Favorite Ingredients Friday

Fusilli with No-Cook Tomato Sauce
Courtesy of Good Housekeeping's Vegetarian Meals

1 package (16 oz.) long fusilli pasta
2 lbs. ripe tomoatoes (about 6 medium), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup pimento-stuffed olives, chopped or salad olives
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. In large saucepot, cook pasta as label directs. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, in large serving bowl, combine tomoatoes(with their juice), basil, olives, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper; stir gently to mix well.
3. Toss pasta with tomato sauce.

Join all the cooks at Overwhelmed With Joy's Favorite Ingredient's Friday.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I learned from Harry Potter and JK Rowling:


1. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

2. Things are never exactly what they seem.

3. Go with your gut.

4. Help those less fortunate—even if it doesn’t seem wise.

5. Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks…but…

6. Don’t think to highly of yourself.

7. A little help from your friends should never be turned down.

8. Help will always be there if you ask with your all your heart.

9. Truth always wins.

10. Don’t mess with a mom. (I love Molly Weasly.)

11. Love conquers all.

12. Don’t fear death.

13. Greater love hath no man than he who lays down his life for his friends. Whether she meant to or not…it is there.

Ready to read through the whole series again—but maybe better wait until I get a little housework done.



Find more TT participants!

THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE THURSDAY THIRTEEN: The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. What do you do? Write Thirteen things about yourself, summarize your week in one entry, make it easy for other bloggers to get to know you on a weekly basis. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well!

Wordless Wednesday

Tame Tiger

My niece's cat who likes to think he can stalk humans!!

Visit WW HQ for more fabulous photos!

Works for Me Wednesday--Parenting Advice Edition

A friend of mine is having her first baby in December. I certainly don’t have this parenting thing all down pat. In fact, I often feel like I am learning on the fly. But I guess there are a few things I think to be important. And basically that is what this list is, things I have shared or will share with my friend.

I am NOT saying I do all or even any of these things well—just I’ve found them to be important to me. After I pontificate to her I will then point her to this WFMW at Shannon’s and let her get really good info from all the other wise contributors to WFMW—The Parenting Advice Edition.


10 Don’ts and 10 Dos:

DON'Ts

1. Don’t do something just because it is in a popular book.

2. Don’t do something just because all the other parents are doing so.

3. Don’t feel bad for having your own set of rules.

4. Don’t be afraid to change rules that don’t work.

5. Don’t be afraid to put your children first.

6. Don’t be so quick to force independence—protection is what parents are supposed to do.

7. Don’t be afraid to be human.

8. Don’t pretend you have all the answers. "Let's look it up together." Goes a long way. Admitting that you don't always know what is what is tough, but can be rewarding.

9. Don’t be afraid to say, “No.” But sometimes try to figure out how it can be a, “Yes.”

10. Don’t assume you know what they’re going to say—be prepared to be surprised at their answers.

DOs

1. Be their safe harbor—to have a child come to you with full trust is an awe inspiring thing.

2. Be their advocate—if you don’t go to bat for them how will they ever learn to bat for themselves—and why do you thing someone else will do it.

3. Do go with your gut. Don’t care what the nurse on the doctors’ info line says, don’t care what your best friend says, don’t care what your sister says—if you really, really think something is wrong it is better to be safe than sorry. This applies to so many things.

4. Do eat well and exercise. You want to be around for a long time and you want them to learn from your wonderful example.

5. Do read—alone and together, silently and aloud, as a whole family, let the kids read to each other. Read and read a lot of different things.

6. Do say you are sorry. It took me until way late in life to admit to ever being wrong, and while no one would accuse me of being a humble person, I truly want to have a humble heart before God, my spouse and my children.

7. Do love your spouse.

8. Do pray for your children.

9. Do pray with your children & your spouse.

10. Do love God first. They learn what they see.

Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for more WFMW.

Children's Book Monday

The Hungry Thing

“ “I want some schmancakes…and tickles…and hookies…and gollipops.” Can you guess what this Hungry Thing really wants to eat?” So says the back cover of the book by Jan Slepian and Ann Seidler with illustrations by Richard E. Martin.

Yesterday my 9½ year old dragged this book of the shelf where I store some of the easier readers and old childhood favorites.

Originally published in 1967, the copy we own was published in 1971. This was one of my books when I was my children’s age. The Hungry Thing is one of our family favorites. This is one of my husband’s favorites—that says a lot.

The Hungry Thing comes to town with a sign that says “Feed Me.” He is a beast of few words and what few he says are very confusing. Who can figure out what he wants. Who knows what will satisfy the Hungry Thing??

As I said this is a family favorite. We sit down and it is the most fun when Daddy reads. Daddy does the best voices.

Children's Book Monday is hosted by Elise at A Path Made Straight.

Grains of Gratitude

This week I am grateful for:

My sister—you’ve been there for our parents when I haven’t or I couldn’t. You are dependable to a fault and I love you and respect you for that.

My husband—you’ve allowed me to be there for my extended family and encouraged me to do so. You’ve let me be real and not made me feel silly although you can always make me laugh.

My children—what can I say but that God teaches & blesses parents through their children. We, as parents can never feel anything that God has not felt for us. You have been forgiving of a flawed and imperfect mommy and loved me without reservation. You have told me I am wonderful and in the reflection of your eyes I’ve seen what the goal is.

My parents—you’ve shown me what a marriage is supposed to be, good and otherwise. You’ve shown faithfulness, determination and perseverance. You’ve shown me grace under fire.

My God, my Father—you’ve shown me mercy I don’t deserve, salvation that is free, sacraments that bind me closer to you on earth & gifts that are so glorious and precious in my family, friends who are faithful and beauty beyond measure—if this is earth what an unfathomable place heaven will be.

Christine the author of Brady's Bunch is the originator of Grains of Gratitude , a chance to start the week out acknowledging our blessings and with thankfulness.

Favorite Ingredients Friday--Appetizer & Snacks Edition

Overwhelmed With Joy is having an Apetizers & Snacks Edition for Favorite Ingredients Friday. As usual you will find many good recipes from many wonderful contributors.

Something I haven't made for a long time is this recipe. I have a hard time sharing when I do. Hope you like it too.

Fried Tortellini

1/2 pound frozen cheese-filled tortellini (about 60)
1 beaten egg
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking oil for deep-fat frying
Cajun Aioli

Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain in a colander; rinse, drain again, and cool. Combine egg and milk in a large mixing bowl. Add tortellini and toss gently to coat. Combine bread crumbs and Parnesan cheese in a plastic bag. Lift tortellini with a slotted spoon and add about one-fourth at a time to crumb mixture. Toss to coat with crumbs. Remove.

Carefully add about 12 tortellini to deep, hot oil (365 degrees). Fry for 1 minute or till golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Transfer to cookie sheet or ovenproof platter and keep warm in 300 degree oven while frying the remaining appetizers. Serve warm with Cajun Aioli. Makes 12 servings.

Cajun Aioli: Stir together 1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives; and 1/4 teaspoon each ground black, white, and red pepper in a small bowl. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

Eat well this weekend!

Awards--How Sweet!

Kim of mom-musings gave me two awards. That meant so much to me.

Kim is one of my favorite bloggers to read. I get the feeling that if I were to visit her at her home we could sit and talk and share about family and life and just anything. She seems like someone I wouldn't be self-conscious around. She loves her kids. You can just tell.

She actually said this about me:

Joyful Days--I always look forward to her Wordless Wednesday's pictures, great recipes, book reviews (not only of her own reads but for children also). Her entries are very thoughtful, she leaves sweet comments in other blogs and is just a nice person! I wish I could meet her!

Really????? (I feel like Sally Fields saying this) that made my whole day. So I am passing the bloggy awards--if Kim hadn't already received them, I would give a set to her. Here are the awards:

The Creative Blogger Award is for those who bring unique and creative elements to their blogs. For those who incorporate art, music, creative writing, photo's, and other beautiful visual effects into their website. For those who put a unique spin on things and come up with new ideas. This award is for the artsy, the funky, the inventor, and even the rebel. This award is for those creative individuals who stand out from the crowd.

The Thoughtful Blogger Award is for those who answer blog comments, emails, and make their visitors feel at home on their blogs. For the people who take others' feelings into consideration before speaking out and who are kind and courteous. Also for all of those bloggers who spend so much of their time helping other bloggers design, improve, and fix their sites. This award is for those generous bloggers who think of others.

And here are five bloggers who I think fit both of these descriptions.

Michelle at Scribbit--Michelle is...I don't know if I can say enough nice things about her. She is smart, creative and shares so much of her technical talent. Her posts range from children's crafts that are appealing to humor that is so subtle to wonderful recipes and did I mention how nice she is to un-technical people? She hosts a writing contest and she gives away awesome & fun stuff!! Oh and she has that custom search engine!! She is one of those cool moms too, but don't mess with her--she's been known to be packin'--there's proof!

Overwhelmed With Joy--How can you not enjoy visiting her site? Between the tiny bits of sweet Snuggle-Bug to the wonderful Favorite Ingredients Friday recipe carnivals to this latest Pay it Forward Book Exchange. This is one very thoughtful and creative blogger.

Mrs. Pear--I want to be her when I grow up. Even though I am already considerably older than her. She is tidy and organized and a sweet mommy. She is willing to help those challenged in the menu planning and freezer meals in the kitchen. She pre-blogs before moving and leaves a cool study for her readers. She said if I come to visit I can be Miss Pear's sister and she will adopt me. Oh will I eat well...

Amberly of Moments Amid Messes--She is a lot younger than I am too. But she has wisdom and a sweet manner that makes you feel you've known her forever. And can she take photos!! But then again she has the cutest subjects to photograph. Those are some cute kits!

Jenny at A Coach for Life--Jenny has encouraged me during a really tough time, recently. For someone I've never met for real, she seems like someone I've always known. She's jumped into bloggy-ville full steam and I get the feeling Jenny does everything to the utmost. She is fun & thougthful & very real. And she's gotten to meet up with several other bloggers!! Jenny--not fair.

The problem is that with awards like these, I know I am leaving out many, many cool, thoughtful and creative people. But these people can choose to pass the awards along if they want to and then we'll meet some more wonderful bloggers.

Thursday Thirteen

Five Thirteen things I love about Jesus.

Coach Jenny asked me to do this meme. If you want to see where this all started look here.

It’s been a hard one for me to do. Not because I can’t think up hundreds of things I love about Jesus. But because I didn’t want to narrow down to five. So I saved it for my Thursday Thirteen. I don’t know that I can do this justice. I’ve read so many eloquent and moving posts out there on this. But here is what I felt led to share…

1.He is not Santa Claus. Santa will only bring me good things if I am good, if I observe the correct holidays and if my family subsidizes his benevolence. Jesus loves me no matter what—now, He wants me to be the best I can be—but the gift is in spite of the fact of my frail and flawed self.

2. He loves little children. And wants us to have the heart of a child.

3. He saw the way people really were and met them as they stood. He touched the untouchable. He didn’t ask them to change until He changed them by meeting them.

4. He knows what I feel. He’s been there, done that, got the t-shirt and more. There is nothing I have gone through that cannot be understood by Jesus.

5. He wasn’t afraid to have a good time. Don’t let anyone tell you that Jesus didn’t have a good time—He endured the ultimate in hardships, but when He was with His friends he had a good time. He didn’t stay away from the wedding, from dinner parties, from gatherings. He was there.

6. He left heaven to walk on earth. I’m just waiting to do the opposite.

7. He wants to share His inheritance. I am the adopted child. I am wanted. I am heir to a kingdom.

8. He was the perfect sacrifice, the lamb without blemish. He fulfilled every prophecy about Himself. I am awestruck at that.

9. He meant what He said. He said, “I Am the Way, the Truth, the Life.”

10. He said what He meant, “No one can come to the Father except through Me.”

11. He grafted me into the vine. Through Him I am able to live here. “I am the Vine. You are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

12. He is faithful…even when I am not.

13. Because He loves you as much as me…will you meet Him today, if you never have before? "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:19-21 KJV

What do you love about Jesus? Consider yourself tagged.

Thursday Thirteen participants are found at the Hub.

Wordless Wednesday

Polar Bear Encounter
For more Wordless Wednesdays visit WWHQ.