I Love a Rainy Night...

I Love a Rainy Night... you know it makes me feel good!
Remember that old Eddie Rabbitt song?
Well it's a very rainy, damp, cold night here in Indy, and I am cozy inside!
We have had dinner and now I am enjoying a cup of de-caf coffee.

This is what we had for dinner, one of Jim's favs...

I make Ina Garten's (The Barefoot Contessa) meatloaf recipe from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. Her recipe actually calls for ground turkey, but my dear hubby is a meat and taters guy, so it's made w/ ground beef. While looking through my current Taste of Home Magazine I found a meatloaf recipe that called for a mashed potato crust. Well, as soon as I mentioned the crust to Jim... it was a must make dish! So here is a pic... and I do have to say it's delish. Just make your favorite meatloaf recipe and bake for 30 minutes @ 350*. Remove from the oven and pipe the mashed potatoes you prepare on top. I used a large star tip. Bake for 45 more minutes or until the meatloaf registers 160*. We had petite peas and pineapple slices too! Fortunately there is some leftover for his lunch tomorrow! I made my mashed potatoes w/ butter, a splash of chicken broth, salt and some cream cheese. Whipped them up and yummo!

Tonight is one of those nights that you hunker down and are thankful for the roof over your head, a warm meal in your tummy, cozy blanket and a good book!

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Peter 6:6

Veteran's Day

Give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due.
~ Romans 13:7 TLB

Father, I thank You for the many brave men and women who have fought for the freedoms we hold so dear. For their unselfish sacrifice and service to our country. For those who have gone before... for those who currently serve. Cradle our service men and women in your ever protecting care. Bless and keep their families as they are far a part.

... and Lord, I thank You for our ultimate freedom fighter Jesus Christ. Amen

A Sunday in Autumn

I have enjoyed this day so much today that I wanted to share w/ all of you what has gone on so far...

A Sunday in Autumn

Up early for Church (this is a picture of the altar in our Church Sanctuary.

After church we had breakfast at Jim's mom's. (we all gather together for breakfast each Sunday after church. Jim's mom lives right next door to Calvary.) Today Jim's Uncles are in town so we enjoyed Jim's mom's "Sunday French Toast" My favorite! We also had sausages, orange juice and coffee. I am including the recipe for her French Toast - it's wonderful!

Sunday French Toast
* Loaf of French Bread (or any bread you like)
* 4 Eggs
* 1 Cup Milk
* 2 T Orange Juice
* 1 T sugar
* 1/2 tsp vanilla
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 2 T butter
* Confectioners (powdered) sugar

Arrange bread (sliced) in a 13x9 inch pan.
Beat eggs w/ milk, orange juice, vanilla & slat until well blended. Pour over bread, turn slices to coat evenly. Cover pan and refrigerate overnight.

Melt butter in skillet, or on your griddle; place bread slice in skillet or griddle and cook until golden, about 4 minutes per side (just eyeball it); sprinkle w/ powdered sugar and of course smother it with maple syrup!

Once home we decided we should stay on top of the leaves. Plus, we needed to rake out the leaves under the bushes in the front of the house. Jim has been mulching up the leaves this year with the mower - it's been wonderful. Not raking as much and not bagging as much. Some of the mulched leaves will be tilled into the veggie garden. As I type this he is cutting up the leaves in our neighbor's yard.

Here we are hard at work... looks like I drew the short straw here!



Well... maybe not the short straw... Jim is still outside in the cold... here is where I am...



I have a cozy fire in the fireplace... have poured myself a cup of coffee and will settle in to read the Thanksgiving issues of my favorite magazines! I am using my new coffee mug that I purchased at the Feed & Seed's Christmas Open House last night. Isn't it cute?!?!?!

Oh, and I have a pot of chili bubbling on the stove!
I have my favorite fall candles burning inside and you can smell the fireplace outside. It sure smells like fall at the Schwark Homestead!




After we eat, I believe we will venture out to our friend's home to watch the Colts!!! Go Colts!!

Autumn days, like today are my favorite. Raking leaves, (good exercise) something bubbling on the stove, a fire in the fireplace, crisp air, a good book or magazine... and football!

I hope you are enjoying your Autumn Sunday...
What a blessing today has been!

WFW ~ Build Upon the Rock

Matthew 7:24-25
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

Today's WFW is scipture from Matthew and a picture I took of our house today!

I am so thankful that Jim and I have based our marriage upon the rock of Jesus Christ. Yes, there have been times when the winds have blown, the rain has beat down... but on Christ the solid rock we stand. Only in him can we stand firm... and not fall.

If you look closely - you can see my dog looking out the window. More than likely wondering what his weird mother is doing!

The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a Bible verse!

To be blessed by more Word Filled Wednesdays - please visit Amy @ 160 Acre Woods!

Election Day... VOTE

Here are the words for today's date, Election Day this year...from my morning devotional book Praying God's Word Day by Day, by Beth Moore.

I pray to You, O Lord, in the time of your favor; in Your great love O God, answer me with Your sure salvation.

Resucue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide Your face from Your servant; answser me quickly, for I am in trouble. (Psalm 69:13-17)

According to Your Word, in this world I will have trouble, but I am to take heart! You have overcome the world! (John 16:33)

I couldn't think of more appropriate words for the state of our country in this age and how our beliefs are persecuted in sometimes a very subtle and other times a very blatant way.

Lord have mercy on the United States. May we return to the Christian values that this great nation was founded upon. Amen.

Due to an election day post, I will post my Yes to God Tuesday post on Thursday this week, returning to Tuesday on next week.