history by legos part two

In honor of all of the men and women who fought for our freedoms...

These totally cool lego photos and more can be found here by Mike Stimpson.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Sorry I haven't been blogging.  Sometimes life doesn't allow for blogging.

Anyway, I thought I would show you the progress of our garden.

The collard greens have done REALLY well.

 Son told me I am not supposed to wear his shoes anymore.  (He never wears them.)

Can you see them?  Teeny tiny asparagus-es coming up.  That is as big as they have gotten.  I watched a video on growing aspar. and we did them wrong.  I honestly didn't think we'd get anything.  But these are cute.

I left one to just keep on growing.  The video said to do this.  you can see how tiny it is.  On the video these were pretty big.

Darn bugs.   These little worms really stink when you smoosh 'em.

That's all.  Enjoy your weekend!

history by legos

studied this today...then we found the photo.

a profile of inspiration

in school, fridays are our day to change things up a bit, do our science and so on.

we are done with science! 

so we did a geography drill...see how many states you can name.  not bad.

we also did an art project.

the older the kids get the harder it is to get them to do art without groaning.

i have been wanting to do this art for awhile.

our daughter replies last night after i announced we would be doing art, "it's not where you tear up magazines and make a picture is it?"

me: "well, yes."

groan...

anyway, to cut to the chase the art project went good and hers was the best.

my inspiration is from meg of whatever.

tracing the silhouettes was funny.

we couldn't hold still.  we just couldn't help laughing.

i left it up the them what they wanted to do with their silhouettes.

 here's my stash...i was going to go all black then saw these colors.

 here's sons...he did not like the way it turned out...looks like broccoli.  don't know why he wanted the chairs.

 mine...statue of liberty?...a star wars character?...not the look i was going for.

here's the winner.  i so want to make another one and copy her.  not bad for someone who didn't want to do it and thought that brother would be way better.  i kinda want to make one of each of us for wall decor.

It's Offical

While it has felt like we have had two teenagers for sometime now, it is offical.

Our son who once was a wee little baby...

 ...who drooled like CRAZY!!...

 ...stole every one's heart...

 ...loved everything outdoors...

 ...made thee cutest cowboy...

 ...and always smiled...

.

..is 13!!!!  And doesn't like photos taken of him!

What does that have to do with anything?

This morning I woke up with a depressing Depeche Mode song in my head.  I know, what DM song is NOT depressing?!  Anyway, that silly song didn't even have anything to do with my dream. 

Don't know why or if this even relates, but the song/dream prompted me to take photos of my day today.  This should be interesting if it's anything like the song!

Be back later today...

***edited because a better title came to me in the shower.***

Here they are in no particular order.

 opening the windows in the morning, to let the cool air in...copying for school

 our dust monsters street sweepers...we need rain BAD!  you really can't see how bad the dust is.

 dishes...clogged vacuum, lovely...checking out a house a friend may buy.

a yummy, yummy pasta salad i made for dinner...cleaning the couches...new glasses and a yummy smoothies (coupon in paper)

All-in-all it was a good, easy day!  So much for weird dreams and sad songs!

Max on Life by Max Lucado

Max On Life

Answers and Inspiration for Today's Questions
By Max Lucado
Published by Thomas Nelson

I have to admit I have never read any of Max Lucado's books before, and he sure has a lot.  So, it was out of curiousity that I agreed to review his newest book Max on Life.  It was a very fast read.  I can  see why people love his books so much.  His book covers a great deal of questions and topics.  The subjects are conveniently broken into chapters.  Max also approaches each question as if he were talking the to person directly.

Having said that, I have to be honest.  While the book wasn't all that bad,  it just didn't "do" much for me.  I can see how it is helpful to new believers or non-believers, and those who may not get thorough preaching in their church.  While Max was gracious in his answers, I felt he could have been a bit more direct in some of them.  I honestly was hoping for more depth to the answers.  I also felt there were some theology that was a bit off.  If you are looking for a book that will truly guide and direct you to a deeper walk with God, then this is really not the book.  If you are looking for a coffee table book or conversation starter, then go and grab yourself one.

Coming up with two hundred words to use in this review is a bit hard.  Like I said it wasn't a "bad" book, just wish it had more depth.  Max on Life didn't dampen my curiosity about Max Lucado and his other books.  I may check more out one of these days.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

more scrapping

 credits:erica zane

 credits: the lily pad template freebie and sahlin studios

credit: vinnie pearce and sahlin studios

a few things

just a few things...

*where did the comments go from the last post????  i know i had some.
*saw a car with a surfboard on the top in the middle of the desert yesterday.  licence plate...cali.  made me smile.  and then sing "which one of these things doesn't belong..."
*the kids are outside playing so nice...shhh...if they know i am onto them they'll stop.
*son wants deviled eggs for his birthday dinner.  that's it.
*our compost pile really smells.
*i love, i mean LOVE my hubby.  can't wait for him to get home!
*my dear friend will be living here again very soon!

have a wonderful weekend.

i think i am hooked on making my own granola.

(disclaimer: these photos are not from this recipe, but throw in a few cranberries and there you go.)
i have made three batches and the last one's good enough to hand out!

i worked from a recipe in the Taste of Homes magazine, Oct/Nov 1995 issue and went from there.

Cranberry Granola
1/4 c molasses
1 1/3 c honey
1/2 c oil (vegetable, etc.)
1/3 c brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbl peanut butter or almond butter
2 tsp vanilla
1 c sliced almonds
About a handful or so of dried cranberries
1 c chopped walnuts
1 c All Bran
8 c old fashioned oats

Heat oven to 300 degrees F.  Melt all but the last four ingredients in a sauce pan.  Add the bran, nuts and the oats to a large bowl and mix.  Once the ingredients in the saucepan are melted pour over oats and mix until all coated.  Spread evenly onto two ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake for a total of 15 to 20 min.  Stirring every 5 minutes.  In the last 10 minutes sprinkle the cranberries on the granola.  Let cool before removing from sheet.  This is where the clusters form.  Once cool store in airtight container.  Makes a bunch!  I will have to get you the real amount later.  Enjoy!

In Front of God and Everyone by K.D. McCrite

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 10, 2011)
Language: English
Retail Price: $9.99

"Boy, oh boy", this book was a fun, light-hearted read. 
While this story about April Grace and the life around her started off on the wrong foot with me, it wound up to be a good, feel-good book.  What I didn't like was the back and forth bickering between April and her older sister Myra.  As a mom of a teen and a tween I can completely relate to April and her view on life.  Also, as a christian, I felt some of the christian beliefs a bit stretched.

I found the characters to be very full of personality.  The author did a fantastic job of bringing them to life.  April has an honest eye for good and bad in people.  If this were a melodrama you can hear the boos and hisses when the bad guys comes out and the claps and cheers for the good folks. 

This book breaks down stereotypes and pride.  Though this wasn't a very deeply moral book, you do get the just of the book.  Which is to treat everyone kind, and to watch out for old men who smell of "Old Spice".  (Do get it?  Read the book.)  Would I let my kids read this, probably.  Would I encourage them to, no.  Am I interested in reading the sequel?  I think I would.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Look Out Sarah Palin...

Saturday evening we did some shooting.

Here I am helping son load ammo.  Not as easy as hubby makes it look.

 Son dry firing.

Daughter, shooting at some big 'ole light bulbs pretty far away. 

She did the best out of the three of us.

Hubby doesn't count; we know he's good.

Here's a video of me shooting.  Don't be fooled, after this video I shot poorly.

For those of you who don't know, I am NOT a shooter at all.  So this is why it's such a big deal for me.

I joke with hubby that he should've married Sarah Palin.

Other then our beliefs Sarah and I are very different.

still here

i am still here...b.u.s.y. but here.
one child is sick and my throat is starting to hurt.
we are in revival...need to iron for every night.
the floor needs more than mopping.
i need to run to the store.
i need to read dd's grammar book so i know what she's learning.
made a double batch of granola yesterday.  i think i am getting the taste to where i want it.
there are major dishes to be washed.
lasagna tonight.
been a leftover recipe making fool.
i am tired but can't stop just yet.
the weather is so nice (no wind) i want to go outside.

hope you week hasn't been too busy.