I love the chirping birds;  the cool breeze;  not getting my kids all bundled up to go outside;  the entry way of our home stays relatively clean;  the long hikes and bike rides with my kids; the tulips and lilacs that are blooming.

I love the blooming flowers and the green grass in spring.

I love the smell of the flowers.

I love watching my children be carefree … exactly how childhood should be!

My son brings me so much joy …. his endless questions about nature and science …. he is just one great little guy.

Enjoying the simple things ….

I love these little girls!  Notice the bare little back??  I delight in every detail of my sweet children.

I love the early mornings in spring when the dew is fresh and dripping off the newly budded flowers.

Ahhhh … my favorite color!

Just a reminder:  let’s bloom where ever God plants us!!  For those that may be the only one in their family that knows Christ:  bloom!  For those that are amid negative people at work:  bloom!   For those that are hurting or among the hurting:  bloom!    Through Christ, we are ALIVE in Him and no matter what kind of circumstances ( or people ) that surround us, we can bloom and be an example of Christ’s unfailing love.  ( I know, for I have been in many different situations.  God is so GREAT and MIGHTY! )    When my kids saw these flowers they said, ” Mama in Florida would love these flowers”. ( I had to remind the kids not to pick the flowers!!! ) So, Mom, these flowers are for you because they are purple.  We love you and miss you!

Hope you’re all having a wonderful spring day!

I decided to put the school books away for the day.  I put three chairs at the counter and sink and schooled my children in the kitchen.  It was a lot of fun.   Samuel read the recipes to us and he also practiced his fractions with measuring cups.

The first thing we made together was Cream Cheese-Olive Roll-ups

* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 1-2 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
* 1/3 cup mayonnaise (do not use salad dressing)
* 1 (2 1/4 ounce) can pitted black olives, finely chopped
* 5-6 green onions, finely chopped
* 1/2-1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
* 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (might use more or less)
* 8 (10 inch)  flour tortillas

Directions

1. Hand-squeeze out as much excess moisture in the olives as possible before chopping, and make certain to chop finely.
2 In a bowl combine cream cheese with garlic, mayonnaise, green and black olives, green onions and black pepper; mix to combine well.
3. Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture over each tortilla, then sprinkle a small amount cheddar cheese over the top of the cream cheese.
4.Roll up each tortilla as tightly as possible.
5.Place each tortilla onto a plate.
6.Cover with plastic wrap and chill for a couple of hours or up to 24 hours (a longer chilling time will only improve on the flavor)
7.  Slice each tortilla into about 1-inch pieces.

I have been wanting to make these for a long time but I needed to wait to have company over since my husband won’t touch these roll-ups.  He hates mayo, cream cheese and olives!    The last thing I need is to make these and end up eating all of them!  Our company really liked them ( and so did Samuel and I ).

I just love Sophia’s little hands.  Often I look at them and kiss them and say to her, “I wonder what you will do for God with these hands!  Who will you help with these hands God has given you?”   One time she answered me and said, “I am going to rock my babies with these hands, Mommy.”   And I kissed her some more …

Yummy!  We are tripling this recipe and making them this weekend.  We are having 35 people at our house for a cookout!

The next thing we made:

Dreamsicle Jello Salad

* 2 (3 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding
* 1 (3 ounce) package orange Jell-O
* 1 1/2 cups boiling water
* 1 (22 ounce) can mandarin oranges (with juice)
* 1 (16 ounce) container Cool Whip

Directions

1.Combine the pudding, Jello and boiling water and dissolve completely.
2 Add the Mandarin Oranges (with juice).
3.Fold in the Cool Whip.

I had to make my own cool-whip … didn’t taste exactly like it but everyone liked it.  I tossed in some mini marshmallows that I had been saving and also some crushed pineapple.

For the main course we made Sweet and Sour Meatballs.  I made both rice and noodles for people to choose their preference.  I doubled this recipe and we had leftovers the next day.

* 3/4 lb ground pork
* 3/4 lb ground turkey or hamburger
* 1 tablespoon onion, minced
* 1/2 teaspoon parsley
* 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1 teaspoon garlic salt
* 2 eggs
* 1-1 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

Directions

1.In a large mixing bowl add the meats and blend together with your hands.
2. Add the onion, parsley, pepper, and garlic salt. Mix again with your hands until all the seasonings are well blended with the meat.
3.In a bowl beat the eggs until well beaten. While mixing the egg into the meat mixture, add the bread crumbs 1/2 cup at a time until the meat begins to feel slightly firm.
4.Form the meat into 1 1/2″ balls with your hands.
5.Gently place in cooking pan so that the meatballs are close but not touching.
6.Cook in pre-heated oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or until browned.
7.The meatballs will not be fully cooked yet.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

* 1 (14 ounce) jar chili sauce (like Heinz)
* 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1 (32 ounce) jar grape jelly
* 1 (4 ounce) can chopped mild green chilies
* 3 tablespoons dried onion flakes
* 1 tablespoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon of your favorite curry powder, to taste
* 1/2 teaspoon dried ancho chile powder
* 1/4 teaspoon dried chipotle powder, to taste (optional)

Directions

1.Put all the ingredients but meatballs into the crockpot and mix well.
2.Add the meatballs and stir to coat well.
3.Put the crockpot on low and let cook for 4 hours on low.

These were a bit spicy but even my picky eater loved them!

The secret ingredient is grape jelly!!  Sounds strange, I know.  It is really good, though!

I noticed now that Sophia is the one in most of these pictures although all of the kids were in the kitchen with me.  Her favorite place to be is right at my side in the kitchen and if I let her, she would take over!  : )      I made an angel food cake, too, with strawberry whipped topping but didn’t get a picture.  I am pretty sure angel food cake is a pretty basic recipe.  ( Don’t substitute lemon juice for cream of tarter – I found out last month it does NOT work! )

God Bless!!

On Saturday we went to a Churrascaria right here in Tallinn, Estonia!!   This is a Brazilian restaurant where the waiters go from table to table with grilled meat.  Well, this wasn’t exactly authentic – we didn’t get very much meat – but the atmosphere was so wonderful!!   We met about 15 Brazilians and spoke Portguese the whole evening.  There were about six guys who play soccer on the Estonian team.  It sure made us miss our Brazilian loved ones!!!  The culture here is exactly opposite of that in Brazil.  I miss the warmth of the Brazilian people.  I miss Saturday morning art class at our church – working on projects and chatting with the ladies.  I miss our ladies meetings.  I miss our church family coming to our home for dinner.  I miss the Brazilian culture that allows you to go to a friend’s house without an invitation ( and tea and cafe are set into instant motion ).  I miss the young people who had such a desire to serve the Lord.  I miss going over to our friends houses for hours at a time and them wondering why we couldn’t stay longer.   I miss taking my kids to a park and chatting for an hour or two with a stranger … walking away with a new acquaintance.     We would love to make a trip to Brazil next year.  The pastor of the church is doing a great job and we would love to see our beloved church people.  Our girls were born there and so techinically we have two Brazilian children ( and we have permanant visas!! ).

The waiter/cook’s name is Jorge.  He is from Sao Paulo.

Sophia enjoyed her linguica ( sausage ) and both her and Sarah devoured the authentic Brazilian black beans and rice.

So, Bob wore his Brazilian tee shirt which drew the Brazilians attention.  He speaks perfect Portuguese and Brazilians always ask him what part of Brazil he grew up in because he does not have an accent.  Me??  Not so much!!   ( They ask me what part of the USA I am from : ) )   I really enjoyed speaking Portuguese with a lady at this restaurant, though.

These are four of the guys that play on the Estonian soccer team.  They are doing pagode – making music with what ever they can find.  The guy on the end has rice inside of two plastic cups.  They couldn’t carry much of a tune but it was a lot of fun.  They kept motioning for our kids to come up front and do the somba for the crowd.  : )       So, for our Brazilian loved ones that read/look at this blog …  Joelma, Ysmine, Fernanda, Eunice, Katia, Bernice, Nivea, Alana and Bia  ( forgive me if I have missed anyone ) …   You are in my heart and my daily thoughts and prayers.   I love you all.   Bracos e Beijos.

We had everyone over for dinner the night before the group from MN left.  From left to right:  Rob, Angela and RoseLynn Willoughby, Leah and Dan Kuykendall, Bob, Samuel, Sophia Gilley, Andrew and Sarah Bunnell, Scott Holm and Pastor David Clear.   ( Not pictured: Me, taking the picture and Joey Bunnell and Sarah Gilley – they were upstairs playing. )

Sarah, Angela, Leah and I ate lunch at my favorite little cafe in Old Town.  I always get the same thing:  honey glazed salad with goats cheese.  Yummy!

My kids LOVE playing games with Pastor Clear.

Pastor Clear and Sophie taking a coffee break.  Sophia LOVES, LOVES, LOVES coffee!!  We didn’t realize that in Brazil, our Brazilian loved ones were giving her sips of their cafe between SS and church when she was just a little thing.  So, she started drinking coffee about the time she started walking and she has loved it ever since.

Last night we had the Holladay’s visiting us.  What a blessing.  We had a Mexican feast – it was so good!  Left to right:   RoseLynn, Angela, Mrs. Halladay, Bro. Halladay, Sarah, Andrew and Rob.   Please pray for my husband, Bob as he is in the United States in FL.  ( His parents are taking good care of him! )  He has been having health issues that needed medical attention.  Praise the Lord we know what the problem is now and hopefully Bob will be returning in one week.  I miss him!!!    It was not the same without my beloved last night.

RoseLynn is such a beautiful little girl!  She is going to be getting a brother or sister in just a couple weeks ( or sooner!! )!!!  I am so excited for them!!  Babies are such a gift.

All of us except Bob.  Did I already mention I miss him???  : (

Sophia cuddling with Mrs. Holladay.

Bro. Holladay entertaining the children with a cute song.

All tuckered out!!   As soon as our company left, I went upstairs to put Sophia to bed and found the other two fast asleep on the couch.

Just thought I would throw this picture in … the girls are pretending Rosebud is a cow and they are “milking” her.  They have a little pot underneath her and Sophia said she is going to warm up the milk for her baby’s bottle.  Gotta love little girls!!   Rosebud is in serious need of a bath and grooming.  I found one place here and they want $45 for her to get a haircut!  I am not sure if this is the standard price??!!  So, Rosebud is our little furball right now – an adorable one, though!  We love our puppy. ( Sophia loves her a little TOO much at times! )

Sarah’s Mama in FL gave her a book about a year ago – God’s Wisdom for Little Girls.  We read this often at night time together.   Well, Sunday morning Sarah got up bright and early and made her bed and cleaned her room.  I complimented her on a job well done and she said, “I am God’s little girl now, Mommy!”   She then went downstairs and poured her and Sophia some cereal and said, “Sophia, will you sit by me because you’re my very best friend!”  ( The morning before she was about to hit Sophia over the head!  What a difference! )  AND then, later that day, I went downstairs and Sarah was brushing Sophia’s hair and putting barretts in it – all because she is “God’s Little Girl.”   There is absolutely nothing in this world better than to witness your child accepting Christ.  To think that our family will spend eternity in Heaven is more than this Mommy heart can take!!    God is so good to me!!

Normally Sarah keeps to herself.  But, yesterday, I took her with Samuel and me to the gym where Samuel takes acrobatic lessons, and Sarah walked up to a couple girls ( around 9 or 10 ) and shared with them that our family is missionaries to different countries and we tell people about Jesus.  She then went on to tell them that she asked Jesus into her heart and told them about Jesus dying on the cross and how he rose again.   The girls told Sarah, ” we have never heard that before!”.   So, my little girl has boldness to share her faith with those around her!!   I am talking about a SIX year old little girl!!  God has blessed me more than I ever imagined!

I just never know what is going to come out of my kids’ mouths!  It makes me nervous sometimes.  Last night Samuel brought out his Go Fish card game.  He said to Huang very enthusiastically, “Mr. Huang you should know how to play this game!!!”    Mr. Huang replied, “Why is that?”   Samuel says pointing to the back of the card game box, “Because it says RIGHT HERE that this game was made in China!! “   Huang burst out laughing, thankfully not offended.   What a fun moment!

This is Lisa.  She is such a sweet Christian young lady.  Sophia just loves her!  She sits with Lisa just about every Sunday.

One of our favorite ladies at our church in Minnesota, Grandma Srader ( as my children lovingly call her ) sent the girls some jewlery-making kits.  So, I pulled them out last night and we had a lot of fun making necklaces and bracelets.

Lisa went home with a couple necklaces and bracelets the kids made for her.

Yesterday also happened to be Independence Day here in Estonia.  The tradition is that everyone eats split pea soup for lunch and these pasteries for dessert.  My husband and at least two of my kids hate split pea soup so I decided not to go with that Estonian tradition.  I went to the grocery store around lunch time and there were about 40 people in line to get these pasteries.  So, I got what I needed and by that time, the line was down to about 6 people and so I got my couple of boxes of these pasteries, too.    They look pretty but Bob and I were trying to figure out what makes these so special??  They’re just a bread-type pastery with a glob of whipped topping and powdered sugar on top.    The day is also know as National Sledding Day – like a big outdoor festival.   I thought it was so neat to see all the people sledding down hills and cross-country skiing on the sidewalks.  It was really fun!

Bob and Sophia eating sweet red peppers and being silly.  Bob has a lot of fun with the kids.  : )

My sweet angel-girl, Sarah Grace.  She has my personality, poor girl!!  I understand her so well!

Getting ready for our family movie night.

Rosebud likes our family movie night, too.  She is a great puppy!

Fun outdoor day of sledding.

Bob and Sophia.