In the Storm

Valentine's display for Small Group

I love my small group. I love preparing a yummy dessert every Sunday for my small group. I almost always use my good china. They're special. Plus, then I don't have to spend money on paper plates. Plus, then my china gets used. Anyways, since Valentine's was last Monday I decided to decorate the table with the Valentine decorations I've been making, hoarding, just for them. I didn't get a picture of all the yummies I made but here is the table - minus the yummy Double White Chocolate Truffle I made.

 
You can see a glimpse at the bottom of the heart drape I made.

 
My china is Sweet Leilani by Norteke.

 
A little printable that I found on the internet (don't remember where though).

Geography 101

 
Geography 101 - (Template by Yin)

Created another page today. The boys worked on some President's Day activity all morning. I did bible study and now I'm playing. Using Yin's templates makes short work of a page. I just have to find my paper, and embellishments, pick my pictures out and journal. Call it done. Love it.

Another page of New Orleans

 
Along the Mississippi (Template by Yin). While we waited for the IMAX theatre to open for our show we relaxed along the Mississippi River and just enjoyed the sights, and each other.

 

I Create

 
Over Christmas when we visited our daughter Ashley, son-in-law Brad, and my punk grandson's in Biloxi we also went to New Orleans for the day. I haven't mentioned or scrapped any of our visit - until now. Just finished this up yesterday afternoon when I had a few minutes before heading to the pool. I have several more pages planned (and I'm probably going to fix the journalling spot because I won't be able to have them printed the way it is).

While we enjoyed New Orleans it was a long day for all of us. Mom left aching; I left in pain; Brad wasn't feeling well; and the boys were cranky - but it was neat to see some of a town ravished by a hurricane years later.

Texas Corn Casserole

 
I will halve the recipe next time. This made a hearty size casserole fit for a potluck. I'm giving the half-size recipe instead. This was a spicy, creamy, cheesy, corn casserole. Good flavor.

Texas Corn Casserole

2 cans shoepeg corn

1-8 oz. package cream cheese

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 C. butter

1/4 C. milk

2 T. chopped jalapeno's (I used the jarred jalapeno's)

Preheat oven to 350. Melt the butter in a pan. Stir in milk and cream cheese. Stir to combine until cheese melts and mixture is creamy. Add cheddar and stir to combine and melt cheddar. Stir in jalapenos to combine. Then stir in corn.

Pour mixture into a greased, 2-quart casserole dish. Bake for 30 minutes.

I served with Asian Roasted Carrots (roasted at the same time) and grilled pork chops.

I Cook. I Give.

 
The boys and I had another yummy sandwich for lunch one day last week. We used up the last of the thin rounds and had sweet, juicy, red grapes on the side. While I'd thought I'd just give this a go it looks like now I've got my boys hooked on giving them a healthier lunch. I will continue to find healthier lunches for us.

Roast Beef, Havarti Sandwich with Horseradish sauce

6 slices of deli roast beef

3 slices of creamy Havarti cheese

2 T. mayonnaise

1 T. dijon mustard

1 tsp. horseradish

Romaine Lettuce

Tomato slices

Red onion slices

Mix the dijon mustard with the mayonnaise and the horseradish. Spread both sides of the bread rounds with the horseradish sauce mix. Layer the sandwich with the roast beef, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. Very healthy. Very yummy!

Homeschool Co-op

Last week the boys and I were invited to visit a local homeschool co-op. Arriving was lovely because we knew so many people from church and/or boy scouts. The boys sat in on a fun Geography class while I got settled in to chat with some of the mom's I knew. The next hour the boys and I sat in on the most amazing Writing class. The boys will definitely be taking this class in the fall. They went to P.E. and I chatted some more. After lunch, pizza and salad (for us adults) we talked more.

Some of the talk centered around the idea for an Atmospheric Science/Meteorology class that I'll be teaching in the fall. Yikes! But, so excited! The boys are planning on taking the class - duh! The co-op is ecstatic that there will be another science class offering especially since a new requirement of 4-years of science to graduate begins next fall.

I have a textbook picked out but not sure if it will be approved. And I'd like to write the lab textbook myself since it will be centered on weather observing.

I love all the ladies in the co-op that I know and all those I didn't know were very encouraging and welcoming. It was a wonderful visit. The boys were welcomed also. They loved P.E.

Planning

 
Day 43 - Jeff is planning a new shed in the back of the house. He's drawing up the plans. Deciding on the materials. Placing the door and windows. I love it when he gets out his architect's tools.

Zucchini Crisp

 

Zucchini Crisp

3 Large zucchini, diced

3 large garlic cloves, sliced

1 tsp. minced or dried oregano

2 tsp. rosemary

1 C. Panko bread crumbs

1/2 C. parmesan cheese, shredded

3 T. olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Pre-heat the oven at 350 degrees. Dice the zucchini into about 1 inch squares. In a large bowl combine, zucchini, garlic, herbs, olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined. Mix it all together make sure to coat the zucchini evenly, set aside. In another bowl combine the Panko bread crumbs with the parmesan cheese and just a turn or two of olive oil. Brush a baking dish (I used a bar pan) with olive oil. Add your zucchini to the baking dish and top it with the bread crumb mixture. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Patty Melts

 
Day 40 - Yum!

Patty Melts

8 slices of rye bread

6 T. butter

1 lb. ground chuck (definitely use ground chuck and not ground beef)

8 slices Chipotle chedder cheese

2 medium onions sliced

Salt and Pepper

Pinch of red pepper flackes

Melt 2T. butter in a heavy skillet. Form ground chuck into 4 patties shaping to the size of the bread. Patties should be fairly flat. Sprinkle both sides of patties with salt and pepper. Fry patties hard on both sides to desired doneness (we go medium). Remove patties from skillet.

In the same pan's juices saute the onions with a pinch of red pepper flakes until softened and crisp.

Spread butter on one side of each piece of bread. Layer on one slice of bread a slice of cheese, the meat patty, a scoop of onions, then another slice of cheese covering with another slice of bread. Place the butter-side down sandwich on a hot griddle. Use a spatula to press down on the sandwich. Turn sandwich over when golden brown. And cook the other side until golden brown.