GEAUX TIGERS!

Well, first all, I owe you all a huge apology for not being faithful to my blog. We've had a crazy fall season, first with the death of a friend of mine and then Tristan's mom's death following a week later. Crazy doesn't even describe our life lately! I do have a ton to blog about but I'm not going to try to put it all in one blog..that would just be way tooooo long.

When I received the news that my friend had passed away in Houston, Tx we packed up and headed that way. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ivan was also headed that way so our trip was cut short...stuck in Baton Rouge. I say stuck but it was actually the best time. Tristan, Lorin and I stayed with some old and dear friends from my childhood that I haven't seen in probably 10 years. Thanks to Myspace we have been back in touch the past few months and were able to hook up while Tristan and I were suppose to be just driving through Louisiana.

Eric and Michelle Stokes graciously opened their home to us while I was constantly on the phone and the Internet trying to find a way into Houston. Hanging out with them brought back so many memories of Michelle and I growing up together....we use to do the craziest things!

This was also a kind of memorial for Tristan because he is a huge LSU Tigers fan and this was his first time to visit the state. We arrived on a Saturday just in time for some Tiger Tailgating and some good Cajun food. Yes, I actually ate something that sounded very gross but it was delicious! I'll try anything once! After our reunion, we headed off to tour the campus and catch the Golden Band from Tiger Land before they went into the stadium for the game. Lorin absolutely loved seeing the band and the cheerleaders loved talking to her. Then came Mike the Tiger and the actual tiger that lives on the LSU campus in a multi-million dollar facility...lucky him! After all the pre-game festivities we headed out to Tony's, my favorite seafood place in Baton Rouge...the best Boudin Balls you will ever put in your mouth! After picking up our to go order we headed back to Eric and Michelle's to eat and watch the game. I should tell you that thy have two adorable sons that Lorin loved playing with! I also got to see Eric's mom for the first time in ages and that was very exciting. She is one of the most wonderful women in the world and Lorin took to her immediately. The next day, after I found out there was no way we were going to get within a country mile of Texas, Eric and Michelle took us to an awesome restaurant near the campus called Chimes....it was delicious! The best seafood gumbo I've had in a long time...since Florida at least!! Thanks, Eric and Michelle, for a great time in Baton Rouge and I hope we can visit again soon!

Cornerstone Revival Center - First Service

On Sunday, September 21st, our church had a big suprise. Church started at 10:00 Sunday morning at our old location; everyone was geared for what was to be our first "Official" service in the new church building that night. While Bro. Hampton begain to preach the last surmon at our Eva location, Bro. Wilbanks got up and suprised everyone with the news that we are going to the new building NOW! You could see the excitement and anticipation on everyones faces as they rushed to their cars and started a caravan to the building on Hwy 69. I could go on about it all day, but a picture is worth a thousand words. Enjoy!

One Last Sound Check................. One Last Usher

One Last Lap!



One Last Sermon













We're Here!!






Pastor Wilbanks and Sister Wilbanks arrive!

















Bus Kids Arrive!!!

Bathroom initiation performed by Anthony Alexander

Welcome to

Cornerstone Revival Center!!

Here Come the Troops!

Would you rather be a doorkeeper? I think not lol

Message Title

"Us, Here, Now, Why Not?"

Altar Call!!!!!!

Tristan's Mom

Hey,

Just thought I would let everyone know that Tristan's mom passed away yesterday around 12:00 noon. We aren't sure yet what caused her death.


The viewing will be Friday, September 19, 2008 at The Sanctuary in Bessemer, Alabama (The Bertram's Church) The funeral will be at the same location on Saturday at 1:00.

Thank you all for your prayers during this difficult time.

Meal Planning for the Express Checkout!

Now that I am a full-time teacher/Mom and wife, I've really had to work on getting organized (or, organimized as I would say). No one has helped me do this more than the prayers of my mother....yes, she has been fasting and praying for me to be organized my whole life!! haha. Another tool that has been inspirational is my ever helpful "Everyday Cheapskate" email that I receive daily(See homemade laundry detergent in August). This particular one was so informative that I thought I would share it with you all. It's about a weeks worth of meals and only around 20 items to purchase!! I can not attest to the cooking skills of the creator of this meal guide but I'm sure we can spice it up to our families liking.

Something that is said often in these emails has really struck a chord in me. "Mary" often says "Tough times don't last but tough people do". How true is this in our christian walk? If we can just get a tenacity in our walk with God we will be victorious! But, I digress. Didn't mean to turn meal planning into a sermon haha!

Express Checkout Dinners
Here's a meal plan you are going to love: a week's worth of dinner entrees for four to six people, complete with recipes and a shopping list that requires so few items, you just might be able to go through the Express Checkout to save time.Menu

Monday: Chicken Stir-Fry

Tuesday: Taco in a Pan

Wednesday: Vegetarian Penne with Tomato and Mozzarella

Thursday: Sour Cream Mushroom Chicken

Friday: Crazy Cheeseburger Pizza

Shopping List* 2 pounds ground beef

12 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 16-ounce frozen bag of mixed stir-fry vegetables

1 package of taco seasoning mix

1 box of instant rice (8 cups)

cheddar cheese (at least 22 ounces)

1 pound dry penne pasta

16 ounces mozzarella cheese

honey

1 jar of pizza sauce

fresh basil

2 pounds fresh tomatoes

1 24-ounce container of sour cream

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 small can diced mushrooms

*List assumes cook has basic spices, dry white wine or chicken stock, soy sauce, flour, baking soda, vegetable and olive oils, red wine vinegar, milk and eggs.

Simple Stir-Fry with Chicken
4 cups instant rice1 tablespoon vegetable oil6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces1 16-ounce frozen bag of mixed stir-fry vegetables2 tablespoons soy sauce2 tablespoons honeyHeat oil in skillet. Add chicken pieces and brown. Then, add vegetables, soy sauce and honey. Cook for five to eight minutes, until vegetables are crisp but tender. Cook rice according to instructions on the package, and serve stir-fry mixture over rice. Servings: 4.

Taco in a Pan
1 pound ground beef 4 cups water 1 packet taco seasoning mix 4 cups instant rice1 cup shredded cheddar cheese sour cream 1/2 pound chopped tomatoes

Brown ground beef in a large skillet and drain. Add water and taco seasoning and bring to a boil. Stir in rice. Sprinkle cheese on top of rice, cover and simmer on low for five minutes, until rice has absorbed water. Top with sour cream and tomatoes. Servings: 4 to 6.

Vegetarian Penne
1 1/2 pounds tomatoes, seeded and chopped 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut in 1/2-inch by one-inch strips1/4 cup olive oil1 tablespoon red wine vinegar salt and pepper, to taste1/2 cup chopped fresh basil 12 ounces penne pasta

Combine mozzarella, tomatoes, oil and vinegar in a bowl. Add salt and pepper and let sit at room temperature for one hour. Cook pasta according to package instructions and add to mixture in bowl. Add fresh basil and toss to blend. Add more salt and pepper as desired and serve. Servings: 4.

Sour Cream Mushroom Chicken
1 10.75-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 10.75-ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup 3/4 cup dry white wine or chicken stock 2 cups sour cream 1 can diced mushrooms 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a bowl, mix together chicken and mushroom soups, wine or stock, sour cream, mushrooms, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Pour mixture into a glass baking dish. Put chicken breasts on top of mixture. Bake in oven for 1 hour. Servings: 6.

Crazy Cheeseburger Pizza
Batter:1 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 2 eggs, lightly beaten 2/3 cup milk Toppings: 1 pound ground beef 1/2 teaspoon pepper

6 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 3/4 cup pizza sauce

Preheat oven to 425 F and grease a pizza pan or cookie sheet with sides. Brown ground beef with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and drain. Mix flour, salt, oregano, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, eggs and milk together and pour into a pizza pan or cookie sheet. Tilt pan so batter covers it evenly. Sprinkle ground beef over batter mixture. Bake for 20 minutes, until crust is golden brown.Spread pizza sauce over crust and sprinkle with cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Return to oven for about 10 minutes, until cheese melts. Cut and serve. Servings: 4 to 6.

Update on Laundry Detergent

Well, I got my laundry detergent kit in last week and was able to actually make it Saturday. I can't believe how much I love it! I even bottled some up for my mother to use and she loves it too. We went with the liquid recipe but I just made the powder recipe so I'll use it on my next load and see how it goes...it's MUCH easier to make so if it dissolves good I'll be using it from now on!! I HIGHLY recommend this detergent because it works great and you SAVE SO MUCH MONEY. I did a little figuring and within a year I will save over $100.00 on laundry detergent alone! (Compare to Sam's Club price for Liquid Tide 100 loads for $20.00 calculated at 700 loads per year). You can go to http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/ to get your kit with directions if you are interested.

Soaps Gone Buy (Soapsgonebuy.com)

Every day I get an email from Everyday Cheapskate, a site that tells you little ways to save money. One of the latest articles they sent was on making homemade Laundry detergent. I found a kit and recipe at Soapsgonebuy.com and the reviews were outstanding. Not only is this cheaper (.03 cents per load as compared to .30 cents for store bought) but apparently it has much better results than the more expensive store bought brands and makes clothes so soft that some have eliminated fabric softer or use less! It's also safe for HE washers since Fels Naptha is a very pure soap and doesn't sud much at all.

Here is the recipe I found and I am ordering the ingredients. I'll let you know how it turns out!

First Recipe: (Liquid)
3 Pints Water
1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated
1/2 cup Washing Soda (Arm and Hammer, NOT baking soda though!!)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
2 Gallon bucket to mix it in
1 Quart hot water Hot Water
Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints hot water and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket completely with additional hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. You may add additional HOT water if the mixture becomes too thick. Mix Well before each use. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load. Makes 64 loads. Cost per load .03.

Powdered Laundry Detergent

1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup 20 mule team borax
Mix and store in airtight container or bag. For light or small loads, use 1 tablespoon. For normal loads, use 2 tablespoons. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons. Cost per load .15.
To make a large batch - grate 6 bars of Fels Naptha Soap and then add 3 cups of Washing Soda and 3 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax. Mix well and store in covered container.

Tea Dying Table Linens!

Hi!



I haven't posted in a while and I have a bit of time on my hands...wait until you hear why lol.



I am dying white table linens in tea water.



You read correctly. I couldn't find any ivory table linens anywhere (at a reasonable price) and I just couldn't bring myself to buy plastic....well, I take that back, I bought plastic and then returned them today lol!


I found a plethora of white but it just wouldn't have matched the "fallish" color scheme for Camille and Jordan's wedding shower tomorrow so I am trying out this crazy method and hoping that they turn out ivory, or ecru...either one..I'm not picky at this point...well...not THAT picky!



I have never done this or even read anything telling me how to do it so I'm just playing it by ear (Yes, I'm sanguine!).

I filled Lorin's tub with hot water and threw a bunch of tea bags in there and let the linens soak for about 15 mins. I plan on putting them on the spin cycle and then drying them on super high heat in the dryer to set the "stain". Here are some before pics...hopefully the after pics will be decent! lol

Ok, I saved this post and actually googled tea dying....turns out I'm not doing it the way any one tells you to do it ROFL! BUT, I just put my first 2 in the dryer and they actually look really good. One encouraging thing I read is that this method is "romantic"...why, I have no idea..maybe it's from the Victorian era....everything was romantic then!

Going to check the dryer.....

Ok, they are a little darker but not much...maybe just 1 shade. Time for a different method.

After reading the little bit that I read I have come to the conclusion that boiling tea is the key to success. The temp sets the stain more effeciently..duh...should have thought of that. I found a relatively easy method online and that is what I'm trying now.

I brought a large pot of water with 10 tea bags to a rolling boil. While this was boiling I turned my washing machine on for a small load and let it fill. I then poured the boiling tea water in the washing machine and let it agitate for a min. Then I added the linens and am now letting them agitate...they are already darker after 3 mins. I'll skip the rinse and go straight to spin and then to the dryer. I'm confident this method will work. It's 3:00 a.m. so if it doesn't then I will just be finding a different solution in the morning! lol

Ok, so far so good. Actually, I am going to let them rinse due to some tea leaves on them. That should take care of that. Ok, I'm going to bed. I'll set these to dry as soon as the rinse and spin are over and I'll post pics in the morning! G'night!