Contemplations - Easter

There is Love that came for us

Humbled to a sinner's cross

You broke my shame and sinfulness

You rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny

Through the storm and through the fire

There is truth that sets me free

Jesus Christ who lives in me

You are stronger

You are stronger

Sin is broken

You have saved me

It is written

Christ is risen

Jesus You are Lord of all

No beginning and no end

You're my hope and my defense

You came to seek and save the lost

You paid it all upon the cross

You are stronger

You are stronger

Sin is broken

You have saved me

It is written

Christ is risen

Jesus You are Lord of all

"Stronger" by Hillsong

Grandma

How utterly sweet is this! My (dear) Mom has been coming over to the house for about 6 months now and starting Youngest Daughter on her learning. So, here they are, arm over arm, hand over hand learning to write the number "3," (which right now is looking more like a worm you found on the sidewalk than the number "3"!)

My Mom gives Youngest Daughter several hours of her time a week, learning sounds, gluing, writing letters, learning numbers, and, best of all, reading books together, with Youngest Daughter perched on her lap (where all books are best read).

And, as a result My Mom is knitting Youngest Daughter's heart together with her own in a special relationship that only Grandmas and little girls can have. Thanks, Mom!

Who's Up For A Quick, Yummy Supper?

I don't know why I decided to try this recipe. It's really unlike what I usually serve. We're not a much of a pork-eating family, and I hardly ever have white bread in the house.

Actually, I DO know why I tried this recipe. It was Charlie at Publix Supermarket. Charlie is the resident "chef" at Publix who cooks recipes up in the afternoons and gives away tastes so that you will want to buy the ingredients for what he's cooking. He loves cooking, he loves talking, he loves talking about what he's cooking.

A lot of times, what he's cooking just isn't going to happen. Like Grilled Lamb with Pistachio Sauce and Caponata Couscous ("I have a budget, Charlie!") or Cod Saute' with Citrus Bearnaise and Quick Asparagus ("I'm feeding KIDS, Charlie!")

But this day he was making Pork Chop Sandwiches. Charlie was charming. Charlie complimented my adorable children. Charlie gave the Kiddos big, fat tastes of Pork Chop Sandwiches. The Kiddos' eyes rolled back in their heads with the sheer delight of such a delicacy. It was all over but the shouting. I succumbed, bought the ingredients, made the sandwiches, and mmmmmmmm, am I glad I did. Really easy, really quick, really yummy. So nice, for once to have the family say "yay" over a meal rather than inspecting it for bits of green pepper, or onions, or any ingredient with more nutritive value than a Pop-Tart.

So, here it is, and I hope you love it! (Recipe follows.)

Cook 2 pieces of bacon for each sandwich:

Flatten 1 boneless pork loin chop for each sandwich:

And cook it on both sides until browned and lovely:

Slice up 1 or 2 slices of your favorite cheese for each sandwich

(never can have too much cheese, you know!)

And get out some barbecue sauce:

Then stack up a slice of Italian bread, cooked pork chop,

2 slices of bacon, barbecue sauce to taste, cheese, and another

slice of Italian bread. Butter the top slice, and flip it over

onto the awaiting hot pan.

Enjoy the sandwich in all it's buttery, savory, tangy goodness.

Here is the exact recipe as handed to me by Charlie. (He used a countertop grill for his. Even easier!)

Pork Chop Sandwiches

1 pound boneless pork top loin chops (4 chops cut 1/4-inch thick)

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

8 slices fully cooked bacon

8 teaspoons butter

8 slices Bakery Italian bread

4 (1-ounce) slices Colby cheese

4 teaspoons barbecue sauce

1. Preheat 2-sided tabletop grill. Tenderize and flatten each pork chop by pounding with a meat mallet or rolling pin for 15 seconds. Sprinkle with seasoned salt.

2. Place pork chops on grill; top with bacon, cover and grill 3 minutes. Remove pork chops from grill and set aside.

3. Spread butter on one side of all bread slices. Place four on grill with buttered side down. Assemble in this order: pork chops and bacon, cheese, barbecue sauce and then remaining bread with buttered side up. Grill 2–3 minutes until golden. Serve.

Weekend Projects

Isn't it nice when time opens up on the weekend to do SOMETHING creative?

That is, something other than create a grocery list, create piles of darks, lights, and whites, or create vacuum lines in the carpet!! (Although in a pinch I'll even take those creativities!)

So, I was so happy that this weekend included a few creative endeavors!!

Youngest Daughter and I painted some wooden letters for her wall:

I almost finished another dish cloth!

And I made this deliciously yummy lemon cake for My Mom's birthday. Perfect Lemon Cake. (Happy Birthday, Mom!!)

A very satisfying weekend, to say the least!

Contemplations

"If we will do the possible, God will do the impossible."
~ ~ Cameron Townsend

April Fool's Day

My household, my little World of Domestic Bliss, had some tricks up its sleeve for the first day of April. I should have known when I glanced at the calendar that promised April to be a month of spring, a month of blue skies, a month of sunshine and then looked out the window.

"April Fool's!" the weather and calendar shouted together. Grey skies, heavy, foggy clouds, rain, rain, rain. Who says spring has come?

Nothing like a plate of toasty Belgian waffles to perk up the morning, bring a smile to the Kiddos' faces, warm up tummies. You know my Belgian waffle maker? The one that promised on the box, "Non-stick Surface, Perfect Waffles Every Time"?

"April Fool's" it snickered as it held tight to both sides of the waffle, ripping it apart and burning chocolate chips in the process. I tried several more attempts, but it was serious. "April Fool's" every time, producing waffles that did not yield smiles, warmth, or perkiness.

All was still for a while in my little World of Domestic Bliss until afternoon bath time for Youngest Daughter.

She swam, she flipped, she rolled in the bath, loving the warm water. But dadgum if there wasn't a dirty spot on the side of the tub that she wanted to clean off. I found her in the tub, scrubbing away at the spot with a wad of toilet paper large enough to clean off the entire tub, the sinks and mirrors, and most of the tile floor. I sweetly instructed her, "Now, don't put that toilet paper in the tub. It will disintegrate and be a real mess." I thought she was listening. Her wide open eyes and acknowledging smile told me she was listening. "April Fool's!" When I went back to the bathtub, the entire mound had been dunked, disintegrated (as it is meant to do) and was now floating thickly in a semi-solid mass near the top of the water. I sure hope Liquid Plumber Maxx can do a work on the drain.

My vacuum cleaner? The one that promised a "unique filtration method that ensures maximum vacuum power through Cyclonic Filtration Technology"? "April Fool's!" it chuckled. No vacuum power today. I can tell from the sound and suction that there is a clog of something stuck somewhere in the central vac system, somewhere in the walls of the house . . . somewhere.

It is 11:30 p.m. My domestic world has gotten in all its trickery for the day. Only 1/2 hour left of the day. All members of the household asleep, house dark and peaceful, dogs curled up in tight ovals on their beds. I tiptoe to the computer. I can have a half hour all to myself. I take a deep, delicious breath to breathe in the stillness. "Mooooommmmmmmmmyyyyyy!!" Wild sobbing. "My ear hurts! My ear hurts and hurts!!"

You thought all was peaceful, still, and quiet? Ha, one last "April Fool's" from my World of Domestic Bliss. Youngest Daughter with an ear infection.

Turn the computer off, pull out rememdies, cuddle down inside the little twin bed still fully dressed, read books, sing songs.

Okay, you got me this year, but it's midnight and this day is over. No more trickery for a full year!!

Yeah, right!

New Neighbors

We had good neighbors. No . . . we had great neighbors. Can you imagine? Into imperfect life, God brought PERFECT neighbors. The house next door to us sat empty for 6 months, and we prayed . . . hard! We prayed for great neighbors and God brought them, boy did He bring them!

They had 4 boys interspersed throughout the ages of our Three Boys. Their mother had a rule that from waking on Monday until completion of school on Friday there was to be no game station or TV and so they played outside!!

In the first week the Three Boys were fast friends, Oldest Daughter was involved in the neighborhood kickball games they started, and even Youngest Daughter was shyly trailing along behind their five year-old. Three years of perfect neighbors.

And then . . . they moved. Can you believe it? God up and moved them and they were gone, along with Friday night double sleepovers, scooter races, and cul-de-sac kickball.

And now new neighbors are moving in. And I'm peeking covertly through the blinds. In my head I'm sure they'll be good neighbors, but in my heart I'm just feeling downright grouchy.

What are these new people doing in Perfect Neighbors' house? I'm feeling like they're going to be the Worst Neighbors in the whole world. Humph!!