I spy with my little eye something that's not quite right...

Random Thoughts

Totally had a children's book salesman from Estonia, FINLAND stop by my home this week. FINLAND(I'm not sure how I feel about our countries companies hiring out of country employees with so many jobless Americans, but enough said for now)! It was so much fun to talk to him(yes, I answer my door to strangers and don't just shrink behind my door in terror, no offense to those of you who do).  Wow, these companies are getting tricky!  They hire these foreigners with awesome foreign accents to enthrall and stir up interest in buying their wares. Pshaw. Didn't work on mwuah! Such a nice guy, though. Meeting people from across the world just reminds me of how vast and wide God's earth is.  It makes me want to travel, travel, travel and learn, learn, LEARN. Did you know that bi-lingual kids are usually smarter on average?
His name was Martin, he is kind of like an exchange student, only an adult salesman type of exchange employee intern person... staying with a host family in Nampa for four months.  His territory is the Ontario area-go figure. The books were awesome, geared toward pre-school-5th grade but definitely a few $$ to buy so after 15 minutes of oohing and aahing, interesting intuitive back and forth banter as he, my fifth blessing and I sat on my front porch, I sadly declined. In the beginning he asked me to guess what European country he is from just by listening to his accent. I guessed Germany. Not quite. Geography lessons here I come!
Funny dialogue moment not long after we met and I told him we have 5 kids: Him,"Can I ask you a question? Are you Mormon?" ({inward eye roll}heard this one before, Ha)Me,"No, just have what blessings the Lord gave us." Him,"Oh, okay." Me(looking at his books),"Can I ask you a question?" Are those Mormon?" Him, "No, I'm sorry, {nervous laugh} don't worry they're neutral." {smiles all around}

~

I am simple flesh. Weak. Fearful and broken.

Life is overwhelming and hard to understand at times, it's deeper than I can comprehend.

Beyond me.

God is Almighty. He is Strength, All-knowing and Omniscient.

He holds me up and will make all things known in the end, He carries me in His loving arms.

It's beyond me.

I fail, stumble and fall. My walls come crumbling down. I give up.

It's beyond me.

His promises never fail, his words are life itself, He is the Rock upon which I stand, He saved me,

because it is beyond me.

THIS song is my overwhelming prayer for a friend who is dear to my heart and continually on the breath of my prayers.

Blueberry Brunch Cake

I completely delight in having dear friends over for amazing conversation and encouragement over freshly brewed coffee or tea and freshly baked goodies.  I heart baking, cooking, trying new recipes and really just eating any type of food in general. {grin}
Here is one of the 3 delicious your-husband-can't keep-his-finger-out-of-the-batter-good dishes my lovely friend Katie and I will enjoy with our 8 kiddos tomorrow late morning as we exchange homeschooling strategy, schedules, curriculum and plans... among other things.

Blueberry Brunch Cake
Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans(or oats)
1 cup blueberries
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
 
Oven Temp ~ 350° Baking Time ~ 35-40 Min.

Pan Type ~ 9" square pan


Preheat oven, grease pan with solid vegetable shortening and dust with flour or use a vegetable pan spray.
Place butter and sugar in large mixing bowl, cream until light and fluffy, add eggs and vanilla, beat. Toss flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt with a fork. Add alternately with sour cream, to creamed mixture. Mix until smooth. Toss brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts together.


Pour half the batter into prepared pan. Mix blueberries and half the brown sugar, cinnamon and nut mixture, spread over batter add remaining batter. Top with other half of nut mixture. Bake until toothpick comes out clean.