My Family

My Family
What if you woke up tomorrow with only those you thankded God for tonight. Thank you God form my amazing family.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

SUMMER

Well here I am several months after my last post. How does time fly so fast. About five months ago I began a long term sub in 6th grade. My first day was the first day of CRCT. Let's just say that stunk. What a frustrating week. Now it is five weeks later and we are going on our end of the year field trip to the CNN center. I am a little worried about taking 25 kids to the CNN center and praying that all goes well and they and I return in one piece tomorrow. Last Friday I was very excited to get to go on Abi's 5th grade field trip though. She has an awesome group of teachers. I wish they could just follow her through school. They planned an amazing day filled with the Atlanta Zoo, a tour of Turner Field, and ending with several hours at the Georgia Aquarium. The day was fabulous. They arranged enough chaperones so that each group consisted of approximately five children and one adult. We had such a good time. The kids loved the excitement of the zoo, the down time of Turner Field and the mesmerizing in awe experience at the aquarium. I believe that all parties involved were happily exhausted when we returned at 9:30 pm. What AN AMAZIMG day though. Come Friday our summer will have arrived. I am so excited. This is the first time I have subbed until the last day of school and I am kind of missing my last week at home alone sitting by the pool. The pool has been opened for two weeks and I have gotten to sit and relax one day. Doesn't seem very fair. What is fair is that we are leaving for our beach trip and I can't wait to sit in the sand. My kids need a break and Darren definitely needs a break. I hope that we have a very relaxing great family memory making time. Well no great crafts (due to subbing) and no great recipes (due to subbing) this posting. I am working on some great bread and will post a final recipe soon. See you after I get my beach on. AHHHHHHHH!!!!

Friday, February 10, 2012

The time has come

Another week has quickly went by for the Cantlay family. I am amazed every Monday morning at how quickly time has flown by. I am also amazed at how life changes so quickly. I have been reflecting on various stages in my life and those around me, and truly amazed at the changes that have occurred. Of course, lots of the changes have been on the positive side, with some not so positive. I have been trying to focus lately on the more positive aspects of my life. Many of you know that I have been actively trying to make a decision if I am ready to return to work. (Darren thinks that it is time, but I am not sure he has fully thought this through). When I left teaching many years ago, I honestly did not think that I would ever step back into the classroom. Over the past few years I have began substituting at the kids school and this year I seem to be unable to stay out of the school, even if I am not getting paid for being there. With this taking place I have come to the conclusion that it may be time to return to the workforce. I will greatly miss being at home though. Now the issue is ..... who will hire an old woman who has been out of the classroom for 13 years. I will keep praying and know that God will place me back there when he is ready. If now is not the time I will continue to sub and volunteer when needed.

On another note, a group of ladies and I have been doing Beth Moore's bible study on James. I am learning a lot and excited to be learning more and more about the bible and the life of Jesus. Once a week we meet and not only complete that weeks study but we have lunch. Last week we had potato soup and another lady was discussing the McCormick brand white chicken chili. It sounded yummy so I decided to make it over the weekend. Oh my, it was super easy and super yummy. I wanted to share the recipe this week. This is the recipe from the package, the only things I did differently were that I added the sweet corn and a can of petite diced jalapeno spiced tomatoes. Of course I topped with sour cream, cheese and a few frito's.




White Chicken Chili

Ready in 20 minutes. Chicken, white beans and green chiles in a zesty sauce. Enjoy chili with a burst of fresh flavor!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Makes 4 servings.


You Will Need:
1 pkg. McCormick® White Chicken Chili Seasoning Mix
1 tbsp. oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½-inch cubes
1 cup water
1 can (15 to 16 oz.) white beans, undrained
Assorted Toppings: Shredded Cheese, Sliced Avocado, Chopped Cilantro or Sour Cream


HEAT oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until no longer pink.


STIR in Seasoning Mix, water and beans. Bring to boil; cover. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with toppings, if desired.

Chunky Tomato & Chicken Chili: Stir in 1 can (14 ½ oz.) diced tomatoes, drained OR 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes with the beans.


Hearty Corn & Chicken Chili: Stir in 1 can (8 ¾ oz.) whole kernel corn, drained OR 1 cup frozen corn kernels with the beans.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Turning into a slacker

Well here are my apologies AGAIN. I have been so unmotivated to do anything lately. Must be the weather. I am so ready for the beach or some pool fun weather.
Lots has happened since our last meeting. Christmas.... wow, what can I say. We had a wonderfully quiet Christmas. Darren's parents were not here this year and my parents left early Christmas morning. The four of us enjoyed the xbox and much needed naps the rest of the day. Different but Good. I really enjoyed all of the awesome Christmas cards that I received this year. I am so happy that cards have evolved to the cute photo cards.
My display:




















We updated Tanner's bedroom over the break. It is official he is growing up. Not really liking it, but I guess it must happen.














I have a baby shower to attend in the next week and I tried to come up with something a little unique for the sweet blessing. I really hope they like it. I plan to add some cute ribbon for hanging.



















Over our MLK break we took the kids skiing for the first time. Now you have to know that I have not been skiing since I was in my early teens. It was not a pretty sight. Tanner did awesome and loved every minute of it. I may not have been able to stop on the slopes but man could I speed down those slopes. I must have been the fastest person out there. I am posting a pick of ONE of my bruises... BEWARE it is not for the faint at heart. I am sure that I caused many laughs on the slopes.



We are headed to Colorado skiing soon and I can only imagine the bruises that will arise from that trip. Will update you on how that goes when we return.









Hey don't forget to become a follower of my blog. I promise to start updating more often and actually adding some great recipes.

My Christmas morning recipe:

Paula Deen's Praline French Toast

8 eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup light brown sugar , packed
10 -12 slices soft bread , 1 inch thick

Topping

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar , packed
2/3 cup maple syrup
2 cups pecans , chopped

Directions:

1
Generously butter a 13 X 9 inch casserole dish;.
2
Mix the eggs, half and half, maple syrup,and sugar in a large bowl.
3
Place the bread slices in the prepared casserole dish and cover with the egg mixture: cover with plastic wrap and let soak overnight in refrigerator.
4
Preheat oven to 350 degrees; remove the casserole from refrigerator.
5
Make the Topping: melt the butter in a saucepan; add sugar and maple syrup and cook for 1 to 2 minutes; stir in pecans;.
6
Pour the mixture over the bread and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, allow to cool 10 minutes before serving, enjoy.


Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/paula-deens-praline-french-toast-casserole-117106#ixzz1k7zMkELG