Wooden Toys

Check out what Michael made!

Pretty awesome, right?

Mark Gungor

This past year, our Lifegroup worked through a series called Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage. It has really helped Michael and I learn a few new things that made this last year one that I say has been great. We took the Flag Page Test personality thing, which has been a great tool and helped us to keep laughing despite our differences.
Just yesterday, Michael was building a couple more garden boxes. I came out with some cookies and to check on the progress and noticed that he had put the end on one backwards. He asked me if it was a big deal and if he needed to actually take it apart and fix it. Instead of the usual argument that would ensue, I just told him that in 'perfect country' (which is where I'm from and Michael is not), if the end isn't on correctly then he may as well not even bother building them. Just being able to talk about it this way meant that Michael didn't feel attacked/criticized and that it was really that big a deal to me and that yes, in a year from now I would still notice it. So, he fixed it. No argument, just a couple of giggles about the fact that I'm not from the land of "ungefehr" (german for close enough/approximate, pardon my poor spelling).
Anyway, all that to share a tip I got in an email the other day (again, I can't believe how true these words are, it has had big impact at our house).

BETTER MARRIAGE TIP
	Too many men don’t realize that a quick “I’m sorry” doesn’t cut it when they do or say something to hurt their wives. It’s like they drop an atomic bomb and don’t realize that there is a fallout beyond the initial explosion that they will have to keep cleaning up and dealing with. Men, when you hurt your wife and you see she’s still feeling it, don’t you dare turn that around and put it on her. You look at your wife and say, “I see you are still hurting. I understand this is still painful. I realize I did this to you. I’m sorry.” Then shut up! Don’t defend yourself, make excuses or blame her. Every time you see it, you own it. Even if you have to do it 100 times. That’s just the way it is.

Hitch 'n Post

This year it was my third time through coordinating this event, but this year I had a totally different team. Siloam puts on an event to appreciate and celebrate our many volunteers for all the countless hours they commit to the Mission.

Here we are all dressed up.

My handsome cowboy, who was put in charge of the popcorn! Seriously, he would make a good looking cowboy, right?

Cute cow girls!

More shots from the event. Complete with line dancing lessons, prizes and games!

My handsome cowboy again. And a farewell photo.

This event marks my last days of working for Siloam Mission. I have spent 2 and a half years working for this fabulous organization. I wish them continued growth and blessing as they care for people who are hurting.

cheapest sacred date ever

Michael had this great idea to have our supper picnic style at the Leg (pronounced like ledge if you're from Winnipeg). So, that's what we did. Then we headed over to the Bay Downtown:

We went to the 6th floor to check out an art exhibit where one of our friends had stuff on display. Totally cool.

Then we explored all the other floors, looked at china, furniture, etc. I happened upon this nice silicone spatula with a bamboo handle. Michael offered to buy it, I said forget it, thinking it would be seriously over priced.

Nope, it was $4!

Awesome! The whole date cost $4 and I had a great time and something to remember it by! Sweet!

Easter in Austin

The Easter Hunt.

Playing with our new toys.

Blowing Bubbles.

Taking pictures up each other's noses.

Loading up the quads to go home.

Speed World

*this is Esther: Michael planned another event for the men at our church. Indoor go carting. It was a huge success with the best attendance they've had at any event. The first picture is Michael. He created a team event complete with pit stops and prizes.

using the meat grinder attachment & making jam

As many of you know, raw meat is not my favourite thing to work with. We have a lot of stew meat in our freezer left from our last bulk beef purchase. Everything else is gone. I don't use stew meat all the often, especially now as summer approaches. So, since I have a meat grinder attachment for my kitchen aid, I decided we should try it. Michael was a great sport and joined me so I wouldn't have to do the disgusting parts (ie: touch the meat).

Ew, look at that hand digging into that raw meat!

We ended up grinding a little more than I wanted to cook, so we put it into containers and into the freezer (with the chopped onions on top). Next time I want ground beef I just dump it into the pan! Awesome!

I also set about using some of the frozen BC fruit in my freezer (thanks again Dad for doing that!). I made raspberry jelly (only the second time I've ever made jelly). It turned out quite nicely, and is so worth it (I hate raspberry seeds stuck in my teeth when I eat my toast, don't you?).

Coloring Easter Eggs

Once again, I borrowed a friend's child and invited Katrina to come over and colour Easter eggs with me. I just couldn't bring myself to do it alone and Jenn (my previous Easter egg colouring buddy) was just too far away to make it happen.

While I got things set up, she played with the wooden train set (yes that is pretty much the only toy we have in our house, except for teddy bears).

The set up.

Katrina helping me by putting the raw eggs into the pot to cook them.

The colouring begins!

We had one little accident and knocked over one cup. Katrina wasn't too keen on wearing her soggy shirt, so I ran around trying to figure out what to do. The only thing I could come up with was one of my T-shirts with several hair elastics holding it in place.

Here she is admiring the finished product. She was quite disappointed when I told her there were no more eggs to colour and as you can see we did almost three dozen. I have to say, if you can find them in your area, pee wee eggs are the best for colouring. Here, I can get them at Price Chopper for a buck a dozen and because they are so small the bowl looks that much more colourful.

See what I mean?

We also baked cookies, but of course there's no pictures of that. When I asked Katrina what she wanted, chocolate chip or raisin, she chose raisin in an instant. I was surprised, but Michael was thrilled because he got oatmeal raisin cookies, which I don't make very often.

Cate spends the day at our house!

I know moms always think I'm crazy when I want to spend time with their kids baking and such, but it is something that I enjoy. I think aunties have a whole different level of patience because it gets tested way way less. Not to mention I really think kids behave differently with aunties. I never have any trouble doing it with them.

So we baked cookies. I asked Cate what kind she wanted to make and she said chocolate. We put several kinds of chips into them.

We played with the wooden train set.

Had a snack. Cate was very impressed that I had cheese whiz.

To finish off the day we painted her finger nails.

What a great day!

creamed honey & other random things

So, I got a good deal on some honey, but it was all nasty and crystallized. I happen to love creamed honey the best, so I did a little internet research to find out how it's made. All those things you think about cream being added or egg whites, or it just being whipped like crazy? False.

Creamed honey is actually crystallized honey, but it's done in a controlled way, to create really tiny and smooth crystals that feel good on your tongue.

There's lot of great websites out there with really great instructions, but basically you warm your yucky crystallized honey until all the crystals are melted. Then you stir in some creamed honey that is crystallized the way you like it and store it in a cool place for a couple of weeks (about 54 degrees fahrenheit). When you check on it you will find it has all turned into the lovely creamed honey you stirred in.

Cool, no?

I've recently acquired some new 'manly' stamps, so I set out to try them.   

I ended up only making one 'man card' and playing more with the other free flowers & cute sayings set, but here's my handiwork.