God... Where Are You?

First of all, Thank you for all the sweet, get-well wishes for Lindsey and I.
We are definitely on the mend.
The medicine is working wonders on her and I'm "kicking" the yuckies the best I can.
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I was thinking today about the way circumstances happen in our lives. I know that God sees the whole picture and we only see a tiny speck.
I know that He has plans for us.
I know that He brings people into our lives for a reason.

Sometimes it's good and other times we are crying out , "Why!!!??"

I recently got reconnected to a friend of mine that I haven't seen in 10 years.
At the time I had 2 boys and she had 2 boys and they were just babies.

Some horrific, awful things have been happening in her family the last year or so. When I read her email, I sobbed.
Severe medical problems and sexual abuse has infiltrated their family. I can't even begin to imagine the pain and anger that she and her husband have had to deal with.

It has me wondering what is God's plan in this situation.
It is so hard to see past the fear, confusion, and grief.
How do you find something positive in that?

It's times like this when people say, "Where is God? Where was God when this happened?"

My Mom made a statement when I shared this recent tragedy with her. And it was an answer to that exact question.

She said, "He was right where He was when His only Son died. He was right there."
He was there....

Feeling their pain...
Crying with them....
Knowing what it's like to have a child be abused...
And hurt....
And scarred, emotionally and physically....

God was there.

And He is still there...
Waiting with open arms...
Ready to enfold them in His unfailing love...
Wanting to wipe their tears...
Wishing they would run to Him.

As I sit here tonight, thinking on these thoughts, the tears begin to flow all over again.
My friend, whom I care so much for, has had to face "hell".
She has had to live things in her mind that no parent should ever have to imagine.
My prayers rise up for her and her family. I see them. They float up to my eternal Savior.
He feels the tears attached to them.

I remind myself that He knows all. He sees all.
And most importantly He can heal all.

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21: 4

Spicy Applesauce Cake

I'm posting this recipe because of a recent request for a good spice cake recipe. (Here ya go, Leah).
We like this one. It's not a traditional spice cake but the applesauce makes it super moist and yummy.

Spicy Applesauce Cake

2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp baking cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp each- cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice & cloves
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening ( I use butter-flavor Crisco)
2 cups applesauce
2 eggs, beaten
Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips and/or 1/2 cup raisins

In large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add the shortening, applesauce and eggs. Beat with electric mixer until well mixed. Stir in optional chocolate chips or raisins.
Pour into a greased 13x9x2 baking pan.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

My Excuse

Ok, I know it has been almost a whole week since I've posted anything here!!

But... I've been sick and the little one has pneumonia in her left lung.
So that's my official excuse for not being at my blog.

Thank God we got her to the Dr. early enough to keep her from having to be hospitalized but she is on some heavy-duty antibiotics.

Hopefully we'll be back to our regular routine soon.

My Quilting Niche

I found this book at the little library in the next town over. (Quilt Shack by R. Norum & H.A. Krohg)

From the moment I opened it up, I knew I was going to love this one!

I'm not a fan of anything modern, so to find a book that has patterns and fabric ideas that look antique or vintage was exciting for me!

I think just about every project in this book is one I want to try. My problem is that being a new quilter, I haven't figured out yet which projects would be too difficult for me.

Here are some of my favorites:

The authors provide detailed instructions and pictures which definitely help me out when working through the process.

This one was designed for one of the authors' daughter who is visually impaired. She wanted to provide a high-contrast design for her.

The book has beautiful pictures showcasing the quilts.

After flipping through it, I jumped on Amazon.com and found the book for $1.95!!!

So after a quick purchase, this book is on it's way to my home, for me to keep.

I hope to be able to make some quilts from this one!

Carrot Cake Obsession

Doesn't that just make your mouth water and your lips smack?

I have been obsessed with this cake lately. I made it for my husband's birthday a few weeks ago and then was talking about this recipe with some friends last week. Ever since, I kept thinking about it.

So I broke down and made it again yesterday.
I had some for dessert last night, for breakfast this morning, and for a little afternoon snack today.
Hey, it's OK, it has vegetables and fruit in it!

Here is the yummy recipe:

2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups grated carrots (I use my hand chopper to finely chop them instead of grating , it saves time)
1 cup coconut
8 oz can of crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I leave this out, my hubby doesn't like nuts)

In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. Set aside. In another bowl; combine oil with sugar and add the beaten eggs. Add vanilla and mix well.
Add the flour mixture into wet ingredients. When mixed; add the carrots, coconut, pineapple and walnuts.

Lightly grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans (I use a large Pyrex baking pan instead). Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Meanwhile, make frosting.

Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
1 lb. powdered sugar
Whip together cream cheese and butter; add vanilla. Slowly mix in powdered sugar.
Frost the cooled cake.

Organic Fertilizer

It's that time of year; getting the garden ready for planting soon.

Oh, the boys just love this... can you tell?
Such a joyous occasion to go into the pasture with a bucket and shovel!

God-given fertilizer... what could be better? (notice the producers of our fertilizer in the background?)
It's free, and it's organic. We don't need the commercial, chemical stuff around here.

Our fertilizer is just laying around waiting to be scooped up!

They tried to get the job done by loading up on dried pies... won't work, boys!

It's got to be nice, squishy, fresh pies. They need to be "spreadable" to place on the garden area.

They have to be able to soak down into the soil.

Here is the garden. We will be tilling it in the next few weeks.

And the planting will begin the 3rd week of May.
Around here we have to wait until the end of May and first part of June for planting, to allow the soil to warm up some.

I'm sure alot of you are doing the same kind of preparations this time of year...
Garden Time!!

Warm Weather, Wherefore Art Thou?...

... Because I can hardly wait for Lindsey to wear her new bathing suit!!!

New Fabric, New Ideas

My 10 year old son picked out this fabric for his quilt.

I think it will make a nice throw quilt for him.

My neighbor lady gave Kaycie and I a box of fabric. Some just scraps and others full yardage pieces!

She and Kaycie have a special connection because they both love horses.

This one is my favorite. I have always liked maps. And to have a map on fabric is even better!

This little-girlish flannel was also in the box.

I have ideas swirling around in my head...

We're Hittin' the Road

Spring Break!! yeah!!

Tomorrow we are taking off and won't be back until Wednesday night.
First it's off to a concert in the city, first one for my kids. Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp, Addison Road, 10th Avenue North, and Hawk Nelson.
We are staying with family for the night.

And come Monday morning, we are heading over the mountain to go visit some other family for a couple days.

So, I will chat with you all when I return. (I'll probably have some pictures to share.)

The Old.... What?

Conversation with my 7 year old:

Kaycie- "Mom, I like our church."
Me- "Me too. It's nice, isn't it?"
Kaycie- "I like it because of the singing."
Me- "Yeah?"
Kaycie- "Because we sing new and old songs."
Me- "I like that too."
Kaycie- "Ya know, like we sing The Old Rocket Cross."

Now, did you all know that the cross was actually an old rocket. I didn't know that!