A Happy New Year!

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. You've inspired me in so many ways with your talent and your warm hearts, and I look forward to getting to know you all better in the coming year.

We're heading off to a party tonight with a couple of families that we try to get together with every New Year's Eve. It's become a bit of a tradition. Tomorrow it's football games and the Rose Parade (on t.v. that is). I've been to the Rose Parade twice, but it's awfully cold sitting out there all night. I know that it's not cold compared to where many of you live, but I still think I'll stick to watching from the comforts of my simple home :-)

May God Bless you all.
See you next year!
Blessings,
Marcia
photo courtesy of The Stock Solution

A Love Song for Christmas

This is a wonderful song I heard on the beautiful blog Many Little Blessings in the original language. My daughter searched for it and found it in English. This lady has the most beautiful voice and the song speaks of Mary and her baby, the Lord Jesus. I hope you enjoy it.

Have a Glorious Christmas as we celebrate His wonderful birth!

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

Blessings,
Marcia

Jest 'Fore Christmas

This was a funny little poem I had to memorize in junior high. I always loved that the little boy really started to behave "Jest 'Fore Christmas". I didn't know then that I would have 6 children someday who might try to do the same :-) Having 4 boys sure helps me understand some of his antics too. This is all of my children at Christmas in 2000. Wow, where has the time gone?

Jest 'Fore Christmas

FATHER calls me William, sister calls me Will,

Mother calls me Willie but the fellers call me Bill!

Mighty glad I ain't a girl---ruther be a boy,

Without them sashes curls an' things that's worn by Fauntleroy!

Love to chawnk green apples an' go swimmin' in the lake--

Hate to take the castor-ile they give for belly-ache!

'Most all the time, the whole year round, there ain't no flies on me,

But jest'fore Christmas I'm as good as I kin be!

Got a yeller dog named Sport, sick him on the cat.

First thing she knows she doesn't know where she is at!

Got a clipper sled, an' when us kids goes out to slide,

'Long comes the grocery cart, an' we all hook a ride!

But sometimes when the grocery man is worrited an' cross,

He reaches at us with his whip, an' larrups up his hoss,

An' then I laff an' holler, "Oh, ye never teched me!"

But jest'fore Christmas I'm as good as I kin be!

Gran'ma says she hopes that when I git to be a man,

I'll be a missionarer like her oldest brother, Dan,

As was et up by the cannibals that live in Ceylon's Isle,

Where every prospeck pleases, an' only man is vile!

But gran'ma she has never been to see a Wild West show,

Nor read the life of Daniel Boone, or else I guess she'd know

That Buff'lo Bill an' cowboys is good enough for me!

Excep' jest 'fore Christmas, when I'm as good as I kin be!

And then old Sport he hangs around, so solemn-like an' still,

His eyes they seem a-sayin': "What's the matter, little Bill?"

The old cat sneaks down off her perch an' wonders what's become

Of them two enemies of hern that used to make things hum!

But I am so perlite an' tend so earnestly to biz,

That mother says to father: "How improved our Willie is!"

But father, havin' been a boy hisself, suspicions me

When, jest 'fore Christmas, I'm as good as I kin be!

For Christmas, with its lots an' lots of candies, cakes an' toys,

Was made, they say, for proper kids an' not for naughty boys;

So wash yer face an' bresh yer hair, an' mind yer p's and q's,

And don't bust out yer pantaloons, and don't wear out yer shoes;

Say "Yessum" to the ladies, and "Yessur" to the men,

An' when they's company, don'a pass yer plate for pie again;

But, thinkin' of the things yer'd like to see upon that tree,

Jest 'fore Christmas be as good as yer kin be!

Eugene Field

Blessings,
Marcia

Happy Birthday Honey, I Love You!!!

This handsome guy is RussMyHoney. Today is his 52nd birthday. He doesn't look 52 does he? We've been married for over 23 years now. Russ is a wonderful husband and father. He loves his family and he loves God's word. He's pretty fond of surfing too ;-) We grew up by the beach, and he still goes out and surfs now and then. I think we have 4 surfboards stacked against the wall in our bedroom. Try decorating around that ladies! You can't store them in the garage here in the desert, the wax would melt.

Russ is a diligent worker who has worked two jobs for much of our marriage, just so I could be home with our kids. In fact, (a little more bragging here) he began working for the phone company in 1991 and has still never taken a sick day. Seriously! Russ has played the part of Jesus in quite a few church productions, and a few years ago he was asked to pose for the cover of a book. He is a also a wonderful example of what God can do with a life. I will share that story sometime, but for today I just want to say "Happy Birthday Honey, I Love You!!!"
Blessings,
Marcia

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

This past week has flown by. We've been to a Christmas party, we've gone Christmas shopping, we've been to visit Santa, and tonight we were at at Christmas Craft Faire. Along with that, we've had school, visited grandparents, been to appointments, started decorating, etc., etc., etc.
I haven't blogged this week, or for that matter had a chance to catch up on everyone else's blogs either, but I'm going to try and do that this weekend. I thought I'd share a few photos of what we've been doing.I love old postcards, so I decorate with them when I can.My friend Angela made these trees (I have a whole grove, in various sizes), and the rustic sign too. I love them. I purchased this nativity set at a local vintage shop. It's missing the wise men, but it included the creche. It's quite large, and was very inexpensive too. I loved that!

I'm going to a quilt show tomorrow with my friend Jill at Bailiwick Designs (a wonderful blog)! It's in my favorite little mountain town of Wrightwood. I'll try and take some photos and bring them back to share.
Blessings,
Marcia

Trisha Yearwood Cookbook Review

If you are looking for a great cookbook as a gift for your favorite cook this Christmas, here is another one of my favorites. Trisha Yearwood, her mama, and her sister can cook! The recipes are mostly Southern, not too complicated, and absolutely delicious. One example is her Meatloaf. I've never really liked meatloaf, but I decided to try hers, and that was enough to change my mind. It is wonderful!

She has a recipe in here called "Cooked to Death Green Beans". Now I know that may not sound like the most nutritious way to eat green beans, but oh, so good. These are my kind of green beans. Her "Daddy's Biscuits" are wonderful, and even her hubby Garth Brooks has a recipe in there called "Garth's Pasta Salad", which I haven't tried yet, but it looks so good.

She also shares some sweet family stories that make this wonderful cookbook very personal and welcoming. She cooks the way I love to eat, and she makes you want to go have Sunday Supper at her house, or, according to her, even better would be to go to her mama's house and eat to your hearts content. If you get the book, don't forget to try the "Banana Pudding". You'll love it!
Blessings,
Marcia

I Wish I Could Fall Asleep Anywhere

Okay, maybe I don't want to sleep in a planter, but I do envy a cat's ability (and my husband's) to fall asleep anywhere. This is what I found on my porch one day last week when I went out to water the plants.We call her "Paws". Can you see why? She has extra toes on her feet. She moved in with us about 12 years ago. We came home from church one night, and she'd given birth to 6 kittens in our garage. Up until that time, we didn't know she was our cat :-) She's never been a cuddly cat, but we love her anyway.
Blessings,
Marcia

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies...Delicious!

My youngest daughter Micaela, enjoys baking. A couple of years ago she found this recipe in a Rachel Ray magazine and made them for us. They were absolutely delicious. We BEG her to make them for us now. If you like pumpkin or cream cheese, you will love these!

Here is Micaela taking them off of the cookie sheet. As you can see, we don't use the parchment paper, as advised in the recipe :-)

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

1 1/2 sticks butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temp, lightly beaten
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 Tbs. pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. plus 2 pinches salt
1 2/3 cups flour
4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
1 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, if desired. In large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp. vanilla, baking powder, baking soda and 3/4 tsp. salt. With a rubber spatula, fold in flour.

Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon drop 12 generous mounds of batter, spaced evenly, onto each baking sheet. Bake until springy to the touch, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners' sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and 1/2 tsp. vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 min.

Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.

Watch them disappear!
Blessings,
Marcia

Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, I've included some info on the history of it (straight from an old World Book encyclopedia) and a tribute to some of the veterans I've known personally, who have served and fought, and one who has given his life for our freedom. Thank you to all who have served, or or serving now.My dad, Jay, who served in the navy during WWII. He just celebrated his 84th birthday last week. When he was born, he was given the name J.C., yes, only initials, which was common in the South at that time. When he went in the service, he had to come up with a name, and he chose Jay. It made it easy!
Not a great photo, I didn't have the original, only this newspaper article, but it's my cousin Marlin, who was one of the few killed in Grenada. Although his family moved to Arkansas before his death, he actually went to school right here in our town, and his name is on a memorial here.
My Uncle Vic, a humble man, and a Purple Heart recipient, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He came home to become a teacher of developmentally disabled kids, and after he retired, he went to Brazil as a teacher to missionary kids. He is now 85, living in Washington, and still an encouragement to me in my homeschooling endeavor.And last but not certainly not least, this is my nephew Jordan and his son Jay, named after my dad, along with me. Jordan is currently serving in the Marines, and just returned from Afghanistan this week.

Veterans Day: commemorates the courage and patriotism of all the men and women who have served in the United States armed services. It is celebrated on November 11. Other countries, such as Great Britain and France, celebrate November 11 as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of fighting in World War I on Nov.11, 1918. Canada observes Remembrance Day on November 11.

Veterans Day celebrations in the U.S. include parades and speeches. Special services are held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day to remind Americans of the tragedies of war. A law adopted in 1938 made the day a federal holiday. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to honor all United States veterans.

Thank you for our freedom!
Blessings,
Marcia

Life's Embarrassing Moments

I wrote this up a few months ago, and thought I'd share it with you all. It's a little long, and I hope you can visualize it while you read it. This is our view of the mountain I'm talking about.

I was 14 years old and my high school ski club had gone snow skiing at Holiday Hill (now Mountain High) in Wrightwood California. I'd never skied, but was excited to learn. After a class for beginners, we were all anxious to get started. I felt I was catching on and each time I came down the hill I went a little higher up the hill the next time. However, I had not mastered stopping at the bottom of the hill.

Coming down one time I was picking up speed...and heading straight for a line of people waiting to go back up the hill. They were standing behind a rope connected by two poles. I crouched down trying to get below the rope, but now I was completely out of control, not knowing how to ski in a crouched position (okay, I didn't really know how to ski in an upright position either). I didn't get down low enough and my neck caught on the rope. Of course I was in motion, so the rope, the poles, and the entire line of people came down with me. Seriously, the entire line.

I was very embarrassed, but I soon realized that I'd ended up near the front of the line, so I jumped up and got on, since everyone else there was also slightly confused. What happened next is proof that you should never take cuts in line!

This was not a chair lift, but it was a disk, which you pulled down and rode, with your skis going along on the ground. When you got as far up the mountain as you wanted to go, you simply slid off, and the disk went back up on something like a cable or spring. (Are you getting the picture?) You were supposed to be careful not to put your entire weight on this disk, but just ride it, holding on lightly. I however, was a little confused already and I made the mistake of putting my weight on it and trying to ride it. I only weighed about 100 lbs., but apparently that was too much. My bottom slid off, and as it did, my skis and poles got tangled up in the disk. Now I was riding along on my bottom, my arms, poles, legs and and skis straight up above me, stuck in the disk, and it seemed this lift was moving along at an ungodly speed.

I couldn't get myself untangled, and I'm sure the sight must have been hilarious, but I was scared to death because I knew that if I didn't get off before I reached the top of what had now become an enormous mountain, I'd be hanging in the air when it headed back down on the other side. I started screaming for them to stop this thing, but they didn't. I'm not sure the operator knew what was happening, or maybe he was secretly a little thrilled to see this girl hanging there, the one that had just sent his entire line into such disarray. Finally, right before I reached the top I got myself unattached to the disk, counting my blessings that I didn't die on that thing. Now, I just had to get back down the hill, and from a much higher point than I'd ever been before.

It must have taken me about 10 minutes to get my bindings back on (this was before the day of step-in bindings), but I finally did, and began my descent down the hill. Again, going down was not too much of a problem, but as I got to the bottom, I realized that I was headed straight for the same rope, poles and line of people I'd knocked down minutes before! This was too much; you really think you can die from embarrassment when you're 14. Stopping was something I just couldn't master, so again I crouched down, not knowing what else to do. I got lower this time,(my neck still smarting from the last time) and the people in the line saw me coming, so they separated, and I went under the rope and through the line, not knocking down a single person! I was thrilled....for a second. I was still not in control, and didn't know how to stop. Beyond the line was another little hill and then the parking lot. However, standing on the little hill, and directly in my path, was a lady.... with her back to me.

I did finally stop when I hit the parking lot, and the lady that had been standing in my path was now flat on her back, thanks to me. As I got up and went to check on her, I realized it was my typing teacher, one of the sponsors of the ski club! I apologized profusely, and while I'm sure she was a bit sore, she encouraged me not to give up on skiing, although I probably should've.

I went immediately to find someone who could teach me how to STOP.

I haven't been skiing in quite a few years, but I did finally learn to ski comfortably, and I have kids that snowboard on that same mountain :-) It makes for a funny story to tell, and it also makes you realize that there are some REALLY good things about growing up BEFORE the days of "America's Funniest Home Videos".

Blessings,
Marcia

A Few Thoughts

We've been roasting pumpkin seeds, making applesauce, (both are so much better than store bought) and enjoying the last warm days before winter sets in. We've had beautiful, unseasonably warm weather, but it will change, the winds will come, and the cold nights will set in. I thought I'd share a couple photos of what we still have growing around here.

As I look at these flowers, I'm reminded that God grows my garden, I just tend it.
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:28-29

My mother told me that this was her mother's favorite verse, and she used to quote it often. Raising 5 children during the depression, I'm sure she took much comfort in it. I pray that you will too.
Blessings,
Marcia

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's 84th birthday. He was born in Arkansas during the depression in a house that was little more than a tent. He was the 3rd child born to my grandparents, and the first of 3 sons. His oldest sister had died on her 4th birthday, three years before my father was born. It was a different world than the one I was born into.

He served our country in the Navy during WWII, and then went to work in St. Louis where he met and married my mom. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in July! My father became an engineer and my parents moved to California in the early 50's. They waited 9 years to become parents before adopting my older brother. Three years later, my mom gave birth to me. We have been blessed with wonderful, loving parents. Look at them, they're still in love.
My father is one of those men who can fix just about anything. My son Randy, who looks alot like my dad when he was young, seems to have inherited that talent. My dad is also quite an artist. I did alot of artwork when I was in school and I was always proud of the fact that I'd gotten that ability from him.

I can only remember getting spanked by him once....and it was years before I ever stuck my tongue out at anyone again :) I'm sure this was truly a case of it hurting him more than it hurt me. I have rarely even heard my father raise his voice, let alone lose his temper. He's a quiet, hardworking, funny, and loving man. He lives his faith in God by his example. I grew up thinking that everyone had a father like him. He is truly a wonderful father, and I am blessed to call him Dad.
Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you!
Love,
Your Daughter,
Marcia

Favorite Apple Crisp Recipe

I know there have been many versions of Apple Crisp floating around blogland and we have a favorite too. In fact I have a little story about mine. Years ago, when my oldest boys were little, I came across an Apple Crisp recipe that we all really loved. I made it alot, but as time went on and more children came along, somehow the recipe was misplaced. Well actually, I'd forgotten what cookbook it was in! I looked for it, and along the way, I made many versions of Apple Crisp trying to see if they were the one. They were all good, but still not the same as the original we'd come to love.

A few months ago, as apple season was coming upon us, I was thinking about it again, and just like that, I remembered where it was. After all those years! Silly me. It wasn't in an actual cookbook, but in a book called "Eat Well for $50 A Week" by Rhonda Barfield (okay, this book was written in 93, I know that it would be harder to do that now). It taught how to be more frugal in your grocery purchases and included recipes at the end of the book. I found my copy, and although the book was falling apart, there was the Apple Crisp recipe I remembered. It's a very simple recipe, but oh, so delicious!
If you don't have one of these, you really need to get one. I picked mine up at a yard sale.
It makes doing this so much easier. You can peel and core ten apples in a minute or two.You'll also need quite a few of these, the recipe calls for 5 lbs. I use about 9 or 10.

APPLE CRISP

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Peel and dice:
5 lbs. apples

Grease a large cake pan. Place apples in pan and sprinkle with:
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Set aside. In a bowl, combine:
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup melted margarine

Mix well, until crumbly. Spoon over apples. Bake for 35 minutes, or until apples are tender and bubbly. Serve hot or cold, with whipped topping or ice cream.


This is the apples with the sugar/cinnamon mixture on them. I think this is why we like this recipe so much!This is the final result... and it's also pictured at the top of the post with ice cream, delicious! Enjoy.
Blessings,
Marcia

Celebrate Thanksgiving

I know it's a little early for a Thanksgiving post, but I wanted to share a unit study curriculum for homeschoolers or anyone else who might want to teach their children or grandchildren a little more about the history of Thanksgiving. It is probably best suited for 8 to 12 year old children, but I'm also learning some new things from it.

The descriptions says that it's 15 lessons (about 30 minutes each) in which students discover information about Thanksgiving. Think Pilgrims, Native Americans, turkey and pumpkin pie, going to Grandma's house, and most importantly, giving thanks to God for His blessings. Some of the things it explores are history, geography, Bible study, art, poetry, and grammar. It includes craft instructions and a Thanksgiving scrapbook.

With only 15 lessons, there's still time to order it and complete it before Thanksgiving. It's fun and my kids are really enjoying it, so I thought I'd share it with all of you. It's written by Charlene Notgrass. I ordered mine from The Boyers. If you're interested, you can order it from either site.

From time to time, I'll try to share things I'm using or things that have worked for us.

Enjoy :-)
Blessings,
Marcia

What's Growing Here?

I want to thank everyone for all the kind comments I've received on my new blog. You've all been wonderful and made me feel so welcome. I feel humbled and blessed to be meeting you, and I look forward to getting to know you all better. Thanks again.


I live in the desert and that means we don't have lots of Fall color around here, especially compared to many of you. We're in the high desert, so that means we do get some winter snow (sometimes) and we have a beautiful view of local mountains. It's also a balmy 75 degrees right now, although our nights have cooled down. I thought I'd share a few photos of some of the things growing around my house (besides kids).




A couple of pumpkins from my garden,





















A little rose bush,





And a few more flowers.
Blessings,
Marcia

Carrot Cake

I had my first garden this summer and it turned out better than I thought it would. I've grown tomatoes and peppers for a few years, but this year my husband and son put in a garden area in our backyard. Our soil is hard, so we had to add alot to it, and I wanted to grow carrots, so we had to dig deep and amend that part more than the rest. Well, it worked; I actually got quite a few carrots. So yesterday I was thinking I might make carrot cake with some of my carrots, and I started looking for recipes.

I'm not an originator of recipes. I don't create my own. So I collect cookbooks. I'll decide what I want to make, check out recipes for it in multiple cookbooks, figure out which ingredients I have, which I don't like, and choose the recipe that seems to fit us best. If it works, and most of us like it, then it becomes a keeper (unless I forget which cookbook I found it in...but that's another story).

Anyway, I found a carrot cake recipe in a little cookbook I use often. The lady who wrote this is the homeschooling mother of 14, and she has some wonderful (and not too complicated) recipes in this book. Everything I've made from it has been loved by my family, an important factor for all. Her name is Marilyn Boyer and her family also produces some wonderful homeschooling books and materials. They have a blog and website called The Learning Parent. You can access it here thelearningparent.blogspot.com



Here's the recipe. I omitted the nuts because I have a couple of kids that can't eat them, and it still turned out wonderful. Thanks Marilyn!



















Enjoy!
Blessings,
Marcia

My First Post

My first blog post. I'm entering new territory because I've been someone who's visited blogs, but never tried to write my own. I love the ones I visit though, and the wonderful people I've met through those blogs. I'm not a writer, so I've wondered what I'd think of to write. You've all inspired me though, and I'm going to try. I'll make mistakes, and it's a little scary, but I'm going venture into the world of blogging. I'll probably be posting about family, homeschooling, recipes, faith and crafts. That's my life in a nutshell.

I'm married to a wonderful man. He works hard and loves his family. He worked two jobs for much of our marriage, just so I could be home with our kids. He hasn't had to do that for several years, but he did it willingly for many years and I'm thankful for it.

Our kids range in age from 9 to 21. Our two older sons are seniors in college and live on campus, but they're only about a 45 minute drive away, so they come home almost every weekend (laundry and home cooking are important, I guess). I'm homeschooling the other 4, two in high school and two in grade school. It keeps us busy.

We went on a field trip last week with our homeschool group and we visited the local firehouse, so I'll share a photo of the twins there.



Shooting the fire hose...




















New hats and a nice fireman...

I hope this post works, but I know I'll be learning this for awhile, so any tips would be appreciated.
Blessings,
Marcia