Snack Time

I have sweet tooth the size of Texas. My daughter inherited this gene and often times puts me to shame. haha! I've learned not to buy a bunch of junk food at the store because it will be us two chicas that scarf it down. Hubby and son can take it or leave it but my baby girl and I take it and take it when it comes to the sugary stuff.

My latest discovery came from the Schwan's man. Strawberry Cream Fruit Bars!! Yum!! It's only 100 calories and 11 grams of sugar so it's just enough to satisfy that sweet craving and it tastes just like strawberry ice cream.

Way to go, Schwan's!! These 2 sweet girls give it 2 thumbs up!

New Venture

For those of y'all that aren't on facebook or aren't friends with me on facebook, I'm now an Uppercase Living demonstrator. I mainly signed up so I could get discounts but the more I get involved the more obsessed with it I get! I have so many crafty ideas in my head and I'm constantly thinking of all the possibilities...doctor's offices, dorm rooms, classrooms, wedding gifts, birthday gifts. The list could go on and on!!

My first crafty project required a trip to Goodwill. Imagine that. :)

I found 2 identical black frames for $3.99 each. They were in pretty good shape but had a few scratches on them. After a fresh coat of black paint and a good wipe down on the glass they were ready to go.

The expression "Simple" was one of the freebies I got in my demonstrator kit. I love how it turned out!!!

Before:

After:

This would also be precious if I had "Mr." and "Mrs." to hang in our master bedroom.

Brown paper bag technique

I saw this technique on a blog I stumbled across the other day and was so impressed by the way it turned out for her that I knew I had to try it somewhere. She did it on her staircase going to her basement. (must not have been a southern gal) For a while now, I've been wanting to do something to the back of my island. Paint is usually my first thought but I decided to try the brown paper bag technique. It was easy peasy! And cheap, too!! I already had the roll of brown paper...I used it to cover the kids' v-day boxes, so all I needed was Elmer's glue, water and clear protectant.

That. Simple.

Before: not a very good picture, sorry!

After: still a little wet from the protective coat

Chair re-do

I heart Goodwill! You must think outside the box when you are shopping at the second-hand shop and once you do...the possibilities are endless!!

A few weeks ago I found this chair and immediately I knew I NEEDED it! :-)

Before

After

Happy Homemaker

My daughter is 7 years old and she's the reason for this post. Time is going by so fast, as most of you know! When she was 3 or 4 she would want to help me in the kitchen but I usually shewed her off because I didn't want a big mess or I was in a hurry. Oh, how I wish I could take those days back. She still wants to help but doesn't ask nearly as often. It's so hard to look at the big picture when you're in the moment. I want to raise a christian woman who knows how to cook and enjoys being a homemaker - what was I thinking!! After all, I count it the greatest blessing to be a full time homemaker. The house needs me full time and my kids certainly do.

The saying is true, "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." If I'm always walking around griping about something or nagging them to do something - nobody is gonna be happy! I've got to do better.

Often times I catch myself being a drill sergeant around here. "Do your homework, clean up your room, don't do that, go brush your teeth - NOW!" I forget to stop and smell the roses. I enjoy being a homemaker, really, I do. I wouldn't trade it for a million dollars. I need to show my daughter the joys of being a mom and wife.

Phil. 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Life lessons

I'm teaching the infant class at church this quarter and I absolutely love it. I usually have 4 or 5 one year olds and while we don't do a standard lesson we sing our little hearts out. A few weeks ago, while we were singing "This Little Light of Mine" I thought to myself, "I really need to take these words to heart." Here I was singing a song that I've sung since I was a toddler and then BAM a wake-up call.

So many times I get caught up in the moment and I don't let MY light shine. We've all been in situations where we could've taken a stand for the truth and didn't or stood up for someone who was being bullied or just gone out of our way for someone and we didn't. Sometimes it's my attitude that gets me in trouble. And believe me, people are watching and listening to you even when you don't realize it.

Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light shine before men, so they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

As the second verse of the song says, "never let the devil blow it out." This week I'm going to work on shining my light and not giving the devil a chance!

Jenny

Shakin' it up

I've had this overwhelming urge lately to write about much more than just food. I'll still throw in the recipes when something spectacular shows up but this is mostly about being a better me. I'm a Christian, wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. I'm passionate about being a stay-at-home mom and I know this is where God wants me to be. I'm hoping that blogging about spiritual matters, being a happy (and healthy) homemaker and better servant will help keep me on track.

Tomorrow's blog...Lessons from the nursery Bible class! Come back and check it out!

What's for dinner? Poppy seed Chicken

Poppy Seed Chicken (minus the poppy seeds)

4 chicken breast cooked and shredded

1 can cream of chicken

1 can cream of celery

1 pt. sour cream

1 sleeve ritz crackers, crushed

1 stick butter

If you've never cooked your chicken in the crock pot you must try it. It just falls apart and makes shredding so easy. Cover it with water and put it on low if you need it to cook all day or high if you need it done in 3-4 hours.

Once your chicken is shredded, mix the 2 cans and sour cream together. Pour mixture in 9x13 and top with crushed crackers. Drizzle with butter and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. The original recipe calls for poppy seeds sprinkled on top but I never have them and don't plan on buying them. haha!