Lighting & Thunder Storm

A National Weather Service advisory warning of a strong thunderstorm,heavy rain, dangerous lightning and wind gusts up to 50 mph. The thunderstorm activity erupted during a day of high humidity and scorching temperatures ,104 degrees -- 10 degrees above normal, according to the National Weather Service. We welcomed every minute of this strange weather,until we watched lighting strike the house on a hill directly above us.

Fires sparked by lighting

Storm clouds and strong winds blew through our area today,along with brush fires sparked by lightning. Cody was my little storm chaser {sidekick} we had a blast together.He chased newspapers that whirled threw the air as I waited for the next bomber to fly by.

The "BIG" Thirteen

sisters.....

...we do all the work

...and she gets on first?

fishing in the backyard

How God Made Little Boys

He took some jam and some apple pies.
He mixed in freckles, put twinkles in the eyes.
He mussed up the hair and scuffed the kness.
Created a desire for climbing trees.
Spirit, fun, courage heart...
The need to explore.
He added these items and so much more.
When he was done, He rested with joy.
For there before Him.
Was the wonder of a boy.

Made with Love....Joy

...fresh baked and warm from the oven, a "Promise kept" as she bends down to the Toddler's level, he reaches eager to see the gift that has been given. He holds it gently and savors that first bite.....I watch him just tasting, licking his lips and tasting again. "I like Joy's Sugar" he said. Children running all around on this Summer day, and for just a little while, for him,the earth stands still.....

4th of July ~ The Sandlot

The Sandlot
You see, for us, baseball was a game. But for Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, baseball was life.We looked forward to the fourth of July, the one night that we can play night ball in the sandlot because of the light provided by the fireworks.
"The Babe": Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you'll never go wrong. "The Babe": Let me tell you something kid; Everybody gets one chance to do something great. Most people never take the chance, either because they're too scared, or they don't recognize it when it spits on their shoes.Squints: For-ev-ver! For-ev-ver! For-ev-ver! For-ev-ver! Timmy: The colossus of clout! Tommy: The colossus of clout! Benny Rodriguez: The king of crash, man. Ham Porter:I'm the Great Bambino

Delicious Strawberry Pie

Went strawberry picking for unschooling {see here},and came home with the juiciest,red,plump,gorgeous,sweetest berry's that were just perfect for a pie. Cody helped me make the crust which was a first for me...usually I roll it out with rolling pin fold,place,pinch & then they can help.This time...cody and I pressed it into the pan with our fingers,much thicker than usuall. Shadd and I both agree the crust was PERFECT! Thank you Cody....for helping to make it just perfect....{crust when cut to place on plates held strawberries beautifully none of them fell off}.

Strawberry Pie

Ingredients
1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
1 quart fresh strawberries
1 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions
1.Arrange half of strawberries in baked pastry shell. Mash remaining berries and combine with sugar in a medium saucepan. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
2.In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Gradually stir cornstarch mixture into boiling strawberry mixture. Reduce heat and simmer mixture until thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour mixture over berries in pastry shell. Chill for several hours before serving. In a small bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Serve each slice of pie with a dollop of whipped cream.