Beware of Trojans Bearing Gifts

See that side bar? The part where it says buy a new refigerator? See that crossed out?

Well, we didn't exactly buy a new refigerator.

Our friend called and asked if we wanted one. It was fairly new. He just pulled it out of a rental unit managed by the company he works for. It was free. Free is a good price.



There was one catch.



It had been sitting in the unit for about a month with no power- and there was food in it. Uh...



Well, he brought it over, we pulled it onto the deck. Our friend pulled out his box cutter and started to cut off the plastic wrapped around it for transport. I suddenly had to go do... something, somewhere... else.



I was good enough to allow my husband to clean it out for me. Which he did- with a garbage can and a hose. (We threw the food away, and then we threw the garbage can away, too.) He let the fridge sit on the deck, open, for a week end. Then I went after it. I started with a bucket of Lysol. Afew days later I rubbed it down with a few boxes of baking soda. Next, I closed the door and let it sit over night. I hosed it again and then I sprayed it down with bleach water.



Finally, we brought it inside.

I called my friend to say thank you for the grossest, most heineous gift that any one has ever given to me.

*Sigh* I liked the price.

Happy Birthday Miss Elizabeth

You just get prettier everyday:

What Brings You Joy?

Last night, in a small group setting, I was asked the question, "What brings you joy?"
I really struggled to answer it. Not because I am not joyful, but because in context I thought the question actually meant, "What makes you happy?"

Those are vastly different questions!
My happiness depends on external factors.
Did someone spill the whole gallon of milk? -Unhappy. Mad. Grouchy for the next hour.
I got a card in the mail instead of bills?- Happy. I'll even re-read it several times that day.
Back talk?- Angry. And a spanking!
Obedience?- Totally happy!

You can affect my level of happiness. You can even take it away completely by your actions.
No one, no where, at no time, by no means can take away my joy.
My joy comes from who I am in Christ.

The Bible tells me that I am a joint heir with Jesus. I will inherit His full inheritance from His Father because God is also my Father, too.

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if Children, then heirs- heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8:16-17 New International Version.

The Bible tells me that I can go to God and cry out Abba to him. I can call God my daddy! God is not some far off deity that cannot be approached. He is my DADDY. He longs to spend time with me, to answer my questions, to scoop me up when I have fallen down, to heal my hurts and to rejoice in my triumphs- like any other daddy in the world.

"And because you really are His sons, God has sent the Holy Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying Abba (Father)!" Galatians 4:6 Amplified Version

The Bible tells me that even though I may suffer persecution, the Spirit of God rests on me and , ultimately, He will be glorified.

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. Peter 4:12-14 New King James Version

No one can take my joy away from me, because my joy comes from being secure in my salvation. Being secure in my Heavenly Father. Knowing fully that Jesus loved me enough to pay for my sins through His death so that I may share in His inheritance.

What brings you joy?

All in 2 days work

This is a project my husband is working on. He bought a fancy camera to document the process. The videos will get loooooonnnggggeeeerrrr as we add days to it. Cool, huh?

Mmmm, Food!

There is only one reason to go to Applebee's.

The nachos.

For a couple of years I completely boycotted them because they changed the nachos. Then one evening I was on a "mom date" with my girls, and that was where they wanted to go. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I discovered that the nachos were back.

But now, now I may never have to eat out again! I made Applebee's nachos at home tonight.

And since I am so very nice I am going to share my recipe with you.

But before I can do that I have to give you my special *super secret* pico de gallo recipe, begged from my favorite Mexican restaurant.

Pico De Gallo de La Hacienda

1 head of cabbage finely chopped

1 medium onion finely chopped

1 bunch of cilantro finely chopped

5-6 roma tomatoes, diced

2 limes, juiced

Salt to taste

Mix all the ingredients together in a large plastic container with a tight fitting lid.

Store in the fridge.

This is really fabulous on the second day when the flavors have had a chance to mix together.

I have a Cuisinart that I bought at the thrift store- it made short work of all the chopping. I just made sure to use the "pulse" button so I didn't end up with cabbage juice...

Then, you have to make the cheese sauce (This is what makes the nachos taste like they came from Applebee's- so don't skip this step!)

Cheese sauce

2 tsp butter

2 tbs flour

1tsp white pepper

milk

Velveeta or store brand equivalent

Your favorite hot sauce to taste

In a skillet melt butter. Add flour and pepper. Stir to soak up all butter. Slowly stir in milk a little at a time, stirring constantly to break up clumps of flour. You want to end up with a runny white sauce. Melt cheese into white sauce (I used 1/2 of a big brick). Add hot sauce to taste-the cheese at Applebee's is pretty spicy.

Now that you have made that, you are ready for the NACHOS.

Applebee's Nachos

Corn chips

Cheese sauce

Black beans rinsed and heated

Finely shredded lettuce

Pico de Gallo

Sour cream

**Applebee's also adds spicy ground beef and jalapenos- but that makes them too spicy for me so I leave them out.

Pile the ingredients on your plate in the order listed and enjoy!

3 out of 4 taste testers like this meal and I got to hear about how awesome I was all through dinner!

The Wall

What's so special about this wall?

Nothing much.