Ice Cream Treats with My Grandbaby

Yummy Ham and Pasta Bake - serves 8

Combine 2 cups chopped sweet potato or yams in a small bowl with 2 tsp cooking oil and 1/4 tsp salt.
Arrange in a single layer on a greased baking sheet and bake in 400 degree F oven for 35 minutes, stirring at half time until tender and golden brown.

Melt 3 tbsp butter (margarine) in a large saucepan on medium.  Add 1 1/2 cups cooked ham (leftovers work great) and 1/3 cup green onion.  Cook, stirring often until ham starts to brown.  Add 3 tbsp flour and stir for one minute more.

Gradually stir in 3 1/2 cups milk until boiling and thickened.  Add 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tbsp dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.  Stir.

Add 10 oz box of frozen spinich, thawed, squeezed dry and coarsely chopped.  Continue to stir until heated through.  Put sweet potato mixture, ham mixture and 5 cups cooked penne pasta into large bowl.  Toss.  Transfer to a greased 3 quart casserole.  Spread evenly and sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese if desired.

Bake, uncovered in 375 degree F oven for about 1/2 hour until cheese is golden.

Enjoy!

All we are and all we have...

All we are and all we have is given out of the abundance of God's grace.  Therefore, we are also stewards of that - and that includes our children.  It is a privilege to nurture, educate and guide our children.  This requires time, patience and a great deal of faith.  It is only under prayer and guidance that our children are able to take hold of the things of God for themselves.

My heart's desire is for my children to lay claim to their own faith.  For them to do so, the soil must be fertile.  I often ask myself, what can I do in my home and out to facilitate this?  I need to be transparent with my children, allowing them to see me turning and relying on the Lord - praying, giving, receiving, loving as Jesus.  They need to see and hear about prayers answered - they need to see us walk through waiting.  I purpose to create a pleasant, clean home ready to minister to them and their friends.  I need to make myself available for both the important and the frivilous.  I need to encourage honour, reward growth and stay connected - even when it's not convenient or outside of my comfort zone.

Yes, God's grace is abundant and sufficient for this mighty calling - my mission in life.

Living blessed!

Keeping Home - Rainy Days

Am I the only one that gets bit by a cleaning bug when it rains?  I just want to zip around my home and clean or organize something or two or three!  If this is not you, and you'd prefer to climb back into bed - can I challenge you to get busy? 

I would sooner spend a bright sunny summer day outside or doing another kind of special activity than some of the necessary household maintenance and organization that also needs my attention - so resist the temptation of procrastination and (even if it's only one task) get busy on your deep clean wish list and get productive.  Plan a play break part way through with the kiddos if that suits you or enjoy a cuppa-something hot or cold that refreshes you.  Get the kids involved if you have them around as well.  Disciplines can be caught when taught.  You'll be glad you purposed to do well. 

Live blessed!

Water Balloon Fun in the Sun!

Quick Breakfast

Here's a quickie breakfast:

On a plate arrange ham slices, start an egg or two to frying (we like this one done over easy) in a pan while you grate some cheese and/or chop up some hot peppers - set over top ham slices and top with egg.  A spinkle of green onion on top adds nice colour.  For a heartier meal place all this on top of a nice slice or two of rye bread toasted.  YUM!

Wisdom in Conversation

Oh, how often the tongue can catch us, can't it ladies...  I've been reflecting in Proverbs on the many verses that speak to wisdom and the practice of its use.  The Word tells us that blessed is the man who finds it, who gains understanding (Proverbs 3:13).  Indeed, following suggestions that are merely opinions or jumped upon too quickly can be very damaging.  Inviting the Lord into the decision and carefully thinking it through can be very liberating - in fact blessing!  Follow further and discover that she (wisdom) is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold (Proverbs 3:14).  Now, that's the return I want on my decisions - profit/yield.  In my haste at times I am guilty of rushing in - I'm trying to practice the presence of reflection - a life in tune with what God desires for me, a life of complete surrender without fear.  Who can I fear, with God - no one!  His spring bursts forth new blessings, new opportunities every day for me to practice what I learn and encourage others as well.

"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway" Proverbs 8:34.
Blessed - is the woman who listens, watching and waiting.  Seek Him.

Be a listener - watch for Him to reveal what He has for you today...this week...be patient and wait for His best and praise Him all along the way.

Let this be a part of your speech - listening, watching for opportunities to share your wisdom or your ways.  May all paths lead back to Him.

Live blessed!