Baking and....science!?

The weather info on my phone said it was 0 degrees this morning when I awoke.  I believe it!  Cold days are always the best days for baking because the oven helps heat the house.  And if you start baking, then you might as well bake all day, instead of wasting the energy it takes to heat the oven for just a dozen cookies!

So yeah.  My kitchen cabinets are covered with baked goods cooling.  Its 12:20 here, and I have out on my counter 7 loaves of bread, make from scratch this morning, along with 3 dozen cookies.  I also baked the boys some frozen corn dogs for lunch.

The bread I made was a tried and true Amish recipe that makes a ton of bread.  You can get my recipe here. I make 7 small loaves, because I can wrap them and freeze them, and they store easier.

The cookies, however, were quite an experiment.  They aren't bad.....but, they aren't great, either.  I don't think I would ever serve them to guests, but the boys seem to like them!

I had 10 (yes, ten) boxes of cake mix.  Here awhile back they were on sell for $1, so I couldn't pass it up.  I figured there would be a couple of times when I needed to whip up a cake pretty fast.  Well, I was wrong.  They are getting close to the expiration date, so I searched for my Cake Mix Cookie recipe.

The first was a German chocolate cake mix.  I looked in my pantry and found a half used bag of chocolate chips.  Hmmm......chocolate chocolate chip cookies!   They were actually pretty tasty!  I know Flower will like them.

The second ones are the questionable ones.  I know without a doubt that Barb Wire Man won't touch them.  I ate one, but am not sure if I will have another.  They aren't nasty, but they aren't pretty!  I need Flower to taste one.  If she doesn't like them, then they must be gross.  She eats anything.  Strawberry Banana Cookies.  Strawberry cake mix, with bananas.  (I had some bananas I didn't want to go to waste, either!)

It was an experiment.  I was trying to put food to good use,  so if it bombs, oh well.  Had I not used the cake mixes up, they would have gotten thrown away anyhow!  At least I tried!

I think I may be finished baking for the day, though.  I'm still working like crazy to build an inventory for the upcoming craft shows, and I really must get pictures back up on my websites.  Can't sell from an empty cart, as they say.

Productive Days

Its the simple things that make me happy...hugs from my babies in the mornings, the wink my man gives me when I catch him staring at me, hot tea, and getting a lot of things done!The cold weather has finally attacked this part of Texas with a vengeance.  Its cold...21 degrees...and colder than when I wok up at 5:00 this morning.  Flower ran to the window, the whole time saying "Please let there be snow so we don't have school!  Please let there be snow!", only to discover that there was, in fact, no snow.  But she has her mom's positive attitude and said "Oh well, I guess I wanted to go to school anyway!"

I had already put the house in order for day care kids to arrive, and had my to breakfast by 7:00, dropped flower off at the school by 7:45, and made it to the bank by 8:00.

The boys played so well today, that I was able to get 4 scarves sewn!  I would have had 5, but ran out of the right color thread, and you can bet there was no way I was taking 3 boys under two to the Wal Mart in this cold weather.

Bills have been paid, thanks to God yet again providing for our needs at just the right time.

Lunch has been eaten, and the three angels are asleep in their beds.  Its gray and dreary out, which usually makes for a great nap time.  So here I sit, in the quiet, alone.  And I love it.

I plan on trying out a new stew recipe for supper tonight, as well as making some cookies and some home-made bread.  I'm running low, and I like to keep it around all time time.  I'd rather bake on cold days, too, because it helps heat the house.

I'm thinking after our stew and bread, the kids and I will build a fire, and sit in front of it and read a book.  Flower and I are working on reading The Trumpet of the Swan together.  It was one of my favorites as a child, so I hope to pass that love onto her.  She reads a few pages to me, then I read a few to her.  She also told me this morning that she wants me to teach her multiplication!  I had been thinking about doing this, but since it is her idea it will be more fun!

Suppose I should go pick up a pair of needles and get to knittin'.  I have a craft show coming up in March that I am really looking forward to, so I want to make sure I have plenty of things in stock!  The show I am doing is also the show my grandmother did on a religious basis.  Its going to bring back some memories of some really great times I had with her!

Hope everyone stays warm, and has a productive day too!

Yivarechech Adonai L'Olam Va'ed

Its Friday!

I have survived the first week of  2011.  Barely, I might add.  Once again, my family is sick!  When will it ever end!?  Coughing and sore throats this time, which I am sure is in large part to the fact that only God knows when we got out last rain.  The best part of the week happened last night, about 15 minutes before my husband walked in the door.  Had it happened earlier, I could have had time to get someone to help me out, that way when I told him the bad news, I could follow it up with "but I took care of it."  Had it happened after he got home, he would have seen that I really had nothing to do with it.  I had no time to clean it up.

I walked into my laundry room, where my pantry is located, to get some flour out for our pancakes.  I shut the pantry door, then shut the laundry room door behind me, like I have done a million times since living in this house.  I took a step, then BOOM!  CRASH!  I just stopped and closed my eyes.  There was no way this was going to be pleasant to look at.  I opened the door, and there it was.  The two-door cabinet hanging above my dryer was now precariously balanced on my washer and dryer.  Flour, which I stored in that cabinet, along with laundry soap, bleach, and all other kind of crap was all over the floor.  Except the flour did not stay in its bags.  Oh no.  ALL over the floor.

Needless to say, Barb Wire Man wasn't please, and immediately said "What did you do?"  But, he carried it out into the dining room, where it still sits.  Apparently the brilliant builders of this home hung that whole cabinet with only two small nails.  Really?  I am not a builder in the least, and I would have put more nails in it....probably used screws, too.  Oh well.

Sometimes you are the bird, and sometimes you are the worm.

Living in Pajamas

Yesterday was so productive, I decided to be lazy today.  Actually, I didn't decide, it just happened.  I really did set my alarm for 4:30, so that I could get up and have a repeat of yesterday.  Apparently I hit snooze on my alarm continually, because at 6:50 my husband said, "Oh shit, its almost 7, we gotta get up now!"

I didn't get a shower before the daycare kids got here.  In fact, I didn't even have time to get dressed, what with having to make the coffee and lunches and all.  To be completely truthful with you, I am sitting here at 12:40, and am still in my pajamas.  I was going to take a picture, but realize that I haven't even brushed my hair, either, its just in a pony tail.  I guess that is just part of motherhood, though.

On the bright side, the house is clean, the kids are all laying down for nap, and I have gotten 2 infant hats made!  tomorrow I plan on posting pictures of some of the things I have gotten made, as well as getting them back up on my Etsy shop.

But, I am going to cut this short today.  I can't hear any more little voices telling me "no nap!" so I think they have all fallen asleep.  Time to get a shower in before they wake up!

Tuesday Translations

The hubs had to be at work early this morning, and I hate him having to leave a dark quiet house, so up I was with him at 4:30.  Actually, I was up at 4:00. because my sweet sweet son woke up.  He has this amazing knack for waking up exactly 30 minutes before my alarm goes off.  I think it is God's way of preparing me for the screaming buzz of my alarm.  I'd much rather wake up to my kids' voices than an alarm anyhow.  Waking up that early translates in to getting a lot accomplished.  By 5AM, I had showered, gotten 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, the living room and kitchen cleaned, as well as 2 loads of laundry and my quiet time!

Having nothing left I must get done, that leaves me tons of time to do things I want to do.  Yeah right...who am I kidding?  I'm going to have a house filled with 3 boys under two in an hour and a half.


Anyhow, I was reading in Genesis this morning.  I've read it a million times, but coupled with my renewed goal of studying Hebrew, I thought I would try to read it in a new light.  A little deeper, researching the original Hebrew meanings.  My only problem is, at this rate, I will be 80 before I get through the Torah (the first 5 books of the Old Testament)!  But, I thought I would share what I learned this morning....I can keep myself accountable that way!

I managed to make it through Genesis 1:1.  One whole verse, people.  Not even a whole chapter....one stinkin' verse.  Genesis 1:1 transliterated is:

Bereshit bara Elohim et hashamayim ve'et ha'arets.


It was the very first thing I ever learned in Hebrew, and by the time I finished saying "Elohim" for the first time I was hooked.  Hebrew is quite a complicated language.  One verb can have several implications (not meanings as some think).  Elohim is a noun which is plural, but the verb form is singular.  In this usage, it implies not number, but intensity, majesty or intensity.  It is a name for God.  So, while reading this, its like saying "In the beginning, God (the Majesty, intensely) created....." He didn't just create...in all His majesty He intensely created!!  


And then I got pulled in another direction, not even halfway through the first verse!

Bara is the word for create here.  This word is only used in describing divine activity, and is never, ever used to describe human activity.

"In the beginning, God created the heaven and earth."  Thank you, but I will choose:
In the beginning, Elohim, the Majesty, intensely and divinely created the heaven and the earth."


What a great way to start your day...knowing that the Elohim who divinely created the world is the same who controls my every move, protects my family, and has plans for me.  This one verse, the very first verse, of the Torah has reminded me of exactly how blessed I am, how much I love learning about my Lord, and how much more I want to learn Hebrew.

Oh my.  I hear a little voice again.  I guess my productivity has just ended!  Be blessed today!

Back to the Grind

I am officially off vacation.  I'm sad about not getting to spend every waking moment with just my kids and nothing planned, but glad to get back into the swing of things.  I'm also going to love the paycheck I haven't gotten for the last two weeks!  And I can't complain, either.  I mean, all my daycare kids are the children of teachers.  How many other jobs give you two weeks off at the holidays?!

My Flower goes back to school tomorrow, too.  She is so ready, and frankly, so am I.  I love her, and love spending time with her.  But she is such an active child, and her brain goes 4 million times faster than anyone else can keep up with!  School helps her express herself more creatively and with different outlets, so it will be good for her.  (That is a nice way of saying the girl has worn me out.  I can't keep up with her!)

I've started on one of my goals of using up all the scrap yarn in my collection.  I started by making a gazillion little  knit flowers that I am turning into hair clips, and ponytail ties.  Now I am on to making the tiniest little preemie hats!  They are so adorable, knit up fast, and will be put to use.  I plan on donating the majority of them to our local children's hospital for the preemies in the NICU.  One of my daycare babies was born at 23 weeks, and was so little.  I started keeping her when she was 4 months old.  However, she still was not as developed as most new borns!  She will be 2 in May, and is the most adorable, happy child I have ever seen!  So I think I will donate them in her name.

Now, off to search the Internet for craft shows in my area.  A friend and I are determined to work no less than 2 craft shows every month for some extra cashola.  If you know of any, let me know!

Enjoy your first week of 2011, everyone!

2011...A New Beginning

This is the time of year at which everyone and their dog resolves to do or not do something.  If I had a dime for every time I resolve not to do something, I would be a very wealthy woman.  I think we all know how that has turned out.

I am one of those people who has more goals, more ideas, and more dreams than there are hours in the day to accomplish them.  Unfortunately for me, I am also one of those people who assumes none of my goals, ideas or dreams will ever become a reality, so I leave them unspoken.  Then, when I finally summon the courage to talk to my husband or a friend about those goals, ideas or dreams, the response is usually "Where the heck did that come from?" (my response to that one was "well, dipwad, if you had paid attention you would have known").  Or, "But you are so happy where you are, why change anything?"

I guess I am now eating my teenage words, in a way.  You see, when I was 17, I made certain that my parents understood I was in charge.  Of course I was in love with the Marine.  Of course I realized that practically skipping my senior year of high school and college meant less career opportunities, but that was OK.  I was going to be a momma and a wife.  End of story.  In my immense wisdom, I never once gave thought to the fact that I would be a single mom, or any of the other challenges my life might bring.  (Here you go, Mom.  Here is you I told you so!)

Please don't get me wrong.  There is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing in this world that compares to raising my children, or caring for my husband.  But today has really gotten me to thinking....

It all started when I asked my husband to bring in all the boxes from storage so that I could put the Christmas decorations away.  With that "I know I am about to get slapped" looked in his face he said, "Go do it yourself!  You ladies burned your bras, what do you need me for?!"  Yes, he was joking, and yes, I did go get them myself.  But I didn't burn my bra!!!  I thank and applaud those who did, in a way, because there are women who have to work, and by gosh they deserve equal pay.  And we are all created in God's image, and therefore deserve equal treatment.  But I want respect for the fact that I have chosen to stay at home with my children.  My husband in no way oppresses me and keeps me here.  Truth be told, he probably wants me to go back to work.  I want respect because of who I am.  What I know.  How I feel.  What I have to offer.

I have so many hidden talents that few people know about.  My Daddy knows.  My Momma knows a lot.  (When your own mom calls you June Cleaver, Martha Stewart and Suzy Homemaker, you know a thing or two about being a homemaker).  But what do people not know about me?

Some of my closest friends have no idea that I know about as much as the Reformation as some historians.  They have no idea that I give marital counselling on a regular basis.  No clue that I studied Hebrew, and not even so much as an inkling that I could go toe to toe with other religions in Christian Apologetics.

But I can.                 And I will prove it.




My Daddy, also known as one of the best men and friends I know, told me over Christmas that he thought about getting me a Hebrew Course for Christmas (see!  He does know me!).  It really got me to thinking about what I would like to accomplish this year.  I told my husband about one of them tonight and his response was exactly as I had anticipated..."umm, yeah.  That will take you 20 years, and what's the point?  Where the hell are you going to use that in the Texas Panhandle?"  Thanks for the support.  Anyhow, here are  the things I will do in 2011.  And as my Mother knows, I will do them.  Come hell or high water, I will accomplish or at the very least begin these things.  


1.  I will begin my Hebrew studies again.  I will most assuredly not be fluent by the end of the year, but I bet I will know more than most Jews know.

2.  I will start classes at our local community college.  My Grandma and Grandpa left me money for college, and all these years I have tried to convince myself that I would just save it for my kids, because it was useless for me to go to college now.  No way.  I want to go, just for myself.  If I don't like it, then so be it, but I will give it a full year before I change my mind.  What will I go to school for you ask?  Good damn question!  But, since I was my Flower's age I have been interested in Christian Apologetics/Biblical Archaeology.  Who knows...maybe I should get my basics first!!

3.  I will not touch another drop of alcohol.
haha...who am I kidding?!

4.  I will stop wasting my time on knitting/sewing projects I know will turn out perfectly.



6.  I will attend the "We Come From Weird and Love It" reunion of my cousins on my dad's side.  I don't know how, but I will.

7.  I will completely organize my grandma's recipes into one, clearly legible recipe book for all the women in my family.  (I know.  You are thinking this is kinda silly to allow myself a year for this.  If you only knew......)

8.  I will remember that every time my daughter wants to sit in my lap and play with my hair to enjoy it.  She is getting older, and it won't be cool for long,  I will remember that the way I live my life is the most important example of womanhood that she sees.

9.  I will remember that my son won't be 2 forever.  One day, there will be a woman that is far more important than me (as well it should be), and that my job is to teach him how to treat, love and respect a woman.  And that any woman that is not just like me is not acceptable.  OK, maybe that isn't true.

10.  I will remember to kiss my husband as though I will never see him again, because we are never guaranteed tomorrow.

Wait....we aren't guaranteed tomorrow?  Then why the hell did I just write all this down?

Shit.

Oh well.  I still meant it all.   Feel free to check in on my progress, and I hope to be writing updates often!