A Little House

A few weeks ago I was looking around in Value Village (a thrift shop:) when I saw this cute little doll house in the back. For $10 I thought it was a good deal, and I was happy to find it for Abigail, even if she is a little bit young yet :).

The doll house

Abigail Hope


She was more interested in chewing on everything:) then playing with it, but we had fun.

Nice wallpaper eh? :)

Actually, I think it would be a fun project (when Abigail gets old enough) to re-paper the walls and maybe replace the carpet etc.

All the furniture that came with it.

Peanut Butter Buttons

I happen to love chocolate and peanut butter together so when I saw this recipe I thought I'd give it a try. In the past, I have made a peanut butter cookie almost identical to these, but most times didn't add the chocolate chips.

Peanut Butter Buttons

1 cup smooth peanut butter

1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1/3 c. chocolate chips

Mix first three ingredients together. Roll teaspoonfuls of dough into 45 balls. Place on a baking sheet and flatten slightly with a fork. Press two chocolate chips in each one. Bake at 325 for 12 minutes or until done. Do not over bake. Enjoy!:)

A Lunar Experience

I checked my email last night and found my sister (by the way if you haven't already please go check out her blog:)) had written to tell me there was going to be a lunar eclipse. Despite the fact that it was close to 10 below outside, my dear husband asked me if I would like to stay up and see it. I being interested in such things said yes, and we went out and enjoyed watching it together:).

This is how it looked when we first went out at around 1:30am

The second time we went out at 1:38am
and watched it move completely into the shadow of the earth.

Covered.

Our camera wasn't able to capture them, but I also got to see some Northern Lights last night. Although they were rather faint, it was neat to see:).

"He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down."
Psalm 104:19

Peaceful Haven Soaps

Check out my sisters shop where she just added some wonderful Cranberry Mandarin soap:). They would make an excellent gift for someone, as well as being a great treat for yourself:).

Natural, cold process handmade soap.

For more details, ingredients, and pictures please head over to PeacefulHavenSoap. :)

The Canadian Wheat Board

My husband Graham, created this video a few days ago and posted it on youtube Monday evening. So far, its even been mentioned on the radio here in Saskatchewan! :) For those of you who live in the States, this will give you some idea what farmers have to deal with when selling their grain through the Canadian Wheat Board. Have a look.

Cold Frosty Beauty

This morning I looked out the window to see almost everything was covered in beautiful frost. I decided to go out in our front yard and get a few pictures before the sun melted it:).

Frozen texture.

A cow in the pasture across the road.

Isn't it amazing how even a bare tree can be transformed to look so lovely?

A spider web in the door frame.

A dead tree:) I thought the picture turned out kind of interesting.

Grass.

Frost covered branches.

"O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." ~ Psalm 104:24

Sweet Baby Girl

Abigail Hope; seven weeks old

"A baby girl...one of the most beautiful miracles in life,
one of the greatest joys God gives us,
and one of the reasons why there is a little extra sunshine,
laughter and happiness in your world today."

~Author Unknown

Roses

Graham surprised me with these the other day. Even though I love red roses, I think these orange/peach coloured ones are a new favorite. :)

Aren't they beautiful? :)

It's a Girl!

Our precious little baby girl has arrived! Abigail Hope was born Tuesday August 17th; at 3:55pm after a 12 hour labour. She weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. and was 20 3/8ths inches long. :).

"O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:3

One happy mommy:):)

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

~ Psalm 127:3

Little baby Abigail Hope

"Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."~Psalm 37:4-5

God's Care

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

I took this picture of a Baltimore Oriole right outside our living room window. It is such a beautiful bright bird. Having never saw one before, I was excited to see it:).

If God see little birds in flight

And cares for them both day and night,

Our care, much more, is His delight.

Crochet Puppy

I had a fun time making this stuffed crocheted dog a few weeks ago. I was really happy how simple the pattern was. I found it in the Coats and Clark pattern book Crochet & Knit Beautiful Babies, most of the stitches were single crochet, with only one special stitch to learn.

All the pieces...

...sewn together, make a puppy:)

Finished!:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy 31st Birthday to my dear wonderful husband! 

I love you Graham, I am so thankful the Lord brought you into my life. I couldn't have asked for a better husband.  Praying the Lord will continue to bless you today and throughout the coming year.  Happy Happy Birthday!! :)

A Piano

Not long ago we were blessed to get a piano for free:). I was so excited when we heard about it. All we had to do is move it, which of course is no easy task:). But thankfully, my husband and his brother were able to go and get it without too much trouble :). I'm happy to be able to play again!

The new piano:)

Gourlay Toronto

Strawberry Pie

Lately we've been getting delicious strawberries from the garden. I froze some and then decided to try and make a strawberry pie with the rest. I'd never made a strawberry pie before so I was excited to see how it would turn out. Well, this recipe was easy and quick to make and I loved the taste. I cut back the sugar from the original recipe (which called for a cup). This is one recipe I'll be making again:). Hope you enjoy!

Delicious Strawberry Pie

1 quart (about 2 pounds) fresh strawberries
3/4 c. sugar
3 T. cornstarch
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 unbaked pie crust

Wash and hull strawberries. Chop half of the berries into small pieces. Place chopped berries into a sauce pan and begin to cook over medium heat. Mix sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl; add to pan with crushed berries. Add lemon juice and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat.

Cut remaining strawberries into halves and mix with the cooked mixture.

Pour filling into baked pie shell. Chill in refrigerator until pie is set. Serve with ice cream, or whipping cream if desired.

Eager Anticipation

Lord willing we don't have long to go now:). Little baby is growing and quite active:) (and due next month!). So far we've gotten most of the baby essentials although there are a few more items we'll have to get. Here is a peek at a few of the things we have so far:)

The crib:)

We decided not to find out if we are having a boy or girl, thus to be prepared for either one I made up a......

A drawer full of little baby boy clothes

And a drawer of little baby girl clothes

And then, a either or drawer:), plus changing supplies. I also have a drawer of baby blankets etc:).

My sister-in-law lent me the clothes, I know how fast little ones grow and it's a blessing to be able to use what she had. I had a wonderful time going through the tiny outfits and picking the ones I wanted to use! I can hardly wait to meet and hold our little baby next month! Lord willing. :)

Independence Day 2010

Red, white and blue; I took this picture on Captiva Island last November.

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

The signing of the Declaration of Independence July 4th 1776

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

While on our honeymoon, Graham and I visited Washington D.C. one of the places we went to was the National Archives. It was neat to see the original Declaration of Independence (I actually didn't get a picture of it because my camera battery went dead, so I thought I'd just post this one that I took of a copy:).

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." -The Declaration of Independence

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause. it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


Happy Fourth of July! Most of the time, when I was still living in the States, my family and I would have a picnic and go to fireworks (or have our own show:) in the evening every Forth. Last year, my brother brought home a Traeger grill from where he worked and we had a picnic out in our yard with delicious grilled roast and corn on the cob. What great memories:).

July 1st

Happy Canada Day!:):)

The Best Cornbread

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law and love it! I've always liked cornbread, but this recipe is by far the best one I've tried:).

The Best Cornbread

1 c. yellow cornmeal

1 c. unbleached all purpose flour

1 1/2 t. baking powder

1 1/2 t. salt

1/3 c. sugar

1 egg

1 c. milk

1/4 c. oil

Combine everything and mix well. Pour into an 8-inch square baking pan and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Enjoy!:)

Blessings

A robins nest I discovered not long ago.

Blessings

I count my blessings one by one

Though great or small they be,

And know without the help of God

Not one would ever be.

I thank Him for these blessings

Each morning of each day

And then again at close of day

Before sleep comes my way.

He grants me all these blessings

Though sinner that I be,

And with the many faults of mine

I know that He loves me.

-By Harold F. Mohn

A Year Ago

Three hundred and sixty five days ago:) I saw my (then future) husband in person for the first time:). I can still remember driving into the airport parking lot late on June 9th with my parents and little brother and seeing my dear:) Graham standing just outside the airport terminal waiting for us. At the time we had been writing and calling for around four months. It was exciting, and I was nervous:):). We had a wonderful visit and at the end of it Graham asked if I could come up to Canada to meet his family. With my parents permission I said "yes!":) and my sister and I went up in August of last year. Graham and I were engaged in August and married (more wedding pictures here) three months later in November:).

On the front porch of my parents house in Florida:)

We don't have many pictures of that first visit, but here is one:). I couldn't have imagined that just one year later we would be married, eagerly awaiting the birth of our baby. The Lord has truly blessed us! I am so very thankful He brought Graham and I together; I could not ask for a better husband. :)

Free Baby Nursing Cover!

My sister sent me an email letting me know of this free offer on a baby nursing cover, so I thought I'd pass it along:).

Go to this LINK and click the cover of your choice. The nursing cover is free, all you pay is shipping and handling of $9.95 For the gift sets the total comes to $14.95 They ship to the U.S. as well as Canada.

To take advantage of this deal just enter this code: "babiesonline" when you check out. The great thing about it is you can use the code more then once- you just have to open a new browser/window to do so.

Barn Cats

Out in the old red barn

Up the loft stairs..

In a pile of hay bales...

In a little hole, is a mother cat with five kittens:)

"Tabby" and kittens

Four of the little kittens.

My nephews and I have had a good time visiting the barn almost every day and checking on the kittens. Their eyes have now opened, and they are so cute:). We always had cats when I was growing up, and now it's been fun having them around the farm:).