Tapestries of the Heart Blog

2009-10-27T22:55:00.002-05:00

Fall is the time to visit the pumpkin patch and here we have a wonderful one without any halloween decorations and all, just lots of fun stuff for the children to do and have a great time! We spent about 2 hours there, eating lunch and playing and then hauled 4 pumpkins to the car.

I came home and made some yummy muffins!! What are some of your favorite pumpkin things to make?

One of my favorites is pumpkin bread. Here is a favorite recipe!

Pumpkin Bread

2/3c. butter
1 2/3 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 can (16 oz) or 2 c. pumpkin
2/3 c. water
3 1/3 c. all purpose flour (I have used part whole wheat)
2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. ground cloves

Heat oven to 350. Grease 2 large loaf pans with shortening or cooking spray (I like to use shortening rather than oil as otherwise they stick) or 3 smaller ones (not the real small ones, but the smaller loaf ones)

Mix butter and sugar, add eggs, pumpkin and water. Blend in dry ingredients. Pour into pans. Bake until toothpick comes out clean, about an hour and 10 min. Cool slightly before removing from pans. Store wrapped in the fridge.

2009-10-12T19:34:00.002-05:00

Bruschetta
It is easy to make your own and this is especially good on sourdough or foccacia bread. We tried some that Trader Joes had made with the basic recipe plus cooked lentils and feta cheese, that was the best!

7 tomatoes,
1/2 cup basil
1 clove garlic,
1/3 cup olive oil
3 Tbsp. Balsalmic vinegar
Salt & Pepper
Optional: Greek Olives, Shallots, Artichoke Hearts, Feta, Parmesan, Lentils

Dice all ingredients so they are similar to a salsa like consistency.
Toast the bread if desired or spread the bruschetta on the bread & place under the broiler for 2-3 min.

2009-10-01T18:54:00.002-05:00

I have been busy this year canning! I did 59 qts of peaches, which is some of you out there, can a ton, that may not seem like alot, but for me that is amazing! These are my new shelves my husband built for me!! They are really strong, deep and sturdy! The boys were climbing on them and they did not budge!!

I am looking forward to having this nice pantry space in the basement as I do not really have a pantry upstairs in the kitchen! This is right below the kitchen so it works out well! Plus, you get good leg exercise, running up and down the stairs!

Fall is here though!!! It is beautiful and rainy!! I love each season as it comes around, but what does fall remind you of? For me it is cozy houses with smells of cinnamon, pumpkin, apple pie.......soup and bread for dinner. I have been baking alot of muffins for breakfast lately! It is really easy to do in the evening and then have them for breakfast or snacks to eat.

2009-09-13T17:16:00.001-05:00

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." Ephesians 3:20,21

When you are the neediest,
He is the most sufficient.

When you are completely helpless,
He is the most helpful.

When you feel totally dependent,
He is absolutely dependable.

When you are the most alone,
His is intimately present.

When you feel you are the least,
He is the greatest.

When you feel the most useless,
He is preparing you for use.

When it is the darkest,
He is the only light you need.

When you feel the least secure,
He is your Rock and Fortress.

When you are the most humble,
He is most gracious.

When you can't,
He can.

2009-09-11T10:54:00.003-05:00

I have a new niece!!

7lbs 15 oz. 21 inches long....my little sister had her second child at the birth center with her family all around. The midwife was her mom, her doula was her sister and her nurse was her sister! It was a beautiful birth!

2009-08-03T15:45:00.004-05:00

We spent the last week after picking pounds upon pounds of beautiful sweet cherries canning, freezing and making jam from them! I also made some that will be good over ice cream or pancakes.

It was alot of fun picking the cherries too!

I also made cherry pie filling from it to use in desserts as well! The jars and jars in the basement sure make me feel good after that long week of canning!

i found this recipe I am eager to try with some of these cherries and I thought I would share it with you.

Cherry cheese Blintzes
2/3 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
3 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
2 T. melted butter

Filling:
1 c. small curd cottage cheese
1 pkg 3 oz. cream cheese
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 t. vanilla

Cherry sauce:
1 pound fresh or frozen sweet cherries pitted
2/3 c. + 1 T. of water divided
1/4 c. sugar
1 T. cornstarch

In a bowl whisk first 5 ingredients. Cover and put in fridge for 2 hours. Heat a skillet and lightly grease it. Add 2 T. of batter. Tilt pan to cover pan and cook until dry and flip. Remove to wire rack and repeat until batter is gone.
in a blender process cottage cheese until smooth and then pour into bowl. Mix with cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Spoon 1 T. in each crepe. Roll up. and put in baking pan. Bake uncovered at 350 for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Meanwhile make cherry sauce, bring cherries, 2/3 c. water and sugar to a boil over med. heat. Reduce heat and cover and simmer for 5 minutes. or until cherries are tender. Combine cornstarch with remaining water. Stir into cherry mixture. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over crepes.
Yield 9 servings!

2009-07-13T17:56:00.001-05:00

Six-Week Bran Muffins

1 large box Raisin Bran (15oz.)

1 cup melted butter or oil

2.5 cups. sugar (more or less depending on your sweet tooth)

4 eggs, beaten

1 quart buttermilk

5 cups. flour

5 teaspoons soda

2 teaspoons salt

Extra raisins, if desired.

Mix Raisin Bran, sugar, flour, soda, salt and extra raisins in a large bowl. Add eggs, butter or oil and butter milk and mix well by hand.
Fill greased muffin pans 2/3 full. Bake at 375-400° F. for 10-15 minutes or until brown.
Store remaining batter in a covered container in fridge for up to six weeks.

Yield: 8 dozen tiny muffins or about 5 dozen regular size muffins

2009-06-19T23:32:00.003-05:00

Last Week we got to go to our State's capital and this is me as we were waiting to tour the original Governor's mansion. What was funny to me was that the first few governors did not live there as they were wealthy enough to buy their own!

As I was walking through the house which I have no pictures of the inside, i was amazed at the beautiful work work, the glass, the carvings on the furniture and walls. They took leather in one room and covered the walls with it and it was painted green with decorative nails in squares, which does not sound pretty at all, but it was beautiful!!! They also had stretched fabric on the walls in one room where it looked like wallpaper.

But the most amazing was stepping into the kitchen! It was a tiny room, maybe 10x 10 feet with a wood cookstove in the corner, a one basin sink mounted on the wall with no counters around it, a small island/drop leaf table in the center of the room and a buffet with flour etc in it. There was also a butlers pantry where food was stored and dishes. That was it! They had to prepare meals to serve the governors and higher ups in a room we would barely feel like was suited for a shack!! It made me realize how blessed I am and how spoiled we can be too. Not that it is wrong to have a nice kitchen, I actually think they had things turned around a bit with a fancy parlour and shack kitchen!! But I think sometimes too we (or at least I do) look around our house and think of how much nicer someone else has it or if we did this it would be better, and instead of taking the time to be thankful. I came home and was thankful for my tile counters that are hard to clean, because I have tile counters! I have hot running water (which they also did not have) and a fridge (they had an ice box) to keep my food cold.

2009-06-16T13:42:00.005-05:00

Lemony Chicken Popover

3 Tbsp butter, melted-divided
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
6 eggs
1 cup milk

Filling:

2 carrots, chopped
1 cup fresh broccoli florets- chopped
1 small onion; chopped
1 Tbsp butter
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 mushroom; chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper, diced
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Garnish:
If so desired, garnish with extra shredded cheddar cheese.

Brush the bottom on a deep dish pie plate with 1 Tbsp butter; set aside. In a small mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Beat in the eggs, milk and remaining butter until smooth. Pour into prepared pie plate.

Bake at 400* for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350* and bake for 5-10 minutes longer or until golden brown and center is set.

In a microwave safe bowl (or steam bag) combine carrots, broccoli, onion and butter. Cover and microwave on high for 8 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender; set aside.
In another microwave-safe bowl, combine chicken, soup, mushroom, red bell pepper, and lemon juice. Cover and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until red pepper is tender, stirring once.
Stir in cheese and half of the vegetable mixture.

Spoon chicken mixture into center of popover. Surround with remaining vegetable mixture.
Cut into wedges; serve immediately.

Yield: 6 servings.

Taste of Redding recipe contest in the Record Searchlight.
June 7, 2009

2009-06-15T20:37:00.003-05:00

Forget about whether or not others will be grateful for your selfless service, or whether they will even notice it. As God's beautiful women, you don't do what you do to get anything, you do what you do because of who you are, because of the person God is making you into---a virtuous women who is beautiful in His eyes!

~*~*~

Selfless service is the greatest beauty of all.

It's the beauty of our Lord~Elizabeth George

This is a quote I came across recently and I was so encouraged by it.

I know it has been while since I posted anything here. Life has been busy. We are still working on our new house, but I think we should be able to move within a month, Lord willing. We are also happily expecting baby #6 due in October. The girls are hoping for a girl, the boys a boy. We shall see in October what the Lord has blessed us with. Anyway, I hope to be around here a bit more often as time allows.

May the Lord abundantly bless each and everyone of you!

2009-05-27T07:30:00.007-05:00

Rhubarb Upside Down Cake

Topping (Which actually starts on the bottom!!):

3 c. chopped fresh (or frozen) rhubarb
1 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 c. melted butter

Batter:

3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. melted butter
1 egg
1 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2/3 c. milk
(* 1/4 tsp. salt)

Topping: Arrange rhubarb in bottom of a 10" greased cast iron skillet. Mix together sugar, flour and nutmeg; sprinkle over rhubarb. Drizzle melted butter over all.
Batter: Beat together butter and sugar. Stir in egg. Combine flour, baking powder (salt) and nutmeg. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter, mixing well after each addition. Spread over rhubarb. Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes. Immediately loosen edges and invert onto a serving dish. Best served warm. (* Note: Because of a lot of issues with high blood pressure, my family never had salt in the house. I still seldom use it, even in baking. I have the salt measurements added in the recipe even though I don't use them myself because I know other people think it's unbelievable to not use it. =D )

I planted three rhubarb plants three years ago and this is the first year I've felt comfortable harvesting from them. (I wanted to give them a couple of years to get well established first. ) We love rhubarb, so it's been fun to cook with it. Unfortunately, I have picked my three plants clean already and none of it make it to the freezer. =D I just bought roots for six more plants to put in. = ) This is one of the new recipes I found this year that we really like. It's very quick and easy, not to mention delicious!

2009-05-11T12:36:00.000-05:00

An interesting quote...

"Remember this. When people choose to withdraw far from a fire, the fire continues to give warmth, but they grow cold. When people choose to withdraw far from light, the lightcontinues to be bright in itself but they are in darkness.

This is also the case when people withdraw from God; and this is why
those who praise themselves cannot praise God."

-Augustine, Sermon 170, 11

2009-05-04T09:40:00.000-05:00

The End of the Road is but a Bend in the Road
by Helen Steiner Rice

When we feel we have nothing left to give
And we are sure that the "song has ended"--
When our day seems over and the shadows fall
And the darkness of night has descended,
Where can we go to find the strength
To valiantly keep on trying,
Where can we find the hand that will dry
The tears that the heart is crying--
There's but one place to go and that is to God
And, dropping all pretense and pride,
We can pour out our problems without restraint
And gain strength with Him at our side--
And together we stand at life's crossroads
And view what we think is the end,
But God has a much bigger vision
And He tells us it's ONLY A BEND--
For the road goes on and is smoother,
And the "pause in the song" is a "rest,"
And the part that's unsung and unfinished
Is the sweetest and richest and best--
So rest and relax and grow stronger,
LET GO and LET GOD share your load,
Your work is not finished or ended,
You've just come to "A BEND IN THE ROAD."

2009-05-03T15:17:00.003-05:00

Making Work at home Work
by Mary Byers

I posted a review and giveaway on my other blog! Check out the book review for this good book for anyone who has a home business! Enter to win one of three ways!
www.homeschoolblogger.com/martha

2009-04-10T11:37:00.002-05:00

Week of Lower Carb Meals Coming Soon

For those of you who don't already know, I am 26 weeks pregnant with ' Jed '. = ) We decided to do something different with this pregnancy and find out the baby's gender when I had my ultrasound. It has been so nice to be able to plan and get things ready a little better. I like to try to shop for the following winter clothes when the previous winter is over and everything is on sale for such a good deal, so that's been nice to be able to do for all the children.
I usually gain weight very slowly at the beginning of my pregnancies and then quickly in my third trimester. Since I have reached the weight gaining stage, I've decided to greatly reduce the amount of potatoes, rice and bread products in my diet for now. It has been a fun challenge to come up with different ideas for meals. (Any ideas would be great!!!) I'm hoping to blog through a week of meals very soon. Just a warning. = )

2009-03-23T19:51:00.002-05:00

The wonder of birth

We often think of the wonder of birth here in our daily lives. My mom is a midwife, I am a doula and it is something that pretty much is mentioned at least once daily, whether it be pregnancy, issues with pregnancy, new babies, whatever.

The wonder of birth never fails to get to me, it is a wonder as we have a small human growing inside of us, a small parasite as it were almost, but in a wonderful way = )
Then in a not so wondrous way, we give birth. I have likened it before in the way I felt a couple times like I grew an apple inside of a bottle with a small neck and then someone pulled it out!

I guess though I was thinking though about our society today and how they view birth, labor, postpartum mothers and wondering if we are so much better off now than we used to be. I have started to realize as I see these moms who are thrilled the labor is over, then they begin on the journey of motherhood, and find themselves ill prepared. Their body is different, they feel different, they have to sacrifice the need for personal space, then they come home from the hospital or if you birthed at home and the expectation to still keep a clean house, cook your meals, do your laundry are all there. I cannot count how many times when I have talked about resting and the importance of it after birth, I get the comment "Yeah, right. As if that is going to happen!"

I am not surprised, but yet, why is it that this is so unimportant? I think especially of moms who have more than norm for children should focus on this especially. It cannot be unimportant. I know that may sound impossible. Maybe you have no one to help you, your husband works full time and cannot afford to take off work to help you or other things like that.

Some tips:
1)Do some meal prep steps before you have the baby. Brown ground beef if that is an ingredient in meals you use often, dice onions, celery, other vegetables you use in soups and freeze them in the freezer. If you like ready made meals from the freezer, freeze some meals to pull out as well.

2)Streamline your house before birth- if you can a few weeks before you give birth see if you can put away or even pack away any extra toys, clothes or things that end up getting dumped out all the time. This way, there will be less to make a mess.

3)If you have other children, write a list of activities they could do while you are resting, nursing the baby or whatever next to the couch. Gather the stuff you need and put it in a place where you can save it for that time.

4)Take the time to sit to do things you can. Try to plan at least 2 weeks at least of not leaving your house. For 10 days you should not be picking up anything heavier than your baby, and sometimes not even that if they are too heavy!

5)Let things go a bit....not in a trashy way, but dinner does not always have to be 4 food groups for two-three weeks or even the full 6 weeks. The kitchen floor does not have to be washed for a few weeks, no one will probably die! If you keep the clothing to a minimum, you could wash only two loads in a week, depending on the size of your family and still have clothes to wear, but wearing the same thing twice for your children will not hurt them.

I hope this helps someone to encourage you to take care of yourself so you can keep having children and being a blessing to others and your family because you took care and rested.

2009-03-17T14:03:00.004-05:00

We Need Your Help - And Your Votes!

LeAnn and I are really trying to get things going with the next issue of Tapestries. I'm tallying everything up for the final results of the photo contest. It seems that we have a tie in two of our categories, though - the front porches and the people. If you have not already voted OR if you voted for a different choice (in the flower category), we need your votes! Here are the pictures we're voting on:

FRONT PORCHES:

PEOPLE:

2009-02-24T12:46:00.008-05:00

Tapestries of the Heart Photo Contest - Flowers

As you can see, we received some beautiful entries for this category as well. Have fun deciding! Leave a comment to cast your vote! (If you voted on this category the first time it was posted, please revote. Sorry about that.)

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

2009-02-24T12:27:00.002-05:00

Tapestries Photo Contest - Flowers
Just a note about the flower picture post. You may have seen it here before and notice that it disappeared. =D I need to do some editing. I didn't mean for the file names to be the photographer's name, for one thing. You weren't suppose to know who took the pictures. =D I also missed an entry. So... the category will be back and open for voting again soon. If you did vote already, please stop by later and re-voteif you don't mind.

2009-02-10T19:36:00.002-05:00

Novels of Hope contest

I just read her book "Ruby among us" last week and was really touched by it! She now has a contest where she is asking you come over and leave a comment sharing a book that gave you hope in the past while.
There is some large prize packages with books, music and other stuff, so head over and check it out!
Novels of Hope link

2009-02-10T16:59:00.006-05:00

Tapestries Photo Contest Category #2 - People

Sorry about the delay in getting the next photo contest category up. My laptop fan is broken and we had to get a new external fan. Without a fan I could only have the computer on for about 10 minutes at a time - not enough time to upload much of anything. = ) We got some great entries for this category and I think you'll have a hard time deciding which one is your favorite. Let us know what you think!

#1.

#2.

#3.

#4.

#5.

#6.

#7.

#8.

#9.

#10.

11.

12.

2009-02-02T20:13:00.001-05:00

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I made these the other night for dinner and everyone loved them plus it was a nice change from the normal dinners we've been having. They are great hot or cold. I left the walnuts out. Also, I didn't use rotisserie chicken; I cubed chicken breasts instead, cooked them thoroughly and then blended everything together in my "chopper/blender". I didn't use swiss cheese either but used what we had- Jack and Pepper Jack. Mmm!
We used regular wheat sandwich bread.
Enjoy!

TIME: Prep/Total Time: 15 min.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons honey Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cubed cooked rotisserie chicken (skin removed)
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
8 lettuce leaves
16 slices pumpernickel bread
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard and pepper. Stir in the chicken, cheese, celery, cranberries, walnuts and parsley.
Place lettuce on eight slices of bread; top each with 1/2 cup chicken salad and remaining bread. Yield: 8 servings.

2009-01-30T08:57:00.005-05:00

Whole Wheat Pancakes
from the MOMYS Cookbook

4 c. whole wheat flour
8 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. brown sugar

4 eggs
4 c. milk
8 T. oil

Mix first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl , beat eggs and then stir in the milk and oil. Add wet ingredients to the flour mixture. Stir until moistened. Cook on hot griddle.

These are very yummy, I made them for the first time last night and the whole family enjoyed them a lot. When I make pancakes I usually will add apple pieces or blueberries to the batter. Both are delicious and I’m not sure which one I prefer! :)

What are some of the ways you like pancakes?? Please share!

~One of my little helpers! As soon as he heard the beaters going, he ran and got a stool. :) He likes to watch me in the kitchen. He also enjoys eating, I can never keep him filled, it seems. :)

2009-01-29T19:57:00.005-05:00

Greetings all!

I recently realized that it has been a while since I posted anything here. I have been keeping busy with homeschooling, keeping a home and much more. We are getting closer to moving into our new house too. The painter might be able to start painting next week. This evening my husband and I will go over the colours one last time. What a learning experience that has been, but God is faithful and good!

Anyway, I guess I'm not sure what others like to read on here!!

This is my two youngest ones, B. is 3 and K. is almost 16 months. We were busy making Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. They are a favourite here. I am trying to have fun in the kitchen, all to often, I just want to tell the children to go and play, but I know they want to be here with me and help where they can. God is teaching me here! That afternoon, I just had the 2 little ones, so it was lots of fun, but when I have all five then it is rather challenging. Being a mother is wonderful I wouldn't want to trade it for anything. I just need to be the mommy God has called me to be.

I would love to see more posts here, so any ideas? I hope to be back again soon. :)

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21

2009-01-27T13:06:00.002-05:00

Tapestries of the Heart Photo Contest - Front Porches

We received quite a few entries for our photo contest and we are finally getting them up here for you all to vote on. The front porch category got the fewest entries, as you can see. Leave a comment and let us know which one you like best! (Flower and people categories coming soon!!!!