Beach (part 1)

Country Home

Free 2 year subscription to Country Home Magazine. Click on title for link. ValueMags is offering a free 2-year subscription to Country Home. You will not receive a bill for this, it is absolutely free.

Yesterday I got some cute pictures of Emma in my magazine basket. She kept pulling out magazines and bringing them to me. Finally, I went into the living room and she was sitting on top of them all as happy as can be. I was trying to get some pics without her beloved paci...so that is why she has a fussy face in one. 

"Don't Make Me Count to Three" Download

My pastor's wife is doing a series of lessons on this book. It has been very insightful for me to prepare for the months ahead with little Miss Emma. If you have time to download a few of the lessons or all of them, I highly recommend it. Click on the title to go directly to the link.

Finger Paints

Homemade finger paints are nontoxic, washable, and always available.

Stir 4 tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 cup cornstarch together; add 2 cups of cold water, and heat over medium heat until the mixture is thick (the mixture will further thicken as it cools). Divide into four or more containers, and add food coloring as desired. (Martha Stewart online)

Homemade Granola

Ingredients

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup honey

4 cups old-fashioned oats

2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut

2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 1/2 cups medium diced dried apricots or dried pears

1 cup golden raisins

1 cup dried cranberries

Directions

 

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a small bow, whisk together the oil and honey; set aside. Toss the oats, coconut, pecans, and sunflower seeds together in a large bowl. Add the oil mixture, and stir, with a wooden spoon until well combined. Pour mixture onto two 13-by-8 inch baking sheets, and bake, stirring frequently, until the mixture is an even golden brown, 20 to 40 minutes, checking every 5 minutes.

2. Remove granola from oven; let cool, stirring occasionally. Add dried apricots (or pears), golden raisins, cranberries; stir to combine. Store in an airtight container.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I saw this idea a bit too late but I'll keep it in mind for next time. It's out of the Martha Stewart magazine. Breakfast in a bowl for Mom. =) I thought it was so cute! That way I would have made your breakfast without really being present. =) You pack a bowl, spoon, an awesome granola mix, and a bag of your favorite tea. I thought I'd post some pictures for you, even though I can't be with you this Mother's day...enjoy some virtual flowers and this recipe for some homemade granola. You should be getting some letters in the mail soon, if you haven't already. Love you!!

Best Friends

Playground at Table Rock

A birthday weekend getaway for Chase

This weekend I took Chase to a cabin not too far from where we live for a little R&R. He just finished up his 3rd year of seminary and he has May off before he takes some summer school in June and July. He's always in the classroom or in his work office building. Needless to say, he was itching to get outdoors. I found a little cabin in Table Rock State Park and we had some friends come and enjoy a little bit of nature as well. We made bonfires, played board games, took Emma and her little friend Chloe down to a little 'baby' playground near the lake, enjoyed some great food (courtesy of Kim Rackley) and just had a good old time! Chase is now an old man...25 !!! 

Peek!

Little Lily

I think these little hair accessories are so adorable! Lily Stratton makes them and if you're interested visit lilypottery.com

Random snapshots from last week

I just had to put this picture of Emma sleeping in her crib. A few weeks ago she was really sick. The pediatrician said she had a viral infection and she was just miserable. There was a rash all over her body and she was sleeping all day everyday, for a week practically. Anyway, during that week she grew attached to this duck. One night she woke up at 3am screaming quack, quack! quack, quack! And I went into her room and she was pointing to her stuffed animal. I gave it to her and she settled back down instantly. Weird! I don't know why she decided she couldn't sleep without him all of the sudden.
The other picture was last Sunday night. She still has some supper on her face. :)

Muah!

A friend of mine told me about a game for toddlers at Fisherprice.com and so Emma and I decided to check it out. Basically she can touch any key and little animals jump out on the screen and say peek-a-boo! =) It's really cute. Anyway, this is what she's playing while Daddy asks for a kiss.

Turtle Dessert

Prep:10 mins  Other: 2 hrs

17 ice-cream sandwiches

1 (12.25 ounce) jar caramel topping

1  1/4 cups chopped pecans, toasted

1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

3/4 cup hot fudge topping, heated

Place 8  1/2  ice-cream sandwiches in a 13x9 inch pan. Spread evenly with caramel topping and sprinkle with 1 cup pecans. Top with 2 cups whipped topping and remaining ice-cream sandwiches. spread remaining whipped topping evely over sandwiches. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pecans. Cover and freeze at least 2 hours. Let stand 5 minutes before serving; cut into squares. Drizzle with fudge topping. Yield: 10 servings

 

This will look amazing.  ( As if you spent hours in the kitchen)  =)

Splishan and a Splashin

Pool Party!! =)

I'm trying to post some videos of today's outing but at the moment it's not letting me. So, here are some pics for now.

Pool party!! =)

This week has been unusually warm, especially today! We had 80+ weather. So, my friend Kim had the wonderful idea of getting out the kiddie pool and having the girls splash around for a little bit. They had loads of fun! We thought it would be cute if Emma and Chloe would give each other hugs for the camera but in the end...they took a tumble. =) Chloe had lots of love for her friend Emma. Everyone is ok! No worries, Grandma! =)

I think it is so sad that there are many people that believe whatever Oprah supports is the very best thing. This is a real eye-opener.

A 'thought' from my hubby

                                                                 Galesburg

"Poets try to uncover words to describe what was never ours to describe. As if our feeble human words were worthy to give light to one Sunday afternoon's snow. Moments pass without the hint or glisten of the whiteness from heaven. The weatherman keeps telling us that it will happen, sooner than later. But, I am content to keep my heart, mind and soul set on whether or not God allows. Moments turn to hours. We go to church, we pray and listen to the voice of God. Later, Grandma serves up a marvelous meal fit for family, not worthy for kings and magistrates. Friends descend upon her household. Hospitality multiplies and coffee, dessert and laughter are in abundance. Then at last the spots appear outside of Grandma's windows. At first it appears that God is lightly and only momentarily dusting the neighborhood. But the whiteness lingers for a couple of hours. It decides to stick around for a while. The purity of the color transformed the backyard into someplace else. Ironically, the weatherman sits back in his chair, with a grin on his face, once again proud of himself. Later that afternoon, I found out that Grandma asked God for the snow, not for herself or anyone else, but for me." 

Chase Blankenship