Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Grandma's Cherry Pie & Spaghetti

Well, I know I haven't blogged but twice since beginning this blog! I actually thought about deleting it since I wasn't using it, but I thought I would use it today to share some favorite recipes.

Grandma Carolyn's Cherry Pie and Spaghetti & Meatballs

Grandma's Cherry Pie Recipe
"This delicious cherry pie has a sweet and tart taste that can't be beat!"

Crust: 
2 cups flour
2/3 cup shortening
9 tablespoons cold water

Filling: 
1 can tart cherries in water
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons flour

Directions: 
Cut shortening into flour with fork in medium size bowl until only small clumps appear. Add cold water and mix until dough forms but don't over mix. (You'll want to use your hands) Separate dough into two equal size balls. Roll one out and place in bottom of pie pan. Roll the other half out and cut into strips. 

Drain cherry juice from can into a small bowl. Add the sugar and flour to the juice and mix well. Dumpcherries into pie pan and add the juice mixture back in.  Lay the dough strips in a criss-cross pattern over the pie, pinch the edges, and sprinkle a little sugar over the top of the pie. Bake for 45 minutes on 350. 



Grandma's Spaghetti & Meatballs

Meatballs: 
1 lb ground meat
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 tablespoons grated onion
1 cup dry bread crumbs (I use crackers)
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Combine and form into balls. (I usually refrigerate for an hour or over night so they stay together better) Brown in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. 

Sauce: 
2 cans tomato sauce
2 tablespoon Worcestershire
4 teaspoons chili powder
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
4 teaspoons mustard

Combine in sauce pan, bring to a boil. Pour over meat balls, simmer for 30 minutes.

I use angel hair pasta and add bit by bit so I can see how saucy it is. Nobody likes dry spaghetti : ) Enjoy!

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Our first month as Arkansas Residents!

Wow, it's been a whole month since we moved! We are so thankful the transition has been so smooth. We were blessed to move right into a rental house five minutes from Fellowship, making it easy for Jimmy to set up his office, start getting to know the staff, and gear up for his new position. Jimmy lead for the first time March 4th and is really enjoying pouring his time and attention into one ministry. And likewise, I have really enjoyed getting to focus on my marketing for Lilleys' Landing. We are so thankful for the overwhelming blessings the Lord's provided along the way. 


We found a house!! It's five minutes from church, the gym, and walmart - what more could you ask for! Details and pictures will come once we close on the house on March 30th. We don't want to call it a done deal till all the papers are signed and the keys in hand : ) But needless to say, we're excited! 


Here are some pictures of what we've been up to lately:

Jimmy on the way to work with his Lilleys' mug in hand.
Jimmy and Darby enjoying the nice weather.
Enjoying visiting friends - Ethan & Sandra Lagerquist
(U of A baseball game)

Josh & Kelly Dougherty and their 5 month old - Jake : )
Josh is a community pastor at Fellowship and we were in
a small group with them in Branson. 
Babysitting Jake - such a sweet boy!
I got to help throw a baby shower for Steph Huddleston,
a college friend. Jackson's nursery theme is Dr. Seuss
so I had fun with the cup cakes...
    
We enjoyed a visit back to Lilleys' Landing to help with a
fishing tournament. Great to see the fam and help out.
Jimmy especially enjoyed his duty...

Grilling Steak!
And how could we leave out that face.. Darby : )
She is adjusting well to the slower pace, but she
is always ready with a toy to play. We did find
a great dog park near by so it helps her not
miss Jackson and Rodeo too much.

She loves all the windows in our rental house.
Here she is watching for Jimmy to come home.


I've been able to cook a ton more these days - I think Jimmy is enjoying it :)
I even got to make a Grandma Carolyn classic - Spaghetti & Meatballs and Cherry Pie!


Well goodness that was a long blog post! I'll try to post more often to prevent the back up of updates : )

All in all, we have had a great month here in this new stage in life. We are so thankful for all the love and support from friends and family. And we are amazed at how the Lord has provided - He is our strong foundation no matter where our location might be!

Much love,
Jim and Megs

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The Big Move to Northwest Arkansas!

It's true. Yesterday we loaded the U-Haul and made the drive to Northwest Arkansas! The whole process has been bittersweet but we are blessed to have the Lord's peace in that He lead us here. We are so thankful for our time in Branson and CofO. The Lord has used so many people to shape us more like Him. We are grateful for the opportunities to learn, serve and grow with amazing friends and family at Lilleys' Landing, FBC Branson, & BSU. Actually, we were not actively looking to leave. Our hearts were truly planning to stay, but willing to go.

It all started last Fall when a friend suggested Jimmy's name in the hunt for a worship leader at Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas. As conversations began, Jimmy and I had a sense of peace as we began to learn about how God has been working through His people at Fellowship, and allow them to get to know us. Things progressed very naturally. In December we came down for a visit/interview and were warmly welcomed. On January 22nd Jimmy lead three Sunday services. The next day he was offered the position as worship leader for the Sunday morning services. All through this process I've prayed for the Lord's peace and clarity above all. Jimmy and I both felt the Lord's leading to go. 

So needless to say, we accepted the position are now in the process of calling Northwest Arkansas home. Excitement has been contained, until now! We worked hard to not get ahead of the interview process and allow the Lord to lead us, rather than be enamored with a new opportunity. However, we are so convinced that God has paved the way - it is now a matter of obedience. 

We are in a rental house near the church while we doing some house hunting. Jimmy will officially start at Fellowship on March 1st and his first Sunday to lead will be March 4th. He is excited to pour himself into the people at Fellowship doing the thing he would even do for free - be a lead worshiper. I will continue to work part-time for Lilleys' Landing doing their marketing from home. 

Throughout this process Jimmy and I feel so blessed by the Lord's love and grace, and how He has let that flow through community. We are so thankful for the love and support from family, friends, and the communities at FBC Branson and BSU. We pray the Lord receive all the glory as we strive to hold all of this life with an open hand and follow Him. 

He is so faithful!

In Him,

Jim & Megs