White Cheese Chicken Lasagna

Three words: Fab.U.Lous

This was my first chicken lasagna, and we all loved how it turned out.  We grilled the chicken which made it taste even yummier.  I definitely plan to make it again sometime!

Here is the link to the recipe:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/white-cheese-chicken-lasagna/detail.aspx

Make & Enjoy (and send me the leftovers)



He Never Lets Go

As I sat on the beach and watched Brian and the kids play in the waves, it suddenly hit me.  It was nothing new really.  I've read about it hundreds of times in the Bible.  Numerous circumstances in my own life have also been reminders.  Somehow this time it just really dug into my heart. 

 The waves were rough at times, but Brian never let go.  Sometimes their mighty strength even knocked Parker and Claire down, but he NEVER let go.  My children were free to enjoy the waves because they knew their Daddy would protect them.  When they were knocked off their feet, they clung even tighter to his strong hands.  Time after time, he stood them back up and encouraged them to keep jumping.   I was even reminded that he would sacrifice his own life to save them.  I knew he would if that's what they needed.

  

God is mightier than any waves of life that knock us down.  He is able and faithful to pick us up again and rescue us from danger.  He already did sacrifice His own life to save us.  Oh, to trust Him more and enjoy the freedom He promises.

I just needed that reminder.

He Never Lets Go.

"Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty." Psalm 93:4

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Welcome to the World, Baby Girl

Because so much of Flagg's third novel takes place in the 1970s media-celebrity echelons of New York City, it doesn't offer the regional and historical color and texture of its predecessor, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Instead, Flagg's achievement here lies in a well-choreographed story of loyalty and survival that zigzags deftly across the post-war years, panning in on the never-changing decency of Elmwood Springs, Mo., then pulling back to watch national TV news devolve into sensationalism?all the while drawing us into the compelling life of Dena Nordstrom. Star of America's most popular morning news show, Dena shuts herself down and shuts men out for painful reasons that are unknown even to her. Only after the stress of ambush- and sound-byte journalism brings on a hemorrhaging ulcer does Dena slowly unearth the scandal that, when Dena was four, drove her mother from Elmwood Springs, hometown of the war hero father that Dena never knew. That her mother's nemesis is a newspaper gossipmonger is nicely ironic, although her mother's secret shame seems slightly larger than life. In contrast, Dena's college friend Sookie and great aunt Elner are reminders of how well Flagg can cook up memorable women from the most down-to-earth ingredients, while a cameo by Tennessee Williams is uncannily true to life. Fans may be sorry at first to leave Elmwood Springs for the big city, but even the most reluctant will get wrapped up in Dena's search for the truth about her family and her past.

*** I had a VERY hard time getting into this book.  It just seemed to drag on and on with very little excitement in the story line.  I even considered not finishing it, which is unusual for me.  I persevered, and it finally picked up in the last half.  I'm glad I finished it, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

Myrtle the Giraffe

So maybe you heard that I went to the beach recently...

One of my favorite stops while we're there is always Home Goods.  Now I'm not talking about a TJ Maxx with some Home Goods stuff in the back or a TJ Maxx (slash) Home Goods where it's like half and half (I'm looking at you Asheville). This is a for real, knock your socks off, "Take My Breath Away" playing in the background Home Goods. I consider it pure joy, my friends.  

That is where I found Myrtle.

Isn't she beautiful?

She's an (at least) nine feet tall wooden giraffe.  I considered standing on that table to get a true measurement, but then I noticed that it was supported by one, smallish pedestal.  I reconsidered, and estimated based on that lovely lady bent over beside her. 

I immediately sent a picture to Lisa (I'm linking to her, yet she never updates her blog so there's no real reason to click over there).  I just knew she would see the beauty and potential usefulness of the giraffe as I did.  Of course, Lisa agreed, and at $799.99, she was a bargain.   The proposal was made to split the cost and share her.  We came up with several name suggestions including Jason (as in Aldean), Kenny (as in Chesney), and Luke (as in Bryan).  In the end, there was only one name that was appropriate, Myrtle (as in Beach).  For the record, I still reserve the right to name my next dog Myrtle which has been the plan for many years. 

So I loaded her up and tied her to the top of the van.  Oh, we were a sight to see on the long drive home.  She was flapping around, legs everywhere. Lisa suggested a trailer or something to bring her home and then transport between our houses since the plan WAS to share her.  I was just trying to be frugal, so I didn't purchase the trailer.  Now, I'm sitting at home with this (at least) nine feet tall giraffe named Myrtle and no way to get her over to Lisa's house.  Unless I tie her to the top of the van again which is a viable option. 

***I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I am the crazy one, and Lisa just politely plays along. 

***Some parts of this story are fictional ~ I'll let you decide which ones.

Beeswax

Brian told me I put too many pictures on my blog.  I told him, "Go mind your own pile of wax, Mr. Bee".

Prepare Yourself

Italian Village Pizza (our anniversary meal)

GET IN MAH BELLAH!

Summer Sisters

Summer Sisters looked like a fun book to read at the beach, so I did just that.  Having enjoyed Judy Blume's books since I was a little girl, I wasn't surprised that I liked it!  The story made me want to visit the Northeast coast with maybe a little less drama than the book describes.  The two friends, the summer sisters, had many adventures throughout their lives with some expected betrayal along the way.  I was left wondering what their lives would look like ten more years down the road.  A sequel would be nice.

Green Beans

This is how I feel about green beans...

 

Only worse! Never liked 'em, never will!

 

Just thought I should warn you, in case you are thinking of having me over for a lovely dinner party.  I will try anything else you serve, but I will unfortunately be unable to try the green beans.  They make me gag, and I'm not very pretty when I gag.  Plus, I don't think you would appreciate the ugly, green stain I would leave on your carpet.  So now that you've been warned, invite away...my calendar is wide open!