Cool...way cool...the coolest thing I have ever made! AND it's a great homeschool science project - even cooler!
Flubber
3/4 cups warm water
1 cup Elmers glue
food colour of choice
***
2 tsp. borax (cleaning product)
1/2 cup warm water
In first bowl, mix top three ingredients. In a second bowl, mix last two ingredients
Make sure both bowls are well mixed.
Pour bowl one into bowl two.
No need to stir, just reach in a pull out the glob of flubber.
The consistency improves by 'kneading' the glob for a few minutes.
Lasts way longer than playdough...and, if I didn't mention it yet - it's way cooler!
For more great show and tell stuff, go over and visit Mary's place.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Zippy Corn Chowder
I've been working out a new menu plan for this coming and have decided to make a 'soup day' once per week. This is the newest soup recipe that has been appreciated by my clan. I hope you enjoy it! Don't worry...it's not that spicy with the cream base.
ZIPPY CORN CHOWDER
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 tbsp. margarine
1 can chicken broth
2 large potatoes, cubed
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
3 cups corn
4 green onions, chopped
3 cups milk, divided
1/4 cup flour
- saute onion and green pepper in margarine until tender
- add broth and potatoes; bring to boil and then simmer until potatoes tender
- add jalapeno, mustard, salt, paprika and pepper flakes; blend well
- add corn, green onions, and 2 1/2 cups milk
- make a roux with remaining milk and flour and add to soup; bring to boil and stir while cooking until thickened and bubbly
ZIPPY CORN CHOWDER
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 tbsp. margarine
1 can chicken broth
2 large potatoes, cubed
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
3 cups corn
4 green onions, chopped
3 cups milk, divided
1/4 cup flour
- saute onion and green pepper in margarine until tender
- add broth and potatoes; bring to boil and then simmer until potatoes tender
- add jalapeno, mustard, salt, paprika and pepper flakes; blend well
- add corn, green onions, and 2 1/2 cups milk
- make a roux with remaining milk and flour and add to soup; bring to boil and stir while cooking until thickened and bubbly
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Perfect Marriage
Recently, I have enjoyed reading some posts about building up our marriages. Of course, from a wife's perspective it is mostly about how to build up our husbands. These types of conversations have occurred among ladies' groups many times, both face-to-face and online. Without fail, at least one woman will claim martyrdom in her marriage. She will claim that she works hard at her marriage and prays unceasingly for her husband, but that God is not listening to her prayers; that nothing she has ever done has affected a long-lasting positive change in her lazy, unloving or real jerk of a husband. She will then claim that most wives don't understand her situation because they must be married to men who hold up their end of the biblical marriage.
What a load of manure!
(Now God has been showing me to hold my sarcasm and derogatory tones to myself, but this is one area that really tests my resolve to use 'soft answers'. Today as I write, some of my disdain for these 'martyrs' may leak out - for that, I apologize)
Most of the time I just stare blankly at these women while they attempt to convince me that God's plan is not working in their marriage. Generally they end up telling me (and other wives) that we likely can't understand their situation because of our perfect marriages.
Could someone please hand me a shovel, it's time to remove a few layers of crap and share some truth.
There was nothing perfect about my husband and I when we married - there's nothing perfect now. There have been countless times when one or both of us has openly refused to yield to God's plan for our marriage and we have paid the price for it with hurt feelings and lost time as "heirs together in the grace of life". Since this is my blog, I'll share an example of when my husband was being a complete jerk - I'll share a jerk story about me some other time ;o)
This occasion occurred when I was thoroughly examining my role as a wife. The Lord was showing me that my attempts to persuade or manipulate changes in my husband were futile - that only He could change him, if it were His will. We had been through a particularly nasty set of arguments over several weeks, so I put my hands up and said, "OK, God. I'll give him over to you and concentrate on how I should be acting."
And, I did. And it got worse - or at least, it felt like it was worse because I had to bite my tongue each time I believed my husband was baiting me or insulting me. Looking back, of course, I know Satan was giving me every opportunity to ignore God's advice - he never wants God's people to succeed and grow!
One particularly bad day I came home from work (still working full time) and my husband had been home with Duck all day. The house was a royal mess. I had had a long day at work. Not exactly a situation that made me want to love and honour my husband! But I determined to follow my deal with God. I smiled and made supper. Helped Duck to bed. Headed for the kitchen to clean. My husband headed to the couch and TV. Grrrr!
THEN, as I was elbow deep in the second load of dishes, my husband wanders into the kitchen, pours himself a pop and on the way out of the room tosses this comment over his shoulder.
"Dog needs water."
There are only a few time in my life where I have been angry enough to do physical damage. This was one.
I held onto the sink so hard my knuckles were white. God, Himself must have been holding my feet, because my husband is still alive today. Through gritted teeth (not exactly a submissive spirit) I prayed. For both of us. And God was gracious to give me peace about the situation. Again, I determined to work on my role as wife and leave my husband to God. I finished the kitchen and joined him to watch the news.
The little battles within myself continued but I did see glimpses of change in my marriage. Any positive events were held in my heart like gold! These golden moments were a treasure but they left me unconvinced that there was real change happening in my husband. Pessimism is a terrible waste of energy!
On a sunny Sunday we returned home from church and my husband was in foul mood. He changed his clothes and announced that he was taking the dog for a walk. Apparently there were spiritual battles happening in his mind because he unceremoniously stated, "I'm not going back to church tonight" and walked out the door.
"Why isn't daddy going to church, mommy?"
"I don't know, babe."
"Is daddy mad?"
"I don't know, sweetie. Let him talk to God for awhile." That was what I told myself, too. Again.
Duck was napping when my husband returned. He had taken the dog to walk at the river park across the road. The park area is on the other side of the river and there are boat locks that provide a walkway over the water. When no boats are travelling through, the walkway splits in two to let the boats through (kind of like french doors). He had been gone a long time, but even if I looked over, I wouldn't expect to see him on the other side.
He came home with a testimony of how God had been working on his life and heart.
I was all ears!
He admitted he had been acting selfishly and had, at times, been deliberately antagonizing. He confessed of his refusal to except responsibilities as leader in the family and co-participant in our marriage. Basically, his testimony was how he had been living with an its-all-about-me attitude and God had been making a change in that.
You see, he was telling this testimony as he was dripping wet.
He had left the house clouded in selfishness and bitterness. So much self involved he didn't look to see if the walkway of the locks was closed. While walking across the first half of the walkway, he was calling for the dog, who had run down the riverbank. The dog turned to follow. My husband turned just in time to see his next step into mid-air. There was no stopping.
SPLASH!
Coming up for air, he looked up to the walkway to see our dog looking down and smiling at him. He says he knew it was God telling him to snap out of it - that it wasn't all-about-him.
That, ladies, is better than any resolution or approach any wife could manage. That, my friends, built my faith that God listens and participates in our lives.
I gave thanks that day (and repeatedly since) that, not only did God hear my prayers, but He was gracious to show me that He had heard me! I gave thanks that He cares for me in my role as a wife, as well as His daughter. I gave thanks that His plan for marriage is the best and only way to strive for perfection.
There have been times since then that I have tried to 'fix' my husband and each time God reminds me that that is His job. And, I give thanks again. Because nothing I could ever do would ever be as effective (and satisfying) as throwing my husband in a river!
What's the point of this story?
What a load of manure!
(Now God has been showing me to hold my sarcasm and derogatory tones to myself, but this is one area that really tests my resolve to use 'soft answers'. Today as I write, some of my disdain for these 'martyrs' may leak out - for that, I apologize)
Most of the time I just stare blankly at these women while they attempt to convince me that God's plan is not working in their marriage. Generally they end up telling me (and other wives) that we likely can't understand their situation because of our perfect marriages.
Could someone please hand me a shovel, it's time to remove a few layers of crap and share some truth.
There was nothing perfect about my husband and I when we married - there's nothing perfect now. There have been countless times when one or both of us has openly refused to yield to God's plan for our marriage and we have paid the price for it with hurt feelings and lost time as "heirs together in the grace of life". Since this is my blog, I'll share an example of when my husband was being a complete jerk - I'll share a jerk story about me some other time ;o)
This occasion occurred when I was thoroughly examining my role as a wife. The Lord was showing me that my attempts to persuade or manipulate changes in my husband were futile - that only He could change him, if it were His will. We had been through a particularly nasty set of arguments over several weeks, so I put my hands up and said, "OK, God. I'll give him over to you and concentrate on how I should be acting."
And, I did. And it got worse - or at least, it felt like it was worse because I had to bite my tongue each time I believed my husband was baiting me or insulting me. Looking back, of course, I know Satan was giving me every opportunity to ignore God's advice - he never wants God's people to succeed and grow!
One particularly bad day I came home from work (still working full time) and my husband had been home with Duck all day. The house was a royal mess. I had had a long day at work. Not exactly a situation that made me want to love and honour my husband! But I determined to follow my deal with God. I smiled and made supper. Helped Duck to bed. Headed for the kitchen to clean. My husband headed to the couch and TV. Grrrr!
THEN, as I was elbow deep in the second load of dishes, my husband wanders into the kitchen, pours himself a pop and on the way out of the room tosses this comment over his shoulder.
"Dog needs water."
There are only a few time in my life where I have been angry enough to do physical damage. This was one.
I held onto the sink so hard my knuckles were white. God, Himself must have been holding my feet, because my husband is still alive today. Through gritted teeth (not exactly a submissive spirit) I prayed. For both of us. And God was gracious to give me peace about the situation. Again, I determined to work on my role as wife and leave my husband to God. I finished the kitchen and joined him to watch the news.
The little battles within myself continued but I did see glimpses of change in my marriage. Any positive events were held in my heart like gold! These golden moments were a treasure but they left me unconvinced that there was real change happening in my husband. Pessimism is a terrible waste of energy!
On a sunny Sunday we returned home from church and my husband was in foul mood. He changed his clothes and announced that he was taking the dog for a walk. Apparently there were spiritual battles happening in his mind because he unceremoniously stated, "I'm not going back to church tonight" and walked out the door.
"Why isn't daddy going to church, mommy?"
"I don't know, babe."
"Is daddy mad?"
"I don't know, sweetie. Let him talk to God for awhile." That was what I told myself, too. Again.
Duck was napping when my husband returned. He had taken the dog to walk at the river park across the road. The park area is on the other side of the river and there are boat locks that provide a walkway over the water. When no boats are travelling through, the walkway splits in two to let the boats through (kind of like french doors). He had been gone a long time, but even if I looked over, I wouldn't expect to see him on the other side.
He came home with a testimony of how God had been working on his life and heart.
I was all ears!
He admitted he had been acting selfishly and had, at times, been deliberately antagonizing. He confessed of his refusal to except responsibilities as leader in the family and co-participant in our marriage. Basically, his testimony was how he had been living with an its-all-about-me attitude and God had been making a change in that.
You see, he was telling this testimony as he was dripping wet.
He had left the house clouded in selfishness and bitterness. So much self involved he didn't look to see if the walkway of the locks was closed. While walking across the first half of the walkway, he was calling for the dog, who had run down the riverbank. The dog turned to follow. My husband turned just in time to see his next step into mid-air. There was no stopping.
SPLASH!
Coming up for air, he looked up to the walkway to see our dog looking down and smiling at him. He says he knew it was God telling him to snap out of it - that it wasn't all-about-him.
That, ladies, is better than any resolution or approach any wife could manage. That, my friends, built my faith that God listens and participates in our lives.
I gave thanks that day (and repeatedly since) that, not only did God hear my prayers, but He was gracious to show me that He had heard me! I gave thanks that He cares for me in my role as a wife, as well as His daughter. I gave thanks that His plan for marriage is the best and only way to strive for perfection.
There have been times since then that I have tried to 'fix' my husband and each time God reminds me that that is His job. And, I give thanks again. Because nothing I could ever do would ever be as effective (and satisfying) as throwing my husband in a river!
What's the point of this story?
Father, teach me to be the woman You would have me to be regardless of the situations that may surround me. Open my eyes to be the wife my husband needs and remind me often that You will provide the husband I need. Amen
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughter ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers by not hindered.
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Peter :4-9 (emphasis mine)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Girls' Trip!
We made it through our annual girls' trip and returned home on Saturday afternoon. We could have made it home earlier, but there were so many yard sales along the route home!
As I mentioned before we left, this was the first year that HH's little sister was BIG enough to come along - she's three. The best part for her was a fact that she kept repeating - "no boys allowed!" Remember, these are the only two girls out of 6 kids.
Here is little sister helping her mom relax at the beach:
All the girls spent two full days at the campground's beach. Duck and HH were very good at including little sister in their play, but they loved being off on their own, too. Diving into the waves was longest lasting game:
We were at Sand Banks Provincial Park, near Kingston, Ontario. It never fails to have good waves for swimming, but the water is actually quite shallow because of the 'sand banks' that go so far out from shore. The sun was out, but the wind was chilly and the water was like ice - for anyone over the age of 10, that is! The three girls didn't stop playing until they hit their tents and bed rolls. Of course, bedtime only happened after the s'mores had been made over the fire!
Another great trip.
For more Show and Tell, go to Mary's place.
As I mentioned before we left, this was the first year that HH's little sister was BIG enough to come along - she's three. The best part for her was a fact that she kept repeating - "no boys allowed!" Remember, these are the only two girls out of 6 kids.
Here is little sister helping her mom relax at the beach:
All the girls spent two full days at the campground's beach. Duck and HH were very good at including little sister in their play, but they loved being off on their own, too. Diving into the waves was longest lasting game:We were at Sand Banks Provincial Park, near Kingston, Ontario. It never fails to have good waves for swimming, but the water is actually quite shallow because of the 'sand banks' that go so far out from shore. The sun was out, but the wind was chilly and the water was like ice - for anyone over the age of 10, that is! The three girls didn't stop playing until they hit their tents and bed rolls. Of course, bedtime only happened after the s'mores had been made over the fire! Another great trip.For more Show and Tell, go to Mary's place.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Whew!
Let's see...back from camping Saturday afternoon. It is now Wednesday night - almost midnight. I am just finished laundry, packing gear away, planning grocery list (shopping to be done tomorrow), got the garden cleaned up and school back on track.
Four days vacation, followed by four days of catch up. Sounds about right.
Right now, with Duck in bed and my husband gone to work, I plan on spending time catching up on reading my favourite blogs. A normal day waits for me tomorrow.
Pictures and more posts coming soon!
Four days vacation, followed by four days of catch up. Sounds about right.
Right now, with Duck in bed and my husband gone to work, I plan on spending time catching up on reading my favourite blogs. A normal day waits for me tomorrow.
Pictures and more posts coming soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)