Our Day and new Meal Ingredient Idea

   It was a nice day - got a lot accomplished at work - including an updated email blast.  We are praying it generates a few sales.
   Everyone in the house had a nice day.  Chuck's schedule changed slighty because one of his team mates didn't show up today - they are not sure if he will be there the rest of the week.
   Becca had a nice time at youth group and hung out with Katherine.  She also got to spend a few minutes with Mrs Melissa and Mrs Lynette - two very sweet and godly influences in our church.  I am thankful for these ladies. 
   Charles has been awesome with helping us stick to our budget.  He has been an encourager of using up our leftovers the last few days.  We made mini pizzas from our left over biscuits last night - we didnt have pepperoni - but had ham for a topping.  We cut them up into tiny pieces and topped it - they were very good.  Tonight he took our left over bbq beans and made a vegetarian chili which was delicious.
   Bible study was nice - I got to spend a few minutes with Collette and Cheryl.  We are touching on Revelation this week and John's time on Patmos.  It is very insightful and thought provoking. 
     I am excited about putting together a new menu idea that will hopefully help with grocery expenses and have ingredient lists with me when shopping to avoid multiple trips to the store and unnecessary purchases.  I will share more as it comes together.  Collette, Cheryl and I brainstormed several inexpensive meal options as we discussed it. 

Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

His Benefits

I love this chapter - it was brought back to my attention in our Bible study this week.  What a wonderful God with benefits beyond any package that could be put together here on this earth!

Psalm 103

King James Version (KJV)

¹ Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
⁶ The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
⁷ He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
⁹ He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
¹⁰ He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
¹⁵ As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
¹⁶ For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
¹⁷ But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
¹⁸ To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
¹⁹ The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
²⁰ Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
²¹ Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

Kitchen Creations

It was a very nice Monday.  We all had a great day.  Becca and I had a draw to the kitchen this evening.  She has been wanting to make butter using whipping cream.  The other day we found a little pint of whipping cream and actually remembered to pick it up.  She made this when she was in elementary school and has been wanting to do it again.  She poured the cream into a plastic container and shook it for several minutes.  She peeked in the container several times hoping it would be finished each time.  It was finally finished! She poured off the buttermilk and enjoyed her butter with some townhouse crackers.  Delicious!

My draw to the kitchen was cooking, baking and cleaning.  I made our dinner tonight - shepherds pie - it was very good.  I actually made the velveeta skillets box version.  It was good for a box meal, but we all agreed that we would be much better from scratch.  I couldn't resist the bargain - they were just 50 cents a box with the sale price and coupons.  I am really trying to get back on the sale ad watching, coupon cutting, price matching savings bandwagon.  It is just a little part that is helping us get to our goal!

We all had a sweet tooth, therefore I tried my hand at whoopie pies.  How simple!  They were easy, quick and very good.  I had a triple chocolate cake mix to use, and then made the icing from scratch.

The recipe that I used was...

 Whoopie Pies from a cake mix

1 chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
........
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a mixer, combine cake mix, eggs, water and oil.  Whip together for 2-3 minutes.

On a parchment paper or Silpat lined baking sheet, scoop out batter into round mounds.  I used a small ice cream scoop that measured 1 2/3 inches in diameter.  Use the back of a spoon to round out scoops of batter into perfect circles.

Bake for 8 minutes.  Cool.

To fill, pipe icing onto the bottom cookie (wrong side up), then top with another cookie (right side up).

http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/08/whoopie-pies-whoopie-pies-from-cake-mix.html

Note:  the first round that I baked were a little too large making them a little more "flimsy" - I recommend using a rounded tablespoon of batter and scrape it off with another tablespoon to make rounded drops on the the baking sheet.  They will expand, therefore do not place them too close together.

Chuck also received excellent news today too! - He will be saving about $75 a month!

Devotions

Charles led family devotions tonight and it was very thought provoking!  It is fun to see the kids wheels turning and their responses and knowledge of the Bible.  We talked about being strong in faith and in family.  We discussed several in the Bible who were strong in faith and who were weak in faith.  We also talked about families in the Bible that were strong and others who were weak.  It was very interesting - I always learn something from my husband when he starts discussing the Bible!  ;o)

Becca and I went to the park earlier today - she shot several photographs of nature to get a little inspiration for her drawings - I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

Shopping and Sauce

Becca and I spent most of the day on a grocery shopping excursion - it was a busy day - but we got some good saving!  We bought the ingredients for our big batch of spaghetti sauce - I can't wait to smell and taste it!
FYI - Walmart has a new coupon policy  - they will only price match for stores within a 5 mile radius!
Chuck mowed the yard - it looks wonderful - thank you!

BTW - Charles made his scrumptious sauce and it is to die for!!!

Hmm

Passed the Test

Well I took my test today - and thank you for praying - I passed and will be able to keep my job!
All is well with us - Both Chuck and I are battling a cold - but feeling better.
We are all still adjusting to schedule changes, I know I have been tired with the changes but it is a good tired.

Training

I will be in this phase for about a week - studying and preparing for this upcoming test.
My sweet husband bought me a new washer and dryer this week  - thank you thank you - much much better - I love having a kenmore again!  Simple and Great!

2nd Day

I am totally on information overload - getting the lowdown on the company and benefits - meeting the big dogs and learning all about the company.  It was a good move!
Charles is doing well.
Becca has some awesome drawings!
Chuck's truck needs another spider injector.

Goals for the new year

    Well - my goal is the same that I set last year...still working on balance in everything.  Trying to fit the important things in each day and not let the unnecessary matters overpower my time.  I don't plan on writing daily this year, but would like to at least post once a week - possibly more.
 Events of Week Two:
      Chuck got his truck back and it is working wonderfully - he is so thankful to have a working vehicle.  Its amazing how a little thing called a spider injector can spin out such a problem!  He also set up his budget to be prepared for life, but allocate a little for fun too.
      I have my car back too!  The heater works and so does my windshield washer - yay!  We are waiting on a cable that needs replacing - but it is in much better shape!  Thank you Uncle Tim for taking time out of your busy schedule to help us - we love you!  
     It has been an eventful week.  It has been a stressful and stress relieving week.  I went back to work on Wednesday returning from our Christmas break.  One co-worker was released from employment due to her current health on Tuesday.  On Wednesday, I was able to give my notice, the conversation was not easy, but thanks to His Power, Mercy and Grace, it was expressed.  It was received with shock and unbelief but without incident.  Another co-worker gave notice the next day, which also was received with shock.  Please pray for all involved - those heading on to new careers and those left behind.  I truly love each of them and want the best for all involved - I am praying that the Lord will bless each person who is leaving and those who remain.  The scramble has been on to find replacements, adjust travel plans, prepare our desks for those to follow, fill in for those who have left and prepare for our new positions.  Some weight has been lifted and some has been shifted.   Please pray for me to be effective and efficient in preparing and training in my final week.
     Charles has enjoyed the week off.  It has been a restful week for him.  He had a small cold but seems to have knocked it away.
      Becca was able to go camping this week with Misti and Tim at Tyler State Park.

Their little cabin 

Campfire with hotdogs and marshmallows 

A trip to the zoo 

Fishing Contest

Whoever caught the first fish would win $10

;0(   no fish were caught - oh well - it was still fun! 

Can't go camping without going on a nature hike!

They all had an awesome time on the camping trip.

Jonathan and Benjamin had their big birthday bash this week - turning 12 on 12-12-12 was an exciting day - one they looked forward to for many years!  Lindsay went back to college this week for her second semester.

Friday breakfast was fun - it was a family breakfast - all of us with Aunt Collette and Mamaw.  Anne Marie stopped for a few minutes on her way to work.  Aunt Collette brought us some of the cupcakes from the birthday party.  If you know me, I'm not usually a cake eater - but I must say - those cupcakes were AWESOME!  I ate like six of them over the past week - I guess that means it is time to hit the elliptical!!!!

I am trying a new budgeting method and started to prepare it this last week - I think it will be an easy method to stay on track and meet some goals.

I also am brainstorming menu/meal ideas - if you have a great method let me know.  I am seriously considering doing something Collette mentioned years ago about her in-laws.  If I remember correctly - they used to get the same 7 meals every week.  For example, every Monday is grilled cheese and tomato soup, Tuesday is spaghetti, Wednesday is tuna noodle casserole, etc.  I'm thinking about doing this having the same meals for one month then change it up...thoughts?   I am looking for inexpensive, yet healthy meals!

     On my last post - I mentioned a photo challenge - well day one had me stumped and I didn't do it yet!  Any suggestions for a photo of resolve?!?

     Ok - I really must go and get ready for the day - but wanted to mention one more thing - Becca has started a drawing challenge - I can't wait to see what she creates!   Have a great week!

Happy New Year!

It has been a few days since I have posted...it has been an interesting few weeks! We enjoyed a visit from Gramma and Grampa, they made it safely to FL and even went on their first cruise. they returned to have Grampa visit the hospital with a little heart issue but Praise the Lord, he is on the mend. we enjoyed Christmas breakfast with Granddad, MaMaw, Uncle Ed, Aunt Collette, Jon, Ben and Lindsay. misti stayed a day or two. Fish fry was our meal on Christmas and we were all blessed with some needs met on the gifts we received- the Lord never ceases to amaze how he gives us what we need! we baked, cooked, shopped,cleaned and taxied around the city. The cars needed a few repairs and the Lord even blessed with our brother to take time to help and big time trouble shoot this mystery. one down, one to go! A surprise on New years eve from the Petty's - m and m stuffers made their eyes sparkle, just like showing up in the repaired suv to pick him up tonight from work. chuck looked out and did a double take as his grin spread from ear to ear with a twinkle in his eye. So thankful for the many blessings from big to small! it's time to get back on the fitness wagon again! Tonight I talked with Mother and then with Charles about the notification it brought some calm to the chaos in my mind! Please continue to pray for all involved that it goes as calmly and smoothly as possible!
I know this was a bit much, a bit random and all over the place, guess that means I should just get to sleep, because like it or not tomorrow will arrive whether I stop and be still or not!
photo challenge day 1: resolve