Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Long over due...
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Sonoma Chicken Salad
Saturday, February 25, 2017
A birthday celebration
Friday, February 24, 2017
King Ranch Mac & Cheese
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Smore Friends
Monday, February 20, 2017
February
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Mopping in the great outdoors!
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Mexican Grits Casserole
For January we had a theme; Church Cookbook. I only had two church cookbooks. The one on the left was probably one I picked up at a garage sale. The one on the right is my grandmothers cookbook from the church she attend most of her life; Byers Avenue United Methodist Church, Joplin, MO. In it are three recipes from my grandmother Alberta "Bert" Flaxbeard. One for Caramel Dumplings (Rich). I never knew her to make these. The second recipe is for Sugar Cookies (The Best) and they are! King refiners include sour cream and nutmeg and are so soft! They never harden. The third recipe is for Mexican Grits Casserole. I knew grandma to make this, but never had it myself. It wasn't something my mother would eat, therefor grandma wouldn't have made it when we visited. I decided to make this recipe in memory of grandma.
I had never before bought, made or eaten grits.
Mexican Grits Casserole
3/4 c white grits
3 c water
1 small can cream corn (I just used 2/3 of a large can)
1 chopped onion (I omitted)
1 lb ground beef
1 can chili beef soup (I couldn't find this, so sub a can of chili w/out beans)
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp whole cumin (I just added extra ground)
1 tsp ground cumin
Garlic salt
Grated cheese
Cook grits according to package instructions. As soon as thick, add cream style corn. (I removed from heat and then added corn.) Sauté one chopped onion until limp. Add one lb ground beef and brown. Remove all fat possible. Add one can chill beef soup, chili powder, both cumins and a shake or two of garlic salt. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Place half the grits into a buttered casserole. Cover with meat mixture and top with remaining grits mixture. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes. Sprinkle grated cheese over casserole and bake until cheese melts.
Grandma added; This is a great dish to serve with a salad, crusty bread, fruit and steaming coffee.
I wasn't impressed. It was sloppy. Might have been better to serve in a bowl than on a plate. Everyone else said it was good and Jenna, who took it home, said it had a better, thicker consistency the next day. Her family enjoyed it.
Other contributions to cookbook club were;
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Happy Valentine's Day!
Ah, Happy Valentine’s Day. I am excited for you who are excited for this day and am praying for us that aren’t. I took the day off. While some of my coworkers marriages, while still in them, have soured and they don’t expect or give gifts for Valentine’s Day, there are still plenty of others who will be decked out in red clothing and receive flowers or stuffed animals and share of their plans to dine out. I made plans today to go visit friends, shop and walk outdoors, but those plans fell through when my friend became sick. So, Plan B went into place. It’s a big project, I think, and I’m hoping it takes up most of my day. I expect the negative thoughts and self-talk to start, well it technically already has, so I’ve armed myself with some scriptures and I plan to read them every time I start feeling sorry for myself or thinking negatively. They are;
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all good things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
Matthew 8:26
And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Psalm 95:2
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.
Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Do you have any favorite scriptures you turn to when feeling down?
I have a couple more Valentine posts to share and hopefully will be able to share my “big” project soon. Okay, disclaimer, its not that big. I’ve just given it a lot of though, like 7 months worth of thought and I’m looking forward to tackling it! No, it isn’t painting.
Praise God and give thanks if in a relationship and trust on His knowledge of whats best for you if you’re not.
Julie