Snow Ice Cream

This recipe is easily accessible now that we have the Internet. Before that time I had to always call my Mom to get it.

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup milk

Mix these together and add

5 cups of clean snow

This actually isn't the recipe Mom used, she used "Milnot" (sweetened condensed milk). The first time I made it I was so disappointed that Milnot was a brand and not the item!

Once when we lived in Sedona before L. was born, I made some and M. and I sat in the living room floor and ate it for lunch!

Made some last night and this batch was perfect! I don't know what happened last year - I had to keep adding snow for consistency, but then I had to keep adding other ingredients (mostly sugar) for taste.

Anyways, if you're one of the fortunate (unfortunate?) to be in the 2011 Blizzard, try some snow ice cream. Enjoy and stay safe!

I'm not going anywhere for a while.

Note: How funny, I went back to read the post I wrote last year about snow ice cream. I shared the same memory about eating ice cream for lunch. That snow day was within three days of a year ago yesterday. Wow!

Counting Our Blessings 2.1.11

104. I was blessed to be able to spend a lot of time with Dad this weekend. I really enjoyed reading Scripture to him.

105. I’ve said it many times, but can’t emphasize enough what a blessing the wonderful care Dad got at the Veteran’s Center was. I have often prayed for and thanked the Lord for his caregivers.
106. God’s Word has encouraged and nourished me this week.

107. The love, prayer, and support of friends, especially my Small Group.

108. Yesterday evening before the storm hit, 3 friends from church came to help me wrap cereal boxes for my class’ Biography project. A short time – they’re all done and it was fun, not a chore!
109. We are so blessed to still have electricity!

110. One of Dad’s Christmas gifts to the boys was a puzzle. It is in process on the dining room table.

111. Snow ice cream!

112. This storm is at a very inconvenient time. I really am trying to see the blessing in it.

Daybook - 1.29

Outside my window… lots of sunshine! It’s in the 70s today….and will ice and snow this coming Tuesday!

I am thankful for… notes and phone calls of encouragement

I am wearing… adidas warm-up suit – white, navy and lime green

Some plans for the rest of the week… Parent/Teacher conferences Tues. night (4), haircut on Friday, spending as much time with Dad as I can.

I am hoping … well planning for it too – to get some more activity in this week and not to eat so much chocolate (since it won’t be sitting in front of me all day at a workshop!)

On my mind… things that need to get done for school/work, juggling responsibilities, planning for food

Hearing…. J. scratching on the window because I haven’t gotten up and let her in yet, neighbors riding by on bikes.

I am praying for……. timing and comfort. Mostly for Dad not to be in pain.

From the kitchen….. not much! Salsa chicken that needs to be eaten for dinner.

Around the house…Hubby and the boys have been doing great at keeping up with everything when I’m not here and I’m trying to do a few things each chance I get.

One of my favorite things… a slightly different schedule this past week, my new daily reading Bible – I read it to Dad to last night.

From my picture journal…

From about a week and a half ago. Notice the snowball splat on the window.

To view more daybooks visit Simple Woman's Daybook.

Counting Our Blessings 1.25.11

This past week has not been an easy week. On Wednesday night we found out that my Dad has several metastasized tumors throughout his abdomen. Yesterday, we met with his doctor to discuss comfort care. I’m glad to say that it has not been difficult though to obey 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” That being said that doesn’t mean that I am not grieved…

96. I am blessed to have a God who sees and knows me.
"You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book." Psalm 56:8 The Message

97. My Dad is a Believer and unless there is a miracle he will be reunited in heaven with my Mom and most importantly see Jesus face to face.

98. I have said this often in blog posts, we are immensely blessed by the quality care my Dad has received at the Veteran’s Center. I know that isn’t always the case when loved ones are in nursing facilities.

99. Hubby has been wonderful to care for me this week.

100. Although not easy, our boys are doing great. We have purposely not shielded them from death or truth (developmentally appropriate of course) for times such as this.

101. Support from family, friends, and coworkers.

102. Getting to spend extra time with my sister.

103. During that time with Aunt (shopping) finding a dress for a formal dinner and two pairs of shoes for $35!

Daybook - Jan. 23

Outside my window… there’s just a little snow left from last Thurs. morning – in the flower bed, on the yards where the sun doesn’t hit as much and on rooftops, the icy sidewalks are even gone (the ice not the sidewalks!).

I am thankful for… about an hour “away” time – first with Hubby and then time to myself reading a magazine

I am wearing… gray corduroy pants, black ¾ sleeve shirt with plum leaves print

Some plans for the rest of the week… meeting with Dad’s doctor, training for work, a dinner Friday night for Hubby’s work.

I am hoping (and praying)… that everyone’s sore throats, headaches and sniffles go away and don’t turn into anything.

On my mind… Dad, the meeting Monday with his doctor to discuss comfort care.

Hearing…. the dog barking, heater kicking on, boys in the shower.

I am praying for……. Dad

From the kitchen….. leftover ham, chili or turkey. Wendy’s for lunch after church

Around the house… things to put away – always! At least it’s clean laundry and clean dishes this time.

One of my favorite things… Quiktrip!

From my picture journal…

To view more daybooks visit Simple Woman's Daybook.

Heaven is for Real

We bought my uncle the book, Heaven is For Real, for his Christmas present. We've never done this before, but Hubby had started reading it before he brought it home. A couple of nights later I found Hubby asleep on the couch with the book across him. I very quietly and gently removed the book from Hubby and then sat in front of the fireplace and read it from cover to cover. Yes, after Hubby finished it we did give it to my uncle.

Since then, Aunt and my friend, J. have gotten copies and read it. Our own copy came from Hubby's parents a few days ago - M. and L. want to read it. Aunt blogged about it at Requirements today. Check it out or the book website, if you'd like.

Sometimes, when people describe near death experiences, there is always a hint of doubt in my mind at some things. However, I know this family to be a solid Christian family and very Biblically based. I sat by the author in a college class. An aunt and an uncle of Colton (the boy in the book) were in Hubby's and my wedding. Heaven is for Real is wonderfully written and just amazing!

I am one who has lost two babies to ectopic pregnancy & miscarriage, I was with my Mom when she gasped for her last breath and now am standing at the same threshold with my Dad. When I read the book about a month ago, it tremendously touched my heart and ministered to me. I plan to read it again soon.

One thing that stands out in Colton's description of Heaven is that "Jesus really loves children". If you love children, have lost a child, or your heart is longing for Heaven, your true home, I recommend reading this book.

Why I Love a Snow Day

I was kind of expecting to be out of school today. Yesterday, I had all my students take their reading books home (not the normal night) - I'm hoping they all used them today to keep from getting bored! The true teacher in me was hoping for a Snow Day and when Hubby checked his phone at 6am this morning, he confirmed we were out and I rolled over and went back to sleep for a few more hours.

All day, laundry and papers to grade beckoned me, but I had fun with the boys instead. L. worked on (and completed) his school project. Hubby brought me a sweet tea while he was between work sites. M. played outside which inspired me to walk to the park with the boys. They wrestled. We walked home in silence (almost silence - one boy was whimpering). The boys and I (mostly them) made sugar cookies - all I had were Easter cookie cutters. I made a pot of chili (what could be more perfect for a snow day?) M. has been reading most of the day and this evening we all looked at their new study Bibles. They are so excited to start using them!




I found out about 30 minutes ago that we are out of school tomorrow too. Well, I wasn't expecting that! I had JUST finished my plans (including printing them) for next week. Oh, well. I know what my mentor teacher would say, "That's what arrows are for!"

Maybe I'll get the laundry done and papers graded tomorrow.