Halloween

Another Halloween has come and gone. My husband loves to carve pumpkins with the boys so before we get to the costumes we start with pumpkins.

 Eew Gross pumpkin guts!



 My yellow kitchen also turns everyone and everything a strange yellow in the pumpkin lab.

 The boys are proud of their Dad's carving abilities.

 He looks like the Jack-O-Lantern

 Spooky! No not really but the kids had fun screaming and running away from them.

The boys looked up pictures of Jack-O-Lanterns and Rob drew them on and cut them out. It is more fun this way. Better then taping a pattern on and poking little hole to follow along.

This year the boys wanted to be a mummy and a ghost. Easy to make right? I looked up the mummy and watch many youtube videos and read many ways to wrap up a mummy. Well it is always easy to read about. It took me two hours to wrap my little mummy all the way up. With in five minutes it was coming unraveled. The videos never mentioned this! So I wrapped him up with packaging tape. And it held up almost to the end. When it did come unraveled it looked like a mummy coming undone. 

 I love how his face looked. I think it made the total costume.

 Angry eyes, scary eyes. I love his eyes

 The mummy and a little ghost.

The ghost costume caused problems because the ghost's eyes kept moving around. I tried to pin the material to the back of his shirt, I tried to tape it to his head, I tried to make him wear a hat and pinned the material to the hat. The tie was the only thing that even came close to staying on and keeping the face looking forward. Still all night I had to fix his costume every two steps.

Here you can see his beautiful big brown eyes.



Here if you look at the ghost instead of eyes you see a nose. He loved being a ghost. I think that both of them had a really great time and really that is all that matters. I can't wait to try to make next years costumes. Maybe I will not take for granted that it sounds easy. I have learned my lesson.

I hope you had a wonderful Halloween and that your week is filled with Love and Laughter. Be well my friends

Recipe Tuesday

I know it's not Tuesday but let's pretend. Plus you may need today's recipe for the Halloween Movie marathon you have planed for this weekend. If you are like me, I hope you are, and have a love for popcorn. I really love popcorn. I like to eat it while I am reading my text books for school. This could be the reason I am not losing any weight, well that and the fact that I sit on my butt reading the online version because I am to Cheap to spring for the hard copy. Today I just wanted something easy to eat and to snack on so I thought of the bag of popcorn in my cabinet. Then I had an idea. A wonderful, truly awful idea Kettle Corn. Do your stomach just jump for joy? Mine did. Today's recipe is super easy and it comes from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/kettle-corn/detail.aspx . Have you been to Allrecipe.com yet? I love to get lost there sometimes I pretend to have dinner parties, or sweet romantic dinners for two, but I usually go for kid friendly. I like that you can look up things based on ingredients for all that fresh Zucchini I have been picking, or the eggs I love to buy from my farmer friend. Here is the recipe.

Kettle Corn
Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels

Directions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, stir in the sugar and popcorn. Cover, and shake the pot constantly to keep the sugar from burning. Once the popping has slowed to once every 2 to 3 seconds, remove the pot from the heat and continue to shake for a few minutes until the popping has stopped. Pour into a large bowl, and allow to cool, stirring occasionally to break up large clumps

 Here is my Kettle Corn

 Turns out it is a little difficult to take a picture in a bright yellow kitchen of popcorn in a glass bowl.

Everything turns yellow the popcorn, the bowl, the table. One day I will take a photography class

Have you ever heard of the three kernel test? I haven't so just in case you have not either I am going to share with you. When you are heating the oil put 3 pieces of popcorn in the oil when they pop the oil is ready. I wish I had know about this earlier. I have spent years trying to determine if the oil/butter was ready. Butter is good to pop the corn with but it is a little temperamental. I recommend sticking to oil but not Flax seed oil because it make the house and pop corn smell like dead fish. YUCK. I am eating the Kettle corn now and it is yummy. I may eat the whole bowl because the boys are currently pretending to take a nap. Rob is at work. They will never miss this wonderful sweet treat. Plus to be fair to my greediness I made 5 dozen cookies yesterday and between the boys they are all gone. So you are right it doesn't help, and now I feel guilty enough to save some. Maybe. I hope you enjoy your kettle corn as much as I have enjoyed mine.

I hope your weekend be filled with cute costumes, spooky movies, Kettle Corn, Love and Laughter. Be well my friends.

Bible verse

I have been thinking about this verse since Sunday after my RCIA class and today I would like to share it with you.

1 Corinthians 12

New American Standard Bible

The Use of Spiritual Gifts

¹ Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. ² You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. ³ Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking ^[a]by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is ^[b]accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except ^[c]by the Holy Spirit.
⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. ⁶ There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. ⁷ But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸ For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; ⁹ to another faith ^[d]by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of ^[e]healing ^[f]by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ and to another the ^[g]effecting of ^[h]miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the ^[i]distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
¹² For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. ¹³ For ^[j]by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵ If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason ^[k]any the less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason ^[l]any the less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. ¹⁹ If they were all one member, where would the body be? ²⁰ But now there are many members, but one body. ²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² On the contrary, ^[m]it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; ²³ and those members of the body which we ^[n]deem less honorable, ^[o]on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, ²⁴ whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, ²⁵ so that there may be no ^[p]division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶ And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is ^[q]honored, all the members rejoice with it.
²⁷ Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. ²⁸ And God has ^[r]appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then ^[s]miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of ^[t]miracles, are they? ³⁰ All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? ³¹ But earnestly desire the greater gifts.
And I show you a still more excellent way.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12&version=NASB

Maybe you have already read this verse, maybe you haven't either way it is a good reminder that we are all part of one body, together we create one, that each of us have different talents and weaknesses but that we are all equal. This verse calms me, calms the very core of me. Jesus tells us that we are all special put without one another we are not. That we need each other to be complete. I think this is incredible  Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many. I think this is about all the different religions and christian churches too. I think sometimes we as humans get wrapped up in what we are that we forget that we are all one. I mentioned in a earlier post how I got caught up in a discussion on facebook with a friend of a friend. It ended badly. I (I am by no means perfect. I am very flawed.) tried to be respectful and do the research so that I could answer his questions. The person turned to attacking my beliefs because they are different then from his own. I in turn got upset and posted some insanely long reply about everything he had attacked me on. Then I refused to answer his questions any further. If we could all spread joy instead of hate the world would be better. I am learning and I will be learning for a long time no one religion can be learned over night. I enjoy doing the research and having a friendly debate but please do not attack me, or anyone else for that matter. I believe that God calls us to where we need to be. He brings us to learn and grow in him in the best way he knows we need. You do not have to believe the same way that I do. We are all different. Maybe we can grow and learn together. I may need you and you may be surprised by me. Together we are one body.


I hope that this week is filled with kindness, joy, Love, and Laughter. Be well my friends.

Ideas for November

Today between trying to convince a three year old that learning to read is both fun, and important, convince a seven year old that finishing his "school" work early leaves him the rest of the day for playing, and reading, I am printing out next months unit studies we are going to do two A Thankful Thanksgiving and 25 Days of Thanksgiving lapbook, I am reading Sakuntala and Indian play, I am making dinner crock-pot potato soup, and finally I am looking for some great ideas for a whole month of Giving Thanks. It is a lot more multitasking then I can really handle so as long as you don't look into the fact that cleaning is not on the list for today I think we will be fine on this little adventure. Besides it is all of November school work for both boys, so everything works out nicely.

 I found a neat craft here http://thecraftingchicks.com/2010/10/thankful-tree.html called the Thankful tree. You gather some pretty branches and put them into a vase decorated or not (I am going to buy some pretty autumn leaves from hobby lobby, and maybe some ribbon. Maybe I will buy some pretty ribbon and tell the boys in my life That Moms are girls and we like pretty things to look at.) then you print out leaves, or buy some already printed leaves and have the whole family write what they are thankful for on a leaf and tie it on the the branch with ribbon or tape or maybe just glue it. I love the idea that the whole family does this together. I will take pictures when I get everything together. Maybe I can be Thankful for the Whole month of November.

The units studies and lapbooks, I am excited to start these. Everyday is a bible verse about being thankful, and everyday the boys will get to think of things that they are thankful for for 25 days. This is the lapbook. The unit study is about pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to doing both of these with the boys. Here is the link to where you can find them http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=43106&it=1&filters=0_30558_0_0_0_0_0
http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=25801&it=1&filters=0_30558_0_0_0_0_0
Right now Currclick is having a trunk or treat sell where you can find deals for up to 75% off on a lot of wonderful unit studies and lapbooks. http://www.currclick.com/index.php

Back to Sakuntala for me. I hope you have a wonderful week filled with love and laughter. Be well my friends.

Trama in the garden...

I know I said I would be busy doing school work but I took a break to water the garden. What I found is unspeakable, totally horrible, but I am going to share it with you. The cat, my Husbands Cat, has found a liking for Rats. Now I never know when I am going to find them dead in the garden. Last week I found the head of a rat, this week the back half of one. I have to clean them up so the boys won't mess with it. It is gross, very gross. I wanted to puke! My heart is racing right out of my chest. I think I need a sedative to calm down. I am forever traumatized.I did take some lovely pictures, and I did find some lovely squash ready to be picked. So one to the garden update.

This is what I picked today.

Hello Squash!

I love this kid.

He is cute.

He is still cute too.

I love him too.

We had a wind storm. It beat up the squash beds.

It is still going strong even though it is beat up and sad looking.

I don't know what kind of squash this is. It is happy.

Melon. Yum Yum Yum

A bigger Melon. I hope they make it to full size.

The boy's beans.

Acorn squash in the boy's bed.

Another squash bites the dust.

Baby Kale! I hope it gets big.

Surprise purple Asparagus. We thought this didn't make it but God is good.

Look! Look! A baby pie pumpkin.

We have a lot to learn when it comes to gardening. I am glad we are getting some squash. When these plants are done we are going to be making some changes in how we garden. We watched this amazing movie/film that changed how we look at the soil.  http://backtoedenfilm.com/  I want to encourage you to watch the film on this website. It is about the importance of trusting God, and mulch. I am simplifying it but it is an exciting movie on how to garden. You'll see as we get ready to set it up early next year. We will put it in God's hands.

I hope you have a wonderful week filled with love and Laughter. Be well my friends.

Pictures or not.

I thought about taking pictures of the garden for an update. When I took the camera outside in the cold 47 degrees to do so I remembered that I charged the battery. When I came in to get the battery it was sitting next to the charger not charged at all. So that is why I haven't posted a garden update. That and a twenty page power point I have to do for science class. I do not understand a power point presentation for an online class. I would rather write a full paper then try to figure out what to put into a power point. My husband is going to help me set it up soon. I asked what the point was and he starts talking about careers and meetings. I do not have a career unless homeschooling kids count. I know I need to learn how to do a PowerPoint presentation for our weekly family meetings what's for dinner, who gets what chores, schedules, and whatever. It's not like family really listen to me when I sit them down for a family meeting. I can see it in their eyes Wha wa wa. . . I tried talking louder, and quieter but I know I am the charlie brown teacher. They all (Even my husband) just stare at me, then when I am nearing the end they all say Ok, that sounds great. The question was what should we do for Thanksgiving. Sometimes being the CEO of such a large company is a bit of a lonely job. Power point might just be the way to go if I used interesting pictures and drawings. No, I am not really all that creative. The point is if you don't see a garden update then I am reading the Aeneid, or writing a paper about the heroic qualities compare to other Greek heroes or I am stilling trying to figure out the power point on Ecotourism in Belize. A week and a half left of forestry. . .


I hope your week runs smoothly and is filled with love and laughter. Be well my friends.

Recipe Tuesday

Pumpkin Spice latte Recipe from Betty Cooker

Ingredients
Lattes

2  cups milk

2  tablespoons canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1  to 2 tablespoons sugar (to taste)

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1    tablespoon vanilla

1/2 cup hot brewed coffee       

 

Garnish, if desired

Whipped cream

Dash pumpkin pie spice

2 cinnamon sticks

In 2-quart saucepan, heat milk, pumpkin and sugar over medium heat until hot (do not boil). Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, the vanilla and coffee. 2 Pour into 2 large mugs. Garnish each with whipped cream, dash pumpkin pie spice and a cinnamon stick

Tips:
Allow the Pumpkin-Spice Latte to cool, and serve over ice for a cold version.
If you do not have pumpkin pie spice at home, make your own by combining 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger and 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. This will make about 2 tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice mix.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte/a1ef6f8d-3c99-4b9d-86e4-25bdb1c46846?ESRC=16030&WT.mc_id=partner_facebook_Bettycrocker


When this recipe showed up on my Facebook news feed I knew I had to try it for myself. I love pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks but I don't like to pay $5 for a cup of yummy so it is rare that I get to sit back and enjoy a treat just for me. This morning I decided it was the day to give this recipe a try. Let me tell you that the only that would have made it better is whipped cream on top. I added a full cup of coffee instead of just half a cup. It was a lovely way to start my day.

I hope your day is filled with your favorite coffee flavors,love and laughter. Be well my friends