A friend in need NEEDS good taste, indeed :)

Sometimes I just feel like I need to climb a mountain and scream, "To God be the Glory!", then...climb back down, take a deep breath and keep on living. Just like the ol' Hymn continues,

"Great things He has done"!

And this is true in my life.

Hello, my name is Mandi, it's Friday... and my house has been tidy and kept all week. Mind you, I had hubby home for 4 glorious days {spring break}, wasn't babysitting our extra little man, and... nowhere really to be to get in the way of some tidying. But...still. This is a record and I praise the Lord for the energy, conviction, and great feeling of accomplishment in keeping this place up! I could get used to this. ;) In my reading yesterday I was so challenged by the thought of also using night times for work. It's like I was hearing it for the first time, even though I know it wasn't. I remember my mom folding clean laundry well into the dusk of evening, sweeping floors or making meals ready for the next day. Somehow I just forgot, and funny how that piles on even more work for the days to come. Ugh. Very cyclical. My usual nightly routine is... get girls to bed, crash on couch with tv on, don't move a muscle until hubs wakes me up and says "go to bed". Isn't that beautiful? {hey, just bein' honest} For those wondering... "no" is the answer there. What a waste of time. I'd be the first to stand up for myself in defense... "I have very small children, I truly am tired." Or, "it's not wrong to rest at the end of the day." I agree with those things, and say them often, but, I think when it becomes a conviction of your heart and you STILL ignore it - something needs to change. But enough about my tidy home...sheesh!



I love making meals for people. It's one way that I feel I can totally minister to and love on someone. In our fairly large church opportunity ABOUNDS. Seems someone has a baby every month! While we haven't had a ton of people over to our home lately - I really do think the "hospitality on the road" idea rings true for me. I take pieces of my home to someone...with food! And I really do think taking a DELICIOUS meal to someone is a great chance to bless and spoil them. I've tried to "kick it up a notch" with my delivered meals lately. Here are a few to share! Happy cooking/baking/creating! To GOD be the GLORY!

Sausage Macaroni Skillet
1 lb. bulk Italian sausage
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 T. chopped green pepper
2 T. chopped sweet red pepper
2 c. uncooked elbow macaroni
2 c. water
1/2 c. chili sauce
5oz. evaporated milk
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1) In large skillet, cook sausage, onion and peppers over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add macaroni and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 7-8 minutes or until the macaroni is tender.
2) Stir in chili sauce and evap. milk. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 3-4 minutes.
3) Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and let stand 5 minutes or until cheese melts.
*I serve this with seasoned broccoli spears! Mix some melted butter, garlic, onion salt, basil, thyme and pepper in a small bowl, pour over about 5c. fresh or frozen broccoli and microwave in a steamer basket about 4 minutes. If you are a non-microwaver...like I want to be... I'm sure you can do this in a stove top steamer basket. :)

And, don't forget the sweets!

Sweet Potato Muffins
2 c. self rising flour
2 c. sugar
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 egg
2 c. cold mashed sweet potatoes (without added butter or milk)
1 c. canola oil
Glaze:
1 c. confectioners sugar
2 T. plus 1 1/2 t. 2% milk
1 1/2 t. butter, melted
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. cinnamon

1) In small bowl, combine flour, sugar and cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk the egg, sweet potatoes and oil. Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened.
2) Fill greased muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375 for 15-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cook for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack. In small bowl, combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over warm muffins. MAKES 2 DOZ.