Choose Joy

Now days it seems everyone has a reason to be unhappy.

The unrest in our country's capital.

The hot or cold weather.

The kids are driving you crazy.

The bills and housework piled to the sky.....

BUT......

The word of God tells us we are to CHOOSE JOY!

I choose everyday to be happy.

Some days are hard...But choose joy!

How we choose to react to our situation is so important

Especially if you have little ones. More is caught than taught.

Today....Choose to have a joyful attitude.

Love others. Be Kind.

Choose joy!

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Gal 5:22

                                                                          



  Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.  Psalm 149:5

                                               

       

    Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18

                                                 

Find more encouragment at:

http://lorialexander.blogspot.com/
http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/

http://www.dontwasteyourhomemaking.com/

http://womenlivingwell.org/
http://raisinghomemakers.com/

Baby Shower & Sherbet Punch Recipe

 (Diaper Cake I made for my sister)

This past weekend I was blessed to travel 9 hours to help host a baby shower for my sister.

She is having a little girl and the weekend was such fun.

The shower was wonderful and the fellowship even better.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend...and the food, of course :)

Enjoy!

Carla <><

My beautiful mother and beautiful sister

We made Cut out Cookie favors for the guests

Fruit Kabobs

Asian Cole Slaw

Pumpkin Bread

Chicken Salad Croissants

Me and my sweet little girl

Cake and Punch

{Sherbet Punch}

Sherbet Punch:

Raspberry Sherbet

Sprite

Add the Sherbet to the punch bowl- Slowly add the Sprite

At Christmas time we use Lime Sherbet

You could also you Orange Sherbet :)

Blessings!!  

Carla <><

Find this post over at:

Raising Homemakers

Women Living Well
Comfy in the Kitchen

Birthday Fun

I celebrated a birthday this past week.
I was blessed to have my parents come over for the weekend.
We kept busy and had lots of fun.
Here are a few photos from the weekend
Hope you enjoy!
Carla <><

 

Birthday gift from my dear husband
A dutch oven I've been wanting

 Blueberry Picking

 Lunch in Amish Country...

Beautiful Sunset on the way home...
Have a blessed week!!

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

{ Black Bean and Corn Salsa}

We went to a cookout with some dear friends awhile back.

This was brought by a friend's sweet mother.

I could have eaten the whole bowl it was so good!

I got the recipe and have been enjoying it ever since.

I made this while vacationing with family this June.

I've have many requests for the recipe. so here you go!!

Perfect summer snack...It is also great on a bed of lettuce for a summer salad.

Hope you Enjoy!!!

 Black Beans, Red Pepper, Yellow Pepper, Red Onion, Limes, Green Onions,

Avocados, Roma Tomatoes, Garlic, Cilantro, Salt, and Pepper

 Rinse Black Beans

Chop all the veggies, Avocado, and Cilantro

Place everything in a bowl and pour the lime juice over top.

Salt and Pepper to taste- Stir Well

Serve with chips!

Enjoy!

Carla <><

Black Bean and Corn Salsa:

2 Cans Black Beans-drained and rinsed

1 Red Pepper- chopped

1 Yellow Pepper- chopped

3 Avocados- sliced and cubed

3 Roma Tomatoes- chopped

Green Onions- chopped

Red Onion- chopped

Cilantro- Chopped

Yellow Corn- drained

White Corn- drained

2 Garlic Cloves- pressed

Juice of 2-3 limes

Salt and Pepper- to taste

Linked up at:

Raising Homemakers

Women Living Well

White Pizza

{White Pizza}

I just LOVE homemade pizza.

My mom made them for our family and now I make them for my family!

AHHH...

We really love to try new flavors and re-create what we find at pizzerias

This is a White Pizza that has to be one of MY FAVORITE'S!!

It is very simple and oh, so delicious

The Marinara makes the pizza!  You serve it on the side.

Hope you enjoy!

You gotta try this!!!

Carla <><

 Italian Blend Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, Spinach

 Pizza Dough

  Nice and Thin

 Top with Shredded Cheese and Ricotta Cheese

(That's my little man getting a taste)

Top with Fresh Spinach

Bake 450' until golden brown

Enjoy a slice tonight!!

White Pizza:

1-Homemade Pizza Dough

Italian Cheese Blend

Ricotta Cheese

Spinach

Marinara Sauce

**just a tip:  About half way thru the cooking process, I pushed the Ricotta Cheese
down with the back of a spoon- just to spread it out**

Mariana Sauce:

1 Cup Jar Spaghetti Sauce

Slices Fresh Basil

1 clove Fresh Garlic

Warm and Serve with pizza

Sharing this recipe at:

Raising Homemakers

Women Living Well
Don't Waste Your Homemaking
This Chick Cooks
Comfy in the Kitchen



Homemade Pizza Dough

 {Homemade Pizza Dough}

 Flour, Salt, Yeast, Honey, Olive Oil, Warm Water

 Place the Flour, Salt, Yeast, Olive Oil, and Honey in Bowl

 Add Hot Water

Mix together

 Until it forms a ball

 (You may need to use a dusting of flour if the dough is sticky)

 Cover and let sit for 10 min

Knead the dough for about 2-5 min.

Using a dusting of flour to form and nice soft dough

Now you have a wonderful pizza dough.

This will make 2-3 pizza's- Depending on how thick you like the dough

Homemade Pizza Dough:

2 1/2 Cups Flour

1 TB Yeast

1 tsp Salt

1 TB Honey

4 TB Olive Oil

1 Cup Warm Water

(Make 2-3 Pizza's)

**You can use Whole Wheat Flour**

Top with some yummy toppings and bake

450 degrees

Hope you enjoy!

Carla <>< 

Hamburgers

{Hamburgers}

With summer in full force I just had to share my homemade hamburger recipe.

We have these often during the warm "grilling" months.
Although I made them last January for a birthday party : )

They are quick and easy to mix and can be frozen for a later time.

Parred up with some homemade fires and stemmed veggies makes for a very happy family!

Hope you enjoy!

Carla <><

1 LB Hamburger, Half and Half (or milk), 1 egg, Mustard, 1 Slice of Bread, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder

Lightly beat egg- Cube the slice of bread

Place all ingredients into a large bowl

Mix Well

All mixed up-Ready to assemble the patties

I like to place the patties in the freezer for an hour or more.

This helps so much once on the grill-They don't fall apart.

You could make them in the morning and freeze until ready to use

Then head out to the grill

Perfection!

Homemade Hamburgers:

1 LB Hamburger

1 Egg-Beaten

2 TB Half & Half (or milk)

1 Slice Bread-chopped

1/4 tsp Onion Powder

1/8 tsp Garlic Powder

1 TB Mustard

Extra Topping are up to you!

I highly recommend some Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce

Hellman's Mayo and good ole' Ketcup!!

{Makes 5 patties}

Club Sandwiches

 {Simple Club Sandwiches}

Deli Ham, Deli Turkey, Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, Bread, Mayo

 Toast 3 slices of Bread and start to layer

You can do this anyway you prefer

Mayo, Ham, Bacon

 Another slice of toast, mayo, turkey, cheese, lettuce

 Top with mayo and toast

 Slice it up real fancy ;)

Doesn't that look good!

Lunch is served- This could also be a great "cold dinner"

Just serve with some sides and you are set!

Hope you enjoy!

Carla <><

Club Sandwiches:

Deli Ham- 2 Slices

Deli Turkey- 2 Slices

American Cheese

Mayo

Bacon -We use Turkey Bacon

Lettuce

Toasted Bread- 3 Slices

Linked up at:
http://womenlivingwell.org/
http://comfynkitchen.blogspot.com/
http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/