Homemade Samoa Bars

For the shortbread crust:Ingredients: 1/2 c. sugar3/4 c. butter, softened1 egg1/2 tsp. vanilla2 c. flour1/4 tsp. saltPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan. Using the mixer, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Working at a low speed, gradually add in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly.Pour crumbly dough into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes until base is set and edges are lightly...

Read More

October Blessings

October has been a month full of many blessings. Fall has brought with it a pleasant change in weather and scenery. Fields have been harvested and turned into golden and black plains once again. Green leaves have changed color and many have already fallen. Warm weather has turned into breezy chilly days...well, most of the time. Occasionally Missouri shows her spunk with random spikes and drops in temperatures. :)Our washer and dryer bit the dust,...

Read More

Super Spicy Jalapeno Salsa

I still had quite a bit of peppers left over, even after making around 800 poppers, so I thought I'd try a batch of jalapeno salsa. I'm not sure if the salsa always turns out this spicy, or if these peppers were especially hot, but we ended up with the spiciest salsa I've ever tasted! It was quite good, if you could handle the heat!Ingredients:3 c. tomatoes, chopped, seeded, peeled and cored3 c. jalapenos, chopped and seeded1 c. chopped onion6 cloves...

Read More

Jalapeno Poppers

We were blessed with the excess peppers from a friend's garden this week. She had called to ask if I'd like two gallons of peppers...it ended up being several very full grocery bags worth! So, what to do with all of these peppers? We had already made hot pepper jelly, and thought making poppers for the freezer sounded like just the right idea.My friend Linda shared her recipe with me. They are delightfully yummy, and easy to freeze for a great snack...

Read More

Hot Pepper Jelly

My dear friend Hannah gave me a gallon of hot peppers from her garden, so I thought I'd make a batch of hot pepper jelly.The jelly was so pretty. It turned out mild and the children really liked the taste.Jacob enjoyed helping me chop the bell peppers.Ingredients:2 1/2 c. red bell peppers, chopped and seeded1 1/4 c. green bell peppers, chopped and seeded1/4 c. hot peppers, chopped and seeded1 c. apple cider vinegar2 pkg. pectin (or 1 pkg. if runnier...

Read More

Picnic at the Eicher's

The church had a picnic gathering at the Eicher's home yesterday. There was grilled chicken and green beans and lots and lots of yummy pies!The children ran and played and the youth played volleyball. Once the sun went down we all sat around the fire. It was cold, but the fire felt nice. The children enjoyed roasting marshmallows over the fire, and we sipped coffee to keep warm.What a nice evening of fellowship!Blessings Abou...

Read More

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

A friend of mine had mentioned making pumpkin pie oatmeal and I thought it sounded like a breakfast treat that my little clan would enjoy. The result was a warm and delicious Fall breakfast!Here's what I put together:6 c. water3 c. quick cooking oats1 c. pumpkin puree6 T brown sugar1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spiceIt was taste-tested by all of the Goodman men, and they approve!With Love in Chri...

Read More

James is TWO!

I can't believe my baby boy is two years old today! He has grown from our 8lb preemie who loved the cuddles of his brothers to a determined little boy who wants to do everything they do! It's such a joy to watch him blossom into his own personality.It was especially sweet to watch his excitement over his birthday. This year he understood that this was a special day all about him! As soon as he woke up, his brothers showered him with attention and...

Read More