A Wedding & A Funeral

This past week I was away at our Summer Camp. I had the older girls in my cabin and had so much fun with them. It was a great week with plenty of games, fun in the snow, hikes, fellowship, and awesome preaching!

Now you're probably wondering what that has to do with a wedding and a funeral. While I was away, my goldfish got married! I got him about a year ago for my Kindergarten class and when school let out I brought him over to the office. Mrs. S. (fellow secretary) couldn't help herself and purchased another goldfish and put it in the bowl. When I saw Vivo and his wife I couldn't help but laugh, I thought it was absolutely hilarious!

As you may notice in the picture, their water was a bit murky. So, I decided yesterday that it was time to clean the bowl. Unfortunately, Vivo's wife couldn't handle her clean home and didn't make it through the night. :( I performed the ceremony and sent her to her watery grave...may she rest in peace. The whole office was grieving this loss greatly and suffered through frozen mochas as we mourned her departure.

Vivo (left) & his bride!

Typical Vivo...always staring!

Rhubarb Crisp

I used to turn my nose up at the thought of rhubarb, but I've been recently turned on to it. Last year we were introduced to some rhubarb cookies that are delicious!

About a week ago, someone brought some rhubarb to church, so I snagged some in hopes of making cookies...but I found this recipe and wanted to give it a try. (I added strawberries to the rhubarb.) Mmm...it was yummy!

Ingredients:
2 pounds rhubarb, sliced crosswise 3/4 inch thick
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine the rhubarb, 1 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup flour; set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine remaining 1/2 cup flour and the butter. Pulse until the butter pieces are pea-size. Add brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon. Pulse to combine. Sprinkle over rhubarb.

Bake until rhubarb is tender and topping is golden, 35 to 45 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.

Flowers

Want Some Cake?

This is what has been consuming my time the past two nights. Last night I got the cakes baked. Tonight I decorated. I'm not thrilled with the 'Birthday,' but it was to the point of "If I don't leave it alone, I'll make it even worse!" It's not bad, I guess I'm my worst critic.

***Disclaimer***
Some may have read about my disgust for fondant on AKcreations and are wondering why this cake has fondant. While I do detest it, I will make it ONLY...I repeat...ONLY upon request. [At least that's the way I feel right now. ;)]

Garden

Tomatoes

Onions

Strawberries

Peas...That's a pea pod touching the ground

Bell Pepper...it's so cute!

Blue Potatoes...can't wait for blue mashed potatoes! :)

Red Potatoes

Blueberries

Things aren't growing as well as I hoped they would, but that's ok. It's a learning experience. It's always neat to go out and see what else has started growing!

Hwy 20 Update

About 3 years ago, the Lord gave our church a vision to start a new outreach along Highway 20. The goal of this new project was to evangelize 12 cities along the hwy in hopes of seeing a church (or churches) started. There has been a lot of work, time and finances put into this project, but the Lord has blessed our efforts. We have made many contacts and even seen some saved! The doors have been opening specifically in the Methow Valley area, so this is where we've been putting most of our effort. We are currently in the process of trying to get regular Bible Studies set up. Eventually, we'd like to have 2 families move over there, and like I said before, see these Bible Studies turn into a Church.

This past weekend, found 60 people from our church over in the Methow Valley ready to do more evangelizing. It was a great time of fellowship amongst the believers, and we were also blessed to have made many more contacts. In the past, we've focused on trying to get people to agree to do Bible Studies whether it be online or with someone. This time around, we tried to engage people in conversation. Trying to get them to think about things maybe they've never thought about before. Many were able to share the Gospel, sometimes to people who had never heard it before! The Rally went great, we had several visitors come out from the community, including 2 women we've been holding Bible Studies with. It was so encouraging to see them there, and exciting to be able to finally meet them!

All in all, it was a great weekend. Blessing were received, lessons were learned & the Gospel was spread about once again in the Methow Valley!

Excited about not riding on the bus!

Diablo Dam Just hanging around

Waiting for our turn at horseshoes...Brrr!

My lifesaver!

The 3 Stooges + Me ;) hehe