Mission Trip Artwork / International Adoption Gift Idea

It looks like my daughter Carmen will be going back to Malawi, Africa this summer for a five week internship mission trip. She has been working hard to raise funds by selling her newest art work.  She started quilling in January and is selling her framed pieces for donations towards her trip.  She is quite talented with it.  These are my favorite.  The brown one is Africa with a heart over Malawi.

Malawi is known as the Warm Heart of Africa.  She also says she left a piece of her heart in Malawi when she was there in 2012  The black one has the heart over Uganda. It is for a friend who is going to Uganda this summer for a mission trip.  It got me thinking that there may be many more people who would like one of these as a special remembrance of their mission trip.

These also will make a wonderful gift for a foreign adoption / international adoption.  She can make any country or continent and place a heart over whatever town or country is special.

These are framed to fit an 8x10 print.  She is selling them for $40 plus shipping.

If you would like to support Carmen's mission trip, donations can be sent directly to
Circle Of Hope International
P O Box 132
Wilmore, KY 40390be sure to write Carmen's name on a separate piece of paper when you send it

www.cohcommunity.org

https://vimeo.com/86063718

Bubble Wrap and God

I just wanted to share a little conversation I had with my five year old today.

Declan- I am too sad to quit crying.

Me- Well, scripture says that we should think about whatever is good and pure and lovely and true.  Let's try thinking about God and all of the wonderful things He has made.

Declan- Ummm.  How about bubble wrap? That makes me happy.

I love this kid!

Apple Dump Cake Recipe

I haven't tried this but it sounds yummy!

Apple Dump Cake

Ingredients:

§                     2 cans apple pie filling (use a good brand)

§                     ground cinnamon

§                     ground nutmeg

§                     box of yellow cake mix

§                     1/2 cup chopped pecans

§                     1 stick butter, sliced into very thin slices (you want 24-30 slices)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Spoon the pie filling into the baking dish and spread evenly to cover the bottom.

Lightly sprinkle with cinnamon and VERY lightly sprinkle with nutmeg.

Spread the dry cake mix on the top.

Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the cake mix.

Dot with the butter slices.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. It’s great by itself or with whipped cream or vanilla or caramel ice cream!

Apple Cake Recipe

I have no idea where this recipe comes from but my aunt made it for our family reunion last year and it is delicious!

Apple Cake with Buttery Caramel Sauce 

Makes: 16 servings

Prep: 35 mins

Cool: 45 mins

Bake: 350°F 45 mins

ingredients

                        2 
cups all-purpose flour

                        1 
teaspoon baking powder

                        1/2
teaspoon salt

                        1/2
teaspoon ground nutmeg

                        1/2
teaspoon ground cinnamon

                        1/4
teaspoon baking soda

                        1/2
cup butter, softened

                        2 
cups sugar

                        2 
eggs

                        6 
cups coarsely chopped unpeeled cooking apples (5 to 6 medium)

                        1 
cup chopped walnuts

                        1 
recipe Buttery Caramel Sauce

directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set pan aside. In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and baking soda; set aside.

2.In a very large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined. Scrape side of bowl; beat for 2 minutes more. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating on low speed just until combined. Fold in apples and walnuts. (Batter will be thick.) Spread batter in prepared baking pan.

3.Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 45 minutes. Serve warm with Buttery Caramel Sauce.

Buttery Caramel Sauce

ingredients

                        1/3
cup butter

                        1/3
cup granulated white sugar

                        1/3
cup packed brown sugar

                        1/3
cup whipping cream

                        1/2
teaspoon vanilla

directions In a small saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, and whipping cream. Bring to boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Serve warm.

Healthy Breakfast Cookie Recipe

Breakfast Cookie

Ingredients
3/4 cup whole-wheat or white flour (or any combination of the two)
1/2 cup ground flax
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ to 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted (or butter)
1/4 cup applesauce (or canola oil)
1/4 cup turbinado sugar (or brown sugar)
1 tbsp honey (optional)

1 egg

2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (optional)
1-2 carrots, shredded
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup rolled oats
¼ cup wheat germ 

¼ extra oats or oat bran

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (or other chocolate pieces) (optional)
1/3 cup raisins (optional)
1/3 cup pecan pieces, chopped (optional)

Directions
Place rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Whisk together first 6 ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Combine next four ingredients (butters, sugars, oils..)  in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high speed, scraping down sides if necessary, until sugars have dissolved and mixture is light in color, about 1 minute. Add egg, carrot, pbutter*, and vanilla and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add flour mixture and beat an additional 30 seconds. Mix together remaining ingredients in seperate bowl.  Add oat mixture to mixer bowel and mix over low speed just until incorporated or fold in. Dough will be slightly sticky and less cohesive than traditional cookie dough. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or use cooking spray. Use spoon or cookie scoop to scoop 2 inch balls onto cookie sheet.  Repeat with remaining batter, leaving about 2-3 inches between cookies. Wet hands and use palm of hand to flatten cookies until about 1/4-inch thick. (whatever shape it is in when it goes in the oven, it comes out same shape).  Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies are fragrant but still soft. Let cookies cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

This recipe has been adapted from one I found here.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/breakfast-cookies-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

These are not as sweet as some cookies but they are very tasty and mostly healthy.  More importantly, little man gives it two thumbs up! 

Summer Days

Summer is almost over. I started working on homeschool stuff today.  In some ways this summer has seemed so long. Yet it has gone by so quickly.  Carmen got her first real job, complete with paycheck and all. She worked all summer as a counselor at PVM camp.  She had some challenges. She got punched in the head by a camper and she dealt with an old wrist injury acting up. But she has grown and matured so much this summer. It is so amazing to see the difference in her now.  I am so glad she got this opportunity.  I cherish my days as a camp counselor and camp program director.  Now she has a decision to make.  Carmen was sort of offered the opportunity to intern next summer in Africa with Circle of Hope International, who she went on her mission trip with last year.  So now she must decide how she will spend next summer, at PVM or in Africa. I see a future in mission work for this girl.  Or camp director. Or both.

 Logan also spent most of his summer at at PVM camp as a volunteer junior staff/counselor in training.  For a middle child, he does well in positions of authority.  He really thrived in this position and had a blast.   He is great with kids and got to have fun too.  Who wouldn't love it? I am so proud of how responsible and generous he is.  Along with serving at PVM camp, he also got the amazing privilege of participating in Camp Electric for the first time this summer thanks to the generosity of an unnamed friend.  He learned so much as a musician and hopes to go back next year.  

Gabe started his summer with a quick trip to South Carolina to see his cousin graduate from the marines.  Then he headed down with his favorite cousins and my sister and her husband to Universal Studios for three days.  He LOVED it!  He also spent two weeks at PVM camp.  In between all of the traveling, he spent some time at King's Island and has officially conquered his fear of big rides. He rode The Beast, Racer, Vortex, Stunt Coaster, and Flight of Fear as well as a few new water slides. He also road Delirium but hated it.  He says he will ride the Diamond Back next time we go. I am so pleased with him for trying new things.

 Declan has also decided to be brave at King's Island this year. He has ridden Flying Ace Ariel Chase and loved it. He has also enjoyed Shake Rattle and Roll, Scrambler, Viking Fury, Beastie (or whatever it is called now), Log Flume, Monster, and his is finally tall enough for White Water Canyon which he loved.  He has really missed his siblings this summer but he does kind of enjoy the only child role that he got to assume for a good portion of June and part of July.  We have spent alot of time at the library. He got to be paperboy for a day.  And he got to spend alot of time with his cousins going on fun field trips.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this summer break.  I have had very few commitments and alot of freedom. My honey and I even got to spend an entire day together in Hocking Hills without kids.

 We went ziplining while we were there.  What a blast!

This has been a great summer!

I Love My Family