Italian Pasta Salad

Here is an awesome - easy -&- delicious pasta salad recipe!?!


Italian pasta salad

3-1lb Tri-colored pasta
3-cukes diced (peeled or not)
2-containers grape tomatoes halved
1-med. onion diced
4-5 stalks celery chopped
1 ea-yellow,red & green peppers diced. Can use orange for even more color
2-8oz pkg shredded parmesan cheese
pepperoni- sliced or sausage. I prefer sausage & dice myself so doesn't stick together in salad.
2 tsp. italian seasonings
1tsp. salt
1tsp. sugar
1- 16oz bottle Italian dressing
1- 16oz bottle Creamy Italian dressing
¼ c. EVOO
Cook pasta according to package. Rinse when done under cold water & chill until cold. Throw in all the veggies, pepperoni, seasonings and dressing. Toss well and place in refrigerator to chill until ready to serve. Before serving toss in shredded cheese. If looks slightly dry add a little EVOO or dressing.
Toss and serve.
Could add black olives if you would like

Today I am thankful for easy -&- delicious recipes!?!

Pam's Story...

Meet Pam...

Now read her story!?!

Pam’s Story:

Pam, who knows the pain of considering abortion. More than 24 years ago, she and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong
antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.
Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn't think of it as a life, but as a mass of fetal tissue.
While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy and we’ll make him a preacher.
Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays football. Pam’s son is Tim Tebow.
The University of Florida’s star quarterback became the first sophomore in history to win college football’s highest award, the Heisman Trophy. His current role as quarterback of the Denver Broncos has provided an incredible platform for Christian witness.
As a result, he is being called The Mile-High Messiah.
Tim’s notoriety and the family’s inspiring story have given Pam numerous opportunities to speak on behalf of women’s centers across the country. Pam Tebow believes that every little baby you save matters. I pray her tribe will increase!

For more information on the whole Tebow family go HERE!?!

(Tim, Bob -&- Pam Tebow)


In case you missed it HERE is a link to a blog I wrote yesterday about Tim Tebow!?!

Today I am thankful for all the woman that choose LIFE over abortion!?!

Tim Tebow

After wearing John 3:16 under his eyes in black -&- white paint while playing for the Gators now officially, passing for 316 yards against the Steelers, completing 10 of 21 pass attempts — meaning he passed for 31.6 yards per completion...3:16 has a very special meaning to Tim Tebow!?!
Like him or not - he got the job done last night!?!

USA TODAY did an article called "Tim Tebow: The life of the QB so far - look at it HERE:

They call this the "Tebow" it is when Tim drops down in a praying postion -&- gives thanks to God for all He has enabled him to do!?! We all really need to "Tebow" more!?!

Here is the verse that Tim Tebow is inspiring people to learn -&- use:

Click HERE to see what FOX Sports has to say about Tim Tebow!?!

Click HERE to see what the LA Times are saying about Tim Tebow!?!

Today I am thankful that whether it is real or not that Tim Tebow is bringing religion into the mix amidst sports!?!

Can I have YOUR autograph!?!

~A true Hero -&- a shining star...I'd love to have his autograph!?!~

Today I am thankful that certain people in society have their priories straight!?!

Mocha-Carmel Cookies

What could be better than coffee, chocolate -&- caramel all mixed

together then backed into a delicious cookie...
what, huh - that's right...
nothing!?!

1 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
4 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder or granules
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 1/3 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 bag (11 oz) caramel baking bits


1. Heat oven to 325°F. In medium bowl, mix flour, cocoa, coffee powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
2. In large microwavable bowl, microwave butter and 2/3 cup of the chocolate chips uncovered on High about 1 minute, stirring once, until melted. Add sugar, eggs and vanilla; stir until blended. Add flour mixture, mixing just until blended (dough will be thick). Fold in remaining 2/3 cup chocolate chips and the baking bits.
3. Onto ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough by 2 tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart. Bake 15 minutes or until edges are set and tiny cracks form on surface. Cool 5 minutes; remove to cooling rack.

Today I am thankful that I don't have an oven in the Travelin' Abode!?!

Obama Library...

Usually you have to be in office a long time before they build you a commemorative library -but- since Obama is doing such a bang up job his time came earlier than most...

Today I am thankful that this is (prayerfully) the last year we will have to endure this socialist so called leader!?!

The Help

After hearing about this movie from friends -&- seeing the previews -&- reviews for it everywhere I knew that I had to see -&- after I watched it I could completely understand what the hype was about...the movie is beyond words -&- it is just a movie you will have to jump into, watch, experience -&- enjoy for yourself!?!





An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960's decides to write a book detailing the African-American maid's point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis...

Cast:

Emma Stone - Skeeter Phelan
Viola Davis - Aibileen Clark
Bryce Dallas Howard - Hilly Holbrook
Octavia Spencer - Minny Jackson
Jessica Chastain - Celia Foote
Ahna O'Reilly - Elizabeth Leefolt
Allison Janney - Charlotte Phelan
Anna Camp - Jolene French
Eleanor Henry - Mae Mobley
Emma Henry - Mae Mobley
Chris Lowell - Stuart Whitworth
Cicely Tyson - Constantine Jefferson
Mike Vogel - Johnny Foote
Sissy Spacek - Missus Walters
Brian Kerwin - Robert Phelan

Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, Skeeter (Stone) is a southern society girl who returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends' lives -- and a Mississippi town -- upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families. Aibileen (Davis), Skeeter's best friend's housekeeper, is the first to open up -- to the dismay of her friends in the tight-knit black community. Despite Skeeter's life-long friendships hanging in the balance, she and Aibileen continue their collaboration and soon more women come forward to tell their stories -- and as it turns out, they have a lot to say. Along the way, unlikely friendships are forged and a new sisterhood emerges, but not before everyone in town has a thing or two to say themselves when they become unwittingly -- and unwillingly -- caught up in the changing times.

After hearing about this movie from friends -&- seeing the previews -&- reviews for it everywhere I knew that I had to see -&- after I watched it I could completely understand what the hype was about...the movie is beyond words -&- it is just a movie you will have to jump into, watch, expeierence -&- enjoy for yourself!?!


An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960's decides to write a book detailing the African-American maid's point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis...

Cast:

Emma Stone - Skeeter Phelan
Viola Davis - Aibileen Clark
Bryce Dallas Howard - Hilly Holbrook
Octavia Spencer - Minny Jackson
Jessica Chastain - Celia Foote
Ahna O'Reilly - Elizabeth Leefolt
Allison Janney - Charlotte Phelan
Anna Camp - Jolene French
Eleanor Henry - Mae Mobley
Emma Henry - Mae Mobley
Chris Lowell - Stuart Whitworth
Cicely Tyson - Constantine Jefferson
Mike Vogel - Johnny Foote
Sissy Spacek - Missus Walters
Brian Kerwin - Robert Phelan

Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, Skeeter (Stone) is a southern society girl who returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends' lives -- and a Mississippi town -- upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families. Aibileen (Davis), Skeeter's best friend's housekeeper, is the first to open up -- to the dismay of her friends in the tight-knit black community. Despite Skeeter's life-long friendships hanging in the balance, she and Aibileen continue their collaboration and soon more women come forward to tell their stories -- and as it turns out, they have a lot to say. Along the way, unlikely friendships are forged and a new sisterhood emerges, but not before everyone in town has a thing or two to say themselves when they become unwittingly -- and unwillingly -- caught up in the changing times.


Today I am thankful for amazing movies that make people really
think about life as they know it!?!