Saturday, December 31, 2011

simple hair dos and truffles from 2011

I thought I'd put together all of the posts, from 2011,
 that I received the most comments and emails from.
This first hairstyle started getting pinned on Pinterest.
  And then received almost 4,000 clicks back to raising4princesses blog!
Braided Updo

Have a lovely day, but don't forget there's church tomorrow.
  Start the new year out right!

Friday, December 30, 2011

...and a Happy New Year

 well, I would say "trying to get all the kids to smile at the same time is as hard as pulling teeth"
but...
so far the only one who has lost any teeth thinks loosing them is soooo cool
so that part of parenting is a cinch
here we are...I take what I get and I don't throw a fit
wishing you a wonderful New Year,
 
This was pretty good considering 3 of us got bit by fire ants during the pictures.

count your blessings
#137 a camera with a self timer
#138 a husband who is a good sport with all the photo shoots I put him through
#139 a family who can laugh together

hide the ripple

"Look, mom, he's so 'tute."

An {eager} little face leans close to mine and shows me the baby lizard....
{clear throat}as she leans over my bed.
  To her credit, I do think he's kinda cute.
  Trying to "hide the ripple" that goes through your body when the first thing you see in the morning is lizard eyeballs.

The day has begun in the life of a missionary wife.
"freshin" up the baby
fix steaming bowls of oatmeal with dark brown sugar
start the laundry, (Thank You, Lord, for my machine!)
pour my coffee
feed the baby her oatmeal and {fresh from the tree} banana
(so teeny tiny, but so perfect in detail)

sip on my forgotten and now lukewarm coffee {shrug}
duck into my bedroom to hide from the children so I can read my Bible
hang a big load of clothes on the line
arrange the poles holding the lines up to catch the most sunshine
smile at the two big bunches of bananas growing in my own little banana "plantation"
move my 3 week old baby chickens into the bigger coop
water my rose and hibiscus bushes
frown at the dark clouds peeking over the mountain
remember my coffee sitting on the kitchen counter
prepare for spelling tests
consider making my bed
decide instead to pile on it with my little princesses and read story books
"watch out, chickie baby, Drago has his eye on you!" 


Just a note: this sticky little hand with the dirt, dog hair, and lizard was taken after she'd played in the yard for a few hours....not when she greeted me in the morning!  Just want to be clear, I bath my kids....a lot!  {goofy grin}

count your blessings
#134 girls who don't scream at the sight of creepy crawlies
#135 girls who aren't afraid to get dirty
#136 girls who sit still a listen to mama read

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Deals in the Mango Marketplace

Anyone ever strolled through an open marketplace in Jamaica?
There will be calls of "Pretty Lady, mi mak'a special deal just for you."
Each vendor will assure you that you are the prettiest tourist they've ever came in contact with
 and that you're gonna get the best bargain on the Island from them.
It's a great place for your ego! {wink}

  Slip on your flip flops and come on over to the marketplace!
There is an amazing sale going on today!
Grab what you like before they're all gone!

End of Year Sale Jamaican Blooming Hibiscus Bracelet - Glass Beaded Bright Orange

End Of Year Sale Jamaican Waves on the Sea - Tropical Blue and Pearl Beaded Multi Strand Necklace

End of Year Sale  Jamaican Miss Hattie's Jam - Red and Gold Beaded Necklace





Just for you {lovely lady}
I selected 2 of my FAVORITE necklaces and discounted them 
60% off!

End Of Year Sale  Jamaican Otaheite Apple - Crimson and Black Beaded Necklace

End Of Year Sale  Jamaican Black Mango - Charcoal Black and Deep Purple Beaded Multi Strand Necklace

Have a lovely day,

T' Time {#50}

My Take the Time to guest today is....Rachel!

Sister #2 of the original four princesses.
She literally married the "boy next door".  Actually the farm next door.
Rachel loves white chocolate truffles and old Laverne and Shirley episodes.
My sister is crafty and enjoys working with her hands.  She has a generous heart.  My brother-in-law is such a sweetheart and treats her better then she deserves.  I love and miss my family.

Her Take the Time to Challenge is....
           Bring Family Closer!

"Howdy Do! I am Rachel. I have a busy little boy and a little squeezable girl. 
We live in the middle of nowhere, Iowa. 
I followed my husband to Iowa... I am kinda fond of him. 
But that meant we moved another 2 hours away from our families. 
Family is very important to me and I want my kids to know that too.
 So we took some of our pictures and made them where we can see them all the time.
 I don't know your family but we are {always} around our fridge!
 We cut them out and put magnets on the back of them.
And yes this is the way my son always smiles.
By doing this Evan can move around, walk away with,
or just hold them as much as he pleases."

Take the time to put the family pictures in front of your kids!  So what if they get smudges on them....print doubles!
 

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Hidden in the hollow

please pray for our family's protection
there is an important political election happening tomorrow
we heard many gunshots during the night
riots and such are expected 
so please, just say a prayer today.  
There is no safer place, then in the perfect will of God.

count your blessings
#129 the soothing comfort of the great, old hymns
#130 my guard dog, Drago sleeping outside my bedroom window
#133 the power of prayer

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

T' Time {#49} Link Party

Aghhh!  So I was squirting ketchup on to my kid's supper plates when it kinda hit me.  
No, ketchup didn't fly up an get on me... I suddenly realized today was Tuesday....my link party day!  
I've been working hard today.
  Organizing and feeling so proud of myself for everything that I've accomplished.
I even tackled the princesses's toy box...and did the dreaded "under the bed check"!
I have the runny nose and itchy eyes to prove it!

So, please forgive me....{raised eyebrows and goofy voice} I have freshly mopped floors!  
{dramatic sigh}

Last week's party features....
Instead of Fighting, Sing from Treasures from a Shoebox
Christmas Dresses at Adventures of a DIY Mom
   
Simple Christmas Decor at Spruce Your Nest


  On to the party!
Now let's all play by the rules!
1. Links must be very kid friendly (example: things that Grandma would approve of {smile})  Really, if it's something that you can do with a child or your family then it would be just peachy...share it with us.  A craft, a post about a day spent with your kids...you get the picture?
2. Pretty please be a follower of Raising4Princesses and if you use the button to link back I'd be just tickled pink.



3. Here's the rule you're seeing everywhere.....{5th grade teacher voice} "visit other links and tell them how "marvelous they are!" 

Monday, December 26, 2011

look, Mama, we match!

My Christmas present from Prince was this lovely addition to my flower garden.
A white orchid plant.  I LOVE it!

count your blessings
#126 flowers....i love them so much
#127 festive red clothes
#128 have I mentioned flowers yet?

Sunday, December 25, 2011

visions of sugar plums?

My little Sugar Plum fairy
Asleep on the couch, Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Prince and the older girls were able to take some little presents to all of our church kids plus some children of a national Pastor who lives about 45 minutes away.

In America, it's really unfathomable to think that there are those
 who receive no present on Christmas.
I truly believe that most Americans are capable of getting something...no matter how small.
Here in Jamaica, it's just not like that.
It broke my heart to see the many (especially children) who were just going without.

Aren't we truly blessed?  
My children received many gifts from us and {friends and family} back home.
Receiving gifts is just natural for us...
it goes unnoticed....unappreciated.

Prince delivered the wrapped packages to their homes...with special instructions to 
"wait for Christmas morning".


I wish I could have shared the joyful and thankful faces that rushed to me Sunday morning,
so very grateful for their little toys.




Merry Christmas.  Thank you, Lord,

count your blessings
#123 a little one who feels comfortable and safe
#124 little girl dress up clothes
#125 being able to share our abundance

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Laughter mixed with tutti-frutti

Saturday, my friend Jannice came over to teach me how to make Jamaican fruitcake.
Interesting and fun afternoon.
um...tutti-frutti anyone?
I think it's pretty, but my girls thought it smelled funny.
When the recipe called for Nutmeg, I grabbed mine out of the cabinet.
Jannice wouldn't use that!  She took a "real" one out of her bag and grated it.
This was interesting to me.  
The batter is the right "texture" when the spoon stands up straight in the middle!

A few weeks ago Jannice gave me some of her Orange Carrot Cake.
Best Carrot Cake ever!
Jannice's Orange Carrot Cake Recipe
1 orange
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup salad oil
2 eggs
1 cup grated carrots
1/4 cup nuts, chopped
1. Wash, peel, section and deseed orange and cut into chunks.  Remove seeds and white center  Puree in blender. 
2. Stir together unsifted flour, sugar, baking podwer, and soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
3. Add oil, orange puree and eggs and mix thoroughly.  Bend in carrots and nuts
4. Pour into greased and floured 8" baking pan
5. Bake in a moderate oven at 180 deg C (350 deg F) for 1 hour or until done.


count your blessings
#120 a friends to smile with
#121 a belly growing with a miracle inside
#122 yummy cake out of the oven
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