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!

What's for dinner? Turkey Pot Pie

This Thanksgiving I decided to put my big girl pants on and cook a turkey. I've never done that before because the "adults" usually cook it and us "kids" bring the sides. My turkey came out great but we had a ton leftover. Tonight I made turkey pot pie...something else I've never made before. ha ha! I have to say, it was really pretty easy and the hubby gives it a big thumbs up!!

Turkey Pot Pie

1 or 2 cups leftover turkey

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1/2 small onion, chopped

6 or so baby carrots or 2 momma carrots, chopped

1/3 cup flour

1 can chicken broth

1 cup milk

1 pie crust

butter

salt and pepper

Saute the celery, onion, and carrots in the butter until they are tender. Add the flour to the veggies and stir in the chicken broth and milk. Add turkey and salt and pepper to taste. Pour mixture into casserole dish. I used a medium size pyrex bowl. Lay pie crust on top and flute the edges...as good as you know how. :) Cut 2 or 3 slits in the crust to allow for ventilation. Trim any excess off and bake on a separate baking sheet. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes or until the crust is done.

Enjoy!

Dessert Time

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 stick butter, melted

2 cups peanut butter

3 cups rice krispies

16 oz. semi sweet chocolate (I used Hersey's chocolate chips)

Mix powdered sugar, butter, peanut butter, and rice krispies together in a large bowl. Lightly butter a 9 x 13 pan and pour mixture into pan. Smooth out with the back of a spatula. Melt chocolate in your microwave for 15-20 seconds at a time until smooth and runny. Pour chocolate on top of the peanut butter layer and smooth out until every square inch is covered. Refrigerate for an hour or until chocolate hardens. Cut into bars and serve immediately.

You can thank me later. :)