My dear children are big soup eaters. From the time they could manage a spoon,  I gave them soup often…..usually several times a week.  Now whenever I have a pot of bubbling soup on the stove they are delighted and look forward to a savory bowl of hot soup for lunch.

It seems there is nothing more comforting, more stress relieving and more satisfying than soup.  Also, we are sure to get plenty of vegetables in our diet when we include soup routinely in our menu.  Whether I make a creamy chowder, a chicken noodle, or a hearty bean soup we all enjoy and usually go back for seconds.  Read more...

If someone peeked into your window at mealtime what would they see?  Would your table be empty…or perhaps full of paperwork, or an ongoing project? Hopefully, it would have a family gathered around sharing a meal together.

I jealously guard my favorite time of the day, our family dinner hour.  We try not to schedule any lessons or activities in the evenings,  but have made this time a priority in our day.

It is always worth the effort to make something nourishing and delicious for my family to enjoy,  and is almost always a happy time for us.  It seems that this preparation time of cooking,  setting the table,  lighting a candle and whatever else is the most “authentic” thing we do all day.  I mean its so dependable,  it’s calming,  its “down-to-earth.”

Sometimes my boys will  help me cook,  and we often add music to the mix and even end up dancing in the kitchen a bit. We call Dad to ask what his E.T.A.(estimated time of arrival) is so we can plan accordingly.  Our home begins to take on the aroma of garlic or onion, and with the music playing in the background, our spirits begin to pick up a bit.  Read more...

Hello Everyone. I came across this poem and I wanted to share it. Although it is so simple it touched my heart deeply.

DEFINITION
“MOTHER”—A WORD THAT HOLDS THE TENDER SPELL
OF THE DEAR ESSENTIAL THINGS OF EARTH;
A HOME, CLEAN SUNLIT ROOMS,
AND THE GOOD SMELL
OF BREAD, A TABLE SPREAD, A GLOWING HEARTH,
AND LOVE BEYOND THE DREAM OF ANYONE…
I SEARCH FOR WORDS FOR HER….
AND THERE ARE NONE.

GRACE NOIL CROWELL

I really miss my dear Mom. This poem brings me back to the days when I’d arrive home from school tired and hungry. My mom usually had something just out of the oven. It was not fancy. Usually just muffins or a quick bread or cake. She used to make an apple cake that was really good…..almost like a coffee cake with apple slices on top. Let’s keep on making delicious treats for our families so they will have some happy memories too.

APPLE CAKE WITH HOT CARAMEL SAUCE

1/2 CUP SHELLED PECANS
2 LARGE COOKING APPLES
1 CUP SUGAR
1 EGG
1 TEAS. BAKING SODA
1/4 TEAS. SALT
1 TEAS CINNAMON
1 TEAS NUTMEG
1 CUP FLOUR
WHIPPED CREAM
FRESH APPLE SLICES

CARAMEL SAUCE:
1/2 CUP BUTTER
1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR
1/2 TEAS SALT
1 TEAS VANILLA
1/2 CUP EVAPORATED MILK  Read more...

It seems that every summer I wish it away. I dream of cooler days when I can once again wear a cozy sweater and make a big pot of hearty stew or chicken pot pie. I long for that chilly morning feeling when I enjoy my first cup of tea curled up under a blanket. I feel a bit guilty though and know I should be thankful for these days. Life is way to short to wish any of them away. I should be happy to have this time to enjoy some of the lazy days of summer with my dear family. I must also confess that I do not enjoy cooking as much during the summer months. I really love to make soups and hearty meals but not when it is 100 degrees outside. I realize that I am not having a grateful heart and am not thanking God for these days he has given me….these very warm days. I should be glad in all of them and try to make some great memories for my family. There….that’s my confession. I am now on the hunt for some quick and easy summer recipes to try. Here are a few that I have found. Happy summer everyone!! May we all be truly grateful for these days.
Anne

OPEN FACED CUCUMBER TEA SANDWICHES
1/2 SMALL CUCUMBER
4 OUNCES CREAM CHEESE (SOFTENED)
1 TEAS FINELY CHOPPED CHIVES OR GREEN ONION TOPS
SALT AND GROUND WHITE PEPPER
6 SLICES OF FIRM WHOLE-WHEAT BREAD
24 THIN SLICES UNPEELED CUCUMBER( I PREFER THE ENGLISH HOTHOUSE)  Read more...

You know for years I never said grace before I ate. I was not opposed to saying a blessing, its just that I felt like it was not sincere and maybe just a formality but not from my heart.  Then I had children.  It’s funny how you have a different outlook on things when you are raising little ones.   Now we always pray before we eat. It has become a habit so much a part of us that we don’t even think about it anymore.   It’s as natural as using a fork and knife. Is it always sincere and heartfelt?   Probably not always…..but sometimes it really is.

One writer wrote: “Grace before meals signifies a pause, a moment of reflection, a moment of gratitude. It draws a line across which many pass in haste.   It is a civilizing influence in any home and gives the meal unity and dignity.”   I find that it slows us down and helps us to be mindful and more aware of the moment.  It sets a tone for the meal.

I truly appreciate it when my children or husband remembers to thank me for the meal. Sometimes my dear husband even thanks God for ” all of Mom’s hard work” when he prays. I appreciate this and it lifts lifts me up.   So if I value the thanks and acknowledgment for my efforts, I think our family should remember to also thank our creator who has so abundantly blessed us. Sometimes when we pray we just say what is on our heart.  Other times we sing a prayer or recite a memorized prayer. I like to add some variety especially for the children. I would like to share some of my favorite prayers with you. I hope you will share them with your family.  Read more...