present but not giftwrapped...

Just wanted to check in. I have been otherwise occupied lately and haven't had the chance to post. I plan on doing so more frequently, especially since things are calming down around here and the longer nights will soon be upon us.

What have I been up to you ask (or not, but I'll tell you anyway). I have been getting a crash course in homeschooling. My dd15 is officially being homeschooled as of this week. It was very much her own decision, with lots of parental input of course. We live in an area where there is an amazing amount of resources for the homeschooling family. Our very own parish has an abundance of well seasoned homeschoolers, for which I am so grateful to for the guidance and support they have given us these last few weeks.

We have several good reasons for making this somewhat bold move at this time. I won't be getting into the details here. I will say however, that we do this not because we feel she couldn't succeed in school, because she has! This is not a consolation prize because things didn't work out at school, but rather an exciting and better suited opportunity for her at this particular moment in time.

We have gotten through the first week and it has been a good one!

If you told me we would ever be doing this a few years back, I would never have believed you. Once again, God's ways prove to be strange and wonderful!

peace,
amy

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

The little one and I got together with some friends yesterday and went to local Natural History and Science Museum. The kids had a blast (not to mention the moms). They got to see and touch a turtle, a snake, a skink. They checked out lots of lots of birds, bugs, rocks and minerals as well as lots of other things.

Then we headed over to the park for a picnic. It was a great day. I wish I had taken some pictures. I brought along some soup and all the moms seemed to enjoy it.

I'm not a huge cauliflower fan, but this tastes more like mashed potatoes. I rarely follow recipes exactly, except when baking. I used a huge head of cauliflower, way more than 1 1/2 pds. and a little extra half and half, adjusted the salt and pepper and still it came out quite good. In other words , I don't think you can screw this one up.

This is from Betty Crocker

1 1/2 pds. cauliflower
2 cups water
1 large stalk of celery chopped (3/4) cup
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
2 T butter
2 T flour
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 t salt
1/8 t pepper
dash nutmeg
1/2 heavy whipping cream (I use half and half)
shredded cheese

remove florets, set aside. Heat water to boiling. Add cauliflower, celery and onion. Cover and heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer about 10 minutes until tender.
Place cauliflower mixture in blender , blend until smooth.
Melt butter, stir in flour until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in broth. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir for 1 minute.
Stir in Cauliflower mixture, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Heat just to boiling. Stir in whipping cream. Heat just until hot (do not boil or soup may curdle). Serve with cheese.

Enjoy!

my prince...

This little fella showed up in our yard last week. It was love at first sight.

Don't worry mom, I didn't actually let her kiss him.

Last week was the West Lampeter Fair. What a great event that is each year. It's a real country, family oriented, fun time for everyone. This year I had 4 entries. Zucchini bread, that did not fair well. I will try that again next year, I think I over mixed. I also entered 3 items, 2 pillows and a child's apron into various sewing categories, I won 2nd place for each one. I was thrilled!

The big winner was hubby. He won 15 ribbons!
He entered a whole bunch of his produce and flowers from the garden and did quite well. I was so happy for him. As you know by now, He is quite the passionate gardener. It was lots of fun and he was pleased.

Oh where, oh where has September gone?..... Every year at this time I look back and September seems to be just a blur.

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

and the winner is...

Melanie!

Congratulations Melanie! I will contact you for shipping information.

Well, that was fun! Thanks for all the nice comments.

It has been really busy around here these last few weeks. We are now in full swing with the oldest two and all there school, work, activities, etc.

This would have been little one's first day of preschool had I not changed my mind a few days ago about sending her. Her teacher came to the house two weeks ago for a little visit, we had open house last week, which was all good. We met the parents, the children, we did some cute activities, all nice enough. Then we got into the car and I had an epiphany of sorts and realized I really did not want to send her to this or any other preschool, for this year anyway. My patient and supportive husband is completely on board with the new plan for which I am so very grateful. I bounced back and forth on this decision all summer. I think I drove my wonderful, patient, always supportive husband a little crazy. Once the decision was made, the call to the school to opt out completed, I was finally peaceful.

We have lots of great activities planned for home, out in the community and with friends. I am confident it is the best thing for her this year.

give-away...

I have been wanting to say thank you to all who stop by this blog, it really makes it fun when you take the time to read what we are up to here. Thank you for your kindness and support. To those who leave comments, thank you-I love that! Some don't-that's fine too. Blogger does not allow me to reply to comments directly, at least not that I have figured out. I'm sorry I didn't realize this sooner, but I can just leave a comment after you leave a comment so I think I will just do that.

That said, I am long overdue on a give-away. So here it is. This little purse/tote is made of decorator fabric and lined, so it is pretty sturdy. The inside is lined with the textured wine colored fabric and has a pocket inside for cell phone, keys, etc. I took a picture inside and outside to try and get the true colors. I just love this fabric for fall.

Just leave a comment and you have a chance to win. The drawing will be within the week. To make it a little more interesting, link this post on your blog and get an additional chance to win. If you have a blog or not, each time someone leaves a comment to enter and mentions your name, gives you an additional chance to win.Have a fabulous Monday!

it's a God thing....

Every Wednesday, my daughter and I go to my friends house to say the Rosary with a group of moms from church. The moms pray , the kids play. It is always a nice morning.
This morning as I was tidying the kitchen, I had a thought to make a banana bread to bring over, so I did. I called my friend and told her I had a banana bread in the oven, so don't bother to make anything. She was really surprised because she had planned on making one this morning when she woke up, but her husband ate the bananas. She really didn't have the supplies in the house to make anything else so she was going to pull some a pie out of the freezer, which I'm sure would have been fine.
I know this is kind of a silly story and you may be wondering why on earth I felt the need to share this with you, but here's the thing. To me and my friend it served as yet another big reminder through the smallest of details how much God cares for our every need. It reminds me to listen to the still small voice of God that leads and guides me.
If I feel compelled to make banana bread, I should make banana bread. If someone keeps coming to my mind, maybe I need to call them or better yet pray for them. That's how God works, that's how he uses us to help others. In my life right now, with my primary focus being a wife and mother, I may not be able to work in a soup kitchen or volunteer at the hospital, but I can do things like these. I just have to be quiet enough so I can hear Him.
Anyhow, here is the recipe. It comes from a little cookbook by the Sisters of St. Dominic.

Banana Bread

1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour
3 very ripe bananas-the riper the better
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, salt and vanilla. Sift flour and baking soda and add to mixture. Add bananas and nuts. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour.

enjoy, it's moist and delicious.

new year...

Well, the older two are off to their Sophomore and Junior years today. School officially starts tomorrow but they are both Student Ambassadors so they have to help out with freshman orientation. It is always a mixed blessing when they go back. It marks the end of leisurely summer days, time in the pool, quality family time and then the start of what seems like never ending activity, carpooling, carpooling and more carpooling. We have had a good summer and I am grateful.

On my sister's last visit she brought me these goodies. They are not your ordinary cleaning products, they are more natural and better for the environment than most others, and they smell amazing! Once I get started with these, I can't stop myself. I think it's the smell. This is the geranium scent. They contain essential oils so the smell lingers a bit longer too.

I was scrubbing down the dining room chairs and table yesterday, spindles, legs, you know, a good cleaning, and before I knew it I was on my hands and knees doing the cabinets, appliances and floor. Any product that can encourage me to do all that is worth it's weight in gold!

As does January, the new school year inspires me to nest, to clean, to bring more order to our home, and to re-evaluate things.

I do love this time of year, but I miss the kids.......a little (just kidding).