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Saturday, November 24, 2012

Simplified Dinners Review and Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway For awhile now I have been having this daily dilemma "what to make for dinner!!" Cooking has never been a favorite of mine. I don't enjoy it much at all but my family needs to eat so I do it because I have to. You don't know how many times I think of something that sounds so good that I actually get excited to make it. Then come to find out I'm missing an ingredient or two (or three). Dinnertime is kind of cutting close to run to the store with the kids in tow. So then I grumble and try to think of something else to make.

I recently had the opportunity to try "Simplified Dinners" by Mystie Winckler. This cookbook is wonderful for the uncreative cook like myslef. After purchasing some items on her "master pantry list" I began experimenting with the vast choice of recipies this book has to offer. This one is "Potato Hash" I did tweek it a little to fit my famlies taste but the idea is there. It was a hit with the family.
  
This is the "Brunswick Stew" and I have to say this was delish!! Mmm,mmm!! Especially because the day I chose to make it was gray and stormy. Who wouldn't want a nice hot meal like this one?

For those on a GFDF diet there is a version pf the book for that as well. Basically the same recipes but no dairy and gluten.

I look forward to trying out more of these recipies in the future. And guess what!!! You can have one too because I am giving one away as my gift to you. Please enter below:

<a id="rc-20e8496" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/20e8496/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Outcry from my heart


Lately my anxiety level has skyrocketed. It suddenly appeared about 10 years ago after I became a SAHM. I quit my job to stay home with my son which is supposed to be good thing, right? It was usually triggered by finances. I no longer had control of knowing what we were bringing in each month. As long as I was able to get necessities I was fine. But the "not knowing if" part is what did me in every time.

Fast forward 4 years- I had my second child. And at the same time we found out our son may have a learning disability or a behavioral problem etc. etc. No parent that I know ever wants to hear that there is something wrong with their child. Here I was with a newborn and child that all of a sudden begins acting out. Where did that come from?

Now that he's 11 and my daughter is 6 I start to wonder about the future. What will become of him? Will he be ok? Will it get worse? What will happen to him after we are no longer here? Just thinking of puberty gives me a belly ache. Then the fear of "not knowing" creeps back in. Anxiety envelopes me and sometimes it is quite debilitating. I sometimes don't leave the house for days. I feel guilty because my daughter deserves something better than this so does my son.

One thing good that has come of all this is that having my son has brought me closer to God. I pray (alot) and read scripture more than I did before I had my children. I would like to share some verses that have helped me tremendously over the years. 

 Philippians Chapter 4 verses 6-7 "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"

1 Peter Chapter 5 verse 7 " Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you"

But when you are in your funk it's hard to remember them. You have to snap yourself out of it. There is hope even though you may not feel like there is at the time. Most important is to love them regardless, have their hearts and teach them the word of God.