February Snow

We got a beautiful snowfall last night.

Large, Wet Flakes

We awoke to a winter wonderland.

I love when the snow clings to the trees.

The college students have the day off.

Hubby got a two hour delay.

Too bad it is supposed to get up into the 40's today.

The beauty will be short-lived I am afraid.

I am thankful for the beautiful snowfall.

I am thankful for restful mornings.

I am thankful to have another book published.

I am thankful for all that I learned while working on the book.

Woman's Work Wednesday - the Thursday Edition

Well, I missed my Wednesday post,

but all for a good cause.

I finished the edits on the Romans commentary yesterday.

I also began formatting the ebook which should be available by the end of today.

So while I did not post,

I was busy with my "woman's work" - helping hubby publish.

And now on to the Thursday work - an ebook, a bulletin, and a Sunday School worksheet.

If we sent you the Bible study on Malachi and you would like to add Romans to your collection,

let us know.  We have already ordered a number at our discounted price.

If the last book was not a help, or your life is just too crazy, don't feel bad.

Of Snow, Ice, and Floods

We have been enjoying our little touch of winter here in NC.

Last week, we had a little snow and more ice.

This morning, we woke to a beautiful fluffy snow.

Tomorrow evening, we are supposed to have another snow event.

Last Friday night, we went to church for our typical time of putting together Bibles for missionaries.

Before I started to work on Bibles,

I need to do some accounting work in the church building.

Ad I unlocked the door,

I heard water running.

Oh, a running toilet - I hate the cost of that.

As I stepped through the dark hallway,

I heard a splash and my feet were cold and wet.

It was not a running toilet,

it was a burst pipe.

The water was down the main hall and into all the rooms to one extent or another.

The water was down the sanctuary aisle.

The troops were quickly rallied.

Some ran to Lowes for supplies.

Some stopped the flooding.

Others helped to get the water out of the building.

Today,

The water is out.

The carpets are ripped up.

Decisions are being made about what needs to happen and in what order.

Busy, Busy, Busy.

So thankful that the mess was found while there was a lot of help around.

So thankful that the mess was not found on Sunday morning.

So thankful that we turn the hot water off after each service.

So thankful for the efficient workers at church who were commended by the restoration crew 

for removing so much water from the carpet.

So thankful for the flexibility of the church members

to adapt to a different space for services.

The Month is Flying By

I can't believe that we are already in the last week of February.

The Valentine's decorations came down today.

I will soon put the winter dishes away.

My mini daffodils are through the earth and will hopefully wait to bloom until the threat of winter is over.

We are doing a lot of "clean" simple eating, so I do not have many recipes to post.

I even got a little lazy for the church dinner ...

1 bucket of KFC, one spiral sliced ham, a roasted butternut squash, and some raspberry jello.

I did try a recipe from my SIL - 

Hubby said that they were DELICIOUS and has concluded 

that they join the flourless PB cookies as his favorite cookies.

I guess they are a knock-off, but we have never tried the originals.

ALMOND FLOUR CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Adapted from Neiman Marcus $250 Cookies

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 whole eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups almond flour

2.5 cups gluten-free oatmeal, put through blender or food processor

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

4.5 oz. grated semi-sweet chocolate (put the chips through a food processor)

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup raisins (optional)

Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
Add the eggs and vanilla, combine.
In a separate bowl, mix together almond flour, blended oatmeal, salt,
baking powder, baking soda, and grated chocolate.
Add to the butter mixture, and stir to combine.
Add chocolate chips and raisins (if you want).

Let the dough chill for at least one hour before baking for 9 minutes at 375 F.

NOTES AND TIPS:

• Oatmeal is considered to be gluten free, but often the processing of it can contaminate it.
  If you’re really wanting a GF cookie, make sure to get certified GF oats.
• CHILL THE DOUGH. Don’t skip this step.

This Week's Menu:

Sunday:  Church Dinner

Monday:  Mexican Out (afternoon of work at church)

Tuesday:  Lemon-thyme Chicken

Wednesday: Salsa Chicken

Thursday: Chili
Friday: Tilapia

Saturday: Orange Chicken

Romans and I Peter

Today, I express thanks for these two books.

I have been working with hubby on the final edit of Romans.

Only about 40 pages left to proof.

Pastor has been preaching through I Peter.

The two studies collide on the subject of respect for authority.

A Christian must see the governmental leaders as God's servant.

I finished my taxes weeks ago.

My flesh battled and grumbled - 

why should I pay penalties for wanting to pay for my own health care.

Then the Spirit would remind me - 

God is in control - 

He is working His plan in my life and in the life of the nation.

I am thankful when God's Word must be faced and applied.

I am thankful for practical Bible studies and principles.

God is good.

SAHW: Reason 7

The big draw of heading to a job outside of the home is an added income.

One of the reasons that I enjoy being a SAHW is that it saves me money.

No wardrobe requirements.

No need for frequent fast food pick-ups because I am just too tired to cook.

No need for fast food because there just was no time to pack a lunch.

Time to find and use coupons.

Time to plan healthy meals - saves on doctor bills and medicines.

Time to research health concerns - again saves on doctor trips.

Time to research online deals before making big purchases.

For years, we saved because we only had one car.

We save money on home repairs and upkeep that I have time to do.

February 17, 2002

You know what day it is, don't you?

It is Donut Day - 

the anniversary of our first date.
The winter weather came and hubby has the day off.

The g-f donuts don't quite do justice to the donuts at Bella Napoli's in Latham, NY,

but the memory is sweet

and the tradition is enduring.

So tonight we will brew some Teeccino and share one/some donuts.

Winter Weather Event

The teacher in me always gets excited about a winter weather event.

They are more special in the south because of their rarity.

I am listening to the wintry mix outside and wondering ...

... will hubby have a few extra hours tomorrow?

... a whole extra day?

It was a chilly day,

so I decided to dress up the leftovers for dinner with a fresh baked loaf of bread.

Success!

I have not made a yeast bread in a long while.

The Paleo Mom came through with a no nut paleo yeast bread.

It was good hot out of the oven (I gave up dessert to have a second piece).

We'll see if tomorrow it tastes as good

and what the texture will be like.

Will it only make toast?

Will it be soft enough for sandwiches?

If we have a "snow day," maybe we'll have soup and sandwiches.

This weeks menu:

Sunday:  Italian Pork

Monday:  Leftover Italian Pork

Tuesday: BBQ Chicken / Sweet Potato / Coleslaw

Wednesday: Veggetti with Meat Sauce

Thursday:  Enchiladas

Friday: Tilapia

Saturday: Chef Salad

18 Nieces and Nephews and Counting ... the Hadley edition!

A new nephew arrived last evening.

All are doing well.

Congrats to the family.

A Season of Love

I love Valentine's Day.

I love a holiday that reminds me of those I love.

It reminds me of those who love me.

I don't care about a Hallmark card,

a long stem red rose,

or a box of chocolates ...

I am not interested in cupid or St. Valentine.

I love to express my love to others.

I love to spend time with my sweetheart.

I love to share with my nieces and nephews

at a time separate from their other aunts.

I love to hide treats in the mail boxes of college students.

I love to plan parties for children.

I am thankful for this holiday.

I am thankful for all the people who allow me to love them.

I am thankful for all the people who love and show their love to me.

SAHW: Reason 6

I am a home body.

I have not always been so,

but I have learned to love my home.

I love being a SAHW,

because I can be in my home.

I can make my home a special place.

I can create a place that is open to others.

I can feel ready (most of the time) to entertain at the spur of the moment.

I can deep clean often.

The piles do not get too large.

I know that there are many women who seem to balance it all,

but I am convinced that I would be imbalanced if I worked outside of the home.

Hubby would end up cleaning more,

washing more dishes,

ironing his own clothes, ...

This week I decorated for V-Day.

There are hearts in each window.

Heart "mistletoe" in the kitchen and dining room.

Window clings on many of the mirrors.

I am planning a special afternoon and evening with my sweetheart.

Every Little Rememberance

Do you celebrate life's small anniversaries?

I definitely do and today is one!

13 years ago tonight, I met my dear hubby.

February 10, 2002.

Latham Bible Baptist Church ... Latham, NY

7 pm - ish

History in the making!

I was rushing about, as I often do at church.

This time, I was trying to return pots and pans to folks who had made meals for my brand new nephew.

I had been trying to meet this "mystery" man for weeks

even attending a Super Bowl party he was also invited to attend

 (I don't care for football).

He was on an odd work schedule and was so irregular to church,

but finally someone grabbed the both of us and made the introductions.

I was glad to have the introduction,

and he claims that he was glad that I was not the married woman he had assumed me to be.

Leftover Rice?

After 4 days down,

it sure is good to be feeling "up" again.

I feel a little bit behind, but am eager to get at it again.

The Spring Cleaning resumes in the Living Room and Kitchen this week.

The house has been decked out for Valentine's Day!

The weather has been beautiful here

 and we have even been able to open up in hopes of chasing away the germs.

This weeks recipe is a tasty way to eat up leftover rice.

I would even make rice just to make the salad.

Yes - I think it is pretty good.

If it counts for anything, it is not one of hubby's favorites, so I usually try to enjoy it at lunch.

Southwestern Salad

1/2 c rinsed cooked black beans

1/2 c corn

1/2 c cooked brown rice

1/2  chopped avocado

1 TBSP chopped cilantro

Salsa to taste

Mix ingredients and enjoy.  Serves 1.

I was thrilled to see some cilantro still making a go of it in the herb garden

(or maybe it was fresh for "spring").

This week's menu plan:

Sunday: Chicken Caesar Salad

Monday:  Southwestern Salad 

Tuesday:  Grilled Hamburgers

Wednesday: Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Thursday: Grilled Chicken

Friday: Grilled Salmon

Saturday: BBQ Chicken

Everyday Health and Strength

There is nothing like a cold/flu to remind one to be appreciative.

Two days down ... lots of rest ... lots of liquids ... lots of tissues ...

I am thankful that I regularly enjoy relatively good health.

I am thankful for the days when I can accomplish much.

I am thankful that I have the time to rest ... the work will keep.

I am thankful for my caregiver - he is such a sweetie.

I am thankful that colds don't last forever.

SAHW: Reason 5

I love my job.

I love my boss.

I love my workplace.

There are so many reasons to want to be a SAHW.

I love being a SAHW because my loyalties are not torn.

I am available to help my husband.

I am available for ministry during his workday.

When there are scheduling conflicts, I can defer to hubby.

My husband does not feel slighted by my service to someone else.

When we were first married,

I tried being a substitute teacher.

There was flexibility, and that was good;

but my "people-pleaser" self had a hard time saying "no" 

when my home and family needed me more than the school did.

I know it would be the same if I was working in the "secular" world.

I am glad that I can give my best to my home and family.

Room to Work (Out)

Hubby did some small projects for me over the weekend.

He replaced some broken blinds in the master bedroom.

He put a new light in the master bath/nook (the one that broke during roof repair).

And ...

He replace the living room fan with a lower profile light.
Herein lies the "Tuesday Transformation."

You can slightly see the old fan in these pictures.

The blades drooped on the edges. 

It was a toss up.

Do we really need the fan in the hot NC summers?

Do we want to continue to hit the fan and lights during our workouts?

The workouts won out and the fan went away.

When we took it down, we read that the blades were supposed to be 7" or more from the floor.

I think our ceiling is about 7"!

It is a form of track lighting with halogen bulbs.
I am still adjusting to the smaller light,

But I love the leaves, the earth tones, and of course the freedom while I work out.

Sneaky Chef

Well, I do not really have to be a sneaky chef.

Both hubby and I love vegetables,

but it is also nice when I find a recipe that adds vegetables and subtracts typical gluten products.

Since I love Italian,

I was thrilled to find a recipe for an Italian casserole with no pasta.

The "pasta" became spaghetti squash.

Because of the other flavorful ingredients ... it was a perfect swap.

Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

1 pound ground beef

8 ounces chopped pepperoni (I think a flavorful sausage would work well too)

1 small onion, diced small

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1 tsp EACH oregano, basil, and thyme

4 cups roasted spaghetti squash noodles 

2 cups spaghetti sauce

2 eggs

1/2 cup Romano, Parmesan, mozzarella, or Daiya mozzarella

Bake Spaghetti Squash - about 375* for 30-40 min.

Cool and then scrape out threads with a fork.

Preheat oven to 400*.

Saute ground beef, 1/2 of pepperoni, onion and garlic.

Sprinkle in the seasonings.  Add more if necessary.

Mix together beef mixture, spaghetti sauce, squash, eggs and cheese.

Place in greased 9x9.

Top with remaining pepperoni and a sprinkling of cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.

Yum! Yum!

This Week's Menu:

Sunday:  Grilled Porkchops with Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

Monday:  Grilled Tilapia with Parmesan Quinoa

Tuesday:  Sesame Noodles (Zucchini Noodles) and Chicken

Wednesday: Salmon with Herb Sauce, Spinach, Quinoa

Thursday:  Salmon Burger and Salad

Friday:  Broccoli and Chicken Stir Fry

Saturday:  Pizza and Salad

It is a bit cold and windy for grilling,

but the heating element in my oven shorted out over the weekend.

Must make do with what we have :)