Crazy Love: Chapter 6

Sorry for skipping last week. Here is Chapter 6 of Crazy Love.

When we love, we are free!!

God wants to change us; He died so that we could change.

Are you being real with God, or just pretending? You can't fool Him...

A Church Committed To...

I honestly couldn't imagine being at any other church than the one we are at now. Parkway Christian Center is our family. A family that will honestly do anything for my little family of five. The friends we have made while being there for the past eight years, are friendships for life. People that I would do anything for.

Well the past few months we have been working on a video to show the community what our church is all about. I am absolutely in love with it! So take a look...

This video shows everyone what we are really about: family, children, transforming communities, and loving no matter what.

A Little Front Door Decor

Okay so I was super excited about finding some pretty good ideas for my spring wreath, that I went out that night and got the stuff to make mine! 

First I will show you my inspiration!

Isn't she a beauty?? I knew it was the one from the start so I went out and got my items.

I normally get my flowers from Michael's but this time I decided to take a trip to Garden Ridge. For once that store didn't disappoint! It had everything that I wanted and at a reasonable price. 

I started with just the stick vine wreath and then added a leaf vine as my starter.

I then added some small leaf vines to the outside to give it a more full look.

Then I started randomly added my flowers.

The wreath directly below is how I finished it Thursday night. I let it sink in and then I knew it was missing something, more flowers!

Then the next morning I added more and more until I was satisfied! I have never had a wreath that had pink in it, but I am in love! It is so springy! And I didn't hot glue any of the pink flowers, so that I can change them out when summer gets here! Cheap and easy summer upgrade!

I am so happy with it and proud of myself as well! I have never really made a wreath to this extent! 

Oh and sorry I took Friday off last week! It has been a crazy couple of weeks for the Hart family. I will be back this Friday to pick back up on the Crazy Love series. 

Mexican With a Side of Corn Bread

So I would consider Virginia to be in the south but it comes no where near to my husbands home state of Arkansas. I love me some collard greens and grits so I kinda fit right in. Well minus the country slang! Oh and trust me, they have it down there, but I love it! Besides seeing my second family, listening to them talk is one of my most favorite things about the Natural State.

Nine years ago I was introduced to some true country cooking and I fell in love instantly! I am going to share with you one of my husbands favorite meals and it has slowly turned into one of mine as well. It is known as Mexican cornbread with a side of brown beans (pinto). It is delish! Here is how you make it! Oh and we had this for dinner last night!

Ingredients:

hamburger meat
green pepper (chopped)
onion (chopped)
can of creamed corn
about 2 cups of cheddar cheese
corn bread (you can make your own or use jiffy...I used jiffy)
optional: seasoning of your choice. I used a Tex Mex seasoning (Pampered Chef)

Directions:

Brown meat, drain and then add back to pan. Chop your pepper and onion and add to pan. Saute for about 5 minutes and then remove from heat.

Add your corn and cheddar cheese and mix until blended. I added a little bit of different seasonings to taste. That can be all up to you! 

I cooked my mixture in a skillet that can go in the oven, but if you do not have one just pour your meat mixture into an oven safe dish. Mix your corn bread together and pour over the meat mixture. Bake for about 25 minutes at 400 or until the bread is cooked through. 

And then you have your finished product!!

It is absolutely delicious! I may have even had some for breakfast this morning, maybe. You can really have any side with this but my man loves his brown beans. Hope you try it! It is a fast and cheap meal for your family!

A Rant and a Wreath!

Ok so here I am being totally honest with all of you...I am freaking out just a bit! I never really knew how hard this blogging thing really is. I mean, it really is and I took that for granted. The first month was a breeze! I had so many ideas flowing at the beginning and now I. have. nothing. Well maybe not nothing but it just seems to be flowing a bit slower than it used to. Making sure that what I write about appeases everyone is hard! I want to make everyone happy and I know that is not possible at all but it kills me when I cant. But I guess I need to get over that! So....here is what this post is really about.

Wreaths! I know, so exciting, but it totally makes me smile when I can change out my front door decor. I so look forward to the changing seasons and holidays! I love it!

So now that spring officially starts today, I have been thinking about how I want my spring/summer wreath to look. There are so many inspirations out there, Pinterest mainly! So I am going to show you a few pictures and you tell me what you think!

Each wreath I posted you can find on my Pinterest page and it will take you to the exact website it came from. The last wreath is my absolute favorite. I probably would do without the burlap bow but I think she is the winner!

Now onto the flower shop to grab my supplies and try to duplicate that amazing piece of work! I should be back sometime next week with my final creation! Oh and if you go on Pinterest and search "spring wreaths" the options are endless. Happy SPRING!

Chicken Fiesta!

So of those that do not know me, I am a Pampered Chef consultant and I absolutely LOVE my job!! I mean who wouldn't love going to hang out with a few ladies and cooking for them. Oh and make money doing it! I mean, come on! You couldn't ask for a better job.

With saying all that, Friday night I made some pretty amazing chicken fajitas in the microwave. Yes you heard me correctly. The microwave! Pretty cool, huh? Well Pampered chef has an amazing line of stoneware and one of my favorites is the Deep Covered Baker. This thing is amazing! It is like a crock pot on steroids! Seriously! And for those that are against the microwave, it isn't unsafe at all. The stoneware basically turns your microwave into a brick oven! Nothing unsafe about that!

You can honestly make anything in this little piece of heaven. Soup, dessert, a whole 6lb chicken, etc....it's genius!

So back to my chicken fajitas. Here are the ingredients!

1 onion, sliced
2 green bell peppers, sliced
3 chicken breasts, flatten
Southwestern seasoning (pampered chef seasoning) you could use anything to get that spice.

Spray that deep covered baked with oil.
Slice the onions and peppers and place them on the bottom of the pan.
Place chicken on top of the veggies and season.

Place in microwave for 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and 165 or more in temp.

I tell you, it can't get easier than that!!! And there were tasty!!!!! Here they are!

Crazy Love: Chapter 5

Welcome back to Crazy Love Fridays! I hope you are enjoying this book as much as I am.

Are all we give to God is our leftovers. This was definitely a moving chapter! The video says it all!

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say,'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put o your eyes, so you can see."

Hamburger Helper Ain't Got Nothing on Me!

When Anthony and I first got married I was not the best cook. I guess I could say, I really didn't cook at all. I lived with my parents up until the time we got married, so I really didn't have to cook or learn. So in the beginning stages of our marriage Hamburger Helper was my best friend. I know, I know! Not the healthiest of choices but it was before kids. I really never worried about my weight and I could eat anything and get a way with it. Haha! My how things change as we get older and have babies! Anyways back to what this post is really about...

Right, so Hamburger Helper was the cook during those times and sometimes I miss it. It was so easy! Grab a box and some meat and you were good to go. Its funny though because now I look on the box and see all the crap in there and don't want that stuff near my kids!

Our favorite flavored box was the beef stroganoff! Man that stuff was delicious and it has taken me a long time to find a homemade version that comes any where near it, but last night I did! I finally made a beef stroganoff worthy of my family's approval! I must admit, I was pretty good!

So here is the recipe:

Ingredients
2 lb. beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
10 oz fresh mushrooms, halved
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup beef broth
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Worcestershire sauce to taste
1 pkg egg noodles
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Directions
Place meat, mushrooms, onions and garlic in slow cooker. Add broth, paprika and salt. Cover with lid. Cook on low 7 to 8 hours (or high 5 hours)

Mix sour cream, flour and mustard. Stir ingredients in slow cooker until well blended. Cook, covered, on low 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook noodles as directed on package.

Drain noodles; place in large serving bowl. Add meat mixture; mix lightly/ Sprinkle with parsley.


--As you can see, I didn't add the parsley to ours. My kids and husband would have turned their noses up to it! I did add some Worcestershire sauce to taste. I didn't mix the sauce and noodles together because my middle child loves noodles with no sauce. I know, she is a bit different but we love her! Hope you give it a try and love it as much as my family did!

**Recipe was found on the Kraft website**

Everyone Loves Some Savings!

So I have to share with you my deals I got last week. I signed up to get emails from Old Navy and Target and well that may have not been the best thing but sometimes it is amazing!! They really put out some great deals!

So Old Navy sent one out that if you spent $50 you got $15 off and I also had an old gift card that I got for Christmas, that I never used, so I walked out paying $20 for a pair of jeans and an awesome shirt!! I call that a great deal! I mean yes there are better deals but if I can spend $20 for an entire outfit, count me in!

Now onto Target. I signed up for their Redcard a few months ago and it is awesome! I get coupons in the mail all. the. time! Oh and they are great deals. Plus when I use my Redcard I get 5% off every purchase and free shipping when shopping online. You cant beat that. So I was able to walk out of Target with an awesome pair of flats and only paying $10.

It is a pretty simple outfit but can easily be dressed up with some heels and/or a jacket and scarf. I love love love my new green flats. I have worn them everyday since I got them. Oh and sorry for the poor quality of the pic. I have little to no lighting in my room. Quite annoying! 

Old Navy is having a sale right now...

Also if you are interested in the Target Redcard you can check them out online. I have the debit card where the money comes directly from my bank account. It is not a credit card!!

Warning: Mouth Watering Information Ahead!

Seriously!! I still cant believe that we are almost half way through March. Where does the time go? I must admit, I am super excited for some spring weather! I do love me some winter, but we have had a looonnnng one here and I am ready for it to go some where else!

So with that being said Easter is right around the corner. Isn't that crazy? Talk about another thing that is creeping up on me! Well to give me some credit, Easter is super early this year so I have a right to freak out just a bit.

Our church, Parkway Christian Center (there is a link to click on over to the right), does an Easter egg/bonbons fundraiser each year. First let me tell you, this is no slack job. Our church has been doing these for years and years and they have definitely perfected the craft. They are absolutely delicious! Also we have some talented ladies that will write names on the eggs. I know!!! Perfect Easter basket accessory!

I am telling you, these things are amazing and they come in so many different flavors! Ok here are your choices and try and not let the drool drip down your chin: butter cream, peanut butter, chocolate cream, coconut, chocolate mocha, and fruit & nut. Totally mouth watering!! The eggs are 1/2 lb of awesomeness and you can get the bonbons in 1/2 lb assorted or one flavor.

So if you want to order these delicious eggs or bonbons you can visit http://pcc-va.com/easter-eggs/. On there you can place your order online or you can print out the order form from there as well.

I promise you will not be disappointed!!!

Crazy Love: Chapter 4

Hello!! Its time to move onto the next chapter.

Here are first three statements that stood out to me. There are plenty more! I encourage you get the book and take a look. This chapter definitely spoke to me more than any other.

1. Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they go.

2. Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church...as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and save to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right?

3. Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.

Take a look at the video for this chapter.



What spoke to you about this chapter?

Its Time to Get Minky!

So I am back! I took yesterday off from blogging to finish my first sewing project for March. I am so excited about it. If those who actually follow us know, I was supposed to give y'all a look at this project last week but it went terribly wrong. I tried something this time that I have never done and last week turned into a trial run. I am almost done with it and I am gonna share some pictures with you now. I actually ran out of thread last night with less than 1/2 a yard to sew. Talk about being a tad bit angry. Yea that was me at about 10:30 last night!

So if you are wondering what my project was here is a taste...

For those of you who belong to the sewing world, you know what this picture is! But for those of you that do not, these are called sewing bundles. Bundles are numerous amounts of different patterned fabrics that all go together in some way. They make sewing a quilt/patchwork blanket much easier. 

So there you have it! Project number one was a quilt. Well I don't know if it technically can be called a quilt so lets go with a patchwork minky blanket. I just started making minky blankets when my best friend Michelle had her baby this past fall, so you would definitely call me a newbie. 

Here are four of the fabrics that I used. I actually added two more fabrics to make the blanket a bit bigger but forgot to get a picture of all six together. 

I didn't realize that a iron was involved until I You Tubed "Beginner Quilt Making." I will attach the video at the end so that all of you will see that exact steps I took in making this blanket. 

After I was done sewing the fabric together I attached it to the minky. So here is the almost finished product.

It may be a bit rough around the edges and every crease and corner may not line up perfectly, but I LOVE IT!! Isn't she beautiful?!?!? Well I think she is and I couldn't be happier with the finished product.

I hope momma and baby like the blanket as much as I do :)

Here is the video on exactly how I put the squares together. This lady makes quilting so easy to understand. After hours of searching for the perfect video, hers was the best. Hope you enjoy!

Parent Trap, I Mean Parent Rap!

OK so I know some of you may have seen this video but I think it is amazingly hilarious! It definitely brought a smile to this mommas face on this Tuesday! Hope it makes you smile as well.

Remember Friday is only 4 days away!!

 

Maxi Issues

So this week I am trying to fix my mess of a sewing project and will definitely have pictures for you by the end of the week but now onto fabric issues. I am trying to figure out what fabric I will use for my maxi skirts! Seriously! There are so many different patterns, I am about to go crazy! Do I want a pattern, stripes, or a solid color? These are the serious issues in my life people! 

Who knows! I may end up making all of them!! We shall see!! I am absolutely in love with the patterned one. Now my search is on to find the perfect fabric!

Crazy Love: Chapter 3

Its "Crazy Love" Friday! Thanks to all that have shared how much they are enjoying the book and the videos. I know I am!! It definitely makes you think about the way you are living. Do we really have that crazy love for our Creator?





Did you get it? Has it turned into a legalistic thing for you? Find that partner that will help you get back on the path of having that crazy love for our Father.

Honestly answer the questions at the end. Write them down if you need too! So glad you joined us again this week!!

God Bless!!