Farmers Rice

Have you ever made Farmers Rice?

You take this (flour and eggs)



you mix it all up



and mix it some more




add it to boiling milk and stir for about 5 minutes



then stir in sugar,vanilla or maple extract

You then get this.



Have you ever tried Farmers Rice?

My family says maybe you shouldn't.

Just their opinion though.

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

P.S: Yes ,yes I actually served this for dinner the other night. Shame on me. What was I thinking...

Look at What I made!

I know not all of my readers visit my sewing blog but you are missing SO much!

Ok not really but this is one thing I had to show off to you all. It is my newest creation! I know there are most likely lots of patterns out there for this very dress so don't tell me but I figured this dress out by myself without a book or pattern. I am very pleased. I did do a few mistakes on it ,though. The first was the dress was intended to be a size girls 8. Oops. I majorly miscalculated something! The other was I did not realise the pattern on the fabric had a one way design so the fabric is upside-down. Another major oops! I am very exited to figure out how to make dresses like this for bigger sizes. My mind is swimming with possibilities.





See what you are missing when you do not visit my sewing blog...great stuff.

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

My Parachute

My parachute opened big and wide
Drifting gently from side to side
Swaying and waving in the air
Please join me if you dare!



Drawing by Anya
Poem by yours truly (bet you could not guess I made it up on the fly...)

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A Bunch Of Ramdom-ish Stuff

Now, I hope you knew yesterday's post was just for fun. Jeff and I do differ in how we pronounce some words him being from Chicago and all but I think over the years of being married to him I lost a lot of my special Minnesota way of talking. I'm still unique though aren't I?

Another thing I was thinking about...

I have never really watched any of the Duggar's Shows in the past. You know 17,18 and 19 and Counting... Well, over the past few night I have been streaming past episodes from Netflix and I absolutely love them! I do not know what about that show appeals to me. Maybe it is a combination of them being just ordinary people but with great standards. Their love for the Lord and their commitment to their family. They built their house debt free! Wow. That is very neat. I do not know but I enjoy watching them.

I will mention that there was one episode (2008) where they had a big ice storm and had lost power for eight days or so. Well, my jaw hit the floor when Jim-Bob opened up their 'pantry' to show how they hooked up their freezers to the bus generator. Their pantry was like a garage and I think I saw two big chest freezers! Now mind you we have five less children than they do but here is our pantry





and our freezer





Not quite in the same league as theirs.

Don't worry. Ours are empty because at the time I took the pictures we had hit the end of the month and needed to go shopping so do not be shocked. We do usually have food we just use up most everything by month's end.

*IMPORTANT*

I'm not being fussy or whiny.

The point I want to make ,an encouragement to you all really, is never be afraid of where God is calling you. Whether you have a lot or a little. I am pretty sure, based on what I saw of the Duggars they would be content where-ever God placed them. I am fine with waiting on God for our needs. Some days I am frustrated, but other days I'm not. Some days I worry and other days I have peace. I am very glad that God takes care of us every day.

Here have been two verses that I think of a lot.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!

Habakkuk 3:17-19a


I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

Psalm 37:25




Warmly,
A Patchwork Mommy

Just A Little Minnesotan

"Mom,cin we go ti da store at abowt twewve like we au-ways do? I will bring da bayg to put da pop in."

"No,'cause ya left da melk cup in da sink. It's derty an ya hafta warsh it. It's bin dere for a while."

"It wersn't me, onnest. Ya cin just get anudder cup and leave it go 'till later."

"No. You bedder just go warsh dat cup now den ya cin go ti da store."

Recreated from real life conversation at our home.

Those who know me...

Tell me, I don't really talk like that,do I?

Hmm...no wonder I'm having trouble teaching my Liberian children phonics.

But I recorded myself and think I talk just fine.

A few loving family members think otherwise.

I shouldn't have married a Chicagoan.

Them and their fancy talk...Boats and Bags. What do they know,anyway.

By the way, it is bouts and baygs people! Get it right!

Warmly,
A Patchwork Mommy

You Know...

You know you love your sibling...

when you spend part of your evening eating ice cream cones together as you both text the same friend at the same time.



You know you are a good friend when you don't mind texting two sibling simultaneously as they eat ice cream cones together.

Warmly,
A Patchwork Mommy

Happy Birthday Dear Josh!

Josh.

My sweet Josh.

These past ten years have gone so fast.

Way too fast!

I love you SO much!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Warmly,

A Patchwork Mommy

The Balloon Rival

Grant seeing an opportunity to impress his little siblings whips up (without ever attempting it before) a very cute balloon guy for Joel.




Joel is SO delighted with Grant's finished balloon guy!



Alan wanting some younger sibling admiration as well, attempts a balloon animal for Lily.



Then Alan, finding that it is harder work than he though, relinquishes his balloon over to big brother Grant so as not to disappoint Lily.



And Grant,who with a few twists here and there, produces Lily a cute little guy.



*Sigh*

Sibling competition can be brutal at times.

Hard for this mom to watch.

Warmly,
A Patchwork Mommy

Let's Play Around and Around

Are you ready?

Let's Play!!

Around and around the crown goes.

Where it stops, nobody knows.

Will it be Alan?

Joyce?



How about Nolan?



Surly Lily.

She looks so very cute.

Hopefully not dad.



Why Cyrus is looking too cool in his do-rag.

Can you believe this boy is only 12?

He really needs the crown.




Cyrus is not looking so cool now.

Still does not look 12 though.



Ok. Elena is disqualified for being uncooperative.



The lucky boy is...

JOEL!!!



Thank you to all the Around and Around game players!

To those who were not able to participate for reasons like playing in the basement or having something better to do maybe next time.

That's all for now!!

Catch you on the flip side!

Please remember to do your nightly chores well.

It is the loving thing to do!

Says your mom.


Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Wanted

The advertisement read:

*Wanted*

Are you fresh faced up and coming model with a bright future?

Then this job is for you!

Job description:

to model a child's bag for a customer.

Requirements:

cute
spunky
sweet
three years old
willing to have your face washed if needed
able to stay still for a few moments

Does this sound like you?

Payment:

A big hug and maybe a sweet treat

Potential future work available!

If interested see mommy







Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Once Apon A Time...

there were two young children who had a great idea.

They shared a vision.

Indeed they did.

A vision that not even the smallest of stuffties or the littlest of dolls would ever eat on the floor again.

They put their skills and talents together.

They sawed and nailed.

They toiled and labored.

Their vision always before them.

Then all the work stopped.

Their vision had come to fruition.

Their hard work payed off.





Those young children.

Those visionaries.

Those hard workers.

They are mine.

My Anya.

My Joshua.

And yes,I am proud.


Warmly,
A Patchwork Mommy

Mommy! Look

at my big muscles!



Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Ever have days like this?

Sometimes,I want to get right down with them and throw my own little mom fit.





I was having a hard couple days looking over the fence into the family life of a few of my friends and how kept up, together, organized they were. How much their families were reflecting God's grace and beauty.

Then I look at my own messy, crazy, unbeautiful, jungle of a life.

I was getting pretty down.

** WARNING **

Rambling starts now...

Ha ha as I write this guess what is playing?

The sun is hot and that old clock is movin' slow,
An' so am I.
Work day passes like molasses in wintertime,
But it's July.
I'm gettin' paid by the hour, an' older by the minute.
My boss (read kids) just pushed me over the limit.
I'd like to call him (them) somethin',
I think I'll just call it a day.

Pour me somethin' tall an' strong,
Make it a "Hurricane" before I go insane.
It's only half-past twelve but I don't care.
It's five o'clock somewhere.


Any country fans out there? I'm a big country music fan.

Anyway Alan Jackson's song It's Five O'clock Somewhere put an explanation point on my past few days!!!

Ok, but I will pass on the Hurricane and get a coffee mocha and NOT one from McDonald's. McDonald's coffee drinks are ok and all but I need something better than ok. Make it a Starbucks before I go insane.

End of rambling starts now...

The point of this post is that during my off few days I read this on someones Facebook status. Mary Knox's to give her credit. I enjoy reading her status'

Great ministry tweet: RickWarren : "Never envy a significant place of service. Make the place you serve significant."

So how does this apply to me?

"Tina, stop looking over the fence and wishing your family was like this person or that persons. Instead, focus on your own family and serve God with all your might right where you are with the abilities, blessings, weaknesses you have."

Of course, whether my place in life ever is significant in the world's eyes or not shouldn't be my goal. My goal is to run the race God has set before me well. I shouldn't be running another person's race. So my dear friends, I now step off your track and onto my own. See you at the finish line!


Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Valentine's Day Part 2!!

Now on to our Valentine's dinner.

Yes, actual meatballs with our spaghetti! That is pretty special.



My first attempt at shaping french bread. You aren't laughing are you?



Ice cream cones for dessert! Personally my favorite part of the meal.



We let our dinner settle while Jeff and the kids huddled around our teeny tiny portable DVD player. Jeff appropriately rented the Charlie Brown Easter video! I snuck off with the box of Valentine chocolates Jeff gave me. Shhhh. Don't tell.



Very funny! Elena using binoculars to see the video screen. Smart girl!



We hope you are still enjoying the glow of your Valentine's celebration!

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A Happy Valentine's Day From US!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

to my faithful blog readers!!


Today was a whirl-wind of activity!

The kids were working hard on their Valentine bags for part of the afternoon.






Their hard work payed off! Don't these look great all lined up?!



Here is a peek inside of a few of the bags.

A lot of the kids worked hard this past weekend making Valentines for each other so the bags were pretty filled.



Here was my addition to each person's bag.



This past summer Elena and her friend sold cookies and baked goods at our local farmers market to make a little extra spending money. They were there most every Saturday morning and Thursday evening selling their goodies August through October. I thought I would package my Valentine cookies much like Elena and Miranda did for the farmers market.

Not quite as impressive as theirs but they look special anyway!





Tomorrow I will share how we spent the rest of our Valentine's Day evening!


Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy