Samantha's Book

I wanted to share a book recommendation for you.  My dear friend, Samantha Emerson Brinson, wrote a beautiful story about a tragic event that happened several years ago.  The book is beautifully written, and it is an inspiring story!  Although it's based on her healing of a terrible tragedy, it's a book that everyone can gain something from.

Sam and I met our Junior year of college at The University of Georgia.  We had both recently been accepted in the College of Education.  We were taking an elementary art class, and I recognized Sam's face from our recent meet-and-greet session after our acceptance into the program.  We glanced over our schedules, and we noticed that we had many classes together. I was excited and relieved to have someone I "knew" in my classes.  Our friendship quickly formed, and I was so blessed to have her in the program with me.  Sam lived with Kate, who went to the same high school as me, so we already had some connections.  We enjoyed the usual college activities, and we remained close friends after college as well.

Senior year of college is supposed to be great!  We had student teaching for 10 weeks, and we were thrilled to get away from campus.  Graduation was quickly approaching.  However, a tragic car accident turned everything around.  Sam's best friend and roommate, Kate Lindsley, was driving them on a camping trip during Spring Break and was struck by a truck coming in the other direction.  Sam sustained serious neck injuries, but Kate did not survive.  Sam's book, In the Mourning: Awakening to Joy After a Night of Grief, retells the event, as well as the grieving and healing process.  Through her grief, she discovered a lot of things about herself, but more importantly, she grew closer to the Lord.  Her story is so beautifully written, and it is a true testament that God is still a miracle worker.  If you are interested, you can purchase the book off Amazon or at Barnes and Noble.  Even if you haven't experienced any substantial grief, her book is an inspiring story to read.  Her theme verse for her book is from Psalm 30:5, "His anger only lasts a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but JOY comes in the morning." 

6 month mark!

We have reached 6 months!  I can't believe how much Ansley has grown since November.  She had her 6 month appointment last week, and she weighed 13 pounds 3 ounces.  She is 25 inches in length.  She's still in the 6th percentile for weight, and she's around the 13th percentile for length.  I think it may take a couple of years for her to catch up in size.  Developmentally, she seems to be doing great.  She's rolling over both ways with no struggle.  It's so funny to watch her in her crib.  She's all over the place.  She smiles instantly, and she also loves to laugh.  Her giggles are the sweetest sounds.  She babbles a lot too!  She isn't quite sitting up by herself, but it won't be long.  She has recently started grabbing things within reach and holding them in her hands.  We just started her on baby food last week.  We're still working to get the hang of it, but hopefully she'll have it down soon.  Over the summer, I plan to try to make my own baby food.  We'll see how that goes!  Here are some pictures of our sweet Ansley at 6 months.

 Laughing at mommy.

Trying to sit-up by myself.

 About to have my first bite of rice cereal.

 Not so sure....

Pinterest Fail....

I love Pinterest!  When I would have to get up at night to feed Ansley, Pinterest was a lifesaver!  I loved looking through the different ideas.  One of my biggest struggles is deciding what to cook each week.  I always run out of ideas.  You can only have spaghetti and tacos so many nights! :)  I love the variety of recipes on Pinterest.  I've tried several recipes, and I just can't get them to turn out quite right.  I'm beginning to think it's me and not the recipe.  Here are some of the recipes I've tried and the results.

Crock Pot Pork Chops - 

6 pork chops, 1/2 inch thick or 1 pork tenderloin

1 packet dry Ranch seasoning

1 can cream of chicken

 **Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

I didn't have all day, so I chose the high for 4 hours.  The pork chops cooked entirely too fast, and they were really dry.  The gravy stuck to the sides of the crock pot, even when I used Pam spray.

I couldn't find a picture of this, but I found it off a link from Pinterest.

Crock Pot Chicken, Rice and Broccoli -

2 pounds chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts cut in strips or cubes
1 1/4 cups uncooked converted rice
1 package Knorr’s Cream of Broccoli Soup Mix
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
pepper, to taste and parsely for color
Broccoli, carrots or cauliflower

Place rice in a lightly greased slow cooker.  Sprinkle with parsley and pepper. Top with chicken pieces. Mix together the soup, mix and broth. Pour over chicken and rice. You can add vegetables now or wait until about 1 hour before serving if you like them firmer. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.  I don’t recommend cooking this for a shorter time on high.

This was probably the worst one I did.  I didn't think 1 1/2 cups of broth would be enough for the rice, vegetables, and chicken to cook and stay moist, so I even added more.  It was SO dry!  The rice burned on the bottom, and the broccoli soup mix did not give the chicken and rice the best seasoning.  The chicken was also dry.  

Crock Pot Cube Steak -

Cube steak  
2 cans (10.75 ounce size) cream of mushroom soup
1 envelope onion soup mix
3/4  cup water

Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix ingredients and cook on low all day.

Mitch loves cube steak, so I thought this would be an easy way to fix it.  I use the same ingredients to cook a roast in the crock pot, so I knew the gravy would be good.  I started with 4 cube steaks, and when I got home to check on it, I only had 3 in the crock pot.  I guess it cooked all day and just cooked one completely away!  The meat wasn't tough like cube steak can get, so that was a plus.  The gravy was also good, but we both agreed that the meat had been cooked a little too long.  Maybe the recipe should be more specific on what all day means.  :)

Chicken Roll Ups-

1 pkg cream cheese (8oz)

1 pkg crescent rolls (6 ct) (note, you can also use TWO packages of regular sized crescents)

2 shredded, cooked chicken breasts

1.5 C grated cheddar cheese

1 C grated Monterey Jack

1/4 t salt

1/4 t pepper

bread crumbs

1/4 stick melted butter

    

 

Combine chicken, cheeses, salt and pepper. Spoon onto crescents. Roll them up making sure they are  sealed around the chicken mixture. Brush tops with butter and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. To reheat, just place in a 325 degree oven for 15 minutes.

I thought these sounded different and yummy.  Who doesn't love chicken, cheese, and crescent rolls?  They honestly weren't too bad.  I did have way too much chicken mixture left over, even after opening another crescent roll package.  I also think it was a little cheesy....cream cheese, cheddar, and monterey...a little much.  I will say that it wasn't as bad as some of the other failed recipes though.  Mine did not turn out as pretty as the final product picture though! :)

    

Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms-

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/2 pounds)

1 8-oz. pkg. fresh button mushrooms, quartered

1 6-oz. pkg. fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced

1/4 cup butter

1 0.7-oz. pkg. Italian dry salad dressing mix

1 10-3/4-oz. can condensed golden mushroom soup

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/2 of an 8-oz. tub cream cheese spread with chives and onion

Hot cooked rice or angel hair pasta

 

This recipe was actually delicious!  The chicken was moist, the mushrooms were great, and the gravy was really tasty.  I served rice with the chicken, and we used the gravy for the rice.  I will make this again.  

 

So...I don't know if it is me, the crock pot, or the recipes, but I haven't had the best of luck.  Mom has made several recipes from Pinterest, and most of hers have turned out decent, so maybe it is me.  :)  Oh well, I will keep trying.  Any suggestions on fool proof recipes out there??