This makes me so sad.

What Im cooking today

Lentil ~ Ground Beef Meatloaf

Cook 2 c. lentils in 5 cups water (I used my rice cooker)

When the lentils are done get a big bowl and put 4 or 5 eggs in it.  Add a chopped onion and about ¾  to 1 cup oatmeal.  Add in three to four pounds of ground beef and the cooked lentils.  Mix thoroughly and place into a 9X13 pan.  Bake at 350 degrees until done.  About 30-40 minutes before the meat loaf is done mix up a cup of brown sugar with a can of tomato sauce or ketchup and smear over the top of the meat loaf.  Continue to cook until done.

 

Cheesy mashed potatoes using instant potatoes

Make up as much instant potatoes as you need for your meal plus any leftovers you want to have.  Add some sour cream to the water once its hot and before you add your instant potatoes.  Once the potatoes are mixed in pour them into an oven safe casserole dish and top with cheese.  Bake this about 30 minutes along with the meatloaf.  Then when they are both ready you just heat up a can or two of peas or green beans and you have an easy meal.

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When I am cooking I try to make extra and after the meal is over I make up single serving freezer meals for my husband and daughter to take to work.  This is one of their favorite meals to have on hand.  I used to just put the left overs into the refrigerator and sometimes we ate them and sometimes we didn’t.  One day the idea came to me to make up meals and put them in the freezer and it was a hit.  I use square containers that I bought several of.    I also make up freezer meals like this when I go visit my mom.  That way she can eat a good healthy homemade meal without the fuss of cooking for one.

Missionary update

FROM "BUSH BUNNY BRENDA"

DATE: JUNE 15, 2015

RESCUEING BABY SOZINHO   Baby Sozinho, weighs only 7 lbs (3.2 kg) at his SIX MONTH mark this week!   His young teenage mother developed mastitis 4 months ago, and Social Services sent them to receive life-saving  baby formula from us.   Sozinho weighed only 3kg (6.6 lbs) at 2 months, but with his mother’s lack of breast milk, poor infant growth is typical.   I noticed 3 weeks ago that he was very slow to gain weight on our 21% protein HYPO CEREAL, especially formulated for malnourished babies. Since he showed a good weight gain his first month, I immediately suspected the mother wasn’t feeding him, so she was counciled.   He presented 2 weeks ago IN SERIOUS CONDITION with a respiratory infection, had lost 0.5 POUNDS (250 gms) weight, and needed immediate medical attention.   I immediately took mother and baby to the hospital. The Emergency Room staff gave him immediate treatment and would admit him to Pediatrics. But after I left,  Sozinho’s mother ran away with the him, refusing treatment.   Not knowing where she lived, we had little hope of finding her.  I prayed for that little one, for only Jesus could save him now.   PTL for Jesus heard our plea! Sozinho survived the last 7 days despite poor feeding and a respiratory infection!   This very young mother was obviously unconcerned for Baby Sozinho’s health, so when she walked in on June 11th,  Capena and I took her immediately to meet with Social Services at the hospital.  Social Services had to force her to give up Sozinho, who was immediately started on life saving antibiotics in the Emergency Room, and then Admitted under the care of 2 of our best foster mothers.   The Social Services Director and Capena then escorted the mother to her village to meet with her family and request custody of the baby for up to a year.   The family was VERY EAGER to comply, as they agreed this young 15 year old was not taking proper care of the infant.     Documents will be written up this week so that Sozinho remains in our care until he is a strong toddler.   The hospital doesn’t allow photos, but I will show you his CUTE LITTLE FACE with those BIG BLACK EYES as soon as he is released this coming week.   When I visited him this morning, all I could see were those 2 BIG BLACK EYES staring out from his hooded jersey.    WE ARE IN WINTER with 55 degrees our normal sunrise temperature INSIDE OUR HOUSES! No heat exists in our homes or in the hospital, so everyone has to dress warm.   Baby Sozinho’s body may be emaciated, but his mind is sharp, for he misses nothing going on around him. Our 2 foster mothers say he is an easy keeper as long as he is fed when he asks.   Babies who have been starved eat small amounts (less than 2 ounces/60ml) very frequently, and PANIC if not fed quickly.   CRYING uses up calories at a fast rate, so our mothers are under orders to NOT let him cry.  Feed him without delay.   26 BABIES ARE IN OUR FORMULA PROGRAM AT PRESENT, and it looks like Sozinho will be our 3rd resident baby this year.    BABY EDNA, OUR YOUNGEST AT 7 MONTHS, ENJOYING HER FIRST FEAST   MONICA, BORN WITH A HEART DEFECT AND POOR SURVIVAL OUTLOOK , IS NOW IN PRE-SCHOOL!       DANIEL, 11 MONTHS, WITH A FACE THAT SAYS “I ATE MY LUNCH, SO WHERE ARE THE COOKIES YOU PROMISED!”     OUR FAMILY IS GROWING, and our older orphan girls DEARLY LOVE having new babies join us!        CHILDREN’S DAY, JUNE 1ST,  CHILDREN BEING SERVED A RICE AND  GOAT FEAST BY FOSTER MOTHERS   The babies who live with us provide our older orphan girls a great learning opportunity in baby care (besides being fun to cuddle). For in this country, girls without mothers to train them in good baby care have little opportunity to learn the proper skills.   TWO NEW AWANA PROGRAMS OPEN IN REMOTE VILLAGES   Saturday our  AWANA team consisting of Carlitos Jorge, Nelson, and new assistant leader, Rufino, traveled to NTETE Village to meet with the children from the Assembly of God church.   FIFTY THREE school age children dearly loved playing the games and hearing the story of creation.  Next week, we expect a huge crowd, as these 53 little “advertisers” were told to invite all their friends.  Ntete has over 2,500 children, so we plan to start programs in several areas of the village in order to keep the groups in manageable numbers.   SUNDAY, Carlitos Jorge met with village leaders and the children of NQUIDE Village (about 5km or 2.5 miles) down the road from Ntete.  We plan to kick off that program next Saturday.   GOD’S WORD IS GOING FORTH! FOR THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD THE WAY IN THESE END TIME DAYS.   Blessings, Bush Bunny Brenda Lange Dawn Horger Abbie Wheeler

My granddaughter is playing T ball

My granddaughter is playing T ball this year for the first time.  She is so cute.

Natural tooth powder

I started using a natural tooth powder made by a Facebook friend. Here is my review.

  The hygienist said I had absolutely no stains and very little tartar and plaque. I am so happy with this tooth powder. I like that fact that the taste is quite mild.

 Plus it is a small business and I love supporting small businesses. She has many other products. Here is her link. http://www.facebook.com/l.php…

Egg Yolk Sponge Cake

Egg Yolk Sponge Cake

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup egg yolks
1 egg
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon orange juice, strained
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
3/4 cup boiling water
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Sift together twice: flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour back into sifter.
In a large mixing bowl beat egg yolks and whole eggs with an electric mixer until thick and lemon colored (about 5 minutes). Gradually add sugar, beating after each addition. This should take about 10 minutes.
Fold in orange rind, orange juice, and lemon extract. Sift dry ingredients into egg and sugar mixture and fold in. Do not stir or beat. Add boiling water and fold in quickly, just until liquid is blended. Pour batter into one ungreased 10 inch tube pan.
Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 60 to 65 minutes. Turn cake over in pan on a wire rack and let cake hang for 1 hour or until cool. Loosen cake sides from pan with a spatula and shake from pan. Dust top lightly with confectioner's sugar or frost with Orange Butter Frosting.

Recipe by Vicki Faircloth

Vanilla Bean Pudding

Vanilla Bean Pudding
1/4 vanilla bean*
2 1/2 cups milk (pref. whole milk), divided
1/2 cup sugar
2 large egg yolks
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt
Split vanilla bean in half lengthwise with a sharp knife.
In a medium saucepan, combine vanilla bean, 2 cups of milk and 1/2 cup sugar. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Remove the vanilla bean and scrap out the seeds using a small knife. Put seeds back into the milk mixture.
In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, remaining 1/2 cup milk and salt until smooth. Whisking constantly, gradually stream in the hot milk mixture until all of it has been incorporated.
Pour mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring with a spatula, until the pudding just comes to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until pudding thickens.
Remove from heat and divide evenly into four dessert cups or ramekins.
Pudding will continue to thicken as it cools.
Serve slightly warm or chilled.
Serves 4.

Recipe by Vicki Faircloth

Humor

Easy banana bread

I made banana bread with a yellow cake mix, 3 bananas, 2 eggs and some pecans. Smells good. Hope it tastes as good as it smells.

Homemade A1 steak sauce

Homemade A.1. Steak Sauce... from the Duchess of cansalot

1/2 c. cold water
1/4 c. golden raisins
1/2 c. aged balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. worcestershire sauce
1/4 c. ketchup
1/4 c. dijon mustard (don’t substitute or you won’t get the same product)
a pinch of cayenne for some heat
1/4 t. black pepper
1 garlic clove, cut in half
1/2 t. celery seed
1/4 t. salt
1 large orange...Cut the orange in half and cut one of the halves into quarters.
Add all ingredients (except orange) to a medium saucepan. Add two orange segments, squeezing the juices into the pan first. Mix it well.
On low heat simmer sauce for about 15 minutes. You want bubbles just breaking the surface, not a rolling boil or it will get too thick.
After 15 minutes, strain this through a fine mesh strainer. Squeeze out all the juices.
Before you adjust the seasoning, you have to let this cool completely. If you season this hot, it will taste different when it’s cold.
Once it’s cooled, then taste for salt and pepper adjustments.
Makes about 1 3/4 cups

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Missionary update

FROM "BUSH BUNNY BRENDA"

DATE: JUNE 7, 2015

175 TONS OF CORN IN THE BARN IN 5 DAYS!   BEFORE OUR TRUCKS ROLLED OUT, we prayed for super natural strength, endurance, and safety for our Balama corn buying team. God answered in a BIG WAY!    Our 100 man team broke 3 Balama records in 5 days.     Unloading sacks weighing 165 to 176 lbs EACH.  Amazing strength, balance, and coordination needed to control this kind of weight on your head.   1.        TUESDAY:  Team moved a record 830 sacks of corn in 8 hours.  650 sacks (42.5 TONS) weighed, sacked, and stored in the barn IN FOUR HOURS, with another 180 sacks (14.4 TONS) trucked in by 2 p.m.   2.       THURSDAY:  REPEATED TUESDAY’S RECORD by putting another 650 sacks in the barn!      As the 100 ton pile gets higher, a staircase of sacks is built that the men must climb while carrying the sacks.  These sacks only weigh 132 lbs. (60Kg), and only our strongest men are able to manage the climb to get it to the top.   3.       FRIDAY, our teams reached deep into the bush to haul in another 400 sacks, leaving only 300 for Monday’s work load.  Monday, we should complete our JUNE GOAL by having 200 TONS of corn in the barn.  With the help of 2 large trucks, what use to take 3 weeks, now only takes 6 days!      Sometimes, a helping hand is needed from the guys on top.   100 TONS sits in this stack, ready for distribution to the orphans in July.   FOOD BUYING CONTINUES THROUGH JULY   This 200 tons of corn meets the distribution needs for 2,500 orphans from June to January.  Another 100 tons of “super dry” corn is needed to feed the children from February to May.  It will be ready by late July.  Locally grown peanuts and rice will also be ready in early July, completing our yearly food buying needs for the children.         Widows enjoying the children’s feast last week.  These 24 dedicated women and 2 men are the foster parents for the 104 orphans who are directly in our care in Balama.   BUSH BUNNY TIDBITS   We are very sad that Caitlin Pruitt contracted malaria last Friday, and must shorten her stay by flying out later this week.  She is recovering well, but all concerned feel it best that she not risk a 2nd infection with only a few weeks left to her stay.  Caitlin is attending RN School, and we want her to regain full strength before beginning the very busy semester she faces in August.   Abbie Wheeler will complete her 6 week volunteer program with us in Balama.    WORDS cannot express how much JOY our team feels at having completed another June corn buying season THANKS TO YOUR HELP.   It takes ALL OF US working “hand in hand” to save the lives of orphans and widows.   Some plant, some water, while others are sent to reap the harvest.   If any 3 of these steps are missing, then the harvest fails.   Each person helping us provides a valuable piece of this process.   Thanks to your prayers, love gifts, and volunteer helpers, God’s harvest of souls is coming forth in a mighty way in northern Mozambique.   THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH!   NOTE:  Our final licensing documents are once again before the National Social Service’s Committee in Maputo.  We expect an answer in July.   BLESSINGS,   Bush Bunny Brenda Lange Dawn Horger Caitlin Pruitt Abbie Wheeler

Love and money looms

A friend loaned me her love and money loom and another friend loaned me a different size loom.  Once I learned how to string it up and tie it off it was quit easy.  Here are a few centerpieces and hot pads that I made.
I also bought the wood to make my own looms so I can return these to my friends.

The top set is yellow tied with brown, then purple tied with white, red tied with white and turquoise tied with red.  I've made a few other colors but didn't want to get too many made up as I have a tendency to overdo things.

Easy Peach Crisp

Living On A Dime

 

Must try!
5 Minute Peach Crisp Recipe
1 (29 oz.) can sliced peaches, drained...
2 envelopes (1.6 oz.) cinnamon spice instant oatmeal
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine, melted

Check out the rest of the recipe here: http://www.livingonadime.com/menu-ham-dinner-peach-crisp/

 

I usually make peach or other fruit crisp by opening a can of fruit and pouring it into an approiate sized pan.  Then I sprinkle a white or yellow cake mix over top. 
Then I drizzle olive oil and bake.  I want to try this with the oatmeal.

Friday June 5, 2015

I don't know where the times goes.  It just was May and now its already the fifth of June.

I had an order for 100 neck warmers for our church vbs and I have completed them, whew.  Now I am making washable menstrual pads.  I enjoy sewing and am always looking for projects to sew that are now real complicated and that are useful.

Its been very hot here and summer is just starting.  Rain, rain, rain as well.  All around us people have experienced flooding but we are fortunate in that we live on the side of a slope that slopes down to the lake and we are three blocks up from the lake so flooding is highly unlikely.  That unfortunately is not the case for many around here.  In fact I just was told to stay home because Corpus Christi was hit by three hours of down pour and was having some flooding issues.  At least the lake is full.

Hannah started her summer job at the state park a couple of weeks ago.  She chose to work outside this year and I think she really likes it.  She has to do some pretty gross work sometimes but she seldom has to deal with people so she likes that.  She's the type that just wants to work and not deal with drama in any way shape or form.  She also graduated from homeschool high school so when her sisters come to visit in July we will do something to celebrate then.

I had three molars pulled last week and they were all abscessed and boy am I sick.  I guess the infection spread into my head.

My ipad died so now I will probably post more because I have to use my lap top to get online.

I wanted to post this list so I can reference it as needed.

Western Diamond Back Rattle Snake

We took a drive yesterday and this was in the road.\

Hannah said its a western diamond back rattler.  It was between 3 and 4 feet long and quite fat.  It had at least ten rattles on it.