Recipes

I would like to post a couple of Gooseberry Patch recipes today. I just love their recipes!

Spooky spiderweb Cupcakes

18-1/4 oz. pkg. chocolate or spice cake mix

1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

16-oz. container vanilla or orange frosting

Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Bake in 18 to 24 paper-lined muffin cups. Cool and set aside. Place chocolate chips in a small plastic zipping bag; microwave on high setting for 30 seconds to one minute, until melted. Snip off one corner of bag; squeeze chocolate onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet to form 3 concentric circles. Immediately draw a toothpick through circles to form a spiderweb design. Repeat with remaining chocolate; chill until set. Frost cupcakes; press webs gently into frosting. Makes 18 to 24 cupcakes.

Maple-Spice Pecan Pie

2 9-inch pie crusts

3 eggs

3/4 c. brown sugar, packed

1 c. maple syrup

3 T. butter, melted

1 T. lemon juice

1 t. vanilla extract

3/4 t. nutmeg

1/4 t. salt

1-1/2 c. chopped pecans

Place each pie crust in a pie plate; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and brown sugar. Add remaining ingredients except pecans; whisk to blend. Add pecans and pour into pie crusts. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Lower to 350 degrees and bake an additional 35 minutes , until golden. Makes 2 pies.

Hope you enjoy these recipes! Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Kim

Happy Birthday Chase

Happy Birthday Chase! My youngest turned 15 yesterday. We went to visit my oldest son at college. We went to church, then out to eat at Olive Garden ( you can't beat that all you can eat soup, salad, and breadsticks with 3 teenage boys!!). I cannot believe my baby is 15. I love being a wife and mother! God has entrusted these boys to my husband and myself and we pray for wisdom and guidance in raising them to God's glory. Each child is so different, which makes parenting very "on the edge" enjoyable! I have so enjoyed each of my boy's differences, learning their interests, likes and dislikes, and trying to learn just what makes each of them tick! It is never dull or boring, I can say that. We have extremely wonderful days and sometimes extremely difficult days. I don't see how anyone could parent without God. Raising your children will definitely bring you to your knees in prayer. I am looking forward to experiencing what God has in store for us with our boys! But, for this birthday boy, I want to say WE LOVE YOU!!! Okay, this is the cake that my middle son, who is 16, made for Chase. Note the abundance of chocolate chips! Gotta love that creativity:)

I just wanted to put this picture in of one of the trees in the battlefield park. The leaves are just starting to turn and they are awesome! I hope to put more pictures on Wednesday of the beautiful changing of the leaves.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Kim

Couponing

I have recently gotten into couponing extreme! I spent quite some time learning how to get organized and how to properly use coupons. I think this has been where my problem was in the past. I had no organization at all with my coupons, so I would quit using them after a short time. Well, now I am hooked! It is exciting to see the savings and to see my stash building up. I thought I would show today my first CVS shopping trip couponing style:)

I went through their ad and circled the best deals. I then took out all the coupons I had for those deals. I headed to the local CVS and had a great time! I thought it went well for my first time. I hope to get better at this, so that I can keep my family stocked and be able to help others by donating.

Today, I stocked up on toothpaste! They had Colgate toothpaste for buy one/get one and I had three 75 cent coupons. Also, I was able to get quite a bit of gum. They had it for $1.00 (regularly $1.49) and I had coupons for buy one/ get one free. I was also able to get a free hair styling product!! I spent $29.79 (with tax) and ended up saving $34.14 between store sales and coupons. All in all I thought this was a good trip.

I would love to hear how everyone else saves on grocery and household items. Have a wonderful Friday!

Kim

Field Trips

Yesterday we went to the Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta, Georgia to see Macbeth. I love this place! The actors just make Shakespeare come alive. They are awesome. They give school matinees, which is nice to curb the cost. Also, during the matinees, you can bring lunches in to eat during intermission. This was well worth the drive. I hope to be able to take the boys to another play in the spring. "A Christmas Carol" will be performed this December. I would love to see that one. I would imagine that they would put on an outstanding performance!

We have been able to have some really great field trips this school year. The information that we receive at these places is wonderful. I appreciate how everyone at the places we have visited put so much passion into what they are doing.

We are enjoying the days of autumn here. The weather has been absolutely amazing this week. Watching the leaves change is always a fun event. We are near a state park that is having hayrides all through October. We hope to be able to take part in one of those. I would imagine that you could see some awesome leaves during this hayride!

This month has been full of birthdays in our family. My dad celebrated his birthday earlier in the month, and just this week we celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday. My youngest son will be celebrating his 15th birthday this weekend. What a wonderful month!

Have a super Thursday and enjoy autumn!

Kim

Outdoor Wednesday

It's Outdoor Wednesday time again! Thanks to Susan over at www.asoutherndaydreamer for hosting this weekly event. I just love this time of year in the North Georgia mountains. The leaves put on a spectacular show for everyone to take in. The first of October we take our annual trip to Dawsonville, Georgia to pick out some great looking pumpkins at Burt's Pumpkin Farm. After choosing just the right pumpkin, we head over to Amicalola Falls State Park. This park is stunning! Also, if you are in the Georgia Canyon Climber's club, this park has one of the trails that you are supposed to finish. It is a tough trek to the top of the falls, but so well worth it.
Below, are some pictures of the pumpkin farm and a picture of the falls at the park. I hope you enjoy them!

Enjoy your autumn traditions and be sure to visit all the posts for Outdoor Wednesday!

Kim

What an awesome autumn day this has been! The weather is wonderful and inviting. Today, I would like to share a recipe from Gooseberry Patch. This should go right along with the season!

Pumpkin-Apple Butter

15-oz. can pumpkin

1 cup applesauce

3/4 cup apple juice

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 t. pumpkin pie spice

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer for 1-1/2 hours. Chill, keep refrigerated. Makes 2 pints.

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Have a wonderful Tuesday~

Kim

Back From a Break/ Memorial to Tiger

I am back to blogging from taking a short break. There has been so much going on that I felt a little "overwhelmed". I feel refreshed to be a blogging maniac again! I want to dedicate this post today to our family cat, Tiger, who passed away on Saturday, October 17th. Tiger was actually my oldest son's cat. We rescued Tiger from the animal shelter about 3 years ago. He was 11 years old when we got him, so he was in his "older" years. Our family absolutely loved this cat. He really didn't want you to pick him up, but he really loved being in the same room that we all were in. He would watch movies with us, sit in on our school, and curl up on the bed with us for our night time reading. We knew he was not feeling well, as he was not eating much and he actually let me hold him for extended periods last week. He will be missed by our family. Below are some pictures of our sweet Tiger.

I wish everyone a wonderful week! Tomorrow, I hope to post some recipes for this awesome autumn season!

Kim

Sunday's Thoughts

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:1-10 KJV

Outdoor Wednesday

It's Outdoor Wednesday time again!! Thanks to Susan over at www.asoutherndaydreamer for hosting this wonderful event. Be sure to check out all the Outdoor Wednesday posts. Today, I want to share pictures of a day trip we took to Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, Alabama. We went to see the Ink and Blood exhibit at the cultural center, then headed on over to the park to eat lunch. Let me tell you, this park is absolutely beautiful! I want to go back and spend the day just at this park.

The park is home to a gorgeous 90 foot cascading waterfall. There are hiking trails, a pioneer village, petting zoo, train rides, campground, and chapel. The park was bursting with activity when we went. The leaves were just hinting at changing. The day was truly wonderful.

Legend has it that the park was originally known as Black Creek Falls. It was renamed by an Indian chief in honor of his daughter, Noccalula. Noccalula was being forced to marry a warrior from another tribe. She begged her father to let her marry her true love, a warrior from her tribe, but he refused. On the day of her proposed wedding, Noccalula went to the falls and took her life by jumping to her death. Her father was grieving for his beloved daughter and so renamed the park in honor of her.

The chapel sits next to the falls and is stunning. There was a beautiful bride there getting her pictures made.

The next few pictures are of the park. This is a gorgeous time of year to visit this amazing area. Take a picnic and a camera and you are set!

I hope you enjoyed my Outdoor Wednesday pictures! Have a super Wednesday!

Kim

Sunday's Thoughts

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." Ephesians 5 1-2 KJV

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:10-20 KJV

Have a blessed Lord's Day!

Kim

Family Activities

This past weekend we attended Family Weekend at our son's college. We had a great time getting to explore the college. The student center houses a bowling alley which has eight lanes. We haven't been bowling in some time, so we headed on over to the student center to bowl a game. It was great timing, as we got there in time for the 99 cents games! We had alot of fun. Just spending time together and doing an activity that we haven't done in a while was nice.

We then headed upstairs to the food court. Most of the places to eat were closed at this time, but we were able to grab a bite. After that we headed outside to hear the marching band give a concert. What a great evening!

Have a wonderful Friday!

Kim