(Cream-filled Pumpkin Cupcakes)

Wow, where to begin?! I could probably write you a book about the last month, but I should keep things shorter and more to-the-point. :)

My overflowing inbox makes me feel like Meredith. I don't think I've answered more than a couple emails in the past 6 weeks! I am grateful for your patience and continued support here even through such a long absence. :)

I also want to thank anyone who has made their Amazon.com purchases through our affiliate link! Little things like that remind us that our Heavenly Father is supplying and will supply all our needs. :)

We had so much support from friends and family during our recent move. Packing up the whole house and moving 2300 miles with little more than a week's notice was more than slightly crazy! But God's hand was surely guiding our steps and we're counting our blessings of a job (when so many are facing layoffs), a home that is warm in more ways than one, and fellowship here in our new location.

In almost every way, our lives have completely changed! City living is so very different from our edge-of-the-town rural Ohio home. Washington state is beautifully different from Northwest Ohio. We have a "new" set of family and friends, a new church, a new house, new places to shop, new scenery to look at. While there are definitely things we miss (particularly our family members in Ohio, but also some of the many things we left behind), I really do love it here! :)

We've been safely in the Seattle area for several days now. Our trip was smooth and fairly easy, aside from being locked out of our hotel room for several hours one night due to a malfunctioning door (?!). After about 40 hours of driving over a 5-day period, it felt good to rest for a day or so before heading out to look for housing. We're still looking for rentals and are hoping to have made a decision within the next couple of days and unload all our "stuff" this week.

Moving has been somewhat draining and time-consuming, and I look forward to finding and settling in to a new place to call home. When I unpack my recipe box and cookware, and find time to snap pictures, I'll be ready to blog again. :)

A highlight of our trip was getting to stop at my friend Abigail's house, aka Paul's Grains. :) We spent about 12 hours there and had a great time. :) Abigail and I have had these matching shirts (both from thrift stores!) for several years and I made sure to pack mine in the car so we could match during our visit. :)

This week has been insanely busy. After we started packing, we realised that packing up everything in 8 days' time is a very overwhelming task! Thankfully we've had lots of help and are finishing up packing tonight, with plans to load up the ABF trailer tomorrow morning.

We'll enjoy a restful Sabbath with my family and then start out on our long journey across the U.S. via I-80. ;)

There has been so much going on that I haven't taken any pictures -- but I'll do that tomorrow. Our internet will be off some time tomorrow (Friday) so I'm not sure when I'll be back to give an update -- probably depends on where we're spending the nights. :)

I have every intention of returning to regular blogging just as soon as we're settled in our new place! Packing for 8 days, driving for 5 days... my schedule is kinda packed right now. ;) But don't worry -- nothing's going to change here, once things slow down a little for me. :)

Thanks for all the prayers and well-wishes! We're so thankful for this new job opportunity, as Joshua would be losing his job here in the next few weeks anyway (layoffs). I am sure we're in for an adventure and some culture shock, but we're excited! :)

A friend of mine made this chef's hat and hot pepper apron for Yehoshua. He loves it!!

This morning Yehoshua (4) was begging me to make bread. I did need to make bread today, so I told him to grab his hat and apron and he could help!

I let him measure and add most of the ingredients for my homemade whole wheat bread by himself. What fun!

When it was time to form the loaves, he got dressed up again and got to shape the mini loaves we were making. :)

Look at Ruth's grin! :)

This week is looking INSANELY busy for us. I'll be sure to put up a kitchen tip tomorrow, and I may be able to update through the week as time allows, but if we're going to be on the road in 6 more days, I've gotta pack FAST!!

Don't worry... when we're all moved and settled in, I have plenty of pictures and recipes waiting to be shared! :)

I think we're still getting over the shock of it all, but WE'RE MOVING!!! Joshua called me this afternoon and let me know that he was offered and accepted the job in Seattle, so we'll be heading out there soon. As in, about 9 days from now. Can this be real?!

Want to hear how AMAZING God is? Read more...

Thank you all SO MUCH for sharing your comments here and through email. We have been spending all our spare minutes thinking about, praying about, and planning for a possible move (which, if it happens, could happen VERY quickly) so I haven't had time to write much... yet. :)

A few quick details -- Joshua grew up near Seattle, so we do have ties there, including a church. :) The job possibility would be on the north side of Seattle, but family, friends, and church would all be on the south side. Housing is much more expensive there, but there are other benefits that could outweigh the negatives. :)

I guess we'll have reached a decision by Friday, so I'll be sure to let you all know! :) Thanks for the enthusiasm, advice, and ideas. :D

Also, Ruth isn't feeling well, so I'm busy caring for her... I'll be back in time for a kitchen tip this week, though. :)

After a flurry of events this week, Joshua has plane tickets to leave next week for a job interview in Seattle. The likelihood of him getting the job seems (at this point) contingent on whether or not we accept the offer.

We're still trying to process all the pros and cons of a long-distance move... particularly since we'd be paying for the move ourselves. ;) (We're in Ohio right now.)

I'd love some input! If you currently live in the Seattle area, I'd love to hear from you. And we're still investigating housing options, so ideas are appreciated. :)

Those of you who have done a long-distance move, how did you move your belongings? Anyone have any experience with U-Pack?

After much consternation about whether I really wanted to add another website to my "check daily" list, I signed up at Twitter. So, now you know where to look if you're wondering what I've been up to between blog posts! :)

And, for Facebook users, I started a Tammy's Recipes Website group over there. I know, I know... I'm really getting around these days! ;)

I also wanted to say thanks to anyone who has placed an Amazon order through my affiliate link. I am grateful for the commission (usually about 6%) on the things you were already planning to buy through Amazon! :)

Your visits here, sweet comments, advice, encouragement, and support mean so much to us! I feel so blessed to be able to share whatever's on my heart to such a kind group of friends and lurkers. ;)

I am wondering though... which do you prefer for one-line updates: Twitter or Facebook? Or do you use both? :)

I know I'm really biased, but I think Ruth is the sweetest little girl ever. She always has a smile between her chubby little cheeks...

...and she's so lady-like already. It amazes me! She even has a lady-like crawl. My boys did the army-style scooting thing until they started walking. Ruth, -- she gets up on her hands and knees and crawls so delicately. ;)

One of my brothers brought over his tent for us to borrow! Last night the children and I slept outside. It got chilly (mid-40's) but we were all snuggled under a huge down comforter and stayed toasty warm! :)

The boys have been very, very excited about "camping out". Camping in the back yard is far enough from home for me -- I like being able to run in the house whenever I want. ;) Here are a couple more pictures...