Thankful Thursday!

I am thankful for…

----a forgiving God who loves me in spite of myself

----a husband who provides more adventure to my life than should be legal

----parents and family who are healthy and supportive of our crazy dream

----daughters who keep me laughing and smiling

----this beautiful country in which we live

Today we headed back to Charleston to the boat to resume our trip south.  The rental car was packed full with clothing for warm weather, craft supplies for me as I look for things to keep my hands busy while we cruise, and all kinds of tools and hardware for Steve.  It had rained just before we arrived at the marina so everything was a little wet.  The skies are cloudy and gray, but it is comfortably warm.  It didn't take me long to get my sea legs back after we unloaded.  I think I missed the gentle rocking motion of the boat while we were at home.  Everything was just as we had left it.  The dock master told us there had been some rough seas and high winds while we were away, but no harm to the boat. 

Psalm 56:3-4   Matthew 6:20-21

Getting together with The Homick's

We finally got to see the Homick's over Christmas.  Rich and Steve were business partners for years, they even lived together before Laurie could move the family down to Georgia from Ohio.  We met them at a great little pizza restaurant in Loganville called Bassano's.  The pizza is delicious and they toss the dough and twirl it right before your eyes.  Definitely a place to visit again! 

The chef tosses the pizza dough right near the brick oven!

Lainey heads back to Mars Hill

We had lunch at El Centinella in Winder.  Lainey loves the food here.  Katy, Granny, and Grandaddy joined us there.  Caroline had already returned to Furman, so she wasn't able to go. 

Boating ornament

Dale Harrison dropped by to see us this week while we were at home.  She brought over this cute captain ornament.  Can you see the sign that says I love my boat?  Thanks so much Dale!

Savory cracker mix

This is the cracker mix that is so tasty!

Munchies for Monday

Yesterday I prepared a ham sandwich recipe that is delicious.  My mother in law cooked them for me many years ago and I was hooked.  When I am responsible for sandwiches for tennis matches, I frequently make these.
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
2 TBS Spicy Brown Mustard (with horseradish if possible)
2 TBS grated onion
2 TSP poppy seeds
24 pkg of small  potato rolls (I sometimes use the small Hawaiian rolls)
1-16 oz.  pkg of sliced ham cut into bite size pieces that fit on the rolls
16 oz pkg of jalapeno cheese cut into 48 (bun size) slices.

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. 
Melt butter, add mustard, onion, and poppy seeds.
Slice the rolls if necessary and place the bottom on a 9x13 pan lined with foil.  Spread the melted butter mixture over the bottom of bottom of the buns.  Layer with cheese, ham, cheese. Spread remaining butter on the tops of the bun and place on top of the last of the cheese.  Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes until the cheese is melted.

You can use larger buns to make 8 sandwiches, but I usually use the smaller buns for appetizer size sandwiches.  If you don't like jalapeno cheese, you can use swiss or cheddar if you prefer.

I don't have picture of the sandwiches, but I do have a picture of the Savory Cracker mix I have been talking about.  See it below.

Favorites Friday!

January 4, 2013

Favorite Friday!

In an effort to organize my writing, I have decided to make Friday's my day to write about some of my favorite things. 

Favorite Book

Since starting this blog in November when we bought our boat to begin our crazy adventure, I have been reading Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  This book has proven to be a great devotional.  Each day's readings are short and to the point.  It is as if I am having a conversation with Jesus each morning.  Because it is so easy to read, I have been able to get into the habit of a daily devotional.  I have never been good about reading a daily devotion consistently but this book has helped me to develop the habit.  One of the scriptures in the book for today is Psalm 139:7-10) New International Version (NIV)

                                ⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
                         Where can I flee from your presence?
                                ⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
                         if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
                                ⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
                         if I settle on the far side of the sea,
                                ¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
                         your right hand will hold me fast.

These verses give me such a sense of peace as I start the new year.  

Favorite Boating Necessity

We just got new binoculars for the boat.  That may sound like a boring item, and until I began living part time on a boat, I never would have an interest in binoculars.  Let me tell you, a good pair of binoculars is a must.  Steiner 7x50 binoculars are the ones we purchased.  They are so much better than the pair we had been using.  These magnify 7 times and are waterproof. Glad for the waterproof since I am always fearful of falling overboard while we are moving.  Funny how I am concerned with waterproof binoculars but not my safety for falling overboard.  

Favorite Snack

I couldn't have a favorites day without mentioning food at least once, since I enjoy cooking and yes eating so much.  Steve and I discovered Savory Saltine Seasoning while we were in Beaufort, NC last September.  The store was out of the mix both I September and in December, so I decided to find it on the internet and buy online.  You can order the mix here (http://www.savoryfinefoods.com/usingSavory.php) .  It is simple to make these delicious crackers and they are so good it's hard to eat just one.  I plan to take these to tennis matches! The website also has links to other uses for the seasoning in hamburgers and fajitas but I haven't tried these out yet.  Their website mentions they will be at the Atlanta Mart January 11-17--to all my friends who have retail businesses--check them out--you will like it. 

Favorite Game

I am really enjoying the game Words with Friends. I play Words with Friends on my Iphone, but it can be played on an Ipad or other tablets or phones.  For those of you who don't know, it is a scrabble like game played between two people.  It is a perfect way for me to get into my competitive side without going anywhere.  I introduced the game to my brother  and sister and law--they love it.  I loved beating my brother the first few times he was learning to play.  Sadly, he has beaten me quite a few times now.  My mother who just recently bought an Iphone is hooked on the game as well. I have to say I am proud of my mom for buying an Iphone so she can text messages and pictures to her granddaughters

I am becoming aware that Favorite Fridays could go on for a few pages--it's fun to write about things I enjoy.  However, this session must come to an end--there is laundry to fold, beds to make and floors to vacuum.   

Have a fabulous favorite Friday!