SATURDAY

We've had a cool front move in - or something. It is supposed to get down to 30* tonight. That is COLD here. The houses aren't insulated like they are in the North or AK.

Nolan, Zander, Jamin and I headed out this a.m. to buy groceries for the week. Just a few things to fill out our menu. We got home and had lunch and then...

We took advantage of the cool to go outside and play. First, we spent an hour at the park with Adrienne and her children. They had an hour to blow on this side of town. Then the kids and I headed over to a local school. This whole area were fields when we moved in a year ago...now there is a neighborhood springing up...but in the evenings and weekends the parking lot and play areas of the school are empty. The kids love to set up and play street hockey.

Stacia and Zander like the play structures more than hockey.

We were all cold when we got home. I made a wonderful soup with fresh veggies, sauce and roast left from earlier in the week and kidney beans. The Italian spiced bread I made yesterday was a great compliment to the soup. We ended the night watching *Chariots of Fire*. The older three boys have been reading Eric Liddell biographies....one by the Benges for Jared and *God's Joyful Runner* for Cy and Jamin.

Stacia was worn out and fell asleep at 8:00 p.m. I'm heading there myself....praying she will sleep better tonight. Two teeth are nearly through...the other two are toying with her.

TRAVELING....

I'm seriously wondering what the girls would think of Greyhound....at $198 per ticket it's 2/3's chepaer.....and they'd get here just 1/2 a day later than they would flying. They'd have to fly from here on the 31st as tickets are more on the 1st/2nd.....and driving they could leave on the 1st and arrive back mid day on the 2nd.....

I am also looking into Amtrak but it appears that you can't go from WA to TX on Amtrak...both cities have stations...but the site keeps telling me that it can't do it....

Hmm....

Arielle kneads a cinamon loaf - she thinks she may even taste a piece of the bread this time {G}

The highlight of our day yesterday was receiving a package from Mike....

Stuffed Camels

Mike read the rest of the Narnia series and sent them to us. I'm debating if they should be "bed time" reading or if we should use them for those family reading nights when none of us want to read.

Arabic M/M's....

Jamin claimed the t-shirt from Columbus day and used it this a.m. in fact...will there be one from the Veteran's Day Fun Run????

*Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family by Ken Haedrich*

I found this cookbook to be full of great-sounding recipes. I've not tried a lot of them yet....but this book comes highly recommended by several. I've tried the "toasted sweetened pecans" and they were fabulous in a salad. {bg} I've decided to find some tahini and try some new recipes.

I'll keep you posted as I actually try some of these recipes - but it was a good "read". {bg} Does anyone else read cookbooks?

Mike is having lots of fun on his all expense paid vacation

Pampered Chef - Kelly you asked....

*Mike, it may be best for your blood pressure to simply skip this entry. ::snort::

OK I have a history with PC. I love their products, but some of their products have not held up well to daily use in my home.

My theory is that I cook more than most and that I have a larger family than most. The consultant last night was not impressed with my theory. I've had the servers seperate from the handles, I've broken 2 of the hand held graters and I've had 3 of the choppers crack before giving up on those products. Mike asks me to find a professional store and buy professional quality stuff. I KNOW that PC gives lifetime warranties...but this is more hassle than I want to deal with if you are military and your consultant is military - both move - you can't find her again to turn it in - and sometimes receipts get lost in moves before the 5 years or lifetime warranty expire. LOL Las night's consultant (who has been the consultant at two of this month's parties) insists that SHE keeps lifetime records and is retired military and will not be moving. ::snort::

All that to say that I'm now careful to buy things that don't look like they can crack or wear out with lots of use.

This month I bought:
First Party:
~a 2nd pizza stone for Jamin - he couldn't get over using a rectangle stone for the 2nd pizza; just a tad bit persnickety in my book (pizza stone works great for cookies too - but they won't do it)

Second Party:
~a ceramic tiles tray that will be great for tea

~a spritzer bottle for olive oil (I currently use a spray bottle and it doesn't cover well....I don't like buying those oils in a pam can)

Third Party:
~can opener

~can strainer

~small mix & scaper

~small & large scoop (love my small one for cookies - need two so kids can work together)

~Measure all

~Crust Shield

I was VERY careful to choose things that looked like they would hold up....that spritzer is the only one I'm wondering about - I've had those break before on me too. LOL

Now - I want to buy the new knives. They look like they are good quality and will not fall apart with my household use. I've thought about this for YEARS (over 10)....and now they have NEW ones that the consultant SWEARS is better than the old ones. I didn't buy any because I wasn't sure.....I realize I only use a small knife, butcher knife and bread knife on a consistent basis....so maybe I don't need a SET - just those three and some steak knives....

Also - if I'm going to buy something that big it would be nice to have that 10% host discount....but I HATE having parties....it raises issues for me as a Pastor's wife....maybe a book party...but there again....ARGH....maybe I'll get invited to a few more parties....

Whole Wheat Pie Crusts

Things I've learned this week:
1. Do NOT use hard red or white - makes a heavy crust.

2. If you put coconut oil in the fridge to harden to shortening consistency....don't leave it to long or you will need a chisel to get it out of the measuring cup.

3. I had "ok" luck with soft white, ice cold water and chilled coconut oil....I plan to use all butter next and see if I get even flakier.

4. I repeat, do NOT use all hard wheat flour or it doesn't taste like pie crust. For instance Jamin and Jared asked for lots of milk when eating the first crust made with hard wheat. They said the chicken pot pie crust with soft white was much better....next I try all butter which my friend Adrienne and her dh Kwame swear is the secret.


Basic recipe:
2 C soft white flour (whole wheat pastry flour if buying)
2/3 C chilled butter (used coconut oil - calls for shortening)
2 T chilled butter
4 - 5 T of ice cold water

Makes double crust pie...was sticky with coconut oil...roll out between wax paper for easier moving, handle as little as possible...

I'm open to suggestions from others who have been baking longer than I with fresh ground whole wheat....please don't suggest mixing bleached all purpose white flour with the whole wheat...If I'm going to do that, I'll simply make my killer crusts with shortening and all purpose flour. LOL Trying to conquer this before the holidays.

Country Chicken (Or VEGETABLE) Pot Pie (makes 2)

Here you go, Kelly. I thought I'd shared this already, but hadn't. LOL

The Vegan Version 

Original recipe
1 C chopped onions
1 C chopped celery
1 C chopped carrots
1/3 C melted butter
1/2 C flour (soft or hard will work)
2 C chicken broth
1 C half and half or cream
4 C cooked/chopped chicken
1 C frozen peas (or favorite veggie)
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 pie crusts

BUSY DAY PIE
1 C chopped onion

omit all other veggies and use a bag of mixed veggies
continue as above...LOL

Of course you can simplify even more but it begins to suffer in taste and health - you CAN use canned chicken, mixed veggies, evaporated milk and prepared pie crusts. {vbg}

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375*. Saute first 3 ingredients in butter over medium heat until tender. Add flour; stir until smooth. Cook 1 minute stirring constantly. Add chicken broth and cream; cook, stirring constantly until thick and bubbly. Stir in chicken, veggies, salt and pepper.

Vegan Version 

While filling is cooling, assemble bottom crusts. Divide filling in 1/2 and put in crusts. Assemble top crusts. Pinch the edges of the two crusts together and then flute or crimp. Make slits in top crusts.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, then bake covered with foil 30 more minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Note - if you don't need two pies you can freeze the filling in a Ziploc bag. Defrost and assemble on the day you want it. I also sometimes get creative with this in a 9 x 13 pan and make ahead mash potatoes (also in freezer) on top with cheese....heat and serve.

I usually make 3 - 4 x this recipe and freeze the filling. Our family needs two pies when Mike and the girls are home.

Vegan Option - Omit the chicken, use Almond Milk instead of cream, make your crust with coconut oil instead of butter or lard.... pump up the veggies....whatever you have in the bin or freezer....chick peas or lentils are optional if you'd like more heft.

PARENTING/DISCIPLINE IN PROVERBS - Chapter 11

11:2 "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom."

~Guard against pride in parenting - do not discipline out of anger that a child has wounded my pride or tarnished my "reputation".

11:13 "He who walks about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter"

11:22 "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion."

~These verses dovetail with yesterday's observation on gossip. Why do we think that God would give us a "free pass" with our children. I wouldn't reveal the secrets of my best friend....why would I reveal the secrets of my husband or children? I aim to be a woman of discretion and this certainly would apply in my interactions with my children as well.

11:14 "Where there is no guidance (KJ counsel) the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory (KJ safety)."

~First comes to mind the fact that the Bible is FULL of counselors for me to interact with and imitate.

~If I don't understand an issue of parenting there is NOTHING wrong with finding a godly counselor who can instruct me and mentor me in parenting...always remembering to guard the trust of my family.

11:29 - "He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, and the foolish will be servant to the wise hearted. "

~How could I trouble my house...lack of integrity, lack of discretion, lack of care and concern for family's needs, over emphasis on greedy gain, supporting dissension in the family, being overly critical of others in my child's hearing...

PARENTING/DISCIPLINE IN PROVERBS - Chapter 10

10:1 - "A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother."

~Goal - to keep in sight on those days in the trenches when we seem to be plodding and sowing but not soaring and reaping.

10:9 "He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out."

~You can't fool your family - children included. If you are a walking hypocrite, no parenting method or formula will produce wise and godly children. Children will imitate what they watch. If I do not love the Lord wholeheartedly, I can hardly expect to see my children love the Lord wholeheartedly.

10:10 - "He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be ruined."

~Do not wink at character issues that need to be dealt with....pray, fast, train, but don't label character flaws as "cute".

~GUARD your mouth. I've seen so many women break trust with their husbands and children by talking too MUCH to their friends,their ladies Bible Studies group, email lists, etc. Gossip is gossip. NEVER gossip about your family. Make it your goal for your husband and children to be able to trust you with any confidence, knowing you will not spread their heart around to all your friends.

10:26 - "like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy one to those who send him."

~I must avoid laziness in parenting. What I don't deal with today, will be tomorrow's heartaches. Rest, play - yes.....laziness - No.