I just canned 44 quarts of apple sauce and am completely exhausted--but God gave me all 4 kids and even Jennifer Jung to help me with all the apples (we did have to go through Trey's bunch and take out some seeds, dirt, etc.!). I probably overdid it, but it's done! Praise the Lord!

Pumpkin time

Here we are--Jessie, Pippi, Butterfly Lil', and Sir Lancelot.

We got to go apple orchard and pick delicious, crunchy, fresh apples.




We also went to a pumpkin patch and farm and had fun feeding animals, climbing the hay, playing in a hay maze, and seeing how tall the corn grows.



For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 84:11,12

John 8:12 Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

Maggie didn't want to carve her pumpkin. She wants to be like Oma Johanna and keep the pumpkin for baking!

A Beautiful Day at Doran Beach

Although we didn't go camping, we did spend a gorgeous morning at Doran.









We saw lots of these little creatures.


And Lily...dressing up!Trey and Lily on location for a photo shoot for a painting.

Prints for Sale!

I just posted a bunch of prints that I have ready to sell--check them out at my art blog:

http://artbykasteen.blogspot.com/2010/10/prints-for-sale.html

Prince Carl and Princess Lilyana...

...are chatting in my kitchen as they daintily eat a snack. They are discussing their honeymoon plans. "Let's fly in a hot air balloon," Princess Lilyana suggests.

"Yes, to In 'N Out," Prince Carl suggests.

Lily wonders where Carl and I went. Maine.

Prince Carl says, "Shall we go to Maine or Africa?"

"Maine," Princess Lily says. "Three days after our wedding. We'll stay seven days."

This Strawberry Tart Recipe is one I'm trying that a childhood friend, Jane Schmidt, used to make. She also made Mincemeat Tarts with Rum Butter. Here is the link:

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Strawberry-Tarts

Ricotta Cheese Pancakes

I just got to make these with Trey and Maggie--delicious! Trey washed and hulled strawberries. "Look, Mama," he said.
"Uh-huh," I mumbled semi-aware.
"Wow, how do you do that? I can't see something without looking," Trey wondered.
Gulp! Sometimes I really need to take more time and look!

Trey set the table outside in the sunlit garden, and Maggie made pancake after pancake. All the kids said that they are delicious!

Ricotta Cheese Pancakes

2 c ricotta cheese
2 tsp baking powder
6 eggs
4 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp salt
1 c sifted flour
1 1/3 c milk

Combine ingredients and blend until smooth.
Cook on a greased, preheated grill in 2" rounds.
Serve hot (optional: top with powdered sugar).