Cassidy;s latest re-tightening Jan 2010 :)

recipe from a friends blog I can't wait to try!!

Beef and Barley in the Crock Pot from Pam :)

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup sliced fresh carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup spaghetti sauce
• 2/3 cup medium pearl barley
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

In a large skillet, brown meat in oil over medium heat; drain. Meanwhile, in a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the vegetables, broth, water, spaghetti sauce, barley and seasonings. Stir in beef. Cover and cook on low for 9-10 hours or until meat is tender. Skim fat from cooking juices. Yield: 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Drinking green :)

Tonia

Pam's Blog is running a cool contest :)

Run over and enter!! Great scenic photo up for random poster and there are only 11 contestants as of now!!

Check her out here

http://pramom26.blogspot.com/

Happy Monday :)

Tonia

Where does the time go?

I was inspired by another mama who blogs to find sometime today to sit and catch up on where the kids are at, what they are up to and just life.

2009 was a difficult year for us. A lot went on, a lot changed and a lot became more difficult. That said, God never left our mist. He supplied our every need and many of our wants... always faithful.

We entered into the new year strong, but with a few HUGE hurdles to cross. The end of 2009 showed me so clearly what wonderful, giving friends we have that love us so very much. I am so thankful! I have had to learn what it means to be humble and receive when my heart always wants to be the giver...

Dec 27th brought about a 16 year old at our house! Richard is a real teenager( 13, 14 and 15 are "young teens", and I have to say this is probably my favorite age after infancy!! He has his moments, but for the most part he is so awesome to be around. He is very involved in our church's youth program, which is where he met his now girlfriend Erica. She is such a love, we couldn't be happier about the two of them and how they are handling their relationship.

Football training just started back up, so he is back to the grind with the team lifting and working out 4 days a week and is meeting with a math tutor at home weekly trying to fill in some gaps I think I left when homeschooling him for 9 years! Seems like he is so busy anymore, I wish he was home more. It scares me to think that I only have 2 short years left with him here full time before college... OK I am not even going to go there!! Next I will write about Jarrod, where he is, what he's up to etc...., I think I have to take each kid one at at time with this old brain of mine :))