Weekend Review

A little late for a weekend review, huh?

We've had a busy couple of days.  But that's ok.  I took photos.  Lots of photos. 
Elizabeth and William wanted to take "Expedition" chickens to the fair this year.  After pouring over photo after photo of chickens on the chicken website, they finally decided. Elizabeth wanted "Red Moderns", and William settled on "Red Frizzles". I ordered them through our local feed store and they arrived last Friday. For our fair you need to display a male/female pair. I ordered 6 of each kind hoping to get some of both genders, and allowing for unexpected deaths...


None of William's made it to the feed store.

As cute as it was watching this little guy kicking his feet in the air, I should have taken it as an omen.

Elizabeth's six were dead by Sunday evening.

Saturday morning was Elizabeth and William's first soccer game of the season.

Elizabeth and William are on the same team this year.  Elizabeth is not so cracked up about it, but it is so nice for me.  I don't have to juggle two different practice schedules, and at game time, Ryan and I can sit and watch both of them for the whole time. SO much nicer.

After all the rain we've gotten, the field was pretty wet and the kids fell often, but I don't think they noticed.

Saturday afternoon Ryan's parents arrived for a visit.  They are on their way home to Michigan after spending the winter in Florida.  The three older kids had fun taking turns sleeping in their new RV!

Saturday evening we celebrated Isabelle's 5th birthday! (with a few friends!)

Elizabeth made the cake and it turned out really cute.   Isabelle was happy with it.  Until later, when she said: "I wish I had a horsey cake instead.".  Brother.

I love this picture!

After opening this box with four sets of princess shoes, they were discussing who was going to wear what!

The decision:  Pink Cinderella on Grace, yellow Belle on Isabelle, and red/blue Snow White on Emma.

Girls after my own heart.

Mommy and Daddy with our little Princess.

My "good idea" party activity.  An egg hunt.  William had a blast filling the eggs and hiding them in the yard before the party, and all the "big" kids helped the "little" kids find them!  Everyone got to take home a fun box of candy!

Sunday we took a nice long walk, Isabelle rode her new bike almost the entire time - over 3 miles!

Isabelle, Jackson and I all got sunburned.  Grr.  I forget sunscreen for my pale little babies.

Sunday evening the kids had fun with Isabelle's new bubble machine!

Spicy Rice Skillet

Spicy Rice Skillet

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef

1 large onion-chopped

1 green pepper-chopped

1 quart diced tomatoes (un-drained)

2, 4 ounce cans diced green chili's

2 Tablespoons chili powder

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoons pepper

1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

2 cups sour cream

2 cups shredded yellow cheese

4 cups cooked whole grain rice

Corn chips

Directions:

Brown beef, onion and green pepper.  Add next eight ingredients, simmer ten minutes.  Add rice, sour cream and cheese.  Cook over low heat till cheese melts.  Serve with chips.

I got this recipe from my neighbor, Deanne and we love it.  I take it frequently to parties- it's a great "hearty" appetizer.  It doesn't look to appetizing, but it is really, really good! 

A few substitutions that I typically make:

*substitute sausage for beef, or half and half.

*omit the chili's...I forget to buy.

*omit the green pepper....forget to buy that too.

*omit the Tabasco sauce.  Not everyone in my family likes it hot!

Walmart Dress Re-do

I'm a big fan of the "up-cycle". You know, taking something old and yucky and turning it into something you can use,  love.  One of my favorite pastimes is scouring the Internet and finding creative ways to up-cycle random trash into treasures.  Two of my favorite blogs up-cycle clothing:  A New Dress A Day  She takes the ugliest clothing and transforms them into the cutest pieces. Grosgrain.  I love how Kathleen remakes dresses and sweater finds from her goodwill into beautiful pieces.

I like having a new outfit for Easter, and since I made the kids outfits from things I had on hand, I felt a bit bad thinking about shopping for something new for myself.

I picked this up at Walmart- on the clearance rack. For a dollar.  It was a bit big, but I thought for a dollar, I could make it work. And besides, I'm a sucker for navy blue.

My re-do was not much.  I just sewed up the side seams.  I've never worked with a slick knit before, but it went fine.  I think in the future I'll use my serger. I took off about 6" on both sides, and trimmed the excess.

A bit of an exaggeration, but looks better doesn't it?

It looked cute with these shoes I bought on sale at Kohl's.
Vera Wang - Hestia.  LOVE them.

Window on My World

Jackson has a cold.

Snot everywhere.

Isabelle Josephine

Happy Birthday Princess Isabelle!

April 2006

April 2007

April 2008

April 2009

April 2010

Field Trip! (take 2)

Yesterday I walked with Isabelle's class to the Post Office.  They are going on another field trip tomorrow too.  Since it is to a farm, and I live on a farm, I'm going to get some groceries instead.  The Post Office, on the other hand, was very interesting.  For me.  Not so much for your average preschooler.

They were very excited to walk to our destination.  A little disappointed that it stopped raining for three seconds and they did not need their umbrellas.

We found our address!  In the row with our neighbors. Very fun.  Kind of strange.

She's been post marked.  Think we could mail her?

Calf Chores

Sunday night after our Easter dinner induced coma, we all went out to do calf chores.  And by we, I mean we all went out, and they did calf chores while I took photos and ran interference on the bickering twins. (otherwise known as Elizabeth and William)

Besides.  I don't have any boots. Shocking but true folks. True.  I saw some cute ones on clearance at Target. But what if they got dirty?

They were hungry! All out of their little houses and mooing for us to hurry! HURRY!

We feed our calves formula, and sell the "udder milk" ha.  I crack myself up.

Never. ever. walk away from a photo opportunity...

DINNER TIME!!

Isabelle says they are twins.
Elizabeth says they are not.
Back and forth we go...

Remember this little guy?  He's been named "Markers"

Easter Sunday...Monday

Easter Sunday found us at church for breakfast and then the service. I love belonging to a church family where you can see and hear God working.

I decided a couple of months ago I would make Easter outfits for the kids.  Due to my wonderful gift of procrastination, I was up until 3am Sunday morning finishing them enough to wear.  I still have some handwork on Isabelle's dress and Jackson's  capris.  I love him in those little pants.  I might just have to make him some more...

Easter dinner with our dear friends.  I am so grateful they have taken us in, and tucked us under their wings.  It was a delicious lunch, and a oh-so-much-fun egg hunt!

Jackson was so funny.  He would bring the egg back to me, open it, dump the candy in the bag, and toss the egg aside. All about the good stuff!

So very happy for the perfect weather.  The kids had so much fun playing outside, riding bikes, blowing bubbles, sidewalk chalk.... and today we are back to rain. And probably everyday this week.... my garage is never going to get cleaned.

Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 cup shortening

2 cups sugar

2 cups raisins

1 cup nuts

2 cups oatmeal

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 Tablespoon hot water.

Directions:

Cream eggs, shortening and sugar.  Stir in rest of ingredients.  Drop by teaspoon on greased baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. 

 

This is my basic recipe.  A few variations I make depending on my mood, and what I have in the cabinet are:

*instead of 2 cups white sugar, I'll do 1 white and 1 brown.

* substitute chocolate chips in place of raisins, or leave them out all together.

*I don't like nuts in my cookies.  I never put them in.

*I use whole wheat flour instead of all purpose. (makes dough a little drier)

*roll in powdered sugar before baking. 

 

Easter Week

The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.  They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting: "Hosanna!"   "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"

John 12:12&13. 

On Palm Sunday, I worshiped my God by serving my community with my hands, my feet and my heart.  Sharing His love by showing love to others.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.  "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.  "You call me 'Teacher', and 'Lord', and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 13:12-16 

The Body of Christ Broken for me.

The Blood of Christ Shed for me.

Do this is remembrance of Me.

Last night, I remembered Him.  Who payed the ultimate price for my salvation. By breaking the bread, and drinking the wine.

Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull. Here they crucified him...

John 18:17&18 

 

On Sunday we'll celebrate an empty tomb.

He is RISEN!  He is not here.

Mark 16:6 

Spring Work

Remember these girls? Our rebellious pregnant teenagers?

Now that the ground is finally thawed, Ryan and our hired guy are reinforcing the fence.

The girls are supervising.  And keeping their eye on William too.

Who was pretending to be a gopher.

Spring has Arrived!

You wouldn't be able to tell by the gloomy Monday we are having, but it's official.  Spring is HERE!

How do I know?

Because yesterday my husband planted 13 acres of field corn and some sweet corn!

It's true.  I have the photos to prove it.

I don't know about the rest of you farm wives out there.... but my farmer's mood sure improves with spring planting.  Something about going back and forth across the field all day soothes his soul.   I have heard repetition has a calming effect...

Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut Butter Pie

Grandma Farmer's recipe

  

 Perfect Pie Crust:
 Pampered Chef

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vinegar
3-4 Tablespoons water

Directions:

 Combine flour, salt and sugar. Evenly cut shortening into flour mixture.  Combine egg and vinegar in small bowl and add to flour mixture.  Add water 1 Tablespoon at a time until dough is moist enough to form a ball.  ( I always need more water)  Shape dough into 2 balls.  Roll out on lightly floured surface and place in pie plate.

Makes 1 double crust pie shell.

*For Peanut Butter Pie, prick shell with fork multiple times on bottom and sides of pastry. Bake at 450 degrees for 9-12 minutes.  Cool completely.


Peanut Butter Pie: 
  
 Ingredients:

1 box instant vanilla pudding
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1 small container cool whip
1/2 cup peanut butter (approximately)
1 cup powdered sugar (approximately) 

Directions:

Cut peanut butter into powdered sugar to form crumbles.  Add more/less of each to your own liking.  Sprinkle crumbles in bottom of pie shell, saving some for garnish.
Whisk pudding and milk, pour immediately into crust on top of crumbles.  Refrigerate until firm.  Top with cool whip, and garnish with remaining crumbles.

Let's Go Goats!

Thank goodness these guys moved outside this week.  The garage was their playground!