Potato Bread

Using a bread machine makes this bread so easy to make. You can have fresh homemade bread without added chemicals in under three hours without much work. Potato bread is great for gift giving too. An electric knife works great for slicing bread.

Potato Bread

1 c. warm water
2 T. butter, softened
3 1/4 c. bread flour
1/2 c. dry mashed potato mix
1 T. sugar
1 t. salt
2 1/4 t. yeast
Put all ingredients in a bread machine. Use dough cycle. Shape into a loaf shape and put into sprayed loaf pan. Let rise 45 minutes - 1 hr. until about double in size. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes. Remove bread from pan and let cool on rack.

In My Thoughts Card

Mother's Day Card

Small envelope for gift card.

Stampin UP papers.

Scripture Tag #23 - back

Quote Tag #38

tag card
"Hope, child, tomorrow & tomorrow still,
And every tomorrow hope, trust while you live.
Hope, each time the dawn doth heaven fill,
Be there to ask as God is there to give."
Victor Hugo

Veggie Nachos

Hannahlily makes these very delicious veggie nachos that are a healthy alternative to traditional nachos. Any topping could be used that you like. Basically you will be using the baked sweet potato slices instead of chips. We prefer using nonfat yogurt instead of the sour cream to make it even healthier.

Sweet potatoes are ranked as one of the most nutritious vegetables. High in vitamin A, vitamin C, a good source of vitamin b-6, beta carotene, more fiber than oatmeal, high in antioxidants, and a low glycemic index rating. Veggie Nachos

Peel and slice a sweet potato. Place each slice on a baking sheet lined with sprayed parchment paper. Pour 1T. oil evenly over potatoes. Mix 1/2 t. sea salt, 1/2 t. ground cumin, & 1/2 t. paprika together. Sprinkle mixture over sweet potatoes. Bake for about 25 minutes until almost tender.
Place baked sweet potato slices on desired plate. Top with black beans, chopped bell pepper, chopped onions, grated cheese. Microwave until cheese melts. Garnish with tomatoes, sour cream & salsa.

Amanda's Card

The center of the flower is a Totes for Hope pin. Vikki's sweet daughter, Amanda age 12, is starting a program, as a Girl Scout project, called Totes for Hope in order to provide needed supplies for the homeless in her community.

Supplies used- Stampin UP paper

Scripture Tag #23 - front

Millet Muffins

These are very healthy. Millet is high in fiber, vitamins and minerals and it adds a crunchy texture to the muffins.

I get millet at the bulk section of Earth Fare.

Earth Fare has a coupon this week of 20% off bulk foods.

I love the flowers Hannahlily! Thank you so much!!

Millet Muffins

2 1/4 fresh milled whole wheat flour

1 t. salt

1 t. soda

1 t. baking soda

1 t. baking powder

1 c. buttermilk

1 egg

1/2 c. oil

1/2 c. honey

1/3 c. millet

Mix first five ingredients in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl mix buttermilk, egg, oil, & honey. Combine with flour mixture and add the millet.

Bake at 400 in sprayed or paper lined muffin cups for about 15 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. I use the jumbo muffin pans which will make 6 muffins.

Young Victoria DVD

The Young Victoria DVD was released yesterday. I received it this morning as a very sweet surprise from Hannahlily. This is a beautiful historic movie about Queen Victoria as a young lady. Great story, acting, scenery and gorgeous costumes. Academy award winner of Best Costume Design.

Someone Cares Card

Scripture Tag #22 back

Notes To My Daughter #2

These are more notes I wrote to HL while she was growing up. I am so touched that she thought to save all the notes I wrote her. I didn't think of getting a box for them until years later when I saw she was saving them. If I would have known what I was doing I would have written the dates on them.

These are the size of a business card and envelope. I wrote little a short message of thank you on the card and I would leave it on her pillow. I didn't do it every night. It wouldn't come as a surprise if I did. I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her kindnesses.

Even now she is so kind and giving to me and I think I need to give her a card. Before I know it time has passed and there's other things I should be thanking her for but I rarely get that card written. I intend to get back to writing these short messages of thanks.

The small size makes it easy and quick to write a message.

Quote Tag #37

Quote Tag #36

Blackbird Bakery

Blackbird Bakery in downtown Bristol VA is a charming

old-fashioned type bakery.

56 Piedmond Ave.

Bristol, VA

Tuesday - Saturday 6am - 6pm

Scripture Tag #22 - front

Kindness Matters Box

Simply decorated die cut box.
Kindness matters pin attached to bow.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

These are so good. We have made this in just about every size bundt cake & muffin pan available and the recipe always turns out great. These freeze well too.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

1 box lemon cake mix

1/2 c. oil

4 eggs

1 t. vanilla

small pkg. lemon instant pudding mix

2 T. poppy seeds

1 c. hot water

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl with a mixer for about 2 minutes. Bake in sprayed muffin pans for about 20 -25 minutes.

Top with icing made with powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice.

Birthday Card

Handmade Peeps

Hannahlily filled this very special mug with handmade peeps that she made fresh. They are so adorable. The cute little eyes are from cocoa powder with a little water added. Four different ribbons are tied on the handle.
This is a little chick card that I made for my squirrel (Hannahlily).

Scripture Tag #21 - back

Honey Butter

Honey Butter is very easy and great on dinner rolls.

Quote Tag - #35

"It's Friday, but Sunday's coming. It was Friday, and my Jesus is dead on a tree. But that's Friday, and Sunday's coming. Friday, Mary's crying her eyes out, the disciples are running in every direction like sheep without a shepherd. But that's Friday, and Sunday's coming. Friday, some are looking at the world and saying, "As things have been, so they shall be. You can't change nothing in this world." But they didn't know that it was only Friday, and Sunday's coming. Friday, them forces that oppress the poor and keep people down, them forces that destroy people, the forces in control now, them forces that are gonna rule, they don't know it's only Friday, but Sunday's coming. Friday, people are saying, "Darkness is gonna rule the world, sadness is gonna be everywhere," but they don't know it's only Friday, but Sunday's coming. Even though this world is rotten, as it is right now, we know it's only Friday.

But Sunday's coming!!"

Tony Compolo

Bunny Card

Easter Candy Mugs

We had another craft night with Rebecca and created these candy mugs for Rebecca's co-workers for Easter. Not only is Rebecca a pure delight to be around but she is a super fast learner.

Quote Tag #34

" "Discouraged people don't need critics. They hurt enough already. They don't need more guilt or piled-on distress. They need encouragement. They need a refuge, a willing, caring, available someone."

Chuck Swindoll

Scripture Tag #21 - front

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God & not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Bunny Cake

Hannahlily made this adorable bunny carrot cake.
Button eyes & m&m nose.

Scripture Tag #20 - back

His Eye is on the Sparrow Card

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This is a good & easy recipe to make ahead and give to a friend. She can bake it at her home. Chicken Enchilada Casserole
6 cooked & deboned chicken breasts halves
12 corn tortillas cut into 1" strips
3/4 c. salsa
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 medium onion, chopped finely chopped
1 lb. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (16 oz.) container sour cream
Cut chicken into small pieces and set aside. In a large bowl combine salsa, both soups, & onions. Spread 1/2 of salsa in bottom of 9 x 13" baking dish. Place half of the tortilla strips in an even layer over salsa mixture, followed by half of the chicken, half of the remaining salsa mixture, half of the sour cream, half of the cheese. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Cover & refrigerate overnight.
Uncover and bake 300 until heated through. About 1 hour.

Shamrock Cookies

Hannahlily made these cute little shamrock cookies, put them in little cello bags, and then added pins that she made to the top. She took one for each co-worker in celebration of Saint Patrick's Day.

Hannahlily & I made these candy mugs for her co-workers Saturday afternoon. It was fun to craft with her as we listened to old radio mystery shows on tape that she checked out from the library. There aren't a lot of green candies available. We added green gift wrap to some mini candy bars to help fill the mugs. Three green starlight mints were taped together to resemble shamrocks. The mugs, little green gliter hats, most of the ribbon, shamrock garland & the green glitter shamrocks were from Michaels.

Quote Tag - #33