The Friday Five

Here's my Friday Five for the first Friday in August - and the day my daughter comes home from college (just felt the need to slip that in):


1) What is your favorite drink of all time? Does it hold a special memory to you or is it just because it tastes good?
My favorite drink of all time would have to be passionfruit juice. My grandmother had a passionfruit tree in her backyard and she'd make the most delicious juice from it. Passionfruit tastes like a cross between orange and mango, sweet and a bit tart, and when made into freshly squeezed juice it is just wonderful. And yes, it holds special memories for me, because grandma made it with love.

2) Tea or coffee or hot cocoa?
Coffee, most definitely. I like tea and hot cocoa as well, but I have to have my morning cup of joe everyday.

3) Best summer time drink?
Ice cold lemonade. Or better yet, ice cold water. Nothing refreshes like it. I'm a Floridian, so I have lots of experience with summer weather. We have it year round.

4) Worst soda brand ever?
I don't like soda much, but I remember my dad buying champagne cola when we were kids. It's like taking regular cola and adding a 5 lb. bag of sugar to it. Instead of taking away the thirst, I'd end up thirstier than before. Defeats the purpose, as far as I'm concerned.

5) Water: flavored, bottled, carbonated, or regular old tap?
I drink lots of bottled water. I've not tried flavored water, so I don't know if I'd like it or not. South Florida water isn't the tastiest out of the tap, but it's okay filtered. Carbonated is good, but too expensive. Yep, I'd have to say bottled.

Hope everyone has a blessed Friday and a great weekend. Join me at the Friday Five today.

Southwestern Chicken Soup

I thought I'd take a few minutes out of my busy day of laundry, packing and cleaning to post a quick and easy recipe - my son R's favorite, Southwestern Chicken Soup. Well, at least it's my version of Southwestern. I don't believe it's authentic, but it is delicious. The best part: one serving has only 250 calories, yet it's hearty and satisfying. Enjoy!

1 - 2 lb. chicken breast tenders, diced
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (I use Mrs. Dash Grilling Seasoning for chicken)
1 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 - 14 oz. cans diced tomatoes with green peppers and onions
1 small can tomato sauce
2-3 cups chicken stock (depends on how soupy you like it)
1 can mexicorn
Salt and pepper to taste

In a hot soup pot, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add chicken to pot. Season with poultry seasoning, cumin, salt and pepper. Lightly brown chicken on all sides. Add zucchini, onions and garlic. Cook vegetables with chicken 5 - 7 minutes to soften. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and stock. Bring soup to a boil, reduce heat to medium low. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add mexicorn. Stir, turn heat to low for another 5 minutes. Serve with corn chips, shredded cheddar or pepperjack cheese, or sour cream. For a spicier version, add 1 -2 chipotle in adobo peppers with the vegetables. Serves 6 - 8.

Thankful Thursdays

Today's Thankful Thursday post is an easy one, because my little girl is coming home tomorrow!

My daughter is attending a university that's about a 4 hour drive away. She's finishing up the summer semester and will enter her junior year in a few weeks. I miss her terribly, and I know she misses us too! I also know she's blessed to have the opportunity to study at this university thanks to the scholarships she's received. So many young people don't get the opportunity to go off to school for various reasons, so I'm very thankful that she can get herself an education and still be close enough to come home during vacations and holidays.

I'm also thankful for cell phones and text messaging! Usually I hate both - I find them to be annoying at times, and an excuse for rudeness - but the fact that I can keep in touch with my daughter with simple, quick messages makes her feel that much closer. Even if it's just to say, "Hey, what are you up to?" or, "Mommy loves you," I know it's a way to stay in touch without spending alot of money. Of course I still send her an occasional card, 'cause who doesn't enjoy finding those in their mailbox? But tomorrow is her last final exam, and then she comes home. We just can't wait! Thank You Lord for giving me this wonderful young lady. I can't think of any better gift than my kids.

"Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?"

- Psalm 127:3, The Message

This month Thankful Thursdays is hosted by Laurie at Women Taking a Stand. God bless, and have a wonderful Thursday.

The Open House Tour

4 Moms and 35 Kids is hosting an open house tour this month. You can join in here, here, here or here. For the next few weeks homes will be open for sharing. This week we're looking at the outside of the home, front and back. So here we go, welcome to our home:

I live on the corner of a cul-de-sac, so depending on which side you come down, you might get this view:

Or you might get this one:

Regardless, you're gonna see palm trees. This is South Florida. We're just brimming with all types of palm trees, and I love every one of them. That's my little boy in the picture, by the way. He's such a ham. Ours is a circular driveway, and hubby planted the bushes and of course palm tree in the center.

As you walk up, this is what you see. Notice on the side of the house there are some light patches of paint on the wall. My dearest hubby was touching up some spots, but he didn't notice till after he'd finished painting that he used the trim paint on the main wall. When he went to look for the correct paint, he realized we didn't have any left. Oh well. It'll stay that way till rainy season is over. Which won't be till winter. In the meantime we'll call this "art".

Here's my front door, and on the right is the living room window. The picture isn't the best, because it's very sunny out. This is the Sunshine State, after all. It's always sunny, unless it's raining, which right now is at least half the time. The advantage to that is that I don't have to water any plants, flowers or grass. The disadvantage is that we spend very little time outdoors because everything is soaking wet. Such is life in South Florida.

Here's an older pic of the front yard. I had lots of flowers planted which are gone now, but the plants are still there. The little angel in the center is a Welcome sign, and the rock over on the right says God Bless This Home. It used to glow in the dark, but it's been out there too long in the elements, I guess, and doesn't glow anymore. The sentiment is still true though, and I really love that ole rock.

I recently redecorated the backyard, so I'll just repeat some of the pictures. You can read more and see more pictures here. I'll post these in the spirit of the open house. Notice there isn't much kid stuff? That's because my kids don't like being outdoors. "It's too hot out there," they whine. Having grown up in the city and always wishing to have had a backyard, I just shake my head. At least it's available to the grown-ups to enjoy. When it isn't pouring rain, that is. You might also notice the yard is fairly large, with enough room for a pool. You're absolutely right. And if anyone out there feels called to finance said pool for our family, please let me know. It might be just what these kids of mine need to encourage them to enjoy the outdoors.

Here's the other view. I spend quite a bit of time here tending my plants and flowers. It's good exercise, and looks so nice and tranquil. You can see, of course, that my neighbors aren't too far off. They're very quiet though, so I don't feel like they're on top of me even though they live so close. I hear the kids playing outside, especially the house behind me that has a pool, but other than that we live in a very peaceful town which I'm so thankful for.

Well, that's my home. The outside of it, anyway. I hope it makes everyone feel welcome, which is my goal. Come on over, we'll sit outside with a tall glass of lemonade and enjoy the sunshine. If it's not raining. And if the furniture is dry ;-).

Health-Wise Wednesdays

Topic: Vacation eating

This morning I'm down to 132.6 lbs. As I mentioned last week, I'm not too concerned, because we'll be leaving for vacation this Sunday and I won't be monitoring myself quite as closely, which means I might overeat or not always eat as I should.

It's sad that there are so few places with truly healthy food alternatives. Yes, most restaurants have "healthy menus," but when you break it down they aren't as healthy as the restaurant would have you believe. I'll be making an effort to put as much "good for me" food in my mouth as possible. Trouble is, I don't know what is nearby so that I can plan ahead.

Take a look at a typical fast food meal. Not even taking into account the amount of sodium they contain (enough for a day and a half of salt in some cases), the meal itself doesn't look healthy. God made food pretty to look at, with lots of color and texture. A cheeseburger, fries and soda don't have much color; it's all beiges and browns. If all you're eating is a bunch of neutral colors, you're not getting the nutrition you need.

Just look at all the veggies and fruits out there: they come in all shades of green, red, purple, yellow and orange. Serve up a veggie platter and the whole thing jumps up at you; a fruit platter is just as interesting and artistic. Let's face it: food can and should be beautiful! The typical American meal, on the other hand, is bland looking. A piece of meat, potatoes and bread. Blah. All you have to do is add a small salad, with some lovely greens like romaine lettuce and cucumbers, reds like tomatoes, red onion or radishes, maybe some carrots, and already that plate looks more alive. It also gained vitamins, anti-oxidents, fiber, iron, you name it, all the things that the original dish didn't have.

This is why I like to select places that offer colorful alternatives to the everyday fast food place. Now, I'm not promoting these places, nor are they paying me to advertise; I'm just stating my opinion of why I prefer to eat at certain places. For instance, there are burger joints everywhere, but if I have my choice I pick Wendy's. I like the fact that I can have, for the same price as a regular value meal, a side salad with low-fat dressing instead of fries. I like that I can have bottled water instead of soda. I like that I can skip the burger altogether and opt for a delicious salad. The variety is much better than any other fast food place. What about deli-style sandwiches? I've heard people complain about Subway, because their sandwiches have more salad than meat. That's exactly what I love about them! I get filled up on a sandwich on wheat bread and lots of lettuce, tomato, onion, peppers, cucumbers, pickles, the works, without feeling like I ate a brick of fat and cholesterol.

I don't know if I'll be eating at these places. I do know that I'll be keeping my plate as colorful as I can while we eat out. Remember: the more colorful your meal, the better it is for you! Have a great rest of your week. God bless.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, August 3, 2010...

Outside my window...the sun is shining after what appears to have been quite a bit of rain last night. I didn't hear it raining, but when I got up everything was drenched and there were puddles everywhere. Which means I don't have to water the plants today :-).

I am thinking...about all the packing that needs to get done, the laundry that needs to get washed, and the lists that need to be finished. It's gonna be a busy week!

I am thankful for...this vacation we're going on. We leave on Sunday. Thank You Lord for this great gift!

I am going...to the library to return everything we have. Don't want to get any late fees while we're on vacation.

I am wearing...a navy blue polka dotted blouse, light blue capris and brown flip-flops. Typical South Florida attire.

I am remembering...our previous vacations. Lord willing this will be one of the best ones yet!

I am currently...about half way done with packing my son's and my clothes. Still need to get J's suitcase ready and start filling it up.

I am reading...still on Ezekiel, and still reading Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage. It's amazing how understanding a situation can lead to behavioral changes on my end that help our home life overall.

I am waiting...till 11:30 to start lunch. I've got plenty of other stuff to get done (including this daybook LOL!!).

On my mind...my son and his unrelenting fear of diving. He can swim just fine, but when it comes to the diving board, he has an absolute meltdown. Praying he can overcome his fear while we're at the pool at the resort.

From the learning rooms...this summer learning has been more about swimming than school lessons. Not all learning comes from a book; some things must be hands-on.

I am pondering these words..."No matter what goes right, no matter what goes wrong, God is in control. And one day - maybe not tomorrow, or even next week - I'll see things His way. So I might as well just throw back my head and laugh." - Phil Callaway, Who Put the Skunk in the Trunk?

From the kitchen today...southwestern chicken soup. I'll have to post the recipe for it. It's one of my son R's favorites, and it's so easy to make!

Around the house...I'm gonna be doing laundry so I can continue packing. We'll be away from home for 6-10 days, depending on what J's bosses tell him. I need to pack accordingly. I also need to wash the car inside and out, and leave the house organized. Nothing I hate more than coming home to a messy house!

One of my favorite things...is vacationing in Orlando! As long as I'm there, I feel like a kid again.

A few plans for the rest of the week...packing, packing, and more packing! Library today, maybe a movie tomorrow or Thursday. All packing must be completed by Friday, since Saturday the Cub Scouts will be fishing and it's an all-day outing. My daughter A will be home on Friday (yay!) so we need to prepare for her arrival too. Maybe bake some cupcakes? We'll have to see!

Wanna join in the fun? Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook. Have a blessed week.

Move It Mondays

Good morning everyone! It's Monday, the start of a new week, and praise God we're alive!

My morning started at 6:30am ironing some clothes for my hubby for work. After that I got him his smoothie breakfast, then prepared my own breakfast: Cream of Wheat made with vanilla almond milk (delicious!), a banana, and my morning coffee. I made the boys sausage biscuits, then took E for his morning swim lesson. I've got some tidying up to do before I take my little boy for a haircut, then shopping for some supplies for our trip which starts on Sunday. I've already started packing, but of course much more needs to be done. I got all the laundry done between Saturday and Sunday, so now I need to focus on getting my list ready and my packing done during the week.

My goal for today: prepare a schedule for the week so I can stay on course. The excitement about our vacation trip is building! Much to do, so I better get movin'.

Move it Mondays is hosted by Kristilea at In the Lord's Path. God bless and have a safe and wonderful week.