Everyday Mommy

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…Tim Tams. If you happen to be reading Down Under you know exactly what sort of spell I’m under. A chocolatey, crispy sensation that you simply must try. The kids from Second Life got me hooked on these and now I’m making emergency Tim Tam runs!

But, wait Jules! I don’t live in Australia…what have you done to me? Fear not dear readers. You can get Tim Tams at your nearest World Market. But, I warn you…addiction is almost unavoidable. Look for them under the label Arnott’s Biscuits.

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I’ve been in a rut. A motherhood rut. A rut that has lasted for six & a half years. It began when Johnny was born. I became a mother, thus the rut. I quickly became accustomed to all the things motherhood entails, from caring and feeding to burping and thinking for my child.

But, those days are coming to a close. It began when he learned to feed himself about 5 years ago. That was okay. I could let that one go. Then a few years ago he began dressing himself. Cute. Okay, that’s a good thing…right? Then he began brushing his own teeth, showering, combing his hair, putting his shoes on. My role was steadily shrinking. This is a good thing…I keep telling myself.

Today he leaves home. It’s his first VBS (Vacation Bible School) and he’s thrilled beyond words. I feel a giant milestone is barreling toward me like that boulder chasing Indiana Jones. It’s my first “drop him off and let him be his own person while I go home and pretend to do housework” experience.

Frankly, I’m not ready for this.

p.s. I cried on the way home.  And, click on the photo for a laugh.

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How sweet and aweful is the place
With Christ within the doors,
While everlasting love displays
The choicest of her stores.

While all our hearts and all our songs
Join to admire the feast,
Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,
“Lord, why was I a guest?”

“Why was I made to hear Thy voice,
And enter while there’s room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?”

‘Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly drew us in;
Else we had still refused to taste,
And perished in our sin.

Pity the nations, O our God,
Constrain the earth to come;
Send Thy victorious Word abroad,
And bring the strangers home.

We long to see Thy churches full,
That all the chosen race
May, with one voice and heart and soul,
Sing Thy redeeming grace.

Isaac Watts 1674-1748

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This rice has a wonderful light, fresh flavor and goes so well with grilled foods like fish and chicken. Your kids will love this!

Lemon Cilantro Rice

1 c long grain rice (I like basmati)
1 small onion, minced
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1-2 c chicken stock
One lemon, juiced & zested
1 big bunch chopped, fresh cilantro (to taste)
House Seasoning (to taste)

Heat olive oil in large saucepan. Add rice and onions and stir till just golden. Add chicken stock, lemon juice, lemon zest, cilantro and house seasoning. Bring just to a boil and reduce heat to low simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Remove lid and fluff with fork.

I have caved under the pressure and give you these dramatically less than stellar photos…don’t get to thinkin’ I’ll do this every week.

The ingredients…rice, onion, o.o, chickie stock, lemon & fresh cilantro. I love the flavor of cilantro.

Heat the o.o in a deep sauce pan (be sure you have a lid) and saute’ the rice. It will begin to turn golden quite quickly, so don’t walk away from the stove. Keep stirring to insure even browning.

This is your goal…golden brown rice. The aroma is heavenly!

Add the diced onion and saute’ till just tender.  Your family will be wandering into the kitchen

asking, “What smells so good?”

Add the chicken stock…I tried the Rachael Ray brand and it’s delicious!

Better than Swanson…sorry Swanson.

Lemon juice & zest are next…

And, don’t forget the seasoning!  Put a lid on it and simmer on low.

Now is a good time to mince the cilantro.

When the rice is done add the cilantro and toss.  Serve with grilled fish or chicken.  Yum!

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“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.” - John Adams, 1735-1826, 2nd President of the United States of America

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Everyday Mommy couldn’t pass up this one! Shannon’s WFMW: Five Ingredients or Less was calling my name. I love this quick, simple & delicious way to prepare boneless, skinless chicken breasts. These are so tender and they go with anything! You can top them with your favorite sauce or just a squeeze of fresh lemon. Serve with fries or tots for the kids and a salad for Mom and Dad. Easy, fast, flavorful and affordable.

Tender Chicken Cutlets

2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup flour
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumb
House Seasoning

Place chicken breasts in a ziplock bag and gently, but firmly pound till evenly flattened, about 1/4″ to 1/2″ thick. Use a meat mallet or a heavy canned good. Set chicken aside.

Place the bread crumbs, egg and flour onto three, separate plates. Beat the egg till smooth, adding a little water if necessary. Season the flour with the House Seasoning.

Dredge the chicken lightly in the flour, then the egg and lastly the bread crumbs. Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet Brown the chicken breasts over medium heat 2 minutes on each side or until nicely golden brown. Place on a baking sheet and finish in 400º over for 10 minutes.

Simple & delicious! You’ll be amazed at how tender and juicy these are. Enjoy!

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I have had the privilege and the burden of being exposed to a microcosm of Christianity as it is being practiced in the United States and around the world through our ministry in the virtual mission field called Second Life. I am so deeply disturbed by the state of the Church who knows neither the Gospel nor the God whom they say they serve. Following the latest winds of doctrine, blown about by whatever whispers may tickle their ears, tens of thousands are flocking to a church in Lakeland, Florida. They go so that a guy named Todd can kick them in the face or knee them in the stomach in the name of Jesus and “share a sign from his angel Emma that God is endorsing and releasing a prophetic spirit in the church.”

“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24

I cannot imagine that the Lord will tolerate these things being done in His name much longer.

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Last night my heart was broken by a little boy whose heart was broken by a small bowl of 28¢ fish. 28¢ worth of love and anticipation, carefully held and named on the ride home.

“This one will be called Shiny,” he said, pointing to the minnow that darted about inside the plastic bag. We talked about feeding and caring for his new fish and how we could watch them grow.

But, 28¢ fish from Wal-Mart aren’t long for this world. We got them home, prepared their bowl and made sure they were cozy. An hour later they were gone. And, my darling little boy burst into silent tears, burying his face in my chest. His slender, six year-old shoulders racked with sobs over these tiny friends so quickly loved and lost. I scooped him up into my arms as tears came for me, too. Not over the little rosy reds, but over a boy who is feeling his way in the tumultuous waters of life. The wondrous, inspiring, often painful journey from childhood to manhood in which every loss cannot be cured by another trip to the pet store and 28¢.

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“To relinquish any of the Psalms on the excuse that its sentiments are too violent for a Christian is a clear sign that a person has also given up the very battle that a Christian is summoned to fight. The Psalms are prayers for those who are engaged in an ongoing, spiritual conflict. No one else need bother even opening the book.” - Patrick Henry Reardon

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