Leftovers...Mashed Potatoes

My favorite way to eat up leftover mashed potatoes has become

(photo courtesy of google images)

To stir them into soup

(photo courtesy of google images)

It thickens the broth and gives it a nice but subtle potato flavor.

Just passing it along.

Happy Homemaker Monday November 26th

Thanks to Sandra for hosting this every week and giving me a chance to reflect on my blessings. Join her and the rest of us at her Happy Homemaking Monday post.

First, a Happy Anniversary to my parents who were married 52 years ago today! 

The Weather

It's time to start the car in the mornings to warm up the engine and at times defrost the windshield. We are supposed to get 1 to 2 inches of snow tomorrow. It is perfect weather to bring us to Christmas (and to have a roaring fire in the fireplace). The kids are finally back at school for the first full week in a long time, which means that I do not have my 14 year old to start a fire for me. Rats.

Right Now

I am enjoying the quiet. My oldest is still in bed and the dog has gone back to bed. Hey, that's not a bad idea. I have already ordered my daughter's Christmas presents (she emails me links to the things she wants, always keeping within my budget. She's my kind of girl, efficient and practical). And I have my Christmas card ready to order.

Thinking

About the huge to-do lists that come with this time of year, along with all of the usual activities. Worried about the snow tomorrow because I have to bring my daughter to a doctor's appointment and my college student has classes tomorrow and his car is not heating properly. My husband changed the thermometer and that didn't do the trick and he ran out of time. We have been overloaded with car repairs. Hoping this is the last of it for awhile.

On My Reading Pile

I have started so many books and then don't get back to them for awhile and forget. My kindle has many waiting for me. But we just finished Luke 15 in the New Testament.

On My TV

It's TRADITION people! We are very particular about our Christmas celebrations here. Nothing starts until we have celebrated Thanksgiving, and then it all starts with watching Scrooge (the musical with Albert Finney), usually on Thanksgiving night. Well, we were all set and we could not find it, so we watched Christmas Vacation which, parts of it are terrible, but parts of it remind me so much of my husband. And, Netflix to the rescue, we watched Scrooge last night. Other holiday favorites are Elf, The Homecoming (the Waltons), every other Christmas Carol movie (we have six all together), Mrs. Santa Claus, The Santa Clause, and A Christmas Story. There's probably more, but I can't think of them. Oh, It's a Wonderful Life, of course!

On the Menu

That's next on the agenda - going to go through the flyers and make up a menu - then it's off to the stores. I'm out of milk so I have to go today.

On My To Do List

Have to get some paperwork sent off, go to the mall to pick up my father's Christmas gift (had it shipped to the store instead of my house because it was free), sort through all of the purchases I made on my day out with the girls, laundry, of course, menu planning, grocery shopping, and picking up the kids at 4 at the high school. Piano tonight for my 14 year old.

What I am Creating

Christmas cards and seminary lessons. And I'm thinking about this for Christmas gifts this year.

 Homemaking Tips

Sandra posted today about making homemade gifts to give this year. I totally agree. It is heartwarming to receive a gift made by a friend. I have always enjoyed those gifts. I would like to add to that thought by suggesting gifts of service. When my mom first got home from serving a mission she still had to find a job and therefore did not have money to spend on anyone. So, she gave gifts of service. We got free babysitting every month for a year to make my husband and I go out on a date. Of course she would have babysat for my kids anyway, but this way she MADE us go out every month, which was a much needed break and boost for our marriage. It is the best gift I have ever received.

Looking Around the House

There are some things that need to be put away, but for the most part is is clean from Thanksgiving and so there's not a lot to do. My husband even washed the windows for me! Love that man. The sun is shining and we have our Christmas decorations around the house, except for our tree which we put up mid December. I love this time of year!

From the Camera

On My Prayer List

My children, my dad, the hurricane victims (relief efforts are ongoing - my husband and sons will be going to Long Island this weekend to continue the work of cleaning out homes and tearing down sheet rock).

Bible Verse

"And he said unto him, Son, thou are ever with me, and all that I have is thine." Luke 15:31

Loved my daughter's insight on this this morning: she said that those who grow up with the gospel in their lives sometimes don't see the blessings that they have - the blessings that others see who have known life without the Lord.

Have a great week!

Happy Homemaker Monday November 19th

Happy Thanksgiving! This is my favorite time of year - Thanksgiving into Christmas. Thanksgiving may very well be my favorite holiday because it is all about the best things:  family, food, and gratitude. And for me, gratitude comes from recognizing the Lord's hand in my life, and everything He has given me. Well, not EVERYTHING, because I don't think it's possible to recognize all that He does for us.

Please see Sandra's blog for more Happy Homemaker Monday!

The Weather

Brrr! There was frost on the windshield this morning for the first time this season. Our high today will only be 49 degrees, but the sun is shining. The world around me is already brown and gray, though, so I cannot wait to start seeing Christmas decorations to brighten up my surroundings.

Right Now I Am

Running my first laundry load through the washing machine, making plans for the week (Thanksgiving is at my house), hoping to stay focused and keep on schedule because there is lots to do.

Thinking

About how grateful I am for my family. Both of my parents are still alive, and they and my only sister live nearby. I love getting together with them, even though we are not perfect, we have grown to appreciate one another, and we love each other dearly. I am also meeting them for lunch today aaaannnndddd - Saturday is ladies day out! Every year my mom, sister, and I, and now my daughter too, take the entire day. We go to a mall that we don't shop at any other time of the year. We eat lunch, dinner, and sometimes breakfast out. We look in every window, browse through every store that has anything worth looking at, and even do a little shopping. I shop more and more on-line these days, and just joined Amazon Prime so I get free shipping, so I shop less and less at the mall, but we still have a great time. I do not do a lot of shopping any other time of the year, so this is special for us.

On My Reading Pile

We are covering Luke 13-15 this week. Soon the Christmas books will be out. We picked up a Chicken Soup book with Christmas stories, and I would like to read The Autobiography of Santa Claus again. I highly recommend this book. It is written in such a way that it is for believers and non-believers alike. It discusses his history -starting with the life of St. Nicholas and ending to our present day traditions. It explains how certain traditions got started while giving us a great history lesson. He tells us which part is fact, which part is fiction, and which parts are pure magic. This is one you can read to your children - no matter what age they are.

On My TV

We watched Sleepy Hollow (the Tim Burton version) which was entertaining but gruesome. Johnny Depp was delightful, and it includes many people from Harry Potter, so it was fun figuring them all out. We have The Descendents - but I may just send it back.  My daughter watched it and said it was really depressing. Now starts the holiday movie season, and we always start with Scrooge (the musical with Albert Finney). We try to watch that Thanksgiving night. Then on Friday we have a church movie night and will be watching The Forgotten Carols.

On the Menu

Will be using up food in my fridge and freezer this week to make room for the Thanksgiving food.

Monday - pork tenderloin, leftover mashed potatoes, lipton noodles (not enough leftover mashed), zucchini

Tuesday - chicken breasts, rice, green beans

Wednesday - pasta or pizza

Thursday - turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce, carrots (a dish that my sister makes with onions and butter - yummy), green bean casserole, rolls, pumpkin pie, cheesecake, apple pie, chocolate cream pie. Everyone makes food, so this is not all on me!

Friday - pasta or pizza - whatever we did not have on Wednesday

Saturday - girls day out - boys on their own

Sunday - probably leftovers, if not, I have tons of hot dogs in the freezer

On My To Do List

Laundry, clean house, buy food, make food, eat food, decorate house for Christmas (on Friday), shop!!!, pretty much everything.

Homemaking Tip

This won't be anything new to you, but it is to me. Don't mash your potatoes, whip them with a hand blender. Especially when making large amounts for a crowd - it is much quicker.

Looking Around the House

Things to put away, but it's not terrible. I have my oldest home to help today. Lots of dusting and vacuuming to do. Bathrooms need attention, but they will be dirty by Thursday, so I will clean them and then have my kids do a touch up with wipes Thursday morning.

From the Camera

What we did today in seminary

Let me explain the dung=omelet:  Six years ago when I was teaching seminary, we were talking about how prayer, reading the scriptures, and attending church helps us. One of the students blurted out, "that's our answer for everything. How do you make an omelet? Pray, read the scriptures, go to church."  We had a good laugh over that, and ever since, "omelet" has become our code word for praying, reading the scriptures, and going to church. The dung part has to do with the parable, where the worker told the vineyard owner that he would dig and dung around the fig tree in order to give it another chance to produce fruit. This was our interpretation of what work we can do in order to produce the fruit of faith and a strong testimony of Jesus Christ: pray, read the scriptures, go to church, serve others, and keep the commandments.

On My Prayer List

All of my kids, my church leaders, my family, the hurricane victims, some special friends.

Bible Verse

The end of the parable of the fig tree:

"And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." Luke 13:8-9

I asked my students what lesson they could learn from this parable. There answer was that Jesus is on our side.  Enough said.

Have a great week and a wonderful holiday!

Happy Homemaker Monday November 12

Good morning, and happy Veteran's Day!  Yes, I know it was actually yesterday, but I think our veterans deserve a second day to thank them, don't you? The kids are off from school because of it, after all. How wonderful that it falls at the time of year that we are focusing on our blessings. I am so thankful for the sacrifice made by so many men and women in the service of our country. I thank you, and your wives, children, parents, girlfriends, boyfriends - everyone who has had to make sacrifices along with you so that you could serve your country. My brother in-law served in Vietnam, my father served during the Korean conflict, my father in-law and uncles during World War II, my husband's grandfather during World War I. I have ancestors that fought in the Civil War (both sides), and the Revolutionary War. But I have not had to live the sacrifice that many of you do, supporting a spouse while he/she serves. My father served when he was 18 years old - long before I was in the picture. Thank you.

Meanwhile, it is time for Happy Homemaker Monday, and I am very happy today because there are no severe weather predictions in our near future! Thanks to Sandra for hosting this every week and giving me a chance to reflect on my life and its purpose. Please see her blog for more Happy Homemaker Monday posts.

The Weather

It is 52 degrees with a high today in the low 60's. Rain tomorrow but sunny for a few days after that. No high winds, no snow, no surging tides. There is much to be grateful for.

Right Now I Am

The only one up. Actually, that is not true - I can hear my husband just started the shower and is moving around upstairs. Normally he is out of the house by now, but he had to go to work last night and I don't even know when he got home because I was sound asleep, and I didn't go to bed until midnight. Since today is a school holiday, we have one extra boy sleeping upstairs. All four boys and my one girl are expecting chocolate chip pancakes this morning, but I am sure it will not be until much later, since this was their only day to sleep in - more on that in a minute.

Thinking

About the service we rendered on Saturday. It probably deserves it's own post, but I will tell you here anyway. Our church has been organizing and sponsoring relief efforts for the victims of the hurricane. So on Saturday I got up at 5:30 am, showered, got my family up, packed lunches, waters, and supplies, and off we went. Had to drop off the 14 and 15 year old in one place, where they would be helping make sandwiches and dinner for some of the volunteers. They didn't have to work all day, but they had to spend the entire day at the church because we were elsewhere. We then traveled to another church where we received a little training on safety and procedures, we were grouped in work teams, given assignments, and off we went. We spent the day cleaning out basements. The first one was part of a very old, historic house, and the basement was very dark with low ceilings. We had to shovel out all of the dirt (mud, really, because it was still wet) that was left from the water that had come up to the basement ceiling during the storm. There was seaweed hanging from the electrical wires stretching across the top of the room. we loaded the mud in buckets and hauled it outside, ducking as we went through the low doorways. The other basements were more modern, and that consisted of hauling out people's belongings that were ruined by the water - clothing, furniture, toys, all the types of things that we store in our basements. One woman had bought a wide screen tv for Christmas - ruined. We then swept up or vacuumed up the rest of the water. We also took a walk to the beach where we saw half of the sand swept up onto the road. All of the businesses in that area were boarded up and not reopening. These people had just finished remodeling and recovering from hurricane Irene. We went into one home where the water had come halfway up the walls on the first floor of their home. All of the sheetrock was taken down.

It was such a rewarding experience to take part in that project. Having (almost) our whole family participate, working with friends from church, hearing from the others that my husband helped a boy who was walking by with his bike. The chain had fallen off. My husband taught him how to put it back on and fix it so it wouldn't fall off again. Everyone was so nice and anxious to tell their stories. We helped people of different nationalities, religions, and lifestyles. We helped people that were unable or unwilling to help themselves. AND IT FELT SO GOOD. And we had fun! My poor husband was stuck with 5 women on his team. We did have other help at different times as the different teams would join each other on a project. But we laughed, all day we laughed - especially as the day wore on and we got tired and a little silly.

And that is what continually amazes me about the Lord. He asks us to serve others. And to us, it sounds like a burden. But then, if we do it, we find out that it actually BENEFITS US! Everything He asks of us, everything, is for our good, even when we are helping others. His love for us never ceases to amaze me.

Sorry that was so long, the rest will be shorter!

On My Reading Pile

Luke in the New Testament.

On My TV

We finally watched We Bought a Zoo, after Netflix sent us a new disc. It was cute - a great family movie. My kids also watch Paranormal Activity 3, but I cannot stand those movies. Now they are waiting to go back.

On the Menu

Don't know yet, that is what I should do when I finish this!

On My To Do List

It's funny how it is when you are in the mode - when I got home on Saturday, even though I was physically exhausted, I looked at my kitchen floor and was appalled at how dirty it was, so I vacuum and steam cleaned it. The good news is that I don't have to think about it for a few days now! So today I have cleaning the bathrooms on my agenda, but that is all. Oh, other than a trip to the grocery store. Oh, and preparing a seminary lesson for tomorrow. I guess my day is full after all.

What I am Creating

nothing at the moment

Homemaking Tips

We will be having Thanksgiving at our house. This year I will be making the turkey the day before, carving it, and storing the meat slices in the drippings and reheating it the day of. I had seen this tip on another blog and loved it. The turkey will be just as tasty, and the work the day of will be minimal, giving me and my husband a chance to enjoy our family.

Looking Around the House

Watching my husband get his lunch together to bring to work. Getting his requests for groceries. There are some things that need to be put away (I am looking at rubber gloves and safety masks sitting on the counter). It would be nice to see a fire in the fireplace. Perhaps one will be built, since my 14 year old is home today. = )

From the Camera

From my phone: this is NOT supposed to be the beach, this is supposed to be the road leading to the beach

Some of the trash we hauled out of a couple of basements

On My Prayer List

The hurricane victims, my children (including my other seminary students), my dad.

Bible Verse

Matthew 25:40

"...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me"

Well, everyone is awake now and asking for pancakes. Have a great week!

Happy Homemaker Monday November 5th

It is my favorite time of year, the season of giving thanks! What a perfect lead in to the season of celebrating the birth of our Savior, by focusing on our blessings and feeling gratitude for all that we have. So, with that in mind, it is time to participate in HAPPY Homemaker Monday. See Sandra's blog for more Happy Homemaker posts.

The Weather

Brrr! But I am NOT complaining! It is in the 40's today and not rising, but it is sunny and hurricane free, so I will take it!

Right Now I am

I admit it, I just got up. After teaching seminary and bringing my kids to school, I came home and went right back to bed. So now I have to get going with laundry and tidying up. 

Thinking

About all of the people living around me in horrible conditions. We have friends that are from Long Island and still have family living there. Besides no electricity, the sewers are not working, and schools will be closed for the rest of the year! Their first priority for restoring power is to the schools - just so they can send the student transcripts off so they can transfer to a different school. And, they have to drive to a different state to buy gasoline for their generators. I am so thankful that the Lord protected us from these perils. Now I have to find ways to help those that are in need.

On My Reading Pile

Just the New Testament. We are starting Luke this week.

On My TV

Well, we finally were going to watch We Bought a Zoo, but found out the disc was damaged, so I reported it but still have to send it back. This week we watched the first four episodes of Glee on the computer. Now that it is on Thursday nights we cannot watch it due to our schedules.

On the Menu for This Week

Tonight four of us will be going to the fall sports banquet, so I do not have to cook tonight. I haven't planned out the rest of the week yet. First we have some leftovers to eat up.

On My To Do List

Laundry, seminary lesson planning, and taking my daughter for her annual physical.

What I am Creating

I have all the ingredients for making my own laundry soap (I spent Saturday sanitizing my washing machine - I have a front loader and the gasket gets mildew which is caused by the animal fats in the detergent and softeners, so I am going to make my own.)

Looking Around the House

A little bit messy! I need to clean off the kitchen counters. I still have my mason jars with the candles in them from the hurricane last week. Need to put them away along with some other stuff.

From the Camera

I thought I took pictures of the hurricane, but turns out I only took videos. But here is one of my oldest eating canned food and surrounded by lanterns and camping supplies:

On My Prayer List

Myself, my kids (especially the oldest above), and the hurricane victims.

Bible Verse

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief"  Mark 9:24

I love that this man recognized and confessed his lack of faith. I also love that he knew who to turn to to help him increase his faith - our beloved Savior.

Hope you all have a great week!