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~ for today ~

Monday July 7th, 2008

Outside my window...

is a sunny summer day.

I am thinking...
about how blessed I am to live in America.

I am thankful for...
my husband being home this week since his business trip was postponed.

From the kitchen...
homemade pizza for supper.

I am creating...
a "bola" scarf to wear this winter. Instructions coming soon to Heritage Schoolhouse. :-)

I am going...
to the grocery store this afternoon.

I am wearing...
a white t-shirt, a denim skirt, and hot pink flip flops (those wal-mart ones that are now on for $1 a pair - between the two of us, I think my daughter and I have every color!)

I am reading...
favorite blogs.

I am hoping...
to tackle "my pile" that is waiting patiently for me in the garage to sort - "to store" / "to give away" / "to throw away".

I am hearing...
the washing machine.

Around the house...
my husband is working in his office, the children are playing, and Daisy is sleeping.

One of my favorite things...
is homemade cinnamon rolls. :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week...
the children have chess club at the library tomorrow afternoon and other than that I'll just be piddling around the house...and tackling that pile in the garage. :-)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
a frame on my kitchen windowsill.

A Month Of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 7

Warning Against the Adulteress
1 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman;
5 they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words.
6 At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.
8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)
13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:
14 "I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon."
21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose
23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.
26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

Independence Day in Pictures

fresh corn on the cob

plates stacked and ready for the feast

old fashioned coca-cola on ice

a surprise gift from my husband!

a thoughtful bouquet from our guests :-)

glow bracelets for the kiddos

and a patriotic puppy just waiting for that bar-b-q to hit the floor!

"My country, 'tis of Thee,

Sweet Land of Liberty

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims' pride,

From every mountain side

Let Freedom ring."

Supper Menus
July 7th-12th

Monday
homemade pizza, lettuce and tomato salad
Tuesday
jalapeno chicken enchiladas, black beans, roasted corn salsa, tortilla chips
Wednesday
summer sub sandwich, potato chips, pickles
Thursday
tacos, spanish rice, Texas caviar, tortilla chips
Friday
invited to dinner at friend's house, taking oatmeal cookies
Saturday
invited to dinner at friend's house, taking summer dessert pizza

If you would like to see more menu plans, you can visit Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at www.orgjunkie.com.

Skillet Chicken Spaghetti

Garlic Chicken Spaghetti

4 servings

1 package (8 ounces) angel hair pasta

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes

1 cup boiling water

1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, place tomatoes in a small bowl; add boiling water. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Drain and chop tomatoes; set aside. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine flour and garlic salt. Add chicken and shake to coat. In a large skillet, saute chicken in oil until done. Add the broth, parsley, basil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir in the tomatoes and heat through. Drain pasta. Add chicken mixture and cheese; toss to coat. Enjoy!

We all really enjoyed this! I think I will call it "summer-time" chicken spaghetti and save my regular, oven baked, chicken spaghetti for the fall and winter. :-) Thank you to Laura, at www.orgjunkie.com for recommending this delicious spaghetti.

A Month Of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 6

Warnings Against Folly
1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another,
2 if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,
3 then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!
4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
12 A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,
14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart he always stirs up dissension.
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
Warning Against Adultery
20 My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,
24 keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.
25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes,
26 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?
28 Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?
29 So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
30 Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
32 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.
33 Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away;
34 for jealousy arouses a husband's fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35 He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse the bribe, however great it is.

A Month Of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 5

Warning Against Adultery
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;
4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.
7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.
8 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,
9 lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel,
10 lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house.
11 At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.
12 You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!
13 I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors.
14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly."
15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 A loving doe, a graceful deer — may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.
20 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife?
21 For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.
22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.
23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

Independence Day Beauty :-)

mommy and daughter have

patriotic fingernails and toenails!

Happy Birthday America!

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
~ The Declaration of Independence

“May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country!”
~Daniel Webster

“We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls.”
~Robert J. McCracken

“Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty.”
~Louis D. Brandeis

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"The Declaration of Independence" by John Trumbull

Independence Day Cooking

4th of July Cookout Menu

on the grill
chicken breasts
jalapeño cheese venison sausage
corn on the cob

the sides
potato salad
coleslaw
baked beans
potato chips

also
white bread
bar-b-q sauce
cheddar cheese
sliced onion
dill pickles
pickled okra
jalapeños

to drink
iced tea
bottles of coke and rootbeer on ice

and for dessert
chocolate covered strawberries cake
chocolate chip cookies

A Month of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 4

Wisdom Is Supreme
1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,
4 he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Independence Day Table Decorations

paper napkin rings from Martha Stewart Living

drink parasols for the kiddy table (also Martha)

flags and daisies for centerpieces

~ simple, easy, quick, and festive! ~

Independence Day Reading

The 4th of July Story

by Alice Dalgliesh

Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags - the Story

of the Fourth of July Symbols
by James Cross Giblin

A Month of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 3

Further Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;
22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;
24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" — when you now have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse a man for no reason — when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways,
32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.

McDonald's Cheeseburger Buns

These taste just like McDonald's cheeseburgers! Really!

Cheeseburger Buns
12 servings

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast (or 4 1/2 teaspoons)
1/2 cup warm water
3/4 cup warm milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
3-1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons mustard
6 slices process American cheese, quartered
24 thin dill pickle slices

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, sugar, shortening, egg, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. In a skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat; drain. Stir in ketchup and mustard. Lower heat and simmer. Punch dough down; divide into 12 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out and stretch each piece into a 5 inch. circle. Top each circle with two pieces of cheese, about 3 tablespoons beef mixture and two pickles. Bring dough over filling to center; pinch edges to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes. Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers. Enjoy!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup

Independence Day Decorating

It's starting to look like the 4th of July around here!

Some Independence Day decorating took

place this afternoon at Heritage Schoolhouse.

First, I made a banner for the hutch. This was inspired by Kelli's banner at There Is No Place Like Home. Thank you so much for the instructions Kelli! I love how the banner turned out!

I also made a star garland for the mantle. You can find the instructions at Marth Stewart Living. Once you get the hang of making the stars, they go very quickly!

A Patriotic Breakfast :-)

"It's summer - so swim in chlorine-free water, sit around a campfire, watch sunsets, hike at day-break, collect and press wildflowers, pick blueberries, sleep outside and look for shooting stars."

~Susan Branch

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Summer Preserves" by Eric Barjot

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!