Birthday of a strong woman

Maya Angelou happens to be one of my favorite poets. She is a lady that has seen a lot of life and shares her experiences with all those that read her poems. She was also a civil rights activist. Maya wrote her life stories in seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry and a list of plays, movies and t.v. shows have given her cred it as well. Her life time for 50 years was shared in the spotlight. 

Happy Birthday!!! Maya

healthier cordon blue

4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
2 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded (about ½ cup)
8 ounces Black Forest ham (about 8 slices)
3 slices high-quality white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
20 reduced-fat Ritz crackers
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3 large egg whites
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
¹/8 teaspoon salt
¹/8 teaspoon pepper
Vegetable oil spray

Cut a pocket in the thickest part of each chicken breast. Tightly roll 2 tablespoons of the cheese in 2 pieces of the ham. Repeat with the remaining cheese and ham. Stuff each chicken breast with 1 roll. Transfer the chicken to a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 20 minutes or up to 3 hours.
Meanwhile, adjust the oven racks to the lowest and middle positions and heat the oven to 400 degrees. Pulse the bread and crackers together in a food processor to coarse crumbs, about 10 pulses. Transfer the crumbs to a bowl and toss with the melted butter. Spread the crumbs on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and dry, 7 to 9 minutes. Let the crumbs cool to room temperature.
Turn the oven to 450 degrees and set a wire rack inside a second rimmed baking sheet. Place the flour in a shallow dish. In a second shallow dish, whisk the egg whites and mustard together until combined. Spread the cooled crumb mixture in a third shallow dish.
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season with the
salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour and shake off the excess. Coat the chicken with the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off. Coat all sides of the chicken with the crumb mixture, pressing to help the crumbs adhere. Lay the breaded chicken on the prepared wire rack. Lightly coat each breast with vegetable oil spray.
Bake the chicken on the lowest rack for 10 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 400 degrees and transfer the baking sheet to the middle rack. Continue to bake until the chicken breasts register 160 to 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 20 minutes longer. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tip: Chilling the stuffed chicken breasts helps them stay closed during breading. After resting, the cooked chicken may be cut on the bias into ½-inch-thick slices for an attractive presentation.

source healthy recipe center

Do You Have A Limb To Share

The 4th of April of each year, the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action would be observed in order to establish, foster and develop mine action capacities in post conflict in post areas. In these places where war was once battled those that waged it did not pick up all their toys and go home.

Progress towards the central goals of mine action, which aims to improve Security, rebuild communities, reclaim land and end the looming fear of remnants of war. Women often lead this campaign that helps to make the area a safer place for all.

Guitar Day ..... Enjoy a Bit of Music

National Car Care Month

April is a great time to pay a bit more attention to the care you give your car. April is car care month as well. Neglecting car care can mean that down the road there will be higher cost due to extensive repairs or loss in resale value. A few of the top jobs that can be done routinely and spring is great for routine car care include:

Changing your oil is important as it is responsible to keep your engine clean and lubricated. Improperly changing the oil in your car would allow your car engine to combust from debris and friction. Oil is the bloodline of your vehicle and needs to be changed after going so many miles or driving so many months. Oil that is not changed will get dirty and thick. This thick dirty oil can not perform its duties properly. Oil changes should be routinely done about every 3,000 miles or 3 months. It is cheaper to get a schedule oil change than it is to repair or replace your engine.

An easy way to avoid expensive problems is to change fluids in your car regularly. This includes transmission fluid, coolant, brake and power steering fluids. Fluids should be checked and if needed changed or added every couple of months.

Tires may be expensive but they are very much needed. Providing the maintenance that is needed and required will help extend the life of the tires. Rotating and balancing your tires will help ensure even tread wear. Replacing tires prematurely is due to improper care or no care at all. Keeping proper air in your tires helps extend their lives as well as help get the best gas mileage possible.

Washing your car will ensure a longer lasting exterior. The colder winter months where you may have encountered mud, ice, salt, snow or sleet.Wash your car every few weeks will help clear the exterior of debris as well as help keep your car rust free. 

During a vehicle's scheduled maintenance the vehicle belts are normally changed. Spring is a great time to check the health of your car belts. I can remember going on car trips with my parents and a fan belt breaking. This sets the trip back for a while so that the car can be fixed. While it never seemed to take long it was time we did not spend on the trip. Cold winter weather often weakens your vehicle belts so have yours checked so your trip will not be interrupted and a tow truck in your future.

These are just a few tips that you can follow to get your car ready for spring. Do yourself a favor check with your local mechanic so that you can have the best spring outings ever. 

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smell good sunday

A bit of Science Humor

April is Humor Month so be watching for little spots of humor through out the month. Share with me you moment of humor as well. Like everyone else I love to laugh as well

Weed Out Hate

Every gardener knows that the bad guy is the weed. The garden must be protected and in most cases the gardener is ready to pluck that weed away. In real life we have many issues that damage our heart as well. Who is it that will watch for the weeds in our hearts?? Weeding by our self is hard work and soon we may grow tired and the little hate weeds will come back. Hate is a learned behavior and so it is hard to keep it out of our heart. We can choose to share love or to have our heart covered up by the weeds of hate. 

Today take a moment and set aside differences so that you can enjoy life. Hate will consume our lives but it is never too late to sow new seeds that we can watch and let grow to greatness

First Quarter Moon

The moon on April 3, 2017 is in its first quarter. This means that if you look out your window tonight you will only see part of a moon. Thats right only a quarter, the first quarter.

Children Have Anxiety Issues Too

Childhood is a time that is free spirit and a time to have fun. That is what we all think that childhood is about. Today's child though is deemed to do so many things. We all want the best for our children and sometimes that may overwhelm our children. So Anxiety becomes a very big problem in their lives. As parents we want to shield our children from lie's anxious moments. There are a few things that you may do to help your child through the moments of anxiety. 

My mother used to take time to get a piece of paper and pen and we would take turns drawing . We would doodle swing sets and flowers and birds and the list goes on. The truth is that while I did not know it and I am not sure that she did either the anxiety that I felt was being outsourced. Drawing, painting or doodling helps kids by offering an outlet for their feelings when they are unable to describe in words how they feel. 

Always remind your child that  they are loved. Those may be the best words every child needs to hear "I Love You" carries more power than many believe. It can provide a very calming feeling. While you are reassuring them that they are loved and alway will be take the opportunity to assure them that you are ready for the big event that is coming up and you know that all will be o.k. Excitement about the future is contagious and can build the excitement for some time.

While they are feeling a bit overwhelmed with their own feelings assure them you have those feelings as well. Whether they are scared, nervous or anxious do not be embarrassed to let them know that you and many others have felt those feelings as well. Tell them you know it is no fun and that life can be hard but it will pass. Showing that you have empathy for them will win them over in many situations. Your older child may even relate to this conversation and help them overcome anxiety.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with anxiety?? Does your child?? What ways have you found that help your child deal with anxiety?? 

Autism Is Real You Must Be Strong

This poem touched my heart. I am the mother of children with learning disabilities, a mother of a child with mental impairment and a grandmother of a child with aspergers. The one thing that I learned is that they follow your lead. If you act as if your child is helpless then they will learn to be helpless. If you teach your child to be strong and do their best then they will try their best and yes be as strong as they can be. We must not teach our children to be on the lookout for help and sympathy but to take help when needed but to do all they can do. To me we all must learn to be strong and do what we are to do even when no one is looking. For there is always someone watching.

Do you have any tips for teaching our children to be strong??

Tweed Day

William "Boss" Tweed was an american politician most notable for being the "boss" of Tammany Hall. "Boss" was the leader of the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in politics of the 19th century New York City and State. At one time Tweed was the third largest landowner in New York City and the director of the Erie Railroad, the Tenth National Bank and the New York Printing Company as well as the proprietor of the Metropolitan Hotel.

Tweed took political office when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1852 and the New York County board of supervisors in 1858. In 1867 he was elected to the New York State Senate. 

Tweed had pulled off an engineering marvel. The system was strong and solid with the ability to control the courts, legislature, treasury and ballot box. The fraud that Tweed was involved included included elegance of structure, money laundering, profit sharing and organization. When caught in the game he was convicted of stealing between $25 million and $45 million from taxpayers. Political corruption had mad Tweed a rich man but now in jail he could not make bail. He escaped and returned to custody and eventually died in Ludlow Street Jail

Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

When you grow up in small town America you have a great chance of mastering the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. I never fried my sandwich but this one sounds mighty tasty 

5 Table spoons of  I Can’t Believe Its Not Butter Light
2 Table spoons of Peanut Butter
2 Table spoons of Jelly or Jam
2 Pieces of Bread (White or Wheat)
Powered Sugar (Optional)

First, in a frying pan heat up 3 table spoons of that butter over medium heat. Next, while the butter is melting go ahead and apply the peanut butter and jelly to the bread and make your sandwich. Now, butter both sides of the bread on the out side of the sandwich, which can be tricky on the second side! LOL…

Second, when butter is melted and hot in the frying pan go ahead and place your pre-buttered Peanut and Jelly in the pan and fry for a few minutes on each side or until golden brown or as desired, sprinkle powered sugar over the top (optional) and enjoy with a glass of ice cold milk

WOuld love if you would share a message in comments below. Share a thought, share a recipe share the fact that you love or cant stand peanut butter. I would simply love to hear from you and know you took time to read this post. 

Easter Chocolate Egg Topiary

You have got to love an edible Easter topiary! this is NOT a countdown to Easter! 

In other words,don't pick off a chocolate egg every day until Easter. 

1.  Cut dowel to size.

2.  Paint the dowel and terra cotta pot.

3.  Mix up a batch of Plaster of Paris and put in pot, almost to the rim of the pot.

4.  Put in dowel before plaster is completely dry.  If your dowel is not firmly in place after the plaster has dried, you can use some glue to help stabilize it.

5.  Glue ball on top of dowel with hot glue or E-6000 glue.  This year I used an oasis ball.  I have used a styrofoam ball before, but it is harder to put the toothpicks in the styroform.  It's a trade off because styrofoam balls come in larger sizes.   

6.  Push toothpicks into the centers of the chocolate eggs and press into the oasis ball.  Make sure you use non-wimpy toothpicks...if wimpy, they will break.  You do not need to, or want to, push the toothpick all the way through the chocolate egg.  I used three bags of Hershey eggs for this topiary.

7.  Tie a bow.

8.  Add some Easter grass to cover up the Plaster of Paris.

shared this lovely Easter idea at

favorite Finds Friday

What IS A Root Canal

We all seem to cringe when we hear the word root canal. But if we have never had one we may not be aware of what one is. A root canal is a treatment used to save teeth that would otherwise need to be removed. This treatment is needed when the blood or nerve supply or tooth is infected through decay or injury.

Root canals can be very painful. The main reason it is painful is because of the inability to numb the area

So now that we know what a root canal is I am wondering have you ever had one??

Have a Little Talk With Jesus

John 3:3 “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night to speak with Him about salvation saying “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him” (John 3:2) but instead of Jesus receiving this compliment, He directed Nicodemus’ attention to the fact that you must be born again to even see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

Carrot Cake Cookies

Carrot Cake Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 large eggs
1 tea. salt
1 tea. baking soda
2 tea. cinnamon
1/2 tea. nutmeg
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup grated carrots, with the excess moisture soaked up with a paper towel
1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Beat butter and sugars on high until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, until combined.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add dry ingredients, 1/3 at a time, mixing until incorporated.
Mix in shredded carrots and coconut.
Refrigerate dough fro about 30 minutes, until firm but not solid.
Using two spoons, drop spoonfuls of dough onto greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 F for 8-10 minutes.
Remove from the oven when they are almost all the way cooked, when the centers still look slightly wet.
Let cool completely on the pan before removing.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8 oz. block cream cheese, softened
4 oz. softened butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tea. vanilla extract
1/4 tea. salt
Cooking Directions

Beat butter and cream cheese until combined.
Add butter and salt and mix.
Slowly add in powdered sugar and beat to combine.
Spread over completely cooled cookies.

Time To Spring Clean

Keeping the house in a state of spring cleaning year round will help you when it comes time to deep clean. The goal in our home is to have everyone help out. That way no one person is doing all the cleaning and we all get to have a bit more fun. I once was the clutter queen but now I say no to clutter. I give things away, donate to good will, put things in the trash and if things are to be stored that is where they go. Being a past hoarder this is something I have to stay on top of working toward the goal daily. 

Each day starts with cleaning up any room clutter this act will happen again at the end of the day. Everyone is responsible for making their own bed, putting away their own clothes and throwing away any trash in their room. Following the meal times we clean up kitchen before we move into a different room. The bathrooms are to be kept clean as well. Wiping down the shower, tub, toilet and sink as needed. 

Everyone is assigned a day of the week to do their laundry. If they have uniforms that need to be cleaned these are done every afternoon while preparing supper. Everyone works together to get all folded, hanged up and put away. 

Now while I know what I need to do and what works for our family when did all this spring cleaning start??

Spring cleaning has a history that goes back to 3000 years b.c. It was part of the traditions to the renewal process. An Iranian Festival Nowruz used rituals during their New Year to shake the house. Thorough cleaning of all rooms and surfaces in the household is done. Spring Cleaning is thought to be much like this ancient tradition. 

The preparation for the Jewish Holiday passover also required a rigorous form of cleaning. Passover a spring time fest held normally hosted in April requires a good clean house to eliminate all traces of food from the home. 

The Chinese also host a holiday that requires the home to be cleaned well. The Chinese home from any bad luck or misfortune. Rubbish must be thrown away and broken household items must be tossed as well. Sweeping the floors is forbidden as you may "sweep away" your good fortune. But all must be sparkling clean before they expect good fortune and luck.

Do you have any tips to share concerning spring cleaning?? I would love to hear them. Have you completed your spring cleaning??

Dill Potato Salad

you will want to start with your choice of dill dip This can be found in your local cooling department in your grocery store Next add:

1 cup chopped celery

1.5 cups chopped cucumber

1 cup chopped dill pickles (my favorite ingredient)

3/4 cup chopped red onion

3 hard boiled eggs, chopped

yellow mustard

1 cup real mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream 

1 5-lb bag of potatoes

Poke holes in and bake the potatoes (whole) at 350 degrees for an hour or until soft. 

Cut them in half and let them cool enough to handle.

Remove the skin (or keep it, if that's your style) and chop into bite-sized pieces.

Place on a tray and chill about an hour.

(This helps the bites keep their shape and keeps the dressing cold during mixing.)

Mix everything together,

add salt if desired, and enjoy!

I enjoyed some before it even had time to "get happy," 

and I can't wait to eat my fair share tomorrow!

It has just the right amount of dill in it, and the crunch and zing of the pickles...YUM!

Take Your Child To The Library

Last summer was the first time I took my grand-children to the local library. There are lots of books there and my grand-kids were delighted. They have lots of books at home but oh my their eyes were delighted. The library had books that were perfect for them. While the books at home at times may get old the library has something new to check out each visit. The best part is we can read them for free and even take home a book or two if we choose to. The library is perfect to help develop a great reading habit. 

So with so many books how would we ever find the perfect book for us?? Should it be within their reading level or should it be a book that interest them even if it is behind or beyond their reading level?? The great thing is those that are easier to read can be read alone if they choose to and other books a bit above their reading level can be read with a little help from you. The challenging books offers a great way to boost and push them to the next level. 

If you are not sure what reading level they are at there is an easy test the "five finger test" that can help you with this. When your child opens the book to a random page and reads count the words that your child can't read by holding a finger up each time they come across a word to hard for them. When they reach 5 fingers or above the book is a bit too difficult for them. Holding up less than 5 fingers then the book is a good fit for them to read independently. 

Remember the librarian is always there to help them select a book perfect for them. Whether it be their reading level or a them that they are interesting in. They can offer book suggestions based on interests and age. They have experience and know what books may be rather popular and your child will love. 

If your child is into books no matter how easy or hard or theme let them go for it. They are building a love for reading and should be allowed to do so. Criticizing them for reading the wrong book may make them not want to read. My only rule here is that the books must come out of the children's library and must be an age appropriate theme. Challenge them to seek out books that they are interested in. 

Do you have a favorite book at the library?? What does your child love to read?? 

Our Minds May Lie To US The Bible Tells Us The Truth

Sin was a major stumbling block when I was a teenager. I was blinded by my fear and thought I needed to make my own decisions. I was also always aware and afraid that God would punish me for the things I did wrong. My parents were not much help my mother struggled with her mental illness and my daddy worked way to much. I often took care of my younger siblings and thought of ways I would escape some day.

Eventually, I did talk to a youth minister and learned that there were times that the devil could control my thoughts and use them against me. My feelings were something that were mine but could be played against me. Yes I did have it rough but God did and always would love me. The truths in the bible is what I learned to guide my walk. God made promises that showed he would always love me.

There are times that our hearts and minds do not always tell us the truth. The facts are in the bible and that is God's truth. God sent his perfect son, Jesus Christ, from Heaven to save people who needed a savior that would love us enough to die on the cross for us. But, he did not just die he arose from the grave. My father has that kind of power to protect our souls. So when our hearts and minds say to fear and our feelings start to overpower with negative recall the  Love that our God through Christ Jesus did for us.

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counting our blessings

you may also want to check out a great bread recipe