Do everything without grumbling or complaining...

I am making a conscious effort to not complain today...It's hard.

My kids all went out to breakfast together- gut instinct feeling left out followed by tears they are practically grown.  Choosing to be thankful they have a strong sibling bond and enjoy being together.

The girls are then going to my Mom's to help cook/prep for Thanksgiving and my sister too.  Again gut instinct sadness and feeling left out.

But I am choosing to be thankful the girls can go help out.  Thankful I have a job that helps pay my bills.  Thankful I only have to work every other day this week ;-) I had yesterday off to pick up Mikayla. <3

I'm listening to my feel better praise playlist on amazon music. =)  I'm looking forward to tomorrow and spending the day with family. And eating all the Thanksgiving things.

Thankful. . .

It's thanksgiving week, my heart is grateful.  Thanksgiving is my favorite!

I can't tell how Thankful I felt to be able to sit next to my husband and with my family in service yesterday.  On normal Sundays we go to different services because I teach littles in the first service.

 Followed by our Church's Thanksgiving dinner. <3 I was happy to be near this crew too.

Saturday I did some cleaning in the basement and unearthed my sewing area.  I was able to actually do some sewing yesterday afternoon.

 Mikayla was impressed with my efforts.

Saturday afternoon Hannah and I went to check out this sweet new little bookshop with Laura <3  If you are in the area and like fiction you should check it out. ;-) Here is a link to their instagram.  I hope to stop back to do some Christmas/birthday shopping.  Hannah was working on her wishlist while we were there.

 We also went to the library. And McDonald's because the little nephew wanted chicken nuggets.

FRIDAY!!!

 This guy passed his road test today!

We hit Dunkin' before he dropped me off at work and drove himself to school for the first time. 

I can't believe it. Where did the time go?

This was in my memories this morning on Facebook-

Did a lot of praying this morning. . . Stormie Omartian books never disappoint me. The Power of a Praying Wife is one of my all time favorites.  I highly recommend it. This book has been with me through thick and thin. Besides my Bible it is my other constant.

As 2019 begins to wind down I am turning my thoughts toward next year... One of my goals for 2020 is to get a better handle on my fiances. I have been so frustrated and discouraged lately.  I am tired of basically living paycheck to paycheck, feeling like I am coming up short.  I get paid bi-weekly and the last few days before payday are so stressful and anxiety inducing.

Groceries are my biggest problem.  I started tracking my spending this month and I was astounded the amount I dropped at the grocery store in a week- stopping pretty much every night on my way home... because I didn't plan a head.  So I am going back to planning menus and {hopefully}  doing the bulk of my shopping on the weekend.  It felt good this week to keep on driving past Tops on my way home.  I did have to stop last night for pet food. I am using this template on google to track my spending and planning in January to make myself a budget and stick to it.  I just started reading The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  I'm turning 40 next year- I figure its time I start figuring out how to be an adult.

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week and then the Advent season will be here!  I have been looking around for an Advent devotional to do at dinner time with the kids and I am thinking this year we will do this one.  I have it in my amazon cart ready to purchase on payday.

Happy Friday Everyone! Hope its the start of a great weekend!

Sourdough results...

Saturday I baked my first sourdough loaves from my starter, Phylis.  They turned out pretty darn tasty.  I used this recipe here- > Easiest Sourdough Bread Ever.  It was indeed pretty simple. 

Last night I snagged a couple pieces before Hannah's lesson to hold me over till dinner- warmed up, slathered with butter and drizzled with honey... oh. so. good.

 This morning I baked a batch of Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls... another win!

Last night as I was mixing up the cinnamon roll dough I did thin Phylis out a bit. I listened to this podcast again by Cynthia Lair.  It's great, she's so funny and I love her voice.  I don't know why. Her book Sourdough on the Rise is at the TOP of my christmas wish list ;-) Just sayin'...


Anyway- Cynthia said her starter is more like pancake batter whereas the one I made turned out quite thick more like dough- so I added a little flour and more water and let her sit out overnight again.  Cynthia says you need to have a relationship with your starter and be on good terms.  Phylis was bubbly and happy this morning =D Tomorrow I am trying some sourdough pizza crust for pizza night.  Sourdough soft pretzels are also really high on my to-make list.  Maybe this weekend for sunday night snacky. Ooh and english muffins!  I also want to get some rye flour and try that...

In other Sourdough news I am reading this book, Sourdough: Or, Lois and Her Adventures in the Underground Market by Robin Sloan.  I came across it while browsing the library site for a good sourdough cookbook. I love reading books that center around food and cooking/baking so naturally I put it right on my hold list. I am enjoying it so far, I was actually sad when Hannah's lesson ended last night and I had to stop reading! :D  Its also feeding my desire to bake all the sourdough things!
 

November Books part one

1. Beyond the Wild River by Sarah Maine - print/library - Nov 3 - ★★★
   
   This was our book club selection for November.  I didn't go to book club since I was down with the plague. This book was OK- it was a little slow moving. If it wasn't for book club I might not have finished it.
2. Winter Cottage by Mary Ellen Taylor - kindle/prime - Nov 8 - ★★★★
   
   This one I stumbled across on free books to read with Prime Reading. It intrigued me and I picked it up.  Great story.  I love stories that go back and forth between generations.  The characters pulled at my heart strings and the girl has a dog which always seals the deal for me ;-) Love it when dog is a strong supporting character. Also two recipes included at the end so double win ;)
3. The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams - print/own - Nov 9 -★★★★
   
   One of the few books I have purchased this year and it did not disappoint. I heard about it on a WSIRN podcast. The story of Gavin Scott, a baseball player, whose wife just asked for a divorce.  Gavin is wrecked by the and his best friend inducts him into a book club- where they read romance novels to help them understand their wives and repair their marriages.  I loved every second of it. 
4. Zipporah, Wife of Moses by Marek Halter - print/library - Nov 12 - ★★
   
   I found this book mildly disappointing. I didn't particularly care for Zipporah's character all the time- or the way they portrayed Moses. The parts that reference true occurrences- I wasn't sure were very biblically accurate,  which really annoyed me.  Like for example Aaron was referred to as the younger brother when in fact he was three years older than Moses. I did not care of the ending at all.  Another thing that annoyed me was how they made such a big deal about her black skin and yet the cover shows her as quite light skinned.
5. Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt - kindle/library - Nov 13 - ★★★
   
   I picked up this book because of the cover. It appeared on goodreads as a related reading to something I had already read- I don't remember what.  If I did maybe I would have realized this was a middle-grade book before I started. But I did not. That being said I still thoroughly enjoyed it.  I enjoyed the over theme of family and friendship. I think it had some good lessons for kids (and adults) and could spark some good discussion.
6. I'm Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones, Gilly Segal - kindle/library - Nov 15
   
   I logged into the library site looking for a book and this one was being featured as the Big Library Read.  So I downloaded it and read it. In like a day.  Its a YA book. Two girls who get caught in the middle of a riot basically.  It was told from both their points of view. Definitely a racially charged book that makes you see the same event from different perspectives.

So far I have read 87 of my 100 books...currently GoodReads says I am one book behind schedule.... will I make it to 100 books this year? 

I believe I am at my all time high except for maybe back in middle school, I know one year at least I read the most books in my class (7th grade I think)...I sure do wish I still had those book lists. It would be so interesting to see what I read then.

What are you reading now?

Quick Cooker Lasagna Soup

Tonight I made Lasagna Soup in Bruce. It turned out super yummy. Definitely a keeper.

I modified a stove top recipe for the Quick Cooker and also made a few other changes as well.  The original recipe is HERE.

I also made a printer friendly version of my recipe.

Quick Cooker Lasagna Soup

• 2 Tbsp olive oil 
• 1 lb Italian sausage 
• 1 large yellow onion, diced (1 3/4 cups) 
• 2 garlic cloves, to taste, minced* Obviously I used the Garlic Press
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes w Italian seasoning 
• 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes 
• 2 Tbsp Pampered Chef Italian Seasoning mix 
• 8 oz Campanelle pasta 
• 1 cup (5 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese 
• 1/2 cup (2 oz) finely shredded Parmesan cheese 
• 8 oz ricotta cheese

1. Set Quick Cooker to SEAR setting, add olive oil. Give it a couple minutes to heat, add sausage. Break apart as it cooks with the Mix n Chop. Add onions and garlic. Cook until onions start to soften and turn translucent- just a few minutes. 
2. Add Italian seasoning, broth, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes and pasta. 
3. Hit cancel and put on lid. Set to custom- high pressure for 15 minutes. 
4. Meanwhile- mix the cheeses 
5. When time is up- quick release pressure. 
6. Serve soup in bowls, add a couple scoops of cheese mixture on top. (I used the small scoop to scoop the cheese. 
7. Enjoy!

apples + books and of course some pampered chef

The other day I was listening to another Book Larder podcast- this one on apples by James Rich.  I admit part of the appeal was his accent as he hails from the UK.  I enjoyed listening to him chat about his family's orchard, making cider and baking with apples.  His book too is now on my wishlist...


It brought to mind this work of fiction by Amy E Reichert - The Simplicity of Cider. A charming story of a 5th generation cider maker whose orchard is in trouble. Of course there's a dash of romance as well. =)


This book I stumbled upon at the library one fall and I loved it. =) How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World. Yes, its a children's book. I really think I should add it to my library.  It has a steller apple pie recipe at the end.
I think about it every time I make apple pie... or wish I was making apple pie... or eating apple pie. 😊

Last night I finally got around to making my mini apple pies and doing a LIVE video- you can check it out -->HERE<-- They came out so good!  And they pop right out of the pan...no problem at all!

This morning I had a hankering for a muffins for breakfast.  I found this awesome recipe on pinterest that makes one with an instant oatmeal packet! SO AWESOME!  I used an apple cinnamon packet of oatmeal and mixed in applesauce. 

I mixed it up right in my Ceramic Egg Cooker and in 2 minutes had a piping hot tasty muffin!  Chance and Bruno concur. 

bRrR + sleepy

For Today {November 13, 2019}

Looking out my window

I am thinking

I am in a funk today. cold. tired. discouraged.

I get the feeling it's going to be a long winter...

I am thankful

• sisters
• heated seats
• sunshine
• a warm home
• hoodies

One of my favorite things

Right now... my bed. I don't know if it's that I've been sick or the weather. But I love curling up in my bed with my pup and a book <3

I am creating

I need to start sewing.

I am reading

Wednesday is Indigo Blue

I am listening

Creativity Inc

In my kitchen - Look at me, actually menu planning again.  I've got next week started too *high five* 

• Sunday: Meatloaf and parsley potatoes
• Monday: Pork Chops and Stuffing
• Tuesday: Hamburger Helper 
• Wednesday: Quick Cooker Chicken Marsala
• Thursday: PIZZA
• Friday: Lasagna Soup (saw this one on Hungry Runner Girl's blog and looked sooo yummy!) Hoping maybe to have some sour dough bread to go with ;-)
• Saturday: TBD

Board room This is the one I am using for my Sourdough Starter... We'll see what happens...

Pinned: I LOVE Bread

Source: https://naturallypersnickety.com/raise-mother-sourdough-starter/

Post Script

I think I'll be doing a live video or 2 on my page tonight- Amy's Pampered Kitchen

Shared Quote

A moment from my day

I did it.

Sunday was the big day! My sister, my sister-in-law and I completed the Syracuse Half Marathon.  It was Becca's first half marathon.

I left before dark to pick up Becca and drive to Laura's- we then traveled to the race together.  I was optimistic when I got in the car to find Shake It Off playing on the radio... It might have been the highpoint...besides actually finishing the race... and the chocolate milk.

I was still feeling apprehensive about my lingering cough. 

We made it to the start in plenty of time.  Hit the bathrooms in the convention center before heading out into the cold to wait. We started pretty far back in the pack. 

The start felt pretty underwhelming to me.  In fact I didn't even realize the race was underway until we were almost to the start slowly sauntering along... As we crossed the start line we started slowly jogging and I started my watch.  It felt crowded and slow. I was pleased that I didn't immediately start coughing...maybe I'll be OK I thought.  

It wasn't long before Laura and then Becca disappeared into the sea of runners ahead of me.

That first hill on James Street I did not think was ever going to end. Up, up, UP.

I started to get discouraged right from the get go when I saw my pace for the 2nd mile. Not good.

But I kept trucking along- just trying to do the best I could for the day.  I tried to focus on the music and forget that I was already starting to hurt.  Just keep moving forward.

I liked that the course felt familiar- this being my third time running it. As I neared each checkpoint I checked my phone to see how my sisters were doing... awesome of course! It made me feel happy and proud and spurred me on.

Around the time I hit the 10K checkpoint I hit a wall.  I felt so tired.  My feet and legs ached already- I was ready to be done... still 7 miles left to go! I ate some fruit snacks and hoped I'd get a 2nd wind.

About that time Mandisa's Overcomer played-

"Don't give up. Don't give in. You're an overcomer!"

Mile 8 I was topping another hill and through the trees I could glimpse a pretty view of the city...I pulled out my phone to snap a picture. My phone shut off. Oh. No. I slid it back in my pocket and hoped maybe it would restart.  It did- but the battery had drained to 10%.  I tucked it back in my pocket and trudged on without music, did not attempted to take anymore picture- hence the lack of pictures in this post. Those last 5 quiet miles were rough!

The highlight was the aid station around mile 9 where I scored a chocolate Gu and gatorade. Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feelin'" was blaring and I hoped this boost might see me through for a while.

In mile 10 a random passerby questioned me (repeatedly), "What is this? What is this?" Meaning the half marathon and plethora of runners slogging along. I tried to answer him and immediately started coughing.  A group of pedestrians on the opposite side of the street shouted, "It's the Syracuse Half Marathon."

"Oh." was his response... he did not seem impressed.

While I was walking along, close to Mile 11 at this point, trying to recover from the coughing jag another pedestrian hurled insults loudly at me. Basically saying the half was kicking my butt and I just couldn't cut it.  I averted my gaze and trudged on- fighting tears. I don't know if he thought he was being funny, showing "tough love", mentally unbalanced or just plain mean.  I guess it doesn't really matter- it felt just plain mean. I wanted to be done so bad then, I wanted my husband to be there.  I tried to give myself a pep talk.  This half was not beating me- I was doing it! I was on MILE 11. MILE ELEVEN of a freaking HALF MARATHON. No matter how slow I was going- I was doing it! I thought about my cousins. And Sue. And Pittsburgh.

I felt so dejected.  I looked around at all the people walking and felt so discouraged. I had a really hard time getting motivated enough to start running again.  I hated being at the back of the pack. I wished I was a better runner.

In Mile 12 I picked a lady who was trucking along ahead of me wearing last years Syracuse Half jacket.  I locked my eyes on her back determined to keep up.  I followed her all the way to the finish.

My sister popped up just before the final turn, I started crying again when I saw her. She ran with me until I hit miles 13.  I pushed hard to try and finish that last .1 before the clock hit 3 hours.

As I crossed the finish I thought I had missed it.  My watch showed 3:00:06. But my official results were 2:59:58!

Post race celebration selfie!