Those Wonderful E-M ails

Do you know the opportunities that are available to me through my email inbox??
Why, I could have a career with google, craigs list, or processing rebates.
I've also been offered thousands upon thousands of dollars with which I can get an education or refinance my house!!
Did you know that there are miracle drugs that can help me lose weight, sleep better, deal with depression and anxiety, or quit smoking? Yep, those drugs are available everytime I check the emails.
And the best one of all......my perfect mate is just one click away!!
Oh my....

Freedom Isn't Free

I remember some time during the 80's, a war or gun ship of our country's was bombed and several of our servicemen were killed. I remember watching that memorial service on TV. I watched as the families sat there in their grief. At the conclusion of that service, our president at the time, Ronald Reagan made his way through the rows and spoke to each family of those service people. As Reagan and his wife Nancy made their way through that crowd, they offered up so much support and encouragement. You could literally see which families they had talked to because there seemed to be a general sense of comfort...so much so that even the news people covering the event pointed it out.

Yesterday I heard a quote of Ronald Reagan's that I've never heard before:

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what is was once like in the United States where men were free." Ronald Reagan

May God bless America and preserve our freedoms.

A Manly Man

My Dad is a man of his generation. By that, I mean he is a "manly man." He doesn't do dishes (unless my mom is out of town), he doesn't cook or do laundry or any other household chore for that matter. But that's just fine with my mom. She's a woman of her generation also. She's the keeper of the home. Their household roles have always been very clearly defined. It was great growing up that way. My mom was the nurturer and so much fun. She's always posessed the ability to make the mundane special.

As a "manly man" sickness rarely got my dad down. In his time, you "shook it off" and kept on going. You didn't give into sickness or injury. As a child, therefore, my perception of my dad was one of strength. Steady Eddie...that's my dad.

About a month ago, he came down with some sort of a viral infection that has literally knocked him off his feet. For the first week, he was really sick. Finally, the fever ended but this thing has just seemed to linger on and sap him of strength and stamina. It's been a little hard seeing him physically weak because he's dad....he's strong!!

Our church has been in constant prayer for him. If you think of it, could you say a prayer on his behalf? I know he and our family would appreciate it.

One Cute Kitty

This is my little Missy. I've had her for about 8 years.

Although crazy, she's a little sweetheart.

Thanking Those Who Minister

A Special thank you to my minister who also happens to be my dad.



A Pastor's Heart



A well spoken message stirs a heart to rejoice
There is nothing like a strong, resilient voice
But when sorrow comes, there is no better gift to impart
Then the gift of a caring, pastor's heart


A loving touch or a kind word
A moment of counsel from God's holy word
A telephone call--after you just heard..,
Is the gift of our pastor's heart.


Lord, bless this pastor in each new day
Bless his ministry along the way
For fame and fortune can never impart
The precious gift of a caring pastor's heart


Just a servant of Christ and at times a dear friend
With a desire to love GodTo the very end
Tending his flock in the Savior's way
Is the gift of a pastor's heart


Striving to liveas an apostle of Christ
Serving his father giving Godly advice!
Preaching and teaching and sharing the Word
Is the gift of a caring pastor's heart.


Sandra L. Adams, Copyright 2000

October is Clergy Appreciation Month.

Don't forget to thank those who Minister.

Fall Is Here!!

Woo Hoo!! We're finally coming into some cool fall weather. The leaves are starting to change and fall off the trees. This is my favorite time of year!!

Tomorrow, Emily has a choir concert up at the high school. For dinner, I'll be putting on the crock pot full of Taco Soup which will be all nice and hot by the time we get home!!! Ooooh, I almost can't wait!! My friend, Karen, introduced me to this soup and its become a quick favorite of ours! I almost prefer it to chili. The recipe is as follows:

TACO SOUP

1 pound ground beef; browned and drained
1 envelope taco seasoning
1-1/2 cups water
1 can (15-3/4 ounces) black beans, drained

1 can (15-3/4 ounces) kidney beans, drained
1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix

Combine everything in the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

Top each bowl with grated cheese and sour cream if desired and serve with Fritos or Torilla chips.

Fall Arrangements

When I received this hutch, one of the things I knew I wanted to do with it was to decorate it seasonally. However, I have been in a serious creative slump!

The other day, my mom and I were browsing through a home decor/gift shop that is gorgeously decorated. Of course, everything in there is pretty pricey but we did come out of there with lots of ideas. So motivated by this rush of inspiration, I sent Emily into the

attic to find the box of "Fall Stuff." I had so much fun arranging and re-arraging my shelves and I'm quite pleased with the results. Now all we need is a good shot of cold air again!!

Recipe

Sour Cream Apple Pie

1 c. sour cream

1 c. sugar

3 T. flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

4 c. apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 (9-in.) unbaked pie crust

Beat together sour cream, sugar, flour salt, vanilla, and egg. Add apples. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

*Meanwhile, mix together 1/2 c. packed brown sugar, 1/2 c. flour and 1/4 c. butter. Sprinkle on top and bake an additional 10-15 minutes.

I wasn't sure how to tell it was done so I baked it the full 40 minutes. The pie will be a bit jiggly when you take it out but it firms up as it cools.

Enjoy!!

A New (Old) Pie

Another bushel basket of apples from my mom's apple tree sat on my counter waiting to be used. I made another batch of applesauce and as I'm peeling and coring apples, Cliff said, "Boy, I'd like some more apple pie!"

I decided to go with a Dutch Apple pie this time around. Fall is definately in the air and the thought of cinnamon and apples wafting through the air appealed to me. I began a search for a Dutch Apple Pie recipe, found a couple and turned to the last little recipe book in my kitchen. Actually, this little book is Amy's. It's called, "Grandma's Favorite Recipes" and it was a gift to her from my mom. As I was browsing for the pie recipe, I came across another recipe for Sour Cream Apple Pie. I had all the ingredients on hand so I decided to give it a try.

I can't even begin to tell you how delicious this pie was! It tastes like the apple dip you make with cream cheese and brown sugar, and a carmel apple all mixed up in a pie. Simply delicious!! Both Cliff and I raved all night about that delicious pie!! In fact, I may have to go do some more apple picking to make another one (or two!!)

Housekeeping

You know, I actually enjoy housework. I do, I really do enjoy cleaning my house. I do NOT, however, like picking up items others have left behind so I can get to the actual cleaning!

One chore I find rather relaxing is doing dishes. I do not have a dishwasher so everything gets washed the old-fashioned way. Standing there with my hands in warm, sudsy water has sort of a calming effect on me and I feel like I have really accomplished something when I leave a nice clean kitchen. I also like doing laundry.
I just love the smell of clean clothes and I kind of like folding.

Two chores that aren't my favorite? Making beds. I constantly work at making my bed a habit. I love getting into a well-made bed so I try to use that as motivation. My other least favorite? Cleaning the oven and fridge.

So what about you? What are your favorites and least favorites??

These Economic Times

We have absolutely been flooded with economic news and forcasts. To be honest, I'm not at all surprised because at some point, it seems to me that all this debt has to catch up with us. I'm not a financial expert nor would I ever claim to be but it seems to me that at the bottom line of this most recent "economic crisis" is debt. People making purchases on credit with payments they cannot afford to pay. At some point, something has to give. Personally, I was not in favor of the "bailout" plan especially when details come to light of all the various legislations attached to it. Sometimes in these kinds of situations, I wonder, "what can I do?" I cannot change the economy, Wall Street or Washington. What I can change, however, is myself.

This month, I decided to get serious about our family budget again. We have to! I've looked for more corners to cut...trying to shave here and there and get ourselves in a better financial position.

A Thought on Patriotism

I believe in America. I believe it became great because of its faith in God, its hope for independence and its love for freedom. I am grateful for America's glorious past: I am awed by its unbelievable present; I am confident of its limitless future. I am not ashamed to take my hat off and to stand at attention when Old Glory passes by. I do not apologize for the lump in my throat when I repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. I am not embarrassed by the tears in my eyes when I hear "The Star Spangled Banner." Like millions of Americans, I want a free choice, not a free handout. I prefer an opportunity to prove my abilities on the job rather than a license to demonstrate my frustrations in the street. I am an old-fashioned American with a new-found determination to do my part to make Democracy work. -William Arthur Ward