Monday, August 31, 2009

New Cooking Supplies




To add to the fun of cooking for school, we went to the store today and bought
individual cooking supplies each of the kids. They got to pick out a basket to keep their own supplies in. Then we purchased measuring cups, spoons, a cutting board and their very own knife. Amber, Trent and Trey really got a kick out of having their own utensils. It didn't cost much ether to buy the stuff because we purchased the items at the dollar store.
After we got home the kids were so excited about their new things they wanted to start cooking right then. So, we put together an Oreo cake complete chocolate garnishes. For dinner we made "potatoes au gratin". Everything turned out delicious and we had fun making it too!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Decorating Aprons


Earlier this week I was able to help Amber, Trent and Trey decorate aprons for school. I figured since we will be having a cooking class and an art class aprons would come in handy. We bought plain canvas aprons, iron-on patches, fabric paint and material to make pockets. We also got wonder-under (similar to hemming tape but larger) great for making your own iron-on appliques!
All the aprons turned out very cute! All three kids are very creative and did a wonderful job!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Knit Together with Love Project 2009



When I was twelve years old I went on a missions trip to France and Russia, with my Grandparents. While I was in Russia we visited an orphanage. I was able to give my testimony to the children and help pass out gifts a Russian missionary had brought. The gifts were small, things like mittens, slippers and candy. It really touched my heart to see how excited the children were about receiving the gifts. These little presents were things that we Americans probably wouldn't think twice about receiving but to these children it was everything.

I had recently learned to knit scarves and when I came home from Russia God laid on my heart to get a few of my friends together and knit scarves to send to the orphanage. We were able to send 21 scarves in our first year. I have been able to continue doing this project for five years, and the volume of scarves has increased each year. We have been able to send over 200 scarves. Each year we have done a different country: Russia, France, Nepal, China and the Slavic Republic. This year I am sending the scarves to Romania. Our goal will be to send 50 scarves but it would be great to send more! I would love to have new volunteers help me out this year! If you can knit or crochet that is great! You can be a huge blessing to a child in Romania. All I ask is that the scarves be at least 21 inches long, they need to be brand new and homemade. I will need them by December 6th, so I can have time to send them before Christmas. Also if you could remember we will be sending the scarves to boys as well as girls so making a few for both genders would be appreciated.
Maybe you can only commit to one scarf. Maybe you have lots of time on your hands and you could commit to five or six. Whatever the case I'd love for you to help. I'll need to have your commitment by September 27th.
Don't know how to make scarves? There is another way you could be a tremendous blessing. Sending a large box over seas can be expensive, $200 or more depending on the country we send it to. We would really appreciate your financial support if you aren't able to make a scarf. Even a few dollars would help off set the cost.
Over the years I have had many encouraging reports from the missionaries we sent the scarves to. They have been able to use them as evangelistic tools and encouragement for their women and children's ministries.
If you would like to help this years "Knit Together with Love Project" either by donating a scarf or supporting the project financially please e-mail me at ashleyscakes@verizon.net
Thank you so much to those of you who have helped in the past. I know your gifts have been a blessing.

Colossians 2:2 "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love..."

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

End of Season Shopping

For the last two days I have done a lot of shopping. Nanny and Mrs. Wickert have both taken me to a lot of stores. This is a great time to buy because lots of stores are having their end of season sales. If you are a Michaels shopper you may want to check out some of their clearance bins. They had a lot of stuff for a dollar and under. New York & Co. has quite a few racks of clothes all 70% off too.

Yesterday I had a lot of fun when I went shopping with Nanny. After we were finished had dinner at their house. it was a very nice time. Babum was even brave enough to take me driving later that evening :)

Monday, August 24, 2009

Bible Verse Charts




Our family will be starting school again in the next couple of weeks. Since I have graduated I will be helping my mom this year with teaching the younger kids. She has given me several subjects to teach including Bible verse memorization, an art class, a cooking class, spelling class and I will be helping them with their dyslexia exercises. I am getting kind of excited about it all, much more than when I was the one actually being taught. :) Funny how that works!

Today I helped the younger kids decorate Bible verse memorization charts. We used adds from the Sunday news paper and cut out words and pictures to glue on the charts. I think the kids had fun and it will be nice to have personalized charts for school.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Sunshine in the Rain

A couple of days ago we saw an interesting sight. We looked out the window and saw that is was raining however instead of the sky being dark, it was bright and sunny out. It was really a beautiful sight, something you don't see very often. I tried to take a picture of it but the rain didn't show up very well in the photos.

This reminded me of something. Sometimes the rain and storms of life seem to be a never ending torrential down pour. We start getting discouraged and afraid. But then God sends us "a little sunshine", something to encourage us. Maybe it's a Bible verse you read in your devotions that day or an encouraging word from a friend. The rain may not stop right away or even slow down but the little rays of encouragement from God help you go on and persevere. Isn't God wonderful like that?

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Cold Stone Creamery

Tonight Daddy, Mommy and I went out for Cold Stone ice cream! Cold Stone sells my favorite ice cream. It's so cool to watch. They mix your toppings into the ice cream right in font of you. They do this by putting the ice cream on a freezing "cold stone", thus the name, and mixing it with special scoops. I love the taste too! It's so rich and fresh!
Our family is signed up at Cold stone to get free ice cream on our birthdays. You can go to this link to sign up for your self http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/birthday/birthday_club.aspx
I would definitely recommend doing that, it's so much fun!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Photo Shoot!

Today Tyler, Trent and I went to sears portrait studio to get our birthday pictures done. The photographer was great! She had such creative ideas!





Saturday, August 15, 2009

Dinner with the Mast Family

Last night we had the Mast family over for dinner. Everyone seemed to have a fun night. After dinner we played a few games and messed around with some instruments. The whole family has a good sense of humor so they kept us laughing all evening! It was a really great time!

New Cake Pictures

Have you checked out www.ashleyscreativecakes.com in a while? Over the last few weeks I've added new cakes pictures. You may want to check it out.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Please Pray

If you think about it I'd love for you to pray for my mom right now. She is experiencing tightness in her lungs that gives her discomfort. She has gone to the Doctor several times and they have ruled out all the big things but she is still uncomfortable. Please pray that the doctors will have wisdom and be able to find out what is causing this.

Fun Fishing

One day this week Nanny had us over for lunch, along with Mrs. Wickert and her two sons, Fred and Dan. The kids had a nice time fishing in the lake and almost everyone caught a fish! As always Nanny had lots of great food and dessert for us all to enjoy. It was nice to be able to talk with Nanny and Mrs. Wickert. They are both sweet ladies!

Happy Birthday To Me!

This Tuesday I celebrated my seventeenth birthday. I had a nice time with my family and friends Mr. and Mrs. Gregg & Peggy Lawrie. My mom made me a delicious cake and a wonderful chicken dinner. She even brought out the china dishes for me! After dinner we all sat around and played a card game called spoons. That was a lot of fun!
Everyone gave me very sweet thoughtful cards and gifts I loved! Thank you everyone for making my birthday special!

Friday, August 7, 2009

New House

This week Uncle David, Aunt Michelle and Nicholas came to be here for the house closing. On Thursday they finally were able to sign the paper work and the house is theirs! We are thanking God that everything finally worked out and that Grandpa and Grandma will be able to move in shortly.
Tonight Grandpa and Grandma will come to stay with us for a few days to see the house. I'm sure it will be a very exciting for them as it has been for us. Thank you so much for your prayers. We really appreciate them!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Happy Birthday Trent!

Yesterday Trent had a Friend birthday party with some boys from church, Josh and Bailey. From the sounds of all the laughing I think they had a good time! All the boys swam in our pool for about an hour. My mom also took them to a local bowling ally to play a game. From what I hear everyone did a good job and had lot of fun in the proses!


New Song

I have added my newest song "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus" to the Schnarr Family Music link. Please excuse the technical difficulties in the beginning of the song.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Southern Gospel Conert

Saturday night our family went to Highland Heights Baptist Church to see the Jeff and Sherry Easter concert. The Easter's are a family that sings southern Gospel music. Highland Heights has southern Gospel concerts quite frequently and they usually do this for the purpose of raising money for someone with cancer. It is a great ministry that many have been blessed by.

If you like southern Gospel music and would like to know when someone is having a concert near you go to www.vasoutherngospel.com This website gives a complete listing of the southern Gospel groups coming to your area.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Horse Show







Yesterday the Logwoods, a family in our Sunday school class, invited us to a horse show at Sweet Briar College. Amber is really into horses so this was perfect for her! We watched for about an hour as different horses walked and trotted around a fenced in aria and were judged. The ages of the riders ranged from people in their 50's and children that looked about 10. It was a very different experience, something we'd never done before.