Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Thanksgiving review...

We had a wonderful, relaxing time away this past weekend for Thanksgiving. There are three children in my husband's family, and one of them resides with his mom. Their home is relaxing, fun for the kids with all the toys/ coloring books/ Wii/ cable TV, etc., and is filled with delicious food often during our visits! We love going to visit and having cousin/ family time. Our family and my hubby's sister's family treks on down to Auntie/ Nana's house, camps on the floor for a few days, laughs a lot, and just spends time together... all 14 of us! We don't tire of it, since it is all so relaxing and delicious! Just what we needed to recharge!

Here are a few pictures to highlight our time of recreation...
3 little girls rolling downhill on a "walk"...
My daughter relaxes with her cousin, watching the Wii...
Three sisters setting the table...
On Saturday, before we headed home, we visited a local Christmas tree farm. We didn't need a tree, but we did come home with a lovely wreath!
Kids and cousins on a "wagon"...
My son and his cousin feeding the horses...

Our youngest found a tree just her size!
Getting a "pony tail ride"...
Kids in front of the tree we chose (for cousins)...
Roasting marshmallows with Daddy...

On our way out, we took a family picture by this cool bridge!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Names of God

I love web sites that have images which glorify God. In some recent searches I have done, I've run across a few images that I really like... so I thought I'd share them with you.


At a recent women's retreat, our speaker gave us 4 pages that have names of God/ Jesus on them with Scripture references. I have been reviewing them and looking up the references in my quiet times over the past month. Then as I pray, I thank God for being __________________ the name that I just reviewed. (The covenant-keeping God, My Savior, etc.,)

Here is another one that I love, with not just names, but characteristics. I love the bottom line, "Aware of Your Struggle". I printed this and posted it on a kitchen cupboard, and it has encouraged me on tough days...


My daughter has sung a song several times this year that speaks of the names of God. She will be singing this song again this week during our MOPS meeting to the mothers in our group. This song was made popular by Natalie Grant, but my favorite version is by Krissy Nordoff.

Here are the lyrics to "Your Great Name":


  • Songwriters: Michael Neale, Krissy Nordhoff
Lost are saved, find their way
At the sound of Your great name
All condemned, feel no shame
At the sound of Your great name

Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave
At the sound of Your great name

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up, that all the world
Will praise Your great name

All the weak find their strength
At the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls receive grace
At the sound of Your great name

The fatherless, they find their rest
At the sound of Your great name
Sick are healed and the dead are raised
At the sound of Your great name

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up, that all the world
Will praise Your great name, oh, Your great name

Redeemer, My Healer, Almighty
My Savior, Defender, You are my King
Redeemer, My Healer, Almighty
My Savior, Defender, You are my King

Jesus, the name of Jesus
You are high and lifted up and all the world
Will praise Your great name

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up, all the world
Will praise Your great name
Your great name, Your great name
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

You can listen to this song on YouTube here. 

Is He truly Your King? Your Redeemer? Healer? 

I hope you take time TODAY to appreciate our amazing, awesome God, who deserves all of our praise!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Shel Silverstein books...

Shel Silverstein was one of my husband's favorite authors as a child. He remembers reading the books of poetry under his covers at night, with a flashlight. I was introduced to Shel Silverstein's books in college. When we got married, we had two copies of several of his books! When our daughter was a baby, she received a copy of The Giving Tree, of which we already owned two copies!

My son is starting to read more chapter books and in-depth books, so we have pulled out the collection we owned, and he needs encouragement to read them. I've read some of Shel Silverstein's poems to them, and he will smile about the silliness. He is like the Dr. Seuss of poetry!

Shel Silverstein's first book that he ever published was The Giving Tree, which took four years to get the publisher agree to publish it! It is a sweet, poignant story about a boy and a tree that he loved, and the tree gave and gave...

Here are some excerpts from a few of his books...
If you had a giraffe...
and he stretched another half...
you would have a giraffe and a half...
-Giraffe and a Half




His second collection of poems and drawings, Where the Sidewalk Ends, was published in 1974.
It opens with this...

If you are a dreamer, come in,
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hop-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer...
If you're a pretender, come sit by the fire
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in! Come in!


His next collection of poems and drawings was A Light in the Attic, which was published in 1981.
Shel asked his readers to turn on the light in their attics, to put something silly in the world, and not to be discouraged by the Whatifs...

WHATIF


Last night, while I lay thinking her,
Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
And pranced and partied all night long,
And sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up? 
Whatif there's poison in my cup?...

Here is a list of Shel's books:
Every Thing On It (published after his death by his family- NEW!)
Falling Up (last book published before he died)
A Giraffe and A Half
The Giving Tree
Lafacdio, the Lion who Shot Back
A Light in the Attic
The Missing Piece
The Missing Piece Meets the Big O
Runny Babbit (also published after his death)
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Who wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?
Don't Bump the Glump!


While Shel Silverstein may not have set out to be a children's book author, his books are a huge hit with children of all ages. I enjoy reading them with and to my kids. Shel Silverstein passed away in 1999, he left a great legacy of fun books that show that poetry can be fun and silly too. If you've never read these silly fun books with your kids, I suggest you check some out from your local library, or put them on a gift list for your readers. You may just smile and giggle along with the kids! And be careful, you might start talking Runny Babbit  talk, "Just like mim and he!"


Most of this information is from ShelSilverstein.com. His website is a fun visit for kids! His books can be found in most bookstores and on Amazon.com.

You can read my sister-in-law's post about reading Runny Babbit with her kids here.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Pumpkin French Toast

This is a recipe that I found on a blog last week called “With Style and Grace”. We tweaked it to our liking (her recipe had gluten-free bread & almond milk) and tried it. It was two thumbs up at our breakfast table!




Pumpkin French Toast
Ingredients:
6 eggs
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp soy milk (or 2 %)
2 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg (or two)
2 tsp vanilla extract
8 slices of artisan (crusty, dense) bread
optional- add1-2 tbsp of brown sugar
Toppings:
Chopped pecans, maple syrup, powdered sugar and of course, butter
Directions:
In a large shallow bowl (we use a pie plate), whisk together the eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.
Place the slices of bread into the egg mixture and let soak while the pan heats up (3-5 minutes). *We did not do this, because we had more bread than the original recipe, so we added more milk and soaked them for a shorter time.*
Spray griddle with non-stick cooking spray, that is heated over medium high heat. Place slices on the griddle and cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Turn the slices over and cook another 2-3 minutes. Remove slices to plates, and serve with toppings. 
Serves 4-6 people.
Hope your family likes it too!
Let me know your review! If you're interested in more things pumpkin, I have a recipe for pumpkin pancakes here.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

It's Windsday, Piglet!

While it may not be a blustery day today, it is Windsday! :-D

It always makes me think of this story from Winnie the Pooh...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbyO-iPb7xo

My hubby is great at reading Winnie the Pooh stories, since he *whistles* when he reads Gopher! What a great Daddy!

My favorite line is "Oh, I wouldn't go so far as to call it a Windsday, just a mild zephyr." says Owl. (about 5:07 in the video)

Hope you enjoy your Windsday!!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Elmo party invitations

My daughter Bethany loves Elmo. I think all of my children did. For her 3rd birthday party, she chose an Elmo themed party. I will print birthday party invitations from the web if I need to, or I will make them if I have a good idea. This time, I decided to make them! I have made Elmo invitations before, using card stock and punches. It is easy and fun-- even if you have a small child "helper" or two. My 5-year-old enjoyed helping punch out Elmo's eyes!

Here are the parts:
All punched, cut and ready to glue!
Here is the process and the materials out:

SOME ELMO CARDS MADE, SOME IN PROCESS...
The supplies that I used were:
an oval punch (mine was kinda big, but I only own one)
1" circle punch
regular hole punch (for the black)
deckle scissors
mono-adhesive, or other two sided glue
Black, white, orange and red card stock

Directions:
1. Cut out the head using red card stock and the deckle scissors.
2. Punch out the eye and nose pieces (5) using punches.
3. Cut a smile from black card stock.
4. Using mono-adhseive, glue red piece onto white, folded card stock piece.
5. Glue on the eyes, nose and mouth. Overlap the nose with the eyes. There you have Elmo's face! Cute!

Here is the final product!

ISN'T ELMO CUTE?!

These invitations were lots of fun to make, and didn't take me more than 1/2 an hour to make 8-10.
We are looking forward to a fun Elmo party soon! I can hardly believe that my youngest is almost three!?!

Monday, November 21, 2011

It's Apparent you're a parent...

I've gotten an email that said things like this before, and I wanted to make up my own list.

It's apparent you're a parent if...

...Your bookshelves are "decorated" in your house with Lego creations and other toys. (or you leave room for them...)
My bookshelf was the "oven" for my little girls one night...
A Barbie "doll house" on my chair...

...You frequently smell like spit-up, milk, peanut butter...

...You have peanut butter, dirt, jelly, or glitter on your shirt, jeans or face.

...You say things like, "Don't lick ___________" -Fill it in- like Mad libs! Your brother's feet, the balloon, etc.,

...You have sympathy for the mom/dad in the store with a screaming child. You look at them and think, "I feel your pain..."

...You wish you could have certain sayings on a repeat button like, "It's time for bed" or "Brush your teeth" or "Clean your room"...

-Sometimes you wish you had a sign that says, "She dressed herself..." for all the crazy outfits that preschoolers (and teens!) wear!

-The only band-aids you have in your house are Hello Kitty, Dora the Explorer, Peanuts or Spiderman.

-You know where all the bathrooms are in every store/ place you go, ever since you potty trained your toddler.

-You've wished there was a way you could make your child go to sleep instantly, for a nap or bedtime...

-You've been in many, many conversations about your child/ children instead of yourself, and enjoyed it anyway!

-You've read one kids'  book so many times that you have it memorized! (i.e., "Goodnight Moon")

-You've played "Candyland" way too many times, and you know that "Chutes and Ladders" isn't much better...

-You know the pain of stepping on a Lego in bare feet...

-You've vacuumed up Legos and Barbie shoes and didn't get them out of the vacuum cleaner...

Feel free to add your own!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Thankfulness garland (repost)

Here is a fun Thanksgiving tradition that we did again this past week, getting ready for Thanksgiving. I wanted to repost it for those they haven't read it, or needed something new to do. I love seeing the tangible evidence of our thankfulness reminding us of all that we have!

http://thywordisalamptomyfeet.blogspot.com/2010/11/thankfulness-garland.html

There are directions there on how to make it, supplies needed and all the info!
Hope you get a chance to do this with your family soon!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Brigaderiros (A Chocolate Treat)

Homeschool is so rough sometimes. We have been baking/ cooking a lot lately. For my kindergartener, we made ice cream last week. We made jello this week. So rough... (wink, wink)

Then last Thursday, during our study of Brazil, we found a recipe called Brigaderiros. I've never heard of them, but they sounded good-- anything with chocolate sounds good, right?

Here is the recipe from our Trip Around the World book, which goes with the "My Father's World" curriculum (MFW) . For more info about MFW, check out my homeschool button above.




Brigaderiros (A Chocolate Treat)


Ingredients:
2 tablespoons margarine
1 can (14 oz) sweetened, condensed milk
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
chocolate sprinkles

Directions:
Mix the margarine, condensed milk and the cocoa together. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously until thick. (this step took us about 30 minutes!)Remove from heat and cool completely. Grease your hands with margarine and roll the chocolate into small balls. Roll the ball in the chocolate sprinkles.
(Try not to eat them all at once!)

My son didn't enjoy getting his hands full of margarine to roll them, but he did a few. It turned out to be like a chocolate taffy, sort of like a Tootsie Roll. They didn't last too long!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Our love story (repost!)

There was a writing prompt this week about "write how your husband popped the question", and I wrote about it back in March. It is a fun story to read, so I am reposting the link for Mama Kat's.
Enjoy the read!

http://thywordisalamptomyfeet.blogspot.com/2011/03/once-upon-timeour-love-story.htmlMama's Losin' It

American Girl class: Kirsten week 4

This week in our class, we talked about the book Happy Birthday, Kirsten!


We made small pillows and filled them with poly-fil. If the girls finished sewing their pillows, they could sew a button on the front. They came out really cute, and several of the girls couldn't believe that they made a pillow!?! I was surprised how long it took to make- most girls took about 45 minutes (with no button) and a few took less time than that. We did not even do quilting on the pillow front, just hand-sewing three sides with a needle and thread! (the girls are ages 6-12)

ADDING HER BUTTON TO HER PILLOW...

SEWING THE PILLOWS, EATING SNACK...

SNACKING...

SNACKING AND SEWING...

We had rye crackers and made our own butter- by putting heavy cream into a jar and shaking it- for snack.
Here is the recipe for making butter:
Some of the girls had time to work on their braided rugs again.

Shake your way to fresh butter and buttermilk.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
  • Heavy cream
  • A Jar with a lid
Preparation:
1. Fill a jar halfway with heavy cream (baby food
 jars work great for small batches), and screw the lid on tight.
2. Shake the jar up and down until the cream thickens
and begins to stick together.
3. Then, open the jar, and pour any remaining liquid
 into another container; this is the buttermilk. Everything
 else is butter.
4. Knead the butter under cold running water for several
 minutes to work out any remaining buttermilk
 (otherwise the butter will spoil quickly).
5. Knead in salt, if desired.
6. Refrigerate.


It was another fun class! We only have two classes left before the end of our semester, and no class next week!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

WFMW- Family "Smart" Book

A friend of mine came to our MOPS group a few years ago and talked about organizing the home. One of the things that she recommended was a Family "Smart" book- a place where you can organize all of the important papers for each member of your family.

In the front of the book, you can have important contact numbers, neighbor's names and info, your address, Doctor's names and phone numbers, your cell phone numbers and more.
Then you would have one tabbed section for each person in your family. In their section, you can keep their sports schedules, info about medicines, phone numbers of music teachers/ schedules, and more.
I also have copies of the kids' insurance cards there, in case they are needed, and prescriptions that they may need refilled, such as if my son needs his asthma medicine, or whatever may come up.
This is a wonderful tool to be able to give Grandpa and Grandma when you need them to watch your kids at your home for a few days. It is also great to give to a babysitter, where it has phone numbers of neighbors and address if needed in an emergency situation!

We never know when something tragic will occur, and this is one tool that is ready in the case of an emergency!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

100 % Dutch!

Not many people can say they are 100 % of anything. You hear the expression, "I'm not 100 % sure..." often in conversations. Another way it is used... "You got 100 % on a test! Way to go!" I've also heard that the letters in ATTITUDE add up to 100% when assigned number values in the alphabet.

I am 100 % Dutch. This means that I am fully of Dutch descent, or from the Netherlands, aka Holland. My mother's parents spoke some Dutch, and I can sing "Happy Birthday" in Dutch (see below). I've always enjoyed all things Dutch- wooden shoes, Dutch desserts such as bankett (sp?) and Jan Hagel cookies, as well as Delft painted pottery from the town of Delft, Holland. I own some Delft pottery, and love the beautiful blue paint and designs. I am proud of my heritage, and enjoy celebrating it in any way I can. Rebekah and I made a Holland lapbook once, and I really enjoyed learning about the country. I do not look like a typical Dutch girl though, with long blond hair, but I have several cousins who do!

My collection of Delft pieces on my kitchen windowsill...
Another Delft piece and a Dutch girl cross-stitch that I made...
 Here are the phonetic words to Happy Birthday, in Dutch, according to my grandpa...


Oh what sign vhy hayden bly
Ji--ll is yaardaag
Ji--ll is yaardaag
Oh what sign vhy hayden bly
Jill is yaardaag is own-za rye
Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!


MY WOODEN SHOES AND MORE DELFT... 
Here are some old photos of my great-grandfather...



My great- grandparents immigrated from Holland to the United States. My Dad's grandfather (in the pictures above) carved wooden shoes in Holland and in Illinois. In Holland, he was a "Klompenmacher" or Wooden Shoe Maker. My father has pictures of his grandfather carving wooden shoes, and in front of his shop in Holland. He also owns one pair of my great-grandfather's hand-carved wooden shoes. When one of my friends went to Holland on a business trip several years ago, he purchased a pair of wooden shoes there for me. I have worn them, but they are a tad small.

I've always wanted to go to Holland, especially during the tulip blooming season in the town of Keukenhof. There are over seven million tulips planted in the park there, and they bloom between the end of March and mid-May. Tulips are once of my favorite flowers, I'd love to see thousands upon thousands of them! Someday...maybe for my birthday!


Here is a little information about Keukenhof Gardens from the wikipedia page:
The idea was to present a flower exhibit where growers from all over the Netherlands and Europe could show off their hybrids – and help the Dutch export industry (the Netherlands is the world's largest exporter of flowers). Keukenhof has been the world's largest flower garden for over fifty years.


My Grandpa went there with my aunt and uncle about 10-12 years ago. the pictures were amazing!
You can also see a gallery of photos on the page, found here.


One of my favorite recordings that I ever got from Focus on the Family is a tape of Corrie Ten Boom, who was a Dutch woman whose family hid Jews during the First World War in Holland. She sounds like my Grandma a little bit, and I LOVE her story!


What kind of heritage do you have? Are you a little of several nationalities, like my husband? Are you partly Swedish, like a good friend of mine? It is fun to discover!
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