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July 19, 2013

I Am the Lord Thy God

Just a short post today.  A phrase from the Bible keeps coming to my mind this afternoon.  It is "I am the Lord thy God."  I've been asking myself today if I am living my life as though the Lord is my God, or am I just saying words?  Do I remember that my God is a jealous God.  He wants all of me...not just a part of me.  He wants the best of me...not just the leftovers.  It is easy for me to look at others and criticize them for the compromises to Christianity they seem to be making, but what about me?  Have  I given God the best of my time today?  Have I remembered Him in all that I have done today?  Have I shown Him the greatest love today?  If I am sure to measure everything by those questions, I believe my life would be lived much differently than it has been.  Deep thoughts for this weekend, but it is what is on my heart.  The desire of my heart is that my family and I live a life of excellence for Jesus Christ, but it is so much easier to fall into the compromises and temptations that the world and the flesh offer.  Let's make sure we take time this weekend to renew our desire and vision to live our lives remembering that the Lord is our God - a jealous, holy, righteous, loving and gracious God who desires the very best of our lives.


Wishing you a day full of blessings,
Christy

July 16, 2013

Copycat Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks

Happy Tuesday, All!  I found this recipe a couple of weeks ago and finally had the chance to try them out.  My family LOVES Pizza Hut's Cheese Sticks, and these were pretty dog gone close to the real thing!  So, if you're looking for a yummy appetizer, here is a must try!

 
 PIZZA HUT CHEESE STICKS
Found at joshuatrent.com

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of warm water
1 packet of active dry yeast
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup non-fat dry milk (I did not have dry milk, and so I used 1 cup of warm water and 1/2 cup of warm milk with the yeast.  It worked great!)
3 cups flour
1/2 cup melted butter (1/2 for the bottom of the pan and 1/2 for the top of the cheese sticks)
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
Other toppings such as garlic salt, chopped rosemary, roasted garlic, Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1.  In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.  Let stand for 5 minutes.
2.  Add sugar, milk and salt and mix until just combined.
3.  Add flour 1 cup at a time and knead dough until smooth - about 5 minutes.
4.  Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface.
5.  Knead the dough a few more times and incorporate a little more flour.  Dough should be silky and
     smooth.
6.  Roll the dough out into the size and shape of your baking pan.  I used a 13 X 18 jelly roll pan.
7.  Spread half of the melted butter onto the pan and then place dough onto the pan.  Let rise for about 15 
     minutes.  (I made 2 batches.  I ended up leaving the first batch to rise for an hour.  It turned out much 
     fluffier and lighter.  We preferred it, but the second batch which rose for only 15 minutes was good too!)
8.  Spread remaining butter on the top of dough.
9.  Top dough with toppings  and cheese or leave it plain.
10. Bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
11.  Cut into bread sticks and serve with marinara sauce.   

Servings: 4-8       

These were delicious!  My kids went on and on about them, and we consumed two batches in one sitting!   I thought the dough was extremely easy to prepare and turned out so close to Pizza Hut's pan pizza crust.  This Friday night, I am going to try using this dough as the crust and make actual pizza with it.  That would be more suited to the Mr.'s taste! ;)  I can't wait to try it!  

I hope you all enjoy your Tuesday.  We will be busy celebrating our Evvie's 10th birthday!  10 people!  Where has the time gone?  Her birthday isn't until tomorrow, but Wednesdays are always our crazy day, and so we're celebrating a day early - which is perfectly fine with the birthday girl!  I hope you are able to find the chance to celebrate something today - whether it's big or small!  God is too good not to celebrate!
Wishing you a day full of blessings,
Christy

.
  • In the bowl of a KitchenAid type mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, dissolve yeast in the warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Add sugar, milk and salt then mix just until combined.
  • Add flour, one cup at a time and knead the dough until smooth. About 5 minutes.
  • Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface.
  • Knead the dough a few more times and incorporate a little more flour. Dough will be silky and smooth.
  • Roll the dough into the size and shape of your baking pan (I use a half sheet pan which is about 13×18).
  • Spread half of the butter onto the bottom of the pan and then place the dough into the pan. Let raise in warm, draft-free place for 15 minutes.
  • Spread remaining butter on the top of the dough.
  • Top dough with toppings or leave it plain.
  • Bake at 350°F for 20-25 or until golden brown.
  • Cut into breadsticks and serve with marinara sauce.
  • - See more at: http://joshuatrent.com/pizza-hut-cheese-bread-2/#sthash.czA7VV46.dpuf
    Ingredients
    • 1½ cups warm water (about 105°F)
    • 1 (1/4 oz) packet active dry yeast
    • 2 tbsp sugar
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ cup non-fat dry milk
    • 3 cups flour
    • ½ cup melted butter (half for the bottom of the pan and half on top of the breadsticks)
    • 8 oz package of mozzarella cheese, shredded
    • Sprinkle with garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, salt & pepper (to taste)
    Instructions
    1. In the bowl of a KitchenAid type mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, dissolve yeast in the warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
    2. Add sugar, milk and salt then mix just until combined.
    3. Add flour, one cup at a time and knead the dough until smooth. About 5 minutes.
    4. Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface.
    5. Knead the dough a few more times and incorporate a little more flour. Dough will be silky and smooth.
    6. Roll the dough into the size and shape of your baking pan (I use a half sheet pan which is about 13×18).
    7. Spread half of the butter onto the bottom of the pan and then place the dough into the pan. Let raise in warm, draft-free place for 15 minutes.
    8. Spread remaining butter on the top of the dough.
    9. Top dough with toppings or leave it plain.
    10. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 or until golden brown.
    11. Cut into breadsticks and serve with marinara sauce.
    - See more at: http://joshuatrent.com/pizza-hut-cheese-bread-2/#sthash.czA7VV46.dpuf
    Ingredients
    • 1½ cups warm water (about 105°F)
    • 1 (1/4 oz) packet active dry yeast
    • 2 tbsp sugar
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ cup non-fat dry milk
    • 3 cups flour
    • ½ cup melted butter (half for the bottom of the pan and half on top of the breadsticks)
    • 8 oz package of mozzarella cheese, shredded
    • Sprinkle with garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, salt & pepper (to taste)
    Instructions
    1. In the bowl of a KitchenAid type mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, dissolve yeast in the warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
    2. Add sugar, milk and salt then mix just until combined.
    3. Add flour, one cup at a time and knead the dough until smooth. About 5 minutes.
    4. Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface.
    5. Knead the dough a few more times and incorporate a little more flour. Dough will be silky and smooth.
    6. Roll the dough into the size and shape of your baking pan (I use a half sheet pan which is about 13×18).
    7. Spread half of the butter onto the bottom of the pan and then place the dough into the pan. Let raise in warm, draft-free place for 15 minutes.
    8. Spread remaining butter on the top of the dough.
    9. Top dough with toppings or leave it plain.
    10. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 or until golden brown.
    11. Cut into breadsticks and serve with marinara sauce.
    - See more at: http://joshuatrent.com/pizza-hut-cheese-bread-2/#sthash.czA7VV46.dpuf
    Ingredients
    • 1½ cups warm water (about 105°F)
    • 1 (1/4 oz) packet active dry yeast
    • 2 tbsp sugar
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ cup non-fat dry milk
    • 3 cups flour
    • ½ cup melted butter (half for the bottom of the pan and half on top of the breadsticks)
    • 8 oz package of mozzarella cheese, shredded
    • Sprinkle with garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, salt & pepper (to taste)
    Instructions
    1. In the bowl of a KitchenAid type mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, dissolve yeast in the warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
    2. Add sugar, milk and salt then mix just until combined.
    3. Add flour, one cup at a time and knead the dough until smooth. About 5 minutes.
    4. Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface.
    5. Knead the dough a few more times and incorporate a little more flour. Dough will be silky and smooth.
    6. Roll the dough into the size and shape of your baking pan (I use a half sheet pan which is about 13×18).
    7. Spread half of the butter onto the bottom of the pan and then place the dough into the pan. Let raise in warm, draft-free place for 15 minutes.
    8. Spread remaining butter on the top of the dough.
    9. Top dough with toppings or leave it plain.
    10. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 or until golden brown.
    11. Cut into breadsticks and serve with marinara sauce.
    - See more at: http://joshuatrent.com/pizza-hut-cheese-bread-2/#sthash.czA7VV46.dpuf
    Ingredients
    • 1½ cups warm water (about 105°F)
    • 1 (1/4 oz) packet active dry yeast
    • 2 tbsp sugar
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ cup non-fat dry milk
    • 3 cups flour
    • ½ cup melted butter (half for the bottom of the pan and half on top of the breadsticks)
    • 8 oz package of mozzarella cheese, shredded
    • Sprinkle with garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, salt & pepper (to taste)
    Instructions
    1. In the bowl of a KitchenAid type mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, dissolve yeast in the warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
    2. Add sugar, milk and salt then mix just until combined.
    3. Add flour, one cup at a time and knead the dough until smooth. About 5 minutes.
    4. Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface.
    5. Knead the dough a few more times and incorporate a little more flour. Dough will be silky and smooth.
    6. Roll the dough into the size and shape of your baking pan (I use a half sheet pan which is about 13×18).
    7. Spread half of the butter onto the bottom of the pan and then place the dough into the pan. Let raise in warm, draft-free place for 15 minutes.
    8. Spread remaining butter on the top of the dough.
    9. Top dough with toppings or leave it plain.
    10. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 or until golden brown.
    11. Cut into breadsticks and serve with marinara sauce.
    - See more at: http://joshuatrent.com/pizza-hut-cheese-bread-2/#sthash.czA7VV46.dpuf

    July 15, 2013

    Joyful Mom Monday - Cutting Back

    Counting God's Little Blessings
    This is a post I have been pondering...and dreading...for several weeks now.  While not feeling very good and with my kiddos able to play outside more, I developed a bad habit of spending too much time on the computer.  It's just easy to pick up the laptop and look up something for a few minutes, and it's something that I can put away quickly with no mess to clean up afterwards when it's time to resume real life!   But  I have become guilty of putting it in place of things that need to be done and even in place of time with my family. For the next three weeks, the Mr. will be working like crazy, but the kids and I have not much planned, and so I have decided that now would be a great time to set some limitations on the amount of time the computer is on.  I'll still be blogging and even checking out facebook, but I am going to try super hard to restrict my computer time to times that will not take away from my family.

    Why am I sharing this with you?  First of all, because I like to be real and honest.  I'm not perfect, and I don't have it all together.  I don't know all the answers, and I'm usually better at doing the wrong thing than the right thing.  Secondly, I'm sharing because I know that I am not the only mom who has fallen into this trap, and I hope that my honesty will encourage you to be honest with yourself.  

    When our priorities become out of line, we lose joy in the every day-ness of life that God has called us to be a part of.  We begin to set unreasonable expectations for ourselves and others as we compare ourselves to others instead of to God's Word.  I want to be a mom full of joy in what I am in the middle of right now - whether it be full of messes or full of fun!  So, this week begins my exercise of self-discipline in cutting back on the time  I spend on my computer! Today has already been more productive and joy-filled.  I am looking forward to what the week holds and thanking God for His faithfulness in continually showing me ways that I can have the more abundant life that He promised.


    Wishing you a day full of blessings,
    Christy


    July 13, 2013

    What's Happening (Or Not Happening) Here!

    I love writing in this little place, but it's been sparse here lately.  For one, we've just been plain busy, and for two...well, I'm pregnant.  I don't know about you all, but when I'm pregnant, I feel quite uninspired and as if I'm always running behind!  Don't panic!  I'm OK!  Just telling it like it is.  All that to say that as I hard as I try, I'm not a very faithful blogger when pregnant.

    Anyhoo....what has NOT been happening around here:

    1.  Consistent house work.  Don't get me wrong...we're not slumming with the pigs quite yet, but compared to the not pregnant me, we're not getting much done!  But, I am now 30 something years old and have 5 children and have learned that a spic and span house is not always the most important thing.  A mom with a pleasant smile and kind words, however, is priceless!

    2.  5 Course Dinners!  So, I've never been known for having Martha Stewart kitchen talents, but I have been slacking in this area a little more than usual here lately.  Now that I am over the nauseated stage of pregnancy, I am trying harder to get back to my former not so Martha Stewart talented kitchen self. :)

    3.  Sleep!  There is always someone up in the middle of the night around here, and it is driving me insane!!!  Oh well...just remember when you have your first baby, you have officially signed away your right to a good night's sleep. :)  But holding little Gavin while he finally does sleep again is very much worth it!


    Whst HAS been happening around here:

    1.  School!  Yes, my friends, that is right!  We are not complete slackers, and we have been accomplishing quite a bit of school!  We are almost finished with American History for the year and are trying to finish up Science and several of our literature books before the end of the month.  My big concern is Math, and so we have been spending extra time working on that. We have found that working in the afternoons works best during the summer.  That way we avoid the heat outside, and we can also focus a little more easily while Mr. Gavin sleeps.  It's been nice to feel as though we are actually steadily progressing again!

    2.  New recipes!  Even though I have not been making wonderful dinners, I have made some yummy desserts and breads!  I have tried several new recipes over the last two weeks, and so far, all of them have been successful!  I love baking from scratch!

    3.  Free chicken!  That's right!  The kids and I all dressed up like cows from head to hoof so that we could get a free Chick-Fil-A meal.  You may not understand how big a deal this is, and so I will explain a little.  Number one - my kids NEVER get a happy meal!  It's just not reasonable, the toys are cheap and silly, and they need to learn to spend money wisely.  Number two - my kids rarely get anything except water to drink at a restaurant, and if by some strange chance, they do get a fountain drink, it is always shared!  Because each of us were dressed up, we each were able go get our own complete meal - drink, toy and all!  I had five very happy little calves...I mean kiddos!

    4.  Going places!  We have been camping.  We have had our M&M's meeting.  We have been to violin lessons and to church.  We have run errands in town.  We have been to Chick-Fil-A - all in the last 10 days!  It's been crazy - especially when you remember that we drive an hour just to get anywhere!  It's been fun though and has made it feel a little more like summer time!

    5.  Amazing discussions!  We have had the opportunity to have some amazing discussions with our kiddos.  Madelyn asked how big God is, and Andrew began to describe us as a speck of dust in a teacup!  It was quite sweet listening to his analogy, and it was fairly accurate too!  With the death of a friend of our family's, we've also had the chance to remember how short life can be and how important it is to always be kind and live like Jesus would so that we have no regrets if we were to die.  We've also dealt with some heart issues and have been able to see God's Word soften little hearts in a way that mom's words can't.  I am so thankful that I am the one who is able to hear all of these conversations first hand!  It makes me appreciate even more than usual the opportunity to to stay at home and homeschool my kiddos!

    That's what's happening (and not happening) around here!  I am going to try to help my house recover from this busy week and get it cleaned up before we head out to our church bbq this afternoon!  I hope you are all able to enjoy your summer weekend.  Don't forget to take the time to count the blessings God has given - even the little ones!


    Wishing you a day full of blessings,
    Christy