Broccoli Cheese Soup

This is my mother's recipe for Broccoli Cheese Soup. I believe she adapted it from a Brethren Women's Cookbook.

3/4 cup onion
3 Tbs. Margarine
Saute onion in margarine for 3 minutes.
Add:
6 cups of water
6 chicken bullion cubes
Heat to boiling and stir until cubes are dissolved.
Gradually add:
8 oz. thin noodles
1 tsp. salt
Cook three minutes.
Stir in 2 - 10oz packages of broccoli which has been cooked according to package directions. If using fresh broccoli, it must be fully cooked and finely chopped.
Add:
1/4 tsp garlic powder and cook for 4 minutes.
Reduce heat and Add:
6 cups of milk
1 lb of Velveeta cheese.
Stir until cheese is melted. Season with pepper to taste.

New Look

Several months ago I tackled redecorating our guest room. Two and a half years ago I used a small fund to get this room ready for my dad and mom who were coming for Allan's kindergarten graduation. We purchased furniture, bedspread, curtains, lamp, etc. and it worked for the time being. But the quality of things I purchased was very poor and so very quickly the comforter started bunching, threads came out, and the curtains faded until they looked horrible. This was what it looked like then:

We didn't know that this would be the last time my mom would be visiting us and that visit doesn't have very good memories attached. (I had just come through surgery, after the graduation party we all got food poisoning - except my mom- and this was when she had just started with the infection in her legs). Several months later I would spend weeks in this room going through drug withdraw and watch little green men riding purple butterflies down the wall. So many painful memories that just made this room very uninviting. I wanted it to have a light, airy, restful feel to it.

In September Philip went away for a few days and I decided to tackle the project (this allows me to have the house torn apart but not have to put it back together right away) and the end result was what I was looking for. There is a very hilarious story that happened during the dismantling process that perhaps I'll write up someday - but hopefully Gail and Denise Harmon will come back and see the final result sometimes!

 I wanted the scripture art to reflect some of the lessons that I learned in this room and so chose John 14:27.

For those who are interested in the specific specs:
Paint color: Sherwin Williams Aviary Blue (Colors go on darker than the swatch - if I had it to do over again, I'd go one or two steps lighter)
Bedspread - Overstock.com
Shelf - Target
Accessories - Hobby Lobby
Faux Wood Blinds - Select Blinds.com
Wreath - Expressions Catalog
Wall Mural - LTL Prints
Scripture Wall Art - there are a lot of places that do this -  I have a friend who did it for us. 

I watched sales on these items for about 5 months. The mural was from a Groupon I used, I watched for B1G1 80% on the blinds, and kept an eye for the other things to go on sale or run a free shipping deal. And I also used a coupon for the paint at Sherwin Williams. They often run very good sales on their paint. The lamp shade and shelf were purchased at Target with a gift card I got by filling out a survey. If you're willing to wait awhile, there are usually great deals to be had. At Hobby Lobby I had to go several different times with several different coupons but the result was very little out of pocket. Oh, and the seashells on the tray around the candles were from my mother-in-laws treasures gathered over her years of living by the ocean.

To Blog or not to Blog

I've been sitting here looking at my list of drafts - I have a total of 26 of them. That's a lot of time and energy that I either need to delete or finish! When I look at the drafts I get discouraged from starting a new post (though that's what I had set out to do) and hence, my blogging gets more and more sporadic. The truth is - I should be baking Christmas cookies and I'm just not motivated enough today to get started. So I'm working on procrastinating.

Christmas is coming! The decorations are showing up in our home and around town. I sat here at my computer and Ho Ho'd most of yesterday - I really do love technology at times. No running to 15 stores to see if you're getting the best deal. Just a few clicks you can check prices, reviews, place your order and it's on its way.

School has been in full swing and it's going so well this year. We've found a schedule that works for us. Learning which classes we can do together, which ones I need to teach and which ones in which they use their BJUP Hard Drive. We've added Spanish and art this year which has been a nice change for all of us. This was a fall craft from several weeks ago. They gave them away before I could get a picture of the finished product.

The other Friday night (which is Family night in our home), Philip found a place where we could get a tree this year. We had never heard of Big Tree Plantation but decided to give it a try. It was a fantastic experience! The boys enjoyed tramping around looking at trees, seeing the reindeer, seeing the large Nativity scene, and free hot chocolate. I was so tickled Philip was able to find this place. A little expensive but well worth it to have a live tree that is fresh cut, smells fresh cut and not spray painted green.

Oh, I guess I didn't post about Stephen getting another set of stitches - on his face again no less. So thankful he's not done any permanent damage. This time the handle bar of his scooter smacked him in the face when he fell.

In the bottom picture it still shows some of the black and blue that settled in his eye socket making him look like a little raccoon for a few days.

Here are two clips of the parts that Allan and Stephen had in our Christmas program at church this past Sunday. Unfortunately, I didn't realize where Stephen's part was going to be so I wasn't ready and missed the first part of his recitation - it's supposed be "What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I'd give him a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. What can I give Him?  I'll give him my heart." Daniel requested that I not post any pictures of him in the program so I will honor that request.

And now on to Christmas baking!

Remembering

 In Memory of My Mom

Bonnie K. Slagenweit

January 20, 1955 - November 3, 2011

 "Sad thoughts about earth - the divorce, death, disease, or disability - those things, those memories just won't happen in Heaven. Bad memories are going to be erased just like the stars are mitigated by the rising sun, because something so dazzling, so grand, and glorious, and brilliant, and bright is going to happen up there that it's going to eclipse every dark memory. And we won't forget so much as we will have no more need to remember discouraging times." Joni Eareckson Tada

 

Today we are celebrating the life and honoring the memory of the woman we are blessed to call “mom”. In the 56 years that God gave her, she influenced all who knew her for good.

In those early years, Mom poured her life into molding, training, and educating us how to live for God. She did that primarily by example. The people we have become is largely a result of her labor and prayers. She was committed to her marriage and to us which gave us a sense of stability and belonging. Her tenderness and gentle spirit soothed many a childhood heartache. When we were little, she took time to read to us before nap-time, play hide and go seek, take care of splinters and listen to our dreams. During our junior high years she tackled homeschooling long before it was popular so that she could give us a solid education. As we grew older Mom somehow knew how to balance giving us responsibility while being a constant support, helping us navigate those fun but challenging “teen” years. Listening when our dreams got smashed, laughing at the things that were funny and sometimes the things that were not funny and being  someone to lean on came naturally to her. It was during that time we became aware that our mom had become our best friend. 

Mom will be remembered for many things but perhaps the common thread that ties our memories together was her genuine love for others that exhibited itself through an unquenchable servant heart. Her giving heart and sacrificial service extended far beyond just our home. The number of meals, pots of vegetable soup and pans of sticky buns that left her kitchen bound for other destinations are innumerable. The hours she spent on the phone listening to other’s hurts, the number of people who confided in her and wanted her advice, and their secrets that she carried with her will only be known in eternity. We shared our mother with many of our friends through the years and she treated them like family.

It may be that the most important lessons she taught us were since that day she had a stroke almost 15 years ago when it became clear that the path God had chosen for her was going to involve challenges that most people aren’t asked to face. Instead of asking “why”, or becoming bitter, we watched her surrender to God’s will knowing that it would test her inner strength beyond human endurance. As we watched her learn how to use a fork and spoon again and comb her hair and accept the fact that there were some things she would never be able to do again, we watched a strength emerge that would carry her through many a setback and disappointment. We learned from her what it’s like to cling to the truth about God’s character through very dark days and watched her find grace from God that defies human explanation. As the disease did its work of robbing her body of strength and vitality the inward beauty and character she possessed shined all the brighter. And we thanked God for allowing us the privilege of watching Him make a spiritual giant who would quietly impact everyone she came in contact with. She became a spiritual hero and our hearts echo the songwriter who said,

"We got the news this morning that you had slipped away

And it seemed our hearts were broken, it couldn’t end this way,

But then we saw through Spirit eyes what an entrance you must have made

Running to the arms of Jesus, finally home to stay.

You were a hero of the faith, a soldier of the cross,

Singing out the grand old story

Jesus saves the lost

And even though you’ve laid your armor down and passed the torch

You are our hero of the faith, strong soldier of the cross."

Thank you God for giving us a hero. 

Written by Marianne, Jennifer, David, and Jonathan for her funeral. 

Smiles

One of the benefits of having children is having the opportunity to smile and laugh. They're always doing or saying something that puts a smile on your face. Allan made the observation this week that he really likes babies. When I asked him why he said, "Because they always smile at me." I hope I'm never so serious about life that I can't smile or laugh at the little things. Some of the things that have brought a smile to my face recently I thought I'd share.

Our boys all sleep in the same room and each of them has their own twin bed. But you wouldn't know it most mornings! This is actually Stephen's bed.

A while back I scooped up Stephen to give him a big hug (the only one of my children I'm still able to) and he was giggling and gasping, "Stop it! You're squishing my Shadrachs!" I didn't see what the three Hebrew children had to do with it and asked him what in the world did he mean. He just kept repeating it over and over for the next several days and would point at his chest/upper abdomen in reference to his "Shadrachs". It wasn't until Daniel said, "Mom, he watched the DVD of insects and insects have a THORAX - that's what he's talking about." Makes sense!

Stephen also has the knack for hooking himself up with the most interesting contraptions! This is how he amuses himself while we're doing school.

Here his is explaining that he has a "taser, club, and a spear." Watch out people!

Another thing he does to amuse himself is sing. The other day after about three minutes of "are you sleeping, are you sleeping, are you sleeping, are you sleeping, brother John, brother John, brother John, brother John, morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing, ringing, ringing, ringing, ringing, ringing, ringing, ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, ding dong." I grabbed the camera and filmed him singing it for another 2 minutes! It is terribly funny but sometimes makes you want to jump out of your skin.

Daniel not only sings, he's gotten into song writing. I wish I could have gotten the first performance of this song on video - it was actually very good. Here is the third or fourth version of the song and it's a song that really doesn't have an ending.....at least not that I'm aware of.

Here's a video of the guys eating their first bite of crab sushi that Philip got me for my birthday. (it was a little spicy).

Daniel's remarks on his sushi:

Stephen enjoyed it the most:

The days are so busy sometimes that I thank God for giving me little people who make me stop or slow down while they pick a flower to put in "my net," or try to catch a lizard, or notice a pretty leaf, or a fuzzy caterpillar. My life would be much poorer if there were no little people in my life. What a blessing they are!

21 Days To a More Disciplined Life

Previously on this blog I've referenced Money Saving Mom's website for good money saving deals. But I also follow her blog for other reasons. Recently she did a series of blog posts on "21 Days To a More Disciplined Life".  She is launching her new E-book by the same title today! And from today until October 26th she's offering the book for .99¢

I received a review copy last week and read it in an afternoon. So very exciting in many ways! The principles are very practical and manageable. From experience I know my home is much happier and more is accomplished when I have disciplined my time and attention to streamline processes, get rid of clutter, and little people know what to expect. The moment I begin to get haphazard, tension arises, productivity plummets, and eventually things unravel. Some people tend to be more disciplined than others but my experience has been that there's always at least one area in my life that can use help at any given time (usually - more than one!). 

This book is for those who have trouble focusing on the big picture then breaking down into manageable parts, the steps that it will take to conquer the mountain ahead. I will say that 21 days gets you started on the journey to a more disciplined life. Because I'm a homeschooling mom of three, and involved in both my own and my husband's ministry - I have to develop one habit at a time. That being said, the principles in the book are definitely worth applying if your life has any area that is undisciplined. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for more order and less chaos in their life.

You'll also want to check on the entire website - she has free printables you'll want to take advantage of  to help you on this journey.

For the next four days only - the books is only .99¢!

Buy it now for .99¢

I did received this book for review and I am an affiliate for this book.

Birthdays, Birthdays, and more birthdays!

September is the month to have birthdays in my family! My brother, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, mother-in-law, son, and myself all have birthdays. And my grandparents had their anniversary in September.

I celebrate mine on the 11th which has become a national day of mourning but since I was born 25 years before it became a national day of mourning, I celebrate life anyhow. This year I thought it would be nice to have a coconut cream pie but didn't want the ones that come from the grocery bakery. Several calls to Servatti's and Bonboneri yielded no results but we finally found an Italian bistro not far away that would sell a whole pie for $45.00 - we skipped the pie! I told the boys I'd take them to McDonald's for my birthday since it accomplishes two purposes, I don't have to cook and they get to play in the Playland and this gives me a break! But it turned out that Philip was free over lunchtime and so we went as a family and I didn't have to pay. It was great - we never get to do stuff like that during the day because of Philip's work schedule so it was a nice family time.

My husband hit the jackpot with his gift this year! I've been craving sushi, have no idea why, but he bought me a tray of crunchy shrimp and man was it good! Wow! You can't beat good (cooked!) sushi. 

Then on the 19th Daniel celebrated his 6th birthday! Daddy always takes them out for breakfast on their sixth birthday and so off to First Watch they went early that morning.

 Evening celebration with a birthday supper of stromboli and Doritos with Pop-pop, Gramme, Paul and Myra. His cake was to be a hot air balloon. His birthday was quite the day and I didn't start decorating until 2:30 so it wasn't that great.

 A policeman uniform.

And all policemen must carry guns, with holsters. He was delighted! 

He also got his first pocket knife which is also very cool.

Then came Stephen's fourth birthday on October 2nd. He wanted a clown cake so I used a clown pan that I had and tried to make it colorful. We had Pop-pop and Gramme and our friends Darnell and Amit join us for his birthday supper of lasagne (thought he had wanted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!). These guys join us twice a week for supper and the boys have just adopted them as part of the family.

 He received several knights with horses and a dragon.

 Darnell playing with the knight

 Happy boy! They have already provided hours of entertainment.

He also received a set of sharks from Gramme and Pop-pop.

No more birthdays now until next spring!

Vegetable Soup

Now that summer is winding down and the evenings are chilly it's time to start putting the garden produce to good use. I made a batch of vegetable soup this afternoon and decided to post it since my dad has been asking for my mom's recipe and someone else mentioned how good my Grandma Slagenweit's vegetable soup was. This is their recipe.

 Take one chuck roast (lightly marbled) and place in a large dutch oven. The roast I used was just a little over 2 lbs. Add 4 cups of water, 3tsp of salt, and 1 tsp of ground pepper.

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a low simmer. It will need to simmer until it pulls apart easily with a fork. This one simmered for 3 1/2 hours this morning. Remove meat from broth and pull apart with a fork into small pieces removing and discarding fat. (I then pop mine in the fridge until I need it in a few hours)

The comes the fun part: To the broth in my pan I add almost equal amounts (1 1/2 - 2 cups of each) of peas, green beans, lima beans, yellow beans, carrots, cabbage, and corn. I also chop up about 1/2 of a medium onion and add a quart of diced tomatoes. Now, all of the vegetables came out of our garden and were frozen (except the tomatoes that were canned) so if you're using produce you purchased you'll want to buy frozen instead of canned. Then add 3 more tsp of salt (only add this addition of salt if you are using no canned vegetables that have salt in them - if you're unsure, don't add any - better not to add and then be able to add later than to add too much) and then.......I know this is going to sound strange but you have to add 1/8 of a cup of sugar.

Let me explain: I'm from Pennsylvania and we put sugar in everything. Our desserts, our salads, our vegetables, our cornbread and our meat. I had no idea that some people don't put sugar in their sloppy joe or taco meat until I married a man who was raised in the south. In the south they don't put sugar in anything - not their meat, not their vegetables (you fry those) nor their cornbread. They save all that sugar and put it in their iced tea - it's like syrup. But see, in the north you spread that sugar all out and that includes a little in your iced tea. So trust me.......put the sugar in the soup.

Also - don't put potatoes in it. That's just nasty. Trust me.

Without the tomatoes:

 With the tomatoes:

Bring to a boil and then turn down to a low simmer. Simmer for about 2 1/2 - 3 hours until vegetables are very tender. Then add the meat and heat until warmed through. There is nothing better than a bowl of this with a slice of homemade bread! Enjoy!

To Prune or not to Prune?

I have a two year old Stella Cherry tree that's the oddest thing I've seen! It has a leader but the first branches are 8 feet off the ground. Do I top the leader? Prune the branches? What needs to be done to encourage branches to form lower? I'm much better with apples - they're normal. This tree doesn't look "normal" to me! Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? The web wasn't much help because all the posts I read assume that the branches are going to start lower than that.

Gardening in Raised Beds

This year we're gardening using raised beds and it's been a learning experience. Due to the extreme dry and hot weather it didn't produce much through the main part of the summer but the past two weeks we've really begun to see the fruits of our labors. So far we've harvested peas, lima beans, tomatoes, spaghetti squash (all our acorn squash died as did all of our cucumbers), green beans, onions, okra (that we've been harvesting every day) and green peppers.

I garden for several reasons: 1. I don't know any different - that was part of summers all my growing up years. 2. There's something about paying $1.00 for a package of frozen vegetables that will last one meal knowing that the same $1.00 would buy a package of seeds that could feed my family for a whole year. 3. It's an excuse to be outside instead of having to clean house. 4. Even if my children are being raised in the city I want them to know where food comes from (Not the grocery store) and develop the work ethic needed to be self sufficient and know the satisfaction of watching God's handiwork. There's something deeply rewarding to me to sweat and work and plan, then harvest and preserve and listen for those lids sealing (even my boys' eyes shine when they hear them).
It's probably deeply seated in my psychological makeup since some of my happiest memories are gardening days on the farm when my mom and Grandma Slagenweit would slave for hours over the stove canning and blanching in a hot kitchen that had no air conditioning. We'd sit on the front porch shelling peas (if there were a bushel we'd take them to the Mennonites who had a pea sheller but if it was under a bushel....it was up to us), or kidney beans, cutting green or yellow beans, or be out in the yard with the old ash tubs scrubbing red beets. Grandma and Grandpa would tell us stories or occasionally we'd listen to music. Sometimes we'd be in the kitchen taking the skins off tomatoes or peaches. I remember Grandma sitting with her feet propped up and as fast as she could slice peaches I'd eat them until my stomach ached. The smells, the work, the rewarding feeling of seeing all those jars lined up on tea towels just created a sense of deep satisfaction that I've never gotten away from. It's one of those things that has made living in the city seem more "normal" to me.

This is while we were laying out the six raised beds we purchased for this year. 

It took some time until we got it all laid out. But once it was done it gave plenty of space between the beds for a wheelbarrow and ample growing room also.

 That was back in April.....through the summer it looked more like this:

It's been fun to watch the progress and also see the boys' enjoyment. Stephen helped me pick green beans the other day and Allan and Daniel help Philip with the okra.These pictures were taken a little over a week ago - the okra is much taller now.So this is what has kept me busy the last month (and getting ready for school).

Green Beans

carrots, peppers, tomatoes, squash and lima beans

The lima beans have done so well!

Only squash survived....no cucumbers.

Okra