Journey With Jen

A recent study that looks at cancer rates in the United States.  The study concluded that the cancer incidence rates of Gen X (born between 1965 - 1980) and Millennials (born 1981-1996) were 2 to 3 times higher than baby boomers (born 1946-1964).    Not only are they more likely to get cancer, but they are more likely to develop 17 types of cancer.  Okay -- that's crazy!! The researcher's said major contributing factors included environmental toxins, diet, and obesity.  But what has changed from 1955 to the 1980's? And even more so today?  Our diet.  Things were made from scratch.  Real ingredients.  Then, we had 2 income families, so frozen dinners took off.  Convivence food became a big part of our grocery stores.  Now, fast food is a part of our culture.  I work at a school. Those kids will eat pizza and chicken nuggets daily without thinking twice.  Our diets have changed so much and it allows toxins into our bodies da...

Can you believe that it is already this time of year??  I looked at the calendar and it is hard to believe that next week is Thanksgiving.  This Thursday will be my first of the Thanksgiving meals that I'll prepare.  It's turkey and dressing day at school, so I'll have over 400 servings to prepare.  Geez!! Of course in the midst of the holidays, we still must fund-raise!  So, we figured that we could help you out as well.  :)  So, we are once again doing our fall fundraising bake sale.  Joey will be baking once again!! You get to enjoy!  I know that everyone wants something homemade for Thanksgiving, just let Joey do the cooking.   Two Layer Chocolate Cake:  $20 Snickerdoodle Bunt Cake:  $15 Two Layer Red Velvet Cake:  $20 24 Butter Croissants:  $15 Homemade Pumpkin Pie:  $15 Please let me know what we can help you with.  Thank you for supporting our fundraising efforts! 

Summer is her!! Luckily, summer temps have not made it here yet!  I know that most people are ready for summer and enjoy the heat.  I enjoy the time with my kids and the chance to get things done.  The weather is my least favorite of all seasons.  BUT, I do think we should celebrate a bit with a giveaway! One of last yrs basket winners! I am thinking...hummmm...  maybe a breakfast basket.  Like some scones and muffins.   Oh, cannot forget a sweet bread like maybe strawberry or banana bread.  Of course, there are always some cinnamon biscuits or cinnamon rolls too.  I'm making myself hungry this morning!  :) Its been a long time since we've had a drawing. In fact, I just looked and it was last spring.  So sorry about that guys! And because it has been so long, I'll be making up two baskets!  So, two chances to win!! Please remember the rules: 1)  Just hit the comment button and leave your name  2)  Must ...

This weekend, I finally finished my menu board.  I know that doesn't sound very excited reading that but let me share with you how really cool it is!! :)  I found the idea on Pinterest.  The link to here for the original.  This is what mine turned out like: Let me kind of explain what you are looking at.  On the left are clothespins with Monday through Sunday on them.  On the right side are my card holders with weeks 1-2 and weeks 3-4 on them.  My husband gets paid every two weeks, so that is why I separated the month that way. (that is when I go grocery shopping) The first thing I had to do was to figure out a month's worth of menus.  I, personally, try not to repeat my menus for the month.  That may sound a bit intimidating.  Just break it down into small steps.  For example, for my own family I try to have an Italian dish once a week.  We also have an Asian menu and Mexican once a week.  I have soup once a week ...

"When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him." Psalm 91:15 These are the words of a best friend.  These are speaking of Jesus, but they should also apply to us.  In todays technology, when is the last time you spoke to a friend?  Honestly, one-on-one or on the phone spoke to a friend.  I'm guilty as everyone here.  It's so much easier to text really quick.  Maybe shoot out a quick e-mail.  Or even post something on Facebook.  But, with that we lose something important.  We lose that connection. Our grandparents and parents had it right.  My husband tells me stories about growing up.  His parents had about three other couples/friends.  They would take turns going to each others house to play cards while the kids played and have supper together as family.  Grandparents would visit neighbors and friends while sharing a glass of sweet tea....

Just Call Me the Easter Bunny! My basket winner, Angela Sullins, received her basket today!  Filled with Coconut Macroons, Chocolate Chip Shortbread, Frosted Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, and Hot Chocolate Cupcakes! Yumm!! A few baskets for some sweet kid-o's.  Chocolate, cookies, cupcakes, bubbles, and chalk.  Hope they bring smiles because they make me smile! :) No, I haven't forgotten my own three kids.  They are too grown up for the baskets.  :(  They just want the candy! LOL So, a bag full of goodies that I won't buy any other time a year! My baskets are done for another year.  I hope the Easter Bunny visits your home this year and leaves some treasures for you. Happy Easter!  

And our winner is......   Angela Sullins!  Just one of the sweetest people I know!  Congradulations Angela!  Thank you to everyone that entered.  I'll have to do it again soon so keep you eyes out.  Well, that's kinda gross.  Keep your eyes in but keep a look out for my next contest.  I'll post pictures when I am done.  I gotta start some Easter baking now! :)

The cookie tray is done! We got busy today and did some baking. Luke made his favorites: coconut macaroons and snickerdoodle. Faith made chocolate & peanut butter chip cookies and a new pinwheel recipe. Joey made banana and sweet potato bread. I finished up with some brownies and fudge. I hope the firemen are hungry because their tray is full!! :) I love getting the kids in the kitchen. I used to be able to get them all in there, but now it's one at a time. In a few years, they will be able to follow the recipes without any help. That's good, right? To make them self-sufficient? Hopefully, they will still want me in there even when they don't need me in there. Hopefully they are learning to reach out to others, even when it is not convenient to do so. To help even when it is not expected. "Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:1-2 A wonderful thought, isn...

Woo-hoo!! Congratulations to Darla Anderson! Thank you to everyone who entered. I hope that you guys enjoy your desserts as much as I enjoy making them for you! There will another contest soon....maybe pie? Or cinnamon rolls? Or scones? We will have to see! For now, I'm going to dig out my carrot cake recipe, start shredding some carrots, and make a run to the store for cream cheese (for frosting). Delish! Have a wonderful Wednesday my friends. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

It has been a while since my last contest. So, I think it is time to have another one! I am thinking cake. Of course, behind cinnamon rolls, that is my favorite dessert! ;~D So before we go much further, you need to be thinking about what your favorite kind is. Let me give you some suggestions that I'm fond of: Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Cake is always good!! Then, there is Yellow Butter Cake with Chocolate Frosting (pick up on my theme? LOL) Oh, yes, my German Chocolate Cake is pictured ~ delish! There is always Hummingbird Cake (with bananas & pineapple) My Daddy's favorite was always Coconut Cake How about Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting? yummm.... I know, I know! There are SO many choices. Have you made a decision yet?? Well, I know that some of you regular contest entries are out on vacation. I'll have to do another one once everyone gets back and school starts. So, when you are ready, hit the comment button at the bottom. Give me your name and the type...

You might be looking at that picture and think for a moment...humm....I wonder if she has gone bananas?? I mean, seriously. Bananas? And the answer to that question is that I've always been there, just some days I hide it better than others! LOL :) But ~ that is not what this post it about. We'll discuss my craziness some other time! This is about what those bananas can be turned into! The joy of baking! I have always loved to bake cakes and cookies. They are my favorite. uummmm.....warm cake from the oven without any frosting. Could there be anything better? only if they are cinnamon rolls warm and gooey -- okay, getting side tracked again. My mom has been a diabetic since she had me. My husband is also a diabetic. My brother-in-law and my father-in-law are also diabetics. That would be the problem the cake. Even if I Splenda it up ~ the flour turns to sugar. Plus, the flour is not on Luke's diet anyway!! So, this summer, I've been determined to change my ways. I'm...