I realized the other day, that I haven’t posted a recipe in a while. Sorry. I also haven’t been cooking, which explains it, eh?
Oh, well…one of our favorite (kids and I) dishes is pasta. Sometimes all we do is add olive oil, salt and pepper, oh, and Parmesan cheese. But, this is my new favorite way (especially when Kale is fresh, and the Pancetta is on sale).
Chop the Pancetta that has been thinly sliced. Add to a hot pan, begin sauteing until edges are brown. Add one sweet onion sliced, and 2 to 3 cloves of garlic. Once the onion is translucent, add the kale. I have to add a pan full, stir, and let it wilt some before adding the rest of the kale (I typically use a 1/2 bag of kale). Once the kale is wilted (this is your preference on how wilted), add to cooked pasta. Salt and pepper to your liking, and add cheese.
I wanted to do something special with Carmen for her High School Graduating year. She didn’t care for the traditional school class rings, nor did I, only wearing mine for my Senior year in High School. I considered it a waste of money, and not something to carry with you forever. She did agree with me, but wanted to have something to symbolize her high school years.
I love Tiffany & Co. (what girl doesn’t?)! We looked online (their site is really wonderful), and had chosen this one but in pink sapphire instead.
We traveled to Atlanta this past weekend, just Carmen and I, for a whirlwind trip. I thought that it would be special for her to have time with me (and selfishly – me too), and for her to “shop” at Tiffany.
We went into Tiffany & Co, and went to the counter where her “ring” should be. Tried on several, and then discovered that they didn’t have the pink sapphire in stock. They could order it for us, and ship it, but that isn’t why we traveled all the way to Atlanta. (Yes, I know that it isn’t that far of a drive, but driving longer than 2 hours for me is difficult and terribly tiring.) Carmen really did want to be wearing her ring that very day. It was disappointing, until I pointed out that her high school color was green, and they had that in stock.
Opening (excuse the quality of the photo – in a restaurant)!
Love her expression.
“Your heart’s been in the right place all along…You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 The Message
Too tired today to post more…attending the Priscilla Shirer Going Beyond Simulcast…and it has been a long day, but a fruitful one….and more tomorrow.
Happy April….
Love,
Jerry Ann
Carmen has decided to look in the State of Florida for colleges to attend. And, if I may add, thank you God. Money alone is enough justification, but add travel costs, especially now with gas prices, helps in finding one that is right for her and us.
I will say, I thought I was ready for this transition in our lives. I have been encouraging Carmen to look at lots of different schools, in and out of state. She has applied and has been accepted at LSU, Auburn, FSU, and Spring Hill. All are absolutely wonderful schools, and well worth every penny just not our pennies. FSU still may play in her decision, but right now, she isn’t feeling it. Feeling it? Really?
She is 18. An adult, I suppose, legally anyway. But, if she continues to not be able to locate a place in her home town, how is she supposed to locate things at a university? I want to let go, and let her find her way. How do parents do this?
How do we do this? Train them up – right? Let them go? They are not ours, but God’s – and for His purpose. I know this. I trust in Him to guide her path, and ours. He has done an incredible job with Carmen so far. I can’t wait to see what her future holds.
College…her new adventure…and it continues…
My heart is heavy is a comment made by a coworker on Wednesday after a particularly difficult afternoon.
Prayer. Pray without ceasing.
A story was repeated to me yesterday, and I would like to share a snippet.
Satan is speaking with an observer about his tools. He has many tools that he uses to cause harm, and to keep us from God. This one is famine, and this is disaster, but this one is the best one of all. He points to the one he uses on Christians, it is the tool of discouragement. This one makes them fail. It is a simple tool, and many people, even other Christians help me use it on their own.
Discouragement.
I am praying for discernment on the path chosen. I have been through difficult passages before, some more difficult this one. But…I have never felt bombarded like I do today. Spears, arrows, bullets are flying at me with such force. I have no time to breathe and defend one of them, let alone, all of them.
Each difficulty that we are given is for God’s glory to be shown. It shows that He sustains us through all. I am praying for strength and an answer to this path. Change is difficult for all, but we must adapt, bend, comply.
Moses asked God to “show him His Glory” in Exodus. I am doing the same today. Sustain me, Lord.
How we feel led to share God’s love is a path God given. It maybe to a homeless drunk needing food or a kind word, to a leader of a childrens program in a hurry to complete a project, to listening to a coworker who is needing a hug and affirmation, to a spouse that has had a difficult day, to a child that may only have one good meal a week, to a youth needing guidance, to you, and to me.
How do you share God’s love? Are you discouraged?
“Sometimes we are told to quietly lean on our Savior and rest. At other times God calls us to actively wait. But we are always to stay close to our Redeemer.” – Kelly Minter
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” – Ephesians 3:20 NIV
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverence the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV
Blessings.
Hurdles are difficult, especially in ministry. We all have them, hurdles, I mean. I feel led one way, you feel led another. Why can’t they be the same thing? Are they the same thing? If we are praying for guidance and discernment, and they are, why is the path different? Because I want to approach it from left field, but it has been done this way for years, why is left field wrong? Is the way that has been done wrong? No. Just different. Different gifts, different approaches. Hurdles.
I believe that God leads those that are willing to listen. A vision, path, road is given, and I have been given one. I can see it. Along the road there are hurdles. They are in the distance, and small in height. The closer I get to the hurdles the higher each one becomes. I have short, stubby legs. They are difficult to climb over large hurdles. God places the hurdles at heights reachable for me, if I continue to rely on Him. The race/path/road is long. I am approaching a storm, and lots of hurdles.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm136:1 NIV
For those that pray, please pray for guidance in my words and actions. Thank you.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
My mom used to make these a lot, especially when we had leftover mashed potatoes. I didn’t have any potatoes this time, but was craving them.
David helped me shred about 8 Yukon gold potatoes. We rinsed them in cold water. It is important to drain the potatoes before adding any of the other ingredients. The drier the shredded potato,. the crispier it gets.
You will need:
Potatoes
onion
Flour
Salt
Pepper
2 eggs
oil
Saturday afternoon, David and I are sitting around (I was resting from the week) watching the Food Network. I could watch this channel12 hours a day. Anne Burrell’s show came on, and we watched her make this incredible looking brisket.
Well, I didn’t have to convince David to go to the store to purchase the ingredients. He got home, and we got busy.
You can find Anne’s recipe here:
Anne Burrell Braised Beef Brisket
We did our best, but substituted some of the ingredients.
mommajerryanns.com 
