Teamwork Tuesday

*even though it is only Monday*
"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act" Proverbs 24:12
Dear Readers….my dear, wonderful 750+ readers:
I want to share something with you.  Orphans.  We all know there are orphans in the world.  There are orphans here in the US, in Africa, in Eastern Europe, in East Asia….everywhere.  Depending on what search engine you use, you get the numbers of 143,000,000 or 163,000,000 or 210,000,000 orphans worldwide. In reality, we’ll never have an exact count, but the number is HUGE!  Really huge.  There are many people who are so overwhelmed by these numbers that they hide behind them.  “If I help one, it makes no difference at all….what is one in a sea of 100,000?”  Becoming aware of the need is the first step into the ocean.
I want to introduce you to a special little girl, Priscilla.  She is waiting for a Mommy and Daddy to find her.  Do you have room in your heart and in your home?  Think of how well she could do with a lot of extra love and some medical care to get her healthy.  Do you know a family who is hoping to adopt?  Would you share this sweet girl with them?  Click on Priscilla’s picture to get more information about her.  Don’t you love that smile and that cute button nose?!!

Lets talk about the cost of adoption.  We all know there are some BIG numbers there too.  Foster to adopt can be little to no cost, traditional domestic adoption anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000, and international adoption can be up to $50,000, all dependent on so many factors.  These numbers can make many people and families shudder and say “I just don’t have that…..we cant adopt”.  
What about the families who do step up?  What about the families that say “I want to spread the love of God and I want to bring one of these precious children home.”  They need help raising the funds.  God will provide, and lucky for us….we can be God’s feet by giving!  This is an exciting way to help.  Check out some of these families who are bringing their children home.  Would you help them?  Would you be part of their miracle?  Would you support them?  *Click on the links below the pictures to learn more about these kids and the families they are part of*
     
http://reecesrainbow.org/34942/sponsormaxwell     http://butbygraceitcouldbeme.blogspot.com/

http://reecesrainbow.org/32917/sponsorkeller   http://nataliekeller.blogspot.com/

http://love--conquers--all.blogspot.com/      http://reecesrainbow.org/29701/sponsormorse

http://reecesrainbow.org/35271/rose       http://heavenslittlerose.blogspot.com/

http://followingourcallingdaily.blogspot.com/    http://reecesrainbow.org/33992/sponsorvanhalle
  
http://www.lordisourshepherd.blogspot.com/    http://www.lordisourshepherd.blogspot.com/

Look at these precious ones!  Click on the links to these families’ blogs and sponsor sites.  This is a really  neat thing these families are doing.  Lets help them change the world one orphan at a time, shall we!!

Knock You Naked Brownies

I finally did it.  I bought the new cookbook by Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman).  I love her first cookbook…..I equally love her second.  I found these brownies in the back of the book, and after laughing about the name, I knew I had to try them.
My sister really loves brownies.  I think I better make these for her when I visit this week.

Don’t those look drool worthy.  Trust me…they are THAT good.  I shared with my family and my aunt was still talking about them today at work.  If you need to win over your boss, or suck up to a co-worker for some help on a project, make these brownies.  I think I could even get my 12 year old brother to call me princess for the rest of my life if I promised to make him these brownies.

When I cook one of The Pioneer Woman’s recipes, I imagine what it must be like to live on a ranch.  My husband has family who are ranchers.  I really need to go visit during branding season one year and cook out of the wagon.  Can you imagine how much all those cowboys would love me if I made them some of the recipes from her book?!!  Ree’s recipes will win you instant friends. 
Knock You Naked Brownies  *From Ree Drummond: The Pioneer Woman*
Gather your ingredients:

• 1 box (18.5 Ounce) German Chocolate Cake Mix (Duncan Heins and Pilsbury make this size. Betty Crocker only makes a 15.75oz size) *and it HAS to be German Chocolate Cake*
• 1 cup Finely Chopped Pecans
• 1/3 cup Evaporated Milk
• 1/2 cup Evaporated Milk (additional)
• 1/2 cup Butter, Melted
• 60 whole Caramels, Unwrapped
• 1/3 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar

Now, enjoy your time in the kitchen:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, chopped pecans, 1/3 cup evaporated milk, and melted butter. Stir together until totally combined. Mixture will be very thick.
Press half the mixture into a well-greased 8 X 8 inch square baking pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven and set aside.
In a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of boiling water) melt caramels with additional 1/2 cup evaporated milk. When melted and combined, pour over brownie base. Sprinkle chocolate chips as evenly as you can over the caramel.
Turn out remaining brownie dough on work surface. Use your hands to press it into a large square a little smaller than the pan. Use a spatula to remove it from the surface, then set it on top of the caramel and chocolate chips.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for several hours. When ready to serve, generously sift powdered sugar over the surface of the brownies. Cut into either nine or twelve helpings, and carefully remove from the pan.
These brownies might not knock you naked, but if you are worried about it, eat them at home. 

Chicken and Dumplings (Freezer Meal)

I really enjoy when readers ask for recipes.  If it is a recipe that I have, I am happy to share. 
My twin sister really likes Chicken and Dumplings.  I don’t remember eating it growing up, but when my sis made me some a few years ago, I was hooked.
This is a great meal to make on a chilly day.  While you are at it, double it and stick the rest in the freezer for the next cool day. 
Chicken and Dumplings (Freezer Meal)
For the Soup:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1" cubes
1 cup yellow onion, chopped
1 cup celery, thinly sliced
1/4 cup all purpose flour
10 cups chicken broth (seems like a lot, but trust me….its ok)
2 cups carrots, sliced
1/2 tsp ground thyme
For dumplings:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
3/4 cup buttermilk (if you don’t have buttermilk, put 1 tsp vinegar in measuring cup and fill with milk to make 3/4 cup.  Let it set to get thick)
1. In large soup pot, sauté chicken and onion over medium heat until chicken is browned, about 6-8 minutes.
2. Add celery and sauté. 
3. Add 1/4 cup flour, then slowly add chicken broth, carrots and thyme, stirring well. Bring mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce heat, simmering for 20 minutes or until chicken is tender. Stir occasionally.
4. While simmering, prepare dumplings by mixing together flour and baking powder. Slowly add buttermilk, stirring well to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste if desired.
5. Once it is finished simmering, drop dough by the tablespoon-full into chicken stew mixture. Cover again and finish cooking over medium-low heat for 15 minutes or until dumplings are fully cooked.
6.  Enjoy this warm comforting meal.  To freeze, just cool and freeze in freezer bags or freezer containers.  On cooking day, just thaw and reheat.  This will keep 3-4 months in the freezer.

Sandwich Inspiration

I really like sandwiches.  And eating light for dinner has been a nice switch for us for the summer.  This sandwich was inspired by a sandwich at one of our favorite pizza restaurants in town. 
I used a multigrain ciabatta roll, and I toasted it for 2 minutes under the broiler. 
I then made a mix of 1/3 cup real mayo and 1 tsp brown spicy mustard.  I slathered that on both sides of the bun.
I then layered on roast beef, tomatoes, spinach, drizzle of horseradish sauce (made with mayo) and crumbles of blue cheese.
I left off the sliced red onion only because I didn’t have it on hand.  But that would have been great. 
This was a really good sandwich.  My husband requested we have it weekly, and deemed it restaurant quality.