Even though I have a degree in biomedical science and spent an entire semester dissecting a dog, I have always been a little afraid of cooking a whole chicken. But they were on sale at the Sams, and I decided it was time to tackle cooking a whole chicken, so I could add it to my homemaker credentials.
I really am not qualified to be a homemaker, but I am thankful that God called me to this position and equips me every day.
Today's equipping, came in the form of the Juicy Roasted Chicken recipe from www.allrecipes.com.
I started with this raw chicken, added a little salt, pepper and onion powder.
About this time my 6 year old walked in and asked, "What is that?!" I explained to him that it was a whole chicken, well, minus the head and feathers and feet. He then looked at me funny and said, "Where did you get it?" I really think he thought I killed it myself, perhaps smuggled one home from the livestock show we visited on Saturday. He was relieved when I replied, "the grocery store".
I was really glad the 6 year old hung around for the stuffing butter and celery inside the chicken cavity, because he made for a good giggle companion and photographer while I held open the bird!! The momentous occasion of me cooking an entire chicken had to be documented for posterity!
Finally, I had fun arranging the dollops of margarine, notice the margarine tucked under the wings like hidden Easter eggs!
Next, I stuck it in the oven for about 1 hour and 15 min., went outside and played with my kids, and then pulled it out to check it. I dug way to the back of my drawer with odds and ends cooking items and managed to find the meat thermometer -- definitely a lesser used item around my home! I stuck it in, remembered something I'd once heard about not allowing the probe to touch bone, and found myself cheering on the little needle as the temperature reading climbed higher and higher. It was not at all like taking the temperature of one of my children when I watch the readout and cringe with each notch higher it moves!
The thermometer kept stalling out around 170 degrees and I was going for 180, so I had to stick it back in a few times. I think my chicken was a little larger than what the recipe called for. Anyway, I punctured my poor chicken dozens of times taking its temperature, but finally hit the 180 degree mark and was able to move on to the "letting it sit" step.
It turned out very tasty and my husband was incredulous that I "made it from scratch?" As in, did not pick up a rotisserie chicken from somewhere!
I am thankful for the opportunity to be a homemaker, thankful that God has brought me to this place in life where it is a joy to cook a whole chicken, and so incredulous that I just created an entire blog post dedicated to my cooking of the whole chicken!
Find more Tasty Tuesday at Forever...Wherever, Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers and Tackle It Tuesday at 5 Minutes For Mom.
Today's Topic is:
God's word should guide us.
Introduction
How would you feel if you were walking a path at night and you could not see because it was too dark? Do you think it would be easy to walk without light? What could you do to make it better? (answer: get a flashlight)
Activity
In a dark room or outside at night first have children try to walk a path without a flashlight or lantern. Then give them a light and have them walk the same path.
Scripture
Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."
Discussion
What is God's word? (answer = the Bible) The Bible can show us the way just like the flashlight helped us walk in the dark. The Bible tells us things we should and should not do. Our flashlight can show us sticks on the ground that we might trip on and fall down and the Bible shows us bad things we could do that will make our lives unhappy. It helps us know things even though we cannot see them with our eyes, things like God will always love us and never leave us. When we can't see the way in life, we can pray and read our Bibles and ask God to show us what He wants us to do. Did you feel better walking in the dark without the light or with it? I feel better walking through life with the help of God's word!
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for you word! Help us to remember to use it to guide us. Amen.
I've posted before about wanting clothes that will last for my kids and how I'm willing to pay more if they will still look nice after 5 washings (which I've found begins to fade many-o-brands I've tried even using cold water and low heat dry)!
Well, I had gotten the Mini-Boden catalog for a while and always thought the clothes were cute, but too pricey, especially since I would have to pay for shipping because we do not have a physical store here. But, one day a little over a year ago, they were offering free shipping and a sale on top of that, so I bought some things for my son and daughter.
I was curious if the higher price tag would mean higher quality, especially for things like t-shirts and jeans.
Do you know what I found? For the most part, no, the quality was not worth the extra price, with the exception of two items.
These zip off cargos which are pricey, but they are super durable and convert from pants to shorts. My oldest son has worn them every week for a year as both pants and shorts and they still look brand new! Not to mention he LOVES the concept of being able to zip off the bottoms should he get hot mid way through the day, its all about options, my friends. The second and only other notable item I purchased is this skirt in this style, ours from last year is pink and white polka-dots which I don't see this year, but the style and fabric are excellent, so you can't go wrong with any color choice. The skirt is very soft, easy to pull on and off and went great with pretty much every shirt in her closet!
Another big name brand is Hanna Andersson which I usually only frequent right before winter for their awesome long-sleeve soft cotton dresses, but they are having a sale on their summer dresses right now. Check out this cute one or this one. While you're over there these cropped pants are adorable and would be so comfy for spring, summer and early fall, paired with either a short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt.
I'll leave you with these cheap, fun little girl shoes that I may or may not have bought for my daughter while picking up Diaper Genie refills this week! If you have not yet discovered the Target shoe department for your kids, go! The shoes are super prices, cute, and usually just as comfy as Stride Rite! But if you are not actually shopping for shoes, avoid it like the plague, because you will cave to the temptation!
And speaking of the temptation, while you're at Target if you happen to notice this dress you will totally be forced to buy it because where else can you find a $5 dress?
Find more Fashion Friday at Big Mama.
I limit my kids' TV/video time to 30-40 minutes per day, except for when they are sick and on the occasions that we have a family movie night. That 30 minutes is not even a guarantee, they must have had good enough behavior to get that privilege. See my Privilege Chart post here.
I also use that 30 minutes as incentive for them to help me tackle a chore, by saying, "once the playroom is clean we can watch something!" It is amazing how quickly they can clean once I say that!
I don't give my kids a lot of choices about what they can watch. They get a few educational options that work for all 3 of their ages -- 6, 3, and 1 year. Several months ago I found the best video to fit this criteria!
Leap Frog Letter Factory DVD.
This video is very entertaining for the kids and really teaches them their letters and the sounds each letter makes. After watching this several times, even my 1 year old can tell you what sound the different letters make! Knowing the sounds for the letters is a critical pre-reading skill.
Then there is the Talking Words Factory, that create words with the letters. We have this one, too and it is also super!
Find more Works For Me Wednesday Tips at We are THAT Family.
This may sound like a joke, but, Invisible Readers, I am 100 % not kidding when I say I am thankful for baby teeth!
Seriously, how smart is God to give those little ones baby teeth, practice teeth, if you will, that they will only have for the first few years of their lives? You know the years where they are fearless and fall a lot!
My 2 youngest kids both have ever so slightly chipped front teeth. Both of them are climbers. My daughter could climb before she could walk. She would crawl over to something and climb up! A mother with multiple children cannot be everywhere at once, so although she will intercede and save that climber child from may a plunge; there will inevitably be some falls.
These teeth incidents of my kids were not traumas, to be honest I don't even know exactly when they happened with either kid. I just know one day (very recently with my 1 year old) I noticed the slightly chipped front tooth which the dentist confirmed. But, thanks to God's perfect plan these teeth will fall out in few years! So no worries, unless of course they get a giant bubble-like blister on the gum above the tooth -- then according to my dentist you need to worry and he'll pull the tooth.
I know I join countless other moms in saying a huge "Thank you, God, for giving them baby teeth!"
Psalm 139:13-14, "For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well."
Find more Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers.
I have not done Tasty Tuesday the last few weeks, but I have really wanted to get back and participate because I love a good recipe swap!
Now speaking of things I love, I love a recipe that is not only tasty, but EASY! Remember I have 3 little kids! This brownie recipe will dirty only one bowl and one 9 x 13 inch pan. I even have a greasing the pan trick to combine it with melting the butter for the recipe! The brownies are super yummy, in addition to the easiness!
Now that I have this recipe I always sign-up to bring brownies when attending a church or school function -- quick with minimal mess!
Yummy, Minimal Mess Brownies
2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Melt the butter or margarine by putting it in the 9 x 13 inch pan you plan to bake brownies in and setting the pan in the oven for a few minutes as it pre-heats.
2. Mix ingredients in a mixing bowl in the order given. When you add the butter, pour it from the 9 x 13 inch pan into the mixing bowl while slightly tilting the pan side to side, making sure that you have coated your pan with butter residue = a greased pan with no fuss!
3. Pour batter into 9 x 13 inch greased pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes.
4. While waiting on brownies to bake, stand back and marvel that you only have one bowl to clean!
The basic recipe is from Allrecipes.com here is the link but above I included my small changes.
Find more Tasty Tuesday at Forever...Wherever
and Tackle It Tuesday at 5 Minutes For Mom.
