This one saved my Bacon this week.
My Mom gave me this recipe in a moment of panic on Tuesday It was hearty and yummy and the kids ate it. Enough said!

Ham Chowder
2 cups chopped potatoes
1 cup chopped onions
1/3 cup chopped carrots
1 tbsp chicken bullion powder
1 cup water
1 tsp parsley

-boil until all veggies are tender then mash with a potato masher if you like it chunky or blend if you like it smoother.

Add:
3/4 cup frozen corn (or peas)
1 cup chopped ham
2 cups of milk

-Simmer all together until hot
-can be served with a sprinkle of cheese on top of each bowl

Frying Ground Meat

So with the inspiration of Sharnell and the Recipes of the week, I thought I should get back to my tip of the week. With this in mind I started scouring magazines and paying attention to the TV, radio, etc. The best one that I found this week came from the Rachel Ray show that I like to have on as background noise and inspiration when I'm preparing dinner. This week she suggested a potato masher. Although mashed potatoes may be the first thing that come to mind, this is not what Rachel was using it for however. During this particular segment she was browning some ground sausage and her tip was to use a potato masher to break apart the meat as you are frying it rather than attempting to stab it with a wooden spoon (currently the method I used). So the following night I tried it, and it worked great!!! Now why didn't I think of that!

~Teri

Oatmeal Cake

Cake

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup butter or hard margarine

1 1/4 cups boiling water

- mix and let rest for 30 min up to overnight

add:

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/3 cups flour

-mix all together and spread into a sprayed 9x13 pan

-bake for 30-35 min or until a toothpick does not come out too sticky at 350'

-when cake is cooled drizzle icing over cake

Icing

1/2 cup butter or hard margarine

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 canned milk (yes the stuff your grandma used in her tea)

1 beaten egg yolk

-heat in a pot and stir until boils

-boil until all is dissolved (a couple of minutes)

-remove from heat

add:

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup of nuts

*** or anything you may like ***

*** if you add chocolate chips wait until the icing is cool ***

-when icing and cake is cooled pour icing over cake and eat

Happy New Year!

What to say? Have you made any resolutions? I would like to challenge you to make a few that don't include losing weight, not snacking, eating healthier, exercising more... you get the picture. I'm not saying that eating healthier and exercising isn't healthy... they are just things you should be focusing on all the time - not just at the start of the year. I kind of think resolutions are over rated actually and as I type that I am wondering where they originated from and am going to Google it and let you know what I find out so just hold on for a moment... it's 9:30pm I'll be right back. Okay it's 9:32 and it has something to do with a guy named Janus and is really not all that interesting.

So other than stuff that resolves around food and exercise... what would you like to work on in your life? Money, relationships, faith, forgiveness, helping others? I would like to encourage you to comment and post a few of your resolutions - you can do it anonymously! There really is nothing better than the support and encouragement of those around you - even if there is no name attached!

To get things started, here are a few of my resolutions; I want to continue on my journey with God and have him be with me in everything I do from day to day - think of him in my decision making and be friends with him. I want to read the Bible (and have already started on that!). I want to bring more faith into our family outside of Church and praying at supper. The girls get their handouts every week at Power Hour and we put them on the fridge but I would actually like to take the time to do some of the activities that are on them.

Resolutions, not including food and exercise... what are yours?