Why Was I Posting at 3:00 a.m. Friday Morning?

That's the question that my friend, Deb commented on the last post.  Well... I went to bed; but, I couldn't sleep.  I knew I had to get up at 4:00 a.m. to make cinnamon rolls to sell.  Since I couldn't sleep anyway, I thought I'd just lay out the ingredients.  Then, I thought maybe I'd pre-mix some ingredients.  Then, since I was still wide awake, I went ahead and made the bread.  I posted during the rise time after I did the dishes.  What can I say? 

Here a little there a little...

Laura

Kindling and Rekindling

I had a little mini-date with my little girl, Amy, this week.  My original plan had been to take her to Paws for Books at the library.  Our vet was to bring some dogs in for the children to read to and pet.  I had Amy call to check the time.  Oops!  Wrong day.  We decided to go out anyway, just the two of us.  First we went to the dollar store and bought a few cleaning supplies and toiletries that we needed.  We ran a couple of errands; then, we decided to stop for a soda at the convenience store.  As we were driving, Amy saw the quilt shop.  Amy, my little girl who doesn't sew yet, got all excited about visiting the shop!  We went inside and browsed, touching the beautiful fabrics, patterns, and accessories with our eyes and our fingers.  It was enlightening to see which fabrics made her light up with pleasure.  Now Amy wants to make a quilt block like little Laura in Little House in the Big Woods.  I think this is going to be a creative winter with my girls and my boy.

We didn't spend a penny.  It was just twenty minutes or so; but, I saw a kindling of creativity in my 9 year old.  I felt a rekindling of my desire to sew and quilt as well.

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Be it Ever So Humble, There's No Place Like Home

Pumpkin Teddy Bear Mush

I had a cup of pumpkin left over after making a batch of Jennifer's pumpkin pancakes the other morning.  My little girl, Amy, helped make them.  My husband said, "Oh, yum.  You've gotta keep this recipe."  High praise for pancakes.  Thanks Jennifer!  Well, the pumpkin was sitting in a jar in my refrigerator smiling at me every time I peeked in the door.  Pumpkin does smile, you know?  Well, this morning I decided that it was time to put that happy little jar to use. 

Amy loves Teddy Bear Mush.  We used to buy a product called Bear Mush at the local co-op.  It's no longer available where we live.  The closest product I can find is called Malto-Meal.  Cream of Wheat would probably work well, also.  This recipe is an original; so, there's no one to blame but me if you don't like it.  :)  By the way, we call it Teddy Bear Mush because I'm sure it's what the three bears ate.

Pumpkin Spice Teddy Bear Mush

In a three quart saucepan, heat over medium heat, stirring often:

4 cups skim milk
2 cups water

Stir together:
1/2 cup sugar,
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1/2 t ginger
1/4 t cloves

Malto Meal or Farina

Add the sugar spice mixture to the milk and water.  Continue to heat until tiny bubbles begin to form around the edges of the pot.  Slowly add one cup of Malto Meal stirring with a whisk continually.  Heat until mixture thickens to your taste.  We like ours thick and serve it with milk.

I must say, my little jar of pumpkin was so happy to be part of a warm inviting breakfast treat.

If you are a pumpkin lover like me, you really must try this.  For many more pumpkin recipes, visit my friend Sue's blog, Country Pleasures.  She shares recipes every Tasty Tuesday.  She loves pumpkin and it shows!

Have a warm, cozy Autumn Day!

Laura
Happy at Home

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Thoughts of Autumn and Fall

~~~~~
I've been featured!

Project Inspired

The Greatest Work...

"The greatest work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home."

~ Harold B. Lee

I agree with Mr. Lee.  I've done a lot of things in my lifetime; my husband has done even more.  When it all comes down to it though, the things we've done for our family with our family have been the things that were most worthwhile.  The time I spent teaching my children to read, the time I've been spending teaching my son division, the time I spend picking up, cleaning, washing, and cooking are all worthy of my best efforts.  Do I always give it my best effort?  Sadly, no.  Oftentimes, I find I am distracted by the difficulties of life or even the pleasures of life.  Sometimes I'm tired or don't feel well.  Still, The Word states,"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV


So, this is my goal, to work heartily as unto the Lord in my home for my family. I've got a long way to go to meet my goal. Though, maybe not. I was thinking of this goal in terms of how organized and clean and efficient my house is and how organized and efficient I am at teaching my children. I think that perhaps the meaning of this verse lies more in my attitude, my willingness, and my action.


So, tonight I have three cakes, four loaves of bread, and dinner to make. I'm going to do it with cheerfulness and love just like I would if it were Jesus coming to dinner tomorrow night. I think that will fulfill the spirit of the law not just the letter.

Learning to Love The Greatest Work
Laura

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Something to Think About...

Christmas Preparations

~~~~~

Raising Homemakers - Wholehearted Wednesdays - A Wise Woman Builds Her Home -  So Much at Home - Wake Up Wednesday - What you wish Wednesdays - A Little R & R
Tuesday
Take a Look Tuesday  - You're Gonna Love it Tuesday - Tuesdays at Our Home -  Backyard Farming  Connection - A Return to Loveliness 

The Golden Days of Autumn... Laura Ingalls Wilder

"All those golden autumn days the sky was full of wings.
Wings beating low over the blue water of Silver Lake,
wings beating high in the blue air far above it . . .
bearing them all away to the green fields in the South."

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

By the Shores of Silver Lake

Fall Homemaking...

Fall homemaking is much like homemaking any time of year.  There's the regular cleaning, the laundry, the dishes, the floors and the like.  What makes fall homemaking unique for me is the feeling of nesting that I get as the breezes become cooler, the colors become warmer, and the days become shorter. 

I want to open my windows more to let in fresh cool air.  I want to bring in the warmth of pumpkin oranges, maple leaf reds, and wildflower golds.  I want to snuggle up on the sofa with a good book at the end of the day as the darkness falls earlier and earlier.

I also want to fill my home with the aroma of homemade cinnamon rolls with lots of butter, cinnamon, and sugar.  I do this every Friday morning.  I'm up at 4:00, measuring, mixing, rolling and baking.  Praise God, I have a Bosch mixer* that does the kneading for me.  My husband comes home from work around 6:30 a.m. and gets to enjoy a hot roll before making our deliveries.

My husband's taste buds are tantalized by the aroma of garlic and onions sauteing.  He knows homemade soup, chili, stew, spaghetti sauce, or salsa is being created.  Would you believe, I didn't have garlic until I was 14?  Now, I couldn't imagine my kitchen without it.

Ah well, there are so many things I enjoy about this cozy season.  I shall have to share more as time allows.

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you as you trust in Him for salvation, for hope, for your every need.

Laura
Thankful to be Home

~~~~~

May I suggest?

D is for Do It!

~~~~~ 

*I am no longer an Amazon affiliate.

2016 Fabulous Fall Party

The Gathering Place...a Miracle in the Making

The Gathering Place is a miracle in the making. My husband, Lowell, and I have been caretakers for an estate just south of Carthage, Missouri since September 2009. Lowell and I have been praying for months about how The Big House could be used. It's big, beautiful, and spacious. The owners, the Richarts, just want to see it cared for and enjoyed. After much prayer, Lowell talked with Mr. Richart about using the house for events such as weddings, retreats, birthday parties, reunions, business meetings, and church activities. Mr. Richart agreed; and, the two came to arrangements.

So, now we had a vision, a gathering place, and little money. So, we waited, talked and prayed. After many months, God stepped in and started making things happen. This blog will tell the story as well as give information about what we have to offer and the special events we have planned.

If you're in the Carthage area, call (417) 358-0963 to arrange a tour and discuss how we can help you make your next event memorable.

Our next big event will be a Holiday Craft Show.

It will be on Saturday, November 13 from 9:00 am to 5 pm.

We're seeking vendors of handcrafted items.

Tables will be only $20 with lunch available for just $5 per person. Just give us a call. We'd love to talk with you.

God bless!

Laura of the Gathering Place at Harvest Lane

P.S. Sue, you're not to far to come and bring your craft items!

Salad Soup

Salad Soup

Anyone who has had a Saladmaster Health Salad knows that although it's delicious, sometimes you have too much of a good thing. Well, not really. Those veggies are vitamin packed and delicious. Sometimes you just need a different way to prepare them. Since specific measurements aren't important, it's a good way to use up leftovers. Use what you have on hand. Substitute, add, or leave out according to what you have or what you like.

Cut up the following veggies on the #3 cone like you're making a salad:

½ green cabbage
¼ red cabbage
a radish
2 carrots
1 onion
1 potato
1 chopped bell pepper

Add:
15 oz tomato sauce
15 oz chopped tomatoes, plain or roasted garlic
spices to taste

I used about a teaspoon each of:
basil,
rosemary,
thyme,
oregano,
garlic powder,
parsley,
salt and pepper to taste.

Combine in a three quart saucepan. Cover.
Medium, click, low.
Simmer until spices have mingled; and, you're ready to eat.

Sharing with:
Linda's Lunacy Making a Home

The Gathering Place at Harvest Lane is Now Open for Events in Carthage, Mo!

The Gathering Place is now open for private events.

Let’s take a little tour!

Lowell and Laura Lane, your hosts.


The foyer is a wonderful place to greet your guests.

Use it as an overflow for the dining room, or use it for

a display area. The room features white Alabama

Marble flooring and a beautiful staircase…

perfect for your bride to come down.

The living room is our formal meeting room.

It is large enough for a speaker and will seat up to 50.

It is perfect for a small wedding. Bob and Jane Richart,

the owners, told me they were married in front of the

fireplace and it was perfect.


The dining room can accomodate 2 for a candlelight

dinner by the fire, or up to 18 for your reception.

With the overflow of the foyer, we can seat up to

50 for a meal. I love the dining room!



Well I hope this little tour gave you enough of a

taste that you would like to come and see us and

take a real tour.



MARK YOUR CALENDARS! NOVEMBER 13, 2010 9am – 5pm

Holiday Craft Show at The Gathering Place
Vendor booth space is available first come, first serve.

Call for more information.

417-358-0963.



Sincerely,
Lowell and Laura Lane
Harvest Lane Cottage

The Gathering Place at Harvest Lane