Homemade Funnel Cake

Making homemade funnel cakes is one of our favorite things to do--and it is SO easy! I used to buy the box of premade funnel cake mix at the store, until I found this recipe online. It works wonderfully well and it is so scrumptious. WARNING--this food is not good for dieters. Just looking at it will make you gain ten pounds!

Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

3-4 cups all purpose flour
3 eggs
2 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
powdered sugar (for topping)
vegetable oil (for deep frying - heat to 375 degrees)


Directions

1. Beat the eggs, then add the sugar and milk. Sift 2 cups of flour, the salt, and the baking powder and add to the milk, sugar, and egg mixture.
2. Mix while adding more flour until the batter is smooth and not too thick. The funnel should have an opening of at least 1/2 inch and be able to hold around a cup of batter. Put your finger over the bottom and add about a cup of batter. Remove your finger and allow the batter to pour into the center of the oil. Be careful, the oil may splash!
3. Gradually swirl the batter outward in a circular motion, or criss-cross back and forth to make a cake about 7 or 8 inches round.
4. We used to draw our initials to personalize our cakes! Check it with a pair of tongs and turn it when the bottom becomes golden brown.
5. When both sides are done, remove with tongs and let it drip on a paper towel.
6. Take powdered sugar and sprinkle over the top after it has drained.

Wordless Wednesday~The Dog Edition

Spoiled

Somewhat spoiled

Totally spoiled

Fear

Does that one little word scare you?

Does it make you cringe as you think about all the things that this one little word conjures up?

Yesterday as we were taking the camper to have it inspected, Stephen said something to me that really made me stop and think. He told me to "Stop being so fearful. Start living".

For me, I thought I was living. I work at home--something I have always wanted to do. I homeschool our kids--something I always wanted to do. I go shopping--not as much as I want, but I do get to shop. I am living.

And yet--

I find myself not living. I find myself reverting into my little world of wife, mommy, teacher, and not wanting to leave this little world that I have created for myself. When I feel a move coming on of stepping outside of this little world, doing something I am not accustomed to doing, I begin to fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of the what if's, fear of failure, fear of making a mistake--FEAR in general.

I think to myself--when did I get this way? I have not always been so fearful. I mean, let's face it. I am fearful of scary movies and snakes more than anything else, but when did I become afraid of life? Even now as I write this, I am scared of writing this, because I realize that for the first time in my life, I AM FEARFUL. I am admitting to the world that I am not as confident in my life as I make myself out to be. I am not as cheerful as everyone sees.

Where did it all start? I don't even have an answer for that. I guess what started this whole thought process is because I am scared to death to drive the camper we bought. I don't want to mess it up, or make a mistake with it. I am that way about a lot of things in my life--choosing a restaurant to eat at, telling Stephen the truth about a decision I want, doting on myself--scared of making the wrong decision and making people unhappy. I guess it just comes down to the people pleaser in me.

I know all the verses in the Bible about fear, and for the most part I apply them to my life--but sometimes, I let go and allow the fear to take over. I have to learn to live and not be so fearful. It is in those fearless moments that I find enjoyment, peace, satisfaction, pride and the ability to rise above whatever is holding me back.

God has not given you a Spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind.

What about you? What is fear doing to your life?

St Patrick's Day Finds

 I have been looking up some stuff for us to do this coming week to get ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. This year I think I am going to turn it into a party day. Here are some links that I found that you can use to have fun on this bright green day!

Learn about the history of St. Patricks Day HERE.


You can get a free downloadable craft book from Fave Crafts with lots of St. Patty's Day craft ideas.

Kids Coloring Pages and Worksheets:
ABC Teach
DLTK Kids
Kaboose

Kids Craft Ideas
Kaboose
Enchanted Learning
Disney Family Fun

Recipes
Disney Family Fun
All Recipes

Decorations
How to Decorate for a Party
Decorating for St. Patrick's on a Budget 
How to Make a Shamrock
Turn Hearts Into Shamrocks
Make a Cheer Frame

Adult Crafts
Wearable St. Patrick's Day Crafts
Centerpiece Idea
St. Patrick's Day Pin
Misc Other St. Patrick's Day Crafts

Greeting Cards
Printable Color Greeting Cards






How do you plan on celebrating the luck o' the Irish?

I Heart Faces~Jump For Joy

I love the theme this week at I Heart Faces. This week, we are jumping for joy! I have one photo that comes to mind when I hear the words jump and joy in the same sentence. It is my all time favorite. To me, this shows freedom, childlike, fun, and joy all in the same scenario.

The kids had built a bike ramp and I snapped this photo of Kayla as she jumped. Her hair is my favorite part of this photo.

If you have a photo you want to share, join up over at I Heart Faces.