This Was Made for Me

What a gem to find in this desert land I live in 'cuz you can take the girl out of the south, but you can't take the south out of the girl. (We'll just keep it a secret that I don't like pecan pie...)

Froot Loop Cupcakes

***Warning: This is a potentially hazardous post containing reference to sugary cereal loops and the encouragement to consume them. Proceed with caution, understanding that admitting you have allowed your children to eat these might win you the Bad Mother of the Year Award and cause you to be the focus of much gossip among mothers who have, as one said, "never let a froot loop cross my children's lips." You've been duly warned.

Now on to the fun. We made these for Claire's birthday yesterday, and they were a hit. Even my Beloved, who is missing a sweet tooth, liked them. The lemon and orange zest add such a nice touch to the ordinary vanilla cupcake. I doubled the recipe and used whole milk.

Froot Loop Cupcakes
from Crepes of Wrath
who adapted them from Gastronomy Blog

1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk 
Zest from 1 orange and 1 lemon
1 1/2 cups Froot Loops
Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and/or line 12 muffin cups.
2. Using a mixer, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and continue to cream for 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla. mixing in well.
3. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix into the butter mixture alternating with the milk in 3 batches (flour, milk, flour, milk, flour). Add orange and lemon zest to batter.
4. Scoop 1/4 cup of the batter into each muffin cup of the prepared pan, and sprinkle the tops with a generous amount of cereal.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cupcakes are puffed and firm in the center and light golden brown on the edges. When ready, remove from the oven and allow to cool in the muffin tins for about 10 minutes. Remove from the tins and allow them to cool completely before sprinkling with powdered sugar. Makes 12 cupcakes.

Of course, if someone tries to take your cupcake, you might have to give them THIS look, like Cap'n did, to let them know not to mess with you and your froot loops.

Happy Baking!

With love,
Trisha

Can You Guess?

Can you guess what I got for my birthday?

Mashoonga!

In a house with a few men, swords are always a hit.  Enter Mashoonga.

These were a gift for Reaches Up since Scribe's swords are still too big for him to use (and a bit too real....).

Mountain Man and Scribe went at it last night.  You would have wanted front row seats to that match.

I admit I asked more than once, "Scribe, doesn't that hurt?!"  Not cool to do that to your 15 year old son.

This smaller version has sold out until Spring, but you can still order a slightly

bigger one.

Tough swords and lots of fun.  Great outlet for all that boy (and man) energy!

Handel's Messiah Free Download

We're blessed to have the opportunity to attend a free performance of Handel's Messiah each year.  This year Mountain Man is planning to take his Mom and several of the older children.


Christian Audio is offering this free download, Handel's Messiah, described below.


"This book by music expert Calvin Stapert will greatly increase understanding and appreciation of Handel's majestic Messiah, whether readers are old friends of this remarkable work or have only just discovered its magnificence."




You can download the book here.  


Enjoy!

99 Allegros for just $1.99

Wow!  This is a great deal from Amazon.  Over nine hours of beautiful music for just $1.99.

99 Allegros

Almost the Real Thing

Ooh, I'm lovin' the sports setting on my camera!  Scribe challenged Mountain Man to a sword fight this past Sunday afternoon, and I must have taken 50 shots of those two going at it.  These are the swords from Vision Forum that Little Big Man requested for his birthday, and they've been quite the hit here.  The men love how realistic they are, and sword fighting is quite the workout.  Toys?  Not really.  You can scroll down to see the damage these guys did to one another.  And, I'm not even posting what happened to Scribe's face yesterday in a duel.  Seriously.  I was calling him "Scar Face."  Most affectionately, of course.

Weekly Rewind~4/3/10-4/9/10

Our April calendar is a canvas of doctor's appointments.  I can't recall having to be "on the run" so much each week....I'm a homemaker, and I homeschool......Home being the key ingredient.  I don't like this running.  I don't like all the complications that follow traveling to town so many days a week.  I'm 29 weeks pregnant, and at the end of the day, I'm simply tired.  There's so much to do, and I don't seem to be doing much of it well.

And, so in essence, what I'm saying is that I don't like the plans God has for us while at the same time I honestly welcome the opportunity we have in all of this to grow and be more like Him.  What joy it is to my heart to see how He's transforming me in this area.....being able more and more to submit to His will instead of clutching onto mine tightly .  Sanctification flourishes in adversity. He has ordained these days, and He gives me the strength I need to give thanks in everything and do all of this without murmuring and disputing. 

I have to know that even though I think all these appointments are doing nothing more than messing up my well planned days, He is actually working it all for good.....teaching us to be flexible, to be even more thankful for home, to carry heavier loads, to trust Him, to let go of what I think must be done and instead do His will most cheerfully, to remember that I'm not in control, to not envy the smoother days of others, to remember that what He has called us to do doesn't change with our circumstances, teaching me that my time is not my own, to let go of my understanding and embrace His sovereignty.  You know...I have to put feet to what I say I believe.  It's not easy, and I stumble and fail miserably, but how faithful He is lift me up while reminding me of His goodness and faithfulness!

And giving thanks is one of the best ways to stay focused on His goodness instead of on my disappointments.

There was great news at a couple of my own appointments this week......no places of concern when I saw the dermatologist, and of course, the scars from the skin cancer removal in Dec. are looking good.  I'm so thankful that I didn't hear...."Mmmm, let me take a biopsy of that...."  Yippee!

Precious Boy-On-the-Way is growing and everything looks great with the pregnancy! 

How thankful I am, too, for dependable and responsible children who bless me daily as well as a reliable van to get us to all these appointments.

***

The Poff Men are having a great time today at the State Knife and Hawk Championship.  Scribe took the "real" camera (ha, ha), so I know I should have some great pictures to post later.  It's such a blessing to think of Reaches Up (Luke) out there throwing when he was so sick just a couple weeks ago.

***

Luke finished one of his antibiotics, and he's so happy about it.  It was the worst tasting one, so to be finished gives him even greater relief.  He has tolerated the antibiotics well, too, which is such a praise!  His eye is still looking puffy, though, and he doesn't return for a check-up for another week and a half.  So, please continue to pray for complete healing.

***

Mountain Man has had the roughest week at work with more tough and long days ahead, and we covet your prayers for endurance. 

***

Claire and Elisabeth haven't been feeling well this week as they battle a yucky cold.  We appreciate your prayers for them.  Praise---my sinus infection has cleared up, and I'm done with antibiotics, too. :)

***

On a much lighter side, I found much joy in several little things God provided this week....totally fun finds. :)

Aren't these "Queen Mom" bowls?  Costco has this set for just 8.99, and they have lovely green and blue, too.

I don't typically indulge in individual soaps...we just buy in bulk. :), but Bed, Bath, and Beyond had these great smelling and lathering soaps for just $1.00 each.  Perfect for adding something lovely to the bathrooms.

Scribe and I found these great CD holders at Wal-Mart for just 6.00.  They're a perfect fit for small spaces, including the shelves on one of my bookshelves.  Scribe was able to get one in brown.

Aren't these pretty centerpieces?  Just  $6.50 at Target with their Easter clearance stuff.  These fit perfectly on our table.....not too big that we can't see each other, and the colors..well, need I say more?

***

And, Claire, ah, Claire.  She's takes the most ordinary food and makes it an extraordinary, laughable experience.  While my Mom and Aunt were here, they introduced us to these crackerful crackers.  I'm just hoping they don't eat them like Claire. Or perhaps they should give her method a try. :)

***

We had such an awesome Birthday Scavenger Hunt last Saturday for Scribe.  I'll post about that with pictures, too, early next week.

Right now, I'm off to enjoy tea with my lovely daughters and start reading Elsie Dinsmore all over again to them since it's been so long since our last reading time.  I'm so thankful for very forgiving daughters. :)

Love,

The Coolest Gun You Can't Buy

Sorry.  You won't find this one-of-a-kind gun for sale....well, at least not,yet.  Luke's friend Christian made this for him and gave it to him on Sunday.

Amazing, isn't it?

And Luke had no trouble finding an outfit to match his new piece.

Mountain Man thinks Christian should open his own custom gun Etsy shop......well, maybe not.  Guns and Etsy...don't think so.

Thanks, Christian, for bringing such a big smile to Luke's face. 

Now if you'll just teach him to make his own. :)

Hodgepodge

Just a bit of this and a bit of that....

Are you familiar with Christian Audio?  Each month they offer free downloads, and this month there are TWO great ones!  Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship and John Piper's Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die are yours by simply setting up a user account, adding them to your cart, entering the promotion code, and checking out.  It's really not as complicated as it might sound. :)  Check it out here.

We're planning to listen to Piper's audio during lunch each day as we prepare to celebrate Resurrection Day.

***

You know it's going to be a great day when the new recipe you try for breakfast is a hit.  Yep, the pan is cleaned out, and there are lots of "this is a keeper" being spoken by everyone (ok, almost everyone.  Sweet Boo wasn't quite convinced this was a keeper).

Of course, I love that it's easy and a great way to use up those leftover frozen hashbrowns sitting in the freezer.

Breakfast Tater Pie

6 eggs, beaten

1/3 c. milk

2 c. shredded cheese

2 c. frozen shredded hash browns

1 T. melted butter

salt and pepper to taste (I added 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper)

Optional add-ins...green peppers, bacon bits, onions, ham, etc.

Mix eggs and milk and then stir in cheese and salt and pepper.  Add potatoes.  Mix well.  Pour into greased 9 inch pie plate.  Drizzle butter over top.  Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

****

Did you see the amazing photos Scribe posted yesterday?   Take a look, and be in awe of our Creator.  He paints the most beautiful skies.

***

Did you know this Mama can read books to the Littles and keep Claire from falling off the couch at the same time?  Gotta love that peripheral vision.

***

And here are some wise thoughts to encourage your hearts.....

The world says "seeing is believing," but God wants us to believe in order to see.  The psalmist said, "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

Do you believe God only when the circumstances are favorable, or do you believe no matter what the circumstances may be?

~C.H.P.

Love,

Grieg's Peer Gynt~Lego Style

We study several composers throughout each school year. Currently we're listening to Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt, which is composed of several very familiar tunes. I'm sure Grieg never would have imagined his compositions being played out by tiny plastic figures!

Enjoy!

12 Days of Christmas~Tabletop Air Hockey

Our celebration of the 12 Days of Christmas is winding down, and one of our favorite family gifts has been this air hockey game.  After seeing it recommended in Real Simple magazine, I searched for it at JCPenney on-line, but they were sold out.  Then, while shopping at Kohl's, I found it in the store!  I was skeptical that such an inexpensive and miniature game would be durable and fun, but it has brought quite a lot of laughs.  With this illness working its way through the family, I'm eager to see everyone laughing like this once again.