Yummy! Lovey! Wild!

Last night I made 3 dozen yummy truffles and right now there are none left. I have to share them with you all.

The recipe is very simple and not too time consuming. I'm not a fan of chocolate or peanut butter but I liked them. Not one person didn't like them. Even if you don't like being in the kitchen, you should still try these. Baking pays.

And I mean that quite literally. I made each of my family members give me a kiss and/or hug before partaking in these creamy, crunchy balls of goodness. They all gladly paid, except Sam who point-blank refused and ate six or seven without the required payment. From Sam I usually get a hug about every 1 to 2 months.

Here is what you will need for these bits of delightfullness:
1 (scant) cup of powdered sugar
1 (heaping) cup of peanut butter
1 cup of rice crispy cereal
1/2 cup of chocolate OR 2 chocolate bars
My family likes dark chocolate, and because the filling is so sweet, dark chocolate isn't too dark for those who aren't fans. You could use milk chocolate or melting chocolate. Whatever you like. That's the rule.
(When I made these I added some cream cheese in with the peanut butter because it made the filling creamier and slightly less sweet.)

You can make your own homemade, HEALTHY(ish) powdered sugar if you want. Simply measure one cup of sugar (I used some Organic Evaporated Cane Sugar and some Raw Coconut Crystals) and dump it into your vita-mix, blender or food processor. Turn it on. Wait until it has changed to a powder-like texture and BADDA-BING BADDA-BOOM!

Start by mixing cream cheese (if using) and peanut butter. Add the rice krispies (you can crush them first. You know the rule, however you so desire) and the powdered sugar and mix well.

Roll into balls (truffle size) and place on cookie sheet, foil, or parchment paper. Set aside (in freezer or refrigerator if you want them cold while you dip them).

Now melt your chocolate in a double boiler. Carefully dip each truffle and roll it in chocolate. When it is completely covered, place it on a cookie sheet. When they're all covered, just stick them in the freezer until the chocolate has hardened, about 2 minutes.

I keep them piled up in a bowl in the fridge until a little while before I'm going to serve them, and then I just let them sit out for a few minutes before eating. But they were really good cold too. Many of the people in my family stick candy bars in the refrigerator and eat them cold. Once again, however you like them, ma chéri. I hope you and your family like them as much as my family did.

Did you know that tarantulas can crawl upside down? Yes, they can. I didn't know that either.

I stepped outside, looked up, and a tarantula was crawling above my head. I was scared it would fall on me the next time I came through the door and I would startle and it would not be enjoyable for me. (Though it might be enjoyable for any onlooking siblings.) To get it down I bumped it with a broom and it still hung on, upside down, completely unphased. I'm quite impressed with tarantula skills. We have been having fun spotting tarantulas. I think SquiRe is in the lead, claiming to have seen 6 or 7. None of us has the guts to pick one up and hold it, but that's probably best because if we did we'd probably freak out and drop it. And the tarantula might get hurt.

I tried, I really tried, to upload a video of Jack playing "Feelings" with me. He is so cute signing "grumpy", "surprised", "scared", "excited", and "lovey". Well, he is cute regardless of what he is signing, isn't he? But after 3 tries I realized it wouldn't work. So use your imaginations if you will. Maybe you'll see it some other time. =)

Have you been spotting any wildlife around your parts? What's the wildest, yummiest, or lovey-est thing you've seen this week?

Have a lovely, yummy, wild week!

~Momo

In 1890 a gentleman in Philadelphia offered to pay $1,000 to anyone who could write a puzzle he could not solve. A woman in California wrote this riddle in response. He failed to solve it and paid the money. Can you answer it?


God made Adam out of the dust,
But thought it best to make me first;
So I was made before the man,
According to God's Holy plan.

My whole body God made complete
Without arms or hands or feet.
My ways and acts did God control,
But in my body He placed no soul.

A living being I became,
And Adam gave to me a name.
Then from his presence I withdrew,
And more of Adam never knew.

All my Maker's laws I do obey,
And from these laws I never stray.
Thousands of me go in fear,
But seldom on the earth appear.
All my Maker's laws I do obey,
And from these laws I never stray.
Thousands of me go in fear,
But seldom on the earth appear.

Later, for a purpose God did see,
He placed a living soul in me.
But that soul in me God chose to claim,
And from me took it back again.

And when this soul from me had fled,
I was the same as when first made;
Without arms, legs, feet, or soul,
I travel on from pole to pole.
My labors are from day to night,
And to men I once furnished light.
Thousands of people both young and old,
Did by my death bright lights behold.

No right or wrong can I conceive;
The Bible I cannot believe.
The fear of death doesn't trouble me;
Pure happiness I will never see.

And up in Heaven I can never go,
Nor in the grave to Hell below.
So get your Bible and read with care;
You'll find my name recorded there.
WHO AM I ?

(HINT: The answer is one word and only appears 4 times in the KJV Bible.)

Of Cub Scout Cupcakes, Rain and a "Dork Beetle"

A Peek Into Our Day

(Warning: This maybe very... boring.)

We have been blessed with rain. This ↑ is a picture of our front yard before the rain. Even before the rain we got a rainbow, how sweet is that!

As we took a walk last evening the sky was a beautiful grey, ready to rain.

I took a picture of my sisters next to the tallest agave plant in our neighbor hood.

Samantha took a picture of said agave plant from a more artistic angle.

I love the scenery in our new neighborhood. We have mountains to the North, South, East and West!

During our walk we spied many critters. Of the rabbits, horses and goats, we have no pictures for you. But we did see some ants that were "connected". One was carrying the other.

See?

It was really weird. So of course I took a picture just for you, Reader.

See how this beetle's leg is up and out? Picture each of those legs taking
exaggerated steps over and over again. It makes it look like it's
walking, well, dorkily. (A word to me.)

Then this morning we dropped off some cookies and cupcakes to the Cub Scouts. (The Cub Scouts are having a bake sale today.) These cookies are ranked in our top ten best cookies. They were so good.

Want the recipe?

These are the cute cub-cakes we made. Sam saw a picture on some cooking blog, and we did our best to duplicate. I think they turned out pretty well.

After delivering the baked goods, some of us played Monopoly. Goldilocks can't play, but she was my helper. Jack was playing for Sam in the picture. He was her "helper".

Sorry it's so fuzzy, he moves a lot and I don't know how to use the camera.

I'll have to ask him to be my helper next time.

See all those hotels he was racking up? Wow. =)

SquiRe didn't win, he was too generous. Whenever someone was in a finacial crisis he would give them help, plus he would sell off his property for almost nothing. 

This picture was taken today. SquiRe is a big reader,
 but he especially likes to read aloud to someone. He was
 reading to Mom. I think he knew I was taking his picture.

And the news we have been wanting to share is that Sam recently started taking in animals from the Humane Society to care for until they are ready to adopt. Thus far she has had two cases. One was a litter of four very young kittens, and just about an hour ago we got a dog.

Because these weren't named we got to name them ourselves. Though Sam at first didn't want to because she thought we'd be to attatched, I told her we wouldn't be and I was right. I'm so glad we got to name them!

The orange cat, the runt, was the only male. We named him Kalmar after the prince of Anniera. (From Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga.)

The grey female cats we named Arabella, Samara, and Houdini (the escape artist).

We weren't big fans of the name Arabella, but we thought it would get her adopted just a little quicker.

They are all three chasing and wrestling each other in this picture.

 This is the dog we just got. She unfoutunately already has a name: Lulu.

 Lulu is just here until she gets socialized. Why would they give a dog in need of socilization to a family of conservitive homeschoolers is what I want to know. *hahaha*

Well, I've bored you long enough. I'll let you go after showing you what I found this morning.

And I can't believe I didn't kill it. I saw it at 5:30 am so I guess I was too tired to think: "Maybe I should do more than just take pictures of this creepy thang."

Hope you are having a good weekend.

Momo

Dad

Just a week ago our family celebrated Dad's birthday. A cause for much celebration to be sure!

Our dad is half a hundred (plus)! And certainly filled with more wisdom than I know of! Though I have discovered much understanding from him, and he continues to share his insight so that we may (eventually) learn.

We bought him a new pair of boots. I don't know when the last time he had cowboy boots was, but he has been wanting a pair of boots, so we are very glad to have been able to find a pair that he likes.

Our dad reads to us from God's precious Word daily. And instructs us and reminds us of the commands in the Word at every opportunity.

Dad is gentle and loving to all of us. He is (though imperfect) a beautiful picture of who our Father in heaven is- caring, forgiving, love.

Dad takes the time to do what we like. He tries to be interested in what we are interested in, and ignores his hobbies so that he can give us his time.

He is such a joy and always seeks to give of himself before anyone else. I know he had a good father's day, and birthday. I pray that the next are even better.

This is a CUTE picture, isn't it?

Jack likes to stir Dad's cup of coffee each morning. Dad willingly cleans up his splashed coffee from the table and allows Jack to merrily stir, stir, stir.

I have yet to meet a Dad like him, and doubt anyone could be a better father.

We love you so much Dad!

The desert wild and creatures therein

I was going to title this post, "the desert wild and creations therein", only my mom (and maybe some of you?) would argue that most of these critters came after "the Fall".  ;-] You discern...

We'll begin with what is probably the most tame (though to some, most terrifying) of the list:

A garden snake. Dead and therefore perfect for a photo shoot ;-] We've found quite a few of these, as well as some red racers and rattle snakes.

Next we have what we were told is probably a desert crab spider.

I actually think he/she looks kind of nice.

A pest-exterminator friend told us this was a solpugid. Strange looking.

Below in one of two centipede's we've found inside the house. The dollar bill is meant to show the length.

I tried to convince mom they were harmless after she asked if they were poisonous (the answer was yes) by saying, "But only one person has ever died from a bite." Ooops. Wrong words. "But that was a small child so they were extra vulnerable." Made things worse. At that point, I stuck my perverbial foot in my mouth and walked away. (I hope you all don't start worrying about centipedes now, the incident happened on some island where they probably grew to be a lot bigger than the American version...)

Don't know what this is, haven't even looked it up, just liked the yellow color.

And last but certainly not least on the danger factor is...

A scorpion. In the bedroom. But he was almost dead and looked very lonely, so I'm sure we won't be seeing any more.

(His belly had white spots...neat)

Thus concludes today's post. Now are you glad that YOU don't live in the desert (or maybe you do)? SquiRe, Momo and I are the only ones who think finding all these creatures is interesting!
Next time we post about animals (should be not too far away) they'll be much more lovable. Don't worry.

Sam

"I Am a Debtor" by Robert Murray M'Cheyne

When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know-
Not till then- how much I owe.

When I hear the wicked call
On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start and shrink
On the fiery deluge brink,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know-
Not till then- how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know-
Not till then- how much I owe.

When the praise of heaven I hear,
Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters' noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know-
Not till then- how much I owe.

Even on earth, as through a glass
Darkly, let thy glory pass,
Make forgiveness feel so sweet,
Make thy Spirit's help so meet,
Even on earth, Lord, make me know
Something of how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me.
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Savior's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.

Oft I walk beneath the cloud,
Dark as midnight's gloomy shroud;
But, when fear is at the height,
Jesus comes, and all is light:
Blessed Jesus! bid me show
Doubting saints how much I owe.

When in flowery paths I tread,
Oft by sin I'm captive led;
Oft I fall, but still arise;
The Spirit comes- the tempter flies;
Blessed Spirit! bid me show
Weary sinners all I owe.

Oft the nights of sorrow reign-
Weeping, sickness, sighing, pain,
But a night Thine anger burns-
Morning comes, and joy returns:
God of comforts! bid me show
To thy poor, how much I owe.