Keeping our family and friends updated about our life in distant lands. Sharing our faith, food, thoughts and daily goings-on. Along with lots of pictures of the kids. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 11 May 2007 10:10:00 -0500 Fri, 11 May 2007 10:10:00 -0500 Wow, I can actually post.  I have been locked out for months, and today I can post!  It was recommended that I try a different browser, Firefox, and it worked.  Wish I had tried it a long time ago.  For the few of you who don't know, I have been blogging over at http://2stepsright.blogspot.com/ , although I haven't been as good about posting as I hoped to be.  I just got a camera though, so maybe it will pick up. I had been reduced to emailing my blogging friends to comment to their posts.  And being someone with a lot more readers than commentors, I know how people miss the comments :) Well, that's it for now.  I need to run.  I just wanted to post, BECAUSE I CAN! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/327121/ Fri, 11 May 2007 10:10:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/327121/ Thank you to the men who served, dead and alive, to preserve America's freedom.     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/251858/ Thu, 7 Dec 2006 15:34:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/251858/ We are adding a new tradition to our celebration of the Christmas season this year.  As part of our ongoing effort to keep the eyes of our children and ourselves looking toward Jesus during this often crazily busy season, we are celebrating advent.    I found a really neat wreath with a symbol for each day of advent that is tied to a scripture reading.  Since yesterday was the first day of Advent, our first reading was last night.  None of us had ever done it before, but it was short and sweet and I really enjoyed it.  Advent is a time of preparation, and the first week is about hope.  We lit the first purple candle and read Genesis 1:24-28 and Romans 13:11-14 and a little devotional about our hope being in Jesus.    It inspired a nice talk about why we celebrate Christmas, and the unique opportunities to share the joy of the gospel that present themselves during this time.    Tonight we will light the first candle again and read Genesis 3:1-24 and 1 Cor. 1:3-9.  We're also going to sing "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus".    Next year I'm going to add a Jesse Tree.    Anyone else starting a new tradition this year?  Or have an old one they just love? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/249902/ Mon, 4 Dec 2006 12:42:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/249902/ Although fall is quickly sliding into winter, and winter has already arrived in many places, I wanted to share a few yummy fall apple recipes.   The first one is for Apple Pancakes with Yogurt and Apple Syrup   6 cups apple cider1 cup plain yogurt1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 teaspoon nutmeg6 tablespoons chunky applesauce2 cup whole-wheat pancake mix (I make my own)2 cup milk2 egg, slightly beaten (or 1 whole egg plus one egg white)6 tablespoons chunky applesauceCoconut or whatever oil you cook with Extra cinnamon for Garnish   First you need to make the syrup (it can be stored for up to a week in the fridge). You will need 6c of apple cider to make 1c of syrup.   Pour the cider in a pot that is large enough to be no more than half filled. Place the pan over high heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, a very slow boil, and cook for about 30 minutes. Cook until the cider is reduced to one cup. Set aside.   Next, in a small bowl, combine yogurt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 6 tablespoons applesauce. Refrigerate until ready to serve. In a large bowl, combine milk, eggs, and 6 tablespoons applesauce.   Stir in pancake mix. Mix well enough to moisten, do not over mix. If the batter is too thick add a little water. Heat a griddle over medium heat. When skillet is hot, lightly grease. Add batter, making medium pancakes, about 1/2 cup batter per pancake.   Cook until tiny bubbles form on top, peek under the edge, turn when pancake is golden brown and continue to cook. Place on a platter and keep pancakes and 4 serving plates warm in a heated oven. To serve; slightly overlap 5 pancakes on a warm plate. Drizzle Cider Syrup over the pancakes (about 1/2 cup) and top with a dollop of spiced Yogurt, garnish with an additional sprinkle of cinnamon. SOO Good!   Yield 4 servings.   I love baked apples, and they can be equally good for breakfast or dessert. Especially if you try to keep them a little healthy J   4 medium cooking apples ¼ cup currents or raisins¼ cup cranberries, fresh or dried, chopped2 tablespoons brown sugar or sucanat2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted½ teaspoon cinnamon¼ teaspoon nutmeg1/3 cup apple cider or apple juice4 tablespoons vanilla yogurt, optionalSprinkle of Cinnamon for garnish Core apples. I think it would work better to leave a little bit at the bottom (non-stem end) to help keep the filling in. You can use a paring knife. Put the cored apples in lemon water if you are afraid they will brown. In a medium bowl, combine currents, cranberries, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stuff each apple with spiced fruit mixture. Place apples in a greased 8x8-inch baking dish. Pour apple cider over apples. Bake 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes. Serve warm with a little concentrated apple cider or juice in the bottom of the pan. Top each apple with 1- tablespoon vanilla yogurt or cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired. For smaller serving, cut each apple in half and garnish. You can skip the cider and they will still be really good. Get creative with your fillings, you can use most anything you have on hand.   The next one is a salsa that is great with grilled or oven roasted chicken. Especially if you marinate the chicken in equal parts white wine and apple juice, with a dash of salt and pepper.   Salsa 2 cups Fuji apples, halved, cored and chopped3/4 cup (1 large) Anaheim chile pepper, seeded and chopped1/2 cup chopped onion1/4 cup lime juicesalt and pepper to taste It needs to be refrigerated an hour or so for the flavors to meld.   I haven’t made this one, but it looks interesting. Apple and Carrot Casserole 6 large carrots5 large Rome or York apples5 Tbsp. sugar5 Tbsp. flour1/2 tsp. nutmeg1 Tbsp. butter1/2 cup orange juice   Slice carrots thinly and cook in salted water for 5 minutes; drain. Slice apples and cook in clear water 5 minutes; drain.   Layer carrots and apples in casserole. Mix sugar, flour and nutmeg; sprinkle on top. Dot with butter. Pour orange juice over all. (Can be made ahead and baked just before serving). Bake 30-40 minutes in 350 oven. Makes 6 servings.   I also really like baked apples and potatoes   I just take one potato and half an apple per person, slice them fairly thin, and layer them in a greased baking dish. Each layer should have both potatoes and apples. Between each layer sprinkle some flour, salt and pepper, and a dash of nutmeg over the top.   When you get to the top, put a few dots of butter, grated parmesan cheese, and pour enough milk to cover. Sometimes a put a layer of cheese in the middle and add a couple of egg yolks to the milk.   You can also vary the seasonings, adding curry or creole seasoning is good. I’ve even added shredded, cooked chicken for an easy main dish.   Bake it at 375 for about an hour or until tender.   Fried Sweet Potatoes and Apples are really good   Enjoy!           http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/248322/ Fri, 1 Dec 2006 12:16:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/248322/ In an attempt to help my family that have, gasp, dial up, I am reducing the number of posts on each page.  It will make more pages, but perhaps it will load faster now and you will get to see all the pictures.   Let me know if it helps. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/247104/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:02:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/247104/ By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  John 13:35  Jesus tells us that it is our love that marks us as His disciples.  And what does that love look like?  Well, one thing we are told in 1 Cor. 13:4 is that love is longsuffering and kind.  I've read that many times, but Scott Brown shared some great thoughts by Jonathan Edwards that really put it in perspective.    He gives a list the kinds of offenses we should expect “unfairness, dishonesty, taking advantage, unfaithfulness, not fulfilling promises, asking unreasonable prices, neglecting to pay debts, unnecessarily putting neighbors in trouble. He says the worst and most common are “Some injure others in their good name, by reproaching or speaking evil behind their backs.. spreading false reports, misrepresent things, exaggerating faults, dislike or even hatred.” P61-62   I have been on the receiving end of many of these things, but I can't say that I often expected it.  Though I should have.  Not because we should expect the worst in people, but because we should expect the opportunity to show ourselves His disciples.  And we should be grateful for it.  Because it is not loving those who are kind and loving to me that shows Christ in me.  That is not long-suffering.  When we are told that love is long-suffering, we are being told that others will hurt us.  Often intentionally. And we are to respond with patience and humility, with love.  How easy it is for me to get angry, to feel offended and self-rightous.  How quick I am to forget the awful offense of my sin before my Heavenly Father, my absolute unworthiness, and His love and long-suffering for me.   What does it look like to be long-suffering?   Edwards goes on to say, "when the injuries we suffer are allowed to disturb our calmness of mind, and put us into an excitement and tumult, then we cease to bear them in the true spirit of long-suffering. If the injury is permitted to discompose and disquiet us, and to break up our inward rest, we cannot enjoy ourselves and are not in a state to engage properly in our various duties”. P67   When they disturb our calmness of mind.  Wow.  Like water off a ducks back should be the offenses against me.  And really, what is there to be upset about?  I am saved!  I am a daughter of the King, plucked from the darkness and set in the light.  Utterly undeserving, for there is no good in me but Christ.  I am completely capable of the basest of sins, it is only because God in His mercy has renewed my heart and mind that I can even contemplate long-suffering with joy.  So perhaps the key to long-suffering is gratitude.  For when our hearts are full of gratitude, there is no room for self-rightousness. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/246826/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 10:14:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/246826/ We had a very nice Thanksgiving this year.  Up until last year holidays were always big family affairs.  We were blessed to live so close to our families and we have really missed getting together with everyone.   But God has been merciful to us.  He could have moved us anywhere, but he put us here.  We are blessed to be in a church that feels like family.  And in our church is another family whose relatives are far away.  Interestingly enough, they share our name.  They are also Elliotts.  We invited them to spend the holiday with us and it made the day so special.  Holidays just aren't the same when you're alone, and this gave us a chance to get to know them a lot better.    We read Deut. 8:6-18 together, and we made scrolls with scripture or poetry and handed them out to all the readers.  Then we took turns reading them after the meal.  We talked about things we were thankful for, ate lots of great food, played a few games of volleyball, and visited well into the evening.    It was a special time of celebration and thanksgiving and we were very blessed by the friends God brought to us.   Oh, and I forgot to take one single picture.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/246641/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 08:38:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/246641/ Sunday night we went to the Riverwalk to see the lights.  Eli has been waiting to see the lights for about a month, maybe longer.  Kirstyn was coming for Thanksgiving, and since the lights go on the day after Thanksgiving I told Eli that the lights weren't on until Kirstyn came.  In his mind, this meant the lights were for Kirstyn.  He was so excited for her to come so they would turn the lights on.    The girls posed outside the Alamo     Chance trying to get Ezra to give the peace sign   On the way back to the van we passed a fire station.  There was a fireman out front so we asked if the kids could have a tour.  He was so great, he showed them all the trucks, opened compartments, told them how things worked. The boys thought it was very cool to get to be so close to the firetrucks.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/246632/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 08:42:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/246632/ I was trying to teach Eli some scripture to recite on Thanksgiving, but I got a late start and he didn't quite have it down.  He did, however, share a poem with me yesterday.   He strode up with great purpose and announced loudly, "I know a poem for you!"   "The grass is so low the sun is so high If you don't like this poem I will sock you in the eye!"   Complete with a punch of the fist and a menacing tone.   I asked where he learned his poem and he grinningly said, "Little House on the Prairie!" http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/246460/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 08:41:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/246460/ I can hardly believe Hailey is 10.  It has been such a joy to watch her grow.    It was my turn to do the birthday outing this year, so after the family breakfast we headed out.    We got her ears pierced and then went to Boerne to look in the antique shops.  A girl after my own heart!   We had ice cream sodas at the old fashioned ice cream parlor and shared a long talk about what God has been doing in our respective lives this past year and what it means to be a godly young woman.         The birthday blessing   Kirstyn gave Hailey her old Elsie Dinsmore books (unread!) Hailey was thrilled   She has wanted a fancy tea cup for a very long time     Another Costco dessert.  We picked it up on our way home   It seems just yesterday she was a tiny babe in my arms.  I am blessed to be her mother.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/246401/ Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:18:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elliott10/246401/