Just a Battery, Thankful

I'm thankful.

I'm thankful I was at Hometown Hardware when my car died today. The guys there are heroes... and assisted me by cleaning the battery terminals... and persisting until my car started... in the heat of the evening sun...

I'm thankful I was not.. in Shreveport... taking care of my auto registration... or at the library... or at the car wash... all of the places I've been today....

God put me just where a couple gents could help. God is good.

I feel weak and weary. I'm frustrated and aggravated. I'm tired.
Yet, I want to choose to be thankful! I am thankful!!!

Thankful Thankful Thankful.
Home by God's Grace! ss

Too Early

I must say 4 a.m. is a good time to see stars!! We saw Orion's belt!! But it is definitely a zap to the day!!

We headed toward the sunrise and even had to wait for Cracker Barrel to open!!! I've never done that before!!

All are tired! Lovebug & I rested arriving home at 8:30!! Ladybug has been holding out... she may yet fall out this afternoon!!

We've schooled in the midst. Yet somehow it is very difficult to learn to read on days like these!! Studying animals and reading Robinson Crusoe have been much more enjoyed!!

Grace! ss

4Some Done & Freezer Full 1

We had a good cook!!


We bought chicken by the case from Sams!! 4 cases at 1.79#... That's like 300 chicken breasts!! Wow!!


Two newbies joined us this round. It's been months since we cooked last... January. Kim & Kara did great! They were fast & completed their meals keeping up with Angela & I!


Here's a run down of our cook!! Our goal is to prepare and bag the meals... to be thawed and cooked!!

Maw-Maw’s Chicken Pie – bag 5x FBC
Monterrey Chicken - Bag
Sunshine Chicken - Bag
Onion Burgers - Bag
Beef Pot Roast au Jus (crock) for Sandwiches – Bag
Cajun Chops -Bag

Maw-Maw’s Chicken Pie - bag

3 c Chicken **chopped cooked
1 c mixed frozen veg
1 soup cream chicken
1.5 c Chicken Broth
2T Cornstarch
1.5 c self-rising flour
1 c buttermilk
.5 c butter melted

Mix chicken, broth, soup, cornstarch
Whisk flour, buttermilk, melted butter & spoon evenly over chicken mixture.
Bake 400° for 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Monterrey Chicken

8 Chicken Breast
2 can green chillies
8 oz Monterrey cheese slices
Fajita seasonings

Arrange chicken in baking dish & cover with chillies & Bake 30 minutes at 350°. Then add cheese & bake til bubbly

Sunshine Chicken

8 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
.5c Mustard
.5 c Pineapple Juice
2 T Brown Sugar

Grill 10-20 minutes turning frequently & basting with sauce

Onion Burgers

2# Ground Beef
1 Onion Soup Mix
½ c Water
Wax paper or Foil

Grill & Add Hamburger buns, lettuce, tomato, cheese! Grill veggies too!!



Beef Pot Roast au Jus crock for Sandwiches1 to 1½ cups beef broth¼ cup red wine 1/8 tsp salt ½ tsp ground black pepper ½ tsp dried oregano ½ tsp dried basil ½ tsp dried parsley ½ tsp garlic powder 1 bay leaf 1 onion, sliced1 clove garlic, chopped1 (7 oz) pkg dry Italian-style salad dressing mix 2 lbs rump roast
Place roast in slow cooker. Cover, and cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours, or on High for 4 to 5 hours. When done, remove bay leaf, and shred meat with a fork or cut into thin slices. Return shredded/sliced meat to the sauce and simmer for 1 hour.Serve over mashed potatoes or on toasted crusty rolls, topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions, provolone or mozzarella cheese, roasted sweet peppers or hot peppers.

Cajun Chops

2 T paprika
2t season salt
2t rubbed sage
1t cayenne pepper
1t black pepper
1t garlic powder
8 (1/2” thick) boneless pork chops
4T butter

Combine seasonings & cover chops.
Heat butter just until starts to brown
Reduce heat to med & fry both sides til dark, 8-10 min
Cook to 160 degree

Count to 72

That's 72 Carbs?! What is a carb anyway?

We've eliminated Sonic and happy hour is no longer an option.

We're determined to change the way we eat. Our plan is to loose some weight and make some new habits.

We count all carbs... bread n sweetness.... we even watch or avoid the corn n potatoes....

Grace! ss

1.25.10 Along the way I think I'm allergic to wheat... at least is messes with my sinus. I've lost a bit of weight and at the dr this week I'm under the pre Christmas weight... so I know we've made some progress....

4th Grade n 2nd

Let's start school!!!


The girls pushed us to starting a week early!!! Now we are 3 weeks into the school year and over due on a post.


4th Grade!

This year is a jump! We are into real plays with Shakespeare. Plutarch lives will be part of our world. Latin and Spanish both have a part to play.


Shakespeare! 12 weeks in the term to study a single play. I've already blogged that plan!! A04 Shakespeare


Plutarch was a Greek historian writing in the 1st century... We have some great study guides in AO!!!


Spelling! We are into the Phonetic Zoo with IEW. The independence with this program is amazing. Lovebug studies the words and learns the associated rule. The program is all audio. She listens and has a spelling test. The in audio as well they give correct spelling so that she can self check. Wow!!! We are on week 2 the rule I before E except after C is her challenge point right now...

Late for a College Fund... Utah?!

Girs grow quick! Yikes 9 & 7!!!
Even so, we may have a late start but we'll at least make a start!!

College Funds!

Here's my rambling as we research and make a path... while I agree it builds character for the child to save on their own... I do want a strong encouragement to head to college... and a fund in place may hold sway...

ESA or a 529?
An ESA is owned by the child. A 529 is owned by the adult and designated to the child... Dave Ramsey recommends the ESA... while the ELP has said go w/ a 529.

Which 529? There is a plethora of options... too many to even count... in state, out of state, that has left me spinning without clear direction.

I've finally found heads up and determined our look into this arena.

My first resource is the College info Sound Mind Investing... they have been a great resource in the financial waters... I've a membership with 'em and think this is in their public pages!!! (As a member if you join them reference me!!)

Next I looked over Morningstar.com The Best and Worst 529 College Savings Plans
I thought this was a good analysis between 529 plans. I made notes of the best and worst plans.

I compared that list on the ratings at SavingforCollege.com Here's there Top 10 Performing Plans 10.

Finally, that takes us to Utah. Their plan is in the top on both the Morningstar and #3 in the 5 year outlook with SavingforCollege. So I'm confident in our direction. Since Texas has no state income tax the instate appeal is lacking.

Here's the Utah Educational Savings Plan.

All in all I'm hearing a consistent perspective on education that has bent my scope. The specific college does not hold sway... the education is what matters.. not where is takes place... and the higher the cost does not increase the value of the education...

I pray God to lead and guide my girls... and pray we are wise stewards encouraging their future education!! All the while I'm covered up in their current education!! Grace! ss

Memom's Dijon Dressing

Tonight we ate all our salad!! That is highly unusual!!!
I have a new salad dressing... Thanks to mom!!

Memom's Dijon Dressing

1/2 c Olive Oil
1/8 c Red Wine Vinegar
1/4 t Oregano
Salt & Pepper
Garlic
1 t Dijon Mustard

Blend & the Dijon really combines the dressing!! Dress the salad & serve!! I've made it just as I've made the salad. I've also used other vinegars for fun...

I'm yet in the organic coop! Only now I've going for 1/2 price... and splitting the goods!

Enjoy!!! Grace! ss