In the Storm

Thank you.

Thank you to all the men and women who have served in our armed forces. Thank you to all the men and women who have sacrificed greatly for our freedom. So many have fought for freedom that so many  take for granted.

Have you every walked up to a serviceman or woman and said, "Thank you?." If you haven't, I would encourage you to. You will never know the impact to that serviceman/woman - and to you - until you do. Here are some other great ways to say thank you.

Do you have a military familly in your neighborhood? How 'bout mowing their lawn for them (even if the soldier isn't deployed)? Bring them dinner one night. "Hey, this is Susan, I live down the street from you - would you mind if I brought you and your family dinner tonight as a way of saying Thank you for your service." Very simple. Very awesome.

Join a group who sends hand made cards to soldiers. They're all over the internet. Here are just a few Cards for Soldiers, Scrapbook Royalty, Red Cross Service Project   

The next time you're in a restaurant and you see a service member and his family having dinner ask your waitress to bring their bill to you. Secretly, of course. Imagine how often that service member's family eats dinner without him/her because they are deployed. You'll have no problem sacrificing a little change.

My husband and I both have served. We are forever changed because of it. So many other lives are forever changed in a greater capacity because of their sacrifice. Thank a soldier today. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and say Thank you.

When I drive onto post at Hunter Army Airfield there are contracted police officers guarding the post borders and entryways. One gentlemen, as he hands me back my military identification card always says, "Thank you for your service." His simple words make my day every time. On more than one occasion his words have changed my entire mood.

Thank you Jeff, my beloved Hoosier Man, for your service and sacrifice. And thank you to all the men and women who have served, and are serving. For all who have fought the good fight - for freedom.

Come to Momma Green Beans

Simple, come to momma green beans. I never buy canned green beans anymore. I usually ignore price, for fresh. If the price ends up being astronomical I go for another vegetable, or buy frozen. But you can't be fresh green beans. I've got a couple awesome recipes for fresh green beans but this is my go-to recipe. And my Hoosier Man and Georgia Boys love them.

Come to Momma' Green Beans

1-2lbs of fresh green beans, ends nipped

1/4C butter (not margarine because that would be a sin; and then you would have to confess)

3 cloves  garlic, chopped

Kosher salt

Fresh Ground pepper

Melt the butter in a large pan. Add the garlic. Add the green beans. Sprinkle with salt and ground pepper. Stir green beans carefully in the butter and garlic. Steam on medium to high (put the lid on the pan) for about 15 minutes. Taste for desired doneness.

Another Grade Report

It saddens me to report I only made a B (an 87%) on my last class, Quantitative Reasonings in Business. We were required to work in teams two weeks out of the 6 and the first week working in a team brought my grade down below an A to a low B, I was almost to an A again, and the last week I had to work in a team again. My team mates (at least one of them) dropped the ball - again. So I was stuck. We are graded as a team. Very frustrating to go from a 4.0 to a 3.75 through no fault of your own.

I've begun my 5th class, Economics. Lots of team work again required. Hopefully this team will be different.

The Best Bread Pudding

When Jeff and I go on dates we vary our restaurant visits. One of our favorites, on dates, is Longhorns Steakhouse and another is Olive Garden. Several years ago, one of our favorites in town was a place called Semolina's. They made the best Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta. I ordered it every time. I mean every time. I never ordered anything else. Jeff always ordered the Chicken Parmigiana.

Sometimes, we would go out to eat at say, Outback. Go to a movie. And then after the movie, head to Semolina's for a late night snack and coffee. Semolina's made the best bread pudding with a yummy, buttery, rum sauce.

Unfortunately Semolina's closed and the place that took over couldn't compete with Semolina's Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta or their bread pudding with rum sauce. I have been wanting to make a bread pudding, actually find a bread pudding that I could sink into just like Semolina's. I found it! And wouldn't you know it's from my home-town girl, Paula Deen. Bread pudding too yah Paula - thanks for the delight.

 
Paula Deen's Best Bread Pudding (adapted by Susan Bowers)

2 cups granulated sugar

5 large beaten eggs

2 cups milk

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 cups cubed Italian bread, allow to stale overnight in a bowl (I actually used a package of stale dinner rolls)

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened

1 cup chopped pecans

For the sauce (I doubled this portion for a 13x9 pan of bread pudding and it was the perfect amount):

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1 egg, beaten

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup brandy (I used rum. Yum, yum)

 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan. Mix together granulated sugar, eggs, and milk in a bowl; add vanilla. Pour over cubed bread and let sit for 10 minutes.

 

In another bowl, mix and crumble together brown sugar, butter, and pecans. 

 

Pour bread mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over the top and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until set. Remove from oven.

 

For the sauce: Mix together the granulated sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir together until the sugar is melted. Add the rum, stirring well. Pour over the baked, individual servings of bread pudding.

A little digital scrapping

Here is a couple of pages from our Sioux Falls adventure. I figured I'd never get to use 'snow' elements.

(Credits: Bren Boone Designs, Faba,  and Vicki Parker)  
 

My first challenge

I decided to participate in a scrapbooking challenge. It is my first challenge ever. It is a challenge over at Three Paper Peonies and the probing question for the layout is to design a layout about something you've been focused on lately. I had to use only paper from her last Harvest paper pack and her embellishments from other kits (which I've previously downloaded).

I love her work. I love her pages. They are very outside my box!!! I really enjoy her sight and her little mini kits. Without further ado her is my page.

(Credits: Three Paper Peonies)

Who is that Masked Man?

 

Can you guess? You might think it is Hoosier Man from the jacket. You might gage it is Hoosier Man from the feet size. But, alas, you would be wrong!! That masked man is a masked boy. Georgia Boy - John. My 12 year old is wearing Hoosier Man's jacket and wears the same size shoes as Hoosier Man.

And, was as giddy about a new challenge as Hoosier Man gets when he gets to PLAY!!! John (and Jarrod) both got to play when we were in Sioux Falls. Stacia's parents/brother has a 4-wheeler that John and Jarrod got to take a ride on. They each first rode with Stacia's brother Adam then they rode by themselves - and had a ball!!!

Proof of John having a blast! By the way, the field in the background used to be corn fields. There are plenty of cornfields and soybean fields left though in South Dakota.

Sioux Falls

Crisp air. Sharp chill. Snow on the ground. Raging waters. Charging falls. Hot coffee. Toasty gloves. Winter coats. Playing. Rock-trekking. Exploring. Brisk breeze.

All that and more in a couple of hours as we visited Sioux Falls' namesake - aah - Sioux Falls. Jeff's inquisitive mind was thrilled and energized. There was much to fill his thoughts with as we explored Sioux Falls. And of course, he passed on, imparted, his newfound wealth of knowledge to his sons.

We had a couple hours to explore before Stacia's wedding so we headed out to the falls, where Sioux Falls really did get it's name. The explorers of old (and I mean Lewis and Clark old) knew a good thing when they saw it. Thus, became Sioux Falls.

My Georgia Boys held no hesitation to explore. To trek across the rocks. To climb. To decend into crevices with the raging waters near. Oh, I enjoyed this time immensely. I imagined visiting the falls, if I lived there regularly to talk with God. For picnics. For Boy Scout camp outs. For family time. We brought home a piece of Sioux Falls.

Please share with me our time.

Be Still

There is a passage in Exodus I think that says 'Be still, and know that I am God.' Are you in the middle of a storm? Be still. And you will find God in the storm. Are you waiting on an answer from God? And waiting? And waiting? Be still. And you just might hear your answer. Or maybe, He'll just strengthen you in the waiting and get to know Him as God - more.

In our fast paced world, how many of us take the time to be still before God. Do you get bored? Or fall asleep. Do you find you just don't have the time? You pray, but just enough to get through your prayer list? How are you going to know He is God if you aren't still before Him. Is this a command for us? Our part: Be still. His part: He'll reveal Himself as God.

Be still. Know He is God.

Starting and Finishing

I've started my next MBA class, Quantitative Reasonings in Business. The name is as bad as the class. Hopefully I will finish well.

I've finished my Operational Leadership class with an A. Three classes, three A's. But, I'm concerned regarding this current class.

I've finished my first weeks assignment in QRB. Hard, but I think I did okay.

I helped John with finishing up his report due tomorrow (he only had the weekend to complete it). He's doing the final write.

I've started (again) a W.E.B. Griffin novel, By Order of the President. I love his writings. I really don't have alot of time to read these days.

I've finished up another week of Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. It is a bible study I'm leading on Saturday evenings - and still need to start the next week today. I have also finished another week in my Precepts class on the book of Matthew.

I want to start: walking, swimming more, eating better, praying more, spending time with my kids more, keeping a cleaner house...but, I'm not going to grumble about it but just do what I can.