365 Challenge

Boy I got a weeks worth of 365 pics to catch up on. I have created a page just for the 365 challenge if anyone cares to take a look.

Meal Planning Monday

Not much time this week as it appears to be busy but just a wee bit of planning.

Monday:Arby's
Tuesday: Taco Soup with bread
Wednesday: Poppyseed Chicken(didn't make it last week)
Thursday: grocery Shopping day probably something easy like Crock pot BBQ ribs.
Friday: I am thinking Shrimp or Homemade Fish sticks.

Book Review

My latest read was Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassan.
Overall I thought it was a pretty good read. I didn't enjoy it as much as The Silent Governess I am not sure if it was because of some of the story lines or what but for me it was a slow mover. I don't wish to ruin it for anyone but having struggled with infertility I found the whole unwed mother thing a bit much even for me. I am glad I checked it out of the Library and didn't buy it because for me it isn't one to read over and over again like say Julie Lessman's Daughters of Boston Series


Currently I am reading another one of Klassan's book called The Apothecary's Daughter my review will follow shortly I am a little over half way done with it right now.

The Love of my Life! by Eric Fulkerson

This is my first blog experience so I thought I would dedicate it to the love of my life, my wife Carissa. Over the past seven years, almost eight, I have had the honor and blessing of having the most wonderful and beautiful wife any man could ask for. She has been such a blessing in my life words can hardly describe it. She is such a loving, compassionate, caring, amazing woman, wife, and mother. She is my best-friend and my lover. To have such a magnificent woman by my side makes life, even in the difficult times, delightful. I love you more than the highest mountain or the biggest ocean. You are the delight of my life. I love you more than imaginable.

Your Loving Husband,


Eric

Season of loneliness

I have been trying to wrap my head around this post because I am not the best at articulating how I feel onto a blog or piece of paper.
Lately it has been a season of loneliness for me. I often struggle with fitting in or feeling I belong. I never have felt I really belong here(here being Illinois). It has been almost 8 years and I have yet to have the intimacy of a friendship, sure I have a bunch of people I know from Church and other places but there is no one I feel comfortable sharing my heart with and yet here I am writing where a bunch of people have the opportunity to read what is on my heart, ironic huh? Through these seasons of loneliness God has always reminded me that this is not my "home" that my real home is heaven and I am just a visitor here on earth. I suppose his reminder is to help me long for heaven and in turn dig deeper in my relationship with him longing to be with him for eternity. I am not sure what I would do without him on days like today where the isolation and loneliness grips my heart and brings me down.
Psalm 119:49-50 Says

49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.

50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.

I praise the Lord for his promises to me, my Hope is in him alone.

Pot Roast Chicken

I was browsing Momsmenu.com and came across this recipe that looks super easy and sounds delicious.

POT ROAST CHICKEN

Makes 4 - 6 servings

3 medium onions, peeled and quartered
8 stalks of celery, washed and cut in thirds
8 medium carrots, peeled and cut in thirds
1 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1 1/2 tsp. dried sage
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. black pepper from the shaker
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. oil
3 pound whole chicken, washed inside and out
1 pound small red potatoes
15 ounce can chicken broth
2 Tbsp. flour
3/4 cup water

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 1/2 hours

In a Dutch oven that you can use in your oven, brown together the onions, celery, carrots, rosemary, thyme, parsley, sage, oregano, pepper, salt, and oil. This will take 5 to 8 minutes over medium heat.

With a slotted spoon, remove all the ingredients and place in a bowl, except the drippings. Leave them in the Dutch oven. Set the bowl aside.

Add the chicken to the Dutch oven. Brown it on all sides, then place it ON ITS BACK in the Dutch oven. This will take about another 5 - 8 minutes.

Return all the vegetables and herbs to the Dutch oven. Add the potatoes which you have washed, but not peeled, and the chicken broth. Cover the Dutch oven.

Bake at 400 degrees for an hour and a half. When the chicken is tender, remove it to a platter and cut into serving pieces. Surround the chicken with the vegetables and herbs.

Add the flour to the 3/4 cup water and blend. Stir into the drippings left in the Dutch oven, stirring constantly over medium heat until drippings have thickened enough for gravy.

Serve!

This is a great dinner any time of year, but really warms the soul, the home, and the heart on those rainy, dreary autumn days. It's so packed with good taste that you don't even notice all the great vitamins and minerals you are getting to keep healthy and fit!

Not peeling the potatoes keeps most of the nutrients inside. The herbs add Vitamin C, A, and needed minerals to a daily diet.

Skimming the drippings before mixing in the flour and water will keep this meal relatively cholesterol free.

Try making up a banana bread recipe using canned pumpkin in place of the banana in the recipe to serve with this great supper idea!

Must add it to my menu for next week!

Meal Planning Monday

We are doing E-mealz and a little of my own recipes.

Monday- Creamed Hamburger on Toast
Tuesday- Poppyseed Chicken
Wednesday- Beef and Cheese Enchiladas
Thursday- Soup Night- Taco Soup
Friday- Italian Casserole
Saturday- Breakfast
Sunday- Subway Day