Thankful Thursday

It has been awhile since I did a Thankful Thursday post but, I'm back at it because it is good to share our praises and things we are so thankful for. Be sure to visit spiritually unequal marriage for more Thankful Thursdays. This week has been quite the week so far. I have been sick since last Thursday. Although I am much better now. The weather has been cold and rainy every day and it seems it has been one obstacle after another for DH and I. We have and will get through these obstacles as we always do. One of these obstacles was running out of propane gas yesterday. We both knew we were getting low but, with this crazy cold damp weather we still have had to run our furnace at times. DH was at work and this particular morning I hadn't heard the furnace run for quite some time. It was beginning to get a might chilly in the house. I smelled gas and realized the pilot lights had gone out on the stove. I called DH. It is what I feared...We had run out of gas. DH told me to shut off the gas outside on the tank. I did..so I thought...seeing how I never seen or looked under that little hood on the tank before. I called the gas company and they would have to make an emergency run which in turn would cost me another $150 more to have them come out that day or I could wait until next week. Sigh....My day was already getting worse by the minute. First rule of thumb..NEVER RUN OUT OF GAS on cold rainy days before a holiday! If this wasn't bad enough..a few hours later my Dad came over. As soon as I opened the door, he about fell over. The smell of gas was overwhelming. Having being congested some still from being sick I did not know it was that bad. Perhaps I was just used to the smell but, for whatever reason Dad said it was a wonder my dog and I wasn't on the floor unconscious. We opened windows, turned on the fan and we soon had the smell gone for the most part. Dad said I had went the wrong way and had turned the gas instead wide open. Rule number two..Please always know how and where to shut off your gas! It could mean life or death. I am thankful my father showed up at our house when he did. . I am thankful God watched over my little dog and I and that we were able to get some gas right away to keep our home warm and so we are able to cook our Easter dinner on Sunday. Speaking of Easter.. I thank God for the amazing gift that comes to us on Easter, and it is much better than that chocolate rabbit you plan to nibble the ears off of. Jesus death on the cross, his resurrection, and his ascension into heaven. God gave Jesus to die for our sins and he raised him to life so that we would be acceptable to God. HE loves us that much! Happy Easter everyone!

First fishing trip of the Spring season

Here in the Midwest, the weather is finally warming up. The sun is shining....Yes, Spring is in the air. The daffodils are in bloom..Gosh, I have been aching to go fishing since the ice left the lake. There is nothing like the taste of fresh pan fried bluegill! My dad, sister and I decided today was the day. We would go to the pond. I like going there because I always catch a mess of bluegill, good sized ones too! Being on a private pond you don't need a fishing licence as, I don't have mine yet. In the beginning we weren't sure we would be able to go as my dad wouldn't be able to drive back to it with his truck, being so wet and all. We decided later that he would drive out to the pond with his lawn tractor with his wagon behind it to carry the bucket, bait and fishing poles. My sister and I would walk. It is a way to walk but, we didn't mind it as walking after all, would be good exercise. Even though at 60 degrees, the sun shone brightly,however, the north wind cut right through us. This made for a difficult time to cast our line out. Our lines at times got tangled a few times from some tall weeds amongst the shore line. The fish were hungry! It is no wonder as they do not have mosquitoes and such to eat yet. We used red worms and wax worms but the fish prefered the red worms today. It seemed my sister and I were reeling all the fish in until my dad got out his small cane pole and used it and then he was reeling them in right and left. No one got skunked .I am sure if I hadn't had to go to the bathroom so bad we would have stayed longer. Our pail was packed with fish! It was time to head back to the house. 51 fish=102 pieces divided by 3 = 30.6 pieces each to be exact. We all had enough for a meal and one batch for each of us to freeze for another meal, another day. Now, we had to clean all those fish. Most city folk would have to wonder at the sight of my dad, sister and I outside at the table cleaning fish with chickens walking all around us. My dad throws a piece of chicken gut now and then as the chickens scramble for that one piece. We laugh and talk. I had an amazing time and I really look forward to my next fishing trip on the pond. But, next time it will be 60 degrees and no wind!

Book Review- The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews is quite the storyteller! The final summit is a story about a quest to find the one principle that will save humanity. David Ponder at 74 years of age sits and reflects back over his life. David has been feeling pretty lonely and somewhat depressed. He is summoned by Gabriel, the archangel. David Ponder sits at the table with people from history. Some of your greatest thinkers.There is only one chance to save humanity. Each chapter introduces another principal for leading a successful life. This is man kinds last chance. Centuries of greed, pride and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward disaster, and far from its original purpose. To me this book wasn't exactly nonfiction nor was it fiction. This was a very different kind of book I have ever read. It has so much truth and inspiration. I tried to get into this book but, since I didn't read Andy Andrews earlier book The travelers gift I found myself a little lost at times in the story. This is the first of any Andy Andrews books I have read. This book is very well written. The historical information presented was very interesting. I might or might not read more of his books but, if I did I would definitely read this book again as I feel I would get a better understanding out of it. As a member of the Book Sneeeze blogger review program, I was recently sent a free copy of the final summit by Andy Andrews in exchange for my honest review.

Menu Plan Monday 4/11

We had a beautiful day yesterday, sunshine, warm and breezy. It sure does make it hard to stay in with weather like that! DH and I got alot done over the weekend. I spread some new mulch in my flower bed around my tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. DH got the patio cleaned up and cleaned the patio table and chairs. We spread mineral salt over our asparagus bed. Did you know this helps keep the grass down? and is actually beneficial for the asparagus? I had boxes and tubs filled with junk for the flea market this year , Memorial Day weekend. This was all taken out of the house and brought out to the trailer, ready to be hauled to the storage unit and flea market. I took down some of our storm windows and I am so glad I did as it got pretty warm yesterday and opening some of the windows was a must. As you can see, it was pretty busy around our household. I loved it! I hope your weekend was good as well. With the days a little brighter my meals get a little lighter for spring. Here is my menu for this week. Go ahead and visit organizing junkie for more menus.

MONDAY

goulash

Dr. Oz beet salad*

TUESDAY

taco salad

blueberry smoothies

WEDNESDAY

sauteed pierogies

kielbasa

steamed broccoli

strawberry pretzel salad

THURSDAY

out

FRIDAY

chicken and veggie stir fry w/ brown rice

SATURDAY

chicken marsala

roasted brussel sprouts

Quinoa pilaf

SUNDAY

defend for ourselves

Dr. Oz beet salad*

ingredients

beets

olive oil

balsamic vinegar

garlic

salt

pepper

gorgonzola cheese

Directions

Boil the beets until they become tender. Pull off the skin under cold running water. Chop them and toss lightly with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper. Crumble gorgonzola cheese on top for extra flavor

Do your homework

Phew! I have finally been able to get my Internet up to do my posting. Yes, I know, I am constantly apologising to you guys why I haven't made any postings or why I am late posting.I hate it I really do. I don't want to have to apologise all the time. I am trying hard to post at least 3 times a week if I can't post everyday. It is my fault that I did not do my homework. You see it is like this....After an hour of trying to just get my e-mail up last night. I finally just gave up in tears. What I thought was going to be a good thing turned out to be worse. I was so upset about our wild blue Internet it was amazing I could even calm down enough to sleep. I feel cheated and robbed. When I first got wild blue ( broadband) it was last month on the second. For 2 weeks I had no problem. It was nice to have Internet that even though wasn't "fast" per say, it was at least faster than ole' dial up. After about 2 days according to wild blue I had used over half of my allotted bandwidth already. You see...this has me wondering, as the most I did on my computer for the first few days was read, delete e-mails, did a few surveys. I was playing catch-up. Caution! Do not exceed your bandwidth! If you do, you will have slower than dial up speed for as many days as it takes to fall below 70% of your allotted cap. How much pipe would be recovered by simply staying off line for 24 hours? the answer? not much! They just turn down your speed until you're out of FAP violation, but what they don't say is that slowed down speed is so slow that when combined with the interest lag of satellite access, and the heavy traffic on their system, it makes your satellite access completely useless while in a FAP violation period! The bottom line is you are very limited as to what you can do. The basic plan was sold to me as being able to surf the net, read e-mails Do my surveys, blog, play farmville ( which I have discontinued...and another story) It was disclosed there are thresh holds, but it is not explained well how fast those thresholds can be met and that there is a penalty when you can surpass them. Wild blue requires a 2 year contract and will impose a $15/month early termination fee if you break it. The way I have been feeling lately, that $15/month doesn't look bad! Sometimes your only option is poor and nothing if you happen to be in a rural area that is not serviced by DSL or cable, your options are pretty limited. With wild Blue you have the option of 3 packages the value or basic/512 kbps (this is what I have) at $49.95/month, The select /1kbps at $69.95/mo or the pro/ 1.5 kbps at $79.95/mo all are very expensive! Trust me, Just be sure to do your research before choosing their services or any service. It may not really be for you. Wild blue is truly "out in space" If you are into self torture you may want to try them out! I have learned a valuable lesson.

Menu Plan Monday 4/4/2011

It's April already...gosh time certainly does fly by fast doesn't it? I am back atcha with another menu plan and this week I plan on making a new dish. Beef sirloin steak with baby spinach, I can't remember what magazine I got this from but, this sounds easy and different. I love trying new recipes. How about you? So what's for dinner this week at my house? Check this out! For other menu inspiration see organizing junkie's blog for menu plan Monday!

MONDAY
Bean and cheese burritos w/spanish rice ( I make alot of these and what we don't eat, individually wrap and put in freezer for another time or to grab quick, microwave and eat)
TUESDAY
Potato soup
tuna salad sandwiches
jello salad
WEDNESDAY
beef sirloin steak w/baby spinach*
mashed potatoes
THURSDAY
out!
FRIDAY
salsa chicken
corn souffle
small tossed green salad
SATURDAY
spaghetti
garlic toast
tossed salad
SUNDAY
Defend for ourselves!

Beef sirloin steak w/baby spinach*
Prep 20 min cook 20 min Makes 4 servings

2 Tbls. olive oil
1 boneless beef sirloin steak, 3/4" thick
(about 1 lb) cut into 4 pieces
1 lg. onion, sliced
1 small red pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (10 3/4 0z)Campbells condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup water
2 Tbls. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbls.chopped fresh rosemary leaves or 1 tsp. dried rosemary leaves crushed
1 bag (about 7 oz.) fresh baby spinach
Heat 1 Tbls. oil in a 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until well browned on both sides. Remove beef from skillet. Pour off fat.
Heat remaining oil in skillet. Add onion and pepper and cook 1 min., stirring occasionally, add garlic and cook until vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring often.
Stir soup, water, vinegar, and rosemary in skillet and heat to a boil. Return beef to skillet.Reduce heat to medium. Stir in spinach. Cover and cook for 2 minutes or until desired doneness. Serve beef and vegetable mixture with potatoes.
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