Recipies- Good and Yummy

Wanted to share two recipes. The first is healthy and good.  The other is just yummy!

Brussels Sprouts!  I found a recipe that over all was a huge hit.  Some that sorta like Brussels sprouts liked, those that liked them loved this recipe.  We washed them then put them in a baking dish.  Added olive oil and sea salt.  Then baked them stirring often. Cook them with no top on the baking dish.  I think it could also be done in a stir fry way on top of the stove.  Cook until done.  It did take a while, but was so worth it. 

Then the totally bad for you but so totally yummy one was Oreo Cheese Cake

Preheat oven to 275
Crush a bag of oreos for a crust in a 9x13 baking dish or larger.  Ours was slightly larger.  
Mix 2 lbs cream cheese until smooth.  Gradually add 1 cup sugar until combined.  Add 1 tea spoon vanilla.  Drizzle 4 eggs a bit at a time into cream cheese mixture.  Add 1 cup sour cream an pinch of salt.  Crumble 1/2 bag of oreos into cream cheese mixture.  Pour over oreos in pan.  Top with remaining crushed oreos. Bake until done.  Refrigerate until cold. 

This is SOOO good! 

Sharing our weekend

We picked our guest up Friday.  She was very excited about helping make her cake.  I have lots of smiling pic., but I am not sharing face views.... yet :)   So you have to have some of the less good pictures.

 One of the special things we planned this weekend was a birthday cake.  She isn't 17 yet, but we weren't sure if she would get to be here ON her birthday.   She has gotten to do lots more first.  Above she is crushing graham crackers for a cake.   Then below licking the filling from her cheese cake.  She had never licked a bowl!  I so wish I could share the picture of her with the huge smile on her face and a spatula she is licking.

She got to spread cherries on her cheese cake!  Then lick the spatula before it went in the sink.

 Birthday time!   She was excited.  Gifts before cake!  

 Another first!  A blanket tent!   T 12 ask if she and guest could make a blanket tent to listen to Hank.  Guest had no idea what she was doing.   T was a fast teacher.   Then they settled in with LOTS of giggles to listen to Hank the Cowdog, another first!

I wish I could capture the giggles and smiles on here.   All the girls seem to be meshing well.  Pecking order is still up for grabs.  I really see her meshing into middle girl roll.  She is older but younger in many ways than MN.  T will still be youngest girl.

Continued prayers for hearts!  I so see God's hand in her smile.  We have a meeting on Wed. with our new agency.  Prayers as we meet with them for training. Yes we have done this for years, and yes I always have to take thoughts captive and trust God.  I have saw some amazing God moves in this walk.  I know that He is guiding it.  I just battle the flesh.

Prayer Request on our Adoption Journey...

Ebb and flow of life around here is fun and amazing and so highly blessed.   Who has time to blog!  I am way to busy living life. 

This is birthday month!   Two down four more to go!   We are jumping the gun on our guest birthday since we don’t know for sure if she will be here next weekend or not.  We have her now so we will take advantage of it.   She requested cherry cheese cake.  Case worker shared she was disappointed at not having a “party” last year.  We are doing our normal birthday.  Family!   That might be considered a party.   I’m not sure who can make it and who will miss it.   We will enjoy the cake and the fellowship either way.   I will let her help make her cake.   They are super simple!  

I do have a very specific prayer request for our guest.   I can’t imagine being moved into a new home, new world, new rules, new….. fill in the blank!   Please pray that her heart be protected.  That this goes extremely smooth.  Pray for the foster family also as this has to be hard on their end also. 

Other life happenings I have two in braces.  They are doing very well with care of them.   I’m not sure I blogged about it as they had teeth pulled and braces the week before Thanksgiving.  

Our school year will end the last of Feb.  I do pray for some direction on some of their school.  I love SOS.  For most of them I think it is great.  I have one or two though that I’m not sure are college bound.  I wonder what direction is best to get the most education in the time left before they are grown. 

I guess I have several specific and general prayer requests.  I pray our guest mesh.  She seems to be doing well at it.  I pray that she have a teachable spirit and the ability to bond.   I pray for hearts, especially hers to be protected.  I pray for wisdom for all of us as we grow individually and as a family, that we quickly become family in the ways that are important.  No last minute glitches in moving her here, from her side or our side of this adoption journey.  

I also ask that prayers be said to protect all of us from hurtful people that don't understand the call to adopt, especially older children.   That the negative just not be spoken.   That people speak blessings both in our hearing and away, but especially in the hearing of our children.   We do know that adopting a 17 yo isn't every one's calling.   Seventeen year old's deserve a forever family just as much as newborns!  

Fun filled Saturday Dec. 1

We have had a wonderful weekend.  I took a few pictures of the quiet day at home. 

 

I got to watch littles while mom went bike riding with assorted bigger kids, those that had chores done, wanted to and could ride a bike.

 1 year old and I sat on the porch. She was totally happy just setting.  Then big dog came along.  Did I mention he LOVES her.   He sat down beside her.  

 Then he laid down beside her.  It was so sweet listening to her coo to this massive ball of fur that was begging to be touched. 

 She lost interest before the dog did.  She wondered off leaving a sad puppy.   We came inside to see 16 yo teaching 3 yo how to make survival bracelets.

 On to find a new animal to pet.  This is my big tom cat.  I find it funny he kept being where she was. He wouldn't leave either, and didn't scratch. 

 While everyone else played, 13 yo played in his own way.  He loves to build.  His dad told him he could work in the bathroom.  He paneled the whole bathroom insulating it first today.   This wasn't just straight cuts, but under stairs!  He did come and tell me he cut one piece backwards for the angel of the stairs.  He was content but exhausted tonight.  He would come get his brother to help hold a few pieces with him.  

 More survival bracelet making.  Yes, that is our guest.  She did awesome.  We had a good weekend. 

 

Guest trying her hands at making a bracelet. 

Board games, I personally think of them as four letter words, but others seem to like them.

 Even littles like them, even when they just set in laps and watch.  

 We had a friend out today.  Grand daughter and her dd played well together. 

 Cookies?  Yes!   Chocolate chip from ear to ear!   They were good 15 yo made them.

 Because she ask me to take hers also!  She got a picture taken. 

 Jumping on the trampoline! 

Bike repair shop!  Friends sons brought bikes out to ride, but first they needed some TLC.  We drug 13 yo away from building project to work on bikes.  He is handy to have around!

Crackers

I want to save this recipe here and share it.  This is the link to the original recipe: Crackers  It has some great tips and ideas.  It just doesn't make much.

Homemade “Wheat Thins”-Style Crackers

Recipe type: Breads

Author: Katie Kimball

Adapted from King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking Cookbook

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ c. whole wheat flour (can use spelt flour, traditional whole wheat or white whole wheat)
• 1 ½ Tbs. sugar (or honey)
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. paprika
• 4 Tbs. butter
• ¼ c. water
• ¼ tsp. vanilla
• salt for topping

Instructions

1. Mix ‘em: Combine the whole wheat flour, sugar, salt and paprika in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut the butter thoroughly into the dry mixture until it looks like large crumbs, no bigger than a pea. Some people use a food processor to cut in the fat, but I prefer to save dishes and keep it all in one bowl. Combine the water and vanilla in a measuring cup, plus honey if using, and add to the flour mixture. Mix well until combined and dough forms, but only as long as necessary for the most tender crackers.
2. Prep ‘em: Use parchment paper, a lightly greased cookie sheet, or an ungreased baking stone. For crackers, I would HIGHLY recommend using a baking stone (I love my Pampered Chef Rectangular Stone), or at least parchment paper or a Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat. I roll the dough right out on the stone or mat, after flouring it lightly, and bake them. Yep, right on the stone. That way I don’t have to worry about rumpled crackers as I move the fragile dough. People say, “Those are homeMADE?” because most of my crackers have perfect shape and are sooooo delectably thin.
3. Roll ‘em: Only use one fourth of the dough at a time. Cover all your surfaces with flour and roll the dough as evenly as you can. You might flip the dough to make it easier to roll, but I don’t always have to. Keep rolling until the dough is as thin as humanly possible without tearing. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife and cut the dough into squares or triangles, about 1 1/2 inches each. Fork pokes make them look extra authentic. If you want all beautifully square crackers, you can trim the edges square. I skip the trimming and just deal with weird shaped crackers. Those go to the toddler right away! (Note: be sure you don’t cut your silicone mat!)
4. Bake ‘em: Make sure your oven is preheated to 400 F. If you have used a mat or parchment paper, just slide it onto a cookie sheet. If you don’t have either, you’ll have to move each cracker individually. Sprinkle the squares lightly with real salt, if Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough.
5. Bake the crackers, one sheet at a time, until crisp and browned, 5 to 10 minutes. (If you want to do two trays at once, you can put one on top and one and bottom and switch them halfway through the baking time.) If some of the thinner crackers on the edges brown too quickly, remove them and return the remaining crackers to the oven to finish baking. These crackers bake quickly, so watch them closely – even 30 seconds can turn them from golden brown to toast!

Heart of Motherhood

A retreat for women of all ages who need to be encouraged, inspired and uplifted.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 “…we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. (The Message Bible)

"the nutritional info, babies everywhere, listening to the testimonies of the ladies, the call to serve God and our families in a deeper way"
"I find it re-energizes me as a mom. It helps me see my role as mom and wife in a better light."
"Such good family based living and learning with the bible! The best experience ever. Meeting and socializing with other women is outstanding."

The heart of motherhood enrichment retreat is a retreat for women that need to be encouraged, inspired and uplifted by the word of God. We will look to God to give us a clearer, burden free path of raising and discipling our families. God desires for us to have peace, joy, and even rest on our motherhood journey! Join us this year as we welcome a group of Godly women as our speakers:
Julie Zesch, Kristi McClellen, Bonnie Robertson, and Dara Halydier.

Friday, February 1, 2013 - Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013
Heart of Texas Bible Camp
Brownwood, TX
Cost: $120.00
(Includes: lodging, meals, and packets)
Registration deadline is January 20th
Earlybird registration $110.00 - due December 31st.

As a part of our ministry we believe in feeding your body with God given healthful foods. Our meals will be served with whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, preservative free, home-baked, nutritious and delicious!!!

Join us on Facebook at Heart of Motherhood retreat for more info

Register by sending your name, address, phone number, and email address via email (scholarships available) If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund you can when you register. If 10 ladies contribute $10.00 you will bless someone with a full scholarship to retreat.
If you would like to pay on line, let us know and we will send you an invoice where you can use your pay pal account, credit card, or debit card.


Tenative schedule:
Fri. Arrival from 5 - 6
Supper, followed by our first session and a pajama tea party to wrap up the evening.
Sat. Yummy meals, 4 fabulous sessions including our nutrition talk, open panel discussion, free time, and prayer.
Sun. Wrap up session, testimonies and sharing, grand finale, healthy lunch, pack up and head home to our families.
Unable to attend all weekend, consider coming for the day on Saturday. The cost for one day will be $60.00

We will have a selection of helpful books and nutritional supplements available for purchase!

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving is done!  What a wonderful blessing and fun fun fun day!!!!   We had about 50 people throughout the day.   I think the number of littles is what surprised me the most.  We counted over a dozen 2-6, and then we had 4 in the 0-1 category.   Older kids we had I think 11.  That isn’t counting adults!   20 or so adults if I counted right.  I count and then think of someone else so this is an about count.  

We had lots of food and lots of leftovers.   I do know I like turkey, dressing and gravy better the day after.   In fact that is usually the first day to have dressing and gravy.   J  I had some this morning for breakfast with turkey cut up in it. 

Here or some of the pictures of life yesterday.  I was to busy to get many pictures.  I think my DIL got more. 

Teen boys and food just go together.

 

My nephew was in his element, teaching tether ball to a passel of littles. 

 Then they went on to climb mountains!  

 While new mommies and babies got some much needed rest. 

I missed the really good picture of T and two littles.  One of the littles walked away before I could grab the camera. 

 This might be my favorite picture, New Friends!   Grand son and a new friend learning about dirt and building and other boy things.