Dressing Modestly in the Heat

I love this article by Mrs. Stanley Sherman that I found over at Ladies Against Feminism. It encouraged me in keeping to my dress standard, and not wavering from it, even in the summertime - the hardest time to do so! Check it out here.

Mother Dearest (loveliest of women)

So, after writing a couple times about Mother Dearest (loveliest women), you are probably wondering about what the whole "loveliest of women" thing is about. Well, let me tell you.

It all started one day when Mom was taking roll call in the van. She thought we should all say something fun, instead of just the boring, old, ordinary "here." So, she thought up this cunning little line we are all to say in a sing-song voice when called on:

"Present and accounted for, oh loveliest of women."

Hah. Well, at first I must admit I thought it was a little weird and very home school-mommy-like, but I've gotten used to it and now think it is pretty humorous and say it with a smile and a laugh. Yes, my mom is creative and really the loveliest of women!

The Fam

Please, won't you allow me the pleasure of introducing my family to you? Thank you. Ok, here we go!

First come Father Sir and Mother Dear (loveliest of women). They are my two loving parents, doing they're best in raising up this little clan to be arrows, standing for the Lord.

Next comes me. The first M.I.T. (Mother in Training) of the girls and I still have a lot to learn!

Then there's my first brother. Very active and outgoing, he loves to play outside and also is addicted to reading. He is the gang leader of all the boys and enjoys making forts and leading them in expeditions all over the yard and house.

After him comes what my mom calls "Creative Genius." He is constantly drawing pictures and talking in rhymes. You just watch. He'll be the one to go and be a famous artist or painter!

Next is our little lovey, cuddly boy (but also aka "Captain Jake" in the cowboy game the boys have been playing lately). Our little Linus loves to suck his thumb and lay with his blankly, but also can be very fierce and serious when playing cowboys or army guys, whichever is most appealing and manly that day.

Then comes our second M.I.T. She is very girly and can be heard oohing and ahhhing and squealing over any "cuuuuute" piece of clothing or hair do at any time. Girly Girl is also another Linus, and loves her thumb and dancing pig blanket. She thinks she is one of the boys, and always tries to be a part of they're games.

Last comes Baby M.I.T. Usually very smiley, she loves chatting with anyone who will stop and talk, and also loves Daddy's beard.

Well, that's us! Hope you enjoyed meeting everyone. So long!

I'm Back!

Ahhhh. It feels good to be posting again! So sorry I haven't been. Although I do have some good excuses...

Last Wednesday was my birthday! I had a wonderful time. I received lots of calls and cards from many friends and family and had a few surprises too. When I woke up that morning I found a new outfit on my bed, candy in my underwear drawer, and a couple little gifts on my bathroom sink.

My biggest surprise was written in the birthday card from my family-we were going on a three day weekend trip over the mountains and we were leaving the following night! So for the next two days I packed, helped get everything ready, prepared some of the meals and watched the children, while Mother Dear (loveliest of women) packed, got everything ready, prepared snacks and watched the kids while I packed, helped get-ok, I think you get the idea!

The trip was great! We went to the beach, visited our church from over there, saw friends and family we hadn't seen in a while, went to a baby shower, the list goes on and on. I don't think we could have crammed one more thing into that whirlwind of a weekend! We were on the go from the time we got up on Friday till leaving Sunday afternoon. I had an extremely good time. :)

Here are a few pictures of us at the beach from my aunt. Sorry I don't have any more! The computer said something like it was having a hard time when I tried to upload them.

A friend and I, Cousin and Bro,

Dad and Baby Sis,

another Bro, another Sis.

The Botkin Sisters

Do you know of the Botkin Sisters? If not, you should definitely check them out! You can waltz right on over to their site by clicking here.

My mom and I went through most of their book, So Much More, together and all we could say was, "Wow!" The book was written extremely well and I would encourage every Christian girl who wants to learn to stand strong for the Lord in our terribly feminist and anti-Biblical culture to read it. :) More information and where to buy this book is on their site.

Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin have also put out a documentary called The Return of the Daughters . I have not yet seen it (all though hope to soon!) but have heard it is all about what a girl is to do in her single years and how she can make the best of them - serving others, especially those in her home. The DVD is also on their website.

So again, dear ladies who want more, more, more on serving your family and the Lord, I encourage you to reap the knowledge of these godly young women!

Good Recipe for a Hot Day

Are you in need of a cool, refreshing, quick and easy recipe? Well, you've come to the right place! I made this delicious pizza last night for dinner and it was much needed and appreciated.


Cool Veggie Dill Pizza

• 1 pkg. Refrigerated Crescent Rolls
• 1 8 oz. pkg. Cream Cheese, softened
• 2 T. Mayonnaise
• 2 clove Garlic, crushed or pressed
• 2 tsp. Dried Dill Weed
• Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
• 2 c. Assorted Fresh Vegetables

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll crescent dough into a large rectangle, on a greased cookie sheet. Press flat. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven: cool completely.

Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic and dill weed. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

Spread cream cheese mixture over crust. Dice, slice or chop vegetable.

Sprinkle vegetables over pizza.

Cut into squares. Refrigerate or eat immediately. The pizza should be eaten the same day it is made. Serves approximately 5 people.

Vegetable ideas: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Green or Red Pepper, Tomato, Green Onion, Mushroom, Carrot, Zucchini, or Yellow Summer Squash.

Enjoy!

Cake Decorating

One of my most loved interests is cake decorating. I have had a really nice time in the classes I've taken this last year learning to make crisp looking and delicately embellished cakes. I've enjoyed learning how to make a multitude of different flowers, use rolled fondant, decorate with different boarders, mix icing to the right consistency and choose colors to bring out the best look of the cake.

I was thrilled to make my first wedding cake this year, but it certainly challenged my skills and abilities. I learned to deal with unexpected problems, use creativity, and make each and every detail uniform. The end result turned out fabulously! The bride was amazed, which made me happy.

What are your favorite creative outlets? Please, won't you leave a comment and let me know?

Love,

Miss Serenity

Introduction

Hi everyone! I'm very exited to start this blog, and hope you will subscribe to it. I'd like to post every day about all the fun, yet feminine, things that are on my mind. Will you join me?

Here's a picture of me with my two youngest siblings.