Tuesday Ramblings

I couldn't think of a title. Tuesday Ramblings should do seeing as I don't have any one particular thought to post about.

We had our first snow today. We woke up to a ground covering of white stuff. Of course Caleb was thrilled and was out the door pronto. He was out there for at least an hour and went through 2 pairs of mitts. I'm glad he got to enjoy it because by lunch time it was gone.

I am hoping to get started on making our Christmas cards this week. I am such a procrastinator! :D Add to that the fact that my supplies I ordered were late getting to me. I was really hoping to address them tomorrow night. Oh well maybe I'll work on them tomorrow night. We don't celebrate Halloween, so I know I will be home.

See ramblings was a good title. lol :o)

Changing Things Up a Bit

As I mentioned in my previous post, we have recently started lapbooking. I wanted to do something different from the typical fill-in-the-blank worksheet because they aren't a whole lot of fun for Caleb. We are finishing up our first one. It is on spiders. I've learned alot about spiders. lol :o) Today we started another one on Biblical Responsibility. It has 13 (or 14) activities, so it should take us about 3 weeks to do as we will do one activity per day. We do this in addition to 'My Bible First'. Once the spider one is finished, we will start a new one on something science or health related. If you click on the link above you can download a sample of the Biblical Responsibility lapbook.

Here is a freebie lapbook on Art Appreciation. It looks like it will be a fun way to learn about art concepts and artists. This changes every quarter, so be sure to save it before it gets changed. :o)

If you have preK- K aged children, they may enjoy doing a lapbook called 'All about Me'. :o) Or maybe Apples!! They are freebies too!

I will take a picture of our finished spider lapbook to post and share. I'll also take a picture of the supplies we use to make our books.

On another completely different note, I have made my 3rd batch of laundry soap. We are still really liking it. One batch lasts us about a month. I shared with another mom how to make it and she finds it a big savings for her family of 5.

More Catching Up!!

I thought I should post soemthing since I have neglected this ole blog for quite a while now. Really I should be in bed since it is almost midnight here and I have a headache. I rarely get headaches. They are usually sinus headaches or tension headaches. This is a tension headache from thinking (over thinking). I'm sure it will be better by morning.

Caleb & I have been working on a lapbook about spiders. I've wanted to incorporate lapbooking into our homeschooling but never was really sure about how to go about it. Well I had downloaded a freebie one on spiders a while back. It showed exactly how to fold each mini book and where to place it in the folder. So we (I) decided to do that one. I liked the idea of knowing exactly how it should look, but I think the next one that we do will have a little bit of our own touch to it. We may even attempt 2 at the same time. Maybe a science on and a Bible one. At least now my scrapbooking stuff (which is pretty much just sitting on my messy desk) will be put to good use. :P

Salsa Recipe

Here is the recipe for the salsa....

Fresh Vegetable Salsa

8 jalapeno peppers (wear gloves when chopping)
7 Cups prepared tomatoes (this just means peeled and chopped)
2 cups coarsely chopped onions
1 cup coarsely chopped green pepper
3 cloves of garlic finely chopped or crushed
1 can (156ml) tomato paste
3/4 Cup white vinegar
1/2 cup loosely packed chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp ground cumin

1.) Remove seeds and finely chop jalapeno peppers. Blanch, peel and coarsely chop tomatoes. Measure 7 cups
2.) Combine all ingredients in a large stainless steel or enamel sauce pan. Bring to a boil and boil gently, about 30 minutes or until salsa reaches desired consistency.
3.)Sterilize bottles
4.) Place snap lids in boiling water, boil 5 minutes to soften sealing compound.
5.)Ladle salsa into hot jar ( try to get bottle and salsa at similar temperatures so the bottles don't break) to within 1/2 inch of top rim. Wipe jar rim to remove any stickiness. Center snap lid on jar, apply screw band just until fingertip tight. Place jars in canner.
6.) Cover canner, return water to a boil; process 20 minutes. Remove jars. Cool 24 hours. Check jar seals. Sealed lids will be curved downward. Store in a cool dark place.

Quilt of Holes

This is an email I recieved.

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many
piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a
tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged
and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each
square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the
challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw
hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the
light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up
their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me,
and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to
accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Our Grapes

We only have one grape vine that we planted a few years ago, but it is really growing!

Caleb says they taste just like Welch's Grape juice! :o)

They look so yummy!!

I'm Baaaaccck ! :o)

Wowzers! I really didn't realize I had been away from my blog for so long! Time sure flies!! I think we have just been so busy getting back school after the summer, getting the garden picked and put up for winter and generally running here, there and everywhere. lol :o)

Thanks to those who missed me and posted a comment. I appreciate that. :o)

I got most of my bloodwork results. Still waiting for 2 results, but they are nothing that I am concerned about. The doctor ordered an ANA test twice and both came back positive(1-80). So because of that he is sending me to a Rhuematologist. Still waiting to hear when my appointment will be. I'm not a worrier when it comes to things like that so I am thankful about that.

Here is a little of what has been keeping me busy...........

We made 14 bottles of salsa last week. Yummy! :D





Now I'm going to have to go blog visiting and catch up with everyone. :o)