Cheap and Easy

I want to post another recipe that I use that is so good, cheap and easy. It's called African Sweet Potato Stew with Red Beans (from a Cooking Light cookbook). It sound kind of funky but it really is good. (It does have peanut butter in it, so for those of you with peanut allergies this probably isn't a good meal for you to eat.)

1 1/2 c chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
4 cups cubed and peeled sweet potatoes
1 1/2 cups cooked small red beans
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup chopped red (or green) bell pepper
1/2 c water
1 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 can diced tomatoes, drained (you can use fresh tomato too)
1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chiles, drained
3 tbsp creamy peanut butter

Place first 13 ingredients in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Spoon 1 cup cooking liquid in small bowl. Add peanut butter. Stir well with a wisk. Stir peanut butter into stew.
Enjoy!!!

Cornmeal and Cinnamon anyone??

We have had a little ant problem for a couple years and have tried a few things to keep them at bay. I think we finally found 2 good, healthy solutions. Cinnamon and cornmeal!!!!

I just sprinkle cinnamon on the surfaces where I see the ants come in and they don't like it one bit. It takes about 1-2 weeks for them to disappear and after that they typically don't come back for a while. If they do, just sprinkle some more.

If you get tired of cinnamon, you can try cornmeal too. Just sprinkle over the ant trail and walah! They are gone.

These have been utilized in our house and they really do work.

I'm a Panhead

Update on the Skillet concert....
IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!

Is it raining yet?

My husband is so good at surprises. Not only did he surprise me with plans to a skillet concert tonight he also surprised me with another birthday gift. Does it get any better???


After Jubal and I got home from the library, there was a box at my door. I picked it up and put it in the house. I was trying to figure out what was in there. There was a message on the phone from Stephen wishing me a Happy Birthday. How sweet! I called him back and he asked if there was a box at the door. Yes. He suggested I open it...it was for me!!! Hooray! Inside was a sweet rain jacket. I have wanted one for about a year and it is perfect. Stephen is so good at getting just the right things for me. I can't wait for it to rain!

After a nice nap time, Jubal and I made chocolate cupcakes and had fun giggling and licking the batter.

After Stephen got home we celebrated as a family at Asheville Pizza and Brewing. Mmmmm....pizza! Then we ended our evening with American Idol and a lunar eclipse. How cool. Now I get to look forward to more fun tonight at the Skillet concert. I am so excited. The fun just keeps going. I am loving this birthday!

Let's sing a song!

So, today is my birthday...woah! One more year under my belt.

It's been a good year. I have learned a lot, laughed alot, and cried a lot (what can I say, I am a girl ;).

Tomorrow Stephen is taking me to a Skillet (http://www.skillet.com/) concert. I am really excited about it. It's our first date alone in a long time. Woo Hoo! Stephen is so good to do special things for me and Jubal on a regular basis.

So, I hope everyone has a wonderful day. I plan on having one.

On the Mend

Guess who is feeling better? I think he if finally on the mend....whew!

It's nice to see that little smile again.

Praise God!

My Valentines

A really sweet thing happened tonight. My little Jubal and I snuggled on the couch and he actually fell asleep on my lap. As I was cherishing this moment, I reflected on 2 major blessings God has given me; my husband and my son.

Stephen has been such an encouragement in my life and he has challenged me in so many ways. We have been through so much together; from some hard times in our circumstances to many wonderful memories and adventures. He has been so patient with me and my many flaws and has been so loving to me. He is an awesome man who strives in all he does to be like Christ. It's a lifestyle and a commitment to him. I really respect his faithfulness to God. Stephen, if you are reading this, I love you so much.

And there is Jubal. What a privilege it is to be his mommy. When I was a little girl, I dreamed of getting married, having a family, and growing old with my husband. Sometimes it's surreal to be a mother of this little boy God gave me and Stephen. I am so thankful for this awesome responsibility. I'm also grateful for the grace God has given me to realize that I am not a perfect parent, but in my weakness God's strength is evident.

This valentine's day has been really special to me. I have had time to reflect on God's goodness to me and the family he has blessed me with.

What a sweet day.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful and meaning Valentine's Day with your loved ones.

What an itchy day!

This morning when we woke up, I noticed Jubal had a little bump on his ankle. It looked like a mosquito bite. I thought that was kind of strange since it's still winter but I just put some ResQ ointment on it and didn't think anymore about it. Then about 45 minutes later, Jubal told me that his lip hurt and he had a bubble on it. I looked down and the right side of his lip was double in size. Then I noticed his feet were swollen and had little red bumps all over them. As I investigated, I found red bumps all around his waist, on the back of his legs and on his arms. Hmmmmm..... I was kind of worried. Then it dawned on me...chicken pox! No way! Did he have them? I called his dr. (he is awesome) and he encouraged me to make an appointment to get Jubal checked out. When we got there, the nurse rushed him into a room like we had a plague. We should say Jubal might have chicken pox every time now :). After waiting about 35 minutes for the doctor to come in (his pediatrician was off today), I noticed his bumps were disappearing and had been replaced with rashes. After a quick look over, the dr. determined he has hives. Poor little guy. Kids can get hives from viruses?!?!? Pretty crazy stuff. So now my little guy is dealing with "itchy bubbles" (as he calls them) and an off and on fever as well as cough. I feel so bad for him. Needless to say, my son has the showtimes memorized on PBS and has become one with the couch. He doesn't have much energy to do anything else. Hopefully the hives is just a sign of the end of this virus.
Whew! What a day!

That time of year...

So, it has been awhile since my last post. Our little family has been dealing with some sort of congestion crud for the past 2 weeks. Stephen and I are doing better but sweet little Jubal is still dealing with it. He has had a fever off and on (mostly on) for almost 4 days now. The doctor checked him over and a viral sickness was the diagnosis. It's hard to see him so tired and sick. I really miss his energy and silliness.

We ended up getting Mucinex for kids to help with his congestion. And for all you parents out there, it really works. I'd rather give Jubal homeopathic remedies but we needed to give him something stronger. Mucinex has really helped him a lot and I am thankful for that.


So until next time.... stay well, get lots of rest, and WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!!


God bless you all.

Too Cute

Yesterday, Jubal had PJ day at preschool. Let me tell ya, the kids were sooooo adorable. There is just somethin' about children in their PJs and slippers. Maybe it's the thought of them going to bed.... hee hee....

Jubal's teacher sent me this picture of him pretending to be a sleeping otter. Precious!