I'm joining Courtney during this busy month of December and taking part in the Peace on Earth December Challenge.


Here' the first challenge:

Write at the top of your December calendar page - I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." This will be a reminder every time you look at your calendar and feel anxious about all you have to get done - to pray. God cares for you. Release your worries to him and rest in him.



Also, go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home in the month of December. I will be starting mine in the morning! But you can start yours at dinner time. I will be placing mine in the kitchen - the main hub of my home. Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home.


I have the verse written on my calendar and have a candle burning on the island in the kitchen. If you are interested in joining please visit Courtney at Women Living Well.


Peace and blessings,
Lisa

Another Outside Photo

It's a little dark...so I'll try again tonight. This was last night at 5:15, so it's getting dark quite early here. The icicle lights are hung now too, so I'll try to get one with them on!

Blessings,

Lisa

Visit with Santa and the Festival of Trees

Our township had light up night and the festival of trees last night. We went to check out the trees and visit with Santa. Earlier in the day, dd wrote her letter to Santa and when we arrived dd promptly put it in the mailbox. Santa will be writing her back! She is anticipating his response to her wish list of a doll, an easel, an easy bake oven and books.

Miss M and Santa

Our PTO's tree...in school colors

Miss M and the Santa Tree

The Patriotic Tree...the lights were red, white and blue, but my flash took them away.

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, November 29, 2010

Welcome to this week's Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and productive weekend! We sure did. Drapes are finally hung in the living room, the outside of the house is decorated for Christmas, some wrapping was completed, the house is clean and we even got to visit Santa Claus! I made some really great cupcakes for Thanksgiving dessert, too. You can view the recipe here.

Here's our plan for the week:

Sunday~Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce over Spaghetti, Garlic Toast

Monday~Meatloaf, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole

Tuesday~Kielbassi and Kraut on Rolls, French Fries and Baked Beans

Wednesday~Slow Cooker Herbed Pork Roast, Angel Hair Pasta in Olive Oil and Garlic, Salad

Thursday~ Zesty Potato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Friday~Pizza Night

Saturday~Chicken in Cream Sauce over Linguine, Salad, Fresh Rolls

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful week!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

We have Drapes!!

After 2 months, we now have drapes in the living room! They instantly warmed up the room...that along with our now functioning gas fireplace! It's getting more homey each day...just taking awhile.

Here's a close-up of the finial...thought the room could use some "bling"....

...and our fireplace. (don't mind the cable box, still haven't found a stand for it yet!)

Thank you for stopping by today!

Blessings,

Lisa

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas....

We started the Christmas decorating on the outside of the house. You can't really tell in the pic above, but the wreath and garland match and have some pinecones and bluish berries in them. Thought that was perfect with the blue house AND I've had both for years!

This was taken with the flash on....What do you think? We're going to add wreaths to the top of each window of the house, with a red bow. Or should I go gold or something else? Not so sure, so comments are appreciated! DH is hanging the icicle lights along the gutters tomorrow or Sunday. Then the outside should be complete once I get the wreaths bought and hung. Then I'll start on the inside.

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Pumpkin Cupcakes

One Saturday, while watching Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Thanksgiving show, I decided to make these cute little pumpkin cupcakes for Thanksgiving dessert. They're very simple and so delicious! I was actually surprised that they were so yummy! Of course, I changed some things in the original recipe, because every recipe can use some tweeking!

I used this Wilton Mini-Pumpkin Pan to create.....

...these mini cakes. This was before they were glazed. Next time I would use the baking spray instead of pam and flour.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Nonstick cooking spray

All-purpose flour

1 (18 1/4-ounce) box yellow cake mix

1 cup pumpkin puree, plus more if needed

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Icing:

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

2 Tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Red and yellow food coloring, if desired

Special equipment: 8-count mini pumpkin cake mold pans

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the cake pan with nonstick cooking spray, coat with flour, and knock out the excess.

Combine the cake mix with the pumpkin puree and oil. Beat with a hand mixer on medium until well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Some pumpkin purees have more moisture than others, if the cake batter seems dry then add more pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup at a time.

Using an ice cream scoop, fill the molds 2/3 of the way to the top with batter. Bake until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

In a large bowl, combine the icing ingredients and mix together until well blended; the icing should be thick but have a pourable consistency. If it's too thick add a little milk to thin. If you want the color to be more orange add a few drops of red and yellow food coloring. Dip the top 1/2 of each cupcake into the icing and place onto a sheet pan fitted with a wire rack allowing the icing to drip down the sides. Let icing set for 1 hour before serving.

Enjoy!

peace and blessings,

Lisa

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I'm so thankful for my family and friends!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Christmas Extravaganza

On Sunday the Ladies' Guild of our church hosted a Christmas Extravaganza. Here are some photos from our table...

A long shot of our decorated table. Each guest received a chocolate angel and a jar of homemade jelly.

One of the candle centerpieces....I love battery operated candles for things like this! No wax to worry about or flames.

Our main centerpiece....

My mom and Kim, my brother's girlfriend

Tina won a door prize!

Robin did too!

Thanks for stopping by!


Peace and blessings,


Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, November 22, 2010

Welcome to this week's Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. It's another busy week ahead, including a holiday! I can't believe that Thanksgiving is this week. Here's our plan for the week:

Sunday~Christmas Extravaganza at Church---no cooking for me!

Monday~Beef Patties in Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Tuesday~Chicken Enchiladas, Mexican Rice and Corn

Wednesday~ Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Thursday~Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday~ Pizza Night

Saturday~Ham Pot Pie and Hard Rolls

Have a week full of blessings!

Lisa

One Lovely Blog Award

Mel from Mel's Backyard has awarded My Little Corner of the World "One Lovely Blog Award". Thank you Mel for sharing this award with me!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

The Best Ever Homemade Croutons

I love croutons! They are a neccesity anytime I make a salad. I forgot to buy some on my last trip to the store, so I decided to make my own for our salads. These are so much better than store bought croutons and so much more economical. I used leftover Italian Bread from Sunday's dinner, so that didn't go to waste. They were quick and easy too!

Here's the recipe:

Italian Salad Croutons

1/4 cup butter , melted
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
5 slices white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

In a large bowl, combine the butter, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Enjoy!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Sandy Sandwich Cookies

This weekend I made a new cookie. They're my favorite coconut cookie.

The Ingredients...

mix them together in a medium size bowl, making sure the butter is softened....

until a soft dough forms. I had to work it with my hands, so don't be discouraged if a spoon just isn't doing it for you.

Then roll the dough into walnut sized balls and put them on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with Pam. Bake them in a 350 degree oven for 7-9 minutes until lightly browned on the edges.

Then Voila! Here are the finished cookies, cooling on a wire rack.

They're not done yet!

Next, you put a tablespoon of vanilla frosting on the flat side of half of the cookies and top it with another cookie. Smoosh it together until the icing oozes out of the sides. Then roll the sides in coconut.

Here's the finished product...so yummy!

This free printable recipe card created with Smilebox

Click play to see the complete recipe!

Enjoy!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, November 15, 2010

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. It's another busy week here. I'm hoping to cook most nights, but sometimes life and hockey get in the way. *wink* Here's the plan:

Sunday~Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce over Penne, Veal Parmesan, Salad and Fresh Baked Bread

Monday~Chicken and Dumplings, Noodles and Steamed Carrots

Tuesday~Grilled Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf, and Green Beans

Wednesday~Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy over Noodles

Thursday~Take Out

Friday~ Pizza and Wing Night

Saturday~Chicken Scallopini, Couscous and Salad

I'll be back tonight with links to the recipes...two new ones this week!

Blessings,

Lisa

Veteran's Day

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.

~Elmer Davis

Thank you to all who serve and have served our country!

God Bless You!

Peace,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, November 8, 2010

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. This week's menu is filled with family favorites.

Sunday~Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake, Salad and Garlic Toast

Monday~Spiced Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf and Sugar Snap Peas

Tuesday~Mini Cheese Stuffed Meatloaves, Oven Potatoes, Green Beans

Wednesday~Kielbassi and Kraut, Mashed Potatoes, Salad

Thursday~Turkey Clubs, Oven Fries and Fruit

Friday~ Homemade Pizza and Salad

Saturday~take out!

Have a week full of blessings!

Lisa

Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe

I saw this recipe on Janelle's blog Comfy in the Kitchen and thought it would be perfect to serve at ds's birthday party on a snowy November day. The gals at the party loved it, but the guys thought it was too chocolatey! WHAT?! If you don't like a rich drink, then I'd add more milk or whipped topping to take the chocolate flavor down a notch. I made it on the stovetop and kept it warm on the counter in the crockpot for easy self service.

Homemade Hot Cocoa
(Serves 10)
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
1 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp salt
1 cup hot water
1/2 gallon milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 8 oz whipped cream
*extra whipped cream or marshmallows to garnish
In a med/large pot on the stovetop (med/high heat) pour in hot water, sugar, cocoa powder and salt- whisk well. Add chocolate chips, whisk well until melted. Add milk and whisk again until well combined. Add vanilla and cinnamon then stir in whipped cream. Serve and garnish!
Enjoy!

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Hunter's 12th Birthday-11/6/10

Customize a free digital scrapbooking design

Our son celebrated his 12th birthday yesterday. He wanted a simple day, with just family to watch the Pittsburgh Pens in HD. He requested Chicken Tacos, Creamed Corn and Peaches for his birthday dinner. It was a different combination, but we aim to please our birthday boys and girls! After dinner, we had family over to join us for a Peanut Butter Blizzard Cake from DQ. We had a very nice evening together. Hunter had a great day and his last words before going to bed were "Thanks, Mom, for everything.". He's such a sweet, thoughtful young man. We're so very blessed that he's ours.

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa