Homeschool Flip Flops

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#56~ 12/7/09

Maintaining excitement throughout THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

God's Accuracy

Homemade Liquid Dish Soap

Kitchen Questions 2009

1. Do you have magnets on your fridge? You mean, is there a fridge under my magnets?!

2. Do you have a calendar in your kitchen, if so, what's the theme of it? I have a calendar that my FIL gives all of his extended family every Christmas. He orders it from somewhere and it has HUGE daily squares to write in. We all love it.

3. What is your favorite kitchen gadget or tool? My wooden spatula.

4. Are you lucky enough to have a pantry of some kind? No.

5.What is your favorite appliance? My electric skillet and my bread maker (I let it knead the dough and rise there and then I bake it in my oven).

6. Do you have an eat in kitchen (table in it)? Yes.

7.Do you have a bread box? No.

8. Do you have a picture of your kids on the fridge? Yes.

9. Do you ever cook breakfast in your PJs? Is there any other way?

10. Do you have a favorite cookbook that you use? Yes, an old Betty Crocker book and my own that I've added to since we got married 25 years ago.

11. Are you lucky enough to have recipes that were passed down from your mom or grandma? Yes, and they are in the cookbook that I've made for myself.

12. Whats your favorite food? Mexican, Italian and Briar (that's Ohio-speak for Kentucky country cooking)!

13. Whats your favorite thing to cook? Taco soup.

14. Is your coffee pot electric or stove top? Electric

15. Do you ever make your own bread? Yes, it's the only kind of bread we eat. At least at home.

16. Name one thing that you have hanging on your wall in your kitchen. The last Christmas my daddy was alive he made me a 6 ft. long shelf for my antique and reproduction tins. I also hang some of my garden herbs on it. I love it!

17. Is there a clock in your kitchen? Yes, on the stove and microwave.

18. Do you have a bowl of fruit sitting on your table or counter? Usually, but not today.

19. What type of canisters do you have? Country-type canisters w/gasket lids and a collection of antique canning jars.

20. Does your kitchen have a theme? Country w/antique and reproduction canning jars and tins - all serving a function, not just to look at - and a lot of blue sponge-ware.

21. What's for supper tonight? Not sure, possibly dirty rice.

22. Do you have enough cabinet space? I will once I clean them out - AGAIN.

23. Does your family use paper plates? On occasion - usually in the Summer.

24. Do you have a good set of china? Yes. It is what I have from our wedding. Actually, it's NOT the pattern I picked out - my mom went behind my back and changed my registry to what SHE liked and I didn't find out until we started opening our wedding gifts. I was blessed w/many sets so I kept them. Anyway...I have in mind that I would like to put them on e-bay and then get the one I REALLY wanted (English Rose or Spode's American Woodland/Wildlife)...it's been 25 years, think she'll notice?

25. Do you wear an apron to work in your kitchen? Yes. I wear my grandma's "all over" apron when I fry or bake. I'd like to get another one so that I can keep hers nice.

26. Name one thing, if anything, that you would like to change about your kitchen. Can I make it 3? Ok...a Farmer's sink and a reproduction woodburning stove, like a Hearthstone or something; and a new hardwood floor.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#55~ 11/30/09

The 12 Days of Christmas is coming!!!!

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE! is coming SOON!

Now, for those of you who may be unfamiliar with this SHMILY Time tradition, The "Twelve Days of Christmas" isn't talkin' about "A Partridge in a Pear Tree.  It's a twist that I'm sure your husband will enjoy!

It all started because my husband and I would wind up arguing during the holidays EVERY YEAR because it was so stressful.  Spending time and money on friends and family seemed to get out of control no matter how much we tried to "get better" each year and would result in some sort of argument, so A few years ago, I decided I would something different... Twelve days before Christmas just happens to be my husband's birthday, so I surprised him each day, and got us all the way to Christmas day without an argument!   I found it really hard to get angry with someone that I was so focused on loving and praying for!

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE revolves around the act of love and anything leading up to it.  Now, I know this "strikes a chord" with some of you and  I know that sex is not the only thing that makes a marriage good...  so please don't send me emails or leave comments telling me this.  (In fact, if sex is the only thing good in a marriage that's not healthy either.)  What I've found to be true however, is how "taboo" sex is, especially in Christian marriages.  We don't talk about it or even acknowledge it's importance in our marriages, when the fact is... God created it... and it was His intention that it is good.  I understand that we, as a society have ruined that in so many ways, on so many levels... but THAT is not God's fault, nor does it change what He intended for beautiful and fulfilling and to make a husband and wife as one.  Because of what sex has become because of premarital sex, pornography, adultry and the like, we have somehow become "scared" to talk about sex in a Christian marriage as if it's "dirty".

Unfortunately, sex is also one of the first things we "take away" or avoid when things get rough in our marriage as well.  Let's face it, when you're arguing with your spouse, do you feel like making love?... probably not... and when that happens, the enemy begins his work at destroying our marriage...  Think back to when you were falling in love with your spouse... at some point in time, there was a physical attraction... and chances are good it was pretty "intense".  Just because you may have been married for awhile, that does not mean that your love making should get boring, or non-existent.  It doesn't matter what stage (or state) your marriage is in right now bring the spark back to your marriage, and start with THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!

Note:  If you are in a process of healing in your marriage, or there is a hurt that hasn't been dealth with or forgiven, then please take a moment to pray the SHMILY PRAYER.  I realize that some hurts and problems need more time to heal, and so this year may not be the time for THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... instead, you may want to tuck this idea away and continue to pray for God to restore your marriage, including the act of love making.  (The Power of a Praying Wife is also an excellent book to begin praying every day for your husband.)

With ALL that being said, THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS involves some planning, so take some time to be thinking about what you can do to begin a year that will hopefully start a life long tradition! 

• It begins on December 14th (12 days before Christmas)... and is for 12 DAYS... 12 consecutive days (or nights)! This is especially fun because most people's traveling and visiting relatives is during these days (keeping in mind that this would be especially fun while visiting relatives  because only you and husband will know what's going on...) 
  

• This involves an investment in your "drawer of many blessings" drawer as well... and yes, you SHOULD have one of these drawers, so make room (throw out some clothes if you have to... your hubby would rather see you in these anyway!)  Start saving money and get your drawer stocked up!  You'll be able to "recycle" here so the money you spend here is worth it in the end.  You're investing in your marriage and that is never money wasted.  (Your size is NOT an excuse either!   Please read, "He loves you... quit hiding!" if you're  struggling with your outer appearance.   Have all your "little blessings" bought by 14th and plan for each day's surprise, along with any evening you might be able to get a sitter and go out (with your "little blessing" on to tell him about over dinner), or a friend to watch the kids so you can stay in (and put your "gift" to use)! 

• Make or get a card to give to your husband on the 13th.  An idea would be:
  

  • "To celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas I have planned a special "gift" for you each day with only you in mind!  Anticipate what each will bring as we celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas... twelve you're sure not to forget!" (Don't forget to sign it, SHMILY!)

Homeschool Encouragement...From the U.K.

"There is no evidence that this part of the Bill is needed; in fact, the reverse is very much the truth. We have just had the chief inspector saying that 1/3 of state schooling is unsatisfactory, while the true figures on home education say that maybe 1% of home education is unsatisfactory. The phrase involving beams, motes and eyes comes to mind."

~Lord Lucas's, House of Lords - 26 November 2009 [emphasis mine ~ KW]

Encouragement & blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Be Thankful!

A safe, happy & blessed Thanksgiving to everyone.

Remember...the Pilgrims were NOT thanking the Indians, they were thanking GOD & invited the Indians along for the party!

Let's not forget Who we're thanking.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Post from the Past: Thanking God for Our Thorns

• The Thanksgiving Special