Uhh.... I Got Nothin'

I don't know about you but my days are FULL. The holiday schedule is crazy but I'm actually grateful for the distractions. (See A Widow's Might for explanation)

I haven't had time to post about Nick's birthday, making a gingerbread house with Jackie, my trip to Charleston, the GUYS painting my house, or all the other life stuff that has happened over the past few weeks. My mind is reeling over my "to-do" list so I can't seem to focus on updating you on my life. So, for now... how about a nice recipe :) I promise to post photos of "life" as soon as it slows down a bit!

Shepherds Pie

2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
1 package sliced mushrooms
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 box frozen peas
Mashed Potatoes (see recipe below)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Paprika

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms and garlic and cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Cook and stir for about 3 minutes to "cook" the tomato paste.

Add the ground beef to the mixture and continue to cook, stirring often, until the beef is cooked and no longer pink. Add the Worchestershire sauce, beef broth, and thyme. Simmer for 8-10 minutes and then stir in the peas.


Spray a 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spoon the mixture into the sprayed pan. Carefully spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the ground beef mixture covering completely. Take a fork and run through the top of the potatoes to make ridges.


Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a light dusting of paprika.


Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until top is lightly browned.

Mashed Potatoes:

4 pounds yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender (about 20-25 minutes). Drain and return back to the pan you boiled them in. Add the butter and the cream and mash to desired consistency then stir in the cheeses. Season with salt and pepper. (Be sure to taste before adding the salt as Parmesan cheese is a bit salty.)

OK - back to my "to-do" list.

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn

A Random Act of Kindness

I'm sure you have experienced, or at least heard about, a random act of kindness or two. You know... paying for the person behind you in the drive-through line or raking the leaves for the neighbor who just broke a leg. Well, this week I was on the receiving end of a random act of kindness. It's such an amazing God story that I can't keep it to myself. This will be long but I think it's worth sharing.

Earlier in the week I stopped into a service station for a routine oil change, car inspection, and to replace my windshield wipers as the rubber on one of them was flapping in the wind. I turned over my keys and then psyched myself up to sit in the waiting area for about 30 minutes. I posted an update on my Facebook page: "Sitting at the service station.... Uggghhhh!" (Seriously... there were hundreds of places I would have rather been.)

It wasn't long before the owner came out to talk to me about my car. He said he needed to show me something. (Not a good sign.) He brought me out to my car which was now up in the air. One of my tires was ripping on the inside. The ball joints were shot. All four tires needed to be replaced which you could not see from the outside. Apparently the ball joints and something else that I don't understand had cause the tires to wear unevenly so they were wearing out on the inside (under the car where you can't see.) He said the brakes would be the next to go and listed a few other things that should be replaced. "Except for the tire situation, this is all just normal wear and tear for the number of miles you have on your car" he said. And, due to the unsafe condition of my tires, my car failed the inspection.

He brought me back inside the waiting area and then printed out the cost of the services he was recommending. The total came to $908.00! I tried to remain calm. He continued to talk as I dropped my head so he wouldn't see that my eyes were tearing up. In my mind I was thinking, "there goes the computer I promised Nick for Christmas." I silently began to pray.

I finally spoke through my tears saying that I just didn't have that kind of money and that the tires on my car should not be wearing out. They should have lasted 60,000 miles. They were my second set of tires and I only had 67,000 miles on my car. It just wasn't adding up.

The poor man was silent. He said, "let's figure out what is absolutely necessary and then we'll come up with a maintenance plan for the rest of the work." I could tell that he felt badly and I was embarrassed that I wasn't able to control my tears. We ended up deciding what had to be done and arranged for me to come back the next morning as the work was going to take several hours and I needed to get to my office. I also needed to buy some time. I had no idea how I was going to come up with the new total of $684.00.

I grabbed my purse and got into my car to head to work. I noticed that I had a voice mail message on my cell phone. I listened and it was my friend Luann. She had called while I was at the desk and the owner was telling me what was wrong with my car. She said that she saw my Facebook update and she wanted me to call her back so she could ask me a quick question. I was too emotional to call right away. I got back to the office, told everyone what happened, and cried some more. My sweet friends tried to come up with solutions like getting a second opinion, making some phone calls, etc. I mentioned that Luann had called and, knowing Luann, I'll bet she knows a mechanic and that's why she's calling. Luann knows everyone and is the source queen for everything. The woman just knows people and knows how to get things done!

I got myself together and returned Luann's phone call. She asked what my car needed and I explained what had happened at the shop. Up until that moment she did not know that I wasn't in for a scheduled maintenance or an oil change or whatever. When I told her that nothing had been done so far and that the total would be $684.00 she said, "do you have paper and a pen?" I told her I did and then she said, "write this down." I truly thought she was going to give me the name and number of a mechanic in my area who would work on my car for a discount. Instead, Luann gave me a credit card number. I asked her what it was and she said, "it's my credit card. I want you to put the total on my card." I was dumbfounded! I cried way more than I cried at the service station. I told her that I just couldn't let her do that and her response was, "yes you can. When I saw your Facebook update God told me to do this. If you don't allow me to pay for your car, you are not allowing me to be obedient and you are robbing me of the blessing." I told her that I just didn't know what to say and Luann said, "you say, 'thank you Jesus.' That's all. And when anyone asks, you tell them that God provided because that's exactly what He just did."

Never in my life have I experienced such an instant answer to prayer. The moment I was crying out to Him for help, He was whispering to Luann. How can anyone possibly say that He isn't all knowing and all seeing? How can anyone say that He isn't our great Provider? How can anyone say that He doesn't care about our circumstances?

The story didn't end there. You see, when I shared the story with the owner of the car shop he was so moved that he started to give me more discounts and provided more services. In the end, I had four brand new tires, new ball joints, the oil was changed, the windshield wipers replaced, a passing inspection, and much more. Luann's total bill was now $542.52.

Judging by the way all of the mechanics in the shop treated me, I believe that the shop owner shared the story with them. I don't know if they were believers before I went in that morning but I do know that they saw God very clearly that day. I could see it in their eyes. One of them teared up when he said, "that's not the first time I've heard about something like this."

Friends, I don't believe that providing for me and blessing Luann was all that God had up His sleeve that day. I believe He was up to something far greater.

One more nugget...

When Luann returned to her office after all of this had transpired, there was an envelope on her desk. Inside was an unexpected check for $627.00. Apparently she was shorted a commission the previous month and they had found the error and issued a check. Luann was blessed for her obedience. When she said "yes" to God, He provided more than she gave. You truly can't out give God!

Can I tell you that it isn't easy to be on the receiving end of a random act of kindness. I like to be the one doing the serving. Not that I have ever done anything on this scale. My random acts of kindness usually involve a hot meal, running an errand, or leaving a little gift from Jesus for someone in secret. I find it very interesting that just a few days before I begin leading a Sunday school class on random acts of kindness, I am the recipient of such an act. I don't believe that this is an accident. This is a Godcident... a really BIG one!

OK - I'm finding it hard to come up with an ending to this post. I mean how do you end such a great God story. I think I'll just ask that you pass it on so that others can hear about how He answers prayers, how He provides, how much He loves us... And, as Luann requested, I'll just say, "Thank you, Jesus!"

Sweetest Blessings,
LeAnn

P.S. Luann, you are truly one in a million and all those who have experienced His love through you have been blessed beyond measure... as have I. I love you my sweet friend.

Hard to Believe!

OK - I know I'm a bit old to subscribe to a teen magazine but I love Susie mag! Susie is a Christian magazine for teen girls. I subscribe so that our division for teens, Living with Purpose: A Radical Revolution can support the ministry of Susie magazine. And, because my friends Shari and Lynn are contributors to this magazine. If you have a teenage daughter, please check out www.susiemag.com.

The current issue just arrived and I have to share a mind-boggling article with you. Are you ready? The magazine listed a bunch of crazy laws that are still in place because no one has gotten around to removing them! Seriously! If you are in the doldrums today... these ought to make you smile.

• South Carolina: It's against the law to keep a horse in a bathtub.
• New York: The penalty for jumping off a building is death.
• Ohio: It's illegal to get a fish drunk.
• Indiana: Baths are forbidden between the months of October and March.
• Colorado: Throwing missiles at cars is illegal.
• Maryland: It's against the law to take a lion to the movies.
• California: It's against the law for a woman to drive a car while wearing her robe.
• Georgia: No one is allowed to carry an ice cream cone in his back pocket on Sundays.
• Oklahoma: People who make ugly faces at dogs may be fined or jailed.
• Florida: Women can be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer.
• Michigan: A woman can't cut her own hair without her husband's permission.
• New Hampshire: It's illegal to sell the clothes you're wearing to pay off a gambling debt.
• Wyoming: You may not take a picture of a rabbit from January to April without getting an official permit.
• North Dakota: It's illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.
• Missouri: The law states that you can't have an antenna exposed outside of our home... but you are allowed to have a 25-foot satellite dish.
• Virginia: Spitting on a seagull is not tolerated.
• Maine: You're not allowed to step out of a plane in flight.
• Pennsylvania: It's illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.
• Michigan: It's illegal for a man to scowl at his wife on Sunday.
• West Virginia: Whistling under water is not allowed.
• Utah: It's illegal to cause a catastrophe.
• Washington: You may not carry a concealed weapon that is more than six feet long.
• Georgia: Goldfish can't be given away to motivate someone into playing a game of Bingo.
• Oklahoma: It's against the law for anyone to take a bite from someone else's hamburger.
• Tennessee: It's illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish.
• Texas: It's illegal to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.
• Virginia: No one may wash a mule on the sidewalk.
• Washington: It's illegal to pretend that one's parents are rich.
• Oregon: Drivers must yield to pedestrians who are standing on the sidewalk.
• Arizona: It's against the law to sing off-key.
• Utah: Birds always have the right of way on highways.

Aahhhh.... I needed something silly to laugh about.

LeAnn

Peanut Butter Cookies

I played around with a few peanut butter cookie recipes and came up with one that I really love. Dare I say that it might be better than moms? (Sorry Mom!) This recipe has LOTS of peanut butter and isn't that the point of a peanut butter cookie? While the end result was truly yummy... the cookies needed just a little something extra to push them over the top. Sounded like a good excuse for a little dark chocolate. After all... dark chocolate is good for you... right?

Chocolate Drizzled Peanut Butter Cookies

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
an 18 oz. jar of extra crunchy peanut butter
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup 60% cocoa chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place butter and both sugars in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and creamy. Add vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating for about 30 seconds after each addition. Add peanut butter and continue to beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Stir with a whisk to combine. Add the dry mixture to the peanut butter mixture and beat on low speed until all the flour is incorporated. Do not over mix at this point.

Drop the cookie dough by big spoonfuls (heaping tablespoons) onto an ungreased cookie sheet. You want them about 2 inches apart because they will spread a little as they cook.

Pour about a quarter of a cup of sugar onto a small plate. Dip the tines of a fork into the sugar and then make a crisscross on each cookie to flatten slightly.

Bake the cookies for approximately 14 minutes. Do not overcook. The edges will appear very lightly brown. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven onto a rack and let stand for a couple of minutes to set. After 2-3 minutes, remove the cookies from the cookie sheet and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Repeat until you have used all of the dough. You should have about 4 dozen cookies.

Once the cookies are completely cool, line them up on waxed paper.

Melt the chocolate chips in a glass dish in the microwave. (This takes about 1 minute on a low setting in my microwave but ovens vary so check yours frequently.)

With a fork, drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies. Cool in the refrigerator just long enough to set the chocolate.

Store cookies in an airtight container, foil, or ziplock bag.

Here's a photo of the finished product:


Note: In my quest for more healthy baking, I tried these with whole grain flour. They were amazing! I am experimenting with fat and sugar replacements as well but I don't like to replace more than one item at a time so that I will know which replacement works and which doesn't.

Enjoy!

Sweet Baking!
LeAnn

Oh, I Want to Know You More

I don't know about you but for me, spending time with Jesus every day is a struggle. It shouldn't be. It should be the easiest and most natural thing in the world but... it's the world that distracts me. I can get so caught up in, and overwhelmed by, the day-to-day busyness of this thing called life that my alone time with Jesus gets relegated to the bottom of my to-do list. How sad is that?

A few days of parenting, taking care of a home, working, laundry, cooking, running errands, preparing for teaching, church, writing, and trying to sneak in spending time with friends and suddenly I am completely depleted and feeling overwhelmed and alone. Hmmmmm.... it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's missing!

I have struggled with bouts of loneliness on and off over the years since Ron died. I intentionally fill my days with as many tasks and activities as possible to distract me. This works most of the time. But when I do slow down, the loneliness creeps back in. Getting to know God more intimately and letting His amazing and overwhelming love surround me fills all my empty places.

When I miss my alone time with the Lord I know my day will be joyless and empty no matter how busy I am. So, my "remedy" on those crazy days when I have to hit the ground running as soon as my alarm goes off... is music. I'm not saying that this takes the place of my quiet time with His word. But... music is a form of worship and the right music can usher me into His presence in a very tangible way.

Two of my most favorite songs... songs that absolutely fill the room with His presence... are on my friend Jason's self-titled CD.

"Oh I Want to know You More" reminds me that I need to seek His heart as passionately as He seeks mine. It takes me to that place when I was just beginning to fall in love with Ron and wanted to know everything about him. My relationship with my Savior should be so much more than any earthly love.

"In the Room" brings my mind to a favorite place... sitting in the church or a retreat center after everyone else has left. I love the way His presence permeates every inch of the space and it overwhelms me to have been present when His Spirit moved.

(You can click on the above titles for a short clip of these amazing songs.)

And, since God uses Jason to bring me to a place of Worship... I want to give him a shameful plug to show my gratitude :)

So, if you would like to purchase Jason's CDs (which clearly I recommend), click here!

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He takes great delight in you, LeAnn, He will quiet you with His love, He rejoices over you with singing.
(Zephaniah 3:7)

In the busyness of my Monday morning, I am grateful for good friends, for music, and for a love greater than anything I can fathom. Jesus, tomorrow morning I will be spending my first breath of the day with You.

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn

Yummy Recipe

I promised an ooey gooey recipe in my last post (about eating healthy and exercising - hah) and I want to be true to my word. I have made this yummy cheesy dip three times over the past few weeks and each time everyone asks for the recipe. So... here it is!

Mexi-Dip

1 can traditional refried beans
3 cups shredded mexican cheese blend (or combine cheddar and monterey jack)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
4.25-oz can sliced olives, drained (set aside 1 tablespoon)
4-oz can chopped green chilies, drained (I use mild but feel free to kick up the heat)
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onions, sliced (set aside 1 tablespoon)
1 medium tomato, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread the refried beans evenly on the bottom of a shallow baking dish, quiche or pie dish.

In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of the cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, olives, chilies, garlic, and green onions. Spread mixture over the refried beans. Cover with the remaining 1 cup of cheese. Sprinkle with the reserved olives and green onions.


Bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and brown around the edges. Remove from oven and top with chopped tomatoes.

Serve hot with tortilla chips.

You will not be disappointed. This is gooey hot melty yumminess!

Enjoy!

Motivation

Ya'll probably know that I have been on a journey to better health... and a smaller waistline! I have stumbled occasionally (a bite here and there when dining out) but for the most part, I have not eaten sugar, caffeine, dairy, or wheat in five months. I feel GREAT! No headaches, no tummy trouble, fewer breakouts and NO spring or fall allergies this year! And, of course, there is the smaller waistline. So far I have lost 35 pounds and around 40 inches (if I'm adding the inches correctly).

Most of my friends have been surprised at my discipline. My favorite creative outlet is cooking. I absolutely love to cook for my friends. (I would love to cook for Nick but he seems to be happier with a pepperoni pizza!) Not sampling my creations doesn't seem to bother me. I have my eye on the goal and the fact that I feel so much better keeps me on track.

However, I have a complete lack of motivation when it comes to exercise! I really just don't like to sweat! To solve this little dilemma I got a treadmill and placed it at the foot of my bed, facing my television. Now this does not leave much room to walk around in my bedroom but... I had to make exercise a priority so it just has to be there. (I have to jump over it to answer the phone.)

Now I know this might sound odd but... I walk on the treadmill as I watch the Food Network! I exercise as I drool over food. I'm just a food junkie... what can I say. I love to create new recipes and the Food Network is great inspiration!

To keep me motivated while I'm walking and watching culinary delights, I glance at clothes that are piling up beside the armoire that houses my television. As I lose inches, my clothes are becoming too big for me to wear. (YIPEE!) As motivation, I decided to throw clothes on the pile as soon as I can no longer wear them. It does make my room a little more crowded but... the visual of the stack of clothes that no longer fit is great motivation as I walk on the treadmill. Wouldn't this keep you on track:



So... what motivates you?

Blessings,
LeAnn

P.S. Just to keep balance in my blog as well as my life, I will post an ooey gooey recipe next time!