Finer Things Friday: My helpers

Life is busy.  We seem to be crunching a weeks worth of activities in to two days.  But many hands makes light work.

I am missing my oldest.  He always makes things fun & works like a dog when needed.  Maybe he will be home soon. . .

However the pretzel making goes on.

Did I mention we have over 40 stocking stuffers to take to Grandma’s Christmas?  Yikes!  But the littles are doing great with the wrapping!  All the help I have here is definitely a finer thing today.

Now off to Christmas Play Practice . . .

Linked up at

Friday Finer Things at Amy’s Finer Things

Making a Rag Rug part 2

The new location of this post is

Making a Rag Rug Part 2.

This blog has moved.  Sorry for the inconvenience!!!

Part 1, Part 3 & Part 4

Wordless Wednesday: Favorite Photos 2010 Part 3

Linked up at
Wordless Wednesday @ A Beautiful Mess
Wordless Wednesday  @ Michelle's Family Journal
Wordish Wednesday  @ Supermom
Worldess Wednesday @ Adventures of Goober Grape & Monkey Man

Joyful Attitude in Hard Times

Today I am struggling with being joyful.  Some days are like that. 
I know that I should find joy in all situations not just the happy ones.  So I am making a choice to smile because there are so many good things in life.
10 Joyful Things(even when life is hard)
1.  My babies are healthy—through stomach flu & sinus infections we are over all healthy

2.  My husband loves me—some days I wonder why as I struggle with pain, frustration & keeping on track

3.  My house is warm—as I look at gray days & cold snow I am thankful that my house is a sanctuary from the weather
4.  My suburban has seat warmers—see #3
5.  My job is a teacher of homeschooled children—there is no greater joy than to be with my children everyday even when they drive me up a wall

6.  My new footstool—it allows me to find a comfortable position for my gimpy leg
7.  My extended family—so many relatives who live close(or are willing to come to us) to celebrate Christ’s birth
8.  My church family—who pray for me(enough said)
9.  My friends who call at just the right moment—you know who you are
10.  My Lord who walks every day at my side & who carries me when I cannot walk any further

 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17

College Food

Michael will not be gaining the freshman 15.  If he is lucky he will maintain his pre-college weight.  Eating while on campus is a challenge.  It often isn’t healthy & the choices aren’t what he’s used to having at home.

I am glad that he can come home on anytime he wants and join us for meals.   That just isn’t feasible most of the time though.  When he moved on campus he took some basic foods with him.  Peanut butter, eggs, rice, oatmeal, cereal, salsa, chips etc.  The house where he lives has a kitchen where he can make his own meals if he wants. 

Things we’ve learned about eating on campus

1.  The food at the dorms is fried or cheesy.  Neither of which he appreciates very much.

2.  Eating out is cheaper than dorm food.  But you have to be careful what you choose in order to get full.  Favorites are a bread bowl & soup or Mexican w/ lots of vegies, beans & rice.

3.  Eating out or at the dorm takes time out of the day that you may need to use for class or studying.  Food needs to be fast & easy.

4.  Making sure you get 3 meals a day is IMPORTANT.  If you don’t eat then you get tired & can’t think to study.



Goal for Christmas Break

Identify & make some easy food to stash in his freezer/fridge or pantry for him to be able to fix in a fast & easy way. This will be one of his Christmas gift(yeah!).  Two recipes we have identified already are Sloppy Joes & Quesadillas.

Neither are hard to make but usually you make them for large groups.  A regular batch divided in to single serving portions will likely last at least a month or two.  These will also cost significantly less than a meal at a restaurant or at the dorm.

Both are easily reheated in the microwave which makes for a fast easy meal.   I am going to be scouring my recipes for other easy & quick recipes.  The week between Christmas and New Years should be a great time to make up some meals for Michael & perhaps for easy lunches here at home too.

Chicken Quesadillas

8 small or 6 medium Wheat Tortillas
3 cups shredded chicken
1 cup salsa
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup sour cream

Mix the ingredient except for the tortillas in a large bowl.  On one tortilla spread about 1/4 cup of the mixture.  Place another tortilla on top & press firmly.  Heat a skillet or griddle and cook the quesadilla for 3-4 minutes on each side.  Serve with more salsa & sour cream if desired.

Linked up at
Tasty Tuesday at Beauty & Bedlam
Tasty Tuesday @ Beautiful Mess