna clean it out next time. We had potato salad on the side.

I saved this chicken for soup tomorrow.

And I added 3 cups of water to the drippings and carcass,
to make chicken stock for tomorrow's soup .

I thought it was time to try something new and I got the recipes for the Whole Chicken and The Chicken Soup (that we will have tomorrow) from Candy, over at Keeping the Home. She is doing a wonderful series called A Week in My Kitchen. I have learned so much from her videos. I didn't go exactly by her recipes, but I used what I had available.