Yip's Swim Lessons...finally!

Finally, Yip finished his swim lessons! He couldn't take them with Yap during the first session because he thought it would be a good idea to cut a deep gash in his finger. 

All my kids are good swimmers but Yip is a fish. 

Going off the diving board at the end of every lesson was what he looked forward to the most. At the beginning he just jumped off but by yesterday he was showing off and diving headfirst! He's crazy! He thinks it's the coolest thing that he can dive and touch the bottom of the pool at the 10 ft. end. 

I'm so glad for all the wonderful swim instructors that my kids have had this summer. Living a block away from the pool has been a blessing, especially in 106 degree heat, and we've spent about every other day swimming. We've been taking full advantage of it because who knows how long we'll be here and if we'll ever be this close to a pool again. 

I wish that I could have swim lessons too because my boys are far better swimmers than I am. Do you think they'd notice if I slipped into the class with the five year olds next summer? 

Foody Friday - Heritage Recipes and Zucchini Casserole

Earlier this week I came across a website called Heritage Recipes; sharing old fashioned recipes and traditions. Their website states; 

These are more than just recipes.  These heritage recipes - our links with our past and our connections to special people and special events are tied to those scraps of paper.  At Heritage Recipes we are dedicated to the preservation of memories and old recipes.

I don't know about you but I prefer old fashioned recipes to modern ones that call for a number of prepackaged items and I love the idea of a website that shares them. In fact the website is always looking for new recipes to share. I sent in my great grandmother's tomato soup recipe, along with a story about her, and a relish recipe from a family friend. 

Then I started cruising their site. I found a website for zucchini casserole. (Remember my intense hatred for zucchini?) I didn't plant any zucchini this summer but I do have yellow summer squash that I've been sauteing in butter all summer...and I'm getting a bit tired of it. I thought it would work in a zucchini casserole. 

Although, when I pulled it out of the oven I had my doubts. It sure didn't look that appetizing. My kids, of course, hated it. My husband thought it had an odd texture. I, however, ate half the pan. Granted it was only a 9x9 pan but still, I had a stomach ache from eating so much! 

Heritage Recipe Zucchini Casserole 

Slice thin zucchini (no quantity given, I used 2 yellow squash)

3 T. butter

3 T. flour

4 large tomatoes (homegrown if possible, I only had 2), sliced

1 green pepper

1 onion (didn't have one)

Salt (no amount given, I just sprinkled some in)

1 T. brown sugar

2 bay leaves 

1 tsp. oregano

2 c. sharp cheddar cheese (I used mozzarella and only about a cup)

Melt the butter, add flour.  Stir constantly until flour begins to brown. Add sugar, bay leaves, oregano and salt.  In a baking dish, put a layers of zucchini, tomatoes, peppers and cheese.  Pour flour/butter mixture over and bake at 350 degrees.  (No time is given. I judged mine to be done after 45 minutes.)

I've learned that old fashioned recipes are more flexible than more modern recipes. Most of the time substitutions or detracting from an old recipe doesn't guarantee failures. 

I was very surprised how good it was! The vegetables had a warm buttery flavor and the cheese was just right without being overwhelming. I ate half the pan and I'm ready to eat the other half all by myself! 

Do you have a favorite Heritage Recipe to share? Why not hop on over to Heritage Recipes and send them an email? And don't forget to send me a copy too!! 

Week 26 - EAT

I'm a week behind but hopefully I can get caught up by Saturday. 

So Week 26, halfway through..can you believe it? 

This photo was taken a couple weeks ago but I love it so much I thought I'd include it today. Not that I took a fabulous photo but I love the way Yahoo's hands are so carefully cradling her watermelon. That girl LOVES her watermelon! 

1/100 sec., f9, ISO 1600

1/60 sec., f5.6, ISO 1600 with flash 

I've found that one of the hardest things about using my camera is using my flash and still getting, what I think, is a nice photo. This morning Yip was sitting on the couch eating an apple and reading, his normal breakfast position, with the light coming in through the window. It was a nice gold light but just not enough to expose his left side but when I turned on the flash it was just perfect. 

Next week, or maybe Saturday if I can catch up...that's the plan anyway, is EYES!! 

Happy Fourth of July (..and a little craft)

Happy 4th of July!!! 

I wasn't planning on doing much today but check out the cute flag craft!
This is what we'll be making today instead of shooting off fireworks! 
(Burn ban :( )  

10 craft sticks, hot glue, a little paint and a patch of denim...and five minutes later you can share your patriotism! 

No fireworks for us tonight; there's a burn ban in SW Kansas, again. I'm learning that it's just part of living in this part of the country. 

Wherever you are enjoy the fireworks for us! 

Remember, Freedom isn't free....it's something we have to work and fight for. 

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

Riding in the Rain!

I told you in yesterday's post about the wonderful 100th Anniversary celebration our town enjoyed on Saturday. By the time the bouncy houses shut down we were all exhausted from being out in the 100 degree heat all day. So it was no surprise that we were crashed in front of the television enjoying the air conditioning. I was laying down reading a book when I heard an odd noise outside....and what do you know...

...it was raining...HARD! 

I kicked all my kids outside and we enjoyed the rain and puddles for a good 45 minutes. What a blessing the rain was! 

Boy did the kids enjoying zooming around in the rain on their bikes...and I enjoyed following them around getting wet too! 

We had rivers of water flowing down the sides of the streets after the rain stopped. In fact there was a river of water flowing down the street right by our garden and DR was happily filling buckets and soaking our garden. What can I say, it was free water!! Way to go Honey!! 

That rainfall was enjoyed and very much appreciated...what a wonderfully unexpected blessing on an already fabulous day! 

Happy Centennial my little SW Kansas town!!!

Sorry if I was MIA last week folks. Boy was it hot in my little town, 109 for quite a few days and I was sick, not conducive to blogging. But Saturday it cooled down to about 100 and thank goodness too because our little town celebrated it's 100th Anniversary! 

My neighbor had his yard decked out with flags! That was a nice sight on the way to the Pancake Breakfast and then again on to the Hamburger Feed for lunch. 

Yap set up his own popsicle stand out in front of the house right along with Yip and his Captain America Shields. I have to say, those two made out all right by the end of the day..I might have to hit them up for a loan :) Boy did those popsicles hit the spot...that's just about all we ate for dinner. 

Of course you can't celebrate a 100 years without a parade (which went right in front of our house and my boys money making spots) and I was at the front handing out bags because all those little kids HAD to have something to put their candy in!! 

I was a bit jealous that I didn't get to be in front of the fire truck during the parade!! Shooting water, that would have been great! 

There were tons of tractors, semis, groups and businesses represented in the parade that I couldn't show them all but I LOVED that this family could claim they had been here for all those 100 years :) 

Then....

...and NOW! 

There were so many things to do during the day! Craft show, fashion through the years exhibit, homemade ice cream and classic car show. There were tons of stuff for kids, all for free!! Carnival games, face painting, story time but the big draw were the bouncy houses complete with a fine mist from a fire truck...thanks guys!! My boys stayed here for at least two hours...ah, what relief from the heat. 

No fear here! 

I didn't get to play in the water like my kids did because....

...I was playing with face paint!! What fun! 

We all stayed up later that night to watch Pirates of the Caribbean until the fireworks started. Yahoo kept saying, "I never seen THAT before!", every time a new rocket would go up. 

It was a great day with all the different activities all over town. But the VERY best part of the day was an unexpected surprise that we took full advantage of....that I'll tell you about tomorrow!! 

Stay tuned! 

Sunday Devotions - An end to bickering

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

Ephesians 4: 1-6 

My twin boys basically have the basement of our house to themselves. Our basement consists of their bedroom, a bathroom and a small living area that is filled with toys, books and art supplies. Last summer I remember being at my wits end trying to keep the basement clean. It seemed like in a matter of mere minutes those two boys of mine could create an enormous mess of Legos, papers, and various art projects spread over every available surface! It drove me crazy! I don't mind a few organized piles here and there in my house but I can't stand stuff all over the floor. I spent a lot of last summer, I hate to admit, nagging and yelling that they clean up the basement. 

This summer however I am much more at peace with their messy basement. I've concluded that the basement is their space and their place to be creative, imaginative and independent. Aren't those qualities I want to instill in my kids anyway? I still can't stand the mess though. It isn't so much that I have given in to defeat. No, I just know that they win this battle but I'll win the war at the end. I just keep my visits to the basement at a minimum but what they don't know is I'll be cleaning their basement the first day they are back in school! I tell you, summer is so much less stressful this summer without all the bickering! 

I think that when we come to Christ our lives change in a similar way. A lot of the "battles" we fought before aren't as important anymore. When we truly come to Christ keeping up with the Jones' isn't as important. Maybe it means that the high salary we worked so hard for wasn't as valuable as we made it out to be. Whatever it is, coming to Christ we are shown that our lives aren't about "me against everyone" but "me with everyone".  By living in Christ we realize that we need to live humbly with others in mind; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. It isn't about me (singular) but about us (plural). 

Life is a lot easier after I've quit the bickering about a messy basement, because a messy basement was never about us, as a family, but always about me. 

Dear God, Thanks for reminding me through a messy room that life isn't all about me. But about You and your family in Christ. Amen.