Monday, February 4, 2013
God Made A Farmer
This commerical was my favorite of the Super Bowl. You all know farming very near and dear to my heart. It is one of the hardest jobs out there. It is a profession of faith. God truly knew what HE was doing when HE made a farmer! Watch the commerical.....it will give you a new perspective! Blessings!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Attitude
It seems that since life has taken a hard road for me of late I have a rotten attitude. I seemd to be short with my husband and boys and well just be miserable to be around. I have asked God to heal my heart and HE has told me HE will in time, HIS time but in the meantime I have to find a way to deal with myself, to be me again. Sickness, death, tragedy......they all do something to a person. Life is hard without having to deal with those things. I am trying to make conscious effect each morning to get up and be me again. I also am going to see the doctor in a couple of weeks for "my feelings".
I have a lot going on right now. Daddy is down with his knee again. He went back to the doctor yesterday. I am fighting staph infection in my sinuses...it seems that is an ongoing thing. I am trying to get Momma's cookbook finished and in publication by February 1. We are very excited about this, just wish she were her to see it finished. The boys are still playing basketball. Big John is loving the farmlife yet still (praise the Lord!)!
I am trudging on and God walks with me, although HE sometimes has to carry me. I am blessed and HE is so good! Blessings!
I have a lot going on right now. Daddy is down with his knee again. He went back to the doctor yesterday. I am fighting staph infection in my sinuses...it seems that is an ongoing thing. I am trying to get Momma's cookbook finished and in publication by February 1. We are very excited about this, just wish she were her to see it finished. The boys are still playing basketball. Big John is loving the farmlife yet still (praise the Lord!)!
I am trudging on and God walks with me, although HE sometimes has to carry me. I am blessed and HE is so good! Blessings!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Busy As A Bee
I have found the busier I am the better. It keeps my mind set and not wondering about the little things. So what's on today's to-do? MUCH!
- Post Office
- Check to bank, paperwork to bank
- Cut up canatloupe and strawberries
- Make guacamole
- Make creamy black bean salad
- Puppy to vet
- Bathe puppy
- Take car to auto repair shop/get estimate on back bumper
- Wait on windshield repairman to come
- Dust
- Vaccum
- Sweep and mop kitchen
- Reading
- Clean laptop
- Laundry put away folded load, do what's in dryer and washer and do linens from all 3 beds.
- Supper: chicken tortilla soup
- Pick up boys from school
- Get Allegra
- Piggly Wiggly- chicken, corn, grapes
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
One Word
I have seen many friends and bloggers post their "one word". You know the one thing you wish to keep close to your heart and achieve for this year. I have seen "intentional", "treasure" and "focus". I thought about "joy", then about "direction", then about "family".
I finally settled on "faithful". This means that I will stay true to myself completeing the tasks at hand and doing what I say in a productive way with a successful will. It means I will faithfully spend time with my family and less time buried in the laptop screen. I made my Momma a promise on her death bed and it will come to fruition and hopefully a publisher later this year.
Faithful, that is what God is to me and what I want to be to HIM and everyone around me. So, do you have "just one word" this year?
New Year Blessings, my friends!
I finally settled on "faithful". This means that I will stay true to myself completeing the tasks at hand and doing what I say in a productive way with a successful will. It means I will faithfully spend time with my family and less time buried in the laptop screen. I made my Momma a promise on her death bed and it will come to fruition and hopefully a publisher later this year.
Faithful, that is what God is to me and what I want to be to HIM and everyone around me. So, do you have "just one word" this year?
New Year Blessings, my friends!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
January 2013 Currents
Current Reading List:
Mudbound by Hilary Jordan for me. I am currently reading The Hardy Boys: The Missing Chums to the boys. We are doing Jesus Calling devotion with the boys. I am doing the Made to Crave Devotional. I wish John and I were reading or doing a devo together but we're not. I think I will suggest it though.
Current Playlist:
Nothing. I find myself at home enjoying the peace and quiet. When I am in the car I tune to 93.7 and listen to some current Christian Jams.
Current Food Craves:
Cajun turkey sandwiches with hot mustard and provolone cheese. Coke.
Current Wishlist:
My Daddy not to be so sad. Also for him to have good health.
Current Need:
To get my Acadia's windshield fixed where a rock cracked it a couple months ago. To get the relector fixed on the back corner where someone hit me. Also we need to clean vehicles out and wash them.
Current Triumph:
Still dealing with Momma's death with the Lord's help but beginning to think about medication. I am short and snappy and I do not like being that way.
Current Annoyance:
My sickness; I have staph infection in my sinuses with a secondary sinus infection and have felt miserable for a couple of weeks now. Still on several meds including antibiotics. The infectious disease doctor wants to do a picc line but we are trying oral antibiotics again. I am 4 weeks into a 6 month stint of Doxycycline.
Current Addiction:
Our new puppy. He is a Chorkie and is 16 weeks old. His name is Brixon and weighs about 4 pounds.
Current Blessing:
My family. All of them......husband, children, Daddy, brother, sister-in-law.....all of them. i love them all so much!
Current Outfit:
Hot pink thermo pj shirt and light pink scotty dog pj bottoms.
Current Excitment: Taking the boys to see Parental Guidance at the movies after church (and after we feed the cows) and eating at Red Robin.
Current To-Do's:
Cleaning out/up and organizing the junk room. Starting back to work on the cookbook.
Current Favorite Things:
My Shark Navigator Vaccum. It picks up so well! Better than my Rainbow type vaccum (called a Delphin).
Blessings!
Mudbound by Hilary Jordan for me. I am currently reading The Hardy Boys: The Missing Chums to the boys. We are doing Jesus Calling devotion with the boys. I am doing the Made to Crave Devotional. I wish John and I were reading or doing a devo together but we're not. I think I will suggest it though.
Current Playlist:
Nothing. I find myself at home enjoying the peace and quiet. When I am in the car I tune to 93.7 and listen to some current Christian Jams.
Current Food Craves:
Cajun turkey sandwiches with hot mustard and provolone cheese. Coke.
Current Wishlist:
My Daddy not to be so sad. Also for him to have good health.
Current Need:
To get my Acadia's windshield fixed where a rock cracked it a couple months ago. To get the relector fixed on the back corner where someone hit me. Also we need to clean vehicles out and wash them.
Current Triumph:
Still dealing with Momma's death with the Lord's help but beginning to think about medication. I am short and snappy and I do not like being that way.
Current Annoyance:
My sickness; I have staph infection in my sinuses with a secondary sinus infection and have felt miserable for a couple of weeks now. Still on several meds including antibiotics. The infectious disease doctor wants to do a picc line but we are trying oral antibiotics again. I am 4 weeks into a 6 month stint of Doxycycline.
Current Addiction:
Our new puppy. He is a Chorkie and is 16 weeks old. His name is Brixon and weighs about 4 pounds.
Current Blessing:
My family. All of them......husband, children, Daddy, brother, sister-in-law.....all of them. i love them all so much!
Current Outfit:
Hot pink thermo pj shirt and light pink scotty dog pj bottoms.
Current Excitment: Taking the boys to see Parental Guidance at the movies after church (and after we feed the cows) and eating at Red Robin.
Current To-Do's:
Cleaning out/up and organizing the junk room. Starting back to work on the cookbook.
Current Favorite Things:
My Shark Navigator Vaccum. It picks up so well! Better than my Rainbow type vaccum (called a Delphin).
Blessings!
Monday, December 17, 2012
December Currents:
Current Reading List: The Vow. Although I have several different ones started it's been a few months since I started them. I have been reading The Vow while I wait in the carline to pick up the boys from school.
Current Playlist: I just usually turn on the radio to Magic 96 for christmas Tunes!
Current Food Favs: Venison summer sausage, goat cheese, homemade pepper jelly and Ritz crackers (all together)! Also I love the Peppermint Mocha liquid creamer for my coffee!
Current Wishlist: I would love to say my Momma but heaven is much sweeter than life here on earth but oh how I miss her!
Current Need: To get my Acadia's windshield fixed where a rock cracked it a couple months ago. To get the relector fixed on the back corner where someone hit me.
Current Triumph: Dealing with Momma's death with God's help and not medication.
Current Annoyance: My neighbor's facebook page. She is also my Dad's preacher's wife. Someone commented on her page while one of my 6 year old twins went to my desk and when I got back from a phone call......he asked what sh*t was. The "f" word had also been typed. When I asked her why she left it up there she said if we only knew where these people had come from. That she and her husband were just beginning to get through to them.GRRRR! Apparently folks from the church (sho are fb friends with her) saw it too and were very upset. As of last night the whole post was deleted. She neer apologized. No problem though. I just hope her children never see those type things.
Current Addiction: The Peppermint mocha liquid coffee creamer! Divine!
Current Blessing: My children! In light of the recent current events (shooting in Conniectcut) I am loving on them more and holding them tighter! Also, they help keep me busy and not focus on Momma's death as much as I would without them.
Current Outfit: Jeans, white long sleeved tee with hot pink tee from Lulu's over it, Nike Alvord 10's
Current Excitment: Making cookies and delivering to the neighbor above. Get togethers and parties coming up. Seeing the smiles from our twin boys on Christmas morning.
Current To-do's: Make mixes for some gifts. I am doing cocoa mix and bean soup mix as well as dilly dill dip. Make my families white chex mix and oreo balls.
Current Favorite Stuff: My new wreath for the front door and my new teacup Chorkie puppy!
Merry Christmas!
Current Playlist: I just usually turn on the radio to Magic 96 for christmas Tunes!
Current Food Favs: Venison summer sausage, goat cheese, homemade pepper jelly and Ritz crackers (all together)! Also I love the Peppermint Mocha liquid creamer for my coffee!
Current Wishlist: I would love to say my Momma but heaven is much sweeter than life here on earth but oh how I miss her!
Current Need: To get my Acadia's windshield fixed where a rock cracked it a couple months ago. To get the relector fixed on the back corner where someone hit me.
Current Triumph: Dealing with Momma's death with God's help and not medication.
Current Annoyance: My neighbor's facebook page. She is also my Dad's preacher's wife. Someone commented on her page while one of my 6 year old twins went to my desk and when I got back from a phone call......he asked what sh*t was. The "f" word had also been typed. When I asked her why she left it up there she said if we only knew where these people had come from. That she and her husband were just beginning to get through to them.GRRRR! Apparently folks from the church (sho are fb friends with her) saw it too and were very upset. As of last night the whole post was deleted. She neer apologized. No problem though. I just hope her children never see those type things.
Current Addiction: The Peppermint mocha liquid coffee creamer! Divine!
Current Blessing: My children! In light of the recent current events (shooting in Conniectcut) I am loving on them more and holding them tighter! Also, they help keep me busy and not focus on Momma's death as much as I would without them.
Current Outfit: Jeans, white long sleeved tee with hot pink tee from Lulu's over it, Nike Alvord 10's
Current Excitment: Making cookies and delivering to the neighbor above. Get togethers and parties coming up. Seeing the smiles from our twin boys on Christmas morning.
Current To-do's: Make mixes for some gifts. I am doing cocoa mix and bean soup mix as well as dilly dill dip. Make my families white chex mix and oreo balls.
Current Favorite Stuff: My new wreath for the front door and my new teacup Chorkie puppy!
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Homemade Gumbo
I am trying my hand at homemade gumbo. Here is the recipe!
As Served By: LuLu's, Gulf Shores
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 tablespoons LuLu’s Crazy Creola Seasoning
2 to 3 tablespoons LuLu’s Perfect Pepper Hot Sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups green onions, finely chopped
½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Fill a medium-sized saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Drop tomatoes carefully into boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and let cool. Skins will slip off easily. Remove cores and coarsely chop tomatoes over a bowl to retain as much juice as possible. Set aside. (If using canned tomatoes, I cut them up in eights.)
Place chopped onions, bell peppers, celery, and okra in separate bowls. Set aside.
To make the roux, heat vegetable oil or bacon grease in a 10-quart heavy stockpot over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, gradually add flour, whisking continuously. Continue to whisk roux , adjusting heat as necessary to keep from burning. This may take 25-35 minutes or until your arm feels like it is about to fall off and the roux is a dark mahogany color. Be careful; if the roux burns, you will have to start all over again!
Carefully add chopped onions to roux and continue stirring with a large wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes. Onions will sizzle and steam when they hit the hot roux so caution is advised. Seasoned gumbo cooks have roux battle scars on one or both arms.
Add bell peppers and continue stirring for another 2 to 3 minutes; add celery continue to stir constantly for another 2 to 3 minutes. The mixture should now resemble a pot of black beans.
Add tomatoes and stir well.
Slowly add the heated stock.
Add salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, bay leaves, oregano, basil, Creole seasoning, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well. Bring gumbo to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to maintain a slow simmer, uncovered, for about 1 hour.
Add okra and bring back to a boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat again to maintain a slow simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or a day (until okra has lost its bright green color and is cooked down like the other vegetables). If gumbo gets too thick, add a little water. If too thin, continue to simmer uncovered.
At this point, you can cool the gumbo. It’s always better the day after it has been cooked, although I’ve never had a complaint when I served gumbo the day I made it. Remove from heat and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then place pot, uncovered, in an empty sink. Fill the sink with water and ice around the stockpot. Stir gumbo every 15 minutes to move the liquid to facilitate cooling. Gumbo will spoil if cooled improperly. When completely cool, refrigerate it, uncovered, for a couple of hours before placing it in an airtight container.
Reheat gumbo slowly to simmering. Thirty minutes before serving, add green onions, parsley, and lemon juice. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Add shrimp and crabmeat. Mix well. Cover and turn off heat. Let sit for at least another 15 minutes while seafood cooks. It will stay hot for a long time. Adjust seasonings and serve over cooked white rice with French bread and butter.
As Served By: LuLu's, Gulf Shores
Ingredients
- 3 pounds medium shrimp, heads on
- 2 pounds claw crab meat, picked for shells
- 4 crab bodies, if available
- 4 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped, or 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped in their own juice
- 2 large onions, coarsely chopped
- 2 green bell peppers, coarsely chopped
- 1 medium head celery, coarsely chopped including leaves
- 2 ½ pounds okra, fresh if available, cut in 1/4 –inch pieces, or frozen cut okra, thawed
- ¾ cup vegetable oil or bacon grease
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 8 cups shrimp or seafood stock, heated
- 2 to 3 teaspoons salt, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2tablespoons dried thyme
- 4 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Ingredients
De-head, peel, and devein shrimp. Reserve heads and shells for later use. Pick through crabmeat carefully for shells. Refrigerate shrimp and crab until ready for use.Fill a medium-sized saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Drop tomatoes carefully into boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and let cool. Skins will slip off easily. Remove cores and coarsely chop tomatoes over a bowl to retain as much juice as possible. Set aside. (If using canned tomatoes, I cut them up in eights.)
Place chopped onions, bell peppers, celery, and okra in separate bowls. Set aside.
To make the roux, heat vegetable oil or bacon grease in a 10-quart heavy stockpot over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, gradually add flour, whisking continuously. Continue to whisk roux , adjusting heat as necessary to keep from burning. This may take 25-35 minutes or until your arm feels like it is about to fall off and the roux is a dark mahogany color. Be careful; if the roux burns, you will have to start all over again!
Carefully add chopped onions to roux and continue stirring with a large wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes. Onions will sizzle and steam when they hit the hot roux so caution is advised. Seasoned gumbo cooks have roux battle scars on one or both arms.
Add bell peppers and continue stirring for another 2 to 3 minutes; add celery continue to stir constantly for another 2 to 3 minutes. The mixture should now resemble a pot of black beans.
Add tomatoes and stir well.
Slowly add the heated stock.
Add salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, bay leaves, oregano, basil, Creole seasoning, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well. Bring gumbo to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to maintain a slow simmer, uncovered, for about 1 hour.
Add okra and bring back to a boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat again to maintain a slow simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or a day (until okra has lost its bright green color and is cooked down like the other vegetables). If gumbo gets too thick, add a little water. If too thin, continue to simmer uncovered.
At this point, you can cool the gumbo. It’s always better the day after it has been cooked, although I’ve never had a complaint when I served gumbo the day I made it. Remove from heat and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then place pot, uncovered, in an empty sink. Fill the sink with water and ice around the stockpot. Stir gumbo every 15 minutes to move the liquid to facilitate cooling. Gumbo will spoil if cooled improperly. When completely cool, refrigerate it, uncovered, for a couple of hours before placing it in an airtight container.
Reheat gumbo slowly to simmering. Thirty minutes before serving, add green onions, parsley, and lemon juice. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Add shrimp and crabmeat. Mix well. Cover and turn off heat. Let sit for at least another 15 minutes while seafood cooks. It will stay hot for a long time. Adjust seasonings and serve over cooked white rice with French bread and butter.
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