Black Hat Racing

Wow - it's been a long time since I've posted.  I've been in a slump with not knowing what to post, what I want my blog to be about, spending too much time on facebook and pinterest, plus general family stuff.  While I'm trying to figure out the blog thing, I want to share our family facebook page for

Mac - Our Newest Family Member

Recently we added another member to our family.....Mac the English Bulldog.  His name was Mack - with a K - but my husband wanted to change it to Mac - no K - to reflect his affection for all things Apple.  He has many other names too:  Mac-Mac, Macaroni, Big Mac, Macster, Buddy, Stinky (I'm sure you can guess why :)).  This was the first Mac picture we received.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everybody!  I would like to share two videos with you - the first one is a repeat from the past few years, but it is my absolute all-time favorite, and the second one is a song that has been on my mind all week.  Please remember the Easter story this year - read this story for our hope in resurrection.

Our faith should be like Amish Friendship Bread

Have you ever thought about what faith should be like.  How we should share it with others?  Recently I was thinking about sharing the wonderful news of Jesus with others and I had one of those light bulb moments.....our faith should be like Amish Friendship Bread.  You know the recipe I'm talking about, right?  You get a ziplock bag from a friend with a start of the bread.  Then every day you either "smoosh" the bag or add more ingredients.  After so many days you divide your large bag up into starter bags and share them with other friends and the bread continues.  Think about our faith in Jesus.  Our hearts are the ziplock bag.  We get a start of the bread (someone shares Jesus with us and a seed is planted), we "smoosh" our hearts and add ingredients (we pray, listen, read, and learn about Jesus), then our heart is ready to be shared (we share the good news of Jesus with others, inviting them to church, Bible study, or just by the life we live - they see the change in us) and the cycle starts all over.  So, I encourage you today as we approach Easter Sunday to be a start of Amish Friendship Bread and share your faith - go "smoosh" some hearts today :)

Here is a recipe from Jen's Digital Creations for Amish Friendshp Bread. 

When the Bottom Falls Out

Have you ever wondered where God is during the trials of your life?  I will admit that I have.  Sometimes I can believe that he's right there with me, guiding me, leading me through the dark times, and sometimes I feel so alone and that God doesn't hear my cries.  Courteney from Women Living Well has a wonderful blog post about this subject - click this link to read about how much God loves us and will never leave us: When the Bottom Falls Out

I would also like to encourage you to visit Renee Swope and read her blog posts regarding her book A Confident Heart.  This book is full of encouragement and truth so you can have the confidence to believe every promise of God.

 “Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

One more scrapbook page

I want to share one more page...just one more :)  It's worth repeating - I love the MyMemories digital scrapbook software!  Here is the latest page I created using the Village Fair kit.

Remember to use the code on the right sidebar to get $10 off of your purchase of the MyMemories Suite digital scrapbook software so you can start creating memories of your own!

A scrapping we will go!

This past weekend I was invited to an all day scrapbook retreat and had such a good time!  Now that I'm doing more digital scrapbooking, it took me all of 5 minutes to pack up and go.  How awesome is that?!  All of these pages were created using the MyMemories Suite digital scrapbook software, and if you haven't checked it out yet, please do it now!  Don't wait any longer if you have been thinking about going digital - you won't regret it.  I never thought I would want to stop doing traditional scrapbooking, but once I get my traditional books up-to-date, I'm going green....ummm, digital. Here's some of the pages I created this weekend. 

I really like using the MyMemories Suite software to create my pages. In the past, I've used PSE and always had problems figuring out how to use it, but not with the MMS software!  It's like having the Staples easy button help you with your pages. To get $10 off of the purchase of your own MMS software, use the code on the right sidebar and start creating your own digital pages!

It's that time again!

Race season has started my friends, and that means occasional updates on the Black Hat Racing Team!  To make things a bit easier for those of you that are interested in our racing activities, we've created a facebook page and you don't even need to have a facebook account to see it.  How lucky are you?!  If you look to the right of your screen, you will see our BHR logo.  Please click on the logo or here to view our page and get the most recent race results, cool pictures and videos, or the next race scheduled.  Here's pictures of #185 and #988 at the start of their races.  Keep checking back for more updates!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway for the MyMemories Suite digital scrapbook software!  I hope you had a chance to check out the MyMemories website.  So, to get to the important stuff.....the winner of the MyMemories digital scrapbooking software chosen by random.org is Kristi. 

True Random Number Generator
Min:1
Max: 7

Result:5
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Kristi said...
Like My Memories on Facebook!
February 28, 2012 11:28 AM

Kristi, I will email you today regarding your software and I can't wait to see the projects you create!

It's almost giveaway time!

It's almost giveaway time!  Two hours and 15 minutes left to enter to win the MyMemories Suite digital, scrapbooking software. Here's one more example of the beautiful pages you can create using it.  To enter my giveaway click here.  Good luck!

Digital Scrapbook Software

I am so hooked on digital scrapbooking right now!  I've been using the MyMemories Suite software and love it.  For me, it's more user friendly than Photoshop Elements.  I know lots of people like using that program (my husband being one of them), but for people like me that like things easy peasy, this is a great program.  It's kind of like photoshop and Windows movie maker rolled into one. With the MyMemories Suite software, wou can put music to your scrapbooks and/or make a video out of them. I've found so many great kits and they can be used over and over and over again.  Here are a few pages I did today.  Quick, easy, and fun! Don't forget to enter my giveaway for the MyMemories Suite software - all entries are due on Friday (tomorrow!) by midnight. 

I hope you've enjoyed these pages.  They are so much fun to do.  I don't think I'll stop doing traditional scrapbooking because I have too many pictures from long ago, but I really am looking forward to creating more digital pages using this software.  Don't forget that my giveaway ends tomorrow night.  Good luck!

My Memories Suite Review and Giveaway

My Memories recently contacted me and asked me to review their digital scrapbooking software and I have to say I love it!  I really like the traditional way of scrapbooking and wasn't sure what to expect from creating a page using this software, but I have to admit that I'm hooked.  Here are some of the pages I created using the My Memories Suite software and kits.

If you've read my blog during the summer, you may know that my husband and boys like to race dirtbikes, so when I saw this kit on the My Memories site, I had to have it!

You can even use the My Memories Suite scrapbooking software with outside kits and products.  Here is a page I created using a kit from another digital scrapbooking site.

There are many inexpensive and free pages that you can purchase on their website.

 My Memories has also offered to Love My Country Home readers $10 off your purchase of My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - that is a $20 value!  Use the coupon code:  STMMMS15435.

Here are the RULES for a chance to win your own MyMemories Suite scrapbook software:
 (You need leave a separate comment for each entry.)

1. Be a Love My Country Home follower (on the left sidebar) and leave a comment at the bottom of this post telling me that you're a follower. (This is the only mandatory entry.)

2. Visit My Memories and come back here and leave a comment telling me which  kit or quick page you like best.

3. Like My Memories on Facebook and come back here and leave a comment saying you did so.

All entries must be submitted by midnight on Friday, March 2 and the winner will be announced on Saturday, March 3 using random.org.   I hope you enjoy this software as much as I have!

Sunday Scripture

We put our hope in the LORD.

He is our help and our shield.

Psalm 33:20

Slow Cooker Jambalaya

Happy Friday!  How has your week been?  I am looking forward to this weekend so I can sleep in.  No getting up until my tired body tells me it's time.  AND, I'm going to have a scrapbook giveaway this weekend.  Please come back if you like scrapbooking!!

I made this a few nights ago and it's a delicious, easy recipe.  I didn't know what my boys would think of it, but they both liked it and asked for seconds. SCORE!  This is another recipe from Plain Chicken (cooking blog full of great recipes). Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of  the jambalaya I made so I'm using the picture from Plain Chicken.

Picture courtesy of Plain Chicken

Slow Cooker Jambalaya

Ingredients:
1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves cut into 1" cubes
1 lb. smoked turkey sausage, sliced
1 (29 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
2 stalks celery, sliced
3 tblsp dried minced onion flakes
1 cup chicken broth
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried parsley
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
white rice

In a slow cooker, mix the chicken, sausage, tomatoes with juice, onion garlic, celery and broth.  Season with oregano, parsley, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and thyme. Cover and cook 7-8 hours on low, or 3-4 hours on high.  Mix in cooked rice and cook for about 15 minutes to warm through.


I'm linking up to Hooking Up with HOH #88 today.

Hands

We've been driving alot lately and one of us will reach over and hold the other one's hand.  When I hold my husband's hand, I can feel the softness of it. I can feel how gently he holds my hand no matter how large his hand is.  I feel comforted knowing that our hands are together - no words are spoken, but I know everything will be ok when he holds my hand. 

This has been a familiar scenario the past week with my husband and I.  You see, our two dogs have been missing for over a week and we've spent almost every evening and almost all of our time on the weekend looking for them.  We drive, drive, and then drive some more.  Our son drives around looking for the dogs.  Our friends drive around looking for the dogs.  People we don't even know have been driving around looking for our dogs.  We've handed out or posted over 150 flyers. I don't even want to start listing all the places and people we have called to report our dogs missing.  Then there's Facebook.  Social media can be such a pain and yet it can be a wonderful tool for getting a message out to the masses. 

Getting back to the hands....when my husband was holding my hand it reminded me of God's hands.  Strong, loving, and gentle. I feel comfort when I come to Him with my troubles even when no words are spoken.  God knows my heart and hears my cries.  So, in the midst of my current situation, I need to remember to go to the one that comforts and put my faith and trust in God.  No matter if we find our dogs or not, I need to remember and trust that God's ways are better than mine could ever be.

Harley and Snickers - Fall 2011

Cherry Marshmallow Cake

What a week!  Our two dogs ran off last week and we've spent every evening and all weekend looking for them.  They've been spotted around the area but we've not been able to get them back home yet.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day because we've place an ad in the local paper with a picture of the dogs.  When thinking about how upset we are that our two dogs are missing, we can't help but wonder how parents feel when their children are missing (or any loved one).  Situations like these sure make a person think about things and fill you with more compassion for others.

Let me tell you about this cake.  Our friend Mike told us about it and it sounded like something I had to make. Maybe it's because this cake sounds like a science experiment of sorts.  It has marshmallows on the bottom and pie filling on the top, and when the cake is baking, the marshmallows rise to the top and the pie filling sinks to the bottom.  Trust me - it's so good!  If you don't like cherries, you can use any flavor pie filling you like. 

By the way, I'm also having my first giveaway very soon.  If you like scrapbooking, check back next week for more details!

Photo courtesy of Food.com

Cherry Marshmallow Cake

Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix
3 eggs (or as called for by your cake mix)
1/3 cup oil (or as called for by your cake mix)
1 1/3 cup water (or as called for by your cake mix)
4 cups mini marshmallows (about 3/4 of 10 1/2 oz. pkg)
1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Grease a 13 x 9 x 2 baking pan.
3.  Prepare cake mix according to package directions.
4.  Spread marshmallows in the bottom of the baking pan, pour cake mix over marshmallows, spoon pie filling evenly on top.
5.  Bake 30 - 40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.  Cool before serving.

I hope you like this recipe!  I'm linking up to House of Hepworths this week and Skip to My Lou Mady by you Mondays.

Have you seen these missing dogs?

I'm not sure how many people from Montgomery County or the surrounding areas read my blog, but I've exhausted all other options and am asking for anyone's help in locating our missing dogs.  Harley is a male Golden Retriever and Snickers is a female chocolate Lab.  Even though both dogs have collars on in these pictures, only Harley was wearing his collar the morning they disappeared.  The last time our family saw Harley and Snickers was the morning of Thursday, February 9.  Several other people reported seeing them that afternoon about 5 miles from our house near 500S and 850E north of Ladoga.  If you have seen these dogs or if you know where they are, please email me at cpsacco@yahoo.com.  Thank you for your help!!

7-Up Biscuits

During one of my most recent searches for recipes on Plain Chicken, I found these delights.  Their actual name is 7-Up Biscuits, but I call them a fattening slice of biscuit heaven. 

They are absolutely delicious! Now the reason for that could be because my helper mixed the melted butter into the batter and then had to melt more butter for the baking dish ;)  Or it could be because of the 7-Up.  Either way they were perfect with our chicken and wild rice soup.

7-Up Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup 7-up

1/4 cup melted butter

Cut sour cream into biscuit mix, add 7-Up. Makes a very soft dough.

Sprinkle additional biscuit mix on board or table and pat dough out. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a 9 inch square pan. Place cut biscuits in pan and bake at 450 degrees until golden brown.

Nesco Roaster Oven Review

** I want to start off by saying that this IS NOT a paid endorsement - I only want to share information with you about something I love. **

Last fall I was shopping for a new crockpot and just couldn't find what I wanted.  After visiting several stores, I went to the local Ace Hardware and found the Nesco Roaster Oven.  I've never had a roaster oven before, but everyone that I know that has one absolutely loves them.  What really sold me on the Nesco Roaster Oven was everything it could do.  Basically, it can do everything my oven and crockpot can do except broil, it holds 6 quarts which is perfect for my family, and it will save money on my gas bill since I wont be using my oven as much.  Tonight I'm cooking a chicken in the roaster that I will use for dinner this week.

See a picture and learn more about my new favorite kitchen appliance after the jump....

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Well, Plain Chicken has done it again.  I've found another great recipe that my family really enjoyed - Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.  It was so easy to make which means it's a keeper in my book.  I started off by roasting a whole chicken that I can use for several meals and I'll have a post on that later.  I also thought about using thicker homemade noodles, but didn't have enough and after seeing how the it turned out, I'm glad I stuck with the recipe and used regular spaghetti noodles. 

Learn how to make cheesy chicken spaghetti casserole after the jump.....

Chipotle Barbacoa Beef Recipe

Recently Carl asked to have a Mexican fiesta for dinner and specifically asked for Chipotle's barbacoa beef.  I searched for a recipe and found this one and then this one, but decided on this recipe. We love their barbacoa beef and I thought it would be fairly easy to make, but have you tried to find canned chipotle peppers?  What about Mexican oregano?  They weren't available in my little grocery store so I had to travel to the next town over and I was able to find the peppers.  Still don't know what Mexican oregano is, but I'll probably google that later. And in my search for the special peppers, I saw a large bag of dried chipotle peppers Walmart for a little over $5 and the small, itty bitty can cost almost $3!!  Guess what I'll be buying next time?  And the outcome....Carl thought it was different that Chipotle's barbacoa beef, but he really liked it (specifically, two thumbs up). 

If you want to make your own version of Chipotle's barbacoa beef by using this recipe, read more about it after the jump....

Sunday Scripture & Word of the Year

I've seen so many people on twitter, facebook, and various blogs talk about picking a word of the year instead of writing resolutions (for a great explanation and project on picking a word of the yeart, click here).  The last couple of years our family has picked a word or a phrase that we could all relate to, something that we all needed to work on, and something that we could say to each other that just our family would understand.  We've picked:

responsibility because we all needed to practice it.

more chili - Basically this meant give whatever you are doing more effort - do your best.  But chili?  That was something silly that Ryan came up with and we all liked it.

Our word for 2012 is:

CONFIDENCE 

There are many reasons why our family has picked this word and since they are personal to our family, I won't be sharing them with you.  But, I will share that this covers many areas of our lives and with God, we will be able to approach every day with CONFIDENCE.

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT)



Mexican Casserole Recipe

Hi there peeps!  It's been a long time since I've posted and that means I have a lot to talk about...which is usually not a problem for me :) For this first post I want to tell you about this blog I found with some awesome recipes - it's called Plain Chicken.  I found several recipes that I want to try and the first one was Mexican Casserole.  The family liked it so much that I have permission to make it again (aren't they so sweet!).  It is super easy to make but let me tell you it calls for Ranch style beans. They aren't plain old navy beans with Ranch dressing in them, but more of a Tex Mex flavor of beans.

Get the recipe for Mexican Casserole after the jump.....