Inspiration for the New Year

My sweet and spiritually in tune bishop shared this with me this morning and I love it so much! It's just what I need as I contemplate this past year and move forward into 2016. 

Three great quotes from this short video...

1) "She probably didn't give it any consideration that the future could be better than the past."

2) "Anybody can choose to leave the past behind and move forward."

and my personal favorite...

3) "Coming to believe that what God has for me is bigger and better than what I have going on right now."

Mood Changes and MS: Practical Ways to Deal with Mood Swings

Before my husband was diagnosed, I only knew two people who had Multiple Sclerosis. One was a sweet lady who went to church with us and I remember her being pushed around in a wheelchair and doted over by her sweet little husband. The other person was my school teacher and she walked, ever so painfully, with canes. To say I was ignorant of this disease would be a gross understatement, because I assumed MS only affected a person's legs.

For those of you who do not know, Multiple Sclerosis is a disease where the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate, resulting in a WIDE range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems. 

The struggle is real and the disease is ugly, but information is liberating. The videos put out by the National MS Society are extremely helpful for people who are trying to understand the many facets of Multiple Sclerosis.


 

Autism Is...

Short Video Explaining MS

Coca-Cola Polar Bears Short Film

Take a few minutes and watch this. It's cute. :)

Advice for Married Men

 

True Character

"Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you're saying." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hakuna Matata

Cody broke into song after learning about a certain medical examination Don will be having next month. To the tune of Hakuna Matata, Cody sang for his dad, "It's a problem free...colonoscopy.". 

So about the procedure........."No Worries" Don. :)


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Winner vs Champion

"Winning takes skill. What Demetrius did took character."

I'm Not a Food Critic, but You've Got to Try This!

Don and I went to Carl's Jr. the other day and decided to try the Jim Beam Bourbon Burger. I don't know what possessed me to order it. I don't even like to eat hamburgers. Ordinarily I would opt for the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich. Anyway...

Let me explain to you how I adored that Bourbon Burger! Oh my goodness! I'm pretty sure my eyes were rolling in the back of my head like a baby while nursing. I couldn't quit talking about how delicious the burger was the entire time I was eating it. I reminded myself of Bob Wiley eating dinner with Dr. Leo Marvin's family in the movie What About Bob? (one of my favorites). Another movie that comes to mind to describe my Bourbon Burger experience is When Harry Met Sally. Remember the restaurant scene? Yeah. The Jim Beam Bourbon Burger is THAT good. 

Let me give you yet another perspective. Don has always told me I have a phobia about eating the last bite of anything I have to hold with my fingers (burgers, sandwiches, soft tacos, etc.). I assure you I do NOT have a phobia; I just get full. Regardless, I enjoyed that Bourbon Burger so much that I made sure Don was watching as I popped the very last bite into my mouth.

If you haven't tried the Jim Beam Bourbon Burger, you must. 

Image source ispot.tv

What It's Like to Have a Brother with Autism

My mom introduced me to the following video:



I think Chase, Casey and Katelyn should make a video like this with Cody. They are amazing siblings!

My Favorite Commercial on TV Right Now

I just love this commercial so much! 

If this guy parked next to Don, he would be extremely pissed...and that's putting it mildly. :)

Mood Changes and Multiple Sclerosis

Today is World MS Day and, since my husband has MS, I want to do my part in spreading awareness about this chronic disease. 

Multiple Sclerosis is an immune system attack against the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). 

It is also a disease that has an emotional impact on not only the person with MS, but the entire family.

Could I Really Go Country?

I'm not a huge fan of country music, but I think maybe Blake Shelton could get me to change my mind.



There is just something about this song that reminds me of the glory days. :)

Tip to Prevent Pie Crust Edges from Burning and Bonus Turkey Pie Recipe

As I was getting ready to put foil around the edge of a pie I was about to put in the oven, the thought occurred to me to share my tip on how to prevent pie crust edges from browning too fast.

When I was a young cook, I use to cut up long strips of foil and try to arrange them around the pie. This always frustrated me because the foil would either fall off or end up sticking to the crust. I don't remember where I learned the following technique, but it is pure genius... and easy. Basically, if you know how to cut a snowflake out of paper, you can do this.

First you need to tear off a piece of aluminum foil that is approximately the size of your pie.

Then fold the foil in half so it looks like this...

Fold once more into a square.

Take your scissors and cut the folded corner.

Open it up. 

Gently set the foil on top of your pie and carefully turn the edges under. 

Now you are ready to place your pie in the oven. While baking, the crust edges will not burn and the center of the pie will become golden brown. 

Turkey Pie

I have never been one to make pie crust from scratch and I'll tell you why. The first year I was married, I brought a Lemon Meringue Pie made with a Pillsbury crust to Thanksgiving dinner. When my grandma (known for her perfectly flaky pie crusts) tasted my pie, she complimented me saying I had done a wonderful job, especially on the crust. I figured if Pillsbury could fool grandma, why even try making crust from scratch?! I am not ashamed to admit that I've used refrigerated pie crusts ever since. 

Ingredients

2 Pillsbury Pie Crusts (or equivalent store name brand) 

Filling-
2 cups shredded turkey
1 cup shredded potato (I have used frozen hash browns, thawed.)
1 small package frozen mixed vegetables
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 eggs
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 tea. dried basil
1 tea. garlic powder
1/2 tea. black pepper
1 tea. salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Stir until well blended. Spoon into pie crust. Place top crust over filling. Crimp the edge and create air holes (I had already made my pie before I decided to show it on my blog. Hence, the crusts edge is not as pretty as it could have been. (See the short video below for some decorative ideas.) Bake 50-55 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with your favorite gravy.

Want a Good Laugh to Start Your Weekend ?

You're welcome!   :)

Fireflies from the Jubilee Project

The Jubilee Project makes videos for a good cause. This particular short film was made to raise awareness for autism. The little girl in the video said she acted the part because she has a brother who is autistic. Please watch. It is precious.



Behind the Scenes...

Short Animated Film About Autism

Everything You Need to Know About Trading Halloween Candy

This is great!

Brilliant Kids Share a Coke