Memorial Day 2009

On Memorial Day, we attended a church picnic at Mira Loma Park.
It was a fun time of great food and fellowship! The weather was absolutely perfect in the 80's and sunny!
I made a new salad recipe...Black-Eyed Pea Pasta Salad and one of my favorite appetizer recipes...Avocado Taco Dip with Lime Tortilla Chips. The girls played on the playground and rode their bikes with their friends. Eric talked and played basketball. I watched Sierra and even played a round of Skip-Bo with my adopted mom - Mrs. Stella Ralstin!

Hope you had a memorable Memorial Day!

Memorial Day Sunday

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Today was the last day of our Spring Campaign at our church. It was Children Sunday. We had a small carnival set up on the church lawn with games, cotton candy, popcorn, a bounce house and much more! We also had "Dinner on the Grounds" meal for everyone. In honor of our campaign theme...the Civil War...we had Ham and Bean Soup, Cornbread and Pie! It was a beautiful, sun-filled day and we enjoyed wonderful fellowship with our church family eating outside. We also had a big push on our bus route and had 24 children accept Christ as their Saviour today! (I forgot my camera so I don't have any pictures!:() It is such a joy and privilege to serve our Lord!

Memorial Day...

Remembering the Meaning of Memorial Day

Although Memorial Day has simply come to symbolize the start of summer for many people, its true purpose is to honor the men and women who lost their lives while serving our country.

Here are a few ways you can observe the real meaning of Memorial Day with your family:

• Take time to explain the meaning of Memorial Day to children or grandchildren.
• Proudly fly the American flag.
• Take your family to a Memorial Day parade in your community.
• Place a donation in an American Legion kettle and get a red poppy for your lapel.
• Make a point of attending a ceremony at the local war memorial.
• Stop by a local cemetery and place flags on the graves of fallen soldiers.

Summer Fun and Summer Blessings!

Isn't it neat how God provides little blessings?
The girls wanted to have their own little wading pool for our backyard. I was going to buy one but the cheapest I could find was $30! (My price range was around $10.) Two days ago, my father-in-law's neighbor gave us a kiddie wading pool for free! She had bought it for her two dogs and they didn't want to use it. Of course, we filled it up right away! Summer fun!
Thank you, Lord!

Slip and Slide!

Eric recently got a Slip and Slide for the girls at an employee auction at work. They tried it out Monday morning at Papa's house. They loved it! Who remembers having a Slip and Slide when they were a kid? :)

May Days...

Get ready for summer and find a special place to sit outside and enjoy God!

Show a little Memorial Day spirit! Put some American flags out!

This week has been a busy one! Everything from regular housework to extra summer projects!

My daughter, Addie, and I worked on a special outside project on Thursday. It is nearly completed. Just a few more things to add and I will post some pictures. It was a wonderful feeling to not only work on a fulfilling project to add beauty to our home but to also spend quality time with Addie.

We are having summer-like weather - in the 90's this weekend! I have been diligent in watering the lawn and we are having beautiful grass growing all over in our front lawn! I am determined to have the outside of our home look very nice by the end of the summer!

We are also taking time out for fun! Yesterday, I took the girls to a little burger joint where you can get a hamburger, french fries and a 16 oz. soda for $1.99! I had a coupon for a free burger basket meal so we enjoyed a fine meal for our lunch! We then went to the Sparks Marina and played on the playground for an hour.

Today, we will be going to a birthday party for my daughters' friends - Erica, Emily and Erin Snow. We purchased the cutest journal sets for each of the girls! It is a little diary with a heart lock and key, two pens and a mini-notebook.

Next week, I will be planting my garden!
So much summer fun! What are up to this summer?

A Day Downtown...

A week ago, we went downtown and took a walk on the river. It was a windy day...however, we enjoyed watching the kayakers. Addie rode her bike and Sierra and Autumn took a ride in the stroller.

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all my family and friends! I hope you had a blessed day!
I am truly blessed as a mother!

Today, my family spoiled me! In the morning, I received two cards - one from them all - a Hoops and YoYo card! Gotta love them! If you don't know what they are, go to Hallmark and listen to a couple. :) The other was from my oldest, Addie. I also received a goody bag filled with chocolate goodies and gum! Mmm! My last gift was a Winnie the Pooh mug from the Disney store. So adorable!

Then for lunch, my husband grilled out a delicious...and I really mean...delicious meal! He marinated steaks this morning and grilled them. He also made grilled corn elotes! If you aren't Mexican or lived in Chicago, you might not know what these are. :) Well, he grilled the corn brushed with olive oil. Then he put on mayo and parmesan cheese with fresh lime juice squeezed on top. Mmm mmm good! And he did the dishes!

I was also able to teach in the Ladies SS class this morning which I thoroughly enjoyed. I taught on "Making a Fun Home". I also got to sing in a trio for the morning service. And I got a rose from each of my daughters in church.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother-Daughter Brunch 2009

On Saturday, we had a Mother-Daughter Brunch at our church at 11 AM. The theme was "Bless Our Nest". Mrs. Susan McCarroll did the majority of work to decorate, collect money, organize, etc. She was tremendous! Every lady brought a salad and dessert for the meal. So many good things to choose from! We had punch, coffee and water. Every lady and girl brought home a little edible birds' nest with candy eggs! The pastel colors were so dainty and pretty. I had a few games for everyone to enjoy. Mrs. Jeanne Nichols, a pastor's wife from Sacramento, CA, was our special speaker.
I thank the Lord for a wonderful church family and my own daughters to enjoy Mother's Day with!

Spring Recipe: Asparagus Beef Stir-Fry

I made this recipe last week and it was DELICIOUS! And so simple! Get ready for a tastebud sensation!
*Try this recipe now while asparagus is in season.
*Be careful with the red pepper flakes! They can add a big kick! :)
*Add a few extra garlic cloves in if you are a garlic fan! I am!

Asparagus Beef Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, divided
• 2 tablespoons beef broth, divided
• 1/2 pound boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into thin strips
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 teaspoons canola oil, divided
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Hot cooked rice, optional

Directions:

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon broth; add beef. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, water and remaining soy sauce and broth until smooth; set aside.
In a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry beef in 2 teaspoons oil for 3-4 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm. Stir-fry onion in remaining oil for 1 minute. Add asparagus; stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; stir-fry 4-6 minutes longer or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add beef; heat through. Serve with rice if desired. Yield: 3 servings.

Recipe: Quick Shrimp Gumbo

Here is a light and tasty recipe that still tastes like comfort food! My husband has Cajun roots so I like to try out different Cajun recipes for our family. Here is a new recipe I made last night and it was a hit!

Quick Shrimp Gumbo

Ingredients:

• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1/2 pound reduced-fat cooked kielbasa or Polish sausage, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1-1/2 cups chopped green pepper
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 3/4 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup uncooked instant rice
• Lemon slices, optional

Directions:

In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Stir in sausage; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until sausage begins to brown. Add green pepper; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Stir in the tomatoes, broth, seasonings and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil.
Cook, uncovered, for 2 minutes or until heated through. Stir in shrimp. Cook 3-4 minutes longer or until shrimp turn pink. Stir in rice. Remove from the heat.
Cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until rice is tender. Discard bay leaf. Serve with lemon slices if desired. Yield: 4 servings.