Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip
PREP TIME
10 Min
COOK TIME
20 Min
READY IN
40 Min
1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 (8 ounce) bottle ranch dressing
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (12 ounce) bottle Red Hot sauce
1 (16 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook until juices run clear, about 4 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board to cool completely. Use a fork to shred the meat into strands.
Pour the ranch dressing, cream cheese, shredded cheese, and Hot sauce into a bowl and mix until combined. Add the shredded chicken and mix well. Spread the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is bubbling, about 10 minutes.

Black Friday

Are you going shopping? I long to say no way, but before I know it, I will need something silly--milk, or bread--and out I will go. But no Christmas shopping for me, today, unless it is the in-my-pajamas internet version.

My mom has a hard time with Christmas shopping now that her children are grown and married. We buy what we need and, oftentimes want, unregulated by parental authority and pre-planning (I don't know how many times I have told Abigail that Christmas is coming and she doesn't need anymore toys right now).

My mother-in-law has requested that she receive nothing this year. We may make a donation in their names somewhere, while not nothing, she doesn't have to find a place for anything or wear something she isn't fond of.

Do you find Christmas shopping difficult? How are you handling it this year? Now that the full swing of things is on, how do you intend to stay sane?

(Is this a good time to remind you that December 9th is our next MOPS meeting and we will be having an auction then.)

Happy Thanksgiving
( I know a turkey is traditional, but God made this and isn't He who we're thanking?)

Stuffing

Bread and Celery Stuffing
PREP TIME
20 Min
COOK TIME
40 Min

1 (1 pound) loaf sliced bread
3/4 cup butter
1 onion, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup chicken broth

DIRECTIONS
Let bread slices air dry for 1 to 2 hours, then cut into cubes.
In a deep pan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion and celery until soft. Season with poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in bread cubes until evenly coated. Moisten with chicken broth; mix well.
Chill, and use as a stuffing for turkey, or bake in a buttered casserole dish at 350 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes.

Food for thought! & right in time for the Holidays.

"Let your dishes help tell your story"


When Rob & I married, I was told that I just had to register for China! I wasn't given a real reason, just that it was a "must" for brides to do. Not really expecting to actually acquire the beautiful, very expensive, a la carte pieced dinnerware that I picked with that little black scanner gun, I did. Much to my surprise, we did receive china, all of it! Apparently, it does fall under the "must have" inventory for more than I expected.
Well for many years, my beautiful china sat perfectly placed in a wondrous crafted china cabinet, where it was on display for all & ready for that "just right," "special" occasion. Just as it should be, right?!
After the birth of our first son, Ethan, and approaching the weekend of his first Birthday & Thanksgiving, we were given the honors of having our first traditional family Holiday meal in our first home. I was thrilled! I thought to myself, this is it! This is the "just right, so very special" moment that I have been waiting for! The china comes out today!
My husband was nervous for me...he knew the reserve I had placed on my china. The table was just about set....one more plate to go. Me, the new mother that I was, thought, why not let Ethan help....he has been so patient. "Ethan, would you like to help mommy with the last plate?!" His eyes beamed with joy..."Yes!" they said.."of course I want to help!" Ethan placed his tiny fingers upon the plate with mine and as we ever so gently attempt to place the plate on the table, Ethan could not resist his brute toddler force and newly found strength...the plate goes tumbling, crashing the the floor!
I Scream!... ETHAN!
Are you hurt?... Don't Move!
I pick Ethan up and squeeze him so tightly. All the while, turning around to see a smiling husband in the doorway. He smiles because he knows what has just happened. In the midst, I didn't even realize that it was one of my good "china" plates that laid in broken glass upon the floor.
It was motherhood that freed me from my "china" days. Don't get me wrong, I still love my China...I never replaced that plate. That year someone gave Ethan a "Baby's 1st Christmas" Collectors Plate, and that entered my China Collection to replace the one we broke together, to remind me of that day. And there are other imperfections that have happened since, and they too have stories attached to them.
So this Holiday, remember the good China is for the "just right" occasions, they happen more than you think though! And the good China is for "special" guests, but look around though, you have special guests everyday! Who is more special than yourself & your family?! Don't be afraid this Holiday to free those "special" dishes or "good" china because with each chip, comes a wonderful story of your life!

Happy Holidays!
~ Julia Joseph

Grateful

The week of Thanksgiving. Is every one feeling grateful or stressed out? Me,

We're on vacation.
At my parents.
In West Virginia (not far but it is home.)
The men are hunting.
My sister, Mom and I are together.
Doing something unnecessary, but relaxing.

Other than wishing for a more powerful shower, what don't I have to be thankful for? (Oh yeah and I get two turkey dinners this week--score!)

THANK YOU! (My Surgery)

Thank You

I want to take a moment to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers over the past months. I don't think that my words will ever do enough or reach far enough. It is amazing to think of how many individuals prayed for me and I may not ever know them, their name even. I can just thank them through our wonderful Lord and ask that they may be blessed as I am. I pray that for each of you as well, a blessing. Thank You!

As for my surgery, it went as well as it could possibly go! I went into surgery praying that God would hold my hand to ease my nerves and take my pain, and that he steady the surgeons hands so that what should be would be by His plan. Due to being in such pain for so long prior to surgery, the large amounts of pain medications I was on made for some difficulties for initial recovery. I awoke from surgery in a pain that is indescribable, a pain that opened my heart and still brings tears to my eyes as I think about it. To know that that pain can be felt, to know that there are some that feel greater pain, to know that some are not temporary...that battle may be just beginning. I know now that the Lord has given me a gift. A gift of understanding. Something that I will never forget. The surgery was a wonderful, blessed, success! The surgery took much longer than expected, but it was successfully done through a laproscopic & vaginal hysterectomy. I was able to keep my ovaries to help ward off menopause for a while!! I lost a good amount of blood, but a decision was made that with an existing infection already to battle, aiding me in producing the blood myself would be much safer than a transfusion. And my bladder damage was minimal. I am completely blessed! You see, for every possibility to come out with the best of results....well, that is a result. A result of everyone of you. Every person that took the time to lift my name in prayer. That is why, I can not even begin to create the words to say thank you that would fit my gratitude!
As for my home recovery, I am doing well. With the exception of a cold that caused some problems with coughing, sneezing, and low energy; I am coming along nicely. I was able to find very helpful and wonderful family members and friends to aid in my recover process! From taking on the amazing task of caring for our crazy little ones, bringing a delicious meal, cleaning up our home, to helping me recover in my mountain retreat. We could not have done anything without these loved ones. They know who they are, and I love you. Thank You.

I look forward to seeing everyone very soon!

May the Lord bless each of you!

~Julia