Peanut Butter Cookies

Everyone has their favorite!
These are our family's...

Peanut Butter Cookies

3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup shortening (stick form)
1 1/4 cup light brown sugar
3 TBS milk
1 TBS vanilla
1 egg
1 3/4 unbleached flour
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder


Preheat oven to 375.
Beat together on medium speed;
peanut butter, shortening, brown sugar,
milk, and vanilla until well blended.
Add egg and beat until blended.
In separate bowl, combine flour, salt,
baking soda, and baking powder.
Add to creamed mixture and mix until blended.
Drop by tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart
onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Flatten slightly in crisscross pattern
with fork dipped in sugar.
Bake at 375 for about 8 minutes
or until set and just beginning to brown.
Allow to cool about 2 minutes on baking sheet.
Remove and cool completely
on baking rack or aluminum foil.

Eat and enjoy! Mmmmmmm!

Haven at Home Happenings...

It has been a mostly, slow and uneventful week
as I had been recovering from a bad infection.
I was thankful that by Tuesday I was feeling well enough
to attend our last day of our church's music festival.
Though I was not well enough to sing,
I counted it a great blessing that I was able to
leave the horizontal position to enjoy the last night
of singing, special music, and preaching.

Though we didn't get much of our lessons done this week,
the older children took turns reading aloud from
"Summer With the Moody's" as the younger ones sat
on the couch snuggling with Mama.
In addition, the children enjoyed listening in
as Ally read my 'quiet time' aloud to me earlier this week.
What a nurse she was to her Mama! What a blessing!
All of them were such a help while Mama was down..
(Daddy, too, when he was able to be home)
What a delight it was to me to see how they were so
thoughtful, selfless, caring and compassionate.

Towards the end of the week we were able to
make it to the commisary for our bimonthy trip
and we were able to give the house a little blessing
before Daddy's brother came to visit for the weekend. ;o)

I was able to get a few photos yesterday...

Ally, Beth, and Carolynne building houses with Legos.



Will reading "A Father's Promise" (again)

In the evening, Daddy walked the children to the end
of the street to get a good look at the dead snake we saw...

Unfortuneately, it was already gone
but they did enjoy the walk with their Daddy!

I didn't take many photos this week.
In fact, the children played with the camera more than I did
so I thought it would be fun to close
by sharing some of THEIR captures from the camera...














LOL... silly faces are ever present in our home.

I hope y'all have enjoyed your week
and have a wonderful weekend, too!

A Little Change is Good, Right?

I'm not usually one for bold, drastic changes.
I tend to be one of those that prefers
small, gradual changes when possible.
So when I had the 'bug' to make changes to my blog,
I thought changing the header, adding a third column,
and other slight (probably unnoticeable) changes would suffice.

I tried three columns a couple of years ago
and after a while I felt it was a little too cluttered
but here I am trying it again. ;o)
And I, also, thought it was time to add
a few new photos to our header
and even try a slightly different look with it.

It's as close as I'll get to a summer makeover. ;o)

Haven at Home Happenings...

Sharing snapshots of our past week...


Beth and Carolynne drawing pictures



Will recreating the Battle of Yorktown



Ally painting with acrylics




A flock of geese we stopped to observe
on the way home from a doctor's appointment



Enjoying a climb at the park
that we stopped to play at



Up the slide



Enjoying a book at the park
(while I worked on a new menu to the left)


While visiting friends on Tuesday,
the children enjoyed gathering together
to learn a few Chinese words...



They, also, enjoyed playing out-of-doors
and were delighted to find this empty turtle shell...



Ally and her friend enjoyed singing with her new guitar...



Suzie enjoyed the ride home...



Friday we enjoyed our morning at the park
with our homeschool group...

swinging and burying toys were among the activities
that kept their interest. ;o)



They, also, enjoyed gathering around the man
that was mowing the grass at the park.
He didn't seem to mind, at all, answering the many questions
from the young inquiring minds.
I will never understand how so many claim
that homeschoolers are unsocialized... it simply is not true. ;o)



Ally and her friend enjoyed a peaceful walk


We, also, found items to add to our nature journals...

Beth selected a piece of the bahaya grass (left),
and even drew the ants that were on the stem,
while Carolynne (middle) and Will (right)
drew and did a leaf rub from a northern red oak.
I was delighted to see how they really looked forward
to this activity and am sure that much of it is from
the new consistency I have put forth
in adding this to our studies.
And what an encouragement it has been to see
how they are able to observe and name those things
we have seen and studied!
I do regret I did not begin this consistent practice
of nature study sooner but am looking forward
to developing it as an enjoyable habit!

If you have ever been interested in beginning nature study,
what a time to do while seatwork has been tapered down
during these warm summer months!


"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world
are clearly seen, being understood by the things
that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead;
so that they are without excuse:" ~ Romans 1:20

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... July 20, 2009


Outside my window...
is an overcasted sky and a cooler breeze
that has allowed me to open my windows


I am thinking...
of goals for the upcoming week


I am thankful for...
God's Word and good Christian music
that lifts my spirit and speaks to my heart


From the learning rooms...
we continue to complete our study in History
of Ancient Egypt and Exodus,
focusing on the 10th plague/Passover;
continue implementing more nature study;
and continue working on the completion of
other miscellaneous subjects so we can
transition into the upcoming 'school' year


From the kitchen...
counters are clean, dishes are done, all is well
On the Menu...
M ~ Taco Rice Tacos
T ~ Green Bean Casserole Deluxe
W ~ Rigatoni/garlic bread
Th ~Greek chicken with rice
F ~Sourdough Pizza


I am wearing...
a burgandy checkered, fruit print jumper


I am creating...
nothing currently on the sewing machine


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in 1 Samuel, Psalms, Acts;
The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery;
Lessons at Blackberry Inn by Karen Andreola;
Home Education by Charlotte M Mason;
reading aloud "Summer With the Moodys" by Sarah Maxwell


I am hoping (praying)...
continued revival in my heart, in my family,
in our church, in our nation;
for the upcoming music festival at our church
and for vacation Bible school the following week


I am hearing...
the lil' girls playing in the living room;
muffled sounds of Will and Ally from upstairs
as they have his piano lesson;
birds singing and cicadas making their joyful noise
outside my open windows;
classical music playing from the kitchen


One of my favorite things...
being in God's Word, God's house,
and with God's people


A few plans for the rest of the week...
focus on deeper cleaning and school work;
help a friend deep clean as she expects
her husband's arrival home from Iraq soon;
attend our midweek prayer and Bible service;
enjoy the simplicities of home


Here is picture thought I am sharing...


"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD,
and whose hope the LORD is." ~ Jeremiah 17:7

What a promise! May our hope be the LORD
and our trust be in Him alone!

The Nest...

One thing we have been enjoying this summer
is getting more familiar with nature study.
It's been a blessing to take advantage of
some of the "extra" time we've had this summer
as we aren't at "full speed" in our home learning.
The truth is, I've been resolving to discipline myself
in purposely adding more nature study in our days.
The children and I have enjoyed it much!

As the children were walking Suzie yesterday,
they found a little cup nest lying on the ground
and were excited to bring it home.
We studying how the material was carefully weaved
together to make this cozy little home.
How amazing it was to study it!




The children enjoyed adding this wonderful find
to their nature journals...
(and Carolynne added a little embellishment to hers
by adding bird eggs {left}... which was more than okay)



I enjoyed finding a poem that I will share with the children
and Will will copy a portion of it into his nature journal...

Who Taught the Birds?

Who taught the bird to build her nest
Of softest wool, and hay, and moss?
Who taught her how to weave it best,
And lay the tiny twigs across?

Who taught the busy bee to fly
Among the sweetest herbs and flowers,
And lay her store of honey by,
Providing food for winter hours?

Who taught the little ant the way
Her narrow cell so well to bore
And through the pleasant summer day
To gather up her winter store?

'Twas God who taught them all the way,
And gave the little creatures skill;
He teaches children, when they pray,
To know and do His heavenly will.

~ by Jane Taylor
(from Poems for Memorization by Rod and Staff Publishers)

The Song of Plagues...

In a recent post, I mentioned that the children and I
were learning a song about the 10 plagues we were studying
and was asked if I would share the lyrics.
Gladly! Here they are below...


The Plague Song
(to the tune of "This Old Man")

First God sent, Plague number one,
Turned the Nile into blood.
All the people in Egypt were feeling pretty low
They told Pharaoh "Let them Go!"

Then God sent, Plague number two,
Jumping frogs all over you.
All the people in Egypt were feeling pretty low
They told Pharaoh "Let them Go!"


Then God sent, Plague number three,
Swarms of lice from head to knee.
All the people in Egypt were feeling pretty low
They told Pharaoh "Let them Go!"

Then God sent, Plague number four,
Filthy flies need we say more?
All the people in Egypt were feeling pretty low
They told Pharaoh "Let them Go!"

Then God sent, Plague number five,
All the livestock up and died.
All the people in Egypt were feeling pretty low
They told Pharaoh "Let them Go!"

Then God sent,Plague number six,
Boils and sores to make you sick
All the people in Egypt were feeling pretty low.
They told Pharaoh "Let them Go!"

Then God sent, Plague number seven,
Hail and fire down from heaven.
All the people in Egypt were feeling pretty low
They told Pharaoh "Let them Go!"

Then God sent, Plague number eight,
Locust came and they sure ate.
All the people in Egypt were feeling pretty low
They told Pharaoh "Let them Go!"

Then God sent, Plague number nine,
Total darkness all the time.
All the people in Egypt were feeling pretty low
They told Pharaoh "Let them Go!"

Then God sent, Plague number ten,
Pharaoh's son died so he gave in.
All the people in Egypt were feeling pretty low
Finally Pharaoh let them go.

{song found here but altered slightly by me}


I have been singing it to the children
as they have been coloring in their 10 plagues mini-book
and have enjoyed singing it themselves
as they flip through the books.
It's been a fun little jingle to sing
as we've been studying these ten plagues!

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... July 13, 2009


Outside my window...
cloudy skies, cool air, and drops of rain
falling from the trees from our recent downpour


I am thinking...
of how nice it was to sit with my beloved last night,
both reading silently in quiet contentment


I am thankful for...
being in the Lord's house yesterday
after being out for a week due to family illnesses


From the learning rooms...
we continue to complete our study in History
of Ancient Egypt and Exodus,
and continue working on the completion of
other miscellaneous subjects so we can
transition into the upcoming 'school' year


From the kitchen...
Ally is peeling carrots for the children,
the dishwasher is running, and the fridge awaits a new menu


I am wearing...
a dark blue, floral cotton dress


I am creating...
nothing currently on the sewing machine


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in 1 Samuel, Psalms, Acts;
The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery;
Lessons at Blackberry Inn by Karen Andreola;
Home Education by Charlotte M Mason;
reading aloud "Summer With the Moodys" by Sarah Maxwell


I am hoping (praying)...
continued revival in my heart, in my family,
in our church, in our nation


I am hearing...
the dishwasher running; the lil' girls playing in the living room;
Will playing with army men at the table; Ally talking to Suzie


One of my favorite things...
spending time in God's Word in the morning


A few plans for the rest of the week...
make a new menu; take a trip to the commisary;
take Ally to her endocrin appointment;
go to our midweek Bible/prayer service;
focus on school and house work; go to our homeschool park day


Here is picture thought I am sharing...


"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever:
for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. " ~ Isaiah 26:3-4

What encouragement! Praise God for such a promise!

Haven at Home Happenings...

It has been a blessing this week as we have been able to
focus on getting back to more structured learning.
We are aiming to complete our history study in Exodus
so we can be ready for this upcoming year's studies.

We have been reading about and discussing
the ten plagues of Egypt. It has been a fascinating study
as we are learning which Egyptian gods each plague discredited.
One of the projects we've been doing during this time
is a mini book of the 10 plagues.
I found the idea as I was searching for coloring pages.
Here are their books...



We've, also, been learning a song to help us remember
the order of the plagues, which we have all been enjoying.

Also, this week, we enjoyed doing a study on the tree
in our backyard, learning it was a willow oak
and discussing different animals that sought out its acorns.
The children, also, enjoyed doing leaf rubs and sketches
in their nature journals...


Carolynne's ~ age 5



Beth ~ age 6



Will ~ age 10



Will's copywork of Virgil's poem

We, also, picked back up with other subjects this week.
The children enjoyed 'getting back to the books'...


Carolynne doing her phonics copywork



Beth illustrating a poem we read aloud



Will working on his copywork




We've enjoyed our past weeks of busyness together
but it was a delight to get back to some sort of routine
and structure in our learning moments.


Today we read about and discussed another plague
from the book of Exodus and then we devoted
the rest of the day to blessing the house...


Ally emptied, purged, and scrubbed the fridge



Will emptied and scrubbed all of the trash cans,
in addition to organizing the game drawer,
cleaning out the media armoire & straightening bookshelves.



Beth and Carolynne helped pick up sticks and toys
from the backyard, as well as put miscellaneous toys away,
organize the shoe closet, and wash baseboards.



I focused on the living room, moving furniture
and cleaning behind it, emptied the blanket basket
and aired out all of the blankets, washed windows,
emptied and organized the six drawers of the side tables,
swept, mopped, and vacuumed, and washed the curtains.

We took a break in between for an ice cream treat...


I loved, too, being able to hang the laundry on the line,
due to the wonderful breezes we had today...


I just love laundry on the line!

It was a real blessing to work together today,
keeping our home a pleasant haven to dwell.

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... July 6, 2009


Outside my window...
is an overcasted sky with very warm temps


I am thinking...
of what this upcoming week will have in store


I am thankful for...
the Lord restoring health to our family,
after the children being ill this past weekend


From the learning rooms...
we continue to try to "get back to the books",
aiming to complete our study of Ancient Egypt and Exodus
and working on the completion of
other miscellaneous subjects so we can
transition into the upcoming 'school' year


From the kitchen...
a little blessing (cleaning) is needed from the weekend


I am wearing...
a blue and pink paisley jumper with a cream collared shirt


I am creating...
a new round neck dress with a six panel skirt, zipper, pockets,
and regency sleeves (and it's red!)


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in Ruth, Psalms, Acts;
Lessons at Blackberry Inn by Karen Andreola;
Home Education by Charlotte M Mason;
reading aloud "Summer With the Moodys" by Sarah Maxwell


I am hoping (praying)...
continued revival in my heart, in my family,
in our church, in our nation


I am hearing...
the shower running, the children playing,
the dog barking to go outside,
and the maintenance man mowing the lawn


One of my favorite things...
being able to spend extended holiday weekends
with my beloved


A few plans for the rest of the week...
tackle my "To Do" list: begin lessons at home;
try to meet an online friend that's passing through;
begin walking; continue juicing;
attend our midweek prayer and Bible service;
& enjoy the pleasures of home



Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Enjoying sparklers