In the Clouds

Happy Tuesday!

It's another day for me. Trying to decide the best paths for me to take. I'm sure I will get there someday. My life has regained stability finally. I could not be happier!

Today I've been looking at paint sets so that I can get back into painting. There are some nice sets out there. I tend to buy a basic set and then buy specific colors from places like Hobby Lobby. I've been looking so much at things that I want to do. I have yet to send out my Valentines cards. I have just not had the time to send them. I should get to it today or tomorrow. I love making cards and sending them out to people. I will post pictures of some of them soon. What I am doing this Valentine's Day is sending a piece of origami to everyone. Want to see how I learned? Click here! That site that I just linked to, has tons of instructions  for many different pieces. Another thing I've been doing, cooking! Oh how I love cooking. I recently rediscovered my great grandmother's cook book, and have been considering throwing together a whole new one that has her traditional recipes, as well as my own. Of course, some of the recipes will be needing some updating, considering they are from the 1930's and up! (see below for a new recipe)

My life has changed a lot over the course of the last year or so. Many ups and downs. I swear it has been a roller coaster. I have learned, changed, and grown throughout it. Excited for the few changes that are still coming. Maybe not in the next few months or even year, but they will get here. People have tough times, and that is what makes us who we are. How we react to situations shows our character. People must remember as well that we are not our mistakes, yet they are a learning experience, a part of life. One tough lesson is to know who will truly be there by your side, through the thick and the thin. I've had my share of fair-weather friends. It hurts for people to not be a part of your life anymore, but never regret them. Some people have come into our lives to help us learn lessons, but they were not meant to stay a part of your life.I know who my friends are, and those are the ones I can count on. I am so incredibly lucky to have the friends and family that I have. Thank you to each and everyone of those people!



To end my post for the day, I'll be posting one of my family recipes. It is for Cloud Biscuits. These are incredible! Definitely the only homemade biscuit recipe I ever use.

Cloud Biscuits -Georgia Graham

• 2  C Flour
• 1 t Sugar
• 4 t Baking Powder
• 1/2 t Salt
• 1/2 C Shortening
• 1 Egg, beaten
• 2/3 C Milk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Sift together all dry ingredients. Cut in the shortening. Combine the egg and milk. Add to the the dry mixture all at once. Stir till dough follows fork around the bowl. Turn on floured surface. Knead gently with the heel of your hand. Around 20 strokes. Roll dough 3/4" think. Place on ungreased baking sheet. If desired, chill 1-3 hours.  Bake at 450 degrees for 10-14 minutes.

Friday. I forget it becomes the weekend for most.

Only downside of being a SAHM during a deployment. I forget what day it is. The date is only important when I need to go to the post office, or during appointments. Other than that, I could really care less about it. Ok, maybe bills too! Today I got a little bit of cleaning done, but have realized during a deployment, I can't stand cleaning. I'm considering getting someone to come clean my house, just once, to get it completely caught up. Does anyone else create a to do list for yourself, and it all just becomes a NEVER ending list?
Anyhow, today, the kids and I painted some Valentine's to send out to the grandparents and daddy. I have found that these little homemade things with the kids tend to mean a lot more than anything else you could give. Crazy! Also, we painted some chip board letters for the kids room. Keagan had a blast!
On the bright side, we got our taxes back! I'm a huge fan of Taxslayer. I've used them for a few years, and never had a problem! They also give military discounts, and no I am not being paid to say that! I've almost paid off all of our debt that we had. SOOO glad about that!


Does anyone know of a good double stroller that will fit into a small trunk? If so, LET ME KNOW! Thank you ahead of time! 


Well... It's Friday. Here is my Foodie Friday post. Yes, every Friday, I  shall post a new recipe, and ask y'all to post one as well, if you would like, or try one of mine out... Soo, let me flip through this family cookbook and share one!


Superbowl is coming up, so how about some Chili????

• 3 tablespoons Olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tso ground coriander
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp chili pepper flakes
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can beef broth
• 1 (7 ounce) can salsa
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, or coarsely chopped tomatoes packed in puree
• 1 (7 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 can rinsed black beans
• 1 can rinsed kidney beans
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• corn chips 

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Crumble turkey into the pot, stirring with a wooden spoon to break apart as much as possible. Mix in seasonings and tomato paste, and mix until meat is evenly coated with seasonings. Continue cooking, reducing heat if necessary, until turkey is well browned.
2. Pour in beef broth, and simmer to reduce liquid slightly, about 5 minutes. Add salsa, tomatoes, and green chilies, and continue cooking at a moderate simmer for ten minutes. Adjust the thickness at any time you feel necessary by adding water.
3. While chili is still cooking, heat one tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onion and green bell pepper, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent and bell pepper is lightly browned. Add onion and bell pepper to the chili, and continue cooking at a very low simmer.
4. In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, and cook stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the zucchini, corn and beans to the chili, reduce heat, and continue cooking 15 minutes more. Letting stew for a few hours is more than welcome, to get flavors to blend well. Again, adjust the consistency with water as needed.
5. Ladle chili into serving bowls with corn chips lining the bottom. Top with sour cream, green onion, and cheddar cheese, and serve.

Hope y'all enjoy!

Another day exploring

Well, my son is out to a movie with his 'Meme', so I thought I would post a blog and get on with the day.

 I made three paintings this morning. They are in black and white. Not bad for not painting in over a year!
These were all inspired by Bromeliad: My DIY: Dollar Store Abstract Expressionism - DIY style, frugal home design, budget travel

Next, to reclaim so older paintings and make them look better. Then to start my homemade Christmas cards and and tags! I opened a shop on Etsy last night, under the name lilmamacoy. I'll be posting stuff in there soon. I'll have cookies, candies, cards, scrap booking pages, etc. If I start to do well, I may start listing some decoupage art, blankets and other homemade items. Let me know what you guys think when I start posting stuff, or if you have any ideas or tips for things yourself, let me know! All of you military SAHMs know what I mean when I say, I love my children, I love my husband, but I need to feel like I am contributing with more, and also doing things that I love!
Anyhow, my Etsy store is going to be only what I have made, and a limited number. If you want it, you have to buy it when it's in stalk. I don't want to stress myself by constantly doing what people want, so I'm just going to do me, and by my own schedule :)
Today, I've also got to get my husband's x-mas list sent out for people who want to send him something. Although it's rather easy, it's been a task I've been putting off. Same with packages.. I hate going to the post office with kids, but also, it's been over a year since I've sent a care package, I've honestly forgotten what forms I need. So I've traded with one of my good friends, I'll baby sit for her, if she'll make sure I have coffee when she drops her daughter off, and if she will mail my packages. God bless her! She said 'deal'. Now I don't have to worry about it anymore! PHEW! Well, before my break with only a newborn to care for, is over, I'm going to try and get some things done...

List for the day:

Paintings
Make cards and tags
list items on etsy
hang up cool coat rack from Pier One (scored yesterday on sale for 6.88)

Try on new dress from Kohl's (scored yesterday too for only 14.40) It is going to look great with some black panty hose, and my black boots, and pea coat! So excited to wear when it gets a little bit cooler!

Clean my room (if only I got allowance for doing so)
Search online for a dresser for the kids room
Start working on my decoupage project
Figure out what's for dinner tonight
Put away dishes
OH! before I forget again, something that should be at the top of the list HUSBAND's XMAS LIST!

Hope everyone has a great day, and I'm sure I'll be making some more short posts today!