Treasures at Your Local Library {Thoughtful Momma Monday}

Thoughtful Momma Monday

When I moved to the small town we currently live in (although we are really outside the city limits) I knew no one except my in-laws. I longed to make friends and to have little buddies that my children could grow along side. I would venture to the park or the store but those aren't places to make fast friends.

So I took my little girl to the library - to find some good books to read! And, while making friends with Harry the Dirty Dog and Madeline, we made real, live friends too!

Moriah and our children's librarian

It took some time but now we feel comfortable at our local library and know our way around! We invited our neighbors to visit story time and now they come weekly to join us for the stories, short videos and crafts.

April 2011

November 2011

Besides being a great place to meet storybook friends, the library is also a great place to meet people in your community. My kids and I now know some sweet families who live close enough to get together for picnics and playground visits!

A few of our favorite library story time friends!

I encourage you, mommas, to visit your library often. Share the love of books and reading with your children. You may not be able to purchase many books, because they can be expensive. The library allows you to "try out" various authors to find your favorites... then you can purchase those! Buying books at a discount store such as Half Price Books will save a few bucks as well!

Mo enjoying her favorite book at the park

Don't know where to start? Here are a few of our favorites (for pre-school kids):

• Most anything by Margaret Wise Brown - Goodnight Moon, Big Red Barn, Scuppers The Sailor Dog, A Home For a Bunny

• Angelina Ballerina Series - by Katharine Holabird

• Madeline Series by Ludwig Bemelmans

• Harry The Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

• Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

• Winnie The Pooh Series by A.A. Milne

• My First Little House Book Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Hunting for Easter eggs among library books... so much fun!

Here's to happy reading and new-friend-making!


Blessings,


PS - As thoughtful mommas, we need to be open to encouragement, fresh ideas and like-minded fellowship. I believe that you will find all of these things at the upcoming Mom Heart Conference 2012! It will be held in three locations in the month of February. I hope to attend the one in Irving, TX. Check it out and maybe you will find the dates and locations work for you to attend too!!! I know that the ladies who will be sharing at the conference are mommas who love the Lord God and love to share their experiences with others!

Hash Brown Quiche and a Thankful Heart

I hope that you had a very Happy Thanksgiving! We enjoyed the evening with my in-laws. The kids played and laughed, we ate and ate, and then headed home around 9pm. What fun!

I've been saving this recipe to share with you - it's an easy one that is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Thank you Paula Deen, yet again, for a tasty recipe that my family loves!!!

So colorful and delicious!

This is a simple, yet delicious quiche that you can add any meat or veggie to. Here is the original recipe, as I've adjusted the recipe below to what we had on hand.

Hash Brown Quiche

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients:

3 cups, shredded frozen hash browns, thawed and drained

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted

3 large eggs, beaten

1 cup half-and-half

3/4 cup browned sausage

1/4 cup diced red onion

1 roma tomato, diced

1/2 cup fresh spinach, sliced

1 cup shredded Cheddar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Gently press the drained hash browns between paper towels to dry them as best as possible. In a 9-inch pie plate, toss the hash browns with the melted butter into the plate. Press them into the bottom and up the sides to form a crust. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and starting to crisp.

After browning the sausage, remove meat to plate. Cook the onions, tomato and spinach (or any veggies you prefer) in the pan on Med heat.

Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Stir in cooked meat and veggies. When the hash brown crust is ready pour the egg mixture over it and return to the oven.

Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for about 30 minutes until the quiche is light golden brown on top and puffed.

Perfection!

I have so much to be thankful for... here are a few of those things:

 New life, after stray dogs killed two of our laying hens

Fun times making cookies with a house full of girls!

Blessed to have Grammy and Grandpa here with us for a couple of weeks!

Cousins nearby for my kids to enjoy!

A healthy, happy family!

 God bless you and your family with peace and health,




PS - This one is for you, Momma...

I love you!

I tried my hand at a pecan pie this Thanksgiving and it was a hit! Not too sweet and oh so tasty! It calls for brown and white sugar instead of corn syrup. Mmmm...

I found the recipe on Allrecipes.com and it's a keeper!

Pumpkin, Chocolate, and Pecan Pie!!!

Linked up with:

Happy 1st Birthday Josiah! (Thoughtful Momma Monday)

Thoughtful Momma Monday

Birthdays are an opportunity to celebrate your children! Whether a picnic at a park, a swimming party at the local pool, or a simple cake at home, making your child's birthday an event is important.

I have many fond memories of my childhood birthday parties. Each one was special and unique - my mom thoughtfully planned and prepared for each one. Now it's my turn, as a mother, to bless my children and celebrate their lives!

My baby boy just turned one and we waited to celebrate when Grammy and Grandpa could join us from Oregon.

Our house turned into a noisy barnyard. Twenty-five people piled into our little home and we partied!!!!

Here are a few highlights from the event!

The birthday boy - ready to ride!

Waiting for guests to arrive.

The family enjoying mild temperatures in November - thus the bare feet.

(crazy Texas weather)

 Found this decoration idea on Pinterest and now I can use it to decorate in his room!

Tasty sides to go with grilled burgers and hot dogs... mmmm...

A stampede of banana sour cream cupcakes :o)

He blew out the candle on his own!

And ate his cupcake all by himself too!

Where's the big boy?

There he is!

Our friends brought thoughtful gifts... here's his first farm set!

I love making sweet memories with my children. I know my son won't remember this party but pictures will remind him that he is loved and important. We are thankful for his life - his tender heart and affectionate ways. He is our cuddle bear through and through and is learning quickly to obey and please Mommy and Daddy. I look forward to watching my son grow into a young man!


Have a blessed week,

Longing to Linger - GMG

I feel the pressure. I feel pulled in all directions.

I feel the holidays coming.

Why is it that the time of year when family should rest with one another and relax has become the busiest, most stressful time of year?

Finances get tight and tempers get short. We lash out at those we love most.

I pray for PEACE this Thanksgiving and Christmas - PEACE and JOY for my family and for yours.

I hope that we would take time to reflect on the reason for these holidays and not get sweep away by materialism, as every commercial on TV screams that we should.

My heart is feeling the pressure to do and be more, yet I long to linger. Linger with my children over a puzzle, linger with my husband over a cup of coffee, linger in the WORD and let Christ fill me!

I'm so thankful for my Good Morning Girls group - without them I wouldn't be as encouraged to read the Word each day.

My morning time in the Word seems to be cut shorter each day with interruptions - that's life. Yet when I pick up where I left off, later in the day, I'm so blessed by what I read.

Ready to linger...

Today, the sweet gift of the Holy Spirit overwhelmed me...

1 John 4:13
"By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit."


And a few days ago, the reminder of the gift of the Son blessed my heart anew...

1 John 4:9-10
"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

All for love, God SENT His only Son.

All for love, Christ CAME.

All for love, God SENT His Spirit!

Thank you, Lord for coming to this world - for loving a people who didn't know you. Thank you for loving me and for giving me the greatest gift... yourself.


Have a blessed week,

I'm linked up with the lovely ladies at:

Thank you, Angela, for showcasing our GMG group today!

We ladies are blessed to have one another and to be able to connect daily.

Crock-Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

I came across this WONDERFUL Crock-Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe through a Facebook group. The group is called Crockin' Girls. They have so many great recipes to make delicious, easy meals. They also have a new website up! Stop by and be inspired. 'Tis the season for crock-pot meals!!!

So delicious... warms you to your toes!

Here's the recipe, with a few of my own additions/subtractions! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2-3 cups of raw chicken cut into 1 inch pieces

1 can rotel

1 8oz can tomato sauce (optional)

2 cans chicken broth (14 1/2 oz each)

1 can cheddar cheese soup (optional)

2 cups carrots (I used my potato peeler and "peeled off" thin rounds of carrot)

1/2 bag frozen corn

1 large onion chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

***

Seasonings: Add these in with the soup while cooking... I added the following spices but feel free to adjust to your own taste.

Ground cumin: 1/4 tsp

Chili powder: 1/2 tablespoon

Cayenne Pepper: 1/4 tsp

Cilantro: I chopped up a handful of fresh 

Garlic Powder: 1/2 tsp

Salt and Pepper to taste

***

Cooking away... without my help!

Garnishes:

2 avacados cut into small bites

Shredded cheese

Sour Cream

Home-fried corn tortilla strips

To make crunchy tortilla strips:

Cut corn tortillas into thin strips, heat olive oil in pan on med-high heat,

and fry until lighly golden.

Remove strips to a paper towel to soak up the oil and sprikle with salt.

Break into smaller bits and garnish each soup bowl!

I cooked my soup in a 5 quart round slow cooker. My husband and I enjoyed a generous bowl each and there was probably that same amount left over for another meal. So I'd say it serves 4-6 hungry people.

Cook all ingredients (except garnishes) on high for 5-6 hours or on low for about 8 hours.

Ladle into bowls and garnish with cheese, sour cream, avacado slices and tortilla strips! It's heavenly!!!

I also enjoy making this soup on the stove, in about 30 minutes. In that case, I cook my chicken on the stove in a little oil and add it to the soup towards the end. It's still SO very delicious!

*** Next time I make this I will probablly leave out the canned cheese soup, as I prefer a clear broth for Chicken Tortilla Soup and I add cheese to each bowl anyways. Also, I added a chopped up zuccinni to the soup because I had it on hand. It was SO good! Feel free to try adding your favorite veggies too!***

Yum! Can't wait to make this again soon!

God bless your weekend,

I'm linked up with:

Clearing Out The Clutter - Making Way For Love!

This weekend my handsome husband and I ATTACKED our house. He has every other Saturday completely off work and we like to head to Six Flags to put our season passes to work or take the kids to the park, but this weekend was different. We worked as a team to accomplish some much needed work around our house!

I really wish I would have taken some before and after pics... a guess I could still take the after ones... hmmm. Anyways - my laundry room was a disaster! I was almost avoiding doing laundry for all the CLUTTER, dust, and junk in the way.

I can dream, can't I?

Then we found that in order to really clean things out and put things were they belong (tools, paint, totes of more stuff, etc), we needed to clean up our storage shed next to the house. One ugly mess led us to another... but by the end of the day we were so happy to see that our hard work paid off!

Now I can walk right in to my laundry room and wash our clothes! I can find what I'm looking for! And I'm not afraid that my crawling son will get into something that will hurt him. There is more light, more space, more freedom without all the clutter. Many sources of stress are now gone, and peace prevails!!!

All this clearing out of clutter made me think about the clutter that builds up in our minds and hearts, if we let it. This clutter takes the shape of negative thoughts, regret, guilt, shame, fear, bitterness, hatred and the list goes on. Sometimes we have this kind of clutter without realizing it.

As believers, God's Spirit is living in us. His precious Spirit is here. We want a pure heart, a clean vessel for the Spirit of God to dwell in and work through. I know that sanctification is a process... this is part of that process. I'm finding that I need to ask God to shine His light on my heart, even on the unseen things. That He would bring to light those things that don't please Him. The dead, stinky things.


The Word of God tells us this:

He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the shadow of death to light.

Job 12:22

My Bible reading accountability group (Good Morning Girls) is reading the book of 1 John.
Just last week the portion of scripture that stood out most to me, especially as it pertains to clearing the clutter, is 1 John 3:13-15. It reads:

Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murdered, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

1 John 3:13-15

We are to love others, forgiving them and freeing them. Love is the result of new birth! But learning to love and forgive is a process.

God has done so much in my own life. He has helped me to forgive others who have hurt me and to even forgive myself. Yet as God's Word and His Spirit bring to light any darkness that remains, I hope to stay vigilant to repent and love. God WILL complete the good work He has begun in me, and in YOU!


May God bring peace to your heart and life as you clear the clutter with His help!

Blessings,

I'm linked up with the lovely ladies at:

 

Daddy Date Night Ideas! {Thoughtful Momma Monday}

Thoughtful Momma Monday

Good Monday to you! I hope that your weekend was productive and enjoyable! Mine sure was... I hope to share the amazing feat that we accomplished this weekend with you soon!

I'm sure you have heard of having dates with Daddy, but in case you haven't (or have never experienced one) here are a few of my personal memories, some ideas for your family, and what my little girl looks forward to!

Mo Bear and Daddy, ready to go on a date.

In my family there was one daddy and three ladies who needed to go on dates. Once a month (when possible) my dad would take each of his girls on a date. So, he got to go on three dates a month while we each got to go on one. I guess that's fair, since he worked hard to pay for those dates  :o)

I always looked forward to my Daddy Date! Some of my favorite date spots were: the mall, the pet store, and the ice cream parlor. It was a few hours of undivided attention from my daddy. A time we could talk about our favorite things and how our week was going. Those dates together were so special.

A special date night treat!

What little girl (or big girl for that matter) doesn't want attention? Someone to listen to her thoughts and share in her dreams? They all do! My little girl, who will be three in January, carefully picked out her princess outfit and shoes (she had to wear her pink sparkle sandals). She let me do her hair, adding a bow and hairspray, and wore Momma's special necklace - all to get ready for her date with Daddy. She wanted to look her best and bring joy to her daddy's heart. And I know that she did!

How about the little ones in your life? Dates aren't just for Daddies and Daughters - that was and has been my experience so far. One day though, my son will need to learn how to open the car door for a lady and carry on polite conversation. Until all those manners are taught and smoothed out, I get to teach him by example.

A date is a chance to listen to our children's hearts and to model how to properly treat the opposite sex. How will they learn if they are not taught?

Date night doesn't need to break the bank... it can be simple. The goal is to spend time together having fun!

All those quarters in her little bag in the top picture were saved so

she could ride the kiddie rides at our local outlet mall!

Simple yet fun!

Daddy Date Ideas on a Budget:

• Feed the ducks stale bread at a local pond - walk and talk
• Go for a bike ride then stop for a cold soda on the way home
• Visit a pet store to look at the animals and talk about your favorite childhood pet
• Go to a matinee movie and enjoy some popcorn together
• Pack a simple lunch and head to the park for some fun
• See a play put on my a local church or children's theater group
• Enjoy a game of miniature golf
• Take a hike together - keep track of the various animals or birds you spot
• Go out for donuts on a Saturday morning

As moms, it's our joy to encourage our husbands to take our girls on dates. They may need ideas or the free time to do it. And don't forget to take some time for Mommy/Daddy dates too! Those are the best kind!

Me and my handsome hubby on a fun date!



I hope this encourages you and your family to start a new date night tradition or keep up the one you have!

God bless you and your family this week,