Scenes from a Halloween kitchen

Hope your Halloween was full of fun! :-)

Other posts you might enjoy...

Boo! Halloween 2008

Our favorite popcorn balls

It's caramel apple time!

Creative Halloween costume!

This year my son was a "stick figure" for Halloween!

He wore all black - a ski mask, sweatshirt, sweatpants,

gloves, socks and tennis shoes.

Then, using bracelet size glow sticks, tie wraps and safety pins,

he and Mr. H. created a "walking" stick figure.

He really looked neat trick or treating and cars could see us

from a mile away - we all felt safe!

Supper Menus
October 26th-31st

Monday
super easy super cheesy lasagna, focaccia bread, caesar salad, italian biscotti
Tuesday
leftovers
Wednesday
out for sandwiches
Thursday
cheese enchiladas, refried beans, spanish rice
Friday
spicy crock pot spaghetti, focaccia bread, olive garden salad, chocolate marble cheesecake pie, heavenly chocolate chunk cookies
Saturday
texas chili, johnny cakes, caramel apples, popcorn balls

Sunday Songs

~Sing to Me of Heaven~

Sing to me of Heaven, sing that song of peace,

From the toils that bind me it will bring release;
Burdens will be lifted that are pressing so,
Showers of great blessing o’er my heart will flow.

Refrain
Sing to me of Heaven, let me fondly dream,
Of its golden glory, of its pearly gleam;
Sing to me when shadows of the evening fall,
Sing to me of heaven, sweetest song of all.

Sing to me of Heaven, as I walk alone,
Dreaming of the comrades that so long have gone;
In a fairer region ’mong the angel throng,
They are happy as they sing that old, sweet song.

Refrain

Sing to me of Heaven, tenderly and low,
Till the shadows o’er me rise and swiftly go;
When my heart is weary, when the day is long,
Sing to me of Heaven, sing that old, sweet song.

Refrain

1914
Words by Ada Powell
Music by B. B. Beall

Mr. H.'s Elk Hunt

Mr. H. has been gone this week elk hunting.

He was in beautiful Colorado.

He packed in about 8 miles up a mountain.


He didn't get anything this year, though.

There is always next time.

I love my hunter.

Heavenly Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Heavenly Chocolate Chunk Cookies

1 1/2 dozen

3/4 cup butter

2 tablespoons instant coffee granules

2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 package semisweet chocolate chunks

1 cup walnut halves, toasted

Combine butter and coffee in a small saucepan. Cook over medium low heat until butter melts and coffee dissolves, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Combine butter mixture, sugars, egg and egg yolk. Beat at medium speed until blended. Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in chocolate chunks and walnuts. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 325° for 12 to 14 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from baking sheets. Remove from wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy!

We first tasted these cookies at the house of a dear friend who is an excellent cook. Mr. H. immediately fell in love with them! She shared the recipe with me so I could have some fresh out of the oven when Mr. H. returned this evening from a week long hunting trip. Thank you Mrs. T! :-)

What the Bible says Wednesday

What the Bible says about...
husbands

"A husband must not divorce his wife."
I Corinthians 7:11

"For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."
Ephesians 5:23

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
Ephesians 5:25

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
I Peter 3:7

Tuesday Tips

To keep the garbage disposal clean and deodorized ~

weekly
grind citrus fruit (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit) rinds
grind ice cubes made from 1 part water 1 part vinegar

monthly
pour 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar into disposal, let sit for about 5 minutes, flush with warm water

Things to never put down a disposal ~

fibrous material, such as corn husks, onion peels, artichokes, or celery stalks
potato peels
meat bones
grease

Hot water on a regular basis should be avoided. Run cold water before, during, and after the disposal's operation.

Pomegranates

I've never had a fresh pomegranate before,

so I had to learn how to seed one.

It was easy, but very messy!

cut off the crown

slice into sections, break apart

and remove seeds from membranes over a bowl of water
(do not wear a white shirt!)
the seeds will sink to the bottom and the membranes will float to the top

remove the membranes from the bowl and drain off the water

Enjoy!

Apple Pie Muffins

Apple Pie Muffins

12 servings

2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 cups diced apples
for topping
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin or line with paper muffin cups. Stir together 2 1/4 cups flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. Mix together egg, buttermilk, 1/2 cup melted butter, vanilla and 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar until sugar has dissolved. Pour into the flour mixture and add diced apples. Stir just until everything is blended. Spoon into the prepared muffin tin, filling the cups to the top. Stir together 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup flour and cinnamon. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of melted butter while tossing with a fork until well blended. Sprinkle this over the tops of the muffins. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly pressed. Enjoy!

Hide it in your Heart Week of October 19

~"Hide it in your Heart"~

"Your word I have hidden in my heart" Psalm 119:11 NKJV

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus

and believe in your heart

that God has raised Him from the dead,

you will be saved."

Romans 10:9 NKJV

"This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom
but in words taught by the Spirit,
expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words."
I Corinthians 2:13 NIV

Supper Menus
October 19th-24th

Monday
hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans
Tuesday
tortilla soup
Wednesday
saucy chicken sandwiches, pretzels, apple slices
Thursday
beef stew, cheese and crackers, heavenly chocolate chunk cookies
Friday
autumn chowder, country cornbread muffins, apple dumplings
Saturday
leftovers

Please visit Menu Plan Monday!

Sunday Songs

~I Know Who Holds Tomorrow~

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

Ev'ry step is getting brighter,
As the golden stairs I climb;
Ev'ry burden's getting lighter;
Ev'ry cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eyes,
At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Refrain

I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the One Who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One Who stands by me.
And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.

Refrain

1950
Words by Ira Stanphill

What the Bible says Wednesday

What the Bible says about...
wives

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones."
Proverbs 12:4

"He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the LORD."
Proverbs 18:22

"...a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping."
Proverbs 19:13

"Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
Proverbs 21:9

"Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife."
Proverbs 21:19

"Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
Proverbs 25:24

"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day..."
Proverbs 27:15

"A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies."
Proverbs 31:10

"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord."
Ephesians 5:22

"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives."
I Peter 3:1

Am I the only one that didn't realize that the "constant dripping" and "roof top" verses are in Proverbs twice??

Muffin Monday's One Year Anniversary!

One year ago today, I posted the first recipe for "Muffin Monday"

~cream cheese pumpkin muffins~

What is your favorite kind of muffin?

Tuesday Tips

~homemade autumn carpet fresh~

3/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup talcum powder

2 tablespoons corn starch

1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice

Mix together.

Sprinkle over carpet and let sit at least 15 minutes.

Vacuum.

Store your carpet fresh in a plastic container,

and poke holes in the top so you can sprinkle it over your carpet.

Knitting Inspiration

I was so excited over my black poncho,

(we had a little cool front this weekend

and I was able to wear it to worship on Sunday!)

that as soon as I finished it, I couldn't wait to jump right in to another project.

I spent a little time exploring my favorite yarn brand website

and discovered lots of free patterns at my knitting experience level.

I was so inspired! I have three new projects started!

First up is another light weight poncho.

I purchased two skeins of a variegated yarn that I've had my eye on.

(The normally low priced Red Heart yarn

was marked down even further to only $1.50 a skein!)

I am experimenting with rows of knitting

and rows of purling this time.

This will give the poncho a ribbed, textured look.

The only problem is I can't seem to keep up with my rows of each!

I'll learn a lot with this project. ;-)

I already have the finished poncho paired up in my mind
with a tan turtle neck, flair jeans, and brown boots. ;-)

I've also started working with a 100% cotton yarn
for the first time.

Knitting with three strands at a time
produces a very thick fabric.

I am using the popular Lily "Sugar 'n Cream" in Natural Ombre to make potholders.

And lastly, I've started some patchwork squares
in garter stitch, seed stitch, and moss stitch.

That one day,
might become a blanket...

Whoop! ;-)

Poppy Seed Muffins

Poppy Seed Muffins

(from The Ultimate Muffin Book)

12 servings

1/2 cup poppy seeds

4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

2 1/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Stir poppy seeds and butter in a small bowl until blended; set aside for 5 minutes. Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Whisk eggs and sugar until smooth, about 2 minutes. Whisk in milk until smooth, then whisk in sour cream and flavorings. Stir in poppy seeds and butter. Add flour mixture; stir just until mixed. Fill sprayed or lined muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes at 400°. Let cool for 10 minutes. Remove muffins from tin and enjoy!

Toy Story







and...

Toy Story 2







in 3D! :-)

In theatres for a few more days.
A wonderful way to spend a day off of school. :-)

Hide it in your Heart Week of October 12

~ "Hide it in your Heart"~

"Your word I have hidden in my heart" Psalm 119:11 NKJV

"Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you,

in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”

Acts 2:38 NIV

"This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom

but in words taught by the Spirit,

expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words."

I Corinthians 2:13 NIV

Supper Menus
October 12th-17th

Monday
soft tacos, refried beans, spanish rice
Tuesday
chicken parmesan, garlic bread, caesar salad
Wednesday
summer sub sandwich, potato chips
Thursday
out for sandwiches
Friday
homemade pizza, lettuce and tomato salad
Saturday
church fellowship supper - taking cookies

Sunday Songs

The Bible tells us to

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."

Ephesians 5:19

"Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs."

Colossians 3:16

~Heavenly Sunlight~

Walking in sunlight all of my journey;
Over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, “I’ll never forsake thee,”
Promise divine that never can fail.

Refrain
Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,
Flooding my soul with glory divine:
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

Shadows around me, shadows above me,
Never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the Light, in Him is no darkness;
Ever I’m walking close to His side.

Refrain

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,
Pressing my way to mansions above;
Singing His praises gladly I’m walking,
Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love.

Refrain

1899
Words by Henry J. Zelley
Music by Geroge H. Cook

I'll be sharing favorite songs from my song book on Sundays.

I hope you enjoy them. :-)

Simple Fall Pleasures

~Constant Comment Tea~

the smell and taste of fall

Fall Cheer in a Basket

I had so much fun putting together a little basket of fall goodies

for a dear friend's birthday.

She loves the season of autumn,

so on a trip to Wal-Mart I picked up...

a "pumpkin carnival" candle,

a happy harvest pumpkin,
(I have the same one on my windowsill!)

and a sweet box of halloween chocolates.

When I got home,
I tied up some little bags of candy I had on hand.

And, raided the pantry
for some hot cocoa, hot cider and hot tea packets.

I placed everything in a basket, lined it with some cute orange gingham fabric from the scrap bin and added a home printed card.

"Allowing Happiness to Change it's Form..."

Happiness is a matter of one's most ordinary

and everyday mode of consciousness

being busy and lively and unconcerned with self.

~Iris Murdoch

We act as though comfort and luxury

were the chief requirements in life,

when all we need to make us really happy

is something to be enthusiastic about.

~Charles Kingsley

The art of living does not consist

in preserving and clinging to a particular mode of happiness,

but in allowing happiness to change its form

without being disappointed by the change;

happiness, like a child, must be allowed to grow up.

~Charles L. Morgan

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Autumn Barn" by Michael Humphries

What the Bible says Wednesday

What the Bible says about...
children

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

Deuteronomy 4:9

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Deuteronomy 11:18-19

"Children's children are a crown to the aged."
Proverbs 17:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"
Matthew 19:14
also Mark 10:14 and Luke 18:16

"Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."
Ephesians 6:1

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4

"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."
Colossians 3:20

"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."
Colossians 3:21

"He (overseer/elder) must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect."
I Timothy 3:4

"A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well."
I Timothy 3:12

Every Wednesday, look for a new topic in

What the Bible says Wednesday!

Tuesday Tips

Heritage Schoolhouse introduces...

~Tuesday Tips~

Since I love to collect little household hints, tricks, and tips,

I thought I'd start sharing them with you each week!

This week's tip - the best way to clean your microwave.

I've been doing this for years and it works like a charm. :-)

Into a microwave safe dish, squeeze the juice of one lemon and add a cup of water. Microwave the mixture for 3-5 minutes or until the water comes to a boil. Leave in the microwave for 10 minutes without opening the door. (This allows the steam to condense on the walls and roof of the oven.) When the time is up, use a soft dishcloth or paper towel to wipe out the microwave. Everything will come up so easily - no elbow grease required! Your microwave will look and smell sparkly fresh and clean! :-)

S'mores Muffins

S'mores Muffins

12 servings

1 cup flour

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

3/4 cup sour cream

3/4 cup milk

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup milk chocolate chips

3/4 cup mini marshmallows

Whisk flour, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended; set aside. Whisk egg until lightly beaten, then whisk in milk, butter, and vanilla. Stir in the chocolate chips and marshmallows, then stir in flower mixture. Fill muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes at 400°. Cool for 1o minutes. Remove from muffin tin and enjoy!