Nuttin Much to Say

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Life feels hectic right now. I'm sure it's not. I'm sure it's just because I've been out of the house for the past three days. Monday morning I went grocery shopping. Tuesday went to the city for dinner (which entails leaving mid afternoon and getting back not till like 9pm) and today I went to Walmart to pick up an order. I usually have all my day to myself to get things done. So for those reasons I feel soo busy!

We've marked the boundaries for the garden, Andrew has checked out the rototiller and I have my seeds started. I hung my first load of laundry outside today. It's still waiting in the basket on the table for me to finish it, along with tuesdays laundry. Oy.

We ate a really cool dinner tonight. It was a campbells recipe. I haven't the gumption to link to anything. It was really good. Check out their website for lots of yummy easy recipes.

I've sewed a shirt, an apron, and a pair of capris so far. I'm planning on four other shirts, one more pair of capris and a nightgown yet.

Hubby found and bought me an awesome sewing table for 50% off!!! I've been waiting for this for a while. He'll get his art desk back. *blush* He's so good to me. But that thing shakes something awful. I think he's putting it together right now and I told him he didn't have to. He said that the amount of sewing I do, it's worth it. It folds out to be a cutting table with storage on underneath. It even has lines on it for cutting. I have a heavy duty cardboard fold out cutting board right now that goes on the floor, but for some reason I'm having trouble getting down to it. I hope I can get these clothes done soon, or otherwise I won't reach anymore!

I'm feeling good. Back into an exercise routine. Which helps so much. I'm not drinking enough water, I know it. But I am in love with plain, non-fat yogurt. With a little honey. Oh joy! It just sets the day right.

Oh and before I log off. I figured one other thing might make you smile....

We sold our house!! Finally! One month after the first closing date, we sold our house!! This is the best financially we've felt since we've gotten married. It feels good. Thank you for your prayers!!

16 Weeks

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I've had trouble thinking of how to start this blog entry, so that it sounded eloquent and well worded. It's not working. I am so tired. We were running around in the city today, I had my appt, the cars had an appt, we went to Sam's. It was enough. At any rate, this is my 16 week shot. Baby is growing. Check out my 14 week pic. Pre pregnancy clothes (jackets and such) that fit, not a week ago, do not fit anymore. YAY! I love it. This entire outfit is from my previous pregnancy, so it's a bit big, but I don't care. It is comfortable.

I made a pair of capri's and maybe, if I get the gumption, I'll show you. At any rate, enjoy the pic. Have a good evening. I'm going to play Pirates tonight. Arg.

Suppertime.......

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In the light of increasing food costs, I am always seeking ways to cut ours. We had the traditional ham for Easter and unbeknownst to me, the ham had a bone. Super!! I cut off what meat I could, wrapped it up and put it in the freezer. More With Less has a recipe that utilizes a ham bone. You would not believe the aroma in the house right now. I love soups that sit on the back of the stove for hours. I used vegetable boil water that I froze (all that good flavor and nutrients) along with additional water. Here is the recipe:

Ham Bone Dinner
2C green split peas
4 pepper corns
1 ham bone
salt to taste
water to cover

Bring to a boil in a large kettle (I used my cast iron dutch oven), reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 hours till peas are soft. Remove ham bone, cool, cut off meat, chop finely. (I did not do this. Instead I put the peppercorns, bone, salt and water to cook for 2 hours and then removed the bone. I wanted to make sure no small pieces of bone fell off. Then I added the split peas and will put the cut meat back in.)

Add to soup:
6 carrots, sliced
1 green pepper, chopped
2 onions diced

Cook until carrots are done, about 30 mins. Check seasonings.

Then they have a little add on for dumplins.

Combine:
2C flour
.5t. salt
4t. baking powder
Cut in:
1T margarine
Gradually add
1C water

Place on top of simmering soup in large spoonfuls. Cover and cook without peeking for 15 mins.

Then I made a delicious Swedish Graham Bread. Oh my oh my oh my! It is soooo good. I'll have to post that later.

Children Are A Blessing From the Lord

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I think sometimes I forget the last part of that saying. Sometimes children don't feel like a blessing. I have struggled with being a mother. I really have. I butt heads with my daughter so much (maybe she's more like me than I realize.) Sometimes I don't really enjoy being a mother. But I read something today that gave me peace, and I realize maybe a little mercy? too. Becoming a mother wasn't all up to me. God had a big part in it too. Whether I'd make a good mother or not wasn't the measuring stick I had to stand up to. God, in His wisdom, decided to bless us. And I always thought, if this is such a blessing, why is it so hard? Well difficulty in life doesn't mean we are on the wrong path. Difficulty is used to shape us. Well all I have to say is that, I must gonna be something beautiful someday, because being a mother is really tough.

Here is the article, I encourage you to read....

BBQ Chicken and Onion Pizza

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*Don't y'all just hate it when people post pictures of FOOD!! Well I'm pregnant, so I can.*

BBQ Chicken and Onion Pizza
This is a very yummy pizza with no tomato sauce on it. It comes from a pampered chef book, but not totally pampered chef. I used my own pizza crust recipe which makes it better tasting and better for you.

1 Large Onion, sliced
2 plum tomatoes, sliced
4 slices turkey bacon, diced
2 garlic cloves, pressed
.5c smoky bbq sauce (bottled or your own)
2 tsps BBQ seasoning mix
2 C diced cooked chicken (leftovers work great here)
1 C shredded cheddar and monty jack cheese blend (or all cheddar, that's tasty!)
1 tbsp fresh parsley, or dried (that's what I used)
1 prepared pizza crust See here.


Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425. Make sure pizza crust has been baked for at least 10 minutes. If you put the toppings on the pizza unbaked, it gets soggy and not as nice, but still good.
2. Lightly spray skillet with cooking spray and cook onion, bacon and garlic for 10-12 minutes until onion is tender and lightly browned. Stir in BBQ sauce and seasoning mix. Remove from heat and stir in chicken.
3. Spread chicken mixture on half baked pizza crust within .5 inch of edge. Arrange tomatoes evenly over top, sprinkle with cheese. Sprinkle with dried parsley, if using. Bake until crust is golden brown and melted. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if using.

Enjoy!!