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!