Recipe of the Week

Ok, here goes another fantabulous recipe and this one is for dessert; I think is the best part of any meal...:). Try it out and if you like it or love it, leave me a comment.

Better Than Sex Cake

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix, plus ingredients to prepare
• 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1 (3.4-ounce) box French vanilla pudding, plus ingredients to prepare
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup flaked, sweetened toasted coconut

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare yellow cake mix as directed using a greased 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. While cake is baking, combine the pineapple and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Remove cake from oven and using a fork, pierce holes into cake. Pour pineapple mixture over hot cake and set aside.

Prepare pudding according to package directions. Spread pudding over cake and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Whip heavy cream and remaining sugar until stiff. Cover top of cake with whipped cream and sprinkle toasted coconut on top.

Introducing Noah Christian Bersaglia

Noah Christian Bersaglia (our great nephew)
Mom and Dad- Malorie Israel Bersaglia and Scott Bersaglia
Little brother to Jackson Bersaglia

Noah was born on January 29th, 2008 and weighed in at 9 pounds. He is so cute as you can tell.

Just Random Updates of the Hewell Family

James finally got his truck back. It is good as new. The insurance for the 15 year old who hit us probably is not though. There was 3700 dollars worth of damage to the truck.

Landon and I have been working diligently on his science fair project. Just in case you are interested. If you buy loose popcorn (not the ones in the microwaveable bag) store it in the fridge. You get more kernals popped.

Logan is just being Logan. Had his cell phone and his Ipod taken away from him as punishment for leaving youth at church and crossing the 4 lane. I know he isn't 5, but the 4 lane is dangerous and he shouldn't be leaving church. (he only went to the store to get a drink and then back to the church) James implemented the punishment and has no plans to give back the said items for awhile. It's been almost 10 days.

As for me, nothing really to tell. I have lost 10 pounds on my new healthy lifestyle mandated by Michelin. I don't know how much James has lost mandated by the fact if he doesn't cut it out he will die of a heart attack or have diabetes. He is doing well with the program we are doing.
The boys are even taking part.
I have been steadily reading my Bible. I am already in 1 Chronicles. I have to take a lot of notes to remember everything, but I am loving it. Reading it straight through has been so much easier. My new schedule at work has worked out too. It allows for me to go to church at least 3 times a month on Sunday night. I love that. We are doing a study of Revelations and it is so interesting. Plus we do a small study of a book in the Bible on Wednesday night during the prayer meeting.

Boston is still his sweet self. He and James actually love each other. He actually got so excited that James was playing with him before they went to sleep Saturday night, he peed on James' pillow. It wasn't on purpose. It was one of those "so excited I peed"moments, not the usual "James makes me mad so I will pee on his pillow!" I say we are making progress.

Cleo is still losing weight and being snobbish sometimes. I know she is grieving for Chloe, we all miss her, but she has to suck it up and get on with her life and eat her food. She doesn't want anything to do with anybody but Logan. He about has to stand there with her to make her eat. Hopefully she will be back to her fun self before long. I wonder if there is pet counseling because that will have to be the next step.

A New Year, A New President

Well, the new president was sworn in yesterday. To say that I had any interest in it whatsoever would be a huge lie. Even though it was a historical day, I didn't watch it. Both of the boys were required to watch it at school and they, like me, just wasn't in to it. I don't understand why everyone keeps saying that it is historical in the fact that he is our first african american president. He isn't 100% black. Call him what he is a mulato. Do I think that he is going to be a good president, well, that is to be determined. I don't think he will be able to deliver on his many promises. Because of that, I highly doubt that he will be re-elected in 2012. He does have a lot of mess to clean up. Am I saying that I am against our new president? Not in the least. I just would have preferred someone else. Because he is our chosen leader (and God did allow for him to gain office) I will support him and be in prayer (as we should be) for his leadership.

Recipe of the Week

Chicken Fajita Soup

1-1.5 pounds of chicken tenders chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 large onion chopped
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp of thyme
1-1.5 tbsp of coriander
2 14 oz cans of fire roasted tomatoes
1 quart of chicken broth
1 chopped jalepeno (optional)

In a heavy saucepan, brown your chicken in olive oil. While they are working, add the chopped onions and peppers. Add the spices. Let cook for about 10 minutes and then add the rest of your ingredients. Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes. Spoon over crushed tortilla chips. We had hot jalepeno chedder cheese and sour cream as garnish.

Recipe of the Week

Camp Stew

1 pound ground beef browned and drained
1 small onion chopped and sauteed with ground beef
1 can of chicken drained
2 14 oz cans of stewed tomatoes
2 potatoes peeled and diced
1 14 oz can whole kernal corn drained
1 14 oz can creamed corn
1 cup of ketchup
1 cup of water
2 tbsp worteshire sauce
2-4 tsp of lemon juice
1 small bag of frozen speckled butter beans
1 small can of english peas
1 can of okra

In your crockpot, layer the potatoes, then the frozen butter beans. Then add the beef and onion mixture followed by your chicken. Creamed corn comes next and then you add all of the remaining ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low in your crockpot for 8 hours.

James Goes Boom

Here are pics of James' truck after the accident. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Except of course James' truck.