Summer Projects---

We have been so busy with our summer schedule,
it has been hard to do any blogging.
I've been collecting pictures, though!
Enjoy looking through what we've occupied our days with for the past few weeks!

About a month ago, we painted our porch-The paint has been peeling for awhile, and was getting pretty bad. After 3 days of hard work, we finally finished!
Before


After


Elizabeth painting-I'm standing on the rail!


The guys and Susanna


The boys used some black plastic and water to make a slipper-slide!
What a great way to cool off!








Behind our house, there is a low spot where water collects when it rains.
Eric got a plastic raft from a friend-And with our pet duck, Fluffy-the 3 children went "rafting" in the 15 inch water!! It was quite a sight!





We've started to get some our garden produce! This morning Mom, Miles and I went out and dug 3 rows of potatoes. We've also got 40-50 bulbs of garlic, a bucketful of onions, and some beets. Our lettuce, Swiss chard, and Kale have already died out, but we got a lot from them!





Wheat Harvest is almost over in our part of Kansas! Miles and Eric got a chance to go out and ride in the combines though!




That's all for now!!! Have a safe and FUN 4th of July!

Adventures in Character 2009

Last weekend, Eric and I had the opportunity to serve at the Homeschool Conference in Wichita. We helped with the children's area-Adventures in Character. This was our first time to ever help in this way, so we didn't know what to expect.
Overall, I think we both were blessed by all that happened over the weekend!

There were 350 children that attended this year, breaking last year's 330 record!
The Lord blessed everyone's effort by showing us how many children HE provided for us this year!!! As well as many teachers, helpers, and staff to lead the children.
Many prayers for the weekend were answered! THANK YOU LORD for all you give us!

My team number was 17, and I took quite a few pictures-So I put a collage together!
Enjoy! (You can click on the image to enlarge it)

Our first Blog-iversary.....and 75th post!!!

WOW! I can't believe we have had our family blog for one year today! A lot has happened in the last 365 days, 52 weeks, 8,736 hours, etc.....
It has been so much fun to see other blogs, and to make connections with people through blogging.....
Now to celebrate our first anniversary you must do 4 things
1) Comment!
2) Tell us what you like about our blog.
3) What would you like to see more? (pictures, scripture, etc.)
4) And for fun, what is the last thing you have eaten?

Well, I have to leave you with a picture---
So here is one from a year ago-Haven't we changed!!!

Isaiah 40:8

"The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever." ~Isaiah 40:8

This is one of my favorite verses on the outstanding eternal value of God's Word.
I've been wanting to do a small shoot with the verse and a flower, and when I got fresh flowers for my birthday I thought it would be a perfect time to take some pictures. Hope this is an encouragement to you today!

19 years ago............

............two people were about to become one-Happy 19th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Then.....


And now.....

His Cup of Tea

The other day, Eric asked Mom if he could have a cup of tea (he never drinks tea)
She said "Yes" and turned the hot water on. Eric proceeded to go over to a decorative tea-cup that we have and pretend to drink it. But instead of "tea" in the cup, there was "Crunch" candy bars!
I had to take a picture of him and his special "tea"!!!

Happy Birthday!

Someone is turning "Sweet 16" today!!! Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

Spring Sweetness

Out of all of adorable clothes Susanna has, this outfit has got to be the cutest.
How could I not take 25+ pictures of her in it!!! I guess she likes having me take pictures of her, she is still smilin'!
She loved wearing the outfit, and got a lot of compliments on it!
I wish they made grown-up clothes this cute.......
I've got to share some of the pictures, so here they are!

The Recipe Box-Touchdown Taco Dip

Okay, this is definitely one of THE BEST Mexican dips out there....and our family favorite!!! It is really easy to make, and looks as good as it tastes!
Also, has anyone made any of the recipes posted yet? If so, we'd love to hear what you thought!

Touchdown Taco Dip
1 can refried beans (32 oz)
1 pkg. cream cheese (8 oz.)
2 T. taco seasoning
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. minced garlic or 1 clove fresh
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings: Lettuce, Olives, Tomatoes,etc.

Spread beans in a 9x13 pan. Cream together cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning and garlic. Put on top of beans. Add cheese. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
Serve with chips.

Grandfathers-Grandchildren

Proverbs 17:6 "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers".
I took a few shots of Susanna and "Papa". How accurately the relationship between them depicts this verse!

Golden Belt Festival

On Friday, April 24th, the 11th annual GoldenBelt Vocal Festival was held in Salina, KS.
It had been rescheduled from March 27th due to bad weather.
This year was Eric's first year to participate, and Dad also sang with him.
After an all-day practice, the program was very nice. We sang a variety of song, including a Latin piece!
Out of the original 140 participants, around 120 were able to make the rescheduled day. It was a lot of fun and we can't wait until next year!!!

Eric, Elizabeth, Kelsey and Kyle


Kyle and Eric


Michaela Creer, Elizabeth and Kelsey

The Recipe Box-Shaker Lemon Pie

We like this recipe, because it uses ALL the lemon including the rind!!!
Plus, it only has 4 ingredients! We made a streusel topping-you could also use another crust. (Double Crust)

Shaker Lemon Pie
2 lemons
2 c. sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 9 inch pie crust

Slice lemons paper-thin. Combine with sugar; set for a few hours. Add beaten eggs, mix well. Pour into pie crust.
Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 375 degrees, bake for additional 20 to 25 minutes.

The Recipe Box-Orange Julius

This week's recipe is for a refreshingly yummy smoothie-type drink.....ORANGE JULIUS!
They are very easy to make and always taste really good! Enjoy!

Mix in a blender the following ingredients.
6 oz. orange juice concentrate
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract (opt.)
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. milk or plain yogurt
A couple handfuls of ice

Orange Juice Concentrate

We have a feature on our blender called an ice breaker-Works really well!



Blend all, until smooth
Voila! An orange julius!

Reflection

The Recipe Box-Cappuccino Muffins

A moist and flavorful muffin-Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or for the satisfaction of a sweet tooth!
Also, depending on how much time I have, I might not make the spread-The muffins are fabulous with or without it.

Cappuccino Muffins

ESPRESSO SPREAD:
4 ounces cream cheese
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chocolate chips
MUFFINS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Blend spread ingredients; mix until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate until serving.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl, stir milk and coffee granules until coffee is dissolved. Add butter, egg and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.
Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375° for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve with espresso spread. Makes 1 c. spread and 18-24 muffins.

Happy Easter!

Christ has Risen! He has Risen indeed! Happy Easter!
May you have a spirit of thankfulness for all Christ has done for us!

Easter Blessings from our family to yours!

NEW FEATURE-The Recipe Box-Pilgrim's Bread

Starting today, Random Reflections-The Beckman Family Blog will be having a weekly recipe, coming from our family favorites. Please try the recipe and comment on how it turned out. We hope this will be helpful for you, because it is always fun to try a new recipe!

Today's recipe is "Pilgrim's Bread"
Mom found this recipe last fall and made it for Thanksgiving.
Now, we have tweaked it to our liking, and enjoy making it often.
I like to start it during lunch break-let it raise until 2-2:30 p.m.,
put it in the pans, let it raise again until 4-4:30 p.m.,
then bake it around 5:00 p.m., so it is freshly baked,and ready for dinner.
It makes 2 huge loaves, or 2 medium size loaves and 2 small loaves.
(The 2 small loaves are great to give away!)
This may turn out to be your favorite new bread!! Enjoy!






Pilgrim's Bread
The Beckman Family
Makes 2 big loaves

Mix Together
2 c. boiling water
1/2 c. cornmeal or wheat germ
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 T. salt

Add: 1/4 c. oil
Cool to lukewarm

Proof 2 T. yeast with 1/2 c. warm water and 1 T. honey or sugar.
(I do this in a 2 c. measuring cup and it usually overflows, so watch carefully)

Mix Yeast and cornmeal mixtures together.
Add 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
or 1 c. WW flour and 1/2 c. ground flax seed

Stir together.
Add 4-5 c. regular flour-until dough is not sticky.

Raise until doubled in size. (see note above)
Punch down. Divide it in half and place in greased loaf pans.
Raise until double in size.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Especially good hot out of the oven with butter!

Chick Check-up

Eric and Miles moved the chicks to their outside hutch today!
They are really growing fast-Not so cute now....Pretty ugly, actually.
But, we are learning a lot, a fabulous experience!
(Be looking for a new feature coming up SOON!)