Last Week vs. Last Year - A Man's Perspective

I've been told I should

make this into a button.

(read the fine print)

If ever there were a ministry your husband

could support, this is it!

Happy Friday!

Roll from the Center

As I attempted my first pie for my own family, the dough wasn't stretching out the way I remembered.  My mind’s voice echoed up gently, “Roll from the center.”  It was my Mom’s voice and I was transported to the kitchen of my youth standing at the butcher block counter.  “Roll from the center, turn the dough, and keep rolling so it’s even.  Keep some flour on the pin so it doesn't stick.”  I formed the dough into a ball, re-rolled the crust, and voila – perfection!

My mom’s words come back to me over and over again with my own children whether it’s instruction or guidance.  Pouring truths into them now will yield great results for years to come.  “No toys at the table.” “Yes, ma’am.” “No, sir.” “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”  “God is in this, too.”  I envision one day, my kids sitting at the table with their kids saying, “No toys at the table,” then having the same debate they had with me over what is considered a toy.

What was poured into you shapes you.  I was always listening – and so are my children.  I pray my words will come back to my children as they grow, whether in relationships, at work, or in the kitchen with a pie crust. 

What will you pour into your children?  What will the melody of your voice float up from their memory to say?  Will it be a word of encouragement, warning, instruction?  Whatever it might be, it should be truthful – so they might rely upon it and pass it on.  I can think of no better tribute than for your words to be handed down for generations.

Crockpot Meal Makeover

There's nothing like coming into a home with the wonderful aroma of dinner wafting through the house from the crockpot.  While I love my crockpot, I'm not always thinking ahead.  Enter the Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker that is like a crockpot for your microwave.

"Gasp!" you say.  "Fear Not!" I say.  What do I like about this product?  The fact that I can put dinner on the table in LESS THAN 15 minutes.  I can put my pork tenderloin, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, hamburger, chops, even pasta, in the Deep Covered Baker, put in it the microwave for anywhere from 9-15 minutes.  Meanwhile, I pull the rest of my dinner together on the stove top, set the table, pour the drinks, and VOILA, dinner is served.  "The chicken doesn't brown," you say.  "Try it," I say.  The most tender, moist stuff you've ever had.  Throw a marinade on it if you absolute must color the chicken.  "It doesn't brown in the crockpot, either," I add.

As an added bonus, for those of you with crazy sports schedules like me - I set out plates and all the accouterments for the meal and let family members serve themselves as they come in throughout the evening.  The baker keeps food warm for several hours.  SCORE one for mom!

  

    

I've revamped several quick, throw together in the crockpot meals into a Deep Covered Baker meal.  Here's what we're having tonight.

Chicken Teriyaki

1lb chicken (sliced, cubed or however)

1c chicken broth*

1/2c Teriyaki or soy sauce

1/3c brown sugar

3minced garlic cloves

*Today I am out of chicken broth, so I substitute 1/2 wine and 1/2 water. After all, the chicken broth is just to boost the flavor.  The wine will do quite nicely.  

Directions:  Place chicken in bottom of crock pot (or Deep Covered Baker) then in separate bowl whisk together remaining ingredients then pour over chicken.  Cook on high  for 4 to 6 hours  or low 6 to 8 hours: OR  Cook on high in microwave in Deep Covered Baker for 12 minutes.  Serve over rice (I like Japanese Sweet Rice, my favorite).