Sweet Potato Pie

This is not the best photo but don't let it fool you. The pie was absolutely delicious. Imagine a nice warm slice topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream and served with a cup of coffee! 

Yummy!

I made three of these yesterday and by the end of the day two were completely gone. So I thought today I would share the recipe. This recipe makes three 9 inch pies so there is plenty to share with friends and family for the holidays.

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

4 cups mashed sweet potatoes

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup milk

4 eggs

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 9 inch unbaked pie shells

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix mashed sweet potato and butter in large bowl until well blended. Mix in remaining ingredients. Pour into unbaked pie shells. Bake in preheated oven for one hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. 

Enjoy!

~ Linking Here ~
Women Living Well, Homemaking Link-Up, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, 

 

The Walnut Acre Daily - Long Night, Afternoon Ramble, Sweet Potato Pie and Enchilada Casserole

Words to Live By

Psalm 95:1-2

Come let us sing for joy unto the Lord; let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.

Long Night

Last night was a rough night for Michael. I wish I knew what causes him to have nights like this. He just couldn't seem to sleep soundly although he didn't really seem to wake up all the way either. At times his whole body would suddenly jerk, with his arm and legs flying out the sides. Other times he would cry out in his sleep or make a sound like he's suddenly had the air knocked out of his lungs. I had let him sleep on the couch (he loves to sleep on the couch and since CJ was already asleep by the time Michael got home from Scouts I let him) and I slept on the  other couch in the living room to be near him in case he needed something. I just don't know what to make of it - if it's some kind of seizure activity, or just restlessness, or something else. He finally settled down early this morning and then slept until 9:30. After CJ and Holly left for school, the two little kids (Christopher and Damien) both went back to sleep so I slept awhile too while it was quiet. That meant we got a late start to the day but it was worth it. 

We Are Learning

Since our day was off track I didn't get out usual PreK/K lessons done this morning. Michael, Damien and Christopher played in the playroom and also went outside with Austin and played for awhile. 

Amanda and Austin watched their Science and Algebra video assignments for today. This evening we read pages 214 - 236 from Heart of Lion by Gilbert Morris (English/Literature) and Proverbs 3.

In the Kitchen

This evening for dinner I tried two new recipes - Enchilada Casserole and Sweet Potato Pie. Both were hits and recipes will be coming soon. 

Outdoor Fun

After Damien and Christopher went to sleep at naptime this afternoon, Michael and I went for a walk. Amanda and Austin were  available if either of the little boys woke up and needed anything. Michael and I love our rambles and this time we took Ronnie, our big sweet dog, with us. Michael tried to make her go where he wanted her to go but she didn't listen very well, so most of the time he was following her. 

We Are Going

We didn't have to go anywhere today. It was really nice just staying home all day long. 

Today's Quote

Economic advance is not the same thing as human progress. ~ John Clapham

Books We Enjoyed Today

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The Walnut Acre Daily - Homemade Seasonings, Boy Scouts and a Compost Bin

Words to Live By

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by rivers of water, which yields it's fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers.

We Are Learning

As usual the younger kids watched three short videos this morning. For our Bible lesson we watched a video about Baby Moses, for math a video about counting to 100 and for phonics a  video about the letter a and the short a sound. Then they were allowed to choose papers to color or worksheets to complete to go with the lessons. Later in the morning we played memory and read some stories. 

Austin and Amanda's math and science were both on video today. Math was Algebra: Linear Equations Part 3 and in Science they studied Radioactivity, Radiation and Radioactive Isotopes. This evening we read pages 198 - 213 from The Heart of a Lion by Gilbert Morris (English/Literature) and our Bible reading was Proverbs 2. 

In the Kitchen

Amanda mixed up some homemade taco seasoning mix and some homemade dry onion soup mix this morning. She used these recipes. I'm looking forward to using them in cooking soon. 

This evening I thought I was making dinner but she took over seasoning the potatoes. Besides baked potato wedges we also had corn and Broccoli Chicken Casserole.

Outdoor Fun

The kids did play outside twice today and this evening CJ and Doug worked in the shed for awhile but I didn't get any pictures. These pictures are from Saturday when Doug, CJ, Michael and Mykalin worked on building a semi-contained compost area. Madeline was also out with them playing in the garden area. 

We Are Going

Earlier today Michael, Damien and I took Lauren to preschool and then made a quick stop at the grocery store for a few things. 

This evening Austin and Michael had there Scout meetings. Doug is the one who takes them to their meetings. Michael was so excited because although this his third meeting it's the first time he had a uniform to wear. 

Home again - tired but happy!

Just Because

Just a random snapshot into our day. 

Today's Quote

It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home. ~ Author Unknown

Books We Enjoyed Today

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Homemade Poptarts

Amanda made us something special this morning - homemade poptarts! She used this Homemade Healthy Poptarts recipe from Heavenly Homemakers with just a few changes. We didn't have enough whole wheat flour so she used what we had and then used white flour for the rest. And instead of plain yogurt she used vanilla yogurt. The kids are going to have them for snack this afternoon but I already tasted one and they are very good. It's definitely going on our list of new recipes to make again. 

~ Linking Here ~

The Better Mom, Market Yourself Monday,   Women Living Well, Homemaking Link Up, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways

The Walnut Acre Daily - Finley the Dog and Other Fun

Words to Live By

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
    Blessed are all who wait for him!
~ Isaiah 30:18

We Are Learning

The younger kids watched three videos this morning -  Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors (Part 4 of 5), and then a short counting video and a short phonics video about the -at word family. After we watched the videos I had papers to color and worksheets to do relating to the subjects we had watched. The kids were free to choose which worksheets they wanted to do and the coloring sheets were popular.

Austin and Amanda watched a short Fractions video for math. In Science they are studying the Periodic Table and today's lesson included learning about hydrogen, lithium, sodium and potassium. 

In the Kitchen

Yesterday I put together a Make Ahead Sausage Breakfast Casserole and put it in the refrigerator. It was nice this morning to have a good breakfast that just needed to be popped in the oven. 

Amanda made lunch and chose to have macaroni and cheese, peas and applesauce. 

Since Amanda and I were gone this afternoon we had a simple dinner - Chicken Noodle Soup and Salad. 

Outdoor Fun

Today was sunny and cooler than yesterday. It was still warm enough though that Austin could take the kids outside to play for about 45 minutes. I didn't get any pictures and didn't ask him to take any because he had his hands full keeping up with two busy one year olds plus four other kids. I was watching from the kitchen window while I worked as well and they were having a lot of fun.

Creating

Michael brought home some craft supplies from his Tiger Cub Scout meeting yesterday and so he worked with those a little this afternoon. He really enjoys the colorful feathers.

We Are Going

This afternoon we took Lauren to preschool and then stopped at the  store for a few things. We ran out of both coffee and tea yesterday so that was high on the list of important things we needed. 

Later this afternoon, after Doug came home from work, I took Amanda to the SPCA where she volunteers on Tuesdays. She worked with three different dogs but this dog named Finley was our favorite. He was sweet, well mannered yet playful, had lots of personality and was huge. I think this was one of our very favorite dogs yet.

When we got home and I was trying to make dinner Michael got really restless and cranky so Doug decided to take him along with him to run an errand. CJ and Mykalin wanted to go to so he took all three of them along. Dinner was simple to make but that made it even easier. By the time they got home the soup and salad was ready, dished out and waiting for them.

Just For Fun

I had a memory game set up for the kids to play when the came in from playing outside this morning, but before I got them started with the game they got involved in rolling a ball back and forth. They were having so much fun I didn't interrupt them. I love when they start their own games and play together so happily. 

Today's Quote
When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind. ~ Seneca

The Walnut Acre Daily - Monday Fun

Words to Live By

Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace for help in time of need.  ~ Hebrews 4:16

Working, Learning and Playing Together
Here are some bits a pieces from our day. 

In the top left corner Michael and Lauren are coloring pictures that went with today's lessons. Later they went outside and played awhile. Lauren wanted Austin to bring his dinosaur collection out to play with so he did. Michael enjoyed his new bike. 

I've been teaching Lauren and Michael to play Connect Four. We played one day last week and they really didn't seem to get the idea at all. Today they seemed to understand the idea of getting four in a row but not the idea of blocking each other. But they had fun and are learning. 

This afternoon Michael and I took a walk. The creek is dry now so we walked in the dry creek bed and climbed around on the banks. Then we raced home. Michael won.

 See all these clouds. It started raining soon after we got back from our walk.

Austin and Amanda were the cooks today. Austin fried us some hamburgers for lunch. Amanda made Chicken and Cheese Twice Baked Potatoes.  Good stuff !!!!

The top left picture is of Doug and Austin doing math together. The other three are Doug, CJ and Michael having fun with an Etch a Sketch. 

CJ, Michael and Lauren decided to play "office" this evening. I'm not sure what kind of office that had but it took a lot of setting up. 

This evening Doug took Michael and Austin to their Scout meetings. They just got home and Michael is going to sleep. After he's asleep Austin, Amanda and I will have some reading time. 

Today's Quote

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. ~ Confucius

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A Happy Boy With a New Bike

Michael is growing so fast and we've known for some time he was getting too big for his old bike. But he had so much enjoyment on that bike that we hesitated to try to even try getting him a new one yet. But then Saturday morning Doug accidentally ran over his old one. So yesterday afternoon they went and picked out a new bicycle together. Now he has a shiny orange and silver (he insists it's red and gray) bicycle and a new blue helmet. And I can tell he's going to enjoy this one as much as he did his old one.

Homemade Ranch Seasoning and a Snack Recipe

I've been planning to try some homemade spice mixes and the first one on my list was Ranch. After looking at several recipes I adapted what I saw to my own taste and to make a large batch. 

10 tablespoons minced onion

5 tablespoons dried parsley flakes

2 tablespoons salt

1 tablespoon garlic powder

The first recipe I used this homemade ranch mix in was Ranch Oyster Crackers. I didn't tell the kids I was using homemade ranch mix and was happy when they enjoyed these crackers just as much as when I made them with the bought ranch mix.

Here is the recipe for these crackers.

2 bags oyster crackers

5 tablespoons ranch mix

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Mix all ingredients and bake at 250 degrees F for 20 - 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Later today I'm planning to try making some homemade taco seasoning. I can't wait to share how that turns out. 

~ Linking Here ~
The Better Mom, Homestead Barn Hop, Heart + Home Link Up, Titus Tuesday, One Project at a Time, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table, Women Living Well, Homemaking Link Up, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways

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Invading the Impossible

About a month ago our pastor preached a series of sermons on 

destiny that really hit home with me. Since it meant so much to me I thought I would share some of the thoughts here. 

God has a destiny for each of us, He created each of us with a specific destiny in mind. This destiny is one that can only be fulfilled and lived out through Him and His grace. Destiny is God's purpose for your life, it is the the blueprint of His plan for you. Who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 2 Timothy 1:9

When we come to God through Jesus we are placed on a course to fulfill the impossible by His power in us.  We have been called by God to invade the impossible, not to call things impossible. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

However we are not called to invade and accomplish the impossible on our own, but through Him and His power within us. As we grow in Him He shows us bit by bit this plan He has for our lives. And because He is God, and His ways and thoughts are so much greater than ours, His plan for our lives is often far beyond anything we ever dreamed. And it can only be walked out with Him. 

To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:29

These are just a few of the thoughts shared with us and not as well expressed and explained as our pastor did. But I hope they are an encouragement. Hopefully I'll be sharing more from that series soon. 

~ Linking Here ~

Here It On Sunday, Use It On Monday, No Ordinary Blog Hop

Walnut Acre Weekly - Outdoor Work, Learning, Cooking and More

Left to Right - Doug and Austin working on Austin's bicycle, Michael and Doug shelling beans, playing with playdough, checking  on Michael's sunflowers, making words with letter tiles and putting together number puzzles. 

 We did some work in the garden and found a few critters while we were at it - a toad and a praying mantis.

Fun with beads and playdough and Doug and CJ working on CJ's homework.

Pictures of Amanda from the last two Tuesday afternoons volunteering at the SPCA.

Amanda made us some absolutely delicious twice baked chicken stuffed potatoes. Austin saw me about to crush some crackers and said he wanted to do it. 

Saturday Doug got the generator out to see if it would start - and it did. Pretty good after sitting unused for nine years. It needed some cleaning and some adjustments but it runs. 

The kids were outside a lot Saturday afternoon. They spent a lot of time raking leaves and putting them on the garden. I was glad they got to enjoy the outdoor time because it looks like it's going to be getting a lot cooler now. 

It was a good week!

Books we've been reading this week.

~ Linking Here ~ 
No Ordinary Blog Hop

Playdough Pattern Fun

Our current focus in math with the younger kids is patterns. We've enjoyed some videos and worksheets on patterns but their favorite activity so far is making patterns with playdough. The first day we did this I used two colors - blue and green. I simply made blue and green circles with marker in patterns and then had the kids put the correct color of playdough on each circle. The second time we did this I used blue, green, yellow and red. I rolled the playdough balls ahead of time but kids who are able and have the patience could do this for themselves. It's a fun sensory experience (and this homemade playdough is peppermint scented, adding to the sensory fun) as well as math. 

~ Linking Here ~
Made by Little Hands Monday, The Better Mom, Heart and Home 

Practicing His Casting Skills - A Fisherman in the Making

This is what I saw when I looked out the kitchen window a few days ago. 

Love it!

Taco Chicken Meatloaf

I found a good deal on ground chicken one of the last times I went shopping and bought ten pounds of it. Saturday I used some of that ground chicken in this meatloaf that my family loved. Because I knew I was going to be gone Saturday evening for Michael's sleep study and wasn't sure what time I would be back Sunday morning I made enough for two meals so I wouldn't have to worry about Sunday lunch. It was as popular reheated as it was the first time.

Here is the recipe for this meatloaf with a mild taco flavor.

3 lbs ground chicken

6 eggs
1 onion, chopped

4 cups bread crumbs

1 cup mild salsa

1 (1.25 ounce) package dry Ranch seasoning mix

1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease three loaf pans. 

In a large bowl mix together all ingredients. Pack into the prepared loaf pans.

Bake for approximately one hour. If desired top with ketchup for the last ten minutes of baking time.

Enjoy!

~ Linking Here ~
Market Yourself Monday, A Marvelous Mess, Titus 2sday, Heart & Home Link Up, No Ordinary Blog Hop, Women Living Well, Homemaking Link Up, One Project At A Time

The Walnut Acre Daily - Catching Up . . . Again

Since school has started and since I had appendicitis I have had a hard time keeping up here. I want to write but before I know it the day is gone and I'm exhausted.

So here I am, trying to catch up again. The main thing that has happened since I've last posted is Michael's sleep study.

We went Tuesday to see the sleep specialist and she agreed that we should do a sleep study to see if we can find out why Michael has such restless sleep. I was surprised when it was scheduled for Saturday night. I was expecting a longer wait, but I was glad to get in quickly. In these pictures he's already had his night time meds and is getting really sleepy. He was a little more wired up than most sleep study patients because not only were they watching for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome but also for any seizure activity during his sleep. He did so well allowing the technician to get him all set up and he went to sleep quickly. He was restless although I've seen it much worse before. I'm hoping they got enough information to help us understand what is going on at night. We should know in about two weeks when we get the results back.

We got home in time Sunday morning to go to church. I hadn't expected to get back that early and Doug was going to let my Sunday School class just come in with his. Since I was earlier than I had expected I hurriedly put together the supplies for my Sunday School class. Our lesson was on how God supplies all our needs. I took along some playdough to use with the lesson. At first we used the play dough to play a guessing game. One person would pick up a card with a word on it describing a need that God supplies - water, food, shelter, etc. - and then make something with the playdough to illustrate that word while the other person guessed. After we played that my one student wanted to make some other things with the playdough so we made these critters and talked about how God supplies their needs as well. Somehow a snowman showed up for the discussion too.

Sunday afternoon I had choir practice and then Sunday evening their was a group singing at church that we went to hear.

And here are a few pictures from today. Lauren brought cookies and blueberry muffins this morning and they were very good. Lauren and Michael put on a little concert for us. And CJ was busy crafting as usual. 

Hopefully I'll do a little better now about posting regularly. I miss it when I don't get here to update.

The Walnut Acre Daily - Moving, Gathering Eggs, Model Building and More

What a long day!

The weather today was beautiful and according to the forecast it looks like we're going to see a big cool down starting tomorrow. I took this picture standing in front of our garage looking across our back yard toward the mountains. On the left you can see a little of our house.

We started off this morning by going to help a friend who is getting ready to move. Since she's going to be moving to a smaller place she needed to clear out a lot of things. We loaded two trailer loads of things, most of which went to the landfill. We also did some cleaning while we were there. CJ and Amanda both worked hard and were a great help. Amanda helped go through the two little girls rooms and get things sorted and organized. CJ helped to carry things out to the trailer to haul away and also did a lot of sweeping in the basement. We got there around 10:00 this morning and we got back home around 3:00 this afternoon. We ate a big breakfast this morning and didn't stop for lunch, so on my way home I stopped at McDonald's and got a big bag of burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries for us to eat when we got home. I knew everyone would be hungry and I really didn't feel like trying to cook another big meal. 

After we got home and relaxed a little Amanda, CJ, Michael and I went down to my parents house and Amanda gathered the eggs and fed the cat. My parents have been on vacation this week so Amanda has been taking care of the animals for them.

Michael and Doug spent some time working on the little wooden garage they are building for Michael's toy cars and trucks.

CJ made himself a set of shelves from cardboard boxes to store his papers on. He's letting it dry overnight and planning to test it tomorrow to see if it's strong enough for what he wants.

And now it's time to get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a pretty full day. Church in the morning and it will be my first Sunday teaching a class. It's grades 3-5 and it should be interesting. I've taught before but most of the time it's been the PreK/K class. I'm looking forward to it. Then tomorrow afternoon is choir practice. It will be this season's first practice of our Christmas music and it should be fun. Tomorrow evening there is a prayer meeting. So it will be a full day!