pretzel making fun =)

Spent another day in the kitchen. Made a cool meatball soup for tomorrow. That will sure be good after we get home from CBC. Also made these yummy Pretzel Dogs from Kathie’s blog. Haha…they were so much fun to make, and the guys loved them! Darryl is complaining that I am feeding him too much good food. Wait till he tastes the soup tomorrow!! Haha!

I had dough leftover so I made some “traditional” soft pretzels. I was cracking up trying to shape them right. What a fun day even though my feet were starting to hurt after a while. I never did get the rest of my seeds planted. Gotta do it Thursday.
So anyway, here’s a really cool icicle we saw the other day when we went for our jog.

Linda's famous cake balls ;)

Yesterday I had this brilliant idea to make my own cake balls. I have no clue why I was even thinking about it, but then one thing led to another and bam, Darryl and I were off to buy ingredients. I didn't know how to make them, just knew I needed cake, icing and bark. So I bought several different flavors and started experimenting with adding different things to the mixtures. It was a long process that lasted till 9:00 last night and I sure was tired!! But here's the finished product. They are so stinking good. We all agree that these are so much better than those ones we bought a while back.

Lemon, Buttercream Toffee, Chocololate Chunk, Rainbow SprinklesWalnut, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Snickers

America's Kewsick

A bunch of men from Preakness and our sister churches went on a retreat this weekend at America's Keswick in Whiting, NJ. They had a fabulous time together, learning about "Becoming a Courageous Leader" under the teaching of Grace Bible College President, Ken Kemper. Kyle was hesitant about going, for a few reasons, but he was so glad he went. He had such a good time!! And I'm glad he had the opportunity to go this year because he won't be able to go for the next 4 years.

killington photos

spring is in the air?

We started celebrating the arrival of spring a little too early I guess. Today Kyle and I shoveled snow, hopefully for the last time this spring. I am reminded of these words:

Job 37
5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
7 So that everyone he has made may know his work,
he stops all people from their labor.

We had a nice little snow storm, followed by sleet, thunder and lightning. Did you ever see snow lit up by lightning? I never have. It was very cool!! I’m glad I got to see that. Unfortunately we had to cancel CBC, which was a really smart thing to do. I haven’t been feeling very good anyway, so it was good that I didn’t have to go. We stayed home and enjoyed some homemade soup that I experimented with some chipotle chilies in adobo sauce. It was quite a new taste for me, very smoky. But the guys loved it, and the nice homemade garlic and parsley crackers.

This morning I discovered that the tomato seeds I planted 1 week ago are sprouting! That is very exciting. I need more seeds though. Guess I need to eat more tomatoes. Haha!

Job 38:22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow
or seen the storehouses of the hail"

Tomorrow Kyle is going on a men's retreat with guys from Preakness. Hoping he has a delightfully wonderful time...hehe

Agenda: Grinding America Down

Attention U.S. citizens! Do you know where your beloved country is headed? Seriously, I doubt that you do. If you want to know the truth, watch this documentary and have your eyes opened. Watch it, and then pray. Watch it, and then make a plan what you will do with your kids.

There is an evil force trying to take America down. They are winning, and we are down for the count. Don’t let ‘em take your kids. Don’t let ‘em take your country that was founded on Christian principles.

Open your eyes!! Get this video and share it with everyone you know. I was fortunate that our pastor showed it in church. Agenda: Grinding America Down

"Agenda is the most powerful expose' of of the communist, socialist, progressive attempt to take over America produced so far." Ted Baehr, Movieguide

God help us…

Epic fail, epic win!

fail: OK, I think I need MORE PRACTICE at putting myself first. I just can’t seem to do it easily or without the guilt fall-out! Hahahaha…cracks me up. Oh well, it was a good experiment.

win: To those who encouraged me and cheered me on during my 75 or so days of heavy-duty Bible saturation, THANK YOU!! To those who congratulated me, THANK YOU!! I appreciate your kindness. There’s almost nothing as bad as accomplishing something way beyond your human means and then nobody acknowledges it. Ok, look, I’m not saying I need a high five every time I do something cool, but come on!! Who goes through the Bible in less than 90 days!? That was a HUGE accomplishment for somebody like me who can’t even read well!! I feel like I just swam like some big river somewhere, or went down white rapids and lived to tell about it, or ran a marathon. What a journey! What a testimony to God’s grace!!

Samaritan’s Purse is stationed right near Preakness now for the next few weeks, or for however long it takes to clean up the flood damage in Wayne. It’s awesome to have them there. If you are looking to serve God in a big way, go give those guys a hand and help the community that is suffering great loss. If you think you can’t do it, just remember I am living proof that God’s grace makes the impossible possible!! So go for it, and you will be blessed! Pray, send money, make food, clean up flood damage, do whatever you can to serve!

I remember vividly how I felt when our house burned down. Complete strangers helped us. They did our laundry, and took us in, and fed us, and gave us money and clothes. A few neighbors came to help me take inventory in the ashes of the destroyed items. I will never forget how powerful a witness it was to be served by somebody who expects nothing in return, and how humbling it is to be on the receiving end. So, go on! Go serve!! Do something great in God’s power and strength, and give Him glory!

Today is the first full day of spring and we had a nice dumping of snow. Interesting, considering I sat outside in my bathing suit this week and got sunburned. Haha!!

We FINALLY closed on that dumb house we bought for Dana!! Yay!! So stinking glad to be rid of that nightmare. We are losing tons of moolah, but at least it's over! Never again!!

what about me?

So here I am at home alone. Darryl and Kyle made it to Killington, VT this afternoon for a nice ski getaway. I’m not entirely sure yet what I’ll do with my time, but my plan is to finish the B90X program in the next couple of days. I am ready to be done with it. This strong Bible immersion has been very good for me because I was able to catch a lot of things I would normally miss. I have been making a mental note (as well as some written notes) with a few questions I have.

When I am done with the heavy-duty Bible program I am going to jump into a heavy-duty workout program. I would like to knock 10 years off my body. I think having Kyle for my running partner will be nice. We should both have more time once he’s done with school too.

What else will I do? Hmm...I think I am in need of some nice female pampering. When is the last time I did anything for myself? I think God made women to serve others, and to put themselves last. I am so used to asking everyone else what they want that I never take the time to ask myself what I want. But this weekend I totally plan to practice thinking about me for a change.

these are a few of my favorite things

Basil and Thyme
Rosemary
Oregano
Did you know that if you buy basil at the grocery store it comes with roots attached? I was so excited when Darryl bought this for me a couple weeks ago. I saw those roots and I’m like, “I’ve got to plant this!” So in it went with the Thyme in my family room. Now I have Thyme, Basil, Rosemary, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Chives, and one other that I can’t remember. But how cool is that to have my herbs growing in the winter?? They are growing better indoors than they did all summer on my deck. I have decided that I will keep them in the house all the time. Haha! The only thing I’m missing that I really want is dill. I wish I had fresh dill! Mmm I love that.

I was looking up information about rosemary. I discovered it has potential health benefits, as I’m sure most herbs do. So I decided to make some tea out of it today. Among other things, it is supposed to help in weight loss because it is supposed to suppress hunger. Well, it works. I guarantee if you drink a few cups of this a day you will be too sick to eat anything. I don’t know how anyone drinks it. It was so disgusting it made me nauseous. Haha… yep that’s how it controls your hunger… Works well.

Maybe I’ll make some rosemary oil out of it next time, use it for cooking.

On Thursday I’m going to plant some seeds that I saved from some of our vegetables. I have no idea if they will grow, but I figured why waste money on seeds when they are free in the food we eat? Can’t wait to see what happens. Also on Thursday Kyle and Darryl are going to Vermont for a few days to ski. I’m so excited for them. I know they will have a fantastic time!

Tomorrow is a work day at church for me. Kyle gets to tag along and do school work and help out at CBC. Fun.

I like pretty things

Sadly, Ryan flew back to Grand Rapids today. I made an effort to handle his departure more maturely. I had to remind myself that he is in God’s hands, not mine. I had to also remind myself that Ryan was ready to go back to his life at the college. He is sprouting his own wings and needs to learn to fly. It’s hard letting go of control, that’s for sure. But God is good because He gave me peace and calm this morning.

Here are a couple of my favorite plants. This one I have posted before. It is my Christmas cactus that is blooming for the 2nd time this year! It’s so pretty.
And this is an orchid that Darryl bought me last week to cheer me up. I love the purple color! I never had an orchid before. I’m wiped out today. Glad I don’t have to go anywhere or do anything.

I'm through the gospels and into Acts. I totally plan on being done with my 90 days EARLY (in about a week) because I really need to spend more time working out and doing other things. I’m glad I did the B90X Challenge, but I don’t think I’ll be doing it again anytime soon!!

last ski trip

The guys went to Camelback yesterday. Even though a group of folks from church were supposed to go with them, and the conditions were a bit slushy, they still had a great time together. I’m so glad they got to go while Ryan was here. And with the weather the way it is, that would be the last chance they have to go this winter. I’m thinking next winter they will have to plan a trip when the boys come home at Christmas.

A couple of pics of my boys.

Be It Unto Me

Ryan got back last night. So wonderful to see him and laugh with him!! He sang at Preakness today. I really enjoyed having him there with me and Kyle!



39 books down. 27 to go!! Yay!!

who done it?

Here are some pictures to share. These are from last night babysitting Isaac and Ben while Kyle was downstairs for the Murder Mystery.
I was so tired I ended up laying down on the floor after kids went to bed.This is when Kyle went bowling with church group.I'm happy Ryan will be home later tonight!! Even though he forgot his guitar, and he's singing at church tomorrow. It will be so good to see him and spend time with him!