The Sparrow's Home: Life is hard. God is good. We need each other.

I Want to Live in a World Where I Can Filter Content in Movies

October 5, 2016 by Susan 8 Comments

Gah! I am sold out on this service we’ve discovered!! We just had a friend tell us about it last week and we’ve already used it twice.

I can’t count how many movies we’ve skipped over the years because of a just a scene or two with sexual content or pervasive language. Or movies that we watched years ago that we’d love to show our boys…except for that one part. You know what I’m talking about, right? If only we could filter content in movies…

Some years ago, there was a service that allowed people to rent movies and filter content as they chose. It was shut down pretty quickly, if I remember correctly, by Hollywood big-wigs crying, “Censorship!”

Enter VidAngel.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

October 4, 2016 by Susan 14 Comments

I’m so old I remember when pumpkin was something you carved, not something you put in your coffee. I do like a pumpkin spice latte, though, so there will be no complaining from me! I wanted to put together a collection of pumpkin recipes for you to try this fall…er, should I say, pumpkin spice season.

I looked for recipes that I plan to try, or have already made. I’ll be sure to let you know which ones I’ve already road tested for you.

How to Plan a Disney Trip With Someone Who Doesn’t Love Disney (Yet)

October 3, 2016 by Susan 14 Comments

I married into the Disney family. Don’t get me wrong..it’s not like I was anti-Disney. I did have every single lyric to every single Little Mermaid song memorized. What I did not do was drive around listening to the music from the Main Street Electrical Parade. But I did date someone who did. And I still married him. 🙂

Yes, he had the parade soundtrack. Listen, I’m a Disney lover now, and I still can’t stomach the synthesized harpsichord music on its own. At the parade—love it! On its own, Baroque Hoedown just doesn’t do it for me.

I also didn’t set foot in a Disney park until I was in college, and Greg and I went to California to visit his parents. And if I’m being totally honest…I was underwhelmed. My relationship with Disney parks began as an appreciation, grew into a full fledged crush, and now I’m enamored.

Food for Thought #6

September 29, 2016 by Susan Leave a Comment

The Sparrow’s Home was created for sharing. I love having a time set aside to share things that we’ve been reading lately.

I would love to hear what you think, and see what you’ve had open on your desktop this week.

Here’s what I’ve been reading:

Kids Farm Party

September 28, 2016 by Susan Leave a Comment

I told you a few weeks ago I’d be sharing some of the themed kids parties we did for our boys over the years. We started with a Pirate themed party and next I’d like to give you some ideas if you’re planning a Farm Party.

Let me remind you, and ask for your grace, regarding the quality of the pictures. My kids are in 10th and 12th grades right now. These pictures were taken many years ago, and scanned from scrapbooks. Funny thing…when I look at my teenagers today, I still see the little boys in these pictures. (Pause for sentimental mom moment)

Chewy Cookie Bars: Your New Most Used Recipe

September 27, 2016 by Susan 6 Comments

One basic recipe…endless variations. These cookie bars are easy and delicious! And they’re made with ingredients you have in your pantry right now.

I bake quite a bit. We have study groups at our house once a week during the school year, and part of hosting means providing a snack for the group. It’s amazing how much more kids engage when there are cookies or muffins on the table! I also like to offer a treat when we have guests over, and sometimes I bake just to be a nice mom.

I have one recipe card in my cabinet that I don’t even put in my recipe box, because I use it so much. It’s really more a list of ingredients than a recipe. It’s faded and has dried crusty bits on it. Have you got a recipe like that?