Tough Times

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First, I want to apologize for forgetting to post last night. I was actually clearing off some things from my bed when I tripped and fell. I ended up smacking my ribs, knees, and right wrist pretty badly. I’m in quite a bit of pain now, hence writing to you slipped my mind. I will probably be visiting the urgent care later this morning, as my ribs and wrist are still agonizing. For right now, I will post with my phone so that I only have to use my thumbs!

Going to court is scary!
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What I wanted to address today (actually yesterday) was some tough times. As some of you may be aware, we are going through some difficult times. Recently I had to go to court regarding my house and foreclosure. It wasn’t pleasant, but I have hope that we can work things out. Then another blow; my child support for children #’s 3 and 4 suddenly stopped. Apparently, my lovely ex lost his job (or quit. I don’t really know) and will not be reached by the proper authorities to pay up. 😔.

Child #2 suggested that I add eyebrows in orange reflective tape along with candy cane stripes on the sides of my dark colored car so that maybe other drivers will start seeing me!!!
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Add to that the fact that every time I drive somewhere I nearly get hit and life feels a bit overwhelming. Where, a couple of my children will ask, is God in all of this? Well, here’s the thing. We all have free will, right? So, even though I may be following God, others who do not yet know His great love, do not. This causes strife and sin. That is why we can have so many problems here on Earth!

Just keep plugging away and praying hard. Try your hardest to not to respond with anything but love. After all, those who do not know God’s amazing love are to be pitied and shown the way, not hated.

Where Have All the Eggnog Shakes Gone?

“A large eggnog shake, please!!!”
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As a child, one of my favorite treats was eggnog. Back in those so long ago days (Just kidding! I’m sooooo very young!) eggnog was only available for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We didn’t have a lot of money to spare, so it was mostly at my aunt’s house that I could indulge my fondness for this special drink.

As I grew older, I discovered that a world-wide fast food place sold eggnog shakes. I was thrilled! The pinnacle of my obsession came the year my now ex-husband worked for said company. It was this company’s policy to close down on Thanksgiving morning and have the workers, managers, and their families come in for a treat. Well, it was a treat for the workers and the families! The managers had to wait on them and provide them with whatever they desired for breakfast! I had the biggest eggnog shake I have ever had in my entire life that day. It was bliss!

So, a couple years ago I noticed that it was harder to get eggnog shakes. I was fortunate enough to catch one location of the world-wide fast food place close to home that had the shakes for about three weeks. It was my last eggnog shake.

My other favorite fast-food place that actually has a lot of gluten-free options used to make the shakes too with eggnog custard. They were better than the first place, if a bit more pricey. They stopped selling them a few years back. Now, I may be forced to either forgo my favorite holiday treat or (horrors!) make my own. Sigh. Why does life have to be so very difficult?

What is your favorite shake flavor? Chocolate? Strawberry, perhaps? Or are you a plain vanilla? What about the Jamoca shake; a wonder of coffee and chocolate? Have you tried the new Vanilla Cinnamon shake? How about Pumpkin Salted Caramel? Leave me your favorites in the comments below and have a shakey day!!! 🙂

Thankful…Not Thankful

My adorable friend!

Just a few days ago I purchased this adorable bird. I find this kind of decoration adorable. Imagine my surprise when it rang up at 75 percent off! Um…pardon me? We are less than a week past Halloween, and nowhere near to Thanksgiving, but this clearly Thanksgiving-ish decoration is 75 percent off? What gives?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good deal! But this got me thinking…what happened to Thanksgiving? Christmas decorations have been out in some stores since July, a fact I find more than a bit unsettling. However, where are we as a nation, if we are not grateful for all the blessings bestowed on us? Even leaving God out of the equation, which I find almost impossible due to my own beliefs, but even then are we not blessed?

Are we perfect? Seriously? No. Of course we are not! But are we blessed? Absolutely! Am I biased thinking that America is a great place to live? Maybe, but I am very grateful to God that He allowed me to be born and live here. When did we lose that?

Are the only holidays that count the ones that make big corporations lots of money? Is it like this in all countries of the world? When did everything become about the almighty dollar? Was it always like this here? Am I just naive to think that God and His creations matter more than making a buck? What if we could go back to simpler times? Times when God came first, family next, and then country? Where money didn’t make the world go ’round, but rather God?

I realize that there are many people out there who do not share my beliefs. That is your choice. God made us all with free will, even if some of us use that to not even believe in His existence. I know. I have a child who struggles mightily with His existence and how He let horrible things happen to them and to all of us. I get it. That is trauma.

That doesn’t mean that He was not crying right along with us at what sin can do. It doesn’t mean that He didn’t want to stop it and put an end to the person who was perpetrating it. Free will. I think of it as a blessing; child #3 thinks of it as a curse. Maybe it can be both, but God can and does turn all things to His and His servants’ good.

Please, this Thanksgiving, think about for what and whom you are grateful. Don’t let big business take away your joy in loving your neighbor! I would rather pay full price for my little birdie and have everyone truly see the meaning and love behind giving thanks than to have Thanksgiving run over because it doesn’t make enough money for your local corporate store!

Tasty Pulled Pork

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Ok. So the picture isn’t of our pulled pork. I forgot to take one! So sorry, but you get the idea. You will need:

Large pork shoulder roast (Ours was about 10 pounds!)

1 cup water

1/2 cup dehydrated onion flakes

1 Tablespoon salt

1 cup barbecue sauce (We used Sweet Baby Ray’s! Yummy!)

Start with the large pork shoulder roast. Make sure it’s thoroughly defrosted, and pop it into the slow cooker with the water. Sprinkle it with salt and onion flakes. Cook it on low for about 9 hours. Remove roast from water. Dump the water and shred the pork, taking care to remove all fat. Add the shredded meat back to the slow cooker and add the barbecue sauce. Let cook until heated through, about 15 minutes. Enjoy!

This is the most tender and juicy pulled pork I have ever tasted. If you wish to have more barbecue sauce, please feel free to add it. Child #3 is not a huge barbecue fan, and so we tone it down for him. Serve this on your favorite gluten free bun. It is delectable!

Something to Teach – Cooking

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Buy a child a meal and she will eat for a day. Teach a child to cook and she will never go hungry. Ok, so I’m paraphrasing here, but you get the idea.

From the time my children were young, I had them help out in the kitchen. They would fetch ingredients or utensils, etc. As they grew, I started sharing what I was doing to make a certain dish or treat. I showed them how to make simple dinners before they were allowed to turn on the oven! This has served us all well.

Child #1 likes to experiment with Asian and Asian-fusion recipes. She made a delicious pork lo mein just last Wednesday. It was a fantastic Asian-American fusion dish that had us all heading back for seconds! Yummy! She learned to cook at a young age, and pretty quickly after she learned how to read, started making her own experiments with food. She has an innate sense of what pairs well together and her meals reflect that.

Child #2 also cooks well, but specializes more in American and Tex-Mex dishes. Her chili is wonderful and flavorful, without being too spicy. She is my jalapeno child, so that is a stretch for her!

Child #3 is my special needs kiddo and he struggles with making meals. If it’s something he’s made before that is not too complicated, he can really excel. However, if it’s more difficult or a new recipe watch out for sharp flying utensils!

Child #4 also has some learning disabilities and needs to make things with which she is familiar or are written down in an orderly fashion. There are no variations for children #’s 3 and 4! They can do simple cooking, for which I am grateful, but I would like them to stretch a little. They will, however, never starve and isn’t that the point?

So, though it can be frustrating to have a little one or an inexperienced one under foot, the eventual results are worth it! They will never starve and neither will you!

Prayers for My Neighbors

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Last night there was a flash of light in my living room window. We looked out to see the police chief and a deputy standing there. I went to greet them on the front porch. They wanted to know if I had called them. I said “No” and then they proceeded to tell me that the address next door to me (they thought it was me!) had called in about hearing children crying out for help. I told them that children #’s 3 and 4 we’re in bed, children #’s 1 and 2 we’re watching TV with me, and no one had been screaming for help.

They went next door to check it out. Then there were a few police cars and an ambulance which left with it’s lights out. In other words, the occupant was either not badly hurt or dead.

Whatever the case, I would appreciate if you would pray for my neighbors. I know that we haven’t had a good relationship, but I really do believe that they need God desperately.

Thanks everyone,

Rita

Chicken Ceasar Cutlets

Just getting started – before the bake.

Good evening, everyone! We tried something new for dinner tonight and it was a resounding success. O.k. It was a success. Keep in mind my home is mostly teens, so yeah, but it really was good! Here is what you will need:

5 large boneless, skinless chicken breast pieces (about 4 – 5 lbs. total)

3/4 cup of your favorite ceasar dressing

3 cups toasted bread crumbs (We toasted and cut up four large pieces of multi-grain GF bread!)

1 cup of finely shredded parmesan cheese (the good stuff, not the powdery plastic-bottle stuff!)

Your favorite GF non-stick cooking spray

9″ x 13″ pan

Aluminum foil to line said pan

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350° F. Line your 9″ x 13″ pan with foil and spray with your non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken breasts in your prepared pan. Evenly distribute the ceasar dressing over the tops of the chicken. Add breadcrumbs (or in our case, bread cubes!) Top with parmesan cheese. Bake for about 1 hour (mine took 55 minutes!) or until a thermometer inserted reads 165° F. Serves 10, or 5 with leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch!

Tonight’s dinner and tomorrow’s lunch – at least the chicken!

Asking for Input

Yeah, I have no idea how to make these, but they looked like the season!
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Hi, everyone!

I thought I would ask my faithful readers if there are any recipes that they would like me to try my hand at making gluten free! A favorite cookie? Bring it on! An incredible, rich cake? All right!

Let’s see if I’m up for the challenge! Leave your suggestions in the comments below! Happy suggesting!