Thoughts

Gaurd well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds.  Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.
~Ralph Waldo Emmerson


The miracles of nature do not semm so miraculous because they are so common.  If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world.
~Unknown


Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more;love more, and all good things will be yours.  
~Swedish Proverb


Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.  Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.  Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.
~Unknown


"After all," Anne had said to Marilla once, 'I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bringsimple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.'
~L.M. Montgomery


"Dear old world," she murmured, "you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you." 
~L.M. Montgomery

Today I...

{Warning -  this post may contain large amounts of random information.  The Writer of this blog asks that you please forgive and accept her as she is, no matter how odd.}

1.  Did School {Astonishing, I know!}

2. Made tortillas {they're soo pretty!}

3. Thinly sliced 2 1/2 apples without peeling them {not good}

4. Listened to Mike's Chair's new song {I love it} 

5. Inspected the Garden {Pictures coming soon - everything is bloomin'!}

6. Ripped up a sweater and wound up the yarn {Projects, here I come!}

7. Played with Maggie on the floor {I love her...}

8. Noticed a book I didn't recognize in the coffee table, it was Practicing the Presence of God. {as a result of #7}

9. Jumped up and down and danced a jig {as a result of #8}

10. Listened to my brother quote "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Despicable Me" for almost a solid hour {he is amazing at imitations}

11. Laughed 'til my sides hurt {as a result of #10}

12. Gave Maggie a treat {she barked at a strange dog outside of our house}

13. Found a new friend {she's a dear!}

14. Drank a glass of Iced tea {Ya know - the sweet, southern kind} 

15. Singed with my sister {and tried to listen to A Name, Not a Number}

16. Thought of my wonderful blog readers, and decided to post something for them {unfortunately, I didn't have anything interesting to say, so y'all are stuck with this!}

17. Had a great time with the Lord and friends at Prayer and Volleyball {Actually, I haven't done that yet but I'm planning to!}

So, there ya be, utterly random, and randomly useless!  Hope y'all have a great Easter Weekend!   

MaKenna Morgan

What Is It??

This afternoon I looked out my window and saw the most interesting organism... On first observation I thought it was a large spider.  However, after looking at more closely I noticed that it had only six legs - NOT a spider.

I think I may have discovered a new species!  =]

Have you ever seen anything like this?  If you have, and you know what it is, please comment and share your wealth of knowledge!  For now, I think I'll call it the "Manna" bug ("What Is It") =)

Year of the Pie - 4

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese                                                  1 cup milk

1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed                1 1/2 cups 10X sugar 

1 cup peanut butter                                                                          1 graham cracker crust (see here)

Directions:

1. Beat together cream cheese and 10X sugar.  Mix in peanut butter and milk.  Beat until smooth.  Fold in whipped topping.

2. Spoon into prepared graham cracker crust; cover; freeze until firm.

(Sorry, no pictures!)

Year of the Pie - 3

Oh my goodness! I can't believe it's been so long since we posted for Year of the Pie... time flies when you're having fun, I guess!

Double Pie Crust

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups fresh milled soft white flour (or 2 cups all-purpose flour)        2/3 cups + 2 tbsp. butter

1 tsp. salt                                                                                                          7 tbsp. cold water

Directions:

Combine flour and salt. Cut in butter. Add water and mix.  If the dough is too wet add a little more flour.  Divide dough in half and roll out on floured surface.  Makes 1 double pie crust.

*We make our crust in a food processor, first combining the flour, salt, and butter, then the water. Also, to get the water cold, the put some in a small bowl and then add a few ice cubes until they stop melting.  

**For the recipe below, roll out half the dough for the bottom of the crust.  Roll the other half out and cut into strips; this will go on the top of the pie to make a lattice top. 

Deep-Dish Blackberry Pie

Ingredients:

6 cups fresh or frozen blackberries, thawed and drained                    1 cup sugar

4 tbsp. cornstarch                                                                                  1-2 tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. cinnamon                                                                                 1/8 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Place blackberries in a bowl.  Combine sugar and cornstarch; sprinkle over berries.  Add lemon juice and cinnamon; toss to coat.  Spoon into a pie crust (see recipe above).

2.  Roll out pastry; cut into strips and make a lattice crust over filling.  Crimp edges.

3. Bush with milk; sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 375* for 40-45 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.  Cool on a wire rack.