My mom and dad took my sister and I to Kansas City, Kansas were we met with relatives from all over the country to celebrate the life of my grandmother Harriet Swenton.  She was 95 years old and had 7 children.    Pictured here are 4 grandchildren and 2 siblings of my dad.  We enjoyed telling stories and catching up on our separate lives.  This was an end to a generation as my grandmother was the last living child in her family.  They talked about the sacrifices she made throughout her life to give her kids a good life.  This is what Jesus calls us to do....sacrifice for others just as he did for us on the cross. 


Psalm 4:5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord...      

4 small pheasants cleaned and rinsed (I used the whole bird with feathers off, bone in)
1/2 lb sliced bacon
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup water
1 small onion, chopped
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
1 can sliced mushrooms
salt and pepper to taste

Rinse pheasant and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Wrap bacon around the bird generously.  Place in slow cooker.  Mix remaining ingredients together is a small bowl and pour over pheasants.  Cook on Med for 8-10 hours or High for 5-7.  Serve with brown rice and steamed broccoli.  

HINT:  Use fresh mushrooms and garlic salt for a bit more flavor.

If you remember from one of my first posts, Risk Management is the second "R" amongst the four that I use to frame the discussion of Insurance in general.  I'm surprised how much my degree in Operations Research and experience in military aviation have applied to my career as an independent agent.  In addition to extensive access to markets and top notch customer service, I also provide valuable risk management perspective to my customers. 
Most recently I have been sharing a risk tool that many companies have experienced over 500% ROI by using.  This particular one applies to Worker's Compensation, but there are tools

1 Avocado
1/4 cup diced celery
1/2 fresh lime
2 cubed chicken breasts
Garlic Salt to taste
 Dab of Dijon Mustard

Mash an avocado and mix with diced celery, juice of half of a lime, cubed chicken breast and a little Dijon mustard. Served over a bed of lettuce or spinach leaves with tomato and cucumber with a bit more lime juice on top of the salad. Great for lunch!

Recipe Tip :  I used leftover chicken from the grill and it was delicious!

What a way to start the year!  After the boys jumped on the bus for the first day of Middle School, 7th and 8th grade, I went to wake Julie up for her 8:30 bus pickup and she is complaining of a stomach ache.  Thinking maybe it was just nerves we proceeded as normal then - WHAM - she threw up and was asleep for the rest of day.  I felt so bad for her missing the first day of 4th grade.  We are healthy now and getting back into a routine.  My substitute teaching days are approaching quickly!

When discussing insurance, don't forget prevention.  Whether it is  health care, driving an auto or the deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma, preventing or  mitigating the risk has to be considered. 
Although we have passed this year’s tornado “season”, the damage is still
evident and lives have been changed forever.  Many people are researching a personal  shelter option which certainly doesn’t prevent the event, but can go a long way  towards walking away alive. 

2 cans chopped green Chilis
 2 cans chopped black olives
2 bunches of green onions
4 large tomatoes
garlic salt
salt and pepper
 1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar
Mix the above ingredients together and chill for 30 minutes.  Serve with chips or toast.

RECIPE TIP:  I use Roma Tomatoes unless tomatoes are in season, then anything homegrown is BEST!
  

As one of the top expenses for almost all businesses, it is imperative  to stay on top of what is changing with regards to WC. 
This week will be busy staying ahead of many of those  changes.
 ·        Attending a  seminar today with information about 1 February 2013 changes led by  OID
 ·         You are invited  to an exclusive meeting outlining a program that has saved thousands during the  claims process 
·   Despite the  vast majority of jobs being added are part time, employers are still required to  provide worker’s compensation-
A few other FAQs here.

Mike's sister came over to celebrate his birthday with a yummy chocolate eclair cake her son Jake had made.  
1 box graham crackers
2 boxes sugar free vailla pudding
3 cups milk
chocolate icing
1/3 cup of milk