Revitalift Challenge!

Hello Strangers! It's been a very long time.  Years in fact.  I thought I'd lost my blog altogether, but low and behold, I got her back! I've been in hiding, really but not really.  Life has been a whirlwind around these parts, but I'll save that for another post or two.  Right now, I'll tell you about the #revitaliftchallenge I'm doing teaming up with @lorealmakeup and @influenster.  I'm trying this amazing product out for 14 days straight and will be back with an after picture! Wish me luck!

I received this product for complimentary testing, free of charge.


https://www.instagram.com/jamiemoffatt/?hl=en

Look what the cat drug in!

Hey there! Remember me? Probably not....it's been awhile.  For those that stuck it out, (cause you might know I like to talk a lil too much and usually end up making a fool of myself), thank you.  And I won't disappoint. 

Wow, seriously, not quite 1 1/2 years! Life.....it's been happening. I've been through some ups and a multitude of downs, but every day is a new day. I choose to drive on, smile and make the most of it.

I'm looking forward to catching up with you all. It'll take me some time. I'm all rusty again.

Briner Springs

Today, the kids and I went on a nature walk.  We ended up at Briner Springs Cemetery.   I've been to this cemetery several times but never paid attention to the history behind it.

When George Briner (b. 1787) was living on his land near French Lick in the 1840's, he often told his friends and family that when he died he wanted to be buried on a hill that overlooked their property and surrounding regions. He loved the view from the top of that hill. In the mid 1850's George's wife, Mary Clements, died suddenly and she was buried there. Later on June 21, 1867, George passed away and was buried beside his wife with the beautiful view.

George Briner

George's grandson, John W. Briner and his wife, Eleanor, wanted to make certain that this remained a sacred burial ground forever. The surrounding area was now known as the "Briner Springs Area." George's son and John W. Briner's father was Joshua Briner. By this time he was more or less retired and living with his son, so it was up to John and Eleanor to take action.

John W. & Eleanor Briner

The cemetery is located on a high hill at Briner Springs, which was at one time a thriving rural community. The community had its own small general store. The earliest marked stone in the cemetery is that of Mary Briner, who died in 1858 and George who died in 1867. George was a son of Peter and Catherine Briner, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers east of Paoli. There are a number of small-unmarked stones in the cemetery. The cemetery is approximately one acre in size.

Mary Briner

This really is a very small cemetery.  I was saddened to see so many babies laid to rest there.

Infant son of John W. & Eleanor Briner

I also found entire families:

Rilla Briner

Joseph C. Briner

Joseph & Rilla's infant daughter.

Joseph & Rilla's infant son.

In the Kitchen ~ Candy Buttons

I've mentioned that I am teaching my kids to cook........QUIT LAUGHING!

It's actually fun when they are helping out in the kitchen.  I love that they are so ready to learn and jump right in to help. 

I saw a recipe a few months ago for candy buttons, do you remember them?  They looked super easy to make, so I thought we could give it a try. 

Here is a picture of the real thing:

I think we nailed it.

It is a really simple and fun recipe for kids to make!

Here is what you will need -

1 egg

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

food coloring

wax paper

Mix the egg white & powdered sugar together in a bowl for roughly 5 minutes, until your mixture can form stiff peaks.  Separate into little bowls and add food coloring, mix well.  Put mixture into a sandwich bag and cut a small corner to pipe the mixture onto wax paper, into little dots. Let dry overnight.  Ta-da!  You have made your own candy buttons.  I gave a bag to each of my kids and let them go at it. We had fun......they even drew pictures on wax paper with the left overs we had.

Arrr Matey! Yo Ho Ho!

Yesterday was "Talk like a Pirate Day". In our house, there are two little guys who like to take advantage of that. Pirates are the poo here --- know what I mean?  My boys both love dressing up in the MANY costumes they have.  It's not unusual for one of them to go into Wal-Mart with me wearing an army suit, superman, batman or spiderman costume.  I don't mind it, because they are only little once.  Plus they are so darn cute......how could I tell them no?


This year, their decision was made that they want to be Pirates for Halloween.  Both of them.  I've been on a mission to find two of the cutest pirate outfits ever since.  Mission complete!  They are being shipped here as I type. 

He is starting his pirate goatee, compliments of his sucker.

Our favorite librarian, Robin, told us last week that yesterday was "Talk like a Pirate Day".  She also told us to come back to the library to do some fun pirate crafts and goodies!  One of the main things I love about Melton Public Library is their amazing kids section.  I fell in love with it when we first went there.  Mrs. Robin is so good about having fun things for the kids to do.  She is such a bubbly person and the perfect librarian for children. She always has a big, beautiful smile on her face. 

Yesterday when we walked in, the two older kids greeted Mrs. Robin with an "Arrr Matey!", while Weston, hesistant all morning, finally growled out "Arrrrg!"  :) I had to laugh at him.  He was so bashful about it and this child is anything but bashful! 

Their finished treasure chests.

Craft time was a huge hit!  The kids were given a treasure chest to decorate.  They had such a fun time.  I helped Weston with the glue, and his gold stripes, and he took care of placing the jewels and coins on his chest. 

They also received a cute skull sucker to fit in with the pirate theme. The boys dived into their suckers without wasting any time, while Tinsley decided she only wanted to look at hers and save it.  I have a feeling if the boys find her hiding place, it will vanish.

In the Kitchen ~ Pumpkin Butter

Although it is not quite "fall" here by the calendar, the weather sure is cooperating and fall temperatures have found their way into our area.  Crisp cool days, chilly nights...this is my favorite weather! 


It's this time of year that I love anything to do with pumpkins!  I love the bright orange color, the thought of spending an afternoon with my babies ~ carving faces in their pumpkins, the smell of Autumn, baking pumpkin pies, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin ice cream....and finally pumpkin butter! 


Since I've been on this pumpkin kick, I have left little comments on my facebook page about pumpkin this & that.  A friend of mine called & said I needed their pumpkin butter recipe to try out.  I wouldn't be disappointed and even I could make it! ;)

I got the recipe, grabbed the ingredients at the store, then got to work.

On the stove ~ Before

On the stove ~ After

Cutting out the cute lid toppers :)

Thanks again to Randy & Barb Phelix for the recipe!  It is a huge hit.

PUMPKIN BUTTER

1 large can of pumpkin
4 1/2 c. sugar
1 TBS. pumpkin pie spice
1 box Sure Jell


Mix ingredients in large pot on high heat.  Stir until boiling.  Boil additional minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Spoon into jelly jars.  (You can then seal them in a water bath, which is the method I used.) Share & enjoy!! :)

Happy 60th Birthday

There is a party going on right now ~ but, sadly, we can't be there. 

My father-in-law would have been 60 years old today and he's been celebrating with Jesus.

On August 5th, 2008, we all had to say goodbye.  Not forever, just for a little while.  It still seems unreal to me that he isn't here to give his children and grandchildren a hug, to give his in-laws a hard time :), to tease the boys about the He-Man Woman Haters Club, to cop talk, dress in Class A uniform, drive his car around the streets of Orleans, and have coffee with the guys at Shell. It seems like I should still hear his voice coming across the scanner.  Or see him smiling when he was up to something......and you knew when he was.

I remember vividly scenes from Christmas, birthdays, special ocassions.....all the laughter.  And of course, his peanut butter fudge (I still can't get it right). 

He had a story for everything.  He was a great man.  I'm proud to have worked with him, to have called him my father-in-law, to have called him my friend.  He was someone I know, without a doubt, anyone could call on and he would have been there.  He was just that way.  You've heard God only takes the best.  Very true in this case.  He was way too young, he had more living to do.........but I guess God knew better.  Ed isn't hurting anymore, cancer can't make him sick or harm him any longer.  He's living the good life and reaping the rewards. 

We love you Ed!  Happy Birthday.