Consider Christ

This Easter Season Consider Christ and his great love for us all.

Bat Appreciation Week

You may or may not know these facts I can not tell for sure but if you did not know these facts about bats you soon will for sure

Bats are the only mammals that can fly.

Many believe and fear that bats are unclean but the truth is bats help control the population of crop destroying insects.

There are 900 to 1200 different species of bats

Bats leave everywhere in the world except for Antarctica

Bats prefer to live in dark places like in caves.

Bats may eat fruit, bugs and insects or nectar from plants









some other great post we shared include

corn casserole 

make squirrel feeder 

fruit compote day

Pecan Pie Muffins

This is like getting 2 great treats in one muffin. You get the soft yummy muffin that also has the taste of delicious pecan pie. 

1 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
½ cups All-purpose Flour
1 cup Chopped Pecans
⅔ cups Softened Butter
2 whole Eggs, Beaten
Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven 350 F.

Grease your muffin pan (whatever size) or use the silicone cups. I grease my silicone muffin cups with Crisco or lard. In a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and pecans. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and eggs together until smooth. Stir into the dry ingredients just until combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Cups should be about 2/3 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on wire racks when done. Option: when you take them out of the oven, place a slice of butter on top and eat warm. You may also use walnuts instead of pecans.

original recipe here


Check out one of these other great post

Music In Our School 

Make Squirrel Feeder

angel food cake with strawberry mousse 

Grilling Time : Roasted Potatoes

Today the weather here in Southern Illinois is beautiful. Days like these are perfect for grilling. So that is what we will be doing. Hubby chose pork chops and I will be making grilled potatoes, fried corn and a nice garden salad. The recipe I share today is for grilled potatoes

3 yukon gold potatoes 

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Kosher salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2-1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Wash potatoes and pat dry.  Slice each potato in half, splitting the width of the potato evenly.  Lay each half, cut side down, on a cutting board and cut into wedges, approximately 1/2 inch thick.  Some of mine were thinner, some a little thicker.  You just want them to be pretty close to the same size so they cook evenly.

Once all potatoes are cut, place wedges in a bowl and coat with olive oil.  Add seasonings and toss until well-coated.  Allow potatoes to sit for 10 minutes before adding to the grill.

Preheat the grill to 500° and add potatoes directly to the grill rack.  Be careful not to lose any during this process.  I'm sorry to say I had a casualty while trying to flip mine.  Sorry little potato wedge!

Reduce heat to medium. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side.  Do not turn until time is up! Be patient!

Once potatoes are nicely browned on both sides, if necessary, reduce heat and move to a cooler section of the grill to keep warm.  The front half of our grill cooks a bit hotter than the back, so rotate your potatoes while flipping if this is the case with your grill too.  This will help ensure that at least one side of each wedge gets a nice, brown color.

Serve immediately.  Happy grilling!!!

shared at 

my adventures in the country

If you like this post you may want to check out one of these great post as well

Keep Music In Our School

Make a Squirrel Feeder

absinthe day

Stir Fry Beef and Green Beans

5 ounces thinly sliced lean beef
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp corn starch
1 tsp peanut oil
7 ounces green beans
1 tsp salt
1 cup water
1/2 can straw mushrooms
oil for frying
1 Tbsp finely chopped leek
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp rice wine
1 few drops sesame oil

Cut the slices of beef into pieces about 3/4 to 1 inch long and place in a bowl or deep dish. Add the sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch and peanut oil; mix well and leave to marinate.
String the beans if necessary, wash, and cut into 1 3/4 to 2 inch lengths.
Heat a wok, pour in 2 Tbsp oil and stir-fry the beans lightly; add the salt and the water, cover and simmer until the beans are tender. Remove from the wok and drain.
Drain the canned straw mushrooms.
Heat 2 Tbsp of oil in the wok, add the marinated beef, and stir fry lightly – the meat should still be a little pink.
In another pan, heat 2 Tbsp oil of oil and stir-fry the chopped leek; when the leek starts tor release it’s aroma, add the mushrooms and the beans.
Stir-fry these briefly and then add the mean, sugar, soy sauce, and rice wine. Stir fry quickly over a high heat, and add a few drops of sesame oil to give the dish more flavor.


Joy of Chinese Cooking From: The Joy of Chinese Cooking

Yield: about 1.5 servings


shared at weekend potluck

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday was born April 7 , 1915 and was  an artist of a by gone era. Her popularity rose during the 1950s. She sang with a soulful voice that was unique in style. It has been said that she could sing anything including the phone book or dinner menu. She just had a knack with music. She was a superstar in her time and today she is still remembered for her creativity, vivacity singing in her master pieces. Billie was and is still considered one of the greatest jazz voices with songs that stay fresh to many like myself as they were 50 years ago.

She was born Eleanora Fagan grew up in Baltimore. In the 1920's Baltimore was rich in jazz talent. Like many teens do today Holiday would sing along with many greats including Bessie Smith or Louis Armstrong. This would be referred to as her "apprenticeship" when she would start singing in after hour jazz clubs. Her mother would move to New York to search for a better job and Billie would move with her.

Harlem would be the site of Holiday's singing debut. Singing in Harlem nightclubs she decided to take on name. She would take the name Billie from screen star Billie Dove. She would never get any real training or learn to read music.She would begin her career moving around to night clubs playing for tips. With a house piano player or singing with a group of performers it did not matter. Billie Holiday would cut her first record at the age of 18. Soon after she would record "Miss Brown to You" and gain a record contract of her own and continue to record til 1942.



In 1936 Holiday would work with Lester Young who would give her the nickname "Lady Day" In 1937 she would start singing with artist like Count Basie and Artie Shaw. She was one of the only black ladies to work with white orchestra.

She would later record the song "Strange Fruit" that shared much of what was going on in history at that time. After that she would record more moving ballads.





Between the years of 1952 to 1959 Billie would recorn 100 new recordings on the Verve label. Her voice would start to be more rugged and vulnerable. In those years she would tour Europe and in March 1959 she would make her final studio recording on MGM label.

At the age of 44 Billie Holiday would die a music legend.

Billie Holiday, a musical legend still popular today, died an untimely death at the age of 44. Her emotive voice, innovative techniques and touching songs will forever be remembered and enjoyed.

shard at
monday musings

Remember to Love

Use these verses to help your remember to love and help each other. The one that hates the most is the one that needs loved the most

shared at
modest monday

What A Life : Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan was born Chan Kong sang on April 7, 1954 in Hong Kong, China. A student of martial arts, drama, acrobatics and singing since the age of 7.Many thought he would take after Bruce Lee in Hong Kong cinema instead he developed his own style of martial arts blended with screwball physical comedy.

One of his earlier movies demonstrated Chan's martial art skills. He is not the legendary Bruce Lee but he does have solid foundation.

In fact Jackie Chan also trained in other style of Martial Arts as well. The list includes Karate, Judo, TaeKwonDo and Jeet Kune Do. At the age of 60+ Jackie Chan's last movie to be made thus far is

Through Chan's career he has made more than 100 films. He started to slow down just a bit and rumors have surfaced from time to time that he has passed. Yet again the internet does not tell the truth.

Jackie's parents may have been characters from one of his movies. Jackie's dad Charles was a spy for the Chinese Nationalist government. His mom Lee Lee performed on stage who sold opium on the side. Charles met , arrested and married Lee Lee Charles would join the Chinese mafia to support their all ready family of 4 children. In 1949 the China communists took over and Charles and Lee Lee fled to Hong Kong they would leave their 4 children behind. This act of abandoning children was not unusual at this time in China. Jackie would be born 1954 and be named "Chan Kong-sang" which means "born in Hong Kong" His parents would try to sell him to the British doctor who delivered him for $26.

Jackie would be placed in a boarding school in Hong Kong at the age of 7. School days were 5 a.m til midnight. Between classes he would learn acrobatics, drama, and martial arts as well as classically training in music. Chan recalls being beaten daily as a form of punishment. Til this day he still struggles in literacy.

shared at
thank goodness its monday

Do Not Drive Drowsy

According to recent polls about 60% of all adult drivers. That is about 168 million people that have said they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy in the past year. A little over 100 million people have actually fallen asleep at the wheel and 1 million have nodded off before. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. This results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. These figures may be the tip of the iceberg, since currently it is difficult to attribute crashes to sleepiness.

Adults between 18 to 29 are much more likely to drive while drowsy compared to other age groups those between 30 and 64 are next in line with nearly 2-3 drivers driving drowsy. Half of those 65 and older say they have as well. Men are more likely than women to drive drowsy and twice as likely to fall asleep while driving. One class of drivers those that work shifts are more likely than those who work a regular day time shift. Sleep deprivation increases the risk of a sleep related crash: the less people sleep the greater the risk. 

Many states are changing laws so that drowsy driving incidents can end with jail sentences for the driver. Drowsy drivers can also be sued and have been involved in multi million dollar settlements. . 

This story affect us not because I have been a drowsy driver. In fact I do not drive nor ever had. My father who used to have a job that including driving many hours would drowsy drive and occasionally fall asleep. He did have several wrecks due to this reason. This is not what led to his death but did lead to much pain for him 

You may want to check out this story as well

Make A Squirrel Feeder 

Taco Dip

1 can (9 oz) bean dip
4 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 T taco seasoning mix
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/4 cup (1 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 medium tomato, seeded and diced (about 1/2 cup)
2 green onions with tops, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pitted ripe olives, sliced
1 T finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Additional sour cream (optional)
Tortilla Chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Using Small Mix ‘N Scraper®, spread bean deep over bottom of Small Oval Baker.  In Classic Batter Bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning mix and garlic pressed with Garlic Press; mix well.
Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over bean dip.  Grate cheddar cheese over top using Deluxe Cheese Grater.  Bake 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
To prepare toppings, remove stem from tomato using Cook’s Corer™.  Dice tomato and thinly slice green onions using Utility Knife.  Slice olives, using Egg Slicer Plus®.  Finely chop cilantro using Pizza Cutter. Sprinkle tomato, onions, olives and cilantro over dip. Garnish with additional sour cream, if desired.  Serve with tortilla chips, if desired.

Check out this post as well
Marshmallow Treats

Medication Safety

Make sure you know what medications you use and how to take them

Misusing Drugs is a serious public health problem. There is an average of 82% of American adults take at least one medication and 29% take 5 or more medications. Ensuring that medication prescription is followed correctly is where the problem begins. There is an average of 700,000 E.R. hospital visits out of these there are 120,000 visits due to medication issues annually. This entails around $3.5 billion financially. It is thought that the number of visits as well as amount of money will grow because of:

Development of new medications

Discovery of new uses for older medications

Aging American population

Increase in the use of medications for disease prevention

Increased coverage for prescription medications

It is recommended that you keep an updated list of your medications in your wallet or purse. The list should include 

• medication name
• dose
• how often taken
• what it is taken for
• what vitamin or over the counter products you use
• what medication is any you are allergic to

This list should be handy and shared with the physicians, nurses and pharmacists.

shared at
home matters

Oh You Have to Check This Out : Chicken and Potato

1-1/2 lb. chicken drumsticks (about 4), bone-in, skin-on
1-1/2 lb. to 2 lb. chicken thighs (about 4), bone-in, skin-on
1 lb. whole baby red potatoes
1 lb. whole baby yellow potatoes
1 cup baby carrots
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Holland House Sherry Cooking Wine
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish, optional


Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Coat generously with nonstick cooking spray, or additional olive oil. Arrange chicken pieces, potatoes and carrots together in the pan. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, sherry, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Whisk to blend thoroughly. Pour over the chicken and vegetables, rubbing in to coat evenly. Bake for 1 hour, or until chicken is fully cooked and juices run clear, and vegetables are tender. Once cooked, remove chicken and vegetables to a serving platter.
Enjoy!

recipe originally from Holland House

Deep Dish Pizza Chicago Style

This recipe was adapted from the book The Frugal Gourmet Cooks American by Jeff Smith. Jeff wrote that "I have tried to figure out how it's done at Pizzeria Uno and I think that I'm very close. I ran my recipe by Mama, a gorgeous black woman who has been cooking pizzas there for thirty years, and she smiled and nodded. You can't get much better than that!" Dough Recipe 2 packages rapid rise dry yeast 2 cups warm water 1/2 cup vegetable oil 4 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup cornmeal 5 1/2 cups flour In the bowl of a stand mixer (e.g. KitchenAid), dissolve the yeast in the water. Add the vegetable oil, olive oil, cornmeal, and half of the flour. Beat for 10 minutes. Attach the dough hook and mix in the remaining flour. Knead for several minutes with the mixer. (Note: because the dough is very rich and moist, it would be difficult to do this by hand.) Remove dough and place on a clean countertop. Cover with a very large metal bowl and allow to rise until double in bulk. Punch down and allow to rise again. Punch down a second time and you are ready to make pizza! Oil your deep-dish pizza pan. Depending on the size of your pan, place some dough in the pan and push it out to the edges using your fingers. Put in enough dough so that you can run the crust right up the side of the pan. Make it about 1/8-inch thick throughout the pan. Filling for a 9- or 10-inch Pan 1/3 pound sliced mozzarella cheese 2 cups Italian-style whole peeled tomatoes, drained and squished 1 teaspoon basil 1 teaspoon oregano 2 cloves garlic, minced Salt to taste 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 3 tablespoons olive oil Place the cheese in tile-like layers on the bottom of the pie. Next put in the tomatoes and the basil, oregano, garlic, and salt, reserving the Parmesan cheese for the top. Drizzle olive oil over the top of the pie and you are ready to bake. Variations: Before you put on the Parmesan cheese and olive oil drizzle, you might like to add any or all of the following: Italian sausage, hot or mild Yellow onions, peeled and diced Pepperoni, sliced thin Mushrooms, sliced Green sweet bell peppers, cored and sliced thin Bake the pie in a 475°F oven until the top is golden and gooey and the crust a light golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes.

Get The Word Out:: WE can Help Abused Children

Every year million of children around the world are victims of abuse and neglect. The year 2017 is no different there will be many innocent victims hurt. There are many more that will receive help to avoid continuing abuse. Child help an organization that is dedicated to helping children who are in situations where they suffer from neglect and abuse. Today, april 5th, is the Day of Hope. It is a day to remember all those that are included in the statistics and those that are not as well. Abuse can come in many forms physical violence, sexual abuse, and neglect are the top three.

Childhelp has over 50 years of experience around the world. Through use of their programs millions of children have been helped. Childhelp originated as International Orphans. The focus in the beginning was to assist the children of American Soldiers and Japanese women in the 1960s. The group has also been known as Children's Village USA. before it was named Childhelp. Today Childhelp is on the list of largest child abuse prevention organization and does not receive any form of government funding.

Those who have suffered through child abuse can find help as well. Childhelp offers treatment in residential areas in such places as "Children's Village" these children come to them from the court system in need of help. In the center you will find therapists, social workers,and medical professionals.

The Day of Hope is a great time for you to get involved. Find a place to volunteer or help raise awareness of child abuse. Tonight light a five wicked candle in a place where all will see. The candle symbolizes hope to those dealing with trauma of child abuse.

Arabic Cooking Roasted Leg of Lamb

Roasted leg of lamb in Oman is known as shuwa. This is a recipe from an Arab American website and I will share a few more this month as well. While there is so much conversation currently going on about the Arab world there are many that have lived here for a very long time.

This dish has an elaborate cooking technique that includes marinating the meat with spices, wrapping in a sack of dry banana or palm leaves, then cooking over a glowing red hot fire in an underground clay oven. The meat cooks slowly for 24 to 48 hours allowing the spicy succulent meat to reach the right tenderness. It is served hot on a large platter.

This recipe I share here is a mini recipe that is easier to prepare and serves 6.

8 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes
4 tablespoons cooking oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 leg of lamb, from 5 to 6 pounds, with punched holes in a number of places
Thoroughly combine all ingredients, except lamb leg then rub over lamb leg, forcing some of the liquid into the punched holes. Marinate in refrigerator overnight.

Place in a roasting pan and cover then roast in a 250 ° F pre-heated oven for from 3 to 4 hours or until leg is well cooked, basting from pan juices every 30 minutes, turning over once or twice. Uncover and roast at 350° F for 20 minutes, turning over once.

Carve and serve while hot with cooked rice.

Awakening of the Bell Bottoms

Flared or belled below the knees was the style in the 60s and 70s. Popularity was measured in the size of the bell of your pants. The bigger the bell the better. These pants were normally made of denim, cotton, or polyester. Along with the bell bottom pants do not be surprised to find platform shoes as well.

The United States Navy did not have a standard issued uniform until after the 19th century. Many of the sailors would don a pair of wide trousers that ended with a bell shaped cuff. In 1813 the sailor uniform was described as "glazed canvas hats with stiff brims, decked with streamers of ribbon, blue jackets buttoned loosely over waistcoats and blue trousers with bell bottoms.

Present day United States Navy uniforms are still referred to as "bell bottomed" but they are rather straight legged in this time. Perhaps the bell bottom appearance came to be as for years the trouser leg would be rolled up allowing the sailor to work in bare feet

The 1960s and 70's would witness the Hippie culture influence fashion with the bell bottom pants. Young people were publicly objecting the retail expensive, conservative garments in favor of casual, inexpensive items from thrift and military surplus stores. While hugely popular they were mainly found in surplus stores and looked down upon as a style of radicals. Many would make their own by cutting the outside seam on straight leg jeans and add a triangle of fabric to create a wider leg. The 1970s would watch the movement of the bell bottoms go mainstream. The jean companies would begin selling bell bottoms for both men and women.






shared at
fluster buster creative cluster 

Lazy Caramel Corn (no cook recipe)

Lazy Caramel Corn

2 bags of microwave popcorn
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Pop bags of popcorn and dump into a bowl.  Use a bowl, so that the unpopped kernels will fall to the bottom of the bowl and not make their way into the caramel! (Ouch!)

In a large stockpot heat brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt over medium heat.  (I put my stove dial on 6.) Stir occasionally to get the butter incorporated. (a wooden spoon is fine.)

Once the brown sugar mixture starts to form big bubbles like this…

…start a timer for five minutes and do not stir any more (resist the urge to stir!!).

While the caramel is bubbling, put out on the counter sheets of wax paper.

Once the timer goes off, remove from heat and stir in the baking soda.  This will make the mixture turn foamy, so don’t freak out.

Add the popcorn in by handfuls (do not dump the bowl of popcorn in, remember the unpopped kernels!).  Fold the popcorn into the caramel, careful not to burn yourself with the hot caramel!

Turn the popcorn out onto the sheets of wax paper and use your spatula or spoon to to break it up. I just pushed it down with the back of my spatula. Then once it’s cooled to the touch a bit, I broke it up with my hands to make bite sized pieces.

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. April is Lawn and Garden Month. On a scale of 1-10 what's the current state of your lawn and/or garden. (10=a showpiece, 1=send in the professionals). Tell us about any lawn or garden plans you have for this month.

I would say a 7. My husband has got the front looking good but because of rain the back does not look so great. We plan to do some landscaping as soon as the weather allows us to. I am so ready to get out there and get some done


2 "Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there."~Thomas Fuller  What does this quote mean to you?

This statement to me reminds me of my grand-mothers garden. There was so much pride that lived there as she worked in very often. My parents would grow love in their garden as they would work hard to raise crops for the family. Our family garden even helped raise the family as they learned to have responsibility and pride of what they did. 

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about God

The fact that without him in our daily life there would be no joy. Yes we have the family, friends, job and so much more but when we think about it what we need to have all of this and keep it all in order is our Lord Heavenly Father.

4. If we were chatting in person, how would I know if you were nervous?

I do not get nervous a lot but if I do then it is because I do not want you to know about something that I did. I often talk a bit louder when that occurs. 

5 Do you like the color yellow? Would I find any in your home or wardrobe? Daffodils, tulips, roses, sunflowers, day lily, black eyed susan...which yellow bloom on this list is your favorite?

I do like yellow but not my favorite color. You will find yellow through out my house in fact I live in a yellow house. Yellow is a beautiful spring color and I do like yellow gingham. I do not currently have daffodils as the tornado a few years ago blew those away. I look forward to having some next year as that is something we will be planting. My husbands grandmother loved yellow roses. 

6 Flip flops or bare feet?

Years ago you would never find shoes on my feet in the spring, summer or early fall but now due to neuropathy my feet can not stand so much agitation and I wear flip flops or slip ons a lot.

7 Just thought I would love to invite you all over to visit my blog. If you do come please let me know where you are located so I can repay the visit

Carrot Raisin Salad

2 10oz bags of pre-shredded carrots or 12 medium fresh carrots, finely shredded
1 20oz can crushed pineapple, with juice separated
3/4 C pineapple juice, drained from canned pineapple
1 C raisins or dried currants, plumped in hot water
1 C plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

Soak raisins in hot water to plump
Drain juice off of crushed pineapple into a cup. Combine 3/4 C of the drained pineapple juice with the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and sugar in a small bowl.
Drain water off the raisins.
In a large bowl, gently combine drained raisins, crushed pineapple, and shredded carrots.
Pour the yogurt mixture over the top and stir to coat.
Chill for at least an hour.
Stir before serving.