Wordless Wednesday- October 31/Thankful Thursday- November 1

Seems difficult to do a happy Wordless post when all around us is incredible devastation.  The towns where we were during the summer (Ocean City, NJ) and in September (Bethany Beach, DE) have had unspeakable damage.  All around us are power outages and bad flooding.  I hear generators humming as we speak.  Thank God, we are all ok.  Except for a screen door, we have no damage at all and our power remained on.

But, it is a happy post.  A grateful post, thanking God for our safety.  So, this now becomes my Thankful Thursday post, as well.  On Tuesday, we played hookie from school (since all other schools were closed, I figured why not? :-)) and baked Halloween cookies and cake.

On Wednesday (Halloween), we played some fun math card games and the kids had fun with logic and their new tanagrams.  And I am thankful.

Linking up with: Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless ,Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH , A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, Spilled Milkshake, Miscellany Monday, Women Living Well Wednesday and Raising Homemakers.

P.S. If you haven't entered already, I would love for you to check out my Advent giveaway.  An author was gracious enough to give me an autographed copy of her Christian fiction book entitled "Destination: Bethlehem, An Advent Family Adventure."  It is a wonderful journey through the Holy Land to be read with your children each day leading up to Christmas Eve.  I know you would love it!  Thanks!  :-)

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- October 30

It's Tuesday already?  :-)  That means it's time for Try a New Recipe Tuesday!  The hurricane is hitting us full force now, but thank God, we are all safe and together.  Please keep everyone in the affected areas in your prayers.  The flooding and wind damage have been substantial.

This week, I am sharing Kiddo #1's chocolate cake recipe.  He makes his delicious cake for almost every family function and everyone loves it.  I'm sure you and your family will, as well!  :-)

Kiddo #1's Cocoa Fudge Cake
 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Heat oven to 350.  Grease baking pan, 13x9x2 inches or 2 round layer pans.  Measure all ingredients into large mixer bowl.  Blend 1/2 minute on low speed, scraping bowl constantly.  Beat 3 minutes high speed, scraping bowl occasionally.  Pour into pan(s).

Bake oblong 35 to 40 minutes, layers 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool.  Enjoy!  :-)

Linking up with the Gathering Spot, Kids in the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows,Addicted to Recipes, Homemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday,NOBH, Judy H-J's Thoughts, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things, Modest Mom, Full Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday

P.S. If you haven't entered already, I would love for you to check out my Advent giveaway.  An author was gracious enough to give me an autographed copy of her Christian fiction book entitled "Destination: Bethlehem, An Advent Family Adventure."  It is a wonderful journey through the Holy Land to be read with your children each day leading up to Christmas Eve.  I know you would love it!  Thanks!  :-)

Make Life Meaningful Monday- October 29

I have been MIA the last few days, as my children and I attended our church's family retreat this weekend. (hubby had Army duty and couldn't be with us.  :-()  And the word "meaningful" is an understatement in trying to describe how amazing our retreat experience truly was.

The theme of the retreat was "refresh, renew, rejoice."  It was held at the magnificent Malvern Retreat House in Malvern, PA.  What a beautiful location, especially this time of year with the stunning foliage.

We on the committee tried very hard to come up with a weekend that would be prayerful and uplifting, yet have some time for fellowship for ourselves and our children.  And it was indeed all of those things.

We had night prayer walks by flashlight.

talks that encouraged our children and called the adults to be living contradictions in the world and have "holy boldness" in all we say and do, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones.  These two things really resonated with us.  By living our lives as authentic Christians, we are being contradictions, contradictions of everything that the world tells us we should think, say and do.  And to be bold in the truth may be uncomfortable at first, but our faith is not something that is reserved to church on Sundays.  A small first step could be the praying of grace in a public restaurant.  We should not have to hide or be ashamed.  And, who knows?  That very act may encourage another or plant a seed, whose yield could be extraordinary.

We had free time where the adults and children alike were able to play and socialize with one another, go for walks on the grounds or just read, relax or pray.

We had so many different opportunities for worship and praise.  We also made a family craft.  Each family's was unique, but had a central theme-- a tree with the handprints of each family member as its leaves.  I put our wedding date on the trunk, as I believe that was the beginning of our tree, with each child adding to the tree's beauty and fullness. (I put each of their birthdates on their "leaves.")  The kids loved picking out the fabric for each of their handprints and helping me to arrange photos I had brought along of significant events that had taken place since last year's retreat.  I look forward to framing our masterpiece.  :-)))

Many of us stayed up well into the wee hours, reflecting upon the sermon or talks we had heard, laughing together and just enjoying each other's company.  It was so encouraging to be able to spend the time with like-minded and valued people in a safe and nurturing setting.  Our children all played so well together.  We were very proud of them.  The older ones encouraged and helped the youngers, even volunteering piggy back rides and including each other in their different activities and invented games.

The main chapel in our building had lovely windows behind it with the sun and foliage looking truly like God's masterpiece through them.  There was a cross made of wooden branches outside the windows that was just stunning when seen from inside the building.

Not sure if you can see the sculpture inside the altar.  It is just so perfect for a family retreat center.  St. Joseph is sitting Indian style with Mary, holding baby Jesus, sitting on his lap.  His arms are securely wrapped around them both.  What an example of family for us all!!!!

The 10 families who participated this year were all very blessed indeed!  :-)

Linking up with On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom and Crazy Mama

P.S. If you haven't entered already, I would love for you to check out my Advent giveaway.  An author was gracious enough to give me an autographed copy of her Christian fiction book entitled "Destination: Bethlehem, An Advent Family Adventure."  It is a wonderful journey through the Holy Land to be read with your children each day leading up to Christmas Eve.  I know you would love it!  Thanks!  :-)

Thankful Thursday- October 25

Another Thursday has come and it is time to focus again on the many things for which I have to be thankful.

The world seems to be getting worse everyday.  Just in the past few days, in the county where my husband grew up, 2 teenagers were just arrested for beating and strangling a 12 year old girl to death.  She was on her way to her friend's house.  My prayers are with her family.  I cannot imagine.  I also am praying for the mom of the boys arrested.  It was she who had the courage to turn her own sons over to the authorities.  I cannot imagine that, either.

So, again my Thankful Thursday post is about a local tragedy resulting in the death of a child and just how grateful I am for my children.  I have made a real concerted effort to cherish every single moment I have with them.  They truly go by in an instant.  God gave us our children as precious gifts, whom we are to nurture, protect, teach and guide.  I pray everyday for the grace to do that to the best of my ability.

So, when the opportunity presented itself yesterday (Wednesday), we spent the afternoon picking out and painting pumpkins.  Well, I watched and took pictures.  :-)  The kids said it was the best "art class" they had had in a long time.  Mission accomplished.

Smokey the cat is checking out his likeness on Kiddo #1's pumpkin.  :-)

 This shirt gets pulled out twice a year-- once for pumpkins and once on Halloween.  I just love Snoopy!  :-)

Kiddo #4's masterpiece.

What are you thankful for today?

Linking up with Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH , A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, Spilled Milkshake, Miscellany Monday, Women Living Well Wednesday and Raising Homemakers.

P.S.  I am hosting a giveaway for an amazing book to be read with your children during Advent.  It is called "Destination: Bethlehem A Family Advent Adventure."  Please click here to see the post and to enter!  :-)  Thanks!

Review and Giveaway in time for Advent!

Are you looking to spend some special time with your family this Advent focusing on what is truly important?

"Destination: Bethlehem A Family Advent Adventure," by Sharon Altman and Christine Winkelman is a wonderful, engaging adventure that in its 24 chapters, can be read every night in December leading up to Christmas.

On the back cover the book reads, "Two boys, Isaac and Jediah, experience adventure while traveling through ancient Palestine.  As their journey unfolds, the boys find themselves at the heart of the Nativity Story and gradually realize God's greatest promise, the birth of the Messiah is at hand."

I found that each chapter was short enough to be read in around 10-15 minutes.  I look forward to reading these chapters with my children this Advent.  I change our entire homeschool focus during the Advent season.  It is so important to give them (and me!)  the proper focus leading up to Christmas and I know this book will be a part of our daily Advent activities.

There is also an optional activity of a little package that you could give to your children each day that represents something from that chapter.  I like that many of the items are things that we probably already have in the house.  I can't wait to see the look in their eyes as they try to guess what each little package may contain.  I know that will open the avenue for much discussion and learning.

There are pages entitled "Travel Guide to the Past" after each chapter that give some historical information about what is going on in the chapter and ties it all in magnificently with the Bible.  For example, after chapter 18, we are told that "Jediah's family traveled on the same treacherous pathway that Jesus later spoke about in the parable of the Good Samaritan."  The boys' journey even takes them through Gethsemane before reaching the hills of Bethlehem.

Part I of the book begins with "Isaac's Journey," a year before Christ's birth.  The last chapter has the boys in the Cave at Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.  Such a beautiful and heartwarming journey!

The authors have graciously given me an autographed copy to be won by one of my lucky readers!  I want to be sure that the giveaway will take place for you to have the book in time for the beginning of Advent, which is only a little more than a month away!  Wow!  :-)



You can enter the giveaway 6 times.  Please leave a comment for each.  Be sure to include your email address.  :-)

1) Leave a comment.  Why would you like to win this book?
2) Follow my blog via GFC
3) Subscribe to my blog via email
4) Blog about the giveaway
5) Mention the giveaway on Facebook
6) Tweet about the giveaway

Kiddo #4 will draw the winner on Friday, November 9th.  Good luck!  I am SO excited about this giveaway!  :-)

**The authors provided me with a copy of their book in exchange for an honest review on my blog.**

Wordless Wednesday- October 24

Ok, not exactly wordless!  :-)  Just some random shots I took on Tuesday.  It was so awesome to see all 4 kiddos playing together outside this afternoon.  I should have taken some of them running laps around the house, lol!  :-)  I wish I would have taken some photos during their Italian lesson.  Have I mentioned that I just LOVE their teacher?  I get so engrossed in the lessons myself (last week she had us dancing the Tarantella!) that I don't even think about grabbing the camera until it's too late.  I did manage to get a photo of the work they did on musical instruments, though.

Below are just some of my favorite photos from the last week.  You may have seen some of them already :-) (and yes, that is one of the cats cuddling in Kiddo #4's Hershey Kiss costume that she and her Pop-Pop made last week  :-) )

Linking up with: Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless 

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- October 23

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for another wonderful recipe share!

This week, I'm going to share my dad's meatloaf recipe.  It is delicious, let me tell you.  ;-)  We typically freeze them after making them and then pop them in the oven for about 2 hours (frozen) or about an hour and a half if defrosted or just made.  I usually keep it covered for at least the first hour or so.  Then, you can uncover it so it can brown a bit on the top if you prefer it like that.  :-) You could also put them in your crockpot.  It is convenient to have them in the freezer and ready to go.

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup minced onion
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup

Hope you enjoy!  :-)

Here is the one we had tonight all sliced and ready to be served.  :-)

Linking up with the Gathering Spot, Kids in the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows,Addicted to Recipes, Homemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday,NOBH, Judy H-J's Thoughts, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things, Modest Mom, Full Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday

Make Life Meaningful Monday- October 22

What has made my life meaningful this Monday?  The little things.

Baking some muffins with my kiddos on Saturday (ok, so doing the laundry wasn't so meaningful, lol!) and finishing the crocheting of an afghan for a family member for Christmas (can't say who since the person probably will be reading this!) and getting ready to start another (hope I can get that one done in time, as well!)

While I was baking, the kiddos were outside playing and enjoying this beautiful fall weather we are having.

We couldn't help but notice that the marigolds that Kiddo #3 started from seeds are still hanging in there!  :-)

On Sunday after church, hubby and I took the kiddos on various errands.  Kiddo #4 wants to make her brothers all a gift in her sewing class.  She picked out the perfect fabric (Philadelphia Eagles!) and pattern to make some lounge pants for Kiddo #2.  Kiddo #3 got to buy his Halloween costume and we had to order Kiddo #2's, since the sporting goods store doesn't carry the player's jersey that he wanted.

Another weekend for which I am grateful.

The Kiddos are looking forward to picking out and painting some pumpkins this week.  Come Friday, we will be attending our church's family retreat for the weekend.  It is always a wonderful, refreshing experience of prayer and fellowship.  Unfortunately, my husband has military duty and will not be able to join us.  I will, of course, be sad, and not feel like a complete family, but I know he will be with us in spirit, as he will be in our thoughts and prayers.  :-)

Linking up with On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom and Crazy Mama

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up October 19

Another week's wrap up post.  Wow.  :-)  Time is just flying by, isn't it?

In my life/homeschool this week: Mondays are always crazy days here.  It starts with Kiddo #1's Chemistry class at 9, Kiddo #4's sewing class at 10:30 and then music lessons for 3 of the 4 in the early afternoon.  Kiddo #4 also has her IEW writing class in the afternoon and a Legion meeting at church in the evening.  Phew!  :-)  We did manage some schoolwork in between and the kiddos enjoyed some activities I created for them to review their Italian.

Kiddo #4 was proud to have finished her pillow pet in sewing class.

I posted more pics of both their Italian review and the pillow pet here in my Wordless Wednesday post.

I also posted on Monday about our weekend of costume and pizzelle making.  You can see it here.

On Tuesday, a regular work day, the kiddos worked on their Algebra, science, history, religion and Italian.

Italian lessons were postponed in the afternoon and we decided to bake some sugar cookies.  I was so grateful that we did.  You can read about a sad story from a local community here and how we should all hug our children and never forget to tell them how we really feel.  It is my Thankful Thursday post.

I also posted my weekly recipe linkup post.  This week I shared my recipe for Chocolate Chip Pound cake (yummy!)  Come over and visit here and see that recipe and all of the others that were shared.

On Wednesday morning, Kiddos #1 and 2 had their online class.  I am really pleased with the program.  

Kiddos #3 and 4 began working on an "everyday life" in Colonial America project.  We research a trade, they type up a description and then color a coloring page that goes along with it.  They both liked making up the covers for their binders and are having fun learning about different trades.  I am incorporating pictures from our trips to Williamsburg and Philadelphia, as well.  My grandfather was a printer and Kiddo #4 was amazed that, although obviously not in the colonial era, he had to put type into the presses by hand and backwards just as they did two centuries before.  It was awesome to hear my dad telling my daughter about his father's print shop.  Her first response was, "he lived during colonial times?"  :-)  I still remember the smell of the inks in my pop's shop and I loved when he would make me a little notepad or paper with my name on it.

We were planning to do some apple picking on Friday, but rain has put a damper on those plans.  We are anxious to make all of my apple recipes, but it will just have to wait for another day.  :-)

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

What I'm reading: several books for book clubs I belong to as well as a Bible study.

What I'm praying for: our country, our military, the unemployed, those who are ill or suffering, the family I wrote about on Thursday who lost their daughter, my family....

A quote or photo to share:

“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.”--GK Chesterton

“To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.”--GK Chesterton

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, NOBH, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap and Friendship Friday.

Thankful Thursday- October 18

I had an altogether different post in mind for this Thankful Thursday until my husband came home from work and told me of a tragedy in the neighborhood near the post office.  A girl of only 14 was killed while trying to run across an intersection to get to her bus stop this morning.  

I cannot even imagine what her parents are going through tonight; or even the driver of the car, who did immediately stop and try, with other witnesses, to help her.

Something like this hits every parent hard, even when they do not know any of the people involved.  I tear up every time I think about it and have prayed for all involved.  Parents should not have to bury their children.  It is just so unnatural.  I hugged my children a few extra times tonight and reminded them of how much I love them.  As the Lord told us, we do not know the day or the time and death will come like a robber in the night.  The young lady's grieving parents can very easily be any one of us.  And that makes me all the more grateful for each and every moment with my children.

Every day is truly a gift and we need to be thankful.  Instead of focusing on what we do not have, whatever that may be in life, we need to focus on what we do have-- our precious children-- and cherish every moment that we get to share with them.  I'm sure the young lady's parents would be willing to give up everything else in their lives tonight to have just another day with their daughter.

Lord, help me always to be grateful for the gifts you have bestowed upon me in my children and may the family and friends of the young girl feel Your presence in the love, support and care they will receive from those around them.  May it give them some iota of comfort and peace.
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Now I am all the more happy that I said "yes" to making cookies yesterday afternoon when the Italian teacher postponed our lesson.  I could have just come up with a substitute busy-work assignment, but now, all the more, I am so glad I didn't.

Linking up with Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH , A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, Spilled Milkshake, Miscellany Monday