The Great Apron Swap

After I posted the little apron post a few weeks back, Angelina (from Pioneer Beauty ) suggested doing an apron swap.  I thought it sounded like fun, but since I had not put one of these types of things together before, it needed a little figuring out on my part to be sure I "could" put it together.

I talked to Roxy (living from glory to glory ) who, you might say, is my apron partner :) we both decided it sounded like fun; and interestingly enough, Roxy just posted the sweetest post about aprons, so check out her post . You can register on my blog or Roxy's, by leaving a comment that you would like to be a part of the "Great Apron Swap".  Sign up as a follower on both blogs, leave your name, e-mail address, and size preference (S, M, or L), and agree to send an apron to your swapping partner, once we have partnered the names.  At the time of the name partnering draw, we will give you the name and e-mail address of your partner, after which, you will collect size preference from them and their address and give your size preference, and address.  You will then send aprons to each other accordingly. You will have a month from the time of the posting of the draw. You may make the apron, or purchase a vintage apron from yard sale or antique sale, which ever you prefer. If you want, post your aprons on your blog to show what you make or find and after all is done, each one can  post of their prize. Happy Aproning.

Banana Bread

This Banana Bread recipe makes moist, healthy muffins and bread, with no sugar added (just a little honey and the bananas to sweeten it), and whole grain flour.  It is one of the best recipes I've made and I think  you're gonna love it.

Pre Heat oven to 400 degrees


Stir the following together in a large mixing bowl:
1  3/4  cups whole wheat or whole spelt flour
2  cups oat flour ( I just grind up rolled oats in the blender and put into a container to use as needed)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1  1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

In a Blender put:
7 to 10 bananas.  You could get away with 7, but the bread is sweeter and moister with more.
1  1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cups honey
1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil
4 eggs

Blend together, and then pour over  dry ingredients and stir until well blended.
Add 1 cup walnuts
Blend all together

Pour into 12 muffin cups and 1 loaf pan.  Bake 18 to twenty minutes.   Remove muffins and reduce heat to 350.  Bake bread 30 minutes longer:
18 -20 minutes total for muffins,
50-60 minutes total for bread

Peaches and Bananas

All my little sleepyheads,

have at last gone off to bed.

I am peaceful as I blog, 

before I too begin to nod.

In the quiet of the evening time, 

I recall this week of mine 

And share my little tasks with you,

perhaps you will enjoy them too.

So there is my silly poem for the day.  Sometimes my head gets full of rhyme.  I can't help myself, its almost irritating, but I figure if I can't have a little fun with those silly rhymes here, where else can I put them.

Last week was a busy one, with our conference, a visit from our son Nathan, a big box of peaches and a big box of bananas we were blessed with.  The banana's and peaches had to be dealt with of course, so I made peach jam and frozen peaches, banana bread, banana muffins, and dried banana chips.  I got this box of bananas for three dollars, because they were turning slightly brown, so I feel like I hit the jackpot on that one. After 5 loaves of banana bread, 60 muffins, and 2 trays of dried bananas, I still have about 3 bunches of bananas left, and will try to dry the rest of those before they get too soft, otherwise it will be more banana bread and muffins.  I am remembering when Anne from Homeschool on the Croft had a big box of bananas, and made banana bread as well. It is delightful to have some extra goodies in the freezer for company and gifts.

I made three types of peach jam this time; one with no sugar (it was "Ginger Peach") one with low sugar, and one with the regular amount of sugar... which incidentally had a lot of sugar in it.  I am trying to get my household back onto a healthy track, so I have been enjoying a search for some great "no sugar" and whole grain recipes.  I have adapted several recipes as I have gone along, and they are coming out pretty well. I'll share them when they are good.  I liked all the jam recipes, including the "no sugar" recipe, which turned out very well. (If you want to make it, just get the no sugar pectin, and follow instructions.  I added no sweetner at all to it aside from some fresh fruit juice.  You could add honey if you wanted to, but to Steve and I it was yummy as is.

 I have begun a "Blue Jean Bag" for my project of the week, but alas, with the busy week, didn't get it finished, so will get it finished this week, and post it soon.

Many Blessings

Pam

For the dried bananas, I simply sliced, spread on a parchment paper on top of baking racks, and baked at 175 degrees for approximately 5 to 6 hours.  I kept door of oven propped slightly open to release moisture.  I took them out when they were still slightly leathery, because I think they taste better that way than when they are crisp, although, some people like them like chips and if you wanted them that way,  you would just leave them in longer.  These are really great snacks for the kids, and to me they taste like candy.

When cool,  peel off of parchment paper and store in glass jars.

The Cross and the Switchblade

We had the privilege to attend a conference this week that really blessed us. It was a Pastor's and Leadership Conference.  Although, we are not Pastor's,  the Lord has been getting us ready to work with Teen Challenge, and Dream Center ministries.  These are outreach ministries that work with those who are bound by drugs & alcohol (among other things).

One of the things that blessed us most about attending the conference, was the opportunity to hear from David Wilkerson (now almost 80 years old) and Nicky Cruz (probably in his 70's by this time).  We realized here were the "two" whose ministry and conversion  were what God used to bring about "Teen Challenge".  If you have never read the books "The Cross and the Switchblade" by David Wilkerson, or "Run Baby Run" by Nicky Cruz,  I would say get a hold of them and read them.  They will greatly bless you.  "The Cross and the Switchblade", written by  Pastor Wilkerson, tells the story of how he became involved with reaching out to gangs in New York City.  "Run Baby Run" tells the sad and even frightening story of a young man's life that was touched and changed by the Holy Spirit, through the outreach of David Wilkerson.

Operation Christmas Child

I was reading heavenly homemaker's blog, and she posted this link about "Operation Christmas Child". Oxana gives her testimony about how she came to know the Lord, and how she became the recipient of one of these little shoe boxes.  You should hit the link and read her story.

I don't know if you have ever had a chance to be a part of "Operation Christmas Child", But it is a very rewarding experience. You participate by filling shoe boxes with Christmas toys and goodies, and decorating/wrapping the boxes, so that they can be sent to a child in need. We've done this (I should say Olga has done, it, through the High School, and I have helped, by buying items for her  to put into the boxes).  It is a delightful ministry to consider doing with the kids at Christmas time.... something the children on both ends of this gift will always remember; Interestingly enough, Olga tells me of when she and Russell and Eddie were also recipients of these boxes, like Oxana was.  It blessed them very much. After watching Oxana's video, and reading her testimony, I decided that I wanted to get us involved as a family this year.  Just thought I would share the link also.

Sense and Sensibility Give Away

Okay, here's something fun you might be interested in;

My friend, Angelina, 

from

 pioneerbeauty.blogspot.com 

is having a "give away".   She is giving away the Jane Austen book "Sense and Sensibility".  Of course I can never resist books, and Jane Austen is definitely a favorite; so if you're interested, pop over there and put your name on the list.

Thanks for the opportunity Angelina.

Birthday Season

The next several weeks, brings a string of birthdays.  Must be a pretty popular month for birthdays, because I have several friends who have a lot of family birthdays the next several weeks as well.  Elon, my grandson starts off the parade by turning 4 last Friday, then my son Luke, then my Son Nathan, then my son in law Benjamin, then my daughter in law Himilce..... I hope I am not forgetting an important family member in here. Three of them turn 30 this time around. That's a big land mark for them and me.  


Happy Birthday 
You Guys. 

 I love you all so much. 

 We can't seem to pull off that family get together yet, but I'm still brainstormin...

Elizabeth's Wedding was the last time we were all together (at least, almost all) at the same time, and I just happen to have a picture....

You can tell that this picture was not taken by the photographer, because half of the group is looking everywhere but at the camera.  From left to right top to bottom:  Luke, Marie, Steve, Me, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Kathy(step mom), Dad, Nathan, Russell, Himilce with baby Elon, Eddie, Jo(my mother in law), and Olga

Now Jon was not in the family picture above, because at that time, we did not have any inkling that Jon and Marie would end up married, but he was in the wedding party (being Benjamin's brother),  So it turned out nice that we got the whole family in these pictures, but didn't know it yet... here are all our boys from left to right: Russell,   Bobby (also Benjamin's brother), Luke, Benjamin, Jon, Nathan and Eddie...  look how little Eddie was then.... so cute.