tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43035732396595972282024-03-21T16:27:58.474-05:00Right Here...Right NowLanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-15473651213877360852015-03-05T10:14:00.001-06:002015-03-05T10:14:25.855-06:00Esther and her choice<br />
This has been a strange winter in Central Texas. There has been snow everywhere, it has been so cold. We are learning what Arctic Blast means. But, alas, no snow where we live. It seems to be everywhere else but here. My kids are sad. We are out of school today because we were supposed to be iced in. But no, it missed up again. It is sunny outside! Not to mention, it is March and Spring Break is a week away. We are usually looking for bathing suits by now, not sweaters. <br />
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I told you things were going to be changing and they have. I've accepted the role of Coordinator for our church's Women's Ministry. I have already met some amazing ladies who are passionate for the Lord and reaching our community for Christ. It is so exciting. My email has been exploding with ladies who have great ideas and suggestions. I am humbled. <br />
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My heart has been blessed by the amazing women who held this position before me. I can not even begin to tell you the support and encouragement I have in her. I have relished in her teaching for the past two years. I truly consider her a mentor. She reminded me of a verse that has meant a lot to me in key times of my adult life. Do you remember the story of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther+1" target="_blank">Esther</a>? It is one of my favorites. She has been brought to a position of authority, a place of power where she can speak up and really do some good, or keep her mouth shut, sit back and just coast along. So much is at stake. Take a moment and read it.... it won't take you long... I'll wait.... it's a great story!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Did you see it? There at Esther 4:14? Her Uncle Mordecai is begging her to step up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He says,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">"F<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">or if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. <b>And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"</b></span></span></span><br />
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Now, don't get me wrong, this is no "royal position" I've taken on; but, have you been given an opportunity that you did not seek out? It came to you and will allow you to have a hand it what God is going to do?<br />
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We all have a choice. Sit back, keep doing what you are doing or take a chance. Step up, "For such a time is THIS."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-45212375921654215892015-02-23T16:29:00.000-06:002015-02-23T16:29:31.109-06:00A new day aheadWell, it's a cold day here in Lake Wobegon...at least it feels cold enough to be Lake Wobegon, but no, still here in Texas. But you would be surprised to know we are actually under a winter weather advisory. Everyone gets excited. The kids are hoping for snow. The adults are hoping everything gets cancelled. You know, we just don't know how to drive in the wintry mix stuff. I'm glad to have my chicks here in the nest. One doing homework, one watching a show. I just pulled out a batch of cookies (made with stevia, not sugar). I'm feeling like a change is in the air. No, not the weather, but my heart, my mind, my life. <br />
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My daughter will be 11 this year and my little man will be 5. She will begin middle school and he will begin Kindergarten. I've watched these major changes occur, so swiftly as of late. She, looking more like a young lady than a kid and he is looking more and more like the big kids. A change is a coming. <br />
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I've spent the last four years focusing more on their unique abilities and challenges. Reading, studying, talking to other Moms who have kids with special...unique needs. Sitting in waiting rooms at different therapy offices. It was encouraging to hear that we weren't the only ones.<br />
We've been busy with OT, PT, Vision Therapy and Speech Therapies. Not to mention visits to the Child Psychologist for Play Therapy and Psychiatrist for meds. We finally broke down and realized it was a must. At first I thought we had really failed. But seriously people, there is only so much therapy a kid can get. The meds have helped. Growth spurts here and there, mean tweaking meds. But, some days it seems like we have found the right combo and there is peace.<br />
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I've decided it is time. I'm coming back out of my shell. Taking a look around and realizing that life has been going on while I focused elsewhere. I'm alright with that. It was the season of life I've been in. I'm coming out now, it's still cold and wintry, but I see a clear day ahead. Spring is coming. New challenges. New responsibilities. New friends maybe? A new day is dawning. I'm thankful for that. <br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;">"</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-28894A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-28894A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> old things have passed away, and look,</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-28894B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-28894B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> new things</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (HCSB)</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-18395411627784468072012-08-26T10:41:00.000-05:002012-08-26T10:43:03.638-05:00Hello againWell, hello old friend. It has been a long time.<br />
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I have had so much to say but very few words to truly articulate what has been in my heart and on my mind. I really believed two years ago when my daughter was finally diagnosed with <a href="http://lanarightnow.blogspot.com/2011/03/sensory-processing-disorder-beginning.html" target="_blank">SPD</a> (Sensory Processing Disorder) that I would journal our journey. But honestly, it was more than I could do. I was trying to navigate her twice a week Occupational Therapy and Vision Therapy. Also caring for my young son who also has some of the same sensory issues. He has recently began OT and Physical Therapy to correct some hip and balance issues. Next add a husband whose job now requires full time travel during the week, well, anyway... you get it. I have been busy these few years. I'm not complaining, just telling it like it is. There were days I just couldn't talk about it anymore or think about it. But we are moving forward. <br />
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Kathryn has finished OT, for now. She begins 3rd grade in a few days. It feels like such and victory many days and others the SPD is still very evident. But now she calls it her "Super Sensory Powers" she will tell you how she can actually feel the Earth rotating on its axis. I love that! She has grown so much, not just physically, but in an understanding of her self that I did not know would be possible.<br />
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And for me, well after the birth of my son two years ago I began having all sorts of strange medical problems. Too many to list but a full hysterectomy occurred last fall and three months ago I was diagnosed with <a href="http://www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com/letter_to_normals.htm" target="_blank">Fibromyalgia</a>. That was a shocker to me. But a HUGE relief to finally have a diagnosis and a plan of action. <a href="http://lyrica.com/Default.aspx?source=google&HBX_PK=s_lyrica&HBX_OU=50&o=44962818|221361397|0&skwid=43700003232590539" target="_blank">New meds</a> and a fabulous Dr. are helping to control my worst symptoms. Hallelujah! Then my <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/" target="_blank">dear sister</a> had a Carcinoma removed on her face right next to her eye around the same time. It was scary but God is Good! You can hardly see the scar now. But our biggest concern now is my brother. He has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is only 45. It is aggressive and we are scared. I'm not going to lie. I am worried. I love him so... it is still hard to believe.<br />
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So you see there is SO much going on right now. But, I am no different than anyone. We ALL have our "stuff." We ALL handle it differently. I am at a point in my life where I feel that I see things so differently than I did years ago. Is it maturity? I suppose. Maybe this maturity comes from living life and learning perspective, setting priorities, loveing people who are hurting and stuggling to find their place in this world. Realizing what is truly important. It is hard to do. For me so much of is comes from an understanding that my child's well being and that of our family has forced decisions that years ago would have felt so wrong but in the midst of the storm bring complete peace now. <br />
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Trusting in God, it is the key for me. Putting my faith in something other than my meager self; the Creator of it all. I am thankful for the calm and guidance I have received from my Heavenly Father. I feel so blessed and grateful for all that I have yet I understand fully that He has allowed illness and circumstances to challenge and help me grow stronger. I said it to my brother recently after he had just been diagnosed, "It is not trivial to say that God will not give you more than you can handle. You can do this. He has been preparing you for this your entire life." <br />
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Later that evening I thought, that is true for me as well. If I continue to trust God and lay my burdens at His feet He will give the grace and strength to face each day. Some days are harder than others but He always brings peace. This is a good day. Some days are bad, really bad. But at my core I am thankful for my faith that brings a peace of mind and a hope for tomorrow. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-85272017431009924892011-04-04T11:35:00.000-05:002011-04-04T11:35:23.435-05:00Different EnoughAt <a href="http://www.hartleysboys.com/">Hartly's Life With 3 Boys</a> blog today Caitlyn Wray of the <a href="http://www.welcome-to-normal.com/">Welcome to Normal blog</a> is guest posting. <br />
Caitlyn has written a poem called <strong>"Different Enough"</strong> It says it all. I'm actually sitting in the waiting room at the Occupational Therapist waiting for Kathryn to finish. I was weeping as I read this not caring who was watching. I'm sure every parent in the room feels the same way.<br />
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Take a minute and go read <a href="http://www.hartleysboys.com/2011/03/different-enough-by-caitlin.html">the poem</a>...<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-15080055901760574592011-03-28T14:29:00.000-05:002011-03-28T14:29:21.072-05:00Itchy Scratch DON'T Touch ME!I thought I'd try to explain another one of the senses that cause the biggest problems for Kathryn. This is what overwhelms her everyday... all day long. It is called Tactile Defensiveness.<br />
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Tactile Defensiveness is defined this way: <span style="color: blue;"><em>"Children who have tactile defensiveness are sensitive to touch sensations and can be easily overwhelmed by, and fearful of, ordinary daily experiences and activities. Sensory defensiveness can prevent a child from play and interactions critical to learning and social interactions. Often, children with tactile defensiveness (hypersensitivity to touch/tactile input) will avoid touching, become fearful of, or bothered by ;</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">textured materials/items</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">"messy" things </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">vibrating toys, etc. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">a hug </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">a kiss</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">certain clothing textures </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">rough or bumpy bed sheets</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">seams on socks </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">tags on shirts</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">light touch </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">hands or face being dirty </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">shoes and/or sandals </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">wind blowing on bare skin</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">bare feet touching grass or sand</span></em><br />
(as defined on Sensory Processing Disorder.com)<br />
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It is because of her issues in this area that finally sent me looking for answers to her odd behavior. You see, she HATES socks. I mean HATES them. The tiny little seam at the end by her toes makes her CRAZY. Seriously. We have literally spent 30 minutes pulling a sock on and off trying to get just the right "fit." Usually it ends in a meltdown with her crying and asking not to wear them. I went in search for seamless socks and a friend of mine found a website that sold them. I was so excited. When I went to the site I realized it was a site for kids with Autism and SPD. I was perplexed and began reading. After about an hour and following various links from that site, I realized that Kathryn was not just odd but that she probably had SPD. Honestly it was like a light shown down from heaven and pointed the way to the answers. I was so thankful. <br />
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So... back to our struggle with Tactile Defensiveness...it is so hard to find any clothes that "feel" right to her. When she was younger and I didn't know she had SPD we would force her to wear what we wanted her to wear. What a mistake... but now we know. She would spend all her time being miserable and totally unable to concentrate on anything but the itchy - scratchy clothes she had on. She was so easily brought to a total and complete meltdown. <br />
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I guess what makes me really sad about this is that she LOVES to play dress up and to look fancy. But it is hard to dress like that when all the fancy clothes feel so itchy and terrible to her. Now it seems all she wears is the softest cotton t-shirts and leggings. She looks pretty ratty-tatty most days, but she is comfortable and with the comfort comes the ability to think more clearly and to be less agitated and for that... I say HURRAY! Now don't get me wrong, I will spend hours wandering from store to store feeling the inside off all the dresses or shirts. I am on a mission to help her feel good and look as cute as she really wants to. At this point she is honestly afraid to try any new clothes. It takes a good week for her to give something new even a try.<br />
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Another example is a hug or kiss or a light touch on her shoulder to show affection. She will pull away in a total "fight or flight" response. She will hit or throw her arm out to block the <em>unwanted and offensive</em> touch. It isn't that she doesn't love you or crave affection from you, it is that it feels like sandpaper scratching her skin. Who wants a kiss that feels like that? The touch really must be made by her initiating. If she initiates it, then she knows what to expect. It is that simple. I'm learning how and when to ask for a hug or to accept the high fives when then are offered as secret super kisses. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzstgYOq1V5bmJFBBTZGzYzD0Ngp0zcCb9sFeC4mwQMUohpKXxXVbCNQzXbkd-GF0SWHgfiC8WpDqnF45C0sK2esctC9EsjaS-iJX-ZBTa9HUKwEaCGvxOi7ELd3oIPA0PqYyUGhLIcFs/s1600/wilbarger+brushing.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzstgYOq1V5bmJFBBTZGzYzD0Ngp0zcCb9sFeC4mwQMUohpKXxXVbCNQzXbkd-GF0SWHgfiC8WpDqnF45C0sK2esctC9EsjaS-iJX-ZBTa9HUKwEaCGvxOi7ELd3oIPA0PqYyUGhLIcFs/s1600/wilbarger+brushing.bmp" /></a>She is getting Occupational Therapy to deal with this. One of the techniques we use is the <a href="http://www.ot-innovations.com/content/view/55/46/">Wilbarger Brushing Protocol</a> It allows us to give deep pressure input to her by way of a soft bristle brush. At first she HATED it... but she now realizes it helps. It is one of those things I say, "I don't understand how it works, but I know it is working." We do it before school, after school, and before bedtime. Some of the other techniques being used in OT for her is that she will sit in a huge tub full of dried beans and rice with her legs exposed so that she feels all the sensations. There are "prizes" hidden in the beans and so she digs with her hands to find them. Again... it is all about de-sensitizing her to tolerate that which feels intolerable. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It is so hard to explain, but if you ever witnessed her complete and utter meltdown because another childed brushed up against her or put a hand on her shoulder and she will break down in tears. Hard to believe but it is so true.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well... that is the SPD lesson for today. So just remember, say hi to her, tell her you love her and if she jumps in your arms and gives you a hug, consider it a triumph. Feel extra honored and blessed, but please don't take it personally when she chooses not to be hugged or kissed. It may have been an extra stressful day and she may just be in sensory overload and the thought of one more touch is unbearable. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So that is where we are Right Here... Right Now</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a></div>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-37189389753013548572011-03-23T19:51:00.000-05:002011-03-23T19:51:30.996-05:00Falling out of chairs and other Olympic EventsThere are days when I think, she is just so normal and we are having such a great day. Then ten minutes later she has literally fallen out of her chair as she is eating dinner and then the meltdown starts. And of course she knocks over her drink in the process and there is a mess everywhere. She is crying and stomping upstairs to go to her room because she is embarrased and angry. This begins a few hours of getting her to calm back down. <br />
<br />
Yes, she falls out of chairs and trips over her own feet and misjudges where the table is and loses her balance. I can not tell you how many times I've seen her fall for no apparent reason. If falling out of a chair was an Olympic event, she would have a gold medal. <br />
<br />
The reason is that one of her senses, the Proprioceptive sense is... well, off. Proprioception is defined as; The ability to sense stimuli arising within the body. Even if you are blindfolded, you know through proprioception if your arm is above your head or hanging by your side. Your body can sense where it is in relation to the ground. I allows you to walk heal to toe and not fall over or lose your balance. Kathryn can not do that. She has <a href="http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/proprioceptive-dysfunction.html">Proprioceptive Dysfunction</a>. Her OT (Occupational Therapist) was excited to tell me she actually walked heal to toe for 3 steps before she lost her balance the other day... we were all excited. <br />
<br />
We have Kathryn in a beginner gymnastics class that she attends once a week. She has enjoyed it but it is getting harder for her now and she does not want to go. She can not do a cart-wheel and struggles to walk the balance beam, and many other activities, but it is such good practice for her. I know later today when I pick her up from school she is going to give me a REALLY hard time and beg me not to go to gymnastics, but we will go. It is just the right kind of work her body needs to be doing. No, it may not be as fun as we had originally hoped gymnastics would be when we first signed her up (pre diagnosis). BUT it is helping and she is improving... slowly. <br />
<br />
Proprioceptive Dysfunction is just one of the many aspects to SPD. I just wanted to share with you one of her many struggles. With OT she is building strength in her muscles and teaching her brain and muscles to "talk" so that she will begin to not feel and be so clumsy. <br />
<br />
Again... it is just the beginning but that is where we are Right Here...Right Now.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-51594357347183767602011-03-21T19:29:00.000-05:002011-03-21T19:29:56.364-05:00Sensory Processing Disorder... beginning our journey<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, it has been so long I really don't know where to begin. I have been almost afraid to start blogging again because there is so much to say and I find it hard to put into words. It has been over 2 years since I was seriously blogging. It was great and I loved it but then I began working again and I was just unable to blog and keep the family and house going. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjmKZDR-Von6gb-9HMDTv1QIFSkWuKwEI-IwJBzu6dB_-nq4-6yq2ORlQiz9HOv7B2mhNjoIck8bOMoi2J4-RGzNwm1bSlJ7jk-79E3hTV5AB0n2epguXtDZemWCL9fotbT2-ZhQFglyG/s1600/IMG_0476a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjmKZDR-Von6gb-9HMDTv1QIFSkWuKwEI-IwJBzu6dB_-nq4-6yq2ORlQiz9HOv7B2mhNjoIck8bOMoi2J4-RGzNwm1bSlJ7jk-79E3hTV5AB0n2epguXtDZemWCL9fotbT2-ZhQFglyG/s200/IMG_0476a.jpg" width="142" /></a>I'd say we have had a few big changes in our life since I last put it all out there. I am no longer working (woo hoo), we have a new addition to our family, Spencer. He is 10 months old and our favorite entertainment these days. Our other big change is that our daughter has been diagnosed with <a href="http://www.spdfoundation.net/facts.html">Sensory Processing Disorder</a> (aka <a href="http://www.spdfoundation.net/redflags.html">Sensory Integration Dysfunction</a>). It is the end and beginning of sorts. It is the end of the frustration and questioning. The wondering, "<a href="http://www.spdfoundation.net/redflags.html">what is going on with her" or "why is she so different, other kids her age</a> don't act this way." These were the questions I've been asking myself for a few years. I didn't have the guts to say them out loud - EVER. I just quietly, secretly wondered. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then she began Kindergarten...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Everything changed. We knew something was different. It was too hard NOT to notice or talk about it. There is so much I could say to try and explain but I think these pictures may say it all...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohn3ed1-rZEzFiETBO1sMBqj8PES9KpIRBwBBu6lMcgPiM3kD7GlrSshf693xlVMPR9AzRAuWjWP8XZmEQ-E5k8IrXENEERDv7mHps57t1vz8944toMRdEJJWlAS6n8UjL5_HB-Pln1Lk/s1600/First+Day+of+School+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohn3ed1-rZEzFiETBO1sMBqj8PES9KpIRBwBBu6lMcgPiM3kD7GlrSshf693xlVMPR9AzRAuWjWP8XZmEQ-E5k8IrXENEERDv7mHps57t1vz8944toMRdEJJWlAS6n8UjL5_HB-Pln1Lk/s320/First+Day+of+School+022.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">First day of Kindergarten</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MShfv-VbrXQSNJvgnHuNdzfqiDPpDFu6bPpCFS5YmXWEeK8IbWfyZUt_vNInEtBO79UA4W4W0s0U65G-XFSd9I5gMjF-j9dqX43EvJfj9yvtOAVQd7DoyME0NT9tdpdzIyCkb2-P8ml6/s1600/kathryn+1st+day+1st+grd2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MShfv-VbrXQSNJvgnHuNdzfqiDPpDFu6bPpCFS5YmXWEeK8IbWfyZUt_vNInEtBO79UA4W4W0s0U65G-XFSd9I5gMjF-j9dqX43EvJfj9yvtOAVQd7DoyME0NT9tdpdzIyCkb2-P8ml6/s320/kathryn+1st+day+1st+grd2.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First day of 1st grade</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXczUoT4CQrSYBPIizu17UcJHbPyuEf1ARycCQqx7tMPnicK4myqhxhbXDDqKsDKqn7_Zvo62wb5fswxZyJjeSUTqAdz5ZWFV3E0TariTODYUsH7Cqrm52aFNS1Zo2iJkF0cG0QE6RBLf/s1600/kathryn+1st+day+1st+grd1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXczUoT4CQrSYBPIizu17UcJHbPyuEf1ARycCQqx7tMPnicK4myqhxhbXDDqKsDKqn7_Zvo62wb5fswxZyJjeSUTqAdz5ZWFV3E0TariTODYUsH7Cqrm52aFNS1Zo2iJkF0cG0QE6RBLf/s320/kathryn+1st+day+1st+grd1.bmp" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> They sum up the two expressions she has most. Anger/frustration and being totally overwhelmed. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'll go into more in the blogs to come, but for now, we know... it is a neurological disorder that she will struggle with the rest of her life. Wow, that was hard to swallow... it still is.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She is in Occupational Therapy twice a week to begin to help her learn how to cope with how her body feels in this world around her. To help her not feel overwhelmed in new situations; help her put on her socks without a 30 minute battle to find the precise way to wear them so they don't drive her crazy all day. She is OVERWHELMED by almost everything around her. When you can't stand the feel of clothing on your body and all you can think of is taking them off, well it makes it hard to listen to the teacher. Or if you can't stand to be lightly touched or brushed up against and a classmate accidentally brushes against you in line and you automatically react by yelling or hitting them as a defense mechanism... well, you can see where that would get you in trouble.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are all struggling at our house to understand this. But it is a NEW beginning. I am reading all I can to understand what I can do to help and what will make life more tolerable for her. I am learning to think 5 steps ahead to cut off a meltdown before it happens. I'm trying to learn how to discipline a child who is out of control because her body doesn't feel what others feel and a child who is so easily brought to a rage that all I can do is hope she doesn't hurt herself or anyone else.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In the midst of it all, there is a smile, a glimmer of hope. Today is a good day. She had OT this morning and loved it. She actually came out of school today with a smile on her face... that has not happened in a very long time. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Everyday is a new day, I thank my God for that. I also thank Him for all of this because he knew long before we did that this would be a struggle... a trial if you will. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><em><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">James 1: 2 - 5</span></strong></span></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><em><strong><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30269"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></sup> Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-30269a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[</span><a cmimpressionsent="1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4303573239659597228#fen-NIV-30269a" title="See footnote a"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">]</span></sup> whenever you face trials of many kinds, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30270"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span></sup> because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30271"><span style="font-size: x-small;">4</span></sup> Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30272"><span style="font-size: x-small;">5</span></sup> If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. </span></strong></em></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm exhausted.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm overwhelmed.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm starting over... we are learning how to parent all over again and it is... hard. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But we are trusting that God will get us through and give us wisdom to help guide and encourage her.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> But this is where we are. Right Here... Right Now.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a></div>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-3550876746923557912011-01-17T19:32:00.000-06:002011-01-17T19:32:46.148-06:00great easy brownies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2bq-HTt5dvSdQPf-WTeYzdEUrQx07_WuVqhw5UAsBBSBbV1gJI8oPDvoaXm6IqgQg_o7imzQ_1OTUoYFXfIdWSna_Gime-bO_23LefKv_CDUuT_ftd7Vq7PLYcZk8yggGyX60B9UQdTp/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2bq-HTt5dvSdQPf-WTeYzdEUrQx07_WuVqhw5UAsBBSBbV1gJI8oPDvoaXm6IqgQg_o7imzQ_1OTUoYFXfIdWSna_Gime-bO_23LefKv_CDUuT_ftd7Vq7PLYcZk8yggGyX60B9UQdTp/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" /></a></div>Today its all about the chocolate. The other night I was seriously craving chocolate. I mean SERIOUSLY. I thought well, I know I have the ingredients for brownies just need an easy recipe. So I looked up some recipes online and found one that looked super easy and super good. You know what IT WAS! So here is my new brownie recipe. <br />
<br />
EASY BROWNIES<br />
<br />
<br />
1 1/2 c. flour (self-rising or plain with 1 tsp. salt)<br />
2 c. sugar<br />
8 tbsp. cocoa<br />
1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />
2 tsp. vanilla<br />
1 c. vegetable oil<br />
4 eggs<br />
1/4 c. water<br />
1/2 c. pecans (optional)<br />
<br />
Mix all ingredients well. Pour in 11x15 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.<br />
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We are still eating them... but they won't last too much longer!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-3922346566742824682011-01-03T19:40:00.000-06:002011-01-03T19:56:30.174-06:00Banana Cake that doesn't Last<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACNELwFjGGtVXeqjoiYc6Nqof9Qk-BQrScgO9ctIC8y8XBVL4fQ-TIYIt_juidc_1WuMgEA7CUiexRRakE478yXpudsdovGZBtbMSsVQUbrcJQC8bZx_9lj4pazrG2ZHq16z1WFAnGOJf/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACNELwFjGGtVXeqjoiYc6Nqof9Qk-BQrScgO9ctIC8y8XBVL4fQ-TIYIt_juidc_1WuMgEA7CUiexRRakE478yXpudsdovGZBtbMSsVQUbrcJQC8bZx_9lj4pazrG2ZHq16z1WFAnGOJf/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Now, for today's treasure! My mom makes this and I can hardly stand it when she does. It is SO good. So thanks Mom... this one goes out to you!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: #993399; font-weight: bold;">"Banana Cake that Doesn't Last "</span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">(seriously... that is the name!)<br />
</span>Ingredients:<br />
3 Cups Flour<br />
2 Cups Sugar<br />
1 tsp Baking Soda<br />
1 tsp Salt<br />
1 tsp Cinnamon<br />
3 Eggs (slightly beaten)<br />
1 Cup Cooking Oil<br />
1/2 cup melted Butter<br />
1 can Crushed Pineapple (8oz drained)<br />
1 Cup Nuts (optional)<br />
1 tsp Vanilla<br />
1 Cups Mashed Bananas<br />
<br />
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make a well in the center. Add eggs, pineapple, nuts, oil, butter, vanilla and bananas. STIR... do not beat. Pour into greased and floured tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 75 minutes OR pour in to 2 loaf pans. If in the loaf pans, do not bake as long. <br />
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Enjoy... let me know if yours lasts very long :0)<br />
</span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-38264146063611822702010-12-13T13:54:00.000-06:002010-12-13T13:54:07.993-06:00Texas Christmas Y'all<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqWkgAB29PH37iL1cP3hz6MekbJ4jyq0g4jZUCvG3_-DGs8uegv_ptJC6yxTI37obDtRpspINqD79vMX4PqNaL-OsCRBDm9g0juRe9Kb-uKoyuyeBTe0pqAwVxVRZiQyLclFToNr-0OuU/s1600/tmttHoliday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqWkgAB29PH37iL1cP3hz6MekbJ4jyq0g4jZUCvG3_-DGs8uegv_ptJC6yxTI37obDtRpspINqD79vMX4PqNaL-OsCRBDm9g0juRe9Kb-uKoyuyeBTe0pqAwVxVRZiQyLclFToNr-0OuU/s200/tmttHoliday.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hello <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/">Tempt My Tummy</a> pals! I've missed posting the past few weeks but have been stalking your recipes when I have time and yummmy! I love all the holiday recipes. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tonight I actually get to join the land of grown ups and go to a Christmas Party! My husband has been out of town for a few weeks on business and I have missed the adult interaction! I wanted to post a recipe I shared last year because I am taking this tonight to the party. We are having a traditional Texas Christmas party... Bar-B-Q. I'm really looking forward to it. The meat is from ledgendary <a href="http://www.coopersbbqllano.com/">Cooper's BBQ</a> and we are all bringing the sides. I'm bringing this great Broccoli Salad. I love it! I originally saw <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/broccoli-salad-recipe/index.html">Paula Deen make a version</a> of it and I've modified it a bit. How great will that be? Now, for you non-Texas folks... I hope you understand how much we love our beef bbq. <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/">Lisa</a>, I hope you are not too jealous now that you are up in pork bbq St. Louis land.... </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">mmmm I can hardly wait...</span><span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure someone will be bringing some 'Nana Puddin' cuz it goes so good with the bbq. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13;">Merry Christmas Y'all! </span></strong></span></div><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Now to go find a great (really bad) white elephant gift. This group gives some doosies... last year a bottle of laxatives and expired vitamins were amoung the gifts... ;-)</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Broccoli Salad and dressing</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 head of broccoli. cut individual heads off</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 cup of small grape tomatoes - cut in half</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 1/2 cups cubes colby cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 small red onion chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup real bacon pieces chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">optional additions:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">raisins</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">craisins</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">broccoli slaw</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Dressing</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup mayo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2-3 Tbsp Dijon mustard</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 Tbsp Red Wine vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1-3 packets of splenda or sugar substitute of your choice</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*mix the ingredients of the dressing together. All is to taste. You may want it sweeter... you may like it with more vinegar, honestly, PLAY with it. I also LOVE this on a green salad. It is my go to dressing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Pour dressing over all the salad ingredients and let it sit overnight in the fridge. Serve the next day!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-32333641756468033622010-11-21T19:00:00.000-06:002010-11-22T13:18:01.086-06:00Peanut Butter Cookies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRgQaLA6gupJguVmsQq6-djHcAOuuxdTP2rgrDegTWGyRp1xeBxni8V1Y5i5fze0421HiJX_vlAddsFozBJT3go-d8z0CQi8Qf16-2375t_4b2ti4GdqLzR6Ts0CsF0hqVJUFQIjD6Sf7/s1600-h/tmtt3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220448839258241394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRgQaLA6gupJguVmsQq6-djHcAOuuxdTP2rgrDegTWGyRp1xeBxni8V1Y5i5fze0421HiJX_vlAddsFozBJT3go-d8z0CQi8Qf16-2375t_4b2ti4GdqLzR6Ts0CsF0hqVJUFQIjD6Sf7/s320/tmtt3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: red;">***THIS WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED BY ME ON JULY 7, 2008****</span><br />
<br />
Welcome to our blog carnival. My twin sister, Lisa, will be co-hosting with me. From time to time, she will host the at her blog, <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/">Blessed with Grace </a>other times I will. We will let you know when we will change it up. Just to keep you on your toes. For now, go to <a href="http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/2008/07/tempt-my-tummy-tuesday_07.html">Blessed With Grace</a>, and enjoy the fun.<br />
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Now, I want to start by saying that Lisa and I are not expert cooks, culinary geniuses, or recent winners of <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/4/index.php">Bravo's Top Chef</a>. We do, however, love food and love to eat, I know that is not a shock to any of you! We thought it would be fun to have every one share great recipes, cooking tips, great food finds, and/or restaurant reviews with each other. Sound good? Great, then join along. Also, feel free to copy the Tempt My Tummy Tuesday button and use it on your post. Just remember to link back to us.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimRiqGIcAiWh9Y0U7m26KTea-8KpuuhqEIt46FpE4hs2Hr0TKKyNpwc0hfYTBYZxlrAFpYUQyVtXBXk9mWgutismFaef_ChIGutzurKgIXVYcDXSVWxtyN63QJLwKu2L07oCFIoNAUecp/s1600-h/recipe.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220450118304864002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimRiqGIcAiWh9Y0U7m26KTea-8KpuuhqEIt46FpE4hs2Hr0TKKyNpwc0hfYTBYZxlrAFpYUQyVtXBXk9mWgutismFaef_ChIGutzurKgIXVYcDXSVWxtyN63QJLwKu2L07oCFIoNAUecp/s320/recipe.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
Today I want to share with you the BEST Peanut Butter cookies I've ever had. I found this recipe in an Better Homes and Garden's Christmas Cookie Issue YEARS ago. This makes a ton of cookies which is good, because you will eat a ton of them.<br />
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Now, before I give the recipe, I MUST share with you a little story. I was co-hosting a bridal shower last year for my pal <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONr0bc2Roxw">Becky</a>. Well, I had been baking batch after batch of peanut butter delights getting ready for the shower. When I turned on the TV to hear the peanut butter I had used had <a href="http://www.fda.gov/BBS/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01563.HTML">just been recalled</a>. Remember that? The great Peter Pan debacle of 2007? Well I had a freezer full of cookies. Now, you KNOW I had been tasting a few cookies along the way... just for quality assurance. I had not gotten sick, well, I mean, I had eaten enough to make me sick, but I was not.<br />
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So, you know where I am going with this don't you? What to do? Take and serve the possibly tainted cookies or throw them out? Well of course you know what I did...<br />
<br />
I kept them for my family.<br />
<br />
I made snicker doodles for the party and that was that!<br />
<br />
So here it is... the BEST darned Peanut Butter Cookies you'll ever dare to poison you family with.<br />
<br />
2 cups flour<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1 cup butter softened<br />
1 cup brown sugar<br />
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
2 large eggs<br />
1 18oz jar creamy peanut butter<br />
<br />
Preheat to 350. Combine first four ingredients. Mix on medium speed, butter, brown sugar and sugar, 2 minutes until creamy. Reduce speed beat in vanilla, eggs, one at at time. Beat well and add peanut butter until creamy. Beat in flour mixture until just blended <strong><em>(try not to eat too much at this point) </em></strong>.<br />
<br />
Drop rounded Tbsp of dough. Dip fork in remaining sugar and cross the cookie <em>(to make it pretty)</em><br />
Bake 12-14 minutes.<br />
Cool on Cookie sheet 2 minutes then move to cooling rack.<br />
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Store in tightly covered container for 2 weeks <strong><em>(as if they will last that long)</em></strong> or 3 months in the freezer <strong><em>( yea, Right...)</em></strong><br />
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Don't forget to leave a comment and go to Lisa's to <a href="http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/2008/07/tempt-my-tummy-tuesday_07.html">add your post to Mr. Linky</a><br />
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<span style="color: #663366; font-size: 130%;"><em>Join us again next Tuesday for more Food FUN!</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #ffcc00; font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><em>recipe photo from: stock exchange</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><em>tmtt button designed by me</em></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaRz-Z2Fk2PAfYEXo0IIphh68k5k6dYJOtGP6_P__ji4x82zdojTXgv6lQNngevBI6yJXi3pHiaKRURRNWN2KKlPiKzOw1Yl8iOnzxXba_Mu5OzhmO9ZyLGAB0edQusI3GUHgI8dUY_fv/s1600-h/swirl2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209348089300876706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaRz-Z2Fk2PAfYEXo0IIphh68k5k6dYJOtGP6_P__ji4x82zdojTXgv6lQNngevBI6yJXi3pHiaKRURRNWN2KKlPiKzOw1Yl8iOnzxXba_Mu5OzhmO9ZyLGAB0edQusI3GUHgI8dUY_fv/s200/swirl2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-89118681241444831312010-11-15T19:24:00.002-06:002010-11-15T19:24:00.504-06:00Minnesota Wild Rice Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5upyg4VPLHLdE21OOA6xEYeY_OUSaRMXU4YLE6g7JGMzAmKTyyXRCuVdqrmHWP4WRXAZTosbFmke7g-ZKb6c3b-OQHp6d5dRt06E862xCeHyDIY1JgW_pmQT204MxWh3W8N8m08gI7v_r/s1600/tmtt3Thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5upyg4VPLHLdE21OOA6xEYeY_OUSaRMXU4YLE6g7JGMzAmKTyyXRCuVdqrmHWP4WRXAZTosbFmke7g-ZKb6c3b-OQHp6d5dRt06E862xCeHyDIY1JgW_pmQT204MxWh3W8N8m08gI7v_r/s1600/tmtt3Thanksgiving.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Minnesota Wild Rice Soup</span></strong></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well I know it is getting cooler out because I want to make soup! Yesterday I made my favorite </span><a href="http://lanarightnow.blogspot.com/2008/10/souptacular.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Baked Bean Soup</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and it finally felt like Fall to me. I am posting another great soup recipe today from my friend Ashley. She got this recipe from her mother in law who lives in Minnesota. I was lucky enough to have this one day at her house and honestly think I have dreamed about it ever since! She graciously gave me the recipe today and I am sure we will be having it soon. I can hardly wait! Honestly, how could it be bad when the first ingrident is 1 lb of bacon? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hope you enjoy it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4oz wild rice</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 lb bacon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 T bacon grease</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/4 c chopped green pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3/4 c chopped celery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3/4 c chopped onion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 cans chicken broth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 cans cream of mushroom soup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/4 c sherry or red wine, optional</span><br />
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<div style="background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Prepare wild rice as directed on package. While that cooks, fry bacon until crisp. Remove bacon to drain, then crumble. Reserve 3 T for soup (*Ashley note* pour the rest in your grease container for green beans**). Saute pepper, celery and onion in bacon grease until soft. Add remaining ingredients and simmer on the stove for an hour or more (tastes better the longer it simmers).</span></span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Alright... be sure to join all the fun at <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/">Lisa's blog!</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-71879794132002953822010-10-25T19:00:00.001-05:002010-10-25T19:00:00.621-05:00Pumpkin Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrIepGr6w5zdQbX33CFTVXLp1WrRs6DZj6AHoTHuJtbIH_vtGKB8CyjbhEjtk_qDDhi5ZkuqwIhkuGfyPfikc9NUNi-ZJ7xnWc2RqlSMhAOci1TTAlBv8M2VxHhzV54mo2vtDD5gb5DWZ/s1600/tmtt3Thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrIepGr6w5zdQbX33CFTVXLp1WrRs6DZj6AHoTHuJtbIH_vtGKB8CyjbhEjtk_qDDhi5ZkuqwIhkuGfyPfikc9NUNi-ZJ7xnWc2RqlSMhAOci1TTAlBv8M2VxHhzV54mo2vtDD5gb5DWZ/s320/tmtt3Thanksgiving.jpg" width="265" /></span></strong></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hello and welcome to Fall. Actually, it does not feel like Fall here in central Texas yet. I am anxiously awaiting it. I think it will be 92 degrees here today. Seriously! I am so ready for some cooler weather, I can hardly wait. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">My daughter has been begging for Pumpkin Pie for two weeks now. People are putting pumpkins out and decorating because we are hopeful that we will eventually get Fall. So this weekend my daughter and I made pie. I am all about easy and tried and true recipes. If is ain't broke, don't fix it! </span><span style="font-size: large;">I like the recipe on the </span><a href="http://www.mccormick.com/Products/Herbs-and-Spices/Spices-A-to-Z/Pumpkin-Pie-Spice.aspx"><span style="font-size: large;">McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> container. It is perfect. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6agHQd9dzMxDPaoxntiFpRWRqOB_x-X21ZytvGTWZqbPyYyJmxeRsoZjOVDYFvNwH1u0jUsGCgz5TD2cwihyphenhyphen6R39UwV5M3YY6hHNXJ9A0oMhfvksH1UquHwY0u8m1deZMX0C9gzQVp64R/s1600/pumpkinPie_spice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6agHQd9dzMxDPaoxntiFpRWRqOB_x-X21ZytvGTWZqbPyYyJmxeRsoZjOVDYFvNwH1u0jUsGCgz5TD2cwihyphenhyphen6R39UwV5M3YY6hHNXJ9A0oMhfvksH1UquHwY0u8m1deZMX0C9gzQVp64R/s200/pumpkinPie_spice.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It is so simple! I hope you will try it! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.mccormick.com/Products/Herbs-and-Spices/Spices-A-to-Z/Pumpkin-Pie-Spice.aspx">McCormick Signature Pumpkin Pie</a></strong></em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">MIX 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin, 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk, 2 eggs and 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice. </span><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
POUR into 1 frozen unbaked pie crust. <br />
<br />
BAKE in preheated 425ºF oven 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF; bake 40 minutes longer. <br />
<br />
COOL completely.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-8453391641274506892010-10-04T19:50:00.000-05:002010-10-04T19:50:17.098-05:00Tex-Mex Burritos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LK6IuEFGryHkBMzYW3M0vfmmRQ5R4Fc8kzNk6qmOHhonmnHP8-TiMMbyCu8RsG-wMXkoLzKXRapBdkGEfIMf4bFFCd5K5OfvNDKHIdByo1GFwZsd8uh927qAq9YTGx1v4oNHQ7h-KJc3/s200/temptmytummy-new1.png" width="166" />Hello Tempt My Tummy friends. I'm doing a re-mash of a recipe Lisa did not too long ago. I would be a good blogger and link to her post but I can't find it. Sorry <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/">Lisa</a>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AnyHoo... We are in full crazy, ain't it fun to be a parent mode around here. Today is our first day for my son to have his <a href="http://www.cranialtech.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69&Itemid=114">Doc Band helmet</a> for <a href="http://www.cranialtech.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=71&Itemid=132">Plagiocephaly</a>. So far he has done great EXCEPT for sleeping. So hard for him to get comfortable. He is sleeping right now so quick, say a prayer that he stays asleep!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jNmtw2-y2RbAWs6stE2BPMd8qi-ErqglFG8W_YAm5Qq2f8KB9RvOUS2FzWTFlQozBjw02qfT2Mql9LlVt_rTyeY4xlBn6389-z1a7yTgK9F9OJPVFlWSftUqqOCNLu81FD9EHkUc7bY3/s1600/Spencer's+Helmet+First+Day+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jNmtw2-y2RbAWs6stE2BPMd8qi-ErqglFG8W_YAm5Qq2f8KB9RvOUS2FzWTFlQozBjw02qfT2Mql9LlVt_rTyeY4xlBn6389-z1a7yTgK9F9OJPVFlWSftUqqOCNLu81FD9EHkUc7bY3/s320/Spencer's+Helmet+First+Day+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He is a little trooper. Doesn't he look ADORABLE?!?!?! Yes, I decorated it because even a boy needs some BLING for his helmet. I will be documenting our special little journey with Plagiocephaly soon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now for my super quick and tasty </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Tex-Mex Burritos</span></strong>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ingriendents</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 lb hamburger meat (salt and pepper)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 medium onion chopped</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 small can chopped green chilis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 can Tex-Mex Enchilada sauce</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 can refriend black beans</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8 flour tortillas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2-3 cups Colby/Jack cheese shredded</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk14/lanahowell/?action=view&current=145-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk14/lanahowell/145-1.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Brown the meat with the onions, chilis and salt and pepper to taste. Take your tortilla, spread some beans on bottom then layer with meat and a little bit of cheese. Roll tortilla and place in the baking dish. When all are completed, pour the enchilada sauce on top. Now thrown on all the chesse you want. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Easy Peasy as my daughter would say! Enjoy!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-7995858485406677082010-09-27T19:00:00.001-05:002010-09-27T19:00:00.732-05:00Peach Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglC1XGr3OCwfalI54idPapCozvWuzxD_VurnwNi-0Nfr9DjOtkEYaybm5K9AhYXev21oxhAxAuDX3oWqm3d9dsara8oYcno7wMF50LUA0EsU-psW1WJXTr2JxBxpxVT81K15W4RwWHmQdO/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglC1XGr3OCwfalI54idPapCozvWuzxD_VurnwNi-0Nfr9DjOtkEYaybm5K9AhYXev21oxhAxAuDX3oWqm3d9dsara8oYcno7wMF50LUA0EsU-psW1WJXTr2JxBxpxVT81K15W4RwWHmQdO/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Yep! We're talking pie!!!</span></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIG4rBesIdBpJeAhQgGyl0Ew_S51iXKczPl3kVpesEG6EuHMNCxKYaI7SfMCHmrW71sYZ35rh-E0vpsVHrr-vVwzEVFpvu7VNYSi6qkuQVcdc49cr5xJoYTI7-OHcd4ba7GV8BL_8-X5Kz/s1600/SD_Chicken_Pie_Shop_Peach_Pie_Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIG4rBesIdBpJeAhQgGyl0Ew_S51iXKczPl3kVpesEG6EuHMNCxKYaI7SfMCHmrW71sYZ35rh-E0vpsVHrr-vVwzEVFpvu7VNYSi6qkuQVcdc49cr5xJoYTI7-OHcd4ba7GV8BL_8-X5Kz/s320/SD_Chicken_Pie_Shop_Peach_Pie_Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">My mother in law brought me the most delicious fresh peaches the other day and I thought PIE! Now, I have never made a peach pie but I thought, now is a good time to try. It was AWESOME!!!! I found a recipe that seemed super easy and aren't those usually the best anyway? I WILL be making this again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;">Grandma's Peach Pie</span></em></strong></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a></div><br />
<br />
• 1-1/4 cups sugar<br />
<br />
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour<br />
<br />
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
<br />
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (sprinkled over the peaches)<br />
<br />
• 4 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced<br />
<br />
• 2 tablespoons butter<br />
<br />
• Pastry for double-crust 9-inch pie<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 375°F. <br />
Combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Stir in the peach slices and fold to coat with sugar/flour mixture. <br />
Pour into a 9-inch unbaked pie shell. Dot with butter. Cover with top crust, seal edges and crimp. Make vents in top crust. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until crust is golden brown.Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-49683213002708432292010-09-20T19:00:00.001-05:002010-09-20T19:00:02.793-05:00Chicken Marsala Tetrazzini<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklooM2hdsWFWHzuUkuwywkzl8U2rC0B9fmppcLu32n0A3yXBZ9mdDL-mRBwuKxec662XyZCIWOrELjiSD6jzT2F3t6KE9aFJ0ecOED60GIo3uEdbBkC9LOOV4SmNplSNsFa6SyRhjd2yn/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklooM2hdsWFWHzuUkuwywkzl8U2rC0B9fmppcLu32n0A3yXBZ9mdDL-mRBwuKxec662XyZCIWOrELjiSD6jzT2F3t6KE9aFJ0ecOED60GIo3uEdbBkC9LOOV4SmNplSNsFa6SyRhjd2yn/s200/temptmytummy-new1.png" width="166" /></a>Well I could hardly wait to sit down and type out this recipe for you all today. I saw it on Friday on page 133 of my Sept 2010 <a href="http://www.southernliving.com/">Southern Living Magazine</a> and I could not wait to make it. It was almost like I could taste it just by reading the recipe. I made this Saturday for dinner and after only one bite my husband said, "WOW this is really good." Then he didn't say much else for all the eating. My 6 year old also proclaimed it to be "fabulous." HIGH praise indeed from that one. I made a few changes to the recipe... cuz I can and to keep me from having to buy extra ingredients and it was perfect. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now, because I do not want to drag this out... here it is, with my changes noted. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Chicken Marsala Tetrazzini</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4y3lcvthSuZ-13ykwzc5mcr_XfOUtZP2wdSUuXbvGgXEzgrSpKIzkjMHgU0tXtxzxxN-j2fTTBd4WmBqGHXai717gbENjT32w7qGXxS9N-FRH4sM9KXR_Wh7nW_kEHZ8gWijMufelFlNI/s1600/chicken-marsala-tetrazzini-sl-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4y3lcvthSuZ-13ykwzc5mcr_XfOUtZP2wdSUuXbvGgXEzgrSpKIzkjMHgU0tXtxzxxN-j2fTTBd4WmBqGHXai717gbENjT32w7qGXxS9N-FRH4sM9KXR_Wh7nW_kEHZ8gWijMufelFlNI/s320/chicken-marsala-tetrazzini-sl-l.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients</span></strong></div><br />
<br />
1 (8-oz.) package vermicelli<br />
2 tablespoons butter <span style="color: purple;">(I did not use this as my bacon made up for it)</span><br />
1 (8-oz.) package sliced fresh mushrooms <span style="color: purple;">(I had a can of sliced mushrooms)</span><br />
3 ounces finely chopped prosciutto <span style="color: purple;">(I used 3 pieces of smoked applewood bacon diced)</span><br />
3 cups chopped cooked chicken<br />
1 cup frozen baby English peas, thawed <span style="color: purple;">(I used a can of peas with the liquid drained)</span><br />
1 (10 3/4-oz.) can reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup<br />
1 (10-oz.) container refrigerated light Alfredo sauce<br />
1/2 cup chicken broth<br />
1/4 cup Marsala<br />
1 cup (4-oz.) shredded Parmesan cheese<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Preparation</span></strong><br />
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1. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add mushrooms and prosciutto, and sauté 5 minutes. <span style="color: purple;">(I did not use the butter but cooked the bacon and mushrooms together with a teaspoon of minced garlic)</span><br />
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2. Stir together mushroom mixture, chicken, next 5 ingredients, and 1/2 cup cheese; stir in pasta. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.<br />
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3. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until bubbly.<br />
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YUMMM I can hardly wait to sit down and finish the leftovers!!!! <br />
You can find this recipe on line <strong><a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=2011097">HERE</a></strong><br />
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Photo from Southern Living Magazine by<em>: Beth Dreiling Hontzas</em><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-63666860337663254892010-09-14T08:14:00.000-05:002010-09-14T08:14:37.215-05:00Peanut Butter Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRheEA5nxoERnG8_h2XjzSSwL7YMI_s-yPbmjsJUbzElabGyGwsfV-s0ViYqVRnPZ8IDpOTilIBXmNqo5UpmIyzPhMic-fCwc0npzObwzCfHa3nKdjccm2z7zE8kCmWC9cIfVDDl0sLoc6/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRheEA5nxoERnG8_h2XjzSSwL7YMI_s-yPbmjsJUbzElabGyGwsfV-s0ViYqVRnPZ8IDpOTilIBXmNqo5UpmIyzPhMic-fCwc0npzObwzCfHa3nKdjccm2z7zE8kCmWC9cIfVDDl0sLoc6/s320/temptmytummy-new1.png" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">Wecome to TMTT</span></strong>! I am excited to be at <em>At the Well</em> today for all this fun, exciting foodiness! Today I'm going Old School simple and telling you about a new favorite at our house. Or I guess I should say, my daughter's new favorite. In an effort to start cutting certain foods out of her diet... <em>(a topic I will no doubt be talking about on this blog as I can figure out what is really going on with her and how to put it all in to words)</em> I made this sandwhich for her a few weeks ago and now... well it is the most request food item in the house. </span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">She has always been a PB&J girl. ALWAYS! But I thought, I need to eliminate the J part of that combo. So we have been using honey, which she also loves, but then it occured to me that my Mom's all time favorite thing to add to the PB was <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">Bananas</span></strong>. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Growing up, I just could not wrap my head around it... I don't know, it was probably because I was too stubborn to try it, but now... ummm ummm good! So I offered this to my daughter and WHA-LAH! Instant success. I even found her in the kitchen preparing this all by herself when she declared she was making us dinner the other night because she didn't want me to have to work so hard... I know... too cute, right?! </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Something else I discovered is a Peter Pan's Honey Roasted Peanut Butter. OH MY HEAVENS... SO stinkin' good!!! </span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPzNoGCUJjXJva-_O79qjq5Aen2ZnGh08pG-GyQMYh6knem6nrjnO7-3NgdxugLU5AIiJ4VXAKYYSeRs9AyHIG2ePJzWqR8RLxw8ONHJWAwRiTI_H1gHzzCtnGepHAdeEXuYt9hbYaBIq/s1600/peanut+butter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPzNoGCUJjXJva-_O79qjq5Aen2ZnGh08pG-GyQMYh6knem6nrjnO7-3NgdxugLU5AIiJ4VXAKYYSeRs9AyHIG2ePJzWqR8RLxw8ONHJWAwRiTI_H1gHzzCtnGepHAdeEXuYt9hbYaBIq/s200/peanut+butter.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You gotta try this! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">Now, if you are an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley"><span style="font-size: large;">Elvis</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> fan you KNOW the King loved his PB& Banana. Did you know what he added to his that I have refrained from adding to our version? Yep... you got it... bacon! As so many would say, if it's got bacon it's got to be good. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_butter,_banana_and_bacon_sandwich"><span style="font-size: large;">Elvis love his samich</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> all hot and grilled... I'm just telling you because I know you really wanted to know that! </span><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've also been paring this with a glass of Almond Milk or Soy Milk, as we are also looking to eliminate dairy from her diet... again... a long story... but she has yet to realize she is drinking anything different. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">ENJOY!!!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-85728109891329670712010-08-30T19:21:00.000-05:002010-08-30T20:02:35.071-05:00Tropical Fruit Delight Cake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2FfOY8FtZzlMlbUcEyMIlKjw9MH4oiFHnuGrtyP_IAZyHyyta9B72h27EltDFrxb82zHL2X8ofIAv58SVHErcI7wu_wf-3FGQh0Xpa6bw2o_fN-zIX6mfqf4cxHLOXvPEkYpquvgWTEl/s1600-h/tmtt3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324336358684524690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2FfOY8FtZzlMlbUcEyMIlKjw9MH4oiFHnuGrtyP_IAZyHyyta9B72h27EltDFrxb82zHL2X8ofIAv58SVHErcI7wu_wf-3FGQh0Xpa6bw2o_fN-zIX6mfqf4cxHLOXvPEkYpquvgWTEl/s200/tmtt3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 167px;" /></a>Welcome to another edition of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. Don't for get to use the </span><a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/"> </a><a href="http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/">Linky on Lisa's site</a><a href="http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/">.</a> Next week will be exciting because <a href="http://www.titus2atthewell.com/">At the Well</a> will be hosting TMTT. It should be fun!<br />
Now, today Lisa posted the Pacific Rim Chicken which made me think of this super yummy cake. So I'm re-posting this. Honestly... I may have to get these ingredients and make this tomorrow! Forget that I started my new walking/running get my rear in gear for my 40th bday coming up in Dec. :-)<br />
So, enjoy!<br />
<span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>(I originally posted this April 13, 2009)</strong></span><br />
Today's treat is <span style="color: #33ccff; font-weight: bold;">Tropical Fruit Delight Cake</span><br />
I made it this weekend for our family Easter dessert <span style="font-style: italic;">EGG</span>stravaganza. We had so many people together this year (which was fantastic) that we went out to the <a href="http://www.saltlickbbq.com/">Salt Lick</a> for BBQ for <span style="color: #993300; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Oh So Texas Easter</span> lunch. Then back to Me Maw and PaPaw's for dessert and the Easter Bunny. We had wonderful treats! I hope you love my cake. I made it a few years back and have been looking for a reason to make it again. After the all the positive feedback yesterday, it looks like I WILL be making this again soon.<br />
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</span><span style="font-size: 180%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #33ccff; font-size: 180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tropical Fruit Delight Cake</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #6633ff; font-weight: bold;">Ingredients for Cake:</span><br />
1 box Butter cake mix<br />
1/2 cup oil<br />
1 (11oz) can Mandarin oranges (with the juice)<br />
4 eggs<br />
<br />
Mix all ingredients together in a bow. Pour batter into 9 inch Bundt pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes (<span style="font-style: italic;">it took more like 40 mins. this time</span>.)<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Allow Cake to cool. Remove cake from pan and refrigerate about 1/2 hour. Stick holes in cake with a fork and spread frosting. Refrigerate.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6633ff; font-weight: bold;">Ingredients for Frosting:</span><br />
1 (3oz) package of vanilla instant pudding<br />
1 (8oz) carton of Cool Whip<br />
1 (8oz) can crushed pineapple with juice<br />
<br />
In a bowl combine pudding mix and Cool Whip. Drain half the juice from the pineapples then add remaining juice and fruit to the mixture.<br />
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This cake is SO refreshing and moist. You will love this for a Spring or Summer event.</span></div></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-65504598217693995412010-08-23T18:31:00.000-05:002010-08-24T20:28:00.568-05:00I'm dying here... I need some cool relief!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fNeS7JJoV7UQn9ilN-fXwF5cUk-0IheQ_Rm4o8b3IpaVr9hG7ffwP37g0jysGHbAWDxB6wKZT2BVFJAOiIwcYV7iLpOkc9t3howJJvwA6mjzO_GhAm3QFRqB5udfcHdtAS6ChXMhwh4C/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fNeS7JJoV7UQn9ilN-fXwF5cUk-0IheQ_Rm4o8b3IpaVr9hG7ffwP37g0jysGHbAWDxB6wKZT2BVFJAOiIwcYV7iLpOkc9t3howJJvwA6mjzO_GhAm3QFRqB5udfcHdtAS6ChXMhwh4C/s320/temptmytummy-new1.png" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Y'all I am HOT!!!</span></span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> No, not that kind of hot... HOT like Hell HOT!!! Who can stand it? It has been 101 -104 degrees here. So YES, I am once again posting something cool and refreshing because it is all I think about. Snow, snow-cones, ice, ice cream, cold lemonade, iced tea, iced coffee... do you get the picture?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SY0JMSz5mSXj_4meDr0bj7eI4H1SZ4X7wqG9-KNQMgJFtcX5X8utVy-wOF8jcIwa70Cf_Fe-QADkC62T04bOFiXYhqqpPQI2txlTMAbbA8ssixEwTa5OFOI9d3RitcXrtp2XA6Ham_Rj/s1600-h/mint_chocchip_icecream.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352897809905628786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SY0JMSz5mSXj_4meDr0bj7eI4H1SZ4X7wqG9-KNQMgJFtcX5X8utVy-wOF8jcIwa70Cf_Fe-QADkC62T04bOFiXYhqqpPQI2txlTMAbbA8ssixEwTa5OFOI9d3RitcXrtp2XA6Ham_Rj/s200/mint_chocchip_icecream.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 109px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>So, today it is Ice Cream. I've taken this recipe straight from the <a href="http://eaglebrand.com/detail.asp?rid=592">Eagle Brand Milk website. </a></span><br />
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It is <span style="color: #009900; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold;">Mint Chocolate Chip Ice</span>... one of my favorites!!!<br />
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<tr><td colspan="2" style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span class="recipecopymed">Ingredients</span></span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></td><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span class="recipecopy">1 (14-ounce) can <b>EAGLE BRAND�</b> Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)</span></span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><shape alt="" id="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata href="http://eaglebrand.com/images/arrow_on.gif" src="file:///C:\Users\HP_ADM~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif"></imagedata></shape></div></td><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span class="recipecopy">2 teaspoons peppermint extract</span></span></div></td></tr>
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</div></td><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span class="recipecopy">Green food coloring (optional)</span></span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></td><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span class="recipecopy">2 cups (1 pint) half-and-half</span></span></div></td></tr>
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</div></td><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span class="recipecopy">2 cups (1 pint) whipping cream, unwhipped</span></span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><shape alt="" id="_x0000_i1030" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata href="http://eaglebrand.com/images/arrow_on.gif" src="file:///C:\Users\HP_ADM~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif"></imagedata></shape></div></td><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span class="recipecopy">3/4 cup mini chocolate chips</span></span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td colspan="2" style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="recipecopymed" style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Instructions</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><shape alt="" id="_x0000_i1031" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata href="http://eaglebrand.com/images/arrow_on.gif" src="file:///C:\Users\HP_ADM~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif"></imagedata></shape></div></td><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="recipecopy" style="font-size: 130%;">In large bowl, combine <b>EAGLE BRAND�</b>, peppermint extract and food coloring (optional); mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><shape alt="" id="_x0000_i1032" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata href="http://eaglebrand.com/images/arrow_on.gif" src="file:///C:\Users\HP_ADM~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif"></imagedata></shape></div></td><td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="recipecopy" style="font-size: 130%;">Pour into ice cream freezer container. Freeze according to manufacturer�s instructions. Freeze leftovers.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span> </div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Check out Lisa's blog for Mr. Linky!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks you </span><a href="http://eaglebrand.com/home.asp"><span style="font-size: large;">Eagle Brand Milk</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> for today's recipe!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-58869528462702250112010-08-16T19:00:00.000-05:002010-08-16T16:04:55.204-05:00A little Comfort with my food Please...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfXYRhciNcSbppvtw_4l4Nw11qIWhGSevQcv5XYNqi2fYuAi5QGqv5bTp4bseTbsfkjNhGVDsPEakD9-0Smns9F2OY2g9MRnHZGgoNEXtPEslrlqbIAzzMWYiUhLZaJK1O0mTqXOvx5fC/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfXYRhciNcSbppvtw_4l4Nw11qIWhGSevQcv5XYNqi2fYuAi5QGqv5bTp4bseTbsfkjNhGVDsPEakD9-0Smns9F2OY2g9MRnHZGgoNEXtPEslrlqbIAzzMWYiUhLZaJK1O0mTqXOvx5fC/s320/temptmytummy-new1.png" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">(this was orginally posted on Oct. 28,2008 by me)</span><br />
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">Welcome to <span style="color: #990000; font-weight: bold;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday</span>. Glad to have you join us. My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We share recipes, kitchen and cooking tips, and anything food related that you want to share. So, join the fun. Write your foodie post and then link back to my blog, mentioning Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. Don't forget to leave your link info, with <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/">Mr. Linky he lives at Lisa's blog. </a></div><br />
Today I am writing about something amazing I saw last week. I could not believe my eyes. Could it be that simple I thought? Could it be that easy to have homemade doughnuts in my own home? Surely not!<br />
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BUT <a href="http://www.pauladeen.com/">Paula Deen</a> made it so. She made Doughnuts using... <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">are you ready for this </span>(you MUST do a drum roll in your head please)... <span style="color: #339999; font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">store bought biscuits!</span></span><br />
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Yep, you read that right, <a href="http://www.pillsbury.com/products/biscuits/refrigerated/Grands-Biscuits.htm">biscuits</a>. I was sitting there with my jaw dropped open like an idiot.<br />
I got so excited. I plan to try this on Saturday for my little family as a treat.<br />
You can <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/chocolate-dippy-doughnuts-recipe/index.html">go directly to the Food Network website to see the recipe </a>and more wonderful Paula delights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZu4aNd-47g01QU6BkMI9Wttm3snJPDLkhnjUC1Rw2UzujnklxqCwyxF0hgFJUgXPtiK7wNGnzr0M8DnTPNZZkWlpGj1V-P1sfhVeWoyc_dss7S9tvn2lwjLCPn6dx6A5HdJzhkSp8MFQ/s1600-h/PA1105_Chocolate_Donuts_med.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262004253750561586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZu4aNd-47g01QU6BkMI9Wttm3snJPDLkhnjUC1Rw2UzujnklxqCwyxF0hgFJUgXPtiK7wNGnzr0M8DnTPNZZkWlpGj1V-P1sfhVeWoyc_dss7S9tvn2lwjLCPn6dx6A5HdJzhkSp8MFQ/s320/PA1105_Chocolate_Donuts_med.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 120px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 160px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663333; font-size: 180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paula Deen's Chocolate-Dippy Doughnuts</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Ingredients:<br />
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Peanut Oil<br />
1 Can store -bought biscuits<br />
1 (4oz) bar sweet chocolate ( Baker's German recommended)<br />
1/2 oz (1/2 square) unsweetened chocolate<br />
1 stick unsalted butter<br />
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
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Directions:<br />
Preheat fryer with peanut oil to 350 degrees<br />
Separate pre-cut biscuits. Make a hole in the middle with your hand and sculpt dough into a doughnut shape. Place doughnuts into fryer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, flipping to fry both sides. Place doughnuts aside onto a paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil.<br />
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Melt the chocolate and butter in a saucepan over very low heat. Stir in the sugar, alternating with the evaporated milk, blending well. Raise the heat to medium and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat and cook, stirring, until the mixture becomes thick and creamy, about 8 minutes. Stir in the vanilla then remove the pan from the heat.<br />
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Stick a fork through the doughnut holes and dip the doughnuts immediately into the chocolate mixture before the chocolate starts to cool. Place the doughnuts on a plate and serve when the chocolate on the doughnuts sets, about 5 minutes.<br />
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Seriously... this is NOT a weight watcher kind of post... it is all comfort here!<br />
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Have a great week and don't forget to come back next week for more foodie fun. Now, check out <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/">Lisa's for more exciting food posts.</a></div></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;">picture from FoodTV.com</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaRz-Z2Fk2PAfYEXo0IIphh68k5k6dYJOtGP6_P__ji4x82zdojTXgv6lQNngevBI6yJXi3pHiaKRURRNWN2KKlPiKzOw1Yl8iOnzxXba_Mu5OzhmO9ZyLGAB0edQusI3GUHgI8dUY_fv/s1600-h/swirl2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209348089300876706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaRz-Z2Fk2PAfYEXo0IIphh68k5k6dYJOtGP6_P__ji4x82zdojTXgv6lQNngevBI6yJXi3pHiaKRURRNWN2KKlPiKzOw1Yl8iOnzxXba_Mu5OzhmO9ZyLGAB0edQusI3GUHgI8dUY_fv/s200/swirl2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-2068008737319860312010-08-16T15:55:00.001-05:002010-08-16T15:57:18.013-05:00I've fallen in love again...<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8vU9zuqZl9IL2oz9zpt1epbmDI7Qz3tBnYCaWfcVc5JjNpKdHCEVfYAfOMBC7S9qEm7WWxPGJ7h65pAI-UUTYOb0ILK0wMopqFLTbr8o0IQ-qcGO7opMyHCjFJLEsPHeMdRxAz86IZIX/s1600/reading.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8vU9zuqZl9IL2oz9zpt1epbmDI7Qz3tBnYCaWfcVc5JjNpKdHCEVfYAfOMBC7S9qEm7WWxPGJ7h65pAI-UUTYOb0ILK0wMopqFLTbr8o0IQ-qcGO7opMyHCjFJLEsPHeMdRxAz86IZIX/s320/reading.bmp" /></a></div><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Yes it is true, I've fallen in love again... with... READING</span></strong>! I have to be honest, for most of my life thus far, I have not been a reader. Oh, in high school and college it was all about the "required" reading and I didn't jump full force into the wonderful world of books. In 2000, when I was newly single again, I found <span style="background-color: white;">comfort </span> at night in reading. I had such a hard time going to sleep in my little apartment all alone, I would read until I fell asleep. I enjoyed it, but the passion had not ignited. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdMfZUQ41uAqPUb3Qpx6d2GBrPailBYfgFo_PAkDrqo1J7qrlAcVpaOHIW8RZ0Y8mMAh-KE51mVG2E5qb1-nnGH8s4CFfT68XYQsCNPmp7bXhrV_Tf_HfH_hJQUDfjqOloRYASMkR3rxv/s1600/kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdMfZUQ41uAqPUb3Qpx6d2GBrPailBYfgFo_PAkDrqo1J7qrlAcVpaOHIW8RZ0Y8mMAh-KE51mVG2E5qb1-nnGH8s4CFfT68XYQsCNPmp7bXhrV_Tf_HfH_hJQUDfjqOloRYASMkR3rxv/s320/kindle.jpg" /></a>But, at Christmas my husband gave me one of the best presents I have ever received. A<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FSUDM4/ref=sv_kinh_0"> Kindle</a>. I absolutely love it. It has been so great! With all the problems I had during my pregnancy this Spring, I found myself sitting in the recliner most evenings and days when I was not working. Especially the last 2 months when I was having to be off my feet. It was great because I would find a book online a the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Books/b/ref=sv_kinh_1?ie=UTF8&node=1286228011">Amazon store</a> and in a matter of moments it loaded to my Kindle and I was reading. There are so many books that are free and under $9. I read books I've been wanting to read for years but was too lazy to go to the book store and buy them. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have found a perfect time to read... it is while I am holding my little man and giving him a bottle, which happens quite often. We get to snuggle and I get to read. As soon as I finish a book, I am looking for the next one to start. The BEST news is that the last 7 books I've bought were actually FREE because I use <a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/LMHowell">Swagbucks</a>. com as my search engine. You win swagbucks randomly for searching and doing surveys. Once you have 450 swagbucks you can buy a $5.00 gift card for Amazon.com. Well, when most of the books I buy are $9.99 or less, it only takes two gift cards and WHA-LA... Free book. I have averaged a new book every 2 weeks. I am LOVING it. My husband loves it because well... they are free and now that I'm not working outside the home, I'll take all the free I can get. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, have you found any books you just can not put down? I'd love to hear what they are. I'm not big on sappy romance stuff- I like intrigue, mystery or historical fiction, oh and really... almost anything! I'll give you list of what I've read in the last 4 months. I can honestly say, I have enjoyed reading them all! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Let me know what you recommend, PLEASE!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here is my list...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Apothecary's Daughter"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Poisonwood Bible"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"Shanghai Girls"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Help"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Secret Life of Bees"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Kite Runner" </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"A Thousand Splendid Suns"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Lovely Bones"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Scent of Rain and Lighting"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Girls With the Dragon Tattoo"</div>"The Girl Who Played with Fire"<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Shadow of the Wind" </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"The Heir"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">OK... I think that is about it. Whew! That is more books than I have read in 10 years... seriously! Now, when I finish a book and I'm waiting on more <a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/LMHowell">swagbucks to buy a new free book</a>... I am re-reading some classics that I loaded for Free as well.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"Pride and Prejudice"</div>and all the Jane Austen collection. I LOVE them as well.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now, what is it I am forgetting to do... Oh Yes... laundry! As much as I want to sit and read all day... I do have housework to do... blah blah blah... but then back to my book or should I say Kindle! </div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-46114354770048860092010-08-09T19:26:00.000-05:002010-08-09T19:26:45.265-05:00Sticky Chicken Linky Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnNYavOH4TBLx9DKfb3cnI09QQM1omgwBB8I4u6ZgBCUL1Mrwiw0RkRwIRETTlL2yledVpXlKEl-j1tOWTfN8WaGhdi1NJdUHqizto-KUbqaBQdseC93uGOJ0DZECnrevDu1XSDv06mQW/s1600/temptmytummy-new1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnNYavOH4TBLx9DKfb3cnI09QQM1omgwBB8I4u6ZgBCUL1Mrwiw0RkRwIRETTlL2yledVpXlKEl-j1tOWTfN8WaGhdi1NJdUHqizto-KUbqaBQdseC93uGOJ0DZECnrevDu1XSDv06mQW/s320/temptmytummy-new1.png" /></a></div>Welcome to <span style="font-size: large;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday</span>. I am so glad you are joining us today. I co-host TMTT with my twin, <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/">Lisa</a>. This blog carnival is all about sharing recipes, cooking tips, and wonderful kitchen and cooking finds. This is a very talented community of cooks. I know you will find something to tempt you.<br />
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By the way... have you seen Lisa's new blog layout? Pretty snazzy huh? I think it is so sassy! <br />
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Today I'm actually posting a link to a great recipe. If you have been around TMTT very long you have no doubt seen <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/">Lisa</a> refer to this recipe. It is <a href="http://www.newlyweds-blog.com/2008/09/26/sticky-chicken-in-crock-pot/">"Sticky Chicken in Crock Pot".</a> I made it today an Oh my house smells so good! This recipe comes from <a href="http://www.newlyweds-blog.com/">"The Newlyweds" blog</a>. She has fabulous stuff, you just have to visit her page. <br />
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The reason I made the Sticky Chicken is because tomorrow I will be making another one of her fabulous recipes that calls for the chicken, it is <a href="http://www.newlyweds-blog.com/2008/09/30/enchiladas-de-pollo-y-queso-aka-cheesy-chicken-enchiladas/">Enchiladas De Pollo Y Queso</a>. Have mercy, they are so tasty! Being a Texas girl, we love our enchiladas and these certainly satisfy. So, follow <a href="http://www.newlyweds-blog.com/">the links over to The Newlyweds</a> for some super good recipes! <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-26560708236650779622010-08-08T21:38:00.000-05:002010-08-08T21:38:20.175-05:00God's PlansI love going to church on Sunday night because <a href="http://www.hpbc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=23148">our pastor</a> is like a different preacher. It is a much smaller crowd, much more intimate, and I think he just lets his guard down a bit more. Tonight he was using <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%207&version=NIV">2 Samuel 7:1-17.</a> This is the passage where King David wants to build a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant, But God has a totally different plan. David wasn't trying to do something wrong but it wasn't God's timing for the Temple to be built. <br />
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It really got me thinking. How many times do I think I'm doing what God would want because it is a "good cause" or "something for the church" but God didn't need my help or even ask for it. I was also reminded of Abraham who left all he knew to go to a new land that God would give him and he never made it there, but with faith he continued to go the path God sent him. Moses never made it to the promise land but he continued to be faithful and obey. They trusted that God had a plan even if they didn't understand it. <br />
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Waiting on the Lord, being faithful in the everyday things that he asks of us, listening and then obeying. It really isn't that hard... why do we act like it is? I hope this week I stop and wait and listen before just jumping right in. It might do me some good to actually ask God what his plans are... he may just tell me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-84900519915631533822010-08-07T19:09:00.000-05:002010-08-07T19:09:58.151-05:00Not Guilty<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fLTSTqeH86M&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fLTSTqeH86M&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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I was able to go to choir this week for the first time since February. Some of you know I just had a baby 3 months ago, but it was a tough pregancy so I had to stop singing in choir and take it very easy. I missed choir more than anything... it is such a special time of worship for me and our church choir is my family. I was so excited to find out we will be doing an arrangement of this song "Not Guilty" It is awesome. The first time I heard it a friend sang it in church and I just wept... what powerful words. All I can think is I am so unworthy of forgiveness... Thank you God for forgiveness....<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303573239659597228.post-28494507259438203422010-08-03T21:10:00.006-05:002010-08-03T21:55:44.359-05:00Hello blog world... I'm back<div><div>Hello, My name is Lana... do you even <a href="http://lanarightnow.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-story.html">remember me</a>? I once was a blogger. Oh yes, remember? I <a href="http://lanarightnow.blogspot.com/2008/08/but-even-if-he-does-not.html">used</a> to <a href="http://lanarightnow.blogspot.com/2008/06/trusting-in-him-no-matter-what.html">blog</a> all <a href="http://lanarightnow.blogspot.com/2008/02/good-fences-make-good-what.html">the</a> time, not just on <a href="http://lanarightnow.blogspot.com/2008/07/tempt-my-tummy-tuesday.html">Tuesday's when we talk food</a>. Seriously folks, I've been on a blog fast and I am so glad to be typing again. It all went down hill for my blogging when I went back to work about 3 years ago and then my hours kept increasing at work and my blogging was decreasing. It was life and that was it. </div><div> </div><div>Also, I was working at our <a href="http://www.hpbc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=23146">church</a>... and honestly, there is only so much I can put in this blog about my church and the people I worked with and or crazy situations I encountered. Oh don't get me wrong, there was plenty to talk about, just would not have been a good idea to put it on the world wide web. One thing you have to remember working at a church is... people are still people even when they work at a church... we are all human and that makes for fun and well... you know what I mean.</div><div> </div><div>So since<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOjSkTxA26X4rSyh_MLrGk3PRX5VbND89LFhFhcUjRl_ELw921rYg2L8GjSQGdalGIZgeWIWO9s-4F6Y7Ow_f-TwZUySZmvIkVy25YBwHmFbIl7nXhyKmnf3aV3yA3ufVcDQeUz9Y9WFi/s1600/104a+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501377004959571266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOjSkTxA26X4rSyh_MLrGk3PRX5VbND89LFhFhcUjRl_ELw921rYg2L8GjSQGdalGIZgeWIWO9s-4F6Y7Ow_f-TwZUySZmvIkVy25YBwHmFbIl7nXhyKmnf3aV3yA3ufVcDQeUz9Y9WFi/s200/104a+copy.jpg" /></a> we talked last... no, no, I'm not going to give you all the details... but A LOT has been going on. My dear husband went back to school and graduated with a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyegt9S34gfbaPjmMeeyBmQmnlfrAz5snXD0v_2_EfndqqhBJhxCK-We8tZRQjb5qndABRC5IgfF-mVTH7VJCqcBWFTrDcrI7tGtSSAskn8qKeiQ9u-O9yI8s7j3foy2yqKB_OHPy-muND/s1600/053a.jpg"></a>Masters in Software Engineering. I am so proud of him! And we have a new addition to the family... a sweet baby boy. Spencer Knox! Is he the cutest little guy ever! We are all in love with him, especially his big sister Kathryn. It has been a fun 3 months so far. </div><div> </div><div>So, thankfully, I am no longer working and am home now, officially a Stay at Home Mom again. </div><div> </div><div>I am praying this gives me more time to do the things I have truly missed since ging back to work... blogging, attending Ladies Bible study, volunteering at my daughters school, helping family when needed, getting my house cleaned up and maybe even do some painting. Most of all I am looking forward to taking good care of my family. </div><div> </div><div>I'll do my best to get my blogging butt back in to gear, be patient with me, I'll try to think of something fun or interesting or profound to say... or maybe not.</div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/192/EC58181ED88A67378CF250D8E9E22F79.png" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s1600-h/swirl3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 80px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269016152111475650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSt-lHomY-bUu9tBo-JPDvOqHwxPGHgxZEUu4zJEPURX_MKJrBPYP3NxtSzxHQNpUkDrzJJZsAY08aYW2unacmWZ7QgelNQDPcuKUIcVqzG8vAgCUISDeboBGJl_B0_pcZ4UooOd8CB3J/s200/swirl3.jpg" /></a></div></div>Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11278515816812016067noreply@blogger.com4