Kool-Aid cups and Memories

Last summer while visiting A Vintage Gathering*, I saw this Kool-Aid set for sale and oh man did it bring back memories. I can't remember if we even had the set but that doesn't matter. It brought back memories of mixing the Kool-Aid in the kitchen with my brother helping. It brought back memories of summer time, playing in the yard, laughing with friends. I seem to recall that the cups and pitcher changed color too. Oh, and those commercials of the big Kool-Aid man. Out of all the wonderful vintage treasures at the sale, this......

this set made me stop, remember simple moments in life and smile. This is why I love these sales, vintage and antique shops and such: 

For what they remind us of in the past so we know what to treasure in our present and future. 

*A Vintage Gathering, an outdoor event I attended last year, now is a store in Battle Ground, WA. Check out their Facebook page for more info.

Television Wisdom Wednesday

There are some that say there is nothing good that comes from television. Some others think it is just a mind numbing escape from reality. Well, I want to provide tid-bits of wisdom picked up from all my no good, mind numbing t.v. watching just to prove there is a little wisdom to be learned from it all. So, without further ado, from one of my favorite t.v. shows, the first Television Wisdom Wednesday quote. Enjoy! 

From the show Bones: 

Dr. Temperance 'Bones' Brennan - "I find very few people are scary once they've been poked in the eye."

I am a Prepper. Wait, WHAT!?

• I am always increasing my knowledge and skills in a wide variety of areas.
• I am a gardener, ever learning new ways to grow and cook my own food. 
• In case of an emergency, I have a plan for my family. We all know where to meet up and have an extra evacuation place to go to, if needed. 
• I have stored away supplies around my house in case of an emergency situation. Extras like batteries, first aid kits, toilet paper, candles, matches, food, water and fuel.
• I have personal protection and the know how to use it. 
• I have cash on hand in case the bank is closed and we need gas, food or supplies quickly. 
• I believe in planning ahead. 
• I believe in being self-reliant or, if you like, self-sufficient.
• I believe in helping those who are less fortunate.
• I believe in God and putting to good use His provisions. 

I am a prepper. Yep. You read that correctly. I would call myself a prepper.

• No, I am not a crazy person. (at least, that's what the voices in my head tell me)  hehehe  : )
• No, I do not believe that zombies are going to attack us. 
• Yes, I do believe that there is evil in this world. People, overcome by evil, do bad things and those bad things don't always happen to other evil people. 

In my opinion, we should all be preppers to a certain extent. I mean, look at the meaning of prepare: to put together; to get ready; to work out the details of; to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use or activity. Those are not crazy ideas or thoughts. Those are some pretty basic ideas. And, just because I choose to label myself a prepper, that doesn't mean I am a hoarder by any means or that I am not a philanthropist. I give as I feel I am lead to give and I prepare I as feel I am lead to prepare. So, where ever you are on the media's current sensationalized portrayal of prepping, this is where I am on prepping. Your thoughts?

Marriage - as God designed it

Male and Female. 

There is no question they are different. Physically and emotional, God has made each sex uniquely opposites. Your gender has been given to you by God and, I believe, by no accident but for a divine purpose on this earth. And in our humanness, we can become upset by the opposite-ness of the opposite sex. It can drive us crazy trying to figure out just why exactly they (the opposite sex) do what they do. But we were made opposites so that we may become ONE when we are married. This is how God designed it.  And still, we fight against the maleness and femaleness that God has given to us. 

Women - Stop! 

Stop trying to do everyone's job. Do you think you will lose your independence and voice if you become a submissive wife as God said to be? Do you desire to follow the plan God made for your marriage? We need to let go of the reigns and give them to our husbands so they can lead the family, as God designed them to. We are not doing the job as the wife and mother that God gave us to do if we are trying to control the reigns which God did not give us to control. This doesn't mean that you lose your independence, opinion or voice and it doesn't mean you are to be walked all over or abused either. To be the head of the house and the family, they (husbands, fathers) are ultimately responsible to God for all God gave them. That is as God designed it for them. God called on Adam, not Eve, when they were in the garden and had eaten the fruit they were told not to. Adam was responsible for what his family did.

Men - Step up! 

God made you to be the head of your family and the example of Christs love to them. Take the reigns but be humble enough to ask for help from your wife, your helper. 

The man God gave to me and I, his helper in this life.

God, 

I pray that we would reflect you and your love by being what you designed us to be and not fighting it or being scared of it. I pray that we would be able to speak openly to our spouse about where we could improve in our own roles in our marriages. I pray we would listen intently and react with truth AND grace. I lift up all marriages to you and pray that you would heal the wounded and broken ones and that they might all be centered on you and bring you glory. In Jesus' name, Amen!

California Turkey Burgers

This is one of my favorite burger recipes. Probably because it has cilantro in it but also because it is a light burger, perfect for a summer evening barbecue. Add some rosemary & garlic fries, a bowl of fresh fruit or a light salad as a side dish. Try it out and let me know what you think. I think you will like it! Recipe from the Favorite Brand Name Grilling cookbook.











1 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
1/3 cup plain dry bread crumbs
3 tbsp's yellow mustard
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 red or yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into rings
Monterey Jack cheese slices
4 hamburger buns

Love the smell of fresh cut cilantro! These are going to be good!

Combine turkey, cilantro, bread crumbs, mustard, egg, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Shape into 4 patties, pressing firmly. Place patties on oiled grid. Grill over medium/high heat about 15 minutes, until no longer pink in the center. Top with cheese during last few minutes of grilling. Grill bell pepper rings 2 minutes. To serve, place burgers on buns and top with pepper rings. We like ours with some olive oil mayo. 

Yummy! Enjoy!

Birthday Card Collage Posters

As I was cleaning the girls room a while back, I noticed a large pile of cards tucked away in a basket. Cards given to her at birth and birthdays that I didn't want to toss. Letting them pile up, however, was no good either. 


Soooo......... 

I went to the dollar store and bought two white poster boards. When I got back home, I sat down with the white boards, some glue and all those cards and got to work. I didn't use all of the cards; some I cut down and some I toss because they were duplicates. I overlaid  many of them to get in as many as I could. I also glued them shut so they weren't all flying open when I hung it.

When they were finished and dry, I clipped them up on the kids' Dignitet curtain wires that we bought from Ikea. They are perfect for displaying the kids' artwork. (And mommy's in this case!) What I really love about this project is that we can all enjoy the cards instead of having them hidden away and they add wonderful color and joy to the kids' rooms.  
  

And, bonus, none of the cards have come unglued and they have been hanging up for about six months. What do you think about this project? What have you done with your kids' cards from over the years?

Anticipating Spring

 The sun has been peaking out from behind the clouds more and more lately. 

It has me anticipating Spring's arrival and the garden that I will be planting soon.  

As I plan out my planting calendar, I am remembering last years great harvest. 

Lettuce, basil, carrots, radishes, peas, bush beans, basil, mint, strawberries, and tomatoes. 

So many wonderful tomatoes. 

This year I plan to add a few things too. Kale, cilantro, parsley, spinach, cucumbers, bell peppers, and onions. 

So I wonder.......

Do you plant a garden? 

What are you anticipating with Spring's coming?