Good, Good News

We got EXCELLENT news yesterday...my oldest had an appt. at the Rheumatologist and we were told that there was NO swelling in his joints and his arthritis is inactive. Now they will probably keep him on his meds for a year and then he can be off if everything still looks good. Arthritis has flare ups and then kind of goes into remission.
He has been hoping for a trip to Dick's for some of the BEST burgers in his opinion...and I guess he ate TWO and TWO fries and a COKE....whew...love to see him eating so well....well, maybe not WELL, but eating so much...
Praising the Lord for His hand of healing!
C~

Working on something new

Well, I am working on a new project and hoping to give a peek soon, but life is full and some things are just more important right now...but soon...
Today, my techy guy has an appt. at the Rheum. Dr....pray that that goes well. He also has been wanting a particular burger at a particular restaurant(Dick's) near-ish to said Dr...so we'll see...
I have a baby shower coming up...working on that...and need to get the house company ready...thankfully, the big heavy work is done!
And then, we are transitioning right into the holidays...mmm...my favorite time of the year!
Well, that is all I can think of right now, but be watching for the "NEWS"...
C~

Great Recipe and more

So, it has been a little while since I posted...haven't had much to say...haven't had time to think it through...etc...
First, I would like to share a GREAT recipe...I will post it how I make it...and you can try it that way...but it is VERY GOOD...my family likes the meat the best, so I do add a little more than the recipe calls for, but I would try it the way written first. Also, it takes and hour of cooking time, but do not let that deter you...30 minutes is just cooking on the stove. I serve this with rice, because it FEELS like it needs a starch to go with it.

Bavarian Sausage and Apples
Serves 6

3 Tablespoons butter
12 links sausage of choice, Polish, bratwurst, etc. You probably do not want a strong Italian flavor or something like a Cheddar jalapeno, but I think most types would work fine
2 medium onions, sliced
4 apples, unpeeled cut into 1/2" wedges
2 tsp. brown sugar, heaping
2 T. flour
1 c. beef broth
1 c. unsweetened apple juice
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cloves

(and, if you do not eat sausages for whatever reason, I am sure that there are veggie options that would work, or you could try it with a similar meat, I am just not sure what that would be....I am not a big lamb person and do not know if that would over power the flavor...maybe a ground beef, ground lamb mix that you make into small meatballs...let me know what you think...)

Take sausages and cut into slices...I like to cut them on the diagonal, maybe 1-1/2 inches long and 3/8 inch thick...this is not obsessive, just a good mouth sized bite.
Brown sausages in skillet with butter, until browned, remove from pan, set aside.

Add onions to skillet; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add apples and brown sugar; cook 5 minutes. Remove apple slices and set aside.

Add flour to skillet; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Return sausages and apples to pan; bring to boil. Lower heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes


I just got (LAST NIGHT) from the Library, Mary's book, Family Feasts for $75 a Week and I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!! I read the WHOLE thing last night...this is SO much more than a cookbook...she gives SO many practical and helpful tips for cutting your grocery budget down...I WILL be buying this book...many delicious looking recipes. I am looking forward to my next meal planning session with book in hand!

Also, just in case you have never heard...pre-grated cheese has both an antibiotic in it (Natamycin...can read here for more info) and Cellulose...now, that seriously makes me sick that there are antibiotics in pre-grated cheese...but if that does not bother you, eat freely. I think that most people do not know this and because the price of grated VS block are almost the same...even cheaper for the grated at times, we all go for what is easier. a big thank you to my Pampered Chef lady for letting me know about this one...the ingrediants are right on the back of the package.

So, I think that is all that is on my mind today...I will be back when I think of more things!
Happy Fall...oh and the time change is coming up...I think we FALL back on October 31! Don't forget...

Chris Klicka

Chris was a lawyer with HSLDA who lived a life devoted to Jesus Christ, devoted to his family and devoted to homeschooling and homeschoolers...I will never forget his description of a person suffering the anguish in hell...for eternity...and his anguish over that as well as his passion for sharing the gospel. What an amazing and gracious, humble and tenacious man...He will be sorely missed in this place...
Now, I would like to encourage all of those touched by his life to reach out to his family...as he has blessed us, let us bless them...Please remember them even beyond the next few weeks...
The Klicka Family
6779 Riley Rd.
Warrenton, VA 20187


This is a link to a tribute to Chris at the HSLDA Leader's Conference...it is in three parts...
For some reason, I cannot put the video here...so you can watch all three parts here:
http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/200910050a.asp?movie=1

Potty Training Blues

We have been making strides with our DD...towards being diaper free...but there are frustrations that go with achieving that...do you either...go entirely throughout your day (the child that is) in your birthday suit...which has been giving us the greatest success but has the obvious drawbacks...or do you wear clothes which seem (to the untrained trainer) just like his diapers, therefore I (the child, silly) do not make it to the correct destination...hmmm...that is the question of my day...

Cookbook Giveaway

Mary at Owlhaven is having a contest giving away SETS of her cookbook that I have mentioned....here are the details...


I’m giving away three sets of THREE copies each of my book Family Feasts for $75 a Week. Be one of the three winners of this giveaway, and you’ll have a copy of the cookbook for yourself, PLUS two copies to give away to friends. (Christmas gifts, maybe???)

You can get up to 5 entries to the Family Feasts giveaway by doing any of the following 5 things:

1. Blog about the contest and share a direct link to your post in comments.

2. Twitter about it, and share a link to your twitter in comments.

3. Request that your local library purchase FAMILY FEASTS, and tell me which library it is.

4. If you’ve already read FAMILY FEASTS, post a review of the book on amazon.com or bn.com.

5. Mention the contest on your Facebook page.

I’ll be picking 3 winners using random.org. Be sure to comment using a valid email address. The contest ends Monday morning, October 26th! I hope to hear from lots of you!

Grocery Challenge Wrap up

Mary at Owlhaven posted a challenge at the beginning of September to spend $75 a week on groceries this month. I was excited about the challenge and jumped on board...we lost track of our spending because my hubby did some of the shopping, meal planning, etc...and I couldn't find receipts, etc...so that is a flop...but...I did learn things this month...
The greatest thing this challenge did was made me aware of my spending...we would often buy things because they looked good, were on sale, etc with no plan...and I am sure many of those purchases are still on my shelves...stocking up during a good sale is good, but there must be a plan somewhere.
The next thing that I realized was that when there is a plan for meals, life is so much easier...the brain wracking frantic 5 pm hunt is gone...I know what is on the menu and am prepared to pull out the things I need.
From many of the other participants, I realized that some people were able to stock up and buy extras even on that lower dollar amount...I am hoping to stock up on some things over the next several months too...sugar, flour, butter, etc...all those things that you go through so quickly during the holidays.
I am excited to see what this means for future months of grocery shopping...I think Mary may have just started something!
Thanks for the challenge Mary~!
C~