Saturday, October 3, 2009

Just a thought.....ok a few....ok several.....you get the idea!

hello all, been a while. Yes we are back in the 21st Century and I have STILL not found time to get on and say "Hello." So tonight I told Joel, "I really want to post, but I don't have all of my thoughts together." (wait a minute......do I ever????) to which he replied, "Think on THERE." So here we go.

Lately I have been one busy Momma. Joel and I can stop and sit at any moment and try to get Alayna to "Goo" at us. You would think she was an only child. Seriously. She is doing wonderful, Praise God. I have become a "germaphobe," with her and I carry her around so swaddled all the time that you would think I should have braids and be carrying her on my back. Seriously. I will admit to even hugging her so tightly that she whimpered. Ok she cried..... a little. I am spending more time rocking, kissing, hugging and just staring than I ever have and I am taking in each and every moment of this last baby stage. I am so melancholy that I have at times even mourned for what I am going to miss and haven't even missed it yet...... seriously.

I was blessed with almost two bushels of tomatoes....yes TWO, and we are now going into the Spaghetti sauce business.....or we could at least. I have been eating sleeping and breathing sauce and salsa and am glad that an end is in sight. I have pictures forthcoming. Boring maybe, but I needed some comic relief in the midst of the madness so bear with me, will you? I will say that canning with Joel is so fun even though it is a lot of work. He is a piece. Just love him.

Honey and vinegar is in full swing here on Haywood. As I type Joel is on the couch and there he has been all day with aches and a full head. Take my word for it, equal parts of apple cider vinegar and honey does the trick. A table spoon in the morning, noon and night will make you a new person.......and it just might grow hair on your teeth. We are presently testing this hypothesis.

Saw the film, "Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed," by Ben Stein. Great. Catch it sometime, it is very eye-opening. It exposes the fact that some scientists have been ousted for presenting the facts concerning Intelligent design in public universities. Gives me a renewed zeal to let folks see where Darwinism leads. To really understand what a world void of God means practically. Scary, but necessary to understand. By the way, Darwin would be 200 years old this year......correction, IS 200 years old this year, somewhere. And somewhere he knows the truth.

Been thinking, been reading, been discussing heavy matters here on Haywood with Hubby. Some things concerning our "circles" our denom disturb me and you will have to wait for another post to catch the whole matter. Suffice to say that there are reasons why often we are looked on with much disapproval by the world, but more than that, even other Christians. And yes I know that if the world hated Christ they will surely hate us. This is different. This is something that we do that hinders any testimony we project and it is coming to a post near you......

I want to bring more cookies. (I just love how I can take this sentence and stick it in anywhere in this post and it look like it belongs....) What I mean is that I want to be the one who offers to bring cookies, and not just bring what I need, but an abundance. AND not just cookies. We have Mission's Conference coming up in a week or two and I want to be one that can be counted on to not just do my part, but do a part and a half...help someone else with THEIR part as well. Boy just imagine you are in charge of something and you asked people to bring some cookies. Now imagine one by one your cookies arrive and as the last lady responsible for cookies comes through the door she has enough cookies for a small army. A wonderfully refreshing feeling would sweep over you. She was a blessing to BE a blessing to you. So I want to bring more cookies. I want to bring them even if I am asked to set them in the church kitchen where no one else will notice....God notices. So go bring more cookies....and while you do...send me a few eh?

Holding hands with your spouse is clinically proven to lower your blood pressure a few degrees. It is just enough degrees perhaps to keep you from selling your trouble-maker on ebay. My question is, "Where do they do these studies and where do we sign up????" ;-)

I am dying to know who all REALLY comes to visit here, so leave a note if you do and then I'll know if most of you were just being kind asking for an invite! LOL Leave me a note and your favorite fall recipe will ya?? Just somethin', anything quick and easy. And if you do.....I will.............I will.............................................I will.............................be happy? ;-)

Night has fallen and I have the "night before church" rounds to make. Heard a great quote this week, "Kiss your children goodnight even if they are already asleep." And so I shall.

13 comments:

  1. Just letting you know that I remembered that I forgot to sign the recipe I gave you! (Did yo catch all that?) Hopefully we'll remember on game night if it isn't boxed up somewhere. =)

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  2. Hi, Deena! I love reading about your corner of the world from my little corner of the world. Glad to hear you all are doing well. Your family is welcome here in Goshen anytime!

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  3. Just noticed it says my hubby's name...well sorry to say it is me that reads your blog and not him. Maybe someday I will become computer savvy enough to get it to say "Stacey Burke said..." :)

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  4. I keep up with your blog, Deena! You are a dear, sweet blessing to me...always have been :) I'm on my lunch break at work right now, but I'll be sure to send a recipe soon. I adore baking in the Fall! Miss you...I keep you, Joel and all of your "littles" in my prayers. Hugs, Dee

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  5. Deena - I always love to read your blog. I check to see if something is new everytime I am on the computer. I really think you should write a book!! I am glad to see a little bit about Alayna. I pray for you both always. Scott's cousin Doug has been visiting frequently from South Carolina and his wife is highly allergic to peanuts, so he asked for peanut butter pie (Scott's mom is famous for it). Then they wanted a version of cherry "cheesecake" so I am enclosing both of the recipes because they have similar ingredients and they are easy. I only know how to cook fattening foods (...maybe that is why I am fat...hmmm....) so here goes:
    Peanut butter pie
    8 oz. cream cheese
    1 cup sugar
    1/4 cup sweet condensed milk
    1/3 cup peanut butter
    8 oz. pkg. of cool whip
    Mix all ingredients together. Put in graham cracker crust. Chill and enjoy!

    Cherry "cheesecake"
    8 oz. cream cheese
    1 cup sugar
    1/4 cup sweet condensed milk
    8 oz. pkg. of cool whip
    Mix all ingredients together. Put in graham cracker crust. Put can of cherry pie filling on top. Chill and enjoy!

    I doubled the peanut butter pie and made one cherry cheesecake off of one can of sweet condensed milk. Doug and Scott ate them ALL in 3 days.
    Much love to you!!

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  6. Hey Deena!
    Yep, I am a reader of your blog! Makes me laugh...especially after a long day! :-) Glad to see things are going well your way! And your little girl is coming along!
    Here's a favorite around here and also for church! Its quick and easy!!! I usually dont add as much sugar or jell-o it calls for...but you can use your judgment! =)

    Rhubarb Cake

    **4 C rhubarb
    **3/4 C sugar
    **1/2 C melted butter
    **1 sm. package of wild strawberry Jell-O
    (or just regular strawberry...but I find the 'wild' adds a better taste to it)
    **cake mix (white or yellow)

    Lay rhubarb in greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle small Jell-O on top; Sprinkle 3/4 c sugar on top of that. Sprinkle cake mix over the rest. Drizzle 1/4 c butter over top and pour 1 c of water lightly over entire mixture. Bake 45 min. in 350 oven.

    Love ya!

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  7. Hey Deena -
    I think of you often and check your blog often too! I've made your pumpkin chip cookies twice since my visit! Pizza is also on the upcoming menu :) God only knows what an encouragement you've been by just being you - by being used of Him. Thanks! Love ya! p.s. I'll email you a recipe soon!

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  8. Hey, Girl!
    I read every time you post, but you should do it at least once a day!:o)))) I love pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, too, but I have a recipe for zucchini chocolate chip muffins that is really great, as well. Thanks for your sweet look on life and your love and zeal for the Lord!

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  9. Hey Deena! I am a habitual "checker" as well. I always have to see if there is something new on your blog. As far as recipes go, I have made your pizza pockets once, your chiloodle twice, and your chocolate pudding is cooling by the window as I type! I will have to go check my recipe box to see what I have that is worth sharing.

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  10. I haven't commented before because, hey, you know I'm here, and also because I haven't tried one fall recipe this year that hasn't flopped. So I'll leave that to the others. ;)

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  11. I'm still reading. This recipe is what I'm making for Tom's birthday cake in a couple of weeks. (His is the same as Diana's!)

    Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

    1 package of Devil's Food Cake Mix
    1/2 cup vegetable oil
    3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
    1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
    1 cup sour cream
    1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    4 eggs, lightly beaten
    3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips, divided
    1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 10-inch springform pan.

    2. Combine cake mix and oil in large bowl. Mix well. Press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes or until set. Remove from oven. (increase oven temp to 450)

    3. Place cream cheese in large mixing bowl. Beat at low speed with electric mixer, adding sugar gradually. Add sour cream and vanilla extract, mixing until blended. Add eggs, mixing only until incorporated. Toss 1/2 cup chocolate chips with flour. Fold into cream cheese mixture. Pour filling onto crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips. Bake at 450 for 5 to 7 min. Reduce oven temperature to 250. Bake at 250 for 60-65 minutes or until set. Loosen cake from sides of pan with knife or metal spatula. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack. Refrigerate until read to serve.

    It's pretty involved. I have actually baked this cake in at least 2 years. I found that doing something this involved in my kitchen with any more than one child around was quite overwhelming. I pray that i can pull it together for a birthday cake! :)

    Taylor Stivers

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  12. I read and love your blog Mrs. Royalty. Am praying and hoping that you are all will still be able to come the Monday of college days!!!

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