Invest in Relationships!
April 26, 2009
It is not easy cultivating relationships today. It takes an investment. It takes an intentional investment to cultivate relationships.
Think of a garden. In order for the plants and flowers to grow well they need love and attention. Turning over the soil, adding mineral nutrients and watering are all a part of the relationship that you want to nurture.
There are several ways to keep the relationships in your life “well tended.” Let’s look at a few.
1. Communicate. It is easier these days to lose touch. But, there is also a variety of ways to let someone know they are special in your life: cell phone, telephone, letter, texting and email besides face to face meetings. Let the special people in your life know you haven’t forgotten about them even though the years and miles keep you apart. Read more
Creamed Grapes with Sweet Pecans
April 26, 2009
Oh! This is a yummmmy recipe! The brown sugar and pecans set this salad. Use any type of grape you like as long as they are seedless. This makes a great salad for potluck dinners or family get together. Give it a try. You will LOVE IT!
What You Need:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature
1 C sour cream
1/3 C sugar
2 t vanilla extract
2 lbs. seedless green grapes
2 lbs. seedless red grapes
3 T brown sugar
3 T pecans, chopped
Read more
Our Schedule for the Week… (JOIN US!)
April 26, 2009
Good evening sweet friends!
Ready for another big week? I am! Oh! This is going to be an amazing week. First, we have some great workshops that are being recorded for the Ultimate Homeschool Expo and our radio shows. They are going to be AWESOME! Don’t miss them! This week, we have even scheduled a FULL DAY with Cyndi Kinney—in other words, a full retreat that you can join complimentary! No travel. No hotels (unless you want). You can even join us in your PJs—I suspect that is how you will find me Friday AM. (wink) Big, big week!
And, that is not all! I am counting down until next weekend when my soldier comes home for the weekend. We will have the whole family at home again. What a blessing! Keep him in your prayers. He has a jump this week (Remember-he is Airborne) and he tests out for Spanish this week. He covets your prayers.
I am a busy bee working on our schedule and goodies for the Ultimate Homeschool Expo. It is going to be the biggest event ever. Just join us this week for our live sessions, you will love them! All you have to do is go to the webpage or call in to join us. Well, look for the details below with each session. You will love this format!
Go ahead. Grab your calendar. Mark these fun sessions
Sweet Cherry Pineapple Salad
April 25, 2009
Ready for a yummy treat? Well, you will love this salad! This sweet festive salad goes well with pork or chicken. Placing the pineapple in the refrigerator to chill gives the sugar time to soak into the pineapple giving it a sweet taste. Be sure to mix the pineapple and cherries together in the shallow pan so that both types of fruit are covered with little of the sweet juice. Watch this one go fast!!
What You Need:
1 pineapple, peeled and cut into chunks
1/3 C sugar
1/2 lb. dark sweet cherries, pitted
1 (5 oz.) pkg. mixed salad greens
! C French dressing
1 C blue cheese, crumbled Read more
Mommy Homework: Time for a PICNIC!
April 24, 2009
Wondering what Mommy Homework is??? Each week you will have an “assignment” here to share in our comments here on this site. You will love this-both sharing AND enjoying answers by others. Some of them, I compile into an ebook (contributors can resell as a product of their own–be sure to submit your email and full name when you register so I can credit you appropriately!).
The result is AWESOME!
Don’t Set Yourself Up to Fail
April 24, 2009
You will not find out how to fail here. Instead you will learn why you sometimes do fail. Unconsciously we sabotage our own efforts but you can consciously make choices to keep failure at bay in your personal goals.
Failure is not fatal but it can be avoided when you take the necessary steps to ensure your success. Here are a few pitfalls to navigate around.
1. Have a plan - Winging it doesn’t always work. In fact, if you are serious about your goals winging it is never a good idea. Map out a strategy for getting your goals met. Now, just because you write it down doesn’t mean it is set in stone. Plans change but without one, you never really know where you are going or will end up.
2. Set deadlines that you can meet - The point of setting a goal is to achieve it. The goal itself might not be easy but it can be realized if you break it down into steps. Unrealistic timelines Read more
Mamaw’s Cheese Topped Apricot Salad
April 24, 2009
OH! This one is one of our family favorites. You are going to love this one! You will want this salad for all of those church picnics or family reunions or holidays….well, even for dinner TONIGHT! ha! ENJOY!
What You Need:
2 (4 oz.) pkgs. orange gelatin
2 C boiling water
1 (15 oz.) can apricots, reserve 1 C juice
1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, reserve 1 C juice
3/4 C of colored mini marshmallows
1/2 C sugar
2 T butter
3 T flour
1 egg
1 C whipping cream
3/4 C Cheddar cheese, grated Read more
Frozen Banana Berry Salad
April 23, 2009
Do you like easy recipes? Easy recipes that are YUMMY? Oh! You will LOVE this one! This one can be whipped up in just minutes. No one will KNOW!
What You Need:
1 (20 oz.) can pineapple tidbits with juice
5 bananas, sliced
1/2 C sugar
1 (16 oz.) can whole cranberry sauce
1/3 C pecans, chopped
1 (8 oz.) container whipped topping, thawed
Read more
Apricot Cranberry and Wheat Berry Salad
April 22, 2009
Want to get a bit healthy? Well, this salad is just for you. Just imagine-healthy AND tastes super? You will love it!
What You Need:
3 C water
1/4 t salt, divided
1 C wheat berries, rinsed and drained
1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 C fresh snow peas, slivered
1/4 C green onions, chopped
1/2 C dried apricots, sliced
1/2 C dried cranberries
3 T walnut oil
1 T lemon juice
1/8 t pepper
How to Make It:
Pour the water into a large bowl.
Sprinkle 1/8 t of the salt into the water.
Add the wheat berries to the salted water.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
Pour the water and wheat berries into a large saucepan.
Position the pan over medium heat and bring the water to a brisk boil.
Place the heat on low, cover the pan and simmer for 50 minutes or until the berries are tender.
Drain the berries well and allow them to cool for 1 hour.
Place the cooled wheat berries into a bowl.
Fold in the chickpeas, snow peas and green onions.
Add the apricots and cranberries and gently mix to incorporate all the ingredients together well.
Place the walnut oil into a small bowl.
Whisk in the lemon juice until well combined.
Add the remaining salt and pepper to the bowl and continue whisking until completely combined.
Pour the dressing over the salad to completely cover.
Serves: 8
Serve this salad immediately or cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Wheat berries are the kernel. They do not contain the hull though. These berries are used often in salad to give it a little extra crunch. Soaking the berries in water helps to soften them. They can be purchased as a hard or soft grain and can be found in most supermarkets.
Apple Butterscotch Delight
April 21, 2009
Ever tried butterscotch and apple? OH! You will be hooked. Then, mix it with other yummies and you will find a new family favorite. Well, you will find this wonderfully delightful salad. Give it a try and let me know how you like it!
What You Need:
1 (4 oz.) pkg. instant butterscotch pudding
1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice
1 C dry roasted peanuts
2 sweet apples, chopped
1 (8 oz.) container whip topping, thawed
Read more
