Cookie Dough Dip

For the last minute pot luck, the summer barbecue that you've had no time to prepare something for, or just for something to munch on in front of a movie, may I humbly suggest some Cookie Dough Dip with pretzels or graham crackers? It'll add no heat to your kitchen, though I make no promise about the calories to your diet...

8 oz cream cheese
half a cup of butter
1 cup powdered (icing) sugar
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips/candy bar pieces, etc.
1 cup toffee pieces (could always use another cup of choc chips)

I've only served this with the pretzels or graham crackers, but would be interested to see how it works with fruit or some other dipping option.

Enjoy, however you have it!

A (belated) Birthday Sweater

So, here's the story.

Ellie had seen me knitting this sweater for someone at our co-op.

"Mommy, is that for me?"

"No, darling, that's for a baby at co-op."

"Oh. Can you make me one, please?"

I get started, planning to finish for her birthday. Doesn't every child want a birthday gift they can't use for several months?

Two days before the big day, I run out of yarn. Off to the local yarn store. They don't have that exact color in stock, so I go for something close. It's not as close as I thought - not close at all, in fact.
I order online and explain to my patient girl that her gift is coming, though it's running a little late. She's cool with that.

Expected delivery date comes and goes - no yarn. I email the company - their records say it's been delivered. I email the post office - they look high and low. Nothing. I email the company again, and in the goodness of their knitting hearts, they send me another skein. Love.

And so finally, with much delay and difficulty, Eleanor has her sweater.

 Of course, it's big, but since that doesn't seem to bother her, I shant let it bother me.

And, I know it's like 90 degrees outside, but it wasn't when I started, and besides - I'm a knitter. Knitters gonna knit, right?

A brand new smile

See that girl there, on the right? The one with more teeth than mouth?

Well, almost a year and a half ago, she had braces put on. Not that they diminished her beauty one little bit, oh no.

But today was a big day - she was very excited...

...to have them all come off!

I am so proud of her - through all the stuff she couldn't eat, through having to wear the awful head gear, through poking wires and discomfort, she never complained or made a fuss.

 

She's really grown in humility, patience and trust in her God through this past year or so, and I am so grateful - grateful for medicine, grateful for growth in her life, and grateful to the God who loves her so much. Grateful to see her love and thankfulness for the Savior increasing each day. 

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!