Please, please pray....

Please pray for the Baudek family and especially their little 6 year old son, Jacob. He was ill during the recent storms in Arizona and his parents packed he and his sister up in their Chevy Avalanche to take him to get medical care. They had to cross a wash and then decided it was not safe to drive because of the rains and the potential for flooding, so they turned back. Their vehicle got caught in the swiftly, ever increasing running water in the wash and was pushed downstream and they were forced out. The mom was able to get to higher ground, but the father had to stay in the truck bed, holding on to the two children and a rope a witness threw to him. After two hours, he lost his grip and tried to make it to shore with the children. The girl was able to get to safety, but the father lost his grip on his son and he was taken downstream in the swift current. This was two days ago. They don't hold much hope that little Jacob survived. I am still praying for him, that somehow he survived this ordeal and the Lord is protecting him. Please pray for his family at this time and for Jacob. They are searching again today.

His older sister is friends with my daughter and I have known her for several years. My heart was breaking when I heard this on the news, even before I knew of the personal connection. Now, my heart is heavy and drawn out in constant prayer for their peace and comfort. I cannot begin to fathom the sorrow they are feeling.

Thank you all.

(Here is the story in the Arizona Republic for any who would like to read it. It has been on the national news, as well. This would be difficult for a family at any time, but imagine the entire nation knowing your plight--hopefully this means more concentrated prayers for Jacob and the Baudek family.)

Pei Wei Holiday Food Drive!

It has been a looong time since I last posted. It isn't because there aren't the awesome deals available (quite the contrary!) or that my life has become extremely sedentary and boring. This event, however, has caused me to delve deep for that Blogger password so I could pass on this amazing nugget of info!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE Pei Wei Asian Diner. My favorite and most ordered meal is the Mandrin Kung Pao Chicken--oooohh sooooo good! My daughter loves the Chicken Lo Mein and my son devours the Honey Seared Chicken in a hurry.

I am so excited about Pei Wei's Holiday Food Drive. It is a win-win-win for all! Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 2nd, bring a non-perishable food item in to your local Pei Wei location, give it to Pei Wei who, in turn, gives you 25% off any one entree (one discount per check)! Pei Wei is even more awesome when I save $$!

So, plan your day! Get some non-perishable food to donate (I am sure they wouldn't turn down multiple donations!) and dream about the scrumptious Asian food you will dine on for 25% off!!

10 ways to slash your grocery bill...

I just have to tell you to click on over to Mummy Deals and watch her 10 part series on slashing your grocery bills. This is really good stuff! Such simple things to do that will make a HUGE difference in your budget. Sure, there are things she addresses that you already do (pat yourself on the back!), but there is so much more here that you could easily implement!

Run on over and check her site out! It'll be worth it! (And she has a great accent to boot!)

Wordless Wednesday: The Sea of Galilee

My husband & I took a trip to Egypt and Israel with a group from our church in 2007. These pictures are of the Sea of Galilee...we were blessed enough to be able to take a boat on it, as well!

Temptation...

It is STUCK! STUCK, I tell you!!!

You don't know how bad I wanted to insert 50 cents for a bottle of water I didn't need, just to push A1 and get TWO bottles! I really had to reign myself in. I just wanted the deal of a two-fer-one, y'know? Now, if it would have been Hostess Cupcakes or Twinkees--well, that's another story all together, don't you think???

Wordless Wednesday... my parents

Wow! It's been a while! Sorry about that... here's my almost WW for everyone to see!

This is a picture of my parents after their 50th wedding anniversary. They just celebrated their 57th anniversary earlier this year! Wow! Amazing!

Make Something Monday...Kitty Litter Cake

THIS is an AWESOME cake that I have made for many'a gathering. I made this one a few years ago in honor of a good friend's birthday that happens to be on New Year's Eve. Awesome timing, eh? This cake has also been made for firefighters and for amazingly wonderful practical jokes. (Oooooo...that reminds me of another post I should write...)

So, on with the pictures...the recipe follows... (tip: the most fun of the ENTIRE cake is shaping the kitty poopies... THAT'S where my TRUE artistic muse is seen...)







Zeee Recipeeee:

Ingredients:

1 spice cake mix (or german chocolate...I used spice) 1 white cake mix 2 large packages vanilla instant pudding mix (with the milk and such it takes to prepare the pudding) 1 large package vanilla sandwich cookies green food coloring (tee hee--for the "Fresh Scent granules!) 12 small Tootsie Roll candies (at the very LEAST 12--I used much more than that amount...it is sooo much fun!) 1 new kitty litter pan 1 new pooper scooper newspaper

Instructions: BEST PART!!

Prepare cake mixes and bake according to directions. Prepare pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble. Crumble white sandwich cookies in small batches in a food processor or a blender (fp works much better imo), scraping often. Set aside all but about 1/4 cup. To the 1/4 cup cookie crumbs, add a few drops green food coloring and mix until completely colored. When cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble into a large bowl. Toss with half the remaining white cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. Important: mix in just enough of the pudding to moisten it. You don't want it too soggy. Combine gently. Thoroughly wash and dry the new kitty litter pan & scoop. (Some people use new liners, but that was too much of a pain for me and it looks great this way and is clean.) Put the cake/pudding/cookie mixture into the litter box. Put 3 unwrapped Tootsie Rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until soft and pliable. (Not too much, or they will be too hot to the touch or melt! I did mine at 10-15 second intervals at 60 power.) Shape the Tootsie Rolls into cute little poopies--round the edges, curve 'em, thin 'em, fatten 'em, combine with another Roll to make a big 'un... have loads of FUN! Roll some in the "kitty litter" while they are soft so the crumbs adhere to it. Bury some for "hidden treasures" and drape some over the side of the litter box for effect. :) You do want to soften these in increments of three, or they will cool off too fast to be able to shape them effectively. Sprinkle the other half of cookie crumbs over top. Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly on top of everything -- this is supposed to look like the chlorophyll in kitty litter..."Fresh Scent". You can also heat a few of the Tootsie Rolls in the microwave until they are almost melted. Drag them on top of the cake, to pick up some of the "litter" and clump a bit. sprinkle with cookie crumbs. Spread remaining Tootsie Rolls over the top. Place the box on a newspaper and sprinkle a few of the cookie crumbs around for a truly eye-pleasing effect! Serve the dessert with the Kitty Litter Scoop for the dessert to come full-circle. Now, I have to admit, this wasn't my original idea. I found this on the internet many years ago and I don't have the original poster's name or website information. This was a truly INSPIRED recipe and we love, love, love it!!! Hope it becomes a tradition in your family as well...an honored heirloom recipe. :)

My kids + one...Zac, Aimee, & Noah (wow! two years ago!)

For more Make Something Monday try out Go Graham Go!