Rhubarb pie

A little while ago my mom sent me a bag of rhubarb. I love rhubarb, especially when it's in pie. When I was a teenager I found this recipe in some family cookbook that made the most stupendous rhubarb pie. I made it every year for my family. When I took it to a community potluck, it was a hit.

Later the cookbook was lost, and I didn't have the recipe anymore. But I really wanted to make it again this year. Then it dawned on me. Someone probably had a recipe just like it on the internet. You can find almost anything on the internet, right?

Well, the recipe I found at Let It Shine isn't exactly like the one from my family cookbook, but that was easily remedied by adding cinnamon and butter. Then I'm pretty sure it was identical!

Here it is oozing it's goodness all over ...

Rhubarb Pie

9" pie crust for a double crust pie
4 c. chopped rhubarb
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. flour
1-2 t. cinnamon
2 T. butter

Put the rhubarb in the bottom crust. Mix the sugar, flour and cinnamon together and sprinkle over rhubarb. Cut the butter into 4-6 bits and put in pie. Cover with top crust, seal, and cut vent holes. Then bake at 450 degrees F, then turn it down 350 degrees F for 40 minutes.

Banana oatmeal smoothie

Here is a link to a really good banana oatmeal smoothie:

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/banana-oatmeal-smoothie/

We tried it this morning and really enjoyed it. It's really healthy, too. It has almonds, oatmeal and bananas, so it is a good smoothie for those who are breastfeeding. I used regular plain yogurt that I'd made, and it worked fine.

Learning the lessons of the past

Lately I've developed an obsession with ancient history. So when I read the article "The World Needs Pioneers Today" by President Thomas S. Monson, this part really stood out to me:

"We forget how the Greeks and Romans prevailed magnificently in a barbaric world and how that triumph ended—how a slackness and softness finally overcame them to their ruin. In the end, more than they wanted freedom, they wanted security and a comfortable life; and they lost all—comfort and security and freedom.

"Do not yield to Satan’s enticements; rather, stand firm for truth. The unsatisfied yearnings of the soul will not be met by a never-ending quest for joy amidst the thrills of sensation and vice. Vice never leads to virtue. Hate never promotes love. Cowardice never gives courage. Doubt never inspires faith.

Some find it difficult to withstand the mockings and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God’s commands. But the world has ever belittled adherence to principle. When Noah was instructed to build an ark, the foolish populace looked at the cloudless sky and then scoffed and jeered—until the rain came.

"Must we learn such costly lessons over and over again? Times change, but truth persists. When we fail to profit from the experiences of the past, we are doomed to repeat them with all their heartache, suffering, and anguish. Haven’t we the wisdom to obey Him who knows the beginning from the end—our Lord, who designed the plan of salvation—rather than that serpent, who despised its beauty?"

I don't know anyone who could have said it better. If only people would listen to wisdom like this ...

To read the entire article, click here:

The World Needs Pioneers Today 

Educents $5 gift card

Educents is a website that sells curriculum for discounted prices. They are offering a $5 gift card for anyone who signs up for their newsletter. If you sign up using this link, I get $1. I've been trying to rack up the gift cards in an effort to afford something! :) Not that their stuff is expensive ... I just don't have a lot of money.

Here is the link:
https://www.educents.com/app/webroot/giftcard/?source=pcyeaekr

Enter to win homeschool curriculum or a computer

Family Time Fitness is hosting an "Ultimate Homeschool Giveaway." The grand prize is a Dell 27" touch screen computer. Other prizes include a one year subscription to Home Educating Family, Learn Our History complete virtual set and DVD, and $50 gift certificates. Just for joining they give you stuff!

Here is the link to the giveaway:
http://is.gd/YV0NWl

Don't give away our sovereignty

Here is a speech by Senator Orrin Hatch about the CRPD treaty. He says that the only reason to join the treaty might be to endorse it so that other nations will join. However, do we really want to encourage other nations to hand power over to an international body, even if it does force them to make improvements?