Friday, August 7, 2009

Update On Life, Thanks, and Recipes

Some of you may be wondering in some little back corner of your mind how things are actually going with the Smiths of Smithellaneous.

You may be wondering, "Are they ever going to sell their house? Are they ever going to get to their new chapter of life? Are they ever going to move to another city? Will Steve ever start in a new pastorate? Will Becky ever stop loving chocolate?" (Sorry. That last question kind of slipped in there.)

The reason I know you might be asking those questions is because I am asking myself the very same questions! So here are a few answers.

First, the house.

Steve was talking with our realtor recently about what changes are occurring in the housing market. She said that it appears as though a lot of the foreclosures are being bought up, and the houses that builders are reducing drastically are getting snatched up and so it shouldn't be too long before "regular houses" like ours have more of a chance in the market.

Basically what that means is that selling our house at any sort of decent price is still going to take a miracle. But that's okay because we do believe in miracles. And we also believe that God's timing is perfect.

If you're like me, you might sometimes think that He's moving a little too fast or moving a bit too slow in a particular circumstance of life; however, the fact that He sees the Big Picture (and we don't) makes a big difference. It's almost like we're watching a parade through a knothole in a fence and He's watching it from a blimp overhead. Quite a change of perspective.

So I'm just going to keep on looking at life through my little ol' knothole and trust the future with Someone who sees the whole picture.

Steve received an email last night from a church that would like to interview him as a pastoral candidate; he'll be going there in about a week. There is also a second church in the same area that is interested in him, although we're not certain yet that if that church would be a good "fit" for us. Steve has been invited to preach there in the next couple weeks in an unofficial capacity, just to give him a chance to look over the situation before deciding whether or not to submit his name as a candidate.

The downside of these two churches is that they are even further east in North Carolina than we are right now. We really wanted to move more toward the western part of the state but we're certainly not going to say no to any church based on its location. I told Steve I would much rather be in God's will in the east than out of God's will in the west!

In other ministry news, Steve preached in Mooresville, NC last Sunday and will preach there again this Sunday, filling the pulpit for a pastor friend who's out of state. He'll be preaching on the coast next Sunday, and also teaching a Wednesday night class at a church nearby during September. In addition to that, he has gone through training to be a volunteer hospital chaplain and is on the schedule to that for a week in August.

Although we're not in "official ministry" we're both still managing to stay plenty busy.

So that's the story on that. As you can doubtless imagine, we are getting a bit anxious and antsy, more than ready to move on to the next permanent chapter of life and yet we're concentrating on waiting patiently for all of the pieces to fall into place.


Since "Thanks" is in the title of this post, saying thank you is what I would like to do next. My thanks is directed to those of you who take the time to leave comments when I update. Other bloggers will know what I mean when I say how wonderful it is to put time, effort, and heart into a post and see a response from readers in return.

Many of you sign frequently and it's becoming a real joy to see your names pop up over and over. I have officially dubbed you as my VBFF. (Virtual Best Friends Forever.) Others of you only chime in every once in awhile but I still appreciate your participation more than you know.

In short, I am grateful that you even take the time to come by here at all and read my many rambling posts. For those of you who take the extra time to comment, please know that I never take that for granted; each comment makes my heart smile. Especially during this "limbo chapter" of our lives, I love the feeling of being a part of the Smithellanous community.

The last item on today's list (at least according to the title), is recipes. I'm going to try and post recipes more frequently because I know it's always fun to get new food ideas.

We grilled out hamburgers last night using our Smith's Secret Seasoned Hamburger Recipe. Since you all are such wonderful folks, I am willing to share the formerly secret recipe with you. (But only you.) I know a lot of you already have favorite stuff you put into your burgers, but this recipe comes highly recommended by the whole Smith crew. (Even Snowy!)


SMITHBURGERS

1 1/2 lbs hamburger

2 t. onion powder

2 t. Worcestershire sauce

1 t. garlic powder

1 t. Lowry's salt

Mix into meat and grill. (And eat.)


And lastly, someone at Sarah's Spot had asked for my recipe for Potato Ham boats a few months ago when I mentioned that I had made it. At that particular time, I had misplaced the "real recipe" and had just given an approximation. I finally found the original recipe and wanted to post it here. This is one of Sarah's favorite meals and can be on the table in about ten minutes if you do the potatoes in the microwave.



POTATO HAM BOATS

4 baking potatoes

2 T butter or margarine

2 T flour

1 C milk

1/4 t salt (I use Lowry's)

1/8 t. pepper

1 1/2 C diced, cooked ham (could use other meat, too)

1 C shredded sharp cheese

1/4 C minced green onion (optional)


Wash potatoes; bake at 400 degrees for one hour (or prepare in microwave)

Melt butter over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook one minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick and bubbly.

Add salt, pepper, ham and cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Split tops of potatoes lengthwise. Spoon ham and cheese mixture over potatoes. Sprinkle with green onion.

(This serves about 4 small eaters, or 3 big eaters. Double the recipe if desired.)

Enjoy!


Let me close by saying that I am aware of many wonderful blogs that share recipes and accompany the recipes with artistically taken photos that look like something out of a magazine.

Of course, I didn't want to be left out of the "Lovely Photos of Cooking Ingredients Blog Movement" so I snapped a picture of my own.




Isn't it inspiring? Can't you see how much time I took to carefully arrange the little driblets of Cheddar cheese across the counter? Aren't you impressed by the beautiful way the measuring spoons are laid out in front of the Bisquick box? And don't you love the artful angle of the white cutting board that makes up the composition of the forefront of the photo?

I tell ya. Sometimes I impress even myself.

19 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

lynie said...

Hey! I think I have the same blue measuring cup that you do!

Kitchen soul-mates? Maybe!

Lynie

Anonymous said...

You are such a blessing. You are in the middle of playing THE WAITING GAME and yet you manage to make us all laugh. So glad you like to cook...I hate it..terribly. The only reason I have a kitchen is because it came with the house ;o)
Praying that God will see fit to place you and the family somewhere really great..and soon.
Blessings!!
Kaye Joyce
Mount Airy, NC
kayej09@yahoo.com

MaryH said...

Well, no you've done it!! What were you cooking when you took the picture of the "prep?" There was no Bisquick or eggs in either of the featured recipes. So, tell us, please, what were you preparing?

The hamburger recipe is similar to the one I use - I add some breadcrumbs to keep the juices in the meat - absorbed by the breadcrumbs instead of driping out to the grill.

Does your family like sloppy joe's? I have, what I have been told, a killer recipe for joe's.

Glad Steve has found some ministry work and preaching assignments and I am sure all of this is leading you guys a little farther down that hallway and, as I like to envision, closer to some expansive French doors, all glistening with glass panels, and polished brass and lovely airy curtains and they will swing wide open to reveal a the beginning of the new Smith adventure - and it will be fun to "watch" it happen with you. Faith, Patience and Peace to all.

P.S. - Becky, thank you for the comment about comments. It made me smile.

lesley said...

Ok, here is my thought provoking question...where do you get diced, cooked ham? Do I have to cook a ham???? As you can see I do not 'cook' but am willing to give these easy recepies a try :)
Thanks Becky!

Anonymous said...

I love your blog . I look forward to reading it every day :)
~ Kim from TN

Pam D said...

Wow... your cooking pictures look like MY cooking pictures! I suppose that's why neither of us has been nominated for any of those "bloggy" awards for best cooking blog, huh? Oh well... I think it's better that taking a picture of the McDonald's drive-thru lady who knows our name and what we like.. although I might have just given myself an idea for a post. hmmm.
And Becky, when we get together in Heaven (YES, Sue G, you are invited... !!!), I hope God has technology that allows us to replay and look at this timeframe.. but from HIS point of view. To see it clearly, instead of through our dim, earthbound vision. (Sue... I SAID you'd be there, OK? Really.. and we'll pass the viewer over to you, too... I promise!).
With great big hugs, remembering our REAL hugs.. (yes, Sue.. THAT was for you, too... nyah, nyah...)
;<)

Lyndsay said...

mmmm... those burgers sound delicious!! Earlier today I was thinking that it's been ages since I had a big, juicy burger - I'll have to give your recipe a try!

Kim Armstrong said...

Oh the guilt! I am a daily reader but have only commented a handful of times over the years. I love your stories and look forward to each new installment of the life and times of the Smith Family. Your green been casserole trick cracked me up, I will try that at my house for sure. Have a great weekend!

Kim Armstrong (Detroit)

Kim Armstrong said...

Oh, and I will comment more often, it's only fair considering how much time and effort you give to entertaining us. Hugs

Beth said...

Love your cooking picture--looks a lot like cooking at my house!

Anonymous said...

Mrs. G, and I have been sitting with a friend every other week for her chemo treatments, and Monday was the last one. So she and her husband took us out for lunch, and I got a a baked potato with cheese and a half sandwich which I chopped up in my potato. Yummy... just like your recipe. well, almost,
I think my sandwich was turkey and bacon and cranberry. so, now maybe you could make a potato boat #2 recipe.

I know Steve will be a wonderful hospital chaplain.
That takes a special gift... and he has it,
tied with a beautiful ribbon, too!

Mrs. Pam aka anonymous

Marysienka said...

We have the same toaster! yay! hihihi!

Thanks for the recipes, I'm going to try them :o) yumm!

Renee

Sue G said...

Ah, so putting recipes on a blog brings in the lurkers. Little known fact (er, trick). Now I know.

Great to hear that Steve is still ministering as so many people need his wisdom and his humor. I am still waiting for him to get a church family again so I can come to hear him in person. And he better be good when i"m there.

Because, it really is all about me.

Chill said...

MY wife plays your CD on Sunday mornings to roust us lazy folks out of bed to go to Church. At first it is not as appreciated as it is after I attain some semblance of conciousness and realize those sweet sounds of grace wofting through the air into our slumbering ears. We sorely miss seeing you guys at Trinity, like we had so many times before. I remember the time that Nathan threw frisbees into the crowd as he played the drums. We sure enjoyed all your concerts and were always challenged by Steves messages. He had a gift to entertain, make us laugh, make us cry, and bring us into the presence of the Lord. Oh, don't worry we loved you too. The man is only as good as the women behind him, right?
Bacik to your post. I am sure the Lord will not be late, but as always on time. Our watches run with a quartz crystal, His with a Diamond, I am sure. And He never is late, even when we think we will never see His deliverance. He loves His Children and will never dissappoint us! Not now, not ever!
Love and Blessings
Tom

Kate said...

The hamburgers sound fabulous. I'm gonna have to try that one to spice my plain ol' ones up a bit!

Thanks to YOU for the comment on God and the knothole and the blimp. I TOTALLY needed to hear that tonight and I'm definitely remembering it.

:)
Kate from Iowa

Anonymous said...

That was me who asked for the Potato Boat recipe at Sarah's Spot. You did a pretty good job remembering then, and it is one of our favorites! I found a white sauce recipe which is about the same, and did as you said! I will try Lowry's in it next time as that sounds good. My 14 yr old daughter begs for these. I have also put bacon "recipe pieces" in the sauce too. Yum! Thanks for the Official Recipe! Jill

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