Chef Mickey's Breakfast Pizza

Janelle from Comfy in the Kitchen is guest posting all the way from Disney World today!!! Here is her family with the Chef himself! (you know it is fine dinning when THAT happens!) We could not pass up this opportunity to share a little window into Janelle's life along with a yummy recipe from Mickey's Breakfast Buffet!


Janelle writes: We had the sweet experience of dining at Chef Mickey's this morning...Wowsa can that Mouse cook! (haha) Here are some photos I'd like to share that takes you through our experience! I also included a recipe that I really enjoyed at breakfast.


Minnie Mouse and my Birthday Girl!


Brownies at a breakfast buffet?! Oh well..it's vacation! And they were sooo cute with the Mickey Mouse sprinkles! These were delicious...


Oh, don't you love when you get the first piece at a buffet?!


This was SO good - thanks Mickey!


Chef Mickey's Breakfast Pizza
http://www.allears.net/
Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
1 pre made multi grain pizza crust
½ cup of ricotta cheese
½ cup cheddar cheese - shredded
½ cup mozzarella cheese - shredded
¼ cup half & half
2 each eggs – scrambled & cooled
4 each strips of bacon – pre cooked & chopped
Salt & Pepper


Method of Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350*. Scramble two eggs, after cooked place on a paper plate place in freezer to cool down quickly. Once cooled, place in bowl add salt, pepper and mix in half and half. Set aside.
Take the ricotta cheese and add salt and pepper. Spread ricotta cheese mixture over pre made crust, sprinkle both of the cheeses over the entire pizza. Next sprinkle the scrambled egg mixture and chopped bacon over the entire pizza.


Bake @ 350 for approximately 10 – 15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown.

Enjoy!


**For some spiritual thoughts from a previous post I wrote about Disney World click here.


Walk with the King!


You can follow Janelle on her own blog Comfy In The Kitchen! Follow Janelle on Facebook and Twitter.

I am participating in What's Cooking Wednesday, Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Dining With Debbie , Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and Tuesdays at the Table recipe exchanges. I am also linked up to Raising Homemakers Weds. link up and Works For Me Wednesday! For more blogger recipes go to these links.

Peace On Earth December Challenge - Come Link Up!

The first Christmas Carol was sung by the angels:


"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14


It was with the birth of Jesus that peace between God and man arrived. He came to die, to offer us forgiveness of our sins, and through our repentance we find peace with God. Yet it is hard to have a peace of mind during this insanely busy time for women. When we lack peace of mind, we lack peace in our homes. In our exhaustion, we become irritable and emotional. God can give us the strength to handle our challenging to-do list with grace and beauty but we need time alone resting, talking and just being with Jesus. He is our source of peace.

Jesus said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28


I do not want to wake up on December 26th to find an empty feeling of guilt and exhaustion because I was so busy with the details of Christmas that I never sat down alone to just adore my precious Savior during the celebration of his birth!

So let me introduce you to the "Peace On Earth" December Challenge. Each week I will give you one practical tip and one spiritual tip that will bring you peace here on earth during this hectic holiday season.


Here's a few more details:

Here's the topic schedule for those who want to link up each week:

Today: Write at the top of your December calendar page - I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." This will be a reminder every time you look at your calendar and feel anxious about all you have to get done - to pray. God cares for you. Release your worries to him and rest in him.


Also, go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home in the month of December. I will be starting mine in the morning! But you can start yours at dinner time. I will be placing mine in the kitchen - the main hub of my home. Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home.


December 6th: As the warmth of Christmas has now begun to enter your home with the influx of decorations, cookie baking and friends, take out your calendar and SCHEDULE a night where you will take a warm refreshing bubble bath. I'll give you more details on what to include with this bubble bath. But until then, one main thing will be your Bible. Read the story of the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1, 2 and Luke 1,2.


December 13th: At this point, you're just 2 weeks from Christmas and there is still so much to get done. You need EXTRA rest! Pull out your calendar and SCHEDULE a night where you will go to bed very very early. Take your Bible with you to bed and read for 5 minutes. Read in Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Jeremiah 23:5, and Isaiah 53. These are prophecies that were fulfilled by the birth and life of Jesus. Get extra blankets for a warm nights rest, pray God gives you deep rest and that no one wakes you. Then turn out the lights and sleep.


December 20th: Christmas is just 5 days away and so much of our time is often spent helping the children to remember the "Reason for the Season". Now it's our turn. Once the kids are in bed get yourself a HOT drink (again we are warming the body as we warm the soul.) Get ALONE and turn out the lights by your Christmas tree, a lit fire, or a candle and just be alone with God. Pray, talk to him, I encourage you to sing Christmas carols or songs praising him, and just rest with Jesus.

December 27th: Christmas is over! And the New Year is before us. Instead of going inward like we have with the bath, bed, and fireplace, I'm going to challenge you to get out of your house. If you live in the north, you'll need to bundle up. If you have a safe neighborhood to walk in - go for a walk. If you do not, sit on your porch. The goal is to get out to the open sky and alone with God in nature. Take your Bible and get alone with God for 10 minutes. Read Matthew 27 and 28 about Jesus' death and resurrection. Commit 2011 to living for Jesus.


As you can see, not one of these challenges costs a penny. So often we seek peace by trying to buy more or accomplish more in the short time we have. We push the limits of our body by staying up late, and going and going and going. Rather than doing more, let's STOP. Just simply stop, rest and get alone with God. I think we will be surprised to find how life changing this time alone with our mighty God can be.


I need your accountability as I do this challenge. I am deeply grateful for anyone who is willing to join me on this December journey.


Jesus said in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled."


If you would like to join me and you are a blogger - just copy and paste this Peace on Earth Badge on your blog with this link attached:

http://www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/

and then link up below! If you are not a blogger, leave a comment in the comment section to let me know that you would like to join the challenge.

Walk with the King!

I am linking up to: (In)Courage, Motivation Monday, Hip Homeschool Hop, Finer Things Friday, Raising Homemakers, Making My H0me Sing Monday , Holiday Haven and Works For Me Wednesday. Please check out these blogs for more great homemaking ideas.

Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas

Are you looking for some inexpensive Christmas gift ideas? Here's a few fun ones!!

1. Put all the ingredients of a S'more in clear containers with a beautiful bow. Voila the perfect gift for a sweets lover. (I found this idea here. S'mores can be safely made in the microwave - 10 seconds and you'll have a succulent dessert! )

2. Make a picture collage. My sisters and I made this collage for my dad on Father's Day and it proudly graces the hallway of my parents home. Each grandchild held a letter in grandpa's name(my kids are P and A). We made it black and white so we did not have to coordinate outfits or backgrounds or even be together. We each took our photos at home and emailed them to my middle sister who printed them and placed them in the frame.
3. Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Teachers, Pastors, and Sunday School workers.

• “Thanks for giving Sally a hand” tag with hand lotion.
  
• “Thanks a ‘latte’!” tag with a gift card from local coffee shop.
  
• A mug or bowl saying “You are ’souper’! - soup mix, custom decorated soup bowls or homemade soup.
  
• “You are out of this world” tag attached to a Milky Way candy bar.
  
• “You deserve an extra payday!” tag attached to a Payday candy bar.


• “There is no ’sub’stitute for you!” tag attached to a gift card for the local sub shop.
  
• “You are ‘extra’ special” tag with a pack of Extra Gum.
  
• “Thanks for helping Jimmy ‘bloom’” tag with a bouquet of flowers.

4. Make Cookie Jars. My friend Regina gave me these recipes and these are her cookie jars!

Country Oatmeal Cookies in a Jar Ingredients
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)


Directions:Using a 1 quart or 1 liter jar, layer in the ingredients in the order given. Pack down the jar after each addition to make the ingredients fit. Put the lid on, and cover with an 8 inch circle of fabric. Secure the fabric over the lid using a rubber band, then cover the rubber band by tying a nice piece of ribbon or raffia around the lid.


Attach a tag to the ribbon with the following instructions:Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, cream together 3/4 cup of softened butter, with 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Add the entire contents of the jar, and mix by hand until combined. Drop dough by heaping spoonfuls onto an unprepared cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven.

Special Butterscotch Chip Cookies in a Jar
1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup high protein crisp rice and wheat cereal
3/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans


DIRECTIONS:Layer the ingredients in the order given in a one quart wide mouth canning jar. Firmly pack each ingredient in place. It will be a tight fit, but all ingredients will fit in the jar. Use pinking shears to cut an 8 or 9 inch circle from gingham, calico, or a seasonal fabric. Place the fabric over the wide mouth lid and rim and secure with a rubber band. Tie on a raffia or ribbon bow to cover the rubber band.


Attach a card to the ribbon or raffia with the following mixing and baking directions:
Empty jar of cookie mix into a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup of butter or margarine, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Use hands to mix the wet and dry ingredients together. When completely blended, roll into large walnut sized balls. Place on unprepared cookie sheets and use the palm of your hand to flatten each cookie ball. Bake at 350 in a preheated oven for 8-10 minute.

Feel free to share your crafty ideas in the comments section. Hope these were helpful! Remember it truly is the thought that counts!

Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Walk with the King!

I am linking up to: Finer Things Friday, Raising Homemakers, Holiday Haven and Works For Me Wednesday.

10 Things I Am Thankful For

1. God's Word - the Bible. Daily I come to this living well, to drink a tall glass of living water and it is from this Living Well that Women Living Well was born.

2. A husband who prays.

3. Two beautiful children.

4. A godly heritage. (my dad, mom and grandmother.)

5. Sisters who challenge and inspire me (not pictured - brother in-laws who challenge and inspire me).

6. Cousins close by, who my children look up to as role models.

7. Godly friends (pic. 1 Angela, my best friend from high school and writing partner at Good Morning Girls. pic.2 My Good Morning Girls group who email daily after their quiet times. pic.3 My Tuesday Morning Bible study group)

8. An abundance of laundry that says we have an abundance of clothes.

9. Dirty dishes that say our tummies are full.

10. Crumbs on the floor as evidence of our daily bread God has provided.

And if I could take a picture of all of you - I'd put it right here! I am SO thankful for all of my on-line friends and sisters in Christ. You, dear readers, have changed my life. I give thanks to God for all of you.

Have a FANTASTIC Turkey Day!

Walk with the King!

Low-Fat Pumpkin Trifle

My sweet friend Janelle from Comfy in the Kitchen writes: "I brought this dessert to Courtney’s house when she hosted a wonderful Thai meal last week. I had so many ladies come up to me and ask me for the recipe….so here it is! A beautiful, delicious, festive and low-fat (yes, I said it!) dessert for the holidays!


This is a recipe I used from my “Taste of Home Entertaining” book. It is the most requested recipe from “Taste of Home’s, Light and Tasty ” magazine.


I pray you have a very Happy Thanksgiving! May God bless all of you who are preparing meals for your loved ones-may He give you strength, time management, and the ability enjoy sweet fellowship on this special day."

Start off by making the cake part of the Trifle: Combine spice cake, 1 egg, water and mix well

Pour into an ungreased 8 inch baking dish and bake at 350 for 35-40 mins until well set. Let cool.


Then, to make your filling: 4 butterscotch instant pudding mixes, 1 15 oz can of pumpkin (you can use EASY pumpkin mix -"with the spices", or you may add 1 tsp of pumpkin spice to this step)


FIRST make just the pudding- beat the pudding mixes with the milk

It will begin to thicken -let set for about 5 mins until it is of pudding consistency.

Add pumpkin and spices (if applicable)and stir well (you may use an electric mixer on low if you desire)
Get out your Trifle bowl and start layering (you will need to get out your Cool Whip at this time!) Begin with the Spice Cake- crumble with your fingers and lay at the bottom of the bowl (if you don't have an "official" trifle bowl-have no fear, I used a regular old mixing bowl for years until I found this one at JCPenny Outlet-Wohoo!)

Spread your pudding/pumpkin mixture on top and then crumble more cake on top of that

Add in a layer of Cool Whip


Do as many layers as you can- I topped mine with Cool Whip and dotted with the pumpkin mixture and sprinkled extra cake on top. You are going to LOVE this!!!!!! OH YUMMM!!!!

Pumpkin Trifle
(18 servings)

Cake:
1 box Spice Cake
1 ¼ cups water
1 egg

*Mix all ingredients and bake in an 8x8 pan at 350 for 35 mins or until set. Cool on stove or wire rack.

Pudding Filling:
4 cups skim milk
4 packages (1 oz each) instant butterscotch pudding mix
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin mix- you can use EASY, but eliminate the spices below
1 ½ tsp Pumpkin Spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp of each: ginger, nutmeg and allspice)
* In a large bowl mix milk with pudding mix. Let sit until it thickens (appx 5 mins). Add pumpkin and spices and mix well.

1 carton (12 oz) light whipped topping

Layering Process:
In a Trifle bowl (or any large bowl) layer:
1. A fourth of the cake crumbled with your hands
2. Half of the pumpkin mixture
3. A fourth of the cake crumbled
4. Half the whipped cream
5. Repeat the layers
6. Garnish with whipped topping and cake crumbs
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Walk with the King!


You can follow Janelle on her own blog she just launched titled Comfy In The Kitchen! Follow Janelle on Facebook and Twitter.

I am participating in What's Cooking Wednesday, Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Dining With Debbie , Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and Tuesdays at the Table recipe exchanges. I am also linked up to Raising Homemakers Weds. link up and Works For Me Wednesday! For more blogger recipes go to these links.

This Might Help You For The Holidays

Here's some links to my old Thanksgiving Posts:

Getting My Heart Ready for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Traditions

A Biblical View on the Biggest Shopping Day of the Year (Black Friday)

Simple Pilgrim Hat Cookies

Easy No-Bake Turkey Cookies

How To Make Homemade Cranberry Sauce

And an excerpt from an old post:

Monday, November 17, 2008
Discontent Americans

This morning I went to I Timothy 6 in my quiet time. Verse 6 says "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."


I received the below quote in an email last week and I felt it was an interesting perspective on America -
-written by Craig R. Smith and published on WorldNetDaily.com at Thanksgiving, 2006.

"Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed. In essence 2/3s of the country just isn't happy and want a change. I started thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?'' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?


Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.


Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You maybe upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.


Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67percent of you folks unhappy."


After reading this, I am reminded that God calls us - his children - to just be content with food and clothes - look how much MORE he has given us as Americans! Praise His name today!

Walk with the King!

The Quest For the Perfect Holiday

We were newlyweds. I had never cut down a real Christmas tree so when Keith suggested that we cut one down it sounded exciting! I was gung-ho ready to go in my pretty boots, pretty coat, and fancy matching gloves, scarf and ear muffs.

We drove to the tree farm and I hopped out of the car ready to go in search of the perfect tree. Wow - they were all so gorgeous - I found the perfect one within 15 minutes. So I declared "this is it!" I was smiling ear to ear just dreaming of this tree in our house. What a delight! My husband pulled out his measuring tape, measured it, "too short". Bummer.

5 minutes later I found the one! "This is it!" Again Keith began to measure - this time it had a crooked base. Bummer. "Well, how about this one?" "No" he answered, "that one has a nasty bare spot." "We can turn it to the corner" I suggest. "No." We walk on... and on....and on - an hour passes.

We come to a muddy spot and I'm a little annoyed to step my pretty boot into the muddy spot but I do - but not without grumbling. I suggest another tree - and again - it's not the right one. Now I'm starting to feel irritated, cold and deflated...we walk on...and we continue the cycle - I suggest a tree, he finds the flaw.

Keith decides that the type of trees in our section were the wrong type of tree - he preferred the Douglas Firs which were way over the hill and very far from the car but we went....went in search of the perfect Christmas tree.

We walk and walk and walk and finally Keith finds the suitable tree! It's the right height, has the right base, no bare spots and he tells me "stand by it" while he goes to check and see if there are any better ones a few rows over.

So, there I stood...tick tock tick tock...annoyed...it's now been nearly three hours looking for the perfect tree. Suddenly out of no where - a ferocious barking dog appeared and my husband was NO where in sight. I left the tree in search of my hubby. When I found him my patience was long gone, I was practically in tears and I said "honey, there is no such thing as a perfect tree - just pick one - I want to go home."

Poor guy. He truly wanted to pick the perfect tree for me. He was willing to tramp around in the freezing cold to find the perfect one to adorn our home. But what he didn't realize was that I wasn't looking for the perfect tree. It was the moment itself that was so exciting! Being outdoors with my husband cutting down a tree and dragging it home was the memorable moment I was hoping to make. But in his quest for perfection the dreamy moment was ruined.

Are you as wives and mothers trying to create the perfect holiday for your family? Are you stressed over trying to figure out how to make it perfect, memorable, special, meaningful and more. STOP. You might just ruin it for everyone if you are too focused on the details and missing the whole point of the actual experience together.

The holidays are a special time to make memories. The memories don't have to be perfect or grand. Actually, the memories I seem to remember from childhood are the ones where everything went wrong and now we laugh about it! It's the tradition of being together year after year that builds security and love within the family.

Typically, women plan most of the events on the calendar for the holidays. Have you asked your husband what he wants his holiday to be like? Maybe he wants it to be restful and go no where and you want to have a revolving door of people over. This is going to cause friction.

Communication is key. Find out what his expectations are and share with him some of your expectations. Had I realized when we went looking for a Christmas tree that it would take 3 hours to find the tree and I needed to wear old grubby clothes - my expectations would have been set and I could have enjoyed my time picking the Christmas tree. But instead, I expected to find it quickly and be on our merry way! My expectations for Christmas tree shopping have officially changed because this is how my husband enjoys shopping for a tree.

Let your quest for perfection go. Thanksgiving should be a simple holiday. Give your children more than a memory of a frazzled mom who had a perfectly set table and meal. Give them the memory of giving thanks. There are many ways you can do this:

1. Make a thankful chain and have everyone write on slips of paper things they are thankful for and hang the chain as decoration.

2. Go around the table and focus on each person. Have others share 2-3 things they are thankful for in that person.

3. Put out a jar and encourage your family to put in slips of paper with things they are thankful for all week long. When Thursday comes pull the pieces of paper out and read them together. Pray and give thanks.

4. Do a word study in the Bible on the word "thanks". Read these verses out loud together.

5. Read George Washington's or Abraham Lincoln's Proclamations of Thanksgiving.

6. Sing praises together to the Lord.

Ps. 34:3 "O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together."

Walk with the King!

I am linking up here :