bread day

Today, it's raining and snowing at the same time. Everything looks cold and gloomy (in a wonderfully melodramatic kind of way).

It seemed like a perfect day for bread. And it was. And it is. This recipe originally came from on of my favorite sites of all time. Allrecipes.

This French Loaf had the perfect reviews. I love to read the comments from others to find what adjustments they made. I followed the one that said he used 5 tsp of yeast, added more salt (2 tsp) and a tbsp of butter. I also used a whole egg wash instead of just the white, because I like how the yolk adds a bit of golden coloration to the bread.

I will definitely make it again, and again, and again. And I most definitely recommend it. Easy, quick, and delicious!

Pigling Bland

My daughter woke me up this morning. She had had a bad dream. But, didn't want to talk about it. It was too scary.

I allowed her some time to process, and then gently asked a few questions.

"What was the dream about?"

shrugs

"Who was in the dream?"

"Pigs."

"Oh." (Holding back the giggles.) "Were you in the dream, too?"

"Yes."

"What happened?"

"Well, some of the pigs were really boars. Some were really pigs. One was a nice pig. One of the boars pounded on the door, it was locked, and yelled, 'Mother! Father!'"

(trying so hard not to giggle, but let one small snort sneak out) "Were they wearing clothes?"

"Yes."

"I see."

"Then a boar ran up to us [she and the nice pig] and he [the nice pig] pushed him."

(at this point, I had a full-on case of the giggles.)

She realized just how silly it all was and we decided to start our morning. It had occurred to me, that last week I had gotten them a lovely Beatrix Potter movie in their Easter basket. "The Tale of Pigling Bland."

So I asked her, "Was the nice pig like Pigling Bland?"

"Yes."

Aha. It was a pretty scary movie. (sarcasm)

trying it again, again

Even monkeys can do it. What's MY deal?! I'm going to try again. Surely, my pregnant mind will be sharper than my regular mind. *cough*

Cravings

There is just something about cheese. And pickles. I cannot get enough of either.

I am really going to need to find something chock full of fiber to crave to balance out the cheese.

(I'm sure you were just dying to know this.)

Happy Easter!

Sunday, has come! The grave is empty! He is alive! Death, has no sting.

Blessings.

cooking with the kids

We put together a dessert for tomorrow, and it was so easy...PERFECT for help from the kids. Thought I'd share. It's from the newest issue of Kraft's Food and Family (definitely not a gourmet mag--but it's free--just sayin'.) Anyhow, it's called "Easy Peanut Butter & Chocolate Eclair Dessert."

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(Copied from Kraft's site)

Prep Time:30 min
Total Time:8 hr 30 min
Makes:24 servings, one piece each

1-3/4 cups cold milk
1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
24 HONEY MAID Honey Grahams
6 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
3 Tbsp. butter

POUR milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended. Add peanut butter; mix well. Gently stir in whipped topping. Layer one-third of the grahams and half of the pudding mixture in 13x9-inch dish, breaking grahams as necessary to fit. Repeat layers. Top with remaining grahams.

MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min., stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Spread immediately over grahams.

REFRIGERATE at least 8 hours. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

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I made a few substitutions: I used white chocolate Jello pudding, and since I don't have a microwave, I heated the butter in a small sauce pan, and then added mini-semi-sweet chocolate chips after removing the melted butter from heat.

The kids had SUCH a blast stirring, and placing the crackers in the pan. It's in the fridge now, so the photo above is also from Kraft's site. We haven't tasted the finished product, but the spoon-taste-testers have approved each individual component.

It's Friday...

...but Sunday's coming.

Hallelujah! Sunday's coming!!

preparations

I'm trying to mentally gear up for the coming Holiday. THE Holiday. The big one. The one to end all others. "It is finished."

Can you grasp that?

Wow. My debt is paid. Your debt is paid. All debt is paid. Just believe.

The best analogy I've heard thus far was one of girl. Before the Judge.

See this gal had a rough day. A really rough day. She drove her little car over a few mailboxes. Through a couple of stop signs and into a parked car. A police car.

Well her day in court came, and she stood before the Judge.

"How do you plead?"

"Guilty." She responds.

"Well, your actions have a consequence. There is a fine. A debt to be paid."

She nods. Readying.

"The fine including damages is $500,000.00." He tells her.

All watch as the Judge sets down His gavel. Steps down from His bench, pulls out His checkbook and begins to write a check. To pay the fine. For His daughter.

"WAIT!" She yells. "I don't accept that! I don't want you to pay for my actions."

"But you don't have the money." her lawyer quietly reminds her.

"I don't care! I reject His help. I will endure the punishment myself."

The Judge concedes. It is her decision to make. Hers to accept or reject. He nods knowingly towards the bailiff.

She is handcuffed and taken away. She will pay. With her life.

See, this is how it is....God has paid the price! All our actions have consequences. Our sins need to be redeemed. A debt needs to be paid. You can choose to accept the gift of God's grace, or you can reject it. You can allow Christ's death to atone for your sins, or you can pay for them yourself. With your life.

The choice is yours. Choose Life.

An update on the Christmas dolls

I confess, I feared that "project homemade Christmas" would blow up in my face. That my children would open the gifts that I lovingly made for them (in case they grow up and read this) and wail. THESE AREN'T PRESENTS. THESE ARE HOMEMADE! My fears were unfounded, and Christmas was especially special, and the things I made were treasures to them. Phew!

*huge sigh of relief*

The biggest hits of all, Little Buddy and Pollywogalina (formerly known as the Molly Doll.)

They look a little different now. Pollywagalina is so beloved that she has already been puked on. So I had to pull out all her old hair and give her a new do.

Little Buddy has lost his collar and an arm. But you should see the other guy. Little Buddy isn't afraid of ANYONE. Not Uncle Ryan, not Daddy...not the scary parts of Robin Hood. Nuthin'. He'll be having reconstructive surgery this afternoon to reattach a limb. Then look out for that left hook.

I think now would be a good time to start Project homemade Christmas 2008. I'll keep you posted with all the new developments.

Number three

We're all so excited. Both the kids are pumped, and arguing who's bedroom the baby will sleep in when it gets here (mine). :)

However, while this is still magical and wonderful, it somehow feels....I don't know..."old hat" sounds awful....but there's something about the telling of others that is different with this one. (Kara, I am calling you this afternoon.)

I'm hoping my lack of elated copious phone calling doesn't give the wrong impression. I'm excited! Thrilled! Getting my mind ready to do it all over again. Are things just this different the third time around?

We've told a few key people (the grandparent's), and I'm hoping that the grapevine will take care of the other wonderful key people. It's too bad they all don't come here. Although, the thought did cross my mind....doing a quick post like I did, and then just sit back and let the time pass....that didn't feel quite right. Better get on the horn.

I think I might need something for energy first. But, I'm out of pickles. The humanity!!

And baby makes 5.

Cookies

So, I got this great cookie tip, and thought I would share.

Now, typically when I bake cookies, it's the staple Nestle recipe for chocolate chips. The cookies are always edible (of course, who ever met an unedible cookie?!) but they are NEVER as good as my sister's, who also uses the Nestle recipe. Never. What's my deal?!

I was cookie talking with some folks the other day. This guy says, "You have GOT to try Kristy's cookies. They're amazing."

So I talk to Kristy. What's the deal? What do you do differently than me?

Well! She starts with the basic recipe, but uses melted butter and two extra egg yolks.

Aha!

I'm trying it right now. I can smell the cookie smell, and I am hoping (HOPING!) that these turn out well. Beyond well. I want these to be you-have-got-to-try-Katie's-cookies good.

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Yes. They are gooooooooooood. I would take pictures, but I used the pans that buckle. So they kind of melted together....not a photogenic bunch....but perfectly textured, fluffy and delicious.

Now I just need to get me some unbuckling pans.

a rant

Rules.

Are rules made to be broken? I would guess that the maker of the rules would say, no, they are not made to be broken. We all know that rules are in place to make life nastier and more complicated for everyone. (That was sarcasm.)

I can't tell you how many times I have seen "rules" being broken in the last month.

Socks must be worn in play area at all times. I overheard a grandfather telling his grandson in a playland, "Just put your socks on when you see the attendant walking around. You can take them off again when he leaves." WHAT!?! Thank you for teaching your prodigy how to break the rules. How to be devious. That should bode well for him in his delinquency. Not to mention the fact that all his foot germs are now mingling with the hands of kids enjoying the dinosaurs. Gross.

Do not leave children unattended. A different "playland." Look parents. The store doesn't put these tunnels and slides here so that you can enjoy kid free shopping. There isn't anyone watching your children when you leave. And how do you know that there isn't some creep waiting for you to round the corner? Knowing that there will be a good 10 minutes in which you won't be watching your precious ones. The rule is there for the safety of your children. They aren't trying to cramp your style.

No pets allowed. Lady. Yes your little dog is cute. But just because you have a jazzy purse to carry him in doesn't mean he is exempt from this rule. He is an animal. And it's gross to have him within 10 feet of produce. That rule is not to make Pooky feel scared and alone in the car. It's to keep my food free from grodies.

There are so many more. It's driving me bananas. Is it so hard to follow the rules? Could this be what ails society? A bunch of naughties breaking the rules? Just for the sake of rule breaking?

Not me. Not my family. We will obey the rules. Even the dumb ones.

Church Bags

I thought it time for the kids to have their own bags to bring to church.

Her's...fancy dancy.

His, too fancy at first with out a flap. The flap was daddy's idea.

(Doesn't want his son carrying a purse, you know. With a flap, it looks more military...or something.) *snicker*

the bluebee

Since I've got nothing going on to report as of late....I thought I would share the misfortune my "college car" met with this past summer.
`

Ah. My Neon. It was such a trooper. It brought my daughter home from the hospital. It brought my son home from the hospital, too. *sniffle*

`

It was a good car. But, it was a small car. So we bought a bigger one. A way bigger one. And the Bluebee, as my kids called it, became my husband's driving-to-work-car. Good mileage. You know the bit.

`

One fateful weekend, we decided to make a quick weekend trip to my parent's place. The Bluebee was parked in the street, and as we backed out of the driveway, my husband suggested we move it into the drive. "Nah," I said, "We'll only be gone two days. It would have sat there anyhow. Let's get this show on the road!"

`

So we went. Had a blast. And then on the drive home, my cell phone rang. My neighbor was calling. (He's 82. I don't normally get calls from him.) There's been an accident. Your car has been hit. Just wanted you to know so it isn't a total surprise when you get home. (They always know when we are gone. Or home. They know everything. About everyone.)

When we got home, this is what we saw:

There was a note on our door. The police had been trying to contact us, and we were to call them upon returning home.

`

We called. They were sending someone.

`

We all went to inspect the damage. Our presence sent several neighbors out to fill us in. Early that morning...as in 3 am-ish, a young, inebriated girl had crossed the center line, struck our car, veered back out into the road, swerved back further over the center line into the yard of the home two doors down. She was finally brought to a halt by a large tree in their yard.

`

It didn't stop her completely, because she tried to reverse and get out of their yard, driving large ruts into their front yard. Of course the noise of all this awoke several people on our street, and the police were on the scene in mere moments. She tried to run. Unsuccessfully.

`

This was all retold to us by our neighbors.

`

My heart broke for the girl. For her parents. Thank goodness she wasn't hurt, and thank God no one else was physically harmed either.

`

The police officer arrived to get our information. Insurance. Etc. He gave us her information so that we could start the process of fixing, or totalling, our car. I asked how the girl was doing.

`

"She's not nice." the officer responded. She had spit on one of the arresting officers. We were mailed a copy of the police reports, since we were "victims." She really gave them a run for their money. Naughty thing.

`

I'm hoping that she turns out okay. Hopefully this was a wake up call for her.

`

Shortly thereafter, a nice man from Progressive came and cut us a check for our totalled Neon. A few days later, the tow truck came to take away the Bluebee. My kids and I watched from our front steps. They cried.

`

It was a strange time. The end of an era? No, I suppose not. But definitely a learning experience for many, I'm sure.

Feeling better

I think we have all finally turned a corner. It seems like we've had the sniffles for the last 3 weeks. UGH. We went through more than 4 boxes of tissues. But now, my ears feel normal, and my body doesn't ache. What a feeling! I'm hoping it stays this way.

Hurry Spring. I need you.

please pass the tissues

This is us. In a nutshell.

(Might I suggest stock in tissues?)

Borrowed words

I have been looking for a way to convey this idea. This truth. This necessity. Today, I received a powerful message in my inbox. It's from a great pastor, Dr. James MacDonald. I listen to his radio ministry any chance I get--so full of smack you in the face TRUTH! No watering down, no baby food! Just the real. deal. If you want to check it out: Walk in the Word.

Here is the email. These are, of course, not my words...but so worth sharing. I hope it does for you what it did for me. I'm praying it does.

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Discovering the Heart, Mind, and Soul of Worship

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind . . .” Luke 10:27

On every page of the Bible is the idea of worshipping God--that we are created and saved to the praise of His glory. But so much of what passes for worship today misses that mark. Worship is not about me and what God does for me. Worship is all about Him--recognizing that I am for Him. I breathe for Him. I live for Him. I spend my life for Him. God is not some exalted human being at the top of the mankind chain. God is ineffable glory. He dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). The essence of worship is proclaiming God’s rightful worth and position. It’s one of the reasons why we come to church: to sweep the stuff off the table of our hearts and minds that have crowded out His rightful place, the central place where He belongs.

In Luke 10:27, Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” “Love the Lord your God with all your mind.” God wants us to think great thoughts about Him. You’ll expand your capacity to worship God by studying His Word. The Psalms are a great place to start. An element of testimony is fine, but worship is singing to God. The joy of worship begins when we break the chains of self to be free to focus on God once and for all. So let’s be thoughtful in our worship.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.” When feelings are dead, so is our worship. How would it fly if I said to my wife, ‘Well, honey, it’s Sunday morning and this is always the time when I tell you I love you. So, I love you. I’ll see you next week.” Would you agree that’s probably not going to work with her? It’s not working with God either. God’s Word tells us what we should feel:

Grief over sin. David said, “My sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3) and “God does not despise a broken heart” (Psalm 51:17). When I come before God in worship, I recognize how I measure up to a pure and holy God.

Fear. “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him” (Psalm 33:8). When I come before God I feel respect and reverence.

Longing. “As the dear pants for the water, so my soul longs for God” (Psalm 42:1) Worship draws me to the place where I long for a deeper relationship with Him.

Thankfulness: “Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving” (Psalm 95:2).

Indescribable joy: “In Your presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).

You might be asking, “I want this--how do I get it?” I invite you to step forward from the role of observer to participant. Open your heart and enter in; let God bless you and build your faith. In John 4:23, Jesus tells us that “the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.”
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The sun is shining today. I'm feeling hopeful. I like feeling hopeful.

Bring it on, life!