Recipe: Broccoli-Cheese Soup

Soup...I love soup!  One soup I had not made in a long time was the simple Broccoli-Cheese Soup.  Mmm!  Last week, I pulled out this recipe and boy, did my girls gobble it up!  Perfect for a rainy day like today.

Broccoli-Cheese Soup

3 cans chicken broth
2 bags frozen broccoli florets
1/4 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup flour
3 cups milk

1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 8 oz. bag shredded Mexican cheese

Bring the chicken broth and broccoli to a boil for 6 minutes. Saute onion in a little margarine/butter.  Add flour and milk. Add flour combination to broth mixture. Add cheddar cheese soup. Cook - do not boil. Add cheese and stir until melted.  

Serve with a BLT sandwich for a delicious lunch or dinner.

Holiday Traditions - Trees!

 Day after Thanksgiving is our family's tradition to put up the Christmas tree.  :)  Since we have lived in Nevada, we also began cutting down a tree as well.  Here, you purchase a permit for $10 and you are able to go in designated parts of the wilderness and cut down your tree.  I love it!  I always wanted that experience as a kid to go traipsing through the woods to find that perfect tree to cut down and take home.  

It is just a neat experience.  We saw three different herds of deer along the way.  Awesome!  And check out the view!

 My husband always lets me pick out the tree and I usually go with my first choice. :)  We both saw the same tree and agreed we both like this one!  We always have put the tree inside; however, I made a decision that now our real tree will be on our deck.  

 After our trek to the woods, we came home to decorate Old Faithful.  My husband and I's very first Christmas tree as a married couple thirteen years ago in Cedar Lake, IN.  It was a 6 ft. tree and the most we could afford.  Maybe some day we will upgrade and get a newer and bigger model.  But we will always have her as well.

Eggnog (can not decorate with eggnog in the Tastet home!), Thanksgiving leftovers (turkey, mashed potatoes and noodle gravy, stuffing, mac and cheese, creamy cranberry salad and pie...lots of pie :) and "It's a Wonderful Life".

Thanks for sharing our traditions with us. :)

What Thanksgiving Means to Me

Craziest day of the year.  Used to be anyways.  Now it is a month of crazy.

Black Friday.  Cyber Monday.  Sales upon sales upon sales.  Wal-Mart decided to match any Black Friday deal a week early BEFORE Black Friday.  Stores open on Thanksgiving now.  All for the almighty dollar.

I do love sales.  I love a great deal.  But it certainly adds a stress and pressure this time of year.  Am I getting the best deal?  Will there be a better deal tomorrow?

What did Thanksgiving used to be like, Mommy?

Thanksgiving Day night was probably the best day of the year as a kid for my sisters and I.  We spent as a family the day at Grandma's house.  Traditional meal...family together...great times.  Then all the parents would go home and the grandkids got to spend the night at Grandma's house.  It was a time of traditions.

The grandkids at my Grandma's funeral.

Decorating the Christmas tree.  Same lights...same bulbs...same tinsel.  We teased Grandma about that every year how she reused that tinsel.  She didn't bat an eye.  That was Grandma.  Scrimp and save.  Set out the Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Arrange the stable scene with Baby Jesus.  

Christmas classics played on the record player.  Now that is a memory. :)  

After the tree was decorated, we would turn off the lights and "pose to the Christmas tree".  Then we would eat and eat and eat.  Grandma had a sweet tooth and there was always goodies to be had from homemade caramel corn to peanut butter fudge.  

Then on to ping pong tournaments on the kitchen table.  Maybe Monopoly or another of the many board games Grandma loved to play.

In the morning, Grandma always had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and we would decorate the windows with her homemade decorations of trees, bells, stars made out of egg cartons.

So simple.  Every year, I wish I could go back and be a kid just once more.  I think I would pick this day to relive and be with her again.

It is the day I miss her most.  I can't wait to spend Thanksgiving in Heaven with her again.
I love you, Grandma.

These are some of my Grandma's Christmas things that my aunt sent me after she went to Heaven.  

Recipes, cookie cutters, ornaments and her egg carton window decorations.

What Will "They" Be Giving Thanks For?

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  Can you think of one thing you could do for one person tomorrow?

Maybe a neighbor...a single mom...an elderly person who lives alone.  

Bake them a pie.

Invite them to your home for Thanksgiving.

Make a plate of food and take it to their home.

Give them a gift card to a restaurant.

You could be what they will be giving thanks for.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ten Tips to Prepare for Thanksgiving Day

Here are my ten tips in preparation for Thanksgiving Day:

1.  Clean out your refrigerator.  

You will need room for your Thanksgiving dishes as well as leftovers after the meal.

2.  Put beverages in fridge to chill.

3.  Gather all items needed for set up on that day.  

Example:  Tablecloths, napkins, dinnerware - Count out how many you will need for the number of guests you are expecting.  (I set my table the night before! :)

Serving dishes - very important! Some dishes you may not use very often such as the turkey platter. Find all you will need.  Place the items with the dish if possible.  For example:  Chips with the chip/dip tray.  Olives and pickles with their dish.

Cooking utensils - extremely important!  What items do you need to cook that turkey?  Thermometer, baster, baking bag, etc.  Place them all together.

4.  Have plastic containers ready to place leftovers in.  With their matching lids. :)

5.  Prepare as many dishes as you are able to the day before.  

This will definitely ease your Thanksgiving morning work load.  Many dishes you can prepare and place in a slow cooker the night before.  Then simply plug in Thanksgiving morning!

6.  Use slow cookers to keep food warm in until the meal.  For example:  I remember someone always mashing the potatoes at the very last minute before our Thanksgiving meal.  A slow cooker is a wonderful way to keep them warm and ready to serve and you will be able to properly host your guests as they arrive.

7.  Create a drink station.  

I like to set up a small table for hot drinks - coffee, tea, hot cocoa, cider. I have one coffeemaker with coffee prepared and one with just hot water.  Also have a place for your cold drinks on ice where the guests can help themselves throughout the day.  

8.  Choose your outfit the night before.  

Yes, I know, it is a holiday and you will be cooking.  I encourage you though to dress up a little!  AKA...leave your pajama pants and slippers at home. :)

9.  Make your home cozy and inviting as possible.  

Have fresh flowers for your table.  Use real tablecloths and napkins.  Have scented candles burning.  

10.  Put on a smile.  

You may not have the Norman Rockwell scene happen in your home.  But you can make it a time of happiness with those you love.

Recipe: Rebekah's Chili

Yesterday, we had our Thanksgiving Chili Dinner at our church so I thought I would share my chili recipe.  I have been making this recipe since I was first married 13 years ago living in a one bedroom apartment in Cedar Lake, IN.  It is so easy and quick and can be put together in minutes.

Rebekah's Chili

1 lb. ground beef or turkey
1/2 onion, diced
1 can tomato soup - 10 oz.
1/4 cup milk
2 cans chili beans
2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
salt and pepper

Brown the ground beef with the onion.  Drain.  Add the remaining ingredients and heat through.

Serve with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.  And maybe a melty grilled cheese sandwich. :)

I Died For Her...

Saturday, we were out passing out packets for our church.  The packets included a John and Romans, a church postcard, a letter regarding our Christmas program, a magnet and a pen.  I had placed a packet at the door of a house and started crossing the street.

A lady comes angrily out that door yelling at us.  She threw the packet at my husband and it landed on the street.  She said some angry, choice words and stomped back in her home.  Vehement anger.  Rage.

Rage that someone had left a Bible and invitation to church on her door.  Sad indeed.

What was more sad was one of our group spent 23 years in the military...fighting for her and her freedom of speech.  As well as a free country to live.  And she threw it in his face.

Thank you, Bro. Scott, for giving those years for her...for me...for us all.  

And yet, there was another who fought for her.  Well, He actually died for her.  Yes, that woman that threw His very Words into the face of His children.  

Thank you, Jesus, for giving your life for her...for me...for us all.

May we continue for Him.

My Goal for my Teenagers

My goal for my teenager...

No, I don't have a teenager.  Yet.  That saying scares my husband and me.  Yet the thing that people do when they are afraid of something - they avoid it.  Avoiding a situation doesn't make it go away or get better.  

Back to teens.  What is our goal for our daughters?

Our goal for our daughters is that they would choose what has been chosen for them.

I was raised in a Christian home.  My dad was an assistant pastor and then a pastor.  

The Christian life was chosen for me.  

And I chose it too.  

As a teen, I chose to have a personal walk with my Lord.  I chose to dress modestly in my public school.  I chose to carry my Bible to my public school.  I chose to not smoke, drink or do drugs.  

I chose to be a leader in my youth group.  I chose to tell others about Jesus.  I chose to be involved in MY church.  Yes, even though my dad was the pastor, it just wasn't my dad's church, it was MY church.  I chose to serve - cleaning the church, mowing the lawn, playing the piano, singing specials, teaching Sunday School, running a van route.  

I chose to go to Bible college.  My pastor didn't make me.  My parents didn't make me.  I wanted it.  I craved it.  

I LOVED being a Christian teenager.  

It was truly the best life I ever could live.

THAT is what I want for my girls.  To choose what has been chosen for them.  And to OWN it.  

And now I am all grown up.  :)  And guess what...I still choose this life.  No regrets.

Tip to Streamline Your Thanksgiving Meal Preparations

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  Here is a tip that I use that may help you in your holiday preparations.

I created a Home Organization Binder.  The last section in my binder is my Meal Planning Section.  I have a calendar to record the meals I want to make that day/week.  

After planning what meals I want to make, I take those recipes and place them in the binder. 

This enables me to do two things:

1.  Create my grocery shopping list from the recipes.

2.  I have all the recipes I need for the week at my fingertips.  

No searching through cookbooks, recipe cards, browsing the internet...what was that recipe called???

For instance, I have my Thanksgiving dishes planned.

I placed all the recipes I need to use in my binder.

I typed out my grocery list.

Just a little tip that will take some stress out of your holiday! :)

Becoming an Infectious Person

"Hey, I just got to the church and it is flooded.  There is standing water in the hallway and auditorium."  These are the words I heard over the phone yesterday morning.

"I'll be right down."  I was typing out my Thanksgiving grocery list and was heading out to do my shopping for our Thanksgiving meal.  

Instead, I spent the entire day with a Shop Vac and carpet cleaner in hand.  

Stress.  You will have it daily in your life.  You will respond to it.  So what will my response be?  

You see, I was contagious.  We all are. Did my husband need me to be negative and down at that time?  Absolutely not.  I could have easily infected him with a bad attitude, woe is me emotion.  He really didn't need that.

Sundays.

It is hard to maintain that smile...that joyful spirit...that contagious happy attitude when you get up to sing in the choir and the sea of faces is frowns.  People, you are contagious!  

Try it this Sunday at your church.  See how many people you can infect with your smiles and laughter!  Smile at Bro. Josh...smile at the choir...smile at Pastor!  Infect those around you with happiness and joy!

"But Rebekah, I have a lot going on right now."  Cool.  Sweet.  Awesome.  DROP IT AT THE DOOR.  Leave your worries, cares, sadness, despondency in your car before you walk in God's house.  You have a job to complete.  To infect as many people as you can with the love and joy of Christ.  

You will be surprised what a difference you can make.

The "Perfect" Pastor

I like this picture.  This is the perfect photo to describe my husband.  Surrounded by people...in his element.

I think God made him just perfect.  He was a way to connect with people.  He loves them deeply.  He understands them.  

If God makes people for specific purposes, he certainly made my husband to be a pastor.

(But I did tell him he doesn't get to grill the hot dogs anymore because he fellowships too much and grills too slowly!  LOL!)

All It Takes Is a Cup of Coffee

"Here, honey," said my husband.  I was blow drying my hair and reading my Bible in our bedroom.  My husband hands me a cup of coffee he had made for me.

"Thank you!" I said.  I take a sip while he watches me.  He says you're welcome and heads out the door.  

I set the cup down next to the cup of coffee I already had been drinking.  :)

What better way to make your morning great than with a kind gesture...and two cups of coffee. 

Make someone's morning better today!

(No, he never realized I already had a cup of coffee.  LOL!)

How To Plan a Chili Dinner for your Church

Last year, we held a Chili Dinner as a special Thanksgiving service for our church family.  It was a big hit and we decided to do it again this year!

You may decide to do this for your church or as a special event with family or friends.  I have included the planning sheets with all the information that will help you as you plan your event.  

SVBC Chili Dinner/Service Planning Sheets

You will find...

Our menu
Our order of service
List of volunteers needed for the event 
Items the church needs to purchase
A detailed sign up sheet for the meal
A floor plan of the fellowship hall

*We also create a Thankful Video for our service.  Some churches have people stand and give testimonies of what they are thankful for that year.  We ask people to e-mail five photos per family (or you could do person) and we create a video slide show that is played during our meal/service.

Last year, I worked this entire event by myself.  I cooked all the chili (that was crazy!), purchased all the items, set up and cleaned up, served the food.  With our church getting larger in size, we did a change this year.  

I want to give a big thank you to Jenny Musser for creating and organizing this event for me!  I help her brainstorm but she does the majority of the work.  Every pastor's wife needs a Jenny.  Thank you, Jenny!!

Kids and Church Choir

There is something about watching your children take steps as they grow in the Lord and serve Him.  I have seen kids from Christian families that never take an interest in the Lord and it saddens me. 

Recently, my daughter asked Jenny, our pianist, when she would be allowed to join the church choir.  7th grade was the answer.  Then it was changed to 6th grade if their parent also sang in the choir.

My daughter was so happy!  She immediately begin putting together her choir notebook, asking questions, making sure she had the right songs.  I loved it.

It is important that you are instilling in your children the desire to serve God.  Why?  You don't reap the same season you sow.  I want teen daughters that are beautiful inside with a heart for God.  I want girls who desire to serve in their church with their pastor dad and pastor's wife mom.  I want teen daughters that own this thing called the Christian life.  If I want this result in my teen daughters, I have to invest in my 4 yr. old now.

Addie is 11 yrs. old and the 6th grade.  I don't have much time left to sow before she reaches the teen group.  

Parents, I encourage you to invest in those little people now.  Invest a love and desire to serve God.  Sunday School teacher, don't waste your influence.  Make it count.

Addie is the young lady with glasses in the center.  She plays the piano and also is a helper in the church nursery.  

Holiday Recipe: Holiday Cranberry Cheeseball

Guest Post:  Jenny Musser

I have been getting my Thanksgiving recipes together so I thought I would share one more before Thanksgiving Day!

I got this one from Josh's Aunt Barbara.  It's great to make the night before and have out for people to snack on before dinner time.  

Holiday Cranberry Cheeseball

Ingredients:

1-8oz block of cream cheese, softened  
2 T. orange juice
1 T. sugar
1/8 t. cinnamon
1/4 C. finely chopped pecan
1/4 C. finely chopped craisins 
Zest of an orange

Directions:

Use mixer to mix cream cheese, OJ, sugar, cinnamon and pecans.  Then fold in craisins, roll into a ball & chill until set. Roll in additional finely chopped pecans.  Serve with crackers.

Eight Recipe Options Using Hot Dog Buns

Have you ever over-bought on hot dog buns?  Perhaps you had a backyard BBQ and had a couple packs leftover?  You can either eat regular hot dogs for a couple more meals (with groans from your husband and children) or you can try a few different meal ideas!

By the way, when you are a young family with children, food budgets are often lean.  Food is expensive no matter what you try to do!  So, the following are some cheap and kid-friendly meal options that our family uses and enjoys using the good ol' hot dog bun!

Lunch/Dinner Options

This first one may sound odd but I guarantee it was a hit with my kids and even my husband!  Try it and I think you will find it a keeper!

Tator-Topped Dogs

hot dogs and hot dog buns

instant mashed potatoes-Prepare according to package directions

Shredded cheddar cheese

Place one cooked hot dog in each bun. (I sautee my dogs in a skillet with a little oil until heated through and have some grilled-like color and taste to them.)  Top each hot dog generously with prepared mashed potatoes.  Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.  Broil until cheese is melted and bun is toasted.

This recipe is great for an after church Sunday night meal/snack.  Pop it in before you leave for church and you have a tasty meal when you get home!

Meatball Subs

1 package of frozen meatballs
1 jar of marinara sauce
mozzarella cheese

Combine and cook the meatballs and sauce on high for approximately 3 hours in a slow cooker.  Serve three meatballs on a hot dog bun.  Top with mozzarella cheese and broil 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted and bun is toasted.

This recipe is great for kids - they can prepare their own.  Dinner is done!

Mini Pizzas

hot dog buns
pizza sauce
mozzarella cheese
diced pineapple drained and diced deli ham
(The variety of pizza toppings are endless!)

Split each bun on a baking sheet.  Top with pizza sauce, choice of toppings and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-12 minutes.

This recipe is wonderful with a broccoli-cheese soup on a fall or winter day!

Tuna Melts

tuna, drained
mayo to taste
salt and pepper
green onions

Mix together and place in bun.  Top with shredded cheddar cheese.  Wrap in foil and bake at 350 degrees until heated through and cheese is melted.

Breakfast Options

Breakfast Boats

scrambled eggs
sausage, cooked and drained
diced onions

Mix together and place in hot dog buns.  Top with shredded cheddar cheese.  Broil for 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bun is toasted.

Overnight French Toast

8 hot dog buns split in half
8 eggs
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter (melted)
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Mix your eggs, milk and cinnamon in a bowl.  Place your melted butter in a 9x13 baking dish and add the buns.  Pour your egg mixture over the buns.  Cover and refrigerate overnight-at least 6 hours.
Preheat your oven to 350 degress.  Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes.

Cool for 10 minutes.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

Side Option

Garlic Bread

2 hot dog buns
1/2 stick butter/margarine, melted
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

Split buns in half.  Combine melted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning together.  Brush over each piece of hot dog bun.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until toasted.

Serve with any pasta dish.

Snack

Cinnamon Sticks

Split your hot dog buns in half and place on baking sheet.  Spread with melted butter.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and bake for 8 minutes at 400 degrees.

The Real Goal of Church Leadership

Being in church leadership can be tricky.  It is something that you will never master...should always be learning and perfecting...and just will be tough at times.

Why?  You are dealing with people.  And as long as you are dealing with people, it will always take more time, energy, and thought.

May I encourage you as a church leader?  Often, we can get so engrossed in the result that we want to achieve that we railroad and forget those that are doing the work to achieve that result.

Your goal in ministry is to also build, train and encourage those under you.

For example:  We have three children's Sunday School teachers at this time.  I oversee the teachers, help with any problems, teach and train.  I also oversee my personal adult ladies Sunday School class and a co-teacher for my class.

My responsibility in leading these ladies is to not simply lead them to just get the results I need from a teacher.  

The goal is to NOT train them to be a better teacher.  The goal is to build them as a fellow Christian brother or sister.

It is easy to do.  Every week, I sit in an administration meeting and we brainstorm and develop ideas, procedures, plans, and methods to increase the productivity of our services, ministries and overall, church.  However, if we forget the PEOPLE that are involved in these procedures, plans and methods, we have lost the true vision of what ministry is.

I get this very much so.  Remember the story of Paul and Barnabas?  Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark back and take him on their missionary journey.  Paul said, "What?  I don't think so!  He already dropped the ball and quit on the last journey.  I'm not going to give that guy another chance."

You see, Paul was the "mission" guy.  He was SO focused on the MISSION that he often forget about the reason FOR the mission - people.  Yep, that is me.  

Barnabas was the "relationship" guy.  He saw the value in people even when they failed and was willing to give them another chance.  He didn't forget the reason for the mission was the people.

My encouragement to me and you...build the person that is building your mission and ministry.  

In doing so, your ministry will grow as your workers are built.

Tips for an Autumn Bonfire Activity

Last night, we hosted a College and Career activity at our home.  Here are a few tips to use for your next group activity:

The food and drink was divided up between all the youth and hosts.  

Everyone was assigned items to bring.  One young man paid the money to buy the ingredients for the soup and one of the chaperones made the soup and brought it to our home.

The menu was:

Cheeseburger Soup

Chips

Soda-2 liters

S'Mores

Coffee and hot cocoa

We first ate around our dining room table.

  Add a specialness to your activity with candles, fall tablecloths and fall decorations.  

Then everyone moved around the bonfire outside.  We roasted marshmallows, made s'mores and talked and laughed.  

A simple yet special activity.

Here is Jessica's recipe for Cheeseburger Soup. :)

INGREDIENTS

½ pound ground beef (use 1 pound)

¾ cup chopped onion

¾ cup shredded carrots

¾ cup diced celery

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

4 tablespoons butter, divided

3 cups chicken broth

4 cups peeled and diced potatoes

¼ cup all purpose flour

2 cups of Velveeta processed cheese cubed (I used 16 ounce) or- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1½ cups milk

¾ teaspoon salt

¼ to ½ teaspoon pepper

¼ cup sour cream

INSTRUCTIONS

Brown the ground beef in 3 quart saucepan. Drain and set aside.

In the same saucepan add 1 T butter and add onion, shredded carrots, parsley flakes, basil and celery. Saute until tender.

Add the broth, potatoes and beef and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

In small skillet melt remaining butter (3 T) and add the flour. Cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to the soup and bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.

Stir in the cheese, milk, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat and blend in sour cream.

What I Got from the 30 Day Praise Challenge

In my ladies Sunday School class, I taught on praise.  I challenged them to take the 30 Day Praise Challenge.  You can find the book The 30 Day Praise Challenge here.  

The 30 Day Praise Challenge

Challenge:  To spend 20 minutes a day intentionally praising God for 30 consecutive days.

1. Intentionality. - Praise on purpose!

2. Praise music that prompts you to worship.

3. Flexibility. - Morning, afternoon, night - Just do it!

4. A journal. - Keep record of your praise journey.

Read at least one chapter from the book of Psalms each day.  Sing, listen to or read one hymn/praise song.

Write in your journal one characteristic about God that I discover from this chapter for which I can praise God today.  Let that be the characteristic of God that you carry with you throughout the day.

I finished the challenge today.  What did it mean to me?

1.  It made me slow down.  When your mind is so busy with what's next, it takes that 20 minutes to really slow down and get your mind focused on Him.

2.  It kept me consistent in my praise life.  If you have trouble with being consistent in your devotional life, journal.  Write it down.  Make yourself accountable!

3.  It opened my heart each day to the Lord.  How do you get close to the people around you?  Spend time with them.  You will find yourself close to the Lord just in adding 20 minutes a day to your schedule with Him.

Why don't you take the challenge today?