Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap

Today is Friday, and that means another recipe. :-) If you would like to see more recipes, please hop on over to Gayle's and see all of the yummy recipes other people are posting. :-)

OK, yesterday "Little Mark" and were studying fungus. As a "hands on" lesson about spores we activated some yeast and watched it "grow". What does one do when they are already activating yeast? They make bread. :-)

So, "Little Mark" made this all by himself. All I did was supervise, and they were fantastic. :-)

Southern Yeast Biscuits
1 pkg dry yeast
3 C sifted flour
3 T sugar
1/2 t salt
3 T melted butter

Dissolve yeast in 1 cup of warm water, and add 1tablespoon of sugar. Let rise until it almost doubles in size. Melt the butter on the stove. Combine yeast with dry ingredients. Roll out on lightly floured surface to desired thickness and cut out with a biscuit cutter. Dip in butter and place on baking sheet. Let rise for 1 hour. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until brown. Makes about 1 1/2 dozen.

I ate mine with honey. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Vacation Day #5 - Lots of pictures

Sunday was day #5. We all got up fairly early, ate breakfast, got dressed and loaded the car. The whole family went to the Dallas World Aquarium, and then we were headed home afterwards. Let me say right off that 1) This place is on the pricey side, and 2) It's totally worth it. We literally saved our change for months just to get the entrance fee, and I think we are all very happy that we did. We will be going back. :-)

We followed loving sister and dear brother in law there. On the way, we ended up at.....
Pioneer Plaza! The very place we couldn't find on Wednesday. :-) I swore up and down that dear brother in law did on purpose, although I was told later it just happened because he got lost. Whatever. I got to see the statues and tried to get photos, but most of them didn't come out. Oh well, at least now we know how to get there. :-) LOL...

Once we arrived and got in we were all amazed at how breathtaking this place is. Let's just say it is an amateur photographers DREAM!! And I personally took over 300 photos, so I can testify. Well, I say personally, but truth is Cleggy took many of them as well. Especially the "underwater" shots. I think the man needs a digital camera. :-)

OK, here are some, but certainly not ALL of the photos we took. I didn't want to bore y'all too much, so I painstakingly chose a FEW to place on the blog. It was difficult choosing I assure you. :-)

I started not to post this one, because I'm in it, but I just couldn't resist with the Mayan Indians. They danced and then took pictures with anyone who wanted one. "Little Mark" and his mom got one together, and then I stepped in with them. The youngest nephew wouldn't do it. He was a little nervous.

















Cleggy actually took this one of the fish. He did great with the underwater shots. :-)














I did take the shots of the sea anemone and the octopus. :-)
Did I mention how cool this place was?

I didn't have really good pictures of the sharks, but I have to tell you that they do have the "tunnel" that have benches on either side, and it runs the length of the tunnel. All around and over you is glass, and all kinds of sharks swim all around you! It is just amazing.

We were there for a good two hours. They also have 2 gift shops, and restaurants/cafes inside. We did not eat there, but did get a couple of souvenirs. Like I said, we would love to go back sometime. I highly encourage you to go if you are ever in Dallas. There is also one in Houston, but I've never been there. :-)

Day #6 we were home, and just pretty much relaxed the whole day. :-) I'll be back tomorrow with Day #7, the final day.

Love,
Wendy Darling

Vacation Day #4- It's a long one folks. :-)

Day #4 started very early, but it was one of the best days. :-) I got to spend most of the day with Princess Ladybug, and I met FlyLady, and Eric Dodge IN PERSON!! ;-) (If you don't think that excited me you would be wrong.) :-) I have been looking forward to meeting them for a couple of months, and I planned a surprise. :-)

My plan was to make them cookies with their pictures on them. That idea turned into a large cookie for each one, with their respective photo. I planned to make the cookies from scratch, since that is how I prefer to bake cookies. However, since I was going to be on vacation, and at my sisters house, I decided to use store bought dough for convenience sake. Sandra Lee would have been proud. :-) So, I bought the dough, 2 throwaway pans, and decorator icing. I packed my cake decorating kit with the supplies I would need, and had the photos printed on edible paper. I was set. I had baked the cookies before leaving for the restaurant on Friday, so when we got home they were cool and ready to decorate. These are the results:


Now, don't look too close, I was afraid I would run out of icing so I didn't go all the way to the edge. That normally would have REALLY bothered me, but I kept hearing FlyLady saying, "Don't let your perfectionism get in the way." :-) (Don't you just love her?) :-) So, I let them set overnight, and the next morning I put them in the Costco pizza boxes, provided by my dear brother-in-law, and we headed out. :-)

I wore the cranberry shirt I had bought the day before, with black pants and black flats. On the way we stopped and took pictures of the Mustangs at Los Colinas. They are breathtaking. :-)We arrived at the hotel very early and began our search for Eric and FlyLady. I had told them we would be there early. :-) To our delight Eric met us in the lobby, and was very excited about the cookie. He then arranged for us to meet Marla (FlyLady) before the festivities and it was a lot of fun.

We also got to meet the other Dodge Brothers, Andy and Ashton. Just in case you were wondering, they are VERY NICE. :-) For those who listen to Eric's Show, yes, he is just like he is on the show. They are very down to earth guys. :-)

We got to meet other Flybabies and we did a little shopping in the Fly Store before everything began. I piked up 2 CDs for the nephews, and Princess Ladybug bought me Eric's new Christmas CD as a late birthday present. :-) I am well on my way to wearing it out playing it. :-) It is awesome y'all. If you plan to buy new Christmas music for this year, please consider this one.

Then, the doors opened and we took our seats. It was actually a "party" that Yahoo had set up for FlyLady.net, because they had 500,000 members now. It was amazing. FlyLady was very funny, and inspiring. Pam Young was great. We got to hear from many members of the Fly Crew, and Eric and Andy sang several of their wonderful songs, including "It's a Woman's World" and "Why Not Today." I think the highlight was when he sang "God Bless the U.S.A. and brought the whole room to tears. Even the men y'all. It was amazing.

We broke for lunch and Princess and I ate in the hotel restaurant. We both chose the vegetable and mushroom on flat bread with veggie chips. It was amazing, and the restaurant was just beautiful. :-) We then went back to the party. We got to meet Alan Levy, the creator of Blog Talk radio, and hear why/how he started it. It's an amazing story, and he is so nice.

There was a huge cake, and it tasted wonderful. Yahoo, and the Omni hotel really took care of us. :-) Marla was just so inspiring and motivating in how she reminded us that we don't have to be perfect, and to keep taking baby steps to improve ourselves. I can't even express the feelings I have from that day, but they are just as strong as if I had just left there. :-)

After the party we stood in line to meet everyone, and get autographs. Princess and I had our picture taken with FlyLady and the Doge Brothers. I am sure she won't mind if I post it here. :-)



Aren't we a handsome bunch? LOL... :-) After leaving we immediately put Eric's Christmas CD in to play and we headed back to the apartment. I have to say that it was a long day, but I would put that up as one of the best days I've ever had. :-) I can truly say that I made some new friends, and had a wonderful time with "old" one. (Not age wise, Princess) ;-P After getting home we had dinner and prepared for Day #5 and a trip home. Day #5 was really great too, and I'll be back to tell you about it tomorrow. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Vacation Day #3

Day #3 was a great day. It started off with Cleggy, "Little Mark" and I going to the King Tut Exhibit at Dallas Museum of Art. (I still believed we walked 5 miles to get there, but I'll let Cleggy tell you about that.) ;-)

Anyway, it was very exciting, and educational for all of us. To prepare for this "field trip" I recorded a National Geographic Special on TV, and "Little Mark" and I watched it on Tuesday before we left for vacation. So, he had a good grasp on just what it was we were going to see.

At the time that purchased the tickets I opted not to do the audio tour. I kind of regret that now seeing how much we liked it with the JFK Museum, but still it was really good. We were there opening day, and at the FIRST tour of the day. We were numbers 3,4,and 5 in line. How could it get much better? I was excited! :-) They even had the Dallas paper there, and Cleggy was interviewed. Our picture was on their website the next day.

Anyway, as we went through the tour I kept trying to wrap my mind around just how old these pieces are, and where they were discovered... Again, it was a surreal moment. We all learned a lot about the people and their culture. We did see the mummy cases (no mummies), organ urns, etc. It really made an impact on "Little Mark", and I love that it gave him that "real" experience seeing the things we had been talking about, up close and "sort of" personal.

We were even able to tie it into our Biblical studies as well as history. To see these things and know that these are not just stories from books, but these people really did exist. This was all a part of their life and culture. It took about 1 1/2 hours to go through it all.

The way it is set up is really neat, especially when you walk into Tut's "tomb." The museum did a great job. It is truly a once and a lifetime experience. If you live anywhere near Dallas, or can get there before May 2009, I strongly encourage you to go. (That's the end of my commercial.) ;-)

After the museum we went back to the apartment and ate lunch. Then, we separated for the rest of the day. The guys went to play putt-putt golf, and Mom, loving sister, and I went shopping. :-)

We went to Catherines, and I got two new outfits. I got this shirt:



I also got a jacket.



This picture is the closest I can find to what I bought, but it's not the exact one. Mine is a cream color, and is a heavier material than this. I also bought a black tank to wear underneath it. :-)


After the "shopping spree" we all met back at the apartment where we learned how the golf game went. Each nephew got 1 hole in one, while Cleggy got two. :-) Then we all went to a really nice Mexican restaurant to have dinner. They even made our guacamole at the table. :-) I have to confess, I was VERY tempted to take the avocados they had displayed on our table, but I resisted. Do you know how much the large avocados cost now? Yeah, you'd have been tempted too. :-)

Then, we went back to the apartment and I decorated two really big cookies I would need for the next day... But, that's another post. ;-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Vacation Day #2

Sorry this one is late. The weekend got away from me. :-)

Well, this one will be relatively simple, because Day #2 was filled with Doctors appointments.

"Little Mark" had one at Children's Medical Center to see if he might have a mild form of Tourret's. The 3 student doctors were very nice and patient with him. They said he did very well, and consulted with the head doctor. He came in and tested "Little Mark" as well. He said he did not think he had Tourettes, but could benefit from a speech therapist.

We then went to a different "Half Price Bookstore", and to an eye doctor appointment.

The day was not as "exciting" as the other days, but it was productive.

There was one thing about the day that did bother me for awhile, and I pretty much kept it to myself, because I needed to sort how I felt about it. For those of you who have homeschooled for awhile you may relate.

When the doctor at CMC found out we homeschool he began to ask "Little Mark" questions. It kind of took us both by surprise. He asked "Little Mark" two fairly simple problems, and "Little Mark" could not answer them. Now, I KNOW he knew the answers, but he was flustered and could not think on his feet. He felt he was being put on the defensive. The doctor then asked him several questions like "Who is the President? Vice-President? What's the Capitol of Texas? Capitol of the US? "Little Mark knew all of those answers and said them confidently. Then the doctor asked him what is the capitol of Argentina? At this point I got my bearings and spoke up, "We have not studied that yet, but overall he does very well." I'm glad he didn't ask me the capitol of Argentina, because I don't know!

It was after we left that I realized I was angry with myself, because I know that "Little Mark" knew the math answers, but he works problems out writing them down. If I had simply said, "Please give him a pen and paper. Now, "Little Mark", draw a rectangle, give it the measurements of 12" X 7" and find the area. He could have solved it in seconds, shutting the doctor up. (His question had been what is 12x7, that "Little Mark did not answer.)

So, why did it bother me so much? Was it a pride issue of "now he thinks I am not doing a good enough job teaching? Was it a "how does this reflect on homeschooling as a whole" situation? Why was I not more assertive? I realized I was angry with myself for not taking a stand.

In the end I realized it just didn't matter. I know what curriculums we use, and I know that based on those curriculums "Little Mark" is right on target, and ahead in some areas. So, I am not worried. I am no longer angry with myself, because I can't change the past. However, you can bet that I will be more on guard, and if the situation ever arose again I know I will handle it better. After all, don't we teach the kids that "life" is and education, and we are always learning and growing? We learn from our mistakes, and the mistakes of others, and we strive to do better.

For those of you who homeschool, has this ever happened to you? How did you handle it? Do you feel that people base their opinion of homeschooling on what they see YOU do, and does that make you put more pressure on yourself, and your children?

I think that while we do need to be mindful of how we represent homeschooling, we can't put the undo pressure on ourselves thinking "the world is watching us", because we would go crazy! I know I have been guilty of it in the past, which is why I have chosen to "let this one go" and just learn from it and move on. However, I really did need to vent. :-) So, thank you for listening.

Tomorrow, I will be back with Day #3, the King Tut Exhibit. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap

OK, I know I said I would post Day #2 of our vacation today, but I forgot it was Friday; and Friday is recipe swap day. :-) So, I'll post about Day #2 tomorrow. :-)

Just the other day I posted about the NEW Soldiers' Angels cook book. I have some recipes in the cook book, so I thought I would post one of the ones that I submitted. That way you would get an idea of what kind of recipes are included. ;-)

This one was actually given to me by my sister, Michelle, so she does get the credit. ;-) It is a really great recipe. Enjoy.

Easy Lasagna

3 lb. ground beef
2 jars Prego Spaghetti sauce (we use tomato,onion,garlic flavor) 1 large jar and 1 medium jar
2 cans Italian tomato paste
1 box lasagna noodles
1 medium onion, chopped
garlic, chopped; to taste
About 3 8oz packages of Mozzarella cheese

Combine ground beef, onion, and garlic in a pan. Cook until meat is browned; drain all excess fat and return to the pan. Stir in spaghetti sauce and tomato paste, simmer until hot.
Cook noodles until almost done (you will need about 12 noodles) Drain. In a 13 X 9 casserole dish layer bottom of dish so that it is covered. (About 6 noodles). Spoon the sauce over noodles, so that all of it is covered. Cover with mozzarella cheese. Repeat steps for a second layer. Cover with aluminum foil, and bake on 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until noodles are soft, and it is baked all the way through. Serve with salad and garlic bread. refrigerate or freeze leftovers. Tastes just as good reheated.

Love,
Wendy Darling

Vacation - Day #1

We left for vacation on Wednesday morning at 5:00am. We arrived in Dallas about 8:00 am and dropped the younger nephew off at home. He missed Mom and Dad, and we are pretty sure he would have no interest in the plans we had for the day. :-)

Our first stop, after the bathroom break, was the Sixth Floor Museum, aka "The JFK museum". This is an amazing place y'all. It was rather surreal going through it, given its history and all. It was very interesting, and the way the tour is set up it really gives you a feel for who John F. Kennedy was, and all the turmoil of that time. I am sorry this is the picture I have of the outside. I was told that we couldn't take pictures, but I didn't know I could take them BEFORE we entered the tour, and I left my camera in the car. Oh well...

The admission includes an audio tour that tells you what section to look at when, and describes everything that is going on. You get to hear actual footage of interviews, reporters, policemen,etc. You get to see old news reels of JFK's speeches, etc.

The thing that impressed me most how much "Little Mark" was interested. He really listened to everything, and even asked questions. Insightful questions.

I think the part that struck me most was when the tour instructed us to look out the side window and we were overlooking the grassy knoll and the street that the car was driving down at the time of the assassination. Like I said before, it was surreal.

After the Museum we drove around and tried, unsuccessfully, to get a picture of the grassy knoll. We did drive past the JFK Memorial, and I got a picture of it out the window. :-) We were actually trying to find the Pioneer Plaza so I could get a picture of the "cattle drive." We never found it.

So, we decided to abandon our quest and head to lunch. We had lunch at Denny's. It rocked. :-)

We then went to "window shop" at the galleria. Yeah. Window shop is about all most people can afford to do at the galleria. Holy Moly the prices at Nordstrom alone almost made me pass out!
All "Little Mark" really wanted to do was ride the escalators , so we obliged him. We went to the third floor and looked down on all of the people ice skating. We did go into a few shops and look around. We tried some "Armadillo Droppings", which is just overpriced, chocolate covered sunflower seeds. :-) Cute idea though. :-)

After an hour or so in the galleria we decided to head to a "Christmas Store" I read about on the Internet. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Christmas?! :-) Anyway, it was very nice to look at all of the ornaments, trees, villages, etc; but it was a little hot in the store, so we didn't stay long.

We then went to "Half Price Books" and browsed around. I purchased a Beth Moore book, and Mom sat and drank coffee. :-)

We also hit a $0.99 store, and then ran by to get some groceries toward dinner. All in all it was a very nice day. The weather was great, and we had a lot of fun. :-)

Be back later with Day #2. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

New Cookbook!!! :-)

Hi, everyone ;-) Well, we are officially back from vacation. We had a great time! I will be blogging about it this week, but first I wanted to just let you know that we are back, and let you know about this great new cookbook. :-)

You may remember that I gave away a cookie cookbook a few months ago. The cookbook was put together by Soldiers' Angels, and the proceeds are used to help soldiers and their families. Well, we have put together another one, but this time it is REAL FOOD. :-) Here is a Direct quote from the website describing the cookbook:

Cooking with Angels: May No Soldier Go Unloved or Unfed. Treasured Recipes from Soldiers' Angels Dedicated to Our Veterans and Troops has almost 280 pages of heavenly recipes from Soldiers’ Angels and supporters of Soldiers’ Angels. Recipes are given for hors d’oeuvres; breakfast foods; breads; soups; salads; vegetables; potatoes; pasta, rice, and grains; meat; poultry; game; fish and shellfish; vegetarian main dishes; desserts; cakes; pies and pastries; cookies and candies; drinks; and salsas, sauces, dips, and dunks. Celebrities, such as Paula Deen, and sports and political figures also contributed recipes. An original poem honoring our brave troops is included.

You will certainly be able to find recipes for that special Welcome Home dinner as well as quick and delicious recipes for a homey dinner after a long day at work.

Almost all recipes have a dedication to a hero, wounded warrior, fallen warrior, or veteran, and these from-the-heart dedications are what makes Cooking with Angels so special.

An excellent companion to Angel Delights, the cookie book, Cooking with Angels will make a wonderful holiday present for all the cooks or heroes in your life.

.

It is a must have for any cook book collector. :-) Hop on over HERE to order your copy now. It also makes great gifts. :-) I'll be back tomorrow with the first blog about our vacation. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

"The Warrior is a Child"

Several years ago, when I used to sing specials in church, this was one song I tried to sing a lot. I say "tried", because I rarely made it through without crying. I always choked up at the same place.

"People say that I'm amazing, never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies that lay me at His feet"

Can I get an "amen"? The words to this song are so moving, I don't know how Twyla Paris got through it every time she sang it. Very beautifully too, I might add. :-)

This afternoon I heard this song on the radio. I hadn't heard it in so long, and the second it came on I immediately knew what it was. I turned it up and began to sing. I remembered ALL the words, and then the part came. And I choked up. Praise God. :-)

So, I decided that since I probably won't be posting for a week I would leave y'all with this video. I pray that it blesses you as much as it blesses me. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Can we say, "Overload?"

I seriously think that my brain is going to explode, y'all. Is anyone else so tired of hearing the words "bail out", "Presidential election".... that they could just scream?

I mean, I KNOW that it is important. I know this is a critical time in our country, and history is literally being made, but at the risk of sounding cynical, I just don't know how much more I can take.

We leave for vacation in 2 days, and it is starting to feel more stressful than relaxing. SO, I have vowed that for the next week I will do all I can to avoid the news, debates, magazines, etc. that have anything to do with the previously mentioned words or phrases, or anything even closely related.

I will record the Vice-Presidential debates and watch them next week. But, beginning on Wednesday there will be nothing but relaxing, learning, and enjoying my family. That's it. It may not be responsible, but believe me it is NECESSARY!!!

Love,
Wendy Darling

Recipe Swap Friday...


Today is Friday, and that means it's time to post a recipe. I had several I wanted to post, but I decided to go with this one. Some parts of the country are starting to experience the cooler weather of fall. Not neccesarily here in east Texas, but some places in the country. ;-) Cooler weather means it's time to make SOUP. So, I'm posting my recipe for home made vegetable soup. You'll need a BIG pot. You can change the amount of any of the veggies, or omit/add if what you like. These are just the ones I prefer to use. I have used others things as well if I had them on hand. Enjoy! :-)

Homemade Vegetable Soup

2 cups of frozen corn
2 cups of frozen peas
2 cups of frozen green beans
2 cups of fresh baby carrots (those tiny ones you can buy in the little packages. OR, you can just use the big ones and cut them into coins. Just try to make sure they are about the same size.)
1 large onion, diced small
1 cup of chopped, fresh celery (or more if you like.)
2 cloves of garlic, diced tiny (or you can use the jar stuff already diced for you)
3 cans of tomato sauce
3 cans of stewed tomatoes (obviously if you can your own you can use those, and it would probably be better)
at least 2 cartons of vegetable broth, or more if you like your soup with more juice. You can also add some water here if you don't want to use so much vegetable broth. I use the sodium free/organic broth)
1/2 tsp thyme, fresh or ground
1/2 tsp rosemary fresh or ground
2 bay leaves, whole
salt and pepper to taste. I use a lot of fresh ground pepper.

Put everything into a big old pot and heat on low to low-medium heat for several hours. I usually get mine started about 8 am and just let it go until 4:00 pm or so. :-) Be sure to stir and taste every once in awhile. Remove the bay leaves and serve with fresh bread, cornbread or crackers. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers. It's even better the next day. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

It's the big 4-0...

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I turned 40 years old today. :-) So, I decided to do one of those lists about myself. Of course there are 40 things, but it is more of a "Hodge Podge" about me. Not one specific theme. Some of you may already know, some you may not. Hope you enjoy it. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

1. Sometimes, I really do want to be a kid again.

2. Everything I REALLY needed to know I learned from Sunday School, and Mr. Rogers

3. I like blogging.

4. I can be in a leadership position, and be successful.

5. I love Beth Moore Bible Studies.

6. I know WAY TOO MUCH TV trivia from the '70s and '80s.

7. Despite the horror of the pixies, Tenilles, and Dorothy Hamill haircuts of my childhood, I like having short hair. :-)

8. Fireworks on the 4th of July still rock!!

9. Christmas music sounds just as wonderful in July as it does in December.

10. OK, I like the Jo Bros.

11. I do like the soundtrack from Hairspray

12. I enjoy going to the gym and working out. (We have started back.)

13. "The Family Circus" is still the best comic strip ever written.

14. My favorite candy bar is Milky Way.

15. I also like Skittles.

16. My eyes are hazel.

17. I am a "big, beautiful woman."

18. I like to watch the Food Network.

19. Ace of Cakes rocks.

20. I enjoy homeschooling.

21. My favorite book in high school was "To Kill a Mockingbird."

22. The first book to ever make me cry was "The Outsiders."

23. My favorite movie soundtrack is "American Graffiti."

24. My favorite holiday is Christmas.

25. My favorite colors are different shades of pink and purple, but not together. ;-)

26. I love to bake.

27. I learned Power Point this year.

28. I get to meet Eric Dodge and FlyLady while I'm on vacation!!!! :-)

29. I would really like to learn more about photography, perhaps as a profession.

30. I like 4-H, and wish I had participated when I was younger.

31. I would like to learn to play the piano.

32. I still would like to have my children's books published.

33. I like to do one stroke painting like Donna Dewberry.

34. The first dance I ever learned was "The Stroll."

35. I was in college before I went on my first date, and now I do not date by choice.

36. My favorite subject in high school was home making.

37. My favorite subject in college/now is history.

38. My favorite hymn is "Blessed Assurance."

39. I like classical music.

40. I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up.

Back to our regularly scheduled program...

It's been a nice break, but I'm ready to get back to our normal routines. :-) I haven't posted in exactly one week, and as you can see I missed the Recipe Swap today. I'll post one next week though. I'm already looking for it. :-)

"Little Mark" went to stay in Dallas when Gustav was supposed to come this way. We got a little rain, but that was about it. Then, just before it was time to go and bring him home Hurricane Ike decided to make an appearance. And what an appearance he made!!

We got quite a bit of wind and rain here. We actually only lost a lot of branches and such, and 2 wooden post off our fence, but nothing major. We did lose power, but only for a few hours. Just a few blocks away people had trees uprooted, and tossed on their houses. Some people were without power for 3-4 days. So, we are not complaining at all. We realize how blessed we were. I actually do have pictures, but I will have to post them another time.

So, "Little Mark" and the younger nephew will be coming home tomorrow. School will resume as normal on Monday, and 4-H will be back in full swing as well. ;-)

Then, we leave for VACATION!!! :-) OK, so we are only going to Dallas, but it is still vacation. ;-) We have lots of things planned; the "King Tut" exhibit among them. :-) I am very excited. :-)

I am EXTREMELY excited, because on Saturday I will be attending FlyFest, and I will get to meet FlyLady, Marla, in person as well as Eric Dodge! :-) I'm so excited I could just scream. ;-) But, the rest of the family is in bed, so that would be very wise to do right now. ;-)

I have had a nice "break", but I got very little accomplished. I did get everything "up and running" for 4-H, and lesson plans are made for the next week or so, and vacation plans are made. I did rest, as well as fight allergies for several days. It's funny, but it seems that I get more done when I am super busy than when I have LOTS of "free" time. ;-) I guess it is the adrenaline rush. :-)

I am excited about next week, because the nephews and I are going to make our own chewing gum. Has anyone used the chewing gum kit? I can't wait to try it. It really looks like it will be fun, and neat learning experience. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

The Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap



With all of the hype about "Ike" I forgot to post a recipe today. So, I ran through my cookbooks and found a quick, easy one for you. ;-) I made this one not too long ago for a meeting I had to attend. Everyone really liked it. I hope you enjoy it. :-)

Roasted Red pepper Dip

8 oz Sour Cream
7 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
4 oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 t chopped fresh or frozen chives

Blend sour cream, peppers, cream cheese and chopped chives in electric blender or food processor until well mixed. Refrigerate until serving time. Serve with crackers.

Makes 2 cups.

Love,
Wendy Darling

"Ike, the 'Cone of Uncertainty' and coughing"

How is that for a title? Yes, here in East Texas we are preparing to get a lot of rain from Ike. IF the "Cone of Uncertainty" is correct. I like what Big Mama had to say about that today. We are prepared, but NOT panicked, for the storm. We have water, non perishable food, batteries, etc; but after seeing Big Mama's picture of her supplies I realize I need to go back and buy M&Ms and Skittles.

But, instead of enjoying the "Hurricane Hoopla" I am trying to hack up a lung. Seems all of the rain we have had lately is REALLY wreaking havoc with my sinuses/allergies. Come to think of it, I may need to go back to the store and stock up on decongestant. That would be bad to run out of this weekend.

In all seriousness, we are praying for everyone on the coast and in the path of Ike. I wanted to share with you this "Plan of Preparedness" that I got from Fly Lady. It won't help those in Harris County who are being forced to leave NOW, but those it MIGHT come to still have time. As a matter of fact, we actually did all of this to prepare for Gustav, and since he changed direction we were not affected, but we are still packed and prepared. ;-)

FlyLady's 11 Points to Preparedness for Evacuation

"We can FLY in the face of Danger and Emergency if we are prepared. Don't wait till you are being asked to evacuate. Everyone thinks that it could not happen to them. Well it could and it is up to you to make sure you are prepared. Don't wait! DO IT NOW!!" -- FlyLady

1. PEOPLE: Have a plan for getting out of the house and make sure everyone knows it. Have an emergency bag of food and water for your family. Include wholesome snacks and treats for the children: dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, crackers and granola bars.
   
   
2. PETS: Keep pet carriers and leashes readily available to lead pets to safety. Also take pet food with you.
   
   
3. PICTURES: Keep negatives or CDs of pictures in a lock box or at a family member's home. Have picture albums in one place ready to grab and go at a moments notice.
   
   
4. PAPERS: Have all your important papers in a lock box at a bank and only keep copies at the house. This keeps you from panicking. If you have them at home then put them in a folder that you can easily grab if you have to move fast. Color code it so you can find it!
   
   
5. PRESCRIPTIONS: Take your medications with you. Don't forget the ones that have to be refrigerated like insulin. Have small ice chest and cold packs readily accessible to pack and go. If you have babies; remember their formula or medications.
   
   
6. PURSES and PETROL: This is where you keep your identification, credit cards and cash. Keep a stash of cash for emergencies and grab it. You may not be able to use an ATM in the event of a power outage. Make sure your car always has a half a tank of gas.
   
   
7. PROPER CLOTHES and COMFORT ITEMS: According to the weather conditions; gather up a change of clothes along with outer clothing: coats, rain gear, boots, gloves and hats. If you have babies remember diapers. Remember to grab your children's favorite blanket, stuffed animal or toy. A game or a deck of cards could keep them occupied and calm too.
   
   
8. PLANNER/CALENDAR/CONTROL JOURNAL: These documents have all the information you will need from phone numbers, insurance numbers and important dates. They are small and filled with things you don't have to try to remember.
   
   
9. PERSONAL PROTECTION: Many of us still have that time of the month. Be sure and grab a box of your preferred protection. It may be hard to find if you have been evacuated. Stress can cause our bodies to do strange things too. So be prepared. Take medication for cramps too.
   
   
10. PHONES and RADIOS: Many of us have cell phones now. Always keep them charged up and have a charger in the car or an extra battery. They may not work in the event of power outages, but then they might. Know which local radio station has emergency bulletins. Keep your battery powered radio tuned to that local station and have plenty of batteries for it.
    
    
11. PATIENCE: This is one of the most important things to pack. Keep it inside of you so that you have a clear calm head. Having your P's to Preparedness list guiding you will keep you patient. In the event of an evacuation there will be lots of displaced people. Being patient will make things less stressful. Your children need to see you calm and collected. This will help keep them calm too.
    

An amazing woman...

I promise that I am not going to turn this blog into just posts with videos. :-) However, I began a new Bible study tonight, "Walk By Faith," and this woman is so amazing that I wanted to share her with you. If you have never heard of Jennifer Rothschild, then you need to get acquainted with her and her story. The following is taken directly from her website:

"For Jennifer Rothschild, these words are much more than the lyrics from a familiar hymn; they represent a foundation upon which many life lessons have been learned…in the dark

At the young age of fifteen, Jennifer was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative eye disease that would eventually steal her sight. It was more than a turning point for the Miami, Fl, native. Her dreams of becoming a commercial artist and cartoonist faded. Words and music have replaced her canvas and palette for more than 25 years.

Known for her substance, and a down-to-earth style, Jennifer weaves together colorful illustrations, universal principles, and music to help audiences find contentment, walk with endurance, and celebrate the ordinary. Through her signature wit and poignant story-telling, audiences are prompted to look beyond their circumstances to find unique “gifts,” in unusual packaging."

Of course, me being me I wanted to share videos of her with you. I found two that I really wanted to share, so I am posting both. They are not long, and believe you will truly be blessed after seeing them.

"No Limbs, No Limits"

This young man is simply amazing!! Take the time to watch it, and you will be truly blessed.



Love,
Wendy Darling

Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap





It's Friday, and that means it's time to post another recipe. :-) Once you read this one head on over to Gayle's to see some more wonderful recipes. :-)

Are there times when you just sit around and think about the food you ate when you were little? The stuff that people ALWAYS brought to family parties and holiday meals? Surely, it's not just me. ;-) I was actually doing that just the other day. Our family had "staples" at most parties. The things you could always count on being there. Like Nana's fudge, or chocolate pie. One of the things my Mom always brought was "Cottage Cheese Delight."

Now, don't scrunch up your nose and say "Ewww, cottage cheese..." This is not the typical cottage cheese. This stuff ROCKS! And I have been craving it for days. :-) So, just give it try, and I am betting you will like it. :-)

Cottage Cheese Delight

1 carton of small curd cottage cheese
1 large box of Jell-O (any flavor)
1 can crushed pineapple (about 15 oz)
1 carton of Cool Whip

Melt the Jell-O and pineapple in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Pour in the cottage cheese and whipped topping. Mix together well and pour into a 9 X 13 dish. Chill for 1-2 hours.

This can be made low fat, or fat free just by using the LF or FF cottage cheese and Cool Whip. Also use the sugar free Jell-O. See? It's healthy. :-) Another fun thing is to use the use a color of Jell-O to co-ordinate with your holiday. For instance, use the lime or strawberry/cherry for Christmas. Or Orange for Halloween. It's fun, and even the kids can make it! :-)

If you try it, let me know what you think. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Fireproof!!! :-)


I have been waiting for months for "Fireproof" to be released. ONE theater near me will be showing it, and I would love to be there opening night. :-) Here is what IMDB has to say:

Lt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter's adage: Never leave your partner behind. Inside burning buildings, it's his natural instinct. In the cooling embers of his marriage, it's another story.

After a decade of marriage, Caleb and Catherine Holt have drifted so far apart that they are ready to move on without each other. Yet as they prepare to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb's dad asks his son to try an experiment: The Love Dare.

While hoping The Love Dare has nothing to do with his parents' newfound faith, Caleb commits to the challenge. But can he attempt to love his wife while avoiding God's love for him? Will he be able to demonstrate love over and over again to a person that's no longer receptive to his love? Or is this just another marriage destined to go up in smoke?

It is made by the same people who did "Fly Wheel" and "Facing the Giants." Both were fantastic movies, so I am really looking forward to this one. :-) Also, I really enjoyed Kirk Cameron's acting in the "Left Behind" movies, so I am sure his performance here will not disappoint.

The release date is September 26th. Perhaps this could be a "birthday present" to myself. ;-)
Is anyone else planning to see this movie?

Love,
Wendy Darling

She has spunk!!!

I like her. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling