My fear of the Instant Pot

 I have certain foods I love that require a pressure cooker. But I haven't had a pressure cooker for years. So I decided I needed an Instant Pot last year. I wanted a brand name because I knew I could find a lot of recipes. But it was $100 for the Instant Pot. I put it on my Christmas wish list and started stalking the ads. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Walmart issued online pre-Black Friday deals and I just happened to be online and was able to get one....for $49. SCORE! It was an early birthday present and I couldn't wait to use it for shredded chicken to make barbecue chicken sandwiches by using the homemade barbecue sauce recipe belonging to my mother-in-law. Fast forward from December to this past Friday. I have never used it. Not one time. Oh I wanted to. Even read the directions back to front. But the truth is, I realized I was afraid of it. So many buttons. Friends would tell me how easy and one friend even showed me what buttons to use. We had made chicken in one at his house last year and that was why I wanted it. But the fear was overwhelming. So Friday, I decided to brave it and try to conquer my fear. I bought 4# of boneless, skinless breasts and set everything up and turned it on.

While it was doing its thing, I chopped onions using a hack I saw on FB. I hate the way you cry slicing onions. Well it turns out that onions draw moisture to them. Since you eyes have moisture, they draw it out and hence the crying. Some lady said put a wet paper towell on your cutting board before cutting up onions. I did and enjoyed a tear free onion moment. This really works. 

I made the sauce using the onions in one bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce, then 1 and 1/2 bottles of water (using the chili sauce bottle), 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 1/2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 stick of Parkay margarine (cut up in chunks like in the picture below so it melts faster), 1/2 of a small onion chopped like above, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoons sugar. Put this on and cook over medium heat till butter is melted and everything is mixed good then turn to simmer.

Low and behold, 20 minutes after I started the whole process my chicken was done. I had covered the chicken with 2/3 cup of water and set it for 15 minutes and it was perfect. Literally fell apart as I shredded it with 2 forks.

I then put the shredded chicken in the barbecue sauce and stirred it really good and let it simmer about 30 minutes to get the juices soaked in the chicken.

Then I enjoyed a couple of really tangy (vinegar free) barbecue chicken with some Lays chips and a dill pickle. 

Now I am in love with my Instant Pot and ready to try new recipes. Hope you try this some day and come back to comment on what you thought of it.

Why I need Jesus

 

This really spoke to me. It is one of those oxymoron situations in my mind. If you are a Christian who believes they are perfect, who wants to show the world that you do everything right, then I wonder how well you really study your bible, because we are told that no one is perfect. 

I am not a theologian nor do I want to get into biblical debates. The only reason for this post is simply this is something I have been dealing with for a few months and I am really struggling with it. 

I know this person who tries to appear perfect. You know the ones. Always saying kind things, always doing right, always remembering to pray and always reading the bible. And always making sure to point out to people how they always do these things. I try to do all that. But I fail. I am human. I get mad, I get upset, I get hurt. I fall down daily and have to pick myself back up. 

When someone comes at me with their "perfection" and tries to encourage me to be more like them, it rubs me the wrong way. Because they forget that I know them. I know how they really feel about certain things and how they act when there is no one to see the true them. 

I admire people who are able to do the right thing and be a good Christian. But I am inspired by the people like me who fall short daily. Who have to ask God to pick them back up, dust them back off, and put them back on track. Who can stand up and announce their shortcomings and praise God for keeping them going.

Tell me your faults, tell me your failures and then tell me how God got you through them. THAT is what makes me admire you. That is what makes me see what a true Christian is like. 

Good Friday

He could have walked away. 

He could have said "Nope. Not happening. Not today."

But He didn't. He took the pain. He took the suffering. He took the nails. For me, for you, for everyone. Three nails. One crown of thorns. One great sacrifice.

This song says it perfectly. Calvary answer for me!

Happy Palm Sunday

 

My new pretties

I have been looking for over 3 years for new dishes. And now that I quit looking I found some I fell in love with. No coffee cups and I was so happy because I have enough cups for the one or two times a year I make coffee. Service for 6 for just $24.99. Nice big bowls, too. 

 

They look pretty with my new spring tablecloth.

And my little Easter centerpiece. 

I couldn't be happier with the end result.

Happy birthday to my first grandchild

 Happy birthday to my very first grandchild, Garret. He held my heart from the moment I saw him. They say you don't understand what being a grandmother is about until you have a grandchild. Well that was the truth. 

He has brought such joy to my life. Love, laughter, play time, hugs, all the good stuff in life. He has always been fun and full of life. He has turned into a wonderful young man and I am so proud of him. He is always laughing and smiling. He's great with the quick come backs and fun sarcasm that I love.

Happy birthday, Garret. I hope you have an amazing day.

Sunday's Song

When the Father's in the room

Miracles take place

The cynical find faith

And love is breaking through

When the Father's in the room

The Jericho walls are quakin'

Strongholds now are shakin'

Love is breaking through

When the Father's in the room