A Happy Day to Remember

Today is my birthday.  It's my half-way mark to 90 and my half-way mark to 50.  It's also Memorial Day.

As a kid I hated that my birthday always fell on or around Memorial Day.  Friends left on weekend get-aways, camping trips or picnics making birthday parties difficult to plan.  I grew up thinking it was a pretty sad and lonely time to have a birthday.

It Could Be Worse...I Could Be A Tribute

Remember Job?  We're having a Job kind of week.  If you're not familiar with this book named after a faithful man of God, Protestantism Suite 101 describes it as, 

"The biblical book of Job that gives an account of Job's sufferings and his trust in God has great quotes about the immensity of God's love, power and greatness.

The story of Job's life in the Bible comes up as the best example of extreme sufferings. From the moment Satan tests Job to the time God restores Job's fortunes, many great quotes and sayings can be found that exemplify God's divine power.

Job is the ideal good man, husband and father. Satan challenged this and said to God that Job is a complete believer because he is prosperous. God allowed Satan to test Job through a series of immense hardships, practically stripping him off all his possessions and loved ones; he also suffered a disease.

Job was in conversation with some friends, with mixed emotions as they try and help him out. In the end, Satan was unsuccessful as Job's trust and respect in God remained steadfast."

Where Are They Now? Another Teaching Year Comes to a Close

Teaching.  Last week two of my teaching commitments came to a close.  As I was packing up my class supplies I began to reflect upon the year. I get so sentimental, so easily.  I realized this year how much I love teaching, not just teaching my kids, but others.  I really do love it!  Perhaps this is why I'm so passionate about homeschooling.  I love learning and presenting material in a way that hopefully appeals to students.

Reaching the end of yet another year has given me cause to reflect on my brief experience in the public school arena.  The first kids I taught are now in their 30's!!  How can that be!  I wonder what became of them?  What happened to those little 4th graders?  Also, when I look at the precious gifts given to me by dear Ukranian students and their families, I wonder if they made it in their new found country, America.  What happened to Yuri, Alexei, Nazar, Ludmila, and so many more?  Did they embrace the freedom they were seeking?  Did the kids who struggled in 4th grade, make it through and find a love for learning?  I often wonder where they are now.  Teachers spend a year with kids, pour into them, and then the kids have to move on.  Next grade, next teacher, next year.

Little Nazar, Travis, Olga, Travis, Antonio...1992

Paleo Banana Pancakes...YUM!

I've been trying to perfect the paleo pancake for a bit now.  I totally miss eating pancakes!  They're my FAVORITE breakfast item.  This may scare some people, but when I was in high school I would eat a stack of 6 large buttermilk pancakes along with 4 eggs many mornings.  And even with all that food, I'd be hungry by 10:00 am and struggle to make it to lunch.  I was the one with the growling stomach in class. SAD!  I used to be so embarrassed and am so glad my kids don't have to experience this.

Little League Day & Albert Pujols Hits His First Angels' Homer

Yesterday we celebrated Little League Day at Angels' Stadium and kicked off a fun-filled-action-packed family day.  We met with our fellow Orange County Little Leaguers in the Angel Stadium parking lot on the morning of May 6th.  There were thousands of anxious kids with coaches and team parents awaiting their turn to enter through the tunnels and step out onto Angel Field.

Downtown Disney Lego Store Now Open!

We have a Lego boy in our home who's been obsessed with the Danish interlocking building blocks since he was a wee little lad.  I love watching the wheels spin as he spends countless hours building and creating.  He doesn't seem to tire of it and hearing the Lego employees refer to the "Master Builders" I can sense he'd love to be a "Master Builder."

Living fairly close to a Lego Store, is a highlight in his life.  We frequent it when we head to Downtown Disney so he can purchase mini-figures or look at the latest Lego releases.  He has informed me his one Birthday wish is to be able to go into the Lego store, make his purchase and walk out with a BIG bag!  I think to a Lego boy, that is a sign he has "arrived."

Crazy for Hot Milk Cake & Caramel Frosting

Our family has discovered Hot Milk Cake and boy oh boy, has it become a cake of choice around here!  Apparently, it has a LONG history of being an old-fashioned favorite.  So glad we've discovered this classic!

Book Study: The Courage of Sarah Noble

Grades 1-4 Class

This year I've been blessed to teach a couple book study classes at a local homeschool organization.  One class is geared toward grades 1-4, the other grades 4-8.

In the younger class we've read:

Ox Cart Man
The Drinking Gourd
A New Coat for Anna
The Rag Coat
Miss Rumphius
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain
The Courage of Sarah Noble

Simplicity...Continuing to Let Go

"Simplicity in your lifestyle will ensure you a happy life."

That was the fortune I found in a cookie last week.  I'm not really one to believe in fortunes stashed inside the fortune cookie, unless they're verses I place inside homemade fortune cookies, but this one did spark interest as we continue to try to simplify by shedding the extra "stuff" accumulated.

Almond Cake

If you're looking for a buttery, rich, dense, great with a cup of coffee kind of cake...look no further!

Field Tripping with Grandma: The Mission at San Juan Capistrano

"When the swallows come back to Capistrano," Grandma began singing when I told her we'd be heading to San Juan Capistrano to field trip at the mission. Interestingly enough, this song was written and released in 1939 when my Grandma was 13 years old.  This is the same age as our oldest son.  It's fun to think of my little grandma as a 13 year old girl singing this song.

Grandma Gets Her First Mani & Pedi

We are blessed to have Grandma visiting once again.  She arrived late last night and we're already filling our days with good times.

Today after schooling, a trip to the Goodwill, and swimming I asked Grandma if she'd like to go for a manicure and pedicure.  At first, she looked at me with surprised eyes and then shook her head, "No."  I asked why not and then asked if she took good care of her nails and toes.  She proceeded to take off her white tennis shoes and socks, which are on from sun-up until she climbs in bed, to show me her little feeties.  One glance and I said, "We're going in."

Lakers v. Clippers Date Night VIPs

I love it when a blessing comes our way and we are able to escape on a much needed date night.

My hub called me a couple weeks ago to let me know he was given a couple tickets, and a parking pass, to the Clippers v. Lakers game.  I was so excited as I love a date night and a night in Los Angeles makes the event even more exciting.

After getting the kids squared away we headed to LA.  I drove because everyone (mainly me) will be in a much better mood if I drive.  Traffic was good.  Great conversation catching up.  With all the great conversation I forgot to even ask where we'd be sitting.  Once before we went to a game and had great seats, I think 100 level; I thought this time they'd be the same.

Zucchini Salad

A girlfriend gave me Jamie Oliver's Meals in Minutes recently.  I must say I'm very impressed with the layout.  Jamie provides a menu for dinner, then gives step by step preparation guidelines to successfully have a tasty, unique dinner on the table, in minutes.  While perusing the pages, I couldn't decide where to begin, so I started with page one.

Heart Changes

I think I could be in the process of a heart change, maybe a growth spurt, or maybe like The Grinch, my heart is growing more love and compassion.

After reading Francis Chan's book Crazy Love last year, I was impressed to do something in service to the homeless.  In that previous blog entry I shared my feeling about the homeless and about specific homeless folk in our area.

We've been faithful handing out baggies and backpacks (We have an abundance of drawstring backpacks we've been using too.  They work great!) filled with goodies when we come in contact with the homeless.  The kids really love it.  They're always disappointed if we see a homeless person and don't have a baggie.  I hear, "Mom, we need to get another baggie in the car."

Yes we do.

This year Francis Chan spoke twice at our church.  One service was a pre-Easter worship service and the other was on Easter morning.

Another Chocolate Chip Cookie Miette Style

I never tire of trying Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes.  There are some better than others, but for the most part, these all-time favorites are always a best-loved treat for the family and neighborhood kids.

This recipe comes from a cookbook called Miette.  I have to say, if I was a cookbook, I wouldn't mind looking like Miette.  The photos are beautiful.  The size is perfect, but the best aesthetic exterior feature is the adorable scalloped edge. The scalloped edge was the first thing that attracted me to this book.  What budding baker could resist cracking open a book that has such beautiful feminine detail?  Love it!

Creativity is Alive!

I love this video of Caine's Arcade!  Imagination at work!

Click here to view.

Easter Birds Nests

We tried another bird's nest idea this Easter.  This one is with Chow Mein noodles and Whoppers Robin Eggs.  It's a very simple combination of ingredients, yet they are OH SO tasty!

My Girlie made them along with her BFF.  I love their friendship!  Lots of giggles, and lots of fun!

How cute are they?!?!

Easter Rice Krispies Nests

Despite the many cookie recipes I try, a favorite among the kids, and Hub especially, are Rice Krispies  treats.  I remember the early days in college when I first met my sweetheart and wanted to impress him with some good home cooking. Sadly, in my tiny dorm room I only had a microwave and a pot for boiling water. Sometimes you have to make due and in this mini-dorm room microwave I would whip up Rice Krispies treats for him and they stole his heart!

Spring Training Highlights Seattle Mariners (con't)

Okay, forgive me for making this a two-part post, but I was having photo posting issues.  So this is a bit like Take 2: Mariners Spring Training vs. The Kansas City Royals March 14, 2012.

The cutie fans

This was an awesome almost save by Ichiro

Hi Ichi!

This is Danielle.  She is Ichiro's biggest fan!  Her mom (on left) said her room is covered with Ichiro posters.  I took a number of photos of him to email to them.

Danielle

My cuties!

Thanks guys!  Great game!

What a beautiful night in Peoria!