An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving

"An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving" by Louisa May Alcott is an old favorite of our's. According to tradition, I usually read it to myself and/or the boys a week or so before Thanksgiving. It's a quaint little story set in the 1820's about a family who is poor in money but rich in family, fun, love and tradition.

Speaking of an old-fashioned Thanksgiving, I hope that each of you has a lovely time with your families this week. Remember to count your blessings - naming them one-by-one - on Thanksgiving Day and every day to cultivate a thankful heart. See you next week!

Lessons From A Wedding

I recently spent a few days studying the Scripture passage in John 2:1-12 on the wedding at Cana where Jesus turns water to wine. As the passage is relatively long, I won't type the whole thing out here. Instead, listed below are some basic principles that I've been reminded of through studying this section along with the verse where each principle is found. I pray you would use this as a springboard to dig into the Word to uncover these riches of truths for yourself.

* Run to the Source when in need of help, not substitutes. (vs. 3)
* When reproofed, don't argue - keep quiet - and count it a kindness. (vs. 4)
* Ask for the blessings, but let Him provide in the way He desires. (vs. 5)
* Whatever He says to do, do it! (vs. 5)
* Don't worry if no one knows your good deeds - trust God to do with them what He desires. (vs. 9)
* Food and drink are gifts from God's hand - enjoy them but don't abuse them. (vs. 9-10)
* Use my gifts to bring glory to God - that others might come to Him, not for my glory but for His. (vs. 11)

An Autumn Luncheon

My sister LOVES to entertain, and I am often a happy and willing recipient of her hospitality! This week one afternoon J. had an autumn luncheon for a friend and me. I decided to write a bit about it as to possibly provide some inspiration and encouragement in using YOUR gifts to bless others.

Our luncheon table was set in J.'s office - a beautiful little space which is actually an enclosed porch at the side of the house. The table was set with a tablecloth and dishes in autumn colors - rusts, oranges, hints of burgundy, golds. The old rooster perched as a centerpiece along with some peacock feathers.

For luncheon we had the following:
* Sparkling Apple Cider
* Mixed Greens with Pears & Cranberries dressed with Raspberry-Walnut Vinagriette
* a beautiful and delicious Vegetable & Egg Casserole
* Winter Spice Scones (my contribution)
* Pumpkin Pie Crunch (our friend's contribution)
* Hot Vanilla Tea

We spent the afternoon enjoying one another's company, sharing ideas, holding the baby, sipping tea. Before leaving, J. presented us each with a box of Twinings Apple, Cinnamon & Raisin tea and an autumn decoration of a pretty little brown bottle wired with metal leaves. Such a sweet afternoon - simple yet elegant - beauty for the mind, heart and soul . . .

Thanks, J. -

Fallingwater

This is Fallingwater - Frank Lloyd Wright's creation on a waterfall. When this famous architect built Fallingwater for the Edward Kauffman family in the late '30s, he told them: "I wanted you to live with the waterfall, not just look at it."

We recently visited Fallingwater which is located in western Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh. Autumn is a beautiful time to visit as the house is surrounded by forest, but we understand that a backdrop of snow is quite lovely, too. Unfortunately I didn't get a shot of the waterfall coming out from under the house - when we got to the Overlook for the best views of Fallingwater, my photo batteries died!

Our family opted for the grounds pass which allowed us access to view the outside of the home, walk around the grounds and nature trails, and take peeks into the many glass windows from the terraces and balconies of Fallingwater. The inside tour is rather expensive for a family of our size. Since we had the boys with us, we figured they wouldn't enjoy the inside tour for the price - bang for the buck you know! Unfortunately the self-guided brochure for the grounds tour doesn't give much history or information about Fallingwater. Our family suggests that if you visit and purchase the grounds pass, that you educate your family about Wright's creation before going. (A perfect opportunity for a unit study on architecture!)

For more information, visit www.faywest.com/fayette/fallingwater. If you visit Fallingwater, make sure you drive down the road and spend some time at Ohiopyle State Park - famous for whitewater rafting and lovely scenic spots.

Gracious Living

(Photo by Eli)

"This is the day of the 'TV frozen dinner,' stuck in an oven, served on a tray in front of the TV set, no conversation, no blessing being said, no Person being thanked, because "there is no-one in the universe to thank." It is the day of 'grabbing a bite' and going on to the next engagement. The art of living together, of being a family, is being lost, just as the wealth of the earth is being lost by man's carelessness in his ignoring the need for conservation of forests, lakes and seas. The 'conservation' of family life does not consist of sticking a rose in the middle of the table; it is a deeper thing than that. However, whether one is sketching a face, building a house, designing a dress or planting a forest, one has to start somewhere. And in this need to get back to 'gracious living,' to real communication among people living together, it seems to me one place to start could be the meal-time moments, and the careful preparation of the background for conversations at that time. Of course one gorgeously original and fantastically set table is not going to knit a scattered family together. But I really believe there is both an art form and a way of life, an atmosphere and a form of showing consideration, as well as a subtle way of providing education and inspiration in artistic areas that is being lost altogether if the meal table always has a bare centre - or a bottle of milk and a jar of pickles!"

-- From "The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Creative Ideas for Enriching Everyday Life" by Edith Schaeffer

Whoppie Pies

A family favorite -

Whoppie Pies

Cookies:
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. cocoa
1/2 C. shortening
1 egg
1/2 C. sour milk
1/2 C. hot water
2 C. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda

Cream together sugar, cocoa, shortening and egg in mixer. Add remaining ingredients and beat well. Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350 (bake until firm to the touch). Remove and cool. Put 2 cookies together with whoppie pie filling. Makes about 15 whoppie pies. (I usually double the cookie recipe and make 1 1/2 batches of the icing recipe.)

Filling:
2 egg whites
1/4 C. milk
1 1/2 C. shortening
4 tabl. flour
2 tabl. vanilla
4 C. 10X sugar

Beat all ingredients together until fluffy. Wrap each whoppie pie individually in plastic wrap.

Psalm 31

(Photo by Eli)

Psalm 31

vs. 1-5
"In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name's sake,
Lead me and guide me.
Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

vs. 14
But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."

vs. 19
Oh, how great is Your goodness,
Which You have laid up for those who fear You,
In the presence of the sons of men!

vs. 24
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All who hope in the LORD.

Fighter Verses 10

(Photo by Eli)

Fighter memory verses for weeks 11/16 & 11/23 -

REVIEW & CATCH UP on the past eight weeks of verses:
Hebrews 10:11-12
Hebrews 10:14
James 1:22-24
Proverbs 29:11
(See Fighter Verse 6, 7, 8 & 9 posts for verses.)

Creegan's Animation Factory

If you ever have the opportunity to drive through Steubenville, Ohio, make sure you stop at Creegan's Animation Factory. Tucked away on a corner in an old Montgomery Wards building, Creegan's is the nation's largest maker of animated and costume characters. This 50-year-old family business, who boasts customers such as Sea World and Disney World, offers a quirky little tour of their company that will have you thinking you stepped back in time. For $1/person, you'll receive a 45-minute tour including a video about what they do, a visit to the basement where there are hundreds of molds on shelves (how do they possibly know what they have?!), a stop at the creating and finishing areas where characters are designed and later painted, and opportunity to talk to the ladies in the arts and crafts department who do the sewing of costumes. Creegan's definitely offers a unique opportunity for a fun and fascinating field trip! Visit www.weir.net/creegans for more info.

Common Ground

(Photo by Eli)

"This is important. Many Christians buy into the lie that they have nothing in common with their culture. Yet if we look at our own sin and our own experience of being sinned against, we will humbly recognize common experience and common grief. It is the recognition of this common ground that moves us toward ministry to the culture. And to this common ground we are called to bring the message of the Gospel."

-- From "Age of Opportunity - A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens" by Paul David Tripp

The Old Farm House Tea Room

Last week my sister and I took our mom for tea for her birthday. We tried a new-to-us tea room called The Old Farm House. Located in an 1863 farm house, this tea room takes on a bit more of a Colonial air than a Victorian one. Along with a large portrait of George Washington above the fireplace and portraits of all the other presidents running down the staircase, there are lots of interesting things to look at. Besides the decorations, the tables are set just beautifully with lovely dishes and large silver carafes atop tea lights which showcase your tea. The food at The Old Farm House may not be as fancy as some tea rooms, but definitely homemade and delicious.

Our High Tea menu included:
* A goblet of Mandarin Orange/Pineapple/Papaya Juice
* Fruit Medley with a surprise of fresh coconut at the bottom
* Garden Salad (with bits of orange cauliflower!) with a cooked House Dressing of Honey Mustard
* A plate of Plum Tea Bread, Coconut Scones, Pecan Tea Bread, and Chocolate Oatmeal Scones with Devonshire Cream
* Choice of Cream of Broccoli and Potato Soup or Chicken Corn Noodle Soup
* Tea Sandwiches of Chicken Salad on Multigrain Bread and Ham & Swiss Wraps
* Choice of Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream and a Chocolate-Covered Pretzel or Blueberry Streusel Cake with Whipped Cream
* Tea cups of hot Pumpkin Spice Tea and Five Berry Tea

A gift certificate for tea at The Old Farm House would make a lovely gift for the tea lover in your life! The Old Farm House Tea Room is located at 7027 Lincoln Highway, Thomasville, PA 17364. Call (717) 225-0451 or (717) 225-1798 for more information and reservations.

Matthew 7:13-14

(Photo by Eli)

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Away For A Bit

I'll be away from my computer for a bit - see you next week!

Biology 101

Yes, Eli is dissecting a frog - not a real one, mind you, just a gel one! He recently found a frog dissection kit at a yard sale that hadn't even been opened yet. I've seen this kit in stores - it's put out by the Smithsonian Institution and is part of a set of science kits that they sell. The kit shows you how to assemble frog body parts into a mold and fill it with a substance which forms a gel frog. A booklet comes with it to teach kids how to dissect the frog and what the various parts and functions of the anatomy is. Eli had a great time with this - he can make two more frogs with the available goo.

I decided to mention it here as an alternative for those of you who like the idea of teaching your children hands-on biology, but don't want to deal with real creatures! Obviously, it's not as detailed or informative as a high school biology lesson on dissecting real frogs may be, but it IS an interesting way to introduce children to biology, anatomy and so on. The Frog Lab is recommended for ages 8 and up and can be found at various stores that sell toys for a relatively inexpensive price.

Fighter Verses 9

Fighter Memory Verse for weeks of 11/2 & 11/9 -

Proverbs 29:11: "A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back."

Apple Favors

This is a fun and simple idea from "Martha Stewart Living" to make and use as placecards for dinner or just to give as little favors at a get-together. Select an apple with a nice long stem. Cut out two pairs of leaves from green cardstock. Put 1 end of a 3" length of floral wire between 2 leaves; use hot glue to paste together. Repeat with the opposite end of wire and the other pair of leaves. Write the guest's name on 1 leaf. Wrap the wire around the apple stem.