Great Week, Lovely Weather

What a great week it has been and lovely weather, as well!  I have completely finished all of mine and Rudy's income taxes and so relieved to have that behind me!  Monday night I made cabbage rolls for supper and everyone was here so after eating and cleaning up the kitchen we played Farkle.  Tuesday was the same but this time I made a new recipe called bacon and cheese topped chicken.  It is definitely a keeper!

1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup honey
4-1/2 tsp canola oil, divided
1/2 tsp lemon juice
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Dash paprika
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
2 tbl butter
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (4 0z) shredded cheddar cheese
8 bacon strips, partially cooked
2 tsp minced fresh parsley (optional)


1.  In a small bowl, combine the mustard, honey, 1-1/2 tsp oil and lemon juice. Pour 1/2 cup into a large resealable plastic bag; add the chicken.  Seal the bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate the remaining marinade.


2.  Drain and discard the marinade from chicken. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken in remaining oil on all sides. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika. Transfer to a greased 11 x 7 baking dish.


3.  In the same skillet, saute mushrooms in butter until tender. Spoon reserved marinade over chicken. Top with cheeses and mushrooms. Place bacon strips on top.  Bake, uncovered, at 375degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170 degrees. Sprinkle with parsley.


There was 5 of us so I easily doubled the recipe.

Tonight we are going to try out the Asian City restaurant.  I have heard it's really good!

Fun Weekend

Had a fun, fun weekend!  Friday evening me, Rudy, Kalli and Ty drove to Leona (an hour drive) and ate at Leona General Store.  We had grilled steaks, salad, twice baked potatoes, and the most delicious rolls I have ever tasted.  The food was delicious and of course I didn't stop there...I had peach cobbler with ice cream for dessert, yummy!  Saturday, Kalli and I went to Tyler shopping.  I found a few shirts for Matt and I got two outfits for church.  Kalli didn't find anything which is very surprising.  We had lunch at McAlister's Deli.  For dinner we had leftover dumplings that I had made Thursday night then we watched Public Enemies with the whole family.  Great movie!  Sunday morning we went to church then had lunch with some friends/family from church.  After church Rudy and Matt went fishing.  I wanted to go but I decided to just let the guys go this time and have some male bonding.  Matt was off this whole weekend, the first for him since he started February 16th.  He loves his job by the way, even with the long hours and only one day off on the weekends usually.  Kalli is loving her job too!  It's weird, cause they live here but I hardly ever see them with the schedules they keep.  Kalli is off of school this week for spring break but she is working everyday.  I will get to see her at night though. Wishing you a wonderful Monday!

Beautiful Christian Sister

Beautiful Christian Sister--by Maya Angelou

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'" I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I 'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!

Snow Day!

Can you believe...we got nearly 8  inches of snow yesterday!  It was absolutely beautiful!  At times the flakes were huge.

Kalli's snowgirl

Upclose

Rudy's snowman

I believe there is nothing lovelier, deeper, more sympathetic,

and more perfect than the Savior; there is in the world only one

figure of absolute beauty: Christ.

      -- Fyodor Dostoevsky

Hello, Friday!

Dad has made a surprisingly recovery and was let out of the hospital yesterday morning!  Remember, they had originally said he would be in the hospital for 3 to 4 weeks after the surgery!  He can still use your prayers for continued healing, also that he keeps his promise this time and stays off the cigarettes.

Sunday evening I came home with a scratchy throat and cough and figured it was my allergies.  Monday I still didn't feel well and the cough was worse but I figured if I kept on my allergy meds I would be better the next day.  By Tuesday evening I was having chills and fever and it had moved into my chest.  I went to the doctor on Wednesday to find out I had bronchitis.  He gave me a strong dose of antibiotic, nasal spray and and inhaler.  I am feeling better today, not 100%, but better.  I can't even walk long distances without getting short of breath and my chest starts hurting.  I'm so ready to be well again so I can go visit my daddy!

Matt started his new job Tuesday and is working 12 hour shifts.  He leaves the house at 5:30 AM every morning and doesn't get in until around 8 PM.  He is loving it though and he is single so he can handle those hours.  Kalli is loving her job too at the Electric company.  Since working and going to school she has found a new appreciation to being off on Saturdays.  Of course, she is off on Sundays too, but she does have to get up early for church.

All of my family has gone back home now.  I miss them so much.  My younger brother did mention trying to get back down here after his son Cody graduates in May.  I hope so!

Thank you, Lord

My dad came through surgery just fine!  He will be in ICU for a couple of days.  They said he would probably be in the hospital 3 to 4 weeks recovering from this because of his age and unhealthy state.  Our preacher came to the hospital yesterday and everyone in the waiting room joined hands and we prayed for my dad along with their loved ones too.  It was beautiful!!!  Thank you Lord!

We got 2 inches of snow yesterday!  At times, it was really coming down hard and was so pretty.  I just sat in the windowsill in the waiting room looking at the snow and praying/meditating for my daddy.  I had felt very emotional beforehand but when I started praying I felt so calm and peaceful.  I could feel the Lord their with me.

I'm off to the hospital in just a bit.  I am way behind on blog visits but I haven't forgot about you my friends.

Happy Birthday Kalli

Happy 19th birthday to my sweet baby girl!

A Lot Has Happened

A lot has happened since my last post.  Matt got his job!  He took his drug test today and sent off all of his paperwork.  He should be working by the 22nd of this month if not sooner.  Kalli also got a job working at the Houston County Electric Coop in Crockett.  Crockett is about 30 minutes from where we live and is where my dad lives and where we go to church.  She is doing clerical work, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and has college on Tuesday, Wednesday night and Thursday.  She is one busy girl!

When I took my dad in for the results of his lung CT scan they told us the tumor they are watching on his lung had not changed any but they did find an abdominal aortic aneurysm and with another CT scan they confirmed it's size at an 8.  They get concerned with them at only a 5!  He is having surgery this coming Thursday in Tyler.  With his already unhealthy state of his lungs, heart and body they said he has a 50/50 chance of surviving the surgery.  If they do nothing they give him less than a year to live.  He is choosing surgery.  It's a very risky surgery and a long recovery, so please keep him in prayer.

My older brother that lives in Montana came in last Tuesday to spend sometime with the family and to be here for the surgery.  He has been staying with us and we have had a great time talking about our younger years.  I don't know how many times we have said..."remember when"...  My younger brother and his family will be here Wednesday evening.  I have rooms booked about a block from the hospital and we will be there Wednesday, Thursday, and possibly Friday.  I will update you on the surgery as soon as I can!  Prayers please!!!

Spring In January!

I am loving this beautiful spring-like weather we have been having!  I took Bella out yesterday for a walk and the sun on my skin felt so good. After this post we are going to get another walk in before the rain comes tomorrow.  I have been working on Rudy's income tax stuff and I'm just about finished with his, then I need to start getting everything together for our rental property.  My work has slowed again and I haven't even had time to look for more work right now with the tax stuff, and just trying to keep on top of things with the business.  His has picked up a lot, which is a good thing!

Matt still has not heard anything from Baker-Hughes as to whether he got the job or not.  It has only been a week and they did say it would bet 1 to 2 weeks.  We still run to the mailbox everyday with great hopes that "the" letter will be there!  Keep him in prayer please.

Will try to make visits this weekend and get caught up with all of you!

Anyway

Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

be kind anyway.

If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;

succeed anyway.

If you are honest people may cheat you;

be honest anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the end, it is between you and God;

it was never between you and them anyway.

Holiday Fun

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, in case you were wondering.  We had a wonderful Christmas, going to my mother and father-in-laws Christmas Eve for an early dinner then to church for Christmas Eve service.  When we came out of the church it was snowing, very lightly, but snow is snow to me!  We headed back to the in-laws to exchange gifts and then games afterwards.  We didn't get home until after midnight.  Christmas morning I was up before anyone and put the coffee on.  Shortly afterwards, Rudy was up, then the kids.  Matt and Kalli had their stockings then we cooked breakfast.  After breakfast we did our gifts.  I have pictures to share as soon as Kalli sends them to me.  I may just add them to flickr instead of my posts, but I will let you know when they are ready for viewing.  In the afternoon we went to my dad's to take him Christmas dinner and his presents and stayed and visited for quite a while.  That evening we went to see It's Complicated.  I have never been to the movies on Christmas and was surprised at how many people were there!  It's a really funny and cute movie!  Another movie I have watched lately that is really good is Julie and Julia.

My younger brother and his family came in last night from Childress.  They said it snowed on them all the way here until about Ennis (this side of Dallas) and took them a little longer than usual, but the good thing is they arrived safely!  They will be here until Sunday.  We are all getting together this evening at my dad's then tomorrow night they are all coming here for a New Year's celebration.  On the menu:  Grilled steaks, salad, mushrooms, baked potato, and red velvet cake for dessert.  I will also have a few snack foods...chips and dip, and a cheese ball and crackers.  Rudy and my brother Kendale are going to build a fire outside and we will have horseshoes and washers to pitch and then more games inside.  Fireworks at midnight!

Christmas In The City

My newest item...the dog park.

This isn't part of my Dept. 56, but I just love this picture with my tree in the background.

Rudy and I are going to Tyler this afternoon to finish up our Christmas shopping and then to eat at Texas Road House.