I went on a decluttering spree this week of my bedroom bookcases.  I'm now less bundles of homeschooling magazines and oodles of books.  What a great tackle!  Normally it's very difficult for me to part with books I own but not that day.  I was on a mission and very single minded about it. 

Here are just a few of the books that I cleared from my shelves.  If you or someone you know would be interested, please contact me at timbuck2mom@yahoo.com.  All prices include shipping.

The Philosophy of the Christian Curriculum by Rousas John Rushdoony - This book has some highlighting and underlining the first 16 pages, otherwise in very good condition. $15.00

The Language Wars and Other Writings for Homeschoolers by Ruth Beechick - This book is creased in upper right corner.  Pages are clean with no writing or underlining.  Very good condition. $5.00

For Instruction in Righteousness: A Topical Reference Guide for Biblical Child-Training by Pam Forster - This spiral-bound book has crease in bottom right corner.  Pages are clean with no writing or underlining.  Very good to Like New condition. $25.00

Encyclopedia of Bible Truths for School Subjects by Association of Christian Schools International  - Name stamped inside otherwise no markings on pages.  Like new condition.  $45.00

Simpler Times by Thomas Kinkade - Dust Jacket has small tear on back otherwise book is in very good condition.  $5.00

The Whole Hearted Child by Clay & Sally Clarkson - This book is well worn with highlighting throughout.  Acceptable condition. $7.00

The Christian Mom's Idea Book by Ellen Banks Elwell - Cover shows slight wear.  Pages clean.  Good to Very Good condition. $5.00

Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers by Douglas Bond - Cover shows shelf rubbings. Very good condition. $5.00

When You Rise Up by R.C. Sproul Jr. - Cover shows shelf rubbings. Very good condition. $5.00

Boys and Girls Playing and Other Addresses to Young Children by John Charles Ryle - Very good condition. $5.00

Reminder - All prices include shipping.

To join Tackle It Tuesday #155 go here.

Copyright 2009 Treasuring the Moments

I always used to look younger than my actual age.  People would tell me that I would like that when I got older but I was so sure that I just wanted to look my age - not older - but just my age.  Apparently, my wish has come true and maybe even more than what I wished for.

I was purchasing a children's cowboy belt the other day when the cashier said, "Is this for your son or grandson?"  Okay, lady.  Do I look like some marshmallow that you can say anything to?  Of course, I would never say any such thing so I took my second option and just smiled sweetly.

When I came home and was bemoaning the whole incident, my daughter thought she would be kind and helpful and offer me a suggestion - a way to be young again - "Well, why don't you get a face lift?"

I'm still trying to recover from this blow to my pride comment that was meant to be helpful.

I love you anyways pioneergirl.

If I can pull myself away from the tissue box and get a hold of myself I'll try to be back Tuesday with a job I tackled this week.

Copyright 2009 Treasuring the Moments

We are now less a steer, lamb and pig on our little farm since 4-H EXPO was just this past Wednesday - Saturday.  I love EXPO which is where all the 4-H'ers and FFA members bring the animals they've raised to show them in classes for confirmation and showmanship.  On Saturday there is a big auction and all animals are sold.  It's really a fun and exciting time.

This year was a great year for us. 

Seth won Grand Champion Steer for confirmation as well as Reserve Grand Champion Showman.

This was Seth's last year in 4-H;  he's been in it for 10 years.  This year he named his steer Adios (which means goodbye in Spanish) as a farewell.  What an exciting way for him to finish.

Here Serenity is with some of her friends in the waiting pen getting ready to show their lambs. (Serenity's on the far left.)

They all did great!  Serenity won Grand Champion Lamb and her friend on the right won Reserve Grand Champion Lamb.  Mendy, on the left, goes to church with us and she didn't place BUT she helped us find the lamb Serenity showed.  She's a veritable sweetheart.  She's won Reserve Grand Champion Lamb twice in prior years.

Serenity now has one of those BIG belt buckles you see cowboy/cowgirls wearing.  Serenity also won Reserve Grand Champion Showman for Lamb (in the junior division).

I didn't get a single picture of Wesley with his pig.  He did not place but he did get pulled out in the final drive for consideration of Grand Champion Showman.  Good job, Wesley. 

Future 4-H'ers.   Justus and Audrey are the 3rd and 4th from the left.

Copyright 2009 Treasuring the Moments

20 years ago Russell and I tied the knot.  But it was a double knot tied that day for my sister was married also.

She was 25 and I had just turned 20.

In some ways it feels like a lifetime ago and in others it seems only a few years.

Dad bore it all quite well.  He was dealing with quite a bit.  Marrying off two daughters and having a wife (my mom) having a mastectomy just 3 weeks prior.

Looking back I think I was so young and naive.  Thankfully, God was directing my footsteps and gave me a wonderful man to share my life with.  My dear husband has helped me grow stronger as a person and has always believed in me.  I had so many hang-ups when we married but he has faithfully encouraged me through the years.  Thanks dear-heart.

Happy day

Towards evening, when the reception was winding down, Russell and I made our get-away in a helicopter.  That was a fun and memorable moment.  Everyone's hair was blowing along with their skirts.  It was like something out of a movie.

Thanks for joining me in a tribute to our 20 years of marriage.  Alas, we won't be doing anything special today for we'll be down at the rodeo grounds with our children for the next 4 days while they show and sell their animals for 4-H.  We'll be hot, dusty and tired but that's all part of marriage, too.  Twenty years later we are a family now with 6 kids.  Blessed we are!

An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow.  ~Author Unknown

Copyright 2009 Treasuring the Moments

The wedding that saw so much preparation is over and I have to say it was probably the nicest wedding I have been to (at least that I can remember). 

But let me show some pictures of the days leading up to the event and then I'll throw in a few of the wedding.

The rehearsal dinner was held at our place.  Much preparation went into getting everything ship-shape.  But then the day of - it started snowing and it was quite chilly. 

This picture shows the snow coming down. (if you look real hard)

I knew I could not seat 70 people inside my house but I figured we would try.  While I was figuring out the seating at home, Russell was at rehearsal working on the song he was singing for the wedding and Audrey was having fun practicing walking up the aisle as a flower girl.

The front of the church was decorated with brown material and paper lanterns with flowers.

Back at home I stretched out our dining room table to its full extent which would then hold 20 people, pushed the living furniture back against the walls and set up 2 banquet tables and placed 1 table in the library/schoolroom.  That was as much seating as I could provide.

Where would the food be served from?  I placed the plates and silverware on my entry way bureau (you know the bureau I'm talking about - the one with my garish gorgeous spring decor of eggs?)  I placed a small serving table in the entry way/hall and a few feet away another table in the living room.

You can probably guess what happened if you live in Arizona.  It stopped snowing and the sun came out!  But it was still quite chilly outside so all efforts were not wasted, although I was so hot from running around I could have ate outside in my short sleeves.

The mother of the groom served a lovely supper.  The family are commercial fisherman in Canada so they brought fresh pickeral for the meal.  I should amend that to say it had been frozen, which in their books causes the quality of the fish to drop.  It's not fresh any longer.  It was still delicious to eat and I didn't see anyone having a problem with it being previously frozen.

Oh dear, what is this?  My niece, who was one of the bridesmaids, doesn't look so good.  But all was well on the day of the wedding when they used some make-up to cover up the effects of her fight.   

Just kidding!

Walleyball was played that night while some stayed in the house to visit and still others braved the cold to sit around the campfire.

The rehearsal dinner was held two days before the wedding so Friday was a quiet day except instead of getting everything out in preparation - it was time to put it back away.

The day of the wedding was beautiful.  The weather had warmed 20° with no wind.

I don't have many good pictures of the wedding but here are a few acceptable ones.

The bride dealing with some last minute crisis.

These boys are becoming pro ushers.  They were given several compliments for how well they took care of everything.

Justus was the greeter.  When Audrey was first asked to be the flower girl, Justus went to his aunt and while snuggling up to her said, "I could be the ring bearer because then I could practice with Audrey."  The aunt already had another ring bearer so she figured she had better find him a job.

The get-away car was adorable - a smaller red convertible volkswagon with a "Just Married" sign across the back and some coke cans dragging from the bumper.

Serenity with her aunt and new uncle. 

 What a wonderful occasion!

Copyright 2009 Treasuring the Moments

I think I tackled a little bit of everything this week as I'm planning for a rehearsal dinner and guests in my home for my sister-in-law's upcoming wedding.  Even so, there is one particular area that I cleaned that I will post for my tackle this week.

My coat closet.  Oh, my!  The good news is that even though it looks quite bad it only took about 5-10 minutes to clean up. 

 I think Flylady would be proud of me.

To see what others tackled this week go here.

Copyright 2009 Treasuring the Moments

I found a neat idea over at BeingFrugal.net.  It's called Resurrection Cookies.  A hands-on activity of the story of the resurrection that I think will stick with the little ones.

I'm posting the recipe directly from Being Frugal.net.

Resurrection Cookies

• 1 cup whole pecans (we use walnuts)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch salt
• 1 cup sugar
• Plastic Ziploc Baggie
• Wooden spoon
• Rolling pin
• Tape
• Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. (Do this before doing anything else.)

• Place nuts in baggie and beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3
• Open the vinegar and let everyone smell it. Put 1 teaspoon into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, all He was given to drink was vinegar. Read John 19:28-30
• Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11
• Put a little salt into each person’s hand. Let them taste it, then brush the rest into the bowl. (If you have lots of kids, put a pinch of salt in yourself, and then let each child taste the salt…otherwise there will be too much salt in the recipe)  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27
• So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Sprinkle a little sugar into each person’s hand. Let them taste it, then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
• Beat with mixer on high speed for 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents our purity in God’s eyes because our sins are cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18
• Fold in nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60
• Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and TURN THE OVEN OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door shut. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66
• Now go to bed.  Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.  Read John 16:20 and 22
• On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the third day, Jesus followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9

A great decorator I'm not.  My latest blunder was made after I saw a picture in Martha Stewart's Living magazine of lightly colored eggs sitting on raffia to announce the arrival of Spring.  Then there was all those gals over at Southern Hospitality blog who had so many creative ideas for Spring.  They were all so inspiring I got to thinking I could do it too. 

I was so excited to do something a little different.

First, I boiled my eggs.  Then I dyed them.  Now, how much green to put in the water/vinegar mix?  I decided to squeeze quite a few drops.

I dipped the eggs in, one at a time.  Hmmm, the color is not quite what I had in mind.  I thought a very soft green hue would be just fine.  This is rather bright.  (starting to get a little concerned it might not look so good)

The eggs were set aside to dry.

Then I carried them with great anticipation to the entryway where my colored eggs would give a whole new look for Spring.  (anticipation is building).  I placed the eggs into a nest my daughter had found in one of the bushes around our house. Oh, I hope it's going to look great.

NOT!

I tried putting them on a stand  like Martha showed.  Still no good.  I don't think there's any hope for these garish eggs.  These eggs do not look quite natural like I was intending but instead just the opposite!  

There probably is some such color in South America and if I had just returned from there maybe I could have gotten away with it.  But I don't think these are going to work.  What do you think?

Copyright 2008 Treasuring the Moments

The children's Sunday School teacher had the inspiration to do a play about Esther several years ago.  Her dream finally came to fruition Saturday when the play was finally performed.  She and all the children did an outstanding job.

From looking at Wesley's face, I would say they enjoyed it.

King Ahasuerus servant has just been told by Queen Vashti to tell the King to "Go jump in the lake."

After the King rids himself of Vashti he looks for another lady fit to be Queen.  This maiden has perfumed herself so much the smell fills the room causing the King some discomfort.

Justus was the royal fanner.

The King has just commanded Haman to give honor to Mordecai.  Haman is not very happy about this.

One of the girls became creative with their relish tray for the refreshments served afterwards. (What shape do you see?)

And finally, the weekend was finished with a couple visiting us from Germany while  on their honeymoon.  Both recently had birthdays, one while flying over on the plane.  I thought a little blackberry cobber was in order.  Blackberries from my mother's garden.  Thanks, mom.  You are amazing.  The recipe for this delicious cobbler can be found here.

Now, what does the Lord have in store for us this week ?

Copyright 2008 Treasuring the Moments

To make a mosaic stepping stone you will need the following supplies:

stepping stone

tile (you can use flat stones as well)

hammer

chalk

Thinset

notched trowel (to apply Thinset)

grout

rubber float (to apply grout)

sponge

We had the Thinset, grout and other tools already so this helped on the expense.  Maybe you could borrow some of the tools from a neighbor or other acquaintance.

Okay, here we go.

Step 1:  Using the chalk draw your picture on the stepping stone.  TIP - Use simple uncomplicated designs.

Careful there, Cowboy.  You don't want to mess with the artist.

Step 2:  Break the tile up with the flat side of the hammer, placing the tile pretty side down.

Step 3:  Apply Thinset to the area you plan to work and then start to place your broken tile pieces.  Leave about 1/8" space between pieces for grout.

Step 4: Keep applying Thinset and your tile pieces till the design is finished.

Step 5:  Leave to dry overnight.

Step 6:  After the Thinset has dried, mix your grout and apply it to stone with the rubber float (it looks like a trowel with rubber on its flat surface).  Move the trowel back and forth across the tile to work the grout in.

Step 7:  After grouting go over the top of your design with a wet sponge until it is clean.

This project cost me a total of $15.58 or $3.90 per stepping stone.  This does not include the grout, Thinset and tools since we already had them on hand.

Justus's was the most imaginative stone.  This is an antelope.  I think.  Or maybe it's an elk.  I'll have to check with him.  Correction - My daughter tells me it's a deer.

Appreciating his artwork.  

Serenity did a lamb on her stone since she's raising one for 4-H.

Wesley made a horse design.

Zachary settled on a sun. 

This was a fun project.  I think the children were surprised at how nice they turned out.

Copyright 2008 Treasuring the Moments