♥ A Trip to the Zoo ♥

While my nephew and his wife were here last week, we were on the go all week!  I have several things to share here but it would be picture overload to do them all in one day, so I'm starting with a few highlights from the zoo!  :)

Last Thursday we enjoyed a beautiful day at the zoo!  It was overcast and breezy.....just THE perfect day for the zoo!

Luke had never been to the zoo before so it was fun watching him.  When we were in China, we went to a safari, but he doesn't remember it.  He was so excited, but since he walked all the way through (no stroller for him), he was ready to go home towards the end!

There is a special exhibit going on where the kids can pet stingrays (Stingray Bay).  That was a highlight!

Joy and Luke enjoyed it....

So did the big kids.....Colt, Amber, Trey & Shauna!

Luke with YaYa, the panda......

Jason and I doing what tuckered out parents do best....sitting on a bench catching a rest.......  :)

Joy and Luke rode the camel....Joy says it's so rhythmical that it just about put her to sleep!

At the farm petting zoo.......

Love this one......it totally sums up the relationship of these two!

We caught Luke sitting (resting) "China style".  If you've ever been to China, you'll total get this one!  You especially see the men sitting this way on the sidewalks in China....even the older ones!

Luke enjoyed dippin' dots compliments of big sister.....

It was a fun day!  We headed to CiCis pizza afterwards before calling it a day.

Lovin' these summer days!  :)  Hope your summer is wonderful so far!

Thanks for stopping by!

♥ Tammy ♥

Pinned it, Made it! Monday ~ Week 42 ~

After taking a week off from Pinned it, Made it Monday last week for Memorial Day, it's that time again. I've decided to keep rolling with it even though participation has been slim lately.  And if you just stop by to read and can't participate  that's fine too.  Thanks to all those who do!  I appreciate you!  :)


This week I'm sharing another recipe that I tried that was another winner at our house.

The original pin:

Source:  Food.Com

Potsie's Creamed Chicken and Biscuits Casserole

1 small onion
1 1/2 tsp butter
2 lbs. chopped cooked chicken breasts or 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chooped pimiento or 1/2 cup sauteed red bell peppers or 1/2 cup jarred roasted red pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
refrigerated biscuits


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease the bottom and sides of an 11 x 7 inch baking dish or 10 inch quiche dish.

Chop the onion; heat butter in a small nonstick skillet and saute until tender.

Combine cooked onion, soup, chicken, milk, pimiento (or red bell pepper), and mayo in a bowl and then turn into the prepared baking dish.

Bake for 15 minutes and remove from oven.  Sprinkle q cup of the cheese over the baked mixture.

 Arrange biscuits decoratively in a single layer and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over them.

Return casserole to oven and bake until biscuits are golden brown and sauce is bubbly, usually about 20 minutes longer.

 Note:  This is RICH!  You may sub sour cream for all or part of the mayo if you wish to cut back on the heaviness.  The last time I made this I used a 1/4 cup of fat free mayo and 1/4 cup of sour cream.  I think it was delicious.  Also, I took the suggestion of adding a cup of cooked green peas.  What a terrific idea!  I LOVED it!  I think I might add two cups next time.  Thanks to you all for making my humble recipe and leaving your suggestions.  You GREATLY improved a recipe I was already proud of.  Thanks so much.

Note from Tammy:  I took the suggestion above from the original source of the recipe and used 1/4 cup of mayo and 1/4 cup of sour cream and the 2 cups of cooked green peas.  It reminded me sorta of a good chicken pot pie.  Jason and Luke especially loved this.  It was pretty good to me, but I tend to favor spicier recipes.  I will be making it again though since the guys really liked it.

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Now it's your turn!  I hope you'll link something you've pinned and tried from Pinterest!  We'd love to see!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great week!  :)

♥ Tammy ♥

♥ Summer is Here! ♥

I thought I'd better pop in here and let you know that I haven't abandoned my blog!  I'm here!

My nephew and his wife (Trey & Shauna) are here for a week, so we've been busy.

But to catch you up on a few things.......

Our mini vacation turned into a stay-cation, which turned into work around here....imagine that!

What was supposed to be a spray-the-deck-and-be-done-in-a-day didn't work out that way.  But does it ever work out like planned?  Nope.....we're having to roll it all on....the entire BIG deck!  And not just one coat....but two!  So needless to say, we're not even close to being done.   Why do we start one project before we are finished with another?  :)

But the kids are enjoying the pool in spite of the deck painting. 

Alot of swimming has been going on around here.  We got the pool opened and ready last Friday and the kids swam in 66 degree weather.  Not this girl.

We've had friends over.....

School is over for awhile....and we celebrated because Algebra 1 is finished (and we're trying not to think about Geometry and Algebra 2).

Oh and Joy and I got new genuine cowgirl boots......we've wanted some for so long!

And Mr. Luke has been practicing his casting skills getting ready for fishing......which he has been talking about doing for some time now!  :)

The next few days will be busy as we have a trip to the zoo planned, a homeschool book sale, and a wedding, but I'll be back as soon as I can!

Thanks for stopping by!  :)

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "Free to Love "

It's been a really busy week.....our last week of "official" school, although we never really cease school, since it is an atmosphere of learning in our home around the clock.  But....... we ARE finished with Algebra 1!  Yay!  This is truly a day to celebrate!  :)

For Faithful Friday, I want to share another devotion from His Princess (Love Letters from the King) by Sheri Rose Shepherd.  These devotions never cease to bless me!  I hope this one does the same for you!

My Princess.........................You are Free to Love

I have set you free to love others, so don't let people who have caused you pain paralyze you from experiencing the joys of love.  I know there is always a risk when you give a piece of your heart away, but I've created you to enjoy the gift of special friendships.  Choose wisely the ones that you invest your time and energy in, and also give those you love the freedom to fail.  Remember that no one will love you as perfectly as I do.  If you let Me take the disappointments that come with relationships, you will be free to give and receive love unconditionally.  Remember, My princess, most people need love the most when they deserve it the least. 

Love,
Your King who is Love

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

 

1 Peter 4:8

 





If you're naturally a people pleaser (as I am), then you know that it can have its share of trials and disappointments.  I'm so glad I serve THE God of Love!  :)

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Faithful Fridays are a day to share Jesus and encourage others.  If you'd like to participate, or just visit other linked posts, click on Joy's button above.  :)  If she hasn't gotten her post up yet, just check back.....we are finishing up school today, so she's running a little behind.  Thanks!  :)

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a great Memorial Day weekend.  Since this coming Monday is a holiday, I will not be hosting the Pinned it Made it Monday because I will be on a mini vacation.  :)However, I will be back the following Monday.  I've decided that if ONE person enjoys Pinned it Made it Monday, even if there are no participating linkers, it's really ok.  I received a very encouraging email (thank you Carol) and I will be continuing Pinned it Made it Mondays!  God bless you, Carol!  I will be emailing you back!  :)

God bless you all real good!

♥ Tammy ♥

♥ This and That ♥

As I mentioned yesterday, my 2 and 3 year old nieces (Ellie and Sydney) were here with us from Thursday until Sunday evening.  It was bustling around here to say the least.  Busy, but fun.  :)

We played inside.

We played outside.

We went to the park, and then to Baskin Robbins for ice cream.

We went to church.

And then it was time to go home.  The house is definitely quieter, but I do miss those little bundles of energy.  :)

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Next week my (grown) nephew and his wife (Trey and Shauna) are coming to spend the week with us.  We're all looking forward to it.  We have our week mapped out already!

 

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On another note, since I got my Galaxy 4 S (smartphone), I'm really enjoying it.......maybe a little too much!  I'm really loving Instagram.  To me, it's a little like "mini blogging" - pics with a few words.  So what about you?  Are you on Instagram?  I'd love to follow my blogging friends on there but I can't seem to find many!  Let me know if you are on there and how to find you, and I'd love to be a follower! (My user name is countrygirlathome).

 

 

 

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Something else that's on my mind........Pinned it, Made it! Monday.  It seems like interest in it might be diminishing.  So I need your input.....is this something you enjoy?  Would you enjoy a more general linky party that would be easier to participate in, say, an "At Home" one that you could link up anything pertaining to home/home life?  Or even no linky party at all....and just go back to general posts by me?  I value your thoughts, input, and suggestions!   And what about the Sunporch Chats?

 

What kind of posts do you most enjoy here?

 

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Oh, and Joy and I are counting down the days to being done with Algebra in our homschool.......this Friday!  That will be a day to celebrate! 

 

 

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I know today's post was a rambling bit of this and that but it's what was rolling around in my head today.  Thank you for stopping by.  Have a beautiful day (and evening).  :)

 

♥ Tammy ♥

 



♥ The Winner is....♥

Thank you so much to all who entered my blogging anniversary giveaway and most of all for the sweet comments!

I made sure everyone was given credit for the correct number of entries and.put them in a big Americana basket.

Luke's job was to mix them up really well.  He loved that job.  :)

And then Joy drew out a winner..........

And yes, you get to see here how my kitchen looks most of the time....papers (and books) end up on the bar and refrigerator quite often.  :)

Sandi....A Primitive Skate!   And I just realized that you have been on a winning streak!  Well, I think after the trials you've also had, you are well deserving!  Congratulations, Sandi!  I'll need your address, so I can get your table bench (riser) out to you!  :)

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My heart just breaks and goes out to all the families of Moore, Oklahoma that lost family members in the tornado and even those that endured the tornado devasation.  I know we can count on each other to pray for these families!

Have a great day!

♥ Tammy ♥

Pinned it, Made it! Monday ~ Week 41 ~

Hello friends!  I'm a little late getting to my Pinned it Made it Monday post.  We've had my 2 and 3 year old nieces with us since last Thursday and just took them back home last night, so it's been busy around here.  :)



Today I'm sharing something that I've actually done before but this one looks different.  It's a very easy project.  If you haven't tried this yet, you should really pick out a favorite picture and give it a try!   All you need is your photo, a board cut to size, modge podge, and some paint.

The original pin:

Mommy Models Blog

I made this one as part of my mama's Mother's Day gift.  This is a photo taken 2 months after we brought Luke home from China (September 2010).  The photo was taken at the very swimming hole at East Lake where my mother played and swam as a child.  And that's Luke playing and picking up shells.  Little did she know that her grandson from China would play in that very same spot one day.  She loved it!

I gave a tutorial on a previous Pinned it Made it Monday here.  For my mom's, I used her favorite shade of blue for the edges of the photo.

So now, won't you join me today?  Link up something you've made/tried from Pinterest.  We wanna see!  :)

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Don't forget about my giveaway.......if you missed it, you can still enter here.  I'll be drawing a winner tomorrow!

 



Have a great week!

 

♥ Tammy ♥