New Contests @ 5 Minutes for Moms & MIA

Apologies for being MIA (Missing in Action) lately -- lots going on. I plan on catching up this weekend and will do the giveaway and another one. I met the most amazing woman -- a 4 time Cancer Survivor. She is absolutely amazing. More to come on who she is and what she is doing!

But -- you know I am always game to enter blogville contests and since you have to post about them to enter -- here I am!

5 Minutes for Moms is hosting 2 right now:

Yesterday, August 28th was the big launch date for the HP Photosmart A626 Compact Photo Printer. You must link back to your blog (if you have one) and enter a comment here.
Contest ends Sept 10th.

and

a $100 Gift Certificate from Land's End. (Love their stuff!)
Enter that one here. Great for back to school clothes and supplies.

Be back this weekend!

Works of God Weekend

Please visit A Dusty Frame to join in Works of God Weekend this week -- see the Lord at work!

I have been TDY (temporary duty) for the past week to attend training for my employment. I am always apprehensive when I leave my family behind (and get on a plane!) --and I arrived back home yesterday evening. I had been spending quite a bit of time in prayer for each of my loved ones while away -- whenever they came to mind. My son has a part time job and gets off late. We were waiting for him to arrive home last night and he was late. He finally called and said, I need to talk to Dad. RED FLAG! RED FLAG! My husband gets dressed and heads out.

I just want to thank the Lord for His hand of protection for our son. If you saw the damage to the car, you would be very scared. We are thankful that he is okay, alive is a good word to use! It could have been so much worse.

Of course -- the cost of this is a huge factor -- but then when I thought about it. I have to be thankful it was MY car, and not his. My car has full coverage, his does not. I had some other dents on my car, so this will take care of all of them as well as the rest.

Instead of stressing, we are just thanking the Lord for His grace and thankful for all the prayers that went heavenward this week -- ahead of this situation and very much answered!!

200th Post and Giveaway!

In honor of my 200th Post -- I missed the 100th Special Post, but did do a 100 Things About Me. -- I decided to do a small giveaway. I really enjoyed the Dog Days of Summer Giveaway -- even if I didn't win -- I did win my purse and another @ 5 Minutes for Mom.

To enter, after reading my 100 things about me -- leave a comment with something Odd you learned about my family or myself. I can think of a few things that make us (me) unique.

So -- easy? I will draw winners on August18th in the evening time. I will most likely use the Random.org thingy. I am going TDY for my job all next week, I'll have my laptop, but to be honest I'm not sure if they will have internet service there or not.

After much debate -- and I couldn't find another tray, I decided to giveaway a book ( I love to read) and a Tupperware Coffee Mug. If you prefer not to receive one or the other -- just put that in your comment.

The book is from one of my top 10 authors. I really enjoy mysteries -- with something to do with the law or medical fields.

Presumed Guilty by James Scott Bell
















and a Tupperware Insulated Commuter Mug in lovely Caribbean Blue. (And I can't find an image, so I need to go take one and will try and post later today!) It is this, but in Caribbean Blue.






(I will leave this up at the top of my posts through the 18th of August!)

Wow ... I have been Awarded!

Imagine my surprise when my friend Michelle (BTW we are quite similar in quite a lot of ways, the first being that we have the same name!) blessed me with this:

Wow .. my very first one. Its funny how this popped in my mind a few times yesterday bringing a smile to my face and a good sigh to my heart. Thank you!

Now to award this ..... thinking! Be back soon on this!

Shrimp, Tomato and Basil Pasta

I made this in a mad rush on Tuesday evening -- after running errands and registering our son at school -- and it only took a little bit. The most time spent was cleaning the shrimp, since I didn't buy ones with their tails off. I've also thought about using chicken instead? (Less $$$)

Try it -- everyone liked it. I also made a few minor changes to reduce the fat.

Shrimp, Tomato and Basil Pasta

1 ½ pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails removed)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
6 teaspoons olive oil ** I just used Pam spray to cook the shrimp **
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes in juice
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
½ pound linguine
1 ½ cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces, plus extra leaves for garnish (optional)


Season shrimp with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 4 teaspoons oil over high. (or use Pam spray) Add shrimp; cook until opaque throughout, turning occasionally, 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.
Make sauce:
To the same skillet, add remaining 2 teaspoons oil and garlic; cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add canned tomatoes and their juice, along with 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes have softened and are saucy, about 15 minutes. Remove sauce from heat; stir in cherry tomatoes.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain; return pasta to pot. A dd tomato sauce, shrimp, and basil; season with salt and pepper, and toss. Serve immediately, garnished with basil leaves, if desired.

Thankful Thursday -- Love & Mercy

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psa 23:6


I missed last week -- there just has been so much going on that blogging has to be put in the background!



I am thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ -- His mercy and grace. His overwhelming goodness to my family and me. In all honesty, we are truly undeserving of His love and mercy.

I'm thankful for the good health, the Lord has blessed me and my family with. I try to make it a point to let Him know daily, how truly thankful I am. (we are!)

I'm thankful for my husband, he's back at work after his surgery, and putting in long hours and days. He doesn't have a choice with the hours/days, and I know he is tired.

I'm thankful for my children -- even though lately -- they haven't been making some of the best decisions, they really could be making even worse ones.

I'm just thankful for another day -- with mercies enough for this day. Lord knows I need them!

And as always, I am thankful for this community of bloggers who are an encouragement to me.

Visit Sting my heart for more Thankful Thursday praises!

P. S. I am having a small giveaway, in honor of my 200th post. I missed doing it for the 100th, and the time has flown!

P. S. S. Please pray for me today, I've posted that my brother has come to live with us. I'm struggling! He has never had a good work ethic and he missed yesterday and was home today! I would have fired him. I'm afraid that I wasn't very nice on the phone to him. After he told me he didn't feel like it as his reason for not going -- uh who does? I basically told him he wasn't sitting in MY house on the internet all day, while every one else worked. Ugh! I'm still a little angry and feeling a little guilty about the way I handled it ... BUT ... he has not put in a full 40 hour week since starting the dumb job! He complains about the air conditioning not being cool enough -- ... OOOOHHHHH!!!! I could make a list, but I won't. I'm not perfect -- actually very far from it, but he will never change! I'm still mad. Sorry. Sigh. We need to set a deadline for him to move out and find his own apartment. I am thinking I really need those mercies extended to me today!