Amish Bread and brownies

I've been on a health kick lately and have really wanted to take control of what is going in to my family's body.  Plus if it's cheaper and better from scratch, why not?  

I love making Amish Bread to go with roast and steak.  

It reminds me of Rhodes Rolls. 

I also love making these brownies.  They are really good, not to sweet but I can't eat just one!  I can't remember where I found the recipe so I'll post it here and link back when I remember.  Also I make several batches ahead of time in mason jars so they are ready to mix up for that last minute guest or pot luck.

Brownie Mix

1 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups white sugar

Mix ingredients together and place in container/jar.  When ready to make brownies add: 

1cup melted butter

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Mix until well combined.  Grease 9 x 13 pan.  Spread batter evenly and bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes or until done.

Warm day in the sun

We had some really nice weather yesterday and we enjoyed the day riding bikes and catching some rays. 

(Nehemiah seems to be missing in these pictures because he was to fast at his big bike!)

Many faces of Caleb

Pictures explain it all 

Apple Picking

We love apples and strawberries!  So after some digging around I found a pick your own apple and strawberry farm.   We didn't realize that apple trees produced SO many apples! The children got some schooling done with Daddy and then some fun picnic time in.  We enjoyed picking the apples but we loved picking the strawberries even more.  

These are red delicious apples next to the road,
they are so dirty that they almost look maroon or purple at times.

More red delicious

Picking Braeburn apples

It takes some serious strength from Rachel to pull an apple off.

Natasha was captivated by the amount of apples on the ground.

Caleb and I hanging back taking pictures

Mathieu teaching the children.

Samuel trying to figure out why he can't eat the ones on the ground.

More school :)

Natasha

Samuel

Nehemiah

Rachel eating her apple she picked

Nehemiah eating the apple he picked.

A day at the speedway

The vice president of marketing from Pirelli World Challenge gave out free tickets to military members for the weekend races.   Unfortunately they were only for the service members and not their families.  God provided though and Mathieu was given an extra ticket from some random people who weren't using theirs and someone from work couldn't use theirs either.  So not only could I and the kids go but Mathieu's Mom who was coming in town Saturday could go as well!  We had a wonderful time, the kids got to see any car they wanted and the hospitality was amazing!  We were truly blessed! 

Rachel sitting in one of the cars.

One of the tribute cars to the fallen soldiers of 8-6-2011

close up of names

A pit crew member showing the kids how to change a tire and inspect the brakes.

Mathieu showing Nehemiah all the safety features of the race cars.

Samuel enjoying his day at the track.

Our parking pass, we had parking
 really close compared to the other
places to park.  These were given to us too.

The view from our parking spot.  You can
 see part of the track just above the silver car.

Posing next to the pace car.

The "who dat" car.  This is the car Nehemiah rooted for.

Grandmomma and Nehemiah in their matching FREE shirts!

Saying goodbye to the H Family

Our dear friends, the H Family is moving on to their next duty station.  We love the H family and are truly going to miss their fellowship and discipleship.  We can't wait to see where the Lord takes them!  

If you would like to glean from the H family feel free to follow them on their blog!

Snug as a bug in a sling...

My dear Aunt M made this beautiful hat!  Caleb finally fits it and it's perfect for wearing next door to the park. This is the only hat that he doesn't try and pull off.  Thank you Aunt M!

  

Baking bread

I've recently discovered how easy it is to make bread and how easy it is to fit it into our weekly routine.  Did you know that I can make 5-6 loaves of bread for $2.00! And to top that it's healthy and I know what I am putting into our bodies.  I got this recipe from The Marathon Mom.  I freeze whatever bread we aren't eating in the next two days in our deep freeze.  Just so you know, we eat a loaf a day.  It's that good!  Enjoy!!

My bread rising.  

It's a little too big for my bowl. :)

Caleb enjoying his jumperoo

Aquarium day...

With our aquarium passes expiring at the end of the month, we decided to focus on sea life during our school studies.  Here are some of the beautiful views we saw today.