Chocolate anyone?

This is one of my families favorite desserts. It is always a favorite when I make it for guests as well. It is light and yummy. I got this recipe from a good friend 20 years ago...Keith Farr...he used to bring it to gatherings at church and it was always the first to go! The best part is that it is better the next day so it is a great "make a head dish." First mix jell-o and milk for 3 minutes.
Leave pudding in bowl to set while you prepare the pan. Rub a few pats of softened butter in the bottom and sides of 9X13 pan.
Put one layer of graham crackers in the bottom...this doesn't have to be pretty just covered.





Now fold in the cool whip until thoroughly incorporated but not over mixed.



Ooooo doesn't this look yummy....I may have dipped into this once???twice????? well more than I should have! :)


Pour half the mixture over the crackers....then another layer of crackers and the second half of the batter. And top off with a third layer of crackers. Cover and put it in the fridge while you make the topping.


Now for the best part.......mix cocoa, corn syrup, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla and milk together and pour over top layer of crackers.....spread carefully with the back of a spatula or spoon. Here is a trick....spray the back of the spatula or spoon with Pam...then spreading will go much easier.

















Oh my goodness....look at all that yummy goodness! I think I need to have a chocolate break!
Graham Pudding Pie

2 3.4 boxes French Vanilla instant pudding
3 Cups milk ( I use skim or 1%)
1 8oz. cool whip
1 box Graham Crackers...plain variety

Topping
1/4 Cup Cocoa
4 Tablespoons Light Corn Syrup
6 cups powdered sugar
4 Tablespoons softened butter
4 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cups of milk (mix together and add a few more drops at a time if the mixture is too thick)

Put back in the fridge until ready to serve.....stay out of it......seriously...not a bite!!

Last week

Well we will be finished this Friday with our 10 a week challenge. I have learned a few things....we eat a great deal of cereal.....I mean a GREAT deal and I ran out after the first week. It has been the biggest thing that my kids have noticed. Next time I will have that better stocked. I did go to CVS last night and I got 4 boxes 50 cents each of Rasin Bran....you would have thought it was Christmas.

2nd thing that I have learned......I can make this work on less. We still have a huge amount of food left! We have enough of just about everything to make it another 2 weeks. I would run out of meat but otherwise we could do it!

3rd We eat a lot of fresh fruit. It ran out last week and we have had many fruit smoothies over the last week and we have enough for the rest of this week but it is not the same as fresh!

4th Eric went to Haiti during the challenge...it helps put things in perspective.....he told stories of how the orphans wanted fresh water........seriously am I going to complain about fresh fruit when they want water????? We are soooo blessed!!

You are the parent!

I have written and rewritten this post several times and every time it sounds so ridiculous.... here is the bottom line...Parents....parent!!! That is intentional....hard work...it is grace and mercy mixed with disciplin and hard decisions. I have a great relationship with my kids...I love spending time with them....I love to laugh and play...I love to hear their heart....I love to hear their dreams and their hurts and fears......It takes so much time to listen and talk and listen and hug and listen.....but hand in hand with that relationship that I am intentional about.....comes the discipline and the hard decisions. Parenting is hard and for some reason parents feel powerless. I'm not sure why this is but many parents just shrug their shoulders or throw their hands up in exasperation as if they have no choice in the matter......get in there...it is a race.....GO.....PARENT!

Why?

Why?

So some of you who know me asked why do I have all the cleaning products(seen in the pictures of my stash) if I don't like chemicals.....well....

#1...I do use Lysol in my toilet....well because they are gross and I like them clean and I don't like to buy the expensive stuff with less chemicals and since I get that stuff for free or almost free....but I am open for other ideas???

#2...I use those items all the time in gift baskets for brides or for house warming gifts. So basically I am saying that I don't like to breath those fumes but I will give them to a new bride????? That sounds bad for sure! If you are a new bride come by and I will teach you how to save enough money so that you don't have to use those products! That is the best I can offer :)

I use Shaklee Basic H for so many things! It costs about 15-16 bucks after shipping but is so worth it! I love all their products and honestly if I could afford it I would buy a whole lot more from them but if you can only get one thing this is the one to get.

While it looks expensive it is not at all. I mix 3 drops....literal drops.... with 16oz of water and use it to clean and wipe down everything! All windows and counters, hardwood floors, walls....anything that doesn't need to be disinfected. It is great...it is extremely cost effective....no chemicals...organic material....no stinky vinegar :) 3 drops makes a great many spray bottles. I use 1 teaspoon in my homemade laundry detergent as well and I have had the same 16 oz bottle for 8 mos. I will order some next month because I only have about 2 tablespoons left.

My friend swears by the scour off paste but I haven't tried it yet....I am going to order it next month as well...I'll let you know what I think!

OOPS

I am trying to get another post together with the step by step for homemade laundry detergent and this is what happens when you leave the soap on high and walk away for a split second??? UUGG

I Love Spray Paint!!!

I LOVE spray paint....you can take almost anything and transform it into something fun or classy or warm or whatever!! I wanted a new look in my dining room so I went to the thrift store and bought a shinny brass colored...builders grade type light fixture. I paid 4.88 and I bought 2 cans of paint...Kilz for 2.00 and can of satin black 1.50, then I bought new shades for 2.00 each...total I have 17.50 in the entire light. I LOVE it! It makes the room so warm.
I wiped it down and then I hung it between a latter so that I could get to the bottom and the chain easily.



Then I used black satin spray paint...sorry I didn't take a picture but I bought it at Walmart......just the cheap stuff.







Isn''t it just so cute!!!

week 2

Well we are half way through!!! We still have soooo much food but we are out of some staples...like ceral. My husband Eric just returned from Haiti and we will NOT be complaining aobut running out of cereal!!!

Here is my menu from last week

French Toast
Egg sandwiches
Whole Wheat Choc. Chip muffins
grits...Ok Ok this is only me!!


Cheese and crackers
apples
bananas
muffins

leftovers
grilled cheese
soup
cheese roll ups
beef bologna sand.
turkey sand

Grilled chicken, roasted pot, salad, green beans, mac N cheese, apple crisp
Salad w/ grilled chicken and baked pot.
Roast, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans and drop biscuits
Pork tenderloin, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, salad
Soft tacos, chips and salsa
Grilled cheese and soup
Pizza....thanks to a friend for buying our dinner while Eric was away!