Cheesy Fish Fillet Broccoli Casserole

Serves 4

1 package (11.4 oz) frozen crispy battered fish fillets
2 pkg (10 oz each) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 cup 1% milk
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400. Grease a 9x11 dish. Spread broccoli in dish. Mix milk and soup; pour over broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese; top with fish. Bake uncovered, for 30-40 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and tops of filets are crisp. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

Oatmeal Brownies

2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 pkg Betty Crocker original supreme brownie mix with syrup pouch
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs

Heat oven to 350. Grease bottom of 13x9 pan. Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and baking soda; stir in butter. Reserve 1 cup of oat mixture. Press remaining oat mixture in pan. Bake 10 minutes; cool 5 minutes. Stir brownie mix, chocolate syrup, water, oil, and eggs (batter may be lumpy). Stir in nuts. Spread over baked layer. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Bake 40-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

**Don't eat if you are on weight watchers. These are worth about a million points a piece.

Turkey Pot Pie

2 cans creamy chicken mushroom soup
1 can chicken broth
4 cups cut up cooked turkey
1 pound frozen mixed vegetables
2 cups bisquick
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1 1/2 cups 1% milk

Heat oven to 375. Heat soup, broth, turkey, and vegetables to boiling. Boil and stir 1 minute. Spread in ungreased 13x9 pan. Stir rest until blended. Pour evenly over soup mix. Bake 30 minutes or until edges are bubbly.

Serves 5

Camping

We're back from camping. I didn't get to head out to the campground until about 7:30. It was a little over an hour away. I got lost a couple of times. It was dark (I hate driving outside of our town in the dark). Needless to say, I was not in the best of moods when I finally got to the campground. So, I just loaded up on Benadryl and fell asleep in the hammock.

We were at the same campground where I had a "too close" encounter with a snake a few years ago. I'm sure I've reenacted the story for most people that would read this. We only saw one snake this time. Christopher saw it first. We were going up some stairs on the side of a mountain. Christopher was the most energetic, so he was quite a ways ahead of the rest of us. The snake was right next to the stairs. I guess Christopher scared it because it slithered off under the stairs. I don't know how I found the composure to make it up the rest of the staircase, but I did.

That was it. The rest of the weekend was uneventful. Wish I could say the same thing for the next day at work. No such luck, it was VERY eventful.

Camping

I'm going camping this weekend. I don't want to. It's so much work. It isn't relaxing for me at all - before, during or after. But everyone else enjoys it. What would be relaxing is if I could stay home this weekend while THEY went camping. No one liked my idea though.

I am sitting on the couch now, waiting for the clothes in the dryer to get dry, so I can put another load in there. Because my dear husband thought he was helping by doing laundry and took the load in the dryer out and put another in. However the load he took out wasn't completely dry yet. And the load he put in didn't get completely dry either. So, I get to stay here until one of the loads gets dry and I'll put the other in. Then I get to drive to a campground I have only been to one time in the dark. Have I mentioned I don't want to go camping this weekend?

While I'm gone, my house sits here dirty, more laundry needs to be done, the lawn needs to be mowed, and I need groceries. If anyone finds themselves in need of something to do, stop by.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

1 pkg Orig. Supreme brownie mix (Betty Crocker – with syrup pouch)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
1 pouch Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 tub chocolate frosting

Heat oven to 350. Grease bottom of 13x9. Make brownies as directed on package (using oil, water, and 2 eggs). Spread in pan. Make cookie mix as directed on pouch, using butter and 1 egg. Drop dough by Tablespoons evenly on brownie batter; press down lightly. Bake 35-40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost with frosting.

Quick Italian Soup

1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 package Hamburger Helper lasagna
5 cups hot water
1 can (14.5 oz) whole tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8.5 oz) whole kernel corn undrained
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 small zucchini, chopped

Cook beef and onion in dutch oven, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in hot water, sauce mix, tomatoes, corn and cheese; break up tomatoes. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes longer.

Serves 6

Crunchy Ranch Tuna Pasta

1 package Tuna Helper creamy Parmesan
2 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 cup milk
1 can tuna, drained
1/2 cup creamy ranch dressing
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can (2.8 oz) French fried onions

Stir together uncooked pasta, sauce mix, hot water, milk and tuna in skillet. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender. Stir in dressing and sour cream. Sprinkle with onions.

Serves 5

Teenagers

I have has a house full of teenage girls right now. Sounds scary, right?? Well, it's not so much scary as deafening. I hear ear piercing shrills and giggles, "Like" and "Ohmygoshguesswhat" (yes, that is one word) are used every few seconds. They are having a water gun fight right now - in the house! - and I am ignoring it to the best of my ability. A few more of these creatures are going to be arriving soon. I can't even imagine what will transpire once they all get here.

I love all these girls. I am so thankful God has put them in my daughter's life. I know these girls' parents. They are all Christians. They have very similar values to John and I. I feel very sure that they will assist in guiding my child to make the right decisions when she is around them. I know that if my child does something and they know about it, they will address it with her and/or call me about it.

Fortunately, none of them are boy crazy yet. They have minor crushes, but for the most part they all still think boys are gross. (And they are!) The girls are all active in church and youth groups. They go to SWAT (Students with a Testimony) and FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) together. They visit each other's churches when they spend the night with one another. Sometimes, when they are hanging out talking, I will listen in on them (of course they don't know this) just to hear how sweet their conversations are. They will talk about normal girl stuff, but sometimes they are having real conversations about Jesus. It is such a blessing to hear! They aren't ashamed to talk about Him or ask questions if they don't understand. They are excited to invite people to go to FCA and SWAT with them. I hope they continue to be this excited and keep their boldness.

Science Projects

I don't understand why teachers assign science projects to young kids. Do they really think these kids do the projects themselves? Christopher had one due this last week. Uggghhh! I was not excited about this AT ALL. The assigned topic was the solar system. But, as much as I dreaded it, it actually turned out to be a real blessing. Let me explain....

At least a few days a week, when John and I arrive home, we find the kinds vegging out in front of the TV and their chores have not been done, their homework may or may not have been done. This makes us very grumpy to say the least. (And, I have to say, my kids don't have a lot of chores. Typically their daily chores are to feed and water the dog, do the dishes, and do their homework.)

However, this week, we came home to both of the kids at the kitchen table working on this project TOGETHER! PEACEFULLY! And they would work on it most of the evening. The TV wasn't on almost all week. It was so nice. There were times I would stand where they couldn't see me, but I could hear them and listen to them having these intelligent conversations about the solar system and discussing the best options for the layout of this project. No one was being bossy or dominant. It was such a blessing to see this part of my kids. I got to see Katie being patient with Christopher (that hasn't happened since he was about 3!). Christopher was seeking Katie's advice and then didn't accuse her of being bossy when she gave it!

So, teachers, bring on more projects!

Let It Be

I can just "be" when I'm on the beach. This is my sweet spot. The place where I can discard worries, anxiety, busyness. Soaking up the sun, watching my kids play in the sand, chasing fish and crabs, leaving our footprints in the sand......One of my favorite memories from a vacation at the beach was last year. The sun was setting, Christopher and I were out on the beach alone watching it. The sunset was so beautiful and I told Christopher "Did you know that God knew we were going to be out here on the beach tonight and he sent us this beautiful sunset - just for us? He made this just for you and me." He said "Really? He did? Huh, well that was nice."