Thursday, August 13, 2009
Praying for Noah
You might have noticed that on my side bar the Praying for Noah button has been updated with a new picture. Can I ask that you click on it and consider praying for Noah as he is a sick little boy and is in the hospital again. The last update from his mom is heartbreaking.
Blessed Bread Cloth
I pretty much love any craft that is sewing based that I have tried so far. Embroidery, cross stitch, quilting, knitting, all big yeses! Crochet? Well, jury is still out as I am just starting to learn, but it looks promising!
Finding time is always a challenge as crafting gets slotted well after caring for my family in my order of priorities. But now that we are doing the Preschool/Kindergarten homeschooling I am finding that there is time when I am sitting at the table with Miss Pear as she is coloring something or tracing something. So I keep a little bag of hand sewing near the table for those rare spare minutes!
This morning I finished a small but meaningful project, it is a bread cloth for some friends of ours and this verse has a special meaning to them. The pattern is one I bought and then I changed out the words they had for the verse I wanted (I used a page from my husband's old astronomy note book so it is very fine graph paper) and extended the pattern to fill each corner rather than just the one.
All things considered, after adapting the pattern and changing some colors to match their kitchen I am quite pleased with the outcome!
Next up: hemming winter themed napkins
Finding time is always a challenge as crafting gets slotted well after caring for my family in my order of priorities. But now that we are doing the Preschool/Kindergarten homeschooling I am finding that there is time when I am sitting at the table with Miss Pear as she is coloring something or tracing something. So I keep a little bag of hand sewing near the table for those rare spare minutes!
This morning I finished a small but meaningful project, it is a bread cloth for some friends of ours and this verse has a special meaning to them. The pattern is one I bought and then I changed out the words they had for the verse I wanted (I used a page from my husband's old astronomy note book so it is very fine graph paper) and extended the pattern to fill each corner rather than just the one.
All things considered, after adapting the pattern and changing some colors to match their kitchen I am quite pleased with the outcome!
Next up: hemming winter themed napkins
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Edgy? Me? No!
Okay, maybe a little.
For the last two days there has been construction in the distance that is blasting intermittently, or else a military base on the other side of the mountain is running drills blowing up stuff.
Either one is fine with me.
Except for one thing.
It sounds almost like the sound that we hear right before an earthquake.
FOR THE LAST 2 DAYS!
Edgy? No, why do you ask?
But it reminds me of something I need reminding of. I am not in control. Despite what I think. So the weird noise that gives me pause and the re-injured food that is just injured enough to slow me down but not enough to elicit help from friends is a reminder that I don't make the rules. And my careful schedule is at best a suggestion.
I am not in control.
But I know the One who is.
And that makes a world of difference.
For the last two days there has been construction in the distance that is blasting intermittently, or else a military base on the other side of the mountain is running drills blowing up stuff.
Either one is fine with me.
Except for one thing.
It sounds almost like the sound that we hear right before an earthquake.
FOR THE LAST 2 DAYS!
Edgy? No, why do you ask?
But it reminds me of something I need reminding of. I am not in control. Despite what I think. So the weird noise that gives me pause and the re-injured food that is just injured enough to slow me down but not enough to elicit help from friends is a reminder that I don't make the rules. And my careful schedule is at best a suggestion.
I am not in control.
But I know the One who is.
And that makes a world of difference.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Multitude Monday 3
There is something wonderful about praising and thanking God. I want to be purposefully thankful with specifics, even though there are generalities and always things that I am thankful for such as God, my salvation, my husband, my girls all count and are the always ones, I want to find the rare gems in each week that are unique to that day, to that time, and note them.
I want to purposefully and wholeheartedly thank and praise God for His goodness to me!
So here is some of what I am thankful for from this past week:
16. The blazing heat broke a bit for the weekend, and it is actually a cool morning here! This is huge because the girls do not handle lots of heat well and we all sleep better with the windows open!
17. God is faithful, God is always good. Last week was crazy and overwhelming, but this truth kept me going...along with God's grace!
18. I get to put baby to sleep in sleepers and pajamas. Okay, I guess this is not a new one, but after 17 weeks of nights in a harness (treatment for hip dysplasia), it is still something I enjoy.
19. My husband has a job with a reliable pay check. This is something I am often tempted to take for granted, but in this economy it is a very special blessing.
20. Baby pulled herself up to standing. A bit late by normal standards, but with the hip dysplasia she was a bit behind. She is now all caught up, and her biggest cheerleader is her sister.
21. Sunday supper of pancakes and blueberry syrup and the happy smiles all around and Miss Pear (4 yrs) singing Breakfast for Dinner.
22. Miss Pear singing praise to God just because she can.
23. Miss Pear and Baby's pot's and pan's band using my canning pot...loud and really stinking cute!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Being Tired Pays Off!
I can see it! I can see that little tooth that is almost through and is causing Baby such frustration! But it is not in.
So it has been a bit of a week with the yuck going around, the teething, the accompanying not sleeping, the heat and the too long to do list, and I am tired. Not that grumpy stay away from me tired (although I am sure I have had my moments), but that good mommy tired where it is worth it.
This morning I was planning on making a super simple Campbell's soup recipe because some friends gave us zucchini. And as I read the recipe I realized that it called for Golden Mushroom soup, not Cream of Mushroom. And for the life of me I could not decide of a straight substitution would work or if I could do something to the soup to make it like golden mushroom. Seriously could not figure this out.
So I did what anyone would do.
I called Campbell's Soup.
The lady was so helpful.
And she said a straight substitution would work.
And then said she wanted to mail me a coupon so our next can of soup was on her.
I said thank you.
(But if you know how to make cream of mushroom into golden mushroom, please let me know!)
So it has been a bit of a week with the yuck going around, the teething, the accompanying not sleeping, the heat and the too long to do list, and I am tired. Not that grumpy stay away from me tired (although I am sure I have had my moments), but that good mommy tired where it is worth it.
This morning I was planning on making a super simple Campbell's soup recipe because some friends gave us zucchini. And as I read the recipe I realized that it called for Golden Mushroom soup, not Cream of Mushroom. And for the life of me I could not decide of a straight substitution would work or if I could do something to the soup to make it like golden mushroom. Seriously could not figure this out.
So I did what anyone would do.
I called Campbell's Soup.
The lady was so helpful.
And she said a straight substitution would work.
And then said she wanted to mail me a coupon so our next can of soup was on her.
I said thank you.
(But if you know how to make cream of mushroom into golden mushroom, please let me know!)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Here we go again follow up....
....here I said that we were having a bit of a time of it and I would be missing for most of this week.
But I just had to pop in and tell you what happened. As of this morning, my coffee maker is officially dead.
It has served me well for 4 years, but has no sense of timing.
Fortunately it was bought as a gift for me at Williams Sonoma, so they are going to replace it, but I still have to be without a coffee maker in the interim. Good thing we have a cappuccino maker!
But it does just figure!
But I just had to pop in and tell you what happened. As of this morning, my coffee maker is officially dead.
It has served me well for 4 years, but has no sense of timing.
Fortunately it was bought as a gift for me at Williams Sonoma, so they are going to replace it, but I still have to be without a coffee maker in the interim. Good thing we have a cappuccino maker!
But it does just figure!
Multitude Monday 2
There is something wonderful about praising and thanking God. I want to be purposefully thankful with specifics, even though there are generalities and always things that I am thankful for such as God, my salvation, my husband, my girls all count and are the always ones, I want to find the rare gems in each week that are unique to that day, to that time, and note them.
I want to purposefully and wholeheartedly thank and praise God for His goodness to me!
So here is some of what I am thankful for from this past week:
11. Baby is teething, she is growing and thriving! And while it breaks my heart to see her hurt, I rejoice in the Lord's growth of her. I love how she snuggles in and settles down, suddenly content to snuggle with me.
12. Baby and Miss Pear's joy in each other. Their squeals of delight are often ear splitting, but their love for each other is beautiful!
13. All the homeschooling purchases, including school supplies, are made for the fall. Miss Pear is so curious about everything, it is wonderful to teach her!
14. 10 quarts of pickles made for the winter...9 of 10 jars sealed. 2 of them are made with cucumbers from our little garden!
15. My 4 year old running up to me and just wanting to give me a hug, which she does, before running off again.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Here we go again...
....Baby teething, again, or is it still. Poor darling is having a horrible time cutting her top two teeth. We can see them, they just refuse to either come out or stop bothering her.
....Miss Pear is sneezing like crazy, never a good sign.
....My sinuses are painfully sore.
....Projects are sky high somehow.
....The top of my desk is missing again.
....I really need more of God right now, even more than I need more sleep.
We will definitely be missing from the bloggy world a fair bit of this week, and will be back less than every week day for a while after that...until I get caught up on some of these projects....
If you have a comment languishing in my email, please be patient, I promise I will get to it in between wiping noses and making birthday invitations and reading lots of books to the girls (best thing to cure what ails them!)
....Miss Pear is sneezing like crazy, never a good sign.
....My sinuses are painfully sore.
....Projects are sky high somehow.
....The top of my desk is missing again.
....I really need more of God right now, even more than I need more sleep.
We will definitely be missing from the bloggy world a fair bit of this week, and will be back less than every week day for a while after that...until I get caught up on some of these projects....
If you have a comment languishing in my email, please be patient, I promise I will get to it in between wiping noses and making birthday invitations and reading lots of books to the girls (best thing to cure what ails them!)
Friday, July 31, 2009
Is Frugal the New Black?
It seems to me that you cannot visit a news web site, listen to the news, or a "news program", or pick up a newspaper or magazine without being assaulted with money saving ideas, and how hard people have it right now.
Before I go any further, let me state clearly that some people have it really, really hard, and are facing impossible financial situations. I feel very bad for them, and in no way are they included in what I am about to say.
It seems like it has almost become fashionable to be frugal! And those money savings ideas are laughable to families who have been doing this for a while...use coupons, shop sales, turn off lights you are not using... But I understand that for many those ideas are novel! So while I am disappointed when I read yet another list and don't glean any new insight I understand the purpose.
But what confuses me is people who are clearly doing well are saying how hard it is, how impossible it is!
Let me give you an couple examples:
So my question is this. Has frugal become the new black? Whining about how hard things are is fashionable so we do it? Or do we (as a nation, both US and Canada as I am hearing this from both) just have no clue what it is to face hardship and do without?
What are your thoughts? Or am I just not getting enough sleep and this is the issue that finally pushed my last button?
Before I go any further, let me state clearly that some people have it really, really hard, and are facing impossible financial situations. I feel very bad for them, and in no way are they included in what I am about to say.
It seems like it has almost become fashionable to be frugal! And those money savings ideas are laughable to families who have been doing this for a while...use coupons, shop sales, turn off lights you are not using... But I understand that for many those ideas are novel! So while I am disappointed when I read yet another list and don't glean any new insight I understand the purpose.
But what confuses me is people who are clearly doing well are saying how hard it is, how impossible it is!
Let me give you an couple examples:
- Saying how hard it is and how expensive everything is as they prepare to leave for a beach resort town for a week's vacation.
- Saying how they are scrimping and saving for a new roof right before they go buy a new truck (and their old one is running just fine).
- Saying how they too had to take forced company vacation, but that was okay, they just flew to Hawaii for the week, but it was so hard to give up that vacation time.
So my question is this. Has frugal become the new black? Whining about how hard things are is fashionable so we do it? Or do we (as a nation, both US and Canada as I am hearing this from both) just have no clue what it is to face hardship and do without?
What are your thoughts? Or am I just not getting enough sleep and this is the issue that finally pushed my last button?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Million Dollar Relish
Were you wondering why I had that old cookbook out yesterday? It is because cucumbers are in season! That book holds the recipe for the relish I grew up with, and it is so wonderful! A couple weeks ago all the vegetables for making it were on sale, and for the cost of 2 jars of relish I bought what I needed to make 10 jars of relish. And it is so good.
So, of course, I have to share the recipe with you! It is a great recipe for first time relish makers as it is very forgiving, and it is a great recipe for experienced canners because it is reliable! What do you think? Will you try it too?
Million Dollar Relish
8 large cucumbers (unpealed)
1 large cauliflower
4 large onions
2 green peppers (sweet)
2 red peppers (sweet)
1/2 cup pickling salt (or Kosher salt)
Put ingredients through chopper (or for us modern women, the food processor.)cover with pickling saut and let stand overnight.
In the morning drain well.
Dressing:
3/4 cup flour
1 tbsp tumeric
1 tbsp mustard seed
1 tbsp celery seed
4 cups white vinegar
1 cup water
8 cups white sugar
Cook until thick (coating the back of your spoon), add well drained vegetables. Cook 20 minutes longer.
This is where the recipe ends.
But here is what you still need to know. This makes 9-10 pints of relish. So you should have 10 pint jars in hot water waiting for this point. Fill your jars and put the canning lids on. Process your jars for 10-12 minutes.
If your jars do not seal, take the offenders lids off, wipe the lids, wipe the rims of the jar and try again. Any remaining offenders should just be stored in the fridge, they will be fine there. Jars that sealed should be stored in a coolish place like a basement pantry ideally, but I just store mine in a kitchen cupboard and that works well too.
So, of course, I have to share the recipe with you! It is a great recipe for first time relish makers as it is very forgiving, and it is a great recipe for experienced canners because it is reliable! What do you think? Will you try it too?
Million Dollar Relish
8 large cucumbers (unpealed)
1 large cauliflower
4 large onions
2 green peppers (sweet)
2 red peppers (sweet)
1/2 cup pickling salt (or Kosher salt)
Put ingredients through chopper (or for us modern women, the food processor.)cover with pickling saut and let stand overnight.
In the morning drain well.
Dressing:
3/4 cup flour
1 tbsp tumeric
1 tbsp mustard seed
1 tbsp celery seed
4 cups white vinegar
1 cup water
8 cups white sugar
Cook until thick (coating the back of your spoon), add well drained vegetables. Cook 20 minutes longer.
This is where the recipe ends.
But here is what you still need to know. This makes 9-10 pints of relish. So you should have 10 pint jars in hot water waiting for this point. Fill your jars and put the canning lids on. Process your jars for 10-12 minutes.
If your jars do not seal, take the offenders lids off, wipe the lids, wipe the rims of the jar and try again. Any remaining offenders should just be stored in the fridge, they will be fine there. Jars that sealed should be stored in a coolish place like a basement pantry ideally, but I just store mine in a kitchen cupboard and that works well too.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
How to Make a Cake
I am using a very old cookbook this week, I remember my grandmother using the earlier version of it. And I came across this gem I thought would give you a laugh this week, that knowing mom laugh.
How to Make a Cake
Light oven, get out utensils and ingredients. Remove blocks and toy autos from table.
Grease pan. Crack nuts. Measure 2 cups of flour. Remove Johnny from flour, wash flour off him. Remeasure flour.
Put flour, baking powder, and salt in bowl. Get dustpan and sweep pieces of the bowl Johnny knocked on the floor. Get another bowl. Answer doorbell.
Return to the kitchen. Remove Johnny's hands from the bowl. Wash Johnny. Answer phone.
Return. Remove 1/4 inch salt from greased pan. Grease another pan. Remove Johnny's hands from the bowl. Take the greased pan and find layer of nutshells in it.
Head for Johnny who flees, knocking bowl off table. Wash kitchen floor, table, walls and dishes. Call baker. Lie down.
from the Carillon Centennial Cookbook, a compilation of recipes submitted by eastern Manitoba Canada cooks to two local papers. This cookbook is actually a compilation of 2 earlier supplements complied by the paper and was published in 1974.
How to Make a Cake
Light oven, get out utensils and ingredients. Remove blocks and toy autos from table.
Grease pan. Crack nuts. Measure 2 cups of flour. Remove Johnny from flour, wash flour off him. Remeasure flour.
Put flour, baking powder, and salt in bowl. Get dustpan and sweep pieces of the bowl Johnny knocked on the floor. Get another bowl. Answer doorbell.
Return to the kitchen. Remove Johnny's hands from the bowl. Wash Johnny. Answer phone.
Return. Remove 1/4 inch salt from greased pan. Grease another pan. Remove Johnny's hands from the bowl. Take the greased pan and find layer of nutshells in it.
Head for Johnny who flees, knocking bowl off table. Wash kitchen floor, table, walls and dishes. Call baker. Lie down.
from the Carillon Centennial Cookbook, a compilation of recipes submitted by eastern Manitoba Canada cooks to two local papers. This cookbook is actually a compilation of 2 earlier supplements complied by the paper and was published in 1974.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Praising God
Recently I heard something very simple and very thought provoking.
Worship is the one thing we have to give to the One who gave us everything
This past winter Miss Pear announced that she had learned in Sunday school that if we don't praise God, the rocks will. And she showed me her craft:
I keep this by the phone to remind me to praise God. It also makes me smile.
Worship is the one thing we have to give to the One who gave us everything
This past winter Miss Pear announced that she had learned in Sunday school that if we don't praise God, the rocks will. And she showed me her craft:
I keep this by the phone to remind me to praise God. It also makes me smile.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Who wouldn't love a quilt!
The lovely ladies at Marie-Madeline Studios are hosting a quilt give away! This quilt actually:
To win, head on over to leave a comment! Please mention that I sent you over!
Multitude Monday 1
There is something wonderful about praising and thanking God. I want to be purposefully thankful with specifics, even though there are generalities and always things that I am thankful for such as God, my salvation, my husband, my girls all count and are the always ones, I want to find the rare gems in each week that are unique to that day, to that time, and note them.
I want to purposefully and wholeheartedly thank and praise God for His goodness to me!
So here is some of what I am thankful for from this past week:
On my birthday....:
1. ....I was driving my daughters to pick up Daddy and out of the blue Miss Pear said, "I love God, I love Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is my friend." Early fruit at age 4. Such a precious gift! (Miss Pear was apparently in fine form last week at VBS. When the pastor asked what Jesus saves us from, she said, "Our evilness.")
2. ....we woke up to a marine layer for the first time in 2 weeks. I love to wake up to the marine layer, it is such a gentle introduction to the day. It felt like a special birthday present from God.
3. ....my sweet family showered me with thoughtful love! Chinese food for supper, brownie for dessert, and such perfect birthday presents: Cake Bible, How to Decorate Cakes DVD, Beginner Crochet DVD, a pair of shoes for in the kitchen on our hard tile floor (all things I really wanted and was so thrilled to get!), and Miss Pear made me a puppet with a brown paper bag and stickers and pipe cleaners. My family poured their love on me and it was wonderful!
4. VBS last week. It made the week crazy, but lots of fun!
5. Baby smiles. Baby looks up at you, lifts her chin a little more, squints her eyes and smiles hugely!
6. Saturday I began my first ever batch of pickles. It will take a full 7 days to make, so if all goes well we will be canning on Saturday.
7. My husband's encouragement to try new things!
8. When I was doing my Bible reading this verse jumped out at me:
Exodus 2:22b (emphasis mine) ...I have been a stranger in a foreign land.
9. All the sweet birthday comments here!
10. For the first harvest of beans after our plants went into shock when the heat arrived too quickly.
I want to purposefully and wholeheartedly thank and praise God for His goodness to me!
So here is some of what I am thankful for from this past week:
On my birthday....:
1. ....I was driving my daughters to pick up Daddy and out of the blue Miss Pear said, "I love God, I love Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is my friend." Early fruit at age 4. Such a precious gift! (Miss Pear was apparently in fine form last week at VBS. When the pastor asked what Jesus saves us from, she said, "Our evilness.")
2. ....we woke up to a marine layer for the first time in 2 weeks. I love to wake up to the marine layer, it is such a gentle introduction to the day. It felt like a special birthday present from God.
3. ....my sweet family showered me with thoughtful love! Chinese food for supper, brownie for dessert, and such perfect birthday presents: Cake Bible, How to Decorate Cakes DVD, Beginner Crochet DVD, a pair of shoes for in the kitchen on our hard tile floor (all things I really wanted and was so thrilled to get!), and Miss Pear made me a puppet with a brown paper bag and stickers and pipe cleaners. My family poured their love on me and it was wonderful!
4. VBS last week. It made the week crazy, but lots of fun!
5. Baby smiles. Baby looks up at you, lifts her chin a little more, squints her eyes and smiles hugely!
6. Saturday I began my first ever batch of pickles. It will take a full 7 days to make, so if all goes well we will be canning on Saturday.
7. My husband's encouragement to try new things!
8. When I was doing my Bible reading this verse jumped out at me:
Exodus 2:22b (emphasis mine) ...I have been a stranger in a foreign land.
9. All the sweet birthday comments here!
10. For the first harvest of beans after our plants went into shock when the heat arrived too quickly.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Pass the brownies, please
According to my daughter today is "Mommy's birthday and water day!" (at VBS) It is debatable which one she is more excited about. She also said that I was going to be 21 on my birthday. Such a good girl.
I requested brownies for my birthday cake, and I have it on good authority that they will be provided. My good authority was the baking of my husband and Miss Pear last night! They even left a clean kitchen!
So for my birthday, could I please ask you for something? I see that a fair number of people stop by regularly (yup, I actually looked for about the first time in forever, and was really surprised!), and I am wondering who you are!
So could you please come out and say hello?
I requested brownies for my birthday cake, and I have it on good authority that they will be provided. My good authority was the baking of my husband and Miss Pear last night! They even left a clean kitchen!
So for my birthday, could I please ask you for something? I see that a fair number of people stop by regularly (yup, I actually looked for about the first time in forever, and was really surprised!), and I am wondering who you are!
So could you please come out and say hello?
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