My God is So Great!

(same flowers on both pictures and the only two that grow on our yard each year.)

A&W Confession of a Homeschooler

  I thought I better make it to the Blogger confession room and get this off my chest! First of all I can explain! I better tell this story from the beginning! (nervously paces back and forth)
 It began like this... I wake up this morning and started the usual routine. The youngest two were up early again, fed the baby, said a (quick) be with me Lord prayer. Made a heartfelt breakfast (cold cereal). Started everyone on their school work, did some cleaning up where and when I had a chance,  gave everyone lunch , finished school then off to swimming lessons I went with Anthony and Emily. All pretty normal thus far other than the fact that I let my oldest babysit his two little sisters today!
 Well, this is where it all begins. I get kids to the pool and then decide to leave today while they swim. (Needed to pick up a few things in town.)
 I'm driving along and that's when it happened!  I .... Nancy.... went to.... A&W... ALL by myself AND ordered a BIG Teen Burger... and I sat there... QUIETLY and ate! A few times I looked to the back seats, thinking I heard someone say "mom" but it wasn't so!  Uh Huh!! It really happened! If I had had my camera, I would have taken a picture to prove it but sorry I didn't.
 Anyway, now you all know how I really did things today!
LOL.... Ok I will make my real point now.  Life is busy... we need to meet a lot of needs daily,  so why not have an A&W kind of moment once in our lives !  :)
 When you start to feel really run-down, we need to look to God for strength and His word is able to refuel us over and over but maybe sometimes it's ok to take a time out like I did if at all possible!
(some humour intended)

Seasons, Time and Purpose

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

My Grace Given Photos

I enjoy taking pictures and adding the verses and quotes that inspire me. The day I took this picture it was snowing and cold. I was suppose to be going for coffee with a few friends but the roads were slippery and covered in snow. I decided to stay home, make myself a tea and do some reading instead.

You may also join me on my  Grace Given Photos facebook page.

Kati-Lyn's 5th Birthday

Today one of our princesses became a handful :0 (She turned 5!) She is a strong and determined little girl! I believe her determination will help her to persevere in hard times. Her strength will help her in not giving up when things seem hopeless.  She is capable of much. I pray that as she gets older, she will see her need for Jesus more and more. I pray that she will use her God-given gifts to advance the kingdom. 

She wasn't feeling very well actually but still ended up having a good day. Yesterday she came up to me and says,"Mom I think my voice is getting different because I'm turning 5 tomorrow." (she had a sore throat and was losing her voice!:)

A few aunts and cousins came over today and we even had a turkey supper!

Thank You Lord for your blessings on us!

Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:5

Hip Builders

Here is another recipe for you. I made these today. I feel like changing the name on them though :) With that title , it's almost scary eating them, but they are really good!

Base:
1 3/4 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup coconut
1 tbsp vanilla
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup hot water

Topping:
1 cup chocolate chips
1 can sweet condensed milk
2 tbsp margarine
1 tsp vanilla

Mix base ingredients and press into a 9x13 pan, saving some crumbs for topping.
Melt the topping ingredients and spread over base. Sprinkle with the leftover crumbs and bake at 350 degrees for 30 min.

Turkey Enchiladas

First of all if you have left over turkey that you won't be eating within a day or two, FREEZE it! There are a bunch of things you can use it for later on. The picture here  was taken on a day I really didn't have time to cook, didn't have anything in the house that was ready to be eaten, but had to feed my little group of hungry people. I suddenly remembered the frozen turkey I had put in the freezer a while ago and made some quick enchiladas. All I did was warm up the turkey, fried the corn tortillas in a small amount of oil. I wrapped the turkey in the tortillas and placed them in a baking dish. Topped it with enchilada sauce and cheese.  Baked at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes .

Now that turned out good and was the very quick and easy way.  However if you have a little more time on your hands than what I did, I have an even yummier idea!

ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped up

1 clove garlic, minced

1 jalepeno pepper, seeded and cut into small pieces

1 small bell pepper, cut into pieces

4-5 cups of cooked turkey, chopped

3-4 cups enchilada sauce

2-3 cups of cheese, shredded

10 - 20 flour tortillas (depending on size) or about 20 corn tortillas

 Heat olive oil in a sauté pan on medium heat. Add the chopped onion , garlic, jalapeños and bell pepper and cook until the onions are  soft. Mix in your cooked turkey and cook for about 5 minutes.

 Dip each tortilla into enchilada sauce and spoon the turkey filling into each tortilla. (if using corn tortillas , fry them in oil about 30 seconds per side.)Roll up your tortilla and place into a baking pan. Top with cheese and bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes.

If desired garnish with cut up avacado and sour cream and refried beans is a great side dish!

 This works well with chicken also.