Homemade Taco Seasoning

This is the recipe I use for to make my own taco seasoning.

6 tsp chili powder
2.5 tsp garlic powder
4.5 tsp cumin
5 tsp paprika
4 tsp minced onion
1 tsp of cayanne pepper (may be omitted or halved if you do not like it spicy)
dash of salt and pepper

Mix it and store it in an air tight spice jar.

To use, brown the meat and add 2 Tablespoons and a half a cup of water per one pound of meat.

We actually use 1/2 lb of meat and 1 cup of cooked oatmeal - brown it up and add the spice mix.  The oatmeal is healthier, cheaper, and you can't tell the difference! Seriously, try it!

This must but be what it's like to have kids!

Our Great Dane, Marlee-Sue spent the night in the ICU last week.  It was so sad to see her so sick that she did not even want to hold her head up.  She was so stoic we had no idea she was so sick, we called our vet and made and appointment for 9am.  But then we noticed she was really sleepy so I went to the bedroom to lay down with her and it hit me like a ton of bricks, something was not right.

Called a friend who has an SUV, loaded her into the back and off to the Doggie ER we went! 

Stort via FB posts below:

Not even a sparrow falls that the Father does not know about...Beave and I are clinging to this verse knowing our heavenly Father hears our cries tonight as we left our Great Dane, Marlee Sue at the vet. She has developed a fever of unknown origin and is very very sick - we pray Marlee's fever comes down tonight and her organs are not damaged. She is OUR kid - we sick with worry - but trying to rest in knowing God loves her too!  October 17 at 8:00pm

Thank you all - I am feeling a little numb and I have to remind myself to stop clenching my jaws - my face hurts! Anyway, just talked with the vet and her fever is down slightly by 8 tenths of a degree!! That kinda a baby step in the right directions! keep praying!!
Home again, home again, wow, long day so far and looks like it will be a long night. I think this is what is it like to have sick kids, but I am pretty sure the hospital does not send you home with a kid with an IV in place, IV Fluids/Tubing/Antibiotics/Pain meds/and a thermometer!?! I guess they are taking advantage of Marlee's "mom" being an ER Nurse! :) I am so glad they are.  We are glad she's home. She's sleeping and I am hoping it's just exhaustion and that when she wakes up she'll be peppy and ready to go again! Please - continue to pray over her for the next 24 hrs! MANY THANKS!!!!  · October 18 at 12:28pm

aww, thanks for asking. She is laying right here next to me. Just took her temp a little while ago and it is 101.6, which is good. She drank some water when we first came home several hours ago but is not interested in it now. I have one more bag of IV fluids I am going to give her in a little while.

She is on antibiotics and pain meds. They do not know what the deal is, could be anything. But since she responded well to the antibiotics (lowering her fever and perking her up) we have decided to not pursue testing and just keep going with the meds. October 18 at 9:04pm ·

UPDATE: Marlee is a bit better this am! She is still moaning and groaning from time to time and not really eating much but she has not fever, she got up and went out this am, drank some water, and gave kisses before going back to sleep! PROGRESS!! Thanks for the prayers!!· October 19 at 8:36am

Eating, drinking, peeing, pooping, and a spring in her step = Marlee Sue!!

Happy, relieved, hopeful, and grateful for the power of praying friends =  Me & The Beave!

Thank you Lord, thank you ALL!! October 19 at 2:21pm

YAHOOOO!!! She finishes up her antibiotics tomorrow and is back to herself!!!  

October 17 at 9:54pm

 

Marlee's fever came dow slowly in th night, as of a couple hours ago it was 103. we will be headed out to see her soon and transfer her from the animal ER to our vet's office. we hope to pinpoint the infection and bring her home!! thank you for praying. October 18 at 6:09am

 

Lookin' good...on the way to the vet from the Doggie ER!

 October 18 at 8:49am

You've Got Wings

He shall cover you with His feathers and under His wings you may seek refuge, His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Ps 91:4

I am continually in awe of how much God loves me and watches over me.  Just think about that verse!

He covers me with His feathers!  When I am hurt, lonely, sad, or life just seems rough I can turn to Him and find shelter under His wings of protection., He covers me with His feathers! His truth is my shield and buckler = I can trust His promises, they are true, He is faithful to save, protect, and supply all of our needs.

In my weakness, He is my strength and protector!  Oh, how deep His love is for His kids - just amazing!

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

©1995 Kingsway's Thank you Music
Words and Music by Stuart Townend



Comfort & Empathy

Sometimes, it's hard to grasp why we go through rough times. II Corinthians 1:3-4 Paul writes, "Praise be to God . . . the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." I see two things here comfort and empathy. Comfort in knowing God is there when we are going through trials! Empathy to understand and comfort others when they are going through trials.

Praying today for those who are hurting, may God bring you comfort and understanding friends to love you through the hard times!

Smelly Vac, Smelly Vac, what are they feeding you?

Does your vacuum ever get that "Not so fresh smell?" 

Try this:  place a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball, then vacuum it up! This not only freshens the vacuum but also the air in the room.

Great-Bull-Shihtzu Hint:  use lavender oil, which calms the nerves and it will help calm everyone down while you vacuum, especially if your dog doesn't care for the vacuum noise!

Dryer Sheets: Take 2!

I love dryer sheets!  I used to place them in my luggage when I packed and when I stored it, in my storage bins and in my clothing drawers - dry sheets every where!!  But they are pricey and we noticed the Great Dane (Marlee Sue) eating them!  She goes crazy over them and steals them whenever she can - silly dog! So we started making our own. (side note: I now use cotton rounds with a couple of drops of essential oils in my drawers and luggage! My faves: lavender and lemon.)

To get started:

1) water

2) a bottle of liquid fabric softener (Go ahead - buy  whichever one you like the best even if it is the expensive kind - it last so long that you can afford to splurge! Besides, you will want to like the smell since it takes a long itme to use it up!)

3) a package of sponges (4 or 6)

4) one container with leakproof lid like this one from tupperware.

To make: simply add one parts softner to two parts water, toss in the sponges and you are ready to go! (if you have a big container just dump the who carton/bottle of softner and fill it up 2 times with water and dump those in too! Remember to recycle your bottles/cartons.  We save ours and when we make our laudry soap we fill one of the bottles up and give it away along with the recipe.

To use: take out and wring one sponge and toss it in the dryer with your wet clothes! (Remember: fabric sofnter shouldn't be used on towels it messes with the pile, leaving a residue and thereby making them them less absorbant. And it could lessen the fire resistance of fabrics - so read your labels!! (GH)

Great-Bull-Shihtzu friendly use for Dryer Sheets: We still keep a few dryer sheets on hand.  We read in a dog training book that dogs sense the static electricity in the air when a storm is coming and that rubbing them with a dryer sheet reduces that feeling, hence making them less anxious.  We thought, "what the heck, let's try it."  It really seemed to work, of course Marlee-Sue still tries to eat them while we are rubbing her down, the Shihtzu has just about gotten over her fear of storms now, and the ever attention seeking Pit Bull (Geree) just revels in the massage, lol!!  The Storm stress level in our dogs has significantly decreased.  So, next time your dog is anxious and there is a storm coming run for sheets - it works, try it!

Purple Posies!

Mom, these are the puple ones I made.

I made one into a bracelett - did not care for the felt wristband but after talking it over with a friend, I have an idea of how I can make it nicer and so it will not stretch out.

The picture of the bracelett did not turn out very well, it looks nicer in person. :) I will try to take another one later.