Summary of Spring Days with the Moodys

[nelliebelle1197]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1991

See here for the riveting event

ETA: I didn't have time to look for the actual blog post, but God had laid it upon my heart to offer encouragement to you in your own search.

[Justme]

So I was browsing Amazon, looking at second hand books by the Maxwells, and I noticed the Zarah' "Summer with the Moodys " also credited a certain Abigail Klein. Is she from the same family that Rebecca Eleventy socialises with? IIRC, they have a daughter named Abigail.

They pay someone to draw the pictures. I'd guess she's the illustrator.

[SPHASH]

http://freejinger.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1991

See here for the riveting event

ETA: I didn't have time to look for the actual blog post, but God had laid it upon my heart to offer encouragement to you in your own search.

They also returned over a year later for Sarah's birthday... blog.titus2.com/2013/01/21/another-safari-visit Sorry but I don't know how to break a link. This trip was really odd cuz it was for Sarah's birthday and no little ones. They celebrated with rest of the whole fam damily later.

[Miggy]

They pay someone to draw the pictures. I'd guess she's the illustrator.

Yes, Abigail draws the pictures. I'd hesitate to call her an artist or illustrator in the same way I hesitate to call Sarah a writer. The pictures are simple, neat and correct which is what I like in a children's book. (Give the kids a hint but leave it up to their imagination as much as possible.) There is something lacking which bothers me. The choice of what to include pictures of; bed in a hotel room, a rubbish bag with some diapers fallen out, the tram at the zoo with no passengers, etc. I want action pictures; the flooded basement, the dog eating the decorations.

My son has just pointed out that perhaps they annoy me because they don't add to the story in any way. I think he is right.

[Hane]

Indulging myself by inserting a chapter:

It was the morning of Mom's birthday, and the Moody children decided to bake her a chocolate cake while she was resting in her bedroom with the twins.

The timer rang, and Maddie put on oven mitts and carefully removed the hot pan from the oven. Max tested the cake with a toothpick, and the children all agreed that the cake was "done." Mitch set down a cooling rack, and Maddie turned the cake upside down to remove it from the pan.

It wouldn't come out! It was stuck tight! Max slid a knife around the rim of the pan to loosen it, but the cake broke into pieces.

Maddie burst into tears and ran out of the kitchen into the driveway. "All our hard work ruined!" she sobbed. The others followed her. "It's my fawt," cried Mollie. "I fawgot to gwease the pan. I'm so sowwy!"

Just then, Miss Hane came by, walking her little dog Tippy (who, oddly, lacked the tendency to devour random objects like banners). It was obvious that Miss Hane was not saved yet, because she was wearing jeans and makeup, was quite a stout woman, and used slang. "Hi, kids! What's wrong?" she asked.

The children told her about their disaster. "And we don't have enough ingredients to bake another one," Mitch said regretfully.

"Well, I can help. Get the cake and come over to my house," Miss Hane suggested. Max ran into the kitchen and came outside wearing oven mitts and carrying the pan.

In her sunny kitchen, Miss Hane quickly set everyone to work. She mixed milk, sugar, corn starch, cocoa powder, vanilla, and a little salt in a saucepan, and had Maddie slowly stir the pudding over a low flame on the stove. She poured cream and a spoonful of sugar in a bowl, and showed Mitch how to use her electric mixer. "Be careful not to run it too long, or we'll end up with butter instead of whipped cream!" she warned, and the children laughed uproariously.

When the pudding was thickened and the whipped cream was made, Miss Hane took a large, fancy cut glass bowl out of the cabinet and placed it on the kitchen table. She sprinkled the chunks of cake with a special ingredient called "Amaretto di Saronno" and showed the children how to layer them in the bowl with the pudding, chopped nuts, brickle bits, chocolate chips, and the whipped cream.

"There! All finished!" she said. "Good work, kids! Now you have a beautiful, fancy dessert for your mom's birthday!"

"How can we ever thank you?" Maddie asked.

"May we share this wonderful recipe with Mom? I'm sure we all might like to make this again some day," Mitch asked.

"Sure!" said Miss Hane. "In fact, I know how to make this by heart, so you can take the recipe card home with you."

She handed Mitch a well-worn index card with the recipe written on it. The title on it read, "Better Than Sex."

[twin2]

[sparkles]

I bow down to your brilliance, Miss Hane. If only...

[twin2]

To continue the story

Later that evening Mitch, Maddie, and Mollie all sat with Dad in the living room to start family Bible study. The twins had already gone to bed. Mom was up in her room. She loved the dessert so much! She went over to thank Ms. Hane after her birthday dinner of cheesy ham and hashbrown casserole. She came back with a mason jar full of Ms. Hane's special ingredient. But Mom was so silly! Instead of putting the mason jar in the kitchen cabinet, she took it up to her room! The children all had a good laugh!!

After Bible time, Dad asked the children to reflect on the day's events. After some time, Dad asked them, "Do you know what you did wrong today?" Mitch and Maddie stared at the floor trying to remember. Mollie burst into tears and cried "I dwint gweees da paaaaaaaaaan!". "No" their Dad said thoughtfully then asked them, "Who determined the cake was done?" Mitch answered "I put a toothpick in it and me, Maddie and Mollie decided it was done because the toothpick was clean." "You, Maddie and Mollie decided?" asked Dad. "Yes" replied Maddie sheepishly. "Did you ask the Lord Jesus if the cake was done?" asked Dad sternly. "No" mumbled Mitch. "No" mumbled Maddie. "Nooooooooo weeeeeeeeed dwidn't" cried Mollie.

"See children, this was your mistake" said Dad. "We don't know what is best. Only the Lord Jesus knows that. If you had prayed to him, asking him if the cake was done, he would have laid it on your hearts, that you needed to let it cool for a few more minutes and then tapped the bottom of the pan with wooden spoon and it would have came out of the pan. But you didn't. You pridefully decided the cake was done and ready to come out of the pan without seeking his wisdom. Let this be a lesson to you all."

The children nodded their head in agreement. From now on they would all remember to trust in the Lord Jesus.

They all said their evening prayers and went to bed.

[Hane]

To continue the story

Later that evening Mitch, Maddie, and Mollie all sat with Dad in the living room to start family Bible study. The twins had already gone to bed. Mom was up in her room. She loved the dessert so much! She went over to thank Ms. Hane after her birthday dinner of cheesy ham and hashbrown casserole. She came back with a mason jar full of Ms. Hane's special ingredient. But Mom was so silly! Instead of putting the mason jar in the kitchen cabinet, she took it up to her room! The children all had a good laugh!!

After Bible time, Dad asked the children to reflect on the day's events. After some time, Dad asked them, "Do you know what you did wrong today?" Mitch and Maddie stared at the floor trying to remember. Mollie burst into tears and cried "I dwint gweees da paaaaaaaaaan!". "No" their Dad said thoughtfully then asked them, "Who determined the cake was done?" Mitch answered "I put a toothpick in it and me, Maddie and Mollie decided it was done because the toothpick was clean." "You, Maddie and Mollie decided?" asked Dad. "Yes" replied Maddie sheepishly. "Did you ask the Lord Jesus if the cake was done?" asked Dad sternly. "No" mumbled Mitch. "No" mumbled Maddie. "Nooooooooo weeeeeeeeed dwidn't" cried Mollie.

"See children, this was your mistake" said Dad. "We don't know what is best. Only the Lord Jesus knows that. If you had prayed to him, asking him if the cake was done, he would have laid it on your hearts, that you needed to let it cool for a few more minutes and then tapped the bottom of the pan with wooden spoon and it would have came out of the pan. But you didn't. You pridefully decided the cake was done and ready to come out of the pan without seeking his wisdom. Let this be a lesson to you all."

The children nodded their head in agreement. From now on they would all remember to trust in the Lord Jesus.

They all said their evening prayers and went to bed.

:worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship:

[quincygal]

I had a look-see over at Lambert's Cafe's website. I'm surprised Steve would take his family to this place - it looks like a fun place to go and you know what he thinks about fun! :naughty:

As for the hotel breakfast thingy - I had no idea. That tells you how long it's been since I've travelled.

Argh not Lambert's!!!!!!! it is so super fun I have made roadtrips (plural) to go there. Not only is it way too much fun for them, I am sad they got to go & I haven't gone there lately:(

FYI- they hire local kids with baseball experience to throw the rolls. They wing hot rolls at you from across their huge dining room. they are awesome! (sad sigh)

[Trynn]

As an asexual, I totally think cake is better than sex. It's actually kind of a thing with some online ace communities...

I think you all are getting mollie and Madrid mixed up though. In the books, marry is the younger one who tawks wike that. Mollie is older, and her speech is normal.

It's ok, I get them mixed up all he time too. It's because they're just so cardboard.

If someone sends me a copy, I'll continue the summaries.

[twin2]

:worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship:

Clearly there will have to be chapter where the Moodys pray for Ms Hane's salvation (after mommy feels better from her "24hr flu")

[Jana814]

To continue the story

Later that evening Mitch, Maddie, and Mollie all sat with Dad in the living room to start family Bible study. The twins had already gone to bed. Mom was up in her room. She loved the dessert so much! She went over to thank Ms. Hane after her birthday dinner of cheesy ham and hashbrown casserole. She came back with a mason jar full of Ms. Hane's special ingredient. But Mom was so silly! Instead of putting the mason jar in the kitchen cabinet, she took it up to her room! The children all had a good laugh!!

After Bible time, Dad asked the children to reflect on the day's events. After some time, Dad asked them, "Do you know what you did wrong today?" Mitch and Maddie stared at the floor trying to remember. Mollie burst into tears and cried "I dwint gweees da paaaaaaaaaan!". "No" their Dad said thoughtfully then asked them, "Who determined the cake was done?" Mitch answered "I put a toothpick in it and me, Maddie and Mollie decided it was done because the toothpick was clean." "You, Maddie and Mollie decided?" asked Dad. "Yes" replied Maddie sheepishly. "Did you ask the Lord Jesus if the cake was done?" asked Dad sternly. "No" mumbled Mitch. "No" mumbled Maddie. "Nooooooooo weeeeeeeeed dwidn't" cried Mollie.

"See children, this was your mistake" said Dad. "We don't know what is best. Only the Lord Jesus knows that. If you had prayed to him, asking him if the cake was done, he would have laid it on your hearts, that you needed to let it cool for a few more minutes and then tapped the bottom of the pan with wooden spoon and it would have came out of the pan. But you didn't. You pridefully decided the cake was done and ready to come out of the pan without seeking his wisdom. Let this be a lesson to you all."

The children nodded their head in agreement. From now on they would all remember to trust in the Lord Jesus.

They all said their evening prayers and went to bed.

Wonderful!!!

[Jinger_Cat]

Is this the place that she described on the blog as having a "fun, almost festive atmosphere"?

[uber frau]

Yes.

[WonderingInWA]

"Do you know what you did wrong today?".

LOLOLOL. I'm sure they open evening Bible time with that line every single night.

[browngrl]

To continue the story

After Bible time, Dad asked the children to reflect on the day's events. After some time, Dad asked them, "Do you know what you did wrong today?" Mitch and Maddie stared at the floor trying to remember. Mollie burst into tears and cried "I dwint gweees da paaaaaaaaaan!". "No" their Dad said thoughtfully then asked them, "Who determined the cake was done?" Mitch answered "I put a toothpick in it and me, Maddie and Mollie decided it was done because the toothpick was clean." "You, Maddie and Mollie decided?" asked Dad. "Yes" replied Maddie sheepishly. "Did you ask the Lord Jesus if the cake was done?" asked Dad sternly. "No" mumbled Mitch. "No" mumbled Maddie. "Nooooooooo weeeeeeeeed dwidn't" cried Mollie.

"See children, this was your mistake" said Dad. "We don't know what is best. Only the Lord Jesus knows that. If you had prayed to him, asking him if the cake was done, he would have laid it on your hearts, that you needed to let it cool for a few more minutes and then tapped the bottom of the pan with wooden spoon and it would have came out of the pan. But you didn't. You pridefully decided the cake was done and ready to come out of the pan without seeking his wisdom. Let this be a lesson to you all."

The children nodded their head in agreement. From now on they would all remember to trust in the Lord Jesus.

They all said their evening prayers and went to bed.

Good grief the God of the Maxwell's is quite the micromanager. I mean sure God could pawn off the checking of cake doneness to one of the seraphim or perhaps a cherub but no: Jesus has to check for himself. Obviously because: cake.

[Jinger_Cat]

For f---'s sake, Steve! I can't decide which I find more offensive: the idea that every bit of critical thinking and decision making ability is being trained right out of those kids, or that they believe Magic Savior in the Sky has nothing better to do than help their snotty little kids bake a freakin cake. Typical Maxwell.

[Jana814]

"Do you know what you did wrong today?".

LOLOLOL. I'm sure they open evening Bible time with that line every single night.

I am sure u r right!!

[Sailing on Europa]

The cake baking thing is so weird. These people put SO much emphasis on learning homemaking skills, but then they aren't supposed to use their own judgement about how to bake a cake? That must be confusing. That sort of reality must make the Maxwell "kids" crazy (assuming the Moody children provide a glimpse into Maxwell life). They are basically punished for even trying to think. They should have prayed for the answer instead.

[Trynn]

Wasn't the cake thing moody fan fic rather than moody cannon? It wouldn't surprise me if maxhell really was like that, but it wasn't in the book, we don't know for sure.

[Sailing on Europa]

Wasn't the cake thing moody fan fic rather than moody cannon? It wouldn't surprise me if maxhell really was like that, but it wasn't in the book, we don't know for sure.

ooh! I didn't catch that, woops

[16strong]

Wasn't the cake thing moody fan fic rather than moody cannon? It wouldn't surprise me if maxhell really was like that, but it wasn't in the book, we don't know for sure.

It was a fanfic. The cake bit was a joke by Hane. However, the fact that we are all debating truth or joke is quite...scary. :character-jason: :zombie:

[Miggy]

Hane wasn't far off: In the book Mollie makes muffins. They are suppose to be choc chip but she puts peanut butter in then blends them for too long and OH NO, the choc chips melt and now they are chocolate muffins. Mollie to explain to both Mum and Mitch why they are chocolate and not choc chip.

The boredom !!! It hurts !!!

[Miggy]

Chapter 13. Late Night Cooking

Thursday evening. Bible study. Dad offers to put kids to bed so Mom can start work on the pinto beans for the burrito filling. (I scared. Are we about to have a whole chapter on making burritos?) Mollie has forgotten to kiss Mom goodnight but being a perfect child, she waits until Dad finishes praying before she comes back downstairs.

Next morning they do chores and school work. "At eleven thirty, Maddie had an idea." She pulls all the shoes out of the shoes bench. (Is this an American term? A bench for me is something you sit on or put things on, not something with a lid that you take things out of.) Mom and Mollie come in. Small panic about the mess until Maddie explains she is cleaning. Mom leaves her with instructions - only one pair each and all other shoes in closets - and leaves the twins playing nearby. "Maddie heard a noise. Flipping around, she was surprised at what met her eyes." The twins are pulling tissues out of a tissue box. Maddie takes this fabulous toy away. Twins cry. "Mom rushed in, but the evidence told the story." Maddie explains. Max calls that the bean pots are overflowing. Mom rushes off to the kitchen. (Boring paragraph about separating in extra saucepans and cleaning up.) Maddie is still guarding the tissue box and the twins are still crying. Maddie distracts them with toys, puts the tissue box away "and Maddie went back to work."

Lunch. Maddie has finished. "You did an excellent job, Maddie girl. It makes Mommy happy to see your servant's heart and that you are looking for jobs you can do to bless the family." (I need a vomit bag.) At lunch they talk about dinner. It is their monthly neighbourhood prayer time AND they are going to make burrito filling! Mitch looses his tooth in an apple.

Dad comes from. Mom makes dinner. Melissa (girl twin) takes her first steps. Dad and Mitch go outside and cut up the onions for the burrito filling. Mitch tells Dad about his tooth. Family bible time. Prayer time. Grandpa has accepted a voluntary redundancy from work. "Since getting saved, my attitude has changed about retirement, so now I see my real retirement as when I get to heaven. I'd like to start a home business. I'm praying about what that might be." Grandpa & Grandma leave.

Mom puts Maddie, Melissa and Moses to bed. The others are going to make burrito filling. Dad drains beans. Mollie gets the mixer out for Dad to use. Max blends onions. Mitch puts on special gloves to handle the jalapeños. He puts the in Max's mixture. Dad has finished blending the beans and puts them in the warming oven overnight. The onions go on the stove to summer overnight. Next morning Dad mixes the onions and beans. Max adds chilli powder, salt and pepper. That was a page and a half of cooking instructions with a few names slotted in but wait ... turn over the page and we have ... Ta-dah ... "Maxwells' Burrito Recipe".