Spring Reading Challenge 2009

I am joining the Spring Reading Challenge 2009 hosted by Susan at, http://asoutherndaydreamerreads.blogspot.com/2009/03/spring-reading-challenge-2009-sign-up.html. I am very excited about this. Having this bond of bloggers reading together is great. It gives the motivation to fit in time for reading. I love to read and in earlier years would read all the time. However, as children came along, and with other responsibilities ( which I love also!) there just seems very little time to read. But, a challenge like this seems to give me the push to carve out time for reading. I'm even thinking of making a special reading nook, maybe in the bedroom. I also think I will have a reading challenge with my boys. They read quite a bit, so a reading challenge would suite them fine. My list of books that I want to read during this challenge are:
The No Spin Zone-Bill O'Reilly
Emma-Jane Austen
Continue reading the Bible on the one year plan
Rocket Boys-Homer H. Hickam, Jr.
Laura, America's First Lady, First Mother-Antonia Felix
Brave New World-Aldous Huxley
George and Laura, Portrait of An American Marriage-Christopher Andersen
The Raising of A President-Doug Wead
All The Best, George Bush,My Life in Letters and Other Writings-George Bush
A Memoir, Barbara Bush-Barbara Bush
The Kennedy Women-Laurence Leamer
What Would Jackie Do?-Shelly Branch and Sue Callaway
The Hiding Place-Corrie Ten Boom

Well, I am off to do some reading! Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Kim

Menu Monday

What a wonderful day of worship yesterday! We had our 5th Sunday dinner after morning services. This is such a great time to fellowship and there is always so much food. Our church host an annual Easter egg hunt which we are preparing for. Last year we were out of town and did not get to attend, but this year the boys will be able to help with the activities.

At home we are preparing for Easter dinner, my oldest son's birthday, and an egg hunt for the little ones. What a day that will be! We are going to have Easter dinner for both sides of the family. My oldest son's birthday is on Easter this year, so we will have cake and celebrations for him also. Then we want to have an egg hunt for the little ones. I think it will be alot of fun!

On tap for the menu this week:

MONDAY

Crock-Pot BBQ Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Salad, Chocolate Pudding

TUESDAY

Chicken Fingers, Green Beans, Corn-on-the Cob, Peaches

WEDNESDAY

Grilled Hamburgers, Baked Beans, Oven Fries, Fruit Salad with Cream Cheese-Pecan Topping

THURSDAY

Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Rolls, Jello

FRIDAY

Out to eat

SATURDAY

Nachos Supreme, Salad, Ice Cream

Have a wonderful Monday
Kim

Sunday's Thoughts

"To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under
heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck
what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance,
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from
embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A GIRL'S GARDEN
A neighbor of mine in the village
Likes to tell how one spring
When she was a girl on the farm, she did
A childlike thing.

One day she asked her father
To give her a garden plot
To plant and tend and reap herself,
And he said, "Why not?"

In casting about for a corner
He thought of an idle bit
Of walled-off ground where a shop had stood,
And he said, "Just it."

And he said, "That ought to make you
An ideal one-girl farm,
And give you a chance to put some strength
On your slim-jim arm."

It was not enough of a garden,
Her father said, to plough;
So she had to work it all by hand,
But she don't mind now.

She wheeled the dung in the wheelbarrow
Along a stretch of road;
But she always ran away and left
Her not-nice load,
And hid from anyone passing.
And then she begged the seed.
She says she thinks she planted one
Of all things but weed.

A hill each of potatoes,
Radishes, lettuce, peas,
Tomatoes, beets, beans, pumpkins, corn,
And even fruit trees.

And yes, she has long mistrusted
That a cider apple tree
In bearing there today is hers,
Or at least may be.

Her crop was a miscellany
When all was said and done,
A little bit of everything,
A great deal of none.

Now when she sees in the village
How village things go,
Just when it seems to come in right,
She says, "O know!

It's as when I was a farmer------"
Oh, never by way of advice!
And she never sins by telling the tale
To the same person twice.
Robert Frost

Have a blessed Sunday!
Kim

The first meeting of my Jane Austen book club. One of my dear friends started a Jane Austen book club and last week we had our first "tea". It was absolutely wonderful! Daughters of two of the women attended. Some of the women came in period attire. Our host had tea and yummy muffins, strawberries, and eclairs. We discussed what our group wanted to accomplish at our monthly gatherings. There is so much in the works, I just can't wait. We will be discussing Austen's book Emma for our next get together. We are going to recreate the picnic by having our own picnic at a local nature center. All of us will be wearing our period attire and bringing delicious goodies to share.

I believe that I am really going to enjoy this book club. I like the fact that we can dress up in our finest, gloves and all, and sip tea in beautiful teacups. It's great to be able to celebrate our femininity. My boys at first thought it was funny that, at my age, I was going to a "tea party". But now I think they are seeing that you should pursue your interest at any age.

I will post pictures of our picnic in April. I think it will be great fun!!

Have a wonderful Thursday

Kim

Wednesday Recipes

Today I would like to share a couple of recipes that look interesting. My secret sister at church delighted me with a wonderful new cookbook! I love collecting cookbooks. This one is Cook For The Cure, in support of Breast Cancer Research. I have a good friend and neighbor battling breast cancer, so this cookbook means alot to me. I haven't tried these recipes yet. I am planning on making these two recipes this coming weekend. Enjoy!!

SOUR CREAM CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
2 cups of cooked chicken
Jalapeno peppers,sliced in jar
1 cup sour cream
2 cups Monterey Jack cheese,shredded
2 onions,diced
Corn tortillas
Vegetable oil
1 can chicken broth
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup flour
Paprika

Mix chicken with Jalapeno peppers. Mash up well. Melt 1/4 cup butter, add 1/4 cup flour and stir until thick. Slowly add chicken broth and sour cream, constantly stirring. In frying pan soften the tortillas in hot oil. Drain on paper towels. Spoon pepper chicken mixture into the tortillas. Add some cheese and onion and roll up the tortillas. Place into 9" x 13" baking dish with the seam side of the enchiladas down. Fill the dish with the enchiladas then pour sour cream mixture over the top. Add shredded cheese on top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle paprika over the top and decorate with some sliced jalapenos on the top.
Cook at 375 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes.
Robert Nowak
NYC/NY

TEXAS DESSERT
1 cup pecans
1 cup melted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
Large package chocolate pudding
1 cup flour
8 oz. cream cheese
Large container Cool Whip
Mix pecans, flour and melted butter. Press into 9 x 13 pan and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool crust. Mix 8 oz. cream cheese and powdered sugar. Spread on top of cooled crust. Mix large package of chocolate pudding according to package instructions and spread on top of cheese mixture. Top with Cool Whip and nuts. Chill.
Greg Ferguson
FIELD/Dallas, Tx.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Kim

Outdoor Wednesday

Good rainy morning to everyone! It's Outdoor Wednesday time, hosted by Susan over at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/03/325-outdoor-wednesday-11.html. Be sure to check out all the wonderful posts! There are always great pictures to view!

After church on Sunday, we went fishing at Fort Mountain State Park. We had a picnic and two of my boys fished while my older one worked on some schoolwork. It was a lovely day to be outside. This is a picture of across the lake where we were fishing.

Two of my boys fishing. They didn't catch anything, but it was still fun!

Another picture of the lake. It is just beautiful. It was very relaxing to sit and enjoy the outdoors!

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Kim

Menu Monday

"The earth is the Lord's, and all
its fullness,
The world and those who dwell
therein.
For He has founded it upon the
seas,
And established it upon the waters."
Psalm 24:1-2 NKJ

Menu Plan for March 23-28

MONDAY

Mexican Fiesta Night

Tacos

Chips & Salsa,

Salad

Tea,Water

TUESDAY

Homemade Pizza

Breadsticks

Salad

Tea,Water

WEDNESDAY

Chicken Casserole

Corn-on-the-Cob

Green Beans

Rolls

Tea,Water

THURSDAY

Sloppy Joes

Macaroni Bake

Salad

Tea,Water

FRIDAY

Nacho Chicken

Brown Rice

Salad

Tea,Water

SATURDAY

Breakfast Night

Scrambled Eggs

Bacon

Sausage

Chocolate Chip Muffins

Milk,Orange Juice

Have a wonderful Monday!

Kim

Sunday's Thoughts

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way.
Who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole
Heart!
They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.
You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your
commandments.
I will praise You with uprightness
of heart,
When I learn Your righteous
judgments.
I will keep Your statutes;
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!"
Psalm 119:1-8 NKJ

WE THANK THEE
For mother-love and father-care
For brothers strong and sisters fair,
For love at home and here each day,
For guidance lest we go astray,
Father in Heaven, we thank Thee.

For this new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For ev'rything His goodness sends,
Father in Heaven, we thank Thee.

For flowers that bloom about our feet,
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet,
For song of bird and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in Heaven, we thank Thee.

For blue of stream and blue of sky,
For pleasant shade of branches high,
For fragrant air and cooling breeze,
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in Heaven we thank Thee.
Anonymous

Have a blessed Sunday!
Kim

Nashville Weekend

Last weekend we headed to Nashville,Tennessee for the state Mathcounts competition. What a great time we had! It rained all the way there and all day Saturday, but we still enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Chase on Saturday morning before heading over to the competition site. The competition was held at the Adventure Science Museum. We didn't go through the museum, but I do want to go back and check it out. It looked like they had some great exhibits.

The team before the competition started. Some of the team members are also on chess teams. When the competition started, only the team members could be in the room. The coaches and parents could come in for the individual countdown round. The team placed 6th. I believe that there were 12 teams there. No one on our team went on to the individual round, but boy was that exciting to watch! After the individual round, they announced the top 4 scorers on the problems the teams had completed previously. Those top 4 go on to make up the Tennessee state team which advances to the nationals in Orlando. I compliment all those who participated in this event. It was such a wonderful learning experience. Our host for the event also did a super job! They provided breakfast and lunch for the participants and the parents. How sweet!!

After the competition, we decided to check out the full size replica of the Parthenon. It was amazing! We were pretty tired, physically and mentally, at this point, so we headed back to the hotel. We watched a movie, then went down and spent some time in the hot tub. Wow, was that ever relaxing!

Sunday morning, we visited a church in Nashville, then headed over to Opry Mills Mall. We ate at the Rainforest Cafe. Even though our meal was very filling, we found room for the ever popular Volcano Cake. It was a delicious ending to our meal.

After eating, Mike, Clay, and Chase went to Bass Pro Shop. Clint went to Barnes and Noble and I headed to the Apple Barn store. We had a limited time before heading home, so we decided this was our best option ( even though Clint had to call me to persuade me to leave the Apple Barn store!).

It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend. We saw many things we would like to go back and investigate. Maybe this summer....

Have a great weekend!

Kim

Outdoor Wednesday

I am loving Outdoor Wednesday! Be sure to check out all the Outdoor Wednesday posts at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/03/318-outdoor-wednesday-10.html.

I would like to thank everyone for all the sweet comments! It is wonderful to have such sweet blogger friends! We had a great time in Nashville. I will be posting pictures tomorrow.

This is a picture taken at Cloudland Canyon State Park. We go hiking there every now and then. It is a beautiful park! They have various hiking trails, camping, disc golf and much more to enjoy.

This was such a relaxing little stream. What a glorious creation God made for us to take care of and enjoy!

This is a cave that we found on one of our hikes. My boys were very interested in this cave, but this was as far as I was willing to investigate!

Okay, I had to put this picture in, as I am longing to see the beach! This is the lighthouse at St. Simons Island. I love driving along the Georgia coast. We were able to go inside this lighthouse, which was a real treat!

The weather here in Northwest Georgia is great! Spring is in the air, we are spending longer amounts of time outside, gardens are being cleared, camping equipment is being organized. I love the changing of the seasons. Each season is special in its own little way. So much to enjoy and learn about!

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 NKJ

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Kim

I joined the Georgia bloggers over at, http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/02/calling-georgia-bloggers-update.html . If you are a Georgia blogger, hop on over and check it out!

We are headed to a service project at The Ronald McDonald House in Chattanooga, then onward to Nashville, Tennessee. My middle son is on a Mathcounts team that will be competing in the state competition. He is the only one from Georgia. We live so close to Chattanooga, that we do some things with the homeschoolers there. So, anyway we are making a weekend of it. We hope to see some great sites while we are there. I'll post pictures when we get back. So, for now, I wish everyone a wonderful weekend!

Kim

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/03/311-outdoor-wednesday.html

This week for Outdoor Wednesday, hosted by A Southern Daydreamer, I thought I would share a couple of pictures from my yard and one from a hike that our family did. This picture was taken from the top of a trail we hiked in the North Georgia mountains. It was a beautiful day. This is the overlook at the top of the trail.
This is one of my Bradford Pear trees that are now blooming. My back fence is lined with these. I absolutely love looking out at these beautiful trees in bloom.


This is my tree that is blooming in my front yard. I apologize that the picture is not so clear, but the blooms are gorgeous. I am now waiting for my azaleas to show their color.

Thank you for taking a look at my Outdoor Wednesday pictures. Be sure to check out the other posts at A Southern Daydreamer.

Kim

Today I would like to share a recipe for Strawberry Pretzel Crust Salad and a recipe for Grape Tea.

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL CRUST SALAD

2 Cups broken pretzels

1 1/2 Sticks oleo, melted

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 Cup sugar

8 Ounces cream cheese

8 Ounces whipped topping

2 3-Ounce packages strawberry gelatin

2 Cups boiling water

2 10-Ounce packages frozen strawberries

Melt oleo in bottom of 9x13-inch pan. Spread broken pretzels evenly in pan and sprinkle 3 tablespoons sugar over pretzels. Bake 8 minutes at 400 degrees. Cream 1 cup sugar and cream cheese and fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture over cooled pretzel crust. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add frozen strawberries. Cool until thickened and pour over top of cream cheese layer. Refrigerate. ( Hilda Holloway)

GRAPE TEA

1 Gallon water

1/2 Cup instant tea

3 1/2 Cups sugar

1 Cup grape juice

3/4 Cup Realemon lemon juice

Dissolve tea in water. Add other ingredients. Serve chilled over ice This is a delicious beverage with any meal and can even be served as a punch. Serves 15.

*When using frozen grape juice concentrate, it is best to dilute with only 2 cans of water rather than 3 cans as the directions call for. (Marquita Thomas)

**This is a nice beverage for Ladies Day Teas, showers, etc...

Hope you enjoy these two recipes! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Kim

Yesterday, my sister and brother-in-law welcomed their first child into this world. He is absolutely beautiful! I am so excited for them.

The proud family!

I am one proud Aunt! Mom and baby are doing great!

Kim

We had so much fun Saturday on our day trip. In History we finished WWII, The Depression, and FDR, so we headed to Warm Springs, Georgia to see first hand some of what we had studied. It was a beautiful day in the mountains and the drive was very relaxing.

This is a picture of the building where the pool is located. This pool was heated to a temperature that would help make it easier for FDR and the patients to move around.

The picture above is of The Little White House. This is where he died while having his portrait painted. On the back deck they had an FDR reenactor who did a fabulous job! It was so interesting to see the rooms and the furniture.

This is a car that was given to him. Mainly his staff and secret service drove this car.

The servants quarters were nicely done. Beside the servants quarters was the guest house.

The boys and myself in front of the entrance to the museum. They have a wonderful museum where you can see the items he used and also items that were given to him as gifts. There is also a short film about his time here. One thing that was interesting, was a replica of a kitchen during this time. Also, there is a display of all the canes that were sent to FDR as gifts. The details in these canes are amazing!

After touring the property, we headed through the town which had the neatest little shops. We also saw The Bulloch House, a popular place to eat. We didn't have the time to stop there, as they were very crowded, but it looked like a great place to investigate next time.

After driving over to Callaway Gardens for a bit, we headed home. What a glorious day spent in the Pine Mountains of Georgia. Thanks for looking at my pictures. I wish you a wonderful week!

Kim

Sunday's Thoughts

"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10

A TIME TO TALK

When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don't stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven't hoed,
And shout from where I am, What is it?
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.

Robert Frost

Friday was a big day of wrapping up some school, running errands, and getting ready for our day trip on Saturday. I thought I would share some pictures of some of our errands. The boys really like GameStop. They wanted to stop in and sell some games and buy a new one. So, we stopped in here for some selling and buying!
Next we headed to Chattanooga to buy some groceries at Sam's and also to stop in at Dicehead Games. The boys like to participate in wargaming activities. At first, I was not sure of what wargaming was and I was a little more than skeptical. But, they attended a summer camp at a local private school and I watched what all they did. It is awesome for strategic thinking. They learn historic wars and also do some fantasy wars ( Lord of the Rings, etc..). I have been impressed at how much research they do on their own for this. The figures they buy for this, they also paint themselves. This takes time and patience. I have learned alot and they have too!

After our Sam's stop we headed home for a dinner of Nachos, salad, and fruit. It was a full, but productive day. We finished our study of WWII and the FDR era. This has been an exciting study. We read books, watched movies, and to wrap it all up we visited Warm Springs, Georgia on Saturday. I will be sharing pictures on that "field trip" later. It was a blast. A wonderful ending to an exciting study.

Thanks for sharing in our day!

Kim

Outdoor Wednesday

I am participating in Outdoor Wednesday, hosted by A Southern Daydreamer. I love spending time outdoors. You just feel "alive" after spending time outdoors in the beauty of God's creation. I cannot wait to see the other posts on Outdoor Wednesday. Just check in with http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ to read those posts. Please bear with me as I learn how to do this. I am definitely not a computer whiz, but this blog is helping me to learn more each day. I hope you enjoy the photos.

The first photo is of a Horseshoe Crab that had washed up on shore at Jekyll Island, Georgia. We were there the first of September and actually saw a few of these Horseshoe Crabs.

This next photo is of a crab hiding in his hole in the sand. It was fun watching how fast they go from one place to the next.

This last photo is of sunrise on Jekyll Island. What a beautiful and peaceful time!

I hope you enjoyed these outdoor photos!
Kim

"She also rises while it is yet night,and provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants." Proverbs 31:15

Today I would like to share two recipes from one of my church cookbooks. The first is a taco dip that is quick and easy, but really great with nacho chips. It makes a wonderful appetizer.

Taco Dip

1 large can refried beans

8 oz. sour cream

8 oz. cream cheese

1 T. taco seasoning

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 bag shredded cheddar cheese

Spread refried beans over bottom of baking dish. Mix together sour cream, cream cheese, taco seasoning and garlic. Spread on top of beans. Cover completely with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is completely melted. (Kristy James)

The second recipe is a muffin recipe that I make often. It has a topping that you can make, but I usually leave this off and add either blueberries or chocolate chips. Also, I normally double this recipe.

Muffins

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/8 tsp. salt

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup butter, melted

Topping: see below

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt together and make a well in center. Beat together egg, milk, and butter. Add egg mixture to the flour mixture. Stir. Pour mixture into muffin pan filled 2/3 cup full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Topping: 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 cup melted butter. Mix together and dip muffin tops into mixture. (Sherri Womack)

I hope you enjoy these recipes! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Kim

We had a great weekend around our house. The weather was a bit crazy. Saturday was windy with rain. We thought we might get snow on Sunday, but it went around us and headed further south. On Saturday, Mike and the boys worked on my car, then we headed out to some of the boys' activities. Clint and Chase went to Dicehead games for some war gaming. All of my boys really enjoy this. While they were doing this, Mike and I spent some one on one with my middle son. We went to the Barnes & Noble at the mall. It was very crowded. We got a little snack there and then headed to pick the other boys up. When we got back home, we watched the movie King Arthur together. All in all, it was a very nice day.

On Sunday, we had an encouraging day of worship. I started my teaching rotation with the 1st and 2nd grade class. What a sweet group they are! The afternoon was spent still trying to fix my car. I think we are almost there in having it completely fixed. Yeah!

Are we ever ready for some spring weather around here! I will be posting my spring cleaning schedule later this week. I plan on starting some deep spring cleaning next week. I can't wait to put out spring decorations. I am also anxious to start some yard work. So much to do!

On tap for the menu this week:

Sunday

Leftovers from last week

Monday

Vegetable Lasagna

Garlic Bread

Salad

Cookies

Tea/Lemonade

Tuesday

Sloppy Joes

Creamed Corn

Green Beans

Jello

Tea/Lemonade

Wednesday

Chili

Corn Muffins

Pudding

Tea/Lemonade

Thursday

Crock-Pot Italian Chicken

Steamed Broccoli

Spinach Salad

Fruit Cocktail

Friday

Eating out

Saturday

Homemade Pizza

Chips/Salsa

Lemon Ice Box Pie

Tea/Sprite

Have a wonderful Monday!

Kim

Sunday's Thoughts

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7

Poets To Come

Poets to come! orators, singers, musicians to come!
Not to-day is to justify me and answer what I am for
But you, a new brood, native, athletic, continental,greater than before known,
Arouse! for you must justify me.
I myself but write one or two indicative words for the future,
I but advance a moment only to wheel and hurry back in the darkness.

I am a man who, sauntering along without fully stopping, turns a casual look
upon you and then averts his face,
Leaving it to you to prove and define it,
Expecting the main things from you.

Walt Whitman
The Best Poems Ever
Edited by Edric S. Mesmer