Let it Snow: Duggar Style (Part 2)

Yesterday, we posted photos of the Duggars' epic, February 2011 snow day. After an exhausting afternoon of sledding and igloo building, the Duggars head inside for...more snow?

Snow ice cream is a Duggar family tradition. (Almost as popular as tater tot casserole!) With a reputation like that, it has to be good!

Snow Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 to 2 cups sugar, to taste
• 1 teaspoon imitation vanilla or 1/2 teaspoon real vanilla 
• 1 quart heavy whipping cream or half-and-half
• 6 quarts clean, fresh snow (fluffy, not packed)

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vanilla, and whipping cream. 
2. Add snow, 2 cups at a time.
3. Stir until mixture is ice cream consistency.

*This recipe is found on page 160 of the Duggars' first book, "20 and Counting."

 

Find more delicious Duggar recipes on our Recipes page! 

Let it Snow: Duggar Style (Part 1)

 (Winters in Northwest Arkansas are moderate, so you can imagine the Duggars' surprise when they woke up to two feet of snow last February. Yes, you read that right. Not two centimeters or two inches, but a whopping two feet of fluffy, white snow.

"We normally only get about, at the most, like two or three inches," Jim Bob Duggar told us during our live interview the following day.

In the spirit of the season, we thought it would be fun to share pictures from their snow day. Come back tomorrow for the Duggars' Snow Ice Cream recipe!

 Josiah

 Jason

James

 Joy-Anna and friend Alaythia Wissmann (building an igloo)

 Justin

 

 Jinger

 Jill

 Jennifer Hartono (foreign exchange student) 

 Sledding with Jason, Jill, and Joy

James, Justin, and friend Nathanael Wissmann 

Enjoying refreshments before heading back outside

How common is snow in your area?

Update from TLC: Duggars Returning?

We already know that the Duggars will not be returning in January. How about February?

Here's the latest: TLC has informed us that the "19 Kids and Counting" TV schedule has not been finalized. More information will be available in the coming weeks.

Hoping for late February,
Lily and Ellie   

"Life at the Pond" Giveaway Winner

The Life at the Pond giveaway ended last night, and we have a winner! 

Congratulations to...

Angie S!

Thanks to all who entered. Look for more Duggar Family Blog giveaways in the near future.  

If Angie does not respond to our email within 72 hours, we will choose another winner.

Quiet and Still: Teaching Self-Control

To instill self-control in her children--especially her energetic little boys--Michelle uses a process that she calls Quite and Still (similar to Blanket Training, but without the toy). From the time they are young, the mother of many teaches her kids to sit quietly and slowly increases the length of time.

"It's not waiting until they do something wrong to correct them, but actually taking moments to train them," explains Michelle in our July 2011 interview. She recommends starting with increments of five minutes. 

Here's how it works:

"I'll sit him in a chair, and I'll say, 'Okay, Mommy's going to sit beside you, and you're going to practice being still and quiet...yes ma'am?'...We may do that two or three times a day for about a week, and usually they catch it."

"What they're learning is self-control. (Click here for the Duggars' list of character qualities)...They're learning to obey Mommy's voice." One of Michelle's favorite mantras is "The first time I say it, you obey it."

"Then it can be transferred to when you're in the grocery store and they're sitting in the cart....They can learn to do that wherever they are because it's trained in their little hearts."

Michelle also stresses the importance of pouring out the praise. She and Jim Bob believe that one of the most vital parenting tips is to "praise your children ten times more than you correct them."

Duggar Name Meanings

Just because you are one of twenty-one doesn't mean that you aren't unique. Each of the Duggar children has a name with a distinct meaning (who knew there were so many "J" names out there?). Take a look at the list below, and get an idea of what Jim Bob and Michelle were thinking when they welcomed each of their blessings into the world.
*Why so many "J" names? Click here to find out!

Joshua: God is salvation

Jana: God is gracious

John-David: God’s Grace

Jill: Youthful

Jessa: God beholds

Jinger: Pep; liveliness

Joseph: The Lord’s addition (to the family)

Josiah: Jehovah helps

Joy-Anna: Rejoicing; jubilation

Jedidiah: Friend of God; loved by God

Jeremiah: Exalted by God

Jason: Healer

James: Supplant; replace

Justin: Just; fair

Jackson: God’s grace

Johannah: God is gracious

Jennifer: Pure and yielding

Jordyn-Grace: Jordyn: flowing down; Grace: God’s favor

Josie: God will add 

Caleb: Whole hearted
Jubilee Shalom: Joyful celebration of peace

Jim-Bob (James): Supplant; replace

Michelle: Who resembles God

Anna: Favored grace

Mackynzie: Fair; favored one

Michael: Who resembles God

What does your name mean?

Video: Michelle on Healthy Marriage

Another fabulous video interview with Michelle Duggar! This time, hear the mom of many share how she and Jim Bob maintain a healthy marriage. 
Visit our "Photos & Videos" page for more.

Duggar Update

The Duggars are still hard at work on the campaign trail. Earlier this month, Jim Bob took twelve of the children to Iowa to show their support for Santorum. He and Michelle then drove down to South Carolina with John-David, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger and were met by Josh and Anna (along with Mackynzie and Michael). The family is currently campaigning in Florida, where they are enjoying sun and temperatures in the low 80s.

“We’ve been spending a lot of time on the bus,” Jim Bob tells Politico in a recent interview. The Duggars are also in constant communication with their younger children, who are at home with Grandma and Jana. They have also flown back and forth from Springdale, Arkansas, multiple times.

Bates and Duggars Play Bluegrass

The Bates family met the Duggars in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Listen to the older children perform bluegrass. 

Day in the Life of a Duggar

With so many little ones, the Duggar home is bustling. The family does their best to stick to a schedule, but that does not always happen.

"We have goals, but then we have reality!" explain the Duggars on their website. We are learning to practice flexibility...We try to make each day fun." 

Duggar Daily Schedule

7:30: Get up/Dress
8:00: Breakfast (cereal or something simple)
         Bible time (Proverbs)
8:30: Jurisdictions (Chores)
9:00: Music practice and individual studies
Grades 3 and up: Switched On Schoolhouse and Teaching Textbooks (for higher mathematics). Younger children: Sing, Spell, Read & Write, ACE paces, and "Bible Copy" (writing out passages of scripture)
12:00: Lunch (Prepared by one of the older children; everyone helps clean up)
1:30: Children under four: Naptime
         Older kids: Scripture and Character Qualities memorization (with hand motions). Wisdom Booklet group studies (science, history, law, and medicine) with Mom.
3:00: Free time (after music practice and individual studies are completed)
6:00: Dinner (Prepared by one of the older children; everyone helps clean up)
         Free time
         Baths for the little ones
9:00: Bible time (study scripture, recap the day, share prayer requests, make announcements)
The older children often congregate into our room after Bibletime, and sometimes we’ll stay up for hours talking! I know we will one day look back on these nights as some of our most precious times together.

Each child also has an individual daily checklist, allowing Jim Bob and Michelle to award their children for responsibility.

Duggar Trivia Answers

Here are the answers to yesterday's Duggar trivia questions:

1. Were Jim Bob and Michelle homeschooled as children? No. Both attended traditional, brick-and-mortar schools.
2. Name at least one country that the Duggars visited on their World Tour. England, Ireland, Israel, and Scotland. 
3. Where were Mackynzie and Michael born? Both were home births.
4. How many of the Duggar kids are adults (eighteen or older)? Six (Josh, Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger)

Duggars in Florence, SC

Meet the Duggars at Chick-fil-A in Florence, SC, at 2016 S Irby Street at 2:30PM EST!

Joseph Duggar's 17th Birthday

Happy 17th Birthday, Joseph Duggar!

Duggar Trivia

Test your knowledge of the Duggar family by answering the following trivia questions. Post your guesses as a comment, and we will reveal the answers on Friday at 3:00 PM EST/2:00 PM CST.

1. Were Jim Bob and Michelle homeschooled as children?
2. Name at least one country that the Duggars visited on their World Tour.
3. Where were Mackynzie and Michael born?
4. How many of the Duggar kids are adults (eighteen or older)?

Duggars on Politics and Family

For the past few weeks, the Duggars have been traveling with presidential candidate Rick Santorum, but this is not their first time supporting a political figure. What made the family decided to become involved in politics?

The revelation occurred back in 1997, when Jim Bob Duggar felt called to run for the Arkansas House of Representatives and won. After completing two terms, Jim Bob campaigned for a seat in the United States Senate and lost, but that was just the beginning. The large family made national headlines when an AP photographer snapped a picture of Jim Bob and Michelle and their clan walking into the polls on election day. One thing led to another, and the Duggars were filming their first documentary for TLC.

Since that day, the Duggars have not only been filming reality TV regularly, but they have also been actively involved in politics. Hear Jim Bob and Michelle explain how politics has influenced their family in the following video:

Video: Highlights from Chick-fil-A

Here are some highlights from the Duggars' musical performance and political speech at Chick-fil-A in Greenville, South Carolina:

Video no longer available

Duggars' Schedule: January 18th

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and five of their older children (John, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, and Josh), as well as Anna, Mackynzie, and Michael, have been campaigning throughout South Carolina. What are they up to on Wednesday, January 18th? Let's take a look! 

1. One of our loyal readers kindly informed us that the Duggars are scheduled to be at Hampton Park Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina at 9:00 AM. This event has not been confirmed.

Hampton Park Baptist Church
875 State Park Rd
Greenville, SC
Phone: (864) 232-5691
Website: http://www.hamptonpark.org/

2. At 9:30 AM, Jim Bob and Michelle and five of the children will be at Christian Supply in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The store advises visitors to "arrive early because we don't know how long the Duggars will be staying." This even has been confirmed.

Christian Supply
1600 John B. White Sr. Blvd.
Spartanburg, SC
Phone: (864) 595-2626 (Toll Free: 1-800-845-7618)
Website: http://www.christiansupply.com/

3. At 10:45 AM, the Duggars will be at the Beacon Drive-In with Rick Santorum. This even has been confirmed. 

The Beacon Drive-In

255 John B. White Sr. Boulevard 
Spartanburg, SC

Phone: 864.585.9387 
Website: http://www.beacondrivein.com/   

4. Word on the street is that the Duggars will be at Santorum's Summit Point Conference Center rally at 5:00 PM in the Grand Ballroom. This event has not been confirmed.

Summit Point Conference Center
805 Spartan Blvd.
Spartanburg, SC

Duggars at Carolina Pregnancy Center

The Duggars are not only campaigning but are also reaching out to local organizations. Yesterday, the family stopped by the Carolina Pregnancy Center to show their support for the cause. Watch them in action in the following video:

Duggars at Greenville Chick-fil-A

If you live near Greenville, South Carolina, and are still deciding which presidential candidate to support, head to the Chick-fil-A at 3890 Pelham Rd tomorrow! The Duggars will be speaking about why they support Santorum from 3:30-5:30PM.  

"Our goal in coming here is to get the word out to folks in South Carolina that this is the family-values candidate,” says Jim Bob Duggar.

Where are the Duggars?

The new year found the Duggars in Des Moines, Iowa, and the surrounding area. What were they up to? Jim Bob and Michelle and twelve of their children were campaigning with presidential candidate Rick Santorum.

After finishing off in the Hawkeye State, eight of the kids returned home, and the rest headed to South Carolina with mom and dad to continue showing their support for Santorum. Among other cities, they have stopped in Columbia, Greenville, and Rock Hill. Today, the Duggars are at a rally in Greer.

Video: Anna and Michael Duggar

Anna Duggar and 7-month-old son Michael Duggar at a rally in Iowa:

Duggars' Choice for U.S. President

For the past ten days, the Duggars have been campaigning with presidential candidate Rick Santorum. Why do the Duggars support Rick Santorum for U.S. president? Michelle explains in the following video.

To spread the word, the family inscribed their bus with the words "Rick Santorum for President: Join the Fight."


Rick Santorum from WMtek Inc on Vimeo.

"Life at the Pond" Giveaway!

In 2010, the Duggars recorded an audio episode of Life at the Pond, "19,000 Frogs and Counting," and we're giving you the chance to win a copy!

 Keep reading to find out how to enter our latest giveaway!

TO ENTER

Post a comment with your first name and last initial.

For optional extra entries, do one or more of the following. (Each option must be submitted as an individual comment in order to count as an additional entry): 

1. Become a Google Follower of the blog, and leave a comment on the blog letting us know. If you were already a follower, please leave a comment as well.  
2. "Like" the Duggar Family Blog Facebook page, and leave a comment letting us know. If you were already a fan, please leave a comment as well. 
3. Write a post about this giveaway on your website or blog, and leave a comment letting us know. Must include the URL of your post that mentions our giveaway. 
4. Become a follower of DuggarBlog on Twitter, and leave a comment letting us know. If you are already a follower, please leave a comment as well.  
5. Sign up for email updates, and leave a comment letting us know. If you already receive email updates, please leave a comment as well.    

RULES

To qualify for the giveaway, you must include your first name and last initial in each comment.

We need a way to contact the winner, so include your email address in one of your comments, or send your email address to DuggarFamilyBlog@gmail.com (along with your first name and last initial). If you are the winner, we will shoot you an email asking for your shipping address.

The giveaway is open to anyone and everyone.

To qualify, all comments must be posted to this blog. They will not be accepted if they are posted to Facebook or Twitter. 

 

In the event that the prize becomes unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value.

Giveaway ends Friday, January 27th at 9PM EST/8PM CST.
 

Ready, Set, GO!

Oldest Duggar Twins Turn 22!

Time to celebrate the first Duggar birthday of the New Year!

Happy 22nd Birthday, Jana and John-David!

Q&A With Michelle

In spring 2011, CBN visited the Duggar home and interviewed Michelle. We have posted a few video clips from their chat, but we still have many more! In this one, Michelle answers questions from CBN's Facebook page. Even though the answers were given last year, they provide wonderful insight into the Duggars' way of life.

Video no longer available

Play MakaziVille!

Looking for an appropriate computer game for your children (or for yourself)? The Duggars have partnered with OneVerse to create MakaziVille, a wholesome game that is both fun and educational. The game has been up and running for a short time, and the Duggar kids have all been playing.

“Children are often consumed in games with a narrow, materialistic worldview," explains Jim Bob Duggar. "This game presents a fun, safe way to learn about another culture, and most importantly, how the Gospel’s powerful message can bring hope to those in need."

MakaziVille is geared towards ages 5 and up and is free to play.
   

Duggars Promote MakaziVille from WMtek Inc on Vimeo.

Update: Duggars Returning to TLC?

Here is an update for all of our eager readers: We have not yet been notified of the start date of the new season. There is a rumor that "19 Kids and Counting" will premiere on January 22nd. However, TLC currently has other shows planned for that day. We will keep you posted.

Duggar Photo Album

Enjoy this collection of photos from the Duggar family archives.

Duggars at Yosemite National Park (16 kids)

Spring 2006

Young Johannah deep in conversation

Hiking at Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas

July 2007

Jim Bob and Michelle

2006

Jill, Jana, and Johannah at Times Square

2006

Jeremiah practices violin

2007

Duggar sisters (Jana through Jennifer)

2007

Joy-Anna and Johannah

2007

Jana and Jessa

2010

Jim Bob and Josie wave to the camera

2010

Josiah indulges at Jumbo Slice Pizza in Washington D.C.
2010

Duggars and friends visit Washington D.C. Holocaust Museum

2010

Jinger and Jessa make a Starbucks run

2010

Duggar boys chill out at Chicago's Navy Pier
2010

Duggars Returning Soon?

Hi Readers! Hope you all had (and are still having, in some time zones) a wonderful weekend!

The question of the hour: When will the Duggars return? Word on the streets is that new episodes of 19 Kids and Counting will premier on January 22nd. It is not an official announcement [yet], but we will keep you posted.

Duggar Recipe: Buckeyes

Did you know that Michelle is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio? It's no coincidence that one of her favorite desserts are called Buckeyes. These mouth-watering morsels filled with peanut butter and chocolate are a staple at the Duggars' holiday feasts and are usually provided by one of Michelle's older sisters.

Are you drooling yet? We have posted the recipe below, so you can head to the kitchen right now and whip up a batch. Share your Buckeyes with family and friends, or eat them all on your own (not recommended).

Buckeyes

Ingredients: 

Balls:
1 lb. peanut butter
1 lb. powdered sugar
2 sticks melted butter

Shell:
1/2 slab paraffin wax (optional)**
12 oz. chocolate chips

Directions: 

Combine all ball ingredients. Mix and shape into balls, then let cool on tray in freezer. Combine all shell ingredients in double boiler on low. Dip balls in shell with toothpick. Cool on waxed paper. Store in layers on wax paper. 

**What is paraffin wax, and is it necessary? 

Paraffin wax is made from palm oil derivatives, vegetable oils, synthetic resins and other materials. It is used on fruits, vegetables, candy, and chocolate to make them shiny. It is edible, but not everyone can tolerate it. (People who are allergic to aspirin may be allergic to paraffin.) If you prefer not to use paraffin, properly tempering the chocolate will give the same effect. It all depends on how you treat the chocolate and the temperatures to which the Buckeyes will be exposed.

Video: Michelle Duggar's Childhood

Many of our readers have asked about Michelle Duggar's childhood. How many siblings did she have? How did she spend her free time? Uncover the answers to these questions and more in the following video.
(You can read more about Michelle's early years in her and Jim Bob's first book, The Duggars: 20 and Counting!.)

Video no longer available

Words of Wisdom from Michelle

Michelle will be the first to tell you that she is by no means a professional parent. She is constantly reminding her children that life is a classroom, and there is something to learn from every situation.

As a mother of 19 children (and two in heaven), she has a lot of wisdom under her belt. Let's take a look at a few of her favorite sayings. Michelle shares these quotes with her children on a regular basis, so if you watch the show, you will see the kids putting them to practice (or at least making an honest effort).

1. Look for benefits in the trials you are facing.

2. To be a friend, you must show yourself friendly. 

3. Sincerity is being as genuine on the inside as we appear to be on the outside. 

4. Guard your heart by what you hear, see, and think.

5. Be an energy giver, not an energy taker.

6. Think before you speak. Words have the power to hurt or heal.

7. If you can't say something nice, then don't say nothin' at all.  (coined by Thumper in Bambi)

8. Whisper when in a public place.

9. Do all things without grumbling or complaining.

10. Think of one good quality you see in a person, and share it with them.

Discussion Question

What do you admire most about the Duggar family?

Recap of the Duggars' 2011

It has been a busy year for Jim Bob and Michelle and the kids! Let's take a quick look at the Duggars' 2011:

January 2011: Twins Jana and John-David turned 21.

February: The Duggars woke up to two feet of snow--a record for Northwest Arkansas. The following day, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jim Bob and Michelle on Nina Frye's Living the Dream Mom radio show. A few days later, a brief snippet of our October interview with Michelle was heard on 19 Kids and Counting,  "Duggars All Aboard."

March: Josh and Anna Duggar announced to the world--in a creative, non-conventional way--the gender of their second child. 

April: the family made their annual trek to the ATI homeschool conference in Texas and had a close call with a destructive storm system.

May: When Joplin was devastated by the infamous, May 22th tornado, the Duggars loaded up a caravan of supplies and spent hours searching for survivors amidst the rubble.

June: After the release of the Duggars' second book, A Love That Multiplies, the entire family piled onto their bus and departed on a book tour. Then on June 15th, Anna Duggar gave birth to her second child, Michael James Duggar.

July: We interviewed Michelle and Anna Duggar. That same evening, the family left for Atlanta to fulfill speaking engagements and book-signings.

August: The Duggars spent time witnessing in Washington D.C. with evangelist Ray Comfort.

September: On the 2nd, 26 Duggars (Jim Bob and Michelle and their kids, Anna, Mackynzie, Michael, Grandma Duggar, and cousin Amy), headed overseas for the trip of a lifetime. In a period of less than three weeks, they visited Scotland, Ireland, England, and Israel. Upon returning, they headed to Atlanta to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

October: The family spoke at the LifeWay Kids Ministry Conference in Nashville. The younger kids gave an entertaining performance of "I've Been Redeemed" that had the crowd roaring with laughter. (Watch the video here.) 

November: The Duggars made headlines when they announced that they were expecting their 20th child. 

December: The family was again featured in national news when they received the tragic news of their miscarriage. Following a memorial service for Jubilee Shalom Duggar, Jim Bob and Michelle and the kids cleared their schedules to grieve. But they still made time to celebrate their five December birthdays (Josie's 2nd, Jordyn's 3rd, Jinger's 18th, and Jedidiah and Jeremiah's 13th).