Heaven's kitchen

We tried watching H*ll's Kitchen the other night and it gave me a headache!
It was kind of fun to watch but pretty stressful and I don't think anyone finished a sentence without the necessary "beeping." Good grief!

Anyway, we called tonight "Heaven's Kitchen" because Joy and I are trying out new recipes to make for our Hats of Hope knitting small group tomorrow. We love making something fun and dainty for the girls and ladies. Joy is my little Martha Stew*rt. She loves to watch her show. I found out MS is in town this weekend signing autographs for her new book but we didn't go...

My hubby and the boys are all very happy to be our taste testers! : )


For our first meeting we made Fruit Pizza.
But in the process I nearly threw it away.

Note to self: Never make a dessert you've never made 30 minutes before you have to leave for the event. UGH! I didn't realize how long it would have to cool!
Joy came to my rescue and did all the frosting and decorating when we arrived and it turned out wonderfully!


Here is the recipe:

1 18 oz roll of refrigerator sugar cookie, slice and baked dough
1 8 oz container of cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Assorted fruits. We used blueberries and strawberries
1/2 orange marmalade (but we used strawberry glaze instead)
2 T. water (what do you know, I think we forgot to add the water...) ; )


Roll out cookie dough to the size of your pizza pan
Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes
Cool. Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Spread over crust. We added the glaze (or preserves and water) and then arrange the fruit on top. Chill. (which we didn't have time to do) Serve in wedges.


This is the one we are planning to bring tomorrow. The guys all liked it. (but then they pretty much like everything we've tried)

Apple Pie Party Dip
(from Family Fun magazine)

1 1/3 c. peeled apples diced
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. apricot preserves
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
5 flour tortillas
2 T. butter
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 T. sugar


Mix apples, lemon juice, sugar. preserves and cinnamon in a bowl and chill.
Cut tortillas in wedges on greased baking sheet and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 min. Serves 4-6.
We are having such fun with these sweet ladies and girls!
~Becky

A big night for our drummer!

Zach was asked to play the drums in Youth last night!!!
Their regular drummer was unable to make it. Zach has been playing the congas on the worship team for several months now and enjoying it but his real LOVE is the drums.
We were SO excited for him.
I brought Nate's Flip video camera and was the proud parent taping from the balcony so that the rest of our family could see this big moment when we got home. : )
~I tried SO hard not to sing, because I didn't want my voice drowning out the footage. And I pretty much succeeded, much to the relief of my kids! ; )

It was really exciting to watch him play in front of such a large group and I got all choked up. I remember when he was 10 and my hubby decided he wanted to make a family worship band. We asked him to pray about what instrument he wanted to play. He knew it was the drums! Then he took lessons for 6 months and his teacher said he was a natural born drummer...He's been playing ever since.
Last night was special!
It's fun to see your kids walk in their calling...
~Becky

The worst hair-day ever!

We had to run an errand downtown today and as I was driving, Joy said "Mom, there is something in your hair!" So, I flicked my hair, thinking it was lint or something and hoped whatever it was would fall out.

But she just kept staring at me while I was driving....

Then she got this horrified look on her face. (not a good sign)

For like 30 seconds she didn't even speak!

I couldn't figure out what could be so totally WRONG with my hair. (Had I colored it purple by accident the other day or something? -No, I think someone would've told me before now!) ; )

And then she said, "Mom, I think Jimmy pooped in your hair."

And I said,

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And then, "Get it out!"

But she couldn't help me because it was um... wet!

She suggested so sweetly, that I might want to turn around and go back home to wash it out.

Then came more screams and sighs and the turning of the car back towards home.

"Parrolet for sale -CHEAP" has been the only thing on my mind since! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Maybe I should make it FREE.

~Becky

The Mexico City Policy and Horton

As we watched Horton Hears a Who tonight,

and heard that sweet elephant declaring that "A person's a person no matter how small,"





I couldn't help thinking about abortion.
Obama has only been in office a few days and now our tax dollars are going to fund abortions in other countries! How frustrating.
I guess he "said what he meant and meant what he said."

Isn't it SAD!?

-Especially as a nation, that we haven't been "faithful, one hundred percent."

~Becky

Belaying is not my thing!

We took an indoor rock climbing field trip! It was so much fun! -for the kids!

Another mom and I took the belaying class so that all the kids could use the harnesses which sounded like more fun than free climbing.

But, oh my goodness, was I stressing!

After we signed the waivers about how the rocking climbing place isn't responsible if anyone is injured, paralyzed or dies..........I found out that I was going to be responsible! They were connected to me by a rope and I felt like I had their lives in my hands literally. Ahhhh!!!!

I kept telling myself "I can do all things through Christ..." even belaying. : )

(why did I plan such a stressful field trip, I'd like to know?)

It turned out to be a blast though. One of my boys said it was 'the best field trip ever!!!!'

My many thanks to KG who was an awesome belay-er. (is that correct terminology? I have no idea)

My kids will definitely tell you that I could have used some more instruction on how to bring climbers down. LOL! I tried out my new belaying skills on them first and succeeded in scaring them.... But with some more practice, I got the hang of it.

I seemed to do better with other people's children. Maybe because I was praying my heart out while they were climbing. : )

I was just sure I wouldn't be able to move my arms in the morning but that was not the case. I was fine. It was my kiddos who were terribly sore.

But they would LOVE to go again someday!
~Becky

The weekend

My frozen camper made it back safe and OK. Yay! No frostbite! He was very glad to get home to his bed! He had a wonderful time. He was given some really cool gear from a dear friend.

Joy and Andrew had their Junior Bible Quiz match this weekend and Nathan gave assistant coaching a try instead of officiating. He enjoyed it. He loves Andrew's coach. (he was his JBQ coach also)

Our Hats of Hope group had our first meeting after church on Sunday!!!! I was so excited! The Lord sent the sweetest bunch of ladies and girls to be apart of it. I felt so blessed. It was really fun. I am so thrilled about God taking a hobby and giving it a Kingdom purpose! (We are knitting hats for missionaries to pass out to adults and children in need in cold regions of the world)
We'll be knitting, chatting, snacking and praying together for the next couple of months and I'm so excited! (Next time I will remember to bring my camera!)

We just found out that we'll be taking a little vacation soon. My father-in-law had to cancel his trip to come and see us at Thanksgiving due to a fall that he took. His wife has just spent some time in the hospital and so they are unable to travel. He called over the weekend to let us know he transferred their time-share week to us. The kids are really excited.
Unfortunately, my hubby can't go. We are thankful that he even has work as things are very slow for the company he works for right now. Andrew was upset when he found this out. He said "But, he's the one who makes everything FUN and HAPPY!" I got such a kick out of that. Dad is WAY more fun than I am! And now, if he wants to know if Dad is coming somewhere with us, he asks "Is it going to be fun and happy?" ; )

~Becky

Going back in time

It is the annual weekend for the Frontier Camping Fellowship to go camping.
My hubby and Zach worked really hard and became members two years ago and they have really enjoyed it. Men and boys from Royal Rangers camp in the 1800's style. It's like going to a historical reenactment. Everything they use and wear has to be 'period appropriate.'

They love it. The first year they went they came home and summed it up as 'all eating and competing.' (what guy wouldn't like that?) : ) They always have an awesome time with some godly men and come home spiritually encouraged.

Zach was voted to be the 'scribe' this year by the men of the group. I don't what that involves but it was an honor and he has certain duties to perform this year.

We decided against my hubby going this year because of his back and his allergies...

Personally, this event gives me stress. It's always so cold this time of year. Cold as in 32 degrees at night and 60 in the day. I was worried about Zach getting frostbit and my hubby laughed. I guess that isn't possible...but what do I know? I was raised in southern California! -Someone showed me an ice scraper the other day and I didn't even know what it was! I always fuss about how he needs to bring more blankets. We compromise and he brings a sleeping bag even though it isn't 'period appropriate.' He also brings a bunch of wool blankets but never the quilt that I try and talk him into taking. : )

Anyway, we've been all a flutter around here getting Zach ready to go.
This always leads to some kind of project. One year, we made char cloth in our chimneia and another year, we worked on a cape for his outfit. (I don't think I'm suppose to call it an outfit but I can't think of the word) ; )
Another year, I helped him with a wooden cot he was building. This year, I spent the day ferociously knitting to get a 'period appropriate' looking hat finished in time. It's fun to help him get ready.

These weekends give me plenty to pray about since the competitions are knife throwing and tomahawk throwing and black powder rifle shooting!
This year, thanks to Uncle Phil, Zach has his own black powder rifle to shoot and he's excited. Thankfully we found his NRA certificate just in time or he wouldn't have been able to shoot.

So, here's praying he's safe, warm and having lots of fun!
~Becky

Husband meme

I saw this meme at Bensrib and it looked fun! ~ Because who doesn't like talking about their favorite man!?
So, here it goes. Join in if you'd like to.

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet? At church

2. How long did you date before you got married? 3 years

3. How long have you been married? Going on 18 yrs. Wow!

4. What does he do that surprises you? Brings me flowers

5. What is your favorite feature of his? His muscular arms ; )

6. What is your favorite quality of his? His sense of humor! He keeps me laughing all the time.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Lots of them! He never calls me 'Becky.'

8. What is his favorite color? Blue or green?

9. What is his favorite food? Mexican!!!!!!

10. What is his favorite sport? To play -it was la crosse and to watch -football

11. When and where was your first kiss? On our one year anniversary of dating, we kissed outside a Steak 'n Ale restaurant. I was standing on the curb....he's tall!

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Go out to eat and talk. (without being interrupted by kiddos)

13. Do you have any children? Yes, Four blessings!

14. Does he have a hidden talent? Wood working

15. How old is he? 42

16. Who said I love you first? Me! We were doing an outreach with a van full of people and I whispered it in his ear as he was driving.

17. What’s his favorite type of music? Contemporary Christian

18.What do you admire most about him? There's a big list but to narrow it down: His joy and his passion for God and his love for people.

19. Do you think he will read this? Maybe... but he's pretty busy when he's home connecting with our kiddos and he doesn't spend much time in front of the computer.

20. What do you appreciate most about him? (I added this one) How seriously he takes fatherhood. He puts a HIGH priority on our family and on the raising of our children and I'm so thankful and blessed.

~Becky

I'm glad that I don't like football this much. -Zzzzzzz!

This is the second time that there's a football game going on that my hubby would like to watch but if he were to watch the whole thing, he'd be up until midnight.

His new solution is EARLY morning football parties!

Have I mentioned that he is a morning guy if ever there was one? It's really cute how awake and happy he is at very early hours of the morning.

So, he tapes the games on the DVR and gets up early to watch them at 5:00 AM.

Yes, that is AM. He has to watch it before he goes to work and hears who won...

The amazing thing is that my boys beg him to wake them up at 5:00 AM too. Cute!

~How come I can't get them up at 7:00 AM?! : )
I even heard Joy asking him to get her up for this one and she doesn't even like football! ; )

His best friend is coming over at 4:30 AM to watch it with him.

I guess it's all about the fellowship!

Can you guess where I will be?

~Becky

Electrical tape is my friend!

Our bar stools were starting to come apart recently after only owning them for a year!

Gee, I wonder why?!.

The kids just LOVE them!!!

Then one day we had the black electrical tape out for some reason and I just kept looking at it and then back at the stools....

Maybe it would help!

Here is the 'before' photo:

And the 'after' photo! ~Maybe not perfect but it certainly extended the life of the stools.

That and the fact that we aren't allowed to do this anymore.

For more Works for Me Wednesdays ideas visit

Rocks in my Dryer. : )

~Becky

Sweet series

I just finished the last in the Mitford Years series.

What fun books those were! ~And such sweet characters. After reading 8 books, I'm going to miss Mitford. : )

~Becky

Celebrating a great guy!

Zachary is turning 16!

Ahhh! I can hardly believe it!

Tonight we are celebrating with a dinner party with some of his friends and their sweet families.

Now, where did the time go?! : )

What a blessing he is!

Today I read in Proverbs 12 about how diligence is a man's precious possession and I thought of him. - Does he ever possess diligence. He is an excellent young man and we are so blessed.

I could go on and on, but I'm already all choked up. : )

So, I'm off to COOK!!!!!

His favorite meal of all time is Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chicken and sun dried tomatoes so that is what we are having.

~I thought about making a cake shaped like an ipod. My hubby laughed about that and looked very glad that he would be off shooting guns and not anywhere around while I attempted that. LOL (probably because I am the woman who gets too stressed over reindeer cookies) But, in the end, I decided to go easy on myself and buy a cake! : )

Happy Birthday to Zach!!!!

~Becky