Pie in the Sky

Recently, I tried making my own pie for the first time.  I had an extra pie crust left over from when I made quiche, so I decided to make cherry pie.  It was easy to make and it was SOOO yummy!!  Here is the recipe:

Cherry Pie

1 pie crust

1 can cherry pie filling

1 package cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

 

1. Pour pie filling into crust.

2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, + vanilla in a bowl until smooth.  Carefully spread around outside edges of pie, leaving a 3-inch circle of cherries exposed in the center.  Bake for 30 min. or until edges are brown.  Cool + refrigerate for several hours before serving.

 

When eating this, it felt like a little taste of heaven.  There are certain foods that automatically make me sing praises to Jesus and this was one of them! :)

Lots of Fun!

We had a busy, fantastic week-end! On Friday, we bought a deep freeze with money that we got back from our car insurance company and it was exactly enough! I had also prayed that God would provide money for me to buy new runners, since I didn't have any. On Thursday, I got paid for recording a bunch of piano songs for a voice teacher, so I had enough to buy some new Skechers! I am so blessed to see how God has been providing for us! On Friday, we also went grocery shopping as a family after supper. Usually I just go by myself, so it was kind of fun to go altogether. We ran into a lot of people we knew in the store, so it took longer than I had planned. Once we got back from grocery shopping, I unpacked the cold things and then left for a birthday party for 2 of my friends. I laughed a lot and just had a wonderful time!

On Saturday, Jared went to a friend's house in the afternoon to watch a movie, so I stayed home with the kids and spent time with Kiera in our back yard while Blake was napping. In the evening, my sister-in-law + brother-in-law came to baby-sit our kids while we went out for supper with a gift card that we got. After supper, we went to my cousin's bowling social (she's getting married in August). We played 2 rounds of Bingo bowling which was fun! We had never done that before. We got back after midnight and our baby-sitters were sleeping, which we expected.

On Sunday, we went to church. Jared got offered 4 free tickets from his work for a baseball game, so we dropped off our kids at my parents' house after church and went to the game with my other brother-in-law and sister-in-law. The weather was GORGEOUS and sunny and we actually got a bit sunburned (Jared did way more than I did). We went out for supper after and they paid for our meals, so that was very generous of them! We picked up our kids on our way home, put them to bed, and watched 2 episodes of "Undercover Boss." I LOVE week-ends like that!! Today, Jared took the day off to study, so it feels like a long week-end for us! Happy Monday! :)

A Recent Find

As many of you know, I am totally into all-natural, chemical-free products, specifically anything that goes onto the skin.  I learned not too long ago that whatever we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bloodstream.  There are many synthetic fragrances and harmful preservatives in most of the products found in the grocery store.  I found a website a month or 2 ago which I LOVE!  It’s http://iherb.com. They have thousands of all-natural cosmetic products, baby products, bath products, etc.  Every product lists the ingredients and has customer reviews.  The best part: the prices are WAY cheaper than in the health food store and it’s only $4.00 shipping to Canada or the States on orders up to $80.00!  I’ve ordered from there twice in the past 2 months.  So, if you’re at all interested in that sort of thing, feel free to check it out!

Gifts 701-715

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

I usually do my thankful posts on Mondays, but I still really wanted to do one, even though it’s Tuesday.  Here is my continuing list:

701. Spending time with the neighbor’s cat

702. That I got to go shopping with a friend on Friday evening and that after praying I would find some good deals, I got 3 t-shirts for $5 each, one t-shirt for $7, and one t-shirt for $9!

703. Easter baskets

704. Connecting with cousins at a family gathering

705. This little princess

706. That Jared made lunch on Mother’s Day (pancakes)

707. Finding treats

708. Reusable grocery bags

709.

710. The show “Undercover Boss” which Jared + I have started watching together

711. The kids all ready for church on Easter Sunday (the pictures of them in their nice outfits were taken by my Mom-in-law)

712. Not caring when Kiera gets dirty from jumping in puddles…clothes can always be washed

713. Ring pops

714. That “The Lord is like a Father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:13

715. That my niece, Sophia, is finally starting to gain weight after having problems with breastfeeding for over a month, so that’s another answer to prayer!

Another First

On Wednesday, Kiera had her very first dentist appointment.  I really wasn’t sure how it would go, but I had talked to her a few times before about it and had prayed that it would go well.  When she first sat down in the chair and the hygienist lowered it, Kiera sat up and said, “I want to go home.”  I laughed and said, “No Kiera, they’re not done yet.”  She lay back down and the hygienist gave her princess sunglasses to wear.  She let Kiera hold the little mirror, so she looked at herself a lot and enjoyed that.  The hygienist said she would count Kiera’s teeth and chase the sugar bugs away.  Kiera had NO issues with any of it and I was SO relieved!  The dentist came in and checked her teeth after and asked if I brush her teeth and I said, “Yes.”  He said, “You’re doing a good job, Mom.”  That was nice to hear, as Kiera often fights me when it comes to me brushing her teeth, so it’s paying off!  Kiera got to pick a prize and she picked a bright pink ring which she was thrilled about!  When we were in the entrance just about to leave, Kiera asked, “Where’s the dentist?  I want to say bye to him.”  So, the hygienist took her back in to say good-bye to him.  They came back and the hygienist said, “She said bye and gave him a hug!  That will have made his day!”  That made me laugh!  Kiera has such a gift when it comes to how friendly she is and she blesses people without even knowing it.  I love seeing how God uses her.  After we left, she said, “That was fun!”  What a miracle!  God answered beyond what I had asked or imagined!

Quiche is an Odd Word

I recently found this recipe in a grocery flyer and decided to try it out.  I had never made anything like it before and it turned out very well!

Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1 cup each chopped onions and broccoli

5 large eggs

1/3 cup miracle whip or mayonnaise

1/3 cup milk (I used almond milk)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 frozen pie crust (9 inch)

 

-Heat oven to 375. 

-Cook vegetables in skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat for 5 min., stirring occasionally.

-Beat eggs, dressing, and milk in medium bowl with whisk until well blended.  Stir in vegetable mixture and cheese; pour into pie crust.  Place on baking sheet.

-Bake 40-45 min. or until centre is set and top is golden brown.  Let stand 10 min. before cutting to serve.

This was very quickly eaten by the whole family and I probably could have made 2 of them for supper.  I didn’t think Kiera would eat it since there were mushrooms and broccoli in there, but she had no issues with it!  Yay!

On a completely unrelated note, Kiera + I spent the afternoon outside yesterday while Blake was napping.  It was SO nice to just soak in the beautiful sunshine.  At one point, we were sitting on rocks by our fire pit and I asked Kiera if we should pray.  I had somebody specific on my heart and Kiera agreed that we should pray.  I asked her, “Who should we pray for?”  She said the exact person I had in mind (someone we know who has cancer)!  I was blown away that God could speak the exact same thing to a 3-year-old as to an adult!  She prayed and then she continued playing.  That made my day! :)  

April Blessings

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.  And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Today, I am thankful for:

681. Baby bellies (this was mine over a month ago)

682. Our friends having us over for chicken wings + ribs + then coming over to our house to play games after our kids went to bed

683. Spiky hair

684. The gift card my in-laws gave us for a restaurant, which we went out for lunch to yesterday

685. Family cuddle time

686. The gorgeous weather we had last week

687. The kids enjoying blueberry muffins

688. Wearing sandals outside

689. Happy kids in the morning

690. That the cold I had was very mild and went away quickly

691. Silly hats

692. Feeling the baby move + kick inside of me…what a miracle!

693. When someone makes me burst out laughing

694. McDonald’s cheeseburgers, which we had for lunch on Saturday

695. Watching creativity in action

696. That “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

697. Brushing teeth

698. When the kids play nicely in the bath

699. Kiera trying out her tricycle for the first time

700. When we search we find Him: “I love all who love me.  Those who search will surely find me.” Proverbs 8:17