~A Valentines Day Review~

The day after Valentine's Day our family enjoyed a small celebration in our home following the evening meal. We had previously adorned the table with a red table cloth, doilies, a candle, chocolate's etc. and brought out some of the nicer glasses which are reserved for special occasions......such as this. :-)







In preparation, my younger brother and I traced around a plastic heart-shaped container, that we had, on pink, white, red and purple paper. We then taped the hearts together in a semi-curved shape to create a decorative wall hanging. ( We got the idea from something Jessica made on http://www.sewchic.blogspot.com/ . I believe she used scrapbooking paper and tied the heart's together with ribbons tied into bows. Jessica, thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas!) :-)





For a festive dessert we made some delicious cupcakes with butter cream frosting. Mmmmm! :-)













In Christ,
~Chloe~

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails..."

1 Cor. 13:4-8a

Benjamin Franklin

Tonight we attended a reenactment of the great Benjamin Franklin, by Ralph Archbold, at the local college. It was very interesting and Mr. Archbold did a wonderful job!

(Our camera didn't make it with us.....but I did find a picture of Mr. Archbold, in costume, :-) so you could see him!)

Blessings,
~Chloe~

"Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Jeremiah 33:3

Youth Banquet 2008 (Part 2)

.......when our table was filled this is how it looked! Our table was named "Castle Ogaki" and I was at seat 5. :-)










Before the evening meal, there was a time for the youth to share a song or songs that had been an encouragment to them. I played "The Master Hath Come" on the piano, and there were many others who contributed lovely pieces as well.

(In this picture the choir is singing the song "Alpha and Omega". )

After the music their were those who shared some words of wisdom, which was then followed by the meal.

(A picture of Travis, my older brother, dressed as a Japanese waiter. Once the youth graduate they are then asked if they would like to serve at the banquet....they did a wonderful job! Thanks!)

The menu included:

Teriyaki Chicken, rice, mixed vegetables, saled, spring roll and cobbler for dessert!

There were chop sticks available (as well as the traditional silverware) which made eating quite interesting and fun! :-)

Here are some pictures that were taken after the scheduled part of the banquet had concluded.

Travis and Sarah A. led the choir. They did very well!:-)















And that's all......

:-)

God Bless!
~Chloe~


"It is good to give thanks to the LORD

And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning

And Your faithfulness by night..."

Psalm 92:1,2

Youth Banquet 2008 (Part 1)

Hello all!

Last month our church had it's annual youth banquet, which included young people ages 13-19, along with their parents (and other specially invited guests).

In preparation for the upcoming event, Mom designed a lovely blue, dress, made out of crepe material, for me to wear! (Thanks so much, Mom!) :-)

In this picture, I was adjusting the can-can to the proper length to go under the dress.











We decided to pull my hair up in a french twist with little wispy curls framing my face. Here's some pictures of it from three different angles. :-)















































When we arrived at the Banquet, the youth were to line up in the hallway and then as we entered the main room we were to choose a program from the table at the entrance which would randomly determine where one was to be seated during the evening. The tables were each given the name of a Japenese Castle, because that was the theme this year, and each of the chairs had been assigned a number, so that you would know exactly where to be seated. :-)










Well, that's all for now......there's more pic's to come!

Have a wonderful week!

~Chloe~

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good."

Titus 2:7a

January Birthday's

This month my Mom and younger brother each
had a birthday.

We hosted a "Zoo" themed party in celebration. :-)



(Here's a picture of the "Zoo entrance".)

And this is the entrance table. A scripture was posted above, taken from Genesis, describing the creation of the animals. :-)

My Aunt and two cousins brought some bear shaped sugar cookies that they had made to share at the gathering. They also made a cage for the bears to travel in! :-) The sign on the cage read:

"Bears Sleeping Shhh!"

What a creative idea! :-)

In this picture my brother's and cousins played a game like Bingo only instead of looking for number's the player's listen for sounds and then put a marker on the correct animal or object the sound came from.

And here's the cake...........:-)

Time for presents!

Picture time!

Tamale Pie

Hello everyone!

Here is a wonderful recipe that our family
enjoy's, it's called........






Tamale Pie
1 and 1/2 lb. ground beef
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 cup water (more if needed)
1 can cream style corn
cheese (we use cheddar or American)
1 corn bread muffin mix (with wet ingredients added)

Brown ground beef and drain. Add next five ingredients. Top with a solid layer of cheese. Pour cornbread mixture on top and cook for 20-25 minutes, in a covered 11x11-inch skillet, over warm heat. Enjoy!

With the beginning of a new year, may we all continue to grow closer in our walk with the Lord each day!

Blessings,
~Chloe~

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers."

Psalm 1:1-3

Five Minute Fudge

2 tbsp. butter
2/3 c. evaporated milk
1 and 1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups (4oz.) miniature marshmallows
1 and 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts



Combine butter, evaporated milk, sugar and salt in saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Bring to full boil. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring consistently. Remove from heat. Add rest of ingredients. Stir vigorously for 1 minute (until marshmallows melt and blend). Pour into buttered 8-inch square pan. Let cool. Cut into squares. Enjoy!





We had our traditional Family Christmas Program this month! We made made the fudge (mentioned above) and also some shaped sugar cookies for refreshments. After dinner we sang Christmas songs and read scriptures that told about the story of Jesus' birth. It was a neat time!














We pre-wrapped and labeled the pieces of the nativity scene in tissue paper to be revealed by my two younger brothers, and placed in the stable, when the piece was mentioned in the Bible story. :-)













On Sunday we enjoyed a gathering with relatives (on my Dad's side of the family) and then on Tuesday we enjoyed another gathering with the relatives (on my Mom's side).


This picture was at the Sunday get together.
Pictured here is Chloe (Me) :-) Lauren (cousin)
and on the next row starting on the left is Travis (brother) and Dacy (cousin). :-)

Here is another recipe. :-) We tried it recently and thought it was very good! :-)









Cinnamon Bread

1/4 cup sugar
1 and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
(Mix sugar and cinnamon together and set aside.)
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup milk
3/4 to 1 tsp. vinegar added to milk to make it sour

Combine sugar, flour, salt, baking powder, soda, egg vegetable oil and milk, which has vinegar mixed in it. Beat with mixer 2 minutes.
Spoon 1/3 of batter into greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cinnamon sugar and repeat with batter last. Use a knife to cut and swirl the mixture.
Bake about 50 minutes at 350*.

Note: We had to cook the bread a little longer....until a toothpick inserted came out clean. Also, I saved a little of the cinnamon/sugar mixture and added it on top which added a nice touch. :-)

Here is a picture of some delicious blonde brownies (that we made last year but never got to post). :-) Mmmmm!

The day after Christmas it snowed! We had lots of fun playing in it! :-)



Hope you have a blessed New Year!

~Chloe~

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

2 Peter 3:18

~Holiday Creations~

While we were out shopping yesterday, we ran on to this cute little gingerbread man and thought he would be a really nice seasonal decoration for this time of year! Doesn't he have a sweet smile? :-)













Last year Mom and I decided to try making a pumpkin roll, two actually. :-) The swirl shape was pretty and festive and the roll tasted good too!


























I got a pattern and directions off of "Better Homes and Gardens" on how to make these four mini pillows (pictured on the left). I really enjoyed making the pillows and I was pleased with the way they turned out!














I also finished off this sheep ornament this year!
:-)






Have a blessed week!

In Christ,
~Chloe~

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."

Eph. 6:11

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! :-) On Thanksgiving day we enjoyed visiting with relatives around a wonderful traditional Thanksgiving meal....turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes corn, green beans, creamed potatoes, hot rolls etc. :-). And for dessert there were several different kinds of pie and also sugar cookies! Mmmmm! :-) It was good! :-)

While we were there, two of my cousins, my younger brothers and I worked on a craft! I had traced leaf shapes on to paper and then made copies of the design onto colorful construction paper. We then could cut out a "leaf" of each color and paste the edges of the "leaves" together in a circular shape like a wreath.....creating a "Thankful Wreath". After that we wrote on each leaf things for which we were thankful. :-)

In years past we have done a "Thanksgiving Puppet Show" which has been lots of fun! (We have purchased a few of the puppets and others we made. :-D ) It is done to the story of the pilgrims and is "told" by one puppet and "acted out" by the other puppets! It's pretty neat. :-)

This picture is of one of our lovely bushes as it's leaves began to change going into the Autumn season. I thought it was so pretty! :-)

Psalm 118:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

Coffee Can Bread and Cookies

Hello all!

This is a wonderful decorative bread, great for a special occasion or whenever you like! With it's sweet flavor, and unique shape, Coffee Can Bread is sure to become a family favorite for years to come!

Lol! :-)
Here is a link to the recipe!




I was looking on " The Little Red Hens " a while back and discovered this wonderful cookie recipe. We thought the colors of the M&M's made the cookies look so pretty for the fall season!

Click here for the recipe. :-)

Have a wonderful week!

~Chloe~

"The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you."

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

2 Chronicles 15:2b, 7

Oatmeal Cake :-)

Here is a wonderful cake that we had recently. Happy cooking! :-)







Oatmeal Cake

Put 1 and 1/4 cups boiling water over 1 cup Quick cooking oats, add 1 stick oleo, let stand 20 minutes.

Add:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 and 1/3 cups flour
1 t. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Stir all together and bake in large pan 35 minutes at 350*.

If topping is desired, mix while cake is baking.
6 T. oleo (melted)
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup cream (milk will do)
1 cup nuts
1/2 sugar or brown sugar
1 cup coconut

Cook enough to dissolve, spread on cake and place under broiler until coconut is brown. About 5 minutes.


Note:
This cake is great without frosting as well! I'm not sure if we have ever tried the frosting recipe mentioned above or not, however we do add a Butter-Cream Frosting on occasion (we half the recipe). :-)


Butter-Cream Frosting

1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups confectioners sugar (sift if lumpy)
1/4 cup milk

Combine butter, salt vanilla and 1 cup of sugar. Add milk and remaining sugar alternately; mix until creamy. Add more sugar to thicken or milk to thin, if needed for good spreading consistency.


God bless!
~Chloe~

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

Psalm 33:1

Tator Tot Casserole

Hello everyone! Here is a recipe for a yummy dinner casserole. Enjoy!

Tator Tot Casserole

1 lb. sausage or hamburger meat
1 can. cream of chicken or mushroom
2/3 c. milk
1 pkg. tator tots
a little cheese

Brown meat. Mix first three ingredients together and put in a greased 9"x13" pan. Add tator tots and bake at 400* degrees for about 25 minute or until tots are brown on top. After baked, sprinkle with cheese.

Have a wonderful day!
~Chloe~

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Eph 6:10

It's fall!

Hello all!

I looked on the internet for a "fall" picture and this is one I found. What beautiful colors there are in God's creation!

"Happy Fall!"

“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you;

And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;

And the fish of the sea will explain to you.

Who among all these does not know

That the hand of the LORD has done this,
In whose hand is the life of every living thing,

And the breath of all mankind?"

Job 12:7-10

~Just for fun!~ :-)

Look up and sing the song: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee".

Here are some rules for the house that I thought were kind of neat!

(These house rules were found on www.duggarfamily.com .)

~House Rules~

Always use soft words, even when you don't feel well.
Always display kind actions, even if you have been mistreated.
Show joyful attitudes even when no one else is looking.
Have sincere motives with no thought of self-gain.
Think pure thoughts.
Always give a good report of others. Never talebear unless physical harm will come to someone. Use Matthew 18.
Never raise a hand to hit.
Never raise a foot to kick.
Never raise an object to throw.
Never raise a voice to yell.
Never raise an eye to scowl.
Use one toy/activity at a time.
Never let the sun go down on your wrath. (Don't go to bed angry or guilty.)
Amendment J.O.Y. – make serving your family a priority – put Jesus first, others second, yourself last.

Looking to Jesus,

~Chloe~

The Children's Museum

This month our family took a trip to the Children's Museum! We had lots of fun and I thought I would share a few pictures with you of some of the activities that we engaged in while we were there! Enjoy!

"Here we "go" in a Model T! See you later!" :-)

(Pictured are my two younger brother's, Mom and Dad.)

In this picture we were at the "News Center"!

"And today's forecast will be......"

In one room of the museum there were several mirrors. Some of them would kind of distort your look....such as making you look really long...as you can see in this picture. It was pretty funny!!!!!!! (lol!) :-)

Here my brother is peddling a small bicycle. When he peddled the skeleton behind him would peddle, showing how the skeleton works! It's pretty neat! :-)

There was a large maze that you could climb up and either slide down a long slide (which when sliding down it, sometimes you would slide so fast that you slid out on a soft landing pad at the end of it! :-) ) or you could continue climing! It was fun! :-)

The Museum also had a station where you could see how you can funnel water with dams etc. It was pretty neat! (Our family spent a while in this area!) There were also rubber duckies that could float down stream and later you could scoop them up in a net (like the kind you would use to strain a swimming pool).

These are just a few of the many activities you can get invovled in at the Children's Museum!

We had a great time while there, and hope to go again sometime in the neat future!:-)

Blessings,

~Chloe~ :-)

Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.