What about you? What are you doing/feeling/thinking/praying about/enjoying/RIGHT NOW?
2 (
2 cooked boneless chicken breast halves, chopped
1 (
1 (
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place broccoli in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with the chicken.
In a small bowl, blend the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Pour the mixture over the chicken. Top with Cheddar cheese.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and lightly browned.
I usually only do half of this recipe and I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I also don't use this much cheese (just a thin layer to cover, like a 1/2 cup) and the chopped broccoli works best. And I use Low fat Hellman's mayo, never the original. Don't let the mayo and lemon fool you, they are key ingredients....
It's really a quick meal! Enjoy...
My laptop died!!!!
I'm not sure what's going on (maybe it has H1N1?). My laptop was working just fine then blue screen of death…
Restarted and guess what? STILL did not work.
*Pulls hair out*
I have everything on there . . . all of my layouts . . . all of my pictures that were taken this year. If it's dead and I lose all my stuff I will . . . I will . . . I don't know what I'll do but it won't be good.
I'm learning the hard way to back up all my stuff. *Shakes head*
Jack said it was the motherboard…he may be able to save my hard drive but will take a while. I sure hope he can!!
So frustrating!!!!
Change is good... right?
I know that God works all things out for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
So, I am not worried about the future... but change is not always easy.
Sometimes I think we get too comfortable and perhaps God has a new plan for us. He knows we won't move unless He gives us that little nudge.
We just have to wait and see where that little nudge will take us.
Later peeps!
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. 
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they, too, have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater or lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in you own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you for what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere live is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, 1927
Later Peeps!
Life is all about surrounding yourself with good people!!
God is good!! AMEN!
Just remember we are all gods’ children.
The way to happiness is: keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry, live simply, give much, fill your life with love, do as you would be done.
Brandon Heath's video Give Me Your Eyes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ
LYRICS
Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere,
Why have I never cared?
Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work
He's buying time
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?
Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I've been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all along
Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Who doesn’t like to go to craft shows? There are so many kinds taking place everywhere, coming in different sizes and themes. Some can be school based, community based, or can even be a much bigger scale like those that take place in convention centers, gymnasiums. Name it, they got it – scrapbooking, stamping, fiber arts, pottery, stained glass, quilting, mixed media, wood working, jewelry, clay art, metal work, paintings... there are so many to mention.
So why do I love craft shows? Just seeing everybody’s creations leaves me in amazement of what other people can do. It is also the best time for crafters and artisans to showcase their work. At the same time, it makes me mad at myself for not being able to think of a particular idea which seemed so simple. It is also very inspiring, and makes you want to create more when you go home. It’s also the best place to buy gifts for special occasions, especially Christmas, because what you can get in craft shows are pretty unique.
It is true that the prices can be a little up there, most hobbies are not cheap, and that is a fact. But, you know that what you buy is one of a kind. Or if not, you are almost guaranteed that only a few people will have what you buy.
We tend to buy what we like, and then we end up spending a lot – then having some regrets when we get home. And that is not a good thing.
I ran across this list of tips on how to enjoy craft shows, save money and not leave empty handed.
1. Plan ahead. Set a budget and stick to it. Make room for an exception, but it has to be really worth it.
2. If you are buying presents for others, do have a list of people you are giving to.
3. Make sure you have enough cash with you. Although some vendors accept credit cards, not all craft show locations have ATM machines available. So it is also smart to have your check book with you just in case you decide to make a big purchase.
4. Wearing a body bag is advisable so both your hands are free when you look at items. Bring a large bag, shopping cart or luggage with wheels if you can, especially if you’re going to a show that you really like. I do this in big events (like scrapbooking/stamping shows) because it can really be a pain to carry the things you have bought around.
5. When you enter the show, go and see each and every vendor first. Don’t buy anything yet until you’ve seen all of them. Sometimes, there are vendors that sell the same items, and sometimes one sells theirs cheaper. And sometimes, the other one has better quality too. I have learned this the hard way, and I ended up paying almost double for an item because I got too excited. If it is possible to do two rounds before you make a decision on which ones to buy, do it. Sometimes, things don’t look as enticing the second time around. You also have to keep in mind that “all sales are final” is a common vendor policy.
6. When you visit each vendor, be on a lookout for bargains or special deals.
7. It doesn’t hurt to haggle, but do it reasonably and nicely. Craft shows are not flea markets. The vendors/artisans spent a lot of their time (and money) to create their products, and it could be an insult to ask for too cheap of a price for a piece of lovely artwork. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I always think that if a vendor is selling their items too cheap, say for example jewelry, most probably they didn’t make those items. There is a possibility that they bought their items in bulk somewhere for a very low price too.
8. When you want to buy an item, ask yourself: “Do I need this?” If yes, then buy it. If no, ask yourself again: “Why do I want this?” If you think it is a really good reason, buy it. But still think twice before you do. If you are still not sure, go look around some more then go back to that item. That usually helps you decide if you really have to buy that particular item or not. This is also another good question: “Is there a place for this in my home?” If there isn’t, don’t buy it.
9. Make sure to inspect the quality of the item you are intending to buy, especially if the show location is far from your home. Look for cracks, scratches or dents. Is the packaging good? You might not have a chance to return or exchange an item if it’s damaged.
10. Do let the artisan/crafter know if you like their work or product. It also doesn’t hurt to ask questions. It actually makes the artisan think that his work is interesting, and that is flattering.
11. If you like to take photos of items, it would be really polite to ask first. It would also be much better if you take a photo of the artisan together with his/her creations or products.
12. Most craft shows/expos hold raffles of items donated by the vendors. Make sure to fill up that form and don’t miss the chance of winning something.
13. Participate in make and takes if you can. That gives you a chance to use tools and learn new techniques. Sometimes you have to pay a few bucks, but some vendors do it for free.
14. Watch demonstrations. That also helps you decide if it’s worth it to buy a particular product or not.
15. On the last day of the show, vendors usually give discounts. Some artisans and crafters do travel far and wide to sell their creations. It can be troublesome for them to pack their items and haul them back to wherever they came from.
16. Finally, keep in mind that what we see in craft shows are not necessities. But we have to admit that it is super fun. You just have to be really smart when you go to craft events, especially in times like this when the economy is not doing so well. It will be a challenge to go to a craft show without buying anything, but for sure it can be very entertaining and inspiring.
Took him back home Thursday...he was not a happy camper...didn't want anything to do with his mom and wanted to go back home with us.
