Wordless Wednesday

By 

GosselinGirl

 The Changing Of The Leaves

Tasty

Tuesday

By

GosselinGirl

This week I thought I would make something that all kids love…SWEETS.

However, my sweets are actually very good for you.

Only 50 calories a serving…

Chocolate Yogurt Pops

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) container of plain nonfat yogurt

¼ cup sugar-free cocoa mix

¼ cup SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

4 popsicle sticks

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Spoon mixture into flour, 3 ounce paper cups. Set cups in a muffin pan or on a flat plate. Place popsicle sticks in the center. Freeze about 3 hours or until solid.

2. Peel paper cups away from popsicles before serving.

Nutrition info (per serving)

Calories 50

Calories from Fat 0

Fat 0g (Saturated 0g)

Cholesterol 0mg

Sodium 80mg

Carbohydrates 10g

Fiber 0g

Sugars 8g

Protein 4g

The Changing of the Leaves

By

GosselinGirl

Blog Hop # 15---  Changes

Dear Friend,


I am beginning to change in color. It is time for me to shed my leaves and prepare for the winter’s cold. I love the long winter sleep and look forward to getting my new leaf in the spring.


Every year I go through a transformation. It is literally a change that occurs over time. Throughout the summer, I shade those who sit under my big green leaves. It feels so good to have the bright sunshine shining down on me. I like the way I look as I sway in the wind. The coolness from the breeze refreshes me and once again I stand tall and proud.

The fall is my favorite time of year. All of my friends join me each year to see who has the prettiest colors. I am starting to notice that my tips are turning a light orange color. I wonder if anyone will pick me up and keep me in a special place. Last year, I was picked up by a little boy who took me to school. He won a contest because my leaf was the prettiest in his class. I was so proud of my beautiful colors all a glow. 

I guess I will just have to sit back and wait my turn. Maybe a storm will come and knock me to the ground. I hope not, because I haven’t had a chance to fully change yet. I hope I can hold on until all of my friends start falling. I would hate to be the first one.
On lookers are watching me daily for signs of the coming season. They wonder if winter is coming early. I wish I could tell them, but I am only a leaf on a tree. It is not up to me when it is time to go to sleep.

I have been fortunate all of my life to have a strong sturdy tree in which to live. She is a beauty and is very tall and massive in size. I live toward the top where the sun always shines. I have lived on this tree for a long time and have seen her change many times. She is a part of me and I of her.

The air is getting colder each and everyday. Now, my leaf has a lot more orange. I kind of looked crackled if you look close enough. My friends are changing quickly as well. 

Finally, I am complete. I have completely changed color and am just dangling from the limb. It won’t be long now until I fall from my home for this year. It is time for me to rest and let the autumn season being. I know I will be gathered up and kept for awhile to adorn pumpkins and fancy Halloween parties. I am beautiful this year. I am orange all over just like a pumpkin.

So, with that said…it is time for me to go. I have enjoyed being a part of your life this year. I will be back in the spring…so look for me. I can’t wait to see you again.


Love,
The Leaf

Wordless Wednesday~~~~Reflections

I will be there until the end…
By
GosselinGirl

WEEK #18 (9-18-11 to 9-24-11): LOYALTY

Loyalty is something that I treasure in my life, but like so many, I have seen loyalty come and go. I have entrusted my heart so many times only to be hurt in the end. However, I have found things in my life that are worth being loyal to until the very end.

As a young child, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. I have never wavered on my faith, never doubted God’s love for me, and have always remained loyal and faithful to the principles of God’s love. While I am not perfect by any means, my loyalty to God and his to mine is something that I will never compromise. God’s love for me has endured throughout a lifetime. His loyalty for his children is something that is never ending. He is the most gracious and loyal on all the earth and in heaven.

My family means the world to me. I have been blessed to have wonderful parents. Through thick and thin, they have always remained loyal to one another. Growing up, I never once doubted that my parents loved each other. One did not go out without the other. Their loyalty to one another has always been the strength of their long standing marriage. I have a very loyal family who stands beside one another through every circumstance. We have a love and deep trust and do not do things to hurt each other. This type of loyalty is taught at birth. It is a loyalty that is so deep, that to break it would be to detach yourself from the family once and for all.

Fourteen years and counting. That is how long I have been married to my husband. We have a strong marriage based on love, trust, and loyalty. No matter what life throws our way, we remain grounded in our marriage. The two of us have never been jealous of one another. The thought of being disloyal has never crossed our minds. We simply love one another and together we work hard to keep our marriage strong and vibrant. My husband is loyal to me and I to him. Keeping our home well grounded, keeping our faith in God, and always talking over any problems that we have has kept us both loyal until the end.

I love my friends and cherish the ones that have been loyal to me throughout my life. I never take their friendship for granted. I take their hearts in my hands and protect them and share in their laughter, pains, and all the beautiful things in life that we share as friends. I truly am a loyal friend until the end.

You never know what life will toss you, but being a loyal person is the highest complement a person can give to another. Loyalty is crucial to a successful life, well being, and happiness throughout a lifetime. If others are not loyal, then I say get some loyal people in your life. While building your champions takes time, you have to be willing to take some chances in your life. Not everyone will be on the same team as you. These people will come and go, but the true ones will bless you in so many ways and you will bless them as well.  If you can count your loyal fans on both hands and they consider you a member of their team, then you simply have received the highest praise in life. Not many can be loyal to the very end. As for this girl, I will be there until the end. 

“Lack of loyalty 

is one of the major causes of failure 

in every walk of life”

 ~ Napoleon Hill~

Tasty Tuesday: Chicken Fried Steak

Oh, the kitchen is smelling delightful. We are cooking up a great meal tonight.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 pounds beef round, trimmed and cut into 4 (6 ounce ) pieces (butcher can do this for you)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

salt and freshly ground pepper

3 eggs, beaten with 2 tablespoons water

2 cups milk

Directions

Add the oil to a large heavy bottomed skillet, over medium heat.

Meanwhile, prepare the beef by pounding each piece to tenderize. Put  1 1/4 cups of the flour in a shallow dish and season well with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the egg mixture to a shallow dish and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Dredge the steaks in seasoned flour, shaking off any excess, then dip them in the egg mixture and back into the flour.

Once oil is hot, add the steaks and fry until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Be sure to not overcrowd the pan and do in batches, if necessary. Remove the fried steaks to a paper towel lined dish and set aside. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of flour into the cooking oil and whisk until fully incorporated. Cook over medium heat until just slightly darker in color, about  3 minutes. While whisking, pour the milk in a slowly steady stream. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until thick, another 5 to 6 minutes. Taste the gravy for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Arrange the steaks on serving plate with the gravy spooned over the top. Enjoy!!

**This is an easy meal to make and can be paired with vegetables, noodles, or anything you like as a side dish.