Welcome to My World!!!

Hello Ladies visiting from the Ultimate Blog Party! :)

I am glad to have you here...

You may recognize me as the first resident tackler from 5 Minutes for Mom. If you do remember me and you remember that tackle from the link I just shared you will want to see THIS ONE with the good news :). And you would also like to know that I am doing better than EVER!!!! :) I miss you guys.

If you don't know me from there I would still LOVE to get to know you!... Let me share a bit of my world with you :)

I am a stay at home mom with 3 little ones ages 4 and under. I am a born-again Christian living to learn more of God's love. I am a Scrapbooker, Card-maker, Altered-art faker and I love taking pictures! I even used to own my own business Scrapbooking for others till my third baby came around! I also like to play around designing my own blog backgrounds, I even have a FREE one HERE. I have been blogging over two years now and am loving it... I started my own Meme called My Walk Monday about a year ago actually to find and share encouragement in our walk with Christ... it really has been a joy to me.

And here are some of my other joys....

This is my hubby of 8 years and my oldest daughter...
This is my wonderful - yet very mischievous son...
And this is my littlest lady... :)

Oh and to be in the party spirit I would like to share one of the recipes that almost everyone asks me for because it is so easy to make... only 4 ingredients :)

1. 1- 16oz. container of cool whip
2. 1 - large can of crushed pineapple (drain before use)
3. 1 - can of cherry pie filling
4. 1 - can of regular sweetened condensed milk

Just stir it all together and put it in the fridge for a while before serving :) Enjoy!

For a Dear Friend

My friend (IRL) Alicia from More than Words has tagged me three times and linked me other times on top of that and I am just now getting to it all! I'm sorry Alicia! I love you!

She even put this cute picture of us on her blog last month from a Christmas party we went to together. I love hangin' out with her and all her adorable kids, and she is such an example to me with 5, since I have a hard time with 3!


The first thing she tagged me with was back in November and I thought it was the best thing I've been tagged with yet - it has a recipe attached!....1. Please put the logo on your blog.
2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate 3 or more blogs.
4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message on their blogs telling them they've won an award!
6. Start preparing the bread starter (whenever you want)

Amish Friendship Bread Starter
It is very important to use plastic or wooden utensils and plastic or glass containers when making this. Do not use metal at all!

Ingredients:
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar1 cup warm milk (110°F)

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes. Stir well.
2. In a 2 quart glass or plastic container, combine 1 cup sifted flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or the flour will get lumpy when you add the milk.
3. Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Loosely cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap. The mixture will get bubbly. Consider this Day 1 of the cycle, or the day you receive the starter.
To the balance (a little over one cup) of the batter, add the following ingredients and mix well.
1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs1 tsp vanilla

In a separate bowl combine the following dry ingredients and mix well:
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar1-1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 - (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup nuts
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

If you keep a starter for yourself, you will bake every 10 days. The bread is very a good quick bread and makes a great gift.

Amish Friendship Bread Recipe
Day 1: Do nothing (This is the day you receive the batter, but go by the date on the bag).
Day 2: Mush the bag
Day 3: Mush the bag
Day 4: Mush the bagDay 5: Mush the bag
Day 6: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Mush the bag. Don't worry if the starter smells, it is fermenting.
Day 7: Mush the bag
Day 8: Mush the bag
Day 9: Mush the bagDay 10: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Stir. Take out 3 cups and place 1 cup each into three separate plastic containers. Give one cup and a copy of this recipe to three (real life) friends.


She also gave me a very cute and colorful award saying that...
"My blog is exceedingly charming. I am a kind blogger that aims to find, and be friends. I am not interested in self-aggrandizement. And my writing deserves more attention."

Thank you my dear!
(This award is supposed to be passed on to 8 others.)


The next Meme is a new one called Marvelous Musings!
And here are the guidelines....
1. In your post include a link back to the person who has tagged you.
2. Post one of your intriguing, or shocking, or challenging passage of scripture from the Bible showing scripture references (chapter and verse) with Bible version.
3. (Optional) You may choose to state what you currently understand it to mean; You may also encourage others to comment or share on what they understand that excerpt to mean.
4. Tag at least 5 or more new people to participate.

Here is my Musing to share:
Jesus died to save us, but He lives to keep us.
(this was my favorite quote as a baby christian in high school :o)

Picture Tag
This next Meme is not one she tagged me on, probably because I never played along before, but it was just on her blog the other day... hey I'll play!

1. Go to your 4th folder where you store your photos.
2. Select your 4th picture (no exceptions)!
3. Post the picture with an explanation and link it back to your tagger.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same!!

An explanation huh?! Oh dear! Well that's me in middle school playing around in my backyard with like my only, dearest, closest, bestest friend ever... I remember my sister came out with a camera and told us to pose or something... weirdos!!! :o) I must say though, I miss my friend and that backyard.

And now here are ALL the people I TAG!!!!.....

Jenn @ Our Adoption Journey

April @ Two in Blue

Rebecca @ A Not so Desperate Housewife

Karla @ Ainsley's Mom

Jill @ Live Laugh Blog

Ruth @ Life's Journeys

Creative Gal @ Creative Blessings

Amy @ Tiny Blessings

Jan @ Making Scrapbooks

Mocha with Linda

He and Me + 3

Trish @ My Creative Journey

Miss Sniz

Nell @ Casual Friday Everyday

Crumbs on my Floor

Heather @ Needles and Pens

The Happy Housewife

Michelle Pendergrass

Lisa @ Pockets of Time

Jenileigh's Journey

Now if you were tagged you do not have to do all the Meme's just pick one :o) Love you all - thanks for being my blogging friends!

Tackle Cooking Every Night!

That's a hard one for me but I have been doing pretty good as long as I have my meals planned...

Here is the one we had left-overs of tonight.

Baked Turkey & Ziti Casserole

I am not sure where this recipe is from but here it is now :o)...

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. ziti or penne pasta
• 2 tsp. canola oil
• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• whatever other spices you would like to add (like me)
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

• Cook pasta according to package, drain & set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375 F.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet.
• Add the turkey, onion, bell pepper, and spices... cook until browned.
• Stir in the pasta, the sauce and the ricotta cheese.
• Spoon the mixture into a large nonstick baking pan.
• Top with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes.

P.S. I made an announcement today for Tackle it Tuesday! We are going to be taking on Guest Tacklers every other week, so check it out and see you if would be interested in being featured over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Welcome Everyone!

Hey ladies!!! I am so excited, the party is finally here! Welcome!
Let me introduce myself... my name is Carolyn, I am a born again christian, and a mother of 3. My youngest was born just 7 weeks ago, my oldest is 3, and my middle is going to be 2 in April. I am 25 years old and have been happily married for 7 years. I love scrapbooking and encouraging others in doing so... hence the Scrapping Servant :o)

Here is a great photo of my 3 little ones...

I also have a recipe to share from a party I went to at my church on Valentine's Day... I even took a picture for you... doesn't it look YUMMY?!

Mini Cheesecakes

• 1 (12 oz) package vanilla wafers (Nilla or generic brand)
• 2 (8oz) package cream cheese (Philadelphia Cream Cheese or generic brand)
• 3/4 white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 can cherry pie filling (make sure it is in heavy syrup not the one in water)
• 1 - 2 Reynolds FOIL Baking Cups (32 per package)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Put one vanilla wafer per one foil baking cup (or crush vanilla wafers and place them into each cup as much as you like)
3. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
4. Fill each baking cup to 1/3 - 2/3 (it's really your call on how much)
5. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or even less depending on your oven's temperament
6. Cool and top with cherry pie filling (again, as much or less as you like it).
7. Chill and serve (it really tastes way better chilled)

Oh and be sure to leave a comment on this post to enter in a little giveaway I will be having for the party... sorry it took me so long to post what it is... it's an altered paint can perfect in place of any regular gift bag, or as an Easter "basket", a great place for keepsakes, it even comes with a key!

Speaking of gifts... here is my list of most wanted...

• #1 - the rocking horse from the beautiful twin mommy's online store.
• #59 - $25 cash from A Cowboy's Wife.
• #55 - $23 cash from An Ordinary Life.

HeY LadiEs I wOn!!! Prize #122 - Assortment of Scrapbooking Supplies valued at $25.

• Provided by: Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders... Thank you Amy!
• Prize details: This package includes a hot pink, 20 page, 8×8 canvas covered, post bound album, some 8×8 paper, and a variety of stickers and embellishments.

Peanut Butter!

Hey Everyone! I'm going to a party, and you're invited too!  It's a great way to get noticed, meet new friends, have some fun, and win great prizes! The party starts tomorrow and goes for a whole week. It's hosted by 5MinutesforMom a great blog managed by adorable twin mommys who promote other mommy's, their websites and blogs.

Now here is what I have done to prepare for the party :o) I baked some very yummy Peanut Butter Cookies! My husband and I agree that we do not like peanut butter cookies, but we like these, I also like them because they are fast and easy to make.
Here is the recipe out of my Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book (11th Edition)...

• Makes about 36 cookies 
• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Bake time: 7 minutes per batch
• Oven temp: 375
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey or 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
  • 1/2 teaspoon powder
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

... additional Granulated sugar to coat dough in

1. In a large mixing bowl beat the butter or margarine and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar, honey, baking soda, and baking powder. Beat till combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in the egg and vanilla till combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in the rest. If necessary, cover and chill dough till easy to handle.
2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in additional sugar to coat. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten by making crisscross marks with a fork. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 7 to 9 minutes or till bottoms are lightly browned.

Now be sure to taste a warm one for me... ohhh yummy yummy!