Our Best Baked Beans

This past Sunday we had a fellowship meal at church and I prepared Baked Beans. I tend not to think that much of baked beans because after you eat them, well . . . you know. Jeramy and I are on a strict budget - looking forward to our first home - and I needed something inexpensive (!) to bring. Also, I think the Crock Pot is an excellent way to have something easy and wonderful prepared that will still be warm when consumed.

My Mom, after cleaning more as she was getting settled, gave me a stack of cookbooks. One of them is entitled: Rival Crock Pot Cooking! So, I'm very excited about this book and I found this baked beans recipe in it. Jeramy said they were the best baked beans he's ever had and he's not one to really like baked beans! They were pretty tasty and after church, there was only about 2 spoonfuls left, so I know others liked them also. Enjoy.

Our Best Baked Beans

5 slices bacon, crisply fried and crumbled

2 cans (16 oz each) baked beans, drained

1/2 green pepper, seeded and chopped

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 1/2 tsp prepared mustard

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup hickory-smoke BBQ sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

Mix all ingredients in crock-pot. Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 12 hours (or high for 2 to 3 hours). Yield about 1 1/2 quarts, 6 to 8 servings.

The beans I prepared Sunday were slightly modified. I didn't have any bacon, but used a ham bone with lots of meat instead. The canned beans were in tomato sauce, so I used that instead of all the ketchup. (I did this to save a little $$. We buy organic ketchup because there's no hydrogenated oil or high fructose corn syrup in it.) Before heading off to church though, I did mix a little into the pot. I didn't figure out the calories for this one.

Empty Entertainment

Here is a passage that convicted me from Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Several women from our church are getting together every other week to discuss and study this book together. This book is good because it repeatedly references the Word, directing us to study it in it's context.

We entertain ourselves with reading material, movies, TV programs, and music that reflect worldly philosophies and legitimize profanity, immodesty, and immoral behavior, never stopping to contemplate that in so doing . . .

• we are desensitizing our conscience and developing a tolerance for sin;
• we are increasing our appetite for sin and diminishing our hunger for holiness;
• we are erecting a barrier in our fellowship with God;
• we are programming our minds to think the world's way (and how we think will ultimately determine how we live);
• we are increasing the likelihood that we will actually act out the things we are seeing and hearing;
• we are developing an unbiblical view of sexuality that may ultimately rob us of our virginity or destroy our marriage;
• we are increasing the likelihood that our children and grandchildren will become profane and immoral. (pp. 94-95)

We don't watch TV and we cancelled our cable several months ago because we did watch it. :-) I would sensor the things I watched and had a total distaste for the profane and immoral things. But I found that watching other programs would leave me feeling more discontent. For example, after watching "10 Years Younger" or "What Not to Wear" I feel very motivated to go out and get a new wardrobe, some liposuction and electrolysis. Then I would get further frustrated because I can't spend any money on new clothes, etc.

But, if I spend more time in God's Word (exactly the place I need to spend as much time as possible), I am encouraged to be content with what I have, no matter how little or how much material blessings God has given. These programs, as "safe" as they may seem, diminish Kingdom values and perspectives. I still battle the flesh over discontentment, but at least by remaining attached to the Vine, who is Christ, I have more than enough ammunition.

Waiting On The Lord

Our soul waits for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

For our heart rejoices in Him,

Because we trust in His holy name.

Psalm 33:20-21

Jeramy and I are a little anxious to hear back from the bank concerning our offer on the second house. We really don't want to continue looking at homes and visualizing what could and could not be our first home together. Our realtor told us that it could take the bank up to a month to get back to us before we can even begin to haggle over the price of the home. This leaves us a bit frustrated because we are on a timeline to get out of our apartment the last day of our lease, September 30. Now, we are not so sure whether we should notify our rental property of our situation and continue renting on a month-to-month basis or just continue on the course which we have set, trusting that maybe God will work things out and that our timing might be His timing. I don't know.

As I read through the Psalms, attempting to grasp more of the heart of God that completely and totally trusts in Him and Him alone, the Spirit reminds me that such a heart waits for the Lord. The psalmist is completely content in whatever the Lord wills in His sovereign plan and design. It reminds me not to be anxious.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

The hard part about waiting, the real foothold of anxiety, is that we're not in control of this situation. But, we can run to the One who is. He has blessed us to be in this financial position and made this opportunity possible for us. So many things had to happen in order for this time to be upon us, all of which were ordained in God's plan! Will I trust Him now with the unknown? He has never given me reason to doubt that He doesn't have my best interest in mind: that I would walk in the righteousness of Christ, regardless of whatever material blessings He may give or take away.

"Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will depart.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

may the name of the LORD be praised!"

Job 1:21

A Brief Update

Sunday afternoon, fairly soon after arriving home from church, Jeramy scooped up Moriah again to catch the potty before releasing anything solid. Well . . . success!! After regaining her bearings, Moriah did poo in the potty a very significant amount! Yay Moriah!!! Every time she uses the potty, that's one less diaper we have to change! :-D

I'm debating on whether or not to spend the money on training pants for her, cloth or disposable. Either method will be expensive. Currently as Jeramy and I are attempting to secure a new home, our efforts are concentrated on sacrificing the good for the great and seriously buckling down on our budget. We have been sensibly frugal since we met, but now, even more so. I don't mind. I would rather have a house in a month than a Wendy's frosty today. I guess that's delayed gratification for you.

Lily had her six month check-up and shots today. She will be 7 months tomorrow, the fourth. She weighed in at 14 lbs 11 oz and 26 and 1/2 inches long. She has two teeth very visible on the bottom. She is also sitting up unassisted very nicely on occasion. She still loves her Jumperoo very much. This month she has started to play with her feet - attempting to grasp them whenever lying down or breastfeeding. Lily has also started sleeping on her belly. She rolls from her back onto her belly easily, but still hasn't figured out how to roll, unassisted, from her belly to her back. When she gets tired, she grunts really loudly, like she's moving furniture. She has begun to eat some vegetables: carrots, peas, squash, green beans and today, sweet potatoes. So far, so good.

See the new pictures in the right sidebar.

Many Thanks

Jeramy, Moriah, Lily and I had such a good time visiting in Statesboro. We really want to thank Grandma and Granddaddy Anderson for all of the many kindnesses they showed to us. They gave us the gift of creamed corn - a TRUE labor of love! They cooked such wonderful meals (as always!) and allowed us to invade their home - whining toddlers, teething infants, cloth diapers and all!

I was also very excited for the extended family to see how Moriah has grown into a very active little girl and to meet our very sweet little Lily. We received visits from Great Grandma Gladys, Aunts Janis, Tammy and Sherri and cousins Hope and Justin. Uncle Stephen (Jeramy's brother) and girlfriend Tina got to see the girls too and that was precious also.

And I cannot go without saying this: Mrs. Anderson's Blueberry Cake was totally awesome! THE best (non chocolate) cake I have ever had, ever! Please, Mrs. Anderson, make that cake again for Christmas or my birthday. It is soooo good! Have you ever thought of mixing blueberries in with the cake batter also?

Thanks so much again for opening your home to us. Your hospitality is unparalleled.