Tis The Season. . .

Now begins the Birthday Card Roundup!!!

 I consider December to be the start of the birthday season, since we have at latest count 7 December birthdays in my family. . . and I am sure I am forgetting someone! 

I am reeeeeally good at that!

This year, since I am finally almost settled in the new house after our 2 year long move, I am going to make a valiant effort to actually remember everyone's birthdays this year. . .

Specifically the one's that begin with "sister" and end with "in-law". . .

I think you know who you are!

Anyway, kicking it off this year is my Aunt Ann.

Turns out the love of the color orange is genetic.

Happy Birthday!

Third Book Review

The final book that I reviewed this month from  from Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group, was:

Here is the book trailer from the website:

http://www.newleafpublishinggroup.com/#?w=640

This book was written by Ray Comfort and Jeffrey Seto.

Inside the covers of this book are 32 inventions that have their foundation in natural design. It looks at these things and shows how studying nature has allowed for incredible advances in technology. When you are able to look at nature up close it is impossible to not see a Creator behind it all. . .the spider web that is stonger than Kevlar, moth's eyes that inspire solar cell, cat's eyes and their ability to reflect light.

I loved being able to share this book with my kids as part of our school curriculum  It does a great job explaining technological advances and well as how things work in nature. What a joy to have such a colorful and well done book to add to our library!

Here is a link up to other reviews.

Second Book Review

The second book I had the opportunity to review from Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group, was:

Here is the book trailer from the website:

http://www.newleafpublishinggroup.com/#?w=640

This book was edited by Don Landis, the president of Jackson Hole Bible College in Jackson, Wyoming. It was contributed to by  students at Jackson Hole Bible College.

I cannot say enough about this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was the prefect mix of facts and illustration. The book deals with the problem that evolutionists have with the relics we have of our past that indicate that ancient man had to have an understanding of science, math and astronomy. There is so much evidence in this world that man was not a creature that slowly evolved into a being with  the ability to reason.

Starting with an introduction in apologetics and concluding with a list of their axioms, a fact that ought to be widely held and understood as truth, this book covers a range of topics about ancient man. It discusses how the long lives of pre-flood man would have allowed for hundreds of years of collaboration and an ability to perfect an idea. It shows how the Biblical story of Babel would allow for an explanation of similarities between cultures around the globe. Some of these similarities include building style, music, legends and a focus on astronomy.

Although we may never know the truth behind ancient man, this book presents a great starting point to learn more about our past.

Here is a link up to other reviews.

Unique Opportunity. . .

I recently had the unique opportunity to review three new books from Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group.

The first book I opened up was:

Here is a link to the book trailer from the  NLPG website.

http://www.newleafpublishinggroup.com/#?w=640

This book is written by Ken Ham,  president/CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, which we got to visit last summer. 

We are in our second year of homeschooling and one of the things that I love is that I have the opportunity to present the truth about our world to my children. This book does an amazing job of presenting the story of Adam and Eve in a way that is easy for my children (as well as myself) to understand! The illustrations captured their attention and the text allowed for clear understanding. 

The book is thoroughly based on Scripture and starts at the beginning with the creation account. It discusses the purpose of man and what life would have been like in the garden. It introduces the concept of sin and the consequences that followed and have left an impact on our world today.

 What I love about this book is that it allows be to answer the questions about Adam and Eve with confidence and I loved sharing it with  my kids.

Here is a link up to other reviews.

Canning adventures. . .

I just finished my first foray into solo canning.

I had watched my mom can when I was younger. My mother-in-law and I made a ridiculous amount of pickles one summer about 8 years ago, but this was my first attempt as a big girl to do it all by myself!

I wasn't planning on trying to can anything during our first year on the farm, but when I went to pull up my tomato plants from my VERY late garden (I didn't get my plants in the ground until late June. In these here parts people usually start their outdoor plants around May 15) I had way too many green tomatoes to not do something with them. I also had about 30 jalapeno peppers that needed a home.

So, with my fall bounty, I hit the internet to find some tasty recipes.

(Let me take a moment to say that I will be making fried green tomatoes for supper. . . don't you worry your pretty little head!)

First up is a recipe for Green Tomato Relish, or as it is known in the South, Chow-chow.

Here is the recipe that I used from Mommy's Kitchen.

Next, I made Green Tomato Jam.

 I was a little nervous about this one, 'cause it sounded kinda weird and it took three days to make. I am sooo glad I did! I was scrapping the pan to get every little bit onto a piece of toast this morning after I put the jars in the canner. Yumm!

Here is the recipe that I used from Lori's Lip Smacking Goodness.

Finally, I made Candied Jalapenos.

Several months ago I had come across the recipe on Tasty Kitchen and just knew that I had to try them! Sweet and spicy. . . who can resist that combo?!?!? Certainly not me!

Here is the recipe from the original site, Foodie With Family.

I must say, I really did enjoy this whole adventure learning a new skill.

 I will definitely plan on doing more next year!

Cup Cake Card. . .

Here is a card I made for my nephew, Mikah.

He is the last of the 4 year old birthdays this year.




Happy Birthday !!!

Things You Can't Get From The Grocery Store. . .

There are certain things about farm life that give you little surprises.

The top egg is a little tiny egg.

The bottom egg. . .let's just sum that one up in one word. . .

"OUCH!"




It is even a little lumpy. Like maybe the poor little hen had to pause for a minute to decide if she had the womanly ability to get this monster out! I wonder if she was crying for a C-section at this point?

(Sorry for the labor humor. . .I am a nurse on the maternity floor!)

Here is a picture to give you some perspective. 

Perhaps the iPod is a more current way to show you the size?

Now,  the moment you have all been waiting for. . .


What do you get when you crack open an extra-extra large egg?

Twins!!!!