Overcomer

So I've deleted Facebook from my phone... I'm trying to shake the envious feelings that come from seeing the pregnancy announcements. The bitterness was trying to set in and I was starting to get angrier and angrier. It seemed that every time I would get to a place of happiness and start to move out of my funk here would come another announcement or an ultrasound pic or a pregnancy pic and then BOOM... I'm back down again. 

I just can't keep doing this to myself. We've been praying specifically and seeking what God wants us to do, and I can't let the enemy keep creeping in and destroying the progress I've made. So I took away the problem... For now anyway. Just until I can get to a better place spiritually, a place where the first feeling I have for a person is happiness and not envy or hurt or anger. 

I downloaded Overcomer by Mandesa yesterday... It's a very uplifting song, and congrats to her for winning 2 Grammys she totally deserved it! The words that I love the most are "don't quit, don't give in, you're an overcomer".  I also really love the song by Laura Story called Blessings it's an amazing song that puts things into perspective! I feel like when I sing praise songs I'm closer to God, don't get me wrong I still pray, but I love to sing praises to Him! There have been so many times I've been moved to tears by the words of the songs I sing, "Sing praised to God, sing praises, sing praises to our King, sing praises."  Psalm 47:6

I feel sometimes like a whiner, like that maybe since it's been 4 months I sould be "over it" but it's not that easy. It's hard... It's so hard. It's like there is a piece of me missing, I had a friend describe it like this... In my heart I'm already a mother, God already knows the names of my children he's just making me wait a little while longer to receive our blessing. He has a good reason for making us wait and when it's finally revealed we will feel so silly for doubting Him!! 

Well friends it's late and I just want to thank you all for your continued prayers! 

Love 

Ashley

You cook a "Big Game"

So as most of you know my husband is a MAJOR outdoorsman if it runs, swims, or flies; has fur, scales, or feathers... "Chances are" Chance (ha see what I did there) is hunting, fishing, or calling it in!! Now don't get me wrong I love this about him and I sometimes go with him on his hunts, he always follows the rules of game and fish and always has a license, and we never take more than the limit (if we get that far). If you're going to partake in the wonders of the great outdoors you have to follow the rules! I must say that being out on the boat fishing is my favorite of all of the 'outdoorsy' things he does! Here's why: 

Yup that's my 5lb bass!! You can be envious, it's ok! 

Even though these activities take up A LOT of time I have to say that by hunting and fishing Chance provides the majority of our meat supply for the year. It's really a blessing that he's able to do that because I don't buy meat, except chicken. So since we eat mostly deer meat I've had to get creative with my recipes! Here are a few: 

Deer Roast:

First I caramelize the onions, carrots and some garlic in a pan with a little oil, add a little salt and pepper. After the carrots are a little soft I will add them to the Crockpot, then I sear the roast on all sides in the same pan, when it has a nice brown color on the outside (a little crust is fine too) add it to the crock pot. Add one or 2 cans of beef broth (you can add one can broth to one can water too) then add a packet of Lipton onion soup mix and let it cook on low for 4-6 hours.  You can add other veggies too if you’d like, as well as potatoes. You can also use the broth to make gravy.

 

Round Steak:

I tried it with the brown gravy in the crock pot but I didn’t like it too well. So I make it in a skillet, I will cook it until almost done then add water and brown gravy mix according to the package, and let it cook up. I serve that over rice.

 

Stew:

I will take round steak or tenderloin and cut into bite size pieces, then roll it in flour and cook it in a skillet with a little oil. To a pot I add the cooked meat, onions, carrots (which I’ve cooked like I do for the roast) green beans, corn, and any other veggie you like, then add a can of beef broth and some water, and I use a package of McCormick beef stew seasoning.  Let it cook for about an hour and it’s quite yummy.

 

Ground:

I put ground deer in just about anything I’d use ground beef. HB helper, spaghetti, lasagna, enchiladas, tacos, taco soup, chili, veggie beef soup, casseroles, sloppy joes… the possibilities are endless.

To remove the gamey taste I will boil the meat from frozen and when it’s done drain it and rinse it and it works well. You can also brown it in a skillet and put it in a colander rinse it and that helps too… that also will remove any fat that was added in the processing.

I’ve also made burger patties browned them in a skillet and mixed in brown gravy like Salisbury steaks.

I’ve made meat loaf as well and it’s pretty good, I add to the meat, crackers, an egg, and whatever seasonings you like, then bake it. The ketchup sauce that you put on the top helps to mask the game!

 

There’s probably more but I can’t remember right now. If you come across some deer meat I suggest you make something with ground deer and not tell your family and see if they notice… I’m a huge fan of deceiving people with my cooking; it’s a hobby of mine! … Especially those that “don’t eat deer meat” (said as they’re looking down their noses at you). So there you have it! There are all my secrets! I'll leave you with some photos of my honey and his 'trophies'! 

-Ashley

Snow day Sunday

So those of you that know me know that I love to cook! Well last night we had the teens from our Wednesday night class over for a Christmas party. We had a "taco party" and I had a lot of left overs, meat, beans, cheese dip... etc! So since I'm stuck inside all day because of the snow, I decided to make up some stuff in the kitchen with all my leftovers, and since church was canceled because of the snow I guess I won't be taking it to fellowship tonight!

I wanted to make a 7 layer dip and a casserole but didn't have enough refried beans to make that happen. So what's a girl to do? Make my own, I took a can of pinto beans and dumped them into the ninja, if I'd known how runny they'd be I would have drained the can.

But it all worked out because I had some to mix it with. So my beans were made and started on my casserole, I used the crumbs in the bags of chips that were left over and crunched them into the bottom of the pan. Then I put in some beans and a meat and cheese mixture, I mixed my leftover cheese dip with the taco meat, that was a great idea! I know it looks nasty in the photo but it was really good, especially with sour cream and salsa on top! 

Then I sprinkled some cheese over the top and baked it for about 15 minutes. Here's the result: 

I also had enough to make a 7 layer dip... Minus the guacamole (sad). I layered the beans, meat/cheese mixture, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, tomatoes, and olives! It was quite yummy!! 

So there you have it, my creations! Just for kicks here's a pic of the snow! I don't know why we're all surprised... The persimmons predicted a snowy winter!! Happy Sunday friends! 

Ashley 

Wordless "Friendship Friday"

Snack Attack Blog Hop

Happy Saturday friends and happy almost New Year!! ! I’m so excited to be participating in my good friend Keisha’s “Snack Attack Blog Hop”! This is my first time to be participating in a blog hop and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun! Today I am hosting Alesea, you can find her blog at: www.aleasa.net  she shared the following:

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Puppy Chow (Snack Attack Blog Hop)

 

Well hey y’all! I’m Aleasa from the Happy Life blog and I’m joining Keisha in the Snack Attack Blog Hop! If you don’t mind, I’m going to take over Ashley’s blog and share my favorite snack recipe for the holidays: Puppy Chow! I was amazed when I moved to Florida how few people had tried this recipe before. I always thought it was pretty basic. I hope it is new to you, too! It comes together super fast, makes a big snack bowl, and is great for pretty much any event where snacking may occur.

 

(I grabbed this photo from Google, but this is “the Chow” in all its gloriousness)

 

All you need is:

½ c. smooth peanut butter

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips, or 6 oz. bakers (milk) chocolate

¼ c. butter

1 t. vanilla

2 c. powdered (confectioners’) sugar

9 c. Chex cereal, any variety

 

In a large bowl, measure out your cereal.

Microwave peanut butter, butter and chocolate for one minute then stir. Continue to microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until the consistency is smooth. Stir in vanilla, adding a little more if you like it (I do!).

Pour the mixture over the cereal and toss gently using a spatula or large spoon until the cereal is well covered in chocolate/peanut butter deliciousness.  

You now have two options. The old school way is to grap a big paper bag, toss the powdered sugar in there and then dump the contents of the bowl; then you fold down the bag and shake gently until the cereal is coated with powdered sugar. This is also the most fun way. You can also use a large Ziplock bag and add the cereal a little bit at a time.

Serve warm, or spread on wax paper to cool and store in a Ziplock or a bowl with a tight fitting lid. I think it would keep a day or two… but we never keep it around long enough to find out!

 

I’m sure everyone will love your snack, and no one has to know how easy it was.

 

Tip: You can use ANY cereal that is otherwise unsweetened: bran squares, oat squares, rice chex or crispix.. be creative! This recipe also lends itself to dozens of personalizations. I read someone who sprinkles about a teaspoon of salt in with the powdered sugar for a sweet and salty treat. Another person says they add pretzel pieces before coating. You can also toss in some M&Ms if you have a super sweet tooth. Just have fun customizing it for your family – I know I did!

 

Thanks Ashley, for lending me your friends today!

 

Happy snacking and happy blog hopping!

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Remember to stop by my friend Keisha’s blog bigpittstop.blogspot.com, that’s where you’ll find my two favorite Dip Recipes. Until next time, happy snacking friends!

Ashley