Short hibernation

My dear friends, Mama Bear is going to go into hibernation for a week. Life in the Bear den is a bit more hectic then usual right now and I have much to do in a short amount of time. I will stick my head out of the cave and back into the sunshine next Monday with a menu and a smile for all of you.

Until then, I wish you all a week blessed with love.

.

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."



2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tomato Soup Recipe

I was wanting some homemade tomato soup today using tomatoes that I canned myself. My search began for a good recipe, but I just wasn't happy with any one complete recipe....so, I made my own. IMO, it's pretty darned tastey...and the daycare kids like it too.

Debi's tomato soup

2 qt. tomatoes
1 c. celery
1 onion
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. basil
Simmer until soft. Put through sieve. Bring back to boil.

1/4 c. butter
1/3 c. sugar
1 T. salt
1/2 T. pepper
2 T. cornstarch
Add butter to pot to melt. Combine rest of ingredients with enough water to dissolve, add to pot and stir until thickened.

I served this with sweet cornbread with cold butter...MmMmMmmmm.

Today is Earth Day, what are you doing to celebrate?

As many of you know, I run a daycare from my home. Over the years the children who have come through here have learned to recycle and reuse...and that litter is bad. Children are able to learn at an early age to take care of their toys. They also are able to learn to take care of the earth. If we teach them young, then it becomes a way of life.

Many times I have looked at the litter when I go away from my town and it just makes me sad. I'm reminded of the commercial in the 70's of the Indian sitting on his horse looking down on the freeway and all the litter blowing around. He has tears on his face.

I challenge you today to do one thing for Earth Day. Recycle, pick up litter, use earth friendly products, walk instead of using the car...the list is endless. We all want what is best for our children and grandchildren. Would you give them a toy that is unhealthy for them? Will you be helping to give them an earth that is healthy for them? If every person would do just one thing a day, we would all be in a much better world.

Friends

Friends are like butt cheeks

Crap might seperate them,

But they always come back together.

Monday: Bacon wrapped filet, baked potato, green salad, peaches

Tuesday: Creamed eggs with crabmeat over biscuits, HM applesauce, broccoli

Wednesday: Honey Marinated turkey breast over chef salad, beer bread

Thursday: Marinated venison steak, cheesy grilled hashbrowns, pears

Friday: Tuna casserole, peas, fruit cocktail

Signs I would love to have

My brother's engagement

My brother Danny is finally getting married to his fiance Angela in May. He is the love of her life...they looks so content and happy. I wish them many years together.

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for baby toes. Cute, wiggly, sweet smelling toes. We count them, play "This little piggy" on them, kiss them. We know that in time, those toes will stomp up the stairs, run away from us and stink up shoes....but for right now, they are perfect.

Portrait of a wonderful man

I don't know this man, I wish I did. Look at his face as he sits in reflection, gazing out the rain spattered window. What has his life been like? Did he marry his one true love? What stories can he tell to help me better my own life?

I think he has worked hard, earned the respect of those who know him and loves his grandchildren like a gentle giant. He has a quietness about him but when he speaks, he is listened too.

This is a man I do not know, have never met. To me, this picture shows a wonderful man.

Wonderful visit

Little brother bear was home from school for the weekend and Mama Bears heart is so happy! For 17 years, it has always been Little Bear and I together. While at school, we have seen each other once in 3 months. We are able to talk once a week on the phone along with letters to each other...this has been tough on Mama Bear.

After a long weekend together, I think we both feel better. From here on out we will see each other at least every other weekend until he graduates in June which I think is going to make the time go faster.

No matter how old the cubs get, they're still my little cubs and I miss them when they leave the den.

Venison beer brats

Beer Brats Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons olive oil or butter, divided use
6 bratwurst sausages
1 large sweet onion, sliced into 1/4-inch rings
6 ounces (half a can or bottle) beer

Preparation:Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil or butter in a large Dutch oven. Brown bratwurst sausages until deep golden brown. (Do not puncture the sausages or they will become dry.) Remove to a platter. To the drippings, add the remaining teaspoon of olive oil or butter and the sweet onion rings. Toss the onions to coat with the oil. Cook, stirring often, until onions are limp and golden but not brown. Return the bratwurst to the onions and add the beer. Cook over medium heat, turning midway through, until beer has cooked down to a syrup, about 12 to 15 minutes.

Monday Menu

Monday: Venison bratwurst, fried potatoes, cottage cheese

Tuesday: Chicken breast, brocolli, pasta salad

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, pears

Thursday: Spaghetti, garlic bread, peas, peaches

Friday: Leftovers

Easter Sunday

Easter Lily Lint

Ever walk into an Easter lily only to discover the yellow stuff on your clothes? You wipe and wipe at it, even use a damp cloth, but it just rubs in and sits there mocking you. Daring you to try and wipe again.

No more, when that yellow stuff jumps from the lily to your clothes do not touch it! Get some scotch tape, lay a piece gently across it, press ever so slightly, then lift the tape. Repeat this until all the yellow is gone.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a sad day. It's the day that Jesus was beaten and died for me. For me, someone he had not met. He loved me before I even existed. If He could have that much love for me, how then can I (or any of us who are Christians) not love those around us. Not that we have to love everyone with the kind of passion that we love our children and our spouse with, but the kind of love that is full of kindness and respect. This small bit of love that we show one another is nothing compared to the love that Jesus showed us.

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday” is the Thursday of Passion Week, one day before Good Friday (the Thursday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper.

Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday.First, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and thereby instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion (Luke 22:19-20). Second, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17).

The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in Maundy Thursday refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another.

Masonic ring...what a beautiful tribute.

Home run!

Election judge

It's been a long day at the election hall. As an election judge, I go to the hall at 5:00am to set up and then leave about 8:00pm when we get done and all cleaned up. This is my 3rd election and I have a great time doing it. The other ladies are fun to be with and we all work well together.

The fruits of this election is a new mayor for our little town. The same mayor has been in office for 20 some years. This will definately be the talk at the coffee shop for many days to come!

Menu Monday

Monday: Baked Tilapia, cheesy potatoes, asparagus, peaches

Tuesday: Nothing...going to be gone

Wednesday: Gingered pork chops in orange juice over rice, peas, HM applesauce

Thursday: Grilled chicken breast, fried potatoes with carrots and onions, pears

Friday: Venison roast with all the roast fixin's, Caribbean banana's, beer bread

Palm Sunday

As Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphge at the Nount of Olives. There Jesus sent two of the disciples on ahead with these instructions: "Go to the villagethere ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied up with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to me. And if anyone says anything, tell him, 'The Master needs them'; and then he will let them go at once."

This happened in order to make come true what the prophet had said: "Tell the city of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you! He is humble and rides on a donkey and on a colt, the foual of a donkey."

So the disciples went and did what Jesus had told them to do: they brought the donkey and the colt, threw their cloaks over them and Jesus got on. A large crowd off people spread their cloaks on the road while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds walking in front of Jesus and those walking behind began to shout, "Praise to David's Son! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise be to God!" Matthew 21:1-9

On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as "Passion Sunday," marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday.
The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him with waving palm branches, and by covering his path with palm branches. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he begins his journey to the cross.

Stinky house

I love my husband dearly, but he really stunk up the house tonight! He made horseradish outside, but vacuum packed it inside...WHEW!

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for coupons! Silly? Maybe. I'm just having such a good time saving money on my groceries. In one week I've saved $45 just by using sale flyers and coupons.

Walmart Freebies

Are you aware that you can get free samples from Wal-Mart? Free samples are a great way to try new products...or just have the fun of getting stuff free!

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-Free-Samples-And-Trials.aspx

Check it each week for the latest updates.