We are in pre-graduation countdown mode around the Bear Den right now. Less then 2 weeks and Brother Bear will be graduating from Lincoln's Challenge Academy...which means less then 2 weeks until we have his open house here at home.

Papa Bear is working down his Honey-do list, and doing it without even making a fuss.....I'm so blessed with him. While I'm busy deep cleaning each room, he is making sure the outside of the house is also in tip top shape.

Next week we will be starting with the flowers and landscaping. It's a lot of work, but with Sister Bear getting married in July, by getting it done now, we won't have to worry about it then.

Rhubarb pie

This recipe my mother in law gave to me many years ago. I have to say that it is our favorite pie recipe!

4 C. rhubarb cut in 1" pieces
4 eggs
2 C. sugar
3 T. flour
4 T. butter
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

Pre-heat oven to 450*
Combine all ingredients except rhubarb, mixture will be creamy
Stir in thubarb. Put in single unbaked pie crust.
Bake at 450* for 15 minutes. Reduce to 375* and bake for 30 more minutes until center is set and pie is puffed up.

Let cool before cutting.

Thankful Thursday

A dogs love is pure love...no hidden agenda. Imagine what the world would be like if we all loved so pure.

Internet Challenge

I have challenged myself this week to just one hour a day on the internet (yikes). I find that I have an addiction to this thing and forget to get off of it and get other things done...sigh. It's all too easy to play on here while the kids are playing and when they are napping...the times that I usually devote to housework and bookwork.

So, I am coming on for a bit in the morning and a bit in the evening this week. {{{shake}}} I think I'm already having withdrawls!

While on this challenge, I also have made a daily list for myself above what I normally do in the house during the day. Yesterday I spent 1 1/2 hours and got the ice box clean from top to bottom, inside and out. Today I'll be attacking my bedroom.

So, dear friend, I am signing off for today. I will see you once again tomorrow on my little bit of internet time.

Some things just don't need words

Monday: Gone

Tuesday: Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Wednesday: Garlic shrimp stir fry

Thursday: Grilled BBQ chicken, potato salad, sliced tomato

Friday: Elk steak, baked potato, peaches

Memorial Day Video

I'm asking that you take a few moments out of your day and watch this video. Let us never forget the men and women who put their love of country before self.

Wedding

Yesterday, we welcomed a new member to the family. My older brother Danny took Angela as his wife. He looked lovingly into her eyes as a tear ran down her cheek. The sun was shining off the lake as the waves rolled into the shore. The breeze blew the beautful skirt that Angela spent months knitting. If the love that shown between the two of them yesterday is any indication of how their life will be, then they will have many years of happiness together.

Welcome Angela to our family.

Friday recipe

I thought I would start a new daily thing, posting a different recipe each Friday. Any that I post are tried and true and yummy. Feel free to try them yourselves!

Pineapple casserole

2 (20 oz) can chunky pineapple
1 C. sugar
6 T. flour
2 C. grated sharp cheese
1/2 C. melted butter
1C. crumbled crackers, cornflakes or potato chips

Drain pineapple and reserve 6 tablespoons juice. Combine flour and sugar to make a paste with juice. Add pinapple, cheese and butter to paste. Pour into 2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle crumbs over top and bake at 350* for 20-30 minutes.

Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful for my guys. They are the joy of my life.

As promised, here is a picture of myself with Brother Bear in his uniform. Just one more month and he'll graduate! I can't begin to express the pride I have in him at becoming the wonderful young man while at Lincoln's Challenge Academy that I have always known was inside of him.

Monday's Menu

Monday: PBJ, chips, pickle (work outside night)

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Tuesday: Marinated baked chicken breast, white cheese sauce over pasta, asparagus

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Wednesday: Baked fish, rice, peaches, salad

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Thursday: Chef salad

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Friday: Going out for dinner

I forgot

Have you ever gotten busy and forgot to do things? It's just a regular part of my life, something I've come to accept. Lists are my friends, I have lists for all sorts of things just so I don't forget to do something.

Sigh....I forgot my blog, just left it sitting here all by itself, no one to type on it. I had a busy Mother's Day weekend and Monday and it just slipped my mind. Maybe it slipped though one of those holes my mom always asked it I had in my head when I was growing up.

Anyway, here I am with nothing really to talk about today. I'm hoping to get a picture of Little Brother and I up on here soon. He was home on pass so of course Mama Bear had to go camera happy again.

So dear friends, until tomorrow (hopefully), I bid you a wonderful and blessed day.

Thankful Thursday

Today is National Day of Prayer.

Monday Menu

I know, it's Wednesday and I'm just now getting my menu out. Honest, we have been eating!

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: Elk burgers, fried potatoes and applesauce

Wednesday: Ham steak, scalloped potatoes, asparagus, pears

Thursday: Tilapia, Asian Garlic pasta, brocolli

Friday: Grilled Chicken breast, mushroom sauce over noodles, green beans,

I'm back!

What a busy busy week I had last week...whew, now I think I may need to hibernate and sleep!

The highlight of my week was going to Rantoul, IL to preach at the chapel in Lincoln's Challenge Academy where brother bear goes to school. What a blessing that was for me! I was so nervous my hands were shaking...but it was fun and by the time I was done, I felt like I was right back here in my home church. The Director gifted me with a beautiful medallion from the school, and the Pastor asked me if I would be willing to give that very same sermon with each new class...so that would be twice a year. He also asked if I would want to come down and give a sermon again sometime.

Brother Bear and I were then able to spend about 6 hours together! WooHoo!

Heehee, while in Rantoul I stayed at a little mom and pop motel. I'm partial to little motels over the big chain hotels, they just seem to have a charm about them. Going the motel route though, you never know just what you might happen to be setting yourself up for. Saturday night was definately not one of the nicer ones...lol. I didn't even take a shower as the soap and shampoo from the previous guest was still in the shower and there was hair on the shower floor! I did take in my Lysol disinfecting wipes and wiped down absolutely everything, that room was cleaner when I left then it was when I went in! I checked the sheets and they were fresh, and thank goodness I took my own pillow. I couldn't watch tv while laying in bed to go to sleep because once I turned the light of, it turned off everything in the room! Brother Bear went back to the room with me while I changed after chapel and he forbid me to ever stay there again!! ROFL! He was so cute the way he got all protective about me.

On the way home from Rantoul, I added an additional 1.5 hours to my already 2.5 hour ride...I guess I really should start watching road signs because I missed my turn and didn't even notice it! To think, I'm out on the road when you may be out there too!!

Now I am going to take a nice hot shower and go to bed for a good nights sleep.