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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Top Secret Recipes Little Caeser's Crazy Bread & Sauce

My husband LOVES Little Caeser's Crazy Bread & Sauce! As close as we can get in Africa. :)

http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/Little-Caesars-Crazy-Bread-Recipe.html
http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/Little-Caesars-Crazy-Sauce-Recipe.html

Bread Maker Pizza Dough (1 1/2 lbs.)

1 cup water
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups bread flour (I use All Purpose flour, or in SA, Cake Flour)
2 teaspoons Bread Machine Yeast

Add to bread maker in order suggested by your bread maker manufacturer.

Optional Ingredients: (Add with flour)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon sweet basil

Yields:
2 - 12 in round (thin)
1 - 14 in round (thick)
1 - 10x15 in (thin)

Bake Pizza at 425 F (220 C) for 15-25 min.

Monday, April 16, 2012

White Chicken Chili

3 T. Olive Oil          
1 jar green chillies, drained                               
1 medium onion, chopped     
2 tsp. ground cumin      
3 T. flour
16 oz. chicken broth (or bouillion)              
1 1/2 c. chopped, cooked chicken breast                                                               
2 cans white beans
1 c. salsa                                                   
shredded cheese and sour cream for garnishing

Cook onion & chilies in olive oil until onions are cooked through.  Add cumin and flour, stir until well mixed.  Cook 2 minutes.  Slowly stir in chicken broth.  Add white beans and chicken.  Cook for 30 min. Serve with cheese and sour cream and salsa.

Friday, April 13, 2012

A Teenager in the House!!!

Well, I can't post about Mickey's birthday on April 13 and not post about Brandon's birthday, because today's THE DAY! It's Brandon's crown birthday! He turns 13 on the 13th, and as he'll quickly point out - it's Friday the 13th! :)


He woke up earlier this morning - why is it easier to get the kids out of bed when they know there's no school? And I made him pancakes for breakfast. He was able to play wii, computer, watch tv - his favourite things. ;)
He had cosmos for lunch - now I don't know about you, but I didn't know what cosmos were until I met my husband's family. Take a sub roll, melt provolone cheese on it, add mayo, italian dressing, tomatos, lettuce and onions (hold the onions for Brandon) and you have a Hawkins' family favourite sandwich!
Played for the afternoon.... We talked about lasagna for dinner, but since Brandon HAD to go to the shop and spend some of the birthday money that was burning a hole in his pocket, we ran out of time, so we had goulash
The birthday cake of Brandon's choice was Deep Dark Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing.


Now he is having a sleepover with his "weekend family", the Frosts. They stay in the flat on our property, and he and Matthew spend every possible waking moment together! (Well, sleeping, too, I guess! ;))


It was a special day today, as we had already let him choose what was for dinner last night, assuming that we were back to youth at church today after the holidays, which would involve being away from home from 2-9. Brandon felt like it was an extra birthday present to find out we weren't going back until next week!

Mickey's Birthday

Mickey turned 2 on March 24 and we had a little party for him here. It was a simple party, as he would be having a party with his Mom & Dad, Colleta & Michael, in a couple of weeks. We just invited some of our mutual friends from church. Here are a couple of pictures!


Drama and Answered Prayers

Drama started again this week. The official kind, at least. I think we have a little of the unofficial kind every day. ;)
In 2009 and 2010, the kids took part in practicing and performing drama - first The King and I and then The Fiddler on the Roof. The cast is made up of approximately 50 other homeschoolers. Last year we were unable to participate because we were in the US when the performances took place.
Since we returned from the US in November, it has been a matter of much thought and prayer as to whether the kids would take part this year. There is a fee to participate, and if Mom volunteers, it is more than half the cost. In the past I have volunteered happily, enjoying the time with other Moms and the creative outlet. However, this year, I really don't have the extra time! The ministry and homeschool have kept me SUPER busy, and with performances in September and us planning to move to Durban in Oct/Nov, I just couldn't see me adding one more thing to my already jam-packed routine! So I prayed. And I asked my husband for his opinion (he agreed, but was okay with whatever I chose). And I prayed. And I asked friends for prayer.
And then a couple of weeks ago, we found out about someone that needed a place to stay for a couple of months because her new rental fell through and she already gave her notice at her current place. We have a rondoval (a round brick building with a thatch roof) that would be perfect for her use, and she was willing to pay. One month would more than cover the drama fees, and I wouldn't even need to volunteer! Brad and I both felt this was the answer to my prayers. Thank you, Lord!
My kids are excited to be involved again, and I feel kind of awkward about the idea of just dropping them off and leaving, not because I don't trust that they'll be well looked after, but because I like being involved!
I will still have Mickey with me while they are at drama practice every week, but it's during his nap time. Now I'll just have to be sure to be self-disciplined and accomplish something every week while they are away.

Here's a pic of the kids in costume from Fiddler (I made the girls costumes):