A-mazing Oatmeal Options!

How is your oatmeal repertoire?

Do you even eat oatmeal in your home?

Does it ever get boring to have plain old oatmeal every day?
No, really?  It does?  Yup, me too.
Get ready...because...

This, my oatmeal-weary friends, is the post for you!

Let me share with you some of my new finds ~

A-mazing Oatmeal Options!!

And, yes...they really are that good!!  :)  

 First up ~ Basic Chocolate Oatmeal originally posted by Katie

who writes the "Chocolate Covered Katie" blog.

Okay, is it even right to make your oatmeal into dessert?

Let's not even open up a debate on that one...agreed?  
Oh, and if you don't like chocolate, you won't like this.  :)

Here's what I did to make it mine.

This will make enough for about four ~
depending on hunger levels.  

5 cups Liquid ~ I used half water and half milk ~ 
(or, all of one or the other)

2 cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats ~
(You could substitute Quick Cooking oats...
just reduce cooking time accordingly)

3/4 tsp Sea Salt

Put these three ingredients into a medium sized,

heavy-bottomed pot.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring.

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer partially covered

for about 8 to 10 minutes, until it gets creamy.

Stir in the following, and mix well ~

3 Tbsp Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder

1/3 cup Sugar ~ I use dehydrated cane juice

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Cover with lid and let sit off the heat 

for about 5 minutes prior to serving.
Stir in more of your choice of liquid, if necessary.

Serve with a few chocolate chips sprinkled on top (yes, really!).

And, some chopped nuts ~ I like pecans.

Drizzle with milk or cream.

Dig in ~ I dare you!!  ;-)

 Next up ~ Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oatmeal originally

posted on the "Real Mom Kitchen" blog.

A little less dessert-ish, but, completely yummy-ish ~

This recipe fits the bill for a great crock pot breakfast that

can be prepared the night before.

Who does not like to have the morning's work done ahead of time?

And, what could be better than waking up to a cinnamon-y,

apple-ish-ously smelling home in the morning?

Nothing.  That's what!

This recipe will serve six to eight hungry adults.
If you like creamy rice pudding, you will like this.
Yum.  Yum!

One more thing...I found it necessary to fill my

large crock pot half full with water and then I used a 2.5 Litre (2.5 Quart)

casserole dish to hold the recipe ingredients.

I placed this dish into the water and then put the crock pot

lid on the whole thing.

The first time I made this recipe it burned...

perhaps I just have a weird crock pot...

could very well be!

Whatever the reason, it was not pleasant.
Only half the oatmeal was salvageable.

However, the second time I made this, 
I did the insert thing and it worked beautifully!

No burned stuff to scrape off.

And, every last bit of this yummy oatmeal 

was ready to gobble down.

Yippee!! 

3 Gala apples cored and chopped ~ skin on

3 cups Milk

2 cups Water

1 cup Apple Juice ~ I like organic, fresh-pressed

2 cups **Steel Cut Oats ~ uncooked
**(Don't use regular oatmeal in this recipe...
it will become too mushy!)

1/4 cup Maple Syrup 

2 Tbsp Butter ~ cut into little pieces

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

2 tsp Cinnamon ~ ground

Butter your casserole dish.

Mix all ingredients together and carefully pour 

into the casserole dish.

It will come nearly to the top.

Stir well.

Place into your crock pot. Put the lid on.

Turn the heat to low and set on the counter

to cook while you sleep.

This will take about 7 to 8 hours.

Mine burned after about 5 hours on my first try,

when I cooked it directly in the crock pot.

No fun!  I woke up at about 4:30 am to the smell of burnt sugar.

Take my advice, and use the casserole set-up

and there will be no issues.

It is so worth it!!

In the morning, remove your casserole dish
from the crock pot and stir the oatmeal prior to dishing it out.
Serve with chopped pecans, raisins,

a little more brown sugar and milk or cream.

Enjoy!!  And...do let me know what you think!  :)

Many Blessings,

Camille

It's a Tradition

Every year (for quite some time now), we make an effort to 

go to Burnaby Village Museum one evening prior to Christmas Day.

It's a tradition.  And, a wonderful one at that!  :)

We ran into friends on our way in.  In fact, these are the friends who

originally told us about this fabulous museum.

How fun is that?

We enjoyed going through much of it together.

And, when we parted company, we reconnected throughout the evening.

We couldn't have planned it better if we had tried!  

Since Calvin is our family photographer,

Howie and I get into more photos together.  It's a new thing.

We're Canadian...can you tell?

Our sweet friends rode with us on the restored carousel.

And, Calvin took photos.  In the photo below ~
Fraser and I are standing on the left of the carousel,
Austin, Emma and Howie are seated on their mounts!  :)

Even Austin was able to join in!  What a blessing!!

Here's our favourite house on this site.

It's in its original location ~ built about 100 years ago.

Yes, in Canada, that is old enough to be in a museum!  

Want to come in for some hot chocolate or hot apple cider?

Emma and I would enjoy hosting you here! 

Ah...there's Calvin!!

He did a self-timed photo and jumped into

it so we could all be together.  :)

We like to end the evening with a stop

at Krispy Kreme on the way home.

Dear me!  It's a dangerous thing to do!!

What are some of the special traditions you have

with your family in the days around Christmas?

It would be lovely if you would share!  :)

Many Blessings,
Camille

**Photos in this post courtesy of Calvin ~

Thank you my love!  XO

After Ten Years...

After ten years of cutting Emma's hair exclusively,

I finally took her to the hairdresser.  The boys are a different story.

No one has ever cut their hair but me.

Up until yesterday, I could say the same for my Li'l Em.

In the spring, after the wedding,

Emma asked to have her hair bobbed.  I complied.

However, it was challenging to do, and I was forever *correcting* it!

She was planning to grow out her bangs at the same time.

And, that's what she's been doing.

All good, until now.

It needed a little (or, a big) professional touch.

And, that was where this idea came in.

It may be another ten years before we do this again,

so, I thought it necessary to capture the experience in photos.

Our hairdresser kindly consented.

And, she even agreed to let me post them on this blog.

She also taught me ~ A LOT!!

When it came time to pay, she told me the cut was free,

but, that I would have to pay for the lesson.

Wasn't it sweet of her to teach me?  I didn't even ask!  :)

Many of the photos captured the hairdresser's hands

flying about...they were blurry so often!  

MUCH quicker than mine when I do Emma's hair ~

Just ask her about it sometime!  ;-)

They both look like they had an enjoyable time, don't you think?

Two lovely ladies.  :)

Now, if I can just remember what I learned,

it will be a very good thing.  

Many Blessings,
Camille

Money Matters

Let's talk money.

Cash.  Credit.  Plastic.  Budget.

Because it matters.

My husband and I were both raised with conservative

money management ideals.

The credit card was to be completely paid in full each and every month.

That's what we were taught.  That's what we've always done.

We've lived with a budget for years.

But, I felt there was room for improvement.

And boy, was I right!  

Recently, I challenged myself to use cash 

to see if there would be a difference in my shopping habits.

And, to my surprise, and delight, it has been successful!

I have not done the *Dave Ramsey* course.

But, I've read enough about it to make me sit up and take notice.

Cash envelopes.  No credit card use.  Budget.  Emergency Fund.

These were some of the things mulling about in my brain.

Would it really make a difference to use cash?

Would I really spend less?

After all...we were using credit like cash, weren't we?

Apparently not. 

The concept is simple.

Set a budget.

Decide what you are willing to spend

in the month and set that money aside for specifics.

Give each dollar a job to do.  Savings, spending, food, rent, giving, etc.

Determine ahead of time what is reasonable.

Do your best to stick to it!

There will be bumps along the way.

If you've never budgeted before, you may have no clue where your money goes.

That's okay.  You'll soon find out!  :)

It can take a few months to get into the swing of things with a budget.

Tweaking is allowed.  In fact, it's encouraged.

I'm not going to get into the specifics here.
But, this one thing I will say ~ absolutely (without a doubt!),
paying with cash helps keep me on track.
It helps to keep me accountable.
At least, that's been my experience!

And...the money?  It goes further.  

Oh, and one more thing.
I'm in control of it, and not the other way around.
It's very liberating.  Freeing.
Try it!  I'm sure you'll be glad you did! 
I can't believe we didn't do this sooner.  :)

Many Blessings,
Camille

**Image in this post courtesy of Calvin ~
Thank you my love!  XO

Going Digital

I've been living in the dark ages.

Technology and I have often been at odds.

The *old* ways are often the most comfortable.

And, so it is.

I got the biggest calendar I could get my hands on.

With the biggest squares.  It lived in my drawer.

It's how it's been for years.  Until recently.

I couldn't take it any more.

Too many things got moved, cancelled, rescheduled ~ a mess ensued.
In case you don't already know this about me ~
I like things to be orderly and neat.  Even my calendar.
And, it was anything but!  It was time for a change.

Welcome to my life Google Calendar!

I think I'm gonna *love* you!  :)

I think I can breathe.

Finally, I am up to date ~ at least in this area.

How about you?  Paper or digital?

Do tell.  Inquiring minds want to know.  :)

Blessings to you!
Camille

Slow Down

A theme for the New Year?

A word?  A thought?

Resolutions?

These are all popular notions ~ popular ideas.

I'm not much into making resolutions

of the material sort ~

lose weight, exercise more, etc.

Not that these things are wrong,

I'm just not in the habit of doing it.

But, thought ought to be given routinely

to the direction our lives are going in.

The path on which we tread.

Yes.  Often.  Not just on January first.

And, so, in light of this ~ a thought.

Quietly mulling around in my mind

is this one thought ~ Slow Down.

Slow Down and rest in HIM.

Slow Down to read and meditate in HIS Word.

And, hide it in my heart.
Slow Down in order to 

spend more time with HIM in prayer and quiet.

Slow Down and really live each moment for HIM.

Enter fully into the moments HE gives.

And, invest in the lives HE has given.
Every. Single. Day.

Is that not enough?

What else is there??

May the LORD help me to truly

slow down and live.

For HIS glory.  By HIS grace.

In HIS strength.

"So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
~ Psalm 90:12 ~

May the LORD bless each one of you
in this coming year!

With Love,
Camille

From Our Home to Yours

From our home to yours ~

Merry Christmas to each one of you,

our dear family and friends!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life."
~ John 3:16 ~

"And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call His name JESUS:
for He shall save His people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21

Seeking to remember the Real Reason for Christmas!
HE came to live perfectly and die and rise again
that His people might be made right with God!
HE truly is the Best Gift of all!!

May the LORD bless you each with

HIS peace and presence now and

throughout the coming year.

May you know HIS leading and guiding

hand upon you in your life.

May HIS will be done in and through you.

And, may HE be glorified in all you do.

I'm signing off until the New Year.

I'll look forward to catching up with you then!  :)

With Much Love,
Camille

Chunky Chocolate Morsels

Friends far and near ~ Listen up!

These are one of the BEST and YUMMIEST

of the many Christmas treats out there.

My Mum-in-Love faithfully made this recipe

year after year after year.  Now, they are on my must-do list.

They were always staple treat at Christmas time.

Long ago, she graciously shared the recipe with me!

Thank you, precious Mum!

Easy.  Simple.  No baking.  

I do believe you will thank me for this.

~ Chunky Chocolate Morsels ~

In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan,
bring the following ingredients to a boil ~

1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup milk (I use whole milk)

Once it's come to a boil,
reduce the heat to medium and cook until thickened.
This will take approximately 5 minutes.
Remove pan from heat and stir in 1 1/2 tsp vanilla.
Let cool a little.

Stir in the following ingredients and mix thoroughly ~

2 cups rolled (or quick cooking) oats
2 cups unsweetened, shredded coconut
1 cup coloured mini marshmallows, cut in half with kitchen shears
1 cup chopped pecans (I use soaked and dried)
1/2 cup drained maraschino cherries, chopped

Scrape mixture out of pan and into a medium bowl.
Cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
Once cool, roll between your palms to make 1 inch balls.
Roll in coconut and store in fridge or freezer.
Separate layers with parchment or waxed paper.

Enjoy!

With Love, Camille

**If you know where this recipe originally came from,
please do share so I can properly give credit!  Thank you.  :)

Going in the Right Direction ~ An Update

We were at Children's today.

The review of Austin's heart was thorough.
Close attention was given to the leads ~
particularly the one which was most difficult to place.
The lead in question also happens to play a role of utmost importance
in the long term recovery of Austin's heart.

The prayer is that it will stimulate the heart
muscle to pump and, over time, help to reshape it.

X-Rays were taken,
Echo and ECG were done,
and then the pacemaker was tweaked to 
maximize its effectiveness.
It's amazing to witness the technology of this device first hand ~
as Austin likes to say, he truly is "cybernetically enhanced".  :)

I am pleased to report that all looks well.
The leads have not shifted and they are functioning as intended.
Things are definitely going in the right direction.
What an incredible blessing and mercy!

Please join me in giving praise 
to our Great God!!


We wish to thank you all for your loving concern 
and prayers for our family.
We stand in awe of God's Goodness
and His provision for us.

Once again, the road ahead is long.
But, we have every reason to hope for a good recovery.
Every reason to hope because of 
the ONE in Whom we place our trust.
His ways are best.

Although we are not anticipating to have to say
an earthly good-bye to our son any time soon,
we know that if that should become necessary,
the LORD would still be doing all things well.

What a comfort it is to know that He
is in complete control.
He is working all things together for our 
good and for His glory.

At the end of the day,
what really matters has been settled at the Cross.
The LORD Jesus Christ is the Saviour of Austin,
and his eternity is secure IN Him!
Resting in our Gracious Saviour this day!
And seeking, by His Grace, to live one day at a time.

Each day is precious.

With Love,
Camille

Getting Crafty

I like to have a few surprises tucked

away for the Christmas season.

This year has been no exception.

Wooden ornaments to paint were hidden
away for just the right day.

Even the *big* kids joined in ~ joy!

I had Christmas music playing in the background
while the creative fun took place.
I am not typically a *crafty* Mum.
Consequently, the *crafts with the children* department 
has been somewhat lacking over the years.
Sorry to say.

But, Christmas time...
well, that's another story.
Out come the crafts, and I turn a blind eye to the mess ~
At least I try to!!  :)

Gingerbread Men.  A Gingerbread House (usually from a kit).
Painting ornaments and making cookies ~
These are some of things I have tucked up my sleeve.
Some of these activities will get done, Lord-willing.  :)
One thing's for sure ~ the children always enjoy it.

Even my *near-men*!  

See the smoke?  ;-)

This kept them busy for at least two hours.
Time well-spent, in my opinion.

Are you a crafty Mum?

What surprises do you have hidden away
for the cold winter days that lie ahead?
Whatever you do, enjoy these special times 
with your children...
how quickly they fly by!

Merry Christmas!
Camille

Two Weeks Out

Two Weeks Out.

Christmas is coming, and we are two weeks away.

Preparations are being made everywhere.

They are in full swing in our home too ~ of course.  

A year or two ago, my friend ~

(a homeschool mother of ten) 

gave me an idea.

And, today, I am sharing that idea with you!

You'll thank me for it.  I know you will.

Do you cook a turkey for Christmas?
Or, Thanksgiving.  Or, both?

On the day?  

If so, you know that a big mess ensues

and you know, as well, how quickly the kitchen duties 
can become overwhelming.

In comes the brilliant idea!

Brilliant, I tell you...yes, truly.

Cook your turkey ahead of time ~
Upside down is best.
One more thing about the turkey ~
a fresh, free-run, non-medicated one gives the 
most wonderful meat.

Carve your turkey ahead of time.

Layer in a 9 x 13 pan.

Pour some drippings over all.

Wrap well.  And freeze!

Put your well wrapped pan in the deep freeze
 and forget about it until the day before it's required.

Remove to the fridge the night before you need it ~
Keep it wrapped.

Unwrap on the day and re-wrap with foil only.

Heat in the oven at 350 degrees until steamy hot.
(This will take approximately 30-45 minutes).

The house will smell like freshly cooked turkey ~

But, without the mess.  

No muss.  No fuss.

Do I hear shouts of joy?  I hope so!

Don't thank me...thank my brilliant friend.  
Thank you, brilliant friend ~
You know who you are.  :)

Merry Christmas!

With Love,
Camille

Six Days In ~ An Update

This is a preliminary report ~
Six days in.

Austin has avoided infection so far.

His pain levels decrease each day.

He has walked to and from the little local store

and was able to tackle the hill without a hitch.

There is a spring (albeit a small one) in his step!
There is (a little bit of) colour in his cheeks.
He is becoming more animated and talkative.
The *old* Austin is emerging.
And...he's hungry!!

Good things are happening ~
Please join us in giving praise to
our Great God!

This is a process.

We must be patient.  I must be patient!  

But, the initial response to the pacemaker is positive.

Austin's heart is being worked!
And, it is working.  :)

God is the Great Physician.

HE knit us together in the womb,

and He knits us together after surgery or illness.

Our times are in His hands.

Each day is a gift.

We give thanks.

The road ahead is unclear to us.
But, it is not unclear to our Great God.
We know that the LORD is working out His perfect plan.

And, we know that He does all things well.

Not being able to see around the bend in the road

is difficult for me, but, knowing that the LORD is already there
is such an incredible comfort to my heart.

HE is already there!

Thank you to each and every one of you who
have prayed for us ~
You have blessed our family beyond measure!
This will be an ongoing journey.
As I know more, I will update.
For the time being, *regular* posts will resume.

Life and living.
Day by day.  Moment by moment.
Gifts from HIS hand.
Praise HIM for all HIS goodness!

Many Blessings to you!
Camille

Prepared

Sometimes, God prepares us for what is coming.

In the past few months it felt as though

the LORD was doing that for me.

Christmas was coming,

albeit, a couple of months down the road,

but, it was coming.

I had a photo of the children that 

I thought would be perfect for the Christmas Cards.

I got them printed.

In October!

That motivated me to get a Christmas letter written.

Which motivated me to write out and address

all the Christmas cards.

In October!

~ Christmas photo: taken in May 2012 ~

Little did I know that, just prior to Christmas,

Austin would be hospitalised for six days,

and then, less than a week later,
he would have a pacemaker inserted.

Little did I know.

But, God knew.

Our times are in His hand.

He orders our steps.

And, sometimes, He prepares us.

Always, He sustains us.
Always, He provides.

There have been times when I have felt unprepared,
even then, He gives the grace and strength needed.
Regardless of our circumstances, 
He is in complete and Sovereign control.

He is SO Good!

Having my Christmas cards done ahead of time
was just one of the ways

in which the LORD prepared me for this busy time.

I had meals frozen and put away, 

and my Christmas shopping was done early.

These things have been such a blessing.

They were not *necessary* things, 

but, they were blessings nonetheless.

Although I did have some meals frozen,
they eventually ran out ~
then, some lovely ladies brought us food.
Thank you P, L, and P!!  
Isn't it wonderful to have dinner cooked for you??

Thank you, E for taking my children to your home
for dinner on the day of Austin's surgery ~
What a blessing that was!

I stand in awe of the LORD's provisions

in these tangible ways.

And, I am thankful.

May the LORD bless you all!

Much Love,
Camille

Pacemaker ~ An Update

The pacemaker was placed yesterday.

Austin ended up being the last patient of the day.
However, he was excited and ready to get on with it.
Truly, evidence of the Grace of God in his life.

He was taken into the OR at 3:45pm PST
and brought back out again at about 5:45pm.
We took him home at 8:00pm!
Amazing, don't you think?

Apparently, Austin was awake for the whole thing.
He chatted with the electrophysiologists and nurses throughout ~
he found it to be very interesting.
They even showed him the x-ray while the leads were being placed.
It went like clockwork ~ perfectly!

To God be the glory!!

Below ~ Austin with our Children's Hospital Electrophysiologist, Dr. Sherwin.  
She is one of those who has championed Austin's cause, 
for which we are very thankful!



Things got quite uncomfortable when the device was inserted.
It had to be placed under the muscle.
My poor guy ~ he was a real trooper!
Apparently, he was told it was like having a baby, only in reverse.  :)

New respect for Mum?  I think so!



Austin was blessed with a good sleep last night ~ 
with the help of some powerful meds to keep him comfortable.
Now, he rests and recovers ~ it really was a bit of an ordeal.
We must watch for infection, while praying that it does not appear.

And, Austin must adjust.



But, his heart ~ it's working properly for the first time in a long time.
I just spoke with him and he reports feeling the left side of his heart beating!
It makes me smile.

May the LORD use this means to bring healing to the
left ventricle which has been greatly reduced in its function.

This device will *listen* to what the atria want to do,
and seek to mimic that pacing in the lower two chambers.
It will send the message that has long been interrupted, and help his heart to beat in sync.
The prayer is that, over time, it will help to tone the heart muscle up once again.



Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers,
and for all your love and concern ~ We are so thankful for each one of you!

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him.
For he knoweth our frame: He remembereth that we are dust." Psalm 103:13-14

With our Love,
Howie, Camille, and Austin (and siblings too!)

**The device in these photos is not exactly as the one placed in Austin ~ but, it is similar.
Austin asked if it was the one they would be using,
and they said they would certainly rinse it off before putting it in!
(FYI ~ That is Austin's humour...exactly!)