Comfort.....

~Today, the Lord taught me a great lesson on 'comfort'. The equal importance of giving comfort and receiving comfort. The analogy was used that comfort comes from God thru Jesus to us...and then, out of us to others. (for more notes on this sermon, please see my daughter Meghan's blog at justasiam-meghan.blogspot.com )

Among the many lessons that I am absorbing today, is not having to always be 'strong'...to receive the Lord's comfort, to rest in His love...and His plan for me each day.

And...in so doing, I have thought a good deal today on extending that 'comfort'...that 'grace' to my children. My goodness, parenting is hard! LOL
I think we, as parents, need to walk such a fine line between not being consistent to discipline and curb those 'heart issues'....sin issues...and wanting (oh, with my whole heart!) to overlook, extend grace and comfort....and yet...without consistency, these issues can rage out of control.

With the winter we've been having around here...illness for 10 weeks, myself being sick and exhausted...I've found myself overlooking a lot of behavior that should not be overlooked. I've found myself not being consistent with discipline or in a routine...and I see where that is so necessary! But...my mother's heart is to comfort, to laugh and enjoy my children....so I've found myself crying out to the Lord today for guidance as just how to do that. To teach them, to have a workable routine around here, to be consistent with my children...and to laugh more with them, to comfort them more (it is hard to learn to die to self...to surrender their wills)...to extend grace more. Just to listen to their struggles, and to sympathize more....not necessarily try and fix them.

As God is pouring out His comfort on me, thru my wonderful savior, Jesus...so I should be a conduit of His grace and comfort first to my family...then, letting it flow out to those around me...extended family, friends, neighbors, church family...and to any hurting heart who needs comfort and hope.

So, for this mom....I will be learning to 'rest in His comfort' more...to extend that comfort and grace to my hard-working husband and wonderful children...and to be still...and listen to His voice, and know that He is God...my God of all comfort! ~Sue~

Showers of blessings....

"I will send down showers in season, there will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26 I am so unworthy of so many showers of blessings...and lately, I've been feeling a little 'blue'...I suppose I could blame it on the never-ending coughs and illnesses going around here....or the 40+ inches of snow this month...or no sunshine....or just being tired, but lately, the Lord has been showering me with blessings....and using my friends and family to do that.

The above picture of my CUTE red tea kettle was a surprise gift today from a friend...and it whistles, too! She surprised me with the gift of a visit today, along with this tea kettle and some special flavored tea. (tonight, it is decaf. chocolate hazelnut when the little ones go to bed!) Then...a couple of hours later, she returned with 2 big bags of 'goodies' for me. One huge turkey carcass for me to make soup out of, 3 ham bones and (best of all) 3 huge ORGANIC, grass fed beef roasts! They are not her favorite cuts of meat, and she knows they are MY favorites...so she blessed me! (Thanks, Rhonda!) Wow! I am still shaking my head in awe!

Yesterday, the elderly neighbor across the street from us and I were talking when he said "Hold on....I have something for you"...so he brought out the above new gardening book for us! He said it is his favorite book and wanted us to have one...then proceeded to tell me the best way to put our gardens in this year and expand them. He is such a blessing to us! He will 89 on his next birthday, and we are all grateful for his friendship.

Recently, I had commented that my food processor had broken and I really missed it...and a friend of a friend read the blog, and gave us a Cuisinart food processor! I love it so much and have used it daily since then! (Thanks, Dianne!) I had also blew the safety valve on my pressure cooker, and another friend (Thanks, Jolyn!) brought a brand new one no one was using! Add to that a friend from church who regularly gives us bags and bags of dried beans (Thanks, Jill!) and family members (Thanks, Lor!) who save us ham bones (with lots of meat on them) , pass along coats (Thanks, Pam!) and clothes to my kids, and parents who like to 'treat' us....and I am overwhelmed with God showering blessings on us!

I feel as if He is showing us, once again, that He will always provide! He will provide for our needs AND bless us with special reminders of His love and care of us.

Even though we are going on week 10 of sick little ones...and we are going to have 3-6 more inches of snow AND high winds...I can see the sunshine...I can see light at the end of this tunnel....Ronnie and Anna are improving, Ron is amazingly calm and trusting in the midst of job uncertainty, Meghan & Sara are working so hard and helping so much....I am so blessed! I thank an amazing God for my many blessings...blessings of family, friendships and His love and provision! Thank you, Lord!!!

Evenings with Victoria Botkin

I'm posting this as an entry to a contest to win this that Joyfully Home is sponsoring

My daughter's new blogs...

We started this blog in December 2008 as a family blog....as another way to keep in touch with family and friends...and as a creative outlet for our thoughts...we love writing!

Now, my two lovely daughters have started their own blogs...with our blessings. They have proven to be responsible with their schoolwork and chores...helping with the menu planning and cooking....and....they love to write! I had to chuckle....each of their blogs so reflects their individual personalities....I have the most wonderful daughters! So, without further adieu...may I direct you to the newest Gorecki family blogs!

Meghan's Blog: http://justasiam-meghan.blogspot.com
Sara's Blog: http://scribblingsofsara.blogspot.com

Enjoy our newest "additions"! ~Sue~

Chepatis and Curry!!!

We've been trying to cut down on our meat consumption, still eat healthy and make everything from scratch AND gluten free....so I pulled out my "More with Less Cookbook" and discovered Chicken curry and Chepatis! First, I had to figure out how to make it gluten free...turns out, it was so easy! This will become a staple around here! Lightly frying the flatbread in the skillet....to be kept warm in the oven...

Look how wonderful my Chepatis turned out!!! Oh, it tasted so good!

The chicken curry recipe called for homemade broth, chicken, lots of onions, garlic and carrots and garbanzo beans...along with the spices and curry powder....everyone loved this! So....some of the meals we will be having in the coming weeks are mexican chili, pork fried rice (with just a little leftover pork from a roast that I have frozen), Greek spinach, feta and millet casserole....a long with lots of salads, hummus and stirfries.....

If you don't already have this cookbook, it is a must in our home! This is one that I will make sure all of my daughters have and will set one aside for my future daughter-in-law as well someday! I love the creativity of feeding my family of 6 on a tight budget, from scratch and healthy as well....not only is it good stewardship of my children's health, but it honors my husband by using his hard earned money wisely and creatively! ~Sue~

Humbled Lessons Learned....

There have been so very many lessons learned in our family over the course of the winter...this very interesting winter.

The Lord has answered our prayers...He has humbled us. Brought low by illness that never seem to end...and challanges that only He can make right and only He can provide....we are called to be hopefull and to trust during this time. And, we are called to support each other in our family thru this journey called life. Many of the lessons the Lord has shown our family is the area of 'activities'....It is pretty clear that He doesn't want us to have very many outside activities at all. We are to work together, being busy at home...to work and help our friends and family and community...and to do it together...a family effort.

I, as the mother of almost a senior in high school as well as a junior....only 1 more year for Meghan and 2 for Sara....are needed by them to be WITH THEM...to teach, train, disciple them and LISTEN to them...to share with them and help make their dreams come true..and to teach them that our family comes first...before anything that would capture their time, talents or imangination....it would have to fit into the Lord's plan for our family. Working together to run this family the way God wants it to be. I'm glad I am honoring Ron's wishes in a lot of areas...and I'm glad the girls are as well. It is amazing that all 6 of us are on the same page, and value the same things. We are all putting our family lives at top priority....Jesus first, our family second. I am anxious to see what He is revealing next to us! I know that He will honor and bless us if we are in agreement with each other and in His will. Thank, you , Lord Jesus...for leading us, for your provision....you are worthy of our trust and faith in you ! So grateful that we are a family! Thank you ,Lord! ~Sue~

My Friend Autumn

"Autumn is here!" We all heard that from Anna as she raced downstairs to open the garage door. That could only mean one thing: no it isn't fall yet, but my dear friend Autumn has arrived! We always have so much fun! Lately, we have been emailing back and forth and talking on the phone, but technology cannot equate to running into their house, announcing "We're here!" and giving them a big hug. That is what happened last friday. (Since my mother and sister keep posting about food and knitting, I can never find the time to do a post!) We chatted, we started a music video (Autumn and her friend Kylie made a video, so we are trying to do another with a new song, You Belong With Me), and we played out in the snow. I found out that Autumn hates snowballs! She loves to throw them, but hates to be on the receiving end of them. So after I pelted her a few :-) we declared a truce and threw them at Meghan! Man, it was a hoot! She would fall backward into the snow and we would restock our snowballs. She would get up, and BAM! We showed her no mercy *EVIL LAUGH!!!* Anyways, after our snow war, we came back inside and played on Anna and Ronnie's scooters (Those wonders can hold up to 225 lbs!) and we loved it! Once she got the hang of it, she could zoom! She is like a sister, and we always have a ton of fun! I commented that we have only known eachother for less then a year! It feels like forever, which is a sign of a good friendship.

Being the camera hogs we naturally are, we decided to video tape ourselves on the scooters. We got 16 minutes of footage of us acting nuts, and I decided to clip it and make a music video. I set the footage to a Fracesca Battistelli song called, "Free To Be Me"... so after editing it and adding special effects, I wanted to publish it here on the blog! Here it is:

ENJOY! LOVE YA AUTUMN!

Learning to knit...

Tonight, while my little ones soaked in warm tubs....and hubby was here to lend a hand, I decided that I was going to try to learn to knit. Now, I know how to crochet and love the feel of a wooden hook and the yarn in my hands...but, I am of the humble opinion that knitting is so much harder and slower than crocheting!

It took me forever to get the hang of casting on....and after that, making the stitches wasn't too hard, simply switching from one needle to the other...but, boy, is it slow going! I am determined to master this, though....knitting uses 3 times less yarn than crocheting and I have 2 scarves that I have 'special' yarn I want to use and want to make the most of it..and I do like the look of a knitted scarf....I'm just using leftover yarn to make a starter scarf right now...in between crocheting my other projects! LOL I love having something in my hands while talking with the kids, or homeschooling my little ones (who require me, for the most part, to sit at the table with them while they do their work ) or watching a movie...it is very soothing to me (except learning this, right now!), and I just got done reading an article about keeping your brain "exercised"...and knitting as well as crocheting work both sides of your brain at the same time....I figure, the older I get, the more help I can use! LOL Off to knit a few more rows while waiting for my daughters to come home from a church game night. Any knitters out there...any tips for a beginner?! ~Sue~

Between snowstorms....

So what do you do between snowstorms? (the weather channel is calling for 6 plus more inches with some mixed precip. Monday into Tuesday...we'll beat our record for snowiest month ever) We spent the day with our wonderful friends, the Teeter's! Mike, Jolyn and Autumn drove to visit from Ohio for the day!

Jolyn and I talked and talked and laughed so much! Wish we lived closer than 2 1/2 hours away!

Sara and Autumn jumped and danced on top of the igloo...

Anna FINALLY had a chance to play in the snow! The igloo is coming along nicely! LOL

Even Meghan had a great time in the snow!

While the adults played Wii bowling....oh, my goodness...we haven't laughed this hard in a long time! Jolyn...I challenge you to a rematch!
We ended our evening with some homemade chocolate mousse with chocolate sauce! What a way to end a wonderful day with wonderful friends! ~Sue~

My Wanderings in the Kitchen: Betty Crocker Apple 'Pudding'

I think this hit it out of the park! I tripled the recipe and there were no leftovers! I'll write out the real recipe's ingredients, and then the recipe where I changed some things to suit our needs and the directions which go for both recipes. :) Oh, and I don't have any pictures because we all scarfed it down too fast! :)

Gluten recipe:

Ingredients:

3/4 c. sugar

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Pinch of salt

1 tea. vanilla

1 egg

1 medium apple, chopped

1/2 c. chopped nuts

Gluten-Free, low sugar, for a larger family recipe

1 c. sugar (we used natural)

1 c. sweet white rice flour or brown rice flour (you can use white or wheat if you can)

4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoons of vanilla

4 eggs (note: I found it very hard to mix which is why I added an extra egg)

3 medium apples, chopped

1 1/2 c. nuts (I used a scarce cup because that's what we had on hand)

Optional: pinch of cinnamon

Directions:

(Variations for gluten recipe in parantheses)

1. Heat oven to 350

2. Grease 13 by 9 pan (or 9 by 1 1/4 pie plate), set aside

3. Mix sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla and eggs in bowl

4. Fold in apples and nuts

5. Pour batter-it was thick and rather chunky-into pan

6. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes clean

It was really good and I believe Sara is making it this week. :) Enjoy!

Birthday Celebrations!

It was especially nice, in the midst of this exceptionally snowy, cold winter to get to spend time with lots of family on Saturday to celebrate 3 special birthdays! It was so nice to spend time with family that we don't get to see as often as we would like! First, we went to Mike and Jill's to celebrate Mia's 4th birthday! Sara did face painting, Jill made lots of homemade goodies from scratch....we got to spend some time with all the cousins....it was a wonderful time!
Then, we went to our cousins John and Kim's house to celebrate Maria's 14th birthday and Maggie's 9th birthday! What a blessing to be able to laugh, and spend time with special family! It was snowing gently (it's always snowing daily, anymore!) outside, but inside was so warm with laughter and yummy food....so much food!

~We're very much looking forward to Spring, when we can get out more and get together more often! It was a gift to be able to see everyone this weekend! It is so important to remember the gift that God gave us in families! ~Sue~

Fat Tuesday..Gluten Free Donuts!!!!

Oh, yes....I made gluten free donuts tonight! After explaining a little bit about the history of "Fat Tuesday" to my children....and why Mom is frying 'unhealthy' (Ronnie even said, why are you using white sugar? ) donuts....these turned out wonderfully!
The dough was a little difficult to work with, and I had to tweak the recipe so much that I don't think I could post it, but I am grateful for the experience in the kitchen that lets me know what the proper texture of the dough should be and adjust it...let's just say I used a lot of cornstarch!

When they puffed up and turned golden brown...I don't know who was more excited, me or the kids!

Sara...in donut heaven! LOL Good thing I'm only going to make these once a year! God bless you all on this cold, windy, snowy night! (yes...3 inches more tonight, and the chance of 3 inches tomorrow and 3 more tomorrow night....we needed donuts!) ~Sue~

When it snows....and snows, and snows.....

So...what do you do when it just keeps snowing and snowing....and you have 2 little ones coughing and coughing....first, you count your blessings! I love this flag hanging outside our front door!Then, you let them work off as much energy inside as possible! These scooters in the basement are a God-send! They also have those large balls with handles to bounce out some energy down there...and Ronnie is able to rollerblade all over the basement....we're so grateful for the basement! LOL

And you sew...and have your little sister "help" you!

You bake cookies....and make 'fun' messes!

You play games....and sew holders for your card games...(thanks, Dayna, for the idea!)

You enjoy going thru "Baba's" button jar looking for just the right one...


You crochet warm slippers....

And sew some more!

And crochet some more....

If you are one of our cats, Chloe or Doc....you spend a lot of time under the warm lamp!

And.....sew some more! Neutral, patchwork placemats from thrifted fabric~
You sew matching craft/beading bags for little cousins who love to bead!
After you go thru the 2 huge bags of fabric that were so generously given to you!
And sew some more bags!

~In addition to all the sewing and crocheting and beading going on around here, Ronnie has been making the coolest Lego creations....lots of Lego vehicles from a set he got for his birthday....setting up and playing with his hockey guys in anticipation of the Olympics, experimenting with his Snaptricity kits...and beating everyone at Wii bowling!

Anna LOVES to color...and has been making lots of artwork for her dolls and everyone else! Sara and Meghan have been in the kitchen making lots of yummy things! Lots of reading books going on....and make-believe battles with Playmobils....lots of tents/forts made out of blankets....in spite of it feeling like a very long winter with all the snow and coughing....it has also been a very cozy, warm time and the Lord is teaching us so many lessons thru this winter...lessons that I am writing down to be able to remember, and make some changes towards what is God's best for our family!

May you all be warm and blessed this Winter!!! ~Sue~

Lyrics: Stellans Song

Some of you may know about Stellan McKinney, his mother blogs over at http://mycharmingkids.net nut for those of you who don't, this little boy is a miracle. He was born with multiple heart problems that caused him to suffer from Supra Ventricular Tachycardia... to read his story, go over to the blog and snoop around. Anyways, I wrote these lyrics back in early january when his SVTs were really bad. Then, this december, I checked the blog again after being absent for a while and he hasn't had one SVT since November! Praise God for miracles!

Stellan's Song
Written by Sara

From the first day, I hear people say
This one is not like the rest.
I know my mommy and daddy have tried
they've done their absolute best,
Slowly... Hopefully...someday soon I might be healed
(But until then)

(CHORUS)
Jesus, please heal me soon
Maker of the sun and the moon
I know if you don't that it's not your will, but still
I hope that soon I'll be cured
But until then my hope's in the Lord
Because I know, thru trials, when push comes to shove,
I'll be cradled in your blessed love.

A "Real Life" Love story....

Love is a choice...and an action. A dear friend recently used the phrase a "real life love story"...and it got me thinking!

As my wonderful husband took me out to one of our favorite places to eat for Valentines Day, we talked a lot about all the years that we've been together....this is our 23rd Valentines Day together.

Our 'love story', I think, has only gotten better with time...richer, deeper. Our commitment to each other to love thru sickness and health has been tested...thru richer or poorer has been tested...in good times and bad.....Oh, how much more we appreciate each other now!

We talked about the numerous job changes that Ron has had over the years...some, for many years straight commission sales jobs....moving...adding each new child to our family....thru my illness and fatigue...thru a child's disability....another child's surgery (and 3 months in a body cast)...thru the death of a parent....the stress of Ron working night turn and weekends for 9 years....and trying to homeschool 4 children while keeping them quiet because "dad is sleeping"....

That is all 'real love'....it isn't always starry eyes and roses...it isn't always pretty....but the longer that we are walking with our Saviour...the more we are in God's word, the more we learn to die to self and accept each other the way we are...and appreciate each other's strengths....the deeper our love grows.

So, Honey....here's to another 23 years of being your Valentine....and many, many more! I love you! ~Sue~

Valentines Day Reflections

Ah, this holiday celebrating romance is here yet again! Though at our home, aside from Mum and Dad's dinner date, and a party for Sara and I earlier in the day, we don't really make a big deal about it but it is still one of my favorite holidays. :) Mrs. Gardner-I'm really in the mood to hear Frank Sinatra sing My Funny Valentine. :)

Heart shaped cookies, valentines, roses and chocolates abound amidst this special day dedicated to letting the ones you love know just how special they are. Couples will share special glances, 'dates,' and heartfelt sentiments in beautiful cards; single women, young and old will experience bittersweet emotions as they look to the future of when the man the Lord already has chosen for them will come into their life. Only being sixteen going on seventeen and having some years to 'wait' for the Lord to bring my husband into my life, I have not experienced many of the emotions and struggles older singles have gone through. I'm not going to act like a Pharisee and think I won't go through any of the struggles singles have gone through just because (fill in the blank)...I'm sure I will and already one or two insecurities surrounding my getting married have arisen in my heart. Knowing that I only have one more year of schooling at home also causes me to think of the future a little more frequently now, though. Certain insecurities like 'I have to be pretty and thinner' or 'I have to get over this heart issue, that sin issue, etc' before I can get married. Through the blessed process of growth that will not cease until the day we die, I've realized getting married and yes, having a heart's desire fulfilled is not the main thing. I believe yes, the Lord gave us these desires, but we are to strive to be fulfilled and content through the Lord and His love. Click here to listen to one of my new favorite songs that's recently encouraged me pertaining to said topic...

I believe we were all put on this earth to serve God in whatever capacity He wills for us whether we're 16 going on 17 or 29 going on 30 and still unmarried. In our season of singleness, in school or not, I believe we are to immerse ourselves in the Lord and lead a Lord-led productive life from the capacity of our home until the Lord brings our husband into our life. I'm not saying it's a sin to work outside the home in order to 'save up' for the future or go to college....in fact, if you strongly feel the Lord's leading, who am I to say it's a sin if you aren't a ''stay at home daughter''? There are many seasons of life that are difficult and hard to go through, and the season of singleness (all women have one!) is most certainly one of them but the Lord is the same then as in the joyful seasons of life like becoming engaged, planning a wedding, and then learning you'll be a mother. His promises are faithful! Sarah waited for literally decades to give her husband a child and hold him in her arms and did struggle through her waiting season but then it was a testimony to the Lord when she held her child in her arms joyfully after so many hard years of waiting. It will be the same one day when we are literally swept off our feet by our husband and the Lord's promise to us that He will give us the desires of our heart, is fulfilled.

In conclusion....

So on this Valentines day, 2010 I encourage you to joyfully wait for the Lord, be encouraged and remember that the Lord's love never fails.

**When I say these things, I realize that many of you have probably heard it many times over and may be thinking, 'sure, I know it's all true but it doesn't make it any easier to wait!' I don't claim to know how you are dealing with your season of singleness and what you're struggling with (and please know I'm not judging you if you are) but I firmly believe in encouraging others in their struggles to lift their eyes ever upwards and rest in the Lord's love even when it's difficult.**

***Here is my post last Valentines Day if anyone would like to take a peek and also here is a wonderful article from YLCF***

Happy 20th Birthday, Gabrielle!!

Our dear 'adopted' sister, Gabrielle, is turning 20 today!!! Our precious 2 and a half week visit this past summer was one of the most memorable summers I will ever remember. We had such a great time and as we're both fond of saying now, it really cemented our friendship. She flew across the country from Idaho to humid Pittsburgh for my 16th birthday! It was a total surprise, kept for months. She is such a wonderful girl and we've now formally adopted her into the Gorecki family.

Gabrielle, we love you, miss you and can't wait to see you again this summer!

Have a happy birthday filled with blessings and memories as you reach your 20th year.

Beautiful Gabrielle having a swinging good time. :)

Our first picture together with many to come!!

My big sister I never had. :)

Ronnie, Gabrielle and Sara....isn't this an adorable picture!?

Hehe....Station Square during our tour around Pittsburgh day

Flipflops instead of high-heels, remember? :)

A beautiful result of one of our thrift-store trips!!

Running mad around Pleasant Hills, where her dear mother grew up. Gabrielle was quite the photographer! :)

She and I working together in the kitchen....I don't think we stopped talking the whole time she was there-oh, except for sleeping, I guess. :)

At our Maidens group-it was so wonderful to have her there!!!

Remember going to the Galleria and you and Sara being models? (hehe, to the annoyance of the salesclerks) :)

Antiquing and modeling vintage hats.

So in conclusion, happy, happy birthday, dear Gabrielle!! We all love you so much!

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Gabrielle,

Happy birthday to you!!

God's blessings on you!!

This World Lyrics

I made up some lyrics, so I'd like to hear what you think of them. It was inspired partially by Haiti and even just reading the newspaper! Comment on what you think!
Here it is:

This World
Lyrics by Sara Gorecki

I turn on the news and I wanna cry
There's so much wrong in the world passing by
Troops shipping out to fight in the war
None of them knowing just what's in store

A little boy's face appears on the screen
His parents are desperate to know if he's been seen
A dad lost his job & he's at a loss
Cause he can't pay what necessities cost

(Chorus)
This world... needs saved
There has... to be a way
The Homeless need shelter
The hungry need food
Orphans need parents
and God we need you!

An old woman's face catches my eye
And I read that she has recently died
She was one hundered and she'd been through alot
But what she believed in is what we've forgot

(Chorus)
This World... needs saved
There has... to be a way
The homeless need shelter
The hungry need food
Orphans need parents
and God we need you

Bridge:
Jesus, we need you
To show us your love
I know you have a plan
and I know it's enough!

(2nd Chorus)
This world... needs saved
And Jesus... is always the way
The Homeless find shelter
The hungry find food
Orphans get a father
When they trust in you!

(Refrain)
We need you, take a look around...

My Wanderings in the Kitchen: Breakfast Casserole by Meghan

I had such fun with this one! :) It's your basic, run of the mill egg casserole but I added a few special things to make it my own. Bear with me as I try to estimate how much of everything I put it....I'm not big on measuring unless it's baked goods. :)

Ingredients:

7 eggs

1 block of cheddar cheese, shredded; set aside a bit to sprinkle on top

3 baked potatoes, shredded (these were leftovers; if you have frozen hashbrowns you could use about a cup and a half)

Half of a red pepper, chopped small

1 small onion or half of a large one, chopped small

I meant to use mushrooms but forgot to fetch them...you could use four or five, chopped small

2/3 cup of milk

Season salt and/or sprinkle of garlic powder (optional)

Cup of leaf spinach, chopped small (I used a large handful)

Half of a block of cream cheese (optional) to dot the top with

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 and lightly grease 13 by 9 pan
2. Basically, mix everything but reserved cheese and cream cheese, and pour into prepared pan
3. Sprinkle reserved cheese and dot with optional cream cheese
4. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until set (check often!)

Bon Appetit!!

Snow isn't good for hobos...

No, that isn't a famous depression quote, nor is it a profound metaphor. It is simply something I made up. :)

Anyway, as you have probably read, we have had a major snowfall! 24 inches in 1 1/2 days is alot! Hip high snow isn't exactly how I pictured it when the weather man said 6-8 inches. But, leaving the poor meteorologist out of the equation, we had to do something with all this snow and this is what we did:

I loved taking a flying leap off of our deck, hollering KOWLABUNGA and diving into snow!Poor Anna couldn't walk unless on a path since the snow was so high, so I either carried her piggyback or she laid in the snow :-) Since she was feeling a little better, Mom thought a little time of fresh air wouldn't hurt her.Ronnie loved finding clumps of snow and throwing them at his sisters (NOT IN THE-face!)Don't we look sweet? Then as soon as the photo was taken, they threw snow at each other. Oh yeah, feel the love!Yeah, see how you can't see our lower legs? That is no mere ledge... that-is-SNOW!

So , you might be wondering what any of this has to do with hobos. Yeah Sara, nice pictures... but why the hobo title?

So after we thawed out, we ate dinner and then watched the Super Bowl halfheartedly... at halftime Ronnie, Anna, and I made up a play to give for Dad, Meghan, and Mom. It was called The Hobo Play... the most fun part was A) we got to eat leftover potato bread as a 'prop' and B) we got to muss our faces with black and brown eye shadow :) I even made Ronnie have a black eye (I didn't do it, I swear!) I was Darcy, Anna was Grace, and Ronnie was Jack (Gabrielle, no comment!) Anyways, even though some cast members got the giggles (I don't wanna point fingers but RONNIE-ANNA!) it turned out to be a really good play. We all sang It is Well and then took some bows at the end... it was fun. Here are the pictures:I love this picture, look at the sibling love :-)Singing It Is Well

Reading Lessons, hobo style

Lovingly looking over our little hobo family

The whole plot of the play was there were three hobo kids: Darcy (15) Jack (9) and Grace (6) whose parents had died. They were on the run from the police because they didn't want to be split up and go into foster homes. They only have one box of belongings: Raggedy Ann (Anna's contribution), three slices of potato bread (Donated in the play by a kind lady), some raisins, tissues (a must for Anna's runny nose) two books (Tom Sawyer and Pilgrims Progress, and a hymnal. This is all their belongings besides the clothes on their backs, a rough wool blanket, and a water jar. One night, Jack hears some police dogs. He panics and runs away. Darcy and Grace wake up to find him gone and they have no choice but to leave. The siblings are split and they find comfort and solace in the hymn they know so well, It is Well. The big reunion at the end is handled lightly, and then the curtain call.

Thank you, you have been a wonderful audience!

Sara