6:30 am Christmas at our house

We told Adele that she could get up at 6:30 am on Christmas morning.  She woke up at 6:29 am... not kidding!  The first thing she said to me was, "I just prayed that Jesus would have a good birthday today."  So sweet.  Then we got up and started the coffee and made some cheese and ham biscuits.  Then we all sat down at the kitchen table to celebrate the birth of our Savior. It was a beautiful celebration.  We have been doing Advent and so this morning was the lighting of our last candle and because it was still dark outside it was beautiful (don't worry I have pictures!).  

Then we all settled into the living room to open our gifts.  This year Adele asked for a metal detector (seriously).  We also bought her several other gifts that were a hit (you know some years you bomb).  She LOVED her new hot pink MP3 Player and pink watch.  It was cool to watch her open each gift and get so excited!

I hope that you enjoy this day and the celebration of the real reason for Christmas and God's "gift" to us... salvation.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11

A different kind of recipe

I was trying to think of what Adele might like to give the kids in her class as a Christmas present and I came across this recipe for Play Dough.  I know, you are thinking why make your own play dough?  We are just like that... we like to be "crafty".  Anyway, it was really easy and fun to watch how the play dough changed in the microwave.  Give it a try!  I bet you have almost all the ingredients in your house already.

Play Dough

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. salt

2 T. cream of tartar

2 packages of Kool-Aid

2 c. water

2 T. baby oil (you can use cooking oil)

Mix together the flour, salt and cream of tartar in a bowl.  In a separate bowl mix the water, baby oil and kool-aid.  Then mix the 2 together in a microwave safe dish.  Stir until well blended. Microwave on high for a total of 4 to 5 minutes stopping every 30 to 45 seconds to stir. Continue to microwave until a ball forms.  After the play is cool enough to touch, you are ready to create!!!

*I just wanted to add to make sure you stir really well on the sides and bottom of your microwave dish because the play dough starts to form in those areas first and if you don't stir well it will get to hard.  Also we halved the recipe and that made plenty.

Pictures of us making ours... doesn't it look like fun!!!

I do hope that you will try this with your kids.  Like I said we are going to give the dry ingredients to Adele's friends in her class for Christmas (shh ... don't tell them) and hope that their parents aren't too upset with me!  Ha Ha!

Thanksgiving Party

A few days ago (OK many days ago)  Adele had her Thanksgiving party at school.  Another mom and I had this party.  So we had a little feast which consisted of turkey (real) sandwiches, soup and a turkey cookie cake (which I made myself and I think turned out pretty good for a first try - see above picture).  The kids made pilgrim hats and looked so cute singing their little Thanksgiving songs.  Here are a few pictures and video so you can share in the festivities.

Here is a video of them singing about a pet turkey named "Albuquerque" and how they have chicken instead of turkey for Thanksgiving!  So cute!

Well...I guess all there is to say now is MERRY CHRISTMAS (it has been a while since my last post)!

Corn Chowder

This is a recipe that many of my friends love.  I got the recipe from my aunt Vicki and G-ma (grandma).  They love to cook and always share their recipes with me.  I am not sure where they got this one from.  Anyway, this is the time of year to make chowder.  On days when it is cold outside (and if it is cloudy that makes it even better, you know the kind of cloudy I am talking about... like it is getting ready to snow) I love to get into my kitchen and make something like this.  It makes you feel all warm and cozy inside.  Then you get to settle in with your family to a nice bowl of corn chowder.....  

Ingredients

3 ounces bacon, chopping into small pieces

1 large onion, chopped

1 rib of celery, chopped

3 cups of potatoes, cubed

2 cans of chicken broth 

2 cans of cream style corn

16 ounce niblet corn

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter

Fry the bacon until done, then add the onion.  I usually just do this in whatever pot I am going to use to cook the chowder (the less to clean the better).  Cook the onion for about 5 minutes. Next add the celery, potatoes and chicken broth.  The chicken broth should just cover the potatoes (if it doesn't just add more broth or water).  Cook the potatoes until done then add the cream corn and niblet corn.  In a separate bowl heat the milk and butter until warm and then add to chowder.  Salt and pepper to taste.  

Note:  A few times I have had the chowder to turn out more like soup than chowder.  If this happens just remove a little of the liquid from the chowder.  In the removed liquid add a little corn starch and add back to chowder and it should thicken up for you.  This will not affect the taste of the corn chowder.

Enjoy!!!

Daddy's Birthday (Love, Adele)

I love you Daddy.  Happy Birthday.  We like to play checkers together.  And he plays other games with me.  And he lets me ride with him and Sandy.  He plays basketball with me.  He plays the guitar and helps me play the guitar.  I think that is it....  

Well... he plays outside with me. He is in between 60 years old because he is 33 years old. And sings good with his microphone.  He is a good daddy.  I love you, Daddy.  Thank you for my watch. 

The End.  Adele

Vollmer Farm

On Thursday I went with Adele and her class to Vollmer Farm.  We had a great time.  The weather was cool and crisp just as a day at the pumpkin farm should be.  We made butter, learned all about cows, played in a corn sandbox, jumped on a HUGE "pumpkin pillow", figured out a corn maze and much, much more. 

I hope you enjoy our pictures.  If you haven't ever been to Vollmer Farm you should check it out!

Interesting

Today I was looking through the pictures on my camera to see if there was anything I wanted to blog about.  I was looking at pictures of the pumpkin farm, my parents new puppy and etc. when I came across some pictures that Adele had obviously taken.  Hmm, I thought.  I wonder when she took these?  Then I saw the pictures of Jason and my question was answered.  

Before I show you the pics let me give a little background. There have been several times that I have come home after being gone all day and asked Jason what Adele had for lunch. "Oops" he would say,  "I knew I forgot something."  (No people I am not joking!)  Then on other days I would leave and remind him to feed her lunch and Adele would say, "Oh no, not oodles of noodles again."  However, I did think that during these times he was at least watching her, now I have to wonder...

I guess at this point I must say that this is all said in fun (yet honesty) and that Jason really is a great dad.  Maybe not the most attentive (haha) but great.  Adele adores him and he her. But still... 

There is one more thing you need to know.. YES he is available for baby sitting!

Adele Doll

Adele had to make this doll for a school project because they were learning about "God made me".  Her teacher traced out Adele's body onto the brown paper and then sent it home for us to "creatively" decorate it to fit Adele's personality.  There were a few stipulations though... on the right arm she had to write her first name, on the left her her last name, on the right leg she had to put pictures of activities she enjoys, on the left leg she had to write the names of her friends (sorry if you don't see your name up there... there was only so much room but she does love you), on the chest she had to put pictures of the people she loves (again only so much room) and finally (and I do mean FINALLY!!!) on the stomach she had to put pictures of the food she likes to eat.  

We did have a great time working on this.  She insisted on a few things for her "Adele doll". She wanted her to have on tap shoes, a ring and a necklace.  And my favorite is that she insisted on "drawing" the nose herself (take a good look).  

The teachers put them up outside the classroom for all to see and I REALLY wish I had taken pictures of all of them... they were all so cute.  What a fun project!  And let me also take this opportunity to say that I am grateful for a school and a teacher that surround my child each day with the love and example of Christ.

(if you click on the picture you can see them larger)

For you formed my inward parts;  you knitted me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works;  my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in you book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16

Gingersnaps and Pumpkin Dip

This is a dessert that I fix EVERY fall.  The gingersnaps are chewy and delicious and the pumpkin dip tastes like a very sweet pumpkin pie!  YUM YUM..

Gingersnaps

1 cup vegetable shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup unsulphured molasses

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 1/2 teaspoon ginger

Sugar (optional) 

Cream together shortening and sugar.  Beat in egg and molasses.  Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves and ginger together in a bowl.  Add molasses mixture and blend well. Chill cookie dough for at least 1 hour.  Then using your hands, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 7 minutes.  Cool on wire racks.  If desired, (I always do this.  It forms a nice crust on the tops) roll dough balls in sugar before baking.  Bake at 350. 

Yields about 4 dozen.

Pumpkin Dip

2 8oz. packages of cream cheese, softened

15 oz. can of pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 lb. powdered sugar

Blend cream cheese with mixer until smooth.  Add pumpkin and spices to cream cheese mixture, fold in powdered sugar.  Chill before serving.

NOTE:  I always 1/2 the pumpkin dip recipe because it makes so much.  

HAPPY FALL!

fungi

There is some fungi in my yard, more commonly known as mushrooms. Even though they are fungi they are still very beautiful.  Adele noticed them first and wanted to tear them to pieces and inspect them but before she did I got a few pictures.

I thought this one looked like a chinese mushroom.  I am not exactly sure what that means but that is what I think. 

We saw this mushroom a few days ago and thought it was really cool that it had grown in our driveway among the rocks.  What will to survive!  I took a few pictures of it thinking of how we sometimes have to thrive in hard circumstances (like the rocks) and as I was marveling over this thought Adele knocked it over with a stick.  Well... that's life I guess.

Adele and Jason thought this one looked like a loaf of bread.  Probably because it was getting late and we hadn't eaten supper yet!

He has made everything beautiful in its time.  Ecclesiastes 3:11

Just like my mom...

I picked Adele up from my mom's a few nights ago and they said come into the living room and see this big frog we caught!  And he is smart too, is what I was told!  I think he was finishing up his arithmetic when I got there.  They wanted to know if I wanted to hold him (well, of course wouldn't everyone). I declined.  

I have shared in past posts that Adele loves all kinds of creepy crawly things and so does my mom.  Whenever Adele goes over there they have all these plans about what they are going to try to catch that day.  It is hilarious and charming all at the same time.  I love that they share that. They love to sew together, bake cookies, work in the garden, chat while Adele potties (did I just write that), do lots of crafts and much more.  They really love and enjoy each other.  

I am glad that Adele and my mom have each other.  They really are "two peas in a pod" (or two frogs on a lilly pad).  I think this post started out about a frog...

Carrot Cake

This is a recipe that I make ALL the time.  I found it in a Farm Bureau magazine about 5 years ago (I always read the last page because that's where the recipes and jokes are).  This carrot cake is actually called "True's Famous Carrot Cake".  I don't have any idea who "True" is or even if "True" is a true person (ha ha).  But, never the less this is the best carrot cake I have ever had.  I love to make this in the fall, it fills the house with that cinnamon scent.  Delicious! 

Ingredients

3 C. flour (all purpose)

2 1/2 C. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3 C. fresh grated carrots (YES fresh grated - it is worth it)

1 1/2 C veg. oil

4 eggs

Icing

1 stick butter (1/2 cup)

1 box 10x powdered sugar

8 oz cream cheese

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into three greased 9" round baking pans.  Bake for 30 -35 minutes at 350 degrees.  Yields 10 - 12 servings.  

Optional : 1 cup crushed pecans or walnuts in icing and/or 3/4 cup raisins in batter.

NOTE - These are some changes I make when baking this!

I always mix the dry ingredients first, next add the wet ingredients and then add the grated carrots. I don't make it as a three layer cake, I ALWAYS make it as a sheet cake (9 x 13).  I think this keeps the cake more moist.  I bake it at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes (until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean).  I also put a piece of tin foil or something over the cake as it cools to help keep the moisture in.   I do use walnuts but I sprinkle them on top of the icing instead of mixing them in.  I have never added the raisins but I am sure that would be good.  

If you like carrot cake you should really try this recipe.  It is very easy and very delicious.

1st day of 1st grade!

The 1st day of 1st grade has finally arrived! Yesterday we went for a "drop in" day.  A drop in day is where you stay for a few minutes to get to know your classmates and teacher.  We stayed for 1 hour and 30 minutes because Adele didn't want to leave.  After the last kid had come and gone I told her that we had to go.  It was cute.  

The Lord has truly blessed us this school year. Back in February we signed Adele up at FCS (Faith Christian School) and shortly after that we started praying for her "new" teacher. Well, about 3 weeks ago I found out that her kindergarten teacher from Englewood Baptist had moved to FCS and was going to be one of the 1st grade teachers.  On Friday we found out that Adele is in her class. Praise God.  I was concerned about how well Adele would transition to a new school.  She sometimes struggles with anxiety.  But, the Lord had already made provisions for her at her new school by giving her Mrs. Creech.  He is so good to us!

This morning while we were getting ready Adele asked could we go ahead and leave so we could get to school early.  We did and like a BIG girl she walked in by herself (and like a scared mama I parked my car and then went in to make sure she had found her class).  She had and was already in her seat doing her work.  I must say that I was very, very proud of her today. But, mostly I am thankful to the Lord who gave Adele comfort and joy (that is the fruit of the spirit that we are talking about this week... how appropriate) on her first day at a new school. PRAISE THE LORD OH MY SOUL!

Here are some pictures of her I took today.  She picked out this shirt to wear on the first day of school because it had a butterfly on it.  Also, she insisted on taking some "silly pose" pictures so I included those too.  Enjoy the pictures and did I say yet how proud I am of her?  

Vacationing with the Powells

For 3 years now we have taken a vacation with our friends the Powells.  That would be Brandon, Tess, Aidan and Carly for those of you that don't know.  We really treasure this time together.  This year and last we stayed at Sea Spray near Fort Macon.  We got there on Thursday morning and stayed until Sunday.  We had lots of FUN!  Of course, we practically lived on the beach (sorry Jason) but we did some other things too like visited Fort Macon, stayed up late playing games and talking (the adults), played twister, did family (and friends) worship each night and lots more.  God has truly blessed us in our friendship with each other. We had a blast.  I look forward to next year already!  Enjoy the pictures and the video.

Carly and Adele learned how to do "flips" into the pool this year.  Carly was a quick learner and got it right from the start but it took Adele a few (OK several) tries but she finally got it!

A few pictures from our trip!

Monday night for supper...

Monday night for supper we had my all time favorite dish.  It is called "Stir-Fry Sunday Supper" and I got it out of the Ladies Home Journal.  They held a Heart-to-Heart Recipe Contest and this recipe won.  It was submitted by Barbara C. Bernard of Holyoke, Mass.  She said she got the recipe from her mother but as she and her husband became more health conscious she changed it around a bit.  So thanks Barbara because I love it!  I cook this almost every week.  

Stir-Fry Sunday Supper

Ingredients

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 tbls. reduced-sodium soy sauce (I don't use reduced)

4 tsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 cup fresh orange juice

4 tsp. peanut oil

1 lb. shiitake or portabello mushrooms, stems discarded, thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups coarsely grated carrot

2 celery stalks, sliced (I omit the celery)

4 cups cooked brown rice

sliced scallion, for garnish (I omit the scallion)

Pound the chicken slightly to thin and cut crosswise into thin strips (about 1/4 inch thick). Whisk together garlic, soy sauce, 2 teaspoons cornstarch and the ginger in a large bowl, for marinade.  Add chicken, turning to coat, cover and chill  for 45 minute, stirring occasionally.

Whisk together juice and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch in a small bowl until dissolved.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a skillet over high heat, until hot but not smoking.  Remove chicken from marinade and add to skillet, saute' turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes.  Transfer to a bowl.  Add remaining 2 teaspoons oil, the mushrooms, carrot and celery to the skillet, saute' over moderately high hear until tender, about 5 minutes.  Return chicken to skillet, add juice-cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil.  Stir until sauce thickens, about 3 minutes.

Serve over rice and garnish with scallion (or not).  

It says this serves 8... but not in my house!

The magazine also included the nutritional info.  So if you are interested...  Per serving:  300 calories, 4.5 g. total fat, 1 g. sat. fat, 245 mg. sodium, 33 g. carbs, 37 mg calcium, 66 mg chol, 31 g protein, 3 g fiber.  

Swimming lessons

This was Adele's 3rd year of swimming lessons. NO, the picture on the right is not from this year. That is from 3 years ago when she took swim lessons for the 1st time. That summer during swim lessons she spent most of her time crying (as displayed in the picture). It was quite the experience. I just thought I would share the picture to show just how far she has come.

Thankfully, the past 2 years she has done great and I have been extremely proud of her. My goal (for a 6 year old) was for her to be able to get to the side of the pool by herself should she accidentally fall in. Hopefully, she is comfortable enough in the water now to do that.

This year she learned more about arm movements and how to come up for breaths while swimming (impressive right). Quite a long way from the picture above! Aidan and Carly were in her swim class this year, which was very exciting to her. She enjoyed sharing it with them. On some days after class they would get to go down the slide as a reward and on the last day they "jumped" off of the diving board. Yeah! That was Adele's favorite part. Here are some pictures of the lessons and also a video that I took with my digital camera (that's right a video, I've gone high tech now!).

This video is really cute of Adele, Aidan and Carly jumping off of the diving board on the last day of swim lessons. They were so proud of themselves and so were we!

Desert Rose

A few years after Jason and I got married his mother, Jackie gave me her china which was a pattern called "Desert Rose".  Soon after that my grandmother started to give me more pieces in the set.  So now it has become a tradition with me and my grandmother that every Christmas and birthday she gives me more pieces.  

When Adele was in the 4 year old class at St. Andrew's Preschool  (also where I work) her teacher, Kay Thompson did this art project with the kids to sell at our silent auction.  What she did was use the kids' fingerprints to make a picture of a flower.  So, here I am copying her idea. Thanks Kay!

I decided to make mine to match my china, Desert Rose and hang it in my kitchen beside the hutch.  What I did was buy a canvas board from Big Lots for $5 and then acrylic paint to match the flowers, leaves and stems of my china.  It wasn't hard, Adele loves crafts so she was a willing participant.  Also Jason and I made a few leaves and flowers with our fingers just so all of our family members could have a part in it, but it is mostly Adele's fingerprints.  Our plan is for Jason to make a frame for it..... hopefully sometime soon!  I really enjoyed doing this with Adele and now the china means even more to me.  Enjoy the pictures!

(If you click on the picture you can go straight to bubbleshare and view them bigger)

BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

Bless the Lord

About a week ago Jason posted on an artist named Laura Story.  Then a few days ago he gave me her CD and said "listen to this, I think you will really like it" and he was right!  There is a song called "My God is Mighty to Save" and it is so great.  Adele and I have been listening to this song over and over (and over and over and.... you get the point) in the car, which I think is somewhat annoying to Jason (usually he prefers to only listen to half a song before moving on to the next one!).  The song is #3 on the CD and whenever it is over and another song begins Adele will either say "#3" or hold up 3 fingers (implying for us to replay the song).  However, my new favorite song on this CD is #1 "Bless the Lord".  This song has really spoken to my heart and ministered to me because of some recent circumstances in my life.

My favorite part of "Bless the Lord" is when she says that He gives and takes away to refine us in areas that we don't even realize exist in ourselves so that we can glorify Him more.  I know that this has been true for me recently.  I love that she reminds us that who are we to say what we need.  WHO ARE WE to say what we need?  Every time I hear this song I feel so convicted but at the same time so hopeful and free.  I pray that this song speaks to you the way it has spoken to me. 

Bless the Lord

Laura Story

You give and take away for my good.

For who am I to say what I need?

For You alone see the hidden parts of me

that need to be stripped away.



And as You begin to refine,

I’m learning to let go and rely

on One who walks with me, as hard as it may be.

You’re teaching me all the while to say:

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

All that’s in me bless Your name,

Forget not Your power un- told,

not Your glory or Your fame.

For You came to heal the broken,

to redeem and make me whole.

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

 ( Warning:  a few of the lyrics on the u tube video are typed incorrectly.  It was either this video or one that had pictures that very closely resembled those "assorted" cards you get in the box for birthdays, get well and such.  It wasn't pretty.)

Pizza Dip

This recipe came from my step - sister in law (I think that is right?), Dawn.  I was over at her house for her daughter's birthday party about 2 years ago and she had this for the moms to snack on.  I told her I had to have the recipe.   I have made this so many times for my friends as well and when I do we literally eat it until we feel sick, it is so good.

Pizza Dip

1 jar of pizza sauce

8 oz. cream cheese

2 tbsp. italian seasoning

parmesan cheese

mozzarella cheese

pepperoni

1 loaf of french baguette 

Soften the cream cheese and mix with the italian seasoning.  Spread the mixture in the bottom of an 8 x 8 pyrex.  Sprinkle with parmesan (she just wrote "sprinkle").  Then spread on the pizza sauce and top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Bake at 375 degrees until bubbly (about 45 minutes). 

Slice the french baguette into individual pieces.  Lay the pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees, until just brown around the edges. 

Let the pizza dip cool for about 10 minutes and then spread it onto the individual pieces of the french baguette and serve. 

YUM YUM!!  Please try this it really is so good!!

Snakes Alive!!!

We went to the library to see the "Snakes Alive" show with Ron Cromer.  It really was alot of fun and the kids LOVED it.  Adele loves frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles and pretty much anything that will freak a mama out!  She gets this from my mom who also loves those types of creature (she and Adele are two peas in a pod).    The pictures tell it all but I would like to let everyone know that Ron Cromer does go to schools and other organizations, if you are interested.  

Here is his: website: http://www.snakesalive.org/

In the kitchen...

For those of you that know me well, you know that I LOVE to cook, bake, blend and etc.  If it has anything to do with making food I love to do it.  So, at the encouragement of my husband and mother-in-law I am going to every so often post a recipe or something relating to food.  Of course, all the recipes will be from magazines, cookbooks or otherwise.  I said I like to cook, not come up with my own recipes.  Rachel Ray I am not!  I am not sure how this is really going to work or even if anyone will really be interested.  However, I must say that I was disappointed in the lack response (thanks Jamie and Angela)  to my post about "kids say the funniest things." I was really hoping that you guys would have commented back with all the funny things your kids have said.  I was looking forward to laughing. SO, I would really love some comments that contain your recipes or anything that has to do with food or cooking........I KNOW YOU PEOPLE EAT!!!

With that said.....here is the first recipe.

This is my favorite recipe.  If you know me you know I cook this dessert at least 1 time a month!  I found it in a magazine, not sure which one.

EASY STRAWBERRY PIE

Pie shell:

1/3 cup cooking oil

3 tablespoons water

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt                        

   

Pie filling:

2 pints strawberries

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup cold water

3 tablespoons cornstarch    

1 cup heavy cream                                                                                         

Crust directions:  Heat the oven to 400 degrees.  Combine the oil and water in a bowl and stir well.  In another bowl, combine the flour and salt.  Add the oil and water mixture and combine to the flour and combine until it has a consistency similar to soft clay.  Cut 2 pieces of waxed paper to about 14 inches.  Place the dough between the sheets and roll it out to approximately 12 inches.  Set in a 9-inch pie plate and press carefully.  Trim and flute the edges.  Prick little holes with a fork all over the crust.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes and let the shell cool completely. 

NOTE:  If you do not want to make your own crust you can use one of the frozen ready to bake pie crusts.

Pie filling directions:  In a sauce pan, mash together 1 cup of strawberries, 3/4 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of the water.  Cook over medium heat until warm.  Dilute the cornstarch with the remaining water and stir it into the mashed strawberry mixture.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Then boil 1 minute or until the glaze turns thick and clear.  Cool to room temperature.  Use an electric mixer to whip the heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of sugar until peaks form.  Spread one third of the whipped cream into the pie shell.  Slice the remaining uncooked strawberries and put on top of the whipped cream.  Then over that spoon the glaze mixture and top with the rest of the whipped cream.  Refrigerate until serving.  Serves 8.  This is my favorite part....BEST EATEN WITHIN 1 DAY!.

This recipe may seem lengthy but I assure you that it is very simple to make and is one of the best pies I have ever eaten.

I really hope that you will try it.

Slipping and a sliding.....

One of Adele's favorite things to do during the summer is to get out the slip-n-slide.  She begs to use it almost everyday.  So, here are a few pictures of her, Rachel and Molly doing just that. They really had a lot of fun and YES even I did a little sliding of my own (try not to laugh).  I hope that you enjoy looking at the pictures as much as they enjoyed making them.....

Happy 4th of July (and a sweet treat)

Adele and I were watching a friend's little girl, Abigail and we made a cute little 4th of July treat.  We had some 4th of July marshmallows and I was trying to think of a snack to make with them, to be festive and this came to mind.  I originally had this treat at my friend Emily's house a few months ago and thought it was so good!  I took some pictures of Adele and Abigail to show how much fun we had. I am going to put the recipe (it is very simple) below if any one is interested.  The red (actually pink), white and blue star marshmallows came from Walmart.  Please share any "festive" or quick and easy treat recipes that you have!

Marshmallow Crackers

You will need:  saltine crackers, peanut butter and marshmallows

Spread the peanut butter on the saltine crackers and top with your choice of marshmallows. Place on a baking pan and bake at 350 until the marshmallows start to turn brown.  Enjoy!

The things kids say...

Tonight as we were riding home in the car Adele asked if she could turn on the light above her head so she could eat her slushy from Sonic with a spoon?  Jason said yes that would be fine. After a few seconds of obviously "trying" to get the light on without success, finally she turned it on. Then she looked at us and said, "Whew!  I was starting to think the electricity was out."  We laughed so hard.  

Feel free to leave a comment about something funny your kids have done or said.

Adele and her "aquamarine friend"

I thought this was a cute picture of Adele and Carly at the pool.  Just wanted to share the fun!

Our family vacation

This year for our family vacation we went to Summer Winds. By our "family" I mean me, Jason, Adele, my mom, my step-dad, my sister, and her son Dylan (who is 6 weeks older than Adele). We had so much fun! We stayed out on the beach almost all day, everyday. I must say that Jason was out there with us EVERY morning (under his umbrella of course). One day we went to play putt-putt and ride the go carts and that was lots of fun. Then another day we went to Fort Macon and the beach there to look for shells. All in all it was a great vacation. The best yet I would say. So, I hope you enjoy the pics because we certainly enjoyed the vacation!

(if you click on the picture you can go to "bubble share" and view them larger.

SHARK!!!!!

How Cool!  We found this dead shark washed up on the beach on our vacation.  We think it was a sand shark.  The kids thought it was the best thing ever. They put the shark in a bucket with water and kept insisting that they saw it move or that bubbles were coming out of it's mouth (yes, my sister and I checked to make sure it wasn't still alive).  They were so funny. The shark's eyes were so blue, you can even see that in the picture.  It really was a great "science lesson" and we thought school was out for the summer!

Like father, like daughter

If you have ever seen my husband, Jason play music and sing anywhere then you have probably noticed that he likes to make what I like to lovingly call "funny faces" while he is singing.  Of course, not for the purpose of making funny faces but that just seems to be what naturally happens when he sings and plays.  I guess it must be from listening to so much James Taylor as a teenager!  Anyway, on to the point of this post...... I guess Adele got the music gene from her dad.  Take a look!

Stay Tuned.....

Well... if you have visited my blog in the last week you may have noticed that it has been lying dormant.  We were at the beach all last week on our family vacation.  We had so much fun!  So, I apologize that there hasn't been much, well any, action lately.  But, stay tuned because as soon as our house gets back to normal (and by normal I mean the HUGE mounds of clothing, beach towels, beach toys and etc. being gone) I will start posting.  Hopefully I will be able to post some pictures of our vacation.  

Lollipop, lollipop, Oh lolli, lollipop....

Adele's grandparents recently bought her and her cousin, Dylan a new pony.  Her name is Lollipop!  She is a large miniature pony.  Just to clarify, for those of you that don't know (Jason) a pony is not a baby horse.  A pony is actually a small breed of horse.  Adele has been very excited about the new addition at "New Life Quarter Horses" but I think you can tell from the pictures that she is not the only one having a lot of fun (papa).  Hope you enjoy the pictures!

  (if you click on the picture you can go to "bubbleshare" and view them larger)

Train up a child........

Today Adele was in one of her I am almost grown moods and she was talking "smart" to Jason and I.  So, we were "explaining" to her that she could either stop or be punished.  She informed us that she really doesn't like us telling her what to do anymore and that she was tired of us "bossing" her around.  So, calmly (ok, not calmly) I explained to her that the bible says to "train up a child".  I asked her what she thought that meant.  Adele said,, "It means for you to tell me what to do, but I just want to be free!" (as she dramatically threw her arms open wide)  I explained to her that no one was really "free", not in the way she was talking about.  Just when I thought I had said something really good, she said, "Birds are free".   So (this is the funniest part)  Jason said "Ok, when you start flying around the house, then we will stop telling you what to do."  I guess that is where she gets it from?  Let me add just for those of you who are wondering, the whole ordeal did end with....well let me just say she did end up getting "punished".

Any Good Ideas? (or any ideas at all)

It seems like before the summer actually starts when spring is in the air I have all these dreams of the things Adele and I  will do this summer.  I make plans and then it gets HOT!!!  So, this summer I really want our time to be fun and fun-filled........ of course not everyday!  I really want to make the best of our time together over the next few months.... since she goes to "real" school next year (for those of you that don't already know, what I mean by "real" school is all day school.  She just finished a 1/2 day kindergarten program).  

So, here is my question.  I was wondering if anyone has any good ideas (or any ideas at all) about any activities or crafts that would be fun? By activities I don't really mean anything that costs a lot of money.  I mean activities like going to the children's museum (local) or going to City Lake with our friends for a picnic and to feed the ducks.  Things that will really make some memories.  

My second question is, who would like to join us?  It is always more fun with friends.

"For the next person..."

A few weeks ago I went into the bathroom at our house and this is what I saw.  I called Adele in there and asked why there was toilet paper on the seat of the "potty"?  She replied seriously, "Oh, that is for the next person." At least she is thoughtful and practices good hygiene!  

Great Gift Idea

OK, you know that my daughter and my best friend share a birthday.  On Adele's birthday after we got home from the Marbles Museum we were playing outside with Tess and her kids (for those of you that don't know they live in our neighborhood).  She said I have something for you at my house that I need to go get.  When she came back she handed me a journal that had "Adele" written across the front.  Tess said that for the last year she had been  journaling about all the funny things Adele has said or done.  It was so funny to read it all.  We went to eat supper and cake at my mom's for Adele's birthday that night and we read it to everyone there. We laughed and laughed at all the things she has said over the past year.  It was really a great way to end the celebration of her birth.  

So, I just wanted to say "thanks" to my friend for the journal.  It means so much to me and I will treasure it always.  I also wanted to post about it because I thought it was such a great idea that someone else might want to do it for their friend or even a grandparent (they love stuff like that).

May 30, 2008 at 2:41 pm

Here is a picture of Adele on her birthday (may 30th) taken at her exact "birth-minute" (2:41 pm).

Marbles Museum

For Adele's birthday we took her to the Marbles Museum in Raleigh.  It really has nothing to do with marbles, except for the big marble wall.  It is an interactive and creative museum for kids.  It was so much fun. We got there around 9:30 am and stayed for 5 hours.  When you walk in there are several "games" that are life size, like chess or connect four that you can play.  Then there is a area called "around town" that has different areas of play that represent different places in Raleigh like Wake Med., the post office, grocery stores and etc.  In these areas you can pretend to drive an ambulance, work in the post office, shop for groceries, fish on a boat, dress up in costumes and put on a "play" on the stage and lots more.   Then there is a "water area", craft table and a very large ship to play on.  Upstairs there are several interactive play areas such as legos, a work shop with tools and wood that you can really saw, hammer, nail and etc.  There is another area for creative movement.   In this area there is karaoke, instruments, dancing, crafts and so much more.  The area that was my favorite was the "japanese school".  It was set up so that you could visit these 5 japanese children's school and homes.  You could go in their "rooms" at home and see what their hobbies were and what they liked to eat.  It also showed there school room, their desks and what subjects they learn.   It was amazing.  

I know I am going on and on but I really thought this place was great and it was only $5 per person (we had to pay for public parking as well and we won't talk about how much that was).  I recommend this museum to everyone.  We plan to go back again soon.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  

( if you double click in the middle of the pictures it will take you to "bubble share" and you can view them much larger

Adele the Theologian

Ok, so there is this "tween" show on Disney called "Wizards of Waverly Place" that Adele has been asking to watch.  For a while we have just been telling her no because we felt like the show of course wasn't something we wanted her to see.   Well, she has gone on and on about it so last night I suggested to her that she and her dad should watch it and decide whether or not it honored God.  So, today she comes to me and says, "I just cast a spell on you."  Great..... so I say to her THAT is why you can't watch that show because it influences you to behave ungodly.  So she says, (now this is the reason I am blogging)  "If God doesn't like us casting spells and wizards cast spells, then WHY did God create wizards?"  I know that she didn't come right out and ask "why is there sin" but I must say that I was impressed with her reasoning and "thinking it out". Obviously, I told her that was a good question and that she should ask her dad as soon as he gets home from work!

Sunscreen - What kind to buy?

I was up late last night (too excited about starting my blog to sleep) and I was watching a late night show and they had a panel talking about consumer reports findings on which sunscreens work the best.  I thought it was very interesting, especially since I live in a house with 2 very "sun sensitive" individuals.  It said also that cost was no indicator of how well the sunscreen works.  It actually rated Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry - Touch SPF 55 the best but also said that No - Ad Sunblock Lotion Maximum SPF45 sunscreen came in very close to the top and that brand is pretty inexpensive (which we all love!).  So..... happy sunning!!!!