Meal Time Mondays for TTCC

As many of you know, I am a home cook who cooks up to three meals a day EVERYDAY.  I cook on a tight budget to feed up to 12 people daily. 

I have decided to start a small business and offer Meal Time Mondays to our co-op.  I will be bringing a sample of a couple of friend and family favorites this Monday.  You are free to have a taste!!

The concept is that I fresh prep your meals, you take it home on Monday from Co-op and warm it for your family.  It's that simple.  All meals are complete with entrée and at least one side.  They will range from $20-30 for the entire family meal.  I will have flyers THIS MONDAY that includes menu, order and payment information. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QEKlCDaNUvK_cPrUbVlGV6Unp3rQ-enIt3yyKiQg2i0/edit

Creamy Ranch Chicken

Back to Routine

Labor Day is over!!!  The unofficial end to summer has come and gone.  I know we started school a whole month ago, but doesn't it seem that we don't REALLY get into a groove of a routine until after Labor Day.  Football Season starts, people start pulling out their wreaths donned with beautiful fall foliage and we just get a sense of preparedness.  It seems we are all gearing up to get to our routines of school, chores, sports, and church events up and running.  Well, I am no different.  I haven't quite pulled out all my Halloween décor, but I am printing kid chore sheets, organizing closets and setting up a NEW normal.  Before y'all totally dismiss me, remember I have LOTS O' KIDS!!!  If I am not organized and putting these kids to task, my house runs me and not the other way around.  Scripturally, I am called to be a manager of my home.  I haven't always taken that role seriously.  Soooo, here I am trying...AGAIN.

Todays Mealtime Monday is Creamy Ranch Chicken from Betty Crocker.  Yes, I too used to call her Betty Crock-O-Crap but if you are wanting some great meal ideas on a budget, her website is handy dandy.

Its an easy Monday Crockpot Meal and just another way to try to regain some semblance of a routine.

https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-creamy-ranch-chicken/530a2a1c-c2db-4c65-80e2-e26469c1e49b


For the rice portion, I will put some long grain Jasmine Rice in my Instapot either morning of or as soon as I get home from school.  (See pot or rice cooker settings for instruction.)


I know meal planning, house cleaning and organization isn't everyone's cup of tea. I know Id prefer a Coke.  I just want to offer you words of wisdom from my Pastor (also my super cute husband).  "Just do the next right thing."  That's what I hope we can all find joy in doing. 

The BEST Open Faced RBS EVAAAHHH!!!

 

 

 

 

 

You might assume that my family of 10, living on a tight grocery budget, might eat whatever I throw at them.  Well, THEY DONT!!!!   I have to flavor and sauce the snot out of everything I make.  I keep a plethora of seasonings and flavors on hand just to please the pickiest of pallets.  If all else fails, I pull out the ketchup or honey mustard. 

 

 

This recipe, however, doesn't need a single addition. Its ALL thrown in the crockpot on Monday Mornings.

 

How I shop these ingredients.

I buy 99% of my meats at Food City.  Its a local store that gets their meats from a local meat processing company that gets their meat from local farmers. 

They have their roasts on sale usually every 3 weeks for $2.99/#.  I usually pick up the $7 roast.

 

All other items I purchase at Aldi.

Onions Soup Mix...$.79 for 2 packs in a box making them ~ $,40 each

Cream of Mushroom Soup....$.49

Ranch Packet...$.70

Brown Gravy....$.33

Sandwich Bread...$.85/loaf  OR  Artisan Bread...$3.79 loaf

2 cans Fruit...$.1.70

Chips....$1.49/bag

Total Meal Cost..............  $12.97 to feed 10 people

 

 

 

 

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwiches

~2# Roast of your choice  (whatever is on sale)
1 packet Onion Soup Mix
1 can Cream of mushroom Soup
1 Packet Ranch Seasoning
1 Packet Brown Gravy Mix
1 cup water

Put roast in bottom of Crock Pot with cup of water
Cover with all the other ingredients
Cook on High for 8 hours

When you get home, shred beef in crockpot and smother with the gravy its been bathing in ALL DAY.
Serve over choice of toast and a side of chips and fruit.
My kids also like the little Easy Mac cups as a side.  $1.79 for 4.

Feel free to add baby carrots to roast in am, just place them UNDER the roast so they cook all the way through.

My family loves this quick and easy recipe.  When we walk in the door following a crazy Monday at work and school, the smell of house defines comfort food.


NomNom!!

Two Two Two Times Easier

 

 

 

 

Its been another busy week.  We've had 2 Birthdays and have 1 more to go.  This week I am including 2 SUPER easy recipes.  Seriously, I cant imagine people don't already have these in their a "Oh LAWD I don't want to cook tonight" arsenal.

 

 

1.  Meatball Subs

 

1 bag frozen Meatballs.  I buy the Moma Cossi Original Meatballs but the Italian are good too.

2 loaves Italian bread from the Deli.     Walmart has my fave.

1 jar Spaghetti sauce

Garlic Powder

Sugar

Mozzarella Cheese 

 

 

In crockpot add meatballs, sauce, a few shakes of the garlic powder and 1 tbsp. sugar

Cook on low 8-10 hours or High for 3-4

Cut Bread down center and scoop out a "boat" in the center. 

Add prepared meatballs and top with cheese

Broil til cheese melted and sandwich is TOASTY.

DONE!!!!!

 

 

 

2. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

 

Bone in Pork Roast

2 jars BBQ Sauce

Hamburger Buns

 

Add Roast to Crockpot with 1 cup water

Cook on High for 6 hours or Low for 8-10

Pull out of water and remove bone

In a large bowl, shred Roast and add jars of fave BBQ sauce

Put on Buns and EAT!!! 

These are great with a side of slaw (premix) and baked beans warmed in the microwave.

 

 

NOW, these are SUPER easy throw together meals and they are very easy on a budget.    

 

B



 

 

 

 

 

BACK TO SCHOOL!!  As we prepare for another busy Monday, I decided to start sharing some of my favorite tried and true crock pot and prepare ahead meals.  I find having a Monday Dinner Plan helps me relax when I get home from a long day at Co-op, makes sure my family doesn't have to wait to eat and best of all saves me $$.

 

 

Today I'm sharing what WE are having this Monday.    Salsa Chicken is one of my easiest meals and it serves a crowd.   

 

Salsa Chicken

4-5 Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts

1/2 cup water

1 Large Jar your choice of Salsa

1 packet Taco Seasoning (or your own choice of homemade spices)

1 bag frozen corn OR canned corn  (optional)

1 can black beans drained (optional)

 

Rice of your choice  (I like putting jasmine rice in the instapot before I leave.  You can use instant rice, brown rice, whatever.)

 

Place chicken breast (frozen OR fresh) in crockpot with water.

Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.

Drain crockpot of extra liquid and shred chicken (Y'all I put this in my stand mixer to shred.  Oh LAW!)

add Salsa, and optional corn and beans

Cook for another hour on high

 

Serve over rice.  We like a side of refried beans and cheese.

 



 

 

 

Tori's Special Honey Chicken

This is my daughter Tori's favorite Chicken.  I usually serve with rice and corn.  Tonight I am frying the rice in some of the remaining sauce.  YUMMY!!

Ingredients:

4 split fryer chicken breast
1 2/3 tbsp. olive oil                                          

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 2/3 tablespoons ketchup
• 3/4 cup honey
• 2 tsp garlic powder or 2 fresh pressed cloves garlic                                                   
•                                                           

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 385 degrees.
2. Place chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Mix together the oil, soy sauce, ketchup, honey, garlic, salt and pepper.
3. Pour over the chicken.
4. Bake in preheated oven for one hour, or until sauce is caramelized.
5. Could also use wings or pork ribs

Feelin' Funny Friday

Tips and Tricks that make things GREAT!!!

For Ham Steaks..................Fry them in Coke in a skillet until the soda cooks down to a syrupy sauce.

For Stuffed Pork Chops..... Butterfly 1 inch chops and stuff with cooked 5 min cornbread stuffing.
                                             Broil in oven until cooked through. Prepare package of Brown Gravy.
                                             Pour Brown Gravy over top of Broiled Stuffed Chop.

For Greek Chicken..............Fully Coat Split Fryer Chicken Breasts with Cavender's all purpose Greek
                                             seasoning and nothing more.  Bake at 385 for about 45-55 min.  YUM!

For Salad and Potato...........Add egg and crushed almonds to your salad.  It provides protein to fill
                                             you up AND tastes great.  For the Baked Potato my family likes to
                                             occasionally add some chili and cheese as a topper. 

For Cornflake nuggets........KID FAVE!!!  Simply Chicken tenders cut up, dipped in egg (I add a
                                            dash of Worcestershire sauce), toss in crushed cornflakes, and bake at
                                            350 til golden brown. About 20 min.

Aldi Pizzas......................... These are take and bake pizzas at $4.99 each.  They are very large and
                                             it usually just takes 2 to feed my crew.  We add our own toppings and
                                             additional cheese for personal preference.

Baked Tacos

Baked Tacos

2# Ground Chuck
1 1/2 packet taco seasoning
1  can Rotel

1	(16 ounce) can refried beans
2	cups shredded  Jack and/or Cheddar cheese
18-20	hard taco shells
	Optional Condiments-
	lettuce (shredded)
	tomato (diced)
	Salsa

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl combine dried minced onion, chili powder, cornstarch, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and set aside. In a large skillet brown ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess liquid. Add refried beans, tomato sauce, and prepared taco seasoning. Mix well. Spoon the taco meat mixture into the taco shells and place into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, standing up. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the taco meat in each shell. Place into the oven and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the tacos are heated through. Remove from the oven and top with any optional condiments for serving.  

Impossible Taco Pie

Impossible Taco Pie  (Serves 6-8)
1 lb ground beef
1/2 C chopped onion 
1 pkg (1.25 oz) taco seasoning mix
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies, drained
1 1/4 C milk
3/4 C biscuit mix 
3 eggs
2 tomatoes, sliced
1 C Cheddar cheese 


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 10 inch quiche dish or a 10 x 1 1/2 inch pie plate. then cook and stir beef and onion over medium heat until beef is brown; drain. Stir in seasoning mix. Spread in plate; sprinkle with chilies. Beat milk, biscuit mix and eggs until smooth, 15 sec. in blender on high or 1 min. with hand beater. Pour over ground beef mixture. Bake 25 min. Remove from oven and top with tomatoes; sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven and bake another 8 min. or until knife inserted into center of pie comes out clean. Cool 5 min. Serve with sour cream, chopped tomatoes and shredded lettuce if desired. Really good.

You're Too Crafty: The Best Pot Roast....EVER!

This is the recipe for Crock-Pot Roast I have used for years!!  I will say, I have NEVER paid $13 for a roast.  I always get them on sale and pay about $7 for them.  I make this almost every Monday.

                    Click the following red highlighted post in red to get this amazing recipe!!

                                                                    ENJOY

You're Too Crafty: The Best Pot Roast....EVER!: I live in a small town.  Like really small.   But I LOVE it! There are so many reasons why I love it... I could list them all for you, but I...

Shopping

Grocery shopping is more like a marathon than a sprint.  You really have to prep and get ready.  So let's see, you have your lists ready, they are labeled for the appropriate store, you have your shopping buddy my teen aged daughter) close at hand and you are OFF!  Now, if I say it once I say it 100 times...DONT BUY IT IF IT'S NOT ON THE LIST!  Now, I totally mean that...unless. :)  Unless you have REALLY forgotten to write a necessity down.  I am not talking about those new Pillsbury Halloween Cookies that cut out in the shape of little ghosts.  I mean you forgot you put on your last smear of deodorant this morning and it is NOT on your list.  That kind of necessity!  You start by hitting the store to purchase the cold things  (frozen and meats) and run home to do a drop. After you drop your cold/ meat items, go for the rest and go BIG!  This part usually takes me around 4 hours to finish.  It is long.  It is hard.  It is good to get it over with because when it's done, it's done.  I always go home with all my goods to a team of helpers who KNOW where everything goes.  We work together to sort and carry all our goods to their destinations.  I will also point out that grocery night is either eat out night (if our budget allows) or Aldi take and bake pizza night. 

Oh, one thing I cannot forget.  COUPONS!  I hardly use them.  Here is why.  I use many generic brands.  I find that we like them just as much (some better) and that most coupons still cannot beat the generic prices.  On brands that the generic just will not do, I look for mail coupons and I print coupons off sites like couponsuzy.com.  I DO NOT use coupons for things I would not normally be buying to begin with.  If I did that, I would be SPENDING money just to save a dime and that doesn't make any sense to me.  This month my total bill with 4 stores, food, toiletries, diapers and ALL was $820. During the month, I will have to get additional bread and milk each week but that is all.  It will add approximately $100 to my overall monthly bill.  That makes a grand total of $920 for our family of 10 for 1 month.  I'm not sure what everyone else in America spends but I think that is pretty stinkin' good!

 Whew....are ya'll tired?  I AM TIRED!!!  I think I'm gonna go see what's for dinner!

Making a Menu and Prepping a List

After you make a list of ALL the foods you and your family like to eat (as I did in the previous post) then pick out as many of those meals as you would like to eat this month.  Here is an example of a few days of mine.


                                        September/October Menu
1. Baked Tacos
2. Baked Spaghetti
3. Crock-Pot Roast
4. Grilled Steaks
5. Asian Chicken
6. Club Sandwiches
7. Hotdog Night
8. Quesadillas
9. Crock-Pot Chicken Enchiladas
10. Potato Soup


 
 
My menu will continue on for 31 days.  Each morning when I wake up, I will lay meat out to thaw or prepare the Crock-Pot for the day.  Either way, I look at the list everyday with something in mind for the family to eat for supper.

Now, I shop at 4 different stores and have pretty much memorized where everything in each store is. Knowing this, I made a shopping list on my computer of what I normally buy when I go to the store.  Now, when I make my menu I look at what I have chosen to prepare and look at my list and check off what I need.  For instance, if I am making baked tacos, I will need ground chuck,  hard taco shells, taco seasoning and all the extras.  I pull out my shopping list and check off all the items I need for that trip as well as number of that item needed.  By only getting the items I need for my menu, it cuts my grocery bill by huge margins. I also include breakfast, lunch, snacks, toiletry and entertainment items.  Even still, the practice of menu planning and eating what is on hand has decreased our eating out  and spontaneous spending which saves us enormous amounts of money each month.

What's for Dinner Mom?????

I get asked a ba-zillion times a day "What's for dinner?".  I really used to hate that question because I would often forget to lay something out or look up and it's 6:30pm and we have NOTHING in the house to eat.  What would be even worse is my wallet would also be emp-tay.  Now THAT is a predicament!  I soon found that with some family input and a little good planning, I could establish a routine that would have us eating delicious meals, in a timely manner, on a small budget.  Here is how it begins.

Make a list of all the foods your family LIKES to eat.  It is important it is food you LIKE!  If it is not food the majority likes, you have wasted money.  Get your family's input. Sit down during dinner one night and let everyone have a say in meal planning. You will be surprised at the dinners they like that you have forgotten about.  Here is what mine looks like.


                                                           What's For Dinner Ma?
                         all dinners served with fruit and/or vegetables and bread as sides
tacos hard or soft shell
taco pizzas
quesadillas
taco pie
baked tacos
taco roll-ups
hamburgers
hotdog dinner
meatloaf
hamburger helper cheeseburgermac
hamburger helper stroganoff
pattymelts
baked spaghetti
my famous lasagna
chili
chili con carne
full house
greek chicken
special honey chicken
baked chicken
asian chicken
grilled chicken
BBQ chicken
chicken tender sandwiches
chicken stuff
whole chicken baked
cornflake chicken nuggets
bacon wrapped chicken breast
grilled steaks
asian steaks
asian pork steaks
BBQ pork steaks
pork chops scrambled eggs and biscuits
stuffed pork chops
roast in baking bag
crock pot roast
club sandwiches
aldi pizzas
french bread pizzas
meatball subs
crock pot chicken enchiladas
potato soup
beef stew
chicken and dumplings
hamburger patties with gravy
swai fillets
bacon and eggs
waffles and bacon
pancakes and sausage links
gravy and biscuits
salad and baked potato
sloppy joes
beans and cornbread
ham steaks, mac and cheese baked beans
ham, beans, cornbread
frozen food night (buy frozen novelty foods and make variety for fun)
ANY venison when in season

That Little Black Hair

Starting early in my teens I became very conscious of my hygiene and overall appearance. It wasn't until my early 30's that I discovered the gruesome fate that most all women will eventually uncover...those little coarse black chin hairs. It is usually contributed to normal hormonal changes. The reasoning behind the vexation however, is irrelevant if you find the little nuisance on your own face. Since I first noticed it, I have been pretty diligent in smoothing, searching out and tweezing the weed-like anomalies. Today as I got in the car to head to church, I sat in the passenger seat of my car with the morning light streaming warmth into the frost laden vehicle. I glanced in the mirror and was set aback in horror as I saw the light revealing a lengthy, black hair streaming from my perfectly powdered chin. I was so upset! I mean, I go over my face so carefully. I daily give my chin area thorough examination trying to be sure that I am maintaining the velveteen complexion of my youth. That stiff black hair was a reminder of my sin. As hard as I may try to conceal, groom, or disguise my sin, the Light will reveal it. Numbers 32:23 reminds us to "be sure your sin will find you out". 1Corinthians 4 points out that the Lord will bring light to things hidden in the darkness. My sin is revealed for all to see. More than what concerns man, it concerns God Himself. In Genesis He is referred to as El Roi (the God Who Sees). There is no where we can go to hide from the Lord. It was really a good refresher for me today. Last night I did not sleep well at all. Earlier in the evening I had seen a "long lost" family member on Facebook and it brought back emotions of bitterness and anger. I was forced to deal with my sin...ALL NIGHT LONG. I tossed and turned! I moaned and groaned! I ached and pained! The whole time trying to think of a way to let "so-and-so" know just how wrong they are. I wanted to let them know how bad they were and how many lives they touched with their evil ways. My heart was so burdened with feelings of contempt that the Holy Spirit had no choice but to draw my ugliness into the light. He had to show me the proverbial hair on my face and hand me the tweezers to quickly pluck it from my heart. He showed me that He is El Roi and sees the heart of that person. He sees what lies beneath and that "there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be made known". (Matt 10:26 NASB) It was not my place to reveal to all this person's friends what God knows in secret. My imperfect aesthetic reminder this morning allowed me to go into my Father's house to worship and pray for that person in love. No matter what, I love that person and will lift them up in prayer that God will draw her close to Himself. So from now on, not only will I carry a set of tweezers to the van, I will let it be a reminder to ask God to reveal my sin to me so I can serve Him with a pure and faithful heart.

While I'm Waiting

While reading this post please go to the bottom of the page and on the play list click on song #3 while you are reading.

It has now been almost 7 weeks since we had a foster child placed in our care. I have contacted our resource advocate and she says that there have been babies placed in the past several weeks and was not sure why we were not called. I have been so upset by this that some times all I can do is cry out to God for His comfort and peace. We SO long to have a baby in the house. I had been given some advice almost 2 weeks ago to call the placement department and let them know it had been some time since I had a baby and that I am a stay home mom and available when they call. This message was echoed by our resource advocate just last week. I was so excited! Then...here comes my "little ray of sunshine". Patrick said "No, let's wait." My bubble of excitement found the Hindenburg's fate as I sat in disbelief. We both want this...why is he saying no?! He said that he believed that we were given this time to grow in our faith and strengthen our foundation. He wanted me to read this book that we have had for over a year. Now I tried to read this marital book before and it seemed awfully one sided and "not applicable to me". This time Patrick asked if I'd read it before we called. I reluctantly agreed and started the reading marathon. I got out my highlighter and marked all the "important parts". I prayed that God would open my eyes to see what I was supposed to "get" from this material. I am seeing what He had in mind. I am seeing that my reading in haste was wrong and that I have a lot to learn about the subject matter. For the past 48 hours I have been praying that the lessons be revealed and that our marriage be strengthened and nourished. Tonight we got the movie Fireproof and watched it again. I cried all the way through it...again. I was reminded that I can not muster up all the respect that Patrick needs all by myself. I cannot, without begging God on my face, respect Patrick. I just don't know how with out Him. Don't get me wrong. We have a really good marriage. We love each other and are best buddies. We often take that for granted, especially when stress levels (and hormones) rise. I needed a reminder that God created the marriage covenant. He created us so differently that we have to die to self daily and sacrificially serve the others needs. IT IS NOT ABOUT ME!! IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW I FEEL! I have been blessed with an amazing godly husband that I know others would envy. I am thankful that in reluctance to comply, I found peace. So while I wait for the phone to ring with a child, I will serve and I will worship!

A Season of Provision

I had mentioned in a previous blog about the hardship that our family has been enduring for the past several months. It has been since October 31 since we have received a full pay check. Many of the weeks in between there has been no income whatsoever. Our business has slowed dramatically due to reasons including the recession, the holidays and the winter months. We always expect the winter months to slower but throwing in the other issues has been very difficult. Several weeks ago in Sunday School I requested prayer for our company and our family. I asked that God bless us and acknowledged that He is our Jehovah Jireh. We know that everything that we have or ever will have is given by His hand. The list of events that followed that prayer has changed our lives. It has given us proof that we serve a LIVING God and that He hears our prayers. He cares for the largest and smallest of our wants and needs. He also has revealed to us Himself through His body in the church. We were amazed at how our church family stepped up to help. I want to point out before I begin that we never asked for ANY of these things. That God sent His ministers (servants) to us in our time of need.

The following is not necessarily in chronological order.

1. A lasagna dinner when we had nothing to eat for supper.

2. A freezer full of Venison that fed our family meat for a couple weeks.

3. A Thanksgiving food basket that contained enough food to supply more than a weeks worth of groceries.

4. A specific cash paying job that paid for milk and bread when we had none.

5. A cooler of leftover food that supplied our desires for a sandwich one day after church. See the blog entry "God Loves Club Sandwiches".

6. A Chicken Alfredo Dinner with desert and extras.

7. A large roast beef dinner with a box of Cheetos and a bulk supply of Mac and Cheese. We are still feasting on it.

8. Two ladies brought a weeks worth of groceries to our house one Sunday after church. We had no idea they were coming when they showed up. We were praying that day for God to provide food for the week. This was a silent prayer for our family. No one knew but us.

9. We were out of bread when a family member sent over bread and PB for the kids. She also sent Patrick's favorite cereal without even knowing he liked it.

10. We had a food basket at Christmas that had just the food staples we needed to keep up. It also had a turkey that lasted for 3 dinners. Patrick does not eat or like turkey but he said this was the best he'd had.

11. Our phone bill was due (and late)and needed to be paid on a day that we had not a dime to our name. We just happened to get a paycheck that week that covered that bill, another one, AND groceries.

12. Our church paid our house payment and KUB for December.

13. Our church paid our house payment and KUB for January.

14. We had a HUGE plumbing issue right at Christmas. We did not have a dime. God let me borrow the money from a family member and pay it back within a 3 day time span.

15. Some friends of ours won a dinner for four at a NICE restaurant in Pigeon Forge. They called and asked US to be their guests. We had a HUGE dinner with friends and got to talk about and glorify our amazing God for several hours that night.

16. One week when I had to find a way to feed 5 people for $40, I found a sale on split chicken breasts in a family pack for $0.88 lb. We were able to eat for over a week on that purchase.

17. Some precious members of our church family bought gifts for our kids for Christmas.

18. Just before Christmas a friend from my Sunday School class brought us a HUGE basket of baked goodies and treats. The kids even said it was like Halloween but with Christmas stuff. She also included a $50 Ingle's gift card that fed the five of us for the week.

Believe it or not there has been more. We have learned invaluable lessons on life. We learned how to bundle up and be warm without turning up the heat. We have learned the MANY uses of a bucket when you have no outgoing water in the house. We have also been full off a dinner that was stretched to cover more than one night. We have learned TRUE meaning in the words of God is great, God is good, Let us thank Him for our food. We have heard our children say this was the best Christmas ever, when they got less than any year before. We have felt the gift of friends and know that Clarence the angel from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" was right when he said "No man is a failure who has friends". We found this out and also felt like George Bailey himself...."the richest man in town."

Let it Snow!!!

Yesterday the weatherman called for a possibility of snow showers in the East Tennessee Valley. We have become accustomed to the fact that no matter how often they predict a snow shower IT NEVER HAPPENS. So this morning it was not surprising at all to wake up to the same old dead brown grass. BLAH...weatherman! I had just nestled into the couch feeling a bit under the weather (pardon the pun), when I saw a flurry pass the window. I alerted Jack to open the curtains and by the time we had full view, the sky had opened up with fluffy pillows of frozen precipitation. It was actually snowing AND it was actually laying on the front porch and fore lying grass. The kids immediately wanted to run outside and take in the chilled splendor. It had only been snowing less than an hour and it was really quite sparse. Each child had their late breakfast and was begging to go out and play. I was a bit reluctant, but knowing how infrequent snowy days are in recent years I decided to let them go out. They all packed on double pants, socks, and shirts, waterproof gloves and coats, and topped off with woolly hats and scarves. They looked as if they were ready to take on the Arctic Tundra only to be facing the light dusting that had accumulated all around. Immediately they started rolling balls all around the yard. To my surprise, the balls grew and grew until a small snowman could be formed. The yard, at this point, had been stripped of its feathery blanket and the greenish brown undercoat was once again revealed. The 3 foot concoction of dusty snow and the will of three children stood in the front yard proudly and somewhat discolored from leafy debris. As I looked at the pitiful snowy figure that was affectionately named "Jeffy" I became very aware of my own layer of debris. I too was a cold mass all dirty and tarnished with my sin. My only salvation was with the precious blood of Christ that was shed for me so that I could be washed as white as the falling snow. Ephesians 1:4 talks about how He chose me (Brandi) before the foundations of the world, and I (Brandi) would be Holy (sanctified) and blameless (pure like snow)in front of Him. Oh what a beautiful lesson. To see that although I may have "leaves and dirt" I am purified, washed and whiter than snow (Ps 51:7) in His eyes. As the snow continues to fall, I can only think of each little mercy that is renewed. They are renewed just as each icy flake falls from the sky today...in abundance.

The Battle to Submit

On November 1st we welcomed a new addition to our family. He is a Yorkshire Terrier who we lovingly named Pastor Phil after our own Pastor at First Baptist Church in Powell. He is an active little pup that has more energy in his sleep that I can muster up in a full day. He is a big ball of loose black curls. Poor little Pastor didn't realize that by moving into our home he was treading in someone else's territory. It wasn't 30 minutes into his first day that we soon realized that our Bassett/Beagle mix Bob Barker was not too fond of the intruder. This dog that had NEVER shown an ounce of aggression was now showing his teeth and deep throated rumblings were bellowing out of him. Pastor could not even come within a few feet before Bob gave his verbal warnings to stay away. I was told by others not to worry that he would soon adjust and they would become the best of friends. Two weeks past and Bob was as mean and ugly as he could be without devouring the little 8 week old in one large chomp. Pastor had pursued Bob with a determination that I have only seen from Olympians and middle aged women with no sense of conscience. The pup was persistent that he wanted to PLAY, PLAY,PLAY!!! Bob wouldn't begin to entertain the idea that this was now a 2 dog family. I was getting worried that we would have to return the gift of the puppy and find him a home that would allow him to be the playful pooper that he was designed to be. In total frustration of the matter, I lifted my eyes to the Lord. I prayed that moment for peace. The dogs had pushed me to my wits end and I knew that their Creator would be the only One that could offer me any solice. Not long after my plea for a cease of hostilities, something strange happened. Pastor approached Bob with yet another attempt to initiate sport. Bob gave him a stern bark and Pastor lie flat on his back, paws in the air and as still as the grave. Bob used this moment to push Pastor around the room like a dust mop (which was kinda nice) and examine every inch of the lesser with authority and dominion. As he gave an occasional grunt to the pup, I grew increasingly nervous. Pastor, however, remained placid. It was as if Bob were saying firmly, "I am the boss here! You are in MY house! You will follow MY rules and do as I say! Any rebellion of the previously mentioned will be reprimanded with your own discomfort! Be warned that I am in control here. I expect you to understand and abide accordingly." It was at that very moment that the Lord chose to speak to me and show me another lesson about Himself. He reminded me of a time that He said almost those words almost verbatim to me. He was assuring me that He was in control. My trying to take charge was not working. He included that if I abide with Him and in His word that I would no longer have to suffer on my own, but find a friend and shelter in Him. I am still amazed that God chose me to be His. That He found me worthy of his love and safety. I watched as He gave me a concrete example of our relationship in that of my dogs. I am in awe that He chooses me to give show such examples. I think it funny how he shares with me in ways that I can "get" like that of the beasts He has given me dominion over. Although Pastor Phil still gets on Bob's last nerve (I am sure that is not the case with God), they play, wrestle, and run every waking moment. I observe them joyfully and keep watch for the next moment that God uses to reveal Himself to me.

God Loves Club Sandwiches

The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated! I have been MIA for the past few months busy with all the events that a mom can have. I have been journaling though and am looking forward to catching up over the next few days. The Christmas season went as quickly as it came. It was a whirlwind of activity and we have the scars to prove it. The one really big thing that stuck out this season was the awesome provision of our Heavenly Father. He showed us how to be thankful during Thanksgiving and then overwhelmed us with not only the gift of his Son but the gift of friends and an amazing church family. The story I am getting ready to share is just one of the many I will include over the next few days. It is so amazing how God cares about even the slightest of details.

Since October Patrick's business has been less than financially fruitful. It has caused a financial hardship that we have, at times, felt overwhelming. The one thread that has held us together is the love of God shown through our friends and church family. We looked forward to the Thanksgiving holiday as we always do. We go to Patrick's Mom and Dad's house for a pot luck dinner that includes several hours of family fun and fellowship. One great thing about the gathering is the abundance of leftovers. This year I was particularly looking forward to bringing home some extras due to our trying times. I had just spent MUCH less at the grocery store due to my tighter budget and was excited to get my yummy ham and turkey leftovers for our weekly club sandwiches following church on Sunday. The shocker came at the end of the long feast. NO LEFTOVERS REMAINED!!! I was disappointed, but we were so full from our dinner I couldn't help but be thankful for what we had consumed throughout the day. Sunday came and I had not really thought about the post church sandwiches of which I had nothing for. On the way home it dawned on me my dilemma. I informed the family that we would have to eat some waffles and with long sighs they reluctantly agreed. I could not help but think to myself how good a thick ham, turkey, and bacon filled club would be. I got home and was just about to don my raggedy T-shirt (for some reason I cannot throw that thing out) and a pair of comfy jammie bottoms. I had not even got off the first boot when the kids started screaming that someone was at the door. I jumped up to greet a dear girlfriend from church. She was divorced this year and her children had gone to spend Thanksgiving weekend with their dad. She had a small cooler of things that she said she felt the Lord laying on her heart to bring me. She told me of all the extra food she had at the house from her children's absence and that she had been instructed by God to bring it to me. I eagerly opened the cooler to find...YEP, you guessed it...turkey and honey baked ham. I turned to her with tear filled eyes and thanked her so much. As she left I could not contain myself. My Father loves me so much that He provided for my desire for our club sandwiches. That afternoon I prepared the thickest most decadent club sandwiches that our plates had ever seen. It was a honor to see that God doesn't spare us from all the blessings He can give. He is as concerned about the little things as much as I am. I now know that God hears even the slightest groanings of my heart and that maybe, just maybe God loves club sandwiches too.