Friday Favorites

This favorite is a little "silly".  But I have become a huge fan of Snapple.  This is my favorite flavor (so far...ha). 

I've learned a great thing about the glass bottles is that you can wash'em, re-fill'em with water, and stick'em back in the frig.  Use less of those plastic bottles that are filling up the landfills.  High five! :)

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!  In an effort to not be such a slacker.  I've decided to start doing "Friday Favorites".  This will just be random things that I am stuck on. :) 

Here are a few of my favorites songs playing on the radio.  When I hear these they make by day brighter, regardless of what might be happening in that moment.  Such a blessing!!!! Thank you Lord for the reminders and change of perspective. :)  They all seem to fit perfectly right now. 

I couldn't narrow it down to just one video....who says I have to anyways?

Herb Blend for Dipping Oil



You know when you go to a restaurant and they serve you bread and dipping oil as a starter?  Well, here is a version of that! J  I store this in a cute little airtight glass container I found at the dollar store.  (Doubles as a decoration too!) Just prepare a batch whenever!  This is also great to give as a gift (as pictured).

Sooo, good!  ‘Nuff said.

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon dried minced garlic

1 Tablespoon dried rosemary, crushed

1 Tablespoon dried oregano

2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper 

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS (FOR EACH BATCH):

1 Tablespoon water

½ cup olive oil

1 French bread baguette

In a small bowl, combine the first seven ingredients.  Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

TO PREPARE DIPPING OIL: In a small microwavable bowl, combine 4 teaspoons herb mix with water.  Microwave on high for 10-15 seconds.  Drain excess water.  Transfer to a shallow serving plate; add oil and stir.  Serve with bread. 

Yield: 3 batches, ¼ cup total

Recipe by: Taste of Home

the Christian atheist - Book Recommendation

I read/studied through this book a few months ago with a great friend of mine.  I enjoyed it and a lot of it has stuck with me since...and that is saying a lot....because I am one of those people who can read a book or watch a movie and in a few weeks time forget all about it.  And I don't normally remember it until I read/watch it again and then....I remember that I have seen/read it before...ha.  I hardly ever quote movies and usually am totally lost when someone quotes a movie because, well even if I have seen the movie, I don't remember it. 

Anyways, this book stuck with me.  It's recommendation worthy. :) 

 

Seasoned Chicken and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Like normal, I was hungry and had not planned anything for supper so I started looking through my cabinets/frig to see what I could come up with.  I made chicken breast seasoned with montreal chicken seasoning and garlic mashed potatoes. 

For the garlic mashed potatoes I made mashed potatoes like normal.  I used a little bit of butter, heavy cream instead of milk and added a garlic "cube", dried parsley, salt and pepper and topped them with chives (growing on my patio...yay!) and a sprig of parsley (also growing on my patio....double yay!).

For the chicken, I just defrosted one chicken breast, cut it in half, because it was super thick, pounded it a little, seasoned it with "GrillMates, Montreal Chicken" seasoning, and crushed red pepper.  I cooked it in a little olive oil in a skillet until brown on both sides.  I topped it with green salsa.

That was it!  Easy and delicious! :)

I have an AWESOME neighbor whom just happens to like to bake, and lucky me, she usually shares! :)  She made this dulce de leche cake.  She said that she heard me pounding or chopping and figured I was cooking supper, and came knocking on my door to give me dessert...ha. 

I pretty much inhaled it...sooooooo gooooood!

Stand Firm Then....Ephesians

I realized I hadn’t finished the last part of the Ephesians study .  Let me rephrase that, I finished the study I just didn't post it on here lol.   So, here it is…

Ephesians 6:10-24

Read the verse here: Ephesians 6:10-24 - Biblegateway.com

vs. 10-12 – “Be strong IN the Lord and IN his mighty power.”  We are strong in him and in his power.  Not on our own.  “Put on…” The armor of God is something we have to “put on”.  Something we wear or use so that we can stand against the devil’s schemes.   This is a reminder to “put on” the armor of God instead of trying to battle the devil on my own.

The devil is no match to the power of God living within us.  The Holy Spirit is in us and the armor of God surrounds us.

vs. 13-17 –  THE ARMOR OF GOD.  Paul says 2 times to “put on the armor of God”.   My mind went to the placement of each of the physical pieces of armor ---- Belt of Truth: The belt goes around the waist, the core of the body.  Truth should be our core.   Breastplate of Righteousness: The breastplate goes of the heart and protects all the vital organs.  We should protect our hearts with righteousness.  Feet Fitted with Readiness: Our feet carry us everywhere.  We should always be ready to go where or to say what God is asking us to.  Shield of Faith: The shield was used to “extinguish all the flaming arrows”.  Our faith should outweigh anything that the devil “shoots” at us.  Our faith should be so strong that his “flaming arrows” are extinguished when they hit us.  Helmet of Salvation: A helmet protects the head.  Our minds should be protected by the helmet of salvation, always remembering what Christ did for us.  Sword of the Spirit: We should fight with God’s word.  His promises. His truth.

vs. 18 –“ Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”  Thank you God that we can pray!  Thank you that we can talk to you and that you hear us through prayer!  “Keep on praying for all the saints.”  We should pray for all believers, not just the ones in our circles but ALL.

vs. 19-24 – Pauls focus was on the gospel and fearlessly making it known despite his circumstances of being in prison.  I should always be looking for opportunities to “make the gospel known” despite what circumstances might surround me.  “Undying love”  Wow, what great words.  Do I love Him with an “undying love”?   These verses would be a great prayer to pray for a pastor!

That is Ephesians! J  Lots in there and lots to learn.

Skillet Ravioli

This was so quick and easy annnd GOOD! :)  The great thing is that it is all cooked in one skillet! Well, ok and a sauce pan if you use fresh spinach.  Less dishes! :)

Ingredients: 2 cups pasta sauce of your choice, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1/3 cup water, salt and pepper, 1 9 oz. package frozen ravioli, 1 large egg, lightly beaten, 1 15 oz. carton ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, 1 10 oz. package frozen spinach, thawed and drained (or 1 large bag of fresh, cooked -- It seems like a lot but it really cooks down). 

Add the pasta sauce, sugar, and water to a skillet.  Bring to boil over medium heat.  Add salt and pepper if you want. 

Let that simmer while you cook the spinach.

I used fresh spinach because it's what I had.  Heat water to boiling in a small pan.  Add the spinach and only cook for a few minutes.  Continue to add the spinach in handfuls until it is cooked down.  Drain and set aside.

Stir in the ravioli to the sauce in the skillet.  Reduce the heat; cover and cook; stirring occasionally.  Cook for about 5 minutes.  It doesn't take very long for the ravioli to heat up. 

Put the egg, ricotta cheese, and 1/2 cup of the grated cheese in a bowl and mix.  ( I just guessed on the amounts for both cheeses.)

Top the ravioli with the cooked spinach. (I probably could have used a little more spinach....ha.  But that is half a bag, and that's all I had.  It really cooks down.)

Top the spinach with the ricotta cheese mixture.  Spread evenly to cover.

Cover and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is set. -- When I read that I though, huh?  But you will be able to tell when it is "set". 

A written version of this recipe can be found here.