Swedish Pancakes

When the boys were young, we went skiing with a Swedish family that we just adored. We hated to see them move back home a year later, but we enjoyed them while we had them. We often remember that trip and talk about the fun we had, the sense of humor that electrified our group. My boys will still ask me, "can you make those pancakes that Tor's mom made?" 

Well, here's a recipe that comes close. I am only missing an ingredient: The Lind family to enjoy them with. 

Swedish Pancakes

Whip together: 2 eggs, 1 cup milk and 1/3 c. melted butter.

Add: 1 c. flour; 2 t. sugar and a big pinch of salt

Beat until smooth. Cook by 1/4 c. for each pancake. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Homeschool Summer School - give your child MORE

http://www.ehow.com/how_4845821_child-this-summer-educational-edge.html

This is a link to an article I wrote for enriching your child's education this summer. I'll blog from time to time during the summer to share about our progress here with our soon-to-be 7th grader. 

Just finished Reading... Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, by Fannie Flagg

Fannie Flagg's books are like down home southern cooking, delicious, filling and made with love. Her greatest gift is creating characters you can fall in love with, laugh with and feel a connection to similar to your best friend back home. When I ordered her latest book, Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, I was quite entertained, I laughed out loud and eventually put flesh and bone to her characters, but I did hit one disappointment. 

While the characters are just as friendly and welcoming as ever, Fannie's story went flat as her concept of heaven reflected more about Fannie than it did a typical American bible-belt town. 

Fannie obviously believes that heaven is whatever you want it to be, and that you should just live out your days and don't worry about your eternal life, it will all work out just fine. Her new-age theology was a bit irritating to me.

I would still recommend the book, but am simply giving a "reader beware" statement. You'll love Aunt Elner! But keep in mind, Fannie's heaven is not the heaven of the bible, and her new-age theology may give comfort to those who have an irritating itch when it comes to thinking of eternity, but I believe her salve is more injurious than helpful when it comes to this topic.

Lessons of Old Hymns

Try to describe "yearning". Try to define "providence". Try to teach a young mind what a thirsty soul feels like. How do you describe what only life and experience can wrought. 

There is a language, some would say a spiritual language, found in music that speaks directly to the soul, unlike verbal expression. The combination of this language with spiritual truths defines worship and is found beautifully in old hymns.

Old hymns move me, defining emotions and giving words to thoughts and feelings. I recently bought an old hymn book, dated 1937, on Amazon. My $5.37 investment has blessed my heart immensely. I love reading these hymns, many that I've never heard before. 

Here is one from a 1650 Scottish Psalter:

My thirsty soul longs ardently, 

Yea, faints Thy courts to see; 

My very heart and flesh cry out, 

O living God, for Thee.

Here's another written for children:

Christ watches me, His little lamb, cares for me day and night,

That I may be his own in heaven: So angels clad in white

Shall sing their "Glory, glory", For my sake in the height.

And when trials come, this beautiful late 18th century hymn is poignant:

Should thy mercy send me Sorrow, toil and woe,

Or should pain attend me on my path below,

Grant that I may never Fail thy hand to see;

Grant that I may ever cast my care on thee.

When my last hour cometh, fraught with strife and pain,

When my dust returneth to the dust again,

On thy truth relying, thro that mortal strife; 

Jesus, take me dying, to eternal life.