Our highly addictive, homemade peanut butter balls. They don't sit there on the plate for very long!

Peanut butter has made its way back into our house. Primarily because it is less expensive than other nut butters. Also, because we like it so much. Peanut butter is a controversial food mainly because peanuts can form mold on them. These balls can be made with any nut butter of your choosing. The recipe is gluten-free and GAPS friendly.

Learn how to make your own nut butters here.

A few of these photos may make you think twice if you ever come over to eat at our house. Yes. My kids are very hands-on in the kitchen. I do make them wash their hands before we begin. But I’m not held responsible for anything they do with them afterwards . If we are having guests, there’s a lot less dipping and licking, I promise.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Ball Recipe

2 cups all-natural peanut butter, crunchy or creamy or other nut butters

2 cups almond flour (I buy ground, blanched almonds, not almond meal)

1/2 cup honey, raw

shredded coconut to garnish

Directions for Peanut Butter Ball Recipe

Put peanut butter, almond flour and honey in a bowl.

Mix until well-combined. I find an electric mixer works best!

Too good to have to wait!

Form into 1-inch balls. Here Samuel (age 7) lends a helping hand!

Roll in shredded coconut.

Even Noah's little hands can dip or roll. Uh-oh. This one looks like it's getting squished. No matter! It went directly from the bowl to his mouth!

Keep in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Devour and enjoy!

I’m linking up at Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Gluten-Free Wednesdays,

I need to stop bowing down to my own expectations that my family of 6 children can function like a family of 2.  It’s like being a size 12 and trying to squeeze into a size 8 pair of jeans. Perhaps it can be done. But it does require a lot of sucking in and discomfort to make it happen.

You might turn blue and fall over from shortage of oxygen. Or go numb from the waist due to lack of blood flow. So, you might as well admit to yourself you’re a 12 and live freely and comfortably!

That’s where I’m at with our family size.

First of all, I love being a big family. In fact, I always dreamed of having 6 children. We still have the desire to have at least 1 more. I observe other smaller families around me go on outings, participate in extra curricular activities, even spend time at home.

Sometimes I envy the simplicity of a smaller families. They seems more tranquil. There appears like there’s more of everything to go around. Perhaps there is less stress.

Read my blog series as I wrestled with the desire for more children: Facing the Fears of Having More Children.

There Are Challenges With Any Family Size

My musing over smaller families is evident that I’ve been toying with the “grass is greener” syndrome. Let’s face it. Motherhood is demanding whether you have 2 or 10. There are significant challenges with all sorts of family sizes.

Sometimes, I feel apologetic about our family being big. Like when I bring all 5 additional children into my oldest son’s book club at the library. They all want to participate. We take up a lot of room. Someone inevitably will throw a fit at the wrong moment. It just feels more complicated.

I need to stop sucking it in and pretending that there isn’t as much of everything a big family brings. We come with lots of noise and lots of complexity. But let’s not forget how much we overflow with life!

Our culture doesn’t understand big families. It’s no wonder when, according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2010, the average number of children per family household is .94. Large families have become an endangered species.

I often hear “How do you do it?” while I push 3 kids around in the grocery cart with 3 others tagging along beside. We’re examined like a science experiment. There are people wondering what might happen next, marveling at the behavior of this unknown species of a large family.

It truly is a privilege to be watched. We can be a light and testimony to the world of God’s love of children and families. Just sometimes, I long for a little empathy.

There is Grace Available

Last night, we piled in the car and drove to my oldest son’s 4-H meeting. The family hosting it has 1 teenage daughter. The little ones climbed their tree fort, swung on their horse made out of old tires, and ran circles around their yard. All of a sudden, everywhere you looked was bursting with life!

While the other children were outside, I was inside the house working with my oldest son. Thankfully, the mother of the house was a kindergarten teacher. She was so gracious. She brought out a bucket full of every imaginable size bubble wand and filled a tub with soapy water. The little ones were happily absorbed with making bubbles for most of the meeting.

I stood at the screen door and watched. It suddenly dawned on me to thank Jesus for the grace He’d just extended to me. What were my chances the home would be perfectly equipped for the needs of my family.

Jesus knows our unique challenges. He was from a large family too. Like no one else, He understands everything that  comes with trekking through life with 6 exuberant, active boys at your heels!

I wouldn’t want it any other way. Just sometimes, I want more grace. I need to ask for it. To ask for specific grace for each outing, activity and all the moments at home where it feels like we’re bursting at the seams.

His Mercies Are New Every Morning

Today, our neighbors are outside building a laundry room to add onto their house. My 3 oldest are there blissfully pounding nails, sawing and even using electric power drills. My husband is at work and I’m feeling especially weary.

Then I saw it. The grace I needed but forgot to ask for. The grace of kind neighbors who take time to teach my sons and involve them in their family life. Jesus is pouring out His grace daily where and when I need it.

May you walk in His grace today as you mother!

I’m sharing this post at The Better Mom Monday’s Link-Up, Seedlings in Stone, A Holy Experience,  Miscellany Monday, Shanda Oakley Inspires, Many Little Blessings, Hip Homeschool Hop, From Inmates to Playdates, Domestically Divine Tuesdays, Titus 2uesdays, Women Living Well Wednesdays.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it! Thanks!

Not willing to pay designer prices for beautiful drapes? Try using cotton shower curtains instead!

Head on over to Homemaker’s Challenge to find out how I did it.  There are also tips on how to add decorative touches to make this curtain alternative an affordable way to brighten up any room.

Stop on by!

I have a confession to make. I’m a Martha. I love tackling tasks. I’m not very good at sitting still. Sometimes I feel guilty for it. Stillness is valuable because it opens up opportunities to encounter the still, small voice of Holy Spirit. However, when it comes to me, I’m just high energy.

Frankly, I think Martha is given a bad rap. True, she’s overburdened, frantic and complaining. These aren’t characteristics I want to emulate. But in many sermons, she’s not so much scolded for her attitude as for her activity. Mary knows how to be and Martha knows how to do.  Martha is always shunned and Mary to be mimicked. It’s black or white. An option of either or.

I’m learning to do my Martha thing while keeping my heart at His feet. I struggled for years as a mom with young children because I couldn’t always wake up and go away to a quiet room and read my Bible. The home and little children required I still be a Martha.

Perhaps we don’t have to choose between being Mary or Martha.  Lately, I’ve been experiencing God’s delight and intimacy while going about my business. I’ll pause for a mere 5-10 seconds to purposefully connect with Him. I’ll take a moment just to acknowledge and enjoy His presence.

How to Experience Mary Moments During Martha Tasks

• I’ll take a deep breath as a way of breathing Him in while I’m standing at the changing table. But not too much because that’s a dangerous place to breathe deeply .

• I’ll open my hands and close my eyes for a few brief moments with expectation of being touched by His Presence while preparing the spluttering spaghetti sauce at the stove.

• I’ll sing a few lines of worship while I’m elbow-deep in sudsy dishwater.

• I’ll say thank you to Him as I tie my child’s shoes.

• I’ll say I love you as cuddle with my sons and read a book.

I’m discovering He’s right there with me. He’s not in the other room waiting for me to have my official quiet times. He’s with me in the mess, in the minivan, in the chaos of the kitchen.

I’m partnering with Jesus, letting Him fuel me with His Presence so my tasks don’t make me overburdened, frantic and complaining like Martha. Instead, my responsibilites become lighter, peaceful and enjoyable because I’m doing them with Him! We do need to have set apart Mary moments of sitting still at the feet of Jesus.

But in the demanding busyness of mothering, we can seek His face as well.

I’m sharing this post at the following link-up parties: Faith Filled Friday, Company Girl Coffee, Friday Favorite Things. Just for Fun Fridays, Week-end Whatever and Homeschool Mother’s Journal.

Passion...an open secret

Written by Polly, contributing writer

I think of passion as boundless enthusiasm. Finding one’s passion is the subject of many articles and books. Open any Oprah magazine and we’re sure to find something written on the subject. With so much emphasis on finding our passion, we’ve become confused about it.

What is it?  How do we find it? We may even wonder if we have one. It’s as if finding our passion is a secret that only an expert can uncover.

Passion is simple but not easy to find. God gave you passion when He created you. Now that you belong to Jesus, it’s about what He wants to do with your passion. He’s the expert. If you don’t know your passion, He’ll gladly remind you.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with your whole heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

To Help Find Your Passion, Ask Yourself:

• What do you love to do?

• What did you love to do as a child?

• What makes your heart sing?

Babies have always been my passion. When I was 7 years old I subscribed to Parents magazine.  The magazine supplied endless photos of babies I’d cut and paste into a notebook. My favorites were photos of newborns. They offered to send free samples of pabulum, baby lotion and soap. I sent away for the gifts and delighted when at last they’d arrive in the mail.

My bedroom was a nursery, complete with changing table and baby pictures on the wall. My baby was a soft-bodied, bald newborn with a knob on her back to wind so she could move her head and body. My interests in childhood were telling of my passion in life today.

Uncovering Your Passion with Jesus

• To know your passion, spend time with Jesus.

• Journal with Him about how you spent time as a child when the pressures of family and society were not an issue. This will offer you clues.

• Ask Jesus about the plans He has for you.

• Ponder with Him what it is that stirs your heart, that gives you pleasure in your home and how you can enthusiastically be His hands in your community and church.

Passion is an open secret God has abundantly poured into every woman’s life. Put your life in His hands. Give yourself the time, freedom and permission to explore and indulge in your true passion and trust Him to lead.

Living your passions daily not only brings life to you, but it’s life-giving for others. What’s more, it also glorifies our living Lord, and that is truly the open secret we all want.

About Polly Wick

Polly Wick is a wife and mother of two grown children and grandmother to Madeline. She pieces together a handmade life with the passion God’s given her to teach, write, nurture, create beauty and serve.

Polly teaches Pray with Ink, a primer on journal writing as prayer and Writing a Handmade Life, a workshop designed for women who feel like strangers in their own life, offering writing exercises that focus on gentle healing, daily prioritizing and envisioning a future filled with passion and delight.

We are devoted pure maple syrup consumers. You may have noticed, we use it to sweeten our afternoon smoothies and love to drizzle it on our pancakes. But perhaps drizzle is an understatement. If I’m not pouring, my boys’ pancakes will be swimming in it!

Have you noticed the price of 100% pure Maple Syrup, grade B these days? I buy 32 ounces for $16.99 at Trader Joe’s. A good deal for such a nutrient packed treat. However, if you’re like our family and easily consume 3 of these bottles a month, your food budget starts to feel it!

Ingredients for Homemade Pancake Syrup: Fruity Syrup

However, to keep cost down and to help stretch our maple syrup supply, I make this Fruity Syrup recipe as our pancake topping. Make it as chunky or pureed as you like! We like it with bits of fruit but if you prefer, give it a whirl in the blender.

For an extra special touch, add a dollop of honey-sweetened whipped cream to these already decadent pancakes!

It's this simple!

• 1 cup fruit, frozen (strawberries, raspberries and/or blueberries)

• 1 T. 100% pure maple syrup, grade B

• Water

Put fruit in a saucepan. Just cover the bottom with water to prevent burning.

Begin cooking over high heat. Mash down fruit as it cooks.

Boil to reduce liquid. The more it boils, the thicker it becomes. I've unintentionally boiled it too long making a more jam-like consistency.

Remove from heat. Add maple syrup and stir.

I mixed this with my homemade creme fraiche! An irresistible dessert or breakfast.

• TIP: It’s Not Just for Pancakes!

We use our fruity syrup as an ice cream topping  too! Mix it into plain yogurt.  Sure beats the sugar-laden yogurt found in the stores.

You’ll find all kinds of new recipes this weekend at Heavenly Homemakers Recipe Parade. I’m also sharing this at Simple Lives Thursday and Real Food Wednesday!

Happy boys with their bead necklaces!

I believe in creating a rich home environment where learning takes place naturally, frequently and is lots of fun! Lately, I’ve been trying to incorporate some of Maria Montessori’s activities into our home.

“Above all it is to be noted that the child has a passionate love for order and work, and possesses intellectual qualities superior by far to what might have been expected”

(Montessori, Maria & Lane, Helen R. Peace and Education Parent Child Publisher, 1972. p. 38).

I see evidence of this especially in my son Stephen who enjoys seeing a project completed from start to finish. In fact, he’s the one who likes to put away all the groceries when I come home from the store and emphatically insists on doing it all by himself!

Simple activities can occupy a child. But their purpose is not just to keep little hands busy and industrious. But to occupy them intellectually and creatively as well. A simple activity is full of possibilities!

Find more early learning ideas here!

These two early learning activities can be an exercise for little ones in:

• fine motor skills (through coordinated motions of threading and pinching which leads to later mastery of drawing and writing)

• repetition (as they assemble or move bead after bead which is key to mastery and to the physical development of the child’s brain)

• order (as they create patterns and sort beads which lends itself to thinking mathmatically)

• sorting (by color or shape helps children categorize objects which is preliminary to other math skills) 

Our tin of plastic beads and laces

You Need:

• An assortment of colored beads (You can look for a variety of shapes too!)

• Lace or yarn (Narrow enough to fit through the hole of the bead)

• Tongs (We used tongs designed for an ice bucket)

• Tweezers

• A cup or muffin tin

Offer your child some guidance in true Montessori fashion by demonstrating the activity for the child with a minimum of words and movements.

“Don’t spoil the freshness of the subject matter by telling the child too much-let him discover for himself and tell you.”

(Hainstock, Elizabeth.Montessori in the Home. Plume, 1997. p.17).

Such good advice! I tend to say too much!

Then, give your child time and space to explore and create with the materials you’ve provided. Restrain yourself from interrupting with well-meaning correction if your child makes a mistake. Instead, allow him to discover his error himself and self-correct it.

#1 Early Learning Activity with Beads

Stephen stringing beads

String beads onto lace or yarn. Tie a knot at one end so the beads don’t fall off. Children love the challenge of putting the bead through the hole. They enjoy mastering the process with repeated motion.

• TIP: Challenge Advanced Learners with This Variation

Create a pattern of beads on a lace. Then, have your child continue the pattern after yours.

#2 Early Learning Activity with Beads

Joseph using tongs to pick-up beads

Pick-up beads with tongs or tweezers. A child who already has developed strong fine motor skills will be ready to use tweezers.

• TIP: Challenge Advanced Learners with This Variation

Sort beads by color or shape in a muffin tin or various cups. Mastering sorting builds strong pre-math skills!

Stephen using tweezers to pick-up beads

For more ideas of how to incorporate Montessori early learning activities in your home, check-out this book: Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years:.

All my boys and my sweet husband! I'm a blessed Mama!

I love how each year, God gives us a time that celebrates newness! Spring is a season marked by new beginnings, new life, and new weather! Everywhere we look there are reminders of His new life blossoming on trees or wobbling on newly found legs.

It’s time to shake off the old, peel off the layers of life’s winter and run barefoot into the promises of new life ahead! It’s as if He doesn’t want us to forget that after a bleak, dormant season there is always a new, fresh start bursting with color and promise!

God bless the bees!

Cute little Chloe. One week old.

Me holding baby Clover!

There is newness in motion all around our little farm too. Chloe and Clover have now become members of our family. I never thought you could feel actual affection towards a goat.

But for Chloe, Clover and the rest of the family, it was love at first sight. They are beautiful, milky white Saans, fresh from their mamas. The morning after Chloe arrived, I heard a baby cry. I went back to check on Noah but he was fast asleep.

A few hours later, when I was out in the yard, I realized that baby I had heard was Chloe. My mama’s heart responds to anything small, helpless and in need of nurturing! Oh boy.

Samuel and Chloe. I'm amazed how much a baby goat acts like a puppy!

Chloe snuggled in Joseph's arms

Without their mamas, we’ve become their herd! They follow the boys everywhere just like a playful puppy. Several times, they’ve walked right into the house if the backdoor is left open. My heartstrings are tugged by these sweet little creature who long for family connections!

Feeding time and it's Caleb's turn!

Even I pitch in from time to time. But after nursing 6 babies of my own, I think I've already done my fair share!

It's a good thing we have so many pairs of hands around here!

We spend lots of time holding, petting, chasing and bottle feeding them. The two older boys feed each baby goat a bottle 4 times a day! This morning, Chloe pinned Joseph to the ground. He loved every minute of it! I didn’t know goats liked to wrestle!

In the fall, we’ll breed them. Next spring, they’ll become mamas themselves. Then, they’ll begin producing that creamy, delicious milk we love!

Childhood is but a breath for a goat. It’s onto motherhood in only 8 short months!

Tandem feeding. Reminds me of when I nursed twins. LOL

Our chickens are now laying around 4 dozens eggs daily. To market, to market jiggedy- jig!

Thank you for celebrating our growing farm with us!

]]> http://www.tips4mom.com/2012/04/spring-is-about-new-life/feed/ 5 http://www.tips4mom.com/2012/04/spring-is-about-new-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spring-is-about-new-life http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Tips4momcom/~3/FWu0HwbTaBQ/ http://www.tips4mom.com/2012/04/healthy-salad-dressing-recipe-making-a-vinaigrette/#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:48:54 +0000 Ashley http://www.tips4mom.com/?p=8249 Take your salads and other side dishes to the next level in taste by dressing them up with a homemade vinaigrette!]]>

Fresh ingredients make for an incredible tasting salad!

Do salads at home not seem as appealing as those ordered from a restaurant? Take your salads to the next level in taste by dressing them up with a homemade vinaigrette.

Today, I’m contributing for my first time ever at Homemaker’s Challenge! Learn my favorite vinaigrette recipe along with ideas of how you can use this simple salad dressing to add pizzaz to other side dishes, not just salads!

Stop on over and check it out!

Oh, the wonderful world of blogging...

These are a few of my favorite things. We all have our favorite blog spots. Places we go when we need a laugh or even a good cry. Places where we find empathy and camaraderie on our journey. Places that inspire us in our homemaking and call us to new heights with Jesus.

I’m sharing a few of those spots for me with you today.

A Holy Experience: Ann Voskamp, the author of One Thousand Gifts, shares deeply the richness and struggles of her life. If you want your heart touched and are in need of a good cry and stirring, read her writing. Her background music sets you up to be moved!

BlogNotPerfect: (Now That We Got That Out of the Way)- Follow Nichole as she muses through topics with her disarming writing style. She is so down-to-earth. I often check her blog just to giggle and enjoy her perspective on things!

Chambersmade: 100% Chambersmade Recipes, Crafts, Projects, and Quirky Life Stuff- Kiera’s humor keeps you laughing at life and all the funny quirks of being a mom! She is devoted to her family and ministry as she and her husband serve as children’s pastors.

Expressionz of the Heart: A Place for Creative Expression and Community- Elizabeth’s journey is amazing. She and her family have been on the mission field in Scotland. She has an incredible heart for women and ministry. Currently, they are pioneering a prayer house in Salinas, CA. You’ll be inspired by her journey! She is very prophetic and this comes across in her writings. Get ready to have your heart tugged!

MudBoots & Pearls: Pursuing to Live Life with Excellence- Cherylyn is an excellent writer (living up to the purpose of her blog:-)) She gets to the heart of issues and takes you along with her to new depths.

Nurtured Child: Breastfeeding, Birth, Parenting- Fleur is an RN and mother of 2. I follow her on twitter. I trust her breastfeeding advice. Her parenting style is attachment parenting. She is passionate about empowering women to follow their hearts and instincts on their journeys as mothers.

Passionate Homemaking: Loving Simple, Natural, and Intentional Living- I’m so inspired by the information found on this blog. Great how-tos on everything from making your own deodorant to soaking your grains. Delicious recipes and uplifting ideas!

Positively Pleasant: Even When It’s Empty, It’s Have Full- Carli’s honesty coupled with humor makes her blog a joy to read. I’ve literally laughed out loud while reading it! You’ll appreciate her raw, transparent heart as she raises 4 beautiful girls!

Raw Life: A Blog About the Truth of My Life- Jessica candidly shares here about her life and her passionate pursuit of Jesus. She is a photographer, artist, writer and more.

Riddlelove: Celebrating Family, Food, and Farming- Katie is an inspiration for me. She gracefully lives out her homesteading lifestyle with her husband, Jeremy and 5 kids. I frequent her site often for recipes, many which are GAPS friendly. I love the way she captures meaningful moments with her family!