tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53897462943084472392024-03-05T11:52:38.642-08:00Little House in HillsboroSharing life, love and laughter.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-68593452806520780532013-10-16T20:56:00.001-07:002013-10-16T20:56:20.334-07:00Essential oils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, again! I know that I have moved on from here over to my new blog, <a href="http://ripplesograce.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ripples of Grace</a>, but I thought I'd better post here too in case some of you are still hanging out at the Little House. </div>
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My mom and I recently started using essential oils from a company called doTERRA. We have been really blessed by the benefits these oils have brought to our home and health. And we would love for you to experience the same!</div>
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We'd love to have you join us over at our blog <a href="http://essentiawell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Essential Wellness</a> to learn more about doTERRA essential oils, get healthy living tips, recipes and more!</div>
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Blessings!</div>
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Amber</div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-49057943410256748122013-02-13T19:46:00.000-08:002013-02-13T19:46:03.951-08:00Moving On...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I mentioned in my previous post, we are now residing in Colorado and it's time to move on from this blog. I am planning on continuing in the blog world though, so this isn't good-bye. </div>
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But I do want to take a moment and say thank you to all who have followed me here on Little House in Hillsboro. Your comments and your presence here have been an encouragement to me and I appreciate you!</div>
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My new blog, <a href="http://ripplesograce.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ripples of Grace</a>, is up and running and I hope you will join me over there as I continue to share about my family and my faith and anything else that comes to mind. It is my hope for it to be a place to reflect on the abundant grace and blessings that God pours out on us.</div>
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Thank you again and I hope to see you soon!!!</div>
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Blessings!</div>
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<b><i>"From His abundance we have all received, grace upon grace." John 1:16</i></b></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-84999153656071778182013-01-05T11:34:00.002-08:002013-01-05T11:34:42.503-08:00Happy New Year!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Dq8hroOWzIpSR5UamdjJOGiULvMHZaioBRGoNdj952t4lW8k25El5TT4bJEnIYzssqF_9Tvc3fcL-oWGn842SDGWAK8H_14G95G-yl90Jn3yZPMZuyqiRFrR9XPt393enUlnPUu9jRA/s1600/DSC_0013_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Dq8hroOWzIpSR5UamdjJOGiULvMHZaioBRGoNdj952t4lW8k25El5TT4bJEnIYzssqF_9Tvc3fcL-oWGn842SDGWAK8H_14G95G-yl90Jn3yZPMZuyqiRFrR9XPt393enUlnPUu9jRA/s400/DSC_0013_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Pic December 2012...on the steps of our new, Colorado home!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Happy New Year, everyone! It has been waaaaaay too long since I have been on here and for that I am sorry! I do hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. </div>
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We have had quite the adventure and changes in our life since I last posted on here. The biggest one being that I am no longer writing from our little house in Hillsboro. Yes, we picked up and moved to Colorado the end of October. So, really I do have a good excuse for not writing. *smile* Organizing, packing, moving, unpacking, organizing, holidays and more have taken up most of my time lately. </div>
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Moving to Colorado has been something we have wanted to do for a long time and this past Fall the pieces all started coming together. When the timing is right, it's amazing to see how things happen! God is good! No, God is GREAT!!!</div>
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Because of the real estate market we could not sell our house in Oregon, but God opened the doors for some friends of ours to be able to rent it. One major thing checked off the list. Then one of my best friends and her husband here in Colorado graciously let us stay with them in their large home until we could find a place to rent out here. Even that didn't take long as the Lord again opened a door to a very nice (and HUGE!) home with a sweet landlady. (No more "little" house...the blog is going to need some revamping...sometimes a fresh start is good though. More on that to come soon!)</div>
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I am feeling SO blessed!!! And it is so wonderful to be back in Colorado!!! I was born here in the Denver area. So, yes, I've wanted to come back for a LONG time. Thankfully my hubby has also fallen in love with Colorado over the course of our marriage and the times he has been out here. He might even be more excited than I am to be here! </div>
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We drive around the corner in our neighborhood and we can see the mountains. It's only an hour for us to drive to actually be IN the mountains. The sun shines almost every single day. The kids are loving it here and have been making new friends. Life is good!!!</div>
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The next step will be to find some property so we can start building our dream of country living. But I know that will come in time! We have already done so much in the past few months! And it is exciting to see where we will go and what we will do in the new year!!!</div>
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"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 a hope and a future!" Jeremiah 29:11</div>
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This is my prayer for my family and for you in this new year...that we will have the faith to seek and trust the Lord's plans for our lives...no matter what that may be!! We serve an awesome God and the things He has in store for us are beyond our comprehension!!</div>
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Blessings!</div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-62425771627773950942012-09-07T13:13:00.002-07:002012-09-07T13:14:52.071-07:00Happy Birthday, Ellie!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On September 1st our baby girl turned 3 years old!!! She's not a baby anymore!</div>
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We had a fun weekend celebrating our youngest. The day of her birthday we went to the farmer's market and painted our nails and just enjoyed some quality time together. And we finished off the day with Ellie's favorite dinner: pineapple pizza. Yum!</div>
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Sunday we had a party with family and a few close friends the pretty much are family. We barbequed hamburgers and hot dogs and had cake and ice cream. And of course, presents. Fun times!</div>
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We are so blessed to have little Ellie in our lives! She brings such joy and sunshine to our family and is always overflowing with love for everyone! </div>
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Looking forward to another year of watching her grow and learn and become the beautiful person that God has designed her to be!</div>
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We love you, Ellie!!! xoxoxoxooxo</div>
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<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-57418578410599010372012-08-20T12:40:00.002-07:002012-08-20T12:40:44.084-07:00Zucchini Relish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<u><b>Zucchini Relish</b></u></div>
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<b>(from the Colorado Cache Cookbook)</b></div>
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12 cups coarsely ground zucchini, unpeeled (I shredded mine)</div>
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5 medium onions</div>
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1 green bell pepper</div>
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1 red bell pepper</div>
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5 tablespoons salt</div>
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3 cups sugar</div>
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2 1/2 cups cider vinegar</div>
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2 tablespoons cornstarch</div>
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1 teaspoon mustard seed</div>
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1 teaspoon turmeric</div>
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2 tablespoons celery seed</div>
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Coarsely grind onions and peppers and mix with zucchini and salt. Let stand for 3 hours. Drain and rinse well. Make syrup of remaining ingredients, boiling until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens. Add to vegetables and cook 20 minutes. Ladle into hot, sterilized jars and seal immediately. (After putting the lids on I acutally put the jars in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes as an extra precaution.)</div>
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I got 10 half pint jars plus a little extra. Can't wait to eat some hot dogs or burgers smothered in it! Or maybe some crackers with cream cheese and some relish on top. Mmmm...yummy! A great way to use up some of the ever abundant zucchini!</div>
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<b>(</b>I am hoping to begin writing some more on my blog again...I keep going thru these phases where I completely and utterly just forget or don't want to write even though I would have many things to write about.<b>)</b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Blessings!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Amber </span></b></div>
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Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-83113902209377353112012-05-20T14:15:00.001-07:002012-05-20T14:15:15.665-07:006 years ago today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...I married the most wonderful man in the whole world!!!</div>
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The past 6 years have been amazing with ups and downs and all kinds of changes and adventures...and I can't imagine having anybody else by my side! God has truly blessed me with the best husband and I am so proud to be his bride. His girl. </div>
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Looking forward with anticipation and excitement as to what the Lord has in store for us in the next 6 years and beyond!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMXf7db2O30xwAmibwG695OX6YMNcjoArRzLEYQJ_MCWY1RWeMesmv_wwterSda_dnwJQNFRRSYgS7qgpDdszcMSFAyUeJpAtWJ8GD1PWyI5Vs0SHFWxWq84grQi1qGVzJ3Sz8GK0VWA/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMXf7db2O30xwAmibwG695OX6YMNcjoArRzLEYQJ_MCWY1RWeMesmv_wwterSda_dnwJQNFRRSYgS7qgpDdszcMSFAyUeJpAtWJ8GD1PWyI5Vs0SHFWxWq84grQi1qGVzJ3Sz8GK0VWA/s320/DSC_0069.JPG" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 2012...on our anniversary trip to Colorado.</td></tr>
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xoxoxoxoxoxoxo</div>
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"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine..."</div>
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Song of Solomon 6:3 </div>
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Blessings!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-13647450495526651342012-05-19T21:49:00.000-07:002012-05-19T21:49:18.465-07:00Party Time!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQR9kZu11O6cJXZUcZqZwxUsSyTLbvoOkhnrZRRHMpQSCZs8WP5HOnZS1YysYgfQnPdHZILpdHI4z4EV7t2cEwRxdp4IkTlhz6fYgTnCXacz-1a_ll0fCoMS78Hvz1RVa-TvXeExlufOI/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQR9kZu11O6cJXZUcZqZwxUsSyTLbvoOkhnrZRRHMpQSCZs8WP5HOnZS1YysYgfQnPdHZILpdHI4z4EV7t2cEwRxdp4IkTlhz6fYgTnCXacz-1a_ll0fCoMS78Hvz1RVa-TvXeExlufOI/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cake! </td></tr>
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Just had to share a few pictures from Hannah's birthday party 2 weeks ago. She's really been into Angry Birds and plays it on Daddy's iPhone whenever she can, and so decided that this year instead of princesses or tea parties, she wanted to have an Angry Bird party. I came across some neat ideas via Pinterest and I had a blast putting it all together.</div>
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My favorite thing about the whole party was the cake. I am still a bit giddy when I think about it. Not trying to toot my own horn here, but I am quite pleased with how it turned out...especially since it was the first cake I have ever decorated. Oh, I have smeared frosting on cakes before and maybe put on some sprinkles or written something with that gel stuff from the grocery store, but I have never actually seriously decorated a cake. It was so much fun and I can't wait for another opportunity to make a cake!!</div>
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Hannah wanted an ice cream cake and our neighbor, who went to pastry school and knows all about cakes, helped us out with making the cake. We just baked up a funfetti boxed cake, sliced it, and layered it with ice cream. Very simple, and can I just say, I think that should be the only way cakes are made! You get the perfect amount of cake and ice cream together and it is just splendid! :)</div>
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Then for decorating it I was so tickled to come across this freezer buttercream method <a href="http://www.celebrationgeneration.com/blog/2011/10/10/cake-decorating-tutorial-frozen-buttercream-transfers/">here</a>. You can make a fantastic image on a cake and it is as easy as tracing a picture! LOVE it!</div>
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Moving on...I came across Martha Stewart's <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to?czone=entertaining/baby-showers-cnt/party-and-gift-ideas&center=276963&gallery=340485&slide=279986">tutorial</a> for making these adorable tissue paper pompoms for decorating baby showers, wedding showers, and whatever else. I thought they were just so pretty and wanted an excuse to make them so badly. So I was slightly disappointed that Hannah wanted an Angry Bird party because there is nothing frilly and froofrooey about that, and there would be no reason to have puff balls floating around. :( But then the more I thought about it and saw what some people had done to balloons by adding faces to make Angry Birds, I thought why not add faces to pompoms to make Angry Birds!?! So I did! And they turned out great! Hannah still has them hanging up in her room. (I printed out the faces from <a href="http://taloolakids.com/angry-birds-game/">here</a>. Scroll down to where she talks about her Angry Bird balloon game)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtJuSCwMm1TnYZ3sgFNJ7dRuvjyDFZE3l40FBx3XTYfLPP3iGZ4QvkQplwviQW3l_2-CzunvMCC0unXscNzbwKFuY5jWgkZ4q0A10HDh4LY7TZKVQClX8uZXB7VgB923OUBAwfURVX3g/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtJuSCwMm1TnYZ3sgFNJ7dRuvjyDFZE3l40FBx3XTYfLPP3iGZ4QvkQplwviQW3l_2-CzunvMCC0unXscNzbwKFuY5jWgkZ4q0A10HDh4LY7TZKVQClX8uZXB7VgB923OUBAwfURVX3g/s320/DSC_0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday banner made using my Cricut.</td></tr>
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James decorated our chalkboard door with some of his great bubble letters and Angry Bird drawings. He also helped me out by drawing the angry pig faces on our stress ball party favors. He loves to draw angry pigs, and does a super job of it, so I was glad for his help.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b0kmnhUjLVufMFEVMhNM6Pse_8PROp9egR9naUcyeq93lh_geqLq0InJZukW2t8kfabaNFbH1bXQUgoFh29Vf4s9V22Bg50mEHQtIw4IDHsLkXC61D48VhcnQ4LG3WWXpxu0YqmiR9o/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b0kmnhUjLVufMFEVMhNM6Pse_8PROp9egR9naUcyeq93lh_geqLq0InJZukW2t8kfabaNFbH1bXQUgoFh29Vf4s9V22Bg50mEHQtIw4IDHsLkXC61D48VhcnQ4LG3WWXpxu0YqmiR9o/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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For activites we had some Angry Bird <a href="http://www.cartoonjr.com/angry-birds-coloring-pages/">coloring pages</a> printed out for the kids and then after cake and presents we made pinecone bird feeders. It was nice (and less stressful for me!) to keep it simple and mostly let the kids just play. Everyone had a great time!</div>
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And for our party favors we just filled some red goody bags with some heart stickers in Angry Bird colors (since I couldn't find Angry Bird stickers), an angry pig stress ball (made from balloons and flour), and an Angry Bird cookie (which I made using the frozen buttercream method). We had little circles of paper for tags that Hannah stamped with a cute little "thank-you" stamp. </div>
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We had a wonderful time, and Hannah enjoyed every minute of it! It's amazing what you can do with some creativity and a little help from the internet. </div>
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Next year, it's a Little Mermaid party! Yes, Hannah already has her parties planned out for the next few years! Hahahahaha!</div>
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Blessings!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-37297471314924517002012-05-18T21:50:00.001-07:002012-05-18T21:50:45.694-07:00Amazing and inspiring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good Evening! I just had to take a minute to share about a wonderful, new <a href="http://myministryinwords.blogspot.com/">blog</a> that a very sweet, godly young woman that we know has started-- <a href="http://myministryinwords.blogspot.com/">Conversations With God</a>.</div>
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She is a much younger woman than I am, but she is wise beyond her years, and has a most amazing relationship with the Lord. Everything about her radiates Christ in such a beautiful way! I have been blown away by her writing after reading her first two posts on her <a href="http://myministryinwords.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. </div>
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I definitely would encourage you to go check it out for yourself and I hope and pray you will be blessed as I have been from reading her words...God's words. It is truly beautiful and inspiring!</div>
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Have a wonderful night!</div>
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Blessings!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-39832127769014986882012-05-15T21:12:00.000-07:002012-05-15T21:12:02.572-07:00Hannah is 5!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On May 8th our sweet, energetic Hannah turned 5 years old! Where does the time go??? It seems like just yesterday that she was a tiny baby in our arms. </div>
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We have been so blessed by the joy and happiness she brings to our home each day and look forward to what each new day holds for her as she keeps growing and learning and loving Jesus.</div>
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Happy 5th Birthday, Hannah!!</div>
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We love you!</div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">xoxoxoxoxoxo</span></div>
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<b><i>"For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Psalm 139:13-14</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Hopefully my next post will be about the fun Angry Bird party we had for Hannah!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Blessings!!!</span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-73235704034389372872012-04-02T21:26:00.003-07:002012-05-15T21:12:23.879-07:00Simple Woman's Daybook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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FOR TODAY<br />
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Outside my window...it's all dark now, but we had a beautiful sunny day today which was such a blessing after many days of rain! I need my sunshine. :)<br />
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I am thinking...about my hubby. Can't wait to see him when he gets home in a couple of days!<br />
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I am thankful...for Mr. Sun!<br />
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In the kitchen...yogurt is in the crockpot. Well, atleast I hope it will be yogurt by morning. My last two attempts have not worked out so well. I've been making my own yogurt in the crockpot for quite a few months now, but for some reason the last two times it has not worked out. Keeping my fingers crossed that it works again.<br />
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I am wearing...my workout clothes...just got done doing a little evening yoga. I need to get back into a routine with some exercise and stuff.<br />
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I am creating...working on knitting a shawl/wrap thing. It's kind of a big project. Not hard knitting at least, just takes a looooooong time to make something that big. Need to get caught up on some sewing too. Haven't done any this year and here it is April!<br />
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I am going...to get ready for bed when I'm done here and curl up with a book and some tea.<br />
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I am wondering...if the sun will come out again tomorrow.<br />
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I am reading...just finished reading the Broadmoor Legacy series of books by Tracie Peterson. They were quite good and I could hardly put them down. They were based in the 1890's in and around Rochester, New York. <br />
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I am hoping...to finally try out the liquid hand soap recipe I found online. <br />
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I am looking forward to...library day tomorrow with my girls. We always have a great time!<br />
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Around the house...everyone is sleeping except for me, and I am sitting here listening to some music on Pandora. <br />
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A favorite quote for today...Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right. -Max Lucado<br />
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One of my favorite things...quiet evenings listening to music, especially if candlelight is involved. :)<br />
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A few plans for the rest of the week: library day, hubby coming home, Easter egg hung this weekend, Easter at church and then dinner with Matt's family. Lots of fun!<br />
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I'm sorry I don't have a picture this week....</div>
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Share your daybook <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</div>
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Blessings!<br />
<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-34744358186245580662012-03-23T14:41:00.000-07:002012-03-23T14:41:10.738-07:00What a start to Spring!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v-EY-SlGyLlcHDNfuwR2RKFE1R7MG1t6AS2DxP29nF-6p98QX_pLy8TJXzqgOaokgFXNXOb68otLolaQzjzAEiCt1z7zD0acQr7bCti0TzAPUR9hoZNSMFWT02DMybwKVqcyVgtAius/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v-EY-SlGyLlcHDNfuwR2RKFE1R7MG1t6AS2DxP29nF-6p98QX_pLy8TJXzqgOaokgFXNXOb68otLolaQzjzAEiCt1z7zD0acQr7bCti0TzAPUR9hoZNSMFWT02DMybwKVqcyVgtAius/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah was very please with her "giant" snowball.</td></tr>
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Well, Spring may have arrived a couple days ago, but I think the weather didn't get the memo! We woke up Thursday morning to a couple of inches of snow all over! The girls were delighted and it did look pretty. The chickens didn't know what to think of it though, and I had to put some straw down in front of their coop so they'd venture outside. We had lots of fun playing in the snow while it lasted and now today seems much more like Spring. Sunshine and blue sky and 50 some degrees. Yay!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwNer3EHPgZKUVrB0eIHSgjY4Lwf8PgdRCMbpHOU_d3fDUksad578ubcmEBNuyRQL5YrSu-fg5gOXQaqIywhOy2rWCgUeK3YJQ8y5Ij3uSf883HxvuPcfWgAUbuqXx6e13d3XWWGsRY4/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwNer3EHPgZKUVrB0eIHSgjY4Lwf8PgdRCMbpHOU_d3fDUksad578ubcmEBNuyRQL5YrSu-fg5gOXQaqIywhOy2rWCgUeK3YJQ8y5Ij3uSf883HxvuPcfWgAUbuqXx6e13d3XWWGsRY4/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Cheese!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladies love to look in through the patio door and see what's going on inside.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls watching the hens enjoy one of their favorite treats...oatmeal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a difference from a couple days ago! The poor daffodils were drooping under the snow.</td></tr>
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Blessings!<br />
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<span id="goog_543305316"></span><span id="goog_543305317"></span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-76793692470107460492012-03-20T21:53:00.003-07:002012-03-20T21:53:40.486-07:00Happy Spring!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hope you all had a great first day of Spring! Ours was cold and rainy, but I still got out for a minute to snap a couple of pictures of some of the springtime flowers blooming in our yard. Here's to a wonderful season full of new beginnings!</div>
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<b><i> "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17</i></b></div>
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Blessings!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-76967346510069522702012-03-19T16:10:00.001-07:002012-03-19T16:10:34.430-07:00Simple Woman's Daybook<div style="text-align: center;">
FOR TODAY<br />
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Outside my window...it is cloudy and gray. We even had a dusting of snow on the ground this morning. I hope Spring decides to show up soon here! <br />
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I am thinking...about all I should be doing instead of spending time on the computer right now.<br />
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I am thankful...for my husband working so hard to take care of me and the kids so I can stay home with them. What a blessing!<br />
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In the kitchen...not much happening in the kitchen today. The guys won't be home for dinner, so I think the girls and I will do something simple.<br />
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I am wearing...jeans, a black t-shirt with sparkles and a print on the front and my new sweater that I got this past week when we were at the beach. I love it!<br />
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I am creating...working on knitting a shawl for my mother-in-law for her birthday, and going to start knitting a hat for one of the girls. I had so much fun with my first hat I want to make more! Anybody want a hat??? LOL :)<br />
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I am going...this week I get to go to my favorite coffee shop for a few hours with a book and just have a little me time.<br />
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I am wondering...what fun things the girls and I can do while hubby is out of town for work and James is with grandparents for Spring break...hmmmmm :)<br />
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I am reading...an assortment of books from the library, from child raising to being self-sufficient to books on chickens. So many books, so little time!<br />
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I am hoping...to get all my laundry finished today. We had quite a pile after our trip to the beach.<br />
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I am looking forward to...bed time...I am sooo tired!<br />
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I am learning...how important it is to think before you speak. <br />
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Around the house...Ellie is napping, Hannah is playing Mario Kart for a few minutes and the laundry is calling my name.<br />
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A favorite quote for today..."There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." Jane Austen<br />
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One of my favorite things...watching the chickens run around the yard. This morning they were chasing the little juncos that come to our feeder.<br />
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A few plans for the rest of the week: library day tomorrow, maybe going swimming with the family, a playdate this weekend, and whatever else comes along.<br />
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A peek into my day...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls at the beach house feeding seagulls out the patio door.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seagulls. :)</td></tr>
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Hope you have a great week! Share your own daybook here at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">Simple Woman's Daybook</a>. </div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-10137658346827255202012-03-05T20:47:00.003-08:002012-03-05T20:51:06.938-08:00Chickens!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have chickens!!!! After the past few years of dreaming and talking, hoping and planning, we are now the proud owners of 5 Buff Orpington one-year old hens. I am soooo excited!!! We brought them home Saturday morning and have been enjoying them so much already. Hannah and Ellie pulled up chairs next to the coop and sat and watched the "ladies" off and on all day long. They are thrilled to be chicken owners.</div>
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We spent pretty much all last week building our coop with the help of our wonderful, amazing friend. He took some of the ideas I had and was able to turn them into plans and figure everything out for supplies, etc. And it turned out way better than anything that I had planned to attempt on my own.</div>
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The ladies have a 4x8 foot penned space for pecking around in and a 4x4 foot cozy coop complete with 2 next boxes and a rustic roost. Plus, on nice days they can roam around the yard to their hearts content. They've had two days of free-ranging so far and have already torn up every single garden bed in the yard. (We'll have to figure out a plan to keep them out of the garden boxes when growing season arrives.) Watch out slugs!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah and Ellie checking out the coop before the chickens arrive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First egg!</td></tr>
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The ladies seem to be adjusting quite nicely to their new home and have already given us 10 eggs since Saturday! When the weather gets warmer we should be getting 5 eggs per day. </div>
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Of course, we had to name the ladies even though they pretty much all look exactly alike. And since there are 5 chickens and 5 of us, everyone got to name one. Yay!</div>
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Matt- Sandy (short for Sanders...as in Colonel Sanders)</div>
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Me- Lindu (Finnish word for bird)</div>
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James- Nugget (I think the guys got confused on the purpose of the chickens!)</div>
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Hannah- Rosetta</div>
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Ellie- Rosie</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Love</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgTr7CRRNm4NEPs4RCvEXuRznLLFaW-XLApG5Csdy-6X07ZDFbdsKc3ucZlDKdK1K3ZKC6qPw0UnxKSOg_yPEYpYWKrHaUrtiL_kk0F-qQaGF2o_jf0fukl-NRoF44J3eNVkkG3TxmFI/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgTr7CRRNm4NEPs4RCvEXuRznLLFaW-XLApG5Csdy-6X07ZDFbdsKc3ucZlDKdK1K3ZKC6qPw0UnxKSOg_yPEYpYWKrHaUrtiL_kk0F-qQaGF2o_jf0fukl-NRoF44J3eNVkkG3TxmFI/s400/DSC_0028.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl is super excited about having chickens!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTY1OcHIzaeVPy0R4OJE8hS2Dh__gvM3-CLlsdKwq-fILlHrdZTunZh6ozF6pGjLiDIzzfbV_A10r8Tx1MUJmBAGBpeW7J_QMzmZNgVb-oarU8YBY33uHUp2-xyKvRq0l3kSGLzcrR8E/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTY1OcHIzaeVPy0R4OJE8hS2Dh__gvM3-CLlsdKwq-fILlHrdZTunZh6ozF6pGjLiDIzzfbV_A10r8Tx1MUJmBAGBpeW7J_QMzmZNgVb-oarU8YBY33uHUp2-xyKvRq0l3kSGLzcrR8E/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took them 1 minute to flip all the bark chips out into the grass. :)</td></tr>
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Thanks for sharing our excitement over the new additions to our family!</div>
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Blessings!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-87677184955790863002012-02-29T13:59:00.001-08:002012-02-29T13:59:33.318-08:00What we're up to this Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello! Today is Wednesday, but we didn't get around to taking a nature walk today. When we woke up this morning there was snow on the ground and more coming down! It looked so pretty! The girls ate their breakfast as fast as they could and then we bundled them up so they could go play in the snow. They had a good time trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues and running around making footprints in the snow. Living where we live, we don't really get much snow, if any, and so any little bit that shows up is a big deal for the girlies.</div>
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Now as I write this the snow is all melted and turned to rain, but it is still quite chilly outside. And although we could have still gone for a walk, we decided to stay home and do some fun stuff inside, plus we started work on the chicken coop today. Hooray! We'll get to bring our chickens home soon!</div>
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This week our letter that we are focusing on is "R". We got out some trays with rice to practice writing and drawing in, and then of course just having plain, old fun. We also got out a couple other different types of rice to look at and then the girls experimented with playing with the rice using their feet. They spent a good 45 minutes or so playing in the rice!</div>
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We also painted rainbows to add to our alphabet book that we are making. Later we are going to add some cotton balls for clouds around the bottom of the rainbows. After they painted their page for their books, they painted quite a few other pictures for our patio door "gallery". :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKK4XUf0oYReptcYTOyH2B_pu3rPrM84NhyphenhyphenRb8zoxFuBhzz8KqNtAg7Mz2XSzGX1cPvsS0TyW0DevMRQi9qCBjbPvdMBAr6i0iDyH240g1_EdfXWIMxWv0xPN3-iOsWC6mWOB73sws4DU/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKK4XUf0oYReptcYTOyH2B_pu3rPrM84NhyphenhyphenRb8zoxFuBhzz8KqNtAg7Mz2XSzGX1cPvsS0TyW0DevMRQi9qCBjbPvdMBAr6i0iDyH240g1_EdfXWIMxWv0xPN3-iOsWC6mWOB73sws4DU/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've also spent a lot of time reading books about rabbits, roosters and rocks that we found at the library yesterday. </div>
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I hope you all are having a wonderful Wednesday!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-25796454665742218782012-02-27T21:33:00.004-08:002012-02-27T21:33:44.283-08:00Simple Woman's Daybook<div style="text-align: center;">
FOR TODAY<br />
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Outside my window...dark and cold. We had a beautiful sunny day today though! Tomorrow goes back to being rainy with maybe even some snow.<br />
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I am thinking...about all I need to get done yet tonight.<br />
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I am thankful...for good friends. We had such a fun time out with 3 other couples last night for dinner and a movie!<br />
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In the kitchen...I kept the ants at bay today by putting peppermint oil along the edges of the counter. Didn't see a single one all day until just a minute ago. Will have to try some more tomorrow. I am so tired of these little ants.<br />
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I am wearing...jeans and a t-shirt. Had a sweater on but then got warm running around putting the girls to bed and getting other things taken care of.<br />
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I am creating...getting close to half way done with my hat that I'm knitting. Still haven't gotten around to sewing the pillowcases for the girls yet. Also, hubby and I are planning our chicken coop! Hopefully we'll get it done this week!<br />
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I am going...to the library tomorrow with the girls! :)<br />
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I am reading..."The Help" and really enjoying it. <br />
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I am hoping...to get up without hitting the snooze button tomorrow. The girls have been waking up super early, so I have to make sure to be up and at it before they get up so I can have a little quiet time. I haven't been doing very well with that lately.<br />
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I am looking forward to...getting cozy in my jammies and doing some knitting.<br />
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I am learning...and re-learning lots of things about chickens. So excited to be getting some finally!<br />
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Around the house...the kids are all asleep and hubby is playing games on his phone. Everything is all nice and clean. The girls were such big helpers this morning and we got the house all ship shape. :)<br />
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A favorite quote for today..."Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19-20 I really need to work on this more...this verse is a good reminder.<br />
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One of my favorite things...working outside in the sunshine and fresh air. I would be outside all day when the sun is shining if I could. <br />
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A few plans for the rest of the week: of course there is library day, chicken coop planning and building, maybe a hike somewhere, and maybe even a free concert at the library.<br />
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A peek into my day...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58pjl2_y5BfEFMIYJ2MO7ykRCa7kjsO8aPvPv5-SHcelqWinjU6gtgV7mPfdQQFDkS_EYlYzVJCVpm85TRkYicK2U4wDVHcikwvyr7r4AHrYVv6YVSkK-Yu2-zClt-lnjH4fiEQBraqk/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58pjl2_y5BfEFMIYJ2MO7ykRCa7kjsO8aPvPv5-SHcelqWinjU6gtgV7mPfdQQFDkS_EYlYzVJCVpm85TRkYicK2U4wDVHcikwvyr7r4AHrYVv6YVSkK-Yu2-zClt-lnjH4fiEQBraqk/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls and I found our little columbine plant full of water drops the other day when we were playing outside and thought it looked so beautiful. God leaves us so many little treasures everywhere we go if we just take the time to look.</td></tr>
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If you'd like to share your daybook, just hop on over <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">here</a>. Have a blessed week!<br />
</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-81533729488779900232012-02-23T21:17:00.002-08:002012-02-23T21:17:36.265-08:00Bacon Eclairs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tgRahks_wiCWKMvun_axnl6uhWT2Wv2VtJdCJMabpuao7_P5O1Pur-pk9xQzR3VJp9GIX1zNB6REJd90A7Y6XXbicZGJokH4zRLfcafPgfmvDiDSZV19WQz842gMls3-iUa-2OG7QWU/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tgRahks_wiCWKMvun_axnl6uhWT2Wv2VtJdCJMabpuao7_P5O1Pur-pk9xQzR3VJp9GIX1zNB6REJd90A7Y6XXbicZGJokH4zRLfcafPgfmvDiDSZV19WQz842gMls3-iUa-2OG7QWU/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last year when I was visiting my mom, we made eclairs for my brother's birthday since that is one of his favorite desserts. We didn't make them the true eclair shape, but we filled the cream puffs with vanilla pudding and topped them chocolate. As we were eating them we got to talking about what it would be like to put some bacon on them. Because we all know that EVERYTHING is better with bacon! :)</div>
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Anyway, I finally got around to trying our idea a couple days ago. I thought it would be a fun treat to have for hubby when he got home from being gone for a week with work.</div>
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So here is how I did it:</div>
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<u>Cream Puffs (from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook)</u></div>
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1 cup water</div>
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1/2 cup butter</div>
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1/8 tsp salt</div>
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1 cup all-purpose flour</div>
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4 eggs</div>
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In a medium saucepan combine water, butter and salt. Bring to boiling. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously. Cook and stir till mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon after each addition.</div>
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Drop by 12 heaping tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet. (I got about 15 with mine). Bake in a 400 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or till golden. Cool on a wire rack.</div>
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Cut tops from puff; remove soft dough from inside. Fill with pudding. Replace tops.</div>
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<u>Filling</u></div>
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Use any kind of vanilla pudding you'd like. I made mine from a recipe online, but for some reason I have been having trouble with pudding lately and it turned out very gluey. In my defense, it did at least still taste like a yummy, comforting dessert but it looked more like a kids science experiment than something you'd wanna eat for dessert. (And the pudding I made last week from my natural cookbook was like soup! *sigh*) Using instant boxed pudding would work just fine too of course. This is completely up to you. :)</div>
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<u>Topping</u></div>
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For the topping I just melted about half a bag (didn't really meausure!) of semi-sweet chocolate chips with a little bit of butter in a bowl in the microwave. Then I just drizzled that on top and sprinkled on some cooked, crumbled bacon. Voila! Bacon topped eclairs! :)</div>
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Keep them in the fridge if you have leftovers. </div>
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<u> </u></div>
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My mind has been spinning with ideas for other fillings and toppings for cream puffs. If I come up with a good one, I will be sure to post about it! In the meantime, enjoy munching on some bacon-y, creamy, chocolatey goodness!</div>
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Blessings!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-80815453968957131882012-02-22T18:55:00.001-08:002012-02-22T18:55:21.693-08:00Wednesday Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7RtfqV_rVZTtpwgSokqwq-ZrIDA-dhTkau_gmYROvjH8BPBXPliyBeBGB7bpKWWQHD6lc1-Ox9gvbtiIwsJxZYg0rv2FZ36BYpcHaL3VhUyLpi7B7h_RNePE10qwyMMfHJ3VPyqEhAg/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7RtfqV_rVZTtpwgSokqwq-ZrIDA-dhTkau_gmYROvjH8BPBXPliyBeBGB7bpKWWQHD6lc1-Ox9gvbtiIwsJxZYg0rv2FZ36BYpcHaL3VhUyLpi7B7h_RNePE10qwyMMfHJ3VPyqEhAg/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We haven't gone on a weekly nature walk in quite some time, so we determined to go this week, rain or shine. And although it looked very dark and rainy this morning, we were blessed with a beautiful, warm sunny day! After doing our circle time and some reading we ate a snack then headed out to the Tualatin Valley Nature Park. We had a great time and saw lots of neat things!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss and ferns were growing everywhere on everything.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls excited to get going. And of course H had to make a goofy face for the camera. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidc4QvoJNKkaVMTp1zhyO8XMNZ4KOl4IL1PBL-ik9QqZZls_5KyTVE6QDPKeWYFAqXfFk0ckN257jyPlWlVaqyQLruv-jcgb8SUDBPVcbSIfEQ7EB19scAZSfJqYgsCb5y-LjKgl45GZo/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidc4QvoJNKkaVMTp1zhyO8XMNZ4KOl4IL1PBL-ik9QqZZls_5KyTVE6QDPKeWYFAqXfFk0ckN257jyPlWlVaqyQLruv-jcgb8SUDBPVcbSIfEQ7EB19scAZSfJqYgsCb5y-LjKgl45GZo/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah loved all these trees that were bent over like a bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana slug!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thought this moss looked so pretty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9MxCmsZ4Q9tKd0NtCt72yqTsH3Op25RrcLnOOuLsCsJGH0-78VNWoilKl4quGAqTNFBAe10RJkYKgoSJ8eLYXVmppNurWg3zY_9RHPIbiQZGMDpaokIAPbHlFadZ5FcViszsxI3jV2k/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9MxCmsZ4Q9tKd0NtCt72yqTsH3Op25RrcLnOOuLsCsJGH0-78VNWoilKl4quGAqTNFBAe10RJkYKgoSJ8eLYXVmppNurWg3zY_9RHPIbiQZGMDpaokIAPbHlFadZ5FcViszsxI3jV2k/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls loved this hole in the tree. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newt #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9sDrOa3zUWBWqRxyl8FlhaxA_H8HL66HaX0Po3BES4SIXNCKEuHaVTlwe7RIpKpucE8fkRjG6_O5DwefuaN9TWeqAlaghs8VmAog1zorSOZ4W6i3sIZ3QjxV_7gOjRfXUHBUFKFWhKY/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9sDrOa3zUWBWqRxyl8FlhaxA_H8HL66HaX0Po3BES4SIXNCKEuHaVTlwe7RIpKpucE8fkRjG6_O5DwefuaN9TWeqAlaghs8VmAog1zorSOZ4W6i3sIZ3QjxV_7gOjRfXUHBUFKFWhKY/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newt #2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgl8e2clToE8VsDeBgBAIEUJ55gQ0vpqIB2Ggz9p_LHv2CzG9ZyqmCCA0hFphCqy8E7iRBsgCdFVSO-Fmt_paYzluiK46WfM6lbro3fU_AomqQAH4m4FdB2FHOjzEbyEIIQac-gNpdKs/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgl8e2clToE8VsDeBgBAIEUJ55gQ0vpqIB2Ggz9p_LHv2CzG9ZyqmCCA0hFphCqy8E7iRBsgCdFVSO-Fmt_paYzluiK46WfM6lbro3fU_AomqQAH4m4FdB2FHOjzEbyEIIQac-gNpdKs/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw LOTS of snakes...it was around 7 or 8...all right in the same area. Creepy and cool all at the same time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature girls</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7voateJeVKJQgol9cxwPjSjtXltQz6R-xmLM29B26h7hGl567MHZ5eVnI8w4RQtG3uEeOtbyVaGg0OWJIyRZ0EobDh4H6HIpSj3LPMbNuaYkbhCIpGSl7ZolkEVAJ-5SWpt6HTTCSgI/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7voateJeVKJQgol9cxwPjSjtXltQz6R-xmLM29B26h7hGl567MHZ5eVnI8w4RQtG3uEeOtbyVaGg0OWJIyRZ0EobDh4H6HIpSj3LPMbNuaYkbhCIpGSl7ZolkEVAJ-5SWpt6HTTCSgI/s320/DSC_0058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had so much fun today and are looking forward to another adventure hopefully next week! God made such a beautiful and wonderful world with so much to see and learn.</div>
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Have a blessed day!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-24419696726042177682012-02-20T20:24:00.003-08:002012-02-20T20:24:45.165-08:00Simple Woman's Daybook<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been awhile since I've done a daybook entry and I must say I miss it quite a bit. So here goes...</div>
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FOR TODAY<br />
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Outside my window...It is dark and rainy. <br />
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I am thinking...about what I need to get done before hubby comes home tomorrow.<br />
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I am thankful...for wonderful friends and neighbors. I had a fun day out today getting makeovers with a friend I hadn't seen in months while my best friend/neighbor graciously watched the kids for me.<br />
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In the kitchen...everything is cleaned up for the night. Just have to put my oatmeal soaking for breakfast tomorrow. And maybe I'll sneak back in later when the kids are all asleep and have a bit of ice cream while I watch my tv show. :)<br />
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I am wearing...skinny jeans and my favorite, green, long-sleeve shirt and some gray socks.<br />
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I am creating...hoping to start knitting my first hat tonight. Fun! I am also planning on sewing a couple of pillow cases for the girls in the next day or so. My goal is to do one new knitting project and one new sewing project every month. Last month I knit a pair of wrist warmers, but didn't get to sewing. I have a few days left in this month to get to it! :)<br />
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I am going...to take the girls to the library for story time tomorrow and get some new books for the week. It is one of our favorite places to go!<br />
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I am wondering...whether or not we're going to make the jump into chicken ownership this year. I really, really want to, but have a few cons right now. We'll see.....<br />
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I am reading...numerous books on parenting from the library and "The Help". Such a great book!<br />
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I am hoping...to move to Colorado someday. I do love it there! And hubby wants to move too. Lots of praying about it.<br />
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I am looking forward to...eating some girl scout cookies with my ice cream and cuddling under a warm blanket on the couch while watching Castle. :)<br />
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I am learning...about baby chick care.<br />
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Around the house...the girls are in bed, James is getting ready for bed, there is classical music playing, and everything is picked up and put away for the night.<br />
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A favorite quote for today..."I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13<br />
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One of my favorite things...Thin mints. (yes, I know, I have issues...how many times did I mention girl scout cookies in this post???)<br />
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A few plans for the rest of the week: Hubby comes home tomorrow! Library day, maybe a walk somewhere if the weather isn't too bad sometime this week, playing and learning with the girls, maybe a date night, girls day with my best friend on Saturday...and who knows what else!<br />
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A peek into my day...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElmcJ2BZs7ENhGpKSpt0OimsEXqwv1NQVNiKRLCj3OPFG_Q8guNNU6efi6q26e1khbOAuBhizXy6Nf1zxZLCqVkc8G0XmsnVWNeJeT3WaEUH_3nC6kU-kNCYJzf6DzQtOmJBBsHREOEU/s1600/Photo+on+2012-02-20+at+17.46+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElmcJ2BZs7ENhGpKSpt0OimsEXqwv1NQVNiKRLCj3OPFG_Q8guNNU6efi6q26e1khbOAuBhizXy6Nf1zxZLCqVkc8G0XmsnVWNeJeT3WaEUH_3nC6kU-kNCYJzf6DzQtOmJBBsHREOEU/s1600/Photo+on+2012-02-20+at+17.46+%232.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the girls having some fun! :)</td></tr>
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Join in the fun! Share your daybook <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-22847125750353743882012-02-18T21:44:00.000-08:002012-02-18T21:44:37.689-08:00Garden Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWN107ad3H5Gdtbs6JLfAAOBKvQgkTULKqTEjaaxY88S6N185IaQEtKJIS3-rBscHX_tj7LXxTyWHcIvaYhEVeWyewePcvVZ80r3p1jHVBF3eWt6T-t4O6ZPEuSJP61c0QWU3Uz2SCIaI/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWN107ad3H5Gdtbs6JLfAAOBKvQgkTULKqTEjaaxY88S6N185IaQEtKJIS3-rBscHX_tj7LXxTyWHcIvaYhEVeWyewePcvVZ80r3p1jHVBF3eWt6T-t4O6ZPEuSJP61c0QWU3Uz2SCIaI/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" width="224" /> </a></div>
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Today there was a break in the rain so I was able to go outside and do a little bit of work in the yard. The girls have been helping me dig in the garden beds over the past few weeks to get them ready for planting in a few months. We also got our "greenhouse" up on one of the garden boxes so we can get a start on a few things like lettuce and spinach. A couple years ago when we did this we were eating salad in March!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcml2UClIi7GQXQkKQrTvnG5u91CCgB5zdh5SgTZ6fk_Mih8o0VjvA6tJtXSZl3Bo9MzJTByohpqTi6KrwKU4diydd1T5vAiuN78XNTXLatPtYeP9EyBqz3HWj9-NarGagJmX9s-tDHrg/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcml2UClIi7GQXQkKQrTvnG5u91CCgB5zdh5SgTZ6fk_Mih8o0VjvA6tJtXSZl3Bo9MzJTByohpqTi6KrwKU4diydd1T5vAiuN78XNTXLatPtYeP9EyBqz3HWj9-NarGagJmX9s-tDHrg/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also planted some peas and kale in my little bed next to the house. Things didn't grow terribly well there last year, but I thought we'd give it another try as we did get quite a bit of kale out if it last year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qFnJOtRATKpnrUno5exn8P00T_NjyQfar4cvlIsAhNyq1eiSyXpyuf2bjt8R06vV3BF1nQvWangkWlJwjax81C4vMhLBmIC5CNBuMIxkIyeCLDwcALl_N7xIMA_7vafB6l4CVYLphjQ/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qFnJOtRATKpnrUno5exn8P00T_NjyQfar4cvlIsAhNyq1eiSyXpyuf2bjt8R06vV3BF1nQvWangkWlJwjax81C4vMhLBmIC5CNBuMIxkIyeCLDwcALl_N7xIMA_7vafB6l4CVYLphjQ/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The girls and I also made a bird feeder from a juice carton that we finally got hung up last week. We haven't seen too many birds at it yet, but there have been plenty of little juncos hopping around picking up seeds off the ground.</div>
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Not much else happening in the garden in February, but the lilac bushes are starting to reveal some green, and the raspberry canes and blueberry bushes have little buds on them. I love all these signs of spring! Looking forward to warm days and lots of growing!</div>
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<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-3115475287941293192012-02-17T21:51:00.000-08:002012-02-17T21:51:20.127-08:00Hello!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello! It has been FOREVER since I've been on my blog! And here I thought I was going to be spending more time here with my new computer! Funny! It seems like no day goes exactly like one would plan, which isn't bad, but sometimes that leaves no time for blogging. I would like to get back into blogging more and to use it as a better way of keeping family and friends up to date with things, as I have become quite frustrated with Facebook. Not necessarily with Facebook itself, but with my use of it. Even though I am only on it for 5 minutes at a time or so, I have caught myself getting on at multiple different times throughout the day. (Can we say addicted??? LOL!) Those 5 minutes here and there add up and I don't gain anything from that time other than a few bits and pieces of what people that I hardly know are doing. I am not saying it is all bad because one of my good friends is always sharing wonderful information about British period dramas and books and I quite enjoy chatting with her about such things. And it is fun to see pictures that friends post. But for the most part, I could totally be spending my time doing better things. Well, anyway, enough of that...I won't bore you anymore with my ranting about my Facebook usage. :)</div>
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Life has been busy and amazing and blessed and we've had some downs along with the ups, but I will try to fill you in a little bit.</div>
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We had a blessed holiday season celebrating and spending time with family. Christmas Eve we spent a couple of hours with Matt's parents and sister. We enjoyed a nice, quiet time with a dinner and opening presents. The girls were thrilled that G & G got them Pillow Pets! Christmas day I cooked my first Christmas dinner and had the greatest time doing it. Matt's sister and her kids came up and spent the day with us. Lots of fun! Then for New Year's Eve we had our best friends/next door neighbors and a few other people over for an evening of food and games. We are so blessed to have such awesome people in our life!</div>
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After the holidays we went through a sad time with the passing of Matt's Grandma after a full life of 96 years. She was a remarkable woman and she is greatly missed.</div>
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On into the new year, Matt is immensely enjoying his new job traveling around the country doing security work. He is typically gone for a week at a time, but we actually get to see him more now, than we did when he was working so many jobs before. This job has been a huge blessing in our lives!</div>
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And it has provided the extra funds that we needed to finish our bathroom remodel that we started April 2011. That was a "fun" project that, of course, took longer than we planned. But it was so worth it! Our bathroom is the nicest room in the house now, and I feel like I am in a fancy hotel every time I walk in there!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrZhUGErflh1gLGmH6JyrtdlFWohyphenhyphennU8wkR-cC4pyM2RJ1dS74vcrQN_EPZzgr5itUn8j2dalr-Pb9jFmXqbUMZ2fGvZClpOZR0NQAcyMr8xfFISDQ4LyblC5meQaaOE0_BTnkw0Mruc/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrZhUGErflh1gLGmH6JyrtdlFWohyphenhyphennU8wkR-cC4pyM2RJ1dS74vcrQN_EPZzgr5itUn8j2dalr-Pb9jFmXqbUMZ2fGvZClpOZR0NQAcyMr8xfFISDQ4LyblC5meQaaOE0_BTnkw0Mruc/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new bathroom! Love it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHApoqjbSe_eoE74gq6z0jiA6kEElmHp_JTjuAiavCdf3Gq1xiadRCszcO7i53qk8kYU8_r1K7JUADGti1iTpjZrDS4pov2GDSQ12FSluJc2bUZarO6kJezPdGHV5ehvonW-cF38YOSoU/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHApoqjbSe_eoE74gq6z0jiA6kEElmHp_JTjuAiavCdf3Gq1xiadRCszcO7i53qk8kYU8_r1K7JUADGti1iTpjZrDS4pov2GDSQ12FSluJc2bUZarO6kJezPdGHV5ehvonW-cF38YOSoU/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday boy!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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James turned 12 this month on the 8th. That just doesn't seem possible. Of course, his only thought is that he now only has 1 more year till he is a teenager and 3 more years till he can get his driving permit! He is excited for football season to start again in the summer and in the mean time has tried wrestling and is hoping to take a go at lacrosse.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dbCVyU4BbaJFNXgtAjWZ7xMjjJxEjgB7mteKjHDt2wTop_PPyhKLEgnhHfr0icNe1GRAUqcfuPMTM1odoBMHlQT90dWCthLO-i8mLc77pC3-tnyENJnY1N21k8a6f-GlSYYrFdA1K5g/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dbCVyU4BbaJFNXgtAjWZ7xMjjJxEjgB7mteKjHDt2wTop_PPyhKLEgnhHfr0icNe1GRAUqcfuPMTM1odoBMHlQT90dWCthLO-i8mLc77pC3-tnyENJnY1N21k8a6f-GlSYYrFdA1K5g/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls had to get in the picture too! :)</td></tr>
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The girls are growing as well. A lot! We measured them a couple of weeks ago and Hannah has grown an inch and Ellie has grown 2 inches since September! We are continuing with our preschool-homeschool and having lots of fun. This week our letter was "P". We finished off the week with a pajama day where we stayed in our pajamas all day and watched princess movies and had a picnic and made purple and pink playdough. Best day ever! :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMN_RIkqVMidEsgVMDAi8aDgkJ5NOzj_81NxmzJ_mWVZkUt3tHsjsnSqTeSdIuAI_1-mSgrnI3s5ESCbgf3W_ZbUgzJu3XRZ5oQVw5lApbgVB8pHw9pkNX696kWCXsSm5AqQ9j_qCX_jk/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMN_RIkqVMidEsgVMDAi8aDgkJ5NOzj_81NxmzJ_mWVZkUt3tHsjsnSqTeSdIuAI_1-mSgrnI3s5ESCbgf3W_ZbUgzJu3XRZ5oQVw5lApbgVB8pHw9pkNX696kWCXsSm5AqQ9j_qCX_jk/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty princess in her pajamas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51ZeeUzUNUHXB_UePaGuMSFadksz7TqEMpCOvsxDGVSHM1kk9hrNBzhqeA41MAzH2QD03-Yfcsy3hAIH7oALZUfy6XM8CvIALayxD4hx8q5NjIje_FpGGYoyEa-oTlZNH1_iPV6Gg7z8/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51ZeeUzUNUHXB_UePaGuMSFadksz7TqEMpCOvsxDGVSHM1kk9hrNBzhqeA41MAzH2QD03-Yfcsy3hAIH7oALZUfy6XM8CvIALayxD4hx8q5NjIje_FpGGYoyEa-oTlZNH1_iPV6Gg7z8/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My other princess showing off her pajamas and her silly smile.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyK-9XOjHRFNcHEn67TDyl7ZRY6Nu5iUTbPXGsk7SHhjKP-FKSoqfUVzRtH3A1ebeL6ii8HjJ3WkVMVK6tctFruTy3n88uKYAfdr4qvOtizKxP6jxkv0W4bg-KMqtFlYl8DsNzRqCnJY/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyK-9XOjHRFNcHEn67TDyl7ZRY6Nu5iUTbPXGsk7SHhjKP-FKSoqfUVzRtH3A1ebeL6ii8HjJ3WkVMVK6tctFruTy3n88uKYAfdr4qvOtizKxP6jxkv0W4bg-KMqtFlYl8DsNzRqCnJY/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic time! We had pb&j sandwiches, pears, pretend pepperoni (summer sausage) and Pirate's Booty. Yum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR2it3h-r9D7JTjE6alLnrY_NsGwkuWFjEB2b_7U9RAGlKlxdIVsuCmURZxin_Uej31HQhUnk5PgknyBTLy6JXBB4_hzvDnB2Da4WF6Yt_uW2nejsfx4cRQ8G1yMVDCpBRPU83_e1BOg/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR2it3h-r9D7JTjE6alLnrY_NsGwkuWFjEB2b_7U9RAGlKlxdIVsuCmURZxin_Uej31HQhUnk5PgknyBTLy6JXBB4_hzvDnB2Da4WF6Yt_uW2nejsfx4cRQ8G1yMVDCpBRPU83_e1BOg/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellie loves her pb&j!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJ2kDrbOO-LrP3Y1FWt9K54mOis7MbM0YRaB6t0IMShz27zEZad3wICe6JRvIQrL2fCQ40Zb4ah1oBoY3CQaidWayPcxjcZT6lt9SOhupPGLpQ3Kiqn_9_jXdGkDiRzCKxXuc5kQdMHY/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJ2kDrbOO-LrP3Y1FWt9K54mOis7MbM0YRaB6t0IMShz27zEZad3wICe6JRvIQrL2fCQ40Zb4ah1oBoY3CQaidWayPcxjcZT6lt9SOhupPGLpQ3Kiqn_9_jXdGkDiRzCKxXuc5kQdMHY/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playdough fun</td></tr>
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Hopefully that caught you up with some of what we've been up to. Next we'll be planning the garden and thinking about chickens. </div>
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The Lord bless you richly!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-64065468579805838872011-11-14T16:39:00.001-08:002011-11-14T16:55:11.260-08:00Simple Woman's Daybook<div style="color: #990000; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: black;">FOR TODAY<br />
Outside my window...</b><span style="color: black;">cloudy and gray. The trees still have lots of color though and some of them are so bright yellow it looks like sunshine. :)</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am thinking...</b><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><span style="color: black;">about what else needs to be done today. Mondays are always very busy.</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am thankful...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">for the grocery store and being able to buy food to prepare for my family.</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
From the learning rooms... </b><span style="color: black;">this week we are learning about the letter I. Maybe we'll make some homemade ice cream and take a field trip to IKEA to do some Christmas shopping. And who knows what other fun we'll have!</span><b><span style="color: black;">
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In the kitchen...</b><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><span style="color: black;">I have both my crockpots going today. One with soup for dinner and the other one making yogurt. So blessed that we got two crockpots for wedding gifts!</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am wearing...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">Green cargo pants, black turtleneck sweater and black striped socks</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am creating...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">had fun making a baby gift this past week for my friend Theresa's baby shower. Now onto Christmas gifts. Working tonight on a scarf for my grandma. Also, need to finish up the little "mailboxes" for the fridge so we can leave each other notes.</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am going...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">to pick up James from wrestling practice in a few minutes. Football is now over, so it will be good to have something else to keep him fit and active and busy so he's not moping around the house bored. :)</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am wondering...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">if I'll ever get more organized in the kitchen with my cooking. Even though I plan my meals and stick to my list with shopping it seems like I always forget stuff, and get stuff that I don't really need.</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am reading...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">the Bible, and <i>Cranford</i></span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am hoping...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">to get a lot done and organized this week while hubby is out of town for work.</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am looking forward to...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">Thanksgiving</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am hearing...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">the girls chattering away, the washer going, and classical music.</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
Around the house...</b><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><span style="color: black;">some friends from church brought us a kid size table and chairs today that they got from their neighbors...for free! The girls are loving it! Now to organize the furniture just right so if fits in their room.</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
I am pondering...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">an article I read on imperfection the other day. It was very encouraging.</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
One of my favorite things...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving with lots of whipped cream! :)</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
A few plans for the rest of the week:</b><b><span style="color: black;">
</span></b><span style="color: black;">a trip to the library tomorrow, dropping off Christmas boxes with our friend for Operation Christmas Child, lots of fun with the letter I, playdate with friends, and whatever else happens to come along.</span><b style="color: black;"><br />
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...</b><b><span style="color: black;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwFyO4lCpT3HlejFz98FmOt9MwxyIv1nMmwlCv1YgqwUyGPqLQYNcsLp5aL1RN4p0bBwblzGBBrtyRuvrYghwJNvo5B1htxP_l7prLismxDgOk5shjn6ULKW4dMkHcIxcp1uDWv1ch1U/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwFyO4lCpT3HlejFz98FmOt9MwxyIv1nMmwlCv1YgqwUyGPqLQYNcsLp5aL1RN4p0bBwblzGBBrtyRuvrYghwJNvo5B1htxP_l7prLismxDgOk5shjn6ULKW4dMkHcIxcp1uDWv1ch1U/s400/DSC_0059.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls enjoying a beautiful Fall day!!</td></tr>
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</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-4431284738618651412011-11-09T14:39:00.000-08:002011-11-09T14:39:49.985-08:00Rieska<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEdDtbWtrnoqCSgSAPAIEb0OfbaVCxm2VP0zbVcCgTBCTMIzvprBK66PzxJrbnt4uxxTIoJ0IMY57WAYTscNsBWsWbMmhncKQZ9fb7i36w-NYJaAkdn4qb9r7CVe4_1SPvVIN6PKCbO0/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEdDtbWtrnoqCSgSAPAIEb0OfbaVCxm2VP0zbVcCgTBCTMIzvprBK66PzxJrbnt4uxxTIoJ0IMY57WAYTscNsBWsWbMmhncKQZ9fb7i36w-NYJaAkdn4qb9r7CVe4_1SPvVIN6PKCbO0/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Today I thought I'd share a fun, quick recipe with you. One that originates in the country of my ancestors, Finland. We sampled this delicious bread at the Mill City Museum's Test Kitchen in Minneapolis, MN when the girls and I were back in the Land of 10,00 Lakes visiting my mom in March. This stuff made the whole museum smell amazing! And it tasted just as amazing! One of those samples you just want to keep eating...you know, the sneaking-back-a-few-minutes-later-hoping-no-one-notices kind of sample. Anyway, they were super nice and let us copy down the recipe so we could make our own. (It is from the King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking cookbook).</div>
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I am just sad I didn't pull out the recipe until today to try it at home. It is so super fast and easy to make and it makes a great snack with a little butter on top. And I think it would be quite fabulous with soup instead of biscuits for a change. (We eat a lot of biscuits because my hubby likes bread and I don't usually have time to make anything other than biscuits.)</div>
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<u>Rieska</u></div>
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1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats</div>
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2 cups whole rye flour (pumpernickel) *I used light rye flour and it seemed to work fine</div>
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1 cup whole wheat flour</div>
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1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour</div>
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1/4 cup sugar</div>
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4 teaspoons baking powder</div>
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1 teaspoon baking soda</div>
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2 teaspoons salt</div>
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1/2 cup butter</div>
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3 cups buttermilk *I didn't have buttermilk on hand so used part plain yogurt and part milk with lemon juice</div>
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Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x18x1 inch half sheet pan.</div>
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Whisk together oats, and flours with sugar and baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until thoroughly distributed. Stir in buttermilk; the mixture will be kind of goopy, that's okay.</div>
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Transfer the dough to the sheet pan, and spread dough out until it is about 1/4 inch thick and covers the bottom of the pan completely.</div>
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Bake until the top is light golden brown and springs back to the touch. 17-20 minutes. *Mine baked about 15 minutes*. Remove from the oven and cool on rack before slicing.</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-57129205768911525912011-11-04T14:52:00.000-07:002011-11-04T14:52:13.729-07:00Frugal Friday: Headband Storage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkPsZER6NfGr0ZmWNjLPg9PGnANNB51Lei98NQMMbhHs_XxuL0vtf2dll27my6Lv-tueGrgPEHFVL7hvLoecC7Vz_WbIBG9YvR3RX41qp6qLpY-w39Xfb_eaC7Z1QWWaXKlovg2eEeaA/s1600/DSC_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkPsZER6NfGr0ZmWNjLPg9PGnANNB51Lei98NQMMbhHs_XxuL0vtf2dll27my6Lv-tueGrgPEHFVL7hvLoecC7Vz_WbIBG9YvR3RX41qp6qLpY-w39Xfb_eaC7Z1QWWaXKlovg2eEeaA/s320/DSC_0406.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Happy Friday! This week I wanted to share a recent quick project I made for all of the girls' headbands. But first, I just have to share my exciting news! I got my own computer this week!!! My very own pretty, white MacBook! Our friend who just moved in as a roommate of our other friends right next door was talking with my hubby the other night about computers and such. My hubby was telling him how we were considering either getting an iPad or some other computer so I could have something to use now that he will be traveling out of town with his new job. Our friend said that he had a MacBook that he didn't use anymore that he would sell to us. (He was pretty much just going to give it to us, but we wanted to give him something for it). We just had to add a new operating system to it. God is so good at providing what we need, when we need it. I am soooo excited! And hopefully, I will be able to write more on my blog too since I don't have to wait for my hubby to be off of his computer.</div>
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Okay, on to the headband storage. I wish I could say this was my own idea, but I found it once upon a time on some other more creative person's blog. So long ago, that I can't remember what blog, otherwise I would totally give credit for this awesome idea.</div>
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It is super easy to make. All you need is an empty oatmeal container (the bigger size), some pretty paper or fabric and some mod podge (I used homemade. You can find a recipe for that <a href="http://doityourselfdivas.blogspot.com/2011/09/diy-mod-podge.html">here</a>.)</div>
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Measure and cut your paper to wrap around the oatmeal container and then simply mod podge it on, spreading mod podge on the container and sticking your paper on and then mod podging over the top of your paper.</div>
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When it is dry, you simply slip your headbands around the container and there you have it! We keep our other hair accessories inside of the container so now we have everything all together. </div>
<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389746294308447239.post-37850127574779820112011-10-24T15:39:00.000-07:002011-10-24T15:39:45.606-07:00Simple Woman's Daybook<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">FOR TODAY</span></div>
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Outside my window...some blue sky peeking out from the fluffy white clouds. Sun was shining just a few minutes ago. A beautiful October day here in the Northwest...no rain! :)<br />
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I am thinking...about so much...blogging, homeschooling plans, how to find time to sew more, what I still need to get done today...my mind is overflowing right now!<br />
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I am thankful...for the fun that I have been having with my girls. I love to be with them!<br />
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From the learning rooms...This week we are taking a break from our weekly letter studies and learning about pumpkins! We made a pumpkin life cycle chart this morning, drew pumpkins of all shapes on our chalk board door, and they decorated their pumpkins with paint. We also read lots of library books, took a walk after lunch and played outside. I love homeschooling!<br />
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In the kitchen...need to go get my chicken stock strained and put away in the freezer. But I don't have to make dinner tonight! James has taken over dinner on Monday nights. He loves to cook and since he doesn't have football on Monday nights, we thought it would be a good way for him to learn more about cooking. Our friend and next door neighbor who is a chef came over last week and helped him cook. <br />
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I am wearing...jeans, plum colored t-shirt (my favorite!) and a black cardigan sweater.<br />
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I am creating...still working on Ellie's quilt. only have 6 more squares to sew together before starting on sewing everything together. Also am making some little boxes to put on the side of the fridge to have as little "mailboxes" for each family member so we can leave each other notes of encouragement and stuff. <br />
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I am going...nowhere today. So nice to have a day to stay home. Tomorrow we go to the library for story time and to get new books. And excited for Wednesday when I get to go out with hubby for my birthday!<br />
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I am wondering...why time has to go by so quickly. I can never seem to find enough time in the day to get everything done. <br />
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I am reading...the Bible and Created to be His Helpmeet by Michael and Debi Pearl. Such a wonderful book! I am only as far as chapter 3 but it has already helped me so much!<br />
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I am hoping...to get some knitting in tonight. Haven't done any in awhile and kinda miss it. I'm also hoping to write in my blog more this week. Haven't done that in awhile either and miss that too. It's a little hard to blog when my hubby takes the computer with him to work though. :)<br />
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I am looking forward to...what the future holds with my husbands new job. God is so good!<br />
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I am hearing...classical music on the radio.<br />
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Around the house...everyone is quiet, but I am sure it won't last too much longer. :)<br />
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I am pondering...what I read about contentment in my book last night. I want to have a joy full heart no matter my circumstances. Sometimes I get caught up in the "if only" mode. "If only" we lived in the country, "if only" we did this, "if only" we could go there, etc...I have so many wonderful, beautiful blessings in my life right now, and God has me right where I am for a reason. I have so much to be thankful for! Life is such a beautiful thing when you are content and bask in HIS love! </div>
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One of my favorite things...the smell of wood smoke on a cool fall day, and all of the beautiful colors of fall.<br />
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A few plans for the rest of the week: library day, more pumpkin fun, my birthday, skyping with my mom, and who knows what else! :)<br />
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Here is picture for thought I am sharing...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjKJExJPsCqt0RFloEl8ufuPLmQIRGYrgaFY3ZS5V1tnFZYp_crwNZGW3aJF6k1pfhRx_3TbEm4y6vHQmPV6hFRsIX6oaIitpbz0H4VE7JorclyTIhn8jGfMhlIoi9c4c8c5FpAPLHRg/s1600/DSC_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjKJExJPsCqt0RFloEl8ufuPLmQIRGYrgaFY3ZS5V1tnFZYp_crwNZGW3aJF6k1pfhRx_3TbEm4y6vHQmPV6hFRsIX6oaIitpbz0H4VE7JorclyTIhn8jGfMhlIoi9c4c8c5FpAPLHRg/s640/DSC_1057.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise from a couple weeks ago.</td></tr>
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Join Simple Woman's Daybook <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">here</a> and share your day. :)</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844046823917020201noreply@blogger.com1