Month: July 2011

Natural and Local Toys

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My oldest son, Tonchi, just had his 4th birthday on the 12th of July. He is getting so big. How does time pass by so quickly? I know some of you probably have kids in college and say the same thing and read that sentence and say “WHAT?!? Only 4 years old, she still has a baby!” I know, I know, but it still feels like he is getting big so fast. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was pregnant with him! Even though it is going so fast I’m enjoying it and love every moment of seeing him grow, explore, learn and develop! It is such a joy! However, not the reason for this post! Continue reading “Natural and Local Toys” →

Coconut Flour Strawberry Shortcake

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Who doesn’t like strawberry shortcake?

My son’s birthday was last week and of course we had to have cake!  I told him I would make him special cupcakes and asked what he wanted.  Of course any 4 year old little boy is going to want a robot right?  How does he even know what that is?  Oh well… So here is a photo of what was produced with some help from the book [amazon_link id=”054724181X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]”What’s New, Cupcake?”[/amazon_link] that I’ve talked about before. Continue reading “Coconut Flour Strawberry Shortcake” →

Raw Milk Bill

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So many of you commented and followed the investigation and sting of the dairy farmer Dan Allgyer in PA. He is still working through this situation and will be taking it to court. At this point there isn’t anything that either you or I could really do to help him… or is there?!?!? Continue reading “Raw Milk Bill” →

Shepherding a Child’s Heart

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[amazon_link id=”0966378601″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Shepherding a Child's Heart[/amazon_link]

Shepherding a Child’s Heart

By, Tedd Tripp

Ok, so this book is a MUST read!  It has so many amazing truths and insight! I can’t believe the depth of what this guy writes!  I’d like to know what his family looked like!  In reading this book and the examples he gives it sounds like it was perfect with no anger, no yelling, no nagging, no pleading, no begging, no deceit, … pretty much no sin!  I know it wasn’t that way… but it certainly give me hope that things can get better! Continue reading “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” →

Vegetable Pie

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Mmmm! Just saying Vegetable Pie makes my mouth start to water!

A few weekends ago we spent two nights camping in our friend’s front yard! It wasn’t quite camping… the only similarity it held was the fact that we slept in a tent and had a campfire! Otherwise we enjoyed being outside, but didn’t do any hiking, cooking over a fire or any of that stuff. We had the comforts of home with the enjoyment of sleeping under the stars!

Continue reading “Vegetable Pie” →

My Garden

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How rewarding it is to see the fruit of one’s hands. I just love to look around my yard and see the harvest of hard work, faithful watering and plentiful produce! I enjoy a mix of flowers, vegetables and fruits. Each has their importance and enjoyment. Continue reading “My Garden” →

Torta de Huevo

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I have some amazing looking portabella mushrooms from the farmer’s market, some potatoes that are getting soft, orange peppers that are starting to wrinkle, a lot of eggs and not a lot of inspiration for dinner. I’m gonna find a way to use all these ingredients, make it yummy and not take a lot of time. It’s already 4pm and I’m not feeling super motivated to get dinner on the table! I’m sure many of you have days like this too! It’s hot and humid and the weather has zapped all my energy although I haven’t done a thing today (except entertain 3 kids under 3 ½ that is!). Continue reading “Torta de Huevo” →

Goji Berries

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Have you ever gotten to try these? Do you even have any idea what they are? My boys have fallen head over heels for them, me on the other hand, I think they taste good, but not amazing. Tonchi and Koa both can’t get enough of them. These are treats for them and they treasure them like candy. Fine by me if they want this for candy! 😉 Continue reading “Goji Berries” →

Fermented Mayonnaise

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Mmmm… SO SO Yummy! The first time I made this I LOVED the recipe and it turned out amazing. It was thin like cake batter when I poured it in the jar, but after it fermented and was refrigerated for about a week it was as thick as icing! And OH so tasty! It didn’t have a fermented, tangy taste, which I liked, but it also didn’t taste like regular mayonnaise. This one called for a lot of sesame oil which gave it a very strong sesame taste. We liked it, but if that isn’t a flavor you typically enjoy I’d skip this recipe and move on the second one below. I think Brian really like this version because he associates sesame oil with Asian cooking and he called it his Asian mayonnaise! Continue reading “Fermented Mayonnaise” →

Our Nation’s Birthday

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The fourth of July! HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA! I love all of the patriotic music, the festive clothing, good food, family gatherings and the fireworks!  My kids and I have been talking about this day for the last week!  Tonchi has been asking oh, about, every hour today how much longer it will be til we get to watch the fireworks.  Since I keep saying we have to wait until it is dark, I think he is afraid he will miss it because it will be bedtime before they are scheduled to start!  Both boys are SO excited.  Brian’s brother usually buys a bunch of fireworks to enjoy in the evening.  The cousins love it, but I think he loves it even more!  We don’t usually go see professional fireworks until next weekend.

Alexandria’s birthday is celebrated the week after the 4th and we usually celebrate Tonchi’s birthday that day.  They have amazing fireowks with the 1812 Overture being played by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and Quantico even supplies the cannons for added enjoyment! It is truly amazing and a GREAT celebration!  It helps to spread out the Patriotic celebration of birthdays including Tonchi’s!

But back to today.  I don’t want to get too long winded or preachy. I know we have all heard a million times to be thankful for the freedom we have in this nation.  The more I read news about what is going on in other counties and how the people are fighting, rioting and standing for their own freedoms, the more I’m gratful for what I have.  So many of these nations leadership is turning against their own people. How amazing it is we can hold peaceful rallies, protests and deomonstrations.  The governement doesn’t agree with what we are protesting usually, but at least we have the freedom to express our opinions and stand for what we believe in without persecution.

All this is thanks to the many valiant men and women who have served our country in the military.  Thank you so much for giving of yourselves so that I can live in peace and enjoy so many amazing freedoms.  So many have died and we don’t want to forget that they have paied the ultimate price.  not only them, but their families as well.  May you feel God’s peace and comfort and our thankfulness.

Have a fantastic Independence Day celebration!

God bless you! and God bless the USA!