It is Official! I Heard The Peepers :)

Spring is officially on its way... I heard the Spring Peepers yesterday ! I love the sound of those dear croaking frogs. It always lifts my spirit when I hear them. The birds have been singing for a while now and I do so enjoy that but something about the first sound of those Peepers just lifts me right up. I'm not much of a Winter person so when I hear the Peepers and know that Spring is right around the corner I feel like I can feel the sunshine deep in my soul.Do you find it weird that I wax so poetic about frogs? I drive my kids nuts over it because every few minutes I'm saying "did you hear them?", lol
We have been enjoying more average and above average temps for our region and it has been so nice except for the fact we all had the flu. We are feeling better now so thats good. I had my windows open yesterday and will today also while its 74 and sunny. I know we will probably have at least two more cold spells here but this warm break makes it bearable.I'm itchin to get my hands in the dirt though and see some growing things.
Today Tman's school is having a bean supper and auction to raise money for a convention trip. Pray that they raise some good money. They always do well in those conventions and this year Hoopy is old enough to attend the regular one instead of the Junior. So my two boys will be competing so keep them in your prayers too.
For years we have planned to take our kids to the beach but they have always fallen through. This year we got a newer vehicle and I reserved our condo at the beach so God willing this year we will get to go. Please pray that we do and that we have a safe journey. See, my husband was Navy so he of course was stationed at the beach and BabyGirl got to go with her cousin last year and technically I have been to Lake Erie and it did have loads of beaches (not the same thing though ya know); I and my other three Blessings have never been to the "beach". So we long to go ! We had planned to go to Virginia Beach or Gulf Shores but money was just too tight so we opted for Myrtle. I got us a condo with full kitchen for 5 days for $355. I thought that was pretty good seeing as how we can cook so we don't have to eat out plus we free comps like free bowling and stuff. We leave next Friday. I pray everything goes well. See BabyGirl turns 18 this summer and chances are good she could meet the "one" and maybe be married by next Summer so this could be our last chance for a family vacation, just Preacher,the kids and I. Is that being selfish ya think?
Well I would like to leave you today with a simple homemade steak sauce recipe I made yesterday. I put it on pork chops and baked them and it was amazing! of course it would work great on steaks or burgers too. It kinda tastes like Heinz 57. Anyway, I kinda tweaked a Rachael Ray recipe (she makes it as a sweet and sour sauce) but let me know if ya try it and like it.
Steak Sauce
1/4 c ketchup
1/4 c yellow mustard ( although spicy brown would be great too)
2 tbs soy sauce
2 tbs worcestershire sauce
1 tbs corn syrup ( you could use sugar, brown sugar too. I didn't add a lot because I didn't want a real sweet sauce.)
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
Blessings! ~ Nikki

Plain Wisdom

Two friends from different worlds—one Old Order Amish, one Englischer—share the truths that bring them together.

Best-selling novelist Cindy Woodsmall might seem to have little in common with Miriam Flaud, a woman immersed in the culture of Old Order Amish. But with nine children and almost 60 years of marriage between them, Cindy and Miriam both have found the secrets to facing life with strength and grace. Whether enduring financial setbacks, celebrating new babies and times of prosperity, grieving the crushing losses in the deaths of family and friends, or facing disappointments with their respective communities—through it all they find guidance for each day by looking to God.

With poignant recollections, unexpected insights, and humorous tales, the two women welcome you into their unique friendship. You’ll also gain a rare glimpse into the traditions and ways of the Amish as Miriam recalls special occasions and shares family recipes throughout the book.

Plain Wisdom is a heartwarming celebration of God, womanhood, and the search for beauty that unites us all. So grab your cup and your quilt and settle in for a soul-comforting read with Plain Wisdom.

I loved this book from the moment I first opened it. I enjoyed the honest and open look into the lives of these two women. I found it to be so encouraging to read about their personal struggles with issues we have all faced at one time or another. the friendship these two women have developed is wonderful. It really just goes to show that no matter what background we have we can all still fellowship in the Christ who saved us and the God who created us. We can't let our differences keep us from serving together in the name of the Lord. I encourage you to check out this great book. 

This book was given to me in exchange for my honest opinion and review by Waterbrook Multnomah

February 1,2011

I don't know where January went but I'm glad its gone. I'm so ready for Spring. I know a lot of y'all are getting slammed by a huge snowstorm but that same system is bring us some thunderstorms. I will upload some pictures of our beautiful cloud formations tomorrow. We have had such a nice breezy day.I'm sitting on the porch typing this on my daughter's laptop. Thanks Chy ;)We have actually had very warm days since Friday. I think that we might be getting an early Spring,weather wise anyway. The trees in our front yard have buds on them and so do the roses at church.The birds have even been singing for the last few days. I think they are ready for warmth too.

Preacher got his hours cut back temporarily. Its not suppose to last long. He still gets 40 hours so its not so bad.He usually gets 50.That gives him more time to get his truck running. Its rough having one vehicle when we have so much "running" to do.I can't complain though because we have had more family time together.

I'm still contemplating my garden for this year. I've been mulling over the idea of doing more vertical gardening. We have an old swing set that we can use to hang some buckets from for cukes and climbing veggies. I think we might try the "upside down" tomato idea too except I want to use 5 gallon buckets instead. Anyone had any luck using those? We have a large yard but because we live on a hill we don't have much usable space for gardening. Our landlord (lives next door) offered last year to let us use his garden that he acquired from purchasing the house beside him but now his son lives there so I'm not sure if they will make use of it. So it looks like going up instead of out might be more viable for us. I really want to grow more produce than I have been. Last year was a bad year for gardens here so I ended up having to buy a lot of produce. I love going to the farmers market on Saturday mornings but it can be expensive.
Well it looks like the rain and strong winds are finally here so I best head in . Have a great night everyone and if you are in the path of these storms tonight take care. God Bless! ~ Nikki