Goodbye 2013

Well it's goodbye to 2013 today ...tomorrow we begin a new year - wow already....

2013 was rough at times....I lost a friend who I was just getting to become closer to...She encouraged me almost daily and through her encouraging words I will continue to have a special place in my heart for her little girls. I also was faced this year with finding out some interesting facts behind my family circle...finding that some people are just not so nice and will go to any length to lie to your face and make you feel worthless and unwanted...I am glad I found out now, I have decided that they just didn't give me a chance and its their loss not mine.

2014 I will try to relax....Hmmmm sounds easy but not easily achieved for me anyways.....I need to breathe longer....take time for me, realize not everything needs to be done right then and there. I will also try to eat healthier, produce more at my company and hopefully pay off a little debt....Over all I just want to be a happy Mom & wife to my family & remember Jesus in my heart.  I want to be kinder and more caring, helpful and a better friend....

Happy New Year to all of my blog readers!!

Remembering our troops this season

Please remember the ones that can not be with their families this Holiday Season

  T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,...
AND TO SEE JUST WHO,
IN THIS HOME, DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT,
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED,
A TRUE AMERICAN SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO,
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES,
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS,
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS.."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE,
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR,
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

 

  This poem was written by a Peacekeeping soldier stationed overseas. The
following is his request. I think it is reasonable

PLEASE.  
Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as
you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of the
service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's
try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and
think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
Please, do your small part to plant this small seed

 

 

PLEASE SHARE

Looking for a lazy recipe PACKED wth goodness?

LAZY LASAGNA – SPINACH & CHICKEN ROLL UPS

 

 

Nothing lazy about this yummy goodness!!

 

 

       

 

Ingredients

12 uncooked lasagna noodles (long curly edged ones from the store)

2 Eggs, lightly beaten

2-1/2 cups ricotta cheese

2-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (I use a little more)

1/2 cup FRESHLY grated Pecorino Romano cheese (You could use Parmesan too)

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (I use fresh & cook then drain)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 jar (26 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce (I make my own)

1 rotisserie chicken shredded (no fat or skin)

½ cup of fresh chopped parsley

 Directions

 Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the eggs, cheeses, spinach, salt, and pepper, ½ of the parsley and nutmeg & chicken. Spread 1/3 cup cheese mixture over each noodle; carefully roll up.

Pour 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Place roll-ups seam side down over sauce. Top with remaining sauce & I like MORE cheese.  Bake on 375 degrees covered with tin foil for 30 minutes THEN remove foil & bake another 10-15  minutes or until top browns a little and cheese melts…..I like to make extra gravy (SAUCE) to serve on the side…garnish with parsley and ENJOY!!!!!..great with fresh bread! 

What's for dinner? See what we are making.....

More yummy crockpot recipes for those rush days.....your family will think you spent all day prepping this delish dish.......Great paired with rice pilaf & green beans....

Lemon Garlic Chicken Crock Pot

 

Ingredients:

- 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used thighs this time)
- 10 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
- 2 yellow onions, chopped
- 2 cups fat free, low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon pepper seasoning
- 4 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tsp lemon zest

Directions:

Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Mix together the lemon pepper seasoning, paprika and salt. Coat the chicken with the spice mixture. Place the coated chicken in the crock pot and cover with the fat free chicken broth, garlic cloves, parsley and onions and lemon zest. Cook on low heat for about 3-4 hours (or until done).

 

 

What is your favorite crockpot dish?  Click comment below :)