QUOTE

"I have realized... the feeling of being burned out is a direct result of being unappreciated."

--Jennifer Macias

Courage

Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.

- Alice Mackenzie Swaim

Baby bunnies

We have baby bunnies again. Second time is a charm? I hope. They were a mere minutes old when I left for work this morning. I will have to put a heating pad under the pet carrier and read up on the pages I just printed out on rabbit care. We are very excited. You do realize that those male rabbits are way to frisky for their own good! I thought I understood the term "breed like rabbits" before but..... Our buck gives the doe a mere 45 seconds in between romantic interludes! And the poor dear cries! Time to build yet another hutch, huh?

Quote

There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors.
~ jim morrison

Red Meat Risk and Breast Cancer

Many studies have proven that women who eat the most red meat have an 88 to 330 per cent increased risk of breast cancer. Alarming!

When animal protein is cooked structural changes in the protein, amino acids and creatine in the meat creating dangerous carcinogens. One study found that red-meat protein is associated with a 220 to 770 per cent increased risk of breast cancer.
The animal fat in red meat raises insulin levels also increasing risk of breast cancer by 283 per cent.

Growth hormones and simulators is linked to an alarming 700 per cent increased risk of breast cancer.

Cooking at high temperatures (grilling and frying) to well-done also had a significantly higher risk of breast cancer.

This is scary stuff ladies! I still eat some red meat, but I have drastically reduced my consumption of it. After researching this...it will be reduced even further!

Credit: The Perils of Eating Red Meat, Christine Horner, MD,article in Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine, Fall 2008.

Chalkboard Tee

Chalkboard Tee

I honestly had no idea what this t-shirt was going to be until it arrived and I was completely in awe! I have five children full-time and they all wished they had one (especially my 15 year old son!). What a creative idea. I ordered a small for my youngest but in retrospect I think this would make a totally awesome gift for an older child. They could have a ton of fun at school or church letting their friends write on it! If there is a design with chalkboard on the back….just imagine! I only wish I’d thought of the idea. This is a very fun and creative product.

Click on the photo of the adorable shirt to get to the site!

Eco Bag

I was supplied my ecobag from the company. I love the black with the bright green detailing. The black hides soil but the green helps to locate it! The bag is constructed of very rugged material and well stitched. I have been putting my bag to the test.


I have purchased many re-useable bags at grocery stores and other retail stores. However, seams seem to fall out and the material is so incredibly thin they certainly don't last long around our family of eight. There is truly no comparison between this bag and the regular retail bags. The design and construction makes it truly a "green bag" whereas other bags seem to be fairly disposable.

I have been using my bag very often for the last seven months now. I have even tossed it in the washer about four times and it still keeps on serving our needs. I consider this bag a good buy and a wise investment.

Top Ten Reasons Eve Was Created

10. God was worried that Adam would frequently become lost in the garden because he would not ask for directions.
9. God knew that one day Adam would require someone to locate and hand him the remote.
8. God knew Adam would never go out and buy himself a new fig leaf when his wore out and would therefore need Eve to buy one for him.
7. God knew Adam would never be able to make a doctor's, dentist, or haircut appointment for himself.
6. God knew Adam would never remember which night to put he garbage on the curb.
5. God knew if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle the pain and
discomfort of childbearing.
4. As the Keeper of the Garden, Adam would never remember where he left his tools.
3. Apparently, Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.
2. As the Bible says, It is not good for man to be alone!
And finally, the Number 1 reason why God created Eve . .
1. When God finished the creation of Adam, He stepped back, scratched his head, and said, "I can do better than that."

I got it here. Check out this site - cool stuff!

Happy Summer

I got it here! What an awesome shot!

Happy summer everyone!

Mexican Chicken

Source

Another Paula Deen winner!

1 10 3/4 -ounce can cream of chicken soup
1 10 3/4 -ounce can cheddar cheese soup
1 10 3/4 -ounce can cream of mushroom soup
1 10-ounce can tomatoes
1 whole chicken, cooked, boned, and chopped or 4 cups leftover cooked chicken
11 1/2-ounce package flour tortillas
2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together the three kinds of soup and the tomatoes. Stir in the chicken. In a greased 13 x 9- inch pan, layer the tortillas and the chicken mixture, beginning and ending with tortillas. Sprinkle the cheese over the casserole and bake for 30 minutes.

Country Blueberry Coffee Cake (Paula Deen)

Source

This cozy Paula Deen–style blueberry biscuit bake is the kind of warm, comforting dessert that feels right at home on a Southern table. Soft, buttery biscuit pieces are rolled in cinnamon sugar, layered with sweet blueberries and oats, then baked until golden and bubbling. It’s simple, rustic, and perfect served warm for breakfast, brunch, or an easy dessert.

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (12 ounce) can Pillsbury Grands refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup rolled quick-cooking oat
1 1/2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/4 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Generously grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well with a fork. Set aside. Separate biscuit dough into 8 biscuits, and cut each biscuit into quarters.
Dip each biscuit piece into the melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture to coat well. Arrange in a single layer in baking dish.
Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the oats.

Combine blueberries and sugar in a bowl and toss to coat.
Spoon blueberry-sugar mixture over oats and biscuits and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup oats. Drizzle remaining melted butter on top. Bake for 25 minutes or until cake is golden brown and center is done. Cool for 10 minutes, serve warm.

Shrimp Scampi Fettuccini

This one looks like a winner but I'm gonna save a little time and money and use the precooked salad shrimp just toss them in after sauteing the other ingredients. Mm-mm Looks delish!

1 1/2 lbs. uncooked fresh shrimp (prawns) in shells
2 Tbs. vegetable or olive oil
2 Tbs. green onions, thinly sliced
1 Tbs. dried basil leaves
1 Tbs. fresh parsley, chopped
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbs. butter
8 oz. fettuccine cooked
Grated Parmesan cheese

Peel shrimp and make a shallow cut lengthwise down back of each - rinse under running water to remove vein. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook shrimp and remaining ingredients (except cheese and pasta) in oil, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until shrimp are pink and firm. Add butter and toss with shrimp until fully melted. Remove from heat.

Photos to make you smile

Too Cute!

Cancer Update from John Hopkins

This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well.

No plastic containers in microwave.

No water bottles in freezer.

Source

No plastic wrap in microwave.

A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer.

Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.

Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us.

He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers...

This especially applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body...

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food... You get the same results, only without the dioxin So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.

He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food.

Cover food with a paper towel instead.

My Mom sent me this....I hope you found it useful.

Monday Menu

Okay so I haven't done a menu in eons so here's a rough one for my week:

Chilli & Rice....in my new crockpot!
Hmmmm...something Mexican for Cinco de Mayo...Enchiladas perhaps!
Lemon Chicken with rice & green beans
Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & corn! Mmmmmmmmm
Shepherd's Pie..it's been a long, long time on that one! Miranda's favorite
Burgers, beans & Mac N Cheese!!!

For more menu planning go check out the Organizing Junkie.

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken

Easy crockpot lemon chicken with a buttery sauce that’s perfect over mashed potatoes or rice.

6-8 boneless chicken breasts

1 cup lemon juice
1/2 stick butter (no substitute)
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Put all in crockpot and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours.

This is good served with mashed potatoes or rice. The lemon sauce is great over the potatoes or rice.

Lemon-Lime Jello Salad

Remember this one? I must make it again very soon.

1 small box lime Jell-O
1 small box lemon Jell-O
1 small can crushed pineapple, NOT drained
1/2 package miniature marshmallows
3 ounces cream cheese

Mix lemon Jell-O with 1 cup boiling water and stir for 5 minutes until well dissolved. Gradually add 3/4 cup water to softened cream cheese, add all to lemon Jell-O. Add crushed pineapple and juice and marshmallows to lemon Jell-O. Let start to set and stir and add 1 cup Cool Whip. Let set up overnight.

Mix 1 cup boiling water with lime Jell-O. Stir well for 5 minutes. Add ice cubes to quick set and pour carefully over top of lemon Jell-O mixture. When well set cut into square and serve on lettuce leaf.

Silly Laws

Theaters in Glendale, California can show horror films only on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

You can't plow a cotton field with an elephant in North Carolina.

In Lehigh, Nebraska it's against the law to sell donut holes.

Anti-modem laws restrict Internet access in the country of Burma. Illegal possession of a modem can lead to a prison term.

In Idaho a citizen is forbidden by law to give another citizen a box of candy that weighs more than 50 pounds.

Every citizen of Kentucky is required by law to take a bath at least once a year.

It is against the law to whale hunt in Oklahoma. (uhh...)

According to law, no store is allowed to sell a toothbrush on the Sabbath in Providence, Rhode Island. Yet these same stores are allowed to sell toothpaste and mouthwash on Sundays.

Before the enactment of the 1978 law that made it mandatory for dog owners in New York City to clean up after their pets, approximately 40 million pounds of dog excrement were deposited on the streets every year.

Civil War Reinactment

We went to a civil war re-inactment this weekend. It was pretty good. I've definitely seen better ones though. No one started dying til about the last 2 minutes, and we are talking about around two hours of acting! No medics either. I understand once your dead you no longer play but let's be a little more realistic. Oh yeah, get this one of the Union Calvary Soldier actually SWITCHED SIDES near the end!!!! HA! Lol! What a traitor!

Miranda Square dancing

Miranda's school had a square dancing show.

It really looked FUN!!

She's the cutie-pie in the blue jeans, tan boots and dark brown hat!

Pop Up Rolls

These “rolls” are so, so easy!

Source

Pop-Up Rolls
1 ½ c. self rising flour
3/4 c milk
3 T sugar
1 ½ T mayonnaise

Stir together place in muffin cups Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes.

Variation:
I also make some similar to Red Lobster by adding 2 T garlic seasoning, ½ stick butter and 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese before mixing. MMMmmmmmm!

Unseen Wounds - Returning from war

My brother is home from Iraq. Praise the Lord.

Updated in 2026, I can say this has been a very, very long road. Homecoming is not the finish line we sometimes imagine. For many wounded veterans, it is only the beginning of a new battle, one that doesn’t come with medals or headlines. Our veterans deserve more than a thank you. They deserve prayer, patience, understanding, and real, lasting support.

Some wounds are visible. Others are not. Many are wounded beyond repair, and the damage goes far deeper than the physical. Daily life can be exhausting and unpredictable. My brother can walk on a good day, with help. He still lives with constant seizures. These are the realities that follow so many men and women home from war.

If you know a veteran, love them well. Offer grace when progress is slow. Speak kindly when frustration shows up. Advocate for better care, better resources, and better understanding. And never stop praying. Freedom has a cost, and too often it is carried quietly by those who have already given everything.

Did You Know

Using objects or machinery designed for right-handed people kills every year approximately 2,500 left-handed people.

In “Silence of the Lambs”, Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins) never blinks.

During World War II, the very first bomb dropped on Berlin by the Allies killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo.

45% of Americans don't know that the sun is a star.

Donkeys kill more people annually than are killed in plane crashes.

The largest number of children born to one woman, who was a Russian peasant, is 69.

Hushpuppies

Hushpuppies

source

1-1/4 c yellow corn meal
1/2 c flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
Pinch salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 onion diced very fine
1 egg beaten
1/2 c milk
1/2 c whole corn
1/4 c green onion or chopped jalapenos

Mix corn meal, flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and pepper. Blend well. Add onion, egg, milk, corn and green onion/jalapenos. Mix until well blended. Using double spoons or an ice cream scoop, sample one pup in a 350 degree deep fryer. Adjust seasonings and continue to fry away.

Did you know - 2

1. There are over 58 million dogs in the U.S!
2. Humans blink over 10,000,000 times a year.
3. A fetus develops fingerprints at eighteen weeks.
4. There are approximately fifty Bibles sold each minute across the world
5. A person uses approximately fifty-seven sheets of toilet paper each day.
6. The average person laughs 13 times a day.
7. The sun is 330,330 times larger than the earth.
8. Every 45 seconds, a house catches on fire in the United States.
9. A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans.
10. The original name for the butterfly was 'flutterby'.