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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Ready for the New Year!
We had a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Lord! We spent time with our families and friends and ate and ate and ate! Now it is time to get back on a diet and start the new year off right! :-) (right along with the rest of America) The kids are still out of school this week. We will start back next Monday. I hope to get things back in order this week and get some fun things planned for school. (field trips etc..)
When we moved, we had to leave a family pet behind because we could not find him. The people that we sold our house to called my parents (who live next door to them) to let them know that they had our cat! She kept him in the house until I could get there....so now...we have three cats, a dog, a fish, a bird and four goats...all we need now is a few chickens! :-)
I hope you all have a happy new year!
When we moved, we had to leave a family pet behind because we could not find him. The people that we sold our house to called my parents (who live next door to them) to let them know that they had our cat! She kept him in the house until I could get there....so now...we have three cats, a dog, a fish, a bird and four goats...all we need now is a few chickens! :-)
I hope you all have a happy new year!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Mercy Every Minute
This was a story from The oldschoolhouse magazine and it touched my heart. Please read and remember God's goodness..Merry Christmas!
Mercy Every Minute
Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor
ORANGES FOR CHRISTMAS
It was Christmas, 1975, and I was in the sixth grade. Two of my very favorite childhood things were Christmas and oranges! What do oranges and Christmas have in common? To this young girl, they spoke of a faithful and loving God who answered prayer. Let me tell you my favorite true Christmas story.
Our family was very poor; 1975 was the worst year we had ever had. We were selling everything out of our garage; living from day to day.
On Sundays we attended church at the Rescue Mission and served food to the homeless. We also ate our meal there. We especially liked the stale and sticky, day-old donuts. They were delicious to those of us who had to eat turnip soup regularly.
At Thanksgiving, we helped serve the meal at the mission as usual, but my Mom began to pray and ask God if He would allow us to have Christmas dinner in our own home. A financial impossibility, but she had great faith, until Christmas Eve.
That night, Mom went into her bedroom and prayed while we watched football. She wondered how she could make the macaroni and cheese and hot dogs special, but to no avail. Hot dogs were hot dogs, and this was Christmas!
Not much was under our artificial tree except a few small trinkets Dad and Mom found at the thrift store. I can still remember the little box that opened with a snap and held a little Indian and his maiden dressed in leather and beads. But, I can't remember which football team was winning when the doorbell rang.
Standing at the door was a timid man and his wife, "Does Suzanne live here?" Dad answered in the affirmative as Mom came out. "We found you!" They said they had no idea where we lived, but they prayed and were directed to our house. They were as amazed as we were that they had found us.
Then it happened. . .in came boxes of food. There was the biggest turkey you ever saw, ham, candy, nuts, fruit and all the trimmings for the finest Christmas meal! Dad was laughing, Mom was crying, and my sisters and I were smiling from ear to ear. God had not forgotten us, but had found a family that would be His hands that Christmas Eve and bring a meal in His Name.
What spoke of God's love for that sixth grade, red-haired, little girl, and what I remember most in all those boxes, were the biggest, brightest oranges I had ever seen! I knew that those oranges were a gift straight from God to me, and ever since then I have been a firm believer that God answered mother's prayers and that He loves His red-haired little girl.
~Deborah
"O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Psalm 34:8
Mercy Every Minute
Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor
ORANGES FOR CHRISTMAS
It was Christmas, 1975, and I was in the sixth grade. Two of my very favorite childhood things were Christmas and oranges! What do oranges and Christmas have in common? To this young girl, they spoke of a faithful and loving God who answered prayer. Let me tell you my favorite true Christmas story.
Our family was very poor; 1975 was the worst year we had ever had. We were selling everything out of our garage; living from day to day.
On Sundays we attended church at the Rescue Mission and served food to the homeless. We also ate our meal there. We especially liked the stale and sticky, day-old donuts. They were delicious to those of us who had to eat turnip soup regularly.
At Thanksgiving, we helped serve the meal at the mission as usual, but my Mom began to pray and ask God if He would allow us to have Christmas dinner in our own home. A financial impossibility, but she had great faith, until Christmas Eve.
That night, Mom went into her bedroom and prayed while we watched football. She wondered how she could make the macaroni and cheese and hot dogs special, but to no avail. Hot dogs were hot dogs, and this was Christmas!
Not much was under our artificial tree except a few small trinkets Dad and Mom found at the thrift store. I can still remember the little box that opened with a snap and held a little Indian and his maiden dressed in leather and beads. But, I can't remember which football team was winning when the doorbell rang.
Standing at the door was a timid man and his wife, "Does Suzanne live here?" Dad answered in the affirmative as Mom came out. "We found you!" They said they had no idea where we lived, but they prayed and were directed to our house. They were as amazed as we were that they had found us.
Then it happened. . .in came boxes of food. There was the biggest turkey you ever saw, ham, candy, nuts, fruit and all the trimmings for the finest Christmas meal! Dad was laughing, Mom was crying, and my sisters and I were smiling from ear to ear. God had not forgotten us, but had found a family that would be His hands that Christmas Eve and bring a meal in His Name.
What spoke of God's love for that sixth grade, red-haired, little girl, and what I remember most in all those boxes, were the biggest, brightest oranges I had ever seen! I knew that those oranges were a gift straight from God to me, and ever since then I have been a firm believer that God answered mother's prayers and that He loves His red-haired little girl.
~Deborah
"O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Psalm 34:8
Monday, December 22, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
COUNTRY GRITS & SAUSAGE OVERNIGHT CASSEROLE
COUNTRY GRITS & SAUSAGE OVERNIGHT CASSEROLE
Printed from COOKS.COM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 c. water
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. uncooked quick grits
4 c. (16 oz.) shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese
4 eggs, beaten
1 c. milk
1/2 tsp. dried whole thyme
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
2 lb. mild pork sausage (may substitute 1 lb. mild & 1 lb. hot sausage or use turkey sausage), crumbled, fried & drained
Bring water and salt to a boil, stir in grits. Return to a boil and reduce heat. Cook 4 minutes, stirring the mixture occasionally.
Combine grits and cheese in a large mixing bowl. Stir until cheese is melted. Combine eggs, milk, thyme and garlic salt; mix well. Add a small amount of hot grits mixture to egg mixture; stir well. Add sausage and rest of grits mixture to egg mixture and stir well.
Pour into 12 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator and let stand 15 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Yield 8 servings.
Printed from COOKS.COM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 c. water
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. uncooked quick grits
4 c. (16 oz.) shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese
4 eggs, beaten
1 c. milk
1/2 tsp. dried whole thyme
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
2 lb. mild pork sausage (may substitute 1 lb. mild & 1 lb. hot sausage or use turkey sausage), crumbled, fried & drained
Bring water and salt to a boil, stir in grits. Return to a boil and reduce heat. Cook 4 minutes, stirring the mixture occasionally.
Combine grits and cheese in a large mixing bowl. Stir until cheese is melted. Combine eggs, milk, thyme and garlic salt; mix well. Add a small amount of hot grits mixture to egg mixture; stir well. Add sausage and rest of grits mixture to egg mixture and stir well.
Pour into 12 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator and let stand 15 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Yield 8 servings.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Two Little Children
This is a song my great grandmother used to sing..just wanted to share..
Two little children, a boy and a girl,
Set by an old church door.
The little girl's feet was as brown as the curl
That hung from the dress which she wore.
The boy's coat was faded and hatless his head;
A tear shone in each little eye.
"Why don't you run home to your mama?" I said,
And this was the maiden's reply:
Chorus: "Our mama's in heaven; they took her away,
And left Jim and I all alone.
We came here to sleep 'til the close of the day,
For we have no mama or home.
We can't win our bread--too little," she said.
"Jim five years, and I'm only seven.
There's no one to love us and Papa is dead,
And our darling mama's in heaven."
"Our Papa was lost out at sea long ago;
We waited all night on the shore.
For he was a life-saving captain, you know,
But he never come back any more.
Then Mama got sick; angels took her away,
Away to that home warm and bright.
'They'll come for my darlings,' she told us, 'some day.'
Perhaps they are coming tonight."
"Perhaps there's no room tonight," she said,
"For two little ones to keep."
Then, placing her arms around little Jim's neck,
And kissed him. They both fell asleep.
The sexton came early to ring the church bell,
And found them beneath the snow white.
The angels made room for two orphans to dwell
In heaven with Mama that night.
(Chorus)
Also found in Brown, Vol. II, #150, "Two Little Children."
All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted
Two little children, a boy and a girl,
Set by an old church door.
The little girl's feet was as brown as the curl
That hung from the dress which she wore.
The boy's coat was faded and hatless his head;
A tear shone in each little eye.
"Why don't you run home to your mama?" I said,
And this was the maiden's reply:
Chorus: "Our mama's in heaven; they took her away,
And left Jim and I all alone.
We came here to sleep 'til the close of the day,
For we have no mama or home.
We can't win our bread--too little," she said.
"Jim five years, and I'm only seven.
There's no one to love us and Papa is dead,
And our darling mama's in heaven."
"Our Papa was lost out at sea long ago;
We waited all night on the shore.
For he was a life-saving captain, you know,
But he never come back any more.
Then Mama got sick; angels took her away,
Away to that home warm and bright.
'They'll come for my darlings,' she told us, 'some day.'
Perhaps they are coming tonight."
"Perhaps there's no room tonight," she said,
"For two little ones to keep."
Then, placing her arms around little Jim's neck,
And kissed him. They both fell asleep.
The sexton came early to ring the church bell,
And found them beneath the snow white.
The angels made room for two orphans to dwell
In heaven with Mama that night.
(Chorus)
Also found in Brown, Vol. II, #150, "Two Little Children."
All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted
Friday, December 12, 2008
Baby pics
Just wanted to say good morning..I haven't had much time to blog this week. I am no where near ready for Christmas and it is almost here! Yikes! Have a great weekend...thought I would share this pic for those who have not seen it before.. .Which one is me and which one is Destiny?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
New Song
My youngest son decided to start writing a song yesterday. I thought it was so sweet that I wanted to share it with you...
"I'm just a little boy now, but when I'm a grown up things will get better with God. God will help me."
That is all he has so far...I am so thankful that my children know who to go to for help. At the age of six, he understands where his strength comes from. Hope you all have a blessed day!
"I'm just a little boy now, but when I'm a grown up things will get better with God. God will help me."
That is all he has so far...I am so thankful that my children know who to go to for help. At the age of six, he understands where his strength comes from. Hope you all have a blessed day!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Giving Thanks
Written by Latonia 2008
There are so many things that I am thankful for
Salvation, my family, a husband who I adore
How could I fail at times to have a thankful heart?
When I have a Savior who said He would never part.
I want to be thankful for the good and the bad
I want to praise the Lord when I am happy or sad
The Lord knows what is in store, and He watches out for our good
He will supply our needs,when we love Him like we should
When darkness falls, and loneliness sets in,
Lift up an offering of praise, and let the blessings begin
He loves us so dearly, we can cast our every care
Be thankful each day, even for unanswered prayers
On this Thanksgiving, and each and every day
Remember to give thanks and to watch and pray.
There are so many things that I am thankful for
Salvation, my family, a husband who I adore
How could I fail at times to have a thankful heart?
When I have a Savior who said He would never part.
I want to be thankful for the good and the bad
I want to praise the Lord when I am happy or sad
The Lord knows what is in store, and He watches out for our good
He will supply our needs,when we love Him like we should
When darkness falls, and loneliness sets in,
Lift up an offering of praise, and let the blessings begin
He loves us so dearly, we can cast our every care
Be thankful each day, even for unanswered prayers
On this Thanksgiving, and each and every day
Remember to give thanks and to watch and pray.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Where will you be?
written by Latonia 2008
I have been thinking alot about the return of our Lord. I believe that He will soon come back for His bride, and I want to be ready. I want my family to be ready. I just had a thought so I wanted to share....Where will you be when our Lord comes back? Will you be in a place that you would be ashamed to meet Him? Will you be in an arguement with your kids or your husband when the trumpet sounds? Will you be reading dirty jokes, or looking at the wrong things on the internet when He decides to come back? Will you be watching a show on TV that allows the kids to disrespect the parents and they call it comedy? Will you be listening to music that takes the name of our Lord in vain, or that is degrading to women? Where will YOU be, what will YOU be doing, what will you be saying, what will you be thinking? We do not know at what moment our Lord will return.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
He tells us to live holy.
Leviticus 19:2
"Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy
He tells us to watch and pray
Mark 13:33
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is
Mark 14:38
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
He tells us not to live like the world, to be set apart from them
1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
I have a burden for my loved ones. It is time to get serious with God. He sent His son to die so that we may live with Him. He cannot look upon sin because He is holy. When He comes for me, I want to be clean so that I can worship Him face to face.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The end is in sight
3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come
I don't want to spend my eternity in a devil's hell
Mark 9:43-45 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Please my friends, be ready for our Lord's return. I want to see Him and I want you to see Him so that we may worship HIM together for all eternity!
Will YOU hear the trumpet?
I have been thinking alot about the return of our Lord. I believe that He will soon come back for His bride, and I want to be ready. I want my family to be ready. I just had a thought so I wanted to share....Where will you be when our Lord comes back? Will you be in a place that you would be ashamed to meet Him? Will you be in an arguement with your kids or your husband when the trumpet sounds? Will you be reading dirty jokes, or looking at the wrong things on the internet when He decides to come back? Will you be watching a show on TV that allows the kids to disrespect the parents and they call it comedy? Will you be listening to music that takes the name of our Lord in vain, or that is degrading to women? Where will YOU be, what will YOU be doing, what will you be saying, what will you be thinking? We do not know at what moment our Lord will return.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
He tells us to live holy.
Leviticus 19:2
"Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy
He tells us to watch and pray
Mark 13:33
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is
Mark 14:38
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
He tells us not to live like the world, to be set apart from them
1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
I have a burden for my loved ones. It is time to get serious with God. He sent His son to die so that we may live with Him. He cannot look upon sin because He is holy. When He comes for me, I want to be clean so that I can worship Him face to face.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The end is in sight
3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come
I don't want to spend my eternity in a devil's hell
Mark 9:43-45 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Please my friends, be ready for our Lord's return. I want to see Him and I want you to see Him so that we may worship HIM together for all eternity!
Will YOU hear the trumpet?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A few basic frugal cleaning recipes
A few basic frugal cleaning recipes
All of these recipes have been tested over the years but it always best to try the cleaner on a small area first to make sure that it does not harm your item.
All these cleaners can be made up and kept for later use.
Multipurpose Worktop, splash back and floor cleaner:
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
Mix together and wipe over surfaces
Wood polish:
1 cup olive oil
Half cup lemon juice
Mix together. Use a small amount on a soft cloth. After applying, rub off and buff with a dry soft cloth.
Fridge odours
1 cup dry baking soda
Place on a saucer and place in the back of the fridge. The soda will neutralise bad odours.
If mixed with warm water can be used to wash the inside of the fridge out.
Blocked drain cleaner:
1 cup salt
1 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
Mix together and pour down the drain. Leave for a few minutes then flush the drain with hot water.
Stubborn stains:
1 cup baking soda
1 cup salt
1 cup borax
Mix and pour onto the stain. Leave for at least 10 minutes then using a scourer rub off. (Only use on surfaces that will not scratch)
Carpet freshener:
Dry baking soda
Sprinkle on the carpet and leave for 1 hour then vacuum up.
All of these recipes have been tested over the years but it always best to try the cleaner on a small area first to make sure that it does not harm your item.
All these cleaners can be made up and kept for later use.
Multipurpose Worktop, splash back and floor cleaner:
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
Mix together and wipe over surfaces
Wood polish:
1 cup olive oil
Half cup lemon juice
Mix together. Use a small amount on a soft cloth. After applying, rub off and buff with a dry soft cloth.
Fridge odours
1 cup dry baking soda
Place on a saucer and place in the back of the fridge. The soda will neutralise bad odours.
If mixed with warm water can be used to wash the inside of the fridge out.
Blocked drain cleaner:
1 cup salt
1 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
Mix together and pour down the drain. Leave for a few minutes then flush the drain with hot water.
Stubborn stains:
1 cup baking soda
1 cup salt
1 cup borax
Mix and pour onto the stain. Leave for at least 10 minutes then using a scourer rub off. (Only use on surfaces that will not scratch)
Carpet freshener:
Dry baking soda
Sprinkle on the carpet and leave for 1 hour then vacuum up.
Friday, November 7, 2008
From Candy's website...
How to Brew Kombucha
sorry...but the pictures did not show up..if you would like to see them..go to www.keepingthehome.com
First off, don't be scared off by the word "brew," as Kombucha is not an alcoholic drink (however it does contain a very small amount of alcohol). The brewing action is not via an alcoholic fermentation, but rather, a healthy bacterial growth and cultivation.
Here's how to brew Kombucha:
What You Need
- a scoby
- 3 quarts filtered water
- 1 cup organic white sugar
- 4 natural or organic bags of black tea
- 1/2 cup Kombucha from a previous brew, or 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
How to make it
1. In a large stock pot, bring the water to a full boil, then turn off the heat.
2. In a large glass container/canister/jar, pour in the sugar. Pour the boiling water on top of the sugar, and mix well with a mixing spoon.
3. Put in the four tea bags.
4. Loosely cover the glass container with flour sack cloth or a clean dish towel, and leave it sitting there for several hours, until the tea has cooled to room temperature.
5. After the tea has cooled - remove and throw away the tea bags. Pour in the 1/2 cup of Kombucha or apple cider vinegar.
6. Remove any rings and wash your hands. Then gently pick up your scoby, and float it on top of the tea. The scoby may float on top, sink to the bottom, or stay somewhere in between. Either way is fine.
Here is one of my storage jars of scobies:
7. Cover the container with cloth, and secure the cloth on with a rubber band. Place the brew into a dark cabinet, away from any plants, dust, or chemicals. Leave the brew there for one week, undisturbed.
I'm doing a double brew, so I have two going:
8. One week later: Take a look at your brew. You should have a baby scoby on top, and the brew should have a vinegar smell. Grab a straw, and use it to gently push the scobies out of the way a bit, and sip a small sample of the Kombucha. Does it taste anything like tea? If so, then brew for a few more days, then taste again. If you don't taste any tea, then the brew is done.
9. Once the brew is done: Pour the brew through a fine strainer into a juice pitcher, then pour it from the juice pitcher into glass jars, bottles, or containers. Store Kombucha in glass only. Kombucha will leach toxins from metal and plastic. Kombucha can be in plastic temporarily, but not for long periods of time.
Kombucha is naturally carbonated. It's like "the soda pop for health nuts."
10. Store your original scoby in a jar in some Kombucha, and the baby scoby in a different jar in some Kombucha. Keep the mother in the jar in the cabinet, and start your next brew with your new baby scoby. Keep your original scoby as a back up, in case your baby scoby dies, or molds. As you get more scobies, you can add them to your two jars. Rotate which scobies you use from week to week. If you have more than one scoby that needs to do a brew, but you only wish to make one brew's worth, then you can put several scobies in the same brew, and it'll come out just fine.
Notes
Scobies eventually die, and won't brew anymore. When a scoby is getting old, you'll be able to tell, because it'll be dark brown in color. When a scoby is dark brown, it's time to put it to other uses (you can use Google to research this) or just throw it away.
Store your unused scobies in sealed jars of kombucha liquid in a cabinet. I personally never refrigerate my scobies, as the cool temperatures can cause a scoby to go into a "hibernation" mode, in which it can take a few weeks to "wake it back up" when you try to brew with it. If your scoby sits in a jar in the cabinet for a long time, then it will grow another scoby. If it is going to be a long time before you brew again, then fill the scoby’s jar with tea, and 1/4 cup of Kombucha or apple cider vinegar. That liquid will keep your scoby for a few months, if not longer, before you either need to brew, or change the liquid.
What about the tea and sugar? If you brewed for a week or longer, then there is little to no tea or sugar left in the brew. The tea and sugar "feed" the Scoby, and the Scoby's by-product is the Kombucha drink. You can experiment with different teas and sugars, but I've still found black tea and organic white sugar to give the best brewing results, and the healthiest, fattest scobies.
sorry...but the pictures did not show up..if you would like to see them..go to www.keepingthehome.com
First off, don't be scared off by the word "brew," as Kombucha is not an alcoholic drink (however it does contain a very small amount of alcohol). The brewing action is not via an alcoholic fermentation, but rather, a healthy bacterial growth and cultivation.
Here's how to brew Kombucha:
What You Need
- a scoby
- 3 quarts filtered water
- 1 cup organic white sugar
- 4 natural or organic bags of black tea
- 1/2 cup Kombucha from a previous brew, or 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
How to make it
1. In a large stock pot, bring the water to a full boil, then turn off the heat.
2. In a large glass container/canister/jar, pour in the sugar. Pour the boiling water on top of the sugar, and mix well with a mixing spoon.
3. Put in the four tea bags.
4. Loosely cover the glass container with flour sack cloth or a clean dish towel, and leave it sitting there for several hours, until the tea has cooled to room temperature.
5. After the tea has cooled - remove and throw away the tea bags. Pour in the 1/2 cup of Kombucha or apple cider vinegar.
6. Remove any rings and wash your hands. Then gently pick up your scoby, and float it on top of the tea. The scoby may float on top, sink to the bottom, or stay somewhere in between. Either way is fine.
Here is one of my storage jars of scobies:
7. Cover the container with cloth, and secure the cloth on with a rubber band. Place the brew into a dark cabinet, away from any plants, dust, or chemicals. Leave the brew there for one week, undisturbed.
I'm doing a double brew, so I have two going:
8. One week later: Take a look at your brew. You should have a baby scoby on top, and the brew should have a vinegar smell. Grab a straw, and use it to gently push the scobies out of the way a bit, and sip a small sample of the Kombucha. Does it taste anything like tea? If so, then brew for a few more days, then taste again. If you don't taste any tea, then the brew is done.
9. Once the brew is done: Pour the brew through a fine strainer into a juice pitcher, then pour it from the juice pitcher into glass jars, bottles, or containers. Store Kombucha in glass only. Kombucha will leach toxins from metal and plastic. Kombucha can be in plastic temporarily, but not for long periods of time.
Kombucha is naturally carbonated. It's like "the soda pop for health nuts."
10. Store your original scoby in a jar in some Kombucha, and the baby scoby in a different jar in some Kombucha. Keep the mother in the jar in the cabinet, and start your next brew with your new baby scoby. Keep your original scoby as a back up, in case your baby scoby dies, or molds. As you get more scobies, you can add them to your two jars. Rotate which scobies you use from week to week. If you have more than one scoby that needs to do a brew, but you only wish to make one brew's worth, then you can put several scobies in the same brew, and it'll come out just fine.
Notes
Scobies eventually die, and won't brew anymore. When a scoby is getting old, you'll be able to tell, because it'll be dark brown in color. When a scoby is dark brown, it's time to put it to other uses (you can use Google to research this) or just throw it away.
Store your unused scobies in sealed jars of kombucha liquid in a cabinet. I personally never refrigerate my scobies, as the cool temperatures can cause a scoby to go into a "hibernation" mode, in which it can take a few weeks to "wake it back up" when you try to brew with it. If your scoby sits in a jar in the cabinet for a long time, then it will grow another scoby. If it is going to be a long time before you brew again, then fill the scoby’s jar with tea, and 1/4 cup of Kombucha or apple cider vinegar. That liquid will keep your scoby for a few months, if not longer, before you either need to brew, or change the liquid.
What about the tea and sugar? If you brewed for a week or longer, then there is little to no tea or sugar left in the brew. The tea and sugar "feed" the Scoby, and the Scoby's by-product is the Kombucha drink. You can experiment with different teas and sugars, but I've still found black tea and organic white sugar to give the best brewing results, and the healthiest, fattest scobies.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Birthday cake
My Mother is law made this cake for my sister-in-law and me. Our birthdays are very close together, so we celebrated together last night. She is a cosmetologist....see where her scissors are on the cake?
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
convicted about halloween
This article was found here
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT...
THE TRADITION OF HALLOWEEN?
"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Song of Solomon 2:15
Foxes sometime in search of food would enter into the grape orchards and devour the grapes and spoil the crop. However, the little foxes were too small to reach the grape bunches so they would chew on the vines and it would kill the whole vine. Instead of the farmer just losing his crop, he would lose his vine which was more disastrous. Spiritually some things we do or allow, that we might think is little or insignificant, can also be disastrous for us.
Some may consider celebrating Halloween as only a little compromise. However, it is the "little foxes" that spoil the vines and this little compromise can open the door to other evils. Many Christians do not realize that certain traditions that are celebrated in the world have evil origins. Just because our society partakes in certain activities does not make them acceptable for Christians. We must look to Christ and His Word to see if the traditions of this world are good or evil.
Mark 7:13: "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."
One very evil tradition is the celebration of Halloween. No Christian should partake in the activities of this holiday, nor should they allow their children to do so. We can discern the evil of this day by taking a look at the festivities that are associated with its celebration. Children are dressed as witches, goblins, ghosts, little devils and fortune tellers. All these are representatives of Satan's kingdom. Games played at carnivals promote fear in children as they are ushered through spook houses and horror rooms. Skeletons, black cats and bats represent death and darkness. No carnival is complete without the gypsy who tells fortunes. Satan has gained man's approval to celebrate his day by simply making it a tradition that seems like a fun day. The opposite is true, however, as more damage and harm are done on this day each year than any other holiday. Children are taught to go door to door chanting "trick or treat." It is unchristian to demand a gift under threat of playing some trick. Police are on the alert for juvenile vandalism and caution parents to be watchful.
Because so many of us have grown up celebrating Halloween, and seemingly did not experience any negative effects, some feel that not celebrating Halloween at all is an extreme measure. However, we would encourage you to pray about this. Is any holiday that glorifies death and darkness (even in fun) a proper thing for a Christian to do since we have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light?
1 Peter 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
Whether we feel that we have been really hurt by celebrating Halloween or not, is only part of the issue. How does God feel to see His people making light of demons and witchcraft? Shouldn't we be thinking about how to honor Him and show our love to Him? Where do our loyalties lie?
Most Satanists celebrate this as their high holy day and even offer human sacrifices to the devil. Until recently, most Christians have not questioned this traditional celebration, but rather have gone along with it by even bringing Halloween parties into the church. The earliest Halloween celebrations were not held by the early church, but the Druids in honor of Samhain, the "lord of the dead", and his demons, whose festival fell on November 1. Halloween actually means "holy or hallowed evening."
According to the Roman calendar in which days began at midnight, the evening of October 31 was the eve before the hallowed day; hence Halloween or All Soul's Eve was kept throughout the ancient pagan world. All Hallows Eve, because it is the day before All Hallows' or All Saints' day, was a holy day in the Roman Catholic Church, Episcopal Church, the Church of England and the Greek Orthodox Church. This festival honors all martyrs, known and unknown, who have died for the church. During the time of Constantine, these two holidays were merged in an attempt to Christianize the heathen. The church could not prevent these heathen practices, so they thought "taming'" them would be the answer. They were, of course, not to worship their gods on the church's "All Saint's day." However, as it is with all compromises, soon the evil overrode the good, and hence we still honor these heathen practices by celebrating Halloween.
Parents have a responsibility not to allow their children to be exposed to these evil celebrations. What might seem to some as innocent children's games is a "little fox" that can open the door to satanic influence and even demon possession in some cases. Children can be tormented with a spirit of fear that can come through this involvement that stays with them throughout their lives. It also introduces children to witchcraft, making it easier for them to become involved in cults and occultic activities. When children are taught it is alright to play with the things of darkness, it does not give them the repulsion and resistance that they need to stand against greater Satanic involvement. When the things of Satan are taken lightly, as games and fun, it sets our children up to accept evil rather than to resist it. This "little fox" is not only spreading evil to children but has been a curse for the church and our nation as well. As Christians, we should spread the word to others about the evil tradition of Halloween.
Ephesians 5:6-12: "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret."
Excerpt from the book Exposing Satan's Devices by Betty Miller. Betty has written several books on other topics as well. To view titles or purchase those books click here: http://store.bible.com/
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT...
THE TRADITION OF HALLOWEEN?
"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Song of Solomon 2:15
Foxes sometime in search of food would enter into the grape orchards and devour the grapes and spoil the crop. However, the little foxes were too small to reach the grape bunches so they would chew on the vines and it would kill the whole vine. Instead of the farmer just losing his crop, he would lose his vine which was more disastrous. Spiritually some things we do or allow, that we might think is little or insignificant, can also be disastrous for us.
Some may consider celebrating Halloween as only a little compromise. However, it is the "little foxes" that spoil the vines and this little compromise can open the door to other evils. Many Christians do not realize that certain traditions that are celebrated in the world have evil origins. Just because our society partakes in certain activities does not make them acceptable for Christians. We must look to Christ and His Word to see if the traditions of this world are good or evil.
Mark 7:13: "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."
One very evil tradition is the celebration of Halloween. No Christian should partake in the activities of this holiday, nor should they allow their children to do so. We can discern the evil of this day by taking a look at the festivities that are associated with its celebration. Children are dressed as witches, goblins, ghosts, little devils and fortune tellers. All these are representatives of Satan's kingdom. Games played at carnivals promote fear in children as they are ushered through spook houses and horror rooms. Skeletons, black cats and bats represent death and darkness. No carnival is complete without the gypsy who tells fortunes. Satan has gained man's approval to celebrate his day by simply making it a tradition that seems like a fun day. The opposite is true, however, as more damage and harm are done on this day each year than any other holiday. Children are taught to go door to door chanting "trick or treat." It is unchristian to demand a gift under threat of playing some trick. Police are on the alert for juvenile vandalism and caution parents to be watchful.
Because so many of us have grown up celebrating Halloween, and seemingly did not experience any negative effects, some feel that not celebrating Halloween at all is an extreme measure. However, we would encourage you to pray about this. Is any holiday that glorifies death and darkness (even in fun) a proper thing for a Christian to do since we have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light?
1 Peter 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
Whether we feel that we have been really hurt by celebrating Halloween or not, is only part of the issue. How does God feel to see His people making light of demons and witchcraft? Shouldn't we be thinking about how to honor Him and show our love to Him? Where do our loyalties lie?
Most Satanists celebrate this as their high holy day and even offer human sacrifices to the devil. Until recently, most Christians have not questioned this traditional celebration, but rather have gone along with it by even bringing Halloween parties into the church. The earliest Halloween celebrations were not held by the early church, but the Druids in honor of Samhain, the "lord of the dead", and his demons, whose festival fell on November 1. Halloween actually means "holy or hallowed evening."
According to the Roman calendar in which days began at midnight, the evening of October 31 was the eve before the hallowed day; hence Halloween or All Soul's Eve was kept throughout the ancient pagan world. All Hallows Eve, because it is the day before All Hallows' or All Saints' day, was a holy day in the Roman Catholic Church, Episcopal Church, the Church of England and the Greek Orthodox Church. This festival honors all martyrs, known and unknown, who have died for the church. During the time of Constantine, these two holidays were merged in an attempt to Christianize the heathen. The church could not prevent these heathen practices, so they thought "taming'" them would be the answer. They were, of course, not to worship their gods on the church's "All Saint's day." However, as it is with all compromises, soon the evil overrode the good, and hence we still honor these heathen practices by celebrating Halloween.
Parents have a responsibility not to allow their children to be exposed to these evil celebrations. What might seem to some as innocent children's games is a "little fox" that can open the door to satanic influence and even demon possession in some cases. Children can be tormented with a spirit of fear that can come through this involvement that stays with them throughout their lives. It also introduces children to witchcraft, making it easier for them to become involved in cults and occultic activities. When children are taught it is alright to play with the things of darkness, it does not give them the repulsion and resistance that they need to stand against greater Satanic involvement. When the things of Satan are taken lightly, as games and fun, it sets our children up to accept evil rather than to resist it. This "little fox" is not only spreading evil to children but has been a curse for the church and our nation as well. As Christians, we should spread the word to others about the evil tradition of Halloween.
Ephesians 5:6-12: "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret."
Excerpt from the book Exposing Satan's Devices by Betty Miller. Betty has written several books on other topics as well. To view titles or purchase those books click here: http://store.bible.com/
Fear
For those of us who are afraid of the economy.....
And he siad unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:40
32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. luke 12:32
Passage Matthew 6:31:
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Passage Matthew 6:32:
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
And he siad unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:40
32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. luke 12:32
Passage Matthew 6:31:
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Passage Matthew 6:32:
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Crochet
I have been crocheting for about four years now, and have been trying to get my daughter to do it too....with NO luck. Yesterday, she decided to learn to do Hair bows! I am SO Happy and excited that she showed interest in CROCHET! Yeah! This is her first hair bow...she did a GREAT job!
Friday, October 17, 2008
sharing an email i received today
Psalm 55:22 --- you really need to read this.
'Friends are God's way of taking care of us.'
This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:
I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5 pm, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke,sputter and die - I barely managed to coast into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over.
Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the 'quickie mart' building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.
When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.
At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.
I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying 'I don't want my kids to see me crying,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, 'And you were praying?' That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'
I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fuelling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee.
She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.
She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City Her boyfriend left 2 months a go and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally, in desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.
So she packed up everything she owned and put it in the car. She told the kids they were going to California to see their grandparents for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.
I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?'
This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'
It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.
Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...
Psalms 55:22 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'
My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless, especially for the months in 2008 , and I picked you.
Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed and a copy back to me.
Here is the prayer:
'Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen.'
I know I picked more than four -- you can, too.
When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, 'Jesus, could You please get that for me !'
'Friends are God's way of taking care of us.'
This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:
I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5 pm, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke,sputter and die - I barely managed to coast into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over.
Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the 'quickie mart' building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.
When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.
At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.
I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying 'I don't want my kids to see me crying,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, 'And you were praying?' That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'
I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fuelling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee.
She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.
She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City Her boyfriend left 2 months a go and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally, in desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.
So she packed up everything she owned and put it in the car. She told the kids they were going to California to see their grandparents for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.
I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?'
This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'
It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.
Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...
Psalms 55:22 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'
My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless, especially for the months in 2008 , and I picked you.
Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed and a copy back to me.
Here is the prayer:
'Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen.'
I know I picked more than four -- you can, too.
When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, 'Jesus, could You please get that for me !'
Thursday, October 16, 2008
You Have Our Attention, Lord
You Have Our Attention, Lord
A prayer by Max Lucado - October 2008
Our friends lost their house
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing
This scares us. This bailout with billions.
These rumblings of depression.
These headlines: ominous, thunderous -
“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What's Next?”
What is next?
We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.
You told us this would happen.
You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.
Greed will break your heart, You warned.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.
You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.
We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have.
Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor.
Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it. And now, tell us Father, are You taking it?
We’re listening. And we’re praying.
Could you make something good out of this mess?
Of course You can. You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery,
Built temples out of ruins,
Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.
This disorder awaits your order. So do we.
Through Christ,
Amen
God will always give what is right to His people who cry to Him night and day, and He will not be slow to answer them. (Luke 18:7 NCV)
A prayer by Max Lucado - October 2008
Our friends lost their house
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing
This scares us. This bailout with billions.
These rumblings of depression.
These headlines: ominous, thunderous -
“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What's Next?”
What is next?
We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.
You told us this would happen.
You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.
Greed will break your heart, You warned.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.
You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.
We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have.
Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor.
Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it. And now, tell us Father, are You taking it?
We’re listening. And we’re praying.
Could you make something good out of this mess?
Of course You can. You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery,
Built temples out of ruins,
Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.
This disorder awaits your order. So do we.
Through Christ,
Amen
God will always give what is right to His people who cry to Him night and day, and He will not be slow to answer them. (Luke 18:7 NCV)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
I actually found time to crochet!
I made this hat last night ( with exception of a few minutes this morning) and I also made my baby girl one and am working on my oldest daughter one. Have a great day!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Hello
Just wanted to say hello. I have not had much time lately to blog. We have been going on field trips, going to football, going to football, going to football..you get the picture. AJR has had a couple of REALLY great games. He scored three touchdowns, had three fumble recoveries and a safety at the last game! He is having a great year! (I'm so proud) ;-) My preachers wife gave my name and number to another homeschooling family that lives just down the road. She called me today and I am feeling refreshed and renewed in my homeschooling journey! I am looking forward to the up coming week with my children. I truly want them to enjoy learning AND enjoy being with each other. The Lord will give us what we need to get through.
Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great week!
Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great week!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
good recipe
Just thought I would share a recipe from candy's website..think I will fix this tonight! Have a great day
Cheeseburger Casserole
This is a good, large casserole, which will feed several people, is filling, and quite yummy. Here's how to make it..
INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground beef
3/4 cup diced onion
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup, or 1 cup of homemade buttermilk
1 cup frozen peas and diced carrots, mixed
1/4 cup whole milk
2 cups Bisquick (or to be healthier, omit Bisquick and water, and use a cup and a half of Nourishing Traditions soaked dough)
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese of choice
HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and grease a 13 x 9 baking pan. While the oven is preheating, get the ground beef cooking in a skillet.2. Stir the Bisquick and water, then spread it in the baking pan, or if you're using NT dough, then pat it onto the bottom of the pan. The Bisquick mix will have the texture and stickiness of paste, so it will take patience to get it to spread over the whole bottom of the pan.3. When the ground beef is done cooking, mix the following in with it: the diced onions, peas and carrots, milk, and soup or buttermilk. Pour the mixture on top of the sticky dough in the pan.4. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the mixture.5. Bake for 30 minutes, and then you're done.
Cheeseburger Casserole
This is a good, large casserole, which will feed several people, is filling, and quite yummy. Here's how to make it..
INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground beef
3/4 cup diced onion
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup, or 1 cup of homemade buttermilk
1 cup frozen peas and diced carrots, mixed
1/4 cup whole milk
2 cups Bisquick (or to be healthier, omit Bisquick and water, and use a cup and a half of Nourishing Traditions soaked dough)
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese of choice
HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and grease a 13 x 9 baking pan. While the oven is preheating, get the ground beef cooking in a skillet.2. Stir the Bisquick and water, then spread it in the baking pan, or if you're using NT dough, then pat it onto the bottom of the pan. The Bisquick mix will have the texture and stickiness of paste, so it will take patience to get it to spread over the whole bottom of the pan.3. When the ground beef is done cooking, mix the following in with it: the diced onions, peas and carrots, milk, and soup or buttermilk. Pour the mixture on top of the sticky dough in the pan.4. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the mixture.5. Bake for 30 minutes, and then you're done.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Good Morning
Just wanted to say good morning..Hope everyone had a great weekend. We had a fun time at the baby shower. I enjoy being with my family. After that, we had a cookout with some friends, and the guys watched football. Sunday, I actually had the privilege of spending a few minutes with my wonderful sister! ( a little is better than nothing) I miss getting to see her and her family now that life has become so much busier. I am just thanking God for her today and hope that we get to spend more time together soon.
Sunday afternoon, we took a picnic (actually we cheated and took little caesars) to the park with my sister-in-law and her family. The kids played and had a great time.
Last night, I went to my parents church where my dad was preaching. He does such a great job! He has a passion for the lost and a love for God. (and that makes a great preacher) :-) '
It is about time to get the day started...we have lots to do, and also have a football game tonight...so .....I hope you all have a great day...and week ..(in case time does not permit me to blog for a few days)
here is a great cookie recipe..we did this one Saurday night
Original Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies
Estimated Times: Preparation - 15 min Cooking - 9 min Cooling Time - 15 min cooling Yields - 60
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts
DirectionsPREHEAT oven to 375° F.COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Sunday afternoon, we took a picnic (actually we cheated and took little caesars) to the park with my sister-in-law and her family. The kids played and had a great time.
Last night, I went to my parents church where my dad was preaching. He does such a great job! He has a passion for the lost and a love for God. (and that makes a great preacher) :-) '
It is about time to get the day started...we have lots to do, and also have a football game tonight...so .....I hope you all have a great day...and week ..(in case time does not permit me to blog for a few days)
here is a great cookie recipe..we did this one Saurday night
Original Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies
Estimated Times: Preparation - 15 min Cooking - 9 min Cooling Time - 15 min cooling Yields - 60
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts
DirectionsPREHEAT oven to 375° F.COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
It's the weekend!
It has been a very busy week. We had our first football game (and won). My son scored a touchdown! yeah! He played his heart out! The whole team did a great job! I am so thankful that we are part of a team who has coached who aren't afraid to pray with their team. They always pray at the practices and games and I think that sets a great example for the boys! (and parents) Today is my cousins baby shower and I am looking forward to seeing her and my family. I feel like I haven't seen any one in ages! We stay so busy through the week that I don't get a chance to see anyone. This is my cousin's first baby and I am so excited for her. She will be a great mom! She has always been there for my kids and me. It will be a big change for her,but I am sure she is more than ready. Having a baby teaches you so much about life and about God grace and goodness. ( and sometimes His sense of humor) :-) Hope you all have a great weekend and I will blog again as soon as time permits. God bless!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Hello
Just wanted to say hello! I have not had much time to blog lately! Homeschooling is getting better..we are trying to get into some sort of routine. Today we will start the mummification process on a chicken (we are studying Egyptians) We bought our embalming supplies yesterday, so that should be a lot of fun. It is a six week project. I will take pictures to post later..
My Mom had a little trouble with her heart, and ended up in the hospital last night, so please please remember her in prayer. She will hopefully come home today.
We had a football scrimmage last Thursday, and AR did great! He is having a good year!
We are loving our new home. It is time to paint the kitchen...the wallpaper does not match my decor.
I will try to post more this week..but right now, I have to get the kitchen mopped before the kids get up! :-) Have a great day!
My Mom had a little trouble with her heart, and ended up in the hospital last night, so please please remember her in prayer. She will hopefully come home today.
We had a football scrimmage last Thursday, and AR did great! He is having a good year!
We are loving our new home. It is time to paint the kitchen...the wallpaper does not match my decor.
I will try to post more this week..but right now, I have to get the kitchen mopped before the kids get up! :-) Have a great day!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Closings are done!
We have officially closed on both houses! WoW! what a week! God has really blessed us through this and I am so thankful! I am so ready to get things back to normal! We are almost finished unpacking. The kids are playing in the pool right now and enjoying it!
I people who bought our house seem to be really nice. I hope they enjoy our home. I am sad to move away from it, but excited about our new beginnings too! I love our new house! I love everything about it! Hope you all have a great weekend!
great read
http://www.freewebs.com/keepingthehome/
This a link to a great article from Candy's website.
We closed on the house we are selling, and are supposed to close on the new one today! Yeah! The Lord is so good to us! He has truly blessed us through this whole process. Have a great day!
This a link to a great article from Candy's website.
We closed on the house we are selling, and are supposed to close on the new one today! Yeah! The Lord is so good to us! He has truly blessed us through this whole process. Have a great day!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Closing day
We are finally supposed to be closing on the house we are selling today! The final walk through was last night, and I should hear something about that this morning. I hope and pray all is good. We have had a lot of rain the last couple of days (thank you Lord) so the kids have been couped up in the house going crazy. They are having learn to have fun without T.V...it won't be hooked up until Saturday. :-) They are staying with Grandma today while we go for the closing, and then A is supposed to have football weigh ins and a scrimmage tonight. His scrimmage was cancelled Tuesday due to rain. We will start school back on Monday..yeah...I am excited and ready to get into a routine. I love knowing that my children are safe here with me and knowing that they are learning about God is the most important. I am looking for a support group that will be close by.
It is time to get breakfast started for the kids..Have a great day and please be praying that we get to close today!
It is time to get breakfast started for the kids..Have a great day and please be praying that we get to close today!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
not much time
I just wanted to give a short update...we are moved in. We still have not closed on our house..it got moved to this week. Keep praying for us. We are supposed to close on our old house Thursday and the new one on Friday. Between moving, football, and getting ready to start school back, I have not had much time to blog. I will get back in routine before long. Hope you all have a great day.
Friday, August 15, 2008
On the move!
Getting ready to move this weekend! We have been packing packing packing. We have been doing school this week (big adjustment time) Yesterday was much better! We are taking the next two weeks off to get moved and then we will get settled and organized to start school back. I think we will do much better once we get everything unpacked and set up for school! It has been a little hectic, but the Lord has helped us make it through. He loves and cares for me and my family so much, and has blessed us more now than ever! I am thankful for the opportunity to stay with my kids. God has blessed me with a wonderful hardworking husband who provides and cares for his family. I will give updates when I get back online..the computer will be going down tonight. take care and talk with you soon.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Moving
We are starting to move now, after Friday, I will be off line for a while..probably about a week. Keep us in your prayers. Talk with you all soon.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Update
We are finally moving forward on our house. We are supposed to close on Aug 22. We have inspectors coming out on Monday (when we are supposed to start homeschool) So, we did a few subjects yesterday, so that we would have time to get the rest in before leaving for them to do the inspection. It was a little rocky, but good..I did not have their notebooks ready, so that is what slowed us down. All in all, they seemed to enjoy it and so did I.
Austin is doing much better...he can FINALLY return to football. Thank you for all the prayers!
I recently signed up on facebook...so if you have not done that, it is a great way to keep up with everyone!
Have a great weekend! :-)
Austin is doing much better...he can FINALLY return to football. Thank you for all the prayers!
I recently signed up on facebook...so if you have not done that, it is a great way to keep up with everyone!
Have a great weekend! :-)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
God's Word
John 15 (King James Version)
1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Austin update
Just wanted to ask for prayer for Austin. For those who do not know, he step into a yellow jacket's nest on Saturday. He was stung about 20 times, but one of the times was in his cornea. We went to his doctor yesterday, and she sent him to the eye doctor. HE is having trouble seeing out of his eye right now.The doctor said that his cornea was scratched up on the surface, and it was very hazy but he did not see a puncture wound deep in his cornea.(thank the Lord) He gave him some drops and we will be going back for a recheck tomorrow. Please pray for him.
About the house, things are going good with the house we are trying to buy. The appraiser gave us the go ahead on it. On the other hand, we have not heard from the appraisal on our house yet. (stress stress stress) We are supposed to hear something today. I will update later on. I have to get busy with daily chores..Have a great day! :-)
About the house, things are going good with the house we are trying to buy. The appraiser gave us the go ahead on it. On the other hand, we have not heard from the appraisal on our house yet. (stress stress stress) We are supposed to hear something today. I will update later on. I have to get busy with daily chores..Have a great day! :-)
Monday, August 4, 2008
AAADD This is too cute
AAADD
KNOW THE SYMPTOMS
Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder. Somehow I feel better, even though I have it !
Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. This is how it manifests:
I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.
As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier.
I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.
I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.
So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first. But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.
I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left.
My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke I'd been drinking.
I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.
The Coke is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need water.
I put the Coke on the counter and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.
I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.
I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table.
I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.
I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.
So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.
Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.
At the end of the day:
the car isn't washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my check book,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses,
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.
Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day, and I'm really tired.
I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail....
KNOW THE SYMPTOMS
Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder. Somehow I feel better, even though I have it !
Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. This is how it manifests:
I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.
As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier.
I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.
I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.
So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first. But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.
I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left.
My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke I'd been drinking.
I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.
The Coke is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need water.
I put the Coke on the counter and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.
I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.
I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table.
I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.
I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.
So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.
Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.
At the end of the day:
the car isn't washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my check book,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses,
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.
Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day, and I'm really tired.
I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail....
Saturday, August 2, 2008
If you don't have a scoby for Kombucha
Scoby-less Kombucha?
Brew 3 quarts of black tea, with one cup of white sugar. Let the tea cool to room temperature. Then, grab a bottle of ready to drink kombucha from the health food store, and pour it into the tea - the whole bottle, glops and all. - Don't strain the bottled kombucha...Then, cover the glass (brew kombucha and other fermented drinks in glass - never plastic or metal) container over with a clean dishtowel. Secure the towel on with a rubber band.Put that brew into a dark cupboard, and leave it there, undisturbed, for 2 weeks. 2 Weeks Later...You should have a strong batch of kombucha, and your very own healthy scoby floating on top.Now follow the instructions here on how to use your scoby.Meanwhile, you have kombucha to drink, while you use your newborn scoby to brew more for you, which will only take a week this time around. :-)
This is from Candy's blog
Brew 3 quarts of black tea, with one cup of white sugar. Let the tea cool to room temperature. Then, grab a bottle of ready to drink kombucha from the health food store, and pour it into the tea - the whole bottle, glops and all. - Don't strain the bottled kombucha...Then, cover the glass (brew kombucha and other fermented drinks in glass - never plastic or metal) container over with a clean dishtowel. Secure the towel on with a rubber band.Put that brew into a dark cupboard, and leave it there, undisturbed, for 2 weeks. 2 Weeks Later...You should have a strong batch of kombucha, and your very own healthy scoby floating on top.Now follow the instructions here on how to use your scoby.Meanwhile, you have kombucha to drink, while you use your newborn scoby to brew more for you, which will only take a week this time around. :-)
This is from Candy's blog
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Good News! Good news!
Jamie got a call yesterday from the realtor who is selling the house in Dacusville. They decided to accept our offer! Yeah! I am so excited, happy, thrilled, etc...(you get the picture) We went over to the house last night so Jamie could look at the creek after the rain, and while we were there, we met a couple who lives down the road. They are very sweet..and happened to be the cousin of Austin's football coach (Brian) Another family who lives on the next road over is Steve and Julie from Decree, which are long time friends of ours. Julie's mother and my grandmother are cousins, and we also graduated together. They are a truly awesome family. They have three great kids that my kids can't wait to play with! I am praying that the sell of our house goes forward without any problems. The appraiser comes out today and then they will do a home inspection. Please pray that everything goes well with that...After we actually close on our house, alot of stress will be relieved from Jamie. I was reluctant to post anything about the house, because things have been so crazy, but I am too excited not to! :-) Lord willing, everything will go through and we will have our house sold and be in the other by the end of Aug. Have a great day and please keep praying! Thank you to everyone who prays for our family.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
For Ladies only.. PMDD
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD is a condition associated with severe emotional and physical problems that are linked closely to the menstrual cycle. Symptoms occur regularly in the second half of the cycle and end when menstruation begins or shortly thereafter. PMDD is not just a new name for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a condition that affects as many as 75% of menstruating women. It is, however, considered to be a very severe form of PMS that affects about 5% of menstruating women. Both PMDD and PMS share symptoms in common that include depression, anxiety, tension, irritability and moodiness. What sets PMDD apart is its severity. Women with PMDD find that it has a very disruptive effect on their lives. Please read on to get more information about PMDD -- what it is, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated.
I am one of the 5%..if you are too, please let me know, so that we can pray for each other. I choose not to take meds for this. I have in the past, but do not like the side effects. Please join me in prayer for the women who suffer from this.
If you don't have it, it may be hard for you to understand,but trust me, it is REAL. The main difference in PMDD and PMS, is that is completely disrupts your life for about 10 days after ovulation. When the menstrual cycle begins, the symptoms start to go away.
For more info click here
Thanks for reading, and for your prayers
I am one of the 5%..if you are too, please let me know, so that we can pray for each other. I choose not to take meds for this. I have in the past, but do not like the side effects. Please join me in prayer for the women who suffer from this.
If you don't have it, it may be hard for you to understand,but trust me, it is REAL. The main difference in PMDD and PMS, is that is completely disrupts your life for about 10 days after ovulation. When the menstrual cycle begins, the symptoms start to go away.
For more info click here
Thanks for reading, and for your prayers
Saturday, July 26, 2008
I am praying to become a Prairie Muffin
1) Prairie Muffins are committed to obeying God's law in every area of life, as they are aware of its application to their lives and circumstances.
2) Prairie Muffins are helpmeets to their husbands, seeking creative and practical ways to further their husbands' callings and aid them in their dominion responsibilities.
3) Prairie Muffins are aware that God is in control of their ability to conceive and bear children, and they are content to allow Him to bless them as He chooses in this area.
4) Prairie Muffins seek to conform themselves to the image of God by not chafing at the trials and afflictions which He brings to them, but thankfully submitting to His loving providence as He makes them fit for heaven
.5) Prairie Muffins improve their intellect and knowledge as they have opportunity, first by seeking wisdom from God's word, then by reading good books and other materials which help them to make informed opinions about a wide variety of subjects.
6) Prairie Muffins dress modestly and in a feminine manner.
7) Prairie Muffins protect the innocence of their children, until such a time their children are mature enough to be exposed to potentially-harmful cultural influences.
8) Prairie Muffins are creative, learning new skills and working with their hands to provide items of beauty as well as utility for their families.
9) Prairie Muffins do not reflect badly on their husbands by neglecting their appearance; they work with the clay God has given, molding it into an attractive package for the pleasure of their husbands.
10) Prairie Muffins are patient and forbearing, not responding rashly to slights, perceived or real.
11) Prairie Muffins own aprons and they know how to use them
.12) Prairie Muffins prefer others above themselves, seeking to serve God by serving others, especially members of their own household.
13) Prairie Muffins practice hospitality, graciously, even when their home is not as perfect as they would like.
14) Prairie Muffins have a sense of humor, even in the midst of trials.
15) Prairie Muffins do not become paralyzed by fears and worries; rather, they see God's loving hand in all their circumstances.
16) Prairie Muffins are accomplished at organizing and delegating.
17) Prairie Muffins place their husbands' needs and desires above other obligations, arranging their schedules and responsibilities so that they do not neglect the one who provides for and protects them and their children.
18) Prairie Muffins are fiercely submissive to God and to their husbands.
19) Prairie Muffins appreciate godly role models, such as Anne Bradstreet, Elizabeth Prentiss and Elisabeth Elliot. They do not idolize Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie) or Louisa May Alcott (Little Women); while they may enjoy aspects of home life presented in their books, PMs understand that the latent humanism and feminism in these stories and in the lives of these women is not worthy of emulation.
20) Prairie Muffins make significant economic contributions to their households in many ways. They are careful with the hard-earned money that their husbands bring home, wisely weighing expenditures to ensure that they stretch the dollars as far as they can go, without being parsimonious. They also may help their husbands in their husbands' callings or bring money into their households through homecentered business under their husbands' authority, as long as that activity does not detract from their very important homekeeping duties
.21) Prairie Muffins recognize that all good gifts come from the Father of Lights (James 1:17) and they also realize their privileged position as "home despot," thus they are grateful to God and their husbands for enabling them to engage in the wonderful role of homekeeper.
22) Prairie Muffins try to maintain a peaceful environment for their families by keeping their voices quiet and their tones gentle as much as possible.
23) While Prairie Muffins seek to have a multitude of wise counselors, they are careful not to elevate mere men and women to a position where they are tempted to idolize those whom they admire. They also are aware that all have weaknesses, and they accept this reality without discarding the good teaching of those godly people who may occasionally stumble in their weakness or with whom we sometimes must disagree.
24) It is not possible to fit Prairie Muffins into a box. They come in many shapes, sizes and flavors, they have a variety of talents and interests. All their pursuits, however, are weighed to see if they are pleasing to God and done in obedience to His will as revealed in His word.
25) Prairie Muffins are tough on themselves, but forgiving of the faults and differences of others, without sacrificing their commitment to truth and righteousness. This is sometimes a difficult balance, but one which Prairie Muffins strive to keep.
26) While they often may feel like they have split personalities because of the many hats they must wear, Prairie Muffins do have their feet firmly planted in two worlds: the now and the not yet. In the now, they must deal with the realities and disappointments of everyday life, praying for daily wisdom and walking by faith, not by sight, as God providentially directs their steps. In the not yet, they strive for the biblical ideals by which they determine the direction of their lives, understanding that they may fall short of these ideals as they struggle with their flesh and their circumstances, but trusting that God will honor their humble obedience with a more mature faith and the blessings that come from both the struggle and the obedience, in this life and in the next.
27) The letter "P" at the beginning of their names should be the only similarity between Prairie Mufffins and Pharisees. Never should the Prairie Muffin haughtily pray, "Thank God I am not like that...(fill in the blank)." Rather, she should always say, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." This is not to say that obedience to God's law is not important, however. Prairie Muffins gratefully accept the yoke that Christ places on them, and they seek to have the mind of Christ with the godly perspective which sees the burdens of our Lord as truly light; He is the One who gives us strength to carry those burdens, and He is even the One who carries them.
28) Prairie Muffins mind their own business. While that business may include encouraging other women "to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored," it most emphatically excludes encouraging other women to run ahead of or resist the authority of their husbands or elders in pursuit of any PM distinctive.
29) Prairie Muffins are open to correction from proper authorities. They are responsible to submit to their own husbands, to their elders, and ultimately to God. If rebuked by these authorites a PM should receive such correction gracefully and gratefully. If rebuked by others, she should take the concern to her proper authorities.
30) "Home, Sweet Home" is more than just a sentimental saying for the Prairie Muffin. Her home is the center of the Prairie Muffin's activities. Of course, she needs to occasionally go away from home to engage in various activities related to her calling, but her focus is on making home a haven for her husband and children and using it to glorify God in whatever ministry to others He may call her. She is content in her home and does not see it as a prison from which she constantly must escape. She wisely rules over her domain by keeping busy in her full-time calling as homekeeper. Chocolate bon-bons may be a rare indulgence, but Prairie Muffins don't have the time or inclination to waste their lives on soap operas or other inane and inappropriate entertainment.
31) While Prairie Muffins try to be women who make plans and stick with them, so that they use their time wisely and reach the goals they and their Prairie Dawgs have determined for their families, they also know they must be flexible and be prepared to meet whatever circumstances fall into their laps, sometimes at a moment's notice, responding with grace and calm.
32) Though we abhor the idea of women being involved in the military and fighting battles which men are commanded to fight, Prairie Muffins recognize that there is a real battle in which they are on the front lines: the battle of the seed of the woman against the seed of the serpent. In this most-important conflict, we gratefully serve King Jesus in the capacity He has given us, waving our wooden spoons and rallying our children to stand alongside us in the battle, training them to be mighty warriors in the defense and furthering of God's kingdom.
33) Prairie Muffins are not clingy, they are clinging. There are many things in this world that it is tempting to grasp, even good things such as our homes, our marriages and our children. Our hands need to be firmly planted in the Savior's hand, not clinging to those things which are good gifts from Him, but clinging to His will for our lives. When those good things are sometimes taken away, we must accept what is better, knowing that our loving Father wants what is best for us.
34) A Prairie Muffin is generously affectionate with her children (and husband!), lavishing hugs and kisses on each one as a reminder of how precious they are to her.
35) This society worships rugged individualists, and lone ranger Christians are often the rule rather than the exception. While we know that it is becoming more difficult to find family-friendly and biblically-based churches, Prairie Muffins reject the notion that commitment to a local church is optional. We affirm the importance of the church in our families' lives, and we willingly submit to its leaders. It is our desire to raise children who are life-long worshipers in the pew and future leaders of strong churches.
36) Prairie Muffins are happy to be girls—they rejoice in the distinctives which God sovereignly bestowed on them which make them feminine. They are also happy that their husbands are masculine, and they do not diminish that masculinity by harping on habits which emanate from the fact that boys will be boys, even when they grow up. In addition, Prairie Muffins are careful not to use their feminine, hormotional weaknesses to excuse sinful attitudes and actions, but learn to depend more and more on God's grace and strength in the midst of any monthly trials.
37) Prairie Muffins may go against the flow, but they also know how to roll with the flow. Living moment by moment, day by day, season by season, they don't depend on present circumstances to dictate their direction in life. Circumstances change constantly, so Prairie Muffins hang tightly onto the Father's hand while they ride out the waves of life that ebb and flow past their doors. 38) The chief end of the Prairie Muffin is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Because she is not her own, but belongs to her faithful Savior Jesus Christ, she understands her responsibility to please Him in all she does, looking to His holy, inerrant Word for guidance in everything pertaining to life and godliness. As a Berean, she measures all she reads and hears against that plumbline, and she purposes to gratefully obey God's law, in His strength, because Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, said, "If you love Me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). We understand that nothing we do will merit our salvation—that is only given through the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us—but serving our Lord is part of our sanctification. The Bible has some very specific things to say to women regarding their God-given role, and Prairie Muffins take those divinely-ordained distinctions very seriously.
39) Aware that they are being watched, rather than becoming paranoid—or annoyed—Prairie Muffins are employed* in setting a good example for those who have their eyes on them. We in no way wish to endorse adopting masks to hide the real "you," but we firmly believe that what is on the inside will show through, so we suggest remembering that there is no hiding the real you from those who know you best, i.e., your family. By God's grace we will continue to work on cleaning up our act, being that good example, knowing that "more attention our children pay to what we do than what we say."
40) The women who will have the greatest impact on the world, those who will have the greatest influence on history, are those "well-behaved" women who faithfully serve God in their daily lives, seeking His approval rather than the world's admiration. Prairie Muffins know that while engaging in the kingdom-building work in their homes of loving, training and disciplining their children, the world may not express its approval, but it will be turned upside down.
41) Self-fulfillment is not a motivation for the Prairie Muffin. As time flies by, she senses the urgency for living a "real" life, really living life for eternity. Our goal should be to please ourselves less and please God more: our pleasure should be pleasing God.
42) We are reminded in Proverbs 10:19, "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise." Prairie Muffins must refrain from being mouthy, including online. It is not our place to always set everyone straight or tell everything we know. In fact, Proverbs also warns us not to answer a fool according to his folly (Proverbs 26:4), so pray for wisdom before unleashing your opinions like any fool with a keyboard. This entreaty to restraint particularly applies to battles of which you have no part. She who has ears to hear, read carefully the admonitions of the great Puritan preacher, Matthew Poole, on the issue of detraction, an admonition that is never more timely though written hundreds of years ago. Then go back to Proverbs, starting with chapter one, because if you want to be a Proverbs 31 woman, then that's the place to begin
43) There are many good things that Prairie Muffins love: their husbands, their children, their churches. But most of all, Prairie Muffins love their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and though those other treasures are precious, they hold them lightly, trusting in God's providence regarding even those most prized possessions, knowing that to hold them too tightly would be replacing them with God in their affections, and that would be idolatry.
44) As we pour out our lives in service to God and our families, we do not measure success by the visible return on that investment, as if we are accountants keeping record on a balance sheet. In the economy of God's kingdom, our sacrifices are of great value, even though we may not see all the benefits now, or even in this life. We mustn't regret any effort given in service to our Savior, and we ought to follow the example of Paul who rejoiced to be "poured out as a drink offering" (II Timothy 4:6), knowing that in pouring himself out on the sacrifice and service of the faith of others, he did not labor in vain (Phillipians 2:16-17).
45) All things exist for the glory of God, even those small things which the world ignores or despises. Prairie Muffins, however, know they should not despise the "day of small things," and they gladly serve their God in tasks great and small, not for the glory they can gain for themselves, but for the joy of bringing glory to Him who has given them everything. Whether cooking yet another meal, folding yet another basket of laundry, or quelling yet another childish tiff, God is pleased with our faithful and cheerful service, and He promises to reward us with greater responsibility and joy (Matthew 25:21)
.46) A Prairie Muffin knows that excuses are unbecoming and low. She is able to take responsibility for her actions, and she doesn't cover up her sin when she stumbles. She wholeheartedly embraces the entirety of God's Word and lives in obedience to it all to the best of her ability, with His help, grateful that "His mercies are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23). She may be an ordinary woman whose faith is sometimes halting, but she serves an extraordinary God whose faithfulness is great and who will enable her to do great things in His service.
47) Rather than acting like victims when trials come—and they will—Prairie Muffins act like victors in the midst of suffering, knowing that God sovereignly ordains their circumstances for their benefit and His glory. So no whining, excuses, or finger pointing, but be comforted and strengthened by God, knowing that you will one day have opportunity to help others with the comfort wherewith you were comforted.
48) Looking at the greener garden on the other side of the fence is very tempting. Prairie Muffins know, however, that what the world considers mundane—the serving they do in their homes among their families—is no less important than ministries or occupations which might seem to be more noble, but are outside their sphere of sovereignty. Instead, they look with new eyes at the important work in front of them, and they gladly dig in and show their children, their husbands, and the watching world, that getting their hands dirty in their own back yards is a glorious thing, especially when the redeeming work of making beauty out of that jungle finally bears fruit.
49) Though there are those who would portray the life of a Prairie Muffin as dreary drudgery, not meant for those elite women who are truly "gifted," we know that there is a wealth of riches to be found when we embrace this home-centered calling. There are many aspects of life at home which are mundane, repetitious, and sometimes unpleasant. The same is true of any job, even those which receive a weekly paycheck. But the privileges and important responsibilities of work anchored in home responsibilities soon outshine the difficulties which are really opportunities given by God for our benefit and sanctification. We are blessed to be at home where so much productivity takes place.
50) Prairie Muffins have been forgiven much, so they must forgive others. Our burden of sin was left at the cross, but it's a good idea to frequently go back to the cross and look at what we have left there to remember the great love by which our Savior purchased our pardon. That keeps our grievances in perspective and makes it easier to be patient with the offenses of others.
2) Prairie Muffins are helpmeets to their husbands, seeking creative and practical ways to further their husbands' callings and aid them in their dominion responsibilities.
3) Prairie Muffins are aware that God is in control of their ability to conceive and bear children, and they are content to allow Him to bless them as He chooses in this area.
4) Prairie Muffins seek to conform themselves to the image of God by not chafing at the trials and afflictions which He brings to them, but thankfully submitting to His loving providence as He makes them fit for heaven
.5) Prairie Muffins improve their intellect and knowledge as they have opportunity, first by seeking wisdom from God's word, then by reading good books and other materials which help them to make informed opinions about a wide variety of subjects.
6) Prairie Muffins dress modestly and in a feminine manner.
7) Prairie Muffins protect the innocence of their children, until such a time their children are mature enough to be exposed to potentially-harmful cultural influences.
8) Prairie Muffins are creative, learning new skills and working with their hands to provide items of beauty as well as utility for their families.
9) Prairie Muffins do not reflect badly on their husbands by neglecting their appearance; they work with the clay God has given, molding it into an attractive package for the pleasure of their husbands.
10) Prairie Muffins are patient and forbearing, not responding rashly to slights, perceived or real.
11) Prairie Muffins own aprons and they know how to use them
.12) Prairie Muffins prefer others above themselves, seeking to serve God by serving others, especially members of their own household.
13) Prairie Muffins practice hospitality, graciously, even when their home is not as perfect as they would like.
14) Prairie Muffins have a sense of humor, even in the midst of trials.
15) Prairie Muffins do not become paralyzed by fears and worries; rather, they see God's loving hand in all their circumstances.
16) Prairie Muffins are accomplished at organizing and delegating.
17) Prairie Muffins place their husbands' needs and desires above other obligations, arranging their schedules and responsibilities so that they do not neglect the one who provides for and protects them and their children.
18) Prairie Muffins are fiercely submissive to God and to their husbands.
19) Prairie Muffins appreciate godly role models, such as Anne Bradstreet, Elizabeth Prentiss and Elisabeth Elliot. They do not idolize Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie) or Louisa May Alcott (Little Women); while they may enjoy aspects of home life presented in their books, PMs understand that the latent humanism and feminism in these stories and in the lives of these women is not worthy of emulation.
20) Prairie Muffins make significant economic contributions to their households in many ways. They are careful with the hard-earned money that their husbands bring home, wisely weighing expenditures to ensure that they stretch the dollars as far as they can go, without being parsimonious. They also may help their husbands in their husbands' callings or bring money into their households through homecentered business under their husbands' authority, as long as that activity does not detract from their very important homekeeping duties
.21) Prairie Muffins recognize that all good gifts come from the Father of Lights (James 1:17) and they also realize their privileged position as "home despot," thus they are grateful to God and their husbands for enabling them to engage in the wonderful role of homekeeper.
22) Prairie Muffins try to maintain a peaceful environment for their families by keeping their voices quiet and their tones gentle as much as possible.
23) While Prairie Muffins seek to have a multitude of wise counselors, they are careful not to elevate mere men and women to a position where they are tempted to idolize those whom they admire. They also are aware that all have weaknesses, and they accept this reality without discarding the good teaching of those godly people who may occasionally stumble in their weakness or with whom we sometimes must disagree.
24) It is not possible to fit Prairie Muffins into a box. They come in many shapes, sizes and flavors, they have a variety of talents and interests. All their pursuits, however, are weighed to see if they are pleasing to God and done in obedience to His will as revealed in His word.
25) Prairie Muffins are tough on themselves, but forgiving of the faults and differences of others, without sacrificing their commitment to truth and righteousness. This is sometimes a difficult balance, but one which Prairie Muffins strive to keep.
26) While they often may feel like they have split personalities because of the many hats they must wear, Prairie Muffins do have their feet firmly planted in two worlds: the now and the not yet. In the now, they must deal with the realities and disappointments of everyday life, praying for daily wisdom and walking by faith, not by sight, as God providentially directs their steps. In the not yet, they strive for the biblical ideals by which they determine the direction of their lives, understanding that they may fall short of these ideals as they struggle with their flesh and their circumstances, but trusting that God will honor their humble obedience with a more mature faith and the blessings that come from both the struggle and the obedience, in this life and in the next.
27) The letter "P" at the beginning of their names should be the only similarity between Prairie Mufffins and Pharisees. Never should the Prairie Muffin haughtily pray, "Thank God I am not like that...(fill in the blank)." Rather, she should always say, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." This is not to say that obedience to God's law is not important, however. Prairie Muffins gratefully accept the yoke that Christ places on them, and they seek to have the mind of Christ with the godly perspective which sees the burdens of our Lord as truly light; He is the One who gives us strength to carry those burdens, and He is even the One who carries them.
28) Prairie Muffins mind their own business. While that business may include encouraging other women "to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored," it most emphatically excludes encouraging other women to run ahead of or resist the authority of their husbands or elders in pursuit of any PM distinctive.
29) Prairie Muffins are open to correction from proper authorities. They are responsible to submit to their own husbands, to their elders, and ultimately to God. If rebuked by these authorites a PM should receive such correction gracefully and gratefully. If rebuked by others, she should take the concern to her proper authorities.
30) "Home, Sweet Home" is more than just a sentimental saying for the Prairie Muffin. Her home is the center of the Prairie Muffin's activities. Of course, she needs to occasionally go away from home to engage in various activities related to her calling, but her focus is on making home a haven for her husband and children and using it to glorify God in whatever ministry to others He may call her. She is content in her home and does not see it as a prison from which she constantly must escape. She wisely rules over her domain by keeping busy in her full-time calling as homekeeper. Chocolate bon-bons may be a rare indulgence, but Prairie Muffins don't have the time or inclination to waste their lives on soap operas or other inane and inappropriate entertainment.
31) While Prairie Muffins try to be women who make plans and stick with them, so that they use their time wisely and reach the goals they and their Prairie Dawgs have determined for their families, they also know they must be flexible and be prepared to meet whatever circumstances fall into their laps, sometimes at a moment's notice, responding with grace and calm.
32) Though we abhor the idea of women being involved in the military and fighting battles which men are commanded to fight, Prairie Muffins recognize that there is a real battle in which they are on the front lines: the battle of the seed of the woman against the seed of the serpent. In this most-important conflict, we gratefully serve King Jesus in the capacity He has given us, waving our wooden spoons and rallying our children to stand alongside us in the battle, training them to be mighty warriors in the defense and furthering of God's kingdom.
33) Prairie Muffins are not clingy, they are clinging. There are many things in this world that it is tempting to grasp, even good things such as our homes, our marriages and our children. Our hands need to be firmly planted in the Savior's hand, not clinging to those things which are good gifts from Him, but clinging to His will for our lives. When those good things are sometimes taken away, we must accept what is better, knowing that our loving Father wants what is best for us.
34) A Prairie Muffin is generously affectionate with her children (and husband!), lavishing hugs and kisses on each one as a reminder of how precious they are to her.
35) This society worships rugged individualists, and lone ranger Christians are often the rule rather than the exception. While we know that it is becoming more difficult to find family-friendly and biblically-based churches, Prairie Muffins reject the notion that commitment to a local church is optional. We affirm the importance of the church in our families' lives, and we willingly submit to its leaders. It is our desire to raise children who are life-long worshipers in the pew and future leaders of strong churches.
36) Prairie Muffins are happy to be girls—they rejoice in the distinctives which God sovereignly bestowed on them which make them feminine. They are also happy that their husbands are masculine, and they do not diminish that masculinity by harping on habits which emanate from the fact that boys will be boys, even when they grow up. In addition, Prairie Muffins are careful not to use their feminine, hormotional weaknesses to excuse sinful attitudes and actions, but learn to depend more and more on God's grace and strength in the midst of any monthly trials.
37) Prairie Muffins may go against the flow, but they also know how to roll with the flow. Living moment by moment, day by day, season by season, they don't depend on present circumstances to dictate their direction in life. Circumstances change constantly, so Prairie Muffins hang tightly onto the Father's hand while they ride out the waves of life that ebb and flow past their doors. 38) The chief end of the Prairie Muffin is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Because she is not her own, but belongs to her faithful Savior Jesus Christ, she understands her responsibility to please Him in all she does, looking to His holy, inerrant Word for guidance in everything pertaining to life and godliness. As a Berean, she measures all she reads and hears against that plumbline, and she purposes to gratefully obey God's law, in His strength, because Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, said, "If you love Me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). We understand that nothing we do will merit our salvation—that is only given through the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us—but serving our Lord is part of our sanctification. The Bible has some very specific things to say to women regarding their God-given role, and Prairie Muffins take those divinely-ordained distinctions very seriously.
39) Aware that they are being watched, rather than becoming paranoid—or annoyed—Prairie Muffins are employed* in setting a good example for those who have their eyes on them. We in no way wish to endorse adopting masks to hide the real "you," but we firmly believe that what is on the inside will show through, so we suggest remembering that there is no hiding the real you from those who know you best, i.e., your family. By God's grace we will continue to work on cleaning up our act, being that good example, knowing that "more attention our children pay to what we do than what we say."
40) The women who will have the greatest impact on the world, those who will have the greatest influence on history, are those "well-behaved" women who faithfully serve God in their daily lives, seeking His approval rather than the world's admiration. Prairie Muffins know that while engaging in the kingdom-building work in their homes of loving, training and disciplining their children, the world may not express its approval, but it will be turned upside down.
41) Self-fulfillment is not a motivation for the Prairie Muffin. As time flies by, she senses the urgency for living a "real" life, really living life for eternity. Our goal should be to please ourselves less and please God more: our pleasure should be pleasing God.
42) We are reminded in Proverbs 10:19, "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise." Prairie Muffins must refrain from being mouthy, including online. It is not our place to always set everyone straight or tell everything we know. In fact, Proverbs also warns us not to answer a fool according to his folly (Proverbs 26:4), so pray for wisdom before unleashing your opinions like any fool with a keyboard. This entreaty to restraint particularly applies to battles of which you have no part. She who has ears to hear, read carefully the admonitions of the great Puritan preacher, Matthew Poole, on the issue of detraction, an admonition that is never more timely though written hundreds of years ago. Then go back to Proverbs, starting with chapter one, because if you want to be a Proverbs 31 woman, then that's the place to begin
43) There are many good things that Prairie Muffins love: their husbands, their children, their churches. But most of all, Prairie Muffins love their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and though those other treasures are precious, they hold them lightly, trusting in God's providence regarding even those most prized possessions, knowing that to hold them too tightly would be replacing them with God in their affections, and that would be idolatry.
44) As we pour out our lives in service to God and our families, we do not measure success by the visible return on that investment, as if we are accountants keeping record on a balance sheet. In the economy of God's kingdom, our sacrifices are of great value, even though we may not see all the benefits now, or even in this life. We mustn't regret any effort given in service to our Savior, and we ought to follow the example of Paul who rejoiced to be "poured out as a drink offering" (II Timothy 4:6), knowing that in pouring himself out on the sacrifice and service of the faith of others, he did not labor in vain (Phillipians 2:16-17).
45) All things exist for the glory of God, even those small things which the world ignores or despises. Prairie Muffins, however, know they should not despise the "day of small things," and they gladly serve their God in tasks great and small, not for the glory they can gain for themselves, but for the joy of bringing glory to Him who has given them everything. Whether cooking yet another meal, folding yet another basket of laundry, or quelling yet another childish tiff, God is pleased with our faithful and cheerful service, and He promises to reward us with greater responsibility and joy (Matthew 25:21)
.46) A Prairie Muffin knows that excuses are unbecoming and low. She is able to take responsibility for her actions, and she doesn't cover up her sin when she stumbles. She wholeheartedly embraces the entirety of God's Word and lives in obedience to it all to the best of her ability, with His help, grateful that "His mercies are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23). She may be an ordinary woman whose faith is sometimes halting, but she serves an extraordinary God whose faithfulness is great and who will enable her to do great things in His service.
47) Rather than acting like victims when trials come—and they will—Prairie Muffins act like victors in the midst of suffering, knowing that God sovereignly ordains their circumstances for their benefit and His glory. So no whining, excuses, or finger pointing, but be comforted and strengthened by God, knowing that you will one day have opportunity to help others with the comfort wherewith you were comforted.
48) Looking at the greener garden on the other side of the fence is very tempting. Prairie Muffins know, however, that what the world considers mundane—the serving they do in their homes among their families—is no less important than ministries or occupations which might seem to be more noble, but are outside their sphere of sovereignty. Instead, they look with new eyes at the important work in front of them, and they gladly dig in and show their children, their husbands, and the watching world, that getting their hands dirty in their own back yards is a glorious thing, especially when the redeeming work of making beauty out of that jungle finally bears fruit.
49) Though there are those who would portray the life of a Prairie Muffin as dreary drudgery, not meant for those elite women who are truly "gifted," we know that there is a wealth of riches to be found when we embrace this home-centered calling. There are many aspects of life at home which are mundane, repetitious, and sometimes unpleasant. The same is true of any job, even those which receive a weekly paycheck. But the privileges and important responsibilities of work anchored in home responsibilities soon outshine the difficulties which are really opportunities given by God for our benefit and sanctification. We are blessed to be at home where so much productivity takes place.
50) Prairie Muffins have been forgiven much, so they must forgive others. Our burden of sin was left at the cross, but it's a good idea to frequently go back to the cross and look at what we have left there to remember the great love by which our Savior purchased our pardon. That keeps our grievances in perspective and makes it easier to be patient with the offenses of others.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Not Moving
I have very sad news..the contract fell through on our house, and our offer was not accepted on the house we were looking at. But on the bright side, I know where I will be when it is time to start home schooling! I am pretty sure we are going to take our house off the market for now. So I am sooo ready to bring my stuff back in the house. I am ready for my house to be MY home again. My husband says that it all happened the way it did for a reason, and I am sure it did..it is just hard to understand right now. I guess women are alot more emotional than men. Sometimes we just don't see eye to eye on things, but I do respect his decision and his place as the head of our household. I know that God has a plan for us, and maybe teaching us patience is part of the plan. I feel like God keeps whispering to me that He can see ahead of me..maybe He Is trying to tell me something..I don't know. I am disappointed in the ways things went, but I will get over it..life goes on. I have a beautiful family..a wonderful hard working husband, and so many other things to be thankful for. Thank you for all of your prayers, and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Great Salad
INGREDIENTS:
Note: Try to get all of the below organic, if you can. Most Super Wal-Marts will carry all or some of the below in organic form.
8 large leaves of Romaine lettuce, chopped or torn into a more edible size
1/5 cup or less of chopped onion
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
Several thin slices of cucumber, diced
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
HOW TO MAKE IT:
1) Mix all vegetable ingredients in a large salad bowl
2) In a small, separate bowl, put in the Dijon mustard, and mix in the red wine vinegar
3) Slowly pour and stir the olive oil into the Dijon and red wine vinegar. You may find it easiest to mix this with a fork
4) Mix liquid mixture into the vegetables, and viola, you have your salad. :-)
Note: Try to get all of the below organic, if you can. Most Super Wal-Marts will carry all or some of the below in organic form.
8 large leaves of Romaine lettuce, chopped or torn into a more edible size
1/5 cup or less of chopped onion
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
Several thin slices of cucumber, diced
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
HOW TO MAKE IT:
1) Mix all vegetable ingredients in a large salad bowl
2) In a small, separate bowl, put in the Dijon mustard, and mix in the red wine vinegar
3) Slowly pour and stir the olive oil into the Dijon and red wine vinegar. You may find it easiest to mix this with a fork
4) Mix liquid mixture into the vegetables, and viola, you have your salad. :-)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Looking for a home
Here are a few pics of the house we are looking at now...I am trying very hard not to get attached this time until things are more sure..Have a great day.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
50 uses for vinegar
From weirdfacts.com
Kill grass on walks and driveways.
Kill weeds. Spray full strength on growth until plants have starved.
Increase soil acidity. In hard water: one gallon of tap water for watering rhododendrums, gardenias, or azaleas.
Deter ants. Spray vinegar around doors, appliances, and along other areas where ants are known.
Polish car chrome. Apply full strength.
Remove skunk odor from a dog. Rub fur with full strength vinegar; rinse.
Keep cats away. Sprinkle vinegar on areas you don't want the cat walking, sleeping, or scratching on.
Keep dogs from scratching his ears. Use a clean, soft cloth dipped in diluted vinegar.
Keep chickens from pecking each other. Put a little in their drinking water.
Tenderize meat. Soak in vinegar over night.
Freshen vegetables. Soak wilted vegetables in 2 cups of water and a tablespoon of vinegar.
Boil better eggs. Add 2 tablespoons to water before boiling eggs. Keeps them from cracking.
Soothe a bee or jellyfish sting. Dot the irritation with vinegar and relieve itching.
Relieve sunburn. Lightly rub white vinegar; you may have to reapply.
Condition hair. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to dissolve sticky residue left by shampoo.
Relieve dry and itchy skin. Add 2 tablespoons to bath water.
Fight dandruff. After shampooing, rinse with vinegar and 2 cups of warm water.
Soothe a sore throat. Put a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water. Gargle and then swallow.
Treat sinus infections and chest colds. Add 1/4 cup or more vinegar to the vaporizer.
Feel good. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, with a bit of honey added for flavor, will take the edge off your appetite and give you an overall healthy feeling.
Deodorize the kitchen drain. Pour a cup down the drain once a week. Let stand 30 minutes and then flush with cold water.
Eliminate onion odor. Rub on your fingers before and after slicing.
Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards. Wipe with full strength vinegar.
Remove fruit stains from hands. Rub with vinegar.
Cut grease and odor on dishes. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to hot soapy water.
Clean a teapot. Boil a mixture of water and vinegar in the teapot. Wipe away the grime.
Freshen a lunchbox. Soak a piece of bread in vinegar and let it sit in the lunchbox over night.
Clean the refrigerator. Wash with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar.
Unclog a drain. Pour a handful of baking soda down the drain and add 1/2 cup of vinegar. Rinse with hot water.
Clean and deodorize the garbage disposal. Make vinegar ice cubes and feed them down the disposal. After grinding, run cold water through
Clean and deodorize jars. Rinse mayonnaise, peanut butter, and mustard jars with vinegar when empty.
Clean the dishwasher. Run a cup of vinegar through the whole cycle once a month to reduce soap build up on the inner mechanisms and on glassware.
Clean stainless steel. Wipe with a vinegar dampened cloth.
Clean china and fine glassware. Add a cup of vinegar to a sink of warm water. Gently dip the glass or china in the solution and let dry.
Get stains out of pots. Fill pot with a solution of 3 tablespoons of vinegar to a pint of water. Boil until stain loosens and can be washed away.
Clean the microwave. Boil a solution of 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. Will loosen splattered on food and deodorize.
Dissolve rust from bolts and other metals. Soak in full strength vinegar.
Get rid of cooking smells. Let simmer a small pot of vinegar and water solution.
Unclog steam iron. Pour equal amounts of vinegar and water into the iron's water chamber.
Turn to steam and leave the iron on for 5 minutes in an upright position. Then unplug and allow to cool. Any loose particles should come out when you empty the water.
Clean a scorched iron plate. Heat equal parts vinegar and salt in a small pan. Rub solution on the cooled iron surface to remove dark or burned stains.
Get rid of lint in clothes. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Keep colors from running. Immerse clothes in full strength vinegar before washing.
Freshen up the washing machine. Periodically, pour a cup of vinegar in the machine and let in run through a regular cycle (no clothes added). Will dissolve soap residue.
Brighten fabric colors. Add a 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Take grease off suede. Dip a toothbrush in vinegar and gently brush over grease spot.
Remove tough stains. Gently rub on fruit, jam, mustard, coffee, tea. Then wash as usual.
Get smoke smell out of clothes. Add a cup of vinegar to a bath tub of hot water. Hang clothes above the steam.
Remove decals. Brush with a couple coats of vinegar. Allow to soak in. Wash off.
Clean eyeglasses. Wipe each lens with a drop of vinegar.
Freshen cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar for each quart of water.
Kill grass on walks and driveways.
Kill weeds. Spray full strength on growth until plants have starved.
Increase soil acidity. In hard water: one gallon of tap water for watering rhododendrums, gardenias, or azaleas.
Deter ants. Spray vinegar around doors, appliances, and along other areas where ants are known.
Polish car chrome. Apply full strength.
Remove skunk odor from a dog. Rub fur with full strength vinegar; rinse.
Keep cats away. Sprinkle vinegar on areas you don't want the cat walking, sleeping, or scratching on.
Keep dogs from scratching his ears. Use a clean, soft cloth dipped in diluted vinegar.
Keep chickens from pecking each other. Put a little in their drinking water.
Tenderize meat. Soak in vinegar over night.
Freshen vegetables. Soak wilted vegetables in 2 cups of water and a tablespoon of vinegar.
Boil better eggs. Add 2 tablespoons to water before boiling eggs. Keeps them from cracking.
Soothe a bee or jellyfish sting. Dot the irritation with vinegar and relieve itching.
Relieve sunburn. Lightly rub white vinegar; you may have to reapply.
Condition hair. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to dissolve sticky residue left by shampoo.
Relieve dry and itchy skin. Add 2 tablespoons to bath water.
Fight dandruff. After shampooing, rinse with vinegar and 2 cups of warm water.
Soothe a sore throat. Put a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water. Gargle and then swallow.
Treat sinus infections and chest colds. Add 1/4 cup or more vinegar to the vaporizer.
Feel good. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, with a bit of honey added for flavor, will take the edge off your appetite and give you an overall healthy feeling.
Deodorize the kitchen drain. Pour a cup down the drain once a week. Let stand 30 minutes and then flush with cold water.
Eliminate onion odor. Rub on your fingers before and after slicing.
Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards. Wipe with full strength vinegar.
Remove fruit stains from hands. Rub with vinegar.
Cut grease and odor on dishes. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to hot soapy water.
Clean a teapot. Boil a mixture of water and vinegar in the teapot. Wipe away the grime.
Freshen a lunchbox. Soak a piece of bread in vinegar and let it sit in the lunchbox over night.
Clean the refrigerator. Wash with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar.
Unclog a drain. Pour a handful of baking soda down the drain and add 1/2 cup of vinegar. Rinse with hot water.
Clean and deodorize the garbage disposal. Make vinegar ice cubes and feed them down the disposal. After grinding, run cold water through
Clean and deodorize jars. Rinse mayonnaise, peanut butter, and mustard jars with vinegar when empty.
Clean the dishwasher. Run a cup of vinegar through the whole cycle once a month to reduce soap build up on the inner mechanisms and on glassware.
Clean stainless steel. Wipe with a vinegar dampened cloth.
Clean china and fine glassware. Add a cup of vinegar to a sink of warm water. Gently dip the glass or china in the solution and let dry.
Get stains out of pots. Fill pot with a solution of 3 tablespoons of vinegar to a pint of water. Boil until stain loosens and can be washed away.
Clean the microwave. Boil a solution of 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. Will loosen splattered on food and deodorize.
Dissolve rust from bolts and other metals. Soak in full strength vinegar.
Get rid of cooking smells. Let simmer a small pot of vinegar and water solution.
Unclog steam iron. Pour equal amounts of vinegar and water into the iron's water chamber.
Turn to steam and leave the iron on for 5 minutes in an upright position. Then unplug and allow to cool. Any loose particles should come out when you empty the water.
Clean a scorched iron plate. Heat equal parts vinegar and salt in a small pan. Rub solution on the cooled iron surface to remove dark or burned stains.
Get rid of lint in clothes. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Keep colors from running. Immerse clothes in full strength vinegar before washing.
Freshen up the washing machine. Periodically, pour a cup of vinegar in the machine and let in run through a regular cycle (no clothes added). Will dissolve soap residue.
Brighten fabric colors. Add a 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Take grease off suede. Dip a toothbrush in vinegar and gently brush over grease spot.
Remove tough stains. Gently rub on fruit, jam, mustard, coffee, tea. Then wash as usual.
Get smoke smell out of clothes. Add a cup of vinegar to a bath tub of hot water. Hang clothes above the steam.
Remove decals. Brush with a couple coats of vinegar. Allow to soak in. Wash off.
Clean eyeglasses. Wipe each lens with a drop of vinegar.
Freshen cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar for each quart of water.
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