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Love Will Light The Way…

Hello all. This afternoon I spent doing much of nothing. A little laundry, a cat nap or two, and watching movies. One of the movies I watched left me in tears which of course means that it was great. And it also means I need to share it with all of you. And that you NEED to watch it. The movie is Midnight Sun.


MIDNIGHT SUN is a romantic tearjerker about 17-year-old Katie Price (Bella Thorne), sheltered at home since childhood with a rare genetic condition, a life-threatening sensitivity to sunlight. Having only her father Jack (Rob Riggle) for company, Katie’s world opens up after dark when she ventures outside to play her guitar.

One night, her dreams come true when she’s noticed and asked out by her longtime crush Charlie (Patrick Schwarzenegger), whom she’s secretly watched from her bedroom window for years. As they embark on nightly summer excursions, Katie’s risk to sunlight grows and she’s presented with the gut-wrenching dilemma of whether she can live a normal life with her newfound soul mate...

This movie took me on such an emotional rollercoaster. And more than that, I could honestly see myself in them. In the way the father loves his daughter. In the way the best friends, Morgan and Katie, love each other. In the way Katie and Charlie fall for each other.

The shared memories, the happiness, the sadness, the emotion, all of it made the movie and pulled you in and kept you close until the very end. And even after.

Life is never easy. For some, it’s even harder. And life is never, ever fair. But somehow, some way, love always makes it better. Even if for just a moment…

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A Messy Good Time!!

Hi everyone! Sorry I’ve been gone so long. It’s not that I don’t want to keep up with my blog. I do. I really do. But I’ve been so busy. Busy with what? Kids, work, life.

But most recently, planning a weekend long birthday party for my daughter. She just turned 16. It was crazy!! We had a 3 tiered cake that about did me in, paint wars, a colored powder fight, and so much more. But instead of just telling you, why don’t I just show you? 😊

Lake Wedington, AR. The scene of our epic bday party.

We rented a cabin for the entire weekend.

It was small but cozy, air conditioned (although it didn’t work very well) and clean, and the beds were surprisingly comfortable. No tv-the kids didn’t like that. We brought board games, a karaoke machine, and marshmallows to roast.

First up: unpacking. We packed way too much stuff but I’d rather have too much than not enough. Clothes, party stuff, prizes, games, etc.

THE FIRST NIGHT:

Karaoke Time!!

My daughter and her best friend belted out tunes to an energetic audience of 3.

Not long after, the ‘crowd dispersed and hit the hay.

GOOD MORNING!!

The hubby woke everyone up by banging on pots and pans (This echoes inside a small cabin).

Delicious breakfast for a busy, busy day.

Next up, decorating the cabin for the party.

We all took to this with a smile on our face and a song or two blasting through the cabin.

Finally, We’re heading down to the lake for swimming and food! And a little music too.

CAKE AND ICE CREAM.

We had to keep the cake and ice cream at the cabin because they would have melted in a heartbeat. And I worked really hard on this cake. While it didn’t turn out as planned (I cried for a bit about that), my daughter was still pretty happy with it.

FUN AND GAMES!!

Game #1: Shake your booty. This game had everyone laughing so hard!!!

We actually had a couple more games to play but it was beginning to get late and the park gates closed at 8 pm so we moved on to the best part of the evening, the part all of the kids had been looking forward to.

PAINT SLIP N SLIDE:

How about a colored powder fight next? Shasta was the champion by the way. 😁

And perhaps the messiest and most fun, the paint war!!

Talk about a mess. But so much fun!! Afterward, everyone got sprayed down with the garden hose and showered. (Paint was still coming out of everyone’s hair even a day later.)

Then there was just us. The hubby had a headache so we had my daughter’s friend grill up some chicken for us.

A really good cook by the way.

Roasting marshmallows, ghost stories, and a light show ended the night. (At least for me. I crashed out at 1, the kids were up until the sun came up.)

All in all, I think my daughter had a great time and hopeful it will be one she will remember and cherish for many years.

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OUT OF THIS WORLD CASSEROLE

I made this for dinner tonight. My family LOVED it so I had to share.

WARNING: THIS IS NOT DIET FOOD!!

Cheesy Sour Cream Hamburger Hotdish

INGREDIENTS:
  • 12 oz. package egg noodles, prepared
  • 1 lb. hamburger
  • ½ yellow onion, diced
  • ½ bell pepper, diced
  • 1 Tbsp. diced garlic
  • ½ tsp salt.
  • 24 oz. jar pasta sauce
  • 1 c. sour cream
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, cubed
  • ⅔ c. Parmesan
  • 1 c. shredded cheddar
  • ½ tsp. Italian seasoning

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute the hamburger while breaking it up. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic and salt and cook for 5 minutes until the hamburger is cooked through. Add the pasta sauce and mix well.
  • In a small bowl, add the cream cheese and microwave for 1 minute.
  • In a sprayed 9″x13″ dish, add the cooked egg noodles, sour cream, cream cheese and Parmesan. Mix until well combined. Add the hamburger mixture to the pan and stir until everything is loosely combined.
  • Top with the shredded cheddar and Italian seasoning. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes, or until the hotdish is heated through. Serve immediately.

ENJOY!!

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Heartbreakingly Uplifting….

Anyone that has ever read my blog knows how much I enjoy a good movie. And ones I personally consider to be great, I do a post about. Well this one, the one I’m going to tell you about, blows any other movie I’ve watched in a long time completely out of the water. Out of the atmosphere.

The movie is:

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

The inspiring and unknown true story behind MercyMe’s beloved, chart topping song that brings ultimate hope to so many is a gripping reminder of the power of true forgiveness.

I’m sure you’re heard the song at least once. After all, it is the #1 Christian song in America. Even of you aren’t particularly fond of Christian music, I have no doubt you have heard it somewhere. It has been played on nearly every radio station in the U.S.

And with 2.5 million copies sold, it is the best-selling Christian single of all time, having been certified 3x platinum by the RIAA. As of 2018, it is the only Christian song to reach that milestone.

Still not sure? Click this link to watch the official video:

Okay, so I’m not writing this about a song or to sing its praises. (No pun intended). I’m here to tell you about a movie. The movie that tells the true story behind such an awe inspiring song.

And believe me, the backstory is even more awe inspiring that the song. In fact, when I watched it in the theater, I was not the only one shedding tears. Sniffles could be heard throughout the darkened room. And more than a few people left the theater red eyed when the lights came back on.

PLOT:
Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard suffers physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, Arthur. When Arthur becomes terminally ill, he finds redemption by embracing his faith and rediscovering his love for his son.

Years later, Bart’s troubled childhood and mended relationship with his dad inspires him to write the hit song “I Can Only Imagine” as singer of the Christian band MercyMe.

There are a couple of big names starring in this movie but even if there weren’t, I know it would not detract from the movie. I’m not sure anything could.

DENNIS QUAID

American actor who has starred in many movies including:

The Parent Trap

A Dog’s Purpose

The Rookie

The Day After Tomorrow

CLORIS LEACHMAN

An American actress who has had many starring roles and appeared in several shows including:

The Beverly Hillbillies

The Last Picture Show

The Longest Yard

Raising Hope

TRACE ADKINS

An American songwriter, singer, and actor, he has topped many country music charts with his amazing musical ability.

Here’s a few memorable quotes from the movie:

Brickell: Let me ask you something Bart, what are you running from?

Bart: My dad. He, uh, he…

Brickell: …he beat you, didn’t he? Ya ain’t got no poker face kid.

Bart: I carry that. I have to live with that, you know. I always will.

Brickell: Then write about it. Stop running from it. Let that pain become your inspiration.

******

Memaw: Imagine what he is seeing up there, just imagine!

Brickell: What is the name of your band again?

Bart: It is “Mercy Me”. Because when I told my Memaw that we were starting a band, she was like “Mercy me, get a real job!” And I was like: “Oh, Memaw.”

******

Bart: And the guys were like “Did she really say that?” and I was like “Yeah, we have to name the band mercy me”. So we called it.

******

Brickell: [to Bart] You got talent, you got potential, you can sing, but I don’t think you found your song, found your soul.

******

Arthur: Dreams don’t pay the bills. Nothing good comes from them. All it does is keeping you from knowing what is real.

******

Brickell: [to Bart] Son, the sheer volume of words that comes out of your mouth is exhausting. You are not ready. That’s what I think.

Here is the official movie trailer if you would like to get a sneak peek:

This is one movie you do not want to miss. Just be sure to keep a box of tissues handy because you will definitely need them.

ENJOY!!

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MEATLOAF ANYONE?

This Meatloaf Recipe is my family’s FAVORITE dinner recipe! They really love it. It really is the Best Ever Meatloaf, and it is so easy to make!!

INGREDIENTS:
Meatloaf:
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced small (about ½ cup)
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ tsp. ground pepper
  • ¾ cup quick oats
  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp. garlic salt
  • 1 tsp. onion salt
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
Glaze Topping:
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp. mustard

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9×5″ loaf pan with cooking spray.
  2. Mix together ground beef, onion, eggs, pepper, oats, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, onion salt and tomato sauce in a large bowl, using your hands. Do not overmix.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, sugar and mustard. Spread on top of meatloaf and place in oven. Bake for 1 hour and 15-30 minutes, or until meatloaf is cooked through. Let cool for a few minutes and then slice and serve. Enjoy!

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It’s what’s for dinner

Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Bacon Cream Sauce

I love to try new recipes. Especially if they are:

1. Delicious

2. Healthy

This dish fits both requirements. And best of all, my family loves it too!

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 45 mins

INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN:

  • 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 TBS mayo
  • 3 TBS shredded Parmasean cheese

INGREDIENTS FOR SAUCE:

  • 3 slices of bacon, fried and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream
  • 1 TBS cream cheese
  • 1 TBS shredded Parmasean cheese
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°
  2. Rinse chicken and dry so mayo will stick to it
  3. Baste the mayo onto chicken
  4. Top with shredded cheese
  5. Place in baking dish
  6. Bake uncovered 40-50 minutes
  7. When chicken has 10 minutes left, start your sauce
  8. Combine heavy cream and cream cheese into warm skillet, whisk until mixed thoroughly
  9. Add Parmasean and garlic powder. Whisk until smooth.
  10. Add some bacon but leave some for garnishing chicken
  11. Place chicken on plate and drizzle sauce over it.
  12. Add bacon and enjoy!
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Can not stop eating these!

A friend of mine told me about these and so naturally I had to try them.

OREO TRUFFLES

OMG!

These are so amazing it is hard to stop eating them.

Don’t believe me? Try them for yourself and you’ll see what I mean.😀

INGREDIENTS:

  • 14.3 oz package of Oreos
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 12 oz dipping chocolate or candy coating (milk chocolate or vanilla)
  • Additional 2 oz dipping chocolate for drizzling or sprinkle

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Pulse oreos in a food processor until they are fine crumbs. (No food processor? No problem. Use your hands to crush cookies into tiny bits). Add crumbs to large mixing bowl.
  2. Slice up cream cheese and drop slices into the mixing bowl. Use the back of a large spoon to smash the cream cheese into the crumbs, stirring and mushing until it has become a thick paste.
  3. Pinch off walnut-sized clumps of the filling and roll into balls. Place on a plate that will fit in your freezer. Roll all of dough and place balls in the freezer for 30-45 minutes.
  4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  5. Place dipping chocolate in a small deep bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 1 minute, then stir. Continue microwaving at 50% power for 30 second intervals, stirring after each until chocolate is smooth.
  6. Remove oreo truffles from freezer and drop one-by-one into the dipping chocolate.
  7. Use a fork to scoop out the truffle, tapping the bottom of the fork on the edge of the bowl to remove excess chocolate. Tip the truffle onto the parchment paper. Allow chocolate to set.
  8. If desired, melt additional dipping chocolate using the same microwave method. Stir with a fork and drizzle over the truffles. Allow chocolate to set and store truffles in refrigerator.
  9. Enjoy!

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Mouthwatering…

Are you looking for a simple, delicious, and different dinner idea?

Search no more. My family ADORES this dish. It combines a lot of their favorite foods and it is so incredibly easy to make.

And it doesn’t only have to be for dinner. It makes the perfect breakfast casserole too.

Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

Prep time: 10 MINS

Cook time: 35 MINS

Total time: 45 mins

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 lb hot breakfast sausage (my family prefers mild)
  • 2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 (30-32oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 8 eggs
  • 2 cups milk
INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large skillet, cook sausage until no longer pink. Drain fat.
  3. Stir together cooked sausage and cream cheese. Set aside.
  4. Add hash browns to skillet and cook until lightly brown. Place hash browns in bottom of lightly greased 9×13-inch pan. Top with sausage/cream cheese mixture and shredded cheddar cheese.
  5. Whisk together eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and milk. Pour over hash brown mixture.
  6. Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and serve.
  8. ENJOY!