School and Recipes

School is back in full swing and I think I am too. The beginning of the year is always a little slow different for me because we SLP's screen for about the first month and then begin our therapy in September. This week has been very steady for us.

Last week I took a hand applique class through Cotton Treasures. I suppose I can say I enjoyed it. I'm just not sure if hand appliqueing is for me--it is very tedious work. We were taught some basics and began a dahlia flower applique. It may be a little while before I finish that one. These are the next two projects I have picked out: a sewing machine cover and another Christmas tree skirt. Not sure exactly when I'll start those, but hopefully sometime soon.

Here's a breakfast recipe for you to try. Bailey's office has a brunch around Christmas and this is a recipe I got from someone he works with. I made it this past weekend for our Sunday School breakfast.

Breakfast Casserole
2 cans crescent rolls
1 pkg cream cheese
1 can Rotel (do not drain)
1 lb sausage
--Brown sausage and drain then add cream cheese and rotel. Stir on low heat until cream cheese is melted. --Layer bottom of 9x13 pan with one can crescent rolls then pour sausage mixture into pan. Top sausage mix with remaining can of crescent rolls.
--Bake at 350 until crescent rolls are golden brown.

And here's what we had for dinner last night. (I'm not sure where I found this recipe).

3 Cheese Baked Ziti
1-15 oz ricotta cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1-16 oz pack ziti pasta, cooked and drained
1 jar (28 oz) pasta sauce
1 c. shredded mozzarella
--Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, and parmesan cheese; set aside.
--In another bowl, combine hot pasta and sauce.
--In 13x9 baking dish, spoon in 1/2 of pasta mix; evenly top with cheese mix, then remaining pasta. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
--Bake 30 minutes or until heated through. Serve, if desired, with additional heated sauce. (I like things saucy and I think it had plenty of sauce--even today when I had leftovers.)

Another Summer's End

Well, my summer has officially been over for several days now. And I think I'm mostly okay with that. I began the summer with a list of things to do and I have accomplished most of those things. One of the biggest being Bailey's t-shirt quilt. I started it the first week or two of my summer and then didn't finish it until the last week. (I say "finish"--I have finished my portion for now--the top and back. It is now at Chantay's waiting to be quilted on the long-arm). Here's a picture of the top:

I love the way it turned out and I can't wait for it to be completely finished!

We were able to spend a good bit of our last week or two with Bailey's family playing Tripoly. It was a game his parents played years ago and we have really enjoyed playing it. Bailey's brother, Bedford, left this past weekend to go back to school and his sister, Anna-Blair, will be leaving Sunday. 

I didn't cook a whole lot during the month of July but here are a few recipes I've made in the last week or two. The recipes for Mexican Chicken and Tangy Chicken came from Petit Jean Cuisine--a cookbook composed by the Petit Jean Family Community Education Club. Bailey's grandparents used to live on  Petit Jean mountain and his grandmother was a member of this club. In fact, she drew the illustrations used in the cookbook. I found the Scalloped Potatoes recipe here.

Mexican Chicken  (I have tried several different recipes similar to this and this has been my favorite. However, next time I think I'll add in some spaghetti and make it chicken spaghetti.)

1 fryer (I used several chicken breasts)                    

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 lb. grated Velveeta (I diced it pretty small)         

1 large onion, chopped (I left this out)

garlic salt                

1 can cream of mushroom         

1 can Rotel

1 small pkg. Doritos, crushed (save some for top of casserole)

Boil chicken and cut into bite size pieces. Saute chopped onion in a bit of margarine. Add onion, cheese and chips to chicken. Mix soups and rotel. Pour over chicken mixture. Put in greased casserole. Bake at 350 for 15-30 minutes. Sprinkle chips on top for last 5 minutes of baking. (I only put them on about as much as I thought we'd eat so they wouldn't be mushy in the leftovers).

Tangy Chicken

2 to 2 1/2 lb. broiler, cut up (I used several chicken breasts)  

1/2 cup Heinz 57 sauce

1/2 cup water

Brown chicken in oil and drain excess fat. Combine sauce and water. Pour over chicken, cover and simmer 40 minutes or until chicken is tender, basting occasionally. Remove cover. Simmer an additional 10-15 minutes. Skim excess fat from sauce and serve sauce over chicken.

Scalloped Potatoes

4 cups thinly sliced potatoes                    

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons flour                                   
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt                                         
1 dash cayenne pepper
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese        
1/2 cup grated cheese, to sprinkle on top
paprika
In a small sauce pan, melt butter and blend in flour. Let sit for a minute. Add all of cold milk, stirring with a whisk. Season with salt and cayenne. Cook sauce on low until smooth and boiling, stirring occasionally with a whisk. Reduce heat and stir in cheese.

Place a half of the sliced potatoes in a lightly greased one quart casserole dish. Pour half of cheese sauce over potatoes. Repeat with second layer of potatoes and cheese sauce. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Top with some paprika for color. Bake uncovered for about 1 hour at 350.

I'm really looking forward to a new school year and all it holds. Also, next week I'll be taking a 2-night Hand Applique class, which I'm pretty excited about. Football is also around the corner, which will bring tailgating with friends and also a few mini-roadtrips to away games.

World Changers

A few weeks ago, Bailey and I had the opportunity to go with the youth from our church to World Changers in East Chicago, IN. When we were youth, this was a weeklong trip we looked forward to each summer. World Changers is an organization/program through the North American Mission Board that is geared toward students. It is a missions experience that allows students to help meet other's physical needs by completing various construction-type projects and to meet their spiritual needs as they share the love of Christ through their service. Here's a recap of our week.....  (Warning: this is a long post, without pictures, but we had an amazing week where the Lord proved, once again, that He is with us each and every step of the way).

We (25 youth and 11 adults) drove ALL day Saturday (about 12 hours) to Gurnee, IL which is about 45 minutes north of Chicago and the home of Six Flags Great America. We spent most of Sunday (about 9 hours) at Six Flags. This Six Flags is fantastic! We rode nine different rollercoasters. A few of them several times. I must say that I loved Superman (which you ride like you are actually flying--face down/head first) and Viper (a good-ole wooden rollercoaster). We ended the day with Giordano's pizza (in my opinion, this was better than Gino's).

We got up Monday morning, and as most of us are getting ready, a big thunderstorm comes through and knocks out the power at our hotel. Luckily, the weather passed on through and we were able to pack up so we could go to Navy Pier before we had to check in at World Changers.

A typical week at World Changers: Monday: check-in, opening celebration, dinner, meet your crew, worship, youth group devotion, free time. Tuesday through Friday: breakfast, go to work site, lunch at work site, back to school to shower/clean-up, dinner, worship, youth group devo, free time. Saturday: head home.

Bailey and his crew (which included Mrs. Susan from our group) worked on a local church. They scraped and painted it. Bailey had the experience of working on the steeple of the church. This church and another local church will soon be merging.

    My crew (which included our youth minister, Alex) worked at a trailer park. Originally there were to be approximately 30 trailers that needed to be painted (to be completed by several crews). However, at the last minute, one of the financial supporters backed out. This left us with little paint. We started on our trailer the first day (after waiting about an hour for supplies) and completed a portion of it, knowing we probably wouldn't be back the next day.
    On Wednesday our crew went to a smaller town and worked with one of the town employees spreading mulch and then we picked weeds at a playground. The previous evening at worship, we had a special prayer time that the supplies (paint) would be provided. And that it was. Our crew chief received a call about the middle of the day, Wednesday, asking how much paint we needed, as there was a lady that heard about World Changers and offered to buy a certain amount of paint.
    Thursday--my crew goes back to our trailer and we finish painting it. At this point we're not sure what Friday is going to hold, if anything, but we just wait until the next morning to find out.
    Friday--our crew returns to the trailer park to help another crew finish painting their trailer (which had not been worked on since the first day as they were out of paint). We worked with that crew for the morning and then after lunch completed a few smaller projects helping different residents in the trailer park. I had a really great crew that was willing to do whatever they were asked. The students worked very hard and helped one another to complete whatever job they were working on.

This was my 6th World Changers trip. I must say it was frustrating to me at what appeared to be a lack of organization/lack of work for us to do. Typically you have a project that you know is going to take you all week to complete and not a project that could be completed in a day (granted you have the supplies). However, the Lord provided us something to do each day, even though it may not have been our choice of work. He placed us where He needed us to be so that we could encounter different people and share His love with them. 

The lack of work, or rather, the extra time, really allowed for a lot of evangelism for most of the crews. It was so amazing to come back together as a youth group at the end of the day and hear several of our students tell a story about how they were able to personally share the love of Christ that day with someone else. I loved going on these trips as a student, but it is a completely different experience going as an "adult." It is such a beautiful, and encouraging, thing to see the love of Christ burning within our students.

Please keep the people of East Chicago in your prayers--for those we encountered throughout the week and do not know Christ and also for those that do and need a church home with fellow believers.

Scottie's Wedding Festivities

One of my very close friends got married a few weekends ago. I met Scottie while at Delta State. She was also a Phi Mu and a Speech-Path major. We lived together our last semester on the Phi Mu hall and then I lived with her and Stacy in Conway while we were in graduate school. Scottie and Daniel are one of a few couples that I know of that dated longer than Bailey and I did before tying the knot.

About a month before the wedding, all the girls got together for a Bachelorette weekend. On Friday night, we went to dinner and saw Bridesmaids. Then we went back to Stacy's to make ice cream sundaes, have the lingerie shower, and have a slumber party.

All the girls after the movie

With the beautiful-at-the-time-bachelorette

On Saturday we did some shopping and then got ready for a night out. We talked about doing some sort of theme for the night but just decided on black dresses. We went to eat at Spaghetti Warehouse (which was absolutely delicious) and then headed to Beale Street. As we got downtown we noticed several food trucks. Several of them approached us to try to come try (buy) some of their food. Turns out that it was Food Network filming The Great Food Truck Race Season 2. However, none of us signed releases so you won't be seeing us on the show.

All the girls at Spaghetti Warehouse

Several of us at Silky's with some random guy-from-a-wedding in the background 

Scottie being sung to/about. I think it was some rendition of "Going to the Chapel."

The day before the wedding, a bridesmaids luncheon was held. Please excuse the blurriness of the pic--not sure what was up with the camera, and no one else has this one posted on facebook.

That night, of course, was rehearsal for the wedding and dinner. We ate at Colettta's. It was soooo good. I ate the Shrimp Diane and Bailey, the Lasagna.

 All the girls

 The Fab Four. My BFF's from Conway. The only way we survived grad school was with each other. We used to have weekends full of eating, shopping, and lots of talking! I miss those days with the girls but I certainly don't miss school.

Then Saturday was THE DAY!!!

 The gorgeous bride being laced up

All the Phi Mu's at the wedding.

It was a wonderful weekend. It was great seeing and catching up with so many friends that I don't see nearly as often as I'd like, especially Lori. We hadn't seen her in about 2 years and we still haven't met her little man, Walker B. Congrats Scottie and Daniel! We love you and are so, so happy for you!

1,243 Miles Later--Finale

On Sunday, we got up and started the trek home. We wanted to go to the zoo, but the weather wasn't looking too good. We took a different route home so we could stop in Springfield, MO to see Lincoln's home.

After our stop in Springfield, we drove to just outside of St. Louis to stop for the night. We decided to go by the Arch the next morning.

We saw a good bit of flooding while traveling through MO. Here is just one example, a road flooded in front of the arch.  

Waiting to go inside. 

 One view from the top of the arch.

Another view--Busch Stadium 

After lots of fun, a few days and 1,243 miles later, we arrived back home in Tobie town. We had a really great time. Bailey and I are looking forward to being back in Chicago in a few weeks for World Changers with the youth from our church.

1,243 Miles Later--Part Two

Saturday morning we walked back down to Wrigley Field. This time to watch a game.

We got there early enough to see batting practice, walk around and get pictures, and of course, get some yummy, not-at-all-healthy food! This is what Bailey and I decided to go for first--jumbo nachos. We ate every.single.bite.

Enjoying suffering through sitting at the game. It was much cooler than we expected it to be. And it also misted/rained through most of the game. Luckily our seats were covered and we didn't get wet (yet). After the game we went back to the hotel for naps and then went to Gino's East for dinner. This was one of those "must-do" things while in Chicago--you have to go eat Chicago style pizza.

Our SMALL meaty legend pizza. I only ate one piece, along with some salad, and I think Bailey only ate two pieces. It was quite filling.

We debated on what to do next as it was still raining/misting. We decided to brave the rain and go to Navy Pier. We managed to take the "L" and a bus to get us there.

Waiting at the bus stop.

Chicago skyline and Navy Pier

Just in case you needed to know how far these places were from this spot at Navy Pier.

We got a little wet but it ended up being a pretty nice evening. We did a little shopping and, luckily, they started the Ferris wheel up right before we were going to leave.

A not-so-great picture from the top of the Ferris wheel.

One more post to follow about the remainder of our trip. Stay tuned.....

1,243 Miles Later--Part One

A few weeks ago Bailey and I took a road trip to Chicago with his parents. Here's a recap of some things we did.....

We started our drive on Thursday afternoon. Our first stop of the trip: Lambert's--where we ate a huge delicious meal.

Mrs. Connie and Mr. Jeff

After Lambert's, we drove a few more hours before stopping for the night. It took us a few stops before we actually found a hotel that had room. It just so happened that the Illinois state track meet was going on and most of the hotels were booked solid.

Friday morning we continued the drive to Chicago. We headed straight to Superdawg's because if you're in Chicago, you have to try a Chicago dog. Superdawg's is a drive-in similar to Sonic so we got to enjoy our meal outside.

The "superdawg." The superdawg comes on a poppy seed bun with mustard, piccalilli (tomato), dill pickle, onions, and hot peppers, and served with fries, of course. Mrs. Connie, Bailey, and I were all very brave and ate them fully dressed (well, I didn't eat the tomato, but I did eat everything else). And to be honest, it really wasn't too bad. I might could eat it again.

After Superdawg's, we headed to our hotel to check-in.

We stayed at the Inn at Lincoln Park. It was an older hotel but was pretty nice and had lots of character. We really liked the location and the fact that we could walk to Wrigley Field, which we did that afternoon. They had a continental breakfast with fresh pastries and bagels each morning which were fabulous!

We went down to Wrigleyville to see the stadium, do a little shopping, and take a few pictures.

Then we hopped on the "L" (Chicago's subway) at Addison (right behind the stadium, as you can see in the picture below) and headed downtown for the Magnificent Mile.

We walked around the Magnificent Mile for a while and then stopped in at Garrett's Gourmet Popcorn where Bailey and I got CaramelCrisp with pecans and his parents had the Chicago mix--CaramelCrisp mixed with CheeseCorn.

On one end of the Magnificent Mile was the Realtor building, which is the national headquarters. So we had to take a picture of it for Bailey. Then we went to dinner at the world famous Billy Goat Tavern. We went to the original one that is downtown, under the Magnificent Mile.   

The Billy Goat Tavern was made famous by an SNL skit that John Belushi was in years ago. You can see part of it here.

 

As we were on our way back to our hotel, we came across hundreds, maybe thousands, of bike riders. We asked a local what was going on and he said, "It's Happy Friday." On the last Friday of the month, people show up for a bike ride through the city to show that bike riders own just as much of the road as cars. We waited for the bikers to pass for 10-15 minutes, so that we could cross the street, and they had been going before we had even gotten there.

To be continued.....