Wordless Wednesday

Shaelyn and Todd enjoyed the day yesterday!

Fall Weather

I took these pictures last week. The sky was so blue. I've been loving this fall weather we've had lately.(Although it's supposed to change tomorrow) I was think of these pictures when I chose my Bible verses yesterday. Unfortunately, a lot of our leaves haven't changed color yet and I think they're going to fall with the rain tomorrow. I'm hoping to get some nice pictures with colored leaves yet.

Memory Verse Monday

Karen of Karen's Ramblings is hosting something new. It's called Memory Verse Monday.

The aim of "Memory Verse Monday" is to:

1. Memorize a passage (or passages) of scripture.

2. Share why you have chosen the verse or verses that you have.

3. Encourage one another with God has been saying to you through this verse.

4. Share the ways in which you find remembering verses works for you.

I thought this was a great way for me to start memorizing more scripture. I had to memorize a lot when I was growing up and in school and I do recall a lot of those passages, although not fully. So for this week, I'm going to do:
Psalm 19: 1-2
The heavens declare the glory of God
the skies proclaim the work of His hands
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

I love this because looking outside lately at the fall weather, I can't help but wonder how people cannot see God in nature. It's just amazing to me all that He created.
Head on over to Karen's if you would like to participate too!

How are your Teeth?

Chelsea and Shaelyn had a dentist appt. yesterday. They both love going to the dentist because it's a pediatric dental office. This is a ton different than when I was a kid. I really didn't care to go because we didn't even get our gums numbed with a cavity. Even walking in and smelling it, brings back memories. The kids get prizes and everything. I did tell Chelsea this might be her last visit because I think you have to quit going there once you're sixteen. She lucked out and they made an appt. for her in May yet. On the other hand, Shaelyn got an appt. made for November. You guessed it, she's got one small cavity. Oh oh, must have been all that candy she got while trick or treating this past weekend. We'll see how much she still loves going to the dentist after this. How much do you all like the dentist? Is there any place you'd rather not be?

The Continuing Camping Adventure

Here are the rest of my camping pictures. Sure makes you think of fall.
It was great weather for fires.

Campground Decorations near their pumpkin patch.













More campground decorations













Future quarterback!














Playing football with Dad. She caught this one!














Ooh, gooey pumpkin innards!













The seeds we got out of our pumpkins. They were great seeds. I saved them and cooked them when we got home. Yum!!














Chelsea and Shaelyn with their carved pumpkins.














Some of the kids getting ready to go trick or treating from trailer to trailer. Do you like Chelsea's costume? She decided to take Millie and be a dog walker.














Bobbing for Apples. We didn't try this but let the others get their head wet.













The first cupcake Shaelyn decorated. Did you notice that this one didn't have as much stuff on it. She figured that on the 2nd one, she could use a whole lot more.

Wordless Wednesday

My New Award!

This is an award I was given by Karen and Heather. Both of these ladies have interesting and different types of blogs. This is what this award means:

"Presented to awesome BLOG owners who keep their readers excited about their posts. Their blog posts are interesting (NOT spammy) and worth reading and keep their subscribers looking forward to each and every post."




Now I'm going to pass this on to just a few of you. First to

Cheri - She is my sister and leads a very interesting life. Just last year she was visited many times by some of Santa's elves. Maybe she could tell you all about it!

Laura - She is my niece. She also tends to have many unique adventures. She has a great way of describing all of these to us - her readers!

Dena - I met her through my blogging this past year. You never know what she's up to and trust me, it's always full of fun!

5 Day Camping Adventure

We made it back from the campground yesterday afternoon. I'm still trying to get caught up on all my laundry! Since the trailer is going into storage on Saturday, we have to get it all cleaned and ready. In spite of the bad weather predicted, it turned out to be a fairly nice camping trip. We did get some storms on Thursday, but not as severe as I would have thought compared to what everyone else had at home. I've got a few pictures to post for today and I'll try to get to the rest of them tomorrow.




Here's the waves coming onto shore. They were about 12 feet further into the lake. I wouldn't have wanted to be out there in a boat, but it really was beautiful to watch and see the power of the lake. I think that those of us who live to close to a fresh water lake really take it for granted. It is gorgeous and a great part of creation!



























This is called the Polar Bear Dip. Everyone runs into the lake. This happened on Saturday. It was warmer out than Friday although the lake was only 60. Too cold for me!




























Pumpkin carving was done on Thursday night. Here are some of the kids with their pumpkins.















Here's Shaelyn with one of the cupcakes she decorated. Anyone like candy corn?

A Camping we will Go!

We are going camping one last time tomorrow so I will be taking a break from the computer. My kids always have these two days off in October for Teacher Convention and the campground has started fall festival weekend. It doesn't look like the weather will be too great - rain :( But hopefully we'll have a few decent days in there. See you all when I get back.

Prejudging

Ally posted this on her blog and I want you all to see it too. This is like America's Got Talent but it takes place in Britain. This guy was totally judged by the way he looked and his occupation. This is a problem I have. I judge people way to quick. Take a listen and prepare to be amazed.





http://www.maniacworld.com/Phone-Salesman-Amazes-Crowd.html

Change Begins at Home

I have been awarded an award called "The Change Begins at Home" award. This was given to me by Karen, from Karen's Ramblings. I "met" Karen about 3 months ago through bloggy land. She has a deep faith which she witnesses throughout many of her blog posts. I am very appreciative of this award. It tells me that my faith is portrayed through my blog.

The "Change Begins at Home" award originated at Bean Sprouts Blog (thanks for starting a new award Bean Sprouts!)

Here is what she says about it:

The "Change begins at home" award, this is given to bloggers who live what they preach, who try to make the changes in their own lives that they would like to see in the world.

The award rules are:

1. Nominate three bloggers who epitomise "Change begins at home"

2. Link back to the person who nominated you, and link back to this post

3. When you receive the award, you may display the "Change begins at home" button on your blog.


There are 3 people I am able to pass this award onto. I'm going to give this to 3 friends I have met through blogging. These are 3 people from different parts of the world. We all attend different churches but share a common belief in the same Lord. Through their faith, they are changing their own lives and living out a great example to the world.

Bonnie - I found Bonnie through a blog about 2 months ago. Bonnie is a great Mom, wife and daughter. She loves her family. She's got a great sense of humor. She also is great at taking pictures of creation. She's just started up a new blog with her flower pictures.

Jennifer - I have recently started reading Jennifer's blog. She is a constant witness of great faith throughout any difficulties she may have. Right now, she is away from her family, preparing for the birth of a new baby. Because of pregnancy difficulties, she has to be at a hospital away from home.

Ginger - I met Ginger through my sisters blog. Ginger has a way of sharing her faith through daily life events and humor. She's also a great Mom. Even her daughter posted about what a great Mom she is. There can be no greater testimony than that.

An apple a day...

We went to the apple orchard today with Mari and Cheri. We usually go here once in the fall. Go through the gift shop, eat lunch, buy some pumpkin doughtnuts and cider... Yum
(Sorry Laura but at least I don't have pictures of the food, only Shaelyn's apple)

Thursday Thirteen

Here are 13 ingredients to make Italian flatbread. This is the bread I made for Sunday's World Communion Service. I thought I would try it out for myself to go along with our spaghetti for supper. I thought it was really good, although I wouldn't go with as much oregano or onions.



1. 1 cup liquid (they suggest potato water but I used regular water)
2. 2 1/2 tsp. sugar
3. 1 tsp. salt
4. 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
5. 1 1/4 cup bread flour
6. 2 tsp. yeast
7. Bread machine - I know I'm pushing it here, but I needed an extra ingredient to
get to 13!

Put all in bread maker and set on dough setting. You can do this by hand - knead it and let it rise.

When ready, divide into 2 and flatten. Place on large cookie sheet. Brush tops lightly with canola oil.

8. 1 1/2 tsp. canola oil
9. 1 tsp. prepared mustard
10. 2 tsp. garlic, crushed or finely chopped
11. 2 tsp. oregano
12. 1 small onion, slivered ( I chopped it into smaller pieces and used very little)
13. 1 Tbls. parmesan cheese

Mix altogether and spread on the tops, cover and let rise. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes.


















Here's what else we made today!

Wordless Wednesday

Our Pets

This is Missy. This is Katelyn's cat. She is a ball of fluff and the biggest snuggler you've ever seen. All you have to do is look at her and she comes on over to your lap. She is 11 years old. Some people say cats have no personality and are not very brilliant but Missy will come when you call her. All of our cats have an individual personality.













This is Millie. I think you all pretty much know Millie. We just got her in August as an early Christmas gift for Chelsea. She turned 2 this October. She is a hilarious little dog, who hates it when Chelsea leaves. Every morning Chelsea starts packing up her backpack, Millie jumps all over her to try to stop her.













This is Nerman. She is Chelsea's cat. Her original name was Smokey but somehow she reminded me of the cat on Garfield who is named something like Nerman. She is a 16 lb. wonder. She is 10 years old and is about the only cat to catch mice. If she kills one, she brings it into Chelsea's room because she's proud of what she has done. She used to purr so loud that the vet couldn't hear her heartbeat over her purring.













This is Sammy. She is 9 years old. We got her when Missy ran away and was gone for 2 weeks. She was kind of a replacement for Katelyn but when Missy came back, she is basically Dave and my cat. We got her on 4th of July, hence the name - Sammy (uncle Sam)














This is Lexi. She is 8 years old and is a combination of black lab, golden retriever and her poor mother was a beagle! She is an outdoor dog but last year, we took her in for the winter months. She loves to be "belly rubbed"


Pets are great. We are real animal lovers here. That's why Chelsea wants to go into a field of animal care. We love all of them.