What do you find in your laundry hamper?

I bought Zander and Nolan a set of blocks as a reward for keeping their room clean for the past six weeks. Zander immediately turned them in to zoo pens. This is his latest passion. He makes pens for all the animals with videos, blocks, trucks.....and he loves ZOO Tycoon! In the middle of the day I heard him yelling "The buffalo had a baby!!!" - turned out it was a rhinocerous but hey...he's only 4.

*House* by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker

This book is written by two of my favorite Christian authors. I was sure I would love it.

After I began the book I was no longer sure I would love it. I didn’t appreciate the stereotypes written about AL – this in deference to my friend Chris. Once I got through that or over that I began to enjoy the book. Then I found myself wondering if I was “getting it”. I really like to have my reading enjoyment be pure enjoyment but I found myself worrying most of the way through this book that I may not be “getting” the deep implications intended by the authors. Finally, I decided to just READ the book and see where it took me. Yikes. This book had some interesting twists and turns. At alternate spots I was surprised, convicted, sickened, riveted….I would love to discuss this book further with any who have read it.

For instance – where do you think the authors switched places and who do you think wrote which part? I have my thoughts. They each wrote one part of the book. What deep implications did you take from the book? Did the darkness of the book bother you? Is there a place for such darkness in the Christian forum? What ages would you recommend this book for or be comfortable sharing it with? Around here I am not sure about my 12 yo – I think the older ones would be fine. The 12 yo may be fine…not sure…what do you all think? Is the 3 series by Dekker similar in tone to this one? What about Monster by Peretti?

This was a thoughtful mother’s day gift from my boys…..and I did end up liking the book. It will not find its way to Paperback Swap “just yet”. {G}

BTW finding an image of this book using “house” at google.com didn’t work very well….LOL

The kids wanted to play with the playdough. I didn't have any and didn't feel like making playdough with fresh ground wheat and sea salt......

I WAS baking bread today so I made two loaves in the Pampered Chef pans and then gave them the rest of the dough. They made great shaped buns for us. I like this...they got to play and I got fresh rolls. {G}

Our Touch of Monet

Here are a few pictures of the Water Lily Collection. I did take quite a few more pictures, but the battery on the camera died and so I didn't get as many as I wanted. We were blessed when the owner of the collection and several of his crew showed up to work....they told us the best time to visit is 10 a.m. because you'll see BOTH the morning and evening blooms. I can't imagine this place in a month. I plan to take the kids to see them soon (we studied Monet this year) and then go back when the girls get here. Hopefully they'll be in full bloom and not done by then.....

TUESDAY

I honestly cannot even remember all that I did yesterday. I know that the day was full with online responsibilities, friend responsibilities, chapel responsibilities and family responsibilities. Ever have a day like that? {G}

I know how the day ended. PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel – catchy title huh?) went to view the International Water Lilly Collection. This was beautiful. They say that all the lilies will be in full bloom in about a month. We talked about going back in a month. I’ll upload some pictures. After a bit of an adventure involving 3 cars and a caravan we ended up at Cheddars for dessert. It was a great night of getting to know each other, laughing, enjoying nature, good food and each other. I have been fairly strict in adhering to our new eating regime but I had the most decadent dessert I’ve had since Feb. It was a giant chocolate chip cookie baked in a little cast iron skillet. It was topped with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whip cream and a cherry. I COULD make this organic and it would be great…but I’m certain this one was full of processed wheat, sugar and artificial chocolate, flavorings etc….but FREEDOM IN CHRIST is a lovely thing. I WAS hungry and I stopped when I was satisfied. I certainly won’t do this every day or every week…but it was a nice shot in the arm.

I AM thinking of making this with whole ingredients…..I have home-made ice cream, a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies using all natural stuff, a recipe for hot fudge sauce…and I could whip cream…..it could work….who cares about the silly cherry on top. I can think of no way to make red dye filled maraschino cherries fit our plan…but a bing cherry on type might work. LOL My favorite was a brownie covered like this but with a rum sauce……that was served in a restaurant in San Antonio – it’s been 4 years since I had one of those…..

*Thanks to Liz for sending me the words to this song...the song has been going through my head since Sunday and now I can use the right words. LOL This was the calmest song we've sung in a month in the service.....I'd like to do it more. I must find some Charlie Hall CD's.

Give Us Clean Hands
Words and Music by Charlie Hall

We bow our hearts,
we bend our knees
O Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes from evil things
O Lord we cast down our idols

Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another

O God let us be a generation that seeks
That seeks your face O God of Jacob
O God let us be a generation that seeks
That seeks your face O God of Jacob

Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Give us clean hands, give us pure heartsLet us not lift our souls to another
©1997 Generation Music