Nov. 11, 2005 - VETERAN'S DAY

                                                                                                                        

 

Veterans Day November 11
Remember to Thank a Veteran

Today we honor all of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen who have served our country for the noble cause of preserving the freedoms that every American enjoys.

Right now, there are thousands of men and women in our military, once again taking up arms against the enemies of freedom. Like generations of patriots who came before them, these few shoulder the burden for the many. They serve because they know it is necessary for the greater good.

So far, more than 2,000 of America's sons and daughters have been killed and thousands more injured in the war on terrorism. Although we cannot bring back those who lost their lives in battle, we can thank them for all they have done and continue to do for our nation.

Please join the 1.8 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in honoring our military men and women, past and present, on this Veterans Day. Thank them and let them know that a grateful nation appreciates their contributions in creating a future world free from fear despite the personal cost to them.

God bless America!
James R. Mueller
Commander-in-Chief
Veterans of Foreign Wars

 

 

Something you can do to help…………..

 

    Join the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in creating the single largest symbol of support for America's troops and veterans. Wear a patriotic, red wristband to show you care - and remember - their service and sacrifice.

Proceeds from America Bands Together are targeted to support emergency assistance for troops, as well as established, well-recognized VFW programs like Operation Uplink, National Veterans Service and Military Assistance Program (MAP). These initiatives provide direct assistance to those who have sacrificed so much and help active-duty personnel make a smooth transition to civilian life.

http://www.americabandstogether.org/
(Use this link, not the one on the picture)

You can even adopt a Veteran at:   http://www.angelsncamouflage.org/

If you can't do something to physically help, please remember to pray for our veterans and for all the men and women still serving our country.

 

~~Anne

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Nov. 9, 2005 - SPECIAL PROJECT....Make a Covered Composition Notebook

Prompted by our walk in the woods last week (and by Raquel's need for a new journal), we set about creating our own yesterday. Both she and I were really pleased with the results.

These notebooks/journals are really neat and so easy to make.

 

We started with a blank "Composition" notebook. I'm sure you've seen these...they have the black & white marblized looking cover. (In September, Walmart had them on sale for 50 cents each and since I'd been making these for gifts, I bought a bunch of them). Then we glued pretty scrapbooking papers to the front and back covers (both inside and out). I used a spray adhesive and it worked out well, but a glue stick will work too. Then we added stickers and other embellishments to create a special, personalized journal.
When I first saw one of these, I thought they would be hard to make, but they aren't. If you have the supplies handy, you can make one in an hour or less!

 

Since Raquel and I made ones to be used for Nature Journals, we chose out-doorsy looking papers and stickers. In the photo below, Raquel's is on the left and if you can see, she used letter stickers to spell her name on the cover. My "creation" is on the right.  Abby also made one that is more feminine looking with roses. (sorry, no photo of that one).

 

 

                

 

 

                     

 These are "mini" notebooks that Abby did. They are only 4 1/2" x 3 1/4" in size.

 

If you or your children keep journals, why not give this a try? The possibilities are endless! You can also cover other styles of books too. How about a fancy covered sketch book! Get those creative juices flowing!

 

~~Anne

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Nov. 3, 2005 - DAYS OF LEAVES AND LOLLIPOPS

Every Wednesday for the past few weeks I have been gathering the children together after lunch and taking them for a walk in the woods. We have thoroughly been enjoying spending these crisp Fall afternoons together and enjoying the wonders of God’s creation. Yesterday was no exception. Bundling little Mark in the baby carrier, we set off to gather leaves and do bark rubbings for some projects I have planned.

 

We were blessed with several magnificent sights on our walk. Besides the birds we normally see and hear, and the chipmunks that scamper across the trail with their cheeks bulging full of hickory nuts, Cody, our dog, scared a flock of turkeys and sent them to flight right before our eyes. We counted 8 of them! What an awesome sight that was. On the way back home, we saw a lone turkey perched in a tree and we hope he found his way back to the flock. We also saw 3 red-tailed hawks, which was a real treat since we never see them up close.

 

We ended up not taking a very long walk because on Monday Raquel stepped on a nail and her foot was still a bit sore. We did sit by the brook for a while and took in the beautiful surroundings and just listened to the sounds of the woods.

 

Four year old Eliana came back with lots of “treasures” … ...acorns, pinecones, various leaves, nuts, and a pretty white rock. The others collected a variety of leaves for identification. Raquel is the only one that keeps a Nature Journal and she came back with plenty of things to write about and sketch. We all came back with special memories to tuck away .

 

Raquel is almost ready to begin a new notebook and I have ideas for creating our own. Watch for a future entry when I share about how to make your own personalized journal/notebook.

Upon returning home, we made chocolate lollipops in autumn shapes. This has become a traditional activity for us to do each Fall and everyone enjoyed it.

The children have a hugh leaf pile in the front yard now and are having loads of fun jumping in it. They even got me to jump in it yesterday. Mark doesn't quite know what to make of it yet, but next year I'm sure he will enjoy it too.

                        

Wherever you are, I hope you all are enjoying these Fall days too.  

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Oct. 29, 2005 - I Tried a New Muffin Recipe

                          

I’ve seen recipes with the combination of apples and pumpkin, but never tried any until this morning. The results were really delicious and this recipe is a “keeper” for us. They tasted so good with Maple butter.  
  

     APPLE PUMPKIN MUFFINS

2- 1/2 cups flour (I used whole wheat)

2 cups sugar (I used only 1-1/4 cups of natural cane sugar)

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

2 eggs

1 cup pumpkin

1/2 cup oil

2 cups finely chopped peeled apples

 

In a large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. In a small bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Yield: 1 ½ dozen

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Oct. 25, 2005 - A VERSE TO SHARE

  During my reading this morning, I came upon this verse.
  This is  what I will be meditating on today.

   For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth
   to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed
   to him.
                                                                        2 Chronicles 16:9


  For me to think about:
  Is my heart fully committed? How do I know? Can I know?
  Anyone else have any thoughts?

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Oct. 19, 2005 - Doing Better

From Psalm 107

    ¹⁰ Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
       prisoners suffering in iron chains,

    ¹¹ for they had rebelled against the words of God
       and despised the counsel of the Most High.

    ¹² So he subjected them to bitter labor;
       they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

    ¹³ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
       and he saved them from their distress.

    ¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
       and broke away their chains.

    ¹⁵ Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
       and his wonderful deeds for men,

    ¹⁶ for he breaks down gates of bronze
       and cuts through bars of iron.

    ¹⁷ Some became fools through their rebellious ways
       and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.

    ¹⁸ They loathed all food
       and drew near the gates of death.

    ¹⁹ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
       and he saved them from their distress.

    ²⁰ He sent forth his word and healed them;
       he rescued them from the grave.

    ²¹ Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
       and his wonderful deeds for men.

    ²² Let them sacrifice thank offerings
       and tell of his works with songs of joy.

I've cried out to the Lord, and I feel that He sent these words this morning to bring healing just as he said he would. In the past few days, each time I have picked up my Bible, I've read verses that are for me.
His word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Again, I thank each of you that has prayed. I know some of you are going through your own trials and I especially thank you for taking the time to send encouragement to me. Know that I am praying for you too.
Thank you to the new "friends" that have visited here and shared with me.  I hope we will "see" more of each other.

God Bless You All!

~~Anne

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Oct. 11, 2005 - Under The Weather

Since last Friday the weather has been rainy, damp, cold, cloudy, bleak and just plain miserable. More rain is forecasted for the rest of the week too

 

And I'm afraid I have been feeling the same way.   I seem to have this black cloud hanging overhead.  My walk with the Lord has been (is) suffering, and I know that is part of the problem. As with the weather, everything just seems so bleak and miserable right now, and nothing around here is going right. I can't even see a ray of sunshine coming through the "clouds". As my dear friend Peggy(www.homeschoolblogger.com/AllThingsHomeSchool) has written about, I think I need to spend some time in silence to do some soul-searching and sort things out. If anyone is reading this, please say a prayer for me. Or if you have any words of wisdom to share I would be grateful.

 

~~Anne

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Oct. 5, 2005 - RECIPES FOR FALL

Autumn In My Kitchen

 

During the past few weeks, the wonderful scents of Autumn have been wafting through our kitchen.  From simmering cinnamon and ginger to the addictive aroma of Abby’s fresh baked apple pie, what could be finer than the aromas that say “It’s Fall!” To help you celebrate the tastes as well as the scents of this marvelous season, try some of these delicious breads, cakes, and muffins….and for that special added touch, don't forget the flavored butters.

 

APPLE BREAD

 

½ cup butter

¾ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1/3 cup sour milk

1 cup chopped apples

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, soda and salt; add alternately with the milk to the creamed mixture. Add apples and nuts. Stir to mix. Turn into a greased 9 x 5 loaf pan. Bake for about 1 hour at 350 degrees.

PUMPKIN PIE MUFFINS

 

2 cups flour

¾ cup packed brown sugar

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¼  tsp. baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp. ginger

¼ tsp cloves

1/8 tsp nutmeg

¾ cup canned pumpkin

½ cup butter, melted and cooled

¼ cup buttermilk

2 eggs, lightly beaten

3 Tblsp. Molasses

1 tsp. vanilla

¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups. In a large bowl, stir together first 9 ingredients. In another bowl, stir together pumpkin, butter, buttermilk, eggs, molasses and vanilla until blended. Make a well in center of the dry ingredients: add pumpkin mixture and stir just to combine. Stir in the nuts. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups; bake 20-25 minutes. Remove to wire rack and cool.

APPLE MUFFINS

 

1 cup peeled and grated apples

1 cup flour

1 cup rolled oats

3 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp salt

¼ cup brown sugar

1 egg, beaten

3 Tblsp. oil

¼ cup raisins

½ cup milk

 

Topping:

3 Tblsp. brown sugar

½ tsp cinnamon

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Stir together dry ingredients. Add rest of ingredients and mix only until moistened. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Mix topping ingredients together and sprinkle over muffins. Bake for 25 minutes.

FRESH APPLE CAKE

 

3 eggs, well beaten

¾ cup oil

¼ cup apple cider or juice

2 cups sugar or honey

2 tsp. vanilla

3 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

3 cups coarsely chopped apples

1 cup chopped nuts

1 cup dates or raisins

 

Combine eggs, oil, cider (or juice), sweetener and vanilla in mixing bowl and beat well. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Fold in apples, nuts and dates or raisins. Pour into a 12 cup Bundt pan or 2 9” x 5” loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Cool in pan for 5-10 minutes, then turn out to cool on wire rack.

These are so easy to make. Place them in a fancy bowl and store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks (if they last that long). Use them on your favorite muffins and quick breads, or on morning pancakes and waffles.

Cinnamon Butter

2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Autumn Butter

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 cup butter, softened

Mix all ingredients until well blended.

I hope that if you will get the chance to try some of my Fall recipes you will let me know how they turn out.

~~Anne

 

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Sep. 28, 2005 - To Clarify Something

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Sep. 27, 2005 - Our Busy Weekend

I barely had any free moments to write over the weekend, so I didn't get to update until now.

 

We had a wonderful day at the Fair on Friday. It was an absolutely beautiful Fall day and the rain that was forecasted never arrived.    We ended up leaving the house later than I planned, so we didn't get to the fairgrounds until 11am. It was nice, because it wasn't very crowded yet. The first thing we did was go check out how all our entries did.

 

 

Here's the run down on how Abby and I did:

 

Abby's Baking:

 

Cookies (Chocolate Fudge Crinkles)--- First Place

Bar Cookies (Raspberry Squares)---Third Place

Yeast Bread (Asiago Bread)---Third Place

State Apple Pie Contest----Second Place

 

Abby's NeedleArts:

 

Patriotic Lap Quilt---First

Crocheted Camisole----This was a disappointment, because it didn't receive anything. Abby worked so hard on this. It was a very delicate piece done with thread crochet and it looked very lacy. I tried to find out why it didn't get anything, but the lady I asked said we'd find out when we picked it up on Sunday night.

 

My Fresh Herbs:

 

Applemint---First Place

Parsley---Second Place

Rosemary--Second Place

Pineapple Sage---Second Place

 

My Canning:

 

Garlic Chive Vinegar---Third Place

Rosemary Vinegar---First Place

Cranberry-Orange Vinegar---Third Place

Violet Jelly---First Place

Strawberry Rhubard Jam---didn't get anything. Judge's written comments were, "Good flavor, but too foamy" (I still have a lot to learn about jam making)

Caramelized Onion Jam---First Place    And it was an unexpected surprise that this won a "Special Place" ribbon too.

 

 

          

This isn't a very good picture, but this is the "special" ribbon I got for my Onion Jam.

 

In the Fiber Arts department, Abby entered three different hand spun yarns (single ply, double ply, and mixed fibers) and won Second Place for each of them.

My Angora rabbit fiber won First Place, and another unexpected surprise of a Reserve Champion Fiber ribbon.

We later visited all the animal barns and as we traditionally do, watched the Oxen Pulls  while we had our lunch of Steak Fajita Salad Bowls. yummy!! We went through the Crafts tent, watched a show with live birds of prey in the Discovery Center, watched a local artist do primitive paintings, and walked through the Commercial Building. We also went throught the Farm Museum and looked at all the old farm and kitchen tools. I would have loved to have some to decorate my house with.

I was ready to leave at 6:30pm, but the girls talked me into staying to for the Randy Travis concert at 7:30. Julie (jewls2texas), I was thinking of you the whole time. I haven't been to a concert since before we were married, and I really enjoyed it; especially when he sang the Country Gospel songs. He sang a song I never heard before called, "I will raise Him up", that was really good. And of course he did "Three Wooden Crosses." He ended with a patriotic song called "Raise the banner called Old Glory."  It was 9pm when it was over, so we quickly got something to eat and left for home. We got home about 10pm. It was a long day, but very enjoyable. I'm so glad to share these times with my children.

Saturday was another beautiful, crisp Autumn day. We didn't go back to the Fair, because it's always too crowded for me on Saturday. It was also over 23rd wedding anniversary!!   We didn't do anything special, but I cooked a nice Chicken and Rice dinner.

Sunday morning dawned a bit cloudy and "very" cool. Several of the children woke up complaining of sore throats. It seems this always happens with the changing of the seasons. We had to pick up our things from the Fair, but didn't go over until 4pm. We met my sister and her friend there. We showed them all our entries and then they took Raquel and Eliana and went off to see the crafts. Abby and I were really tired, plus she didn't feel well, so we just sat and watched the Horse Pulls. Those horses are amazing! The winning team pulled over 10,000 pounds. We were able to start picking up our things at 7pm, so we got in line to do that. By the time we finished it was 8pm. We headed for home, but I had to stop along the way to nurse Mark. We finally got home about 9pm. Another long day, but it's all over until next year. But my creative juices are already flowing as I think of what I want to do for next year's Fair.

And if you're wondering, Abby's crocheted camisole was disqualified because it  had a small spot on  it.  We had  a hard time finding it (it was really small and unnoticable), but one of the judges pointed it out for us. Oh well, now she knows better.

So that was my weekend. Hope you enjoyed hearing about it. I took some pictures and have lots of little momentos to get scrapbooking. I'm going to be starting an album just for the Fair, including all the recipes that we entered. I hope to end up with something that the children can look back at and remember fonldy this yearly tradition of ours.

~~Anne

 

 

 

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