Big News! Larson Kids Win Poster Contest

BOTH Gretchen and Peter John won the Fire Prevention poster contest for their classes. It turns out they both have an artistic, creative bent. They were pretty excited to be able to ride on a fire truck with the firefighters and eat lunch with them at Burger King this week. Here are some photos from the events. Gretchen went to lunch today and Peter John went on Monday.

Gretchen on engine #1 today!

Great poster, Gretchen!

Here is Peter John's poster. I love the warnings and all the details he added in there, especially the fire extinguisher. Of course, I also love the large propane fire starter. He was always getting in trouble this summer when he found Grandma's and was VERY curious about it. We had to hide it in several places to keep his curious fingers from playing with it. He always found it.

Peter John with the firefighters at Burger King on Monday.

Great job Gretchen and Peter John! Way to go!

Kids' Pix

It SNOWED October 9th, and two times after that!

Amy working hard raking Grandma's yard!

Cute!

Lindig Farms with my nephews and Melissa.

Last Month's Dinner Menus

When I make a meal, I try to write it down to give me ideas for next month. We have been eating a lot of vegetables from the garden this past month. We were also given a large supply of potatoes from a retired pastor who grew them himself and gave them away to seminary families. So, we have been eating potatoes, too. I also make my meals from scratch to save money and to make it healthier. Here is what I made for the past four weeks or so. I share it to pass on any ideas if you need some fresh ones.

Week One

Chicken Roast, squash, salad

Chicken Pot Pie (use the leftover chicken from the roast), green beans, rolls

Stuffed Green Peppers, salad

Potato Soup, homemade rolls, salad

Borshch, bread

Week Two

Meatloaf, baked potatoes, salad

Tomato & Zucchini Penne Casserole with Cheese

Chicken legs and rice, salad

Potato & Ham Casserole, veggies

Stew

Week Three

Homemade Pizza

Krautbaruch, veggies

Bean Barley Hot Dog Soup

Meatballs, squash, mashed potatoes

Spaghetti & Meatballs, homemade breadsticks, salad

Week Four

Ukrainian Zucchini Pancakes, ham

Chicken Roast, herbed potatoes, broccoli

Tuna Hotdish, cooked carrots

Chicken N Rice Casserole (use leftover chicken from the roast)

Burritos, mexican rice, chips & fresh salsa

This Week So Far

Chicken Stir Fry, rice

Beef & Noodles, broccoli

Words from E.L.Langston

"The devil....is evidently attacking you in your inmost heart, not causing you to doubt so much as causing a spirit of discontent. Fortunately we both know that temptation is not sin, it is yielding to temptation that causes us to sin and I feel that you must count it joy that you are passing through these times of difficulty, for they are sure signs that the Lord is blessing you....

"There is another reason, I think, for the cause of the feeling within us. It comes from the flesh and self-introspection. It is good for us to look at self and know how loathsome it is, but with one look at self we must take ten looks at Christ....

"No one goes to church more than the devil does, and no one appears as an angel of light as he does. We are in the thick of facing powers of darkness who are determined to rob us of Him and rob God of us, and you and I, my brother, have just got to hope in Christ and rely on Him for His Spirit to direct our thoughts, our ways, and our works so that it is not us but Christ in us."

These words were written in a letter to Elisabeth Elliot's father by a missionary to Africa, E.L.Langston, taken from the book "Keep A Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot.

October Glory

While Ethan was at work today, we headed out on an adventure to Maplewood this morning, but we never made it because of 44 degree weather and the rain. Just past Pelican Rapids we ran into a farm selling pumpkins. The kids were thrilled, and since I didn't want to risk hypothermia for any of us, I decided to stop at the pumpkin patch instead of hiking at Maplewood. We were not disappointed. The kids loved picking out their pumpkins, and the decorations were so adorable. It was a beautiful, colorful drive with all the leaves.

A Decade!

Ethan and Elysia were married 10 years ago today!

God has given Ethan and me ten great years! Ethan's niece, Rachel drew this picture the year we were married.

October 2, 1999 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Honeymoon in Duluth, Minnesota. What I wouldn't give to be there right now!

Happy Anniversary, Ethan! I love you! Love, your wife, Elysia