EAT like the Loudons

On the table this week

Sunday- Penna with Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms and fresh basil pesto
Monday-Fresh Corn and Bacon Risitto with Seared Scallops
Tuesday-Kids Cooking Night- Crunchy coated Chicken Breasts with Broccoli
Wednesday-picnic in the park
Thursday-??TBA
Friday- Pizza night
Saturday-Slow Smoked Beef Brisket, corn on the cob, slaw

One of my dreams

I dream of a cottage with gingerbread trim, dressed in white furnished with things that are completly not practical. A place of romance and charm completly lacking in practically and functionality, I have found that place it is in the Catskills created by a woman who apparently shares my dreams. It's always inspiring to see those who make their dreams come true and are creative and handy enough to do it themselves. This cottage speaks to my soul...however I do dream of a place with a bathroom and kitchen.

On Location - Dream of a Home Takes the Shape of a Victorian Retreat - NYTimes.com

EAT like the Loudons

On the table this week - I know I posted this Thursday which is a little late for this week but work with me
Monday: Greek Grilled Chicken with Brown Rice and Sauteed Squash and Zucchini from the garden :)
Tuesday: KIDS NIGHT Bacon Egg and Tomato Tarts with Buttercrisp Salad
Wednesday: Church
Thursday: Chicken Fried Steak with Green Salad (saw a TV show on fried food across America and eversince then I have wanted this)
Friday: Pizza Night

Still Here

Yes the Loudons are still alive and well! With that said let's move on I could tell you I am going to be better about blogging so check back often but I don't want to make any promises I may not keep!
Summer is in full swing here at the Loudons the garden is going crazy, we all have bronzed bodies from days at the pool and with summer comes kids cooking night. Last year the kids had so much fun cooking dinner once a week I decided to do it again plus its a great fun way to work in some math and reading. They get to come up with the menu(with a little guidance) and then I help them make it.

This was our first week and Caleb knew what he wanted to make,Tomato tarts...yum!
Ella made a Buttercrisp Salad with a Red Wine Vinaigrette and dinner was complete. They are getting to be good little chefs.

Ella is 5

Here I am almost a week late but we all know the saying, so I will spare us. Last week was a busy one but of my own choosing because my sweet" baby" turned 5 I know I almost can't believe it my self that Ella is 5! She has been such a gift and such a joy. I am so gald God has given me this girlie girl. Weeks before her birthday we had discussed all the possible birthday ideas...sleepover, strawberry shortcake, makeup, you name it we talked about it and then about 2 weeks before her birthday she decided she wanted a cooking party. I know it sounds funny but I loved the idea.



As her friends showed up at the house I had chef hats for them to decorate

Once they were all arrived they put on their aprons and we got to cooking

I started them off with decorating cupcakes and tried to teach them to use the pastry bag, they did not master that :) and needed much assistance. Then they added sprinkles, as much as they wanted fun right?

Once they were happy with the cupcakes they made we moved on to making pizza, their challenge was to try new ingredients and make a funny face pizza.

With the pizzas in the oven we moved on to making fruit sticks, yes I tried to give them something healty. Now all that was left to do was eat!

It was a successful party and everything went well but having four 4 yr olds come over to cook is not for the faint of heart! Most of all Ella had a great time and will always remember her 5th cooking birthday party.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET GIRL!

My first love

I am blogging again, I know I have said this before but I am trying to get better and make time for blogging in my life. One it is good for me to just get my thoughts out and to share what is going on for anyone who cares to know.

I started out this year talking about the things God has been teaching me this year, and let me tell you that has not stopped. Today as I sat down to do my bible study I started reading and answering questions then I realized I was doing the "wrong" one and I thought oh I should turn to this weeks lesson but something inside (God) said just do this one you need it.

The study was on Revelation 2 the letter to the church in Ephesus. I will give you the condensed version, the church in Ephesus was working hard for God serving and looked like they were a Godly church but God said they had lost their first love. Their service was out of duty not delight. WOW how this hit me what have I done with my first love? The lesson states "many believers don't view an absence of the firey, first love for Jesus a sin"...honestly never thought of it... till now. Remember the verse" Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength" That is what God commands us. Love Him first and love others. God's absolute priority for all followers of Christ is love-for Him first and others second- then the absence of such love is sin.

What things have you replaced your love for God with? Pray with me today to love Him more than you pray for blessing, health or anything else just love Him more and all these things will flow from that. "Seek you first the kingdom of God and His rightousness and all these things will be given unto you."

Ella's spring recital

Ella had her Spring recital this past Sunday, she still loves ballet and she takes it very seriously. She did have a few silly moments when she knew she did something wrong and got tickled. Excuse Dan sneezing at the beginning of the video, what can I say allergy season