Overnight Cole Slaw for 40

Ephesians  4:7  To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

5 lbs. shredded cabbage mix with some red cabbage and carrots

4 cups apple cider vinegar

4 cups sugar

1 T. celery salt

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

Boil the vinegar, sugar, celery salt, salt and pepper until sugar is melted.  Pour over the cabbage mixture.  Toss together and let marinate overnight in the refrigerator. 

Optional Additions:   Green pepper, celery, onions. 

This is a great alternative to the mayonnaise style cole slaw.

Chicken Pot Pie for 30

2 Corinthians 9:8  God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

This was the main entree for our last Manna Meal (free meal).  We feed 137 people and all the casseroles were gone.  The volunteers were served Spaghett, which is always the back up.  This is a very simple to prepare.  For 30 people you will be preparing “two” 1/2 sheet pans which are about 12×15 in size and deeper than a normal 9×13 pan. 

For each pie you will need (remember you need to make “2″ for 30 people)

3 cups cooked and diced chicken (turkey can be used also)

2 cups frozen sliced carrots

2 cups frozen peas

25oz. of Cream of Chicken Soup (I bought the large 50oz. cans and split between the two)

2 cups biscuit mix (any brand will do: Bisquick, etc.)

1 cup milk

2 eggs

Mix the Cream of Chicken soup, chicken, carrots and peas together.  Place in 1/2 sheet pan.  Mix together the biscuit mix, milk and eggs.  Pour over the chicken mixture.  Bake at 400′ for approximately 30 minutes or until the crust is puffed and browned.  If you like mixed vegetables for your pot pie you can substitute 4 cups of frozen mixed vegetables for the peas and carrots. 

These can be frozen after baking for future meals if desired.  For smaller servings you can use the same equivalents or use this recipe and make 4 smaller ones to freeze.

Derby Day 2009

James  5:11  We consider blessed those who have perservered. You have heard of Job’s perserverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Anyone who has been raised in Kentucky has a reverence for today.  The most exciting two minutes in sports, etc. are some of the common comments for today.  I have lived in Ky. most of my adult life.  I have been to the Derby ONCE, even though I live only about an  hours drive. 

The Derby that I attended was Wonderful.  Through my work my husband and I scored Corporate tickets.  That meant we were in a Corporate Box with catered food and drinks for the entire day and we were under shelter from the rain.  (Not this year).  This is the way to go to the Derby.  We did not win big, but really enjoyed the day.

This year we worked in the yard cleaning up flower beds, etc.  After a wonderful warm shower we watched the race on TV.  What an amazing story.  A relatively unknown horse won.  Maybe that is the story of the recovery of this nation.  Relatively unknown businesses and persons can spur this economy to recover.

The Long Shot came in today.  American that should be us.  Let’s all prove to the world that we can overcome.  We can budget.  We can purchase wisely.  We can reinvent ourselves to be more:  economical, wiser, recycle, frugal, entraprenurial, etc.  This is OUR country, not the governments.  Let’s make sure we remember that when we elect officials.  We should hold our elected officials responsible for the bills that they pass and the PORK that they put into the bills they are passing.

Spaghetti Carbonara Tartlets

2 Corinthians 8:9  You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that thought he was rich, yet for your sakes he become poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

I found this recipe when visiting my daughter in Colorado.  This is a wonderful way to use leftover spaghetti.  This is a great appetizer, snack or a portable breakfast item.

1/2 lb. spaghetti – cooked

Bacon or Panchetta – 3-4 slices of bacon or 2 1/4 inch pancetta

3/4 cups grated parmesan cheese

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

salt and pepper to taste

Cook the bacon/panchetta and pour the fat into the cooked spaghetti.  Add 1/2 of the cheese and salt and pepper together.  Spray 12 muffin tins with non-stick spray.  Place forkful of spaghetti mixture into each muffin tin until 1/3 full.  Mix the eggs and milk together.  Pour approximately 1 T.  of the egg/milk mixture into each muffin tin.  Sprinkle remaining cheese and panchetta/bacon onto the top of each muffin tin. 

Bake 20 minutes at 375′ until browned on top.

I am Back ?!?!?!?

Colossians 4:6  Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

I am back.  So sorry for the long time inbetween posts.  I have assumed a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) position with my son’s construction company.  With the economy in a downturn I am trying to help keep his remodeling/construction company on a positive track.  This is definately a walk in faith because projections of what you will have coming in depends on what business will come in next week. 

People are still repairing and remodeling their homes instead of selling them.  This is good news for my son.  I have been a business owner of many different businesses, but this is definately different for me.  I am knowledgeable about construction since my Dad was a carpenter and my husband and I have had rental properties for many years.  We do a lot of the repairs ourself, so the details of painting, laying tiles, etc. are not foreign to me. 

If you live in the Central Ky. area give me a shout.  My son has a wonderful new program to help Maintain your home if you are too busy to make minor repairs, etc.  It is very affordable and is ideal for busy working professionals,  those who are maintenance challenged,  persons with limited physical capabilities and those who are retired or elderly. 

I hope to be able to post some additional ideas for money saving ideas, recipes, etc.  Keep us in your prayers.

Vacation Time

John 15:  12-13   Jesus said, “Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

I have neglected my Blog.  Sorry !?!?!!?  I have assumed financial control of my son’s Construction business.  He is a wonderful visionary and designer, but does not have the gift of budgeting, etc.  I may consider consulting after this.  I have managed convenient stores, managed Real Estate rentals and estimated repairs on foreclosures.  Pray that I have the knowledge to make this business cash flow.

Shortly after assuming this responsibilty we went on vacation (already planned) to see our daughter, son-in-law and GK #1 and GK #6 who live in Colorado.  It was in the 60’s when we arrived, but we were there for the Blizzard of 2009, which lasted two days.  It was in the 60’s when we left on Sunday.

Really relaxing to play with the GKs, cook, eat, rest, relax, etc.  We took a drive through the mountains. 

Now it is time to get back in the swing of things.  Manna Meal next week,  Home and Garden Show this weekend and hopefully more menu plans, cookbook plans, etc.

Weekly Menu Plan – March 1st, 2009

John 1:16  From the fullness of God’s grace we have all received one blessing after another.

I have been very busy and have not posted a Menu plan for several weeks.  Sorry!!!!  I hope to do better.

This week Kroger has the following good deals:  Frozen Turkey Breast for $1.29 ( have the butcher cut this into two pieces while frozen if you don’t want to cook the entire Breast),   14-16 oz. of Frozen Armour Meatballs for $2.49 (lower if you buy combination of ten items),  Cocktail Shirmp (51-60 count) for $4.99 per pound and Smith Field Ham Portion for $1.29 per lb.  (you can also have this sliced into ham steaks and a large end piece), Canned Salmon for $2.19 and Eggs for three dozen for $4.00.

Weekly Menu

1.  Pan seared Ham steaks, Microwave baked sweet potato, green vegetable

2.  Slow cooker Turkey Breast, Rice (cook extra to use later in the week) and Green Beans (use leftovers for Pot Pie later in the week  or freeze for future use)

3.  Meatballs and Spaghetti and Salad  (use leftover meatballs and sauce for meatballs subs for lunch)

4.  Shrimp Stir Fry (Use frozen or canned Stir Fry Vegetables) and Rice from earlier in the week.

5.  Turkey Pot Pie and Salad

6.  Salmon Patties, canned or frozen vegetable (asparagus would be good), Couscous

7.  Breakfast for dinner – leftover ham, scrambled eggs, pancakes, etc.

Taco Casserole for 40 – 50 people

I Corinthians  15:58  Stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Our Seventh Manna Meal (Free Meal Program) is tomorrow.  The last meal and this meal have been a challenge since the New Refrigerator (less than year old) has broken twice.  The last meal we did not have a refrigerator, so the menu had to be something that could be prepared that day:   ie:  Spaghetti.

The refrigerator was fixed yesterday, so there was not time to thaw and cook the turkeys that I had in mind.  So we “Stood firm” and “Let nothing move us”.  I prepared Taco Casseroles today and have enough things ready to prepare several more tomorrow if we need them.

This recipe developed when we had leftover Chili from a meal.  You can use leftover chili or plan on making this casserole.

1  # 10 Can (large industrial can) Chili with beans

4 cups corn (with some liquid)

2 cups ripe olives

12 cups cooked macaroni (any shape is OK, but I used the elbow type)

2 pkg. Taco Seasoning or 3-4 T. Chili Powder

Mix all of this together and place into a large pan or two small pans that are at least 2 1/2 inches deep.  Cover with foil.  Bake at 350′ for 30-45 minutes until heated through.  Uncover and top with shredded cheddar cheese (enough to cover the top – about 2 cups) and bake until cheese melted and lightly browned.

The Menu was:  Taco Casserole,  Cole Slaw,  Green Beans,  Bread and Desserts.

Swiss Steak – Crock Pot Version

Proverbs 16:3  Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

So sorry for being gone so long.  The storm aftermath, babysitting, etc.  has taken a toll. 

This would be a great winter day meal.  I would serve this with buttered noodles, rice, etc. with a green vegetable or salad and bread.

2 lbs. round steak (about 1 inch thick) cut into serving pieces, about the size of a deck of cards

1/4 cup flour

1 t. salt

Mix the flour and salt together.  Toll the steak in the flour and place in the bottom of the crock pot.

Add the following chopped vegetables:

1 stalk celery

2 carrots

1/4 c. onion

Sprinkle 1/2 t. Worchestershire sauce over the meat and vegetables

Pour 1 8oz. can of tomato sauce over the meat and vegetables. 

Cover and cook on LOW setting for 8-10 hours.  Just before serving sprinkle with 1/2 C. grated American or cheddar cheese.  This is optional.

Winter War Zone

Psalm 37:4  Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Weather is definately the ultimate unpredictable Lady.  Our area had 1/2 – 3/4 inch of ice topped off with rain and then almost 3 inches of snow.  Our house has lovely mature trees (or it did) around it.  We will lose about 7 trees due to the storm.  The amazing thing is that several are on the roof and we do not think there is any damage.  When we came home last night we did not park where we normally park and a tree limb fell 2 feet behind our vehicle.  One limb is still straddling the powerline, but as of now – No Power Outage.  We have been tremendously lucky. 

It makes you realize that what was yesterday may not be tomorrow.  I think the lesson here is what you make out of YOUR tomorrow.  The two trees we will lose in the back will make a lovely spot for an herb garden.  I have wanted to have one close to the house, but too much shade.  Ha!!

We cannot contact anyone near our Lake House which is in Western Ky.  That area has been harder hit than here.  We have a Walnut tree growing out of the deck.  If it came down, we probably don’t have a house.  The power is probably out, so the waterbed maybe an icecube that freezes and bursts.  It is amazing how at peace I am with this.  These are only THINGS. 

As I grow older and wiser I have learned that although some things are priceless: photos, family heirlooms, etc.  They are only THINGS.  All of our family is safe and well.  THINGS can be replaced.  The important things are:  God’s forgiveness, Family, Love and Caring.

I will attach a few photos.