tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58956687432633625172010-03-19T19:47:45.446-05:00Welcome to our estate ... where we discuss books, ideas, music, education, recipes, crafts, games, projects, relationships, dreams ...The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-23224587057688444892010-03-12T00:00:00.002-06:002010-03-12T14:52:33.213-06:00

At the end of each week, I like to focus on specific blessings and particular favorites from the previous seven days.  Here are a number of them from this past week … 1.  Software Fix - In these techno-turblent days, we -- and by "we" I mean "I" -- greatly rely on our task-assisting software.  When said software develops a glitch, as software is wont to do, then our -- and here I mean "my" --

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-76425872274329226492010-03-05T00:39:00.000-06:002010-03-05T00:39:33.818-06:00

We are over the worst of the illness and getting back to our daily routine, and for this, I am grateful.  There are other blessings as well, so be glad and rejoice with me (Phil. 2:18). 1.  Actually ... - Being over the worst of the illness and getting back to our daily routine is probably the blessing for which I am most grateful this week. 2.  Curriculum Advice by Victoria Botkin - About

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-6535896339437001542010-02-26T00:00:00.002-06:002010-02-26T08:49:50.056-06:00

We are in our second week of illness at Barchester, so this list appears (to us residents) to be a few of the only things that went right this week.  We do know, however, that circumstances can always be worse.  Here's what I'm thankful for:   1.  Smoothies - In an ongoing attempt to cook, eat, and feed my family in a more nutritious manner, I blended up a number of smoothies this week.  On the

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-23459208187597473342010-02-21T12:44:00.000-06:002010-02-21T12:44:26.041-06:00

In my Friday's Faves post a couple of days ago, I mentioned that I recently became addicted to Bruschetta, but I didn't post a picture or the recipe.  I meant to, but I don't seem to have my ducks in a row these days.  This is somewhat bothersome since I used to organize the schedule of a prominent local politician, but now I can't find my own car keys. Here's the current object of my

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-59351860340339579852010-02-19T00:00:00.000-06:002010-02-19T00:00:06.636-06:00

At the end of each week, I like to focus on specific blessings and particular favorites from the previous seven days.  Here are a number of them from this past week … 1.  Free Music - I am thankful for the free $15 iTunes card I received with my ink cartridge purchases.  The funny thing is, I usually keep a hefty wish list of music I'd love to download, but when I'm forced to pick $15 worth

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-39291674258939749522010-02-12T00:00:00.001-06:002010-02-12T00:00:04.622-06:00

At the end of each week, I like to focus on specific blessings and particular favorites from the previous seven days.  Here are a number of them from this past week … 1.  Credible Compromise – I planned to take a sabbatical and give up blogging for Lent, even though we’re not members of a Lent-observing denomination.  I’ve been struggling lately with too much activity and not enough

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-80033289109956227932010-02-05T00:00:00.002-06:002010-02-05T08:49:14.018-06:00

At the end of each week, I like to focus on specific blessings and particular favorites from the previous seven days.  Here are a number of them from this past week ... 1.  A New Concoction - On my quest to cook and eat more nutritiously, I tried a recipe this week for Speedy Hoppin' John Salad.  The kids gave it rave reviews, and I liked it, too.  For lunch one day, I spooned some over

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-24533644296712227182010-02-01T00:00:00.006-06:002010-02-01T08:06:38.667-06:00

Melissa has begun hosting The Week in Words at Breath of Life.  To play, one must - "Write a post of the quote(s) that spoke to you during the week (attributed, of course) and link back here. They can be from any written source, i.e. magazine, newspaper, blog, book. The only requirement is that they be words you read." I love quotes.  Favorite words and phrases constantly leap off the page

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-51889182852611253822010-01-29T00:00:00.001-06:002010-01-29T00:00:00.710-06:00

At the end of each week, I like to focus on some specific blessings and particular favorites from the previous seven days.  Here are a few of them from this past week ... 1.  Date with Mr. Knightley -- Mr. Knightley took me to dinner at one restaurant and to dessert at another.   We had a wonderful time, but I tell you, if there is a recession going on, our little village hasn't heard about

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-11401082063017060852010-01-28T00:00:00.001-06:002010-01-28T00:00:03.060-06:00

I am participating again this week in Read-Aloud Thursday hosted by Amy at Hope is the Word.  I even remembered to include the sign/banner/thingy this week. In my attempt to remind myself to use the wonderful literature-based curriculum called Five in a Row a second time around (with my boys this time), I am reviewing the picture books used in FIAR Volume 1.  This week's title is

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-59010279362505735762010-01-25T22:28:00.000-06:002010-01-25T22:28:53.864-06:00

Thanks to Amy at Hope is the Word, I learned about a new weekly carnival that is right up my alley -- The Week in Words at Breath of Life.  Melissa's rules are simple:  "Write a post of the quote(s) that spoke to you during the week (attributed, of course) and link back here. They can be from any written source, i.e. magazine, newspaper, blog, book. The only requirement is that they be

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-67832060708924425092010-01-25T00:00:00.001-06:002010-01-25T00:00:05.644-06:00

I intended to post this recipe many weeks ago, but alas ... I have been making challah for over twenty years.  It was only a few years ago, however, that a friend told me that it wasn't pronounced with a "ch" sound at the beginning, but a guttural "h".  I got the recipe from a co-worker at an electric corporation who got the recipe from her mom.  They didn't know how to pronounce it either. 

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-5689715209405077782010-01-22T00:00:00.002-06:002010-01-22T09:56:36.695-06:00

At the end of each week, I like to focus on some specific blessings and particular favorites from the previous seven days.  Here are a few of them from this past week ... 1.  A Gift - I have a new profile pic compliments of Nikkipolani!  Based on a quick personality test, the font that apparently best represents me is called Pistilli Roman, but I couldn't find it easily.  Nikki could,

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-43503785882491287082010-01-21T00:00:00.002-06:002010-01-21T10:24:12.993-06:00

I am participating in Amy's Read Aloud Thursday again (finally!) at Hope is the Word, and I am continuing with the books used in Five in a Row -- an excellent literature-based curriculum for the early years. Lentil by Robert McCloskey Viking Press, 1940 Lentil is set in the 1930s and is about a boy -- Lentil -- who cannot sing or even whistle, but who desperately wants to make music of

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-11307594787183093262010-01-15T00:00:00.001-06:002010-01-15T00:00:00.093-06:00

The Correspondent At the end of each week, I like to focus on some specific blessings and particular favorites from the previous seven days.  Here are a number of them from this past week ... 1.  A Sign o’ the Season – I saw this leftover Christmas sign in my favorite corner coffee shop: 2.  Third Time’s a Charm – For two weeks in a row, my pastor’s wife/mentor and I have tried to get

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-77287804911046298552010-01-12T00:00:00.009-06:002010-01-12T08:54:09.433-06:00

The Correspondent I'm happy I can make the title plural this time.  Even though I only read one book in November, I was able to enjoy two books in December, despite the hub-bub of Christmas and New Year's and all the fun family traditions and parties, not to mention the quick (and sick) holiday trip we experienced.  I'm hoping to up that number to at least three in January, but let's not get

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-14124442655942342042010-01-08T00:00:00.001-06:002010-01-08T00:00:04.163-06:00

The Correspondent I haven't been in cyberspace for several days due to our failed never-ending attempts to get back into a "normal" routine.  It was fun to be schedule-less during the holidays and not think about school stuff, but the holidays are over now, and in the real world, the party simply doesn't go on forever.  So let's get back to real life, shall we? At the end of each week, I like

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-40175236436959466832010-01-07T21:32:00.001-06:002010-01-08T09:07:34.495-06:00

The Correspondent Many moons ago, when my soul sister moved 675 miles away, it took us weeks to return the things we'd borrowed from each other.  It felt like breaking up.  She and her family come back to town once a year, and we see each other when we can. We're soul sisters because we have so much in common -- practically the same person.  Except she's prettier.  And nicer.  And more talented

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-5712549849750974192010-01-01T00:00:00.002-06:002010-01-01T00:00:01.152-06:00

The Correspondent At the end of each week, I like to focus on some specific blessings and particular favorites from the previous seven days.  1.  Tennis Anyone? – I gave Mr. Knightley a tennis racquet and three cans of tennis balls for our anniversary last month.  As we age, we both want to keep as fit as possible for as long as possible, ideally into our 80s, but we’ll just take it one day at

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-21967850022938901112009-12-28T15:59:00.000-06:002009-12-28T15:59:37.161-06:00

The Correspondent The last time we traveled on a family trip that took us farther than Baskin Robbins was four years ago when Rocko was only three years old and The Honorable Judge wasn’t even thought of yet.  I don’t remember the event, to be honest with you (it must’ve been a doozy), but I trust my children’s account and take them at their word. Since we haven’t seen Mr. Knightley’s family

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-69291203405989071702009-12-25T19:19:00.000-06:002009-12-25T19:19:13.263-06:00

The Correspondent It was a full, fun, and fairly frazzling (during the first half) week.  1.  Christmas Commuting – We traveled a couple of hundred miles to spend a little time with Mr. Knightley’s family early in the week.  It has been a while since this group has gotten together.  We also spent a few hours with our oldest and dearest friends, Tod and Tracey and their young daughter. 2. 

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-30492748028253538652009-12-18T00:00:00.000-06:002009-12-18T00:00:04.290-06:00

The Correspondent At the end of each week, I like to focus on some specific blessings and particular favorites from the previous seven days.  Since I am excited to still be on track to finish my reading of the entire Bible by the end of this year, I am posting some of my favorite excerpts from this week: 1.  Ephesians 6:10-20 – The whole armor of God … the belt of truth, the breastplate of

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-74623090248990420952009-12-14T00:00:00.001-06:002009-12-14T00:00:03.499-06:00

The Correspondent A recipe is like a road map. A road map shows you where to go and how to get there, but does not teach you how to drive. A recipe lists ingredients and quantities and what you need to do with them, but does not teach you how to cook. It is merely procedural and does not tell you how to select your ingredients, how to recognize quality, why simmer instead of boil, when to adjust

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-68490846911142224742009-12-13T15:40:00.001-06:002009-12-13T15:40:00.140-06:00

Don’t mind me.  I’m just checking on stuff.

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895668743263362517.post-5772467500383762642009-12-11T10:17:00.001-06:002009-12-11T10:22:31.592-06:00

The Correspondent At the end of each week, I like to focus on some specific blessings and particular favorites from the previous seven days.  Here are a handful of them. 1.  Christmas Traditions - Last weekend we observed a number of our annual yuletide traditions:  On Friday, we built a fire, played Kenny G's Miracles CD, and decorated the house for Christmas.  As we sat back to admire the

The Correspondenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16386483138002796447noreply@blogger.com6