Life Schooled...

So Thankful!

2012-11-22T07:41:00.000-08:00

Lately on Facebook I have been seeing people daily post what they are thankful for.

It's been neat to see what they focus on each day.

I began to think about what I would post, had I started from the first day of November.

I find myself to be stuck.

How do I begin to describe thankfulness for the things we all take for granted? Thankfulness for food, clothing, shelter, safety, love, choices, opinions, faith, religion, education, friends, family, neighbors, pets, health, and so many other things are just expected to be there.

I want our kids to begin to understand life a little more. They are so sheltered in our own situation that they don't quite see the big picture. And in some ways it's good to let the kids be naive, just let them have peace for a while, no worries. On the other hand, they need to learn to think about other people's needs and how they might be able to help out in some way.

I've been wanting to do a service project with them for a while, so when my neighbor mentioned that the day before Thanksgiving they were going to help pass out food at the school she works at, I knew that this was something to participate in.

Here are my kids and my neighbor's kids, sans one, after the work was done.

Sal had onion duty. He helped with putting onions in people's bags.

We have no other photos, but Ellie, Joey and I passed out booklets to the kids.

When the booklets were gone we moved to a few other various jobs to help out.

It was an awesome experience that I felt so lucky to help out with. I also had mixed emotions because people were saying thank you, and I didn't feel that I had done anything other than pass out food, offer a smile, and say Happy Thanksgiving. Others had organized, planned, and supplied a truck load of food. We just passed it out.

When we were leaving that morning, I had Joey (with his backside soaked because he went down a slide that was wet), crying that he didn't pass out food! I tried to help him understand that even though he didn't pass out food, we did so many other things to help.The car ride had a pungent aroma of onions thanks to Sal's hard work. And in my mind I was thinking of the next project we could help out with...maybe a beach clean up day!

The best part came when we were going home and Salvatore said, "Thanks Mom for taking us to help out today, I want to do it again."

Melt my thankful heart!

(cheesy, but true)

Some light being shed...

2012-11-12T15:35:00.000-08:00

I've been working through the book "Lord, Help Me Grow Spiritually Strong in 28 Days"

I'm on day 18 and it's taken me 55 days so far...some of us are slow learners.

Buy it here on Amazon.

There have been many things that I've learned so far and I do believe that this book is really helping me to understand who God is and how I can relate to Him and know Him better.

But today, Day 18, 55 days into it...something really hit home for me.

In one of my recent posts I had expressed some of the real and honest feelings that I had been having. The thoughts that were going through my mind about my decisions, my body, and my life in general.

They were not positive thoughts by any means. They were harsh and negative thoughts that would get me nowhere but down further than I was. In this book she calls that "warfare" and says that it is "the fare of every child of God." Whoa! This negativity, this depression is being used to the Devil's advantage. As long as I'm feeling this way, he can take me down farther because I'm open to hearing and believing any lie that gets fed to me. According to the author, "He (the Devil), knows your weaknesses- where you are vulnerable. He knows how and when to bring your past before you."

This is what has been happening to me. I use to have a "can do" attitude, but in recent years I have had a "can't" attitude more times than I'd like to admit to. I realize that I have allowed things to get worse and opened myself up for this warfare by not protecting my mind and heart with positive affirmations, and scriptures to lift me up.

I've come to a place where I realize that the more I say "I can't" the easier it gets to say "I can't." I like the "I can" person that I used to be. I've bought a daily devotional that is geared towards positive affirmations, as recommended by my counselor. I've also decided that my Thursdays with my Bible study group HAS TO BE A PRIORITY! I've grown SO much because of those amazing women that I've had the joy and pleasure of knowing. I was ready to put that to the side because of my obligations to the kids and their education. I don't think that would be a wise thing to continue doing.

We need to think positive thoughts. What we say to ourselves internally will come true! And that isn't always a good thing. Sometimes our inner conversation can be so horrible, even degrading at times. It has to stop! We have to be our own cheerleaders sometimes. And negative inner talk has no place in motivating us to do well.

This excerpt was put in this chapter...Day 18, 55 days into the 28 days to grow spiritually strong... hey, some of us don't like to rush things. We like to savor what we're doing... hee hee.

This is from Paul 4:4-9

"4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.. The Lord is near.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

What a beautiful passage that gives instruction and peace to those in need of positive affirmation. My favorite part is verse 7.

Lord, guard our minds especially. When negative thoughts, demeaning criticism comes...reduce it to a small flutter of a thought that once was. Fill our minds with positive, loving thoughts. The kind of thoughts that propel us through our day, not reduce us to dark corners in our minds. We are so thankful that you are a God of love and hope.

Sometimes we need a break from ourselves...sometimes we need to put our thoughts on a time out until we can deal with them in a healthier way.

Then maybe the next time someone says "Peace be with you", it is with you...in your mind, soul and heart.

Peace.

***Just a side note...for those of you wondering if I make money from the links that I add to my blog...the answer is no! First of all, I don't get near enough traffic to make any money on this blog, and secondly I live in a state that is not allowed to have partnership with Amazon. Other blogs will make money if you click on the link of a product from Amazon and purchase it...our lovely state isn't included in that partnership program. If I link an item, it's just because I personally think it's great!***

Power of a Pinky Swear

2012-11-08T22:13:00.000-08:00

Sal came home today and I could tell that something was off. He wasn't his usual self, way too quite for him.

For the kid who has something to say "really very often" (the nice way to put it), silence is a dead give away that something's wrong.

So after dinner, I walked back with him to his room and asked how his day was.

"Fine," he said.

"Just fine? Did anything happen?" I asked.

"Nope," he said.

Hm, this is so not normal!

I proceeded to remind him how well I knew him and that I could tell something was off.

He insisted that all was okay.

So I continued on the importance of us communicating with each other. Now that he is in school for part of the week, he needs to talk with me so that I can help him.

It's all good Mom...

Then I reminded him about the other times that I had to pull it out of him when I knew something was up.

Everything is fine Mom.

So I made him pinky swear that if anything was bothering him, or if he was ever worried about something that he would talk to me so that we could work it out.

I explained to him that as his mother, it is my job to make sure he is okay or to be there for him when he needs me, and that he needs to let me be there for him when situations arise.

"But Mom," he said, "I wouldn't want you to cry."

Panic! Loss of breath! Stars in my vision!

"Why would I cry? What would possibly make me cry?" I asked.

"Well like right now, you're getting teary eyed," he said.

I explained to him that I was just worried, but if he said it is all good, that I believe him. It's all good...so let's complete the pinky swear.

I held out my pinky, he held out his...we locked and made our promise.

Then a look came over his face.

"Mom, today at school I jammed my finger while playing basketball and it really hurts." he said.

um...

"So, is that what has been bothering you? Did the kids give you a hard time about it?" I asked.

"Nope, they didn't see it. It's just really bugging me," he said.

"So, why didn't you tell me?" I asked.

"Well, I didn't want you to worry, but then we did a pinky swear and I knew I had to tell you," he said.

Are you serious??? All this time I could have had him pinky swear with me and he would have fessed up? I believe that is the first pinky swear that I have ever made. I never knew they were so powerful.

That at the grasp of the smallest digit on the hand it compels the other player/person to spill the beans with no hesitation? In grade school I thought I was too old for the "pinky swear" and now I realize how much I missed out on. Oh that gains I could have gained!

But alas, I am not going to think about the "what ifs", the "should have beens."

I am now going to use it to my advantage. I may even use it on a business deal of some sort. Maybe the next time I buy a car I'll make the car salesman pinky swear that this in fact is the "best price in town". That I, in fact, will lose the car of my dreams if I don't buy it this instant.

I wonder if their pinky would just fall off... food for thought.

Even though I thought my pinky swear did the job I found out 5 minutes later that it was only half effective. Pete went in to check on him while he was getting ready for bed. He asked him what that bruise was on his ribcage. Sal said that when the whistle is blown at the end of recess they have to freeze right away. Well, today he froze right away and one foot happened to be suspended in air at that moment. He lost his balance and fell over. Pete suggested that the teachers didn't mean to literally freeze to where he'd fall over. Next time...freeze with both feet on the ground.

Until next time...

Yet another change!

2012-11-05T10:35:00.002-08:00

I can't believe the number of changes our family has been through in the last six months.

It's almost overwhelming at times.

It feels as if every week we're having to adjust.

This is a good adjustment.

My little girl will be going to school with her big brother.

As much as it saddens me...tear...I know that it will be good for her and me.

She recently told me she was bored at home. Ouch! She misses her brothers and felt she had nothing to do. Well, now she does. I'm glad I have confidence in this school to send both kids there. This year will be a year of taking care of myself so that I can make a good decision for how we are to carry on (to homeschool or not to homeschool, is the question).

So this year I'll take my time, pray A LOT, and hope that the guidance is strong enough so that I don't second guess myself, whatever my decision may be.

The only problem is that...

...this little guy will miss her when he isn't at preschool. I have a feeling I'm going to hear the "I'm bored" thing from him too.

Here's to change!

Little bit of nature…

2012-10-26T15:18:00.001-07:00

Here’s some pictures from a recent trip that we took. We went on many hikes. Don’t forget to click on each image to see a larger picture of it.

I loved it.

I love being out with God’s creation.

I love the peace that comes from being deep in a forest. A place when trees fall they aren’t heard by human ears.

I love wondering about who or what inhabits these trees.

I love looking up at bits of sunlight shining through the foliage. I love knowing that there is beauty in the shady areas too.

I love the microscopic…the minute details of His glory.

I love the varying beauty found within miles of each other.

I should take more time to notice them within my own space.

It isn't bad to reassess.

2012-10-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

Life had become crazy.

It became apparent that something needed to change.

But what?

I LOVE homeschooling and desire to continue, but at what cost?

It was time to reassess.

The definition of reassess is to: consider or assess again, esp. while paying attention to new or different factors. New or different factors...hmmmm. While I'm not sure we have new or different factors, we definitely have continuing factors that maybe I didn't realize would be factors in the game of life.

So, I sent my oldest to school where there is a modified homeschool schedule. Every Friday is a home day along with various other days in the year totaling 55 days out of the school year. Great right? Depends on the day, I guess.

You see, I had meant to homeschool for longer than two years. I had meant to give my children the chance to grow and learn at a pace appropriate for them individually.

But, quite frankly, I hit a wall. It might have been "proverbial", but it physically felt real. This summer put me up against a wall where I had to really look at myself and reassess.

There's this thing called grief that's a real joy kill. Even when you feel that you've dealt with your grief, it can sometimes show up in other avenues.

This summer I had minor surgery, my husband traveled a lot, there was extended family strife, and much more. The "wall" made me realize that I am not healthy. I'm not healthy emotionally to be able to serve my family in the way I'd love to. I've put off taking care of myself because life happened at light speed and I didn't make the time to deal with my loss and how that loss affects me.

I've become frustrated, negative, depressed, and quite frankly, at times, just a bore to be around. This is not who I perceive myself to be, but what does my perception matter if what I project to those around me is polar opposite of my perception of myself? I want to shine. I'm not speaking of shining in the sense that I'm the center of attention. I'm speaking of the light that you see in people when they are genuinely happy. That light that they give to others to make their day just a little bit better.

So reassessment occurred in our home.

I've started seeing a Naturopath Doctor in an effort to also be healthy physically. One thing that I like is her whole body approach. One thing may be a symptom of another thing. She's treating me for adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue occurs when you've been through long term stress and the adrenal glands can no longer secrete hormones at a level to deal with stress. I'll start posting more on this as I learn about it.

I've actually just made a counseling appointment to deal with a few things. I thought I might be embarrassed to admit that, but I'm not. I've tried for almost eleven years now to "deal" with my grief and I haven't done a bad job, but I definitely need tools to help me get to that next level of healing. I need tools to deal with what isn't, or what has changed as a result of the loss. I don't want to live in this world where I believe I'm good and yet unknowingly put my "stuff" on those around me. We may think we're alone in our situations, but we're not. Our actions affect those around us. Our inaction... or maybe idleness... affects those around us. We are not solitary beings in a universe whose action does not have a reaction.

For every action there is a reaction.

So when I look around my home and I see this year's curriculum lined up in the bookshelves, I know my first thoughts will be defeat, inadequate...I'm going to try to remember that this time is to get healthy. This way I could do more for our Lord, be more useful. This time can be used to get ready to continue next year with a happier tone to our day.

And when I feel that skin fold over my jeans, I know my first thought will be fat, lazy...but then I'll remember that right now I'm healing. I'm healing from surgery and fatigue. That will take time and patience. Healthy is beautiful and sometimes Healthy isn't skinny. God created me and he thinks I'm perfect.

And when the tears roll down my cheeks from frustration of circumstances that I can't change...I'll remind myself to work on what I can with a person who has the tools to help me.

And, instead of counting the days that my husband is gone...I'll count the days that we're together.

And when the housework isn't finished or up to par...I'll look at those kids. That will be reminder enough of the job I'm doing and the importance of it.

I hope this gives you a little peek into reality for me. I hope that maybe someone will read this and identify with it. Maybe, even, find some peace in it. And if, for nothing else, it helps my family and friends understand me a little more, then it will have been worth it to pour out honesty about my struggles.

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have sett my heart free." Psalm 119:32

Check yourself!

2012-09-19T14:11:00.003-07:00

...and it's been a good day.

Good at Startin' Fires!

2012-09-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

Kids say the funniest things sometimes...

...sometimes you just don't know how to respond to them...

...then sometimes they say something that completely STUMPS you!

This was a funny time.

Blake Shelton is one of my favorite country singers.

I love, LOVE, LoVe, this song.

Good at Startin Fires

He said, "Mom, why is he the only one who puts the fires out?"

She said, "Because he is always the one by the fire hydrant."

And he just force laughed when the rest of us laughed.

You know the force laugh when you think they will lose a brain cell or two from the pressure?

That kind of FORCE LAUGH...the kind that makes us laugh harder.

Our Curriculum for 2012/2013

2012-08-21T14:09:00.001-07:00

This is a post that I’ve been meaning to do for a long time.

I’ve had our school stuff organized for a while now, but I am not organized…the stuff is, the person isn’t.

We are entering our third year of homeschooling with a new outlook on curriculum. We’ve decided to join the Classical Conversations community this year and I’ve decided to tutor in Foundations. I’m very excited for how this will guide our homeschooling and I’m hoping for the support that I personally need to continue this journey.

Math- Singapore 2

Spelling- All About Spelling Level 2

Writing- Writing with Ease Level 2

Penmanship- A Reason for Handwriting B

The remainder of the subjects will be taught through the Classical Conversations Foundations program.

Math- Singapore 1

Spelling- All About Spelling Level 1

Penmanship- A Reason for Handwriting K

The remainder of the subjects will be taught through the Classical Conversations Foundations program.

Basically anything that will keep him busy.

Like…

or painting, coloring, tracing, etc.

Anything to keep him busy!

Our curriculum for this year is learning to be “successful” while homeschooling.

We’ll be working on the following….

- not letting external events effect our home

- putting the health of our family first, no matter what

- we’re going to practice saying “no” more often

- we’re going to take care of ourselves so we can better take care of each other

- we’re going to be more scheduled… ie: workouts, meals, housekeeping

…all of these are really my goals, but I liked that picture of the two of us, so I made the list about “us”.

I have so much to write about in the next couple of posts. I’ve come to realize that this choice to homeschool our children is a huge commitment. It can’t be taken lightly and it can’t be pushed aside. Things that take away from it, or add stress to our lives, to where we can’t enjoy this journey, need to be put to the side. My hope is to reduce the outside excess and make what we’re doing at home quality. I don’t want my kids growing up with a frustrated mother. Homeschooling is something I really want to do, and I want to enjoy it with my kids, I want them to enjoy it. So then some adjustments need to be made, and will be made.

It’s about time! TK’s wedding

2012-08-14T15:37:00.001-07:00

I’ve been delinquent in so many things in my life.

We’ve had a busy summer.

Family visited, Joey’s 3rd birthday, and other issues…(when you read the word “issues” you have to read it with a double “ss” sound and not a “sh” sound…it explains so much more in just that one word. Everyone now, “issssssssues”).

I’ll no longer be delinquent in this matter, however.

My cousin Teresa’s marriage to Jeff!

We headed out to Texas, just Ellie and I, to enjoy the crazy week of wedded bliss for my cousin TK.

Ellie was the flower girl.

But we’ll back up a little in our story.

It was Ellie’s first time on a plane.

This is a bad picture of me, but it’s my first hamburger in over 4 years since I was a vegetarian for that duration. I begged to go to a Whataburger (sp) because if there is a place to have a burger after a drought…that’s the place to do it!

We went to a salon (the girls in the group) to have pedicures done and look who joined in on it…

…they had kid sized chairs!

This pampering could go south very fast with her. There was one point where I had to repeat myself five times because she couldn’t hear me over the massaging chair. Oh, I’m sorry, am I interrupting your YOU TIME?

Look at those toes!

She really enjoyed all of the fuss over the flower girl at the rehearsal.

I just enjoyed watching her. It’s amazing how fast time goes by. Sigh. Tear.

Here’s my Aunt Denise with her granddaughter Miss A.

Lovin’ up on Miss A!

One of my Favorite Guys…UB

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Teresa and Jeff’s wedding was held at a plantation looking home with a river…some might call it a stream…running through the back.

This is the deck that overlooks the river. (Remember this aisle…it’s important for later in the post.)

Here’s the bridesmaids and the woman of the day!

My gorgeous cousin before the wedding.

Like a boss, Jeff!

Here’s the reception room set up.

Everyone stamped their thumbs on this tree and then signed their name on their thumb print. Such a great keepsake!

Ellie took her job seriously. When asked what she was going to do by my cousin Christie, she said she had it figured out.

Ellie did lay a total of 8 petals on the ground that day. One at each pot that had a vase in it. (Remember that picture with the aisle?)

My Uncle Bob (UB) giving away his third baby girl!

Unity Sand…I was glad I wasn’t responsible for transporting that back to their house.

And then two became one!

Parents of the bride.

Parents of the groom.

Cute couple!

Here’s the table setting.

The cake!

And the best mini cheesecakes made by Mrs. Boyd, the groom’s mother.

Here’s a picture of myself with my cousins.

And when the stress of her job was over, you could find her cutting the rug for the remainder of the night.

“Starships were meant to flyyyyy…

…hands up and touch the skyyyyyy.”

The End…

Below is an album with more photos, but first…a picture that explains my family so well…

…classic! <3 her!

TK and Jeff’s Wedding!

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Cowboy Party for this 3 year old Cowboy…

2012-07-17T17:13:00.001-07:00

Howdy!

What a rootenist, tootenist day it was celebrating Joey’s 3rd birthday!

He truly enjoyed it and talked about it for the week leading up to the party and the week after. I’d say that was a success!

The party favors that we gave out were used horseshoes. (Trust me, these were genuine. These puppies were cleaned 4 times…and the hubby removed all of the tacks.)

This beautiful saddle and stand was lent to us from Barbie. Barbie is so involved with our life and we never get to see her!!! Last year I bought these tomatoes from her.

Barbie also lent us a plastic cattle head and lasso. The kids tried and tried to rope that cattle head. Some were even successful.

I put the boys’ rocking horses and a hula hoop out for the kids to toss onto the horses. Either they threw the hula hoop on the horses, or they just rode them like my cute nieces here.

We all had fun dressing up!

We used the island in the kitchen to put all of the food out on. With the exception of the following…

Cake Pops!!!

My sister in law made these.

Look at the cows!!!

Here’s a close-up of the cowboys.

The sick sense of humored family that I have thought it was hysterical when they bit into the cowboy cake pop and it was made out of red velvet cake. I swear we’re good people…we just find certain things really funny!

We also served s’mores. It was easy to prepare many of them at one time by baking them.

Here we are together!

This really was not possible without the help of SO many family members. The grandmas, the Aunties, the Hubs, and so many more.

Here are some more pictures from the event. Hope you enjoy them!

Joey’s 3rd Birthday!!! Yeehaw!

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JoJo turns 3!

2012-07-07T07:22:00.001-07:00

I can’t believe you’re 3!

Time flies so fast!

One moment you have this precious newborn child and the next thing you know he’s talking, ~~walking~~ running, climbing, reasoning, defying, loving, questioning, laughing, singing, jumping, throwing…mostly throwing…(we’re working on that), but most of all blessing.

JoJo you have been blessing us since the day you were born and I’m forever grateful that you are my child.

My prayers are for you to grow to be a happy young man who contributes positively to others around you. With your track record so far, I believe that’s exactly who you’ll be.

Love you to infinity and beyond!!!!!!!

JoJo’s 3!!!

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Disneyland 2012

2012-07-01T19:09:00.001-07:00

It’s been a bit since I’ve posted, so I thought I’d post pictures from our Disneyland trip.

(p.s. That photo is my 2nd Photoshop try, so it’s not so hot just yet…I’ll get there)

We had a blast at the Happiest Place on Earth and the kids were awesome despite the crazy crowds.

Joey’s favorite ride, by far was Buzz Light Year. He talked about it all day long and all night, and continued talking about it since then.

Sal came out of left field this time around. He was suddenly Mr. Brave and even went on California Screaming…that was unexpected!

And my sweet Ellie was game to do anything…like usual. She even wanted to go on California Screaming and I might have “hip hip hoorayed” when she realized she wasn’t tall enough. She rode with Grandma on Autopia.

Pete and I just did our best to “go with the flow”. That picture is evidence of the troubles that I had with my hair. No matter how much I flat ironed it, it kept growing. I was officially Goofy’s unofficial sister “Poofy” that day.

Here’s a few more pictures from our trip to Disneyland and California Adventures.

10 Years of Marriage

2012-06-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrate 10 years of marriage.

Amazing how fast it flies.

That day he promised so many things to me, and I too made promises.

And while those promises may seem like mountains to climb, the view is amazing.

You see, we had great examples set for us in our parents’ marriages and other family members’ marriages.

I hope some day that our children can say the same about our marriage.

I hope we support them the way that our families do.

(our nieces and nephews…just think, we have six more nieces and nephews than at this point!)

Pete,

Thank you for your commitment to our marriage.

You’re steadfast, strong, convicted, kind, generous, and so many other great qualities.

Here’s to many more years!

The garden so far - 2012

2012-05-23T08:20:00.001-07:00

I think we might have done something right this year…

We planted before Easter.

We planted before the heat came…allowing the plants to get established.

The garden is approximately 800 square feet and has been a project “in the making” every year for four years now.

…we SO badly need to weed…

Last baseball game of the season = more time to weed.

I believe every farmer (or wannabe, in my case) should know a martial art… the critters eating my strawberries should be taught a lesson.

The front pot is an example as to why you should have mint contained! These are my herb pots.

Here’s another view of the tomatoes…not sure about the placement this year. Oh well, we’ll just adjust for next year.

Hopefully I’ll have something to show for this garden, kind of like last year’s canning fest.

Happy Gardening!

Australian Bread- “Outback Damper”

2012-05-01T08:18:00.001-07:00

Sometimes there are meals where you wish you could just have some fresh bread with.

Well, in honor of this cold hearted snake that I found yesterday, I’ve decided to post a recipe that is not only easy, but really tasty.

Extending the Table by Joetta Handrich Schlabach is one of my favorite cookbooks. This particular cookbook is recipes from all over the world. I’ve made Outback Damper on multiple occasions and it always turns out. It’s hard to explain the taste, but it has a biscuit appeal to it.

Outback Damper

Mix:

4 cups self-rising flour*

2 teaspoons baking powder

pinch of salt

*if you don’t have self-rising flour, the recipe suggests using an all-purpose flour and increase baking powder to 4 teaspoons and the salt to 1 teaspoon

Add:

approximately 1 2/3 cup warm milk or water

Stir until dough sticks together well.

To bake in oven, turn dough into a greased 9-inch pie plate. Flour hands and gently pat dough to fill the plate, forming a round, flat loaf. It will be flaky and messy and not very consistent, but don’t give up on it!

Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Let stand 10-15 minutes before cutting.

And you know what’s great about this??? This is originally cooked on a campfire in the Australian bush, so you too could cook it during your next camping trip. Here are the instructions…

Stir until dough sticks together well. Heat cast-iron Dutch oven over campfire. When hot, put dough inside, place oven over coals, and cover lid of oven with hot coals. (It is possible to place Damper directly in coals, although only the inside of the crusty bread may be edible.) Bake approximately 30 minutes, exact time depending on heat of coals.

Hope you enjoy this recipe!

For more great ideas, visit my Recipe Page!

Easter Sunday questions…

2012-04-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we celebrated Easter.

It’s such a special holiday for Christians because it’s a reminder of the sacrifice made for us.

We went to mass that morning at our normal time anticipating it to be a crazy day.

What I didn’t anticipate were the questions while mass was going on.

The incense was being used at one point and Sal leaned over to inquire as to what it was.

I whispered…”They’re burning incense Sal, and we really need to keep our voices down, honey.”

He had a baffled look, but quieted down.

A few minutes later he said, “I just don’t get why they would burn insects. It’s a little weird.”

That’s when I realized that I need to work on enunciating words such as “incense” when speaking to a 7 year old boy. Especially because he could easily say to another kid…”I don’t know about your church, but ours kills bugs.”

Makes me smile…

Tasty Lasagna Recipe…

2012-04-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

Part Two of my Lasagna Recipe…

Step One: Make the Ricotta Cheese.

Step Two: Make the sauce.

Step Three: Put it all together and you turn yourself around…

On the day that I took these pictures I was making a few trays for different people, so I was using larger portions.

I’m sure you’re wondering what is in that ricotta cheese…well here’s the list.

1. two cloves garlic, finely minced

2. two eggs, beaten

3. Fresh basil, chopped

4. Small amount of salt

***Normally I would boil the noodles the traditional way, but I’ve found a good substitute when I’m making large amounts and don’t have any extra time for this step.***

This brand of “no boil” lasagna noodles is the best, in my opinion.

Here’s the layer order…

-sauce to cover the bottom of the dish

-noodles

-dollop ricotta cheese mix and spread over the noodles

-sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top

-back to more sauce

-noodles

-dollop ricotta cheese mix and spread over the noodles

-sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top

-sauce

-noodles

-sauce

-mozzarella cheese to finish

I cover my dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Then I remove the foil and let the cheese melt and get bubbly on top.

Let it sit for about 10 minutes before you cut and serve.

This recipe would be great with my meatball recipe!

Here’s two out of the four that I made that day!

YUM!!!

For more ideas, visit my Recipe Page.

Not yo Mama’s Sauce…It’s mine!

2012-04-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

So my sweet cousin Marie e-mailed me and asked if she could have the recipe for the lasagna that I had made them when they visited last.

The problem is that it’s a little involved…it’s a few time consuming steps, but completely worth it!!!

~~First step is making the sauce.~~

First step is making the ricotta cheese from THIS recipe.

The next step is making the sauce.

I don’t have exact measurements, so you’ll have to be patient with me.

Chop one onion and three garlic cloves.

Sautee the onion first in olive oil until it becomes a little translucent.

Then add the garlic and sautee that for about 3 minutes.

This is just Italian seasoning that I have in my palm.

I crush the seasonings while I’m putting them in to be sauteed with the onions and garlic.

Now, I may be offending some Italian lady by adding my seasonings at this point, but you know what??? It’s okay, I prefer to do this because I believe it really brings out those spices.

I add a very small amount of salt.

Then here is the part everyone should know about…

Tomato Magic!

Aside from using my own tomatoes that I canned last year, I used a can of Tomato Magic.

Tomato Magic is so tasty and it makes the sauce so creamy. It’s the best!

Everyone makes their sauce a little different. Some people add sugar to their sauce to make it a little sweet. I prefer to go the natural route using carrots, potatoes, celery, and even peas. This time I just used carrots and potatoes. I cut them into large chunks and leave the skin on them. When you are done, you could puree them into the sauce, but I like to eat them in the sauce.

This is what you do with your Tomato Magic can…see how invaluable it is? It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Continue to cook your sauce on low for approximately 3 hours up to 5 hours. It all depends on your likes and how much time you have to devote to it.

And don’t forget to stir the sauce!

You DO NOT want a smoky taste achieved through burning your sauce. This isn’t a barbeque joint…it’s an Italian ristorante. And you will suddenly speak with an accent as if you just came here from Italy…I don’t know why it happens, but it does.

Then I stored my sauce for the next day when the lasagna making fest will happen.

Idn’t she purty?

The lasagna recipe I’ll post tomorrow.

For more great ideas visit my Recipe page!

Honey Milk Balls…a healthy snack!

2012-04-12T10:55:00.001-07:00

So I’m constantly questioning the ingredients in mass produced foods.

And sometimes it concerns me that…I pretty much don’t know what 90% of the ingredients were on that snack food label that I just read.

And what are these chemicals?

Shouldn’t food just be food?

You know, food without chemicals or additives.

So, I’ve reduced the amount of snacks that I buy the kids, but it poses a problem when twice a day they want a snack. I’ve been offering them fruit, nuts, and veggies…but the snacks have been beyond boring.

Here’s an awesome recipe, that I’ve been using for a while, in the “More-with-Less” Cookbook by Doris Janzen Longacre.

Honey Milk Balls

Combine in bowl:

1/2 cup honey or corn syrup (I DON’T use corn syrup…I distrust it)

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 cup dry milk solids

1 cup uncooked rolled oats

*Mix well, then knead by hand until blended…

Shape into small balls. It should make about 2 dozen. If you are like me, however, by the time you finish and everyone has had their snack…because the eat them as I roll them…this is about how many I have left to put in the refrigerator.

I planned on making these every week…last time I made them was two weeks ago…a girl can dream.

Visit my Recipes page for more ideas!

My last post about Hawaii

2012-03-29T14:43:00.001-07:00

We were told that we needed to go to Leonard’s Bakery and get malasadas.

We were told it wasn’t an option to miss out on these puppies!

And I’m so glad we went! They were delicious!

But you see, we did make an error…we didn’t get the cream filled malasadas! Shame on us!

Honestly though, I could only eat one plus a little more (and that was pushing it)…they were way too big for me.

One thing that I seemed to always have room for were these…

…Lava Flows.

Something about the beach, the breeze, and the flower in the cup (that wasn’t going to poison me), really made me enjoy this treat.

We had a great dinner at Roy’s where we had the best ceviche I’ve ever had…NO LIE!!! I’m typically known for being an honest person and it was seriously the best I’ve ever had!

One of the cool features of the hotel were the hammerhead sharks.

Everyday around noon they fed them.

A quick walk down the train tracks was a beach where we went snorkeling called "electric beach". And it was on that beach where I came back with my own wound to prove there were dangers there.

Basically some kid with a boogie board got in my when when I was timing the set to come back to shore (it was a very small shore with lots of lava rock…who snorkles at a place like that??? but I digress). Anyway, I almost made it in, then a large wave came in and knocked me into a rock. I have a small scrape on my ankle…so small that I refuse to even post it for fear of the lashing I’ll get from my sarcastic family members…but it hurt I tell you, and it bled and bled…or maybe it looked like it bled a lot because of the water…whatever, it was dangerous, I mean it.

Then there was this amazing old tree that had broken from it’s base a long time ago (I’m assuming). It was a beautiful pure white against the blue waters.

So, of course, Pete had to climb it.

Someday my photography skills will do justice to the subject.

No matter how much fun we had, or how much this time was needed, I still couldn’t wait (from the moment I left), to get back to my children, whom I love so dearly.

There is no place on earth that could trump the beauty of being Mama. There are no sounds on the planet that could be more soothing then hearing your child say they love you. And there is no sun warm enough to heat my soul like the embrace of my children does.

Pearl Harbor and Aloha Stadium Flea Market

2012-03-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

We went to the Memorial at Pearl Harbor. I had permanent chills.

This quote really moved me.

See that dot? Look at the following pictures and see if you can figure out what it is.

That is oil still dripping out of the USS Arizona from 1941.

Baffling!

This Memorial is such an amazing tribute to the lives that were lost that December 7th day.

Pearl Harbor Memorial

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Later that week we went to the Aloha Stadium Flea Market!

That was a blast! I love looking at everything, wishing I could buy it all and take it home.

There was this beautiful woman who made her own butters, jellies and chutneys. They were delicious. We did buy three of them and the Guava Butter is by far my favorite. It’s almost gone…insert tear. It’s the bright pink one on the table.

Then there were these guys who were carving masks, bowls, and more.

Tomorrow I’ll post more random photos, but for now I leave you with this one thought.

You could live in the beautiful state of Hawaii, but look at their snails…

…I just don’t believe I have it in me to deal with these little guys (actually it was quite large)!

Hawaii on my mind

2012-03-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

Recently Pete and I had an opportunity to go to Hawaii!

He had something going on for work and this year marks ten years since we’ve been married, so we decided it would be a good trip for us to take.

Thankfully our parents and my aunt split the time taking care of our babies which helped us to have this time away together.

Photos from Hawaii

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I’ll post more pictures tomorrow of our trip to Pearl Harbor and the flea market at the Aloha Stadium.

Hello Blog!

2012-03-25T13:47:00.001-07:00

Let me introduce myself…

My name is Julie, I used to write often, but some things got in between of you and me.

I apologize, but Facebook got part of me.

Then there’s this…

It’s not that I don’t love you, I just got sidetracked.

But I really miss you, and I’m back.

I’m back, ready to blog about nothing of consequence.

Future posts will include our recent trip to Hawaii, homeschool stuff, recipes (my sauce recipe in particular), and photography.

Looking forward to it!

Nature walk bracelets

2012-02-24T08:06:00.001-08:00

Sometimes we like to explore in the backyard.

But the problem the kids have is where to put the specimens that they find.

I’ve resolved the problem by making “bracelets” for them.

This is a fun way to observe nature!