Zuzu and Papa

June 27, 2012June 18, 2013

Pictures from Haiti

I’m still trying to get my busy teenager, Hannah, to sit down and write a blog about her mission trip to Haiti. Last week, she was at a horse show in Shelbyville and this week, she’s taking some riding lessons and preparing for the 4-H Livestock Show. She was on the radio yesterday morning promoting the show and I was so proud of her. She wasn’t nervous at all!

So, for now, I will share some of the photos. Her stories are so sweet and touching and I can’t wait for her to share some of them with you.

The ShowHope group. If anyone is thinking about doing a Haiti mission trip next year, I would highly recommend this group. The leaders were so kind and Christlike. The facility was very well run and I was so impressed with the stories Hannah told me about how the orphanage is operated.

The Hands and Feet facility. Hannah and the group painted one of the buildings one day as part of their ministry.

My Hannah. They spent a lot of the time just loving on the kids.

This is the aquaduct where their water comes down the hill into the town. They were taking a hike up the mountain.

The top of the mountain. Look at that view!

Taking the kids swimming in the beautiful, clear Carribbean! They also had a beach-side church service.

June 22, 2012June 18, 2013

Carrot Souffle

2 16 oz. cans of carrots – drained and mashed

2 sticks of butter (melted)

2 cups sugar

6 Tblsp. Flour

2 Tblsp. Baking powder

2 tsp. vanilla

6 eggs (room temperature)

Beat together, place in greased 9×13 casserole dish and bake 45 minutes at 350.

Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

June 15, 2012June 18, 2013

June Apples, Apple Crisp

Those little tart, green June apples are here! .

We love them cooked (with the peelings) in a little butter and sugar. It’s not like applesauce, but I don’t know another way to describe them…pure yummy!

I’ve frozen several bags. I quarter and core them, dip them in salt water so they won’t turn brown, pat dry and then put them in freezer bags. This way, I can take out what I need all winter.

I made several apple crisps, some to eat now for breakfast or dessert, and several more to put in the freezer for later. Here is the recipe that I got out of our Franklin Elementary cookbook. This is always a hit when I’ve taken it for breakfasts at church, too.

I made a few pictures, but could not get one of the finished product because it was always eaten up when I went back with the camera!

Apples cut, peeled and sliced. I put them in a little salt water so they won’t turn brown.

The brown sugar, oatmeal, butter, flour and cinnamon mixture, ready to sprinkle on top.Apple Crisp

3-4 medium apples
3/4 c. quick-cooking oats
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. butter

Pare apples and slice thin. Arrange slices in a greased 8 inch round pan or pie plate. Combine oatmeal, sugar, flour and spices. Cut in butter. Sprinkle this mixture over apples. Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees) for 35-40 minutes. Serve warm with cheese wedges or whipped cream.

June 8, 2012June 18, 2013

A Giving Heart

I am beginning to realize that I am a bit selfish.

Oh, I love doing all the basic giving things like making meals and giving birthday gifts. But, when it comes to giving my stuff away – new stuff – that is very uncomfortable.

Hannah, as I mentioned earlier, is leaving for Haiti tomorrow. Her plan is to go with a full suitcase and come back with an empty one, leaving all her clothes and shoes for the orphans. Friends, this is not coming easy for me. I have bought new clothes, cute things, for her trip. In my mind, I don’t have the money to just go back out and buy all new clothes when she returns. She just smiles at me. Today, I said in a loud voice, frustrated with myself, “Yes, I am selfish! I don’t like it, either! Just give all your clothes away, I don’t care! God will be honored and you will be doubly blessed!” I was trying to convince myself!

She has a heart like her father. He would give everything away to anyone who needed it. I was reminded of an event in our life that I had forgotten all about until today. I told Hannah and she was blown away. I was humbled and repentant when I remembered this blessing from the Lord.

Victor and I took a missions trip to Guatemala several years ago to visit the Showalter’s work. We helped prepare a Bible school by cleaning and painting everything. We also set up a little clothing ‘store’ for people who needed clothes. We all took extra things down to help stock this little store. I had no problem giving away my second-hand clothing.

When we left, my husband decided to leave everything that was in his suitcase. All his jeans, shirts, hats, socks…everything! I felt the same little selfish spirit. Did he realize that we were going to have to buy all new things when we got back home? That was going to be so expensive!

About a week after we returned, Victor’s father came into the office one day and said, “Boynee (his little nickname for him), I was taking off the trash today, and you’ll never believe what I found!”

Sitting outside the dumpster, were boxes of freshly starched Duck Head khaki pants (in Victor’s exact size – and at that time, all he wore were those Duck Head khaki’s), starched button down shirts, ties, belts, t-shirts, etc. All in his size and all clean and fresh! This was probably 4 or 5 times the amount that he left and in much better condition. We absolutely could not believe it! This was a pressed down, shaken together blessing happening right before our eyes!

Now, how in the world could I still have a problem giving when I have seen firsthand the blessings of God? I guess because I’m just a sinner, saved by grace, and need to be forgiven on a daily basis. I am thankful for a husband and daughter who have no problem with the concept of freely giving.

I’m a slow learner, but I’m getting there…

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:38

May 25, 2012June 18, 2013

Strawberry Jam

Since it’s strawberry season, I thought I would pull out the strawberry jam blog from the archives.

Fresh strawberries from the Franklin Farmer’s Market.

First, pick out your jars. Most groceries and stores like Target carry canning supplies. Wash jars, lids and rings in hot, soapy water. Sterilize the jars and rings (not rubberized lids) in boiling water. I keep jars and rings in the boiling water until I’m ready to ladle the jam.

I use Sure-Jell pectin, but there are many more brands on the market.

For the jam, I only use the large mouth funnel and the utensil on the far left which has a magnet on the tip. I use that to dip the rubberized lids into the boiling water for just a few seconds and also to pick up the bands out of the water. I bought a “canning kit” at Walmart and it had all these utensils in it (except the spatula).

To be successful with jam making, the ingredients must be measured out exactly as the instructions call.

Too many berries and the jam will not set.

This happened to me last year and we’ve been using the ‘runny’ jam as ice cream topping.

After ladeling the jam into the jars, wiping the rim and sealing with bands, I put them in a hot water bath for about 10 minutes. When you hear the lids “pop”, then you know they have sealed.

If they have not sealed in a couple of hours, you should go ahead and refrigerate the jam and eat it.

You can leave the bands on or take them off.

Jam is wonderful not only for eating ourselves, but for hostess gifts, a small birthday gift or to put in a basket of food you may be taking to someone.

May 10, 2012June 18, 2013

Carnton Field Trip

What a fun day we had! Well, I just stayed for the first leg which was Carnton. The kids then went on to the Carter House. Campbell informs me that most of these people are not in his class, but they were so cute, I couldn’t resist making pictures. The lunches were put in these little pails, covered with a red bandana. The temperature for the day was perfect ~ around 72 degrees. The kids were all so smart and knew the answers to all of the questions that were asked by the guide, much to Ms. Bugg’s relief!

April 17, 2012June 18, 2013

Black Bean Salsa (or Redneck Caviar)

My kids love this and it’s a great way to get some vegetables in their day. It is wonderful for cookouts and picnics. I promise it will be a hit!

Ingredients

1 bunch green onions

1 green pepper

1 can Ro-tel

2 small cans of shoepeg corn

2 cans of black beans (rinsed)

1 bottle Italian dressing

Combine all ingredients.

April 3, 2012September 12, 2013

Pulled Pork

This is my simple way of making some delicious BBQ with very little work! To us, it’s better than any BBQ joint in town.

Start with a nice pork roast and place it in your crock pot.

Rub the pork on all sides with sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder.

That’s it!

I would not use a pork loin for this recipe since there is no bone and not enough fat to make it juicy.

I started cooking this on HIGH around 10:00 this morning and by 4:30, it was nice and tender.

Using tongs and a fork, I removed the fat and bone and pulled the meat apart.

Then, I add a bottle of off the store shelf BBQ sauce – whatever brand your prefer – or you can make your own which would be extra delicious.

We eat our BBQ on a bun with fresh slaw and sweet potato fries.

March 5, 2012September 18, 2013

Behind the Scenes

I seem to do my best work behind the scenes.

My husband gets all the “Volunteer of the Year” awards and I am happy to have dinner waiting when he returns from wherever he’s been volunteering.

I have everyone’s clothes washed and freshly pressed so that they may go out with pride to their next adventure. Actually, I’m sure they never really even think about it – their clothes being clean, that is, until something is needed and is in the hamper.

I have the house ready on Friday for all the teenagers I know will be hanging out on the weekends…sheets changed, pizza ordered, blankets ready for sleeping over, pantry full of snacks. They think it just happens, I suppose, or don’t even think about it at all.

So many little behind the scene things take place in the household to keep things running smoothly.

When you go to church, do you ever stop to think about all the behind the scene things that have gone on to make the two hours run smoothly? Hours of music and choir practice, hours of studying Sunday School lessons, hours of prayer, someone paying the bills, someone coming in and making sure the lights and heat are on, someone scheduling nursery workers, someone cleaning up after us all. I can’t even begin to name everything. Just suffice it to say, a whole week’s worth of work and preparation has gone into those two precious hours.

I had the privilege of working behind the scenes for a beautiful wedding this weekend. How many hours, days, weeks, months go into planning a wedding? For maybe, just maybe, two hours of celebration.

So, my point in writing this is to ask…is it worth it? All the planning and preparation to make an event, a home, a worship service the best it can be? In the midst of the behind the scenes, I might be tempted to answer no, but always, when the end result is reached and you see the good in all the work done, the lives touched, the people blessed, the bride happy, the family content, my answer is yes.

Behind the scenes is where it’s happening! Usually, it all goes unnoticed, but wouldn’t this be a good day to find someone who works behind the scenes and tell them they’re appreciated?

I made a few pictures behind the scenes as we prepped the food for the wedding this weekend. Unless someone stuck their head in the kitchen, they may never even have thought of the world of activity that was going on in there. We had fun, all the busy kitchen fairies.