Traditional Sunday dinners....

We love traditional Sunday dinners....especially my husband. Seems when we were both young, that Sundays were days to have big dinners with extended family...to visit and have fun. Sometimes, it would just be us for a long, leisurely meal without anyone having to be anywhere afterwards. Today was one of those days.....

After church this morning, the kids and I came home for a quick lunch and then relaxing time. Everyone did quiet activities and Ron & I watched/discussed a biblical teaching dvd by Jim Sammons. ( more about that later....it was so good!)

Ron wanted roast chicken, so we did! Roast chicken, carrots, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy....yum! To my very old-fashioned, traditional husband Sunday dinners usually include mashed potatoes and gravy! LOL

Sara spent quite a bit of time making a gluten free spice cake for dessert with 7 minute frosting.....oh, my goodness is this good! Both of the girls have been baking a lot lately, both gluten free and normal baking. Having dessert on a Sunday just makes it that much more special.

~We have truly been blessed by opening our home to family and friends for traditional Sunday dinners....it has taught our daughters hospitality, cooking and baking skills, conversational skills...and to actively look to be a blessing to others in our home. I will readily admit, that there are Sundays that are needed for rest and reflection only, but the Lord leads clearly in this area and we are open to however He leads....opening our home or it just being our little family. May I encourage you to pray about opening your home for some traditional Sunday dinners....sharing (or starting) the tradition and blessing others with your hospitality. May your Sabbath be blessed! ~Sue~

One small change....

I've felt convicted for a long time, to be a better steward of what the Lord has blessed me with....whether it is to be a better wife, mother, a better steward of my time, our home, our earth....and then I found this blog: http://1smallchangeblog.blogspot.com/ (you can get to it from my sidebar as well) What wonderful ideas and resources I've gleaned from this site! So, from time to time, I will be posting things that our family is doing....one small change at a time.

One change that we've been making is a better use of our time. We've all been trying to stay off of the computer as much as possible...still reading and sending emails, and of course....writing/blogging....but setting short blocks of time for this. We appreciate technology for the advantage of keeping in touch and making it easier to grow relationships....but we also still value "snail mail"...and avidly write letters and cards to friends and family.

We have been reading more books, playing more games....going outside! (finally!) We've also tried to cut down on dvd watching....now that the winter is finally over and so is the whooping cough as well. But we've also instituted a rule that when we do all sit down to watch a dvd, we must be doing something productive...not just staring at the television set. For the girls and I it usually involves yarn...crocheting or knitting....sometimes a little embroidery, too. It is a little trickier, I am finding, for my little ones. So...the rule is: puzzles, Legos, coloring,drawing, banana grams....while we watch and discuss the dvd. Yes, we are still sitting and watching the t.v., but we're discussing it and being productive at the same time.

I would welcome any suggestions in this area to help my little ones still enjoy the dvd (whether it be pleasure or teaching) and still keep those busy hands busy! I recently read an article that knitting/crocheting works both sides of the brain at the same time as well building fine motor skills, hand/eye coordination and for some children....keeping their hands busy while learning actually helps them retain what they are hearing. As we are a very auditory family, this made sense to me. So....please, send your suggestions our way! Just one small change that we are making in our home lately. Have a blessed weekend! ~Sue~

Hospitality and family....

~Hospitality and ministry....for a long time after I came to know the Lord, I thought I should have this big "ministry"...after all, seemed every Christian that I met had one, and shouldn't I? I have since came to realize that my gifts and "ministry" start in my home.

First, I am to be a helper to my husband. This encompasses loving him, supporting him, encouraging him, serving him and of course, helping him as we share a life together. Second, my children....I am to lovingly bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, teaching and training them at home.

But, one thing that the Lord impressed on me early on is that I am to show hospitality in our home...no matter what state it is in. If anyone is coming to my home to see a 'show place' or a spotless home, then they will be disappointed. But, if they are coming to be welcomed, loved and to spend time with us...then they are exceedingly welcome!

We welcome our extended family on both sides as often as they will come over. We have quite a bit of them, and we love them dearly....and dearly love to show Christ's love to them. The past week has included quite a few family members here...loving, laughing and making memories. No, our home hasn't been perfect (LOL), but our times together have been priceless! We have quite a few more family get-togethers coming up in the next few weeks that we are looking forward to. I hope my children always remember that God comes first, and family second....everything else can get in line! LOL ~Sue~

My youngest sister, Pam and her friend Frank, came for dinner and a visit on Sunday. It was so nice as we don't get to see them as often as we would like. She even had a blast on the tire swing! Our next get together will be her 40th birthday coming up soon!

A lot of wiffle ball was played...my dad is the favorite pitcher.

When I was a little girl, I think he wanted me to be a boy, and taught me to bat righty and lefty, play short stop and spiral a football with the best of them...now he is teaching the grandchildren.
We've also been watching my nephew, Ty, for 2 days while his parents are out of town. My mom and step-dad came over yesterday for the day and dinner. My wonderful step-dad, commonly known around here as Buppy, turned 73 so we had a special dinner for him of sauerbraten, spaetzle and slaw. As they were 'snow birds' in Florida all winter it was a treat to spend time with them.

Food, Inc........

(to better read the suggetions above, click image)

~ Where does YOUR food come from? At the suggestion of a friend, my children and I recently viewed the documentary, 'Food, Inc.'. We were able to order from our library system , but you could also order from Amazon. What a convicting documentary! DO you know where your food comes from? I didn't. I had heard about the factory farms, and the animals conditions, genetically modified seeds and pesticides, but feel much more convicted and better informed after watching this and highly recommend it for every family to watch!

I've also recently read 'The Omnivore's Dilemna' and a book that I couldn't put down ( book review coming soon) 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle'....I can't recommend them enough! So what am I going to do with this information to improve the health of our family?

Well, first....we will continue to cook from scratch, and not purchase processed foods. We will also be looking into making (instead of buying) things like pickles, ketchup, mayonaise, and yogurt...or do without. We will also being trying harder to look at meat/poultry as a 'condiment' or a side dish....but more info to come, when I can process this longer and write down a plan. One thing we will definitely be doing is sewing up some bags for the farmers markets that will be starting up soon....and getting our canning supplies ready.

One thing we can all do is watch, 'Food Inc.'. Michelle, from She looketh well blogspot, is having a giveaway of a gift certificate for $75 to US wellness meats....yes, $75 for organic HEALTHY meat! Check it out here http://shelookethwell.blogspot.com/2010/03/7500-give-away.html and if you watch it and want to enter the giveaway, please, in your comment on Michelle's blog, mention that you heard about it here.

I highly recommend watching 'Food Inc.' to everyone who cares about the health of their family. I know organics can be much more expensive than traditional foods, but, knowing that God will lead us in the way we should go, I trust that this is His leading in our family,and that He will provide means and guide our choices. More to come about how small changes, responsability and 'going green' can add up to health and help us be better stewards of the earth our Lord gave to us. God bless! ~Sue~

Knitted together...

I wish I could post more often lately, but it has just been so busy around here! LOL With WARM, SUNNY weather, we've been outside so much soaking up the sun and fresh air and/or lots of activities this week...but one of the best ones were being able to spend time with friends! Due to my little ones being sick so long over the winter, we did not get to see our friends very much at all...and oh, how the Lord has blessed us with good friends!

The above picture is of my friend, Renee and I knitting. She is the much more advanced one on the right...and has actually been teaching me a couple new stitches. I've been crocheting for years, but am DETERMINED to master knitting! (hence the lack of blog posts as well...I'd rather have yarn in my hands than the keyboard!)
Two wonderful resources...I especially like the knitting pocket guide on the right. I was able to get the knitting one and a crocheting one to carry in my craft bag...perfect size!

~After an afternoon at the playground and visiting with the Williams', I had a very pleasant surprise in a phone call from my dear friend, Stephanie, from Ohio....she was only in Pittsburgh for a couple of hours and could I get together? We had a wonderful visit at Eat N Park, just us girls! (after being with 13 kids all day, it was NICE to chat uninterrupted! LOL)

And THEN....today was our annual homeschooling workshop/curriculum fair. I got to see and talk with lots of friends that I don't get to see very often...and I've been thinking ever since....the Lord really has been so kind to me to bless me with lots of like-minded friends....friends I can laugh with, cry with , pray with and mutually support. We've been able to carry our friendships over with our children, as well. Seems the Lord knows exactly what I need when I need it! I think being home with sick children all winter, myself having fibro flareups, the TONS of snow and the uncertainty of my husband's job ( we still don't know anything)....really got me a little depressed....which is very unlike me. Usually, I am the optimist...the glass is not just half full, it is over-flowing....but it has been a hard winter for me. I was able to share this with some friends from church at our small group....and humble myself and ask for prayer...and after talking with some friends the past two days....I think this was a particularly hard winter for many people.

I am so grateful to the Lord for 'knitting' me together with Godly friends! I know the support, the 'listening ear', the laughter and encouragment that we offer to each other is a priceless gift! ~Sue~

Real Food Nutrition...Rawsome Italiano

Real food...the way that God made it. That is what He has been guiding our family towards more of for 'whole food' nutrition. We've tried lots of supplements over the years...from multi-vitamins, iron, probiotics...I think we've tried most of them and some work well, but the idea of getting all or most of our nutrition from real food was intriguing to me...so I started the research. (anyone who knows me knows that I love to research!) The Lord kept leading me back to the raw food movement...with all the nutrients, fiber and enzymes intact. I was blessed to get some books and a nifty little kitchen gadget and away we went! Above is a picture of a recipe that has become a family favorite...even getting 2 thumbs up from my 5 year old daughter AND my 'meat & potatoes' husband! It is called "Rawsome Italiano". I'll post the recipe below.
This is my "spiralizer"...I found it on Amazon after reading about it being used in a lot of raw food recipes. It will either make 'ribbon' looking veggies, similar to pasta or (our favorite) it will actually make the veggies very similar to angel hair pasta. This is what we did with the zucchini.
Look at all of that yummy green goodness!

~I've been trying to add as much raw veggies and fruit thru out the whole day as I can get into everyone...along with culturing our own kefir and kombucha, both of which are loaded with tons of enzymes and probiotics. We've been having kefir berry smoothies in the mornings (with lots of unsweetened frozen berries), green smoothies around lunch (with romaine, spinach and different frozen fruit)...along with veggies and fruit...a raw 'salad' of some sort...either this zucchini recipe, or 'anti-cancer' slaw or salad...and another kefir smoothie before bed. Some days, I feel as if I am drinking all day long! LOL

The above recipe is from a very cool book called "Alive in Five" by Angela Elliot. Here it is! (this is how we modified it to our tastes...we do not do olives, but you can throw them in!) To your health! ~Sue~

~Rawsome Italiano~


1 zucchini (we used 4 thin ones for our family of 6)
1/4 red bell pepper, chopped
1/5 sweet onion, chopped
olives
salt/pepper
fresh parsley for garnish (we used fresh chives)

Using a vegetable peeler or spiralizer, cut the zucchini into long, thin strips to create "vegetable spagetti". Mix in the rest of the veggies and toss. Pour sauce on top and garnish.

Sauce

6 Roma tomatoes
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, soaked for 15 minutes
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped (I used dried)
1 green onion, chopped (I used 1/8 of an onion)
2 tbslp olive oil
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. agave nectar
salt/pepper/oregano

Process in food processor until smooth....pour on veggies right before serving.
Enjoy!

Growing up....

My beautiful daughter, Sara. Sara is my 2nd oldest daughter and she is 14 1/2 right now. Did you ever have a child that was so very much like you? Sara is very, very much like her mother in so many ways! Lately, with having such a wide age range around here, I see evidence of growing up in all of my children....the past few days it has been my Sara....One of the ways that Sara is very much like me, is that usually she feels the need to learn from her own experiences and mistakes...rather than learning from others....and something is a great idea....if it is HER idea. You can probably imagine the 'discussions' we've been having around here....two strong willed women! LOL
As part of my girls education, I am insisting that they learn simple sewing, crocheting and maybe knitting (crocheting and knitting work both the right and left sides of the brain at the same time, increasing cognitive ability, problem solving skills and creativity) ....more importantly, they are required to know how to cook and bake from scratch...a skill that I feel they will need all of their lives.
So...I told Miss Sara the other evening that she should pick either a knitting project or a crochet project....or I would assign one to her. Well...she was NOT happy with this idea, argued eloquently against it....until I told her that she had 10 minutes to decide or I would. Sara came out 10 minutes later and said "Let me try the knitting"....well, it took me a week of concerted effort to teach myself knitting and it was slow going....Sara got it in 5 minutes and said "oh, you mean like this?"...and off she went! Then, she said "Let me try the crochet again and see which one I like better"....so I gave her a hook....and she fell in love with crocheting and yarn! Meghan and I are so happy that Sara now shares our love of YARN and crocheting! After a little bit, I said to her "Do you have anything that you want to say to me?"....Sara sheepishly grinned, and said "I'm sorry for arguing, Mom...you were right"...now why don't children just do it the first time without arguing?! LOL Now we can't get her to put the hook down....you now regularly hear "just one more row?!" from both Meghan and Sara now! LOL

Yesterday, after a long Sunday, Sara asked if she could make a pie since it was "3-14" day. I asked if it would be gluten free...and again...she wanted to do it "her way"....I gave my permission, while resigning myself to eating no pie. About 1/2 hour later I walked into the kitchen to find her making a gluten free apple pie....how wonderful! I asked her why she changed her mind, and she said it would be just as good and she wanted me to eat it too....and wouldn't you know, her GF pie crust turned out better than mine!

~A good friend reminded me last night, " didn't you say she was just like you?"....and I've been thinking of it ever since. How can I best teach and train Sara, especially as she is naturally growing up and becoming independant...since she is as strong-willed as I am? I think we will have a talk today about working together....before I know it, she and Meghan will grown and gone out of our home...and I want Sara to learn how to channel the strength of will that the Lord gave her to serve Him and do His will....and how to surrender to someone else's authority...and to do it gracefully.

She is such a sweet daughter! I don't know what I would do without my 'Sara Sunshine'! My daughters are growing up into my very best friends...the ones I want to tell things to first...to share all of our interests with....to pray together, to learn together, to serve together.....Love you, much, Sara Bear!!!!!! ~Love, Mum~

Spring Joy!

~I saw this wonderful sight out of my kitchen window and ran for my camera....this just said "Joy" to me today! Anna was enjoying herself so much just swinging on her swing...singing to herself and enjoying the warm weather and sunshine! I loved the look of her totally enjoying herself....with her little pink boots on, pink tights, bubble gum shirt...and all the snow still around her. It was so warm today!

We had all the windows open, dusting and sweeping...moving some furniture around in Anna's room, adding chest of drawers for more organized storage. It felt so good to have all the fresh air in here! While dinner was cooking, I so enjoyed sitting on the deck in my rocker talking with Meghan, just enjoying the late afternoon sunshine. We're all so happy that Spring is finally here! Can't get any happier than a little girl finally able to 'swing up to the sky' again! Going to bed with windows open tonight....Happy Spring! Enjoy the fresh air! ~Sue~