Another Sweet Treat--Jam Bites

Yield: 4 dozen
Prep: 10 min
Chill: 20 min.
Bake: 20 min at 350

¾ c. butter, softened
2 ¼ c. all-purpose flour
½ c. sugar
½ c. jam, jelly, or preserves of choice
1 large egg yolk
¼ c. chopped almonds (with skins),
¼. teaspoon almond extract optional
½ t. salt


1. In large bowl, beat buter, sugar, yolk, salt and extract until creamy, 2 minutes. On low, beat in flour until blended; press into ball. Divide dough into quarters. Roll one quarter into 12” rope, 1” wide. Place on large ungreased baking sheet. With end of wooden spoon, make 1/2” wide, ¼” deep groove down center of rope. Repeat with remaining dough; place 2” apart on sheet.

2. In small cup, combine preserves with nuts. Spoon mixture into grooves. Refrigerate 20 minutes. (I think I’ve omitted the nuts every time I’ve made this.)

3. Heat oven to 350. Cut each strip crosswise into 1” diagonal slices, but do not separate. Bake 20 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. While still warm, cut through. Remove to wire rack; let cool.

(I could put the nutritional values listed on my recipe, but who really cares about that stuff when making cookies?)

A Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester

Day by day,
Day by day,
Oh Dear Lord,
Three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by day.

This is the lyrical version of the prayer as adapted for the musical Godspell, which I have not seen.

Fear No Flesh--Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Easy Chocolate Truffles

16 oz. chocolate pieces (I used Ghirardelli's dark chocolate most recently.)
1/2 c. butter, cut into cubes and softened
1/2 c. whipping cream
2 T. dark rum (I substituted coffee liqueur.)
Sifted cocoa, finely chopped nuts, flaked coconut, etc. for coating

Melt chocolate in a heavy saucepan over low heat; remove from heat. Add butter, stirring until smooth. Stir in whipping cream and alcohol. Cover and chill 2 hours or until firm.

Dust hands with cocoa, and shape mixture into 1" balls. Roll in coating and place in an airtight container. Store in refrigerator. Yield: about 3 1/2 dozen.

Early Christmas Attendees

Manly Men

Giggly Girls

Geography Games

Thanks to the crew over at Life in a Shoe for introducing me to this site:

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html

The Love of God

So much as we see of the love of God, so much shall we delight in him, and no more. Every other discovery of God, without this, will but make the soul fly from him; but if the heart be once much taken up with this the eminency of the Father’s love, it cannot choose but be overpowered, conquered, and endeared unto him.

--John Owen

Changing Things Up a Bit

The former fireplace wall is now . . .

. . . the squirrel-watching wall!

(notice the crown--a current favorite creation when Anna gets crafty)

Jocelyn seems to really enjoy sharing this experience with her brothers. She's sitting with Ian in this pic, but the earlier this same Sunday morning, as they came out to a surprising new view, Titus saw all four "big kids" gazing in amazement out the window. In that instance, Lewis and Jocelyn were holding hands as they admired the view for the first time. That would have been a cute moment to capture, too.

Light and Easy--Matthew 11:28-30

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Getting in the Spirit of Things

Need any more help making those truffles?

Tonight's Mommy-Choice Bedtime Song

I only know a few of the verses (and in a somewhat different arrangement--perhaps the result of my jumbled memory).


Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee;
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.

Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee;
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.

Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise;
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

~Frances R. Havergal

Ode to Timers

I've never heard too much about the humble timer in all the parenting advice I've read, but I must say it's an invaluable tool in this parent's arsenal. Ours gets used nearly every single day at least once, and sometimes it's in service several times in one day.

The kids usually get a chance to perform the given task at hand (clean up, laundry folding, etc.) without a ticking clock on them, but if I see signs of sluggishnes, I reach for the timer buttons. No nagging, no threatening, none of that. (Well, that may be overstating things just a tad, but I do truly find the timer a great help in resisting the temptation to slip into such unproductive and unpleasant communication patterns.) It's a win-win situation. They learn a habit of diligence, and I know exactly when the line has been crossed.

And the timer is great for setting the parameters in a tooth brushing session as well, though for some inexplicable reason, our water-proof timer in the kids' bathroom keeps having trouble performing as designed. Sabotage?

Multiplying Blessings Through Patient Endurance--Hebrews 6:13-15

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless theee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

A Few of the Things For Which We Are Thankful

Books

Naps

Family Times

Crestianity

Brush your mind with the Word of God. It prevents truth decay.

Afterglow

Birthday Boredom Buster

Birthday Bunny (Emily)



Birthday Bean

A Good Thing--Psalm 122:1

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

Bible Time

Here's something that has worked well for us over the last year or so. After Ian and Anna reached a reading level that would make perusing the Scriptures for themselves somewhat feasible, I started having them begin their school day with some independent Bible reading. I leave the decisions as to what section and how much of Scripture they read entirely up to them. Currently, Ian bounces all over the place reading whatever suits him at the moment, and Anna has started in Genesis and worked/skimmed her way to Acts thus far. I will occasionally ask questions about what they read (especially if the reading time seemed a bit on the short side), and they will occasionally ask me questions as they come across things. I don't generally insert my teacherly self into that time too much, though. All in all, the kids seem to enjoy exploring God's word, and I suspect they are gleaning more than any of us realize.

All Through Faith and Patience--Hebrews 6:12

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Goop

Anna made lunch today. She started bragging about knowing Grandad's secret recipe for goop right about lunch-prep time, so she was assigned "cooking" duty. She did a great job mixing the proprietary blend of butter, molasses, and peanut butter as she toasted bread on which to put her mixture. She was very specific in instructing us on the right way to consume her masterpiece: "No spreading; just put a blob on your plate and use your utensil to put some on your bread right where you're about to take a bite." It was a hit. We briefly considered saving some for Daddy to try when he gets back from his trip, but we didn't manage to have any left over.

Late But Not Forgotten

Ever seen a jack-o-lantern with ears?

Twin Foci--Hebrews 12:14

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master;
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run--
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling

Party On!

We've been busy celebrating Ian's eighth birthday this week. The first party was with family on Sunday. Grammy did her cake magic as usual, and Grandad, Nana, Grandpa, and Aunt Brittany all helped make Ian feel pretty special.

The next celebration was yesterday, on the actual birthday. Several friends came over to play, and they made the day a blast. I should have taken a group pic while everyone was munching on popcorn and cookies because the rest of the time people were generally scattered about playing soccer, shooting the three-man slingshot, parrying with nerf swords, riding bikes, and jumping in the leaf pile. Plenty of boy fun, but not many opportunities to get more than a few guys in a picture at once. It looks like the birthday boy is doing an end-zone dance in this shot--we have lots to learn about soccer around here.

And the fun continues!

In Light of the Looming Election--Lamentations 3:40-41

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

Cocoa with No Regrets

We tried Mightly Recipe Hunter Sara's hot cocoa recipe this morning and thought it was just the thing. Here it is again:

For every 8 oz. cup of warm milk, add 2 Tablespoons each agave nectar and cocoa. (Sara's tip for mixing the latter two ingredients together before adding to the milk worked like a charm.)

Her recipe called for vanilla, (1/2 teaspoon, I think), but I forgot to do that part and we still thoroughly enjoyed it. It's tasty cold, too! Titus just brought in glasses of the leftovers from this morning for a bedtime treat.

Now, if I could just get her to post the recipe for that wonderful wassail we had last night . . .

Reasons to Start Training Early and Joyfully

There need not be any contest for power. For where a child has been accustomed to obey, even from an infant, the yoke of obedience will generally be light and easy. . . . Children who find the parental yoke a burden are not very likely to look upon that of Christ as a benefit.

--John Angell James (1785-1859), Free Grace Broadcaster #204

A Slightly More Conventional Celebration of Fall

Pumpkin Carving 101--Instructor: Daddy

A pic of the results will follow.

For When There's Not Enough Time to Cook--Proverbs 15:15

All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Arkansas Fall Fun

It was a nice, blustery day yesterday. Not having any kites on hand, the kids improvised. If you look in front of the tree foliage, you can see Ian's stringless "kite." It's from my favorite store. This is not the first time they've done this either.

Economics Crash Course

Titus watched all of this rather lengthy video entitled "Money as Debt," and though he disagreed with some of the assumptions, he found it so helpful as a general overview that he asked me to post it here. I tried the embedding trick I just learned when posting Gianna Jessen's video, but I couldn't get it to work for me this time. Back to the Help Desk for me.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9050474362583451279&hl=en

Cause for Generational Rejoicing--Psalm 112:1-2

Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

Our Budding Agrarian

Tractor Day has been one of Lewis's favorites from our current round of library books. Candice Ransom's poetry is very simple, great for a new reader, and we all thoroughly enjoy Laura J. Bryant's colorful illustrations.

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

The most important part of this process [of sanctification] is the specific application of the Scripture to specific life situations. We are prone to vagueness at this point because commitment to specific actions makes us uncomfortable. But we must avoid general commitments to obedience and instead aim for specific obedience in specific instances. We deceive our souls when we grow in knowledge of the truth without specifically responding to it.

--Jerry Bridges in his book The Pursuit of Holiness

The Gianna Jessen Story

The second part to this speech is posted on You Tube as well.

Divine Compassion From Earliest Cradle to Grave--Isaiah 46:3-4

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Fashion Forward

It is simply amazing what can be done with tissue paper and newspaper if one has the proper creative streak. This week, the girls got these hats back out which they made during their stay with friends in August. Don't know why I never thought to snap this pic before!

A Fun Change of Pace

Breakfast Balls

2c. old-fashioned oats
Up to ¾ c. chunky natural peanut butter
Up to ½ c. honey

Stir above ingredients together in medium-sized bowl. Then select add-ins from the list below or from your own inspiration:

¼ c. raisins or currants
2 bananas, mashed
2-3 T. finely shredded coconut
¼ c. chocolate mini-chips
1-2 T. unbleached flour to help hold mixture together
1 T. or more sesame seeds
2-3 T. raw wheat germ


Stir each optional ingredient into the first mixture, adjusting the amounts until you like the consistency. Form tightly packed but chewy balls in any size you wish. Makes a great lunch or snack, too!

Mudslingers

This is what's been going on around here for the last several weeks. The junior members of the drywall finishing crew are working in the back corner.

Lewis on Campaigning Candidates

"Their threats are terrible enough, but we could bear
All that; it is their promises that bring despair . . ."

C.S. Lewis, in a segment from his poem "Lines During a General Election"

**Borrowed this quote from Douglas Wilson's Blog and Mablog. Tried to link, but it turned into too much of an ordeal.

An exhortation for those of us who view children as assets--Proverbs 27:23-24

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever; and doth the crown endure to every generation?

Ten Plagues in Verse

Blood and frogs and lice and flies;
Death to the cattle and boils on the hides;
Hail and locusts, followed by night;
Death to the firstborn showed God's might.

Princess Eva's Remodeling Inspection Service

Reporting for duty with the tools of my trade: a whistle for blowing and a spoon for lunch.

Hmmm . . . where to begin?

Aha! Problem spotted.

I cannot tolerate a cluttered work site.

And one more thing . . .

Is this floor level?

Finding satisfaction in a job well done.

THE Invitation--Isaiah 45:22

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Gracie's Spinach

This recipe originated with a young friend of a friend, so we don't know the namesake personally. However, we all think she's a whiz with spinach! Not only does it taste great, but it goes together very quickly and is easy to multiply for a big batch. My kind of recipe all the way around.

20 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and slightly drained
(no need to squeeze all the liquid out)
1 stick butter
1 teaspoon salt
15 oz. ricotta cheese
1/2 c. milk or half and half
1/2 c. parmesan cheese
1/4 t. nutmeg

Cook spinach in the butter and salt until bubbly. Add remaining ingredients and heat through, but do not boil. Serve over spiral pasta or baked potatoes.

Three Cheers for Puritan Parenting Protocol

The government of the passions is another branch of self-denial to which children should early be habituated; and so much the rather because, in an age when reason is so weak,the passions are apt to appear with peculiar force and violence. A prudent care should, therefore, be taken to repress the exorbitances of them. For which purpose it is of great importance that they never be suffered to carry any point by obstinacy, noise, and clamor, which is indeed to bestow a reward on a fault that deserves a severe reprimand.

--Philip Doddridge (1702-1751) quote taken from Free Grace Broadcaster #204

Mighty Hunter

I remember when Ian went through this phase. Lewis had his first kill yesterday and has already gotten two or three more today. However, I'm afraid he's not anywhere close to being out of quarry yet.

A Constant Refrain--Ps. 107:8, 15, 21, 31

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

I thought it was alcohol, tobacco, and firearms

Wicked parents are the most notable servants of the devil in all the world and the bloodiest enemies to their children's souls. More souls are damned [by God through the influence of] ungodly parents--and next [to] them . . . ungodly ministers and magistrates--than by any instruments in the world besides.

--Richard Baxter (as quoted in Free Grace Broadcaster #204)

No Greater Love

This is one of those stories that might bring tears even to eyes not prone to such.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/09/AR2008090903691.html

Incentive

Several months back, I jokingly remarked to my husband that I needed an incentive program to help me lose those extra inches that came along with Eva. He thought that was a great idea and offered me cash prizes to correspond with the number of inches I disposed. I ended up making a decent amount of money off that deal, and I used it to expand my existing collection of plateware. My dishes arrived last week, and I am very pleased. This is a great company with an amazing selection and excellent customer service.

http://www.replacements.com/

Princess Eva

Costume constructed by six-year-old big sister as a baby doll burp cloth. Jocelyn (2) gets credit for creative application of Anna's work to a live baby doll.

Thy Will Be Done: A Prayer for a Fat Soul--Psalm 106:12-15

Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

Odds and Ends Online

We recently had several little things our family was in need of, and I didn't want to pay shipping for several different sources. http://www.mothernature.com/ to the rescue! And shipping was free on orders over $49.

Chillin' with Agave

All the real cooks out there may already know this, but around here, we just recently discovered that agave nectar does great in the freezer. It keeps homemade popsicles from freezing into an ice block and makes slushies more spoon-friendly. We're also having good success thus far with replacing the sugar in our ice cream recipe, though we haven't yet completely substituted one for the other.

Set Apart

Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills.

--Nineteenth-century Scottish theologian John Brown as quoted in The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

Dual Responsibility--Ezekiel 33:6

But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

In Pursuit of Freedom

. . . slaves to passion cannot be free in any other significant sense

--Douglas Wilson

Ectopics

Here's a link to a very enlightening article that was first brought to my attention by its publication in the Samaritan Ministries newsletter we receive:

http://inashoe.com/2008/06/11/ectopic-pregnancy-and-the-sanctity-of-life/

The more I learn about the medical field, the more I realize the importance of asking questions.

---As a side note, I found Kim's post for today (something like "Milestones of Motherhood") very accurate for my experience thus far!

My Monkeys

Educational Purpose Statement--Proverbs 22:19

That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

Two for Two

I've had a child development theory confirmed this week. A couple years ago, then two-year-old Lewis introduced us to the idea that small children can swallow small capsules by taking the acidophilus that was intended to be opened over his food, going around the corner, and making it disappear.

We, his parents, thought that was a pretty neat trick and proceeded to introduce his four- and six-year-old siblings to the concept of pill swallowing. Acidophilus capsules are particularly well suited to these lessons since they are quite small and since their probiotic contents are good for anyone at any time. Ian and Anna were a bit more hesitant than their younger brother, but regular practice combined with disdain for the thought of Lewis being able to do something they couldn't do soon produced proficiency.

I remember making a mental note at that time, "Introduce pill swallowing with potty training." I almost forgot. Jocelyn is now nearly potty trained, and just this week we broke out a fresh bottle of acidophilus capsules. I asked Ian to do a demonstration for her, and Jocelyn mimicked her brother like an old pro. Practice has continued all this week without a single hitch.

Community Service

"Be an organ donor: Give your heart to Jesus"

Improvements?

Gotta love our spiffy new landscaping feature and the customized chandelier!

Basics of Life--Micah 6:8

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

During--Let the Wall Come Down

Well, it hasn't exactly been long, quiet evenings, so far. They've been rather short (starting around nine) and adrenalin-filled (action movies). We're getting a lot done, though, with our fun, semi-camping state, and we're very thankful for the many who have helped us in a multitude of ways.

Sunflowers

Back to Those Two Hands--Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Perspective

"So we need to learn how to adjust to what our capacity really is and thank God that we are finite. His grace really is sufficient, but if we never had cause to need it, we would lose the benefit of experiencing it."

--Nancy Wilson



Though I always enjoy reading Mrs. Wilson over at Femina http://femina.reformedblogs.com/ , she has been doing some especially good posts lately. Today's, entitled "Two Hands" was such a one. If you go check that post out, I would also highly recommend "A Restless Discontent" which can be found under the July Archives. I greatly appreciate Mrs. Wilson and her husband's ministry.

Before

Kitchen--This wall will be gone. Place imaginary bar here.

Living Room--Those bookcases will go in here, but imagine windows (and possibly a door) instead of the fireplace.

Dining Room--This is currently my favorite room in the house. I wouldn't want to touch it except that the baseboard is a bit too creative, the windows are well worn and the wallpaper is being held up by either hot glue or sticky tack in several places. (For the record, neither remedy works very well.)

The Hall--Can't quite make out the dusty acoustic, and the unique mounting system for the light fixture isn't in the frame, but trust me, they need to go--as does the small white paper plate on the ceiling of the dining room covering a hole from an old heating system.

Our tenth anniversary was last Friday. It sure seems like there are lots of anniversaries in early August! Was everyone getting married between years of college and saving for the event over the summer like we were?

We've chosen to commemorate our special occasion with a week of radical remodeling on the main living areas of our home. We're going to gut the walls (and completely remove one), insulate (to free up more funds for future projects!), rewire (updated panel already installed), slick the ceilings (the dusty acoustic look is just not for us), and sheet rock (goodbye sixties paneling with peeling wallpaper).

Window replacement and painting will hopefully follow shortly. Oh, and somewhere in there Titus plans to build a bar on wheels to go where the wall between the kitchen and dining room was to provide more seating, storage, and flexibility.

We've been sarcastically accused of really knowing how to make the romantic sparks fly, but we're both very excited about this event. The kids are staying with friends and family for the week, and we splurged on a computer DVD player for evening entertainment since the sun room, which holds our TV, will be packed to the gills with furniture. So, in addition to getting some long anticipated work done, we will enjoy a good bit of alone time and long quiet evenings. Don't hold your breath for the "after" shots, though. It will be months before things are back to normal around here.

Beach in a Box

During our visit with relatives on Grandad's side in Kansas City, Aunt Linda gave the kids a generous monetary gift. Thanks to Daddy's skill, that gift has now been transformed into another opportunity for fun in the sun. Thank you, Aunt Linda!

Doxology

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out! . . . For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Romans 11:33, 36

The Local One Year Old

Evangeline Mercedes officially turned one this Thursday. With all that we were planning for in and around the month of August, we went ahead and celebrated Eva's birthday a few weeks ago with the four July birthdays in the family. A bit overly efficient perhaps, but Eva said she didn't mind. And Grammy still made Eva her own cake to accompany Anna's purple butterfly. Of course, nobody minded having extra cake around.

Haiku and Acrostics: Summer Poetics

Found a couple good books of children's poetry on the last library run. I didn't know a thing about the distinctives of haiku before bringing home the volume pictured above. I have since learned that the three lines with 5-7-5 syllable patterns are a fun and effective way to communicate--especially when set on a background of excellent water color.



I thought I knew all I cared to know about the highly sophisticated art of acrostics, but Steven Schnur's alphabet acrostic entitled Summer, with its bold illustrations by Leslie Evans, persuaded me of the merits of that art form. Big on pictures and short on words, both books make exceptionally good reading practice for Lewis.

Our Littlest Tadpole

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

--Nehemiah 8:10

Historical Voting Advice

A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything you have.

--attributed to Thomas Jefferson

Laura Ingalls Wild Girl

When Ian and Anna started reading the Little House series last year sometime, Lewis thought the title of this post was the name of the author. Now he knows better, but we all still like using the new nickname he gave Laura

We took our show on the road to Kansas City last weekend for Uncle Curry and Aunt Dot's fiftieth wedding anniversary, and en route we stopped for a tour of the Wilder home in Mansfield, Missouri. We also took the oppoortunity to pick up a new set of Little House books to replace the set from my childhood which could not survive another reading.

It was a weekend full of history in one form or another, and we enjoyed celebrating it all, though we were disappointed to have to leave the anniversary party before the honorees started showing their stuff on the dance floor. Guess we'll have to teach our children about the jitterbug some other time.

A Good Hair Day

We had an appointment for three with our friend Jan today. Anna got ten inches removed and plans to send that piece of her history to Locks of Love. Her new 'do looks even cuter dry.

Jocelyn had her very first official haircut and took it like an old pro. We forgot to get an "after" shot for her, but it wasn't nearly as dramatic as Anna's. Just a trim and shape--which is what Mommy got too.

Sweet Six

Blowing out six candles on a purple butterfly cake: birthday fun, Anna-style. The usual family crew helped us celebrate, and Anna came away from the event with lots of books, clothes, hugs, and smiles.

If Only I Believed This All the Time

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

--Psalm 84:11-12

Mrs. Arthur, meet Mr. Spurgeon

"When he falls upon his text, he interprets it, not at all desiring to know what the men of God who lived before him have said upon it, for they were of a darker age, and he lives in the nineteenth century, that world of wonders, that region of wisdom, that flower and glory of all time."

--Charles Spurgeon, An All-Round Ministry, p. 206
(borrowed from Mr. Wilson's blog)

Listen to This One

Titus recently revisited a household for which he has done work in the past--back before the blog. Upon returning home after this most recent work-related visit, my husband informed me, "Abraham still has his radio." This comment might not seem noteworthy except for the fact that Abraham is, in Titus's words, "a BIG chocolate lab with a baritone bark."

Abraham listens to the classic rock station 24/7. Sometime during his last stint at this household, Titus requested that the music be turned down just a hair. According to eye-witness report, Abraham growled at his owner as she reached for the volume control in his pen.

Ready, SET, Go!

At Sunday's birthday bash we pulled out a game that Nana and Aunt Brittany introduced our family to many years ago--even B.C. (Before Children), I think. I've always enjoyed the Set card game, but Titus does not share my interest and currently refuses to play it with me. However, I now know that I have someone living with me who has a proper appreciation for good fun: Anna! Here's a link to an online daily set puzzle. Playing with people is more fun, of course, but this would be a great way to learn the game and/or hone skills in preparation for the next Set Tournament.

http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm