Woman's Day Book ~ Novemeber 9th

Outside my window...grey cold rainy day. The branches in the trees are moving, so it is windy too. 

I am thinking...about how life changes and how exciting that change is!

I am thankful for...my husband, who works very hard for this family. 

From the kitchen...I seem to be fading again in the department. 

I am wearing...a red shirt, a red zippy, black jeans, and sneakers.  

I am remembering...my mother, as I think about the holidays.  

I am going...to go to Pathways (Care Net). 

I am reading…stuff for Philosophy and Psychology. I think the days of me reading for fun are over for awhile.  

I am hoping…to get Max a ticket home soon for Christmas break. 

On my mind…money, but that seems to be a never ending battle. 

I am hearing...the television. 

Around the house...the kids are upstairs. One is watching a dvd and the other is sewing. 

Noticing that…I'm not minding my grey hairs. 

Rambling

Taking college classes has been an interesting and eye opening experience. I'm so blessed that I can take classes through a Christian University, the views are so deep and Biblically grounded.  I'm currently in Philosophy and Psychology, my last classes were Bible and Theology.  

Philosophy is intriguing, because it is specifically about world views, what they are, and why they matter. In the Christian world it is so easy to sit in our comfy church, in our comfy pews, and not reach out beyond our own walls. Yes, we may have 'events' to bring people in, but is that really reaching out? 

Is the church that we have today, the church that is most effective for Christ? 

I don't have any answers right now, and I don't have time to go into everything that I have learned and am learning. I am rambling out loud, through my fingers. 

Woman's Convention

Tomorrow evening I'm headed out to annual woman's convention and I'm excited! Though I will not be spending the two nights there, I'm looking forward to spending time with my lady friends. Last year was the first year I went to this type of convention, and I love it!! It was so refreshing to be around like minded women sharing in the Word, praying, and worshiping together. I know that Christians cannot be cloistered, we need to reach out in love to those who do not share our beliefs. However, this time of fellowship is sweet and uplifting. It is a refilling of the soul and renewing of the mind, and it is something that I really need at this point in my life. I will post some time over the weekend and share some of the notes that I know I will be taking.  ;o]

Beef Barley Soup

I normally do not post recipes, and the reason is twofold:

1.) I am really not that great of a cook. Oh, I can hold my own and feed my family but I don't have burning passion for it that many other bloggers do.

2.) When I make my own recipe, I usually just fudge it. Meaning, I don't write down measurements and that makes it hard to share.

This beef barely recipe was just too good not to share. It was simple, nutritious, and cheap. I used a crock pot, but you could cook it on the stove or even in the oven. 

Beef Barely Soup

1-2 lbs. of hamburg

6 potatoes

10 carrots 

2 onions

1 clove of garlic

barely

salt

pepper

paprika

basil

 any other seasonings that you want

Instructions:

1.) Brown the hamburg and add in salt, pepper, and paprika in a skillet. I used a large skillet for this, because I also added other ingredients.  I told you, I don't do measurements, this was all to taste. 

2.) Cut up the potatoes, carrots, onions, and mince the garlic.

3.) Once the hamburg is browned put all the vegetables and garlic in the skillet along with a cup or two of water. Make sure to get all the bits off the bottom of the skillet. Let simmer for about 20 minutes.

4.) Dump everything from the skillet into a crock pot or a bigger pot and add a couple more cups of water. Add a half cup to a cup of barely.

5.) Let cook for the rest of the day.

6.) Add seasonings to taste and eat. 

Get Out and Vote

If you do nothing else today, get out and vote. It is something that is a American right and really an honor. Your voice has a chance to be heard, even if no one knows your name. If you follow me at all, you probably know where I land on political issues. If not, you can go here to read my thoughts on this years election. All that being said, it does not matter to me who you vote for, just vote. I am not so ideologically set that I cannot see or value other people's opinions. Have a good day, and remember to vote!! :o)

Menu Plan Monday~~ November 1st

• Homemade beef barely soup with homemade biscuits.
• Meatloaf, potatoes with dill, green beans, and brownies.
• Fried egg sandwiches 
• Cheesy Alfredo with broccoli 
• French bread pizzas 
• Baked chicken with lemon, glazed carrots, and peas with onions. 

Would you like to share your menu for week? Head on over to organizing junkie and join in!! 

Twenty-Two Years

Twenty-two years ago today, I married the love of my life. Many people ask me why in the world we picked Halloween to get married on? The truth is, we didn't pick. We decided to get married in a small ceremony with a justice of the peace and in all honesty we didn't look at the calendar. When we were about to give our vows, the JP asked us if we cared that we were getting married on Halloween. We both said, "It's Halloween? No, we don't care." The with not much fanfare we said our vows.


It has been a wonderful life that we have had. 


Not perfect, but wonderful nonetheless. 


So, today I thank the Lord for bringing Larry into my life.  Through it all, I would never pick another and I would never change a thing. 


Thank you Larry, for being the most wonderful husband, father, and friend that a gal could ever ask for.