I am still here

Sorry for another long absence, this will get better before long, I promise. We are trying to finish up building another bedroom downstairs and I have all the normal housework and laundry to keep up with, as well as working out of the house. I should be coming home in a couple of weeks, so things will be better then.

I will try to get some pictures up here of our progress on the room.

I have been reading all of my regular blogs, so I have not forgotten anyone.

I do, however, want to share my recipe for coconut macaroons. These are not just an average, everyday cookie. They go really well on a holiday tray, though and they are great for a tea party.




Triple Coconut Macaroons
Makes approximatley 4 dozen 1-inch cookies

1 cup cream of coconut (coco lopez or the like) NOT COCONUT MILK - use the stuff that you would use to make a pina colada
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
4 large egg whites
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt

Whisk the above ingredients together in a small bowl.

In a large bowl mix:
3 cups unsweetened, shredded, desiccated (dried) coconut (I buy this at a Mennonite store, it is the little tiny flakes)
3 cups sweetened flaked or shredded coconut

Mix together with fingers. Pour ingredients of small bowl over and mix well with a rubber spatula. Pop in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Prepare 2 baking pans by lining with parchment and then spraying parchment with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Drop heaping tablespoons on to prepared sheets. Form them into loose haystacks with fingertips. (apparently this is the traditional shape for macaroons)



Bake for approximately 15 minutes, rotating pan front to back halfway through cooking time. Cool on sheets until set, approximately 2 minutes, Remove to wire rack with wide metal spatula and cool.

Can dip bottoms in chocolate - oh yeah baby!


I have some more recipes just waiting for you . . . . cranberry pork roast, spicy crackers, pork schnitzel, stollen bites . . . . so don't give up on me, I will rev it up once I get working from home!

Much love to you all!

Happy New Year!!!!!

Sorry I have been gone AWOL, but this new job has me out of the home more than I would like. However, if I am to pay the bills, it must needs be done. Hopefully, I will be home soon and have more time.

We are all well here, no sickness thank the Good Lord! Honey has been busy, busy, putting up sheet rock and insulation, putting in a new garage door and working some overtime as well. I have been busy working and keeping up with the housework, too.

Amidst all of this busy-ness, we still find time for God. You know, many people say they don't have time to go to church or worship God, but he gives us 24 hours a day - every day. Can't we take just an hour or two out of that to devote to him? And don't get me started on tithing! The money that you "save" by not tithing will be paid somewhere else - many times to a doctor or an "unexpected" bill. So let's show our Lord some love this year!

I am looking forward to the new year with great anticipation. I am not going to diet as such - just eat more sensibly and exercise more. I may not set the world on fire, but I will enjoy my life. I will pray more, get into the Word more, be more in tune with God!

I mentioned earlier in my blog that I had a Christmas tea party for the ladies in my church. As usual, fuzzy headed me forgot to take pictures whilst everyone was here! But I do have the soup recipe from the party - ummy yummy! I am also going to share the recipe for friendship tea - everyone's favorite!

Mexican Chicken Soup

4 chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
1 can chicken broth
1 can Rotel
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 Tablespoon chili powder.

Combine all ingredients in crock pot and slowly simmer until hot.


Friendship Tea

1 (18 oz) jar Tang
1/2 to 3/4 cup sweetened lemonade mix
3/4 cup instant tea
2 (3 oz) packages apricot or peach Jello
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Dash of cloves
3 cups sugar

Mix and store in airtight container. To serve add 2 heaping teaspoons tea mix to 1 cup hot water.



As you can tell, I did mix-n-match snowmen for decor and it worked great! I used the tablecloth that I had left over from a work party, then the napkins were from my great friend, Marie. The plates and cups I found on sale at Dollar Tree. The great thing about living in the country is you don't have to be too fancy! I served the cranberry cake with hot butter sauce for dessert and we had finger sandwiches.

I wish everyone reading this a most blessed new year!