Choice, not circumstances, determines your success

People too often want to say that a person who is successful in life was just in the right place at the right time.  Sometimes, this may be true ~ however most of the time, it is a persons choice to be out there in the first place. 

People make choices all the time and then have to live with the consequences -- good or bad.  You can't go through life making rules and expecting to have fun or enjoy your life and you choose and make important those things you want to.  If something or someone is important in your life, you will 'be'  what or where you need to be regardless of any other things going on any where.  You 'choose' the outcome for yourself.  If you are looking for a job, do you sit at home and wait for people to call you or do you go and do?  If you want a new car, do you wait for one to show up in your drive way or do you go to a car lot and look for one and test drive one or two?

Today make a conscience choice to be where or who you need to be.  Happy Monday !  Is that an oxymoron?  : )

I'm happy anyway and had a blast yesterday with my church family and real family.  We had Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cake -- It was good but really rich.  Note to self:  Next time only cut small pieces and for lots of people : )  Took lots of pics and enjoyed the day and evening.

Enjoy,

Charlene


Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cake 

INGREDIENTS:
1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix
1 1/2 cups milk
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed


12 large peanut butter cups, coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS:


1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour 1 9x13 pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, milk, eggs, oil and instant vanilla pudding mix. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl, and beat 4 minutes on medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
4. To make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping and 2/3’s of the peanut butter cups ( save some for topping). Spread on top of cake.

Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything good in the world. ~ Helen Keller

Yes it is time to stop feeling sorry for yourself and get busy.  Self pity never resolves anything.  Hold your head up and keep moving forward.  Everyone will have a bump in the road now and then just don't stop and sit down in the road (you'll probably get hit by a car or camel :)  ).

Today is my Mom's 74th birthday -- Happy Birthday Mom -- I love you -- see you in a bit.  We are having her party here today.  Today in some parts of the greater Phoenix area, we have snow.  Yes snow -- probably not much and it won't last long, but it is here.  A very unusual sight for the Phoenix area but stranger things have happened so for today, we will bundle up and be off to church.  It is a beautiful day with the clouds still hanging in the air and all the little birds will be out hunting for food.  Ever notice that the birds don't sit and feel sorry for themselves?  We have a little parakeet and no matter when I go by his cage, he chirps and is glad to see me.  No cares in the world.  He is cute and we have had him for about 10 years now.

How about some Banana Bread Pudding?  Sounds good in the chilly mornings heated up.  Mmmm.

Happy Sunday!

Charlene


Banana Bread Pudding

INGREDIENTS:
4 cups French bread -- day old, cubed 1"
1/4 cup butter -- melted
3 egg
2 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup banana -- firm, slices 1/4"

**Sauce**
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place bread cubes in a greased 2 - qt casserole; pour butter over and toss to coat.
2. In medium bowl, lightly beat eggs; add milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir in bananas.
3. Pour over bread cubes and stir to coat.
4. Bake uncovered, at 375` for 40 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.
5. Meanwhile, for sauce, melt butter in a saucepan. Combine sugar & cornstarch; add to butter.
6. Stir in milk and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil. Boil for 1 minute.
7. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Serve warm sauce over warm pudding.
Yield: 6 servings

Think of all the beauty thats still left in and around you and be happy! ~ Anne Frank

I'm sitting here watching the clouds roll in for the storm that we are expecting and can't help but think how beautiful the sunset will be this evening.  It's the small things in life that people have lost the love for.  We are so busy in our lives that we have stopped enjoying life's simpler pleasures.  Sitting around with family - laughing, lunch with a good friend, sitting on the patio watching the birds or dogs play in the yard.  What a shame that we can't just stop and learn to enjoy those things again.  The last few weeks, I have enjoyed the beauty of nature and landscapes -- the simple things that are all around us all the time. Sunsets, clouds, plants, birds, chipmunks and flowers that just grow wild. 

Even though I Photoshopped this picture to put a heart in the center, it was pretty before I touched it.I just added the heart in the center to remind me of the love that God has for all of us.  He has given us all this and more if we trust in Him.  This picture will soon be up for sale in a limited quantity if you are interested.  Also, if there is something that you are looking for such as roses or anything else, please let me know and I will photograph it and get it up for sale. 

Today, stop and smell the roses, watch the birds play and sit outside and just take it all in ~ I know I will until it starts raining.  Even once it starts raining, I will just move to the patio or inside with the sliding door open to hear the rain.  I love the sound of thunder and rain.  To me, it is comforting to hear because it reminds me that I am just a very small part of a huge Master's plan in this world.  A storm can cover several states  - I can't even fathom covering one state in a month much less several at once.  And even though I am only a small part, I am still very important. : )  I am overjoyed to know that I am significant in this massive world.

Tomorrow, my family will be here after church to celebrate my mom's birthday.  If she liked cherries, I'd make this one for her : )  This works out well and stores well - good for breakfast too.

Enjoy your weekend and get out and do something simple -- how about a picnic with your family? A game of baseball in the park or go feed the ducks.

Charlene


Cherry Almond Pound Cake 
 
INGREDIENTS:
1 (18.25 ounce) package cherry chip
cake mix
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 eggs
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and lightly flour a bundt or tube pan.
2. Combine the cake mix, pie filling, almond extract, and eggs in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly by hand until well moistened. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool on rack for 15 minutes; invert cooled cake onto serving plate. Cool completely.
4. Whisk together the confectioners' sugar and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract in a small bowl. Add drops of water until glaze is drizzling consistency. Spoon glaze over cooled cake.

The really happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery when on a detour. ~ Author Unknown

How true !  Most times, we don't like detours or having to go around something - an accident, road work (including me) because we are usually on such a tight time schedule that we don't have the extra time to enjoy our drive.  Lately, I have found that sometimes the detour holds a lot of interesting new sights with beautiful scenery.  Sometimes getting lost or taking the long way around is fun, especially if I have my Canon with me and an empty SD card.  I have been known to get out and take pictures of lots of things from flowers to cows to birds and other people's dogs : ).  Whatever catches my eye.

I really enjoy cooking and photography.  This weekend, my family is coming here to celebrate my Mom's 74th birthday.  We all decided we want breakfast foods for dinner so I am making the Vanilla Soaked French Toast posted earlier on here, sausage gravy and biscuits and eggs and bacon with toast at 3 or 3:30 in the afternoon.  Yes, we are weird : )  but it really doesn't matter what we are having, we will have fun just the same.  Of course, then it will be cake time and I'm deciding what kind of cake to make.  It will be something fabulous like lasts years German Chocolate Upside Down Cake (which I will share today since I can't decide what I will make this weekend).

It's Friday, what are your plans for the weekend?  Get out and take a detour and enjoy the scenery!

Charlene


German Chocolate Upside-Down Cake

Ingredients:
1 cup flaked sweetened coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 package (18.25 ounces) German chocolate cake mix
eggs, water, and oil as directed on package
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup butter or margarine, room temperature
1 pound confectioners' sugar, about 3 3/4 cups, unsifted

Directions:
Grease and flour a 9x13x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350°.
Sprinkle coconut and pecans evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan. Prepare cake mix with the appropriate measurements of water, oil, and eggs, following the package directions. Pour the cake batter over the coconut and pecans. Beat together the cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar; drop by spoonfuls over the top of cake batter. Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the center of the cake portion.
Cool the cake in the pan on a rack. To serve, cut into individual serving-size pieces and, using a spatula or cake server, remove from the pan and turn upside-down on dessert plates.

A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked. ~ Author Unknown

I have been getting a bunch of photos ready for my website.  They will be for sale and will be limited in quantity.

You can get them with or with out Bible verses.  I have my favorites ~ all shot by myself.  I am having a blast shooting with my Canon EOS Rebel T2i and I really like my new Canon backpack.  I can pact up all my equipment and go without having to keep adjusting the bag on my shoulder. Yesterday we shot a lot of old farm equipment and cool roosters and chickens.  One of the chickens had 3 little babies.  They were so cute and they all just came right up to you - even the mommy and babies.  I really don't even know what some of the equipment is but will be looking it all up : )

Does anyone know what this is called?  There were probably 30 different pieces of equipment and a whole blacksmith's shop.  Now to Photoshop them for sale.  I'm also learning how to shoot in HDR.  Really cool and adds lots of color and detail to pictures.  I am having a blast  (can you tell?).

Today, let's go back in time to the days when people actually cooked and baked from scratch.  Let's have something that most people enjoy eating - Apple Pie.  YUMMY !

Enjoy,

Charlene


Apple Pie

1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
1/2 cup unsalted butter (do not substitute margarine)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water
8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced
1 tbsp cinnamon

1. Melt butter in a sauce pan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add white sugar, brown sugar and water; bring to a boil. Reduce temperature, and simmer 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, place the bottom crust in your pan. Add cinnamon to the apples and mix.  Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work of crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
3. Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes.

When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt. ~ Henry J. Kaiser

When you are working and doing a good job, you will always have people who make your life difficult and who will knit pick.  You will also have people who will be thrilled with what you have accomplished.  Either way, don't feel like you need to defend of comment on your work.  As long as you know you are doing your best, you should be happy in your work.  You should take pride in what you do and where you work.  If you can't in either case, you need to move on.  People (including owners and bosses) will not always understand what you do -- you need to be concerned only in what you are doing and if it is of good quality and that you are honest in what you are doing.

Never compromise your beliefs or integrity to keep a job.  There are plenty of companies that will appreciate your hard work and will be glad you are a person of integrity.  Too many people will try to back you into a corner and make you do things that you know are wrong.  I have been put in that position and have quit my job because of it.  No one can make you lie, cheat or steal.  Those are your choices and no job is worth it -- ever.  Let your work quality speak for itself ~ you don't need to defend what you do all day nor should you be in a position to feel like you need to tell everyone what you are doing.  Don't pat yourself on the back but keep your held up high if you are doing your best.

Above all - be happy in what you do -- you never want to spend 8 or 10 hours doing something that you don't like or being some where you are not happy.  Until recently, I have never left a job for any other reason that a better job.  Money isn't everything -- Self respect and happiness are important.

Enjoy life every day or make the necessary changes.

Charlene



10-Minute Stir-Fry Chicken

1 Tbs. light olive oil
1/2 onion
2 garlic cloves
1 Tbs. chicken bouillon granules
1 lb. mixed stir fry vegetables
10 ounces cooked chicken breast
1 cup Carrot Sticks
2 Tbs. Oriental stir-fry sauce


To make this a really quick-to-prepare recipe, choose your ingredients carefully. Here are some helpful hints: look for chopped onions in the produce section; you'll need 1/2 cup of chopped onion. The produce section also often has carrot match sticks in a bag; you'll need 1 cup. Also look for peeled garlic cloves; all you have to do is mince or chop. Find frozen mixed stir-fry vegetables in the freezer case; choose a variety without added sauce. In the

 meat case, you'll find already-cooked chicken, often with the word short-cut in front of it; this often comes in several flavors.
Heat oil in nonstick pan over medium high heat with chopped onions, minced garlic, chicken bouillon granules, frozen vegetables and 2 tablespoons water. Add stir-fry sauce (it doesn't have to be Oriental, just a fat-free favorite of yours), chicken and carrot match sticks. Saute briefly until all are heated through. Carrot match sticks should still be crisp, lending a great texture to this easy dish.

Find a meaningful need and fill it better than anyone else

Everyone laughs at me because I love the movie "ROBOTS".  The one guy in the movie is always saying 'see a need, fill a need'.  The one kid in the movie is Rodney and he admires the inventor /owner of the mechanical world ~ Bigweld who he finds has disappeared.  It is such a cute movie but that one line has stuck in my head for several years.  If you haven't seen the movie, you should.  It is cute and also has Robin Williams, Halle Berry and Greg Kinear in it. Watch the movie and you will see.

The reason I bring this movie up is because I am always thinking of things but don't have the  time to do all the things that I think of.  I need more hours in a day : ) but God knew best and knows I can't handle more hours in a day.  Sometimes I waste several hours a day when I could be more productive.  There are better things to do than watching TV. Usually, I am busy doing several things while I'm watching TV, I'm reading a book or doing research on the Internet. 

All of this to say, look for a place in life where this is a need and find a way to fill that need and you will be a success.  Maybe not a millionaire but you will have succeeded in filling a need for someone.

Today, let's make something easy for dinner.  How about an easy beef stroganoff.  Of course, you could always use the lite version of some of these ingredients if you'd like to cut down on fat and calories.

Happy Tuesday - enjoy the day whatever you plan to do.

Charlene


Easy Beef Stroganoff 
 
INGREDIENTS:
1 (12 ounce) package egg noodles,
cooked and drained
6 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter 2 pounds lean ground beef
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
1 cup sour cream
salt and black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook egg noodles in boiling water until done, about 8 minutes. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, cook mushrooms and onions in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until soft; remove from pan.
3. Using the same pan, melt remaining butter. Cook ground beef in melted butter until browned. Mix in flour. Stir in beef broth, and cook until slightly thickened. Add mushroom and onion mixture; stir in sour cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until sauce is hot, but not boiling. Serve sauce over egg noodles.

Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve. – Napoleon Hill

Mindset and determination are important in reaching a goal.  Get your mind set on where you are going, plan and go for it.  This past week has been so busy and yet so much fun.  There are so many little things in life that you can do that don't cost anything (except maybe some gas and time) that are so much fun.  Last night, we went driving around south of the valley and found some cows and horses and a pretty sunset.  What fun.  I do love my Canon ! !

Of course, the cows are smelly but we found one that was trying to escape.  He was trying to chew his way out I think. 

Of course, I know he wasn't trying to escape but I thought it was funny when I seen it.  We also found some horses but they didn't turn out so well because the sun was setting and they were in the shade.  There was one mule that kept trying to bite my shirt.  I don't think he liked having his picture taken : )   Maybe he was having a bad hair day.

A new week to start over again.  I love a really good antipasto salad and I think the one I love best is from Grimaldi's Pizza.  They also have a wonderful Caprese Salad too.  The biggest difference between Grimaldi's and this one is that this one has pasta in it.  I do like pasta.  Happy Monday !

Enjoy your day ~ and smile !!

Charlene

Antipasto Pasta Salad 
 

INGREDIENTS:
1 pound seashell pasta
1/4 pound Genoa salami, chopped
1/4 pound pepperoni sausage, chopped
1/2 pound Asiago cheese, diced
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
salt and ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, and cool under cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, salami, pepperoni, Asiago cheese, black olives, red bell pepper, green bell pepper and tomatoes. Stir in the envelope of dressing mix. Cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
3. To prepare the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Just before serving, pour dressing over the salad, and mix well.

Make memories every day

We had so much fun yesterday.  It was a beautiful day and, again, we went to a conservation park with lots of hiking trails and critters.  Lots of chipmunks, cottontails, partridges, doves, squirrels and finches.  We took lots of pictures.  I shot about 500 pictures and filled my 4 GB chip for my Canon.   I love photography - it is so much fun and especially with a digital camera ~  you don't have to get film developed and wait to see your pictures.  I do love a good film camera and have 2 Minolta 7000i's that I still use.  My husband was feeding the chipmunks out of his hand.

Brings to my mind a verse:   Matthew 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.  (KJV)  Today, we are going to a 50th anniversary party for a couple from church.  It will be a lot of fun and of course, we will take our cameras : )

Enjoy your weekend and get out and do something you enjoy ~ I know I will : )

Charlene


Slow Cooker Meatballs  

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 egg, beaten
28 ounces Tomato and Basil Sauce
1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.25 ounce) can tomato puree

Directions:
1. In a bowl, mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, garlic, onion, and egg. Shape the mixture into 16 meatballs.
2. In a slow cooker, mix the pasta sauce, crushed tomatoes, and tomato puree. Place the meatballs into the sauce mixture. Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure. Colin Powell

Success never comes without hard work and preparation and most likely a few downs in the plans.  There is usually a hiccup in every plan.  Work through it and keep going ~ don't let it get you down.  Take a few chances.  Never underestimate yourself.  Count the cost and forge forward.  Yesterday and today, we are going out on photo shoots.  A lot of fun but patience is everything sometimes.  We also did our part to save a duck that was stuck in the mud.  It was so drenched and I'm sure it would have died had we not come along and been paying attention ( and trying to take his picture).

I had my Canon EOS Rebel T2i and Robert had his Nikon D5000 and we just went all over.  He got pictures of a partridge and a cottontail and I got geese and ducks.  There were also several Herons and Cranes at the lake.  It was cool.  Here are a few pics from yesterday.  We will be offering these prints for sale on our website shortly.  They are beautiful.  And yes, his head was blue : ) and not green!

The bottom picture is a black headed night heron.  We had to look him up to see what he was.  He was just sitting on the wall of the water watching us with his one red eye staring us down and standing on one leg.  We are off again in a few minutes to go do another day of wildlife.  In a few months, we are going to Show Low and Sedona to take pictures -- should have some bald eagles and beautiful scenery.  We want to do the trip when the trees and flowers are blooming.  In the meantime, we are having fun with our cameras and Photoshop. 

Happy Friday ! !  Enjoy your weekend : )

Charlene



Pork Carnitas
1 onion, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped chipotles in adobo or2 fresh jalapeño chiles, seeded and sliced
2 to 3 lb. boned pork butt or shoulder
4 cloves garlic, slivered
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (14 oz.) package 6-inch corn tortillas

Place onion, chipotles and 1/4 cup water in slow cooker. Stir to combine. Using a knife, make incisions all over pork and insert garlic. Season roast with salt and pepper.
Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add oil. Put roast in pan and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer roast to slow cooker. Pour 1/2 cup water into pan and stir over low heat, using a wooden spoon to scrape up browned bits. Pour liquid into slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours.
Remove roast from slow cooker and let cool. Shred pork, using two forks to pull meat apart. Return pulled pork to slow cooker and stir to combine with onions, chipotles and juices.
Serve pork with warm tortillas and toppings of your choice

My list of ingredients for success is divided into four basic groups: Inward, Outward, Upward and Onward. ~ David Thomas

To change your situation, you have to first change your thinking.  Once you change your inner self, you will see a change in the way you deal with others around you.  You will find that you have changed your attitude and things that were a big deal before are no longer such a big deal.  I would not necessarily agree with the order of this list though.  I think the first thing you need in order to change your thinking is the love of Christ in your life.  Also, choose to cut out all of those things in your life that are causing you grief, including people who are causing you to lose focus of the goals at hand.

Today, start weeding those things from your life that are slowing you down or holding you back.  It may not be easy but you must start some where : )  I am working on those things that are holding me back.  I am about half way through my list and still working.  Never stop working on yourself.

Today, we need some chocolate : )  You will like this one.  It is wonderful, just don't eat too much and you're probably OK.

Happy Thursday ! !

Charlene


Milky Way Bundt Cake


10 Milky Way candy bars (2.1 oz size)
1 3/8 cups butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

In microwave or double boiler, melt 7 Milky Way candy bars with 1/2 cup butter. Stir until smooth, and set aside to cool. In a large bowl, cream sugar and 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. In another bowl, whisk together flour and soda. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to creamed mixture, ending with the flour mixture. Stir in candy mixture and vanilla until well blended.
Grease and flour a Bundt pan to within an inch of the top of the pan. It is very important not to grease and flour clear to the top; it will run over, make an awful mess in your oven, and the cake will fall.
Bake at 325ºF for about 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in cake comes out dry.
Melt 3 Milky Way candy bars with 3/8 cup butter or margarine.
Pour glaze over top of the cake, and let it run down the sides.

Success is a journey, not a destination. ~ Ben Sweetland

How do you measure success?  Wealth, possessions or what?? - How do you consider a person is successful?  Do you consider the non-material things a person has instead of property or money?  Have you ever considered friendship, health, love, family, children, grandchildren, or kindness?  If you have never considered any of these, stop and re-evaluate your ideas of success.

I used to think of success as never needing anything - but I have since met a lot of people who really had nothing and they still felt like they had achieved a lot in life because of family, friends, faith, health, love and kindness.  Some of the nicest people I have ever met were living below the poverty level (not to say that people who have money aren't nice ~ I have known a lot of them too).  Today, re-evaluate your life and make a list of the things that you have that can't be bought and be happy in them.

Think of others today and then yourself.  The week is half over : )

Charlene


PASTA SALAD

1/2 pkg. (8 oz.) Thin fettuccine, uncooked
1 cup thinly sliced yellow pepper strips, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup thinly sliced zucchini
3/4 cup fresh broccoli florets
3/4 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup sliced green onion
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water to cool quickly; drain well. In large bowl, toss together pasta and vegetables. In small bowl, whisk together cider vinegar, honey, oil, mustard, ginger, salt and pepper. Pour dressing over pasta mixture; stir gently. Cover; refrigerate. Garnish with parsley, if desired. 6 servings.

Happiness is a warm puppy. ~ Charles Schulz

This is true for me ~ I love puppies, especially my puppy.  She really isn't a puppy anymore.  she is 7 now, but she is so sweet and loves to snuggle with mommy : )  She has a huge heart and a little body but don't tell her that ~ she thinks she is a Rottweiler especially if you try to touch me.  Seven pounds of terror - otherwise, she is sweet as can be.

I can have the worst day and when I come home, she meets me at the door.  She is always grinning when I come home and I have to stop and pet her and hold her.  Then she wants to sit by me on the chair.  However, she is not spoiled : )  She loves her baby carrots and usually gets one a day.  If you don't have a puppy, you don't know what you are missing.  A true companion in good times and bad.  They don't care if you have everything or nothing.  People should be this way too -- loyal til the end.  We could learn something from our furry friends about life.  Enjoy today, roll in the grass, drink some water, be a great friend and be happy to see people when they come home or come over to visit.

This is my baby girl:

Isn't she the sweetest little dog you've ever seen?  : )  She is to me !

Happy Tuesday !

Charlene


Garlic Chicken Fried Chicken 
INGREDIENTS:
2 teaspoons garlic powder, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs 
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded thin
1 cup olive oil for frying, or as needed

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a shallow dish, mix together the garlic powder, pepper, salt, paprika, bread crumbs and flour. In a separate dish, whisk together the milk and egg.
2. Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet  at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Dip the chicken into the egg and milk, then dredge in the dry ingredients until evenly coated.
3. Fry chicken in the hot oil for about 5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from the oil with a slotted spatula, and serve.

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal

Colossians 4:1 ~ Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. KJV

 

If you owe someone some thing, pay them. Don't cheat people and don't leave them hanging. don't make them ask for it. I don't like to owe anyone and I don't like it when people owe me and don't pay. In business, you have people who think it is OK to not pay you for long periods of time. It's even worse when they ignore you or just avoid the issue knowing full well that they owe you.

 

It is not only unfair to that person but also not what we are commanded to do.  Everyone today is thinking about someone ~ think about people you have wronged and take care of it.  Today is a good day to do that.  If there is someone you have done wrong:  call, email, write, or go see them.  You will feel better once you have taken care of your obligations.

 

Today we have Vanilla Soaked French Toast.  I am making this for my mom's birthday later this month (my family decided they want breakfast food for the party).  I will be posting several recipes that I am making that day, but I knew you would enjoy this one especially if you like french toast : ).

 

Happy Monday ! !

 

Vanilla Soaked French Toast 

1/2 to 3/4 cup half & half
3 large eggs
4 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of salt
6-8 thick slices French bread (slightly stale is best to sop up the egg mixture)

Whisk together the half & half, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Soak bread slices in egg mixture for at least 4 to 5 minutes.
Lightly oil or butter and heat a griddle or skillet on medium-high. Place the soaked bread on the griddle and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until French toast is lightly scorched.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and/or serve with warm maple syrup.

You can also top with strawberries and whipped cream if you like.

I want this cast iron griddle -- maybe I will order it for myself for my birthday : )

What do you think?  : )

Enjoy ! !

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Blaze a trail into the unknown.  You never know how far you can go until you push forward and get some place you've not been before.  My whole day tomorrow is planning and prepping for new business.  Tuesday all day is marketing day.  I will come back by the end of the week and report of being places and doing things that I haven't done before.  The journey could be scary but it will be worth it : )  I trust that the Lord will take me where I should be and give me what I need.

Today I am sharing a recipe with you that is wonderful for parties and so cute too.  Have you ever had stuffed strawberries?  They are good.  I have had them about 3 times now and they are wonderful : )  I hope you enjoy them as much as I have or more.  Now it is off to church to worship and sing praises.

Happy Sunday ! !

Charlene


Stuffed Strawberries

Ingredients
30 strawberries
1 1/2 c milk chocolate chips (can use semi-sweet, dark or white)
8 oz cream cheese 
3 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp almond extract

Directions
1   Cut all the strawberries in half lengthwise: leave the stem on. Dry on paper towels.
2   Melt chocolate in microwave bowl until melted...stirring regularly.
3   Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
4   Hold strawberry by the stem and dip in the chocolate, covering half of the strawberry. Place on the wax paper lined sheet.
5   Beat together cream cheese, honey, and almond extract. Spoon into a pastry bag. Pipe into strawberries.

As a child my family's menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it. Buddy Hackett

Yep, that was our house ~ take it or leave it : )  but we survived and never went hungry.  We may not have had all the stuff we wanted but we did have what we really needed to live.  One of our favorite things was when my mom would make biscuits and gravy. Now days, most people make the little biscuits in a can that you pop and bake rather than make them from scratch.  I love biscuits from scratch especially if you make a really good gravy to go with them.  I know -- not the best thing to eat for breakfast but back when you had to make something go for 6 kids and 2 adults, this worked.

OK, Penny, here are homemade biscuits for you -- try them, they are not hard to do : )  And if you have a baking stone, by all means ~ use it (they won't burn).

Happy Saturday -- go out and enjoy it.  Do something fun !

Charlene


Biscuits 

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 dash salt 1 tablespoon white sugar
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup buttermilk

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Cut in 1/2 cup butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in the buttermilk. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead 2 minutes. Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet or baking stone, roll into a 6x6 inch square, and cut into 12 even sections. Do not separate.
3. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted in the center of the square comes out clean. Separate into biscuits, and serve hot.

The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. Mark Twain

It's Friday ~  you could only be happier if it were Saturday or Sunday : )  Even though it is still Friday, be happy, laugh and enjoy today.  I plan to enjoy my day no matter who or what happens.  Remember the songs from the 80's that said ' no body's gonna break my stride, ain't nothing gonna slow me down'?  This is how I feel today.

Get out and enjoy your Friday and of course your weekend ~ do something special with someone you enjoy being with.  Call up a friend and talk over the phone or over brunch.  Find something fun to do.  I going to take my new Canon EOS out and shoot some photos and I'll share them with you from time to time.  Here's one that I shot a few weeks ago here in AZ.

I love to take pictures.  I love flowers, bees, trees, mountains, clouds, sunrises and sunsets, and so much more.  I enjoy lots of things.  Baking is one of the things that I enjoy.  Angel food cake is great anytime and it is light and tasty.  This one has cherries added.  It is good ~ try some today.

Happy Friday! !

Charlene

Cherry Angel Food Cake   
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup sifted cake flour
1 cup egg whites
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/4 cups white sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/3 cup maraschino cherries, drained and sliced

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Make sure your 10 inch tube pan is clean and dry. Sift flour three times and set aside.
2. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Blend in vanilla and almond extract. Fold the flour into the whites until no streaks remain. Pour half of the batter into pan. Sprinkle with half of the cherries. Fill pan with remaining batter and top with remaining cherries.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. Invert pan and allow to hang until cake cools.

God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest. ~J.G. Holland

We must plow forward in our goals and keep working while attaining those goals.  If you want to eat, you have to work ~ that's just the way it is : ) We all have dreamed of being rich and having all of our troubles taken away ~ Wake up ! !  The only real way you are getting there is by hard work (unless you have very wealthy parents who leave everything to you instead of the dog).  Very few win millions or are just handed money ~  most just work hard for it.  There is no shame in working for a living - and there is nothing wrong with making a good living.

I believe that there is more to life than just working though and everything has its own place.  I believe that you also need rest and relaxation.  You also need family and friends.  Most importantly, you need the Lord in your life.  I know lots of people who go through life never even attending church or worshipping God.  Who else in your life gave their only Son for you?  The short and only answer is no one.  God has been so good to me in life and has given me so much:  the best friends, my family, my jobs, my dreams and my salvation.  I am happy even if I don't have a job right now : )

Be happy in whatever you do today and enjoy life.  It;s almost the weekend ~ what are your plans?  I'm spending Saturday with my family.

Charlene


Cranberry Bread
2  cups flour
1 ½ cups fresh cranberries, chopped
1  cup sugar
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1  teaspoon salt
¼ cup butter
1  egg, beaten
1  teaspoon grated orange peel
¾ cup orange juice

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.  Add egg, orange peel and orange juice. Stir. Fold in raisins and cranberries. Put in loaf pans (greased). Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Families are like fudge... mostly sweet with a few nuts.

My brother was the biggest nut in our family.  He would make you laugh so much.  We always had fun together.  He loved Thanksgiving and most anything with cheese.  He was funny.  Always had a piece of pumpkin pie before dinner to make sure he had room for it before he got full. : )

I could tell a lot of things that he did to make people laugh ~ you would have loved being around him too.  He also liked his junk food but he was a body builder so he would burn it off.  He would lift weights every night for an hour or two and play Billy Joel or Phil Collins while he lifted weights.  His favorite song by Phil Collins was "In the Air Tonight".  He played that CD over and over on repeat and if he switched it out, it went to Billy Joel's 52nd Street CD.

The other song he like was Chris Isaak's Wicked Game .  Every time I hear it on the radio, it reminds me of him and I miss him a lot.  It has been 13+ years now since he passed away.  So in honor of the nuts in my family, enjoy this fudge with or without nuts : )

Charlene


Fudge  

3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup butter
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Place chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter or margarine in large microwaveable bowl. Zap in microwave on medium until chips are melted, about 3-5 minute, stirring once or twice during cooking. Stir in nuts, if desired. Pour into well-greased 8x8-inch glass baking dish. Refrigerate until set.  If you double the recipe, use a 9 X 13 inch glass baking dish.

It doesn't get any easier than this !

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.-- Margaret Fuller

One thing I love to do is teach people new things.  I really enjoy when I can show someone how to do something ~ the pleasure comes from being able to take something that I know and giving that to someone else so that they understand and can go on to do something they didn't understand before.  I think this is why I love consulting and writing because I can give people something they need to go on.  Whether it is inspiration or knowledge, I enjoy imparting knowledge to people. 

I also love to cook and take pictures and paint : )  I love it when my family comes over and eats my food.  My sister loves the sausage gravy and biscuits.  Last time I made gravy and biscuits for my family, I made a whole pan with about 4 pounds of sausage and it was gone ~ there were 12 people here eating : ) ~  I used my 15 inch cast iron skillet (what I use for everything ~ whether it is frying chicken or grilling steaks ).  There are only a few things that I use a lot ~ my Cuisinart, my cast iron skillets and my baking stones.

Today enjoy some homemade pancakes.  When was the last time you had homemade pancakes?  My family loves these ~ you can add fresh or frozen fruit to these pancakes.  Just make sure that you drain whatever you use really well.  If you are using frozen fruit, make sure it is thawed and well drained otherwise, it will water down your pancakes and make them soggy.  You don't want soggy pancakes : )

Happy Tuesday ! !

Charlene



 Homemade Pancakes

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour 
2 teaspoons baking powder 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
4 tablespoons sugar 
2 cups milk 
1/3 cup olive oil
2 eggs 

Directions:

 Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar into mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix milk, oil, and eggs with a whisk. 
Then mix the flour and milk mixtures together in a bowl with an electric mixer; mix until most lumps are gone. 
Cook on a skillet on medium heat until golden brown on both sides.

Enjoy! 

Be Happy In All You Do

I know sometimes it is hard to be happy with situations especially if you are not working or even if you are and you hate your job, if you have bills piling up or if you just don't want to care anymore.  It happens a lot that people equate happiness with money.  Money can't buy happiness.  Sure money may take away some of the things that you fret over but only God can take all of your cares away.

People will let you down, not always, but a lot of the time ~ God will not ever let you down.  He may not always answer your prayers the way you want them answered but he will never leave you nor forsake you.  You will find people who say they are your friends and will even claim to love you and they will talk behind your back, they will lie about you, they will cause you grief.  You may even find that they expect more from you than they are willing to offer in return.  I have a few people in my life like this and I try to be very careful around them and don't offer them much in the way of information about my private life.

I also have great friends who would do anything for me, who only treat me good and do all they can to help me ~ even if it is just listening sometimes.  They know who they are and I wouldn't trade them for anything.  If you have a truly great friend, tell them they are ~ it may lift their hearts to know that you feel this way about them.  I know it did mine about a month ago : )

Here is a recipe that you can share with several of your great friends -- my family loves pulled pork.  Enjoy this ~ I know we all do.

Happy Monday !

Charlene


Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork 

INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 (4 pound) pork shoulder roast
1 cup barbeque sauce
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 extra large onion, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
8 hamburger buns, split
2 tablespoons butter, or as needed
DIRECTIONS:
1. Pour the vegetable oil into the bottom of a slow cooker. Place the pork roast into the slow cooker; pour in the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth. Stir in the brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, onion, garlic, and thyme. Cover and cook on High until the roast shreds easily with a fork, 5 to 6 hours.
2. Remove the roast from the slow cooker, and shred the meat using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker, and stir the meat into the juices.
3. Spread the inside of both halves of hamburger buns with butter. Toast the buns, butter side down, in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Spoon pork into the toasted buns.

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart

I have several true friends whom I can trust and who have touched my heart.  True friends are hard to find but well worth the search.  They are people you can go to with anything or nothing and be happy and blessed.  You will know a true friend when you find them ~ one who doesn't judge you no matter what you say or do.  One who listens and doesn't have to give advice but will if asked and who will tell you the truth when you need to hear it.

Share some time today with some of your true friends.  Make time for your true friends today -- call them or email them or what ever you want to do.  Even if it's just hello ~ make the time to do it today.  You will be blessed for it.

Super Bowl always brings people around - especially if you have good food to serve : )

Happy Sunday ~

Charlene


Slow Cooker Apple Crisp  

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces
1 cup chopped walnuts 
1/3 cup white sugar, or to taste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 cups apples - peeled, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions:
1. Mix flour, brown sugar, 1/2 cup of white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl. Combine butter with the flour mixture using fingers or a fork until coarse crumbs form. Stir in walnuts and set aside.
2. Whisk together 1/3 cup sugar, cornstarch, ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Place the apples in a slow cooker, stir in the cornstarch mixture; toss with lemon juice. Sprinkle the walnut crumb topping on top. Cover and cook on High for 2 hours or Low for 4 hours, until apples are tender. Partially uncover the slow cooker to allow the topping to harden, about 1 hour.

We do not remember days; we remember moments.

We don't remember days - only moments in those days.  Even though  you may remember lots of moments in that day, you still don't remember all of the day and every detail of that day.  There are highlights that every one will remember differently and each person will remember a different moment than another person will remember.

I remember Super Bowl 43 between the Cardinals and the Steelers ~ and the 'in or out of the line' moment and the Cardinal's loss.  Just don't ask me to remember the whole game and who was playing -- I remember Fitzgerald but nothing past that : (  I do remember bringing in groceries during the last few moments of the Super Bowl.  Funny, I can't remember last years Super Bowl too well.  I know the Saints beat the Bears.

One of the things that most people remember is the food served at Super Bowl parties.  I have several really good ones and will share a great recipe for 7 Layer Dip with you today

Happy Super Bowl -- Let's go Steelers !

Charlene


7-Layer Dip  
Ingredients:
1 lb extra lean ground beef, browned and drained well
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup diced green onions
2 tablespoons sliced pitted ripe olives

Directions:
1. Mix ground beef and taco seasoning mix and brown.  Drain well. Spread refried beans onto bottom of 9- quiche dish.
2. Layer all remaining ingredients except chips over bean mixture; cover. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
3. Serve with chips, salsa and guacamole.

Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today

It's OK to dream about tomorrow but don't lose sight of today.  Today will be yesterday before you know it.  time flies by so fast when you are busy with your day to day life.  What ever you plan on doing, do it today ~ tomorrow may be too late : )

Speaking of doing it now, you can do a lot of your prep for your super bowl party in advance.  You can get all of your shopping done and tomorrow, you can start wrapping your smokies and preparing your dips and drinks.  A lot of things can be made ahead of time and ready for Sunday ~ others can not be made ahead of time.  This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container or baggie until you are ready to bake them, just don't bake them ahead of time.

These little smokies are great this way or if you just want them to be an easy recipe, juts put a bunch of them in a crock pot and cover with barbecue sauce and turn them on high for several hours before you plan on eating - I love the ones with cheese in them : )

Two more days till Super Bowl -- the ads are the best part.

Charlene


Brown Sugar Smokies  

INGREDIENTS:
1 pound bacon
1 (16 ounce) package little smokie sausages
1 cup brown sugar, or to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cut bacon into thirds and wrap each strip around a little sausage. Place the wrapped sausages on wooden skewers, several to a skewer. Arrange the skewers on a baking sheet and sprinkle them liberally with brown sugar.
3. Bake until bacon is crisp and the brown sugar melted

I have been blessed in my life

I have truly been blessed in my life with great friends and family.  I have also been blessed with a good education and the ability to work with people that I enjoy.  Working is one of those things that most people have to do ~ it is always better when you enjoy what you do and who you do it with. 

I have always loved consulting and teaching so I am going back to teaching and consulting.  I will also be doing some freelance photography.  I have to put my new Canon EOS Rebel to work and my husband has to put his Nikon D5000 to work.  We are currently booking photo shoots into the end of February.  We will soon also be selling our photos matted and framed on our website.  If you are looking for a particular picture with a scripture or quote, please contact us anytime at mymindwanderedtoday@live.com.  We can accommodate most requests and will post some of our recent projects on the new website once it is up and running. (Hopefully soon.)

This weekend is Super Bowl -- How about some super recipes for your big party?  I'll post some for you the rest of this week.  You can double - triple or quadruple these recipes to make enough for all your friends to enjoy.

The week is almost over -- enjoy what's left and get ready for the big game!

Charlene



Restaurant Style Buffalo Chicken Wings 
INGREDIENTS:
oil for deep frying
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup hot sauce
1 dash ground black pepper
1 dash garlic powder 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 chicken wings
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). The oil should be just enough to cover wings entirely, an inch or so deep. Combine the butter, hot sauce, pepper and garlic powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir together and heat until butter is melted and mixture is well blended. Remove from heat and reserve for serving.
2. In a small bowl mix together the flour, paprika, cayenne pepper and salt. Place chicken wings in a large nonporous glass dish or bowl and sprinkle flour mixture over them until they are evenly coated. Cover dish or bowl and refrigerate for 60 to 90 minutes.
3. Fry coated wings in hot oil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until parts of wings begin to turn brown. Remove from heat, place wings in serving bowl, add hot sauce mixture and stir together. Serve.
ENJOY ! !

Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.

My whole life has been amazing -- I have 7 truly great friends ~ lots of really good friends but 7 truly great friends.  You know, the kind of friends that are always there in the good and the bad, ones that you may not have seen for years and you don't feel like you have missed a beat.  You can sit down and pick up right where you left off with them.  Friends that you know when you need to talk, they are always ready to listen and don't have to give you advice unless you ask for it.

My 7 truly great friends know who they are and they know that I love them dearly ~ they know they can call me as well anytime.  Of course, all my friends can call me most anytime ~ I will bake some cinnamon rolls and we can visit.

Let me know ahead of time so I can make some to enjoy.

Charlene


Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:
1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup margarine, melted
4 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

1 cup brown sugar, packed 2 1/2 tablespoons ground korintje cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, softened

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:1. Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.
2. After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
3. Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread dough with 1/3 cup butter and sprinkle evenly with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough and cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.

Happiness never decreases by being shared

Such a true statement!  Share your happiness with people today and everyday.  Smile when you meet people ~ no matter how they treat you ~ smile.  You can't control their moods but you can control yours.  There is someone that I see several times a week and every time I see them they are rude and ignore me.  I just keep being nice -- if they want to be miserable, they can be, but I will not let them bring me down to their level of misery.

I haven't got a ton of reasons to be happy ~ I do have quite a few.  I have the Lord in my life, all my wonderful friends and family, I'm fairly healthy (working on that), I am working a little ~ this will change soon to a lot I'm sure  : ) .  Happy is something you can choose no matter your situation -- choose today to be happy!  And if you are in the snow, enjoy this recipe : ).

Happy Tuesday Everyone !

Charlene


Snow Ice Cream

Ingredients:
1 gallon snow
1 cup white sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups milk

Directions:
When it starts to snow, place a large, clean bowl outside to collect the flakes. When full, stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, then stir in just enough milk for the desired consistency. Serve at once.
If you don't live where there is snow, you can always make your own : )