Kitchen Hints and Tips

 

To roast garlic, sprinkle the bulb with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, wrap it in tin foil and roast in a 350 degree oven for approximately one hour.

Mushrooms should be wiped off with a damp cloth and not washed under the faucet since they are like sponges and will absorb the water.

For a shiny bread crust, brush the top with a mixture of 1 beaten egg and 1 tablespoon of milk before baking.

To neutralize burnt food odors in the house, mix 1/2 cup whole cloves with 2 cups water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer cloves for 15-30 minutes. The house smells wonderful and the burnt odor is gone

To get your copper pot looking great, use ketchup, wipe it on, rub until clean, rinse and buff. The acid from the tomatoes removes the tarnish.

Shine your windows with newspaper instead of paper towels - its a lot cheaper.

Make your own window cleaner spray - Fill a spray bottle with 3 tablespoons of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of vinegar and water to fill.

Red Roses

I have the best husband in the world; sorry to all you other ladies out there, but it's true. :):):) A little while ago he brought me these beautiful roses. Aren't they pretty?

 

Thank you Graham, I love you!

Indoor Winter Fun #1 : Playdough

 During the winter months it can be a challenge to keep little toddlers occupied when it is hard to go outside because of the cold.  So, the other day I thought it would be fun to try and make play dough.  It was lots of fun and the children loved it! :)

 

You will need:

 

2 c. flour

2 tbsp. oil

1 tsp. cream of tarter

2 c. water

1 c. salt

food coloring

 

In a saucepan stir together the salt, cream of tarter and flour.

 

Pour in the water and oil.

 

At first it will be very runny, but keep cooking over medium heat and it will thicken and form a ball.

 

Remove from pan. Careful, it will be hot. knead a few times to make sure it's mixed all the way.

 

Divide the dough and add different food colorings.

 

Get out some cookie cutters, etc and let the children have fun! :) Abigail loves playing with play dough!

 

Mess level:  Medium :)

Bird Watch: Pine Grosbreak

I looked out the window this morning and saw two birds that I couldn't identify. They were a little distance from the kitchen window so I went and got the binoculars and was able to get good look at them.  After searching through my trusty bird book,  I found out they were Pine Grosbeaks.  A large finch (from 7.9 to 10 inches they are one of the largest finches), the male is a beautiful red color with black and gray markings, the female is duller, but still very pretty.  I was excited to see these birds for the first time! I found out they are one of the rarest of the "winter finches'.  I love it when I get to see a bird I've never seen before! :)

 

Male Pine Grosbeak  Photo Credit

 

Found it! I love the big bird book Graham's aunt gave me!

 

"And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven."  Genesis 1:20

December Daybook

Outside my window... Snow is covering the ground. I would love for it to warm up enough to take all the children out to play. Right now it’s -18 degrees Celsius, (or 0 degrees Fahrenheit) and cloudy.

 

I am thinking...It would be nice to try and make a few loaves of bread tomorrow. I’d like to find a good recipe that slices well for sandwiches without crumbling much.

I am thankful...We are all getting over being sick! Even little Lydia had a fever which was concerning.

In the kitchen...Most of the dishes are washed and everything is cleaned up after making play dough with the children. I’ll try and post on that later…J

I am wearing... A comfortable jean skirt and a rust color long sleeve shirt.

I am going...to try to buy more children’s books and do more reading with our little people. William, has really started to love it when I read with him.

I am reading...a book by Susan Zakula called: Are You Serious About Marriage   It has taken me awhile to get through it as I get interrupted frequently.

I am hoping...To start decorating our living room soon with rugs, curtains, pictures etc. I have been getting some good ideas on the Internet.

I am learning…That being a mom to three little ones takes lots of patience.  :) God is good, and gives me the grace I need for every moment of the day. Our children are wonderful blessings and I love them so very much,  I'm thankful I get to be their mama.

Around the house...There are toys I need to sort through and organize as well as get rid of. They can accumulate quickly! Most of them don’t get used much and end up as clutter on the floor.

A favorite quote for today…“A man can no more take in a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough for six months, or take sufficient air into his lungs at one time to sustain life for a week. We must draw upon God's boundless store of grace from day to day.” -DL Mood

One of my favorite things...is getting a yogurt cup and sprinkling granola on the top for a quick snack.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I don’t have anything planned right now. Just spend time with the children and keep the house going :).

A peek into my day...
                                   

I love African violets! I get to have flowers even in the middle of winter. :)These are on the ledge above the kitchen sink.

Thankful for Our New Dining Set

We were happy to get a good deal on this table and chairs during the black Friday sell!

 

We had been looking for bigger table for awhile, this one seats eight, and can easily seat  ten or more. The chairs are great in that the are covered with a leather like material which is easy to clean. The table is solid wood with an antique cherry finish. I am very thankful we were able to get it! :)

 

I found this little table at Wal-Mart it works perfect to put the phone on and matches the big table.

 

For the past little while, I have been having fun painting and trying to decide how to decorate our dining room and living room (they are connected.)  Getting the new table is a start in the right direction.  They also sell matching coffee tables and end tables from where we got the dining set;  I'm hoping they will go on sale after the holidays, and we can get them for the living room. :)

iPad Closeups

Lately, I've been trying to figure out how to take sharp closeups with our iPad.  It's been fun and interesting. :)  Here are a few pictures that I've taken:

 

Jean Skirt

 

Magna Doodle

 

My hand

 

Lampshade

 

Wooden shingles on the doll house

 

Love our new quilt!

 

William's blanket :)

 

I will let all the other moms out there take one guess what this is :) Yes, it's a close up of a diaper wipe.  There are actually some cute little teddy bears on them..haha:)

Beautiful Frost and Snow

The view from my kitchen window.

 

Our backyard.

 

I love the two lampposts that are on the back patio.

 

He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. Psalm 147:16

You Are Blessed

You are blessed, not just with what you need for today, but with everything that matters for all eternity. You are blessed, not just with good things, but with the best of all God has to offer. You are blessed, not just because you're alive, but because you're loved by One who's Life Himself.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ~Holley Gerth

Making Pies

The other day, Lydia, went down for a nap and I decided to do some baking.  I had a basket of apples needing to be used, and seeing it was close to American Thanksgiving, I thought I would make a couple of pies; pumpkin and apple. :)

 

Apple and pumpkin pies, hot out of the oven.

 

Making the pie dough. Don't have a rolling pin? No worries! :) Use the side of a cup; works great!

 

Smooth Pumpkin filling.

 

Pour into shell for pie #1

 

In the process of cutting and pealing the apples.  BTW, if you've never tried using Rada knives you should! Graham bought me a few awhile back and I love them! We also had them when I was growing up.

 

Pouring the carmel type filling over the apples. Delicious.

 

This little darling slept the whole time so I was not only able to finish the pies, but I also got to clean the kitchen and get a good start on supper prep for later.  Love this baby girl! :)

Three Years :) :) :)

Three years ago I married Graham, the love of my life and best friend.  The first three years have been amazing.  Lord Willing, I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with him! God has blessed us so much I am so thankful He brought us together. Here are a few pictures from our wedding day. :)

 My handsome man waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

 

Mr. and Mrs. :)

 Graham with the groomsmen and ring barer.

  

 My dress.  My sister-in-law made made it for me. She is an amazing seamstress! :)

 

 Our rings

 

 The church where we were married. 

 

 I loved our cake! :) 

 

 Me and my bridesmaids.

 

 So happy then, (and even happier now)! :):) God is good!

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."  Genesis 2;24

Photo credit: All photos were taken by our photographer Ruth Ann

Breakfast

Doesn't this look delicious?! Steak, (grilled to perfection), with sauté mushrooms, the best scrambled eggs you could ever eat, (made with cheese, cream, and green onions) raspberry yogurt, two chocolates, and chocolate milk. The picture is not sharp, but trust me, it was really good! :)

What made it better was that it was made by my husband, and brought to me in bed this morning. :)And this isn't the first time he has done this for me; he treats me better than a queen.  I am spoiled and don't deserve such a amazing man, but I sure am thankful for him, and love him so very much!  Thank you Graham, you are the best! 

Our Sweet Baby Girl

Praise the Lord

Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 148:12-14

Pretty in Pink