Author Archives: ~~Rhonda

Living in a small town, I share my life with my husband Russell (married in 1977), five children (one still at home), and six cats (one indoors, the others outside).

I teach an online class called “The Christmas Notebook” which is about all things holiday prep. The many facets of celebrating Christmas comprises one of my favorite hobbies. Other favorite things include gardening, reading, cooking, and scrapbooking.

bread baking time

The grands spent the afternoon with us. They love to help in the kitchen. Today we made bread. And they helped clean out the mixing bowl, too. ~~Rhonda

spring blossoms

The wren is singing loudly outside the kitchen window and the trees look like they are “clapping their hands” in the breeze (Isaiah 55:12). A beautiful Sabbath morning. The garden gives a glimpse of God’s creation as it moves through the spring bloomers. Color and beauty. Amazing plants and flowers. Inspiration at every turn. Peonies […]

in the garden

The cooler temperatures haven’t bothered the garden. Things are growing beautifully. Hosta ‘Samurai’ ‘Liberty’ Peonies are beginning to bloom. ‘Festiva Maxima’ ‘Flame’ The iris show is beginning. ‘Raspberry Blush’ is one of our earliest. DH did a lot of mulching this week. And we enjoyed our first lettuce and spinach from the garden. Yum! I […]

crock pot brown sugar chicken

I tried this recipe today and it is a keeper! This is the link to the site where I found the recipe for Crock Pot Brown Sugar Chicken. Below is the recipe with the changes I made. 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts and six boneless, skinless thighs 3/4 c. white sugar 1 T. unsulphered molasses […]

menu plan monday ~ april 9, 2012

Easter Sunday was not the best day I’ve had. I woke up feeling fine, but around 9:30 was hit with aches and nausea. It turned out to be another leg infection. I’m dosed with meds and feeling better today. But I had to ask my DDIL to come over early to fix dinner. She took […]

menu plan monday ~ april 2, 2012

The week has gone by quickly. Not sure why. I didn’t get around to making the menu earlier, but here it is in case anyone is interested. Easter dinner isn’t set in stone yet. I’ll confer with our daughter-in-law and see what their family would like to include. The twins stayed overnight with us. Yesterday […]

decorah eagles

I am enjoying watching the Decorah eagles. The first eaglet hatched yesterday and the second one today. One to go. The parents are very attentive, feeding bits of fish to the babies today. This is a wonderful opportunity to watch an amazing process up close and personal. You can view the eagle cam here. ~~Rhonda

menu plan monday ~ march 26, 2012

When the twins put their heads together, they always remind me of the fairy tale about Snow White and Rose Red. Today we took straw bales out to the farm for the potato patch. The girls were fascinated. Though Snow White said, “This is itchy,” and hopped up right away. Quick and easy menu this […]

Sunday bouquet

The lilacs are perfuming the yard. Our yard has shrubs from my mom’s yard, my grandmother’s yard, and my mother-in-law’s yard. All went into the bouquet. ~~Rhonda

“baby” ants

While enjoying the east porch Saturday afternoon, the girls discovered a line of small ants moving across the railing. “Look at the baby ants!” Fascinating! Having the ant crawl over her fingers and hand didn’t bother her at all. Different story for her sister. Had to show it to Pa. Putting the ant back “so […]