Try a New Recipe Tuesday- July 10

Last night was breakfast for dinner for our family.  The first thing my family asks for is my french toast.  The past few times I have made it with my homemade bread and now they don't want it any other way.  The recipe for my bread can be found here.

Lisa's French Toast Recipe (I usually have to double this for a family my size)
4 eggs
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
lots of cinnamon (my family loves cinnamon, so I put in several sprinkles before each piece of bread)

I set my griddle at around 275 degrees.  Enjoy!  They are really yummy!  :-)

I look forward to seeing what delicious recipes you all will share this week.


Linking up with 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 and Modest Mom.

Make Life Meaningful Monday- July 9

It was a good weekend, hot, but good.  I didn't step foot out of the house on Saturday, as the mercury was up over 100 and high humidity.  Well, except to watch the kids in the pool.  :-) 

Sunday was, of course, church with my family, which is always meaningful.  The homily was excellent-- perhaps we should spend less time asking God to change others and begin with asking Him to change ourselves, and to have faith that God will make miracles within us if we just open up ourselves to His Grace.

When we got home from church, I decided to try out my new pressure canner for the first time.  I have been really excited to try it and want to be able to can all kinds of veggies from our garden and some fruit, as well.  My mom helped me and we canned a few jars of corn.  Getting it off the cob was the biggest challenge, but it was fun and now that I know how to do it, will buy the corn in a much larger quantity, so we can have plenty of fresh, sweet and delicious corn to have all year long.  :-)  The possibilities are endless!

This morning, Kiddo #2 left for a trip with my dad.  Dad started a tradition last year with Kiddo #1-- when they turn 13, they can choose a place that they would like to visit for a few days.  Last year, Kiddo #1 chose the Air Force Museum in Ohio and an RC flying show right over the border in Indiana.  Kiddo #2, who will be 13 next month, chose the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.  So, my sports fan is on his way.  I can't wait to hear about his adventures. 

Linking up today with Modest Monday, On, in and around Mondays and Inspire Me Monday in addition to Wisdom Wednesday and Living Well Wednesday and Make Life Meaningful Monday.

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly-Wrap Up July 6

We enjoyed VBS last week, but were glad not to have to be up and out that early during this hot and humid week. (or any week for that matter, lol)  :-)

On Monday, there were no music lessons (the instructors were enjoying some away time with their family), so we made a fun 4th of July craft.  You can read more about it and see pics of the kiddos making it here.

I also posted here about the Kiddo's final assembly for VBS, which, despite the heat, was really wonderful.

On Tuesday, Kiddo #4 attended a jump rope class.  It is being held on a 90 acre estate that is just breathtaking.  We are signed up for some other classes that are being offered there (next week is make and fill your own honey jar) which I am really looking forward to.

I also hosted my weekly recipe linkup.  I shared my recipe for chocolate chip banana bread.  It is REALLY yummy.  You can find the recipe and all of the others that were shared here.

Wednesday was the holiday.  We enjoyed just spending time together, barbecuing, swimming and watching "A Capitol Fourth" on TV.  We finished the evening by reading the Declaration of Independence and remembering the true meaning of the day and being thankful for all of those who have fought for our freedom.

On Thursday, in addition to more swimming, Kiddo #4 had her sewing lesson. She finished a new collar for her brother's Dumbo stuffed animal to match the hat she had already made him.  Isn't it adorable?  Kiddo #3 added the cross sticker to Dumbo's hat afterward.  :-) Kiddo #1 also had his Civil Air Patrol meeting.

I posted my "Thankful Thursday" post today, expressing my gratitude for the freedom we have in this nation and how blessed we are to be able to celebrate July 4th.  Come see photos of us celebrating the day here.

What will Friday bring?-- perhaps some more fun art projects and definitely more swimming, as the excessive heat warnings continue until Saturday night.

What I'm reading: "I SURRENDER! Thoughts on Making Christ the Center of Your Daily Life," and the instruction book on my new pressure canner, lol. :-)

What I'm praying for: those who are ill or suffering, our nation and its military, the preservation of our freedom of religion and conscience...

A Quote or Photo to share:

Kiddo #3's Dumbo and Kiddo #4's pigs had their own Independence Day parade.  :-)

"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us."-- John Hancock


Linking up today with Create with Joy, Homeschool Mother's Journal and Weekly Wrap-Up.

Thankful Thursday- July 5

On this day after Independence Day, I am very thankful for the freedoms we have in this nation; that millions have fought for, hundreds of thousands have died for and upon which this nation was founded.  I hope and pray that these freedoms will not continue to be taken from us.

I am thankful for all those in the military who defend our nation, and that while we are able to barbecue and enjoy our families, they are keeping watch, having our backs, and fighting against a foe whose only goal is to destroy our very way of life.....

I am grateful for my husband's 23+ years of service, his fighting in 2 wars, but most importantly, that he is home with us on this holiday and able to do the "ordinary" things like tend our little garden.

These are the little things that we Americans tend to take for granted, because we have always known freedom.  Being able to barbecue

or swim to celebrate the holiday.

I will be sure to take a moment to read the Declaration of Independence with my children, be proud of what it stands for, the freedom it represents and how much sacrifice has been made to attain and secure those freedoms for the past 236 years.

God Bless America and those who have fought for her freedom!  We all have much to be grateful for this day.

I'm happy to be linking up today with:

Red Oak Lane, Raising Mighty Arrows, NOBH and A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Wordless Wednesday- July 4

Happy Independence Day everyone!  May God bless America, now more than ever!  :-)  My almost wordless post today is a craft that my kiddos made to celebrate the holiday.  May we always appreciate the freedoms that generations have fought to preserve and protect!

Happy Birthday, America!  :-)

Linking up today with:  Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy , What is a Mom, Living Well Wednesdays, A Mother's Heritage and NOBH.

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- July 3

Welcome to my little recipe hop!  I hope you will share a recipe and visit some of the many delicious ones that are posted here each week.  :-)

The other day I saw the ripe bananas on top of the fridge and thought they were definitely calling me to make something with them.  :-)  I came up with a recipe for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread that is a combination of bits and pieces of others I have seen along with my own tweaks and additions.  And, if I can say so myself, it was really delicious.  :-)

I made 4 mini loaves (I have 4 kiddos!) and there was enough left over after filling those to make a few muffins with it, as well.  If you are making it in one large loaf, I would adjust the times accordingly, probably almost doubling what I did for the mini loaves.

Lisa's Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Preheat oven to 325
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 ounces butter, softened
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars together.  Add banana, eggs and vanilla.  Mix well.  Add in dry ingredients, followed by chocolate chips.  Fill loaf baking pans about 1/2-3/4 full.  Same thing with muffin cups.

Muffins- bake for 20-30 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean)
Mini loaves- 20 minutes covered with aluminum foil, followed by 20-25 more minutes uncovered (judge again with toothpick)

Enjoy!  :-)


Linking up this week with 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 and Wisdom Wednesday

Make Life Meaningful Monday

VBS.  There is nothing like seeing children wholeheartedly and innocently praising God in song and learning about Him during the week through art, games and fellowship with their friends.  :-)

My children participated in VBS at my parents' church last week, with the final assembly on Friday night.  Here is a photo of Kiddos 3 and 4 getting ready to head over to the performance:

and several from the show itself:

I had to include a photo with Kiddo #2, who volunteered as a helper/aide during the week and did a super job. (we're doing a good job smiling even though it was close to triple digits, lol!)

I am very proud of all 3 kiddos, who did a fabulous job!  And, of course, I am thankful, as I mentioned in a post last week, for Kiddo #1, who helped me run errands and get much done while the others were at VBS.  I enjoyed his company and how much we laughed and had fun together.  I am also proud of how eager he was to take photos of his siblings at the show.  :-)

Michelle is off this week, so there is no Make Life Meaningful linkup, but I am happy to be linking up today with Modest Monday, On, in and around Mondays and Inspire Me Monday in addition to Wisdom Wednesday and Living Well Wednesday.