Standing Alone on the Rock

My God

2011-04-19T17:47:00.000-07:00

Today my Mom placed an old poem in front of me that I once wrote for my grammar class a few years back. I'm not into poems so it isn't the best, but I thought it'd be kinda neat to share.

My God

My God is my refuge
Yest also my lion.
His letter to me is like a conversation.
His words are encouragement and love to me.
His mercy is like a refreshing wind,
Blowing all my sins away.

My God's love to me is like a stream,
A trickling beauty that's always flowing.
His power is overwhelming like a hurricane,
And yet His hands hold gently even a little sparrow.

Nothing surprises my God.
His knowledge is infallible and mighty.
My God's plans are as incredible as a redwood,
And as wise as an owl.

My God is my God!
He is indescribable and amazing.
His beauty fills His creation,
And His love is everlasting.

-Emily

A Baby's Grin

2011-03-01T03:48:00.000-08:00

A baby is a precious thing

Sent by God above

They make your heart leap with joy,

They make it swell with love.

They sleep, all curled up in a ball

cuddled in a basket

They sleep while Mother works away

Sleeping's quite a habit!

It's true they can be noisy

They can be kind of loud

They make a lot of laundry

They scream out in a crowd.

But when those cheeks swell up with joy

And eyes shine up within

This is the beautiful-ist of things-

This is a baby's grin.

images {via}

Hab. 3:17-19

2011-02-28T04:48:00.000-08:00

As a school project I had to remake these verses into something that was relevant today. It was a really fun assignment and it showed me how I can worship the LORD and praise Him in everything.

(all images via google images)

Though the cookies burn in the oven

and though I didn’t get the e-mail I wanted,

Though sisters throw clothes all over the closet floor,

and the twins each want their own way,

Though I step on army guys,

and school takes forever,

Still I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will stay composed and faithful.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength;

he makes my heart sing joyfully,

he enables me to work for Him.

Eph. 3:14

2011-02-26T13:21:00.000-08:00

"Now to Him who is able to do

immeasurably more

than all we ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us,

to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

for ever and ever!"

Glass Weeds

2011-02-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

Our house has been hit by an ice storm and therefore the weeds in the fields behind our house are sparkling in the sunlight. Each plant including the grass is covered with a thick layer of ice. I took some pictures to share with you!

Ice causes a lot of damage and keeps people at home, but it does make things beautiful! Thank you, God, for such beauty for us to enjoy!

The Blizzard Hit Us!

2011-02-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

I feel like a meteorologist with a team taking pictures of the snow for me to show the world! These pictures are some that a friend took for me of the snow they got! This measuring stick is 4 feet tall so some of these piles of snow are over 4 feet tall!

And below are a few pictures I took myself of the drifts at our house...

We received a lot of blowing last night. I think more blowing than snow actually! All the snow was pushed against fences and houses into large piles. Some, like the pictures at the very top, at up to 5 feet tall and some as small as 1 foot. Schools are closing for tomorrow already!

Snow is pretty and it's fun to play in occsionally, but it's definitely cold AND frustrating when it starts closing businesses and schools! (You lucky "go to schoolers" got the day off! We homeschoolers ,(at least two homeschool families I know), DIDN'T get the day off! Sad day!) :-)

Hungry Jack

2011-02-02T02:26:00.000-08:00

Here's another recipe! This one is really simple with only 5 ingredients! Why it is called Hungry Jack?? I do not know! WE imagine that someone really hungry named Jack created it. Or else they had a hungry Jack in mind! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 big can baked beans (32 oz.)

3/4 cup BBQ sauce, according to taste (we use Open Pit)

1 lb ground hamburger

1 package of 8 refrigerator biscuits, the kind with layers

2 cups cheese (or less)

Put it all together:

Cook the hamburger and drain off the grease. Mix the BBQ sauce and baked beans together in a small casserole dish and add the hamburger. Flatten each of the biscuits and lay them on top of the mixture. Cook at 375* F for around 20 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown. (You want them really dark on top so that the bottoms are cooked through) Add the cheese to the top and cook until melted.

A Beautiful Morning Sky

2011-01-31T14:28:00.000-08:00

This was taken this morning! I love that strange looking cloud in the middle! It looks almost like a DNA model!

Blessed by the Small Things

2011-01-18T17:48:00.000-08:00

I have 2 year old twin sisters and I have a cool story to tell about how we get some of their clothes.

A few weeks before the twins were born we had a shed delivered. My grandpa was talking to the man who delivered it and told him about how my mom was on bedrest because she was expecting the twins. The man told us about his sister (Mrs. Y) who had twins the year before. We didn't think anything of it at the time.

A day or two after the babies were born we got a phone call from Mrs. Y asking us if we wanted clothes from her twins. My grandma told her my mom would call her back when she got home.

My mom called her back a few days later and Mrs. Y told her she would send a package in the mail with a few preemie and newborn clothes the next day! She was going to drop the other clothes off on Sunday. (We found out she went to church close by)

Since then we have received about 6 huge bags of clothes for our twins and are so blessed by them.

I love telling this story becasue it just shows how the Lord can work things out. Could we ever have imagined that our shed man would bring us so much more then a shed? I think not.

If you ever have something you want to bless people with, but you think it might be awkward, (my brother delivered your shed; do you want some twin clothes?) pray and take the plunge. It might just turn out to be a great blessing in someone's life!

Best Friend

2011-01-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

I want you to think for a minute.

Think about your best friend.

Does your heart swell up with love?

Does a smile come to your face and a light to your eyes?

Do you want to praise them up to every one?

This is the way we should feel about Jesus Christ. He should be our best friend.

Our heart should swell with love for Him.

We should smile and our eyes should be bright because of Him.

We should want to praise Him up and tell everyone about about Him. Our Best Friend.

"...but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." {Proverbs 18:24}

"Teenager"

2010-12-27T05:27:00.000-08:00

I found this poem a few weeks before I turned thirteen and loved it. You can find it at ylcf.org.

"Teenager"

This word "teenager"

Has a bad connotation

Throughout the world,

And especially our nation.

It brings thoughts of

Baggy pants and orange hair;

Of a young girl who’s pregnant,

And of kids who don’t care.

These teens have got a

BIG ATTITUDE!

And boy, they sure know how

To be impolite and rude.

Some teens have their sports,

Youth Groups and Sunday Schools;

Their Bible studies and

Prayers at the flag poles.

But these teens still don’t seem

To get the complete picture of

What it means to be like

The Savior Above.

For Christians should be different—

We’re not to fit in!

God doesn’t care if we’re cool—

He wants to keep us from sin!

What if the word "teenager"

Brought to your mind

Someone honest and polite,

Loving, giving, and kind?

What if it meant someone

On fire for the Lord,

Who eagerly read

And obeyed His Word?

What if we were to create

A completely new definition

For this word "teenager"

Which doesn’t get honorable mention?

Just think of the changes

That would happen in the U.S.A.

If our teenagers lived

By God’s way each day!

Now wouldn’t it be awesome?

Why don’t we give it a try?!

Let’s give it our all,

Getting help from on High.

Let’s make a new meaning

For that disesteemed word;

Let’s make a difference

For Jesus our Lord!

-Gretchen L. Glaser

{Sorry for the shortness of posts around here, folks. I'm working on some more in-depth stuff!}

A Beautiful Sunset

2010-11-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

During a fun weekend during the summer, we witnessed this gorgeous sunset. Sunsets always look amazing over water.

About me...

2010-10-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

I recently wrote up a new profile description and I was, um, quite proud of it. So I'm posting it. Because it's good to know about the people whose blogs you read.

ABOUT ME

LINDSEY MARIE: MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES; I am a sinner, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. He died for me and for YOU! I've been homeschooled for 5 years and I love it; It's what is truly best for our family. I love my 5 siblings. My parents. I am very pro-life. In my spare time I love to sew and craft. I adore reading Christian books. Blogging makes me happy. I digi-scrap. I like twirly skirts. I have some of the most AMAZING friends. Ever. I love the children I baby-sit for. I am a creationist. I am an avid piano player. I am LindseyMarie! ;-) P.S. Always remember the real I AM.

Recipe Book

2010-10-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

I'm not very good at crafts and don't do them very often, but a couple weeks ago I actually did one all by myself! While I was in Iowa with my friend, we went to a crafts store and I thought this craft was so cute and fun! So when my friend's mom said she'd buy each of us a craft, I decided on this right away. 'Course since I'm not very creative, it didn't turn out as well as the example, but I'm happy with it.

So this is the craft. A book for recipes, some ribbon, stickers, and recipe cards.

This is how it is set up. With rings that will be easy to put more recipes in and stickers for each new section like appetizers or desserts.

I got some more stickers so I had more things to work with.

This is my first page. It's the main dish section.

And the second for side dish.

This next one is for soup/salad.

This is the appetizer one.

My favorite- desserts!

And the section for other...

So this was my final product. With some ribbons on the rings and the recipe cards in between each section, it was finished. I'm happy with it! I'm scared to start writing recipes though because I don't want to mess it up!! :-)

Sun Rise

2010-09-20T06:35:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I rolled over in bed and saw this out my window... I stumbled downstairs, grabbed the camera and made my way outside to snap a few shots. (It looked way better in real life)

Isn't God amazing to give us two beautiful pictures like this every day? Yet it's only once in a great while that we actually take the time to watch them.

Take me for example. This is outside my window every morning, yet how many time do I "see" it??

Maybe once a month.

It is now my goal to at least once a week watch a sunrise or sunset.... to reflect on the beauty God has made and to thank him for it.

Will you join me??

Emily's Favorite Verses

2010-09-17T05:38:00.000-07:00

Favorites come pretty easy to me. My family jokes that every song is my favorite since I'm constantly asking the music to be turned up to my favorite song which happens to be a different one most every time. (My actual favorite song is In Christ Alone.) I also have favorite colors, animals, and so on like most people, but I'm gonna share with you some of my favorite verses found in the Bible.

1 Corinthians 10:13- No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Romans 8: 31 - What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can stand against us?

Isaiah 48:17-18- Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh, that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Isaiah 17:10- So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, "We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do."

Proverbs 16:9- A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Psalms 46:10- Be STILL, and know that I am God.

Isaiah 53:12- And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Romans 8:28- And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11-13- For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you willl seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Eighth Grade

2010-09-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

Written a week ago, on my first day of school...

Today I started my last year of middle school. Of course, it wasn’t as big of a deal as if I went to a school. But it was still a day of reflection.

I remember school two whole years ago, when Mom was on bedrest and we did school each day on her bed. We were anxiously awaiting the birth of our twin sisters. When they were born we took a bit of time off school and as a result finished in June.

Last year was challenging but got easier as the babies grew and learned to play and sleep. Last year I learned to love playing the piano after 5 long years of it being “so-so.” We did a lot of good (I see that now) work last year and I learned some important concepts.

And we get to this year.... I have “great expectations” for this year. I’m hoping to learn a lot and to grow in knowledge; not only in academics, but in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and the wonderful plan he has for me and my life.

As I prepare to hit the “save” button, I want to ask you.... Have you taken time to reflect on school years past by?

9/11

2010-09-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

Today is the 9 year anniversary of 9/11. Last year Emily published a wonderful post on her adoption blog about 9/11 and I'm going to direct you there. I was only 4 in 2001 so my remembrance of this day is very small.

We Haven't Done This in a While...

2010-09-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

I'm postive today, (Labor Day), because I just spent an amazing weekend up north with my friends. We talked, went skiing, and went tubing. Although it was cold the whole time and I went to bed last night with chills, and woke today with tons of unexplained bruises, we had a great time. And I would so do it again!

So what are you positive about today? Because you have the day off? Because school starts tomorrow? Because you slept in? Share it with the world! Or only the people who read this blog. :-)

New changes in the page, Em has Favorites.

School... Are YOU Ready???

2010-08-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

In our house, we've been getting ready for school. Our school room (which is in the basement) has been newly organized. All the stuff from last year has been filed away. All of our new books are in our crates.

The school table has been cleaned up and all traces of crayon removed for the moment.

These chairs usually surround the table.

We will be starting after Labor Day. Our schedule for the weeks ahead are beginning to fall into place. Piano Lessons, Co-op, all that fun stuff!

So, now the big question is??? Are YOU ready for school to start? For your days to be routine again? To be wishing it was summer?? ;-)

Are YOU ready??

Ecclesiastes 12:12b

Of making (finishing) many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

Cards

2010-08-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

Last night my friend and I made some cards. We covered the front of the cards with big stickers and then we accented them.

This first one is my friend's. We glued on a bow and used rub-on's for the corners.

This next one is a bit hard to see but it has a sticker on it with the words, " A hug is a handshake from the heart"

This is the inside.

This is a thank you card. I love the simple look and the cute flowers. It's totally me!

I can't wait to write in these and get them in the mail!

That craft?

2010-07-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

Yeah, that craft I was making??

uhhhhh, I never got a picture of the finished product.

I'll get back to you about that soon!

Sorry!

Year of Doubt Book Review

2010-07-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

Year of Doubt is written by Dorcas Good. It is copy-right 1989 by Rod and Staff Publishers. You can purchase it online at rodandstaffbooks.com or by phone at (606) 522-4348.

The book is set in Green Hill, Indiana. It is set in modern-day time. The book covers one school year, from fall until spring.

The main character is Lois Ann Owen, who is fourteen and the oldest of seven children. She is nervous about starting a new school and she has a bad attitude about moving all together. She doesn’t like her big family (!) or how poor they are.

The main theme of the story is how Lois Ann thinks she can be good enough in her own strength. After struggling for awhile, she becomes a Christian and has to work to change her attitudes. Another theme is Hilda, the rich girl who is mean to Lois Ann and constantly teases her and tries to get her into trouble. Once Lois Ann becomes a Christian, she must learn to deal in the Christian way with Hilda.

Then Lois Ann’s Mother gets sick and must be on bed-rest for two weeks! How can Lois Ann take charge of everything; laundry, cooking, cleaning and mothering for that long? And the garden is getting ready to harvest! What can Lois Ann do? Does she rely on God for her source of help? Or does she try to do it all her way?

Year of Doubt is a very real book. I really enjoyed the comparison between Lois Ann as a Christian and before she was a Christian. I learned more about how to have a good relationship with God. I also learned about how to be thrifty with what we have and to thank God for it no matter what.

The author did a good job describing the places in the book. You could see Lois Ann’s frustration when she didn’t have enough chocolate to make cookies and you could see the shabbiness of their house. The author also made Lois Ann’s struggles feel very real. You could relate to her and what she was feeling.

This is a great book. I read it almost nonstop on the way home from Florida. You should read this book to find out what happens and discover again how it feels to accept Christ through Lois Ann.

~LindseyMarie

Play Dough Recipe

2010-07-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

Do you know someone who would love to play play dough?? Well, I have a good recipe for it! Although I can't boast it as delicious or low in calories, I CAN boast that it feels amazing on your hands!

Play Dough

1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of salt
1 tble of oil
1 cup of water
A few drops of food coloring

Add all the ingredients into a pan. The amount of food coloring should depend on how deep a color you would like the dough.

Now heat the ingredients on the stove at medium heat. Mix. The liquid will start getting lumpy and yucky, but keep mixing. Mix until the mixture is doughy. At this point I sprayed a small part of the counter with cooking spray and dumped the dough on it. Now you knead the dough until it's cooled down. The dough will become really smooth and feel great on your hands! I love new play dough!

And there you go, new, homemade play dough! Have fun!

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

2010-07-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

~Lindsey Marie

Emily

Any Guesses???

2010-06-29T18:56:00.000-07:00

I had a great time tonight making up ________! Any guesses??

More coming soon!

~LindseyMarie

I Love this picture!!!

2010-06-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

I took this picture last Saturday while making Oreo Truffles. Recipe coming soon!

Rearrange!

2010-06-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

I like to rearrange things until they're perfect. And then a few months later, I rearrange them. Again. And again.

Lately I've kept my room pretty much the same way for a while. I might get in a cleaning streak and clean and organize for a day, but I've been pretty happy with where my furniture lay. But then my room started getting really messy. Clothes on the chair, on the bed, a few in the dresser, on the floor, papers everywhere, but I'm sure you've seen a messy room!

That's when I get in a rearranging mood! This last time, I had three siblings, (ages 8, 6, and 2), in my room getting into things while I moved things. Moving a mattress by yourself with a two year old playing hide and seek around it, is HARD!

I moved my bed to a whole 'nother spot, the dresser across the room, stereo on the dresser, chair to a different corner, and my room looks AMAZING! It looks huge! I took a few more minutes to straighten up and organize, and it is so refreshing to walk in my room!

It's amazing how rearranging your room can make so much difference! Not only does it look bigger, but it somehow makes it easier to take the extra time to put things away. It feels great to lay in bed at night with a whole new view of my room and feeling like I'm in a whole new place, only with all familiar stuff around me!

So to sum it all up, I give you a designing tip of rearranging your room. A room. Something that needs to be livened up or needs a new look!

Colorful Thread

2010-06-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

Be Inspired by color!

~LindseyMarie

A Flowered Hat

2010-06-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

I recently got a white hat at the store. But I couldn't leave it alone. It needed more!

So I removed the buttons and sewed on the bottom of a snap.

Then I made this flower and sewed the front of a snap on the back.

Then you put the two together!

Here I am wearing my new hat!

I've made 5 different flowers so far.

Next on my list is one for the 4th of July!

~LindseyMarie

Flower Jar

2010-06-12T18:08:00.000-07:00

Remember this jar I made to store my colored thread in?

I recently made another one to store these silky flowers in.

This Accent flower I used? I made that and I have big plans for making a lot more.

The flowers inside the jar are from those flower necklaces you can get at the dollar store and the party store. Our's were falling and instead of throwing them away I just cut them apart.

~LindseyMarie

A tunnel of trees

2010-06-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful view at a park near our house!!! I love the beauty of this nature trail! What an amazing and creative God we have!

Books, Books, Books!

2010-06-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

If you know Emily and I personally, you know we love to read. As in we devour books. So we've started a book list of books we recommend. Click here to check it out!

Ice Cream Sandwiches

2010-05-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

Don't these look good?

Here's how to make them!

Make up your cookies. (Emily and I used Cake Mix Cookies, recipe coming soon)
Freeze them for 20ish minutes until hard. (but don't lay them on the hot stove afterwards) Soften your ice cream.
Assemble your sandwiches. Here's how!

Lay a cookie down on some cling wrap.

Add a small scoop of Ice Cream.

Add another cookie on top and apply pressure. Be careful not to let the ice cream slip out.

Roll in chunky sprinkles.

Wrap them up cute in cling wrap! (Please pardon the partially melted ice cream.)

Throw 'em in a bowl in your freezer and watch them disappear.

Because I'm like to be orderly, here's a picture of some frozen cookies.

Enjoy!

~LindseyMarie

Yummy Scrambled Eggs

2010-05-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

These eggs are very good, and really simple to make. I make them all the time when there's nothing yummy to eat for breakfast. They're so simple and ordinary that I think most everyone makes them, but hey, if not, here's some GOOD scrambled eggs! One more thing- We recently have started buying our eggs from a guy who has free-range hens, and therefore our eggs' insides are very bright yellow, as you will see.

Mouth watering? Sorry that the presentation picture is on a paper plate. I've mentioned before how I'm the dishwasher in the family, right? ;-)

Put about a tablespoon of butter in the pan and wait for it to melt.

As the butter melts, move the pan around so it coats the bottom of the pan.

Like this.

Immediately after the butter is melted, pour in the beaten eggs. I used 3 eggs with this one.

Like this.

As soon as the bottom of the egg is starting to firm up on the bottom of the pan, begin to mix it around with a spatula.

Keep moving them around. Always moving.

Before the eggs are quite done, add some cheese.

And ham. Mmmmm! Mix it up, still cooking. Cook until the eggs look how you like them. Serve hot right away! Delicious!

I must bore you with this because I know soon Lindsey will be posting an amazing recipe that we made up the other day! Just think of this egg recipe as getting ready for a spectacular one. This next recipe is going to be perfect for a hot day. But I'm not gonna give it away!

Positivity Please!

2010-05-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, here's my positives!

Yesterday we filled our garden box with dirt and planted the seeds in it!

On Friday my family is going to my grandparents' house.

I have some great post ideas for the next few weeks.

Keep checking back!!

~LindseyMarie

Be Postive! From Em

2010-05-24T07:09:00.000-07:00

I am really positive today because today is the last day of my math class and once I'm done with my final, I'm done for the year! Hip Hip Hooray!

I'm also positive because a lot of fun things are happening with our family this week! Basketball at a friends' house today, my little sister has a party to go to tomorrow, going to Lindsey's house Wednesday, piano Thursday, and heading up to my grandparents' new cottage Friday or Saturday! And Mom wants to go to the park everyday this week.

I'm positive and in a really good mood today! I'll bet everyone in my family is happy about that too!

So that's why I'm positive today. Maybe Lindsey will write some of her positives today, too! Now what about you???

How True it is....

2010-05-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

This sign, and the wall behind it, have more of a greenish tint. In fact, the wall itself is a sage-y green. My camera didn't want to photograph green that day!

~LindseyMarie

Postivity Please!!!!

2010-05-17T06:07:00.000-07:00

I am positive today on this Monday because next week is the last week of my Algebra 2 class. I have enjoyed some of the math, but I am ready for it all to end!

I am also positive today because my 2 year old brother is VERY attached to me, and wants me to do stuff with him all the time! He is very bossy about it too! He drags me into the playroom, points to the ground, and commands, "Down!", then climbs into my lap! I am so thankful that he loves me so much!

What are you positive about?

Birthday Letters

2010-05-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

Today at church a friend gave me a late birthday present!

Aren't they cute??

The letters have tissue paper modge-podged on, then she decorated them.

She used: pom-poms, glittery flowers, ribbon, clear glitter glue, and rick-rack.

I'm planning to hang them in my room somewhere, where they will fit in perfectly because my room colors are pink, green, yellow, and teal!

~LindseyMarie

P.S. I should've taken these pics without my flash. Sorry!

Molasses Cookies

2010-05-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

Whenever I make these, I always ask myself why I don't make them more often. They're sooo good! I made these Thursday night and now? I think there's one left. But not for long, people. Not for long.

Molasses Cookies

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of molasses
1 egg
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda

Melt Shortening in a small pan over low heat, remove, cool. Add to a small bowl along with the sugar, molasses, and egg. Beat well. (You have to mix it for a long time to mix in all the melted shortening. Keep going. These cookies will be worth it!)

Mix together flour, soda, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Add the first mixture and mix well. Chill until slightly hardened. (But not too long or it will crack when you try to make the balls. I'd say I few hours.)

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar. (I guesstamate about 1/2 cup) Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375* for 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

*I got 31 cookies last time I made these and 8 minutes was perfect.*

~LindseyMarie

What I'm Lovin' and this weekend...

2010-05-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I found this super-cute skirt at Old Navy. L-O-V-E it. Love Old Navy in general. Can I say I wore it twice in 2 days?? I can? Ok, I wore it twice in 2 days.

I love this book by Dorcas Mast.

You can purchase it here. Book review coming soon!

This weekend I will post the recipe for Molasses Cookies; they're one of our family's favorites! I also want to get a little bit o' craftiness done... I'll post pictures when I come up with something and it's done!

However, this weekend my two younger sisters have soccer games, we have our piano recital, my grandparents will be here and Monday is my sister's birthday! Busy to say in the least!

Until my next creative strike,

Lindsey Marie

My Thread Jar

2010-05-07T16:04:00.000-07:00

I had a blank jar down on my craft desk. I knew I wanted to do something cute with it and I wanted to store something "sewy" in it.

So this is what I made...

I knotted a ribbon around it and cut the ends prettily.

Next I tied a strand of embroidery floss through the button's holes.

I used a hot-glue gun to glue on the button.

Here's a close-up.

Don't you LOVE silky thread???

~LindseyMarie

A Note...

2010-05-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

Today I was reading the Compassion blog and I read this article.

The little boy was talking about his favorite Bible character and he said it was David. Now I'm guessing David is a lot of little boys favorite Bible character, but this is different.

He's not his favorite character because he killed Goliath, or because he's a king.

David is his favorite character because "he said many very beautiful prayers to God."

The kids they talk about on this blog are so inspiring. I read this blog all the time. Check it out and see if you should add it to your "daily read list"!

~Lindsey Marie

Baby-sitting: A Blessing

2010-04-29T16:55:00.000-07:00

Knock, knock. Running feet. A four-year-old opening the door. "Hi, Lindsey" The three-year-old running up with a hug ready. "Hi Lindsey" Then the sound of the little just-turned-one feet coming around the corner with his arms held high. This is what greeted me yesterday, around 3 months after my first baby-sitting job. When I'm with these three, I see life through their eyes. The fun of the sandbox. The delicate balance between swinging high and being too far off the ground. And with this happiness, I firmly believe that every girl should baby-sit.

Some girls say the don't have enough time. Some say they don't know how to watch a little kid but three? Forget it! A sad fact is that some girls even consider children a pain. What kind of Mothers will these girls be when they grow up? Will they know how to take care of a house or will they know how to cook? Babysitting is a good start.

When baby-sitting, it prepares you to watch children. You might be a teacher someday, or a nurse, and you need to know how to take care of little children and know how to respond to their feelings. You also learn how to take care of a house with a baby on your hip and how to engage a toddler in a pick-up game. And then there's nap-time. You learn to prioritize during nap-time (or rest-time) and you will be amazed by how much you can get done!

My favorite part of baby-sitting is bonding with the children you watch. It's so fun to walk into a room and see a little round face grinning at you through the bars of his crib. Just having the little ones hug you is cute. I love it when they're talking and then they glance up to make sure you're still listening. Yup. I'm still here. I love being accepted by children; they have such an innocent trust.

The blessings are so great when you baby-sit. You bless the mothers by giving them a bit of quiet in their otherwise-hectic days. You bless the children by giving them a new friend and by showing them you care. And you yourself are blessed, through blessing others. "It is more blessed to give then to receive"

Mothers love to discover good Christian baby-sitters that they can trust and whom their precious children love. I adore my little 'children' and love being able to see them a lot. Don't you think you should give baby-sitting a try?

I wrote this for a school assignment at the end of March and thought I would share it with you all.

~Lindsey Marie

Positivity Please!

2010-04-26T17:16:00.000-07:00

Quote from a four-year-old: "I LOOOOOOVE Spinach. I Love Spinach because it is healthy for you." That's my brother!
~LindseyMarie

What it's all about...

2010-04-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life gets busy.

You know the feeling when you feel as though there were things you should have done but didn't.

That book you wanted to finish.

That e-mail you wanted to send.

That closet you wanted to organize.

And what were you doing??

Writing for your blog. ;)

Watching TV.

Sleeping in. (I'm a firm believer in not sleeping in, as are my twin toddler sisters, but that's another story!)

So here I am, getting frustrated at myself for not getting done the "important" things.

But then I remember what really counts.

This.

~Lindsey Marie

Our Gardening Box

2010-04-20T18:47:00.000-07:00

On Saturday my dad and a few of my siblings built our garden box. We are hoping to grow some vegetables this summer. So keep checking for some pictures!

The box is 6' by 4'

They drilled lots of holes in the bottom for water to escape.

I hope everyone has been enjoying this blog. I have a few book reviews I've started and some other goodies for you all. Keep checking back!

~LindseyMarie

Monday's Positivity!

2010-04-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

I'm positive today because it is only a few weeks before my math class ends!!!! Hooray!!

And summer break's almost here.

And because I'm online so early today.

AND because I got my bread done early this morning so no one will be hungry at lunch! I remembered today!!! Yaay!

It's your turn now! BE POSITIVE!

Rhubarb Crunch

2010-04-18T14:11:00.000-07:00

This blog was started to share recipes and other creative things with you, so here is the first recipe!!!! Yaaaay!

Got any frozen rhubarb in your freezer? My family does. And I just finished making some delicious rhubarb crunch from it!

Here's the recipe. Remember please, that I am the dishwasher in our family, so when I cook, I reuse as many dishes as I can! Now let's begin.

It would probably be best if you set your oven at 375 at this time. I always forget until later, but it would probably be easier if you set it now! Also, unlike me, you could check to make sure you have all the ingredients! That would probably be a good idea...

First, (or second if you set the oven), grab a medium to large size bowl and pour 4 cups of chopped rhubarb, 3 tbl. of flour, and 1 cup of sugar into the bowl. Mix it up. (By the way, if your rhubarb is frozen like mine is, thaw it a little, but don't worry about it being COMPLETELY thawed. It doesn't matter). The rhubarb should be covered with the mixture, but will probably have extra mix laying on the bottom of the bowl.

Pour this rhubarb mix into a 13 by 9 pan. Push it evenly along the bottom. Next, using the same bowl as used before :-), mix ,(using a pastry cutter if you like), together 1 1/2 cup of flour, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of shortening, and 1 cup of oatmeal together. This will make a crumbly mixture that you cover the rhubarb with. Do not worry if the mixture is sticky or non-crumbly, it should still work the same.

After crumbling the stuff on top, stick it in your oven for 20 minutes. (If you waited til now to set the oven, look above for the temperature!!)

When it comes out, the top should be slightly brown and a knife poked in should slide easily through the rhubarb pieces.

This is not a finger food. It is soupyish on the bottom and will require a plate, spoon, and napkin. But it's great! mmmmm...

Today...

2010-04-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

Today I leave my childhood behind.

Today this poem becomes my motto.

Today I reach a milestone.

Today I start a new part of my life.

Today I walk through a new door,

And shut the old one behind me.

Today I stay myself,

But a new part of me opens up.

What will this next phase bring?

Only time, and the next six years, will tell.

Today I pledge to strengthen my relationship with God.

Today I will make a difference.

Today I get a glimpse of the future.

Today I turn thirteen.

With all my Love,

Lindsey Marie

I'm feeling positive because...

2010-04-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's hard to be positive. Things aren't going right and you just want to scream, (if you're me ;-), but then there are the other days that are amazing and wonderful and you feel like running in the grass and laughing, and acting nuts, (again if you're me!).

Today, Monday, be positive. Don't let your negative thoughts spoil the day. Enjoy the weather, bad or good, be patient, and be positive!!!!!

Why am I positive today? Because spring is on the way and, even though we've recently had cold weather visiting again, I can feel that spring is almost back. The beautiful flowers, the budding trees, the soft dirt, and the air. It's refreshing.

Be postive! Spring is on it's way!!!

There IS a Creator!

2010-04-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

These pictures I took during some of our family walks. There really IS a Creator!!! How could we have a blog about creativity and not mention the greatest Creator of all? We can't. For more information about God creating the earth please see Answers in Genesis.

On to the pictures!

I hope to post more pictures of this wonderful world. I LOVE looking at pictures of nature. If you mention waterfall, lake or flowers I'm looking!

Come back tomorrow for a Positivity post by Emily!

~LindseyMarie

I'm Positive Because...

2010-04-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

I'm positive on this wonderful Monday because over 90 people were baptized at my church yesterday. Praise the LORD! Two of my sisters were part of the ninety. It was amazing to watch!

Positivity Please!

2010-04-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

Staying Positive.

Looking on the Bright Side.

Half Full.

It's something everyone could work on. Most of us anyway. But sometimes it's hard to find things to be positive about!

The winter, for example. How many times during the winter do you hear people say,

"Ugh. Another snowstorm? I despise snow!" etc.etc.etc.

I'm not condemning anyone, in fact, I'm guilty of this myself! (Workin' on it, k?) Keep reading!

I'm sure you're familiar with Genesis 1. What does the Bible say after God creates everything?

"It was very good."

That means snow is very good.

Slushy roads are very good.

Black Ice is very good. (okay, maybe not. But you get the picture.)

So every Monday, (Because Monday is the hardest day to be positive on) Emily or I will post something we're feelin' positive about. You, in turn, post something positive.

On your blog.

On your Facebook.

Or in a comment below.

Let's help positivity fly around the whole World Wide Web because God gave us so much to be positive about!

Welcome!

2010-03-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Living Life Creatively! We are SO excited to start this blog and look forward to adding to it over time.

Here is a list of some of the things we will be posting:

Recipes
Book Reviews
Bible Verses
Crafts
Decorating Tips

And much more! I know that this blog has only a few no readers yet. But it's our hope that the follower button will be clicked MANY times. To follow us, please click the "follow" button, then sign into your google account. Thanks so much!

We also love comments! (hint, hint) Be sure to check out the About Us page and other pages on the top of the blog. Any other things we love will be in the sidebars.

Hope to have you on our blog again soon,
LindseyMarie and Emily