Hello 2010

Saying hello to 2010....

"For I know the plans that I have for you,"

declares the Lord," plans for welfare and

not for calamity

to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

Happy New Year

Saying good bye

I thought this would be a nice way to end 2009...

and say good bye to the farmhouse.

Oh....I still dream of all the wonderful details inside.

Crown Molding

Two staircases

Three porches

Wide molding

Wooden doors

Original Hardware

Wide plank pine floors

Spring House

So...for 2010 my goal is to try to replicate as much as we can!

Here are some pictures....

(I wish I had more)

This is the foyer!

One staircase that took you to 3 of the bedrooms

and a full bath.

The white door leads to the kitchen.

It is not the biggest kitchen, but the details were awesome.

I wish I could walk you around to see the cabinets closer.

Can you see the tin back splash?

To the right is the back door, which leads to a side porch.

In the kitchen there is also a second set of stairs that lead to

2 more bedrooms and the master bath.

This is the diningroom.

The open door way is into the kitchen and the

white door leads to the side porch.

This is the family room.

The front livingroom is to the right.

The white door leads to the front porch.

This is the Master bathroom.

I wish I had a picture of the Master bedroom.

It had 5 windows and a door that lead to

a porch.....

This would've been Maddie's room.

I think she mentally moved herself in there too!

Like mother, like daughter!

This room had 4 windows and

the only closet in the whole house.

This is the barn.

I didn't have too many dreams for the barn,

but the boys did....

basketball

hockey

parties :)

hide out from the girls

Well...there she is...in all her glory!

It is okay for now...

I still see us one day in an older home...

and now I have the pictures in my computer to

dream and inspire any time I need to!!

(you to maddie)

Small Incidental

Today we had my mom's side of the family over

to celebrate Christmas!

We had so much fun!

I did lock the craftroom door to

make sure no little crafters wondered in!

That is when I discovered my mistake...

Apparently when I was putting the doorknobs back on

I didn't pay attention to the small key hole that unlocks the door.

I only made sure the lock was on the right door,

not the key hole that you need to unlock the door!

Yes..I put the key hole doorknobs for the bedrooms on the closet doors.

Oops.....

So how do we get in?

We all stood and looked at the door for awhile and

then Tony did his Ninja move!

Door open...

I guess I'll be visiting Lowes tomorrow!

My $5 project just cost a little more!!

See...I promise you there is never a dull

moment here at our little home!

Family Traditions

(Every ornament on this tree made by the kids)

We added a new family tradition to our home this year.

We actually have been doing it for 5 years, but

this year we made it official and it is staying!

Breakfast Christmas morning!

Pop is part of this tradition!

Now I don't have single picture to post

from breakfast.

Why......

I put too much in the oven and the times were all off.

The french toast took longer to bake.

The scrapple wasn't done.

The toast and eggs were done to early.

Biggest reason for no pictures....

Fire in the oven...

Yes....FIRE in the oven!

Now, no need to worry...

Tony is a Chef and didn't blink an eye..

Fire out...

Smoke in....

Windows open....

Cold air in.....

I think Pop still had fun...

We do promise him that if he is ever bored to
 please come over,

because
this house is never boring!!

Thanks for coming over Pop!

We love you!

This next tradition my mom started a few years ago!

We look forward to it every Christmas Day...

Every year my  mom gives each of us a new christmas ornament

with our name and the year printed on the ornament.

This year we got these adorable snowmen mittens!

I just love them, but I do have a thing for snowmen!

I put all of the ornaments on a trio of trees in  my dining room.

The angel on the smallest tree was made by my

grandmother, Ethel.

It is one of my most treasured Christmas decorations.

One day my 3 little angels will have their own home and

christmas trees.

It will be fun to package their ornaments up for them

to take to their home!

Thanks Mom, for a great tradition!

We love you!

Our Christmas Story

Christmas is a very special time of the year.

It is extra special for our family,

because 13 years ago prayers were answered.

Not many know this story...

Let me take you back in time....

In 1993 I married my high school sweetheart

 at the young age of 22. 

We bought our first home

and expecting a precious baby....

Then we had a miscarriage...

I wish I blogged back then,
the emotional rollar coaster ride began.

I look back on those years as some of the

most difficult times of our life and marriage.

After countless lab test, shots, ultrasounds,
more lab test, more shots,

more ultrasounds, more procedures....

we were both physically and emotionally stressed out!

Then the stars aligned and we were to have artifical insemination

on Christmas day in 1996.

Christmas Day, was this a sign?

How special would that be!!

We wanted to be parents more than anything in this world.

We also felt if this pregnancy didn't take...

this would be our last try.

Last Chance.....

We spent Christmas day with my parents and asked my

dad to pray for us.

We needed a sign of Hope.

I can hear some of my dads prayer like it was yesterday...

God,

You have a plan for Tony and Wendy.

You know this plan.

If this is not in your plan, let it be made known.

Help them to believe and rely on you

for strength.

Amen

I did not get pregnant.

This was not in his plan.

That day I thought I would be sad,

but that was the day we found

Hope

That was the day that we decided what was most important for us

was to be parents...

In January of 1997 we filed paper work for adoption from

South Korea....

A wonderful process...

On the road to be parents...

What a wonderful plan God had for this little family

on that Christmas Day in 1996.

Our beautiful Daughter Madeline was born in

South Korea in May of 1997 and traveled home

Oct 1997...

Our beautiful Son, Tony was born in

South Korea in May of 2000 and traveled home

Sept. 2000...

Our beautiful surprise, Sarah was born

in the United States Dec 29, 2001

If you notice Sarah and Tony are only 19 months apart in age,

that is because....

I didn't think I could get pregnant!

Yes...you read that right...pregnant!

God has a great sense of humor!!

This has been a tough year, but we know more than ever

that our blessing come from above.

My Strength comes from God.

God first...family second...everything else will fall into place..

This Christmas we are trusting in his plan...

praying for his guidance...

Thanking him for his grace....

Loving our family

and a wonderful family it is!!

Christmas blessings to you for a season of
hope and love!

Snowy Day in Pa

Merry Christmas

A snowy day in Pa

We are hoping for 6-10 inches today!!

Yeah...looks like we might be snowed in!

Christmas Cookies

Raspberry Sticks

Kris is a good friend and neighbor...

she is also an awesome baker!!

When it is your birthday...

she bakes you a birthday cake that

is delicious!

For the cookie exchange on Friday,

Kris made Raspberry Sticks

The recipe comes from Better Homes & Gardens

These are pictures of Kris's cookies...

don't they look professional!

These cookies were delicious!!

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1/2 cup shortening

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tsp. vanilla

• 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2/3 cup seedless raspberry preserves

• 1 tsp. finely shredded orange peel

• 1 12-oz. pkg. white baking pieces

• 2 Tbsp. shortening

• 2 Tbsp. red and green coarse sugar

 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In large mixing bowl beat butter and 1/2 cup shortening for 30 seconds.

Add sugar, vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; beat until combined.

Beat in as much flour as you can; stir in any remaining flour.

Knead dough together; shape into ball.

For filling, combine preserves and peel; set aside.

Divide dough in half.

Roll each half between waxed paper; remove top paper.

Spread filling lengthwise on half of each rectangle to within 1/2 inch of edges.

Fold dough over filling; seal edges.

Use paper to invert onto greased cookie sheet.

Reseal edges with fork tines.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until browned. Cool on cookie sheet on rack.

Transfer to board; cut in 3/4-inch-wide sticks.

Return to cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes more or until crisp.

Cool on rack.

In microwave melt baking pieces and 2 tablespoons shortening 1-1/2 to 2 minutes;

Dip cookies in mixture then sugar.

Cool on waxed paper. Makes 30 cookies.

Merry Christmas!

I am linking to Foodie Friday....

Snowman Soup

This fun idea comes from my friend Karen!

The first year they were in Pa

her 3 sweet children delivered them to the

neighbors!

My kids thought it was the greatest "soup" they ever had!

We now can't drink a cup of hot chocolate without

marshmellows and a candy cane stirrer.

Ingredients:

Place the following in a gift bag:

1 Hot Chocolate packet

1 Candy Cane

2 large Marshmellows

I typed the poem on the computer and glued to card stock.

Poem:

Was told you've been real good this year.

Always glad to hear it!

With freezing weather drawing near

You'll need to warm the spirit.

So here's a little snowman Soup

Complete with stirring stick!

Just add hot water, sip it slow

It's sure to do the trick!

Attach to top of bag with ribbon!

Ready to be deliver!

Merry Christmas

I am linking to The Shabby Nest 

Frugal Friday Linky Holiday Party: