Casting Your Care Upon Him

I got some news yesterday that is going to lead to some tough decisions. I find that I have an easier time Casting My Cares on Him AFTER the decisions have been made than during the decision making time. I pray for wisdom, but still find myself thinking through things over and over again!

I'm trying to sing this song (to myself) when I catch myself becoming obsessive about the situation.

I cast all my cares upon You, I lay all of my burdens down at your feet and anytime that I don't know what to do, I will cast all my care upon you.

Kitchen Tip Tuesday

When you put a "prepared meal" or even the main part of a meal, like taco meat or meatballs and sauce in the freezer, write it on a 3x5 card and keep it in the front of your recipe box.

Cross off things as you use them and add to the card as you add to the freezer.

Since I don't seem to have as good of a memory as I used to this, this has helped me a lot and helped me not to waste food because I forgot it was in the freezer until it was covered by two inches of ice crystals.

I can also look at the 3x5 card when I am planning my menu for the week and decide if want to use anything from the freezer. This also helps if you need to take a meal to someone on short notice.

For more great kitchen tips, visit: http://www.tammysrecipes.com/node/3591

Recipe Request

Lasagna

Meat Sauce:
1.5 lbs. hamburger
1 tbsp. minced garlic 0r 1.5 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. basil
1.5 tsp. salt
16 oz. tomato sauce
12 oz. tomato paste

Cheese Filling:
2 eggs
24 oz. cottage cheese
1/2c. parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

10 Lasagna Noodles
16 oz. Mozarella Cheese

Directions:

1. Brown hamburger and drain. Add rest of sauce ingredients, simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occassionally.


2. Beat eggs, add rest of cheese filling ingredients, mix well.


3. Cook lasagna noodles per package directions, drain.


4. Grease 13x9 pan.


5. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce over bottom of pan, then 1/2 of noodle, 1/2 of cheese filling, 1/2 of mozarella, 1/2 of meat sauce, then remaining noodle, then cheese filling, meat sauce.


6. Cook at 350 for 35-45 minutes.


7. Add rest of mozarella during last 15 minutes of cook time.

*Can prepare ahead of time and refrigerate. Plan to add 15 minutes to cook time.

*I will sometimes use two cans of diced tomatoes in place of the hamburger to make a meatless lasagna.

Think On These Things Thursday

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Nothing too deep, just thankful that I can put my faith in a loving God and know He will take care of me, no matter what may come my way--health problems, work difficulties, even a government that would turn the country I love into country I barely recognize. God is still in control and He has promised never to leave us or forsake us! What peace is it to know that the all knowing, all powerful God is on MY side. :o)

Psalm 94:14 For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Update

My friend who had surgery is doing better. Still in pain, but better than yesterday. Please keep her in your prayers!

Adventures at the Hospital

Today I went to the hospital with a friend who was having surgery. I was a little nervous because I don't know my way around the hospitals here, even though I have lived here for about 11yrs. (I really hate it when I don't know where I am going. I have this irrational fear that I will end up wandering around and then someday someone will find my skeleton in some deserted hallway and solve the great mystery of what happened to me!) I've decided that it is a good thing to not know my way around the hospitals because that means I don't work there and haven't had anyone close to me sick enough that I've become familiar with the hospitals. My method of navigating the hospitals is to read signs and ask the little information desk people or pretty much anyone wearing what appears to be a badge where I am supposed to be going!

When we got to the hospital, I was sent to a waiting room to wait until they had my friend ready for surgery, then I could go sit with her until the surgical people came to take her away. I was told to check in at the waiting room desk so they could find me when they needed me. I dutifully filled out the little piece of paper, had my parking ticket stamped, chatted with the little volunteer lady, who said she needed new glasses. I then went and sat to wait. About half an hour later, another volunteer lady who was at the desk when I checked in came and with a somewhat school teacher like tone asked me to please come register because I hadn't. I went to the desk, explained I had--she looked at me and said, "Well we don't have you down anywhere." I felt like a naught elementary student! I filled out the paper again. The lady who NEEDED new glasses asked if she could stamp my parking ticket. I explained that she already had. She said, "Well I've never seen you before!" I said, "actually we talked about how you needed new glasses." "Oh, did we?" she said. They found my previous slip and apologized. I told them to give me some free coffee and I'd call it even. :o) (They always offer free coffee.)

I saw my friend off to surgery, then went back to wait.

After she was out of surgery, a little gentleman gave me a slip and told me to go back upstairs to post op. He told me the bed number and I was on my way. I was rather proud that I managed to find my way, only having to ask one person! When I got to the bed, though the person occupying the bed was about eighty years old and a MAN!!! My friend is in HER thirties! I went to the desk and the first lady told me, well it says bed 13, so you need to go over there. I explained that if they had done that to my friend in surgery she was NOT going to be very happy!!! I finally found someone helpful and they just giggled and said the voluteer guy was a little confused, she called and found out where my friend really was for me. :o)

Did I mention I brought chlorox wipes with me (in a baggy) to wipe down the table before I set up my computer. I know this is probably a sign of OCD. Actually I prefer CDO--it's like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but the letters are in alphabetical order--the way the SHOULD be! Hospitals really gross me out, especially during flu season! The older I get the more they disgust me--probably due to the wisdom that comes with getting older, right! I can't count how many times I used the hand sanitizer today. When I walked in the door tonight, my husband asked me "Did you catch anything"? Only time will tell--still taking my Vitamin C and Zinc, though!

For those of you who know my friend, the surgery went well, but the recovery is never easy and is unfortunately pretty painful, so please pray for her. She's looking for volunteers to trade places with her!

Prayer Request

Please pray for my friend Terri who is having surgery today. For a safe surgery and QUICK recovery.