Prayer

Here is a great post about making a time and place for prayer. Inspiring and practical. I'm also adding a link to the book The Psalms for Prayer. I love this book and it has been a huge help to me in learning how to pray and what to pray for.

Lastly, my husband recently sent me a helpful quote:

The three duties of reading Scripture, meditation, and prayer belonged together, and though each could be done occasionally on its own, as formal duties to God they were best done together. ~ Peter Toon

So as you read the bible, pray. As you pray, use your bible as a guide. And during both make some time to meditate on what God is saying to you, today, through each one.

Memorization for Kids

Here is a TERRIFIC post about scripture memory for kids. Here is another one that describes this family's system for organizing verses in an index card box...genius! Thanks Raising Olives for all of your terrific ideas!

Cinnamon Toast

Did you know that there is one right way to make Cinnamon Toast? Check out this entertaining post by Pioneer Woman. According to my family, her version WAS the best!

Boys

Boys [should be] inured from childhood to trifling risks and slight dangers of every possible description, such as tumbling into ponds and off of trees, etc., in order to strengthen their nervous system... They ought to practice leaping off heights into deep water. They ought never to hesitate to cross a stream over a narrow unsafe plank for fear of a ducking. They ought never to decline to climb up a tree, to pull fruit merely because there is a possibility of their falling off and breaking their necks. I firmly believe that boys were intended to encounter all kinds of risks, in order to prepare them to meet and grapple with risks and dangers incident to man’s career with cool, cautious self-possession... —R.M. Ballantyne, The Gorilla Hunters

Refrigerator Raisin Bran Muffins

*UPDATED* I had a typo where the oil and sugar was concerned. It has been corrected :0)

This is such a handy recipe because it makes a TON! You keep the batter in the fridge (for up to 6 weeks!) and only bake as many as you need at one time.

Refrigerator Raisin Bran Muffins

4 eggs
15 oz box of Raisin Bran Cereal
4c buttermilk (1 quart)
1c vegetable oil
2 1/2c sugar
Mix and set aside.

5c flour
5 t baking soda
2 t salt
3 t cinnamon
Mix and then stir into wet ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours before baking (and up to 6 weeks). To bake, fill greased muffin tins and bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 minutes. Yield 5 dozen muffins.