Life in Pictures 6/09/09

Sweet Whistler puts Peep to sleep.

It's equal-opportunity game playing at our house. Here Peep contemplates what continent she'll take over next in the game of Risk.

Little Bit has mastered the fine art eating chocolate chip muffins, hot from the oven, of course.

Sunday was an especially beautiful Lord's Day as we celebrated the baptism of Claire Jubilee.

Sweetest Caity, pictured here holding Claire on Sunday, made the beautiful baptism cake you see below. Three of her brothers were baptized as well.

It Is Not Death to Die

It Is Not Death to Die - Sovereign Grace Music


My uncle passed away this morning....here is a comforting reminder that it is not death to die. We are sad because he is no longer here with us, but we rejoice that he is free from his pain and misery and now with Jesus.


"It Is Not Death to Die"

It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who've found their home with God

It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears

O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

It is not death to fling
Aside this early dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just

It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore

O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

~Sovereign Grace Music

Just the Girls

Happy Birthday, Reaches Up!

Reaches Up turned 7 on Friday! Here are seven things we love about him....

1) His charming smile

2) He faithfully reads his Bible and is so delighted each time he finishes a book in it.

3) He asks great, thought-provoking questions that keep us saying, "We'll have to look that up."

4) He memorizes Scripture with amazing ease.

5) He's quite "knightly" with his little sisters.

6) He's got a "can do" attitude, and if his brothers can do it , you can bet he can, too!

7) He's wonderfully affectionate, blessing our days with spontaneous hugs and kisses.

Reaches Up started the day with a birthday jog with Daddy.

After lunch at Fuddrucker's, he enjoyed picking out a birthday treat from a gourmet cupcake shop.

With birthday money in hand, he especially enjoyed visiting "Out of the Blue," a fun toy store in Albuquerque. He came home with lots of Playmobil figures to add to his collection.

Reaches Up loves to read, and he thought the Chronicles of Narnia book set would be a great way to start his own book collection.

How far we've come from the day you were born when they whisked you off to the intensive care unit. We were so blessed that you were only there a week and that God restored you to perfect health. You are a reminder of God's mercy and grace, dear son, and we're so thankful He chose us to be your parents. We love you!

New Mexico State Hawk & Knife Championship

On April 25th, 2009, the New Mexico Mountain Men hosted the annual State Tomahawk and Knife Championship. Mountain Man, Little Big Man, Reaches Up and Yours Truly attended (like we have for the past couple years), and enjoyed every minute of it! From about 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. the edged weapons were flung every which way and the target logs were seriously (and intentionally) defaced. At the end of the long day, the winners were announced - and (all glory be to God) members of the Poff Clan were among 'em! :) Mountain Man walked away with the title of State Knife Champion. Little Big Man placed first in the Junior Hawk (he beat me by five points)... and (sigh) he won Junior Knife (that little whippersnapper whooped me by a single point!).

Well, there are always different ways to tell a story, and if you'll humor me by reading on, you'll hear a Mountain Man's version of what happened at the State Hawk and Knife Championship...

WARNING: This article contains graphic content. Tender souls beware. Poff Clan will not be held responisble for any negative effects caused by the reading of this article, including loss of appetite, swooning, nightmares, etc.

"It were da twenty-fifth o’ April when it happened. Nice day, too, though a mite on de windy side. The New Mexico Mountain Men had gathered at de Dennison lodge ta determine who amung ‘em were best at flingin’ hawks an’ knives. Greetin’s were briefly exchanged, an’ then the men got down ter business. De edged weapons were out, and flashin’, and in less time dan it takes to tell, dem target logs was bein’ chopped ta kingdom come.

All were goin’ just as fine an’ dandy as you please until an argument broke out ‘tween two o’ da competitors. Don’t rightly recall what dey were a arguin’ over, but dat relly don’t matter now. First hard names went flyin’, den fists and feet. Perty soon de rest o’ de competitors took sides. Folks begun grabbin’ whatever wuz handy and bashin’, and bangin’ an’ bustin’ each udder up somethin’ awful. ‘Bout fifteen minutes inter de melee, de brawlers figur’d out dey could conduct de fight e’en better with tomahawks and knives. So out came de edged weapons, and de massacree began. Men sliced an’ diced dere neighbors quicker dan anything. Blood flowed like water. Limbs and de occasional dismembered head went flyin’. Never had de backyard o’ de Dennison lodge seen setch carnage.

Finally, however, de survivors o’ the bloodbath declared a truce, and begun patchin’ de wounded. The dead’uns wuz dragged off to a suitable resting place. Winners were declared and comradery was restored. Oh yea, those takin’ home de fine plunder wuz “Many Scars” (Open Hawk); “Cleans His Rifle?” (Open Knife); and Little Big Man (Junior Hawk and Knife).

"'Huzzah' to de victors - Prayers fer da wounded - R.I.P. fer dem less fortunate souls!"


Persevero,

Scribe

Life in Pictures 5/22/09

Boo's new friend....a horned lizard we'll call "Charlie." Parting with him was anything but "sweet" sorrow. Boo was quite distressed that she couldn't keep him.

Little Big Man discovered two snakes today! We might not have grass, but we've got reptiles.

Queen Mom is the only one in the house who doesn't run to pet these sweet creatures. ( I don't run from them....I just don't run TO them, either.) Even Little Bit and Boo were delighted to check out Little Big Man's find.It's 11:00 at night. Do we know where Little Bit is? Cleaning desks, of course. It's much preferred over counting sheep.

On a more serious note, :), Scribe composed his own arrangement of "St. Columba," the tune to the song we know as "How Sweet and Awful." It's simply beautiful, and when pigs fly, I'll post a video of him playing it for you.

Man is Like a Flower

"As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more."

Psalm 103:15, 16

The brevity of life. We'll soon fade away. Praise Him for this moment. Enjoy this life He's given you. Thank Him for your next breath.

~painting by Whistler,photos by Scribe, taken at the zoo

Recipe Round-Up 5/20/09

At my dear Mom's request, I'll list the cookie recipe first! :)



Skillet Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie
( from Blissfully Domestic)

2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar

3/4 c. packed light-brown sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1-1/2 c. mixed chocolate chips (she lists milk and semi-sweet...I used white and semi-sweet)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Cream butter and sugars together until mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla; mix completely, and then add flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Transfer dough to 10 inch cast iron skillet and press to flatten, covering bottom of pan. Bake until edges are brown and top is golden, 35-45 minutes. Don't overbake. Serve warm with ice cream.

Now we need something a bit healthier...

Broccoli and Bell Pepper Salad

(Mountain Man thinks this is a perfect summer salad.)

2 heads broccoli (about 2 lbs.)

salt and pepper

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 T. red wine vinegar

1/3 c. olive oil

2 bell peppers, cored, seeded, and thinly sliced

**Cut florets from broccoli and trim into 1 inch pieces. Trim stems, peel and cut into 1 inch pieces. Boil broccoli in salted water for about 3 to 4 minutes, until tender but not mushy. Drain in a colander under cold running water. Pat broccoli dry with paper towels. Combine mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Whisk together until salt is dissolved and then slowly add oil, whisking constantly until blended and thickened. Just before serving, add broccoli and peppers to bowl with vinaigrette. Toss until vegetables are thoroughly coated with dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate to serve cold. (from All You magazine)

Now a sweet and simple breakfast treat...

Easy Cinnamon Bites

3 packages of refrigerator biscuits

cinnamon and sugar, mixed together

1/4 c. butter

powdered sugar glaze (1 c. powdered sugar, 2 T. half and half or milk)

***Melt butter in 9x13 pan. Cut each biscuit into 3 pieces. Coat with butter and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes. Drizzle with powdered sugar glaze while warm. (I baked at a lower temp. for a bit longer,and I used 1/2 c. butter) (recipe from reluctant entertainer.com)

Enjoy!

The Celebration

It was a wonderful birthday celebration...

Lots of sweet cards... Beautiful flowers...A bounty of gifts....

Aren't these pink shoes fun?

Yummy birthday cookie baked in a cast iron skillet!My lovely assistant....Homemade deep dish pizza for dinner

And a surprise from Little Bit after my Happy Birthday Song!