Just A Stick Of Butta!

Carla's Almond Roca Recipe

Okay, so maybe it's more than just a stick of butter. The first time my dear

friend, Carla Sauer brought these goodies over as a Christmas treat, I was quite

certain that there was something very addictive in the Almond Roca. I'm

thinking it is the butter - there's two cubes, after all!

Today Jayne and I made Carla's Almond Roca.

It is so simple and SOO yummy,

you won't believe the ingredients. (I will post the full recipe at the bottom,

no need to take notes as you are reading!)

1. Cover a cookie sheet with foil and grease heavily with margarine.

2. Cover with soda crackers, laid side by side, touching.
3. Melt butter, add sugar. 4. Boil for 3 minutes.

5. Pour sugar mixture over crackers and spread.

6. Bake at 375 degrees for 5 minutes.

7. Remove from oven, sprinkle with chocolate chips.

8. Allow to melt, then spread with knife.

9. Sprinkle with nuts.

10. Let cool completely (if you can find room in the fridge!)

11. Break into pieces and ENJOY!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Carla, for sharing your delicious

recipe for me. You are always so generous with your delicious food,

never keeping any of the recipes secret - and I'm pretty sure I've

asked for every recipe that I have ever tasted from your house!

I hope you have the chance to make these - they will be a hit no matter

what time of year you serve them. I especially like them right out of the freezer.

More yummy goodness to come!

Kathy

Carla's Almond Roca Recipe:

1/4 cup margarine

2-3 dozen soda crackers

2 cubes of butter

1 cup of sugar

12 oz. chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped or sliced almonds

Cover cookie sheet with foil. Grease heavily with margarine.

Cover with crackers, laid side by side touching. Melt butter, add sugar.

Boil 3 minutes. Pour over crackers.

Bake at 375 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with

chocolate chips. Allow to melt, then spread with knife. Sprinkle with nuts.

Let cool completely. Break into pieces. Enjoy!!

Christmas Traditions

Now that I have my website situation settled, it's time to move on to the Christmas traditions that are sneaking up on me this year. Most of them involve FOOD! This week marks the beginning of the full fledged baking season around this house. My husband will be picking up the essential ingredients tomorrow morning (because he is just the most wonderful husband ever - he does all the grocery shopping!) and the baking can commence!

This year, it will be nice to involve the kids a bit more. We mixed up some sugar cookie dough and both Jayne and Lincoln got to help. We haven't made the cookies yet, but somehow the cookie dough keeps disappearing! We end up making more dishes dirty when they help, but Jayne helps to wash them and someday maybe she'll actually get them clean.

So stay tuned this week. I will be sharing some recipes and pictures of our favorites, if only to make your mouth water... Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is never a shortage of fudge and it is always surrounded by various other cookies, candy, and sugar-filled treats. And this week Friday we will be carrying on the tradition of all the girls working with Grandma to create those delicious sugar cookies, cut out in all kinds of shapes and slathered with frosting and all the sprinkles the littlest girls can sneak on there!

If you are still looking for some Christmas gifts for your neices, sisters, moms, aunts, and pretty much all the women in your family, be sure to check out the boutique at its new address: http://www.fhboutique.com/. Although it is in its baby stages, you can find more pictures on our facebook fanpage as well as on flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/fruitfulhandsboutique/.

Looking forward to the food!

Kathy

Website under construction

Hi all!
Just wanted to post a correction: the website www.fruitfulhandsboutique.com is currently in the process of being bought back so it will not take you to OUR current site yet. When it does, I will let you know. For now you can find more on our flickr site as well as on our fan page on facebook.
THANKS!!
Kathy

Christmas Wishes

*Please take note: the website's new address is

www.fhboutique.com

Christmas is upon us and it is time to start wishing!

Below you will find some of my favorites

from the boutique. Although I have many

of these items in my storage closet, I don't always get

to buy the beauties that reside there! So this

year I made a little wishlist of things that I

wish I owned from my very own boutique.

(Is it okay to do that? I think so!) Alice's washcloths - you can never have too many!

Shana's reusable lunch bags - just stick them
in the washing machine when they're dirty!

Shana's custom created felt flower clips.
Even mommies need to feel pretty!

Okay, I don't have a lick of pink in my house, but I
just adore this photo..-

Again, no red in my kitchen, but I LOVE the rooster

and the beautiful flowers that adorn the rest

of the towels!

And this BAG!!! Amanda has fantastic material

selection. I want one of every one!
They are even reversible with pockets!

This tri-strand turquoise bracelet.

I keep trying it on!

Glass bead snowflake ornaments.

This picture absolutely does not do them justice.

They are gorgeous.

Heather's gems. These necklaces sparkle like

nothing else. From every angle, you will catch

a different color shining back at you.

I think I'm in love!

Another of Heather's gems. A 5 karat amethyst.

My birthday's not even in February! I just want it!

So that concludes my list, but if I could start one

for my daughter, it would be even longer!

If you would like to see more, check out the website:

http://www.fhboutique.com/

or our flickr site (still a work in progress):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fruitfulhandsboutique/sets/

or our facebook fanpage (currently the most comprehensive):

simply type in "fruitful hands boutique" and it should take you there.

If you have any questions, requests, thoughts, or positive things to say,

you can always contact me at my email address:

klynncragin@yahoo.com

or my cell/business phone number:

(209) 614-3746

So, what's on your Christmas List?

Happy Shopping!

Kathy

Fallin'

Is it fall already? I thought I'd share some of our favorite fall creations! Next week the blog will be about Thanksgiving and the next week about Christmas! Just kidding (although it does seem to fly by so quickly!)

little girl pretties by Jaime

polka dotty bibs by Jennifer

earrings by Dorene

cosmo bag by Alice

white crackle pendant by Jaime

farmin' flour sack towels by Dot

two-strand beaded necklace, single-strand bracelet

and earrings in charcoal and brown

by Jaime

reversible day bag with pockets by Amanda

pillowcase dresses by Kathy

reusable grocery bags by Amanda

If interested in any of these creations,

please contact me (Kathy) at

(209) 614-3746

or

klynncragin@yahoo.com

Socks and Prayer

(Another great perspective from guestblogger Leanne. It'll change the way you do laundry!)

I recently read in a book something I thought was worth repeating. I found as I read this book, it was all about perspective. How I see my life, the daily chores and situations, is really what can make or break my attitude. Not only can it change my attitude, but it can actually change lives.

What do I mean? Well, it’s about prayer.

As I sit in front of a load of laundry piled high, I manage to breathe a heavy sigh. I grab the first pair of jeans, fold them and plop them on the bed. Usually, I rush to get this desperately boring chore finished so I can move on to something else. Something more fun, like washing dishes. No, not fun, just next on my list.

Today is different. Today I found out that socks and prayer can go hand in hand.
This time as I fold my husband’s socks I lift up a prayer that the Lord would lead him and guide him throughout his day. That He would be His strength and protector. Next I grabbed his jeans and remembered the Lord promised to provide for us and was thankful my husband had a job to go to today. I also smiled as I thanked God for the amazing man that wears those jeans and looks so good in them!

Soon I held in my hands a smaller pair of socks. I knew they belonged to one of my boys because the writing was in green. They all wear different colors so I know whose is whose! I prayed for this little life that will grow to be a strong man someday. I prayed that God would take him places in his walk that only God could dream up.

I prayed for God’s protection over my next child who wears the socks with blue writing. Reminded of how many paths there are to choose from in life, I asked the Lord that His Spirit would lead him only into paths of righteousness and that he would walk with Jesus every day of his life.

Then came the tiny little socks. My little guy: such a sweet and talented boy. I talked to God about what His plans for his life might be. I know he will walk down many roads and will need the Lord to show him where to go next. I prayed for wisdom to raise him and for his feet to take him places where he can show God’s love to the lost, however God chose to do that.

My daughter rarely wears socks, but today I folded a pair that belonged to her. No words explain a mother’s heart towards her daughter. It’s almost a silent prayer that only God can hear and understand. I wipe a tear as I see her future so bright and laid out before her. Her musical talent will take her many places and her sweet spirit will cause her to bless so many. I prayed for God’s continued love and protection and grace on her life. That as she walks through life as a teenager and one day, a woman, she will always find her hope in Christ.

Yes, each little sock and pair of jeans reminded me of the precious lives that make up my family. Now when I fold, I pray. That is how lives are changed when I do laundry.

Simple Shabby Cheap!

(Did you notice "cheap" in the title? Not "chic?" Yes, these items are cheap, but they are treasures!)

If you were to walk through my house, you would discover there are a LOT of shabby chic items. You know, sanded down items that look as though they are a million years old because they are so worn in. It's not so much that I LOVE shabby chic (I do like the look, but I like a lot of different styles). I actually sand things down on purpose because I have two kids under the age of 5 and when they scrach, dent, and ding up furniture, it only adds to the appeal of the piece. Goodness, kids are rough on furniture! That is also why we haven't bought a new piece since our oldest was born. Pretty much every piece of furniture we've acquired in the past 5 years has either been a hand-me-down, a garage sale item, or from a thrift store! I've just Kathy-ized them. Here are a few of the treasures that I have throughout our home:

This was an ugly $5 cabinet my Dad bought for me from a garage sale because he knew I was looking for something to put out on my patio to store stuff in. I thought it was a hopeless piece. I thought I'd experiment using a combination wax, paint, and my paint scraper to see what kind of catastrophe I could create. I must admit, I was quite pleased with this catastrophe. And it is useful for keeping the patio cleaned up (most of the time...)

We also managed to get a wine barrel (when my sister-in-law worked for a local winery) for our patio and set it up as somewhat of a bistro table. My husband carved out a "cork" for it. (I happen to love those little wooden fishermen/captains - you know, like that guy on the Wharf in Monterey.)

Jayne's room has a lot of shabby chic - it's easy to put white in her room. This toy box was purchased at a garage sale for $5. I put a coat of white on it and then scratched it up. Bet you can't tell which scratches are mine and which are hers?
The blanket is a rag quilt made by a very talented friend of mine - she made one for Lincoln, too. They are favorites of my kids. The pink "tutued" hippo was one of Jayne's finds at a garage sale.
This bookshelf was sitting outside a home in my neighborhood with a "free" sign on it. I spotted it while taking the kids for a walk. My husband was gracious enough to get in the truck and pick it up for me as soon as I got home from the walk! I didn't even have to paint it. It might just be one of my favorite pieces.

And her cute little rocking chair - I think I stole this from my parents' shop. Well, I think I probably got permission.

Can't leave Lincoln out: his is a chair given to me by a neighbor that I "re-upholstered." (I put that in the quotes to mean that "I tried my very best to recover this stinkin' chair in a way that people would look at it and not know that I used 150 staples and had to recut the material 4 or 5 times to make it work.") Again, if you don't look too closely, it is really cute!!
Oh - I almost forgot about this little one. I think this might actually be my favorite. Although no one has ever complimented me on it. Hmmm....maybe I need to rethink my taste in decor?!

Back to the backyard: My dad made some birdhouses that I have put in the yard (although I have not seen any birds in them). This particular birdhouse is in a potted plant holder turned upside down. The giant spoon on the wall was a treasure from the local antique mall (with the helpful eyes of my Mom - she is the antique Queen!)

Alas, there will be no more homemade birdhouses from my Dad, but a dear friend of mine paints beautiful birdhouses that her father makes. Perhaps soon you will see my yard adorned with a birdhouse with touches of "Janelle" on it!

Sometimes I get frustrated looking around my house and seeing all these leftovers. However, I am quickly reminded that all of these pieces have my personal touch. My frustration quickly turns to pride as I realize that I am using the gifts that God has given me to turn my house into our home. Besides, my children will only be young once and I'd rather enjoy them than worry about my furniture all the time!

Missing Pieces by Leanne

Our first guest blogger is my sister-in-law, Leanne, who has been blessed with a great talent for writing. She can take even the smallest pieces of life and find an amazing application from God for our own lives! She gladly passed on a few devotionals for me to share with you. Look for more to come in the future! Here is her first (of many, hopefully!!) Thanks for sharing your gift, Leanne!!

“Missing Pieces”



“Mom,can you help me find my missing Lego piece” “Mom, I lost my Iron Man guy's helmet?” “Mom, have you seen my make-up bag?” “Honey, I only have one white sock in my drawer, can you find me the other one?” “Hey mom, how come I can't find my school book?”
Did I just scream out loud or was it in my head?

Does this sound familiar to anyone else? I feel as though I am constantly looking for something for someone! What they all don't realize is, I have to do the exact same thing they would have to do...look! You simply lift up the couch cushions, move the pile of books and look under it. Search the car or the pile of laundry in the laundry basket. Just standing in the same spot and spinning in circles will not help you find what you are looking for! Why does it seem like only I know this?

Well since I am called “Mom” I have found that my days are filled with meeting every one else's needs and desires. Is it always fun? No! Is it worth it? Yes!

When Jesus was here on the earth He often dealt with the same kinds of things. Everyone needed a healing touch, everyone needed prayer, everyone needed food or money. Everyone had a question or a complaint! Much like motherhood. Though Jesus had the power to just speak a word and all would fall into place (if only I had that power!) He usually gave us the example of hard work. He actually showed us how to live and meet the needs of others. He took the time to touch and heal and explain and train. It took much of his time and He took breaks to go and pray and seek the Father. He rested. He worked hard and never complained, but He knew the job that needed to be done and He did it with His whole heart: his heart of love and compassion.

“Oh Jesus, help me see the needs and meet them the best that I can. Help me call out to you for help and rest when I am tired. Help me to seek your will and not mine and see the little things with eternal eyes. Bring to remembrance your desire to find and restore the missing pieces in each and every heart and life.” amen.

Cheating at Motherhood

Over the few years of motherhood that I have known, I have gathered loads of advice from so many wise people. I take the advice, I apply to my life and then when a friend asks for advice I realize that I am passing on someone else's good advice - I am cheating! Plagiarizing, even! Using someone else's advice and passing it on as my own - shame on me! They taught me better than that in jr. high, high school, and college. And yet what have I done in real life? I've been cheating at motherhood.

No matter how this wisdom is acquired, from friends and family or through your own experiences, when you are able to apply it to your own life and situations, it is invaluable! Here are just a few nuggets that I have written down in my memoir (a brown spiralbrown notebook with the penciled-in title: "Kathy's Book of Gathered Wisdom.")

Children are an inheritance, not an inconvenience.
Give 9 lbs of praise for every 1 lb of correction.
Don't expect your children to be any more spiritual than you are.
Strong-willed children are the future Peters and Pauls.
Speak God's word to them even before they can understand God's word.
Whatever discipline you choose, be consistent with it.
God has a plan for your children. Seek Him and start training them for these things.
Children are born foolish, with lack of judgment and self-control. Don't expect them not to be that way, just train them.
Children go through stages. Stay consistent and "this, too, shall pass!" (Can't tell you how this helped in potty training and bedtime issues!)
Apply the Pat Principle with your kids: "When in doubt, pat." God made lots of patting places - heads, cheeks, knees, hands, shoulders, backs.
Delight in your children!
One of my favorites: Stong in self-will now can be strong in God's will with training. (If you've ever met my daughter, you'd know why this applies!)


The best and most important advice always comes from God's word:
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy." Psalm 103:8 - Good principles to apply to parenthood.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6 - How DO you handle the entire roll of toilet paper flushed down the toilet? Or the entire box of Cheerios spilled on the kitchen floor? (Obviously my children are still young!)
"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 - Yell often?
Remember, your battle is not with your son or daughter. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 - Your battle is with the enemy. Don't be intimidated by a rebellious spirit. Jesus is Lord above that, too.

The Bible is FULL of what we need. We just have to put the time in to find it!

This blog is a big THANK YOU to all who have given me their advice and allowed me to glean from their wisdom. Again - I can't take credit for any of these words! I cheated! (Don't worry, I won't tell anyone if you cheat off of me!)

Kathy

Posting Pictures

Bear with me...just posting pics of some new items. I'm thinking the more I do this, the better I will be!

Hmmm...managaed to make them all straight - amazing!