Ever had this happen?

Ok, not this exactly. . . Saturday evening, we were finishing dinner, Thai Grilled Street Chicken, 3 Bean Salad and some fresh bread that had been given to us by some friends, when the doorbell rang.

Greg answered to the door to find three giggling teenage girls. They were attending a party at a neighborhood home and were playing a game called Bigger or Better. . . could we give them something bigger or better than the bread machine (with instruction manual) that they were holding?

Greg offered up the remaining topiary that I brought home from a garage sale months ago (he didn't care much for them, but Elise had decided she liked them, for a time). We brought the topiary to the door, much to the excitement of the young ladies, and swapped it for a bread machine.

Funny thing is, I had been talking about wanting to get a bread machine, as we have started to eat more bread. Yet, I didn't really want to buy one.

The Lord brought one to my door (with the insruction manual, which has recipes).

Today before Calvin and I picked up the big kids, we bought some bread flour at Sprouts Farmers Market.

When we returned from school, Elise and I made our first loaf of French Bread. It sure smells good and should be great for toast in the morning . . . or alongside dinner tomorrow night, Bacon Tomato Capellini, if it lasts that long.

I'll let you know how it tastes. . .

A Shield About Me

One of my favorite songs - from long ago:

Thou O Lord art a shield about me, your my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Thou O Lord art a shield about me, your my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia, your the lifter of my head.
Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia, your the lifter of my head.
from Psalm 3

I am thankful for The Lifter of My Head!

"Romaction" movie request

Yesterday my children were asking for a" Romaction" film. Which to them, means "really princessy and really fighting"

The only one I can think of off the top of my head is -

Princess Bride

Can you suggest any other "Romaction" films?

Dealing with fear at the Snake Farm

Lest you think from my previous post that there weren't any snakes at the Snake Farm, think again. I had to face one of my biggest fears (the others are: fire that is out of control and deep, deep, deep water). I had to walk through three areas that had snakes on both sides. Aagggghhhh. I don't like snakes. Ok, I hate snakes! and I am deathly afraid of them. As I walked through the Snake Farm I jumped several times as I felt something strange touch my back, or arm, or foot. And my family laughed. They know my fear and don't waste any time making fun of me. . . That is ok. I don't have to love snakes, or like them, or go the Snake Farm any time soon. We did spend some time watching a replay of a "Dirty Jobs" about the Snake Farm. . . the host had to help them clean out the Rattlesnake Pit. The day we were there the rattlers were quiet and still. Apparently they had been fed the day before and it was too loud for them active. I think the rest of my family wants to go back and watch the snakes being fed . . . I may see if I can go the nearby quilt store while they watch the feeding.

This is one of the four enormouse pythons they had housed in a glass and mesh enclosure. Did I say I hate snakes?

Yes that is the same snake. . . on the tree both directions.

First Day of School 2010

Snake Farm - some of the creatures we saw. . .

Summer, going, going . . .

Summer is almost over. I can't believe how much I didn't do that I wanted and intended to.


Caleb's quilt was completed.
Greg's quilt has been cut out, two colors sewn together and then cut again. One more color to sew together, cut and then begin piecing all of the 9 patch blocks.
Calvin is potty trained!
We were gone for 5 weeks over the summer.
Caleb worked on reading.
Elise read.
I read some.
I purged the school room/office bookshelves.
Organized my closet.
Purged the kid's closets.
Shredded lots (at least 4 trash bags so far)