We had a wonderful Christmas.  It was different not having Christmas with my dad this year, the first time in 36 years that we haven't had Christmas Eve at my parents.  It will take some getting use to, but time for some new traditions.  We missed dad but what greater joy could their be than to be with the Lord and mom.

It has been so nice being off work this week, was able to get a lot done around the house this week and also had our grandsons here from Monday until today.  They were a big help in taking down the decorations and carrying things to the basement for me.  Now tomorrow I get to stock back up on the food!  Two growing boys eat a lot!  Our daughter also had off work, it was nice to have her home also.  Today a friend came to visit and we went to the local quilt stores, it has been awhile since I have been to any quilting stores, much less done any sewing.  Hoping now that I am getting use to working that I will be able to get back into the sewing and scrapbooking.  We will be having a quiet evening at home for New Years Eve.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

~Cheryl~

Went to cut the tree!

It has been at least twelve years since we have had a real Christmas tree.  So this year we decided to have a real tree and take our grandsons along to cut it.   So this morning we all ventured out in the foggy, misty weather to search for the perfect tree.

                                                                                          

They gave us a wagon ride out to the trees, and came back about 30 minutes later to get us.  It was fun trying to decide on which tree. 

Way to big for our house, keep looking!

Found it!
(smaller one behind the big one).

Helping grandpa cut the tree.

Then came the fun part, for grandpa, dragging it out to the path.

Now we just had to wait for the tractor to come back and get us.  It was fun our daughter came with us also.  Our grandsons enjoyed having Aunt Tammy along.

The tree is in the house with the lights on.  This tree may not be perfect, ( trunk not straight, a few gaps in the branches) all trees are beautiful after they are decorated!  Going to watch a Christmas special and decorate the tree tonight, with the help of the boys.  It has become a tradition for them to help with the tree, forbid we would think of doing it with out them. (wink)  Perfect night for it, the snow is falling!

I am finally getting a picture posted of us with Jonathan after his baptism.  What a blessing seeing him follow the Lord.  There is no greater joy than to see our grandsons wanting to live for the Lord.  I pray that they will stay strong in their faith as they continue to grow.

Christmas lights are all on, candles lit, popcorn made, off to decorate the tree!

Have a wonderful evening.

~Cheryl~

Happy Thanksgiving

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                          

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Our family will be spending this Thanksgiving with my brother and all of his family.  Do miss not having the smell of turkey baking in the oven this morning.  Our grandsons spent the night and made cookie turkeys to take along today.  Jonathan decided that the turkeys needed a fire to roast a candy corn in.   Will also be taking pumpkin, apple and cherry pies.

We had a special breakfast today, pancakes with fall M&M's in them, sausage patties and links, and hot chocolate in Christmas mugs.  They also ate one of the turkeys, had to sample and make sure they were good. 

I have been thinking about this past year and we have so much to be thankful for, the Lord has blessed us in so many ways.  He has met our needs and been there for us in the harder times.  

We serve an awesome God! 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving

God Bless

~Cheryl~

Getting Ready For An Important Day

Been getting ready today for an important day for our grandson Jonathan.

Tomorrow he will be following the Lord in Believers Baptism.

I have been busy baking the buns for the sandwiches.  Making three dozen white buns, the last ones are rising and almost ready to go in.

Also made some Pumpkin Rolls for sandwiches, you can get the recipe here:

They are very good.

          

Finished up the cake for him this afternoon.  Homemade chocolate cake with white frosting. Bought a small container of the Wilton Decorating Icing for the flowers instead of making it as we don't care for the entire cake frosted with the decorating icing.  It is not professional, but is made with love for a very special occasion.  

 

                

Have a wonderful evening!

~Cheryl~

Had off Three Days

 

There was no school on Friday so I had a three day weekend.

It was so nice being home!  I enjoy the work that I do with the Special Ed Children, but miss being home.

Yesterday, went with my daughter to a wedding of a good friends daughter.  Such a sweet Christian wedding, so good to see two people following God's plan for their lives.

This afternoon I made my DH an Apple Pie, he came home and said he could smell it as soon as he walked into the garage.   Also made bread and rolls for steakum sandwiches tomorrow night.

Have a blessed Lords Day!

~Cheryl~

Snowed Today!

This morning it started to snow just before I left for work.

I always love the first snow.  When I got home from work, took a little break before starting anything and turned on the Christmas music.  Waited all day to do that!  It is suppose to warm up this weekend so the snow won't stay around.  So will enjoy it for now.

Have some rosemary and parsley that is still outside that I have been meaning to get transplanted to bring in.  Really need to get this done in the next day or two.  The snow didn't seem to hurt it.

Still working on the apples, it is slow going trying to get them done after work.  Feel like it may never get done some days.  What was I thinking picking more apples this past weekend ;)

Enjoy your evening,

~Cheryl~

More Apples

We had a busy weekend with the grandsons spending Friday night.  On Saturday the youngest one spent the day with grandpa at the rifle range.  Grandpa was helping people sight in their guns for deer hunting season.  In between people the two of them were able to do some shooting.  

The other grandson stayed with me and we went and picked some apples.  The orchard that is only a couple of miles from our house had free u-pick apples on Saturday.  How can you resist free apples!  We picked Honey Crisp apples, they are so good.  Also picked some others, not sure what kind they are.  Kept two bags of the Honey Crisp to add to our apples for cider, then picked about three bushel for their  mom to do.  Put the apples that I cooked up yesterday afternoon through the colander today after work then cooked up another batch that I will do tomorrow.  Hoping to be able to get an apple press from the Amish to use this weekend to make our cider.  It will be good to have some cider again.  

~Cheryl~

Dad Is Safe In The Arms Of God

On October 27, my dad went home to be with his Lord.

We were all able to be at my brothers house where dad lived along with some aunts and uncles.

My dad slipped peacefully from this world to his heavenly home.

I love you dad and will miss you. 

In all things give thanks, I am so thankful that we were able to be with dad and that he did not suffer any pain, and that I know my dad was saved by grace as a young boy.

His funeral will be tomorrow morning.

Cheryl

Apple Picking

Our plans for this weekend was to get the apples picked, because of some equipment that came in for a job my husband ended up working this weekend.  So after church and lunch the grandsons helped pick some of the apples.

Having grandsons is a huge help!

After they had picked the bigger ones that they could reach from climbing the tree, it was time to bring out the step ladder.  Made me a little nerves at time, lets just say that they didn't always stand where grandma thought it was safe.  Especially with the youngest one, who has had crutches, a sling, and stitches, need I say more.

After picking a big rubber tub full and a pail the tree doesn't even look like we have picked.

 

So after work this week I will be working on getting these apples done. 

For supper we are having  beef roast, buttercup squash, baked potatoes, and apple sauce.  

~Cheryl~

God's Tool Box

GOD'S TOOL BOX

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-22

1. JOY:  We are to be joyful.  It is possible to have JOY if our JOY is in the LORD.  We are commanded to rejoice.   It is a choice that we make to be joyful in good times and hard times. (verse16)
2. PRAYER:  We will need Gods power and help in the days to come.  What do you do when hard times come?  We need to turn to prayer.  (verse 17)
3. GIVE THANKS:  It seems that so many people are unthankful.  No matter where we are in life we will always have something to be thankful for. Find something each day to thank God for.  It is the will of God for us to be thankful.  (verse 18)
4. THE SPIRIT:  If you are a genuine believer God lives in you.  Don't quench his working in your life by not being in His Word or letting sin into your life.  (verse19)
5. THE WORD OF GOD:  Don't ignore the Word of God, it is our guide book.   All of the answers we need in life can be found in the Bible.  (verse 20)
6. DISCERNMENT:  Test all of the teaching you hear by the Word of God.  When you find something that is good hold fast to it.  If it is evil in any form, as God defines evil,  stay away.  There are so many things that can so easily lead us into temptation.   (verse 22)

As a true believer we need to use God's Tool Box.

Have a Blessed Lords Day,

~Cheryl~

 

 

 

It's The Weekend!

It was a busy week, on Thursday I officially started my job as a Special Education Aide (I have been subbing for them for the past six weeks).  Interviewed last Wednesday and was hired.  It is different being gone everyday, but I really enjoy working with the kids.  I do not have to be to work until 7:45 and get done at 3:00 so that gives me time in the morning to do some cleaning or baking.  Getting time to do some things in the morning makes me feel like I am not gone from home so long.  It has been an adjustment, but I know that the Lord provided this job for me.

  This week I froze some of our cabbages.  We don't have a real good place to store cabbage for the winter, and it was so easy to freeze it.  Will be using it in soups and a skillet supper that we like.

Sliced the cabbage into thin strips, blanched for 2 minutes and put in ice water.  Drained and packed into quart freezer bags.  Have 6 more to do this week.

Doing some baking today for this coming week. 

APPLE MUFFINS

In mixing bowl put;

1/2 c. soft butter

1/2 c. white sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

Cream together

next mix in the following ingredients

1/3c. butter milk

2 tsp. baking powder

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. flour

1 tsp. apple pie spice

1/2 tsp. salt

Peel and chop up 2 large apples (used Wolf River) and 3/4 c. walnuts.  Mix with a little flour.

Fold into the above ingredients.

Place into greased muffin tins.

 Bake in a 350 F oven for about 20 minutes or until done.

Sprinkle top with sugar if you like.

Also made chocolate cupcakes.

Have help eating the cupcakes this weekend, our grandsons are spending the night.  This morning we went out for breakfast, grandpa had to work, so I had some special time with the boys.  Tomorrow after church will be watching the Packers/Vikings game,  GO PACKERS!  It can get a little loud as we not only have cheering for the Packers, but also have one that cheers for the Vikings.

Great night for a camp fire!

With help the fire got started.

Then to the apple tree to get some sticks for roasting the Hot Dogs.

Supper will be ready soon!
 

  Enjoy your weekend!

~Cheryl~

Pumpkin Bread

Made bread, cinnamon rolls, and pumpkin bread this weekend.  Love the smells of fall baking!

PUMPKIN BREAD

(Made in a pan that makes eight mini loafs at a time)

2 c. all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

8 oz. pie pumpkin

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. apple juice (I used apple cider)

2 large eggs

1/8 c. oil

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. chopped nuts

• Mix flour, spice, baking poweder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
• Mix pumpkin, brown sugar, juice, eggs, oil and extract in large bowl; mix well.
• Stir in flour mixture and nuts until moistened.
• Spoon in greased pans (one 9x5 pan)
• Sprinkle additional nuts on top if you like.
• Bake in preheated oven 350F for 60 to 70 minutes (less if using small pans)  until wooden pick comes out clean.
• Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes; remove and cool completely.

Enjoying a chilly fall evening.

~Cheryl~

HYMNS

I love the old hymns.  Our church sings the hymns with a few praise songs now and then.  It seems that the hymns are going by the way side, to me that is so sad.   So many people are missing out on learning the hymns.   I picked up the book "Then Sings My Soul", by Robert J. Morgan, that tells the stories behind 150 favorite hymns.   It has been so interesting reading the stories behind some of the hymns and learning what some of these authors have went through, but kept looking to the Lord through it all.

This morning in church we sang the hymn "STEP BY STEP"  it was one that I was not familiar with, but had so much meaning.

STEP BY STEP

Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus, Step by step and day by day;

Stepping in His very footprints, Walking with Him all the way.

Tis so safe to walk with Jesus, Leaning hard upon His arm,

Following closely where He leads us, none can hurt and naught can harm.

Step by step I'll walk with Jesus, Just a moment at a time;

Heights I have not wings to soar to, Step by step my feet can climb,

Jesus keep me closer closer, Step by step and day by day;

Stepping in Thy very footprints, Walking with Thee all the way.

Chorus

Step by step, step by step, I would walk with Jesus all the day, all the way, Keeping step with Jesus.

 Have a wonderful Lords Day!

~Cheryl~

Apron, Pumpkins, and A Winner

It has taken me way to long to get a picture of the apron that I received from my apron swap at Country Pleasures.  This was my first apron swap and it was so much fun.  I also made a new friend, Susan from Utah.  We had so many things in common that we have decided to be email friends and share our sewing projects with each other.  Not only got a lovely apron, but also made a new friend!

Here are a couple of pictures of the apron she sent me.  It is sooooo pretty!!!

 

I love the colors!

Don't you just love the ruffle, she used a crib dust ruffle that she found brand new at the thrift store.  I would never of thought of this.  Need to be looking at things in the thrift shops differently.

Thank you again Susan for the beautiful apron!

Sunday afternoon we went to a local farmer that sells pumpkins, squash, and gourds.  My garden area is not big enough to grow our own, I am so happy that we have a local place to get them.  

This weekend will find me baking some pumpkin bread and I am sure my DH would like a pie;)

Now for the winner of the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking!

The kit will be going to Tammy.

CONGRATULATIONS!

We are enjoying beautiful fall weather in our area, love this time of year!

~Cheryl~

Digital Scrapbook GIVE AWAY!

My Memories Suite give away!

Starting today and going until Oct. 10th.  I will pick the winner on Oct. 11th in the afternoon!

You have four chances to win.

 1. Leave a comment telling me you want to enter.

2. Go to My Memories Suite and check out their papers and tell me which ones you like best.

3. Leave a comment and tell me you are a follower or become one. 

4. Go to their blog and leave a comment and tell them Molly's Kitchen sent you. 
 

It is so much fun working with the My Memories Suite, go to their sight and take a look around. They have great tutorials on their blog explaining how to do different things with the program.  The possibilities are endless.  I like how user friendly the program is.  I like that they offer free pages to down load to get you started. 

Go take a look around and come on back for A chance to win your very own My Memories Suite! 

~Cheryl~

 

Apple Time

Last week we picked the apples from our Wealthy apple tree.  This was the first year that it had enough apples to do anything with.  Made apple sauce one day and this morning an Apple Pie.

Made for one happy hubby and grandson.

This afternoon our neighbor brought us a box of Wolf River apples.  

They are huge!  Especially when you place one of our apples next to it.

Will make lots of apple pie filling.

Enjoying our lovely fall weekend!  

Have the grandsons here this weekend, going to church with us tomorrow so they can hear grandpa sing and all will be hear for Sunday dinner.  Love having family here!

~Cheryl~

A while ago I was asked by "My Memories Suite" to review their digital scrapbooking.  They sent me the My Memories Suite program.  I am having fun playing around with it and doing some of my pictures.  There are so many things this program can do.  This is the first time that I have ever done digital scrapbooking and am really liking it.  

The exciting part is that they have given me a "My Memories Suite" program to give away!

This week I will be working on putting some samples on my blog of what I have been doing and next week will be posting about the give away.  So check back for more information to come.

We are enjoying beautiful fall weather here in Central Wisconsin.  The trees are starting to turn colors and it just looks like fall.

Last night our grandsons where here for a few hours and we went to see "The Juggler With The Yellow Shoes" at the school.

They had seen him before at their church, where he did a great salvation message along with the juggling.  

I have been subbing in the Special Ed room last week and this week, so it has been busy.  Tonight my DH  made supper for us, oven fried chicken, potato wedges, and sweet corn.  He found a good recipe on line and used the same breading for the potato wedges.  Very good! Thanks Honey!!

Have a good evening and watch for posts about "My Memories Suite." 

Joyfully,

~Cheryl~

PING ~PING

Ping ~ Ping ~ Ping

I like to hear that sound in my kitchen, it's a sign that the garden is producing and I am providing for the up coming months for my family.  

Putting up this time of year always makes me think of ....

Proverbs 31: 21a

She is not afraid of the snow for her household:

I am very thankful for all that the Lord has provided for us this year from the garden.

For the first time this year I have been canning the smaller potatoes as we dig them.  I have let so many potatoes go to waste over the past few years thinking that we would get the small ones used.  They always end up going bad on me, not any more thanks to other ladies who have blogged about canning their small potatoes.  We dug another row yesterday so I have a few more to can next week.

Also made a batch of salsa yesterday.

Salsa

5 pounds ripe tomatoes
3 large onions
6 chili peppers seeded & chopped
3 large green peppers seeded & chopped
1 small zucchini grated
1 cup apple cider vinegar
3 1/2 tsp. salt
Peel, core, and chop tomatoes.   Put all of the ingredients in a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil, stir often.  Reduce heat and simmer 30 min. or to desired thickness.  Fill hot jars with salsa leaving 1/2" head space.
Place lids on jars and screw bands firmly.  Process in boiling hot water batch for 15 min.

This post is linked with Homestead Revival Preparedness Challenge #25.  Stop on over and check out all of the other great posts.