Life

Sometime, I wish I could begin again.  When life dishes out more than I can bear, I pray for a new start, a new beginning.  That is where I am right now.  My life has taken many turns in the last year.  Most have been extremely challenging and some we are still trying to push through.  I have learned much during this time in my life.  I have learned things about my strength, my weaknesses, my faith, and my love for my family.  I am still learning as I write this.  I have found great comfort in reading about my faith these days.  It is amazing what can be felt during a quiet session with the Lord.  I have also been called to begin writing again.  I think that there are times, when we fight our calling, but I have found that the only way to find peace is to accept the path God has laid out for me and follow His direction.  A wonderful quote I came across the other day really made an impression on me.  "God does not give us what we can handle, God helps us handle what we are given."  This is so true, until I read this I struggled daily with all the difficulties that were in my life.  I always thought God does not give us more than we can handle, but this idea really never sat right with me.  I know how I have felt during this last year, and I know that God knows these things are not easy for anyone to handle.  This was such a struggle for me, I continued to ask why, why now, why me, and why my family.  I would say to Jesus, You expectations of me are wrong, I am not the person you think I am.  Jesus wrong, I don't think so.  He knows me better than I know myself.   I was the one who was wrong.  God did not give me these struggles, these struggles are just because of life, God is there to help me through these struggles so I can learn from them, and learn who I need to turn to in times of despair.  Today, I have made my first step in handing my struggles over to the Lord and letting Him guide me in the direction I am intended to take.
This can be a difficult task, but I am ready.  Although I do not know what my future holds, I know who holds my future.  This statement was in a great book I read and I think that it is such a powerful sentence. A sentence I plan on keeping close to me at all times.

Updates!

Good morning all!

I just wanted to take a moment and say that I have been away from the blogging world for a couple of weeks now and am hoping to be back and running here shortly.  There has been a lot going on around here lately, and I would like to fill you in the best I can.  First, my Ash is having some difficulties again.  I have been preoccupied with her health the last couple of weeks and have not really been able to focus on much else.  Also, as we have to run off to Doctors, get blood draws, and some ER trips we get behind in school.  I am trying to finish out our year, but have not yet been able to.  Tay should be able to finish here soon, but Ash still needs some more time.  She is a slower learning anyway, and all these little set backs really put her behind.  I will keep you all posted on her health, but as of now we are not really sure what is going on.

Some good news, I am starting a new business with my Mom and my Aunts.  We have been really working hard to get it up and running and are close to be ready.  I am hoping to have a preview for you all sometime on Friday!  We are pretty excited about this new adventure and I look forward to sharing!

I am also getting some new things set for my blog.  I have been working on some ideas that I have had, and am still in the process of getting those up and running.  I should have this all together here in the next few weeks.  I sure do miss everyone and I hope to be back soon.  Thank you for taking the time to read this today and have a wonderful, and blessed day!

Orange Cupcakes Yummy!

I love to bake!  It is one of my favorite things to do.  In my family I am the official baker for holidays and other special occasions.  I have decided that I would like to share some of my families favorite recipes with you all.  Some I have just found while searching through cookbooks, and others are family recipes from my Great Grandmother.  I have to admit my Great Grandmother's recipes are my favorite just for the memories and history they bring back.  I love to hear the stories my Mom and my Aunts tell of Grandma Julia in her apron looking at them with flour all over her glasses.  The smiles these stories bring really touch my heart.  Today's recipe comes from my Grandma Julia, and is one of my Mom's favorites.  About a year ago I decided to give these delicious cupcakes a try after hearing how yummy they are.  For my Mom's birthday, I made Orange Cupcakes, and she was so happy.  I hope you enjoy these yummy treats as much as my family has.

Recipe:  Orange Cupcakes by Grandma Julia  Makes about 12 Cupcakes

For the Cupcakes you will need:

1 1/3 Cups Cake Flour

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/4 Cup Butter Softened

1 tsp. Grated Orange Rind

1/4 tsp. Salt

3/4 Cup Sugar

1 Egg

1/4 Cup Evaporated milk

1/4 Cup Orange Juice

Step 1:  Mix together the evaporated milk and orange juice and set aside.

Step 2:  Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy

Step 3:  Add egg

Step 4:  Add a little bit of flour to butter/sugar mixture.  Alternate with the milk and orange juice mixture until all has been added.

Step 5:  Line muffin tin with paper liners.  Fill muffin tin with batter about 3/4 of the way full.  Tip:  I use a small ice cream scoop to fill my tins.  It works out great, no mess and super easy.

Step 6:  Bake in a 350/375 degree oven depending on how hot your oven is.  I bake these cupcakes at 350 since ovens today are much hotter than when my Grandma Julia was baking.  Bake these treats for about 20 minutes or until done.  Insert a toothpick in the middle of the cupcakes, if it comes out clean you are ready to remove the cupcakes from the oven.   I start checking my cupcakes around 16 minutes or so.  Place on a wire rack to cool.

Frosting:

2 Tbsp.  Butter Softened

1 Tbsp.  Evaporated Milk

2 Tbsp.   Orange Juice

1/2 tsp.  Grated Orange Rind

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

Step 1:  Cream together the softened butter, evaporated milk, orange juice, and orange rind.

Step 2:  Slowly add the 2 Cups of powdered sugar a little at a time until frosting comes together

Step 3:  Frost your cupcakes and enjoy.

Here is the final product:

Art Showcase

This week has been one of those weeks that I was not able to get very much done.  It seemed like everyday there was something we had to do.  I am looking forward to a starting a great new art program that my friend Tracy from A Slice of Smith Life filled me in on.  I plan on working on that today, so I may have 2 post for Art Showcase this week.  Tay is busy working her way through Drawing Textbooks and she is really having fun with it.  She is learning so much each week, and her drawing skill is improving as she goes.  In the first picture, the drawing of the box surprised me.  Tay was able to make that box look like it was open, as well as if it were a little bent.  She really gave it life!

  Art Showcase has been so much fun for me each week.  I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.  I have been planning some new things for my blog and am excited to share as soon as they are all ready.  Have a wonderful weekend!  If you would like to add your child's art work please link up below.

Art Showcase

I love this part of my day.  Looking through what the kids have created for the week and choosing one for the art showcase always brings a smile to my face.  I am so happy that the kids are taking time with their creative side.  We are just having so much fun with it!  Here are our choices for the week.  I hope you enjoy.

Tay's work from Drawing Textbook:

Ash's Quilt for the letter QU:  It is a Patriotic Quilt in remembrance of Memorial Day

Buddy's drawing of Buzz LightYear as well as what will happen next with the pig:

If you would like to join in the art showcase this week, please link up below.  The kids and I have so much fun seeing what is going to be added for the week.  Thanks for stopping by today.

A Kid's Guide to Drawing the Presidents of the United States of America

Oh how my kids love to draw, especially Tay.  Oh How Tay does not enjoy history.  When I was given an opportunity to review A Kid's Guide to Drawing the Presidents of the United States, I was super excited.  I thought, how great it would be for Tay to learn a little bit of United States History while doing something she loves, drawing.  We were given a copy of How to Draw the Life and Times of George H. W. Bush.  to review from Timberdoodle and let me just say that we can't wait to look into getting the rest of the set.

When I first received the book in the mail I was very excited.  My excitement only grew when I opened the package.  I could not believe the beauty of the book.  It is a hard cover book, with awesome pictures inside.  Each chapter discussed some important facts about George H. W. Bush, from his birth through his presidency.  Each chapter also includes a picture in full color that shows what is to be drawn.  After reading, there is detailed instructions on how to draw the picture.  Amazing!  I think this is just a great way to learn.  Also included in this book is a timeline detailing the events discussed, a glossary, and a link to the Internet to further study the life of George H. W. Bush.

I was however, a little surprised with the degree of difficulty of some of the drawings.  Tay is pretty talented in art and she struggled a little bit.  Not to the point of frustration though.  She did say that she would like to take more time on the drawings and practice.  I think this is a great idea as she will then read over and over about the life of this President.

Overall, I have really enjoyed A Kid's Guide to Drawing the Presidents of the United States.  Timberdoodle was able to get an amazing deal on these books and is passing the savings on to you.  You can buy these books either individually or by the set.  You can check out this amazing deal here.  Also, Timberdoodle also has great  history and art curriculum, so be sure to check them out.  Timberdoodle also has a great free homeschool catalog, for those of you who prefer hands on looking.

Legal Disclosure:
As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.

Wordless Wednesday

This picture was taken last fall in my parents yard.  I just came across it and I love the color of leaves.