The power of positive thinking...

While it's pretty chilly this weekend (20's/30's/40's) and there's a prediction of snow tomorrow (not much), WE WILL NOT BE SHAKEN...spring IS coming! 

This preview from our yard is proof enough for me...

Warning: It's yummy!

I tried a new recipe last night. Everyone grumbled prior to trying it and just knew they wouldn't like it. I love it when I try a new recipe and they think it's going to be gross and EVERYONE ends up liking it. Their bowls were licked clean!  

This is one you can throw together quickly with very few ingredients...

Black Bean Soup

2 cans black beans, drained & rinsed

2 cups fat-free chicken broth

1 can corn

1 cup medium salsa 

(I used mild salsa because of the kids, but you can do as spicy as your taste buds will allow!)

1 tsp ground cumin

(optional toppings: fat-free sour cream and fresh cilantro)

Lightly puree one can of black beans with broth, salsa & cumin in blender. In medium saucepan, combine pureed bean mix with remaining beans and heat through.  (You can also skip the puree-ing if you prefer and just pour it all together in the saucepan.)

Mix up a box of Jiffy and dinner is served!

Confession Time...

Ok, now you know, I'm an American Idol junkie.  I have to say this season is by far the best in regards to talent and personalities. Last night was the "Idol Gives Back", which was a great show to raise money for charities. I have to admit I was extremely impressed with how there seemed to be Christian influence throughout the broadcast. Of course, with any show these days on TV, there was definitely non-Christian influence throughout. 

Bono was one of the stars on the show and if you are familiar with Bono, he is heavily involved in raising money for Africa and helping those afflicted with HIV. Throughout his clips were pictures of crosses. Bono has a powerful message and is very influential. If you aren't familiar with his cause, google him and see what he's about.

I was most impressed, however, with the finale of the show as the remaining contestants came out, accompanied by an awesome gospel choir, singing Darlene Zscheck's "Shout to the Lord". While they substituted "shepherd" for "Jesus", they sang the song in its entirety and I couldn't believe it!  

Click here to see the performance.

Sprouts are growing!

Charting the progress...

So far, we have sprouts in every pod.  We even have a sprout in between the pods where Abby dropped a seed.  So, I think we will have plenty of tomatoes this summer and I will be looking for new tomato recipes!

Spring is in the air!

We had a great weekend and I will blame it on the awesome weather!  Thank you, Lord, for the season of spring that is a breath of fresh air after the cold, cold winter.  

We've had our windows open, we've been outside and to the park, we've even seen some of our neighbors. We were beginning to wonder if anyone really lived in these houses around us...

Here are some pics from our weekend:

Most of the trees are still pretty bare, but if you get close, you can see that the buds are there.  In the kids' terms, the trees have been asleep and are now waking up.  Again, I'm amazed at the wonder of God's creation and I'm so grateful that I can live in such a beautiful place.

Waking up!

The geese were honking...a spring song for sure!

Blue heron...perfect day for fishing.

Bloom where you're planted, right?

I even tried a new recipe this weekend.  We had cupcakes for dinner! (of the meat variety...) I don't know Annalee, but these are Annalee's "meat cupcakes" (Poppin' Fresh Barbecue Cups). I came across the recipe on another blog.  

It was a hit!  Click here for the recipe.

Add a salad or a veggie and you've got dinner!

Where are you planted?

Remember the Veggie Tales seeds we planted last Saturday?

Well, we've watched as our seeds have begun to show some green pushing through the dirt this week. I think it's safe to say they are officially sprouts! The kids have been so excited to watch them and are in competition to see whose are coming up first, the biggest, etc...  

I'm reminded of what a wonder life is and how God's creation is still amazing even today. We can go to our local hardware or grocery store, buy a small packet of seeds that were packaged who knows where, put them in the dirt, add water, the right amount of light, and life begins. And from this life, many will benefit as the plants bear their fruit.

Aren't our lives a little like those seed packets?  I mean, think about it...we're born into this world in all different locations, influenced by this world and a little like the seed packets sitting on the shelf at the store; all different varieties with potential to bear many different fruits. When we allow ourselves to be planted in the Lord, watered by his living water (John 4:14) and led by the Light of the world (John 8:12), we also begin to bear fruit.  

Jesus says in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." God is still in the business of creating and giving life. We have the choice to accept the life He gives or choose a life on our own.  I am glad I have chosen to be a part of God's garden and He is my gardener (John 15:1).   

Lord, thank you for your gift of life.  Help me today and every day to continue to choose your ways.  I pray that I will bear much fruit and that you will use me Lord to your glory to further the blooming of your kingdom.   ~Amen.

Pleasing to the taste buds...

This is another family favorite.  Enjoy!

Poppyseed Chicken

3 cups cooked chicken

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 8-oz carton sour cream

1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

1 sleeve Ritz crackers

1/4 cup butter, melted

Combine first 4 ingredients; spoon into a lightly greased baking dish. Combine crushed crackers and butter and sprinkle over chicken mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  

Yummy!

It's a hit with the whole fam and some ask for seconds!

Imitation...the highest form of flattery

This is a re-print of a pondering from our previous website...

Abigail, my 2-year-old, has been in the cute stage of imitation for the past 6 or 7 months.  She loves to copy what she sees others doing or hears others saying, in particular, her brother and sister.  I remember a time when she was about 17-months-old and we were playing with her baby dolls.  As Abby watched me rocking a baby doll, she immediately picked hers up, plopped herself down by me and started rocking hers as well.  It was one of those cute moments when the camera was too far away.  Those few precious minutes with Abby triggered thoughts of my relationship with Jesus.  Just as Abby so quickly and easily imitated me, so should I imitate my Savior.  God created me in His image to be like Him.  Wouldn't imitation of my Heavenly Father be the highest form of flattery for Him and wouldn't it bring me closer to fulfilling the greatest calling on my life?

Lord, I pray that as I go about my day that I seek to imitate You in my daily tasks, my interactions with others, and in caring for and loving my family.  Help me to be more like You and to reflect who You are to those I meet.   ~Amen.

Please pray for Tricia

I hope that you have taken the time to read about Nathan, Tricia and Gwyneth Rose.  Right now, at this very moment, Tricia is in the OR being prepped to receive her double lung transplant.  The surgery should last 7-9 hours.  

You can chart the progress on Nathan's blog: 

 cfhusband.blogspot.com  

Please pray for Tricia, the doctors, Nathan and their family.  Please also pray for the family who has lost a loved one so that Tricia may continue to have life here on this earth with her husband and precious daughter.

Have you discovered this?

Love it!

click here: crazy8 by Gymboree