Living Stations of the Cross..

Was wonderful. Marlee, Mason, and I went and they loved it!

Water Balloons in March?

Yes, believe it or not it has been 80 degrees here so these were a compromise. They wanted the sprinkler

Manny......

Time 4 Learning!

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

A Visit to the Beekeeper

Yesterday the younger ones and I went to the Beekeeper and came home with some wonderful honey, candles, and wax to make our own candles. We got spring and wildflower honeys. They are so good.
Manny loves to blow out the candle after we say our prayers and we usually sit pretty patiently for that privilege so I was excited to get them. Plus they smell so good.

                           Marlee and I read the book, The Honey Makers by Gail Gibbons

  Wednesday night before we went. It's a really good and informative little book. Did you know bee larva spun a cocoon? They are feed beemilk and beebread too. They typically only live 2 months except for the queen. Bees are very interesting.

Cutie Pie

Marlee got a phone for her 10th bday- which is still 2 months away- but we got a good deal when Tommy upgraded and I see no reason to let it sit in a box for 2 months. Anyway, she took this adorable picture of Manny and sent it to me. Isn't he just adorable!

Manny and His Trucks

Manny was so happy. Yesterday was a beautiful day and he got to go to my moms and roll his trucks down the hill.

Sprouted Flour is Here!

I'm so excited. I can't wait to start baking. Now I just need my almond flour and arrowroot powder to come in. Oh, and my raw honey guy to call me back!

Second Sunday of the Great Fast

 

Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas

Mark 2:1-12 - When [Jesus] returned to Caper'na-um after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Rise, take up your pallet and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic -- "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" (RSV)

Rise and Walk! Your sins are fogiven! – Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you. (St. Peter Chrysologus)

Scripture

• Matins - John 21:1-14
• Divine Liturgy - Hebrews 1:10-2:3, Mark 2:1-12

Citrus Butter Cookies Made by Madison

Cute little cookie balls

Aren't they pretty?

Madison made the citrus-butter-cookies from the Pioneer Woman today and they came out very good.  Yes, I tried one even thought they contain regular flour.  Its the first thing like that I have had in two weeks and citrus doesn't really tempt me too much but since she made them I wanted to give them a try.  They are very good, mildly citrus, not overpowering.  Great job Madison!

Mason's got his game face on and he's ready to race!

Gluten Free Update

I'm doing really good, actually trying to do a lot of Paleo recipes but I can't and won't give up dairy. I'm really craving something bread like to put butter on so i plan on making this really good paleo banana bread recipe I saw that I will link to tomorrow when I'm on the computer rather than the iPhone.
I haven't had any fresh brewed sweet iced tea for the past few days and that's been hard. I'm trying just to drink water and coffee or tea only once a day other than maybe a glass of raw milk. I normally drink way too much sugar and I'm trying to stop that.

My Wooden Bowl....

Unexpectedly turned out to be my favorite and most used wedding gift.
It's been nearly fifteen years since Tommy and I tied the knot and I remember opening this gift and thinking, "wow, a wooden bowl?". I was pretty unsure about it. Little did I know how much I would love it, how often I would use it, and how much it would cost me now to replace it if something happened to it- which would be Seriously Heartbreaking! It was made by a local craftsman in what looks like Ovid, NY in 1997. It's hard to read the bottom but it looks like it's made from cherry and artists name is Carol Joos? It's so hard to read but I'm going to have to Google them.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure it was from my great Uncle Jim, who lives in NY. Uncle Jim if there is any chance you are reading this, thank you so much. I wasn't quite sure about it at first but you have such great wisdom, I love it now and have for years!

UPDATE-

Sometimes you just have to love the internet.   After a few minutes of searching I found Carol Joos!  Check her out here.  Love your bowl Carol!

Go Tim Murphy!

                        Please take a minute or 6 to watch this video, Please! 

Some of My Favorite Things

A friend of mine came over to visit with her children yesterday and she liked some of my favorite go to kitchen utensils so I thought I would post them here.
They are from this wonderful store that I can only shop from online called Palumba. 
Here are a few of my favorite things from them.
 Cherry Breakfast Board
 Mini Cherry Platter
Fine Ladle- is my go to item in the kitchen for so many things.  Can be used on any cooking surface without damaging the surface.  I use it for soups, rice, gravies, you name it.  I wish I could go back and leave another comment on their site about how it has held up and that I just absolutly ADORE it!
Childrens Bowls have held up through several children and are wonderful for snacks like apples or dried fruits and crackers.  Great for oatmeal too.
Children's Baking Set - while I don't have this whole set I do have that flat spatula and I dont see where you can get it alone anymore ;(.  Next to my Fine Ladle it is my next most used item in my kitchen.  I love that these tools are not big and clumsy but just perfect!

I have blocks, trucks, dolls, wool clothing, and many other items from this store and I highly recommend them all.  And no, they have no idea I'm writing this, I just wanted to share cause I just love their products.  I will try and post some pictures later but remember you can just click on the links to see the items.

Kicked Up Meatloaf

This was an awesome dinner. I made Emeril's Kicked Up Meatloaf with some little changes like subbing home made GF bread crumbs and it came out so good. My husband didn't even notice the change. I had a wonderful spinach salad on the side with mine. I have discovered I really like the chopped green onions, that add a really good flavor.

Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies? OH YEAH!

Before



After

"Infamous" Bacon Cookies"

5 Slices nitrate-free maple bacon
3 cups almond flour
1tsp baking soda
1tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1tsp vanilla
1/2 cup coconut oil
3/4 cups milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350
bake bacon in oven till crisp and crumble

mix dry ingredients
beat syrup and eggs, add vanilla
beat together the dry with the above mixture
add melted coconut oil and blend
stir in chips and bacon
drop in parchment lined baking sheet
bake for 15 mins at 375

Adapted from Make it Paleo



Just watching......

He can't wait to try it.

 We bought a Showtime Rotisserie over a year ago at a church yard sale and I have never been brave enough to try it yet but last week my husband spotted it and said "are you ever going to use that thing?". So today I decided to give it a go. Let's hope it actually works.

Time to take it off.

All done.

Overall it came out very good.  It was nearly 4 lbs and cooked in an hour.  Next time I may let it go a little longer and try and find out if I can marinate it first for more/better flavor.