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The weather in my neck of the woods:
Still hot but thankfully we're supposed to start cooling down a bit this week and by that I don't mean like 50's or 40's, I mean just out of the triple digits LOL


One of my simple pleasures:
Middle afternoon, hot cup of tea and a cookie or two.


On my bedside table:
A few more books for reviewing.


On my TV:
Little House on the Prairie Season 6
Supernatural Season 2


On the menu for tonight:
Steaks, Mushroom sauce, Mashed potatoes.


On my To Do List:
Finish off the laundry, fold and put away
Mop and Sweep
Doctor's appointment


New Recipe I tried last week:
None


In the craft basket:
Still haven't made the Corn Husk dolls....ugh, I need to kick my own behind into gear.


Looking forward to:
Getting this girlie appointment out of the way, I can't stand it and I get all nervous until it's over and done with.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
Just clean as you go and try to stay on top of things during the weekend. Believe me, I know what it's like come Monday morning and everyone is off to work and school, you're left standing in your living room with what looks like the aftermath of a tornado.


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I'm leaving this one blank, I didn't get around to any blog reading.


Favorite photo from last week:
Because I love Korean food and because I've been eating too much of it and have managed to put on 5 lbs which now I'm really upset about LOL




Lesson learned the past few days:
That those little rumors we hear about getting older and our metabolism not being the same, are in fact true. Who knew? *snicker*
My weight is driving me insane, I need to quit eating like I'm starving and I need to quit putting on some much weight, I gotta remember that I'm not a little spring chicken anymore and it's getting harder to drop the extra pounds.


On my Prayer List:
My husband - his shoulder is not as painful anymore and he's able to lift his arm.
Myself - Pray that everything is fine when I go to my appointment. I don't like breast exams and the other ones in the nether regions LOL Please pray that everything is fine.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

— Proverbs 10:32 (NIV)

The winner of the You Were Born for This book by Bruce Wilkinson, is #14 Stacia.

Congratulations Stacia, please send me your address as soon as possible so I can mail out the book.

I feel like someone returning to their birthplace after living away for years LOL

Is anyone even here still?

I'm sure by now some of you have moved on to greener pastures and more exciting blogs than my little poorly neglected corner of the world, after all what fun is there when all I have been doing or the past few weeks is posting the Happy Homemaker Monday and Slow Cooking Thursday and don't even have the time to go and visit all my lovely participants.

My apologies and I'll definitely do better from now on, it's just been, well.....crazy and busy and overwhelming. Too many things to do and not enough time.

You know everywhere I look and everyone I talk to has been complaining about the very same thing, the fact that time just seems to fly lately, the days run from one to the other and the weekends seem to be the same way. It's a little unnerving actually, I don't want to age that fast LOL

So what have I been up to, oh boy, I would tell you everything but you would more than likely fall asleep at the computer, nothing major or that interesting has been happening other than life in general. It also doesn't help that this Fall season coming up seems to have a ton and I mean a TON of new amazing shows on television.

Like Flash Forward and The Forgotten and The Goodwife, oh and Supernatural and Vampire Diaries and Cougar Town and Eastwich and we can't forget V and Modern Family and.....now you may understand more what I'm talking about *snicker*

But it hasn't been all about tv, though I have been devouring the Little House on the Prairie series and I'm now up to Series 6 and still loving every minute. I've also had a bunch of books for reviewing and when I mean a bunch, I mean a LOT, like stack my bookshelf kinda lot and all the extra copies to giveaway, but I know you like that part right?

Speaking of which, there's another coming soon :)

The kids are doing great in school, Nicholas is finally getting settled into the routine and is no longer driving me insane every morning.

Jasmine is absolutely loving 5th grade and loving being 10 years old, but I'm not loving the attitude and the overnight growth of girl stuff, like the fact that I need to go and get a training bra and I'm not ready for any of this stuff.....or the fact that she's talking about highlights and low lights and getting her hair cut all funky and the slang coming out of her mouth. "It's SMOKING" and "Tru Dat" when in fact, I have no clue what some of these things mean.

I do admit that I've neglected my cooking blog and I miss it, I want to get back into the rythmn of cooking and trying new recipes but since it's been so busy here I've fallen into the habit of cooking old family favorites and a lot of them have already been shared on "Full Bellies, Happy Kids". What's a girl to do huh?

Am I boring you yet?

I hope not.

So let's see....what else.....oh hubby's work injury or rather PT injury. He's doing a little better, he can move his arm a little higher but he's still on Motrin and Percocet, which of course he's not complaining about, it takes the pain away and knocks him out.

Hopefully the injury will heal on it's own and he won't need surgery. Keeping our fingers crossed and our prayers in the Lord's hand.

Here's what my days pretty much consist of lately




Oh for all you Cindy Woodsmall fans, this book is SO good and so sweet, and guess what? I will be reviewing it soon and one of you will get a copy too.




Growing up one of my Great Grandma's desserts were the "cornucopias" or Cream Horns. Oh man, I could eat those by the dozen and it was one of those desserts that didn't get made very often. Well I've been craving them and I just got my order of Cream Horn molds.

Guess what I'll make this weekend? And yes I'll post a recipe, it's so easy.


My love for LHOTP doesn't just mean the show on tv, any book I can get my hands on I am enjoying. Like this one, the crafts book, I am loving browsing the pages and remembering hearing certain crafts talked about on the show and the books. We're making the Corn Husk Dolls just as soon as my husks are dry.



For the past few weekends we've been indulging in some good....no I repeat REALLY GOOD Korean and Japanese food.

There is this little place just down the street, it's actually one of those holes in the wall kinda places, you don't see it unless you know it's there but man alive, they have the best food.

It's been all kinds of Kimchi and Bulgogi and last week this was my Beef Yakisoba. YUMMY!


Now I have to go and drink some coffee because I'm tired, like keep my eyes open and shove toothpicks in there kinda tired...this is what happens when I stay up way late watching Supernatural LOL

Anyway, I hope you're all still around and I hope that you're doing well and most of all I hope I get a few minutes to come around and say hi.

God Bless,

<a href="http://familycorner.blogspot.com" title="hhm by jasnicmommy, on Flickr"><img width="150" alt="hhm" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3608789834_4d1bac04e0.jpg" height="150" /></a>

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It's starting to cool down, we're not seeing the triple digit temps anymore and I'm happy about that. Now if I was just back in Idaho where I could enjoy the fall weather, I would be even happier LOL


One of my simple pleasures:
Warm out of the oven bread slathered in homemade butter. *drool*


On my bedside table:
A few more books for reviewing.


On my TV:
Little House on the Prairie Season 6
New Merlin Season 2


On the menu for tonight:
Ervilhas com Ovos. Portuguese pea stew with eggs and bacon etc. It may sound kinda weird but it's actually very good, I'll have the recipe up on the food blog tonight.


On my To Do List:
Finish off the laundry, fold and put away
Mop and Sweep
Make doctor appointment for my annual girly appointment *lol*


New Recipe I tried last week:
None


In the craft basket:
It's all about Little House on the Prairie Crafts, we're making Corn Husk Dolls.


Looking forward to:
A little road trip to Flagstaff in a month or two.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
Fold and put away the laundry as you wash it. It saves so much time instead of washing 3 or 4 loads and then having to fold everything and put away.


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I'm leaving this one blank, I didn't get around to any blog reading.


Favorite photo from last week:

New book I'm reading for a review, I LOVE Cindy Woodsmall and am really enjoying this one.



Lesson learned the past few days:
That husbands will always do what they want to no matter what, but eventually they do listen. On thursday during mandatory PT at work, Curt hurt his right shoulder, he had been complaining of horrible pain since then and this morning I finally made him go to Urgent Care.
Good thing I did, he has a torn rotator cuff.


On my Prayer List:
My husband - With a torn rotator cuff he only has 75 to 80% recovery and it will take about a year to 18 months to completely heal. He has to see an Orthopedic Surgeon to determine if he needs surgery or just physical therapy. Please keep him in your prayers.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

Proverbs 15:1 - A harsh word stirs up anger...

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I've been blessed to be able to read and participate in some of the best book tours out there.

After receiving this book in the mail I couldn't wait to dig into it, it's SO good and so filled with amazing insight you will no doubt enjoy reading.

This book is all about showing you that you can be part of a miracle, you don't just have to wait for it to happen, you CAN ask God to use you.

Another thing that I enjoyed about this one is that it has short chapters and nowadays, being a mom means that I don't have much time to sit down with a book, this one is perfect because I can quickly get through a chapter and not have to worry about leaving it halfway and coming back later.


SUMMARY:
Bruce Wilkinson is back. The whole title to his new book is, You Were Born for This: 7 Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles. In it, Wilkinson challenges us to expect God to work through us, and gives many examples of how He does so. Most of us have had random moments and chance meetings (divine appointments, if you will), where either we were helped or we helped another, in a way that could only be explained as by being directed by God. Yes, God works miracles in the supernatural way that only He can, but more often, He uses people who are willing to submit to his prompting to accomplish His purposes. And whether we are on the giving or receiving end of His work, we grow and become better for it. There is a whole world out there needing a touch from God; all we have to do is open our eyes, our ears and our hearts, and God will direct us toward the miracle He wants to perform in someone’s life.

Author Bios:
One of the world’s foremost Christian teachers, Bruce Wilkinson is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Prayer of Jabez. He is also the author of numerous other bestsellers, including A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. Over the past three decades, Wilkinson has founded several global initiatives, including organizations that recruited and trained thousands of Americans to address hunger, AIDS, and poverty in Africa. Bruce and his wife, Darlene, have three children and six grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta.

David Kopp has collaborated with Bruce Wilkinson on over a dozen bestselling books, including The Prayer of Jabez. He is an editor and writer living in Colorado.

To get more information about You Were Born For This, including online purchase options, simply visit Random House.

Now here's the best part, I have an extra copy to give away, all you have to do is leave me a comment. Plain and Simple, that's it, just a comment. I'm opening this giveaway to include US and Canada residents.

Good Luck!

Thank you all for entering the contest to win a copy of Stray Affections.

I used Random.org to generate a number and the winner is:

#15 Nothing too Fancy.

Congratulations, please email me your address so I can get the book out.

Don't forget to add your name to Mr Linky and a link back to your SCT post so others can come by and see your recipe too.

Oh boy what a DAY...no really.....WHAT.A.DAY!

I had no internet until now and hence no way to put this up, teaches me to leave it until the last minute. It's just been one weird thing after another.

Anyway, I have no recipe to share today but please feel free to post yours. I apologize about the inconvenience and hopefully it won't happen again.

Cassie Higgins has a busy life – she’s married, has four young boys (all under the age of 7) and runs an in-home daycare. She and her best friend, Margret, go to The Collectors Convention together every year. Margret can’t go this year, so Cassie ends up going alone. She spots a beautiful, old snowglobe that contains a young girl with three dogs. The girl resembles her as a child and one of the dogs looks like her childhood pet. The snowglobe is expensive, but she feels like she has to have it. A few days later, as she inspects the snowglobe at home, she has a “flurrious” moment that causes her to reflect on her life.

Through flashbacks, we learn that Cassie had a difficult childhood. Her father committed suicide and her mother, “Bad Betty,” became bitter after years of working long hours and struggling to make ends meet while raising three children. Cassie’s Grandpa Wonky was her saving grace, but then he passed away. There was a sad moment in Cassie’s childhood that has caused her relationship with her mother to be strained ever since.

Stray Affections by Charlene Ann Baumbich is a story of forgiveness, grace and acceptance.

This was such a great read, imagine if you will a town where every character draws you in, everyone is interesting and you read up until the last page knowing it's going to end but wishing that it could go on forever.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad that I have the chance to share it with one of you.

Review copy provided by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers.

Thanks to the publisher I have an extra copy of Stray Affections to give away.

All you need to do is leave me a comment and I will draw a winner on Friday, 18th. Good luck.
Contest is open to US residents only.

<a href="http://familycorner.blogspot.com" title="hhm by jasnicmommy, on Flickr"><img width="150" alt="hhm" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3608789834_4d1bac04e0.jpg" height="150" /></a>

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Sunny, hot.....sunny, hot.....sunny, hot. Same ol' thing.


One of my simple pleasures:
Getting up early before everyone else does and just enjoying a cup of coffee before the chaos sets in


On my bedside table:
Nothing


On my TV:
Little House on the Prairie Season 5


On the menu for tonight:
No clue yet....on friday I woke up to a broken refrigerator and all my food spoiled so the menu kinda got erased by force, it's been "fly by the seat of my pants" since then.


On my To Do List:
Finish off the laundry, fold and put away
Mop and Sweep
Put up a book review

New Recipe I tried last week:
None


In the craft basket:
Absolutely nothing.


Looking forward to:
Some coffee right now, haven't had any and I'm seriously all wound up and irritated LOL


Homemaking Tip for this week:
If you pick up and tidy things a few times during the day, you won't be left with a huge mess that will just make you want to run for the hills.


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I'm leaving this one blank, I didn't get around to any blog reading.


Favorite photo from last week:



Lesson learned the past few days:
I'm not really young anymore and I have to watch what I eat. I just wish my weight wouldn't yo yo so much, it's so annoying.


On my Prayer List:
Family and Friends


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
1 Corinthians 10:12

Don't forget to add your name to Mr Linky and a link back to your SCT post so others can come by and see your recipe too.


Here is today's recipe...YUM!



Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup grated carrots - packed
- whipped topping or cream cheese frosting for serving

* Prepare carrots by peeling and grating. Set the grated carrots aside.
* In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar, eggs, water and vegetable oil together.
* Add the flour, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Blend just long enough to blend all ingredients.
* Stir the grated carrots in by hand until they are evenly distributed.
* Grease the inside of the crock from the 3 quart slow cooker. Pour in the batter and spread out evenly on the bottom of the crock.
* Place four or five paper towels over the top of the crock and cover. Turn slow cooker on low and cook for 2 to 3 hours.
* The cake is done when firm in the middle. Check by inserting a toothpick in the center. If done, the toothpick should come out clean.
* Remove the crock from the slow cooker and place on a rack to cool before serving.
* Cut pieces and remove from the crock. Serve with whipped topping or top with cream cheese frosting.

<a href="http://familycorner.blogspot.com" title="hhm by jasnicmommy, on Flickr"><img width="150" alt="hhm" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3608789834_4d1bac04e0.jpg" height="150" /></a>

The weather in my neck of the woods:
We've had pretty good weather, not too hot and some rain here and there.


One of my simple pleasures:
Stepping outside when it's raining and enjoying the scent. There's nothing like it is there?


On my bedside table:
Nothing


On my TV:
Little House on the Prairie Season 5


On the menu for tonight:
Kung Pao Chicken


On my To Do List:
Finish off the laundry, fold and put away
Tidy up, long weekends mean my house gets hit by a tornado. Just how much of a mess can two little kids make?


New Recipe I tried last week:
None


In the craft basket:
Absolutely nothing.


Looking forward to:
Another haircut LOL


Homemaking Tip for this week:
I have nothing for this week. Boy I'm just a boring today aren't I? LOL


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I'm leaving this one blank, I didn't get around to any blog reading.


Favorite photo from last week:




Lesson learned the past few days:
Perseverance pays off if you stick to it. My little boy is no longer complaining about school...YAY.


On my Prayer List:
Family and Friends


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Philippians 4:6-7

We've had rain, not too much but enough to make my children run outside and celebrate. I love watching them splashing around and having fun.

So how has your weekend been?

Mine is slow and quiet and uneventful and just the kind of weekend I enjoy. There are no parties or barbecues to attend, no schedule to keep, everyone doing their own thing like reading, watching movies, playing games and having fun.

So here you go, I think pictures explain a lot more than words ever could.


My lemon tree is growing and producing the cutest little lemons



There's a little girl in this house who has just joined the school band.....she is playing the Clarinet and loving it.


Peach Pie has never tasted so good as an afternoon snack


Rain and more rain, it smelled heavenly, it felt wonderful and I just can't wait for more