Grape Jelly

We've discovered wild grapes all around our neighborhood during the late summer months.  Malia was the great gatherer last summer, but the rest of the family got in on an outing or two.  These grapes have a wonderful flavor, but they're pretty tart; they're also small and have a seed.  So I cooked them and strained out all the juice.  It seemed too busy to make it into jelly right away, so we froze the juice.  February seemed the right time to pull it out and get busy.

Here's about half of the finished product.  I'm really not into canning, so I always hold my breath wondering if it's going to work.  It did!  And we made it using the "no sugar added" stuff from Rainbow.  Since the juice was so tart, I added 3/4 cup honey to every 4 cups of juice, and substituted one cup of the wild grape juice for one cup of grape juice from concentrate (still 100% juice).  Everyone likes it and I'm happy about having some jelly that's a bit healthier!

Valentine's Day Fun

Last year we made these cute little fellows out of Hershey's kisses, foam hearts, little pom poms, and movable eyes.

Levi made these butterflies for his co-op class, using construction paper, two sticks of gum, heart stickers, movable eyes, and pipe cleaners. 

This was a valentine for one of our girls using scraps of pretty paper and kisses.

We like homemade pizza, so this was our Valentine's Day edtion.

A few candles leftover from our wedding, our red tablecloth, a pretty placemat and flower....this was our centerpiece.

DJ had fun creating these little guys with sticks of gum and pipe cleaners.  I think he made one for each kid in his co-op class.

Kade turns 3 last October

Kade loved the whole fireman theme last October when he turned three (and he still does), so we made the cake with lots of little boy help.  Everyone ate some, but the best part was decorating and taking pictures, and of course, blowing out candles.  (He is a fireman, afterall).  The coat is size 24 months, and he continued to squeeze into it over and over again until Christmas when Kalai got him a new one.

We continue to give thanks for all our children, but I'm always mindfully aware of how fragile life is when I think of Kade's entrance into this world.  He is a challenge in so many ways as he learns that he must obey and follow someone other than himself.  He often leaves me scratching my head, trying to figure out what motivates him.  He hears my praise over his good deed and it's as if he says, "Rats, I really didn't mean to make her happy."  He has some very sweet moments, though, when he seriously relates his desire to follow Jesus.  He loves to laugh with his brothers, hide from mom, try funny words out, read firemen books over and over, and work hard with Daddy, whether it be shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, or moving furniture. He really is a little man. 

Thoughts on movies and media

I came across this blog post today http://www.focusonlinecommunities.com/blogs/Finding_Home/2012/01/20/is-it-a-sin-to-watch-a-movie-that-takes-gods-name-in-vain
and felt like it was very thought-provoking concerning the misuse of God's name  in our current movies, music, games, and literature.  While I think all followers of Christ do or should agree that personal use of God's name in vain is wrong, there is a lot of conflict of opinion on whether it's "okay" to watch a movie that misuses His name.  I personally cringe at the thought because I really feel like I'm dishonoring my Lord when I choose to watch something that misuses His name.  Just as we make choices to honor our mates, our entertainment choices reflect the honor we give to God and His ways and desires.  When we marry our mate, we give up all attachments to others and by all we do and say show that we have committed our lives to this one person.  Doesn't God deserve this even more!?  Why would I tolerate, excuse, or put up with something that directly dishonors Him? 

I don't want to be misunderstood here though.  Entertainment is something entirely different than our normal every day lives as we go about in the world.  We can't escape corruption or profanity completely.  We really shouldn't even try to escape it completely.  To do so would to be to cut ourselves off from the world, and then we would have no chance to shine as lights.  But entertainment is entirely a pleasure and a choice.  Does it reflect the honor due our Lord?  Anyway, I did appreciate the thoughts of Bob's blog post.

A January Day

At 5:15 this morning, Kent helped push me out of bed (literally), and and I made it the the ladies' gym. He's so good to me...really!  Morning is hard for me.  I take a long time to wake up, but am feeling better when I exercise regularly!  I bundled up because it was 4 degrees!

We had these http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-pancakes/detail.aspx  (substituted whole wheat flour for the white four and used honey instead of brown sugar) this morning for breakfast.  I'm always looking for ways to use the pumpkin in our freezer, and it's so good for us, too.

We started school at 9:06 (I do notice because we're always shooting for 9) or so with our Bible time, reading from Keys for Kids and Character Sketches.  The morning consisted of math and language with DJ, a grumpy Cody who went down early for his nap, a quick phone conversation with my sister, a 5 minute piano lesson with Levi, a tracing book with Kade, a minute or two helping Malia with geometry, redoing Levi's bandaid, assuring him that he will heal, and making soup for lunch.  I rarely sit down and play the piano, but I did this morning because I was feeling frustrated with attitudes and grumpiness of my children. 

We had potato soup and toast for lunch, followed by smoothies.  We make them occasionally in our heavy-duty mixer, and today they had frozen berries and bananas, pineapple and an orange, some grape juice concentrate, two handfuls of fresh spinach, a chunk of cabbage, and a couple small handfuls of carrots.  The younger boys announced them to be the BEST, and I felt happy because we used up some fruit and ate a good amount of fresh veges.

After lunch we worked on thank-you cards for the grandparents, worked on teaching Cody that the markers were still off-limits, helped DJ write his speech for co-op, read books to the little boys before their quiet time, and journaled on my blog.  (I miss journaling and blogging).

Christmas Greetings from the Davidsons 2011

This year:

Kent led the 20th bike tour of 200+ miles as a fundraiser for our Bible camp,

served as a deacon, built a "castle" tree house in our backyard, planned and executed some solo bike/camping trips, was father of the bride, continued his work at Best Buy on the dot.com team, tutored Kalai in college Algebra now and then, built "forts" in the boys' bedrooms, and began to teach our 4th daughter, Malia, to drive.

Christy continued in home schooling our children and especially enjoyed the amazing group of families in our home school co-op, took a trip to Las Vegas to see some very missed friends (thanks to her helpful and kind husband), enjoyed lots of company during Tana's wedding, started doing more exercising, and felt pretty blessed to be enjoying a life rich with God's grace and strength through the busy years of raising children. 

Alyssa, 21, continued on in pharmacy school in Arkansas, participated in a medical missions trip to Peru, worked at a Chinese restaurant, and made it home for just a few days now and then.  She was one busy girl!

Tana, 19, finished her freshman year at college and married our new son-in-law, Patrick, in August.  It was a fun wedding with over 250 dear friends and family joining us.  She and Patrick promptly moved to Arkansas for college where she started her second year, and he found a job teaching.  They are happily making their new home and meeting new friends all the time.

Kalai, 17, began her senior year of high school doing PSEO college from home, continued to enjoy her art class, went on a mission trip to Mexico, worked and camped many weeks at Bible camp, announced her love for ice skating on MN ponds, and is out snowboarding this very day. 

Malia, 15, is learning to drive, went to Mexico also, identified 64 bird species on her morning walks, is working on writing a novel, is playing trumpet for her 7th year, and learned to make home made bread.

DJ, 9, is finding that he loves to read and especially enjoys all that is science related, has big dreams of hunting and fishing, does Geo-cacheing with dad, started band and is playing the baritone, is asking lots of questions about what it means to make Christ his Saviour, and still enjoys bringing all recyclables back into the house for a "project."

Levi, 4, often prays, "Thank you, God, for being so nice to me," has dreams of becoming a policeman, tells mom that she needs to teach him to read, hopes to play the trombone someday but says that the PVC pipe and funnel will do for now,  loves to go to camp, and thinks "rainbow car washes" are the best.

Kade, 3, is sure that he's a fireman and makes many decisions based on "what will a fireman do," loves Bible stories, especially any that might involve fighting or war (sometimes to mom's chagrin), enjoyed going to a new family camp in Wisconsin with mom, dad, and brothers; he's still a night owl just as much as his brother Levi is an early bird.  He's teaching mom and dad to keep being consistent and work on teaching him to please God.

Cody, 16 months, is such a bright spot in our lives, making messes, learning to talk, learning to obey, and giving many bright smiles.  He's always trying to keep up with his brothers which is quite a task for a new toddler.  Everyone always comments on his very "white" hair. 

We're thankful for our church family and our life group, which have challenged us and encouraged us over and over this year.  We are thankful for our parents who have continued to support us and love our grandchildren.  Most of all, we're so thankful that God has given us a Savior, to whom we owe our very lives and existence.  This truth we continue to learn daily, as we struggle to overcome self and find victory in Christ.  Great is His faithfulness!

Love to all of you this season!  We cherish the cards, pictures, and letters we've been receiving.  Please come visit us if you're in our area!

 

Jackpine Retreat - September

Pictures I find on my camera...

Wedding In August

Wedding bells here in Minnesota!  Tana and Patrick have set a date and are planning on an August 7th wedding.  You can imagine what will be happening around here the next few months!  It hardly seems possible to be celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary and looking forward to our daughter's wedding in a few months.  We are praying for God's blessing on these two as they begin planning their lives together.  I have a feeling it's going to be quite a family gathering come August!

6th Anniversary: Afton House Inn

This is where we stayed for our anniversary get-away, a historic landmark sitting quietly by the St. Croix River.  Afton is so small and quiet, especially in the early spring, that we enjoyed amazing relaxation and a walk through the whole town in about 15 minutes.

The beautiful spiral stairway from the lobby to the rooms upstairs.

Our room had a view of the St. Croix.  Unfortunately, it was mostly covered in boats moored for the winter, but I can imagine that in the summer, it is a beautiful view.

I thought this lamp was especially pretty, sitting on an antique vanity.

This radio actually worked.

The formal dining room was ready for Easter.  In the evening it was especially classy with candles on each table.  We didn't actually eat here, but we had to peek in.

The following morning a nice little breakfast buffet was available.  It was a little like the continental breakfast you receive at some motels/hotels, but a notch or two higher with fresh fruit, bagels, pastries, oatmeal, batter for waffles, yogurt, and a variety of drinks.

This blue and white pitcher caught my eye, as does most blue and white.  It looked quite pretty sitting on the mantel in the breakfast room.

Here's where we walked and talked (and pushed a baby stroller).  Did I say Cody came with us?  He was actually a very good baby and didn't interrupt too often.  He even made us smile a time or two with his latest chuckles. 

We really felt like we needed this time, and thankfully, no one was sick, and we have wonderful friends and helpful sisters to watch the younger ones.  Besides, Kent got a great deal using Groupon, so this room was at least 50% off the usual price.  Gotta love a good deal and a memorable weekend at the same time!

6th Anniversary: German Restaurant

 Kent and I got away for our anniversary last weekend.  We didn't travel further than 20 minutes, but it felt like we were miles from home.  With no definite plans in mind, we were pleasantly surprised to happen upon this German restaurant.  Winzer Stube, open since 1999 by a native German woman, is located in the lower level of the historic Opera house in downtown Hudson.

The  walls were lined with postcards from Germany.

A German woman was our server, making the whole experience seem that much more authentic!  She brought us this delicious sourdough bread before our meals were ready.  It was ever so soft on the inside with a chewy crust on the outside.

German books sat on the shelf by our booth (not that I could read them but it was fun to look at them)
, and the little lamp on our table actually had dried flower petals and leaves on its shade. 

Kent ordered all-you-can-eat fish and chips.

I ordered a Reuben because I love them, and never make them at home.  It came with a cup of wild rice and chicken soup all for $8.  The menu was also fun to read because it told a little about the owner and her family as well as descriptions of the food and their philosophies.

Kids eat free Thursday nights.  Certain dishes are 1/2 price on Wednesdays.  Appetizers are 1/2 off from

4-6.  Winzer Stube was voted the ninth best German restaurant in the United States. 

Yum! Cookie dough!

Plain oatmeal won't ever be quite the same after this!  I was baking cookies last weekend for the girls' after-tournament treat, when, unbeknownst to me, one of the big brothers knocked this cookie-dough covered whisk on the floor.  I turned around to find Cody quite happily getting a few tastes!  I started to snatch it away and then realized the harm was already done.  I decided I might as well get some pictures!

Special Lady

DJ, Levi, Kade, and Cody with Grandma Alice.

(Kalai and Malia had already left for a class)

 
Living in the Twin Cities has its perks, the close proximity of the airport being one of them!  For the second time, Alice has had a chance to pay us an unexpected visit due to a layover in Minneapolis.  She volunteered to give up her seat in return for a nice voucher to be used in the future.  A couple weeks ago, she was able to spend afternoon and dinner with us.  What a pleasant surprise!  This special lady is grandmother to our children, mother-in-law to Kent, and gift from God to me.  She is the mother of Susan, Kent's first wife.  She exemplifies a woman who loves and fears the Lord, "her children rise up and bless her."  She has encouraged me, welcomed me, inspired me, and even gently corrected me. God's family is amazing!