Homemade Peanut Butter

I'm not sure what took me so long to make peanut butter at home. It's delicious and easy!

I used this simple recipe:

2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon honey

Process peanuts and salt in food processor until smooth. This took probably 5 minutes of processing for me, but for your machine it could vary. Process longer for smoother butter. Stir in honey o taste. Store in refrigerator.


It's that easy, folks!

Good Friday

Resurrection Sunday is approaching, the anniversary of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the grave. Hallelujah! But Resurrection Sunday happened because Good Friday happened. Jesus, God made flesh, died at the hands of wicked men. Why is the anniversary of that day called "good"? This hymn has helped me to remember that Jesus not only suffered the pain of human death after he was crucified, but that he bore the actual punishment of God in my place on the cross, the punishment for my sins, and for the sins of all who would believe in him. Would you confess your sin to God, tell him your need for a great Rescuer, and then trust Jesus, who 2000 years ago suffered and died in your stead, that you might have everlasting life with him? I pray you would!

O Christ, What Burdens Bowed Thy Head

O Christ, what burdens bowed thy head! Our load was laid on Thee;
Thou stoodest in the sinner's stead, Didst bear all ill for me.
A victim led, Thy blood was shed! Now there's no load for me.

Death and the curse were in my cup: O Christ, 'twas full for Thee!
But Thou hast drained the last dark drop, 'Tis empty now for me.
That bitter cup, love drank it up, Now blessings draught for me.

Jehovah lifted up his rod: O Christ, it fell on Thee!
Thou wast sore stricken of Thy God; There's not one stroke for me.
Thy tears, Thy blood, beneath it flowed; Thy bruisings healeth me.

Jehovah bade his sword awake: O Christ, it woke 'gainst Thee!
Thy blood the flaming blade must slake, Thy heart its sheath must be.
All for my sake, my peace to make: Now sleeps that sword for me.

For me, Lord Jesus Thou hast died, And I have died in Thee:
Thou'rt ris'n, my hands are all untied, And now Thou livest in me;
When purified, made white, and tried, Thy glory then for me.

Anne Cousins (1824-1906)

Pulled the ol' Stitcheroo(s)

Bram had his two stitches removed from his lip today. We were both happy when it was all said and done. He sat in my lap, I held his legs down with my legs, his arms with my right arm, his head still with my left hand and right shoulder, the doctor's assistant held his head also, all while the doctor focused on extracting the stitches from part of a scab that was covering them. Sounds crazy, but really it probably took five minutes max. We were able to meet some friends at Chick-Fil-A afterwards for lunch, where as you can see in the second picture, Abram enjoyed every last drop of applesauce.

Counting down our days...

...literally. Abram loves repeating the numbers one through ten. He enjoys seeing the numbers on our fridge (though our number 1 is permanently lost, I'm afraid). Though his pronunciation of each number isn't super clear, it's clear he's starting to remember the pattern. This morning's conversation at the breakfast table sounded like this (he skips some numbers, like one, five, seven, and nine because he's in a hurry to say the numbers that follow):

Me: One
Abram: Two!
Me: Three
Abram: Three (sounds like Tree)
Me: Four
Abram: Four
Me: Five
Abram: Six! (sounds more like Siss)
Me: Seven
Abram: Eight!
Me: Nine
Abram: Ten!

Regardless, it's exciting to see he's getting it! He will start counting random things around the house, but it's more the way he's saying sounds than saying the right sounds in order that lets us know he's counting. He's making his math education mama proud.

Why I Had To Find Out What A Papoose Board Is

Bram and I had some mother-son bonding time tonight while my husband is out of town at a conference all weekend. Just before bed, Bram followed me into the kitchen where I filled up his bedtime sippy cup, and then he just casually slipped while walking towards me, flew forward, landed arms splayed, and bit his lower lip as he hit the floor. His lower lip was badly cut by his teeth so I decided I needed to put on my big girl pants and find somewhere for him to be seen. Trying not to dwell on the fact that I had to do this without my husband by my side! Three urgent care centers later (why I had to go to three is a longer story), four hours later, and a few stitches later, I was able to put one snoozing toddler in bed. Special thanks go out to Google Maps for iPhone (I'm definitely still very green when it comes to knowing the ins and outs of the metro area, especially when driving to unfamiliar towns and never-before-visited urgent care centers) and compassionate receptionists. He has to have the stitches in for five days and then we will go to his pediatrician and get them snipped. I think I'll follow Bram's lead and head to bed now. This one's for the books!
Sent from my iPhone

We're Still Alive!

We've been keeping busy over here, and I guess that is why I haven't updated the blog in awhile. I'm making more and more friends at church and getting connected in Bible studies, so we have been out of the house more than before, for the past month or so.  Also Bram went from two naps to one, so the computer stays tucked away all morning, and then when he goes down I'm usually found in the kitchen working on dinner prep! (I must mention we tried an awesome new dinner recipe, Taco Potatoes) All that being said, here's a few pictures of what we've been up to:

 Bram's favorite thing to do is read books and have books read to him.

 I snapped this pic on our back porch. I think he's practicing a pose for senior pictures! Only 17 years to go...

 I hit a good sale on Dr. Seuss books so here's Abram and Jon enjoying one of the newbies together.

When we're outside, I put Abram to work. Here he is with the rake.

I've also been baking. Remember when I shared the Butterhorns recipe? They are so yummy! Great reheated when frozen, too.

Here's a little video of Abram practicing his phonics. Just kidding. But he does have the M sound down!