Yippee!!!! We're Gluten Free!!!! (again!)

Yippee!!!! We're gluten free...again! I've spent the entire day cleaning out my kitchen, rearranging my cabinets, getting all of my gluten free grain and pasta organized...while taking a break perusing past issues of 'Living Without' magazine for inspiration and encouragment...and recipes! Yesterday, we got millet and brown sticky rice ground into flour, so I have a fresh supply...I'm ready.

For those of you who don't know...a little backround...I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue in the year 2000. I've also been anemic since I was around 20 years old. When I was finally diagnosed, I did hours and hours of research...what WAS it, what could I do about it, what was in my power to control...and became passionate about nutrition. I researched and bought an electric grain mill ( the only one made in the USA), ground whole wheat and made all of our food from scratch. Well...I felt no better, but assumed that it took time. Then, I had a little boy January 2002...he was nursed exclusively until around 10 months when he started food...but even before he started food, his stools were never normal and he was much gassier and crankier than my first 2 babies were.

We found out when he was around 18 months old, that I was 'sensitive' to wheat, soy and peaches. ( of all things!)...well, when I started googling the symptoms of food sensitivities, all of Ronnie's symptoms became clear and after speaking with the pediatrician, I took him ( and everyone else) off of all gluten and soy. We saw a difference in Ronnie right away...I didn't notice much difference in my pain or fatigue. Then, we switched to natural sweeteners and I noticed a difference. Well...over the years, after having all the children tested, we've discovered multiple sensitivities...Meghan reacts to peanuts, Sara used to get bellyaches from wheat...Ronnie and Anna both do better without wheat...and the last time I was checked, I was reacting strongly to wheat, soy, peaches, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and corn. Well...I've been able to cut out almost all of those...but I need more discipline to get rid of them all! LOL

Knowing that Ronnie's surgery was December 3rd, I made the decision not to worry about a special diet for the holidays, starting with Thanksgiving. Well...I started a fibro flare shortly after Ronnie's surgery, then the past 2 weeks...I've been feeling much worse, and sick to my stomach as well. Thought maybe expecting....nope. Thought maybe the stomach virus...nope. I quit gluten 2 days ago, and no stomach upset at all...and a little more energy besides! It was pretty clear to me that I needed to live this way. So, I've been looking back thru past menus, different recipes, and planning my menu for the next 2 weeks...and feel such a peace about it! I know God couldn't possibly make it clearer to me that I need to live this way...along with simply eating fruits and vegetables raw..the way God made them. Will be dusting off my copy of 'Nourishing Traditions' again...making kefir smoothies daily, juicing carrots, and making 'green lemonade' (romaine lettuce, spinach, apples and lemons with filtered water in the blender...it's delicious!)....knowing that I'll feel better, be healthier and so will my family. So to celebrate...we had our gluten free New Years Eve!

We made a wonderful GF pizza crust, baked it, then brushed it with olive oil, added a sprinkle of garlic powder, then put sauteed chipped steak, mushrooms and onions on and put mozzerella cheese on top. It was sooooo good! With a salad, with garlic vinigrette, and some cold shrimp. Now we're watching a good movie with a roaring fire in the fireplace( while the wind blows and it snows outside)...then some special rootbear floats for dessert. What a great way to ring in the new year...we're all together as a family, remembering what we are thankful for over the past year, having some special food...mostly healthy ( minus the floats!)...and gluten free! I'm actually looking forward to getting back to simple, healthy eating! Here is to a healthy new year! ~Sue~

Homeschool Humor: Part 1

Alrighty, so I'm writing a short humorous book all about the adventures of homeschooling. I am going to try to post excerpts of it once a week. There is nothing bad in it, and it is really funy (If I do say so myself). This week, the excerpt will be from chapter 1. If you don't think it is funny, sorry! I thought it all up originally, so some things might not be funny. Then again, if it came from me, it just might be... So sit back, relax, and get ready for: EVIL PENCIL ATTACK!

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“Mom! Where’d my pencil go? It was right here a minute ago!” A scream peals out over the phone call, educational computer game, and Leapster noises. “Honey, I’m a little busy! Look in the junk drawer!” Mom answers, frantically trying to find her own pen to write down a date for a conference. “Mommy, my crayon disappeared!” Anna tries to get her mother’s attention, but failing. This is what happens at least ten times a day in our house: no writing supplies! Now, like any good mom, my mom goes out at least twice a year and buys out the pencil section of Office Max. She distributes the color coded pencils, normally twenty to each child. Off they go, proudly vowing to keep them all in one place and use one per two weeks. One week later: “Mom, I can’t find my pencil!” Sound familiar? It happens to all, except maybe to the people who attract organization like flies (Ooh, I have always despised that saying!) But why is it that they go and leave us broken hearted? Maybe because they are EVIL!

Evil pencils, you say? You’re probably thinking, “Okay, Sara, time to check you into the asylum!” Don’t worry; I’m not offended; a lot of people have said that to me! Now think back: *THE PASSAGE OF TIME IS WHIRLING* When were you ever mean to pencils? I mean, really diabolically nasty to pencils? Maybe you’ve bitten them out of habit, or even broke off their precious tip while writing furiously. Okay, so those accident s aren’t our fault… but why do pencils hold such a grudge? Because secretly they are evil, human-hating supplies that prey on homeschoolers. What can we do about them? Buy them in bulk, but only distribute one per week per child/adult. That way, when they come around next week complaining about a lost pencil, you can calmly hand them their new weekly pencil, feeling like super mom for finally besting the beast of pencils. Oh, and by the way, have you seen my pencil?

Taste Tester Tuesday!

Oh yeah...it's that time of the week: TASTE TESTING TUESDAY! Here is a recipe that is so incredibly yummy! We brought it to a party and it was a huge hit! Luckily, there was still some leftover for us! Here is the recipe, thought up by Ruth Peterson of Jenison, Michigan. (By the way, it's from Taste of Home, and my mom clipped it out. We don't actually know the person... but she does make a mean nacho dip!)

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Chicken Nacho Dip

(Prep/Total Time: 20 min.)

2 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast

1 can (16 ounces) Refried Beans

1 cup Salsa

3/4 cup chopped onions

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

In a large saucepan, combine the chicken, beans, salsa, and onion; heat through.

Transfer to a serving bowl; sprinkle liberally with cheese.

Serve with tortilla chips, and enjoy!

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We all enjoyed this dish and you could even make it for a New Year's Eve party! Hope Ya like it and remember to check back next tuesday for a new recipe!

Menu plan Monday

Ok...I thought this was a cool idea when I first heard of it, and I think I will try it too. I've been planning our menus for years...saves us tons of money, and with different food sensitivities, as well as rising food costs...it's even more important to me now to really plan ahead. For this week, I'll only post dinners, but in coming I weeks I hope to post breakfast and lunches as well. ( that's how I plan anyway) So...here is this weeks menus! ~Sue~

Monday
Potatoes cooked in chicken broth with a little italian sausage and onion with salad

Tuesday
Chicken and vegetables over brown rice pasta and salad

Wednesday
gluten free philly steak pizzas, cold shrimp, veggies and dip, pintobean natchos with cheese
(after all, it is New Years Eve!)

Thursday
Pork and sauerkraut over potato dumplings

Friday
Oven fried chicken, oven roasted potatoes, carrots, beets and salad

Saturday
Turkey and Rice soup with gluten free cornbread

May the force be with you...

We now know more about Star Wars than we ever wanted to know...Ronnie is so into it! What cracks me up is Ron learning all about it...as he was never into it when he was younger. I held off from much contact with Star Wars until this last surgery, when one of Ronnie's best friends, Aaron, brought the movies over...and I actually watched them with Ronnie. He was hooked, and I was intrigued. We have had so many interesting conversations about good versus evil...and examples of that from the Bible, books, other movies and even a comparison with Pilgrim's Progress! ( we have a dvd of Pilgrim's Progress and Ronnie loves it...again, good versus evil) He also recieved a Star Wars math game for his Leapster and my sister and brother-in-law found him a Darth Vadar laptop...it's completely educational, which makes it so cool....he is learning so much with and having fun...and with 3 more weeks to go before he sees the doctor...it's keeping him productively busy while being relatively still. ( you can't tell from the pictures, but his walker is just out of the picture and he was not rough-housing too much with his dad!)

So...as with everything else in Ronnie's life...he is learning all kinds of character qualities and lessons at his father's side...and we're all encouraging him in discerning good versus evil, bravery, chivalry, perseverance, training, protecting his sisters and mom as well as leadership. And, if that means learning more about Star Wars than we thought we ever would...then we know that the Lord is with us...so the 'force' of the Holy Spirit will guide us and him as he is growing and learning lessons thru life. May the Lord be with all of you! ~Sue~

May the force be with you......................

King of kings and Lord of lords=peace!

I am reading in the book of Revelation in my quiet time...and it always reassures me and brings me peace. Revelation 17:14 says"...and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen and faithful."

He IS faithful...and in control of everything...what peace and rest that gives me! No matter what is going on with our health...our finances...our extended family members, (as close as we are) or even what is going on in the world today...I have peace and rest. I especially love the book of Revelation because it reminds me of just WHO is in control...and speaks various other things to me that I need reminded of...such as not to be 'lukewarm'...not to forget my first love, not to focus on the idols in my life...to remove them and only focus on Him. To not fear...to trust Him. To try and live a Godly life...according to His Word only...not societies priorities or other people opinions. He alone knows me completely...and loves me in spite of it. I can't hide anything from him...can't put on a 'good face'...He always knows what I'm feeling, thinking about or hiding. Oh, praise you, God for loving me so very much in spite of myself!!! I'm so undeserving of your great love and grace, but am so very, very grateful!!!

Your word teaches me perseverance...enduring with patience...without complaint. Persevering in prayer, in communion with God...in living the way the the Lord has shown is His will for our family...even in the face of questioning or opposition...calmly, gently and patiently...leaning on Him for strength when I am weak, knowing that all that I am and all that I have and especially, all that I NEED is from Him....and again, I am grateful! His Word is food for me...life...security...inspiration...He provides all that I need. He is King of kings and Lord of lords...my savior, my father...and He loves me...that is all I need to know...or think on thru painful times, hard times...and He always speaks peace to me...peace, strength and love whenever I need it. I treasure this time with Him...and am nothing without Him.

May your Sabbath day of rest today be peaceful and blessed...knowing with a quiet assurance how very much you are loved by Him who IS love!!! ~Sue~

Growing Up with Dolls

Growing up is wonderful. Getting new responsibilities (whether ya like'em or not!) and being able to do new things is great. But one downfall of growing up: saying goodbye to old friends. Now I don't mean humans; I mean stuffed animals and/or dolls. Above are my dolls from L to R:Top row: Elizabeth, Kathleen, Violet, Felicity. Bottom row: Hannah and Kelly.

I got my first 'real' doll (Kelly) when I was five years old. I received Hannah as a birthday present when I turned six (I needed a playmate for Kelly). I took a break from doll collecting until I was nine years old, when my mom purchased an AG Felicity doll off of eBay. I literally counted down the days until she arrived! Then the next Christmas I got Felicity's best friend Elizabeth from my grandma. I can still remember opening the wrapping paper and seeing an AG box the exact size of a doll. Throwing the top aside, I screamed in pleasure when I pulled her out. Then I took another break for a year, then (out of my own money) bought two ALOF (A Life Of Faith) dolls: Kathleen and Violet. I have doted on these girls for hours on end, have collected furniture, and whole wardrobes that would rival a dress shop. So what is the problem, you say? I'll tell you: losing interest. Yes, I feel terrible and am ashamed to admit that these will be the last pictures of my dolls before they head to a new life up, tucked snuggly away in a box, in our attic.

For all you doll-lovers who still play with them, I say: wonderful. Among all the 'Bratz' dolls and even Barbie dolls, young innocent girls are thinking it's okay to flash their midriff to the world (as if we cared to see it!) or to have boyfrieds at age nine. Classic 18 inch dolls are the key to little girl's innocence because they can be cute and have nice, modest clothes, but without the leggy, pouty lipped, big-chested dolls that are out there today.So I say, "Hurrah!" to dolls, keep on preserving innocence one prairie bonnet at a time!

Answered prayer and solitude....

Oh, goodness...the answered prayer was that none of us would get this particularly nasty stomach virus until after Christmas...thank you, Lord, for answered prayer!

But...Meghan fell victim to it yesterday...staying home with an upset stomach...today is recovering, but wiped out. Now for the solitude...with a family of 6, usually we all get something like this...one after the other. I'm feeling 'queasy' today...for a couple days, actually, but thought it was simply all the different foods that I'm not used to eating.

I guess the Gorecki family will have some solitude for a little while...some of us are just not feeling up to par, and the main reason is so that we don't infect anyone else!

God is so good to us that way...sometimes, our greatest times with the Lord are when we are forced to stay home...as a family and with Him....without outside distractions and commitments. Last year, right after Ronnie's surgery, when he was in his body cast, we all got the flu...the real flu...fever for 5 days, terrible chest colds, body aches...the works....well, needless to say we were ALONE for quite a while until everyone was over that...then we were still home until his cast came off.

So...knowing that even though we really wanted to see family and friends over the next week or so, that the Lord has other plans for us...and we're simply going to accept His plans, change ours and thank Him for giving us what we need when we need it...even enforced "quiet time" at home, with each other and especially with Him. ~Sue

God's grace, cousins and the gift of laughter....

This beautiful woman with me is my cousin, Kim...she is actually married to my cousin, John...but she is one of my very dearest friends as well...and she laughs.

By God's grace, Kim was feeling well enough for Ron and I to take the kids over for a visit. Kim has a very rare auto-immune disease called relapsing polycondroitis and is on high doses of prednisone and chemo...and she laughs. She has always laughed at life as long as I've known her...I have so much to learn from her! She has always looked at life and family as gifts...to be enjoyed everyday, no matter what. And, there is no one that Kim laughs more at than herself...she is truly joyful. Even thru this ordeal...while lying in bed fighting nausea, losing her hair, trips to the hospital...she counts her blessings...and finds something to laugh at. She is amazing and I admire her so much.

Here she is (with the oldest of her 5 children, Maria) wearing a hat and 'dreadlocks' someone gave her...and she insisted on wearing them for the picture. We laughed so much all night!

Here is my dear cousin, Kathy....she lives a couple of hours away, so it is a treat to spend time with her...and if you can tell from the picture...we laughed!!!

Here are Sara and Maria...they are only 3 months apart in age, and we have so many pictures over the years of the two girls, I had to post this one.

Here is Timmy with Ronnie...Ronnie looks up to him so much and Tim is so sweet and kind with Ronnie...he really takes an interest in him and enjoys spending time with him...they had a nice visit.

And, here are all the cousins, minus my Meghan, who was home sick and missed the visit....which we will do again very soon, God willing! We all had such a great time...I forgot to get a picture of Ron and my cousin John watching the Penguins hockey game...between music and hockey...they enjoy spending time together as much as the rest of us do! Family is too important NOT to make the time for...and the memories that are made are so precious! Next party...Maggie's birthday! ~Sue~

Counting our blessings instead of sheep....

What a wonderful Christmas day we all had! It was quiet and calm...and thru out the day, Ron and I simply counted our blessings...the love and forgiveness of our Savior and His constant care and provision for our family...our 4 healthy, sweet children...our extended family...traditions.

One of our traditions is that we hide the children's presents and they have to follow the written clues that we leave for them to find their gifts. This year, Ronnie read the clues and everyone followed him...it was so cute! One of the clues was to look 'under the floor'...little Anna was the only one to think to look under the rug!

Ronnie reading the clues

Ronnie and Anna with Sara after opening their gifts from her.

Meghan, happy after opening a new sheet music book...she dashed right down to the piano after she finished opening her gifts.

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After our traditional Christmas brunch, we all went down to Ron's mom's house to spend time with Grandma RoRo...along with Uncle Sean who was in from Chicago, Aunt Maureen, Timmy, cousins Ben and his sweet wife Crystal, Jim B., Elizabeth and her gang...along with two of the sweetest Aunts and Uncles in the world.

Driving home after a wonderful day with family, we couldn't keep from (still) counting our blessings...and thanking God for bestowing them on our family.

~Sue~

The kindness of strangers...

Here is Ronnie...head to toe dressed in camo. When he had his first hip surgery in January 2008, we started a 'postcards for Ronnie'...an idea a dear friend had to send emails asking for postcards for Ronnie while he spent 3 months in a body cast...well, he has gotten hundreds of postcards over the last year...we are still in awe whenever we look at them...and we pull them out frequently and give thanks for the people who sent them...most from people we have never met.

One person who has been particularly faithful in sending postcards, is Col. Russell Smith of the USMC. We have received so many postcards from Col. Smith from all over the world! He included his email address in the last one, and we've finally been able to thank him and be in communication with him. A couple days before Christmas, a package arrived in the mail for Ronnie with a Marine Corp. 'boonie' hat for him along with a letter and pictures from Col. Smith...Ronnie was so surprised and happy...he has hardly taken it off since! The funny thing is, it arrived approx. 20 minutes before my dad, who was in the Marines himself. Well...Ronnie hurried and put on all his camo clothes and his new hat before his Zedoh (slovak for Grandfather) arrived. It not only made Ronnie's day, but my Dad's day as well!

We have been so very, very blessed by the prayers, care and concern from total strangers who the Lord has put Ronnie and our family on their hearts...we are still very humbled by His great love and the love of those who follow Him.

So...thanks, Col. Smith and all of you other 'angels' who have prayed for Ronnie and our family, sent postcards, meals, care packages...and have obeyed our Father's leading...we will be forever grateful! ~Sue~

Merry Christmas to all! May you be as blessed as I was on this Christmas morning while reading this devotional from "Streams in the Desert" ...and may your Christmas Day be peaceful, joyful and blessed ! ~Sue~

"His name shall be called Emmanuel . . . God with us." (Matt. 1:23) .

"The Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6).

"There's a song in the air!
There's a star in the sky!
There's a mother's deep prayer,
And a baby's low cry!
And the star rains its fire
While the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King."

A few years ago a striking Christmas card was published, with the title, "If Christ had not come." It was founded upon our Saviour's words, "If I had not come." The card represented a clergyman falling into a short sleep in his study on Christmas morning and dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In his dream he found himself looking through his home, but there were no little stockings in the chimney corner, no Christmas bells or wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort, gladden and save. He walked out on the public street, but there was no church with its spire pointing to Heaven. He came back and sat down in his library, but every book about the Saviour had disappeared.

A ring at the door-bell, and a messenger asked him to visit a poor dying mother. He hastened with, the weeping child and as he reached the home he sat down and said, "I have something here that will comfort you." He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended at Malachi, and there was no gospel and no promise of hope and salvation, and he could only bow his head and weep with her in bitter despair.

Two days afterward he stood beside her coffin and conducted the funeral service, but there was no message of consolation, no word of a glorious resurrection, no open Heaven, but only "dust to dust, ashes to ashes," and one long eternal farewell. He realized at length that "He had not come," and burst into tears and bitter weeping in his sorrowful dream.

Suddenly he woke with a start, and a great shout of joy and praise burst from his lips as he heard his choir singing in his church close by:

"O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels,
O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord."

Let us be glad and rejoice today, because "He has come." And let us remember the annunciation of the angel, "Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10, 11).

"He comes to make His blessing flow, Far as the curse is found."

May our hearts go out to the people in heathen lands who have no blessed Christmas day. "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and SEND PORTIONS TO THEM FOR WHOM NOTHING IS PREPARED." (Neh. 8:10)

A (New) Sweet Memory

As the 'littles' sat at the table eating their 'ativities' (their edible nativities) this morning as Anna calls them, they were discussing the morrow-Christmas Day! They wished Mum a "Merry Christmas-Eve!" Anna, with part of a wiseman still in her mouth squeals delightedly, "And we get to open PRESENTS!" Ronnie wisely but sweetly said, "Now Anna....what's the real meaning of Christmas...do you know?" Mum and I were sitting in the living room talking but this conversation caught our ear and we began to eavesdrop, er, listen to the littles conversation. Anna, her four-year-old voice endearing to our listening ears promptly said, "We celebrate baby Jesus' birthday!" Ronnie, not satisfied with the reply says, "Aaaand?" We couldn't see her, but I imagine her tilting her head to the side and saying, "What?" Ronnie says, while munching on some 'hay' from his nativity, "Giving thanks....for God sending His son Jesus."

Mum and I both sat there in stunned silence. We were both beaming. We both said "Wow" almost at the same time and then Mum remarked in wonderment, "It does get through."

I so enjoy seeing the simplicity of things; the simple words Ronnie and Anna spoke are yet profound because that IS what it's all about! Not gifts (like Ronnie was quick to remind Anna of) not even traditions, not music, not Santa Claus. It's about God's love in sending His only son Jesus to live life as a man and die to save the sins of the world.

How silently, how silently

This wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

*Third verse of O Little Town of Bethlehem*

COOKIES!!!

This is our 1963 Betty Crocker Cookie Book. There is a little story behind this...my mom won the 'Betty Crocker Award' when she was in highschool in the 60's...( we still tease her about it!) and this is the cookie book that I remember her using when I was a little girl. Well, in the mid-nineties...she and my step-dad lost everything in a hurricane on the North Carolina shore where they lived...including this book. It was out of print by this time, and I found her a used copy...and was so thrilled to be able to give it to her. Of course, I had to get my own copy as well. Now, they have re-published it and you can buy it at any Barnes and Noble or Amazon...It has become a tradition that ever young lady in our family must have her own copy when she gets married...and I sometimes give them as bridal shower gifts or birthday gifts for hopechests as well. So.....the chocolate cookies below are from this cookie book called "Chocolate Crinkles"...these are the ones I remember the most my mom making when I was a little girl. The other cookies that are on this plate are my grandmothers "iced orange cookies"...they taste like little iced orange cakes and always remind me of my Gram!




These cut out cookies below are my maternal grandmothers recipe...buttery and crunchy...they are delicious! We used the 'paintbox cookie' recipe from the book to paint them instead of icing them...the kids had so much fun painting their cookies...and I was thrilled not to have any more sugary icing! The little gingerbread man was Anna's...she is so proud of him!

After a fun afternoon visiting one of our favorite families, the Skiles family...we had some old friends over to help us cut out and paint the cookies. These two young ladies have been friends since birth...as my friend Jamie and I lived across the street from each other and were expecting together.

Below is my friend Jamie rolling out and cutting out the cookies...it's been a while since she has done this...and what fun we had talking the night away while the kids had fun painting their cookies! What precious memories were made today! We're so grateful for the wonderful friends the Lord has blessed us with....old friends and new.

This was Anna's first year being quite so involved in the cookie process at Christmas time...I think she is a natural! She loved it!!!

Here are our finished products!!! Don't the painted cookies look pretty?! I was extremely blessed by a very generous friend today who blessed me with quite a bit of pecans....with the price of pecans right now, I thought that I would have to forego one of my favorite cookies, Pecan Tassies...I'm not sure if they will get made by Christmas...but I can guarantee they will be baked by Sunday! I love those cookies! God has also worked thru this generous friend before and again today by her blessing us with packages of organic beef...my favorite cuts, as well! I'm glad that he created us to have opposite tastes...and that he has blessed her with a generous heart...thank you, my friend!

Now...it's off for a well-earned rest. Meghan just finished sewing her gifts for Ronnie and Anna, Sara wrapped a gift for me, the coffee maker is set and we are all off to bed.

Tomorrow....Blintzes! I am so very blessed to have my older daughters helping me and doing things together...it makes the tasks go quicker and more fun to do them together with Meghan and Sara and tomorrow they will be doing a lot of wrapping for me...thank goodness...I don't know what I would do without them!

So to all....a Goodnight! ~Sue~

The Joys of Family...

Family...there are many different personalities in our family...different likes/dislikes, many of us have very different sense of humors, different interests and different ways of doing things...but I like reminding my self that God placed each one of us in THIS family...and I'm so grateful that He did!

Yesterday, we all got together for our family Christmas celebration at my mom's house. Lots of wonderful food...appetizers like waterchestnuts wrapped in bacon, spinach dip, hot taco dip & chips...went well with the Steeler game.Then a delicious dinner of pork tenderloin, homemade rolls, augratin potatoes, carrots, green beans, and a family favorite, 'blintzes'...one of the foods that my girls say it wouldn't be a Christmas celebration without...and of course....COOKIES...and some wonderful chocolate mousse as if all of that weren't enough already!


This is the 'matriarch' of our family...the glue that holds us all together...my beautiful mother. I know...She does NOT look old enough to have a daughter my age...I think it's great that we are growing older together!
Here is a picture of my 19 year old niece, Lauren. She is in her second year of college at Penn State and will be studying in Italy next spring.

Here is my sister Lori, and our new nephew, Ty Robert! He is so busy...loves riding on this and he loved reading the new books we got him....he is so alert...it will be so interesting to watch him as he grows!

Here is my youngest sister Pam, with her 12 year old twins, Justin and Tina. Because they live over an hour away, it is always a treat to spend time with them.

Here is my hard working hubby going on just a couple hours sleep. He has been working one week night-turn (his usual) and one week daylight this month...and after working all night in freezing rain, got a couple hours sleep and was able to join us for the celebrations. ( as I'm typing this, he is working his second job fixing cars...he is one of the hardest working men that I know)

This....is our annual "Sister Picture"! Pammy and I love this....Lori tolerates it for our sakes, but we each have a special sister picture frame that we update every year....always reminds me of the special love that we have for each other. We are each so very, very different in most ways...but our love and care for each other is so strong...we don't know what we would do without each other!

Shayne, my nephew, loved his new afghan...he didn't put it down the rest of the day!

Anna loved her princess presents...now she has her very own "big girl" backpack and was thrilled with her "princess checkers game"!

Ronnie was so excited...he got the army belt and canteen that he had wanted so badyly from Vision Forum...and also got a 'Darth Vadar' laptop....all the games are educational and right now, since he can't be as active as he would like, this is wonderful! He is loving it!

Sara has been wanting a pink hoodie for so long now...she is so thrilled, that I don't think she has taken it off yet!

Meghan...I wish this wasn't blurry, but the expression on her face is priceless...she got her 'Pride and Predjudice' gift set...she never suspected that she was getting it!
I think our family had the best Christmas celebration together that we've ever had...and I pray God's blessings on each member of our family...for their health, well-being and happiness in the coming year...and may each one walk closer and closer to Jesus! ~Sue~

Joyful preparations....

Lots of busy, fun work going on around here lately! Seems everyone has been busy doing special things for Christmas...even our little ones.Ronnie and Anna made salt dough ornaments...(even Sara painted a couple)...they were fun as they were done in steps...so over the course of a couple days our little ones had fun painting away!

Here is a picture of the afghan I finished for my 17 year old nephew, Shayne...he's been wanting one and will be surprised when he opens it....lots of baking and crocheting slippers as well. Here are some pictures of the "fruit of our hands"!

Last night, Ronnie, Anna, and Sara made 'edible nativities'. How much fun!!! We were all sitting around our big table ( making our individual messes!)...While they made their nativities, Sara also finished sewing her ornaments that she made, Meghan had already finished her dishcloths she was crocheting, so she made our appetizer for our family Chrismas gathering today...water chestnuts wrapped with bacon and dipped, then carmelized in brown sugar and ketchup...YUM!....while I supervised, crocheted slippers and finished making individual name ornaments for family...had to make one for our new nephew, Ty...to add to my sister's tree. Lots of YARN in our home...I love it!

Today, we are all looking forward to a special, fun family get-together with my sisters, mom and nieces and nephews...although I get a special visit with my nephew, Tommy, on Tuesday...special, because it is one on one with him.May you all have a special, blessed, joyful Sabbath day!!! ~Sue~

P.S. A special cookie post will be coming featuring a special, heirloom ( to our family) cookie book. ( they have now re-issued it and you can buy it again!)

I had to post what I found!

This website: www.cryptogram.com/hearts is really cool and I wanted to make this for our blog. Comment on what you think of it!

~Sara~

Fruit Gusher Moment

You know what I'm talking about: the feeling like your a fruit gusher with too much juice inside and someone squeezes you one more time, you'll pop and spew juice out on everyone? Well, I just popped. The Christmas season is here and though I had bought all my presents, I still had to make eight ornaments for some people (not telling, just in case they read this blog). Very easy to make, but I need to sew them up. On top of that project and desperately needing to get a shower, I forgot to do my math for yesterday because I was babysitting in the morning and again in the evening, so I have two math lessons on my plate today :(

Because Meghan and Mom had to finish shopping for gifts (Meghan is buying mine as we speak...) mum asked me to load the dishwasher from breakfast (normally Meghan's job, but she didn't have time). I agreed, but then the realization hit me: I HAD TOO MUCH TO DO! When my dad nicely reminded me to finish the kitchen, I blew up. I broke down on my bed and cried huge tears of self pity. A scripture ( I don't know the reference, sorry!) came to me in the middle of my tear fest: 'Be still and know I am God'. No matter what we have on our plate, we need to do just that: be still and know He is God.

So the next time you eat a fruit gusher ( which I doubt many of you do... but I'm just sayin), remember that the next time you're like that piece of chewy candy waiting to spew, just simply BE STILL AND KNOW HE IS GOD!

PS: By the way, Merry Christmas! ; )

My Maidens of Virtue....

A couple of years ago, my daughters and I along with many other mother's and daughters started a monthly study/get-together for Bible study, book study, encouragment and fellowship. The book that we started with is called "Raising Maidens of Virtue"...so our little group was christened our "Maidens Group". Well...we've worked thru that book and are about 2/3 of the way thru the book "Beautiful Girlhood" and the study guide. The most mothers and daughters that we've had has been around 20 but the average meeting has about 16 each month.

This group has been such a blessing to all of us. We've dug into God's word to see what He says about Biblical Womanhood ( and girlhood, of course), we've had wonderful discussions where all of us ( moms included) have been able to support, encourage and exhort one another in our walk with the Lord, in our parenting, and in our marriages...and the girls are all learning at their mother's side...sometimes along with us. It is fun to see quite a few of the young ladies bring some form of handwork to do as we talk...knitting, crocheting, embroidery...it is not required, and not everyone does it, but it is fun to see what the girls are all creating. It is also fun to see how many pairs of sisters there are: usually if all are attending, there are four sets of sisters. Three are pictured. :)

Sara and Meghan

Hannah and Courtney

Michaela and Morgan

This past Monday, we had our December meeting/ Christmas party. We read a chapter, prayed, discussed and prayed some more...then we had an ornament exchange with the girls...what fun they had! There was lots of wonderful food...from stuffed mushrooms, ham hordeovoures, bruschetta on homemade toast points, pistachio cake, citrus cake, Mrs. W's famous dip and chips, homemade chocolate confections ( the oreo trifles were amazing!) and of course the ever present popcorn! Afterwards, each girl had a chance to make a beautiful ribbon board ( courtesy of the Goettel's!) to take home as a special keepsake that they had made with our Maiden's friends...all in all, it was a very special, memorable evening!

We're so gratedful for this group of friends...moms and daughters alike! I so appreciate the kindred spirits that I have found and the fellowship that I need as much as the girls.

Most of our girls have been friends for almost 10 years now...and they are all such wonderful young women...I'm so glad they have each other for support, encouragement, accountability...as well as fun and friendship! Just had to share another one of our joys of this season! ~Sue~