Full Circle - Table to Freezer to Crock Pot to Table.

I am in love with my computer, freezer and crock pot.
WHY? Because I finally figured it out.
Computer - learning about freezing meals before putting them in the crock pot.
Freezing - putting it all together on a Saturday
CrockPot - always ready for another meal

I was dubious at first because the thought of putting canned black beans, onions, peppers etc in to a ziploc bag and freezing it for later to put in the crock pot just sounded - like a failure to happen.

But we were pleasantly surprise last week when we had a Bean and Sausage Stew --- excellent.

I have the wonderful ladies at pinterest to thank for encouraging me.

six-cents.com
mamaandbabylove.com
redicklife.blogspot.com

BEANS AND SAUSAGE SUPPER
1 lb. sausage
1 large onion chopped
Celery = Chopped
1T. Worcestershire Sauce  (I used Soy)
1.5 t. Dry Mustard
1.4 c. honey
1 can tomatoes with chili peppers
3 cans of mixed beans

cook sausage and onion, drain and cool,
Place in ziploc, add other ingredients and FREEZE.
cook on low 4 hours,
serves 5-6 people

MUSHROOM STEW

1 lb. pork (or beef, or veal ) cut up
onion
green bell pepper
carrots
mushrooms
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1.5 T. cider vinegar
1 t. salt
2 t. worcestershire sauce

Combine all and Freeze
I cooked the pork first with oil and garlic.

MEAT STEW
2 # meat
2 onions chopped
5 carrots sliced
3 Zucchini sliced
2 Celery stalks chopped
2 red peppers chopped
2 tsps. salt
1 ts minced garic
1 14 oz can tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce

Combine all and freeze
high 4 hours OR low 8 hours

Healthy Mama BBQ Chicken

Ingredients

• 3 medium unpeeled sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch pieces, about 2 cups
• 2 large green pepper, cut into strips or cubes, about 2 cups
• 1 large red pepper, cut into strips or cubes, about 1 cup
• 2 zucchini, chopped, about 2 cups
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 2 tablespoon quick cooking tapioca (or flour, or some other thickening agent)
• 2 pounds chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 2 15oz cans of tomato sauce
• 4 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoon ground yellow mustard
• 2 clove garlic, finely minced, about 2 tablespoons
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Divide everything into two separate one gallon freezer bags, shake it up, seal, label and put in the freezer
2. On the day of cooking, dump it into your slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours, or low 6-8 hours, depending on your specific slow cooker
3. If you want, you can add 1/2 cup of chicken stock to have more sauce, but the liquid from the frozen meat and vegetables melting should give you enough liquid to work with
4. Every slow cooker is different, so just watch yours the first time you make it.

Stephanie

Ingredients

• 3 cups chopped onions
• 2.5 cups coarsely chopped green bell peppers, about 2 cups
• 4 large beets, peeled and diced, about 2 cups
• 2 cups of baby carrots or diced carrots
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 pounds beef stew meat, cut into one inch cubes, or whole and you can cut it after it is cooked
• 4 6oz cans tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons of Hungarian paprika or regular paprika (I used regular)
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 cups hot cooked noodles, do not add in freezer bag, cook separately, day of cooking
• 1/2 dairy sour cream, do not add in freezer bag, use as garnish, day of cooking

Instructions

1. Divide everything into two separate one gallon freezer bags, shake it up, seal, label and put in the freezer
2. EXCEPT the sour cream and noodles, the sour cream is for garnish after the meal is cooked
3. Cook the noodles separately, the day of cooking
4. On the day of cooking, dump it into your slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours, or low 6-8 hours, depending on your specific slow cooker
5. If you want, you can add 1/2 cup of chicken stock to have more sauce, but the liquid from the frozen meat and vegetables melting should give you enough liquid to work with
6. Every slow cooker is different, so just watch yours the first time you make it

No-Peeking Peking Chicken 

8 bone in chicken thighs 
salt and pepper 
3/4 cup chopped scallions 
4 cloves garlic 
1/4 cups soy sauce 
3 tbsp. honey 
1 tbsp. ginger 
1/4 tsp sesame oil 
1 bag frozen corn kernels 
1 bag frozen snow pea pods 
1 red pepper chopped 

Chicken and Corn Soup 

1 lb red potatoes 
1 lb sweet potatoes 
4 lbs chicken thighs 
4 cups chicken broth (which I will add the morning of) 
4 scallions 
4 cloves garlic 
salt and pepper 
1 bag half ears of frozen corn 
2 red peppers chopped 

Roast and Vegetables 

2 lb chuck roast, cut into cubes 
1 teaspoon salt 
1/8 teaspoon pepper 
1 large onion cut into 8ths 
1 bag baby carrots 
1/2 teaspoon celery or onion salt 
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 
1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, DO NOT DRAIN 
2 cans condensed tomato soup 
2 beef boullion cubes, softened 
1 can Rotel tomatoes 
1 can whole kernel corn, DRAINED 
6-8 small red potatoes, cubed 

Garlic Chicken 

2 pounds chicken thighs 
2 cloves minced garlic 
4 tablespoons dijon mustard 
2 tablespoons lime juice 
1 medium onion 
2 large green peppers 
1 red pepper 
1 zucchini 

Mix all of the ingredients for each recipe together and divide evenly into two, 1 gallon sized freezer bags per recipe. Seal, and freeze. On the day of, thaw the bag on the counter for about 30 minutes, dump into the crockpot, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Jambalaya

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, roughly chopped

1 -- (16-ounce) package smoked sausage or kielbasa, roughly chopped

2 medium yellow onions, diced

1/2 bunch green onions, chopped (white and green parts)

1 -- green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 -- red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

3 -- garlic cloves, minced

1 -- (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 tablespoon Toney Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning

1 1/2 cups long-grain rice

-- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

1. To prepare for the freezer: Place chicken and sausage in a large freezer bag. Place remaining ingredients, except rice and parsley, in another large bag. Place rice and a copy of this recipe in a small plastic bag. Label bags and tape together. Place in freezer.
2. To cook: Remove bags from freezer and let thaw about 30 minutes. Empty the 2 large bags into a 6-quart slow cooker; cover and cook on LOW 8 hours. Add rice during the last hour of cooking. Spoon into bowls and top with fresh parsley, if using. Makes 5 quarts.

Read more: http://relish.com/recipes/chicken-and-sausage-jambalaya-2/#ixzz2VfN0S0kh

Coconut Curry Chicken

2 tablespoons red curry paste

4 -- garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup water

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken

2 medium onions, roughly chopped

2 -- red bell peppers, roughly chopped

1 -- (16-ounce) package baby carrots

3 -- lime leaves

1 -- (14-ounce) can coconut milk

-- Chopped fresh cilantro and chopped cashew (optional)

6 cups cooked white rice

Instructions

1. To prepare for the freezer: Combine curry paste, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes and water in a large bowl; stir until combined. Add chicken, onions, bell peppers and carrots; toss to coat with curry mixture. Divide between two large freezer bags. Label bags and tape together, attaching a copy of this recipe. Place in freezer. Put a sticky note on coconut milk and rice.
2. To cook: Remove bags from freezer and let thaw about 30 minutes. Empty bags into a 6-quart slow cooker; cover and cook on LOW 8 hours. Add coconut milk 30 minutes before serving.
3. Cook rice according to package directions. Spoon rice into bowls and top with soup. Sprinkle cilantro and cashews on top, if using. Makes 3 quarts.

How we shall then remember...

Even the Bible tells us not to forget those who went before us.  

This Memorial Day we remember particularly those who gave their lives for our freedoms. 

In grade school, this was one of the many poems we read. 

I still remember it to this day. You may notice a difference between the two - 

for one says grow and the other blow. 

To fully appreciate who John McCrae was and

 the original meaning behind this poem check out 

John McCrae

'Flanders Fields' On Memorial Day 

For My Uncle Dude (1923-1942)

Published in this weeks Huffington Post, a tribute to those men and women

(esp. Uncle Dude) and the significance of the red poppy  

John McCrae was a poet and physician from Guelph, Ontario
wrote it as grow yet at some point it was changed. 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

These word were penned on May 3, 1915 
while still at the battle front in Ypres, Belgium 

simply put -- Happy Mother's Day

Mothers --- who would we be without them.
So today - this post is for all my mom's out there. Be they mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother.
Our mom's are the ones who shaped our lives, they after all were our first teachers.

My mom would be 93 this mothers day.

Mrs. James (Lucinda Klock) Roberts

Mrs. John (Georgianna Alger) Roberts
Georgia - 2nd from right

Mrs. Frank (Jane Jennie Owen Williams) Roberts

Jennie Williams Roberts                                                              Nettie Heirholzer Heinrich

 

       Mrs. Raymond (Eleanor Roberts) Heinrich

Mrs. Robert (Kathryn Benson) Bond

Mrs. Douglas ( Christine Heinrich) Benson

 But these pictures of the mom's in my life isn't what I really want to say. 

I want to introduce you to two remarkable mom's.

This mom, a strong believer in Jesus Christ, was lead to tell a lie, the first lie she had ever told in her life in a final attempt to save her unborn child. The child she and her husband had tried desparately for years to conceive. She went into labor at 21 weeks but when she got to the hospital, she told them she was 24 weeks pregnant – why, because at less than 24 weeks the drs would not attempt to save the baby if in fact it was born alive. So at 22 weeks, she gave birth to a precious 10 ounce girl. That baby survived and is a healthy child today because of a mother's love for her unborn baby.   

The tiniest survivor That unwavering faith has fueled the Homestead, Fla., couple through an intense eight months  - reports People Magazine. Says dad, Eddie, "I put my faith in God," said Amillia's father, Eddie Taylor. I didn't worry a lot. I just made sure to get here to be at her side                        

And there is another mom we should take a lesson from - Mrs. Zebedee - as my pastor called her this morning.  (taken from Hope Christian Fellowship's Mother's Day message)

We first learn about her two sons - James and John - sons of Zebedee - they were fisherman, probably learned all they needed to know about fishing from their father Mr. Zebedee in Matthew 4:21 - Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 

And that's all we hear until their mother comes forward, Mrs. Zebedee.  And she asks something for her sons. 

                                      

20Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

21“What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

22“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

Mrs. Zebedee did five things

1. Approach - She came with her sons

2. Attitude - She knelt and asked

3. Appeal - She knew what she wanted to ask

4. Awareness - She knew what she was asking.

5. Acceptance - She accepted what Jesus said

Mr. Z taught his sons to fish, to make a living, to provide.
Mrs. Z taught here sons about Jesus.  

So.....what do we learn from Mrs. Zebedee.

1. We learn that it is important to have out children with us when we approach the Lord. Many   times Jesus say -"Come" This is what she did. 

2. She shows respect to Jesus by kneeling before him  - she also taught her children this because she had them with her.

3. And then Jesus says - What do you want (What do you REALLY want)  Jesus already knew what she was asking for BUT he wanted to hear her say it. And Mrs. Z was honest in her request.
4. She knew, She knew who this Jesus was. She knew what she wanted for her sons. Did she know what  would be required of her boys if she were to attain this request for them.  When Jesus said You don't know what you are saying - she quieted.  And Jesus turned to James and John for the answer.  Because of the teaching she gave her sons,  they readily had the answer.... Yes.
5.  They knew it was God's will for their life and mom didn't argue.  She accepted what Jesus said as truth.


And that is all we hear about James, John and their parents - or is it.
Did Mrs. Zebedee have a first name? Do we learn anything more about her.

Read further in Matthew 27:55
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,^f and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
It isn't until we read in Mark 15: 40  
Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph,^d and Salome. 41In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.
                           

You see, Salome, the mother of James and John, had an encounter with Jesus.  It changed her life and she was never the same.  She followed as many women in Galilee had done ministering to Jesus and caring for his needs.  And her sons ? James was the first to be martyred of the disciples and John....after attempting to kill him many times.... was finally exiled to Patmos (but that's another story)

Have you had that encounter with Jesus?  

Once you have you too will never be the same,  You too will be changed. 

And lastly  A nice photo essay of moms through the ages. 

That's my baby.

5-year-old Kentucky boy fatally shoots 2-year-old sister

A tragedy to be sure. (From Leigh Remizowski, CNN updated 10:53 AM EDT, Thu May 2, 2013)
A young boy will forever know that he is responsible (no matter what adults will tell him) for the death of his sister.  WHY? because the child's rifle he received wasn't put out of reach from his hands until an adult could supervise his use of it.

I am not anti guns or rifles so don't be mislead.  My dad, who died when I was ten, had already taught me to shoot a 22 rifle.  And along with that teaching came the responsibility of my parents to make sure I wouldn't use it when they were around.

The man who taught me to shoot. 

So, how young IS too young to be responsible for a firearm? Well, you know that is up to the parents to decide based on maturity of the child but as a grandparent to a 4.5 yr. old, I can safely say, he isn't old enough.  Reality isn't a part of his "play".  He doesn't grasp what death is.  That it is permanent.  That it isn't a pretend game like he plays daily.

The woman who continued to allow me to shot that rifle 

and also to have a bow and arrow ( I later shot on my college's archery team).

She is my forever hero - a strong lady who raised her children as a single mom. 

So, parents, as you read this sad sad news story,  remember, to stow that unloaded firearm preferably locked because you never know what an adventurous child will do.  To much occupies our mind these days, the media is constantly on in most people houses, mom is doing house chores, kids are playing quietly and then ......

I still remember just how sharp my dad's hunting knife (kept in the glove compartment) was and that was 50 years ago.  My mom still doesn't know about that little bit of exploration.

Where it all started

God and United Rock

What a day I have had.  One that has taught me once more to rely on my God because only He knows the end of the story.

I booked a flight to visit my grandson.
 We found that it was cheaper to fly into Indianapolis instead of Louisville even with the two hour drive time to pick me up at the airport
Arrived at the Syracuse airport at 12:30 for my 2pm flight.
I'm all set to wait - have my computer, kindle, knitting, crossword puzzle book.
Little did I know how long that wait would become

Now, if you know me at all,...... really know me, you will know that I have overcome anxiety about being in unknown situations and flying by myself.  I have had to conquer fear of speaking up for myself with people  I don't know. It is something I have struggled with for decades. It is not just a butterflies in the stomach kind of nervousness.  I even got so far as to have chest pains. BUT you see I have found out that I am stronger than all of that.   I have overcome all of this only with the help of my Lord and Savior.

Through out the years, I have learned to place ALL my circumstances before him. And today was no different. At 2:00, I remained calm knowing that I would be able to board and make in to Cleveland in time to catch the plane to Indianapolis.  2:30 goes by, Praying to Jesus because he knows my situation.   3:00 we hear, flight will leave soon.  There by now is a shorter line at the boarding kiosk - 3 people.
I have been sitting around reading while Terrence (the United kiosk worker) tries to accommodate all the passengers who have other connecting flights, redirecting some to DC and boarding the on time flight to Newark.

When that still small voice says - get up now and stand in line.  Ok, why not. I have learned to listen to that voice - well most of the time anyway.
after 5 minutes, Terrence says the flight will leave at 3:30.  I can't see any one else after that last lady.  ME.

I patiently wait my turn and by now there is no way I am going to connect.

I muster up all my courage and say
" I'm not going to be able to make my connecting flight in IN.  Can you get me a complimentary flight to Louisville."
and terrence said - I can do that.

BUT that isn't the end of the story.
my daughter who was to pick me up in Indianapolis had car trouble.  She was stranded in Louisville.

SO you see God works ALL things out for good ....... because he knows the end of the story.
To me this is just another way for God to show me that he is in control.

WHERE YOU HOMEMADE TOO??

Six year old Annie returns home from school and says she had her first family planning lesson at school. 

Her mother, very interested, asks "How did it go?"  

 

"I nearly died of shame!" she answers. 

"Sam from over the road says that the stork brings babies.

Sally next door said you can buy babies at the orphanage.

Pete in my class says you can buy babies at the hospital." 

 

Her mother answers laughingly, "But thats no reason to be ashamed."

 

"No, but I can't tell them that we were so

poor that you and daddy had to make me yourselves!"