Sunday, November 15, 2009
Memory Verse #22
Today I'm using Beth Moore's suggestion for the memory verse. She is using Proverbs 8:34...she talked about how we are to trust God to show us our steps each and every day and to wait patiently for Him to guide us...instead of asking for the end result ahead of time. It really spoke to me, so I looked up the verse and liked the verses on each side of it, so that is going to be my passage for the rest of the month.
Here it is...
Proverbs 8:33-35 (NIV)
"Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord."
Have a blessed week!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
McCarty Family Thanksgiving Traditions
Because we moved to Texas from Illinois in 1978 (a long time ago), we had to create our own family traditions. I think there were a few times that we made the drive to Illinois at Christmas AND at Thanksgiving, but it was too much on Mom & Dad. So they had to make the decision to stay in Texarkana for Thanksgiving, so we could be with all of our relatives in Illinois for Christmas.
We always have a great traditional meal that Mom mostly cooks...she's an excellent cook! Now that we're grown, my sister, brother, and I try to help out some but it still ends up that Mom cooks most of the great food. We usually invite some friends or relatives to join us for a wonderful meal.
Two of my favorite traditions come in the afternoon (usually after a little nap because we're all so full). We always get all of the ads from the newspaper and start plotting our Friday morning shopping excursion! We go through every ad and find which ones have the best early bird specials and make our plans. That "day after Thanksgiving" shopping frenzy is the BEST!
After we rest up and make our shopping plans, we always go to a movie matinee. We try to go to a Christmas movie to get us in the spirit but some years those types are lacking. This tradition started about 30 years ago when we were stuck in Texarkana alone and had only lived here a short while. I think we were all pretty sad about not being with the entire family in Illinois, so we went to see Sally Field's movie, Places in the Heart. It's funny how you remember things like that, but we had the best time going to the movies. Our family did not go to the movies very often, so this was a big treat! And so our tradition was born.
Now that we've all grown up and are married and have kids, it's a pretty big endeavor...sometime up to 14 of us go to the movies together! And even though we are stuffed from our Thanksgiving feast, we still have to get the movie popcorn! It's a must!
I'm getting so excited about Thanksgiving now...it's just a little over a week away. We've already started talking about what movie to watch this year. It has to be one that is good for all ages...from 3 to 64! :) Any suggestions?
I'd love to hear some of your Thanksgiving traditions too! Who knows...we may need to add them to our family traditions. :)
Thanksgiving Recipes-Desserts
So...for my dessert recipe today, I thought I'd post my super easy and fairly dietetic spice cake recipe. (I got it from Weight Watchers several years ago and it's one of my favorites to make.)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thanksgiving Recipes--Main Dishes
I have a confession to make. I've never made a turkey by myself. (I have warmed up a smoked turkey a few times--does that count?) We always go to my parents' house for Thanksgiving and Mom is the turkey cook! I usually make the homemade rolls and help make the other sides & desserts. Instead of sharing how to make a turkey, I thought I'd share a recipe for what to do with all of the turkey leftovers. My Mom and my Aunt Sandy like to make TURKEY TETRAZINNI with our turkey leftovers, and it is YUMMMMMMMY!
2 T. oleo
1 c. broth
1 t. salt
1 t. dry mustard
1/2 t. pepper
1 large can evaporated milk
1 small can sliced mushrooms (we use more)
3 c. diced cooked turkey
1 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 c. parmesan cheese
Cook spaghetti and drain.
While spaghetti is cooking, saute onions in oleo until soft. Remove from heat. Blend in flour, salt, dry mustard, and pepper. Return on low heat. Slowly stir in evaporated milk and broth. Stir constantly until sauce thickens slightly.
Pour white sauce into drained spaghetti. Mix in turkey and mushrooms. Pour everything into a greased 9x13 pan.
Sprinkly cheeses on top. Bake at 425 uncovered for 20 minutes. ENJOY!
Thanksgiving Recipes-Side Dishes
¾ c. sugar 1 c. light brown sugar
1 stick margarine 1/3 c. melted butter
1 t. vanilla 1/3 c. flour
2 eggs 1 c. chopped pecans
Dash salt
Heat and drain potatoes. Mash and add other ingredients. Place in baking dish. Prepare topping and sprinkle on top of sweet potatoes. Cook for 35 minutes at 350˚.
1 large box cherry jello
Juice from 1 orange
1 bag cranberries, chopped
1 apple, chopped
1/2 c. pecans, chopped
Prepare jello using half of the recommended water (do not let it set up). Mix all ingredients together and let it set up.
**This recipe is from my Aunt Sandy in Illinois. She and my mom are the best cooks I know!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Thanksgiving Recipes--Appetizers
OK...now here's the hard part. I have to figure out how to link this to her blog. Thanks to Jenna's expertise, I think I'll be able to do it! Here I go!
Fun Times with the Family
Isn't this the cutest 3-year old you've ever seen?
OK, one of the main reasons Daddy came to visit was to help Eric hang Christmas lights around the outside of the house. Well, first Eric decided to climb up on the roof to see if he could actually handle being on the roof without falling and/or having a heart attack from fear! :) He was really terrified up there! Then, they tried to hang them around the gutters and found that they can't because have these gutter guards on them. So...now what? I think we're going to consult our expert friend...Keith. Maybe he can help!
So...those were a few of the highlights of the weekend. We also enjoyed taking a walk, playing several rounds of Uno, cooking & eating, and going to church together! We appreciate Grammy & PawPaw so much and love spending time with them! God has blessed us with a wonderfully close family!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Memory Verse Catch-Up
Now, Beth Moore is hosting a Siesta Scripture Memory Team Celebration at her church in January for those that have kept this up all year! I am SO EXCITED!!! My sister and I have both been working on memorizing verses, so we plan to go together! We can't wait! It's going to be so much fun! What a thrill it will be to finally be in the church where she tapes a lot of her Bible studies!
Well, now I need to catch up posting the verses here. I didn't realize how behind I am on putting them here, so there are quite a few.
#17
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
#18
Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
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.
#19
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
#20
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
#21
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.
Whew! That was a lot! I have enjoyed finding verses to help me with whatever I'm going through at a particular time and to remind me of God's great promises.
This has been such a great experience...maybe we can do it again next year and post verses to each other on our blogs. Any takers??
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
I Don't Think Ethan Likes Halloween Costumes
"I am not happy! Please get this pumpkin off of me!"
Despite the costume frustration, the boys had a blast playing all of the games at the Fall Festival.
Eric decided he was a stage hand...they dress in all black!Ethan, Evan, and Gavon enjoyed a hot dog after playing all of the games. Evan enjoyed the cake/cookie walk the best! I think he won about 7 times!
This is the shirt that Ethan made at Kids First last week. It was so cute! A bat made with his hand prints & foot print! How creative is that!