Easter Colors

Yes, we boiled a lot of eggs. We colored a lot of eggs, and just like every year we hid them AND we had Eggs Golden Rod. Yum. It amazes me every year how they can all be so creative and make them all so different. It also amazes me the quiet reflection as we begin with a prayer and Easter Hymns. It is still fun, but there is an incredible difference when you invite the Spirit too.

That Easter Morn a grave that burst
Proclaimed to man that "Last and First"
Had risen again and conquered pain.

This morn renews for us that day
When Jesus cast the bonds away,
Took living breath and conquered death.

Thus we in gratitude recall And give our love
And pledge our all, shed grateful tear, and conquered fear.

I was a little tired at the end. Puppie was a little hungry. He ate 3 eggs. I napped until they got cleaned up and then we hid and reclaimed our eggs, just like we will someday our bodies and become something new. Not dinner though. : ) Don't you like how Gherkin bent down and let Frosty kneel on her back so he could finish his eggs? Man, I love these kids. They save me $$$ too. Since Frosty and Puppie refuse to wear pants lately, I do not have to buy many pants or patch any knees. I do wonder when they are going to start caring. Hopefully soon. Did you like the Twilight reference where Plan B is pretending to be a vampire?

Gherkin's Biography Museum

Gherkin held a Biography Museum at school where she showcased the life of author J.K. Rowling. It was really fun to see what everyone came up with. There was everyone from great authors to Hulk Hogan. It was a wide variety. All were well informed and had great visual aids. You could tell they put a lot of work into it. Good job guys!

Powder Laundry Soap

My friend on my blog roll here makes this. I haven't used it myself because we have well water, but it sounds a lot like my friend Myrna's and BONUS, you don't have to make a goopy mess, unless you want too! Much faster than my earlier posting. Shave, spin and use! Perfect.


1 bar Fels Naptha soap (found in the laundry aisle of your local grocery store)
2 cups washing soda (NOT baking soda...in a yellow box in laundry aisle)
2 cups borax (you can buy this a Walmart)
2 cups baking soda (cheapest if you buy at Walmart in the laundry aisle)

Grate soap with hand grater or use a food processor. Add other ingredients and mix well. Store in an air tight container (I use a recycled 2 1/2 quart ice cream bucket). Use 2 Tablespoons per load. Can use with either a front loader or a top loader as it is low sudsing. I have a front loader and when I was using store bought there were always suds left...even when using the he type. I don't have that problem with this...PLUS as I mentioned earlier...IT WORKS GREAT. As an added idea, try using vinegar in the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener. It works fairly well and doesn't leave a smell. I use it with towels and jeans but my whites still have static with vinegar so I use a Bounce sheet for them.

Chocolate Cake

Ok, this picture doesn't do it justice. It is rich, heavy, soft and so moist. It has a vanilla cream frosting.

Here is the recipe.

1 1/2 cups sugar
6 Tbsp cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups flour
3 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups miracle whip
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla ( I always use a lot more vanilla than called for. mmmm. My favorite!)
Put in a bowl and beat the heck out of it.
Put in a 9x13 stone or greased and floured pan.
Bake 45 min at 350 degrees.

Creamy Vanilla Frosting

3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup softened butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Milk to your desired consistency.

Cream butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla and milk. Cool cake, frost. Done!

Parable of the Puzzle

As a family activity, we worked on a puzzle together that means something to us.
When we first began, I passed out to each person, 3 puzzle pieces. I told them to put the puzzle together. They were confused. How could they, they didn't have enough. So, I gave them a few more. They still said it wasn't enough. I told them I had all the pieces. That didn't help them though. They had to work together and combine talents and resources. As some became greedy and started hoarding pieces, they were convicted and lost rights to that which they had already been given. They earned pieces back by unselfish behavior and just for breathing. We talked about faith, good works, grace, goals, and unconditional love.
It was amazing how everyone worked together. Each of us have been endowed with different gifts. It was incredible to me as I watched my family work together in a common goal, how our different traits and talents manifested themselves. Some took to sorting the puzzle first by color. Some looked for the edge pieces. Some sorted by pictures they could discern. Some worked outside in, some inside out. Isn't that so much like life itself? We all have different talents and thought processes. We moved much faster and had so much more fun as we used each others strengths and allowed each person to try. We pass through this life and sometimes get so stuck in the busyness of it all that we forget to pay attention to the lessons that we are being taught and the blessings that are bestowed we take for granted. So here is to looking from the inside out and changing ourselves first, then lifting up others. Here is to Family Goals and love for one another and challenges, failures, and success. Through it all, we will remain focused on Him. I wish I wasn't so tired so I could explain every thought we had and how much we learned, but it is probably best if you think of your own analogies and maybe I will revisit this in later postings and what we have learned and how we have got from there to here.

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

Rolls
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup margarine, melted
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
4 cups flour

Filling

1 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp Cinnamon
1/3 cup margarine, softened

Icing
1 stick margarine, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cream cheese (2 oz.)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp. salt

You can freeze these after baking, just microwave and reheat to desired warmth.

Dissolve yeast in warm milk in a big bowl.
Mix sugar, margarine, salt and eggs. Add flour. Mix well.
Knead dough in a large bowl, using hands dusted with flour. Put in a bowl and cover.Let rise about an hour, or until doubled.
Roll out dough, easiest on a lightly floured surface. Roll flat, 21 in long, 16 inches wide, 1/4 in thick.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
For filling, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread softened margarine and sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the surface.
Start at the top and roll evenly as possible working to the bottom edge.
Cut rolled dough into 1 3/4 in slices and bake 6 at a time, evenly spaced in a lightly greased baking pan. Rolls need to rise a second time until doubled in size. (30 min)
Bake 10 min, or until light brown on top.
While rolls bake, make icing. Beat well, will be REALLY fluffy. Increase the electric mixer if you need too.
Rolls, out, cover with fluffy icing.
12 rolls. Yummy!

This is a test. This is only a test.

We have had a whirlwind of days. First my sister came to visit. That was great, but we didn't sleep much. Then we morphed quickly into one teenager blowing a gasket. What? Does that happen? Unfortunately. This one has lasted almost a week now. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and we are moving forward. I was making chicken soup in the kitchen and calmly chopping vegetables, Brad moseys through the kitchen to head for the bathroom and relieve his cold symptoms. I notice that I am hearing for the first time in all our time living here, a blaring horn followed by: THIS IS A TEST OF THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM. THIS IS ONLY A TEST.
hmmm, I muse. They finally made it so we can hear it. We live on the outskirts of town and only heard it a few times even though it went off constantly last summer. This was loud and clear. I go back to chopping vegetables. Frosty who was been working with his Dad, barrels through the house, his yellow coat fanning out behind him like superman, his cowboy boots thundering. His eyes are HUGE. His breathing is labored. "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!" He gasps. I drop my knife thinking something is really wrong and wondering where Puppie is. "Mommy, I heard it! I was outside and Jesus was talking to me! He said this was only a test!" He was in such earnest! He was practically becoming the table trying to get closer to me. I hear a low, muffled laugh emanating from the bathroom, growing louder all the time. I couldn't help it either, I started laughing. It was the best stress reliever we had in a month. We calmed him down, he wasn't upset, he was excited! I tried to explain as best as I could to this little 4 year old guy that it was a test and that it was used to warn us of tornadoes, he got a little worried. So we hugged and he said it still sounded like Jesus, only louder. He climbed off my lap and went and played. I thought about that all evening and giggled. He then asked later, How will I know when it really is Jesus? I thought about that and said well first you will here the trumpet. His eyes were shining again, I had inadvertantly led him down the wrong road. I heard it! No, that was a horn. It will be different. How? I am not sure. Then I thought, yes I do. When you hear it, it will cause you to kneel. You will know it is Jesus through the feelings in your chest. Did you feel it in your chest? Like when you pray? No. Then if you are doing what is right, you will have that feeling and you will know. OK! He shot off. No more discussion, he was satisfied. I however, really thought about it though. He taught me a really powerful lesson yesterday. I have taught my children, He will come, We will hear the sound of the trump, we will hear a voice from the heavens. He was looking for it. Was I at that very hour? Am I prepared? Will I be that happy? Or will I be waiting for the mountains to cave in on me from something I haven't felt a great desire to repent of yet? Preparing for my household against the storms of life is an incredible thing and a immense blessing. It has blessed us more than a time or two. The spiritual preparations though. The every morning and every night family prayer. The scripture reading in the early morning and studying as a family. The Monday Night Family Night where we teach each other and play and have a yummy dessert. The Wednesday nights when we gather with friends and teach other. The everyday sacrifices we make for eachother, building unity and strength in our family. The love we show unfeigned. The service we give. These are the things we do to prepare for His coming. Are our lamps trimmed? Are we gathering every drop of oil to save and prepare for his coming? Are we looking forward with an eye of faith? I am so glad I have so many children to lead me! This life really is only a test. A test that only we can take together. I could go on for hours on this but I have an appointment with my family to remind us of our priorities and to play and laugh and love and dye Easter Eggs. I wanna see what else they teach me today.

Gherkin Sings! 8 years old

You can hear Gherkin for sure! I was so proud of her. She is in the background with the white shirt and red hair. Even with the music flub up, they kept right on singing. I would've looked and stopped, but no, they kept going, while looking. She was part of a trio and was a rainbow fish in the musical which is why they are swinging the banners in front.

Homemade Yogurt & Granola

This is so easy, you are going to kick yourself for not trying it sooner. Don't kick yourself too hard though. You can repent. This is Nicole's Granola. It is really good too. Experiment and make it your own. Use what you have in your house, add things to make it healthier too. Such as wheat germ or flax seed, whatever. This is your chance to be creative. You can't make it wrong, only different. The yogurt, you don't need any fancy machine that costs a bundle. You really only need a pot, a stove, a flannel blanket, (yes, that is NOT a typo) and an 8 oz. container of yogurt with ACTIVE LIVE CULTURES. That is important. That's it.

Yogurt
I make it by the gallon, for about $3.00. You can adjust for yourself and your needs. I take a gallon of powdered milk or sometimes mix it half and half with whole milk or 2%. I put it on the stove in my Pampered Chef huge stock pot, (I love this thing! I use it almost everyday!) I start heating it on med high heat. You can raise or lower depending on your stove. You heat until it gets foamy on the top. It will start to stick on the bottom too. Leave it there, you don't want it to flavor your yogurt. Then you remove from heat. Let cool to lukewarm. Here you add approx. 8 oz. of yogurt. I say this because I get the huge containers and freeze them in my ice cube trays and put in a ziploc and take out as I need so I never have to pay full price. Then I restock when it goes down in price again. I throw in what looks about right. I never remember from time to time how many cubes it is. Sorry, one of those things, if I think too hard about it, I screw myself up! Anyway, Wrap it up in a FLANNEL blanket, and set it undisturbed overnight. In the morning check it. If you want it thicker and tangier, leave it longer. I flavored this one with vanilla. I added vanilla flavoring until it was the slightest shade of brown and about 1 cup of sugar. This is what was left after breakfast. It was pretty good. You can also flavor with strawberry and cherry pie filling or apples and cinnamon. Whatever you desire. Somethings will require more sugar. Some less. Pie filling is expensive unless you make your own though so weigh the cost carefully. It may not be bad if you were making a small amount though. Stir and chill. Eat. We top ours with granola, or broken applesauce oatmeal cookies. Yummy.

Granola
8 cups rolled oats (quick oats can be used but won't deliver the same texture and satisfying crunch)
2 tsp salt
2 cups brown sugar
1-2 cups Craisins, or whatever dried fruit you would like really
2 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 cup honey
1 cup warm water
1 cup vegetable oil
3-5 tsp vanilla

Mix in a bowl and spread in two jelly roll stones from Pampered Chef. (I love these too!) 300 degrees for about an hour. Will not be crunchy until cooled. Immediately put the stones in HOT water or it will be a bear to clean. We hope you enjoy this one too.

Court of Honor ~The Boy Scouts of America

You would not believe how much these guys have gotten done! This handful of kids received a table FULL of Merit Badges. It was incredible! They are all well on their ways to receiving their Eagle Scouts. Most were advanced to Star. I can't wait until their next Court of Honor and see what they get done. The more focused they are in doing good things, the less apt they are to act out of line. I am so proud of them. They stand head and shoulders above so many their ages. They know what they want. They have plans, they WORK for their goals. I have had a lot of opportunities to work with various kids over the years.

Please forgive me for my long windedness, I have something to say though if you can stand to listen, I am amazed at the next coming generation. I see things so different than they do in many respects, which is to be expected, but let me tell you a few of my insights. I see a lot of kids roaming the square, trolling the parks, dumping garbage cans over, terrorizing kids younger and weaker than they are. They pretend to have sex or do in the parks and scream really loud for no apparent reason than to see if their vocal cords still work. I see them knocking over displays in the stores and just seeing what havoc they can cause. Interestingly enough, I never see adults with them. If they are with them they look angry, sullen or embarrassed. The parents are often staring off, never paying attention to these youth even while in their very midst if they are with them. You don't see a lot of interaction unless it is people slightly older trying to use these kids for money, drugs or sex.

Now all hope is not lost, as I think ugh! These people will be able to VOTE in a few years!

No, it is not lost, for I see another group of kids, they come from every walk of life. They stand of in defense of right against wrong. They think and express their opinions well. They have opinions independent at times of their parents. How do I know this? I hear them discussing it with their parents. Logically, systematically, point for point. Usually with respectful tones and a great deal of humor. Are they perfect? No, but the difference seems to be that their focus is their families and improving themselves. They are not stuck on themselves and so worried about the latest gadgets and designer clothing. They are concerned with making a difference in the world and reaching out a helping hand to others. I see them cleaning the parks instead of trashing them. I see them playing with other smaller kids and making sure they are happy and their joy increases. I see them donate their time to writing letters to lonely people, I see them visiting people who are sick and elderly, and getting to know them. I see them watching for the signs of the earth and acting accordingly. I see the love developed in brother and sister relationships. I see them reading and pondering their scriptures and changing their lives because they recognize something isn't quite right with what they are doing. Do you see why I have so much hope for the future? Anyone who is able to kneel before their Father in Heaven and receive a revelation just for them and takes the time to study their scriptures daily, will never be able to be led far astray. I truly believe this with my whole heart. You will always be able to be gathered in and be an instrument in His hands. Yes, this is an inspiring generation, for when push comes to shove, these are they that will stand and cause their Mother's to weep with pride and admiration for they who stand for truth and righteousness and not swayed by the winds of change. They will always be trusted to do the right things and give of themselves with their whole hearts. They are everywhere. They are probably shunned for the most part by the popular kids. They will be found other places than the malls most likely, but they are active, they are responsible and they are everywhere making a difference in every life they touch. All over the world. I am amazed and humbled, to be in their midst.

Phase 2

OK, I know I gave you a lot to think about before. We are going to breathe now and take a deep breath. First step was learning what you need to have in the event of an emergency. Next, we will break it down into doable steps. If you are doing something....That is something! One thing done, is one thing accomplished! SO if you have disaster hit, what do you need first? WATER. Get water for everyone in your family for 3 days. This generally will not break anyone's budget. You can even use old cranberry juice containers or soda bottles. They will have the flavor of the first contents, but sometimes that is a very pleasant surprise. We have 5 gallon collapsible water storage containers for each person because we discovered how little 3 gallons is per person if you have no other source. I just wait until they go on sale. 2nd you need FOOD. Make it as cheap and light as possible. Lipton soup packets are great and tuna packets they sell are pretty cheap too. Store what your family will eat though. Get a bag to put it in. Goodwill or 2nd hand stores, resale shops, whatever you call them, have duffel bags and backpacks or whatever you choose for $1-$3. We got brand new ones for $1.50 each that Scheel's had donated to Goodwill one year. It was great for us. You are well on your way now. Take it in steps. Breathe. It's all good. You are moving forward. You can do this!

Bean and Cheese Tortillas

We added Wheat Flour to ours to make them a little healthier. If you don't add wheat, they will be softer and not so dark. Either way, I never knew that homemade tortillas tasted so much better! Wow, what a difference in softness than the stores. We just make basic beans boiled with some bacon strips and add salt and pepper to taste. Our measurements I am sure are way to big for most of you since sometimes we begin with a number 10 can of DRY beans. We store in the freezers for leftovers though. We don't eat 1 and a half gallons of just beans at a time. Ok, so then if you want to make into burritos, we add cumin to to the beans and sometimes onion powder and garlic powder whatever we feel like that day. It really is easier than I thought. Tortillas are much easier than I thought too, once you get the knack. I don't have the knack but it is ok. Princess, Soccer Angel and Plan B, all roll out really well and make circles. I make oblong egg shaped things, but I am learning to live with my imperfections and be ok with it. They however, excel, so they get that part. On to the recipe.
Tortillas
2 cups Flour
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp melted shortening
2/3 c water

Mix dry ingredients. Slowly add shortening and water. Mix and knead. Don't let it be too wet or crumbly. Add a little water or flour as needed. It should be smooth and elastic and not grab your hands too much. Divide into 12 equal balls. Let rest for 10 min to up to a hour and a half. Flatten out thin and cook over a medium skillet until puffy and has light brown marks, much easier to see without wheat flour, but try and see what you like. When we quadruple the recipe we replace 2 cups of flour with whole wheat flour. You can add a little baking powder too, but you will have to increase the liquid or the oil. Good luck. We sometimes times the recipe by eight and spend a whole afternoon playing with it. The kids really like it when they can get in and do stuff. Love to create!