Secret Ingredient!

I have been trying to figure out Tzatzitki Sauce for at least 10 years. I tried again last night and still not quite right...something always always missing. So back go pinterest and google, and finally, I hit on a recipe...the ONLY blog out of about 100 with a ingredient in the recipe none of the others had....Feta....added feta to today's batch and walla.....I HIT it! Finally! No more having to buy it from the restaurants! ;) I'm so proud of myself. Now if the kids would just get well! Every Saturday I get us all ready for meeting, and Sunday morning they are sneezing and vomiting, what is up with this? ARG!

Fall is upon us . . .

Well fall is upon us, I put out all my fall decor. On time! lol Took down my spring/summer decor and stored it away. It's still hot here though, but hopefully it will cool down soon. At least we had a very very mild summer.

RJ and Belle "sharing" the skates.

The kids have been having a ball playing with their roller skates I bought at the city wide garage sale last month. The roll all over the kitchen and drive way with them. Now I have to get more pairs. they try to share the one pair but either that results in fights, or disasters of one skate per a child...haha But, at least they have a lot of fun with them. I'm on the look out though for more pairs of skates. I am already itching for next years citywide garage sale.

We are loving the stereo I bought too. And the new song the society added to the website has become this months school son, but big request from the children. It is so nice that they are giving the children so much personal attention. I can tell this will really help this generation of children make the truth their own, and develop a true love and knowledge of Jehovah and his will. My kids sure are loving it. And I am sure many more children are too. We even use it to help us learn other languages, by listening to and singing the songs in the other languages that are also posted on the site.

School is going awesome for Lela, Belle, and RJ. I love it. And I am pretty sure they do too. I really like a free calendar curriculum that I downloaded and printed for Lela. It's teaching her things really well that she would have in grade one any way, but in her curriculum from school it only goes over these things for a day or two. This way we do it every day and she's really learning it well. We also started in a daily Bible reading curriculum that's been a lot of fun. And I am developing my own virtues curriculum I hope to add in soon too. We have a field trip on Friday, Snow cones and painting in the park!   

Uncle Doug, RJ, and I.

My mom's little brother is not doing well at all, and had terminal cancer. Although he is beating the time they gave him to live. He's not doing too well. I am hoping we can visit him a little more often though. RJ looks so much like him in his little boy pictures. I wish I had some of Uncle Doug's childhood pictures so I could show people. We took my double second cousin Debbie to visit him the other weekend. And he was so happy to see her, and her him as well.

A few weeks ago he asked for a book for people to sign who came and visited him and I gave him one. People are signing really nice things in it. Some taking up whole pages of notes to him. So that is really making him feel good.

What a summer. . .

We have been so busy. Horrible storms, something called a shelf cloud came though and knocked down tons of trees. Just two weeks ago they were all cleaned up. The storm was two months ago. It's been the rainiest and coldest August I have ever known for Kansas to have. We are usually in severe drought and my garden ends up dieing. At the end of July they were saying we were in the worst drought we had had in years...the river in front of my mom's home was almost completely dry-just a big sand bar. And they didn't know what we were going to do for water. Now we are having flooding, to the point this weeks TMS was canceled. So....it's CRAZY!

Vince's parents came to visit, and we went to all kinds of neat things. The Cosmosphere, Exploration Place, Cowtown on a field trip with Lela's school. Which was soooo funny. RJ just loves loves loves horses, and he kept climbing the fence to look at the horses in the back pasture, and then jumping off the fence to look at me.  All the while he wasn't noticing there was a cow in the front pasture that was totally intrigued by RJ. So he hopped off the fence, then was about to climb the fence again, when he turned to get back on the fence the cow had stuck his head completely through the fence, and when RJ turned to climb the fence again he was met eye level with the cow! He jumped up in the air and started running! Then once he figured out it was just a cow (a few seconds) he was ready to climb the fence again. Me and the school principal were laughing so hard! We now also have season passes to Exploration Place, we have went a few times. Once even with the congregation which was great fun for all the kids to get together.

We also found out during my inlaws visit that, a new sister in our hall, had Vince's uncle as her CO in her last congregation. So that was kind of neat.

Last week was our towns city wide garage sale. I ended up spending more then I had anticipated. But, got some awesome deals, and only spent a total of 45 dollars.

I was able to get the kids about 100 books, including a lot of classics and expensive books, like the trendy Bob books for teaching reading. 

When the owner of the local used book store found out I was homeschooling, he offered to bring me boxes of books for free, AND gave me a awesome deal on a telescope.

RJ has very few toys, so I was able to get him a lot of little hot wheels cars which he loves, and stacking blocks.

I also got RJ a lion costume that hopefully we can use when we put on a drama on Noah.

Bought my dad and Vince's grandpa some fun ties.

Brand new children's cds-including Little Einstein, still in the plastic, never opened.

I had been wanting and needing a CD player for the classroom, and ended up with a 5 disk cd changer, that is also a radio, and cassette player.

Got some nice glass parfait glasses, drinking glasses, high chair for the table, and a booster chair for the car, a few clothes for RJ, cookie sheet, ruler things-like vices-brand new in package, some vintage-never used-lint brushes, and shoe shine brush, vintage figurines, a cute little vintage reproduction bucket, hand crocheted doilies, pryex meatloaf pans, and bowls, and much more.

And all you can eat Indian Tacos-at the local community center.

We started school this year. And so far, so good. Lela is still ahead of what we are on, but hopefully she will get some new stuff soon. She has a new teacher this year that I think we will like a lot. I also started Belle and RJ with PreK and they are loving it! Especially the songs. Even RJ just loves it. Lela's back to school swim party will be on Sunday and they are all looking forward to that. I'm also really happy with our new school schedule this year. Last year we mainly only had a song, and Bible story in our daily schedule, but this year we have added scripture copy work, and daily Bible reading, and they are all doing really well with it! And understanding it greatly! I think it will take us a total of two years to read the entire Bible, instead of the traditional one year. But, for littles, I think that is still awesome. And am very excited about how things are going so far.

Strawberries and blueberries were so cheap this week I made a huge batch of jam...I'm thinking it may be my last batch of jam, unless I go to my friends home and pick some peaches and make one last batch of peach jam. But, not positive yet, on that.

So all in all, it's been a busy and fun summer, and looking forward to this school year. It's already been pretty fun.

Homes. . .

It has been so hot here! We got the kids a mini swimming pool and they love it. Not so fun though all this mowing in this heat!

Had a wonderful field trip last week at Botanical Gardens. They fed us a nice healthy lunch from Wild Thyme! And it was so yummy!

Saturday we had a summer party for the kids in our congregation. Lela and all the kids had a great time. We BBQ'd and picnicked at the park. And they played and played and played. I invited all the kids from our current congregation and a few from our old congregation as well. It turned out really nice. I'm hoping to come up with at least 2 more before summer is over.

Sunday meeting was awesome. We had a guest speaker, I went to pioneer school with his little brother. I always tells his little brothers jokes from pioneer school to this day. He was such a funny brother. Found out he and his wife now live in NY! Who would of guessed? lol But, boy it sure doesn't seem like that should be 20 years ago! ARG! Time is flying by waaaaay too fast!

Also I was finally able to start using Mama Pads, I love them! I am never going back to anything else. Placed another order today!

Now for the bad news. I have a infected tooth that is driving me insane! And we've had a roof leak for at least three months. I told the land lord about it from the get go...and he came and looked and has done nothing, not even a tarp. So came home Thursday to the ceiling caved in! ARG! Sheet rock, mold, dirt, etc every where! Vince's hours were also cut by half at work. So I just don't know. Hoping though that Vince can get a different job. Cause this one is killing him. He's lost 50 lbs and he wasn't very big to begin with. My little brothers are asking if he is ok, he's so thin. We really want to buy a home though. Ironically the one next door is up for sale and we really really really like it. So hoping maybe we can fanagle on over there! We've went to two of it's open houses and really like it. The first open house was closed early due to tornadoes we were having. and the poor woman had to run to shelter. The second one they said hardly any one is looking at it. So I'm hoping hoping hoping we can buy it. It's such a nice home.

The Simple Woman's Daybook. . .

Outside my window. . .rain and snow.

I am hearing...Lela's PC educational videos.

I am thinking. . .Vince isn't going to get home in time for meeting.

I am thankful for. . .being able to have such a wonderful program for homeschooling Lela.

I am remembering. . .how awesome my kids are.

I am hoping. . .the kids can play outside more soon.

I am creating. . .nothing, I need to make some blouses, but not happening.

On my mind. . .losing weight again.

Noticing that. . .The house needs a cleaning top to bottom.

From the kitchen. . .shepherd's pie.

One of my favorite things. . .having energy.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .Not much. I need to go to World Market and back to Food For Thought. I guess making popcorn and trying a new idea of sprinkling cardamon on top!

What I am reading. . .blogs about muffin tin meals and bentos.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . .

Sleepy RJ! hahaha

Muffin Tin Monday. . .

I for sure have to improve on my photography. But, we have been loving doing Muffin Tin Meals.  Today's theme was supposed to be April Fool's on the MTM group, but I went ahead and did spring again.

https://www.facebook.com/AnotherLunch

Top row:
Animal Cracker & Bunny Grahams
Plastic Cupcake-with lemon heads
Ham roll ups on a bunny pick & Pretzel

Bottom row:
Heart Shaped Strawberries
Bunny Mix-Cheddar Bunnies, raisins, dried Cantelope
Tulip shaped Cucumbers


They were completely polished off! Even the tulip cucumbers.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .blustery wind.

I am hearing...children playing.

I am thinking. . .What a awesome, brave, and over whelming sacrifice Jesus made for us.

I am thankful for. . .Jehovah and Jesus loving mercy for us.

I am remembering. . .Jesus' torture his last hours as a man.

I am hoping. . .that the children will feel Jehovah and Jesus love for them tonight.

I am creating. . .a new skirt-yup finished a new skirt just minutes before memorial, haha I really love it, it's a nice sweater knit very warm.

On my mind. . .teaching my children about Jehovah and Jesus enough they will want to dedicate their lives to God, and truly love him.

Noticing that. . .I need to clean this house!

From the kitchen. . .sandwiches.

One of my favorite things. . .knowledge of the truth, and God's purpose for our future.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .Cleaning the house, collecting more bento, an healthy food things.

What I am reading. . .My Book of Bible Stories.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . .

Vince and RJ at Disney on Ice.

Muffin Tin Monday

In the tin-
Top Row-
Green Pea Pod, Yellow Bunny Peep, Ham Roll Ups.

Bottom Row-
String Cheese, Chicken Biscuits, Baby Cucumbers.





Whew, been a long time since I have posted. I've been working on trying to eat healthier again, I need to lose weight badly! Looking around online for ideas for healthy kids lunches, I found Muffin Tin Meals. And a link up party for Mondays on them. This week I mainly just started getting a few of the items needed for them. So this week it's a little lame, but as time goes on I'll work on getting more things in them, and buying more accessories to make them cuter too. This week wasn't that healthy. But, the kids loved them! I had really wanted them to have strawberries too, but the ones at the store looked awful, so they were out. Again hopefully I'll improve as time goes on. So to get to it, here's the kids MTM this week. They ALL loved it. And ate every bite. they asked for more meat several times, so they ate about 6 times the amount of meat you see in the photo below. But, other then that, this is basically what they ate. Surprisingly enough only RJ went for the bunny first, the girls saved theirs for last.

I also worked on a healthy lunch for myself as well. I didn't take a photo but maybe I'll start. I had a ham and cheese sandwich-whole wheat bread, organic smoked cheddar, and the olive oil mayo. With hummus and sliced cucumbers. My dessert was two Lemon Lavender Miss Meringue Cookies, they were awesome!  

Happy Anniversary to Me!

We have had a awesome couple of weeks. Saturday before last we seen Disney on Ice with the kids. They loved it. Had a ton of fun.

Then Wednesday was Vince and I's 12 anniversary. He brought me some really hilarious cards. I bought him some tie tacks from the antique mall. On Saturday he took me to Yoder to celebrate. We ate at the Amish restaurant and I went to the thrift store there that was so much fun. They moved locations. But, their prices were as good as ever. I got a vintage thermos with the glass inside, for 50 cents! I love the vintage ones. Lela a hand made sweater. She's been needing one for meetings cause she outgrew all her meeting ones. Myself three really cute sweaters. And real tupperware for only 25 cents. A cute little coat rack for the girls. And Belle another dresser scarf as well. Myself some really cute hot pads, and on and on. Two full bags, plus the coat rack all less then 15 dollars total. I love that thrift shop! I can't wait to go back again.

Then today we went to the Dillon's Market Place in Derby and ate dinner. Their salad bar is awesome. I loved the spinach egg salad. And Vince really liked the prime rib dinner he had. Then I was able to get the grocery shopping for the week done as well. I think that will start being our lunch/dinner spot on Sundays. The salad bar is so tasty. And they have pork loin or prime rib at the deli (hot meals) on Sundays and Vince really liked his. And then I can right there get my shopping done too. Stores used to have cafeterias when I was growing up and that's how my mom always did the weekly shopping too. But, then they went away for a while. I'm kind of glad Dillon's brought it back. They have a really nice organic and health food section too. I especially like the bulk dry goods section.

House or a Home . . .

I haven't posted in forever! Any way, lots going on. Some one in the family has been sick for weeks! ARG!

Went to Lela's 100 day field trip, she loved it. I thought it was ok, but kind of wish we had went to the cosmosphere instead. But, oh well. The upside is we did get to meet her teacher in person for the first time. Then we went to Yoder and spent the rest of the day, thrift shops, gift shops, hardware stores, quilt shops, a ton of fun, I need another whole day there, ran out of time to go to a few more of the antique shops, the art store or the furniture store. I told Vince I want to spend one of our anniversaries in the B&B there. But, we did eat lunch there, oh so yummy! mmmmmm The tollhouse pie is just over the moon amazing! The fried chicken best ever!

But, it's still been a fun few weeks. Finally thanks for Dollar Tree, Craig's List and Freecycle my home is finally coming together to look better then the refugee look we had for so long!  Almost every thing is organized, I have some awesome bedroom furniture, I've even been able to decorate a little bit. I am quite sure I'm going to refinish a old dresser I have this week. I took off two of the nobs that the screws were stripped and replaced them with really cute ones, but left all the antique knobs that were still in good condition on the dresser, next I'm going to tear off the rest of the veneer that is already peeling off horribly and oil up the wood underneath it and see what I have when I'm done. I'm just so happy that my house is actually starting to look like a home....in NY the only room I was happy with decor/furniture wise was the kitchen. Now my bedroom is coming along, ALMOST done, I need a few picture frames and some artwork and new nightstands I will be having custom made this year, a coat of paint on the wall, and I'll be HAPPY with it. The living room, needs a coat of paint and custom made book shelves done. School room I'm pretty happy with, but want to add more storage and a coat of paint! Lela and Belle's room, I want Lela a new dresser that my mom said she would give me one if I can get to it, will match Belle's other then that a little organization in there too, and art/pics and boom it will be done too. The bathrooms I would like to paint, but other then that I have art from dollar tree in them that look amazingly good for a dollar! I'm going to add a shelf I already got from Craig's List in the small bathroom, maybe a little more art work in there and it will be so done!

Any way, super excited that the house is coming along. After this year, the only thing left to work on will be the study. But, it doesn't even look bad, just would be nice to personalize it and spruce it up. But, other then that I am just so excited to finally know the whole house is going to look like a home and one I want to live in this year!