Cornbread Recipe-Jiffy Copycat

I am not buying premade mixes for baking. Here is an example of what I am using instead:

Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix (copycat)

Makes 8.5 oz=1 box of storebought mix

2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

to make muffins add:
1 egg
1/3 cup milk

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl, mix well.
2. Whisk in vegetable oil and mix until dry mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.
(If another recipe calls for a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix, add the ingredients above.)
3. To make corn muffins, preheat oven to 400F, spray muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.
4. Combine mix with egg and milk, mixing well.
5. Fill muffin pan 1/2 full, bake for 15-20 minutes.

The Year In Review......

When we started 2009, our family was starting to experience some positive changes. DH was having some success in changing careers and it looked as if that particular battle was going to be over for us. Then 2 months later, he was at home looking for a job again. This has lasted for the past 10 months. The challenge has been harder than ever, I don't know if it is due to the fact that we seemed to be getting beyond this phase in our life or because this is the longest that we have been in this situation with no solution in sight. Whatever the reason, it has been a real struggle. But, through all of this struggle, we have learned so much about ourselves and the faithfulness of the Lord.

We have learned that we can do without much of what we considered essential in the past. We no longer eat meals away from home, but I have discovered that I enjoy cooking for my family more than ever. In doing so, the way that we obtain our food has also changed. We shop for the best price, buy in bulk, planted a garden and canned some of our harvest. My family prefers to eat my cooking than restaurant meals. We bake our own bread and baked goodies, so we but flour and sugar in 25 lb. quantities. We purchase our meat in 20+ lb. quantities to obtain the best possible price. In fact, any non-perishable is purchased in large quantity. This may mean that we are eating ziti pasta for everthing that requires pasta, but so be it. There is an absence of convenience foods in our pantry and I have discovered that I like it that way. For the first time, I know all of the ingredients that are in the food that I now prepare.

We are now homeschooling DD. The internet has had a wealth of information and help with developing a curriculum for her. Our goal is to purchase a curriculum, but until then, she is studying for free from internet resources and is flourishing. I was amazed at what was available at no cost online. Full curriculum outlines from public and private schools, so we are able to draw from that free information and teach her accordingly. Our math, english, spelling, science and bible are from sites with free full year long lessons along with textbook, worksheets, tests and teacher/answer guides. Literature is based on recommended reading for 7th graders from the library and schools. I found lesson plans online for each book that she is reading with complete worksheets, discussion questions, projects and tests. The only area that I would like to change is getting involved in a homeschool group and to return to dance lessons. The dance lessons will require a change in the finances though. So, it will wait until a change occurs.

I am still working outside of the home. This has been my biggest struggle. I returned to work to finance dance expenses for DD. I was to work part time and it has grown to a full time position with overtime over the past year. My heart's desire is to run a business from home that will allow me to homeschool and teach homemaking to DD. Working outside of the home while DH is laidoff has caused me to really reflect on what the Bible says about womanhood and a wife's calling. I know that I am called to be a helpmeet to my husband and that he is the spiritual head of our home. I have found the conflict in having to work for someone else and having to consider what work is asking of me over what DH wants me to do, like mandatory overtime. He doesn't like that I have to be gone 6 days a week, but I am required to do so because I have to work and this job has been a lifesource for us. I have come to the realization that this is the Lord's job and I will work until I am moved elsewhere.

We have joined a church after attending for about a year. DH has jumped in with both feet and DD is enjoying the youth group. I haven't participated in any of the ladie's activities yet, but that is subject to change on Friday......

I can say that we have been SO blessed through all of this. We have grown closer as a family and have come to the knowledge that even as it has gotten worse financially, it has gotten better in God. I ask that you pray for us during this season. Our family is highly aware that this is a time that we are to reflect on our Saviour and His sacrifices and gifts to us. That is and will be our focus during CHRISTmas. There won't be presents under our tree this year, but the gifts that we have been given this year are so much more than we could have asked for.

Changing of the Seasons

Ready for change? I am.

Up to date? Not so much.

Here we are in May and I can hardly believe that I have not posted on this blog since January! Summer is upon us and my last post was in reference to snow and Christmas. So now we play 'catch up'.....

We have had a few interesting day trips and events happening around here in the past few months. Probably the most interesting was Miss Thing doing You're A Good Man Charlie Brown at the local theatre. Boy howdy, was she good! She had the part of Snoopy and was hilarious. There are times when she lets her good sense of humor show and her Dad and I are just left in tears of laughter. But that is nothing compared to her acting in this show. She seems to have a natural comedic ability. This kid never ceases to amaze me. Of course we did not take 1 picture! We are sorry parents.....I know. Maybe I can beg some pics of the show off of a more prepared and organized parent and post them.

We went to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for the day. That was an interesting time. We were a bunch of grumpy people that probably should have stayed home. LOL. After it was all said and done we had a good time, but there were times that I thought "we will never do this again!". We will though. Here is a pic from that day- I call it 2 Turkeys.

We didn't do anything fun for Spring Break this year. I had to work and well, that takes all of the fun out of everything.

In April, we went to Washington on the Brazos State Park for the day. We had taken a day trip there in September, but we did not go to the historic farm that they have on site. So, when we decided to take a drive to see the Texas Bluebonnets in full bloom, we decided to make a trip to Barrington Farm. We picked the perfect weekend to go. The were having the Real Texas Women weekend. Barrington Farm was the home to the last president of the Republic of Texas (Johnson, I think, was his name). They have historians and volunteers that dress and run the farm as if it was the 1850's and 60's. On this particular weekend, they had demonstrations and handicrafts of the ladies of that time period. Miss Thing was able to try her hand at some of the handicrafts and had the best time. We all had a wonderful time and are looking forward to going back again. Here are some pics of that adventure-

Making a diary.


Feeding the chickens.
Made a corn husk doll...yes, she closed her eyes on purpose. Odd child.

And lastly, the most handsome man there!

I have more pics of the farm and can't get blogger to load them, so I will try to do another post with more pics.

Until then, y'all be blessed (and be cool!).

Whew, it's been a while!

I haven't taken the time to blog lately. I just wasn't feeling it. Here's what has happened around here since then-

1. It snowed! 2 times in 3 years in Houston....that has to be a record! haha. Here's what it looked like at our place.

2. Christmas-We had a small Christmas as far as gifts are concerned here a Chez Langley. But, our spirits were lifted and we spent some time with precious family that we get to see way too little. This really was a Christmas season that was about the celebration of Christ's birth for our little family. Here's the young lady of the manor with her very first sewing machine...that face is priceless. What a beauty! lol

Oh, and Zoey (the dog) was very interested in the gifts!

3. We spent New Year's day with my sweet SIL and her hubby. Oh, and their too cute granddaughters, Alyssa and Madison. We had lots of fun. Sorry no pics.

4. School break ended and we have gone back to the daily grind. (note: the following pic is from last year. She is MUCH older and more mature now that she is in the 6th grade. No really, just ask her.)

5. Mikey is working out of town, so keep him in your prayers. Here is his handsome mug! I sure do miss him.

Blessings-The Langleys