October Breast Cancer Awareness

Friends.

1 in 8 will get breast cancer. I believe we already had ours...many of ours actually.

Beth, Gretchen, Dana, Sandie. That's four - we are done.

Shana is a consultant for Longaberger. She participated in a Horizon of Hope (breast cancer) awareness fund raiser.




Gerber Daises were Beth's favorite flower. Pink. Mine too.



They raised $1,300 for a cure. This will become an annual event. I liked being with friends on this one.

Remember to do your exams, and get a mammogram!

Artichoke & Crab Dip

This dip is one of my favorites. Sometimes it is just artichoke dip, sometimes it is artichoke and crab dip. Same basic recipe.


So...
1 can plain artichokes (in water) rough chop
1 can crab meat -drain
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup Parmesan cheese (reserve 1/2 cup)
Squirt of lemon juice
dash of pepper

Drain and chop the artichokes. Squirt the lemon juice on the artichokes. Add mayo, cheese, pepper and blend. Add drained crab and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese gently. Pour into a grease casserole dish. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.


I served this with Stacey's Bagel Chips, which were perfect. Yummy.

Foodie Photos

My last post - Baked Ziti - I posted a picture of the food on a plate. I normally take about 10 different photos of food (on the plate, on the counter, in the pot), but they have never turned out like this one.



As I have mentioned before, I love reading Ree Drummond's "The Pioneer Woman" blog. She has an awesome Nikon, and takes some of the best shots. I don't. But, she also gives some basic blogging advice on pictures. Use natural light (I did - kitchen window), get close the food, use a tripod or elbows to stabilize the camera.

This is one that I tried...



As you can see, the angle is wrong, light is darker, and it just doesn't look as good. I actually think I moved.

But this one...



...it just worked, and I had to brag about it. Now if I can only do that again! ha.

Happy cooking.

Baked Ziti Rigati

This is one of our go to dishes.

Pasta - really any kind - I prefer ziti or spaghetti - boil per directions but not all the way. It will cook more in the oven.

Meat sauce - brown and drain 1 pound hamburger and sausage. Add your sauce of choice - we prefer Ragu thick and chunky, but any will do.

Cheese - mozzarella, Parmesan.

So, cook pasta, drain. Add to meat sauce. Mix in 2 cups of mozzerella. Top with some of the sauce, and more cheese.

Bake at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes or until cheese browns a little and is bubbly.



We had fresh snap green beans. Served with gentle sprinkling of Parmesan.

Yummy.

Enjoy.

Psalm 37

Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong:
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good:
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture,
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:1-4 NIV

Really? Do not fret? Do you worry? I worry. I tell myself I don't worry. I believe that God is in control, and that so long as I continue my walk with Him, everything will be fine. But I bring it back in and try to control it.

Desires in my heart. Really? My desires are to be healthy and debt free. Really? I need to refrain from anger and turn from wrath (Psalm 37:8).

Wait for the Lord and keep His way (Psalm 37:34). Wait.

Don't fret.
Trust and do good.
Wait.

Sounds like a good plan to me.

But really? That's it? There should be more in getting the desires of my heart. But where is my heart? Is it where He thinks it should be?
Where is your heart?

Are you fretting?
Are you trusting and doing good?

Waiting, trusting. Amen.