These are a few of my Favorite Things...

• May. 16, 2009 - a little Serendipity...

Another crazy week has gone by and I am not so sad to see it go. Something very special is coming though...we decided to take advantage of a chance to go to Orlando with my husband this coming week. He, has to teach his class and work but Brittany and I are packed for the pool. We each have three books and notebooks for free writing and we are so looking forward to some lounge time. We are staying in the university area...so a bit far away from everything that Orlando is famous for but it doesn't matter to us...at all.

We figure we'll visit Downtown Disney some evening next week...which is one of our favorite places to go...and other than that, plenty of relaxation and reading books. Ahhh...I can't wait!

Brittany is currently at her dress rehearsal and tomorrow is her 2009 Dance Recital. It is going to be very special for us because this is her last year to dance...as a child. She is taking a year off next year to sort of heal up some of her injuries...knee, shoulder, hip. She has problems with all of them and never stops and is realizing that she needs too. It is bittersweet, knowing that we won't get to see her dance on stage for quite a while...but then again, I am excited for her. She has been dancing since the age of six. Seriously, since the age of 9...so it has been a long time since she has had time on her hands...for the last several years she has danced four nights a week. So, I am excited that while she is in her senior year next year...she can quite possibly find some other things she enjoys as well. This child is such a determined, dedicated young lady. I think perhaps she may feel a bit lost for a while...but God will see her through. He has taken her by the hand and guided her throughout this entire decision process which has been so difficult for her. She has cried, sought guidance from us and prayed and prayed for the right decision. God has been faithful and given her an inner strength and a peace that I am not sure I had even in my twenties. My girl amazes me. We are so proud of her.

We love you Brittany! You have done a beautiful job in school, dancing and teaching this year...you should rest in the fact that you gave it your all.

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• May. 5, 2009 - I have a question...

For any of you seasoned homeschoolers...or people who may know. In getting Brittany ready for the job market...not immediate but future I was wondering...what do you put for school experience? ( I am talking employment application, here) I know many of us have named our own home schools...is that appropriate or do we just list home educated. I would really like to know that...as simple as it is...I never really thought about that before.

Any ideas? Anyone?

Thanks!

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• Apr. 28, 2009 - Amish Country 2009

We live in a small city...we don't have too many traffic jams here and we have made the top ten on the All American City list a few times...

Nothing compares to what we can find just and hour and a half from our home. A place where it seems that time doesn't make a difference. We got out there earlier than we could check in so we were able to drive to parts unknown that I would never have known existed...some of these roads were not much wider than one lane roads and you had to go slow because you never knew when you would happen upon a family out enjoying the same weather as we were together. Couples, grandparents, young families riding in their covered buggies and some with an open buggy. You really could feel that it was Sunday too. If you think about it, for most of us English (modern folk) we go to church on Sunday or spend time with the Lord, focusing on him...and then we go about our day, sometimes catching up on home things, shopping or family days. But these people have it all figured out. They attend church and picnics...they dress in their finest Sunday clothes. Nothing work related goes on in there immaculate farms for a day.

It almost feels like a time warp as you pass by...two families waving and smiling at each other...one living in a modern world and the other living how our great, great grandparents lived. When we pulled up to our inn (a very steep road) many couples were walking down the hill dressed in crisp white and black...it was stunning. Some were carrying empty food containers as they had been at a picnic or a big family gathering.

On the way out...it was Monday of course and the clotheslines were full of dresses, aprons, and trousers all the way down to little tiny baby clothes.

It was another great get-away for me an my guy...so relaxing...and now, we are back in our modern world...but that's okay, such is life!

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• Apr. 28, 2009 - it's Tackle it Tuesday...

except, I am not tackling anything today because my husband is home and Brittany did her school work last night so we could all just hang out today...gotta love that. I am putting in the usual loads of laundry and the typical every day things...but nothing big here today.

Our weather has been just beautiful...in the upper 80's which hardly ever happens this time of year here. We found out that our air conditioning in our van doesn't work so we'll have to get work done there...but the air conditioning in the house does...which there isn't a reason that it shouldn't but we gave it a test. Today, though, it is cloudy and we are expecting showers but it is still 72 degrees and beautiful in my book. Since last Friday...all of our leaves on our trees have just burst forth to life and it is so green out there and pretty. I think Brittany is developing allergies to all this new growth...this is a recent thing. She has a swollen left eye and when she goes outside her eyes just run and run...I bought her some allergy medicine yesterday which did help her a bit. Hopefully the second pill will help her even more.

We had a lovely time in Amish Country...I am uploading some pictures as I am writing this to put on here...as soon as I have some time.

Have a lovely Tuesday!

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• Apr. 26, 2009 - We are off to Amish Country...

Hopefully I can take some pretty pics of the farms and countryside...I love to visit there...it is so peaceful and makes me wish I could live this way.

This is the place that we are staying...it is very nice and I can't wait!

Aren't they neat??? There are six units in all, this is our third year going back. We are staying in the top of the middle one. It has a gorgeous view of hillsides and Amish farms...and you hear the clip clop of the horses and wheels of their carts all day long as they pass on the road behind you. Awesome!

This is from their web site...it is a play on the word homes...because we'll be in Holmes County...which is about an hour and a half from our house. This is a view from the back deck of each unit. We have a full kitchen so we can make dinner, because this area is pretty much shut down on a Sunday...I have food a ready, I am just going to put it in a cooler for the trip...for breakfast they leave a loaf of Amish bread and cinnamon rolls and a refrigerator stocked with juice, coffee, butter and homemade jam. (Yum)

And here is a picture of the main area of the suite we will be staying in...it is so pretty.

Have a blessed Sunday!

If you live in Ohio and want more info click on Holmes with a View

If you ever want to visit Ohio and our Amish Country...I highly recommend this place. The innkeepers are wonderful.

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• Apr. 25, 2009 - Ahhh...it is Saturday and warm and sunny and beautiful.

I think I have made it through the decaf (ing) period...because my head ache is gone and I don't feel as droopy. I was never addicted...but I had to have my morning coffee. I decided that I would find the perfect, full bodied flavor of decaf that I could find...and the first bag of coffee I bought is the ticket. It is by Caribou Coffee...my local grocery store carries it. I got the Caribou Decaf Blend...it is about medium on the roast degree indicator (that little place on the bag that shows you how dark the coffee is). I made the first pot and thought I was in heaven...LOL. It, seriously is wonderful. I won't do this to my husband...I don't think I could persuade him to go decaf...but he is home next week so maybe...what do you think honey??? (I know you read my blog...:)

But, seriously...I have figured out how to make one of those iced mocha drinks that starbucks has...yep, and Brittany and had one for breakfast this morning. I'll put my recipe below...just in case you'd like to try it.

We are blessed with an absolutely beautiful, beautiful Saturday. The temperature is to be 85...we have a mild breeze which feel like we are next to the ocean...which is amazing...the leaves are really popping out with all this sunshine and warm weather...the birds are singing and the woodpeckers are pecking (we live in a heavily wooded area with old oak trees...so the woodpeckers love it). I am sitting here checking on my friends and enjoying the breeze as it comes through the window where I am sitting. (ahhh, it's lovely!)

My sweetheart lands around 4...although, it looks like his flight may be delayed in Denver...so we'll just have to see about that. All is well though because he is coming home.

Have a blessed weekend everyone...I know I will!

Iced Mocha Cooler
(For 2)
1 1/2 cups of decaf coffee
1 1/2 cups of heavy cream
2 T of baking chocolate ( I used Hershey's)
1/2 cup of Splenda (or to taste)
a big handful of ice cubes...

I put all this in my blender, pulsed it to crush up the ice cubes it becomes thick and frothy and I am so happy that I can have this anytime I want.

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• Apr. 24, 2009 - TGIF...

I love Friday...it is my most favorite day of the week...I prefer the term Thank goodness it is Friday...but Brittany found me something better...Today God Is First. I love that even more...so this is what I refer my TGIF to. It is especially great because after being mom and dad for 5 days, packing in school and teaching our girl to drive...and being the usual limo service...and trying to maintain my home...I really need a day where I can stop, take a deep breath and reflect on putting Him first place.

Ok...so, my spring break has turned in to a fortnight...I didn't plan for that to happen but I forgot how tiring it is when you have totally unplugged and then everything starts back up again. We're on a roll now so it is all up from here.

Today brings in our first 80 degree day...we went from 40 something 2 days ago to 81...that is Ohio for you though...we could be back in the thirties with snow next week...so I'll take what I can get.

I'll post about our spring break later but I figured I'd catch myself up on this week first. First of all...I am decaf (ing) my body...and boy, this is not easy but I am on I think my 4th day. Yesterday, I had no oomph to do anything so I just sorta did a little this and a little that and when it was all said and done...I didn't accomplish anything. I hate days like that...do you have them too or is it just me???

Why would you do that to yourself some may ask...WELL, I have decided to change my eating habits because eating all this bread and stuff...as wonderful as it is, is making me feel well, bloated. SOOO...a while back ago( if I am being honest, it has been years ago)...I bought some of Suzanne Somer's books and she really makes a lot of sense so I have begun to Somersize. It is a low carbohydrate way of eating...but wait...before you judge me that I need to be eating carbs...your right...I can still have fruit and whole grain carbohydrates...I just can't mix carbohydrates and fat (protein). Because, according to her book...thiswill make the fat you eat (store as fat)...apparently, if you eat the fat...as in protein without carbs...your body will recognize it and burn it for fuel. She is all about balancing your hormones and since my entire life...my hormones have been unbalanced. I have nothing to lose but to give it a try. I guess Caffeine can raise your glycemic levels too...and when you don't eat high glycemic carbs like white flour, sugar, white potatoes and such...then your insulin levels can come down and your body can move into weight loss...which is at the bottom of me actually trying this method. I wanted to find something that I could actually live with and not tire of...I think this is it. I think I could give up my "grandmother bread" although it is hard for the sake of being thin...oh I hope!

Also, I have noticed quite a flux in my hormones since last summer...yep at 46 I am starting to feel the signs of peri menopause. Oh, how funny my body is (I am not laughing), now it finally wants to act like it should...where was it all those years I was trying to have a baby??? *sigh* I have been having night sweats and have noticed the I am a bit warmer than I used to be (yep, hot flashes)...so I read that caffeine, sugar and spicy foods can make it worse...I can't promise that I won't eat spicy foods...I love spicy foods but I am willing to put my body to a test...Somersizing, eliminating sugar and caffeine from my diet...I don't want to jump the gun but, I haven't had night sweats all week...maybe it will work. I'll keep you posted.

So...now that I have rambled and confused probably anyone who would read my little blog ...maybe this is what life is like without caffeine (oh, I hope not)...maybe my next post I'll make more sense.

Today God is First!

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• Apr. 14, 2009 - Taking a break...

Brittany and I are on Spring break this week. I decided to take a break from my blogging too. Just doing stuff that we never get to do because of all of our commitments. Have a great week everyone!

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• Apr. 12, 2009 - Happy Easter

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• Apr. 9, 2009 - Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that Christ died for me.

I am thankful that my husband and my daughter, my mom and my brother have all been saved along with my daddy who is in heaven waiting for us.

I am thankful that it is time for Spring break...

I am thankful for my dear sweet Sister/friend, Penny...for how we are able to talk about homemaking and "frugalness" (Is that even a word).

I am thankful for my new friends Kristy and Julie, that I have gotten to know on Facebook...they are such a blessing to me everyday.

I am thankful that my daughter is healthy again.

I am thankful that Brittany has been so compliant with us as we held her off to get her temporary license until now.

I am thankful that my husband loves me.

I am thankful that I have gotten to be a stay at home mom for all these years.

Thank you Jesus for what You did for us. For dying for us and pardoning our sin. Thank you that we have hope in You and You alone and that someday...we will be with you forever and ever.