Jun 5, 2010

Sunshine!

Finally after a week of nonstop rain or drizzle it's finally sunny!! I'm so excited about the potential of the sun and if you could see my clothes line you would understand. I think I'm on load number 6 already. I have high hopes of getting it all done.

Honestly I'm not one of those who can get it all done. I'm sure if that were my focus and didn't take any time for family I could manage to keep a perfect home but often I get off kilter. I have never in all of my almost 19 years of marriage been able to balance everything and honestly I can't see it happening any time soon. I'm  a multi-tasker no, I'm not and I'm sure it's too late for me to learn to be.

Anyhow, I'm trying to get it all done today and as I was walking in the kitchen today I noticed the prettiest setting. It was totally on accident but it was so pretty. It gets hot in the house quick on a warm day if you don't let some of thee cool morning air in. So I was, and it made me happy.. :0)
Anyhow, between the laundry and the fridge that keeps calling my name I managed to change out the flowers in the vase on the red buffet. I found the pale pink roses in the yard and filled the vase with some of the red thorn bush that also grows in our yard. I love having any sort of fresh flowers in the house and really it's possible if you look around nature enough to find then for free! Actually I just heard the washer go off so I better hurry this post up. 


In Croatia we can get Nesquik chocolate milk mix but it's about $10 for a bag that lasts about a week in our house. So yesterday stumbled upon a recipe for chocolate syrup and since it was so easy I printed it. Last night Hannah made it and this morning we enjoyed yummy chocolate milk for breakfast and it cost little to nothing. 

I can't remember where I found this particular recipe but there are lots of them floating out there in Blogville. 
Here's the one Hannah used for her syrup. 

1 C cocoa powder
2 C water
4 C sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

1. In a large pot mix 1 cup of coaoa wth 2 cups of water and cook over and medium heat stirring occasionally. 

2. Add 4 cups of sugar and stir until completely dissolved. 
3. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium low and let it boil for 3 minutes. 
4. Remove the syrup from the heat and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. 
5. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla. 
6. Stir the syrup. *the syrup will thicken as it cools*
7. Let it cool for 20 minutes and then transfer it to a quart canning jar. Give it a a day or overnight to thicken and you can enjoy it in the morning. 


You can either print out the actually recipe or here is a nice 4x6 recipe card you can print out and place in that old recipe box of yours.

Anyhow, the washer is nagging so I better get!!! Have a great weekend!

 tori

11 comments:

  1. Beautiful view through the kitchen door! Congratulations on 10 years in Croatia!! How exciting to be used by the Lord!!

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  2. I love the flowers! I also love Nesquik! :) Wish I could come by and join you for some of your homemade recipe, it sounds good. Hope you have a great weekend, too! :)

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  3. Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I just discovered Abigail Millers songs and I just love them.

    There are a few of them on youtube.

    Thanks for visiting,

    Mrs.B

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  4. We appreciate the sunshine so much more after endless days of rain, don't we? I love your notice of the beauty around you...the photos are wonderful!

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  5. Hi Tori! Beautiful pictures and I LOVE the roses!

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  6. What an adorable blog! So glad sunshine was peeking in your windows today and that vase of flowers is so inviting!

    I can never seem to "get it all done" all at once either! I keep thinking "Someday..." :)

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  7. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I'll definitely try it. Chocolate milk is a staple at our house - especially since my daughter moved home from college.

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  8. We've been making our own chocolate syrup too! In fact I need to make some more today! Enjoy the sunshine and I hope you get your laundry finished! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Have a great week!

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  9. Anonymous2:02 PM

    Congrats on 10 years in Croatia! It's amazing how things change in 10 years, isn't it?! Our kids are growing up fast also...it was neat to see yours when you arrived & now!

    As far as homemaking for me, I waver also - between getting "everything done" to stopping to smell the roses a little bit more. I have to admit, it's my DD15 who fills the vases lately - and what a breath of sunshine that is! As well as the natural sunshine coming in the windows! God made a beautiful world for us - it always amazes me that this is NOTHING compared to what heaven will be like! I can't fathom it!
    D

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  10. Tori~ Thanks so much for visiting my blog and the very nice comment! It is so funny cause your blog is one that I have tried to keep up with off and on. You have such a great positive outlook on life and it is so uplifting.
    I really think that it is awesome what you and your family are doing.
    May God continue to bless you all,
    Lisa :o)

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  11. That chocolate syrup sounds delish! :D

    Beautiful flowers, too! I can totally understand about wanting to see sunshine after all that rain you had. It can get sometimes depressing.

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Hey thanks in advance for leaving a comment, sure do appreciate it!!