Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter 2013

then came the morning........






  The service and the sunrise were beautiful! It was chilly, but a gorgeous morning!
Breakfast followed.......

I don't normally get up at 5 a.m......but for today I make the exception! :O)

I bought the left-over breakfast home to my sleepy-head family. They are really missing out by not coming! We got ready for church. I bought nothing new to wear this year, but at least my nails were pretty.....


Nathan hadn't tried on his new clothes until this morning. Um.....they didn't fit!!! He has really "filled out" this winter. :O) So, he pulled out the outfit he wore in his senior pictures, and wore his new favorite jacket. Fashionistas we were not!! I didn't bother getting a family picture after church, besides, it was pouring! I took this one earlier this week.....

Go O's!!!

Church was awesome: the choir opened with a favorite of mine "Then Came The Morning", then the conclusion to Thursday's program, then the choir performed a wonderful cantata.
 
"He's Alive!!!!"


The rest of this rainy Sunday has been spent eating, and napping, and more eating!!
Nathan's "little" snack.....oh my!


egg hunt.....

Easter Egg Hunt @ the Parsonage...........
Lacee and Cameron

Cassie and Daniel

Nelson

Nikki

Ajuma

Conner and daddy

Our cute little cousin Lacee




Menu Plan Monday March 25-31

MPM-Winter

Last week: Monday 3/25- Sun 3/31

(1) Mon 3/25- Breakfast for dinner: waffles, bacon, & fresh fruit.

While cleaning out my kitchen gadget cabinet last Monday, I knew exactly what I was having for dinner....homemade waffles!!  :O)
I tried a new recipe from Pinterest.....
WAFFLES
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon. baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup milk
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large egg, separated
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract


Heat up the waffle iron.
Mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Measure the buttermilk { just added 1 T. vinegar to reg. milk}, milk, and vegetable oil in a measuring cup and stir in the egg yolk. Set aside.
In another bowl, beat the egg white almost to soft peaks. Sprinkle in the sugar and continue to beat until the peaks are firm and glossy. Beat in the vanilla.
Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until just mixed. Drop the whipped egg white onto the batter in dollops and fold in with a spatula until just incorporated.
Pour the batter onto the hot waffle iron and cook until the waffle is crisp and brown.



clean-up tip: unplug waffle maker, wet a paper towel and lay inside, close lid. Once it cools, it will wipe clean.

(2) Tues 3/26- Duck, Potatoes, Turnips, & Dumplings
(3) Weds 3/27- Pizza
(4) Thurs 3/38- Pork Chop Casserole
(5) Fri 3/29- Meatball Stroganoff w/noodles & Corn
(6) & (7) Sat 3/30 & Sun 3/31-

Ham, Macaroni Salad, Cole Slaw, Corn Pudding, & Rolls

I saw a good recipe for cooking ham in the crockpot, so I decided to fix it that way.
I got out the ingredients:

It said to put brown sugar in the bottom of the crockpot, which I did:

then, I put the ham in, and was ready to pour the can of pineapple over it when I realized that something just didn't look right:


LOLOLOL Did I seriously think this big ham fit in my small crockpot??????????
I'm beginning to worry about myself.....I am either much too preoccupied, or else I am simply losing it!!! :O)
Sooooo, I turned off the crockpot {yep, I had already started it up}, and went to  get Mom's bigger one.
Okay, let's try this again! :O)

Brown sugar in bottom....

then, pour a can of crushed pineapple over the ham, then sprinkle with more brown sugar. Cover and cook for 5- 6 hours. The ham was delish!!!
I still laugh when I think of that big ham sitting in my tiny crockpot.....oh my! The things I am doing lately! :O)


Happy Easter!

He Is Alive

Saturday, March 30, 2013

5Q Friday- March 29




1. How often should adults have birthday parties?
I'm not big on grown-up birthday parties for myself, but don't mind attending others. I do love a quiet celebration with my family on my birthday, and look forward to everyone gathering at our house for dinner or dessert. I would never want to be thrown a surprise birthday party...ever!!!

Surprise Party Invitations
2. What was your room decorated like when you were a child? I loved my bedroom!!! Mom would always buy me pretty bedding, and let me decorate anyway I wanted. I loved rearranging the furniture, and even back then, I loved a clean, organized room {I've always been weird that way----->dork??} LOLOL I changed out posters often, depending on who was my favorite at the time {a few that made a lasting impression....Shaun Cassidy...Eric Estrada...LOL, I am soooooo old!!!} I had a 13" black and white tv in my room {my boys would die without their HD flat screens and satellite tv!!}, but I thought it was awesome to be able to watch my favorite shows on my own tv {even if we only had 5 channels and no remote...LOLOL}. In my teen years, I had a phone in my room...a trimline. :O) and a stereo (record player, 8 track tape player, cassette player). I loved music and had a huge collection of albums and 45's. :O) I could go on and on about my bedroom, it was my own comfy, private, pretty space in the house. I made sure as the boys were growing up, that they always had a space like that too, and they always enjoyed their rooms as much as I did.
black and white tv  no remote you had to get up to change channel.  My kid sister was my "remote"  LOL

 3. Do you have any traditions for Easter? I decorate a little for Easter, and I still fill a basket for Nathan. I used to make homemade Easter eggs, but found out buying them was much easier! I sent Logan and Lindsey a few eggs last week before Logan went back to work, and Sharon delivered the rest of them yesterday......they are sooo good! I also enjoyed watching the kids at the Egg Hunt this evening.
Then of course, there is the real reason for celebrating Easter, the most important part of this season, the Death and Resurrection. We celebrated Palm Sunday last week, then saw the beautiful Maundy Thursday program, and we'll have the sunrise service in the morning, followed by the Cantata at church. I normally take part in Bible reading at church during Holy Week, but only did it one day this year. I missed that quiet time. Peter and I have also been watching "The Bible" series on the History Channel. We have both loved watching it and can't wait to tune in tomorrow night for the final episode.
Easter Subway Art Printable

4. Do you get Good Friday off? If so, any plans? I'm not working right now, so I did have it off. So did Nathan, his Spring break started yesterday. He doesn't have to go back until 4/8!! Peter had to work, but we weren't going anywhere anyway. We are staying home again for Easter, as we always do.

5. Did you wear hats & white shoes to church on Easter?  I'm sure as a small kid I did, but the only hat I really remember wearing was when I was about 7 or 8. It was a white crochet beanie type hat with flowers on the side, kind of like this.....

I think I liked this hat? Right Mom? :O)

Friday, March 29, 2013

Maundy Thursday


Last night, members of our church ranging in age from 4-60 yrs. old, performed one of the most touching programs I have ever seen. The narration and music that was chosen for each scene were a powerful message within themselves, but the sincere performances of each of the cast members were such a blessing to me and everyone else there last night. Thanks to all who had a part in this program, everyone did an amazing job. I am especially proud of Nathan, for taking part in the program.

Nathan and Kayla {backstage}

The program was the story of Jesus' life on earth, his teaching, preaching, and healing, the Last Supper {Communion was served to the congregation}, the Cross, and his death. One of the most moving scenes to me, was the woman with the 12-year issue of blood who believed if she could only "touch the hem of his garment", which was acted out while the song by Nicole C. Mullen played in the background.



"One Touch"

Been ostracized for 12 years, I'm used to being alone
Spent everything I had and now it's gone
I'm used to being put down, my issues tell it all
My only hope is anchored in this fall

If I could just touch the hem of His garment
I know I'd be made whole
If I could just press my way through this madness
His love would heal my soul if only one touch

So many people calling, how could He ever know
That just a brush of Him would stop the flow
If He knew would He rebuke me or shame me to the crowd?
Well, I'm desperate 'cause it's never or it's now

If I could just touch the hem of His garment
I know I'd be made whole
If I could just press my way through this madness
His love would heal my soul

And then suddenly He turned around
He said somebody has unleashed my power
Well, frightened and embarrassed I bowed
You see I told Him of my troubles and how

I had to touch the hem of His garment
And I know I've been made whole
And how I had pressed my way through this madness
And His love has healed my soul

Then with one word He touched the hem of my garment
And you know I've been made whole
And somehow He pressed His way through my madness
And His love has healed my soul

I tell you He touched me
He reached way down and touched me
When no one else would touch me
Yeah, Jesus sure enough touched me
And I know I've been made whole

Here's a link to the video:




The program will conclude on Sunday morning during the choir's cantata.

{I debated on whether or not to take my camera last night, and decided not to, so all the pictures in this post were taken from a friend's facebook page}.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

built-ins

30 Spaces/ 30 Days

Space 16 & 17 of 30: Clean Wood Floor/Area Rug (Living Room)

Today, I cleaned the floor in the living room. I took the rug outside to shake it and let it air out a bit. Then I scrubbed the floor and rearranged the furniture a little before putting the rug back down. I like the arrangement alot better.
I can hardly wait to do a little re-do in this room. I've started jotting down ideas already. One thing I really want to do is have some built-ins made for the wall with the big tv.

Here are a few styles that I like (via Pinterest):
built ins
I'm not sure if I want a cabinet over top the tv like this one? I do like the style of the two side bookcases though but a little wider, and the crown molding.

Built in tv cabinet
I like the bottom of this bulit in, but want more of a finished look w/ molding for top part.
Pinned Image
I like the bookcases, with a place for tv in between instead of fireplace.

Pinned Image
I like the cabinet/bookcase style of this one with different hardware.

Pinned Image
Love the crown molding and beadboard in back of bookcases. Don't like the cubby style shelves, I'd rather have regular shelves.

OR......

DIY PROJECT:

Pinned Image

Buy 2 Billy bookcases from IKEA and add plank paneling to back instead of flimsy backing that comes with bookcase and crown molding for a custom look.

shelving + planks
horizontal plank paneling added to back of bookcase

Glam up basic bookcases with crown molding
crown molding added to bookcase

I coud use the tv console I have now (bought from Target), and join DIY bookcases on each side of tv stand and paint the unit white. Custom look built-in at a fraction of the cost!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

DWTS

Dorothy Hamill is a true class act! I already knew this, but her exit on tonight's show was a reminder of what a truly sweet person she really is. When this season's list of stars was announced, I was happy to see her name and started rooting for her. I've been a fan of hers since the '76 Olympics {I was 11....oh my!}. Whenever I'd go iceskating, I'd pretend I was her.....can you imagine? LOL
I loved her hair!
Dorothy Hamill - Olympic Gold Medal 1976.
I still love her hair.........and she still has that same sweet, lovable personality.
Pinned Image

I was sad to see her leave, but I'm sure it's for the best.

*Dorothy Hamill won the Olympic gold medal for figure skating in 1976 at age 19, and went pro with the Ice Capades. She has survived many challenges: two divorces, bankruptcy, battles with depression and osteoarthritis, and a battle with breast cancer.

I really haven't kept up with her over the years, but plan to read her autobiography: A Skating Life: My Story.

Now that she's not dancing anymore, I'll probably start rooting for Kellie Pickler {she is really good and so in shape!}. And of course, she has a great partner, Derek. I also like Zendaya & Val. :O)

Monday, March 25, 2013

{odds & ends} in the kitchen

I finally pulled out the stuff I bought last week. I've been wanting a Bon Appetit sign for awhile now and finally bought one at Hobby Lobby {@ 50% off!}. I couldn't decide where to hang it, but I moved my chalkboard over by the window and I hung the sign in it's place. I love it!



I love the white milk jar I found at Target.

I started out with some forsythia branches {love the yellow}, but couldn't resist adding some pussy willow branches I bought at Dollar Express. They look so Springy....and real!


Next, I added the chalkboard tags I bought at Staples to my canister baskets:




and more tags in my spice/baking cabinet:





I also replaced some of the baskets/bins I had with my gray & white Dollar Express finds.
I really love these clear plastic storage containers with gray lids.


I love this yellow Tempt-Tations dish that I won playing the white elephant game at Women's Night Out last week....right now, I have it on the kitchen island hiding, I mean, holding candy! :O)


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