January 1st

Today, we haven't really done anything special. I even took a nap today because I was so tired from being up late last night and early this morning.I did some laundry today and I need to fix supper here in a few minutes. We will be having spaghetti....definitely not a favorite but it is frugal. One of my goals is to be even more frugal than I already am.We usually just use canned/jarred sauce but I would like to make homemade. A beef sauce would be good. Does anyone have a good recipe? It is ONLY 24 below 0 here today...a bit of an improvement from yesterday's 40 below 0! I may begin a fun journal today. I'm not sure yet. I don't always keep up with those kinds of things but I can try.I've already begun my Bible reading...in a year.....definitely a goal I want to reach. I just began reading Deuteronomy last night.

I would also like to share the recipes of the goodies I made to send to my family members for Christmas. Enjoy!

LEMON COOKIES

1 box lemon cake mix

2 eggs

1/3 cup oil

confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Mix lemon cake mix, eggs and oil in a bowl. Pinch off quarter sized pieces of dough and roll into balls. Dip into confectioners sugar and place on a cookie sheet.Bake for 8-10 minutes or when tops begin to crack. Remove from oven and cool completely. So easy! You can also experiment with other cake mixes.

~Sugared Pecans~

1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
1 pound pecan halves
1 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon


DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease one baking sheet.
In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.

May you all have a blessed New year 2009!

New Year's Eve

Yesterday, I had my OB appointment and the baby's heart rate was at 151. Strong and healthy!My weight continues to go up which is a good thing for the baby but it is kindof depressing me. I told my dh that I want a Wii fit after the baby is born. I can't stand to exercise but if I can think it's fun maybe it won't be so bad.I also have to go in this weekend to do the 3 hour glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. Please pray that I don't have diabetes.



We are in the process of looking for a home so we viewed some homes today. We just loved the last one we looked at.It was private, cozy and enough room for our family and pets. Now, it is just a matter of waiting to be pre-approved.



Tonight, we were supposed to go to a New Year's Eve party at church but it was cancelled. And with good reason...... it is 40 below 0 outside!!! So, we are staying in. For snacks, we are having crockpot l'il smokies, guacamole and wheat thins, cookies, cream cheese and picante sauce with crackers, and sparkling cider.

and things I would like to accomplish in 2009~
Birthing our healthy new baby(hopefully through an easy labor and delivery....when I dream, I dream big!) :)
Moving into a new home
Making our house a home
Starting a craft business
Reading my Bible everyday and finishing it by the end of the year
Reading some good books
Successfully homeschooling our children
and finish cross-stitching our baby's blanket

~Merry Christmas~

Merry Christmas everyone! We had a nice Christmas here at home.The kids were all pleased with their gifts. I was happy with mine,too from my dh. About a month ago, I got a perm and a Kitchenaid mixer. Today, I got a very comfy robe and slippers(which will be great for the hospital when it's time for our baby to be born), 2 pairs of cozy sleep pants, and 3 bottles of nail polish in shades of pink.We also got a family gift that I requested. It is a combo VCR/DVD player.

For dinner,

we had London broil, Italian pasta salad, rolls, chicken dressing, raspberry bars and Rice Krispie treats. For a snack later in the day we had pretzel crisps and guacamole.

I hope you all have had a very merry Christmas!

More recipes

~Italian Pasta Salad~(I got this recipe from my sister)
1 box(16oz) rotini
3 oz. pkg. pepperoni
2 C. shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
6 oz. can black olives, sliced
1 t. oregano
16 oz. bottle creamy Italian dressing
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Run cold water over pasta for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and toss. Chill.


~Southern Pecan Pie~ (My mom makes this)
3 eggs
1C. sugar
4T. butter, melted
1T. vinegar
1C. light corn syrup
1C. chopped pecans
pinch of salt
1 unbaked pie shell

Beat eggs well. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

~Scotcharoos~(a childhood favorite)
1C. light corn syrup
1C. sugar
1C. peanut butter
Combine ingredients in a saucepan and heat until smooth.
6C. Crisp rice cereal
6oz. chocolate chips
6oz. butterscotch chips
Remove from heat and add cereal; mix well. Pour into a greased 9x13" pan. Melt chips together and spread over cereal mixture. Chill; cut and serve.

~Dried Beef Cheeseball~(my old stand-by)
2(8oz) pkgs. cream cheese
1 pkg. dried beef, finely chopped
2t. Accent
1/2 t. garlic powder
Mix well, shape into ball and chill.

Christmas Bells

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,A chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound

The Carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;

‘For hate is strong,And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

’Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Sour Cream Bluberry Coffeecake

I made this last night to go with our supper. Our oldest son really liked it; especially the crunchy streusel on top.The only thing I would change is to add at least 1/2 C. more blueberries.

~Sour Cream Blueberry Coffeecake~

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1 cup (8 ounces) reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
TOPPING:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cold butter
Directions: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. In another bowl, combine the egg, sour cream, applesauce, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in blueberries. Pour into a 9-in. square baking pan coated with cooking spray. For topping, in a bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats and cinnamon; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the batter. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 12 servings.

Ultrasound

I just had my ultrasound and I was so concerned but the doctor said everything looks normal with our baby.Hallelujah! They sent me home with 4 pix AND a DVD.