Quick Crab Stew

This recipe is from Paula Deen, but it doesn't use a lot of butter and I used Heart Healthy soups from Campbell's so it really isn't that bad. I didn't use the sherry we don't like it, so it is good without it!



Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of potato soup
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1 soup can milk
1 soup can half-and-half
1 pound claw crabmeat, picked free of any broken shells
1/4 cup dry sherry
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
In a large saucepan, melt the butter and saute the onion until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the soups, milk, and half-and-half. Add the crabmeat and bring just to a boil. Add the sherry and salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately. Or allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate or freeze immediately in plastic microwavable reusable containers with lids.

Top Ten Moments of 2010!

I originally saw this as a Christmas card idea, but didn't have the time, but I thought it was a good idea to share my 'Top Ten Moments of 2010' so here they are...

1. Sophia's 1st Birthday- It was amazing how fast that year went by, but I enjoyed every minute!

2. Hearing Sophia utter the words, "Mama"- It brought tears to my eyes!

3. Watching my baby girl develop into a beautiful and very active toddler- I love watching her learn new things, from learning how to roll over, then crawl, to walking and now running!

4. My six year Wedding Anniversary with Patrick- We spent our anniversary in Savannah and it was special because it was our first night away from Sophia since bringing her home from the hospital!

5. Being Matron of Honor in my "sister's" wedding- I was so honored when Brooke asked me to be apart of her special day! She has always been there for me so I am glad I could be there for her!

6. Being an Aunt for the first time- I was very happy for my sister-in-law and her husband when they had their baby this year, she was worth the wait!

7. Completing my 1st 5K run- I say first because I would love to keep doing 5k runs. I would have love to have completed under 40 mins but it was my first and I will improve it over time!

8. Having Thanksgiving in our house for the 1st time and having all the family over- It was a little intimidating planning a meal for 11 people but all in all it went well!

9. Going to NYC for my 27th Birthday- I love NYC and it was an amazing surprise getaway and we had a great time together!

10. Eating at Daniel- It was the most amazing food that I have EVER ate! It was an experience eating there! It has changed the way I feel about food! Quality is much better than quantity!

Simple mistake!

I was at the store yesterday and in a rush, while rushing through the store I grabbed pudding for a dessert I was making and grabbed 'cook and serve' pudding instead of 'instant'! I thought, "Oh well, I can still use it; it will just take a little longer." Well, I cooked the pudding and continued with the recipe, but it did not turn out the same!Let's just say that I had to throw the whole dessert out! I have made this dessert a dozen times and love it, but it is funny that by buying what you think is basically the same thing can change the recipe so much. I don't think I will EVER make that mistake again! I think I should have made time to read the box a little more carefully! haha

Making time for health and running!

I have had enough of extra weight, and the sad thing is I can't blame it on pregnancy because after Sophia was born I weighed less than before I was pregnant! So I have decided to make time to be healthy, so that I can be a positive example for Sophia and I'm sure Patrick won't mind either! ;) Instead of waiting until the New Year to be healthy, like most people, I am doing it now.
I started Wednesday really focusing on running and found a race that will be my first 5K race and that is my goal right now! So I have a little more than a month to be ready. I know that is quick but this first race is just to complete it, not about how quick I finish! I am happy to report though that I did shave 3 whole minutes off my mile today! I was pretty excited about that. Also realized that I need better shoes because the tips of my toes were rubbing the inside of my shoe and they felt tingly! Well, marking my calendar for Dec. 18th for my first 5K! It is fuuny cool that this is my first because I didn't know about this race, but this race is named for Ryan Kishbaugh the son of a doctor I worked with in Rehab Spinal Cord and he wrote a book before he died. The book is titled, Run Because You Can! Good thought!

First time back!

Maybe this time I can MAKE TIME to write about a few things that really matter to me! My last blog post was in Jan of 09 and titled Answered prayer... Well little did I know that I was pregnant with my little Sophia at the time, who truly is an answer to prayer! Now she is almost 13 months old, my how time flies! I don't know how many times I heard "Enjoy every minute because it will go by fast" since becoming a new parent! I hate to admit that I have caught myself saying, "I can't wait until..." I really need to learn to savor the present instead wishing for the future! And so let the journey of "making time" begin... "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God's gift, that's why we call it the present!" Help me to really be thankful for each and everyday!

Answered prayers

I guess it has been awhile... I have been going through a lot of personal things this past year that are not as easy for me to talk about. One of the most difficult times of this past year was in August just before my birthday. When Patrick and I found out that we miscarried during our first pregnancy. I never really knew how I would deal with something like this until it actually happened, but the Lord is gracious and helped us stay positive through that time, although it was difficult.

I have since learned that I have hypothyroidism which may or may not have caused the miscarriage. It is difficult to know exactly when because the symptoms are nearly the same as pregnany (tired, hungry, gaining weight, hair loss, always cold). So I have started taking Synthroid now, which I will have to take everyday and have frequent blood work to check those levels. I had my first check-up since beginning the medication and my levels are already under control. The Lord does answer prayer not always right away and maybe not the answer we want, but He does answer prayer!

I now embark upon a new year, which is starting with so many new changes for me. Last year while working at the hospital I really became discouraged about working every other weekend, which as a nurse is something at one point in your career have to do if you work at the hospital. I began to pray about this situation more and more. As it became apparent that nothing could be worked out at where I was, the Lord opened a new option at the end of the year when I almost thought that there was no other option. The Lord answered my prayer in a way I was not expecting, because I loved where I worked and really didn't want to leave. But I am so happy now that I can be at church every Sunday morning/evening and Wednesday evening now. Patrick is also happier now that we can get up in the morning together and I am home when he comes home in the evening and not to mention we have every weekend now! So I am thankful for all these new changes so far this new year!

I will continue to pray for friends and family that still are going through difficult circumstances that only the Lord can bless and comfort in those areas and pray for a happy new year for all!

It's been awhile....

Well, It has definitely been awhile since I last blogged about anything recently. I was caught up in things that I guess I was trying to hard to make happen myself, instead of relying on God, and HIS timing. (another life lesson learned). Which reminds me of another children's book I read recently, The Giving Tree.

It is amazing the things you can learn from reading children's book. What I have taken from this sweet little book is that the little boy is like so many young people in this generation, who have the mentality that they everything should be given to them and all they do is take and take. If they could only learn to be more like the giving tree in this story! They would maybe learn to be content with what they have and learn that giving is so much better then receiving. Anyway, I think more adults should reread (and yes that is a word) old children's books and try to dig a little deeper... I challenge you!