Escapist

I have been doing more than procrastinating around here lately.  I have been escaping my duties.  I look at all that needs to be done and I run away.  I have no desire or drive to accomplish the tasks on my list.  And believe me I am all about checking things off.  I remember back in college I was typically assigned the job of keeping everyone on track as I am the task-master.  (That was the title they gave me.)

I believe I mentioned before that I am enjoying using Bill's Kindle for reading books.  Well it has now become an obsession as I am probably reading about a book every two days.  Unfortunately they have not been anything deep or soul-searching.  Mostly in the realm of christian fiction, suspense with a little bit of romance thrown in.  That last part is new for me.  Haven't really been in to the whole romance genre.  I do remember trying to read them back in high school.  My grandmother was a harlequin junky and would pass along the reads to my Mom who them allowed me to read them.  I remember learning A LOT through those books.  Pretty steamy for a 10th grader.  (Abs will NOT be getting into those.  (Warrior Cats is sounding better and better.))  Oddly enough it did not make me a romantic.  Now don't get me wrong any female loves the idea of flowers, chocolates, and such but I will kill flowers and I buy my own chocolate.  But I have become completely hooked.  It has been getting harder and harder to find a decent one as I am trying to keep the costs down.  I usually stick to under $3.00.  The occasional $5.00 and very seldom the $10.00.  The latter typically happens because I read a book that was in the series and I need to finish it!!!   (Just shows more of that personality to have to check things off!)  I like to think I started my summer reading early and hope that I will be motivated throughout the summer to do the tasks that need to get done!

But now here I sit, literally, and just push it all away.  Not quite sure why but need to change it!  So I will welcome any and all prayers said up to the One who can light the fire under my butt.

BTW - will take any book suggestions!  + wink, wink +

Oven Fried Chicken on the Food Network

For Mother's Day I asked for a cook book from Food Network. Here is the first (of many) recipe I used. It was a hit.

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups rice-crispy cereal,
• 2 1/4 cups broken bagel chips or melba toast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil cooking spray
• 1 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt (plain)
• 5 thin boneless, skinless chicken pieces
• 1 bunch of scallions placed on top of chicken before cooking

• Directions

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Set a rack on a foil lined baking sheet. Spray the rack generously with cooking spray. (Forgot to do the rack part. This is a must as the underside will get mushy!!)

Finely grind the cereal and toasts together in a food processor. Transfer crumbs to a large gallon size plastic bag. Add the oil, salt, paprika, and ground pepper and toss to mix thoroughly. Whisk the yogurt and Dijon mustard together in a medium shallow bowl. Add chicken to mixture and turn to coat all the pieces evenly. Drop the chicken into the plastic bag, seal and shake until each piece is evenly coated. Place coated pieces on the prepared rack. Spray the chicken pieces evenly with cooking spray, and bake until the coating crisps and browns and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the pieces registers 160 degrees F, 10 to 15 minutes.

Transfer to a platter and serve hot or at room temperature.

Sorry about lack of photo!! It looked so good we were almost done when I remembered.

Operation Encourage an Author: Sneak Peek: Surrendered Hearts

Carrie Turansky is a woman I admire and respect. I have the privilege of speaking with her weekly. (She is a pastor's wife at our church.) I also had the pleasure of reading her book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The link is to a blog about the book and Carrie. Please take some time to visit.

Operation Encourage an Author: Sneak Peek: Surrendered Hearts: "A wisp of smoke curled through the tall evergreens and drifted toward Jennifer Evans like a ghostly snake. Her steps stalled, and she clutch..."

Happy Mother's Day

It is a great day!  Being a Mom is unlike anything else.  I remember after having Stephen that a feeling of completeness came over me.  Many years, and 2 more kids, later I can honestly say that being a mom is a very rewarding exhilarating trying challenging exciting experience.  I have had the pleasure of homeschooling my kiddos and that has really made me appreciate and love them each more than I thought possible.  I love being with my family and enjoy our moments of laughter and life.  I know it is just mere years before they start to leave the nest and I look forward to those times with a happy sadness.

I am proud to be the mom to Stephen, Abigail, and Joshua.  God has blessed me abundantly.  I need to be reminded of that occasionally for I can allow the dailies to take over my devotions and steer me away from the abundant blessings in my life.

I only hope and pray those that read this are also comforted with the knowledge that God is ever-present in your life and while you may not live a life like me, you live a life He wants you to have.  There is no doubt in my mind that a mom of some sort has impacted your life in an amazing and powerful way.  Thank the Lord for such a blessing this Mother's Day!!!  I know I do!!!

Table

It has arrived!!


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Outdoors

It is so good to be out of the house today!   We decided to do some schooling in the backyard.  The bees were not cooperating so we did not stay too long but enjoyed the time that we were there.