Slow Cooker Thursday

Here's another good one, straight from the Grammy files! It's great with Thanksgiving dinner.

Corn Pudding

8 oz. cream cheese
2 eggs (beaten)
1/3 cup sugar (you can substitute Splenda)
1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 can creamed corn
2 1/3 cup frozen corn
1 cup milk
2 T butter
1 t salt
sprinkle nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in crockpot. I would stongly suggest either greasing the crockpot or using one of those diposable liners, as it can tend to stick. Cook on high for 3-4 hours (until it is set).

For more recipes visit Sandra.

Sunday Grains of Gratitude

Grains of Gratitude

1. I really owe a debt of gratitude to Christine (Brady's mom) for beginning this blog topic. I was not feeling the most grateful this morning, but after being a bit more introspective, I am happy to be able to turn my temporary "baditude" into gratitude!

2. For the "down" time I get to spend with my kiddos. Yesterday we spent all day running errands together and playing during the afternoon. No schedules, no homework, and we ordered take-out, so no dishes!!!

3. My health and the health of my family. My MIL (who is such a dear, dear woman) is facing a very tough road. Her BIL and one of her best friends are facing challenging illnesses, and we are praying daily for a miracle. I hold them and their families in prayer, and am thankful for the health of my kiddos.

4. I am sooooo very grateful that the "Nap Gods" aligned themselves today and Bubba Bear and Principessa Pickle Bug napped at the same time, allowing me to get a few things done (including this list).

5. My thoughtful DH who sat through a ballet this week, because he thought I would enjoy it. He was right, it was so magical to sit and watch two hours of dance. Oh, how I have missed dancing - one day I will have to do so again (and not just in my living room when no one is watching). I also have to throw in an extra gratitude for my Mother and friend Lilia, who watched the kiddos while we were out! Not an easy feat with the Principessa!

If you are participating, pop over and let Christine of Brady's Bunch know that your list is up.

Blessings to all for a great week.

Five Ingredient Friday

Okay, another new idea for posting...this comes from Overwhelmed With Joy head over there for more neat five ingredient recipie ideas and also for sharing holiday recipes.

Turkey or Chicken Pot Pie (thanks again Grammie!)

3 lbs. cut up chicken or turkey (use the turkey from Thursday Slow Cooker recipe - below)
1 package frozen mixed veggies
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups broth (I use the reserve from the turkey)
1 can of biscuit mix

Mix turkey/chicken and frozen veggies in 9"x 12" glass pan. Stir soup and broth, pour over chicken mixture. Top with refrigerated biscuit mix.

Cook at 425 for 25-30 minutes.

Slow Cooker Thursday

This is my first time participating in Slow Cooking Thursday. If you want to join, head over to Diary of a SAHM and find out how. This is not a difficult recipe at all - but it is better than any Thanksgiving turkey I have ever had (it is so moist), and the leftovers are great for Turkey Pot Pie (see tomorrow 5 Ingredient Friday for recipe)

Slow Cooker Turkey (thanks Grammie)

One fresh turkey breast (not the pressed kind, but the kind with the bones)
One large onion (or two small ones)
Poultry Seasoning

Cut onion into small quarters; stick inside the turkey cavity.
Season with Poultry Seasoning (I use something called One Step Chicken Seasoning)

Cook at low temperature for 6-8 hours.

This is perhaps the easiest slow cooker recipe - but also one of the best.

Grains of Gratitude...

1. For Jay's safe return home from Asia.

2. For Bubba Bear's speedy recovery from his sick bug which bit him this weekend.

3. For the time spent with family this weekend. My grandfather passed away and it was really a nice time to connect with family - some estranged relationships may be on their way to being healed.

4. For Principessa Pickle Bug's laughter in the morning. It is a welcome thing after she has been up all night and I am completely sleep deprived, to hear such sweet baby giggles.

5. Did I mention Jay's being home??? Welcome home Babe, we really did miss you!

As this blogging stuff is still relative new to me, this is from another blog site, so I think I have done this correctly. If you've written your gratitude post, don't forget to stop by Christine's to let her know!

Missing Dada...

Here is our update for the week...

We are really missing Jay this week, as he is out of the country travelling for work. So, I took a few pics before he left, and am finally getting around to posting them. This is for you Babe!

This week was pretty good round here - Jackson (aka Bubba Bear) continues to be doing really well in school. Addie is making the transition to Middle School with ease. And Bella Boo (aka Principessa Pickle Bug) seems to be sleeping a bit better this week.

My thoughts continue to reflect on the five year anniversary of September 11th, my prayers go out to the entire nation, who was so profoundly changed by the events of one day. May we never again know such tragedy.

Hugs and Kisses.

I've Been Tagged!

I have been tagged - not exactly sure what this is, as I am very new to blogging but here it goes. This time I was tagged by my friend Katrina.

1. What was your favorite thing about being a kid?
Rollerskating, listening to "oldie's" music with my dad on Sundays and playing music trivia games with him.

2. What was your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subjects were Government and Dance. I ended up studying Political Science in college. And as for Dance, I danced up until fairly recently, when I decided that I was too old!

3. Who was your best friend when you were 10?
Have to answer with two people; Alison and Edith. I am still friends with both of them.

4. If you could be any animal what would you be?
Definitely not my dog...she has definitely been neglected since all the young kiddos have come along (poor Maggie). So, I would have to say maybe a seal. Not sure why, I just love these at the zoo.

5. What would you change about your school, occupation, life right now?
Hmmmm...definitely would have paid more attention in school and appreciated it more. I would love to have obtained my Masters Degree. Now, I would really love to study photography, and as for life...just a bit more sleep. But other than that, life is prety groovy!

6. What's your favorite color?
Browns, Deep Reds, Pumpkin - definitely autumn colors.

7. What's your favorite type of crust and topping on a pizza?
Thin wheat crust, with canadian bacon, green bell peppers and onion.

OK, so who to tag. I tag:
Michelle - Big Blueberry Eyes and Amy - The Flege Farm

Look What I Can Do...

Okay, though to most of you, this may not seem like a huge accomplishment, for me, this is HUGE. We have been working with Jackson on having him bring his drink to his mouth, drink from the straw and put the cup back on the table without throwing it off (well, okay, so he still does this occasionally - but most of the time he gets it back on the tray)!

I really wanted him to have mastered this before school starts!

Great going Bubba Bear!

Back to School

Well, it seems like it is back to school time all over the country, and 'round here is no exception.

The older girls started a couple of weeks ago, and Jackson started back to school last week. I continue to be amazed at this little boy. Jackson is the only child with Down syndrome in his school of over 300 families. I will forever be grateful for the school taking the leap of faith with us and letting Jackson attend.

When Jackson was born, I was so consumed with concerns of where he would go to school; and I was so sad because I just loved the school that Addie went to (in fact, I went there a thousand years ago, and my brothers attended as well). So, I was really sad to think that Jackson would miss out on this loving environment. Well, how wrong I was!

The directors of the school were so willing to let us try out the program to see if it was a good fit for us and for them. And we were so blessed to have amazing teachers last year, and great kids in his class. And at the end of the year, we all felt like it was a good match.

My heart soared. And now we begin another year. Another year with great teachers, with great friends, and with great spirit.

As he gets older and my feelings about mainstreaming and inclusion go back and forth (I am all for inclusion if it is the right thing for him), but I am also willing to explore other options if that is what seems best for him. It's funny, but the older he gets, the less I tend to think about the Down syndrome, and just see him for the wonderful, loving, funny and growing Bubba Bear that he is. And just want the best for him, regardless of whether or not that fits into my preconceived ideas.

In the end, I could never have imagined that my son would end up being my best and favorite teacher ever!

Jackson's First Day of School