Food Blogs

If you're looking for a recipe, click on the food blog search gadget added to my sidebar. Food Blog Search will help you find recipes in over 2000 food blogs. More are added each day. It's managed by three food bloggers, one being Elise Bauer from Simply Recipes, who has a wonderful website that I refer to. The Bauer family devote a lot of time to her blog and I always enjoy the photography.

The Book Club Update

We'll be discussing "Little Men" by Louisa May Alcott this Thursday, May 1st, 7:30 PM at Ruthanne's house. As always, bring a book recommendation to vote on for our next selection.

The Work of Love

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

~I John 3:18

A Mother of Influence

Flora Augusta Hamilton Lewis (1862-1908)

Flora was the mother of C.S. Lewis. Her cheerful and tranquil personality left a lasting impression on her son "Jack," as Clive Staples Lewis was called, although she died of cancer when he was only nine.

Jack's early childhood was a time spent reading, drawing imaginative pictures, and playing in the Irish countryside. It was a time of warm safety, and then his mother died. "With my mother's death," he wrote in his autobiography, "all settled happiness, all that was tranquil and reliable, disappeared from my life. There was to be much fun, many pleasures, many stabs of joy; but no more of the old security. It was sea and islands now; the great continent had sunk like Atlantis."

A mother of influence shares joy with her children while she can.

From Mothers of Influence

Handy Dandy

Compassion

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;

~Colossians 3:12

Fettuccine Alfredo

This is one of those recipes that gets a 5 star rating. Why? Because the little ones gobble it up and that in itself makes it a happy meal for everyone here at our house.

Fettuccine Alfredo

Makes 8 servings

Cook 2 lbs. dried fettuccine

Melt in a large skillet over medium heat:
2 sticks unsalted butter

Drain pasta and add it to the skillet along with:
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper

Toss over low heat until well coated.
Serve immediately.

Beaba Babycook

Here's something that looks great for anyone with a baby in the house. A baby food steamer, blender and warmer all in one. It's been used in Europe for years and now it's available for the first time here in the United States through Williams Sonoma.

Family Favorite Children's Books

• Henry Reed, Inc.- Keith Robertson
• Henry Reed's Journey- Keith Robertson
• Homer Price- Robert McCloskey
• Watership Down- Richard Adams
• The Lord of the Rings- J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Chronicles of Narnia- C.S. Lewis
• Mrs. Frisby & the Rats of Nimh- Robert O'Brien
• The Penderwicks- Jeanne Birdsall
• Scottish Seas- Douglas Jones
• Huguenot Garden- Douglas Jones
• Dutch Color- Douglas Jones
• The Mouse & the Motorcycle- Beverly Cleary
• Henry & the Clubhouse- Beverly Cleary
• Bomba the Jungle Boy: Terror Trail- Roy Rockwood
• Lancelot Biggs, Spaceman- Nelson Bond
• Charlie & the Chocolate Factory- Roald Dahl
• The Twenty-One Balloons- William Pene du Bois
• Miss Pickerell on the Moon- Ellen MacGregor
• Freddy Goes to the North Pole- Walter R. Brooks
• Pinocchio- Carlo Collodi
• Escape from Warsaw- Ian Serraillier
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang- Ian Fleming
• The Mysterious Benedict Society- Trenton Lee Stewart
• Mr. Poppers Penguins- Richard & Florence Atwater
• Penrod- Booth Tarkington

Kids Pick 3 Day Trip #2

Praying God's Word

Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

~Psalm 119:132-133

Chief Delight

A Child's Prayer

Lord, teach a little child to pray, and then accept my prayer;
For thou canst hear the words I say, for thou art everywhere.

A little sparrow cannot fall unnoticed, Lord, by thee;
And though I am so young and small, thou dost take care of me.

Teach me to do the thing that's right, and when I sin, forgive;
And make it still my chief delight to serve thee while I live.

Q. What is the chief and highest end of man?
A. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully enjoy him forever.

Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, are all things: to whom be glory forever.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsover ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Recent Rainfall

Coffee Punch

We're having a family baby shower here tomorrow. This time we're serving a coffee punch we've used a couple of times before. Beware - it disappears quickly. Maybe it should be a tradition from now on?

Coffee Punch

1 cup instant coffee
1/4 cup cocoa
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup boiling water
3 cups cold water
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 quarts milk
1 pint whipping cream
1/2 gallon coffee ice cream

Dissolve coffee, cocoa and sugar in 1/2 cup boiling water; stir in cold water, vanilla and milk. Fold in creams just before serving. Serves 40.

Note: Be sure the instant coffee is completely dissolved.

The 5 Browns

The topic of conversation with a friend today was "musically talented families". It brought back to my memory The 5 Browns. Three sisters and two brothers, each a virtuoso concert pianist, who play together. They were born in Texas, moved to Utah, and were homeschooled. They all attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York. Their first album was out in 2005 which took them to the top of the Billboard charts. They've released two more, one in 2006 and one last year.

"One family, five pianos and 50 fingers add up to the biggest classical music sensation in years," ~The New York Post

The 5 Browns "Simple Gifts/Going Home"