i am currently loving:
fall and strong chilly winds
big pots of mint-green tea (with mint from my dear friends kitchen garden!)
quilts and cozy blankets
sundays and fellowshiping with the body of Christ!
naps
quick conversation with a million words shoved in so we can "get back to studying"
how every baby i see reminds me of Lizzy. and every toddler Isaac (even though he's not even 1!)
04 October, 2009
18 September, 2009
our God is so unique!
I have such and exciting course schedule this semester, at first I was worried about all the homework- but it has been working out so perfectly!
Here are my best courses
Western Civ. through 1600
World Lit. through 1640
Medieval Literature
OT Survey
It is so amazing studying all of these same time periods in different subjects! (Yes I know Medieval Lit. isn't exactly the same time period but it still ends up fitting in somehow.) Everyday I learn something in one class that perfectly corresponds to my other classes. Every class adds to my knowledge of not only its own subject but my other subjects as well. For example, learning about the ancient Mesopotamian gods then reading literature about them enhances both the reading and the cultural studies. Then as I turn to Genesis one, I see how this is not just the Bible but a beautiful piece of literature full of flavors from the time. Then I get to learn about the Greek gods and read their literature. My Medieval class has focused a lot on the history of writing, oral tradition, etc., etc., fitting perfectly as we read so many legends passed down by oral tradition.
Anyways all this was just to say that 1) my schedule is awesome and 2) learning about these ancient cultures and their gods has given me a completely new appreciation for our GOD.
Our God is not at all fickle, He doesn't toy with us, He does have complete control, He is good, He cares about us.
All these things I already knew. But as I read about and study these ancient cultures I am struck by how the people were governed by their fear of the gods. Every aspect of their lives and cultures were dictated according to their belief of the gods. What misery they lived under believing in temperamental and angry gods with limited power. What beauty we live under with the omniscient, loving, unchanging God!
When I used to pray, "God I thank you for being ____" I never really understood why I needed to say that. "Like God would be anything else," I thought. But this morning as I thanked God for being abundant and loving I saw what a great contrast our God is compared to the "gods" of this world- our God is different and truly amazing. It is worth remembering, saying, and praising Him for His oh-so-unique character!
Here are my best courses
Western Civ. through 1600
World Lit. through 1640
Medieval Literature
OT Survey
It is so amazing studying all of these same time periods in different subjects! (Yes I know Medieval Lit. isn't exactly the same time period but it still ends up fitting in somehow.) Everyday I learn something in one class that perfectly corresponds to my other classes. Every class adds to my knowledge of not only its own subject but my other subjects as well. For example, learning about the ancient Mesopotamian gods then reading literature about them enhances both the reading and the cultural studies. Then as I turn to Genesis one, I see how this is not just the Bible but a beautiful piece of literature full of flavors from the time. Then I get to learn about the Greek gods and read their literature. My Medieval class has focused a lot on the history of writing, oral tradition, etc., etc., fitting perfectly as we read so many legends passed down by oral tradition.
Anyways all this was just to say that 1) my schedule is awesome and 2) learning about these ancient cultures and their gods has given me a completely new appreciation for our GOD.
Our God is not at all fickle, He doesn't toy with us, He does have complete control, He is good, He cares about us.
All these things I already knew. But as I read about and study these ancient cultures I am struck by how the people were governed by their fear of the gods. Every aspect of their lives and cultures were dictated according to their belief of the gods. What misery they lived under believing in temperamental and angry gods with limited power. What beauty we live under with the omniscient, loving, unchanging God!
When I used to pray, "God I thank you for being ____" I never really understood why I needed to say that. "Like God would be anything else," I thought. But this morning as I thanked God for being abundant and loving I saw what a great contrast our God is compared to the "gods" of this world- our God is different and truly amazing. It is worth remembering, saying, and praising Him for His oh-so-unique character!
25 August, 2009
thoughts today
It's Tuesday. I'm supposed to be talking to you.
Classes start tomorrow- so the Braum's run took place. Brought back 2 very drippy cones. Delighted faces. New friends.
I have a have a heavy but good class load.
I am on the watch for natural colors.
One of the best sounds can be found in that moment just before or after a word ... silence ... "silence can be harsh or kind but always produces growth"
Communion is still hard without my Papi leading it. Have you ever had it not administered by elders? I did today- it was strange.
Many passionate people in one place is astounding.
Jane Eyre was courageous. I remember that.
Classes start tomorrow- so the Braum's run took place. Brought back 2 very drippy cones. Delighted faces. New friends.
I have a have a heavy but good class load.
I am on the watch for natural colors.
One of the best sounds can be found in that moment just before or after a word ... silence ... "silence can be harsh or kind but always produces growth"
Communion is still hard without my Papi leading it. Have you ever had it not administered by elders? I did today- it was strange.
Many passionate people in one place is astounding.
Jane Eyre was courageous. I remember that.
07 August, 2009
"Mastering the Art of French Cooking"
Yesterday I went to Borders with a 40% off coupon and hopes to purchase one of the two Mastering the Art of French Cooking Cookbooks by Julia Child (notice no "s" at the end of Child). I ended up with both volumes for only $13!!!
I took them to the park at once and started devouring its pages. What the proper ingredients are, how to properly hold my knife, what pots to use for what, and how to clarify butter!
In the absence of my lovely sister Laura, (my most faithful Sous Chef enduring all my whims and disasters) Laura Bartlet was kind enough to indulge me and cook with me last night.
We made suprêmes de volaille à brun
May I just say it was the best chicken I think I have ever had! I was really scared making it, the recipe says, "When the butter begins to deepen in color very slightly, put in the suprêmes...After 3 minutes turn over and saute on the other side for two minutes."
I am a firm believer in fully cooked meats- only 5 minutes for chicken?!!! I repeated these thoughts to Laura and she looked at me and said,
"who told you to do that?"
"...Julia" I said.
Laura was right- who am I to question Julia Child??? And of course- she was right! The chicken was perfect. Perfectly cooked but still sooo jucy and tender. Completely perfect. Even the left overs today were perfect. Every bite delectable with a crispy crust perfectly flavored.
Laura took care of the stuffed tomatoes while I did the chicken and those were amazing as well. I had to convince Laura to even do the tomatoes (she generally doesn't like them) and she loved them even more than me!
So here is to -----
new cookbooks
Julia Child
fresh ingredients
cooking with friends
and delicious food!
P.S. There is a fabulous looking chocolate cake recipe that is calling my name....
I took them to the park at once and started devouring its pages. What the proper ingredients are, how to properly hold my knife, what pots to use for what, and how to clarify butter!
In the absence of my lovely sister Laura, (my most faithful Sous Chef enduring all my whims and disasters) Laura Bartlet was kind enough to indulge me and cook with me last night.
We made suprêmes de volaille à brun
May I just say it was the best chicken I think I have ever had! I was really scared making it, the recipe says, "When the butter begins to deepen in color very slightly, put in the suprêmes...After 3 minutes turn over and saute on the other side for two minutes."
I am a firm believer in fully cooked meats- only 5 minutes for chicken?!!! I repeated these thoughts to Laura and she looked at me and said,
"who told you to do that?"
"...Julia" I said.
Laura was right- who am I to question Julia Child??? And of course- she was right! The chicken was perfect. Perfectly cooked but still sooo jucy and tender. Completely perfect. Even the left overs today were perfect. Every bite delectable with a crispy crust perfectly flavored.
Laura took care of the stuffed tomatoes while I did the chicken and those were amazing as well. I had to convince Laura to even do the tomatoes (she generally doesn't like them) and she loved them even more than me!
So here is to -----
new cookbooks
Julia Child
fresh ingredients
cooking with friends
and delicious food!
P.S. There is a fabulous looking chocolate cake recipe that is calling my name....
23 July, 2009
A New Car
I have a new car! My papi is soo good to me- I have a car to take to college with me!
I said goodbye to my old car- lots of memories in Le Baron
I learned to drive in this little car, one of my friends this was her first car to drive. I carried waaay to many people at once in Le Baron, I broke down more times than I can remember, had fun times, sad times- basically it was my first car!
It's pretty amazing how many drivers this has been through. Our international student Taka bought this car new, then when he left gave it to Crissie, she moved around in it (once again carrying waaay to much), I had it next for quite a while, and now Austin has it! ahhhh. Poor La Baron is tired, but he still lives.
LaBaron was nice, but i'm soo happy about my new car!
I said goodbye to my old car- lots of memories in Le Baron
I learned to drive in this little car, one of my friends this was her first car to drive. I carried waaay to many people at once in Le Baron, I broke down more times than I can remember, had fun times, sad times- basically it was my first car!It's pretty amazing how many drivers this has been through. Our international student Taka bought this car new, then when he left gave it to Crissie, she moved around in it (once again carrying waaay to much), I had it next for quite a while, and now Austin has it! ahhhh. Poor La Baron is tired, but he still lives.
LaBaron was nice, but i'm soo happy about my new car!
finally done :)
well you all already know, but Laura's baby's quilt is done! It was an amazing process- from designing it to picking out patterns, textures and colors.
here is the finished product.
I was so happy with the end result and all the lessons I learned from it!
Now on to some pillows for my other sister and her new home!
here is the finished product.
I was so happy with the end result and all the lessons I learned from it!
Now on to some pillows for my other sister and her new home!
25 June, 2009
cookies!
here it is folks- the best cookies ever!
okay now i will qualify that statement. these are the best non-chocolate, non-fruit, fluffy, creamy cookies ever.
i first had these at Christmas time with Chris and Crissie. Chris' mom Mirian Stokes made them and mailed them to Chris and Crissie... and I devoured them! For the past 5 1/2 months I have been craving these cookies. Yesterday Katie and I finally made them.
We had lots of fun with these, but it was a pretty long commitment, especially since we made a double batch!
Here is her recipe:
1 c. butter
2 c. flour
1/3 c. heavy whipping cream (not whipped)
granulated sugar
Mix first 3 ingredients thoroughly and chill for 1 hour.
Heat oven to 350. Roll dough to 1/8 in thick. (be sure not to make it too thick or it will have problems cooking evenly) Cut small rounds (1/2-1 inch) and coat both sides with sugar. Bake for 7-9 min. until slightly puffy. Cool and put 2 cookies together with filling to make sandwich cookies.
Filling:
1/4 c. sugar
1 egg yolk
3/4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Blend ingredients together and tint if desired.
ENJOY!
okay now i will qualify that statement. these are the best non-chocolate, non-fruit, fluffy, creamy cookies ever.
i first had these at Christmas time with Chris and Crissie. Chris' mom Mirian Stokes made them and mailed them to Chris and Crissie... and I devoured them! For the past 5 1/2 months I have been craving these cookies. Yesterday Katie and I finally made them.
We had lots of fun with these, but it was a pretty long commitment, especially since we made a double batch!
Here is her recipe:
1 c. butter
2 c. flour
1/3 c. heavy whipping cream (not whipped)
granulated sugar
Mix first 3 ingredients thoroughly and chill for 1 hour.
Heat oven to 350. Roll dough to 1/8 in thick. (be sure not to make it too thick or it will have problems cooking evenly) Cut small rounds (1/2-1 inch) and coat both sides with sugar. Bake for 7-9 min. until slightly puffy. Cool and put 2 cookies together with filling to make sandwich cookies.
Filling:
1/4 c. sugar
1 egg yolk
3/4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Blend ingredients together and tint if desired.
ENJOY!
22 June, 2009
FuNfEtTi !!
Josh was bemoaning the fact that Laura might not be with him for his birthday (due to delayed, delayed, delayed plans) so I told him I would make him a cake. Laura saw funfetti cake in the store and demanded that we pick that kind (her favorite next to strawberry) and the store-bought funfetti icing to go with it. (Ewww box cake and icing- I know I know.)
I decided since I was talked into a box cake I would attempt to decorate it to make it fun. So here are the pictures of our funfetti cake (dedicated to Josh.) 
*It doesn’t have his name because it’s not really his birthday its just for fun(fetti) =D
01 May, 2009
A Run
sometimes you have those completely wasted days....but its okay.
that was my day yesterday.
I woke up and it was my day off- yay! Well, sort of, I was going to spend the day cramming my head full of biology for my last biology test ever (PTL). So I get up, blah blah, start studying and after the third chapter I am hit with the irresistible desire to go running. I tried to ignore it and keep studying, but it won't go away- my feet want to hit the pavement and my face feel the wind.
"okay, okay, okay,... i give in"
i get dressed, drive over to the old Lakewood house for a run. (I only believe in running around that neighborhood, its quiet, i know it, and i feel happier there.)
on the way what happens? yes you guessed it, my car breaks for the millionth time. I thought it was just the power steering, so I just continue on the the house. I later found out it was some belt that does a lot more than power steering, I'm a girl and a don't get cars.
Once at the Lakewood house I called up Mom and Dad, they were busy at the moment, so I told them I would call them back in about 40 min. I got out to go run, and it started pouring down rain. My obstinate self said "I don't even care, I came to run and by golly I will run." So I took off, I was planing to start out slow, walk for 1 mile, walk/run, for a mile, then run...let my body heat up you know. Well that didn't work I just started running, no glasses on, rain in my face, feet hitting the pavement, and breath going in out, in out, rhythmically. It was perfect.
After I got done, knowing i would feel it later for not taking it slower, I called dad. It ended up that I sat around sopping wet for 3 hours in my big empty house waiting on my car to get fixed. This could have been a tragedy- I have only been in that house a total of 3 times. The first time I bawled, the second time, walked around sadly, this time, I smiled in every room, not mourning the fact that it was sitting there empty and unloved, but remembering all the amazing memories that house holds, all the happy times and growth it has seen. The wait wasn't bad at all, I didn't get angry at myself for wasting time (because I couldn't help it!) and I didn't mope, I was just content.
Today I feel the pain from the run, and the pressure from being behind on biology, but really I don't think I would change yesterday. It was a very different day off.
P.S. My brother did get my car fixed that very night- thank God for big brothers!!
that was my day yesterday.
I woke up and it was my day off- yay! Well, sort of, I was going to spend the day cramming my head full of biology for my last biology test ever (PTL). So I get up, blah blah, start studying and after the third chapter I am hit with the irresistible desire to go running. I tried to ignore it and keep studying, but it won't go away- my feet want to hit the pavement and my face feel the wind.
"okay, okay, okay,... i give in"
i get dressed, drive over to the old Lakewood house for a run. (I only believe in running around that neighborhood, its quiet, i know it, and i feel happier there.)
on the way what happens? yes you guessed it, my car breaks for the millionth time. I thought it was just the power steering, so I just continue on the the house. I later found out it was some belt that does a lot more than power steering, I'm a girl and a don't get cars.
Once at the Lakewood house I called up Mom and Dad, they were busy at the moment, so I told them I would call them back in about 40 min. I got out to go run, and it started pouring down rain. My obstinate self said "I don't even care, I came to run and by golly I will run." So I took off, I was planing to start out slow, walk for 1 mile, walk/run, for a mile, then run...let my body heat up you know. Well that didn't work I just started running, no glasses on, rain in my face, feet hitting the pavement, and breath going in out, in out, rhythmically. It was perfect.
After I got done, knowing i would feel it later for not taking it slower, I called dad. It ended up that I sat around sopping wet for 3 hours in my big empty house waiting on my car to get fixed. This could have been a tragedy- I have only been in that house a total of 3 times. The first time I bawled, the second time, walked around sadly, this time, I smiled in every room, not mourning the fact that it was sitting there empty and unloved, but remembering all the amazing memories that house holds, all the happy times and growth it has seen. The wait wasn't bad at all, I didn't get angry at myself for wasting time (because I couldn't help it!) and I didn't mope, I was just content.
Today I feel the pain from the run, and the pressure from being behind on biology, but really I don't think I would change yesterday. It was a very different day off.
P.S. My brother did get my car fixed that very night- thank God for big brothers!!
16 April, 2009
More Supplies
Finally.
I have purchased the final supplies for "The Quilt." I have thought about calling it "The Quilt of Obsession" because it almost killed me making the top. But then again maybe "The Quilt of Highs and Lows" would be more fitting because it has been an on-again-off-again relationship. I picked out the materials...waited 2 months, built the top....waited one month, and am finally about to put it all together! Yay!
I picked a luscious green color for the back of the quilt and am so excited to finish it and post a picture!
Until that moment, here are happy quilt thoughts.
I have purchased the final supplies for "The Quilt." I have thought about calling it "The Quilt of Obsession" because it almost killed me making the top. But then again maybe "The Quilt of Highs and Lows" would be more fitting because it has been an on-again-off-again relationship. I picked out the materials...waited 2 months, built the top....waited one month, and am finally about to put it all together! Yay!
I picked a luscious green color for the back of the quilt and am so excited to finish it and post a picture!
Until that moment, here are happy quilt thoughts.
pink
:t.e:x.t:u.r:e.
cameos
beatrix potter animals
silky edges
shades of green
8x8 squares
p-i-n-k-- s-t-i-t-c-h-i-n-g
:t.e:x.t:u.r:e.
cameos
beatrix potter animals
silky edges
shades of green
8x8 squares
p-i-n-k-- s-t-i-t-c-h-i-n-g
08 April, 2009
kidoes
I have started my new job- finally. I'm working with Seeking Sitters, a babysitting/nanny-ing type agency.
I have been around a lot of kids but I have already discovered something very new that I have never really dealt with before...
All the kids I have watched have huge problems with losing- I don't ever remember having an issue with this as a kid. I mean these kids are intense, they will lie, cheat, wine, cry, quit, or hit before they will lose Shoots and Ladders! So weird. I found myself trying to lose the games just so there wouldn't be a fuss. How do you teach a 4 and 5 year old how to be a good loser? How do you explain that its just a game, or that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. When do you make them keep playing because quitting isn't right, or when do you just give it up- its just a game and they asked to play it in the first place.
This whole thing seems so odd to me. I have know people who are bad losers before, maybe this is how it starts!
Well in the mean time I am getting excited for Easter- its my favorite holiday! I love the joy of the day, the church decorated with white lilies and the times with family over food. I would love to know your food plans for this amazing day, when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. I am still debating between 500 different dessert options!
I have been around a lot of kids but I have already discovered something very new that I have never really dealt with before...
All the kids I have watched have huge problems with losing- I don't ever remember having an issue with this as a kid. I mean these kids are intense, they will lie, cheat, wine, cry, quit, or hit before they will lose Shoots and Ladders! So weird. I found myself trying to lose the games just so there wouldn't be a fuss. How do you teach a 4 and 5 year old how to be a good loser? How do you explain that its just a game, or that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. When do you make them keep playing because quitting isn't right, or when do you just give it up- its just a game and they asked to play it in the first place.
This whole thing seems so odd to me. I have know people who are bad losers before, maybe this is how it starts!
Well in the mean time I am getting excited for Easter- its my favorite holiday! I love the joy of the day, the church decorated with white lilies and the times with family over food. I would love to know your food plans for this amazing day, when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. I am still debating between 500 different dessert options!
02 April, 2009
I have been overwhelmed with the ordinary, so overwhelmed that I haven't been looking for its beauty. I feel sad that I have wasted those precious beautiful things I could have seen, but am comforted by the fact that the ordinary never ceases, there will always be more beauty to find.
So much has happened since I last wrote. I moved back to Tulsa, I wish I could say I faced this adventure more bravely, but that wouldn't be honest. It was a hard day, saying goodbye to my family, but good to know that I was doing the right thing and that God was with me. That sounds silly and so cliche, but really when you know that what you are doing in line with His will, it makes those steps not so hard to take.
Some beautiful things I have seen in being back:
Snow covered flowers
Children pulling weeds from flower beds and laughing all the while
Endless lines of products in clean grocery stores
Tight hugs of old friends
Floors with Carpet
Chilly winds, blowing hair about
So much has happened since I last wrote. I moved back to Tulsa, I wish I could say I faced this adventure more bravely, but that wouldn't be honest. It was a hard day, saying goodbye to my family, but good to know that I was doing the right thing and that God was with me. That sounds silly and so cliche, but really when you know that what you are doing in line with His will, it makes those steps not so hard to take.
Some beautiful things I have seen in being back:
Snow covered flowers
Children pulling weeds from flower beds and laughing all the while
Endless lines of products in clean grocery stores
Tight hugs of old friends
Floors with Carpet
Chilly winds, blowing hair about
17 March, 2009
today its....early spring, late fall, mid summer....
I don't know why, but as long as I can remember I have "classified" the days. I would walk outside and say to myself what sort of a day it was (especially if it was a day that was not in the correct season.) Well in Guatemala they don't really have seasons (just wet and dry), so any time it feels distinctly anything- its out of season. Today it feels like a perfect spring day. When I woke up a bit of cold air was nipping at my toes, but I could feel the warmth of the sun in my chest, it was begging to break out of the clouds. Not being able to see the clock, I crawled out of be, trying not to wake Laura. It was earlier than usual, the parents and the kids weren't off to school yet, so I could hear bustling. Ben was sleeping on the futon and I was a bit chilly, so what did I do? I crawled up into my parents bed! This is a delight I haven't enjoyed for a long time, it felt so right. The warm sunlight streaming in from their huge window, me curled up, and various family members coming in and out. Lydie cuddled with me a bit, Mom rubbed my back, and Davie gave me a kiss.
It was a pretty perfect morning.
It was a pretty perfect morning.
09 March, 2009
lack of posts
It has been a while since i posted. i have 2, not 1, but 2, excuses! First the camera stopped working. Yes indeed, I do not know why but it has a mystery problem. I don't much like to post without pictures, becasue I am not a great writer and pictures add the visual element my writing needs (since hand motions are out of the question.) Second the night that Mom and Laura came home ( a bit over a week now) I got sick. Good timing really, if it had been a week earlier their would have been slight chaos. Not only did I start to get sick, but Mom and Laura brought so many good things back with them, I tried to deny the sickness. I threw myself into furiously cutting, piecing and sewing my quilt I had long been awaiting. I was staying up all hours, getting up early, and ignoring everything else but my quilt. By Thursday I was completely dead. I was extremely sick and couldn't do anything. I was so close to finishing but couldn't. I smooshed the quilt to the side and gave into rest. Friday I realized that in my frantic quilting, and horrid sickness I had completely shirked all homework and schooling for the week! So Friday, Saturday and Sunday I spent trying to rest and play catch-up on homework. (You can see by the extreme laziness of the past week how completely horrible it would have been if I had gotten sick when I was in charge of the kids.)
I am finally feeling better, though a pervasive runny nose still plagues me, and I think.......drum roll.....ready to finish piecing my quilt! I have already been looking into designs, colors, and textures for my next (two) quilts so I am feeling anxious to complete this one. I will post pictures as soon as I can!
I am finally feeling better, though a pervasive runny nose still plagues me, and I think.......drum roll.....ready to finish piecing my quilt! I have already been looking into designs, colors, and textures for my next (two) quilts so I am feeling anxious to complete this one. I will post pictures as soon as I can!
25 February, 2009
markets
After three weeks of bemoaning the fact that I was unable to go to the market in Antigua, as I did not desire to drive there, another CAM missionary, teacher at CAG, and friend, was kind enough to show me one right by my house! I am sad at the wasted time of buying at Piaz (the local Wal-mart) produce instead of fresh market foods, but there is nothing to be done except use my new knowledge! I was so delighted to find this small, indoor, market which was stocked with ample fruits and vegetables that I didn't barter this first time around, being too overcome with joy in simply being there and the much lower prices. I did find two very interesting finds along with my normal purchases, 1. yams (which up till now my family thought did not exists in Guatemala) and 2. mora- blackberries! perfect and waiting to be made into a yummy dessert.
I personally love to eat blackberries with fresh cream or frozen yogurt (from Passion Berri) but here they have to be washed first if they aren't going to be cooked, and that gets sort of messy. So I resorted to the timeless and wonderful blackberry pie with a flaky butter crust. Katie has become the resident pastry chief (making all the crusts for my various projects) and obliged me again in this project. Here are a few shots.
It turned out wonderful, sweet and juicy, warm and delicious.
I personally love to eat blackberries with fresh cream or frozen yogurt (from Passion Berri) but here they have to be washed first if they aren't going to be cooked, and that gets sort of messy. So I resorted to the timeless and wonderful blackberry pie with a flaky butter crust. Katie has become the resident pastry chief (making all the crusts for my various projects) and obliged me again in this project. Here are a few shots.
It turned out wonderful, sweet and juicy, warm and delicious.
23 February, 2009
Crazy Conner Craft Class
I normally-well don't really liking crafts. I never signed up for the craft elective at camps, and never saw the point in having a bunch of tacky stuff around. Yet somehow I seemed to always be doing them. I remember the summer of S.E.N.D. where the Conner's basically ran the camp with 5 of us involved in teaching classes in the morning and afternoons, and what was Crissie's class? The Crazy Crissie Conner's Craft Class! (Where may I mention one girl sucked paint up into her mouth through a straw!) Anyways, recently with more free time than usual, I have *gasp* started to enjoy and do more crafts. I think it is because I have found useful crafts not resulting in tacky junk such as card making, letter writing, (you saw the Valentine's ones), etc., etc., Yes I have found a delight in crafts. I spent a good hunk of a day watching the BBC version of Jane Eyre and cutting out pictures from magazines (thank you Mrs. Stewart!) to be used in crafts. And that very evening came a chance to use them. Katie's friend had a birthday the next day and we made a pretty extensive card for her. The pictures didn't come out too good but the card was pretty cute.
21 February, 2009
Crazy Dinners
So we like to have a bit of fun at dinner these days, meal time is almost never the same but somewhere between 5:30 and 7:00.
The dinner this evening was in honor of 2 people.
1) Papi Lepu; he was the first person that every made me twice baked potatoes and I still think his are the best.
2) Heather O. because I can never eat potatoes without thinking of her, and her excellent and sooo fattening mashed potatoes or he families sinful potatoes!
We are losers, and we know it =D
The dinner this evening was in honor of 2 people.
1) Papi Lepu; he was the first person that every made me twice baked potatoes and I still think his are the best.
2) Heather O. because I can never eat potatoes without thinking of her, and her excellent and sooo fattening mashed potatoes or he families sinful potatoes!
So we had twice baked potatoes and because I didn't have any large potatoes we just used the small ones I had. They ended up being twice baked potato bites, and I think we should suggest them to sonic! Imagine the deep, loser-ish sounding sonic voice saying this..."Craving a loaded baked potato on the run- come to sonic and try our new twice baked potato bites!" HA.
Anyways they were very good to say the least and were enjoyed with Pringles, which of course must be made into duck bills.
We are losers, and we know it =D
20 February, 2009
Summer in January ?
It is hot today in Guatemala, it has been for the past two days. It feels like summer when I wake up, I am hot and blow-drying my hair is the last thing I want to do. It usually ends up in a single braid down my back, which, Katie informed me, is very unfashionable. All I wanted to wear this morning was a cool skirt and a tank top, thanks to a little help from the closets of Mother and Laura =D I found it. As I took the kids to school it felt like a perfect "last day of school" day. You know, that day that you can't sit still in your seat because in a few hours all the outdoors will be yours for three months! Those days when you want to run barefoot in the grass, jump on the trampoline, and play bicycle tag through the neighborhood, and make trips to QT to fill up your 32 oz. slushy cup. That's what it feels like, and its January!
In honour of the weather two nights ago I made, what is in my mind, the most classic summer dessert. Strawberry Shortcake. (Upon hearing this Lydia asked if a picture of Strawberry Shortcake was going to be on a cake-ha!) It was sublime. Fresh strawberries sweetened with a light dusting of sugar, home-made shortcake (not angel food or pound but the real shortcake), and freshly made whipped cream. We finished it in one night, with large help from David and Katie! Here are some pictures...
Here is the delightfully easy recipe for the shortcake (I think the rest is pretty self explanitory!)
2 c. flour
2 T. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
sift all together in a bowl,
cut in
1/2 c. butter
until it resembles course crumbs...like making any other pastry
Mix
1 beaten egg
2/3 c. light cream
Add: to the crumb mixture
bake at 450 for 15 min. in a slightly greesed round cake pan.
let cool 5 min. before cuting in half. butter the bottom layer then pile on the strawberries and whipped cream!
In honour of the weather two nights ago I made, what is in my mind, the most classic summer dessert. Strawberry Shortcake. (Upon hearing this Lydia asked if a picture of Strawberry Shortcake was going to be on a cake-ha!) It was sublime. Fresh strawberries sweetened with a light dusting of sugar, home-made shortcake (not angel food or pound but the real shortcake), and freshly made whipped cream. We finished it in one night, with large help from David and Katie! Here are some pictures...
Here is the delightfully easy recipe for the shortcake (I think the rest is pretty self explanitory!)
2 c. flour
2 T. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
sift all together in a bowl,
cut in
1/2 c. butter
until it resembles course crumbs...like making any other pastry
Mix
1 beaten egg
2/3 c. light cream
Add: to the crumb mixture
bake at 450 for 15 min. in a slightly greesed round cake pan.
let cool 5 min. before cuting in half. butter the bottom layer then pile on the strawberries and whipped cream!
18 February, 2009
a new book
I love the smell of an old musty book, I love the sound of the cracking spine and shifting pages, I love the sight of old cover designs, and the feeling of a new, old, book.
I found this book thrown in the pile of several others in Antigua. The book in and of itself carried not the interest of the beautiful cover. Upon seeing it I though of Mom, how she loves cardinals, and how she loves them because of her mother. I knew she would love the looks of this and so that made me love it. Not only that but I had heard of these books a lot, so I though I should have one. Only to add to the grandeur of this Q5 purchase, I opened the book in the middle and low and behold what character should be waiting for me but one name Caroline! I knew I had to have this book. So I made the extravagant purchase. (For those of you who don't know 1 U.S. dollar equals about 7.7 Q [Quetzales] so this purchase was about 75 cents.)
All of the kids in the car stole my book wanting to smell the beautiful odor, I finally got it back and made it home. Once home and after taping pages, and photographing the book, I opened it eager to find out the story of Caroline. So far I love it, the opening scene has young Caroline sitting on the sea shore with the cold wind whipping her two braids around her face as she waits for her father to come back from sea. We will see if the whole story can keep up with its fascinating purchase and opening.
17 February, 2009
My Valentine
Every day I am blown away by the ways I find love in this amazing world God has created. The little things can be so beautiful, if we open our eyes to see them. Last night when I was putting Lydia down to bed, I went in to check on her as she was changing her night gown and she gave me a gift. The sweetest gift I have received in a long time. She made me a valentine.
She misspelled my name, and instead of caring she said I was crying; a most beautiful gift. I gave her a hug and told her how much I loved her, I hope she knows. I thanked God for a most beautiful gift and for the reminder of His love.
14 February, 2009
The Actual Valentine's Day
here are the little gifts I made for the kids and the cards as well.
after breakfast we took off with the Stewarts to Pana. We are here in a very nice little house having a relaxing weekend as the kids don't have school Monday. Another family from the kids school is here so Lydia has been playing outside all day with her friends!
after breakfast we took off with the Stewarts to Pana. We are here in a very nice little house having a relaxing weekend as the kids don't have school Monday. Another family from the kids school is here so Lydia has been playing outside all day with her friends!
13 February, 2009
Valentine's Day
09 February, 2009
Gingerbread Pancakes
3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup plus 2 Tbs. packed brown sugar
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. brewed coffee, cold or at room temp.
4 large eggs
1 stick unsalted butter, melted & cooled
1/4 c fresh lemon juice
Directions:
Whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a bowl. In a separate bowl whisk water, coffee, eggs, butter & lemon juice. Whisk wet and dry together until just combined. Let stand 15 min. so batter will thicken.
Cook in a skillet, but use a bit lower temperature, they tended to burn quickly.
Good with butter and syrup, but excellent with applesauce on top or apricot preserves!
08 February, 2009
Sunday Afternooon
We had a wonderful Sunday here at the Conner Villa, actually the entire weekend has been pretty nice. Saturday Trisha and I took Lydia and Katie to Mira Flores, the local mall. We got to have tea and crepes and watch a movie at the theatre. Meanwhile Davie made us 3-way-chilly (in Honor of the Blacks) for lunch. Trisha and Davie rented movies for us and somehow got 4 for the price of 1 ! haha.
This morning I decided to try out a recipe that Katie copied for me of Gingerbread Pancakes. They ended up wonderful and not one of the kids complained about getting up at 8:30 to eat them. Lydia asked if it could be "a tradition."
Later everyone pitched in to make Valentine cards for Lydia's party this Friday. They ended up quite cute with little ribbons and Lydia's handwriting.
While that was happening Katie made us pizza for lunch- it was excellent! We are about to enjoy it again for dinner. It is so rewarding to be with my little siblings, and I am loving every moment of it.
I better go check on the pizza reheating in the oven. Katie is helping Lydia do dishes- I am so proud of them two!
This morning I decided to try out a recipe that Katie copied for me of Gingerbread Pancakes. They ended up wonderful and not one of the kids complained about getting up at 8:30 to eat them. Lydia asked if it could be "a tradition."
Later everyone pitched in to make Valentine cards for Lydia's party this Friday. They ended up quite cute with little ribbons and Lydia's handwriting.
While that was happening Katie made us pizza for lunch- it was excellent! We are about to enjoy it again for dinner. It is so rewarding to be with my little siblings, and I am loving every moment of it.
I better go check on the pizza reheating in the oven. Katie is helping Lydia do dishes- I am so proud of them two!
04 February, 2009
What am I supposed to Do?
Since deciding to stay down in Guatemala with my family for a while, I have had many interesting family moments.
Much of my day is usually filled with cooking, reading recipes, and planning meals. Today I made 3 loaves of bread and a batch of cinnamon rolls (half plain and half raisins of course). And yesterday some pumpkin scones. We certainly have some eating to do.
When the kids come home from school the house is filled with noise and bustling. Yesterday Lydia and Katie finished their homework before dinner as asked. After dinner Lydia asked if she could watch a movie since she was done with homework. I replied that she didn't need to be watching movies and she exclaimed, "well what am i supposed to do!" I smiled and laughed. After several options we decided on finger painting. Katie decided to just watch but here are some results.
After Lydia goes to bed, accompanied by one of us rotating older kids, we usual spend some time sitting around the table reading, doing work of some sort, or talking. Katie didn't want a picture of her face because she was "in a towel" so this was all I could get.
I hope this cheers you a bit Mom, I know you hate being so far!
Much of my day is usually filled with cooking, reading recipes, and planning meals. Today I made 3 loaves of bread and a batch of cinnamon rolls (half plain and half raisins of course). And yesterday some pumpkin scones. We certainly have some eating to do.
When the kids come home from school the house is filled with noise and bustling. Yesterday Lydia and Katie finished their homework before dinner as asked. After dinner Lydia asked if she could watch a movie since she was done with homework. I replied that she didn't need to be watching movies and she exclaimed, "well what am i supposed to do!" I smiled and laughed. After several options we decided on finger painting. Katie decided to just watch but here are some results.
After Lydia goes to bed, accompanied by one of us rotating older kids, we usual spend some time sitting around the table reading, doing work of some sort, or talking. Katie didn't want a picture of her face because she was "in a towel" so this was all I could get.
I hope this cheers you a bit Mom, I know you hate being so far!
06 January, 2009
stories
Being in Guatemala with my family for the holidays ahs been such a blessing. I was not expecting to get to be with them and I ended up being albe to see both my sister and my brother-in-law in Denver as well as the family in Guatemala with both the older boys down here! Traveling down here was quite a mess as we flew stand-by. But even in that was a hidden blessing. Two days were able to be spent with my cousins in Dallas as my brothers and I waited for a flight into Guate. So many unexpected and wonderful visits!
I have been amazed at how much my siblings have grown, David into a little man, Katie into a lady, and Lydia is most definitely no longer a baby! When I last left her she was struggling with her letters and simple words, tonight I was happily surprise with the progress she has made. After dinner my family was sitting around the table working on our separate homeworks and I was helping Lydia. We first read together for the required 15 min (Barbie at the Fair was the book of choice) and she was excellent! After completing that as well as her math homework it was time for me to do my Spanish homework. (I am taking Spanish classes for the week in Antigua.) My assignment was to write a story in Spanish and Lyders decided to write a story of her own! It is quite a lovely story, that she thought up all herself, complete with a title and illustrations. Here are some photos I took of my little princess.
I have been amazed at how much my siblings have grown, David into a little man, Katie into a lady, and Lydia is most definitely no longer a baby! When I last left her she was struggling with her letters and simple words, tonight I was happily surprise with the progress she has made. After dinner my family was sitting around the table working on our separate homeworks and I was helping Lydia. We first read together for the required 15 min (Barbie at the Fair was the book of choice) and she was excellent! After completing that as well as her math homework it was time for me to do my Spanish homework. (I am taking Spanish classes for the week in Antigua.) My assignment was to write a story in Spanish and Lyders decided to write a story of her own! It is quite a lovely story, that she thought up all herself, complete with a title and illustrations. Here are some photos I took of my little princess.
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