Beef Stroganoff

1lb ground beef

onion

garlic

1C sour cream

1 can cream of mushroom soup

2T ketchup

2t worchestershire sauce

Cook the ground beef in a skillet with the onion and garlic, I don't usually measure how much, drain the grease. Put meat back into skillet and the next 4 ingredients. cook until warm. Serve over rice

I love love love this recipe. It's been my favorite meal for a long time.

A really great Christmas letter

I've been keeping up with MommyCoddle's blog for quite a while now (her link is to the right). Recently she posted Christmas wishes for all of her readers and added a Christmas letter written by her mother..and it just really touched me. It is so beautifully written. I wanted to share it with all of you..if I was to ever write a Christmas letter I would want it to be just like this one.

She became my project when she made her way, so many years ago, to the sheep pen in our barn in Leitersburg, Maryland. Along with two others, she traveled up I-81 from Virginia Tech to Hagerstown in the back seat of daughter Mary’s silver Ford Escort. Emily was an orphan, and even though I didn’t need a single (or triple) extra thing to do, her fuzzy head and sweet eyes captured my heart. What’s a mom to say? Drive those lambs right back to Blacksburg? Hardly.
Under my care and two bottles of milk replacer a day, Emily flourished. Soon grain and hay replaced the bottle, and come springtime she discovered green grass and warm sunshine. Emily and her barn mates, Hope and Nelson, were thriving.
One late Spring evening around the supper table, conversation turned to the fact that Miss Emily was the only lamb on our farm yet to be sheared. Since the weather was mild and daylight lingered a little longer, Mary and I headed out to the barn after the dishes were done, with halter, extension cord and clippers in hand.
Here was the thing about this situation: When we sheared a sheep, it stood on an elevated metal platform. Its head was immobilized by resting the chin in a U-shaped bracket with a soft rope corded around the neck. Emily had never been off the ground, all four hooves at once. She had never had her head stuck into something that held her fast. Sometimes this scenario is challenging if the sheep determines to buck, so to speak, the system…and most do. We didn’t know how this would go.
Together, Mary and I hoisted Emily onto the stand, placed her chin in the holder and threaded the rope across the back of her neck securing it under her chin. I stood on one side distracting Emily with a handful of grain. Mary, on the opposite side, plugged in the clippers and flipped the switch.
The first pass with the clippers from the base of her tail up the middle of her back brought no particular response from Emily. Mary continued—legs, chest, underbelly. Emily was incredible--standing there munching peacefully. Mary shut off the clippers in order to apply fresh oil and let them cool before attacking the last obstacle, Emily’s head. Loud, vibrating clippers around the face, eyes and ears of a sheep are hard to tolerate even for the most stoic of animals. So far, Emily had been a dream, but now it could all fall apart.
I dipped out a fresh scoop of grain and Mary started in along the jawbone and toward the ear. As long as I live, I’ll never forget what happened next. In her moment of fear, as the clippers approached her eye, Emily leaned against me. She simply shifted her weight and leaned on me. No panic or jerking. She just leaned in and we stood there together braced against one another until all was quiet again.
I haven’t forgotten the message Emily sent me that evening. Unexpected things come along—especially these days. Jobs disappear, portfolios shrink, houses don’t sell, accidents happen, health issues surface. But there is something anyone can do…lean in. The Good Shepherd, whose birth we celebrate this time of year, stands near with wisdom and provision. Every time.
We are blessed beyond measure and send our love and greetings to you and yours.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND PEACE IN THE NEW YEAR.

Ellie 16 months!

Well here's our precious at 16 month's! I can't believe all the months that keep slipping by so quickly and how fast she is growing. She's nearly half the height of Isabella! Just since turning a year old she has learned so much. Most of her words consist of "dadadada dadadada adada da!"
but, she does know "mama, dada, mamaw, and ewe (my favorite :D )". Though she can't speak much more than that she understands a lot more. If she finds any trash anywhere you can tell her to put it in the trash and she will! Or ask her to find her shoes and she will. She will bring them to you, sit in your lap and stick her little feets in the air for you to put them on her. She has said 'no no' before but, it's not said often thankfully. I'm sure it's coming though! She can however, nod her head yes! She dances (by shaking her body back and forth), twirls and trys to run (in her pretty new gym shoes mamaw and papaw clark bought her).


Ellie on a normal day eats a ton. She loves bananas and pancakes for breakfast. Grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, cheese slices, cheddar cheese fishies, this girl loves cheese! She will also eat breaded fish, chicken, ground beef (finally), broccoli, beans, hotdogs, and mashed potatoes. Her menu is quite large. Any pasta is her favorite...


She's sleeping better these days too..is it odd that finally at 16 months she sleeps like a normal child? But then again, I guess, what's normal? She goes to bed around 730 and gets up around 7. Naps anywhere between 1 and 3. Though this has been happening on a typical day..it's not always so..like yesterday. Of course I was planning on getting lots done during her 2 hour naps she's been taking.....she woke after 30 minutes! And was a crank for the rest of the afternoon! Needless to say, I didn't get much done!


While this little addition to our family continues to be an adjustment, she has been a complete joy. She is so entertaining and funny. So cuddly and loving. Isabella loves her more and more and can't wait for the day when they can play and understand one another. Isabella gets frustrated with her when she's trying to have a conversation and Ellie's attention span is at about 0. "Ellie Ellie watch me! This is how you tie your shoe!" And meanwhile Ellie is running out of the room! Or "Ellie Ellie watch! Watch me draw this!" And Ellie isn't looking at her at all...


It's so fun for us to watch then interact. Isabella is becoming so helpful with her. She tries feeding her, puts her in and takes her out of her booster seat. She loves for her to play in her room with her, sometimes I should say, not always. Sometimes Ellie gets into things she shouldn't. And I learned yesterday that Isabella pulled Ellie out of her crib when she woke up....sort of scares me :D, because when I got home from work I noticed a rickety little stool next to the crib.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

For those of you that didn't receive a Christmas card this year..I'm sorry!

It's nothing personal...

I just couldn't do it.

I sent out a few to close friends and family in far away places but, that's it.

We were just too busy..

Above is a picture from our vacation in October,

a time we really enjoyed being together.

A time of relaxation and fun away from everyday stresses.

A time to reconnect with eachother and God.

I hope this post finds you filled with peace and joy this season.

May the everyday stresses leave you

as you spend time with your family and loved ones.

I hope you had a great CHRISTmas and

may God bless you in the new year!

Amy

2009 Christmas Party

One week ago today our small group at church had it's annual Christmas party. Katie, a close friend of mine, and the party planner, she and I decided to do a tacky Christmas sweater theme this year! And we made a contest out of it for best dressed..it was so fun! Even though there were only about 5 or 6 of us that took it seriously! A few days before the party Chris and I got started on our outfits. I think we were a bit overly excited about the challenge of finding the tackiest outfits. Infact when we arrived we felt a bit out of place, like the joke was on us! But fortunately Katie was a bit dressed up as were some new friends to the group. I was a bit surpised and instantly relieved that these new friends dressed up with us because this was their first time meeting everyone..

We had a great time eating dinner together and playing the white elephant gift exchange. We managed to rid of the motorized tie holder from last years exchange and came home with some cute Christmas decorations :D. Here are some pics of the night..

I borrowed my sweater from my mom, she used to wear it..and I don't think still does. And my lovely pleated skirt came from GoodWill, oh and the cute snowman socks? TJMaxx of course, love that store! And Chris' outfit...it was the best..the pretty red sweater and green cordourys came from GoodWill (we did pretty well there :D ) and his wooden clogs, did you notice those!? Borrowed from Great Gma-T.

Chris and I won 1st place! $15 to Starbucks, my favorite...

Peppermint Melt Aways

These cookies are beyond delicious! And they are so unbelievably easy to make. They are so light and fluffy....and oh so tasty.

42 Servings
Prep: 30 min. Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
FROSTING:
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Directions
In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract. Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Shape into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
In a small bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar, milk, extract and food coloring if desired; beat until smooth. Spread over cooled cookies; sprinkle with crushed candies. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 3-1/2 dozen.


Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie equals 90 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 13 mg cholesterol, 36 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, trace protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch.

Recipe courtesy of www.tasteofhome.com

Updates

Christmas is nearing! 21 more days..I can't believe AGAIN, how quickly this year has flown by. Our children are growing so quickly..it's like you blink your eyes and time is just gone. I remember being young and wanting time to pass so quickly so I could experience all the things that come with growing up...college, falling in love, marriage..etc. Now I want time to stop!


The past few months have been busy. With Isabella starting school and adjusting to our new schedules. November and now into December has been off and on sickness. So far the girls between them have had 7 ear infections, bronchitis twice, and several falls on heads including one requiring a doctor visit (just yesterday!). Hopefully all that is out of their systems! Luckly Chris and I have remained healthy..


With Christmas looming around the corner we are busy this year....decorating and preparing. With Chris' sisters family we are doing a homemade Christmas this year. I may have already mentioned this so if I have, so sorry to repeat myself. I can't mention what it is that we are making for each of them but, we are pretty excited about it. If you know me you know I love arts and crafts so this has been right up my alley. It's just too bad I can't talk about it just yet. :D I'll fill you in after Christmas.


I rearranged our living room on Wednesday and set up our tree. My dad attached our tree base to a piece of plywood just in case little hands tried pulling on the tree..it's not going anywhere. Tonight Isabella and I are going to put on all the ornaments..and place all the decor throughout....from Thanksgiving on..it's my favorite time of year.


And now a delicious recipe for you...

Cheesy Mexican Chicken

6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/2 lb.), pounded to 1/4-inch-thickness
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese, divided
1/2 cup milk
1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Taco Seasoning Mix
2 cups corn chips
4-1/2 cups cooked rice

PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Place chicken in 13x9-inch baking dish.
MIX soup, 1 cup of the cheese, milk and seasoning mix until well blended; spoon over chicken. Top with chips; cover.
BAKE 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake, uncovered, an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with rice.

-courtesy of Kraftfoods.com