Friday, January 17, 2014

Just For Fun

Just For Fun

Several weeks ago this was on facebook.  I don't like to post too much public stuff on facebook but was curious.  I took the test to post it onto this blog.  Enjoy reading the results, I think it reflects me pretty well..  I've included the link if you'd like to participate.  Link back to me so I can see the results!

The Reliable Realist

Reliable Realists are down-to-earth and responsible-minded. They are precise, reserved and demanding. Their most prominent quality is reliability and they will always make every effort to keep any promise given.
Reliable Realists are more quiet and serious persons, they do not talk a lot but they are good listeners. They sometimes seem reserved and distant to outsiders although they often have a great deal of wit and esprit. Their strong points are thoroughness, a marked sense of justice, doggedness bordering on pigheadedness and a pragmatic, vigorous and purposeful manner. Reliable Realists do not dither about if something has to be done. They do what is necessary without wasting words.

This personality type not only expects a lot of himself but also of others. Once Reliable Realists have set their mind on something, it is difficult to persuade them otherwise. They do not like to leave anything to chance. Planning means safety to Reliable Realists, as well as order and discipline. They have no problem respecting authorities and hierarchies but do not like to delegate tasks. They are certain that others would not deal with them as conscientiously as they do. In management positions, they are very task-oriented - they make sure that things are well done; however, they do not have a great deal of interest in personal contacts at work.

In relationships too, Reliable Realists are reliability itself. As partners, they are faithful and consistent, well-balanced and sensible. Security and stability are very important to them. They have little time for extravagances and flightiness. Whoever has them as friend or partner can rely on them for a lifetime. However, it takes quite a while for Reliable Realists to enter into a relationship or friendship. They have little need for social contacts; they therefore take great care when choosing partners and friends and limit themselves to a small but exclusive circle which meets their high demands. They tend to show their closeness to people who are important to them by deeds - their partner should rather not expect romantic declarations of love.

 Adjectives that describe your type
introverted, practical, logical, planning, tradition-conscious, organised, persistent, objective, tidy, conscientious, cautious, loyal, peace-loving, sensible, down-to-earth, responsible-minded, reserved, careful, independent, punctual, precise, demanding, ability to concentrate, trustworthy, pedantic, reliable, persevering

Take the personality type test here.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

All Worth While

This was in my email inbox this morning.  I had tears in my eyes as I read it.  After a discouraging weekend in my personal life, this was a pick me up!  It helps me to know that the Savior I serve lets me be a blessing to others even if I don't know how strongly I affect them.  Wonderful.  Thank You Natalie for this encouragement.

Dear Beth,

I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for what you meant to me when you lived here in Kodiak.  I was just reminiscing about you after having read your Christmas letter.  You did so much to help me through my first pregnancy with Cason.  You let me come over even when I had to stay off my feet, you made me maternity culottes, and nursing dresses, you allowed me to come over and relax while you just held the baby.  You might not have realized then what a huge impact that had on me.  I might not have realized it either and thanked you properly, but having had three children (and lost three children) and going through different experiences in my life I look back and treasure your welcoming spirit, your bright smile, and your gracious hospitality.  I enjoyed working with your family singing, and still think of Sully when I hear “In the highway and the hedges”.  It is hard to believe that my Cason is now older than your Sully was when you lived here.  I know you have many churches and church families across America as you transfer often and I am sure you have some special memories of each one.  Our ladies that have been here long enough to remember still talk about your tea party with us.  I know you were a great help to Maggie and I know you probably enjoyed every minute of it.  You were always a baby magnet.  I just really appreciated you and being able to hand Cason off to someone when I needed to play piano, or just needed a break.  I know it is long overdue, but I just wanted to tell you thanks, and to thank you for all the memories I have of your family.  I never got the hand of your weird lighting system in that house, or how the tub became the dividing factor in two bathrooms.  I remember house sitting for you guys and watching Banjo and kitty.  I remember fires in the fire pit outside by the lake.  You were such an asset to the church during that time, and now as we have been here for 8 ½ years it is amazing to see the changes as we look back.  Kaylee and Aaron have gone from teens to parents, and David has a girl on the line soon to be his bride.  I was reading in a devotion book and thought of you when it said to think of an “older” women who has ministered to you as the Titus 2 women.  I just thought I’d write you a note and say thanks.  May the Lord continue to bless you as you serve Him there at your church in California. 

With fond memories, (in Kodiak)
Natalie Stafford 


 " A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. "
John 13:34-35 

    And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:17
  
 

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Another New Year





Happy New Year!

When last we spoke I was in the midst of cookies.  Cookies for neighbors and making cookies for a Christmas Cookie Exchange I hosted December 21st.  Thankfully all the cookies and deserts are now gone and out of the house.  My cookie party was a success.  Including husbands and children I hosted 23 people.  We ate appetizers and COOKIES.  We also played some fun games.  One game was draw the Christmas scene on your head without peeking.  The other fun one was Reindeer Game.




We've had an eventful past few weeks.  Christmas week was a down week.  I was able to blissfully relax and not do too much.  We spent a quiet Christmas Day at home.  I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  We feasted on steak and lobster tails in the afternoon after a day of playing with our new toys.





 Daddy received two music stands and a hymnal.
 Sully got lots of stuff.  Lego's, Halo men, Halo computer game, Lawn darts, a football, nerf guns, chocolate and cash.
 I received a Barnes and Noble Nook tablet.  It is kinda neat.  I don't know how much reading I will be doing on it.  I do prefer to have paper pages beneath my fingers.  But I can surf the internet, check email and watch Netflix with it too.  I also received a large pair of diamond and opal earrings.  When I was putting the earrings in my ears, I noticed one opal had a crack all the way through it.  when I went to return the earrings, they did not have another pair.  I exchanged them for a different type of earring altogether.  I will have to take pictures of the new earrings another day.
I jumped right into a couple projects this past week.  One was cleaning out the garden and prepping the soil for the new plantings in a few weeks.  I'm really missing the fresh zucchini.  

The other project is the mulch job I started back in June(when  the power steering in the monster Truck broke.)  I hauled 3 pickup loads of mulch yesterday with only my #2 son to help me.  Manly Man took the day off to help me, and I ended up doing it myself...that is a story for another day... I am still peeved just-so-you-know.  My muscles are sore today so I'm taking a break from finishing that job.  I need one more load to finish that project.  I saw an idea on YouTube I wanted to try.  Placing mulch over the top of cardboard boxes.  The boxes kill the grass and eventually break down under the mulch.  It looked like a lot less work than spading the ground by hand so I thought I'd give it a try.  I'll let you know how successfully that turns out.




Well then, I believe we are almost caught up on my life.  Home School resumes Monday morning.  I'm going to motivate myself to finish my correspondence bible course this year. Really, it's one of my goals :-)  I'll start that Monday morning as well.  Christmas decorations must come down and be put away.  they've been up for almost 6 weeks already!  I must make some  more of that heavenly Carrot Cake Jam.  We were only able to sample one little jar.  It was super good tasting and pretty easy to make.


Carrot Cake Jam
Ingredients

  • 1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded carrots
  • 1-1/2 cups chopped peeled ripe pears
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 package (1-3/4 ounces) powdered fruit pectin
  • 6-1/2 cups sugar

Directions

  • In a large saucepan, combine the first seven ingredients. Bring to a
  • boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until pears
  • are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in
  • pectin.
  • Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
  • Stir in sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute,
  • stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; skim off foam.
  • Ladle hot mixture into hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in.
  • headspace. Remove air bubbles; wipe rims and adjust lids. Process in
  • a boiling-water canner for 5 minutes. Yield: 8 half-pints.
**I did use my immersion blender for a few pulses as my pears did not break down like I expected.  This  gave it a nice consistancy, still chunky but not as chunky as it could have been.

Have a great week dear friends!