I LOVE MONDAYS............COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS ONE BY ONE....

I love Mondays! After a long busy week comes Sunday where you stop and reflect on what
you have done and Gods blessings....Sundays sermons are full of good things to make you enter your heart and soul and search and learn and glean...........

This past week bought many blessings..I try and write these down in my "daily notebook"
on the side so I can "remember" His love...........Trips to the grocery where God even sees your
daily needs. Bargains galore from shredded cheese for .99 a package ; red bell peppers for a whole bag for $1; meat with mark down stickers of $1-$2 and then on sale; and other needs bringing more than any coupons could give.

Time given to work ; rest and spend time with Him.................Walks among the sunshine enjoying the beautiful Fall leaves with your grandbabies....walking in the leaves laughing scrunching them underfoot and throwing leaves in the air on a playground and enjoying the giggles.....

Answers to prayers needed. Not wanting but given. Love shown through Him just to you
that touch your heart and renew your days...........
I love the season and its changes............I love old barns ; especially red ones and old dishes; pottery; old books that you find for sale alongside the road in one.............I love the smell of
burning wood tricking throughout the air ; and the sound of marching bands practicing for
football games to come............Took a walk this weekend with my hubby walking hand in hand
in the park over the covered bridge.....Quiet just him and I over the old plank boards looking down inbetween the boards and hearing the quiet rush of the leaves..........( it was like Disneyland to me!)............We stopped by the grocery to pick up a few items and he shows me "Indian Corn" he purchases for me to hang on my front porch!! What a surprise!

You say "Indian Corn"? Oh yes my dad would buy this for my mom each Fall to place on the house for Fall. We knew moms Indian Corn meant Fall. Mom is in heaven this year and Dad two now 2 years......A memory? Oh much more than that!
Time to scrub; clean and freshen my house for the week...........My sister stopped in for a visit
and helped "Fall spruce up" my front room. She has that special touch of grouping things .....Now
its full of "Fall colors" and smells like Fall with the candles given to me with love!!!

I love bringing in the orange; pumpkin; cream; grays; and browns............each room a special touch!
My friend Lisa stopped by with a birthday gift! A beautiful dishtowel ( I am using already);
2 nice candles to fill my rooms with Fall aromas; some notecards ( which I love); and a "decorative turkey made with love by her girls!!!! Then a huge bag full of apples from the orchard for me to bake and use.....( I love these apples)........I will try and make some apple butter and fill those little jars sitting in my basement and tie with a ribbon or maybe a few
carmel apple pies might be made and frozen for future use..........

So many things to be thankful for.........I am counting my blessings one by one by one........

CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS.....A COMFORT FOOD

*****My hubby mentioned the other day he would love to have some "chicken and dumplings" ( I admit I am not a great dumpling maker but found this recipe and it was so easy)........He couldnt stop complimenting this soup and me! He loved it!!!!

When I know he loves something (even a bowl of soup) it makes me happy too!

*** Another plus is I felt this is an inexpensive and comfort food for the Fall/Winter to come.

CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

• 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast tenders ** I USED ONE CHICKEN BREAST CUT UP
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 russet potato, peeled and diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced or thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 rib celery, diced
• 1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, 1/3 palm full
• 2 tablespoons flour, a handful
• 1 quart chicken broth or stock, canned or paper container, preferred brand Kitchen Basics * I USED CHICKEN BOUILLON AND ADDED ABOUT 2 MORE CUPS
  
• 1 small box biscuit mix(preferred brand Jiffy Mix)
• 1/2 cup warm water
• Handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 cup frozen green peas * I DIDNT USE THESE THIS TIME
  

Directions

Dice tenders into bite size pieces and set aside. Wash hands.

Place a large pot on stove over medium high heat. Add oil, butter, vegetables and bay leaf and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Season mixture with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning. Add flour to the pan and cook 2 minutes. Stir broth or stock to the pot and bring to a boil. Add chicken to the broth and stir. Cook low until chicken is done.... When about ready to serve....

Place biscuit mix in a bowl. Combine with 1/2 cup warm water and parsley. Drop tablespoonfuls of prepared mix into the pot, spacing dumplings evenly. Cover pot tightly and reduce heat to medium low. Steam dumplings 8 to 10 minutes. Remove cover and stir chicken and dumplings to thicken sauce a bit. Stir peas into the pan, remove chicken and dumplings from heat and serve in a pretty shallow bowl............

May serve with a small salad or crusty bread..............

WELCOME...............YOUR SPECIAL TO ME

Yesterday I opened a "surprise card" from my husband.........It was very sweet and of course I loved it! Fall is both of our favorite time of year......I can remember our trip to a park down
south where we would picnic; walk and he even cut our initials in a tree just for us..........

I remember as we were dating keeping a scrapbook filled with everything we did together.
I filled this book with napkins were we ate; sticks of ice cream we had; photos; and even the
little daises he picked for me alongside the road........ It said He was so special to me!

Sometimes as couples we grown and become busy with life. Children come and we enjoy them and help them grow. Financial burdens prevail and enter our lives and you work together to
live and provide for the needs. Life can become farther and farther apart.

Some couples may become bitter and pick at each other little by little . Maybe the way things are cooked; whos turn to take the dog out; or other little small things...They become a worn
place that gets bigger and bigger..........
And..............soon the glow of that "light" you once had may begin to fade..........but I heard this
wise little idea I thought I would pass along............Begin anew.........You can always begin "new"
each day.........God brings us His peace and joy and love and can bring it to you....
If you have a relationship that may need "renewed" here are some ideas..........

. Purchase a new scrapbook for just you and him.

. Begin to fill it with new pictures of you both.

. Fill it with a new beginning and new memories to build upon.

Soon.............you will have a "new door " to open and once again say "your special to me"

I LOVE MONDAYS.........EVERYDAY SCHEDULE

I love Mondays......................I love how they come after Sundays and the joy of church and how
the sermon gives you strength to live.........the music uplifts your soul; and the sweetness of
time with Jesus gives you joy!!

I love Mondays and the beginning of a "new week" and "everyday schedule"...........I remember
so much how my mom would get up early ( I could hear her in the kitchen....pans clinging; the sound of a peculator bringing the delicious aromas of coffee brewing; singing quietly while eggs
and bacon filled the skillets)..................Then everything would get a clean sweep and down into
hot sudsy dishwater ( plunk ; plunk) and rinse and a quick swipe with a fresh dish towel and
surprisingly a sparkling fresh kitchen would appear....................
I love the leaves God has brought each painted a beautiful bright orange; red; or yellow out my kitchen windows reflecting in the pond..............Windows open bringing forth cool ; crisp breezes.........time alone with God............laundry started in the washing machine; beds made; dishes put away in the dishwasher; menu made for the week; chicken set out on the counter ( I know you have to watch it now a days doing this but why did my mom do it everyday for 30 years? ha) to thaw for dinner; porch swept; house swept; baths wiped down; and the everyday
things of life seem to go along..................

As I was folding some dishtowels from the dryer this morning..........I thought to myself how
this might be boring to some..........but for me........I love it! There is something about the folding of these simple little towels ; all stacked nicely and fitted in a drawer that brings a satisfaction....

And..........then I realized...............it was just doing what your suppose to do that brings peace.
I heard in church yesterday how "doing right" brings peace to your soul..........this brings "peace" to mine................

Simple dishtowels ...........I love them..........they can dry a dish; wipe a spill; help take out
a hot dish from the oven; wipe a tear; become a dust cloth; clean a mirror; or just hang upon
a oven door looking pretty...................

Everyday things.........simple..........yet purposeful..........Peaceful

FALL CUT OUT COOKIES.......TO ENJOY; GIVE AWAY; OR FREEZE

This is my favorite time of year to bake.........I love when the air is cool in the early mornings
and the aroma of Fall baking fills the air throughout my house.......My hubby is a diabetic
so on some things I just use Splenda so he can enjoy treats too............
This is the same recipe I use for any cut out cookies anytime of year; or for fold over filled cookies for the Christmas holidays............I can make these ; freeze them; and then take them
out of baggies and frost them later if I need too.............
You can be creative and make a memory for your family to enjoy that doesnt seem to cost too much, These are fun to make also and place on a colorful plate; a basket lined with tissue; or wrapped in plastic wrap and tied with ribbon to give away for others.

SUSAN BRANCH'S COOKIE DOUGH

: Susan Branch; Christmas From The Heart of The Home
Serving Size  : 96   Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Cookies

Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
 2      cups          butter -- softened
   1 1/2  cups          sugar
   4                    egg yolks
   2      teaspoons     vanilla
   4 1/2  cups          unbleached flour
     1/2  teaspoon      salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

With an electric mixer (even the hand-held
kind), cream together butter and sugar.
 Add egg yolks and vanilla and mix
well
. Sift flour and salt together and beat into butter mixture until well
mixed.
When ready to bake use an ungreased cookie sheet and place cookies 1
inch apart.
Bake for about 10 minutes, but do not brown them.

Remove cookies from cookie sheet while still warm and cool on sheets of waxed
paper.

Decorate, if you like. Makes 6 to 8 dozen. Taste fabulous!

   I USE THIS RECIPE
FOR MY CUT OUT COOKIES
ALL THE TIME.


  YOU MAY FROST THE "MAPLE LEAVES"
THE COLORS OF FALL OR MAKE PLACE CARDS BY
WRITING A NAME.

PUMPKIN ROLLS TO MAKE OR GIVE AWAY

I love to make warm delicious "Pumpkin Rolls" this time of year. I make several and cut them
in half . I then give some away and freeze some for the holidays............
It just takes a large can of Pumpkin ( Aldi's seem to be the cheapest around this year) and cream cheese for the center filling and then some
basic ingredients to make these beautiful rolls..............
I also have wax paper on hand which is very inexpensive at any dollar store.....
I use some fresh eggs...................
Baking that thin layer of "cake" smells so good throughout the house...............
I then "turn in out" onto a powered sugar dusted tea towel...........to cool...............
I then anticipate as I "tear off" the wax paper from the cake to ready for the next step
and then then add the filling..............
I simply roll the cake up in a tea towel to rest and form the pretty design................
With one large can of Pumpkin I can make several rolls. I fill them; roll them up and cut them
in half. I also slice off one thin piece of each end to make it look pretty. ..................I then dust
with confectioners sugar!

I then wrap them individually in plastic wrap..............and if FREEZING..........I place them
in a zip lock large bag for freezer. If I am giving as a gift I may wrap in plastic wrap and tie
with a pretty fall ribbon. I have even purchased small little plastic cups (GFS) at times to
place extra "filling icing" in and give that also. I may put these on a pretty little plate; or in a small basket with some pretty Fall napkins!
LIBBY'S PUMPKIN ROLLS............................

• CAKE
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• FILLING
• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)

Directions

FOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.

BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

FOR FILLING:
BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

COOKING TIP:
Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.

Remember to follow baking instructions before consuming.

I LOVE MONDAYS.........LESSONS THROUGH THE TRIALS OF LIFE

As I saw the sun glowing coming up through the morning trees early this morning...I told God
Thank you for this day........and thought I love Mondays........the coolness of the morning ; the fog
that was lifting in a midst off the pond through my kitchen window; the quiet sound of the
ducks flying overhead coming in for Fall...........a warm cup of coffee and morning with my God; my friend; my strength; my counselor; my guide................

The last month has been hectic with the preparation of going to fly across the country ( I really didnt like to fly but God gave the strength) to visit our kids; the sudden oncome of my husband spending time in the hospital and now recovering; and Saturday our youngest daughter
took off in the pouring rain only to receive the call "Mom I have been in an accident"! ........
She had swerved to avoid hitting another car that was in the midst of stopping for a chain of cars.
She then left the road; slid in the mud and rain; over through the weeds and small trees before coming to a halt in a ditch and hitting a tree! She was ok but shaken and bruised.......I was so thankful . After all the thankfulness comes the realness that the van is probably gone or in need
of total repair. It was of course ; an older vehicle so was not to covered.... But.........I stopped and
thanked God........Why? Oh because I felt like it. No....in fact.......I began to worry and worry but
then I remembered God was in control. He protected our daughter and has His ways.......Thank Him for the trials He allows in your days........

I can remember that for these many years and finally I am getting it!.........Sunday was my birthday. I expected nothing for these days have been full of others needs.........There was no
vehicle for church and my husband was still weak and in need of rest. I was thankful our church
was online so I could enjoy the services....What a great blessing! I got up ; enjoyed a cup of coffee
read His love letter to me ( which was a sweet blessing indeed); put on a small roast; potatoes; and carrots for supper. My granddaughter had made me a surprise sign with her fingerpaints that said Happy Birthday to me........I treasured it!!! My daughter that was in the accident was
very sore but had someone deliver me a coffee. My husband had gone to a bakery and found
the cutest little cake and had "Happy Birthday Sweetie" written on it! ** I was so loved and cared for!..........Both my sisters had given be cards and gifts...........( I was so loved!).......Other
than that it was quiet.....Quietly resting from the trauma. A good services to uplift my soul and
bring joy into the day.............. *** Was everything perfect? Oh no..........ironing still awaits; bills to be cared for and dealt with amidst the days of healing; meals to be planned; things to be scrubbed and cleaned; and others to care for...........Life doesnt stop for those around us so we can STOP
and quit...........God put me here and gave me what He thinks I need...........
I just love Fall and all its colors..................Look outside in His bounty. Take a walk ......breath
in His goodness.............
Walk through your home..........and see what you can bring or change to bring a freshness of the season into it............I I worked on my wreath for my front porch this past weekend and added
many pretty berries in orange and reds to it! I brought out more "Fall" colors in each room....
Orange candles fill the air and soft Christian music soothes the day.........Mums; tablecloths; placemats; hand towels in the bath all add a little change of season and some freshness to your
home....This doesnt have to be expensive; look through things you have and be creative or
find things for as little as a dollar or two....
Look for the "gold glittering" in your life...........Find things that bring joy to you or brings joy to others..

I was doing a small study on the life of Rebekah....though Journal for Women...........
Genesis 24-27...........* This is a great study if you get the chance to read it. Its under Women
of the Bible..............
Rebekah allowed the fear of the future to overwhelm her. She panicked and brought unnecessary stress and trouble into her own life.........

These are the lessons learned from her in this time of her life.

. Prayer changes things.....Give it all to God.

. Prayer is the safety measure to keep us from thinking We know what it best.

. Prayer is acknowledgment that God knows what is best.

. Prayer protects us from doing wrong things to make sure things turn out right.

Was I to sit and worry over all that has happened over the past few weeks? Over the past
summer? I wanted to.........But instead I got up; Gave it to God in prayer; and put on an apron; turned on nice music; lit my candles; pulled out the flour; sugar; and oil and made pumpkin muffins; and thanked Him for today.............

I love Mondays..........but I dont know what next Monday or the Monday after that will bring;
I just know I need to TRUST..........trust beyond what is going on around me.........TRUST...
His ways are best........and in that I will have peace............