10 second Smores

Ecclesiasties 7:12  Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this:  that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.

My grandson - GK #1 is visiting from Colorado along with Daughter #1 and GK #6.  He wanted to share with me his recipe for Microwave Smores.  They were really good, but I couldn’t eat a whole one.  I am not much on sweets.  Try them out for yourself.  No need for a campfire and they are really GOOD !!!!

1/2 Hershey bar for each Smore

1 full graham cracker broken into two pieces for each Smore

1 large marshmallow for each Smore

Place 1/2 of the graham cracker on a plate.  Top with 1/2 of the Hershey bar and then 1 large marshmallow.

Place in the microwave and microwave for 8 - 10 seconds (depends on the power of your microwave) until the marshmallow is puffed.  Remove from the microwave and place the other half of the graham cracker on top.  Press down to “ooze” the marshmallow.  Eat while still warm.

You can also use the marshmallow Peeps that are prevalent for holidays.

Enjoy.

 

Crossing Over

Psalm  125:1    Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

My father-in-law has been very sick.  He has not been feeling well for some time and losing weight.  He went in for a check up and they sent him to the ICU.  His red count was very low and other problems.  He was diagnosed with a blood disease and sent home with some medication.  After one week at home he began to get worse.  His daughter took him back to the hospital.  He was bleeding internally and we almost lost him before they found the bleeding.  He was transferred to a more specialized hospital for the weekend.  He was still bleeding and his heart began to malfunction.  All the family were called back to the hospital at 3am in the morning on Saturday.  We were given a “private” waiting room.  The spouses of all the children went in to see him.  He was not coherent and was talking.  He said, “Come on Papaw, lift me up”.  At that point I said that we needed to leave and his children needed to be with him.  I knew he was seeing someone come from the “other side” to escort him home to Heaven.  He spent several hours on the brink of leaving this life. 

God is not finished with his life yet.  He began to improve in the early morning hours of Saturday.  Two of his grandsons came to visit in the afternoon (my sons).  He was in good spirits and knew them both and talked about their families, etc.  When the visiting time was up for ICU he took both of their hands and began to pray for THEM.  What a Godly example of a man.  Even on the brink of his leaving this world he ask God to bless others.

During this entire time God has opened opportunites to spread his love and message.  In the ICU waiting room was a woman who immediately expressed concern for our family.  After talking with her, she is virtually alone in her vigile for her husband.  She is living in the ICU waiting room.  When we left on Friday I ask if we could bring her anything.  She ask if we could bring her “good’ coffee (the ICU waiting room stuff is instant YUCK) and maybe a biscuit with gravy.  When we left on Saturday I told her I was sorry that we had come in so early.  She embrassed us and gave us her love.  On Sunday one of the other brothers and my husband and I both brought her the coffee and biscuits.  She was so happy that she cried.  Friday night when we left she was sleeping on her purse.  The hospital usually brings blankets and pillows, but that night they did not distribute any.  We had some pillows that we were going to take to my father-in-laws house so we left her one.  She was so grateful.  What small things mean so much to others.  What a priviledge to be able to give love back to her.

When we got the phone call at 3am to go back to the hospital my husband and I got up, dressed, packed up and hurriedly went to our car.  He was approached by a gentleman who said he was out of gas and desperate to get home.  His wife and children were sleeping in his car.  He said he had his wife’s jewelry and his tools and was trying to sell them to us.  We were in a hurry and did not know if my father-in-law was going to die or not.  My husband handed the gentleman $20.  The man was very surprised, he ask if we wanted to pump the gas for him or wanted anything.  My husband said,  “Go in Peace”.  Did the guy really buy gas???  Who knows, but at least he experienced love from people that were in a very critical situation. 

Were these people angels in our path ?,  People that needed to feel love?   Who knows.   When I get to heaven I can ask God about these people.  All I know is that God has blessed us and has given us back my father-in-law for awhile.  Even when there are trials we must still express and maintain our Chrisitan love and values.  If we take time for others then God will take time for us.

Save Money on Produce

2 Peter 1:3  God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Fresh Produce is very expensive.  I am notorious about buying produce and then having it go “bad” in the refrigerator.  With rising food prices, like everyone else, I have begun to try to think of ways to save on groceries.  I have always been very frugal in using leftovers and many of the ideas on my blog give you ideas about using leftovers and not throwing anything away. 

I recently saw an add for the “Greener Bags”.  I have seen these on TV, but they were on sale at our local Bed, Bath and Beyond store.  I also had a coupon for 20% off any one item.  I purchased a box of 20 bags for about $7.00.  I know that is pretty expensive, but they are reusable. 

Right before our vacation I cut an apple into two pieces.  I put the cut apple into a green bag and then in the refrigerator.  When we returned from vacation, 10 days later, the apple was just barely brown and still very crisp.  Do these bags really work?????

I bought grape tomatoes that were on clearance and dated for the day I bought them, put them in the greener bags and they lasted as long as the fresh ones.  I have started purchasing the expensive organic lettuce in the tubs on clearance, putting it in the greener bag and it is lasting over a week.  I don’t know how these work, but they DO WORK. 

I have saved a bundle by buying fresh produce on clearance and putting them in these bags.  I don’t recommend many products, but these WORK.

I hope this helps you save some money in your grocery budget.

Eating Well in Hard Times - May 18

Proverbs 13:11   Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

Sorry about the late post, but my father-in-law was put in the hospital last week, so things have been a little crazy.

Our Sunday dinner was:  Roast Beef in the slow cooker (200′) with potatoes, carrots and onions. Green Beans, gravy and Corn Bread.

Leftover use:  Vegetable Beef soup,  Roast Beef Casserole (noodles) or Beef Stew - all of these recipes are on the website under Soups and Stews and Casseroles.  The casserole freezes well as does the beef soup, but the stew should be eaten when prepared.

Hint for this week:  Shop the Dollar Store.  You will be amazed at what they have to offer.  The food there is NOT outdated but is mostly when food companies change labels, etc.  Instant Oatmeal that cost $3.50 in the normal stores sells there for $1.00 and it is just as good. 

Eating Well in Hard Times - May 11

1 Thessalonians 3:12   May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

Happy Mother’s Day to all Mothers

My brood said they would bar-b-que if I purchased the food.  We decided on hot dogs and hamburges.  The “girls” (daughter-in-laws) offered to do sides, but I told them I would do them.  One of them is bringing an ice cream pie for dessert.  It is raining and very blustery here today.  We were not sure if we could grill or not.  Put the brats in with the beer and boiled them.  Hamburgers, hotdogs and brats were bar-b-qued.  I opened some cans of baked beans and I made some macaroni salad yesterday.  The boys prepared the sliced/diced onions and tomatoes.  I also made some homemade chili for the hotdogs. Of course I made Mac and Cheese for the GKs.  We had a lovely meal.

Leftovers included:   Macaroni Salad - will eat this week - the kids took a lot home.   Baked Beans, Hotdogs, Hamburgers, chopped onions and hotdog chili.

Leftover uses:  Baked beans with sliced hot dogs for homemade “Beanie Weanies”,  Leftover chili, onions and add beans for Chili for the week.  Hamburgers could be chopped up for the chili or used for casseroles, frozen for later use, etc.  The leftovers buns, if not used for eating the leftover hotdogs/hamburgers are great frozen for dressing.  You can also use them for breakfast sandwiches - use the hotdogs buns for sausage links, eggs, etc. and the hamburger for bacon/cheese/egg or sausage/egg/cheese sandwiches.

Try to never throw any food away.  Most things can be “re-reciped”  (re-gifted), frozen or eaten later in the week with another meal 

The bread crumbs comment is great and they can also be stored in the freezer.  You can also use the leftover buns for buttered/broiled garlic bread, etc. 

 

Cookbook #2

1 Timothy 6:6-7  Godliness with contentment is great pain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing out of it. 

I self published a cookbook several years ago:  Family Favorites.  I had 500 copies published and I am almost sold out.  I have been amazed.  They have been sold to:  family, friends, on e-bay and at a local bookseller.  Of course a good cook does not just cook the same things over and over, but develops new recipes.  I have several more that would be great addiitions to the cookbook. 

I made a post several months ago about doing a new cookbook and got some encouragement.  I am definately going to  publish another cookbook.  I am still trying to work out the details for what to include in the cookbook.  I have developed a lot of menu plans, how to cook once and eat several meals, money saving ideas, etc. 

If anyone has any ideas on what would be beneficial to them I would love to hear them.

 

Modern Day Miracles

1 Samuel   2:8   God raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heep; he seats them with the princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.

Our church has just recently dedicated a new addition to our church.  It is over 13,000 sq. ft. and has a large Community Center, commercial kitchen, new youth rooms, new children’s rooms and Sunday School rooms.  The project is a 1.4 million dollar addition.  This happens all the time, “right”?  Not in our church. 

We began the journey many years ago, but most recently about 6 years ago.  A group of leaders felt called to expand the church.  Our attendance was declining and our pastor was not the right fit for our church.  We proceeded.  A financial consulting firm told us we would have to do 3-4 captial campaigns to be able to finance the builidng.  We proceeded. 

Two capital campaigns raised almost enough to pay for the building.  A new pastor was assigned to the church and the attendance began to increase.  The new building is now open, a true MIRACLE.

The evil one does not like it when God’s people succeed.  The purpose of the new center was to reach out to the community in ways that have not been heard of in our county.  We are again facing facts that seem impossible.  The rising cost of living, gas pricies have forced family to rethink their giving.  I know that God will again prevail and supply the necessary funds for us to do the ministry that he has planned. 

Don’t think that miracles happend today !!!! Think again.  I know they do and trust that they will again. 

Life is Hard  -   Pray Hard.

 

Church Dinner Recipes -Upside Down Pizza

Proverbs 22:4   Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.

Great for Church Pot Luck or a family night dinner.  This could easily be multipled to feed more.  Use a 9 x 13 pan that has been greased or sprayed with Pam.  This should feed about 10 people.

1 1/2 lb. ground beef

1 medium onion chopped - brown beef and onion together and drain fat

1 (15 oz.) jar pizza sauce

1/2 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. oregano or italian seasoning - combine the garlic, seasoning with the pizza sauce

8 0z shredded Mozzarella

Layer ground beef/onion and then top with the pizza sauce/seasonings and spread on Mozzarella

Mix together:  2 eggs, 1 C. milk, 1 T. oil, 1/2 t. salt, 1 C. flour

Pour over the meat mixture and top with 1/2 C. Parmesan cheese

This would be great with a green salad and garlic bread for a lowcost, tasty meal.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. 

 

 

Eating Well in Hard Times - May 5

Proverbs 21:21  He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. 

Tomorrow’s Menu has changed.  I purchased some ribs on clearance and froze them.  I thawed them today to cook tomorrow.  They have a “funny” odor.  I don’t know if it was the crab boil that I used to parboil them or the meat, but I am going to throw them out.  I don’t want to take a chance on the grandkids, pregnant lady or the rest of us getting food poisoning.  I really hate to throw them out since they were kind of expensive, even on clearance, but better safe than sorry.  I routinely buy meat that is outdating that day and either freeze it or cook it that day.  This is only the second time in about 15 years I have had a problem. 

Meat - as yet to be determined but probably a Pork Roast which I will purchase on the way home from Church

Potato Salad - I made this on Saturday so the flavors could marry together

Corn on the Cob - bought fresh and shucked on Saturday - GK #3 requested this for Sunday

Mac -N - Cheese for the GKs - they don’t really like potato salad

Green Beans - seems like we have these every Sunday, but everyone likes them and besides the GKs like to play the “Green Bean Game”, they challenge each other to see who can eat theirs first, very FUN.

There will probably not be many leftovers to transform this week.  I am sure the corn will disappear and there is not much you can do with leftover potato salad except eat it again.  I love it so that should not be a problem.  The meat can be used for:  Bar-b-que, soup, etc. which I have already posted on this site.

Since Hubby will be home all week I will be cooking more.  When he is gone I usually do very simple dishes.  I will let you know what other leftovers I have this week and how we used them.

Church Dinner Recipes - Cabbage Roll Casserole

Psalm 145:13   The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. 

This would be a economical dish that has all the ingredients of old fashioned cabbage rolls without all the work.

1 small head cabbage - chopped

1 small onion - chopped (brown with the ground beef)

1 lb. ground beef - browned and drained of the fat

1/2 cup uncooked rice

1 C. water - cook rice in the water until slightly softened - it will continue to cook in the casserole

1 jar spaghetti sauce

3/4 cup water - add to the spaghetti sauce and mix

salt and pepper to taste

Place chopped cabbage into a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Mix rice, ground beef and onion along with the salt and pepper.  Layer this over the cabbage.  Pour the spaghetti sauce/water over this mixture.  Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.  Add additional water if needed.  You could also top this with cheese if you desire about 10 minutes before serving.

This should feed about 10.  This recipe can easily be multipled to feed more.  This would be great served with cornbread and a potato dish.