Home, Hobbies, and Asundry

First Day of Autumn

2010-09-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

Leaves fall, cool air, harvest moon, and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. These elements of autumn symbolize the closing of a year. Here are some ideas to celebrate the Autumn Equinox:

* Make scarecrow dolls out of straw and old clothes and set up a tea party with them on your front porch.
* Burn pumpkin spice or apple cider scented candles.
* Make dolls out of pine cones.
* Create fall place mats: collect colorful leaves and arrange on an orange or black paper. Place between two pieces of wax paper and place between pages of a heavy book. After a few days remove from the book. Take off the wax paper and laminate the page with the leaves.
* Take a scenic drive to see trees in fall color.
* Visit a local public garden.
* Take a walk through a forest or along a river.
* Decorate your house with autumn wreaths; pumpkins and other fall vegetables; orange, red and brown ribbons; bouquets of autumn flowers, etc.
* Rake leaves into a pile and jump into them: see how much crunching noise you can make.
* Collect leaves from the neighborhood and make a collage.
* Carve pumpkins.
* Visit a lake or a pond and watch the geese or ducks prepare for their journey south.

Labor Day

2010-09-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

Labor Day

Labor Day: the last long weekend of summer and the first long weekend of fall. Labor Day falls on the first Monday of September. The summer closes with a bang. One more trip to the lake, one more excursion to the beach, one more weekend to complete those outdoor summer projects. Labor Day weekend brims with activities, memories of summer gone by, and expectations of what fall will bring.

This holiday was originally established to celebrate the workers of our country. Men and women of the past who formed unions to fight for their freedoms made it possible for us to enjoy the luxuries of today.

Although the majority of people in the United States are not members of unions, they have all benefited from the historical fight for freedom unions fought over 100 years ago. Few celebration of workers activities are held today, but we all rest from our labors and the name of this special day reminds us of those Knights of Labor who stood up for workers' rights.

Here are some ideas to celebrate Labor Day:

* Have a Knights of Labor BBQ invite family and friends and have them dress up as knights. Have paper tube jousts and suction cup archery contests. Post a picture of a knight's horse on a wall and pin the name of an original Knights of Labor onto the horse as the rider.
* Have a Minimum Wage Lunch Rounds set up a lunch rounds with friends and family. Visit each participating home and receive a portion of a meal for under minimum wage. For example, visit the Whites and receive cool aid; visit the Browns and receive hotdogs; visit the Blacks and receive a Jello dessert.
* Put on your own Labor Day Parade have your kids dress up as different workers (tailors, construction workers, mechanics, etc.), play parade music and march around your back yard. Finish the march with throwing confetti and eating hamburgers.

First Day of School

2010-09-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

First Day of School

I sit in my garage, looking over the school supply list for my two school returnees. Surrounded by bags from various stores I sort pencils, paper and various art supplies into backpacks. Hours of shopping prepared the way for the big event, the first day of school.

The kids jig and dance, anticipating seeing their friends after a summer packed full of activities. They talk about who will say what. They giggle about who will do what. They whisper, wondering what the new school year will bring. Electrified anticipation zings through the air.

I wipe a tear. Where did the summer go? It slipped away behind kid's camp and family camp and swimming lessons. It slinked behind Grandparents' visits and birthdays. Soon the days passed, time spent, never again to be retrieved. Tomorrow my children step into a different dispensation, the school dispensation.

The high order of school takes over as I drop my smiling-faced offspring at the entrance of its institution. It administrates my time with their dear souls, dictating my schedule and ordaining my banishment from their presence for seven hours of my day. I cower over my steering wheel as I leave its presence.

The school bell rings. The day is through! My munchkins giggle and chortle and dance to the van, shouting their news to my ears that long to hear every word. A smile spreads across my face; I have my wee ones back again.

Yes, the first day of school brings great emotion. It pushes me forward, forcing me to let go, reminding me to make the most of every moment I have with these living treasures of God.

Woe to the Hyprocrite

2010-01-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Matthew 23:23

I rushed from a church friend's place to a birthday party for one of my children's classmates. As usual, I stayed and visited with the adults while the children played. One of the mothers noted the way I was dressed and said, "Oh you must go to that church . . . that one that makes the women wear dresses." The woman then went on to tell of all the horrendous things people at that church had done to her.

I blushed in shame, fidgeted and wished like crazy I had changed into a pair of jeans.

********

"Oh, you go to that legalistic church, the one that says you have to behave in such and such away to prove that you are a Christian." The man furrowed his brow and shook his head.

I tried to defend my church and replied that no, we believe that by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves . . . but was I living it?

*******

"The men in that church think women are beneath them . . ." the woman spoke with derision.

I knew her case, what she'd been through, and understood her bitterness, but I couldn't agree. Nonetheless, had we treated her in such a way as to cause her to believe this?

*******

I believe we must live good lives before all men to honor God and bring Him glory, but I also recognize that when my 'good-living' isn't coupled with judgment, mercy, and faith, it wears the cloak of a hypocrite.

Jesus didn't tell the Pharisees to stop tithing or to not clean the outside of their cups, but He did rebuke them for performing good works so that they would outwardly appear righteous unto men.

I want to live a good life. I want to please my Lord. And I don't want to be a stumbling block, an excuse for an unsaved person to resist the Gospel.

My desire is that when strangers meet me, or people who do not go to my church meet me, that they do not look on the way I dress or how I act and scorn Christ. Rather that upon my countenance they see something for which they long; that through my words and actions they are drawn to the Holy Spirit living within me; that my interaction with them leaves them wanting more of Christ.

It is not what I wear that makes me a Christian. It is not the good-living that brings me salvation. It is not how my husband treats me that makes me better than anyone else (and he treats me like I'm his greatest treasure). All these things are nothing more than cleaning "the outside of the cup and the platter." (Matthew 23:25)

What will make me appear as a Christian to the unsaved is what comes from within me; what proceeds from my mouth; what they see on my face; what spirit they feel in my presence; and whether they experience from me judgment, mercy, and faith.

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: . . . Matthew 15:18-20

Will I lower my standards which I uphold to keep my heart and my mind close to God just to not offend? No. But I hope that what a person remembers of me is not that I don't do certain things, rather that I showed them Christ's love, mercy, justice, and faithfulness, and in addition to that, I live a righteous life.

What Kind of a Shepherd Are You?

2010-01-26T05:49:00.000-08:00

I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. Ezekiel 34:16

This verse is often used to encourage us about God's love and care.

But I want to look at it in the context of the whole chapter. God told Ezekiel to prophecy against the shepherds of Israel. These would be the spiritual leaders of the nation of Israel. Here is a list of what God held against them:

They fed themselves instead of the flocks
They eat the fat
They clothed themselves with wool, but did not feed the flock
They didn't strengthen the diseased
They didn't heal the sick
They didn't bind up that which was broken
They didn't bring again that which was driven away
They hadn't sought that which was lost
They ruled by force and cruelty

When I initially studied this chapter I had just finished reading In the Shadow of the Cathedral by Christine Schneider. This novel tells of a monk who saw the fat of the Catholic church leaders and the starving people, and of his discovery that what the church was teaching was not based on Scripture. In reading Ezekiel 34 I immediately made the parallel between the shepherds of Israel and the Catholic church leaders.

But what about those to whom I minister? How do I perform?

Our church just completed a week of prayer revival. The attendance was good. The altars were full of praying people each night. Testimonies were given about how the sermons touched people's hearts. Some were even saved.

But what is happening this week?

We fed for a week on great sermons . . . but have we fed those around us?

We ate the fat from the hand of a great speaker with a great sense of humor . . . but did we do so at the expense of those who follow us?

We clothed ourselves with the garments of prayer we considered righteous . . . but did we tell those we have influence over how to pray?

Our Lord and our God, forgive us if we have not prayed for the diseased and the the sick and gone out to share with them how their diseased heart can be healed.

We sat under the teachings, binded up our lives which were already bound in Christ . . . but have we gone out and helped the broken-hearted find healing in salvation?

We nodded in agreement and thought of those who strayed from the church . . . but did we bring again those who were driven away . . . perhaps even driven away because of our own words and actions?

We were told of the lost and their great need . . . but have we stepped out of the safety of our own house, knocked on that stranger's door, actively sought the lost? God forgive us.

Have we instead surrounded us with our preferences such that when someone dares to cross the threshold of our church's door they feel forced to comply to our 'cultural' preferences, sensing the cruel snobbery of us because of our preferences? . . . thou shalt not let your wife wear pants . . . thou shalt not go to the movie theater (but its okay to watch the same movie in the luxury of your own home) . . . Dear Lord, have we become like the Pharisees imposing our preferences as principles and precepts upon others? Making the markings of our church culture the letter of the law instead of submitting them to the principles and precepts taught in the Bible? Teaching our traditions as more important than the truths which Jesus taught?

We are well fed in our church, . . . but are we willing to go out and:

seek that which was lost
bring back those who were driven away
bind up that which was broken
strengthen that which was sick?

Dear Lord, let me not become so comfortable in the culture of my church that I am unable to see how that culture might interfere with the work you have given me.

Dear Lord, give me the love You have for souls so that I might not be like the shepherds of Israel or the pharisees.

Dear Lord, strengthen me and empower me by Your Holy Spirit to seek, and bring, and bind, and strengthen according to Your Word, Your precepts, Your principles and not my preferences or traditions. Please, by Your grace and mercy, enable me to be Your instrument to do the work You have given me to do.

Personalities

2010-01-05T07:10:00.000-08:00

I just can't get stand her . . . she's always doing . . . why does she act like that? . . . We just have nothing in common.

Oy. Raising three kids with three very different personalities is like trying to bring together three warring nations . . . well maybe not quite, but there are times when I wonder.

Each personality flows from the innermost creature and comes out in the form of needs and desires expressed in a manner unique to each individual.

Weaknesses and strengths form personality as well as experiences, culture, faith, and choices.

My daughter's kindergarten teacher frequently mentioned what joy she brought to her. I know the joy my sweet daughter can bring, when she chooses to expose it. I also know the fits she can expose when she chooses. The personality that her teacher saw did not match the personality we see at home.

Over the years, in university and out, I've been exposed to many of these personality tests. You're a type A manager. No you're a Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging person. No you have a balanced personality. No are idealistic. and so on.

I soon learned that these personality tests vary from day to day depending on how I'm feeling or thinking. I've come to completely disregard these tests and throw them out with the bath water. What a lot of nonsense.

That is not to say that I don't see certain habits or talents or tendencies in different people, but I prefer not to put a person in a box. Why? Because I know people can change.

Personality weaknesses often are an extension of our sinful nature. For example, competitive persons tend to be strategic, energetic and deliberate, and often the desire for achievement overthrows mercy and selfless living. They become so caught up with the need to win that they can forget to consider the other person. A weakness stemming from their sinful nature.

God has given each of us different talents and gifts to be used for Him. How we use them reflects what are our priorities, and what our priorities are reflects what we love. My eldest daughter loves to sing. She makes this a priority in her life to sing only songs pleasing to God. She doesn't sing the most popular songs on the radio or on YouTube. That reflects what she loves, what she has been taught, and where she sets her priorities.

I'm tired of the excuse, it is just her personality, when someone brings offense to another. Personalities can be curbed, shaped and molded in order to bring joy to another person or to God. The tendencies to respond negatively to certain stimuli can be overcome when we reconsider where we are placing our values, our faith, and our priorities, AND when we put others, including God, before ourselves.

Growing Herbs

2009-12-31T14:28:00.000-08:00

If you enjoy fresh herbs in your recipes, consider growing them. Depending on where you live, many herbs can be grown year round in the garden. Other herbs do well as potted plants on a windowsill in your house.

Here is a list of herbs that are easy to grow either outside in a climate with little to no frost, or in a pot:

Parsley
Oregano
Chives
Sage
Mint
Thyme
Basil is another herb that grows well in a pot. However, it can be more susceptible to climate changes, and therefore more difficult to grow in a garden.

Rosemary is a hardy bush that can tolerate some frost. It can grow larger than most indoor potted plants.

Fresh herbs can cost plenty in a store, especially during the winter. Having a herb garden, whether in the ground or in pots, is one way to pinch pennies. If you have extra, you can dry them or freeze them for later.

Time Management

2009-12-29T15:34:00.000-08:00

Every person operates differently. Even at different stages in our lives how we manage time changes. One style may work for one person at one stage in life and another style for someone else at a different stage. A good indication that a plan is not working for you is when you stop following that plan. The following provides some common points to consider when managing your time along with samples of schedules.

Before time management begins, a family needs to establish their goals, values and priorities. These will govern the inclusion of activities and completion of tasks.

There are three aspects of time management that need to be considered:

1. assessment of factors affecting time
2. tasks requiring completion
3. scheduling of appointments, etc.

Assessment of Factors

Time management factors are those priorities, aspirations, activities, responsibilities, and people in your life that require a part of your day, week, month or year.

Factors that may affect time management are:

* family goals
* family responsibilities
* family activities
* personal goals
* personal activities
* hours of sleep you require
* meal times
* extracurricular activities (e.g. church, clubs, sports activities)
* weather
* commute
* illnesses
* family emergencies
* personal relaxation
* home maintenance
* work

Tasks

Group your time management factors into three to five manageable groups. For example:

� family
� extracurricular activities
� work
� personal
� the unexpected

Now make a list of common tasks for each group and prioritize them. For example:

* Family:

1. Date with husband
2. Board game night
3. Date with daughter
4. Date with son
5. Work day
6. Volunteer day

Take the list of tasks and determine the frequency and length of time required. For example:

* Family:
o Date with husband (weekly about 3 hours)
o Board game night (weekly about 1 hour)
o Date with daughter (bi-weekly about 2 hours)
o Date with son (bi-weekly about 2 hours)
o Work day (monthly about 6 hours)
o Volunteer day (monthly about 4 hours)

Work from this list to establish your schedule.

Scheduling

Review your family and personal goals, values and priorities before setting a schedule. Build your schedule based on the time of year, your monthly calendar, your weekly events and your daily events. Always build in time for the unexpected. There is nothing wrong with leaving "holes" in your schedule in which you can reschedule some event that didn't happen or accomplish a task that never got completed.

Review the groups of tasks you established earlier. These groups will provide the framework for your schedule. On your annual and monthly calendars mark appointments, dates and times of extracurricular activities, and any special family dates (e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc.).

Your weekly schedule should be divided into parts of the day (e.g. morning, afternoon, and evening). On your weekly schedule, mark appointments, times of extracurricular activities and special family dates for that week. Now block off time for family, meals, housekeeping, and personal time. Add any other activities around these priorities.

Now build a daily schedule. I suggest you maintain one daily schedule where blocks of time can be filled by activities. Certain parts of your day should remain the same; for example, meal times, bedtimes and wake up times. Having a daily routine reduces stress and makes completing tasks less cumbersome.

The point of time management is to help you wisely use your time and energy to meet your goals. If a time management system is not working for you, look for another one that will. As our priorities change or family changes so does the demand and use of our time. Our method of scheduling and managing of tasks should also change with our life.

Family Fun Tip

2009-12-24T14:29:00.000-08:00

Plan at least one Saturday or weekday evening a month where you commit a minimum of two hours doing a family activity (other than watching television). Block this time off in your calendar and each family member's calendar. Don't let work or church or friends or extended family steal this time.

Turn off the telephone. Turn off the computer. Turn off the television. Turn off any video games, the WII, or other electronic devices that might distract you or a family member. This is for the exclusive club that only your immediately family members are a part of - no one else can participate.

Plan ahead for some fun event that you will all enjoy. Don't leave it until the last minute, otherwise you will be tempted to take the easy way out and reach for that TV remote.

This time is very important and may make a tremendous difference in your lives, in your attitudes toward each other, and in the establishment of super family secrets (those embarrassing stories you swear you will only tell to each other).

Herbed Roast Chicken

2009-12-22T14:07:00.000-08:00

This recipe is the chicken I use for my chicken broth.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1 tsp basil

2 tsp marjoram (or if using ground marjoram, use only 1 tsp)

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp parsley

1/2 tsp thyme

3-5 lb roasting chicken

preheat oven to 425 F
if you like, fold wings of chicken across the back then skewer drumsticks to tail
place chicken breast side up in roasting pan
insert meat thermometer into thickest part of thigh so that it doesn't touch bone
I cheat here and melt the butter, then mix the herbs into the butter before pouring over the chicken, but you may want to get a deeper flavor by mixing the herbs into soft butter and rubbing the chicken all over with it (pushing the butter between the skin and the breast), then go right ahead
bake uncovered for 45 minutes
decrease temperature to 375 F and back another 45 minutes to an hour until the thermometer reaches 180 F and chicken is done. The high temperature at the start is to brown the chicken (the butter will keep the chicken from drying out). Dropping the temperature in the second half of the roasting period will keep the meat cooking while keeping it moist. I rarely have trouble with chicken drying this way, but if it is a concern for you, cover the chicken for this last hour to hold the moisture.

I use the same herb mixture for turkey. For an 8 to 12 lb turkey, unstuffed, start the roast at 425 F for 1 hour, then drop the temperature down for the last 2 hours or until internal temperature of bird reaches 180 F.

Cleaning Light Fixtures

2009-12-17T14:24:00.000-08:00

Routine cleaning of light fixtures will reduce the risk of fire. As with all maintenance, review the fixture's manual before cleaning for specific instructions.

In most cases the following routine done regularly (at least every six months) will do:

Remove light fixture - careful not to jiggle bulb.
Glass light fixtures may be handwashed in warm soapy water in a deep sink.
Dry fixture thoroughly.
Take a clean dry cloth and wipe lightbulb.
Take this opportunity to inspect wiring for any lose or frayed wires that need attention.
Before replacing light fixture, ensure lightbulb works and that the fixture is completely dry.

Baked Potato Shepherd's Pie

2009-12-15T13:45:00.000-08:00

A correction for the December 1 post: the flour for the berry pie should have read 1/2 cup, not 1.5 cups. Clearly a typo on my part (caught by my dear mother-in-law), and I hope you can accept my apologies. It has been corrected.

This is a leftover's recipe and so don't fuss over amounts, just use what you have.

Ingredients:

cooking oil spray

1 lb leftover roast beef, sliced

3 tbsp water

1 cup of leftover veggies (green beans, peas, or carrots)

2 baked potatoes, sliced

1/2 cup bacon bits

1/2 cup cheese

preheat oven to 425 F
spray casserole dish with cooking oil
layer previously cooked sliced roast beef on bottom of dish and add water
top beef with leftover vegetables
top vegetables with baked potato slices
top potato with bacon bits
bake covered for 40 to 45 minutes, depending how well done the meat was (i.e. if meat was rare to medium cook longer, if well-done shorten time)
sprinkle cheese on top and bake uncovered another 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted.

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

2009-12-10T13:57:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

dash of cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp ground mustard

1 cup milk

cooking spray

1/2 cup cheddar cheese

1/2 head of cauliflower, cut up

1/4 cup of water

preheat oven to 425 F
spray casserole dish and cover bottom with cauliflower then add water
in a saucepan over low heat, melt butter
stir flour, salt, cayenne pepper, and ground mustard into butter over medium heat until smooth and bubbly
remove sauce from heat and gradually stir in milk
return sauce to heat and boil for one minute, stirring continuously
removed from heat and add cheese, stirring until melted
pour sauce over cauliflower
baked covered in oven for 15 minutes or until cauliflower is cooked.

I've put leftover roast beef on the bottom of the casserole dish to add some protein and it comes out quite good!

Christmas Decor

2009-12-08T14:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a wonderful time to change the look of your house. To begin, survey the room you will be decorating. Note the style, the color, and the lighting. Particularly note the color of your walls, floor and furnishing. These will help you determine the look for your Christmas decor.
Most people begin with the Christmas tree, but I suggest you begin like you would with any time you decorate a room, keeping in mind the Christmas tree will be your focal point.

Wall Decor - You may wish to decorate a mirror or enhance a picture that already has a wintry scene. Use poinsettia sprays or garland.
Signature Accessories - These can be items you might set on your mantel, your stockings, or other themed accessories that you place on your tables. This may also include any item you might place on your floor - including your Christmas tree.
Ambience - What would Christmas be without Christmas lights? Use strings of lights, candles, or themed lamps to bring the warm feeling of Christmas cheer. Don't forget the scent of pine, Christmas baking, or other aromas that suit the season. Then play some nice Christmas music in the background.
Florals and Greenery - Of course this includes your Christmas tree, but why not add a wreath at your door or drape a cranberry swag over a picture? Perhaps add a potted poinsettia or some cedar bows along a tabletop.
When you are done, grab a cup of hot apple cider or hot chocolate, sit down in your favorite chair, and enjoy your creation.

Zuppa Toscana (Italian sausage soup)

2009-12-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

1.5 lbs cooked Mild Italian Sausage

2 large baking potatoes in 1 inch cubes

1 large onion chopped

1.5 cups bacon bits

2 garlic cloves minced

2 cups of kale (you can use spinach or Swiss chard as substitutes)

3 cups chicken broth

4 cups water

1.5 cups Heavy Whipping cream

dash of pepper

2 tsp salt (less or more as desired)

Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water, and garlic in a large pot and cook until potatoes are tender. Add sausage, bacon bits, salt, and pepper then simmer for another 10 minutes. Add kale and cream and heat until soup just starts to bubble along sides (stir continuously). Serve with garlic bread.

Berry Pie

2009-12-01T19:42:00.000-08:00

Berry Pie

Pastry for a two-crust pie
1 cup sugar
1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 cups of mixed berries (blackberry, raspberry, blueberry)
1 tablespoon butter

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. In a large bowl, mix sugar, flour and cinnamon.
3. Gently stir in berries.
4. Pour into a pastry-lined pie plate.
5. OPTIONAL: sprinkle extra sugar over mixture.
6. Cut butter into pieces and sprinkle over berries.
7. Cover with top pastry.
8. Slit top pastry in several locations.
9. Seal top pastry with bottom pastry.
10. Cover edge with a strip of aluminum foil.
11. Bake for 30 minutes.
12. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes.
13. Remove from oven when crust is golden brown and juice is bubbling through slits.
14. Cool for two hours.

Crayon Creations

2009-11-26T19:41:00.000-08:00

Crayon Creations

When you have toddlers or young children in your house inevitably at some point crayon creations will make a debut on your walls. Before this happens, if at all possible, paint your walls with semi-gloss paint, not flat paint. Then you will be able to take a wet washcloth and wipe the art away. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers also work well, especially on semi-gloss paint.

A Sundry

2009-11-24T19:38:00.000-08:00

Life is more than the brick and mortar that surrounds us. Life is more than activities in which we participate. The brick and mortar merely holds the sundry things of life, and the activities become nothing more than the expressions of what really matters to us.

What we believe, what we feel, what we think, these are the things that direct our souls through life and death. These are the sundry things our materialistic, fast pace world causes us to swoop over like a jet plane over land. Yet these very things are at the heartbeat of our daily living and of our motivations.

A Mother's Study on Life

2009-11-19T19:37:00.000-08:00

Here are some verses mothers can meditate on that will help them with their life.

Being a mom begins with your relationship with your husband:

Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 2:18-24 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

Psalm 128:3 Thy wife [shall be] as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Proverbs 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

Proverbs 18:22 [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.

Proverbs 19:14 House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that [is] thy portion in [this] life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

I Corinthians 7:3-5 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Ephesians 5:22-25 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband.

I Peter 3:1-9 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
[2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
[3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
[4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
[5] For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
[6] Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
[7] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
[8] Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
[9] Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Then come the children:

Proverbs 1:7-9 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son [is] the heaviness of his mother.

Proverbs 19:26 He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth away [his] mother, [is] a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

Proverbs 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work [be] pure, and whether [it be] right.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

Proverbs 23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

Proverbs 23:24-25 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.

Proverbs 29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

Never forget that you are a woman, a wife, and a mom:

Proverbs 31:10-31 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
[11] The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
[12] She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
[13] She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
[14] She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
[15] She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
[16] She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
[17] She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
[18] She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
[19] She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
[20] She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
[21] She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
[22] She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
[23] Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
[24] She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
[25] Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
[26] She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
[27] She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
[28] Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
[29] Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
[30] Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
[31] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Ephesians 6:1-2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

I Timothy 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

I Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Horsemanship: Trailer Training

2009-11-17T19:33:00.000-08:00

Trailer Training is working around your horse's natural instincts. For a horse to put himself into a confined area is contrary to what his natural instincts would tell him to do. Training a horse to load and unload needs to be done several times before the horse travels in a trailer. You will need the following equipment:

� A safe trailer

� Stable bandages

� Poll guard

� Longe line

� Buggy whip

The key to teaching a horse to load is to make him feel comfortable inside the trailer. Begin by bandaging his legs and putting on a poll guard. These will protect him from possible injury as he learns to load. Next clip the longe line on his halter and hold the extra line in the left hand and the buggy whip in the right, like you would if you were to longe him.

Now lead him up to the trailer, which should be open, clean, and parked in an area free of hazardous obstacles or distractions. Allow him to sniff the floor. He will either back away or lose interest after he has smelled it.

When the horse's attention turns away from the trailer, encourage him to step forward, first with your voice and then, if he doesn't take a step, with the buggy whip tickling his croup. The intention is not to rush him but to gently encourage him forward. As soon as he takes a step forward toward or onto the trailer floor stop using the whip and praise him. If he backs out, circle him and approach the trailer again, this time asking him for a little more.

If he gets excited, longe him for a few minutes behind the trailer (not to the side) until he relaxes. Then on one of the circles gently drive him up into the trailer. When he puts more of his body into the trailer than the last time stop driving and praise him. Should he back out quickly, immediately put him back to work on the longe line until he is relaxed.

When he is relaxed, drive him again into the trailer and quit as soon as he gets part of his body in it. A good idea is to have a little grain or hay in the trailer to entice him to stay.

He may back out quickly again, he may back out slowly, or he may stay. You must remain relaxed whatever he chooses to do. As long as he is in the trailer do not pester him with the whip or he will come out again, feeling that he cannot get away.

Should he chose to stay in for a period of time, wait until he is relaxed before backing him out. When you do, tug gently on the longe line and say "back". Give him time to respond and be sure you are not standing right behind him. When he starts backing out, praise him and soothe him.

Have your horse load and unload several times with this method until he calmly and immediately walks up and into the trailer, remains in the trailer until you say "back", and quietly backs out of the trailer. The key is for him to be relaxed with loading, standing, and unloading.

Once the horse loads, stands, and unloads quietly and consistently, you can close the door. DO NOT CLOSE IT BEFORE THIS. Use a quiet soothing voice while you close the trailer up. Wait a few minutes, to ensure he relaxes, before opening the door. Do this several times until you are convinced the banging noises and close quarters do not frighten him.

Should he become nervous or excited at any one of these stages, return to the stage before and review until he is calm again. Repeat this entire exercise for several days until he consistently loads, stands, and unloads quietly. At that time, and only then, is he ready to travel.

Dealing with a horse that moves a lot during trailering: if horse is trailered in a small stall it may not be able to spread its legs enough to keep its balance. Allow enough length in tie that it can comfortably move to the back of its stall but not get hung up. Make sure there is enough head clearance. If trailering by itself remove the stall divider or, if with another horse, remove the bottom portion of divider. Drive slowly and give plenty of warning before starting and stopping. Make turns wide, slow, and easy. If possible, trailer horse in an open stock trailer where it will have adequate room to get its balance.

Spiritual Life

2009-11-12T19:35:00.000-08:00

Everyone has a spirit - it is that part of you that needs to connect with someone beyond yourself in a very intimate fashion, and on a level beyond normal human communication.

People try to bring their spirit to life in many ways. Some seek a kinship with others. Some use material possession to extend themselves replacing the need for a spiritual connection. Some seek it through religion. Whatever the case, everyone desires to have his or her spirit quickened (to restore to life).

Those who acknowledge that something is missing in their lives begin to seek fulfillment. They may not say that they feel spiritually dead; they may not even be aware they have a spirit. Nonetheless everyone will have a moment in his or her life where a dullness, an emptiness, a feeling of being alone, will spark realization of a need. Some may only acknowledge it for a moment. Others will spend years of their lives seeking after it. Still others will discover a quickening of their spirit that brings such great joy and peace and that changes their inner thoughts, feelings, and attitudes - they become a new creature.

Where are you? Did you know that there is a way to make your spirit alive? No, it is not through the conjuring up of spirits. It is not through religion and religious rites. It is not through a kinship with other people, nor through the gathering of wealth and possessions.

There is only one way, and that is through Jesus Christ, known also as the Word, God's Son, Creator. A simple act of disobedience killed the connection mankind had with the Holy Spirit, that is, with God. One great act, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, made reconnection possible.

The Bible says:

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)

The work has been done. The gift is offered. The price is paid. Only acknowledge your need and believe.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13

Writing

2009-11-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

Writing is a hobby I have turned into a career. I love to write. Since I was a child it has provided a way for me to escape into another world. It provided for me a way to express myself when I felt no one was listening.

Writing is a release. Many people write to work through issues or problems they have. Many write because they have something they feel compelled to share with the world. Others write for escape, and still others write to give to the people they love.

Some ways of enjoying this hobby:

* Journal writing
* Blogging
* Letter writing
* The business of writing
* Business writing
* Study notes
* Fiction writing
* Non-fiction writing
* Essay writing

Reading

2009-11-05T19:29:00.000-08:00

Reading takes us to parts of the world we may never visit and on adventures we may never personally experience. We see life through characters and learn a little about ourselves.

Through reading we learn about the world around us. We collect information from which we may draw conclusions about our life and what may affect us.

The ability to read is one of the great gifts a person can obtain.

Home Living

2009-11-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

Guests are coming! Family night! Good cooking! Holidays! Home living is a fountain of activities and values that bring joy, peace, and well-being to a family.

While the execution of home management plans, directs, maintains and controls the home environment, it is the fountain of activities and values that emanate that environment. What makes a house a home is not its day to day operations but how a family lives around and through those operations. For example, a meal is just food to nourish and energize, but add good company and good conversation and the meal becomes a time of emotional refreshment as well.

Home living draws upon the well of our personalities, tastes, and values. Our guests are an extension of ourselves; our family activities reflect the precepts we embrace, the principles we build upon, and the preferences we live by; our choice of holiday traditions are a window into our values and our inner character.

Holidays

2009-10-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

Family gatherings, lots of food, great memories. These are the things that make a holiday special. However, there are days other than religious or statutory holidays that can provide opportunity for family fun, celebration and good memories. In this section we will explore ideas to round out our lives with pleasant times and plenty of merrymaking.

Below is a list of these special days:

* New Year's Day
* Martin Luther King Day
* Valentines Day
* Wedding Anniversaries
* President's Day
* St. Patrick's Day
* Birthdays
* Easter/Resurrection Day
* First Day of Spring
* Day of Pentecost
* Mother's Day
* Memorial Day
* Flag Day
* Father's Day
* First Day of Summer
* Independence Day
* Family Day
* Labor Day
* First Day of School
* First Day of Autumn
* Columbus Day
* Veteran's Day
* Thanksgiving Day
* Christmas
* New Year's Eve

Great Experience at the Elephant Bar Restaurant

2009-10-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

I have numerous food allergies, which makes dining out very difficult. Over the years, we've narrowed the number of restaurants we frequent because of this health issue. Some restaurants have refused me service (fair enough, I understand that), and some have not taken due diligence in the preparation of my food, perhaps out of a lack of understanding.

Yesterday, however, I had the privilege of dining at the Elephant Bar Restaurant on Bay Street, Emeryville, CA. This restaurant not only went out of the way to accommodate my food allergies, but created for me a delicious meal and a marvelous dining experience.

The assistant general manager, Tony Miller, ensured us they would create a dish that would meet my special needs. This type of attention brings, in my mind, a restaurant out of the ordinary and into my top ten. Most managers leave the gathering of this information to the waiter, and depending on the abilities of the waiter, can often be disastrous.

Dining out used to be my husband's and my favorite date. The past couple of years, however, I have let go of hope of receiving a good meal at a restaurant. Dining out became something done only in times of necessity, not for a pleasant experience. Not so yesterday.

At the Elephant Bar Restaurant, I ordered the Mushroom Chicken Fettuccine and requested no garlic, black pepper, (and the list of other allergens goes on). I expected a rather bland meal with some strips of chicken on fettuccine in a basic butter, cream and parmesan cheese sauce. What I got was a burst of flavor and a thoroughly enjoyable creation, without any adverse reaction. I commend Chef Ulises Montalban for creating one of the greatest dishes made to accommodate my allergies I have ever tasted. When a chef can on the spot build a recipe with limited resources and make it taste phenomenal, he is in my mind a master chef that can rival many on the Food Network (who seem incapable of creating anything without garlic, onions, and black pepper).

I believe my experience yesterday has moved the Elephant Bar Restaurant to the top of my list.

I will be returning, and I will be encouraging my friends to join me.

Family

2009-10-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

Family is an institution established by God. It is holy and separate and designed for our growth and development to the glory and honor of our heavenly Father.

In a family training occurs. Deuteronomy 6:7-9 says:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

The duties of the parents entail teaching their children how to act, how to think, and how to make right judgments. In a family, children learn about emotions, consideration of others, and self-control. The ideal family environment is safe and comfortable, allowing for learning and nurturing to occur.

Entertaining 101

2009-10-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

Friends, family, co-workers, even strangers come to visit. Are you ready?

Entertaining can be as simple as Mom coming to visit or a seven course Thanksgiving feast. The elements remain the same. As a hostess you need to be kind, considerate, and always seeking to make your guests comfortable and happy.

Here are some basic points to remember:

* Put on a smile when you open the door
* Invite the guest in
* Offer to take her coat
* Let her know where she may place her purse
* Let her know where she may put her shoes if she takes them off
* Offer her a seat
* Tell her you are glad to see her
* Offer her a drink
* Be ready to listen
* Seek ways to meet her needs
* Relax and enjoy yourself

Here are some basic points for planning a party:

* Decide what type of party you will have
* Set a date
* Send out invitations or call to invite
* Plan your menu
* Plan your entertainment
* Plan your day of preparation
* Plan your clean up
* A day or two before call to confirm your guests are coming
* Take a few minutes before the first guest arrives to relax
* Enjoy yourself

There are many types of parties. Here are a few common ones:

* Dinner Parties
* Get Togethers
* Holiday Gigs
* Birthday Parties
* Tea Parties

Having company is a wonderful way to refresh yourself and your friendships. With a little planning, your time of fellowship with friends, families, and even strangers can be a success.

Responsibilities and Balance in the Home

2009-10-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

Home management is the umbrella of responsibilities that covers the establishment and maintenance of the home environment. The home environment includes the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of the family.

A home manager (usually the mother) plans, directs, maintains and controls the operations of the household from housekeeping to budgeting.

Home management is foundational to the operation of our households and our daily lives. If the operations at home are efficient and effective the quality of our lives improves. However, if operations begin to fail it affects our lives both at home and outside the home – draining us of the ability to be effective in our family, our work, and our community.

Should over emphasis of any one area of a home manager’s responsibility disturb the home environment, the family’s balance and well being may be affected. For example, if housekeeping duties reach too high a priority, children (who need the attention of parents and the freedom to play) may experience neglect and suffer in their overall development.

Life happens and with a little prayer and a little patience, that balance of operations can be returned -- personally I've found this happens after a goodnight's sleep.

Organizational Basics

2009-10-13T15:20:00.000-07:00

Everyone has a unique organizational style. Not everyone's style is efficient.

Organization of your household will reduce stress, improve time management, and make you more efficient. However, the final organized room must suit your needs.

Begin by assessing your needs.
Determine what function you want the space your are organizing to perform.
Eliminate items you do not use frequently.
Place only what items you will use regularly.
Ask yourself, every time I am in this space (be it a desk, a bedroom, a closet, etc.) will I use this item? If it is something you will not use almost every time you are there, store it some place else.

Voila! You have performed a simple act of organizing.

The Basics of Housekeeping

2009-10-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

The basics of housekeeping are simple:

Work from the far end of the room to the door
Work from ceiling to floor
Return items to where they belong and throw out garbage
Dust, then vacuum, and then wash

The basic tools of housekeeping are:

Clean cloths
Dusters
Sponges
Scrub brushes
Vacuum cleaner
Mop

In this section we will look in detail at the special cleaning needs of each room of the house:

Kitchen
Living room
Bathroom
Office/den
Kid's playroom
Bedrooms

We will also look at different cleaning solutions and their uses.

Recipe Costs

2009-10-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

This post will be one I will add to over time. It will be a reference to use when budgeting and menu planning. The nature of many homemade soups or dishes is that their consistency will be different than store bought. For example, my cream of celery soup has chicken in it and is a hearty meal, therefore it goes further than a regular can of cream of celery soup.

Menu planning based on homemade foods becomes more about how far the food will go (that is how satisfying or filling it is) than on how inexpensive it's store-bought equal might be. Better to plan your meals and snacks around healthy choices that fill you than on unhealthy choices that may appear cheaper initially are more expensive in the long run.

For example: For a snack my kids might choose a large bag of potato chips. The recommended serving size on the bag is 12 chips. None of my kids will stop at 12 chips. They'll complete the whole bag in an afternoon - $3.99 later. But offer them homemade fruit crisp and one serving of one cup will fill them for the afternoon and the whole snack feeds the three of them for only $1.50. That's a whole lot cheaper and a whole lot healthier.

The cost of each recipe is based on the items I purchase, in my area. This may vary some from season to season and from region to region and sale to sale. They are merely guidelines.

Cream of Celery Soup = $3.77 per meal or $0.94 per serving

Chicken Broth Soup = $1.59 per meal or $0.32 per serving

Chicken Wings = $6.70 per meal or $0.84 per serving

Roast Beef with Gravy = $11.20 (4 lb roast) pr $0.70 per serving

Cream of Mushroom Soup = $6. 87 per meal or $1.72 per serving

Hamburger Crescent Sandwich = $1.59 per serving

California Chicken Breast = $6.76 per meal or $1.69 per serving

Serving sizes are based on the following:

3 to 4 ounces of meat per person (uncooked)

1/2 to 1 cup vegetables

1/2 cup starch (rice, potatoes, beans, pasta, etc.)

1 whole fruit or 1/2 cup of pieces

1 cup of beverage

My Guidelines to a Menu that Fits Our Budget

2009-10-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

I love talking budgeting or grocery shopping experiences with my friends - well, love is perhaps a stronger word than I really mean, but I glean a lot from what others say. A number of us went through the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University at the first of this year, and it is encouraging to hear how each of us are working to apply the principles.

As head cook in our family, I work hard to manage our grocery money - well, sometimes not hard enough. Nonetheless every month I sit down to work a plan with certain guidelines:

Eat healthy - last year I slashed and cut and paid the price. By purchasing 'cheaper', poor quality foods I noticed a decline in our family's health, an increase in each members' weight gain, the development of poor sleeping habits, and more tired bodies complaining that they can't get their homework done. Was the cutbacks worth it? I don't think so. Better to have our health than one more night on the town. The budget needed to be cut back some place else. For our family, eating healthy means making 90% of our foods from scratch in order to avoid foods we are allergic to.

Stay within the confines of a reasonable budget. I'm very grateful for a hardworking husband and his company that pays him well enough we can afford to eat decently. Here's my quick calculation to help me plan a menu for a meal: grocery budget = $850 divide this by number of meals and snacks per month (5 per day x 31 days = 155 meals). This means I need to keep my meals around $5.48 per meal for 5 people ($1.1o per serving). Of course snacks are not as big as meals, but some meals cost more than $5.48 so it balances out in the end. Confession here, I include sandwich bags, plastic wrap, dish detergent, etc. in my grocery budget so I need to stick pretty close to the $1.10 per serving. Since I make most of my foods from scratch (from syrup to salad dressings to soups to bread) I use leftovers including drippings from meats and make broths from bones. I try not to let anything go to waste, even adding old lettuce to soup - try it, it's quite good.

Need flexibility. Sometimes life doesn't go as planned, and where possible, I need to have the freedom to make choices from a pool of good alternatives. This translates to having a few meals in the freezer that can be warmed up in the microwave in short notice, or a variety of simple yet inexpensive dishes that can be whipped up when company descends on us.

Supplies and tools that meet the demand. Over the years I have accumulated a number of appliances that speed up my work and built a stock of food supplies in the freezer and in the cupboards that keep me from running to Safeway every night. This empowers me to purchase bulk items on sale and store them for later. E.g. I bought a lot of steak over the summer because it was on sale (I have a don't go over $2.50 per pound for beef guideline). I freeze the steak and over the winter we can enjoy the occasional steak supper.

Next post: a list of recipes and their cost per serving.

Cream of Celery Soup

2009-09-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

My cream of celery soup has become a staple. I think it is my favorite soup, and it is easy to make as well.

1 celery heart chopped
1/4 cup butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups half and half cream (heavy whipping cream is nice too, if you don't mind the fat)
4 cups of homemade chicken broth, with chunks of chicken in it.
Cayenne pepper, if desired.

1. chop celery.
2. melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat and cook celery for about 10 minutes, or until they are soft and bright in color.
3. sprinkle celery with flour and salt.
4. Cook, stirring continuously, until thickened.
5. Gradually stir in whipping cream and chicken soup, and heat until hot, but not boiling.
6. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper if you like.
7. Remove from heat and serve, or use as a sauce over chicken or in ground beef.

Serves 4

Meal Planning 101

2009-09-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Dishes clang, laughter rings through the dining room, compliments made to the cook - what a wonderful time a meal with the family can be.

Meals take time to prepare, eat and clean up. Meals take money, whether you are eating out, ordering in or preparing from scratch - and of course there is those leftovers that are bundled up and placed in the refridgerator, begging to be used in the next meal.

Meal planning can be as simple as ordering take out, or looking in the refridgerator or cupboards to see what you have; or as complex designing a five course meal for a sumptious feast.

The elements of meal planning:

the purpose
the budget
the shopping list
the preparation time
the meal time
the clean up time
leftovers

In this section we will look at each of these elements.

Other pages will include:

Grocery Shopping
Recipes
Cooking Tips
Meals
Cookbook reviews, etc.

Chicken Broth

2009-09-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

Whenever I make a roast chicken, I make this broth. However, if I've only made my baked chicken or chicken breasts, I make this broth as well, just use the drippings from the chicken and any leftover meat.

1 carcass of a herb roast chicken (that's the bones and meat left over from your roast chicken, leave the skin on as well for added flavor).
8 to 10 cups water
1/2 a heart of celery, chopped
1/4 of a leek (or more if you like), chopped
1 tsp basil
1 tsp celery seed
1 tsp chervil
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp rosemary (my husband prefers the crushed rosemary)
1/2 tsp sage
1 tsp thyme
1 tbsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Place the carcass of the chicken into a dutch oven (or very large sauce pan). If using the herbed chicken breasts or baked fried chicken, chop up some of the left over chicken and add to pan (use only half the water).
Add enough water to cover the chicken then add the rest of the ingredients.
Cover, bring to a boil, then simmer for one hour or until the carcass falls apart at the touch. If I'm using the drippings of herb chicken breasts or my baked fried chicken, then simmer for only 30 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, remove chicken from broth and let cool before handling. When cool, remove bones, skin and fat, and chop up meat. Discard the bones, skin and fat and return the meat to the broth. You might want to skim fat from the broth if your bird was especially fatty.
Now you can serve it up as chicken soup or store it in containers in the freezer. If you want broth without the chicken and the vegetables, just strain the broth from them.

I use this broth as a base for chicken and rice soup, chicken noodle soup, chicken pasta soup, cream of cauliflower, cream of broccoli, and cream of celery - just about anything that calls for chicken broth. My family likes the chicken left in even when it is used in cream of broccoli or such soups.

Decorating 101

2009-09-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

A little color, a little structure, a little ambiance, a little greenery, and voila you have decorated! But what color? What structure? What ambiance? What greenery? The decisions can be mind boggling.

Here are a few suggestions:

Start with something you already have - perhaps a favorite picture
Determine the theme - perhaps the subject of the picture
Determine the colors - perhaps the predominate color of the picture
Paint your walls a color that will direct the focus to the object
Add structure through furniture, pictures, and accessories
Add ambiance with lamps, candles, and scents
Add plants that compliment your theme and colors

Decorating is simply bringing a little of your personality into your room, so don't be afraid - have fun!

Why We Fear God

2009-09-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

II Chronicles 6:31 "That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers."

King Solomon, in his prayer of dedication for the temple he built, asked God to be forgiving and merciful when someone came to Him in sorrow and repentance. Solomon recognized that God would remove His hand of protection on Israel if they sinned. The pestilence or besieging enemies would come as a result of God, who is holy and just and who can have no sin before Him, removing Himself from them.

I think of it like when our dog comes near me after rolling in mud. When he begins to shake I don't want that dirt on me and I hustle myself away. God doesn't want His name blasphemed among the nations, so when we sin, He removes himself from us like I would my dog. At least, that's the picture I have in my mind.

Solomon recognized that they, as a nation, would sin and would need to God's mercy and forgiveness. Knowing that God's presence would bless them, much like my willingness to pet a clean dog versus a messy one, would cause them to fear God. That is, they would learn to respect God and to walk in His ways.

Home Maintenance 101

2009-09-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

Home maintenance can be broken down into periodical tasks and maintenance areas. Depending on your personal situation you may have weekly maintenance needs as well as monthly, seasonal, and annual needs. You may also want to record biannual or tasks that may only occur every five to ten years.

Assess your needs based on the areas of your house. Here is a sample breakdown of areas:

Yard maintenance
Furnace and cooling system
Water heater and water lines
Sewage and plumbing
Garage
Roof and gutters
Windows
Electrical system
Washer and dryer
Storage organization
Fireplace
Floors
Lighting and lightening fixtures
Walls
Cabinets
Furniture
Entertainment appliances (Televisions, DVD players, etc.)
Kitchen appliances
Bathroom appliances
Personal appliances
Mattresses
Dining ware (Silver items, etc.)
Air purifiers, humidifiers, etc.
Closet organization

Assess each of the above areas for tasks that need to be completed. Read appliance manuals for specifications on maintaining each appliance and schedule accordingly. Set a date for tasks to be accomplished. For example, set the first Saturday in September to complete end of summer tasks.

God's Example for Judging our Children

2009-09-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

II Chronicles 6:22-23

"If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine alter in this house; Then hear thou from heaven, and do and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness."

Solomon completed the temple and now stood before the people in prayer to dedicate this building to God's use. He was concerned about his people and desired God's perfect justice to be performed. As parents, I think we want the same.

During the summer I spent more time than I would have liked playing referee with my children. Someone took someone else's toy. Someone called someone else a nasty name. someone hurt someone. Not a day would pass that I didn't have to intervene. Their bickering and fights was simply human nature at work. But as a parent, I needed to determine who was in the right and who was in the wrong - and sometimes exact correction on both parties.

What did Solomon ask of God?

to hear - as parents we need to listen to our children - find out why the situation came to blows.
to do - in other words, take action - demonstrate to the children that you care and are actively seeking to help them.
to judge by:

requiting the wicked - this means helping the children turn from their wrong doing.
recompensing his way upon his own head - in other words, let them suffer the consequences of their wrong doing.
justifying the righteous - the other day my youngest hit her brother. He didn't do anything but ask an innocent question. But because she had been frustrated, and she was being prideful, she didn't like the question, so she hit him. This was one of the few times I could say to him, he'd done nothing wrong, i.e. I could justify him.
by giving him according to his righteousness - normally my son riles his sister. His words and tone and expression evoke anger in her and she lashes out. Now, she's not right to have lashed out, but neither was he to have provoked her. So in this case, both kids get what's coming to them.

We are not God. We often operate with considerably less wisdom. However, He has given to us through His Word, the information we need to govern our home in a manner that pleases Him - even when world war III breaks loose.

Home Budgeting 101

2009-09-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

Each fall I sit down and plan for the new year. I consider where we will be vacationing, what it will cost to send the kids to school, estimate food and fuel expenses, any home repairs or renovations, and other expenses that may come up. Although this is a lengthy process it helps my husband and I put things into perspective. If nothing more, it gives us the power to say no to temptations that would put us into debt.

Every time we do this we also review the current year. This does two things: it provides information on what the future expenses may be, and information on where we should not have spent money so we can avoid the same pitfalls in the future.

I attempt to be as detailed as possible in calculating our predictable expenses. Any unpredictable expenses we incurred in the present year will give an estimate to what the future year may encounter.

We use Quicken to record all of our income and expenses. Working with a spreadsheet program like Excel speeds up the budgeting process. I import the expense categories into Excel. I then use several sheets within the spreadsheet. I use these to calculate expenses in detail. My sheets are vacation/travel, school expenses, gifts given, gardening, entertaining, maintenance and renovations, Christmas, and clothing.

On each sheet I break the expense down by month and item. For example, on the vacation/travel sheet down the side I list all the trips (including day trips) I anticipate will come in the new year. With each trip I include fuel or flight expense, dining expense, souvenir expense, lodging, etc. as it applies to that trip. Being this detailed for every month made it possible for me to anticipate trips we would like to take but really can not afford. So when requests for special retreats would come, I would already know my answer, making it much easier to deal with the pressure of saying no.

I can then calculate the year's total of the specific expense category on that sheet and link it to the main budget sheet. In this way we are able to fairly accurately anticipate how our year will look.

Workmen for the Temple

2009-09-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

If you've been around church most of your life, you've probably explored your spiritual gifts at some point. But have you thought of your skill set as something God gave you for His use?

When King Solomon built the temple he hired skilled workmen to build what is often considered one of the great wonders of the world. I Chronicles 22:15 "Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work."

King David, when preparing for his son to not only take over his kingdom but to build the temple, said to Solomon, "Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee." I Chronicles 22:16

I believe that to David, the most important task he passed on to his son was the building of the temple. He wanted skilled people to do the work and history tells us this was perhaps the greatest, richest building ever to be created.

You don't have to have a beautiful voice, or be a great orator to serve the Lord. He's given you opportunities to learn skills, to develop your knowledge. All He wants is for us to use what He has given us to glorify Him, from scrubbing the kitchen floor to singing before a grand audience.

Salvation: Beyond the Confetti of Celebration

2009-08-27T06:03:00.000-07:00

And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is the for your consolation and salvation. II Corinthians 1:6

Ever become confused about salvation? Within Christian circles the word can be tossed like confetti, and like confetti, it can be swept up without thought, making way for the workings of day to day living.

But salvation for a person of faith is a marvelous gift that can infiltrate every aspect of one's life, if one lets it. However, more often than not, a person fails to understand it, thereby losing its power.

I'll give a very simplified outline of what salvation is and what it brings with it.

First: salvation begins when one acknowledges who he is (a wicked sinner) in light of who God is (a holy, perfect being); and (through faith) he turns from his former beliefs, expressed in his way of living, and embraces the gift of God's grace found in His payment for one's sin through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the entrance point to the eternal kingdom of God where salvation is life. (Acts 2:37-38; Romans 10; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Second: having received the grace of God, one is released from bondage to sin. One needs no longer be its slave. (Romans 6)

Third: salvation rescues us from the endangerment brought by the wicked upon the righteousness (those who are covered by Christ's righteousness). This salvation can come two-fold:

Physical - yes, persecutions will come, and some have and will die for their faith, but often God saves us from physical harm. Physical harm is the least of our concerns, and for Paul and those in the early church, physical harm was desired as the opportunity to relate to Christ through suffering. One reaches the understanding that physical sufferings is temporal and of no great harm when one has learned and been empowered by the second part of this segment of salvation.
Spiritual - when physical, mental, or emotional sufferings come at the hand of those who hate you for your faith, salvation takes the form of the courage of one's spirit to face what trouble this world can give because of the hope that is in you. When one lays hold of and embraces the victory one has already had through Christ, then one can endure persecution and temptation. We are not of this world, and in light of eternity, our time here is less than a drop in the bucket. (Matthew 10:26-28)

We must allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the power of the salvation we have in Christ Jesus so that we can succumb to its protection, its preservation, and its promise of a hope beyond this world. Don't leave it on the ground like confetti; don't let it be swept up and discarded as a momentary celebration. Take hold of it; embrace it; let it infiltrate ever part of your thought life, your reactions, your heart, mind, and soul. It's God's gift to you founded upon His mercies, which are new every morning, and His grace, which is boundless.

Summer Fun and Future Sails

2009-08-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

Summer is coming to an end. I've enjoyed my kids and the fun we've had together.

The highlight of the summer was our trip to Stinson Beach. Though a cooler day, the sand was warm and the endless amount of energy required to keep up with my kids kept me from freezing. How many times can you chase waves and have the thrill of being lifted up by the strength of water? How many shells and sand dollars can you gather in a day? What great adventures lurk in the rocks at the end of the beach? How deep can you dig in the sand before water bubbles up?

I could have spent days there soaking up the time with my kids. But alas and forsooth, the day had to come to an end, and we made the long, picturesque journey home watching the sun over the ocean and the waves crash against the cliffs below as we climbed the #1 coastal highway.

With great memories of smiles and laughter, we are armed for the fall and ready to return to the regular school year program. The break gave me time to reflect on direction and motivation. Yet, as I look over the ocean of topics I still find myself a drift and perhaps a bit cavalier about the future of Home, Hobbies, and Asundry.

When I started HHA I had a very clear picture of what my mission, objectives and goals were. As usual, my picture was bigger than life. However, now a few years into it, I still find myself focused on the main theme: to glorify God in all I do.

As I lay my oar to the waters of the future, I have decided to take a course to the island of hobbies, something I did not expound upon as much as I thought I would in the past years. So what does that mean for the future of this blog? Subject matter.

Here's my intention (we'll see if the winds blow us this way):

continue with devotionals
continue with recipes - though probably fewer and farther between
continue with the occasional blog on homemaking, family, etc.
more blogs on hobbies which will include:

interesting historical facts I'm learning as I research for my novels
gardening - maybe not so much how-to as taking the time to enjoy
horsemanship - I know, most of you aren't interested in this, but this was a former career and now I live it vicariously through others. I hope that those who are interested in this subject will enjoy these posts and find them beneficial.
reading - if I come across a book worth mentioning, I will.
Biblical studies - I could do this all day. This will be more indepth than the devotionals
crafts (on the kid level) - my kids love crafts and I love doing it with them.
miscellaneous enjoyable activities

We'll continue to blog on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I hope you will join us and share your thoughts on different topics.

Summer Vacation

2009-07-02T07:31:00.001-07:00

I'll be taking a short break to enjoy a summer vacation with my family. I'll return to posting in August.

Decorating the Bathroom

2009-06-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

The bathroom provides a place for a budding decorator to try new ideas. In this small area painting techniques can be tested, wallpaper experimented with, and whimsical accessories given a dry run.

You can break most of the rules in this room, but you may want to stick with the three color rule. Use one main color, one secondary, and an accent. Too many colors can make a small space overwhelming.

Try a bold color, or soften with a pastel. The bathroom can express those moods you can't reveal in other parts of your house.

Be free, be conservative, be wild, be whimsical, be yourself, and enjoy the process.

They Will All Know Him

2009-06-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. Hebrews 8:10-11

Two wonderful aspects of this new covenant:

God will put His law in their minds
God will write His law in their hearts.

Today we do not need a human prophet or priest. We have the complete Bible, and each of us who have, through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, entered into this new covenant can know what God wants from us. How is this possible? Because we know Him. When we are saved, His Holy Spirit resides in us to teach us and guide us, according to His Word.

Today Only! Win a Copy of My Book

2009-06-19T05:52:00.001-07:00

Today Only! Win a free autographed copy of my book The Best of Faith, Fiction, Fun & Fanciful today at www.TheChristianPulse.com. The Great Escape Summer Reading Contest - 22 books, 22 reviews, 22 winners, weekdays during the month of June exclusively at www.TheChristianPulse.com.

Enter to win a copy of my book

2009-06-18T06:14:00.001-07:00

Remember to Visit www.TheChristianPulse.com on June 19, 2009 for a chance to win a free autographed copy of my book The Best of Faith, Fiction, Fun & Fanciful. The Great Escape Summer Reading Contest - 22 books, 22 reviews, 22 winners, weekdays during the month of June exclusively at www.TheChristianPulse.com.

Beef and Lettuce Soup

2009-06-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what to do with that leftover lettuce you have in the fridge? Before it goes bad, why not make the following soup.

Beef and Lettuce Soup

2 quarts water
1 soup bone with meat
1/2 cup chopped celery tops
1 tbsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup uncooked regular barley
3 cups coarsely chopped lettuce
1 cup green beans or sugar snap peas
1 cup sliced celery
2 cups sliced parsnips
2 cups thinly sliced leeks
1 12 oz can tomato paste (optional)

combine water, bone, celery tops, salt, and cayenne pepper in large pot. Bring to a boil then cover tightly and simmer for 2 hours.
Remove bone and cool. Remove meat from bone. Chop it up and return to pot.
Stir in barley and continue cooking for 30 minutes.
Add in remaining ingredients except tomato paste and simmer for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. After this the soup is ready to serve. However, for extra flavor add the tomato paste and stir until well mixed, then serve.

8 to 10 servings.

Family Fun with Boxes

2009-06-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

Cardboard boxes are famous for their entertainment value. Here are some examples of how you and your kids can use them:

A box the height of approximately 6 inches can be made into a doll house. Make walls using pieces of cardboard. Make furniture out of styrofoam packing material or cardboard.
A large box can make a human Jack-in-the-Box.
Several boxes on their sides in a row with the bottoms and tops open can make a series of tunnels.
A tall upright box can make a doll house. Use cardboard to make the floors.
Turn a large box on the side and play dog house.
Open the sides, tops and bottoms of several boxes, join them together to make a child-size labyrinth.
With paint, crayons, glitter, etc. paint the sides to be whatever you want.

Set your children's imaginations loose with a cardboard box and they will come up with a half dozen different ideas.

Balancing Entertainment

2009-06-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

Almost everywhere we go we find some form of entertainment. Whether it is games on our cell phone or listening to tunes on our iPod or watching the news on the flat panel TV in the doctor's office, we suffer not for lack of amusement.

God wants us to enjoy life. He created the world and placed us here to enjoy His creation. However, I'm not sure He expected us to go on overload the way we do in this age.

We are created for His glory and to do His will. When we engage in an amusing activity we might do well to consider whether the activity hinders or profits us.

I Corinthians 6:12

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Some activities might be harmless except that they keep us from doing things of greater importance, such as praying or reading the Bible. Sometimes they supplant God's power in our lives. For example, turning to that glass of wine to ease the pain of grief rather than turning to God to ease that pain.

Sometimes an activity can take our minds in directions they shouldn't go. For example, what does that song do to you? What does it make you think upon? Has listening to such music or watching such programs desensitize you to the evils of the world?

If you doubt me, try this experiment. Stop watching the news, stop watching anything that is not rated G on the television, and stop listening to music other than worshipful songs for three months. After that three months, turn on the news. How does it affect you? Are you more sensitive to the amount of swearing and suggestive subjects found in that PG rated movie? Does the music seem harsh to your ears? Do you now notice the lyrics?

God tells us to do things to glorify Him.

I Corinthians 10:33

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

After taking that break from your normal sources of amusement and then being re-exposed to it, do you feel that these things help you glorify God?

How many of you have or are willing to try this experiment?

Summer Holidays Schedule

2009-06-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

Summer commences and so does fun with the family. As a result of wanting to get as much time with the kids as possible, I'll be dropping my blogging to once a week. Come September I'll return to my regular schedule.

The Plate of Food

2009-06-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a dinner party where you served the plates loaded with food? Here are some pointers to give that restaurant feel for your next party.

The plate is a work of art so apply the three color rule - use no less and no more than three colors, such as a red sauce on a chicken breast, yellow squash, and green beans for your vegetables.
Divide the plate into thirds.
One third for the meat, example chicken breast, steak, etc.
One third for the starch, example potatoes, pasta, or rice.
One third for the vegetable, example peas, winter vegetable mix, etc.
Between the meat and the starch place a garnish such as a sprig of parsley.
Place the plate in front of your guest with the meat at the bottom. I think of a smile with the starch and the vegetables making the eyes.
The plate should sit with its bottom edge lined up with the placemat or the edge of the table.

Now sit and enjoy your creation!

Organize Your Home Office

2009-05-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

What should be readily accessible?

1 blue pen
1 black pen
1 red pen
1 mechanical pencil
1 regular pencil
1 eraser
1 highlighter
1 note pad for taking messages
1 note pad for making quick notes
1 sticky note pad
1 package of page flags
1 calculator
1 pair of scissors
1 roll of tape
1 stapler
1 staple remover
1 6 inch ruler
1 small container of paper clips
rubber bands

Everything else can be stored elsewhere. Put smaller items like stamps and labels in a small container that is easily accessible but not on top of the desk.

Paper and printer products can be stored in a filing drawer near the printer. Use file folders to separate different types of paper. Store envelopes in the same location, especially if they match the stationery.

Take a few minutes at the end of the day to straighten up your desk and tomorrow you will feel you can tackle the world - and not your desk.

The Art of Meal Planning

2009-05-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

You walk up to your refrigerator, pull open the door and scan for food. Some lettuce, a tomato, cheese slices and bologna sit on the shelf. A sandwich is born. What will you have for supper? That depends on whether you have cans of soup or pasta in the cupboard.

Meal planning may seem simple, but if you continued the above ritual, how often would you eat well, or would you instead be tempted to eat-out? A strategy for providing meals over a period of time will encourage you to maintain a well-balanced diet and provide an escape from the tempting trip to McDonalds.

To maintain a balanced diet you need to eat protein, starch (for example potatoes or bread), fruit, vegetables, and dairy (which may be your protein in the form of cheese).

Armed with this knowledge you prepare to shop, but wait - eating well can get expensive. A little further planning can reduce the potential grocery bill.

Pick up your weekly grocery store flyers and scan the sales. Write down the foods you like in the following categories:

* Protein
* Starch
* Fruit
* Vegetables
* Dairy
* Beverages

Make a chart. Write each day of the week across the top. Down the side include the following categories:

* Breakfast
* Snack
* Lunch
* Snack
* Supper
* Snack

You need to include three meals per day and at least two to three snacks per day. Of course if you have luncheon appointments or other times when you have to eat out, mark these down in the appropriate spot. Set certain days to eat leftovers. My leftover days are Wednesday and Sunday. On these days plan to have something simple, like hotdogs, in case there is not enough leftovers.

Under each day and at each meal include one item from each food category used in creating your list from the flyers. For snacks include a protein, a beverage and one other item from the other categories.

Place fresh meat meals closer to your shopping day, and frozen or canned meats, and meats that are preserved (for example sausages and hotdogs) for later in the week. This will minimize wastage. Most fresh fruits and vegetables will last a week in the refrigerator.

If you plan to make a dish that requires a number of ingredients, for example home-made spaghetti sauce, write these ingredients down on a shopping list. Add the other items from your menu plan to the shopping list. Review your list, checking your cupboards, freezer and refrigerator for items you already have and adjust accordingly.

You are now ready to shop. At the grocery store, read expiration dates on everything, or at minimum on produce and meats. Select items that will last the longest. For example, purchase a roast that's sell-by date is for Thursday versus Wednesday. This will increase the longevity of your week's menu and reduce the number of trips you make to the store.

Will your bill be less after putting this plan into action than last week's grocery bill? That depends on how much you spent on prepared foods (they tend to cost more than making items from scratch). If you stick with the plan, you will reduce your dining out expenses. Eating properly will make you feel better, and it often increases your productivity. You might even avoid a trip to the doctor's office or a long term illness related to diet. In the end, a few minutes of planning a week could save you money and improve your living.

Common Uses of Baking Soda

2009-05-21T06:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some common uses for baking soda:

sprinkle on carpets and furniture to deodorize
mix with water to form a paste and use it to clean burners on range tops
mix with water to form a paste and use to scrub BBQ grills
mix with a little water and form into a toothpaste - add mint for flavoring
shake onto bathtub or sinks and with a wet sponge, clean away soap scum

Lynn's Buffalo Chicken Wings

2009-05-19T06:39:00.000-07:00

2 lbs of chicken wings
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons butter, not melted
1/4 cup Tabasco sauce
pinch of salt
pinch of brown sugar (if desired)

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.

2. Mix 1/4 cup butter, Tabasco sauce, salt and sugar and microwave 1 minute on high or until butter is melted. Stir to mix. Set half of sauce aside.

3. Put 2 tablespoons butter in 13x9x2 inch pan and melt in oven.

4. Dip chicken wings into first half of sauce and place chicken in hot pan. Discard that half of the sauce after this.

5. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, then turn chicken. Brush last bit of sauce on chicken.

6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut.

7. Serve with dressing and celery sticks.

For a thicker coating, add 1/2 cup of flour to sauce.

Makes about 1 dozen chicken wings.

Uses of Vinegar

2009-05-14T06:20:00.000-07:00

Here are a few household uses of vinegar:

mix with water to wash floors
mix with water to wash windows and mirrors
mix with water to clean granite countertops
add to kiddie wading pools to de-slime
add to laundry to remove odors
use with baking soda and hot water to deodorize drains

Do you know of some other uses?

Blogging - A Hobby?

2009-05-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

Many people desire to state their individualism and promote their professional identity through blogs. Where over a hundred years ago people gathered in homes or pubs or churches, today many people flock to the Internet for that sense of camaraderie, friendly debate, or other social or professional gatherings.

I must admit, I was skeptical and bit afraid of blogging when I first started. Why would I want anyone to know so much about me? Then I discovered that I could limit my readership and thus began my introduction to blogging. I no longer viewed it as an abandonment of my privacy, but a form of communication with friends and family who live all around the world.

Although there are pitfalls to the blogging world, these pitfalls are as easy to avoid as the saloon on the corner. You can choose what you wish to read and whom you wish to have read your blog. You can develop a circle of friends and professional colleagues from around the globe and still maintain control over topics discussed.

Social media sites, like Facebook, provide a controlled environment for the beginner blogger. You can limit your readership to only those you agree to include as your friend, or depending on the media, you can go broader.

There are many excellent blogging tools and programs. Google has a free program called Blogger, as does Yahoo!. Other blogging services are Typepad http://www.typepad.com/) and FeedBurner (http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/home).

FeedBlitz (http://www.feedblitz.com/) is a tool to use blogging as a marketing tool or a program for publishing your blog to subscribers. You can even syndicate your blog to email with FeedBlitz.

There are many directory of blogs. http://www.globeofblogs.com/ is just one. At this site you can search for blogs by title, author, topic, location, even birthday. You can register your blog with them and increase your readership.

In all this, can blogging be considered a hobby? Yes - it is an activity that can provide great pleasure and relaxation. Although many use it to promote themselves professionally, there are many readers and individuals that blog as a release from the stresses in life and for the pure enjoyment of open communication.

Dave's Party Mix

2009-05-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

1/4 cup of butter
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3 1/3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 1/3 cups Rice Chex cereal
3 1/3 cups Cheerios
1 cup peanuts
1 cup straight pretzels

1. Preheat oven to 250 F.

2. In a large roasting pan, add melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Stir.

3. Gradually add cereals, nuts and pretzels. Stir to coat evenly.

4. Bake for 1 hour. Be sure to stir every 15 minutes for even roasting.

5. Remove from pan and cool on paper towels to soak up any extra grease.

6. Store in an airtight container or serve immediately.

Makes about 12 cups.

Frugal for Money or Frugal for Time

2009-05-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

How to Determine if a Task Is Worth Your Time and Effort

My cost accounting professor told a story about how a flat tire taught him about the price of frugality. On the way to an appointment with a potential client his car got a flat tire. Being a miserly chap he thought changing a tire himself might save him twenty dollars. The job took him longer than he anticipated, and as a result he missed the appointment. At that point he realized his time was more valuable than the twenty dollars he saved. The lost account could have brought him hundreds of dollars, not to mention the eighty dollar initial consultant fee.

I believe in frugal financial management, but I also believe in frugal time management. As a stay-at-home mom I researched and devised various ways to save money - from using a price book to record grocery prices, to decorating with filled cardboard boxes and sheets. I baked my own bread, cooked nearly every meal from scratch, and made my own sauces and cleaning solutions.

However, I soon discovered I spent so much time trying to cut costs that I had little time for my children - the very reason I chose not to work outside the home in the first place. I needed to find a balance between frugal activities and time enjoying the kids.

Here's a sample of how I devised a solution:

When my husband and I go out on a date, we might pay a babysitter $5/hour. I set this as my hourly wage. I next noted how many hours a week I spent doing cleaning, gardening, cooking, laundry, and grocery shopping.

Clean house - 1 hour/day x 6 days/week
Gardening - ½ hour/day x 6 days/week
Cooking (including clean up) 1 hour/meal x 3 meals/day x 7 days/week
½ hour/snack x 2 snacks/day x 7 days/week
Laundry, shopping, etc. - 1 hour/day x 6 days/week
Total hours/week = 43

I then planned the minimum amount of time I would spend with my children:

Morning routine (including dressing and breakfast) - ½ hour/day x 7 days/week

Morning table time - 1 hour/day x 5 days/week

Morning walk - ½ hour/day x 5 days/week

Lunch time - ½ hour/day x 7 days/week

Nap preparation time - ½ hour/day x 7 days/week

Snack time - ½ hour/day x 7 days/week

Supper time - ½ hour/day x 7 days/week

Play time - ½ hour/day x 7 days/week

Bed time routine - 1 hour/day x 7 days/week

Total children time/week = 35.5 hours

Next I determined how much time I committed to other activities:

Daily Devotionals - 7 hours/week

Sunday morning church services (including travel time) - 3.5 hours/week

Choir practice and Sunday evening church service - 3.5 hours/week

Wednesday prayer meeting - 2 hours/week

Hubby time - ½ hour/day x 7 days/week = 3.5 hours

Date night - 3 hours/week

Sunday afternoon nap - 1 ½ hours/week

Time for friends, extended family, and ministry - 2 hours/week

Total hours/week = 24.5 hours
________________________________________

The total wake time hours = 112 hours/week

Less household duties (43); less Mom duties (35.5 hours); less activity times (24.5 hours) = 9 hours/week.

By calculating the time I spent cooking, cleaning, living, life, I found that I had only nine hours extra per week to spend on activities such as garage sale shopping, sewing/mending, restoring old furniture, researching sales on special items, and other activities geared specifically for cutting costs. Since these 9 hours of "free time" needed to be used wisely, I needed to determine what activities would reap the greatest benefit. Any activities that exceeded this time would need to bring in more or save more than $5/hour or $0.08/minute.

Each frugal activity, therefore, must have a time frame, and a savings less cost amount must be given to that time frame. For example, consider clipping coupons and shopping accordingly. For every minute spent clipping coupons I needed to save $0.08. If these items do not fit into my normal shopping routine (for example, a 40% off coupon for Michaels), I needed to account for that special shopping trip (including gas to drive there and back). Usually a trip to Michaels would take a ½ hour if I knew exactly what I was getting. Therefore, I needed to save $2.50 plus the cost of gas (roughly $1) in order to make the trip worthwhile.

There are times when the family budget does not allow for a frugal activity to be measured against the cost of time. My husband's hourly wage exceeds that of an hour at an oil change shop; yet when our family budget is tight, a wiser choice is for him to do the oil change himself. Therefore, to a certain extent, frugal activities need to be measured in light of the overall family budget of time and money.

In summary, to determine if a frugal activity is really worth doing, consider the following steps:

1. Determine your hourly wage

2. Determine your "work" hours/week

3. Determine your "family" hours/week

4. Determine your other activity hours/week

5. Determine the number of hours you are awake in a week

6. Determine the number of hours you have to commit to frugal activities based on your other commitments

7. Based on your hourly wage, determine the amount per hour and per minute your frugal activities need to save you

8. Determine the time required for each frugal activity and the cost of that time plus the extra costs (like gas and materials)

Your frugal activities should not rule your life; neither should your expenses exceed your income. Evaluating your overall family budget of time and finances will help you make wise choices in frugal living.

What do you do to save time and money?

Which Equation Represents Your Life?

2009-04-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. Isaiah 25:8 (KJV)

Sinful nature = Death

Sinful nature + Repentance + Faith in Christ's redemptive sacrifice = Eternal Life

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Praise God, He is victorious and tenderhearted. He warned us many times, calling us to turn from our wicked ways to follow Him in holiness. He gave His Son for payment of our sins and took death out of the equation. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can one day enjoy eternal life in a new heaven and a new earth--that is the hope that enables me to endure the trials and temptations of this life.

The Bible (God's story of redeeming love) tells of His sovereignty, love, grace, and everlasting mercy. This is a story I am obligated to share.

For Further Study: Isaiah 25; I Corinthians 15; Revelations 20, 21

P.S. I've read the end of the book, and guess what, those who chose to believe win big time!

Roast Beef with Gravy

2009-04-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

Roast Beef with gravy, rice and vegetables is a favorite meal in our house. Over the years I have developed a unique method (contrary to most conventional methods), some of which I have gleaned from my mother.

When planning a roast I usually shop for the best, but least expensive cut. In other words, I shop the sales and the 50% of sections of our supermarket.

The fresher the roast, the better the taste, so I usually cook my roasts the day of or after I buy it. Different cuts will have different textures which leads to different flavors. I determine my approach to cooking based on the shape and cut of the roast.

1. Turn the oven on to 425 degrees F. A hot oven will brown the roast and its juices (I've read some naysayers on this - but trust me, it works).

2. Put the roast into a pot or casserole dish that is near to the same size. In other words, do not put it in too large of a roasting dish or it will dry the meat out. If there is fat on the roast, put it at the top so as it, cooks it drips down over the meat.

3. Add water. The amount of water depends on the cut of the meat. A pot roast or flank roast will require more water, to the level of the top of the roast. A cross rib or prime rib roast needs just enough to cover the bottom of the pot. Round or rump roasts are anywhere in between, depending on how much fat the roast has. The more fat the less water required.

4. Do not season the roast at this point. Salt pulls out the juices and dries out the meat, making it tough. It will actually deteriorate the natural flavor of the meat. Herbs loose their flavoring during the cooking time and at this heat, so they are almost wasted at this stage of cooking.

5. Place the roast in the center of the oven and determine the cooking time. A guide is 15 to 30 minutes per pound. Does that seem over the top? Yes, but it is a guestimate (the addition of water increases the volume that requires heat). The shape, cut and amount of fat will determine the length to cook, as well as the preference for doneness. A thicker, rounder roast with less fat will require a longer roasting time than a flat roast with bone and fat. Use an oven thermometer. An internal temperature of 125 F for rare, 150 F for medium, and 170 F for well done.

6. When the roast is done, remove it from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before removing it from the pan. This will allow the roast to finish cooking, and it also allows some of the juices to settle in the pan. Use the juices for the gravy.

7. When the roast is removed from the pan you are ready to make gravy. First boil water in a kettle.

8. Place the juices over low heat, preferably in the same pan you cooked the roast in if it can be used on the stove top. Add flour to the juices left over from the roast. Many people remove the fat first, however do to the method of roasting I find I don't need to do this unless it is obviously excessive. Stir enough flour in to make a paste.

9. Using the boiling water from the kettle, add water until you reach a little thinner consistency than you like. The gravy will thicken as it heats.

10. Add salt to taste. Add a pinch of of cayenne pepper, a pinch of parsley, 2 pinches of rosemary (for best results, crush before adding), a pinch of savory and a pinch of thyme. Adding the herbs at this late time will ensure they maintain their flavor. Stir until the gravy is smooth and at your preferred thickness.

11. Remove from heat and serve.

This is an unconventional method with excellent results. The outer part of the roast forms a dark color that is still soft and flavorful (it is my favorite part), yet the inside of the roast melts in your mouth with an abundance of taste. Pour the gravy on it and you have a taste extravaganza. Of course, if you are a purist and a roast beef snob, you'll not like any of this and should stick to your more traditional methods of cooking.

An Overview of Home Management

2009-04-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

Home management is the act of planning, directing, maintaining, and controlling the operation of a household. While activities may vary from home to home, the basic functions of home management involve: housekeeping, meal planning, decorating, home maintenance, and budgeting. The whirl of these activities in a house creates the atmosphere in which a home culture evolves.

Planning

Planning is vital in any organization, and in a household it will smooth the playing field, and provide more time for the game of life to unfold. Planning includes scheduling activities, budgeting, and designing menus, but is not limited to these activities. Every part of our home life requires some forethought.

Without some planning, activities may be forgotten, or procrastination sets in giving rise to incomplete jobs. This often generates ill will amongst the family members. My husband is a non-planner and I am a detailed planner. I need to know what is happening when, and if I don't know I make it my business to know. My husband struggles with the planning and bemoans the fact that he never has time to do the things he wants to do. He realizes if he just planned out his time off from work more would be accomplished. Conflict occurs when I stress out because I don't know his plans and he won't let me plan for him.

Over the years we have learned to work with our different personalities. I have learned to relax a little and let things happen as they happen, and he has learned to take more control of his time - although he still waits to the last minute to plan. We have found that a simple list of to-dos delegated to each family member can help relieve the tensions and restore peace.

Directing

Once a plan is in place, the household manager (usually mom), will need to direct. This entails giving instructions on how to accomplish a task and taking the time to ensure each individual develops the skill to complete his or her task. For example, my little ones are learning to make their beds. Each day we appear at the side of their beds with blankets in hand. We go through the process of laying the blanket out and smoothing the edges. My eldest daughter has it mastered and requires little direction. My son has devised a way that his little hands can manage it and the job gets accomplished. My youngest daughter requires a great deal of instruction and guidance through the steps. My son and youngest daughter both require me to be there, instructing and helping them develop the skill.

Maintaining

Maintaining in home management involves ensuring tasks are completed as needed. It also involves caring for the general upkeep of the home, like repairing broken windows or cleaning gutters. In the case of bed making, maintaining involves ensuring it is done on a daily basis. This helps the home environment maintain a neat profile. From the home culture perspective, it trains little ones to care for their things and learn responsibility.

Control

My eldest daughter, once told to make her bed, requires the control function of management. That is, she requires me to review her work to ensure it meets household standards. Just flinging the sheets over the bed is not good enough. She must ensure they are tucked in neatly. Control, therefore, involves supervision and the provision of accountability for quality.

In my house, home management can rise to the smooth movements of Swan Lake but usually it is more like Toyland - planning impulsively, directing chaos, maintaining sporadic, and controlling done at the end of the rope. Yet, when I apply these aspects of management the lovely grace of Swan Lake returns as order is restored and the loveliest event of all, children pick up their own toys.

Pride Brings Trouble

2009-04-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. Isaiah 10:12 (KJV)

Taking credit for what God has done will only turn into our demise. Putting our trust in material wealth and what we do with our hands keeps us from giving God credit for what He has done and fills our hearts with pride. Forgive me God for trusting in material things--for striving to have more than what You in Your generosity and love have given me.

For Further Study: Isaiah 2, 10; Proverbs 11:2; 16:2; 29:23; Daniel 4

Addendum:

What the king of Assyria and the kings of Babylon failed to realize was that all things belong to God. They were only stewards/managers of what God had entrusted them with.

When you look at this earth, when you look at your country, when you look at the material possessions remember: If God did not create these things, none of them would be yours to have. Who are we to think we can do or have more than what God has created or given to us?

Cream of Mushroom Soup

2009-04-16T06:26:00.000-07:00

1 pound mushrooms
1/2 cup butter
1 chopped celery stalk
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup of left over chicken gravy or drippings
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp chervil
1/4 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp rosemary
dash of Sage
1/4 tsp thyme
dash of cayenne pepper

1. chop mushrooms and celery.
2. melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat and cook mushrooms and celery for about 10 minutes, or until mushrooms are a golden brown.
3. sprinkle mushrooms and celery with flour and salt.
4. Cook, stirring continuously, until thickened.
5. Gradually stir in whipping cream, chicken gravy or drippings, herbs and water, and heat until hot, but not boiling.
6. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper.
7. Remove from heat and serve, or use as a sauce over chicken or in ground beef.

Serves 4

Listed as a Top Blog

2009-04-15T06:02:00.000-07:00

What a joy and a privilege to know someone's reading your blog, but to find out that someone has listed it among the top 100 blogs on Christian Family makes you want to shout, "WooHooo!"

Suzane Smith has listed Home, Hobbies, and Asundry on her blog as one of the top 100 Christian family blogs that will "provide parenting tips, support and fellowship to those seeking support and friends from other followers of Jesus Christ."

She's listed me under the section: Christian Mom Blogs – A mother’s perspective on raising Christian kids and the everyday dealings of motherhood.

Why not swing by her blog at http://becomingaradiologist.org/top-100-blogs-on-christian-families/ and see who else she listed?

Thank you, Suzane, for reading my blog and letting me know how much you enjoyed it.

Family Organizer

2009-04-14T05:58:00.000-07:00

Do you keep a family organizer? Here is a list of information you may want to keep in a binder or two for quick reference:

* Contact information for events, friends, school, parents of children's friends, handyman, church, church members, organizations your family is affiliated with, etc.
* Birthday party ideas
* Book reading/library list
* Favorite recipes
* Favorite snacks
* Shopping lists
* Car maintenance information
* Inventories (entertaining dishes, cleaning supplies, craft supplies, etc.)
* Blank pages for brainstorming
* Emergency information
* List of babysitters
* Babysitter to do list and information page
* Medical notes on each person
* Banking, credit, and other important information
* Home maintenance lists
* Insurance information
* Pet health records
* Warranty information
* Entertaining notes

Your Family Bookshelf

2009-04-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

Many books are written that push the boundaries of morality and good judgment. Not all books are suitable for all ages and some are not suitable period. However, there is more to a story than just morality, a novel has the ability to shape young minds and can either help push them towards excellence or away from excellence. Well written stories will increase reading comprehension skills and critical thinking, as well as entertain.

Here is a list of criteria we use for our family bookshelf.

Theme Suitability:

1. Is the theme of the story consistent with a Biblical worldview?

2. Does the story present its theme and its worldview without being preachy or patronizing?

3. Does the story demonstrate that wrong is wrong and right is right without losing believability?

4. Does the story present philosophies that have substantial potential to interfere with a reader's relationship with God?

Character Development:

1. Are the characters believable?

2. Does the protagonist demonstrate a character that would be a good mentor? That is, through his or her tribulations does the protagonist come out with character qualities or philosophical conclusions that are a good example to the reader?

3. Are the conclusions or the results of the actions of the main characters demonstrating a worldview consistent with scripture?

4. Are the characters three-dimensional, making them alive, and clear in the reader's mind?

Plot Development:

1. Does the plot lead the protagonist and/or reader to correct conclusions about God and/or godly principles?

2. Does the plot flow smoothly, effectively, and logically? Does it develop naturally from the character's actions or are there too many coincidences?

3. Is the plot predictable? Does it seem to repeat itself?

Setting Presentation:

1. Are the scenes descriptive enough to draw the reader in and yet not take the reader into details and thoughts that would be abominable to God?

2. Does the story have descriptive material that could interfere with a reader's relationship with God?

3. Are the settings three-dimensional, making them real, and clear in the reader's mind?

Quality of Writing:

1. Does the book immediately captivate the reader's interest and hold it through the entire story?

2. Is the story age and audience appropriate?

3. Is the writing engaging and pleasurable to read? That is, does it flow smoothly and rhythmically?

4. Is the story well crafted? That is, does it adhere to the guidelines of good writing such as proper use of point-of-view; is it consistent in its details of setting, plot, and characterization; does it use exposition and dialogue in a balanced and seamless manner?

5. What is the overall impression of the story?

Mount Hermon Writer's Conference

2009-04-02T08:30:00.001-07:00

This weekend I will be at the Mount Hermon Writer's Conference so there is no post today or Tuesday. I'd love to know if you plan to be there.

God bless you all.

Hamburger Croissant Sandwich

2009-03-31T09:06:00.000-07:00

Since I am allergic to yeast, I can't have hamburger buns. I'm also allergic to tomatoes, so no ketchup either. When the family has hamburgers, this is what I have:

4 slices of cheese
4 hamburger patties
Crescent roll dough (8 piece)
Fancy mustard
4 dill pickles
Lettuce

* Divide the crescent roll dough up into four parts, leaving two triangles together to form a rectangle. Bake the rectangles at 350 F for thirteen minutes.
* Grill hamburger patties on barbeque.
* When patties are cooked place a slice of cheese on each one and allow the heat of the patties to melt it.
* Thinly slice pickles and place on four crescent roll rectangles.
* Place lettuce on top of pickles on each of the four rectangles.
* Spread as much mustard as desired on the hamburger patties (the side without cheese).
* Place patties on to lettuce.
* Top each hamburger with remaining crescent roll rectangles.

Serves 4

A Week's Meals in a Day

2009-03-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

A big part of my meal planning revolves around economies of time and money. I keep a price book, track my grocery spending in Quicken, and I am constantly in search of new and better recipes (many which I keep on my computer). However, the real timesaver and costsaver is done via bulk cooking.

My "bulk cooking" means whenever possible, I cook large amounts (either of a dish or of the ingredients of a dish - like ground beef) when I cook a meal, and store or freeze the extra before I serve the meal (that way the extra isn't eaten up before it is saved!).

For example, I have cooked chili, spaghetti sauce, and vegetable ground beef all at the same meal. I froze what I didn't want to serve. This meant buying a 6 lb package of ground beef and bulk quantities of the other ingredients. I used three pots, and only had to have the cutting board out once. Since all use similar ingredients, but the spices are slightly different, this type of bulk cooking is easy.

Another technique is to cook large amounts of ingredients and then adding to them as the day goes. For example, in the morning I might cook a large package of mild Italian sausages for breakfast. With the leftover sausages, I might make Zuppa Tuscona for lunch, and save some sausages to freeze for later meals that week. From lunch, I will have left over soup to be used for later in the week. At supper I might make a sausage pie (which uses the sausages, vegetables and leftover mashed potatoes), and this too might have leftovers to be frozen for a later date.

A day like this makes cooking simple for the rest of the week. I simply supplement the rest of the meals with easy-to-make dishes, like baked potatoes, nachos with cheese, sandwiches, eggs, etc.

The Virtuous Woman Does Exist

2009-03-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)

The question in Proverbs 31:10 is rhetorical and many people stop there. "Of course there is no virtuous woman," they say. Yet, the verse is not finished. The statement that follows does not confirmed the negative, that is, "no such woman exists," or "she can't be found in this life." No, the statement is positive. Such a woman can be found, but she is as rare as rubies. Such a woman is a valuable treasure, and the mother of King Lemuel clearly felt she could be found, for this mother taught her son to seek her. Such a virtuous woman, she implied, would do the king good all the days of that woman's life.

Yes, it is possible to find a woman with great strength and ability. Nonetheless, someone of valor and substance who is a force to contend with can be found in a few homes. Among us tread women who walk uprightly, whose integrity surpasses most. Indeed, I have met a few.

I know of women whose husbands' proclaim them to be of value exceeding that of rubies. Rubies are hardy stones that require very little care. They can be even more valuable than similar sized diamonds and rarer too. Heat treatment of these gems, even under natural circumstances, brings clarity, improves tone, and increases color.

What a great picture of a virtuous woman, someone tough and needing little care. The image of beauty derived from the heat of life, which brought clarity to what is important; a certain quality that distinguishes her from others; and a saturation of the color of life that gives her brilliance under scrutiny. Such a woman is indeed unique and of greater value than the rarest of gem stones. And yes, such a woman does exist - in fact I know of four: my mother, my mother-in-law, and my two sisters.

Homemade Italian Salad Dressing

2009-03-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

Because of my allergies, I can't use store-bought salad dressing. This one has become a family favorite.

1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup vinegar
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
a pinch of crushed red pepper (as desired)

• Combine ingredients in a container with a lid.
• Shake until well mixed.
• Store in refrigerator until ready to use.
• Before applying to salad, shake well.
• For extra flavor, after putting dressing on salad, spring a little parmesan cheese on top.

Guidelines for Choosing Children's Books

2009-03-17T05:49:00.000-07:00

My oldest daughter still enjoys being read to, and I admit I enjoy reading to her. This is a special time together where we can connect through the adventures of some child character.

Recently, she pulled a book from her bookcase, a children's chapter book we would read together every evening before bedtime. I noted that I had read it years ago as part of a children's literature course, but I had forgotten what it was about. I also noticed that the publisher was a well-known Christian publisher.

In the second chapter, I closed the book and laid it down. Why? I found the family incident within the story inappropriate for my daughter at her impressionable age. The next night, we returned to a Bobbsey Twins book.

My husband and I have set some guidelines for books our children read. As they mature these may shift slightly, depending on the story, and how the content is handled, but in all cases the content of a book must not lead the child, whatever her age, down a road where her imagination leads to possible actions and thoughts contrary to God's will.

Here are our guidelines:
1. Books must present family values. The story should not present a family situation contrary to the Biblical definition of family.
2. No books with bad language, including taking the Lord's name in vain.
3. No books uplifting sorcery, the occult, or other religions.
4. No books containing characters with sassy, disrespectful attitudes being held up as heroes or their attitudes as something to admire.
5. Stories should not lead you to conclusions contrary to Scripture.

Books can provide excellent opportunities to discuss a great array of age-appropriate topics. They open the world to a child's mind, both good and evil. As parents, we have a responsibility to guard our children's minds and not let their innocence be stolen by a story that could have been avoided.

As our children grow older, they will be able to handle more controversial material, and with proper training on our part, know what is right and what is wrong. Until that time, I have a job to protect them from unedifying presentations of life that they do not need to know in order to grow into intelligent, healthy men and women.

Yadah, Yadah - Casting Reverence before God

2009-03-12T05:48:00.000-07:00

The Hebrew word Yadah is often translated as praise or thanksgiving. The word literally means to physically throw by hand[1], and within many contexts in Scripture, it is used with the implication to revere or worship God.

Imagine a person casting before God great reverence and worship that acknowledges the great benefits God gave him. It depicts a person, with extended hands, whose emotions are greatly tied to praise.

And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. Genesis 29:35 (KJV)

Leah, the unwanted wife of Jacob, was hated by her husband. Yet, God had mercy on her and caused her womb to be fruitful. When she gave birth to Judah, how great her joy must have been. God had given her four sons. Anyone who has born a child knows what great emotions come with the event. How much more when your self-worth depends on it, even as Leah's did? I imagine she threw her hands in the air, fell to the ground with arms outstretched, tears streaming down her face, and from the very depths of her soul, cast before God praise for His great blessing and abundant mercy.

Yadah is also often translated as "cast out," or "confession."[2] The implication being that the person who "yadahs" is bemoaning his errors or sins.

The people of Israel spent many years in captivity. The time had come for them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. However, even in captivity they sinned and did not keep themselves pure. For they have taken their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands. Ezra 9:2

Ezra was devastated by the news (And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied. Ezra 9:3). The people trembled at the words of God because of their great transgression.

Ezra fell on his knees and spread his hands out before God, ashamed to lift his face. He conceded to God's mercy, that God indeed had not punished them as they deserved. He acknowledged God's righteousness, and how unworthy they were to stand before Him.

Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. Ezra 10:1

Ezra's emotions were great in his confession. He poured out before God sorrow, and the people repented. All this was done in preparation for the worship that was to be performed in the rebuilt temple.

Yadah: a casting before God of confession and praise; a time of worship exuding great emotions. What a wonderful word, entailing the magnitude of reverence and praise, from confession, to acknowledgment of God's goodness and blessings, to the emotional act of casting oneself before the Lord in worship.

[1] Abingdon's Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon, Nashville, 1981, Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary, pp. 47.

[2] Abingdon's Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.

Cheese & Parsley Bread

2009-03-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

This is a tasty accompaniment to a warm chowder on a cold fall day.

2 cups of whole wheat flour
1 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of baking soda
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp parsley
1 tsp salt
1 cup milk

1. Preheat oven to 450 F.
2. In food processor with kneading attachment place flour, baking powder, baking soda, parsley, and salt.
3. Begin mixing above and add cheese and milk.
4. Continue to mix until a soft dough ball forms.
5. Grease a loaf pan and place dough, forming into a round loaf.
6. Use a knife to cut dough across width to a depth of over half eight times.
7. Sprinkle cuts with cheese.
8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until loaf is round and brown.
9. Remove loaf from oven and let cool in a lint-free towel.

Serves 8

My Journal

2009-03-05T06:27:00.000-08:00

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:2-3

I do not keep a typical journal. In my Bible I keep a purple notebook. The main purpose of this notebook is to record prayers, my thoughts on devotions and Bible study, and sermon notes.

This notebook has three dividers, and the first divider has a pocket in which I store my prayer lists.

It is the only personal journal I keep. From it a reader could glean a great deal about me: a harvest of thoughts that emerge from seeds planted by God's Word and by men preaching on the things of God. The seeds, planted in the soil of my analytical mind, produce a plethora of notions that reflect my inner values and personal struggles.

Likely a reader would not find specific events of my days, except for a quick notation in the form of a prayer point, but as I flip through the pages I see my spiritual journey. I know the tears that stained pages while wrestling with God over something His Holy Spirit tried to convey.

In the back of my prayer section is a list of God's names and attributes. Often I turn to this page to reflect on the nature of God, bringing me to a place of awe and worship.

In my personal Bible study section, a reader will find definitions of words, charting of verses, perhaps notes on the context of the verses both historically and Biblically, and outlines of books of the Bible. At the end of almost every entry, I compose a summary of my understanding of the passage, and how I might apply it personally.

The section designated for sermon notes seems pretty straight forward, but upon a second look, an observant reader will find some interesting revelations. His discoveries will come from examining what is noted and what is excluded, and ultimately from the asterisks, circles, exclamation marks, and other jots that highlight a point. Occasionally, he might even find a bracketed statement containing my own thoughts.

Throughout my journal, notes in margins and on back of pages hint at storylines, thoughts I wish to remember, or character analyses.

No, my journal is not typical. A reader would be hard pressed to put dates to much of what is written, or find notations on weather and earthly occurrences; but what he will discover is the soil of my mind, the roots that bring my walk to fruition, and the many branches of my heart's ministry. That is, he'll discover what makes me, me.

Do you keep a journal, and if so what type of things to you keep in it?

Where Do You Find Joy?

2009-03-03T05:48:00.000-08:00

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Philemon 1:7 (KJV)

What brings you joy? Are you taking joy in your possessions? Are you rejoicing over the government's decisions regarding the economic stimulus? Are you finding great pleasure in what Hollywood has produced lately? Are you finding solace in the success of your favorite sports team? Are you spending hours playing video games or on the Wii?

Our American society takes great pleasure and delight in many activities. Recreation has become a place where we hide from our stresses and seek a time of rest and comfort. There is nothing wrong with enjoying ourselves, provided that what we derive our pleasure does not become our god.

Paul sat under guard when he wrote Philemon. He had endured stonings, he had endured beatings, he had endured desertion of friends. Life boiled down to existence. When all was stripped away from him, where did he find his joy and comfort? From those fellow Christians who loved and served the saints (those people who are saved by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ).

Recently my husband and I took an account of our recreation budget and laughed. According to Dave Ramsey*, this portion of our budget should be 5 to 10% of our overall spending budget. We laughed because our recreation budget didn't even make 1%.

However, this finding made me reflect on where our "joy," that is, our pleasure is placed. How are we spending our spare time? For us, our spare time is spent with our immediate family and our church family. We don't attend sports games. We don't go to the movie theaters. We only have basic cable (and that only because it is cheaper to have basic cable with our Internet than it is to have the Internet alone) of which we watch very little. I don't think we have ever gone to a play or live theater performance as a family (except at Disneyland).

When I look at what brings me the most joy, I realized that spending time with my father discussing some Biblical passage is something I look forward to every time my parents visit. I love getting together with other Christians and discussing God's work and things of His Word. My favorite family times are around the supper table when we are talking about some Bible story with our children. These are times of real joy.

I don't believe these "joys" are natural. When I am daily studying God's Word, meditating and praying, and listening to good music then my joy and consolation comes from knowing others are walking with Him and enjoying fellowship with them. When my mind is cleared of the things of this world, then I discover great joy in the things of God as revealed through fellow believers.

I wonder if we need to be as Paul and have all things stripped from us except the essentials of life to experience the great joy and consolation that Paul found in knowing others love and service to fellow Christians.

* Dave Ramsey, Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Workbook (The Lampo Group, Inc., Brentwood, TN, 2008) 52.

Invasion of the Mind Snatchers

2009-02-26T05:51:00.000-08:00

"May the Force be with you!" Jerod slashed his imaginary light saber as he ran through the kitchen. "Hey mom, is that chocolate chip cookies you're making?"

"You bet. Want some?"

Jerod puffed out his chest, swished his light saber and replied, "Luke Skywalker loves cookies!"

"Oh, and what else does Luke Skywalker like?"

"The Force. Without the Force, he could do nothing. But with the Force all things are possible." He grabbed a handful of warm cookies, saluted and ran out the backdoor.

Anita twirled into the kitchen with her doll. Stopped, giggled and pointed. "Look mom, it's a fairy moth. I wonder which one it is? Do you think Tinkerbell might come to visit? I love Tinkerbell. She's going to save the world you know." Anita floated to the counter, captured a cookie and performed an arabesque, before gliding through the door.

Nothing is impossible without the Force. Tinkerbell will save the world. Movies have captured the hearts and minds of our children, and hold them for ransom. The price? Their souls.

Ooh, harsh, you say? Perhaps. But if, as parents, we do not take action, will our children be looking for solutions to their problems in places other than Scripture; in persons other than God?

I love to watch DVDs or videos with my children. Escaping into an adventure, and discovering our world through the eyes of characters is a time-honored tradition. Modern technology has greatly enhanced this tradition. By making stories more vivid and readily accessible, technology has enabled the stealth invasion of many ideologies we, as parents, may not subscribe to into our homes. Such ideologies can inadvertently shape young children's minds, spark an interest, or leave an impression that will reveal itself later in life.

We need to protect our family from these encroaching, unwanted philosophies of the world wrapped in the trappings of entertainment. Here are some easy to follow guidelines:

1. Establish specific guidelines for evaluating movies, e.g. no exaltation of witchcraft, no swearing, etc.
2. Preview movies before your children watch them to evaluate what the shows are teaching.
3. Watch the movies with your children so you can affirm your family's beliefs over the ideas being presented by the program.
4. Talk with other parents whose opinion you trust before renting a DVD or video.
5. Where possible, let others (such as babysitters, grandparents, etc.) know your standards on viewing entertainment to avoid inadvertent watching of something you would not approve of.

We can't always protect our children, especially when they are in school, or out of our direct care. However, we can fortify their minds while they are at home by teaching them our entertainment standards; and when we do that, we are building a security protocol for them to use to evaluate what they receive elsewhere.

California Chicken Breast

2009-02-24T06:14:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
6 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 tablespoons Fresh basil, chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
¼ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
4 Sourdough buns

Brown chicken breasts in vegetable oil and cook on low heat. Meanwhile, sauté tomatoes, onions, basil, and green bell pepper in olive oil. Add salt and pepper to vegetables. When chicken is cooked, place in a microwave-able dish, and cover each breast with tomato mixture. Top with cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Microwave for thirty seconds to a minute to melt cheese. Serve with sourdough buns. Serves 4.

The Truth of the Matter

2009-02-19T06:42:00.000-08:00

"But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the
matter is found in me?" Job 19:28 (King James Version)

Job endured great loss and physical pain yet spoke of his faith even though his friends persecuted him. His friends hurt him with words. In their desire to answer why Job went through these trials, they tore him down and built themselves up. They knew it all. They
reasoned Job must have committed horrendous sins to receive the wrath of God; his family and riches ripped from him, and his body infected with stinking, oozing sores.

Job wanted his friends' pity, not persecution. He wanted them to see him as faithful, not wicked. He spoke forcefully against their accusations. His friends could not understand. They did not live his life. They did not see the things he saw, nor felt the things he felt. They did not experience life as he did, and they certainly did not know his innermost thoughts and feelings. Only God and Job would know the wrongs Job may have committed, and his friends were foolish to think they were righteous enough or wise enough to discover them.

Rarely is the truth of a matter found on the surface. Often truth lives buried deep beneath perceptions, deceptions, and emotions. How often have we jumped to conclusions, judging another's sufferings by our limited perception and our limited knowledge?

Wisdom guides us to be humble, perhaps even for this simple fact: some day we may be lying on our beds of tragedy, and what would we want said to us?

Suggested Bible Reading: Job 1-42

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an excerpt from my book Best of Faith, Fiction, Fun, and Fanciful.

If you enjoyed this story you can purchase the book on Amazon.com - or click on the link at the top of the page.

The Act of Housekeeping: Oh No, Company's Coming

2009-02-17T06:36:00.000-08:00

Last post I discussed my Saturday cleaning routine.

So after Saturday cleaning you are wondering what is there left to do? A lot.

When company comes I like to do those little extra things that get left undone. Here is a list of some of them:
• Clean lamp shades and light fixtures.
• Clean ceiling fans.
• Clean the glass cabinets.
• Polish the kitchen cabinets.
• Clean the inside of the refrigerator.
• Clean the top of the refrigerator.
• Clean behind the refrigerator and the stove.
• Clean range top, taking it a part according to the manual’s instructions.
• Remove extra items from the living room, bathroom and kitchen. Our front door opens to the living room so a collection of shoes and coats that gathers there is removed when company is coming.
• Polishing or cleaning of any dishes that might be used. This may include cleaning the barbeque.
• Detailing the dining room table and chairs. Our table and chairs are wood so I take this opportunity to wax in scratches and polish. I take toothpicks and clean any crevices when possible.
• Wash furniture slipcovers and curtains.
• Wipe fingerprints off of walls and doors, and clean doors and door frames.
• Detail clean furniture – wipe sides and front of end tables, and polish all wood furniture.
• Wipe clean pictures. Use Windex™ on glass and a clean cloth to dust the wood frames. Do not use any solutions or water on open pictures.
• Burn scented candles or spray air fresheners.
• Add decorative elements as needed such as table cloths, table centers, fancy bathroom towels, and candles.

If you add the Saturday cleaning to the above, this is an all day expedition. I usually plan on spreading this over a couple of days so that I am not rushed.

In all levels of cleaning, if something doesn’t need to be done don’t do it. For example, if I look up and don’t see any cobwebs in the corner, then I don’t swipe my duster in that corner. If the fireplace doesn’t need to be cleaned, I don’t clean it.

There are many more tasks that can be added to a cleaning routine, such as changing bedding, which I do on Mondays. However, most other tasks only need to be done seasonally or annually, and that is another subject altogether. Following the routines laid out here will keep a house looking nice and feeling clean for the average family. They are quick and easy, and even children can participate.

I Laid Me Down and Slept

2009-02-12T06:05:00.000-08:00

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:5 (KJV)

A scream cuts through the dark and silence of the night. A mother runs to her child's side. Her child sits up straight and stiff. A night terror had engulfed the child's dream world.

A man shoots up straight from his bed. His labored breathing matches his sweat-soaked pajamas. A memory of the past darkened his dreams and drew him into a recollection of the terrors of war.

King David had reasons for sleepless nights. He had faced giants, dodged spears, and now he ran for his life, away from his own son.Yet, he lay down and slept. He knew who his shield was; he knew who his avenger was; he knew God was on his side. Experience proved God could and would sustain him and he trusted God would hear his prayers.

Peace of mind is not found in human solutions. How often have I said, "if only this or if only that, then I would have peace"? How often have I longed for miracles that I would never see? How often have I sought for peace through my own limited vision of what the possibilities might be?

Peace comes not by human explication. I cannot explain away a problem God designed. I cannot search for an answer that a human cannot understand.

Peace comes when I rest upon the knowledge of a Loving Savior and an Almighty Creator. Disasters come and may even stay, but there is a place that protects my soul. David did not say, I slept and then God saved me. He said "I slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me." God
propped him up and gave him something solid to lean upon. David let his soul rest in this. He chose not to be afraid because he knew the One who seals up the hand of man (Job 37:7); the One who rules over all.

In times of crisis and stress we can be as David and lean on the Creator who hears our prayer. We may not find salvation from our sorrows in this world, but if we believe in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we can know for sure that we will find relief on the other shore—and we can rest in this.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an excerpt from my book Best of Faith, Fiction, Fun, and Fanciful.

If you enjoyed this story you can purchase the book on Amazon.com - or click on the link at the top of the page.

Lil' Jonnie D. Carlo's

2009-02-10T06:23:00.000-08:00

Last week, my husband and I vacated to Placerville, California to celebrate our 14th anniversary. We dined at Lil' Jonnie D. Carlo's and we enjoyed every morsel.

The owner/chef, Bruce Riseman, obviously takes great pride in creating culinary master pieces as well as meeting his patron's needs. He came to our table and charmed us with his willingness to create a delicious dish I might be able to eat.

With my extensive allergies, that can be quite a trick. I usually receive the dullest flavored foods when eating out. This comes some what by necessity since my allergies include such common items as garlic, onion, black pepper, tomato, corn, potatoes, olive, lemon, and many others. However, Bruce exceeded expectations by crafting not only a beautifully served dish but one that exploded with flavor. The grilled chicken with a mushroom cream sauce on a bed of angel hair was wonderful!

Thank you, Bruce!

Dave's Favorite Spaghetti Sauce

2009-02-05T06:28:00.000-08:00

I conceived the following recipe when Dave and I lived in B.C., Canada. When we moved to California and had a garden, I would make this recipe by the potful during tomato harvest (which lasted most of the summer) and would freeze it for the winter.

Because of my allergies, I rarely make it, but on occasion I'll whip it up for old times sake.

1 lb ground beef
1 onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 tsp white pepper
1.2 tsp salt
1 pkg vegetable bouillon
1 10 ounce can tomato paste
1 14 ounce can of stewed Italian tomatoes
3 tbsp basil

Brown ground beef with onion, celery, green pepper, white pepper and salt. Stir in vegetable bouillon, tomato paste, and stewed tomatoes. Bring to a boil then simmer for thirty minutes. Add basil and serve on top of your favorite pasta.

Serves 6

Saturday "Get Rid of the Dirt" Day

2009-02-03T06:21:00.000-08:00

In an earlier post, I discussed how I quickly tidy up the house before Daddy comes home. In this post, I discuss how I do a deep cleaning, which is usually done on Saturday.

This day begins with collecting the necessary tools:

• Clean cloths – I use cloth diapers (no, we don’t have any babies so they are not used), they are very absorbent and easy to clean
• A window cleaner – vinegar and water work well
• A roll of paper towels or old newspaper
• An all-purpose cleaner – vinegar and water work well, for scouring use baking soda, and for tough stains, especially in the bathroom, a bleach cleaner
• A furniture cleaner - one that is made of orange oil
• Disinfect wipes
• An old toothbrush for grout
• A scrub brush for those tough spots
• A sponge
• Dusters – I have a feather duster and a cheap synthetic duster
• Swiffer™ mop – I wouldn’t live without it
• Microfiber dusting pad mop – for the wood floors
• Wood floor cleaner and polisher
• Vacuum cleaner

Store these in a closet. A handled tool box holds the smaller items.

Begin at one end of the house and work toward the other end. Start at the ceiling of each room and work to the floor. The following is a good routine:

1. Use the synthetic duster to get rid of cobwebs on the ceiling, in the corners, on light fixtures, fans, etc.

2. Use the feather duster to dust difficult to reach places like the top of door frames or the top of the entertainment cabinets. I also use it to dust furniture or decorative accessories that have a lot of creases and nooks.

3. Use a clean dry cloth on the furniture, lifting decorative accessories where possible. I might add a little furniture cleaner if the piece is looking dull.

4. Use a dry clean cloth on the TV and other electronic items. Never use a cleaning solution on electronics because you can damage them (unless it is a wipe especially made for them).

5. Wash the windows with the window cleaner and paper towels or newspaper. This is the time to also clean the grooves the windows slide on and the window sill. Mildew can build up in these areas so it is important to clean them regularly.

6. Take the vacuum cleaner and with a soft brush attachment, gently vacuum the blinds and then the curtains. You can be a little more aggressive on the curtains.

7. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean telephones, light switches and door handles.

8. Loosen slipcovers from couches and shake out the crumbs.

9. Remove the cushions on the chairs and couches to prepare for vacuuming.

10. Vacuum the furniture using the appropriate attachment – a flat attachment with a bit of felt or velvet on the bottom works well for cloth furniture. Use the long thin attachment for getting into crevices between cushions or along the inside edge.

11. Replace the cushions.

12. Move the furniture to vacuum underneath. I also pick up area rugs at this time.

13. Vacuum under the furniture and then replace, being careful not to scratch the wood floors, if applicable.

14. Wipe baseboards with a damp cloth.

15. Mop floor. For a laminate floor I use my Swiffer™ and I have found spraying Windex or a vinegar and water mixture effective. Use only a little bit because too much water or moisture can ruin this type of flooring. For a hardwood floor use a microfiber pad mop and only cleaners designed for hardwood floors, like Orange Glo Wood Floor Cleaner™. I found that other cleaners, including Swiffers™’ solution, dull the floor. Avoid using water because it will damage the hardwood floor.

16. Smile and move to the next room.

On this day, bathtubs, showers, and toilets are scrubbed. Clean the mirrors. The fronts of all kitchen appliances are wiped clean. Clean the inside of the microwave. The fireplace is cleaned if necessary, and any copper, brass or other decorative pieces should receive a polishing.

Depending on the situation this can take two to three hours, although I have been known to do it in one.

Bible-Filtered Home

2009-01-29T06:08:00.000-08:00

Peace, serenity, goodwill, nurturing, unity - these words describe our ideal home environment. Anger, bitterness, tension, hatred -these words we wouldn't like associated with our home environments. However, some of them to describe our homes from time to time. Is it possible to maintain an environment that promotes the good and eliminates the bad? I believe so.

Like a filter which purifies air, taking out the bad and letting through healthy air, so we need to apply a filter to our home environment. What comes into our home needs to be filtered out by our belief and value systems. Christian homes use the Bible as the filter. The parents would be the fan that forces the molecules of life through that filtration system, using Scripture to eliminate the bad while letting through the good. The family as a whole benefits from this.

Some of the ''particles" that must be filtered are: music, television, videos, books, language, thoughts, conversations, guests, etc. Each of these particles can have a negative or a positive influence on the minds, hearts, and souls of the members of the family.

How can we use Scripture to filter our environment?

1. Personal daily Bible reading and study

2. Regular church attendance

3. Fellowship with Godly people

4. Prayer

5. Family Bible readings and study

If we do not know what the Bible says about our home environment, we will not know how to use it to filter our home. We need to learn what God says about anger, strife, and bitterness. We need to study how He tells us to deal with these emotions. We need to learn how God says we can obtain peace in our lives, how His wisdom can guide our lives and our homes. He has a great deal to say about parenting and family life, not only in the straight sayings of Proverbs, but also in the examples of peoples lives, such as Eli and his sons. Eli did not correct his sons, and as a result his sons led evil lives.

Although studying God's Word is fundamental to improving our home environment, if we do not take what we have studied and set our minds to applying it to our lives, we will not change. If we do not surround ourselves with good things and people, then it will be difficult to eliminate that which has a bad affect on us.

The battleground for our home is in our minds, the seat of our thoughts and the place where we process values, intentions, and actions to form our opinions and beliefs. In our minds we process, evaluate, and react to the things we hear, see, or read. We must decide to not be negatively influenced by the world around us by controlling our thoughts and where secular values take our thoughts.

For example, my parents were babysitting our children one night and we let them watch the Incredibles, a popular movie about the family life of superheroes. My mother pointed out that the parents fought and she wondered why we would expose our children to this example of home environment, making it seem an acceptable mode of communication.

Sometimes we don't even recognize what we hear on television. A friend related to me a situation where at her son's party the fathers were watching a home improvement show. When it was time to open presents, one of the men turned the closed captions on and the volume down. They were amazed at the amount of swearing that they did not notice when they were just listening.

My daughter regularly watched a PBS television program about the life of a four year old boy who often threw temper tantrums when he didn't get his way. One day she decided to try it, and learned this was not acceptable in our family.

We cannot always control what we are exposed to; sometimes we see or hear things we do not want to hear. With prayer and meditation we can overcome and have control over our reactions to negative stimuli. That is, we can turn away from the thoughts that would cause us to make bad decisions or incite emotions in us we care not to have. If we do not determine to regulate these reactions, we will not be able to have a positive affect on our home environment.

Can something negative slip in and result in a positive? It has been known in our lives that negative experiences can produce positive results; however, for the nurture and development of our family within the home environment, it is better to filter those experiences through Scripture. This does not mean that hurt and hardship will not happen, but within the environment of the home, healing should occur. Therefore, the leaders of the home (the parents) must work to ensure their thoughts, feelings, and actions are governed by God and His Holy Word - working to filter out the negative those hurts and hardships might press into the home.

In summary, having a healthy home environment which is characterized by peace, goodwill and unity, requires us to have a belief and value system that lends itself to those characteristics. Then we must filter our daily activities through this belief and value system allowing only positive influences to reach each individual (particularly the leaders of the home). Since we bring into the home influences from the world that may be negative, we must win the battle in our minds and on our knees through prayer to overcome these negative influences.

Cayenne Mushroom Pot Barley Casserole

2009-01-27T06:46:00.000-08:00

Barley was a staple in diets over a century ago. I love using it as a replacement for rice or potatoes.

This recipe makes a wonderful side dish complement to baked chicken breasts.

1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 leek
1/4 cup butter
1 cup pot barley
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon salt
a dash of cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Sauté mushrooms, leeks and barley in butter.
Put remaining ingredients into a casserole dish and add sauté. Mix well.
Bake covered for 1 hour.
Remove lid and back uncovered for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, until barley is soft.

Serves 4 to 6 people

A Brief Look at the Virtuous Woman

2009-01-22T05:52:00.000-08:00

The world today drives women to be like men, giving little room for men to have anything left of their manhood and women to be true women. Women's rights are touted by some with the fervor of evangelists. With little deference to their unique creation and a continual advocation for irresponsible freedom, these “evangelists” lose the grace, beauty, and selflessness of a true woman.

Yet God's description of a true woman silences those evangelists. He gives us His example of real womanhood in Proverbs 31:10-31. This is the example every Christian woman should strive to follow. A brief look at the virtuous woman, the one God has told us to strive to be, follows.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:10-12

From a business perspective, this woman is the perfect employee—good business sense, reliable, and trustworthy. She has a good relationship with those beneath her and with those she serves. A hard worker, she is diligent and goes beyond the call of duty. This woman is not reliant on her husband to meet her needs ("he shall have no need of spoil"). This woman, as we shall see in later verses, is capable of providing for the needs of her family. A pillar of strength and wisdom, she is careful with her husband's money and inheritance such that he does not need to go out and obtain more than what he currently has.

"She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants ships; she bringeth her food from afar." Proverbs 31:13-14

This woman is a “power shopper”. She knows precisely what she needs to care for her household, and she settles for nothing less than a good deal. Like a merchant ship in search of good product at a bargain, she will go the extra mile to get the best at a good price. She
knows what materials she needs for her products (which she sells in verse 24) and seeks it out, working willingly to create the best.

"She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens." Proverbs 31:15

This woman cares for her household, including her servants. Who are the servants of today? Dishwashers, stoves, microwaves, kitchen appliances replace the kitchen help of ancient times. Washing machines, dryers, vacuum cleaners, and other cleaning machines replace the housekeepers of the past. If this woman lived today, she would take care in her use of these modern conveniences and ensure they receive the proper maintenance and repairs they need.

"She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard." Proverbs 31:16

Agriculture was the major industry of that day and this woman excelled at it. In those days property was inherited by the son (although a woman could inherit if there was no son). Fields were rarely sold and to have the ability to buy a field indicated wealth. This woman was prosperous, and by all indication she prospered by the work of her own hand.

"She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms."
Proverbs 31:17

This woman did not live on the verge of exhaustion. Her family and her servants probably never heard her say "I'm so tired today." She took care of her health and likely did not complain about little aches or pains or illnesses.

"She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night." Proverbs 31:18

This woman was a top notch business woman. She knew that what she did made good profit, both financially and in the care of her household. The product of her work was pleasant and agreeable. She was prepared to work 24/7 for her household. There was no 'me' time when the 'shop' was closed. She was prepared to work any time of the day or night, and she was available for her family any time of the day or night.

"She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff."
Proverbs 31:19

As noted before, this woman was a hard worker. She met her family's needs. There is a sense that she was tireless in her diligence; so great was her love for her family that she persisted in her work. Selflessly giving, she likely found her pleasure in seeing her family's needs met and exceeded.

"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20

Although focused on the care of her family, this woman had compassion on others. She did not keep to herself, staying away from the needs of her community. This woman was generous, kind, perhaps merciful, and certainly gracious. These simple acts speak volumes. This woman, though very busy and a hard worker, took the time, energy, and resources to be good to others. Her husband saw it; her children saw it. I am sure these same traits were directed to her family.

"She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet." Proverbs 31:21

When hardships came, this woman's household did not suffer as others. She prepared for those times. Scarlet was a symbol of wealth. So well did she provide, that her household experienced wealth in times of hardship.

"She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple." Proverbs 31:22

Tapestries were used on walls as a form of insulation. When worn, they would be moved to beds for coverings, and eventually to floors to provide insulation there. Tapestries were also a form of decorating.

Again, we see this woman ensuring the needs of her household were well met. Not only this, but she cared for the appearance of her home, decorating it and making it warm and inviting.

In her clothing, this woman demonstrated wealth and position. She cared about her appearance as much as she cared about the appearance of her home.

"Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land." Proverbs 31:23

So competent was this woman that her husband was able to excel. To sit at the gates as one of the elders was a position of rank. He was among the judges and the officers. He had no need to worry about his personal finances and the well being of his home because his wife successfully took care of them.

"She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant." Proverbs 31:24

Certainly her husband need not worry about his family finances; his wife was a business woman. What she made at home, she took to the merchant who would sell it for her.

"Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come." Proverbs 31:25

Her perseverance in life, her personal fortitude, these distinguished her from the rest. She was a force worthy of praise. She was bold, mighty, and powerful. This woman wore a beautiful inner
character, a character most excellent. She did not fear the future because her past and present life would bring her glory and would provide for her needs in her old age.

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Proverbs 31:26-28

This woman was people oriented. She cared for others, and she knew that wisdom and kindness were partners in this care. Her family loved her and thought very highly of her. She was a blessing to those for whom she loved and cared.

"Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." Proverbs 31:29

This woman demonstrated the ability to be a one person army. She showed great strength and discipline in her labors, and was a storehouse of godly character. Her interactions with people proved her valor. She was resourceful, strong, powerful, and efficient.

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Her success came from the simple fact of her fear of the Lord. In awe of the Almighty, and in knowledge of His righteous judgment, this woman's life demonstrated her faith.

"Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." Proverbs 31:31

She had no need to boast of her abilities and accomplishments. They spoke for her. The men in town who sat at the gates knew she excelled—her husband helped, I'm sure, in his praise of her.

To embrace God's description of a true woman is to seek to excel in godly living. A woman who lives as this virtuous woman did will experience success, not as the world views success, but as God does—such a woman will be able to "rejoice in time to come.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an excerpt from my book Best of Faith, Fiction, Fun, and Fanciful.

If you enjoyed this story you can purchase the book on Amazon.com - or click on the link at the top of the page.

Quick, Daddy's Coming Home

2009-01-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

In the last post, I mentioned three levels of cleaning our house. Here is the first level, a quick tidy up.

This daily tidying up gives the impression all is in order, even if chaos ruled the day. If my workforce (three children ages nine, six, and four) are available they are served recruitment baskets to fill with the toys they have left about the house. I pick up a basket myself and a plastic bag for garbage. We then start at one end of the house, which is the living room, and work our way to the other end, which is the girls’ bedroom. They pick up toys and I pick up anything else.

When baskets are filled they are taken from room to room, returning items to their rightful places. Once everything is in place I review each room, straightening decorative accessories, shoes, etc.

In the kitchen and dining room, I place dishes in the dishwasher, and wipe the table and countertops. Since we usually have a snack when my husband gets home, I fix up a quick plate and set it on the table. With chairs in place, and this part of the house looking neat, I retrieve the vacuum cleaner.

Vacuuming is a daily chore in our house because our dog sheds. Again, I start at one end of the house, the living room, and work my way to the other end of the house.

The last room I tidy is the bathroom. After straightening the towels, the bathmat and the shower curtain, I take a cloth and wipe down the sink and faucets, taking particular care to wipe behind the faucets since this area can get water and soap stains. Next I wipe behind the toilet seat; that space between the seat and the tank. The cloth I used gets tossed into the dirty clothes and I take another cloth to wipe down the floor, making sure to pick up hair or dust clinging to the baseboards, behind the toilet or the door, and around the sink and tub. I toss this cloth into the dirty clothes and take out the garbage.

I expect everyone to wipe the tub/shower after they use it so I do not need to clean it at this time. This room is left to the end because, after the kitchen, in our house it is the most used room and inevitably after I clean it someone splashes water on the floor, or pulls a towel down off the rack.

If all goes well, the house is tidy in less than a half hour, snack is on the table and the kids and I are sitting down as Dad comes through the door.

The Act of Housekeeping

2009-01-15T06:05:00.000-08:00

In my house, there are three levels of housekeeping:

1. Quick, Dad’s coming home – tidy up!

2. Saturday “get rid of the dirt” day!

3. Help! Company’s coming – deep cleaning is a must!

On a daily basis a flurry of activity blows through our house, sending toys to kids rooms, dishes into the dishwasher, and other items into their designated locations. The activities’ mission: to provide a tidy and relaxing home environment for my husband when he arrives from a long, hard day at work.

Saturdays begin with a whirlwind cleaning, dusting, scrubbing, polishing, washing, etc. In a couple of hours, the weekend’s rest and relaxation can begin.

Weapons of housecleaning war are taken up when the anticipation of company propels the household into battle against mess and dirt. I get right down to the corners and creases normally overlooked and engage the dirty enemy at even the smallest level.

The next few Home, Hobbies and Asundry posts will give you details on how to attack housecleaning on three levels.

Using Leftover Bread, Biscuits or Croissants

2009-01-13T06:07:00.000-08:00

My extensive allergies require that I seek ways of making things from scratch. Homemade croutons is one of my many discoveries. I make these from biscuits or leftover croissants because I'm allergic to yeast, but you could use old bread as well.

Italian Style Croutons

Dried but not hard biscuits, croissants or bread
Butter
Italian seasoning
Grated Parmesan cheese

Butter one side of each biscuit and cut into small cubes (1/4 to 1/2 inch depending on how small you like your croutons).
Sprinkle cubes with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese.
Heat until golden brown in ungreased skillet (approximately 5 minutes), stirring continually.

When done, toss in salad, or store in an airtight container in refrigerator for two to three days.

A Reason to Live

2009-01-08T05:51:00.000-08:00

I have nothing to give. I am worthless. I have no one to love. No one loves me. The world would be better off without me. My family shouldn't suffer because of me.

A modern epidemic, even within the Christian community, is depression. At some point in a person's life she may decide she does not want to go on with life. Sometimes this is chemically induced, and sometimes this is situationally induced.

Life can become grueling. It may seem at times hopeless. There may even arise in one's mind the lie that others would be better off without you. Don't listen to it.

I know of those who have lain in wait for death. The doctors say their illness is terminal. They are shuffled off to hospice to die as painlessly as possible. There is no hope. Their family begins to mourn and suffer the long trial of life lost. Tears are shed; anger is felt; sorrow is deepened.

I also know of those who long to live, even though they are told they would die. They hold on to the hope of life like a bulldog holds on to a bone. Letting go is not an option. They cling to life even though death holds for them a place where there is no more sorrow or pain or fear. Why?

David, of the Old Testament, was one of these people.

Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? Psalm 6:4-5 (KJV)

David had plenty of reasons to give up: the king turned on him; he lost his wife and his best friend; he had to live among the rejected and in the wilds. Nonetheless, he knew if he died, he could not give thanks to God as he could in this world.

The Apostle Paul suffered great persecution and hardship. If ever a person should long for his heavenly home, he had that right. However, he saw that if he died then God could no longer use him.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. . . . For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. Philippians 1:21-24

Paul's work was not yet done and he determined to complete it. There came a time when he knew he would die, and he was ready for it, but until that time, he set his mind on finishing the course God had given him.

The bottom line: our lives are not about ourselves, they are about God. When we turn our focus inward, into our desires and wants, even to what we see as our needs, we turn our focus off of God. We lose the faith (not meaning faith unto salvation, but faith unto perseverance).

When we throw our hands up in the air and say all is lost, we've lost focus on God and the wonderful, hope-giving anticipation of what He might do. We have forgotten that those who endure will be saved.

Suicide and euthanasia are selfish escapes. These deaths show a lack of faith, a lack of desire to see God at work. They reveal a heart fixated on the "me-god" our society has created. They are not the answer.

I know this seems harsh. Nasty even. Especially when one is not willing to humble herself to the God who created her. But until we realize that life is not about us, it's about God, we'll live in the dark and seek a dark death.

There is a hope. You never know how or when God will chose to heal you or to save you from your situation. You never know how God might use you.

Today I know of someone who lies in a hospital desiring to live but is told he will die. The doctors fight with the family, complaining that medicines that might help this person are too expensive. Yet this man has communicated that he wants to live, because he wants to serve God. Even now, when he can't get out of bed without help, he is serving God because of his tremendous faith. Yes, he believes God can heal him, but more than that, he is determined that should he live he would serve God; such commitment is testimony of true faith and an undying love for his Saviour.

Such a person is an inspiration to me, and in that, he acts out his reason for living. Indeed, life is not about me, it's about God. And well I do to remember this.

The New Year's Goal Dive

2009-01-06T06:09:00.000-08:00

We're nearly a week into the new year. Have you set goals? Have you let a few go? Have your goals changed? Did you dive into the pool of abandoned goals yet?

In years past, by this time I would have dropped one or two goals--or more. The dream to attain these goals was nice, but life just got in the way. So this year I determined to LET life get in the way. Yes, I decided that perhaps "life" was better than forever chasing that elusive goal.

That is not to say I didn't make some goals, rather that one of them was to be willing to set them aside and not stress over failing if "life" made them impossible to achieve.

I have my exceptions. I will not let go of my Bible reading, study and prayer time. I need that for life's interruptions. I will not let go of consist and regular church attendance (this includes Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening services), though illness might inhibit attendance on occasion. But these regiments have long been established in my life. The habits to keep these are already in place. And without these practices, I would not be able to handle life well.

The type of goals that I'm willing to lay down for life's sake, are my writing, my exercise, and my diet goals. That's not to say I won't strive to meet these goals, but it is my ambition to not let them rule my life.

You see, I'm a very goal-driven, time-ruled, action-oriented person. Unlike some members of my family, re . . . relax . . . relaxa . . . relaxation is a hard word for me to use, let alone understand. Drive, Drive, Drive is my motto. While that might get me places, it distances me from the human element of life.

So this year, I am willing to dive into the pool of abandoned goals and swim a short distance, if it allows "life" to have its affect on me; if it allows me to relax with the human element so much more important than those cold, hard-line goals. However, when life's interruption has passed, I will emerge from the pool after a short swim and pick those goals back up. At least, that's what the plan is.

What are your goals for 2009, and what ones are you willing to set aside for the unexpected elements of life?

Book Review: Violet Dawn by Brandilyn Collins

2009-01-01T06:21:00.000-08:00

Violet Dawn by Brandilyn Collins

Genre: Christian Suspense

A dead body shows up in Paige Williams' hot tub - what should she, someone who wants to stay out of the public's eye, do? She disposes of the body and spends the next 24 hours trying to hide her secret. But the police turn up evidence suggesting she's the murder.

As the truth of Paige's life is revealed, one page at a time, the eminent danger she faces intensifies until she must not only face the police and the media, but a cold-blooded murderer slithering up from her past.

If you enjoy intense drama, I suggest you read Violet Dawn.

Book Reviews

2008-12-31T06:04:00.000-08:00

I have been mulling over where to post book reviews. On the one hand, it seems a natural fit for my Faith, Fiction, Fun, and Fanciful blog. On the other hand, there are books I would like to recommend to my friends and readers of this blog.

I decided I needed to evaluate my purpose for writing book reviews, and discovered I had two main reasons for doing so:

1. Because I am a reader and I love to share a good book with others
2. Because I am a writer and use books as a part of my research in learning the craft, the industry, and assessing the current market demands.

Since Faith, Fiction, Fun, and Fanciful is a blog for writers, it seems natural for reviews written from the perspective of a writer should be posted there.

Since Home, Hobbies, and Asundry is a blog to help women incorporate within their daily tasks, joys, and hobbies a spiritual perspective, it seems natural to write reviews based on my enthusiasm for books. This blog is about life and, for me, reading is a part of life. I glean much about our world, culture, and beliefs through stories.

Would you like to hear of good books to read?

Cayenne Macaroni and Cheese

2008-12-30T05:51:00.000-08:00

Conversations with friends over the years has led me to believe every family has their own version of this comfort food. This is one I have derived for our family (and I will boast that my son and youngest daughter prefer it to Kraft's version):

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon ground mustard
¼ teaspoon soy sauce
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook macaroni as directed on package
3. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat or melt in microwave.
4. Stir into butter flour, salt, cayenne pepper, mustard, and soy sauce.
5. Cook butter sauce over low heat, stirring continually until mixture is smooth and bubbly.
6. Remove butter sauce from heat.
7. Stir milk into the butter sauce.
8. Heat sauce to boiling, stirring continually.
9. Boil and stir sauce for 1 minute.
10. Remove sauce from heat.
11. Stir cheese into sauce until cheese is melted.
12. When macaroni is cooked, drain.
13. Add macaroni into sauce and mix.
14. Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole dish.
15. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.

For extra crunch, I occasionally top with saltine crackers before baking.

Christmas Photos

2008-12-26T15:46:00.000-08:00

This is our lunch table. We tend to eat all day on Christmas day. To the side of this is another table with more food. Our turkey dinner was at 4:30 pm, but the "buffet" would stay open all day.

Do you see our dog? He's so good. His nose is the height of the table but he never steals a bite. Even the kids (who can stand eye to eye with him) can feel safe, because he won't take from their hand or their plate (unless they set the plate on the floor - then he feels its his).