She's a natural...

This past weekend, Allen and I went to Houston to see my mom. Friday night, mom took us to Pappa's Seafood...and oh yes I had stuffed lobster! Yum! Saturday we went to Wharton to my aunt & uncle's and spent the day with them. The weather was wonderful! We sat outside, visited, ate seafood gumbo, drank wine and had delicious cake! Originally, Sunday we had planned to have a mini photo-shoot with my niece, Madyson - she is an officially Honey B. Boutique model. Well...apparently my mind was NOT in the right place because I forgot the outfits here in San Antonio. Yes, I know! I was SO upset (upset doesn't even begin to describe how I really felt)...we were about an hour on the road when I realized we didn't have the hanging clothes with us. But I did have one skirt with me and Madyson had her boutique bottoms on Sunday when she came over to her Nonnie. I did get a few shots of her, she loved modeling! Can't wait to get back down there to get more pictures of her for the website. She is a natural, just look at her in these photos. Makes me smile!! We had a wonderful weekend at home with mom but we sure did miss dad. Being 4 hours away kind of stinks but such as life...just makes going home all that much sweeter! :)

Twist on Mac n Cheese

So at our house, macaroni and cheese is a family favorite. I do believe AB would have my homemade creamy, cheesy Velveeta macaroni and cheese every day - if I'd allow it. I normally only make homemade shells and cheese on special occasions or when I just feel like making something extra special for AB. Mixing things up is always fun so I came up with a new twist to mac n cheese and oh my, it was delicious! Very different from your ordinary mac n cheese but with lots of flavor and yummy goodness. This is somewhat of an expensive dish since I did use specialty items to make it like Giardiniera Relish...but that is okay because it doesn't hurt to splurge every now and then. I got the relish at HEB and I am not sure other stores carry it. It is made from Canyon Foods out of Dallas and you can order it HERE for $6, if your local grocery store does not carry it. I know you are wondering what in the world is Giardiniera Relish?! Don't worry I wondered the same thing - this actually the 2nd recipe I have used this relish. Giardiniera Relish is...

Spicy and delicious is the only way to describe our version of the Italian-American Giardiniera which translates to pickled garden vegetables. This relish is the perfect addition to an antipasto tray, hot dogs, sandwich spread, added to salads, pasta and pizza or topped on crackers.

This dish is also no where near fat-free, low cal, or any of the above! I've never met a mac n cheese that was for that matter. With the holidays coming up, this would be a great dish to bake and take! I used penne pasta for my mac n cheese because that is what I had...you may use whatever pasta you wish.

Smokey Baked Mac n Cheese with Giardiniera Relish

1/2 pound choice of macaroni/pasta of your choice
1 jar of Giardiniera Relish, drained
4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 cup of heavy cream
1/4 cup shredded Parmigiano Reggiano
1 round cut smoked Gouda, cut into cubes

Cook bacon & crumble, set aside. Bring water to boil for pasta. Preheat oven 400*.

In small sauce pan on low heat or in microwave bowl, combine heavy cream and cheeses until cheese sauce is made. If using microwave, heat mixture no more than 2 minutes at a time - stirring between to prevent burning. Once pasta is done and has been drained, put pasta in oven-proof dish (Pyrex, Corning-ware). Add drained relish and bacon to cheese sauce. Mix in cheese sauce, coating all pasta. Sprinkle top with more Parmigiano Reggiano, if desired. Bake 15 minutes or until it is bubbly and golden on top.

This is the smoked Gouda I used...I found both cheeses in the specialty cheese area of HEB. Where they have the olive bar, cheese balls, etc. If you can't find it, ask someone and they will be happy to point you in the right direction.

Delicious mac n cheese with Baked Chicken with Dijon and Lime - recipe can be found HERE! The baked chicken was also very good, moist and light.

Friday Funny

Thankful Thursday

"...and the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory..."



Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV

Today I am thankful for:
a new day
the wonderful, cool fall weather
an amazing, hard-working husband
the support of great friends
a servants heart
for the gift of being able to sew
the Cross

What are you thankful for on this Thankful Thursday?

If You Want Me To

The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to

Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone

ya oh oh no

So When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley If You want me to

This song is by Ginny Owens. She is a piano player and music teacher. She has been blind since the age of 2 and yet she still is able to lift her voice up to our wonderful Maker. I love this part of the song "And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet...and But You never said it would be easy, You only said I'd never go alone..."

May God continue to work in you and for you.

Grateful

Lately, I have had lots of questions (where do you want us Lord, what is to come, how do you want to use as for your Kingdom, why are we here, when we will see what is on the mountain-top)...

While I know God has a special plan in-store for us, some days it is just hard to understand, be patient, and just be still. I found this article on (In)Courage and it struck a cord inside me. Just when I feel like I can not carry on anymore - He picks me up and tells me I can and I am forever grateful.

This scripture has been on my mind lately and how funny for her to use this exact scripture.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

I am so thankful for Andrea in writing this post, even though announcing our weakness is no easy task. Thank you Andrea and (In)Courage.

"...We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us." Colossians 1:11, MSG

Blessed Be Your Name

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
John 16:33 Amplified Bible