My all time favorite cookbook

THIS is my all-time favorite cookbook.

I snagged this treasure at Goodwill for $1.29 years ago, and I’ve adored it ever since. It’s absolutely terrific! Published by The Mother’s Club, this was the seventh printing—and only 7,500 copies were made. I truly treasure this book.

I’m a cookbook addict (down to just four favorites now), and the other two are just like this—compilations of beloved recipes from various donors.

What’s your favorite cookbook? Where did you find it?

Ambrosia Fruit Salad

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 (8 ounce) can fruit cocktail, drained
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained (optional)
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a large bowl, combine the whipped topping, coconut, chopped nuts, fruit cocktail, pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, cherries, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix together well and refrigerate for 30 to 45 minutes.

Helping a Friend with cancer

I’ve been asked several times: How can you help a friend fighting cancer? Here are some things that come to mind:

1. Keep it positive. Avoid sharing scary stories like, “My grandmother died from cancer three years ago.” It doesn’t help her stay hopeful.

2. Help with communication. Assist her in making a list of people she wants updated on her treatment. Managing calls and emails can be overwhelming, so offer to send updates after appointments if she wants.

3. Offer to go to appointments. Driving her and taking notes during consultations can be a lifesaver. Chemo brain can make it impossible to remember what the doctor said.

4. Pay attention to her mental health. After my first chemo, I became depressed and even had scary thoughts. Medication adjustments helped immediately. Keep an eye out and encourage her to speak up.

5. Run errands. Chemo brain and fatigue make even simple tasks hard—help with bills, groceries, and school commitments.

6. Laundry help. Offer to take it home and do it for her, especially after surgery when moving and lifting are painful.

7. Childcare support. Help with bus pickups, homework, and playdates, especially the days following treatments.

8. Meal support. Provide freezer meals, delivered dinners, or groceries for her to cook. Keep smells mild to avoid nausea triggers.

9. Coffee runs. A simple cup of coffee the day after treatment can prevent caffeine withdrawal headaches.

10. Respect her rest. Make a “Do Not Disturb—Resting” sign for her door.

11. Personal boundaries. Ask if there’s anyone she prefers not help her out—then kindly run interference.

12. Household help. Arrange for housework, lawn work, and even taking the garbage to the curb.

This list isn’t exhaustive—there’s always more ways to help. If you have ideas, leave a comment! Let’s make this journey a little easier for our friends.

Celebrating through Photographs

I was 37 and pregnant with my fifth child when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Five years later, one of my biggest regrets is that I have almost no photos of me during that time—no pictures with my kids, not even of my newborn. Well… technically I have two photos, and neither is great.

Cancer doesn’t define me, but it certainly shaped me. It’s a part of the journey that made me the woman I am today. And looking back, I wish I had documented it more—photos, journals, anything. They help you celebrate the steps that make you stronger.

So, if you are—or ever have to—take this difficult yet empowering journey through cancer treatment, here’s my advice: take photos. You might not want to look at them right away, but eventually, you will—and you’ll be glad you did. And if you’re afraid you won’t survive the fight, take them anyway. Your loved ones will treasure them.

Here are the two I have:

• One taken by my now-stepdaughter with her Polaroid wristband camera in October 2006, just after my last radiation treatment. (Yuck—I gained so much weight!)

• 
  Another taken by Miranda’s kindergarten teacher at Parent’s Day, toward the end of chemotherapy.
  

The only reason I have these two photos is that other people took them. I had completely forgotten about the one from Miranda’s teacher until it was sent home at the end of the school year.

So, take my advice: snap away, journal, document, start a blog—even a private one just for yourself. These memories are part of your story and will help define who you are.

Good luck on your journey.

—Tammy

Swimmer Eaten by Shark at Galveston Beach

We went to Galveston for the first time today.  Look at what we stumbled upon!  

So stinking clever!  I love it!

Fingerprint-a-phobic

Glass doors, eyeglasses, screens, drinking glasses, ATM machines, public countertops, tape, glue, windows, cell phone screens, mirrors, remote controls. What do these have in common for me? Fear.

One of my most unusual fears is using tape at work. How do you use it without leaving fingerprints? You can’t.

I’ve researched this fear for years. It isn’t about guilt or getting caught. It’s a deep‑rooted anxiety about fingerprints being found and misused. I understand the science behind them, yet understanding doesn’t always quiet fear.

I recognize I have some OCD tendencies. I’ve mentioned them lightly before, but they weren’t always part of my life. This fear didn’t appear out of nowhere.

It began after prolonged trauma. When safety is repeatedly violated, the brain learns to stay on high alert. Ordinary objects no longer feel ordinary. Small details feel dangerous. Even harmless surfaces can trigger unease.

Looking back, I realize how much changed. I once enjoyed working with my hands and creating without hesitation. Fingerprints never crossed my mind. Trauma rewired that freedom into caution.

Today, I’m making a decision. Fear no longer gets the final word. Understanding its root gives me power to move forward. Healing may be gradual, but fear does not control me.

Lord Jesus, give me the strength not to live governed by fear.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Psalm 56:3–4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Swimming Pool Games

Splash Into Summer: 15 Pool Party Games Kids Will Beg You to Play Again

When it comes to pool days, free swimming is fun, but organized games take the excitement to a whole new level. I have been scouring the internet for swimming pool games that keep kids laughing, moving, and begging for just one more round. Here is a roundup of tried and true favorites that guarantee smiles and splashes.

Atomic Whirlpool
Everyone lines up along the pool edge and starts walking in the same direction. Gradually increase to jogging, then spinning, to create a giant human whirlpool. For extra laughs, switch directions and feel the water fight back.

Battleships and Submarines
Split into two teams with bases on opposite sides of the pool. Battleships swim on the surface while submarines move underwater. Submarines try to tag battleships before coming up for air. Expect strategy, splashing, and nonstop giggles.

Belly Flop Contest
Contestants leap in with style while judges rate creativity, splash size, and bravery. Encourage dramatic poses and funny reactions. Applause decides the winner and small prizes make it even more exciting.

Bottle
Toss a two liter bottle into the pool while everyone keeps their eyes closed. Once it splashes, teams race to push it to their chair on the opposite side. First team to score three points wins.

Bumper Boats
Each player sits in a tube and uses their legs to move. The goal is to bump opponents until they fall off their tube. The last player still floating on their boat wins.

Chicken
Players pair up with one rider on shoulders and one swimmer underneath. Teams try to knock others over while staying upright themselves. Balance and teamwork are key.

Crocodile Hunter
Volunteers get sixty seconds to wrestle an inflatable crocodile. Judges score based on creativity, spins, rolls, and dramatic flair. This one is always a crowd favorite.

Rubber Ducky Race
Each player pushes a rubber duck across the pool using only their nose or blowing the water. No hands, feet, or biting allowed. The first duck to reach the finish line wins.

Gator
One player starts as the gator in the middle of the pool. Others try to swim across without being tagged. Anyone tagged becomes a gator too until only one swimmer remains.

King of the Tube
One player sits on a tube as the champion. Challengers attempt to knock them off. The player who holds the spot the longest earns the crown.

Noodle Joust
Two players sit on rafts and use pool noodles to knock each other into the water. Winners stay on to face the next challenger.

Pool Volleyball
Split into teams and play volleyball using a beach ball or pool ball. Points are scored when the opposing team cannot return the ball.

Water Freeze Tag
One player is it and tags swimmers who must freeze in place. Other players can unfreeze them using silly or creative moves. The game continues until everyone is frozen.

Safety First
Adult supervision is essential for any pool activity. Make sure rules are clear, swimmers take breaks when needed, and everyone feels safe and included. The best pool parties are the ones kids remember for their fun and care.

World's Best Chicken Fingers

Crispy, Tender Chicken Strips – So Simple!

Breading Mix:

1 box Jiffy Cornbread mix

2 cups flour

Cajun seasoning, to taste

Salt, to taste

Dip Process:

1. Coat thawed chicken strips in the flour mixture.

2. Dip in an egg wash (eggs + milk + salt + optional dash of hot sauce).

3. Back into the flour mixture.

Cooking:

Flash fry on medium-high heat until golden. Transfer to a wire rack on a cookie sheet and finish in the oven at 350°F for ~25 minutes.

Tips:

I always double the batch for my tribe – 5 pounds at a time!
Result: crunchy outside, tender inside. Serve with honey mustard, naturally.

Pro tip: Your family will beg for seconds.

The Joy of Giving by Ginger Chapman

Luke 6:38

 

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV)

 

Giving

 

        My car was in the shop for 3 weeks due to a deer hitting it.  When I went to pay, I expected to pay all my deductible plus the part my insurance declined.  I was so surprised when the shop said my deductible was $100 less and they would take care of the insurance difference.  This is a perfect example of God using people to give to those who are faithful in giving.  Our tithe always came first before any bills or other expenses.  Then there were the love offerings as God would lead us to give to others.  It is a joy to be a giver.  It is even nice when you unexpectedly receive.  But whether you are the giver or the receiver, it is all through God’s loving hand.  However, we must be careful not to use the above verse in a self-centered way, giving to receive.  That is a prosperity message believed and tooted by many misguided people.  The reason we give is not to get back but for the real joy of God using us to bless someone else.  Let’s always be open to receiving that joy and also be open to being the recipient for others receiving the joy of giving.

By Ginger Chapman

My Five Year Cancerversary

We all have milestone dates in our lives, specific dates of each year that mean something important to us, birthdays, anniversaries, date of a loved ones passing.  Cancer survivors have an additional date that is permanently etched in our memory, our cancerversary. For many of us, we use the date we were diagnosed, surgery date or date of our last treatment (Chemotherapy or Radiation).  You never forget where you were or what you were doing when you hear those words, "You have cancer."

I like to use the date of my biopsy.  My date is January 13th, and I'm now a 5-year cancer survivor.  I remember it very clearly. I was 27 weeks pregnant with my fifth child.  I was having my biopsy on Friday the 13th of January.   I consider this date more meaningful than any other date that passes in my calendar year. It is the day that life as I knew it ended, and I was given another chance.  Life is never the same after a cancer diagnosis. No matter the outcome. It has been a very rough ride these last five years, but I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to live through it.  Long ago, without medical technology, I probably would have passed away shortly after giving birth to Kiera that next April.

I can now proudly say, "I'm a 5 year survivor."  After all, the five-year mark is universally known as the "all clear" mark, it often considered the closest to a cure as you can get with breast cancer.  My oncologist does not recognize it as a benchmark though.  There are plenty “survivors” who made it 5, 10, 15 years only to hear of cancer recurrence.  I celebrate tentatively, but with a great deal gratitude. 


I no longer complain about birthdays and getting older.  I rejoice in the privilege that I have had an extended time to celebrate life with my family and friends.  I am 42 now and I feel honored that my oldest son is in his senior year in high school.   I am much more patient, sympathetic and understanding of others.   Every single person has struggles and difficult circumstances they must walk through in life.  Only through walking through adversity will we become stronger.  I feel I am stronger now. I am stronger and I believe I still have a lot of fight left in me.

What am I going to do on my cancerversary? I will celebrate that I got to wake up this morning. And that's more than enough for me!