The Walnut Acre Daily - Cleaning the Shed, Animal Traps and Bacon Gravy!

Words to Live By

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. ~ Psalm 100:4-5

We Are Learning

Michael was trying to learn how to wrap a cord to put it away. He didn't quite master the skill but definitely earned an A for effort.

In the Kitchen

I was on a bacon kick today and tried two new recipes. The first one was Easy Bacon and Cheese Quiche. I made two for lunch and they disappeared quickly. 

The second was Bacon Gravy for Biscuits and it was a hit as well. 

Outdoor Fun

CJ pulled this branch out of the brush pile and said he was going to turn it into a Christmas tree. He and Michael worked for a long time to get it steadied - first in this little bucket and then the bucket was placed in the hollow of a block for more support. Now it's in the side yard waiting for decorations. 

This afternoon we worked on cleaning out the shed. CJ and Michael were a big help and we have almost a trailor load of junk ready to take to the dump tomorrow morning.

There was a table in the shed that had broken legs but I still wanted the top of it. So CJ and Michael carried it up to the garage and Doug cut the top off for me to keep. It's a sand and water table top and we can still use it.

Creating

Cardboard boxes, toothpicks and sticks were used this morning to make "animal traps."

Then they took the traps outside and set them up to see if they can catch anything overnight.

Doug built a corner shelf in the shed to hold some of his tools and equipment. 

We Are Going

Doug took CJ and Michael with him this morning to the grocery store and the hardware store. Austin spent the night at Grandma's house and stayed all day today. He called me awhile ago to see if he can stay tonight too. I said he could. I'm glad he's enjoying his Thanksgiving vacation.

Daily Deals

Today's Quote

Every survival kit should include a sense of humor. ~ Author Unknown

The Walnut Acre Daily - Thanksgiving

We spent most of today with Doug's parents and brother in Covington. It's about and hour and half drive for us and we don't get down there as often as we'd like. 

Doug's mother made an absolutely delicious Thanksgiving meal - turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, jello salad, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, macaroni salad,  rolls, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of all that goodness! I guess we were too busy eating it.

The weather was beautiful and the kids spent a lot of time outside. I  thought I had more pictures but some of them just didn't turn out well and some I think were accidentally deleted. 

After we ate Doug and his brother, Kevin, took the kids out on the 4-wheelers. Amanda took these pictures for me. 

Traveling - thankfully we had a van full of good travelers and it was a fun ride there and back.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ~ Colossians 3:15

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Walnut Acre Daily - A Beautiful Community Thanksgiving Service and More

Words to Live By

Psalm 97:12

Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
    and praise his holy name.

We Are Learning

We are taking a Thanksgiving break so there were no assigned lessons today.

In the Kitchen

Breakfast and lunch were easy today - we used up a lot of leftovers for those two meals. For dinner this evening Amanda heated some chicken noodle soup and fixed a plate of raw veggies. My goal was to keep things as simple as possible since we were going to be gone this evening and again tomorrow.

Outdoor Fun

The kids were able to play outside quite a bit today. Amanda took this set of photos while they were out there. It's interesting how the animals always end up in her pictures. 

I'm not sure exactly what they were making but CJ and Michael were busy with sticks, containers of water and little plastic animals.

We also went for a short walk this afternoon. 

We Are Going

Our church hosted a community Thanksgiving service this evening and I am so glad we went. There were participants from four different churches (three different denominations) and it was such a blessing. Basically it was simply a time of thanksgiving and praise. People shared their own thoughts and the things they are thankful for. There were stories of healing from addiction and sickness, of times when even though a hard time had to be walked through God walked alongside, giving strength and comfort. There was thanksgiving for blessings, both material and spiritual. There was singing, prayer and laughter. And after the service there was pie in the Family Life Center and more sharing and thanksgiving and love and laughter. What a beautiful start to Thanksgiving.

Just Because

I asked Amanda if she could entertain Michael for awhile this afternoon and she did a great job. They had so much fun together with these toys Lauren's mother gave us yesterday. I think Amanda enjoyed the excuse to play with them.

Today's Quote

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

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

Personalized Cell Phone Case From Canvas People - Sale + Free Shipping

From the folks at Canvas People. Personalize a cell phone case for your iPhone 4/4S/5 or Samsung Galaxy III! Makes a great gift.

Retail Price: $44.95 + shipping

Promotion: $29.95 + FREE SHIPPING

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

More New Printable Coupons - Moisterizers, Cleaners, and More

• $1.00 off TWO (2) Packs of Vanity Fair Napkin
• $1.00 off Jennie-O Turkey Meatballs
• $2.50 off one (1) Cetaphil RESTORADERM product
• $2.50 off Scrubbing Bubbles Cleaner Twin Pack
• $10.00 off 1 Filtrete™ Water Pitcher - 12 cup
• $15.00 off on 1 Filtrete™ Water Station -Walmart
• $2.00 off Simple moisturizer
• $1.50 off Simple cleansers and moisturizers
• $2.00 off Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush
• $2.00 off 2 Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaner
• $5.00 off 1 Nature Made mini super omega3 product
• $5.00 off 1 Nature Made MINI Multi product
• $1.00 off any TWO Ziploc brand Bags
• $1.00 off any TWO Ziploc brand containers
• $1.00 off any one (1) Advil Migraine product
• $3.00 off Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent

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

New Printable Coupon Alert!

Dole Frozen Fruit Cups -75¢ off printable coupon  -Strawberry, Blueberry or Pineapple. Click picture above for coupon.

And here are some more great printable coupons from Coupons.com

• $1 off any Afrin Nasal Spray
• $2.00 off any Coricidin HBP Product
• $1.00 off LLOYD'S Barbeque product
• $1.00 off HORMEL SANDWICH MAKERS™ product
• $1.00 off 2 HORMEL Bacon Toppings
• $1.00 off three Welch's Sparkling Juice Cocktails
• $2.00 off Ball Park Flame Grilled Patties
• $1.00 off 2 HORMEL Chicken Breast products
• $0.55 off 2 HORMEL Chili products
• $1.00 off 2 HORMEL Pepperoni packages
• $1.00 off HORMEL COMPLEATS meal
• $3.00 off 1 HORMEL Party Tray
• $2.00 off twelve single cans Mighty Dog Dog Food
• $0.55 off HORMEL NATURAL CHOICE meat
• $1.00 off any (4) Campbell's Condensed soups

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

Shop Taste of Home $5 Sale

$5 Sale in progress now at ShopTasteofHome.com, over 200 items!

Now until November 12th, get select cookbooks, gardening and children's books for only $5 while supplies last!

For additional savings use code: LS126 for free shipping on orders over $25!