I loved this idea!!  Mainly because this is something I need to STRONGLY work on.  I tend to be all over the place, and I don't settle down and read like I know I should.  So today, I am making a commitment to God and myself to read his word daily.  For myself I plan to alternate between the Old Testament, and New.  Start with Genesis, then when finished jump to Matthew.  I'm not going to be bound into just three chapters if I'm lead or compelled to read more, but I do like and need some structure.

If you haven't heard of it before, and would like to read  more about it here's the website

Bible Challenge

Have a blessed day everyone! And Happy Bible reading!

Hugs, Kat

Been working on the clearing out some of our closet clutter this week. Reorganizing them so they function. LOL! I had some closets that attacked when you opened them.  It's weird to find things you forgot you had, and of course say "oh that's where it been all this time." Then again you find so much stuff you don't even need at all. Moving toward living more simply, cleaning out closets is a great thing. I've been taking small steps over the past several years to let go of things. What I'm parting with today, just a year ago I still thought I needed or wanted. And probably in all honesty I didn't need it last year either. But I think everything has a season, and this is a season letting go again.

Also cleaned my oven and gave the dishwasher a good going over. My dishwasher I think is on it's last legs. Hopefully I'll be able to get another one when this finally does go bad. Never been a big hand washing fan, not very efficient either. I seriously believe I use less water with the dishwasher than hand washing, mainly because constantly want to change to new clean water. LOL! Diehard dishwasher fan, and not going to change. 

After I attack my hall closet, I'm heading to the kitchen cabinets (to clean, reorganize, and inventory), and laundry closet to dust down shelves and clean up the washer and dryer (behind, beneath also).

My main reason for wanting to get to the Kitchen is I want to inventory everything. With the possiblity of my husband being laid off I want to see what we have and figure out what I'd like to stock up on. Also try my hand at some menu planning, something I have not mastered yet. I know I over buy at the store because of this very thing. Ack I don't even know what I have!! LOL! Goes back to those closets that attack, my kitchen cabinets do that to!!!

Well back to work I go. Have a Blessed day all.

Hugs, Kat

     Looking forward to this Saturday.  My husband and I will be going to pick up our first ever Angel Food box.  I can't wait to see what the quality of everything, and plan a menu with it all.   I've heard so many people talking about getting them (through blogs,etc), and everytime I would go check the  Angel Food website we still didn't have a site in our area.  So I had pretty much given up the idea of ever getting one.  Until we happen to get a local paper with a story about it now being here at the beginning of September. Wohooo!

     It's really coming at a good time for us.  The groceries have just become outrageous, and I'm still struggling to make a budget and stick to it.  I feel like as soon as I get going pretty good...boom up, up again.  I've got to master this, because it's becoming a real possibilty that my Husband could get laid off within the next year.  They've already cut back some to working every other week, laid off one week.  I thank God that Hubby had changed his  position at work last year.  He is now in Maintenaince, so he will be one of the last to get hit with anything (he is the one that keeps the machines going). 

     We are doing everything we can to pay off some bills, cut down on others.  But as things go sometimes we had some unexpected things come up, one of our window unit air conditioners burn up, blah I think on one of the hottest weeks.  We luckily got one on sale for alot less than if it had went bad at the beginning of summer. Then in about a weeks time one of our box fans burn up, so yes got one of those cheaply. Some car trouble to throw in to.  We are still doing good , thanks to God.  So I can't complain to loud, or really at all.   It does get frustrating when you're trying to plan ahead for a possible change in circumstances. I trust and beleive deep down in my heart that we will make it through what ever is coming.  But I'm still a little scared about it, I'd be lying if said otherwise.

     I'd love to know how others plan a budget for their groceries (including tolietries/cleaning/pet food).  I would really appreciate any tips...websites or blogs I can visit.  I'm really wanting to work towards buying our weekly groceries, and  buying a few extras to have on hand for if Hubby is out of work for a time. How much should I spend on those put back items??

Blessing to you,

Kat

I LOVE potatoes, can eat them everyday, probably three times a day.  SO I love finding different ways to fix them.  Here's a yummy recipe I made last night for supper. I've fixed this several times, I had gotten it from an Amish cookbook.

GOLDEN PARMESAN POTATOES

6 large potatoes

1/4 cup sifted flour

1/4 grated parmesan cheese

3/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp pepper

1/3 cup butter

Itailian seasoning

Dice potatoes. Combine flour, cheese, salt and  pepper in a bag or mixing bowl. Moisten potatoes with a little water. Shake a few at a time in bag to coat well with mixture. Melt butter in a 9x13 pan, place potatoes in a single layer. Sprinkle itailian seasoning to your taste.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 35-40 minutes. Turn halfway through.

Here's how mine looked.

Have a great day!

Hugs, Kat

I found this recipe several months back and WOW!  I had never had Apple Dumplings before. I only fix half this recipe in a 8x8 glass pan, since it's just My Husband and I.  So simple but tastes like you slaved over it.  To lighten it up... I also used light stick butter, and reduced fat crescent rolls, next time I make them I plan on even trying diet Mt. Dew.

Easy Apple Dumplings

2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew

Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

*NOTE I DID NOT TAKE THIS PHOTO. This came from the place I origianlly found the recipe.*

Have a Blessed Day!

Hugs, Kat

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful ladies today doing what I imagine is the hardest, but most rewarding job on Earth.  LOL! I'm just a momma to furbabies.

And a hug to all who do not have their own Mother's still living to enjoy the day together.  Mine went on to Glory on May 1, 2003.  She was ready and knew where she was going (she told me that exactly a week before she passed).  I know that her words were on my mind many times up until and after her funeral. One of the comforts knowing that she was ready and happy to go, she had suffered greatly the last several years of her life with Diabetes, and heart trouble and is now released from such misery.

I still miss her everyday, think of her dozens of times a day, my heartaches.  But I would not dare wish her back if I could because she is ever much more happy where she now is, and I live with the faith that I will be with her again. So wonderful to know when this life's over, a new and better one awaits on the other side.

May God Bless you today, and comfort you if you to are missing your Dear Mother,

All my Love,

Kat

Well I guess you can call it done!! Hubby finished it up on the on Monday.  Oh he is going to place 3 copper post toppers on the railing.  He has to get the glue for that, but it's done.  Have to say we are already enjoying it, I've been sitting out there, started putting some plants in pots.  And Hubby has cooked on the grill, and if it's not raining we will tonight to.  I told out neighbor next door the other day she needs to come over and help us break it in for company, so I think a cookout with her and her daughter is also in the future. His next project is the driveway.  We live on a somewhat steep hill, so he wants to make a level place at the top of our drive.

Have a great day!

Hugs, Kat

Here's some more pictures!

Here's the ramp he made with scraps. I laughed and told him he was preparing for our old age when we can't go up the stairs anymore.

And this is our new easy trip to the back yard, straight out the door onto the deck.  No more running up and down the back steps. And these are the posts he'll put those copper toppers on.

I've noticed many here have been troubled like I have by Oprah's recent book choices.  I had always really liked her, followed her career along the way. Called myself a fan.  But over the past several years she's said things now and then that have caused me to cringe and with her recent book choice I clicked the TV off and haven't watched her since.  As soon as she mentioned the topic of the book I was like ack!!! one of those new age misleading junk books, she's really gone crazy now!  It makes me very sad.  Because she does have so much influence. 

And today I read a wonderful entry that spoke to me even more, made me realize God over these years was helping me to discern what was not right, and I didn't even know what that was.  I'm still a "baby" Christian I guess that's why. 

Here's that wonderful blog entry, hope it speaks to you to.  It was a great help to me.

A Happy Home 

Have a blessed day!

Hugs, Kat

Wanted to Thank Scattertheseeds for all the help changing my background on my blog.  I still have some work to do to make it my own, but wouldn't have made it this far without her help.  I'm so happy to get to meet such sweet, and helpful ladies here. Hopefully I will be helpful in return to someone else.

Hugs, Kat

Well Hubby is a great builder.  The deck is looking good, and almost done.  He's been working on it for about 2 weeks now.  It's been fun watching.   Well I've done a little along the way, handing him boards, cleaning up scraps, putting up tools.  Helping with the railing.  So I feel like I've helped.

Here's some pictures so far.  He's almost done!  I've sat back amazed with what he comes up with, and very proud of him.  Because when he sets out to do something, he does it.  LOL! And in my opinion pretty well.   Oh and alot cheaper than getting someone to do it for us, I think we'll both enjoy it more to in the end.  I say he'll be done by the end of the weekend if the rain stays away.

Have a blessed day, and great weekend!

Hugs, Kat

Before

framing it up

Laying down the boards

working hard!

cute thing he done with scraps for our grill.

not long now

it's so pretty so far, I had to take a pic from another view.

Busy today getting all my usual Friday stuff done, so tomorrow will be free.  The cleaning, some laundry, got to run get few things at the store. 

I'm happy, but a little nervous because after 2 years of Dr. visits I am finally going to a Endocronoligist (sp?). Or in my simple terms a Thyroid Dr.   I have had Hypothyroidism for about 15 years now.  And I have always known when it was not quite right.  And each time I felt that way I told the Dr., blood tests later. I was right and my medicine was adjusted. Well really a little over 2 years ago, I felt not quite right again.  But the blood tests showed normal again and again.  Even went to different Doctors (which only resulted in getting a crazy look). And no luck, they kept doing the same old test (TSH).  Well last month I got in with a wonderful woman Dr. at my regular family Dr.  I told her how I've felt.  So tired all the time, sleep troubles, aches and pains,  gaining weight which I have gradually gained 80+ pounds over 2 years  (and not being able to lose at all even though I've been on Weight Watchers). Plus lately I have felt like I have a swelling on my neck, and a feeling like a knot in my throat when I swallow.   She said well we need to check other things about your thyroid (T3, some kind of antibodies, and other things I can't even pronounce!) , and the swelling could be an irritation of the thyroid.  I could have hugged her, and really felt like crying.  Because someone listened to me!!!  And as a was long before I was right, I got a call saying the tests came back normal for the TSH (always does), but the other things came back as being out of whack.  And set me up with a Thyroid Dr.  I've got to be there at 7:30 am to get signed in.  The happiest I've been to go to a Dr. in my life.  (But nervous to) Because it's taken me a little over 2 years to get here.  And I'm praying they can change the awful way I've been feeling for so long now, and maybe I can fianlly start losing weight.  I pray that is will be as simple as changing my medicine or adding to what I'm already taking.  My family Dr mentioned something about a ultrasound on my neck, don't know if they will want to do that or not.

My husband has took off a day from work to take me, because I'm unfamiliar driving in the area where the Dr. is.  Make it the most of the trip he's going to take off a truck load of his recycling. Will bring in some money to finish up the deck. Which is coming along really well.  Been taking some pictures along that I have to post.  I beleive if we were thrown out in the middle of nowhere this man could build us a house, or something to live in.  How he plans this out in his head is a mystery to me.  It's been fun to watch, LOL! I'd be lost trying to build this thing!

Our 7 year wedding anniversary is on Sunday.  I bought him some kind of electric tool as a present.  It was one he had but had went bad awhile back.  LOL! I couldn't tell you what it is, I just knew what it looked like. He used it quite a bit so I know it's something he'll be happy with.  He mentioned to me he was taking me clothes shopping.  I'm thrilled!  Because with my weight gain of late I'm kind of limited on what I have.  I'm praying that will change after tomorrow and I can more easily lose what I've gained.  I'm feeling very positive about the entire thing.

Have a blessed day, and weekend all!

Hugs,

Kat

I'd like to personalize my page more.  Do something different with the background/header but don't know how.  I've figured out how to put little things in here and there with in their template.

Could someone help me change my background and header.  I looked around here on this site for a forum of some sort with no luck.  And links to any sites where I could find free backgrounds (or page sets).  Would really love to do something with butterflies if I could, or flowers. I'd like to try my hand at changing the background before I buy anything.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Kat

I really love this time of year. Not too hot, not too cold.  Been playing with my camera several weeks now.  I enjoy seeing so many of the beautiful pictures taken, and figure I need to practice with mine to take a few of my own.  I've usually just stuck to taking pictures at events, family things but always wished I got better pictures. Great thing about a digital you can erase it if it doesn't turn out.

Here's a few pictures from my yard (and views), the signs of spring are wonderful.

Here's the tulip DH gave me the other day, I never realized how beautiful they were, venture to say prettier than a rose.

This is the neighbors RedBud tree right beside our driveway, I love seeing it as I look out our front windows every year.

And then a lilac bush at the foot of our driveway.  The neighbor gave us a cutting from her's, LOL! Now I think ours in larger than hers.  It's smelling wonderful!

Have a beautiful day everyone.  Going to walk with the butterflies!  I've recently started exercising, and going to a beautiful trail the local community has set up.  Yesterday I was followed the whole time by butterflies, I hope so today to. They must know that love them.

Hugs, Kat

MIL's birthday was a fun time on Saturday.  She was thrilled with her cherry chip cake w/cherry icing as always.  We all went to Cracker Barrel to eat.  2 brothers, and 1 sister of DH's showed up to (with their kids).  We were a gang of 12 at the Craker Barrel.   LOL! They better be glad DH's whole family didn't show up!  He is lucky #13 of the 13 kids his mother had.  Yes that means I married the baby of the family.   Nine of which are still living (but some couldn't come because of work, live to far away, etc). 

 I love getting together with his family it's always fun.  I came from a small family, I was the only child.  And mainly saw my moms side of the family growing up.  Let's just say when I met my husband, his family was a shock to the system and I love it.  And I guess if I we were having kids I'd want what he had growing up, a house full.  There are various reasons why we don't have any children, I'm content with that. I have 2 furbabies as I call them. And if it happens in the future, that's God's will.  We are happy as we are right now.

Yesterday we took a little road trip, to Natural Bridge area to chase down some fresh Spring water.  We had been to the area several times since we've been together, but had only learned of the Spring  a few weeks ago.  Some people travel from far distances to collect the water. We are lucky, about 20 min. down the road.  We were unprepared, not enough containers to collect with. A mix match of 7 pitchers and jars, and 2 big plastic cups.  Best water on earth!?!?  I had never drank fresh spring water in my life (that I know of anyway).  I'm hooked and now will be keeping every milk jug we have for our next trip.   Somebody there before us really loved it, they filled a tank that took up the bed of their truck!?   DH was thrilled, he grew up on it.  In fact he spent the first 17 years of his life with no running water, a spring was all they had to do everything with.

Here's that lovely water!!

And DH getting a drink!

I look forward to going back, it's a pretty area to wander around in.  We stopped at a wonderful antique/flea market on the way back home.  Picked up a some Amish made blueberry jam made here in KY. 

Also picked up a Woman's Devotional Bible for $6, wasn't what I was really looking for but I will use it.  I'm really looking for a Study Bible for Women I guess.  Something more than a short little story for a Bible verse.  I like something more to study and learn with.  I've only ever had a Bible with no extras in it.  Can any of you make a suggestion of a good Bible for that??  For women specifically?  (Or would I have to find seperate study material apart from Bible which I'm also fine with?)  I'd really appreciate any names of ones to look for (and if you have a link to information on it would be great).  Thanks in advance!

Have a great day everyone!

Hugs,

Kat

Getting ready to go bake a cake for my Mother in Laws birthday.  LOL! She's very much like a kid, so it's going to be simple and her favorite.  A Betty Crocker Cherry Chip cake mix with the matching Cherry frosting.  Never in my life had I heard of it, or ate it till I met her almost 12 years ago.  I've made alot of them since then.   I always make one for her birthday, and I know at least 3 a year (depending on her cravings). 

I'm so happy to have a Mother in Law that I get along with and can have fun with, and I can honestly say I love her.  And have from the first day I met her. I always hear horror stories (the MIL jokes, that kind of thing), and I'm thankful I know nothing about that. 

But really I think for the most part how you get along with anyone is all your own attitude, at least thats been my experience.  I'm very much a person that hates any sniff of drama, I like to get along with everyone. (But not be trampled on, if I ever come across those strife people I just stay back and not get brought into that realm). 

Glad I have a Husband that is the same way.   We had many brushes with drama in the past several years (within his family and mine) and we've managed to stay quietly and safely far from it.  Life's to short to get caught up in that nonsense, DH and I have a good and quiet life together.  I enjoy every happy day. Each day I've been thinking of the many things I'm thankful for about the great man I have, I guess because next Sunday will be our 7 year wedding anniversary.  We will have been together 12 years including the dating years this Aug. 24.  Doesn't seem that long.  But wow oh wow a lot of things have happened in those years.  A few bad, a whole lot great, with it all it's brought us where we are today.  And I wouldn't change a thing.

SO hug your Mother In Law today  (If you dare! )   Thank her for the wonderful son that is now your husband.   And definately hug your husband, and a take a stroll back through your past together and think of the things you  can be thankful for where you are now.  Through the good and bad, it's made you the couple you are today.   I'm happy to say that I'm happy with the couple we've become. And I wish the same for every couple out there!

Have a great and blessed day!

Hugs, Kat

Been up a little bit and have already started the weekly cleaning, and doing some laundry.  I pick up/ straighten everyday of the week, but Friday I give it a good going over.  My husband has his days off on the weekend so I like to have a extra clean place for him to relax.  LOL! And easier on picking up after him, if it's extra clean.   He's not to cluttered, just tracks in a lot of dirt from the backyard, more so now that he's working on the deck.

He started work on it yesterday, set a few posts...dug a few more holes.  I can't wait to be about to step out our side door on to it.  I got to help a little, hold a board, tape measure.  And I also crushed up some cans for recycling so he didn't have to.  He is a recycler, he has a barrel at work that people throw cans in for him plus we recycle our own...and the neighbor pitches us a few to. Brings in a little money for these projects, like decks. 

Also took a few pictures while he was at work building.

Our itty bitty strawberry plants.  Planted these last year, only 2 have come back so far.  I think we only got one strawberry from it last year.  Don't know if it takes years for them to take hold or not?

And here's one lonely tulip Hubby handed to me.  He had planted some bulbs behind our front bushes a long time ago (when they were very small).  Only one comes up every year now, and of course hide by much bigger bushes.  I'm sure the roots of the bushes have probably choked out all but this one tulip every year.

Good day to you all!

Hugs and blessings,

Kat

I'm enjoying this wonderful weather we've been having.  Can finally go out in the back yard and sit in my swing and watch the birds. Not planting any flowers yet, because it can still frost.  Been watching the hubby get ready to build a deck.   He's made the plan, already started digging the post holes, and yesterday we made a trip to Lowe's to buy concrete, and the first starting posts.  I was so thrilled because that the offical start to having a deck.  I'm also sure sometime along the way I will get to help (handing him nails or something).  He does say it will be finished by the end of summer.  With him doing the work himself it will take longer (work and weather), but it will save alot of money and he can make it just to suit our needs.  I can't wait to see it!!!  LOL! I'm not to worried how it will turn out, he has built a very small one before for his cousin.  And of course he's already made what I call a deck last summer (which he is going to attach the main deck to, or it's going to flow to this one) He actually made this from the stepping stones we already had and just added the pebbles around the stones, and of course the wood frame. Got the idea from my Aunt who has a similiar deck. 

I am very proud of my man, he can do anything he sets out to do. And he makes everything beautiful, with what we have...can find, and afford.  A note on this deck the table, chairs, umbrella, and candle holders were being thrown out by someone else. So they were free.  There is also now another very small table not shown here that sits in front of the swing that was also a throw away item.  Hubby sanded and repainted it.  Looks like new, and not sitting in a landfill.  Did I mention free!   It's very suprising and sad really that people throw out so much that is still is great condition.  I'm so thankful that we've come across such things, we appreciate them and it helps the Earth to. It's a good thing to recycle!

Have a blessed day!

Hugs, Kat

I love reading The Family Homestead website, and Crystal's lovely blog everyday.  LOL!  And dream I was able to do all she does.  I'm still taking baby steps in the homesteading frugal life.  Doing my best to live the country life in a somewhat crowded neighborhood. With a future dream (and belief) that my Husband and I will have a little more land to live the country life proper.  Bigger garden, more room for Hubby's projects,  the recycling that he does,  and nature beautiful nature all around I see in our future. 

Don't get me wrong, I love and very much appreciate our little house and bit of earth we have.  So many now a days our losing there houses/land to foreclosures. And I'm happy and thank God we are stable right here.  I realize how blessed we are not to worry of losing our home. But I can't deny a vision of the future, and belief in my heart that this is not where we will be years down the road. 

LOL! Well enough rambling on to the FOOD!

Well I was just taken with the sight of this recipe and knew I had to try it.  I fix soup beans and cornbread all the time.  Once a week would be a safe statement.  SO I was happy to see a twist to that.  We both love beans and italian food so this was perfect.

The only things I changed was that I used mixed beans (pinto/northern), and turkey sausge, and I had a little yellow pepper instead of green.  I'm always trying to cut  the fat out.  And I cooked them in the crockpot.  I've always cooked my beans in a crockpot.

Here's the link to the recipe.  http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/italianpintobeans.htm

Here's what mine looked like.

And this is what I made to go with it.  I call them my Italian Biscuits, I always make these with spaghetti or lasagna. My husband LOVES  them!!!

Here's the recipe.

ITALIAN BISCUITS

• 2 cups Biscuit mix 
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzerella cheese
• 1 tbs of itailian seasoning (more if you like)
• Garlic powder to taste 
• I also sprinkle in a little parmesean

Topping after baked:

• 2 tbs butter melted
• 1/2 tsp or more of Garlic powder (to suit taste)
• spinkling of parmasean cheese

Bake at 450 degrees.  Mix ingredients and drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.    I then sprinkle more itailian season and garlic power on top before baking.   Bake 10 min. (or depending on you oven, watch them).

When done brush them with butter mixture.

**I use light butter at all times,  and sometimes fat free milk and the are still great. I've even used fat free cheese when I have it.

Have a good day everyone. Blessing to you.

Hugs, Kat

It's so pretty I had to take it's picture on Christmas day this past year.  Since I've been cooking I had always wanted one of these mixers.  I had worked in a nursing home kitchen at one time and used theirs often and loved it.  But going to buy one myself, way too exspensive.  Well my darling husband decided he wanted to go out and do the Black Friday after Thanksgiving sale last year (first time ever, and in my opinion Last time). Because with his new position at work he needed tools which were on sale by the boat loads.  I spotted this as a secret sale at Walmart regular $199, one day only $139.  So I told hubby this is what I want for Christmas.  So he found some tools he needed, and after 2 different Walmarts at 4 am I had a Christmas present at 6 am.  Which he quickly wrapped and stuck under the tree.  LOL! Was not allowed to have it till Christmas morning.   And I told my husband I feel like a Food Network star.   LOL! Very silly I know to be thrilled over a mixer, but hey it's really not something I thought I would ever get. And I appreciate it everytime I use it, think my husband does to.

Makes the best mashed potatoes ever!  And I've been going through all my recipes to make everything I can with it. Everything has turned out wonderful and fluffier than it ever did with my hand mixer. 

I make candy that I've always made by hand (no mixers of any kind), not sure it would turn out right with a mixer? I may experiment, but I think I will probably leave my candies to my own hands in the end. Somethings are just best left to your own touch.

I've never made homemade bread,  I've wanted to but I've been to scared I'd make a royal mess out of it.   The book that came with it has a beginner's bread in it.  I think this week I will be brave and give it a try.  LOL! I may just have to take a picture of that to, fluffy or flat time will tell.  See if I remain scared of the yeast.

Have a blessed day everyone!

Hugs, Kat

***This is what got mixed up in it yesterday.  Once again turned out better than ever!

Banana Bread

• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 3 bananas mashed
• 1 1/2 cup flour sifted
• 1 tsp. soda
• 3/4 cup chopped nuts
• 1 tsp salt

Beat egg, add melted butter and sugar. Mix well. Add banana, sift together flour soda, and salt. Mix with egg mixture, and add nuts.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes