Lights in the Sky

There's almost nothing better than lounging on a blanket with your hubby, your kids laying all over you, and gazing at the night sky full of explosions of light.

This was by far  the best  fireworks show we have ever seen!

I wish I could have gotten better photos, but I just had my cell phone with me.

We thought several times that we were watching the finale, but we were wrong - it just kept going, and going, and going!  And then when the finale had finally come and finished, the sky was empty for about 2 minutes while the crowd clapped, whistled, and cheered.  And after a few second of silence, there was another burst of a few finally final explosions.  It was awesome!  Everyone burst into cheers, and whistles, and screams, and clapping, and laughter...again!!!  Loved it!

Truly, appreciating the freedoms we have in this country and in our amazing God.

"If therefore the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." ~John 8:36

Oswald Chambers - A final apostasy

I Saw the Signs

 

 

Amazing Vegan Loaf!

I have 3 daughters that are vegan and one vegetarian (that's about half my tribe) and finding great recipes is always exciting to me (us). 

I stumbled across Vegan Dad's blog the other day and found this recipe for Vegan Loaf, well he calls it Veggie Lunch Meat.  No matter how you slice it, it's good. 

It's a great alternative to putting out the money for the expensive vegan patties and tofurkeys, and in the form of this loaf, there are so many different ways my daughter can incorporate it into her meals. 

I followed his recipe with two small differences, I didn't have any ground fennel so I went without that, and instead of garlic powder I added chopped fresh garlic.  And we don't have a regular steamer, so I set it on a metal rack inside my dutch oven and steamed it in there for about an hour.  You can find the recipe here.

Again, we are very happy with the results.  I will definitely be using this recipe again.  Thanks again Vegan Dad!!  You Rock!

Meatball Dinner

Meatballs, gravy, carrots and broccoli, and bread and butter.  This was dinner tonight.

It seemed like I spent a lot of time in the kitchen today, cooking, cleaning, doing something...piddling around.  So, when I got that food on the plate it made me happy to think that it was the last meal of the day and I sighed a little sigh, thinking I was glad to get it done.  (I currently have beans cooking on the stove for tomorrow - so, I'm not completely done in the kitchen)

I don't know what it is but it there is always something going on in our kitchen.  Whether it's cooking, cleaning, preparing, baking, making food for the dogs, whatever, there is a constant flow of activity in there and it just never quite gets completely cleaned up and put away. 

I found this button awhile ago and I absolutely love it.  It really could be me on that button, although, I must admit I don't look that put together when I go to bed.  :)

It says, "I dreamed my whole house was clean..."

...and what a beautiful dream that was.  :)

Strange How My Brain Works

     I have been sitting up reading and doing some writing.  Everyone else has gone to bed and it just dawned on me that, somewhere in the back of my mind, I have been waiting for my 18yr. old daughter to call me to tell me she's on her way home or ask me to pick her up - and that's not going to happen.  It's strange how I know she's moved but part of me is still thinking that she's here.  We are such creatures of habit.  I wish I had more good habits programmed into me than I do.  Ah, well....  :)

Love, Love, Love

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"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." ~John 15:13

Loving Wishes To All

     Early this morning, my 18yr. old daughter hopped on a plane and headed southwest where she'll be living, (for who knows how long) at least for the time being.  So, that makes 3 daughters now living out of state.  I miss them immensely.  But, I'm thankful that they are all happy and healthy and they have always been beautiful blessings to me. 

      I don't know if it's just my imagination, but candy hearts don't seem to be what they used to...I couldn't find one "Be Mine" or an "XOXO" or even just a plain old "Love" in the whole bag.  Call me old fashioned, but it seemed kinda strange to see "LOL" and "eMail Me" stamped on those little colored hearts.  And seriously, "Hey You" ?  We don't say "Hey, you!" to each other, seems a little rude.  :)

      I crocheted a few little red hearts for the kids.  I found a pattern at julie-k's blog.  Mine look basically the same as hers, but for some reason when I followed her pattern they came out almost round, so I changed it just a wee bit to make it more heart shaped.  I added a couple double crochets and an extra chain stitch.  They worked up so quick and easy and were fun to make.  :)  I am really enjoying crocheting.