High Five for Friday ~ 6/21/13

Five things that made me smile this week :)

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1.  Saturday afternoon we had a fellowship picnic at Shawnee Lake.  We fished, swam and generally had a great time just being together.

2.  Dex came for a while and did his very first fishing :)

3.  Laken caught the first fish of the day :)

4.  The pool is warming up and we've all been swimming.  Kaylee and her friends have been in just about every day.  Yesterday, I had 6 kids at our house.  It was a hoping place :)

5.  We are closing on our consolidation loan this afternoon.  Our first payment won't be due until August, so no house payment for July!  whoohoooo!  :))

What made you smile this week?

Seeing Him ~ 6/20/13

Blessed are those who have not seen 
and yet have come to believe.
John 20:29

Lord, how blessed we are to be able to see you all around us and to sense your presence within us.  Even though we can't see you in the same way we might see a friend or a neighbor, we see you in your Word and in all that is good and true in the world around us.  Thank you, Lord, for making yourself available to us.

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Excerpt from:  A Woman's Daily Prayer Book

Hodgepodge ~ Randomness ~ 6/19/13

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

Joyce is on vacation this week so I thought I'd just tell you some random things about me.

1.  I've been a SAHM for about 10 years.

2.  I've been married to my husband, Doug, for 13 years come September 17th.

3.  I have two daughters.  Kaylee is 12 and Laken is 6.

4.  We live in a small town.  It is actually where Doug and I both grew up and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

5.  My parents are retired and busier than ever!  They are very involved in our lives and I am so lucky to have them.

6.  I have 3 honorary nephews.  Dex is my cousin Steph's 1-year-old.  Chase and Connor are my cousin Eric's 3-month-old twins.  Love them all!

7. I have one brother, Danny, who lives just across town.  He is the most generous person I know.

8.  I've dealt with anxiety/depression since my first pregnancy.  Truthfully, I think I always have to some degree but those pregnancy hormones brought it out full force.  I still take meds and I'm OK with that.

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Let's get hodgepodgey!

Chats on the Porch ~ 6/18/13

This week's questions are:

1. Is there a friend or relative who has been on your mind a lot lately?

My BFF's birthday is coming up soon and I haven't gotten to spend any quality time with her for quite a while.  I hope to take her out for a "Girl's Day" for her birthday.

2. Do you sunburn?

Yes!  In fact, my shoulders are a bit crunchy right now from our picnic outing over the weekend.

3. If you were visiting my farm for a week (or weekend) would you want to cook with me, pick veggies or pull weeds with the farm crew, or just feed Wendell carrots until he outgrew his horse suit?

I would want to do it ALL!  Well, maybe all but pulling weeds.  lol

4. Do you like to tell jokes or hear them?

I find humor in the very ordinary and laugh at times when no one else is laughing.  I can't help it.  Certain things just strike my funny bone.  I don't really tell many jokes but I do enjoy a good wise-crack or pun now and then.  I also enjoy hearing jokes.  I especially like the ones that you don't know are a joke until it has drawn me in.

5. Do you wear sunglasses often?

All the time!  I wear sunglasses year-round.  My contacts make my eyes sensitive to the light so I always have them on hand.


Let's chat and get to know one another!

Listicle ~ Cancelled TV Shows ~ 6/17/13

"10 TV Shows that Got Cancelled Too Soon"

1.  FRIENDS

2.  The Closer

3.  JAG

4.  Lie to Me (Loved this show!)

5.  McLeod's Daughters

6.  Magnum PI :(

7.  X-Files

8.  Providence

9.  Nashville Star

10.  ?????

Can you help me think of a 10th?  Leave a comment with your top cancelled show.

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Happy Monday!

Homemaker Monday ~ 6/17/13

Come join Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.

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The Weather...

68°F°C

H83° L61°

• PARTLY CLOUDY 
• | PENNSYLVANIA 

Hyndman

• FORECAST
• DETAIL
• AVERAGE

• • TODAY
  • ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS 
  • HIGH83°
  • LOW61°
• • TOMORROW
  • PM THUNDERSTORMS 
  • HIGH79°
  • LOW58°
• • WEDNESDAY
  • AM SHOWERS 
  • HIGH76°
  • LOW58°
• • THURSDAY
  • PARTLY CLOUDY 
  • HIGH79°
  • LOW59°
• • FRIDAY
  • PARTLY CLOUDY 
  • HIGH82°
  • LOW62°

Right Now I Am...

Drinking Dr. Pepper and trying to wake up!

Thinking...

About all I need to get done today.

On My Reading Pile...

I'm over half-way through and am enjoying it.  I picked it out to take to the beach this past weekend but didn't start it until after we got home.  It was too fun watching the kids play :)

On My TV...

Right now cartoons are on the TV.  But on my DVR is the FoodNetwork Star from last night.  I love those shows!

What I Found While Surfing the Net...

Pepperoni & Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts
INGREDIENT1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts2 oz. mozzarella cheese1.25 oz. (approx. 16 slices) pepperoni 1 large egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs (low carb use crushed pork rinds) 6 Tbs vegetable oil to taste salt and pepper
STEP 1: Trim the chicken breasts. Slice each breast in half diagonally to create two diamond-like shaped pieces. Using a small, sharp knife, cut a pocket into the side of each breast piece. This can be slightly tricky on thinner pieces so be careful. Be sure not to cut all the way through the meat but rather just into one side so that the fillings will stay in.
STEP 2: Stuff each piece of chicken with 1/2 oz. of cheese and about 4 slices of pepperoni. Lightly season each piece with salt and pepper. Set the stuffed chicken aside.
STEP 3: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Begin to heat a large skillet with 6 Tbsp of vegetable oil over medium/high heat. Collect three shallow dishes and put the flour in one, the egg in another and the bread crumbs in the third (Pampered Chef Coating Trays would be great for this). Beat the egg until it is an even consistency (adding a 1/2 tsp of water helps break it up).
STEP 4: One by one, coat each piece of chicken in the crushed pork rinds , then the egg .. Use your hands so that you can keep the open side of the pocket pinched closed and keep the fillings in.
STEP 5: Test the oil in the skillet to see if it is hot enough by dropping a small pinch of pork rinds in. The pork rinds should sizzle and dance A LOT. It is very important that the oil is hot enough or else the breading will soak up a lot of oil and you’ll end up with some really greasy chicken!. Place all four pieces of chicken in the skillet and cook until it is golden brown and crispy on each side. This should take no more than 2-3 minutes.
STEP 6: When you remove the chicken pieces from the skillet, transfer them to the baking sheet and place it in the oven. Finish baking the chicken (to cook the inside) for about 25 minutes (longer if you have larger pieces). Remove from the oven (check to make sure the chicken is cooked through) and serve immediately!

On the Menu This Week...

Monday:  Pepperoni & Mozzarella Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, Apples
Tuesday:  Pork Chops, Buttered Noodles, Corn, Oranges
Wednesday:  Fellowship
Thursday:  Macaroni & Cheese, Hot Dogs, Peas, Grapes
Friday:  Pizza
Saturday:  Out
Sunday:  Fellowship

On My To Do List...

Lots! The house is trashed from the weekend of being on the go.  I have tons of laundry to get done.  No hanging on the clothesline today due to the weather.  It will be a dryer day.  I have dishes piled up but need to get dish liquid before I can finish them.  Also on the list for today are the floors.

As for the rest of the week, I'm having a filling replaced Tuesday.  Thursday is payday, so that means writing out bills and getting groceries.  All my normal routine also will need to be done.

In the Craft Basket...

I have a turkey hat to make for an etsy order.

Looking Forward To This Week...

I look forward to taking the girls back to Shawnee Lake to the beach on Wednesday.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate :)

Looking Around the House...

I'm so grateful for our home and will be even more grateful when the clutter gets under control.

From the Camera...

First catch of the day.  On a Barbie pole, no less :)

On My Prayer List...

We're refinancing to consolidate some debt and I'm praying that Closing comes this week and goes smoothly.

Bible Verse, Devotional...

"Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."  And He took the children up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.  Mark 10: 15-16

Spiritual Sunday ~ 6/16/14

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All things came into being through Him,
and without Him not one thing came into being.
John 1:3

Have a blessed week!

     

My Weekly Bookishness ~ 6/15/13

All things bookish from the past week :)

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What I'm Reading:




What I Read:




What I'll Read Next:




Books new to my TBR pile:

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I'm linking up to Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday hosted this month by Dolce Bellezza , The Sunday Post, The Sunday Salon and Showcase Sunday.


Lovely reading!

High Five for Friday ~ 6/14/13

Five things that made me smile this week :)

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1.  The biggest event in our house this week was my oldest daughter's birthday.  She turned 12 yesterday!  Next year I will have a teenager!  Unbelievable.  We went out for lunch and then I made her requested birthday dinner of Stuffed Shells.  She always picks ice-cream cake for her birthday cake.  We found an Oreo ice-cream cake and it was delicious.  Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

2.  The girls and I participated in Hoosier Homemade's Summer Scavenger Hunt.  You can see more on that HERE :)

3.  Last night I started reading a book and got half-way through before I went to bed :)  This is a big deal because I have been in such a reading slump lately.  I haven't even picked up a book in a few weeks because nothing was keeping my attention.  This anthology has been great so far :)

4.  We've been swimming, swimming, swimming :)  Even though the pool isn't very warm yet, that doesn't stop us.  Especially the girls!  I think they've been swimming just about every day.

5.  Saturday evening we had a bunch of people over from Church for a cook-out.  We had so much fun talking and laughing together.  And of course, the kids had a blast in the pool  :)

What made you smile this week?

Summer Scavenger Hunt Week #1

I was really excited to see that Hoosier Homemade is hosting a Summer Scavenger Hunt.  It is the perfect project for me and the girls to find the items on the list each week this summer.  I also thought it would be fun to get the girls in the picture with the item for as many as we can.  It gives Laken the perfect opportunity to aggravate Kaylee by hugging her.  (So not cool!)

When I read this week's list to the girls they pretty much knew we had this one in the bag.  We owned/had 4 out of the 5 items.  The 5th item we easily found at the Dollar Tree on a shopping excursion.

Here are our finds for Week #1:

1.  Red Car

2.  Yellow Flower

3.  Black Dog

4.  Bird Feeder

5.  Pinwheel

We had a lot of fun with the Scavenger Hunt this week.  We can't wait to find out the items for Week #2.  I somehow doubt it will be as easy as this week!

Hodgepodge ~ Daddy ~ 6/12/13

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. What do you think makes a good dad?

They are willing to do the dirty work (diapers, etc).  They are also available for the small things like reading a bedtime story or sitting on the couch watching cartoons with the kids.

2. What's something you learned from your own father?

My dad taught me how to play (and win) at Gin Rummy!  lol  (see #1)

3. It's your birthday-what kind of cake will we be having?

Either spice cake or chocolate cake with peanut butter icing.  yummmy!

4. When you're faced with a big decision are you more of a go with your gut type of person, or are you someone who reasons it all out, weighing the pros and cons?

Oh my!  I am a reasoner.  Maybe even an over-reasoner sometimes.

5. June is National Dairy Month. What's your favorite dairy item? Most often purchased dairy item?

My favorite dairy item would be ice-cream.  My most often purchased item would be milk.  We go through a lot of milk in our house!

6. Explorer Jacques Cousteau was born on June 11, 1910....what's something you've recently discovered or something you'd like to explore?

I would love to explore a castle.  I've always had a fascination with castles.  Maybe one day....

7. Are you typical of your generation?

This is a hard question!  I'm typical as far as marriage, kids, dogs etc.  but untypical as I'm a bit more traditional and a lot more conservative than most of my generation.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I've missed getting hodgepodgey with you and am so glad to be back!!

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Let's get hodgepodgey!

Chats on the Porch ~ 6/11/13

This week's questions are:

1. How many times a week do you have a green or veggie salad?

Never!  I hate vegetables.  lol

2. Do you pray? (You may skip this if you do not wish to answer.)

All the time throughout the day.  I do try to set aside some time specifically for quiet, uninterrupted prayer time also.

3. What season is your birthday? You do not need to give us the date.

I was born just 3 days after Spring officially came.

4. Do you have dinner guests often, every now and then or not at all? Wendell says he can be there for dinner as quick as a wink!

Not really very often unless you count my parents.  If they are here, we always invite them to stay to eat.

5. Could you describe yourself as a DIY- Do It Yourselfer?

I guess I could say I'm a DIY.  or maybe I should say "WE" are.  We can usually tackle just about any job together.  I have the book smarts and the hubby has the hands on skills.



Let's chat and get to know one another!

Listicles ~ Beauty Products ~ 6/10/13

"10 Favorite Beauty Products/Tools"

1.  A good hydrating shampoo/conditioner for my curly hair.

2.  Yummy smelling body wash.

3.  Eyeliner

4.  Blush

5.  Leave-in conditioner

6.  Q-Tips!

7.  Fun nail polish colors

8.  Tinted Lip Gloss  (also has to taste good)

9.  Yummy smelling body spray!

10.  Really good deodorant/antiperspirant

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Happy Monday!

I Just Couldn't Stay Away

Yes, I know that I'm supposed to be on a blogging break for the summer...

But, I just missed it too much!

A few weeks break and some revamping and I'm ready to charge back into the blogging world.

I'm going to be joining back in on some fun, personal, getting-to-know-me memes.  I can't wait to get RE-started :)

It is good to be back!