Tuesday's Tip!

I sure have missed you all. Prayerfully I can get back in the swing of things! I have learned quite a few tips from others this summer. As we were leaving Raleigh recently for yet another 12 hour drive, my friend,Nancy, had a great recommendation for us. She said that they always visit their local Redbox prior to trips and rent a few movies. At just $1 each, you can rent several movies for an upcoming trip. The best part is that Nancy said she simply returns them along the way because Redbox locations are now so abundant! Do you not just LOVE that?! The best part is that it lessens the clutter in your car because you can actually RETURN THEM before you embark on your journey home. You can also decide to rent "just one more!"

I have missed you!

Wow. Summer is here. She is going strong. I have been so remiss in blogging for the past several months. Life has really swept me along and I have missed blogging. As a stay at home mama, it's nice to have an outlet, and blogging is mine. I enjoy reading about others and writing as well.
Our last day of school was May 26th. It was also the day we left for Camp Greystone. Every spring, the girls and I can hardly WAIT to get back to camp! It's hard to believe our time there has already past for 2011. We would love for our two oldest to attend a longer session next year. They have been Junior Campers for FIVE YEARS!!! They are old pros. Greystone is an amazing place for girls. Everything has a purpose. That ultimate purpose is to glorify God in ALL things. Nonetheless, there is a reason for everything... the length of each class period, the evening programs, the meals, Breakfast Club, the placement of the bunk beds, et cetera. They plan well and carefully change those things that need tweaking. Greystone is a gift, a true blessing. I am so thankful that our girls are part of the Greystone family. They will be blessed by Greystone throughout their lives. If you have a little girl or a niece, you should look into Greystone. Tell Jimboy that Mama Henley sent you!! You will LOVE Jimboy's daily blog posts.


After camp, I drove home with our 4 girls. I can't tell you how HAPPY I was to finally make it home after our second 12 hour drive. Whew. It took forever, but we made it! DH was so happy to have his girls home again. We arrived home on a Friday night and the next morning our girls had their recital rehearsal. Their recital was the following day. What incredible ballerinas we have!


I can't wait to tell you more about our summer thus far. It has been very rich!

YUMMY to your TUMMY

I just love summer recipes that are light and refreshing, don't you?! This past Sunday my sweet friend made these fabulous wraps for our church potluck. Let's just say that I wish I had taken two. They were THAT good. You can substitute a store-bought recipe as needed.

Asian Chicken Salad Wraps
Ingredients
1-2 teaspoons olive oil
6 (4 oz.) skinless, boned chicken breast halves (or you can use roasted chicken)
1 cup cucumber, chopped, seeded and peeled... I don't worry about the seeds
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon minced, peeled fresh ginger- if your store does not offer fresh ginger, then try 1 1/2 tsp. dried ginger
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce- low sodium is better for you
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
8 (8 inch) fat-free flour tortillas
4 cups chopped romaine lettuce

Heat oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan; cool. Shred chicken into bite-size pieces. Otherwise, pull and shred roasted chicken. Place chicken, cucumber and bell pepper in a large bowl.
Process sugar, ginger, lime juice, soy sauce, salt, red pepper and garlic in a blender until smooth. Add peanut butter and water; blend. Combine peanut butter and chicken mixtures; stir. Add cilantro; toss.
Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon 1/2 cup chicken mixture and 1/2 cup lettuce onto each tortilla; roll up. Serve and enjoy!

You can also make a similar dressing and pour it over Japanese soba noodles and add fresh red pepper and cucumbers. I think it would also be good with peanuts or cashews in the recipe! Are you hungry now?

This recipe was altered but is similar to a recipe by ALL YOU magazine!

Tuesday's Tip... Camp Greystone and Alpine Camp

The girls and I had the BEST TIME EVER at Camp Greystone. It is truly a taste of Heaven. Greystone is a wonderful Christian girls' camp in the North Carolina mountains. The camp has been owned and operated for 92 years by the same family for 4 generations. The 5th generation is growing into adulthood faster than I can blink! The Miller family is a godly family who truly put the Lord first in all that they do. The camp is the BEST of everything. The staff is the best in the country, the camp itself is just beautiful, the food that Gervais whips up is marvelous, and they offer every activity from sailing to horseback riding to glass bead making to fencing to puppy camp to cooking. It is truly incredible. Each day is more fun and lively than the next. I could go on and on and on, but I know you have other things to do! You really should consider sending your daughter to Camp Greystone. If you do, tell Jimboy that Mama Henley sent you! :)

Since Greystone is so wonderful, it was difficult to find a comparable camp for our boy. He has been with us to Greystone, so he KNOWS how special camp can be. After experiencing Greystone, you just can't settle for less. Therefore, we searched for the BEST BOYS camp for our precious boy, and we found it. Alpine Camp in Mentone, Alabama is for boys what Greystone is for girls. It is a camp run by the same family for 50 years and the second generation is now running the camp. It is also a Christian mountain camp and it is for BOYS. Our boy is there now, and from the looks of things, he is having a BALL!! So, my Tuesday's Tip is to check out the BEST CAMP FOR GIRLS and the BEST CAMP FOR BOYS! Be sure to tell them that Mama Henley sent you!

Tuesday's Tip

Can you believe summer is just around the corner?! I know we can't believe it at Mama Henley's house. Before we know it, we'll be headed back to Camp Greystone! Oh, how we love that place! I love helping give first-time camp mamas some helpful hints. One thing I always try to remember to do on Opening Day is to carry a Sharpie black marker in my pocket or pocketbook. You never know when you'll need to put a name on a book, pillow case, or new pair of socks that you inadvertently forgot to mark. Plus,you may go to the Shoppe and buy your little darling a camp blanket or water bottle, and she'll need her name on those too! So, as you prepare to embark on your little one's camp journey, pack a Sharpie marker in your purse!

Carolina in My Mind

I have loved our new life here in Florida. It really is a wonderful place to raise a family. However, the last few months have been extremely challenging. That is an understatement. The last few months have just about robbed me of any gusto and joy. I haven't blogged because I don't like to be Debbie Downer. I have tried to glorify God in this blog and to keep a heavenly perspective during earthly trials. I still have that perspective and know that my life here on this earth is temporary. Tampa, Florida is not my final destination. Heaven is. That makes the hard days much sweeter. Knowing that I am loved by a God who is much bigger than me and my problems is what has saved me.

Nonetheless, after weeks of tough days, today has been a really tough one. In all honesty, I am sad today. I have tried to have an upbeat and happy blog. I am upbeat and happy but not right this minute. I hurt. I long to live in a place where I am related to someone in the state. I have no kin in Florida. I'm not sure "my people" every ventured this far south. Sometimes I feel like an island. Jesus is my rock, but I still can feel like I'm floating at times. He doesn't waver; my circumstances do. He is firm, steady, always here for me. I have been seeking Him and speaking to Him so much He's about to discontinue my service plan:).

I do love Tampa, and I'll be all Tampa-crazy tomorrow. But for today, Carolina is in my mind. I miss it. The lyrics below speak to me:

Carolina in my mind
(words and music by James Taylor)

In my mind, I'm gone to Carolina.
Can't you see the sunshine.
Can't you just feel the moon shinin'
Ain't it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind.
Yes I'm gone to Carolina in my mind.

Karen, she's a silver sun.
You best walk her way and watch it shinin'.
Watch her watch the morning come.
A silver tear appearing now, I'm crying - ain't I?
I'm gone to Carolina in my mind.

There ain't no doubt in no one's mind
that love's the finest thing around.
Whisper something soft and kind.
Hey, babe, the sky's on fire, I'm dying - ain't I?
I'm gone to Carolina in my mind.

In my mind I'm gone to Carolina.
Can't you see the sunshine.
Can't you just feel the moon shining
Ain't it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind.
Yes, I'm gone to Carolina in my mind.

Dark and silent late last night I think I might have heard the highway call
Geese in flight and dogs that bite.
And signs that might be omens say I'm goin', goin'...
I'm gone to Carolina in my mind.

With a holy host of others standing around me,
still I'm on the dark side of the moon.
And it seems like it goes on like this forever.
you must forgive me.
If I'm up and gone to Carolina in my mind.

In my mind I'm gone to Carolina.
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't just you feel the moon shinin'
Ain't it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind.
Yes, I'm gone to Carolina in my mind.

Gone to Carolina in my mind.
Gone to Carolina in my mind.
Gone to Carolina in my mind.

Tuesday's Tip

It's that time of the year of Mother's Day teas, end of the year parties, and luncheons with the ladies. In fact, there is always an occasion for finger sandwiches! I will share the BEST cucumber sandwiches. My Tuesday's Tip is at the bottom of the recipe. If you prepare your sandwiches in advance or are taking them to a party, it is important that you dampen a paper towel and put it over the sandwiches. You can do this on the tray by covering the sandwiches in the paper towel and then with tin foil. Another idea is to place the sandwiches in ziploc bags with the paper towels on either side of the sandwiches. This keeps your sandwiches from drying out before the party!

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

1 seedless cucumber, sliced thin
¼ cup white wine vinegar
1T salt (divided)
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
1 clove garlic, minced
6 green onions, roughly chopped
1T fresh lemon juice
1t lemon zest
½ t freshly ground pepper
1t fresh dill (or ¼ t dried), plus dill sprigs for garnish
1 loaf thinly sliced white bread

Place the cucumber slices in a colander set in the sink. Pour the vinegar and 2 teaspoons of the salt over them. Drain for 20 minutes, then remove the cucumber slices from the colander and pat dry.

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the cream cheese, butter, garlic, green onions, lemon juice, zest, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, pepper and dill. Process until the mixture is smooth.

Cut into the bread slices with a 2-inch round cookie cutter. Place the rounds in an airtight zip-top bag until you’re ready to assemble the sandwiches.

Spread the cream cheese mixture on the bread slices. Top with cucumber slices and garnish with a little sprig of fresh dill. Serve immediately.

(This recipe makes “open faced” sandwiches. I used a smaller cookie cutter and topped the sandwiches with another piece of bread. Assemble either way! If you prepare them ahead of time, cover the sandwiches with a damp paper towel in a zip-top bag – this will keep them from drying out.)