Much needed weekend - and a yummy recipe

Wow.  My weekend was nothing short of amazing.  Bry's t-ball team beat one of the toughest teams in the league and enjoyed a pizza party afterwards.  Then his friend Nick came home with him to hang out for a little while.

They had fun playing with the sprinkler.

Then Mike and I got ready for our night in Orlando.  Aunt Laura came to take care of the kids, and we were off!  We went to the House of Blues for a concert Saturday night and had a great time walking around Downtown Disney.  Then Sunday morning we slept in until 9:30 and went to my favorite Disney breakfast spot. Olivia's has the best grits I've ever had.  Even Mike admitted they were amazing.  Mike NEVER admits that a food he has is the "best thing ever," but he admitted it with the grits.  I'm so glad he liked breakfast! 

After breakfast we walked around Disney's Old Key West resort for a little while and half dreamed, half planned a vacation there.  I hope it will happen!

We decided to head home.  I had been to a state park and gardens a couple of years ago, but I couldn't remember the name of the park.  I just knew it was just south of Marineland.  We decided to take a scenic route home and took Old Dixie Highway to A1A.  I mean, WOW.  Anyone who looks at nature that beautiful and denies the existence of God is just crazy.

It was so nice to just enjoy the drive.  We rolled our windows down and enjoyed the breeze and the scenery.  We never would have been able to do that with the kids in tow.  Lynnie tolerates her car seat until she doesn't, and we have no choice but to take her out.  She's just not the best traveler.  We had great conversation (the few minutes Mike was awake anyway - hehe) and loved seeing all the sights on A1A.

I started seeing signs for Washington Oaks state park and gardens, and that was it!!!  We stopped in and spent a couple of hours walking around.  It was a beautiful day, and there was a refreshing breeze off the river.  I couldn't have asked for more beautiful surroundings.  We also realized that because of the fishing, picnic areas, nature trails, open fields, and huge play area, that it would be a great place to take the kids for a day.  We will definitely go back!  

Mike took a bunch of great pictures.   

This little guy was happily chomping on some grass

The grass really WAS greener on the other side, so this gopher tortoise crossed the road to eat it.  :-)

 It was a great weekend, but it ended too soon.  We had to relieve poor Laura!  Apparently Lynnie proved that she was a total diva.  Well, at least Laura knows I'm not crazy or making stuff up when I talk about how rotten she can be!  haha!


Tonight we had our young adult Bible study group over.  That is always a great time.  I love our group so much, and it really helps me stay encouraged.  I make dinner every week.  Tonight I made Shepherd's Pie.  I have my own recipe that I made up.  It's really, really, really delicious.  So much so that I debated being selfish and keeping for my own, but I think I'll share it with you just because I'm nice.  :-)  So here ya go:


Shepherd's Pie
2 lbs ground beef
1 chopped onion
minced garlic, to taste
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce 
salt and pepper to taste
Mashed potatoes (prepared instant or fresh - enough to cover top of dish)
1 can peas (or equivalent fresh or frozen)
1 can corn (or equivalent fresh or frozen)
1 can carrots (or equivalent fresh or frozen) 
8 ozs cheddar cheese


Brown ground beef, onion, and garlic.  Drain fat.  Add cream of mushroom soup and Worcestershire sauce.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Add this mixture to the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.  Top with peas, corn, and carrots.  (I almost always use fresh.  If I don't have peas I'll use green beans, and it's delicious.)  Spread it out evenly.  Top with prepared mashed potatoes (again, I almost always make my own).  Spread it out evenly.  Finally, top with all of the cheese.  Bake in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and dish is bubbly.


I can't even begin to tell you how yummy this is.  I had people ask to take it home tonight.  Nearly everyone went back for seconds and thirds.  :-)  Luckily I had made 2 batches!!!


So, for my day, the only frustrating thing that really happened is that I didn't get dinner started on time and was nearly 15 minutes late serving it.  I HATE being late serving dinner!!!  But that also means that ALL of my nasty dishes from cooking were left in the sink.  I'm lucky that my friends are all very understanding and love me despite my nasty house!


A bunch of awesome things happened today, though. Three of my friends ordered from the produce co-op today.  I'm really glad to be making some sort of a difference in the business.  I hope to help it grow!  I also took Bry to visit the place I used to work, and it was really nice catching up with everyone.  My amazing babysitter spent the afternoon with me so I could take a shower and get stuff cleaned up a little bit before I started cooking.  She's so awesome!  And, of course, I LOVED our Bible study group tonight.  It's so refreshing to have a group of friends to come over and study the Word.  We can be open and honest and ask questions and get great answers and just study together.  It's great!


How was your weekend?