WEEK SEVEN: FELLOWSHIP & BEACH TRIP

Week seven was a little different for our group. I went to the beach for vacation with the in-laws so my lovely mom hosted the Tis So Sweet crew at her house. I'm so thankful for my mom and all she does for me. Looks like they had a lot of fun!!

L to R: Julie, Meghan, Sharon, Laura & Janet
*Not pictured: Mom (Marian)

Since I wasn't there, I can't really give commentary on what all was discussed, but I did hear through the grapevine that everyone had a great time of fellowship. I definitely missed you ladies and am very much looking forward to next week!

Before I share the recipes, here's a little recap of our beach trip:
DAY ONE was great! We had awesome weather all day and then me, Chip (my husband), Brent & Marianne (Chip's sister & her husband) went to eat at the Original Oyster House while Chip's parents kept Ty (our nephew).

Brent and Ty playing in the ocean with an audience of seagulls.

We stayed at the Phoenix West which was great! It had a lazy river that included this awesome slide that Brent is trying to talk Ty into going down.

DAY TWO was great as well. Another day full of sunshine on the beach.

You can't see them too well, but on the way to the beach, I spotted this family of butterflies :)

Perfection.

Ty-Bug having fun on the beach!

DAY THREE the weather was not so great. Marianne, Brent & Ty went home that morning. I got up early and went to watch my tennis friends win the state championship, Chip & his dad went fishing on the pier for a bit until the rain came, and then we were pretty much stuck inside most of the day because of rain. But later that night we went to eat at Bahama Bob's which was really good and then Chip's parents kicked our butts in a couple of games of spades.

Chip and his dad watching the storm roll in from the balcony.

Enjoying Bahama Bob's with the in-laws!

DAY FOUR the weather was slightly better, but not much. Although the rain had stopped and the sun peeked out most of the day, it was still really, really windy (I would guess 25 mph wind). Since it was our last day, I was determined to get a little more beach time. But I could only stand the sand storm for about an hour and a half before I had to come in. We went to King Neptune's for dinner, Dippin' Dots for dessert, and then played a couple more games of spades.

Here's my attempt to fight the wind and enjoy the beach one more time...

But it didn't last too long...

So we went to King Neptune's instead! Yum!

All in all we had a great trip and I am thankful for the time of rest. But like I said before, I did miss our group and judging by the pictures and recipes, it sounds like I missed out on some delicious food!! So now, I present to you (drumroll please...) the RECIPES OF THE WEEK!

SLOW COOKER POTATO SOUP

Contributed by: Sharon Evans

4 lbs red potatoes, cubed with peels on

8 cups water

1 heaping tbsp broth base

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

3/4 tsp minced garlic

2 - 8 oz pkgs cream cheese

Bacon bits, grated cheese, & green onion, optional

Combine all ingredients except cream cheese in slow cooker, cover and cook on high 4 hours. Stir in cream cheese and cover, stirring occasionally until all is dissolved. Serve with bacon bits, grated cheese & green onion (or whatever other topping you prefer). *For fat free soup, use fat free cream cheese & skip the cheese and bacon.

Approx. 4.5 hours; Serves 10-12

HAWAIIAN TURKEY & HAM SLIDERS

Contributed by: Marian Dodson

1 pkg King's Hawaiian dinner rolls

3/4 lb Deli Turkey or Ham (shaved)
1 pkg thin sliced swiss cheese
1 stick butter
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp minced onion
1 tbsp poppyseed
1 tbsp Grey Poupon Mustard

Slice whole sheet of Hawaiian Rolls into 2 sections (top & bottom halves) using bread knife. Heat butter, sugar, onion, poppy seed & mustard on low until melted. Brush sauce on both sides of bread with a pastry brush. Add turkey, top with cheese, and put top half of rolls back on top to make sandwiches. Wrap sandwich rolls in foil & bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes. Pull apart and serve warm.
Approx. 45 mins; Makes 12 mini-sandwiches


ORANGE FRUIT DIP
Contributed by: Julie Conn

24 oz plain yogurt
1 box orange jello

Mix thoroughly and enjoy with fruit of choice.
Approx. 10 mins; Serves 8-10


TACO SOUP
Contributed by: Meghan Handley

1 - 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 - 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 - 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained
1 - 15.25 oz can sweet corn, drained
1 - 12.5 oz can white chicken breast, drained
1 - 10.75 oz can cream of chicken soup
1 - 10 oz can green enchilada sauce
1 - 14 oz can chicken broth
1 packet taco seasoning

Mix all ingredients together in a large pot and heat until warm, stirring occasionally. Serve with tortilla chips.
Approx. 30 mins; Serves 10-12


SEVEN LAYER SALAD
Contributed by: Janet Posey

1 pkg salad mix or 1 head of lettuce, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1-2 bell peppers, sliced or chopped
1 pkg finely shredded cheddar
1 can English peas, drained
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
2 tbsp sugar
Bacon bits

Layer dish with first five ingredients. Top with mixture of mayo, sour cream, and sugar. Top with bacon bits. Repeat.
Approx. 30 mins; Serves 8-10


SWEET ROLLS
Contributed by: Laura McInish

1 - 13.9 oz can orange sweet rolls

Take each roll and cut in four parts. Place all parts in round pie pan. Bake on 375 for 15 to 19 mins. Let cool for approx. 5 mins. Spread icing over them and serve.
Approx. 30 mins; Serves 8-10

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I leave you tonight with two things:

1. A picture of my dog, Buddy. In honor of the upcoming hunting season, here is Buddy "hunting" for bugs in the backyard:

2. The Word of God. Tonight I would like to reflect on the purpose of the life and death of Jesus Christ.

"...He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:2-7

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believes stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." John 3:16-18

Father, I am so unworthy of your love and mercy, yet you love me enough to send your perfect Son into this world to take the fall. To take the penalty for my iniquities. I am so undeserving of your love, yet you continue to pour out your blessings. Thank you. Thank you for your love, your grace, your mercy. Thank you Jesus for taking on the pain and suffering in your death that I so deserve. All praise, honor, and glory be to your name.