Happy Birthday Dear Allie

Thirteen years ago today I gave birth to my first child.  A beautiful 7 lb. 15 oz. baby girl we named Allie.  Where does the time go?  Am I the only mom who cries on their children's birthdays?  I was looking through pictures of when we moved to the farm seven years ago.  Allie was six.  Now, my eyes are filling with tears because I realize that in seven short years she will be twenty.  What's a mom to do?
I just want to pause and thank the Lord for the gift of my precious Allie. 

"Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing me with an amazing daughter.  Help me to savor every moment that I have with her.  Give me the wisdom to raise her as a young woman who hungers for you.  Remind me daily that while the days are sometimes long, the years are ever shorter and being a mom is the most important mission I have.  I ask these things in the name of Jesus.  Amen"

Allie- I love you more than words can express.  You are my right arm most days and a treasure to our family.  You grow more beautiful every year.  May God bless you richly. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love, Mom

Allie age 6

Allie now

Tree Project

Yesterday was a big day at our house.  We had a tree moving company relocate 20 trees, that we planted about six years ago, to our immediate yard.  WOW - What a difference!  Check out the "Before & After" shots.

Tree Project June 2010

In the Garden

We have lived on our 10 acres for 7 years now, and I am embarrassed to say that in all that time, I have never had a successful garden.  Oh, I could grow weeds better than anyone, but nothing else ever seemed to do well. 

I was determined that this year would be different.  I needed a new plan.  Enter my sweet husband :O)  with the solution to all my problems....RAISED BEDS!  I have the best garden I have ever had!

This morning it was just beautiful, so I went out early to get the weeding done.  It feels so productive to grow our own food.  I can't wait to enjoy the bounty.

The Glider Project

Today I got to sew for my son, but this was not your ordinary sewing project.  No clothing or quilts were made.  No, we made a replica of Orville and Wilbur Wright's 1900 Glider. 

Caleb has been fascinated with planes ever since he read Russell Freedman's book about the Wright Brothers, so today he asked if we could try making a model.  We brain stormed about ways to make it work and we finally settled on muslin and toothpicks.  I sewed small channels for the toothpicks to give the top and bottom wings body, then we used hot glue to hold it all together.  It may be too heavy to fly, but it was so fun making something with my son.

Happy Birthday Dear Caleb

It is hard to believe that my little boy is 9 today. Time has gone so quickly. He is such a sweet spirit, loves the Lord, and is always looking out for his sisters.

For his birthday breakfast.....doughnuts. What better way to celebrate life than with food that will kill ya! LOL :O)

Later today we will have pizza, chocolate cake, and more pizza. Good thing birthdays only come once a year!

Playing with the School Supplies

I'll fess up right away. When I ordered a set of Prismacolor watercolor pencils with our Rainbow Resource homeschool order, I was only halfway thinking of the children. I have always wanted to buy a set, but could never seem to justify it for myself. Well, I worked my way around that one, and today had a chance to try them out. I had never used watercolor pencils before, but they were so fun and easy to use. I am NOT an artist in the "drawing" sort of way, so I think what I like most about watercolor is the forgiving nature of it. Anyway, I scanned in my picture hoping any moms out there who don't *do* art will feel like giving it a go. And really, "Buy the good pencils!" :O)

Caleb's Mushroom Hunt

Days of rain and little sun have left the ground squishy soft and the air humid.  What better time for a boy to go on a mushroom hunt!  Caleb had fantastic luck in the woods this afternoon.  He is still looking through his field guide to try identify them (which is harder than it sounds) but I'm satisfied that he had a great time exploring God's creation.

Gettin' Green

Once upon a time there was a mom who wanted to do the right thing and recycle. But alas, she got lazy and always forgot to take her recycling to the sorting center because it was 15 miles away and her bins were in the basement (bad-bad-location).

Well, now she has no more excuses because her small town has recycling bins for all major categories: glass, cardboard, metals, and plastics. (YIPPEE!)  And our bins have been spiffed up and moved to the mudroom, which happens to be right on the way out the door. (Much Smarter)

So, that is the story of how one mom with good intentions got herself back on the green track.

Homemade Baking Mix

I thought it was high time I shared my favorite homemade baking mix.  It will work anywhere you would use Bisquick and it even works for Mary Jane Butters' famous bakeover recipes.  One of my favorite things about this mix is that it doesn't have any shortening in it, so it keeps very well.  I keep a small container of it in my cabinet and store the remainder in a Ziploc bag in the freezer.

In a Large Bowl mix the following:
10 cups of flour  (I use a whole grain white flour, but you could use all white or 1/2 white and 1/2 wheat)
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
4 Tbsp. Baking Powder  (I like aluninum free)
3 tsp. salt

It bakes up nice and fluffy.  Here is a picture of the cheeseburger pie I made last night.  YUM!

Books and Things Seminar

For Mother's Day, my sweet husband blessed me with The Books and Things Seminar from Simply Charlotte Mason.   Today I had time to watch the first session and I can tell you that one can never stop learning about the amazing methods of Charlotte Mason.  Something new jumps out at me every time.  Sonya Shafer does a terrific job of making CM so very doable.  I cannot wait to watch the other three sessions.  I love teacher training  :O)