Water Restrictions!

Just when my little plants were showing promise, the city came around and announced mandatory water restrictions. At present, being an odd numbered house, we are only allowed to water our garden for two hours on Tuesday and Thursday. It seems that two of the wells for the city system we are on, failed this year and they are having to conserve.

I’m praying that my little plants can hold on that long and that we get some much needed rain. The mayor said that he will “re-evaluate the restrictions in 30 days“. UGH!

My Mom blessed me with a bouquet of her hydrangeas yesterday when she came for a visit. These are by far my favorite flower …I have such fond memories of my Great Grandmother and her hydrangeas. I can’t wait until we are on land of our own. One of the first things that I’m planning is a flower garden with lots and lots of hydrangeas.

Matthew’s birthday went very well. We started our day by taking him to breakfast (at his request), and coming back home for a star shaped chocolate cake with chocolate icing (also his request). These are our recipes for chocolate birthday cake and icing:

Chocolate Birthday Cake

2c white sugar
1 3/4c all purpose flour
3/4c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2t baking powder
1 1/2t baking soda
1t salt
2 eggs
1c milk
1/2c vegetable oil
2t vanilla extract
1c boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 inch round pans. In a large bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Mix for 2 minutes on medium speed of mixer. Stir in the boiling water last. Batter will be thin. Pour evenly into prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes until cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Frosting

1c butter
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa
1T vanilla extract
3 1/2c confectioners’ sugar
4T milk

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in cocoa and vanilla. Place confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl. Pour in cocoa mixture. Beat well (mixture will be extremely thick). Beat in milk, a teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is achieved.

We also tried a new chicken recipe from http://www.allrecipes.com. It’s called “Chicken Delight” and it was very good! I think everyone was surprised by how tender it left the chicken, it was really great!

Chicken Delight

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1c sour cream
2T Worcestershire sauce
1t paprika
1t garlic powder
1/2t white pepper
1c crushed buttery round crackers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry. Place them in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish. In a bowl, mix together sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder and white pepper. Spread mixture over chicken, then sprinkle all with cracker crumbs. Bake uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Prayer Requests

Rain, rain, rain, rain….I know that I have played this song before but we need rain!

My husband’s day didn’t start out on the best foot. Please pray that his day will turn out better.

We are beginning to set up our school plans and chore systems for this next year. I need patience to get everything back in order and planned for this next year.

Tanya’s family that I’m sure is facing a difficult week dealing with the passing of her uncle.

My sister in law Melissa, has been very tired following the start of a new job. Please pray that she is starting fresh, feeling great and that she has a very good week.

Today, I’m Thankful For

My Matthew and his sweet heart. It was such a joy to share another birthday with him.

My husband who unexpectedly brought home flowers for me last week.

A fresh new week.

My little Emma who is now pulling up and walking around the things in our home…walking is not far off.

Breakfast being already made this morning! (My Mom made extras yesterday so that we wouldn’t have to cook this morning…all we have to do is reheat!!)

Tracy’s Tasks

We’re taking some time away from the holiday planner for just a few days…today, I wanted to share some things that I’m doing to preserve family memories.

We always paint new hand prints on the birthday tablecloth and mark their latest height on our hall wall, but I wanted to go a step further and try and preserve even more of their day to day childhood memories.

This year we created an “All About Matthew” book and had it published through Snapfish (if you would like more information on this, email me and I’ll send you a link).

At the advice of my friend, Christy, we’re also trying to get the routine activities of the day on tape, even if for no other reason than to hear their voices as a child. I’m going to just start a tape for each child and add to it everytime they have an event that needs to be recorded….this way, I won’t ever have a problem knowing what is on each tape.

So, today, I’m working on filming/taking pictures of my children. I’m only focusing on Matthew, Joshua and Timothy because they are the children that have had birthdays this year….I’ll work on the others as their birthdays roll around.

What I’m Learning

I’ve been playing with rag rolling Jessica’s hair. We cut strips of fabric and rolled it all up on her head last night before she went to bed. I can’t speak of what her hair will look like when I take her rollers out, but she’s pretty cute walking around with them in! I’ll let you know how it all turns out!

Scripture Meditation

Ps 78:1-4
“O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old–what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.
(NIV)

Happy Monday!


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