Tackle it Tuesday #1

My first Tackle it Tuesday is going to be my bedroom. Laundry, dirty and clean, has a tendency to get dropped on the cedar chest. The extra cedar chest has been blocking the doorway for almost a month. I just need to stack it under the other wooden boxes - which requires heavy lifting, emptying, and moving furniture....I wonder why I have put it off??

I know from experience that I am a much happier person if my room is clean. It is nice to have a peaceful haven in a household full of all boys. My husband is also neater if I give him an example. So putting away and cleaning in my bedroom is the challenge.

The finished product is so nice! Wonder how long I can keep it this way???

Tackle it Tuesday #1

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/tackle-it-tuesday-1.html

Monday Morning Recipe

We are a family on the run like so many others. I try to have hearty snacks with us to stave off the question "Can we stop at......(fill in with any fast food restaurant)?" This recipe is good for breakfast, lunch with soup, or it fills the bill as a portable snack.

Ham and Cheese Scones

Combine:
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cut in:
2 Tablespoons cold butter

Add:
1/2 cup chopped ham (or turkey)
1/2 cup cheese (I have used swiss, cheddar, mixture all are good)
1 cup milk

Quickly combine to form a ball. Flatten into a 1/2" thick circle. Cut into wedges. Place on a cookie sheet, sprinkle cheese on top.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Related tags: recipes; Baking; Cooking

Monday Morning Recipe

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/monday-morning-recipe_30.html

Laugh till you cry

Laughter is something that has been lacking in my life as of late. I am still working through my mother's death and suffering from mild depression. I know it will get better, it's just not there yet.

This evening at AWANA, a dear lady shared laughter with me. She is one of those blessed women that love, laughter and joy shine on her face all the time. It felt so good to sit and talk, we laughed over silly things that we had both done fairly recently. We laughed until we both had tears streaming down our faces. I had forgotten how good that feels. I am praying that laughter will return and that some day I will be viewed as a woman that emits love, laughter and the joy of Jesus.

Laugh till you cry

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/laugh-till-you-cry.html

Sunday Hymn Post

The boys and I are studying Revelation at Community Bible Study this year. It has been a very humbling experience to realize that the scroll God holds in His Hand can only be opened Jesus. He is the only one who is worthy. This hymn was taken from the verse Revelation 5:9.

Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb,” the hosts of Heaven sing,
As before the throne they make His praises ring;
“Worthy is the Lamb the book to open wide,
Worthy is the Lamb Who once was crucified.”

Refrain

Oh, this bleeding Lamb, oh, this bleeding Lamb,
Oh, this dying Lamb, He was found worthy;
Oh, this bleeding Lamb, oh, this bleeding Lamb,
Oh, this dying Lamb, He was found worthy.

Worthy is the Lamb, Who shed His precious blood
To restore a world to happiness and God;
“When no eye could pity and no arm could save,
”Jesus for our ransom, Himself freely gave.

Refrain

Worthy is the Lamb, the bleeding sacrifice
Who for Adam’s race paid such a fearful price;
Worthy is the Lamb, the Paschal Lamb of God,
For the world received “Redemption thro’ His blood.”

Refrain

“Worthy is the Lamb,” let men and angels sing,
“Worthy is the Lamb,” let hallelujahs ring;
And when life is past, upon the golden shore,
“Worthy is the Lamb,” we’ll shout forevermore.

Refrain

Related tags: Christian; Faith; Songs

Sunday Hymn Post

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/sunday-hymn-post.html

My Yarn Stash

Yarn....such a beautiful thing! I am finding it is very addicting to purchase. I can't just buy one when I go to look, I must add several skeins. The following picture is proof. I am currently knitting my first pair of socks, yet in my stash is enough yarn to knit at least ten more pairs. I should get very good at socks. I do not plan to purchase anymore sock yarn until this pile is depleted. Do you believe I can hold off???


Most of the above yarns are from Knit Picks. I think they have great prices and I was delighted with their selections until I started listening to the experts. Anyone who has completed a pair of socks is an expert in my book! They were talking of Socks That Rock and Lorna's Laces. What could these yarns be like? My LYS did not carry these brands. So the ever present and helpful internet came to my rescue. My first "expensive" yarn purchase was the STR in Lagoon - below, center.

Isn't it beautiful? Then I went with two different Lorna's Laces colors. I ordered them from Angelika's. I was thrilled with her customer service. I ordered on Thursday and the yarn was delivered on Saturday. Wow! The solid color is Harvest and the bottom is Camelot (an exclusive for Angelika), both are Shepherd Sock.

While I still like my yarn from Knit Picks, the STR and LL are calling. Which to use first? What pattern? Oh the decisions - how fun!

Related tags: yarn; Knitting; Socks

My Yarn Stash

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/my-yarn-stash.html

Safety Warning

Do not put melted, boiling butter in an empty coke can! It can boil over, spew and cause one massive mess.

How do I know this? Last night I was making potato soup. I had the butter melting on the stove when one of my young knights needed something. (Hint, do not leave melting butter on a gas range unattended)

When I came back, a few minutes (15) later, the butter was burned...a horrible blackish brown. I knew I did not want to pour it down the disposal. So I looked for somewhere to put it.

There on the counter was the perfect depository...an empty Dr. Pepper can. I began pouring the melted butter in. Almost immediately, I heard fizzing and popping and the mess began spewing all over the counter. Evidently, the can was not quite empty...there were a few drops of DP left. That was enough to cause a minor volcano and a major mess of melted butter goo on my kitchen counter!

Related tags: Food; Home; Home

Safety Warning

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/safety-warning.html

Mother Was Right

My mom loved to sew. She kept telling me how much fun it could be and I should just give it a try. "A good machine makes all the difference" she would say. I never believed her.

My old blog has an entry describing how a sewing machine came to live at my house. It has almost been a year since she bought it for me. She was appalled that I paid someone to sew patches on Cowodie's cub scout uniform, so she bought me a Pfaff. "This is the last sewing machine you will ever need".

Little did we know then that she would not be around much longer and I would have her machines as well. Now I have three "good machines", the Pfaff, a Designer I, and a Babylock Ellageo. I have learned to sew on all of them. Mom's machines do embroidery along with sewing and I have learned how to use those features. The machines are actually smarter than me. I can touch the screen, tell it what I want to sew and the machine tells me which needle and stitch.

I wish I could tell mom she was right. I am enjoying using the machines and I am almost to the point that I can say sewing is fun.

Mother Was Right

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/mother-was-right.html

Reminder to Self

Spunky over at SpunkyHomeschool had a wonderful quote that is worth repeating:

"The offers are all so very tempting. I would enjoy many of them and maybe even make some needed cash (for a new computer?) But in earning the extra money, I know I would be short changing my children. That's a net loss in my opinion. My time with my children is so short. It's hard to say no. But I'd rather say no to those who don't know me, than to the little ones sitting around me each day.

I must say "no" to others, so I can say "yes" to my children."

Say no to someone today.

Reminder to Self

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/reminder-to-self.html

Gray Friday Morning

We woke up this morning to gray skies and howling wind. It is in the 50s, but seems much colder. It is amazing how much the sound of the 20 mph wind plays into our thinking.

I had Taste of Home Entertaining party last night. Several friends came for fellowship and fun. We had a great time. Taste of Home is a wonderful cooking magazine, I have subscribed to it for years. The company has now ventured into the home party market much the same as Southern Living at Home. I was impressed by the quality of their products and they have several beautiful and unique things. I have to laugh, I remember going to Home Interiors parties with my mom as a child. Home parties have come along way since the days of "groupings" and "brass butterflies". Did your home have the brass butterflies? Not only did my mom have them, but both grandmas and just about every family at church!

I made some fun recipes that I had never tried before...one was the classic Knorr's spiniach dip. The other was a "4 cheese pate". I was a little put off by this one at first, isn't pate some kind of animal liver??? It was actually just a fancy cheese ball. Everyone liked it. I may post it as a Monday Morning recipe when it is closer to the holidays.

Gray Friday Morning

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/gray-friday-morning.html

Cowodie's first Grand Slam!

Tonight the Braves had a make up game against a fairly tough team. Our records for the season were neck and neck and talent wise the teams were evenly matched. I was unable to attend, so RacerDad had to give me a recap.

The bases were loaded. The coach from the other team had placed his outfielders according to Cowodie's hit from the first inning. His first hit had gone to left field. He lined up to hit and hit a solid hit to the fence in the right field. There was not a player out far enough to field the ball. Cowodie had already rounded second before the outfielder got to the ball. He made it home without any problems.

Cowodie was so happy. The grin on his face as he told me about it was definitely ear to ear. What a hit!

Cowodie's first Grand Slam!

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/cowodies-first-grand-slam.html

Things to make you Smile

Cozy reader has some really funny one liners posted. Grab your kiddos and be ready to grin!

Cozy Reader: You Can't Read This Without Smiling#links#links

Things to make you Smile

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/things-to-make-you-smile.html

Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen Things I Wish I had More Time For 1.... Dates with RacerDad...We have a lovely sitter who comes for free, but currently the boys baseball schedules send us off in different directions on date night. 2....Playing games with the boys. By the time we finish with school, housework and various other activities, we have plenty of time together but not necessarily just playing. 3....Sleeping in....enough said. 4....Bible Memory. This I have the time for, but the memory is lacking! 5....To do puzzles...without sweet little hands "helping me" by carrying the pieces away. 6...Exploring new recipes with someone else doing the clean up. 7....Lunches/Dinners with girlfriends....lots of talking and laughing. 8....Reading, uninterrupted - into the wee hours. Then see number 3. 9....Bubble Baths 10..Relaxing vacations 11..Going to museums 12..Hobbies, maybe I have enough time to do them and my problem is that I have too many different interests! 13..Visiting and gaining wisdom from my grandmothers and mother...they are all gone now and I am too young to be the "wise matriarch". Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. http://justmyrambling.blogspot.com/

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

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Related tags: thursday thirteen

Thursday Thirteen #2

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/thursday-thirteen-2.html

Monday Morning Recipe

Cooler temperatures have caused me to bring out some of my favorite fall and winter recipes. Tonight we will be having Dijon Sirloin Tips. I got this recipe from Taste of Home magazine. My family loves the recipes I have gathered from that magazine, it is one of the best!

Dijon Sirloin Tips

1 1/4 pounds sirloin tips, cubed

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon cooking oil

3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup beef broth

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 cup whipping cream

In a large skillet, brown meat in butter and oil; transfer to a 2-qt baking dish. In the same skillet, saute mushrooms and garlic until mushrooms are tender, about 3 minutes. Pour mushrooms and liquid over meat. Cover and bake at 300 degrees for 2 hours or until meat is tender. In the same skillet, combine broth, vinegar and soy sauce; bring to a boil Boil for 2 minutes; set aside. Combine mustard, cornstarch and cream; stir into broth mixture. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Drain juices from baking dish into broth mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Add beef mixture. Serve over egg noodles.

Monday Morning Recipe

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/monday-morning-recipe_23.html

Pumpkin Fun

Pumpkin guts too slimy for you?? Do your children agonize over every cut you or they make? Grab your darlings and head over to this interactive pumpkin carving. Guaranteed to make you smile!

Pumpkin Fun

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/pumpkin-fun.html

The Man in the Iron Mask

I finished reading The Man in the Iron Mask by Dumas this week. I have to say, I was sadly disappointed in this novel. I have enjoyed Dumas' other works that I have read: The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. I found this book to presume too much on the part of the reader. Characters were mentioned, but no depth was given. It was assumed you would remember the characters from previous novels such as Twenty Years Later. There were also political intrigue events that were left dangling.

I will admit that this is a novel about which I had preconceived notions. I have seen the movie several times and found it to be a very enjoyable plot. Typically, I read the book first and so the movie is a let down or at the least an inferior representation. This is a case where the title is practically all that is the same of the mediums. In the novel, the man in the mask, plays a trivial point in the plot. As a matter of fact, the character is barely discussed. He is the catalyst for events in the latter part of the book, but you are never aware of what happens to him.

When I researched others thoughts on the novel, I found that many loved the book and found it to be a fitting end to the Musketeers serial. I will go ahead and read other Dumas novels, maybe familiarizing myself with some of the lesser known works will give me a better feel for The Man in the Iron Mask. Right now, though, I am disappointed in a book I had long looked forward to reading.

The Man in the Iron Mask

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/man-in-iron-mask.html

Sunday Hymn

While on the campout this weekend, I had to get up and leave the tent in the middle of the night. As I was heading back, I looked up at the crystal clear sky, saw the millions of stars and all I could think was "Oh, My God. When I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand hath made."

How Great Thou Art

Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works thy hand hath made,

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Refrain

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades

I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,

and hear the brook, and feel he gentle breeze;

Refrain

And when I think that God his son not sparing,

Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,

That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin:

Refrain

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration

And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Sunday Hymn

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/sunday-hymn_22.html

Knitting in the Woods

Cowodie and I just got back from a weekend with his Cub Scout Pack. We went to a Scout Ranch, boy heaven not too mom friendly. This was our third year to attend, so I knew what I was in for. It is boy heaven because of wide open spaces, ditches and creekbeds to explore, caves, bb gun range and an archery event. There is also a "haunted" hayride - spooks provided by local Boy Scout troops. The scenery is fantastic and the stars were indescribable. I saw the Milky Way for the first time, truly a testament to God's Glory! Now for the not too mom friendly part....no running water, no electricity, everything you bring must be packed out and for the best part...LATRINES. Not very private latrines at that! I can do anything for one evening, especially for the thrill that Cowodie get when we go, it will be the topic of conversation for weeks to come.

The good thing? Lots of knitting was accomplished. I rode with a friend, so there was three hours of uninterrupted knitting time. I worked on the scarf during that time. It is over half done now. While standing in line for the different events, I worked on my 2nd sock. I found a fanny pack to be the perfect sock transport for this. My yarn was able to move freely and when I needed to put the project away it fit perfectly! This sock is now ready for the heel flap, I should be able to finish it and the scarf by next weekend.

Poor RacerDad, Speedy B and Smoda stayed home. Speedy B had baseball games. They were sad to miss, but when they heard how cold it was, they were glad to have had access to warm beds.

Knitting in the Woods

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/knitting-in-woods.html

No more Tag??

Spunky has an interesting post about the children's game of tag. I don't think you will believe what she has found. I taught public school in my life before children and remember we used to tell the children no fighting on the playground...but no tag?

No more Tag??

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/no-more-tag.html

Christmas Gift #3 OTN

Here it is gift number 3. I can show it here, because the person it is for doesn't know about our blog. It is going to be a scarf. I have never used fun fur before, it is going quickly and is very soft. It is not exactly my style, but will fit the person it is for perfectly!

Yarns: Lion's Brand Fun Fur, champagne; Patons Katrina, oyster

Needles: size 15

Going from the DPNs size 1 to these size 15 is quite unique. I told my husband I felt like I was going from toothpicks to broomsticks!

Christmas Gift #3 OTN

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/christmas-gift-3-otn.html

Nature Study - Snake

This evening a homeschool friend let us come and see a snake they found on their back patio. It was the smallest snake I had ever seen. Slightly bigger than a large earthworm. The boys were delighted that they could hold a real snake. It was fascinating the head was so small and the forked tongue was miniscule. I believe she said it was a rough ground snake. I took some pictures, unfortunately they did not come out as clear as I would have liked.

Nature Study - Snake

http://atmyhearth.blogspot.com/2006/10/nature-study-snake.html