Owls...another favorite...

Lauren made these for a friend at work today...another new favorite of mine!
www.morethanchocolate.net

Enchilada Soup...

I revised a soup today, I only had a few ingredients, of which I usually have on hand at anytime.

Enchilada Soup

1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes

1 15-ounce can whole kernel corn or frozen

1/2 cup chopped green, or red bell pepper

1 10-ounce can mild enchilada sauce
1 10.75-ounce can condensed 98% fat free cream of chicken soup

1 cup 2% milk

1 cup boiling water with 2 chicken bouillon cubes dissolved

1/2 pkg taco seasoning

Pepper to taste
Cheese on top-whatever kind you have.

Combine all together and simmer. Pour in bowl, dot with cheese. I had baked nacho cheese chips with mine. Ohhhh so good!

If I had chicken-I would have added. But it was great without!

Makes about 6.5 cups- around 110 calories cup without cheese (2 gr fat).

Direction...

Today's verse, Isaiah 48:17
"This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.


If you are wondering what the picture is above, well, my daddy is trying to trap an armadillo...

armadillo's cannot see very well, and they can wreck a yard...he has built a path sprinkled with marshmallows to direct the armadillo to a trap at the end.

I thought about this today when I read this verse above... God says he will direct me in the way I should go, I sure wish I had visible boards like the picture above, but I don't. I do have the Holy Spirit within me, -- I just think he can be my marshmallow. You know the Holy Spirit leads us from within, that small tug, that small whisper, that verse you read, we have to learn to be aware, listen, feel, smell...kind of gives me goose bumps...can you remember a time that God has spoke to you or that you have felt his presence?

Layton's 2 yr School Picture...

Layton's 2 yr school picture at Green Acres Daycare...they totally captured his personality...

He is a hand full, energetic, loving, sweet, but as easily as he is happy, he can be just as grumpy...Below is his first year school picture, what a change a year makes!

Hogs and Kisses...

My new favorite cookie that Lauren made for GG...
www.morethanchocolate.net

Claire's 18th Birthday Party...

Me, Lauren and Mother...

Geri's mother, Geri, Claire, Lorri, Lauren, My mother...

Geri and I have been friends for around 15 years now. Claire was 3 when I met her. Now she is 18... Geri had a surprise party for her, and we snapped a pic of all of us. This may not happen again for a long time... Ahhh!

We tried to get a pic of me, Layton, Lauren and mother, but this lil man would not cooperate, look at my face! hehe!

Fun day!

Growing up!...

Layton and his little friend last year...so sweet, he is checking her out! :)
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

Pumpkin Cookies...

Pumpkin Cookies

2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup (from 15-oz can) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
2 eggs

2 1/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Browned Butter Frosting

3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 to 4 tablespoons milk

1/3 cup butter (do not use margarine or spread; it will burn)

Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, 3/4 cup butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until well blended. Beat in pumpkin and eggs until well mixed. On low speed, beat in flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
On ungreased cookie sheets, drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched in center. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.

Frosting:
In medium bowl, place powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 3 tablespoons milk. In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/3 cup butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until light brown.
Pour browned butter over powdered sugar mixture. Beat on low speed about 1 minute or until smooth. Gradually add just enough of the remaining 1 tablespoon milk to make frosting creamy and spreadable. Generously frost cooled cookies.

Spice up these cookies by adding 1/8 teaspoon each ground cloves and ground ginger with the flour. Recipe from Betty Crocker.

1101 Larkspur Lane, Tyler, TX 75703

Being listed now! Pics to come $114,900

Still to come-having a hard time with pics.

Anxiety...

Today's verse, I Peter 5:7

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Whew, I need this one! It is no surprise to anyone that is familiar with the economy, the anxiety level of just about anyone reading this post. I get really anxious in times where property is not showing very much and buyers are few. Market conditions are so wonderful to purchase, but fear and the "unknown" for people that do have money or can purchase-are waiting on the sidelines. Most importantly, God knows all of this. Many times in the Bible, people have prayed, God heard their prayers, and prayers were answered. Just read the Old Testament. Let's pray for our country and our leaders. Let's pray for one another!

Isaiah 46:4

"Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am he,

I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and

I will carry you;

I will sustain you and

I will rescue you."

Cloud?...

As I walked this morning, I topped the hill, and can you see the white line at the top of the trees? It is a cloud...pretty neat...October is great to walk, so far this week, 2 coyotes crossed my path, and 3-4 deer that I saw peering out of the trees. Just beautiful...

Good Soil...

Today's verse, Luke 8:15

"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart,

who hear the word,

retain it,

and by persevering

produce a crop."

What a great afternoon, I spent time with a few clients and a neighbor of a client. She is precious, and we just had a good time visiting. This is exactly why I love my job. Everyone wants to be heard. I take the time, even when I am in a hurry, I sincerely try to slow down and just "listen". You know God always has time for us. I hope that I can read the Bible, retain his words and persevere on a daily basis. If I do all of this, I will produce a crop, whether this pertains to business, or my relationships. Talk about anticipation, Ponder this!

Texas Attorney General halts...

The Texas Attorney Generals office has halted all foreclosures, all sales of properties previously foreclosed upon, and all evictions of persons residing in previously foreclosed upon properties, until mortgage companies have completed a review of their processes, including whether employees or agents "robosigned” affidavits and other documents recorded in Texas. The AG suspension notices were sent to 30 mortgage-loan servicers doing business in Texas.

Hmmm...robosigned, meaning, meaning signing them without reading them.

We will see what happens next! Just keeping you informed!

He sustains...

Today's Verse, Psalm 55:22

"Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall"



Meaning of sustain, "to support, hold, or bear up from below; bear the weight of"...
That's what my God can do, will do, and is doing right now!

Birthday Cookies...

My new favorite cookie from, www.morethanchocolate.net

Avoid IT...

Today's Verse, Proverbs 4:14-15

"Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
Avoid it,
do not travel on it;
turn from it
and go on your way.

This verse so reminds me of the picture above. There have been many times while walking in the dark of the morning, that I have come across Skunks! Oh my, it sends me into a state of panic. I suppose I can liken this situation to "evil"... avoid it at all cost!

King Ranch Chicken...

Presentation is EVERYTHING, in ALL THINGS! right? :) next party, this will be made!

Simple Slow Cooker Meal-Southern Living, OCTOBER 2010

King Ranch Chicken

4 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 (10 3/4-oz.) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10 3/4-oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (10-oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
12 (6-inch) fajita-size corn tortillas
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Preparation
1. Stir together first 8 ingredients. Tear tortillas into 1-inch pieces; layer one-third of tortilla pieces in a lightly greased 6-qt. slow cooker. Top with one-third of chicken mixture and 2/3 cup cheese. Repeat layers twice.
2. Cover and cook on LOW 3 1/2 hours or until bubbly and edges are golden brown. Uncover and cook on LOW 30 minutes.

Good to be Home!...

After travelling most of the week on work and then play, I feel exactly like this picture. I am so content to be at my home. See that little smile, ahhhh, how it feels to have my very own bathtub, bed, and my big man... Now, to begin a fresh new week!

Southern Living October 2010...

One of my favorite pics in this month's Southern Living magazine. I must create this!