Nothing to do...HA

Oh, what a glorious summer we've had....even though it hasn't really been "lake" weather.  For the first month my children were content to just "be", to not have an adjenda, to go explore the woods - which we live smack in the middle of....BUT...ahhh always a "but". 
These past few weeks have been "Can I watch a movie?...Can I play video game?.. - ugh over and over and over again these questions come at me from all four children.

During the school season my children are only alowed to watch or play video game on Saturdays only - and even then it is limited.  They must have thought it to be a "summer free for all" - well they were wrong!  I said "no, not today".  I got disobiedient replies..."BUT Mom there is nothing to do..." (not from my oldest) 

Look what my children did inspite of the fact that there was "Nothing to do...."

They went fishing - aren't they cute!  I love the creativeness and I love that they played "fishing" for well over an hour before going onto frog hunting...then on to a few runs in the sprinkler and other various "things" to do...

I found my oldest working in the garden while our daughter was busy with a craft. 

It was a perfect summer day!  I'm so glad I said "No"...I'm looking forward to many more perfect summer days.

Are you saying "no"?  Pray and ask the Lord for guidance on what to limit - He will faithfully show you.

Link-Up Treasure Trove

Wow wow wow!!!!  This week was an amazing week for "treasure". 

My favorite treasure this week is this beautiful bread box.  I will trust the Lord to someday fulfill my farm house dream so that this litte treasure will go perfectly in the kitchen...along with this nifty antique strainer...Yes, I'm one of those that goes "nutty" over antiques.  My husband introduced me to the beauty of antiques...it was during our "dating" months that he often took me antique shopping....and for our wedding gifts to one another, we purchased an antique trunk and a Greek Key patterned oil lamp while on our honeymoon.  The neatest thing about these two items is I know the house they came from...a beautiful rolling hilled farm with the perfect white with black trimed farm house on it, which is surrounded with big maples...oh it is beautiful!

These cards are so neat to me...not sure if I will use them or frame them to go with some "liberty" decor we have.

Here are the most amazing finds this week...clothing galore!  All these clothes were at the thrift store that my daughter and I volunteer at.  We were so blessed and bonus all most all of them fit perfectly.

What did you find this week?  If you want to share your treasures you should join us as we share over at  http://www.mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/

Don't be shy we'd love to see what the Lord is blessing you with!  While there snoop around...you will find more than treasure sharing and I guarentee you will be blessed and encouraged.

Sew Happy Finished Project

Sewing is one of my passions...especially aprons. 

It has been four long years since I sat at my sewing machine....life has been more than strange. 

I'm so glad to be back at it again...makes my heart sing. 

Since getting back into sewing I've sewn some fun projects, but this one has to be my favorite thus far.  Because it involved teaching my daughter the beauty of sewing.  She has sewn very small, no pattern or instructions to follow type sewing projects.  So this was a big project for her.

She helped me make a pattern from one of my aprons.  We drew what she wanted the end project to look like...this included where she thought the pockets, embellishments like buttons and the big bow should be placed, as well as where to add a ruffle.

Something new for me was using piping.  I googled how to attach and finish off piping - amazing how much you can learn just by typing in simple words.  So this part of the project was a new learning experience for us both.  We both really like how the piping set the ruffle off from the apron skirt...thinking piping is my new best friend! 

Since this was her project for learning, I asked her to do most of the tracing, cutting, pinning and sewing from start to finish.  She learned about adding pleats (don't ya just love pleats), how a lined project will lay nicer, and how finishing touches like top-stitching make the project have a "fancy" flair.



Adding buttons...see the piping?

I'm so proud of her and know she will be a master seamstress someday.

Homemaking Is For Life

Renewing Housewives: Homemaking Is For Life#c7092534930776496697

Ohhhhhh...I really love this post!  My heart just rejoices with this beautiful list...why because our Lord values us so much, and He knows we can do it...for His glory! 

Here is what I wrote in response to the above post: 

I have a LOT of work to do....we went grocery shopping yesterday and since my husband was with us and really dislikes grocery shopping because he gets "bored" - I gave him a list of his own and we had a race to see who could make it to the check-out the first - HA!  Anyway, why do I have a lot of work???  In my husbands cart I noticed a lot of easy, fast, packaged foods (yuko - things I would never never never purchase)...I didn't say anything in the store but asked him why on earth he purchased those items?  The answer was SHOCKING...the answer he gave made my heart sink!  He looked at me and smiled and said..."I was just trying to make your job easier because last week you COMPLAINED about having to be in the kitchen ALL THE TIME...eeek!!!!!  Ohhhhhh I did complain about being in the kitchen all the time...I did complain about having to make all of our meals from scratch...I did complain...and my dear husband was listening and wanted to solve it - but what I got from complaining was what I've been avoiding all these years...yikes! 

If my husband was listening....hmmmm so were my children...I have a LOT of work to do and will be praying for the Lord to give me a cheerful heart while doing it! 

The truth is I love cooking and baking for my family...I love feeding them well with healthy, "scratch" meals...ugh I wish I would never have breathed those complaints! 

The past few meals I have been voicing how I love cooking and making them healthy meals...how it makes me happy to fill their bellies.

One day there won't be the big meals, one day there won't be the messy house and piles of laundry, one day my house will be a "museum".  My hearts desire is for my children to have fond memories of good, healthy foods eaten in a delightfully cleaned and organized home...which they helped keep!  One day I want my children to WANT to bring their little ones to "grandpa's and grandma's house" because I will involve their children in all that I do...and I want to be the fun, joyful grandma who has a joyful twinkle in her eye!

Thankfulness and joyfulness is what the Lord wants from me...He wants me to learn to be content in all things - especially in my God given right as Keeper!

Hope you enjoyed the post at Renewing Housewives as much as I did.  I hope it encouraged you to be the woman God called you to be!

Training My Son

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6  

Every day...all day we are either training our children to be about their Lord's business...or training them to be about their business.  Here is an example of how to train your children to be about their business...may it give you wisdom and encourage your heart to choose a better way...to train them to be about the Lord's business.

 I was gone helping out at the thrift store for about four hours.  On my arrival home my very sweet and compassionate son came skipping down the hill where he and his father were working on setting up new cow fencing...he came into our home saying "Hi MOM" and proceeded to walk across the room...in his dirty shoes...and reached out to give me a hug with his dirty self (he was filthy)...and did I return his joy at seeing him?  Did I reach out to receive his precious gift of a welcome home hug?  Did I train him correctly - teaching him that people are more important than dirt?  NOPE...I did not!  Instead I said, "Oh, you are so dirty...outside with you"....My face was not full of joy - there probably wasn't even a smile on it...instead I'm sure I had a scowl that said "ugh..more dirt to clean up"!
 

"These are the ones who give without counting the cost."

I should have had a face full joy to see my son who so loves and accepts me...he tells me often that I am beautiful ( even when I've been working out in the garden and am covered in...DIRT ) and that he loves me.

You should have seen his shoulders droop, his eyes shadow, his smile diminish...all because of a little dirt!  What I wouldn't give for a "start over" button..."re-do"..."scratch that moment"...but the damage was done.

Wow, I failed big time!  I did apologized and explained to him that I was wrong and should not have worried about the dirt...but oh, I will never get that moment back again.  And I trained him to think being clean and "perfectly" presentable is how you will be accepted and loved...oh the damage! 

However, I believe the Holy Spirit pricked my heart right then and there and I was able to take a broken hearted boy, who had been rejected by his mom, and turn it into a lesson.  A lesson that showed my son that dirt is just dirt...and that people are valuable. 

This outcome would not have come about if I had not been seeking the Lord, reading His word, and asking Him to create in me a clean heart - daily.  Do you have a heart that is walking after His spirit?  Whom will the Lord send your way today?  Whom do you need to ask for forgiveness from? 

Mamas - treasure your moments with your young men, don't throw them away like I did, cherish them, embrace them...ask the Lord to help you to train them. 

For these young men, the ones who are so loving and compassionate, are our doctors, teachers, veteranarians, pastors...these are the men that fall on the grenade to save the battalion...these are the ones who give without counting the cost, because their mamas trained them to be about their Lord's business.

All my "men" going for an overnight camping trip

Would You...Could You...Stand Guest Post...

Home Sweet Home

Would you...could you stand with your man if you were asked to go where you did not want to go? What if going would make your relationship stronger in the Lord? What if going would mean that you would have to learn a completely new way of living...off grid? What if going would create in you a clean heart - just like you had been praying all these years? What if going would mean that ALL of your "stuff" would be in storage for years? What if going would mean no more favorite things like sewing, baking when you wanted, or scrap booking? What if going would bring your family closer together - even though you would not see it for many years? What if going would bring immense stress on your marriage? What if going would make you think thoughts you never thought you'd ever think? What if going would teach you what it means to have a heart that cries "Your Will Lord, Not Mine?"

From this lovely home...

Want to finish?  The rest of  my message is here at http://www.renewinghousewives.com/, where I'm guest posting today - such an honor.  Please come on over and visit me there.  I hope what I have to say will inspire you to stand for God's word!

Beyond Treasure...Blessings

As most of my treasure hunting has been...a huge blessing.  This is yet another one of those "blessed treasure" kinda posts. 

My daughter and I have been volunteering at our little thrift store in our little town...and have been blessed big time!  We aren't volunteering to get "things", we are doing it because it is something we love to do...organize and clean!  We have been blessed by helping people find things they need and blessed by finding some treasure for us too. 

One huge blessing...a box FULL of home-made aprons just waiting for us to discover them.  They are from the 50's and are so delightful.  My daughter and I went ga-ga over them...aren't they adorable!



These are my favorites...especially the blue one!

I have looked all over the web for this pattern...voila! 
Now I can wear this pretty green one and make a pattern from it for future aprons...how cool is that?

They belonged to the lady who owns the thrift store.  Some of them were made by her aunt.  I was more than thrilled to know who used them before me...I love nostalgia!

Speaking of aprons have been working on this one with material and notions which I received for next to nothing from various places.  I made this reversible.  I even made up my own pattern, traced from one of my "trusty" aprons.  I used old jeans for the ties, neck straps and a fun pocket on the red one.  I love embellishments so I used buttons at corners and such...I think it turned out so very cute.  I don't think I'll wear this yet so I can enter it into our one day fair.

And these are my three trusty aprons that have seen me through failed bread, glorious cupcakes and special dinners!  These aprons have a special place in my heart as they were given to me by three special people...a friend whom I'm so blessed to still have in my life (cancer survivor), my husband,  and another special friend - here is her blog spot:  http://intercessionwithsally.blogspot.com/.

I also found this gorgeous plate.  It will go great with my favorite print of George Washington crossing the Delaware.

And lastly...be still my heart!!!  I love bucket hats! 

What treasures did you find this week?

If you need some inspiration to get out there and go treasure hunting here is a great place to find that inspiration:  http://www.mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day!

21 Days...Less Than 30 Minutes...

Want a challenge that will give you greater understanding of God's word?  Want a challenge that will clarify some confusing scriptures?  Want a challenge that will once and for all lay to rest the "controviersies" that seem to be in the Christian faith? 

Take the 21 Day...Less than 30 minutes challenge... 

I have taken the "21 Day Challenge" over at my husbands blog  http://thegospelaccordingtothegospel.com/.  I am on day 5 and am so thrilled to share this with all of you. 

The Lord is really speaking through him and has given him such insight. 

I am excited about what these teachings are doing for me and my understanding of the great mysteries of the Lord...so excited! 

I hope you take the challenge - it will strengthen you!  Leave a comment on here and on The Gospel According To The Gospel blog telling us what you think.

Blessings!  May the God of peace richly bless you today and give you hope.

Favorites

Ahhhh...these two books are probably my favorite books.  Several years ago a dear friend of mine introduced me to "Blueberries for Sal", and just recently I discovered "One Morning in Maine". 

These books are beautifully written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey.  What I appreciate most about these books is that Sal is a respectful, cheerful, sweet little girl.

"Blueberries for Sal" is just delightful.  It always brings a smile to mine and my children's faces whenever I read it...and it reminds me of a my dear friend as this is her favorite book.

In "One Morning in Maine" I was refreshed when reading it as there is not the typical snotty"big sister" attitude but rather ...one where the big sister delights in her little sister - just how it should be.

If I could decorate any room...I would take some of the illustrations from these two books and have them framed....they are delightfully simple...but full of expression.

I borrow these books from the library so much that when our librarian sees them come in she knows who ordered it in...(smirk).

Community Service

Today my daughter and I did community service.  Our very little town has a very little food bank/thrift store.  We went to clean and organize the thrift store.  We had a great time laughing with the other ladies and we both enjoy cleaning and organizing...so this service was really a treat for us. 

To our delight we were able to pick a few things as a thank you for our time.  So once again I was blessed with "free" treasure.

I love this little jacket and hope the brown swirly shirt fits me.  My favorite treasures are the lunch boxes.  I have been thinking about making sandwich/snack wraps for my husband and son, but could not find the right manly material.  I really think it a waste to put lunches in throw away baggies and cringe everytime I do...so these little treasures are more than I could even imagine (so true of the Lord isn't it - to give us more and above what we thought we wanted).  Anyway, they have a nice little spot for a sandwich and two compartments for snacks - I'm thrilled and can't wait to pack lunch!

Here is what my daughter was given...she didn't pick this out as she thought it would be not very tasteful to ask for this.  She picked out some material for doll clothes but the lady who runs the thrift store just loves my daughter and appreciated her hard work so much that she insisted she take this china doll home...my daughter was so blessed.

So far all of my "treasure hunting" has cost me...nothing!  Thank you Lord for caring for my "wants".

Want to see more treasures?  Hop on over to this blog:   http://www.mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/2012/04/garage-sale-treasure-is-back.html

Friend or Foe?

My heart rejoices as "flowers" start to bloom.  I truly believe that God wholly intended dandelions to be friends not foes. 

They have so many uses from medicinal to dying fabric...but my very favorite use of the dandelion is "first flowers".

You know what I mean....it is always the same sweet story.  A toddler with oh so chubby hands waddles up with a handful of flowers, freshly picked - just for you!  The flowers are of course dandelions.  Accompanying these beautiful flowers is the most glorious smile.

I still get "flowers" from my oldest to youngest and delight in each bouquet.  They are a special way that my children show love for me.  I proudly display my bouquet for all to see on my window sill. 

A while back we were helping at a cow round up.  After the work was done there is always a big feast.  The place that held the feast was dotted with dandelions.  I watched as my youngest picked these special flowers for some of the ladies.  I watched the reaction to his kind gesture from these tough cowgirls....one put it in her pocket and smiled with delight for she knew the treasure she had just been given, but the others, even though they said thank you, put them back on the ground.  It broke my heart as I watched the confusion in my little guys face...for he thought his gift was a most special one, but they didn't.  These young gals didn't know what treasure they held in their hands but someday when they have little ones they will...and my prayer is that they don't throw the treasured gift on the ground but proudly display them for all to see! 

The first bouquet is so important.  It is a child thinking of others, making an effort to give something to show love and appreciation.  It is equally important for the receiver of the gift to display it, to accept it, to cherish it...so you see our little, happy, golden friends dotting our yards are not foes they are friends teaching little ones about life.

Friends not foes. Next time you need to rid your yard of "weeds" - take a moment and think about your first treasured bouquet of them. If you are a young lady who has not received a "first bouquet", may this post serve as a lesson to you. May your heart sing with anticipation of the day you do get your first bouquet and may you treasure it and display it for all to see.

Mums For Your Mum

We made these beauties for Easter but I think they would be a huge hit for "Mum's Day".  We got the delightful idea from "What's New Cupcake" Cookbook.

Put colored sugars in seperate bowls.  Cut marshmallows on the diagonal letting them drop into the sugar of choice.  You will need roughtly 20 marshmallows for each mum.  Press sticky side into sugar and then place first row around edge of frosted cupcake, repeat for second and third rows.  You can either put a color cordinated candy in the middle or sprinkle some colored sugar.

EASY...SIMPLE...BEAUTIFUL

More Treasure

As I was thinking about these "treasures" I started to laugh - I feel like a pirate as these treasures were almost a steal!  In my last post about treasure hunting I told you to check your local library.  Well, this week I am still going to encourage you to do just that.  Our local library was having a $1 bag of books sale...so all these books cost me $1!  How's that for a piratey find! 

For more encouragement to get out there and treasure hunt skip on over to my friend's blog where other bloggers are linking up with her to share there treasure hunting stories. http://mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to my husband...a great guy...a guy who is passionate about God, family and his country.  I'm a blessed woman to be his wife. 

The children and I had so much fun getting ready for Dave's birthday celebration.  We cleaned up the house, wrapped presents, fixed potato salad (can you believe I've never made it before????) and prepared the rest of dinner.  The best part about planning this celebration was making the cupcakes with my daughter.  (directions below)

This idea comes from "Cupcake, Cookies & Pie, Oh, My!" Cookbook, page 156.  To make these "Soda Shop" cupcakes here is what to do:
*Spoon 3/4 vanilla frosting into small bowl and freeze 30 minutes
*Divide remaining vanilla frosting among 3 microwaveable bowls. Tint one bowl pink with red food coloring, tint one bowl chocolate with cocoa powder, leave third bowl white.
*Working with one color of frosting, microwave the frosting - 10 - 15 seconds.  Holding a cupcake by the liner (we used silver), dip into the melted frosting, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl.  Transfer to cookie sheet.  While frosting is still wet, top the cupcake with some sprinkles or decorating sugar.  Repeat with 4 more cupcakes.  Repeat the process with 5 cupcakes for each color frosting. 
*Remove the vanilla frosting from the freezer and use a small spoon to shape the frozen frosting into balls.  Place a scoop of frosting on top of each cupcake, pressing down slightly to secure. 
*For chocolate malt, dust top of each cupcake with cocoa powder, for strawberry soda add sprinkles, and for vanilla creams add the chocolate sprinkles.
*Cut bendy straw to shorten both ends - insert.
*Color sytrofoam cups with red stripes.
*Place cupcakes inside cup.  These will be top heavy so if transporting wait till you arrive to assemble... My older son thought that filling the cups with candies would help them not be so top-heavy.

My daughter and I have made many a cupcake and these were by far my favorite to assemble...happy cupcaking!

Let's Talk Solar

This past week while grocery shopping I noticed in the organic / natural section that some items are labeled as "Solar Power Produced". I had to smirk and wonder who they were foolin'!!!

We've lived solely on solar power for about five years now and unless these companies, that are claiming "solar power produced", have a huge solar infastructure there is no way that their claims are true. So if you are fooled into thinking that you are buying a "green" product, I'm here to shed some light and hopefully stop you from paying three times as much.

If you are considering a change from on-grid to off-grid let me enlighten you a bit.

Our solar journey has been a bitter-sweet one. A journey which we've learned from and have gained a huge amount of knowledge about "living green". It began out of need, a tough life decision (another time...another post...not quite ready to share this just yet). We sold my SUV (deep sigh) and purchased four 800 watt solar panels and eight batteries and moved to sunny Eastern Washington. The thought of living without an electric bill was exhilarating and freeing - or so we thought!

We moved in the summer - you know the sunny time of the year and needless to say we were thrilled with our "off-grid" system…but soon fall arrived and then winter. With winter came the cold realization that there are many days without sun. We found ourselves having to spend well over $500 a month to purchase diesel to run the generator so that the batteries were charged. We have to, any day the sun doesn’t shine, run the generator so we can have some power for the day. On the non-sunny days the generator will have to run twice sometimes three times a day - just to have basic power.

Now, by “basic” power I mean only enough to have lights, run the well pump, internet service. This “basic” doesn’t include oven, electric mixer, wheat grinder or the front load washer. Needless to say when the sun doesn’t shine life is well…”basic”. If I am going to have a baking day and wake up to no sun…no baking. If I am planning on catching up on laundry and wake up to no sun…no laundry. If I plan on having a fun movie time and wake up to no sun…well you get the point. I’ve learned to adjust with the changes in weather - but it has been a huge struggle to just “go” with it.

Through this journey we’ve come to realize that going “solar” is not as economical as promised, not as “green“ as promised, and not as worry free as promised.

To live green, even on the best days, we still have to purchase propane for our cooking stove and hot water tank, diesle and wood to heat the house. We think that living green is really less green because of the cost and extra expense....

We look forward to the day when this chapter of our lives will close and we will go back "on-grid".

Treasure Hunting...FREE Finds

My dear friend over at http://www.mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/2012/04/garage-sale-treasure-is-back.html inspired this post.  Her knack for finding amazing deals and items at garage sales and thrift stores always amazes me.
In honor of her "Garage Sale Treasure" link up post I thought I'd post about my surprizing day of "free" treasures!

Our library always has a free box and in this box I found three books and a puzzle...Chicken Soup for Mother's Soul, 100 piece Wizard of Oz puzzle, The Book of Lost Tales One and Two.  I thought these were a great find and was satisfied with my "treasure hunting" for the day.  I bet your local library has a free box and I would encourage you to look in there. 

"Grandma" Rose knows my weakness for chocolate and always slips something special in our packages.

After a day of fun with a friend I arrived home to discover that we had been blessed beyond belief...a lady we call "Grandma" Rose has "adopted" our little family and she is always shopping for us...at her thrift and Goodwill stores.  When I arrived home there sat boxes of toys, kites, scooters (that had not even been out of the box yet), and four (yep four) bags of clothing!  It was like Christmas!  There were so many things on my summer "treasure hunting" list. 

What a great day of "free treasures".  Hope your treasure hunting this summer goes well and that you will be blessed with things you didn't even know you needed!

Happy Hunting!

Delightful Daisy Ring

Picture isn't the best - but it gives you an idea of what it is supposed to look like.

Delightful Daisy Ring

Wow...this bread is "melt in your mouth" wonderful. I made it for Easter and every one loved it so I made again this week...with the same "love it" response. It is easy and fun to make.

Page 44 of Better Homes and Gardens All Time Favorite Bread Recipes (brings us this wonderful recipe. (side note: I got this little gem for a whole 25 cents at a garage sale!)

3 - 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup butter
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs

Optional:
1/2 cup preserves
2 tablespoons chopped nuts
Confectioner' Icing

In large mixer combine 1 1/2 cups flour and the yeast. In saucepan heat together milk, butter, sugar, and salt just until warm and butter is almost melted; stir constantly. Add to flour mixture; add eggs.

Beat in as much of the remaining flour as you can mix in with a spoon.

Turn out onto a lightly floured or greased with coconut oil surface. (I prefer coconut oil surface) Knead for to make stiff, smooth and elastic dough (6 to 8 minutes). Place in greased bowl; turn once to grease surface. Cover; let rise till double (1 1/4 hours). Punch down; cover and let rest 10 minutes. Transfer to either a well greased baking sheet or round stone (I prefer round stone).

Roll dough into a 14-inch circle. Place beverage tumbler in center of dough.

Make four cuts in dough at equal intervals, from outside of circle to tumbler. In the same manner, cut each section into five strips, making twenty strips total.

Twist 2 strips together, as shown, continuing around circle, making 10 twists; pinch ends. Remove tumbler.

Remove one twist; coil and place in center. Coil remaining twists toward center to for a daisy design.

Bake 375 oven for 20 - 25 minutes.

Serve with butter or use this option and make it a dessert:

Spread preserves over top; sprinkle with nuts and drizzle with Confectioners' Icing.

Confectioners' Icing: combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla,, and enough milk to make a drizzling constancy.

I really loved making and serving this. I served it has rolls and not dessert. It is light and flaky - almost doesn't even need butter...notice I said almost as if you are going to eat a roll you might as well indulge and butter it.

Important

“Our destruction should it come at all, will be from another quarter…the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence.” - Daniel Webster

Great Americans like Frederick Douglas (escaped from slavery, minister of the Gospel and an influential civil rights leader) realized that, as President Lincoln eloquently stated, the Declaration of Independence is the priceless portrait and the Constitution is the frame holding it in tact. In other words you HAVE to read the one with the other…not as separate documents! Our Declaration of Independence is the foundation for freedom and the United States Constitution are principals set up to ensure that we keep our freedom. If you care at all for your country, if you care for your children and grandchildren’s future then I beseech you to read, ask for wisdom to understand and the strength to stand and defend our Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution…this is your “hour“!

Happy Easter!

I have fond memories of my mother and I going for Easter dinner at a Chinese restaurant....yep every Easter.  The past few Easters have come and gone without much "flare" or consideration for Easter.  BUT something has changed in my heart and the best way to describe it is in the words of a song...."Amazing grace how can it be that you my King would die for me..."  Over the past few years our King, mighty and strong, has become my fortress, my strong tower, my deliverer, my redeemer, my everything...."I'm alive today because He died for me"...so this Easter I have joy - and lots of it!  The joy has come on slowly as the Lord has had to "create in me a clean heart" and remove from my heart the callousness around it and has filled it with the awe knowledge of Him. 

He loves to feed chickens! 

One of our neighbors found out that my children have never colored eggs before (I know shame on me)...and she blessed us with two dozen hard boiled eggs and the egg coloring box.  It was so much fun to color eggs with the children - I will look forward to this being a tradition from now on.  I think that I will hide them outside in the morning for a festive Easter egg hunt. 

We are spending Easter in our little mountain home enjoying an Easter message from my husband and an Easter meal complete with a ham from one of the hogs we raised.  My daughter and I are waiting for the cupcakes to cool so we can decorate them.  We will be taking marshmallows, cutting them on the diagonal, dipping the sticky side into colored sugar and then arranging them onto the cupcakes to make flowers...picture to come later. 

My husband came up with an idea to make Easter fun and different - we are going to play lots of different games with the winners receiving strange prizes...that I can not divulge here as one of them might read it and know our plan...teee-heee!

I also wanted to share this easy to make "pie" - it has become one of my favorite special dishes to make.  It isn't has "pretty" as I would have liked it to be...but I know just by the smell it will be delicious.

Candied Sweet Potato Pie - Oh, Yum

 1 single pie crust - pre-baked.
1/4 cup butter
2 lbs sweet potatoes or yams (yams make it more colorful)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup pecan halves
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1.  Peel and slice either sweet potatoes or yams 1/4 inch thick and set aside.
2. Melt butter add sweet potatoes and stir to coat in butter. Cook one minute over medium heat.
3. Sprinkle with sugar, lift and fold gently to coat potatoes in sugar. Cook 5-8 minutes more to caramelize. Stir in pecans and nutmeg (could also add lemon peel if wanted for a twist). Turn off heat and cool.
4. Carefully layer potatoes in pre-baked pie crust. Bake 15 - 20 minuets in a 425 oven. 
5. Cool and brush with left over syrup from skillet.
6. Can be served with whipped cream if desired.

Goes great with ham - Enjoy!
Adapted from "Better Homes and Gardens"  October 2011

They Took The Challenge

Back in December I borrowed this wonderful book from the library, which I did a post on titled "A Book Review - A Must Read" under Always Learning label.  This is not another review but "good job" children post...here is why.... 

At the end of this book there is a compiled list of words and their definitions.  These words are difficult, but they have all, well minus our little guy, they have all taken the challenge that I gave them and have been working through the list of words. 

This was my challenge to them:  Each week they had to choose at least 15 words and be able to spell them correctly, give me the definition and sometimes I asked them to make a sentence with a word at the end of the week...and for the most part they all rose to the occasion and passed with flying colors...I have been very impressed in their ability and efforts.  I am very proud of them. 

I was especially impressed with our 9 year old - I let him do the word challenge because he wanted to join the other students...and he has been the one who has passed most of his weekly tests - amazing!

You might be asking why I did this and not a traditional spelling book.  I did it for a few reasons the first being that I am passionate about history and our countries founding.  I feel that knowing these words would ultimately help the children understand our founding fathers intent in the Declaration of Independence...thus helping them to understand their country...their Godly heritage...their God given unalienable rights...their Godly America!

Here are some of the words that they have learned...do you know them? Appropriations, appealed, conjured, barbarous, prudence, recititude, perfidy, convulsions, mercenaries, transient, and fundamentally.  These are just a few examples of the wonderful words they have been learning. Some of them are really fun to say like....consanguinity, annihilation or my favorite acquiesce. 

Thank you for stopping by...enjoy your "inestimable" day~!