Bulk Cooking

I have had two cases of these in the past month.

These were ready to cook.

So a LARGE batch of spaghetti sauce was the answer.

 I will be freezing most of it for later.I have a recipe that makes a large batch that I have used for several years from, "Once a Month Cooking."  Today I doubled it! I have peeled tomatoes for a while today! My daughter's father-in-law  has been so kind a generous us these since he opened his produce and fish market. The last box was shared with neighbors and friends, but these were needing to be cooked right away.

Bulk cooking is hard work for a limited amount of time, but makes things much easier later on when I am too busy to spend much time in the kitchen, and my boy loves him some spaghetti too! What do you like to cook in bul? I would love to hear some recipes. Gotta run and fix tonights dinner...chicken enchiladas. YUM!

Jackie

A Hint of Spring

Looking forward to spring!

Celebration

Remember Thursday night I would be celebrating my birthday?

 My son had forgotten to tell me that it was the opening of the student art show at ASU.

I had to sub all day, but hopped in the car and headed over after school.

This proud Mama couldn't have had a better celebration!

Out of all the art students, 2 were chosen to be "Most Outstanding", and he was one of the two! I was so excited for him! It was a jurored show which meant the pieces were chosen to be in the show by a juror. He had 3 pieces, and received a small scholarship recognition for one of the pieces.

This was the best smile I could get from him. He does not like to be in the spotlight.

First on camera interview.

We had a lite dinner before heading back. So glad that I didn't miss it! Have a wonderful weekend!

Jackie

Note to Self

• 
  
  Husband on night shift
• 
  
  Children aren't home
• 
  
  You've been a PE sub all day for elementary school children (will be all week)

Just maybe you should plan something with a friend so it seems like you had a birthday.

I was surprised by a few birthday packages, but it was a very quiet evening. I was ready for bed at 7:30 even though I didn't turn in quite that early. Thursday my sweet husband and I will be having a belated celebration. Dinner and possibly a movie. Hope you are having a wonderful week. Jackie

South Georgia SNOW?

Yes, it does snow in south Georgia!

Across our fence this morning.

I went for a drive and took in the beauty of it all.

     While I was driving I thought, how amazing it is that a little snow could change my perspective. An empty field blanketed with snow became a thing of beauty. What a gift from God to have this day, being able to see beauty in the common things.

     I also was reminded of the song "Whiter Than Snow". It was like a record playing over and over in my mind, and it was as if God said, "That is what I have done for you!" Something as unlovely as me, became beautiful in His sight because of the blood that Jesus shed for me. What an awesome thing to be reminded of today!

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool." Isaiah 1:18

Blessings,

Jackie

Friendship and Fun

     One of the things God has impressed upon my heart is to open my home to other ladies for fellowship and encouragement.

     Last night we got together for the first time. Seven of us enjoyed a light meal and just getting to know each other better.

     Keeping it simple was key for me being able to enjoy the evening. Our meal consisted of Baked Potatoes w/ toppings, green salad w/ homemade dressing and topped w/ mandarin oranges, and for dessert apple dumplings with ice cream.

     Was it perfect? No, but then again it's not about being perfect, its about being available for God to use me. My perfectionist ways have hindered me for far too long, and with God's help, I am getting over it! I want Him to use me to be a blessing to others.

     I used what I had, and even the paper napkins were pretty ones that I had left over from Christmas. The camelias were from a friends yard, and they added a pretty touch to the table with no cost at all. 

     I am interested in any ideas that you might have . How are you reaching out to others for times of fun and fellowship together.

     Have a blessed weekend! Jackie 

Surprise Find

Thrifting has been slim picking around here lately, but I usually find something when I'm not really looking  Only one thing, but I had planned to purchase this new.

$1.99 at Goodwill!

 Like new, and had the double insulated bottom.

And no, it wasn't this shiny when I purchased it.

 My boy loves to fix hot tea, and I had sent the other teapot with him.

It's a lot more fun to boil your water in a kettle rather than a plain old boiler!

Have a blessed week!

Jackie

BIG News!!!!!

     O.K. It has been 11 days since I last posted. I know I am feeling pretty slack over here. Do you know we have not had this cold, rainy, cloudy of a winter in long time, here in south Georgia! It has rained, rained, and rained some more. We no longer are experiencing a drought! We have a small portion in our back yard that we are now referring to as "the pond". Some sunshine and warmth would pick me up a lot, but then, there are other things that have been occupying me.    
      Last week I went to FL again to take my girl back to the Dr. Please continue to pray.She is still having many problems with her UC. I subbed 3 days this past week, so I was either in the car or working at the school. Not really, but it sure feels that way sometimes, and believe me, those children could use some sunshine too!
     Now in other news.........my daughter and her husband are expecting.........their first baby! our first Grandchild! Wow, I am going to be a grandmother! We are excited! I told her this week on our way to the Dr. that we can always depend on her for excitement.(this was a little BIG surprise) She and I have made many, many trips to the Dr. together, so we have learned to laugh about a lot, when the situation was not that laughable. 
     In all this already God has answered prayer this week. She had to come out of the clinical trial that she was participating in. This past week she would have definitely been getting the Meds- no placebo. That was a disappointment since the trial has covered all of her medical treatment since May. Treating UC is very expensive, and the Meds that they need to try could cost in the $1000-2000 range for each individual treatment. I had already been praying about what that would mean, asking God to make a way, and he has. She received a call yesterday, that her Meds are on the way to her, and they found a plan that would make her co-pay, and a nurse will be coming from Tallahassee free of charge to show her how to give herself the injections. Answered prayer, that only God could do. It was His reminder to me that I don't need to always be the one figuring out how all of this is going to work. He is our provider! Please continue to pray for her health, and the health of the baby. Her hemoglobin is low, and needs to improve, and she is not tolerating the iron very well.
     In the recent Beth Moore Bible Study that I am participting in "A Woman's Heart God's Dwelling Place", she reminds us that "fear is an opportunity for faith". God has brought this to mind many times in the past couple of weeks. I am so glad that we serve a God whose ways are  not our ways! I would have me in a mess more often than not!
     Hopefully it will not be another 11 days before I post again. And by the way, I cannot be called Grandma or Grandmother, still a little too young for that so do you have any suggestions? My Mom is already Nana, so that is out. Can't wait to hear what you all come up with. Have a blessed evening. Jackie