Cabin Camping at Robbers Cave State Park

If you and your family are looking for a great place to camp in the state of Oklahoma, let me share one state park that is a wonderful option... Robbers Cave!

We are very familiar with Oklahoma's Beavers Bend State Park (and we love it), but thought we would check out the new park that we will be assisting summer camp at this summer. In July 2015 we are headed to Robbers Cave State Park! This visit gave us the chance to become familiar with the park layout and to tour the group site the we will be taking over 30 campers to.

After a four hour car ride, we were happy to settle in to one of the 2-bedroom cabins that they offer (my in-laws even joined us!). We didn't know what to expect of the cabin, but we were pretty pleased with the results! Three nights flew by and we wished we had more time to rest together and explore the park.

Here are a few cabin pictures:

Above is one of our neighboring cabins. Such a beautiful setting for camping in the fall. 

Each cabin has a grill, a picnic table, a fire ring and lawn chairs out front. 

The restroom was clean and well stocked with towels.

The bedrooms had plenty of closet space (and hangers), counter tops, and drawers to hold our "stuff"!

The beds were comfortable. Clean linens, pillows, and thin blankets were provided.

The kitchen was equipped with a coffee maker, mixing bowl, cooking pots and one cast iron skillet, utensils, plates, bowls and cups for six, a set of kitchen towels, a few trash bags, and a cutting board.

Things that we brought along that helped in the kitchen were: 

Dish soap and sponge

paper towels

extra (larger) trash bags

sharp knives

Things we WISH we had brought along are:

a cookie sheet (we actually bought a cheap one while up there)

another frying pan

a couple of larger coffee mugs

a tea pot (we ended up using the coffee pot to make hot water for tea)

It was so cozy having a fireplace to use in our cabin, especially when the high one day was only 30 degrees and the low one night was 16F!

Our two oldest kids enjoyed sleeping on the couch hide-a-bed. I was glad that we brought a few cozy blankets with us, as there were linens provided for this couch/bed, but no blankets.

We all took turns rocking the baby in the rocking chair, stoking the fire and just relaxing.

Besides hanging out in the cabin, playing games, watching movies and eating together, we enjoyed adventuring out and about to explore the park together.

Some of our adventure highlights were:

Climbing down the hill behind our cabin, through leaves and over boulders.

We climbed and "hunted" for wild animals at least twice a day!

The kids LOVED going on short adventures through the leaves and snow!

The climbing was just difficult enough and air just suspenseful enough for my kids. All this talk of outlaws and wild animals had their imaginations soaring! When we got too cold we just headed inside the cabin for a cup of tea in front of the fire  :o)

Going for a family walk past beautiful cabins.

Spotting a pink-backed deer in the grass  :o)

Playing at a park and finding a plethora of icicles hanging around!

Another afternoon, our two oldest kids joined me and my hubby hiking the trail that leads to Robbers Cave. The difficulty level was perfect for us! There were some rocky stairs to climb, logs to hop over and markers to spot along the way. We had a great time!

Following the orange markers...

The colloage above is made of pictures of the actual Robbers Cave, at the top of the trail. 

We explored to the very back of it with flashlights that we packed with us. The kids thought it was great! The view from the cave is gorgeous, at it is set in the top of the hill. 

This is the cave that is historically noted as a former hideout for outlaws Belle Starr, Jesse James, and others.

The morning that we packed up our belongings and loaded up was the warmest morning yet. We decided to park at a day use spot and grill some hotdogs, and try to finish off some leftovers before heading home.

Right before lunch we walked along a nature trail and spotted lots of animals tracks, and even a little den. 

The kids loved running, climbing and exploring. What an adventure!

This state park has so much to offer its guests.

The park and wildlife area covers more than 8,000 acres and includes three lakes. It offers visitors trout fishing in season, boating, hunting, mountain biking, trails for hikers and horses, sandstone cliffs for climbing and rappelling, and fall foliage viewing.

We also enjoyed learning more about the park and it's wild inhabitants at the Nature Center and History Museum that are adjacent to the gift shop. The hands on learning was fun for the kids and there were even some surprises along the way (stuffed bears that growl and live snakes that rattle)!

~~~~~~~~

There are many other things to do at Robbers Cave that we didn't participate in this visit. We hope to try a few of them this summer (or even this coming spring if we go tent camping there).

Here are a few more family-friendly activities offered:

• Horseback riding
• Swimming (they are renovating their swimming pool right now)
• Fishing
• Mini-golf 
• Frisbee golf course
• Paddle boats and canoeing 
• Hiking more trails

Overall, we had a very enjoyable time at Robbers Cave State Park and look forward to returning there soon!

I hope that this information helps you in some way, if you ever plan a trip to Robbers Cave.

Have a blessed day,

From My Home To Yours...

May God bless you abundantly today and always,

Mama Leone's Chicken Soup - A Fall Favorite!

Here is a tasty little recipe for you, one of our family favorites!

It tastes great paired with some crunchy garlic bread. So, gather the ingredients, turn on the stove and get started on a delicious, healthy meal for you and your family. It's sure to warm their hearts and their toes.

 

Mama Leone's Chicken Soup

 

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken

2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

2 Tbl. oil

3 Tbl. butter

1 onion, diced

3 stalks celery, diced

1 Tbl minced garlic

1/2 tsp. dried tarragon

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

2 tsp. paprika

1/2 cup + 2 Tbl. flour

8 cups chicken broth

1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juice

3/4 cup whipping cream or half 'n half

2 cups fresh spinach, sliced

Directions:

Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Bake in oven (set at 375) for 15-20 min, or fry on the stove.

Dice chicken and set aside.

 

Heat oil and butter over medium heat in a large pot.

Sauté onion and celery until soft.

Add garlic, tarragon, oregano, paprika, 2tsp salt and pepper.

Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring.

 

Add flour until combined.

Slowly whisk in broth and bring to a boil.

Whisk until there are no lumps.

 

Add diced tomatoes and cream.

Simmer for 20 minutes.

 

Add chicken and simmer for 10 more minutes.

 

Stir is spinach before serving.

Enjoy!

Overwhelmed By Love

I just had the honor and joy of praying with my husband before he set off for work. Before the sun rose in the sky today, the Son rose in our hearts and took His place on the throne of our lives.
 
My heart is overwhelmed by the love of my great God and of my dear husband.

 
 

God's gift to me - a family.

 

 
What did I do to deserve any of this? God 's love and forgiveness... my husband's loyalty, care and kindness? Nothing at all.
 
 

 

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

 

 
Today I am thankful for the cross and all the promises that are true in Christ!

God's little blessings enjoying the leaves.

 

As we enter this season of thanksgiving and celebrating our King Jesus' first coming, may our hearts be captured with love!

 
In His Great Grace,
 


 
 

Thank you Hannah of Crackjack-Art Photography for the family photo session. We love you and your amazing talent. We had lots of fun!

 

Colossians Study {Week 6} and Harvest Party Time!

Today is a busy day around our house as we prepare for our annual F4K Kids Club Harvest Party tonight!

 
In Texas it goes from summer days to COLD, end-of-fall-almost-into-winter days... and that happened last night. Praying for an enjoyable time tonight and for the weather to reach the 60's  :o)

 
Here are a few pics from last year's fun!

We enjoyed carnival games, a puppet show on Dark vs Light,

prizes and a hayride.

 

Dear friends blessed us by helping with food and games!

 

Face paint was a HIT!

 

A hayride topped off the night!

 

We are down to only 2 weeks left of our GMG Online Bible Study!

This week's challenge is a BIG one, for sure! And with Gods' GREAT help, we can walk victorious!


Here are the verses we studied:


 ^{7 "}in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

⁸ But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, ¹⁰ and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
 
¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection."

Colossians 3:7-14


As believers, filled with God's Spirit, we are to:

• Walk in NEW LIFE!

• Renew our knowledge in Christ

• View others as created in His image and LOVED by the King - no matter their lifestyle

• Love one another

• Bear with one another

• Forgive one another - just as Christ forgave us (again and again)

• Walk in the Spirit - dead to ourselves and alive in Christ!

I am challenged by God's Word to watch my tongue - not speaking in anger or frustration. This is a tough one, especially when teaching my children, who push the limits often.


These verses also encouraged me in speak and walk in love:

"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."

Proverbs 16:32

 

 

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Proverbs 18:21

 

 

"The righteous mom walks in her integrity;

her children are blessed after her."

Proverbs 20:7 (italics are my application)

May God bless you with hope for the future and peace in your heart and home.



In His GREAT Grace,

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Colossians Study {Week 5} And a Few Fall Photos!

God's Word is such a source of encouragement and correction. I am very thankful for it and for my Good Morning Girls group who keep me accountable to dig deeper every day!

Hide and Seek at the pumpkin patch!

 



Our verses this week were Colossians 2:16 - 3:6...

^{16 "}So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, ¹⁹ and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

²⁰ Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— ²¹ “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” ²² which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? ²³ These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

⁵ Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,"



This week I have been challenged to:

• Look to Christ - the substance of the Old and New Testament customs and prophecies. (vs. 17)

• Walk as a dead man - dead to self, alive in Christ!

• Receive TRUE wisdom from above, not having the appearance of wisdom only. (vs. 23)

• Stay connected to the Head (Jesus Christ) to see growth and fruit in my life. (vs. 19)

• Seek things that are above - things found in Christ. (vs. 3:1)

• Hide away in Christ - He is my fortress, my safe place. (vs. 3:4)

Praise God for His loving kindness and mercies that are new EVERY day!

We are enjoying the last weeks of warm weather and looking forward to snow! Yes, my 3-year-old asks about snow almost every day! Last year we got nothing besides a deep freeze. Hoping we have piles of snow this winter - just for her.

Playing in mounds of snow - two years ago.

But for now...

Fall is here!

 

A happy hearth

 

 

 

Framed branches

 

 

 

Painted pumpkins and fall candles... a few favorites.

 

 

Loved seeing many animals at Yesterland Farm.

 

Pretty fall colors found in nature!

Have a blessed, beautiful weekend!



In His GREAT Grace,

Colossians Study {Week 1}

 
I'm very excited to be co-leading another GREAT group of ladies as we study the book of Colossians this fall! Good Morning Girls makes it easy to get into God's Word each day and to apply what we are learning to our lives!

My study materials, ready to go!

 

 
So far I have been encouraged, challenged and corrected by the Word and it's only day #4!


 
Here are a few observations and applications that I have come away with this week, after reading Colossians 1:1-14.

• Paul, even in his imprisonment, prayed for the believers in Colosse. I am reminded to pray for my brothers and sisters in the Lord consistently, so matter what difficulties I face in life. (Col 1:3)

• The Word of truth, the gospel, brings forth fruit! (Col 1:5-6)

• Being fruitful in good works and increasing in our knowledge of God pleases Him! I'm reminded that fruit in our lives comes from intimacy with God, just as intimacy in the natural produces fruit of the womb. (Col 1:10)

• God's great power strengthens us to have patience and to suffer long with joy. This sounds like a contradiction, and it is - according to this world's ways. (Col 1:11)

• The Father has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints- His power, His kingdom, and eternity with Him! (Col 1:12)

• God has delivered us from the power of darkness and propelled us into His glorious light! We don't need to live in fear of spiritual darkness but live in the His light. (Col 1:13)

• And lastly, all of this in only accomplished by the power of Jesus' blood. His sacrifice has redeemed us from the power of sin. (Col 1:14)

We are not "good enough" without God's life-changing power in our lives. He is big enough and strong enough to work in and through us!

 

So many of these things I have learned before but what a blessing to be reminded of them again.
 



This momma is learning to pray and then walk it out with God's help!

Today I'm clinging to this prayer: 

"Help me to be patient and kind to all I encounter today. Bring joy to my heart, even when I have to suffer long. Remind me of your Son's sacrifice that redeemed me from sin and the power of darkness and eternal death. Thank you for qualifying me to inherit your kingdom! Amen."
 

 
God bless your week,
 



PS. Our study of Colossians is 8 weeks long. My goal is to share a little each week of what God is teaching me. May you be encouraged to know God more and dig into His Word as well!

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Hash Brown Quiche and a Thankful Heart

I hope that you had a very Happy Thanksgiving! We enjoyed the evening with my in-laws. The kids played and laughed, we ate and ate, and then headed home around 9pm. What fun!

I've been saving this recipe to share with you - it's an easy one that is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Thank you Paula Deen, yet again, for a tasty recipe that my family loves!!!

So colorful and delicious!

This is a simple, yet delicious quiche that you can add any meat or veggie to. Here is the original recipe, as I've adjusted the recipe below to what we had on hand.

Hash Brown Quiche

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients:

3 cups, shredded frozen hash browns, thawed and drained

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted

3 large eggs, beaten

1 cup half-and-half

3/4 cup browned sausage

1/4 cup diced red onion

1 roma tomato, diced

1/2 cup fresh spinach, sliced

1 cup shredded Cheddar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Gently press the drained hash browns between paper towels to dry them as best as possible. In a 9-inch pie plate, toss the hash browns with the melted butter into the plate. Press them into the bottom and up the sides to form a crust. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and starting to crisp.

After browning the sausage, remove meat to plate. Cook the onions, tomato and spinach (or any veggies you prefer) in the pan on Med heat.

Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Stir in cooked meat and veggies. When the hash brown crust is ready pour the egg mixture over it and return to the oven.

Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for about 30 minutes until the quiche is light golden brown on top and puffed.

Perfection!

I have so much to be thankful for... here are a few of those things:

 New life, after stray dogs killed two of our laying hens

Fun times making cookies with a house full of girls!

Blessed to have Grammy and Grandpa here with us for a couple of weeks!

Cousins nearby for my kids to enjoy!

A healthy, happy family!

 God bless you and your family with peace and health,




PS - This one is for you, Momma...

I love you!

I tried my hand at a pecan pie this Thanksgiving and it was a hit! Not too sweet and oh so tasty! It calls for brown and white sugar instead of corn syrup. Mmmm...

I found the recipe on Allrecipes.com and it's a keeper!

Pumpkin, Chocolate, and Pecan Pie!!!

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