Full Time Sister

I know...it's been a while...like a LONG while! But we've been busy! A very good busy, and I'll post about that next. But right now...I have brothers on my mind...

N. Pl. Brothers:

1. A male having the same parents as another or one parent in common with another.

Well, I have 4 brothers. Ranging from 5 years older than myself to 14 years younger than myself! And I have a good and unique relationship with each one. I've been a full time sister for 25 years. And I love it! It's been an wonderful experience and I intend to keep it up, God spare life, for as many years as I'm granted. Oh, I know that time will change the face of each relationship, but the foundation will remain. Here are some thoughts....

One: Cook their favorite foods. I'm not saying the only way to man's heart is through his stomach. I am saying you should know and cook their favorites just because you love them and it's a way to show it. :) Yesterday I made egg drop soup for lunch because Silas loves that stuff. And last night for supper I made meatballs. Because Miles loves that meal! And you should have seen their faces! :)

Two: Listen to them. Sometimes that means listening about subjects that you may know little and understand less! Sometimes it's about silly stuff. But listen to them. You'll come to understand them and see things from their perspective.

Three: Sit with them (without expecting them to talk or pay much attention to you, it's about them!) Sometimes they don't want to talk. Sometimes they don't want you to talk! They just want to sit and let their minds be completely blank. If you ask them what they're thinking and they say "nothing", believe them! And just sit quietly with them.

Four: Be honest and never back down from the truth. They may get mad at you if their head is briefly messed up, but they will come around and see the light and hold on to the solidness of the truth you are standing for.

Five: Always love them. Even if it means tough love at times. They will never forget that love. Tell them you love them. They will love you back, even if they don't say it. Because boys love differently than girls.

Six: Cheer them on. Cheer for them when they do 10 dead hang chin ups, just as much as you cheer them on when they graduate from school. Just because you don't think something is your priority doesn't mean its not cheer-worthy!

Seven: Be happy with them. Be goofy, tell jokes and laugh at their jokes. Laugh for no reason...with them. :)

Eight: Help them stay focused on Heaven. Pray for them, encourage them, and most importantly, be faithful yourself. And practice agape love on them.

So...if you have brothers, start working or maintaining your relationship with them. It's vital to both of your lives. It's never to late to start.

I am so thankful for my brothers! <3

Menu Monday

Happy Monday!

Today, Miles, my 13 year old brother helped me pick out the menu. He wanted something pork, so that's what I did. We sat and looked at recipes and got really hungry, then I went in and made barbeque pork instead!

Just a little note about my brothers: they are half carnivores, one quarter FHB-ivores (Fresh Hot Bread) and one quarter herbivores. Especially if that includes green beans, brown beans, corn, potatoes and sweet potatoes! Hehe...I love them! They make cooking so much fun! :)

So my menu for tonight was:

* Barbeque Pork

* Steamed mixed greens

* Candied sweet potatoes (Ok, I splurged and made them candied...I love sweet potatoes!!)

* Fresh fruit salad (pineapple, oranges and bananas)

* Irish Soda Bread

If you hadn't noticed, I love to bake bread. And Irish Soda Bread is a favorite! I tried this one tonight and it was great!

Brown Butter Soda Bread

Makes 2 loaves

3 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 stick unsalted butter

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

One beaten egg

Poppy Seed

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Combine the flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda & salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to blend.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, stirring, until it begins to brown {about 3 minutes}. Add the melted butter & buttermilk to the dry ingredients. Stir with a fork until the flour mixture is moistened.

Dump the dough out onto a floured work surface & knead gently, until the dough just comes together {about 7 turns}, do not overwork the dough! Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball. Place the rounds on an ungreased baking sheet, sprinkled with cornmeal, spacing about 5" apart. Brush the tops with the egg & sprinkle with poppy seeds. Using a sharp knife, cut a 1/2" deep X in the top of each loaf.

Bake until the bread is golden brown & a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Transfer the loaves to a cooling rack & cool for 30 minutes before serving.{I served it warm and it was great.} Serve the bread warm with butter.

Very tasty and very easy! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Silas!

Today was my youngest brother, Silas' tenth birthday! I personally find it hard to believe that he is 10 years old!! But he is and he's such a blessing to my life.

We go way back, Silas and I....I love being his sister...and he's a great little guy!

So we had birthday pancakes for breakfast, all the boys were very happy! Haha...they are so funny! Give them pancakes and you're friends forever!! ;) I love 'em! The treat I made him for lunch was limeade- We have a lime tree in our yard and he goes down there almost every single day to check on them and he has been wanting me to make some lemonade with limes as he calls it! So for a treat on his birthday, of course I did! :)

We always have such fun birthday suppers! I love the way our family can have so much good fun together. I'll always treasure these times! I made Silas a pineapple cake with fresh pineapple cream cheese icing....I'm loving (Silas is too) having these lovely fresh, ripe, juicy pineapples!

Anna and I found some trick candles at a little shop by our house....

<-it started out so lovely! He blew the candles out with one breath....

buuuut.......wait!!---> Something isn't right!!

His face is just precious!! He loved them!

Hurrah for birthdays! I just love them! :)

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What a great way to start the month of December!!