Posted in Jewels from God

This list was published in the devotional "Our Daily Bread."   I thought it had some good advice so I thought I would share it today.

Rules for Happier Living

1.  Give something away

2.  Do a kindness

3.  Give thanks always

4.  Work with vim and vigor

5.  Visit the elderly and learn from their experience

6.  Look intently into the face of a baby and marvel

7.  Laugh often

8.  Pray to know God's way

9.  Plan as though you will live forever-- you will

10.  Live as though today is your last day on earth

Posted in Favorite recipes

Rocks in my Dryer  at http://www.rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/  has listed eating well recipes as the topic for Works for Me Wednesday this week.  I am not sure on the amount of fat in this recipe but it does have lots of healthy ingredients and is really good.

Granola

Bring the following ingredients to a boil:

2/3 cup honey

1/4 cup oil

1 tbsp. cinnamon

Mix in a large bowl:

1/2 c. unsweetened coconut

4 c. rolled oats

1 c. unsalted sunflower seeds

1/2 c. wheat germ

1/2 c. oat bran

1/4 c. sesame seeds

1 c. chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, or whatever you like)

Mix honey mixture and dry mixture together.  Flatten into a large pan with sides and bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes.  Stir and flatten and bake for 10 more minutes.

After it comes out of the oven I add dried fruit.  My favorites are raisons and dried cranberries. Today I was out of oil so I did 2 tbsp. butter and 2 tbsp. apple juice concentrate and it turned out really good. 

Posted in Jewels from God

I have been reading several blogs about New Year's resolutions and though I would post what has been on my mind today.  I too want to simplify these so that I am less likely to fail.  I came up with three words that sums up what my goals are for the coming year.  They are not original but are easy to remember.  You have probably seen this motto on plaques before, it is Live, Laugh, Love.  It seems simple and here is what it means to me.

Live - Live everyday for God - spend time at his feet daily and get to know him better.

Laugh - It seems I have gotten into a rut and forgotten how to laugh and have fun.  This is the year that I need to "cast all my cares upon the Lord" and not take them back and worry about them.  Worry is the biggest joy stealer out there and I have let it steal my joy for too long. 

Love- I need to focus on the blessings God has put into my life, primarily my husband, my children and great friends who love me, faults and all.  I want to be better at expressing my love and appreciation for these special people in my life. 

These three words pretty much sums up what is most important to me this coming year. 

Posted in Quotes to ponder

I came accross this quote in a devotional book and found it very encouraging.

" However low the people of God are at any time brought, everlasting arms are underneath them to keep the spirit from fainting and the faith from failing, even when they are pressed above measure... everlasting arms with which believers have been wonderfully sustained and kept cheerful in the worst of times.  Divine grace is sufficient."  Matthew Henry

Sorry for the long absense.  I been busy with life in general and have not had time to blog.  I am going to try to start blogging once a week and see how that goes. Hopefully then I will be a little more consistent. 

Posted in Menu planning Mondays

Here is my menu for the week.  Be sure to stop by at  http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/  for Menu Planning Mondays.

If anyone wants any of these recipies just leave a comment and I will

post any requested recipes.

Monday- Homemade Chicken noodle soup

Tuesday-Manicotti

Wednesday-Paresean Chicken

Thursday- Chicken tacos

Friday- Going out to dinner with my Hubby

Saturday- BBQ something-My Husband always cooks on Saturday

Sunday- Not sure yet, maybe a roast

Posted in Jewels from God

I am finding more and more that as I look at the hearts of my children and see some areas that need refining, my own heart is reflected there.  So often my weakness and flaws are reflected in them.  I find that I need to again and again ask the Lord to first change my heart, so that I can be a worthy example for my children.  It seems this is more prominent as they grow older.  I guess the older they get the more they are looking for and notice inconsistency in me.  I have to be very careful not to fall into the old adage of  "do as I say not as I do" because they are watching for me to live by the same standards that I am call them to live by.  I am so blessed to be a mother because it is God's tool to refine me into the woman He wants me to be.  What an awesome responsiblily.  I am glad I don't have to do it without God's help.

I had to take a break from blogging in order to get into a routine with school.  In the summer my routine was to get onto the computer after breakfast and would often spend an hour or more there.  That doesn't work out so well with school so I have made myself stay off the computer until my morning routine is complete and we have started school. Some days I have a few free minutes in between questions and toddlers to get on the computer but many days I don't.  I am not sure when to fit in computer time but it has had to go down lower on my list of priorities.  I will try to blog a little more often so that I don't completely drop out of blog land.  I haven't found the perfect time to fit it in yet. 

Posted in Family times

We lost our faithful friend this past weekend.  Our dog, Ginger, had to be put down.  I blogged about her awhile ago.  She became sick and just couldn't recover from it.  We are all sad to see her go.  She was a gentle and sweet dog and we will all miss her very much.  I went on a walk today without her.  That was really hard.  I had been really faithful walking her six days a week for the past month, until she became sick.  It was kind of a lonely walk today without her but I know I need to keep exercising and it will get easier.  The hardest thing about owning pets is that they don't live as long as we do.  They add so much to our lives and really become part of the family which makes it so hard when they go.  We took her up to our family cabin with us this last weekend and burried her up there.  She loved it up there so it seemed the right thing to do.

Posted in Favorite recipes

Here's what's cooking this week at our house.  Be sure to stop by  http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/  to view other menus.  If you would like me to post any of these recipes just leave a comment and I will post a recipe for you.

We are leaving mid-week for my parents' cabin in the mountains so some of these meals will be up there. 

Monday - Parisian Chicken

Tuesday - Creamy chicken pasta salad and garlic parmesan breadsticks

Wednesday - Hamburgers

Thursday - Shrimp Scampi

Friday - Paprika Chicken

Saturday - Chicken Enchiladas

Sunday - Grandma's cooking

Posted in Jewels from God

This is an excerpt from the book, "Reflections of God's Glory" by Corrie ten Boom.  I found this very encouraging as I have been a bit overwhelmed in planning the upcoming school year and beginning high school with my oldest daughter.

"Once, I had a burden that weighed heavily on me.  I set it down and looked at it.  Then I saw that everything about my burden was borrowed.  One part belonged to the following day, one part to next week.  My burden was a huge, stupid mistake.  I realized that worry is carrying tomorrow's burden with today's strength.  It's carrying two days at once.  It's prematurely thinking of tomorrow.  On the calendar, there is only one day for action, and that is today.  Making plans is time consuming.  Time is necessary for making wise plans, but carrying them out belongs to only one day- today.  Worry depletes the energy that you need to live today.  The Holy Spirit does not give you a clear blueprint for your life, but He leads you from moment to moment.  Live for today! The sun will shine tomorrow on the problems that tomorrow brings."

Philippians 4: 8

"Do not be anxious  about anything, but in everything, by prayer and pettition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Posted in Homeschool

We are about to begin 9th grade with my oldest daughter.  I am wondering what is your favorite high school resource or any hints or tips any of you out there may have for homeschooling highschoolers.  It is hard to believe we are here already.  It seems like it was just yesterday we started kindergarten.  These years at home with my precious daughters are flying by way to quickly as far as I am concerned.  One of the greatest blessing in homeschooling is that we get so much time together.  It still feels like it is not quite enough as I look at how fast time seems to be going by.

Posted in Jewels from God

Ephesians 4:2-3

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Posted in Favorite recipes

1 lb. ground beef 

1/2 onion, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped finely

2 cans (16 oz.) tomato sauce

1 can (10 oz.) tomato puree

1 can (8 oz.) tomato paste

1/2 tea. salt

1 tsbp. italian seasoning

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 cup water

1/2 cup wine

Brown hamburger, onion and celery, drain fat.  Put in crock pot with all other ingredients.  Cook on low 6-8 hours or on medium for 4 hrs.  The amount for the spices is what I start with and then after it has cooked a couple of hours I taste it and add a little more until it taste the way I like it.  Also you can pan sear a rump roast and add it to the sauce.  Just take it out and slice it when you are ready to serve it.  It comes out very tender this way.

Posted in Menu planning Mondays

Here is what's cooking this week.  Check out http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/ for more Menu Planning Monday links. Let me know if you want me to post the recipe for any of these.

Monday - Chicken Stir Fry

Tuesday - Steak

Wednesday - Creamy Italian Chicken

Thursday - Spagetti

Friday- Going to the water park and eating fast food

Saturday and Sunday - DH got a new smoker/grill  and is practicing with it on the weekends so we will have smoked something.  I don't have to cook it so it works for me!

Posted in Jewels from God

Proverbs 2:1-11

"My son if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds victory in store for the upright; he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.  Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you."

This verse reminds me of the true source of wisdom and the blessing of seeking it with my whole heart.  As I am gearing up for a new school year and selecting what our course of study will be I am reminded again of the need to seek God in this area of life.  I had an ah-ha moment about 3 years ago that I needed to be praying for wisdom as to what curriculum to select for the upcoming year.  I am not sure why it took me 6 years of homeschooling before I figured this one out.  I can be a little slow to figure things out sometimes.  I have found that as I have started doing this I am spending less money on things we don't like or don't use.  I am also more confident in my selection and have a much greater peace about what we are doing for school. 

Posted in Favorite recipes

Aztec Quiche

1 1/4 cups grated Monterey Jack Cheese

3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 4oz.  can diced green chilies

1 cup half and half

3 eggs, beaten lightly

1/2 tea. salt

1/8 tea. ground cumin

1 9in  deep-dish frozen pie shell

Spread Monterey Jack cheese and half of cheddar over bottom of pie shell.  Sprinkle diced chilies over cheeses.  Stir together in a bowl the half-and-half, eggs, and seasonings.  Pour carefully into pie shell and sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese.  Bake uncovered in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.

Posted in Family times

I am so very thankful for my multitalented DH.  He fixed our oven!  HORAY!

It ended up being a burned out wire that he was able to cut and solder and best of all fix it for free.  We though it was the baking element, which would of cost about $75 to replace ourselves.  So, Aztec Quiche is back on the menu for today, baked in my now working oven.  Due to the overwhelming response, the recipe will be in my next post. 

Posted in Menu planning Mondays

Laura at http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/ is hosting menu planning Mondays.  It looks like fun.  Head over and check it out.  I am not sure how to put the photo link at the top of this post.  I am still new at blogging and don't have everything figured out yet.  Hope you can get to her post the old fashioned way.

 Here is my menu for the week.  Not sure what's cooking this weekend yet.  It depends on what my DH wants to cook on the grill.  I may have to modify my plans slightly since our baking element on our oven went out this weekend.  I can only cook on broil or stove top as of today.  Before the oven broke this is what I had planned for the week.  If anyone wants any of these recipes leave a comment and I will post any that are requested.

Monday-Chicken with Broccoli casserole

Tuesday-Aztec Quiche

Wednesday-French Bread Pizza

Thursday-Garlic Chicken Salad and Parmesan breadsticks

Friday-BBQ Hamburgers

Posted in Quotes to ponder

Our church just finished a week of VBS.  It was so fun and busy too.  My job this past week was to help 3-6 year olds memorize Bible Verses.  It was so much fun. 

I was amazed at what some of these little ones knew about the the salvation message at such a young age.  Here are some of the my favorite quotes and highlights:

Answer to any and every question I might ask:  Jesus

How many people have sinned?  Answers 3, 57, 300, 57,000 and finally everyone except Jesus.

Where can we pray?  

"Everywhere except you can't pray at school."  Mateo, age 5. (One of the many reasons why we homeschool)

When talking about how Jesus died for our sins Riely age 5 said, " I don't like to talk about that because it makes me feel sad."

"I like to read the Bible everyday because it is a really good book." Brandon, age 6.