~Check This Out~

Hi everybody! I would love if you all checked the link below out. Thanks! http://homeschooledauthor.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-true-meaning-of-love.html">

Please Read

Hey everybody!

  Please check out this post by Jessica over at (Almost ) Perfectly Pink. It really is a must read! However, it is on a very controversial subject, so if you are of a younger age group, you might want an adult with you when you read it. Thanks!

Newsletter...?

Greetings Everyone!

  I promised a newsletter this week, and a newsletter there shall be! I'm probably going about this rather awkwardly, but I am new to this business, so you'll just have to excuse me :).
  When I say 'newsletter', I mean a little post about what all I have been learning, things I've recently experienced, what my family and I have been up to, and so forth. I'm convinced the term 'newsletter' is not an appropriate word for such, but I can't seem to think of a better one. I would be so obliged if anyone who happens to think of a better term would comment.
  One thing I've recently been learning is how our attitudes radiate our thoughts. Now, you are probably thinking, " I've heard this one before; here goes a little sermon about having a better attitude. Boy, is this typical and boring". You are partially right. This is about emulating a proper attitude. But I hope you will not be bored by the time you finish reading, but rather be encouraged to maintain a right attitude, whatever the occasion might be.
  Recently, I had the opportunity of helping a family member. I had undergone a pretty stressful morning. Mom had been sick during the night, and I had woken up slightly ill myself. Children were hungry, a family member was visiting, there wasn't much food in the house, and company was expected later in the day. After finally getting a portion of breakfast into the oven, I proceeded to scramble our last eggs, amidst the continual (but understandable) whining of siblings. They were constantly reminding me they were hungry, and desiring to know when breakfast would be done. I had people coming at me from all directions, and quickly got cranky and ill humored. I started to snap and yell, instead of gaining control of myself before I had reached that point. I was upset at myself for reacting this way, but their behavior seemed to justify my response, or so I told myself.
  As the day went on, I continued with an unpleasant attitude. I was irritated for being interrupted when I relaxed, I was irritated that no one else seemed to notice how I was being treated, and I was, frankly, a bit incredulous when asked to help the family member later that day. After all, I had been through such a stressful and unpleasant morning, and no one had been very considerate, so I had a right to be. Wrong.  My day wouldn't have been so unpleasant if I had maintained a proper attitude, even when things weren't particularly going smoothly. My attitude was what had made my day so hectic. Unfortunately, by the end of the day, that family member I had the opportunity of helping was irritated towards me for keeping such an ill humor, and seemed as though my grumpiness had rubbed off on them a bit!
  Now, I have told you this story hoping to encourage you to learn from my mistakes, and remind myself to do right. Next time you are in a stressful situation, remember to keep a proper attitude. Otherwise, you will make your day, as well as those around you, even more unpleasant then it already is. It certainly will not be easy, but it will be worth it. Not only will you be better prepared to one day to have a home and family of your own (during which times you will encounter all sorts of stressful situations!) , but you will be ensuring that everyone's day will be much better.
  In love and friendship,
Abby Sue

~Video of the Week~

  So this is the first video I'm posting in my new  "Video of the Week" series. I'm a big fan of Disney's "Tangled", and found the short sequel on youtube for free! It is so cute, and really hilarious; I hope y'all enjoy it as much as my family does :).
  By next week, I hope to have my "newsletter" posted. After asking everyone's opinions, I received some positive feedback. So... now I've decided to move forward with the idea. I plan on posting one, at least once a month, so be sure to check back now and then!
      Lots of love,
Abby Sue

~ Apple Bread Recipe ~

  Have you ever searched for the perfect easy and delicious apple bread recipe? Well, look no further! Below is the ultimate apple bread recipe! I found it when looking for just such a recipe so I could use up some apples that friends gave us. The only modifications I make are adding more cinnamon and spices (ground nutmeg, cloves, and maybe ginger), more diced apples than it calls for, more vanilla, I do not cover the loaves with foil (although I would recommend it, I think it would help with the cooking time), and I grease and flour my bread pans (be sure to allow your bread to cool for about half an hour to 40 minutes before removing!). Also, I have used semi-thawed frozen diced apples every single time I've made this recipe with great results! And the cooking time takes much longer than the recipe says, in my experience. But oven temps vary, your's may cook quicker. If you don't care for sweeter bread, like my family, then reduce the sugar by about 1/2 a cup. I hope this recipe turns out as well for you as it does me!
Note: Below is the original recipe.

Debbie's Amazing Apple Bread (allrecipes.com)

2 eggs
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups peeled, cored, diced apples
2 cups all-purpose flour
1and 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or more to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a loaf pan.
2. Beat eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl; add apples.
3. Mix flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon in a separate bowl; add to apple mixture and stir just until evenly combined into a thick batter. 
4. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.

      5.Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Cover loaf pan with aluminum foil; continue baking until 
      a  toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 15 minutes more. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Picture taken from website.

~ An Apology ~

Dear Blogger friends,
  Please forgive me for neglecting you of late. The truth is, I've had so much going on recently that between full-time cooking, cleaning, teaching school, and taking care of my family, I've been so exhausted that I'd rather spend time relaxing with them then I would blogging :P. That doesn't mean you guys aren't important, because you are. I read every single precious comment and get so excited every time I get a new follower. It's just that sometimes you have to take time-out for family, and make room in your life for unexpected events and lessons God has been sending your way :).
  I want to thank everyone for their prayers for my Mom. She has gone through both of her surgeries, and although she experienced an allergic reaction to a medication, and developed an infection, she is doing much better, and continues to heal daily. She has been so touched to hear how many people have been praying for her; thank you all again :).
  I can't promise anything, but I hope to be able to post at least a little more often. Remember I am always thinking of y'all!
   A special thanks goes to my wonderful pen pals and Mi Mie, you guys are the best!!! Thanks so much for being here for me, it means a lot ♥.
  I hope everyone is having a wonderful day, and I look forward to being able to post more often :).
                      Lovingly,
          Abigail Susanna

Happy Holidays!

                  Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!


Courtesy of pinterest.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm Back!

Hi everybody!
  Sorry I haven't been posting of late, I've been SUPER duper busy, getting ready for Thanksgiving and such. You know how that goes :P Anyway, just wanted to let you all know that I'm back, until about the middle of December when my Mom goes in for 2 more surgeries. Please keep her in y'alls prayers! Hope this finds everybody well!

Ramblings......

  Just thought I'd share with you all what has been going on over here. My great-grandmother and grandmother (we call them Me-Maw and Mi Mi :) flew up from Florida and Colorado over 2 weeks ago, and stayed for just under a week. We have not seen them in about 5 or 6 years, so we were simply delighted when they arrived ♥. Everyone had a wonderful time shopping, reminiscing, eating :), and just spending time together. Mi Mi and I stayed up the night before she was leaving, and watched The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug, which, by-the-way, is an AWESOME movie!!!! We both thoroughly enjoyed it, and can't wait for part 3, the final movie, to come out this winter.
  My oldest brother Kaleb has moved up here from Florida, and we've really enjoyed having him around. He's a great person ♥. We hope to see his 2 children soon, especially Mom and Dad as they are now grandparents :)
  Well, I have to go. I hope you all enjoyed this short update!
Abigail

For Mi Mi and Me-Maw ♥♥♥♥♥ I love you both!!!!!!!!!!

For Kaleb and the rest of my older brothers, who really DID teach me how to fight : D!!!!!!!