I'm just trying to walk myself home.
Homemade Playdough: The Only Use I Can Find For Kool-Aid Someone recently asked me for this recipe for homemade playdough that I used to make long ago when I worked with preschoolers at church. Now I serve with the middle schoolers and as I typed out this recipe it struck me that maybe a little playdough …
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me… Whenever I read a book like Little Bee (Long Way Gone, God Grew Tired of Us and The Other Side of the Sky also come to mind), I …
New Baby Dinner: What to Take to Parents Who Have Just Had A Baby There are a few seasons in a person’s life when people rise up around them. When a community of people who enjoy loving in ways they can feel with their hands gather around to make life a little easier for …
I discovered Little Bee by Chris Cleave on someone else’s top books of 2009 list. I think the cover might have hooked me actually, as much as the recommendation. Which should show you that I’m kind of an easy sell for a book. School was called off because of sleet today and while Taido walked the …
When I read a book I love, I usually want the whole world to read it RIGHT NOW! I’m not really trying to be demanding. I just want you to be able to share this beautiful experience with me. But sometimes I love a book so much that I am reluctant to lend it out …
I picked up January’s Sparrow by Patricia Polacco from the library yesterday and I cannot think of a better way to start the season that we remember so many who have paved the way for change for the better with their blood. Patricia Polacco’s books never disappoint, but when I saw this cover I just …
Every year I choose my five best books, a few favorites out of all the books I read. It was hard to narrow it down. So…here goes! Ok, The Willoughbys is a children’s book, but I read A LOT of children’s books so I had choose at least one. I have made all the adults in …
I finished Donald Miller’s new book, A Million Miles in A Thousand Years shortly after receiving it in the mail this week and what hooked me into reading it so quickly was probably the introduction: If you watched a movie about a guy who wanted a Volvo and worked for years to get it, you …
So I have had a little extra time this morning for cooking since I am home with a sick child. I’ve been making apple pies all morning and I am realizing that cooking makes me generous. As soon as I start chopping, my heart begins to just pour out of me into whatever I’m making. …
Vegetable Barley Soup Made with Bob’s Red Mill Vegi Soup Mix In honor of the fact that I have gone back to work full time after 12 years of not working for money, I am quickly posting a recipe for Vegetable Barley Soup that I am currently …
How we got to Spend a Surprise Day in Nashville So where were we in our trip? That’s right. Broken down a little bit past Nashville. Simon was asleep when we first broke down and the other kids were watching a movie on my computer, so for about an hour we sat while Taido tried …
We recently returned from a rainy week in the Smoky Mountains with my entire family. The last time we all camped together was five years ago in Colorado. Since everyone remembers that week as being very cold, we decided to meet somewhere a little warmer. And a little closer! We have been planning this trip …
My husband has taken each of our kids along on a backpacking trip in Colorado. Mary Polly’s big climb was Mt Blanca in the summer of 2009. This summer has been a whirlwind of adventures. In June, Cole went to discipleship camp with Taido and 80 other middle school students. Mary Polly went to Chicago …
potty training Boba Fett. It’s a dangerous job, but somebody has to do it. Hat tip to my mama who got him started by spending his first day in big boy pants with him! Did you enjoy this post? You can subscribe to the Chino House via RSS feed or by email and never miss a …
The Heaven Tree Trilogy is our summer selection for our boxed lunch book club. We are discussing one part of the trilogy during each of the summer months. Set in Medieval England on the border of Wales, the story is a complete departure from anything we’ve done so far in our book club. Kings and …
We’ve only been out of school for a week, but we are in the thick of summer for sure! Even though this much activity makes me a little nervous, I am trying to adjust, hang on tight and enjoy the ride because I know it will all be over in a few short weeks. We …
Summer Berry Tarts: Sweet Crust + Berries = Delightful! Here’s a recipe for the most delicious summer berry tarts! I bought new tiny little tart pans this year so everyone can have their own! Win! Summer Berry Tarts (makes twelve four inch tarts) Sweet Tart Dough 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room …
Boxed Lunch Book Club Today! My discussion questions are a little slim, but mainly we are just going to talk about sisters! Sisters are the best…and the worst. I love my sister, but we hated each other for several years there before we realized we couldn’t live without one another! I’m hoping that reading this …
I fell in absolute LOVE with rhubarb last summer in Vancouver BC, so when I heard through the grapevine that they had some at the store, I added it to my list. Taido went to the store for me after returning from his adventures in Canada. Perhaps he was feeling a little guilty about being …
Parenting Advice: Don’t Ask Me. I’m just winging it. Someone recently was asking for parenting advice because a first baby was about to arrive. Specifically, he asked What one piece of parenting advice would you give? Now I know that I have no business handing out parenting advice. In addition to the fact that I …