Embracing Change

I found this story in my email and thought it was important to think about, with the inauguration coming up. And for changes in our personal lives too. ~Anastasia
January 14, 2009 at 09:45

Embrace Change

The other night as I was getting ready for bed, I became overwhelmed with fear, not of anything specific, but of what ifs. I read it's common after losing a loved one to fear another upset, to worry over change in general.

"Here, Mom," my son handed me his book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

In the middle of reading his bedtime story about a caterpillar becoming a butterfly I realized so many children's books are about change yet it's an issue many of us struggle with throughout our lives. Whether it's changing jobs, relationships, residences, even positive changes can cause stress.

More often than not though, there are gifts in each transformation. Even in my lowest lows after losing my sister, I felt the strength of love in a way I never had before, a way that's opened my heart.

Later that night, reading my prayer book my eyes fell on this passage:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."

Yes, I thought. Trust. Let go of wanting things to be predictable and the same. Think of the beautiful butterfly.
FROM: http://www.ourprayer.org/blog/user/sabra

fun little game I just dug out while looking for something else...

Can you find the names of 16 books from the Bible in the paragraph below without the aid of your Bible?

I once make the remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu; kept some people looking so hard for facts... and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of our readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there wil be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a monister to find one of them and there will be loud lementations wien it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of teas so she can concentrate better. see how well you can compete. FRelax now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this paragraph.

Baked Spaghetti

I first had this at my sister's house, she made it for dinner. YUM! You can't go wrong with Paula Deen. You can find this recipe here.

Baked Spaghetti

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 1 hr 55 min

Level: Easy

Serves:10 servings

2 cups canned diced tomatoes
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup water
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons House Seasoning, recipe follows
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
2 small bay leaves
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
8 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
1 cup grated cheddar
1 cup grated Monterey Jack

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a stockpot, combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasoning mixtures, sugar, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat, and then reduce the heat and let simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Crumble the ground beef in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until fully cooked, with no pink color remaining. Drain the fat from the meat, and then add the ground beef to the stockpot. Simmer for 20 more minutes. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Cover the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan with sauce. Add a layer of pasta and then a little less than 1/2 of each cheese; repeat the layers, ending with the sauce. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese, return it to the oven, and continue to cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 more minutes. Cut into squares before serving.

House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups
Preparation tine: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Ease of Preparation: Easy

Christmas 2009 Challenge

snagged from abundant blessings' blog




Anyone want to join my challenge?

Here's the challenge:
Part 1: This month (January), or whatever month you start this in if you first see it later in the year, you write up the list of people you need to give gifts to at Christmas in 2009. Then for each month of 2009 you make (or purchase) at least one gift. Then when Christmas rolls around, you should be good and ready, or at least ahead in the game.

Part 2: (optional), Also at some time during 2009 you need to make your Christmas cards (if that is something you usually do, or something you want to do this year). They have to be done before November.

By starting now you will have plenty of time to listen to comments made by those hard to shop/make for people on your list.

Yummy Breakfast Recipe

Happy New Year everyone. I saw this recipe and it looks so good, I had to share! God bless you all this new year of 2009! ~ Anastasia

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound sage flavored breakfast sausage
• 3 cups shredded potatoes, drained and pressed
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 12 ounces mild Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup onion, shredded
• 1 (16 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese
• 6 jumbo eggs

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch square baking dish.
2. Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside.
3. In the prepared baking dish, stir together the shredded potatoes and butter. Line the bottom and sides of the baking dish with the mixture. In a bowl, mix the sausage, Cheddar cheese, onion, cottage cheese, and eggs. Pour over the potato mixture.
4. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the casserole comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. From HTTP://ALLRECIPES.COM