Go Macro!

My lovely daughter has mastered the macro setting on our new camera, and I just couldn't resist sharing some of the shots she took! I hope she teaches me! hint hint

These are pictures she took in our yard. :0)

Orange Tree

My dear friend Lisa recently went to Florida on vacation--and our family did a little pet sitting for her while she was gone...

In return, she brought us this adorable little orange tree. My son and I have been wanting one--and we were thrilled! Especially when we opened up the package it came in, and found it had a little tiny orange on it!

Is this adorable or WHAT? :0)

I hope I don't kill it though! LOL

We're Having a Bloomin' Time!

Spring at our house... come on, I'll give you a tour of what's blooming!

My favorite flowers....lilacs! These purple ones are more fragrant than the white ones I have on the other side of the yard.

These little snowflake/star looking flowers come up every year....so pretty!

Even my weeds look so pretty--don't they! Dandelions with an adorable little blue flower growing amongst them. :0)

My pink tulips have purple/blue middles. :0)

Lilacs in the foreground, with the cherry tree in the background.

Asparagus that we didn't cut--and rhubarb in the background. (my husband's fav!)

These are the blossoms on the apple tree!

Apple blossoms from the other tree.

And, to show you how early everything is....our strawberries have blooms on them! This isn't supposed to happen until Memorial Day!

Earth Day

Well, today is Earth Day! And I just wanted to remind you as you are celebrating....
not to forget who made this earth and everything on it!

While you're looking at the beauty around you this Spring...the new bright green leaves on the trees, the heads of the flowers bobbing on the breeze, the bright blue sky...the sounds of the singing birds [Can you tell that I just came in from hanging out the clothes? LOL]
remember that our awesome God created all of these things out of nothing!

Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth

Genesis 2:4These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens...

Psalm 148:4-6 4Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass

Don't forget to praise HIM! Happy Earth Day!

What's up??

My asparagus--that's what! Everything here in our area is coming up ahead of schedule! We've already had a few meals off of our asparagus.
But, you won't find me complainin'!

Want a chance to win free books? Or to be captured by PIRATES? Keep reading...

Mother Hen over at Ship Full O'Pirates is giving away a Vision Forum book a week for a month! The current one is Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.
Go on over and check it out! :0)
http://shipfullofpirates.wordpress.com/2008/04/14/huge-giveaway-palooza/#comment-127
Hope you win!

Spring has Sprung!

Everywhere I look there are signs that Spring is officially here! Our ornamental cherry tree is in full bloom, and the grass (that my wonderful dear son keeps looking like a golf course...) is nice and green and lush!

My primroses and grape hya cinths are up (my dh doesn't like those grape hyacinths--he's pulled them out numerous times) :0)
My mountain pinks (although there are no mountains here) :0) are out, along with the daffodils - which are almost finished their blooming.

Can you see the one lovely dandelion growing in the mountain pinks? LOL

These faithful purple pansies were planted in the fall, and flowered ALL winter! Even in the snow!My parsley also wintered over. I have used it all winter for my stews and soups!My favorite flowers-the lilacs are in bud and will bloom very soon! These are my purple ones, I also have white.

One more picture of my house with the pretty cherry tree in bloom!

No Calories in THIS! LOL

Asparagus & Chicken Lasagna
The different tastes of this lasagna will surprise and delight company.
Ingredients
4 lbs. Fresh asparagus
1 lb. Butter
2 C. Flour
2 C. Chablis
4 tsp. Lemon Zest
2 C. Half and Half
2 C. Milk
16 oz. Ricotta Cheese
8 whole Eggs
1 box Lasagna Noodles
9 boneless skinless Chicken Breasts, cooked
1 lb. Mozzarella Cheese
1 lb. Parmesan Cheese
Marinara Sauce (below)
Directions
Roast asparagus in a small amount of olive oil in oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Make the white sauce with the next six ingredients. Mix eggs, and Ricotta cheese together, and add this to the white sauce. Cook lasagna noodles as directed on package, and coat the noodles with sauce, and lay in a 9 by 13 inch casserole that has been coated with nonstick spray. Chop chicken and asparagus, spread over the noodles, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. One layer of noodles and repeat. Top with noodles, sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve after casserole has sat for 15 minutes. Top with red sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
1 large onion, chopped fine
1 carrot, grated
1/2 C. Butter
5 ripe Roma Tomatoes, quartered
1/4 C. chopped Fresh Basil Leaves
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Black Pepper
1 tsp. Sugar
2 C. Chicken Stock
Directions
In a quart sauce pan sauté onions and carrots in butter. Stir in tomatoes, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Puree in blender until smooth. Return to saucepan, and chicken stock and reheat.

I may try this one day this week....

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Prep 12 minutes
Makes 6 servings

1 pound baby red potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 pound chicken-breast tenders
1 bag (12 ounces) broccoli florets
1 can (103/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
8 ounces cooked ham in 1 piece, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Meanwhile, in microwave safe large bowl. place potatoes and 3 tablespoons water. Cover bowl with waxed paper and microwave on High 3 to 4 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender, stirring once.
3. Add chicken and all remaining ingredients to potatoes and toss to mix well. Transfer mixture to 13" by 9" glass or ceraminc baking dish. Bake casserole, uncovered, 50 to 55 minutes or until chicken loses its pink color throughout and cheese begins to brown.

Did you ever hear that old saying.....

THE HURRIER I GO, THE BEHINDER I GET!?

Well.....that seems to be my motto lately! I feel like George Jetson on his treadmill! LOL

I am in serious need of an organized life or something. It seems like the more I try to plan ahead, the more things that are "unplanned" come my way.

A husband goes out of town, I get sick, the kids get sick....car trouble....you name it!

Stop the merry-go-round-I wanna get off! LOL

By the way--I love today's verse listed on the right below!

Friday April 4, 2008
Today's Verse:
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
3rd John 1:4 / KJV

Wonderful Resource!

I just purchased this wonderful resource, and couldn't wait to share it with you ladies!

This cd is by Susan Bradrick and daughters (from Vision Forum). It is entitled: Home is Where The Heart Is: Teaching Your Daughters To Cherish Being Keepers At Home.

This would be a blessing to Moms - as well as to our daughters!

It was a great blessing to me, and I can't wait to listen to it again!

This CD is all about catching the vision for the beauty of Biblical Womanhood, and to pass the love of it on to the daughter's!

It's just the best! I am praying that God will help me take the message and apply it to my on life--very convicting!

If you get it and listen to it--or if you've already listened to it-I'd love to hear your feedback!

If you want to purchase it, they do have it at Vision Forum, and the button for VF is on the right.