Freezer Meals August 2013

INGREDIENT LIST:
-ingredients for Italian bread are not listed.

2 bags of frozen peas and carrots
1 lb. Thinly sliced roast beef
12 cheese slices
1/2 c. Chipolte mayo
4 lb. Hamburger
Flour
2 c. shortening
4 1/2 c. milk
4 cans black beans
4 cans chili beans in sauce
4 15 oz. cans of tomato sauce
4 packages of Veggie Ground Beef (Boca or Morningstar Farms)
8 chicken breast (fresh)
4 lb chicken breast (fresh or frozen)
1 bag of shredded pepper jack
1 box of frozen spinach
4 T. olive oil
4 T. Cajun seasoning
2 T. breadcrumbs
2 c. chopped onion (I use Kroger brand chopped frozen)
2 boxes of chicken broth

toothpicks
5 foil cake pans
Ziploc Perfect Portions Baggies (I never understood how great these are until now. :) )
Quart size freezer bags
Gallon size freezer bags

INSTRUCTIONS PER RECIPE
Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches (Makes 12)
    1.  Ingredients for Italian Bread Recipe in breadmaker.
    2.  Form dough into 12 rolls and bake.
    3.  Mix mayo. (I had chipolte mayo already in the refrigerator and just used that.)
    4.  Assemble.
    5.  Wrap & freeze.

Taco Meat (almost 4 lb.)
    1.  Heat hamburger and taco spices.
    2.  Bag and freeze.

Biscuits (15 biscuits)
    1.  Combine in mixer.
    2.  Add milk.
    3.  Form
    4.  Freeze.

Chili (4 recipes - 8 qts.)
    1.  Thaw pepper packs. (Or saute a little oil, chopped bell pepper, and onion until tender)
    2.  Add other ingredients.
    3.  Bag and freeze.

Cajun Chicken Stuffed with Jack Cheese (8 servings)
    1.  Thaw/drain spinach.
    2.  Pound chicken.
    3.  Assemble.
    4.  Bread.
    5.  Wrap and freeze.

Chicken Filling for pie, topped with biscuits, or topped with puff pastry (made 5 "pies" from 4 recipes)
    1.  Cook chicken.
    2.  Make thickening mix.
    3.  Boil broth in cooked chicken.
    4.  Add thickening mix; simmer 5 minutes.
    5.  Add peas and carrots.
    6.  Put in cake pans, let temp drop a tad before covering in foil and putting in the freezer.

MASTER INSTRUCTION LIST

1.  Thaw/drain spinach.
2.  Put ingredients for Italian bread in bread-maker.  Set to make dough.
3.  Butterfly and pound 8 chicken breast (Cajun Chicken).
4.  Chop chicken for pies into cubes.
5.  Cook chicken (pies).  This took longer than I thought I would.
6.  Make thickening mix.
7.  Boil broth in chicken.
8.  Simmer 5 minutes.
9.  Combine biscuits in mixer.
10.  Add peas and carrots to chicken/gravy.
       Portion into pans.

11.  Assemble Cajun chicken.

12.  Form bread into rolls and rise.

13.  Bread Cajun chicken.

14.  Wrap Cajun chicken and freeze.

16.  Bake rolls.

17.  Heat taco meat.

18.  Cool rolls.
19.  Add milk to biscuits.
20.  Thaw pepper packs.
21.  Cut biscuits.

22. Add chili ingredients to pot.

23.  Freeze biscuits.
24.  Assemble Rolls.
25. Wrap and freeze rolls.

Clean up tomorrow. :)

Pots I used: 

Large dutch oven

Medium dutch oven

Large pan (pictured above) 

Notes: 

In the case of the chicken pie filling and the chili, I tried to start a recipe in one large pot, but since I was making 4 recipes, I had to transfer half to another cooking vessel. 

Recipe links:

Italian Bread

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/basic-italian-bread-recipe/index.html

Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/03/hot-roast-beef-sandwiches/

Chicken Biscuits

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/chicken-biscuits-recipe.htm

BOCA chili

http://www.bocaburger.com/main.aspx?s=recipe&m=recipe/knet_recipe_display&recipe_id=57636

Taco seasoning

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Taco-Seasoning-I/

Cajun Stuffed Chicken

http://cuckooking.blogspot.com/2010/08/cajun-chicken-with-pepper-jack-cheese.html

Biscuits

From my Southern Living Cookbook

I'm back! Maybe. . .

What a great title!  So original! :) Last night, I came home and Josh had installed my new computer for me!  It has been approximately 10 MONTHS since my last post. . .not that you didn't already know that.  I don't know how much I will be able to blog soon, but I am ready to give it a go after this last break.

Updates:  Candace is due in two weeks!

May I preface the rest of this post by saying that I am being EXTREMELY transparent here.  I am not saying that I am always right, nor do I always handle situations in the best possible way.  I am human and I am still learning. . .<3

This morning, I was on my way to work - mulling over a recent conversation as I usually do.  I tend to give in to that part of my semi-melancholic personality at times. :)  The conversation (although I don't know if I can really call it a conversation. . .) was between me and someone I would love to actually communicate with (as in two-way communication!) - but they seem to always insist on being the one talking with the most important things to say.  Okay.  So I listen and bite my tongue.  But then they want to know certain personal details of my life. . .only so that they can be "happy."  If I give them what they want to hear, they go back to their one-sided conversation about themselves again. . .  And their version of "happy" seems to be. . .um. . ."drama" to me. To make a long story short - I'm not okay with that.  I don't care to share personal details with someone who only cares so that they can draw more attention to themselves.  I don't mean to come across as a mean person, I just feel used.  So at this point, I do my best to listen, then withdraw when needed.  It may not be the best way to handle the situation, but I'm still working through it.  It will be okay someday.  God must be trying to teach me something. . .and I don't always get those lessons quickly!

So this morning, I was racking my brain to think of how I maybe could have handled it better. . .if only there was a way!  I have never been one of those people who always seems to know the perfect thing to say.  It was then that the Holy Spirit seemed to convict me.  Look at the relationship as the one that I have with God.

• How many times do I keep up with my one-sided conversation and don't let Him speak?  Who am I putting in first place when I do that?
• How many times do I insist on knowing information that will make me "happy" - but that God knows will just create more "drama"?  
• How many times does God withhold information from me because He wishes that I would concentrate harder on having a true relationship with Him. . .instead of searching for supposed "happiness"?

I am not trying to put my feelings into God - truly, I'm not.  But I do believe per Genesis 1:27 that we all were made in God's image - which is that my feelings, although human, imitate God's feelings sometimes.  God created our feelings. . .in the image of Himself.  I feel that a lot of times we get frustrated with other people, but really need to take a closer look at ourselves - no only to "fix" our relationship with another human being, but also to "fix" us in our relationship with God.  If I don't care for something someone else does to me, probably, God doesn't like it when I do THE EXACT SAME THING to Him!

A Little Red Phone

When I was a little girl, I remember going to the funeral of a dear friend of our family, Mrs. Lois Aley.  She loved gladiolas and planted them in her garden every year.  She would babysit us sometimes.  She had a cool house with a neat basement.  At the funeral, the director gave opportunity for those in the crowd to share remembrances of Mrs. Aley.  One of the ladies told about when she needed prayer for something, she would always ask Mrs. Aley.  She said it seemed as if Mrs. Aley had a little red telephone that she could just pick up and talk right to Jesus.

I always remember that.  I don't know why.  It is just a memory that has always stuck with me.  The little red telephone.  Maybe it's because I like red.  I have no idea.

Back to present day. . .  My dog is hyper.  Really hyper.  I haven't taken her on a walk in a long, long, long, long time.  Last night, I would wake up to her running the length of the bed, hopping over me (like a football player through the tires. . .only she was the football player and I was the tire), and doing flip-like movements.  Poor thing.  We are so boring. :)

Normally, she is fine while I take my shower.  She will maybe hide under the bed until I am done.  I knew that since she was hyper, she was more likely to find something "interesting" to play with while I was otherwise occupied.  So I put her on the bed.  I know she can get off if she really wants to, but she tends to stay there if I put her there.

She did.  She was such a good girl.  I came to get her off of the bed.  Her little tail was wagging back and forth - so cute!  Then I saw my phone.  Right in front of her. Oh. No.  It looked fine from the back, but when I turned it over, it was completely destroyed.  Since it is a touchscreen phone, there was nothing I could do.  I couldn't get the phone feature, let alone text, or use the web. Nothing.  There was no reason to fuss at the dog.  I had left the phone in our bed. . .with a hyper dog and now the phone was gone.

It's okay.  Josh reminded me that we still have his blackberry and we have an upgrade in one month, but have you ever forgotten your phone somewhere?  I know I rarely use my phone for emergencies, but isn't it always the case that when we need something, we don't have it?  I was driving to work this morning and just knew that this would be the day something would happen.  Something where I would need my phone.

I've gotten to work okay this morning, but I still have an event that I am going to tonight and will be driving home late.  I can picture myself on the side of the road, something wrong with my car, and no phone.  As I am going over the possibilities in my head, an image pops into my mind.  A little red phone.  I remember that no matter where I am, I can always pray.  I always have access to my Heavenly Father.  I don't need to have any device to talk to Him.  I don't need to go through a person to get to Him.  I can just talk to Him.  In fact, He even knows my thoughts. . . my prayers when I don't even use my voice.  He knows me.  He knew before I did this morning that Daisy was going to chew my phone.  He even knew before it happened.  He knew while it was happening.  He also knows what is going to happen to me this afternoon and already has a plan to help me.  I love my God and am so happy that He loves me more.  And that at any time, I can pick up my little red telephone called prayer and have a long conversation with Him.

A Conglomeration of Semi-Related Thoughts

I had to laugh a last week.  I came to work, walked to our back refrigerator, was about to deposit my lunch when - WHAT?  Someone put their lunch in MY SPOT!  I had a moment of annoyed frustration.  Then there was a little recording that played in the back of my mind of ME telling my little Sunday school children, "No, that is not YOUR chair.  You do not own it.  Anyone can sit there.  You just need to find another seat."  Ha.  I need to learn my own lesson.  What is it about us humans?  Do we ever really learn our own lessons?  We do get rather possessive of OUR things. . .parking spots, church pews, lunch bag spots. . .   :)  But are they really OURS?  No.  Why do we get so upset?  Don't we know better?

I am sitting here thinking. . .I wonder if such a company is hiring?  You see, a little bit ago I was talking to an authority of mine about some of the situations I have to deal with . . .they asked me to please stay where I am even though it is frustrating.  There is really nothing that either one of us can do about the situation.  Anyway, since that individual said that to me, I have been doing just the opposite - thinking of places where maybe I could get a job that would allow me to push myself and really DO something. Do I need a new job?  No.  Maybe there are things about my job that I don't like (as if a perfect job with no snags exists), but Who was it who placed me here?  Wasn't it the Lord Who helped me get here?  Didn't He put me here for a reason - whether or not I know what the reason is?  So, despite all of my reasoning, I do a job search and see something interesting. As I am about to click, a little voice (a.k.a the Holy Spirit - the part of the Godhead Who lives inside of me and guides me) says, "Don't do it.  You are exactly where I want you.  Be still and know that I am God."  As much as I love that verse about being still and knowing that God is God, I have a really hard time with it.  I don't like to be still. . .I like to have goals and plans.  I like to know where I am going and at what time I am going to be there.  I love that God has a plan for my life, but I don't really like to be still.  What a human I am.  But what a good God He is.  I tell myself to "Be still" again.  And again.  And again.  I'm about as good at being still and knowing that God is in control as my dog is at sitting when I tell her to - which is definitely not a strong point of hers. . .

I have a recent pet peeve. . .maybe not recent, but it has been raring its ugly head in my life recently.  I hate it when other people don't want to help others by spreading information.  I hate it when they are stopping progress because they insist on tradition (let me say, I understand and agree with some tradition, but there are times. . .when we need to let go a little).  So this morning, my mom sent out an e-mail with a word of the week and a thought of the day.  It went like this:

"obscurantism \uhb-SKYOORr-uhn-tiz-uhm\,noun:

1. Opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge.

2. Deliberate obscurity or evasion of clarity.
Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.  ~Thomas à Kempis"

As I read the first part of the e-mail, I thought, "Yes.  This is what I hate.  I could apply that definition to too many people in my life right now!"  Then I read the quote.  Point taken.

Do I feel like a heathen right now?  Maybe.  Am I being too transparent?  Maybe.

I guess this is my way of swallowing my pride and admitting that I am not as perfect as I think I am. :)

Faster than the Drive-thru - in Pictures

Haven't we all been there?  Okay, maybe it's just me who is running around - a few minutes after I should have left for work, mind you - gathering everything I need for my day, only to remember that I haven't thought about breakfast yet.  I am normally not hungry at that time, but I know when I get to work I will be famished!  Yes, I should plan better, but sometimes (especially this week) I get home late enough to jump into bed so I can at least get a few hours of sleep before I have to start it all over again. . .

The temptation is there. . .I can just spend $4.99 at my coffee place (30 miles away, even though it's on my way to work - it's the closest one) and get a coffee with and extra espresso shot and an egg/cheese English muffin.  Anti-justifications race through my mind, "$4.99 - Are you kidding me? That's enough money for at least three meals."  Then, "You still have hot coffee in your coffeemaker. . .why do you need more?"  Followed by, "Is there really nothing that you can take to work with you to eat for breakfast?"

Okay, okay.  There is.  My go-to breakfast. . .  That didn't sound very exciting, did it?  I meant more enthusiasm. :)  I really love this idea and it has saved me approximately $4.70 every time the previous thought struck me.  Here goes:

1.  Grab a mug off of the mug-tree on my refrigerator - or grab a mug off of your own mug-tree.  Mine may be a little far. :)

No, this is not my mug. . .I didn't have time to picture mine as 

I was running out the door. :)  Mine are either light blue, 

green with taupe and blue flowers, 

or my favorite restaurant's mug 

(Zanzibar, downtown San Diego if you really wanted to know :) ).

2.  Spritz the inside of your mug with a little cooking spray.  

 Warning:  this step is skippable; however, if you choose to skip it,

you will be chiseling egg remains at a later time.

3.  Add a little salt and a grind or two of pepper.

4.  Crack two eggs into the mug.

5.  "Whisk" your eggs with a fork. 

Pretty difficult so far, right?

6.  Pop your mug in the microwave for 30 seconds.

7.  After the first microwave round, whisk your eggs again.

8.  Zap your eggs again for 30-45 seconds. 

(although I've accidentally done a minute before and nothing too terrible happened).

9.  Sprinkle some cheese on your eggs.

10.  Grab a clean fork.

11.  Continue to run out the door 

     to wherever it is you are going. . .

12.  Eat your eggs at a red light. . .

LIBC Sunday School Picnic

This past Saturday, we had a picnic/harvest party for our Sunday School department.  We had so much fun!

We started the afternoon by playing wii and playing with Daisy (who was VERY excited to have someone who was not as boring as her mom and dad :) ).

Then we a lunch of hot dogs, chips, caramel corn, and ice cream sodas.

 Which we finished off with s'mores!

And had fun hanging on the swing. . .

We ran relay races with popcorn. . .

And tossed rings onto pumpkin stems. . .

And painted pumpkins . . .

To Voice a Thought

Suddenly, I have the urge to write. . .and ideas keep popping into my brain.  I imagine this is because of our recent trip to San Diego - which both rested and challenged my mind.

We all defend those we love in our own way.  I have never been good at spoken words.  I never feel that I know the correct thing to say, so I often fall back on silence.  I realize that my medium of choice is the type-written word.  Anyway.

Recently, I have felt that my attempts to defend people have been futile - that they make me look stupid instead of doing what I want them to do . . which I didn't know how to explain.  I was reading a blog from my reading list and saw this quote:

"When we are silent, we are hurting the outcome. . .

Research proves that even when the different points of view are wrong, 

they cause people to think better, 

to create more solutions 

and to improve creativity in problem solving."  

This is a quote by Nilofer Merchant, author of a book called The Now How.

That quote helped me to realize what it is that I want people to do:  think.  I want people to think.  So many times I feel that we insist on keeping the same opinion about a person.  But people change - for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways.  I've always known that it only takes one person to stand up and say something in order to stop bullying.  I know that it takes one person to say something convicting to stop gossiping.  I know that it takes one person's well-thought-out words to change the mind of a crowd.  But my words weren't working.

I often find that my response to gossip is to voice what the object of the gossip could have been thinking.  Often, if we can get outside of our own head/situation, we can have more sympathy on others.  I find that when I can try to put myself into the situation that I see them in (even though I know that I'm not there, so I don't really understand), I can see why they made whatever decision it was that they made - even if it was a poor one that I may or may not have made.    I also want those around me - especially those who claim to be Christians - to be more sympathetic and compassionate.

In some of the recent situations that I have been in, I knew the decision that was made was wrong, but I was more worried about the people around me who were gossiping about it.  I didn't know what to say to stop it. . .so I attempted to play the devil's advocate.  It didn't work.  That bothered me even more.

In the weeks after that time, I have dwelt on the subject.  The thought just popped in my head:  My attempts didn't work for two reasons.  First, people do not really want to think.  They want to voice their opinion.  It makes them feel important and superior.  They gossip to tell people who will listen (hint:  the person being gossiped about probably does not want to listen and/or had already heard).

Secondly, people want to solve problems.  But are we solving problems by gossiping?  No.  I believe that when we gossip, we want to help the person, but we know that it is not our place to help them. . .we want to give our two cents, but know that the person who needs to hear it may not want to hear it.  We don't want to risk the hurt and/or embarrassment we may acquire once we tell the person.

What are we to do?  We are to look for the help outside of ourselves.  We are to look for help with the One Who has the best interest of both parties in mind.  The One Who can change lives. . .  Have you prayed about the situation?  Have you prayed about the person you are worried about?  Have you left your worries with Jesus?  Do you really trust Him to deal with the person in question?  Maybe that's the problem.  Maybe we don't have enough faith that God really knows what He is doing.  I only know myself. . .and that I do not like to admit that I do not have enough faith, but I am reminded to pray, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief." and leave the situation with Him.

Things Don't Just Happen

I was doing some research and came upon this poem.  What truth!

Things Don't Just Happen
by Esther L. Fields (before 1944)

Things don't just happen to us who love God;
They're planned by His own dear hand.
Then molded and shaped, and timed by His clock.
Things don't just happen; they're planned.

We don't just guess on the issues of life,
We Christians just rest in our Lord.
We are directed by His sovereign will
In the light of His holy Word.

We who love Jesus are walking by faith,
Not seeing one step that's ahead,
Not doubting one moment what our lot might be,
But looking to Jesus instead.

We praise our dear Saviour for loving us so,
For planning each care of our life,
Then giving us faith to trust Him for all,
The blessings as well as the strife.

Things don't just happen to us who love God,
To us who have taken our stand.
No matter the lot, the course, or the price,
Things don't just happen, they're planned.

My favorite San Diego Frozen Yogurt

After our kayaking trip this past weekend, we stopped at the Yogurt Escape on Avendida De La Playa in La Jolla, CA.  What a treat!  The owner there had a few more topping choices than are listed on the main website.  That I noticed, he had these little round, marshmallow-like white candies.  They were called "mochi."

The other thing that he had were freshly harvested pomegranate seeds. Yum!

The owner told me that the mochi were good, but when added to the yogurt, they were VERY good. . .I believed him and was glad that I did.

When I made my yogurt (my favorite is always plain tart), I added mochi, pomegranate, strawberry, and pineapple.

I was so sorry that I couldn't take a picture - I was too busy eating. :)  This is a close resemblance, though...

A picture, however, would not have done justice in the area of taste.  I could not believe how wonderful it was!  The texture was the clincher.  The mochi are not as sweet as marshmallows, but have the same fluffiness.  In one bite, I got the cold tart of the yogurt, the fluffy give of the mochi, and the juicy pop and crunch of the pomegranate seeds.  I can not explain it well enough.  I had never tasted anything like it. . . maybe I should experiment with freezing yogurt, finding mochi online, and getting some pomegranate seeds. . . :)

A Home for the Homeless

Josh and I had gone to San Diego this past weekend for a bit of a breather.  We enjoyed ourselves so much (posts and pictures to follow). :)  We were able have such a nice time for the day and a half that we were there.

While we were waiting at a bus stop to go back to our hotel on Sunday night, a man walked up to Josh and asked if I was his sister or cousin.  We smiled and told him that I was not. :)  He then asked if I was his girlfriend or wife.  Josh said that I was his wife - I'm so glad that he claims me!  The man went on to give Josh a speech about how precious I was and that he should never leave me.  I will admit the conversation was slightly awkward at first, but I knew that we should be kind to this man.

You see, this man wore dingy clothing and was carrying an older back-pack with a blanket rolled at the top.  He had a veteran's t-shirt on and walked with a limp.  His teeth were mostly gone and he swayed from side to side as he stood.  His hair was long, grey, and very scraggy.  After he told Josh to never let me go, he told us that his fiance died in his arms.  He told us the same story about three times in a row.  I could see that he wasn't mentally handicapped - just very, very hurt.  He then proceeded to tell us that he was also drunk.

We talked to him while we were waiting for our bus.  He told us that he was a veteran and that the military saved his life - from the first time he was on drugs and alcohol.  After his fiance died, he fell into it all again.

What broke my heart was when he showed us his Bible and his favorite passage to read: II Samuel 22.  Upon realizing that he read his Bible, I told him that Josh was a preacher.  He was shocked!  We smiled as he exclaimed like a little boy who couldn't believe what he was just told.  He jumped around in a circle and said, among other words ( :) ), "A preacher?  You mean I am talking to a preacher!"  Josh talked to him about some other Bible passages that might help him and I promised that I would pray for him.

His name is David Daniels.  Please pray for him that he would allow God to fill the emptiness in his life.  Please pray that he, with God's help, would be able to overcome his addictions and be able to find purpose in his life.

What about you?  Do you have an empty spot in your life?  Maybe you are not homeless, but maybe you are filling your emptiness with addictions, relationships, or unhealthy goals?  Remember that God is waiting for you to look to Him - the author and finisher of your faith.  You will never be complete until you trust the Lord in everything.  He is the One you need.

If you would like help or more information about allowing God to complete your life or to ask Jesus Christ to be your personal Saviour, please e-mail me at sunny7daisies@yahoo.com.  I would love to help show you!

See You at the Pole

Today is the annual See You at the Pole event.  Students at schools across the nation (and the world) met this morning in front of their school's flagpole to sing, pray, and read the Bible.  Our school's group met at 7:00 AM in front of our school flagpole.  It was so neat to see a group of about 80 students, visitors, staff, and teachers gathered in a wide irregular circle.  When I arrived, there was one girl playing a guitar and another girl playing the piano.  They were starting "How Great Is Our God."  As they progressed in the song, people started singing.  As the harmony developed, uniformed students from the NJROTC program marched out from the main entrance of the school to put up the American and the Tennessee flags.  What a moving scene that was.

After the song, the participants were encouraged to meet in small groups for prayer - then they would meet for a group prayer and Bible reading.

What a great way to start our day.

Taken out of the situation

Has there ever been a time that you have felt that the situation you are in is impossible?  That there is NOTHING anyone can do?  Isn't it hard to wait through that?  I especially have issues when the situation is one dealing with a person with whom I have a relationship - something about people not wanting un-sought advice?  :)

In my life, I am helped when I find a Biblical example of someone else who has gone through a similar situation.  A story I have been focusing on is the story of David and King Saul.  Okay, so no one is trying to kill me. :) But the relationship that David had with King Saul is worth focusing on.

I notice that King Saul loved David. . .until David kept doing what God wanted him to do.  After David killed Goliath, the women in town made up songs about David being better than Saul.  Saul did not like it one bit.  Granted, at this point, God had had enough of Saul's disobedience and had sent an evil spirit to Saul.  Anyway, there is a point that Saul cannot keep from trying to kill David, so David runs away.  The study of I Samuel is very interesting.  The times that Saul tries to kill David, and how David deals with the situation make for a very interesting relationship study, but the most interesting that I have seen - and something that I never noticed before - is found in I Samuel chapter 28 & 29.

The story begins when David is again running from Saul.  David has a following (the Bible says that they were people who were stressed, in debt, and discontented. :) ).  He takes his people and goes to stay in the city of Gath with the Philistines.  Yes, I said "Gath with the Philistines."  Isn't Gath where Goliath was from?  Yes.  Wouldn't that be dangerous? Maybe.  But David was smart.  David convinced the . . .what should we call him. . .mayor?. . .of Gath that David was on his side now.  Anyway, in chapter 29, the Philistines are planning on going to war against the Israelites.  The mayor says that David and his men can go with them to fight.  Everything is hunky-dory until the Philistines begin to parade before the Princes of the Philistines before they go to war.  The Princes were surprised by what appeared to be Hebrews in their Philistine parade! What in the world?  SO they talked to the mayor and asked him why there were Hebrews there.  He told them that they were indeed Hebrews, but that since they had been living with him, they were a great asset to the Philistine army.  The Princes commanded that he send David home.  Home to Israel?  No.  Home to Gath.

I find that very interesting.  Remember, they are going to war with the Israelites - but one thing you may not realize is that this is the battle where King Saul and his sons are going to be killed.  God had this battle planned to fulfill his promise to King Saul that neither he nor his sons would be king of Israel because of his disobedience.  God also planned for David to be completely removed from the battle.  David was not given the option - or even opportunity - to hurt King Saul.  He was sent back to Gath.

What a statement.  I felt when I read this passage that God was trying to help me through the waiting.  I can just sit back and relax. . .because God is going to work my situation out.  He doesn't need me. :)

Homemade Dog Treats

I was making a cake tonight for a co-worker's birthday tomorrow.  She requested Apple-Cream cheese Bundt Cake - which calls for 3 cups (1 1/2 lb) of finely chopped apples. It seems to me that every time I try to purchase exactly the amount of fruit that I need for a recipe like this, that I end up with not enough or too much.  It was too much in this case.  I had 1.5 lb of Gala apples. . .which made about 4 1/2 c of finely chopped apples.  What to do with my quickly browning cubes of Gala?  Well, it's not in my calorie budget for today to eat them. . .although I would love to. . . how about homemade dog treats?

"Dog treats?" you may be thinking.  Yes, dog treats.  Let me 'splain.

My dog has 2 kong toys.  A "puppy" kong and a regular kong.  After she was a year old, I saw a regular kong for a great price and bought it for her.  I assumed that she had grown out of her puppy kong - as per the instructions.  I was wrong.  The puppy kong has special use.  It is more flexible than the regular and can fit treats that the regular kong cannot.  Enter:  Frozen Yogurt Dog Bites from The Hillbilly Dog Company (My designer dog company. . .a.k.a.  anything I make for my dog).

Here we go.  Tonight, I took my leftover apple dices, some yogurt (I normally use regular plain, but I only had plain Greek), and some peanut butter.

If I had to guess, I would say a cup of apples, 1/2 c. yogurt, and 1/4 c. peanut butter.

Mix it all up . . .and mold.  Here is my dog treat ice cube tray that I use. . .because the size fits into the kong nicely. . .and I love hearts.

And here is my molding process. . .when I use regular plain yogurt, the process is a little smoother. . .

P.S.  The silicone mold is nice. . .the treats pop out easier than I would imagine them to do in a traditional hard-plastic mold.

Then we put them in the freezer.  When I make these, I normally end up doing 2-3 freezing batches.

Here are my frozen treats from another recipe:

I believe I used regular plain yogurt, cranberries, and banana.

Well, the cake is smelling good. . .I suppose I should go check on it!

Love Them

Recently, there was someone who did something to hurt my feelings . . .intentionally.  I think that is the worst thing.  A lot of times, people hurt us, but for me, it is easier when I can give them the benefit of the doubt that they really didn't mean to hurt me.

So, as I was dwelling on it later in the day (as I am prone to be a deep thinker), I began to pray about the situation - knowing that I can not change the other person, but I can change myself . . .and needed help doing so.

I was very frustrated as I was praying, "Lord, help me to. . ." - and before I could even think of the word I had meant to put in there (you know, "teach her a lesson" or "ignore her" or "get back at her" :) ), the Holy Spirit put the words into my prayer, "love her."

My flesh screamed, "That's not what I wanted to say!" But I knew that was what I needed to do.  I needed to love her - like Jesus would.  Jesus, Who, when He was tortured and nailed to a cross said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

And I remembered a portion of scripture I have been ruminating on.  Romans 8:26-27.  "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit knew what I needed to pray.  I am so thankful that He is here to help me with everyday living.  I am so thankful that He will not only help me pray, but will also make intercession for me with "groanings which cannot be uttered. . .according to the will of God."  I do not know God's will for my whole life, but at that moment, the will of God was to love my neighbor as myself.

I was further helped to understand the big picture (instead of my small pinhole of sight into the situation) when I went to church last night.  My husband was preaching (he is my favorite preacher!) about unity in the church.  He said, "You must have teamwork to make the dream work."  He continued to explain when everyone has their own agenda, no one will get along, but when we have the same agenda and goal, we will be able to make our dream work.  I realized at that point that the reason this person was not very nice to me was that she had her own agenda.  It was not my agenda, and as far as I could tell was not my authority's agenda.  When I realized that, I was okay with her being hurtful.  I was helped.  Everything was okay.

"Our Father which art in heaven, 

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done

in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, 

as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil:  

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever.

Amen."

Matthew 6:9-13

Friday Night Pizza

Every (mostly) Friday night, we eat pizza.  I have to admit. . . it is
pre-t-t-y good.  I thought I should share a few secrets.

Secret #1:  Bread-maker.  
I used to think that I didn't need one. Until I found mine at $30 and couldn't say no.  I am in love - still.  My favorite feature is that I can set my bread-maker so that my dough is ready at exactly the right moment.  When I am at home, I can set it and know that in 1 hour and 40 minutes, I will have pizza dough.  That frees my mind to concentrate on other important items. . .like my to-do list.

Secret #2:  Chicago-style pizza. . .dough.
I follow King Arthur Flour's blog.  One day, a while ago, they posted about Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.  I tried it and fell in love.  I altered their recipe a tad (I don't care for cornmeal so I sub extra flour).

Secret #3:  My version of semi-homemade pizza sauce.
I'm not too keen on just going to the store and picking up any old pizza sauce - although that will do in a pinch, I agree.  Over my short pizza-making career, I have discovered our favorite pizza sauce.  It would probably be a little healthier than just a jar of pizza sauce. . .unless it were maybe organic pizza sauce.

Melodie's Semi-Homemade Pizza Sauce
2 cans of DICED tomatoes (I like the kind that were canned with basil, oregano, and garlic)
1 can of tomato PASTE
Basil
Oregano
Garlic
Red Pepper Flakes

1.  Open all cans.  Drain diced tomatoes.
2.  Put everything into your food processor.

3.  Process until smooth.  Use and/or store.

Secret #4:  Pizza stone.

My pizza in pictures. . .

Pre-bake for 6 minutes @ 425 F

Add Sauce

Add Cheese

Add Pepperonis

Add Parmesan Cheese

Bake for 13 minutes @ 425 F

All I can say is, "YUM!"