{I even made cupcakes for the Children's Church class that I taught today. We played Easter Bingo, read Scripture about the Resurrection of Jesus, and did a great craft.}
This past week Justin and I had vacation from work. We spent time working on the farm...
{This is Sam, our sheep dog. We don't normally tie our dogs up, but my husband was doing some work on the farm as I was taking this photo, and we didn't want Sam to run or get hit by a tree that my husband was cutting. We got this guy at 10 weeks old. He's already grown so much!}
Ingredients:
1 lb chicken tenderloins
1 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and Peppter to taste
½ C diced sweet onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 Tbsp fresh basil
1 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes, drained
2 C low-sodium chicken broth
1 C wild rice blend
1 C chopped baby spinach
½ C jarred chopped roasted red pepper
¼ C sour cream
¼ C grated parmesan cheese
⅔ C grated mozzarella, evenly divided
1. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pan (that is oven-proof as well) over medium-high heat on stove-top for about 1 minute. Add the chicken tenderloins to the pan and brown for about 1 minute for each side and season to taste with salt and pepper (you'll want to be sure the chicken is cooked thoroughly before serving).
2. Add ½ C diced sweet onions to the pan and cook for about 1 minute, then add the garlic and basil and cook for about an additional 1 minute more.
3. Then you'll stir in 1 14.5 oz can of drained, diced fire roasted tomatoes, 2 C low-sodium chicken broth, and 1 C of wild rice blend. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer, and cover. You'll want to cook undisturbed until all of the liquid is absorbed - about 45 minutes (approximately).
4. Once this is done cooking, turn on your oven broiler. You'll then fold in 1 C of chopped baby spinach, ½ C chopped roasted red peppers, ¼ C sour cream, and ⅓ C of mozzarella.
5. You may even take the time to arrange the chicken in a nice pattern over the rice mixture if you'd like, then sprinkle with the grated parmesan and the remaining of the mozzarella. Place this under your oven broiler for approximately 30 sec to a minute until the cheese begins to bubble.
->>Serve immediately and enjoy with your family!
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 cup enchilada sauce, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet taco seasoning mix
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1½ cups bag frozen corn
1½ cups green bell pepper, diced
1 12 oz can black beans, drained as well as rinsed
1 16oz bag of frozen tater tots
⅓ cup salsa
Toppings (Optional):
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Sour Cream
Pretty Much Anything You'd Add to Your Tacos!
Pretty Much Anything You'd Add to Your Tacos!
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Brown ground beef, onion and garlic over medium-high heat until there is no pink that remains in the meat. Drain any fat, once cooked.
3. Stir in the taco seasoning, corn, bell pepper, ½ cup water, ⅔ cup enchilada sauce, & beans. Cook until mixture is thickened, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle the mixture with 1½ cups cheese and arrange tater tots on the top.
5. Bake for 30 minutes.
6. Combine the salsa and remaining ⅓ cup enchilada sauce. Spread over the tater tots and top with the remaining cheese as well.
7. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
8. Serve with whatever toppings you may like.
9. Enjoy with your family!
Here are some more images of this yummy recipe...
Here are some more images of this yummy recipe...
Saturday, Justin, the kids, and I traveled to Franklin, TN. While Justin and Troy went to an arcade place, Bree and I attended the Premier of The Bridge, Part 2. We met one of my favorite authors, and two of the main characters of the movie. Bree even saw Faith Ford in the restroom, but had left her phone behind, so she had to get a "selfie" with her after the show. Francesca Battistelli was also at the show. And, before the show, Justin, the kids, and I toured Landmark Booksellers, which is the bookstore that inspired The Bridge.
Bree and I got our tickets for the Premier from Karen Kingsbury at a coffee shop called the Frothy Monkey, and Bree, Troy, and I ordered coffee.
Then we got Dunkin' Donuts on Sunday morning as we traveled back home.
Anyhow, last Thursday was St. Patrick's Day. I wore green, and Bree had a cool new shirt, so we took a photo (or two)!
And...last Friday...That morning sunlight and those things in bloom, though! The Lord is a fabulous artist.
We finally got to celebrate my husband's birthday Friday. We gathered around at a nice restaurant with our family and friends and had dinner, conversation, and a great time.
Those blooms though!
It is now Monday morning, I get up to eat breakfast...maybe have a doughnut, so excited about this too, but all I have is an empty box!
Happy Monday!
More Photos are in the Members Area.
With that being said...it is starting to feel more and more like Spring...
Spring is absolutely one of my favorite Seasons. I love the new things in bloom...it's awesome!
As I type this today, I sit on our porch, enjoying the beauty of one of my favorite trees at our place.
The other day, our daughter gave me a flower. She does this nearly every year. I love that no matter how old she gets, she doesn't stop appreciating these kind of things...neither do I!
Friday morning, my husband got us breakfast, we slept in, and it was a great day.
Last Friday evening we went to celebrate one of our friends' thirteenth birthday! She is such a sweet girl, and it is so hard to believe she is now a teenager!
Saturday, though!
Yes, Saturday! That is when sickness came into our home. My husband got a virus, then I got the virus, but now though, life is finally returning to normal and everyone is well again.
Today, our daughter had her regional FBLA competition, and she won. Her and her teammate go to the state competition next month. I am so excited for them!
So, yes it has been a week of good things and bad things...life has definitely happened around our place this week!
So, yeah, it's been a pretty good week, aside from my husband being out-of-town on a business trip, that is. Anyhow, I've had two days off and many short days at work this week. The time off has been relaxing and I've loved getting some "me-time" in.
Last Saturday I worked. Being scheduled to work on a Saturday seemed way better since the girls at work and I ordered coffee and doughnuts from the new coffee shop in town!
Sunday, Justin and I went for a walk on the farm with our new sheep dog, Sam. He seems to be getting more used to us and maybe he even likes us a bit more than he did at first!
Monday...
Monday brought a new work and school week and I love that I got this photo. Our son just had to stop and pet his dog on his way out the door to school Monday morning.
Tuesday, our daughter had her competition for FBLA. She's practiced for months for this competition, and has worked really, really hard. She feels that she did well, and will know the results next week!
Tuesday was also International Women's Day. My thoughts...it's great that we celebrate one another. We should celebrate men and we should celebrate women, we should celebrate life. I think each of us has our place in this world, our own purpose to live for the Lord, and as long as we live that purpose it should be celebrated, not because of the work that we do, but because of the purpose we are working for.
Yes, I believe that each of us has our place in everything, even in marriage and in life, in the Church and in life.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
-Ephesians 5:22-25
I believe our roles in this life are determined by our "calling," which is defined by the purpose that we live for. That purpose that we live for should be celebrated.
So, yes, let us celebrate women of all kinds, for every purpose that they were created. Let us celebrate the wives, the single ladies, the moms, those without children, the stay at home mom, the moms who have to go outside of the home and work, the moms who work at home, the students, the baby girls, the teenage girls, and the women who inspire us. Let us not be boastful, but celebrate our "calling" to be what the Lord would have us to be, and live each day with purpose.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
-Proverbs 31:10-31
Onto other news...the weather is so warm this week, and we're loving it!
Wednesday, I went and purchased some stuff for my diet...then I went and got a sub, chips, and sweet tea...gotta come up with a better plan!
So last weekend we was really, really busy taking care of our sheep dog, Sam. I mean, we are still busy with him, but last weekend, we were really, really busy with him.
You see, this is Sam.
You see, this is Sam.
He is our new (10 week old) Great Pyrenees puppy. He was born in a field full of goats and didn't have any human contact and interaction until we got him.
As of last weekend, we hadn't even had him a week so he's a little frightened because of the new surroundings, and he is now actually around humans, but he's starting to see that humans can be okay, and even give him treats from time to time. He's slowly warming up to us (maybe it's the treats)!
You see, Justin and I (along with our kids) have started on a new chapter for us. We are officially sheep farmers and we also have bought donkeys and even Sam here to help protect and care for our sheep. While we've already paid for our sheep (in which many will hopefully be having little babies running around this Summer), we will actually be picking up our many new farm animals at the end of this month. We're anxious to begin this journey.
Prayers for a successful journey is much appreciated!
Then the week began...Monday, came with laundry day and my husband leaving for an out-of-town business trip. He's on his way home today though, and I couldn't be happier!
By the way, our washer...it looks something like this...okay, exactly like this...this is our washer!
Some little guy must have left gum or candy in his pockets. This is what the inside of our washer looks like these days, it's speckled red.
Tuesday, brought the Presidential Primary Elections, and the kids were out of school for the day. I was happy to have a bit of extra time with them, as it was a scheduled short day at work for me! Bree and I also got our hair done, the kids and I ordered Mexican food, and had a fabulous time. We really were missing their dad though.
Tuesday, brought the Presidential Primary Elections, and the kids were out of school for the day. I was happy to have a bit of extra time with them, as it was a scheduled short day at work for me! Bree and I also got our hair done, the kids and I ordered Mexican food, and had a fabulous time. We really were missing their dad though.
Yesterday morning was filled with getting ready for school and work, conversation, and laughter. It was also filled with memories of my Mom. It was Mom's birthday. She would've been 66. If anyone feels the void nearly as much as I do, my daughter surely does. We miss my Mom daily.
This girl, she is my daughter. We share laughter and tears, and she's my best friend.
We also made time to take a photo yesterday morning. Just a moment in our busy day!
These days, I will never take for granted. That is one of the many things my mother taught me. Her love and appreciation for photos and scrapbooking has poured over into me, and I'm glad it has, because this is our story!
This Post is Also in the Members Area.
This Post is Also in the Members Area.
