As you know, today is April 1st = April Fool's Day. Yesterday, my eldest child was racking her brain for a great gag to do on a couple of friends at school. I can't say that you or I would have fallen for her gag, but she was being creative with it, so I let it slide. She filled a bottle with water and vinegar and said she was going to offer it to her friend as a "nice cold drink of water."
One of my sons saw that she was doing this and wanted one to trick his friends. So, he took a 2 liter Coke bottle and filled it with water and vinegar. I told him on the way into school that he shouldn't be disappointed if his friend didn't fall for it.
In picking my son up from school this afternoon, I asked him if he pulled the prank on his friend. He replied "Yeah, and you were right, he didn't fall for it, so I decided to try it myself....it tasted pretty good, so I drank it!"
I'm so thankful for these kids in my life. They surely do bring so much joy to our lives! We're just a little weird, and I love it!!!
Monday, April 1, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Maybe we'll have leftover Manna for slupper?
A day of rest. Did you hear that? God made a day of rest for us. Now, the question is....who takes one? Do you?
I've been trying really hard to read through the bible Chronologically within 4 months. Yikes! That's a lot of reading. But I have to tell you, what a FANTASTIC way to ingest God's Word! I'm getting major chunks of reading daily and although I'm not taking the time to study it, I'm getting the broad picture of what happened back in the days of our Biblical hero's!
One section I was reading was about how God provided for his people when they were freed from slavery in Egypt. Of course along the way, they got hungry and pleaded for God to feed them. So he did. He sent Manna from the heavens. A food that they had never seen/eaten before and one that never has been since.
He gave them specific instructions about how to go about the manna. Get up each day, for six days, and go out, gather enough manna for your household, prepare and eat! Don't save any for the next day or it will be moldy and yucky, BUT on the sixth day - you can! Gather enough for that day and the next for it is your Sabbath, Holy day, and you are to focus on the Lord.
I have been thinking of this from a mom's point of view lately. What mom can take a day of rest when there's kids to feed? I mean, yes, I could tell my 2 year old to go get her own food, but let's be honest, it'd be a sleeve of oreos and maybe unpeeled carrot. Yuck!
What if on "the sixth day" we prepared ahead of time a mid afternoon meal for our day of rest, so all you had to do was pop it into the oven and eat?! Talk about easy!
Quiche made the day before and reheated. Bake a chicken or turkey and reheat it for slupper. Lasagna, turkey dinner casserole (just layer whatever you have leftover!), pulled pork & coleslaw. There's tons of options! Maybe we'll have a little leftover Manna for Slupper?
Here's what I propose: Feed the kids breakfast. I'm not talking pancakes and bacon either! Something simple, yet filling. Fruit and cereal? A yogurt smoothie with homemade yogurt? How about a loaded muffin that you've already made?
After church, we usually take a little drive, listen to our church's "second service" and sip iced tea for the kids and coffee for mom while dad is rockin' the guitar at church for the second service. We might even take a snack with us and really, we aren't all that hungry right at noon, so waiting for 2:00-ish isn't that big of a deal.
Heat up our slupper and Bada-Bing! Everyone's fed and it took no time at all.
Have a little yogurt and fruit for an evening snack and all is well.
Just offering one way to "rest" on your day of rest!
Blessings to you all.
I've been trying really hard to read through the bible Chronologically within 4 months. Yikes! That's a lot of reading. But I have to tell you, what a FANTASTIC way to ingest God's Word! I'm getting major chunks of reading daily and although I'm not taking the time to study it, I'm getting the broad picture of what happened back in the days of our Biblical hero's!
One section I was reading was about how God provided for his people when they were freed from slavery in Egypt. Of course along the way, they got hungry and pleaded for God to feed them. So he did. He sent Manna from the heavens. A food that they had never seen/eaten before and one that never has been since.
He gave them specific instructions about how to go about the manna. Get up each day, for six days, and go out, gather enough manna for your household, prepare and eat! Don't save any for the next day or it will be moldy and yucky, BUT on the sixth day - you can! Gather enough for that day and the next for it is your Sabbath, Holy day, and you are to focus on the Lord.
I have been thinking of this from a mom's point of view lately. What mom can take a day of rest when there's kids to feed? I mean, yes, I could tell my 2 year old to go get her own food, but let's be honest, it'd be a sleeve of oreos and maybe unpeeled carrot. Yuck!
What if on "the sixth day" we prepared ahead of time a mid afternoon meal for our day of rest, so all you had to do was pop it into the oven and eat?! Talk about easy!
Quiche made the day before and reheated. Bake a chicken or turkey and reheat it for slupper. Lasagna, turkey dinner casserole (just layer whatever you have leftover!), pulled pork & coleslaw. There's tons of options! Maybe we'll have a little leftover Manna for Slupper?
Here's what I propose: Feed the kids breakfast. I'm not talking pancakes and bacon either! Something simple, yet filling. Fruit and cereal? A yogurt smoothie with homemade yogurt? How about a loaded muffin that you've already made?
After church, we usually take a little drive, listen to our church's "second service" and sip iced tea for the kids and coffee for mom while dad is rockin' the guitar at church for the second service. We might even take a snack with us and really, we aren't all that hungry right at noon, so waiting for 2:00-ish isn't that big of a deal.
Heat up our slupper and Bada-Bing! Everyone's fed and it took no time at all.
Have a little yogurt and fruit for an evening snack and all is well.
Just offering one way to "rest" on your day of rest!
Blessings to you all.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Homemade Yogurt
Buying yogurt can get expensive! It makes me think twice when I would like to make a smoothie because they chew up quite a bit of yogurt to feed our sized family. So I decided to research the yogurt making process myself and settled on an easy, no fuss way to make it.
There are several recipes out there and several processes, so if you are wanting to make yogurt for digestive reasons, there may be a better method out there to have better "good bacteria" qualities. For me, it was for the protein and smoothie, so simple and easy was my goal.
I love this website for many reasons, but The Frugal Girl is who I learned from and I've been very happy with the results. I hope you will be too! Enjoy!
There are several recipes out there and several processes, so if you are wanting to make yogurt for digestive reasons, there may be a better method out there to have better "good bacteria" qualities. For me, it was for the protein and smoothie, so simple and easy was my goal.
I love this website for many reasons, but The Frugal Girl is who I learned from and I've been very happy with the results. I hope you will be too! Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Too good not to share!
I wanted to bake something and in my pursuit of the perfect recipe, I came across this pumpkin spice cinnamon roll recipe that looked incredibly yummy so I gave it a shot. WINNER! Oh. My. I will have to limit myself to making these little fat bombs to just once in a while cause I could have eaten the whole pan! WOOO!
These little honey's are too good not to share so I'm going to! I wish I had noted which website I got it from so I could give the original pumpkin spice cinnamon roll chef all the credit, but I didn't, so just know, somewhere out there is a cinnamon roll master chef!
These little honey's are too good not to share so I'm going to! I wish I had noted which website I got it from so I could give the original pumpkin spice cinnamon roll chef all the credit, but I didn't, so just know, somewhere out there is a cinnamon roll master chef!
Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon
Rolls
Dough:
4 to 4-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1/3 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice,
2 eggs
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
Filling:
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon melted butter
Cream Cheese Frosting to top for absolute delciousness!
1. Combine flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and baking powder (if using) in a large bowl; set aside. In a stand mixer
2. Combine all the filling ingredients in a small bowl and set aside until ready to use. Grease a 9x13 pan and set aside.
3. Roll dough out on a floured surface into a 16x12 rectangle. Spread dough with melted butter and sprinkle filling evenly across to the edges. Starting from the longer side, begin making a tight roll, gently pressing the "seam" together as you go. Cut the roll into 12 equal pieces using a sharp. Carefully place each slice flat side down in the prepared 9x13 pan side by side. Allow the rolls to rise another hour in a warm area or until rolls have just about reached the top of your pan and almost doubled in size.
4 to 4-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1/3 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice,
2 eggs
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
Filling:
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon melted butter
Cream Cheese Frosting to top for absolute delciousness!
1. Combine flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and baking powder (if using) in a large bowl; set aside. In a stand mixer
2. Combine all the filling ingredients in a small bowl and set aside until ready to use. Grease a 9x13 pan and set aside.
3. Roll dough out on a floured surface into a 16x12 rectangle. Spread dough with melted butter and sprinkle filling evenly across to the edges. Starting from the longer side, begin making a tight roll, gently pressing the "seam" together as you go. Cut the roll into 12 equal pieces using a sharp. Carefully place each slice flat side down in the prepared 9x13 pan side by side. Allow the rolls to rise another hour in a warm area or until rolls have just about reached the top of your pan and almost doubled in size.
4. While the rolls rise
you can prepare the frosting.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Once rolls have risen: Bake the pumpkin rolls for 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden. Allow the rolls to cool (I let mine cool just till warm, not hot - unless you want your frosting to melt entirely); frost; EAT! :D
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Once rolls have risen: Bake the pumpkin rolls for 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden. Allow the rolls to cool (I let mine cool just till warm, not hot - unless you want your frosting to melt entirely); frost; EAT! :D
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Need Peace?
It never fails - this time of year my husband and I both tend to fight stress.
To be honest, I am starting to (finally) view this as Satan's way of trying to steal our joy. The joy of celebrating the best time of year - the time when we were given the ultimate gift of a redeemer that would pay once for all time the penalty of sin.
My husband is a carpenter by trade. Christmas time tends to put a halt on building and renovations - I mean, common, who doesn't want to have sheet rock dust all through their home when they're trying to decorate?! Totally understandable. Regardless of knowing why things get sketchy with work this time of year, we still stress out a little wondering what he'll have for work if any.
With that said, a couple of winters ago, things were incredibly stressful. I was having panic attacks (was this my lack of faith in my God who is able? I believe it was. I was not in control, nor was my husband and that looked scary!) and remember thinking "there's nothing I can do about this situation, I'd better pray about it and look for comfort from God's word." So I did.
While going through many pages, I decided to just read verses I had underlined from other times I read it and found it "extra meaningful". Man, those words, those verses, were like espresso coffee mixed with soothing calmness that just covered my mind, my heart and my soul. (in other words, they were very exhilarating as I remembered what my Lord had said and promised, and He calmed my racing heart - all at the same time. Very good, by the way. lol)
It was then I started a peace journal. I needed quick access to my lifeline. Those verses. It's not like this just happened once and it was done with. No. I had to continually run to Him throughout that season of our lives and be reminded again from His word and to pour out my concerns to Him through prayer. This is what I later understood to be "giving it over to God."
Every time the stress of something would attack, I would pray and ask God to help me not to worry, to remember what he promised and to leave my concern with Him. Then (a crucial part) I would make myself think about something else. Something good. Count my blessings. And for goodness sake, I couldn't sit idol.
God is so good. We made it through that season. We survived. Barely, at times, it seemed, but here we are, looking to see what God has in store for us this winter. It's scary, yet exciting, sometimes humbling. And that's ok.
Do you need peace? Let me share some verses with you that helped us. (see link Peace Journal below) Or maybe the journey of finding your own is better. Regardless, read them slowly and listen as you speak them out loud. Put your name in there if you can. Remember what God promised. I just printed a copy off myself this morning for my husband and even as I was preparing that for him, I found my soul refreshed and calmed.
It may not be a perfect life, but really, we're just passing through - it was never meant to be all roses.
To be honest, I am starting to (finally) view this as Satan's way of trying to steal our joy. The joy of celebrating the best time of year - the time when we were given the ultimate gift of a redeemer that would pay once for all time the penalty of sin.
My husband is a carpenter by trade. Christmas time tends to put a halt on building and renovations - I mean, common, who doesn't want to have sheet rock dust all through their home when they're trying to decorate?! Totally understandable. Regardless of knowing why things get sketchy with work this time of year, we still stress out a little wondering what he'll have for work if any.
With that said, a couple of winters ago, things were incredibly stressful. I was having panic attacks (was this my lack of faith in my God who is able? I believe it was. I was not in control, nor was my husband and that looked scary!) and remember thinking "there's nothing I can do about this situation, I'd better pray about it and look for comfort from God's word." So I did.
While going through many pages, I decided to just read verses I had underlined from other times I read it and found it "extra meaningful". Man, those words, those verses, were like espresso coffee mixed with soothing calmness that just covered my mind, my heart and my soul. (in other words, they were very exhilarating as I remembered what my Lord had said and promised, and He calmed my racing heart - all at the same time. Very good, by the way. lol)
It was then I started a peace journal. I needed quick access to my lifeline. Those verses. It's not like this just happened once and it was done with. No. I had to continually run to Him throughout that season of our lives and be reminded again from His word and to pour out my concerns to Him through prayer. This is what I later understood to be "giving it over to God."
Every time the stress of something would attack, I would pray and ask God to help me not to worry, to remember what he promised and to leave my concern with Him. Then (a crucial part) I would make myself think about something else. Something good. Count my blessings. And for goodness sake, I couldn't sit idol.
God is so good. We made it through that season. We survived. Barely, at times, it seemed, but here we are, looking to see what God has in store for us this winter. It's scary, yet exciting, sometimes humbling. And that's ok.
Do you need peace? Let me share some verses with you that helped us. (see link Peace Journal below) Or maybe the journey of finding your own is better. Regardless, read them slowly and listen as you speak them out loud. Put your name in there if you can. Remember what God promised. I just printed a copy off myself this morning for my husband and even as I was preparing that for him, I found my soul refreshed and calmed.
It may not be a perfect life, but really, we're just passing through - it was never meant to be all roses.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Oh, I'm going there!
It's the beginning of November and I'm seeing blog posts of my favorite bloggers with Christmas titles. At first I was a tad bit frustrated about it because I find Christmas can be a little stressful for me. Then once I got thinking about it, I thought, you know, planning for Jesus birthday should take lots of preparation, kind of like a 50th BIG BASH or a major Anniversary party or something, but EVEN bigger....I mean, seriously, do you know his family! They're Royalty! That should cause me to put my BEST efforts into gear planning for his birthday!
So, oh, I'm going there! I need to talk and plan for Christmas now, so I don't ruin his birthday by stressing out about money or gifts or the stuff that doesn't matter!
My hubby once shared a line with me that he heard once and I do believe it could be applied here. "Proper planning prevents poor performance." Not that I think Christmas is a performance, but I do think it needs proper planning in order for it to be focused and meaningful! (I totally can get caught up in the "expectation" of what it should look like, and I'm a serious procrastinator to boot!)
So, what should a celebration for Jesus look like? What do you do for his birthday? I'd love to hear your comments on this.
So, oh, I'm going there! I need to talk and plan for Christmas now, so I don't ruin his birthday by stressing out about money or gifts or the stuff that doesn't matter!
My hubby once shared a line with me that he heard once and I do believe it could be applied here. "Proper planning prevents poor performance." Not that I think Christmas is a performance, but I do think it needs proper planning in order for it to be focused and meaningful! (I totally can get caught up in the "expectation" of what it should look like, and I'm a serious procrastinator to boot!)
So, what should a celebration for Jesus look like? What do you do for his birthday? I'd love to hear your comments on this.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Hey You! Yah, you! Wanna Party For Jesus?
It's Party Time!!!
My heart rate is going through the roof, I can hardly stand the excitement of sharing this with you. Shoeboxes. Who would have thought that filling a shoebox would bring us just as much joy as those we pack them for!
BLAWICKQLCJJPQJKFHBNDKWPFUVND. BLAAAAAA! I have so many thoughts running through my head I'm having a hard time getting it down here!
First things first. What shoeboxes?
Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritans Purse, is a wonderful way to be the hands and feet of Jesus to oppressed and needy children.
So many kids, so many needs and we get to be part of God's love around the world just in time for Jesus Birthday! In Luke 10:30-37 Jesus tells about a good Samaritan who helped a man that was attacked by robbers and left for dead. He didn't know him, didn't owe him anything, he was just helping in a time of need. He gives us a clear picture of God's desire for us to help those in need wherever we find them. Jesus said at the end of his story to “Go and do likewise.”
SO LETS DO THAT!
Ok, here's the deal. I want to have a shoebox packing party on Saturday, November 10th. I'm thinking 6:30pm sounds like a great time to start. YOU are invited! If you'd like to help pack shoeboxes for needy kids all over the world, please come!
I have tons of shoeboxes (ordered them from OCC website!), so we don't need those, just the fillers to go in them! All you need to do is drop me an email and let me know you're coming and I'll send you a list of items still needed for the packing party. You can then pick item(s) that you would be willing to bring several of and together we will fill boxes! They do need to have a $7 donation to ship the box as well, so if you could help out with at least 1 shipping fee, that would be STUPENDOUS! (Last year we made our donation online and just before Christmas OCC sent us an email telling us what country our package was delivered to! We opened that email Christmas morning.....loved it!)
The more people we can get involved the more fun it will be and the more boxes we can pack and send.
I can not wait! What a great way to wish Jesus a Happy Birthday!!!!!!
****UPDATE****
We had a blast! We were able to fill 33 boxes for these kids this night. Combined with our church's afterschool program, we filled 56 boxes!!! YAY!! Thank you for all who helped out.
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