Home Hearth

                         Easy Chicken Parmesan

One of my goals this year is to expand my recipe collection, so last night I pulled chicken out of the freezer and then got out my phone and checked out Pinterest for chicken recipes. Within moments I pulled up this chicken parmesan and made it for dinner. I was quite pleased that it turned out much like the parmesan chicken I've had elsewhere. Just add some garlic bread to your menu and you'll have yourself a tasty meal!

4 chicken breasts, pounded flat if you like
Bread crumbs – You can buy them, or make them by toasting bread in the oven. Run the toasted bread through a food processor along with seasonings of your choice.
1 can or jar of tomato-based pasta sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Grated parmesan cheese
1 egg, scrambled with a couple of tablespoons of milk
A few tablespoons of vegetable oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Heat oil in a skillet
Dip chicken breasts in egg and milk mixture, then roll in bread crumbs
Fry breaded chicken in oil until golden on both sides (chicken won’t be cooked all the way through, but don’t worry)
Place chicken breasts in casserole dish and pour tomato sauce over the top of them.
Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses
Bake until chicken is cooked through and cheeses are brown and bubbly (usually around 40 minutes or so).
Use a spoon to remove any excess fat that may have collected
Serve over spaghetti.

Modesty Mentionables

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel... 1 Timothy 2:9

Whose adorning, let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  1 Peter 3:3-4

Well, I've decided to stick my neck out and touch on the subject of modesty, which may be a sensitive subject to some people. In fact, I will probably do it more than once! I understand we all have different perspectives of dress and what is modest, and I, myself am not one to say that there is only one type of dress that is modest. I have seen lovely cape dresses and jumpers that are not frumpy and still cover, and I have seen some that are dull as all get out, but don't do a nickels worth of the job they're suppose to do. Same goes for skirts and blouses. I personally like variety and wear all three. I'm not here to say which is more or less modest and I don't claim to have it all down. However, I do want to encourage general guidelines for a modest wardrobe.

It saddens me to see Christian girls compromise in their choice of modest dress in order to be more stylish and fashionable...wearing long slits in their skirts, or inching their skirts up more and more for the calf to show; just a little lower neckline, and a little tighter blouse. Please girls, let's be careful to not make our brothers stumble. Yes, they are accountable for their thoughts, but we also have responsibility to not defraud them or cause them to stumble.

Believe me, you can dress pleasingly without compromising in modesty. I would encourage going through your wardrobe and doing the mirror check. Your neckline may appear to be high when in standing position, but what about when bending over? How about your skirt length? Again, it may be fine when standing, but what about bending or sometimes even sitting?

 Be willing to ask your dad or brother about your outfits and if any are questionable, or what guidelines of modesty they appreciate in ladies clothing, and what they find disgraceful.
And remember, we're not here to shine for ourselves, but rather to glorify God and let Him be seen through us. Also remember, a woman's true beauty lies in the heart, not in outward appearance. If a man's eyes are drawn to our bodies and not our faces, then it's a pretty good sign something needs to change!! Let's strive to dress as daughters of the King!! 

The Mist

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Ps.27:14

As each day passes, I find more and more it takes grace that only comes from above to willingly bear unanswered questions and to trust God's wisdom and timing. It takes courage I never knew before. Some days you walk and some days you crawl. Some days you're fine and some days you just say you're fine when in reality, you're barely getting thru. It can sometimes be a lonely battle and faith is tested to the core. It brings you to your knees and drives you to a constant lifting of the heart to God in prayer. Clouds loom over; the mist and fog hide the sun from view. It is in these times of darkness that it ultimately defines where our trust lies - in ourselves or in our Lord.

But on bended knee, the reminder comes that the mist will only last awhile. That any day, at any moment, the light will break with radiant rainbow hue! And when it does, we can be sure of one thing, that it was worth the wait, it was worth the pain, it was worth it all.



If clouds and mist are hiding the sun from your view, remember, the mist will only last awhile.

"Teardrops fall like rain, rain only falls on cloudy days, rainbows shine with the sun, sun only shines when the clouds are gone!"

Ice Skating!

Had a super great time on Saturday out on the ice! It's been ages since my sis and I have gone skating and has been something we've wanted to do for ever so long. What made it even better was going with super great friends!!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Just a little something to think about this thanksgiving:

"The pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these, who nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."
- H.U.Westermayer

Think about it. They left everything they knew to come to this land, which was a barren wilderness, with just their bare necessities. None of us really know what they went through to build their huts, grow a garden, put food on the table, and merely survive. Then they lost loved ones...fathers, mothers, husband, wife, sons daughters, brothers, sisters, and friends. Yet they were still a thankful people.

So this Thanksgiving, what do you have to be thankful for? !!

May y'all have a blessed Thanksgiving!



My Hearts At Home

A friend brought this song to my attention as it captures the heart and theme of this blog. It was actually written from the perspective of a wife and mother and since I'm not at that stage in life, I took the liberty to revise it some!

Chorus: My hearts at home

With those most precious to me.

My hearts at home with my dear family.

Fulfillment and joy each day inside me;

Loving and serving those dearest to me.

My hearts at home, my hearts at home.

The world would call me out, to fill each day with things money can buy, demanding I walk in the shoes of those whose goals are corporately decided.

The fashion and wealth, prestige and honor,

Beg to replace homemade bread and blessings of family.

But I say "no," my hearts at home.

Another voice beckons and knocks at my door

A self - centered cry is loudly calling! You need to get out to be effective, busy and making a name for yourself.

But I look in the Word where it lovingly tells me,

To be a keeper at home, loving my family,

So I say "no," my hearts at home.

Communication

Here are some things to consider when any two people communicate. There is:

• What you wanted to say

• What you meant to say

• What you said

• What you think you said

• What the other person heard you say

• What the other person thinks he heard you say

• What the other person thinks you meant to say

• What the other person feels about what you said

• What the other person says about what you said

Is it any wonder misunderstanding happens?


The worst distance between two people is misunderstanding.


Let's not allow misunderstanding to get in the way of our relationships by choosing our words carefully, listening intently, and using discretion in all we say!

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Proverbs17:27