Thursday, May 28, 2009

What to do when sick- plan, plan, plan

I have been sick with pneumonia for over a week now. Worse yet, I have very little voice. I have an erasable board on which I write what is needed or needed to do. The only thing is, it is hard to be heard, so I was given a whistle. I need a Van Trapp family whistle though so each child could have a different sound. I think the children think it is a holiday when Mom can't talk. They have been very helpful bringing tea and books. But it is just not much fun and I am not getting much at all acomplished. So I am planning. I am planning a large cook when I am bettter. New chore charts and scheule for summer. I am reorganizing my kitchen in my head. Reorganing the living room, again. I did plan for the spring/summer sheers to be changed in the dining room and living room and they got done by someone else. But now I see I need to clean windows, again. I am writing a "Fun things to do this summer" list so it doesn't pass by so quickly and I not even notice. I have been rereading some good books while I am down. I wish I could read aloud to my children but I have a new list planned for when I can.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Sauces for meatballs

BBQ Sauce

4 c ketsup

2 c vinager

2 c worshire sauce

2 c br. sugar

2 T minced onion

2T minced garlic

1T dry mustard

2t pepper

cook in saucepan


Salisbury Sauce

2 c butter

3 lb sliced mushrooms

2 c flour

16 c water

8 c cream

4 T worshire sauce

4 T beef bullion granules

1 T pepper

melt butter, cook mushrooms in it about 7 minutes until they are soft. add flour and cook about 2-3 more minutes, add rest of ingredients. Stir and cook about 15 more minutes until thick/

OAMC- Ground beef plan for summer

I have been sick so I haven't gotten a lot of work done but I have been working on planning. Since summer is now here I am looking at grilling recipes and for my family, that means hanburgers. So when I get well I plan on purchasing a case of lean ground beef from Sam's Club and make hamburgers and a few meatballs.

Here is what I'm going to make;
10 lb BBQ cheese burgers
10 lb Pizza Burgers
20 Lb onion soup burgers
10 lb. stuffed Hamburgers - from www.onceamonthmom.com
30 lb meatballs with various sauces

BBQ Cheese burgers
1 1/2 c mesquite BBQ suace
6t garlic
3T chili pwdr
1 1/2 t curry pwdr
1 1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t pepper

Mix and shape into patty, grill and top with cheese

Onion soup burgers
These are the easiset, just buy onion soup mix from Aldi's and mix in 2 packages for every 3 lbs of meat. Then make into patties and freeze.

Pizza Burgers
5 c Marina sauce
2 1/2 c finely chopped onion
1/3 c minced garlic
1 T salt
2t pepper
2 1/2 lbs. mozerella cheeese shredded
Mix everything but cheese into ground beef. Make round ball of beef mixture and make a hole to stuff with cheese, pat down gently. Freeze. When you cook you can top with extra marina if you wish.

Meatballs
30 lb ground beef
15 c dry bread crumbs
3 1/3 cup milk
20 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 c minced onions
1/2 c + 2 T minced garlic
1/4 c salt
3 T pepper
shape into meatballs. These you can either bake or boil and then freeze. But this time I think I am going to try to can them. I will post sauces later.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Worldwide Demographics- where will you fit in?

Prepare to be challanged. It is worth the time to watch.

Clipping in front of Bible

I had this in an email from a long time ago, I don't know who the author is but it touched my heart and also makes me think if I am getting all that I can from this wonderful life giving book.


"This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pil- grim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here Paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand Object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a Paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in the judgment, and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibi- lity, will reward the greatest labor and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents."

Friday, May 22, 2009

How not to use a ziplock vacuum sealer


" Do not try putting it on your forehead just to see what it does. Your sister will laugh before she ever helps you get it off."

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Fanny Crosby



LIVE IN THE MOMENT AND MAKE IT SO BEAUTIFUL THAT IT WILL BE WORTH REMEMBERING.


-Fanny Crosby

Last night we were delighted to be at mother/ daughter banquet that featured Fanny Crosby. ( Actually it was an impersonator, but she was very good.) It was wonderful to listen to "Aunt Fanny" (as she liked to call herself) and tell about her life, the poems and hymns she wrote, and to see what she might have been like. The thing that struck me the most though, was her joyful spirit and thankfulness. She lived a normal life, for then. She could identify the flowers and birds just by the sound or feel, at 4 or 5. I can't do that now with my sight. She learned to sew , crochet and knit as a child to help with household chores. I have been remiss in teaching my daughters. She was even happy, not just content with, but really happy that she lost her sight. Because she used her other senses more and was not "distracted" with the sights. How many things am I distracted with? But she was so joyful and thankful in all she did and had. She wrote poems about it. She spoke to others. She was outgoing for the Lord. She loved to hear how her hymns encouraged others and the stories that went with the songs she wrote. So I am purposing to be more thankful and joyful myself after her wonderful example

Sunday, May 10, 2009

A Tribute to My Mom


Today at church we were able to "rise up and bless our mothers" but since my mother is far away today I would give testimony of the ways she has blessed me with her life.

She honored my father, she stood by him as he went into different businesses and worked with him.
She was a hard worker. She has always worked outside the home growing up. I know I would have rather had her home but she worked hard to help support her family. I remember when I was much younger she worked as a waitress and she couldn't get the car out of the driveway so she walked to work that night. This was in winter and it was snowing, I am sure she would have rather stayed at home where it was warm but she said you show up for work when you are scheduled. She was faithful in that very much, if she said she would be there, she would. And mostly on time. I remember many times growing up looking for keys to go someplace so I keep them in one place.
She was not the most organized person growing up but I have seen so much growth in that area and others so I know you always keep learning. She enjoys getting more organized now and I have enjoyed learning that as well. It did not come naturally for me, either.
She kept a sense of family. Remember driving an hour quite often to visit my grandparents and staying over. We always sang on the way down to visit them too. We had a lot of traditions, many of them I still keep. We always looked at lights Christmas Eve and had snackie foods. Both sets of grandparents came for holidays, one set always came early and left right after dinner and left early the other set right before dinner and stayed late. As a child I loved it but now as the mom I see how much extra work that would have been for her.
We played games together and read together. She attended programs and cooked.
She loves her children and her grandchildren. She makes a special effort even being far away to let them know that she loves them and visits when she can. Then she reads to them, plays games and we sleep very little. I hope she catches up at home. We are just glad to spend time together.
I am very blessed with the Mom God gave me.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Menu Plan Monday

Here's my menu plan this week. I am trying to clean out my freezer and reorganize it so I need the room.

Monday- Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn

Tuesday- Mosticoli, garlic toast and salad

Wednesday-Fresh green beans, new potatoes and sausage (recipe below)

Thursday- Pancakes, ham, and fruit cup

Friday- Turkey breast, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas

Saturday- Turkey and noodle casserole, candy carrots, biscuits

Green beans, potatoes and sausage

This is one of my husband's favorite warm weather meals and it's so easy I wasn't going to include the recipe but maybe someone may need it. It is great for when you go away since you make it in the morning and just forget about it until dinner. Except for the wonderful smell, of course.

This is a large quantity so you may make yours smaller, just reduce and use a crockpot.

I use 3-4 lbs fresh snapped green beans
About 5 lbs new red potatoes , wash and halve
3 lb pack of smoked sausage
1 large onion chopped
pepper
other seasonings to taste

Just put all in the crockpot ( I use a 18 qt roaster for this quantity) and let cook all day.