Author: jachancellor

Daughter of the King, wife to hubby David, Mom to Carmen and Stephen. Lover of the Razorbacks, Gastric Sleeve 5/16/16, Lupus Warrior.
Uncategorized

Lost mind…

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Okay…
It’s gone.  Wherever I have placed that receipt has sucked it away to nowhere land.  It is gone.  Just gone.  I am not letting go of it.  I can not be that disorganized! Really?  Am I that much of a control person to think that I can’t make mistakes.
And this…
of course I read ahead…even in my daily devotionals…

“There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be made known.” Luke 12:2

Okay – Lord, I really don’t want to wait until tomorrow….do I have to wait until tomorrow before it is made known.  Now I know that this verse doesn’t actually apply to my craziness at this exact moment, but it does reassure me.

I am reassured.
“I call on YOU in the day of my distress, for YOU will answer me”. Psalm 86:7
That is today’s verse.  hmmmm

My mind might be lost…but I am reassured.
He is always found.
=)
Blessings.

Uncategorized

Losing my mind.

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I believe that I am an organized person, the majority of the time anyway.  I have been unable to find a receipt…a simple receipt.  I have two to three places for them.  I have searched, and searched.  Still nothing.  I have a terrible habit of placing something in a “special” place for safety!  Or have shredded it.  Ugh…I am to the point of tears…frustrated…old, feeling very old. 

I have lost my mind.  Let me know if you find it. 

Auburn · college · family · kids

Auburn War Eagle Day

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Over our spring break, we decided to take Carmen to War Eagle Day at Auburn.  Classes were in session, and it is a good first look at Auburn University.  She has lots of choices.  Carmen is a good student, and will be able to choose where she wants to go.  Now if only she knew what she wanted to do.

Auburn is a smaller college, with on average 25,000 students. Everyone there was extremely friendly, and outgoing. Carmen was nervous, as were all of us. 

We stayed at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center.  Our view was at the library.  This is a perfect picture…wonder, curious, scared. 

Carmen has a lot to do before she graduates next year.  But, this is the beginning of a new chapter.  One that all of us are a little nervous about. 

goulash · Mother · Recipes

My Mom’s Goulash

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Goulash…most people think of think of it as a German stew…I consider it a wonderful memory of not very rich times in my youth…but hindsight…how wonderful they were.

I have been wanting to make this for several years, and never really had the gumption.  I really didn’t think I would be able to repeat what my Mom had done.  I didn’t pay close attention to what she did, and she never wrote anything down.  But, I did the other day, and I must say, it was my Mothers, and I was delighted to have those memories brought current.

I started with a roast on sale (buy one get one at Winn-Dixie).  I cut it into chunks.
Season the meat with a season salt, and bring a heavy pan to medium high with vegetable oil. Brown one level of meat at a time, don’t crowd the beef. This process will be a lengthy one, but well worth it.  Remove the cooked beef, and let stand while…
you chop celery, carrots, onion and garlic and add to the pan.
It is still not a a pretty sight, but continue to cook until the onions are translucent.

 Then add the beef, a large spoonful of paprika (I used a smoked one that is divine), a small amount of kosher salt, and a small can of tomato paste.  Mix together until well combined.
Add water to barely cover, and place into a hot (350 degrees) oven.  
Cook until beef is so tender it melts in your mouth (for me it was about 3 1/2 hours).  And, yes, it will. 
 I am blessed by my wonderful relatives in Germany.  They send me these blissful macaroni noodles.  This, to me, is the secret to the goulash! But, you may use any type of noodle.  Mom used to use egg noodles as well.  This type of macaroni noodle is about as long as a spaghetti noodle, but with a hole.  Slurping is desired.  ha.
I loved it.  The kids loved it, and so did David. 
Carmen’s slurping was priceless! 
Mom would have been proud.

Enjoy!

family · kids

Carmen’s and Stephen’s Spring Ball

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Carmen participated in The Cotillion this year again.  It is a formal dinner dance held at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Friday evening. They enjoy a dinner, and an orchestra for dancing.  They practice dances such as swing, salsa, tango, and waltz throughout the year, and then have the opportunity to show off their learned skills.  Carmen’s ball is formal, long gowns, white gloves (we forgot them this time), and men in tuxes.

It is really a wonderful time for dress-up as well.
This was the first time that Carmen wore her hair straight and down.  I found it quite 
becoming.  She looks much older than a new 17 year old.
Ara and Carmen, one of the beau’s at the dance.
Stephen also had his Spring Ball this month at the Conference Center.  He participates in the National Junior Cotillion.  They have their events monthly with practices at each, and then have the grand ball.  Their event was formal as well, but not required to have a tux.  The ladies are required to wear hand gloves.
He is growing into such a gentlemen.  Stephen has always been caring, and sensitive.  
He likes to dance, and has figured out that girls like boys that dance.  He is all about that.  
I am amazed at their growth not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally.  They have gracious personalities.  Although they still get along, they seem to irritate each other more these days.  I don’t know about you, but I believe that when children dress up, they seem like they behave better.  Crazy concept, I know, but I really believe it.  =)  I love them so. 
 
Pork Stir-Fry · Recipes

Pork Stir-Fry

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Searching for something to do with pork chops the other day, and I looked in my spice cabinet and found some ground ginger.  I got to thinking that something with a bit of tang would be nice.

So I chopped up the pork chops.  There were 4 in the package, and I cut away most of the fat.
And a small onion, yellow bell pepper, and 4 cloves of garlic.
I sauteed the onion, pepper and garlic in some olive oil, and added about a tablespoon of sesame oil.
I also added the ginger (to taste).  I used about 2 teaspoons.
Saute until the vegetables are translucent.
Then add the pork, cook until done – about 3 minutes constantly stirring.
Then I added about 1/4 cup of the hoisin Sauce.  It is not as sweet as some sauces, but  it also adds a bite. I also added about 3 tablespoons of soy sauce.  Cook until it is thoroughly blended.
Serve with rice – we only use Jasmine rice.  Love the flavor.
Enjoy! 
Chicken Salad · Recipes

Chicken Curry Salad

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I have been craving curry spice lately, and trying to find recipes just so I can use my curry.

I “Googled” it—
and found this:

Chicken Curry Salad for Two

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 cup celery, chopped
2/3 cup pecans, chopped
1 head endive, washed & separated into spears
Kosher salt & pepper to taste
When ready to serve, combine chicken, pecans and celery in medium bowl, and toss to combine. Next add approximately 1/2 cup dressing (recipe below) to mixture and stir to coat. If you prefer your salad creamier, add more dressing. To serve, arrange endive leaves on plate and fill with chicken salad. Top with extra pecans.
For dressing:
2 cups mayonnaise
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 tbsp. curry powder
1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce
1 tbsp. lime juice
Place mayonnaise in bowl of food processor or blender. With blender on low, slowly add cayenne powder and mix until smooth. Scrape sides, and repeat process with curry, Tabasco and lime juice. The dressing can be stored in the refrigerator until ready to use, for up to one week.
 Let me begin by saying that I did not have all of the ingredients listed.  I did have lemon juice, and canned chicken, and a really nice spring mix salad.  I just winged it…so to speak.
 I chopped the celery and the pecans.  Opened and drained the chicken.  Mixed all of those together and added the kosher salt and pepper.  I mixed the mayo, lemon juice, curry, and Tabasco.  
 I mixed the wet ingredients in a bowl. A mixer or food processor is really too much, I think. You can use as much or as little of the dressing as you like.  I don’t like a lot dressing on my chicken.  I do have enough for a wrap for lunch next week.  I also didn’t use the cayenne pepper. 
I also didn’t have Endive.  Spring Mix is a nice start – and maybe a wrap for dinner?  Yes.
I used a nice bit of lettuce, and then topped with the chicken salad mix.
Roll up your wrap and enjoy.


family · kids

Proud Mom

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My daughter tried out for her school’s dance team today.  She took a 3 day clinic to teach her the routine, and some basic dance moves.  She hasn’t taken dance formally, only gymnastics when she was very young.

I have always taught the kids that if you won’t know until you try…and Carmen has definitely proven that she has listened to me.

She is very courageous.  Taking that first step is always the hardest.  She did her best.  She didn’t make it.  But she tried, and she enjoyed it. 

I am so proud of her.  =)   Encourage your children – ’cause ya just never know. 

lentils · Recipes

Lentils

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Lentils and I go way back.  
My Mom used to make lentils, a thick concoction, with a ham hock.  She also served it over noodles or spatzle.  I really loved that. I love this version as well.  Although tonight, I had hickory smoked sausage.
So, here goes:

Pretty generic Lentils.  Wash them in cold water.  Soak for about 10 minutes.

Begin by sauteing an onion in some olive oil.  Add celery, and sausage.

Cook until sausage is somewhat browned, and vegetables are translucent.  

Add about 4 carrots (sliced), and garlic.  Continue over medium heat.  
Add in chicken stock, and water if needed. 
I also add dried parsley, and some ground pepper.

Add the rinsed lentils, and add in a couple of bay leaves.  This really adds a lot of flavor to the lentils.

Cooked over medium to high heat until lentils and carrots are cooked through. 
It is a really hearty soup.  Enjoy!
Daffodils · Gardening

Spring

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I know that all of us (the United States – it seems) are ready for spring.  
I have had signs of it show in my front yard recently.

Daffodil’s are wonderful.  Notice the dead grass…yep.  I live in the panhandle of Florida, and normally our winters are very, very mild.  January, and February have been cold here…and lows are still in the 40’s at night.

These have survived.  
Thank goodness.
Enjoy!