Weekend Away at Our State's Capitol

We traveled to Columbus for an OSU scrimmage game that the older girls wanted to see. It was an affordable opportunity to see an OSU game in the "Horseshoe" for $5. What an experience! I have never seen so many red shirts in one place. 97,000 people showed up for the game!

One of the sites near OSU.

The boys loved the pool at the hotel!

We visited a replica of Columbus' ship " The Santa Maria" docked in downtown Columbus. It was very interesting and the boys learned that they would NOT like to be cabin boys.

The boys in Columbus' private quarters.

My 7yo finding out how to light a cannon in the Santa Maria. Fire in the hole!

The ceiling of the Statehouse featuring a stained glass replica of the state seal.

A birthday celebration for Abraham Lincoln. 200 years old!

Civil War Reenacters shooting off a cannon. It was really loud!

The boys standing in front of a statue of Christopher Columbus on the Ohio Statehouse lawn. We had unseasonably warm and windy weather. It was a beautiful day!

Gardening Challenge

We are participating in "Teaching Good Things" From Seeds to Harvest Gardening Challenge We always plant a large garden with plenty of food to can or freeze for the winter. Typically we plant green beans, tomatoes, corn, peas, peppers, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, squash and if there's room melons. We plant seeds directly in the garden after our frost date of May 15 (except for peas and lettuce). I get tomato and pepper plants at the greenhouse. Right now we have chives and rhubarb coming up. There is also an annoying light green weed that is completely covering the soil. We hope to take care of this and get it tilled up soon!

Spring Has (Finally) Sprung

The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of singing has come...
Song of Solomon 2:12

This year we had an unusally cold and long winter. It is so refreshing to see new color in the beds.

New Dresses in the Shop

Sharing at the Nursing Home

We are part of a group of homeschoolers that visit our local nursing home once a month. We share music, scripture verses and poems with the residents. At the end we have a group sing. This month we sang "The Old Rugged Cross". We always ask for their favorites too. It is a great experience for all involved.

New Baby Boy's Outfit

This outfit was sewn for my cousin's new baby boy!

Ten Decisions You Will Never Regret

1. Showing kindness to an elderly person, both by helping and listening.
2. Destroying a letter or deleting an email written in anger.
3. Offering an apology to salvage a wounded friendship.
4. Putting the interests of others before your own.
5. Taking the time to help a young person find direction in life.
6. Showing consideration to parents, brothers and sisters, regardless of their ages.
7. Refraining from gossip when those around you delight in it.
8. Refusing to compromise your convictions, even if those around you disagree.
9. Accepting God's wisdom regarding questions in life, though you may not fully understand at the time.
10. Receiving the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. His grace will enable you to make decisions you will never regret.

~This was on the back of our bulletin today and I thought it was pretty good~

All Creatures Great and Small-The Lord God Made Them All

The kids dressed our dog up in an old shirt from the garage sale. The baby kitten was born just this week.

Garage Sale!

This is the week for our big garage sale. We haven't had one for two years. I cannot believe how much stuff we have accumulated!
8 people x 2 years=lots of stuff
Thursday is the "big" day for garage sales around here. We had a lot of people come! I'm thinking that it was finally a nice day and people were itching to get out. Hopefully, today will be good too!
And who could resist treats baked by my favorite kids!

Paisley Halter Dress

This dress was specially made for a sweet little girl. Her Mom chose the fabric and dress style. I hope she likes it!

New Bib in the Shop

Orange Paisley Baby Girl Bib

~View From My Kitchen Window~

My 14 year old daughter has a knack for taking really good pictures. I thought this one was especially pretty. Early Spring/Early Evening

New Life in Christ!

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed~I Corinthians 15:51

Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ~Romans 6:4

Easter Tradition

Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs

Reading Benjamin's Box by Melody Carlson while opening up Resurrection Eggs has become a tradition in our family. This book looks at Jesus' death and resurrection through the eyes of a young boy. My boys could really relate to the feelings of sadness as a sinless Jesus was beaten and crucified. I stressed that Jesus would have died on the cross even if they were the only people who had ever sinned. They took turns opening the eggs. I could tell that my 7 year old more fully understood the sacrifice that God made for us.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."~John 3:16

Cheesecake Anyone?

This is a strawberry swirl cheesecake that my dd made for an early Easter gathering that we had Saturday. It was more than delicious! We got the recipe from a library book that featured "Junior's Most Fabulous Cheescakes".

A problem occured when we went back to get the book and it was missing from the library. An internet search produced the recipe. These cheesecakes sell for more than $30-but they are so good that it would be worth every penny... if you couldn't make it yourself.

"Goofy" Graduates!

Our middle daughter is graduating this year! Of course her brothers had to try on the mortar board!

Vintage Fabric Find

I snagged this vintage, retro fabric at the local thirift store. It washed and dried beautifully. Just the bottom border is pictured. I am thinking a little girl's A-line dress?