Preheat oven to 375. Combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium sized bowl, and set aside.
Beat sugars. sour cream. and coffe mix in a large bowl at medium speed until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until light and fluffy.
Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed, until just blended. Beat one minute more on medium speed, until well blended. Fold in chocolate chips.
Drop dough by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 9 to 11 minutes, or until slight imprint remains when pressed with finger. Cool for about five minutes, and transfer to a wire rack until cooled completely.
Blessings to everyone, and I hope you have had a lovely Sabbath.
DD and I are to spend our devotional time in the morning in prayer for our Veterans. It is a holiday, and yet, when we celebrate it, I sometimes want to weep at the loss of life. Though I know this country must be protected, and it is only through the sacrifice of brave men and women that it is, still my heart is burdened. As this terrible conflict in Iraq continues, I feel such a need to draw further into my prayer closet. With each day, it seems as if there is more destruction, more loss, on both sides. Yet, I know that the Father has things well in hand. As we pray in the morning, we will also lift the families of those serving in the conflict, that they might be comforted by God's mercy and grace.
Please, take just a moment and join us, if you can. Let us join forces in a united front, and hold these precious men and women before God, asking for His protection, and a swift and decisive victory that will bring our soldiers home quickly!
My DD and I took a walk in the early dawn this morning. It was cool, and we were bundled in sweaters, and jeans to ward off the dampness of the dew. We took a thermos of hot cocoa, and some hastily made granola to warm us, and enjoy on our walk.
Both she and I enjoy our walks. It is a time to reflect on the beauty of God's design, and how everything works together in harmony. From season to season, each little detail is planned and executed by His master plan, and the beauty of it enthralls us with the sights, sounds, and smells of the Earth.
We stopped for a while to rest under the canopy of some old pines and oaks, and drank our cocoa, munched on our granola, and talked about the things we saw. It was a wonderful opportunity to discuss the life cycle of a tree and all the equipment needed was right there at my fingertips. We looked at the pinecones, and the bark of the tree, the needles and had a wonderful time watching the breeze tickle the trees with it's invisible breath.
Every moment can be a lesson to teach and to learn. I thought about this as we walked home. Chores awaited, and so did MD appointments, structured school lessons, and myriad other duties. But, when we arrived home, we took some extra time in our devotions, giving thanks to a loving God for giving us this fantastic world. As I took my DD's little hand in mine, I was flooded with childhood memories of my mother, and her gift to me of the lessons of loveliness, and I am ever grateful.
Hello to everyone! It has been such a long time since I have been on here, and posted, many thought I had left for good. I just needed some down time. A period to relect, pray and seek God's face to bring me through the loss of a dear friend.
Well, here I am, and on to new horizons as they say. DD is doing very well in her schoolwork, and we are still finding much benefit in the more relaxed approach to homeschool. We do not lack structure, just less formality, and we are much more spontaneous in our learning experiences.
Asa result, DD has leapt into her schoolwork with abandon, and is enjoying learning so much more. She is rapidly soaking up our planned studies and is reaching out to embrace her experiences in learning. She is teaching me, too! As I sit and watch her pouring over magazine articles on animals, plants and even space exploration, I am ever astounded at her grasp of not only fundametals, but her quest for answers to questions that any adult might ask, should they read the same stories. She never tires of the "Why" and "How" of something, and her sweet little face, upturned in waiting for the answer, inspires me to seek more to provide her with the challenge she so loves.
Homeschooling is a lot of hard work, and some days, it becomes a task of Herculean proportions. Oh, but the days of understanding, and collaborative effort make those days fly! She is something wonderful, this little pupil of mine, and she blesses my heart when morning comes, and the first thing she reaches for is a book, not the TV remote!
Our leaf scrapbook will soon be complete, and we look forward to taking pics, and putting them on-line for others to enjoy. One other valuble lesson learned, not all glue that says it dries clear does!
• Sep. 27, 2007 - Saying Goodbye, but only for a little while....
My dear and beloved friend, Mr. Robert Bell, has gone on to be with Jesus. He was the closest thing on this earth that I had to a father. My own father passed away several years ago, and I have missed him so very much. But I was blessed to have this dear man in my life for many years. He chose to love and believe in me, though I did not deserve it, and for that my heart is so grateful. He loved and forgave me my faults, and never failed to tell others how much he thought of me.
God gave me the opportunity to not only be loved by him, and considered as one of his own children, but I was given the honor and priviledge of serving him the last week of his life as his nurse. God gave me the opportunity to tell him how precious he was to me. He was a man of few words, and I never heard him say I love you, but in my heart , I knew he did. I got to sit at his bedside , to pray with him and to give him all the love in my heart for him his last few days upon this earth. For that, Oh Lord, I thank You so much.
I am a simple woman, and have few words, but I dedicate this song to him, and Mr Bell, I'll see you when I get to Beulah Land. I love you.
Preparations for fall are now beginning in earnest. There is a crisp breeze in the air this morning, and I am making a list of all the things that we need to do in the coming weeks. So much housework to do, everything from changing bedspreads from summer colors to the richer hues of fall quilts, washing curtains, waxing floors and changing out closets to cooler weather clothing. It is also time to finish the last of the summer produce, canning and freezing, and changing the cabinet liners in the kitchen.
Something about this season refreshes my spirit, and energizes me. I love the hustle and bustle that accompanies fall in our home. I am the type person that enjoys changing things, making new pillows for the couch, wreaths and dried flower arrangements for the table, and dressers. I can spend hours in the woods, looking for the perfect seed pod, vine and grasses for them. The old fallen branches, soaked and peeled make an attractive arrangement for the entryway. The smell of freshly gathered pine cones in a basket in front of the fireplace in the den and DD's bedroom call to mind the beauty of God's creation. How beautiful are Thy works, oh Lord!
Soon, fresh pears, apples and figs will make their appearence in our country kitchen, and the small respite from canning will be over. Apple jelly, fig and pear preserves, as well as mincemeat and apple pie filling will all find their place on our pantry shelves. While settling in for the coming winter, we will begin prepations for Christmas gifts, and decide upon the theme for this year's display and trees. Winter wonderland or country Christmas, the possibilities are exiting and endless. But for now, it is time to gather a small hay bale or two, some pumpkins and an old straw hat for our fall welcome to quests. I enjoy our time with friends and extended family, and always look forward to their visits.
As DD and I do our classes this week we are focusing more on her reading skills and elocution. I am trying to diligenty stress the beauty of the English language, when properly spoken and written. Her handwriting has need of improvement as well, and our Bible verse copy book is helping with that. She is such a lovely young girl. I want to instill in her the importance of good manners, grace and poise. More importantly, I want her to have the vision of herself as the beautiful young woman she is growing to be. As we travel this path together, I believe that God will give me the wisdom and patience that I need to be the mother and teacher that she deserves. And through the good and not so good days, He will be glorified. Because when all else is said and done, it is to Him all honor and glory is owed.
Thank you, most precious Lord, for a new morning to share with my family. Thank you that your mercy is new every morning. Your loving kindness to us is without measure. Bless all those who enter here, and multiply your grace and to them and their families. Amen.
As I prepare for the week, I am taking a moment to count my blessings. I am grateful for God's mercy and grace, and His unfailing love for me, despite my failures and weaknesses.
DD and I are preparing the scrapbook pages for our leaf collection folder, and having a ball! I think I have glue in my hair, but she has had so much fun picking tags, frames and labels, it was worth it. We haven't scrapbooked before, so all of the new ideas, stickers and differnt page options are astonishing to me. Who knew? Of course, I know it is all the rage, but I just haven't thought about it until now. I think the photo albums are about to be a thing of the past!
As we start the new school week, I hope to focus on the scripture " Three things will last forever-faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT
I have recently begun to re-examine my love walk, and realize I have far to go. By studying on this scripture, I too, will benefit. Introspection is a good thing, if we are open to the leading of the Spirit.
Our lesson plans for the following week include 1. Communities, how we help one another, 2. Singular and plural nouns, 3. Spelling, words that end in ies, 4. Science, Beyond the sky, constellations, 5. Reading Katie: Up and Down 6. Math. Review of basic applications. Our art project for the week scrapbooking our leaf collection, and exploration of trees and their natural habitats.
Dd and I had such a good day today. Our homeschool experience is really beginning to change for the better. We are in a unit study for Space, The Frontier, at the moment and are learning about black holes, gravity, and star formation. She is fascinated by the sky, both day and night, and this unit has peaked her interest in exploring the world around her even more. We are learning about the power of God's spoken Word, and when He said "Let there be..." Dd finds this awesome, and is eager to learn more.
I am finding so much joy in teaching her with less restraint! And because I am more relaxed, what she used to find a chore, is now becoming something she not only wants to do, but is exited about! Ithink that I'm learning as much as she is!
Blessings! "Then God said, "Let great lights appear in the sky to seperate the day from the night. Let them mark off the seasons, days and years. Let theses lights in the sky shine down on the Earth." And that is what happened. God made two great lights, the sun and the moon-the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. he also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the Earth, to govern the day and the night, and to seperate the light from darkness. And God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:14-18 New Living Translation.
It seems as if I have intruded on someone's blog name, and my sincerest apologies to that person. I am very new to the world of blogging, but I would never intentionally violate good blogging conduct. When I logged in for the first time, there was no comment that I was in error. I will change my blog name if asked. Again, deepest apology is offered if I have offended.
What a beautiful day it was. Still hot here, but a nice breeze blowing. Am about to get lesson plans prepared for tomorrow, and the rest of the week. And looking forward to it with a new attitude in my heart. My DD is noticing the change, and even read a book to me today, and showed real enthusiasm when I shared with her some new ideas for the coming week. DH is glued to the TV, Nascar race is on, so I have a few moments to myself. Think I'll go take a long soak and call it a night. Blessings to you!
I an writing this post, and my spirit is overflowing with joy. I began this blog as a way to clear my thoughts for the day, and just have an opportunity to talk with others, learn more about homeschooling, and witness about the Love of Christ to anyone who wanted to read about it. I never expected the changes that have taken place in my spirit, or the blessings I have received.
To annointed, my sincere and heartfelt thanks. A very special person, and one who loves God with everything they have. The lord fill thy life with good things, and overflow thy heart with joy, in the face of this trial.
To kcmyworld, I am sending you the Nice Matters award. For your words of encouragement, and sharing your Godly wisdom with the new kid on the blog. Heart-felt blessings to you!
My post for today is No Other Love
Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me shall find Me." Don't you just love those words? And yet, they are so much more! They are a promise to us that If we seek Him, He will be right there. No waiting, no 'hold the line please', but an immediate, absolute connection which will never be dropped, lost or fade in its strength. Nothing that this world can offer compares to that. No one else but Christ loved us enough to freely lay down His Glory, and make himself a sacrifice for us. And He stands at the right hand of the father, interceding on our behalf, always. And even better, we are now adopted as His bother or sister, and entitled to the priviledges that entails. Our Brother is the Savior of the world, and our Father, the Creator of the universe. How awesome is that!?!!!
I offer this in closing "Greater love has no man than this, but to lay down His life for his friend" He laid His down for me, the least that I can do is praise and honor Him in my heart, and in my life. "All hail the power of Jesus name!"
I'm blogging this tonight, and my thoughts are about one thing. God's mercy and grace. So often in my life, God has manifested His love for me. I am in awe that He continues to bless me with His presence in my life. He sends words of encouragenment when I am down and He never fails me, though I so often fail Him. I am a poor servant indeed , in that so often, I forget to tell Him how much I love Him. So tonight, that is what I intend to do. Join me for a moment , if you will, in just praising Him for this day.Lord, there are no words that can ever express my love for You, and nothing that I can do will ever be a recompense for that which you have given me. I thank you for the breath that I breathe, and for the ability to praise You with my mind and with my mouth. I thank you for your word which is food for my spirit and life to my bones.
• Aug. 31, 2007 - Out with the old and in with the new!
I am so exited this morning! I am beginning to have a whole new focus on my homeschool experiences with my DD. As I have been reading others blogs here, I realized the fundamental thing lacking in our hs experience was FUN! Much as I am loathe to admit this, I have been trapped in the same boring routine for years. So today, we're going to have some fun, fun, fun! As part of our math curriculum, we've been doing some "Market Math" And as it is labor Day w/e, I think we'll mosey on over to the wallyworld and take a gander at the school supply bargains. I'll see just how much Dd has already learned about money management, and we can laugh alot along the way. Our focus, and Bible reading for today is "This is the day the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." And you know what is so fantastic? We will! Have a great day everyone!
• Aug. 30, 2007 - Opened my heart, and found release!
I don't know how many, other than the one sweet person who commented, have read my first two posts, but I have got to tell you I have found much wisdom in the blogs I've been browsing. I'm not even sure if anyone will read this one, but I need to write this, even if only for myself. It seems as if God lead me here in answer to my prayer for a further understanding, and a clearer vision of how best to serve Him, and do those things which He would have me do. By reading several, but especially two in particular, the Lord has opened the eyes of my heart to my own stubborness, and I am feeling the beginnings of a release in my spirit that I know is going to change me for the better. My DD and DH are beyond words precious to me, yet I know that I have held myself back from them in many ways. I am a cancer survivor of eight years, and counting. Today I discovered that I have still been living as if I were a victem and not a victor. And it has been holding me back from living the life that God has for me. Don't misunderstand. I accepted my healing, and know that I am healed. What I hadn't done was stop fighting the battle. But one blog in particular, and I wish I had had the foresight to earmark it, was so full of the joy that she was experiencing in her walk with Christ, that it just blew me away. All I kept thinking was I want that. And then suddenly, it was as if the Heavens themselves began to sing. Then I knew it was mine. I only had to accept it. It may not sound life-changing to anyone else, but to me, it was a release I have prayed for for years. I don't know where this journey is going to take me, but for the first time in many, many years, I feel some joy in the thought of taking it. So to whomever I visited today, thank you so much. I may never know you, but I know that God will put a jewel in your crown for your faithfulness to take that 5 minutes to write your praise fo Him today. It was life-changing for me!
This is my journal to tell of the ups and downs of homeschooling my dd. Today was not, not, not, a good day. We are entering into our second week, and let me tell you, I am Frustrated! DD was grouchy, ill and simply, a non-conformist today! I'd say up she'd say down. I'd say now, she'd ask why. I'd say, neat please sweetie, and she'd say "but Mom, you can read it!" Alright, this is WAR! I shall gird my loins with math and science! I will exude proper diction and language arts is now my passion. In all things I will teach, with great humility, of course, and tomorrow, well that's another day! But, to paraphrase Scarlett "As Learning is my witness, you'll never be lessonless again!
Good morning!
As I prepare for the week, I am taking a moment to count my blessings. I am grateful for God's mercy and grace, and His unfailing love for me, despite my failures and weaknesses.
What a beautiful day it was. Still hot here, but a nice breeze blowing. Am about to get lesson plans prepared for tomorrow, and the rest of the week. And looking forward to it with a new attitude in my heart. My DD is noticing the change, and even read a book to me today, and showed real enthusiasm when I shared with her some new ideas for the coming week. DH is glued to the TV, Nascar race is on, so I have a few moments to myself. Think I'll go take a long soak and call it a night. Blessings to you!
Have a great day everyone!
only had to accept it. It may not sound life-changing to anyone else, but to me, it was a release I have prayed for for years. I don't know where this journey is going to take me, but for the first time in many, many years, I feel some joy in the thought of taking it. So to whomever I visited today, thank you so much. I may never know you, but I know that God will put a jewel in your crown for your faithfulness to take that 5 minutes to write your praise fo Him today. It was life-changing for me!
Hello, everyone! 
my passion. In all things I will teach, with great humility, of course, and tomorrow, well that's another day! But, to paraphrase Scarlett "As Learning is my witness, you'll never be lessonless again! 