A New Casserole

Monday night I decided to make this casserole from The Pioneer Woman. I really enjoyed it. My only deviation from this was using plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream. I did this not to be healthy but simply b/c I knew I had it on hand. I find plain greek yogurt to be an excellent substitute for mayonaise (plain yogurt works too) and sour cream.  You can use fat free greek yogurt and keep the creaminess and lose the fat. However, when using fat free sour cream I find it not as creamy. Andrew and I hate mayonaise, just plain don't like the taste so we use a lot of yogurt substitues. Ok, I really liked this casserole and thought that I wouldn't. I don't know why, but I usually think I don't like hamburger meat. Surprise, I do! I do think this casserole would be good with shredded chicken too! Here's a pic of monday's dinner:

St. Patty's day cupcakes

First let me say sorry I haven't been blogging, but life has been pretty crazy. We have had commitments during the week and weekends and I just haven't been able.  As you could imagine in all this business the people I care about have been neglected. I am working on trying to schedule less. I'm learning I can't be everywhere so that I actually make it to the things I plan. I have some sweet friends that we've been trying to arrange a hang out time and our schedules haven't been matching up so I decided to make cupcakes for them and my sis and her kiddos (Andy devoured the cupcake). I basically used this Vanilla Cupcake recipe. However, I didn't have vanilla beans nor do I know where to buy them so I just doubled the vanilla. Also they weren't quite as fluffy as she described them so I'm thinking they didn't rise completely.  I swirled in some green food coloring and made traditional cream cheese icing with green food coloring of course.

 I folded in the green food coloring instead or mixing completely for the marble effect.

 Icing tasted great looked ok?

 Sweet baby Andy...tee total BOY and we love it!

Pray!

One of our Assistant Pastors and his family at LPC were missionaries in Japan for 11 years (I believe). They sent out a church email with some good news that the missionaries we support are safe; but they have some friends that are unaccounted for. Then they shared these verses. Please pray for these and all the others affected.


"Psalm 46:1-3 gives us the perspective we need at a time like this-

1 God is our refuge and strength,

   an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

   and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam

    and the mountains quake with their surging."

   and the mountains quake with their surging.

Won't you be my neighbor?

Anyone out there looking to move to Gilbert? We have the cutest house for sale two doors down. It's been for sale for a while, and it has great curb appeal (this is subjective...I like it).  I think it sits on a little less than an acre and has a fenced backyard. Also, it's 1700 sq ft 3 bd / 2 br. It's priced very reasonably however I can't remember anymore what it is.  So you might be thinking other than it's Gilbert why hasn't it sold. I went with my nieghbor, who is a realtor, and walked through...it's old. You know me, so you are thinking "she likes old". I do; you know me well.  This house however needs some work, b/c a couple of bachelors lived here. So... very exciting! They've finally realized it's not appealing like this and have started reno work. I've seen people outside when leaving home and coming home this whole week...can't wait to see all they've done.  I don't have a pic, but if you go to www.google.com/maps and look at 672 Spool Wheel Rd it's on the left side of the road very cute. White house, green tin roof...circular drive...So won't you be my neighbor?

Grilled Chicken Pineapple Quesadillas

Last week, we through these together and made just a few changes.  We added onions, seasoned with cumin and chili powder, and only used one tortilla per quesadilla...because I like them folded.  Instead of grilling (i didn't have time for that) I went for the sauteed/caramelized version...still good!

And of course nothing but the best for you guys...Andrew posing seriously with his dinner.

Reasons I love my Mama!

#1) Because she first loved me (this is true for my relationship with God, since he's a Father I figured it works for mothers too)

#2) Because she has a generous spirit that is worked out daily in her actions - just one example her meeting her 25 y/o daughter (me) at CVS and then going home with her to make her soup and rubbing her back and making sure she felt better - you are never to old for these expressions of love. I'm not a child, but I am her child.

#3) Because she works tirelessly for those she loves. This woman has work ethic. I read Proverbs 31 and think pretty much they could have just said Donna, Mama, or Mommy Da depending on your relationship with her.

#4) She doesn't judge...I've messed up many times and honestly when I told her, rare was judgement her expression. She usually was hurt with me that I had messed up, like she felt the pain in my sin.

#5) She TRUSTS God...she's had some situations that have tried her faith and she's a Job! (like in the Bible, not another word for vocation) When I think of my favorite passages I think they mean more because I've honestly had them demonstrated in her life before me.

#6) She's fascinating.  I think it's normal to grow up and realize your parents aren't boring...partially because your interests change and partially because your view broadens and you realize you didn't know everything. I never thought this, but many do. I think it's more than that though, honestly my Mom is just so interesting. She has a unique perspective on the world and knows about so many things and keeps seeking more. She keeps my mind young and active... how's that for role reversal?

#7) She's wise...she thinks before she acts and speaks. She gives good counsel.

#8) She's a patient teacher in school lessons and in life lessons. She won't give up on you.

#9) She is human and aware that she's not perfect. She's aware that her kids aren't perfect and we are all in need of correction and grace sometimes. She knows how to ask for forgiveness and how to forgive. 

#10) She's humble...she'll be embarrassed by this list; She recognizes her strength is not from her. She's dependent on God, which is why the rest of the list is here.

All of this said, I, her friends, and family love her because of all things she does but mostly because of who she is.  Happy Birthday! I love you.

Grace makes Grateful Hearts

This post is to say, thanks to Pastor Clay a wonderful teacher who continues to bring us back to the Gospel. It was a great sermon this past week at LPC. If you like you can wander over to their website and listen to sermons: http://www.lexpreschurch.com/  He said a lot of memorable things, but that's the phrase that is stuck (in a great way) in my head.  Grace makes a grateful heart. 

I'm grateful for forgiveness and new mercies moment by moment. I'm grateful for the weather feeling like beautiful spring, for the rain cooling it off a bit. Sorry a bit scared of having a SC summer for 8 months. Beautiful trees and flowers blooming. Babies, babies, and more babies some boys (Leah) some girl (Scogins).  Our Just Dance 2 game, it's so fun.  Birthday parties for special people. My moms homemade eggrolls that we prepared last night. Yum.  Grateful that Andrew and I love each other a little better each year.  Most thankful to have a God who will see us out until completion! Another great verse Clay shared on Sunday (Phil 1:6). I know these are all random just things I've been thinking over. I hope to have a spirit of Grattitude and spend more time thinking of all that I have instead of what I think I lack.