Swagbucks

Hey everyone who regularly checks out my blog. Someone recommended a site to me where you can earn free "swagbucks" by doing certain things on the internet. Check it out because I get free bucks for referrals. Its free, so it can't hurt.

http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=415192

The Shack Review

So I've finished reading this book called The Shack. Overall it was a really intriguing look at the three aspects of God. I found it to be emotional, inspiring, and at first I just could not put it down. I started reading it at 10 o'clock the other night and looked up to see that it was 12:30am. That says alot about the book, as I am still getting up with my 3 month old twice a night for feedings. The fact that I could even be awake at 12:30am speaks volumes. However, as I trudged alot through the book, it became heavy and though provoking. I found at times I would have to put the book down, and come back to re-read things. This is rare for me, but was, perhaps the best part about the book. It gets you to take a look at things and think. Lastly though, I'm not sure it is the most accurate portrayal of the Biblical God. It gives you the sense that God is the all loving best friend that you want to carry around in your pocket. While God IS all loving and all knowing, the Bible clearly says that he is a jealous and vengeful God. That aspect of God was no where to be found in this book. We have to remember as we read books like this that it is fiction. While it may be based on a supposed actual experience, there is no way to prove that it really happened. And it is FICTION. As a good read though, I would highly recommend it. But don't go into it looking for Biblical truth. While there are truths scattered throughout the book, overall it is just that, another interesting book to mull over.

All things domestic

So, those of you who know me, know that I work part time. Partly because it is best for our family financially and partly because I really enjoy the adult interaction. However, I have to admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed my time home as I only worked 2 days a week for the past 6 weeks. I really enjoy the domestic side of life. I like cooking and keeping house. I have enjoyed the extra time I have been able to spend with Maggie working on letters and just doing imaginary games and playing. I am not dreading going back to work, as the hardest part of going back was the 2 full days of being gone from my kids. I just wonder if God provided the opportunity financially for me to stay home, whether it would be the choice I would make. I adore my children, and love to spend the time with them that I am afforded, but I fear that if I did end up staying home full time that I would have a difficult time entering back into the work world once the children go to school, which I know I want to do. These are just things I have been pondering. As of right now its not even an option, but I wonder down the road what God has in store for our family and how we will know what the right decision will be at that time.

Lazy Lasagna

Hey all. Here is a great recipe, that just happens to also be a crockpot recipe. Its very simple and very good! Throw some garlic bread in the oven during the last ten minutes of cooking, toss a salad and bam you are set.

This recipe is courtesy of my Aunt Karen, where she got it I don't know.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef, browned
32 ounce jar of your choice of spaghetti sauce
8 ounces of curly egg noodles or lasagna noodles cut up, cooked
16 ounce carton of cottage cheese or ricotta
8 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese to taste

Combine beef and spaghetti sauce. Combine noodles, cottage cheese, and mozarella. Layer one third of the beef mixture, followed by half of the noodle mixture in the slow cooker. Repeat layers, ending with beef mixture on top. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Cover and cook on low 3 to 4 hours. I cooked mine on high for 2 and it turned out perfectly. Also, make sure that you drain the noodles very well, as any extra moisture makes the noodles at the bottom of the crockpot soggy. To make it healthier you can always add some spinach into the noodle mixture as well.

If you try it out, let me know what you think! I don't have a picture of this delicious dinner, but it turned out great.

Recipe Reviews

Well, for those of you who don't know. I really enjoy cooking. Its something that has always been fun for me, but more and more as I grow older. I've decided since it is something I enjoy so much, that I am going to share the recipes that I try as I try them. For tonight, as the dreaded snow flakes fall again, I share with you a simple crock pot recipe of yumminess.

This recipe comes from Better Homes and Gardens. I've slightly adapted it, but here is the recipe as I make it!

Beefy Minestrone

Cooktime: 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high in a Crockpot

1lb ground beef
1 14 ounce can of beef broth (use reduced sodium if you want to cut salt)(=1 1/3 cups)
1 10 ounce package of frozen mixed vegetables
1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes and their juice
1 10 ounce can of tomato soup
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasonings crushed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Your choice of cooked pasta, add the amount that looks good to you.
You can top this with parmesan cheese, and or goldfish crackers for the kiddos.

If you try it out, let me know what you think.

Coaled Mountain

Rocky crags crush spirits
Hearts broken
Mouths empty
But where?

Sugary drinks provide
Succor but tragedy persists
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Nowhere to be found
Drugs drag down mothers
Kids ache but numb
Themselves with the same drugs
But why?

We watch on tv
Narrators guide us to pity
We watch, mouths agape
We call ourselves hungry
And fill a plate or bowl
While images on screen appall us
But where?

Sick cycles continue
Here
In this golden place
Of Yellow Arches and Big Blue Boxes
Here in this land of plenty
I turn off my TV and go to bed
To think
No more
Kept safe away from cold
Coaled
Mountains

Crappy Crap Crap Crap Crap CRAP

Feeling like the aforementioned crap. There is a wicked virus going around. We had been lucky enough to avoid it until this point. Maggie started this barking cough yesterday. It sounds miserable. By the evening she had a fever of 99.5. By 4:30am she had a fever of 103. We used motrin to bring it down and it worked. By this point my ears are plugged and my throat is throbbing. Yeah for children, germy little beings that they are. So now I do my best to keep Maggie from touching the boy, which is hard because she loves him so much and wants to hold him and kiss on him. I am consumed with worry about whether he will catch this awful virus too, and I just can't stop thinking about it. I'm beginning to think there is something wrong with me. Though I have stopped worrying about Maggie and I getting sick. Now that its here its not as bad as I imagined it to be. Things usually aren't. Ugh. I need a good night's sleep.