Thursday, February 25, 2010

Seven Heaven....

Happy 7th Birthday to our wonderful Knight!
He had a glorious day...filled with lots of fun surprises...like picking out a knife at our favorite country hardware/diner. The owners seem to really like his personality and just wanted to bless him...then it was off to a new park we found that is just down the road...it was freezing and cold but we had so much fun....

Presents....and cake were next! Just look at the wonderful cake his sister created for him...an African theme! I had to help some but she did most of the work...the trees are pretzels with green licorice one top, a water fall, and an eagle's nest complete with M&M eggs...he was so excited about the cake creation...good job big sister! We were all anxious for him to open one gift in particular - Daniel Boone Season 4! This series is a family favorite!



A birthday pic-nic of hoggie sandwiches, soda, chips and cookies...a perfect lunch!


Gorgeous place isn't it...summer here might prove to be very fun indeed!








Love that grin...love that young man!















Breakfast with Dad...traditions are wonderful!






Black licorice...a knight snack...or a cowboy snack depending on the moment.








He requested marble cake and her is an aeriel view of the cake...






Monday, February 22, 2010

Papa Murphy's Move Over...and 100% Spelling Day

With great success I made pizza. I used the whey off of the cheese...it's the greenish watery stuff that separates out from the curd. It was the best pizza I've ever made...I've had better homemade pizza(and the chef who makes it knows who she is....)...but it's the best I've ever made! I was so delighted with the crust. I used olive oil and garlic for our sauce and used our herb cheese(see last post), sauteed onions, and chopped up ham...it was wonderful and there were no left overs...so move over Papa Murphy's! Oh, and I even rolled up cheese on the sides...mmm!

100% Spelling! This is normal for this guy! I have to say it's because I'm just relaxed about spelling. I only require he master 10 words a week and so he writes them twice along with making up a fun sentance. I find this method works best. Its not a "proven" method as I kind of combined a few methods, taking what I liked about this one and not about that one...and well the proof is in the pudding!
He is such a lover of school...always over-achieving and begging me to do more school...he loves it. Math is his favorite by far and sometimes I find him doing four pages of math and wanting to do more...sad to say I've had to put a limit on his daily math papers or he would do only math...all day long!
We find him to be our most gentle child and don't know if he even can muster up a mean streak...he's just sweet and very loving!
Good Job Mr. Knight! We all love you so much!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Queso Fresco...Herbs de Provence

This is by far our favorite cheese...It has seven different herbs in it...rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender, fennel...and some others. This cheese has a delightful mild, creamy texture with a wonderful "bouquet" of herbs to complete it. I would think it would be fabulous on thin butter crackers...shredded over a mixed garden salad or even used in flat bread.

If you want the full directions just let me know...










I start with boiling the herbs for 15 minutes. The next picture is showing you the curds and whey following with the cheese press and finally the beautiful cheese...Thank you for stopping by.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentines Day...


Hallmark reminds us that February 14th is "Valentine's Day", a day set aside to celebrate the joy of love. Our culture lures many hungry hearts to spend tremendous amounts of time and money seeking the elusive fulfillment of romantic love.

For many Valentine's Day is a painful reminder of the satisfaction that seems to be beyond their grasp. Perhaps these lonely hearts would be surprised and encouraged to know the true origin of Valentine's Day.

It began in the third century during the reign of an oppressive Roman Emperor, Claudius II. Clauduis ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods and made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. This did not stop the brave Valentinus, a Christian of such courage and conviction that he would rather die than deny His Lord, Jesus Christ. Eventually, he was arrested and imprisoned for practicing his Christian faith.

During the last week of Valentinus' life, a remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked to brink his daughter, Julia, to Valentinus for lessons. Juila had been blind a birth but had a quick mind. Valentinus taught her history, arithmetic, and most important about the Lord, Jesus. She saw the world through Valentinus' eyes. one day Julia asked her teacher, "Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?"

"Yes, He hears every one." Valentinus replied.

"Do you know what I pray for every morning? I pray that I might see, I want to see so much and to see everything."

Valentinus answered, "God does what is best for us if we only believe in Him"

Julia replied, " I do believe, I do"

She knelt and grasped Valentinus' hand and as they sat together praying and worshiping there came a bright light. She exclaimed "I can see...it's beautiful...praise the Lord"

Valentinus kept on praying and thanking the Lord for His mercy.

On the eve of his last night he wrote Julia, urging her to continue to seek the Lord and to trust Him at all costs...he signed the letter..."From Your Valentine."

He was executed on the following day, February 14, 270 A.D.

See the Lord and trust Him at all costs...From Your Valentine! Happy Valentine's Day!

P.S. These cookies are my favorites. I love making them for my family...and I only make them once a year...on Valentine's Day! We gobbled them up with hot tea...mmmmm delicious! Let me know if you want the recipe...it's really easy!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Tea for two or three or four...you get the point!

She loves her tea set! She bribed her brothers with treats...they had such a fun time!

What else are tea sets for? To have tea parties with the beloved childhood dolls. Here is our maiden with her two favorites...Julia and Nan!




















Okay...so most of you are wondering "what on earth is the white thing on the wall?" You see we are living in a very tiny...very tiny trailer and we remodeled it to fit some of our belongings...it's our big mattress up against the wall. It comes down every day and goes up every night! It's a hassle and has been very difficult on all of us...but as you can see from my children's faces they are finding joy in all things...love that!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Our Maiden turns NINE...


















She loves to decorate cakes and thus wanted to decorate her own cake....she baked it, dad frosted it, and she put her creation to work...making a mountain with a running horse going up it...wonderful!

The day started off with the traditional "Breakfast with Dad." She choose pizza and hot chocolate...for breakfast? Okay, her day...her choice!

After they got home, we packed up a fun picnic lunch and headed out for a 3/4 mile hike at Fort Spokane...
This is the view from almost the top. What you are looking at is soldier quarters.

Look at this interesting tree...look closely and you can see it shooting up in the back.

After our wonderful hike we drove a bit to the park to have our picnic lunch and play.












This is what she saw when she walked in the door from our hike...she was elated!
















"Oh, Dad and Mom...my first tea set...thank you so much!" She has wanted a tea set for a very long time. We found this little set at an antique store.










Happy Birthday to a most delightful daughter! We are enjoying the Lord working in her all that He wants her to be...she is becoming a "Pillar in her Father's house"...and we are blessed by it!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

We Are Back


Our ladies waiting for the lunch...from left to right...Duchess, Ruthie(our favorite) and Duchess's mom Rosie...we really love our ladies - they are so sweet and gentle - if you have land and ever thought about getting milk cows - Jersey's are the way to go!


A fun time with big tumbleweeds on our afternoon walk...see I started taking a very long break for lunch...like a two 1/2 hour break...so we can get out of the tiny "box" we are now living in and for fresh air...and to get a clean head for going back to school after our break. It is working out wonderfully for us!


My wonderful 13 young man...there are so many reasons I'm thankful for him...he is a blessing to his father and I!


My Family - I am so thankful for them...and the time we get to spend with the head of the house...

Just look at that grin..."I did it...I can do it" he said

Our littlest man loves to help...feel needed...here is his newest skill....sawing the twine for the alfalfa...look at that proud grin!


This is the view I have just outside our door...gorgeous isn't it! I may have a very tiny place to call home at the moment but the Lord sure did make up for it with the view and acreage we roam around on...

Cramped quarters...but still learning! Here is a game my daughter made up for him...he has to find the write numer to match the fish...he loves it! He can also find colors - she is such a talented young lady - I was so proud of her...I told her what I needed and she did it - joyfully!
The only amount of snow we've gotten....so much for the sleds we purchased...maybe next year!

Oh, how I love sharing our pictures with you...enjoy! I've pondering being thankful and praising at all times, in all situations...no matter what! So today I'm thankful for the mud, the children that the Lord has blessed me with that came back from our walk...COVERED...in the mud! Thankful that I don't have to do laundry by hand...really thankful for that
One thing I thought I might do is start a "Know Your Rights" section...what you think about this? I want to talk about our rights and learn more about them...because if you don't know your rights you don't have any! Most of you who know us are smiling...yes, we are very patriotic...and are discusted to see where our country is going...

First Right of an American...
1. To worship the Lord God in ones one way...without interference from the government.

Pslams 144:12 -

That our sons may be as plants
and our daughters may be pillars sculptured in palace style.


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