Hello... My Name Is...

I've been called different names through the years... some not of my choosing of course. And I've often wondered what it would be like to have a different name. Well, today is the day to try something new. It’s National Name Yourself Day!

However, I may have to give this more thought. "Mr. Incredible" is taken by a movie character...

~Matt

#NationalNameYourselfDay

I'm Doing This For You

Right before Easter Sunday, we watched "The Passion" with our church small group. What a movie!

In fact, it's a yearly tradition that Lydia and I started since it movie was released. Before that, I'd watch "Ben-Hur" as a visual reminder of what Christ did for us. Now, the movie of the Passion it not something that we watch more than once. It's very intense, but it also doesn't capture everything that has been described in scripture. However, that's fine with me. Many things are better off left to mind.

Lydia and I both agree the most dificult section of the movie is the whipping scene. It goes on for so long, and yet the focus changes. We found out after some discussion, to get through it, we both have a song that runs through our mind...

Brian Free wrote and performed the song "I'm Doing This For You". It's a great representation of what Christ did when taking the beating and sacrificing His life for ours.

Here's Brian singing it: https://youtu.be/30G3l8fs-Io

Have you taken time to recognize what Jesus did for you?

~Matt

Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

Cook time: 30 mins

Total time: 30 mins

A low-carb casserole with flavors of a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 3 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 tsp of garlic
• 1 tsp of salt
• Sprinkle of Italian seasoning
• Large package of Beef slices; cut into strip
• 3 small cans of sliced mushrooms
• 1 package of provolone cheese slices

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Heat large skillet.
3. Melt coconut oil in skillet.
4. Add onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and beef to skillet.
5. Continue to saute until onions are translucent.
6. Transfer everything into a 9x13 pan.
7. Top with sliced provolone cheese.
8. Bake in oven for 10-15 minutes to melt cheese.

Hairy Pun War...

Once again, I was pulled into a PUN WAR on Facebook. These are always fun for me, so I figured I'd share. Have pun!

~Matt

Queso Taco Pasta Bake

Queso Taco Pasta Bake

Ingredients

¼ cup butter

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

1 ½ cups chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)

shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)

½  pouch Taco seasoning

1 finely chopped onion

1 lb lean (about 80%) ground beef

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 ½ cup Chunky salsa

1 box pasta

shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)

Directions

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.

• In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. add salt and pepper with whisk until bubbly. Slowly beat in broth. Increase heat to high. Cook, stir in Cheddar cheese and taco seasoning Remove from heat; set cheese sauce aside.

• Cook pasta as directed on box.

• In 10-inch skillet, cook beef, onion and cumin over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink. Drain; stir in salsa.

• Drain cooked pasta; return to pasta pot. Add beef mixture and cheese sauce; stir to combine. Pour into baking dish; sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese blend.

• Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve immediately.

Fun Christmas Survey:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually day after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime around New Years Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Oh yes.

6. Favorite Christmas gift received as a child? Nintendo Gameboy

7. Hardest person to buy for? Lydia

8. Easiest person to buy for? The kids.

9. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes.

10. Postal mail or email Christmas cards? Email

11. Christmas pajamas - yay or nay? Yay!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It’s A Wonderful Life (I think…)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? A few weeks before Thanksgiving if I find anything.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? a few times.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Deer sausage

16. Lights on the tree? Yep, white.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Funny, O Holy Night (Steve Maulden)

18. Most annoying Christmas song? Santa Baby

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home on Christmas eve, visit family on Christmas day.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Our family on Christmas eve…Extended family on Christmas Day.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Attitudes of people shopping

23. Favorite ornament? Our cruise ship from January

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey (dark meat)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Something geeky but useful

My Family (Day 1 - A Week of Thanksgiving)

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Instead of making it a month feature, I’ve decided to make the posts for the following days part of my “Week of Thanksgiving”.
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Today, I’m thankful to God for my family. Lydia, Mysia and Malachi. Without them, life would be very, very boring. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.

For those who know us, I couldn’t live without my companion and best friend, Lydia. For over 10 years, she has chosen to live with me. She puts up with my constant attempt at humor and all my faults. She encourages me and stand behind me in my endeavors. We talk about everything, and I could not ask for a better wife!

Mysia is the sweetest daughter a guy could have. Smart, witty, and creative! And yes, she can put up with me pretty good too. In fact, she can out think me on jokes from time to time. She loves to learn and enjoys finding time lose herself in a book. She’s a joy to hang out with!

Of course, I can’t forget about my very energetic, active son Malachi. A mixture of Curious George and Hammy (from Over The Hedge), he keeps me on my toes. Very observant, he likes posing questions and always wants to find something to do. He’s makes interaction fun!

Family activities are always enjoyable and an adventure, even when they don’t go as planned. I’m thankful to have these three a part of my life!!!

~Matt