One More Recipe...

 
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

1 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup margarine or butter (softened)
2 cups Crispy Rice Cereal
1 cup powdered sugar
1 (12 oz) pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbs. shortening

Mix peanut butter and margarine in a large bowl. Add rice cereal and powdered sugar and mix until evenly distributed. Roll into balls (app. an inch or inch and a half). Place in freezer for a few minutes to firm up and make easier to handle.

Combine chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe container and melt; stirring often. Dip each peanut butter ball into melted chocolate and place on waxed paper lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Eclair Cake

 
Holly asked me to prepare this for her birthday dinner dessert and my good friend, Susan, requested the recipe, so I thought I would post it here. Although, it is called "cake", there is no cake in this recipe! It's easy and yummy though!

Chocolate Eclair Cake

1 (14.4-oz.) box honey-graham crackers
2 (3.4 oz.) pkgs. vanilla or French vanilla instant pudding mix
3 cups milk
1 (12 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (16 oz.) container chocolate frosting

1. Line bottom of an ungreased 13x9-inch baking dish with one-third of the graham crackers.

2. Whisk together pudding mix and milk; add whipped topping, stirring until mixture thickens. Spread half of pudding mixture over crackers. Repeat layers with one-third of crackers and remaining pudding mixture. Top with remaining crackers. Spread with chocolate frosting. Cover and chill 8 hours.

Enjoy!!

Tip: I used fat free pudding, fat free milk, and lite whipped topping to save some calories and my family loved it!

Happy cooking!!

Miracles ...

 
Late yesterday afternoon, Steve and I were driving eastbound on Highway 50 to go to our optometrist's office in El Dorado Hills to pick up our new eyeglasses. We were cruising along with the traffic when we suddenly saw a huge cloud of dust on the right shoulder ahead. Of course, immediate dread grabbed hold and we knew something wasn't right. In a matter of a couple of seconds, we reached the scene of an upside down car on the side of the road in the dirt!! Since we were traveling in the right hand lane, Steve quickly stopped behind another parked vehicle and activated the emergency flashers because we were now blocking the lane. He flew out of the truck to go help as I was frantically digging out my cell phone to dial 911. There was one other man on the scene when Steve reached the car, which was sending up puffs of black smoke!

The 911 operator informed me that the accident had already been called in and help had been dispatched. I hung up and reached over to open my door so I could go assist when I saw several guys sprinting toward the scene. Some were from a construction crew and they were already setting out orange cones to divert traffic around us. I realized I would probably only be in the way as these guys worked to get the driver out of the car, so I decided to stay in my truck and do the best thing I knew to do: I closed my eyes and started praying mightily. I asked God to help everyone in the car get out safely and to prevent the car from igniting (it was sitting on dry weeds at the edge of a very dry hill). I asked Him to let everyone involved be ok. I prayed for some help to arrive ASAP.

As I finished praying and looked up, I saw a doctor in scrubs, climb out of a vehicle parked directly in front of me! I smiled and said a huge, "Thank You Lord, I asked for help and You sent a doctor!" I glanced to the scene to see if I might be needed to help and I saw the driver sitting on the curb...talking and responsive. Another heartfelt Thank You went up! The doctor had Ken (driver) laying down, with Steve stabilizing his head, and checked out by the time the EMT's got to the scene and the car had stopped smoking before the firetrucks arrived! Wow, talk about answered prayer!

Ken had no idea what had happened. He remembered driving, then he became conscious of being upside down with the seat belt holding him in place. No other cars were hit as he drove off the road, over the curb, and flipped in commuter traffic. Yes, another miracle!

I was so humbled by God's hand in the whole scene that I could only utter gratitude for having witnessed His work. I saw the face of Jesus in every one of those who stopped to help, from the young men with shaved heads and tattoos, to the older guy offering a blanket and water, to the off duty doctor on his way home, and to my husband, as he gently held Ken's head still until he was placed on a stretcher. I often hear people say, "Nobody cares anymore; people don't want to get involved." Well, I would disagree with that; I saw so much caring yesterday it brought me to tears.

Steve called the hospital to check on Ken a couple of hours later, and he was told that Ken was still in the ER being observed, but he was stable, doing well, and may be released instead of admitted to the hospital!

With a heart full of gratitude today, I can assure you that people do care and miracles do happen! I have a feeling Ken would agree!

Recipe for Holly and Susan...

 
Chocolate Chip Pudding Cake

small pkg. chocolate pudding mix (not instant)
2 cups milk
box of chocolate cake mix
12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
vanilla ice cream

Bring pudding and milk to a boil in a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in dry cake mix just until blended. Spread mixture into a greased and floured (or sprayed) 13"x9" pan. Sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.

Enjoy!!

Still Shining Brightly...

Today is my 29th wedding anniversary and I think he still likes me...

The picture doesn't do it justice; it's even prettier in person!

Thank you, Honey, and Happy 29th Anniversary! By the way, I still like you too!!

It's Not Fair! UGH!!!

I am afraid it's about that time again and I am soooo dreading it. I have been procrastinating, dragging my feet, putting it off, and living in denial for as long as possible! No matter how unpleasant and painful the task, it must be done! What is this horrible experience you ask?!? Shopping...and not just any shopping, the worst kind of shopping ever...shopping for a dress! I know that sounds pretty awful, but it gets even worse! Shopping for a "dressy" mother-of-the-groom dress! Excuse me, but um, didn't I do this just a few months ago? It's not fair! UGH!!!

It's not the wedding that I object to, it's the having to get all gussied up...AGAIN!! I got gussied up last year and I don't appreciate having to do it again so soon! I am not a "girly" girl and never have been. Give me jeans and a sweatshirt and I am a happy camper! Why does Steve get to leisurely wander over to the tux shop, get fitted for the tux that was already chosen for him, go pick it up, and then return it? So easy!! He doesn't even have to set foot in that cavernous, despicable place that sucks the life right out of a person...the mall! I will have to go into every store in the mall...twice, then drag my tired, overwhelmed behind back home empty handed because I won't find anything appropriate the first time out! It's not fair! UGH!!!

I did actually consider (for a minute) wearing the same dress I wore last year to Kyle and Holly's wedding; after all, it's only been worn once, but then I realized that probably wouldn't be considered "proper", so I dismissed the idea! Nope, there is just no getting around the fact that I have to bite the bullet, take the bull by the horns, and hit the mall! It's just not fair! UGH!!!

If you don't hear from me again for awhile, it's because I will be hiding in my bed recuperating from my shopping trip! Look out mall, here I come!! Wish me luck!!

A Room Transformed; A Heart Renewed...

Last week I lamented about my empty nest and my empty heart. When I finished having my pity party, I decided I needed to get busy and throw myself into something productive. Sam's empty room provided the perfect project. I decided to turn it into our guest room and make the existing guest room into the office/hobby room. This would require a fresh coat of paint (or 2), a little decorating, and some moving of heavy furniture. I called on my hubby for some help and he reluctantly obliged. While I actually enjoy painting, I am a lousy painter! Steve hates to paint, but is much better! The original color was a light gray, but I wanted something brighter and more cheerful...something welcoming and new.

Prep work...

Starting in the closet with the new color...

And the finished room is "champagne tickle" (buttercream) with white trim...

I am really pleased with the transformation of the new room! It is light, bright, and airy! But even more important, I am pleased with the transformation in my heart. Last week, it was empty and gray, just like the old room. This week it is much lighter and looking forward to the future. I can attribute my renewal not to paint, but to prayer and to a God Who loves me. Instead of crying over my empty house, I am now excited to see what God has planned for me next!

I have a very welcoming guest room and a very welcoming attitude...now who wants to come for a visit?

My Nest is Empty...

I thought I was sooo prepared...I really did! After all, Sam has been ready to be on his own for quite some time and I could see it coming fast. I was even thinking about all the positive benefits of being an empty nester... like my house would stay clean, my cupboards would stay full, grocery shopping would be cheaper, dinnertime would be so much easier...no more guessing how many I would be serving, what time they would be here (always staggered so I would need to keep food warm), likes and dislikes, etc. I would gain a much needed office/hobby room (already patching walls and choosing paint colors). There were days that I couldn't hear myself think for all the noise and chaos. Oh yeah, being an empty nester was gonna be sooo sweet. That was last week; I'm singing a different tune this week!

We spent Friday and Saturday moving Sam into his new apartment. He was so happy that I couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement as well. It wasn't until Monday morning that the reality set in and I realized my nest was empty, my job was done, my life had changed and I was now in a new season. I was stunned with how hard this realization hit me. I was not at all prepared for the quiet stillness of the house. The whole atmosphere has changed. I still listen for Sam's truck to come rolling into the driveway. I find myself looking out the kitchen window to see if Amy will show up for dinner and a good game of Wii. I have trouble passing the empty bedroom without getting a little teary and I miss spending a few minutes with Sam in the mornings before he's off to work.

Many people have told me that this is the time to reconnect with my husband and work on our relationship. That seems like great advice, but I am happy to report that we can't reconnect because we never disconnected in the first place. We can, however, have great conversations without fear of being overheard or disturbed by kids coming and going and that's nice!

Maybe because I have been a full time stay at home mom and homemaker for the last quarter of a century, it will be a little harder for me to adjust, but that's ok because I wouldn't trade the years of raising my boys for anything. The sacrifices were many, but the rewards have been immeasurable.

It's so ironic that we raise our kids to be independent and make their own way in the world and then when they actually do we're left feeling sad and a little lost. I know these feelings will fade and I will move on to new things and experiences. I will learn to enjoy the peace and quiet and the freedom that comes from no kids in the house....and that's probably when I'll get a grandbaby to disrupt everything again...at least I hope so!!

Recipes For You...

Sunday evening we had all the kids over for dinner and I made Chicken and White Bean Chili. I served it with Southwest Cornbread. Since everyone loved dinner and Holly requested the recipe, I thought I would just post it here.

Chicken and White Bean Chili

3-4 cups chopped cooked chicken (I bought a rotisserie chicken)
4 (16 oz) cans white beans (aka navy beans) drained and rinsed
4 (4 oz) cans chopped green chiles
1 (14 oz) can low-sodium chicken broth
2-4 Tbsp. chili powder (depending on how spicy you prefer)
1/2-1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp sugar
Seasoned salt to taste

Stir everything together in large pot. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

Can also be made in crockpot. Stir everything together and cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

Garnish with shredded cheese, chopped onion, sour cream.


I got the following recipe from a friend at church and it is delish!

Southwest Cornbread

1 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 (15 oz) can creamed corn
1/2 to 3/4 can chopped chiles, drained
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Jack cheese
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Beat together butter and sugar. Add eggs, 1 at a time. Blend in corn, chiles, and cheeses. Mix dry ingredients and add to wet mixture.

Pour into lightly greased 13x9 pan. Bake 1 hour @ 300.

Happy cooking ...