You talk about taking a punch!

The recipe for today comes from a group of ladies, that met every Monday morning during the school year for Bible Study way back when I was carrying a carrier/car seat around. Needless to say as a group of young moms who were sleep deprived this iced coffee punch was a hit! We had this at our brunch at the end of each study.

Iced Coffee Punch:
1 quart of cooled strongly brewed coffee
1 C whipping cream
1 quart vanilla ice cream
1 quart chocolate ice cream

Mix cooled coffee with whipping cream pour over the ice cream in a punch bowl. Gently stir until ice cream slightly melts.

This coffee punch is so good & delivers the caffeine punch! However, if you wanted to serve it in the evening decaf would work as well!

This group of ladies touched my heart as I started my journey along the motherhood path. I would come tired, very happy to talk to someone who could speak in complete sentences, smelling faintly of spit up, running 5 minutes late, but was so very glad to be there!

This group of ladies were so precious to me, we studied the word of God, learned how to apply the scriptures to our daily life and lifted each other up in prayer. They add a Big flavor to that season of my life! My favorite bible verse about trusting God came from the time I studied scripture with this group of ladies. So I will close with that verse today.

Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. (Psalm 20:7 NASB)


-Amy

These 2 sisters can cook!

These two sister's I got to know right at the beginning of my motherhood phase of life. Who knew then that God was going to bless my life with three daughters!! I was raised with all brothers, and my Mom was 7 inches shorter than me. (needless to say we could only share clothes for about 6 weeks of my life!). I was fascinated (I mean Fascinated! Make me laugh & cry at the same time) with their stories of growing up, how they fussed at times, and how alike & how different they were from each other. Believe it or not there are 3 sister's in their family, the other one, just did not attend our church. (however, Robin impacted my life as well because i "borrowed" her girl's name, and turned it around thus naming my baby girl "Grace Caroline".). They also could relate with my stories because they had a baby brother as well.

Now these two sisters are wonderful cooks & wonderful hostess!

Here is a picture of Kerry on the left side,me in the middle & another sweet friend on our right. (this was taken at a Christmas cookie exchange party, where we wear our PJ's, eat, play silly games & exchange cookies)




Kerry is known for her amazing frozen Slushes that she serves guest during the hot summer months. (bourbon Slushes, frozen sangria etc..)
My favorite is her Frozen Sangria!!
Kerry's Frozen Sangria recipe:
1/2 C of sugar
8 ounce can of crushed pineapple
2 1/2 C of dry Red wine
1 1/2 C of Orange juice
1/2 C of Lemon juice
Mix in blender then freeze.
Dip frozen concoction Into glasses, top with Pinot Grigio or Ginger Ale.
Yummy!
(for large groups such as a 24 people, she quadruples the recipe)

Kerry is a motivator! Kerry has taught me: the value of consistent exercise. Kerry runs. I've been her friend while she has trained and worked hard to run in everything from a 5K to a Marathon! Kerry has now taken her motivating attitude and self discipline to the next level and now teaches exercise classes at the local Y. Kerry is always encouraging to others who want to start exercising or is feeling frustrated with the whole process. However she never hits you over the head with it, she is always graceful about her pursuit of being healthy & fit!! (by the way she also knows & can recall the lyrics to about any song she has Ever heard-so unfair!)
Here is a photo of the two of the two sister's that I am sharing about today. Kerry is on the left, Wendy is on the right. Aren't they lovely!




Wendy is the other sister I was telling you about. Wendy is a positive,Sanguine in personality, never meets a stranger, girly girl, who is always the encourager!
Wendy makes the best Artichoke Dip!! (warning you might be tempted to push everyone else away from this dish & eat it all by yourself!)

Wendy's Artichoke Dip:
1 can of artichoke hearts (drained & chopped)
1 C Mayo
1 C grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 C or more of shredded Parmesan cheese (real finely shredded bought in a tub already shredded)
8 ounce of softened cream cheese
1/2 C of sour cream
2 Garlic cloves-crushed
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dill weed
1/2 tsp Worchestire sauce
2 tsp shredded Parmesan cheese
Chop artichoke hearts, combine mayo, cheese, sour team, add garlic,fill weed,Worchestire sauce, spread in 8x8 or 9x9 square pan (that had been well sprayed). Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 mins. After taking dip out from the oven sprinkle with the remaining 2 tsp of shredded Parmesan cheese.
Serve with bagel chips.

Wendy taught me the value of encouraging words! Wendy also modeled the gift of being friendly and kind to others as she touched the life of those around her. (Also she taught me what the word toile was & what Mercury glass is)

I did not know that I was going to become a mother of three girls! However God knew and he was preparing my heart for this, by hearing these two sisters stories of childhood. I am so thankful that they shared their stories with me! I am filled with hope, that even on days that my girls don't like each other very much, that these teen years will pass and they will love each other dearly and be close friends!

Hope you enjoy the recipes from today!

Remember you are rubbing off on those around you!
What are you leaving in the lives the people your path crosses with today?
Amy

My mom makes the best...

I've actually hosted a party with the exact theme before for a Mom's Night Out. It was a lot of fun & a great way to get to know each other better. But let me not get off subject.
My Mom makes the best Chocolate Frosting and Chocolate Pie!

Her frosting will ruin you for store bought kind!! So warning "serve this at your own risk!!!" Cuz, honey once your family has had a taste of this frosting they will grumble & whine every time you try to serve frosting from a tub!!!!


My Momma's Chocolate Frosting:
1/2 stick of margarine
3 T Cocoa powder, heaping Tablespoons!!!
1lb of powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 C milk* (warning read directions before adding!)

Melt margarine in microwave, set aside. Place powdered sugar in medium mixing bowl. Stir in cocoa, add melted margarine, vanilla, & *****1/2 the milk.

Beat with mixer, if needed add more milk SLOWLY till you get the right consistency. Frost cooled cake.

Now you will remember that I did boast that my momma also made the very best you have ever had Choclate pie but I am going to save that recipe for when I cover another lady. (Since my momma did learn this recipe from my father's side of the family-)




This is my favorite picture of me & my mom. It was taken on one of our "girl's day out". It holds such a special memory for me!

My momma taught me so much! Ha!, besides All of the basics, potty training, no hitting, sit with your knees together, sit up don't slouch, ladies don't spit, please don't chew with your mouth open, don't wear white after Labor day, and no white shoes until Easter, etc... (are you getting the idea that I was a handful, it's because I was! I was 5'7 by 6th grade! My momma had a challenge of turning me into a lady, for that alone I am thankful.).

However, my mom taught me some other "life" lessons along the way: the importance of attending church, the value of having girlfriends in your life, and you never outgrow creating! You should do what you love be it: art, writing, dancing, music. You should enjoy life as your passing through it! And like my momma always said to me in times of crisis, taken from one of my favorite movies from my teen years (Gone with the Wind) "well Scarlet, tomorrow is another day!". Meaning this too will pass & even if it "felt" like my world was ending (oh the dramatic life of teenage girls!) life would go on! (wether I wanted it to or not) another very important lesson!

I am very thankful for my mom!

What did your momma make that you loved?

What can you boast about, "My momma makes the best________!".
I would love to know!

Hope your beating the heat wherever you are! (it's supposed to be at least 100 degrees here today in Oklahoma)
Amy

Long long ago before pinterest

I love Pinterest! I love finding amazing recipes & step by step directions for a new craft. However, before Pinterest came in to being I collected "printed" recipes.


Don't get me wrong I had my "Southern Living Cookbooks" that I still think is the bible to cooking. I also had a collection of Church cookbooks that I consulted in my journey in learning to cook.



However, nothing competes with the tried and true recipe of Family and Friends!!!

I was hunting a recipe down the other day & started flipping through the book where I have filed recipes from family and friends, and I realized how very blessed I have been to have some Amazing woman in my life. Not only did these ladies share their recipes with me, they also shared part of their lives and stories with me. I have truly learned about "life" from these women as well as some yummy recipes!!

So for the next two weeks I am going to take a day and highlight each of these ladies, sharing with you their tasty recipe and how each lady added "flavor" to my life!!

Amy

Perfect Pairing

Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid of them and don’t be frightened, because the Lord your God will go with you. He will not leave you or forget you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NCV)


Amy

Pinterest Party

I am so excited! I am getting ready to host a "Pinterest Party" this upcoming week.

If you are not familiar with a pinterest party, it is where you invite some friends over (in my case some ladies from our church). I will have centers set up where my guest can work on different craft "pins" or "projects" that I pinned on Pinterest. Everyone will get to take their projects home with them.

I asked each guest to bring either an appetizer or goodie that they have pinned on Pinterest to share. I think this will be fun way to get to sample some of the items we have seen on Pinterest.

I'm a social person so I think crafting will be much more entertaining if we are getting to visit while we craft. Stay tuned for pictures and more details of the party on Thursday!


-Amy

Sun, fun & SPF

The girls & me have been having fun in the sun this week!!

My red head has been enjoying the sun so much more than usual due to some new sunscreen that is now available on the market.




Banana Boat has a sunscreen that is SPF 100!!!
I kid you not, it is a wonderful thing for white white skin that fries like bacon out in the sun.




The second product is the face stick that is by Neutrogena that is marketed for babies thst now comes in SPF 60 -that is a big improvement from what used to be on the market -SPF 45 was all I used to be able to find. Which just wasn't strong enough. Even when applying once every hour my poor girls face would burn. (which means skin damage what girl wants that!!). I'm not sure with all the attention on skin damage why Neutrogena is marketing this for babies, I would think it would be a great product to market to ladies that are concerned about sun on their hands while driving and running errands. The stick allows easy application without getting it on your fingertips.

The sun was out today,the other two girls that tan and usually never burn -who use a lower SPF got burnt today, but not my red head!!
Amy

Freeze

A very sweet lady that my husband works with has been having an over flow of zucchini. Which we have benefited from!!

I adore zucchini bread in the fall -seasoned with cinnamon & other spices it screams "Welcome to Fall". The zucchini is the most expensive thing to buy in making this bread. Did you know that you can freeze shredded or grated zucchini for baking? Well you can!

So I've been peeling my zucchini, then grating it, then freezing it in 1 1/2 cups to 2 cup size portions.

I put up 7 packages of zucchini the other day. They will wait until that perfect baking day in the fall, when I can pull them from the freezer & make lots of bread to eat & share with neighbors and friends!

Do you freeze or can any veggies or fruit from this time of year?


Amy