Happy 15th Birthday, Alex

On a cold winter day, fifteen years ago, our youngest child was born, our seventh son and eleventh child.  He was brought home in a snow storm on slippery roads and a prayer on our lips.  He was welcomed, adored and quickly spoiled. With ten older siblings there was always someone to hold him and to get attention from.

 Alex was a happy child, but with a serious nature.  He was the only sibling to win the "don't smile" contest his dad would play with them. Chuck would say, "I'll give you a dollar if you don't smile."  The brothers and sisters couldn't do it and would break into smiles no matter how hard they tried, but not Alex!

His favorite toys as a small child and to this day are anything electronic.  He learned to love the computer at the age of three or four and amused us with his new "computer language."  "Don't touch the computer, I'm downloading."  We barely knew at that point, as computers were so new to us, what downloading was.  He would go from the computer to the nintendo and on to videos and I would have to remind him to go outside and play.

Alex has homeschooled all of his school years except for the year he went to public school when he was eleven.  He learned from that year that homeschooling gives him the freedom to learn at his own pace and choices in books and subjects.  He is doing well and if we have a question we need answered, he  usually has the answer.

He keeps busy in church activities and is on the dance team and helps teach the younger children.  I often see him reading his Bible and know he has the desire to do what's right.

Alex has started driver's training this month.  I know he'll learn quickly and will be a concientious driver.  But, I just got through his sister learning and am still recovering.  Bright side is he's the last one!!

Alex,  Dad and I are very proud of you and know you'll make good decisions as you grow. 

Love, Mom

A Letter To Kevin

Dear Kevin,

Today, is the one year anniversary of your accident.  As I reflect back to that traumatic day, I recall all the emotions and tears that all the family and friends were feeling.  It was so hard to see you just laying there with no response for over two weeks.  You had so many people praying for you and showing love and support to the family that it just had to have a good ending.  You have come so far this year in your progress.  You're back at school, have a job, even a girlfriend!  But, best of all is your desire to grow in the Lord and your love for Him.  I see such a change, a wonderful change. When I think of you I have such a joyful feeling and I just have to say a quick thank-you prayer. 

Today is a day to reflect and be thankful and then to have faith in the good future that God has planned for you.  It's a great one, Kevin.

Love,

Aunt Kathy

Making Biscotti With Amy

My daughter, Amy and I got together and made biscotti last week. She's a great cook and has enjoyed cooking since she was a girl of 10. We work well in the kitchen together as she likes to create and I like to cleanup.We made two kinds of biscotti, Almond Cherry, and Nutty Chocolate Chip. Here are the ingredients for the Almond Cherry Biscotti: 1 roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough (8 oz.), 1/2 cup toasted almonds, 1/2 cup dried cherries, 1 (11-ounce) bag white chocolate chips, 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla, 1/2 teaspoons of rum extract. For the Nutty Chocolate Chip Biscotti: 1 roll refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough(16.5 oz.), 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon rum extract, 1 1/2 cups of chopped almonds, lightly toasted, 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips. The demonstration pictures are of the Almond Cherry recipe.

Get a little helper to chop the almonds.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread nuts in one layer on ungreased shallow baking pan. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden.

I recommend parchment paper, easy cleanup! So, line two cookie sheets with the paper.

Open sugar cookie log and put into large bowl, then add toasted almonds and cherries, vanilla and rum extract. Press into dough with hands, mixing in well.

Divide dough into 4 equal portions. We doubled the recipe, otherwise you would only have two balls.

Take each ball and shape into 8x1 inch log. On cookie sheet, place logs 3 inches apart: flatten each log until about 1 1/2
inches wide.

Now, they're ready for the oven. Bake 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown.

Remove from oven and cool 15 minutes. While they are cooling reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees because they will be going back in.

After they have cooled, with a serrated knife, on a slant carefully cut log in half as it makes it easier to work with.

Take each half and still cutting on a slant, cut 3/4 inch slices. Each log makes 8 to 10 slices.

On same cookie sheet, place slices, cut side down. Return to oven; bake 1 hour. Remove cookies from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.

In small microwavable bowl. place chocolate chips. Microwave on High 1 minute. Stir; microwave 1 minute longer, stirring every 15 seconds. Dip 1/4 of each cookie into melted chocolate; or, like we did, use a baggie filled with the melted chocolate, corner cut with scissors and drizzle on.

Here's a picture of the Nutty Chocolate Chip Biscotti. The same directions for the Almond Cherry can be used for these using the ingredients I listed.

These will make nice gifts for neighbors, family, friends. Wrapped in cellophane tied with a ribbon and placed in a basket with some coffee beans and a mug would make a great gift.

Relaxing

It's Black Friday and guess who didn't go shopping? Sleeping in was more important than the bargains. After all the cooking and serving I was like my cat here on the fireplace hearth. But, congratulations on the bargains for you who did!

Counting My Blessings

Since it's Thanksgiving I counted my blessings and they were so numerous, but at the top

are this couple, my mom and step-dad, Lois and Larry.

Larry is my mom's soul mate, a perfect match. He has been a wonderful and caring husband to her for 40 years, now. When he married my mom he took on 3 kids and all the joys and troubles that come with the job of "step-dad." Poor guy, I'm sure there were many moments of him thinking, "Why me God?" We were not the easiest of children to parent, but he pressed on and I knew I was loved. Describing him is to say he's one of the nicest men I know, always ready to help someone and who is called upon, alot, by many people at their worst moments. I know as I've had those moments like mice, fire, floods, etc. and he was there!! I'll always be thankful that he was there for our big move, 21 years, ago. He traveled 1,000 miles with us, driving one of the vehicles and after arriving at our new home, helping us get it ready to live in. It sure was hard to say goodbye to him at the airport.

My mom is like him, she is always willing to help whoever needs her, family, neighbors, friends, strangers. I have appreciated all the help she has given me over the years, especially when I would have my babies. I kept her pretty busy with the birth of 11 children. But, she always came and fed us and cleaned my house and took care of my kids. If I was sick she would drive 60 miles to come and help as we lived in different cities at that time.

In describing her I would say she is a very "fun loving person" with a positive attitude. I know she will laugh if I share something I think is funny as we have that same sense of humor. I think my mom wakes up every morning with the thought of "what fun can I have today?" She also has the knack of getting herself in the oddest predicaments because of her giving nature and then we laugh about them.

Every seven years my mom's birthday falls on Thanksgiving and today is one of them. Happy 74th birthday, Mom. I love you.

"God gave us memories so we could have roses in winter and Mothers forever."

Monopoly Aggression

Son, Alex, loves, loves, Monopoly! I remember playing it as a child and enjoying it alot, also. The challenge of buying as many pieces of property as possible, especially trying to own the same colored property so you can buy hotels and charge high rent bankrupting your teammates. My goal was always to own Broadway and Parkplace.
We played the game Friday night along with husband, Chuck. Those two were so aggressive and competitive leaving me with little money and no chance to buy hotels, and I kept landing on the "go to jail' space, losing my turn with little to do but watch and munch on popcorn! And to my chagrin Alex bought Broadway and Parkplace.
Just wait until next time, they'll be sorry!!

A Simple Toothpaste Recipe

I've been using this recipe for homemade toothpaste for quite awhile and love how clean my mouth and teeth feel after using it. I always have these ingredients on hand and it's quick and simple to make, also cheap.

In a bowl I measure out 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 teaspoon of tea tree oil, 10 to 12 drops of peppermint oil, and 12 drops of liquid stevia. It makes a drier paste than regular toothpaste. I really enjoy making my own products when possible.