Recipe: 7 Up Lemon Bundt Cake

I haven't been able to cook or bake much to try new recipes but I thought I would share one my sister baked and raved over!  She said it is amazing.  And a light dessert with a lemon touch is perfect for spring entertaining. :)

7-Up Lemon Bundt Cake

Ingredients

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix

1 (4 oz.) Box Instant Lemon Pudding (My sister did vanilla)

1 1/2 Cups 7 Up

4 Eggs

3/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

Icing:

2 Cups Confectioners Sugar

1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice

1-2 Tbsp. Milk

Preheat oven to 325F degrees.

Spray your 10-inch bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine all the cake ingredients. Mix until thoroughly combined. Pour batter into bundt pan.

Bake for about 45-55 minutes (until inserted toothpick or fork comes out clean). Allow to cool completely, then remove from bundt pan.

Start preparing icing. If you’re using a fresh lemon, you might like to zest a bit of the lemon for more flavor. That step is totally optional. In a small bowl, combine sugar and lemon juice. Add milk in slowly until you’ve reached desired consistency. You may want your icing a bit thicker or more like a glaze. That part is completely up to you. This icing is nice and tangy and brings a nice balance of flavor alongside the sweet cake.

Pour icing over cake. And serve!

On a side note...

This week, I am trying to "cook" some healthier meals.  I am trying some convenience food that I normally don't use but is easier in the kitchen in the hotel.  I only have a small two burner stove top and a sink to wash pots and pans about the size of a bathroom sink.  So the less pans I have to dirty and wash...the better!  I have drenched myself a few times already.  LOL!

Our family enjoys fish which is quick and easy to cook.  I usually buy tilapia but found cod and flounder which will be a nice change.  Just add rice and veggies for a delicious meal.

One of the easiest ways to get in veggies in your meal is the steamable bags!  So easy!  We haven't tried the sweet potatoes but I am excited to!

Fully cooked chicken breasts strips are so wonderful!  I used them in our fettucine alfredo tonight and have another bag to use for other meals - in pitas, on salads.

Pre made bags of greens are handy for a quick salad.  Add some red onion, boiled eggs, tomatoes and some crunchy toppings. :)

I actually have never used these until we moved in the hotel and someone gave us some groceries.  I tried it and loved it!  So handy and tasty!

A New Normal

Things have been a slow go since Wednesday with our house.  The electrician did come on Friday but did not complete the job yet.  Today is three weeks since we moved into the hotel and we hope to get back home soon.  We know we still have a ways to go.  

The message my husband preached this Sunday fit in well with our situation...A New Normal.  I feel that we have had to do that for the past three weeks. 

He encouraged you to do three things when your life changes:

1.  Mourn.  Grieve.

2.  Stop grieving!

3.  Get up and claim the Promised Land!

My situation is nothing.  Minimal.  Just a little inconvenient and throws me off my groove.  That's all.  Maybe you have a situation that has really thrown you into a place where YOU need to find a new normal.  Mourn over your loss. Stop grieving.  And get up and claim the new normal!

Saturday, my husband and I were so encouraged by all those who came out for Community Outreach. Community Outreach is one Saturday a month - we pass out church postcard invitations in surrounding neighborhoods.  This Saturday, we passed out 1,000.  It was great to see new faces that had never come before but wanted to get involved.

We also had two softball practices and a baby shower.  Two of the girls went on a sleepover and two went to work with their dad at the church so I had a little quiet time by myself!

My work schedule has now changed - again.  LOL!  So last week was the first week of the new hours and days.  I now do three nights - 9pm-9am - Mondays through Wednesdays.  The first of the week will be a little tiring but I did enjoy having the rest of the week off. :)  

Sunday, we had a delicious lunch made for us by Tracy Cook.  Tater tot casserole, a salad and a cinnamon cake dessert.  Very delicious!  Thank you, Tracy!  I did go home to plant my vegetables and water the lawn and check on the dogs for part of the afternoon.  

This week will be busy with Easter preparations.  Lots to do!  I hope you have a great week!

Connecting to God...Connecting to Others

Connections.  It is neat making connections with people about the Lord.

More times than not...bringing God into your daily conversations is not awkward and weird.  I think that you will find that there are more believers in this world than you think!

I was thinking of these recent scenarios...

We were sitting at breakfast in our hotel and I noticed this family with teen daughters praying before eating.  About 15 minutes later, my husband mentioned an older couple at another table praying as well.

I was meeting with our insurance adjuster and he found out that we home school.  He asked what program we use and I mentioned a program out of Florida called Abeka.  He said, My wife and I use that for our kids!

My husband was talking at softball practice to a lady there...he invites her to church...her husband and she comes the next day!

We were having dinner with an older couple in our church at a restaurant and my husband gives her an Easter invitation card with the tip.  I don't think she was saved but she was willing to share part of her story and maybe someday she will be.

My husband was having lunch with another pastor from our area and found out of an independent Baptist man that recently started a Spanish church here in Reno!  We may have never known and now my husband is going to reach out to this man.

Connections.  All different in some way, shape or form.  

All connecting people to God.

You may feel inadequate in talking about the Lord.  You may be timid, shy, embarrassed.  Most of the time, it will be easier than you think.

It really can be just a normal and natural thing.  And I think you too will be surprised the connections you will find too!

Three Tips to Help You Make Good Decisions

I seem to be accident prone since we transitioned to the hotel!

One night, I was heading to work in my husband's car.  I turned the corner and heard this crash...I had put my ceramic mug on the top of the car to hang up my church clothes and forgot about it.  There was my mug in tiny pieces on the road.  Bad decision.

Then, I was opening the door to the swimming pool and opened it right on my toe.  Blood and open wound.  Just saying that makes me almost faint.  OK...I need to stop thinking about that!  Bad decision.

If that wasn't enough, I started cleaning the church Wednesday and the vacuum was clogged.  It never fails.  So I take it apart to unclog it...forgetting to unplug it.  I am reaching in with my hand and accidentally turn it on!  The roller and brush didn't feel so good.  Really bad decision.

Basically, I made some bad decisions.  And it cost me.  Most of what happens in our lives are a result of poorly made decisions.  Some small and they may only cost you a bruise or a few dollars out of your pocket.  Some very large and may cost you some very valuable things in your life including relationships.

How can you avoid making poor decisions?

1.  Make daily decisions the night before.  

Let's say you are struggling with eating healthy.  Make your breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner the day before.  Then when you go to eat a meal, there is no decision that needs to be made.  You have already made that good decision!

2.  Don't make decisions, make commitments.  

Exercise.  (I am telling on myself that I have dropped this in the last month.)  I can come to the day and ask myself...Do I want to exercise today?  The answer will always be no.  So I need to schedule that commitment.  Then when the time comes, there is no decision that needs to be made.  

Some decisions are way bigger.  Count the cost to the commitments that you are making.  Can you continue to fulfill that commitment a year from now?  Three years from now?

3.  Live by principles when you can.

Example:  A principle - I won't use a credit card in my personal finances.  By having this principle, I don't have to make any decision regarding purchases that I don't have the cash for.  We are in a remodeling project right now due to a leaky kitchen pipe.  Much of the renovation is covered by our insurance.  However, we have decided to add in some upgrades and such that will be out of our own pocket.  

Our decisions on this were made by these three facts:

1.  All upgrades will be paid for by cash.

2.  We already have a plan of replacing that cash back into our savings once it is gone.

3.  We will continue our debt payment and stay on course with that plan.  Renovations do not trump our debt plan.  Pleasure should never trump responsibilities.  If you can't afford it, don't!

Get on track with making good and wise decisions today!

Weekend Recap-Teen Rally and Dishwashers

What a busy but good weekend!  We are blessed to have the opportunity to serve the Lord.

Saturday, we had our fourth annual teen rally.  It was held at North Valleys High School.  We had 45 teens attend and three teens accepted Jesus as their Savior!  Yes, there was fun and games...but the most important was the preaching of the Word of God.  Words that have the power to change and transform lives.  We are grateful to West Coast Baptist College who came and sang for the rally.  We also appreciate Eric Goetsch who preached for the rally.  He and his wife, Lexa, were a blessing to our church.

Saturday was two softball practices...getting a quote on some bathroom work...childcare for the teen rally and work that night.

A friend gave me my first plants for my raised garden beds.  Neat!  I am looking forward to getting them in the ground. :)

Another birthday present from a friend.  I love spring scarves!

A gift from my secret sister! :)

My new skirt from my sister for my birthday! :)  

Part of the West Coast singing group.  This is them singing Sunday morning.

Sunday afternoon, I spent working at our house doing some moving, cleaning and watering the lawn.  Thank you to Jessica who made our family Taco Soup and chocolate cake for our lunch. :)

My lilac bushes are starting to bloom. :)

Monday was school and catching up on laundry.  Swimming and beef stroganoff with caesar's salad for dinner.  I brought back the laundry from our house so I had quite a bit but got it all done.  I also did a few errands - gas, ATM, and bought our new microwave oven and dishwasher!  I am a "little" excited about that.  Ha!  In all the years I have been married, I never had or used a dishwasher.  Our house did not have a dishwasher, however, when we were talking with our contractor - he mentioned they would put it in the plans if we wanted to purchase one.  I have to say...that sounded very inviting!  There are seasons in one's life that any small thing to make life easier really makes a big difference.  I think I am in the season where a dishwasher would definitely make my life easier. :D

We are also reconfiguring our kitchen layout a bit to create more counter top space.  Before, we had very little space.  Very. Little.  One of the changes to help this is to install an under the cabinet microwave instead of the counter top microwave we currently have.  Again, another small change that will make a big difference in the life of this mom. :)

So there were two different dishwashers that I was trying to choose from...same brand.  One had a few more upgrades and was $60 more.  One of the upgrades was the stainless steel was specially formulated to resist fingerprints.  Hmm...this is very important to me.  Again, another detail that could make my life a little easier!  So, I say, "Kids, everyone put your hands on these dishwashers!"  The fingerprints on the cheaper dishwasher stayed and you could really see them.  The one on the more expensive were a lot less noticeable - sealing the decision for this mom! :)  

In the midst of the busyness of your life, find something beautiful to encourage you!

Lovely trees at our hotel.

Home School Field Trip: Oxbow Nature Center and Kimmie Candy Factory

I thought I would share with you our recent home school activity.  As a church last year, we held an activities for our home school kids.  We began with five families and 20 kids.  Three of those families do not home school any more so it is now our family and the Ruby family.  

Great group of kids and we enjoy being together!

We started with a picnic at the Oxbow Nature Study Area.  We then took a hike on the paths by the Truckee River.  So beautiful!

Loved the beautiful ducks that came to visit us!

Still snow on the mountains in the distance but a warm 70 degrees in Reno.  Spring is here!  After the hike, we went to the nature center and heard a talk about all the animals that live in this area.  Very interesting!

Then we took a tour at the Kimmie Candy Factory.  

I think one of the interesting things I learned was how the world's supply of cocoa beans are grown on small farms.  I loved that.  And it is harvested by hand.  I thought it was a great lesson of how important each person's contribution is to their world.  You may feel on certain days that your life doesn't make a difference anywhere.  But it does!  

It takes all the small farms and family farmers to work together to give the world the cocoa bean...and it takes a family, a church family and a community of Christians to make a difference for Christ!

Speaking of chocolate...those dark chocolate espresso beans.  Yum!  We scored these treats for just a $1 each in the candy store.

Then the kids enjoyed a time of swimming in our hotel pool.  Good times in the life of home school families. :)

Hurry Up! And Wait.

Hurry up.  And wait.  That seems to be the theme in renovation.  :)  No matter how you may push to have something happen, it probably won't happen in the time frame that you have in mind.

I went to the cabinet company to pick out my cabinets and counter top.  However, I have to wait on them to come and measure, draw up the plan, approve it by me...before they can order the cabinets. Which takes three weeks.  So it might be done by Tuesday.  Maybe.

Asbestos.  The company was supposed to come remove the tile floor yesterday.  They couldn't.  Have to wait on OSHA to approve that they can now come and take them out.  

The general contractor can't even start on the drywall until the asbestos people do their part.

Hurry up.  And wait.

God did that a lot in the Bible.  He likes to do things in His timing.

Abraham and Sarah was one of the biggest examples of hurry up and wait.  And they sure had a hard time of it.  Even took things into their own hands and made their own plan.  Oops.  They had a hard time on the waiting part.

So, for the next month - maybe two for our family...hurry up and wait.  What in your life is making you wait?  

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."  Psalm 27:14

It will be worth the wait.  It always is with the Lord!

It's Friday!

What a week already!  I can't seem to find the time to sit down and blog.  Instead, I am taking the little extra time I do have to take the girls to the pool while we are staying here at the hotel.  It is a special activity that they will not have forever so we are indulging while we can. :)  And boy, do they love it!  

Monday, we were able to have our house looked at by a general contractor.  He is a super great guy - an older gentleman.  We were able to submit his bid to our insurance adjuster and they decided to up our pay out.  Praise the Lord!  This enables us to use a general contractor to do all the work that is needed to be done.

Monday night - Work.

Tuesday - School, swimming and softball practice.  And a 13 house photo inspection job!  That was pretty crazy.

Wednesday - School, administrative meeting with my husband, Awana club and work that night.

Thursday - School, met with our contractor at our house, swimming with Jenny and Reagan, two softball practices.

We are excited about the renovations that we are able to do to our home.  We did find out that it will take 3-4 weeks for us to get our cabinet order in.  So it is pretty much guaranteed we will be living in our suite for a bit longer. :)  I am really glad we have such a nice place to stay during this time.

Today, I have an appointment to pick out our new cabinets and countertop @ 8:30am.  We also have a company to remove all the flooring and tiles in our home that have asbestos.  That, my friends, is quite the procedure!  All our furniture from our dining and living room will have to be put in the garage.  Then there is a guy that needs to come by to take a sample for the testing procedure they are required to do.  

We will then be meeting Becca and her kids for our church home school activity.  Picnic in the park and a tour of the Kimmie Candy Factory.  Swimming at the hotel.

Then I will probably crash Friday night. :)

Saturday is our big teen rally.  Prayers are appreciated!  I will be taking Sierra and Autumn to their softball practices at 9am and then be doing childcare for the teen rally volunteers from 11:30 on until I head for work.

I just wanted to share a cool thing.  You may think this is random and off the wall and I'm looney.  Probably am. :)  So, not living in our home (looking like at least a month and a half), I don't need to purchase toilet paper.  Yeah, you just wondered where this was going!  Well, it happens that I signed up to donate toilet paper for our church supply day.  I like to think that God was thinking..."She gave something to the church above and beyond her tithes.  I think I will give it back to her."  I donated toilet paper and I receive free toilet paper.  You may think I'm weird...but I think God likes it when we recognize the little things.  

Have a great weekend, friend!

Recipe: Potato, Sausage and Kale Soup

I made this delicious soup last week.  Similar to Olive Garden's - yummy!

Potato, Sausage and Kale Soup

Ingredients
1/2 pound sausage
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 medium red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cups sliced fresh kale
3 cups 2% milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water

1. In a large saucepan, cook sausage and onion over medium heat 4-6 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink and onion is tender, breaking up sausage into crumbles; drain.
2. Stir in seasonings. Add potatoes, kale, milk and cream; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
3. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into soup. Return to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Yield: 4 servings.

A Few Normal Things Here and There

So, life is a little bit back to normal.  In a weird sort of way.  LOL!  At least we have some normal things like school.  We have about 32 days of school in the year left so the end is in sight!

Laundry.  How nice to have this in our hotel for free!  One thing to make this transition smoother.

Tuesday - They took out the kitchen cabinets and cut the wall to dry it out.  Met with the insurance adjuster.  That evening - went to Reagan's birthday party.  She turned two. :)  And...swimming.

Wednesday - Piano lessons @ 1.  Meeting with pastor @ 4.  Awana @ 6:30.  Work that night @ 9.

Thursday - School.  I had a massage that was given to me by a lady in our church.  To the house.  The plumber came and fixed the leaky/broken pipe.  Service Pro came and got all their equipment and checked the floor.  The flooring company came and took measurements for the flooring.  Then it was to Team Meetings for softball at 6pm.  Back to the hotel and swimming.

Friday - School.  Photo job for the inspection company. Grocery shopping. Swimming.  (The girls aren't wasting that opportunity.  LOL!)  Then to a revival service at Granite Hills Baptist that night.

Let's see what today holds...my birthday!  LOL!

My Week

On Mondays, I usually share my week previous so I thought I would try to catch up.  

Remember the delicious dinner that Miss Dora made for us...here it was! :)

This was my gift from my secret sister from two weeks ago - a wind chime for my garden. :)

A friend lent this to our girls to play with until her granddaughter got older.  The girls were very excited!

This was pretty much the bulk of our week.  The girls had standarized testing all week.  We would do 2-3 sections in the morning and they would also do their regular school day.  

This is what my week looked like.  Administering all the tests.  And grading and completing the grades to send in for the end of the grading period.  We completed on Thursday and celebrated with ice cream on Friday.

This is how home school moms get through tough weeks. :)

My husband had a meeting scheduled for Wednesday so we switched our date to Tuesday night after he got back from Sportsman's and went for a salad.  Yum!

Wednesdays are especially long days.  We have our Admin meeting with my husband at 4pm and Awana Club at 6:30pm and then I go straight to work that evening at 9pm.  Becca brought me three of my favorite drinks to the meeting and it made my day. :)

Our menu for the week:

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Date

Wednesday - Tuna melts and cheesy rice

Thursday - Potato, sausage and kale soup with Jalapeno popper quesadillas

Friday - Awana dinner @ the Traynor's - We bought nacho chips and cheese

Saturday - The water problem started - I have no clue what we all ate.  Ha!

A little photo shoot by the girls.  LOL!

Skills assessment began at 8:30am on Saturday for the girls' softball league.

After softball, we went couponing @ CVS.  Here were our deals:

Total Home PODS - $1.99

Colgate toothpaste - $.49 each

Dawn - $.67 each

Cadbury egg - Free

Revlon makeup - $2.29

Pantene - $1.00 each

And then the crazy started with the water problems.  LOL!

Sunday, we went to our Senior Saints luncheon.  I also got a sweet birthday gift from my secret sister. :)

Renovation Accomodations

Monday night, we "moved" into our home away from home for at least a few weeks.  Insurance covers a place to stay while the renovations are being completed which is wonderful!  We have a two bedroom, two bath suite at the Staybridge Suites in South Reno.

Can hardly say this is an inconvenience!  Indoor pool and hot tub. :)  We have been there the last two days.  LOL!

The suite is awesome - much better than a regular hotel room.  We have a nice living space to be in during the day with a kitchen.  

This is the girls' room.  They have their own bathroom and a desk and TV/DVD player to do school on.

All I have to say is...King. Size. Bed.  :)

Breakfast/Great Room.

Sorry, a little blurry.  The breakfast buffet.

View from our room.