Thought for the Day

My mom sent this to me a while back and I've kept it on my computer for inspiration. I do not know the source.


In each of us there exists a lake, where peace lives, and strength is born. Begin each day with a drink from its waters and go there often to refill your cup. The lake is never dry, but the path to it is sometimes hidden. The music of water, the beauty of a flower, or the depth of prayer will show you the way.

I need a Pick-me-up

Ever have one of those days? It's not that it's going badly. I'm just really, really tired. I've had a sick baby since Thursday (Emma was sick the three days prior to that) and I've had one too many sleepless nights. It's getting better, and it's actually quite manageable in the whole scope of things. But I need a pick-me-up today.

What I'd really like to be doing right now is taking a nap while the kids sleep. I'm grateful that they nap together and I have some down time in the afternoons. I rarely nap anymore because, but there are times like today when my body is screaming for it. We leave on Thursday for TN so there's lots of laundry to be done, stuff to pack, a few more presents to wrap, and Christmas letters to be addressed. Emma's preschool Christmas program is also early this evening so I need to be sure everyone is fed, dressed properly, and out of the house by 6.

So I'm charging on, despite that intense urge to curl up on my sofa. I made myself some Irish Cream flavored hot chocolate and I'll get done what I can. And maybe tomorrow I'll be able to justify that little nap. I salute all of you who don't have the luxury to take that afternoon nap... whether it's because you work outside the home, or one of your kids doesn't nap, or because you, too, have other responsibilities calling your name. Drink your caffeine, take a brisk walk in the cool air, put on some upbeat music, chat with a coworker or friend, and then crash when you can. Because we all deserve it!!!

Chicken Enchiladas

One of my readers requested this recipe for here it is. This was discovered by a friend in college. There were 7 of us women who lived together for two years in a row. Oh, the fun we had and the growing up we all did together!!! We all did anywhere from a little to a lot of cooking those two years. Some were experienced and gifted in the kitchen. Others (okay, me) had wonderful training from our mothers but didn't put much effort into the whole thing until we had to... which happened to be junior/senior years of college. This was one of those recipes that was prepared several times during those two years, if I recall correctly. In fact, we put together a cookbook at the end of our senior year with contributions from each of us. It's one of the special momentos I have of college life and friendships... and I use it quite often!!

Chicken/Turkey Enchiladas

1/2 c. chopped onion
3 T. butter
1 c. sour cream
2 1/2 c. cooked, cubed chicken or turkey
2 c. shredded cheese (cheddar or whatever you like)
10 flour tortillas
1 c. turkey or chicken broth
1-4 oz. green peppers
1/3 c. taco sauce
1/8 t. chili powder
2 T. flour
1/2 c. chopped tomatoes

In a glass bowl, combine the onions, peppers, and 1 T. butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Add taco sauce, 1/4 c. sour cream and chili powder. Stir in meat and 1/2 c. cheese. Divide mixture among the tortillas. Roll and place seam side down in 9x13 dish. Microwave remaining 2 T. butter until melted. Blend in flour, then add broth. Microwave 3-4 minutes or until thickened (my microwave does this much faster, by the way.) Stir in remaining sour cream. Pour over enchiladas. Microwave 6-8 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and microwave until cheese is melted. Serve topped with chopped tomatoes, fresh avocado, and fresh cilantro.


I found a very ripe platano (plantain) the other day in the store and decided to fry it up with this meal. So then I made some rice and beans as well ( I cheated with a box mix.) It was all so delicious together!!

Free Meds

Ha. This isn't your typical blog entry today, no. There are some perks (or rather, inconveniences) to moving into a house previously owned by an MD. For example, sometimes we get free samples in the mail. A couple of years ago it was for something, I can't even remember what. I called in to say that Robert McElhaney no longer lived here. They said to "dispose" of the meds. I passed them off to a friend of someone. I can't really remember. But I haven't received any since.

I am, however, on my third box of Prilosec. You may have heard of it... it's a popular over-the-counter medication for heartburn these days. Perhaps you know someone who uses it, or maybe you even take it yourself. I need to hear from you!! I've been told again to "dispose" of it when I call. Well, I'm not going to waste it, and I've already given the first two boxes to my friend's aunt. I think she's set for a couple of years. :) I will add that it's quite disappointing when UPS visits my house and this is what they drop off. Bummer. They could at least be sending me some Advil or children's medication... something we actually use around here. Anyway, please let me know if you or someone you know could use some free Prilosec. My sister also suggested donating it to a clinic which I think is a very good idea. So if I have any left, I'll check with a couple of doctors/nurses I know who volunteer their time at a local clinic. (If you fit in this category, speak out please.)

p.s. You'll probably want to email me if you'd like to partake in this freebie. I will do my best to get it to you. I wish you and yours a heartburn-free holiday!

Thought for the Day

"I can be changed by what happens to me.
But I refuse to be reduced by it."

- Maya Angelou

Morning Surprise

Pete woke up to a surprise this morning. The Corolla wouldn't start. One might think the battery was dead on a cold morning like this. So he opened the hood and found "a wad of paper and stuffing." He called over to our neighbor, Don, who is a car salesman and just a knowledgable guy when it comes to stuff like this. He suggested a mouse probably climbed in there and made a nest... maybe ate through a wire or something. Nice. Fortuantely Pete was able to get the car started after a few more minutes.

Simple Joys

This is a fun year with Emma. She has such excitement for both Christmas and the snow. She has two Advent calendars - one my mom made of felt years ago for my sister and me, and one she made at school. She goes to the felt one first each morning and reaches into the pocket after she figures out what day it is. Afterward she heads to her handmade tree where she puts a sticker on the right day. Along with these traditions, she has been requesting to "enjoy the lights" each evening before bed. We turn off all of the lights except for the ones on the tree and the mantle. The three of us (Andrew's in bed) snuggle on the couch and sing Christmas songs. Yesterday morning Emma and I went to the grocery store with a list of items for the food pantry. We bought for pantries in both Elkhart and St. Joe County since we border the two, and both our church and her preschool do collections. Emma and I had a long conversation about who might need food and why they might not have enough money to buy their own, etc. I think/hope it made an impression on her. She was very enthusiastic about buying certain items for "the pantry." I hope we can make this an annual tradition. These all have been special ways to prepare for and celebrate Jesus's birth. I look forward to more ways we can do this as a family as the children get older.

Friday evening, Pete, Emma, and I cuddled on the couch and watched "Polar Express" while we ate popcorn and drank Sprite. Emma's disappointed whenever she smells us making popcorn after she has gone to bed, so this was extra special for her!! On Saturday, she and Pete made a snow person. You can see he/she is very unique. She is very proud of her work with daddy!!

Chunky Vegetable Chili

As promised earlier this fall, I'm sharing my favorite soup recipes occasionally on this blog. This is one is delicious. It's quick to assemble and quite healthy too. The bonus is that you can put it in the crockpot and forget about it until dinner!!

Chunky Vegetable Chili

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 in. pieces
1 medium green sweet pepper, coarsely chopped
1/2 c. coarsely chopped onion
1/2 c. coarsely chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 -3 t. chili powder (we usually do 2)
1 t. dried oregano, crushed
1/2 t. ground cumin
2 - 14 1/2 oz. cans Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
17 oz. can whole kernal corn, undrained
15 oz. can black beans, rinsed & drained
8 oz. salsa

Combine everything in crockpot. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Serve with dollop of sour cream on top and/or shredded cheese.

Andrew is ONE!

How this year has flown by!! Today our little Andrew Jacob turned one year old. We had celebrated in PA over Thanksgiving with a little party, but I couldn't resist celebrating again this evening. I know he wouldn't have known the difference and certainly he (nor did any of us) didn't need more sugar, but I couldn't let the day go without something special. So Emma and I made cupcakes this afternoon and frosted them.

His reaction with both treats was just priceless. During the party, he looked very intently at the piece of cake, studied it, slowly stuck his finger in the cool whip (we used this in place of frosting), then studied it some more and eventually licked his finger. It was then time to dig in. I thought he'd be less hesitant today since he had already experienced the taste of sugar. But this time, he stuck several fingers in the frosting (it was cream cheese frosting) and just moved them around for a while... feeling the texture. He did all this with a content smile on his face, of course. After a good minute (I mean it), he tasted it. He must have approved.

It's been such a joy to watch Andrew's personality develop over the past year. He really is a content child in so many ways. He loves to explore and study things. He's happy just waddling around the house checking things out. But he's also happy sitting and playing with different toys and objects. He loves to manipulate things, read books, and listen to music. He dances, "sings", and plays the drum. Last evening I was putting lotion on my hands and he started to imitate the motion. He adores his big sister and our cat, Elly, saying "yyooowwww" whenever he sees her. And he loves when Daddy comes home in the evenings. This is so sweet to see since Emma was still pretty attached to mom at this age. Can you tell I'm in love?! :)

Thought for the Day

"I wouldn't worry so much about what people thought of me if I knew how seldom they did."

- Dr. Phil's dad

Boxers or Briefs?

One household chore I have a difficult time keeping up with is cleaning floors. I think it's because a) I have several of them (kitchen, mud room, 2 bathrooms, and three small tiled areas) b) The high-traffic areas get dirty so easily and frequently... and hairy (although this has improved with just a cat and no longer a dog) c) This is one chore I cannot successfully accomplish when my children are present and awake in the house and d) I hate using a mop. I've had little success with them. They seem to just push around the hair and the dirt.

I like to clean my floors the old fashioned way. I like to get down on my hands and knees and scrub. The water and the rag gets changed at least once. My theory is if I'm taking the time to clean, it might as well get really clean. My goal is to scrub floors once a week. It's been more like 1-2 times a month in the last year.

So here's my tip for other hands-and-knees scrubbers. I use Pete's old boxers. The ones that rip after years of wear and get turned into rags. I like the flannel cotton ones best because the fabric is soft for washing and the elastric trim on the waist is perfect for scrubbing. So if you haven't discovered this yet and you or a male in your household wears boxers, I recommend you try it!!

Just call me Heloise today. :)

Meals for the Week

My goal this month is to plan my menu as much as possible around the food already in my fridge, freezer, and cupboards. I still need to hit the grocery store to get fresh produce, other necessities, and items to complete my meals. It's been fun, though, to see what I have and attempt to work with it. Plus it saves money! I'd love to take some of the money I'm saving and do a grocery trip just to buy items for a food pantry. Perhaps Emma and I will make a special trip in the next week or so. I'll let you know.

Here are my meals for this week:

Sunday - Grilled steaks, baked sweet potatoes, broccoli and cheese, oatmeal bread
Monday - dhal over rice, cucumber yogurt salad
Tuesday - leftovers
Wednesday - lasagna (I froze an extra one when I made this last month!), cheesy bread, salad
Thursday - Pete's work Christmas party
Friday - Vegetable Chili, Cornbread, cheese
Saturday or Sunday - Chicken Enchiladas, spanish rice, corn

Beef, Anyone?

Last February we purchased a half of a cow with friends of ours. We thought it a good decision... we knew where the cow was coming from, what it was fed, what is was not injected with, and it filled our freezer with a variety of cuts of beef that could be used throughout the year. It's been really nice to have roasts, steaks, and ground beef on hand.

One thing I would do different.y next time is to ask them to ground certain cuts of meat into ground beef instead. First of all, we told them to just give us cuts as they were since this was our first time and we wanted to see how it would all work out. Secondly, we were given about half as much ground beef as the original information had stated. So... we ended up with lots of beef bones, some shanks, and some other cuts I just plain had never heard of.

So I'm looking for some recipes. Do you have any good ones out there for shanks or short ribs? And what I'd really like is a yummy recipe for beef and noodles (I'd like to use my beef bones for this one.) I could (and have) look through cookbooks but it's always nice when someone shares a recipe he/she has made before and knows is tasty. Those are the ones I'm looking for!! Bring on the recipes!

Packing List

My friend, Jen S., suggested that I post my packing list that I use to prepare for our family trips. This is catered to a woman and to small children so please keep that in mind. There are some items that are not needed as much or at all now that Andrew is older. Also, I always do a little tweaking before each trip depending on where we are going, for how long, etc. For example, we need those swim suits and beach towels if there's a pool. And no need for all the extra big stuff if it's a quick trip or relatives have what we need. I've thought before that I should do a list for the beach, a list for camping, a list for the grandparents, etc., but it really seems more work than necessary. This basic list usually works pretty well. (Sorry about the length... I couldn't figure out how to post in columns.)

Emma
outfits
socks
underwear
pull-ups
sippy cup
pjs
blankets
jacket/hat
travel kit
shoes
toothbrush/toothpaste
tangle spray

Andrew
onesies
outfits
socks
robeez
diapers
wipes
Tylenol
nebulizor/meds
pjs
washcloths
towel
blankets
hats
bottles
burp cloths

Kris
underwear
bras/breastpads
pantiliners/tampons
vitamins
outfits
pjs
socks
toothbrush/paste
pick
contacs/solution
glasses
sunglasses
makeup
face/body lotion
shoes
coat
spot cream
hair products
deoderant
face wash
hairdryer
pump

Other
snacks for trip
water
plastic bags
magazines/books
camera
videocamera
host(ess) gift
scrapbooks
DVDs/CDs

Misc Kid
backpack
Moby Wrap/sling
stroller
books
toys
snacks
bibs
monitors
wash cloths
towels
thermometer
soap/shampoo
booster chair
pack-n-play/sheets
fan
CD player

Happy Feet

Last Friday Pete, my sister (Tonya), and I took Emma to see her first movie. I had seen trailers for Happy Feet and thought it looked adorable. If you know me well, or knew me growing up, you know I love penguins. I haven't collected them in years but this movie and "The March of the Penguins" have reinforced my love for them. They are just such cute animals! And they really do have a fascinating existence.

Anyway, I had read that the movie was rated PG for some language, humor, and "mild peril." I figured it was worth a shot with Emma. Usually three year-olds don't pick up much with the humor. I was right about that. Nothing concerning in the least. And I can't even remember what the language was, but it was like "stupid" or something like that. No biggie. The mild peril, on the other hand, was a bit much for Emma. It always occured when an animal was trying to get/eat the penguins. The movie was very loud and the sound and visual effects made it scarier than it needed to be. Emma learned to hide her eyes and did ask to go back to Grandpa and Grandma's a couple of times. I'm pretty sure it didn't traumatize her or scar her for life though. I suppose it's a good thing she is sensitive to that. But do think twice about taking a child if he/she is young and/or sensitive to this type of thing.

Other than the peril, I highly recommend the movie. It was very entertaining. The music and the dancing was so fun and well done. I'll definitely be adding the soundtrack to my wish list. Some really talented actors, such as Nicole Kidman, Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, among others, were the voices. The movie had several good messages - about proper disposal of waste and its effect on animals, the benefit of keeping animals in their natural habitat vs. caging in a zoo or aquarium, how fishing/taking their food source can affect penguins (and other animals), learning to find the good in others despite their differences. It even had a multiethnic spin in its choice of characters and music.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who might have seen this movie. If not, I'd encourage you to get to the theaters or put on your priority list when it comes to DVD. I have a feeling this will be another must-own movie in our household!

And We're Off!

One thing about living away from our families is that we travel a lot. Most holidays are spent on the road, except for the few that we're able to convince our families to come to us. Okay, it's not that difficult. They are all very good about coming out here... especially this last year when I was pregnant and then had a young baby. But this year it's our turn again. We'll leave for PA tomorrow and then spend Christmas in TN.

I kind of feel like a pro now when it comes to preparing for a trip. Although it still is a bit stressful and takes some energy to get everything together. I was talking to another mom at Emma's preschool this morning about how much work it is to get ready. I kind of felt silly - she is the mom of 7 children. But regardless, it is work.

I've learned a couple of things along the way and will continue to learn for years to come. Some tips I have are the following:

• I try to always get my laundry done a day in advance. This meant that I did load after load yesterday. But what a good feeling to get up this morning and know that anything I needed to pack was clean and ready to go.
• I keep an ongoing "packing list" on my computer. It's a list of the essentials for me, both kids, and the general stuff. I let Pete take care of himself. This is not his method and really, it doesn't need to be since he's only responsible for his clothes, toiletries, and optional reading material. I, on the other hand, need to make sure the rest of us have the right clothes, snacks, cameras are ready to go, gifts are wrapped (this time it's my dad's bday celebration), etc. The list helps me remember what I need. I can add to it or just cross off things that might not be necessary for a particular trip. It's totally worth it for me. Just print it off and I've got my guide.
• I always stick a bottle of water or two in the freezer the night before. This can serve as an icepack for a cooler or a drink a little later on the trip. (I'm partial to cold water.)
• If we'll be traveling into the evening, I keep a set of pjs in a travel bag up front so the change is easy and we don't have to go routing through suitcases.
• Whenever possible, we fill up and get cash out before the trip. Pete's out getting cash tonight (oh and my weekly pumpkin pie blizzard but that's not really important to the matter at hand) and I filled the tank yesterday. It cuts time and gets us on the road faster.
• Before we go to bed tonight, everything we need, with the exception of things being used overnight or necessary to get ready in the morning, will be packed and sitting in the living room. That way in the morning, I can quickly get last minute items (these are circled on my list) into the right places and out to the van easily.

Maybe this is all common sense, but these are just some of the things I do to make this trips possible and not too overwhelming. I'd love to hear other suggestions out there as well.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm thankful for each of you in my life.

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!

In our house we've got a "big guy" and a "little guy." Can you tell which one this is? (Perhaps the '70 colors and furniture give it away a bit.) These pictures were taken 30 years ago... today Pete turns 31. I say thanks to my in-laws for raising such a wonderful man who is hard-working, loyal, kindhearted, easy-going, and a very loving father. The kids and I drove to his office today to take him out for lunch. Emma keeps telling everyone that he is 21 today. I guess that's not such a bad thing. :) This evening just Pete and I will celebrate by going out for wings when the kids are in bed.

So happy birthday, sweetie! We love you!

p.s. The "little guy" turns one in a couple of weeks. I'll be sure to post pictures of that... you may notice a resemblance...

Maple-Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Again, a post about food. I'm a little obsessed with food. I really like to eat and I really like to cook. So it makes sense that I really like to talk (or blog) about food. Anyway, I wanted to share this recipe with you all weeks ago when I tried it so this is long overdue. It comes from Good Housekeeping and called for chicken thighs (we used breasts instead.) It was so easy and so tasty. The whole family (my parents and sister were also visiting) gobbled it up.

Maple-Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

4 large skinless chicken thighs
2 small sweet potatoes (about 1 lb. total), peeled and cut into 1 in. chunks
1 small onion, cut into 1 in. pieces
16 oz. bag baby carrots or 8 oz. parsnips, cut into 1 in. chunks (I used the carrots)
1/4 cup maple syrup (I used the real stuff)

1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. In jelly roll pan or large shallow roasting pan, combine chicken, sweet potato chunks, onion, carrots, maple syrup, 1 t. salt, and 1/2 t. pepper, and toss to coat.
3. Roast chicken mixture 40-45 minutes or until juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced with tip of knife and liquid in pan thickens slightly, stirring vegetables once and turning chicken over halfway through roasting.

Meals for the Week

I had a menu planned for the week, but now I'm looking at, thinking I may switch some things around. Let's start with this evening for example, I really don't feel like cooking afterall so we may just order some pizza. We'll see.

Here are meals I am prepared to cook this week:

• Chicken Corn Soup, Oatmeal Bread
• Sweet-spicy glazed salmon, baked sweet potatoes, asparagus
• Pork Chop Casserole, Acorn Squash

Happy cookin' and eatin' this week!

The Sounds of Christmas

I love listening to Christmas music. I have been known to start playing it a bit on the early side. I know there was a year I began in September. Pete claims I started once in August but I'm not ready to agree with him. This year I waited until October. Yes, thank you. I consider that an accomplishment as well. I just love the sounds of Christmas. I have lots of good CDs. The music is uplifting to me and reminds me of the joy of the season. When I was in a slump a few weeks ago, my Christmas CDs were one of the things that got me through. And they remain in my disc changer here at home.

As I child, one of my favorite records was Amy Grant's Christmas album. I know she has several now so I can't remember what the title was. But it had a song called, "Tennessee Christmas" (which I find kind of ironic since I get to spend Christmases in TN every few years now :)) and another entitled, "Emmanuel." I used to blare these songs over and over.

Now some of my favorites are:

• "December", George Winston
• "Merry Christmas", Mariah Carey
• "These Are the Special Times", Celine Dion
• Handel's Messiah
• "Christmas Live", Manheim Steamrollers

I would love other suggestions too. I'm always up for expanding my collection.

We also have a Rosie O'Donnell Christmas CD that has a duet with Elmo so you can imagine that's been getting a lot of play time around here. Emma loves to sing and dance as I do (forgot about this similarity in my last post) so I'd love to expand her collection. Any suggestions for good kids' Christmas albums?