Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Why I Love Homemaking....


I love homemaking because...

It is such a blessing to have a home to make, even if we don't own it.

I realize that being home with my children is a great privilege. Thank you Honey!
I love knowing that I'm here for my husband and kids whenever they need me.
I answer to my God and my husband.
I can take time to "carpe diem", sieze the day, whether it be checking on the groundhogs at the corner, stopping when we see elephants outside at the circus' out of season barn, watching a plane land at the airport in the next town, or just stopping to see a bug or flower or whatever my kids are excited about.
I get to be here to help my children learn new skills, like cooking!

Thank you God!
Thank you Honey!
Laura
Thankful to Be Home

~~~~~
May I suggest? 
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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Just a Little Bit

...of what I've been doing lately.


Kiwi, strawberry, Harvest Peach, and regular peach jam


Preparing the review for this riveting book


Zucchini Zucchini Zucchini



Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Visit to Texas

Contrary to my Recent Posts... This is not a review blog.  Reviews are a welcome addition to my blog.  I used that wonderful little scheduling tool on Blogger for my reviews so that I could take a vacation.  So, things should begin to be a little more interesting around here again.  Hubby also bought me a new camera.  So things should begin to look a little more personal around here, too.  Now, if I can just master the camera!  He got me the simplest one on the market.  Point and shoot.  Well, if you know me, I am a bit techologically delayed.  I'll get it, though; just give me time.  ~smile~ 
So what did I do on vacation?


I drove clear across Oklahoma by myself.
With four kids, I don't go anywhere by myself!
Well, maybe the grocery store once in awhile.

I used MapQuest to plan my route. Unfortunately, though I had instructions about how to get to Little Elm, Texas, I didn't know how far any point on my route was from my destination. Lake Eufala seemed to go on forever!   Note to self: MapQuest is great; but, get a real paper map, too.


I was so happy to see the Texas Visitor's Center at the state line.


My new camera was tucked safely in my purse.  Out of sight out of mind.  I forgot to take photos until the evening before I left!  So, grandma and I jumped in the car and drove around taking photos.  Yes, the Little Elm sign says it's 107 degrees.  Thank God the air conditioner was working in my car.  Neither Grandma or I do well in the heat. 


Just one view of the enormous Lewisville Lake that Little Elm is built around.  Grandma lives in a house on a peninsula that goes into the lake.


Here's my wonderful Grandma Mamie.  She just celebrated her 90th birtday.  Isn't she just beautiful?  Her secret?  She stays active, mind and body, and exercises regularly.  Even after a recent illness, she refused to just stay in her rocker.  She believes in living life to the fullest.  She is a gift to me.

Just before I left, we posed for a photo, Grandma Mamie, Cousin Gloria, and me.  I think that's Gloria's cat, Patches in the back, looking rather odd with white eyes.  I told you I've got to learn to use the camera.  ~smile~

Great memories.  Thanks to my husband's willingness to keep the kids, provide the gas, car, camera, phone, and money I needed.  Thanks also to a wonderful gift of two new tires from someone who loves us.  Thanks most of all to God who made it all possible.

Next time, I'm going to take the kids.  They will love seeing Grandma and all their cousins.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Wise Shine Like Stars




"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."
Daniel 12:3

Wisdom is found in the Word of God.  I'm using Professor Horner's Bible Reading System to read through the Word this year.  You can find it at YouVersion.

Daniel 12:3

Shared at:
Faithful Fridays with Joy

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Summer Harvest Meal with Summer Zucchini Skillet


The first onions from our garden.


Several of our first zucchini shredded and packaged for zucchini cake this Autumn.


Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Red Onions, and Rosemary, all from the garden ready to saute.

Summer Zucchini Skillet

Cut up zucchini, yellow squash, red onions in bite size pieces.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of rosemary.  Mine was dried.  If you use rosemary from the store, you'll have to season to taste.

Melt 4 T butter in a saucepan; add veggies and stir-fry over medium until crisp tender.


We served it with grilled burgers and salad.
Oh my, summer pleasure.

~~~~~
May I suggest?
~~~~~

Monday, July 2, 2012

It's Jam Time! Kiwi Jam


I looked and looked for a kiwi jam recipe.  Every recipe I found called for strawberries, pineapple, pineapple juice, or rum.  So, I just modified a recipe and made it my own. 






KIWI JAM

4 1/2 c crushed, kiwi fruit
1 pkg powdered pectin
7 c sugar

1. Mix fruit and pectin in a large pot. Bring it to a full boil.






2. Add sugar and bring it to a rolling boil.






3. Following the instructions in the pectin box or Ball Blue Book, process 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.






Note: I made half of this recipe with 12 small kiwi and used a bit more than half the powdered pectin packet. It turned out just fine.

Enjoy!

Laura
Busy in the Kitchen
and the Creek!

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