Organizing

Boys' Room BEFORE

Boy's Room AFTER

Organizing school books until a homeschool room is added. . .

A place for everything and everything in it's place. . .sounds too good to be true!  I continue to aspire to the dream of not constantly picking up and putting away stuff.  With such organization my kids will surely pick up now! Ha.  At least they have an organized place to throw it in...

Cost-co, the place to shop!

Creativity

Jonathan expressed his creativity at the expense of his baby brother, who doesn't appear to mind.  Mom is just glad it was on the ground! 

Good-bye old friends. . .

I must have been a very good girl this year because I made out with some pretty fantastic Christmas gifts!  Actually, God is very kind and merciful to a very undeserving sinner and I was blessed to be the recipient of some practical gifts which will assist my daily tasks.  

It's a strange thing to have appliances become a part of your family.  These "maids" have served me well for over 18 years and 8 babies.  Good bye ol'girls!

And welcome new gals!  I hope these lovely ladies can handle 8 children, 8 teens and lots of grandbaby outfits over the next 18 years. . .

They need a prettier laundry room, don't you think?  :)  Maybe next Christmas. . .

Pruning...

With the beautiful weather today it was time to venture back outside and compete the task of pruning that had been placed aside due to the rains and the holidays.  I love pruning.  It's a bit odd, I know.  I actually look forward to it!  I love all the spiritual analogies it provides and is such a great teaching tool with kids.  Today I'm not sure what was pruned more - the trees or my heart.  As I found myself enjoying the pleasure of pruning, I wondered at the pleasure my Father must have as He masterfully prunes and shapes me for His glory.  Usually, I focus more on the one being pruned than on the Pruner Himself.  It is the pruner who has the ultimate vision for the tree.  It is the pruner's wishes that decide which twig or branch should be shaped and cut.  I found my heart praying with each twig and branch cut, "Lord, prune my pride.  Lord, prune my selfishness.  Lord, prune my self-righteous attempts to thrawt you.  Lord, prune my desire for approval. . .and on and on."  Over 100 tree branches pruned and God faithfully revealed as many areas of pruning in my heart.  What a merciful Savior, what a loving Pruner!

Excellent Ham Pot-pie

My sister-in-law found an excellent way to use leftover ham.  I modified it slights, but you can find the orginal receipe here:http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Au-Gratin-Ham-Potpie.

Au Gratin Ham Potpie

1 package au gratin potatoes
1 1/2 cup boiling water
1 16 oz bag of mixed frozen veggies
2 cups ham, cooked and chopped
1 can cream of potato soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream

Mix above ingredients and place in a 9x13 pan.  Roll out home made pie crust (or buy a pie pastry) and put over.  Bake at 400 for approximately 45 minutes.  Let cool and sit for 10 minutes before serving over hot rice. 

It was devoured.  Next time I'll have to double the recipe!

Onion Strings

If you love onion rings, this is a keeper of a recipe.  I just checked out The Pioneer Woman Cooks from the local library and am having fun trying a some new recipes.  You can check her out at http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/.  This onions strings are easy and yummy. 

1 large onion
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I left this out)
canola for frying

1.  Begin by peeling the onion and slicing very thinly.
2.  Separate the onion slices and place them in a shallow dish.  Pour buttermilk over.
3.  Press the onions down so they are submerged and let them soak for at least one hour.
4.  In a bowl, combine other ingredients.
5.  Pour oil into deep fryer or pot and heat to 375.
6.  Using tongs, remove a handful of onions from buttermilk and dunk into flour mixture.  Coat well.
7.  Plunge onions into the hot oil.
8.  When golden brown (under a minute), remove and place on paper towel-lined plate.

Jael's Birthday....

Jael had a special guest appearance for her birthday breakfast in bed- Miss Megan!  It made her birthday very special.

The birthday girl in her new hat from Mrs. Julie!

Presents are always a fun part of the day. . .

We enjoyed a cooler, drizzly day at the zoo with friends, followed by her first McDonalds Happy Meal!  What a day...

Organizing in the New Year. . .

There is something about taking down the Christmas tree and all the decorations that triggers the need to organize and institute orderliness for the new year.  Orderliness, something I seem to always be attempting to attain, only to have it thwarted by nine others! 

Here's my first attempt for the new year (an idea provided by my mom).  Living in a region that is warmer, my little ones love putting on their swim suits.  Why not put each child's swim suits/goggles in their own bin, says my mom??  Why not?!  Because I hadn't thought of it - I was too busy refolding and stacking swimsuits. . .ha.

PS.  I love Cost-Co!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We had a lot of fun with this year's Christmas card. . .enjoy!