Recipe--Garlic Chicken

We have many favorite recipes for chicken, and this one is definitely in the Top 3! It’s very simple and uses only 5 ingredients! We hope that you enjoy it as much as we do. As a note, we usually double this recipe to feed our family.

Garlic Chicken

4 cloves garlic, chopped (we used minced out of a jar)

¼ cup olive oil

½ cup parmesan cheese

½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Mix garlic and olive oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes; set aside. In shallow dish, combine parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Dip chicken in garlic mixture; coat with bread crumb mixture. Place in an ungreased 13 x 9 inch baking pan; cover and bake at 425°F for 35 minutes or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork. (Uncover for the last 10 to 15 minutes.) Serves 4-6. (We like to serve this with rice and a green vegetable.) Enjoy!

Favorite Teas

Sadly, we are putting together this post while we pause every few moments to grab a Kleenex or to cough. Somehow we contracted a viral cold bug and each of us have “dropped like flies” one by one. We are all feeling rather sick right now, so I thought it would be appropriate to share some of our favorite teas. We’ve certainly been consuming a lot lately to soothe our coughs and colds!

Mark—There are so many good teas. My favorite is probably Earl Gray Tea with sugar. I prefer strong tea in the morning, weak tea in the evenings.

Betsy—My favorite tea has always been Chinese green tea. I find it has a mild flavor that I enjoy. Aside from that, I also like honey lemon ginseng, ginger, and peach tea. I prefer my tea medium strength, sweetened with honey or a little bit of sugar.

Bianca—I enjoy many teas, so it’s hard to pick a few favorites! If it’s a strong, black tea, there is a good chance I’ll like it. I like peach tea, Earl Grey, pomegranate, and as of late, peppermint tea. I leave my tea bags in my cup the whole time I’m sipping because I like it that strong. I also like to sweeten my tea with lots of honey. Nothing soothes the sore throat I’ve been having lately like a cup of peppermint tea with honey!

Ben—Probably the best tea I’ve ever had is chocolate mint tea, made with Bianca’s fresh chocolate mint leaves. (Although I personally don’t taste the chocolate. J) I also like peach tea. I like to sweeten my tea with a little bit of sugar and I drink it so strong that I leave the tea bag in the whole time I’m sipping.

Rubia—My top favorite tea is peach. I also like Earl Grey, peppermint, and green tea. I like my tea to be medium in strength and I usually drink it unsweetened. But if I do sweeten it, I use a little bit of honey.

Roma—I have a lot of favorite teas! I like peach tea, green tea, honey lemon ginseng, peppermint, Earl Grey, and any kind of berry tea. I usually sweeten my teas with plenty of honey and I like my tea to be strong.

Josiah—I like peach tea and iced tea. I like my peach tea with cream and sugar. I usually make my tea mild.

Keepers Coop

Last Thursday, we went to our very first day of Keepers Coop! The Keepers Coop was started by friends of ours several years ago as a Bible study using the Keepers of the Faith curriculum. Over the years, they have also branched out into studying practical skills such as cooking and baking. This year, they were studying medicinal herbs, and invited our family to join.

When we walked into their kitchen, this is what met our eyes! Forty containers of dried herbs and tablets!

A close up on some of the containers.

I’m sorry this picture isn’t great, but the camera didn’t want to focus because of the sunlight coming in the window. I bet you never knew you could fit 6 girls on a standard-sized couch at one time! J

We spent about an hour and a half in the living room talking about herbs. Our friend gave an introduction to medicinal herbs and how we use them and why. Then we broke up into three small groups. Each group was assigned a specific herb to study about, using several books and handouts on. The group I was in studied Plantain, while the other two groups studied Echinacea and Mullein. After we had done our research we had one spokesperson from each group (I was the spokesperson for my group) share some of the most valuable and interesting information on that particular herb with the entire group.

After that, we went outside to locate and identify some of the herbs we had just talked about. Here, everyone was to look around for two Mullein plants and raise their hand when they saw it.

Here is the large plant growing as a weed in the landscaping.

We also located Plantain in the yard. Then we went inside to have a snack during our short break.

While we were preparing the snack, the kids found a 7-legged spider. He must have lost one of his legs for some reason or another!

For snack, we enjoyed crackers and cheese sticks, carrots, peppers, and tomatoes with ranch dressing, and double chocolate torte. It was all very delicious!

After we finished our snack, we went inside to have another session. This time, we sat in the kitchen and discussed herbal teas and the different methods of brewing them. Out of a coffee-turned-tea-pot, a French press, and a tea spoon, the favored method for brewing loose leaf tea was the French press.

Some of the many pre-made teas we talked about.

While our friend brewed several different kinds of teas for us to try, we kids went outside to play kickball. It was a perfect day to be outdoors! When all was ready, we went back inside and tried three different kinds of tea. I believe one was Echinacea, the other a blend designed to boost your immune system, and the third was a cough tea. Probably my favorite was the Echinacea. I didn’t really enjoy the cough tea because it tasted like mushrooms for some reason! And yes, several others agreed, it wasn’t just me! J

While the Moms chatted a bit longer, we kids played tag in the woods. It was a lot of fun, but I haven’t felt that out of breath in awhile. Nothing like a good game of tag to get your exercise in for the day!

We look forward to the next Keeper’s meeting next month!

Father-Daughter Date

(Posted by Roma)

In another blogpost, I had talked about having a fun date with just Mommy and me. Well this time I get to share about my date with Dad! J

I was getting ready for bed, when my Dad told me he could take me somewhere tomorrow, and just hearing that made me get all excited! J I had been telling him how much I would love to fly in his airplane again, (he’s a private pilot,) so he said he would take me up. The next day we ate breakfast, and got ready to go.

It was a bit of a long drive getting there, but we finally made it. Going up in the air was amazing! We both agree that the view is our favorite part! I also love when we start picking up speed on the runway and then take off, and look behind us to see the ground get smaller.

Then it was time for lunch. We had planned to land the airplane, and then walk about a mile to a restaurant. But when we landed, we noticed that there were so many other airplanes there! My Dad said it was unusually crowded. When we got out of the airplane, a man told us they were having an “airplane party” type thing, that my Dad and I were not aware of. He also told us that the restaurant we were going to go to was closed. But the airplane manager welcomed us in, and told us we were welcome to eat lunch there. So we were able to get a free lunch! J

Later, we stopped at an airport for a break, and I told my Dad they had a vending machine here with candy, so I thought we could get a snack. But when we arrived, a man told us not many people came to that airport, so he took the vending machine away. But then he told us he had all the candy in his car—along with his dog, Otis—and he let us pick candy bars from back there! J And he didn’t even let my Dad pay. So we had a free snack too. How nice of him! We both picked Kit Kats (one of my favorites.)

Later on, we went back to the airport and headed for home. We had such a good time, and I love flying in my Dad’s airplane! J But most of all, I love spending time with him. J

Daddy and me.

My Dad’s airplane

Me in Daddy’s airplane

Over the clouds.

Just imagine skydiving!

Some of the airplanes at the airplane party my Dad and I ran into.

Inside the building my Dad and I got our free lunch.

In case you’re wondering, this animal is dead! J

School Starts!

On September 6^th, we officially started (home) school! We always anticipate the start of school and look forward to it because it means that our routine will be back after having a summer of spontaneity. Here we are preparing to start our day:

The “nice” picture.

And our annual “silly” picture. J

We have all started many new subjects as well as continued old ones. Here is a sampling of our new schedules:

Bianca:

Personal Devotions

Scripture Memory and Review

“Raising Maidens of Virtue” study with Mom once a week plus homework assignments

Algebra and Geometry

Logic

Christianity and Western Civilization

Reading “Child of the Crossfire” and “Trapped in Hitler’s Hell”

Chemistry

Government and Economics

Bible Study Guide

Piano and dance practice

Piano Theory

Running

Helping with laundry

Emptying the dishwasher once a week

Cleaning the half-bathroom once a week

Dusting bedroom once a week

Vacuuming ¼ of the basement once a week

Stenciling a wall border in my room

Cleaning up after dinner with Ben once a week

Sweeping and mopping the kitchen once a week

Making pizza Friday night

Brushing Zinnia (my cat) once a week

Outside work (weeding, watering, shoveling snow, etc.)

Ben:

Personal Devotions

Scripture Memory and Review

“Father to Son” Manhood study with Dad once a week plus reading assignments

Math

Logic

Christianity and Western Civilization

Answers Academy (Creation Science)

Government and Economics

Winston Grammar

Reading “Bruchko” and “Mountain of Fire”

Bible Study Guide

Strengthening exercises

Walk the dog twice a week

Scrub the bathtub once a week

Help with laundry

Emptying the dishwasher once a week

Dust bedroom once a week

Wash windows once a week

Clean up dinner with Bianca once a week

Outside work (mowing, trimming,  weeding, watering, shoveling snow, etc.)

Sweeping and tidying the garage

Rubia and Roma:

Personal Devotions

“Beautiful Girlhood” study with Mom once a week plus homework assignments

Scripture Memory and Review

Math

Logic

Typing

Health study

Bible Study Guide

General Knowledge questions

Winston Grammar

Reading “Mary Jones and her Bible”

Practice piano, guitar, and dance

Music theory

Iron clothes

Act as “Mommy’s helpers” once a week to our neighbor

Clean large bathroom once a week

Dust dining room once a week

Dust bedroom once a week

Dust entertainment center and piano once a week

Empty dishwasher once a week

Vacuum second floor once a week

Vacuum living room once a week

Sweep porch once a week

Sweep kitchen once a week

Walk dog once a week

Brush dog’s teeth once a week

Take care of the cats’ daily needs

Cat toy search once a week

Brush cats, wash food bowls, and administer hairball medicine once a week

Clean up dinner together once a week

Help with laundry

Wash dishes once a week

Help with pizza prep on Friday nights

Fill birdfeeders once a week

Outside work (weeding, watering, shoveling snow, etc.)

Josiah

Personal Devotions (on tape)

Devotions with Mommy

Learning time with Mommy

Scripture Memory and Review

Math-It Games and a Math workbook

Sunday School homework

Bible Study Guide

Reading time with Mom

Feed fish and tadpole

Set table

Spread picnic cloth for Friday morning breakfast

Sweep the porch once a week

Help with mopping once a week

Sweep under the table twice a week

Dust the living room once a week

Collect garbage twice a week

Vacuum couches once a week

Exercise the dog twice a week

Help fill birdfeeders

Outside work (weeding, watering, fill birdbath, shoveling snow, etc.)

Mom

Keep up with everyone! J

*As a disclaimer, we don’t do all the school work listed in one day! All the work listed is spread out over the week.*

I need to sign off on this post and get to all that work I just listed! J I hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into our school year!

Jesus is Carrying You

 (Posted by Roma)

We have a framed picture in our basement that I really like, that I wanted to share with you. Our neighbor gave it to us a long time ago, and I think she did a good job making it. J

Here’s what the picture said:

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it: "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The LORD replied: "My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Sunday Renewal

The dying marigold blossoms did not appear to hold much hope. They were tired, dry, dusty. Even though they contained the seeds of renewal just inside their crinkly jackets, you would never know it by their appearance.

For a long time, I kept opening the dead blooms, pulling out the black seed slivers, and sprinkling them into a vacant spot in my large deck planter. Here the impatiens had not thrived, and now there was a giant empty space all along one side of the pot, while bright orange marigolds lived happily across the aisle, on the other side. Then I would pour some water on the sad, sad seeds, and walk away.

I didn’t really expect much from the seeds. Day after day, week after week, I sowed and watered, and sighed over the lopsided arrangement of orange and green, and flat brown soil. It seemed pointless to put forth the effort, with no evidence of fruitfulness in sight.

I forgot about the seeds for a time. Other priorities captured my attention and diverted my thoughts. And then one morning, I stepped out onto the deck, and I looked.

Somewhere beneath the surface, in a place unseen, new growth was happening. And when I finally stopped and took a good long look, I was stunned to see that new life had sprung forth. The emptiness was gone. Soft, lush greenery joined the ever-present orange blossoms, creating marvelous symmetry.

The miracle of growth continues, and bright green leaves are stretching forth to touch their cheery neighbors. I saw buds the other day, and I’m sure it won’t be long before the sea of green is flooded with brightly colored bursts of orange. Even now, ‘though invisible to my eye, this renewal is happening…just beneath the surface, in a place unseen.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1

(posted by Betsy)

Recipe--Zucchini Squash Casserole

One of our favorite recipes to use up zucchini and summer squash from our gardens is this delicious casserole. We always have a bounty of these two vegetables, and this recipe uses a lot. So hopefully you all still have some remaining zucchini and squash coming from your garden and can give this a try!

Zucchini Squash Casserole

4 cups, diced, unpeeled zucchini

4 cups, diced, unpeeled summer squash

1 large green pepper, finely chopped (we substitute one can of chopped chilies)

1 cup of Italian seasoned bread crumbs

6 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

½ cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

2 large eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons fresh chopped or 2 teaspoons dried basil

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well. Transfer to a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes, or until top is lightly browned. Serves 8.