OH MY GOSH!  I’m here in blog land!  Boy, I never thought this would happen.  I wasn’t even talented enough to get ON the site and then, all of a sudden here comes KRIS PRICE to the rescue.  What a blessing!  Thank you so very much Kris!  Kris designs and tweaks blogs for lots of people here on the blogger site.  If you want something a little different, or are just plain challenged like me, then jump over to Graphic Heaven Blog Design - http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/GraphicHeaven and talk to Kris.

I’m MARI (said Mary). Occasionally, and usually with good cause, I can be “quite contrary”!   I’m not exactly sure how this blog thingy will go but I’m willing to give it a try!  I am married to my best friend Steve.  We wed 19 years ago. He’s a Godly man and a hard worker. (translated: Works all the time) He has the gentlest and most forgiving spirit.   I’m homeschooling my high school aged son, Jon.  Jon is 16 going on 25 most days—other days oh,… 4?  If you’ve got a teen I think you can probably relateJ. My daughter Liz – 17 years old, graduated from homeschool last year and now dances with a professional ballet company close by. I sell ad space for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and really do have a blast getting to know new people and meeting their advertising needs. I’m always looking for NEW companies.  Anytime you hear of a brand new company with a product homeschoolers would like, please give me a heads up.

I went up to Tennessee last week with the rest of the TOS staff to hang out with Gena and Jen in a Log Cabin Lodge.  It was really a work session and we got a lot done AND we all had a fantastic time.  I was hired online 2 years ago and had NEVER met anyone in person—what a hoot!  It was so wonderful seeing how terrific these people really are.  I’m so encouraged to know that the people that are the driving force of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine AND Homeschool Blogger are such Godly examples for us all.  Their families (hubbies and children) are so full of grace and servanthood.  I can honestly say that I’m proud to work at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.

I got to help with breakfast one day –I think Friday.  Everyone complemented the recipe and asked me to post it so hear it is.

The French Toast Casserole 

2 tablespoons     light corn syrup

1/2 cup                butter

1 cup                   brown sugar

8-10 slices          french bread (thick slices)

5                           large eggs

1 1/2 cups            milk

1/2 teaspoon       vanilla

1/2 teaspoon        salt

1/2 teaspoon        cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly grease 9 x 13 pan. In saucepan, heat corn syrup, butter and brown sugar until melted.  Pour mixture into baking pan.  Place sliced bread over the mixture with sides touching (try not to leave any spaces between the slices).  In a large bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon.  Pour over bread and cover.  Refrigerate over night.  Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.  ENJOY!

My daughter is trying to learn to bake healthy breads- so I’m the hunt for some SIMPLE healthy bread recipes—any ideas?

That’s all for now—Blessings!