Capturing the Moments

What is life?
A vapour.

That's what the Bible tells us.

"Whereas ye know not what
shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life?
It is even a vapour,
that appeareth for a little time,
and then vanisheth away."
~ James 4:14 ~

When the children were younger,
I thought there was
SO MUCH TIME.

I really thought things
would go on and on
JUST AS THEY WERE.

I was stopped by Mothers
and Grandmothers
who encouraged me to
E.N.J.O.Y.

They told me it would soon be gone.
I smiled and nodded.
I didn't really see it at the time.

They were right.

Enjoy these moments,
these days....
they are fleeting.

And so,
I continue to count.

1361. Seeing the boys' Tonka Trucks
parked by the shed ~
and the memories of how they
used to play *chicken* with them!
When did they stop doing that?!

1362. How Emma sets bugs free...
and talks so tenderly to them while doing it! :)

1363. Calvin's new camera ~
He saved for a long time and got it on sale.

1364. Candles to blow out ~
More memories made

1365. Sibling friendships

1366. Growing together

1367. Raindrops to capture

1368. A boy to share the love of
photography with

1369. Provisions ~ over and over and over again!

1370. Health and strength day by day

It's easy to count.
It begins with noticing the *little* things.
Noticing the moments.
Entering into them and writing them down.
It's as simple as that.

My journal sits on my counter.

I list as events unfold.
Sometimes many all at once,
and other times in a trickle.

Would you like to begin?
Just grab a pen and a journal,
set them out on the counter,
and list out your blessings.
Find the joy in the moments ~
As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

There are some scary ingredients in
*regular* dishwasher detergents.

For awhile now I have been using
a more natural alternative.
BUT...it is prohibitively expensive!

And...now that I am making more
messes in the kitchen
than ever before ~
and running the dishwasher at least twice a day ~
I needed to find a more frugal solution while
maintaining my requirement that it be *healthier*
than the *regular* stuff.

Here is the solution I came up with ~
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent.
(Click on the link provided to find the recipe)

And, click here to find
Citric Acid for purchase.


Does anyone know if I've been led
down the garden trail here?
Is this stuff really better for you?
I can tell you for certain that it is cheaper!

MUCH cheaper!

One thing to note ~
It seems to *clump* after a few days...
so, you may want to just make a small batch.

If you use too much for your machine,
it seems to leave a little film on the glasses.

Ask me how I know.

Make sure you use vinegar in
the rinse aid dispenser and
turn the dial to release the largest amount
per wash load.

And, of course,
Do NOT do this! ;-)

If you give it a try,
please let me know what you think!
And, if you have any suggestions
or answers to my questions...
please share! :)

Next up on my *to try* list...
Homemade TOOTHPASTE!! :)

Challenge 8 Winner & Top 3

I hope you all had a lovely Easter Weekend and the sun is still shining where you are!

Now onto our winner and top 3 of our Easter Challenge!

It's quick tricky making an Easter Card for a man but you all managed it and there were so many lovely creations!

Our winner of Challenge 8 Easter is...

No 15.... Stempelientje

Congratulations hun!! Please email your details and we will get your prize out to you asap!

Our Top 3 are..

No. 18 - Christina G

No. 36 - Lin - Twisted Witch

No. 57 - Anita M

Well done girlies, they were all stunning creations. Please grab the Top 3 Logo from our sidebar!

Some of You Were Asking...

What does one DO with Almond Flour?
How can it be made into something edible?

One of the answers to
those questions is ~

Almond Flour Banana Cake.

But, that is not the ONLY answer.
There are so many more things that can be done with it ~
I hope to share another favourite with you soon.

But, for now...
this recipe is a good place to begin.

No grains.
No dairy.
No sugar.
(except honey)

Intrigued?

Oh, and did I mention that it's so healthy
you can eat it for Breakfast??

What are you waiting for??

~ Almond Flour Banana Cake ~

Slightly adapted from the book
"Breaking the Vicious Cycle"

3 cups Almond Flour
(not coarse meal)

3 eggs, beaten

1/3 cup honey
(preferrably raw and liquid)

1 tsp Baking Soda

3/4 cup mashed bananas
(very ripe) ~ about two medium

1/4 cup melted butter
(if you are eliminating dairy,
coconut oil would substitute nicely)

Measure the Almond Flour and Baking Soda
into a large mixing bowl.
Stir to completely mix in the Baking Soda.

In another bowl,
mix together all the wet ingredients.

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry
and stir until combined.

Spread batter evenly into a
greased 8 inch square baking pan.
(I use a glass pyrex dish)

Bake at 350* F until done (about 30 to 40 minutes) ~
Check at the 30 minute mark...mine takes 35.
When done, the top should spring back when touched.

It goes quickly from done to overdone...watch closely.
It also is easy to underbake...don't do that either!
It's not too difficult, really. ;-)
Somehow, I don't think I'm very reassuring!
But, please believe me...LOL! :)

ENJOY!
Without any guilt.

**One thing to note ~
Almond Flour will go rancid if
it's not stored properly.
Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge
or freezer for long term storage.

Lightening Up

I don't *DO* art with our children
as often as I *should*.

But...they are always drawing
or sketching or creating.

A.L.W.A.Y.S.

Recently, my Mom gifted a paint/art
set to each child for his/her birthday.

J.O.Y.

It really is MUCH easier
to keep it all contained now that they are older.
Interpretation ~ I don't go crazy in the process.

Or...maybe I have learned (a little)
to lighten up?

I surely do hope so!

And now...to continue on with my list.
Which (mostly) has nothing
to do with painting ~
But everything to do with
L.I.F.E.

1336. Watching Austin patiently
teach Emma to roller blade

1337. Spring showers, turned hail, then the
sky breaking to reveal blue and sunshine...
all in one beach walk!

1338. Puffy white clouds lit by the sun
from behind ~ Glorious!

1339. Distant islands blue on the horizon

1340. Beginning the day with #'s 1337 to 1339 ~
W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L.

1341. Thankful that I survived my first 30
minutes of driving with Austin at the wheel ~ LOL!

1342. Finding new suppliers for new supplies

1343. Most of my short list for groceries was on sale ~
by *chance*...again, nothing is by chance! :)

1344. Lunch out...and Supper out ~
On the same day...what a treat!
Thank you so much T & S and L & S! :)

1345. The acceptance and good attitude
that the LORD has given
to our child with Crohn's ~
God's grace!

1346. New freezer containers to use

1347. A whole batch of
chicken stock frozen for future use ~
Yippee!

1348. Rain pelting down and
none of it coming inside ~
It used to!!

1349. Wonderful sermons

1350. God's Word expounded faithfully ~
A blessing!

1351. Richness of the Doctrines of Grace

1352. The Resurrection ~ HE IS ALIVE!!

1353. A quiet morning all by myself

1354. Thankful that it's not always that way

1355. Children to welcome home

1356. French Cream ~ Oh. Dear. Me!

1357. My yogurt maker ~
Practically working for me 'round the clock!

1358. Homemade yogurt ~ YUM!

1359. Colour returning to our
sick child's cheeks ~ JOY!

1360. Painting supplies for the children

It's easy to count.
It begins with noticing the *little* things.
Noticing the moments.
Entering into them and writing them down.
It's as simple as that.

My journal sits on my counter.

I list as events unfold.
Sometimes many all at once,
and other times in a trickle.

Would you like to begin?
Just grab a pen and a journal,
set them out on the counter,
and list out your blessings.
Find the joy in the moments ~
As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Challenge No 9 - Circles

Another fortnight has flown by and we have another new challenge for you all.This time Kitty (me!) is hosting the challenge and i have chosen the challenge theme of Circles!
So we want to see lots of circles on your cards, this can a circular image, die, buttons or anything else round on your cards and projects!

Our sponsor this week is Fresh Brewed Designs

Hi. I am Heather Dennis. I am a homeschooling mother of 2 wonderful children, the wife of 12 years to the love of my life, a Christian and the owner of Fresh Brewed Designs. I have loved to draw and create ever since I was a child. My daughter has inherited my love of art and recently inspired me to start creating again.All the images in my shop are hand drawn. I offer a wide range of images from coffee, cute and inspirational.I also love to create custom drawn images, so if you are looking for anything in particular, please feel free to drop me an email.

Freshly Brewed Designs are kindly giving the winner 3 Digi Images of there choice!

I would also like to welcome our four new design team members as this is there first challenge that they are participating in. Fresh Brewed designs were very generous as the design team were even given images to work with so i hope you love the cards we have all been making for your inspiration.

Jen

Wenche

Alex

Alex

Shirley

Kitty

Mandy

Sarah

Alison

Donna

Patricia

Tussemaja

Tussemaja

They are so brilliant and different aren't they!
All you need now are the rules:

1. Your card must be for a man/boy
2. It must follow the theme/sketch set
3. It must be a new card for our challenge.

The challenge will close at 12 Midnight (BST) on 8th May 2011. Leave your name and a direct link to your project (not just your blog) in the link tool below. If the link tool is not there for some reason, then please leave details in the comments and I'll add you in before I do the draw.

Long i...Ipad

I don't know what it is about long i that is so inspiring, but along with my long i fries {check out the post from a few weeks ago}, I have created a mini activity kit {that I used...and LOVED this past week} called "The Long i Ipad!"  Maybe I just have Ipads on the brain since Jon Cooley {a.k.a Mr. Cooley/hubs} bought a fantastic new Ipad!  We might have an Apple purchasing addiction in our household.  Anyway...back to the cool phonics ideas...in small groups the kids played iBingo (looks like an ipad with long i apps!).  We also created a long i Ipad anchor chart as a class!  The long i apps they came up with were hilarious!!  Examples:  Fat guys, drive the car, find the baby, my tunes, ice cream catch, guinea pig fight, the Right I Spy!  WOW!  I am always so impressed with their creativity!  It is posted on TpT if my teacher friends are interested! Click the cloud near the bottom of my blog to take you to my store!

***In other news....I hope you like the new blog design as much as I do!!!  It was created by Becca at Jumping Jax Designs!  It matches my personality to a T!  Ha!  Thanks so much, Becca!***

Here is our GLORIOUS new iPad!  It is the COOLEST thing ever! {Of course I was checking out the new blog design.} I wish that I could have 4 or 5 for my classroom!  :)

The Litterbug Museum

Welcome to the Litterbug museum, where trash is reused and becomes a treasure!  Using lids, paper cups and plastic cups, old Clorox Wipe containers, light bulb boxes, cookie cups, a little scrapbook paper and fuzzy pipe cleaners, the kids created these funny little creatures.  {Of course they had to give them names too.}  We discovered how fun reusing old items can be, and it is just a little something we can do to help save the Earth!  Happy Earth Day!

It that a Clorox Wipe Lid?  Nope.  It's Dave, the Litterbug!

Selena the Litterbug was created using the lid from a shaving gel!  

Nick {Saban} the giant-eyed Litterbug! 

Darkest Before the Dawn

The disciples of the LORD likely were
confused and greatly discouraged.

The LORD Jesus Christ was dead.

They had witnessed it all.
HE was buried.

How dark a time that
must have been for them.
How they must have felt!
All hope seemed to be gone.

But, it was not Truth.

The LORD promised HE would rise again.
HE would be victorious over the grave.
Death could not hold HIM.

Early on the third day,
the first day of the week, which is Sunday,
the LORD Jesus Christ rose from the dead!

"And the angel answered
and said unto the women,
Fear not ye:
for I know that ye seek Jesus,
which was crucified.
He is not here:
for he is risen,
as he said."
~ Matthew 28:5-6 ~

How wonderful it is!

We serve a RISEN LORD!

Is HE your LORD?

How amazing it would be if
you would trust HIM with your
never-dying soul this Easter.

HE alone is worthy of all our praise.

~ Arise, My Soul, Arise ~

Arise my soul, arise;
Shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding Sacrifice
In my behalf appears:
Before the throne my Surety stands,
Before the throne my Surety stands;
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above,
For me to intercede;
His all redeeming love,
His precious blood to plead;
His blood for sin did once atone,
His blood for sin did once atone,
And now it pleads before the Throne.

Five bleeding wounds He bears,
Received on Calvary,
They pour effectual prayers,
They strongly plead for me:
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
"Nor let that ransomed sinner die!"

The Father hears Him pray,
His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away
The presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

I now am reconciled;
God's pardoning voice I hear,
He owns me as His child,
I can no longer fear;
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And, "Father, Abba, Father," cry.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)


May the LORD bless
you each one this Easter!

In HIS Love,
Camille

What Seems to be Helping

One of our children was recently
diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.

We were told that there is no cure.

We were also informed that diet will
not affect the disease.
They said that the child can eat normally,
as long as the prescribed meds are taken.

Mercifully, a friend who
learned of our troubles recommended
"Breaking the Vicious Cycle".
She loaned me her copy.

I devoured it.

Then, I bought my own copy.

We are following the prescibed diet to a *T*.

Under the guidance of a natuoropathic physician,
natural supplements such as probiotics, digestive enzymes
and others are being given to help stabilize the child.

Am I devastated?

No.

All things
work together for good.
Truly.
All things.

Our hope is in God Who is
the Great Creator of the Universe!
HE does all things well.
It is to HIM that we pray.
HE faithfully leads us so gently along.

We are encouraged.


I'm sharing this information
with the desire that someone will benefit
from our experience.
We are new to this journey and have yet
to *prove* all these methods,
but we are very encouraged with the
initial results.

Many Blessings,
Camille

**Disclaimer ~ I am not a doctor and
cannot advise what would work in your particular case.
I am only sharing what it is we are doing for our child
in order that it may be a blessing to someone else.

Beanie Baby Habitats

I found some old beanie babies in my closet at school--perfect timing for our animals and habitats unit!  I assigned groups of kids one animal, and they worked together as a team to research the animal's habitat, and then build a habitat for their animal using paper and a cardboard box lid!  Just a cute class project that I had to share!

{Funny little walrus.  I like the icebergs!}

What I've Been Up To...

It's been a steep learning curve.
A new way of doing things...
especially in the kitchen!

Since the diagnosis of Crohn's,
life has changed.

But, we are getting there ~
It's not so overwhelming any more.
The LORD is so gracious with us,
isn't HE?

I have made homemade mayonnaise
and homemade ketchup...

homemade yogurt...

homemade almond flour bicuits, muffins and loaves...

I've soaked nuts and beans,
and learned a new way of doing many other things!

I have been cooking with Almond Flour...
now, that's a new experience.

But, oh...is it ever yummy! :)

I imagine this is a *little* of what
it must have been like to live in the 1800's.

E.X.C.E.P.T...
I have a dishwasher,
a clothes washer and dryer.

I have indoor plumbing.

AND a fridge and a freezer.

I am able to buy fresh produce at the store.
I don't milk my own cow or raise my own chickens...
Although, I think it would be better if I did!

Our clothes are store-bought...
I do know how to sew and knit,
but I can do those things for fun ~
not because I HAVE to!

I suppose there really is no comparison, after all!

Oh...the blessings of the modern age!
I am thankful!

This week I record my thanks.
What a blessing to be able to!

1321. The smell of Spring!

1322. The grass is growing!

1323. A new Hydrangea bush to plant

1324. Another freezer

1325. The laundry/mud room is all one colour!
I painted it one day when a sudden motivation overtook me. :)

1326. Getting things cleaned, sorted and organised
in the laundry room

1327. How fresh it feels!

1328. New recipes to try, and finding some really good ones


1329. Learning it is possible to live without hot running
water for a few days ~ I boiled what was needed.

1330. The yummy smell of cloves

1331. More freezer space so I can stock up (see #1324)

1332. Budding cherry trees

1333. Spring days

1334. Getting organised little by little ~
it feels soooo good!

1335. Settling into a routine ~
oh how I thrive in it!

It's easy to count.
It begins with noticing the *little* things.
Noticing the moments.
Entering into them and writing them down.
It's as simple as that.

My journal sits on my counter.
I list as events unfold.
Sometimes many all at once,
and other times in a trickle.

Would you like to begin?
Just grab a pen and a journal,
set them out on the counter,
and list out your blessings.
Find the joy in the moments ~
As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,
Camille