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and the winner is happyangel78!
Thanks to those who joined in the fun!
“A Delicate Joy”
I downloaded this album about a month ago and I’ve listened to it almost every day since.
Beautiful, sweet, piano music by David Nevue, released September 2011.
I’d like to give away a copy to one friend who leaves a comment on this post. I’ll “draw a name out of a hat” tomorrow at this time and let you know who wins!
Pretty Sarah’s pretty blankie got pretty dirty so she had to put it *in there* to get washed!
I think we had a pleasant morning, regardless.
Except when Seth got a little too close for comfort.
Speaking of Seth. He did the cutest thing at church yesterday. Rich was asked, spur of the moment, to help pass the offering plate. Before I could do anything, Seth got up and followed his dear Papa down the aisle as the church family all snickered at his adorable-ness.
He also did something today that made me very happy; he went #2 in the potty FINALLY after weeks and weeks of potty training. I gave him 10 chocolate chips for his success, and we called Papa at work to tell him. These are the days when my husband doesn’t know what to expect when he gets a call during the work day. *smiles*
I miss him today.
It’s that time of year again, SPRING is for-certain in the air. My friends and I have been bitten by the “spring cleaning” bug (you, too?) and ladies take bags of things to church to try to pass off to other families. (I have had to learn how to politely refuse, LOL). I cleaned the basement storage room today and threw away 3 bags of old stuff and garbage.
After lunch, I took Seth and Sarah outside for some fresh air. We collected half a dozen beautiful eggs from the coop.
It is about 48 degrees today, but there is a lot of wind so we had to bundle up to keep warm.
They were watching nimble Socks cross on a log, and were concerned that he would fall in the stream.
After we played and explored and took care of the dog, it was time for naps.
Sarah and her nice clean blankie were reunited.
O happy home whose little ones are given
Early to Thee, in humble faith and prayer.
To Thee, their Friend, who from the heights of heaven
Guides them, and guards with more than mother’s care!
A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
In a few short years,
running errands will never be this interesting for me again.
“Caleb helping Seth with his mitten”
“We found a gun”
“Seth tasted the ice”
“This is a very steep hill”
“Two of the cutest faces in the world”
“Writing out the entire book of John”
“Breakfast with dear friends”
“Another fabulous thrift stop find”
“Grace and her cat, Socks”
“Yours truly”
“Mine truly”
“Bitty Baby was dressed in an Valentine outfit”
“Oh Sarah you are too scrumptious”
“How did she get sooooooo many cheerios on her spoon?”
“Inside today::I’m matching a gazziollion bazzillion socks”
“Outside today::I’m going for a walk”
Cooking for six people is like having a cafe. Linda McCartney. (I cook for nine)
Blueberry buttermilk hotcakes, served with maple syrup and butter
Sausage patties
Hashbrown casserole
(I thought if I posted this menu today, those of you who would like to try the recipes have enough time to get to the store if necessary.)
Blueberry Buttermilk Hotcakes
This recipe is from a cookbook, now falling apart, that my Aunt Mary gave to me when I was first married. It’s a special recipe, with the addition of cornmeal and a touch of cinnamon. This is my tripled version of the original recipe.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
In a small mixing bowl, stir together egg, buttermilk, and oil. Add to flour mixture all at once. Stir mixture just till combined but still slightly lumpy.
For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup batter onto a hot, lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat about two minutes, adding a sprinkling of blueberries before flipping to cook other side. Serve warm with butter and syrup.
Hashbrown casserole (from allrecipes.com)
This recipe is a new one for us. I love the casserole at Crackerbarrel and wanted to find a similar recipe for home. I did not add the topping, but did sprinkle paprika on top before baking for a nice warm color~
I love cooking for my family
My assistant this Saturday was son Davy (9 years old), who took over pancake flippin’ so I could sit down and eat before everyone else was done. He was so proud of himself, and by the time the batter was gone he was an expert flipper. As we all know, it can be tricky.
If you have an opportunity to try these recipes, I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. I think you will. 
Here are a few pictures that I couldn’t resist taking, this morning:
Sarah Joy, sitting in a sunbeam, busily coloring a nice picture for mama with her little tiny hands.
And this is really exciting. A SPRING FLOWER HAS APPEARED.
Yellow crocus, in the garden by our side door.
“I poured out my soul before God, and arose from my knees in peace, because the trouble that was in the soul was in believing prayer cast upon God.” George Meuller
“Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless-that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.” I Peter 3:8-9
“Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.” Psalm 21:13
I wanted to decoupage this weekend. so after I went to the craft store with Grace, I came home and decided to begin by making a pretty cover for my plain green journal/daybook.
I’m happy with how it turned out. I looked through three magazines and chose the pictures that I liked the best. I glued them all onto the journal and after it dried, I put two more coats of glue on, to seal it.
This journal is almost full and I’ve very much enjoyed writing in it.
Journaling Ideas: Recipes, quotes, verses, book lists, menu ideas, thankful lists, weather reports, pictures from the children, pictures from magazines, diary entries of what I did that day, favorite songs, prayers, cards that friends sent me, inspiring people, interesting clips from newspapers or magazines, house decorating tips, thoughts, reminders, and goals.
“It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.” Hebrews 13:9
On the way in, I told her to pick a light color.
But she got dazzled by all the choices and forgot.
What do I know anyway? The sparkly brown is perfect for our girl Grace.
I sat next to her and got mine painted pink.
Then, after our nails dried we went to the craft store. I’m going to decoupage today!
Hope your Saturday is going well, friends.
xoxo
A Friday ritual. A single photo – capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
He can get his own cereal now.
My Dad and Mom sent me a little somethin’ to spend for my birthday.
Remember my story yesterday, about the Valentine party and how I got out my Great Grandma’s punch set to use? Well…..I couldn’t find the ladle to go with the set so I thought I would venture to the antique store with my birthday money in my purse, to see if I could find one, and I did (find one).
Since I was already there and all, I took the opportunity to wander around looking at all the fascinating things on display, or, as in the case of the sewing basket, tucked away into a corner just waiting to be discovered.
It was pink, the perfect shade. It had a wooden lid. It was a basket and there were flowers on the lid and it was old and……….
………..when I lifted up the lovely lid, I found STUFF inside, sewing stuff!
Coats and Clarks thread on wooden spools, pincushions, a tiny pair of scissors, hooks, and little tape measure, safety pins, packets of needles, a little box of sequins, a white plastic thimble.
Very fun, and just the thing my mom herself would find irresistible. I bought the ladle and the basket and a couple of old books (perfect birthday gifts), thanks, Dad&Mom!
(The old books were: The Burgess Flower Book for Children (1923), and a brightly illustrated copy of Mother Goose rhymes).
The package of “Sewing Susan” needles is so dear. I may not do much sewing at this time, but she still inspires me.
I can’t be a sewing Susan, but I can be the best “Sewing Shanda” I can be. And my new vintage sewing basket will be by my side.
