For The Love Of Fritters!

Today marks the first day of my hubbies vacation! Nine days including projects, camping, a 4 day trip to Idaho and plenty of fun! It has been quite awhile since my husband has had a true vacation. He has taken time off over the last two years but most of it has been taking care of me or our crazy stint in KY. Not exactly rejuvenating.
I wanted to kick off the day with a special celebration and in our house that usually involves food.
My husband enjoys apple fritters. I mean he really enjoys a good apple fritter!
We usually head to a local donut shop for the goods but I wanted to knock this surprise out of the park, so out came the cookbooks.
This recipe is adapted from the Baker Creek Vegan Cookbook. I used it as a basic outline but there are very few moments in life that I follow a recipe as written. This was no exception
This is my adapted recipe.

Heat up 3 jars of Louanna's Coconut Oil (available at Walmart) in a large dutch oven to 350 degrees.

Make your dough which consists of:
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
2 granny smith apples peeled and finely chopped
2 cups warm water
4 1/2 tsp. yeast
1/2 cup natural sugar (I like organic cane sugar when I can afford it!)
1/4 tsp. salt

Just mix this dough up with a spoon. Simple. Let it sit for a few minutes.

Drop in quarter cup fulls of batter into that hot oil and watch it bubble. Try to let little "fingers" come up as you drop your dough. They taste the best! Brown up these little treasures on both sides until they are a rich golden brown. Takes about 4 minutes. Lift out with a slotted spoon or tongs and let cool on racks with paper towels underneath to deal with the mess.

Don't forget your glaze.

Mix together with a large fork:
3 cups powdered sugar
10 tsps. fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tbls. milk

Drizzle the glaze on your fritters while they are still hot! Watch the glaze melt into the cracks and once it hardens turn them and do the same thing on the other side.
Save one or two without glaze for those who are pregnant and can't handle too much sweet. <Ahem>

Serve these up while warm, preferably with pretty dishes and a nicely set table. A little English Breakfast Tea with cream doesn't hurt either.

 

Prepare for the man in your life saying these are the best apple fritters he has ever had.

Bow or curtsey. Enjoy the accolades as you take a deep breath and dive into a huge cleanup. Don't worry. It is worth it.

That smile says it all.

Why You Shouldn't Have A Pinterest Birthday Party

I really enjoy Pinterst.
The organizing, the ideas, the recipes, the beauty . . .
It is sooooo much fun!
However there is the certain pressure that comes with the perfectness of it all. The hair primped, table scape's, and fancy decor. (Who ever heard of table scape's anyway before Pinterest?! Really, we just always set ours with our best for a party and made a centerpiece.)
Then, here comes the real kicker, 
parties for princesses and princes. 
I am speaking of our children. These parties encourage you to invite many guests, have a theme that runs your whole house, prizes and favors. Guests bring gifts that cost over $20 each. These parties can cost hundreds of dollars! And often the children would rather just play in the mud. (Actually, mud playing is a top priority here.)
I have determined to not have these grand events. One, we can't, (ahem, don't want to) afford that. Two, while it is lots of fun, I see my children becoming greedy and wanting so much more each time we try to "outdo" the last party. So we have decided as a family to keep it simple.
This year for Mary's third birthday we bought 2 colors of streamers at the Dollar Store. Each child picked out two gifts from there as well. My eldest bought party favors and on her own decided to make a paper pinata to get them with. Each person had their own bag with shapes on them so that everyone knew who was theirs. She chose to do shapes so that the little girls could find theirs and chose separate bags so that no one would be greedy and some get more than others. She wanted everyone to be happy. 

 My son made a pin the tail on the moose. (Couldn't quite get a donkey down, but we all agreed a moose was way better!)

Mary requested a lemon cake so we made lemon pound cake served with vanilla ice-cream. 

Norma and Hazel both made a Happy Birthday banner to complete the decorations.

The presents were simple. A favorite was sent from Grandpa. She won't go to bed without it. <smile>

If I had done things my Pinterest way, I would have planned the whole thing myself. Wouldn't have let my crew make things for fear of it "not turning out". They wouldn't have had the opportunity to be creative, to put others first, to think of others wants outside of their age bracket and to have a whole lot of fun!

While many things entice me on Pinterest I am glad we had a true children's birthday party.
Oh, and happy birthday my sweet baby turned big!

Wise Owls and Mischievous Monkeys

I have called my children little monkeys since birth. They were so cute and had a mischievous twinkle in their eye from day one. It has been a term of endearment for a very long time.
When we arrived back from our short stint in Kentucky, I decided I wanted to redo the children's bathroom. Now two things you must know about me . . .
#1 I am cheap.
#2 I am really CHEAP.
I hate to spend money. (Husband applauds loudly.)
But I REALLY wanted to do this, so while staying in a hotel waiting for our home to open back up, my oldest and I set off to buy bath mats. (We had thrown ours away in the move. They were old. Still hurt to throw them away though.)
While in Ross we saw the cutest monkey shower curtains. "Oooooh!" Norma said. "We should get those!!!!" The price was right so I put them in the buggy.
Then we saw the cutest owl bath mat. And the price was right too.
"Let's get both!" Norma replied with a wide grin.
"No, they don't match," I replied.
Then we debated back and forth.
Monkeys . . . . Owls.
Owls . . . . Monkeys.
Then it dawned on me. "Norma, what character qualities do monkeys have?"
"Well, they are kind of naughty."
"And what character qualities do owls have?"
"They are wise."
"Yes honey, you are right. You children are no longer my little monkeys because you are not naughty. You are my wise owls because you are becoming so wise."
And the bath mat was bought.
And a matching shower curtain.
However, I got a wee bit tired after moving in and the bathroom redo got pushed to the side.
Until a week ago when creativity got a hold of me!!!!!!!
Let me show you my "wise owls" new place to get clean!
I used two colors of paint. One reason, I like variety, and the other reason . . . I had both bought on mistints for $7.50 total.

A Full View.

The darker green.

What started it all.

My Friend Made This For the Room.

These are homemade for about a dollar. Tutorial to come!

I made these to remind my children every day how wise I think they are becoming and because hiding scripture in our hearts is so important. And I made them because, well, they were fun and I think my children are pretty cute! (Now don't fret, I think your children are really cute too. I mean aren't they all!)
So there it is folks. A project complete.

Do you have terms of endearment for your children?

Home Blessings

It is crisp here. The air smells like snow but I know it is just frost freckles teasing us.
The sun has made its escape past the horizon but hasn't come into fullness yet.
Morning.

I am smiling for today I get to clean my house.
Who knew that Home Blessing day could be so exciting!
The floors will be scrubbed shiny, crumbs catered out of my carpet,
dust discovered and vanquished, and bathrooms, well you can imagine.
We have a home blessing day once a week and I look forward to it more and more.
We do it in anticipation for Daddy have two days off.
We prepare ourselves for his weekend, wanting to bless him with peace and order.
We scrub, and we sing, we pick up and we pray.
See, it is not enough to just clean our house,
we must invite God into it.
What a better time than when we are perfecting our home?
We can clean out a cobweb, and pray for that room,
that the Lord would bless all who enter it.
We can put dear daughters clothes away,
and pray for her future.
We can scrub our kitchen cupboards and thank Him for filling them.

 

 

Yes, we are truly blessed.

Every week I look forward to the time that I get to reflect on His goodness,
be reminded of His provision.
And see the love that surrounds me.

All while the vacuum hums vivaciously catching dust bunnies.

How do you celebrate cleaning your home?

Kentucky Chronicles (The Return)

Well, looks like we made it.
Back in Helena and the view is grand.

We are still in a hotel however. Man, that's spendy.

Our renters want to leave our house. They keep trying. The houses they are trying to go through keep falling through. We wait. We wait because we think that is God's will for us.

So, we sleep in a hotel. Again. <sigh>

I am so grateful. To be here. To be home.

I am tired. I am a bit cranky. Not going to lie to you. <wink>

But most of all, I am grateful. Grateful He brought me home.

Safely. Humbly.

My vision is clear. My heart is full.

I can't wait to write about all the details, to chronicle our Kentucky happenings,
however . . . I need some sleep.

good night . . .

Kentucky Chronicles (A Boy and a Cow)

My dear husband did not grow up easy.
A Mom who was an addict, an abusive addicted Step Dad, a real Dad who was neglectful at best, he was left to himself by seven years old. Left to find food, safety, comfort.

He slept with a bat under his bed. It wasn't because he liked baseball.

But with all this darkness surrounding him there was a glimmer of light. A rare treat. A visit to Grandpa's farm.

Grandpa is a hard worker. Even in his 80's he ran his tractor and rounded the cattle.

When Darrel went as a child to visit, he would help with the cows.
It was a rare and peaceful time.

It is also the passion of his that has stayed true since I have had the privilege to know him.

When we were dating, (didn't know about courting back then), we would be driving and he would actually stop the car to look at baby cows. Didn't matter where we were, he would stop. "Oooooh, look at the baby cow! Mooo!" he would smilingly  say.

Yes, he has always wanted his very own cow. Oh, and yes, he does like to eat them too. <wink>

My husband has a great respect and love for animals, but he also has a dominion mindset when it comes to them. He would make a great farmer.

When we got caught up in this cattle drive not too far from our home, he was brimming with delight. I could see him alive, all senses surging.

It was this moment that I knew we had to go for this crazy dream we had. Had to try to live off the land. Had to push through passive and pursue the difficult simple life.

He reached out the window, he touched the hide, and I could see his heart swell, alive and fresh, beating the sounds of passion.

Yes, even if it is just a simple homestead, providing milk and honey for his household . . .

Or if it is a full income returning property providing pure food for our neighbors . . .

We have to try.

To follow in his Grandpa's footsteps,
to return to the place of peace,
to see a boy with his cow.

Kentucky Chronicles (It's Getting Closer!)

Each day we are getting closer to a huge life change.
The boxes are stacking higher.
Play dates are getting to be fewer.
We are wrapping up the details, and the dishes.
I still don't believe it is actually happening.
But, it is! We leave August 11th! We set off into the great unknown.
Kentucky feels like Somalia.
Strange because I have lived in Saudi Arabia, England, California, Washington and Beautiful Montana. I have traveled even more extensively.
We are just talking a few states away people.
Yet, today, it feels like I am conquering the wilderness.
Maybe I am just going to miss the best girl friends I have ever had.
Maybe I am just a Mom now and worry more.

Well, that's neither here nor there. What difference does it make!
We are heading out in our covered wagon, (ok Town and Country van), taking our cast iron skillets, (and king size bed), putting on our bonnets, (and ball caps) and gearing up in our big adventure to find "THE FARM".

Lord willing, we will.

Movie Review (Time Changer)

Have y'all seen the movie Time Changer?
(I am not an affiliate but I wanted to let you know how to get this movie!)
We have watched this movie many times at our house. It is a cheesy b-flick. Acting is good for the most part. Silly special effects. But . . .
It addresses the changing of our society from one that is moralistic because Jesus commands it to one who has taken His name out of society and morals have depreciated dramatically.
We love this movie.
Every time we watch it we want to get rid of our TV!
In fact we have. Many. Many. Many. Times.
Only to get tired and give in to get one again.
But, we get disgusted after awhile with the TV.
It is a viscous cycle.
Will the TV come with to KY?
I really don't know! It is a big question at the moment.
However, if you have a TV I highly suggest you watch this fun for the whole family movie!

Kentucky Chronicles (Yikes!)

Reality hits . . .
we are moving.
Wow. I. Mean. WOW.
Sometimes you get caught up in the doing . . .
the planning,
the dreaming,
and the wanting,
that when it all is boxed up around you,
save your tooth brush and your summer garb,
and your painting over the tree that houses the heights of your children for 7 years,

and strangers are walking through your house preparing it for renting,
and your scared that humidity will halt happiness,
and ticks will constantly dig in,
and friends will be scarce,
and  . . .
and . . .
and . . .
You hesitate.
What are we doing?
Is this too high a climb?

But then the lawn chairs come out,
and the mason jars are filled with ice cold water,
and I look in my husbands eyes,
and he stares back.
Is the Lord trying to get our attention to slow?
Or is this just plain fear.

Fear can be bars holding back joy.

And when we sit back, and step out of a home that is dismantling to a mere house,
we know, in our hearts, in our souls, fear has taken root.
We can always come back,
we may not ever get another chance to go.
And so we take a breath,
smile out the frustrations,
and put one foot in front of the other.

Until You say no, we go.

Kentucky Chronicles

Well, my hubby and I have loved Montana. We have learned so much and have been so grateful to be able to move here from WA almost 8 years ago.
MT is beautiful, peaceful, remote, and if you have ever seen the local news, well, let's just say the people are pretty good to each other here. (When we first moved we thought the news was a spoof.)
But . . . since coming we have changed. Our desires changed.
The Lord started by putting on our hearts the desire to homeschool, then to have me home from work, then to have more than two children, and somewhere in there to actually read our Bible, (yep, I know . . . it's quite a concept.) In the midst of all these changes, we also started to desire to live more simply, agrarian I guess you could say. One problem . . . we bought a house in the burbs. Neighbors don't really like earthen ovens in the burbs. <wink>

So we started looking at land. Yikes! We can't afford that! And then we started to grow a garden. Uhh, yah right, novices with a 60-90 day growing season at best. We spent so much money doing our garden it wasn't worth it. (Yes, we know how to get free compost. Problem is so does everybody else here and there isn't much to go around. Lol!)
Tried to sell our house. Market hasn't been super.
Also, we longed for some down home country living. Oh sure we are total wannabes. (My friend from Mississippi calls me a valley girl from time to time.) But why not risk it all for some good old fashioned country hospitality and hopefully Christian fellowship for us and our children? (There are lovely Christians that we have met here mind you, just different interests than us. We love you all our sweet Montana Brothers and Sisters!)
So we started praying to move. SIX YEARS AGO. Tried quite a few times. God said not so much. Then we had John.
And we were glad we had stayed.
And we thought we would just keep staying . . .
till,
Lexington, KY.
Store opening, application filled out, green light,
all systems check.

Walk through the open door.

So here we are pulling pictures off the wall, praying our house rents out easily, praying we will find a place to live. (Oh, did I mention we are pulling up with a U-Haul and no place to go. Yep, we are those people too.)
Life is about adventures. Nothing is stagnant. At the end, I would rather say, well, I tried that and it didn't work out, rather than, I wonder if . . .

Thank you God for open doors.
Thank you God for closed ones.
Thank you God for life!

What's New?!

Well, big things are happening here . . .
no, no baby in the belly . . .
but something new is underway . . .
we are moving to Kentucky!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pursuing our dream!
Homesteading is on our heart,
and the Lord has begun to open doors.

Step one . . . we need to move . . .

More to come to a blog near you!

Dandelion Spring

The grass is peaking through the ground. Poking and prodding dry, refreezing earth. It's happy green grows on me. 
I smile more when I play in the dirt.
And my children play in the dirt too. Lots.
Muddy shoes bless my floor. Grass stained skirts get scrubbed again and again. And jeans never keep their knees.
But in the excitement, little hands bring, the first yellow, the first orange, the first of spring.
"Momma, I picked these for you."
First, its Hazel.
Then 10 minutes later its James.
And before playtime is over Norma has brought me some too.
Little Mary runs around in delight, too young to think to pick them. She just lets them tickle her nose.
But what to do with my bountiful bouquet?
In a glass they are too short. Topped off, too small to see.
In a vase, they are swallowed, not ever to reach their grand giftedness.
In a bowl they drown.
At a thrift store, I hear my Norma, "Momma?"
"Yes?" I turn and look and she's there, holding a vase no bigger than my pinkie.
"This would be perfect for all the flowers we pick you!"
And it is. 10 cent miracle.
A home for my treasures, that grace my table during the sunshine season. That remind me, I am loved.
Oh how grateful, oh how blessed, to have this home of happiness.

Flea Market Flip

So, this is a bit off the beat and path for me but I wanted to share a show I am loving watching! Flea Market Flip. Yep, it is a bit heathen of me to enjoy such a carnal show, turning old junk into treasures and competing in sales, but I really enjoy it. And I really want to do it! Not the show I mean. But the flea marketing and flipping. <hee hee> I have no real skills but I do have a mind to look at things in a different way.
One big constraint though, trying to fit it all in. Homeschooling, cleaning, cooking, bathing. (Yes, I do think that is a daily priority and I happen to be a homeschool mom. If you homeschool or have littles you know what I am talking about!) (Oh and one more thing, shhhhhh, I like to go to the bathroom by myself. Yep, I make it a priority not to have my littles with me on this very important occasion.) <wink>
So, where was I, oh yes, Flea Market Flip. Fun stuff when you just need a little lightness in your day.