Speaking from the Heart

I am thankful

• for my good health. I usually get sick around this time of the year. Through exercising, eating right, and taking my medicine, I have not had any major ailmet for a couple of years.


• for my driving safety. I live in the country. It takes me 20 minutes to drive to civilization. Truckers, speeders, and I travel on the same 2-lane road. There are many accidents on this road.


• that I started disciplining my kids at birth, because I am reaping the rewards now.


• for being able to stay home and homeschool them.

Let the FUN begin!!!! The kids and I make goody cans for our friends and families. The can is filled with Nestle's Original Toll House Chocolate chip cookies, Oatmeal cookies and Chocolate covered pretzels. Every few years, we would make Zuchini Bread or Banana bread, in lieu of cookies.

Part A: Please share your Favorite Christmas/Holiday Cookie Recipe(s)!
Since the cookie recipes are printed on the packages, I am going to be different and post a Zuchini Bread recipe. This recipe has been in my husband's family for 3 generations. My mother-in-law gathered her mom's favorite recipes, put them in a book, and gave the book to me on our first anniversary, 15 years ago.


Zucchini Bread
-= Ingredients =-
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup Walnuts/pecans ; finely chooped
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups Shredded zucchini
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple ; (drain the juice)
1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
2 teaspoon Baking soda
2 cups Sugar

-= Instructions =-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and chopped nuts. Set it aside. Beat eggs lightly in a large mixing bowl; add sugar, oil and vanilla. Beat until creamy. Stir in zucchini & pineapple. Add dry ingredients, stirring only until dry ingredients are moistened.
Spoon batter into well greased and floured 8x4x3 in loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until done- Cool 10 minutes in pan. Turn out on rack and cool completely.


Part B: Share a memory, story or tradition about baking any Christmas/Holiday goodies.
I would have to say making vanilla and chocolate almond covered pretzels is our Christmas tradition. We would start our Christmas baking around the second week of December. By that time we would have already put up the Christmas tree, mailed Christmas cards, and finished our first school semester.

After breakfast, The kids and I would start the production line: melting the barks, dipping the pretzels in the sauce, laid the covered prezels on the wax paper to be hardened, and finally, put them in the cans. We would go through 6 packages of almond barks and 4 bags of Publix mini pretzels.

Part C: Share a verse that is upon your heart this week.
For we cannot by speak the things we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

P.s. I couldn't resist sharing this :

People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

My goal is to go through Katherine's clothes, and get rid of clothes that don't fit her.

Before (Please ignore the date, I forgot to reset it on Saturday, November 24, 2007)

After (please ignore the date. I forgot to reset it when I took the pictures on Saturday November 24, 2007)

Bible Study- Resume Women of Faith Study Guide Series "Managing Your Moods"

Must Do- Ship Christmas presents; Complete school syllabus work before taking off for a month in December; plan first week (January 2-4, 2008) of school ; cycle at least 3 times this week.

Zones:

• Mom's Zone: Clean classroom by Saturday-put away textbooks, vaccuum floor, dust desk, ceiling fan, computer, clean marsh board.
• Kids' Zones: Straighten the linen closet; get rid of plastic containers that do not have matching lids.
• Monday: Kitchen--> wipe down adjacent doors, cabinets, appliances, & countertop, vaccuum floor, take out the trash.
• Tuesday: Den & Dining Room -> Vaccuum, dust furniture, clean window ledges & windows, mirrors, picture frames, clean baseboards.
• Thursday: Master bathroom -> polish mirrors, clean shower stall, toilet, sink, vaccumm & mop floor.
Master bedroom -> clean baseboard, dust, wash sheets, file paid bills & documents. Kids have to dust, vaccuum their bedrooms.

Train Them Right- I want the kids to learn the value of money.

• It takes a long time to save, but it only take a few second to spend it.
• I try to emphasize to the kids that everything is not free. Although they have an unlimited annual pass to Busch Gardens, it still cost their dad "X" hours of labor to pay for the tickets, gas, and entertainment.

Tip of the Week: Keep your purse safe by buckling it to the grocery cart.

• Monday: Salmon Wrap
• Tuesday: Beef Bourguinonne, steamed green beans, salad, French Bread
• Wednesday: Salmon, pasta, salad, rolls
• Thursday: Shrimp and Chicken Parmesan, salad, peach cobler and ice cream (Kids' cooking night)
• Friday: Chicken Strogonoff, steamed broccoli, French Bread
• Saturday: Lemon Garlic Chicken and rice, 2 veggie side dishes
• Sunday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, fried squash, fresh veggie side dish

The best part about teaching is I am learning  things that I didn't learn the first time around. After 40 something years, I can identify 3 types of clouds.  I love identifying the clouds, as I drive down the road. My daughter doesn't care for my hands-on education. 

Stratus Clouds  

Cirrus Clouds

Cumulus Clouds

 

1. I am thankful for God's protection on Monday night. Lianne, our children, and I attempted to deliver Thanksgiving dinners to four families in a high-crime area.
2. I am thankful that Jeff did not get too upset with me for going behind his back . He fore-warned me about the high-crime area, but I didn't listen.
3. I am thankful for our home, which we've been in for 5 years and three days. It didn't seem that long ago when we were scrambling to move out of one home and into another 3 days before Thanksgiving. At first, Jeff and I were apprehensive about moving. We were living comfortable, and were looking forward to mortgage free 5 years down the road. Why should we move? I'm glad we did. We are surrounded with many Christian friends.
4. I am thankful that the kids and I prepared side dishes on Wednesday, so I can I enjoy Thanksgiving Day.
   
5. I am thankful that 36 years ago my stepdad brough me, my sister, and Mom to America. He could have left me and my sister in Vietnam.
6. I am thankful for my dear husband, who is a great dad to Mark and Katherine.
   

   

When I say "home", I don't mean my home in Florida, but my hometown in Tuscaloosa where I grew up. We had planned to go visit relatives for Thanksgiving, but decided against it. It would have been a quick trip. Because of Jeff's crazy work schedule. We would have had to leave sometime Wednesday morning and return by Monday evening.

The kids are disappointed that they don't get to see their cousins and eat Grandma's delicious Lemon Cheesecake. Not wanting to disappoint her grandchildren, Grandma promised to deliver the cheesecake in December.

I was hoping to avoid cooking until Christmas. However, with the last minute change, I quickly made out my menu for Thursday.


I know that is a lot of food for four people. The good news is I don't have to cook for several days.

Part A: Share at least 3 “Bountiful Blessings” that the Lord has abundantly provided.

As I look over my initial list of "Bountiful Blessings", I noticed the good things. What about the struggling I had in the past? Should they be on the list? Our Lord clearly reveals that we are to be thankful and grateful for everything. Therefore, here is my revised "Bountiful Blessings" list:

• I am blessed with a wonderful marriage of 16 years. I can truly say, "I love Jeff more today than yesterday, but less than tomorrow." We had a 2 year long-distance courtship. If I had to do it all over again, I would. While we were apart, we learned the meaning of trust, love, respect, and patience.
• I am blessed with two wonderful & healthy kids.
• I am blessed to be part of an awesome homeschool support group. The moms are also my sisters-in-Christ. They are quick to listen, and slow to judge.
• Finally, I praise God for His daily guidance. He knows my past, present, and future. Although struggles are not pleasant, I try to rejoice. It is thru struggles that bring me closer to God.
  

Part B: Share your Thanksgiving Feast {past or present}.

Our Thanksgiving festivities begin with our homeschool smallgroup. We would get together and have a feast either at a park or at someone's home. Our festivities continues on with an annual family reunion in Alabama.

Part C: Post a Scripture that reminds you of your blessings!

Though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.Habakkuk 3:17-18

A. Share about your family's laundry. Where is it kept? Who does it? How is it sorted? Do you wash by hand? Hang clothes on a clothes line? Make your own laundry soap? How often do you do your laundry? How many loads each day/week? Do you have a laundry room?

I know I am little late blogging this assignment. I joined Blogger Friend School last week, I am trying to catch up on the homework. I thought this assignment is appropriate today, because I just finished 4 loads of laundry. I usually do 2 loads of laundry every other day. I am running behind this week, because I've been spending too much time blogging.

I wash and dry the clothes, while Mark folds and puts them away. This is part of his weekly chore. On the days I do laundry, I don't leave the house until the clothes are done. I don't like coming home and knowing that there is a load of wet clothes waiting for me in the washer.

The laundry room is also a sewing room. When Jeff and I drew up our house plans, we decided not to have a jacuzzi in the master bathroom. Instead, we pushed back the common wall to make the laundry room twice as large. Right now, the laundry room is also the front door. Until we put in a sidewalk to the front entrance, our guests will continue to come thru the laundry room.

B. Is there an area of your life that you know the Lord is trying to "clean up"?

The Lord is to trying to tell me that I do not have my priorities in order. I need to put Him first. Everything else comes second.

C: share a scripture that pertains to this weeks lesson.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Using the FIRST letter of the Alphabet, describe yourself or things that are important to you. The hard part: use ONLY one word per letter!

Autonomous

Blogging

Christ

Decisive

Enduring

Friends

Gratitude

Homeschool

Ingenuous

Jeff

Katherine

Love

Mark

Natural

Obedient

Persistent

Quilt

Retire

Special

Time

Understanding

Vibrant

Wisdom

Xtra

Yield

Zest

My God, with his loving kindness, will meet me. Psalm 59:10

My dream place to blog reflected upon serenity and peace, which I get from my back porch. The only thing that is missing from this dream is a laptop. In the real world, I do all of my blogging in the classroom.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6

For the past year, I have blogged about my childhood, my life with my husband (before and after marriage), my loved ones, etc. Besides an overview of weekly events, I am running out of ideas. That is why I have enrolled myself in Blogger Friend School. With Tamara's nudge, maybe some sparks will ignite. This is my first assignment. I better get rolling, because I am 8 lessons behind.

I first heard about blogging from my cousin Mandy. After reading her blog, I thought this will be a good way to leave a legacy for my kids, as well as for future generations.

I have a dream place to blog. It is my lanai. This is my favorite room of the house. I can look out and see God's presence everywhere.

I usually blog after I finish teaching the kids.

My favourite drink is Starbucks Mocha frappe with lots of whip cream

My favourite book is The Joy Luck Club. I can relate to many characters in the story.

My favourite dessert is Mom's Cheescake , which requires ten 8-ounces of cream cheese and graham crackers for the crust.

My favorite scripture that has been an inspiration in my growth with Christ:
For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Whether well fed or hunger, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

The temperature dropped down to 43º  during the night. It didn't go above 68º during the day. We had planned to  go to Busch Gardens, despite of how cold it was. However,  the  plans failed  thru at the last minute. The kids were upset . I felt bad about it. If I didn't feel like teaching them, I knew they probably didn't feel like learning either. Therefore, we  headed out the door for a visit to the doctor, library, grocery store, and Wal-mart. 

The first stop was the doctor's office, where  a patient was curious of why Mark and Katherine weren't in school. Her curiosity got the best of her when she asked if today was a school holiday. She was speechless when I told her that I homeschool. Florida is such a homeschool friendly that I don't have a second thought of taking my kids to places during school hours.

We're trying to input 3 more  days of school before taking off for Thanksgiving. When we return,  we will only have 5 days of school left before our long winter break.  Because Mark is behind in algebra I, he'll continue on with his math during the break.

Katherine and Mark  are growing up too fast.  I can remember when I was fixing meals for them.  They are fixing meals for the family  on Thursdays. I am trying my best to stay out of the kitchen, and not to offer help as often. This week, they made macroni & cheese with peas, baked chicken breasts, and steamed broccoli. Since they cook,  I have to clean.

I am spending a lot of my time blogging, which I shouldn't be doing. I should spend some one-on-one time with Mark and Katherine.  I have to continue to remind myself that  they are at this age for a short while. 

Since I've finally figured  how to add categories to the blog's side bar, maybe I will spend less time designing  and more time in writing.  I am in awe with so many talented blog webpage designers.