TWO RECIPES.........SPECIAL BREAKFAST

RECIPES...SPECIAL BREAKFAST

WHITE CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY SCONES &

YUMMY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE!


WHITE CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY SCONES

1 1/4 whole wheat flour
2 cups flour * all purpose
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 1/2 cups oats
1 cup dried cranberries chopped
10 ounces unsalted butter ; chopped into 1/2 " pieces chilled
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 Tablespoon heavy cream
1 Tablespoon sugar

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

1. Combine all dry ingredients . except 1 T sugar with cranberries



2. Add butter, and mix on med-low speed until resembles coarse meal.



3. Add white chocolate chips. Add buttermilk and mix till combined.



4. Turn out onto clean counter. With hands; pat into two 16" x 4" rectangles that are 1/2 inches high. Score into 16 triangles. Cover with plastic wrap and put in freezer for at least 2 hours.



5. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove from freezer and cut into triangles with a sharp knife.



6. Place scones two inches apart on baking sheet.



7. Brush scones with heavy cream and sprinkle with 1 T sugar * sanding sugar is nice



8. Bake until lightly golden for about 15 minutes. Freezing the dough helps keep the scones from spreading too much . Frozen dough can keep for up to 3 weeks.

Serves 32*********** Makes alot. * I had these at a little Tea Shop in town > They were great! I have not baked these myself as yet but hope to soon.

BREAKFAST CASSEROLE............HEALTHY

1 lb bulk sausage 8 eggs (substitute turkey sausage and egg beaters)

8 slices of hard toasted bread (or croutons) whole wheat

2 1/4 cups skim milk

1 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp salt 1/2 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

1.Brown sausage, drain.

2.Beat eggs; cheese; milk; mustard; salt. Break bread into pieces

3.In 13 x 9 inch dish, layer bread ; then sausage.

4. Pour milk mixture over bread and sausage. Refrigerate overnight.

5. Bake 350 degrees and cook for 45 minutes.

Cut into squares and serve. * Bacon or ham can be substituted.

HOLIDAYS...................EASTER

HOLIDAYS....................EASTER TABLES



This is such a fun time of year to celebrate! The changing of seasons and the promise of new things to come! The celebration of Easter is a special Springtime event for young and old.

I remember as a young girl mom buying a large carton of pure white eggs and Easter Dye at the grocery store. Then she would take a pencil and paper and write down the Easter Menu to purchase and then made for this special day. I remember my sister Barbara and I getting a new little dress; socks; white gloves and a hat to be worn on Easter Sunday morning. And mom would get baskets and "grass" that would be filled and hidden later for a treat to have later on Easter Day! But............the dinner; consisting of sliced honey ham; fluffy mashed potatoes; baked beans; hot rolls; sweet butter; and fresh strawberry shortcakes. It was the family moment where we would enjoy our time together!



Your table can be a simple card table covered with a cloth and then decorated. But you can set a nice holiday table and make it a memory for your family.



Here are some ideas for a nice Easter table:

1. A nice tablecloth in cream or Spring colors ( can use a nice sheet)


2. A centerpiece * Be creative use a small tree branch ; add some moss, little nest and a couple of little birds or use a nice vase of flowering dogwood


3. Use candles * either tall or tealights sitting along the table


4. Use your best dishes; creamer; silverware * If casual use pretty bright paperware


5. Make namecards for everyone *have children help with this


6. Use a little basket filled with grass and put colored plastic eggs * My mom would put our ones we had colored into the basket and we would hide them later


7. Use nice napkins *cloth is nice and you can wash them easily or nice paper


8. Have nice music in the background *keep a peaceful atmosphere


9. Dont be too harsh and enjoy everyone and let everyone help in the kitchen jobs


10. Wear a pretty apron * I like aprons

This is a special holiday to celebrate the "Lord" and new beginnings. Celebrate!

PERSONAL CARE......JOY, JOY JOY

PERSONAL CARE...........JOY , JOY, JOY

My granddaughter and I sometimes sing; " I got the joy, joy , joy , joy down in my heart";

Where? down in my heart, Where? down in my heart................ I love to sing that with her and I love to see her sweet happy face when we sing! She loves to sing and laugh and giggle.
Her daddy and mommy have a nice Bible reading CD that plays all the time in her room; even when she sleeps. I believe this gives her peace!

I know there are many days and years that we do not see JOY! But we can have joy and look for joy! I am crazy I guess because I seek joy ( I am selfish) anywhere I can. Last Saturday afternoon as I was coming home from a ladies conference; I saw this whole "herd" ( not flock) as my friend Laurie laughed and corrected me of deer. They were so beautiful and that brought me joy. Sometimes sitting in my daughters rocking chair ; rocking my granddaughter in the stillness of the day can bring joy!

What if you live in the city; and out your window is graffiti and a broken fence and trash . What if you lie on your back in a hospital waiting for the next test to come? What if you alone have to raise the children; work 2 jobs and have nothing extra anything for yourself? Where do you find joy?

I have seen each of these circumstances. I have seen beauty in the "eye of the beholder". I have seen joy! The city lady takes beautiful photos of her and her family on a farm nearby and they are breathtaking! I watched my dad crack jokes and we as a family stood nearby his bed all laughing and laughing! The lady who works puts the Lord first and becomes the best parent she can be and looks beautiful.

Here are a few things I have learned about how to have joy:

1. Take your burden to the Lord and then put your mind on others.


2. Look for the smallest most simple things that can bring joy. (example: sunshine)


3. Be thankful (for warm water; a home ect...)


4. Use your eye as a camera and learn to focus on one thing.


5. Keep positive things coming in your mind .
   Help God spread joy.....

Joy Joy Joy Joy...............Where?..........Down in my heart!

DECORATING..............THE WINDOWS OF YOUR HOME

DECORATING...THE WINDOWS OF YOUR HOME

I love the way beautiful curtains outline the windows of your home but I must admit I have not had really expensive drapes or do not sew enough to make such ones. But I have had ideas from friends who do and used what I had in making window coverings.



I used to live in an older home (bulit in 1800's) and with it came the beautiful old wood shutter and frames around the windows. I just bought beautiful sheer curtains or lace curtains I picked up for cents at the thift store. This made the older home look peaceful and like its era.


But then we moved and new windows had to be covered. I always tried to look at the date; style of the home and the year I lived in at the moment before I determined what I needed.



A friend told me if you can't do long curtains ; you can always do toppers. I thought that was wise. She showed me how she would take "nice" sheets and make them into "balloon" toppers for bedroom windows. They always looked so neat and clean.


As I have gotten older I notice curtains I like by Waverly and look also for quality. You can shop sales at Walmart; Target; Home Depot and others to find these. If you want a change for a room that doesn't cost much you can look at a thrift store as well . Many times I have seen 1 panel of Ralph Lauren; or Waverly or other nice fabric.



My daughter Ruthie recieved for Christmas a nice apple green comforter and green;pink; and cream sheets. We found a nice round table cover to match and a small little pillow for her bed but needed curtains for this new outfit. We looked in the thrift store and found one panel of a sheer apple green fabric with white small daiseys to put in her window. We just pulled it to one side and it was great. The panel was .60.



Windows can be simple or dramatic. You can put heavy drapery on top with tassels and sheers underneath for an elegant look. Its your time to design.

Here are some other ideas for simple window treatments:

1. Need a large rod for a big window? Use PCV pipe put together bought at hardware store and buy "finels" for the ends.


2. Muslin; sheers; ribbon can make up a simple window


3. Before you buy your curtains, you should calculate the amount of fabric you will need .


4. To make you room taller; hang the curtain rods higher.


5. If you need ideas, go to your library


6. To keep a room warm and cozy look for "lined" curtains. To let the sun shine in choose sheer light curtains over blinds; shutters.

Have fun creating!

OTHERS................CHICKEN AND NOODLES TO GO

OTHERS........CHICKEN AND NOODLES TO GO....

There always seems to be an occasion to care for others. Just this week alone I know of many.

It may be an ill at home person; a death of a loved one; lonely one; or the birth of a new baby.

My sister Barbara called me this morning and said she was on her way to a lady's house who had just had her 8th little sweet baby. She was taking a dinner to her and her family. I told her that she was sooo nice! She said, "She remembers last year when we lost our dad ( March18) and how so many brought us food to her home and she was giving back. I thought that was a great thing to do.

When I asked her what she made she told me her "chicken and noodles" that she is so famous for giving. She also took many other items such as garlic bread sticks (all buttered and ready to go); apple slices for the children; salads; and a nice gift for baby and the mother. Wow!

I know my sister has a lot going on. She had a husband just getting over the flu; my mom who is living with her now; getting ready for a trip she and her husband are leaving on Friday and more. Yet, in the mist of her life.............she remembered someone else.

I had a busy week coming up this week also but it inspired me to stop; make a list of all those

that I needed to think of this week and sat down and made my "notecards" and sent those out.

We cannot always meet every ones needs but we can "Brighten the Corner Where We Are".

Barbara' Chicken and Noodles

1 rotisserie chicken * already cooked

3 cans cream of chicken soup

1 package of Reeme's frozen noodles * I use no-yolk for lower fat content

1. Put chicken in crockpot Set on low all day or high 3-4 hours


2. When ready; take chicken out and de-bone


3. Boil noodles on the side in large pot then drain


4. Add cooked chicken; soups; and noodles back to go.

Add sides of your choice

THOUGHTS... "THE GOOD LIFE"

THOUGHTS......"THE GOOD LIFE"

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it".

This a picture of my wonderful mother-in-law Sandy; my niece Kalin (left) and my granddaughter Ella Joy(right). This weekend I had the opportunity to go to a wonderful ladies conference hosted by Mrs. Julie Fink and Grace Baptist Church of Lockport, Illinois. It was held at a beautiful country club. I felt very special the moment I arrived. Our car was valet parked; sweet ladies greeted us at the door and led us to a beautiful table covered in white linen tablecloth. There was coffee; juice; and tea to drink. There was long white covered tables filled with beautiful fruit trays of strawberries; grapes and other assorted fruits. There was also mini-muffins and pastries as well.

The hostesses for the conferences made sure we had all we needed. The music was wonderful and the testimonies of plain everyday ladies and their lives were heart touching. The speakers Mrs. Julie Fink; Mrs. Robin Ogle; and Pastor David Fink gave great truths to learn from.

The main theme was called "The Good Life". After leaving for the day; I left knowing how much God has given me "the good life". There were so many good lessons taught throughout the day.

Here are a few of the lessons learned:

1. The only thing that can really fill your heart is Christ.


2. If you are living in the valley ; learn from it and know it is also good for you.


3. Look at the lives of Naomi and Ruth. You can either be bitter or better.


4. You can choose to rejoice; be thankful; or happy or become bitter.


5. Gods ways do not always equal what my ways are. Pray about it and then know its from God.


6. Our appetites make you want what you think you should have. Enjoy what you have and where you are. Make the most of where you are !

This is only a small portion of what was taught . As I was traveling home my friend Laurie and I saw 8 deer standing along side the road. We both were so excited and I yelled out that God loved us so much! As I look at the picture above I see my "part of the circle" of my life.

Family that has stood the test of time. Love that has endured. Happiness that abounds.

What is your "good life"? Have you had mountains and valleys? What choices have you made?

"This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it"

RECIPES.......MOM NELSON'S MEATLOAF AND MASHED POTATOES

RECIPES............ MOM NELSON'S MEATLOAF AND MASHED POTATOES





MEATLOAF *Serves 6



1 lb lean beef

1 onion *opt.

1/2 sleeve crushed saltines

1 small can tomato sauce * 1/4 cup in meat and some to use on top

1 egg

1. Take beef; egg; 1/4 cup sauce and onion and mix in large bowl. * Mom always used her clean hands to mix through. Add crushed saltines ( may add more if needed)


2. Form into long loaf flattening a bit. Push three holes into top and pour some sauce on top.


3. Place in Pyrex dish.


4. Bake 350 for about one hour.

MASHED POTATOES *Serves 6-8

1 1/2 lbs potatoes ( can use more if needed)

3-4 Tbsp. milk and 1 Tbsp butter ( can use lower fat)

1. Put on a large pot of water * Bring to boil * 1/2 tsp salt15


2. Meanwhile, peel all the potatoes and rinse and cut into bit size pieces


3. Add to boiling water. Boil 15-20 mins. or until stuck with a fork and tender


4. Drain. Warm milk and butter together in micro.


5. Use fork or potato masher to mash potatoes slightly then use a mixer and mix on Med till creamy and smooth. ( do not over beat or your potatoes will become gluey).


6. Salt and pepper to taste. Add a "spot" of butter on top and serve in pretty bowl.

*Serve with broccoli and whole wheat rolls.