Jan. 23, 2008 - From My Kitchen to Yours

This soup is perfect for those cold winter evenings~~and it's super easy to make in a slow cooker.  Enjoy!

Savory Pea Soup with Sausage

8 oz. smoked sausage, cut lengthwise into halves, then cut into 1/2 inch peices

2 cans (14 1/2 oz each) chicken broth

1 package (16 oz) dried split peas-sorted and rinsed

3 medium carrots, sliced

2 ribs celery, sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves

1 bay leaf

Heat small skillet over medium heat; add sausage; cook 5 to 8 minutes or until browned.  Drain well.  Combine sausage and remaining ingredients in slow cooker.  Cover and cook on Low 4 to 5 hours or until peas are tender.  Turn off the heat.  Remove and discard bay leaf.  Cover and let stand 15 minutes to thicken.  Makes 6 servings.

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Jan. 16, 2008 - Wordless Wednesday-Spaghetti Night

To Particiapte in Wordless Wednesday go here.

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Jan. 14, 2008 - More than Rubies Monday

This is my first time participating in More Than Rubies Monday (click the button above to learn more) -I'm not sure if I'll do it every week-when I get on to blog-I somehow end up spending all of my free time reading other people's blogs and then I don't have time to write one of my own!! :) 

This week's topic was sharing ways that we organizie our homes and families.  I have to be honest-I am probably not the best organized person.  When I used to work (outside the home) I was an assistant manager at a bank and I was EXTREMELY organized.  Somehow that organizing did not transfer itself to my home.  I think the biggest reason I was so organized at work was because once I got something done-it usually stayed done.  Not so at home.  I'm sure all of you have the experience of doing something, doing it well and then having to turn around and do it again 20 minutes later!! :)

That being said-I'm not COMPLETELY disorganized.  I've discovered that things run smoothly around here if we stick to a routine.  Not a schedule-a routine-I don't have any fancy calendars, organizers or planners-I really don't need them because we try to do the same thing every day.  I HATE trying to schedule every minute of our day and it never seems to go that way anyway-so other than a wall calendar and a couple of Lesson Planning forms for homeschool-that's pretty much the extent of it!

Our routine pretty much goes like this-we spend the morning eating breakfast, doing chores and having Bible time and Craft time.  The kiddos usually have some free time before lunch, during which I try to get a few chores done.  After lunch, Ally lays down for a nap, Benjamin and I lay down together and I read and sing to him until he falls asleep.  My oldest son and I then spend the afternoon having school.  We usually do the "three rs" Monday-Thursday-Friday he does some review worksheets and we do Science and History.  I usually have an hour or two to myself before the "babies" get up-and then we start our evening/dinner routine.

This has worked out pretty well for us so far this year!  I use this website to print a few planning forms if anyone's interested!! 

Take care and good luck with your organizing!!

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Jan. 14, 2008 - From My Kitchen to Yours

Herbed Chicken Fettucine

1-2 t salt-free seasoning blend

1 t poultry seasoning

1 lb. boneless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch strips

2 T olive oil

4 T butter or margarine

2/3 cup water

2 T teriyaki sauce

2 T dry onion soup mix

1 envelope savory herb and garlic soup mix, divided (Lipton's)

8 oz uncooked fettucine

2 T grated Parmesan

1 T worchestershire sauce

Sprinkle seasoning blend and poultry seasoning over chicken.  In a skillet, saute chicken in oil and 2 T butter for 5 minutes or until done.  Add the water, teriyaki sauce, onion soup mix and 2 T herb and garlic soup mix.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.  Cook fettucine, drain.  Add to chicken mixture.  Add cheese, worchestershire sauce and remaining herb and garlic soup mix-toss to coat. 

Enjoy!!

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Jan. 9, 2008 - Back to School/Post Card Exchange

  We have had a wonderful holiday season.  Danny took the ENTIRE month of December off which was a great blessing.  We were able to spend lots of time together as a family and it was nice having him around for a change!!  As nice as it was though..I must admit..I'm ready to get back to normal so to speak. 

We started school again this week and have pretty much fallen into our regular routine again.  We have some little things that we are going to do this semester that we are looking forward to-we are considering joining a Homeschool bowling team-the few times we've gone as a family, my oldest Caleb had a great time.  Physical education is one aspect of home educating that I struggle with.  Especially in the winter when it's really too cold to go outside.  I'm afraid I'm not very creative in that area.  Rousing games of hide and seek and follow the leader is about as far as it goes.  If anyone has any suggestions for indoor play-I'd love to hear them!! 

We are also looking forward to the Postcard Exchange, thanks to Pam-it's a great way to learn geography, practice handwriting and learn letter writing skills.  :)  If anyone is interested-check out her blog here.  Leave Pam a comment if you would like to exchange postcards with her son.  Please leave me a comment if you would also like to exchange with my son.  I will e-mail you privately to exchange mailing address. 

Well, I guess that about wraps it up for today!  Take care.

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Dec. 18, 2007 - Christmas Letters

Christmas letters-I've always hated them.  I know, I know-I'm a cynical old Scrooge and I don't know how or why I developed this dislike-but alas-it is what it is.  I suppose the main reason I dislike them so much is that most of them just come off so....I can't even think of the right word right now.  It's like this:

I run out to the mailbox.  Our mail comes about 2 in the afternoon-which is good because that gives me half a chance to be showered and dressed.  (I have 3 small children-no other explanation should be neccessary)  After spending a typically hectic morning doing chores, seeing that children get dressed and fed and educated, I really look forward to my few minutes alone checking and browsing through our mail.  We never really get anything exciting-but just the peace and quiet is wonderful.  Ahh...a Christmas letter-I sit down to read some version of the following:

Dear Family and Friends,

We have (as usual) had another busy but wonderful year.  We would like to share a few highlights:

Father has recieved another promotion and we are all so very proud of him.  He not only works very hard at his job, but also is heavily involved in the local community and our church-where he serves on several boards and is generally looked up to by all that know him.

Mother is keeping busy with the little ones at home.  She homeschools all of them and is overjoyed at the success each child is showing in their schoolwork.  When she's not cooking, cleaning, teaching, nursing,  and generally mananging our household, she has found time to volunteer with the local Red Cross, the Women's Mission and participates in the Sewing Circle.  She also teaches Sunday School, sings in the choir at church, and makes care packages to send to our college students.  She hasn't gained any weight this year-maintaining the perfect size 4 she was when she walked down the aisle, and of course is always cheerful and pleasant with a smile on her face at all times.

Little Johnny, our pride and joy has excelled in his schooling this year.  He is now studying German, French, Italian and Spanish and we have added Calculus to the mix this year.  It is so amazing that our little first grader is so talented.  When Johnny isn't studying, he's probably practicing his violin, trumpet or saxaphone-in between soccer practice and karate, of course. We have recieved our first phone call from an NBA basketball scout and we are looking into hiring an agent for next year. 

(to see updates on the rest of the children-see page 13) 

As hard as it is to believe, we have had a sad event this year.  Muffin, our beloved dog of 22 years passed away.  He will be missed by us all and we will never forget when he saved all of our lives by alerting us of the fire in the house while we were sleeping.  Yes.....even our pets are extraordinary and deserve a mention in our annual Christmas letter. 

We were able to tour Europe this year for our vacation.  We thought it would be a nice change of pace seeing as we go to Martha's Vineyard every other year.  We all had a wonderful time and took lots of photographs-which we will include with this letter. 

Sincerely,

The Perfect Family 

PS.  Oh yeah-hope you have a Merry Christmas and all that.

I guess my biggest beef with Christmas letters is that they only reflect the positives-not very encouraging to someone who's just had a really bad day or is going through a rough time.  One of my favorite authors agrees with this opinion and one year she wrote what she called a "reality Christmas letter"  on her website.  Stay tuned for my "reality Christmas letter" in a future blog!  Merry Christmas-and please- for my friends who might read-please don't stop sending me Christmas letters.  ( I like the pictures)  :)

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Dec. 17, 2007 - Recipe of the Week!! :)

This is really probably more of a "fall" recipe than a Christmas time one-but it's really good-so I thought I'd share anyway!!

Slow-Cooker Blueberry-Blackberry Cobbler

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1/4 t cinnamon

2 slightly beaten eggs

2 T cooking oil

2 T milk

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1 t orange peel

Stir together first five ingredients.  Combine eggs, oil and milk.  Add to dry mixture.  Stir just until moistened.  Spread evenly in the bottom of slow-cooker.  In a medium saucepan, combine berries, sugar, water and orange peel.  Bring to a boil.  Pour hot fruit over batter.  Cover and cook on high for 2 -2 1/2 hours.  Let stand 30 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!!

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Dec. 13, 2007 - Happy Holidays? or Merry Christmas!!

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Dec. 10, 2007 - From My Kitchen to Yours

I've noticed that a lot of people participate in various "Menu Plan Mondays" -but I liked the idea one blogger had of sharing a recipe every week-so hopefully that will be my Monday post from now on!! :)  Hope you enjoy the following:

Smoky Red Beans and Rice

1/2 lb. dried red beans                                           2 cloves garlic, minced

6 c water, divided                                                     2 T parsley, chopped

3/4 c onion, chopped                                               1 bay leaf

1/2 c celery, chopped                                               1/2 t salt

1/2 c green pepper, chopped                                  1/2 t red pepper flakes

1/2 lb. smoked Polish sausages, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

hot cooked rice

Combine dried red beans and 3 cups water in a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil;  reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes.  Remove from heat; cover and let stand one hour.  Drain well.  Return beans to saucepan.  Add remaining 3 cups water, onion and the rest of ingredients-excluding sausage and rice.  Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 2 hours or until beans are tender, stirring occasionally.  Add sausage and simmer, uncovered an additional 30 minutes.  Remove and discard bay leaf.  Serve over hot cooked rice and with Country Corn Cakes.  (below)

Country Corn Cakes

10 oz pkg. frozen corn, thawed              1 egg, lighly beaten

2 T onion, finely chopped                        2 T butter of margarine, melted

2 T celery, finely chopped                        1/4 t salt

2 oz jar diced pimiento, drained              1 3/4 c self-rising corn meal

1 1/2 c buttermilk                                        1/4 c vegetable oil, divided

Finelly chop 1/2 cup corn.  Combine chopped corn and unchopped corn, onion, celery, pimiento, buttermilk, egg, butter and salt-stir well.  Gradually add cornmeal, stirring just until moistened.  Heat 2 T oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Pour 1/4 cup batter into skillet for each corn cake, cooking 3-4 cakes at a time.  Cook 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden.  Drain cakes onto paper towels.  Repeat with remaining batter and adding oil to skillet, if needed.  Cool.

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Dec. 6, 2007 - Fun with Snow

We had our first snowfall of the year yesterday-and we got a good couple of inches.  It worked out perfectly because I had just picked up a couple of books from the library- "Winter Day Play" by Nancy F. Castaldo and a book of winter poems by Jane Yolen.  (we love her!!)  So here are a few ideas/activities for snowy days:

***Snow Painting-Fill various spray/squirt bottles with water and put a few drops of food coloring into each one-give them to your kids and let them go outside and "paint" the snow.  (tip-the blue food coloring didn't show up very well on the snow)

Both boys LOVED doing this-Benjamin had an easier time with the squirt bottles versus the spray. :)

***The Great Thaw Experiment**  Have your child fill a measuring cup with snow.  (don't fill beyond the top line)  Record the amount of snow on a piece of paper.  Bring the measuring cup inside and empty the snow into a small pot.  Heat the snow until it melts.  Pour the water from the pot back into the measuring cup-Write down your results.  (I had Caleb illustrate the experiement as well)  This experiment will show how much water can be found in melting snow.

Facts/Questions/Expanded activity ideas:

Snow from the mountains melts druing the spring thaw to fill rivers, lakes and streams.  We use the water for many things-ask your child to think of five.

Try the experiment again after another snowfall.  You might find that you have more or less water after you melt your snow than the last time-the amount of moisture in the snow varies depending on the weather conditions during the snowfall. 

Generally, the rule of thumb is that for every 10 inches of snow there would be 1 inch of rain or water.

****Snow Globes***

This is a fun craft for a stay inside day- you will need cleaned, label removed baby food jars, waterproof glue, small plastic animals/trees (we used mini Christmas ornaments from the Dollar Store) Glitter, Water, 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil and craft glue.

Use the waterproof glue to attach animals/trees to the inside lid of the baby food jar.  Add some glitter to the jar and fill it with water (about 2/3 full)  Add vegetable oil to the water.  Apply craft glue to the outside rim of the jar.  (don't get glue inside the jar)  Screw on the lid and let dry completely.  (about an hour)  Turn your snowglobe over and watch it sparkle!!!

Have a great day and enjoy your snow!!! :)

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Dec. 5, 2007 - Mailbox Mishaps

Yesterday as I sat at our computer upstairs my eyes wandered to the window-just in time to watch my neighbor across the street back out of her driveway and knock our mail box over with her van.  I just sat there and watched.  First, she totally missed the street and backed straight into the mailbox.  She then pulled back up into her driveway.  She got out of her van and looked at the mailbox-then inspected the back of her van.  At this point, I was curious to see if she was going to come and tell me.  She went inside, and another woman came out and walked down to the mailbox.  They both looked at it together for minute or two and then the lady tried to pick it up and put it back in it's hole-in so doing, I watched all my mail fall out of the box.  At this point-I was pretty amused.  This neighbor is an elderly woman who LOVES to talk and who cares for her disabled husband.  Anyway.....they shove my mail back into the box, decide it's a lost cause-my neighbor gets into her van and drives away.. (yes that's right) and the other lady went back into the house.  I called my husband and we kind of laughed together about it.  (he was slightly more annoyed than amused)

Then....a few hours later my neighbor calls me.  I saw her number on the caller id and figured-"Oh, she's calling to tell me about the mailbox."  This is what she said to me-"Hi, Elizabeth-I just wanted to let you know that this morning when I was backing out of my driveway, I noticed your mailbox lying on the ground-I didn't know if you'd seen it or not-and I wanted to let you know so you wouldn't think I did it." 

It took all I had in me not to just burst out laughing.  The poor little old lady probably shouldn't be driving anymore!! :)  I just thanked her for letting me know and told her my husband would get it fixed as soon as he could.  She very nicely offered to let me use her mail box until my hubby could fix it. 

Tonight, as my husband and I were looking out our front window at the freshly fallen snow..we noticed tire tracks-right on the path of our mail box.  Good thing we hadn't  put up the new one yet!!!!! :) 

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Dec. 4, 2007 - Happy Aniversary!!

My husband and I will celebrate nine years together next week-so I've been taking a few walks down memory lane the past few days. :)  It really doesn't seem like we've been married for that long.  I guess time flies when you're having fun.  We met when I was 15-he was 14.  Danny and my brother were friends in high school-and I eventually won the ongoing fight my brother and I had going for Danny's attention! :)  We "dated" and broke-up several times.  (I still smile when I remember my youngest sister asking why Danny and I got divorced after one of our break ups)

We got together for the final time in 1996 and eventually decided to give in and get married.  I'm really kidding.  It was a little bit more romantic then that-not much, but a little.  So, we tied the knot on December 12, 1998-I was 20 and he was only 19.  (what were we thinking?) 

So...nine years and three children later, I still love him with all my heart.  He was and always will be my "knight in shining armor".  (the nick name he recieved from my mom)  I am so grateful the Lord has brought us together. 

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Nov. 19, 2007 - I'm Thankful For..

As part of celebrating Thanksgiving, we did a little art project today.  I gathered up a bunch of old magazines and we worked on cutting out pictures that represent some of what we are thankful for.  We then glued them onto individual "collages"  Here is our handiwork:

Caleb's Collage

Mine

Benjamin was mostly thankful for glue.  :) 

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Nov. 19, 2007 - To Everything a Season

"Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?"  Job 38:31

The Lord has questioned Job concerning the wonders of the earth and the sea, and the variety of meteorological conditions.  Now He bids Job to look up and behold the glory of the sky at night.  He speaks to him of Pleiades and Orion, two star groups that have a special seasonal significance.

Orion is seen at its best in the autumn of the year and heralds the approach of winter.  Pleiades, a cluster of seven stars  intensely bright and beautiful, appears in the middle of April and announces the coming of spring, the time of bursting forth of life, vitality, and colour.  In Greek, Pleiades is associated with sailing, implying that safe travel on the seas could now be assured.  Thus the Lord is actually saying to Job, "Can you stop the arrival of winter, with its frost and cold and sense of deadness?  On the other hand, in any year, can you prevent the sweet approaches of spring?"

Every year has its seasons and times that must run their appointed course.  As such, they must be accepted from the hand of our all-wise, all-holy, all-powerful God, who rules and reigns in the affairs of all men and who works all things for the good of those who trust in Him.  That is the teaching in these words.  Every year has a winter season.  No one can halt the bands of Orion.  Every year, even in the lives of those who know Christ, there are upsets, trials, disappointments, and days of heartache and trouble.  "Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward." (Job 5:7)  Nevertheless, as in the natural realm , so in the spirtual; every year has its springtime, a time of refreshing from the hand of our bountiful God.  He gives us moments of blessings and joy.  No year is all winter.  Orion does not rule forever.  In our own lives as believers, thank God, we experience the sweet influence of Pleiades.  Therefore let us rest upon the mercies and faithfulness of our blessed Redeeemer, who gives us what is meet for us in every season.

(Taken from Eagles' Wings)

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Nov. 8, 2007 - This and That

I watched a really good movie last night-The End of the Spear.  It's about the five missionaries to Ecuador who were murdered in the jungle and it follows the story of the son of one the missionaries and the person who murdered his father.  I had heard the story before, but it was good to be reminded of how much these men loved those people and were willing to sacrifice their lives in order to spread the gospel.  My favorite part was when Stevie (the little boy) , worried about his father's safety, fearfully asks his father if the missionaries will use their guns if the natives attacked them.  The father replied, "We can't shoot them-they aren't ready for heaven, but we are."  I just thought that was really powerful. 

On to other things-I've been fighting a cold this week, so needless to say, the house has suffered.  I woke up actually feeling better and more energized, so I got the bug to clean things out and to re-organize a lot of our "stuff".  I read an article recently in a mother's magazine that talked about our dwellings or our homes.  The author emphasized the need to live "fully" in our spaces.  She then described her experience of re-evaluating her house.  She decided to purge anything that wasn't being used and to purpose to actually use the things that were left.  (one example was some pretty guest towels that no one was ever allowed to use or touch.)  It was an interesting article-and one that inspired me to get rid of our dining room and make it a school room.  We have a big kitchen table that we can usually fit our company around-and we aren't really formal dining room kind of people anyway.  The school room has been really nice.  Eventually, I'd like to line the back wall with shelves and make it kind of a library/classroom. 

Anyway...back to my day.  I tackled the "babies" room.  I cleaned out their closet-and ended up purging 3 big trash bags, 1 box and 1 large laundry basket of....CLOTHING.  We were swimming in it.  I had boxes and boxes in their closet of stuff I was saving for another baby if we ever have another one.  I decided I really didn't need everything I was saving-and it seems like new babies generate new clothing through gifts from family and friends anyway.  I narrowed it down to 1 baby-girl clothing box and 1 baby boy clothing box.  I also had 1 box of Caleb's stuff that might fit Benjamin one day.  I have to admit-it felt pretty good getting rid of all that extra stuff.  I gave 1 bag to my sis-in-law that just had a baby, another one to my sis-in-law that's expecting a baby and I gave the box to a girl in my church who's expecting a baby.  I took 1 bag to Goodwill, and the basket I'm going to take to a kid's resale shop near me.  Whew...their closet is pretty much empty now.  :)  Yay!

My next project...our closet.  Yuck.  Anyway...for anyone reading -Have a great day! :)

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Nov. 7, 2007 - Holiday Cookie Recipes-Enjoy

Got this from my sis-in-law, and thought I'd share.

Just click on the name of the cookie and bam the recipe is there. Good to keep handy
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1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps AngenetsApplesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight BrowniesBuccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip CookiesChocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar CookiesGum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) KifflingsKiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies<

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Nov. 6, 2007 - Picture Day!

Back in the spring, my mother-in-law bought each of my three children little sailor outfits.  Caleb's was a navy suit that had a Captain's hat, Alyssa also had a little hat and dress and Benjamin's was a shirt/shorts thing.  She REALLY REALLY wanted me to have pictures done with the kids in their outfits.  I kept putting it off-but my mil is VERY persistent-so this past weekend, I decked them all out and my dad and I drove down to the Canal to get some pictures.  My dad has a new toy, oops, I mean camera that he wanted to play with, and I figured if the kids weren't cramped into a small studio with a lady telling them to say things like "my mom smells"  and making silly noises, they would be more cooperative.  I was wrong. 

We'll start with Caleb.  My oldest.  The one that knows better.  The one that should be cheerful and compliant without me hounding him.  He was in a bad mood because he didn't want to wear the sailor suit and hat.  (I really couldn't blame him)  He was worried that people would laugh at him-or even worse -think he's cute.  My dad and I assured him-"Oh, don't worry Caleb-no one is going to pay attention or notice what you have on."  Wrong again.  Nearly every person we passed smiled, saluted the "admiral" and told him how cute he was.  So...he gradually got crabbier and crabbier, which of course made having him smile nearly impossible.  Oh-he smiled-just not NATURAL smiles-big -goofy- I'm smiling -because -you -told- me- to smiles.

Next comes Benjamin.  Benjamin LOVES to explore and "do it" himself.  So, instead of posing sweetly on the steps of a beautiful bridge or in front of a fountain (which were all turned off for the season)  we spent our time trying to prevent him from falling into the Canal.  (White River).

Alyssa wasn't too bad.  But how do you force a 17 month old to smile?  Oh well, at least she's actually IN all of the pictures. 

I'm not looking forward to this aspect of the holidays-we usually go have a family picture taken, and a "company" Christmas picture.  That one should be even more interesting.  We'll have 2 guys, 2 girls, 4 kids and an accountant.  Say Cheese! :)

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Nov. 2, 2007 - How do you make Peanut Butter?

My six year old son is full of questions.  Some of them I can answer, a lot get the standard "Because that's how God made it" answer.  Yesterday when he asked me how to make peanut butter-I figured that was one I could handle.  We got online and found a website that gave a basic explanation along with pictures of how peanuts are grown and peanut butter is made.  We then found another website that gave recipies for making peanut butter.  Since today was Friday, we decided to give it a try.  I babysit my baby nephew on Friday, so our school day is usually kept pretty laid back-Caleb does a few workbook pages on his own, he reads to me and we usually do some kind of craft, art project or other "hands-on" activity. 

We had a good time-Benjamin helped-and it was actually pretty good.  (and easy!!-that was my favorite part!)  Here are pictures of our little "adventure"  today.

                        Food processor is kind of loud......

                             Finished product!!

As soon as we finished the peanut butter (and I mean that literally)  Caleb says, "Now, how do you make jelly?"  So...don't be surprised to find a "How do you make jelly" entry next week!!

**For those of you who are interested-this is how we made our peanut butter:  1 1/2 cups dry roasted unsalted peanuts, 1 tablespoon peanut oil.  Mix peanuts and oil-process until smooth.***

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Oct. 27, 2007 - Fall Costume Party

We had a little costume party for the kids and a few of their friends/cousins last night.  The kids were all so cute-we had a princess, cowboy, skunk, magician, ketchup and mustard and a soldier.  Caleb was a lego, Ben and Ally wouldn't keep their costumes on-but Ben was a lion and Ally a butterfly.  The kids had fun despite the fact we had to move all the outside games in and cook the hot dogs on the stove instead of over the fire!!  (It was perfect all day 'till about an hour before the party-rainy and windy!)  My parents walked over and my dad told a little story/devotional that was pretty neat.  He has a little stuffed wolf in sheep's clothing.  He talked to the kids about things not always being what they appear to be and the importance of knowing their Bibles so they could discern the truth.  We had a great night-but boy am I tired today!  :)  A few pictures:

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Oct. 16, 2007 - Rainy Days

It rained today-which for us is always a good and exciting thing.  Daddy will be home!!  (Landscapers don't like rain-they are afraid of melting)  So, since Danny being home is always a big event, we tried to make the most of it.  We started out the day by letting Mommy sleep in-at least for an extra ten minutes anyway.  After everyone was dressed and breakfast was cleaned up (off the foor), Danny and Benjamin left to do some errands while Caleb and I "did" school and kept Ally out of trouble.  We finished fairly quickly and Danny called to say he wanted everyone to go out to lunch before he had to go see a customer.

We load the kiddies up and head to Chick-Fil-A.  They have a playground-this is a requirement for lunch outings!  :)  Lunch went fairly well.  Alyssa managed to get all her food into her mouth and not on the floor, Benjamin only fell out of his chair once and Caleb stayed amazingly patient while waiting to go play on the playground.  After Ally and Benjamin finished, we finally got to join the chaos in the indoor playground area.  The best part about the lunch outing was the special in the Kids Meals-coupons for books from DK Publishing.  (I think it was buy one, get two free)  Caleb LOVES their books-they have all kinds of colorful picture books with interesting facts in them.  (we just finished a farm one).

Since we wore them out on the playground, all children are sleeping peacefully.  Except the big one-he's in his room creating a Lego army base.  So...I'm going to sign off here and see about extending those ten extra minutes of sleep I got this morning!! :)  Have a great day!

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