Give Thanks ~ Nov. 21

I'm thankful to God for a certain piano (and cello) teacher. Through her faithful teaching and loving care, our girls have experienced many joys and challenges that they otherwise might not have known!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 20

I'm thankful to God for restoring health after a recent touch of cold/flu in our family!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 19

I'm thankful to God for the beautiful bouquet of roses and cosmos on my kitchen windowsill--'rescued' by my daughter last night before the freeze got them!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 18

I'm thankful to God for a sweet new Russian language tutor who will be helping our youngest strengthen her understanding and use of her native language!

The "Martha Side" of Me ~ Tortellini Soup

A friend of mine--whose name happens to be Martha--recently served this at our weekly Study Group. It was delicious, filling, and easy!








Tortellini Soup

1 lg. jar/can spaghetti sauce
2 qts. chicken broth/stock
1 pkg. frozen tortellini (any variety) ~ as you can see, I could only find ravioli :-)
1 pkg. frozen meatballs (any variety)
1 pkg. frozen spinach or broccoli
1 can diced tomatoes (optional)

Heat spag. sauce and broth--bring to boil. Add frozen tort., meatballs, and veggie and cook/simmer 30 minutes.

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 17

I'm thankful to God for music, all kinds of music--except maybe a few. :-)

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 16

I'm thankful to God for my health and the ability to get up each day and do the things I need to do, as well as the things I like/want to do!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 15

I am thankful to God for the freedom and opportunity to gather publicly with other Believers and worship Him together!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 14

I am thankful to God for the friendship ('real-life' and online) and fellowship of other men and women who also desire to please, serve, and glorify Him!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 13

I am thankful to God for so many 'conveniences' that seem to be necessities in my mind/life--dishwasher, clothes washer/dryer, microwave, coffee maker, ice maker, air conditioning/heating, 'mommy' van, pc, internet, etc.!!!!!!! :-)

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 12

I am thankful to God for other home school mothers who are willing and able to lend their expertise in areas where I am very lacking, such as biology lab! :-)

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 11

I am thankful to God that, "He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 113:9)

Valentines Day 2005 ~ taken right before we all sat down to our annual family Valentine dinner!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 10

I am thankful for BOOKS, glorious books! Whether they are for education or entertainment--they have been a blessing in my life!

The "Martha Side" of Me ~ Snickerdoodles

I love, love, LOVE snickerdoodle cookies. But up until last year mine never turned out quite right--that's when I discovered a recipe from a former co-worker that I'd saved from the early 90's!!! Sidenote: Does the fact that the recipe sat untried for well over a decade give you any idea how 'not' passionate I am about cooking, hmmmmm????

Anyway, just in time for all your holiday baking, I give you "my" favorite (only!) snickerdoodle cookie recipe (pictured in the foreground, other recipe coming soon)!

Snickerdoodles

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 400 F.
Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, margarine/butter, shortening, and eggs in large bowl.
Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls.

Mix 3 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon; roll balls in mixture.
Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake until set, 8 to 10 minutes.
Immediately remove from cookie sheet.

Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 9

I am thankful to God for the opportunity (and privilege) to home school our daughters!

By God's grace and mercy our oldest is entering her Jr. year of college, and our youngest is a Soph. in high school. I wouldn't trade these days/years for anything! :-)

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 8

I'm thankful to God for our church family!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 7

I am thankful that God has provided such beauty and intricacy in nature for us to enjoy!! I never tire of seeing leaves change color year after year, or see them drift to the ground where they create a beautiful 'carpet', and the crunch they make under my feet...

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 6

I'm thankful to God for our warm cozy little house!!!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 5

I'm thankful to God for delicious food and drink!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 4

I'm thankful to God for the blessing of truly good friends.