Grandpa and Grandma Smith

Here is a photo of my Grandpa and Grandma Smith. They are the ones who took me to Laura Ingalls Wilder's home and purchased for me, the set of books for my third grade birthday gift. I still have and read those books today. I also have the memories of traveling with them in their RV and eating Little Debbie Oatmeal pies. :) Memories are more precious than anything money can buy. So are the wonderful people that are in your life for only a time. It is something to think about, we should make each day count, and make good memories. They sure beat the making of bad ones! ;)

Poem

(This is a poem that I love and wish to share. Author unknown.)



When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a higher power I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in those thoughts.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.

I purchased myself a new Crosley record player. It looks just like the ones from days gone by, only it has a CD player and a place you can hook up your I-Pod as well as the radio and hidden side tape player. :) Truly I love listening to my records more than anything. The beautiful voices of Louis Armstrong, or Billie Holiday fill my little room daily now. I have been looking for records for a while when I go thrifting, and you can find them for next to nothing.
This evening the children are making art boxes, and I am going to work on a sewing project. I love rainy spring evenings, such as tonight. Letting the fresh rain drenched air encumber my little home just makes my heart happy. I've been working out on my tread mill a couple hours a day, but am thinking of cutting back to one hour. It just feels so good to me, I hate to stop, however I have a house to run also. I sure never thought I would love to exercise...my how things can change. Such is life, never the same from day to day, and truly I would not have it any other way. It keeps things interesting. ;)

Update on the bread...it was really yummy. We ate it for brunch, with coffee and hot tea.

Amish Honey Oatmeal Bread Recipe

This is a recipe from an Amish cook book that I am making for the first time today. I have mixed up a loaf, and it is now rising on my stove top. It sounds as if it will be quite good, I will let you know how it turns out. It does seem to be quite a sticky dough, but I'm sure with the honey in the recipe it can't be helped. :)

(This recipe is for one loaf of Honey Oatmeal Bread)

Boil 2/3 cup and about 3 Tablespoon of water . Next, add it to 2/3 cup of quick cook oatmeal and Set aside and cool to lukewarm.


Now, in a small bowl combine 1/3 cup of lukewarm water with 2 tsp of yeast. Let rest.

In large bowl, or in my case the Kitchen aide bowl beat the following ingredients.
1/3 cup of honey
1/4 cup of oil
1 egg
and 1/2 Tablespoon of salt

Beat well, remove attachment, and add the dough hook, or blend with a large wooden spoon if you are not using a Kitchen aide.

Now add your oatmeal, and yeast mixtures, the add 2 cups of unbleached white flour and 1/3 cup of whole wheat flour. Mix well with dough hook for about 4 minutes. Now, using a rubber spatula put this very sticky dough into a bread pan that has been sprayed with oil, cover and let rise. Then bake on 350 degress for 25-30 minutes.

Homemade Ketchup Recipe

Home-Made Ketchup Recipe



4 (6 oz ) cans of tomato paste (I use Muir Glen Organic)
2 cups of water
3/4 cup of vinegar
7 Tbsp of sugar
3 garlic cloves/minced
4 tsp of salt
1 tsp of onion powder

Heat on stove top on Med/low heat let simmer for about 5 minutes then cool and store in the refrigerator. (if you like a little sweetness, you can add sugar to taste)

A few random photos of our week. :)

Here is a photo of Megan's friend's skating party...sorry it is not the clearest photo, but the lights are pretty. :)


Here is Lauren's Barbie Camper. She has been saving her money for this, and finally was able to buy it!




Here is a photo of Lauren and Megan at Freddy's last weekend. They love the spinning seats and all of the red and silver decor...very vintage looking!





Here is a photo of my breakfast this morning...I am taking this no food waste seriously. :) It helps to eat in a more non-picky fashion. ;)