Loving My Life as Wife, Mother and Grandmother

Monday, July 20, 2009

Prayer Request and Recipes...

Hi everyone!! It was so nice to have heard from so many of you when I got on the computer today!! Thanks to all of you for your very sweet comments!!

I'm going to share the recipe that my friend sent me to make the Greek-cucumber salad..I just eye-balled the ingredients and just kind of did my own thing..I just used vidalia onion that I already had and I just used Italian dressing, which is what my friend did too..I do think the red onion would probably be better though...(and yes Marcy, it is VERY good!)

Here is the recipe for Easy Greek Tomato and Cucumber Salad: 2 cups chopped cucumber (about 1 large), 2 medium tomatoes, cut into chunks, 1/2 cup coarsely chopped green peppers, 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions, 1/2 cup Athenos Traditional Crumbled Feta Cheese, 1/4 cup Kraft Greek Vinaigrette Dressing, 1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel. Toss all ingredients. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 4 servings. You can let all the flavors blend by making in advance. Just cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours before serving. I have not ever measured the ingredients. I just chop up the vegetables until it looks right and then add as much cheese as I like and because I have made it for so many adults, I doubled the amount of dressing. Also, I do not have lemon peel, so I just splash a little lemon juice in the mix and it seems to work. ( I didn't use the lemon juice and it was still DELICIOUS!) Enjoy!!

The zuchinni lasagna I don't really have a recipe. My Mom always made this with the zuchinni from their garden. Depending on how big a pan you want to use...you just slice and boil the zuchinni. If you like bell peppers or onion, you could boil that with it..(My kids don't like that so I don't) Then when the zuchinni is boiled tender..just drain it..I kind of lay mine out on a cookie sheet and dab with paper towels to help absorb more of the liquid. Then, I take the zuchinni and put a layer in the bottom of the pan..then spread some sauce (whatever you like) in a layer over the zuchinni, then cover with a layer of shredded pizza cheese....then repeat. The zuchinni tends to have juices in the bottom no matter what you do..so I use a big slotted spoon to lift it out..It's still absolutely delicious though..Just kind of add the stuff that you like. I just use Prego sauce or sometimes even Ragu. I guess you could add meat or mushroom, I just never have. I think it's nice to not have meat every meal. If you try it, I'd love to hear if you liked it! If you like zuchinni..you will definately like it. :)

My husband Mark, has been subbing for our local school district for their maintenance, janitorial department since January. He is a brick mason and the work over the last yr. has been extremely slow. A lot of his friends that are brick masons are all having a hard time too. There just hasn't been much work at all. With times being tough, people just aren't wanting to do anything. Mark has been hoping to be called for at least part-time or full-time employment through the school system. They had quite a few people retire and opened a new jr. high which opened up some job opportunities. Please, please if you wouldn't mind..keep my husband's employment in your prayers. It would be such a blessing to our family if he could get on..at this point I would take part-time..they said if he at least gets hired part-time..then when some others retire, he would be first in line to get the opening. Mark is such a good guy..but he has had his share of disappointments when it comes to getting a different job. He's always worked for himself, but he really wants a career change at this point. Please pray that this will open up an opportunity for him...



I thought I would share some of the pretty flowers in my flower bed....I'm not sure what these blue ones are called..I know they're a perennial..(I kept the tag..but I didn't go back out and look at the name :) They are really pretty!
These are portucula..(I think) I think eveyone calls them rose moss (or maybe it's moss rose :)
Sam and I grew these from seed..so we were extremely happy to see them bloom..they are a favorite of mine..
Yes, I love pansies too! I got these little Mr. & Mrs. froggies at our local dollar store. He's a little gardener and she's a little shopper. You can't see very clearly...but she has a red purse, red heels and is holding a little credit card...I just couldn't help myself! The last time I was in there...I told myself if they were still there when I came back...then I would get them..So, here they are!!
They make me smile!! The little man one reminds me of Mark...hard at work in the garden :

Beauty lies in
quiet things
And they are everywhere,
But we may fail to find them
Unless we pause for prayer.
~June Masters Bacher~
Quiet Moments for Women
Have a great day today!!! With Love, Jerelene

16 comments:

Rebecca said...

I will try to remember to pray daily until your husband has an answer from the school. The Greek salad sounds delicious. I'll try it. I've just come into some good produce and it sounds very healthy. I LOVE feta cheese! Don't have any currently, but whenever it is on special, I get some.

Eileen said...

You are always in my prayers, but I will pray with the added special intention of a secure position for your husband.
I'm sorry you have to carry this burden right now, I will pray to God to lift it.

Thanks for posting those recipes. I'm copying them now.
And I love all your flowers, especially the ones you planted from seed. That must have felt so good to see them grow and bloom!
Take care, Jerelene.
Love you,
Eileen

Wanda..... said...

Hope the job situation improves Jerelene...I use to grow moss rose years ago...I liked how it produced so many different colors...and grew so easy from seed...and could stand drought conditions...Thanks again for visiting.

Eileen said...

Jerelene, I just saw all your sweet comments to me on my 'home project' blog! Thank you!

I do all my posting for both blogs at night (sometimes I am up until two in the morning especially if I am loading lots of pictures, it takes so long!), and then I do the visiting throughout the day and the evening, here and there. I'll read a blog or two and leave a comment, then go do some things with Jayden, then read again, on and off when I get a chance.
I love the 'home decorating blogs' especially do-it-yourself projects or projects done on a budget. Those I don't usually visit everyday though, it's just our little group I try to visit everyday!

Anyway, thanks for always being your sweet self!

Knitty said...

I always think of them as Moss Roses and never remember their real name. What a pretty color!

I will say a prayer for your hubby and his job situation. I never thought so many would have it so rough in my life time. How naive I've been.

Blessings to you and yours.

mysteryhistorymom said...

Sweetie- I have already prayed and will continue to do so. God has wonderful plans for your family, Sweets! ILori

Anonymous said...

Jerelene......I count it a privilege to pray for Mark's job situation. Please, keep us posted as to how things are going.
You are a sweet and loving wife and mother.
Smiles,
Jackie

American History said...

Keeping you guys in our prayers. We lit a candle at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher thanks to http://HolyLandPrayer.com. God bless.

Lauren said...

Love your cucumber salad recipe! I just picked some cucumbers and peppers from the garden! I'll have to try this recipe! :) YUM!

Blessings each day said...

Felt like I had commented but that was because I got to read your post yesterday but my computer wouldn't let me comment (that darn computer and keyboard not communicating thing that happens every so often!)

Thanks for the recipes...maybe I can actually use my cucumbers instead of giving tons away!

I started praying ofr your hubby last night when I went to church and will continue to pray that he finds good and stable work.

blessings and hugs,

marcy

Anonymous said...

Good afternon Jerelene, Your little frogs are adorable ♥ Your flowers are just lovely. Thank you so much for the recipes. I know I will love them. Feta cheese is one of my favorites and who doesn't like Zuchinni or cucumbers. The zuchini recipe is sort of like an egg plant I do here. Thank you so much.
I will pray that your husband's emplyment situation is resolved quickly.
I hope you and your family have a lovely evening.

Unknown said...

Jerelene, I had to catch up again! Haven't had a chance to open or read any blog post until today. I wish I could post everyday but then again I probably wouldn't have anything to say! I am going to try your receipe, it looks delicious! I sure wish I could hop over to your side of the village! You garden is so beautiful and the bounty! WOW! I use to enjoy a garden like that but...the city life (I totally am a country girl) just doesn't cut it as far as gardens go. I am lucky to get the zuchinni and tomatoes and strawberries I have! OH WELL, in my next life I guess. I will also keep your hubby in my prayers....

Unknown said...

Jerelene, I had to catch up again! Haven't had a chance to open or read any blog post until today. I wish I could post everyday but then again I probably wouldn't have anything to say! I am going to try your receipe, it looks delicious! I sure wish I could hop over to your side of the village! You garden is so beautiful and the bounty! WOW! I use to enjoy a garden like that but...the city life (I totally am a country girl) just doesn't cut it as far as gardens go. I am lucky to get the zuchinni and tomatoes and strawberries I have! OH WELL, in my next life I guess. I will also keep your hubby in my prayers....

Jerelene said...

Thank you all so very much for your kind thoughts and prayers..It means the world to me and my family to know that you all care!!
Love, Jerelene

Blessings each day said...

Whoa...I popped back over here to see if you had a new post (blogger is SO bad about not showing new posts on sidebars any more!) and I found a newly decorated blog site! Very pretty, but I do hope you keep "Loving my life as mother and wife" somewhere...that was just too perfect!

blessings and hugs,

marcy

p.s. Did you get your e-mail?

Diana said...

Wow Jerelene, I love your new header! I know how you feel about times being tough. It's been horrible for us. I am now taking a third job! Don't relly have much of a choice. That salad sounds so good, I might even push my hatred of cooking aside and try it! I hope things get better for you soon. You will be in my prayers.