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Monday, October 31, 2011

2011 Jack O Lantern Haven

Happy Halloween to all the girls and boys in Halloween Land. Come and enjoy a Jack O Lantern show with all the ghosts and goblins.

Dinner Menu for tonight


Meatloaf Brains


2 pounds hamburger with
2 Cups Spaghetti noodles
3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
One Cup cubed Colby Jack Cheese
dash salt and pepper and Italian seasoning and garlic powder
2 pieces of bread torn in pieces
1/4 c BBQ sauce
1 /2 Chopped Onion (Optional)
1 egg
2 TBSP bread crumbs
1/4 c milk
Mix all ingredients and shape into a bread pan
Bake at 350 degrees for one hour


Serve with Green Ghoul Fingers- Can green beans











Happy Halloween to all my Ghoul Friends.......





Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Witchy Woman- for Monday Madness in BFF

Yes, Halloween is only five days away. In my writing group on Monday Madness we are to bring forth some inspiration that comes from the prompt, "Witchy Woman"
In Good Halloween Fashion, I have made a family halloween video for you to laugh with... You can make one too. Just click link and you will laugh your head off.  Waaaaa
http://sendables.jibjab.com/add_ecard_message/231176058


Let me share a song I learned when I was in first grade with you.........


"Witches, pumpkin heads and black cats, scary spooks and black bats, Oh it's Halloween
Witches, pumpkin heads and black cats, scary spooks and black bats, Oh it's Halloween


Halloween night is a night where fearful things are seen
Look Out     look Out
Look Out     look Out
Look Out, it's Halloween~~~~

Taco Tuesday- Tasty Tuesday

"Taco Tuesday on a Tuesday"....... My sis and I used to say this at college when we went out for taco's. Now we have taco night at home and love it. We call it a fiesta and add a wide variety of fixings to the taco's.

Ingredients
  • 1/2 Cup Shredded Lettuce
  • Can green and black olives
  • 1 Onion
  • 2 C shredded cheese
  • Can re fried beans
  • 1 Pound browned ground beef
  • 1 bag taco seasoning
  • 1/3 c water
  • Taco Shells and Tortilla's
  • 2 C tomatoes
  • 1 C sour cream
  • Peach or Mango Salsa
  1. Brown the burger, drain and add seasoning and water.  Heat while chopping the veggies. 
  2. Chop all Vegetables
  3. Warm Taco's in oven for five minutes
  4. Drain all olive cans 
  5. Dollop sour cream in bowl
  6. Use Taco holder as shown in my picture above and  below if you have one. (if not, use bowls for all)
Fill taco with cheese, burger, veggies and fix ins.  Enjoy








Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Wordless Wednesday-Scare Crow Man

Rhubarb Apple Crisp Surprise


Ingredients
  • 4 C Rhubarb Chopped
  • 3 Apples peeled, cored, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 3 Tbsp Orange Juice
  • 1C Sugar
  • 1Tbsp butter pieces 
Mix this in a bowl and set aside
Next in a mixer
  •  Mix 6 Tbsp melted butter
  • 1 Tsp baking soda
  • 1 C flour
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 C Brown Sugar
  • 3/4 C Oats
  • 1 pkg caramel
Mix top ingredients in first bowl with fork and spread in a greased floured glass 9x13 baking pan
Take blended mixture of second bowl and drop on top evenly with hands
At thirty minutes add drizzle the caramel on top 
Bake for 45-55 minutes or until fruit is bubbly
Eat hot or cool with dollop of ice cream  and or whipped cream

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Dream: Safe Haven -: GBE2 Prompt

My dream, no more violence
Please, end it all now

I feel my person fading
To gain peace, I know not how

I’m trapped in this heavy hell 
Body, mind, spirit, being devoured
Died long ago, thoughts of us
Being justly soured

My dream is to end this for all womankind
Please listen and know that your heart you will find

Leave, of course you feel panic
Dark and real
Believe you’re not crazy
Your worth he may not steal

Spinning his plan
To ease his dark ugly soul
In his heart lies a void gaping hole

Talking smack about you
It’s so hard to believe
Get out now, you must leave

Don’t let him break your spirit
There must be some reprieve

Trust your gut where confusion lie
Your reality is truth; Don't allow your spirit to die

He  carefully spins his next move
It’s all a game

Does not care for you
Shame shame shame

Lack of empathy, feelings too
No understanding of love
It’s all a ruse

Wants you to believe
You’ve gone mad
His insanity projected
It is all so sad

Link all incidents in one
Not a fluke
Once you realize this pattern
You’ll want to puke

But I thought I loved you
We’ve all said this too
This calculated monster is no good for you

His sickness eats at him day after day
To relieve the anxiety this game he must play

He blames you and names you for all
But for his wicked schemes you will not fall

He pits family and friends against you
While this enigmas' progressing, you haven’t a clue

Till the day you feel there’s nothing left inside

He is sitting back and watching with pride

The grin he muses so proud and so cruel
Depleting your soul, breaking you down is his fuel

Get out now I say, you can do it I know
Healing violence takes time; seems to move slow

Peace we desire; it is ever near
Once you reclaim yourself
It all becomes clear


You did nothing wrong, it was his violent nature, you see
Your life’s filled with hope and I know you’ll be free
Take care of yourself with gentleness and love
Forget not, the holy spirit of truth is a dove

There will be a day you will feel whole and look back
Your life full of support and on track
Please remember truth sets you free
No care-taking his sickness, just a bug on the wall is he

Silence is not golden, not in this case
Speak of the pain and domestic violence ugly face

Surround yourself with friends and family that care
Get out of this chaos for the many women in this same situation, Do share

You’re not alone, there are too many to name
Don’t worry of those that believe in his game
The truth will come forth; light always shines through
I pray you don’t break, We are all here for you

Dream all your dreams
Round the corner they stand
Just waiting for you to take hold of their hand

Life is your oyster, you’re beautiful and smart
Know some day you’ll find true love
You’ll open your heart

Try not to be jaded on love that is true
Unfortunately we found charmers
That hadn’t a clue
Power in numbers we need to take claim
Shouting out for joy now, that is our new found fame


" Speak your truth, you never know who may need to hear it."  Laura Rogers

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Laura's Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bars

Ingredients
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1-2/3 C. Sugar
  • 1C Vegetable oil
  • 1 16 oz. Can Pumpkin
  • 2 C Flour
  • 2tsp Baking Powder
  • 2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Soda
  • 3 oz Cream Cheese
  • 1//2 C. Butter softened
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 2 C Powdered sugar
Beat Eggs,sugar, oil and pumpkin till fluffy in mixer
Stir the flour,baking powder, cinnamon, salt & soda together in bowl
Fold in the flour mixture to pumpkin  after mixing it with fork
Spread the batter in greased/floured pan 9x13
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, remove and let cool

Cream Cheese frosting
Mix softened butter, cream cheese and vanilla, then add in the powdered sugar 
Spread over Pumpkin bars when totally cooled
Optional:  Sprinkle top of cream cheese with sprinkles


Happy Autumn, 
Laura



I won the Versatile Blogger Award- Thanks Claudia

In blogger world, it feels so special to earn a reward for your writing.  Claudia selected me for theVersatile blogger award and I don't take it lightly.  When one is honored with the Versatile Blogger Award, you give it back to seven other talented writers.  First I am to write seven things about me that I want to share with you.  Here it goes:

I am a single doting mother of two great teens
I absolutely love life and am so grateful
I have a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology
I am an identical twin
I was an extra in one of the worst movies ever made-It was called " The Comeback," Starring Robert Yurek and Chyna Phillips
God gave me the strength and courage to leave an abusive marriage
I sing and used to get paid to sing for weddings and other celebrations- On that note- ha- My twin and I were invited to sing at New York's Carnegie hall

Now I will select my five other winners that I feel deserve this honorable award.
http://www.babylifetime.com/===========Susan

http://www.sevenclowncircus./=========Angie





Paying it forward.........


Saturday, October 15, 2011

Funniest Kid Story For Mommy Blogger- Warts and All

Just another day in the life of single mother Laura. As a mother of two kids girl and boy, eight and nine respectively, I still giggle looking back. My usual after work mode was and still is, cooking in my kitchen, hearing  active & loud kids running around me, as my comforting smooth jazz plays over the radio. "Ten minutes till dinner kids, that is your dinner bell warning. Let's start the wind down process."  I dropped the white apron with a picture of my late father around my neck and tied the string around my waist.

Running circles around my upper living room into the kitchen, Ellie and Jacob did not heed my dinner warning to calm down. My sister and I chopped vegetables for the Caesar salad we were to serve.  We laughed as the kids made circles around us. Survivor of lung cancer, my twin sister Linda lived with us and helped me raise my two children with tender love and care.  She was coined by my kids at a very young age as "Auntie Mama."  She was then and  now a very integral part of our family circle.  Fourteen now, my son Jacob commented the other day when I said " Jacob you just called Auntie,  Mom, his response, It's the same thing, your both my moms. I felt so touched hearing him say what I already knew he felt in his sweet little soul.

Now it's time for the kids to set the table. I reached my hand onto Jacob's shoulder, and stopped him in his tracks,Woe there little horsey.  Time to set the table for dinner, and that goes for you too little miss Ellie. " Oh mom, do we have to?  "Yes, Ellie, you know that we are a team and that means we all do our part." As I looked down to the floor I noticed Jacob wearing two different socks on his feet. This was a common scenario seeing no reaction at all to having totally different socks. One sock long going up to his knee and the other a short sport sock covering only his foot and barely reaching his ankle.  I know I don't have to die on every mountain so I let it go.

Cheesy chicken was once again the hit of the week. Cheese drizzling out of a chicken breast filled with butter, bread crumbs and cream of mushroom soup. The only way this mom can get her kids to eat veggies is to hide them in a meal. Well it worked and as the kids said, " Tasty chicken mom."  " I'm glad you liked it kids, please clear the table and take it to the living-room for cuddle time."  Routine is so important for children, so this scene was common place at our house.

Table cleared, kitchen cleaned, we were ready to head into the living room for our nightly cuddle time to watch a special show.  As Jacob headed for the other room, he grabbed what he thought was the lip balm. Gliding it effortlessly over his lips and pursing his lips together, he noticed my reaction. "Mom, what?"  Jacob, what did you put on your lips I screamed as I ran from the kitchen sink over to him? "Mom, I just put lip balm on, why do you have that look on your face? Worried, I took the lip balm into my hand and read it out loud. Warning: This is wart medicine. Do not put this anywhere on the body unless there are warts observed. In case of accidental application on lips, rinse the lips with water until till medicine is gone. 


Well, I guess you know what Jacob and I were doing for the next half hour.  Here are some words I kept hearing over and over till that dog gone wart medicine was gone off my sons lips.  "Hot, hot, hot, burning, ouch, mom get it off."   Wart Gloss- Don't try this at home.-----

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

I get by with a little help from my friends





I get by with a little help from my friends.  That is our prompt from Monday Madness.  I am proud to share my best friends with you all.  I can't include all my besties here, but here are some of my most prized people in the world. I feel so blessed.  I was told in middle school that as adults if we can say we have one true friend, then we are blessed. 

I do agree and especially as a single mom of two teens that "No man is an island."  I know that it takes a village to raise great kids.  I am not too proud to ask my good friends for help.  We all need a little help some of the time.  I think the older we get we understand this concept more fully.  There should be no shame in asking good friends for help when you need it.  I believe that is what life is about, to be able to ask for what you need.

Those with false pride won't think it is OK to ask for help.  Think about it, the more quality people in our kids lives, the better off they are.  I am a director of volunteers and this fact will amaze you.  Each mentor in a child's life, not only saves tax dollars on children getting into trouble, but much more.  When your child has all those around them that they can turn to, it broadens their base.  This can help our kids emotionally, physically, mentally, psychologically, and spiritually.  Each adult in our kid's life can teach them new ways of thinking and of being and it is good for everyone. Self esteem can sky rocket with more quality adults in their lives.


How many adult role models did you have growing up? Who were they and what did you learn from them?  Did you ever let them know how important they were to you?  Well, we can all help mentor kids just by helping out our friends when they need it.  So next time your thinking  "Oh, I could really use a extra pair of hands, Don't just say it, call up a friend. Or Help your friends:  drive kids to school, help with homework, help take to extra curricular activities.

Know it is never too late to call and let a past mentor/adult know how important they were/are.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Saturday Smorgasbord- Part 2- Just a Segment of My Second Chapter in My Mystery Series

.
We read the book called " The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. One of the first quotes in the book we read was, "As above, so below, as within, so without."  Ron and I were entrenched in the book and read it in two study library study sessions. The book revealed   "The Power of Attraction."  You bring forth what it is that you want in your life. It also teaches " The Law of Intention."  Be mindful of what you want, and ask for it. It stresses that our thoughts need to be intentional. All that you want will come to you in the way it was intended, by a divine plan. I knew as the book was unfolding, that this power was the power I though of as " GOD." In fact, many bible verses were written in these pages and as a bible study enthusiast, I knew this book was meant for me. 




This is my Mystery series on hub pages.  I am on chapter 17 of this series. Please check it out if you would like.


The Burwell House Mysteries - Part I

Friday, October 7, 2011

One Day At A Time


Please listen to the song "ONE DAY AT A TIME.
When I learned of the writing prompt for BFF today, it was a no brain er as to my inspirations. I want to talk about how very precious life is. I am forty eight years young and still know without a doubt how every day in this life matters.  Good bad or ugly, it does not matter to me as long as I know I do my best with what God gave me. I do wear the armour of God and it is helpful in every way to me every day.

I have a strong faith in God and that is my vehicle to try to be ever present in my life. I think it quite wise for all of us to be "in the moment".  Life is fleeting.  I just lost a good friend and neighbor recently.  I am forever reminded that this life in the physical plane goes fast.  I hope and pray that my life time here and my actions will serve me well in the heavenly plane. They say that the years in between our birth and death are what matters. I hope in many ways I am emulating goodness in my life. Most of us really do want to be the best we can be.

As I sit here and write this, I am very choked up. I have loved and lost many times, too many to say the least. I have no parents and have been an orphan since 1998.  My father, one of my most treasured friends I had in this life, left this earth when I was pregnant with my daughter. I named her after him and so she is Gabrielle JoAnne.  The Jo is for John, my fathers first name and Anne stands for his middle name, Anthony.  I miss him so much at times it hurts physically.  Her first name is for Angel Gabriel.  Yes, I am a catholic. Ha

 I have met Great people with great hearts and I have met those that I know actually are evil to the core.  I have been blessed to say that my soul mate in heaven comes to me when things get difficult.  I am sad to say that lately life has been tough because my ex is escalated and is now back to bullying me.  Lets just say, I know he is monitoring my blog right now and I feel so very violated but compassion for his state of mind and for him.  What I do know is that he is scared.  One day at a time..............

I will pray for one day at a time and I pray you will all pray for my children's father, and my kids and I.

  "Dear lord, please help xxx not feel like he has to be a bully to get what he wants.  Please fill his heart with your love that only comes from you. Please heal his sad heart.

In Him

Monday, October 3, 2011

My Favorite Meals To Cook in Autumn

My blog frog challenge today is to write a list and post it on my blog. I have chosen to write on my favorite autumn meals/Snacks to cook.

  • Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Zucchini Bread
  • Pumpkin Bars
  • Banana Bread
  • Pot Roast
  • Cheesy Chicken
  • Meat Loaf
  • Stir Fry
What are you cooking this fall?

Laura's Pot Roast from her Dad- John Anthony Rogers Recipe - I miss you Johnny.......
  • One Pot Roast-or Country Roast
  • One package of Lipton Onion Soup Mix and One Package Mushroom-Onion Lipton
  • Four Bay Leaves
  • One can Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • One can Cream of Celery (Optional)
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Any Veggies you desire- I do: Onion,Green and Bell Peppers, Potatoes, Carrots,Celery, Rutabaga....
  • One Can Beef Bouillon
Sear the Pot Roast in a frying pan in olive oil. You want to sear it long enough to capture and seal in the moistness in the roast. Make sure to observe brown on both sides before putting into the Roasting Pan.

Put the can of beef bouillon in the bottom of the roasting pan with the bay leaves. 
Put roast in.
Add cream of mushroom and celery on top of roast
Next add the Lipton soup mixes 
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cover with foil
Cook for 1.5 hours
Add in the Vegetables. I par boil the potatoes,carrots and celery till almost soft. 
Cook another 1.5 hours.
Suction juice over top of roast every hour.  Makes a great gravy.
Bake at 350 degrees
Serve with dinner rolls