Roast Beef Crescent with Au Jus Sauce - Yum!

Brrr! It feels like we are still in the month of January with wind chill factors in the 20s because of the very cold winds. I love every season, but when the cold gets into my bones I am instantly ready for warmer weather. News reports are predicting that we should get a chance of flurries this weekend along with more COLD temps. Okay Spring, lets bring in the 60-70 degree weather because I'm getting cabin fever. I would love to get outside and go for a walk. Colton is going through playground withdrawals. Yesterday, he begged and begged to go to the playground. I felt so bad for him, so we ate lunch at Chick-fil-a, which happens to have a indoor playground. I'm not in love with indoor restaurant playgrounds, but it saved my day. He has so much energy and he just can't get it all out, stuck inside the house. My sister got a taste of it yesterday. We visited my eldest sister on her birthday. I couldn't get Colton and Katie to calm down for nothing, plus they got little Zayden all wound up as well.

   

I am ending this last day of February with one more new recipe that I made last night. So so good! It is a low fat meal, but that's about it. I used reduced fat crescent rolls and cheese.

Roast Beef Crescent with Au Jus Sauce

Ingredients: 

1 (8 count) can of reduced fat crescent rolls 

Thinly sliced roast beef

Reduced fat Provolone Cheese

Horseradish Sauce 

Packet of Au Jus Sauce

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

Unroll the crescent rolls and separate the 8 pieces on a working source.  Put a dab of horseradish sauce on each piece.  Place 1-2 slices of roast beef on each piece of crescent.  I cut the cheese in half to make it fit on each crescent.  

Begin rolling each roast beef crescent, starting with the wide end to the narrow end.  Place on a cookie sheet.  Bake for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown.  

Meanwhile, cook the Au Jus sauce as instructed on packet.  Cooking time is about 3-4 minutes or until boiling.  

Simple. Quick and Easy!  

I served our roast beef crescents with baked sweet potato fries.  SO GOOD!!!!!

Note: I used Provolone cheese because it is one of my favorite, I'm not a big Swiss cheese fan.  Plus, It melted perfectly in the oven.  You can also use Mozzarella cheese as well.  I think these would make great party hor d'oeuvres.

 

Parties, Parties and more

Colton and Katie LOVED their Hershey Kiss.  Katie told me that it was the biggest Hershey Kiss she'd ever seen in her life.  LOL!  They are still slowly working on their Kiss.

 

I got to be the party leader for our Valentine party.  We had loads of fun!  I had so much fun that I had to have a nap later that day.  LOL!  I made a batch of my "Love Truffles" and all the other parents brought fruit, cupcakes, cookies, juice boxes, and other candies.  Mrs. M liked my truffles.  Katie made a little box for Mrs. M to take some home for herself and her hubby.  I love this class!  Such a great group of fantastic kids and loving, supportive parents.  

School year is slowly wrapping up and Katie has taken notice.  She is sad.  She just loves school so much!  I told her to just enjoy the rest of the year and look forward to the next year.  She brought her report card home last night.  STRAIGHT As!!  {applaud} Her DIBELS test came back this week as well.  She is doing great.  The goal for the end of the year, children her age should be able to read 90 words per minutes by the month of May.  I'm happy to report Katie read 142 words per minute.  As far as her math test, she has scored all average for a second grader.

 She has worked so hard and stressed out a few times, but she made it.  We are so proud of her.  Last week, she wrote her first book report.  Honestly, I don't remember writing reports at such a young age.  Of course, she plagiarized.  Her book report was about Martin L. King.  She was inspired about his peaceful movements.  Now, the kids have to make posters that represent their book reports.  I can't wait to see it.

Last Sunday, Whitney's Mother-in-law threw her a baby shower for baby Avery.  Doesn't she look great?  The baby is due the first week of April, but we really don't think she'll make her due date.  She was early with Zayden.  Whitney is nothing but baby.  She said that when she stretches, she has a head in her ribs and a foot in her hip.  Poor thing.  I was the same way with Katie.  As you can tell, her nursery is lavender.   I love shades of purple.  I went a little crazy painted in my house.  I have a lilac bathroom and grape colored bedroom.  LOL!  

The Three Musketeers!

I tried a new recipe for this month.  If you like Barbecue Chicken and you are living a healthier lifestyle, then this recipe is for you.  

Sweet Baby Ray's Crockpot Chicken

4-6     Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

1 btl   Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce

1/4 C Vinegar

1 tsp   Red Pepper Flakes

1/4 C  Brown sugar

1 tsp   Garlic Powder

Mix BBQ sauce with vinegar, red pepper flakes, brown sugar and garlic powder.  

Place chicken in crockpot (still frozen is ok).  Pour sauce mixture over chicken. 

Cook on LOW 4-6 hours.  

The chicken is so moist that it just falls apart.  I actually bought a larger bottle of BBQ sauce, so I added a little more.  I did this to make sure that the chicken would have enough liquid to stay moist and not dry out.  

I had planned to serve with steamed veggies and sweet corn on the cob.  Unfortunately, Katie was having a school project crisis that Doug had to help out in the Kitchen.  He preferred canned french cut green beans and canned sweet whole corn.  It was still real good.  

 

A Love Letter ~

A Love Letter To My Heavenly Father ~

You gave me life and planned a beautiful path for me before I was even conceived.  Your craftsmanship sculpted me ever so gently to your perfection with just the sound of your voice.  You made me with a purpose in mind.  You knew me before I was born.  You hold my hand and help me through the most difficult times.  You give me your shoulder to cry on, when I've been hurt.  You encourage me to do what is right and pick me up when I've done wrong.  You are my guiding light and everlasting hope.  When the world makes no sense, you clear the fog for me to see.  Your love and grace protects me from evil.  You allow tests and trials to come my way, to make me strong.  Why?  Because I know there is something very powerful trying to hurt me.  My flaws keep me from being with you, but hope and your love keeps me marching on.  I know in my heart that I will be with you FOREVER and what a JOYOUS day that will be.  You've never had me sign a contract and there are no strings, in order to receive your LOVE.  You are the TRUTH and the LIFE, the BEGIN and the END.  Where you go, I will go LORD.  My heart beats uncontrollably when I hear your name.  The Holy Spirit inside of me LIGHTS up when I read your WORD.  When someone says something negative about you and your WORD, I want to be defensive.  When I loose my temper, I ask for your forgiveness.  I thank you every day for picking me up out of the gully of sin, washing me clean with your grace, dressing me with your patience and understanding and leading me out in the world with only your WORD.  Lord, thank you for giving me hope for a better tomorrow.

~ Your Loving Servant, Mirya   

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! 

I absolutely LOVE The Piano Guys! Below is their new video of Taylor Swift's "Begin Again." If you are having a stressful day, I encourage you to grab some chocolate, get something to drink, turn down the shades, light your favorite scented candle, play this video and turn up the volume. Ahh! Sheer delight!

 

You will have to stay tuned to see photos of Katie's Valentine party. Mrs. M left me in charge of the party. It was very simple because we have the greatest group of parents. They always step up to the plate when they are needed. I actually hated to turn some away because we will have plenty of the food and supplies. AWESOME!!! I think the kids are going to have a wonderful time.

Because Doug and I won't be seeing each other this morning, we decided to swap our Valentines last night. The kids couldn't understand why we exchanged our gifts then and they couldn't have theirs until this morning. I had to explain to Katie that it's because daddy and I wouldn't be seeing each other this morning. "Oh." That's all it took for her to understand. Doug mentioned a few days ago, how he wanted the new 007 movie "Skyfall." Yes, we are big James Bond fans from back in the 70s. I grew up with 007, so it was instilled me from my family. I picked up the Bluray for Doug. Hopefully, we'll get to watch it this weekend. I've needed a new Bama t-shirt. I got to noticing that mine are looking a little worn. Doug picked me up a new t-shirt. I love it! I have to tell you the story of the t-shirt. Yesterday, I did my usual routine. I got up, put my clothes on, opened up Katie's door, turned on the lights, took her covers off of her and told her to get up. I know that sounds harsh, but we could be in the middle of a tornado and the child will not wake up. I have pulled her out of bed and put her clothes on for her and she would still be asleep. I don't understand it. Anyway, when Katie did get out of bed, I noticed she was fooling with something under her bed. "What are you doing?" I asked her. She pulled out a bag and said that her daddy told her that it was her prize for today. What? I had no idea what was going on. I asked her what it was. She pulled out a t-shirt. I asked her again. "Daddy said that was for you?" "Yeah" she said. Okay. I told her to pull it out and let's see it. I noticed it was a Bama shirt. "Oh, daddy got you a Bama shirt. How nice." She said that it looked too big. I couldn't get a good look, so I asked her to give it to me. Yeah, it was way too big for her. I noticed the tag was a Large. That's when it dawned on me what was going on. "Uh, oh." Just then, I saw her looking at the card inside the bag. It had "MOM" written on the front. Whoops! I told her that I think this was suppose to be mine, instead of her. Bless her heart. She felt bad. She started telling me that she was so so sorry. I assured her that it was alright. I told her that we would put it back in the bag and no one will know. Well, I forgot to put it back underneath the bed. We were a little rushed. Yesterday afternoon, Doug told Katie and Colton that he needed them back in her bedroom. It dawned on me what he was going to do. I told him, "I don't think what your looking for is in there." His face fell. Oops! I showed him the bag and told him the story. We got a nice chuckle out of it. Then, he takes the kids to the back room to sign the card. It was sweet! Valentine's Day runs into ballet practice, so we will have to celebrate this weekend as well. After ballet, I plan on picking up some Italian food. Doug's parents are coming over and will have supper together, while we visit.

I hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day!


 

Just Perfect Book Review

Just Perfect by Julie Ortolon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you see the date, when I began reading this book, you will laugh. Yes, I did start reading this book on my Kindle last year. Because of so many interruptions, I had to stop and start several times. I really wanted to finish it, but time wasn't on my side.

It's a very sweet romantic novel. All the ladies will fall in love with Alec and want to slap some sense into Christine. Christine has a lot of struggles that she must face, but her main problem area is a relationship with her parents. All she wanted was to feel accepted and loved by her parents, especially her father, Dr. Ashton. Will he ever accept the person that she has become? Will he ever love her the way she deserves? Chris goes above and beyond to make her parents happy, proud of her accomplishments and just LOVED. She tries so hard that it may destroy the only love she will ever receive from the man that loves her unconditionally. Will they ever get married and have a normal life, without her parents reminding her that Alec doesn't fit in her lifestyle? Which path will she take, the path her parent dictate or the path of love and happiness? I don't want to give anything away, but it was a good read. I had to admit that the first few chapters were a little slow for me. I am happy to announce that once Alec continued to pursue Chris, it did pick up. Loved how Julie set the scene of the Rockies. Being there personally, a flood of wonderful memories came to mind as I read her description of the Rockies. I felt like I was there with the snow and Chatelet along the mountain ridges.



View all my reviews

The Duck Commander Family Book Review

 

~ photo supplied by Duck Dynasty~

Happy Mardi Gras Y'all!! 

What a better way to celebrate Fat Tuesday then give you a book review about one of the best Christian families from Louisiana.  I have actually been wanting to give you this review for about a month now, but too many other things took precedence.  

I have to thank my sweet sweet friend and cousin-in-law for giving me "The Duck Commander Family" book for Christmas.  Some how she found out how much Doug and I are on fire for the "Duck Dynasty" show on A&E channel. The new season premier will be Wednesday, February 27th on A&E at 10/9 CST.  To make the gift even sweeter, she had Mrs. Kay Robertson sign the book for me.  Isn't that so nice?  Thank you girl!  

This book is just like the television show, not. a. disappointment.  It is absolutely a must read!  I promise you.  You will kick yourself for not reading this sooner.  It is that good.  Talk about inspiring as well.  A lot of times, while reading the book, I felt myself feeling like "ugh, why can't I get that motivated.  Or man, I've got to step up my game."  I don't want to give a lot away, but Willie and Korie will take you on a ride from rags to riches story.  They tell you how God transformed their lives for the better and He continues to bless them.  There were some situations and era that I could relate, then they show you how they survived by the grace of God.  When I finished the book, I felt like I'd known them all their life.  Real down to earth, food lovin', God praisin', good ol' folks.  What I love the best about the whole Robertson family is how they always give God the glory.  

The book is full of never seen before pictures from the younger days and several recipes from Mrs. Kay, Willie and Phil.  I want to leave you with a quote from Willie on his advice.  

"Don't take yourself too seriously, laugh a lot, enjoy your time with family, and appreciate the unique talents of others.  Trust in God, love your neighbor, say you're sorry, forgive and work hard.  Sit down to a good meal, turn off your cell phone, respect your elders, and of course, get out in the woods and enjoy some good ol' frog legs.  That's the Robertson way!"  

 

Be Aware Bloggers

I just felt like I should pass the news along to those that have blogs and are not aware of the rapid spammers. I might be the only one that has a target mark on my blog, but I've noticed for the past several months the spam comments. Because I had a couple of bad run ins on bad comments from strangers, I decided to adjust my permission authorization section of my blog. This happened about 3-4 years ago.  If you send me a comment, I have to approve it before it is published to my post. After deleting several bogus comment spams the other day, I got to thinking you may not be aware. You might want to consider adjusting your authorization for comments as well. Several of these spam comments were for posts that I wrote years ago. Of course, the spam comments encourage you to visit their website. Now when I was a new blogger, it wasn't anything unusual for someone to add their blog site to a comment. All of them at first were just for the new moms.  I deliberately joined associations for new moms or Southerners that encouraged each of us to visit one another and add a nice comment.  To this day, I still follow several of their blogs because we have common interests. Lately, the comments I receive are anonymous and they may add a very lengthy comment. Saying how much they enjoyed reading my post. How informed they were after reading my post and for me to visit their website. At first, I checked out a couple of these websites just to find out that they were selling something like herbs or office equipment. It had nothing to do with my post or what I'm about. A lot advertise adult merchandise or videos and they always leave their website.   Yes, you've got it.  Porn and other disgusting websites are trying to leak into this momma's blog.  I'm outraged!   If your permission is open to the world, you may never see these comments because they will more than likely be published on very old posts. Because of my permission status, I receive an email every time someone tries to leave a comment. I have had these same people try several times posting their advertisements or absurd comments and then tell me that something is wrong with my blog because they noticed that their comment was not showing. {AH - HA!}

Here is an actual spam comment that I received just this morning: Nice post. Ӏ used to be сhеcking conѕtantly this ωeblog and I am inspired! Extremеlу helpful information pаrticularly the closing рhase : ) І deal with such informatiοn a lot. I ωaѕ lοokіng for this certain infο for a long time. Thank you and best of luck. Stop by my page : long term payday loans on Don't Underestimate Satan 

Now just by looking at the title of my post "Don't Underestimate Satan" clearly has nothing to do with "long term payday loans."  Come on people!  I'm telling you these company "scam" web pages are trying everything they can to get anyone to open up their website.  More than ever in this day and time, it can be more dangerous for you to search around and accidentally open up a bogus website.  I heard on the news several weeks ago, someone was searching around the web looking for information on something particular.  He clicked on a link that looked promising.  As soon as he clicked a message popped saying that his computer was being held hostage and he had to pay a specific amount of money to kill the virus.  He had an up-to-date anti-virus software, but it didn't help.  In order to un-freeze his computer, he did have to pay the amount.  It's an outrage!  No one is safe any more.  At first, it was don't click links of sites that sends you email messages and now you can't even do research online.  I hope it doesn't happen to me, but you never know.  Now, I know Google is trying to put a lid on all the spam comments, but you will find that a lot of them slip through the system.

Protect yourself! 

If you would like to moderate your blog comments, but don't know how. I would be glad to tell you where to go.

1. Right now, pull up your Google Dashboard.
2. Click the settings. 
3. Click the option Posts and comments 
4. Under Comments, look for Comment Moderation.
5. Switch from Never to Always.
6. You will find a box below "Email moderation requests to," this is where you need to type in your email address.  

Now I must warn you, your message box will go from zero to 100 emails in one day.  LOL!  I'm just exaggerating, but you will see a difference.  

I'd also like to let those that are trying to send me bogus spam comments.  Please stop!  You are not accomplishing anything, but more work for you.  I just want to help you out.  If you do not follow me or know what my blog is all about, here I go.  

• My blog is to keep sweet memories of my life for my children to read (when they are so bored) when they are adults.  I try to post quick stories that I would love to remember always. 
• I have family all over the world and this is one way to keep in touch.  
• I'm a mom with young children.  
• I like to post things that interest me, which includes: food, crafts, art and some times fashion.  

If you see that you can't contribute to any or all of these subjects, MOVE ON.  Unless something drastic happens and it's out of my control, you will not be able to add your disgusting or unrelated web pages to my site.  Don't try!  

Until then, I hope you have a very blessed day! 

Don't Underestimate Satan

When I asked Jesus into my heart at the age of 9 years old, I thought "okay, my job is done." What more is there to do? Right? I automatically thought that my life would be easy because I was a Christian now. Man was I wrong! It's just the beginning. The beginning of the most precious relationship I could ever hope to have with my Heavenly Father. Have you ever had a relationship with a childhood friend? A lot of the times, those relationships fizzle and disappear because of graduation and you go one to college or death. Life moves on and you meet new people, making new relationships. Everyone goes through this and it is absolutely natural. It's great, if you reconnect with those old relationships. A relationship with God can be everlasting, but it takes work and focus. Even if the world takes over your life for a while and you tend to loose contact with God because you are exhausted and have no time for Him, He'll try to get your attention. If you listen carefully, you'll hear this knock knock at your heart. God, like any parent, misses you and wants you to remain in contact with Him.

Through the years, I've learned many lessons and experienced lots of heartache. I know God allowed it to happen in order to help me to grow into the person He wants me to be. He is still not finished with me, a lot of fine tuning. I have a bad habit of turning a deaf ear when He wants me to do something that I think I can't do. I ask him, "Me? Don't you think someone else will do a much better job than me? Why me Lord?" I've missed so many blessings because of turning a deaf ear. There are also times when I do get fired up and my temper flares, when I should be quiet and listening for His instructions. I jump the gun and later think, I could have handled that a little different.

Don't underestimate the power of Satan and the power he can have over us.  Yes, God has to allow it because Satan can not touch us without God's consent.  It's part of our trials that God allows it.  It's necessary that we build up this resistance against Satan or it will be easy for us to slip in his hands without our knowing.  You have to remember because of Satan, we have phrases like "Silver Fox, Sly Devil and etc."  He is the King of evil.  When I think of the word evil, what comes to mind is the stink of rot, cold and darkness.  Satan makes anything bad for you look beautiful, so please be careful.  He is the one creature that can squeeze himself in your mind and make you think of things about yourself or someone else that is so rotten and disgusting that it brings shivers down my spine.  How do I know?  I've been there.  Yes, I've sunk deep into the pits of self pity and self righteousness many many times in my life.  It's not a party, I'll tell you right now.  Satan's seduction is so slick and quick that you turn around and ask yourself "where am I and how did I get here?"  With God's help and asking his blessing of perseverance for me, I have noticed the signs when Satan tries to find holes of weakness within my heart.  This last time, I could tell almost immediately.  Jesus instructs us to resist the devil and all of his devices.  "Submit yourselves, then to God; Resist the devil and he will flee you."  James 4:7 NIV.  I've found peace in my heart every time that I tell the devil to leave me in the name of Jesus Christ.  I pray it will work for you as well.  Satan is out of time and he is ever wanting right now.  More than ever, he is searching for weak spots in God's children.  Be careful because he will find them, no doubt.  When he finds those holes of weakness, he will make you feel like you have no self worth.  You are better off dead than alive.  You are wasting space because you'll never be good enough.  Some one else could raise your children a whole lot better than you because you are terrible at it.  You'll never be pretty enough, for boys to ask you out on a date.  You'll never get married or have a family of your own because you've done too much wrong to make anything right again.  She is such a liar and she is making my life a living hell.  Why does everyone hate me?  Does any of this sound familiar?  Any negative thought or feeling about you or someone else is nothing but Satan getting in your mind and heart.  Yes, there are those mindless people that attribute to these thoughts that might actually deserve a reaction from you.  But this is Satan giving you these thoughts and actions.  RESIST!  Instead, tell Satan to get lost, ask God for forgiveness and forgive those that have done you wrong.  "But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:15 NIV.  "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven. " Luke 6:37.  

Last night, I received a very shocking and disturbing phone call from a sweet lady that I'm grateful to still call my friend after 30+ years.  She had a hard time choking out the words herself that a good friend from school passed away yesterday.  I was stunned especially when I found out that she took her life before she had really lived.  LeeAnn had everything in front of her.  A loving and supportive family.  A baraj of friends.  She was top of our class and had a great future ahead of her, as far as I know.  I can't remember what line of business she was in, but I do know that it included a lot of traveling and moving from place to place.  She had a great personality and was a wonderful public speaker.  In so many way, I was jealous of her in school.  Being social was so easy for her like breathing.  For me, I was a scary cat all the time.  I was so shy, people that didn't know me thought I was a snob.  I'm still working on being more social.  In high school, we had our little group of Future Business Leaders of America, which included LeeAnn.  We had so much fun and made some terrific memories on our FBLA trips.  Like me, she's faced her demons.  I've been asking myself last night and this morning, how could such a strong and vibrate woman allow Satan to come inside and destroy her in such a manner?   I suppose she just couldn't handle it anymore and felt this was the only way out.  I guess I really shouldn't ask these questions.  God gave us this precious gift called life.  He expects that we will screw it up, but He is always there to heal us and make us new again.  God gave us this life and He should be the only one to say when it is time to go home.  Now I've only seen LeeAnn once since our high school graduation.   I don't know what has been going on in her life, other than through Facebook.  I do believe in my heart that LeeAnn was a Christian and is with Jesus Christ right now.  I'm thankful that I have these wonderful memories of LeeAnn because this way, she'll always live on in my life.  She was a great friend growing up.  She had the biggest smile and she loved to laugh.  She was a true blonde, so funny.  Now when I think of her, I will always see that beautiful smile looking back at me. I ask you to please keep her family in your prayers as they go through this very sorrowful time.

~ Goodbye My Friend, LeeAnn ~ 

~ I love you and will miss you! ~

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy 76th Birthday Mom!

Saturday a couple of my sisters, a niece and myself took mom out for luncheon to new Japanese restaurant that just came into town maybe a month ago.  My mother loves Asian food and hardly ever gets to eat it because my dad doesn't care for it.  

We wanted to make sure to get to the restaurant right when it opens.  Needless to say, none of us even considered to call and get their schedule for Saturday.  We showed up an hour before the restaurant even opened.  AN HOUR!  What restaurant opens at noon for lunch on a Saturday?  Oh well.  It was a good time to sit in our cars, with the windows rolled down, talking to everyone.  LOL!  Maryann and I were so excited for mom to experience a hibachi grill.  Oh my gosh!  We had so much fun and it was great to see that my mom was having a wonderful time.  

Our little group waiting for the fun to begin.

Our chef was sweet to make mom a heart shaped fried rice.

Maryann ordered a sushi roll called Crispy Crazy Horse.  It was fabulous!  I believe it contained salmon and whitefish.  Guess what?  My sister, Susan, that has a hard time trying new things, actually tried it.  She liked it!! I couldn't hardly believe it.  I'm so proud of her for taking the step.  

Do it again Daddy!

We have controls on our steering wheel in our vehicle. As we were going to church, my husband turned down the radio by the controls on the steering wheel. My daughter couldn't figure out how he did it. She asked, "hey how did you turn down the radio?" Doug said it was magic, watch. He literally moved his hand up and down as he is turning the volume up and down by the controls on the steering wheel. "AWESOME!" Katie exclaimed. Well, she decides to try it from the back seat. Of course, whatever sissy does brother has to try. Get a visual here. Both children are waving their hands up and down trying to get that crazy radio to turn the volume up and down. They were so puzzled because it wouldn't work. Katie asked Doug, "why can't I do it?" He told her that it's because she wasn't in the front seat. When we stopped, she unbuckled, leaned up and waved her arms. Doug told her to turn it up. As she moved her arm up, the volume went up. She was amazed. Colton had to have his turn. Both children just cackled and chuckled. What can I say? We are easily amused people. It doesn't take much to excite us. LOL!