Pumpkin Seeds

November 2, 2010December 8, 2012 jachancellorLeave a comment

Every October, we attend a families Fall Festival of sorts. The kids can either color or carve pumpkins,

bob for apples, eat yummy things, and run around like there is no tomorrow.

Carmen had to work, so David, Stephen and I went.

It was a beautiful evening, not too hot or too cold.

Stephen was the oldest in attendance this year, but he still loves every minute.

He immediately went to carving his pumpkin.

He carved his pumpkin, and tried to salvage the seeds for me.

This pumpkin looks bothered to me. Not at all happy about the carving.

I rinsed the seeds when we got home (this did take more than just a rinse
to get all of the strings of pumpkin off).

Patted them dry with paper towels.

I used a Tablespoon of olive oil, and some kosher salt.

Baked for 10 at 350 degrees, then turned or tossed.

Baked for another 10-12 minutes or until dry.

Cool, and they are ready to snack on.

They were really yummy, but David thought they were too dry.

Stephen and I enjoyed them.

So, next time you carve a pumpkin, save your seeds!

Enjoy!

Lupus

October 28, 2010 jachancellorLeave a comment

I have been in a flare (fever, inflammation, fatigue). I apologize for not posting anything in the past weeks. It has seemed like it has been forever ago. I was really bad and in bed Sunday evening, and Monday. I went back to work on Tuesday with my fever, and left a little early. It wasn’t enough rest. Today is Wednesday, and my longest day at church (work, and then dinner with family, then bible study). I didn’t make it. I am home when I normally just finish up with the girls. This will pass, and I will be better—just need to rest a lot more.

Bear with me. Hopefully, I will catch up this weekend.
Hope all is well with all of you.

Blessings.
Jerry Ann

MIA · Random Stuff

Missing In Action

October 13, 2010 jachancellorLeave a comment

Well, I will try to be short and sweet. I haven’t had time to sit and write, let alone upload pictures, post blogs, etc. Family and extended family in many different directions this weekend, and tomorrow is Wednesday. (And, yes, I know all of you do this as well.) I promise to catch up this weekend, and to get back on track.

I will have menu’s for the following week as well.

Have a blessed week.

Love,
Jerry Ann

Oven Roasted Potato Fries · Recipes · weekly menu

Chuck’s Oven Roasted Potato ‘Fries’

October 5, 2010December 8, 2012 jachancellorLeave a comment

David and I were watching the Cooking Network the other day, and came across a show by the name of “Chucks Day Off.” The host is Chuck, and he was very down to earth, and cooked some really interesting recipes. One of which we tried tonight.

I am sticking with my menu from October 4th with the London Broil, onions and mushrooms, and my ratatouille. So we normally have rice or some other potato. It has been cooler lately, and we have the windows open. I was working on the broil, onions and mushrooms, and watching Carmen try to cut the vegetables for the ratatouille. David did the potatoes this evening.

Here is the recipe:

4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed but not peeled
3 – 4 Tablespoon olive oil
a pinch of sea salt
a grinding of black pepper (which we forgot)
a few sprinkles of smoked paprika
a few sprinkles of steak spice or seasoning

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Cut potatoes into nice thick “handcut fry slices.” Place in a large bowl and cover with cold water. It helps to remove excess starch. Drain and pat dry on a paper towel. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil, sprinkle with the salt, pepper and paprika. Bake until tender and golden crispy outside – 35 to 40 minutes.

I forgot to take before pictures.

They turned out really nice and crisp.

And they were an excellent compliment to the London Broil, and ratatouille.

Enjoy!

praline-apple bread · Recipes

Praline-Apple Muffins!

October 4, 2010December 8, 2012 jachancellor1 Comment

I know!
Can’t believe it…I thought about doing this when I first saw the recipe. After making the bread, and Lisa offering it at her home (after I shared a piece of the bread!), it was going to be done.

Same recipe as here:

Praline-Apple Bread

But, I made them into muffins instead. The batch made 18 muffins.

I baked them at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes.

I used my Pampered Chef muffin stones (I have both

the 12 muffin pan, and 6 muffin pan.)

I sprayed the stones with a non-stick cooking spray, and didn’t use the flour.

I used the foil in between the muffins and cooling rack (gooey mess).

And topped the muffins with the sugar glaze.

I love these.

I like that it is more of a serving size,

and that the bread isn’t too crumbly when sliced.

No slicing here.

My taste testers have agreed.

This is much better than the bread.

Hope you try them as well.

Enjoy!

weekly menu

Menu for October 4th

October 4, 2010 jachancellorLeave a comment

Menu for September 27thRECAP
Monday: Calzones, cucumber salad. (didn’t have these – we ended up eating the Rouladen, boiled noodles, and cucumber salad – at least I had some part of it!)
Tuesday: Baked chicken breasts, my ratatouille version with zucchini, yellow squash, and onions We grilled the chicken breasts instead of baking them, BUT we ate them, and my ratatouille! Yes!! Success!
Wednesday: Church – pork chops, macaroni and cheese, salad Once again!!! We ate as a family at church.
Thursday: I have a stampin’ workshop (Julie =)) to attend for a friend, so we might get to eat out before I go? I ate at Lisa’s (which was wonderful!), and David had a sandwich.
Friday: Meat Loaf, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, green beans —this did NOT happen. David worked on our computers at work, and it was a beautiful evening, we didn’t have date night…so we went to Sonic, and enjoy our dinner in our car with the windows rolled down. Wonderful.
Progress I suppose. At least part of last week was accomplished. I will be posting the Roladen recipe later today (when I make it for supper, dinner, or whenever).

Okay – well here goes…!

Menu for October 4th

Monday: London Broil with sauteed onions and mushrooms, ratatouille (we have lots of squash and zucchini)
Tuesday: Meat Loaf – we have been planning this one for a couple of weeks now…let’s see what happens.
Wednesday: Church meal – Fried Chicken.
Thursday: Date night. I am not sure about this one…we will have to see how our meals go the rest of the week.
Friday: I am off this day, and plan to organize my portion of the office (yes, I plan to take before and after pictures)…so I am not sure what we will do. Might end up doing the calzones that I planned several weeks ago and have not made. Oh, well.
Saturday: Mexican – taco meat, burritos, Spanish rice, refried black beans.
Sunday: Plan to make chicken – n – dumplings. We will have to see how the rest of the week goes.

Have a great week!
Enjoy!

comfort food · fried noodles · Recipes

Comfort Food

October 3, 2010December 8, 2012 jachancellor1 Comment

Everyone has a comfort food. Many of us have several comfort foods.

Leftover noodles is one of mine, but they have to be fried.

I know not the healthiest, but it is something my Mom always did.

Leftover wide egg noodles (that were served with Rouladen).

Place the noodles in a hot pan, add some butter and season salt.

And cook, leave them alone and hear the sizzle.

After about 8 to 10 minutes, turn over the noodles, browning or crisping the other side.

Add eggs. (I generally use two for a larger amount of noodles.)

Stir quickly to coat the noodles with the eggs.

Cook until the egg is done.

I served this with some leftover Rouladen.

But sometimes just fried noodles are perfect.

Enjoy!

encourage · Prayer · Random Stuff

Today’s Daily Devotion

September 29, 2010 jachancellorLeave a comment

Then he said to me: “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth; “Every thief shall be expelled,” according to this side of the scroll; and, “Every perjurer shall be expelled,” according to that side of it.” Zechariah 5:3 NKJV

I am struggling with this, especially today. This is my devotion today, and the little story that came with it was about a woman witnessing another woman shoplift. She did nothing about it, and thanked the security cameras so that she didn’t have to confront the person or security to take up her time. The decision of confronting the person or turning her in was a difficult one. Is it to be made? All of us sin. We are all forgiven if we choose it.

The prayer that went along was this:
Dear Lord, heavenly Father, I pray for Your righteous justice for this woman and for everyone, because we’re all sinners. Bring us discernment and judgment as we go through each day, and help us to make the right decisions. In Your holy name, amen.

I truly want to do the right thing. Is it always what we should do? We are supposed to confront our brother or sister in Christ when we are aware of wrong doing. Someone else took care of that for her. I pray that I do what God wants me to do, especially in difficult situations. It doesn’t always work that way.

Do you watch and do nothing just to let past be the past? Do you pray for that person that you are aware of wrong doing? I struggle with that more than anything. Pray for the person? Seriously? Yes, Lord I know, what I am supposed to do, but I don’t always WANT to do it. I don’t always want to do what people tell me to do either. hmmm, I think I see a pattern. It is easier sometimes not to do anything. It causes less conflict, stress, and issues.

Then I think about my character. Is my witness and character what God would want it to be? Do I show in my daily actions of doing the right thing? Does it show that I am loving and forgiving?

Lots to pray about today. I pray that you have a good day, and that you make right decisions.

Blessings.

kids · Random Stuff

100th Post

September 28, 2010 jachancellor2 Comments

Wow.
I have written 100 posts. I did this? No, not I? Really?

And who is reading such garble? You! Seriously people. Hahahaha. I am amazed that anyone is reading this blog. I love it, I really do.

I also love the commitment I am making to cook more for my family. I have convinced myself that Carmen and Stephen will have all of my recipes in my blog, since none of them are written down (but there are here). So, this is for my children. For my family. Yes, that is why I do this.

Thank you for reading. I hope that I can keep you entertained as you keep up with my ADD. =)

Enjoy your day!