Raves of a Reflection

I'm participating in "Weekend Reflections" over at Newtown Area Photos. During the weekend, participants post just that--a photo that involves reflection. How unique is that.

I hope you enjoy this little jewel. I took it on a girls' vacation trip to San Diego.

Southwestern Mac-N-Cheese

This will be a hit with anyone who likes Mexican food and cheese!

1 (16 oz.) pkge uncooked elbow macaroni (or pasta of your choice)
1 lb. ground beef
1 med. onion
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chiles
½ c. diced tomatoes
1 pkg. taco seasoning
3 T. butter
3 T. flour
2 c. milk
1 t. s
½ t. pepper
8 oz. Pepper Jack cheese
8 oz. Mozzarella cheese
½ c. picante sauce

Cook pasta according to pkg. directions.

In a separate skillet, brown meat with onion. Then add green chiles , taco seasoning, and tomatoes.

In another pan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in milk, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat, stir in cheeses.

Drain pasta and pour into cheese mixture. Stir in meat mixture and picante sauce. Then top with more cheese, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly.

Top with crushed tortilla chips. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

*I only used half the pasta and used what cheeses I had on hand.

Made a large amount....... I'm thinking pot luck dish for a church meal.

Undercover Boss Shows Up!

The new reality series, UNDERCOVER BOSS, has nothing on us here in North Texas!

To fill you in just in case you haven't heard about it, this is a show which follows high-level chief executives as they slip anonymously into the rank and file of their companies.

Each week a different executive leaves the comfort of their office for an undercover mission to examine how things work out in the field. While working alongside their employees, they get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make the company or organization run.

So...we had our own such event this past week. This is the superintendent of our school district as he ventured out of his office. This pic was taken at the middle school as he served students coming through the cafeteria at lunch. Doesn’t he look like he’s enjoying himself? Needless to say, he was a HIT!

Tonsils and a View in Conway

Marilyn and I are in Conway, Arkansas (home of Kris Allen and Conway Twitty) for the weekend. Chad, my 24 yr. old nephew, transferred here with his job about two months ago. He's loving the area, already made some friends, and found a church.

He's also found a doctor! He just had his tonsils taken out this morning. He is sleeping like a baby back at his apartment. We are in charge of pain medications and pushing fluids in between his LONG naps.

I thought I would share two awesome pictures with you.

First...the view out on the balcony of his apartment!

Next....the view inside one of his closets!

Have you EVER in your LIFE seen a 24 yr. old male (or female) keep the closet so organized?

Vintage Finds

I mentioned that this past weekend I went to the "Affair of the Heart" craft show. Although it was somewhat of an adventure getting to Oklahoma City from North Texas through a snow storm, the next day turned out to be beautiful there. The sun came out, and it was very pleasant walking from building to building.

Here are a couple of my favorite purchases. Both of these were from "vintage" booths.

A large basket loaded with "magic" quilting fabric for a whopping $9.00

Hot Iron Transfers just like Mother used -- $1.00 each

This was the one craft that she enjoyed doing. I can't tell you how many sets of kitchen towels she did for us. I'll show you some of them some day.

(By the way Chad, we missed you! It was weird being in OKC without seeing you there.)

Beauty All Around

These are samplings of the out-of-the ordinary sights we had a couple of days ago. Hard to believe we had a blizzard in North Texas. I know you ladies up north are SO use to this. But here in my neck of the woods this accumulation of the pretty white stuff is rare to say the least.

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These are a couple of my favorite photos from a Valentine's Banquet that our church hosted for widows and widowers.

The Beautiful Dessert Table

Isn't this the CUTEST thing ever?

Craft Fair Yesterday!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Make a Friend

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Today, February 11, is "Make a Friend Day." It's a great opportunity to meet someone new or do something to make a new friend.

Do you have enough of them? Hopefully, there is always room for another one. Friends are one of life's valuable assets. You just can't have too many.

So get out there, my friends, and do something nice to make a new one. Hey, this should be easy; just visit a new blog.

Prayer-Filled Treat Bags

If your ladies' group is looking for their next bible study, this is proving to be a really great one for our group. It's a ten-week study, and each unit has a 30 minute video presentation.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

And............here's a sneak peak at the little treat bags I'm working on for them tonight.

Vintage Valentine

Old Valentines bring back such special memories! They take me back to elementary school, and all the excitement of that special day.

This was a fun little project. I used a frame I had on hand. After I painted it white, then I began building the collage using vintage valentines, ribbon, a heart button, a sheet of scrapbook paper, and a few extra jewels to spiff it up. I did not put the glass in, because I simply love the 3-D tactile effect.

You just gotta try this!

This chicken taco soup recipe is so adaptable to what you prefer or have in the pantry. It is one of my favorite soups that I frequently take to work. It’s different from a similar recipe because it uses chicken rather than beef.

1 can Rotel
1 can corn (not drained)
1-2 cans white hominy (not drained)
1 can pinto beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 pkge taco seasoning
1 pkge HV Ranch dressing
2-3 cups water
2 cans white chicken breast (drained)


Notes:

Don’t let the hominy scare you if you are not a fan of it. Please (I beg you!) try it.

Feel free to adjust the amounts of taco seasoning and Ranch dressing.

You can’t mess this one up!

And……..it’s healthy and low fat!!!!!!

Hey, aren't you impressed? I do have recipes that aren't dripping in calories and fat!

Introducing the Newest "Rag Doll"

Yesterday Glory found this plush, wet rag cloth. (Yes, of course, it was totally germ free.)

So for the next fifteen minutes, she proceeded to parade around the house modeling it and just having the best time.

You just never know where, when, and how you will find those moments with them!

"P-E-A-C-E" ....... DIY

Although it's not a Valentine's one, I did make a shirt this week! I used a sweatshirt I got on sale, some fabric, and a crystal peace sign. I had ordered the crystal peace thingee online and really wanted to use it before I lost it (HA).

I like the way it turned out.

“Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make."

A Birthday and A Busy Ant

Happy 29th Birthday, Justin!!

Justin is at the station today. But we wanted to wish him a great birthday. We have a party planned for Friday. We love you!

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Water wears away stones. — Job 14:19 NIV

Where would you like to be in six months or a year? And how will you get there? Just as the ant picks up one grain of sand and moves it, then the next one, then the next one—and because of its long obedience in the same direction builds a city—one year from now, we will all be different. We don’t get to stay the same, but we do get a choice in how we will have changed, whether it’s for the better or not.

In your spiritual lives, too, as you “play the movie forward,” where do you want to be in a year’s time? If you want to be growing in your faith, closer to God and bold in your prayers, then day by day follow the example of the little ant and set your face in that direction by spending time in God’s Word and in worship and prayer every day.

Everything that has value is worth intentional, daily commitment and obedience. I know that it’s not easy, but just take the first step, then the next and the next, and before you know it you’ll be much further down the road. Understand it can take time. All good things do. But that’s okay, because the journey is worth it.

— Sheila Walsh

Excerpted from Get Off Your Knees and Pray © 2007 by Sheila Walsh. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson.

Isn't it great to get something "special" in the mail?

No, not talking about something marked IRS or your tax statements. But a real something you can get excited about. That's the great thing about giveaways. Sometimes we get to be the sender, and other times, if we are so lucky, we might just get to be on the other end.

Well, I just got something special from a blogging friend of mine. I won Thena's Super Bowl party package! I'm all set after going through everything. I have plates, napkins, and even a table runner. As you can see, she also included a very nice football chip and dip tray. Then to make it even a "hotter" deal, she threw in some Old El Paso peppers. What more could we need to prompt us to have a Super Bowl Party? Yes, we will be sad our Dallas Cowboys fell out! But the excitement can still be there. So bring it on; let's party!