Sweet clams.

Tomorrow my friend and I are leading our science co-op. As a group we are going through  Apologia's "Swimming creatures of the fifth day". We read through a lesson, and meet every two weeks for a review, craft and science experiment. The lesson we are on is all about mollusks. Who knew that bivalves and gastropods could be such fun? Anyway, I came across this super cute cookie and simplified it to meet my needs. Here is my version and how to do it, if you so please.

Gather the ingredients:

Vanilla wafers

White chocolate covered pretzel rounds

Cherry frosting

To assemble:

Frost the flat side of the vanilla wafer.

place one pearl on the frosting.

prop another wafer (flat side down) on top.

Now, you have a clam sweet enough to eat.

Enjoy.

I can make my own powdered sugar, what's your superpower?

Today we made cookies. Not just any cookies,but these amazingly yummy ones from chocolate on my cranium. At first I thought we wouldn't be able to make them because I was all out of powdered sugar. However, I remembered I could make some in my vitamix (my favorite kitchen tool, by the way). It is so simple and even a little healthy...way healthier than the grocery store stuff for sure. This is how it is done (I made a video...but I won't torture you with it). Take 1 1/2c. Evaporated cane juice & 1T. arrowroot powder, place them in the vitamix and turn on high for 30 seconds. Wahlah! powdered sugar. Cool, huh?!

In other news: My amazing husband relieved me of my cabin fever, by taking me out to breakfast. He is so sweet, I have been truly blessed.I spent the rest of the day with my kiddos in our warm and cozy house, safely sheltered from the wind outside. We played mad-libs and drew pictures. Then I made balsamic chicken legs for dinner with lottsa veggies on the side (to make up for the cookies). It was a great day to be alive.

Oh, and if you want to see some more kitchen tips, check out

First entry.

I am blogging again for a couple reasons.
1. My husbands schedule changed and I now have a good time to do it.
2. I just want to keep a record of things I accomplish and things I want to remember.

I want to do this to encourage myself (and perhaps others). It is so easy to get bogged down with the woulda, coulda, shouldas and forget to rejoice about the things that did get done and the moments spent living. I titled this blog "Life, more abundantly"...Taken from

John 10:10 (King James Version)

10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

My husband and I are often told that while our children are young that we are just in a survival mode. Well, we got to thinking about that and realized; we want more than that. We want to Thrive, not merely survive. Oh...don't get me wrong, there are days (many days) Where getting food on the table and keeping the children from running completely wild, is all I can do. But, even on those days...there is some thriving that can be done...slowing down to read a book, going on a quick walk around the block or making a batch of cookies. You know, the little things that make life a little sweeter.

Anyway...Thats what I envision for this blog. A record of my days (not every single one...but many)...and the ways in which I thrived. Oh, and photos, because, I like photos (especially of my kiddos).

Today I had many thriving moments, in spite of a sore throat that is plaguing me. I enjoyed a fun morning with my Husband and kids...I love watching Joe play with the kids and to hear them laugh with delight as he tickles and rough houses. There is nothing like it. I enjoyed the crisp cool air for a short time and admired my daughters ingenuity with such simple things as rocks and wood scraps. I made a yummy snack: Homemade cheese dip with chips. Kinda like this, except...just cheddar and cream with a little salsa added. Then we had dinner and snuggled up to read in front of the fire. It was a good day....I think I thrived.