The Back Porch

This is the back of our home, where dh is adding on our back porch.

Here are the holes we dug for the concrete supports. Yes, I was the other "man" on the two-man post digger. LOL

This is a view of the deck from the yard earlier this afternoon.

Now the cross supports are in and the posts for the roof are in place.

I'm so thankful that dh is handy and can do these kind of projects.

Stop back for more updates!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Easter 2011

It's been quite awhile since I've posted on the blog. Above is the slide show that I made of our Easter day. We woke early to search for baskets and to discover what the Easter bunny left the kids. Then we got dressed in our finest clothes and headed to 8 o'clock Mass. Following Mass, we hosted Easter dinner for my parents and John's parents. I served glazed ham, kielbassi, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, and Italian Easter bread. I made Jelly Bean Bites and Cream Puffs for dessert and my mother made a delicious chocolate coconut cake. After family left, we got into our comfy clothes to watch ds' s new Harry Potter DVD. We all fell asleep! It was a busy weekend!


Blessings,

Lisa

Student Teacher Gift, Part Two

Our student teacher's last day was Friday. Above is the photo collage I made for her using Smilebox. I put it in a matted frame and had the students sign it, as a keepsake.

As you can see, Miss Young loved it!

Here's Miss Young with our students.

We wish Miss Young all the best in life and in her career as an educator.

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Student Teacher Gift

My student teacher's last day is Friday. We made her this tote bag today. I used a fingerprint from each child to create the bumblebee body. Then, I wrote their names with a fabric paint pen and added the details to the bees. I'm going to add a tag that says: "Thanks for 'bee-ing' our teacher!" I also made a collage of photos from her experience. I'll frame it and have the kids sign the mat around the photo. I'll share a pic of that when it is ready.

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Oatmeal Cake with Crunchy Topping

This recipe was in Relish magazine, in our local paper, a few months ago. I made it last night and took it to work today to share with friends. It was very well received. It's a wonderfully moist cake and perfect for breakfast.

Cake:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup mashed banana

1 cup cooked oatmeal

Topping:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Prep Time - 20 Cook Time - 39 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan or a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. To prepare cake, beat butter until fluffy. Add sugar and beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla; beat well. Add flour, cinnamon and salt; beat until just combined. Stir in banana and cooked oatmeal.

3. Spread batter in pan. Bake about 35 minutes. Remove cake from oven. Heat broiler.

4. To prepare topping, melt butter in saucepan. Add milk and brown sugar; stir until sugar dissolves. Add oats, coconut and walnuts; stir well. Spread over warm cake. Place under broiler and broil until browned and bubbly, about 4 minutes.

Enjoy!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Weekend Update

Spring has finally arrived on the mountain. These are the only flowers on our lot, and I was so happy to see that they still bloomed this year.

On Saturday, dd went to a tea party with her grandmother. She was so excited! Here she is dressed and ready to go!

Here she is wearing the hat that they decorated at the tea party.

After the tea party, we worked on a Resurrection Egg lap book together using printables from

http://teachingheartmom.blogpsot.com/

Miss M with her completed book.

Here's a picture of our two new pear trees. It's a start!

Thank you for stopping by!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, April 4, 2011

Welcome to this week's Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

Sunday~Stuffed Green Peppers and Mashed Potatoes

Monday~Steak Fajitas, Mexican Rice and Corn

Tuesday~Turkey Clubs with Chips and a Pickle on the side

Wednesday~BBQ Italian Grilled Chicken Breasts, Rice Pilaf and Green Beans

Thursday~Best Grilled Pork Chops, Olive and Garlic Angel Hair Pasta, Steamed Peas

Friday~Brocolli Cheddar Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Saturday~ Homemade Pizza and Breaded Wings

Peace and blessings,

Lisa