What Place Does The Computer Hold?

I like computers.  I have a Facebook account, a Twitter feed, and a blog.  I like watching YouTube videos and occasionally chatting.  Yes, I even check my email every hour or less.  I play games and even get close to winning them.

Yet I have started to realize something about my time on the computer.  My computer doesn't talk to me.  It doesn't listen to my dreams.  It doesn't respond to a hug.  It doesn't confide its secrets and desires in me.

The worst thing this computer does is become a time waster.  I was recently reminded of this when we got home the other night.  I immediately turned the computer on and checked my Facebook, my email, and started a game.  Meanwhile, my wife was wanting my help with some chores, and time with me.

It also can suck my time away from pursuing God.  This makes it an idol.  Seeking God has to be our first priority in life, not seeking the high score in the latest Facebook game.

Now I'm not saying get rid of the computer or never spend time on it.  Obviously I'm using it right now.  There are many good things about the computer and many good ways to use it as a tool.  Just don't let it become your god. Find that balance in your life.

For example:  I made a commitment to my wife that I wouldn't use the computer during the evening unless we agreed on it.  It's a way that I get to say to my wife that I value her and that she's more important than any electric box. 

Where does the computer fall in your priorities?  What actions do you need to take to make a change in your life?

3 Things to Do on a Cold Day

It got cold yesterday, so very cold.  My wife decided she didn't want to drive out to work in -38 degrees C.  Thus we ended up with a day off.

What do you do on a cold day when you're stuck inside?

• Play Scrabble.  I started out with VASSAL and ended up with QUIZ.  It was fun to play a board game with my wife.  Next on the game play list:  Canasta!
• Read a book and take a nap.  I had been up early, so I ended up on the couch, reading, and then nodded off to sleep.  Something special about dozing off and waking up to hear my wife puttering in the kitchen.
• Have a Dr. Who Marathon!!  We're almost at the end of Season 2 and are quite enjoying the weird humor of The Doctor.  Who knew that Ghosts were metal people pushing through from another Earth?

Most of all, we just enjoyed talking and being in each other's presence.

What do you do on a cold or snow day?  What occupies your time?

Looking back on 2011's good things

My friend Lisa posted on her blog about seeing miracles in 2011.  That made me think about 2011 and the various things that have happened this last year.

• The biggest is my marriage to Brianna.  We're at our 5 months of marriage mark and I'm so very happy to have this lady as my wife.  She is a support and an encourager for me.
• I'm also involved in the church, teaching Sunday school for the 1st through 5th grade.  Loving these kids and the opportunity to speak into their lives.
• We are incredibly blessed!  Our apartment is completely outfitted, and we recently realized that we really don't need anything (beyond the groceries, of course).  We are content with what we have.  Kind of a strange place to be at the beginning of our marriage, but a good place.
• We have started paying off debt.  We just got the first $1000 emergency fund saved up and starting to make extra payments to the credit cards.  It is definitely a blessing to see God's hand in providing for us!
• My family grew by marriage and I became an instant uncle!  Gabe is such a blessing and I love that little boy so much!  Looking forward to watching him grow and learn.

And now we have a new year to look forward to.  God is working in our lives and it's going to be so much fun to see how it all works out!

How about your look at 2011?  What good things happened last year?

2 Weeks Bachelor Menu

My brother is a bachelor and was wanting some help on planning meals.  I am a recovered bachelor *smirks* and decided to put together a menu that might work for him.  After doing so, I thought it might be helpful for others out there.  Feel free to tweak this to your likes and dislikes.

(For a detailed month-long menu Click Here )

First Week

Sunday

Chicken and veggies

• Put 4 or 5 of those frozen chicken breasts in a crockpot (thawed)
• put in about a cup or so of chicken broth
• Season with herbs (we use Italian Seasoning and Paprika)
• Cook on low for 6 hours or so.
• Steam or microwave (use that pampered chef black container) some carrots, peas, beans, or corn (frozen package)

Now you have leftover chicken to use.

MondayQuesadilla

• Cut up a chicken breast into small pieces.  
• Take a tortilla (Whole wheat if possible), place meat on it, take grated cheese (can be any type of cheese that you want) and dump it on. You can cut up any veggies and other meats to add to it.  Another tortilla is placed on top and you can either microwave it, or cook it in the oven at 400.

TuesdaySpaghetti - Pretty easy

• Brown up some hamburger and onions or olives or garlic.  Add some ground sausage if you want.  Make sauce with the recipe on the spice package and add the meat stuff to it.  
• Let simmer for ten minutes at least.  
• Cook some noodles and you have a meal. 

Take the leftover sauce and freeze in one serving containers.  Makes a wonderful quick meal.

WednesdayLeftover chicken  -

• You can heat up a breast, some veggies and there you go.  
• You can cut up into small pieces, add to lettuce or spinach and other raw veggies, and some Ceasar dressing and you have a Ceasar salad. 
• Wraps are a good thing too.

Thursday

This is a bit more prep, and we haven't tried it yet.

Tasty Meatball

• 2 bread slices made into crumbs (toast and then crush)
• 1/3 Cup Finely chopped green onion (and I learned that you can use all the leaves...)
• 2 tbsp of Milk
• 3/4 tsp of dried parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 tsp powder)
• 1 tsp Seasoned Salt
• 1/2 tsp Hot Pepper Sauce (I'm sure you can omit this ingredient if you want)
• 1/8 tsp Pepper

Combine all 8 ingredients in large bowl.
Add ground beef.  Mix well.  Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls.  Arrange on greased baking sheet with sides.  Bake in 400 degree F oven for about 15 minutes until fully cooked, and internal temperatur of beef reaches 160 degrees F.  Makes about 18 meatballs.

You can get a jar of alfredo sauce and serve with noodles.  Or use some of the spaghetti Sauce.

Friday
Pot Roast

I usually got a round roast at Winco.  Make sure you can either cut it into two pieces for your crockpot or it's small enough for it. Oh, and cut the fat off.
You can sear it in a frypan to seal the juices in or just throw it in.  I cut small holes in and stick garlic cloves in.  Put about a half the height of the roast of beef broth.  Cut up some potatoes into small pieces, same with carrots. 

Cook in Crockpot for at least 8 hours at low.  I used to do roasts for 24 hours. You do need to check for liquid level every so often.  Just add a little water as needed.

SaturdayPizza!!!

Sunday

French Dip

• Package of Au Jus in water, heat
• Hoagie bun or some other type of bun.  
• Slice your leftover beef really thin. 
• Place on bun. 
• Dip in juice. 
• Eat.

Monday

Spaghetti from freezer.

TuesdayChicken wraps

WednesdayChicken Pot Pie

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-pot-pie-ix/detail.aspx

Haven't tried this, but it sounds good.


Pie Crust (similar to Great Grandma Bean's)


http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pie-crust-iv/detail.aspx

ThursdayLeftovers

FridayChicken on Rice
You can cook the chicken in the crockpot or the oven.  Use whatever spices you want.
Rice is 1 part rice to 2 parts water.  1cup of uncooked rice makes a huge amount.  You need to watch it, 'cause it is easy to scorch.  Steam some veggies and there you go.

Saturday

Steak and potatoesFry or grill your nice steak.  Cook a big potato in the oven wrapped in foil.  Steam some veggies.

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Hope that works.  Feel free to experiment and move things around.  Ask questions if you need to.  If you don't eat something within 3 days, stick in freezer and try to eat it in the next couple months.

Grocery List. 

2 packages of frozen chicken breasts

Frozen veggies

Bag of brown rice

Round Roast

Steak

Ground Beef

Garlic bulb

Garlic powder

Italian Seasoning

Basil

Thyme

Dried minced onion is good to have on hand for crockpot stuff

Package of carrots

Celery - if you use it

Spinach or lettuce or both

Onion (Walla Walla's are the mildest)

Bag of potatoes (we get the red skins)

tortillas (whole wheat)

Hoagie buns

Au Jus Packages

Spaghetti packages

Alfredo sauce - prego or ragu

Tomato sauce - 4 or so cans...  Check the package

Spaghetti noodles

Fetticini noodles for meatballs

Hot sauce ??