Pineapple party

Today is my twins 8th birthday, officially at 10:34 and 10:36 respectfully.  However, seeing as how today is also when Memorial day is celebrated, we had their party on Saturday.  At Elysha's request it was a Mexican Fiesta, chihuahua style ( we have no idea what that means either), and whatever Ely wants, Eli is fine with : )  Elysha also picked the menu.  One thing she was adamant about was grilled pineapple.  Thank goodness I found some on sale, and it went smashing with the teriyaki chicken satay I made - awesome!  I discovered not everyone has a pineapple core/slicer or even seen one.  So here is a few picks on how it is done:



This is the tool and what the empty shell w/ the core looks like.



It slices the pineapple in  one long continuous curly - cue as you twist the slicer.



Sorry I couldn't get this to rotate, but this is how it looks as your pulling it out.



I hated to toss the empty shells, so made them into table centerpieces : )  Next day they went into the compost.

The party was a smashing success and everyone had a good time, as was told by all the shrieking from the pool!  Good food, good friends, good times.  What else is there?
Blessings, Beth Ann

Lo-Carb Peanut Butter Cup Pie

OK, I received a few request for this recipe and after tasting it, I know they won't be disappointed!  This was awarded 5 out of 5 stars by my fam!

Peanut Butter Cup Pie

1 pkg. (4 servings) sugar - free chocolate pudding mix
2 TBS. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup water
3/4 cup natural peanut butter, creamy
1 simple Almond Crust (recipe to follow)

In a large bowl, combine the pudding mix and cocoa powder.  Pour in the heavy cream and water, and beat with an electric mixer to combine well (I just used my hand and a fork).  Then beat in the peanut butter until everything well combined.  Pour mixture into cooled crust, scraping it all out of the bowl with a rubber scarper.  Spread evenly in crust, and chill.

Serves 8   (This is REALLY thick.  You may want to cut into 16ths. like a cheese cake)




Simple Almond Crust

1 1/2 cups ground almonds or almond meal
1/4 cup vanilla whey protein powder (I only had natural, so added 1/3cup splenda)
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350

Combine almonds and whey protein powder, add butter and mix well.  Turn out into a pie plate you've sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, and press firmly and evenly into place, building up around sides.  Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until edges are starting to brown lightly.  Remove from oven and cool.

Let it cool completely before filling with pie mixture.

I find almond meal in the healthy food section of my local Krogers.  If using plain almonds, just process in your food processor with the s blade until it forms a cornmeal consistency.

Hope you enjoy this as much as we did!  Blessings, Beth Ann

Sea Shell City

Once again I am still battling Blogger and can not get my pic's to load in the order I want.  So bear with me as I share these pic's of us taking the kids to a well known northern MI spot under the bridge.

This is my big bro Jim, have no idea who his friend is : )  I hadn't seen him in 14 years before the funeral.  It was very special to get to see him again.



This is my sis, Bonnie, with B and Captain Morgan?



This is my big guy, our wed. anny is in two days and it will be 9 years.

They have a pirate ship outside to play on, here our my little buccaneers, that is my grandson Jack on the end with the cool hat : )

You know you have arrived!

Jack, Eli and Ely in front of the worlds largest clam!.  Now that is entertainment.

Here is my lovely Bre, humoring me, with a new friend.

Not sure the next time we will make it up north but many memories were made.  In many ways it was an emotional catharsis's and a time of reform.

:As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." ~ Psalm 103:12

"Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 5:5

Blessings, Beth Ann

MI and back, again



Ok, so blogger has gone postal on me and for the life of me I can't figure out how to make it do what I want it to do : ( But I did want to share some pic's from MI whenwe were up for my mothers funeral.



One of her favorite places was in Indian River (where she and my grandfather ran some cabins/motorcourt), call the Cross in the Woods.




Ok, so blogger has gone postal on me and for the life of me I can't figure out how to make it do what I want it to do : ( But I did want to share some pic's from MI when we were up for my mothers funeral.



One of her favorite places was in Indian River (where she and my grandfather ran some cabins/motorcourt), call the Cross in the Woods.




Ok, so blogger has gone postal on me and for the life of me I can't figure out how to make it do what I want it to do : ( But I did want to share some pic's from MI when we were up for my mothers funeral.



One of her favorite places was in Indian River (where she and my grandfather ran some cabins/motorcourt), call the Cross in the Woods.







Ok, so blogger has gone postal on me and for the life of me I can't figure out how to make it do what I want it to do : ( But I did want to share some pic's from MI when we were up for my mothers funeral.



One of her favorite places was in Indian River (where she and my grandfather ran some cabins/motorcourt), call the Cross in the Woods.








Here is Bre next to the sign for the Holy Stairs, which are marble.  You may walk up up to the cross, but not on the holy stairs.







The cross stands 55ft. tall and is made of a solid redwood tree.




Here is the explanation of the Holy Stairs, but none in our group wanted to go up on our knees.



The crucifix is made of bronze/

Thanks for letting me share.  Blessings, Beth Ann





Ok, so blogger has gone postal on me and for the life of me I can't figure out how to make it do what I want it to do : (  But I did want to share some pic's from MI when we were up for my mothers funeral. 
One of her favorite places was in Indian River (where she and my grandfather ran some cabins/motorcourt), call the Cross in the Woods. 







Feb., Fri., and Food

February got off with a bang and an emergency  trip up to Michigan for some family dealings.  A little over a week latter we are back and I am trying to get back on schedule.    I don't care if I ever eat fast - food or in a restaurant again any time soon!  I am the best cook I know and I missed my kitchen, my domain if you will.  So I worked up some new menu's, hit the stores and am back cooking.  Today I did double duty and cooked a quick gourmet lunch (3 kid thumbs up) and a nice change on stir-fry for dinner.  It was mentioned that I am always bragging on my food, but short on recipes.  I am going to try and remedy that, starting now with these two awesome meals:

Apple, Cheese and Arugula Panini

8 slices whole grain bread
2 TBS. real butter
1/2lb. taleggio cheese (or other favorite) sliced
1 apple cored and thinly sliced
1 cup baby arugula

Heat griddle or large skillet over med. heat.  Use half the butter and cover 1 side of 4 slices of bread and lay butter side down on griddle.  Layer each slice with cheese slices, apples and arugula.  Butter remaining bread slices with last of butter and top off sandwiches with butter side up.   Cook on both sides until golden and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

Serves 4





Pork and Brussels Sprouts Sir - Fry

2 Tbs. real butter and pan spray
1 lb. boneless thick cut pork chops, cut into thin slices
1 lb. Brussels sprouts, halved
4 green onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 TBS. brown sugar

Give a large skillet or wok a good coating of pan spray and heat over med. heat.  Add pork and brown for about 5 minutes and remove to a plate.  Toss the butter into the pan and add Brussels sprouts (I steam mine for 5 minutes first to help soften them) and cook about 5 - 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add garlic and onion, cook another minute.  Add soy sauce, brown sugar and 1/4 cup water; cook until sauce is slightly thickened.  Return pork to pan and toss to coat.  Heat together another minute.  Serve over your favorite rice and add crushed red pepper flakes for a kick!

Serves 4

These were great and I hope you enjoy, blessings; Beth Ann

It was a Gr-sk8- t day!

January is a very busy birthday month for us.  Between family and friends we acknowledge around a dozen birthdays.  K and I have jokingly  told the kids that starting this year we are going to only do one group birthday on an ambiguous day, like March 1st., and celebrate all six of our immediate b-days together then.  We will also do gifts on a six year rotation.  Since Z already had his b-day this year  he will have to wait another 6 years to get gifts.  Next year will be B's turn and so forth - LOL  The kids didn't appreciate this attempt at humor on our part : )

Anyway, this past Saturday we took all 4 kids, Z's girlfriend and best friend skating to celebrate Z's and C's birthdays; which are a week apart.  We only go skating about 4 times a year but the kids dig it, if we did it more they probably wouldn't and it is still affordable (especially w/the Volvo).  Here is a few pic's of the happy kids : )

Eli is trying to tell us the music is LOUD!

Ely is dreaming of being a skating disco queen!

Zach showing us how much he loves his sister, whom looks deeply concerned : )

The birthday couple, Zach and Colleen, whom have just turned 19.

Bre, thinking she is the only sane person in her family!  LOL

Dear hubby's b-day was last week as well.  We usually celebrate by attending the Nashville RV show and a trip to camping world with dinner after at Bob Evans.  However this year the RV show is the second week of Feb., so we are waiting until then to celebrate.  Since we only head over that way once a year, it is worth the wait : )

My family is my biggest blessing and I thank God for them, the good and the bad, every day.  And now there is a rumor that my oldest daughter an my grandson's are coming for a visit soon!  I feel unworthy of all this happiness.  Thank you Lord, in your son's name, AMEN.

Blessings, Beth Ann

Christmas 2011

Yesterday was a wonderful day!  It started by the three kids getting up before us, of course, and cleaning/taking care of the animals, before coming up-stairs to wake us.  We were already awake as we heard them 'cleaning' - LOL But we were grateful nonetheless : )  Then Zach, in his jammies, picked up Colleen (in her jammies too) and headed over with biscuits and Krispy Kreams.  Then they headed over to walk the clinic dogs and met us at FB church for services and the Lords super.  That was probably the best part of my day, all four of my kids with me at church on Christmas day.

Took many pic's but here are my top five in random order:

Twin son received 'plants vs. zombies' from his big bro.  Now I will never get near my computer again!  Good thing I received an etablet : )

Colleen and Bre with their  Christmas snuggies!

Chocolate peppermint  cookies for Santa!

Our tree with the yule log on the t.v. - LOL

I get this pic every year, Bre helping the twins decorate sugar cookies for the big guy, and he (Knute) shares them with Santa!  LOL - ROFL  Oh, tear in my eye, LOL  I kill myself : )

Other favorites were some major bling I received, a new stereo for up-stairs, UNO-Robot, a Go-bible and watching my kids play with their stuff and eating candy.  Which reminds me, twice now on doxin Smokey has gotten into the Christmas chocolate, apparently he has a thing for butterfingers and peanut butter cups!  So then at 4 a.m. this morning he had the , pardon me here for my crudeness, Hershey squirts!  Praise the Lord for a husband who got up and took him out so I could stay snuggled in front of our electric fireplace up-stairs : )  I love that man!  Lesson learned?  Doxins are as devious as they are cute and hide candy not only from children, spouse and ferret, but doxin as well!  LOL

Blessings, Beth Ann

Prayer and listening

I know some of you are going to think this is about a dog, but I hope most of you don't.  I want to share with you another faith moment, and they always seem to happen about the time I say "I didn't see that coming"; LOL.  let me start by saying that for the past eight years or so I have wanted to have my own store, be my own boss, but it has NEVER been blessed by God.  At one point while praying on it I even heard God ask me, "for who's glory would it be?".    Now if you asked me if I liked kids or animals I would shrug and say, eh so-so.  Those of you who know me well will find that hysterical as I always seem to have a house full of both and only half are mine.  No matter how I run or how I make choices to the contrary, I always end up with what I will call rescue kids and animals.  I am starting to see a pattern here : )  I believe this goes with 'God's plans for me'.  I am very good at it, and I have embraced being a Proverbs 31 women, to the max!  Well once again it hit me, I needed to do something, but what?  For some reason I started combing 'Craigslist', not sure what I was looking for.  Then I had narrowed it down to the 'pet' listings, and let me tell you I was appalled at what I found.  I had never even heard of 'dog flipping' before.  It makes me sick that so many people are trying to make a buck on 'rehoming' their 'friend'.  Then I started hanging around a dachshund rescue site, I love doxies!  I thought maybe I could foster, rescue or even volunteer there.  They too wanted money, even to volunteer!  Meanwhile I kept praying, talking to my hubby and looking to see what I could do.  Well as of yesterday it all seemed to fall into place, even our church service seemed to touch on my issue of leading by example and being a blessing to others.  I took a deep breath and posted on 'Craigslist' that I would do local doxin rescue but would not pay anyone to help their animal.  Afew folks emailed but they weren't getting it either, they wanted cute puppies.  I want to help local doxies, doesn't matter age, sex handicapped or not. Well I happened across an add for free doxie in neighboring city.  I had seen the add a couple days before, but was out of town.  I took a deep breath for courage and called.  On the end of the other phone was a very overwhelmed woman who needed my help.  By the end of the call I found out that I knew her daughter who lived here locally by me, and had even helped her with a pet before!  By the end of the evening I had taken in a very sweet new friend, found a home for my son's ferrets and had invited another 'rescue' kid and her sister to church with me.  When I went to bed I lay there stunned.  It hit me, maybe this wasn't so much about the dogs or even me, maybe God had used me and my skill with animals and children to help two families.  Wow. I still believe that God has commanded my family to have a pet ministry, but I also have to see the bigger picture.  There are real people on the other end of those leashes and maybe I can help them too!

Here is our new friend Smokey, even though his papers list him as Sir Scooter.

Smokey looking at my hubby.

Smokey keeping dd company as she does school work.

Blessings, Beth Ann

Pet Halloween Parade

Today was the second annual Halloween pet costume parade at the local animal clinic, where my oldest son just happens to work : )  The kids were so excited, they had such a good time last year and they had a good time this year as well.  Twice as many folks showed up, word must be getting out : )  We didn't win but every kid got a candy bag and every pet got a goody bag, what more can you ask for on such a pretty fall day? 

 

Here are the twins, Eli went as a pirate and took Howard with him and Ely is a cat (black and white like her cat at home) but her cat couldn't be caught in time to go : ( 

Here is Howard the Pirate dog, his shirt says 'Shiver me timbers and rub me belly'.  LOL

Bre took Hobb the ferret and they both were dressed up like hippies.  I was surprised they didn't place at all.

Well that was the first of many Halloween festivities this week-end.  With Monday being the actual day, it seems like all week-end is one long Halloween party!  Next, heading over to the Church of Christ for Trunk or Treating.  Good times, good times.

Blessings, Beth Ann

Never 'boo' late

Not sure why it took me so long to post these pic's but here are the kids with their pumpkins from last Saturday's p. patch/hay ride trip.

Welcome to my front door : )

None of the kids like to carve their pumpkins or get their hands in the 'guts'.  So I picked up some cut felt cut-outs from the Dollar General Market - love that place.  So after church last Sunday  we got to it!

Elysha made a cat and seems to be hiding behind something, huh (shrug).  Check out her missing tooth!

Here is Miss Halie with her creepy guy : )

And Miss Mika chose a bat face for hers.

Elijah went with a silly pumpkin, just like him : )

Boo-tiful Bre made a vamp pumpkin, of course right?  LOL

Last stop is my back door.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out our pumpkins.  Come back soon and stay for some coffee or green tea, and be sure to share your pumpkins with us too!

Blessings, Beth Ann

Bunny love

Well I meant to post this a couple days ago but you know how life gets in the way.  On Wed. one of our rescue rabbits passed away, always a sad thing but also a time to teach the children.

Here is Bre with Di Vinci right after we received him.  He had a long life and will be missed.

We have managed to place all my son's animals, it's a God thing, and we haven't replenished except for a cat (that's a husband thing).  We are down to just our two handicapped dogs, Howard my mini red doxin and Levi, my husbands pit bull.  They both have spinal issues and can't feel their hind ends, but have taught themselves to be 'spinal walkers' as the vet calls it.  Here are a couple new pic's of Levi:

This is my husbands favorite blue chair, and his dogs too : )

It's even better when the sun comes out from behind a cloud! LOL

And just in case your worried that only one of our chairs is being covered in dog hair . . .   the sofa is also fair game and it looks like he jacked the pillow as well!

With a few less animals life around here is a bit less like a zoo and a little more like . . . a circus!  Can you hear the calliope ?

Blessings, Beth Ann

Moving Forward

Happy July 1st!  Tonight we will celebrate Independence here in my little town, with food, music, friends and fireworks.  It should be wonderful, we really enjoyed ourselves last year.  I hope my oldest son, whom is also celebrating his Independence is able to attend.  Haven't seen much of him and I miss him much.  I am so upset about this 'empty' nest syndrome thing, that the other day I was actually bawling over my oldest and how much I still miss her, and she has been gone for 10 years!  Geesh, am I a sap or what?   However life does move forward and we have been shuffling around the bedrooms.  The big idea was to move the twins downstairs, pair up the girls and make the nursery my craft room, which will free up a ton of space in my pantry.  Trying to do this around others work schedules is slowing us down, but we are in the home stretch.  Twin son is liking it downstairs, but twin dd spent 2 nights with big sis and hated it.  She said she is not ready to be away from her twin and that if they sleep together it keeps the bad dreams away, he con cured.  I figure moving into a new room after 7 years together in the same room is a big step, so will give them some more time.  There is no rush.

Big sis took big son's bed, which is a full and not a twin, and is thrilled.

Here are the new sheets she got for her new bed.  Why is this popular again?

Here is a pic of the coffee-mallow creme pie I made earlier this week.  It was delish!

I finished my first hat with the Alpaca yarn I bought at Hobby Lobby.  It is sooooooooo soft!

This camo hat is for my son in-law for Christmas.  I will make two more matching hats for my grandsons.  I have a purple one on the stix's for my dd.  It is soooooooooo soft!

Have a happy and safe 4th ya'll, Blessings: Beth Ann

(Our court house during last years fireworks.  Beautiful huh?)