Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be Your name

Good Saturday

Sooooo...today was a GORGEOUS day outside! I am so glad we took the time to get outside to get some fresh air and enjoy the beautiful weather.

My little sister came over this morning to spend the day with us. I did some laundry and cleaning, then all three of us went on a walk with our dog Abby. There is a park across the street, but we walked a few blocks down the street to a smaller, quieter park. It really just has a huge grassy area and a swing set. Did I mention I forgot how much fun swinging was?! It's been at least a couple of years since I swung (swang?!) on a swing.

We did that for awhile and Abby just sat there like a well behaved dog and watched us. Then she had to get some energy out. We made a huge pile of leaves and watched her as she ran around in the leaves like a maniac. She literally was going crazy and running so fast it was hilarious! She had a great time! I wish I could have gotten it on video or at least gotten a picture of her, running around like a chicken with her head cut off!!

Since it was so warm outside (AWESOME weather for November! Seriously, I wish every day was like this...) we went to Coldstone to get ice cream. Then we decided to be spontaneous and dh treated us to the movies. We went to see "A Christmas Carol." It was okay...I didn't realize it was going to have so many scary parts. It's PG, but definitely not for younger kids (and there were a lot of younger kids in the theatre!)

Anyways, it was fun and we don't get to go to the movies a lot.

That was our day in a nutshell. Tomorrow I am making the Sun. night meal for 35-40 youth. I am going to be trying out a recipe for taco soup! I hope it turns out well...stay tuned for the recipe!

Dear Little Boy

Dear three year old boy across the street,

It makes me sad that your parents let you play in the park by yourself or walk in the street by yourself when they are nowhere to be seen.

The time you lost your ball in our front yard and came running across the street to knock on our door, I helped you get your ball back. Then, as you ran away back to the park, I wanted to scoop you up and give you a big hug. I wanted to tell you that God loves you. He created you and He loves you so much. I just hope someday you will know that truth in your heart.

I pray for you sometimes when I see you playing by yourself. I pray that you will never feel lonely or scared and that God will protect you. I pray that your parents really will love and care for you.

It breaks my heart to see you like this. I feel like the only thing I can really do is pray for you.

Happy birthday to my husband!!! He turns 25 today!

Flatbread Tacos with Ranch Sour Cream

Photo courtesy of Taste of Home.

This Taste of Home recipe was from the November 2009 issue. I tried it out for dinner tonight and we really liked it! The beans added to the meat mixture makes it very filling, which is great when you have a husband that likes to eat! ;)

Flatbread Tacos with Ranch Sour Cream

1 cup (8 oz.) sour cream (I used reduced fat and couldn't tell a difference)

1 packet ranch salad dressing mix

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 to 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 envelope taco seasoning

1 tbsp. hot pepper sauce (I used Frank's Red Hot sauce--you can find it at Wal-Mart or Sam's)

1 tube large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (I just used fajita size flour tortillas. I may try it with the biscuits in the future, but the tortillas were just as good!)

Optional toppings: sliced black olives, shredded lettuce, and cheddar cheese

In small bowl, combine the sour cream, dressing mix, and lemon juice; chill until serving.

In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until done; drain. Add beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning and pepper sauce; heat through.

Meanwhile, roll out each biscuit into a 6-inch circle. In a small nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook each biscuit 30-60 seconds on each side or until golden brown; keep warm.

To serve, spread each flatbread with 2 tbsp. ranch sour cream; top with 2/3 cup meat mixture. Sprinkle with toppings if desired.

(I just set everything out buffet style and we each made our own tacos. This is such a quick meal and dh loved it; I will definitely be making it again!)

Hope Now

If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be okay and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

I am not my own
I've been carried by you all my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

You've become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

"Frugal Splurge"

Is there such a thing as a "frugal splurge"?? Well, I am calling it that!

I have been wanting a nice cutlery set for a long time. When we got married 3 1/2 years ago, I registered for a nice set but didn't get one. My mom ended up giving me an extra set of knives that she got free with a set of pans she bought. It was functional, but the knives weren't very sharp or sturdy. However, I had to use what I had for the time being.

So finally today, with my allowance that I saved, I went to Kohl's and bought a 15-piece Chicago Cutlery knife set. It was regularly $129.99, but was on sale today for $89.99. Then I had an additional 15% off coupon and $20 in free Kohl's cash so it came out to around $60! I got a new cutlery set for less than half the original price!

(Please, disregard the wall in the picture--that is where our tile backsplash is going to be put in...until then, it's just an ugly wall!)

Then, to top it off, Chicago Cutlery is offering a rebate to receive $70 worth of Omaha Steaks products if you buy one of their cutlery sets. I mailed in ours to get the variety pack, which is four 4 oz. gourmet burgers, four 3 oz. gourmet franks, and 1 lb. of boneless chicken breasts. It takes 8-10 weeks for delivery, but it's still an added bonus for buying a nice cutlery set for less than full price! I have heard that Omaha Steaks is really good, so I am excited!

Just Takin' a Nap

I found Abby on the couch like this a few weeks ago. She found herself a comfy spot (amidst whatever was piled on the couch at the time--I can't even tell in this picture!) and decided to take a nap. Now that's what I call relaxing!!!

My Baked Creations

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Chocolate-Chip-Muffins/Detail.aspx

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies:

http://www.oceanspray.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?id=1143

Hallelujah

"Hallelujah" - Bethany Dillon

Who can hold the stars
And my weary heart?
Who can see everything?

I've fallen so hard
Sometimes I feel so far
But not beyond your reach

I could climb a mountain
Swim the ocean
Or do anything
But it's when you hold me
That I start unfolding
And all I can say is

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah

The same sun that
Rises over castles
And welcomes the day

Spills over buildings
Into the streets
Where orphans play

And only you can see the good
In broken things
You took my heart of stone
And you made it home
And set this prisoner free

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah