Wow it's hot today!

I took this photo on the way to Strike Dam last summer, love the sunflowers

We're actually going to be in the 90's today and I am assuming this weekend too, hence the pool being filled with water as we speak.

I am lucky because I tan easily so right now my hubby and kids are all jealous of me, they were commenting on how dark I already look just from walking to school every afternoon to pick Jasmine up, and it's great, but the only thing I hate are the marks left on my feet by the flipflops LOL
It's so funny because if I walk around barefoot it looks like I am wearing white flipflops, the little line is so prominent you can't help but see it.

So yesterday afternoon when we got home from school, Curt was already here and ready to go to the park with the kids, I usually stay home so that I can get stuff done in peace and quiet and without having to continually clean up after them....you know what it's like, you pick something up and before you know it's back out and a mess.

It was so hot and so nice outside though that I decided to go along, it was fun, I got to swing, something which I haven't done in years and I truly enjoy. Nothing like sitting in that swing pumping your legs and going higher and higher, you close your eyes and imagine you're 5 years old again just out enjoying a summer afternoon. It is very healing spiritually, all the stresses and the worries seem to melt when you're out in the sun.


We got back home and we were all tired and hot and starving so I had to make something fast, I decided to go with the Asian Beef Wraps and OH.MY.GOODNESS. They were absolutely delicious, Curt actually took some to work today for lunch, that's how much he enjoyed them. Not only are they quick and easy to make, they're light, they're healthy and they're so yummy, really, give them a try you won't be disappointed :)

While you're there check out my "Favorite Ingredients Friday" I'm sharing some picnic recipes.

Now switching gears to books, I finally finished my Fannie Flagg book and LOVED it, actually that doesn't even come close to how much I enjoyed this book, Ms Flagg is now one of my favorite authors.

I just started Pursued by the Shepherd by Karon Phillips Goodman, it's amazing, it's just what I needed at this point in time of my life and it brought tears to my eyes. Here's the great part, I am going to be giving away a copy of this book next week on my blog....I'll have the details for the contest up on monday so if you're interested and think this is a book you would enjoy (I think every woman would benefit from reading this one), check back next week.

Misguided by mistakes, muddled about priorities, alone in denial . . . life is forever found wanting until we're found by God! Exploring how women may lose their way, Goodman reveals that we can never stray so far that the Shepherd stops seeking us. Gain forgiveness for wrong paths---and guidance back to the Lord of green pastures.

Just below you can find my "Show and Tell" post, if you want to play along go on over to Kelli's blog and add your name to Mr Linky.

I'm leaving you with a look at my day, God Bless,

Image credit: GettyImages

For dinner tonight I'm making Crisp and Creamy Baked Chicken (the recipe will be up later on my food blog) with Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

Image credit: GettyImages

Most Haunted - Travel Channel 11pm

Castle Keep; Newcastle

Image credit: GettyImages

Laundry
Changing Bed Linens
Getting Pool set up
Prepare for Yard Sale next week

Show and Tell Friday!!!

The wonderful Kelli over at "There's no place like home" has started this friday feature, here's what she had to say:

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!" Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, a new antique find, an old love letter. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there's a story behind your special something, that's even better!

If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your "Show and Tell" on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky.

I actually talked about my treasure back in August of last year but it's so close to my heart that I wanted to share it again for those that didn't read that entry.

Most of you know that we are a military family, so when 9/11 happened, within a few short weeks, less than a month I would say, my hubby was packed and sent out to Qatar. At the time, we had no idea where he was going, he was not allowed to tell us for obvious reasons, and the only reason I knew where he was is because I sort of figured it out......you know how the media is, they blab too much and one of the guys from the base we are stationed at, was killed there. I just put two and two together!!!

Anyway, here is my treasure:


My husband left on a sunday night, right after Jasmine fell asleep for the night. I remember holding him tight and crying my eyes out, I knew I would miss him, but you also have that fear of something happening, especially under the circumstances.

The above picture is of 2 letters, one for me and one for Jasmine. I had no idea that he had written these, but they were in his locker at work with direct instructions that if anything were to happen to him, that those letters were to be handed over to me and our daughter, who was only 2 years old at the time.

When after a few months, he returned, he then gave me the letters and I remember clutching them in my hand, not sure if I could even open them. With his approval, I opened the letters and read them, and then bawled like a baby.

I'm not going to post all that they said, but here is an excerpt:

Sandra:
I hope in my heart you are not reading this, because if you are then I did not make it back. You are my life and always have been.

Jasmine:
I want you to know that I love you!!! I am sorry that I will not be there for your first boyfriend or your first love, I'm sorry I will miss you going to school, I apologize with all my heart baby.

These letters will be with me forever, they are just a reminder of the sacrifices that our soldiers make, and I for one am thankful and blessed that I didn't have to be given these letters by a chaplain driving up to my house. I was able to read them, sitting next to my husband....but the impact of the letters are one which I'll never forget.

Some day, when Jasmine is old enough, I will give her the letter and let her read it, I can already tell you she'll cry like a baby, she is just like her momma cry for everything :)

Until then they are both kept in a special place and a daily reminder of how lucky we are to have our husband here where there are other families dearly missing their husbands, fathers, brothers. My heart goes out to them.

Slow Cooking Thursday!!! May 10, 2007

Welcome to my weekly Crockpot Recipes Exchange. It's such a great way to share your avorite dishes or to learn some new ones to make for your family.

What do you think??? Do You have some great recipes to share, or perhaps you're looking for some delicious ones to give you a reason to pull out the ol' crockpot???

Time to pull out those crockpots and put them to good use. If you want to join in, just grab the banner and add your name to Mr Linky :)

CROCKPOT GARLIC BEEF
I haven't tried this one yet but anything with garlic is a winner with me, so I'm sure it will be great.

5 to 6 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into small chunks
1/4 cup mustard
1 cup water
8 -10 garlic cloves, sliced

Combine all ingredients in your slow cooker. Cover and cook for 6 to 8 hours.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN CACCIATORE

INGREDIENTS

* 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
* 1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
* 2 green bell pepper, seeded and cubed
* 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
* 1 onion, finely diced
* 2 tablespoons minced garlic

DIRECTIONS

1. Put the chicken in the slow cooker. Top with the spaghetti sauce, green bell peppers, mushrooms, onion, and garlic.
2. Cover, and cook on Low for 7 to 9 hours.

I survived my first Field Trip!

Don't laugh, but, this was my first field trip as a mom, yes, Jasmine went off this morning with her school and I sat at home worried and even found myself biting a nail......Pffftttt. I can NOT believe I was biting a nail....see what motherhood does to you?

I'm sure all the moms out there who have been through field trips are just shaking their heads or having a good ol' laugh at my expense LOL

But I survived it and I'm happy to have my little red head back home with me, she's so excited and hyper and going on about the trip and what they did, it's a BIG THING for them having seen and learnt about Fossils.

Now here's a funny thing, I bought her one of those disposable cameras to take with, so when she climbed into the car today the first thing she said was "mommy I took all the pictures in the camera"......and this is where you see the difference in children from today and when I was her age, she says to me "do you want to see the pictures right now, let me show you". *GIGGLE*

I had to explain that it wasn't a digital camera and she couldn't see the pictures yet, we have to take it to the store and have them developed, she was not impressed and even less when I told her she doesn't get the camera back, she said "what a waste" LOL

It's a really hot day here, I'm literally sweating bullets....then I think about going to Arizona in two months and I wonder how I'll ever survive, I will probably melt on the sidewalk the first week I'm there....if you live in that area and walk by a pile of melting mommy, it will be me, look for the computer keyboard in one hand and the diet coke in the other.

I'm almost done with my Fannie Flagg book and I've truly enjoyed it, it's funny, it's cute and it's just written in a way that you can't put it down, if only there were more hours in the day, preferably "me time" so that I could read a page without being interrupted constantly. I'm dying to finish this one so that I can start on the Karon Phillips Goodman one, you have no idea how much I need that one right now.....Pursued by the Shepherd....boy does that hit home right now.

I've been trying to reconnect with God and I feel like a lost sheep just aimlessly walking around, grazing on the bad stuff while the good grass is on the other side waiting for me........isn't it wonderful to know that no matter how many times we stray the Lord is always there guiding us and finding our way back to him???

Anyway, it's time to start fixing dinner so I better get on out of here, don't forget the Slow Cooking Thursday tomorrow, would love to see some more participants join in so if you have some great crockpot recipes laying around be sure to come by tomorrow and share them with us, who knows, you may also find some great ones to try.

Have a great evening everyone,

The Things Kids Say........

I swear kids say the funniest things and at times leave you wondering where they come up with these.

Jasmine and Nicholas were both playing on the computer, some game on cartoonnetwork.com, so they're all into it and it was Jasmine's turn, she takes over and she's getting all upset with the game because she's loosing.....(apparently they're supposed to be bumping into some cars or something).....Nicholas calmy says "Jasmine my grandma hits harder than that" LOL
I literally spit my water all over my computer when I heard it, I mean COME ON......where does he hear this??? Jasmine burst into laughter and he just sat there looking at us with this expression of "what did I say?".

There's days that I'm so upset or sad or worried about something and all it takes is one of my kids opening their mouth to make me laugh hysterically....isn't that just the best medicine???

If you haven't been here since yesterday morning you've noticed that my template has changed, I know I know AGAIN, can you tell I get bored easily? LOL
I'm enjoying this new one, it's calm and relaxing for me, I need that right now with this huge move impending.

I don't have much news on that yet though, we're still waiting to get housing at the new base and I'm hoping and praying it's soon......just one thing, it's PRIVATIZED. If you're military you know what that means and I'm not too sure I'm up to dealing with it, but what can you do, it's either stick with it or buy a house off base.....I'm thinking here in a year or two that is exactly what we'll be doing.

So yesterday around 12:30pm our cable went out, instantly the kids ask "did you pay it?"...What the heck??? YES I paid it, I always pay it what kind of question is that...I swear if my children ever talk to strangers they will give the impression that all I do is blog all day, I only clean the house when someone is coming over, I only pay my bills if they get cut and asking them to share means I'm a mean mean mommy who is out to ruin their fun.

Anyway, I called the cable company and was told there was an outtage in our area and the technicians were working on it, so I'm sitting there thinking "well this shouldn't take too long, I can still watch General Hospital in 30 minutes" LOL Ummmm......it must have been a major earth shattering and life changing outtage because we didn't get the cable restored until this morning. Here is where I'm supposed to tell you that it was actually a great feeling to sit and read or play with the kids while sipping hot cocoa BUT the kids were asleep at 8pm and I was literally going NUTS.

I guess I had no idea just how addictive TV is because I couldn't for the life of me figure out what to do with myself LOL Pretty sad.


Now here is something funny, while waiting for the TV to come on, I worked on my template and while I was online I went to google and typed "She built" and honest to God, it came back with "did you mean: HE built", ummmm, I figured it was a fluke or something so I typed "she invented" and same thing "did you mean: HE invented" LOL What the heck is up with google, does it have something against women????
Don't even bother trying "she created" cause same thing happens.

Alright I wish I could stay and chat more but you know how I like to babble and right now I have a husband with a uniform in his hands waiting for me to sew on some stripes, I guess I should get that done right?

Have a great day everyone. God Bless,