Blog of Joy

Bible Bee

What is the Bible Bee?

The Bible Bee is a refreshing and motivating Bible memory competition for children and youth. It is very similar to a spelling bee, except contestants are required to recite Bible passages and facts rather than spell words.

To read more about this check out the Bible Bee website.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to have our kids say Bible verses the way that they can rattle of their spelling words (or songs from commercials)?  This would even be neat to do in your own household and then have the kids and the parents participate in their own Bible Bee - when we memorize the Scriptures as well, we are leading our kids by example.  I think when we do that (lead by example) it shows them just how important that particular thing is - for example how can we honestly expect our kids to write a letter if they never see their parents doing it??????

Million Calorie Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Million Calorie Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

1 lb. softened sweet butter

3 cups sugar

6 large eggs

4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup whole milk

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons homemade vanilla or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 lb bittersweet chocolate chips

• Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.
• Grease a 10 inch tube pan and lightly flour. I also suggest that you line the bottom with parchment paper and have it come up the side an inch or so, as some batter leaked from the bottom.
• In a large mixing bowl by hand or with a beater, cream the butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
• Then add 1 egg at a time, beating well till incorporated.
• Alternating add the flour and milk stirring by hand with a wooden spoon.
• Add the extracts and combine the cake batter till well blended.
• Fold in the chocolate chips till incorporated evenly in the cake batter.
• Carefully add the batter to the tube pan, smoothing the top to make sure it is even.
• Bake till a tester comes out clean anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Cool the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes then turn it out onto the rack to cool.

He Is Faithful!

He Is Faithful!

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

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He is the LORD our God:
his judgments are in all the earth.

He hath remembered his covenant for ever,
the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

Psalm 105:7,8 KJV

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Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

Hebrews 10:23 NASB

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I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying,
"O Lord, the great and awesome God,
who keeps covenant and steadfast love with
those who love him and keep his commandments."

Daniel 9:4 ESV

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God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

I Corinthians 1:9

Tamales With Roasted Green Chilies And Cheddar Cheese

I haven't tried these but they sound wonderful!

Tamales With Roasted Green Chilies And Cheddar Cheese

Makes 12

2 1/2 cups prepared corn masa
1/2 cup diced chiles
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, or pepper jack
12 whole, pitted black olives
Aprox 30 dry corn husks

Soak at least 30 husks in hot water for 20 minutes to soften. Once
softened, remove from water, separate, and shake off excess water.
Tear some husks 1/4 inch wide to form 24 strips to tie the ends with.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the masa, chiles and cheese.
Take 1/4 cup at a time and place in the center of a large husk. With
your fingers, press dough ball into a 3 inch rectangle. Push one
olive into the center of dough. (This is traditional.) Place another
husk on top. Then roll from the long sides to form a cylinder shape.
Pinch and gently twist the ends and tie, snugly, being careful not to
break the husk tie. Continue until you have made 12 or so tamales.

When ready to cook, place in a steam pot and cover tightly and steam
the tamales for 30 to 35 minutes over simmering water, being careful
that your water does not cook away, add water if necessary. Do not
crowd the tamales too close together. Tamales are done when they feel
firm to the touch but not hard, and the dough comes away easily from
the husk. Remove from pot and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Ag Day!

Today was a fun day. Our town had "Ag Appreciation Day". There was a small parade and Rob drove one of the tractors from work (he works on a wheat ranch) and Miriam rode with him. Then there was games in the park. There was a straw maze but I didn't know there would be an entry fee for that and I didn't bring cash, so we missed out on that one. Micheal was in the bib overall contest but he didn't get a prize, of course I thought he ws the cutest one! We had a pinic lunch in the park and the littles had fun playing. We got home in the early afternoon and I am tired.

Rob and Miriam in the parade

A horse race.

A sack race.
Even the adults got involved!

While I am posting pictures -
Here is some corn we brought in a month or so ago. All in all I put up 73, 2-3 cup bags of corn. A record for me for corn!

I made torilla soup for dinner and we are going to eat soon. I made it with one of our own chickens. Our broilers are not quite ready but they are close enough that I didn't by chicken at the store during my last shopping trip.

"Homestead" Projects going on right now -
Raising Meat Birds
Raising a Calf
Milking Goats
Saving Cream
Making Plum ketchup, still cooking down

Projects recently finished -
Sorted tomatoes
Made Plum Syrup
Dried Plums
Made Plum Jam
Cleaned out the garden, only the carrots are left

There you have it, the days of our lives, as of today.

Happy homesteading!

Giving blogging a try

Pray For Our Nation

I believe we are facing very perilous times in our beloved nation. Please remember to pray daily for our country and our leaders.

Blessings in Christ,

Grandma Rosie.

Quote...Thomas Jefferson.....WOW

Our week so far...

Happy Hump Day :)

Our week has been going by quickly. 

Monday we enjoyed a nice evening at home.  It was raining and the girls and I played board games most of the evening.  Ok, Lilli and I tried very hard to play board games (Monopoly JR, Guess Who, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Mr Mouth), while Lauren kept moving our little pieces around the boards or just taking them altogether.  LOL.  It was fun anyway, even for Lauren.  Lance rested a lot as he was feeling a cold coming on.  He decided not to return to work on Tuesday after all, and plans to return on Thursday instead.

We had Roast, Potatoes, and Carrots for supper.  Strawberry Shortcake for dessert.

Tuesday we enjoyed another evening at home.  Playing games and coloring took up much of our time.  Lance wasn't feeling well so he took it easy. 

Lance and I had Chicken Pot Pie for supper.  The girls had BBQ chicken, baked potatoes, and broccolli.  More Strawberry Shortcake for dessert.

**Sidenote to add that our 'homegrown' chickens are huge!  I made two chicken pot pies (in tall pie plates) PLUS enough BBQ chicken for about 4 or 5 meals!  All from one chicken!  YAY ON THAT!  Of course, plucking chicken off the bone isn't my most favorite thing to do, but it isn't the worst either.  Handling raw meat is definitely the worst for me.

Wednesday I took Lauren to Playgroup and then brought her home to stay with Lance for the afternoon while I volunteered at Lilli's school.  I've been there all afternoon the last two weeks and it looks like that might be the 'norm'.  I get there about noon and leave when school gets out.  We had another nice evening at home.

Lance and I had Chili for supper, Lauren had goulash, Lilli had parmesan noodles and broccolli.  Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert.

Thursday looks to be a bit busier.  Lance is going back to work and Lilli has dance from 6-8PM.  Lauren will probably stay home with Lance during dance this week.  It's just hard to keep her occupied for 2 hours in that small and very crowded building.

I'm not sure what we'll have for supper, the fridge is full of leftovers so I'm not sure if I'll even cook, but we'll see what sounds good.

Friday is another busy one.  I am taking Lilli to school, then coming home to pack the car with my scrapbook things.  Then Lauren is going to my parent's house and SIL Vicki and I are leaving for our retreat.  My mom is going to pick Lilli up at school.  Lance might have the night to himself, I'm not sure if he plans to have the girls spend the night at my parent's Friday night or not.  I think Lauren might do ok if Lilli is there with her, but I'm really not sure.  She may not be 'ok' here at home either.  I haven't left her much and she is pretty clingy these days.  She does fine at my parent's house during the day, so I think she'd be alright at night, we just haven't tried.

Saturday I'll be at my retreat.  I'm not sure what Lance has planned, other than picking the girls up.

Sunday I'll be at my retreat until sometime in the afternoon.  Lilli has her horse riding lesson at 11.  I don't know what Lance has planned other than that.

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The girls had a great time in the bathtub tonight.  I got out their bath paints and they painted the tub, the walls, and each other.  It was very cute.  I did get pictures but it takes me too long to upload to try that tonight.  The paints are actually soap so they had suds everywhere by the time they were done.  Poor Lauren kept wiping her face with her sudsy hands.  She just didn't understand how that kept happening.

Lauren went to bed at 7:35PM and fell asleep within 10 minutes.

Lilli went to bed at 7:50 and was already asleep when I checked on her at 8PM.

They are always ready for bed, and Lilli has actually been asking to go to bed by 7:45 or so.  I think getting up early and just school in general is wearing her out.  She gets up great in the mornings, other than just saying she's a bit tired when I first wake her.  Lauren has no trouble getting up in the mornings and we're lucky if we are still in bed at 6:30AM. 

I must say that she's been sleeping A LOT better since having her tonsils out.  It is almost unbelievable how much more sleep we're getting now.  She has never slept through the night.  When she was first born, she woke to nurse, then once we night-weaned, she woke for a drink.  Up until her surgery, she was waking 3-6 times per night.  She'd get a drink and go right back to sleep, but she was still waking up.  I just attributed it to her antibiotic that she's on EVERY SINGLE DAY for her kidney reflux.  I figured it made her thirsty.  I guess that might still be true, but once she got over her 2 weeks of screaming after her tonsilectomy, she started sleeping through the night without waking at all.  Maybe once, but not asking for a drink.  I find this incredible since we have gone 2 years now with the same nightly routine.  The ENT said it was from 'sleep apnea', and that she was waking herself up when she caught her breath at night.  I am just grateful to have a good night's sleep now.  Well, she hasn't been sleeping all that great this week since she has a cold, but it's not too bad.  LOL

On suppers...I know a lot of people don't agree with making multiple dishes for picky children.  I just wanted to say that we don't have much choice in our house.  Lilli has acid reflux (and is just plain picky) and can't eat a lot of the foods I cook.  I always make sure she has something available that she likes and will eat.  I just plan ahead for it and it works out fine.  Lauren is not picky at all right now and will eat anything we are eating.  Goulash, broccolli, and roast being particular favorites.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

See your doctor for a yearly exam. Let's stamp out this disease.