SENIOR LUNCH WITH A SURPRISE...

I can't believe it's been 4 years since my last group for senior lunch!  So here we go again with #3...and so thankful I'm able to do this for my baby and his friends!  We had a small group today, but I'm sure it will catch on...free food usually does.  On the menu today:  Texas Dip with tortilla chips, Veggies and dip, Grapes, and Blonde Brownies.

Don't they look handsome?  

HA!  Surprise!  This whole Howdy Week has called for a different dress up day and today was something like "Business on top, whatever on bottom" due to seniors getting yearbook pics today.  Interesting, huh?

I babysat this guy's mother - a looong time ago!

The Hubs is thrilled - I hardly ever make him a hot lunch 

so he got to indulge today!

SPRUCING UP THE PLACE...

We moved into our 1978 house 13 years ago, making renovations to the kitchen and living areas that year.  We also repainted and re-carpeted the entire house.  So the carpet and walls are now looking a little abused!  We decided to put in a wood floor in the living area instead of replacing the carpet - we have never had wood floors anywhere we've lived!  So this will be a new experience!  What do you think?

Before:

After:

I think they're beautiful but wow, what an echo!  Anxious to get the rug and furniture back in there!

SOUP OF THE WEEK...

SPICED BERRY SOUP!

Not a soup you would eat alone, but a delicious cold berry topping on ice cream!  Made with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and cranberry juice, it's tangy.  Probably not something I would do on a regular basis but if I ever wanted a fresh fruit topping for cheesecake or ice cream, this is a perfect tart to go with the sweet.

THEY SPICE UP MY LIFE...

My daughter a.k.a. Spiderwoman - yes, there are ropes!

 My college boy on the right there, performing a sick concert for the freshmen...
yeah,  I'm up on their lingo!
Although I'm sure they would cringe if they heard me using it!

My "farmhand," a job my youngest picked up this summer.  

He absolutely loved driving the big tractors and doing all that farm stuff!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col. 3:17

Just being thankful today for my family that spices up my life and trying myself to be salty to others!  We have such a short time here - mourning for my friend Cheryl on the loss of her 19 year old son - so make the most of it!

SOUP OF THE WEEK...

CREAMY CORN SOUP WITH BACON AND SAGE!

As much as I love corn and anything corn related, this wasn't my favorite.  But, knowing my boys and their want of a hearty soup (meaty) I did try a new recipe for something to eat along side this soup:  Rattlesnake bites!  They were a hit with the boys, so I'll make them again sometime. There's a link for that recipe below.

It was nice to have a helper to make these RATTLESNAKE BITES!

A PINTERESTING DAY...

I got the bug the other day to do something different with my stairway after seeing all kinds of wonderful ideas on Pinterest!  

Not a great "before" picture, but I forgot...so just imagine these 2 botanical prints hanging there...13 years to be exact!  Time for something different, for sure.  I think I was going for simple and sophisticated when we moved, and it was easy to slap them up there and be done!

And I did this!  I've certainly got enough pictures to fill it up! I don't really care anymore if people think I'm sophisticated or not... :) 

Then I went a step further and had my son help me get this old bookshelf out of the attic.  It's my Grandmother Betty's and it's perfect because it's only 12 inches deep.  It sits on the little landing perfectly!  Now, I've got to decorate it...back to Pinterest for some bookshelf inspiration!  I'm going for simple since the wall is so busy...

COUNTING...

I was thinking about the BLESSINGS of this summer - some things planned, some unexpected. God's Word rings true in my heart as I reflect:  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

OUR SUMMER IN A NUTSHELL:

A surprise birthday visit from my daughter!

My son had testicular cancer - My son is now cancer free!

My mother had knee replacement surgery - She is now walking!

We welcomed a baby into the family with the birth of our nephew's son Fletcher!

The Hubs and I celebrated our 30th anniversary with an awesome trip!  

My baby was lost in sin - My baby is now a baptized believer in Jesus Christ!

I know that's a bunch of exclamation marks, but I can't say any of those things without them!  I'm reminded of an old hymn:

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done!
Johnson Oatman, Jr.

I would encourage you to spend some time reflecting on what God has done in your life this summer. Blessings to you!

JUST HELPING MY KID WITH HIS HOMEWORK...

You know Mom will do just about ANYTHING to help their kids!  This was an assignment for my son's Media class he's in right now.  Everyone had to make a short movie using the same lines.  I'm really not a wacko...

CURES FOR OUR FOOD FUNK...

When the family starts hinting more and more about going out to eat, you know it's time to change up the menu!  I tried to think of some things we hadn't had in a while...

Smoked chicken pizza - Coach's used to have this on their menu, with Caesar salad dumped on top of it and I loved it! So I recreated it, with a Boboli shell, olive oil, chicken we smoked, and mozzarella. I served the Caesar salad on the side just in case the family didn't want it on top of their pizza.    Gotta remember to give the hubs a few extra chicken breasts next time he is grilling so we can do this again real soon.

Strawberry Angel Food Mess - I don't know that I've ever made this but had had it before.  It's really cool and light for this time of year.  Pretty simple recipe:  1 angel food cake, torn up, 1 large box of strawberry jello, prepared with 2 cups of strawberries, 1 tub of whipped topping. When the Jello is almost jelled, fold it into the cake pieces, along with the whipped topping.  Let set for several hours for the flavors to get into the cake.  Better the second day!  So good.

 Yes, I know, it's not a recipe, but MAN these are good!  Only 160 calories.  Also comes in Caramello...the chocolate coating is nice and thick too.  Not like those old brand ice cream bars.

Have you brought back any old recipes or 

discovered any new ones this summer?

SOUP OF THE WEEK...

GARLICKY PORK AND CHILE SOUP!

Wow, 2 winners in a row!  All my boys loved this - spicy, with lots of meat in it.  It was relatively easy to put together too!  No fancy preparation.  The recipe suggests serving it with Mexican beer...I suggest cornbread!

Diced up pork tenderloin, browned and removed from pan

Add in some onion, garlic, serranos, chicken broth and rice 

Finally a little fresh cilantro and lime...

The hubs called it Posole without the corn or hominy -  I call it GOOD.

SUMMER READS...

After reading this, you will either want to try quilting or just let it go the way of all those other projects waiting for you...lots of quilting jargon weaved into the stories of women attending a quilting retreat.

I loved, loved, loved this!  Katrina Kenison and I have a couple of things in common (boys) but more than that, she is a new empty nester!  One of my favorite quotes in the book:  "There is no doubt that both my sons are on their way.  The only question now is, how gracefully will I be able to step aside and allow them to become the adults they are meant to be."

Historical fiction during the times of the great plantations of the south and their slave labor...pretty graphic at times.  This one has a movie in the works and I can't wait to see it!

SO MUCH HARDER THAN POTTY TRAINING...

Watching and waiting...
It's what parenting adult children is all about, I think.

I'm fairly new at this, since my kids are young adults at 24 (soon), 22, and 18 years of age.  But many conversations with my friends have led to this conclusion.  Whether our newly launched kids are struggling or successful, we are waiting and watching and cheering and praying daily for them.

We are scared.  We are waiting to see what our kids will choose once they finish high school, college, or move out of our homes.  Will they choose God or self?  Will they choose to follow what their parents have taught them all their lives or deny it?  We are hesitant to say what is really going on with our children.  We are afraid we'll be judged, we'll feel guilt, so we protect ourselves.  We avoid the topic.  It's hard to share our child's success when our friends' children are struggling.  Our friendships become distant...

This summer I've been in my first ever Beth Moore study.  She is a dynamic teacher with lots of energy and enthusiasm (it's a video series).  I don't know how many times I've studied the prodigal son, but she brought out a point I hadn't noticed before.  In the lesson of the prodigal son, Luke 15, she points out, there are 3 lost things.  The sheep and the coin are IMMEDIATELY searched for.  The prodigal son is not.  God knows people are different.  The father in the parable doesn't immediately go after his son.  BUT he watches and waits.  When the son has experienced the consequences of his actions, he is healed.  He comes to his senses.  As he draws near to his home, the father sees him.  He's been watching for him.  He's been waiting.  He runs to meet his son.  The son has been healed through the consequences and respectfully asks for a fresh start.  It's a sweet reunion.  So many of my dear friends are in this boat!  Who's to say that I won't be some time?

This simple concept of WATCHING, WAITING, AND LETTING CONSEQUENCES HEAL our children is hard - probably the hardest thing we've ever done as parents.  So much harder than the days of potty training and getting the kids to do their chores!  But it's all we can do once our children are adults.  Not only is this a lesson in parenting, but it shows us how much our heavenly Father values us and patiently watches and wait for us to return to Him.

Amazing love.

I'm reminded again of my friend's blog header:

Be Kind.  For everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.   - Plato

SOUP OF THE WEEK...

ROASTED CHILE AND CORN SOUP WITH FARMER'S CHEESE!

I had taken a little break from my soup making but started up again with a winner!  This one is delicious and would be a great addition to any mexican meal.  Fresh corn is roasted in the oven with the husks on, then cooled and corn removed.  The poblano is sweated also, seeded and chopped.  Lots of good fresh ingredients in this one!  I opted to only puree a little bit of the soup instead of all of it - we like our soups chunky.  The Farmer's cheese was expensive but gave it just the right wang.  You know what wang is, right???

SURPRISE VIDEO...

I was pretty tickled to go to church Sunday and had no idea THIS was going to happen!  Didn't even know they took the video!