New Menu

Today was one of those days that I struggled with ambition.  So what better way to get motivated than to come up with something new to make.  After some searching, I decided on

Spinach Bacon Alfredo French Bread Pizza

Before baking

Ready to eat!

and

No Bake Fresh Strawberry Pie

and was it ever yummy!!!  Definitely keepers and definitely will be making these again.  Two big thumbs up from each of us!

Here are the recipes:

Spinach Bacon Alfredo French Bread Pizza

1/2 loaf French Bread

1 cup Alfredo sauce

1/2 cup baby spinach leaves

1/3 cup sliced mushrooms, optional

1 cup cooked, chopped bacon

1 large cooked and chopped/sliced chicken breast (to make it extra quick I used canned chicken)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut bread in half lengthwise. Lay each one on a cookie sheet. Spread Alfredo sauce evenly over the top of each half. Use as much or as little sauce as you would like. Then layer spinach, sliced mushrooms, bacon, and chicken until it reaches your desired amount.

2. Evenly sprinkle mozzarella over the pizzas and bake for about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove, let cool slightly, slice and serve. Enjoy!

(I made my own alfredo sauce:  1/2 C of butter, 1 C whipping cream 1/2 C Parmesan cheese and salt to taste.  You may thicken with flour if desired)

No Bake Fresh Strawberry Pie

Ingredients

•  1 1/4 Cups chocolate Oreo crumbs.
• 1/3 cup margerine
• 6 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
• 2 tablespoons strawberry flavored ice cream topping
• 1 tablespoon raspberry ice cream topping
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 pound small strawberries, hulled and cut in half

Preparation

1.    Melt margarine.  Mix together with chocolate crumbs and press into pie plate. Place in freezer 15 minutes or until set.

2.    Place cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Carefully spread over bottom of crust. Mix together strawberry and raspberry topping and lemon juice; stir with a whisk until smooth. Add berry halves; toss to combine. Arrange berry halves over pie. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

 

Melancholy Monday

Monday. . . . The first day after a weekend. . . the first day after Spring break. 

As I sat at my desk contemplating the day ahead, I felt blah.  Depressed. Yuck.  Everyone else is back to work or school and here I sat all by myself.  What's a girl to do?  Don't get me wrong.  My to do list COULD be a mile long.  But "anticipating" the day, I sat down with dread of being by myself.  Of being alone.  Because the cat and dog just don't cut it.

So I sat down to read my devotions and hopefully get a pick me upper.  Nothing.  I was waiting for my "magic potion" to bring me out of the dumps.  So I tried the next blog.  The next book.  Nothing.  So finally I decided to read.  One of my reading schedules brought up the verse I Thessalonians 5:17.  Ouuuu  Scripture.  That's got to have something good in it.  As I scrolled down Bible Gateway, there it was.  Two words!!!  TWO WORDS!!!  My verse of the day was TWO WORDS!?!?!?!  My heart sank.  I couldn't believe it.  I was waiting for some big uplifting scripture verse that would lift my spirits and take me soaring through the day and week.  But there were two words.

However, once I got to thinking about those two words, my attitude definitely changed.  Here are the two words:

Pray continually.

Pray continually.  Not just asking for something but continually.  As some of you may know, this year I have really been prompted to pray.  Well here was my verse.  Pray continually.  As if I were having a conversation with God through out the day.  I don't have to be down in the dumps because the kids and Keith are gone today.  I have GOD right there with me.  I am NOT alone.  He's there.  And He asks me to talk to Him continually.  So what better way to start my day.  My week.  My new month.  Than by talking to Him continually.  And when I am struggling - talk to Him.  When I am grocery shopping talk to Him.  When I am enjoying a moment - talk to Him.

So that's my challenge to you. To me. PRAY CONTINUALLY!  It's a challenge I am going to take up today.  Spend my day, not only in deep powerful prayer, but to spend my day conversing with God.  Because when I do this, it is a reminder of who I serve and how I need to act.  I serve a risen Saviour and He is with me EVERY moment.  So why would I just ignore Him?

Pray continually!  Pray with out ceasing. Pray all the time.  Pray perseveringly.  Any way you read it, be in communication with God.  He's waiting for you. . . and for me!