Pretzel bark

Since Abigail's had braces, we've needed to rethink the whole movie-snack thing - popcorn is a no-no, and I have been faithful not to make it if she can't join in. So, when I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I knew we had a winner.

I was not disappointed.

Have a go at making it yourself, but I must warn you:

1. You will probably eat the whole thing in one sitting.
2. Melty chocolate is messy.

So long as we understand one another...


You'll need:

½  bag of mini pretzel twists

2 sticks of butter (1 cup total)

1 cup of brown sugar

1 bag of chocolate chips (2 cups)

Sea salt or table salt

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

• Then line a large jelly roll pan with aluminum foil and lay a single layer of pretzels down.

• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and the brown sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Let it boil gently just until it starts to stick to the bottom and it forms a nice smooth caramel. You’ll want to let it bubble a little and get really thick.

• Remove from heat and pour evenly over the top of the pretzels (don’t worry if every single pretzel isn’t covered). Put in the oven at 350 degrees for five minutes.

• Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. You can let the caramel melt the chips, but I prefer to put it back in the oven for one minute.

• Spread the chocolate chips around with a spatula until mostly melted.

• Sprinkle generously with salt (but if you're like me, you'll probably forget).

• Let cool on the counter top for a few minutes and then pop in the freezer for at least two to three hours.

• When it comes out of the freezer, break it up into uneven chunks with your hands and serve.

Wet wipes are an optional, but helpful, extra.

Finishing well

Well, it's now officially June, not-quite-officially summer, and the general consensus is that both teachers and students are ready for a break. We've got some grammar to finish and math always takes us well into the summer, but I'm glad to say that my kids are (for the most part) done for this academic year.

I'll be honest here and admit that this year kind of kicked my butt. I felt overwhelmed by all the needs more this year than ever before. Some of that, I'm sure, has to do with Caleb's arrival, but honestly, he's been the easiest part of our homeschool. What has been difficult has been the sheer amount need that has been in evidence. Obviously, with a newborn and five other children (one of which is a Daniel), there are an abundance of need. But I had kind of expected that some of the older children could do a little more without my direct oversight than in previous years. While that has been true in an academic sense, they have needed me more this year to keep them on track, practice diligence, and quit goofing off! (Tell me other mamas and teachers have been here!)

Clearly, this is an area for ongoing character development and training, and I've got no easy fixes for this. It also seems to be an area for growing in diligence and finishing well for me, too - the number of times I wanted to cave and just say, "forget it for the day" have been legion. I know, however, that I'm modeling a work ethic for them. Do I stay strong, do my best and see it through, or do I give up and hope for an easier time of things next year? (Fat chance!)

I know there are moments when it is right to back off, give a little grace, and accept "good enough". There is also the time to press in, give it all you've got, and kick hard to the finish line.

 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

1 Corinthians 9:24

 

So, here we go, seeking to run the race and finish well - there's a prize waiting for us!



The Piano Man

I see greatness in this kid...

Bitty Boy Warmer

This yarn (held double). This pattern.

 

 Buttons from Etsy.

So nice to make.

Keepers at Home

Last week brought another year of Keepers at Home to an end. If you're not familiar with the program, a short explanation is that it's like the Christian version of Girl Scouts. The longer version can be found on their website, here.

Abigail gave a short speech about the session on prayer and being part of a prayer group. See her and her friends pursue godliness together was definitely a highlight of the year. 

 Anna spoke briefly about learning how to cross stitch. She did a great job with hers, and we even went out and bought new kits to work on. I won't speak of how they have yet to be touched...

 We've made it part of the tradition for dads to present their daughters the charms/badges they've earned. Everyone acts all shy and stuff, but it's clear how proud of the girls these dads are, and how the girls bask in their fathers' praise.

iCream!

In an effort to be sure I'm using my Pinboards to be a useful and productive individual, and not a mindless window shopper of clever ideas that I will never use, I made some of this eye cream a couple weeks ago. You know what? It's not half bad!

Photo from ramblingsofahappyhomemaker.blogspot.com

 

I won't say I look 10 years younger or the dark circles under my eyes have magically disappeared, but the cream was cheap (I already had everything, so it was more like a freebie) and easy to make, and it does feel good.

I suspect I'm reaching an age where these sorts of products are helpful in their preventative nature, so stop back in 20 years and tell me how great my under-eye skin looks, okay? That would be so helpful. :)

Piano recital

The recent piano recital at a local retirement center...

 

 They did a marvelous job!

Scrip-Scrappity Quilt

I'm really not much of a quilter - it often seems too finicky to do all that cutting and piecing. But when I'm wanting to get rid of some scrap material without throwing it away, I'm willing to do some simple quilting. Like, strips, for instance.

 

 I would appear that I sew more for my girls than for my boys, considering the excessive amount of girly fabrics I have...

Now, I just need to find a little wee girl who needs a quilt...I'm also thinking of other things I can apply this "quilting thing" to, as well - tote bag? Kindle case? Zippered pouches? I'm open to ideas!

Discouraged?

I've noticed recently that I've been battling some discouragement - nothing major, but just a low-grade sense of feeling like I'm not making headway, you know? I suspect every parent (every person?) goes through this now and then:

• will the baby ever sleep through the night?
• will the kids ever learn to speak kindly rather than scream?
• no matter how much I work, the chores are never really done
• when will I see growth in battling this sin area?
• everything is changing - could someone please stop this crazy ride? I'd like to get off, please!

While the temptation to discouragement is normal, the question is what to then do I do with it? It can either drive me closer to Christ, the Source of all comfort, or it can beat me down and render me useless. I've been drifting toward the second direction - prayer and Bible reading becomes inconsistent, I'm quick to see the problems rather than the blessings, I'm quick to complain and grumble, rather than be thankful.

So, what do I do with this?

• I go to my knees - the first step is seeing sin for what it is and repenting of it. For me, I'm aware that my own desire for comfort and ease is looming large in my eyes. Comfort and ease, however, are not what I am called to - I am called to a cross.
• I go to the Word - we serve a God who has made Himself known to us in the Bible. That's amazing, when you really think about it. He Himself has said that "all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man (or woman!) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim 3:16-17) In order to battle my discouragement and pride, I can be reminded:
• not to grow weary, for in due season, I will reap a harvest of righteousness (Gal 6:9)
• that even Jesus came, not to be served but to serve others, with his very life (Mark 10:45)
• that following Jesus means not a stroll through a garden but the carrying of a cross (Luke 9:23)
• that Jesus knows and understands my weakness, and He has made a way to come before the Father for help and hope (Heb 4:15-16)
• I get busy - I do not live in a vacuum or a high-walled nunnery (sounds peaceful, though!), but in a house with 7 other sinners, in a church with needs, in a community that needs to see the love of Jesus demonstrated. The more time I spend sulking and navel-gazing, the less I am attending to the needs of those around me. All these imperfect, needy people around me (who aren't nearly as needy and imperfect as I am)? They are not interruptions to my real life - they are real life, and I am less likely to be distracted by all that I would do differently if I rolled up my sleeves and got busy with the work at hand.

Parmesan Chicken Bake

It's been a while since I've shared some recipes, so here is one I've made several times. It's easy, it's very delicious, and it makes leftovers - all get top marks in my book.
I found the recipe, as I've found most of my favorite recipes, on Pinterest. The blog it came from, My Kitchen Escapades, has a load of other yummy recipes. I shall share the recipe here for your enjoyment:

Parmesan Chicken Bake(adapted from Food.com)
6 chicken breasts (or one large pack)
1 C light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
1/2 c fresh Parmesan cheese, plus more for the top
1 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray the inside of a 9x13 glass pan.  Lay the chicken inside the pan.
2.  Mix together the remaining ingredients and spread evenly over each piece of chicken, being sure to cover all the exposed raw meat (so it doesn't dry out.)  Sprinkle on a bit more fresh Parmesan over all the chicken.
3.  Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. 

And there you have it. We've been enjoying it recently with baked sweet potatoes and a salad. All the flavors go so well together!