I Can Fly

Baking Cookies

2008-12-22T18:43:00.003-05:00

We made two of our Christmas favorites today: snickerdoodles and molasses cookies. Here they are cooling on the paper, in all their crinkly, sprinkly glory!These recipes come from a church cookbook of one of our previous ministries. If you ever have the chance to purchase church cookbooks, do! They are always full of time-tested, frugal, and delicious recipes. We've had visiting missionaries

Menu Plan Monday - Family Favorites Edition

2008-12-22T10:24:00.006-05:00

Hello! This is my first Menu Plan Monday. Thanks for stopping by!We're a family 7, striving to eat nutritionally, frugally, and at home! We're also a very busy ministry family plus I am a college student and work part time. Drive thrus have a certain appeal...Today for Family Favorites Edition, I'm going to share one of our favorite Christmas traditions - Jesus' Birthday Cake. I'll also share our

Sunday Silence

2008-12-21T10:07:00.003-05:00

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name." Luke 1:46-49

Aunt Chick's Santa Cookie Cutter

2008-12-18T10:41:00.005-05:00

I have a special, childhood memory attached to a specific cookie cutter. I believe we only made these cookies a few times in my childhood. They were very labor intensive, but oh my I loved them. The little raisin eyes, the sparkly sugar, the coconut "fur"...By the time I was out on my own my mom's cookie cutter was cracked and fragile. She had given up on making Santa cookies. I searched. I tried

It's Been Almost a Year...

2008-12-18T10:37:00.002-05:00

The past few days I've felt the itch to get back on here. It may be the season. Christmas brings out all these things in me that don't seem to surface during the rest of the year. With that in mind, I've tried to ignore this urge, shrugging it off. But here I am. I finally gave in.So I make no promises how often or how long I'll post. I know myself too well. But if you happen to stumble by this

Sunday Silence

2008-03-09T10:26:00.002-04:00

He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you,

Sunday Silence

2008-02-24T07:14:00.002-05:00

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." - John 4:13-14

Big Thoughts

2008-02-22T08:08:00.002-05:00

We're back home from our wonderful week of retreat. Today's a snow day...again! I have loads of laundry and housework and church work to do. But I wish I could curl up in a corner and think big thoughts.I want to process the retreat, think about what I've taken away and what that means in my life.I desperately need to pray and evaluate the tears and broken heart of my littlest boy, who once again

13 Things About Ohio's Amish Country

2008-02-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

Brian and I have been, at the Pastors & Wives retreat this week in Sugarcreek, OH. It's been a great time and God has given me much to take home with me and ponder.Tomorrow is our last day here. So in honor of this mini-vacation in Ohio's Amish Country, I will share this Thursday 13.Holmes County, Ohio, has the world's largest population of Amish, not Lancaster, PA. Amish and many Mennonites

Changing the World - One Life at a Time

2008-02-19T21:46:00.003-05:00

EDITED: I wrote this post last night and have decided to include it on Works for Me Wednesday....rather than my black beans and rice burrito recipe...Yes, the following is what works for me this Wednesday - realizing that changing our world is done one person at a time, one act of love at a time. For other great WFMW tips see Shannon's Rocks in My Dryer.I've been following the Compassion

Pastor's & Wives Retreat

2008-02-19T10:47:00.004-05:00

I'm headed out the door to one of my favorite events, our district's Pastor's Wives Retreat, held at the Carlisle Inn in Sugarcreek, OH.I wrote about it a bit here.I can't wait!The Inn has wireless, so I may post a bit. If I don't, you'll know why.

Agape and Apologetix

2008-02-18T08:43:00.005-05:00

Last night was our annual Agape Dinner. Our church family always has a lot of fun at this event.We do an Agape Dinner in place of the traditional Valentine's Banquet, including the whole church family. It's a time celebrating God's love, especially the evidence of that love in the past year.Everyone brings a pot of soup to share. Together we enjoy testimonies, music, games, and entertainment.

Sunday Silence

2008-02-17T07:51:00.000-05:00

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." Genesis 12:1

Saturdays As Me

2008-02-16T08:24:00.013-05:00

Today I pay for my frivolous fun. I will pull out my pastor's wife super hero cape...which in my mind looks like the 1969 LGB Little Red Riding Hood...I will lace up my tennis shoes and fly like the wind.Saturdays are crunch day in a ministry family. If the week was busy, if everything didn't get done, it has to be done today. Sometimes we've been up till early morning hours preparing for worship

There and Back Again

2008-02-15T19:09:00.004-05:00

Just a little over 24 hours ago, I did something very unusual. I followed a whim.I traded places with my husband, went with my son to Malone College, spent the night in a hotel watching Lost, and hung out with college kids today.It was an alternate universe!I did all the driving in a metro area. Don't laugh! Canton is metro compared to Southern Ohio.I was alone in a hotel and stayed up late...and

13 Things I Love About My Husband

2008-02-14T10:18:00.004-05:00

He...is a glass half-full kind of guydrops anything to please mehas a beautiful singing voiceis a great preacherrarely says an unkind, critcal or negative wordlets the two littles sit on his shoulder and comb his hairalways has a smilehe is an overcomerkeeps me supplied with diet cokeactually wants to go shopping with mehas a beardwears a cool leather coatchooses me as his favorite

Valentine Crayons - WFMW

2008-02-13T08:02:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, during our snow day, the two littles and I made valentine crayons. I found the idea over at Family Fun.To do this frugal and fun project you need:two blonde willing helpers, hair color optionalheart shaped muffin tins or silicon baking cups, we used the silicon baking cups from Wilson which cost just under $9 and made this project no longer frugal!! But hey, the $9 was worth it for the

Snow Day

2008-02-12T10:17:00.000-05:00

Ah, the warm cozy feeling of a snow day. I love it! The kids are all home. The two littles are out frolicking in the back yard. And I'm contemplating what this day might hold.Valentine crafts with Jodan and Else Annah.A crockpot of taco meat.Felted slippers.An Inspector Morse episode.In the spirit of full disclosure, I was up past midnight in hopes of a snow day. My husband and older boys were

The Big Bloggy Move

2008-02-11T08:56:00.000-05:00

Christy at After a Cup of Coffee...Or Two is hosting The Big Bloggy Move and today is the day!You'll find a list of brand new blogs, brand new designs, and brand new homes. Christy was inspired to host The Big Bloggy Move because she moved her blog...today...to it's own domain. Congratulations Christy!Little ol' me fits under the category of "new blog". So I want to welcome you to I Can Fly!I

Sunday Silence

2008-02-10T08:49:00.001-05:00

"Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him..." Psalm 32:2

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter

2008-02-09T10:44:00.000-05:00

In addition to being consumed by Lost, we've been watching The Vicar of Dibley, a British comedy starring Dawn French. The show is hilarious, but is also riddled with profanity and sexual innuendo.I hate that, because the comedic writing is genius! This show has some of the funniest characters I have ever seen. And Britain must agree because the show ran for three full seasons and then multiple

Sliced Pizza, Sinuses, Lost, and Other Random Drivel

2008-02-08T08:53:00.000-05:00

Today is pizza-day at our little Christian school. $1 per slice. My children squeek by with 2 pieces each = $4. For $5 I could get them a whole Little Ceaser's pizza. I hope the school is making some kind of profit on this. It's the only way I can make peace with it.Joseph is home sick today. I'm not sure what ails him other than sinuses. My ASD child clearly is not in touch with his body. He

The Land of Nod - WFMW

2008-02-06T08:59:00.000-05:00

My favorite online store of late is Land of Nod. They carry great toys, books, decorating and storage items.I admit I haven't purchased anything from them, but they're my choice for window shopping! And I get great ideas for my children's rooms.I hope you enjoy Land of Nod too!Check out Works for Me Wednesday - Online Shopping Edition for more great e-stores!

We're Off to See the Wizard!

2008-02-04T12:37:00.000-05:00

It's official! Josiah is cast as....The Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz.How can you beat that? The title role. The one all mankind searches for. All yellow brick roads lead to him. Plus he gets the best line in the whole play..."Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"My prayers were answered. He is happy and excited. He persevered with grace. I believe he will have fun. And just to

Sunday Silence

2008-02-03T15:08:00.001-05:00

"...Jesus...was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light." Matthew 17:1-2

Snow White Visits the Library

2008-02-02T19:49:00.000-05:00

Here's my little princess at today's Princess Party at our local library. Sorry for the blur; forgot the flash.This Snow White costume was a Christmas present. She requested it and I knew it was a "must do". She'd worn her store-bought one to shreds.I made the costume from Simplicity 9384. This pattern is not for a beginner. The bodice had self-made piping. The sleeves were sewn with three layers

Jesus and Paper Clips

2008-02-02T08:05:00.000-05:00

Continuing our study of Jesus Calms the Storm, our kids will be doing science in Children's Church on Sunday. They will experiment with waves, momentum, and paper clips discussing fear and the storms of life. Hopefully they will more fully understand the peace that Jesus gives us in our storms.Here is the paper clip experiment they will do, based on water surface tension:Paper Clip FloatDrop a

Taco Meat in the Crockpot - GFCF

2008-02-01T08:31:00.000-05:00

This is my all-time favorite recipe. There is absolutely no prep to this recipe. Just throw it all in, stir it up, and ignore how gross it looks. Six to seven hours later, stir it up again and voila you have "taco meat".Use the meat for nachos, tacos, burritos, whatever your heart desires. And, of course, it's cheap...and GFCF. I found this recipe somewhere on the internet...not sure where... and

Call Backs!

2008-02-01T08:29:00.000-05:00

The game is on...Josiah has callbacks on Saturday at 3 pm.I'm thankful it's not till afternoon. He doesn't get home till 10 pm tonight.For you Mitford fans, I'm praying the prayer that never fails..."Thy will be done."

Stretching the Space-Time Continuum

2008-01-31T08:43:00.000-05:00

As if this drama-slash-tribal council isn't enough stress in my son's life...Today Josiah and his dad head to Cedarville University for an overnight stay and college viewing.Tomorrow he will go to two classes of choice, interview with admissions, go to chapel, interview with a professor, eat with theater students, go to the college production of "Alice in Wonderland," and arrive back home around

Out Wit, Out Play, Out Last - Wizard of Oz Style

2008-01-30T20:40:00.000-05:00

Forget Micronesia. Jeff Probst and CBS cameras should head to our high school. Alliances...strategies...betrayal...you'll find it all in the drama department. Teachers are lurking outside the drama doors trying to catch a glimpse. Teachers are leaving notes in the drama instructor's mailbox for inside information. TEACHERS are asking their students which way the prevailing winds are blowing.And

Overheard

2008-01-29T08:21:00.000-05:00

This account comes from my son's children church teacher...Upon discussing God's desire for us to share and viewing a picture of children sharing their toys, Jodan says..."I have a hard time sharing my toys. I think I need to talk to God."He immediately folds his hands and prays silently while the stunned class looks on.With a big smile, "OK. I feel better now!"Where did this child come from????

My Son, The Wizard of Oz, and High School Try-Outs

2008-01-28T10:48:00.001-05:00

Movie Wizard of Oz Cowardly LionOriginally uploaded by cepatri55 Starting today, my oldest starts a week long flurry of try-outs for the "Wizard of Oz". This is the crowning moment for the drama department, their yearly musical. In the world of this little rural high school, these try-outs are huge.Josiah has loved the "Wizard of Oz" since he was two years old. He watched it repetitively and had

Sunday Silence

2008-01-27T07:48:00.001-05:00

"The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" Psalm 27:1

God's Love and Baby Showers

2008-01-26T19:24:00.000-05:00

Here we are. 17 sisters in Christ, all alumni of the Walk to Emmaus retreat, showing Agape love to Crissy and her baby on the way.That picture is the culmination of a strange kind of day. One where God amazed me with small things.God did nothing huge and flashy today. But his intimate involvement in even the smallest details reminded me of His deep love.How so?A hair cut. I haven't had one in 6

Jesus and Marbles

2008-01-25T21:34:00.000-05:00

Marbles, paint, posterboard shapes, metal pans, and magnets. That's what our 2nd through 6th graders will get to play with this Sunday in Children's Church. All in the hopes of learning about Jesus calming the storm.How so, you might ask. Can you control where a gloppy, messy marble rolls while tilting your metal pan?Neither can I.Nor can I control the storms in my life. The disciples surely

Cloth Baby Shoes Completed!

2008-01-24T21:15:00.000-05:00

Here they are! Two cozy little baby shoes, size 0-6 months. I used navy corduroy with blue fleece for the right pair. The left pair are blue plaid wool with the same fleece. I deviated from the pattern in just a couple ways. First, I used the main fabric for the sole instead of the recommended suede fleece. Since these fabrics are already heavy, I did not use a double layer of the main fabric for

Sewing Baby Shoes Today

2008-01-24T11:15:00.000-05:00

I'm making cloth baby shoes today for a baby shower on Saturday. My good friend Crissy is having her third boy.Joanna's pattern (at Stardustshoes) are famous! They're highlighted at Sew Mama Sew!, Michael Miller Fabrics, and pictured in Mary Engelbreit Home Companion. Not to mention all the no-name bloggers like me that rave about them.And...be still my frugal heart...her pattern-slash-tutorial

Memorizing Scripture - WFMW

2008-01-22T22:04:00.000-05:00

Scripture memory is not one of my strong points. Whiling away the hours at the computer IS.So rather than fight my issues, I try to find ways to embrace them. Or least find some redeeming quality...And how do I do that with the computer? Why by using "The Scripture Memory System," a downloadable program at memoryverses.org. And, bless my frugal heart, this program is freeware!It works likethis: I

The Svenson Brothers in The Grave Prince

2008-01-22T21:31:00.000-05:00

My oldest son loves drama. He is part of a very active drama troupe in his high school. He is also a thespian!This last weekend the drama department put on a medieval comedy dinner theater. It was a hoot!My son was one of the four Svenson brothers. And here you can see him third from the left. The one with glasses.These four brothers have come to court the clumsy Grace. Yes, four brothers, one

Beef Enchiladas - GFCF Style

2008-01-22T15:30:00.000-05:00

Here is the promised recipe and review for Beef Enchiladas! The picture at right is before baking. This recipe originally comes from Hillbilly Housewife. Her website is full of very frugal recipes. Many can be adapted for the GFCF diet.Beef Enchiladas2 lb. ground beef or turkey1 chpd. onion2 6 oz cans tomato paste4 cups warm water2 tsp. salt1 tbsp. chili powder1 tsp. cumin1/2 tsp. garlic

Rebecca - 1997 Masterpiece Theatre Production

2008-01-21T21:55:00.000-05:00

Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier, is my all time favorite book. I have read it probably ten times in my adult life. All of my favorite genres are between the covers of this book: romance, mystery, suspense, drama, and tragedy.If you have not read Rebecca, I will do my best not to spoil the plot. Trust me, the following synopsis does not ruin the surprising twists and turns of this book.The narrator,

Overheard...

2008-01-21T21:37:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning our two littles were singing praise songs in preparation for worship...They are so spiritual for 5 and 6.Their little voices raised in song..."He is insulted. He is insulted on high!"Daddy says, "What was that?"5 year old says, "Yes, Daddy! Jesus is salted. He is a-salted on high!"Oh my.

Davey Crockett Crochet Jacket & Hat

2008-01-21T09:45:00.000-05:00

After a year and a half, I finally finished it. I think I originally started this in August of '06.I'm great at starting projects. Not so great at finishing them.After much reminding from my little guy, I finished this Davey Crockett ensemble right before Christmas and put it under the tree.He barely can get it on, to my shame. But he loves it anyway. For the week after Christmas he rarely took

Children's Church & Plaster of Paris

2008-01-17T14:50:00.000-05:00

I am the Children's Ministry director in our church. This past Sunday I taught a combined group of kids ages 1st through 6th grade a lesson on the Tower of Babel.Teaching is often a humbling experience, especially when your card tower doesn't work correctly. Or when one of the boys has decided to make everything into a joke.But I did learn something new on Sunday. Kids love to mix their own

My Favorite Christmas Present

2008-01-16T20:37:00.000-05:00

My comfie slippers. My mother made these.She's gotten so cool since all of us kids have grown up and gotten out of her hair. Now she spins her own wool. She knits her own wool. She felts what she knits. She sews a ton of clothes for grand kids and orphanages. She embroiders. She quilts. She crochets. She needle-tats. She leaps over buildings with a single bound...Well, not really. But she does

WFMW - Window Cleaner without Vinegar

2008-01-16T09:08:00.000-05:00

Everyone is in love with vinegar these days. For good reason. But I'm not a fan of vinegar-based window cleaners. I love my tried and true Beverly Nye window cleaner recipe.It takes rubbing alcohol and ammonia. *gasp*I know, I know. It's harsher. But let me tell you what I have washed off my windows...and walls...and stove...and refrigerator with this stuff. Finger grime, crayon, food, snot,

Tortilla Chip Pie - GFCF Style

2008-01-15T20:52:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite frugal recipes is Hillbilly Housewife's Tortilla Chip Pie. It's extremely easy to make this GFCF by leaving out the cheese and double checking that your chips, spices, and tomato sauce are GFCF. Here's my adaptation of the recipe for our large family and the GFCF diet. The picture at left is before the dish is baked.Tortilla Chip Pie4 - 15 oz. cans kidney beans, drained2 lb.

Overheard...

2008-01-11T21:59:00.000-05:00

My 15 year old son...With wide eyes and manic energy...."I remember THAT move (The Silver Chair)! It was the first time I had Colby cheese!"Huh, imagine that...Prince Caspian and Colby cheese forever linked in your psyche...

Packing GFCF Lunches

2008-01-10T22:11:00.000-05:00

Packing school lunches has been the hardest part of the GFCF diet for me, and I think for my son. He loved eating the hot lunches our little Christian school provided. I'm so thankful that Joseph is so easy going. He has rarely complained about the switch, but I can see the wistful look once in awhile.So here is what has worked for us, so far...Leftovers from the night before. This is by far

Hetty & the Queen's English

2008-01-09T16:31:00.000-05:00

I've been on a Hetty Wainthropp marathon of late. I'm also a fan of Keeping Up Appearances, Hercule Poirot, and *gasp* even Dr. Who. The differences between the "Queen's English" and American English fascinating! And I can't even begin to understand cockney or a heavy Irish brogue.I found this fun little time-waster while in Brit withdrawal. I just finished the last episode of Hetty...

A Mother's Preconceptions

2008-01-08T18:29:00.000-05:00

Sally has a great post over on her blog, A Gracious Home. She poses the question, "What should children do by the age of ten?" and then has a great list and comments.I have three children over the age of ten and two more half way there. Her list reminded me how I eagerly anticipated re-experiencing the joys of my childhood through their eyes. As I went through her list, I recalled this

Frugal Alternatives for Day Planners

2008-01-07T20:55:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year. I'm ready to shell out money for the coolest looking planner on the market. Those pink covers with brown polka-dots might hold the answer to my organizational woes!This temptation besets me every New Year. Finally, I've grown more discerning. There are three facts I know about myself and about Day Planners. I now extended grace to my psyche and admit these facts...without

Sunday Silence

2008-01-06T16:09:00.002-05:00

"It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. " Revelation 21:11

Overheard...

2008-01-06T15:53:00.000-05:00

...by her Sunday School teacher."Dear Jesus, thank You that I got the mostest gifts..." What a proud moment for the preacher's wife...

Why Ps. 103:1-5 Is My Story

2008-01-05T08:38:00.000-05:00

Psalm 103Of David.1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.Psalm 103:1-5 is

Laura's Slow Cooker Chili

2008-01-04T08:10:00.001-05:00

There's various forms of this recipe on the Internet. But I wanted to share with you how I've adapted it for our gluten-free, casein-free, frugal family. I've made a few changes to the original recipe for our family-size, dietary restrictions, and taste. This recipe is just enough to feed our family of 7, including three teenage boys. It goes even further with a pan of cornbread. But I've yet to

2008 Budget Challenge

2008-01-03T21:29:00.001-05:00

Crystal at Money Saving Mom has issued the 2008 Financial Challenge! And I'm in. This will be a multi-step process from what I can tell. First we're going to work on budgeting.As a ministry family our income is a bit modest for a family of seven. But believe you me, it's worlds better than where we were four years ago! So no complaining here.But we do have a few challenges. On my husband's income

Loaded Baked Potatoes - Frugal, GFCF, and Yummy!

2008-01-03T09:31:00.000-05:00

My ASD son loves potatoes. With this diet, that's a huge blessing! He particularly likes baked potatoes. And so one of my new favorite GFCF meals is loaded baked potatoes.To bake a potato, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Scrub the skin of your potato. If you want a soft-skinned potato rub the skin with oil or GFCF margarine. Prick the potato several times with a fork to let steam out during

Frugal, Homemade, Aluminum-Free Baking Powder - WFMW

2008-01-02T10:20:00.000-05:00

In our pursuit to remove all offenses from my autistic son's diet, aluminum-free baking powder is a must. I'm frugal at heart so throwing away my reserves of baking powder was painful! They were purchased for a small percentage of what aluminum-free baking powders cost.Then I had one of those "duh" moments! I had completely forgotten about my Tightwad Gazette books. The detailed price comparisons

Blessings of 2007

2008-01-01T21:40:00.001-05:00

This year I'm finding myself indifferent to the New Year's holiday. It just seems like shuffling numbers to me. Sorry, but I just can't muster up the expectancy. I don't like doing New Year's resolutions. I don't need the extra pressure and guilt. So I pondered how to observe this New Year on my blog. Resolutions are out. I don't want to dwell on the negatives of 2007. And 2007 had some. But I am

GFCF Pizza Crust Recipe - Review

2007-12-31T20:10:00.000-05:00

Chewy Gluten Free Pizza Crustfrom Recipezaar1 tbsp. yeast2/3 cup brown rice flour1/2 cup tapioca flour/starch2 tsp. xanthan gum1/2 tsp. salt1 tsp. unflavored gelatin1 tsp. oregano2/3 c. warm water1/4 tsp. honey1 tsp. oil1 tsp. cider vinegarcooking sprayPreheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix yeast, flours, xanthan gum, salt, gelatin and oregano. In seperate bowl mix warm water, honey, oil and vinegar.

I Can Fly

2007-12-30T21:17:00.000-05:00

The name of my blog comes from a Little Golden Book of the same title, written by Ruth Krauss sometime in the 1960s. My blog theme is based on the illustrations from this little picture book, illustrated by Mary Blair. I just love the chunky little legs and arms Mary gave that dark haired girl. And Ruth Krauss gave her wonderful spunk and confidence.When I grow up I want to be this little girl.

Satisfied with The Good Things

2007-12-29T20:05:00.000-05:00

I'm a negative thinker. I come from a well-stocked gene pool of negative thinkers. Why God made me a pastor's wife is beyond my ken. Maybe 1 Corinthians 1:27 is the key...But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise...Negative thinking is a challenge. It's a challenge when trying to love five children. It's a challenge when trying to relate to a husband. It's a