Chicken Pot Pie

My friend Christa posted a recipe for Chicken Pot Pie on her blog the other day. I just made two of these for dinner tonight and they were yummy! How can you tell summer's over and the comfort food cooking has begun?

Roasted Root Vegetable Soup

Fall is here! 

 Time to roast some veggies and make a hearty soup. 

 While the ingredients for this yummy soup are roasting,

 your home will smell so wonderful!! 

 FYI...what you see here is a DOUBLE batch!

~ Roasted Root Vegetable Soup ~

What You Need:

Olive Oil (for coating veggies)

1 small Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded and cubed

2 large Carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

1 large Parsnip, peeled and cut into chunks

1 small Turnip, peeled and cut into chunks

1 large Onion (yellow), peeled and cut into chunks

1 bulb Garlic, remove loose outer skins and cut off tops...leave whole

1 medium Rutabaga (or Swede), peeled and cut into chunks

1 large Sweet Potato (I used Yams), peeled and cut into chunks

4 small Red Potatoes, scrubbed and cut into chunks (skin on)

Sea Salt

Freshly ground Black Pepper

3 Bay leaves

Parchment Paper

8 cups Chicken Stock

Several fresh Basil leaves (I omitted ~ might try it in future)

1 cup Cilantro, chopped (I omitted ~ as above...we'll see...not big on cilantro)

1 tsp. crumbled, dried Thyme

1 tsp. chopped fresh Rosemary

What You Do:

Preheat oven to 375 or 400 Farenheit. 

 Prepare all the veggies listed down to the potatoes. 

 Spread on a very large cookie sheet or in a roasting pan. 

 Drizzle olive oil over all (about 3 to 4 Tbsp), 

making sure some gets into the garlic bulb. 

 Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Toss bay leaves on top.

 Cover with parchment paper and roast for 30 minutes. 

 Remove parchment paper after 30 minutes of cooking time and stir veggies.

 Roast for another 30 minutes and remove from the oven. 

 Discard bay leaves and any black bits...set garlic aside.

 Place the veggies into a stock pot and add the stock. 

Squeeze the garlic out of its skin and add to pot. 

 Puree with a hand blender (if you have one) otherwise, 

puree in batches in a blender or food processor. 

 Be careful not to overload your blender...do it in small batches! 

 Return to the pot and add in the basil, cilantro, thyme, and rosemary. 

 Bring soup to a gentle simmer and adjust seasonings.

 Add more stock if needed to get the consistency you want. Enjoy!

I like to serve this with a dollop of plain yogurt in it...yum, yum! :)

**Recipe adapted from "The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook" by Tosca Reno (2007)

Beach Walk

We live near enough to the beach to make use of the three mile
promenade pathway for our P.E. class.
Because we homeschool, we can be flexible about the time
we do it ~ sometimes it's been after math and sometimes before...
and sometimes not at all.
But when we do go, whenever it is ~
it's a blessing!
We are so thankful that the Lord has blessed us
with this beautiful place to get our exercise!

You may notice that the last few pictures are of the children running
up a steep grassy hill.
This has been a tradition of theirs for some time now...
it is a real accomplishment to make it to the top in one piece!
I even took the challenge not too long ago...
but once is enough for me! :)

Peacefully Headed for Destruction

The Titanic...we all know it as the ship infamously remembered for its maiden voyage. My husband likes to tell a story (his own) about that ill-fated night when she met her watery grave. It illustrates perfectly what we are doing when we witness to someone who is headed for eternal destruction in Hell.

What was the most loving thing to do on that night nearly 100 years ago? 
Can you think of the answer? Hopefully this little story will reveal it perfectly.

Imagine that you are one of the first class passengers on this grand and glorious ship. 
You have had a lovely evening meal and are cozily tucked into your soft, comfortable bed. 
The cabin is swaying with the movement of the ship and all is well. 
As you are dozing off into a peaceful slumber, there is a jarring of the entire ship 
and the movements cease. All is perfectly still. A loud knock comes at your door. 
How rude! The knocking persists, and now there are shouts of urgency.

"Get out! Up on deck! Hurry! No time to waste!"

You are inclined to ignore the pleas...
after all what could possibly need to be dealt with at this hour? 
You are warm and comfortable. Morning would be a better time to talk.
Soon you hear scurrying in the hallways. What could be the matter?
What is all the commotion about? You open your door just a crack and 
hear the other passengers chattering amongst themselves.

"Do you really think it is safe? Should we leave this ship? 
Are you sure the news is accurate?"
What news, you wonder?

Of course, we know the story and how it ended. 
That night only 706 souls were saved while 1,517 perished in the frigid Atlantic waters 
for lack of life boats or disbelief. For whatever reason, 
many felt they were safer to stay on board the Titanic. 
After all, it was the "unsinkable" ship! 

What foolishness to step into a tiny life boat in the middle 
of the dark night only to wait and hope for rescue. 
No, it would be best to remain on the unsinkable Titanic...or so they thought.

Do you see the comparison between this story 
and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?

In this life it is as though we are all sailing on the Titanic. 
We are doomed to destruction unless we get into the "life raft". 
We cannot save ourselves. No one can live the perfect life required by God. 
We are all sinful. Even one sin is enough to keep us out of Heaven 
and separated from God for all eternity. 

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 

And because of sin death has come to every living thing. 
"For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life 
through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

The Lord Jesus Christ is the answer to our problem. 
We cannot make God accept us. We deserve Hell. 
Amazingly, He has provided THE WAY to be made right with Him.
 "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that,  
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 

It is like the Lord Jesus Christ is our life raft. He is the Son of God, not just a man, 
but fully God and fully man. But He lived as a man on this earth for His people, 
to live that perfect life we could not live and die the death we could not die...
to take all the punishment for our sins upon Himself.  To consume God's wrath.

That all who come to Him for salvation
 might be freed from the clutches of sin and death and Hell.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; 
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

The Lord Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law and 
we must turn to Him to be saved from our own sin and coming destruction. 
Not sink with the Titanic, if you will. Trust in His saving power. 
Confess your sin to Him and tell Him you are in need of the Saviour. 

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, 
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

Don't trust in your own merits or righteousness...
that is like staying on the ill-fated Titanic, 
"...all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags..." Isaiah 64:6 
"As it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE." Romans 3:10

The most loving thing you can tell another living soul is the Truth. 
The Truth is that we are all doomed to eternal separation from God and punishment 
unless we repent and turn to Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord .

"...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." Acts 16:31

With Love, Camille

*image of the Titanic above may be subject to copyright*

Easy Egg Frittata

**picture will enlarge if you click on it**

Michelle posted this recipe in her "Breakfast Challenge"...we love it! We had it for breakfast this morning...so yummy! I don't have a skillet that can go into the oven so after the first stage of cooking I put it into a casserole dish and finished baking in the oven as instructed. One other comment...the spinach is fresh and it is a whole pound that you will need for this recipe! I used 15 eggs today. Hope you enjoy it too!

In the Night Watches

I couldn't sleep for part of the night. I went to bed too early...but it was necessary...after about 5 hours I woke up. I quietly spent some time praying...visited with my hubby, since he was just coming to bed...and then got up. Here I am at the computer. I have been blessed by reading this beautiful post on homeschool. It is so inspiring and lovely...what are we building in our children today? Good food for thought. I think I will go back to bed now and pray some more...

The Violin

**Austin's violin**

Austin had no chance!

When he was a baby I believe I indoctrinated him with a love for the violin. 
Classical music would be playing and when the violins were 
featured in a piece I would draw special attention to them. 
"Listen, listen," I would encourage, "Do you hear that?" 
Again, with a look of rapture on my face, "Austin, those are the violins!"

How could he help it?

His desire has been to play the violin since the tender age of four. 
We did not offer our children music lessons until our first year of home school. 
Austin was eleven. "What instrument would you like to play?" I inquired. 
The answer was not a surprise...he has not looked back since. 
Now he even composes his own music! What does the Lord have in store?

Many Blessings, Camille

About Me

**Click on the image for a larger view**
Michelle over at "She Looketh Well..." has initiated a blog party...go on over to her blog to link up and enjoy "meeting" some new friends in the blogging world. She has encouraged us to tell a little about ourselves and why we blog, so here goes...

Who am I?

First, I am so grateful to be a child of the King of Kings! What a blessing to remember that this is our true purpose here and in eternity...God created us for Himself. How often we forget...

Second, I am a wife and aspiring helpmeet to Howie (only with the help of the Lord can I do this at all)! My husband and I celebrated 18 years of married life this past July.

Third, I am a Mum to four. Austin is nearing 15, Calvin nearing 13, Fraser is 10 and Emma is nearing 8. I am so thankful for these treasures from the Lord and grieved that I don't cherish the days with them enough.

Fourth, I am a sister, sister-in-law, daughter, daughter-in-law, etc...and seek to be godly, by His grace, in these roles as well.

Why did I start blogging and what is my purpose in it?

My sister began writing a blog and that was my introduction to this "other" world. I thought I would never write one myself! Just like I said I would NEVER home school and God would never ask me to! Hmmmm...we all know how THAT goes!!

This blog is meant to be a journal of whatever is on my heart or in our lives, which pretty much covers everything! Especially when homeschooling is going on in the house, and there are four children always home, and there is food to be made, etc. I enjoy learning more about "natural" food choices, healthy living, and ways to make our home more welcoming for those that live within its walls...these things will make their way into my blog as well. My desire is that in the "everyday things of life" the Lord would shine through. Occasionally He will lay something on my heart to share that I have been learning in His Word...or a special hymn or poem. My prayer is that the Lord would use this regular girl's thoughts and daily occurrences to touch a heart or two...for HIS GLORY.

Blessings,
Camille

Cream Cheese Cupcakes

**You can click on the images for a closer view**








I got this recipe originally from my sister...I don't know where she got it from, but they are a BIG hit everywhere they go!!

Cake ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 cup water
1½ cups flour
½ cup cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
1/3 cup oil (I use olive)
1 Tbsp vanilla

Filling ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup sugar
1 egg
½ tsp salt
1 ¾ cups milk chocolate chips (I use Chipits brand)

Method:
Cream together filling ingredients and stir in chocolate chips...set aside. Put all cake ingredients into mixer and beat well. Fill lined muffin tins half full with cake batter. Top each cupcake (while uncooked) with a heaping Tbsp of filling mixture. Each cupcake will be a little below paper.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes (I find they are usually done after 25 minutes...careful to not overbake them!)

Hints: Top will be slightly golden when done. Do not double recipe. Best made into 18 cupcakes...resist the urge to make fewer than 18 as they will be a little too big. These also freeze well...what a blessing, since it might be dangerous to have too many of them "handy"...if you get my meaning!

Mummy-In-Training

Emma takes very good care of her "babies" and often wants one of them to sleep with her. This was a new arrangement though...the little "crib" is normally in another area in her room. When I went in to wake her for breakfast...there was "baby"...all tucked in! So sweet!!

He Maketh No Mistake

A pastor, who lost his beloved wife and baby during childbirth, composed this poem during the funeral service for them both...

My Father's way may twist and turn,
My heart may throb and ache,
But in my soul I'm glad to know,
He maketh no mistake.

My cherished plans may go astray,
My hopes may fade away,
But still I'll trust my Lord to lead,
For He doth know the way.

Though night be dark and it may seem
That day will never break,
I'll pin my faith, my all, in Him,
He maketh no mistake.

There's so much now I cannot see,
My eyesight far too dim,
But come what may, I'll simply trust,
And leave it all to Him.

For by and by the mist will lift,
And plain it all He'll make,
Through all the way, though dark to me,
He made not one mistake.

A.M. Overton (1932)

Paper Route

**As with all my pictures...you can click on the images to enlarge them**

Delivering the local free paper has been a staple activity in our family for over four years now. We began with one paper on one route and it grew into two papers on the same route and then we added in more homes. At the beginning we all (the four children and I) went together. Emma was three and Austin was ten and the other two were in between...it was an adventure.

We saved our pennies and then dollars until eventually we had enough money to take the family on a seventeen day long vacation. We flew from the West Coast all the way to Florida! It was so exciting for the children to think that they had earned enough money to make this trip possible! We used AirMiles and a rewards Visa to get whatever we could for free, but the route supplied the funds required for everything else. Now the boys are able to do the route on their own without the help of Mum! Where does the time go? They really do grow up way too fast.

Dragon Fruit

**Click on the picture for a larger view...take a look at the cutting board...it's my favourite because it was made with love by Austin!**

Emma's little friend from up the street plays here nearly every day after school. Today she brought this piece of fruit with her and I cut it up for the girls to share. It definitely is unique...the skin does conjure up images of dragons in my mind.

Being a true "born and bred" Canadian, dragon fruit is not something I grew up with...in fact, I had never even seen one up until a few years ago. I marvel at the creativeness of our Great God!

Baked Oatmeal and Granola

The first set of ingredients left in the bowl overnight (covered) on the counter to soak...



One of the pans of baked oatmeal just coming out of the oven...yum!
**One little tip here: Do you see that the pan is lined with parchment paper? This is a great "pan-saver" and you don't have to grease anything!**



Crumbled up and going back into the oven to dry out...this will be our granola!



These recipes are so yummy and so good for you! I have recently been exposed to a new way of thinking in this area. Or is it really an "old" way?

Soaking grains is an important step in their preparation which assists our bodies in benefitting from their nutritional value.

I make a double batch of the baked oatmeal to have enough left over to make the granola. If you only make one batch, the entire recipe listed would go into one pan. Please free to ask if you have questions. I have found that to implement this "new way" of doing things only a little advance preparation is required. Enjoy!

BTW...you can, of course, add whatever you like to your granola! We enjoy it with dried cranberries and raisins.

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds withing the veil.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the 'whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Edward Mote (1797-1874)

The Best Marriage Advice

**Photo of one of our Bibles and our wedding rings ~ by Camille**

When we were just on the verge of getting married, we were given the best advice ever! I can't remember who it was that said it, but we have proven the truth of it over and over again. We have been blessed with 18 years of marriage, and we have used this tried and true advice and it works, by God's grace...every time!

What is this advice, you might ask?

If you are a Christian this will make perfect sense to you...for I am speaking of something that involves looking outside of ourselves to the one true God of Heaven and Earth...our Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ. If ever you argue or disagree with your spouse and cannot see eye to eye on a matter, it is then that you must do what follows.

Get on your knees together to pray. Pray out loud. Confess your sin...not his or hers! Easy to say, but very hard to do! You both must do this. Very often, before you are even finished praying, the Lord will mend the rift and you will be reconciled.

This, by the way, is THE MOST difficult thing to do! Be sure to have this strategy in place before it is needed. Commit yourselves to it and implement it as necessary.

A strong marriage has been depicted as one where the husband and wife are both growing closer to the Lord together...like the two lower points of a triangle...and the upper point represents God. The closer they get to God, the closer they get to one another. Interesting analogy, isn't it?

BTW...if your spouse is not a Christian and you are...DON'T despair! You can still commit your way to the Lord in prayer and seek by God's grace to live in harmony with your spouse.

God's Word says..."Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear." I Peter 3:1-2 See also I Corinthians 7:10-16

Emma's Shelf

A magazine inspired me with the idea for this little shelf in Emma's room. 

The plaid dress was one of my favourites ~ Emma wore it for most of her first winter. 

The little sun hat and shoes were also part of her baby wardrobe. 

Amazing how quickly they grow!!

The little bunny and star were gifts along the way as 

were the other items on the top shelf. 

It was so much fun to decorate our little girl's room!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Frugal Food Shopping Idea

I just wanted to show you some of what I found at Amazon's Grocery Department. All these products came via "free shipping" (from the States to the States) and they were much cheaper than I could get them at my local grocery store...yaaay! Check it out and see if there is anything you can save $$$ on!

Homemade Chicken Broth

This is something I've been thinking about lately. Yes, Chicken Broth...and Beef Broth, for that matter!

Christa posted this recipe for homemade chicken broth on her blog that I plan on trying to make today. It is so much better for you to make homemade broth...why you might ask? Well, this article might help you get started in your research. I am beginning to realize that in so many things, the "old" ways really are the best!

**Update**

Michelle at "She Looketh Well" posted an AMAZING tutorial on her blog with videos on the "how to" of Chicken Stock. Head on over (click on the highlight in the previous sentence) and check it out!

Boys' Camping Trip

Last night the boys got their turn to "camp out". Reports are that they slept very little and had lots of fun! Great memories were made. What a perfect ending to the Summer!