Admittedly, swiss chard is a rather bitter vegetable. I have only served it a handful of times at my house because I know that everyone’s reaction will be less than enthusiastic. But I want my dear ones to learn to like everything. Things would get a bit monotonous if I made the same things over and over.  We need all our veggies, not just the starchy ones. 🙂  Sometimes, you have to cultivate a taste for things, like swiss chard. Mmmm, doesn’t it look good?  Okay, okay, your brain may not be sending  that message to you.  But not only do I think it looks good, I thought it tasted good, really good.  Of…

The holiday season is here along with all the excitement, hustle and bustle and decorations.  The little ones get so excited at our house about the little decorating we do (a string of white lights on our ficus tree, nativity set and a winter village).   Interestingly enough, I found out this year how much our little traditions have meant to my daughter.  For instance, I usually try to send out a Christmas picture and newsletter.  I’m not planning to this year and Serenity has expressed her disappointment a few times.  Believe me, I didn’t think anyone would miss doing a Christmas picture.  They’re usually not too fun and that’s an understatement! …

Last week my dh took me to the Grand Canyon for two days.  When we have these little get-a-ways I always bring along some book that we can read together.  This time, along with my overflowing book bag,  I took the video series Financial Freedom by Jim Sammons which I purchased from Vision Forum.  They are very good!  Mr. Sammons does not give you a formula on how to get rich as so many financial books do, but instead talks about God’s principals and how we should view the money we have as God’s money and to give it all back to Him and not hold on to it in our hearts.  He tells his…

I told you we were busy the last week-and-a-half!  On Sunday we celebrated Audrey’s 2nd birthday.   On Monday we sent my sister and her husband on a date for the day.  The girls carried to the car a goody basket we made up for them.   And I got to see what it would be like having 13 kids. (I have 6 and my sister has 7.) Hmmm.  Do I see room for a few more? Well, I think that’s all the catch-up I have to do.  I hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.

Two days after Thanksgiving, my Serenity had her 10th birthday.  Serenity has been such a blessing to me with her sweet nature, although her brothers bring out the "other side" once in a while  at least once a day. Just for a bit of fun, on the invitation I asked the girls to dress in pink and green, if they wanted.  Whoever had the most on of these colors would win a prize.  It was so much fun to see them all in similar shades.  I knew there would be no way to choose a winner when they were covered with those two colors, so I chose a name out of the basket to determine the winner.…