sugar cookies made with a friend

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Shanda

Before we talk cookies, I would like to ask you to pray for our little Sarah Joy. We’ve had a nasty cold going around the family, a cold that includes a terrible cough. I didn’t tell you before, but a few weeks ago Seth had to go on antibiotics for bronchitis. The littlest members of the family get hit worse, and Sarah has developed croup. She was so feverish and miserable yesterday morning that Rich and I took her to the ER for a breathing treatment and a steroid shot. She woke up this morning a little better but she’s running a fever again now, and her cough sounds yucky….so pray that she will get better soon, and not any worse. Happily, she is eating and drinking nicely, and gets up to play now and then, and is still a pretty little darling despite the circles under her eyes. Very snuggly, too.

She’s been sleeping a lot. This morning, while she was napping peacefully upstairs in her sunny bedroom, her big brother Seth and I decided to make cookies.

First of all, I put an apron on him and laughed at the cuteness. Turns out, he really needed that apron this time.

He was a big helper by dumping in the ingredients for our cookies.

He even did the eggs. “You tap it on the edge and open it over the bowl.” Then, throw the eggshell over into the kitchen sink (he missed). Three eggs.

We moved to the table and rolled out our dough. Seth’s dough didn’t roll out right.

It was more satisfying to dump out all the flour. Do you have enough yet, Seth?

No. He wants it ALL.

You’re cute. Isn’t this fun?

We started getting some cookies baked….after devoring five, fresh from the oven, Seth hopped down from his chair.

The recipe makes tray after tray after tray……tiring. I’m not a big fan of rolling and cutting out dough. I get impatient. But, it just seemed right today. A nice, plain, cakey, sugar cookie day, with a hint of nutmeg.

ANOTHER cookie, Seth?

It was so cute when I realized that he wanted to “bake” some in his oven, too.

So, we made him a toy cookie sheet, custom fit for his oven. I took a piece of cardboard out of the recycling bin, ut it to size, and covered it with tin foil.

In the oven they went.

Then, he set the timer (look at his toes). “Buzzzzzzzz!” They’re done.

Be careful, they’re sliding off! Your cookies look great.

lots and lots of cookies

I’ve used the same sugar cookie recipe for years. You can find it HERE.

When Ethan came home from school today, he had a hunger that surpassed cookies.

So, he got right to work and made this, all on his own:

(The waffles were made using a mix.)

He even took the picture. I wasn’t home when he made this fabulous snack, and he wanted me to see it. (I was gone picking up Jacob from the library.)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I hope each of you is having a wonderful day. xoxo

two day pumpkin pie

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Shanda

busy in the kitchen

How about some pumpkin pie?

When Bob and Jenny were on their way here to visit us, they stopped at a roadside stand and picked up a pumpkin. Bob wanted to make pumpkin pies for us. (Isn’t that great?)

Others came and went, but David was Bob’s faithful sidekick throughout the whole process. The first thing they did was cut up the pumpkin, and I daresay this step (involving large sharp knives) was quite thrilling for the little boys, as he let David and Caleb do some cutting, too. They peeled it, seeded it, cleaned out all the membrane inside, and cut it into chunks. They worked slowly and carefully and Bob talked to David, teaching him and telling him things, and sometimes they were quiet, too.

(Seth, Bob, David,and Jenny)

The cleaned up all their own mess, so thoughtful. David had a great lesson in baking and how to work together with someone to get a good result. Bob encouraged him a lot.

They filled a big pot with the cleaned pumpkin, and added water to cover. Then, they simmered it on the stovetop until the pumpkin was completely cooked and soft. Bob drained the water off and mashed the bright golden pumpkin until it was glossy and smooth. By the time this stage of the recipe was completed, it was about 7:30pm and they decided to make the pies on the next day. The mashed pumpkin was left in the pot with the lid on, overnight.

The next day, after our nature walk, there was much searching around in the cupboards to gather the ingredients; cloves (I only had whole cloves so they chopped some up into powder, as we discussed how useful a mortar and pestle would be in that situation. My mom has one). So yes, cloves, cinnamon, evaporated milk, eggs from my own chickens, and…. (I turned to ask just now) “Did you use sugar, Dave?” (He said yes.)

Next, homemade pie pastry; flour, salt, shortening, and water. (using a marigold fiesta mixing bowl)

When the pies were assembled, each in a fiesta pie plate, they were carefully settled into the oven to bake.

(juniper and scarlet fiesta pie plates)

By the end of the day, after it baked and cooled, we were able to eat and savor the most delicious homemade pumpkin pie I ever had, made with so much thoughtfulness and love. Bob sliced and served it to us, Rich first, then me, and then his beautiful wife and all the children. It was a welcome treat, and a memory made.

There was enough leftover for me to snack on the next day and the next. In fact, before I went to bed last night I ate two pieces. I wonder if that’s the reason why I slept so good? (goodpie/goodnight)

our visit

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Shanda

Jenny has come and gone again. It was such a nice face-to-face meeting, and visit, here at our place. Better than I could have imagined. Jenny, her husband Bob, and their son David are friendly and comfortable to be with, such a dear family of warm hearts, ready to say encouraging things. I heard “We LOVE you guys!” several times. What a blessing.

The children spent most of their time outside, the weather was beautiful. That’s Grace way up in the tree, with David and my David on the bottom.

Jumping on the trampoline;

Eating dinner (Shepherd’s pie, veggies, and apple crisp), on the porch.

Bob and Jenny won hearts by being willing read-aloud-ers.

Lots of stories were read (some of the favorites were read repeatedly).

Wednesday morning, the sun came up and we got ready to go for a walk in the woods.

In the meantime, David won hearts by becoming a jungle gym. He now has several adoring fans.

The nature walk was SO SO LOVELY!

They were up ahead and I said, “Wait! Everyone turn around and smile!”

Davy came across a pencil and a pad of paper right before our walk so he was inspired to bring it along to draw pictures of notable sights along the way…..

….like sammies (salamanders). He found it under a mushroom!

The boys did violent battle with dead tree branches.

We were so glad that Rich was able to take the day off from work. It was good for him to have the fellowship with Bob especially, and be outside on such a gorgeous day. He works so hard, that vacation days are much-appreciated.

Golden mushroom, golden leaves

Grace is in this next picture;

Sweet Jenny, with Sarah…..

I love this picture of all of us!

The guys all practiced their grass-whistling. It got pretty ear-piercing at times. Lots of laughter.

We walked quite a bit but the children of course never got tired. They ran home and got on the trampoline again!

We greatly ENJOYED this opportunity to meet our friends. They came all the way from the other side of the USA to see us (actually, we were just one stop of many adventures for them here in New England; NYC, Boston, New Hampshire….) and we were so honored that they took the time to visit.

Thank you so much, Jenny and Bob and David! We love you guys!

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Shanda

Dear friends,

Hello! How are you on this fine, fall day?

I’ve been busy puttering around the homeplace, getting ready for some very special company. Bob and Jenny are coming to visit us, with their son David! All the way from California (and xanga-land.) We all appreciate Jenny here on xanga, and her gentle encouragement to us. I’m thrilled to meet her TODAY! In just a few hours! I’ll be sure to tell her that you all said hello. Okay?

The guest bedroom (Seth will be temporarily moved into big sister’s room) has been prepared. A bed has been freshly made (our own Davy’s) for David, downstairs in the boy’s “dorm room”. Will they get much sleep down there? Shepherd’s pie has been prepped for dinner, and an apple crisp is cooling on the counter (baked in a Scarlet fiesta 9 by 13). Rich is taking tomorrow off and we are letting the children stay home from school; it’s our own personal holiday, we want to appreciate every moment with them!

The best part of all, is the fall colors are at their prime. Thank you, God, for this gift for our West coast friends!

I took this *all my children* photograph last Thursday during a cool spell. We needed jackets, some of us even needed shoes. What a pleasant evening it was, watching the children play, as this mama was tired, and with a camera in my hands I took a few shots (including the cartwheel photo! so fun).

Is it any wonder that her Papa
sometimes calls her Dandelion?

Our Grace, who was full of it***so happy*** to be home and frisking about. Lying on gravel and what not. Silly girl. Beautiful daughter.

They were playing catch on our very hilly yard. The ball gets away so often. Who will end up with it this time?!

I wear my LL bean boots every day now, to gather the eggs from the coop, as there is so much swampy lawn about the place.

Try as we might, we often have an escaped hen or two from their fenced in yard.

Thanks for the lovely eggs, my dear hen. Did you hear me? Are you listening?

I was holding the bucket in my hand, and the camera in the other hand………

A couple of older pictures, of Sare. (one of her nicknames)..

(dress and knees-highs from Target.)

And, lastly, a few autumn pictures that I took yesterday, and this morning. The colors are so beautiful!

The beauty that shimmers in the yellow afternoons of October….who could ever clutch it? Ralph Waldo Emerson

{this moment}

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Shanda

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

inspired by soulemama

Grandma’s soft molasses cookies

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Shanda

There is something quite meaningful when a recipe is shared and given, it truly creates a connection between two hearts, whether the loved ones have been separated by the miles or by death (like Grandma and me), we can think of one another as we create tasty foods.

Like every person that loses a loved one, I wonder, “Can Grandma see me right now?” “Does she know I’m a stay at home mom with seven children?” I would sure love to spend an afternoon with her again and show her the little ones that she didn’t get a chance to meet, Sethie and Sarah Joy.

But, how wonderful, that Sethie and Sarah helped me make HER cookies, yesterday? On a day in which I felt down in the dumps, I found Seth at the mixer, getting ready to make something. I took *the advice*, and even though there was not a fiber in my tired body&soul that wanted to dirty a bowl, or cookie sheets, I pulled out the recipe and got to work.

Ladies, if you’re feeling blue? Get in the kitchen and bake! If you’re anything like me, it will cheer you up as you put your thoughts into a recipe, handle the ingredients, laugh at your babies tasting molasses straight from the jar, and bake something yummy for the children coming home from school.

(Even if you burn the last tray, it’s worth it.)

Thanks, Grandma, for the tried and true recipe. You always seemed to have some yummy baked good for Grandpa, ready for us to share. I love you and can’t wait to see you again someday!

Grandma’s Soft Molasses Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 egg

(cream these together, then add the following):

4 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice or cloves
3/4 cup sour milk (milk with a little vinegar in it)

Mix well, until smooth. Drop rounded spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 until just set (for very soft, chewy cookies) or edges are browned (for more solid, cake-like cookies).

For burned cookies: put your last tray in the oven and then go change a diaper, pick up a mess, and read a book until you smell smoke.

Also yesterday, our baby girl discovered a yellow jacket here in the house on the floor, crawling around so conveniently for nature study. Before I knew what was happening, she was screaming in agony. She had touched the *pretty little buggy* and it stung her terribly! I found the stinger in the tip of her tender middle finger….I pulled it right out and ran her finger under cold water, gave her Motrin, held her, patted her, but it took a while to settle down. Bee stings hurt!

About an hour later, we were outside on the driveway watching the boys play. I happened to look at Sarah, and she was so quietly pitiful, studying her big finger (swollen).

“What’s that over there? This finger feels so strange.”

“It looks strange, too. I’m pretty concerned about it.”

“Maybe I can find something else to do, I don’t know.”

“Ugh. I just can’t get my mind off the pain!”

“Mama, please kiss it! I seem to remember your kisses having magic powers.”

(so that took care of that)……..

…..And this is what the boys were doing:

I know it’s pretty obvious, but just in case you need a clue……(smiles)……they were industriously making valuable money! They have collected bottle caps and they were hammering them flat and thin. (the red ones are worth the most, because there are fewer red ones) Then, Davy was cutting them and folding them into a pie-shape. Why not leave them in circles, you ask? “Because the stuffed animals can’t hold them unless they are folded up!” Oh, yes, why didn’t I think of that myself?

I love busy boys, when they are busy doing something this harmless and precious!

Pictures (taken yesterday) of Seth William, age 2 years and 8 months:

What a boy!

Thank you, dear friends, for stopping by today here at my place in blogland. I hope you try the cookies!

Have a great day,

Love, Shan

{this fun animal moment}

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Shanda

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.

inspired by soulemama

I laughed

food for the soul

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Shanda

May the glory of the Lord continue forever!

The Lord takes pleasure in all He has made!

The earth trembles at His glance;

the mountains smoke at His touch.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!

May all my thoughts be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 104:31-34

LOVE

God is love.

And we love, because we have learned all about him, and He first loved us. We love Him. We love others.

For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Romans

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Galatians

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart……1 Timothy

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh BY LOVE. Galatians

The fruit of the Spirit is love………..

“The springs of love are in God, not in us. It is absurd to look for the love of God in our hearts naturally, it is only there when it has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” O. Chambers

GOD

~heaven and the hightest heaven cannot contain Him (1 Kings 8:27)

~shows lovingkindness to His servants. (1Kings 8:23)

~He heals (Ps. 30:2)

~He brings UP the soul (Ps. 30:3)

~He gives joy in the morning (Ps. 30 5)

~He sits as King forever (Ps. 29:10)

~He gives strength to His people.

~He blesses with peace.

I would have despaired

unless I had believed

that I would see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

Psalm 27:13

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face. Proverbs

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalms

In your name they rejoice all the day. Psalms

Let your godly ones sing for joy. Psalms

I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord and He heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all the billows and thy waves passed over me……..when my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple…but I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving…salvation is of the Lord. Jonah 2:2-9

For I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. Jonah 4:2b

Thankful, today, for:

David eating his birthday cake next to me as I type. He loves that cake.

Grace telling me things she learned in school today (geography means= earth writing).

The boy’s praise music coming up from their room as they clean and play.

My sleeping toddlers. And when they are awake, how cute they are.

Hope

A rainy afternoon, perfect for relaxing after a very busy morning.

Friends

Books to read and enjoy, or learn from.

My sister

My yummy scented candle.

All of my family, how I love you all.

My house, (my messy, crazy, grace-filled home.)

God’s beautiful creation, and most of all, His Word.

The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

a little bit about Davy

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Shanda

Today is David’s ninth birthday. If you have followed my blog since the beginning, you have watched David grow from a three year old to a nine year old….such wonderful years for a little boy! It’s so exciting to be alive, learning about hammers and nails, fishing, and all that stuff that boys absolutely adore!

David is an expert frog, toad, and turtle catcher. He could tell you just how to do it.

Don’t forget to ask him to tell you about the big snapper!~

Little league awakened a love for baseball. We watch him now, playing catch with his brothers, and we love to see how light and quick he his…..there is something beautiful about a boy who has a knack for a sport. He makes it look easy.

Davy loves to fish. He spent most of his summer turning over rocks to look for good bait. He made his own fishing poles and when he ran out of hooks, he got some from the neighbor up the road.

He has lots of fun in his life!

Rich and I recently went to David’s school open house. This is his locker.

Incidently, he is wearing his favorite shirt. He wore this on the first day of school, and he’s wearing it today for his birthday, too. He’s so cute!

David’s third grade teacher.

I simply must show you the organization Dave’s teacher has. The whole classroom is tidy, but here is a picture of all the books (naturally, I would gravitate to the book corner, yes?)…..He has them all nicely arranged. I loved the idea of using bins with labels.

David currently has a passion for the Magic Tree House books. He said one of the goals “in his life” is to read them all. They are his FIRST “real” (longer, less pictures) books and he’s so proud that he can read them.

He has requested a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, so I will make that today, with lots of love added.

He also requested a spaghetti dinner. This will be an easy request to grant. Spaghetti is harder to clean up than it is to make and serve. The whole family likes a spaghetti night.

He requested to stay home from school. This request was not granted, because my heart told me that he would spend the day wandering around wondering what to do with himself and the two babies of the family, with no other siblings about!

He got to open three gifts this morning. Then, all I heard was the shooting of a “storm blaster”.

He loved his new penguin that his sister bought for him. It’s name is Penny, and it got taken to school in the backpack.

Oh, and he got a card in the mail from Uncle Dave (he’s named for my brother)….it had money in it, SO very important to a little boy. His Dad said, “Your Uncle Dave is so nice and thoughtful to send you that.” And David said, “Yep. If it’s from Uncle Dave I just KNOW there will be five dollars!”

He spent that money on a baseball and now that he got another card (from Great Grandma) he has more money burning a hole in his pocket. He pulled it out to show the neighbors yesterday. “Oh, that’s wonderful! Do you save some of your money?” they asked.

“Yes.”

“You put it in the bank?”

“No, in my pocket.”

Eight was great, nine is fine. Happy Birthday, to a wonderful boy.

You are my SONshine.

{this moment}

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Shanda

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.

inspired by soulemama