Clothed With Scarlet

"I caw it...."

Heeheehee....

Darcy: Mommy, dere's a ant; come git it.
Mommy:  You can get it; just grab it with a paper towel.
Darcy:  He might git me.
Mommy: Well, how about using the fly swatter.
Darcy: Okay.  -- She gives this a try with two fly swatters; no success. --

Darcy: Mommy, Ooo wiwl hab to git it.
Mommy: I will be right there!
Darcy: Mommy, what dat ant cawled?
Mommy: Ants do not have names.  It is just an ant.
Darcy:  Oh.  I caw it, "Ant."

I love two-year-old little girls!

~~~~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Aaron Klause

Heeheeheeeee...

Contrary to culture....

...I fully agree...

"Obedience requires faith to do what I cannot understand; to believe what may not make sense."

"...Fundamental to all that we teach our children should be a denying of self, at all costs, and a “seeking first the kingdom of God”..."

Mrs. Crawford at Generation Cedar has written an excellent article.  One that flies in the face of today's culture... 

Why I’m Not Teaching My Children to Follow Their Dreams

“What if your daughter wanted to be an interior designer? Go to school and become a professional? I’m only asking what if. Would you push her to stay at home or to follow her dreams?”

I was asked this question during a topic about a woman’s calling to be a “keeper at home”.

I could write a book about all the ways a woman is free to “be all she can be” and still remain in the realm of helpmeet and keeper at home, about the glories of being freed from the slavery of someone else’s clock and schedule and agenda.

But before all of that, we must be grounded in the basic teaching of Scripture about the call of a Christian, which directly opposes the teaching of feminism.  
...finish reading the article here...

~~~
posted by Mrs. Aaron Klause

Funny.

Wanna hear a funny?
  

We have an Italian Greyhound.
Sadie Sue.  Our little Darcy cannot say Sadie or Sadie Sue so now she is often called "Sa-Sue".
We have had IGs for 18 years now. 

IGs are quite lazy and truly spend most of their days lying about in the sun or under a blanket but when they decide to get up and move about, the run a lot.   
They R-U-N to the water bowl. 
They R-U-N up the stairs to hop in the bed covers.
When they get out of bed, they stretch and then they R-U-N top-speed to the back door to go outside. 
They run in short bursts. 
 
Last night I forced Sadie Sue out from under the blanket in the living room when we were ready to retire upstairs for the evening.

She ssssst-rrrrrrrretched and only loped over to the door, knowing it was cold outside and that I wouldn't take the time to put on her coat.

All done out there...I let her back in and she ran top-speed from the back door to the water bowl which is in our downstairs bathroom. 

Then she sat outside the Doggie Diner (a.k.a. the downstairs bathroom) and watched me gather my things to go upstairs.
 
I called her to go to bed as I walked through the kitchen.
Sadie Sue set out, as fast as greyhound legs could run, to the stairwell (which is only about 8-9 feet away).

She was traveling so fast as she rounded the corner that her feet spun out on the tile and as she headed up the stairwell, bounding like a deer!

She miscalculated the curve....and.....
 

 
SLAM!
 
...she hit the stairwell wall...
 
Now.
One would have never known that this had even occurred if you had not been traveling up the stairwell with her as she bounced, much like one of those little rubber balls and never missed a beat and continued at top speed running up the stairwell, into the master bedroom and....
p-o-u-n-c-e...right onto the master bed to burrow under the covers as if the worst blizzard had just started blowing in.
 
Funny.

:-)

................................................................................................

Learn more about IGs at the Texas Italian Greyhound Rescue.

Like them on FaceBook and you get to meet all the dogs that are waiting for their Forever Homes.
Even if you cannot adopt, you can help in many very small ways.

..............................................................................................

posted by Mrs. Aaron Klause
February 14, 2012

 

What's goin' on in there?!

When we make bread, we do it the old-fashioned way.  It is fun.  It is easy.  We can make several loaves at one time.  And...the girls LOVE to make homemade bread...

Well, it occurred to me the other day that I do have a breadmaker.  My dear husband bought it for me years ago and it saw some use for a while and then it got tucked away in the back of a cabinet.  I decided to drag it out and dust it off and see what she could do for us now-a-days...

The children were facinated by this contraption that they poured all of the ingredients into at once and then pressed a couple of buttons....

  

Tee-hee-hee...

:0)

It works well in a pinch since it has an option to make bread in an hour.  But the single loaf is barely big enough for the girls and I to all have a sandwich.  Last week my brother visited and Bailey had to run the machine three separate times to make sure we had enough bread for a meal.

Aren't they funny?  Peering into that tiny window...

Tee-hee-hee..
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.^{Proverbs 17:22}

~~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause
October 7, 2011
Music:  Ladybug Picnic

I'd climb right up to the sky....

19 years ago today, I married the love of my life...

 

  

I'd climb right up to the sky
I'd take down the stars
Just to be in your arms
I'd go and capture the moon
That's what I would do
Just to hear you say that you love me

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall be one flesh.  ~Genesis 2:24

~~~~~~

 

I love you more than any words or actions could ever begin to express.

 

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Aaron Klause
October 3, 2011
Music:  Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me

Mr. Huckleberry found his Forever Home!

Yippee!  Last week Mr. Huckleberry met his new family on Monday and they took him home on Thursday.  I think he will be so very happy there with folks home during the day but still active and ready to take him for a run.  Plus, there are other dogs there and he does love to play with other dogs.

I will miss him.  He is a good dog.  The girls wanted to take a "goodbye picture" with Mr. Huckleberry.  'Twas not easy to get four children and a dog to sit still and look at the camera! 

 

I hope you live a long and happy dog life Mr. Huckleberry!

Love,
The Klause Family

~~~

Hello again.....Mr. Huckleberry.....

We are fostering Mr. Huckleberry while we look for him a Forever Home.

 

He is just over a year old and is 23 pounds. He is an Italian Greyhound/Manchester Terrier cross. He is playful but not rambunctious….but he is still a considered a puppy. 

  

He is a sweet dog. Sometimes we call him Mr. Freckle Speckles.. :)
All those black dots are his freckles on his skin under his coat!

He is housebroken and sleeps all night in his kennel happily.

His bark is very deep and alerts when someone comes to the door.  I check to see why he is barking and if all is well, I tell him, "Good dog, all is well, be quiet now," and he shushes easily.  He will keep barking when I tell him to, "Bark and be brave, Mr. Huckleberry!"  

He does pull some on the lead but is getting better.

 

Like any other IG, he enjoys sunny outdoors.

 Boy can he run! He is faster than our Sadie. It is a blast to watch these two dogs run at top speed.

He loves to chase a toy and bring it back to you just close enough to make you think you can grab it before he runs off with it again.

Mr. Huckleberry needs a Forever Home.

 

He is good with children of all ages. 

 
Sadie & Mr. Huckleberry

He gets along well with the 3 year old female IG that is ours and she will scold him if he is trying to play when she is trying to rest. He takes it in stride and goes on his way.

 **** If you might be interested in adopting Mr. Huckleberry, please let me know or contact Robin at the Texas Italian Greyhound Rescue at iggygal67@yahoo.com ****

 

Mr. Huckleberry & my nephew playing in the kennel...out of the kennel...in the kennel...out of the kennel...    :)

 

Tired Mr. Huckleberry (a.k.a. Mr. Freckle Speckles)...

 
He is so expressive with his ears.  He holds his left one up all the time or folds them both over on top of his head. 

 
One of his favorite places to sleep....

This sweet Little Boy IG needs a forever home.  Visit the Texas Italian Greyhound Rescue to learn how you can adopt him.

Italian Greyhounds do not like baths...

 

 

...especially when you use the sprayer on them...

 

We tried to treat her while in the bath with some peanut butter.

But she refused...

 

Italian Greyhounds would rather walk around with that spot of ketchup on their head for two weeks than take a bath.  They are much like cats when it comes to water.

:0)

 

~~~~~

Music:  How much is that doggy in the window?

posted by Mrs. Klause

May 11, 2011

Mothers and Daughters

A few of my favorite pictures... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
......

posted by Mrs. Klause

May 8, 2011

 

 

 

Always helping out...

The three older girls have their responsibilities for helping get the kitchen and dining room cleaned up after a meal.  Darcy is only 15 months but she thinks she is much bigger than she is.  :)

She helps push wet laundry into the dryer.  She helps put away clean laundry.  She helps carry books to the library.  She helps put away toys.  She always likes to set the table.  She wants to stand on the kitchen stools to help cook because that is what she sees all three of her sisters doing.

One of Bailey's chores after a meal is to clean the pans and wipe down the stovetop.  We use mostly stoneware and cast iron at our house so she has pans to clean in the sink after every evening meal.  She had started cleaning a stone pan one evening and I stopped her because it was time for her to go up to get ready for bed.  I told her I would finish her last pan. 

Someone beat me to the kitchen to finish the work...

 

And she was even cleaning the stoneware exactly like you are supposed to!  Little brown scraper and all...

 

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

March 4, 2011

 

 

Teacup Tuesdays - 18 Bumble Bees

 

Let's see....I guess it would have been three months, two weeks and one day ago that my beloved husband gave me this porcelain teapot and honey pot.  It has tiny bumble bees on it. 

There was also a spoon rest...

 

And...a single teacup and saucer...

 

Some years back I started using the anniversary gift list when searching for an anniversary gift for my beloved.  It has put me on many fun and interesting paths and I have found some neat things that I would not have considered for him otherwise.  The 18th year is porcelain. 

So...for my 18th anniversary, my dearest husband gave to me something that he knew I would enjoy.  I love my bumble bee teacup, when I hold it in my hands, steaming with tea or coffee, I have the privilege of remembering the celebration of our 18th year of marriage.  I get to remember our dinner that he picked out so carefully just for me.  I get to remember an evening of walking and talking with my hand in his. 

Every time the swirling steam rises above the little yellow and white cup, I feel the warmth of his hand in mine and I am thankful for our 18 years together and I selfishly plead with the Lord that we will have at least 18 more. 

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause (rhymes with house)

January 18, 2011

Music:  By Your Side

Matters of Motherhood on Mondays - Chores for the Long Haul

 

Chores and chore training...

Lessons of late for this momma:

Assigning a chore for too short a duration has been an error in our home, I think.  I met a family over the past year that assigns chores to their children for a year.  When first hearing this, it seemed like a very long time for a chore assignment.  I watched this family and listened over the year; I thought lots and my beloved and I talked much...

1.  A long-term chore assignment gives opportunity for the chore to be truly learned and mastered. 

2.  It gives opportunity for the child to know, without a doubt, that they "own" this responsibility and any complaining or grumbling is truly futile; there will be no getting out of the task. 

3.  Long-term assignments give opportunity for the chores to truly become a habit in their routine.

..................

My children are still on the young side.  We have made changes in our household routines and will continue to add chores this year as they progress with the ones already assigned.

Bailey is eight.  She is tasked with making sure her room is cleaned daily before bed.  Items left out of place become the property of her father and I (some items are tossed/given away, some are retained and must be purchased or earned back).  She has daily chores depending upon the household areas to be cleaned on that day.  Today is Monday and we clean and declutter the kitchen, living rooms and the dog's food area.  She is responsible for cleaning the microwave and toaster and the countertop that they sit on.  She is also responsible for decluttering and dusting all tables and bookcases in those rooms.  And on Mondays, she does her two loads of laundry (her sheets will be washed with her light load).  Bailey and Kennedy unload the dishwasher as a team every day.

Kennedy is five.  She is learning how to make sure her room is cleaned daily.  In the kitchen, she cleans the outside of the oven, fridge and dishwasher.  She makes sure that all of the movies are put away and tidy.  She vacuums the sofas.  Kennedy and Bailey unload the dishwasher as a team every day.

Addison is four.  She used to work alongside her sisters more but we have pulled her out of most of the chores, for now...   I have determined that the two big sisters need to learn to work more as a team, providing an example to the younger two.  Addison is learning the steps to keeping her room clean.  Her chores are to help Mommy with whatever Mommy is doing. 

Mother has learned that she must not just come to check but must remain at the side of her child and encourage and lend a hand....at least for now....for many weeks....  

Lending a hand and "catching her where she falls"... lots of encouragement without the critique...

The children learn each day but I think it is the momma that does most of the learning on most of the days.

~~~~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 10, 2011

Tiny Smiles, Tremendous Blessing

 

Darcy Cheyenne...13 months old, already.

She is so sweet and she is so fun.

No matter where we go, she brings smiles to the faces of so many people. 

Once upon a time, a dear friend made the little pink rabbit hat for Baby Addison and now Darcy gets to wear it.  Darcy loves her puppy backpack.  His name is Scout.

Oh how she loves her Daddy! 

The mention of his names sends her for the front windows yelling, "Da!  Da!  Da!" 

The sound of his ring on my phone or a message alert from her Daddy causes her to giggle and smile and squawk, "Da!  Hi, hi.  Da!  Hi, hi.  Da!  Da!

 "

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 7, 2011

...every moment...

 

"Right now counts forever."

                                           ~~ R. C. Sproul

 

Ah! what would the world be to us...

...If the children were no more?

 

We should dread the desert behind us

Worse than the dark before.

What the leaves are to the forest,

With light and air for food,

Ere their sweet and tender juices

Have been hardened into wood,--

That to the world are children;

Through them it feels the glow

Of a brighter and sunnier climate

Than reaches the trunks below.

                                               ~~ J. R. Miller, Home-Making

 ~~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

October 12, 2010

Music: Simple Gifts

..another year with my beloved..

I remember the very day that I realized that I was falling in love with this man...

:0)

 

We married October 3rd, 1992.

 

18 years of marriage...

I am so thankful for my dearest Aaron. 

I love him so tremendously that there simply are no words to truly express it.

"Perfect harmony cannot be forced in a day, cannot indeed be forced at all, but must come through gentleness and perhaps only after many days.  There must mutual adaptation, and time must be allowed for this.  The present duty is unselfish love.  Each much forget self in devotion to the other.  Each must blame self and not the other when anything goes wrong.  There must be the determination on the part of both to make the marriage happy and to conquer everything that lies in the way.  Then the very differences between the two lives will become their closest points of union.  When they have passed through this process of blending, though it may for the time be painful and perilous, the result will be a wedded life of deep peace, quiet joy and inseparable affection."   

"Pride must have no place in wedded life.  There must never be any standing upon dignity, nor any nice calculation as to whose place it is to make the apology or to yield first to the other.  True love knows no such casuistry; it seeks not its own; it delights in being foremost in forgiving and yielding.  There is no lesson that husbands and wives need more to learn than instantly and always to seek forgiveness of each other whenever they are conscious of having in any way caused pain or committed a wrong.  The pride that will never say, "I did wrong; forgive me," is not ready for wedded life." 

"When the wedded life is ruled by love, then the bridal wreath remains fresh and fragrant till it is laid upon the coffin by the loving hands of the one who survives to close the eyes of the other; and the wedding music and the peals of the bells continue to echo in tones of gladness and peace until hushed in the sobbings of sorrow when the singers sing in dirges and the bells toll out the number of the finished years."

                                                                         J. R. Miller, Home-Making, Chapter 1

 

Perhaps the Lord will allow us another 18 years together on this earth.

I would be so blessed...

Truly forever honored to be Mrs. Aaron Klause

I love you Aaron.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

October 3, 2010

Music: Legends of the Fall; It's Always You

 

 

Daddy and His Girls

 

My dearest husband often makes dinner on the weekends.  He is a fantastic cook!  The girls so enjoy making meals with him! 

Darcy has beautiful curly hair and this was her first fountain!  Hehehe....  I pulled it all up into a tiny little "tail" on top of her head.  :)

I love to see the smile on my husband's face when he is visiting with or playing with his children.  It brings tremendous joy to my heart.

And.....oh, how these four little girls adore this man!

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

September 24, 2010

  

Little Girls...Busy Days

The days are busy around here!  I haven't taken time for blogging in a while.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just a few photos of the summer...

Darcy at 8 months.  She is so sweet...

Kennedy & Addison are the dearest of friends. 

Darcy & Addison

  
  Addison, Kennedy & Bailey plopped down on a swing at Garden Ridge one day and what a cute picture it made!

Addison & Kennedy making baby food for Darcy.

 

Darcy vacuuming ... or piddling with it anyway.  ;0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

September 9, 2010

Red Kool-Aid & Royalty

Question:  How many times do you have to mop the floor after an entire pitcher of red Kool-Aid is spilled on the dining room floor??

Answer:  I do not know yet.  We have mopped the floor eight times already and the floor is still sticky.  Perhaps I can let you know tomorrow.

~~~~

Kennedy and Addison are constantly pretending something throughout the day.  This afternoon Bailey and I are sitting in the living room learning about the life of Claude Monet.  Addison has been helping me with the mopping sessions and cleaning the dining room furniture.  Kennedy looks up from her farm and sees Addison mopping (again) and suggests that they play Princess and Her Servant.  Kennedy will be the Princess and Addison can be the servant since she is mopping anyway.  Kennedy props herself up all princess-like at the dining room table while Addison mops and checks regularly on the progress of her servant. 

In the meantime, Darcy crawls into the dining room to play with a basket of her toys.  I have just checked on her and she is just piddling. 

Then I hear this:

Kennedy:  Servant Addison, please close the back door since The Royal Dog already came in.

Addison:  I can't.  The Royal Big Baby is in the way.

---Hehehe---

Bailey and I peer over the back of the loveseat and giggle...

Hehehe....

...."the Royal Big Baby is in the way"....

Hehehehe....

~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 29, 2010

Music:  You Are My Sunshine

 

Mr. Huckleberry

He is the last pup remaining...

I will be sad to see him go.

I have worked with him daily since his littermates left.  He was terribly uncertain of the leash and the first walk we took him on.  He stayed right beside Sadie and was a bit confused by it all.

But he got the hang of it pretty quick. 

He has grown into a handsome fellow...    ;0)

Here is he only a few hours old.

He arrived backend first and I noticed his funny markings immediately.  :)

He will make a good dog.  He does well with the children.  He had to learn how not to pummel Darcy like she was a littermate.  He no longer nibbles her ears at his leisure.  He has done his potty business outside since he was able to walk.  He is still learning to ring the bell on the back door to let us know he needs out.  He is currently learning how not to jump when he is excited to see us.  He sleeps all night in his kennel from 10 p.m. until around 6 a.m.  And he does love his kennel...I leave the door open and that is where he lays to nap.  

Sadie and Mr. Huckleberry.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 26, 2010
 
   
 
 
  

Such joy...

Darcy Cheyenne at almost 8 months old.

The time is flying by too quickly!

She is such a sweet little girl.  She crinkles her nose when she smiles.  Her giggles are truly like music that sweetens our days. 

She started crawling just days after turning seven months old and within the next five days she was pulling up.  I kept telling her to sit right back down as she was just too young to be on her feet!!  She is becoming quite agile on her feet and pushed forward on her little push walker this Sunday afternoon.  She made it from the living to the dining.  When I saw it and said something, her Daddy was up in a flash looking into the dining hoping for a glimpse of seeing those tiny feet in action. 

My heart was overwhelmed...tiny little feet and sweet smiles...and the twinkle in her father's eyes...

I am so thankful for my Darcy Cheyenne.

~~~

posted Mrs. Klause

July 20, 2010

Music: Who's My Pretty Baby

Five Waggly Tails

The puppies will be ready for their new homes soon.  The children are terribly sad about this.  They will lobby to keep one of the dogs.  :-)

They will be small dogs.  Momma is an Italian Greyhound (these are small!) and Poppa is a toy Manchester Terrier.

```````````````````````````

This is Mr. Huckleberry. 

He is a sweet dog.  A good eater.  Not yappy.  He really likes to play with his brothers.  He likes to cuddle.

``````````````````````````````````````````````````

Here is Sgt. Tibbs.

I like Sgt. Tibbs a lot.  He likes to come and cuddle.  And enjoys a good romp with his brothers as well..

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````

This is little Bella.  She is the smallest but the one with the most spunk.  She is not yappy but if someone has something to say it will be one of the female dogs.  She likes to run and pounce.  So far, she is the fastest...the girls keep trying to set them up to race.  Hehehe...

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Col. Buckshot.  :0)   He is the biggest fellow.  He is a snuggler as well.  He has a tendency to follow or find me.  He is often first one to fall asleep after eating and playing. 

```````````````````````````````````````````````````

Last is little Cupcake.

She is spunky like Bella.  

Cupcake really likes to play.

````````````````````````````````````````  

The children have played with the dogs since they were about 24 hours old.  They have been held, cuddled, rocked, loved, wrapped in blankets, squeezed a little too hard and Darcy has even pulled tails and tasted a few ears.  ;0)

A few random photos of the pooches:

Above:  Mr. Huckleberry & Cupcake

Sgt. Tibbs came in from outside yesterday morning and curled up for a nap in Darcy's lap.

Addison crawled out of bed yesterday and went straight to take care of Bella.  She made her a little bed and covered her up.

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````   
  

You can see other pictures of the puppies here:

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 -5...

Pictures of the Puppies 

And pictures of Momma Dog here:

Passing the time...

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 17, 2010

Music: How much is that doggy?

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5...

Mother Sadie and her five pups.  It was a long and tiring night for Sadie.

The first puppy was quite a surprise to her.  :)   She was not too sure about the second one but by the fourth and fifth, she was an expert.  She seems to be a good momma dog and leaves their little den only to run to the potty and grab a bite to eat. 

Kennedy regularly brings food and water to her and she nibbles and laps in the comfort of her den.  :)

They are situated in a box in our living room behind one of the chairs.  I placed a card table over the top of the box and then put a sheet over the top of the card table so they have secluded place in the family area.

The children decided that they wanted to each have their very own puppy to name and take care of while they are with us.

This is Mr. Huckleberry.  He is "mine" and was born first.  He likes to sleep on Sadie's neck....

....or draped over her back leg... 

:)

Today we will try to get good pictures of all the puppies.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

May 18, 2010

Music:  How Much Is That Doggie In The Window
   

Darcy, too!

After lunch today Addison found a rolly polly bug.  Everyone gathered on the back porch to observe and piddle with it.  Darcy got to go as well.  Bailey plopped her down on the porch and they all took turns making the little critter roll up into a ball.

It must be fun to be the fourth sister in the house!  :0)

~~~
posted by Mrs. Klause

April 30, 2010

Work About The House Wednesdays -- We finally perfected our pancakes!

We have been working to perfect our pancake recipe for a couple of years now.  We make adjustments each time we make the pancakes. 

We have had a tasty recipe but had trouble getting the cakes to fluff up as much as we wanted them to.  We have added more baking powder and less and added and taken away baking soda...we have changed the egg ratio and made adjustments to the flour...we have even found a secret in adding Sprite or 7-Up as part of the liquids to fluff them a bit....

But...we still could not get a FLUFFY pancake.  Or at least as risen and fluffy as we desire...until today...

Bailey typically prepares the batch of pancakes on her own.  Today she wanted to mentor her sisters a bit in the process so she was kind of teaching them a bit helping them measure and such.  Darcy and I sat nearby enjoying warm milk and hot coffee.

I knew that instead of the 15 minutes it would take me to whip up a batch or even the 30 minutes that it takes Bailey to make cakes for breakfast....it would surely become at least an hour project for us.  We lost only one glass bowl in the process due to slippery butter fingers (literally, she had butter on her fingers).  ;0)

Once the batter was ready and the griddle was heating, I went over to peer into the bowl to see how it looked.  Batter seemed too thick.  I reviewed the recipe with Bailey.  I watched her measure a cup of milk but I did not see her add the additional 1/4 cup.  We talked the recipe through and found that only that 1/4 cup milk was left out.  I suggested that we not add the additional milk but see how the cakes turned out.  She was hesitant as she has spent the last year really learning to cook and to bake and she often will get discouraged with her mistakes.  I encouraged her saying that they would taste just fine, it would only be the consistency that would be affected.  I suggested that they may turn out more fluffy with the thicker batter.  She was willing....

!  !  !  !

I wish I had a picture.  The were so fluffy and quite tasty.  They did not make lovely round cakes as the batter was thick and not really pourable...more "plop-able".  ;0)

We finally perfected our pancake!  There was cheering at the breakfast table this morning and further scribbling on the recipe card. 

~~~

It is a regular handwriting assignment for Bailey to complete a recipe card.  She has started her own recipe box of those recipes that she wants to keep in her hope chest (that we do not yet have) to take with her to her own home.  I think she and her children will treasure reading and preparing recipes written in the crooked strokes of a little girl.  :0)

~~~

The Klause's Perfect Pancakes

1 1/2 cup flour

3 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons sugar

1 cup milk

1 egg

3 tablespoons melted butter

In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients.  Make a well in the center and add all liquids.  Mix until smooth.

This makes a small batch.  Perhaps 12-14  4-inch cakes..

Sometimes we will triple or quadruple the recipe and cook the cakes and then freeze the rest for later.  You can put them into the toaster from the freezer but we prefer to set them into the fridge or out on the counter to thaw some and then reheat in the oven, microwave or toaster.

~~

Let us know if you give our recipe and whirl and what your family thinks.  :0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

April 21, 2010

At the beauty shop...

...waitin' for Momma to get her hair cut...

:0)

This was not posed.  They just plopped themselves down in a line to wait. 

We live in a small town and the lady that owns this little hair shop has been cutting hair in this tiny town for 54 years.  We had a wonderful visit there. 

There was a woman in her 70s getting her hair done when we arrived.  She was called Punkin.  Just as my hair was being finished up a lady named Dorothy arrived, also in her 70s.  She was the fourth of seven sisters.  Having four little girls there with me brought about stories of Dorothy's childhood.  Within a few minutes of Dorothy's arrival the phone rang. 

It was a woman calling for Dorothy.  :)  Her sister.  She was calling so that the lady at the hair shop could let Dorothy know that coffee was ready and she should come on over after her hair was done.  Oh, and by the way, has anyone seen Punkin?  Nope.  Dorothy says she hasn't seen Punkin today.  Oh but the lady at the hair shop reports that she just finished Punkin's hair about 30 minutes ago. 

...in walks Punkin...

She saw Dorothy's car and came to tell her that she picked up donuts and was headed over to have coffee with a sister.  :0)   Three of the seven sisters so far...

Oh how my girls just loved watching all of this!  I tell the girls all the time that God has given them their very best and closest friends...their sisters.  I have explained that friends will come and go in our lives but their sisters will always be there.  Sisters are such a blessing from the Lord and those relationships are to be built and cared for and tended carefully over the many years.

I tell the girls stories all the time of all that I remember of my Mema Simpson and her sisters. 

I tell the girls that it is their sisters that will be there when they are married and when they have their babies ... when husbands are without a job or when children are ill ... when the news of terminal illness arrives or tragic accidents happen ...sisters will comfort them as they say goodbye to parents and husbands and children ...

I pray my girls will become dear and lifelong friends. 

I hope that when they are old and grey that Darcy has the coffee ready and waiting...

Kennedy arrives with a bouquet of fresh cut flowers from her little flower garden in the backyard...

Bailey brings over some muffins to nibble...

Addison brings in the quilt that they are all working on together...

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

April 17, 2010

What do you do with your junk mail?

Kennedy and Addison have today's grocery advertisements, a piece of white paper, a glue stick and a pair of scissors.  They are hunting for each letter of the alphabet.  This is a great exercise for Kennedy.  She is a highly kinestethic learner.  

Darcy is enjoying her swing and the chatter of her sisters.

Bailey is reading about butterflies.

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

March 31, 2010

 

 

Snow! :0)

 

We have snow!

The girls are terribly excited and hoping to go out to play soon.

 

Darcy and I will stay inside all cozy and warm and have hot chocolate waiting for them.  :)

~~~

I will post snow pictures later today.  A snowman is sure to be built!

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

February 11, 2010

Our Little Darcy Cheyenne

Sweetly sleeping...

We took this one just for her Daddy...wearin' her Wranglers.

 

So sweet.  She is a beautiful and pleasant little girl.

 

Mother Klause & Little Darcy Cheyenne

.

What a precious gift.  I am so thankful for this wee little girl.

~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 5, 2010

I love the way their minds work!

Descriptions from a three-year-old...

"Mommy, when are we going to have those cooked eggs with the pudding in them?"

ALSO KNOWN AS deviled eggs.

~~~

"I like chocolate rocks!"

ALSO KNOWN AS milk duds.

~~~

"Mommy. look at all those hay marshmallows!!"

ALSO KNOWN AS round hay bails.

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

December 10, 2009

Music: Three Little Birds

Darcy Cheyenne Klause ~ ~ His Reward

 

Darcy Cheyenne Klause

Born on Tuesday, November 17th at 11:39 p.m. (on her due date)

 7 pounds 5 ounces; 20.5 inches long

~~~

Big sisters seeing her for the first time.

~~~

Big Sister Addison holding Darcy Cheyenne.  She just giggled when she saw her.  Kennedy did the very same thing the first time that she saw Baby Addison. 

~~~

Kennedy holding Darcy Cheyenne for the first time.  Kennedy has so looked forward to Darcy's arrival.

 

~~~

Bailey holding her for the first time.  There is a good possibility that Bailey will not put her down for months.  :0)

~~~

My parents cooing over their newest blessing.

~~~

She has been very alert and content when she is awake.

Her hair is very dark brown like my mother's hair; so dark brown that you have to look close to decide that it is brown and not black.

~~~

Daddy is getting me ready to go home!

~~~~

Darcy Cheyenne's sisters were so very happy to have her home.

~~~

Little Darcy was known of before the world was created...and knit together by the very hand of God.  What an amazing miracle.

I am so thankful for this wee child. 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  ~~James 1:17

Mommy & Darcy Cheyenne

Psalm 127

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. 

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

November 21, 2009

Music:  Pretty Little Baby/Big Snow in Salzburg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

First Attempt :0)

A few weeks ago Bailey and Kennedy decided that they wanted to surprise me.  I listened carefully from the stairwell so that I could still monitor the goings-on but I left them to themselves.

Bailey had found a recipe in a party book for muffins so they gave it a whirl.  The muffins were very pretty but they were yummy.

The icing...

...well, it was a different story...

Here is the recipe from the book:

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup lemon juice

2 teaspoons vanilla

** We did not have lemon juice so a substitution was made and this was the recipe that was invented (by my 7-year-old and 4-year-old:

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup vanilla

:0)

Yes.

You read that correctly.

One-half cup of vanilla extract.

The icing was more like cream that you drizzled onto your muffin.

It was exceptionally sweet.

It did not taste bad at all; actually tasted fine ... in very small quantities.

~~~

I truly enjoyed my muffins.  What a sweet surprise from my girlies.

~~~

It made for some wonderful discussion between Bailey and I later on that day concerning rules of cooking...particularly as a beginner...

1.  Always check to make sure that you have ALL of the necessary ingredients on-hand BEFORE you begin your recipe.

2.  No substitutions until she is a more experienced baker.  Any substitutions must be approved through Mother.  ;0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

November 14, 2009

14 days and counting...

Me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pregnant Me.

Oh...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wait!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

:0)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That is the broad side of a barn!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hehe...

~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh yes, this is pregnant Me.   :0)

I just feel as large as a barn.   ;0)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

:0)  Just poking fun at myself.  I really do love being pregnant....even the tough days.... 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our wee tiny baby is due to arrive into our arms in the next 14 days!

The girlies are terribly excited!  Addison asks most often, "Will I get to hoed Baby Sit-rw today?"

What an amazing miracle and blessing to carry each child, an eternal soul, that has been knit together by the very hand of our Creator.

~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

November 3, 2009

Music:  Who's My Baby/Ladybug Picnic

 
 

Fall Camping Trip

In September we took off to a neighboring state to camp for a few days. 

Immediately after arriving, we promptly went to explore our camping area.  We camped in a cabin; it is hard to totally rough it with three children ages 7 and under and momma 7+ months pregnant    :0).  Below our cabin about 50 feet was a creek. 

~~~

After hiking down to the creek, we climbed back up and walked a ways to find another portion of the creek that we could cross.  The girls stopped to build a small dam out of rocks.  Daddy showed the girls how to build their dam, which rocks to select and how to travel safely on the rocks across the creek.  Momma sat on the creek's edge watching. 

 It was inevitable...one by one, the children slipped and lost their footing falling into the shallow water.  It didn't stop their dam-building at all.  Daddy just smiled as we watched Addison plop bottom first and soak herself almost entirely.  :0)

~~~

We returned to our campsite to drop off our bug houses and gather a few items to go and search for firewood.  Kennedy is watching her Daddy gather what we need.

~~~

Kennedy is gathering kindling.

~~~

Daddy went down our little 50 foot cliff to tie ropes to a small log and the girls and I pulled the log up the cliff to our campsite.  Then Daddy climbed right up the cliff..all the while little girls giggling and excited as they watched Daddy go suddenly from the bottom to the top.

~~~

 

Campfire lit...smores to follow...    :0)

~~~

The next day we went to one of our nation's oldest state parks.  We found a waterfall, spotted a few deer and all kinds of insects and lots of gorgeous trees with their leaves just barely floating to the ground.

~~~

The trail that we walked was beautiful...

How blessed I am!

My beloved husband of 17 years and my precious children...

~~

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

October 30, 2009

Music: Legends of the Fall
 
 
 
 
 
 

Giggle with me??

A 30-second glimpse into our school room...

Bailey is correcting her handwriting as I am reading from The Little Duke.  It is the story of Richard the Fearless (943-996) who became the Duke of Normandy at age eight.

Kennedy is painting with water onto a nifty reusable picture that becomes colored as she swipes the wet paintbrush.

Addison is coloring a picture of a horse.

~~~

One moment, there we are, productive and everyone working wonderfully on their assignment.

Then....

...it goes like this...

Mother Klause (reading):  "All through the meal, the Duke and his Lords talked earnestly of the expedition on which they were bound to meet Count Arnulf of Flanders, on a little islet in the river Somme, there to come to some agreement, by which Arnulf might make restitution to Count Herluin of Montreuil, for certain wrongs which he had done him."

Mother Klause (explaining):  "Restitution means..." 

 **Suddenly water flies into Mother's face.**

Mother Klause:  "Kennedy, please do not turn your soaked "painting" upside down onto Bailey's reading log.  You are working with water so you must take care not to get your things near any paper or books."

Kennedy:  "Oh!  I'm sorry Mother, I will be more careful."

Mother Klause looks over to see that Bailey has misunderstood her handwriting instructions:  "Bailey, you were correct in capitalizing the proper names, you will need to go back and fix that." 

Bailey:  "Oh, Momma!  I didn't know I was erasing what was right and making it wrong!" 

Mother looks up to see Addison squatting in her chair with a colored pencil hanging from one nostril:  "Addison, please remove the pencil from your nose and sit on your bottom in your chair."

:0)

Addison:  "Yes ma'am."

~~~

Hehehe...

Thought you might get a giggle out of 30 seconds of our day.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

October 21, 2009

Music: The Lonely Goatherd (from The Sound of Music)

"God's Word says..."

Addison is 3, Kennedy is 4.  They are 16 months apart.

They love one another dearly and are the best of friends.  They play so well together.  They truly enjoy one another's company.

However, when they do squabble....whew....DO THEY SQUABBLE!

:0)

Yesterday morning the girls are getting ready for the day and I am putting books on the shelf in the library (all on the second floor and all rooms are open to one another).  I hear Addison tell Kennedy, "Kn-dy, God's Wo-rwd says you awe not to be wude to you-rw sist-rw!"

Translation: Kennedy, God's Word says you are not to be rude to your sister!

:0)

I turn, trying not to laugh, to see the two facing one another at the top of the stairwell looking seriously at one another.

~~~

Over the last year, I have learned that God's perfect Word, the two-edged sword, will truly pierce right into the hearts of the children.  God's Word changes us.  Why would it be any different for our children?  Why do we feel some overwhelming need to water down scripture for our children?  It makes sense that we speak His Word directly to our children. 

Taking the wisdom of someone quite dear to me, I made myself some note cards so that I would always have God's Word in-hand, I set forth about this time last year to correct and teach the children in the moment(as the anger, laziness, lying, impatience {name the sin} was actually occurring) with the words of our Creator instead of my own words.  I also set forth to encourage the children with the Word of God when I saw Christ-like behavior/words in them.

God's Word is amazing...  The Sword Is Sufficient

~~~

So, yesterday, we sat down to talk about what God's Word says about being rude to your sisters. 

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

October 15, 2009

Music: Word of God Speak

Saturday Morning Cartoons

 

~~~

~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 22, 2009

Music: Jesus Loves Me

Sisters - At The Park

 

Addison & Kennedy playing at the park.  It was 8:30 in the morning and terribly hot!

 

Silly Sisters.

~~~

Little girls with pigtails, silly faces, tiny rosey red cheeks, little girl giggles...

These are a few of my favorite things.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 10, 2009

Music: My Favorite Things

Teacup Tuesdays - Sleek & Fancy

From The Archives - December 2006

Mema Simpson...she died when I was 10-years-old.  I remember so many times with her however.  She used to sit in a funny little chair at the end of the bar in her kitchen and drink coffee.  Mema had several sisters, Neva lived there in town with her.  We used to go and visit Neva all the time.  Mema had a dishwasher in her kitchen that sat against the wall.  When she wanted to use it, she had to push it over to the sink and attach a hose to the kitchen faucet.  She had a small shelf in her dining room that would hold six teacups and their saucers.  I can only recall there being two cups & saucers that hung there but my memory might not be serving me well.  This is one set:

It is blue and white with gold rims and designs.  It is a rather sleek and fancy looking teacup.  I do not know where it came from or why she only had one nor do I ever recall seeing her use the cup and saucer. 

Whatever the history, she is seeing her share of tea and coffee in our home.  More importantly...my daughters and I are filling her full of memories...

** The music that you hear is from a movie.  I have never seen the movie and have absolutely no intent in watching it.  It would ruin the beauty of the song for me.  Mema had a little music box on her coffee table and this was the song that it played.  The music box was actually a type of picture frame that held six family photos in a hexagon shape and as the music played, the photos turned in a circle.  I can remember sitting on her floor and listening to the music and watching the pictures go around.  For years I didn't know what the song was and had no way of describing it to anyone as it was just a distant memory in my mind.  One day I heard the music and tracked down the title.  I don't call the song by it's name.  Instead, it is Mema's Musicbox Song.  :)

posted by Mrs. Klause

Music:  Theme from 'Love Story'

Happy 3rd Birthday Addison!

 

 

We kept it very small with only our immediate family, my parents and dear family friends, the Sliders joining us to celebrate Addison's third birthday.

Addison really likes orange.  Most little girls always pick pink and purple...the pink cup, the pink popsicle, the pink shoes, etc.  Addison always picks all things orange.  So, she had all things orange with flowers and butterflies.

Mother and Daddy got her a real cowgirl hat.  

  

She has been waiting her turn very patiently.  Kennedy and Bailey already have one.  She said to me, "Momma, now I can weal-wey (really) be a cow-ga-oil (cowgirl)."

 

She was quite excited.  Mother made some lovely hat-bands for her.

 

 

Silly string made it's entry into the Klause House....

 

Daddy laughed the entire time while trying to help Kennedy spray her pink string.  I didn't get any photos as we were laughing too much but Kennedy never actually shot the silly string intentionally.  Her first pile of pink string was on the dining room ceiling!  She was trying to figure out how to hold the can and depress the button at the same time.  Her entire can was 'spent' in this manner...

to the side into the living room,

toward the back door and stuck to the wall,

back into the living room, over the sofa and onto the dog...

 

I know.  It is blurry but it is the only photo I got of Mother.  She looked just lovely that day.  I should be ashamed of myself for not ensuring a good photo of her! 

 

I thought that a wonderful gift for Addison would be a sandbox...with an umbrella over the top.  Her Daddy built it for her.  Pipaw (my Daddy) and Addison went to play in the sandbox.  Sadie (the dog) was on their heels and enjoyed a sliver of shade in the grass while they played.

 

My Little Cow-ga-oil from Deep In The Heart of Texas.

~~~

She is often seen in her lovely orange dress with her new orange sandals and her new cowgirl hat with the orange hat-band. 

:)

{sigh}

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 22, 2009

Music:  Yellow Rose of Texas

One of my favorite things...

Addison is two.  I love to hear the words that come from my wee children.  They speak words in the manner that their tiny ears seem to hear them.

Although there are words that they speak that I correct and help them to pronounce appropriately, there are just a few that I do not correct and I shoo family members away from correcting that small handful of words as well. 

The above candy we would call an M & M. 

Addison says:

"N - dough - M"

She likes n-dough-m's a great deal....but then again....who doesn't?

;0)

It will only be a few months in her life that we will get to hear her say those sweet words that cause us to silently smile.  However, I will be old and grey and still remember a tiny voice saying how much liked "n-dough-m's". 

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

May 21, 2009

Music:  My Favorite Things

Passing the time....

Sadie has taken up a new hobby...

  

You guessed it...

...

...

 

Knitting.

.

Yes.

Knitting.

 

Mother does not think this is an appropriate hobby for a greyhound.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

May 4, 2009

Music: How Much Is That Doggy?

Sure do enjoy bein' back in Texas...

 

Bailey, Kennedy & Addison

April 16, 2009

~~~

We've been back nearly a year.  It is nice to be home again.  I never realized how much I enjoyed windmills, bluebonnets and pastures filled with cattle.  :0)

The girlies wear their cowgirl boots with just about everything.  And...my girls look perfectly normal walking around in pink cowgirl hats.  Hehe...

Me?

As I walk down the stairs I call out, "SADIE, SADIE...."

...

...

...

"Sadie, where are you at?"

...

...

...

   

Sadie...standing in the kitchen...

...

Mother:  "Sadie, I see you discovered the box of tissue."

Sadie:  "Box of tissue?  No.  I do not know anything about a box of tissue."

Mother:  "Dogs do not use tissue and dogs certainly should not take all of the tissue out of the box."

Sadie:  "Box of tissue?"

Mother:  "Yes.  Tissue.  ALL of the tissue in spread down the stairwell."

Sadie:  "Me.  Tissue?  Well...let's see..."

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

April 2, 2009

Music: Doggie in the Window

 

He might get stuck.

Addison (age 2) - "Mommy, can I help make da toast?"

Mommy - "Of course!  We have to be very careful; toasters get hot."

Addison - "Okay Mommy.  What is dat wred sthing in da toaster?"

Mommy - "It is the the heating element.  That is the part of the toaster that gets hot."

Addison, with a look of confusion on her face - "Dere's an ewfwant in dere?!"

Mommy - "Not elephant; el-e-ment.  Heating element.  See, look into the toaster.  Look at the bright red parts.  Those parts are what get hot and heat the bread so we call it a heating element."

Addison - "Oh."    *Pointing into the toaster.*     "An ewfwant would get stuck in dere and he might get buwned."

:0)

~~~

Psalm 127

" ¹Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.  ²It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.  ³Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  ⁴As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  ⁵Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

March 23, 2009

Music: You Are My Sunshine

Teacup Tuesdays -- Finally, A Silver Tea Set

 

Isn't it beautiful?  A silver tea set.  I have wanted one for a long time now.

 

I'll have to wait longer...   ;0)

This tea set belongs to Kennedy.  She got it for her birthday a few weeks ago.  The tray is about eight inches in diameter and the teapot stands just above five inches.  It is completely usable and has been put to much use already. 

I will have to grab a picture of her playing with her tea set this week...

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

March 17, 2009

A trip to the zoo.

The girls and I recently enjoyed a beautiful day at the zoo. 

Bailey is holding a wooden stick covered in honey and seed and feeding a parakeet.

 

~~

 

We spent the entire day there.  The weather was beautiful; in the low 80s. 

The girls' favorite part tied between brushing the goats and...

 

Eating ice cream!

 

Kennedy turned four a couple of weeks ago.

Addison is almost always smiling. 

 

She was racing the warm day for her ice cream.  :)

 

Bailey...it surely cannot have been seven years already...

 

We were tired but we sure had fun.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

March 14, 2009

Bzzzzz...

Busy as bees around here!

:)

Saturday was Kennedy's fourth birthday and Thursday is Bailey's seventh.  We have family and friends arriving to celebrate their lives.

~~~

Tomorrow Nana Klause arrives.

We will have friends over on Thursday.

Pipaw & Amma Simpson arrive on Friday.

Poppa Calvin and Pawpaw & Nana Slider arrive on Saturday.

My brothers and family may join us for the weekend as well.

~~~

I so enjoy having guests in our home. 

What a blessing to have the house a rumble with voices, laughter and even the tears...

Children clattering and chattering about...

The kitchen in constant processession with one meal after the next being prepared...

:)

I pray that our home will always be filled with the hustle and bustle and the comings and goings of family and friends.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

February 24, 2009

Music: Flight of the Bumblebee

Cookies! ;0)

 

Kennedy is cutting cookies...  little round ones...

And Bailey wanted to cut a few that were shaped like little cats...

   

Kennedy is waiting to roll out more dough...

 

The girls use our plastic cookie cutters in their toy kitchen so that is their permanent storage place.  All the girls had gone to their kitchen box to search for those cutters and Addison got distracted and decided to sit in the box and play while we cut the first batch of cookies in the kitchen.  :)

 

Addison joined us in the kitchen just as we were about to put the first batch into the oven.  The younger girls are huddled up in the "Oven Spot". 

The "Oven Spot" is something that I came up with when Bailey was wee little.  All the girls have always been in the kitchen cooking and baking with me.  I want them to be safe when the oven is opened so I designate a precise place in the kitchen that I can see from the oven.  Then, I know they are far from danger of the oven and they can still see what is going in or coming out of the oven.  When I call out "OVEN SPOT", they all go running.  Logan knew about the oven spot as well; Sadie doesn't know yet.  :)

(By the way, I do not store my eggs on the floor, just in case someone was wondering.  We were just getting ready to cut those cartons up so that we could turn them into caterpillars while our cookies were baking.)

***** So...I was doing some experimenting with this recipe.  Mother called me to get this recipe and ask me if it could be prepared and baked within a particular time allotment (she is doing a project with a group of children).  It has been about 10 years since I prepared these cookies so I needed to make sure that I could adjust the recipe and/or the cook temperature and/or the cooking time so that these cookies would work for Mother's project. 

The first batch turned out a bit too thick but the second batch was just perfect.  

.....

I cannot tell you exactly how they tasted but....

.....

..........

...............

:) 

 

Sadie thought that the homemade dog cookies were pretty yummy. 

 

She even stopped mid-cookie (see it hanging out of the side of her mouth?) to smile for us.

:)

The cookies are really easy and quite inexpensive.

When we make homemade people cookies here, we make several batches and then freeze the dough in rolls (like you can buy at the grocery store).  That way we can eat homemade cookies every night of the week if we want to!  :)

These dog cookies need to be rolled out to paper-thin so this single recipe will make dozens of dog cookies.  I opted to fill a small container for her and freeze the rest of the dough like we do our cookies. 

Here is the recipe if you are interested in giving it a whirl:

2 1/2 cups wheat flour (I suspect they would be fine made with white flour as well.)

1/4 cup oats

1/2 cup powdered milk

2 teaspoons salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

1 egg, beaten

12 tablespoons warm water

++ flavoring ingredient

~~

++ The flavoring ingredient can be whatever you want it to be.  This time we used 1 teaspoon of garlic.  You can use 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.  Try 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and a few shakes of cinnamon.  A 1/4 cup of peanut butter would be good.  You could also make the batch WITHOUT the flavoring ingredient and then split the dough and add a different flavor to each portion.

Mix all ingredients until a typical thick cookie-dough-like consistency.

Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch and cut into desired shapes (it is really easiest to just use a small circle; we used one of the little medicine cups that comes with liquid children's medications).

Once shape is cut, roll the shape to about twice its size and place on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for about 13-15 minutes.  They should be slightly soft still when you remove them from the oven.  Take the cookies off the sheet after about three minutes and they will get crunchy as they cool.

** Do not try to roll the dough initially to the approximate 1/8 inch.  It is too sticky and difficult to manage from that consistency with the cookie cutters.

*** You can bake them at 400 for about 9-10 minutes to shorten the baking time if needed.  No matter the temp, stay close to your oven for the first batch and start checking them at eight minutes.  If you oven temperature is off, they can get too done very quickly since they are so thin. 

*****  After I had this batch ready to roll out, it occurred to me that it would have been good to use chicken or beef broth instead of water.  I think I will try that next time.  :)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 18, 2009

Oreos anyone?

 

Mmm...

Cookies...

 

You want one?

:)

Addison shares all of her food with anyone all the time.

 

A bit messy but yummy.  I like Oreos.  So does everyone else in the house.  The girls were very excited in December when I put a bag of these messy cookies into our grocery cart.

They were particularly excited when I announced one morning that we were having Oreos and milk for breakfast.

;0)

You gotta have a little fun sometimes.

Momma can serve ice cream for dinner once a year, can't she?

Bailey still talks about her cousins birthday party when I said she could have the cake and ice cream before she had the hot dogs that were being served.  She was ecstatic!  She said, "But Momma, all the other children have to eat their dinner first."  I said, "Daddy and I decide what you eat and when and on this day, I say, EAT ICE CREAM AND CAKE FIRST!  But, be considerate of the rules set forth by the other parents and wait and eat your cake and ice cream when the other children are served.  And, for today, keep this our secret."  It was so amusing to watch her quietly contain her excitement over her special privilege.

:)

Perhaps today I shall...

...wear pig tails with my daughters...

or

...turn cartwheels and somersaults with them in the yard...

or

...go down the slide upside-down and backwards...

:)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 14, 2009