well, it's the end of 2007. I haven't been up to keeping up here the last few weeks. A cloud of depression has been hanging on. But, life will go on, and there's always tomorrow.
2007- the first half, wonderful. Third quarter, sucky. Last quarter, emotionally devastating.
Tomorrow starts a new year. Here's praying its a good one. But even if it's not, I stand in the knowledge that Christ Jesus is with me thru it all, the good, the sad, the difficult, the painful. A lot has gone on this year that I have not posted about, private struggles that I'm not comfortable sharing. But knowing that all things here will pass away, and that my future is in Heaven with God, I will keep plugging on.
Blessings and Hope to you all in the New Year.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
buzz
well, life here, as usual, is insanely busy. Today, I need to get bread baked, sew the sleeves of a sweater I made for Rowan, and pull the sleeves out of the mock up dress I'm working on. I'm making a wedding dress for a friend, and I have to adjust the sleeves to make them fit right. I sure hope it works. I ordered beads for it, and I need to find some ribbon so I can get working on the accents. I'm feeling a little bit of a time crunch because they are getting married in about 3 weeks. Now, this is no problem, except I know I'll be dodging down to NM because Jim's grandmother is dying of liver cancer.
I just had to say, how blessed I am to have Ingrid for a friend. Jim and I were out of town this week, and Ingrid kept all 5 of my younger children. She also made sure they got their schoolwork done. How sweet is that. She is truely a blessing.
I just had to say, how blessed I am to have Ingrid for a friend. Jim and I were out of town this week, and Ingrid kept all 5 of my younger children. She also made sure they got their schoolwork done. How sweet is that. She is truely a blessing.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Christmas Contest
Marye at Baking Delights is having a contest! The winner gets a mega yummy chocolate cookbook...ok, the book isn't chocolate, but it is full of chocolate recipies! Go check her site out. She's an awesome cook, and I do mean awesome! The site is full of yummy things to eat, and I could gain 5 lbs just reading it.
Well, speaking of chocolate cooking, and Christmas. Here's a recipie I found in a baking catalog that came in the mail. The cataloge is called The Baker's Catalogue and dh and I just flip thru it and drool. Anyways, here's the recipie.
Coal Cookies
1/2 c unsalted butter
1 1/3 c brown sugar
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp espresso powder
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
2/3 c Dutch process cocoa
1 1/2 c flour (whole wheat or all purpose is fine)
2 c semisweet chocolate chips (or a mixture of raisins, chips and nuts)
Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly grease two baking sheets, or line them with parchment, or lightly grease a mini-muffin pan.
In a medium bowl, cream together butter, sugar, bking powder, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt. Add the eggs, beating until smooth. Stir in the cocoa powder, then th flour; the dough will be stiff. Mix in the chocolate chips, or the chips/raisins/nuts.
Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls (about 1 1/2"balls) onto the prepared baking sheets, or into the mini-muffin cups; a tablespoon cookie scoop is the perfect tool for this. Bake the cookies for 12 minutes for the baking sheet, or 15 minutes for the mini-muffin pan. They'll look not quite done in the center. Remove them from the oven, and allow them to cool for 10 minutes, or the mini muffins to cool for about 20 minutes. Gently squeeze and shape the cookies into uneven balls, to resemble chunks of coal. Yield: 3 dozen cookies
When this recipie arrived in the mail, we just had to make it... LOL We didn't use the espresso powder ( I hate coffee), and used a mixture of chocolate chips, raisins, and slivered almonds, because that's what we had. YUM!!!!! They did not last the evening. I wish I had pictures, but I don't. LOL I think this recipe is going to end up a Christmas regular.
Well, speaking of chocolate cooking, and Christmas. Here's a recipie I found in a baking catalog that came in the mail. The cataloge is called The Baker's Catalogue and dh and I just flip thru it and drool. Anyways, here's the recipie.
Coal Cookies
1/2 c unsalted butter
1 1/3 c brown sugar
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp espresso powder
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
2/3 c Dutch process cocoa
1 1/2 c flour (whole wheat or all purpose is fine)
2 c semisweet chocolate chips (or a mixture of raisins, chips and nuts)
Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly grease two baking sheets, or line them with parchment, or lightly grease a mini-muffin pan.
In a medium bowl, cream together butter, sugar, bking powder, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt. Add the eggs, beating until smooth. Stir in the cocoa powder, then th flour; the dough will be stiff. Mix in the chocolate chips, or the chips/raisins/nuts.
Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls (about 1 1/2"balls) onto the prepared baking sheets, or into the mini-muffin cups; a tablespoon cookie scoop is the perfect tool for this. Bake the cookies for 12 minutes for the baking sheet, or 15 minutes for the mini-muffin pan. They'll look not quite done in the center. Remove them from the oven, and allow them to cool for 10 minutes, or the mini muffins to cool for about 20 minutes. Gently squeeze and shape the cookies into uneven balls, to resemble chunks of coal. Yield: 3 dozen cookies
When this recipie arrived in the mail, we just had to make it... LOL We didn't use the espresso powder ( I hate coffee), and used a mixture of chocolate chips, raisins, and slivered almonds, because that's what we had. YUM!!!!! They did not last the evening. I wish I had pictures, but I don't. LOL I think this recipe is going to end up a Christmas regular.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
meme'd
Marye at Apron Strings meme'd me.... here we go.
4 PLACES I HAVE LIVED
well, my boring life continues.
1. England- don't be impressed, I was born there, left when I was 2. I have no memory of it.
2. Cheyenne, WY- this is where the military moved us when my family left England
3. Casper, WY- mistake. 'nuf said
4. Cheyenne- yup, back here.
4 JOBS I HAVE HAD
1. housekeeper for a hotel
2. cashier at a truck stop
3. customer service for a catalogue
4. babysitter.
4 FAVOURITE FOODS
mmmm....food
1. Crablegs, hands down
2. Sushi
3. french toast
4. hot tea with cream
4 PLACES I HAVE BEEN ON HOLIDAY
1. Dhavefest- it was in Wisconsin... relaxing and fun
2. Devil's Tower -my honeymoon. I think that counts as a holiday
3. San Diego- visiting my brother
4. Disneyworld. Ok, that wasn't a holiday, I was there performing with a children's choir I was in at 13.
4 PLACES I'D RATHER BE
1. a 3000 acre ranch, just about anywhere. Someplace I could relax.
2. in bed... I'm tired
3. some fancy-shmancy all expenses paid spa where I could alternate sitting in my room knitting, getting a massage, and reading a good book
4. Heaven-'nuf said
FOUR FANTASTIC BLOGGERS I'D LIKE TO TAG:
Now, here's where I falter.... I really don't know many bloggers, so if you read this, consider yourself tagged, and leave me a note so I can read it.
4 PLACES I HAVE LIVED
well, my boring life continues.
1. England- don't be impressed, I was born there, left when I was 2. I have no memory of it.
2. Cheyenne, WY- this is where the military moved us when my family left England
3. Casper, WY- mistake. 'nuf said
4. Cheyenne- yup, back here.
4 JOBS I HAVE HAD
1. housekeeper for a hotel
2. cashier at a truck stop
3. customer service for a catalogue
4. babysitter.
4 FAVOURITE FOODS
mmmm....food
1. Crablegs, hands down
2. Sushi
3. french toast
4. hot tea with cream
4 PLACES I HAVE BEEN ON HOLIDAY
1. Dhavefest- it was in Wisconsin... relaxing and fun
2. Devil's Tower -my honeymoon. I think that counts as a holiday
3. San Diego- visiting my brother
4. Disneyworld. Ok, that wasn't a holiday, I was there performing with a children's choir I was in at 13.
4 PLACES I'D RATHER BE
1. a 3000 acre ranch, just about anywhere. Someplace I could relax.
2. in bed... I'm tired
3. some fancy-shmancy all expenses paid spa where I could alternate sitting in my room knitting, getting a massage, and reading a good book
4. Heaven-'nuf said
FOUR FANTASTIC BLOGGERS I'D LIKE TO TAG:
Now, here's where I falter.... I really don't know many bloggers, so if you read this, consider yourself tagged, and leave me a note so I can read it.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Lousy day....
Monday was a very lousy day.... My sweet little cat, Isis, had to be put down. He was 14.5 years old. He had quit eating this weekend, so I took him to the vet Monday morning. They found a mass in his abdomen, and suggested he be put down. I miss him....
Friday, November 16, 2007
Longies
well, I finished Rowan's longies.... and they're huge on her! Oh well. I learned a lot, and I'll keep working on them. She can grow into them. Know that I know how they work, I can change them around to hopefully fit better. They were really easy. I also just tried to throw together a hat for her. Made up my own pattern... well that was too small. It's a newborn size. feels like I can't do anything right. I'll keep it too, put it in my nb box for the next baby.
I figure I'll keep up with my Christmas plans here. I have a majorly hard time enjoying Christmas. The whole thing just depresses me. Everyone expects the house to get decorated, carols playing in the background, a tree, perfectly trimmed, brimming with presents. Reality is, my house doesn't get decorated, everything I try to put up, the children trash. If I try to put out decorations, they become toys, swings, etc. Christmas carols, I really don't like them, never have. I can think of 2 I like. The Carol of the Bells, and Silent Night. Tree: see decorating. I love the look of glass ornaments, can't have them, they get smashed. I go with the plastic ones, they break them. I try having them make ornaments, it turns into a fight because "Liberty has the purple and won't share, Michael got more glitter than Natasha, Jamie's jealous of Noah's paper." And the presents? highly overrated in my opinion. Last year, every toy we got the kids, or that the grandparents got the kids, all but 2 were broken by the end of the week. What is the point? It's just wasteful. It's depressing. I remember being excited over the McDonald's gift certifcate my grandmother would send me every Christmas, the puzzles I got, and nothing was more amazing than a brand new coloring book and new crayons. Now, there is so much fighting for children's attention and parent's money, it's just not worth the effort. And we try very hard not to focus on things, but it is still so saturated. My children are noticing. When Christmas items are in the store before the middle of Oct, they don't like it either. But then the cataloges come, and the toy displays in the stores, and the whining begins. I will be the first to admit, my children are not up on all the most popular toys, that is by design, but marketing is marketing.
Well, this year is different. I told the children a month ago, that the money we would spend on junk for us is going to a much better cause this year. The $100 we would normally spend on the kids is going to Gospel For Asia. I sat down and showed them how we could give animals to help the Untouchable class in India have something to eat, to raise, to share. How we could give a sewing machine for $80 to provide a trade and income for a family. How for $25, we could provide a water filter to improve their water to help them stay well. The children were enthralled. Now, lest my mom thinks my kids aren't getting anything for Christmas, they'll be getting new gloves, new night clothes, and some new books. Things that will be used, things that can last. I think it's good for them to take from the overabundance that we have, and to keep less for themselves, and help those who have nothing.
I figure I'll keep up with my Christmas plans here. I have a majorly hard time enjoying Christmas. The whole thing just depresses me. Everyone expects the house to get decorated, carols playing in the background, a tree, perfectly trimmed, brimming with presents. Reality is, my house doesn't get decorated, everything I try to put up, the children trash. If I try to put out decorations, they become toys, swings, etc. Christmas carols, I really don't like them, never have. I can think of 2 I like. The Carol of the Bells, and Silent Night. Tree: see decorating. I love the look of glass ornaments, can't have them, they get smashed. I go with the plastic ones, they break them. I try having them make ornaments, it turns into a fight because "Liberty has the purple and won't share, Michael got more glitter than Natasha, Jamie's jealous of Noah's paper." And the presents? highly overrated in my opinion. Last year, every toy we got the kids, or that the grandparents got the kids, all but 2 were broken by the end of the week. What is the point? It's just wasteful. It's depressing. I remember being excited over the McDonald's gift certifcate my grandmother would send me every Christmas, the puzzles I got, and nothing was more amazing than a brand new coloring book and new crayons. Now, there is so much fighting for children's attention and parent's money, it's just not worth the effort. And we try very hard not to focus on things, but it is still so saturated. My children are noticing. When Christmas items are in the store before the middle of Oct, they don't like it either. But then the cataloges come, and the toy displays in the stores, and the whining begins. I will be the first to admit, my children are not up on all the most popular toys, that is by design, but marketing is marketing.
Well, this year is different. I told the children a month ago, that the money we would spend on junk for us is going to a much better cause this year. The $100 we would normally spend on the kids is going to Gospel For Asia. I sat down and showed them how we could give animals to help the Untouchable class in India have something to eat, to raise, to share. How we could give a sewing machine for $80 to provide a trade and income for a family. How for $25, we could provide a water filter to improve their water to help them stay well. The children were enthralled. Now, lest my mom thinks my kids aren't getting anything for Christmas, they'll be getting new gloves, new night clothes, and some new books. Things that will be used, things that can last. I think it's good for them to take from the overabundance that we have, and to keep less for themselves, and help those who have nothing.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Chocolate Pudding Cake
How completely and totally decadent is this?! This is the Chocolate Pudding Cake posted by my dear friend, Marye, on Baking Delights. You have to try this!! The fact that my oven doesn't work right now has been frustrating. It was so nice to be able to spoil my family with a homemade dessert. I can justify cooking meals in my roaster, but have shied away from anything else. (It's hard to get things in and out of my roaster without burning my hands....)
So satisfied that they totally dug in... I topped it with whipped cream, Jim wanted vanilla ice cream on top. You really have to try this recipe. If you are a chocoholic, then it is manditory. It starts off with the cake batter on bottom, and a hot water/chocolate on top. While it cooks, the cake moves to the top, and the liquid to the bottom to become this amazingly gooey, yummy chocolate pudding. It was insanely easy to make, Michael helped, but he could have easily done it himself. I cooked it in a 9" square glass cake pan. Apparently it wasn't big enough, because the pudding boiled over a bit (but wiped up easily with a paper towel). Not sure what size dish to cook this in next time, but there will definately be a next time!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Rowan's Dedication
Here's some pics of Rowan's Dedication.
Pastor Shaun Sells praying over Rowan.
Isn't this quilt beautiful? An online friend, Ginger, and her girls made it for me. It makes an amazing backdrop.
Pastor Shaun Sells praying over Rowan.
Isn't this quilt beautiful? An online friend, Ginger, and her girls made it for me. It makes an amazing backdrop.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Bring the Rain- Mercy Me
Bring the Rain by Mercy Me. Powerful song and it has always brought me to tears. Just wanted to share this.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Communion
At church, I was in prayer during communion. As I considered communion, and all that it represents, I prayed, 'how unworthy am I. I don't understand why You would give Your life to me....why You would do this for me.' Then Rowan stumbled, and her daddy scooped her up and comforted her. She fussed again and reached for me. As I held her, she snuggled close, peeked out, and smiled. And I heard, ' How could I not come for you, whatever it took. You comfort Rowan in her imperfection and weakness. How much more do I care for you....'
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me how You see me, as a baby, incapable of taking care of myself, stumbling, hurting.....needing my Daddy.
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me how You see me, as a baby, incapable of taking care of myself, stumbling, hurting.....needing my Daddy.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
not a good blogger....
I'm just not a good blogger. Seems like when I have the time to write, I have nothing to say. When I have something I want to say/show, I have no time.... so tell me, why do I try and keep up? Well, obviously, I don't. At randomly occuring God-ordained tmes, I actually make it on here and post about nothing at all. go figure.
Rowan is crawling... she's 5 months old. She also is pulling herself up to standing. I really hope she's not trying to beat Natasha's walking age of 9 months. Her dedication went well. I have awesome pictures thanks to Christine. I just have to load them... once again the not good blogger thing.... I also have a sweater for her almost done. I hate it. Everyone else seems to really like it, but I don't. Its just for use around the house to keep her warmer so I can keep the house cooler. Don't get me started on how much it costs to heat a home... God will provide.
Liberty & Noah- we're in full time potty training mode... I hate it. I really stink at it.... I wish it was done...
Jamie- he's been writing stories like nobody's fool. They may be only 1 page in length, but he's writing, on his own, and his stories follow a logical path to the conclusion. More than I can say for some adults.
Natasha- as a typical girl, is obcessed with horses. Enjoy. She's also working on knitting her own scarf, you go girl!
Michael- well, he's Michael! He is also enjoying writing stories, and being... well Michael. He has a zest for life I wish I had....
Projects- I have a pair of gloves on the needles for Jim, my MS3 is still waiting for my attention, I have 3 sets of sock yarn calling my name, I have 6 dresses cut out for the girls that need to be put together, diaper covers I really need to get sewn, not to mention Rowan needs more diapers, need to get them cut out and sewn.
Rowan is crawling... she's 5 months old. She also is pulling herself up to standing. I really hope she's not trying to beat Natasha's walking age of 9 months. Her dedication went well. I have awesome pictures thanks to Christine. I just have to load them... once again the not good blogger thing.... I also have a sweater for her almost done. I hate it. Everyone else seems to really like it, but I don't. Its just for use around the house to keep her warmer so I can keep the house cooler. Don't get me started on how much it costs to heat a home... God will provide.
Liberty & Noah- we're in full time potty training mode... I hate it. I really stink at it.... I wish it was done...
Jamie- he's been writing stories like nobody's fool. They may be only 1 page in length, but he's writing, on his own, and his stories follow a logical path to the conclusion. More than I can say for some adults.
Natasha- as a typical girl, is obcessed with horses. Enjoy. She's also working on knitting her own scarf, you go girl!
Michael- well, he's Michael! He is also enjoying writing stories, and being... well Michael. He has a zest for life I wish I had....
Projects- I have a pair of gloves on the needles for Jim, my MS3 is still waiting for my attention, I have 3 sets of sock yarn calling my name, I have 6 dresses cut out for the girls that need to be put together, diaper covers I really need to get sewn, not to mention Rowan needs more diapers, need to get them cut out and sewn.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Dedication
Well, Rowan's dedication gown is done. I finished it last night. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I washed it today, layed it out to dry. Tomorrow is her dedication. I hope everything goes well. I have a friend taking pics, so I'll get them posted tomorrow or so.
Blessings!
Blessings!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Puff
There is a lovely white cloud wafting it's way down my hallway. It is leaving a fine white dust on every surface, completely unbidden. A lovely fresh scent accompanies it on it's trip thru the house.
My baby powder container is empty........
Well, that's one way to make a room full of boys smell better......
My baby powder container is empty........
Well, that's one way to make a room full of boys smell better......
Monday, October 1, 2007
moving right along
Rowan's gown is buzzing right along. I finished the stocknette skirt, decreased for the bodice, and got the right back of the bodice done, including the button facing. I'm now working on the left back of the bodice, which includes the buttonholes. It's turning out really nice. I'll be done thru the shoulders today. I hope to get the sleeve cast on today as well.
I wish all I had to do was knit today, but we're back to school this week. We start 'The Sign of the Beaver' today. I preread it two weeks ago, good book. I also need to call the Old West Museum to see how much it'll cost to take my children for a tour. Seems like an appropriate time.
I wish all I had to do was knit today, but we're back to school this week. We start 'The Sign of the Beaver' today. I preread it two weeks ago, good book. I also need to call the Old West Museum to see how much it'll cost to take my children for a tour. Seems like an appropriate time.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Projects
Well, I'm still trying to finish Rowan's dedication gown. It's coming along really well. I've got 9 more rows til I start the bodice back. My goal is to get it done this week. I'll try and get some pics this afternoon and get them posted.
MS3 is on hold until I finish the gown. I think I'm going to pull in back until the cat's paw section so I can add beads to each of the cat's pawa. I can't wait to see it done! The one's I've seen look amazing!
I also have yarn waiting for a pair of gloves for Jim.... never made gloves before, so that'll be fun. I also have 3 pr of socks waiting. I bought this gorgeous pink called Whisper from Lorna's Laces. I'm planning a pair of socks for my mom. My problem is, she has fairly wide feet. Need to take a tape measure to them. I have 2 patterns I'd like to do, but I'm not sure I can alter them enough.... oh well, I'm sure I'll figure it out!
Other than that, we've got school going for the year. We've made it thru 4 weeks so far, and done a field trip, so all in all we're doing well. We took this week off, for the most part, due to a very ill weekend. I figure, we could all use a week to recover, relax, clean up the house, get used to Jim being home, and just enjoy the fall days.
MS3 is on hold until I finish the gown. I think I'm going to pull in back until the cat's paw section so I can add beads to each of the cat's pawa. I can't wait to see it done! The one's I've seen look amazing!
I also have yarn waiting for a pair of gloves for Jim.... never made gloves before, so that'll be fun. I also have 3 pr of socks waiting. I bought this gorgeous pink called Whisper from Lorna's Laces. I'm planning a pair of socks for my mom. My problem is, she has fairly wide feet. Need to take a tape measure to them. I have 2 patterns I'd like to do, but I'm not sure I can alter them enough.... oh well, I'm sure I'll figure it out!
Other than that, we've got school going for the year. We've made it thru 4 weeks so far, and done a field trip, so all in all we're doing well. We took this week off, for the most part, due to a very ill weekend. I figure, we could all use a week to recover, relax, clean up the house, get used to Jim being home, and just enjoy the fall days.
Debt payoff
well, we're in a homestretch paying off our debt. We finally got all our bills consolidated into one loan, and the car. So, while it looks like a huge amount, it's all in 2 payments! So I have aticker on my sidebar. Full speed ahead on paying off our debt!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
