God's promises

I am using an old devotion book and my devotion for this morning fit so perfectly for the times we're in I thought I'd share a bit of it:

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. For He who promised is faithful.


God's word contains promises upon which we, as Christians can and must depend. The Bible is a priceless gift, a tool that God intends for us to use in every aspect of our lives. Too many Christians, however, keep their spiritual tool kits tightly closed and out of sight.
Are you tired? discouraged? fearful? Be comforted and trust the promises that God has made to you. Are you worried or anxious? Be confident in God's power. He will never desert you. Do you see a difficult future ahead? Be courageous and call upon God. He will protect you and then use you according to His purposes. Are you confused? Listen to the quiet voice of your Heavenly Father. He is not a God of confusion. Talk with Him; listen to Him; trust Him, and trust His promises. He is steadfast, and He is your Protector....forever.

Ideas please

I need to pick your brains. We are debating about doing something over spring break. We are trying to figure out all options. There is an animal safari that we are thinking about that is in Ohio and we've heard really good things about it.
However, I am really longing to see some green grass and go somewhere a bit warmer- not hot but warmer. I don't want it to be way down south because we have to drive but Kentucky, Tennesee- something like that may work. It can't be anything too grand because funds are limited.
Does anyone know of anything fun to do in that direction? Or any ideas period of fun places to go- we're running out of ideas!

The bus driver

I think this is so cute. Halle made this poem for her busdriver Mrs Liy.
I'll translate it for you:
Roses are red
violets are blue
I can never have
a better bus driver than you.

Here's a fun quiz for you

While we were at the cabin, I found this quiz in a magazine. I decided to try it with Mark. We thought this was fun to see how we did.
I did better than Mark and had fun telling him it was because he didn't "listen to me"
You and your spouse have to answer these questions for yourself and how you think they will answer and then compare.
We actually did pretty good- let me know how you guys do!
1. What reality television show would you consider auditioning for?
You________________________
spouse_________________________

2. What website do you spend the most time on?
you_____________________________
Spouse_______________________________

3. What's the most embarrassing song on your ipod?
you_____________________________
spouse_______________________________

4. On a limitless menu, what would you order?
you_____________________________
spouse_______________________________

5. What was the last book you read?
you_____________________________
spouse_________________________________

6. Which way do you hang the toilet paper- over or under?
you___________________________
spouse_______________________________

7. What was your high school mascot?
you_____________________________
spouse________________________________

8. What is the one place on the planet you're dying to visit?
you____________________________
spouse_________________________________

What a great weekend!

We're back from a wonderful weekend. I just love it there!
We went to a beautiful home in Traverse City and it didn't dissapoint.
Here are some pictures of the home:

The log cabin:



This is our bedroom- it's the upstairs loft:



This is the basement- complete with pool table:


The kitchen:



This is the wonderful living room with fireplace:



On the way up we ran into some freezing rain. It wasn't too bad on the roads and it made for some beautiful pictures:






As we were driving around Traverse City we took a couple pictures.
Isn't this a nice barn?


It's actually an ice fishing shanty. Here's a picture of the water- so pretty!


We had such a nice time- On Friday we went to a winery and did some wine testing. We've never done this before because we don't drink very often but this was fun.
Here's Mark:


Here we are outside the winery:


We also did something else we have never done before- are you ready for this:
We went for a couples massage! I've never had a massage before and have always wanted to. I didn't want to go by myself so I suggested a couples massage and Mark said yes! It was wonderful! A little bit of heaven on Earth!!

Here's 1 more picture for you. Mark was looking out the huge windows and spotted this one lonely star. Pretty cool!



We both decided we want to try to come back next year. We're thinking having this be a big part of the kids Christmas presents and coming back as a family. There is so much to do there and we think the kids would love it. We showed them pictures and they all want to do it so we'll see....

Now back to reality~

I can hardly type I'm so excited

Mark and I have been wanting to go somewhere for quite awhile and Friday morning is the day!
We are heading off to Traverse City for a weekend with no kids!
Take a look at where we're staying:






Isn't it beautiful! Mark and I both just love log homes- if we had unlimited funds that would be our dream home.
We don't have anything real specific planned, we're just going to see what we want to do when we get there.
I'll take lots of pictures to share with you when we get back.

Walking in the woods

You might remember last year I posted about walking in the woods that are by our house.
Mark, Mack and the kids went again Sunday afternoon.
I had a hard time narrowing down the pictures because they got really great shots. There are quite a few coming so bear with me:

Look how deep the snow is on Mack:


Halle is obviously enthralled with something in that ice:









Look at the cool formations the ice made:








Click on this picture and blow it up. If you're from around here and you look closely you'll see the overpass in the distance




The water line in the trees:








The kids made an ice ramp to slide on:
















I just love this picture- how cool is that!




They were strong enough to hold Nick:

Can it be 700?

My post counter tells me that this is post #700. How did that happen?
Since I'm feeling so uninspired lately I'm going to open it up to you. You can ask me anything and I'll answer your questions.
Please be kind with your questions :)

Russian Chicken

I hope you're not sick of recipes because I've got another one for you.
I've seen recipes for Russian chicken over the years and it just never was something I jumped at making. Well Saturday when I was making my grocery list I saw this recipe and I knew since it was called Russian chicken my girls would love it so I decided to try it. I was still worried about it until I smelled it baking and then it was torture waiting for it to be done.
I wasn't disapointed and neither was anyone in the family. Everyone loved it and told me I had to make it again. It will be my pleasure because it was so easy and sooooo good!

Russian Chicken:
1 jar jellied cranberry sauce
1 bottle Russian dressing
chicken breasts
1 envelope dry onion soup mix

Combine cranberry sauce, dressing and dry soup mix until blended. Pour over chicken in a 9x13 pan. Bake uncovered at 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes. If it starts getting too done at the end cover with foil.
You can serve with rice if desired.

Anyone up for a trip to the beach?

We took a trip to the beach today and most of you who know me already know that I prefer a trip to the beach in the winter over the summer!
Well I got more than I wished for today. It was 15 degrees and with the wind it felt like -15!
It was freezing. Halle and I didn't last too long but we still enjoyed the scenery from the truck. Mark, Nick and Arianna were tougher than us and they went venturing out on the ice and brought back some neat pictures.
I love seeing the lake when it freezes over and driving home the snow started falling and both Mark and I commented on how gorgeous God's creation is and how nice it is to live somewhere that we get to see it's beauty in different forms throughout the year.
Here are some of the pictures:

What kind of soup are you

Since it's cold out and I'm making a lot of soup I thought this was a fun test to do:

You Are Chicken Noodle Soup

You are a traditional and conservative person. You value the past, and change frightens you. You are very loyal, especially to your family. You prefer a low-key life, with lots of time spent at home. You like soup because it's easy, quick, and cheap. You tend to have a favorite soup you stick to. Why change a good thing?

What Kind of Soup Are You?

Corn Chowder

I made a recipe I've never made before for supper tonight. It's Corn Chowder. I didn't know how I would like it but it was really yummy!

Corn Chowder:
6 strips bacon- chopped
1 c. sliced celery
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic- minced
3 medium potatoes, pared and diced
2 c. chicken stock
2 1/2 c. corn kernels
1 1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. half and half
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Fry bacon in large saucepan until crisp. Drain on paper towel. Add celery, onion and garlic to pan. Saute until onion is soft. Add potatoes and stock. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, 10-15 minutes. Mash potatoes slightly; add corn. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Stir in milk, half and half, worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper. Heat until hot.

It was a little runnier than I wanted so I thickened it abit with flour/water mixture.

The whole family liked it- you know that's a keeper when that happens!

What's happening here

Just a quick update here on Mack.
So far so good. The pants seem to be really helping. The sore is improving and he's so much happier than with that dumb cone on. It's difficult for Mark because he always has to change the pants when he gets home so I can wash them and have them ready for the next day.
I know it sounds ridiculous but we love Mack and if this helps him then we'll do it!

On a different note- we're under a storm warning for tonight and tomorrow so the kids of course are hoping for a snow day tomorrow. I wouldn't mind it either- we'll see what happens in the morning.

Mack is stylin now!

Mack is a much happier dog tonight. The collar just wasn't working- he was miserable and had already broken off 4 big chunks of it. With the collar on he couldn't go through his dog door to get to his kennel. We had to come up with another solution.
So I went to our local 2nd hand shop today and bought him a pair of sweat pants.
His sore is on the top of his leg so we had to find something to go over the top of him.
Here is Mark trying to get them on him:




Here he is getting his first fitting:


Here is the completed project: I'm sure you're wondering and yes he can take care of his business without it getting on the pants.






Here is a picture of his sore. It actually is really starting to improve. The size has gone down and it's looking much better. Hard to believe that this is looking better:



I'm just happy that he is much happier tonight. I'm so pleased that it's starting to improve and praying it heals up on it's own!

Are you a fan of Banket?

I love banket but I always hear what a pain it is to make. If you love it too I've got a recipe for you!
This is so yummy and it's such a snap to make. Enjoy!

2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. margarine
1/2 pd. almond paste
2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 eggs
1/2 c. chopped nuts optional

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease 9x13 pan.
Combine flour and salt- set aside
Shred almond paste or cut into small pieces. Cream margarine and almond paste
Mix in Sugar, flavoring, and eggs. Beat well.
Gradually blend in dry ingredients.
Spread in prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts if using them.
Bake for 40 minutes. Let cool before cutting.

Glaze when cooled with:
Frosting: Mix 1 1/2 c icing sugar, (confectioners sugar) 2 Tbsp soft margarine, 1 tsp almond extract and 1 – 2 Tbsp warm water until smooth.

Your mouth will thank you!

Poor Mack

I feel so bad for Mack. He has a very very bad sore on his leg that isn't healing partly because he keeps licking it. We've been to the vet the past 2 Mondays. Last week it was the size of a golf ball and this past Monday it was the size of a tennis ball. He is on antibiotics but it probably will have to be surgically removed-however that will be expensive so they want us to try a collar first.
It's awful- First let me show you how huge this thing is:


He absolutely hates this thing and he has to wear it for two weeks and see if it heals at all- if not he has to have the surgery and then wear it anyway until the sutures heal.


I don't know how he's even going to sleep- he can hardly lay his head down with that crazy thing.
I so wish there was something else I could do for him to make this better.