Christmas Lights in Gaffney

These pictures didn't show up as good as I hoped they would, but I guess that's as good as it gets with my new little camera and taking pictures in the dark!! Just wanted to show you our house at Christmas time.

So I mentioned in a previous post (http://kellyquinn.blogspot.com/2007/11/preparing-for-christmas.html) about the local college putting out luminaries though our neighborhood. Here is our street. I know it's kinda hard to see.
Cars drive up and down for hours. On the left there is a tractor pulling a hayride coming down the road.
We got our outside lights up, but not the Christmas tree. We were on our front porch and everyone drove by trying to get the tree ready to go in the house. I think this is the longest we've had a tree without decorating it. It sat outside all Saturday night and made it into the house Sunday afternoon. It's still sitting there waiting to be decorated. It looks kinda pretty all bare and green. Terry has hung one little angel he made in Sunday School on one of the lower branches. :-) Maybe tomorrow will be the day???

At the Little Theater

Here are the girls when we went to the Little Theater to see the Velveteen Rabbit. They both said they liked it even better than they did the Little Princess. (I liked the Little Princess better!!) :-) I know I'm the mama, but they look so pretty to me!! Emily seems to be growing up so fast. I think she looks much older than 7.

Here they are with their friend, Briana. Briana was in the Little Princess also. She was one of the "real" rabbits this time. She did great and even had a speaking part.

Brenda is loving the plays so much that she went and tried out for Hansel and Gretel. She didn't get a call back, but said that wouldn't discourage her. She is hoping to try out for Heidi after the first of the year. (Unless something comes to the Gaffney Theater first - that would be much more convenient for mama!!)

I just read the best article at Domestic Felicity. Thought some of you might to check it out.

http://ccostello.blogspot.com/2007/11/go-out-there-and-help-poor.html

Go out there and help the poor!

"If you want to be a godly woman, you should go out and help the poor and needy, instead of spending your days polishing the bathroom sink."

***

This, my friends, is the first time I get such a scorching remark in response to a post about cleaning and home organization; a milestone! Most of the negative comments I receive come as a reply to my posts about feminism, masculine leadership and the role of women.

But, as I already said several times, while I have no intention to allow a hostile spirit in my comments section, even personal insults can be a blessing if they cause me to stop, think, and double- and triple-check my attitude, which is precisely what I'm going to do now.

Not to brag, but just to clarify, I will say that I definitely support – and practice – helping others and extending the hand of fellowship to those who need it. As someone who experienced the overwhelming kindness of strangers, how can I not? In the past few years, I volunteered in the local community center; tutored a sick child without receiving any payment, for many months; baked for charity events; collected and donated used clothes and other items; no, I'm not saying I do enough – but one never stops growing, isn't that so?

However, here's something I have a problem with: the idea that it is acceptable (or even encouraged) to neglect the needs of our most loved ones, the people closest to us, the ones God entrusted us with – our family – in order to go out and do something 'for the greater good'.

This might ruffle someone's feathers, but I think that if my home is dirty and messy, meals aren't provided on time, the refrigerator is empty, the dirty laundry hamper is overflowing, and I haven't spent quality time with my family, or neglected my spiritual life, for a while now – this means something is wrong! I'll even tell you what: from the best intentions, from trying to do as much good as I possibly can, I end up doing harm.

Please note that I'm not referring to emergencies. If I see an injured stranger who needs a ride to the hospital, I'll drop my grocery bag or brush and mop or whatever I'm doing at the moment, and I will help. But if, for instance, I volunteer in the local elders club, while my Grandma stays home alone, her needs unattended, I just don't see how this can be right.

I remember this story I heard once, about a man who was asked, 'what does your wife do?' to which he replied, 'she takes care of unwanted children'. Some nodded approvingly, but then his honesty got the better of him and he added: 'the children are our own, and well, if she didn't take care of them, they would be unwanted!'

Don't get me wrong; if you can fit volunteering (or any other activity) in your life without your immediate duties suffering and without living in a hectic, crazy pace, that's wonderful. But if you have a family, you have obligations – a daughter to her elderly parents, a wife to her husband, a mother to her children; for them, you are irreplaceable. Without taking care of those who need you the most, you cannot have peace and order in your life. And if you don't have that, how can you bring it to others?

Jotted down by Anna S



This was written by a young girl names Anna.

"I'm a grown-up daughter, living at home, delighted to take care of my family. I enjoy my years as a single and do my best to make them useful and productive, learning, growing and preparing to become a virtuous and joyful wife, in God's perfect timing. I invite you to join me on this exciting journey! "

Wow, what a head start she has on life huh?

Words of a Housewife

This is a beautiful poem by Chelsea Peterson posted on LadiesAgainstFeminism - http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/Biblical_Womanhood_and_Christian_Living_14/Words_of_a_Housewife1003009.shtml

Words of a Housewife
By Chelsea Peterson
Nov 21, 2007 - 11:11:03 AM


Words of a Housewife

God, I want to do great things for you,
And speak to all the nations!
God replies:
That’s well and good,
But for now
Fix your children’s complications.

Lord, I want to straighten up the world,
Feed the hungry and fulfill someone’s wishes!
God says:
Fine, but for the present,
You need to wash the dishes.

Lord, I want to preach, proclaim your name
And bring salvation to the earth!
God says:
Good! Then teach your children
And preach my name to those you’ve given birth.

At the end of the day,
I think of all I’ve done.
But as I look it seems,
I’ve accomplished nothing for the Son!
God I had no time to witness one on one,
I couldn’t join my church group,
They said I missed out on lots of fun.

My household is the only thing
That managed to be cleaned,
My neighbor is the only one,
Besides my family I could feed.

The only ones I’ve read Your Word
Are those within my home.
God I’ve done so very little
And I feel so all alone!

God says:
I’ve seen the way you cleaned and cooked
And taught your kids My name.
Tomorrow morning at eight o’ clock,
I’ll watch you do the same.

The work you do at home,
Though no one really sees,
Is helping to raise little ones
To grow and worship me.

My ways are not your ways,
I don’t expect you yet to see,
But the precepts that you’ve taught your children,
Will help others bow the knee.

Your children will reach out to others,
Your example in their mind.
They’ll do great work for Me
And their children will respond in kind.

The hand that rules the world,
Also rocks the cradle.
Because of you, your children love Me,
All their hearts are stable.

Though your house is your domain,
Your tasks seem rather plain,
Your efforts will reach the multitudes,
Though from humble work they came.

Upcoming Menu

What's for Dinner
Originally uploaded by Kelly Ferry

Friday - Tacos

Saturday - Homemade veggie soup (should be great after a cold day at the parade - plus makes good use of the leftover turkey bones waiting in the frig)

Sunday - Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese

Monday - Spaghetti

Tuesday - Gwyn's Chicken Casserole

Wednesday - Salmon Stew

Thursday - Meatball Subs

All subject to change due to time, temperament, and attitudes!!! :-)




Note: "Some people carve their turkeys and hams in the kitchen, and just lay out a platter of meat, and some do their carving at the table. Either way, make sure to save those ham bones and turkey carcasses. Put the turkey in your biggest stockpot, fill it up with water, and toss in a roughly chopped onion, a couple of chopped up carrots and some celery. Add some garlic, (fresh, dried, whatever) snap a lid on it, and bring to a boil. After it boils, skim the top, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Check it periodically and add water if you need to. Simmer this for as long as you can, 24 hours is what I do, and it makes the best stock, but 8 or 12 hours is fine if that's all you have. Let it cool once it's done, then pour the stock through a strainer in to a large container with a lid. Place in the refrigerator overnight, to allow fat to rise. In the morning, skim off the fat, then you can divide your beautiful turkey stock in to smaller containers for the freezer. This keeps wonderfully for a year, and is great for making Chicken or Turkey Noodle Soup, other soups, making gravy, or even adding to mashed potatoes or anything that needs a flavor boost. Also, chicken or turkey stock has incredible health benefits, and is wonderful to have on hand for cold and flu season." Taken from The Place of H blog...

The Velveteen Rabbit

We started The Velveteen Rabbit today. We all curled up in my bed and read the first half. We are hoping to read the last of it tomorrow and then go and see the play on Saturday. It should be a fun outing!!

Preparing for Christmas

christmas ribbon
Originally uploaded by blossom lover

Preparations are well under way in the Quinn household!!! Everything starts off tomorrow so we can be ready to really start our Jesse tree on Friday so we can start our first ornament on Saturday - December 1st. Does that make any sense? Regardless, Christmas starts around here tomorrow!!! :-) I love the Christmas season. It is my very favorite time of the year. I inherited it bad on both sides - from my mama and my daddy. I remember my mama hiding presents in our dryer and my daddy snooping around the house looking for his goodies. My mama was a champion shopper. She loved it just as I do. She would have really loved the Black Friday shopping days we have now!!!

The girls and I will continue to homeschool through all the holidays, just as we did during thanksgiving - learning, cooking, cleaning, crafting, gifting.... When the boys come home from school, we will just add them in. So, here are our school plans - starting from the outside decorations and glitter to the real heart of the matter.

Thursday - Nov 29 - begin shopping for school/Christmas supplies (we need lots of ribbons and such for crafts and then baking goodies too), (presents are almost finished!!) :-)
Begin reading the Velveteen Rabbit,

Friday - Nov 30 - Begin our Jesse Tree - setting it up and teaching the girls what we are doing. This will be our first year doing the Jesse Tree. I am very excited about it all. The girls will make a notebook of our studies.
Finish the Velveteen Rabbit.
Create our Advent Cookie Countdown Ribbon (and just for those of you counting - that will be 150 cookies for all 6 kids!!!)

Update - the Advent Cookie Countdown got scratched. It was gonna cost way to much. We will just continue with our other plans. ;-)



Saturday - Dec 1 - First Ornament on the Jesse Tree (continuing adding an ornament a day though Christmas) Day 1 - Sun - God's creation of the universe,
Velveteen Rabbit at the Little theater.
Luminaries along the sidewalks in our neighborhood with carriage rides down our road (we need to get our outside decorations up before this!!!)
Get to eat the first cookie from the Advent ribbon!!

Sunday - Dec 2 - First day of Advent - getting Christmas tree

Dec 3 - studying trees,
Making a popcorn Christmas tree and a Breakfast Bread shaped like a tree,
Decorating our tree
We will add in carols, poetry and art work on each day that fits together

Dec 4 - Continuing with our tree study -
Making a Flaming Tree Cake,
Reading the Tree Night Book,
Making some outside decorations for the birds

Dec 5 - Wreaths and Candy Canes - the legend of the Candy Cane, decorating with wreaths and candy canes on the tree

Dec 6 - Poinsettias - legend, decorating, poinsettia cookies

Dec 7 - Holly and Berries / Gingerbread - making a Gingerbread house

Dec 8 - Christmas Parade

Dec 9 - 2nd Sunday in Advent

Dec 10 - St. Nicholas - a study on the man

Dec 11 - Studying Angels and Gabriel
Begin reading One Wintry Night, by Ruth Bell Graham, reading one chapter a day until the day after Christmas - the book ends in the crucifixion

Dec 12 - Studying Mary

Dec 13 - Studying Elizabeth

Dec 14 - Studying Joseph

Dec 15 - free Saturday

Dec 16 - 3rd Advent Sunday

Dec 17 - Studying Zacharias and John

Dec 18 - Studying Bethlehem

Dec 19 - Studying the Manger

Dec 20 - Studying the Names of Jesus - Immanuel, Son the the Most High...

Dec 21 - Studying the Prophecies and their fulfillment in Jesus' birth

Dec 22 - Quinn Family Christmas

Dec 23 - Last Sunday of Advent

Dec 24 - Christmas Eve - Quinn's Chili
Christmas eve presents

Dec 25 - Christmas - Jesus!!! - First day of Christmas
Clary Christmas

Dec 26 - 2nd day of Christmas - The Old and New Testaments

I know that there is a lot of disagreement on wheather the 12 days of Christmas really were used as a secret code for the Christian church. Regardless, I think they are a wonderful way to help refresh the children's knowledge of the things of God. It should be a fun study.

Dec 27 - 3rd day of Christmas - The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13) - This shoud be fun - Brenda just got finished studying this in her Mere Christianity devotion book


Dec 28 - 4th day of Christmas - The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.

Dec 29 - 5th day of Christmas - The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.


Dec 30 - 6th day of Christmas - The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).

Dec 31 - 7th day of Christmas - The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

Jan 1 - 8th day of Christmas - The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)


Jan 2 - 9th day of Christamas - The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22)


Jan 3 - 10th day of Christmas - The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)


Jan 4 - 11th day of Christmas - The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.


Jan 5 - 12 th day of Christmas - ,The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting. (All taken from the Internet web site of CRI/Voice)
Star and star pastries

Jan 6 - Wisemen and the Gift of the Magi

We will continue here with the flight into Egypt, the Slaughter of the Innocents, and the Childhood of Christ. After all this we will return to school as normal!!!

This is just a rough draft. I'm sure there will be days where certain things don't make it, but then there will be days when many things are added. Such is life around here!!

Enjoy the Season with your family!!

Blog Update

I am excited about my blog. Mrs. Wilt (from the Sparrow's Nest blog) has agreed to help me out!!! She is going to give my blog a little makeover. I am so un-computer savy!!! I can't wait to see what she comes up with!!!

Brenda has been having a ball with her myspace page. I think she is learning much quicker than I have!!

Campfire

Artie fixed a big campfire for the children tonight before bed. It was so cold out, but the fire kept us warm. The boys (and girls) so love to poke around in the fire with little sticks. Brenda and I ran out and got some marshmallows to roast. Looks like by now I would have some ready - but it's hard to keep marshmallows in this house with seven children!!!

I'm not sure why the fire didn't show up in the picture, but I promise there was a fire there!!! :-)

Black Friday

Kmart; Vernon, Conn.
Originally uploaded by XISMZERO

Artie and I headed out at 5:30 this morning (slept in - usually I've left my house by 4:00 on Black Friday). Artie hates shopping!!! So, it's really fun for me to have him with me this one day of the year. I use to go by myself, but as the children have gotten older, the presents seemed to have gotten bigger. He comes to help me load all my goodies in the buggies. Plus, we have outgrown one buggy by a long shot!!!

So we went to K-Mart this morning and were there about 10 minutes after they opened (missing all the rushing in the door!) . In previous years, I've always shopped at Wal-Mart. This is the first year in probably 10 or more that I haven't been in there on Black Friday - didn't step foot in all day!!!

We went prepared with a list in hand - but Artie always finds more while we are there. We found such great stuff - from presents for the children to my granddaddy - whose always hard for me to pick out for. I guess I can't really tell much of what we got since Brenda reads my blog. Guess you will have to wait til Chistmas to see what we got!! :-)

The Big Day

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!! The girls took on Thanksgiving as a homeschool project. They totally cooked the whole meal - from planning and shopping to setting the table and cooking. It was a great success. Artie was so proud - telling everyone that his girls (only 12 and 7 years old) were cooking his Thanksgiving dinner for him!! I don't think the men at work could imagine them being able to pull that off!

Here is Brenda breaking up the biscuits for the dressing


and with the cornbread. Mimi's dressing turned out sooooo good. Definitely one of my childhood favorites.


Artie carved the turkey - always his job. He likes to sneak in and eat the turkey skin. I told the children they were gonna have to have their own house and cook there own turkey there before they will be able to try some turkey skin. It's all Daddy's here!!! :-)


I think Terry's ready to eat!!!


The girls did such a great job setting the table. After Artie carved the turkey, we ran everyone out of the dining room to prepare. Artie's job was to clean up the little boys and have them all ready. The girls were busy setting the table, finishing up the rolls and changing into presentable clothes (original clothing slightly covered from the day cooking!!). The candles were lit and the gentlemen were invited in.


The girls pose with their table.


What a pair!!!


Just before the blessing. Troy's dying to eat!!! You would have thought he hadn't eaten in weeks. God's been so good to us this year. It was so wonderful to have all the children around the table.


Me and Brenda


Artie and Brian

The Day Before....

Thanksgiving plans are well underway. The turkey is thawing (hiding in the oven - our cat is terrible about getting into food thawing!!), the pies are setting up in the frig (Brenda cooked 2 peanutbutter pies yesterday in school), and the living room is cleaned. Still a long way to go, but we've started. I've got Chris Tomlin playing in the background. The Amazing Grace song is definitely my favorite right now - and seems so perfect for Thanksgiving!!

I went to Goodwill today and bought some new dishes and glasses. I got the dishes all mix and match, but all in yellows and blues. They look great together. I also picked up some new drinking glasses for everyone. You might not believe it - but dishes and glasses don't really last long around here. :-) Paper plastic plates are fine for everyday, but I wanted something pretty for lunch tomorrow. I read the best article yesterday on at Large Family Mothering on "we don't cry over spilt dishes". It was a mother of 12 talking about this same thing - she said... "I have found a solution that works, at least for us. I just buy whatever looks "cute" to me at garage sales and the Goodwill--no matter if it matches or not. It is so fun to shop for dishes and mugs now. I came away with 15 new mugs from the Goodwill today for an average of $.20 a piece! They had all sorts of patterns, and the kids helped me pick them out. We enjoy our dinners with an array of color choices, sort of an eclectic "country" look."

ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com/2007/11/we-dont-cry-over-spilt-dishes.html

So, I spent less thank $10 and got 10 plates and 8 glasses. All the glasses have tall stems and look really pretty. The littles are very exciting about the "fanciness"!! :-) Brenda is even exciting and waiting on the dishwasher to finish to get them washed up.

So, we still have lots to do today. We will cook the cornbread and biscuits for the dressing, put the green beans and potatoes in the crock pot, probably peel the potatoes and have them soaking in the frig, clean the dining room and kitchen and then there is the usual meals to fix today and clothes to wash. We'll save the turkey, macaroni and cheese, corn, and bread to fix tomorrow. I think we aren't eating until about 4:00 - Brian's gonna be able to come - God is good!!! (he's also coming today to take Troy out for lunch and spend some time with him)

I'm hoping to do a little shopping tomorrow and a lot on Friday morning early!!! (is there any other time to shop on Black Friday?) I'm working really hard to keep it Black Friday and not turn it into RED Friday!!! Cash only again this year!!! Praise God for teaching us so much about debt and money!!

Okay, enough time here, I'm off to wash, cook and clean!!!

Thanksgiving Homeschool

We found a fun site that Brenda enjoyed yesterday in our study of Thanksgiving.

http://www.plimoth.org/education/olc/navigation.html

We also listened to a great broadcast on Focus on the Family. It talked about how schools now teach children that Thanksgiving is where the pilgrims thanked the Indians in stead of the pilgrims thanking God for all His provision. It sparked some interesting conversations with all the boys when they got home from school.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille 03
Originally uploaded by famalovely

Friday night we had movie night. The children had been waiting for Ratatouille to come out on video. It seemed to arrive in quick time - I was afraid there was gonna be a long wait. Artie was in Charlotte at our friend's Jack and Nikki's engagement party (I didn't get to go - now that Troy's working, I've lost my night time babysitter!!) - so it was just me and the children. We laid out covers and pillows and set in to watch the movie. It was a fun night. It meant a lot that Brian was there to watch part of it with us too.

Our Thanksgiving Meal

Thanksgiving turkey
Originally uploaded by master phillip

Brenda and I just planned out our Thanksgiving meal. Here is a run down of the Quinn Family Thanksgiving. All our favorites...

Turkey
Mimi's dressing
Mashed potatoes
Gravy
Green beans with little potatoes- yummmmmm (Brenda's favorite)
Creamed corn
Mimi's Macaroni and cheese
Rolls
and of course sweet tea!!

with Mimi's Peanut butter pie for dessert. Kinda looks like it's gonna be Mimi's thanksgiving doesn't it!! :-) Mimi and Granddaddy will be eating thanksgiving with my aunt Trisha this year again.

We also just had Thanksgiving with Artie's family Sunday afternoon - it was yummy too. We took mashed potatoes, broccoli pasta, and a soda. With so many of them, we don't each have to fix a lot.

A different Thanksgiving turkey!!

A different Thanksgiving turkey!!
Originally uploaded by chrisbest

What Part of Thanksgiving are You?

You Are Mashed Potatoes

Oridnary, comforting, and more than a little predictable You're the glue that holds everyone together.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

William Tell Overture

I can't remember who first showed this to me, but I think it's hilarious!!!! So true, so true. My girls have laughed and laughed.

Chris Tomlin - Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

This is my new favorite singer. Chris Tomlin. He's one of those guys - like Sonic Flood was to me - when you hear his song, you say "Oh I love that song, I didn't know he was the one who sang it" I love this Amazing Grace video. I am wanting to see the movie now.

WOW!

Brenda is taller than I am!!!!

Friday night

It's been a fun night tonight. Artie is at his friend Tim's throwing horseshoes with his other friend Jack. They are some trio!!

Troy is in Jacksonville, Fl with the Jr. Air force ROTC. He will be there for the whole weekend. He has been so excited about the trip. His only concern is his friend, Cricket, is still in the hospital - so he would be better if she were good and home.

That leaves just the little children and me and Brenda at home tonight. Brenda decided we should have a girl's night and "do hair". I was prepared - I had saved some pictures that were in the last Real Simple magazine of different up-do's and had bought some bobby pins knowing this would come up soon. Wow, the looks we came up with. Brenda ended up with her hair braided all over her head in little braids and tied up with two bandannas - to give her some waves tomorrow. It made me think back when she was little. We always rolled her hair in sponge rollers on Saturday nights for Sunday church. She is laying in my bed now watching Full House - where the girls are still real little. Guess, it's time for me to go and curl up in bed with her and watch more TV.

Pumpkin Moonshine

Emily and I read the sweetest little book today. I had never heard of it before. It's called Pumpkin Moonshine and is by Tasha Tudor - so you know the illustrations are darling!! I think Ms. Tudor will be Emily's next artist study. The story is of a cute little girl in blue dress and bonnet with a white apron named Sylvie Ann and her dog Wiggy and their journey on bringing home a very big pumpkin. I think I found this book in one of Dawn's posts on October readings - By Sun and Candlelight. Thanks Dawn.

Tuesday's Night at the Quinn Home

Tuesday's night dinner was prepared by Brenda and Emily. We knew we had a crazy evening, so early in the day Brenda cooked up a couple of huge slices of country ham. We are now having to hide anything cooked or thawing out - Princess, the cat formally known as Prince - will eat through any type of covering to get to meat!!! So we hid the cooked ham in the microwave until dinner was ready. Later in the afternoon, Brenda cooked up 2 dozen scrambled eggs to go with the ham. That was dinner - no grits, no biscuits - that's all we had time for!! (Emily did make some brownies for dessert though~~~~)

Artie got home just in time to take Bobby to gymnastics. I took Stephen to his first wrestling practice - it was a blast. We usually don't like to have so many nights during the week where we are out of the house - but this is the first time the twins have been involved in any outside activities and we didn't want to make them do the same thing when their personalities and interests are so different. So we all rushed home, met up and carved the pumpkin (nothing like waiting til the last minute). Artie wanted me to take a picture of our Quinn pumpkin (it looks like one of our kids) - and I reminded him of the camera situation. I told him he could just go ahead and forfeit the contest and buy the camera and he said he would wait!! He's so sure he's gonna win. So, in the midst of the craziness last night - we missed the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!!! Will my little kids ever recover? My older children never had such abuse!!!

Last Night's Dinner

Artie is getting on to me about my blog. We were talking last night about how far I've come with my cooking since we got married but still, if I lost my cookbook - it would be like starting from scratch for me. Everything is in there. I don't keep lots of cookbooks, if I cook it and we like it - it goes in my cookbook - that way I can always find the recipe I'm looking for.

Slowly I'm gonna try and transfer the whole thing to my blog. I am gonna try and just list my meals each night or the previous nights (many times my plans change by dinner time) and add in recipes when I have them.

Last night we had a picnic ham (Brenda baked) with pasta & broccoli and then also cheddar and garlic mashed potatoes (Emily cooked both of these). Both the starches were free from past triple sales at Harris Teeter - I don't just buy mixes like that - but if they are free.... :-) We also had some big and little biscuits to eat out ham in. The ham is wonderful. It is one of my best finds in the meat section. I always buy one when they go on sale for $.99/lb. All you have to do is trim it up and then bake in tinfoil for a couple of hours. Of course in our crazy house - all the sharp knives have disappeared and I had to run down to Dollar General and pick up a new knife so Artie could carve the ham!!!

(Artie and I are having a race to see who can lose 30 lbs first. If I win I get a new camera - so maybe I can get some pictures following the later posts on our dinners)

Brenda is working in the kitchen a lot this year in school. Right now on top of her cooking, she is learning how to clean out the frig. She is cleaning out a main shelf and a door shelf each day so it's not too overwhelming for her. Hopefully the top will still be clean by the time she gets to the bottom - but you never know here. She is doing so great with her cooking.

Brenda has also made an inventory of all the food in both freezers, the pantry, the hutch and the food cabinets. When she is done cleaning the frig - she will do one there too. Later we will work on learning how to make the menus using the food already in the house.

Beverly Lewis

I just finished the best book today. I love Beverly Lewis' writings. I have been reading The Post Card for what seems like months. I don't have near the time to read since school has started. Beverly never seems to disappoint!!! The Postcard is about a Amish lady and the "healing arts" of the Amish. Can't tell more than that - you'll have to read the book. This book was as great as all the others I've read. I'm hoping to get The Crossroad next - if it's in at the library.

Mother Daughter Retreat

Well, we are in the midst of planning and packing for our Mother/Daughter retreat. It seems like such a simple thing - we are leaving Friday afternoon and returning on Saturday night, but with six children at home - many plans must be made. I think... Artie is going to be able to get off work early to get home and stay with Terry and Emily and then be here when the twins get home from school, but we won't know until late in the day tomorrow. We do have back up plans at least!!! :-) There are meals to still be bought and ready for the family left behind, clothes to be washed and packed, plus the normal homework, dinner preparations, and clothing issues for tomorrow!!! :-) I am looking forward to a fun retreat with Brenda. It will be nice to get away for a while. I am hoping for a nice soak in the hotel bathtub. I'm gonna take some bubble bath. :-)

Watch out NASCAR - here comes the QUINN's

Artie and Troy are going to their first NASCAR race tonight. Artie ws so excited!!! Troy just wanted to drive to Charlotte!! (He got his driver's permit about a month ago)

Here's a little blurb about it from the Lowe's Motor Speedway website....


Bank of America 500 event details!

A death-defying automobile stunt, a concert by three of country music's fastest rising stars and a more fan-friendly format for driver introductions will be among the highlights of pre-race festivities for the Bank of America 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race Saturday night, Oct. 13, at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

While towing a camper trailer behind a 1979 Buick, veteran stuntman Chris "Crash" Morena will launch from a 40-foot steel ramp and attempt to sail 150 feet through the air before crashing into a collection of parked cars.

Coordinated by legendary stuntman Brian Carson, a Hollywood pyrotechnic team plans to detonate an explosive blast in the recreational vehicle while Morena is in mid-flight. A series of pyrotechnic blasts will also go off around the landing area.

"We've jumped a motorhome, a school bus and even a garbage truck, but this will be the first time we have attempted a jump involving a trailer," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, the president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "We always try to give the fans something to make them say 'I can't believe they did that,' and this stunt will do just that."

The pre-race concert, produced by CMT, will include performances by Brent Keith, Carter's Chord and Flynnville Train. It will take place on two stages positioned near the start/finish line.
Keith first garnered national attention on "Nashville Star," a television talent competition, and was then selected to perform the title track for "Dale," the feature film documenting the life of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.

Carter's Chord and Flynnville Train are up-and-coming groups that have been signed by Show Dog Nashville, the independent record label established by recording star Toby Keith. Carter's Chord features the singing and songwriting sisters Becky, Emily and Joanna Roberts who perform a unique brand of country blues infused with sibling harmonies. Flynnville Train is a five-piece band, led by vocalist Brian Flynn, which draws on country, hard rock and blues inspirations.

For the first time, driver introductions for the Bank of America 500 will be brought closer to the fans. Each of the 43 race cars will be paraded onto the speedway's frontstretch and the drivers will be introduced while standing beside their cars. After each driver is introduced, he will be paraded around the 1.5-mile track in the back of a Toyota Tundra pickup truck.
The Bank of America 500 pre-race show, which starts at 5:40 p.m., will also include a Toyota Tundra Monster Truck, the fire-breathing antics of Robosaurus and the Oregon Aero SkyDancer skywriting team.

Whiskey Falls, another up-and-coming country music act whose self-titled debut album was released in September, will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner."

A Little Princess

Well the play - The Little Princess - was wonderful!!! Both girls were surprised at how much better they thought the book was than the actual play. :-)

We were happy to find out that Brenda's friend - Briana - from our old church - was in the play. She was the beggar girl. It was good to see her - and her mama - Kathy - and brother and adorable sister!!

After the play, we ended our day in Spartanburg with a trip to the world famous - Beacon Restaurant!! It was so good!!!
Emily and I had chili cheeseburgers and lemonade and Brenda had a club sandwich and Beacon tea.
Of course, we brought Artie home a double cheese burger and fries!!! :-)

A Day of Reading

IMG_0150
Originally uploaded by kinmokusei

We are having a whole day of reading today. Tomorrow we are going to see the play - The Little Princess. Today we must finish the book. Emily and I have four chapters to read today (we just finished the first of the four) and Brenda has six to finish!! It's cold here this morning. We are snuggled up under the covers reading - Emily and I in my bed and Brenda in hers. We are looking so forward to seeing the play tomorrow. It should be such fun. I am loving the book. Somehow, growing up I missed the book and whole story. Oh, if we all could behave like little Sara does in the midst of our trials!!! ;-)

I bought the coolest CD last night!!! Emily has been reading and memorizing poems from Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses. I found a CD that has 16 of his poems set to music. They sound beautiful!!! I just know she will love it.



Here's the review from Amazon...



Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com



As a young Scotsman, the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson suffered a childhood of illness and frailty. As a result, Stevenson developed a rich inner life as well as an author's keen sense of observation. Much of A Child's Garden of Verses comes from this period of relative infirmity. And on A Child's Garden of Songs we most agreeably find these same charmingly insightful words set to music, sung and played by a cast of singers and musicians in fashions that range from whimsical ("Auntie's Skirts") to magical ("From a Railway Carriage") to wistful ("To Any Reader"). Written expressly for children, these poems breathe life into new worlds born of a love for language. Coupled with fine arrangements on Celtic pipes and strings, this is a fertile garden of enrichment for the whole family. --Paige La Grone



From Parents' Choice®Robert Louis Stevenson's children's poetry, timeless verses that so vividly describe the world of a child's imagination, are set to music by musician/producer Ted Jacobs with a Celtic flavor and lullaby rhythms. The poems about early summer bedtime, the wind and rain, playing pirate, shadow play and dreamy times are brought gently to life by child and adult singers. A 1999 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Winner. (Lynne Heffley, Parents' Choice®)






Emily has already gotten some fun school things this week. First, she has been studying about our state bird - the Carolina Wren - in her reading from the first story in the Burgess Bird Book. We've done a lot of fun things besides just reading the story. We've looked the Wren up online and found one building her nest and another one feeding her babies. We've colored a picture of one (Terry too) and learned their sound. We put up a new bird feeder and listened and found them singing in our backyard. Then Emily got a stuffed Wren that makes the tea-kettle sound when you squeeze it.






She also got some material with the Carolina Wren and the state flower - yellow jasmine - on it. We haven't decide what she is gonna do with it yet. We'll have to talk with Granny - our sewing teacher - first; maybe a tote of some kind.

Quiet at the Quinn Home

It's quiet at the Quinn Home today. Well, as quiet as it can be with four little one running wildly!!! :-) Troy and Brenda are at the Fall Retreat with the church (they will be home tomorrow) and Artie is taking a well deserved nap!! Quiet time is such a rare thing to me now days, I almost don't know what to do with myself!!! No worries, I will work it out!! :-) I so miss having Daria and now Gwyn here with me. I often wonder why God sends my friends off to serve Him in other countries??? :-)

We've have a nice day here today. It's been terrible muggy, but thankfully not too hot. The leaves are starting to show signs of changing soon, several are flying around in the air.

Stephen and Terry went and got haircuts and I finally got Stephen signed up for wrestling!! :-) Finally I have a son who wants to wrestle!!! This is my favorite sport by far!! I'm hoping Troy might try out for the High School team, but I really don't think he's interested. He too caught up in ROTC. Stephen asked me today if he kept wrestling until he grew up if he could wrestle on TV (something he's not even allowed to watch - which is funny to me - cause it was my favorite show growing up - but the didn't have all the filth on it like they do now!!) Oh, for the good old days with Ric Flair wrestling Dusty Rhodes!! :-) I know good little Christian, homeschooling mamas aren't suppose to like wrestling, but that's the way I was raised!! :-) I use to watch it with my grandmother. My great-grandfather use to sit his chair right in front of the TV and then get so upset, he would turn his chair over jumping up. The doctor told him not to watch it any more - it wasn't good for his health!!!

So, enough of my silly post today. The littles are watching An American Tail for the first time. I will probably work in my bedroom tonight. It has been very neglected lately since school started.

My Favorite New Thing

I have a new favorite thing!!!

YouTube!!!!

It's so great. I've listened to my old favorite music.

Here's a list of my old music... :-)

Donny Osmond - Puppy Love - the Donny Osmond now

Puppy Love 1972 - Donny O - the Donny Osmond then (Brenda thinks this is hilarious!!!) Zac Efron has nothing on him!!! :-)

Westlife - "Seasons In The Sun" - not Terry Jacks, but pretty good

Bo Donaldson - Billy Don't Be A Hero

Donna Fargo - Funny Face 1982

Donna Fargo - Happiest Girl In The Whole USA3 - All time favorite!!!

Sonny and Cher - I Got You Babe 1965

1940's Hollywood Pop - Jimmy Wakely

I'm Leaving It All Up To You - Donnie and Marie (Allison Peeler and I use to sing this on her front porch all the time. She wanted to change her name to Marie!!) :-)

ClassicTVBlog- Donny & Marie Sing Country & Rock n Roll

Shaun Cassidy--DaDoRonRon--&--RokNRo ll #1A

tammy wynette stand by your man

SONNY & CHER - THE BEAT GOES ON

Robert John "Sad Eyes" (1979 - #1 hit)

I have some more play lists, but this is the funniest one!!! I have some good Sandi Patti, Mylon LeFever, the Carpenters, REO Speedwagon, Third Day, Kelly and Artie songs...

Just my music. Everyone else doesn't quiet appreciate it as much as I do!!! :-)

Emily's Poetry Recitation

Happy Thought
Originally uploaded by Cunning Stunt

Happy Thought

The world is so full of a number of things,
I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

September 11th

On September 11, 2007, Troy's 15th birthday, he dressed up in his ROTC uniform for the first time and walked out the door to participate in a 9/11 remembrance service at school. It sure was hard as a mama to watch him walk out knowing that is all he ever wants to do. The ROTC cadets stood at attention for 45 minutes holding the 9/11 signs while the other students arrived at school. It was such an honor for Troy to get to be a part.

Troy is in the middle line, the last tallest in his row.

ROTC Summer Boot Camp

Here is Troy at his ROTC Summer Boot Camp. They had a one day boot camp and learned different turns and commands before school started. The top picture is inside the common's area of the high school.

Troy's in the black and white shirts and that is his friend, Cricket beside him in the bottom picture.

October in the Quinn Home

Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight has the best post on October Activities...

http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/2007/08/themes-and-plan.html#comment-80266367

Here are some of our families favorite October Activities:

1st - My Mimi's birthday - she will be a beautiful 83 this year

Our favorite snacks:
apples
grapes
carrots and dip
caramel apples
hot apple cider
pop corn

I am hoping to try:
a pomegranate
pop corn balls
pumpkin muffins

11Th - our anniversary - 16 years this year!!!

27Th - my daddy's birthday - 61!!!

Our church's Fall Fun Festival - they usually have a rock wall to climb, giant slides, obstacle course, sticky wall (Brenda had to cut her hair out last time - it was complete stuck!!!), ball pit bungee run and a moon walk. It's lots' of fun

Picking apples
Gathering pecans
Going to the pumpkin patch
Carving pumpkins
Dressing up for trick or treating

We are planning on reading about:
fall
leaves
apples
football
pumpkins

Favorite Dinners:
Vegetable Soup
Salmon Stew
Chili
Baked potato bar
Potato soup
Spaghetti

Favorite Desserts:
Pecan squares
Pumpkin cookies

Artie's Birthday

I did it, I did it!!!!

Friday was Artie's 39TH birthday and I pulled off the most wonderful birthday surprise. All he knew was that on Saturday, we were loading up in the car (two cars actutally) and heading out for a road trip somewhere in North Carolina about two hours away. He had no idea where we were going and tried to be a good sport about it. :-) It was the most beautiful day - the sky was so blue.


We took him skydiving!!!! It was his very first jump. This is on his list of things he had to do in his lifetime. (Now if I could figure out how to get a dinner with Terry Bradshaw, I think he could throw the list away!!) :-)


It was such a fun day. He went up 10,000 feet in a tiny little airplane and did a tandem jump with a man named Tom (who had 1900 jumps). They had a 40 second free fall at 120 miles per hour then a five minute descent once the parachute came out for the last 5000 feet.

We had a nice picnic - all planned and prepared by the girls - with sandwiches, chips, pickles and peppers, apples and caramel dip and ended it with homemade birthday cake.

You couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!!!

I love you sweetie, Happy Birthday!!!



PS. Sorry for the crocked picture, I got a new scanner from my new friend Nikki and I am still trying to figure it all out. It's great Nikki!!!! :-)

Sunday at the Quinn Home

Artie is watching football - Go Panthers!! and the Nascar race.

Troy is at his Discipleship Group

Brenda is at her Discipleship Group - they are having a scrap booking night, she just called and asked if she could stay a little longer.... :-)

Emily is cleaning her room (we weren't home yesterday, so most of our heavy cleaning didn't get done). She is trying to get finished in time to watch High School Musical (again!!) before bed.

Stephen, Bobby and Terry are outside playing in the backyard. They are covered head to toe in dirt, just like little boys should be!! Almost bath time!!!!

I am taking a much enjoyed computer break. My task bar has up:

*How to write a research paper (doing a little home school homework for mom - prep for Brenda- she will be writing a research paper on each of her grandparents this year)
*Yahoo mail - a note to myself to get all needed clothes, shoes, and book bags together for school and work tomorrow
*By Sun and Candlelight - an article about seasonal comfort drinks - this is my favorite blog!!
*Storybook Woods - a wonderful article that had a link to http://librivox.org/ - an online compilation of books read aloud - one on Emily's history books - An Island Story - is listed. She will be able to listen to her stories online now. One subject that will clean up a little reading time for me.
*YouTube - listening to Third Day's Cry Out to Jesus


I had a nice outing with Gwyn today (although it was too short!!). She was in town to visit her grandmother, who is sick and in hospice care now. We met up at the yellow mall with her mom and niece and nephew and did a little shopping. I got Brenda a cute little ... for Christmas (can't list it, she might read!!) :-) I also got Artie some dumb dumbs and sunflower seeds and then picked up some pizza. Oh, I almost forgot, I also got Emily her first picture album. We just got back her pictures from Girl Scout camp this summer (how slow am I?) - I think she will have fun cropping and making pages!!

So, that's the day in the Quinn home. Gotta get ready for tomorrow. It's my Mimi's birthday!!!

You've Come A Long Way Baby!!

Well, anyone who knows me will die reading that I am blogging about a spider web!!! :-) Hold on to your hat Gwyn, you're not gonna believe it.

Emily and I have been reading Charlotte's Web for her free reading book. For those of you not blessed to know the story of the book - Charlotte - the spider - makes a miraculous web saying "SOME PIG" in order to save her friend, Wilber, from being eaten. The newsmen get involved and come and check out the spider web.

So, while Emily and I are reading, we come across a story for her current events about this giant spider web in Texas. People are coming to see it, take pictures of it, and it's in the news - just like CHARLOTTE'S!! :-) I love it when things come together. So we have been checking out this spider web - thankfully there are no pictures of the spiders involved. That would have probably been too much for me to deal with. Anyway, Emily and I have enjoyed it all. Troy even thought it was cool.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_tawakoni/ Here is more info if you would like to check it out.

Tip of the day!!

Fingernail polish remover will take black spray paint off a child's face!!! Don't ask!! :-)

Friday's at the Quinn Lovliness Academy

We have dedicated Friday's at the Quinn Lovliness Academy to grandparents. We are rotating each Friday between Bobbie (Artie's mother) and Mimi and Granddaddy's (my grandparents - my daddy's parents). We have had such a fun time. We just had our second day at Bobbie's today. The girls are learning so much from them.

At Bobbie's today they practiced making biscuits and homemade gravy and their first big pot of chain gang potatoes (a staple for Artie growing up).

Bobbie told them the story of their grandfather Arthur's life growing up as a boy (a story all in it's own - Papa Quinn passed away when I was pregnant with Brenda). Brenda is writing a term paper this year on each of her grandparents' lives - a little each week and she will learn how to pull it all together at the end of the year.

They have pressed flowers (of course some of Granny's petunias) and have some projects planned to work on next time with them.

At Mimi's Brenda cooked homemade pudding for the first time and Emily got to use the electric hand mixer to mash the potatoes. They also cooked some creamed corn from Grandaddy's garden. Granddaddy told us the story of how he married Mimi five days after he returned from the war and how it cost him $2.50 to buy her (really the marriage liscence). It was a fun day there too.

I'm so sad that my camera is broke. I hope to be able to take some pictures soon. I think I'm going through withdrawal!! :-)

Front View
Originally uploaded by shayngrin

Here's there house - isn't it cute? :-)

The Griffin Family - They Made It!!!

Our beautiful family
Originally uploaded by shayngrin

Gwyn and Shay made it. They are in language school in Costa Rica. It was so hard to see them go!! I creid for a while - just feeling sorry for myself!!! :-) I so miss them and Daria too!!!

Yeah, my computer is back up and running - time to blog!!! :-)