My Favorite Holiday

I love Christmas, but not because of the gifts, because of what the true meaning of Christmas means to me, the birth of Jesus. I love Christmas music, the lights and smells of goodies baking in the oven. I am a very giving person, I love doing things for others, this year I am hand making alot of gifts for my family, I will post a picture as soon as they are done. My son and I will be traveling to see my sister for Christmas in Nevada. I pray you all will have a Blessed, stressed free, Christmas day and I new year filled with Gods amazing Grace.

Being Thankful For All We Have

As we approach Thanksgiving on Thursday, I just wanted to reflect on all that I am thankful for. Most of us in America take so much for granted, we roll out of our nice warm beds, flip on the lights, and make a be line for the coffee maker, but not me LOL I don't drink coffee, just using that as a example, but what if there was no water for that coffee? What if we didn't have a bed? What if we had to sleep on the cold ground? What if we didn't have lights or electricity? There are so many people around the world that don't have any of these things. As a Christian, I am so thankful for all the Lord provides my son and I, I'm thankful that we have a roof over our heads, we have food to enjoy, a good running car, eyes to see all the beauty that the Lord has surrounded us with, ears to hear all the sounds worth hearing, I love to listen to the birds :) We just have so much to be thankful for, and I do thank HIM all the time. So on this coming Thanksgiving day please say a prayer for all of those people out in this big world who are not as blessed as we are, that the Lord will provide for them also and that we will not take anything or anyone for granted. Have a blessed holiday everyone.

Veterans Day 2011

I want to say a big grateful thank you to all the Veterans out there, to the women and men still serving and to all who have served before. I think that it takes a amazing person to join the service, to train, to sacrifice their time and lives to help protect the United States. I know from first hand experience, my father served in the Marines during the Vietnam war, no I wasn't born yet but, Ive heard the stories and seen many pictures, and I am thankful that my father did serve his country, even though he passed away many years ago,  I will always be proud of him and all the others that serve today. So as we celebrate Veterans day, wave the flag high and be thankful for all the blessings we have as Americans. Have a great weekend.

Have a Safe and Fun Halloween

I remember when I was a kid how much fun Halloween was, our costumes came in a square cardboard box with a plastic mask and a thin plastic costume. And we used pillow cases to collect our candy, and we would go out many times and come back to our grandmothers house and pour all the candy out on the kitchen floor oh what fun we had. But in today's world things are alot different, as parents we have to be so careful where we take our kids and to always check their candy or better than that, is to take them to Harvest Parties or Fall Festivals where we know they will be safe. So on Halloween, which is tomorrow, Have fun with you're children and be safe.

Meaningful Monday

Yes its Monday again, and I haven't posted in awhile and I am sorry, time just seems to fly by these days. Back in September my only child turned 16, and wow I cant believe it, when he was born he was a 4 lb. preemie, 3 surgeries and many trips to the emergency room over the years, hes a TRUE boy, getting hurt is his speciality, I told him he needed a bubble around him LOL. So these days as time is flying by, its important to me to spend as much time with him as I can, even though hes not to thrilled to hang out with mom. I think about the days when he will be in college and I wish I could stop time, I'm not looking forward to those days at all, hes still got 2 1/2 years before he will graduate, so Ive got to do all I can to make the most of every day with him. I pray that all of you hang on to you're kids for as long as you can too, they grow up so fast. Have a blessed week all.

Sunday Supper

I love the fall, the cooler weather, the changing color of the leaves, and the up coming of the holidays. And its the time for warm comfort foods, so for today's Sunday Supper, I'm fixing my son and I.                    

                                                          LENTIL SOUP and CORN BREAD

1. In a large stock pot add 1 bag of washed and drained lentils 

2. add 4 or more peeled and sliced carrots and celery if you like

3. add 1 cup diced onion and 2 cups of diced ham

4. add 2 quarts of water and salt and pepper  

5. cover and cook for 45 mins. or until tender.

                                                          Homemade Corn Bread

1. 1 cup corn meal

2. 1 cup flour

3. 1/4 cup sugar

4. 1 tablespoon baking powder

5. 1 teaspoon salt

6. 1/3 cup oil

7. 1 egg

8. 1 cup milk

 Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, stir until blended, pour into well greased 8 inch square pan, bake at 400 for 25 mins. And enjoy, we love lentil soup and corn bread, hope you will like it too. Have a blessed week.                                          

Finally Moved

Wow I'm back, it took me two months of arguing with my apartment office about our air conditioning, and I finally asked to be moved to a new unit, the AC in our old unit was making me sick, I think it was leaking freon, but thank the Lord were finally moved. And wow the older I get the harder it is to move, I have arthritis and fybromyalga and bulging disc in my back from our car accident, so it made it alot harder, but with the Lords help and pain pills we did get all moved, I'm slowly getting everything put away. Also this week was my sons 16th birthday, we went to Phoenix so he and his friends could go to a college football game and his team won,  that was his best birthday gift he said. Have a great weekend with you're kids.

Never Forget

On this 10th anniversary of September 11 and the tragic events that happened that day and all the lives that were taken by the hatred of others, all I can do is pray for those families and for the pain that they feel every day. I know one day the pain wont be so bad, when we lost our sister 11 years ago, she passed away after having my niece, I thought I would die right along with her, the pain was so terrible I didn't want to live. We all go through losses in our lives and some how we learn to live with the pain, but we don't ever forget. I am so blessed though because I have the Lord to go to, to help ease my pain, and I pray that if you don't have the Lord to help you through you're pain, that you will seek Him to know how to have the love and peace that only HE can give. Have a blessed week and give you're children and extra hug and tell them you love them :)

Beautiful Saturday in Arizona

Once again I want to apologize for not posting much, for the last week we have been having Internet problems so I could not get on to blog. So here I am back to posting, today was a beautiful day here in Arizona but HOT, I cant wait for it to cool down, I love the fall, my favorite season. Also in the next couple of weeks I will be very busy, we will be moving into a different apartment here in our complex, we are having problems with our air conditioner and its making me sick, and our office is to cheap to fix it so I asked to be moved, so please keep us in you're prayers that it will be sooner than later to get moved. I hope you all have a fun and safe Labor day weekend. Be blessed.

Beautiful Day In Arizona

Thank the Lord that its finally cooling off here in Arizona, its our Monsoon season here and its been raining most nights. Its such a blessing with those pouring rains, I love the smell of rain and how the Lord washes away the heat and gives us cool enjoyable nights. I really do like the weather here in Arizona, yes there are some days that are VERY hot, but if you have air conditioning in you're home and in you're cars, its bearable, but the winters are great, no snow, I wore flip flops all winter long, and if you know me I hate shoes, Id go bare foot if I could :) And now that the kids are back to school, it gives me a little more free time so I will be posting more often.  Have a Blessed weekend.

Back To School

Yes, today is Wednesday, but here in our city, school started today. My son wasn't to thrilled to go back so soon, but I was ready :) On Monday we took a trip to Tucson to do some more school shopping, he got what he needed and we got our car serviced too. I pray that all of you have had a great summer with you're children and that all of our kids have a safe and blessed school year. Have a great week.

High School Football

Wow what can I say, but High School Football. Ive been SO busy all this week, driving my son back and forth every few hours for practice and running at 5:45 am and I am TIRED, they call it Hell Week at school and now I see why. So I'm sorry for not posting lately, hopefully next week things will be back to normal. Have a great week all and be blessed.

Thankful Thursdays

I pray everyones week has been good and that you're having fun with you're children. Today was a little scary for me, my son had to have a small surgery on his toe for a in grown toe nail, probably worse for me, moms know what I mean here, we don't like seeing our kids in pain, but he, we did good :) I was doing the praying in the corner, not watching, I'm not good at seeing blood. So for today's Thankful Thursday,I'm thankful for my son and for all the Lord has provided for us over the years of being a single parent, don't get me wrong, everyday is a struggle, but with my faith and hope and trust in the Lord I know for sure we will be taken care of. My prayer is that more people put there trust in the Lord, this world sure would be a better place. Today on the news I heard about a precious 10 year old who was abused and killed by members of her family, It really just breaks my heart, but I know that shes with Jesus now, with no more pain, a precious angel. Hug you're children tight and never take them for granted, Be Blessed and have a great weekend.

Sunday Supper

Good afternoon all. I pray you've all had a Blessed week. We've been very busy once again, my sons trying out for the football team so Ive been running him back and forth to practice and hes still trying to have some fun before he goes back to school on August 10th. And next week we have to go to Tucson for school clothes shopping and to get our car serviced, whew what a busy week. So for today's Sunday Supper I will be fixing one of our favorites, Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes, yummy.

                                                  Homemade Meatloaf     

1. 1lb. ground beef or ground turkey
2. 1 cup oatmeal
3. 2 eggs
4. 1 small onion, chopped
5. 2 tablespoon's worcestershire sauce
6. 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper
7. Mix all ingredients together well, place into a lightly greased loaf pan and spread on you re favorite Bar-b-Que sauce or ketchup, we love the bar-b-Que sauce it really tastes good:) Bake at 400, for about 1 hour.                                                   

Have a great week and be Blessed.

Happy Sunday

Happy Sunday to all, today's a beautiful day, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, its just another day to be thankful to be alive and serving the Lord. I got up today took out the dog and enjoyed the sun, came in and made Banana Pancake's for my son and I, the first time Ive made them, but they were very good, they taste like Banana bread, I will post the recipe. One of my favorite songs at church is, This is the Day That The Lord Has Made, Let Us Rejoice and be glad in it, I pray that you all have a day of rejoicing, enjoy the day and be blessed.

Back from Vacation

Wow vacation was fun but glad to be back home. I hope everyone is having a great summer with you re children. My son and I did so much on our trip, we went to Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas, we had alot of fun with family and friends and a fun 4th of July too, but wow what alot of driving. We've only been back a few days, so please hang in there with me and I will get back to posting on my blog. Have a great up coming weekend and be blessed.

Wow How Time Flies

Wow here it is Thursday and I'm once again apologizing for not posting much, the summer months are so busy for all of us who have children, no school, running here and there and trying to keep them entertained. And I do want to let you know we will be out of town for a couple of weeks, we are going to see my sister in Nevada, so I hope I can get to a computer to post on my blog, but if not, please hang in there with me and when we get back I will post again. I pray you all are having a good summer so far, stay safe and be blessed. Debbie

Tasty Thursdays

For today's Tasty Thursdays, and since our weather here in Arizona is getting very hot, I like to do light meals. Such as sandwiches, veggies, fruit, salads, just anything that's light and easy. Another thing that's fun is making up a picnic basket and going to the park or the lake with you're kids. I really think its the little things we do for our children that make a difference, hopefully they will look back and remember "Hey I remember when my mom" did this or that for me. I do remember a few things my mom or my dad did for me when I was little, and its fun to remember those good times. Even though my parents divorced when I was only 8 years old. But as a single parent, I do try to do things different, to make a difference in my sons life, so for this Tasty Thursdays post I hope you have a great week and alot of fun with you're children this summer.

Memorial Day Weekend

I want to say once again, that I am sorry for not posting much lately, with my son being in Little League and running him back and forth to practice and games and with school ending for the summer, I feel like a taxi LOL. And in a couple of weeks we will be going to Reno, to see my sister, so hang in there with me and I will try and post as much as I can. Today I wanted to write about Memorial Day, and how blessed we are to have such brave men and women who do serve our country, and my father was one of those who did serve, he was in the Vietnam war, so tomorrow and every day we need to pray for our troops and be thankful that we have the privilege to live in the United States and to be able to have the freedoms we do have. May God bless all of you. Go out and have fun with you're kids.

Sunday Supper

With the weather getting hotter here in Arizona, I look for easy and light things to cook for suppers, so today's Sunday Supper my son and I will be having Turkey Brats and Homemade Potato Salad

1. 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed, boiled to fork tender
2. 2 eggs, boiled and diced up
3. 1 small onion, diced
4. 1/2 cup relish, I use dill relish
5. 1 cup mayo, 1 big squirt of mustard
6. salt and pepper to taste
7. Mix all ingredients into a large bowl and enjoy, everyone loves this Potato salad.

And for the brats, you can cook them on the stove or grill, how ever you like them:)

Have a Blessed Sunday all.

Family Fridays

Wow how time flies, schools almost over. My son and I have some things planned, we will be going to see my sister in Reno, Nevada and while we are visiting there we will be going to the old ghost town called Virginia City, and to Lake Tahoe and to a town in California called Roseville, they have a HUGE flea market, I haven't been there since I was a child, oh yea, we will also be staying In Las Vegas for a couple days. Whew and when we get back my son has to have surgery on his nose, not looking forward to that, but it has to be done. But as for this family Friday we will just be hanging out at home, we have to be saving our money for our trip. Well I hope you all have a blessed weekend and a great summer with you're children.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

During the hot days of summer I love to cook light and eat more of those yummy veggies, and amazingly my son loves veggies too, so for today's dinner I'm cooking

                                                   Stuffed Bell Peppers

1. 2 bell peppers ( any color red, green, yellow, and depending on how many you are feeding, just add more peppers
2. 1 lb. ground meat, I use ground turkey
3. 2 cups cooked brown rice
4. 1 small can tomato sauce
5. Wash and cut the peppers in half, take out seeds, put the peppers in a large pan cover with water, cook on stove till tender, cook meat, cook the rice as directed, when the meat and rice are done mix together add the tomato sauce, when the peppers are tender, drain and fill with the meat and rice mixture, some people put cheese on them and bake them, but since I'm watching my weight, I did not add cheese or bake them. These are really good and good for you I hope you enjoy them too.

                                                    

Happy Mothers Day

Today on Mothers Day, I wanted to write about my experience as a single mom. Yes, being a single mom is very hard, but I am very blessed because the Lord allowed me to have a child, there are so many women out there that would do anything to have a baby, including two of my sisters that haven't been able to become pregnant. But then again there are women out there that shouldn't have had a chance to become mothers because they have abused their children or killed their children, which to me is so heart breaking, how could you hurt a baby or child, I will NEVER understand. My son was two months premature, he weighed only 4 lbs.he was in intensive care for a month and came home on oxygen, he was so tiny for about the first year of his life, he walked when he was one year old and his first words were DA DA, and boy was I mad, I wanted him to say MA MA. LOL His father has not seen him since he was three yrs old, It makes me mad but, its his loss, I have had the privilege to be able to see him grow into the young man he is today and oh yeah hes 160lbs. and 5"6' today, so I guess Ive done a good job, even as a single mom, Thank you Lord for my son.

The Simple Things In Life

For me as a Christian and a single mom, I try to live as simply as I can, just enjoying the beauty that surrounds us. Some of my favorite things in life are, my son being a goof ball, singing, running, playing, teasing me and his friends, I guess just being a boy. I love watching and listening to the birds, looking at the mountains and the trees and flowers. I love, love, love sunsets, it just amazes me the beauty that we are given every day by the Lord. I have never been materialistic at all, money is nice but why do we need so much?? In today's world everyone wants the newest and greatest of everything, but thank the Lord , I don't, I use what I have and I'm satisfied, I always said if I were to win a lottery, I would be helping alot of people and as the saying goes "You cant take it with you". I am very thankful for all we do have, because there are so many people out in this world who have so little. Sorry I haven't posted alot lately my son was hurt in Little League last Friday, he was hit in the left eye with a ball, so we spent 5 hours in the emergency room, and he stayed home from school on Monday too because of the pain. Have a great week and be Blessed.

Sunday Supper

One of mine and my sons  favorite meals is Quiche, we love it and I actually have a Quiche cookbook, so here's one of our favorites. I hope you will enjoy it too.

1. Ham and cheese Quiche:
2. 1 or 2 pastry shells, depending how many you are feeding
3. Double this recipe if making more than 1 Quiche
4. 1 cup diced cooked ham
5. 2 ounces of Cheddar cheese, grated
6. 2 ounces of Swiss cheese, grated
7. 4 eggs, beaten
8. 1 1/2 cups cream
9. 1/2 teaspoon salt
10. 1/4 teaspoon pepper
11. Spread the ham over the bottom of the pie shell, Sprinkle half of the cheese, over the ham, to the 4 beaten eggs add remaining ingredients, place pie crust on a cookie sheet, and carefully pour the egg mixture in, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake at 375, for 30 or until the top is puffed up and browned, remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Cheap and Fun Summertime Ideas

Wow summer is coming up soon, my son has about 1 month left of school. And I wanted to share some cheap and fun ideas I have planned for our summer. We will be going to Reno, Nevada to see my sisters and aunts and cousins, it will be fun. But other than that trip, we go to the parks, have picnics, go to the pool and the lakes and those things are all free except paying to get a day pass. During the summer you have to keep the kiddos busy and keep in within you're budget. If any of you have any ideas you would like to share just let me know. Have a great week and be blessed.

Happy Easter Everyone

My post today is about Easter and the true meaning of this holiday and how much it means to me. Easter is not about the Easter bunny or about coloring eggs, its about Jesus and how He gave His life to save the world from their sins and if we believe in Him and except Him into our hearts and lives, He will forgive us and save us and we will spend eternity with Him in heaven, and there is no cost, its all for free. He died a terrible death, so that we could live, do you know anyone that would do that for you, other than JESUS ??? So on this Easter please stop and take a minute to really learn about what Easter means. Have a Blessed day.

Broccoli Salad

Broccoli Salad

1. 1 head of broccoli (cut into bite sized pieces)
2. 2 cups red seedless grapes (cut in half)
3. 1 bunch of green onions, chopped
4. 1 package of slivered almonds
5. 1/2 lb. bacon, fried crisp and crumbled
6. Dressing:
7. 1 cup mayo
8. 1 tablespoon vinegar
9. 1/2 cup sugar
10. Mix first 5 ingredients, in a bowl mix the dressing and pour on the salad  and mix well.
11. With Easter this weekend, this is one of our families FAVORITES, it is such a good salad you could have it with any meal, and I hope you will like it too. Enjoy

Family Fridays

Once again please forgive me for not posting much this week, its been a very stressful week. I'm in physical therapy for a back injury I received from a car accident last July, we were rear ended by a teen drunk driver, well anyways, at therapy Wednesday, after I had gotten out of the pool, I fell in the locker room, so Ive been hurting more that usual and been on more meds. For today's Family Fridays, my son and I wont be doing much, I'm ordering a pizza and a movie and resting, I hope you all have had a great week and have a blessed weekend.

Thankful Tuesdays

For today's Thankful Tuesdays post, I come very thankful. In today's world things are so hard for so many people, wondering can I pay my rent or house payment, can I afford gas for my car, can I pay all of my bills or do I pay this one and not this one, I know Ive been there, But one thing I know is that I am thankful for ALL that the Lord has provided for my son and I. And I do thank HIM daily, because I see so many homeless people on the streets and in the parks and It breaks my heart, because I can not imagine living like that, it seems so hopeless, so I do alot of praying for the homeless. I am so thankful for our home, our food that the Lord provides, for our car, for our beds and blankets, knowing we have a roof over our heads, even though we struggle each month, we are BLESSED. And I can do nothing except be grateful and thank the Lord EVERYDAY. Have a blessed week all.

Rainy Day Comfort Food

I myself, love rainy and overcast days, it just cools everything off and its a good day to fix comfort foods, so its raining today and I'm fixing a big pot of pinto beans and ham and corn bread, Yummy.

Ham and Beans

1. 3 cups of dry pinto beans ( you can either soak them overnight in water, or I use the pressure cooker which is alot faster)
2. 2 or 3 ham hocks, depending how many you are serving
3. salt and pepper

If using the pressure cooker, make sure the round grate is in the bottom of the cooker, so they wont stick to the bottom, add beans and ham hocks and water, leaving about 3 inches from the top. Place lid on tightly, place jigglier on top and put on medium heat until the jiggler starts jiggling, then turn down the heat a little, the jiggler still needs to jiggle softly for 1 hour. After the hour is up, have a sink cleaned out and the cold water on all the way put the pressure cooker under the water until the pan cools off, slowly turn lid and it should release easily, then place pan back on stove over medium heat and add salt and pepper to taste.

Corn Bread

1. 1 cup yellow corn meal
2. 1 cup flour
3. 1/4 cup sugar
4. 1 tablespoon baking powder
5. 1 teaspoon salt
6. 1/3 cup oil
7. 1 egg
8. 1 cup milk

Mix all dry ingredients in bowl, mixing well. Mix oil, egg, and milk together, stir into dry ingredients until just blended. Pour into greased 8 inch square pan. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes.

This is one of my favorite meals I remember from my childhood and I still love it, Enjoy.

Family Fridays

Yeah its Friday, I love Fridays because its the start of the weekend. Time to relax and have some fun. So for this Family Friday my son and I are having a nice dinner at home and for a couple of hours hes going to a friends house to play video games and after that he and I will pop in a good movie and have pop corn together. Even though I love spending time with my son, I long to be married and have a bigger family, so I continue to pray to the Lord to choose a husband and a father for my son. I am thankful for all we have, but theres still a longing in my heart to be married and I know the Lord knows my heart and will make the best choice for my son and I, but I being a human, we all want things to be done now, so Lord please grant me patients as I wait on you. Have a Blessed weekend all.

Worry Free Wednesdays

For today's Worry Free Wednesdays post I wanted to talk about how I handle my worries as a single mom. As moms we all worry about our children at all ages of their lives, and now that my son is 15 years old it does get harder in the teen years believe me. Making sure hes making good choices in friends, keeping him safe from peer pressures, drugs, drinking, sex, but as a Christian mom, raising a Christian son, I just talk to him about whats right and whats wrong, and put him in the Lords hands, knowing that the Lord is in control. We as single parents just have to be thankful and give our worries and cares to the ONE who loves and cares so much about every aspect of our lives and our children's lives. Have a blessed week all.

Meaningful Mondays

Here we are once again back to another Monday:) We had a tough weekend and I'm sorry that I didn't post, we had a family problem I had to attend to. But my post for today's Meaningful Monday is how much the little things really mean to me and my son. Like most single moms in today's society, we are all struggling to make ends meet, so we have to find cheaper ways to entertain our children and have the most quality time while doing it. Well this weekend our quality was spent teaching my 15 year old son to drive, he has done a little driving with my ex boy friend on his property and a little driving with his good friends parents too, but yesterday was our first time out driving together, and yes he needs ALOT more driving but he did well, so we will be going out and driving alot more untill he really understands what hes doing. Have a great week and make the most of the precious time we have with our children, time goes by way to fast.

Tasty Thursdays

With the days getting warmer I like to do very easy cooking, so as to not heat up the house, so for today's Tasty Thursday here's one of summer favorites, Taco Salad

1. 1 lb. ground beef or as we use, ground turkey
2. 1 can of kidney beans, drained (or any kind of bean you like)
3. 1 cup of shredded cheese, we use Cheddar
4. 1 can of pitted olives, sliced
5. 1 bag of corn chips or any favorite chip you like, we use Doritos
6. Any salad dressing you like, we use Catalina french dressing
7. 1 head of lettuce, cut up into bite size pieces
8. Brown meat, put into a LARGE bowl, add lettuce, beans, cheese, olives, break up chips into bite sized pieces and mix in well, put into bowls and add dressing. This is such a good salad, we eat it alot during the summer and I hope you will enjoy it too. P.S. I forgot the tomatoes, if you like them.

Thankful Tuesdays

Please forgive me for not posting my Meaningful Mondays, I had physical therapy for my back yesterday and by the time I was done, I was in worse pain. So here I am today with my Thankful Tuesdays post.What I'm most thankful for today, is the beautiful weather here in Arizona. It was probably close to 80 today. My son and I moved here almost a year ago from Colorado and boy am I glad to be away from the cold weather. Please feel free to share with me what you are most Thankful for. Be Blessed and have a great week.

Sunday Supper

Homemade Spaghetti and Meat balls

1. 1 lb.ground beef or ground turkey
2. 4 slices of dried bread
3. 2 eggs
4. 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
5. 2 tbsp. parsley
6. 1 clove garlic, minced
7. 1 tsp. oregano
8. salt and pepper
9. 1/2 tsp.Worcestershire sauce
10. crumble dry bread, add meat and all remaining ingredients together, mix well, form into small meat balls and cook in a large skillet, turning as needed to brown. In another large pot add
11. 1 tbsp. oregano
12. 1 tbsp. basil
13. 1tsp. sugar
14. 1/2 tsp. salt
15. 1 small onion, chopped
16. 1 clove garlic, minced
17. 1 large can of tomatoes
18. 1 large can of tomato sauce
19. Mix all together well, and add meat balls, cook noodles and mix in with sauce. Enjoy

Spring Break

Wow this has been a very busy week with Spring Break and all. We've been to Phoenix and Tucson, my son went to a spring training baseball game with his good friend, hes known since he was 4 years old and then they went to a IMAX movie, they had alot of fun. Then we had to drive to Tucson to pick up our car it had been there for a week and a half, having repairs done, so yeah, we got our car back.I hope you have had a fun Spring Break with you're children too.

Sunday Supper

1. Its been such a beautiful weekend so I just made grilled hot dogs and home aide macaroni salad, so here's the recipe I use for the salad.
2. 3 or more cups elbow macaroni ( depending how many you're feeding)
3. 2 or more eggs( my secret is, put macaroni and eggs in a pan of cold water and they cook together, Ive done this for years, it makes it easier)
4. boil till done
5. drain macaroni and peel eggs, I use a egg slicer to save time

add mayo, mustard, relish, mix well, add salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy. Have a fun week all, my sons on spring break this coming week, so I will try and blog as time allows. Blessings, Debbie.

Family Fridays

As things get tighter, with gas prices and food prices going up our Family Fridays are going to be very simple, such as dinners at home and movies at home. So tonight's menu is home aide hamburgers and fries, (which we love anyways). And I do apologize for not posting very much this week, we were out of town and I found out yesterday my mom had passed out so Ive been a bit stressed, so if you would keep her in you're prayers, I would appreciate it. Have a blessed weekend all.

Were Back

Sorry that I didn't post for a few days my son and I were out of town, we had gone to Phoenix for a few days to have fun with our good friends who live there, but were back so Ill be back to posting later today. Happy St. Patrick's Day and have a great day.

Family Fridays

I love Fridays, because it starts the weekend. This Fridays a little different though, not planning much, because my son and I have to go to Tucson tomorrow morning to have our car looked at, I'm sure its not nothing, I just keep smelling burning oil, so better to be safe than sorry. So we will just be eating at home and getting to bed early. But next week will be fun, we are going to Phoenix to see our friends for 3 days, my sons going with his friend to see a spring training ball game, so while the boys are gone my friend and I are going to the thrift stores YEAH:)  I hope you all have a fun and safe weekend.

Tasty Thursdays

My recipe for todays Tasty Thursday is one of our favorites and very easy.

1. Hamburger Casserole
2. 1 lb. ground hamburger (we use ground turkey)
3. 1 can of tomato soup
4. 1 can of green beans
5. 4 large potatoes
6. 1 cup grated cheese

Peel and dice the potatoes, cook until tender, drain and mash with butter (just like for mashed potatoes) cover and set aside, cook the meat and drain if needed, open the soup, and the green beans, mix the soup and green beans, juice and all with the meat, pour into baking dish, spread the mashed potatoes on the top and sprinkle cheese on top, bake at 400 till cheese is melted. this is a easy meal and most children love it, enjoy.

Worry Free Wednesdays

Sorry I missed my post for yesterday, it was a busy day. With all that's going on in today's world its so hard not to worry, with the wars in other countries, gas prices rising every day, drugs and killings going on all around, its a very scary world we live in, but for my self all I can do is pray and know that the Lord is on my side and taking care of everyone I love and that He has everything in control, that's the peace and Worry Free days He gives me and I hope and pray you have that peace too. Have a blessed day.

Thankful Tuesdays

In today's world alot of people may say" What Do I Have To Be Thankful For"? We have So much to be thankful for, beautiful sun rises and sunsets, all the sites around us, mountains, trees, animals,Yes those may seem like such simple things but I'm thankful for all of them.  Today as I went to go get gas for our car, yes the prices have gone up again, but I thought about it this way, I will have to pay the higher prices to be able to drive anywhere I want to go, and others in far off country's have no cars, they walk, so once again I am thankful that I have the opportunity to have a car and to buy gas. We, as Americans have so much to be thankful for and I hope and pray we take the time to thank the Lord for all He has given to us. Have a great week.

Meaningful Mondays

Yes, its Monday again, and time for a Meaningful thought. Yesterday was a great day, I made lunch for my friend Christina's birthday, egg rolls, fried rice and a chocolate cake,and we all went to the park. It was a beautiful day, we laughed, we ate, and laughed some more, what more could you ask for, the love of family and friends. Its days like these that are truly meaningful. And I pray that you all are blessed to have days like these. May God Bless you and Have a great week.

Keeping My Sanity As A Single Mom

As every single mom out there knows, raising our children is a very tough job. With no man to stand beside you, to help to guide our children through day to day struggles, like potty training, hormone changes, becoming a teenager, the older they get the more

difficult it gets and all I do is pray to the Lord above that He will send us a Godly man, even though my sons 15 now he still needs a dad, to love him, in the ways a mother cant. Yes I love my son, don't get me wrong, Its just that some days its over whelming, like today he wanted to go with some friends to play ball, that's not the problem, his 16 year old friend was driving, that's the hard part, letting him go and putting him in Gods hands and knowing he will be OK. So I sit here and pray, that's my only sanity. Have a blessed and safe weekend.

Spring Cleaning

If you ask my son one thing about me, his mom, what shes crazy about, he would say " Keeping things clean"  yes, I'm a clean freak:) And when it comes to spring cleaning, I do it right ,  I don't like clutter.Yesterday I rearranged the furniture, vacuumed everywhere, threw out old magazines, shredded old papers, cleaned out the drawers, changed table cloths and sweep and mopped, whew, I just like a cleaned house:) Next is my bedroom, I need to donate clothing, my saying is "If it hasn't been worn in the last year,donate it". It goes back to no clutter, when someone else could be using it. And my son needs to get busy on his room too, but hes 15 and he knows how to clean, I taught him at a young age how to organize his things and he still does, he just needs a little prodding these days being a teenage and all. If you have any spring cleaning ideas, Id love for you to share them with me too. Have a blessed week.

Pumpkin Cookies

1. 3 1/2 cups flour
2. 2 1/3 cups quick oats
3. 1 3/4 tsp.baking soda
4. 2 tsp.cinnamon
5. 1 1/2 tsp.salt
6. 3 1/2 sticks softened butter
7. 1 3/4 cups sugar
8. 1 3/4 cups brown sugar
9. 1 15 oz. can of pumpkin
10. 2 large eggs
11. 1 3/4 tsp. vanilla
12. 1 1/3 cups chopped walnuts (optional)
13. 1 1/3 cups raisins
14. Mix flour,oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Beat butter,sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin, eggs and vanilla, mix well, gradually add flour mixture,mix well, stir in nuts and raisins. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets, bake at 350 for 14 to 16 Min's. or until firm and lightly browned, makes 40 large cookies.
15.  These cookies are SO GOOD, and they are soft so every age can enjoy them, and its a good way to get you're children to eat pumpkin and raisins:)

Easy Monday Meal

Salmon Loaf

1. 1-15 1/2oz. can of Salmon, (I take out the big bones and skin) but save the juice
2. 1 or 2 eggs
3. 1 sleeve of crackers, crumbled
4. 2 teaspoons of dried or fresh chopped onion
5. salt and pepper
6. Mix all ingredients together well, spray a loaf pan with oil, put salmon in pan, bake at 350 for 45 Min's. We love Salmon Loaf and its so good for you:) I usually make Mashed potatoes and a salad, I hope you will like it too:)

Simple Saturdays

I consider myself to be a very simple woman,and I have always said I was born in the wrong century. I just enjoy simple things. I love to take drives and just look around and see all the beauty that the Lord has created, the mountains, the trees, the rivers and streams, small wild flowers, all animals, I love animals, its all just amazing to me, I try not to take nothing for granted, I think about people who cant see or cant hear and how sad that would be, I am truly blessed to be able to see and hear. I really love watching and listening to the birds, its such a simple pleasure,  I even tell our dog, Scooby,"Do you hear the birdies" and he will stand there and listen, no lie. Life is short, really take the time to stop and smell the roses and enjoy the simple things that are for free for all to enjoy. Be Blessed:)

Finally Friday

Wow its been a busy week, my sons been practicing for track everyday, so Ive had to run him back and forth, and hes been playing basketball with friends and on top of that we've had Internet problems too, and I hope its fixed now. So its time to sleep in tomorrow. But it really has been a good week and I am thankful that the Lord allowed me to help some friends with food and I was able to take another friend to the food bank, I really enjoy helping others when ever I can, Life is good, theres just one person I'm missing so much, but all I can do is pray that the Lord brings him back into my sons and my life, but only if its His will. I'm praying you all have a blessed weekend.

Sorry for not blogging

I just want to say I'm sorry I haven't blogged since Monday, we were having problems with our Internet, so hopefully its fixed now and I will be back to blogging later today:) Thanks for being patient:) Have a great weekend all:)

Easy Monday Meal

Hoagie Sandwiches

1. 1- 6 or 8 package of buns, we use hot dog buns
2. any kind of lunch meats you like, we use ham, turkey, bologna, pepperoni
3. any kind of cheese you like, we use provolone, swiss, cheddar
4. lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, mayo,mustard
5. What I do is, for ever how many sandwiches you re making, I cut sheets of foil and lay them on the counter, place a open bun on each sheet, place as much meat on each sandwich as you like, then the cheese and another layer of meat, so the cheese doesn't stick to the bun, its easier when there done so you can put on the mayo or whatever dressing you like. Roll up the sandwiches in the foil, and bake at 350 for about 10 Min's. These are one of our families favorite easy dinners:) Serve with chips or potato salad or whatever you like, Enjoy:)

Money Saving Tip #4

Happy Monday to all:) Today I wanted to share another money saving tip that we have done for years, well depending on how many children you have and if you don't mind, what we've done is my sons moms and I have traded clothing, if her son out grew something that my son could still wear, we would trade and and she would do the same with me, that also goes for shoes. It sure does save money and we both get good use of the clothing, and being a single parent, saving money is a great thing. If you have any money saving ideas let me know so we can share them with other single moms. Have a blessed week all.:)