Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Maid-Rites

Today for dinner, we had Maid-Rites.  One of my favorites.  I just love them.  And it's been so long since we've had them.  We had chips for sides, but I stuffed myself with the maid-rites.

And they are SO simple.  Here's what I did ~

2.25 lbs of hamburger
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can of french onion soup
Brown the hamburger and drain.  Then add the soups and stir, and let it simmer on medium low for10 or 15 minutes.  Then I put  on a hamburger bun. 
Jesse likes to put ketchup and mustard on it.  I like to eat as is.  Tucker (he's a pretty picky eater) ate 2 and 1/2 today. 
Once, when he was much younger, Xavier had an allergic reaction to what we thought was the Maid-rites, so now (we've tested that out before) he is skeptical about eating them, but hasn't been affected by them since, so it must not have been the maid-rites!

But that is one of my favorite meals.  So quick, not fancy schmancy, and just a great go-to kinda meal!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

just a glimpse

I don't know if maybe I should keep this private. I know I don't have many readers, and the ones I know who do read my blog, I hope they understand my heart.
I realize that some of the things I'm gonna say may be offensive to some as they may sound rather blasphemous.
And I'm warning you right now, I have a twisted way of thinking. I don't think conventionally. I think it's kinda funny, because most people think Job's wife was a horribly nagging wife. I see her differently. I see a mom who has not only lost everything they owned, but lost all of her children and her grandchildren in one terrorist attack. Then not many days (if not hours) later, her husband became EXTREMELY ill. I see Mrs. Job as a hurt and aching woman who just wanted to be with her kids again. And that's all she could see through her grief.
When Ifinally figured that out, it TOTALLY changed my view of a lot of stuff in the Bible. I stopped letting "man" tell me how to interpret the Bible. I let God's Word show me what I needed. And I've done that again. I read my Bible. Do my darnedest to read it every day. I know I could be more faithful to ~ I know I could read more, so I try.
My favorite authors are Brock and Bodie Thoene. They have written this awesome series called the AD Chronicles. They have taken the life of Jesus from the Gospels and have fictionalized characters and wrote about the lives that Jesus touched. I read those and they have a Bible study guide that goes with them, so I try to use them to study the Bible too. You should read them. Those books opened my eyes up to help me make Jesus more real in my life. Did you know Jesus was a real live human being about 2011 years ago?! Sometimes I forget that.
For me, sometimes I read the Bible as, not a guidebook or loveletter, but as a 'well, I'm supposed to read this book' obligatory reading. So it seems I get too detached to let it sink in. But I just love when it hits home and makes me think! I pray it happens more than it does.

What I'm about to write about, like I said, I hope I don't offend. Please know my heart. This is just the way I feel right now, at this stage of my life. It's just a glimpse into the weird way my mind works ;). Scary I know. If you don't want to read further, I understand!

Okay, so I'm just gonna quit rambling and just jump right in. Forgive me if I don't make sense, i'm still trying to figure it out myself
I know I have alluded in a previous post that I have been down alot lately. I'm not gonna talk about why. That isn't what's important. but what is important is what I have come to understand about my Jesus.
Jesus was a human. All man, while yet still ALL GOD. That I can't fathom and I literally get a headache just trying to wrap my mind around the enormity of that. What I focus on is that HE was human. He was tempted just like us.
And another thing I focus on ~ people are stupid, mean, cruel, and uncaring creatures. Even back when Jesus walked the earth. Jesus walked among the cruel people, yet HE was compassionate. Jesus spent HIS time on earth helping the hurt, broken people and he was reviled and HATED for it. People tried to entrap HIM, tried to harm HIM. People plotted to have HIM destroyed. And when it was HIS time and the FATHER's choosing, they did. Or so they thought, but by conquering HIM, HE conquered death and hell. That gives me shivers. All for me. Okay, and you too! But I'm selfish and like to think (cause I do know it's true) that HE would've came just for me!
But anywho ~ HE had to deal with all of the crap of life. HE was basically homeless. HE had followers who were selfish and had a "ME FIRST" mentality. His followers were always trying to out do everyone else. Can you imagine ~ goody two shoes while HE was around, but when HE left to be alone to pray ~ can you imagine it ~ sitting down to discuss HIS obtuse teachings and then going after each other, not caring for the other. Backstabbing each other, and worst of all being disloyal and doubting HIM. Jesus the only begotten of the FATHER. We know one did betray him to the death for a monetary benefit.
But, that isn't what I think about mostly. Here lately, I've wondered what Jesus did when HE went alone to pray. Or when HE spent the 40 days in the wilderness.
It comforts me to know that HE was human, yet never sinned. It comforts me that the GOD of the old testament got angry ~ and were it not for Moses intercession at some points, God would've wiped Israel away, and started a nation over with Moses.
And when I remember that ~ I think about the verse that says be ye angry and sin not. It doesn't say don't EVER get angry. Just don't sin in anger. GOD got angry. That is part of HIS character. And I am glad HE loves me so much that HE is angered when I wander away from him. But on the flip side, I'm glad I have Jesus to be my advocate to withhold God from wiping me off the planet!
But ~ what did JESUS do and say when HE went to the Father. HE was like us. I like to think that those who denied HIM, that hurt HIM. I think HE struggled. I think HE grieved.
Now, here is where some might be offended but this is what it is. I'm not trying to be GOD. But I wonder what some of Jesus' prayers were like. Here's what I think ~
'Father ~ I am YOUR SON. I am the Messiah, the HOLY ONE of Israel. But they don't give a hoot. all they want is their tummies filled. I'm giving them not only bread to feed their bellies, but I am trying to feed their souls, but they don't care. Father, I'm frustrated. My disciples want to be glorified. They say they believe who I AM. But they are just vying for positions in YOUR kingdom. Nobody wants to serve YOU. They only want to know what I can do for them. It's heart wrenching to see people I have healed to turn and walk away never really caring what was done for them outside of the benefits it provides them. It makes ME so angry, Father, to see YOUR HOUSE being turned into a profit house. Does anyone want to worship you with their whole minds, hearts, bodies, and souls anymore? I'm just frustrated. I'm struggling, Father. Give me your heart to love when no one loves back. When I am hurt by how they reject the LIVING WATER, may it still pour unceasingly from ME. But, not MY WILL YOURS, Father ~ for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever, AMEN"
That is just what I hear if I listen carefully and think about it. And it makes the current struggles I am going through a little lighter to bear. Life is so hard and so painful. But I cling to the knowledge that CHRIST understands my pain, and HE sent the Comforter to me. And I can praise HIM in this storm I am going through. And praising HIM makes the load just a bit lighter.
Still it sucks. Still it hurts. But, I know that one day, the light will break through, we'll be called to glory, and eventually all hurts, no matter who they are inflicted by, and all tears will be wiped away by the lovely rugged scarred hand of my LORD.
Thanks for bearing with me. I mean no offense to anyone. I just wanted to share with you, in case you too were struggling and needed a different insight! Love to you all!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Where was I?

Oh, that's right. I haven't posted in a few days. I've been busy. Sorta. I mean, not much out of th ordinary.

And plus, I haven't done much special for dinners. Mostly left overs and spaghetti one night. And the recipes for spaghetti are endless, so I won't bore you with that. Tonight, we had my sister in law Samantha and her fiance' Scott over for dinner. It was Chicken steak, black beans and rice, roasted potatoes, and plantains ~ YUMMO! It is TOTALLY a favorite in this house, and Sam and Scott LOVED it too. So it was a hit. It was great to have them over. They are fun to hang out with. Can't wait till they start planning their wedding! I'm excited for them!

We are in the process of getting ready to move. I think tonight might have been the last "entertaining" thing we will do in this apartment. We are going to be moving to Syracuse area. Closer to Jesse's work and away from some drama we have going on here. Close enough to still see the family here ~ and close enough for them to have a day away from home, too.

I am excited about the move. I have already found a house I like ~ possibly love. It has a few draw backs. It has no yard for the boys. But it is on a nice street that they could ride bikes and scooters and ripstiks on. It also has no dining room. But the kitchen is small, too. And not enough room to put our table in to eat on, so we would have to make do. Which is workable. I don't mind. To me, the compromise is worth it for the rest of the house. It is a lovely concrete cider block house. Ranch style with a full basement. The basement is what I LOVE. It is a clean, dry, warm basement. A great play area for the boys. We'd be able to set up their school area down there and I would be able to put my dining table in the basement and have it dedicated as my craft area for scrapbooking ~ and not have to clean up my pages I'm working on every day. I could work on it a little here, a little there, and not worry about leaving it all out. And that would be the craft area for the kids, too. That excites me. It has central air conditioning ~ SCORE ~ It IS a 3 bedroom. Xavier would have his own room ~ which Tucker is jealous of. And truly, it's not HIS fault he was 2nd born! It's got a lovely sized living room, which for dinners would be converted with a simple folding table into the dining area. It's close to everything. Around 15 minutes to Jesse's work, 20 minutes from the Syracuse Airport. 10 minutes from Carousel Mall. And the best yet, not too far from Chipotle. *mouth watering as I think about it*
AND, as of tonight, the house is still available, so just waiting for our tax refund to have all the cash together to put the deposit down, and rent the HUGE moving truck needed to get all our stuff there. So we are just praying that if it's God's will for that house to be our home for a little while, it will be waiting for us. And if not, then I know the house God has for us will be PERFECT.

And, tonight, Jesse and I were talking about when we move, not hooking up cable. Not forever, but for just a little while. I know that having so much tv makes me tend to be a little more lazy, and I KNOW that the boys spend WAY TOO MUCH time watching tv. And that not having tv for a little while might just inspire a little more creativity on all our parts, and inspire the boys to read more, and be more content with the toys and things they have. We have dvd's and gaming consoles out the wazoo, that they wouldn't be fiending for an electronics fix. I just think being without tv might just help us rearrange our priorities just a little better.

So, that is what has been going on around here, or at least, what has been going through my head lately. So, now you can't say, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT!

And lastly, I appreciate everyone who reads my blog! So, thanks! I know I don't have the most exciting life, but I love it!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

I didn't forget

Tonight, I didn't forget to post the recipe ~ I'm probably not gonna do it every night, anyways. We just had a scrounge dinner tonight. Xavier, Gunner, Jesse, and I had tomato soup from the can, Tucker and Gunner had extra cheesy boxed Mac and Cheese.

Today was just one of those days.
Jesse worked a few hours of overtime today. When he left for work, we were all still in our jammies. Gunner and I were watching cartoons in my bed under the electric blanket and the other boys were watching tv in the living room. It was SO COLD today ~ which is why when I did get out of bed for the day it was with great reluctance! Then it was a lazy, stay bundled up and snuggle day all day, so I didn't get much accomplished. Got some laundry folded and put away, but other than that ~ not much.

The boys finally broke out some lego kits they got for Christmas and they had a grand ole' time working on that today. Gunner had a good time stealing parts to them and hiding them.

We are going over to our friends house tomorrow for dinner after church. I'm excited, but kinda sad. Excited to be getting to know some people from our church a little better, but sad that we are no longer having family dinner at my father in laws. ~But that is a long, emotionally charged post that I am just not ready to delve into yet ~ if ever. So, for tomorrow, it is dinner at a friends house, which is SUPER DUPER nice! Any time I don't have to cook, is a good thing for me!

So, that is what has been going on today ~ And did I tell you it was like 11* out today ~ Yep, super cold. I have a love hate relationship with living up here in the north ~ AKA the frozen tundra. Love it in the fall/spring. Hate hate hate LOATHE winter. But most do, so I will probably survive!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Today's Recipe ~ ala cuban flare

Tonight, I am making Chicken steak. This is kinda my own concoction. It is a favorite around here. And even asked for! This has a cuban flare to it ~ as we fell in love with cuban food living in South Florida. All we are missing is fried sweet plantains!

So, for dinner tonight we are having Chicken steak and Black beans and white rice.

Chicken Steak:

Boneless chicken breasts sliced in half ~ sometimes I use chicken tenders if that is all I have

Then I take a Stove top Stuffing (chicken flavored) and the zest of 2 lemons and their juice, and put it all in the food processor (I add the juice a little at a time) and zip it all up fine. The juice makes the crumbs stick together more

Then I beat about 4 eggs with lemon juice, salt and pepper

I take the chicken, dip it in the eggs then coat with the stuffing crumbs. (prior to this, I beat the sliced breasts really thin, so it doesn't take too long to cook)

I then pan fry in oil that garlic cloves and lemon zest has been in (to lend it a garlic-y/lemon-y flavor ~ then I remove the garlic cloves)
And I just fry until they are golden brown then flip.

For the black beans and rice, I just use the boxed Goya stuff. I put it in the rice cooker ~ it's just easier that way.

So, there is dinner for tonight ~
Gotta run and flip my chicken!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Chinese Baked Spare Ribs

Can you say ~ yummo?! Now, I usually don't like to eat the ones I cook. LOVED the ones my mother in law made (but, generally, I don't usually like my own cooking anyway). And maybe it is the fact of knowing my mother in law is no longer around to make these, but I loved them today.

Here's the recipe ~ but I changed it a little today so I'll give it to you both ways. The first one is the real recipe ~

1 1/2 -3 lbs country style (boneless) pork ribs
1/4 cup mustard
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp Worcestershire (I never pronounce this right) sauce
2 tsp Tabasco sauce
3 tbsp vinegar

Place ribs in baking dish. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over ribs. Chill for 3 hours covered. Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 350* Baste frequently with sauce in the dish turning ribs once ~ Keep them covered until the last half hour to keep them juicy.

Now, here's how I did it today ~ I basically double the amount of everything, Jesse likes the extra sauce
3 lbs boneless country style pork ribs
1/2 cup mustard
3/4 cup brown sugar dissolved in a 1/4 cup water
1 cup -ish light corn syrup
1/2 cup soy sauce
I eyeballed the next things
4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 tsp Frank's red hot
6 tbsp apple cider vinegar.

With the amounts doubled, it pretty much covers the ribs, so I don't bother basting and flipping. And, I didn't let them marinade for as long either (I kinda forgot). The flavor infuses more if you let them marinade over night.

And I made white rice and use the sauce over the white rice. It was yummo! Also, the best place I find my boneless pork ribs is at Aldi's. I love their pork stuff!

Wow, I'm actually posting ~

I hope the shock of it all didn't kill you!

I personally have just been down lately, and just haven't really had the desire to post. What I would've posted about ~ well, it would've just depressed anyone and just made me look sad a pitiful, so I have slacked here so it wouldn't totally be a downer to EVERYONE!

Thanks to my husband's cousin's wife ~ well, I'll just say, my sweet friend Julie ~ you'll find her blog here: http://greeneggsandhammes.blogspot.com/2011/01/meal-planning.html
Anyway ~ her blog post about meal planning (the link I posted) inspired me.
I'm going to try to post my weekly menu. I know I get tired of the same thing over and over again, and I'm sure some of my readers feel the same about their repertoire of meals they cook too ~ so I'm going to post my bi-weekly menu ~ and maybe just maybe I will be more faithful creating my menus. Thereby possibly actually sticking to some semblance of a budget. Plus, Jesse is *fingers crossed* going to be taking over the finances in our family for a little while. He usually is more apt to save than I am. I am a shopaholic, so to control the $$$$ side of things is sometimes laughable.
But, I digress ~ as usual :D
Now, another friend of mine ~ Kris ~ here's her blog ~ http://cropluvingirl.blogspot.com also posts her weekly menu. What she also does is (and she is one very busy chica) if she gets to around to it, she tries to post her weekly goals. And that has also inspired me to do this. I read her weekly goals, and menu plans and every single time I think, I NEED to do this.
She has awesome posts too. She encourages me as a mother ~ her oldest is in his preteens/almost teenager, and I value her insight and her desires to see her son become a man after God's own heart. She is experiencing these things before I am going to with my little men,so I really value hearing/reading her experience and Godly advice she gives! Kris ~ if you read this ~ I admire and look up to ya! Love ya, girl!

So, anywho here goes. Yes, it's Thursday, so this week I will only post one week of daily menu's. Well, I will start from Tuesday when I read Julies post (Thanks, Julie ~ love you!) I'll post recipes on each day too ~ In case any of you want any of them! I will. I promise!

Daily Menu’s

Tuesday:
Sausage Penne ~ Salad
Wednesday:
Help yourself
Thursday:
Chinese baked spare ribs, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes (or rice?)
Friday:
Chicken Steak ~ Black Beans & Rice
Saturday:
Pizza
Monday:
Tuna Noodle Casserole and Corn
Tuesday:
Steak ~ baked Potatoes ~ salad
Wednesday:
Hamburgers and French fries