Friday, May 31, 2013

Recipe: Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles

Do you like regular snickerdoodles? We do, we are regular cookie-baking connoisseurs around here. My hubby had cookies similar to these at a recent potluck at church and raved about them. So I looked up a recipe and found it on Pinterest here. I baked them last week and they were a big hit! They have a bit of a zip- zing to them in the back of your throat after several seconds. I brought them to a VBS leadership meeting and they were quite well-received there too!

Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles


Yield: 2 Dozen Cookies
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Canola Oil
1 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Pure Maple Syrup (I used agave nectar and they were good)
3 Tablespoons Almond Milk (or Soy Milk, if use regular milk, will not be vegan)
2 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 2/3 Cups Flour
1/2 Cup Unsweetened Dutch ProcessCocoa Powder
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
1/4- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (I did put this in...)
Cinnamon Sugar for Rolling Cookies:
1/3 Cup Sugar
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare you baking sheets.
  2. Mix the topping ingredients together in a bowl, then pour on a flat plate. Set aside.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, use a fork to vigorously mix together oil, sugar, syrup, and milk. Mix in vanilla.
  4. Sift in remaining ingredients, stirring as you add them. Once all ingredients are added mix until you’ve got a pliable dough.
  5. Roll dough into tablespoon sized balls. Roll dough balls in the sugar topping.  Place on baking sheet and flatten with the bottom on a cup til they are 1 1/2-2 inch discs, they will spread. 
  6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, they should be a bit spread and crackly on top. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  7. Enjoy!!

Let me know if you try them, I'd love to hear your review!

Song of Songs 4:10
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!

Ezekiel 27:22
“‘The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your merchandise they exchanged the finest of all kinds of spices and precious stones, and gold.

John 19:40
Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Thankful Thursday 2013: #4

It's been another fun week filled with God's blessings!


#435- I bought the kids a small backyard plastic pool and they love it! We've filled it two days already and they've loved cooling off. One day I found the THREE big kids in the pool-- it's not that big! :-D
 #436- I found this four-tiered canvas organizer at a second-hand store for only $10-- to help organize our school room. Our last one was like plastic crate material and only had three holes. Will be nice to have space to put Bethany's things, and not see it all!
 #438-Saturday morning, I had time at home with just my youngest while the rest of the family went to a JUCO baseball game. She put on these green goggles while her jammies were still on and made me giggle!
#447- Sunday evening we went to a JUCO game with our family, my hubby's sister's family, his mom and another sister. There were fourteen of us in one row and we had a great time! We loved it!
Here we are all posing together:

 My peonies are blooming in the backyard. Isn't it gorgeous?
 #450-On Memorial Day, my brother and his family came through town on their way back home. They had dinner and stayed the night at my parents' house. It was my nephew's birthday (on Tuesday) so we had cake and ice cream in honor of him. It was great to see them and play games, though I missed the JUCO Memorial Night game for the first time in years!
What are you thankful for this week? Have you told God about it? He is the giver of all good gifts!


Psalm 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 136:3
Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

1 Corinthians 1:4
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: A friend's wedding!

This past weekend, we attended the wedding of the oldest daughter of some dear friends of ours from church. We know their family well, have been in their home several times, our kids are good friends with their kids. Their daughter is the talented photographer that we have used for our family portraits the past two years, and they are the best we've ever had taken. 
The bride asked Joshua and our friend Larry to play guitar and violin at the wedding. They were great together!
The bride and groom during the vows...
The bride's sister and maid-of-honor sang "Love Never Fails" with Joshua and Larry...
 They had a foot washing ceremony during the song-- so neat!
The pretty burlap and lace wrapped glass jar centerpieces...
 The wedding was at a local history museum/ farm, and the kids liked checking out the animals!
 Mallory liked the goat kids...
 They had a set of bean-bag toss games out to play-- cool idea while waiting...
The first dance-- so sweet!
My sweet friend Beth and I, who was a little teary-eyed at the end of the day after her daughter and new son-in-law left-- understandably so!  It was a beautiful day and we were so glad to be a small part of it!

The wedding made me think of the bride of Christ, the church waiting for the bridegroom to come...


Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

John 3:29
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

Revelation 21:2
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

My favorites: Green mug

My favorites: Green mug

"Raindrops on Roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things..." (See here for more lyrics)


What are some of your favorite things? I have a favorite mug. It is quite often dirty, being used nearly every day, or every other day. One of my favorite colors, it is a shade of medium green. The shade reminds me of olive green, but is not so yellow. It reminds me of leaves and grass and natural bushes. It is not bright green, but a softer and gentler shade.

I can use it in my left hand (since I am left-handed). It is an earthenware mug from the Elemental series from Pier 1 Imports. It is a dishwasher safe and can be microwave warmed. The edge is not perfectly formed all the way around the mug, but has a slight upward curve on one side.

It has been loved as it has a few chips around the rim. I am careful not to drop it, as I doubt I'd find another that I like as much. It is a small thing, but I like it. It is not a big treasure, but a simple pleasure. Isn't it the simple things that seem to delight us?

Also, this slightly imperfect mug is nearly the same shade of green as the accent wall in our green, red and blue kitchen. I have this strawberry bunting on the wall which I love. It is a nice contrast to the green wall.


What are some of your favorite things? Do you have a favorite mug or glass? I'd love to hear about it!


Genesis 19:19
Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die.


Genesis 30:27
But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.”

Psalm 69:13
But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!

image found here
I hope you take a moment to remember those who have gone before us and died protecting our country today. Freedom isn't free! Thank you to all of our soldiers past and present!

Do you know how long Memorial Day has been celebrated in the United States? What was the holiday first called? When did it become a federal holiday? Find the answers here.


Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Psalm 119:45
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free...

Friday, May 24, 2013

Frugal Friday: Infinity scarves

Last week I went to Wal-mart and looked around in the fabric section. I found some nice fabric on clearance and bought it. I was thinking of making a vest like my sister has out of a one-yard piece of fabric, but bought the wrong type of fabric. So today I made it into an infinity scarf!

I used this tutorial, which I have used before. You can see another infinity scarf I made here. An infinity scarf is one that can be wrapped around your neck more than once, not left dangling. I like the way it hangs.

I bought more than one type of fabric, but my machine was acting up and didn't get it finished yet. But summer break is here, so I can work on it later! (And my mom was out of town, so she couldn't help!)


I look forward to wearing it lots! The best part is that it only cost me about $2.00!!


Writing prompt #5: Pinterest inspired! Share something you pinned and actually tried.

Psalm 104:2
The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent...

Proverbs 30:4
Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!

Mark 15:46
So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Thankful Thursday 2013 #3


Last year, I read the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Last summer when I wasn't blogging about my American Girl class, I shared many things that I am thankful for each week on my quest of journaling three gifts from God each day. I am writing down one thousand gifts again this year! I love the challenge to recall positive things each day. It helps me get rid of the every day dreariness and depression that can set in. I hope you'll enjoy seeing my thankful Thursdays again this summer, and join me in praising God for His blessings, big and small!

Our Columbines bloomed!
Our lettuce and spinach is ready to pick...
 A beautiful iris in our backyard-- such a beauty! I didn't remember that we had that color!
 My hubby got me a new plastic pot for my favorite flower-- pansies! Love the purples!
 We enjoyed the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival while Daddy did a run...

 #418 Joshua finished his 5K run under 30 minutes!

#417- Rebekah, Mallory and I all got to hold sweet baby Savannah at her baby shower on Saturday.
#426- Free dinners two nights in a row- Joshua got his TEN GALLON blood donor pin at the blood center dinner!

#423 Walking around my old college today-- the old stomping grounds-- parts of it look the same!
#427- Rebekah's beautiful singing and her friend Shaniah's signing at the recital last night.
#429- Hung our clothes on the clothesline for the first time things spring-- feels like summer!

It was another great week!


Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.


Psalm 105:1

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.


Psalm 136:3
Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Family Dance!

This past weekend, our homeschool group offered a family "Gala", and we attended for the first time! 
It was lots of fun for all six of us to go, learn row dances like the "Virginia Reel" and many others. It was a formal affair, with many in tuxes, suits, fancy dresses, blouses, and shoes. There was a light dinner and drinks offered. There was a caller and a group of two other musicians who played the piano and violin. The older kids all jumped in and were involved in the dance. Bethany (age 4+) was the hardest to convince that she could do it. Once we got her in there, she had a grand time!

It was a wonderful evening, and we were so glad to attend and fellowship with other homeschoolers!
We're looking forward to attending another dance sometime!
A pair coming down the line...
Showing the amount of people in the ballroom...
Pretty Bethany posing in between dances...
Daddy teaching Mallory to waltz...
Bethany in the hat dance line...
 Hubby and I posing at the end of our dance... it was fun to dress up!
Getting our "walkin' man" on the way to the car... :-D Silly!


2 Samuel 6:14
And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.


Ecclesiastes 3:4
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Jeremiah 31:13
Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Sowing and reaping

Sowing and Reaping

A few weeks ago in our homeschool, we read one of my favorite children's books, Miss Rumphius. In this picture book, the main character Alice Rumphius sets out to do something to make the world more beautiful. She journeys around her town with lupine seeds (I always loved lupines best, she says) and dropping them along the paths. The next Spring there are lupines everywhere!
 Shortly after we read this book, I read a devotional from Matthew 13:37 discussing Jesus as the Sower. "He that sows the good seed is the Son of Man." The devotional book that I am reading this year is called "Every Day with Jesus" (also called Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord by T.C. Horton and Charles Hurlburt).

This devotional was from May 16:

"The seed is the Word of God. God's Son sowed the good seed. He sows the Word of Truth in the hearts of men. When we sow the Gospel, we sow good seed. When we give out the Word of God we are sowing good seed. Nothing is comparable to the WORD itself. It has potential power. It is a living seed and never fails. We are to imitate our Lord, the Sower and see that the pure seed of the Word is scattered wherever we go. "Sow beside all waters."

Prayer: Lord, make me a seed-sower this day, and hear my prayer for all the sowers in all the world. Amen!"

Matthew 13:18-23

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”


Matthew 13:37-39

 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,  and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

(God says)... so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
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