Alaska ... the Last Frontier

We had a WONDERFUL vacation!  

I'll post some pictures when I recover from jet-lag.  =)

Random Bullets

• My little gal pal is home for the summer and I couldn't be happier!  Blogging will continue for the summer and the posts will be filled with pictures of picnics, arts & craft projects and garden produce.  =)

• Here is a gigantic THANK YOU to a few very special women who encouraged and prayed for me as I muddled my way through this first school year ... Sue (love you girl!), Joy & Virginia (you have no idea what examples you two are to me), Sarah (dearest of sisters), and Karen (my true and steadfast friend)

• Something is WRONG with our nation's Welfare System!!!!!!!  Abigail and I are standing in line at the Dollar Tree yesterday.  The young couple in front of us have their cart filled to the top with packaged junk food, absolute garbage -- brownies, cookies, fruit punch juice boxes, candy, jerky, and lots more.  Nothing nutritious; nothing healthy.  Their appearance leaves something to be desired -- baggy sweats, unwashed hair, and flip flops.  The total is over $130 and they pay for it with a Food Stamp debit card.  Seriously.  Seriously?  Seriously!  In sharp contrast is the young man in line behind me who is in a wheelchair and pays for his items with CASH.  He is neatly dressed, wearing a polo shirt with a corporate logo on it, so I assumed he was employed.  He comments on Abigail's good behavior and wishes me a "Good Day!"

•  Tuesday night we eat the first beans from our garden.  I hope there will be lots more when we come back from vacation.  =)  Maybe some tomatoes, too.

• Leaving for a family vacation early, early Saturday morning.  We are going to ALASKA!  The laptop is coming with us but I'm not going to do any blogging.  I'll be back the last week of June.

*** Happy Summer Everyone! ***

We have a FIRST GRADER in the House

In honor of graduating from Kindergarten, I've asked Abigail for an exclusive interview. 

The Official Picture with Diploma and Flowers

Me:  You did a great job this morning, love bug!  Are you glad to be done with school?
Abigail:  Yeah!  I will miss Mrs. Veenema but I like to hang out with my parents, too. 

 Receiving Diploma from Mrs. Veenema and Headmaster Stevens

Me:  I know, she was a great teacher.  What was the best part of kindergarten?
Abigail:  RECESS ... It's everybody's favorite!  I liked getting Silly Bands from everybody.

Singing Songs for the Parents

Me:  Yes you did, until Mrs. Veenema band you from trading them during school.  What was your favorite subject?
 Abigail:  I have two favorites -- my first favorite is art.  My second favorite is chapel because we get to sing.  I liked riding home with Ellie.

Art Gallery and Snacks set up in the Foyer

Me:  Do you have plans for the summer time? 
Abigail:  Going to Alaska and, maybe, I can go swimming with my friends Nora and Julia ... arts and crafts with Mommy.  In July, I plan on going to Jesse and James house. 

Me:  Sounds like a fun summer! 

All the NEW First Grader Girls

 Abigail:  I love you, Mommy.
Me:  I love you, too. 

Go-To Choco-Chip Cookie Recipe

I'm baking for tomorrow's Kindergarten Celebration and upon Abigail's request, I made these cookies.  Jot it down and add it to your recipe collection ... you won't regret it.  =)  I'm off to sample a couple with a cold glass of milk ... yum!

GO-TO CHOCO-CHIP COOKIES
1 stick butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 cup raw sugar (white will do)
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/8 cup toasted wheat germ (optional)
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Cream wet ingredients together ... mix dry ingredients together ... combine until thoroughly mixed
Form into 1 inch balls ... place 2 inches apart on baking sheet
350 degree oven for 10 minutes
Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet before removing to cooling rack

The Garden's Growing!!!

Green Peppers need to get bigger!

 

Bush Beans need to be a wee longer.

Tomatoes need to turn red.

Lettuce is going gangbusters!

Carrot tops - what's hidden under the earth?

 Wee little carrots.  =) 

Pole Peas - I had to replant them since they over-grew their trellis while we were in MI.

Check out my nifty bamboo tee pees!  I made them myself.  =)

ETA - The Beginnings of Broccoli

Yippee, Skippe ... I won an Award!

I was reading and publishing a few comments this afternoon, when I came across this from Regina:

"Such an exciting time!

I tagged you with an award over at allthingsandme.blogspot.com"

I clicked on over to find she had given me an I LOVE YOUR BLOG award!  Thanks, Regina.  =)  You totally made my day!

We Made It!

This bright and beautiful young girl will graduate from kindergarten in THREE days!

I remember posting about my kindergarten feelings last August.  

This school year has been a time of growing for both of us.  

Abigail literally has grown a foot, I think.  

She's lost 4 teeth and gained 3 molars.  

She learned how to read and loves to read short Psalms to me.

The Dutch Girl has also grown ... in the area of contentedness.

Trusting in my Heavenly Father ... He knows what is best for me.

Knowing that all that I have, is all that I need.

Thank you all for being such good friends!

Your many comments encourage me so much!

Jayme & Lisa's Wedding

Engagement Pictures

Everyone was invited to sign the frame -- lovely idea!

Jay and Joan, the FABULOUS sound people.

Michael and I used to go to church with them -- they are lovely people!

The flower girl dresses still fit!  One never knows when a growth spurt will hit.  =)

Steve, Amy and family

Grandpa Bill and Grandma Ruth

 Mom and Dad

Lisa and her lovely ladies

Jayme and his Guys

This picture shows the nice hair-do on Abigail.  She looked so grown up!

One Big Happy Family