Encouragement For The Week

Love has only one meaning, self-giving sacrifice.
Doing something for someone else-even when we don't want to,
even when every fiber of our being tells us not to-
is the true definition of love. 
It's no wonder Christ said that the greatest act of love
is to sacrifice your life for a friend.
It all comes down to giving yourself away.

Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To

Anthony DeStefano

Ordinary Days And Sleep Advice Please

Huge Harold-

Cutest book ever-a nice old-fashioned story with a SUBTLE message which you can only find in vintage books.

I came home one morning from errands and opened the door to the basement to do laundry, and this is what I saw.  My scrapbook shelf collapsed!!!  Six neat piles, exploded.  I almost cried.  I haven't even touched it yet, I keep stepping over it.

I send my older kids pictures of my cookies all the time so they get homesick and want to come visit.

Eating lunch with this high schooler is a highlight of my week.  He's hilarious and so smart and eats a ton.

This is how we know it's officially fall.  Dead squirrels every where.  Falling off lines, and out of trees and being murdered by cars.  I'm always afraid I'm going to step on one when walking. 

And here's my help request:

For years I've woken up at 3 am every single night no matter what time I go to bed and I am so tired all the time.  I hate it.  I thought it was peri-menopause, but after chemo, that's not possible.  I HAVE TO SLEEP.  I don't want to take prescription medication.  Melatonin doesn't seem to work for me.  I don't have trouble falling asleep usually, I have trouble staying asleep for more than 4 hours.  And usually after I wake up at 3 am I can't go back to sleep.

(I don't drink soda or coffee, and I do exercise every day.  I don't eat before bed, and I hardly eat any sugar either.)

Does anyone else have this problem and if so, what has worked???

Help, I'm desperate.  

Encouragement For The Week

Consistency beats 

intensity

every time.

Fr. Mike Schmitz

Thinking, Playing, Reading

Thinking:
HELLO!  It's back.  I've waited all year.  Did anyone watch the first episode of Season 4?

Poldark on PBS

Playing:

Magna Tiles

Still being played with!!!  Just adapted from animal cages to baby beds.

Mini-Markers-Crayola Pip Squeeks

Drawing Pads

I find these markers in every purse and bag and box-Janey loves the small size.

Reading:

My Dad, FIL and Jeff all really really enjoyed this book.  It was a great gift.

The Miracle Morning

I still love this book-it has helped me so much.  I review it all the time because it's sometimes difficult to keep up with the habits but when I do I feel so much better.

Apple Fritter Bread

Made this favorite recipe again, doubled it and baked in six mini loaf pans for gifts.  

The house smells delicious today!

Baker's Twine

Tags

Stamp

This is so delicious! I doubled the recipe because it looked so tasty and was glad I did so since it went fast.  Matthew requested his own loaf and then topped the slices with vanilla ice cream.  He knows how to do dessert.

Apple Fritter Bread

Heat oven to 350.  Coat a loaf pan with non-stick spray.

Mix together in a bowl:
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Set aside.

In a different bowl combine:
Two apples, peeled, cored, chopped.
2 TBS white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Set aside.

In a mixer bowl combine:
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
2 eggs
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp of baking powder
1/2 cup milk

Pour half of the batter into loaf pan (or if using mini-loaf pans, just eye the division so it's pretty equal).  Add half of the apple mixture, and then half of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture.  Repeat.  Lightly press apples into the cinnamon mixture and swirl through batter gently with a knife (I just made a figure 8 with the knife through the whole loaf pan once).

Bake 55-60 minutes for a normal loaf pan or 45 for the mini-loaf pans, or until toothpick comes out clean.

To make glaze mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk.  Wait for 15 minutes after bread comes out of oven and drizzle on top.  (This is optional, it is sweet enough without this, but it adds a beautiful touch.)

Encouragement For The Week

Victorious Secret:Everyday Battles and How To Win Them

Laura Phelps

Thinking, Playing, Reading

Thinking:

Today I had to go to the pet store-I asked a question about the product I was buying and the cashier said into her microphone to the manager, "I have a pet parent here asking how long meal worms last?" She called me a pet parent!!!  Has this world gone crazy?  Because I, for God's sake, do not consider two geckos my children, nor I am sure, do they consider me (do geckos consider?) their mother or anything even close to a parent.  Because that is impossible people.  Impossible!  It's just weird, really really weird, I'll leave it at that.  

Playing:

I had the lucky chance of having some little guys over the other day - this was a favorite of Patrick's and I was so happy it was being played with again. (Though Janey has had it out in the past few years also.)

Blue Track Racing Strip

Reading:

Who Is Pele?

The new "Who Is" book!!!  Patrick was so excited about this book, and read it in a day.

I am reading Pope Joan for book club next month.  So far, excellent.

Encouragement For The Week

Thinking, Playing, Reading

Thinking:

I found this old list on Pinterest the other day and printed it out for us and did a little checklist when applicable with each kid.  It was fun!  Everyone has a few things to work towards the rest of this year.  Andrew made a pie for his Grampy and he did a darn good job.

Playing:
Boy's Version:
Football Season!

Wilson NFL Super Grip Football 

On sale for $13.99

Pee Wee size here.

Girl's Version:
Janey rides this wiggle scooter up and down the driveway to burn energy after school.  We've had this for upteenth years, and it's been a favorite.

Razor Powerwing Scooter

Reading:

Little Fires Everywhere

Celeste Ng

I read this book very quickly-one of those "you can't put down" books about lives entwined within families and a community.  So much to think about.  I thought her character development of the teenagers in this book were excellent-how they see and feel things differently than adults was spot on.

Sugar Cookie Bars

I made this for a quick dessert one evening when we had friends over and it was delicious and it's now a requested item here.  The bars taste just like a sugar cookie but is so much easier (and less messy) to make.  It could also be served with a small side of berries to garnish the top, or sprinkles.

Sugar Cookie Bars

Crust:

1 box white cake mix, dry, not prepared
8 TBS melted butter
1 egg

Topping:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
16 oz powdered sugar


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine cake mix, butter and egg in a bowl and beat until smooth.
3. Press dough down evenly into a 13x9 greased baking pan.
4. In a separate bowl combine cream cheese, eggs and powdered sugar and beat well.
5. Pour over crust and spread to corners.
6. Bake for about 25-30 minutes at 350.  It will look slightly under-baked-you don't want to overbake it.  The top will still have the consistency of frosting.
7. Remove and let cool and garnish as desire.