My Peacefully Chaotic Life

We had this for Sunday dinner today and it was so good! I didn't follow a specific recipe so here is what I put together. 1 T olive oil 2 T butter/margarine 2 lbs chicken breast, boiled and chopped 1 large onion diced (I used 1/2 of a VERY large Vidalia) 1/2 bell pepper diced 3 stalks celery diced (my guys don't like the texture so I buy celery that has lots of leaves and chop the leaves and only a small amount of celery stalk instead. I do the same thing in cornbread dressing.) 4 cloves garlic diced 1 15 oz can tomato sauce 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes 1 can black beans 1 can kidney beans hot wing sauce to taste ( I used 1/2 - 3/4 bottle) 3 T smoked paprika 2 T chili powder 1 T cumin salt to taste Cook veggies til tender in olive oil and butter/margarine. Add all other ingredients and simmer desired length of time. I served this with plenty of blue cheese crumbles, Tostito Scoops, and extra wing sauce and hot sauce on the side for those who like more heat!

It's been a busy time the last week. Last weekend we had friends come to visit and spend the weekend as well as The GuitarMan being home and my mom was also visiting! This week the children have been battling allergies and the grumpies that accompany them. Yet we still managed to homeschool and even had a field trip to a local ministry house that gives aid to the needy. they have been learning about communities and family in Social Studies along with the difference between needs and wants, so it was good timing. Lately fierce storms have been periodically moving through so we are appreciating the nice weather. Tomorrow we plan to go to a local attraction where the children can play in the water and sand. They have new bathing suits and water shoes so they are beside themselves with anticipation. Oh, my that made me think, I forgot to purchase sunscreen! I'm going to be leading/teaching the music at our Vacation Bible School this summer. I'm working on learning the new VB...

Oh, my, what a day! My husband is sick for the second day in a row with a stomach virus. This is the same man who, when he worked construction on the oil refineries, fell face first 30-some-odd feet into pipes, and got up and walked (bleeding everywhere, mind you). Just last year, he and my son were doing some work and the knife slipped and went almost through his hand. Not a scream, not a tear. But, let him get sick? He turns to putty. I'm sure all you wives know exactly what I mean! I swear we've been sick more in the last 2months, since we moved, than we've been in the last 2 years! I'm sure this virus will make its rounds through the family, oh joy. In all the fun of the move and the subsequent illness after illness, our daily schedule has suffered. Suffered mightily. Routines are out the window. It leaves this woman an unhappy camper. I'm not a clean freak by any means. But I like for things to be orderly. I like to do my dishes before bed and wake up to unload...

My, it has really been a while! Where do I begin? Well, for one, we have moved to a different state. My husband accepted a different church pastorate back in January. While we are still in the South, it is a new time zone for us and that has been quite the challenge to adjust to. About the time we finally began to settle into it, the time changed occurred last Saturday so we are all mixed up yet again! As for the family, other than a bout with flu a few weeks ago we are just fine. The GuitarMan is still in college and the move puts him a little further away. Throw in his job, male chorale tour and sports and it adds up to not seeing him nearly often enough! We saw him the last weekend of February and will see him again the end of March. His hand healed quite well and other than some minor "reminders" there are no signs of his injuries, at least at this point. You would most certainly not know it from seeing or hearing him play! FlowerChild and LadyBug are growing like crazy. ...

Wow, it's been a while since I've stared at a blank page and thought of how to fill it! I've not even been reading too many blogs. I pop on here occasionally to check for comments and I may check in on favorite blogs here or there though. I do Facebook but I've come to a conclusion. I think blogging to facebooking is as reading books is to watching television. Or at the least, reading classics is to reading People magazine. ;) It's not that there is anything wrong with it. It's fantastic for finding old friends and just keeping up with people. Some folks think it's good for nothing but gossip. I guess that could be true for some. I enjoy seeing the statuses and staying in touch with friends. I'm horrible with making phone calls and even emails. When I think back to junior high and how I would stay on the phone for hours I have to laugh because that is so not me now! Who has time? Facebook is easier somehow. Write on someone's wall, comment on their ...

Well, another dog lost. :( This time it wasn't a car but something more sinister...a rattlesnake. She was bitten yesterday evening and lasted about 4 1/2 hours. Poor little Chi-Chi is only about 6 pounds or so and just couldn't take the venom. LadyBug seems to be taking it the hardest among the children. Our Bassett Hound, Daisy, and Chi-Chi are the best of friends and poor Daisy has spent the day looking for her. So sad. The GuitarMan has finished his semester and is home now. I introduced him to Pilates this morning. We worked out together. Ha ha, now if that wasn't a sight I just don't know what would be! He has a new found admiration for it now though. Afterwards I cut the FisherMan's hair outside under the plum tree while the children played in the pool. He asked if there was a way we could be any more redneck. I had plenty of ideas on that if he wanted but he didn't want to take part lol. Apparently it was a rhetorical question. This week was one of apprec...

MONDAY (leftovers) roasted teriyaki pork tenderloin string beans/ butterbeans (choice) mashed potatoes/scalloped potatoes (choice) spinach salad TUESDAY Soccer night-$5 pizza :) WEDNESDAY ham (left from Sunday) fresh black crowder peas rutabagas (kids ate grapes) cornbread THURSDAY hotdogs (did you know they make them now with no nitrates? call me sheltered, I had no idea) tater tots glazed carrots FRIDAY grilled salmon glazed carrots salad potatoes SATURDAY lemon pepper chicken rice stir fry veggies salad SUNDAY smoked ham macaroni and cheese fresh peas mashed potatoes DESSERTS: vanilla pudding cake angelfood cake with strawberries fatfree pudding