Recommended Reading List #1

So, I have compiled a list of my favorite books that I recommend to everyone when they ask. I've read most of these at least twice through :) My favorite and my best, as you might put it! 

First is "Stepping Heavenward" by Elizabeth Prentiss. It's the fictional journal of a girl growing in her faith during the mid 1800's. I've read this one through many times and discover more about the heart of what my Savior has for me each time through. It's a good read-aloud for older sisters or mothers to younger sisters 12 and up. And I say 12 and up only because the antiquated language might be a little beyond early comprehension.

This book was a happy birthday present from my parents two Summers ago. A fantastic read for girls 13 and up. Debi Pearl hits home with practical insights to how we as single young ladies can be preparing for our future position as helper and completer at the side of a godly man. There's also a study guide at the back written by one of Debi's lovely daughters!

"Little Women" is one of my annual reads! The home-centered tale of four sisters is rich with good old-fashioned American history and values to apply in every day life. I recommend "book one" (the first half. My edition is divided) for all ages. And it's fairly easy to understand even for younger girls. But, part two is more...how shall we say, romantic? It's the part where the girls go abroad, fall in love, and get married. If your younger girls struggle with things like keeping their hearts at home, and romantic thoughts and feelings, I wouldn't recommend it yet. Or the second sequel (book 3) "Jo's Boys". That one gets pretty intensely romantic. 

This book is fabulous for all ages! A great read aloud for the whole family. "Little Britches" by Ralph Moody is the story of an East-coast family that moves to Colorado to start a farm. I've read it 4 times through and it gets better each time :)

A riveting tale told in first-person by Corrie Ten Boom herself! This narrative takes place in Holland during WWII when the Ten Booms hid Jews in their home above the watch shop. 

I have mentioned this book before, but I had not read it yet. I am at the end of it now and gaining more and more knowledge each page I turn :) Perhaps I'm not very clever with post titles, but this truly is on the top of my recommended reading list! 

There will be more to come as I read and acquire more books to add to my library (the top of my dresser). Meanwhile, what are the books that you recommend? Have you read any of the books that I posted above? Please comment and let me know!
 

A Poem...By Me

I wrote this poem about a year ago and haven't thought to share it with the world until now. It expresses the way I feel toward my family and the life that God has blessed me with! How...maybe it's not "perfect" to the world...but it's "perfect" the way God saw fit to create it!

Here's a house with flower beds

of colors o so gay

nary a weed has been seen there

where bumblebees do play

The grass is green, the fence is white

the house is like a picture

and looking in the window

you can see the silver fixtures

Inside, the place is spick-and-span

the dust does never stay

The silver gleams, no children scream

it always smells of May

The bedrooms never see a piece

of clothing on the floor

The shelves are neat, the flowers sweet

and bloom forever more

The windows will stay open

a cool breeze flowing through

And when you heave a deep breath in

you'll feel completely new

But what it lacks is joyful noise

and a loving family

For it must stay stay so clean and neat;

you must not touch, just see

Now I will tell you of a house

with no white picket fence

The grass is dry, the weeds are high

The kids have dug a trench!

The rooms look like a hurricane

swept in and left disaster

I never in my life did see

a closet emptied faster.

Laundry piling in the rooms

but not prepared for washing

to find your favorite sweater, dear

the toys you will be tossing

When you enter in the back

through the smudged storm door

the muddy footprints big and small

are tracked upon the floor

But peek inside the kitchen, friend

it brings a smile to see

the wet, and muddy commodores

that sip their sweet iced tea

Some are tall and some are short

their faces all a mess

but sitting still and giving thanks

they feel so very blessed

So as we close upon this scene,

of joyful faces dear

don't forget to be content

with what God gives you here

2013 Sewing Endeavors-to-be

I have upcoming projects to work on and plans for what I'm going to sew this year. I'm afraid we'll have to wait until I find my camera's battery charger to see pics of what I did last year. But for now, here are my upcoming plans! 

So, beginning last year, I, unintentionally, started a tradition. Birthday kids get to pick what costume they want McKenna (that's me) to make for them! First up are Moses (turning 9) and Mandee (turning 3). 

Moses has asked for a Frodo Baggins costume and he's getting it. I won't be including the coat (not pictured here) or a shirt (we can use a button-down for now). But, I shall construct a velveteen vest, brown pantlets and a cape. And for Matthew's 6th birthday, he'll be getting a Samwise Gamgee outfit. They're going to be so cute together!!!

Back in the Fall, Mirial (age 7) got a green Susan gown for her birthday (pics coming soon). Now, Mandee gets a Lucy dress to match. Oh! And she also gets a new wardrobe ;) These are just some ideas for possibilities!

I can't get over this!

I love the multicolor theme and the button flowers

I can use my girls' regency pattern for this one

I don't think a pattern is needed for this one :)

Simple and easy

I just had to put this up! I love the sleeves!!!

A little Summery, but with a cardigan...

Salvation Army top+cute fabric!

Made out of Daddy's button-down!

How cute is this wrap dress?!

Okay, so, I kinda went crazy there, but, you get the picture. 

I'm also doing costumes for some little friends of mine who are 9 and 11 years old. They're in a school production of "The Music Man" and I've been hired to construct their costumes. 1919. I'm really excited! 

Next up, my sister Marley is going on a missions trip to El Salvador with the Duggar family. So, she needs some supplies. A.K.A. skirts and a bag :) 

I like this khaki skirt just a tad longer.

I love making skirts from jeans and I already have made several 

I positively adore this messenger bag! Marley won't be crazy about the fabric but she'll  love the belt handle :)


Mason will be turning 2 in June and he isn't particularly crazy about anything but "Mater's Tall Tales" and "Martha Speaks". So I've decided that he needs a waistcoat :D

Something like this, including the tie. 

So, I'm booked for the first half of the year. I really can't think as far ahead as July for now...

Recapping 2012

So, it's been awhile. And now it's the New Year. I shall join all the other bloggers and recap 2012.

I left on the first of the year for Ecuador on a Compassion International mission trip with my Dad.

You can find out more here:

http://cherishingmyrole.blogspot.com/2012/01/ecuador-post-part-1.html

http://cherishingmyrole.blogspot.com/2012/01/fyi-this-was-written-about-week-ago.html

http://cherishingmyrole.blogspot.com/2012/01/ecuador-post-part-3.html

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures!

The president of Compassion Wess Stafford and I.

This sweet girl would not tell me her name but clung to me like a leech :)

I did a lot of sewing, but haven't had time to take pictures. I shall have to do that very soon :)

In July, I began emailing back and forth with the head costume designer for Burns Family Studios (burnsfamilystudios.com), Marilyn. BFS is an independent Christian film company in Michigan. At the time, they were at the end of pre-production and costuming hadn't even started yet! In a couple of weeks, Daddy and I were on the road again, but this time to Michigan. I spent a short 3 days there then went home again. 

My "timekeeper" pose in the pocket hoops I just finished!

I assisted in making this petticoat out of a bedskirt!

Ripping apart wool coats to make more coats/ trousers, etc.

Though I couldn't make it back to help with more costuming, two months later, I was back to act! My Dad and I got to be a feature couple in a masked ball! What an experience! We shot our scene in the bitter cold of night outside in October! Thank goodness for layers!

Here is my gown. And yes, that is a ship on my head :)

Most of us wore masks. The movie is titled "Beyond the Mask"

Here is the practice in an insulated barn about 3 days before filming :)

 What an exciting couple of days! Dad preferred that a picture of him in a tricorn hat NOT be posted on the internet.

Those are the two big events that happened this year, through them I made so many wonderful new friends. I'm excited that I got to share with you and I look forward to what awaits in 2013!

~McKenna

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Italian Hillbilly Wedding Themed Post...Seriously...

I am sure you must be completely shocked about that unfortunate-looking title. However, it was intentional and does carry meaning :)

At our church, different communities of people (friends) come together for worship and spiritual encouragement at each other's houses. We call these gatherings "Life Groups". Each family takes a turn hosting at their house and this week, it was our turn. Our Life Group likes to get creative and make themes for food (and clothing; if you're brave and can withstand advanced sarcasm ;) This week, my parents were throwing around ideas for a theme, and my dad texts my mom, "Italian Hillbilly Wedding Theme"! It was instantly adopted and thus, the title of my post is explained in a lengthy and probably unnecessary paragraph :)

I spent all morning preparing our main dishes. They were a big hit, so I have decided to share with the world! They are Rosemary-Olive-Oil-Sprouted-Spelt-Bread, Italian Wedding Soup (with heavenly meatballs) and Hillbilly Wedding Soup (also known as Chili) The Rosemary Bread, I had made the night before to save on time. Here they are...please enjoy!

Okay...this is really only a third of a loaf, but let's pretend that it's a whole loaf!

Sprouted Spelt Bread

(with Variations on the theme)

Spelt is a gluten-free wheat berry. No one in our family is allergic to gluten, but Spelt provides a lighter bread than whole wheat. The sprouted part means that the grains were soaked in water to "sprout" (they get little tail-like sprouts), then dehydrated. This process breaks down the different parts of the grain and makes it more digestible for our systems. We buy our sprouted grains from an Amish farm. But sprouting your own grains is relatively easy. I will post on that in a few days. 

 Ingredients:

9 Tbsp. Honey

  4 1/2 Tbsp. Lecithin (you can substitute 2 eggs)  

 3 3/4 c. Warm Water (not hot from the tap)

2 Tbsp. Yeast

9-12 c. Freshly-Milled Sprouted Spelt Flour 

(you can use Whole Wheat or Kamut if you want)

2 1/2 tsp. Salt

4 1/2 Tbsp. Wheat Gluten

 Optional:

4 Tbsp. Dried Rosemary

4 Tbsp. Cold-Pressed EVOO

Instructions:

1.) Preheat Oven 200 degrees Farenheit

2.) In mixer (like Kitchen-Aid or Bosch) combine honey, lecithin (or eggs), water, yeast and HALF the flour. Cover with towel for 15 minutes.

3.) Add the rest of the flour, salt, wheat gluten and, if applicable, rosemary and olive oil. You may need to add extra flour so the dough isn't sticky.

4.) Knead in mixer 5-7 minutes.

5.) On clean, floured surface separate the dough evenly into three or four loaves. Roll out each section into a rectangle, then roll them up into a log and tuck the ends under, slicing across the top. Place into floured pans.

 6.) Place in the 200 degree oven, covered with floured tea towel for 30-60 minutes to rise. 

7.) Remove from oven. Preheat 350 degrees F.

 8.) Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown and delicious! Enjoy!

There isn't much left, but we're having it for dinner, so it shall be reimbursed with fresh meatballs and stock!

Apparently, the kids decided that the soup didn't need so may meatballs after all!

    Italian Wedding Soup

(my Variation of a FoodNetwork recipe) 

 My Mama found this recipe from Giada De Laurentiis on FoodNetwork for me to use. I altered it slightly (and doubled it) and it was one of the best soups I've ever had! Don't be alarmed by the fermented garlic. The stuff is so good, I eat it raw! It adds an extra punch of finger-licking flavor (not to mention how good it is for your body as a probiotic miracle). The Chicken Stock I used was also homemade. I suppose I shall also have to post on how to ferment your own garlic and make your own chicken stock, too :)

 Meatballs:

 1 small Onion, grated

1/3 c. Fresh Italian Parsley, chopped

  1 Large Egg

1 tsp. Fermented Garlic, minced 

1 tsp. Salt

1 slice of the AMAZING Rosemary Olive-Oil Bread you just made; crusts removed, crumbled into tiny pieces 

 1/2 c. Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated

8 oz. Ground Beef (we get ours grass-fed not grain-fed)

8 oz. Turkey Sausage, un-cased (or substitute pork)

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Soup:

12 c. Chicken Broth/Stock (homemade, if you can)

1 Pound Fresh or Frozen Spinach, coarsely chopped

  2 Large Eggs

2 Tbsp. Freshly-Grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese (plus extra for garnish) 

 Instructions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheight.

2.) Mix up the first six ingredients with a fork in a metal or glass bowl (don't use plastic). 

3.)Add cheese, beef and sausage or pork. Form into 1-inch balls with 1/2 Tbsp. as scoop. Place on baking sheet covered with aluminum foil.  

4.)Bake for 30 minutes. Set aside.

 Soup:

1.) Bring the broth to a boil. Add the meatballs and spinach.  

2.) Whisk eggs and cheese together. While the broth is still boiling, start stirring the soup, then slowly drizzle the egg mixture in, stirring with a fork to create thin strands of egg, about 1 minute. Season with Salt and Pepper. Perfection!

What's left of the chili after last night plus lunch today!

 Hillbilly Wedding Soup

(also known as the Rosen's Famous Chili)

My parents came up with this recipe for one of my Dad's birthday parties about four years ago. It was an instant favorite! We make for a lot of people, so you might need to cut the recipe down a bit :) But remember! All spice amounts are approximate. You may adjust to your taste. This Chili is not spicy; it's sweet!

Ingredients:

1 Large Onion, chopped

2 or 3 Cloves of Garlic (regular garlic)   

4 lb. Ground Beef (grass-fed)

2 Large Cans of Tomato Juice

2 Large Cans Diced Tomatoes (not drained)

2 Cans Black Beans, drained (or Chili Hot Beans)

2 Cans Red Beans, drained (or Kidney Beans)

1-2 Tbsp. Chili Powder

1-2 tsp. Cumin

1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

1 Tbsp. Cinnamon

1/3 c. Brown Sugar

Instructions:

1.) Start cooking the onions in a large skillet in a few Tablespoons of EVOO over medium heat. About halfway through, add minced or pressed garlic.

2.) When the onions are translucent, add the meat in, stirring and breaking it up continually.

3.) While the meat is browning, mix together in a large pot the remaining ingredients. Adjust amounts of spices until desirable.

4.) Once the meat is browned thoroughly, add it to the pot. Simmer until nice and hot!

 Please send me pictures of your own concoctions to missmckennaray@gmail.com . I would love to see what you come up with!