Pumpkin Roll!! Ahhhhh!

Well, it's been one of those days....I decided to be adventurous and make a pumpkin roll. After the first batch had to be thrown away, (not given the right ingredients) I started another batch with some resolve that I was going to make this work. Shiloh was being good and playing by himself...I placed the unbaked pumpkin roll on the wax paper..with a gut feeling that I shouldn't use the wax paper. But why listen to your gut feeling? So I threw it in the oven. Only a few minutes later I check on the oven and see smoke inside...not a lot...but enough to cause concern....in which at that time the smoke alarm decided to let me know that my oven was smoking. So in the process of checking to make sure there are no flames, turning the oven off, turning the oven vent on, putting Shiloh into the high chair so he wouldn't touch the hot oven, getting the pumpkin stuff out of the oven, and trying to turn the alarm off... I lost my resolve. After the alarm stopped blaring, and the neighbors alarm stopped blaring, I buried my face in my hands and started crying. Then I heard a little giggle...I looked up to see a big smile on Shiloh's face which turned into a laugh. In all my frustration, Shiloh was having a grand ole time. I bet it was quite a show watching mommy and hearing the loud "BEEP, BEEP!"
My tears quickly left and I began to laugh with Shiloh. We laughed for a couple minutes actually. My little 16 month old taught me the best lesson, don't get upset if things don't go my way.."It's okay mom, just laugh!"

My little Golfer

The other day I couldn't find Shiloh. I said his name several times and he usually answers with a "Uh?" but no answer. I finally found him...he had quietly opened the closet door, moved the dirty clothes basket out of the closet, and was playing golf!

Silly me! Just like his Grandpa Homsher, I probably blew his putt!!

Oh to be Content!

The past few days I have been struggling with being content with what I have, what I do, and where I am. But God has been patient with me and reminded me that being discontent is sin. The things I want, the people I want to change are not mine to change. They are His. What He has given to me I must be thankful for and be faithful in doing.

The importance of being a stay-at-home mom is just as important as being a pastor or an evangelist, as long as I am serving God faithfully. And those things and people that I cannot change, I can be faithful in prayer for. When we are content, there is happiness!!!

Shiloh moments

Peak a Boo!!!

"Hi everybody! Just wanted to say I miss you!"

Farmer Brown's Tails "The Great Hunt"

What a beautiful day to go hunting! Brandy thought to herself as she watched Farmer Brown paint the fence. He had just finished washing the windows for his wife and Brandy noticed that the gate had opened just a crack. Farmer Brown didn't see that the wind was blowing the gate open ever so slowly.

"It's now or never!" Brandy said with excitement. Getting out of the backyard only took a second for Brandy. She knew what she was hunting for, a big bird. She began sniffing the ground and then went in a little circle until she found the scent. Ready or not, here I come.

Brandy followed the scent into the pasture. Her ears perked and her eyes searched the open field until her sharp gaze fell onto a dove perched on a hay bail.

Brandy crouched low to the ground and began moving one paw at a time. She was right behind the bird and POUNCE! She grabbed the bird and put it in her mouth.

Filled with delight, Brandy began to prance her way back to the house. Farmer Brown and his wife will be so proud of me when they see my prize bird. I'll show the Farmer's wife first. She'll be so pleased. Brandy said to herself.

Brandy calmly walked through the open gate, in the dog door, and into the living room where Farmer Brown's wife was taking a nap. I'll just lay the bird on her lap. When she wakes up, oh how pleased she'll be! Brandy happily thought. Brandy gently laid the lifeless bird on Mrs. Brown and scurried outside to tell Bagel. Just then she heard a loud scream coming from inside the house.

Brandy smiled at herself. She could just imagine Mrs. Brown's excited face when she woke and saw what Brandy had brought her. Brandy had a marvelous thought. I should go hunting again for Mrs. Brown since she enjoys it so much!

Delicious Dinner

I found a great recipe from "Taste of Home" magazine. It is so good and wonderful for summer days. What was nice about this recipe is that I had all the ingredients at home already.

Lemon Chicken with Rice

1/3 cup biscuit/baking mix
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 bone-in chicken breast halves (I used boneless/skinless)
1/4 cup olive oil
1-1/3 cup lemon pie filling
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce

Tomato Parsley Rice:

2 cups water
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups uncooked instant rice
1 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the biscuit mix, seasoned salt and pepper. Add chicken, one piece at a time, and shake to coat.
• In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil on both sides; drain. Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the pie filling, water, vinegar and soy sauce; pour over chicken. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.
• In a large saucepan, bring water, bouillon and pepper to a boil. Stir in the rice, tomato and parsley. Cover and remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Serve with chicken. Yield: 4 servings

Taste of Home, Simple and Delicious, May/June 2008, page 6

Farmer Brown's Tails Part II

All was quiet. Then, from somewhere in the darkness Brandy heard some sort of mumbling. "Wwwhat am I gggoing ttto ddo? I'm gggoing ttoo bebe trtrapped here fffffforever!"
Brandy turned and saw Bagel trapped in a wired fence.

"Bagel, how did you ever get into that wired fence?"
"I, ddddon't remember, Brbrbrandy. Cccould you gget me ouout?" Bagel said, wincing in pain.

Brandy looked at Bagel and saw how her legs were stuck in the fence, and knew she couldn't get her out.

"I'll have to wake Farmer Brown and his wife." Brandy said with determination.
"HHHurry, Brbrbrandy!" Bagel cried, as her body began to tremble in fear.

As Brandy turned to go inside, a troubling thought came to her. What if the prowlers return? I must hurry and get Farmer Brown and his wife before the prowlers see Bagel. Once inside, Brandy ran straight to where Farmer Brown and his wife were sleeping. She knew her paws were loud on the hardwood floor as her nails scraped with a "tip-tap". They must wake up and save Bagel before those prowlers return, or every one's life is at stake.

Brandy finally reached Farmer Brown's bedroom. She stood on her back paws and placed her front paws on the side of the bed. She began whining, hoping that she wouldn't have to bark. Without warning, Farmer Brown's wife sat straight up in bed and said, "Farmer Brown! Wake up. Something is wrong."

Brandy led Farmer Brown and his wife outside to where Bagel was. When they reached Bagel, she was in a terrible state. She was panting uncontrollably and saying, "Whwhwat am I gggoing ttto ddddoo? Whwhwat am I gggoing ttto ddddoo?"
"Bagel, calm down. Farmer Brown will help you!" Brandy said reassuringly.

Farmer Brown gently lifted Bagel out of her trap and placed her on the ground. Then he walked over to Brandy. He lovingly patted her on the head and said, "That'll do dog, that'll do."

Brandy felt so proud. She lifted her nose high in the air and followed Farmer Brown, his wife, and Bagel into the house. But a curious thought came to her so she stopped and turned around. Where are those prowlers?