Stuff I Want to Share

I just have a few random things I want to share on this icy (in our parts) day.

1.  The big boys are home from school because of the icy conditions today.  Everyone (except the baby) was up at 6:15 a.m. anyway.  Ugh.  But, I am happy to report that all four boys are now taking naps.  Yup.  Even the big ones (much to their dismay & insistence that they weren't tired).  Even Mommy got a 10 minute cat nap.

2.  Have you noticed my weekly menu on the sidebar?  I've even included links for recipes I'm using that are available on-line.  May I highly recommend checking out the link for Monday's meal?

Last night I made Asian Pork Linguine.  It was the first time I had ever tried this recipe.  And, I really liked it!

I was a little hesitant at first to try it.  One of the ingredients for the sauce was peanut butter. I was leary.  Will it taste too strongly of the peanut butter?  While it did give it a slightly nutty flavor, it also gave the sauce a creamy, smooth texture.  This is a recipe I will use again.  (P.S. - I substituted a bag of cole slaw mix for the carrots slices.  I really like the flavor and crunch that shredded cabbage adds to Asian dishes.  Also I think next time I will substitute chicken for the pork.  Just my preference.)

3.  I've been trying to employ some Anti-Funk strategies.  I can't say I've been completely successful in chasing away this mid-winter funk, but these little things seem to help.  I almost never light candles around my house because usually a curious boy ends up blowing it out within 10 minutes.  But, as I've been preparing dinner or working in the kitchen I've been trying to light a candle or two and, for as long as it stays lit, it seems to cheer and cozy up the atmosphere a bit.

I also have been playing some music softly in the background from time to time.  Again, it's something I don't do all that often because we usually have enough background noise at our house.  But, this too has been helping.

A couple years ago I received a sampler music CD from Seeds Family Worship. 

This is what Seeds is all about...(as taken from their website)

"Seeds Family Worship was planted when worship leader, Jason Houser, was asked to write some songs to help kids remember the verses from his church’s summer
Bible school.

Jason began writing songs and singing them for the kids and families at church. The songs were well-crafted, catchy, and taken straight from scripture. Families liked them. . . a lot.

From just a handful of songs, Seeds Family Worship was planted – providing God’s Word set to music for thousands of families all over the world. We are gladdened by stories of worship times at home, scripture memorized, and object lessons taught using Seeds songs. The fifth Seeds Family Worship album – The Power of Encouragement – has just released. In total, Seeds has grown to 58 portions of scripture set to music!"

The kids loved the music on the sampler and I really enjoyed it too.  We bought the first of the 5 albums available at the time (soon to be 6), Seeds of Courage.

This is what I've been listening to over the last couple days.  This is unlike any 'made for kids' music that I've owned before.  It's very much like listening to a worship CD and it really helps to solidify scriptures in your heart and mind.

You can go here to to hear a sample of one of their songs....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI-P0uRIcPQ

I went to the website yesterday and decided that it's time to order another of their albums.  The really great thing is, each of their albums that you order has two identical CDs...one to keep and one to share with someone else.

4.  Sounds like the perfect makings of another giveaway doesn't it?  Stay tuned.  My one year blogoversary is coming up on February 5th!  I will officially announce & open my Seeds music giveaway then.

5.  Oh yeah, I almost forgot....I also updated my weight loss progress on my sidebar.  While I didn't reach my goal of 185 this month, I still technically met my goal of losing at least 5 pounds.  It's a start.  So far the only thing I've really changed is that I've cut out my night-time snacking.  I know that will only take me so far and I'll have to continue to make healthy changes to my diet and even add in some (blech) exercise.  But, if there's one thing I've learned from the past, it's that trying to make all the changes at once is too drastic for me.  So, a little bit at a time is how it will be.

Have a great week!