Mommy's little baker

On a recent very cool morning, while I sipped my lovely coffee beaming with pride, my eldest read out loud in the Bible and the rain drizzled outside, my second in command took to some delectable baking (as I guided, of course!)!

Homeschooling, housework and Bible reading-are all intertwined and connected to parenting. If you have children, you are already homeschooling them whether or not you formally "school" them at home.

I am reading a friend-borrowed book called "The successful Home school Family Handbook" by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore. I've only made it through 6 of it's riveting 46 chapters not because of dis-interest but time. I look forward to getting through ALL of it's informative and encouraging content. It's amazing the influence a child's home and family life has on every aspect of whether or not they will be successful human beings in the outside world. How warmly, openly and lovingly their parents accept and treat them in the home directly affects their future relationships and how they approach other people and situations. How rich their relationships are at home, in essence will determine if the child will grow and mature to live a long, positive, fulfilling life! That makes 'relationships' more important than 'workbooks' to me.

An amazing read for any parent.

Now excuse me while I go and nibble on yet another coconut treat!

Coconut Macaroons
courtesy of fratcook

2/3 cups flour

5 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1/4 t. salt

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

2 t. vanilla (or substitute one t. vanilla with almond extract)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl stir together coconut, flour and salt until well mixed. Stir in milk and vanilla until well mixed. Use a scooper to drop cookies onto prepared cookie sheet. Cookies should be about golf ball size.

Bake for 12-15 minutes in preheated oven, until coconut is toasted. Enjoy the delicious chewy toasty-ness! Bake an additional 5 minutes for a more toasty, firm texture and flavor.

peace

"Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?"

Job 12:14

"Let my soul beneath her load
Faint not through the o'er wearied flesh;
let me hourly drink afresh
Love and peace from Thee, my God."
-Richter

In and of my flesh, I am not able...
Through Him, I am.
Easy decision.
Feeding my flesh comes naturally...
leading a super-natural life, requires sacrifice.

We have to coincide with this natural world of flesh.

But it should not rule over us or command our daily thoughts and directions.
It is my joy to sacrifice this life,
for a God and Savior who sacrificed it ALL, once for ALL, and knows ALL.

A huge smile

Can you guess WHO is in this picture, under that green blanket?

And although it is raining and pouring, hailing and snowing, are snuggly 'tent' covered as they peacefully play rock, paper, sicissors over and over again?

And who's mama is actually slightly more worried about her plants than her children? -Isn't that just sad?- {sigh} Any guesses?

If you guessed my crazy beautiful, adventurous children... you answered correctly.

{huge smile}

At home

This Springish, old-fashioned and timeless arrangement of lilac placed just by my laptop, is close to perfection. These sweet smelling flowers are pleasant to have near while I write.

Out(beautiful)doors, my lilac bush is in it's full gorgeous bloom. Along with the Oregon Grape and my tiny Flowering dogwood. Divine sweet and sour, dark and musky aroma's waft my way as I walk out my door into the devilishly thick allergens. --nevertheless eternally grateful for Spring and all it brings--All of the wild Oregonian weeds, sage brush and wild flowers smell as strongly as ever as we have had many warm rainy days mixed with blue sky and sunshine as of late. Outdoor runs through the awakening countryside is heavenly. It always makes me feel pleasantly at home to be among familiar outdoor spring fragrances... even if they do educe an unexpected sneeze!

pork tenderloin with cucumber-mango salad

I love searching out and trying new recipes!

This one was different, tangy spiced with a sweet Japanese flair.

2 Tbsp. packed brown sugar

2 tsp five spice powder(I used basil, clove, black pepper and a little red pepper in it's place)

1 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin

4 green onions

1 mango, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 small English cucumber chopped

1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped(optional)

Preheat oven to 425. In small bowl combine brown sugar, five spice powder and 1/2 t. salt; set 1 tsp. sugar mixture aside. Rub remaining sugar mixture into pork tenderloin. Place tenderloin in foil-lined baking pan.

Roast, uncovered, 20 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 155 degrees F. Cover with foil and let rest 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, chop green onions, mango, cucumber and jalapeno and mix with the reserved brown sugar mixture.

Slice pork and serve with Mango salad.

Serves 4

It's delicious!