Every year, it seems the time for health check-ups, mammograms, dental check-ups, vision checks, etc., come around faster and faster.  Seems like when I just had a check-up then it’s time to have one again.   Plus I have a hormone test done twice a year to check my hormone levels.   At least one thing I won’t have to have done is a paternity test.

Here’s a quick mix-in-one-bowl recipe for crustless pumpkin pie.  It’s so easy!

• 1 can pumpkin
• 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
  
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Combine the above ingredients and mix well.  Spray pie plate with non-stick cooking spray.  Pour pumpkin mixture into pie plate.  Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes and then at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

It’s delicious served warm with homestyle vanilla ice cream.

Anyone wanting to upgrade their home by making decorative, architectual improvements wants quality materials.  InvitingHome.com offers just that.   They not only sell to designers and contractors who want quality workmanship, but they also sell to anyone wanting to improve their home.   They offer so much from decorative hardware, wood molding, staircase parts, to fireplace mantels, panel molding, and much more.  InvitingHome.com pays attention to the architectural details inside the home such as making the fireplace mantel the focal point of a room or making the entry way an impressive entrance to the home.  Or maybe it’s large wall niches, decorative hardware, or ceiling decor.  They have many great ideas to create a unique home decor.

They also have shutters to choose from which includes their architectural shutters collection or their classic shutters collection.  Shutters make a nice addition to the outside appearance of a home.

Their website is easy to use and offers a wide selection of choices from which to choose.  They are known for their quality, customer service with an architectural specialist and interior designer always available , and reasonable prices.  They even offer overnight shipping if needed.  And ordering can be done all from the comfort of home.  They strive to exceed  expectations and provide classic, quality workmanship.

#1.  Waffles. Do you usually eat frozen or homemade?

Definitely frozen.   (We received a waffle maker for a wedding present, so years and years ago I actually did make homemade waffles.)
#2.  Eggs. Do you buy brown, white, or it doesn’t matter?

White, and whichever brand is on sale.
#3.  Oatmeal. Do you usually make instant or cooked?

Usually instant.  Sometimes I’ll cook steel-cut oats.
#4.  Bacon. Share instructions or a recipe that you use bacon in.

I did a review on a Microwave Bacon Cooker a year ago.  It’s the best way to cook bacon so that it won’t be greasy.  The cooker looks like a pitcher but the inside rack is the key.

My husband did so well…he brought home some new Wheat Thins “Fiber Selects” Garden Vegetable Crackers.  They sounded good and healthy with five grams of fiber per serving.  However, we tasted them and they were dry and not near as tasty as the regular vegetable crackers.   So this is what my husband did…here’s his “recipe”:

• Wheat Thins Fiber Selects Crackers
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Sea Salt

Dribble a few drops of olive oil on each cracker.  Sprinkle with sea salt.  Heat in microwave until warm.

The crackers were delicious after he did that, and they were still healthier than regular crackers because of the fiber and healthy fat.

Every child is different, and so a teaching method that works with one child might not work with another child.  Sometimes it’s a matter of trial and error until the right teaching technique is found that will work with that child.  Some children are visual learners, some are auditory learners, etc.   There are, of course, some general things that work with most children.  For example, children benefit from having phonics in their reading program.   The key for overall learning is finding the best teaching method for each child.

This is a little late, but I do want to wish everyone a happy new year.  The holidays were so busy that I neglected my blog, but family is more important!

We had a wonderful Christmas with family.  Our daughter, son-in-law and 16 month old grandson came on Christmas Eve.  We enjoyed being together on Christmas Day, however, we weren’t able to be with everyone we wanted to be with and missed them!

We went out the day after Christmas to shop the after Christmas sales a little bit.  Then our daughter and her family left and we proceded to pack our minivan and leave on our trip to Illinois to visit my husband’s mother.

We enjoyed a wonderful visit with my mother-in-law and also my husband’s nephew, his wife, young daughter, and baby.   However, my mother-in-law got sick on New Year’s Eve day with fever so all plans were abandoned.  We hated to leave her on Friday, but she seemed to be doing better.  A couple of days later on Sunday, a friend took her to the ER and she was admitted with double pneumonia.  (So beware, the only symptoms she had were fever, nasal congestion, and a little cough from her throat – no apparent chest congestion or pain) We’re thankful she’s improving!

I pray that everyone will have a good year, that you will grow ever closer in  relationship with the Lord and if you don’t have a relationship then I pray a seed of faith will develop and grow, that you will have quality time with your family, and that you will find much joy in the things that money can’t buy!