A Month of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 2

Moral Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
13 who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
16 It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.
18 For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.
20 Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

Firecracker Casserole

Firecracker Casserole

8 servings

1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 flour tortillas
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet, cook the beef and onion; drain. Add beans, chili powder, cumin and salt. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Arrange tortillas over the top. Combine soup and tomatoes; pour over the tortillas. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Enjoy!

Blueberry Sauce

So easy and so yummy!

Blueberry Sauce

about 2 cups

½ cup sugar
¼ cup orange juice concentrate
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 cups fresh blueberries

Combine sugar, concentrate and cornstarch; stir until smooth. Add blueberries and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Store in the refrigerator. Warm to use as a topping for pancakes, waffles, pound cake or ice cream. Enjoy!

A Month of Proverbs

Do you read a chapter of Proverbs each day of the month? I try to, and I thought it would be nice to include a chapter at Heritage Schoolhouse every day during the month of July. My posts will be from the NIV. If you prefer a different version, please fill free to click on the Web Bible in my side bar.

Proverbs Chapter 1

Prologue: Purpose and Theme
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-
6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against Enticement
8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.
11 If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul;
12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
14 throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse"-
15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!
19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.
Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom
20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
22 "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.
24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, 25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you-
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.
29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,
30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken
4 servings

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons soy sauce, divided
1 tablepoon chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks
2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup cornstarch, divided
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon oil
2 cups hot cooked rice

Combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce, broth, salt, garlic powder and ground ginger in a large, resealable plastic bag. Add chicken and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Drain pineapple, reserving juice; set pineapple aside. Add enough water to juice to measure 1 cup. Combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch, sugar and pineapple juice mixture until smooth; stir in vinegar, ketchup and remaining soy sauce. Set aside. Drain chicken and discard marinade. Place remaining cornstarch in a large, resealable plastic bag. Add chicken and toss to coat. In a skillet, cook chicken in oil until done. Remove and keep warm. Stir pineapple juice mixture and add to skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken and reserved pineapple; heat through. Serve over rice and enjoy!

Happy Monday! :-)

Have a great week!

Supper Menus
June 30th-July 5th

Monday
sweet and sour chicken, rice
Tuesday
firecracker casserole, guacamole, tortilla chips
Wednesday
cheeseburger buns, spicy potato wedges, macaroni salad
Thursday
fajitas, pinto beans, spanish rice
Friday
Independence Day Celebration - menu TBA :-)
Saturday
garlic chicken spaghetti, caesar salad, bread sticks

Menu Plan Monday is being hosted by Heavenly Homemakers this week, while Org Junkie is on vacation!

Honey-eyed Chicken

This yummy recipe came from Kelli at There Is No Place Like Home - one of my favorite blogs. Thank you, Kelli! We loved your family's recipe.

Honey-eyed Chicken

4 servings

1/2 cup honey

1/3 cup butter

1/4 cup mustard

4 teaspoons curry powder

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Combine honey, butter, mustard and curry in a small saucepan. Heat and stir until butter is melted. Place chicken in a baking dish and pour sauce over chicken. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes.

"Whatsoever things are true,

Whatsoever things are honest,

Whatsoever things are just,

Whatsoever things are pure,

Whatsoever things are lovely,

Whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things."

Philippians 4:8 KJV

I have been looking forward to these all week! Yummy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Parfaits

4 servings

2 tablespoons peanut butter

2 tablespoons plus 2 cups milk, divided

1 cup plus 4 tablespoons whipped topping, divided

1 package instant chocolate fudge pudding mix

4 tablespoons finely chopped salted peanuts

Combine peanut butter and 2 tablespoons milk. Fold in 1 cup whipped topping; set aside. Whisk remaining milk with pudding mix for 2 minutes. Spoon half the pudding into 4 parfait glasses. Spoon the peanut butter mixture over the pudding, then spread a layer of remaining pudding. Refrigerate one hour. Top with remaining whipped topping and peanuts - serve and enjoy!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup Summertime, Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup Turn Off the Oven.

My 2nd 5K

I'm a walker, not a runner. :-)

I finished 2 minutes slower than my first 5K in April -

I blame the heat! ;-)

Panhandle Beef Brisket

Panhandle Beef Brisket
8 servings

1 1/2 cups ketchup
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or more - we like bbq sauce very peppery!)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried chopped onion
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 small fresh beef brisket (3 to 4 pounds), trimmed
2 tablespoons liquid smoke

In a saucepan combine ketchup, broth, brown sugar, vinegar, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion and garlic powder. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Set aside one cup of sauce for serving. Place brisket in a shallow pan; brush on both sides with liquid smoke. Pour remaining sauce over meat. Cover and bake at 325° for 2-3 hours or until meat is tender. Let stand for 5 minutes. Thinly slice meat across the grain. Serve with reserved sauce and enjoy!

I used a three pound brisket for our family of four. It was just the right size for supper this evening with enough brisket and sauce leftover for four chopped beef sandwiches for lunch tomorrow! This sauce is very, very good!

Linked to Down Home Cookin' Recipe Linkup.

Oh Happy Day!

DAISIES at the grocery for $1 a bunch!

Flower Arranging Tip

Have you ever seen one of those glass do-dads used in a vase to hold and separate individual flower stems? Maybe there is a name for it? Here's my "homemade" version.

Take a plastic lid about the size of the

container you want to put your flowers in.

Trim to fit the neck of the container,

and use a whole punch to poke a few holes in it.

Start with a long, thick stem in the middle to stabilize it,

and then arrange the other stems.

It works great and enables a small

amount of flowers to look like a lot!

Blueberry Crumb Cake

Blueberry Crumb Cake

16 servings, makes 2 cakes - one for your family, one for a neighbor!

for streusel

1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup butter, melted
1 1/3 cups flour

for cake

6 tablespoons butter
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon lemon zest
2/3 cup sour cream
1 ¼ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh blueberries
powdered sugar

Butter and flour two, 9 inch round baking pans. Combine sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter and then flour. Mix well and set aside. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, zest, and sour cream. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture; mix well. Fold in blueberries. Spoon batter into pans and top with streusel. Bake 40 minutes at 350°. Cool completely. Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar and enjoy!

Linked to Down Home Cookin' Recipe Linkup, Sweet Indulgences Sunday, Cast Party

Homemade Pickles

Refrigerator Pickles
makes 2 pints

6 pickling cucumbers
½ bell pepper, chopped
½ onion, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup granulated sugar

Wash and scrub cucumbers. Slice into a non-metallic bowl, leaving peel on, about 1/8" thick. Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic to cucumbers. Sprinkle with salt and celery seed. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour. In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil then remove immediately from heat. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Allow to cool; pour over cucumbers. Mix well; fill jars and refrigerate for 24 hours before serving. Enjoy a jar and share one with a friend!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup.

Daddy's Favorite Supper

Skillet Chicken Parmesan
4 servings

8 ounces angel hair pasta (cooked according to package directions)
1 jar pasta sauce
4 chicken breasts, pounded thin
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
2 cups bread crumbs
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons oil
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

Heat pasta sauce. Combine milk and egg in a shallow dish. Combine bread crumbs, spices, and parmesan cheese. Dip each chicken breast in milk wash, then in bread crumbs; repeat. Heat oil in saucepan over high heat. Brown chicken breasts on each side in hot oil. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until done - about 5 minutes each side. Dish up pasta; top with sauce, chicken, more sauce, mozzarella and fresh grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup Just for Dad, Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup Turn Off the Oven

Welcome Home Daddy!

This beautiful espresso cup and saucer candle

was a thoughtful gift from my sweet husband!

The morning is brighter.
The day is sweeter.

A song is lovelier.
A picture is prettier.

My heart is lighter.
My burdens are fewer.

My pillow is softer.
The night is safer.

Everything is better when you are home!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries Cake

Chocolate Covered Strawberries Cake

16 servings

2/3 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar, divided

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup milk

4 egg whites

1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

for frosting

7 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 cups baking cocoa

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries

8 whole fresh strawberries

Cream butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, on high until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Fold into batter. Fold in strawberries. Pour in to two, greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely on wire racks. For frosting, combine confectioner's sugar and cocoa. Beat in butter and milk until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Spread frosting over bottom cake layer; top with sliced strawberries. Top with remaining cake layer; frost top and sides of cake. Dip whole strawberries into frosting and arrange around and on top of cake. Refrigerate leftovers. Enjoy!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup.

Summer Morning

I can't think of a better way

to spend a summer morning,

then browsing in the cool comfort of the library

and strolling in the warm breeze of the farmer's market.

Can you? :-)