Saturday, April 26, 2008

Pizza


I love homemade pizza; not only does it taste better it is so much fun to make. I make and bake my crust ahead of time so that when I want pizza I can whip it up fast. You can get really creative with pizza and put really whatever you like on it. This is a very good pizza, everyone always likes it!


Pizza Crust
Makes 3 crusts or 4 thin and crispy crusts
1 cup warm water
2 Tbs. Oil
1 Tbs. Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
3 cups bread flour (King Arthur is the Best)
1 ½ tsp. Yeast
Put all ingredients in a mixing bowl as listed. Mix well; knead on lightly floured counter for 6-8 min. Sprinkle flour on counter to keep dough from sticking. Place dough in lightly greased bowl, cover with damp cloth rest for 20 min. Divide dough into 3 balls, roll out dough on lightly floured counter to about 10- 11 inch. As you roll the dough check to make sure it is not sticking to much, it will some, but you should be able to get it up. You can make smaller and thicker pizza crusts if you like, just don’t roll out so thin. Place dough on a lightly sprayed cookie or pizza sheet prick with fork and place in oven. Pre Bake in a 400 degree oven for 6-8 min. dough will not be browned just done enough that you can put toppings on them later. This is great for making ahead and storing for later use. You can freeze them in a zip-lock bag.
Top with whatever you like, bake for 6 -8 min. until cheese is melted through.
Note: If you want to eat pizza right away you do not have to precook dough, just top dough and enjoy!



Ranch Chicken Pizza
Makes: 8 slices
1 lb. chicken breast, cubed
2-3 garlic, minced or a little dry garlic would be fine
1-2 tomatoes, chopped, optional
½-¼ cup and 3-5 Tbs. Ranch dressing (Thick dressing)
Grated cheese (mixture of Parmesan and mozzarella)

Saute chicken in a little oil. As soon as it is no longer pink ,stir in enough dressing to coat chicken well, 3-5 tablespoons, saute until done. Chicken will get a little golden around edges. Set aside. Combine ranch dressing with garlic. Spread ranch mixture over pizza crust, Top with chicken and grated cheese. Bake about 6-8 min. until cheese is melted. Sprinkle chopped tomatoes on top after taking it out of the oven.
Note: This may seem strange but it is very good.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Wisdom


" The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance."


Charles Spurgeon


We have so much information in this society that we cram into our minds that it is easy to start believing we already know everything. Yet, that attitude, as Spurgeon suggested, slams shut the door to wisdom. We need to have teachable hearts and we do this by admitting our constant, personal need for God's Wisdom. We need to put away our attitudes that we "know it all"and admit we really "know nothing."




"In whom (Jesus) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."


Colossians 2:3


Sunday, April 20, 2008

Funny Kids


Kids say the funniest things; I wish that I had recorded all the funny things my children have said. A friend emailed these to me, I thought I would share them with you.




Steven (age 3 ) hugged and kissed his mom good night. " I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window."




Susan (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. "Please don't give me this juice again, she said, " It makes my teeth cough."




James (age 4 ) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt. " Concerned, James asked: "What happened to the flea?"




Tammy ( age 4 ) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then asked, "Why doesn't your skin fit your face?"
My little sister said something like this to my grandmother, she said," Grandma your face is falling.":-)

Tuesday, April 15, 2008



He Died For Me

I saw One hanging on a tree, In agony and blood;
He fixed His Languid eyes on me, As near His cross I stood.
Sure, never, till my latest breath, Can I forget that look:
It seemed to change me with His death, Tho’ not a word HE spoke.
My conscience felt and owned the guilt, And plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins His blood had spilt And helped to nail Him there.
Alas! I knew not what I did,- But now my tears are vain:
Where shall my trembling soul be hid? For I the Lord have slain.
A second look He gave, which said, “ I freely all forgive:
This blood is for thy ransom paid, I die that thou may’st live.”
Oh, can it be, upon a tree The Saviour died for me?
My soul is thrilled, My heart is filled,
To think He died
for me!

John Newton

Friday, April 11, 2008

Deer Trouble



My husband will be looking for a new car ( I'm sure I will help ). He hit a deer on the way to work yesterday morning. He said, "when I went around the corner there she was." Thank the Lord he was not hurt! We always buy used vehicles, so we only purchase liability insurance; thankfully, (we do not remember doing this) we purchased some extra car insurance that covers accidence do to animals. Well a deer is an animal, Odocoileus virginianus, head and body length, 4-6 ft., Habitat- forests, swamps, and adjacent brushy areas, in other words, beside paved country roads. Sadly his car is only worth about $600-$800. He really has gotten the goody out of it! Of course this is better than having nothing at all! We did just receive our tax money, Buy, Buy bathroom!


On a funny note, someone pulled up beside my husband ,in a truck, and ask him what he was going to do with the deer; not," are you ok, can we help you?" My husband traded the deer for the use of their cell phone. God is good and has cared for us thus far, and I know that,"all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. Have a great day and watch out for the Odocoileus virginianus! (:

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

The Weaver


My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily,
Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I, the underside.
Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
—Author Unknown
I think this poem is so true. When your sewing, weaving, etc. the underside is such a mess, but the top is beautiful. God takes all the trials and struggles in our lives and makes us complete and a beautiful work of art for Him, if we let Him!

Skillet Spaghetti




(This is very good and easy)

Serves: 7 (1cup servings)

1 lb ground beef, chicken, turkey, sausage or a mixture
3 cups water
1 18oz. can tomato juice
1 6oz can tomato paste
2 Tbs. Minced dried onion
1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Garlic powder
1 tsp. Dried Italian herbs or oregano
1 7 oz. package whole wheat spaghetti (when cooked like this taste no different)
Fresh Parmesan cheese to grate on top

In a large skillet or pot with lid, brown meat, add everything to meat except pasta and cheese. Bring to a boil. Simmer covered for 30 min. stir often. Add the uncooked spaghetti, I break pasta in half; simmer, covered, 30 min. Stir often. This can also be done in a crock pot.

Serve with:
Fresh Grated Parmesan cheese
Garlic Bread
Green Salad

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Tomato Time

"My husband is not planting cups"


"Small tomato plant"

Our garden! The big plants are potatoes.



It is gardening time again! I just can’t wait to take a bite out of a, garden fresh, tomato! I do love tomatoes! I have friends that do not like them, but I over look that fault.: ) We keep the tomato farmers in business during the winter months. I have a green house, and I always plan to grow tomatoes in it, during the winter, but so far it has not happened yet. This year we are growing heirlooms in hopes the tomatoes will produce the whole season. The hybrids do not seem to last.
In the past we have had problems with cut warms; these little guys go along the ground and just, Timmmmmber, down go’s the plant. My husband puts a cup, on each of the plants, and this puts a stop to their logging. The first time my husband did this, his brother picked on him saying that, "my husband must be confused, that it was cut warms, not cup warms." His brother’s laughter turned to sorrow when the little loggers cut his tomato plants, to the ground. :( In case you are wondering ,why not blue or clear cups? My husband uses red cups because he read that the color red stimulates growth in tomato plants. "Most tomatoes do seem to be partial to red."

My sweet husband comes up with some very interesting ideas that always seem to work. Last year we did have beautiful plants and an abundance of tomatoes. But God is the master gardener, so he may have given us a good crop despite our strange gardening techniques.
Let’s see, what shall I make first, maybe tomato and basil salad or tomato sandwiches or marinara sauce ooooor, maybe I should not count my chickens before they hatch.
Happy Gardening. (: