doughnut do this at home

Let's talk food.  A couple weeks ago, I saw all these pins for homemade doughnuts.  

This girl likes some doughnuts ya'll.

Ok, let's all be honest here, what don't I like?

There's not much.

So I did my homework and I looked at all the recipes, the ingredients, the effort. I was in. What's a girl to do but, get online and order a doughnut pan! It arrived and I was stoked to make my first pan of cake doughnuts. 

You know, start off easy with cake doughnuts, then work up to the yeast doughnuts that call for the extra work of rising and frying, etc., etc.

So I opened up the fridge to find I'd used my last stick of butter with not a spare left in the freezer.

Aaaaaah!

Well Handsome Husband came to my rescue and was picking up a few things from the store for me so I added butter to the list.  Little did I know, that our week would grow increasingly busier and there wouldn't be a minute of time left to make doughnuts.

I mean, doughnuts are on my list of frivolous foods.  Just not necessary, more a treat than a healthy, power-packed breakfast. 

Here we are, weeks later and the doughnut pan that I tracked and waited days to get, has been washed, dried and put away.

Today, I've had a real craving for doughnuts but, to make a long story short...Miss K took on the challenge to cut sugar out of her diet for 10 days.

Yes, she's 13. 
No, she's not overweight or whatever else would run through one's mind.
This was a challenge from her history book.

Here's the background...When Daniel was captured and later "taken in" by Nebuchadnezzar, he was offered the finest of foods but, he had a hunch the meats were probably sacrificed to false gods and such, so he refused to eat them and instead ate only fruits and vegetables.  So the challenge was to try giving up sugar (something that's super serious if you're a kid - kind of like steak is to men.  See where I'm going here?) for ten days.  I have to give it to her, homegirl's stuck with it.  I would've said, "Yep, tried this for an hour or three.  Now I'm done."

My willpower is weak like that.

So, my poor little doughnut pan sits patiently in the cabinet, awaiting the day when I'll take it out and actually cook a doughnut or six (or twenty-four).  And maybe I'll try not to eat a pan full while the others cook. wink.

just a few things on friday...

The weather couldn't be any better.  For the last week, we've had our windows open and it's been in the 70's.  Maybe for once, just once, this feels like God's country.  

I sit quietly at this desk inside of our breezy, warm kitchen.  Everything is peaceful and pleasant but, just an hour ago, the kitchen was booming with 8 small mouths to feed, chatter and laughter flowing in every direction around a nine foot table.

Last night, we hosted half the W brood while the Mr. & Mrs. went on a little getaway and it's quite a time when they're here.  Legos, ships, cars, cards, and girl talk can be found all over the house.  We enjoy these times when kick-the-can lasts forever, freeze pops flow abundantly from the fridge as the night closes in and dirty little toes scurry towards the bathtub at dusk.

Miss K and the man headed over to the neighbors after the lunch flurry was over and everyone'd gone home.  The neighbors cat had kittens and it's the talk of the neighborhood.  Luckily, the neighborhood kids play well together and they've spent plenty of time holding these tiny mewing babes as they first begin to open their eyes.

There's a trickle of homeschool materials slowly arriving and we're so excited to open packages, scour through and place them lovingly on a shelf until time to actually use them!  This new adventure is finally becoming more and more of a reality.  Fear has up and left (least for now) and thrill sinks into our hearts and minds.  I have a couple more books to order but, other than that, we're ready.  Miss K is also signed up to take Spanish at a local Christian school, allowing her to participate in sports there.

Anyone looking for Miss K, please note her electronic privileges have been taken but she'll be back on soon.  Oh, and P, I totally forgot to send you vacations photos!  Loading them now!  I didn't pull out my camera til the end of the week, so there aren't many photos but, here're a couple of my favorites...

Have a great weekend!

ya thunk i'd up & left, did ya?

Not knowing I needed, and would, I took the summer off from blogging.  A hiatus of sorts.  Time to wade through heavy issues like homeschooling, a month of "vacation", blogger photo issues (which seem to be resolved, praise GOD!) and an unexpected trip back.  We've spent lots of time in the pool, on bikes and with friends.  It's all coming to a close as I make final decisions on homeschooling curricula and the littles spend their last week and a half surrounding themselves with their bestest of besties.  (At least those here in IL.)

With that being said, I'll try to pack in as many photos as possible because you know how I love a photo-filled post.  wink wink.

So, when I mentioned homeschool did you shake your head in disbelief?  I've ridden a roller coaster of emotions for the last 3 months - complete terror, peace, and brain-riddling confusion.  I've always said I wasn't the homeschooling type but, to sacrifice for the greater good, I. AM. HOMESCHOOLING.  There, I said it!  It's been the range of curricula that has sent my head spinning.  So much to choose from, so many different avenues.

Ever watch "Children of the Corn"?  Sorry, I had to.

Don't try that at home!  Ya can't tell dangerous non-helmet wearin' boys nothin'!

After visiting with a friend and seeing her homeschooling "library", hearing her homeschooling stories and encouragement I felt better.  She's seen it all and done it all.  Well, almost!  Friend gave me direction and the kids were able to look through and get a feel for the materials they had to choose from.  Yes, homeschool is about choice.  A blessing and a curse if you ask me...because I'm indecisive.

I learned some things, Miss K is happiest with classical style learning...here's the lesson; the work; do it.  She's very independent and creative.  I can't wait to see how this year goes for her.  The man, oh the man.  I worry about this guy.  He's bull-headed and he's going through a whining phase.  Did I mention he's got me wrapped around his finger?  It's true.  He's the one I might lose sleep over.  Such is life.

So, I never finished our Summer Tour series.  I have more pictures (not as many as I wish I had) but I'll get to it.  Slowly but surely.  Just a little caught up in the thick of things right now.  Who ever said "summer is for relaxing" was crazy!  Our summer has been a flurry of kids in and out of the house; up and down the roads we go, burnin' rubber; trying lots of new recipes; soaking up rays by the pool and finding inexpensive summer fun.  It's been good, it's been fun but, I'll be glad when we find our groove and settle in to a new routine.

We were sooooo excited to host some visitors last week.  Some our best friends from home were here. And although their stay was way too short and hindered by an out-of-the-blue migraine, we made the best of it.  Kids romped all over the yard and into the cornfields.  (Yes, a lecture followed on how unsafe that is.  Luckily, bigger kids teamed up and looked out for the littles and everyone came home safely.)  We ate like kings and queens, making a breakfast feast of homemade waffles with caramel syrup and local maple syrup, sausage, breafas luvin' muffins, and tons of fruit.  Poor Thelma could barely eat due to her aching head but, we ended on a high note Wednesday night with Uncle T's famous ribs.  The next day, we followed them south to the third leg of their trip.  That's where we had the opportunity to take the girls and do a little before school shopping at the outlet mall.  Woohoo, yay for a girls day and the perfect way to end our time together!

No, the man did not go shopping!  He seems to be somewhat of a mama's boy and he wanted to ride with the girls, while Thelma drove her car with the rest of the boys.

Fall promises more visitors and we're gearing up for them as well.  Lord I pray, by then, we'll have a routine down and they'll all get to see more of the kids since they won't be "away" at school.  There's also an opportunity to help out with the ladies retreat back home.  Miss Debbie and I laughed about my title of "emeritus" to their creative group since moving.  That's OK, I'm excited to get to work on their project soon.

Alright, it's late and I just wanted to pop in, say I'm still here and I'll see ya around.

twenty-two on tuesday

1. The sun is shining.  Praise God.
2. I'm exhausted.
3. We spent time holed-up in our basement bathroom last night due to the storms.
4. Handsome Husband was in Kansas but, he's fine.  I'll be happy when he returns.
5. I'll be ecstatic to high-tail it home when June rolls around!
6. I've never seen wind blow like it does here in Illinois.

7. When the wind let up, we ran upstairs and I sent everyone on mission to get things for holing-up...blankets, pillows, flashlights.  We're not accustomed to this.
8. As we were scurrying around, dumb-dumb Dais decides to pee on the man's floor.
9. How would I ever hear a tornado coming if the carpet cleaner's going?!
10. My heart mourns for the people of Oklahoma.
11. We're alive.  thankyouJesus.
12. I picked up a piece of glass to fix the broken basement window.
13. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of two cookbooks that I cannot wait to get my hands on.
14. I need more cookbooks like I need a hole in the head.
15. Only 5 more days of school left.  Five.
16. We have 3 graduation parties to attend this weekend.
17. I keep telling myself my child will not be t.h.i.r.t.e.e.n. on her next birthday.

 

18. Or that we'll be parents of a seventh grader.  Or that my baby'll be 7.
19. The man (a.k.a. my baby) made pumpkin pie this weekend.  He likes to cook.  {smile}

20. In addition, I made not yo mama's banana pudding (for the second time) cuz I'm high maintenance and snobby when it comes to food.  I like it rich and buttery.  Try it.
21. The only thing that could beat it come close is the cooked "naner puddin" Thelma and I had with coffee as we sat in the suh-weet rustic ~no kids, just mamas~ confines of the Jenny Wiley.
22. Storms'll be back for another round tonight.  Sayin' my prayers.  Maybe you could say one too?

sick day = t-shirt to tank refashion

Yesterday, Miss K came home from school early.  Early, as in 9:30am early.  She had a fever, chills and was looking quite puny.  (It's the same thing the Mister and I've had over the past week.  Yuck!)  And since we're still dreaming of summer days after last week's tease (even though it's a blustery 43 degrees today and the weatherman says it feels like 36!) we decided to refashion a t-shirt.  While Miss K's still not up to par, she was up to refashioning!  Especially when we're talkin' her stuff!  Let's be real anyway, I did the refashioning, she called the shots.

We pinned (as in Pinterest) here and here, so you should know this is no original tutorial, we're just sharing...

Here's our specimen on the operating table.

Yes, I'm corny as all get out.

 

 

 

We started by cutting off the sleeves.

 

 

 

Next, we made a straight cut under the neckline and shoulders.

 

 

 

We rolled the top edge down and pinned, doing the same to the back.  We stitched each of those down with a long straight stitch.

 

 

 

We cut 1 1/2 to 2 inches off the bottom of the shirt.  Then, cut again right above the hem.  (This'll be used as our strap.)  Don't forget to snip each side so you have two long strips instead of one long loop.  And since knit doesn't fray, all you need to do is stretch your strip and it'll curl.

 

 

 

Using a safety pin, we fed each strap through the casing we made.

(Remember, that front and back edge we sewed down?)

Yep, feed it through there and tie!

 

 

not even that

It takes God all of 0.2 seconds to make me realize that this life is not about me.  Yep, read that again.  It's not. about. me.  On Friday, I posted this.  And it was real to me.  I'd felt so agitated and worked up lately that I could barely contain myself and so then, I'd decided to put it out there.  to share it.  and God said, "Hey!  Hey you there!  Life is good!  It's always good."  And overnight, literally, I felt brand new.  Sunday, not knowing a thing about my strife, Steve drove that point home for added measure.

Though there are days when I grow weary, weak, breathless, forgetful, God's timing is always perfect.

"Every scar tells a story.  Scars are the stories of our lives." Jesus scars tell the story of his love. for me. for you. for mankind.

Isaiah 41:10 ~ "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

You are valuable because you exist. Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are. –Max Lucado 

I spent Spring Break with my children.  I had big plans for our week but, those plans quickly faded away and other things fell into their places.  We hosted friends and played inside until the middle of the week or so when the weather changed its tune.  The kids went out to play two square, swung on tire swings, played in the sand box, hid in the barns and wagon, and rode bikes and the four-wheeler.

I spent the weekend with my incredible husband.  He plowed our garden and then came down with some nasty little cold bug.  So we watched movies and I waited on him, making tea with lemon and honey and cinnamon, hot apple cider and whatever else he called for.  He's quite self-sufficient though so most of what he needed, he didn't ask for.  He simply got up and got it himself, despite me asking numerous times, "Do you want this?  Do you want that?"

After church on Sunday, we had friends over for lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon outside until they left just before dinnertime.  She and I sat in lawn chairs talking about life.  The men and children shooting bows and BB guns and playing in the yard.  The dogs exploring. 

All around me, God's wonder shows itself.  Spring is a glorious time for rebirth, to renew and rejoice.  Yep, you can bet I'm basking it.



ramblings and such

This week, I've been content.  Maybe it was the migraine that brought me to a jolting halt on Monday night and Tuesday.  Maybe it was making my motive God's glory.  Maybe it was just The Big Man Upstairs sayin' slow down, take a break, let it all seep into the cracks and crevices of your heart and soul, chew on it.  Maybe it was Uncle J getting good reports from his doctors and getting closer to a diagnosis.  Perhaps it was a lovely combination.  In any case, it's been a pleasant week and I am oh-so thankful.

Retail therapy's always good for the soul.  And since I haven't ventured out to do any real shopping and have only one long sleeve shirt that I've been wearin' the heck out of lately, it was time.  Totally.  So, one of my new bestest good friends and I went shopping.  Thrift store style.  We spent an enjoyable, lengthy time browsing and sorting through clothes.  In the end, I came out with a few great pieces for the kids and myself.  Oh let's face it, I got the most.  Miss K is of the age now that she must do her own shopping.  It's just that way.  My criteria:  I have to love it.  Haveto.  That's it.

With that being said, there's a few things that still bother me...

See this? 

 

It's the official lunch survey. I throw one in Miss K's lunchbox once a month or every other week or so. I color it a bit so it doesn't look so blah and she and her friends fill it out and they think I'm all hipster mom and stuff. {smile}  But then, today there's this...

 

 

 

If Mr.T (not of the A-Team) were to see this, I do believe his soul would be dampened, disheartened even.  Shoot y'all, if he weren't of the living, breathing type, I do believe he'd roll smack over in his grave.  Ya see, this was Miss K's favorite subject last year and it was due to the efforts of one Mr. T.  He was fantastic at teaching reading and writing.  He challenged these kids and drove them to new heights.  Now, I feel like Tanya Harding came by and whacked us both with a crow bar.  Honest y'all. 

 

I tell you, I'm not pleased with this school, with its staff.  As "the new kid", Miss K's taken quite a few undeserved punches and I really feel stepped on at this point.  If I wasn't a Jesus freak, I'd stomp right in there and act like a, well, you know....a, a, not so nice lady.  That's what!  Instead, we continue to pray for Miss Witch.  Don't laugh, it's really how part of her name is pronounced and I didn't divulge all of for the sake of the innocent.  Kinda ironic though.  At this point, she's about thiiiiisss close to me really going off in there.  Every day it's something new and Miss K has been known for her demeanor, her shy and obedient way.  I'm really taken aback by how these people haven't tried to cater to her, treat her special, being that she's the new girl and all.  She has a ton of friends.  Good girls, I might add.  They're cute and funny like her.  We host them here often.  It's sad, truly sad.

 

Now.  I feel like I'm harboring a secret here.  Really.  It's become a skeleton in my closet.  I'm afraid to mention it to our friends.  OK.  You twisted my arm.  We've looked online at real estate in a neighboring town.  There.  I said it.  They're rated one of the top 50 schools in IL.  They have soccer.  EEEEK!  And we hear it's a good town.  A little larger.  But good.  I'm interested.  It's 25 or 30 minutes from here.  Doable for sure.  We could still go to church, do the coffee shop/bakery, etc., etc.  I feel like I've cheated on my friends.  What is wrong with me?

 

Lastly, we've all had rough weeks here.  I stated last night, I wasn't afraid to go home.  We don't have to stay here.  Problem is, I don't know what's at home for us.  For me.  I've gotten a taste of life outside and it's good.  Very good.  Do I wish it were closer to my friends and family?  Yes.  Do I miss the heebie jeebies out of them.  Heck yeah!  I never liked contemporary church.  Now that we're part of one, I couldn't imagine anything else.  I love Steve's preaching.  He's so full of the spirit, passionate for Christ, on fire for the Lord.  He's spontaneous.  There's no neutering born-again Christians, you take their fire and run with it.  His messages punch you in the stomach and bring you to your knees. They make you wanna work for the glory of God.  Yesterday.  Put love in action.  Yesterday.

 

This place and I.  We have a love-hate relationship and most days, I can't figure out which it is.  Love?  Hate?  Hmm.

 

meet 5 - XC madness

We ventured to El Paso Gridley and dare I admit, up until this point I thought Cross Country was rather boring.  Sad, but true.  I know that long distance running isn't for the faint of heart and I've never had what it takes to be a runner.  (I'm also not a Nascar fan, I can't stand to watch cars drive for hours in an oval shape.  Not a hater, just not a fan.)  This time, I was taken by surprise at the hay bale jumping, creek crossing and ravine climbing.  After you hurdled your last hay bale, up hill mind you, then you crossed the finish line.  Not your average XC course if you're asking me.

With the temperature hovering in the mid 90's and humidity making it unbearable, I was a little worried when we arrived and the kids were dripping with sweat as they sat in the shade.  Miss K looked at me with that face that says I don't want to do this and said, "Mom, it's hot."  I told her I knew, we all were hot.  I felt awful for that child.  Everyone was covered in sweat and our clothes grew damp and clingy.  We weren't even moving and we were miserable.

The first race began and the girls were doing OK.  Then, the second and a boy collapsed.  Literally, he came through the finish line and passed out, standing up.  Luckily, there were people there to catch him and they began stripping off his shoes and socks and pouring water all over his body. 

This scene, gave way to a little panic inside me and I wanted to go grab my little girl and take her home.  So I began praying for that boy and for my child who would be next to face this brutal course and the blistering heat.  Was I crazy for wanting to take her and run?

I stood at the starting line and watched as they took off.  There were so many kids running in the Open that I couldn't find Miss K.  The Open was a mix of both boys and girls and there was a flood of children running.  As soon as they were gone, I ran over to one of the creeks and watched and waited.  Finally, I saw her, she was doing well.  I didn't get any pictures because I was so relieved and excited that she looked so strong as she forged ahead.

I cheered her on and then moved to the finish line.  I saw her run through behind us and she'd have to conquer another hill before we'd see her again.  Finally, she made it and I was never so relieved in my life.  I stood there a moment or two, thanking God that she was OK.  Then, I left and went to check on her. 

She was hot, of course, but she was fine.  Her knee was bothering her and luckily, I'd packed a bag of ice with a wash rag inside so she could ice and cool off at the same time.  I told her how proud I was and squeezed her tightly.  I tried not to embarrass her or hang on too long because her face was red and as a mom, I know how it is to be hot and tired and sweaty and have people all over you.  I just wanted her to know that my heart swelled with pride.

This is Mr. P.  He's kinda special to us and such a cutie!

I wanted to stay there and hold her and kiss her sweaty little, gross forehead, but I knew that was just silly because here she was 11 years old and that was not appropriate by any 11 year old standard.  And so, we left, dropped the man off with his daddy to get ready for bed and I went back to the school to wait for the bus of Olympians with the rest of the parents.

meet 3

Tomorrow is meet 5 at EPG.

An hour's drive.

Another hot afternoon.

Running.

Glad I just take pictures.

 

 

rain, rain go away

The rain continues.

 

Fall Fest continues.

Face painting.

Carnival rides.

Fair food.

 

And then, we retreat.

Lunch with Megan.

Apples to Apples.

Whoonu.

Twister.

 

 

meet 2

Tomorrow marks XC meet #3

With the combination of rag weed and the harvest currently taking place,

this chick is suffering, suffering bad.

We'll see what tomorrow holds.