August Fields

Christmas Baking Dutch Banket

For the past several years two of my friends, Holli and Tara, come over for a morning of baking. We also have a small “favorite things” gift exchange. 
We bake my Grandma Marie’s Dutch Banket. (Bon-ket). My Grandma passed into Glory in 1996. She was only 66 years old. Grandma Marie was born in the Netherlands. She was an amazing cook and baker, loved the word ‘beautiful’ and laughed a lot. Occasionally she would get and give the giggles during prayer for whatever reason..You know when you start to laugh over nothing, but because it’s the one time you can’t then it gets worse?! We would be holding back full outright laughter (of joy!) by the time ‘amen’ came….grandpa did not think it was funny. Oh boy…lots of winks then we’d just start passing the food around the table!
We baked 40 sticks of Banket! Banket is a flaky Dutch pastry with an almond filling.
Grandma Marie’s Dutch Banket Recipe. I’d love to know if you make this! 
Please tag #augustfieldsbanket on Instagram.

You can watch a bit of our joyful baking day here:

Homeschooling: 3 Ways to Fill Up

Hello dear friends!  As a homeschooler the beginning of December is a time where I can use a little extra encouragement.  A dose of “you’ve got this”.  I need to fill up on positivity and be reminded that I have never been able to do this on my own.  God sustains me.  When I read the Bible I am reminded of WHO I am and WHY I was created.  Back to the Basics as I like to call it.

I am a child of the living God created in the the Image of God,  
made to glorify and praise the one who created me.

Here are some ways I am filling up:

1.  31 Day Scripture Writing Plan from Sweet Blessings

2.  Scaling back on school.  This is a good time to step back.  Acknowledge all that HAS been accomplished.  Focus on the pages that have been read, tests that have been taken, and words that have been written.  Its okay.  BREATHE.  
3.  Prepare for Christmas with an Advent Focus.
This is the book we are using this year. (affiliate link)
This is our 11th year homeschooling and we continue to absolutely love it!  That doesn’t go without saying that we can have our difficult days and as a mom, these are tangible ways to scale back, refocus and remember the “why”.  My prayer is for each of you reading this to feel encouraged, loved and refreshed!

August Fields Co. is LIVE! Shop Tees Totes and Hand Lettered Art

I am so so so excited!!  After many months of organizing, researching, brainstorming and designing I am happy to announce ……..

…….the launch of August Fields Co.   

Inspiring. Modern. Simple. and Encouraging.  

Leaders are Readers.  Joshua 1:8

Shop HERE
Little Bear
my little bear
Loved Romans 5:8 – YOU are LOVED my a Master Designer!

I’ve Got the Joy Joy Joy (Coming Soon in Christmas Red!!!)
My two daughters are also helping me create hand lettered art on painted 8X10 canvas.  Our inventory on these are changing all the time so make sure to follow
August Fields Co. on Etsy! 

Follow along with me on this exciting adventure!  Under my picture over there on the right you’ll find links to my Instagram, Facebook, Periscope, Twitter and to shop:  ETSY!

Father – Son Trip to the Holy Land in Israel

A couple of weeks ago my husband and oldest son arrived home from Israel.  They went with a group of about 25, led by our pastor and his wife.  This was an incredible adventure!  Not only were they traveling across. the. world. but they were going to walk the ground that Jesus walked. 
As a Christ follower this trip holds so much meaning.  Beyond historical, beyond factual.  It brings the Bible, the living Word, even more alive!  Here are a few, out of hundreds, pictures. 
This is the top of the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount.

Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus wept.  This was my sons very favorite.  He said it was so very peaceful, quiet, he could feel the Lord’s presence.

Hanging out in an Olive tree.

A view of the Sea of Galilee from the top of Mount Arbel, 1300 feet above the Sea.

Thus is the picture they sent, knowing I dread edges and heights!!  Boys.

This waterfall fed into the Sea of Galilee.

Pondering the Sea of Galilee in Capernaum

Standing in an arch of the Aqueduct in Ceasarea.

This picture is of my son being baptized by our pastor and my husband.  The way the water is so still in some parts, and powerfully splashing with the body being submerged moves my heart every time I look at it.  There is complete surrender, powerful grace and forgiveness, and pure joy!

blog facelift and new business

Happy fall afternoon!!  Yes, yes I know its Halloween but honestly for years around here that’s neither here nor there.

I’m just thrilled that today is SATURDAY!  My husband is home, all the burnt out light bulbs in the house have been changed, and right now he and Hank are at the grocery store picking up some ingredients for Salmon Chowder Soup.  I’ve not made it before but of course chose this soup to bring in a crockpot to our friend’s house tonight.

Please tell me you make ‘first-time-ever’ recipes to share too.  I totally have trusty stand by recipes but it must be the thrill of sharing something new.  I don’t know.

The blog is getting a face lift!  Yay!  I purchased a template from etsy and paid the extra $10 to have it installed.

So soon.  Very soon, you will see some spectacular changes!

Also, here is a sneak peek of what has been unfolding over here.  My entrepreneurial brain seems to NEVER shut off.  So, we decided its high time to organize my sporadic ideas and formalize my continuous brain dumps into something tangible and sellable!  I can not WAIT to share more.

Again, soon.  Like next week soon!!!

Happy Reformation Day and go jump in some leaves!