The Honeycomb

Grandma's Red Velvet Cake

Ginger — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:35:41 GMT

Having a December birthday means that I grew up having a Red Velvet Cake every year!
Here we are on my 13th birthday. Mom not only made the cake, but she also made my blouse and skirt! She was quite a talented woman.

For some reason, this past holiday season, I didn't manage to make the annual Red Velvet Cake, and I REALLY missed it! So, yesterday, when I dropped hubby off at the airport, I told him I was going to drown my sorrows with a Red Velvet Cake and endless hours of HGTV.

Phoebe and Hudson were excited about helping!

Here is the cake recipe. Please, please, don't ever be tempted to use a boxed Red Velvet cake mix! This is so easy, and tastes SO much better! The tricky part is the icing, so I will post that recipe a little further down with some pics of the process.

Red Velvet Cake

½ C shortening
1 ½ C sugar
2 eggs
1 C Buttermilk
1TBSP vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1 large bottle red food coloring
1 tsp baking soda
2 C flour
1/8 tsp salt
3 TBSP cocoa

Cream sugar, shortening and eggs. Add milk, vanilla, vinegar, and food coloring.
Combine dry ingredients and add alternately with sugar mixture. (if you have a KitchenAid just throw it all in at once)
Bake in prepared pan at 350° for 30 minutes. Test with toothpick.

Phoebe was in charge of Crisco.

Sweet Hudson was in charge of pouring the sugar from his great-Grandma's measuring cup.

Fortunately, it calls for two eggs, so everybody gets in on the egg-cracking fun!

Milk curdles faster in a warm spot, so we had the brilliant idea to set it on the mantle. It was chunky in no time! Milk mixed with vinegar replaces the buttermilk in the recipe.

Watching the KitchenAid work it's magic!

The red batter looks so pretty!

One more shot of the batter, but mainly just so I can show off my new stove!! Isn't it lovely?!

Now for the amazing, delicious icing! In my opinion, this is the only icing that should be considered legitimate for Red Velvet. Every time I see one with cream cheese icing, I die a little inside. Don't get me wrong. I love cream cheese icing in its proper place, (BROWNIES or CARROT CAKE!) but it has no business on Red Velvet.

The recipe:

Icing:
2 C milk
7 tbsp flour

Cook until thick, almost like pudding, stirring constantly.
Cover with foil and let cool. It will become very thick. It needs to be completely cool before next step. I generally wait a couple of hours. Leave it covered with foil the entire time.

Combine:
1 C shortening
2 sticks butter, softened
2 C granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla

Add to milk mixture and combine with mixer until fluffy. Best served cold!

Okay, so basically you are combining the milk and flour to make something like a roux. It should be very thick. VERY thick! If it is not thick enough, the icing will flop. Trust me on this. It was years before I got this part right!

Seven Tablespoons of flour is exactly right. The original recipe called for less, but I can't make it work. It helps if you have your Grandma's old measuring spoons!

Let the milk mixture cool completely. Stick it in the fridge if you want. I put mine on the front porch. Once it is cool, mix up the other ingredients in a separate bowl. Butter, Crisco, sugar, and vanilla. Doesn't this look oh so healthy?!

Mix that up and dump it into the milk mixture. It will look like this:

Combine that together with a hand mixer, and then ice your cake! If you make a layer cake, use lots of icing between the layers. This recipe makes plenty! I put my cake on my husband's grandmother's cake plate. Just for the picture, I displayed her rolling pin next to it. I like to incorporate as many grandma items into my baking as possible!

Refrigerate the entire cake before serving. I put mine in the freezer for an hour. Or, if it's chilly outside, stick it in the van for a while.

Isn't it beautiful? It's enough to make any lonely gal forget that her darling husband is 5000 miles away! Unfortunately, I over baked the cake, so you can see that it's a bit dry. But my best girlfriend stopped by during the baking, and we got to chatting, and doggone it if I didn't just ignore the sound of the timer going off!

One more word about the icing--I remember an ongoing debate between my mother and grandmother as to whether or not you could use this icing for decorating. Mom said no, grandma said yes. In retrospect, I think Grandma meant you could color a bit of it and write, "Happy Birthday" across the top of the cake. But my mother was also right. This is not traditional buttercream because it doesn't use powdered sugar. It is definitely not stiff enough to do any real decorating. No flowers, borders, etc. Unfortunately, neither of them are around so that I can help them come to this resolution. But I am ever so grateful that they left me with a Red Velvet heritage!

Fun Food Day!

Ginger — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:26:16 GMT

After avoiding it as long as possible, I finally gave in to the Pinterest craze! While there, I discovered a website featuring fun foods for kids. So, today I made a Tow Mater sandwich for Hudson! Here is a link to the instructions: Tow Mater Sandwich

And here is my final product!

Later, we let Phoebe choose the evening's activities and menu. We played Candy Land, and dined on Spaghetti Tacos. The big kids came up with the idea for Spaghetti Tacos when we had to use up our leftovers before leaving Berlin. Since that time, Phoebe has been asking to have them again. It will probably be the last time!!

About that book deal....

Ginger — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:07:56 GMT

So, I got it! I am still a bit in shock, and totally over the moon with excitement! Now, I just have to actually write a book. That shouldn't be a problem because it's not like I'm busy with my five kids, or our business, or the house remodel, or life in general. So, yeah, I'm sure I'll knock that book out in no time! If you think of it, say a little prayer for me.

Part of the deal is that I need to maintain my blog, and maybe even start twittering or tweeting, or whatever the proper term is. Twittering sounds like I've been drinking a bit, and tweeting sounds like I'm a bird in distress. I attempted to set up a twitter account a couple of months ago, but unfortunately someone had already claimed the name Gingeretta, which totally ticked me off. For years I have been the one and only Gingeretta in the entire world, (trust me on this) and now someone else has the audacity to claim the name! So, if you think of a clever twitter title for me, let me know!

Hopefully, I can build my readership back up by blogging regularly. So, check back often, or subscribe on the sidebar. If I set up a twitter account, I will let you know! And when my book gets published, you won't have check my blog because you will hear me SHOUTING IT FROM THE ROOFTOP!!!

Abby's German shopping trip

Ginger — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:03:30 GMT

A new teen trend, which I love! Tights under skirts and shorts.

Our Christmas Party

Ginger — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 01:20:00 GMT

This was our twelfth annual Christmas party. It started years ago with taking a few friends to see Bethesda's Living Christmas Tree and then coming back to our house for snacks. Over time it grew to taking fifty+ people to the tree, and trying to coordinate everything so that the food was ready when we all reached our house. The snacks became more elaborate, and the tree lost its director and became rather dull, so it has developed into simply a food and fellowship extravaganza--our gift to friends and family, and a delight for us!

We scaled way back a couple of years due to traveling and having babies, but this year we were back in full force with nearly 100 guests. Our record attendance is 110, and we were hoping to top that this year, but a last minute snow kept several folks at home. Nevertheless we were thrilled beyond measure and abundantly blessed by each and every face that came through the door! Even the ten people that I'd never before met!

We start baking several days ahead. Nathan is in charge of sweets, and I'm in charge of savory.
Every member of the family gets to help!

In this picture you can hardly tell that we are undergoing a major remodel! There used to be a wall here. As you can see across the top, Nathan did a bit of decorating on the exposed header. ha!

Raspberry Cheese Spread

Reuben appetizers

Brie with pesto, sundried tomatoes, and pine nuts

Crab cheesecake, Nacho cheesecake, and Warm Bacon cheesecake!

These little mice that Nathan and the girls made were the stars of the evening!

Of course he had an entire spread of homemade candies and cookies, so we set them up on our "still being remodeled" front porch!

Twenty pounds of fudge in various flavors, 200+ handmade truffles in all flavors, 300+ cookies, rock candy, etc, etc, etc.

It was a very, very good evening! There was so much more that isn't pictured here. We had such a good time as a family putting this together. The best part was the nearly 100 smiling faces! We are blessed--blessed indeed!

Excuse me, Mr. TSA man, but I'm feeling a little frisky!

Ginger — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:11:00 GMT

In spite of the fact that our family flies ALL THE TIME, and between us we have taken a total of five round trip flights since November 1^st, I was completely oblivious to the new TSA regulations. Apparently, full body scanners have been implemented, and invasive pat downs are quickly becoming the norm in airport security lines. I had no idea until I saw a rash of Facebook posts on the subject.

I asked hubby, who has made at least 30 international flights this year, if he had noticed any changes since November 1^st. Has he been groped by any good looking TSA agents and neglected to tell me? Is a full scan of his nude body going to pop up on the internet somewhere? If so, I’d like to know now, please. But alas, he has not experienced any of the new procedures.

I asked our teen daughters, who flew home from Washington D.C. just days after the sniper attacks, and one day after the new procedures were implemented-had they been searched or scanned? Nope! My thirteen-year-old said the security officer told her they couldn’t feel her up, errr…pat her down, without her parents’ permission, so she was safe.

I thought back to the two flights I have taken since November 1^st. Both times it was a treat to fly without my toddler and preschooler. Maybe in my excitement I hadn’t noticed being groped or photographed nude. No, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that a good groping would have just added to my enjoyment of the trip. Hubby is gone a lot these days, so I'm not getting much of that sort of attention.

Come to think of it, I’m a little offended that no one offered. According to all the FB posts I’ve been reading, everyone is being subjected to these invasive searches. Why was I exempt? It doesn’t really seem fair that all of my friends are being manhandled and here I fly all the time and never even got so much as a little fondle.

I know I’m getting older and things are sagging a bit. Granted, no TSA agents are going to get much pleasure out of viewing my naked body scans, but still, couldn’t they pretend? Couldn’t they have at least shown the courtesy of asking if I wanted to go through the scanner? I’d suck in my belly, maybe turn a little to one side, give my best come hither look—I’d make sure we all had a good laugh!

I don’t know why all my FB friends are being practically mauled to death at security checkpoints, and frankly, I don’t know why they’re complaining. I’m always up for a good frisking. I’ll even bring a TSA approved 3 oz bottle of K-Y in a quart-sized Ziploc bag. There’s nothing like a cheap thrill to make a girl feel desirable. Throw in a little pinch and I’m yours for the night. Or at least until my carry-on clears the x-ray machine.

Doocy is in the house!!

Ginger — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 04:59:00 GMT

I have done a pretty poor job of keeping up with this blog, but occasionally something special happens and you've got to take a few minutes to JUST BLOG IT!! I am at the Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop in Dayton, Ohio. I was thrilled to see Steve Doocy of Fox & Friends in this year's line up of speakers!!

Exciting times in Panama!

Ginger — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:17:00 GMT

I am so behind! (The date on this post is wrong. It is actually June 7) These pictures were taken in Panama over spring break. (the country of Panama, not Panama City Beach!)
Since that time we've spent three weeks in Germany, and I am currently in Belize. I also managed to fit the Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop in there somewhere. Anyway, I will upload a few pics here and there as I have time!

A Valentine's Day that didn't stink--as much!

Ginger — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:40:00 GMT

Originally printed in The Lebanon Reporter, The Paper, and The Weekly--2-15-10

Of the 21 Valentine’s Days that hubby and I have celebrated, this year was by far the most romantic! Our first Valentine’s Day was spent in a snowstorm, without electricity, in a smelly cow barn complete with cow patties underfoot. Since then, it’s been pretty much downhill.

On our first married Valentine’s Day we were too poor to splurge on a restaurant, so I made a special dinner of Chicken Tonight. While dinner was simmering on the stove, we flipped on the local news and watched a segment showing a dead rat in a skillet, covered in sauce. It slid right out of some poor, unsuspecting woman’s jar of Chicken Tonight. I don’t think you’ll find that particular product on the shelves anymore.

I’ve spent Valentine’s Day waiting for hours in an unheated van while hubby made emergency HVAC service calls. I’ve spent more than one Valentine’s Day sitting on the sidelines of a bluegrass jam. And one year we spent Valentine’s Day thousands of miles apart.

Last week I attended a training conference on counseling. I learned an incredible amount of information that will help me help others, but I also learned a lot of stuff that I can apply to my own life. One session I found particularly helpful was on the subject of marriage. I was so inspired that I bought a recording of the session, and asked hubby if he would listen to it with me on Valentine’s Day. Amazingly, he agreed! He probably figured it couldn’t be any worse than standing in a heap of cow manure, or eating rat infested chicken sauce.

On Valentine’s morning we attended our Sunday worship service. In retrospect, perhaps our previous Valentine’s Days would have been better if they’d started with God. After the service, hubby made spaghetti and meatballs, and we spent time enjoying the meal with our five children. Then we got away by ourselves and listened to the CD.

The speaker began by telling a story about how his wife is always late, and how he has made many unkind remarks to her about it. I sheepishly admitted to hubby that this was the first time I’d heard that story because I was actually late to the session. Needless to say, the speaker’s words hit home in many areas.

Afterwards, we grabbed a pen and notebook and headed to our favorite restaurant, Parky’s Smokehouse. We spent a couple of hours setting some goals, discussing the future and arranging the calendar. Then we laughed and chatted while enjoying fried mushrooms and Buffalo wraps. Our time spent together was sweeter than the Comfort Bread Pudding.

As we walked to the car, hand in hand, I had a flickering thought that maybe hubby would open my door even though I usually have to be in labor or wearing a tiara for that sort of special treatment. I didn’t meet either of those criteria, so it was a no go.

I had just settled into my seat when hubby said with a certain amount of flair, “Whew! That’s a bad one!”

Almost immediately the nasty smell wafted up my nostrils. “Really?” I inquired. “You couldn’t have done that outside?”

He laughed, “I couldn’t help it. It just sort of snuck up on me when I was getting into the car.”

I hesitated. Continuing the discussion would mean having to breathe more, and I wasn’t sure it was worth it. Finally, I pulled my scarf away from my nose just long enough to say, “You know, if you had opened my door, that would have happened while you were still outside.”

“Well, you have a point there,” he snickered, “but this is so bad it probably would have followed me into the car.”

How is it you can be so deeply in love with someone one moment and then the next you are thinking about starting an all-out war over something that is going to dissipate much faster than the conversation itself? In a matter of seconds I could have convinced myself that if he really loved me he would have remembered how much I like it when he opens my car door. If he really loved me he would apologize for irritating me instead of joking about it. If he really loved me he would want me to breathe fresh air!

But then I remembered the new definition I learned at my conference: “Love is willing self-sacrifice for the good of another, that does not demand reciprocation, or that the person being loved is deserving.”

Obviously, his need to relieve painful gas pressure was much greater than my need for a rosy smelling vehicle. And he had sacrificed his desire to go to a movie in order to indulge my desire to listen to a CD lecture on marriage. So, I decided to forego that silly argument that was stewing around in my brain, and enjoy every minute of a Valentine’s Day that, in spite of it all, still smelled considerably better than our first!

Drop Ginger a note at ginger@gingertruitt.com or visit http://www.gingertruitt.com

Amoxicillin Rebellion

Ginger — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:48:00 GMT

Over the years I have come to count on the fact that even if my children refused every other medicine, they would always gladly take pink Amoxicillin! We try not to use it unless absolutely necessary, but Hudson has had some issues that require an antibiotic. However, HE is not as willing as his siblings to take it. I tried forcing it all at once, but that majorly backfired! I never knew one teaspoon of liquid could go so far. Needless to say, I had no qualms about giving him another full dose.

To Diane

Ginger — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:32:00 GMT

One of my faithful readers is my online friend Diane, whom I would dearly love to meet in real life! Her blog is http://www.tomatosoupcake.blogspot.com Anyway, Diane, while we are here in Germany we are renting an apartment from some missionaries who are home on furlough. I have tried to be careful not to post photos of the personal items in their home, but I don't think they would mind if I post this for you. As soon as I saw it you immediately came to my mind.

Love you!!

My blog is still messing up, so I can only post one picture at a time. So, I'll post the entire arrangement, but I also have a close up of the framed print that states, "The King's daughter is all glorious within...." That would be you, my dear!

See two previous posts for explanation!

Ginger — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:11:00 GMT

Pictures from Sans Souci post below

Ginger — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Five of the six wonderful students that were so helpful! I wish them all the best in their studies at Cambridge! They are studying to be lawyers, doctors, and engineers and will pursue their careers in Malaysia. Michelle, Liam, Howie, Paul...and I'm kicking myself for not remembering the other two names! Sorry, guys!!

Here are some other pictures that go with my previous blog entry. An interesting building in Potsdam, as well as pictures of the outside of the Palace. We were not allowed to take pictures inside. Also, Phoebe and Hudson on the train ride, and a really creepy Nestea ad!

Well, now I am only able to add one picture to this entry.....stay tuned!

New friends & Sanssouci palace

Ginger — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:39:00 GMT

Nathan is working in Berlin, Germany for two weeks and the toddlers and I have tagged along on the trip! I don't think I've ever seen anything more festive and beautiful than Christmas time in Berlin! I have been updating my FaceBook account every day with new pictures, but have been terribly slack with my blog. I plan to come back and post everything in order from day one, but for right now I want to get these pictures up for my new friends.

We have been here for 1 1/2 weeks, and I am still learning my way around the public transportation system. Yesterday, I bundled up Phoebe and Hudson and we set out on an hour long train ride to Potsdam and the Palace Sans Souci. The problem was, I ended up getting off at the wrong stop. We walked and walked and walked, and finally hired a taxi to take us to the palace.

Upon arriving I learned I could not take the stroller inside, it was 40 minutes until the next English speaking tour, and the tour itself lasted forty minutes. The toddlers were getting very tired and I was concerned about taking them in by myself with no way to contain them. The tour guide was fabulous and took extra time with them, showing them things that would be of particular interest to a toddler. They each had their own headsets and they walked around listening and looking up at everything just as like little adults. If only we'd been allowed to take pictures inside! It was absolutely incredible! This was the summer home of Frederick the Great. Sans souci means "without a care."

Upon leaving it was getting dark and cold. I was unsure of the location of the bus stop since I had gotten off at the wrong one in the first place. I wandered along until I came upon a group of young Asian men and women, and heard them speaking English. They were also waiting for the bus to take to the train station to take them back to Berlin! They were so kind and made sure that we got on the correct bus, and then helped us find the correct train. They stayed with us the entire trip, chatting and entertaining Phoebe. This was the highlight of my day! I so enjoyed the time together, getting to know these bright, beautiful young people!

They are from Malaysia but are studying at Cambridge University. They are spending their holiday traveling to other areas of Europe. After seeing us off, they headed to the airport to catch their flight back to England. I am so thankul I had a chance to meet them, and sincerely hope they see this blog entry! One young lady is missing from the picture, but here are the others.

For some reason, every time I place a picture here, my entry disappears, so I am going to post the pictures in a separate entry.

Today you are my little boy

Ginger — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:59:00 GMT

The inspiration for this article came years ago from my grandmother. My dad was going through a particularly difficult time. My mom died, he had a heart attack, lost his job all in a few months. As my grandma and I talked about it, she got tears in her eyes and said, "What I wouldn't give for him to be a little boy again, just for a little while, so I could hold him in my lap and make it all better." It was such a wistful longing, and you could see that in her mind's eye she was thinking back.

That always stuck with me, and I think about it all the time when I'm doing things with my boys. So, the article has been in my heart for years, I just had to wait for the right timing to get it down on paper. Boys are wonderful creatures, and I am so thankful for mine!!

Today you are my little boy

By Ginger Truitt

Some day you will be a grown man with rough skin and whiskers; but for today, I luxuriate in kissing your sweet, smooth, little cheeks.

Some day you will work hard to make a living and support your family; but for today, I am privileged to sit on the floor and stack building blocks with you.

Some day you will run up the stairs, two at a time; but for today, I will hold your chubby little hand while we navigate the steps together.

Some day you will get up every morning, and don a suit and tie for work; but for today, I can let you stay in your jammies so we can snuggle until noon.

Some day people will have respect for the authority in your deep, commanding voice; but for today, I savor the sweetness of a tiny boy earnestly calling out, “Mama!”

Some day women will admire your handsome face and brawny stature; but for today, I am thankful to be the woman that holds you while you are still shiny and new.

Some day you will carry a proper handkerchief in your pocket; but for today I will let out an exaggerated, “Ewwww,” when you choose to eat your boogers.

Some day you will have to face a world that will be hard on you, expect difficult things of you and treat you unfairly; but for today, my lap is your protection from the world.

Some day you will wear cologne and aftershave to enhance your manliness; but for today, I will breathe in the essence of your sweet baby smell.

Some day you will walk with a determined step and even gait; but for today, I relish the sound of your chunky bare feet pattering across the kitchen tile.

Some day you will have to make decisions that will not be easy, and find answers that won’t always be clear; but for today I can guide you and whisper the answers in your ear.

Some day you might go to the bathroom without making a mess; but for today, we will work on your aim by putting Cheerio targets in the potty.

Some day you will be tempted by those who would lead you down a path that you should not go; but for today, I can teach you about Jesus and hide His words in your pure little heart.

Some day you will let out a hearty laugh and the world will laugh with you; but for today, I am the one whose heart smiles in unison with your silly giggles.

Some day your toys will include cars, sports equipment and computers; but for today, we can play pat-a-cake and indulge in your quirky penchant for pushing the vacuum cleaner.

Some day you and your colleagues will dine in fine restaurants, ordering steak and lobster; but for today, we will sit at the kitchen table and share a peanut butter sandwich with extra jelly.

Some day you will sleep in your very own house that might not be close to mine; but for tonight, I can safely tuck you into your crib and rest my hand upon your sweet downy head while we pray.

Some day you will help me in and out of the car, and steady my arm while I reach for my walker; but for today, I am the strong one and I will lift you high into the air and listen to your squeals of delight.

Some day you will call home and I will be thrilled to hear you say that you’ve found “the one;” but for today, I cherish being the most important woman in your life.

Today, I will delight in your snaggle-toothed grin, laugh when you growl at the cat, kiss your skinned-up knees, and trust that you will survive your refusal to eat anything but sausage links, french fries and cheese. For some day, a man will emerge in the place where my precious little boy once stood.

My grandmother Mary Belle holding my dad

Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Ginger — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:11:00 GMT

A few weeks ago our church family took a Sunday afternoon trip to
Anderson Orchard. Nathan and Alex had just left that morning for Belize,
and Shelby had to work, but I went with Abby, Phoebe, and Hudson. It was
very crowded but we had such a pleasant time! The weather was perfect.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day.

Phoebe hanging out in the pumpkin patch with the baby doll we bought in
craft fair tent.

Hudson enjoying a freshly picked apple.

It's always nice to have something fun to pass the time on a day when daddy has to leave.
This was the perfect option!!

Homicide Investigation!

Ginger — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:13:00 GMT

Martha Stewart has come out with some lovely craft kits. I found them at Big Lots for $2 each so I picked up several. Abby has made lots of glittery greeting cards with birds and flowers, and Phoebe has been busy making puppets and pom-pom critters. Oddly enough, the pom-pom animals proved to be the most time consuming and difficult. We made a pig, chicken, mouse, and rooster. Three of them are nowhere to be found. I think they are in hiding because someone did the poor chicken in. I had to take pictures because it was just so ludicrous and frightening! To think that something like this could take place in my very own kitchen!

I'll let you know how the investigation turns out. Somehow, I don't think this is really what Martha had in mind when she created these lovely kits.

Nathan's surgery

Ginger — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Two weeks ago Nathan had surgery to correct his deviated septum. He had never been under general anesthesia before, and with his general disdain for all things related to hospitals this was a big deal for him! He knows I took a before picture of him with his nurse Pam.

But I'm sure he has no idea I also took an after picture! He was still pretty loopy when
I took this shot.

He is recovering nicely, but still has a bit of swelling and scabbing. I am praying ever so
diligently that when he is fully healed he will no longer be a heavy snorer! Eighteen years of
sleeping with a freight train has really taken its toll!

Pumpkins and Chinese food!

Ginger — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:13:00 GMT

On one autumn Sunday a year, an older couple in our church brings a big truck full of
pumpkins on Sunday morning and all of the kids get to take one home.

Here are a couple of pics of Phoebe and Hudson (our future president)
selecting their pumpkins.

Phoebe was asked to sit on her pumpkin for a picture, but of course that did not SIT well with her! (ha!) But now that it's home, she wants to sit on it all the time.
That's my girl!

After church we went to our favorite Chinese buffet for a nice lunch with friends.
Being in a small town, we always run into lots of people we know. Here is a
picture of Alex with Margaret Smith. Margaret was Alex's Sunday School
teacher back when he was three years old. They adored each other, and
they still do! She is a tiny lady and Alex always enjoys showing her how much
he has grown. He is now 6'5" and she is 4' something...10" maybe?

While we were there, Phoebe finally mastered the art of eating with chopsticks!

And when we got home, she took her kitten for a ride in her babydoll stroller. He is such a
cooperative kitty. You'd never guess he is an outdoor cat!

A Christian Mother's Version of Perfect Madness

Ginger — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:57:00 GMT

I have posted this link on the Facebook pages of several friends, and then decided just to link it on my own blog. I wish I had written it. It gave me a good laugh, and good food for thought. It put some of the silliness of Christian "living" into perspective. I would have wrapped it up with a little more hope and encouragement, but other than that I think it's a great post!

A Christian Mother's Version of Perfect Madness