Lauren reading in the evening

A snap shot of my morning

Just thought I would snap a photo of the other morning's peaceful alone time. :) I love to open my window and let the sound of the little bird's chirping blend with the gentle tic toc of my Christmas clock. The fresh air is a blessing too. :)

Tristyn Mathu

Here is a photo of Tristyn playing basket ball. He is number 43. I am so proud of him. He plays electric guitar, is on the tennis team at his school, basketball (he got up early every morning for practice and left around 5:30 am) He tried out for and then joined a singing group this school year, and he is just such a smart young man. He is kind and caring, funny and can be so silly at times, yet he knows when to be serious as well. Okay, Mommy brag moment is over. :) I just am so blessed to have such wonderful children. I still can't believe how fast the years go by, and how quickly my little ones are growing up.

Little Bear's Birthday Party

Megan had a birthday party for her new little bear. :) The children made little miniture toys and food for them out of sculpy this last weekend. Here is a photo of Megan setting up for her new little bear's party.

Here they are, notice the little ice cream and cake they had made for the party. :)



Justin even found a little gift microphone for his puppy to give to her bear. :)



Megan helped her bear blow out the candle after we sang the happy birthday song.


Next, all the little creatures got to watch a movie with us for our movie night. :)


Here is the little birthday banner and invites that Megan made for the party.




(We did deviate from the invite, and have the party before the movie, due to the fact that "Mommy" would be too tired if we had waited for after the movie.) :)

Heartwarming Oat Scones Recipe

This morning I awoke with a desire to make something special for my children for breakfast. I had seen this recipe on line, and thought I would like to give it a try. (And so I did) ;) Boy, am I glad that I did. It was not only easy, but really good, and it took no time at all to make. I served each child a scone with jam and fresh cut fruit and a choice of organic milk, or hot tea. (I of course had my favorite frothed coffee.) Anyways, I thought I would share this most wonderful recipe.

Oat Scones

1.5 cups of organic flour
1/2 cup of oats
1/3 cup of sugar
1 Tbsp of baking powder
1/2 tsp of sea salt
1/3 cup of butter (I use smart balance 50/50)
1 egg
1/3 cup of milk

Mix together, then pat in a glass pie dish with just a little spray oil at the bottom. Soften 1 Tbsp of butter and spread on top, then mix together 1 Tbsp sugar with 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and sprinkle on top. Bake on 375 for 15-18 minutes. Let cool, then cut as you would a pie, and serve.

Little House on The Prairie Auditions

This weekend Lauren and Megan auditioned for our towns upcoming production of Little House on The Prairie. They both were so very excited about going for the audition. :) They had Lauren read for Laura, so she was very excited about that! They both gave it their best shot, and regardless of if they get a part, I am one proud mommy.




This is a photo of the girls before leaving for the audition.



Here are the girls at the theater.



This is a photo of them actually reading for the parts. :) Did I mention I am so proud of them. ;)

A Thought From Laura Ingalls-Wilder 1916

"We are coming, I think, to depend too much on being told and shown and taught instead of using our own eyes and brains and inventive faculties, which are likely to be just as good as any other persons." Laura Ingalls-Wilder 1916

If this thought that Laura Ingalls-Wilder wrote back in 1916, was true back then, I wonder how sad she would deem our society today, as far as not being, or thinking in a self sufficient manner.

New Pizza Recipe

One thing my family and I love to eat is pizza. I am always looking for new, yummy ways to make it. I found this recipe for the crust that I adore, and for the toppings a new twist as well. ;)

Pizza Crust Recipe:

2.5 cups of flour
2 Tbsp of sugar
2 1/4 tsp of yeast
1/2 tsp of salt
1 cup warm water
2 Tbsp oil

Combine in the kitchenaide, with dough hook, or in a large bowl and need by hand. Press out dough onto your two pizza pans, let rest in a warm place for 15 minutes. Bake on 450 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush entire crust with butter. (I use smart balance 50/50) Then top with sauce, topping and cheese and bake until done. (around 10 minutes in my oven)

Now for the twists...I purchased a small round of Gouda cheese, and grated it. It is a great cheese to go on pizza!




One of the pizza's I used my favorite barbecue sauce, Gouda cheese and cilantro with little diced cubes of cooked veggie chicken. (Non Vegetarians could use the real thing.) This version of pizza was unreal yummy!

The next one I did with normal pizza sauce and half veggie and half peperoni for my hubby.



The next I did normal sauce with a three cheese blend of Gouda, mozzarella and a tiny bit of cheddar. (Did I mention I made one and a half batches of dough, so I had enough for three pizzas.) They all were a hit with my family. :)





Note, this dough would work great to do grilled pizza outside too.

Snow Fun Saturday

Our little town got hit with a lot of snow last week, so the children were able to enjoy a snow play day. :) Thanks to my husband's help, they built two snow people and a really cool snow fort.

Creamy Veggie Chicken Enchilada Recipe

Veggie Chicken Enchilada Recipe


I tried a new recipe the other night that I really enjoyed, and thought I would share. I wish I had taken photos, but I did not, the next time I make them I will.


Step 1. Saute about a half a cup of diced white onion in about two tablespoons of oil, just until translucent. Then add about two cloves of diced garlic. (or two teaspoons) Add black pepper a pinch of salt and some cilantro to taste. Add veggie chicken (or real chicken) and a 6 oz can of tomato paste with 6 oz of water. Stir well and cook on med. heat for about 7-10 min.

Step 2. Heat a small carton of whipping cream...about 1 cup total. Add black pepper and a tablespoon of butter, heat and stir until butter is melted.

Step 3. Take your yellow soft corn enchilada shell and fill with chicken mixture, place in a casserole dish sprayed with oil, seam side down. Do this until you use all of your mixture.

Step 4. Top with the cream and monetary jack shredded cheese, you also can add green onion, black olives, diced tomatoes at this point if you like.

Bake on 350 for 20-30 minutes. (I did it for 30)

Serve with refries and rice, and your favorite salsa. :)

Laura Ingalls-Wilder's Birthday

This week our family celebrated my favorite author of all times birthday. Laura Ingalls-Wilder was born 144 years ago on Feb. 7th. I had a most wonderful third grade teacher, Mrs. Longrin, who would take time each day to read us a chapter of the Little house books. I fell in love with Laura and her family, and learned so many lessons from her stories. She and her family worked hard, and never felt sorry for themselves when dealing with hard times. They had values that seem so rare in today's world. I have read and re-read these dear books from the time my late Grandpa and Grandma Smith took me to Mansfield for my birthday and purchased me the entire set. They are the books I still read today.




To celebrate I made a pioneer style meal. Beans and Corn bread, and my husband ate some pork with his meal. Home-made lemonade to drink and pie for dessert. We ate by candle light and had my Pa Ingalls CD playing music from the very fiddle Pa owned. I think taking time to celebrate things that are dear to you, can truly make this life a beautiful place.