We had one last fun family event yesterday - my Grandma Flora's 95th birthday party! I was so happy they could all attend!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
HERE WE GO...
after a few blessed weeks of having all 5 of us back together, (more laundry for me, more food prep for me, more piles of stuff around the house for me to pick up - yes, I'm exhausted!) June is here and we are going our separate ways. It's a bittersweet but exciting time as a parent. Part of me would love for them to stay at home and let me mother them and cook wonderful meals for them and enjoy fun summer days together. But in reality, they NEED to be working, gaining independence and confidence in themselves as young adults. My daughter will be spending her summer working HERE! She is thrilled and we are happy to see her doing something she loves and serving others at the same time. My son takes off on tour with THIS GROUP, singing and promoting Oklahoma Christian along the way. The youngest and I will be traveling with the youth group this week to Albuquerque, NM on a mission trip to help in various ways there (pics to come!).
We had one last fun family event yesterday - my Grandma Flora's 95th birthday party! I was so happy they could all attend!
We had one last fun family event yesterday - my Grandma Flora's 95th birthday party! I was so happy they could all attend!
Friday, May 27, 2011
SERVING ANY WAY YOU CAN...
It's been an interesting week here in the OKC Metro with the aftermath of the tornadoes that hit Tuesday night! My husband works with Disaster Relief and it's a crazy type ministry where you are expected to respond quickly and efficiently. It doesn't always go that way, but he tries. We have lots of volunteers with different abilities and availability, so he plugs them into jobs. We were particularly focused on a family in our congregation whose home was almost completely blown away. My husband and others worked "SALVAGE" at their house on Wednesday. Can you imagine, sifting through rubble looking for things to salvage from your home? I haven't even mentioned the families who lost loved ones. Thankfully the family of six from our church were all accounted for. Next comes destruction of the remaining structure, sorting flammable and non-flammable items, burning remains and other stuff put into dumpsters (if they're available). In the midst of this, there are insurance claims to make and temporary housing and essentials to find. I am not really physically able to lift debris right now. But I can organize, accept, and deliver donations! You serve any way you can, and every little bit is appreciated!
We had a secondary priority to help students at Northwood Elementary in Piedmont, so our church took donations for them.
This young lady has a broken ankle but she came to help and totaled up the gift cards and sorted them for us - I'm happy to say they totaled over $3,000!
Loading clothing, water, groceries, and toiletries for delivery
Unloading the goods
Presenting the gift cards to the teacher contact from our church and her principal!
It's wonderful to see the way Christians respond in these situations! I almost cried several times at the sweet gestures. One person gave 4 - $25 gift cards and had written on each envelope notes of encouragement. They didn't know who it would go to but wanted them to know they were praying for them! Every little donation is appreciated, and don't ever think you don't have anything to give. It all helps!
Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
We had a secondary priority to help students at Northwood Elementary in Piedmont, so our church took donations for them.
This young lady has a broken ankle but she came to help and totaled up the gift cards and sorted them for us - I'm happy to say they totaled over $3,000!
Loading clothing, water, groceries, and toiletries for delivery
Unloading the goods
Presenting the gift cards to the teacher contact from our church and her principal! It's wonderful to see the way Christians respond in these situations! I almost cried several times at the sweet gestures. One person gave 4 - $25 gift cards and had written on each envelope notes of encouragement. They didn't know who it would go to but wanted them to know they were praying for them! Every little donation is appreciated, and don't ever think you don't have anything to give. It all helps!
Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Monday, May 23, 2011
LOWFAT AND BEAUTIFUL...CHICKEN ALOUETTE
and the family liked it! Saw this recipe somewhere and decided to make it. Two changes, mine should actually be called
Chicken Laughing Cow, because I used Laughing Cow cheese when I couldn't find Alouette. But Chicken Alouette sounds so much more gourmet! Also, mine weren't quite this pretty but somehow I lost the pics I took. Enjoy!
CHICKEN ALOUETTE
1 (17 1/4 oz.) pkg. frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 (4 oz.) container garlic & spice flavored Alouette cheese (see note)
6 skinned & boned chicken breast halves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp. water
Garnish - kale leaves
Unfold pastry sheets and roll each sheet into a 14 x 12 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Cut 1 sheet into 4 (7 x 6 inch) rectangles; cut second sheet into 2 (7 x 6 inch) rectangles and 1 (12 x 6 inch) rectangle. Set large rectangle aside. Shape each small rectangle into an oval by trimming off corners. Spread pastry ovals evenly with cheese.
Sprinkle chicken breast halves with salt and pepper; place one in center of each pastry oval. Lightly moisten pastry edges with water. Fold ends over chicken; fold sides over and press to seal. Place each bundle, seam side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Cut remaining large pastry rectangle into 12 x 1/4 inch strips. Braid 2 strips together, and place crosswise over chicken bundles, trimming and reserving excess braid; braid 2 additional strips, and place lengthwise over bundle, trimming and tucking ends under. Repeat procedure with remaining strips. Cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours, if desired.
Combine egg and 1 tablespoon water; brush over pastry bundles. Bake at 400 degrees on lower oven rack 25 minutes or until bundles are golden brown. Garnish, if desired. Yields 6 servings.
Note: 1/2 cup chives and onion flavored cream cheese may be substituted for Alouette cheese, if desired.
P.S. I didn't worry about cutting the puff pastry to those dimensions. I just overlapped it.
Friday, May 20, 2011
THOSE AREN'T FRIED PICKLES...AND PASSAGES
Our older two kids are with us until the end of May before heading out for summer adventures! Anyway, I'm grabbing family time while I can...the teacher in me planned a little outing in Bricktown which I hoped would be FUN and EDUCATIONAL. And it was! We headed to Toby Keith's to eat first - why Toby Keith's? Mostly because I had never gotten to go there. The wait was always too long. But I finally got to try it. It was good and we had a great server! Little did we know my husband had ordered an appetizer of CALF FRIES! My older son took one bite and said, "THOSE AREN'T FRIED PICKLES!" Although my youngest ate them up, I wasn't brave enough to try one. My husband also ordered the Fried Bologna sandwich. I think they enjoy grossing me out.
We then went to the "Passages" Bible exhibit at OCAM. It was really good! I'm not sure it would hold the attention of kids under 10 years old (some parts of it didn't hold my kids attention!) but generally it was a good exhibit with a multimedia approach. You can see scrolls, even a little bit of one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, centuries old Bibles in many different languages, history of those who lost their lives promoting and translating the Bible, too. My son really liked the animated guy getting ready to be hung. There is a part of the exhibit where you can see how the printing press works and stamp out a page, see beautiful Bible art, and one of our favorites, the Bibles with "mistakes" in them. From these mistakes some of the Bibles got nicknames, like the "Wicked Bible." Pretty interesting! There's also a fun room at the end with computer games relating to the Bible. We all printed out our names in different languages. Mr. Hobby Lobby did a great job with this exhibit and I pray it will bring others to believe in the Bible!
P.S. You know I couldn't do this without a coupon - get yours at Hobby Lobby!
We then went to the "Passages" Bible exhibit at OCAM. It was really good! I'm not sure it would hold the attention of kids under 10 years old (some parts of it didn't hold my kids attention!) but generally it was a good exhibit with a multimedia approach. You can see scrolls, even a little bit of one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, centuries old Bibles in many different languages, history of those who lost their lives promoting and translating the Bible, too. My son really liked the animated guy getting ready to be hung. There is a part of the exhibit where you can see how the printing press works and stamp out a page, see beautiful Bible art, and one of our favorites, the Bibles with "mistakes" in them. From these mistakes some of the Bibles got nicknames, like the "Wicked Bible." Pretty interesting! There's also a fun room at the end with computer games relating to the Bible. We all printed out our names in different languages. Mr. Hobby Lobby did a great job with this exhibit and I pray it will bring others to believe in the Bible!
P.S. You know I couldn't do this without a coupon - get yours at Hobby Lobby!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
CHEAP DATE...
My DD is home from college before heading to work in a couple of weeks...and she is a bundle of energy with places to go, people to see, things to sew, doctor and dentist appts., etc...you can imagine! But she spent a little girl time with me the other day! Little did she know I had saved coupons and gift cards for the outing!
We had lunch HERE. It's by Souper Salad in Quail Springs Marketplace. It's a breakfast/lunch place with pancakes, omelets, salads and sandwiches. I had a Buffalo Chicken wrap that was a little spicy for my taste, but I really liked the side salad that comes with the entrees. It's some kind of marinated tomato/cucumber dish. She got the Turkey Club which was good. Maybe you got one of those free entree coupons in the mail too! I recommend it for lunch for 2 under $10.
Then we went on to one of her favorite places - Barnes & Noble! (Her dream date would probably be coming here for an evening after he pays for a delicious meal) I happened to have saved a gift card, so we enjoyed looking around and both bought something for a mere $5, after applying the gift card.
So the un-bargain for the day - Gigi's! Of course 2 cupcakes cost as much as our lunch did!!! But it was worth it. I'm glad my daughter doesn't have to spend lots of $$$ to feel like she can have a good time with her Mom. Wonder where she got that from?
This beautiful menu makes you want to come back for more!
Carrot cake cupcake!
We had lunch HERE. It's by Souper Salad in Quail Springs Marketplace. It's a breakfast/lunch place with pancakes, omelets, salads and sandwiches. I had a Buffalo Chicken wrap that was a little spicy for my taste, but I really liked the side salad that comes with the entrees. It's some kind of marinated tomato/cucumber dish. She got the Turkey Club which was good. Maybe you got one of those free entree coupons in the mail too! I recommend it for lunch for 2 under $10.
Then we went on to one of her favorite places - Barnes & Noble! (Her dream date would probably be coming here for an evening after he pays for a delicious meal) I happened to have saved a gift card, so we enjoyed looking around and both bought something for a mere $5, after applying the gift card.
So the un-bargain for the day - Gigi's! Of course 2 cupcakes cost as much as our lunch did!!! But it was worth it. I'm glad my daughter doesn't have to spend lots of $$$ to feel like she can have a good time with her Mom. Wonder where she got that from?
This beautiful menu makes you want to come back for more!
Carrot cake cupcake!
Monday, May 16, 2011
BENIGN...
No sweeter word when you are waiting! Waiting to hear so you know what you might spend your summer doing...waiting to know if there are more painful procedures in your future.
I have laughed a lot in the last few years at people who say everything changes (physically) when you turn 40...nothing changed for me! But I guess I'm a late bloomer. Now I realize it may not happen at age 40, but it might be 42 or 46. Yep, 46 has kind of stunk for me. The last year has been one little physical problem after another, physically. Shoulder injury, leading to frozen shoulder; physical therapy the last 3 months, messed up menses, and just 10 days ago - questionable mammogram, biopsy - ouch! I'm really looking forward to turning 47 next month! I'm hoping to get a break from all this stuff. (LOL)
But in the midst of my aging body, I realize I am blessed. I am a Christian with hope. I am surrounded by a loving family. I got to visit Italy and run a half-marathon this past year! This verse from Psalms encouraged me this past week:
Psalm 103:2-3
Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases...
True healing means more than just curing a sick body -- and we praise God for the times he has done that in our lives. No, true healing means to forgive and deliver us from what breaks our spirits and makes our souls and bodies unhealthy. I have been healed from that most destructive thing of all: sin! (adapted from my favorite site: verseoftheday.com)
I have laughed a lot in the last few years at people who say everything changes (physically) when you turn 40...nothing changed for me! But I guess I'm a late bloomer. Now I realize it may not happen at age 40, but it might be 42 or 46. Yep, 46 has kind of stunk for me. The last year has been one little physical problem after another, physically. Shoulder injury, leading to frozen shoulder; physical therapy the last 3 months, messed up menses, and just 10 days ago - questionable mammogram, biopsy - ouch! I'm really looking forward to turning 47 next month! I'm hoping to get a break from all this stuff. (LOL)
But in the midst of my aging body, I realize I am blessed. I am a Christian with hope. I am surrounded by a loving family. I got to visit Italy and run a half-marathon this past year! This verse from Psalms encouraged me this past week:
Psalm 103:2-3
Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases...
True healing means more than just curing a sick body -- and we praise God for the times he has done that in our lives. No, true healing means to forgive and deliver us from what breaks our spirits and makes our souls and bodies unhealthy. I have been healed from that most destructive thing of all: sin! (adapted from my favorite site: verseoftheday.com)
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
DON'T READ THESE IF YOU NEED YOUR SLEEP...
because both books have caused me to lose some lately. They kept me up way past my bedtime!
UNBROKEN, by Laura Hillenbrand, is an incredible biography of Louie Zamperini: Olympic runner, bombadier in WWII, POW in Japan, an inspiration! The cool thing about it is he is still living and is the same age as my Grandmother. The book takes me back to what the world was like in my grandparents' day. My favorite part of the book is when Louie's plane crashes into the Pacific and he floats for 40+ days. He is a regular MacGyver! I heard about this book from a friend in CWBS and also a preacher mentioned it from the pulpit when we were in Arkansas. I LOVE LOUIE AND HIS INCREDIBLE SPIRIT!
STILL ALICE, by Lisa Genova is another good one about a Harvard Law professor who has early onset Alzheimer's disease. The professor "tests" herself with the same questions each chapter to see if she is slipping mentally. It will really help you develop empathy for those that struggle with this disease. A little depressing, but I'm still glad I read it. It was a recommendation by MAB.
UNBROKEN, by Laura Hillenbrand, is an incredible biography of Louie Zamperini: Olympic runner, bombadier in WWII, POW in Japan, an inspiration! The cool thing about it is he is still living and is the same age as my Grandmother. The book takes me back to what the world was like in my grandparents' day. My favorite part of the book is when Louie's plane crashes into the Pacific and he floats for 40+ days. He is a regular MacGyver! I heard about this book from a friend in CWBS and also a preacher mentioned it from the pulpit when we were in Arkansas. I LOVE LOUIE AND HIS INCREDIBLE SPIRIT!
STILL ALICE, by Lisa Genova is another good one about a Harvard Law professor who has early onset Alzheimer's disease. The professor "tests" herself with the same questions each chapter to see if she is slipping mentally. It will really help you develop empathy for those that struggle with this disease. A little depressing, but I'm still glad I read it. It was a recommendation by MAB.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
LUNCH WITH 2 NONAGENARIANS AND 1 CENTENARIAN...
and no, they are not VEGETARIAN! LOL. My Grandmother Flora has moved to a new nursing home after a couple of stays in the hospital. Supposedly this place has better food. I've been going there for lunch the last few weeks to see....and I've met the most charming ladies at her table!!!
Yesterday we were talking about birthdays,and the sweet lady in the middle told me she was 91 years old, and was quite proud of it. She repeatedly asks me where I'm from and tells me she is from Tulsa. She always comments on any jewelry I am wearing and wears a great big plastic pink ring on her left hand.
I told her my Grandma is going to celebrate her 95th birthday soon, and the lady on the left says to me,"Well I turned 100 a couple of months ago, and I've never had my picture taken so much in all my life!" She was hilarious! I couldn't believe she was that old. I really thought she was younger. She's only been in the nursing home the past year or so, due to a hip fracture. She appreciated the fact that I thought she was younger than anyone else at the table!!!
Yesterday we were talking about birthdays,and the sweet lady in the middle told me she was 91 years old, and was quite proud of it. She repeatedly asks me where I'm from and tells me she is from Tulsa. She always comments on any jewelry I am wearing and wears a great big plastic pink ring on her left hand.
I told her my Grandma is going to celebrate her 95th birthday soon, and the lady on the left says to me,"Well I turned 100 a couple of months ago, and I've never had my picture taken so much in all my life!" She was hilarious! I couldn't believe she was that old. I really thought she was younger. She's only been in the nursing home the past year or so, due to a hip fracture. She appreciated the fact that I thought she was younger than anyone else at the table!!!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
READY FOR COMPANY...
My son has some really great friends. They're so nice, they went dumpster diving to help him "furnish" the tree house. But I'm not so sure there's room for any people in it anymore!!!
WE did not get this for him. Actually it was a "graduation" gift to my 19 year old last May, from a friend...
A floral couch...what every man wants for his first home!
Hope Lisa doesn't miss her chair...
Do 15 year olds really need a coffee maker???
WE did not get this for him. Actually it was a "graduation" gift to my 19 year old last May, from a friend...
A floral couch...what every man wants for his first home!
Hope Lisa doesn't miss her chair...
Do 15 year olds really need a coffee maker???
Sunday, May 1, 2011
MARATHON SLUMBER PARTY...
This year for the OKC Memorial Marathon we ended up having a slumber party the night before!! We had our college girl home with two friends to run sleeping upstairs, and four 15 year old boys sleeping in the living room. Don't know how well they all slept, but we didn't have any problems getting everyone up and going by 5:15 am.! With the cold temps, rain, and wind, it wasn't ideal, but we all finished the half-marathon. In fact the boys finished an hour before me and when we finally got them on the cell phone they had been inside a local church eating pancakes! This one will go down as the most memorable with the squishy tennis shoes and frozen fingers!
The boys representing EMHS Track Team!
Harding girls running for Oklahoma Christian!
The freaky lipped hubs and me!
My two dear friends who walked when I needed to walk...I finally released them to finish ahead of me and promptly made a new friend from Pampa, Texas, who was walking also. But I made it!
The boys representing EMHS Track Team!
Harding girls running for Oklahoma Christian!
The freaky lipped hubs and me!
My two dear friends who walked when I needed to walk...I finally released them to finish ahead of me and promptly made a new friend from Pampa, Texas, who was walking also. But I made it!
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