Stellan is the baby boy of Jennifer, whose blog I have been following. You can read his story and more at www.mycharmingkids.net or click on the icon to the right. Her blog is updated regularly (by family members), even though she and Stellan are at the hospital as I "speak."
Please pray for Stellan's little heart!!
~PrairieBren
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Fight FOCA
To read more about FOCA, please click the ad on the right hand side of this blog. You will find this and more on the site:
The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would eliminate every restriction on abortion nationwide.
- FOCA will do away with state laws on parental involvement, on partial birth abortion, and on all other protections.
- FOCA will compel taxpayer funding of abortions.
- FOCA will force faith-based hospitals and healthcare facilities to perform abortions.
Barack Obama believes this legislation will "end the culture wars." To him, "ending the culture wars" means eradicating every state and federal law on abortion — laws that the majority of Americans support.
There's also a petition you can sign at the bottom of the page to help fight FOCA.
~PrairieBren
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Quote for the Day
You speak in your letter of the possibility of one place being safer than another; I think, dear Eva, from the human standpoint all are equally unsafe, from the point of view of those whose lives are hid with Christ in God all are equally safe!! . . . "A mighty fortress is our God," and in Him we are safe for time and eternity. Shall we murmur if we have less of time than we expected?
~one of missionary Edith Searell's last letters before being martyred in the Boxer Rebellion, China, 1900
....a great reminder that our time is in His hands. I hope you all enjoy your time with your family today and tomorrow, knowing that in Him you are safe for time and eternity. We are opening gifts tonight, and will spend time with Shaun's folks and sister tomorrow. Stay tuned...many pics and quips will follow. ;-)
Merry Christmas,
~PrairieBren
~one of missionary Edith Searell's last letters before being martyred in the Boxer Rebellion, China, 1900
....a great reminder that our time is in His hands. I hope you all enjoy your time with your family today and tomorrow, knowing that in Him you are safe for time and eternity. We are opening gifts tonight, and will spend time with Shaun's folks and sister tomorrow. Stay tuned...many pics and quips will follow. ;-)
Merry Christmas,
~PrairieBren
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Siamese Santas??
This picture cracks me up. Ben and Ash look like Siamese Santas, and somehow, Jessie and Andrew managed to get their mugs in there. Too cute!
On Their Way to Handel's Messiah....
Here's a pic of all who went to Handel's Messiah this year - with our Charlie Brown Christmas tree in the background. Andrew and I stayed home. I was pretty sure he wouldn't "dig it" and didn't want to spend the money for him to take a nap. Ha!! The young man in the Coast Guard uniform is Ashlee's friend, Ben.
M-E-R-R-Y C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S!!!
E is for Each one of you, and the hope that you will have a blessed Christmas and New Year!
R is for Relief that I don't have to pay for my sins, because Jesus already did that!
R is also for Remembering those whom we have lost this year.
Y is for Yellow (or Lellow as my niece says), and all the beautiful colors that surround us and the ability to see them, which we all take for granted.
C is for Children, and all that were born in our family this year.
H is for Hope. There's always hope for the children of God. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. 2 Thess. 2:16-17.
R is for Roses. Let's all remember to stop and smell them this year.
I is for Instant potatoes. LOL. Seriously, they make life easier at times.
S is for Shaun, whom I'd like to thank for sticking with me in my most difficult of times. :-)
T is for Treasures, both here and those that are laid up in Heaven.
M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus. I grow more appreciative of her role as the years go by. What awesome faith and trust she possessed to submit to God's plan for her life.
A is for America, and how blessed we are to live here.
S is for the Snow! Whether your Christmas is white or not (it's snowing as I "speak"!), I hope it is Merry, Bright, and Warm. I know it will be if it is centered on Christ and how He came as a Babe to make a way for you and I to spend eternity with Him forever.
God bless,
~PrairieBren
Monday, December 22, 2008
Snowball Cookies!
So, I know that snowball cookies are nothing new. But I had never made them, so I took the plunge this year and tried something besides the ol' standby (peanut butter balls). I thought they turned out really cute. Made me want to have a snowball fight - with these cookies! LOL. Anyway, the family tells me they are really good so I thought I would share the recipe, in case any of my readers are also stuck in ruts and are in need of something new and very Christmas-E to make. ;-)Snowball Cookies
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Additional powdered sugar
Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until fully mixed. Add flour with salt to creamed mixture, and blend thoroughly. Add nuts and mix well. Chill dough for one hour. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Shape into one inch balls, and bake 8-10 minutes. Do not brown. Cool, roll in powdered sugar.
I confess that I did let the cookies brown a touch. Here's a picture of how much I let them brown:
They stayed together just fine, and I heard no complaints. I also found that I had to cook them around 12 minutes instead of 8-10. Adjust cooking time to your oven.
Make sure they cool before you roll them in the powdered sugar. Let them sit for about seven minutes after you roll them, then roll again. Some of the sugar sets in and the second rolling gives them that snow ball look.
Merry Christmas and Happy Snowball Fights! ;-)
~PrairieBren
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Question and Answer Time
This was stolen from Melanie, whom I don't know, but am following her blog. You can follow it too at itsmelanie.blogspot.com. These are my answers, of course.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Absolutely nothing. (Bows head in shame)
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make New Year's resolutions. (Head still bowed in shame)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Oh yes! I had a nephew born on my birthday, a niece born on Shaun's sister's birthday, a great neice, and....I think that's all. Please don't be mad at me if I forgot someone!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Shaun's uncle Ted died, and Shaun's cousin (see tribute to the right) died a couple of weeks ago.
5. What countries did you visit?
The U.S.A.! ;-)
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Better health and more attitudes that resemble Jesus Christ.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
November 4th.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Sticking with my life, even though it's hard.
9. What was your biggest failure?
How assuming! Just kidding.....I'm going to say not spending enough quality time with family.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
My biggest injury was going to the dentist. LOL. Really not very funny!!! :-(
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Fabric, of course.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Ashlee, who works very hard at her job and doing things for others. Jessie, for getting her GED and doing so with a score that is in the top ten percentile. Andrew, for having a receptive, soft heart towards spiritual matters. And Shaun, for being a great provider for our family.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Barack Obama.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, gas, and food for three teenagers.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The prospect of getting Sarah Palin into the White House.
16. What song/album will always remind you of 2008?
That's a hard one. I guess I don't have an answer. I'll edit if I think of something.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier/sadder,thinner/heavier,richer/poorer?
I think I'm happier, thinner (ugh!), and about the same financially.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Prayer.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasted time.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Going to Shaun's parents house, baking, and talking around the fire. And playing games of course!
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
My girls.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes. I'm in love with our new bunny (sshshshsssshhhhhh!!! It's Andrew's Christmas present!)
23. How many one night stands in this last year?
I lost count. (Ask a dumb question, get a dumb answer).
24. What was your favorite TV program?
I don't really watch TV programs, but I love I Love Lucy and Cosby Show.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, no hating.
26. What was the best book(s) you read?
Be Still My Soul, by Elisabeth Elliot
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not sure, but I want to learn how to play the violin. Does that count??
28. What did you want and get?
Fabric. LOL.
29. What did you want and not get?
Nothing comes to mind, so I must have everything I need. ;-)
30. What were your favorite films of this year?
Definitely Fireproof. But I liked Prince Caspian too.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I don't remember what I did. And I was 36.
32. What's one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being able to eat whatever I want.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Whatever keeps me warm!
34. What kept you sane?
Who says I'm sane?
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Sarah Palin. I think she's "the real deal", as Joe the Plumber said.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election. I thought it was a fiasco, so it wasn't a good kind of stirring. LOL.
37. Who did you miss?
My Mom, brothers, and my Grandma.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Little Benny Foo Foo, aka the nephew born on my birthday. ;-)
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
God is in control, even when it seems your country is going down the toilet.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
Obedience IS the very best way
To show that you believe.
That's the best i could come up with. Ha!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
~PrairieBren
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Absolutely nothing. (Bows head in shame)
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make New Year's resolutions. (Head still bowed in shame)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Oh yes! I had a nephew born on my birthday, a niece born on Shaun's sister's birthday, a great neice, and....I think that's all. Please don't be mad at me if I forgot someone!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Shaun's uncle Ted died, and Shaun's cousin (see tribute to the right) died a couple of weeks ago.
5. What countries did you visit?
The U.S.A.! ;-)
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Better health and more attitudes that resemble Jesus Christ.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
November 4th.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Sticking with my life, even though it's hard.
9. What was your biggest failure?
How assuming! Just kidding.....I'm going to say not spending enough quality time with family.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
My biggest injury was going to the dentist. LOL. Really not very funny!!! :-(
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Fabric, of course.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Ashlee, who works very hard at her job and doing things for others. Jessie, for getting her GED and doing so with a score that is in the top ten percentile. Andrew, for having a receptive, soft heart towards spiritual matters. And Shaun, for being a great provider for our family.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Barack Obama.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, gas, and food for three teenagers.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The prospect of getting Sarah Palin into the White House.
16. What song/album will always remind you of 2008?
That's a hard one. I guess I don't have an answer. I'll edit if I think of something.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier/sadder,thinner/heavier,richer/poorer?
I think I'm happier, thinner (ugh!), and about the same financially.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Prayer.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasted time.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Going to Shaun's parents house, baking, and talking around the fire. And playing games of course!
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
My girls.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes. I'm in love with our new bunny (sshshshsssshhhhhh!!! It's Andrew's Christmas present!)
23. How many one night stands in this last year?
I lost count. (Ask a dumb question, get a dumb answer).
24. What was your favorite TV program?
I don't really watch TV programs, but I love I Love Lucy and Cosby Show.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, no hating.
26. What was the best book(s) you read?
Be Still My Soul, by Elisabeth Elliot
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not sure, but I want to learn how to play the violin. Does that count??
28. What did you want and get?
Fabric. LOL.
29. What did you want and not get?
Nothing comes to mind, so I must have everything I need. ;-)
30. What were your favorite films of this year?
Definitely Fireproof. But I liked Prince Caspian too.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I don't remember what I did. And I was 36.
32. What's one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being able to eat whatever I want.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Whatever keeps me warm!
34. What kept you sane?
Who says I'm sane?
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Sarah Palin. I think she's "the real deal", as Joe the Plumber said.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election. I thought it was a fiasco, so it wasn't a good kind of stirring. LOL.
37. Who did you miss?
My Mom, brothers, and my Grandma.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Little Benny Foo Foo, aka the nephew born on my birthday. ;-)
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
God is in control, even when it seems your country is going down the toilet.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
Obedience IS the very best way
To show that you believe.
That's the best i could come up with. Ha!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
~PrairieBren
Friday, December 12, 2008
Attention Recipe Hunters!
Go to www.cooks.com for great recipes! I find everything from very sweet desserts to healthy snacks and crock pot dinners. Many of their recipes use common ingredients, which if very important for my family.
Happy Holiday Baking!!!
~PrairieBren
Red meat is not bad for you. Now blue-green meat, that’s bad for you! ~Tommy Smothers
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