Can I Deposit This Computer In The Trash Receptacle?

OK, here's the scoop: I have spent approximately 4 hours putting together a tutorial and trying repeatedly to post it. Blogger (or Picasa) is not doing it's thing for me today, so it is time to step away from the computer or risk a stress injury. Seriously!

One bright spot in my blogging day has been to discover that someone nominated me for a few blogs awards. Many thanks to whomever was my nominator. This brings a smile to my heart. The categories I am nominated for are "Blogger You Would Most Like To Meet", "Woman Power--Best Representative of Women", and "Best Commenter". Very sweet, for sure!

One cool thing about this post? I actually figured out how to link a picture! Ha! You really can click on the picture to get to Heather's site and vote for the blog awards. Maybe I won't throw my computer in the trash after all!

Blueberry Cake

This recipe is for a yummy breakfast cake that we make often. It was one of the first recipes that my girls learned to make when they were about nine or ten years old!

Cake:
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 TB oil
1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Streusel Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 TB butter

Combine first four cake ingredients, mix until smooth. Add flour and baking powder, mix until smooth. Pour into 8X8 cake pan. Sprinkle blueberries over the top of the cake batter. Combine the streusel ingredients until they are evenly combined and crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the blueberry cake. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until the top of the cake is golden brown (you need to be sure that it is browned on the top!).

You can substitute:

--Raspberries for the blueberries
--Peaches for the blueberries--Also substitute brown sugar for the white sugar called for in the streusel topping. (You can keep the white sugar in the cake part of the recipe.)

Enjoy! This recipe tastes wonderful, looks great and it's easy!

Friends...

"Any woman who sews or knits or weaves, blends colors in a tapestry or creates a patchwork quilt, knows by the feel that a single thread is weak. But the weaving, the blending, the intertwining with many others makes it strong.

Any woman alone without friends to sustain her, to nurture and support, to hold with loving arms, like a single thread is weak. But the weaving, the loving, the nurturing of others, the networks of friendship makes her strong."

---Barbara, 1994
The Kinship of Women

Simple Things...

I have opened up a brand-new store on the web. Please click here to visit!

Thank you!

Friday Snapshot

I found this Snapshot Meme over at Life In A Nutshell and decided to make this my Friday offering. Here is this morning's snapshot of my life:

Reading: Well, I broke down and purchased a hardback copy of the Thirteenth Tale after I couldn't make it through the first 50 pages of Rise and Shine. Generally I love Ms. Quindlen's writing but this book was a dud, for me anyway. Here's hoping that my new book is a winner!

Music in my Head: "It's All Part of My Rock and Roll Fantasy". Seriously. I heard it yesterday and I can't get it to stop.

Drinking: Lemon Zinger Tea with a spot of honey. Perfect to wake up to.

Wishing: That there was no snow in the forecast this weekend. This is the 6th snow weekend in a row and I am developing an eye-twitch just thinking about it!

Considering: Which Sunday School class to attend on Sunday.

Feeling: Too cozy to get out of bed and actually do something today.

Goals: Make 40 purse and 25 aprons for The Blossom Festival Arts and Crafts Show in the spring.

To do list: Clean the house. Start sewing (see the previous response).

Hours spent in bathtub last night: None. I had a mom's-night-out so who needs the bathtub?

Things accomplished: Two new handbags designs. Figured out how to put "add a cart" buttons in my store. Washed the last 5 weeks of snow off of my car. Successfully made bagels myself.

Hoping: That the weather forecast is wrong!

Have a happy Friday!

Shiver Me Timbers

As a kid I always wished that I had a big brother. Somehow a big brother meant protection, guidance and not just a little bit of fun.

Aubry, of course, has been blessed with two big brothers who adore her almost as much as they are exasperated by her. They have taught her the joys of Legos, playing army, mudfights and wrestling which consists of the boys laying on the floor while she jumps on them and screams "Hi-ya". They never fight back.

Aubry and the boys spent the good part of a day creating this little pirate ship, complete with gun turrets, crow's nest and a spyglass. All of us landlubbers were cast aside while the they worked and imagined and played.

Without her brothers, Aubry would be relegated to the land of princesses, ballerinas and dolls, which, believe me, we get enough of around here. If anything, they provide some spice for her sweet little life and in the days to come I am hoping for some protection and encouragement for my little gal.

Methinks my littlest matey has spied land:

Recipes For You

In our effort to eat healthier I have been scouring the Internet and recipe books for some new ideas. We have come up with some gems. My daughter, Emily, has been a big help and most of these recipes originated from her.

**If you posted a recipe on your blog, please leave me a comment so I can add your link to this post.

Sue--Very Berry Muffins
Alasandra--Pumpkin Cookies

Sauteed Green Beans with Tomatoes and Garlic
1 pound green beans, ends trimmed
2 TB. Olive Oil
1 small red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 TB. chopped fresh parsley leaves
salt and pepper

Lightly steam the green beans until just tender. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and cook the onion until softened. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the green beans, tomatoes, parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are hot and the flavors are well combined. Serve hot.

White Chicken Chili
1 pound dried great northern beans
3/4 cup diced onion
1/2 TB. oil
1/2 TB. oregano
1 tsp. cumin
3/4 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 qts. chicken broth
1 garlic clove, minced
1 4 oz. can green chilies (I use fresh)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Soak beans overnight and drain. Combine seasonings with the onions and garlic, saute for 1 minute. Add the drained beans and the chicken broth. Simmer for 2 hours, covered. Add the chicken and the chilies and simmer for 2 more hours. Remove the lid during the last hour of cooking. This makes 10 servings.

Bagels
A few weeks ago Emily made bagels from this recipe for the first time and they have been making a frequent appearance on our table ever since. (The picture on the website doesn't look all that appealing, but believe me when I say that these taste great!) She makes the dough-sponge using unbleached flour and then adds whole wheat flour for the rest. The dough is very stiff and a little hard to handle, but the effort is well worth it! She also adds about 1/2 cup less flour than the recipe calls for and cooks the bagels for an extra 5 minutes. Here are some variations:
--Cranberry-Orange (shown in the picture): Use orange juice for the liquid and add 1/2 cup dried cranberries during the last 2 minutes of kneading time.

--Apple-Cinnamon: Use apple juice for the liquid and add 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.

--Sun-Dried Tomato Basil: During the last 2 minutes of kneading time add 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 1/2 tsp. basil.

--Cinnamon-Raisin: Add 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/2 cup raisins during the last 2 minutes of kneading time.

Enjoy!

An updated prayer request for Kelli is here. This sweet gal and her family could use our prayer support!

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
--James 5:16

Adding More Good Stuff...

I posted last week about healthy eating and a number of people asked for specifics. Mainly I try to keep the food as normal as possible while adding some healthier ingredients so no one notices what I am doing! Here are some tips for you:

***Tomorrow I am going to post a couple of our new, healthy recipes. If you would like to post one (or two) on your blog please leave me a comment on tomorrow's post and I will link your blog from my post. Think of it as a bloggy-recipe exchange! If I am lucky I may be able to figure out how to do a Mr. Linky! ;)

--Be more creative when you make salads. Use green, leafy lettuces and spinach, and add shredded cabbage, sweet peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, etc., etc. Don't allow your kids to pick things out, just tell them to "scoop and eat".

--When making bread, pizza dough, or muffins substitute at least one cup of whole wheat flour for the white flour. No one will notice. You can gradually increase the amount until you are using at least half whole-wheat flour in your recipes.

--Instead of using packets of sugary oatmeal, make oatmeal from scratch using old-fashioned oats or a 7-grain mix. Add brown sugar, milk and a little butter for taste.

--Make fruit salad with your kids.

--Make smoothies using 100% orange juice and a variety of frozen fruits. Ripe bananas sweeten these up.

--In a stir-fry or casserole add half the amount of meat and double the amount of vegetables. Believe it or not, my hubby has never noticed that I do this!

--Did you know that you can make your own popcorn in the microwave? Just toss two handfuls of popcorn kernels into a paper lunch sack and fold down the top. Cook on high for 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes or until the popping slows down. Be careful because it scorches fairly quick. Pour into a bowl and add butter and salt as desired. This is much healthier and cheaper than regular microwave popcorn.

--Try a new vegetable each week. Letting the kids pick a recipe is a good way to get them involved.

--Add extra chopped vegetable to spaghetti sauce. Mushrooms, grated carrots, zucchini, peppers, and eggplant all taste great. Be creative!

--Make an attempt to eat the recommended 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This is harder than you might imagine.

How do you add good things to your recipes?

The Missing Basket Mystery

This weekend I was in Aubry's room and I noticed that her laundry basket was missing from her closet. Looking around the house availed no clues so I asked her where it was, but all I received were hunched shoulders and an "I don't know". A few hours later I was looking for her shoes (which she loses often) and upon looking under the bed, I found the basket in question:

It was loaded with the clothes that she was supposed to put away a few days ago!

Taking her aside, I confronted her in my stern-mommy manner and I was met with a demeanor that told me that, not only did she think this was funny, but that I should find it funny too. Honestly, in spite of the fact she lied to me and failed to put away her laundry when I told her to, I was cracking up on the inside, but any good mom knows that you cannot let that be known. Lucky for me, my hubby was home so I called him in to deal with my smirking gal. He was only able to get a couple of words out of his mouth before Aubry was practically a pile on the floor, tears of sorrow and regret streaming down her cheeks.

Now I have to wonder why I can't get that kind of respect? (The previous sentence should be read in the best Rodney Dangerfield voice that you can muster.) Why is it that me, the mommy, is greeted with laughter and an "aren't I funny gal" kind of countenance, while the daddy is met with a "I am so sorry for disappointing you" attitude? Ah, the unfairness of it all!

Today is Monday and in my house that is laundry day, and with five kids the piles are high, but I am considering taking a cue from my little one and stuffing it somewhere. With piles so big I may have to remove the pool cover in order to have a place to stash it all, but at least it will take my dear family a while to find it. All I will have to do it to plead innocence and when Craig finds it just turn on the waterworks and all will be well.

Have a happy Monday!

Such Cuteness!

Smockity Frocks is having a contest and the prize is this adorable apron. Gingham, strawberries and oilcloth all in one---I love it!

Friday Fashion

Almost everyday of the week you will find me in jeans and a t-shirt; I believe in being comfortable. Not one to be much of a girly-girl, dresses can be found in the back of my closet and they are dragged out only on Sundays. Last summer I wore skirts more often and I loved it (so did my husband) and I find myself being drawn these days to looks like this:

Don't you just love the yellow one? It just screams "spring" to me. The black and blue ones are great too, but I would never have a place to wear them since they are more formal.

This weekend we have snow in the forecast--AGAIN!!!--but I may have to brave the roads to reach the fabric store. Somehow a few more flakes seem acceptable as long as I am making something for the warm weather that is just around the corner. It is just around the corner, isn't it?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Gradual Changes

In an effort of achieve a healthier lifestyle, we often make drastic changes in our diets and we resort to using only whole wheat, stamping out all sugar, or going completely organic. In a sense, all of these changes can be good, but I find that gradual change that leads to healthier living works the best, in large part because it is not as noticeable as quick, drastic change.

Over the last few months I have done my research and I am convinced that eating organic is the best way to stay healthy and to keep harmful pesticides and hormones out of my family's food. But in reality the cost of purchasing only organic food for my family of seven is a financial strain--and a big one at that! For example, organic chicken costs $6.99 per pound as compared to Safeway's sale price of $1.49 per pound, a price that allows me to buy in bulk.

My compromise in moving towards healthier living has been to increase our fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and to decrease processed foods and sugars, all while buying organic when it is possible. Not only have I avoided complaints about overly healthy foods, but my family is actually complimenting many of the new, vegetable-heavy foods on our table. All of this is added to the benefit of staying within my grocery budget.

Healthy eating and living are always worthwhile goals, but a person can be too enthusiastic and make drastic changes which lead to burn-out and a return to old eating habits. Learning about diet and exercise, and gradually implementing affordable, time-wise ideas into your life can lead to gradual but long-lasting improvement in your family's health.

As of this morning, the amount of money raised for Kelli and her family is $5,600.00. This is the sort of thing that makes a heart happy and it makes me happy to be a part of this blogging world. On our own our power to help can be small, but in pulling together our strength is increased--always.

God is good.
God is faithful.
God hears our prayers.

Please continue to pray for Kelli as she awaits a kidney transplant. Pray for her family as they wait each day for answers.

Pray...

For Kelli

Today's post is for Kelli. Kelli is a wife and a mom of two children. She is a lover of life and, more than that, she is a lover of God. This shows through so profoundly as she works her way through an intensely difficult set of circumstances that God has allowed in her life.

Boomama has put together an opportunity for us to come together and give Kelli a hand. Here is what Boomama says about it on her blog:

"But the fact of the matter is this: Kelli needs a kidney transplant. Desperately. She is currently on daily dialysis, though she can’t continue with it indefinitely. She has made her way through the bulk of the process to become an organ transplant candidate, and on the medical end of things, the prospects look pretty good. She needs a donor, of course, but in terms of her being a suitable candidate, everything looks fine. She’s been poked, prodded, questioned and tested - and she’s passed with flying colors.

Kelli has been on my mind and on my heart a lot lately, mainly because I can’t imagine being the mama of two teenagers and knowing that death is a very real possibility if certain events don’t fall into place."

If you would like to help Kelli financially, please click here. If you would like leave Kelli some words of encoragement, please click here.

Remember that every little bit helps and that God will provide the increase that Kelli needs!

Wax On, Wax Off

All that "waxing on and waxing off" has reaped its reward! Craig and I and the boys have earned our yellow belts in karate. Our testing weekend was exciting and fun and actually receiving the belt felt more worthwhile than I expected it to.
















As you can see, my hubby is going for a combination Jet Li/Grizzly Adams look which I find endearing.

Over the last few months I have been told the my kia needs work. (A kia is the hi-yaa sound made at certain points in the katas). Yelling at Craig and the kids more often must have paid off because I was complimented on my kia twice during the testing sessions. I am truly on my way to becoming a lean, mean fighting machine. Or maybe not.

Here is a picture of me in true karate form:

You probably never expected me to look so threatening, did you?

Hi-yaa! And have a wonderful Monday!

Friday Sweetness

My first job was at Baskin Robbins. That was WAY back when the uniform was dark brown and pink polyester with a matching baseball-type cap. Very cool, for sure!

In my first week of work, I served ice-cream to the little blond girl who starred in the movie Poltergeist. Of course, I acted like I didn't recognize her, but on the inside I thought it was pretty cool to be scooping ice-cream for the kid from such an awesome movie. In case you wondering--which you probably aren't--she ordered orange sherbet like most children do.

One thing about working at Baskin Robbins is that you scoop some really gross ice cream combinations for people. Banana Splits with flavors such as Rainbow Sherbet, Pistachio Nut, and Chocolate-Peanut Butter ice cream, covered with Marshmallow, Hot fudge and Strawberry toppings were not that uncommon. But you are warned on your first day of work to never appear grossed-out by some one's ice-cream choices, so I just scooped and tried not to make any disgusted faces.

Every day I ate a scoop of Daiquiri Ice, which is a good idea if you are trying not to gain any ice-cream pounds. While I still like that flavor, my number-one choice is Pralines and Cream these days; I am almost never fail to get it.

You might be wondering why I am writing down my memories of Baskin Robbins. It is because if you click here you will find a Buy One Get One Free Coupon for one of their ice-cream sundaes. Personally I will be getting a Hot Fudge Sundae with Pralines and Cream and Rocky Road, without nuts, whipped cream or a cherry. Why add all that extra stuff when all you need are the basics!

What will you be getting?

***Many thanks to Chilihead for the link!

Some Links...

--Elise has Children's Book Monday on her blog. She has wonderful recomendations that can be purchased or interloaned at the library.

--Linda has yet another great tutorial--this time for a "children's artist case". Her instructions are clear, pictures are abundant and the case will be a hit with any budding artists in your life.

--If you are trying to get organized, check out this blog! Laura has some wonderful ideas, including a Menu Plan Monday, to help you get started.

--Thicket Dweller has started a new cooking blog "that teaches you how to begin with the basics and make the best". This blog is not about quick-cooking, but rather about learning to cook wonderful meals from scratch and enjoying the process.

--Did you know that you can take online courses from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) for free? The classes can be downloaded to your computer and they expect to have all of their courses available by the end of the year. This is an excellent resource for homeschoolers or self-learners! (The classes do not earn a degree, they are only for educational purposes.)

--Last and certainly not least, my daughter, Danika, is hoping to go to on a missions trip to Africa in the summertime and here is the letter she has sent out to family and friends. I just wanted to post this in case anyone feels led to help her get there, but also because the letter makes me feel like a very proud mommy!

Hope you have a nice Thursday!

A Nice Pie

Finally, some success with a pie crust! Usually my pies taste fine, but they are generally on the unattractive side, for sure. I have found that the secret lies in a basic pie crust recipe and in making some extra so that way I don't end up with the patchwork crust I am used to. Another secret? Little helping hands to pinch the edges of the crust. So perfect.

I have some new items posted in my little craft store!