My Daybook, January 25, Tuesday afternoon

On this day, January 25, 2011

Outside my Window….blue sky, with hazy clouds over the mountains. A couple of new, as yet undiscovered, bird feeders are hanging from the tree.
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From the learning rooms… Bumpy start to the week, children are coming down with colds and not very attentive.  Piano lessons went very well though, such beautiful music being made 🙂

I am thankful for… friendships

From the kitchen… Enchiladas today, but I will be stewing a chicken and making some chicken soup tomorrow, with fresh Butterhorns to chase away those colds that seem to be brewing.

Twirling around needles…Mae is working on finishing her beautiful purple alpaca shawl. I don’t have any projects going at this time.

We’re creating…Valentine’s were made and Mailboxes were decorated on Saturday
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I am reading…Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp, Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair

I am hearing…the tap of pastels being picked up and dropped back into the tray as Petal Rose works on a sketch.

Remembering…This past week’s sermon. And Dave Ramsey on the radio when the alarm went off this morning.

A few plans for the week…To accomplish a productive week of learning, get the house sparkling, pick up Builder from the airport!

One of my favorite things… morning hugs, from sleepy girls.

Pondering… Parents who understand that their children are not simply reacting to the facts, but are interpreting the facts in a way that gives them a particular shape and meaning, will ask good questions and be good listeners. For them, family conversation will take on a whole new meaning and purpose. From Age of Opportunity, chapter 3.

Scripture I am meditating upon…Romans 12:2 Do no be conformed any long to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you will be able to prove the good and perfect will of God.

Scripture Memory work: Colossians 1:3&4 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people. 

and continuing with Genesis chapter 1, verses 14-16

I leave you with a picture…IMG_0001

A Special Treat

Sweet Aunt Heather sent us a couple of egifts for Cold Stone Creamery last week ~ and it just happens that Chica and I have about 1 1/2 hours each Friday together while her sisters are in dance and theater classes.

She really didn’t know what to think when I told her, “choose anything you want!” It took a few minutes of looking from me to those fancy waffle cones before she found her voice and ordered THAT!

Thank you Sis, We had a great time!

Grace…His Grace is Sufficent for All

Over all of these, filling in all the empty spaces, covering the harsh words, smoothing the hard edges there is GRACE.  And through this GRACE the ordinary moments begin to shine.

 295. Sunday afternoon nap

296. Truth spoken from the pulpit

297. Afternoon quiet time

298. Girl bubbling over and over after dance class

299. Sweet voice sounding so much older, as she says, “hello Daddy”

300. Precious prayer time at bedtime, hearing sisters thank the FATHER for each other.

301. Health insurance coverage.

302. Another girl, not bubbling, but gushing, after her gym class.

303. Knowing HE is speaking, HE is leading.

304. Builder’s affectionate words
305. A sister ballet class in the Sunshine Room.

306. Grace

307. Mercy

308. Life

Menu Plan ~ Becuase I Like to Share Ideas & Recipes :)

Occasionally I will share our menu plan for the week, with links to some of the recipes we use.
Hopefully you’ll find something different & yummy to spice up your menu when you are ready for a little change 🙂

Sunday ~ Pumpkin Pie & Boiled Eggs, Smoothie for Marme
Beans & Rice with Veggies,
Cereal & Leftover Pizza

Monday ~ Toasted Waffles & Fruit
Quesidillas with Veggies & Orange Creamers
Pot Pies with Apples Chunks

Tuesday~Boiled Eggs; OJ, Smoothie
ChickFilA (with our Home School group)
Chicken & Bean Enchiladas

Wednesday ~ Oat Groats with Almond Paste
Chili & Toppings
Waffles & Peanut Butter

Thursday~ Oat Groats with Fruit & Smoothie for Marme
Beans & Rice with Bell Peppers & Green Onions & Tomato
Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Friday ~ Oat Groats with Fruit & Nuts
Quick Burritos
Broccoli Cheddar Soup & Bread
Saturday~Waffles & Fruit
Sandwiches On the Road to get Daddy!
Pizza, Papa Murphy’s picked up on the way home

Sunday, A Day of Delight AND this week…







When : Always January 23rd
The American Pie Council created this day simply to celebrate the pie.

National Pie Day is a special day that is set aside to bake and cook all of your favorite pies. On this day, you are also encouraged to bake a few new pie recipes. And most importantly, it’s a day to eat pies!

Well, we don’t have the ingredients on hand to bake and share all of our favorites…

But this one was whipped up in no time last evening, with another that is tucked safely in the freezer for later!

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A very tasty treat for breakfast!

Will you be enjoying a slice or two of pie on this funnest of National days?

Celebrating Chica on her 8th Birthday

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We celebrated Chica’s 8th Birthday with a Medieval Feast.

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The preparations for this party started in Canada, before we moved back home.  We bought 2 flat sheets from Walmart, made a simple paper pattern and sewed up tunics as part of the theme.
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The day before the party, Petal Rose helped decorate the castle cake. 

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The whole week before the party, Mae wove floral wreaths for each of us and the guests.

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Aren’t they beautiful?!  Mae and Petal Rose really took part in preparing for this party and for making it a wonderful success!

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The little blue monster sitting there on the table served as the dragon for the party.  He sat on a trap over a fair puppet maiden and the lovely princess knights fought him blindfolded to rescue their friend.

When the guests arrived, it was early afternoon and everyone was hungry, so we started with our Medieval Feast.  There were Roasted Chicken Legs, Cold Fruit, Veggies, Bread & Butter, and a Pink Lemonade.
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Each of the girls drew a sword from the stone when they arrived, and recieved their “title”.  We had Lady Ice of Cream, Lady Sun of Shine, Lady Lolli of Pop, Lady Razzle of Dazzle, Lady Slice of Orange and Lady Roe of Petal. The Ladies made  Coat of Arms to pin to thier tunics.

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Mae entertained by twisting balloon swords and shields.  And we had beautiful time period music playing, that we had found on iTunes.

Chica had a wonderful time, esp being back home and being able to celebrate with some good friends.  I am so blessed by this little surprise child and enjoying who she is growing into more everyday.  Chica is a fireball of delight!

Mae and Petal Rose really took a large part of the planning and preparing upon themselves.  It is exciting to see how able and willing they are to help, and how creatively they can do it!

This Moment ~ January 21, 2011

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A moment in these days that I want to remember, to savor. 
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Remembering the joy that comes in these small spaces of time to connect and delight in relationships.

Linking up with SouleMama.

Groupon Cold Stone Creamery!

The last time Builder and I went out for a couple of hours we stopped by Cold Stone for a little treat.  I’m excited to have found this groupon offer!  Inexpensive dates with our daughters are fun!

For a groupon discount of $5 for a $10 voucher, click here.

First Letters!

Edgar, Guatemala 1998

In the summer we received word that the boy we sponsored through Compassion International since 1996 was graduating out of the program.  In September we sponsored two new kids!  This past week when we prayed for those precious children, I also began asking the Father if we could receive a letter soon.

And SATURDAY’s mail held not one, but two letters!  What excitement as we opened them over dinner, read the sweet words and looked at the wonderful drawings.

First Letters

Dinner was finished quickly and the girls went right to work in writing replies.  Well, Mae is writing a reply, Chica and Petal Rose broke out the markers, colored pencils and glitter glue and went to work creating some art love.

Writing Back

Exchanging Artwork

We are excited to be starting this sponsorship adventure again.  We’ve seen 3 kids go through the program and grow up already.  I know that this is a wonderful opportunity to share with our 3 girls!

Excitement! Letters!

In the summer we recieved word that the boy we sponsored through Compassion International since 1996 was graduating out of the program.  In September we sponsored two new kids!  This past week when we prayed for those precious children, I also began asking the Father if we could recieve a letter soon.

And SATURDAY’s mail held not one, but two letters!  What excitement as we opened them over dinner, read the sweet words and looked at the wonderful drawings.

First Letters from New Sponsored Kids

Dinner was finished quickly and the girls went right to work in writing replies.  Well, Mae is writing a reply, Chica and Petal Rose broke out the markers, colored pencils and glitter glue and went to work creating some artlove.

Writing Back

Exchanging Artwork

We are excited to be starting this sponsorship adventure again.  We’ve seen 3 kids go through the program and grow up already.  I know that this is a wonderful opportunity to share with our 3 girls!