FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

WOW...I can't believe the first day of school is over.  I am excited and sad all at the same time.  Caleb is officially a senior and on his way to graduating from high school.  Where did the time fly??????  It feels like he was just entering in Kindergarten and needing a mat for nap time.  Now he needs a car for his college classes.  People would tell me when my kids were small, "Enjoy them.  Someday they will be all grown up."  I can't say I always took their advice but I can honestly say I did my best.  I have no real regrets and have enjoyed every stage my kids have gone through.  God has been good!  So onto our next adventure in the Pierce household...GRAD YEAR HERE WE COME!

Caleb's First Day of Kindergarten

Caleb's First Day of his Senior Year

Laura Brown

Alex and I got to spend the day with Laura...yay for us!   We took her shopping in downtown LA, hit Big Man Bakes cupcakery, and had lunch on Olvera Street.  We had so much fun with her.  She is such a sweetie!!!!!!!  Can't wait until she comes back to California :)

Cupcakes

Made these fun cupcakes for Erica and Joel's birthday. 

The Americana

Went shopping at The Americana in Glendale today with Alex and the Abarca twins =)  Great shopping, good food, tons of laughter and got to try Crumbs Bakery.  Can't wait to go to the original Crumbs Bakery in New York!!!  Even got some Peet's coffee...can't get any better!

Sweet Tea

Sweet tea is one of those things either you love it or you don't!  My husband loves it and I don't :)  When we are in Texas or some other southern state you can pretty much order it everywhere.  Well folks, we live in California and when you ask for sweet tea the waitress/waiter looks at you like you fell out off a turnip truck or something.  It's like duh, add sugar yourself.   There are a couple of places to get a good sweet tea (not that I personally order it) here close - Lucille's, Popeyes and even McDonalds has a decent sweet tea.  Here is a recipe I received from a true southerner and they take their sweet tea serious -

Perfect Southern Sweet Iced Tea

6 tea bags
1 quart of cool filtered or bottled water
Pinch of baking soda, optional (I don't use it)
1 4-cup glass measuring cup for steeping
2 quart glass pitcher filled with ice
1 to 1-1/2 cups of sugar, more or less to taste
Fresh lemon, sliced or wedges, and some mint sprigs, also optional

Bring water to a full rolling boil.  Place the water and tea bags in the measuring cup.  Allow to sit for about 7 minutes.  Let the tea bags steep. Do not go longer than 7 minutes or you risk burning your tea leaves and will end up with a bitter tea.   Remove the tea bags.  For insurance against bitterness you can add just a pinch of baking soda - no more than 1/8 teaspoon - to the steeped tea. It will not affect the flavor, but will take away bitterness if you happened to have burned your tea leaves.

Fill your glass pitcher with ice, pour the sugar on top of the ice and slowly and carefully pour the hot, steaming tea over the ice. If you prefer a sweeter tea, go with 1-1/2 cups of sugar. Don’t pour hot tea directly into a glass pitcher without ice in it!!

Stir well and serve over even more ice, garnish with a sprig of mint leaves and a slice of lemon.

Tea Tips:
1. For perfect tea always start with fresh filtered cool water - never tap water!
2. Cloudiness is often caused by putting hot or still warm tea directly into a cold refrigerator. My method prevents this since you are pouring your steeped tea directly over ice cubes.

2. Bitterness in tea is caused by overcooking and burning the tea leaves - that is why it is important not to boil the teabags and not to steep them too long in boiling water. To counter, a pinch of baking soda - only about 1/8 of a teaspoon - can be added to the hot, steeped tea after you remove the bags. It will not affect the taste of your tea, and provides insurance against bitterness.

3. Use wooden spoons to squeeze your tea bags, a glass container - like a large Pyrex measuring cup - to steep your tea, and store it in a glass pitcher, not metal or plastic.
4. If you prefer your sweetened tea more on the sweet side, you'll probably want to go with 1-1/2 cups of sugar.

5. If you like lemon in your tea, try making ice cubes out of lemonade to use in the individual glasses. As they melt, they will infuse the tea with lemon flavor!

Saturday Mornings

Photo: Plamen Petkov

Here at the Pierce's, we usually have waffles for breakfast on Saturdays - one of those silly little traditions that just won' go away =).  Today Caleb requested pancakes.   I make a much better waffle and always seem to mess up the first few pancakes :(   I wish I had some gadget that made the perfect pancakes since they really are less work than waffles.  I found the following recipe in a magazine several years ago and absolutely love the flavor  -

The Ultimate Pancake
Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons white sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
1/3 cup butter, melted

Directions
1.In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together buttermilk, milk, extract, eggs and melted butter. Keep the two mixtures separate until you are ready to cook.

2.Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. You can flick water across the surface and if it beads up and sizzles, it's ready!

3.Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, using a wooden spoon or fork to blend. Stir until it's just blended together. Do not over stir. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/2 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Quote for the Day

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think. ~ 



                        Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Spice Site

If you love to try new spices or are looking for some hard to find spices - check out this website

http://www.myspicesage.com/

I have found some great ready made seasonings and recipes as well.

Texas Sheet Cake

We have so been missing Texas!  I actually got this recipe from a Cooking Light magazine.  Light and fluffy yet rich and moist, Texas sheet cake is one of our favorite chocolate desserts.
Ingredients
Cake:
Cooking spray
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup butter or stick margarine
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs


Icing:
6 tablespoons butter or stick margarine
1/3 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract


Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°.


To prepare the cake, coat a 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan with cooking spray, and dust with 2 teaspoons flour. Set prepared pan aside.


Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 2 cups flour and next 4 ingredients (2 cups flour through salt) in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Combine water, 1/2 cup butter, and 1/4 cup cocoa in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; pour into flour mixture. Beat at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended. Add buttermilk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and eggs; beat well. Pour batter into prepared pan; bake at 375° for 17 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack.


To prepare the icing, combine 6 tablespoons butter, milk, and 1/4 cup cocoa in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and gradually stir in powdered sugar, pecans, and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Spread over hot cake. Cool completely on wire rack.


Note: You can also make this recipe in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake at 375º for 22 minutes.


For those who care, here is the nutritional information:
Amount per serving
Calories: 298
Calories from fat: 30%
Fat: 10g
Saturated fat: 5.5g
Monounsaturated fat: 3.2g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.7g
Protein: 3.1g
Carbohydrate: 49.8g
Fiber: 0.5g
Cholesterol: 44mg
Iron: 1.1mg
Sodium: 188mg
Calcium: 25mg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Budget...

We are having a series of Christian Finance courses at our church this week.  Awesome stuff.  If you are wanting to create a budget and need some excellent tools - here are two great links

http://www.mvelopes.com/crown/home

https://www.mint.com/

Isolation...

Three more days of isolation for Caleb...yepee!  Thank you Jesus!

Cutie...

Caleb update...

He gets to go home today :)  God is so good.  He is doing soooo much better...thank you Jesus and Dr. "T" ...

Prayer Request...

Please keep Caleb in your prayers.  He was admitted into the hospital yesterday with possibly the same thing his sister had :(  We should know much more tomorrow...  

Alex Update -

Alex is now home and doing very well.  She will continue her treatment here at home with me administering all her meds (I had a crash course in IV's...I should have been a nurse).  I must say getting up in the middle of the night to administer meds is not a ton of fun but she is quite the trooper.  Unfortunately, she is still confined to isolation and cannot have any visitors...she isn't even allowed to go outside.  Even though she is no where near 100% it feels so good to hear her happy "chatter" here at home :)  Please keep her in your prayers...

GOD IS SOOOOO GOOD!

Alex gets to go home tomorrow!  Sunday we were told it would be a total of 21 days before she would get to go home and we just spoke with her infectious disease specialist and he stated he could not believe what a turn around Alexandria has made and would allow her to finish her treatment at home.  Thank you Jesus!!!! And, thank you to everyone who has fasted, prayed, and kept up on her through this time.  Your love and prayers are greatly appreciated!

VICTORY REPORT!

God is SOOOOO good!  Alex is doing awesome today!!!!  Her infectious disease doctor came in today to let us know that she will only be here another week and NOT the 21 days that they had thought yesterday, her kidneys are looking much better today, and all her blood work came back negative to the highly infectious virus' they said she had.  When Adam was asking for direct answers, the doctor simply stated, "For what we saw originally, there is no way those tests could have come back negative."  TO GOD BE THE GLORY!  Please continue to pray for her nurses :)

Alexandria

Please pray for my sweet baby, Alexandria.  She has been in the hospital since Thursday and will continue to be for another 14 to 21 days.   She has spinal meningitis and a virus (they are still not sure what it is) that has attacked her body.  We serve an awesome God and know that God is in control.  She is such an incredible trooper and is her usual chipper self...she's even witnessing to her nurses.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Emilee -

Here is a picture of Emilee and her Activity Fair project - Famous Dave's BBQ

Sunday Night College and Career

Here are a few pictures of Sunday night's get-together.  The picnic game, the number game and straw game were hilarious...thanks KIM!

SO CAL SUMMIT

ANOTHER GREAT POST BY BRO. BALLESTERO!

Attention all ILC girls - this is an awesome read.  Thank you so much Bro. and Sis. Ballestero!
http://martynballestero.com/2011/04/02/she%e2%80%99s-a-lady/

Great Financial Website...

Check out this site...
http://christianpf.com/

Awesome resource.

Caleb's Birthday Party

This digital slideshow made with Smilebox

A Must Listen...

Search  - Praying the Purpose of God.  This is a series Bro. Steve Pixler did at his church in 2009.  AWESOME!

http://www.podcasts.doubletwist.com/Cornerstone-Apostolic-Church-Fort-Worth/PSDArUaLIJ#q=a&id=PSDArUaLIJ

Happy 16th Birthday Caleb

Today is my baby's 16th birthday.  Wow...where did 16 years go????  It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital to an overly excited two year old sister who thought she had a new baby doll (she still tries to mother him on a occasion).  As parents, we couldn't be prouder of the young man he has become and pray that God will continue to guide him and direct his steps.  We love you so much Caleb!!!

He spent his birthday today at the funeral of Bro. Leon Haney - a man who we admire, respect and love deeply - a faithful man, a Godly man.  So much was said today about the type of man he was and how he special he was to so many.   We are so honored to have had him in our lives.  I am so thankful for the time Caleb had with Bro. Haney who was like a grandpa to him and Alex.  He was the perfect example of the type of man I want Caleb to be.  We hurt today but know that we have a hope that some day we will meet him again. 

Listen up BOYS and girls...

Here is a link to Bro. Ballestero's blog -
http://martynballestero.com/2010/12/29/if-you-were-a-gentleman

This is a must read for anyone that has children especially boys.  Hopefully, there will be another post titled "If you were a lady"

Challenge - Read the Bible in 90 Days

90 Day Reading Schedule for Entire Bible


Day/Scripture Reading
1 - Gen 1- 15
2- Gen 16-26
3- Gen 27-36
4- Gen 37 - 47
5- Gen 48-50, Ex 1- 9
6- Ex 10 - 21
7- Ex 22 - 31
8- Ex 32 - 40, Lev 1 -3
9- Lev 4 - 13
10- Lev 14 - 23
11- Lev 24 - 27, Nu 1 - 4
12- Nu 5 - 13
13- Nu 14 - 23
14- Nu 24 - 33
15- Nu 34 - 36, Deu 1 - 7
16- Deu 8 - 19
17- Deu 20 - 31
18- Deu 32 - 34, Jos 1 - 9
19- Jos 10 - 19
20- Jos 20 - 24, Jud 1 - 6
21- Jud 7 - 16
22- Jud 17 -21, Ruth 1 - 4, 1 Sam 1- 2
23- 1 Sam 3- 14
24- 1 Sam 15 - 24
25- 1 Sam 25 - 31, 2 Sam 1 - 5
26- 2 Sam 6 - 16
27- 2 Sam 17 - 24, 1 Kg 1
28- 1 Kg 2 - 9
29- 1 Kg 10 - 18
30- 1 Kg 19 - 22, 2 Kg 1 - 5
31- 2 Kg 6 - 15
32- 2 Kg 16 - 25
33- 1 Ch 1 - 10
34- 1 Ch 11 - 23
35- 1 Ch 24 - 29, 2 Ch 1 - 6
36- 2 Ch 7 - 20
37- 2 Ch 21 - 32
38- 2 Ch 33 - 36, Ezra 1 - 6
39- Ezra 7 - 10, Neh 1 - 8
40- Neh 9 - 13, Estr 1 - 7
41- Estr 8 - 10, Job 1 -15
42- Job 16 - 35
43- Job 36 - 42, Ps 1 - 20
44- Ps 21 - 46
45- Ps 47 - 73
46- Ps 74 - 100
47- Ps 101 - 119
48- Ps 120 - 150, Prov 1 - 3
49- Prov 4 - 21
50- Prov 22 - 31, Ecc 1 - 5
51- Ecc 6 - 12, Song 1 - 8, Isa 1 - 5
52- Isa 6 - 23
53- Isa 24 - 37
54- Isa 38 - 52
55- Isa 53 - 66, Jer 1 - 3
56- Jer 4 - 14
57- Jer 15 - 27
58- Jer 28 - 37
59- Jer 38 - 49
60- Jer 50 - 52, Lam 1 - 5
61- Eze 1 - 15
62- Eze 16 - 25
63- Eze 26 - 36
64- Eze 37 - 46
65- Eze 47 - 48, Dan 1 - 7
66- Dan 8 - 12, Hos 1 - 11
67- Hos 12 - 14, Joel, Amos, Obadiah
68- Jonah, Mic, Nahum, Hab, Zep
69- Haggai, Zec, Malachi
70- Mt 1 - 12
71- Mt 13 - 22
72- Mt 23 - 28, Mk 1 - 3
73- Mk 4 - 12
74- Mk 13 - 16, Lk 1 - 5
75- Lk 6 - 12
76- Lk 13 - 21
77- Lk 22 - 24, Jn 1 - 6
78- Jn 7 - 15
79- Jn 16 - 21, Ac 1 - 5
80- Ac 6 - 14
81- Ac 15 - 24
82- Acts 25 - 28, Rom 1 - 9
83- Rom 10 - 16, 1 Cor 1 - 9
84- 1 Cor 10 - 16, 2 Cor 1 - 8
85- 2 Cor 9 - 13, Gal, Eph
86- Philippians, Col, 1 & 2 Thes
87- 1 & 2 Tim, Titus, Philem, Heb 1-8
88- Heb 9 - 13, James, 1 Peter
89- 2 Peter, 1,2,3 Jn, Jude, Rev 1 - 5
90- Rev 6 - 22

Happy Birthday to our Eldest Son, Willie

Happy Birthday Willie - We love you so much and thank God for placing you in our lives.  You make us proud!!!!  Lots of love Dad, Mom, Sis, Bro, Callie, Honey and ICE...

Psalm 136

Psalm 136
1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.