Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:16-18
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Crazy Running Girls!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Two Recipes
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices of bacon
2 lbs. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced (I use the kind in the jar already chopped)
Bring chicken broth to boil. Stir in grits. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in salt, pepper, butter, and cheese. Set aside and keep warm.
Cook bacon until crisp, set aside to cool then crumble. Cook shrimp in the same pan over medium heat 3 minutes or until almost pink, stirring occasionally. Add lemon juice and next 4 ingredients and cook 3 minutes. Stir in bacon. Spoon grits onto individual plates. Top with shrimp mixture. Serve immediately.
Serves 4-6
Frozen Fruit Salad
1 8oz. cool whip
1 can pineapple chunks
1 large can oranges
1 jar maraschino cherries
1 cup mini marshmallows.
Mix all ingredients (do not drain the fruit). Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap. Put in pan, cover, and freeze. Slice to serve.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Recipe Makeover
Works for Me Wednesday
I recently changed the homepage on my computer from Google to iGoogle. iGoogle has the same search engine as regular Google, plus a whole lot more. You can choose from hundreds of applications to add to your homepage. You can also select from a large number of backgrounds. I chose a pink dotted one--very cute! I selected the following applications:
Bible Verse of the Day
To Do List---you type your to do list, choose if each item is high, medium, or low priority, then "x" it when you complete it by deleting it from your list. This has taken a little bit of getting used to for me, because I like the satisfaction of seeing all of those items crossed out on my to do list. On iGoogle, the completed item is just removed from your list.
5 Day Local Weather Forecast
Clock
Calendar/Datebook--here you can type in your appointments and reminders for each day. An added feature to this application is that iGoogle will send you an email reminder before each event on your calendar. You can also add your daily menu on each day.
I haven't completely abandoned my "paper" calendar/datebook, but I am really enjoying seeing my to do list and calendar each time I use my computer.
Each person in your family with a separate email/google/blogger account, can create their own iGoogle page. You just sign in and out as you change users.
Check out We Are That Family for more Wednesday's tips.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Menu Monday
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A Fun Day
The high school basketball team played in the north half state championship game tonight, so we all attended that. The gym was crowded, and we were unable to all sit together. So Megan and I talked throughout the game using our favorite mode of communication: text messaging!
Megan brought me the best gift! A published book of my blog from its beginning through December 2008. What a fabulous present! I have enjoyed looking at it so much, and Olivia and Julie have each read the whole thing. It is like having a family yearbook. What a neat idea! Thanks so much Megan!
Recipes, Running, and Reorganization
I have been cleaning out and reorganizing my recipe collection. It is still a work in progress, but here are the steps I have taken so far.
1. I went through the cookbooks on the shelf in my kitchen and took off the ones that I rarely, if ever, use. I stored these cookbooks in a cabinet below my shelf. I don't want to get rid of these cookbooks, because I consider them books.....I will reread them from time to time. Also, my girls like to read them too. Since I do have the space to store them in my kitchen, I am ok with keeping them.
2. I went through the cookbooks and took out all of the loose recipes....recipes from newspaper clippings, ones that were printed out from the computer, and loose recipe cards. These items were stuck inside almost every cookbook.
3. I took all of the loose recipes out of my two file folders labeled, "recipes". I also took the loose recipes that were falling out of my one recipe card book.
4. I sorted through all of these loose recipes and put them into two piles, "keep" and "trash". I managed to throw away about half of them.
5. I sorted the "keep" recipes into two piles. "ready to go into the binder " (already typed on normal sized paper) and "needs to be typed or taped to a piece of paper".
6. I decided to keep my one recipe card book that was a wedding gift. It has plastic protectors for cute little recipe cards. Most of the cards have lovingly handwritten recipes from family members and church members. I am not going to retype these recipes or tape them into my binder. I will leave this pretty recipe card book as is.
7. I divided the '"ready to go into the binder" recipes into categories: appetizers, soups, salads, breads, main dishes, side dishes, cookies and candy, and cakes, pies, desserts.
8. I made a pretty cover page for my new 3 ring recipe binder and matching page dividers with the above categories. I laminated these page dividers, inserted them into the binder, and then added the already typed recipes.
To complete the job of recipe organization, I have to do the following:
1. Insert the typed recipes into page protectors.
2. Tape the recipes from newspaper clippings or recipe cards (that don't match or fit in my one recipe card book) onto regular sized paper. Then I will insert those recipes into page protectors, and then put them into the recipe binder.
3. Type any handwritten recipes that are on little bits of paper or those that are printed on both sides of a recipe card. Put those in page protectors and into the binder.
When I finish the job, I will post before and after pictures. I have wanted to organize my recipes for quite a while. Laura at Organized Junkie inspired me to do it this month.
10 Can Soup
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 can corn, drained
1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes
6 cans any kind of beans or peas
1 pgk taco seasoning
1 pkg dry Ranch dressing
Combine all ingredients. Cook in crock pot on low for several hours.
Running and Reorganization
While running on the treadmill this week, I watched some different organizing and cleaning house type shows. I was inspired! While I have many, many areas of my home neatly organized, I also have many more areas that need work. Most of these areas are hidden......seldom used drawers and closets, my storage room, my laundry room cabinets, and all of the clothes the children have outgrown. These are a few of the areas that I want to clean out and reorganize. I plan to make a list of every single drawer, cabinet, room, and box that I want to work on. Then, little by little I will tackle each item. I also plan to purchase containers for the jobs each time I visit Walmart or Dollar General. Then I will have the tools I need as I sort things out. You need a wide variety of types and sizes of containers when you are organizing things. I also hope to post some before and after pictures of these projects too. Or maybe I can get a TV crew to come do the job for me!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Rotating Chores
In addition to helping with the house cleaning four days a week, my children have daily chores. These fall into two categories: fixed chores and rotating chores. The fixed chores are done by the same child everyday. These include things like making their bed, tidying their room, tidying the bathroom, taking out the trash, sorting dirty laundry, putting away clean laundry, and straightening an assigned room of the house. Rotating chores are those chores that each child keeps for just one week. I typed a chart with these chores and who is to do each one. Since I have 3 children rotating these chores, every 3 weeks they just repeat the rotation. Rotating chores include pet care (outside dogs, inside dog, cat), unload dishwasher (top, bottom, silverware), and van seating (this is not actually a chore, but the children have assigned seats in the van, changing their seats every week). Leah and Sam are in carseats which stay in the same spot.
Check out other WFMW tips on this blog. Also note, that beginning next week, there will be a new hostess for this blog carnival. See WFMW for more information.
School This Week
Total force = mass x acceleration
exerted force - kinetic friction = total force
Plus studying about stems in botany with Julie and Clay, and reading and learning about the Great Lake states with all of the children.....I am taking in a lot of new information. I frequently tell my children, "I don't know WHERE I was when they taught this when I was in school"!
There is a lot of learning going on here in the Johnson home this week, and it is not all being learned by the children. That is one of the great advantages of homeschooling.....the mother learns too!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Menu Monday
Saturday
take out pizza for family Bible study
Sunday
BBQ chicken salad
Monday
Roast sub sandwiches
Broccoli salad
Tuesday
Baked salmon
Roasted sweet and white potatoes
Salad
Wednesday
10 can soup
cornbread
Thursday
Shrimp and grits
Mac and cheese
Friday
Homemade pizza
Breakfasts:
Smoothies
Sausage and cheese muffins
Cereal
Waffles
Pancakes and bacon
Eggs, bacon, toast
Lunches:
Chicken rollups
Leftovers
Snack lunch
Other rollups
Grilled cheese
Valentine's Day
Jimmy gave me the best Valentine present---6 cases of bottled water! I was thrilled to receive it! I love bottled water. When I used to buy it, I usually drank 4-6 bottles each day. About a year ago Jimmy asked that I not buy anymore bottled water. He felt that I was creating too much plastic trash, consuming so many bottles a day. All of that water was expensive too, so I readily agreed. I bought each of us a nice refillable bottle, and used our tap water to fill it. Well, I really love the taste of bottled water, so while I still drink water, I have not been drinking nearly as much. Occasionally I have picked up a case of bottled water when we were going on a picnic or on vacation, and I would enjoy that bottled water so much! So now you see why I am so excited about my gift! 6 cases of bottled water! I am already enjoying it so much! When it runs out, I plan to go back to my refillable water bottle, but while it lasts I am loving it!
Cherish the little things in your life with your family. Love your husband and children. Show your appreciation to them. Try to make the most of every day. You are making memories all the time. Even if you are swamped with laundry, bills, housekeeping, and other things, remember that the people you live with are way more important than the things.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Disney Day 7
At the end of the day we packed up our car and got on the road, headed home. We drove until about midnight. We spent the night somewhere in Georgia, and then drove the rest of the way on Friday.
What a trip! It was exhausting, but lots of fun! And lots of memories were made.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Works For Me Wednesday
Supermom
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
This is the reason for the hope that I have, the reason I can usually maintain a positive attitude, the reason I strive for unselfish service for my family, the reason I work so hard at being the best wife and mother that I can be----I have a hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The Lord has richly blessed me, and I am so thankful. He sent His Son to die for my sins (which are many!), and He provides me with all the strength I need to serve Him. I strive to seek the Lord and His will in all that I do. None of my "success" comes from my own strength. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. I have a hope of eternal life. That is my true success. I am completely dependent on the Lord and His guidance.
Supermom? No.
Servant of God? I certainly am trying!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Running This Week
Jimmy is coming along very nicely training for the full marathon on April 25th. While we are slowly building from 15 miles a week to a peak of 28 miles a week, Jimmy is currently logging 40+ miles each week! I am so proud of his dedication. He has set this goal for himself, and I have no doubt that he will exceed his personal expectation. Running that many miles, working and taking call, and spending every spare moment with us.....Jimmy is doing a super job!
Disney Day 6
The boys deciding where to go while the girls eat with Cinderella.
Cinderella signing autograph books and chatting with Leah The two Cinderellas!All of the girls with Cinderella......Sam refused to stand by Cinderella!
Snow White, Jasmine, Aurora, and Belle visited each table while we were eating. They signed the girls' autograph books and posed for pictures. Sam was not interested in the princesses, only his food!Belle with Olivia, Julie, and RebeccaAvery, Aurora, and Leah
Since it was Sam's birthday, the waiter brought him a cake with a candle in it, and we all sang Happy Birthday. Sam really enjoyed his cake! He was just not in a "photo" mood! I did not get any good pictures of him!