I know they are going to take good care of her.
Poor little thing, she has no idea what she is getting into!
We’ve only known about her for about 4 hours and I already have enough
fabric picked out for two baby quilts. I can’t wait to get started!
I’m starting to see the benefits of having boys that are twenty months apart. We paid our dues for a while, but now the boys are suddenly growing up and becoming friends. They played in the orchard for a total of about two hours the other day. It was fun to see them lost in their own world of make believe, oblivious to the dark that was starting to settle around them.
When I set the easel up on the back porch, I was anticipating having to enforce patience and taking turns. I was pleasantly surprised to find them more than happy to paint together.
His Cubbie vest finally arrived. He was so pleased to wear it for the first time to Awanas. I’m sure someday I’ll look at this picture and think about how little he was, but right now when I look at it, all I can think of is how fast he is growing up.
The baby is starting to grow and along with it my waist line! Big Brother is convinced that the baby is a girl. He refuses to even consider that it might be another brother. He refers to the baby as “she” and “her”. He wants to name her Claire. Hopefully he won’t be too disappointed if it turns out to be a boy!
I’m starting to see the benefits of having boys that are twenty months apart. We paid our dues for a while, but now the boys are suddenly growing up and becoming friends. They played in the orchard for a total of about two hours the other day. It was fun to see them lost in their own world of make believe, oblivious to the dark that was starting to settle around them.
When I set the easel up on the back porch, I was anticipating having to enforce patience and taking turns. I was pleasantly surprised to find them more than happy to paint together.
His Cubbie vest finally arrived. He was so pleased to wear it for the first time to Awanas. I’m sure someday I’ll look at this picture and think about how little he was, but right now when I look at it, all I can think of is how fast he is growing up.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness for, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men cast insults at you and persecute you… rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven will be great.
Matthew 5:3-12
I was reading this familiar passage and it struck me for the first time; what a strange list of blessings. Not at all the blessing I would have chosen for myself. Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the gentle, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are those who are persecuted,…
In fact, much to my shame, when I sat down and made a list of things I would consider to be blessings it looked more like this:
Blessed are those who are capable
Blessed are those who are witty
Blessed are those who are thin and beautiful
Blessed are those who are well liked wherever they go
Blessed are those who have pretty things
Blessed are those who are strong
It’s time for me to start thinking differently. Do I love the things God loves? Do I despise the things He despises? Where is my heart? Where is my home?
I love pot roast. In the winter there is nothing more delicious (or convenient) than a pot roast slowly cooking and filling your house with a savory aroma. It’s a meal in one pot!
However, for my entire married life, I have never managed to cook a tender, flavorful pot roast. I think it’s because I not an intuitive cook. Which is a result of my own inexperience and the fact that I tend to be anxious and up-tight in the kitchen (even though I really enjoy cooking).
I was beginning despair at my pot roast plight, when I came upon this recipe from Martha Stewart’s web site. I’ve made this recipe several times and it comes out perfectly moist and delicious. So, if you’re like me and you are pot roast challenged this is the perfect recipe.
Pot Roast
2 T. of veg. oil
salt and pepper
1 lg. pot roast (chuck)
2 c. beef broth
1/2 c. of red wine
2 bay leafs
1 tsp. dried thyme
3 T. of tomato paste (ketchup works too)
4 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 large onion cut into wedges
4 lg. potatoes and carrots cut into chunks
Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
A dutch oven works best for this recipe but if you don’t have one, just brown your meat in a skillet and then transfer it to a oven-safe pot. Never brown your meat in a non-stick pan, you won’t get a nice brown crust on the meat.
Heat oil over med. high heat and generously salt and pepper the roast. Place meat in oil and brown well on all sides.
Add the beef broth, tomato paste, and wine. Stir well, scraping off the brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Add garlic, bay leafs, thyme, and onion wedges. Bring liquid to a simmer, put on lid and place in 200 degree oven.
Cook for 2 hours at 200 and check occasionally to make sure that the liquid is just gently bubbling. If the liquid is rapidly bubbling, turn down the heat; if it’s not doing anything, turn it up a little. After 2 hours put in potatoes and carrots and turn up the heat to about 225. Let it cook for another 2 hours. Plate and serve.
If you want to make a good meal great, about 20 min. before you want to serve your meal make a reduction sauce out of the liquid. Remove about two cups of liquid from the roast and place in a shallow sauce pan. Let it boil over med. high heat, stirring frequently (it will burn if you’re not careful). Once the sauce has reduced by half and thicken slightly, remove from heat and serve with the pot roast.
The thyme and red wine in this recipe really compliment the meat. This is a big hit at my house. Enjoy!
(I should mention that my oven tends to run hot so 200 degrees might be a little cool for some ovens.)
The boys and I were sitting on the couch the other morning when Big Brother asked me if I had ever gone to Cubbies when I was a little girl. I told him that I was never a Cubbie but I was a Girl Scout, and I had a vest and badges of my own.
I searched through some closets and dug out my old Girl Scout uniform to show the boys. They were pretty impressed with my kelly green vest and colorful badges. The boys have been playing with it all week, as Big Brother has been anxiously awaiting his own vest’s arrival (we’ll be able to pick it up next Wed.). He really wanted to wear my Girl Scout vest to Awanas last night and I told him that wasn’t a good idea.
Last night I was running around locking doors and putting together a diaper bag to take to Awanas. I was in a hurry so I shouted down the hall and said, “Come on boys! It’s time to leave. Let’s hussle.” In a few minutes I look down the hall and see this…
Because he doesn’t have the vocabulary his older brother has, I forget how much he understands what we say to each other. All week he heard us talking about vests, and badges, and Cubbies, and he just didn’t want to miss out!