Saturday, December 12, 2009

Sunday Dinner, December 13, 2009

Another Sunday has rolled around, and wonder of wonders, I'm actually cooking this week! I'm feeling better physically although still not back to 100% yet, and better emotionally as well.

But more on that in a bit, back to Sunday Dinner.

As you may have gathered from the bowl of soup in my Sunday Dinner graphic, I've chosen to make a big pot of homemade vegetable beef soup for Sunday Dinner this week. I'll probably make a big cast iron skillet of buttermilk cornbread to go with it and there's crackers for those who prefer them to cornbread with their soup.

I bought a huge beef roast last month and cut it into smaller roasts and beef stew meat, so that's what I'm pulling from my freezer to use in the soup. I bought individual cans of corn and green beans to add to it, as well as tomatoes.

I used the last of my frozen garden tomatoes last week when I made okra and tomatoes, boo hoo!

I also have frozen green peas and okra from my freezer stash that I'll add to the soup, as well as chopped onion, diced potatoes and sliced carrots.

What's for Sunday Dinner at your place this week? Just share in the comments if you'd like to participate.As I mentioned earlier in this post, I'm feeling better physically. My bronchitis seems to have cleared up but I'm left with sneezing and a stuffy or runny nose, or both at once. Probably just allergies but I'll be ever so happy to see them go away for good.

Emotionally I'm better but it's been a rough couple of weeks. I talked last week about JESSICA'S marriage problems and it all came to a head with Jessica and Jason separating and Jason getting his own apartment.

Jessica is staying in their old place and filed for divorce this past Friday, Dec. 11, which is, ironically, just 2 days after their 3rd wedding anniversary which was Dec. 9th. They seem to be getting along better now that they've separated and are being nicer to one another, which is a good thing for them and especially for Emmy.

Jessica posted about it HERE in more detail for any of you that care to follow along with her
situation.

My physical illness combined with the emotional upheaval that's been going on in my life has just about gotten the best of me, but I'm feeling better on all fronts now. There are other things going on that I just can't share on my blog or Facebook, but with your prayers and God's help we'll get through them.

I am so blessed with friends and family who love me and are such an encouragement to me! Thank you so much to all who have prayed and offered support by commenting on my blog and on Facebook, and by email. I've felt your love and concern like a warm blanket covering me and I could never express in words how much it's meant to me.

Y'all truly are the best family and friends I could ever ask for, and you each have a special place in my heart. Thank you again, dear ones.On a different note, I'm happy and pleased to report that I have all my Christmas shopping done and wrapped, and all my Christmas cards are done. I have to mail some cards on Monday and then I'll be done with that except for returning cards to those who send me one but I didn't send them one yet.

I know that last sentence was awkward but I don't feel like rethinking it so phooey on it.

I plan to make some butter shortbread sometime before Christmas as well as some cast iron skillet candy, a new recipe I just discovered. It's equal parts butter and brown sugar cooked in a cast iron skillet for 15 minutes, then you add a teaspoon of vanilla or other flavoring and pour it out onto a buttered platter or foil to cool, then cut into pieces. It looks yummy.

I'm also going to make something for Jessica that I've dreamed up in my head. She loves chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and basically anything cookie dough, so I'm going to make her some cookie dough bon bons. I'll make up the cookie dough and bake it just until it sets, then roll it into balls and dip it in chocolate and white chocolate bark.

Not my cup of tea but I'll bet she'll love it. Of course I'll have to ration them to her so she won't eat them all at once. ;o)My stew meat is cooking and almost done, so I should get in there and peel my potatoes and slice my carrots and add the rest of my veggies to my soup. I'll reheat it when we get home from church tomorrow afternoon.

I also need to study my Sunday School lesson and do a few more things before bedtime, so I'll close by wishing you all a very merry Christmas season.

May God meet all your needs and may you have enough to share, dear friends and family.

19 comments:

Lyndy said...

It would be hard for anyone not to love you Diane. Continuing to pray for you and for Jessica. I know this is hard.

Lucy Stern said...

Diane, so glad to hear that you are feeling better both physically and emotionally... You have been through the ringer and it is time you come out the other side...lol.

Your vegetable beef soup sounds good... I don't think I will be cooking tomorrow, except for a late breakfast...

Take care, lady bug.

Brenda said...

Hi Diane, Your soup sounds yummy as usual!
Sorry to hear about Jess and Jason's marriage. Hope things work out for all concerned no matter what happens.
God bless.

amelia said...

I'm trying to catch up with everyone! I'm so sorry to hear you've been so sick. My daughter had the H1N1 and , after a month is still trying to shake it. The cough and lung pain were the worst she said.
I too have made a big pot of split pea soup for today.
I hope life gets better for you all and you can start smiling again, inside and out!!

Gigi said...

You have all continued to be in my daily (hourly!) prayers...I'm glad to read that you're feeling better Diane - I was really beginning to worry about you...

Matthew came home yesterday to spend a quick weekend with me. I threw chili fixin's in the crockpot in the morning so that was our dinner last night. Not too sure about tonight yet. It's raining here and I started with a sore throat last night that is worse this morning. So dinner just might be leftover chili ;)

God bless you; may the upcoming week be full of His grace and mercies for you and yours. xo

Sam said...

That soup sounds delicious! I sure wish I could come over for a bowl! :)

I'm so sorry to hear some things have been hard recently. I will keep you in my prayers.

And I agree with Lyndy above--it would be hard for anyone not to love you!! :)

Betty said...

I made beef barley soup/stew last week with all of the cold weather it just hit the spot.We had biscuts
with it. I love castiron corn bread.I think I will make some today and a pot of chile.
I will keep you and yours in my prayers.
~~Love Hugs and Good Thoughts.

Lib said...

Hi My Friend,
Glad you're feeling better! Still Praying here!
You eat a piece of cornbread for me .lol My Weakness!
Tell Jess Hi and I send my Love to you both!
Merry Christmas hope 2010 brings a better yr.
Love,Hugs,Prayers,Blessins',Lib

Anonymous said...

As the parent of a divorced son, my heart goes out to you. I know how painful it is to a mother's and nana's heart. You are such a dear. Blessings from v in Idaho

Dick said...

Our temps seem to be going up but along with that is the arrival of moisture. Snow wasn't supposed to happen until this afternoon but it is coming down now (10am) and since the ground is so cold it is sticking. I expect our lunch and dinner will be at home although we do need to make a run to Pat's daughter's house today. We also have a few nice roasts in the freezer so one of them may well get cooked today. And our "snow" is expected to be just our normal rain and warmer temps by tomorrow.

Dawn said...

DC went and got us some KFC after church while I picked up the big girls from the church where they were singing. The littles are napping now. Kristen isn't feeling well, which is not good, since the girls have another program tonight and I have to sing my last concert at 3, but have to be there at 1:5 - 45 minutes from now. It's been a nutso week-end here.

So sorry about J&J. The legalities are sure going fast!

Linda said...

Diane - I'm glad you're beginning to feel better. You have always been such an encouragement to me - always praying for me when I needed it.
I'm praying for all of you now. Praying that whatever the circumstances the Lord will work all things together for good, that His peace and comfort will fill your hearts, that He will bring healing where it is needed and help, grace and strength.
Praying, too, for a blessed Christmas for you and your family.

Granny said...

Diane, I'm sorry things didn't work out for Jessica.

Barb said...

I'm so sorry that it came to this for Jess and Jason, Diane. I don't know what to say, except that I know how it hurts your heart.

I'm glad you're finally on the mend and feeling better. You sound better.

You are very, very loved by a lot of people, but I think you must know that.

xoxo
Barb

Mountain Mama said...

Thank goodness that sickness id lifting. I pray it is totally gone before Christmas so you can really enjoy yourself and tast all the goodies you make.
I am praying for your family for all circumstances. God is faithful and still in control no matter how things may look.
Your beef stew sure sounds good, especially with cornbread. (that sounds so good I may just make some today)I made Chicken vegetable soup yesterday with noodles. I use the no*yolk kind (less cholesterol) and they don't go mushy either. I can't stand mushy noodles!
I pray God's blessing on you and yours. Hugs!!!!!!!

auntpearl said...

I am so glad you are feeling better physically. I know it will take time for your emotions to catch up with you. Just remember that you are all such a close knit family and that your love will get you through all this pain.
Emmy's smile will give you strength.

Take care.
Hugs,

violetlady said...

I am praying for you and your family -- hope your Christmas is happy. I am sure Emmy will keep it special.

Mary said...

Diane,

I'm glad you're feeling a little better. I'm still praying for you. It seems you've had a lot on your plate.

Your Sunday dinner sounds delicious. I really should make some soup. It helps take the chill off. Not as cold here today as it has been, but soup still sounds good.

Sending love and hugs your way.
Blessings,
Mary

The Old Gray Mare said...

Just wanted to let you know that you and all your dear ones are very much in my prayers.