SSSShhhhhhhhhhhhh

Today is Jacob's birthday, and his party is tomorrow..... I have made him a semi-truck birthday cake. It is not exactly professional.... But it was fun, none the less. Went with Con-way since Craig works there, and Papa is giving him a Conway hat to add to his toys. Promising to be a great day... Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Novembers here!

November has brought in beautiful weather! Also has brought our hectic getting ready for state inspection for our adult family home. We have been busy regrouting our bathroom, painting walls, dealing with weeds, preparing for winter. It is also nice though, to get the stuff done with a definate deadline in mind.

Christmas shopping for the grandkids is finished... and Brenda and I are getting ready to plan a crafting day for the gifts for our friends.

Here is a pretty fall picture taken a couple weeks back from the front of the house.

Drive In Movie night

We painted it all blue... including Jacob and Nanna... I was first at making the mess, dropped a loaded paint brush on the floor..."Oh Nanna!" Jacob said "What a mess!" "You did it...right Nanna, not me?" I assured him that I was in BIG trouble! Jacob said "Are you going to spank your butt?" I said yes, very hard too.... Jacob laughed big.

Drive In Movie night at the church for AWANA - a big night for everyone. 40 home made cars out of cardboard or laundry baskets etc. Very fun.

Frugality

Sorry I haven't written in awhile, but have been busy with getting ready for state inspection in November, fall cleaning (state inspection) paperwork (state inspection and taxes stuff) and general busy stuff. I am teaching AWANA - Sparks director again this year (love it) and I help with the kids for Brenda on Wednesdays also. So- ya... busy.

But with all of that, I am usually fasinated by information on being thrifty... so I can spend my money where I want to.. not in things I do not care about! There are so many ways to consciously spend your money and save on things that we usually think we have to buy... bread? coffees? Laundry soaps etc.

Our clan has successfully been making our own laundry soaps with great success and coming to prefer our version than the commercial version. The recipe is on later posts. I have discovered a new way around using dryer sheets... which we still hung on to.

Speaking of the dryer-you don't have to buy dryer sheets. I bought a huge bottle of the cheapest fabric softener I could find about 2 years ago (less than $2 for the bottle) I bought some sponges from the dollar store (4 per pkg) and cut two of them up into 8 pieces each. I soak the pieces of sponge in a mixture of about 1 part softener to 8 parts water. When I throw my laundry in the dryer I squeeze out a sponge until it is just damp and throw it in with the laundry. When I fold the laundry I take the dry sponge and throw it back in the mixture. I've read that some folks like to put their mix in a spray bottle and either spray it on a washcloth and throw it in, or else just spray it onto the laundry.

This was taken from a blog that a ran into.

Also we have been making our own breads... They freeze well, and we love what we can do with our trusty Kitchen Aids. So- within about 10 minutes of mixing up the ingrediants in our mixers, a hour of raising... shaping into what ever shapes we want, another hour of raising, and then off into the oven for baking. Wow it makes the house smell great! You get great bread for so much less than the specialty breads at the store. Plus- no high fructose corn syrup etc.... (yeah- commercial on corn syrup - we do know how bad it is for you and why... and when its in EVERYTHING it is not "in moderation"!!)

Here is a potato bread recipe that makes great bread in huge quanities, so you can freeze for later in the week or keep dough in frige so you can use up during the week.

Potato Refrigerator Dough (Makes 4 dozen rolls, 3 medium loaves or 3 braids )
Ingredients:2 packages (5 tsp.) active dry or fast-acting yeast*
1 1/2 cup warm (105-115° F.) water
1 cup lukewarm (95-105° F.) mashed potatoes
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup margarine, butter or vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
7 to 7 1/2 cups all purpose or bread flour (may be part whole-wheat flour), divided
*If using active dry yeast, dissolve in 1/2 cup of the warm water until it foams. If using fast-rising yeast, use warmer water - 120-130° F. and simply stir the yeast and water into the other ingredients plus half the flour (see steps 1 and 2).**May be made from 1 1/3 cups boiling water and 1 cup instant potatoes. Cool to 105° F. before adding to the yeast mixture.

Method:1. Combine the dissolved yeast and remaining 1 cup water or the fast-rising yeast with all the water and remaining ingredients except the flour.2. Mix in 3 1/2 cups of the flour with an electric mixer or beating by hand. Beat for 3 minutes.3. Mix in additional flour with dough hooks or by hand until the dough forms a rough dough ball.4. Turn onto a floured counter and knead by hand or with the mixer's dough hooks until smooth and elastic - about 5 to 8 minutes.5. Place in a greased or sprayed bowl, turning dough so greased side is up. Cover bowl with sealing lid or plastic wrap. (you may want to spray it so it doesn't stick)6. Place in the refrigerator. Punch down when doubled (about 30 minutes for fast-acting, 45 minutes to an hour for active dry yeast).
Keep dough refrigerated for up to 4 days, punching down if doubled in size. About two hours before baking, shape dough into desired rolls, loaves or braids. Place in greased pans and cover with sprayed or greased plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled, about 1 ½ hours.
Bake at 375° F. according to directions for type of roll or loaf prepared.

Rolls: Divide dough into 4 pieces. Divide and shape each piece into a dozen rolls. Cover shaped rolls with greased plastic wrap and let double in size. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden.

Loaves: Shape into three medium loaves and place in greased 8 1/2-inch loaf pans. Cover with a greased plastic wrap and let rise until above the edge of the pan. Bake at 350 degrees F., 25 to 35 minutes.

Braid: Divide dough into three pieces. Divide each of these again into three pieces and roll pieces into three smooth ropes of dough, about 15 inches long. Braid each set of three dough ropes, pinching the ends and tucking them under. Place on a greased baking sheet, cover and let double in size. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 minutes or until golden. Optional egg wash - Beat 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon cold water. Brush on just before baking.

Pecan Caramel Roll: Shape 1/4 of the dough into 12 smoothly rounded dough pieces. Prepare Glaze and spread in the bottom of a greased 8-inch round or square pan or bottoms of 12 medium muffin cups.

Caramel roll glaze:2 tablespoons butter or margarine1/2 cup brown sugar1/4 cup honey1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts- Place in microwaveable bowl. Bring just to a boil.- Pour into greased, 8-inch baking pan or 12 medium muffin tins.- Cool before topping with yeast dough.Cover the dough pieces with greased plastic wrap. Let double in size and bake at 375° F. until golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Immediately turn onto a plate and cool.Nutritional Analysis:For 1 of 48 rolls or slices of bread (each is 1.5 oz.)Calories: 124 Protein: 3 g Carbohydrates: 21 gDietary Fiber: 1 g Total fat: 3 gCholesterol: 8 mgSodium: 94 mg Potassium: 60 mg% Calories from:Carbohydrate: 69% Fat: 22%Protein: 9%

Trying to keep up

It has been a crazy busy summer, short because the weather was so cool this year. Looks like fall will be a cool one also. I love summer so much, but fall has its own desires. The crisp mornings, the sun breaking through the mist as it lifts off the hills and the irridescent colors of the leaves. Yes, fall has its own claim. All the kids are settling down into their own families, Jason and Brenda are doing great, Brenda working on post full time, Jason working with heating and airconditioning. The kids are growing quickly and I get to watch them once a week. I look forward to it, I get to spend time with Jacob and his entertaining ways. Jessica is just plain sweet, hardly ever cries and has the sweetest little smiles for you all day long.

I miss Travis, Barb and kids. I am thankful for the blogs as I get a glimpse of their little lives and get to enjoy them from a distance. I get to listen to Briana's college tales and that is fun, and now Danny has added a blog, hopefully we get to read his antics often. I love keeping up with the rest of the family and their blogs, it keeps us close! Thanks guys for taking the time to blog, we love reading your "stuff"!

Out of place

This is not Briana in this picture, but this is what she did yesterday....SKYDIVE. How do you answer a 18 year old, when the asks/tells you that they are going to go skydiving? No? Have fun? Are you crazy? - Parenting only gets harder and stranger....as they grow. Sorry, I know that you were thinking that "surely, it gets easier".... but no. Briana & JJ and a group of friends went skydiving at this very reputable place ( I checked ) and they had a great time. Falling at speeds of 120 miles per hour at 11,000 feet strapped to a professional ( I asked ) she wants to do it again sometime. Pictures need to be taken by another skydiver professional and run 100 bucks, they did not get pictures of themselves needless to say. Maybe next time when they FREEFALL.... (with a professional with them at all times). sigh. I have no grey hair (maybe a little) but this child is determined to make it come in full force! - Oh, the out of place? Well I am awaiting to blog some great pictures and fun from earlier in the summer, but I had to do this one before I forgot. So- its out of place in time line with the blog.

The whole fam damly

This is the whole family (minus children) add Andria and JJ to the mix and you have a whole lot of fun! This is taken outside of Red Lobster after we had a huge meal and huge laughs!

Beautiful sunset

Taken in our yard, looking out at the sunset.... sigh..........

Graduation Party

Pictures of some of the folks at the party... Danny and Andrea, JJ and friends

Here is the cake I made for Briana's graduation party. We had a gerber daisy theme with picnic type foods. Brats and dogs, potato salad, three bean salad, fruited coleslaw, iced tea, 1919 rootbeer on tap, and cake!

Pomp & Circumstance

Even though we homeschool, we find it important to celebrate a great accomplishment! We all went to Red Lobster for dinner, the whole family to award Briana her diploma, we had a great time. Travis was able to make it with us that weekend.

From This to This

My, my how they grow so fast. I know everyone says that, and it does not feel that way some days, but when you look back it is all but a blur. It makes me clinch my fist tighter around the times we do share everyday, and it keeps me from becoming discouraged and irritated at current frustrations. They grow so fast!

handy helpers

Getting ready for graduation open house was a lot of work! But I had handy helpers. Barb and the kids took on projects and enjoyed helping.
I am going to be downloading the last month all in one sitting, so sorry for the glut of blog.

Congrats Mike & Chantel!

Here is the cake that I made for Mike and Chantel's wedding... it was fun!

Fishing

Aunt "Banana" (Briana) as she is called, took Trevor fishing this week at "Wilde's Pond" not the official name, but what we call it. The kids have been going to Wilde's pond for the last 14 years to fish, and goof around. Trevor was introduced to the experience. He caught his first fish there (he has caught other fish elsewhere). He was thrilled.

AWANA

A-approved W-workers A-are N-not A-Ashamed. AWANA. I have been SPARKS (the K, 1st grade, 2nd grade group) director for four years now, and I am sad, happy, excited like I am every year at this time when AWANA comes to a close for the academic year! Sad because I will miss seeing all the kids, and friends that make this happen, happy that it is over and I get to enjoy three months of my Wendesday nights for myself, excited for what will be an even better next year with my SPARKIES! I begin thinking about how to change it up for next year periodically through the year, but more so once Spring has sprung around here. I am very hopeful and excited about next year! But alas, I will enjoy my summer and prayerfully my SPARKIES will have a safe and great summer also!

T-ball time

Pappa spent some time teaching Trevor the correct form for playing T-ball. After a bit of instruction, Trevor hit his first ball - Great Job Trevor!

Tiny Monkeys

Apparently Ariana has seen a "real monkey with a tiny, tiny banana....they climb trees and pick bananas and give them to people everywhere... its thier job" As dictated by Ariana..... its good to be Nanna.

A Peak of Spring

I say this...along with almost every other hearty Wisconsinite - we are really, really ready for Spring! My grass has a hint of green, and yes - we can actually SEE grass instead of piles and piles of snow. Spring is very dirty here at first, lots of black snow, the grime accumulated from soot, salt/sand, and mud. It does remind me of our hearts during a long cold winter (being seperated from God), seeing all the black snow and wishing it would all go away - just vanish. (Like our sins we have committed). Finally, not seeing any more black snow (asking for forgiveness, accepting that forgiveness from God), and slowly appreciating the return of freshness, cleanness of the green grass and the beauty that Spring brings to our winter stripped landscape. Our God is a God of forgiveness and restoration - so evident in our seasons! Every year I think of that, and appreciate what Jesus has done for us - allowing us to come before God as clean vessels.

We have had THE flu come through the house, so for the last two weeks, there has been red watering eyes, lots of coughing, fevers, general aches and pains. I am really ready for that to be over too. It will be nice when everyone is feeling better and the sun can shine into the windows and we can open them just a little bit to let in some fresh air.

We had decided to close our other business "Blackberry Hill Adult Day Care" as the state is running into budget problems and not able to deliver the CMO as originally planned. The CMO is already out of money for the 2008 budget year, and is placing people in nursing homes only so we have heard. That does not effect the Adult Family Home we own and operate out of our home, they are all safe and sound. It is with some sadness, but also some relief as it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep the doors open - a service that we needed in our community, but it has to have funding and that was not happening. I am relieved to be able to spend my summer as I see fit for the most part, looking forward to some yard work, and possibly a small garden this year.

Briana has been accepted into Trinity College this fall, we are so proud of her, she received a "Dean's Academic Scholorship". We anticipate her High School graduation from homeschooling, which entails a great dinner out (most likely Red Lobster) presentation of her dipolma, and a open house in early June. She wants a lap top for her graduation present! That will make a great present for her to go off to college with.

Tomorrow I am off to shop for Easter dinner items and lots of eggs so that the kids and residents can color them on Friday. I will post pictures of that for everyone. The family gets together again on Easter Sunday after the church breakfast and service for our Easter dinner and indoor egg hunt (too cold and snowy outside!). Should be fun.

Trevor goes to school

Trevor came back to Wisconsin with us -since Barb has an unbelieveable amount of details she needs to complete in just three weeks. Since homeschooling Trevor did not need to be one of them, she and Travis decided that the "school experience" would be benificial for Trevor. Since he is already academically ahead by a year (he is kindergarten age, but 1st grade schooled) he really just needed the "busy" and of course continuing his education is a good thing! After interviewing a couple of schools, with the input from Travis and Barb - Trevor was enrolled in a private school in the area. Upon arriving his first day - the teacher said from the hallway as Trevor was walking down to the classroom - "Trevor is that you?" Trevor said "yes, yes it is" and then you heard the scramble of feet as the six other boys in the classroom ran to the door to get a good look at the "new boy" they were so excited! Trevor ate lunch and got to play on the huge snow pile with the boys. When it was time to leave Trevor had all the names down, friends with everyone and they all took turns to hug him good-bye to see him on Monday! What a great day for him. He is so excited to go back to school and see his friends.

Note that when Brenda showed up with baby Jessica they were wowed by the baby also.....

Travis says Thank you

Travis shows his gratitude for all that Barbara did to help him through this incredibly rough year of training. Barbara had to be the chef cook, sole parent, fix-it girl, wife, supporter, and team mate for studying, and relaxing..... wow. I am amazed at what they both have accomplished. The end is not yet here... they have not arrived (do we ever?) now, Barb must endure another six months alone -while Travis puts the finishing touches on his education - Barb will be moving back to Wisconsin while Travis completes his training. Then in September they will be joined as a family once again -what a happy time that will be. Meanwhile, we will keep them all busy and we will benifit by having them close physically as well as close to our hearts!

Red Carpet

Craig and Briana sitting in jets during "red carpet" in the afternoon of the graduation. This is when the air force lets us in the jets, and fly the simulators. Briana got a chance to do that and she thought it was very cool.

The whole group of us, all dressed up and someplace to go!! From left back to right, and left front to right: Helen, JR (friends of Travis/Barb), Roger (Travis' uncle), Barb, Travis, Craig -Briana, Nancy (Travis' mom) & Valerie

The goofy picture is a joke for Travis' aunt Nancy... she has a picture of Travis doing this when he was younger, so Barb got a picture of Travis in every uniform change that day (which was alot) doing this pose, so it was only appropriate that we all do it for her too. We had wished that she could be with us - but she was roughing it at a lodge in Wyoming....sigh

Proud Barbara looks on at Travis coming down the isle toward his graduation! We are so proud of Travis for his accomplishments, and the both of them for the incredible family that they have built. We see your priorities, your dedication to each other, your love for your family, and of course for your Lord and Savior... it shows on your glowing faces! We love you and congratulate you from the bottom of our hearts!

Prince and Princesses

Trevor, Amelia and Ariana all dressed up and ready to go bright and early in the morning for the Commanders breakfast. Amelia and Ariana met one of the little girl friends that was also at the breakfast and they said "You look beautiful in your new dress!" She said "You look beautiful too in your dresses".... the twins said "Yes, we know" almost in perfect unison.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Making cookies with the girls, what a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's day and my birthday, it could not have been any sweeter! Barbara offered me the traditional "Smith" Birthday - to pick out my own home made birthday cake - but I wanted Valentine sugar cookies for my birthday -with my sweeties. Trevor was too busy helping Daddy put together a Transformer.....

Sushi and Friends

The Wednesday prior to the Friday Graduation, Travis prepared a feast for us and his friends. He demonstrated how to make sushi and we made our own, dined on egg drop soup, fried rice, delicious plum wine, and some sauki! After awhile some of us did not care if we had sushi or not... it sure was fun. We met some great friends and family that Travis and Barb has been hanging with - they were from Alaska, in which we had a lot in common. What a great night it was.

Graceland

We drove down to Mississippi to go to Travis' graduation, on the way we met Travis and family in Memphis to tour Graceland. It was not too high on our priority as far as things to see. But we thought it might be worthwhile. Well, it was... more so that we thought. It was a very personal tour - definately Elvis' home and not a show place. We were wowed at all he accomplished, again more so that we realized. We were touched by the display, and sorrowed once again at his passing. It was a very nice afternoon.

Poor Trixie

Well we learned today while Trixie was "getting her mind changed" (as Craig's dad would have said) - regarding getting her "fixed" that she has an inherited kidney disease. Since it started very young it is not good news for her. She has to be on a special diet with low protien (so the very high protien food that I have been careful about selecting....) it also looks like that she will most likely not live to be a old dog. The ones on the internet with "Juvinile onset" live to be about two years old. I will not go to the long lengths to save her life... (they recommend tube feeding etc.) But I will savor her life, what life she can comfortably give us. No, I do not want a puppy. I will be sad to see her go - as she has brought incredible joy to us.

Your new Suburban is here!

Your Suburban looks really, really nice in my driveway... though I did not put in "my spot" - just to remind myself that it is not mine... sure wish it were... It is very nice!

Briana in her new dress and shoes!

This is not intended to be a great pose or background for her - just a quick look at the great dress that we found for the graduation banquet for Travis. She looks so pretty -even though she does not have her "updo" yet. I will blog the event as will everyone else... can't wait... well enough blogging - must finish my crocheting projects!

Getting ready for Travis' graduation

The purple dress is Ariana's and I am finished with the corresponding cape. In the other picture above I am working on Amelia's cape which will have pink ribbon to coordinate with her pink dress which is exactly like the purple one. These are the dresses that will be worn for the Cammanders breakfast and for the formal graduation ceremony for Travis' class.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow....

This is a picture of the snow on our deck right
outside the three panel doors from the kitchen.
It swirls from the roof and dumps onto the table
that is buried underneth. I do not mind the snow
the bitter cold we have endured is another matter - Danny was saying that it was -40 below one morning while walking to college classes and his eyeballs were hurting because they were freezing, and his face actually split - he was wearing all of the appropriate gear -hat, gloves, scarf pulled up around with just his eyes peaking out, but he still ended up with injuries! Yikes!

Alright Already!

The kids have been on me to "blog" I tell them I do not have anything interesting to say... I could talk about the housework I have accomplished, the extreme cold we have endured, my incredible aching tooth - but all that is pretty mundane. I will however, download (soon I promise) the picture of more snow that has accumulated on the deck, and the pretty (if I do say so myself) capes I am crocheting for the twins to go with the dresses that I got for the BIG graduation day! Well - I guess I do have some blogging to do....