Driving By a Wind Farm

While driving thru the countryside recently, we came upon a wind farm which had windmills in various stages of production. I pointed out the large cranes, explaining to Alexander the machines were used to construct the windmills. He replied (with authority in his voice), "No, Mom. they're just using those cranes to change the batteries!"

BOOK REVIEW: Unstuck

According to the authors (Arnie Cole + Michael Ross), Christians grow through relationship, not religion. I agree! And the key to strengthening our relationship with God is through His life-changing Word. I agree!

Okay. So I agree with most of the contents of this book, specifically that engaging in the study of the Bible is a vital means for revitalization of life, faith and relationships. Unfortunately, this book did not inspire me in the execution of it. I found the format of the book itself to be awkward & the message to be so very repetitive, citing lots of statistics and quoting various experts but in all of that, not saying much. Frankly, after about chapter 6 I stopped highlighting b/c it seemed I had already identified the impactful details in the first couple of chapters and the rest of the book simply continued re-stating those previous highlights. That said, there is not anything 'wrong' with this book, I just did not find it personally engaging.

NOTE: I was given a free copy of this book by Bethany House to review. All opinions stated here are my own.

RECIPE: Peanut Butter Energy Bars

I was searching for a new-to-me breakfast option and came across this recipe(www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com). Easy & yummy. BONUS: If you 4Yr old refuses to eat 'em, simply refer to as having 'cookies for breakfast' & these will be goobled up in a flash :)
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tbsp. roasted/unsalted peanuts (or if using salted peanuts, omit the salt above)
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix in a food processor. Combine until everything is chopped to your liking. Roll into balls OR press into a tupperware before slicing into bars. I actually pressed the mixture into a mini-muffin pan & then froze them, then transferred to a tupperware. These can be stored on the counter, in the fridge or in the freezer.

Fourth of July Fun

Here is the Midwest, the fourth of July is usually a hot & sunny day. But this past week's holiday was downright steamy! We attended a parade in the morning with friends. The favorite parade entries were not necessarily those tossing out candy but those distributing water bottles and freeze pops! The afternoon/evening was spent with old friends and making some new ones, too. Here are some pictures of our high-temperature but fun-filled day.

a cool, refreshing treat

some Owen cuteness

Mr.Brady having fun & making a face for the camera

sprinkler fun was a BIG hit with the little ones

Ms. Maille demonstrates how to stay hydrated

Ms. Seylah racing across the yard -- what a beauty!

New Game: Quiet Mouse

Alexander has a new favorite game. It is called Quiet Mouse. You might think it would also be MY new favorite game but unfortunately the X-man's version does not match my childhood recollections. Here is how it works around here :)

X: Mom. Let's play Quiet Mouse. I am going to count to three and then I will say 'Quiet Mouse'. When I say that, no one can make a sound. Okay. Ready. 1,2,3 Quiet Mouse!
ME: (soaking in the tranquility, the ability to hear my own thoughts...)
X: (after a excruciating 5-second pause): I win!

Photography Tip: Mail Order Brides

I am currently reading a book in which the main character (Lucy) is an aspiring photographer. At the beginning of each chapter is a quote from Miss Gertrude Hasslebrink from writings published in 1878. While most are quite enlightening considering the passage of time, the one at the beginning of chapter 8 cracked me up. It reads, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. For this reason a woman wishing to look appropriately domesticated for her Mail-Order Bride photograph should wear an apron and wield a kitchen utensil, but preferably not a rolling pin." 

Yum! Sweet Corn!

My parents came by last Friday and brought us some fresh-from-the-farm sweet corn. I taught Alexander how to 'shuck' corn this afternoon. He proved to be minimally helpful and certainly did not care for the 'silks' part. He did, though, insist on my taking pictures to send to GpaH. showing him hard at work and with his basket of corn ready for dinner :) So these are for you, Gpa!