Following 31

Win a Handmade T-shirt Quilt

2012-01-26T21:39:00.002-05:00

Would you like to win a handmade t-shirt quilt? You can by visiting my friend, Jenn, at Sunshine of Autumn Quilts. She is hosting a giveaway on her blog, Growth in God, in honor of her sons' birthdays. Who wouldn't want to win one as pretty as this?

The giveaway ends in 9 days, so hurry.

The Chicken Nugget Experiment with Jamie Oliver

2012-01-24T21:25:00.003-05:00

How can we get our kids to eat healthy in America? It's a real challenge.

Menu Plan Monday - January 23

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

I've been so tired this week that I think I'll just skip any discourse right now and head straight to the menu. Enjoy your week!

Monday

Chef Salads

Lemon Delight

Tuesday

Sicilian Supper

Green Beans

Blueberry Muffins

Wednesday

Pork Chops

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Sauteed Zuchinni

Thursday

Pot Roast

Carrots

Potatoes

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Spaghetti over Hamburgers

Garlic Toast

Salads

Sunday

On Your Own

Book Review- The Grace Effect by Larry Alex Taunton

2012-01-22T21:23:00.001-05:00

The Grace Effect is written by Larry Alex Taunton and published by Thomas Nelson. I started reading this book with the impression that it was more of a lengthy - and possibly boring - exposition of Christian grace. I found that it's a great exposition of grace, but is by no means boring.

What would a world without grace look like? That is the basic question asked in the text. The answer comes by way of showing rather than telling, specifically in showing what life is like for those who live in a godless society, one that that is filled with atheism, socialism, and an all-around lack of grace as the authentic Christian knows it. We see, through the eyes of Sasha, a ten-year-old Ukrainian girl, that life without God is a life without anything worth having.

Larry Taunton writes a powerful narrative that chronicles his family's time in the Ukraine as they jump through the hoops in the long process of adopting Sasha. In the end, Sasha herself shows the Tauntons what the "Grace Effect" is really all about as she receives God's grace into her life and rises above all the wickedness that atheism produced all around her.

I have to say that I absolutely devoured this book. I couldn't wait to get to the end so that I could find out how the whole adoption went, how Sasha is doing now, and especially how GRACE won out. I recommend The Grace Effect highly.

**I received a copy of The Grace Effect in exchange for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are my own.**

Menu Plan Monday - January 16

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a good week - I can just feel it. Our funds were low this week so we're using up what is in the pantry and the freezer. Last week I had found an organic whole chicken for a reduced price because it was short dated. I bought it and froze it for later - glad I still have it. We also found, at the bottom of the chest freezer, a large block of hamburger patties (I'm talking 10 pounds). I always feel so blessed when I find stuff I had completely forgotten about. Speaking of forgetting...I balanced the checkbook with the bank to find that I had made a $100 error - to our credit!

I checked out of our library two really great cookbooks for gluten-free cooking: Gluten-free Made Simple: Easy Everyday Meals that Everyone Can Enjoy by Carol Field Dahlstrom; The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Comfort Foods: Creating Old Favorites with the New Flours by Bette Hagman. Some of my menu choices this week come from them. Sorry I can't share the recipes - they're copyrighted. Here's what we're planning:

Monday

Cheesy Chicken & Rice

Broccoli

Salads

Bread & Butter

Peaches

Tuesday

Hamburgers on the Grill

Seasoned Oven Potato Wedges

Gluten-free Scalloped Corn

Wednesday

Goulash

Peas

Salads

Applesauce

Thursday

Chili in the slow-cooker

Garlic Toast

Strawberry Mango Smoothies

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Gluten-free Veggie Pizza

Saturday

Gluten-free Beef Stroganoff

Stir-fried Vegetables

Zucchini Pie

Sunday

On Your Own

Review - We Bought a Zoo

2012-01-14T22:32:00.000-05:00

After a difficult week, I was ready for some fun. My husband and I both had free movie tickets, so we decided to bring the two youngest children to the matinee showing of We Bought a Zoo. It turns out that the theater let all four of us see the movie for free. What a blessing!

Regardless of what some of the reviews are saying, I'm giving it a full five stars for heart. If they had left out the few cuss and swear words, I would have been a lot happier.

The real storyline is not so much that the family bought a working zoo and made a real go of it, but rather the relationship that the widowed father (Matt Damon) and his children built with each other. I found the film to be believable and well done. I nearly cried, but didn't. If you get a chance to watch it, please do.

Hands and Feet

2012-01-14T22:16:00.000-05:00

This has been a bad week for me. A man I knew (he came in to the library and talked regularly) committed suicide. He spoke with me one last time two days before he drove out to the state forest and shot himself in the head with a rifle. He was worried because his unemployment had run out. I didn't know it at the time, but his landlord was also evicting him the following day. He talked to me about the Bible. He said I should buy the New American Standard Bible for my oldest son. The last thing he said to me was, "Please pray for me."

Somehow, we failed this man. He felt alone, with no place to turn. Looking back I can see that he gave numerous hints that he was in trouble. He had talked to others in the community as well. None of us picked up on his despair.

I wish we had.

This whole thing has got me really praying and meditating upon some poignant questions:

What if we stopped looking at ourselves and began looking at others instead? What if we really heard their pleas for help, silent as they might seem at the time? What if we threw away our toys and spent our time with people, investing in people, giving to people?

And here's the real question: What if we took Jesus seriously and became His hands and feet? (Matthew 25)

Menu Plan Monday - January 9

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

A big thanks to those who entered the My Memories digital scrapbooking software giveaway. Kelsey K. is my winner and she has been notified with the software code.

We had some ups and downs this week with finances - mainly the problem of my husband's handheld going down a week ago and thus not recording two days of sales. That meant that we could not get the commissions on this week's paycheck. OUCH! I am making the menu plan to revolve around food that we already had on hand (other than milk, eggs, and a few staples).

May I remind you that your local public library likely has many cookbooks on hand? They are great fun to pore over with hopes of getting good recipes and idea. This week I checked out Amish Cooking with Sicily Yoder. Her recipes tend to feed large families (I'm talking larger than mine). I am cutting many of them in half in order to feed my family of seven. Here's what we're planning for the week:

Monday

Hamburgers on the grill

French Fries

Sweet Corn

Tuesday

Homemade Manicotti
Salads
Asparagus

Wednesday

Chef Salads
Peaches

Thursday

Library Staff Dinner
Deep Dish Turkey Pot Pie for the kids

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Siciliy's Sausage Rolls
Acorn Squash
Poor Man's Pie
Zucchini Custard

Sunday

On Your Own

Book Review - This Thing of Ours by Cammy Franzese

2012-01-07T20:36:00.001-05:00

This Thing of Ours: How Faith Saved my Mafia Marriage is written by Cammy Franzese and published by Thomas Nelson Publishers. I am usually not disappointed by any of the books I read from Thomas Nelson and I was not once again with This Thing of Ours.

I love nonfiction that reads like fiction. Let me tell you what I mean by that. Cammy tells her life story in such a way that, though it is a memoir, the words flow into an interesting story that makes me feel as if I'm reading an engaging piece of fiction. I can't wait to get into the next chapter so that I can see what happens next.

Cammy married Michael Franzese and lived through more than 10 years of what most of us would not. At the time, she was young and naive, not realizing that she was in love with a powerful Mafia boss. As she became more aware of what was really going on, she chose to stay with him and devote herself to him. This book gives a clear picture of why and how she was able to muster the faith to honor her marriage vows. In the end, it was all worth it.

I enjoyed reading This Thing of Ours and would recommend anyone who struggles with a less than ideal spouse. Prayer and faith make a world of difference to a rocky marriage. It certainly did for Cammy and Michael Franzese.

**I received a copy of This Thing of Ours in exchange for my honest opinion. The opnions expressed are my own.**

Menu Plan Monday - January 2

2012-01-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

**Don't forget to enter the My Memories digital scrapbooking software giveaway. You have until January 5.**

Happy New Year! This year, 2012, marks a special year for me. It was 30 years ago that I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. Today, I'm only closer to Him. My prayer for others is that they will find Jesus is relevant to them too!

This year I don't have "resolutions", but I do have hopes and dreams of having healthier foods in the house while staying within our grocery budget. I hope to have a better garden and grow foods that I've never tried to grow before. I want to plant an asparagus plot. I also hope to plant grapes - a hardy, northern variety of course!

Here's the menu plan for this week:

Monday

Low Calorie Pot Roast (skip broth mix)

Peaches

Banana-Zucchini Bread

Tuesday

Black Bean Soup

Grilled Cheeses Sandwiches

Salads

Strawberry Smoothies

Wednesday

Meatloaf

Baked Potatoes

Broccoli & Cheese

Gluten-free Cherry Crisp

Thursday

Cheeseburger Casserole (use G.F. noodles)

Peas

Applesauce

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Roast Turkey

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Stuffing

Green Beans

Sunday

On Your Own

My Memories Suite - Review and a Giveaway

2011-12-28T10:55:00.000-05:00

**This contest is now closed.**

I have made scrapbooks for each of my three oldest children for graduation gifts. They love them. However, I have never worked with digital scrapbooks. MyMemories.com is a digital scrapbooking software company that makes digital scrapbooking not only fun, but easy.

Since I am so green at most things digital, I decided to really play around with my new scrapbook software in order to get a real feel for it. After an easy download experience, I received an e-mail from MyMemories. In it were ideas for projects other than the traditional scrapbook. I was intrigued.

So here's what I did. I made a recipe book page using a recipe I'd received from a company by e-mail. I opened up one of the templates that came with my digital scrapbooking software from MyMemories.com. Then, I easily cut and pasted a picture of the final product from the recipe e-mail onto the template. Under that, I typed into a text box the recipe itself. As for the recipe title, I typed that in another text box to the left and above the picture. I intend to make a full recipe book over time....it'll take me a while!

Some facts that I've noticed while using my new scrapbook software:

The download can take a little time, but if you're using a broadband or other high speed connection, shouldn't be too cumbersome.
It uses Quicktime (at least it does for me).
It takes a while to get used to and understand, but the website has helpful user guides, a tutorial, and technical support. In addition, they have a helpful blog.
You can do a lot more than simply make scrapbooks.
You get a lot with the initial software package. If you want more, it's there for sale at decent prices.
It's addictive.

If you would like to order My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software now, you can click on the link on my sidebar. When you order, use the code STMMMS7688 to get $10 off the software. You'll also get $10 off anything at MyMemories.com's store.

If you would like to win your own copy of My Memories Suite, here's what you do:

Mandatory entry: Tell me what you would like to create with digital scrapbooking software in a comment. Please leave your e-mail address so I can contact you should you win.

**Additional Entries**

"Like" MyMemories on Facebook and tell me you did so in a separate comment.
"Follow" MyMemories on Twitter and tell me you did so in a separate comment.
"Follow" Following31 using Google Connect and tell me you did so in a separate comment.

This giveaway is open until January 5, 2012. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and notified using the e-mail address provided in contest entry. It is the responsibility of the winner to respond to the e-mail before the prize is distributed in order to ensure that the information provided for prize delivery is correct.

Menu Plan Monday - December 26

2011-12-25T21:53:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone had a great weekend celebrating the birth and LIFE of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It doesn't matter how little or how great your circumstances are - it DOES matter how great HE is!

This week we are going to use up some left-overs from the feasting. We'll likely have cookies for most of the week upon which to nibble. The pies are pretty well gone.

Monday

Baked Chicken Breasts

Parmesan-Sage Potatoes

Tossed Salads

Tuesday

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Cabbage Stir-fry

Bread and Butter

Wednesday

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Green Beans

Salads

Thursday

Moroccan Chicken (I omit chickpeas)

Dill Potato Wedges

Lemon-Pepper Broccoli

Friday

Pizza and Pop

Saturday - New Year's Eve

Taco Salad

Corn

Chips and Salsa

Sunday - New Year's Day

Snacking on Your Own

Saturday Scripture Speaks

2011-12-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Psalm 121 (NIV)

A song of ascents.
¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

If this isn't a great promise from the LORD, I don't know what is. This Christmas season, if you're feeling the normal depression that plagues people this time of year, take heart. Life is hard - money is scarce - persecution of believers is becoming more commonplace.

Jesus brought hope to the world. He was there in the beginning, when the earth was brought into being. He was there when it was flooded and Noah, his family, and the many animals were saved. He was there when all seemed lost and He was hung on a cross. He was there - really there - when He resurrected from the dead. He was there when Hitler tried to kill all the Jews. He was there when countless martyrs gave their lives for Him. And He WILL be there when the book of Revelation is unfolded. He is also there, with you and with me, in our daily struggles.

Merry Christmas. May you feel His peace now and fovermore.

Atrocities - Contributed by Johnny Graves

2011-12-22T09:40:00.000-05:00

This week, as I was scanning my programming guide online for direct TV, I was surprised to find several local channels that I was not aware were part of our package. My husband and I have been watching a horrific case unfold in an area not far from where we live. A young girl about the same age as our oldest daughter lost her life at the hands of deplorable human being. While she was playing at her apartment’s playground, she was abducted, raped, and brutally beaten and murdered. This was a malicious and calculated crime against an innocent child. All of the media attention surrounding this case has really made me stop and question the lack of moral compass so present in our world today. What is it that could turn a person into such a brutal and evil killer? Could there be any worse crime than that against an innocent child? This was no act of senseless violence. This was a well-planned and calculated murder of a child. This suspect is custody has no criminal record, no history of violence. If this person is indeed the killer, it begs the question.

Book Review - Love Lifted Me by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck

2011-12-20T11:34:00.000-05:00

Love Lifted Me is written by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck and is published by Thomas Nelson. It is book three of the Songbird series. It's a story about Jade and Max, a couple who find their marriage shaken when shards of Max's past come flying into them. Jade is tested to the core when she not only deals with the aftermath of Max's infidelity, but also a secret she didn't know was coming. Can they make a new start together with Max's son, Asa, and find a love that will stand the test of time?

When I received this book, I immediately got started reading. Why was I so eager to read another Christian novel? I couldn't wait to begin because my husband and I have been long-time fans of Sara Evans since I don't even remember when. Sara Evans is a country music recording artist whom I have admired for both her songwriting ability and her beautiful voice. Now I have another reason to admire her - she is a great fiction writer. And not only is she writing fiction, but Christian fiction!

Before I started reading Love Lifted Me, I was afraid it might be like so many weak "inspirational" novels, all full of soft sounding fluff but very little Christianity within. I was so pleased to see that this is not the case with this book. Ms. Evans took a wonderful plot and wove bold Christianity into the pages.

I read Love Lifted Me rather quickly and, afterward, had only one complaint. It ended all too soon. I recommend this book highly for anyone who is looking for a hopeful, yet honest, look at life within Christian fiction.

**I received a copy of Love Lifted Me in exchange for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are my own.**

Menu Plan Monday - December 19

2011-12-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

Menu Plan Monday is hosted by Organizing Junkie.

This is Christmas week. I hope you're enjoying getting ready for the celebration as much as I am. Today at church, we had an awesome message of Christ's coming, taken from Galatians chapter 4. Read it - you'll be blessed.

I'd like to share with you some Italian flavored croutons. They did not come out of a bag or box, but they did come out of my oven!

To make your own delicious croutons, dice up some day old bread in the size you would like - I used multi-grain wheat bread. You could use any kind you want; gluten-free bread works just as well. Place a little olive oil (or any oil you have on hand), garlic salt (or powder if you're going salt-free), crushed basil, and crushed oregano in a large bowl. Toss the bread pieces in the oil/herb mixture well. Then spread on a cookie sheet and bake in 200 degree oven until the bread is dry and crunchy, about 25-35 minutes. Keep an eye on your croutons and don't allow them to over-cook. Cool and place in a ziplock bag or bowl with a tight fitting lid. They are great in salads or soups, or just to munch like that.

For our menu this week we're having:

Monday

Beef Enchiladas

Crunchy Tacos for gluten-free people

Corn Pudding (made with cornstarch rather than flour)

Chips & Salsa

Tuesday

Oven-fried Chicken w/stuffing

Baked Potatoes

Baked Acorn Squash

Gluten-free Blueberry Muffins

Wednesday

Whole-wheat Waffles

Gluten-free Rice Waffles

Cheese Omelets

Fruit

Thursday

Cheeseburgers

Potato Salad

Baked Beans

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday- Christmas Eve

BBQ Meatballs & Smokies

Chips & Dip

Veggie Platter

Cheeseball w/crackers

Gluten-free Spinach Dip

Christmas Cookies & Candy

Christmas Sunday

Ham

Sweet Corn

Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Blueberry Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie

Redbox - Win Daily Prizes

2011-12-17T12:49:00.000-05:00

Have you found Redbox yet? We like it more than other video rental places (except for the library, of course). For $1.29 a day you get a movie rental. Redbox is convenient and found everywhere. We have one at Meijer, one at Walgreen's, and one at Wal-Mart. Rent a movie and then return it at any Redbox. You do not have to return it to the Redbox from which you rented the movie.

Last night we rented Kung Fu Panda 2. It's a great movie for families to watch together and then discuss the lessons learned. The theme of the movie is: Let go of the hurts of your past and let them make you into a better person - or in their cases, better pandas and peacocks. The movie touches deeply on adoption too. Such a good movie.

Now you can rent a Redbox movie and get a chance to win great prizes. From December 13 to December 24, text FUN to 727272 for instant savings of 25 cents - $1 off of your movie and game rentals, as well as a chance to be entered to win a daily prize from Redbox. Each day, a random drawing will select a winner with top prizes from Sony, Wii, Barnes & Noble, Activision and more. It's a win-win situation.

I say rent Kung Fu Panda and some more family-friendly movies. You will be blessed.

**I received a free Redbox rental in exchange for my honest opinion. Opinions are my own.**

Week of Christmas Baking - Fudge in a Flash

2011-12-17T12:39:00.001-05:00

Want some easy fudge to make? Want some tasty fudge? This is a great version, and it is gluten-free. We make a lot of Penzeys Spices recipes. They're usually very, very good.

This wraps up our week of Christmas baking recipes. I hope you'll find some that will enhance your table this Christmas season!

Saturday Scripture Speaks

2011-12-17T12:36:00.001-05:00

When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Revelation 8:1-5 (New American Standard)

If you are reading through the Bible in one year, you might possibly be reading the above verses today (I did). Two things strike me as I read them. First, silence in Heaven permeated everything for "about half an hour". If you read the verses before these (Revelation 7:10-11), you'll see that those who had been martyred for Christ (the Lamb) were shouting in a loud voice, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." These are a great number, too many to count, from every nation, tribe, and tongue (multi-racial - Hallelujah!)

The angels then responded (audibly), "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”And the angels were falling on their faces before the throne as they said this.

When the seventh seal was broken, however, everything became completely silent. Could it be that, perhaps, what was to come was so dreadful that it caused Heaven to stop everything to contemplate all that was to happen? If you continue in chapter 8, you will see that the coming wrath is indeed horrific.

The second thing I notice in today's passage is this: The golden censer is filled with much incense (sweet smelling perfume). The angel holding the censer added the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne. The incense, combined with the prayers, went up before God.

Again, if you go back to Revelation 6:9-10, you will read what those prayers are. They are that of those who were killed for their testimony of Christ. When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

I pray that this Christmas season we keep in mind that Jesus is more than a little baby born in a manger. He is the Lamb of God who alone is worthy to take creation back from Satan (who has had control of this world since the first sin was committed). Praise and Glory to the Lamb!

Week of Christmas Baking - Ranger Cookies

2011-12-16T19:53:00.003-05:00

We're wrapping up our Christmas baking tomorrow. Tonight's recipe is an old favorite of many. Ranger Cookies are made with oatmeal and lots of other goodies. Sorry, they are not gluten-free.

Week of Christmas Baking - Gluten-free Peppermint Shortbread Cookies

2011-12-15T19:52:00.001-05:00

Gluten-free Peppermint Shortbread Cookies

These cookies have a texture similar to that of Russian Tea Cakes. They melt in your mouth.

1/2 cup starch (tapioca, corn, or potato)

1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

1 cup rice flour (1/2 c. brown, 1/2 c. white)

3/4 cup butter (no substitutes)

6 ounces Andes mint chips

Soften butter. Mix everything in a bowl with your hands until well blended. Put in refrigerator for an hour. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Make small balls with the dough and flatten with the palm of your hand. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 12-15 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheets, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Week of Christmas Baking - Snickerdoodles

2011-12-14T19:23:00.001-05:00

You'll find snickerdoodle recipes all over the internet and in cookbooks. In The Yellow Farmhouse cookbook I found them named "snipdoodles". Whatever you call them, they're a tasty treat any time of the year. This is the recipe we use. They're so easy to make that my ten-year-old daughter is making them herself. Enjoy!

Christmas Cookies - Day 2 - Gluten-free Choc. Cookies

2011-12-13T21:28:00.002-05:00

Today is day two of our Christmas cookie baking. Today's recipe:

Triple Chocolate Fudge Cookies (Gluten-free)

3 (11-12 oz each) bags chocolate chips

6 TBSP unsalted butter (no substitutions)

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup rice flour/potato flour blend (Fill the 1/3 cup measure half-full. Finish filling with starch.)

1/4 tsp. xanthan gum

Preheat oven to 365 degrees F. Beat eggs and sugar together until thick. As that beats, place 1 bag of chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high for a couple of minutes - just until the butter melts and chocolate is about half-way melted and soft. Add flour/starch mixture and xanthan gum to the egg/sugar mix and blend well. Then add butter/chocolate mix. Blend well. Lastly, add remaining chocolate chips and stir carefully. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes. Cookies will have a cracked (like brownies) top when they are done. Let cool slightly on cookie sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Menu Plan Monday - December 12

2011-12-11T22:01:00.001-05:00

Visit Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Mondays.
We're getting closer to Christmas! Beginning today, I am going to post either a link or a recipe for cookies and candy. We plan to make each of them as we count down to Christmas this year. Today's recipe is for gluten-free sugar cookies. I typically substitute corn flour for the amaranth flour. It works well. These cookies are just like the traditional rolled cookies - only they don't have any of the nasty gluten that makes my daughter and me sick. Give them a try. They are SO yummy, you'll never know they're gluten-free!

The menu plan for the week goes like this:

Monday

Shepherd's Pie

Peaches

Tuesday

Baked Omelet Pie

Applesauce

Pickled Beets

Wednesday

Skillet Chicken Supper

Snap Peas in Garlic Butter

Smoothies & Cookies

Thursday

Creamy Potato Soup

Tossed Salads

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday - Evan's Birthday

Fettuccine Alfredo

Homemade Bread

Tossed Salads

Birthday Cake & Ice-cream

Sunday

On Your Own

Saturday Scripture Speaks

2011-12-10T10:24:00.001-05:00

"But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth." Revelation 2:14-16 (NLT)

I have wondered who the Nicolaitans were and what they were all about. After all, Jesus says that He will come suddenly and fight against them with the sword of His mouth (typically, the sword Jesus refers to is the Word of God). When in doubt, a good rule to follow is: Let Scripture interpret Scripture.

Obviously, the Nicolaitans followed the same teaching as Balaam. Remember him from Numbers 22? He is the man whose donkey spoke to him when he continued to beat it. That's what most people remember. The more important part of his life's story is that he worked his way into the graces of Israel - Balak in particular - and taught them to sin. What was the sin? Turning away from God and committing sexual sins and eating food offered to idols, both of which broke God's Law.

I think we have "Nicolaitans" among us today. They have a different name, however. They teach weak Christians that, because of Christian liberty (grace), they might "live like the devil" and not reap the consequences. After all, Jesus died for past, present, and future sins - which is quite true. The problem with this thinking is that liberty becomes an excuse to sin.

Jesus died once and for all to cover the sins of the world - for those sins from which the sinners have repented, however. To continue in a sin is extremely dangerous. To teach others that it's okay is more so (false teaching - see 2 Peter 2:1).

1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV): As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Being holy is doable. How? By that same grace that the Nicolaitans abuse you can find forgiveness and the ability to rise above the sins that Jesus hates so much. Don't let another day go by without repentance and forgiveness - and holiness.

Menu Plan Monday - December 5

2011-12-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Visit Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Mondays.

Are you getting ready for the Christmas season? We are planning to make cookies a little at a time and then put them in the freezer until Christmas Eve.

Here's what we're having this week:

Monday

Roast Beef

Potatoes

Carrots

Butterscotch Brownies (with toffee chips)

Tuesday

Marinated and Sauteed Chicken Breasts

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Tossed Salads

Wednesday

Beef Enchiladas & Tacos

Spanish Rice

Thursday

Meat Loaf

Baked Corn

Baked Potatoes

Squash Supreme

Friday

Chicago Style Sausage Pizza

Pop

Saturday

Burgers on the grill

Potato Salad

Baked Beans

Sunday

On Your Own

Saturday Scripture Speaks - Our Parents

2011-12-03T12:02:00.001-05:00

Proverbs 28:24 (NLT) says, "Anyone who steals from his father or mother and says, 'What's wrong with that?' is no better than a murderer."

This is a Scripture passage that I came across this week as I read in my One Year Bible (God Sightings). It is part of the reading for November 30, lest anyone should think that I pulled out something to throw at them personally.

Wow! "no better than a murderer!" That's pretty scary. The Lord says in Revelation 21:8 (NIV), "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." With a warning as dire as this, how can we not tremble in holy fear?

How does one steal from his/her parents? I think there are a multitude of ways this can, and is, done. There is the outright stealing of their income and material goods. There is the more subtle way of stealing their health from them by asking (demanding?) that they do difficult things for their grown children that they really can't do physically (or emotionally) without landing in an early grave. There is the art of stealing their joy. I don't think there's a lot of explanation needed for that one.

The Bible talks a lot about how we are to treat family, parents in particular. In fact, one of the Ten Commandments: "Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you." Exodus 20:12 (AMP) Know why that's in quotes? Because GOD wrote them with His own finger! They are the direct words of GOD Himself and are not to be taken lightly.

Deuteronomy 5:16 (AMP) Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
Matthew 15:4 (AMP) For God commanded, Honor your father and your mother, and, He who curses or reviles or speaks evil of or abuses or treats improperly his father or mother, let him surely come to his end by death.

Matthew 15:5 (AMP) But you say, If anyone tells his father or mother, What you would have gained from me [that is, the money and whatever I have that might be used for helping you] is already dedicated as a gift to God, then he is exempt and no longer under obligation to honor and help his father or his mother.

Matthew 19:19 (AMP) Honor your father and your mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.

Mark 7:10 (AMP) For Moses said, Honor (revere with tenderness of feeling and deference) your father and your mother, and, He who curses or reviles or speaks evil of or abuses or treats improperly his father or mother, let him surely die.

Mark 10:19 (AMP) You know the commandments: Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.

These are only a few passages from the Bible regarding how we are to consider our parents. There are more, both from the New Testament and from the Old. Google them - read them - meditate upon them - obey them.

Menu Plan Monday - November 28

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

http://orgjunkie.com

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I sure did - always a great time spending the day with my family. Now that the feasting is finished, the menu is toning down in this house. Here's what we're planning:

Monday

Sicilian Supper

Corn

Garden Salads

Tuesday

Steaks on the Grill

Baked Potatoes

Roasted Green Beans

(I use frozen rather than fresh in the winter)

Applesauce Spice Cake

Wednesday

Chicken Strips, Baked with Corn Flake Crumb Coating

Oven-fried Potatoes

Peas

Thursday

Pork Chops

Scalloped Potatoes

Crisp, Roasted Cabbage

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Hamburgers & Brats on the Grill

Sauerkraut

Fresh, Raw Veggies

Cherry Pudding Cake

Sunday

On Your Own

Book Review - Nearing Home by Billy Graham

2011-11-27T22:16:00.001-05:00

This month I found another "great wisdom" book written by Billy Graham. This one, Nearing Home (Thomas Nelson), is one of the best yet. Maybe I like it so much because I am creeping out of the middle aged time of my life and nearing the "golden years" at a quicker pace than I had ever thought possible.

Last week my husband and I went to a local steakhouse for a date. The young girl at the register took our orders and then gave us the senior discount - without even asking whether we qualify or not, which we DON'T! I felt insulted; my husband laughed. If Billy Graham were there he'd probably have laughed too. As he maintains in his book, Mr. Graham believes that the way in which we handle our responses to the aging process makes all of the difference to us and those with whom we come into contact.

Throughout the pages of Nearing Home are insights that a strong man of God has gained during his 93 years on this earth. He has kept his integrity intact and tells us that we can do the same. He urges us to keep busy for God, even into retirement. In fact, he suggests that not everyone should retire. He claims that we should work if we have the ability and desire to do so.

I think this would be a great gift idea this Christmas.

I can only hope that as I get closer to old age I will do so with kindness to others, as Billy Graham has done. He says, "...growing old with grace is a choice." He models that well for us. Another job well done, Mr. Graham. Thank you for the example you give us and for your many years of service to others.

*I have received a copy of Nearing Home in exchange for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are my own.*

Saturday Scripture Speaks

2011-11-26T22:32:00.001-05:00

All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty. Psalm 14:23 (NIV)

Every two weeks I head out to our local Goodwill store in search of affordable used clothing. Yesterday I found a nice sweater for my daughter. For myself, I was able to find a nice pair of slacks and a shirt. Total cost was a whopping $8.00.

Some people might find it appalling to think of wearing used clothing. Some might find the thrill of the hunt good fun. And still others might hate going there but know it's their only option, considering the prices of new clothes these days. As for me, I think I fit somewhere in all three categories. As for the real subject of this post - I have something else in mind.

What I am really talking about is not the used clothing or even the need to purchase used clothing. I'm going to put my neck on the line and pray that I'm not stepping on someone's toes here. You see, to work and earn a little or a lot of money is a good thing. The important thing is that you EARN what you get, rather than have it handed to you with little or no effort of your own, other than maybe reach your hand out to receive.

According to Psalm 14:23, hard work - all of it - brings a profit. Sitting around jabbering (maybe spreading gossip or slander?) brings only poverty. I suspect that having big dreams and doing nothing but bragging up those plans and dreams leaves one to actually do nothing and lose what little he/she has.

Back to the Goodwill store - as I was walking out the door yesterday, I noticed a display of cell phones, brand new ones. It caught my eye because they were all brand new. When I read the sign I was very surprised: "You might qualify for a free government paid cell phone." Yes, the government gives free cell phones to welfare recipients! Not only do they get a free phone, they get free service as well.

Can we still say that hard work brings profit? Wouldn't it be easier to allow the government to shower us with fun things that our parents (and those of us over 40) didn't have until recent years? I wonder how I got by for so many years, driving here and there with no cell phone? Wow.

Proverbs 31:17 says, "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." That virtuous woman of the Bible after which so many Christian women today wish to model themselves worked hard. I doubt that she would ever have degraded herself for a handout if she didn't need to. She certainly wouldn't have felt she were entitled to luxuries if she didn't earn them. And yes, I believe a cellular phone is a luxury. It isn't necessary.

^"Two things have I asked of You [O Lord]; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, Lest I be full and deny You and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor and steal, and so profane the name of my God." Proverbs 30:7-9 (AMP) We really should pray for our daily bread - those needs called food, shelter and clothing, not mere wants. When we rob the government, and the American taxpayer in order to have toys, we are profaning the name of God.

My prayer is that each of us do our best to work hard for that daily bread. If God blesses us with more than that, then to God be the glory! Use that extra to bless others. If He gives us less, then to God be the Glory! He always knows what is best for us. Learn to be content with what you have; you'll be happier for it.

Giveaway Reminder

2011-11-25T22:17:00.001-05:00

If you haven't entered to win some all natural energy drink mix from Phix Energy yet, please do so now. Giveaway ends on November 30. Enter here.

2011-11-23T22:41:00.001-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Menu Plan Monday - November 21

2011-11-20T21:30:00.001-05:00

Visit Organizing Junkie for a large list of Menu Plan Monday links.

It's Thanksgiving week here in the United States. For what (or whom) are you thankful?

Monday

Quick Vegetable Soup (made slow in the crock-pot)

Sloppy Joes (for the carnivores)

Tuesday

Slow Cooked Chuckeye Steak in Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Carmelized Onion & Blue Cheese Salad

Wednesday - Amanda Cooks

Broiled Pork Chops

Baked Potatoes (in microwave)

Sweet Corn

Rice Krispie Treats

Thursday - THANKSGIVING DAY

Roasted Herbed Turkey

Homemade Dinner Rolls

Mashed Potatoes

Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Cranberry Sauce *Recipe below

Green Bean Casserole

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Roll

Friday

Hot Turkey (or Chicken) Salad
Various Left -over veggies and desserts

Saturday - Ryan Cooks

Taco Pizza
Garden Salads
Butterscotch Pie

Sunday

On Your Own

*Cranberry Sauce*

1 bag (12 oz) cranberries (about 3 cups)
1 TBSP grated grapefruit peel (zest)
1 cup (8 fl. oz) fresh grapefruit juice
3/4 cup honey
1/3 cup minced, crystallized ginger

In a heavy saucepan over med/high heat, combine cranberries, grapefruit zest, juice and honey. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, until the cranberries pop, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Stir in the ginger. Transfer to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until well chillled before serving. Makes 2 3/4 cups.

Cut Eyeglasses Cost - Not Quality

2011-11-19T22:03:00.001-05:00

If you're anything like me, you are on the lookout for quality items at decent prices. My husband just purchased new eyeglasses and they certainly weren't cheap eyeglasses. Although we have optical insurance, we still end up paying too much (in my opinion) for frames. Why do they have to cost so much?

The answer is that they don't have to. I have talked to my readers in the past about Zenni Optical, and with good reason. This is a company that does not sell name brand designer eyeglasses. They are their own manufacturer and retailer, omitting the middleman completely. They state that they keep a very low overhead in terms of advertising as well, preferring to have word-of-mouth by satisfied customers do the job. All of that results in cheap eyeglasses.

I certainly don't mean to scrimp on eye prescriptions. I know firsthand, with the poor eyesight that I have, the importance of having the correct eyeglasses. Lens prescription really matters. Make sure you get an eye exam and get the prescription you need in order to see well.

We should always be mindful of the ways in which we spend our money. I figure that if I spend less on things that I need or want, I can spend more on things like missions and charitable causes. If I'm forking out tons to have the latest brand name in things like clothing, handbags and eyeglasses, what does that say about me? I think that this Christmas season we should do as much as we can to save in order to have the freedom to spend in the lives of others.

As an aside, if you have several back pairs of glasses that you are no longer using, please consider donating them for those who cannot afford any. Organizations like the Lions Club will distribute them to someone who can really use them.

The Real Comfort Food

2011-11-17T22:10:00.001-05:00

When you're feeling low, do you ever think of grabbing something to fill your belly - "comfort foods"? For a lot of people, I think ice-cream hits the spot pretty well. At least it does until the extra pounds come on.

Hitting the creamy stuff when we're feeling against a brick wall is not the best idea. You know what works best?

Read this:

Proverbs 31:12 (AMP) says,
She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.

I believe that one of the best ways to pull myself out of a pity party of one is to be a comfort to someone else. The Proverbs 31 Woman does this for her husband "as long as there is life in her." The King James says it this way, "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."

If we put others before ourselves and refuse to sit around feeling sorry for ourselves, we'll find fulfillment. Verses 10 and 11 say this in the Good News Translation, "How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor."

The Proverbs 31 Woman finds comfort and joy in what she does for her husband on a daily basis. She is rewarded by a husband who loves her and puts his confidence in her.

We live in such a me society that demands that we live for ourselves. When things don't go our way, just reach for the closest substance to fill our bodies - if it makes us fat, blame the food companies.

If our husbands get on our nerves, get rid of him and find someone new. We have to feed the cravings within that urge us to always "feel" loved.

If we don't have enough money, it's the government's fault. Why can't they just give welfare money to everyone for doing nothing at all?

I truly believe that if we, as Christian women, forget out what makes us feel good and focus on the needs of our families and others around us, we will begin to find the joy and peace that God says is ours in Him.

Ice-cream only satisfies for the moment. Christ satisfies for eternity.

Puppies versus Babies - Have you Voted Yet?

2011-11-17T21:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Puppies vs. Babies - have you heard about this contest? I hadn't until just recently. We all know that puppies and babies are cute. Even the ugliest breeds of dogs have cute puppies. And human babies? They're all adorable.

Now, I do admit that had any of my children been young enough to have their pictures in this contest, they would likely win (ha ha). Seriously though, my second born son, Jonathon, had huge brown eyes and an innocent smile (although he was a bit mischievous) that melted the most calloused heart. I sometimes get out pictures of him at age 1 and wonder how he could have grown so fast. Sigh.

As for the contest, submissions are now in and the voting has begun. People have sent in their cutest pictures of their puppies and babies, hoping to win the Puppies vs. Babies online contest. The public now has the fun job of voting for their favorite pictures.

Who do I think is going to win? I sure hope it's a real baby. If I have to choose between a puppy or a baby, I'm going to vote for a real baby every time. Yes, I really did vote for a baby - I voted for Tatum. She has the biggest blue eyes I have ever seen on a face so small. Her picture is priceless.

Voting goes on until November 23. The winner gets $5,000. That's a whole lot of smiles!

Phix Energy Drinks - and a GIVEAWAY!

2011-11-14T12:07:00.000-05:00

***This giveaway is now closed***

Do you like energy drinks? Or do you avoid them because of all of the harmful ingredients most of them contain?

I had not had an energy drink in more than a year (I used to be hooked on the coffee flavored ones). Like most health conscious people, I had researched them and found that they potentially cause more problems than they are worth.

Natural food companies are getting smart - they're finding that there's a market out there for energy drinks, but for those that are beneficial to the body rather than detrimental.

Phix is one such company.They make a great tasting, all natural pick-me-upper that gives the body energy without the crashes that sugar loaded, carbonated drinks do. They are gluten-free and vegan, so you don't have to worry about any of that stuff wreaking havoc on your digestive system.

The only ingredient that gives me pause is maltodextrin, which I found on the Phix label (at the end, so it's the smallest amount). If you aren't familiar with maltodextrin, it is a sugar that is made by breaking down a starch - which in the U.S. can only be from corn, potato, or rice. Companies in Europe, however, often use wheat. Phix is manufactured in the U.S. and is guaranteed to be gluten-free, so don't worry about that. Maltodextrin does NOT contain malt. It is an additive that many, many store-bought foods contain.

I tested some Phix Natural Energy Drinking Powder last week and, I have to tell you, enjoyed it. I agree that it provides energy. I was drowsy before drinking it, but after about ten minutes, found that the sleepiness was gone. I did not feel "on edge", but I felt alert. As for the taste, I like it. My favorite is either tea berry or tropic - they're equally good. There's an additional flavor, citron, which is good too.

Phix is a green company. They use compostable and biodegradable materials in their packaging - another plus.

Would you like to win a month's supply of Phix Natural Energy Drinking Powder in your favorite flavor? Here's how:

**A randomly chosen comment will be chosen on November 30 to win three boxes (a one month's supply) of Phix Natural Energy Drinking Powder (in flavor of his or her choice). Winner will also receive a 25% off coupon code toward a future purchase of Phix Energy. This contest is open to United States residents only.**

MANDATORY ENTRY: Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite way to energize. If your e-mail address is not easily found on your profile, please be sure to leave it in the comments.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

1. "Like" Phix Energy on Facebook and then post back here telling me you did so.

2. "Follow" Phix Energy on Twitter and then post back here telling me you did so.

3. "Follow" me on Twitter and then post back here telling me you did so.

**I received free product from Phix Energy and BSM Media in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.**

Menu Plan Monday - November 14

2011-11-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to join Organizing Junkie on Mondays for Menu Plan Monday.

Last week we didn't get to the lemon chicken meal I had planned, so we'll try it for Tuesday. On Mondays, I like to utilize the slow cooker. I work at the library on Monday nights, so that makes it easier for the others to have a warm supper waiting. When I make pork roast, I baste it with Kitchen Bouquet browning sauce, just as my mother always did.

Here's what we're planning for the week:

Monday

Pork Roast with Root Vegetables (in slow-cooker)

Mashed Acorn Squash

Strawberry Smoothies

Tuesday

Lemon Chicken

Green Beans & Squash

Applesauce

Wednesday

Brown/Wild Rice with dried Cranberries (I leave out shallots)

Meat Loaf

Cabbage Saute

Thursday

Taco Salad (with black beans)

Chips & Salsa

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Baked Whole Wheat Ziti

Gluten-free Noodles & Tomato Sauce

Salads

Sunday

On Your Own

Bodum Pavina - Unique Mouth-blown Glasses that Breathe

2011-11-12T20:44:00.001-05:00

I told you a while back that I would share sometime about the lovely glasses I would be receiving. Tonight I took out two of those beautiful Bodum Pavina glasses and filled them with apple cider for my husband and me. The cider looked just like the grape liquid in the above picture - like it was floating on air.

What makes these glasses special is they are double layer - with a layer of air in the middle. They "breathe." There is a silicone vent at the bottom of every glass that serves as an equalizer between the air pressure between the two glass layers and the air pressure outside of the glass. Liquids don't seep out of the vents - only the air does. The glass is mouth-blown borosilicate glass and is heat resistant. I can testify that it is cold resistant too (after putting very cold cider in them and not noticing a difference in the warmth of the glass).

The glasses are dish washer safe, microwave safe, and temperature safe. I really love them and am keeping my set in my china cabinet when they're not in use.

**I received a set of two Bodum Pavina glasses in exchange for my honest review because I'm a buzz agent.**

Misc. Doings

2011-11-08T22:37:00.002-05:00

This is not a Tackle it Tuesday post, but it does highlight some of the things I've been doing these days. I haven't kept anybody posted as to my weight loss/get healthy venture in a while. The diet has gone well and I still eat more healthy than not. Since June 1, I have lost 22 pounds and am now at a comfortable weight, though not where I would ideally like to be. Still, to be back in the normal body mass ratio is wonderful. The diet I follow is a conglomoration of many diets. I keep bad carbohydrates mostly out of my meals, though I splurge once in a great while. I have one cup of coffee a day (99% of the time) and only in the morning before I eat anything. I wait an hour and then have a simple breakfast, usually a bowl of oatmeal (old-fashioned oats) with berries sprinkled into it. I rarely eat sugar and when I do, I tend to use stevia or raw, unfiltered honey. I limit meat to once or twice a week. I have plenty of green salads, lots of veggies (if you read my menu plans you'll notice I like green beans). When I use milk it's skim. I make my own yogurt and I never sweeten it. I use it often in smoothies, but again, I don't use sugar. I am still gluten-free and have no desire to go back to the gummy, rotten stuff. I have given up soda pop for good. I TRY to get lots of water down, but often forget. I walk a lot for exercise. I stay busy.

I have dropped FOUR sizes and am finding I might have to hunt for smaller jeans. I am not focusing on food - I'm focusing on my love for Jesus. I'm finding that ministry is more important than food and the body. Food and the body are temporal - what we do for Christ is eternal. Get my eyes off of me and things fall into their proper places.

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Something else going on is Small Business Saturday on November 26. America's small businesses are what keeps her going. I have pledged to shop my local small businesses on November 26. Won't you join in? Take the pledge and you might win one of 100 $25 American Express gift cards to use that day.

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I am the new librarian at our local branch of our county's public library. I work 4 hours a day. It has been a great thing so far. I keep busy there for the most part, meet new people, and get the chance now and then to impart Christian values. Do I preach to them? Of course not. I simply talk to them about whatever subject they bring up. I kid you not, I have been asked to give recommendations for Christian books, talk about my church, and even discuss the Bible. People are hungry for the Truth. I have to conclude that this might be the reason the job fell into my lap. I prayed for a ministry in my village and I'm getting it - plus a little extra cash.

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I am on jury duty for November. I've only had to show up at the court house once so far. I was not chosen for the jury. I know too many people involved with the case, from the defending lawyer to many of the witnesses for the defense. Then there's the fact that my son is a county deputy, which makes me biased for the prosecution as well. I spent 8 hours at the court house on jury selection day and, though I got tired, learned a tremendous amount of legal stuff - fascinating stuff. When you get chosen for jury duty, don't grumble. Rather, consider it your DUTY to serve - and to do so with a good attitude and spirit.

Menu Plan Monday - November 7, 2011

2011-11-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Visit Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie.

I'm eating more sprouts these days due to their cancer fighting properties. More than that, they taste good and they help to keep my body more alkaline. The less acidic I am, the less my stomach hurts.

Here's the plan for the week:

Monday

Baked Steak & Gravy in slow cooker

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Cheesy Cauliflower

Pumpkin Custard

Tuesday

Fish

French Fries

Salads

Fruit Smoothies

Wednesday

Fried Chicken

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Green Beans

Cherry Pudding Cake

Thursday

Chili

Salads

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Lemon Chicken

Wild Rice Pilaf w/cranberries

Cabbage Saute

Sunday

On Your Own

The Encounter - A Timely Parable from Stephen Arterburn

2011-11-02T21:52:00.001-04:00

I just finished reading The Encounter by Stephen Arterburn (Thomas Nelson) this morning. I have to admit that this book is quite easy to read and I did so in two days. I could have finished sooner if I hadn't had to be on jury duty yesterday .....

The Encounter is a sweet tale - you might say parable - about a woman named Ada and her son, Jonathan. Ada had given her son away years prior, hoping that by so doing she could forget the boy's father. Rather than forgetting the man, however, she found she missed the son.

When Ada finds that her son, now a wealthy entrepreneur, arrives in town, she determines to get just one good look at him. What ensues is an encounter neither shall forget.

I absolutely love this story. It reminded me of some things - like how I can forgive others but tend not to want to forgive myself. It reminds me, also, that a mother's heart is always a mother's heart, no matter how old her child becomes.

Of course, anything written by Stephen Arterburn is sure to be good. His writing style is engaging enough to keep even the poorest reader turning the pages.

If you want to read a small book with a large message, you will want to take a good look at this one.

**I received a copy of The Encounter in exchange for my honest opinion.**

Menu Plan Monday - October 31

2011-10-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

Menu Plan Monday is found at Orgjunkie.com

I had this big plan to create a fancy blog post today, but I just didn't get it done. I do, however, have a nice menu planned for the week. As for Halloween, you won't see anything about it in my menu plan. We do not celebrate Halloween. We celebrate Jesus and His life, death, and resurrection.

Here's what I'm planning:

Monday

Hearty Beef and Noodle Soup, minus the parsnips

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Garden Salads

Tuesday

Lasagna (it didn't get done last week)

Salads

Peanut Butter Mousse, using yogurt instead of tofu

Wednesday

Nacho Cheese Beef Bake, we use Fritos of course

Glazed Carrots

Applesauce

Thursday

Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

Corn

Peaches

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Oven-fried Chicken

French Fries

Green Beans

Vinegar Pie

Sunday

On Your Own

October Baby - A Must-see

2011-10-25T20:59:00.001-04:00

I want to see this movie. For those of you out there who think that an aborted baby is just tissue, you really need to research a little more.

Rings - Consider Titanium

2011-10-25T10:44:00.000-04:00

Our family visited the beautiful upper peninsula of Michigan again last weekend. We stayed with friends in Escanaba, located on Lake Michigan. It's truly a lovely place to visit in the fall. One of our U.P. traditions is to visit a gift shop in St. Ignace before we head over the Mackinac Bridge and back home. This trip, Amanda found a ton of different rings - she's a real lover of jewelry these days. She took FOREVER to pick one with which she could live. She really wanted them all. Finally, she settled on a mood ring. Not my choice, but oh well.

A trend in jewelry these days seems to be toward titanium. Some facts regarding titanium:

It's hypoallergenic and could prevent nickel allergies. My sister is allergic to nickel and once had a terrible infection in her body caused by wearing cheap earrings. She had to let her pierced ears close up. Nickel allergies can be really bad.
It's shiny and new looking and stays that way. It's also durable.
It's highly affordable when compared to precious metals.

I browsed Avant Garde's website, mostly to look at the titanium ring design and to price them. Christmas is coming and I've been saving little by little in order to buy my family some nice presents this year. There are a lot of options. I mainly looked at the hammered titanium rings, which is what I think are more practical for my children.

Also available are lovely titanium bracelets like this one.

But rings and bracelets aren't the only jewelry pieces you can get. My wish list includes a cross pendant. I've never had one.

Menu Plan Monday - October 24

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Visit Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday links.

This week's menu is including some healthier recipes I found from cookbooks our library carries. If you want some fresh inspiration, browse your library's shelves. Old fashioned cookbooks are great because they include lots of yummy pictures.

Monday

Lentil Tomato Soup (from the Nov. 2011 issue of Taste of Home)

Hamburgers on grill

Cole Slaw

Tuesday

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Baked Potatoes

Seasoned Green Beans

Wednesday

Vegetable Omelets

Toast & Jelly

Thursday

Sweet & Sour Pork over Rice

Salads

Friday

Pizza & pop

Saturday

Lasagna

Salads

Garlic Bread

Sunday

On Your Own

Book Review - Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

2011-10-23T22:18:00.002-04:00

Heaven is for Real is written by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent and is published by Thomas Nelson. It's an intriguing story about a little boy, Todd Burpo's young son, Colton, who supposedly died for three minutes and visited Heaven.

When little Colton, age three at the time, nearly died from a ruptured appendix, he had a life-changing experience - that of leaving his physical body and entering the gates of Heaven. He claims to have talked to a sister he never knew he had (a baby who miscarried before Colton was born), a great-grandfather he never met, and Jesus Himself. He saw angels and noted the size of their wings. And speaking of wings, he claims that people in Heaven have wings too.

As I read this eyewitness account, as told to his father over the course of several years, I began to have many doubts. I had never heard that people have wings in Heaven - does the Bible say they do? I was captivated by the story, though, and read on and on until I reached the end - and found that I began to believe it to be true.

What hooked me was when Colton said that "Jesus has markers." Yeah. Jesus has markers - right on His hands and feet, the markers that guarantee an eternity with Him for those who put their trust and faith in Him and His death on the cross for their sins.

Heaven is for Real is well-written and very interesting. I couldn't seem to put it down.

This is an amazing story and one that I recommend highly. Even if Colton didn't actually go to Heaven (though I think he did), he has a beautiful story to share with the world. Heaven is for Real and it's a place we should all want to go. I know I do.

**I received a copy of Heaven is for Real in exchange for my honest opinion. Opinions are my own.**

Movie Review - Snowmen (2011)

2011-10-17T13:09:00.005-04:00

There's a new movie coming out in theaters called, Snowmen. I had the privilege of being able to watch this movie with my ten-year-old daughter before its release.

Snowmen is about three children about my daughter's age. One is a Jamaican boy, another is a boy who has battled cancer, and the third is the boy everyone seems to pick on - you know, the small, doesn't fight type.

These three kids are out playing in the snow - they are in a heavy snowbelt area is much like the one in which we live but with mountains - when they find a frozen body. This leads to all sorts of adventure and a quest to do what they feel is honorable and right for the dead man.

In the end - and I'm not going to spoil it for you should you choose to see this film - loose ends are tied well, giving the viewer a good feeling.

My daughter and I both liked Snowmen, but I was dismayed by a few of the words the bully used. Yes, I realize that even elementary school children used off-color language, but I don't really like to listen to it intentially.

While the movie has a family theme, and even some that would be considered by many to be "Christian", I don't think it can be labeled as a Christian film. I do agree that it can be labeled as a family film. In fact, this would be a good movie for families to watch together and then discuss because it brings up all sorts of relevant themes: bullying, good works, disease, death, etc.

Snowmen (Mpower Pictures) will be released in theaters the weekend of October 21-23 and stars Bobby Coleman and Ray Liotta,

*I received a free advance viewing of Snowmen in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.*

Dreaming of Bar Stools and other Furniture

2011-10-17T12:47:00.000-04:00

Our furniture is sad. Over the years, we have scrimped and pinched pennies just to keep our bills paid - and to allow me to stay at home and teach our five children. Because of this penny pinching tightwad stuff, we have old furniture that we purchased used, found used along the side of the road, and other ways and places. In other words, we have not purchased anything substantial for the house in many, many years.

Last week, I got a part-time job. I am able to walk from my house and across the village park to work - no need to pay for gasoline. I'm the local librarian for our public library branch. The two kids I'm still homeschooling are able to go with me and do school there. When they're finished, they're old enough to stay home for a few hours without me. That means, I'm now earning a bit of an extra income!

The majority of my paychecks will go straight into a savings account. The rest I will use to spruce up the house a bit, including buying furniture when I can. While we just need a complete overhaul, I think we'll start with some basics. Here's what I'm thinking:

Bar stools have been on my list forever. I've never had any, though we have a nice long kitchen bar in the dining room. We have a large family that barely fits at the dining room table. To have some of the kids seated on counter stools while the guests dined comfortably at the table would be wonderful!

The stool I would choose looks like this one from morebarstools.com:

If I'm being frugal, though, I should probably purchase something more like these stools (below), which are counter height adjustable and include two stools for about the price of one of the stools above. I would need four stools at least, but I can easily fit six of them at my counter.

There are plenty more stools, chairs, and other great furniture available from morebarstools.com. Until October 24, most items ship free. I won't have enough money saved by then to get counter stools, but I'll keep saving and building up a wish list until the time comes when I can begin furnishing my home with some nice things.

If you're a Twitter person, you can follow morebarstools.com's main site, @cymaxstores_, to learn about the great deals they run from time to time. They are currently running a giveaway for $50 gift codes, but the giveaway is through Twitter.

Menu Plan Monday - October 17

2011-10-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Time sure is going by fast these days. We don't get much of an autumn season up here. Usually it's just winter and a quick summer. This week is proving that winter comes to the north early. It's time to begin making those warming casseroles and crock-pot suppers.

The biggest reason we have "on your own" suppers on Sundays is because we have church in the morning, then come home for lunch. We head back to church late afternoon for Bible Study and youth groups. There isn't much time for anything in between except for a quick nap and a shower. It's easier to have everyone fend for themselves those days.

My son, Ryan, formulated this week's menu for me. You can find other plans at Organizing Junkie.

Monday

Zesty Italian Meatballs with Spaghetti (spaghetti sauce rather than BBQ)

Green Beans

Tuesday

Oven-fried Chicken Rice or corn flour works well in place of regular flour.

Corn

Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday

All-American Meatloaf

Baked Potatoes

Fried Cabbage

Thursday

Favorite Chili

Salads

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Chicken Enchiladas

Chips & Salsa

Sunday

On Your Own!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

2011-10-15T22:07:00.000-04:00

I like this song :)

TrashCanKidz

2011-10-15T22:06:00.000-04:00

Have you heard of the TrashCanKidz? This is a program - yes, a program - about which I only recently became aware. My daughter has Solo, one of the CarryMeKidz. It's a soft, rag-type doll that she really adores.

In a nutshell, here's what TrashCanKidz is all about:

An "ambassador" (your child and you) buys a CarryMeKidz doll, which is designed to represent an orphaned or vulnerable child. Twenty percent of the money goes toward improving the lives of orphaned or less fortunate children around the world. When you refer others to the program, and they purchase dolls using your ambassador code, you rack up points to earn another doll at no cost to you.

There are far more children living on the streets than most people realize. When my son served with a missions group in Mombasa a couple of years ago, he found there were children living alone on the streets all over the city. Many other parts of the country are the same. Jesus said that, "Whenever you've done it unto the least of these, you've done it unto Me." Matthew 25:40

If we can do something to help those who cannot help themselves, we should. My daughter's ambassador code is: 1318031356. If you're interested in purchasing a CarryMeKidz, you can use that code.

You can also play the free online game, TrashCanKidz, where you can really "clean up" the neighborhood.
**I received a CarryMeKidz in exchange for my honest review.**

What Changed Their Minds? "180" Movie

2011-10-11T12:29:00.001-04:00

What do you think about the Holocaust? This film (caution to those with young children: it contains some graphic images) can get you thinking - and hopefully, talking.

Menu Plan Monday - October 10

2011-10-09T22:07:00.001-04:00

Menu Plan Monday is always found at Organizing Junkie.

It's been a trying week, I think more because we were away the previous week than because of anything else. The weather has been warm, though - a great bonus for us way up here. Usually it's getting pretty cold by this time in October. I think it got up to 80 yesterday.

I am starting a part-time job tomorrow at our local library branch. I know that it will be an easy job for me and one that I'll enjoy. What I won't enjoy, however, is trying to get done all that I'm used to doing around the house, especially home cooked meals from scratch every day. I'll try my best, though.

Monday

Sweet & Sour Pot Roast and potatoes

Carrots

Salads

Fresh Fruit with Lemon-Yogurt Dressing

Tuesday

Meat Loaf

Baked Potatoes

Seasoned Green Beans with onions

Wednesday

Beef and Noodles

Salads

Peas

Thursday

Glazed Pork Chops w/onions

Mashed Potatoes

Corn

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Chicken Stir-fry

Rice

Sunday

On Your own

Saturday Scripture Speaks

2011-10-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Proverbs 24:27 (NLT) says, "Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house."

How many times do we get the cart before the horse, so to speak? I had an experience this week that was one of those things. I stumbled upon a part-time job that I had not planned on getting; in fact, I wasn't even thinking about applying. Our local librarian had to quit her long time job. I assumed the main branch would give the job to someone from within the organization, so I didn't apply. One day I went to the library with my children and the fill-in librarian, a friend of mine, asked me to fill out an application. I figured, how can it hurt?

That same day, another librarian recommended that I apply. Well, it was already done. Here it is less than two weeks later and I have the job.

Now, after I applied and interviewed, I had a feeling I was probably going to get the job. I almost began making plans.

The Bible says not to get ahead of ourselves, however. The Good News Translation puts the above proverb this way, "Don't build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living."

I could have bought a bunch of new work clothes or bragged that I had the job - and then found out that I didn't. It's always best to wait upon the Lord and then reap His abundant blessings.

Book Review - Where Has Oprah Taken Us? The Religious Influence of the World's Most Famous Woman by Stephen Mansfield

2011-10-07T20:25:00.000-04:00

Where Has Oprah Taken Us? by Stephen Mansfield (Thomas Nelson) has been a vastly interesting book for me to read. Oprah Winfrey, as you know, is known all over the world and is America's princess. Tremendously wealthy (it's been said that she is America's highest paid woman) she is extremely generous and seems to be the girl everyone wants to have as her best friend. At least that's what appears on the outside.

Over the years, the poor yet brilliant Oprah has transformed into some sort of spiritual guide for many, many people. The religion that she espouses is not the one her Christian father introduced to her, nor is it Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, or any other established religion. As Mr. Mansfield attests, it is more like a strange, New Age conglomeration of all of them. And it's scary.

Stephen Mansfield, a New York Times best-selling author, has done a wonderful job in informing the reader as to what Oprah's "religion" really is. He begins at the beginning, allowing us to see little Oprah as she grows and rises above humble beginnings to become a superstar. He doesn't give us an in depth biography, however. This book is about Oprah's spirituality - which is not good, by the way - and that spirituality's influence upon America and the world.

Oprah Winfrey was once a committed Christian. Mr. Mansfield shows us how Oprah began to leave her Baptist roots very early in life. It's a good warning: if we aren't careful, we could find ourselves straying from our beliefs just as easily.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to everyone, Christian or not. The best way to avoid the wolves is to stay informed.

*I received a copy of Where Has Oprah Taken Us? in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.*

Gluten-free Pizza: The Best Ever!

2011-10-07T19:57:00.004-04:00

Gluten-free pizza is one dish that I've been trying to perfect for some time. The toppings are easy - the dough is not. I have found that I can't use packaged gluten-free flour blends because they often contain chickpea flour - to which I am allergic. This recipe is a conglomeration of many different recipes. If you don't want to use milk (many gluten intolerant folks can't have dairy), omit it. I like using milk because it makes a softer dough - both for gluten-free pizzas and my regular crust for those in the family who can handle it.

This is the first pizza dough I've had in two years that I actually like. It would be crispy if cooked on a pizza stone or cast iron. It has terrific flavor. Best of all: I never once "burped" it up. If you've had gluten-free pizza crust before, you know what I'm talking about.

I was surprised at how springy the dough was without wheat flour. The flax makes up for the gluten. I used brown rice flour. Don't want fat added? Forget it - you need it in this recipe. It's great. I hope you give it a try!

Gluten-free Pizza

2 cups (more or less) rice, quinoa, sorghum, or other gluten-free flour

2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds (heaping)

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 packet raw stevia or 1 tsp. sugar or honey

2/3 to 1 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees F.)

1/4 cup dry milk

2 Tablespoons olive oil, + more to oil pans

1 to 2 Tablespoons coarsely ground cornmeal or GF flour for dusting pans

Put the salt, yeast, stevia, dry milk and warm water together in a stand mixer bowl (or mixing bowl if doing by hand). Stir together and then let sit for 2 minutes. *Use your kitchen timer for this - important step* Stir in 2 tablespoons olive oil.

Add gluten-free flour first, then ground flax. Mix well, adding more flour or water, depending upon how sticky the dough is. If it sticks to your fingers, it needs a tad bit more flour. Add a tablespoon at a time to avoid using too much flour. If it's too dry, then it'll break up rather than form a dough. Mix well with the stand mixer and a flat beater, or else knead by hand until the dough forms a nice ball. It won't be like a "regular" ball of dough, but close. When has kneaded well, place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise in a warm place free of drafts for about an hour or until it appears a little puffed with air. It's not going to "double" as the gluten filled doughs do.

Lightly oil pan(s) and sprinkle with cornmeal. Punch the dough down a bit and roll to fit pizza pan(s). Makes about one 16-inch pizza or two smaller ones. Spread with a gluten-free sauce and cover with your favorite toppings. Bake at 450 degrees F. until cheese is bubbly and crust is cooked through.

Straight Talk from a Cell Phone User

2011-10-05T10:01:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Evan needed a cell phone to take with him to and from college this year. I sold him mine. Now I find that I'd like to have my phone back - or get a new one.

After giving people so much advice concerning cell phones and the various plans out there, I decided to check them out a little better. After all, I am considering another cell phone. First up was to get some testimonies from other cell phone users.

Next, I checked coverage maps. Few of the mobile companies have complete coverage for our area. Some that do charge outrageous prices. Quite often they require a contract plan. I don't want a plan. I simply want a pay-as-you-go phone for the times that I just want to Call a friend or a family member.

A biggie that could cause me to fall Hook, line and sinker is a good answer to this question:

What brands and quality cell phones are available with this company?

Of course, there are many options. Android on Straight Talk is one of them. Other smart phones are available as well as the more basic phones (my choice). When researching mobile phones you might want to ask yourself some simple questions:

Do I want texting capabilities?
How often, (or do I need to), access the internet with my cell phone?
Do I want to have video and camera capabilities?
How much am I going to use this phone?
Do I need it for business or personal use - or both?
How much do I want to spend on this phone?

Everything you need in a smart phone can be found in Nokia smart phones. Other brands are available from Straight Talk as well. They have reconditioned phones that have cameras, mp3 players, mobile internet access, and blue-tooth capabilities, starting at $10.00.

Monthly plans are available for those who want them. There are lots of options so I urge you to check out Straight Talk if you're in the market for a new phone and plan.

Tackle It Tuesday - Fall Garden

2011-10-04T15:47:00.002-04:00

We visited our friends in upper peninsula of Michigan last week. As my friend showed me her garden, I said, "You must have a tiller." The soil is all turned and it looks so neat and clean. She replied, "No, I turn it over by hand little by little."

Okay, I don't turn my garden over because I use the excuse that I don't have a tiller. Sad. Today I decided to begin working on my garden. The fact is, the more stuff you can get under the garden for the winter, the better. That plant material then breaks down into important nutrients that your garden needs in the spring.

Here's my garden, all covered with weeds and junk. It got really bad because I ran out of time to weed. I baby sat a child who is not one of those little boys who plays by himself. He was always into trouble so putting him in the fenced backyard while I weeded garden on the other side of the gate didn't work.

This is the bit of garden soil I turned over in 45 minutes using a shovel. The soil is soft right now and easy to dig. It'll take me many days to get it done, but get it done I will. I'm hoping for a phenomenal garden next summer.

Menu Plan Monday - October 3

2011-10-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

http://orgjunkie.com

We had a great week in Michigan's Upper Peninsula last week. We got to show our two youngest children Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Campground and the exact campsite we used to take their older brothers. My husband and children went fishing on Au Train Lake nearly every morning and evening. We visited numerous falls - Au Train Falls, Wagner Falls, Laughing Whitefish Falls, and Horseshoe Falls. We visited good friends and had a guided tour of some of Escanaba. We visited the huge park in Escanaba, situated on Lake Michigan. We shopped in Marquette.

Now, it's back to work, homeschool, and reality in general. The first thing I had to do when we got back home was get groceries. Ugh. Talk about reality - it cost me $158.00. I don't know if it's just me or not, but grocery prices seem to do nothing but climb. If we didn't have stuff from our garden put up for winter, I don't know how we'd survive.

But on to our menu plan:

Monday

Chef Salads

Parmesan Side Noodles

Homemade Bread

Apple Crisp

Tuesday

Broccoli & Rice Casserole

Wednesday - Ryan Cooking

Orange-Rosemary Glazed Chicken

Roasted Potatoes

Green Beans

Apple Confit

Thursday

Barbecued Pork Loin Slices

Mashed Potatoes

Brussels Sprouts

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Vanilla Shakes

Saturday

Cheeseburgers on Grill

Potato Salad

Chips

Sunday

On Your Own

Wordless Wednesday - Wagner Falls, Au Train, MI

2011-09-28T10:22:00.002-04:00

Menu Plan Monday - September 26

2011-09-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

Menu Plan Monday is found at Organizing Junkie.

As you're reading this, I am with my husband and two youngest children in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, spending a week in a cabin on a beautiful lake. The leaves are changing color and the air has a crisp, cool feel to it. Fall is here and winter is soon approaching.

I've needed this break badly and am "busy" relaxing, rejuvinating, and taking lots of pictures to share with you.

Now, it sounds silly, but the kids and I made up a menu plan for the week. Why not? It helped us with packing and planning - nothing is forgotten. Each child was to plan a meal that he or she will prepare this week - alone. That helped some with the planning. Ryan is 13 and thinks he's all grown up. He's using a cookbook. Should be interesting. I'm looking forward to it.

You're asking where the hamburgers are. We've already had them :)

Monday

Steaks on the grill

Baked Potatoes, grilled

Sweet Corn

Tuesday - Ryan cooks.

Gluten-free Lasagna (made with rice lasagna)

Tossed Salads

Garlic Toast

Spiced Pumpkin Mousse

Wednesday

Chicken, Potato, Carrot, Onion Packets, grilled

Fruit

Thursday - Amanda cooks.

Gluten-free Macaroni & Cheese

Green Beans

Chocolate Pudding

Friday - At Friends' House

Saturday - Picnic on the way home

Sunday

On Your Own

Book Review - Ascent From Darkness by Michael Leehan

2011-09-20T21:37:00.003-04:00

Michael Leehan has bared his soul in his story, Ascent from Darkness: How Satan's Soldier Became God's Warrior (Thomas Nelson). We follow him as a teenager who nearly kills himself with an accidental overdose to a man steeped about as far as one can go into Satan's realm. If you didn't think the devil and his demons were real before, you will after reading this book. It describes in a true story what C. S. Lewis described in The Screwtape Letters.

When I began reading Ascent from Darkness, I felt a lot of emotions - mostly shivering feelings that caused me to praise the Lord Jesus for saving me from a life without Him. Michael Leehan was the real deal when it came to Satan worship. He sold his soul to him early on, a decision he would both come to love and hate at the same time.

While the book is almost scary, it does leave the reader with joy and praise; if a demon possessed man like Michael Leehan can be saved, perhaps there's hope for the friend or family member I - or you - have been praying for. That's the hope that this story gives, and because of that hope, the story is worth telling.

I'll warn you, Ascent from Darkness feels like pretty heavy reading at times. I almost ditched it part-way through just because I was nearly frightened by some of the scary things described - satanic rituals, cuttings, and blood sacrifices among them. I am glad that I read this, though. It is important for today's society to understand that demons are real. Satan is real. Hell is real. Don't listen to those who would tell you otherwise. Take it from one who's been in the demonic realm.

Jesus is real too. Mr. Leehan does give God praise - what a testimony of God's love and faithfulness!

**I received a copy of Ascent from Darkness in exchange for my honest reivew. Opinions are my own.**

Menu Plan Monday - September 19

2011-09-18T22:44:00.000-04:00

http://orgjunkie.com

I had a blessed weekend. I attended the 10th annual Woman to Woman Conference, held at the Gaylord Evangelical Free Church. Wow! Lynda Randle, Katie Kniss, and Jackie Kendall were the speakers. They are all amazing women of God who truly have faith. Lynda Randle so blessed me with her music (you might recognize her from the Gaither Homecoming videos) and her testimony. Jackie Kendall has the supercharged faith that I can only dream of having. At 60, she still has an on-fire love for Christ that is catchy. Katie Kniss has been through unthinkable tragedy yet still lives to praise her Creator. I was inspired by her story. If you ever get the chance to attend a Christian women's conference, you must do so!

This week is going to be a busy one. We found more apples and I will put up apple butter and apple pie filling. Everything needs to be done by Friday night because we are going on vacation! It's the first real vacation our family's had in more than 10 years. We're renting a cabin in the upper peninsula, something we used to do when our three older children were young. Sadly, those three boys won't be coming with us. One is working full-time and the other two are in college. They're going to be dog sitting.

This week, I'm going gluten-free with the majority of the menu. Everything except the pizza is made gluten-free. Here's my fairly simple menu plan:

Monday

Chef Salads

Apple Crisp

Tuesday

BBQ Chicken Breast, grilled

Baked Acorn Squash

Gluten-free Pumpkin Muffins

Wednesday

Meatloaf

Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans

Thursday

German Pizza

Roasted Tomato Soup with Basil

Strawberry Smoothies

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday - Assemble early and bake at the cabin.

Mother's Manicotti (made with gluten-free crepes)

Garden Salads

Sunday

Snacky foods at the cabin

Saturday Scripture Speaks - Hypocrisy

2011-09-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him in public, because he was clearly wrong. Before some men who had been sent by James arrived there, Peter had been eating with the Gentile believers. But after these men arrived, he drew back and would not eat with the Gentiles, because he was afraid of those who were in favor of circumcising them. The other Jewish believers also started acting like cowards along with Peter; and even Barnabas was swept along by their cowardly action. Galatians 2:11-13 (GNT)

If you're anything like the rest of us, and like the disciple Peter, you can identify with the above passage from Paul's letter to the Galatians. Paul had just finished telling the recipients of this letter that some false Christians had been sent to the church (gentile church of Galatia) in order to spy upon Paul and to say that he was not preaching what he was supposed to. Their purpose was to prevent the gentile believers from having the freedom in Christ that Paul preached and to become circumcised, thus following Jewish Law.

Paul goes on to say that this is wrong and that he even had to oppose Peter on this point. Peter, in essence, was caving into pressure from the Jewish leaders. He was afraid of their influence - does this sound anything like what Peter had done on the night Christ was arrested, later to be crucified?

Paul goes on to say that Peter acted like a "coward", as did the other Jewish believers.

I know all too well what it feels like when others put pressure on me for being a born again Christian. They try to make me do or say things that I know I should not. Of course, it isn't circumcision that trips me up! It's the little things like bad movies or TV shows, unwholesome language or gossip, and the like. I also know the sting of being criticized for being "good little Rita."

Why is being "good" and loving Jesus so hard to do?

I believe it's because we're essentially cowards who are afraid to stand up to a hostile world that threatens to chew us up and spit us out. Perhaps we all need a Paul to confront us and help us to see that living in the Light with freedom is a whole lot better than living in the dark as cowards.

Wordless Wednesday - Grass Lake

2011-09-14T13:39:00.000-04:00

2011-09-12T13:02:00.003-04:00

Are you a Bzz Agent? If not, you might want to consider it. Bzz Agents get to try and review interesting and useful products, many of which you might be interested, such as the Bodum 8.5 ounce Pavina double wall glass. This glass is really cool looking - something like you might find in a science fiction movie. The liquid looks like its suspended. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to trying this new product and then sharing with you the pros and cons.

Menu Plan Monday - September 12

2011-09-11T23:11:00.000-04:00

Organizing Junkie

I'm feeling scatterbrain as I write this text. On Thursday, I canned more peaches - 39 quarts. This brings my grand total to 71 quarts of peaches. I think that's enough. As I type, seven quarts of tomatoes are in the canner. I will soon begin working on applesauce. We picked about 3 bushels this weekend. Can you see why I'm having trouble thinking?

Here's what I'm planning for the week:

Monday

Roast Chicken

Candied Carrots

Baked Potatoes

Apple Cobbler

Tuesday

Meatloaf

Scalloped Potatoes

Green Beans

Strawberry Smoothies

Wednesday

Roast Beef

Potatoes & Carrots

Dutch Baby Apple Pancake

Thursday

Chili

Salads

Cucumbers & Tomatoes *recipe below*

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Woman to Woman Conference - Jeff is cooking supper

Sunday

On Your Own

**Cucumbers & Tomatoes**

Slice cucumbers and tomatoes and layer in a bowl, sprinkling generously with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 2 or more hours.

Summer Travels and Cell Phones

2011-09-10T20:01:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TracFone for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My sister and her boyfriend came for a visit over Labor Day weekend. We had a ton of fun, including picking blackberries in the state forest nearby. The bears (we just have black bears here) are busy gorging themselves with the same berries that we worked hard to get. If someone were to get hurt, and I admit that the chance of that is pretty low, we would feel better knowing that we could call 911. We get cell phone coverage out there - but it's very spotty. Sometimes we have to get to higher ground to get a signal, but it's good to have some means of communicating that we need help should the need arrive.

Thankfully, if there were any bears in the area, they kept a low profile. We did see signs that they'd been there earlier, though.

Debbie's boyfriend has a TracFone cell that he brought with him. He's one of those Real TracFone customers who wants a good phone with reliable service - without spending a whole lot of money or signing up for contracts. His is an LG phone and he says that he's very happy with it and the coverage that comes with it.

You can get So many features that it's crazy, but the phones remain trim and easy to hold and use. I guess gone are the days of the plain, large phones that looked more like radios or walkie talkies than telephones.

Saturday Scripture Speaks - Goody Goody?

2011-09-09T23:19:00.000-04:00

It has been brought to my attention that people I've known in the past, and some whom I now know, believe me to be "a goody goody." Now, why does this bother me? I guess it's because the most recent reference was used in a rather snide manner. It's as if my being "good" really grates on people's nerves.

Let me say, before going further, that I try to be good - I always have. One time when I was a teenager, I said a swear word just because everyone else seemed to be using that word. I thought that maybe I should be more like others. When I blurted out the offending word, I was completely shocked with how it sounded as it came out of my mouth. I put my hand over my mouth and didn't say such things again.

You see, Christians are supposed to be different. The Lord wants us to shine for Him, to point others to the light of Jesus rather than the darkness that is Satan's realm. Matthew 5:13-14 (NIV) says: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."

When I chose to swear, I risked losing a little of my "saltiness." I don't want that. Neither does God. But does that mean I'm "good?"

Romans 3:10-11 (KJV) says:
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

According to this verse, I'm not good enough for God and neither is anyone else. We can't work our ways into God's good graces. We get our righteousness from Christ - given as a free gift. We can't earn it and we can't buy it. We take it by faith - and we live for the Giver. (John 3:16)

I struggle with sin just the same as anyone else. My tongue is my nemesis and I work daily at trying to control it. Without prayer, I doubt I'd ever succeed. You might have something else that wages war with you. My sins might not look like yours, but they're there all the same.

The next time someone tries to hurt me with words of "good little Rita", I'm going to remember that my goal is truly to be "good" and that someday, God will get me to that place - oh yeah, it's called perfection and that's all there is in Heaven.

Understanding Judaism

2011-09-06T14:56:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it's profitable to study Judaism in order to better understand the Old Testament. Why would we want to study the Old Testament? Because the Old is fulfilled in the New. A rabbi named Yitz Grossman has an interesting site that explains some of the beliefs of Jewish people, beliefs that may be helpful for you.

Do you recall the account of Moses and the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt's slavery? There's a lot to the story, from Israel's perspective, that I'm not sure that we, as Christians, totally "get". The article, "Interesting Torah", places a little different insight into the heavenly manna and Israel's hunger for more of the Torah. Pretty interesting information, I thought.

If you find that Yitz Grossman has something relevant to say, you might like to visit one of his other sites: Yitz Grossman Humor and Yitz Grossman Inc. of Lawrence New York.

By way of disclaimer on my part, I am not suggesting that you leave Christianity and migrate over to Judaism. What I am suggesting, however, is that we have our roots in Judaism and, if we allow God to teach us, we can learn lots about those roots from the rabbis who know much about them.

Menu Plan Monday - September 5, 2011

2011-09-05T08:55:00.000-04:00

Visit Organizing Junkie to link up your own Menu Plan Monday.

Happy Labor Day! Labor Day is not really a welcome holiday in our household as it is in many others. For us, it ushers in the end of the good summer sales for my husband, and the lean fall, winter, and spring months. The upside is that my husband will begin working far fewer hours, and thus better get his rest, now that kids go back to school and summer vacations halt (for consumers). Today, I am going to see my sister and her boyfriend off as they travel back to Indiana - then I will get straight to work canning some tomatoes we found at farmer's market on Saturday.

Here's the menu for the week:

Monday

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Green Beans with Bacon

Salads

Tuesday

Pork Loin and Vegetables in Slow Cooker

Fresh Fruit

Wednesday

Western Omelet Casserole

Gluten-Free Waffles

Thursday

Meat Loaf

Mashed Potatoes

Veggies

Apple Crisp

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

White Chili

Salads

Fruit

Sunday

On Your Own

Saturday Scripture Speaks - The Chosen Few

2011-09-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

"Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Genesis 18:18-19 (NIV)

A lot of Christians like to talk about being chosen, or elected, by God. I've spent a lot of time listening to sermons and reading TONS of books (Bible first and foremost) on the subject, trying to understand where they are coming from. This week I read something interesting in a book that I'm studying. It's called Miracles and it's written by C. S. Lewis. Remember him - the author of the Chronicles of Narnia books? What Mr. Lewis said concerning election stunned me. It is not quite what I expected, but it is powerful - and I believe quite correct. Here's what he said:

For when we look into the Selectiveness which the Christians attribute to God we find in it none of that "favouritism" which we were afraid of. The "chosen" people are chosen not for their own sake (certainly not for their own honour or pleasure) but for the sake of the unchosen. Abraham is told that "in his seed" (the chosen nation) "all nations shall be blest." That nation has been chosen to bear a heavy burden. Their sufferings are great: but, as Isaiah recognised, their sufferings heal others. On the finally selected Woman falls the utmost depth of maternal anguish. Her Son, the incarnate God, is a "man of sorrows"; the one Man into whom Deity descended, the one Man who can be lawfully adored, is pre-eminent for suffering.

I've always believed and understood that Israel is "God's chosen people." What I didn't understand was why and for what purpose. It just seemed to me that they were more special, perhaps better than the rest of us. Or maybe that God was simply being partial. Of course, when we call God partial, we're saying that He plays favorites - which is refuted in many, many other parts of Scripture. God says He does not play favorites and He does not lie.

The Calvinistic section of Christianity would state that God has elected (or chosen) some people to be His people - those He would save on the Cross. Others, they say, are rejected and have no hope of being saved. In fact, they would say that those rejected people have been refused salvation based upon God's "hatred" of them. They base this on the verse, "Jacob I loved; Esau I hated." (Romans 9:13)

Of course, when read in context, the verse makes perfect sense. Esau did not obey God while Jacob did. When we love God and obey Him by accepting His finished work on the Cross, we enter into a rebirth and have assurance of eternal life. It's done by faith. And that brings us to the original thought on the chosen, as C. S. Lewis described.

The chosen are chosen not because God loves them more. They are not chosen because God decided to randomly save some and damn others. They are chosen for the bigger picture. They get to suffer sometimes. They get to bear burdens. They get to have an effect on those who are "not chosen." They are, in reality, chosen in order to bring God's message of love to the unsaved.

God loves all people, as the Bible clearly tells us ...... over and over again. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

As Christians, we are all chosen, but not out of favoritism or because we are better than others. We are chosen for a purpose. And that purpose is to spread God's love and message of Salvation through Christ to those who don't yet know Him.

It's a special task. You should feel special indeed.

Book Review - One Call Away by Brenda Warner

2011-09-02T16:17:00.000-04:00

One Call Away is a memoir by Brenda Warner (with Jennifer Schuchmann) and published by Thomas Nelson. Never having been a sports fan, it's not surprising that I had never heard of Brenda Warner before seeing this book. For others of you who do not know the people of pro football, Brenda Warner is married to former NFL qarterback for the St. Louis Rams, Kurt Warner.

This is a story of a woman who has gone from an itty bitty mustard seed faith to one of great proportions, but she hasn't made her way there without a whole lot of large struggles. The story of how she lost both parents to a tornado was especially touching to me. I cannot imagine losing both of my parents at the same time, and unexpectedly at that.

One of Brenda's convictions, that concerning premarital relations, bothered me quite a bit - in the beginning. Then I read on and watched that conviction change to the same one that I hold. I literally said out loud, "YES!" when I read that her belief had changed.

Brenda Warner's life story is a compelling read that makes you feel happy, sad, angry, and joyful. As it always seems to be in real life, the joy only comes after the suffering, at the back of the book, if you will. If you want an interesting memoir that points you to Jesus, you will definitely want to read One Call Away.

**I received a copy of One Call Away in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.**

Getting the Most with What You Can

2011-09-01T10:21:00.000-04:00

We decided to go back out in the state forest last weekend in order to have a cook-out over an open fire. The real reason, though, was to forage and get whatever food we could to store up for winter use. Wow, did we ever find some good stuff!

These mushrooms are Fly-Agraic ones.

The Chanterelle mushrooms are in abundance in the north woods this year. Supposedly, these are the real delicacy, above and beyond morels. Unfortunately, most people do not know how to correctly identify Chanterelles and they are afraid to eat them. To learn about them, go here.

The berries (above are blackberries mixed with red raspberries) are in abundance too. In fact, most people are saying that this is the best crop of blackberries that they've ever seen. Red raspberries grow wild here, and they, too, are large and abundant. The only problem with the berries is that the thorns just about kill you - and you have to be on the lookout for black bears on an eating frenzy before they hibernate. We found lots and lots of places where the bears had been. They trample down the bushes and leave other - ahem - reminders that they were there.

As long as you are able to walk and move freely, you should make the best use of your abilities to store up for the coming months.

As an aside, planning for winter is not the same as hoarding. When one hoards, she is amassing all sorts of stuff that she will never use because she is not trusting the Lord to provide - or else she's just plain greedy. Both are considered sin.

Menu Plan Monday - August 29

2011-08-29T08:35:00.000-04:00


Visit Menu Plan Monday at http://orgjunkie.com.

I got ambitious this weekend and made up my menu plan two weeks in advance. I guess it's because my sister is coming for a visit this Friday and will be here over the weekend. Next week's plan wouldn't get done too easily if I didn't "plan ahead."

Here's what we're planning for the week of August 29:

Monday

Chef Salads

Corn on the Cob (our fave farmer at farmer's market gives us a steal)

Magic Milk Shakes

Tuesday

Taco Salad

Cherry Pudding Cake

Wednesday

Chicken & Noodles

G.F. Chicken & Noodles (Using Ancient Harvest noodles)

Fresh Green Beans

Thursday

Roast Chicken (in crock-pot)

Baked Potatoes

Peas

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday - Hiking & Berry Picking in Forest, Campfire Cooking

Burgers & Hot Dogs

Baked Beans

Potato Chips

Blackberry Swirl Pie

(I sub 1 1/2 TBS cornstarch for flour & use G.F. crust)

Sunday

Left-overs or eat out

Straight Talk - A Great Cell Phone Option

2011-08-28T03:02:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I talk about things like cell phone plans often because I believe they are one of the products in which far too many people waste money. I have a son who has a really fancy smart phone that he really doesn't need. It's fun, but it also costs a bundle of money each month. Straight Talk is a company that has everything you need for a calling plan.

Unlimited monthly service is $45 - that's a whole lot less than my son pays for his smart phone plan. The unlimited monthly service that Straight Talk offers would allow my son to call a friend any time without spending a whole ton of money that could be saved for a down payment on a house. (See what I'm hoping he spends his money on?)

Okay, so mom knows best, but who listens to mom these days? Well, everybody should because, in reality, nobody should pay for a cell phone contract. Nobody knows what the future holds. In this economy, nobody can count on having a job a year or six months from now. We just don't know.

Straight Talk has great reconditioned phones available starting at $10.00. They come complete with camera, mp3 player, mobile web access, and blue-tooth capability. Maybe a good phone for your teens or college students?

As always, financial stewardship is important to God's heart. Spend wisely.

Saturday Scripture Speaks - Hope for the Resurrection

2011-08-27T10:12:00.000-04:00

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!" Job 19:25-26 (New Living Translation)

I have hope today. Things might be going rough; I might be going through all sorts of trials and difficulties - shattered dreams, as author Larry Crabb says - but I still have hope. My hope is in the resurrection of the saints when Jesus, the "second Adam", comes back to claim final victory.

Job believed in the final Resurrection. Although everything had shattered all that he had on this earth, nothing could shatter the hope he had in that final Resurrection. He knew that his physical body will one day be put back together whole (an incorruptible, spiritual-type body that will never die again). He would enjoy God forever, and ever, and ever, and ever........

Concerning the Resurrection of the dead, Jesus said:

"Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” Matthew 22:29-32 (NIV)

To be "like the angels in heaven." Wow. When I think about this, I, too, am overwhelmed.

More on Cell Phones

2011-08-27T10:01:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TracFone for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you having a difficult time paying for all of those cell phone charges - the ones that just keep adding up no matter what you do? Maybe it's time to switch cell providers.

I know that there are tons of companies out there, and they each promise a lot. On top of that, some have coverage where you live and others don't. If you really want to know what companies are the best options for you, you might just want to ask others. And you don't want to ask recorded messages either.

TracFone has some really good deals out there, but would this provider work for you? You only need ask real TracFone customers what they think about the different plans available, the network coverage, or quality of the phones that have so many features you won't feel deprived.

I believe in pay as you go plans but that might not be the best idea for you. Perhaps you have several teenaged children who are super busy with sports or attending college for the first time. Maybe you live in a snowbelt area, as I do, and want to be sure they have a phone with them when they drive off to their part-time jobs. Maybe you simply feel the need to be connected. There are great monthly plans available that include international calling - at a great price. Again, ask real TracFone customers what they think.

With TracFone, there are no surprises or credit checks. All you get is summertime (and year-round) connections that cost less. Just ask real TracFone customers.

Take the Hill's Challenge and Enter to Win Free Pet Food for a Year!

2011-08-26T18:01:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hills Pet Nutrition for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have three dogs and they're all different. For instance, Bobbi is an 11-year-old Yorkie. She is total energy and yappy. Shadow is also 11, but she is a large, cumbersome Lab. And Brassy? She is the young one, all full of energy and spunk but sophisticated enough to know how to open gates with her nose and sneak her way out of the yard. Combined, the dogs get a lot done - and they eat a lot too. When they eat a lot, they'd better be getting the best nutrition.

I want the same thing for all three dogs - good health. If you're like most pet owners, you want the same thing. After all, they don't live as long as you or I might - or even as long as a parrot! What years they do have ought to be good ones.

Hill's Pet Nutrition offers us the Hill's Healthy Mobility Challenge to, hopefully, make things a little easier. The challenge is basically this:

Get $30 in Hill's Healthy Mobility Coupon savings. Feed your dog Hill's Science Diet for 30 days. Then share your success stories with other dog owners. When you register for the challenge, you are automatically entered into the Sweepstakes to win free pet food for a year.

You can find Hill's Pet Nutrition on Facebook too. I hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about pet food and Diet - and the Healthy Mobility Challenge.

Tackle it Tuesday - Planning for the Winter

2011-08-23T21:42:00.000-04:00

Summer is nearly over and autumn will begin in the wink of an eye. Then....winter starts in with a cold, blasting fury. Okay, if you live in the south or some other warmer climate, you might not think of winter the way that we do up here in the north. Before September ends, we will have had our first hard freeze and, by the time October ends, it'll be snowing.

Ugh.

For our family, not only is winter cold and snowy, it's more lean - financially speaking. In order to make money stretch, I'm just now catching on that I have to really stockpile during the summer months. So, with that in mind, my tackle projects this week are to really begin to store up for winter.

First on the agenda was to make some dill pickles. The cucumbers in my own garden have been extremely slow to set on and mature, so I have found deals at our local farmer's market. A local farmer whom we know gave us enough cukes to make these 7 jars of dill pickles - for a grand total of $1.00. The dill was already growing fine in my garden, so that was free. These are easy to make and taste fantastic. The recipe? Just make a brine of 3 quarts distilled water, 1 quart cider vinegar, and 1cup pickling salt. Place pickles, 2 heads fresh dill and some peeled garlic cloves in the jars. Cover with boiling brine, seal, and process.

Soap is another product of which I want to have tons already made. I filled a large box of bars that I had curing. There are about 50 bars in the box. Might I add that it is stored in our bedroom (open box so the bars "air"), making it smell wonderful?

Amanda and I then made another batch of soap. I've been trying different fat combinations lately - mostly because I'm bored making the same old recipe every time. Today I made a batch with coconut oil, canola oil, and olive oil. Olive oil makes a harder bar than the other oils do, but since I blended in canola, it won't be like castille or anything. This batch turned yellow of its own accord. Usually we place a couple of crayons in the hot, melted fat for color. The scent is lemon grass with a little macadamia nut. Strangely, it smells like fresh squeezed lemon juice - very citrusy and nice. Day after tomorrow, I'll cut the bars and get them curing. With this batch, we'll have somewhere around 75 bars of soap stored for winter use. If you'd like to learn to make soap, I did a little tutorial here.

Last but not least, I've been buying washing soda and borax little by little and mixing it with Fels Naptha laundry bars. I normally make the powder detergent only because it's easier to store than liquids. We now have four one-gallon buckets made up and stored. Each bucket lasts us a month or better. I need to get ingredients for a few more buckets to round out the winter storage.

I plan to can tomatoes, peaches, pears, and applesauce yet too.

Visit Tackle it Tuesday at 5minutesformom.com.

The Reason

2011-08-22T22:38:00.000-04:00

I watched this powerful video tonight and wondered - What is your reason?

Menu Plan Monday - August 22

2011-08-21T21:43:00.000-04:00

I so love menu planning. In the last couple of years - the time I've spent menu planning - I have seen my kitchen time lessen and my family dinners increase in taste and appeal, as well as nutrition. More than that, I have seen the amount of money I spend at the grocery store maximized. I no longer stand in front of the refrigerator moaning, "What can I fix tonight?" It is really a wonderful thing.

I not only menu plan these days. I also write myself to-do lists. This has also become a worthwhile habit, as I don't forget to get some things done that really need getting done. My time is better spent and I don't reach the end of the day thinking, "Where in the world did the time go? I got nothing done today!"

I no longer spend huge chunks of time on the telephone, except on those days when I call my mother. She is housebound for the most part and becomes lonely and bored. I would rather visit in person, but I am a good 4 1/2 to 5 hours away. Too far when you figure in the fact that we're a one car family and our gas money wears thin at best.

Making the best use of your time by planning specific tasks and then cutting down on waste takers can do wonders for anyone. It makes you less stressful and it gives you a sense of fulfillment. Try it.

My daughter and I are gluten-free out of necessity (and I try not to eat meat too often), but I don't always list that we make salads or Amanda eats a crunchy taco instead of what's on the actual plan. Just know that if you're in a similar situation, you can do little fillers at the spur of the moment and it won't kill anyone. Here's what we're planning this week:

Monday

Mini Meatloaves (made in large cup muffin pan)

Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans

Tuesday

Chow Mein

Salads

Cheesy Chicken & Rice (for those who hate Chinese Food)

Vanilla Pudding

Wednesday

Slow-Cooker Marinara Chicken & Vegetables

Rigatoni Pasta

Salads

Peas

Thursday

Broccoli & Cheese Soup

Beef Stew for Jeff (He can't eat too much vitamin K & broccoli is full of it)

Fruit Cobbler

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

*Going out to the state forest to pick blackberries. Having a picnic*

Chicken Tenderloin & Veggie Packets cooked over campfire

Potato Chips & Dip

Potato Salad

Sunday

On Your Own

Visit Organizing Junkie for a HUGE amount of menu plan links.

Stack of Books Giveaway Winners

2011-08-21T21:07:00.000-04:00

Just want to let everyone know who the two winners are for the Stacks of Books Giveaway. Random.org, a random number generator, chose numbers 1 and 13. They are:

Hula Hooping Mom

Kathryn

Thankyou to those who entered the contest. Please check back here every now and then to read more book reviews. As those books stack up, so will another giveaway.

Saturday Scripture Speaks - Providing for the Future with Oven Canning

2011-08-19T23:04:00.000-04:00

She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her women servants.
Proverbs 31:14-15

Part of being a Proverbs 31 Woman is ensuring that our families are fed and cared for. You might say, "That's the husband's job!" Yes, he is to provide financially, but I think that Proverbs 31 illustrates for us the wife's role very well. This is mainly talking about the wife who fills her pantry with items to carry them over for the winter - the wife who prepares good, healthy & tasty food for her family - the wife who works hard to see that her husband and children do not go hungry.

I read a short piece in Countryside this week about oven canning. I'd never heard of this before, but since I had tons of quick cooking oats that I was afraid could become buggy over storage time, I decided to give this form of canning a try. It's what the Proverbs 31 Woman would do, isn't it? Wasting food is a bad thing. Anyway, I filled clean quart jars with the oats. Then I put the open jars on a cookie sheet and placed it in a 200 degree oven for one hour. Then, I wiped off the lips of the jars with a wet cloth (being careful not to get water in the oats!) and placed a new canning lid on each jar with a ring - one at a time, keeping the unsealed ones in the oven until ready to seal. The jars were extremely hot, so if you try this, remember to use a towel to grab them. Before long, I hard the familiar ping of jars sealing. Every jar sealed. When they were cooled, I placed them in my pantry for use later.

I strongly believe in the wife providing food for the future. When I survey my pantry and freezer in the fall and see all that I've worked so hard to put there - I feel GOOD! It is wonderful to know that my family will be fed when our lean winter months hit. God knows this and He provides me with the strength, energy, and desire to do it.

Thankful Thursday - August 18

2011-08-18T13:04:00.000-04:00

For the month of August, Thankful Thursday is hosted by Laurie at Women Taking a Stand. Please visit and refresh your spirit.

I have been away from Thankful Thursday posts for a while because I was under some condemnation from family members regarding anything personal I post on this blog. It's been a great strain to only publish that which is generic and sure not to offend. Quite frankly, I don't think that's what I'm supposed to do. Here's why:

Isaiah 43:10 (NIV) says:

"You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me."

Wow! Pretty powerful stuff, wouldn't you say? Judging by what God says here, I have to believe that it is healthy for me to share my thanks and praise for my great and powerful God. He declares that I (and all of you believers out there) are chosen by Him to witness all that He does and is. And a witness usually tells others about it - doesn't she?

Acts 1:7-8 (NIV) says:

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

There's that word "witnesses" again.

I take the Word of God very seriously. This is a personal charge - Witness all that God is and does, then share it with my village, my county, my state, my country, my world. I will not shirk from my duty simply because a handful of people do not like me and want to trip me up. How about you?

My thankful list this week includes:

The ability to stick my diet plan and the good health (and weight loss) that has occurred because of it.
The little 2-year-old I've had the blessing to babysit for the past several months.
My ongoing friendships with my sisters and brother.
My church family is amazing - thanks to the Lord for giving them enough confidence in me to ask me to serve on a church committee (still a little scared about it).
The extra money my husband has been making at work. The hours are long, so that's a prayer request - that my husband might be relieved of some of the hours and pressures but continue to make decent money for a while. Winter's coming and we both know how that affects the job and the paychecks.
Praise the Lord for my oldest son, Josh, and his commitment to the police department for which he is a deputy. May the Lord keep him safe as he strives to keep others safe. He is getting lots of praise at work for his hard work and for how well-suited he is for the job. Praise God that Josh makes homeschooled children look good. May he not let the praise feed his ego but that he continue to give the Lord the credit and glory.

Book Review - Cherished by Kim Cash Tate

2011-08-16T22:22:00.000-04:00

Cherished is written by Kim Cash Tate and published by Thomas Nelson. I had not previously heard of Ms. Tate before reading this book, though she does have other books under her wing. Now, after reading this Women of Faith Fiction offering, I'm glad that I found her.

Cherished weaves a beautiful story of faith and forgiveness that is powerful yet entertaining. The two main characters, Kelli and Brian, are so real that you feel as if you actually might know them. In fact, by the time you reach the end of the story, you do know them. You feel their pain and their joy. Most of all, you feel their faith in Jesus Christ.

I don't always like fiction, especially romance novels, because they tend to be nothing more than Christianized versions of the "soapy" stuff of the secular world. This book has a deeper theme to it than simply girl meets boy, girl nearly loses boy, girl wins boy. I don't want to spoil it for you, so I'll not say more about the plot. Suffice it to say that it's one to which a lot of people can relate. I expect it speaks to to broken hearts.

Kim Cash Tate is an African American author who writes a good story - for anybody of any color. She kept this white woman's attention through the whole thing. I recommend Cherished for lovers of fiction - and for lovers of Jesus.

**I received a copy of Cherished in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.**

Menu Plan Monday - August 15

2011-08-14T22:24:00.000-04:00

Visit Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

Sunday is my birthday and, since we have a tradition of birthday person choosing his or her meal, I choose chef salads. I love to have lot of salads and I'm placing salad front and center today as well with a good old fashioned seven layer salad. I'm not particular when it comes to the seven layers - they end up being whatever I have on hand at any particular time. Tonight it will be: Lettuce, tomato slices, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, cauliflower, peas and mayo/Parmesan dressing on top.

Monday

Seven Layer Salad

Corn on the Cob

Cauliflower & Cheddar Cheese

Gluten-free Peppermint Cookies *(recipe below)

Tuesday

Oven-fried Chicken

Cheesy Rice

Candied Carrots (Evan's request)

Green Beans (fresh from garden)

Wednesday

Beef Enchiladas

Tossed Salads

Thursday

Homemade Cheese Manicotti

Green Beans

Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Chef Salads

Sunday

On Your Own

Gluten-free Peppermint Cookies

5/8 cup butter plus 1 TBSP for greasing the cookie sheets

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. xanthan gum

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup corn flour

1/2 cup potato or tapioca or corn starch

1 egg, beaten

1 TBSP crushed, dried peppermint leaves

Soften butter. Mix all ingredients together well. Drop onto greased cookie sheets and slightly flatten with palm of hand. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned and set, about 7 minutes. Leave on pans for a minute or so after removing from oven. Transfer to cooling racks and cool completely.

Cheap Auto Insurance in a Recession

2011-08-13T10:18:00.000-04:00

Do you need to get a new auto insurance policy but you just don't know where to start? Automobile insurance rates have hit the roof for a lot of people. It hit our family a year ago when our son had a lapse in job time and was a month late paying his premium. His insurance company dropped him. Then we found out that, in our state, you are penalized for a year because of this thing. He found an insurance company to take him on, but it was very expensive - I'm talking $200 a month to insure an older Huyandai. Now, a year later, this son has a new pick-up and a new insurance policy - for a whole lot less a month than that $200.

We are still in a recession, no matter what the experts tell you. Many people are in need of cheap auto insurance. If we can find ways to save money, we need to be doing so. Automobile insurance is required in every state, so you can't get around it unless you don't drive. In Michigan, if you have a driver's license, you have to pay for auto insurance - even if you don't own a car, a result of having "no fault insurance."

There are websites that can help you locate cheap auto insurance and make that insurance selection a little easier. Use the site to get quotes from companies who insure folks in your own state. Compare rates side by side after getting some quick and easy quotes. You don't have to skimp on coverage, just don't settle for the insurance you've "always had" simply because you're afraid of the process of switching.

It's important to be wise stewards with our money and resources. Sometimes it's a little out of our comfort zones to creatively find areas in which to cut, but it's a wise step.

*This is a sponsored post on behalf of Cheap-autoinsurance.com. Opinions are mine.*

Saturday Scripture Speaks

2011-08-13T09:55:00.000-04:00

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:1,2 (NLT)

Everywhere around us, there are people who tell us that we can act just the world - because we have liberty in Christ. We are no longer under the Jewish Law (given by Moses), so, in essence, "Live it up!"

I believe that these verses in Romans tell us to live higher than that. We need to honor God with our bodies, with our speech, with our thoughts, with our behaviors. If we don't, how will anyone know that we have been transformed, from sinful humans to forgiven and changed believers?

One way to give our bodies to God is to use them in service for Him. Find ways to serve others with the ultimate goal of showing them who Christ is - a loving and merciful Saviour.

Pray that your speech will honor God. The book of James has tons to say about how we dishonor Him with loose speech.

Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. James 3:5-9 (NKJV)

Let me encourage you today to live as a virtuous, Proverbs 31 Woman (one who honors God with her body and her spirit):

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:25-31 (NIV)

The Power of Two Little Letters - NO

2011-08-10T22:23:00.000-04:00

Do you ever find that you don't want to do something that somebody has asked you to do? Like maybe you just want to cover your eyes and pretend they're not there?

I've been there - a lot! I'm again facing that situation, so it's pretty fresh in my mind. You see, I have a problem with saying no. I am afraid of how the person asking might react.

Lately, I've been having to rethink that little word, "no." Because I've said "yes" too often, mostly without really meaning to, I have opened myself up to be used as a, pardon the overused word, doormat.

If you are asked to do something you don't want to do or feel the Lord would not have you to do, you need to prayerfully consider saying no. God doesn't expect us to do things that are out of His will or that we cannot do with a cheerful heart.

1 Samuel 15:22 says, "But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."

It is better to pray, seek out what God has to say on the subject (Bible reading required!), and carefully obey Him, than to blindly jump into something just because you hate to decline.

And when you feel the Lord leading you into a ministry or other situation where you've been asked to go, obey and do it with a cheerful, loving attitude.

Menu Plan Monday - August 8

2011-08-08T00:03:00.002-04:00

Visit Organizing Junkie for a huge supply of menu plans.

I have been down with a miserable summer cold the last couple of days. I can't believe that, after the long cold winter we had, I'm now almost wishing for a freeze so that the "bugs" would die. Aren't we humans fickle? At any rate, hopefully things will look up this week and I can get back to normal.

My husband's birthday is today, so we're going to give him a meal that he especially enjoys - made a little healthier. Since I'm making him a birthday cake and getting ice-cream, I think it should balance out a little better. I'm trying not to eat sugar (for weight loss and health reasons), but hubby really has to watch his carb intake because of diabetes.

This week I'm taking a lot of recipes from All Recipes. Did you know that if you can't think of what to make with the ingredients you have on hand, you can plug in what you want and what you don't want - and then have lots of recipes from which to choose using (or not) those ingredients?

I'm making ravioli on Tuesday and will need to do up some of it on Monday in order to get it all done. Because two of us are gluten-free, it makes for interesting cooking days at times. Often, it's a lot of work - always, it's worth it.

Monday

Chicken and Summer Squash

Baked Potatoes with sour cream

Tossed Salads

Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Ice-cream

Tuesday

Lazy Day Lasagna

Homemade Ravioli for the Lasagna

Gluten-free Ravioli (same sauce for both versions)

Fresh Green Beans

Garlic Toast (both wheat and gluten-free versions)

Wednesday

Lentil and Smoked Sausage Soup

Tossed Salad

Vanilla Pudding

Thursday

Taco Salad with Ranch Dressing

Chips & Salsa

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Pineapple Bacon Burgers

Grilled Hot Dogs

Potato Salad

Fruit

Sunday

On your Own

Need Scrubs?

2011-08-04T13:16:00.000-04:00

I personally know several nurses and doctors here in town. I noticed lots of scrubs in our local Goodwill the other day. They looked pretty worn. As a healthcare professional, a nurse cannot wear old, worn-out and stained outfit at work.

Blue Sky Scrubs has some really nice scrubs for women at: http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Women/ at a good price. There are some sales going on right now too.

I really respect the medical professionals in our community. They put a whole lot of effort into taking good care of us - they were superb at giving my husband great care when he had his pulmonary embolism a little over a year ago. I like their professionalism. I like to see them professional-looking.

If you are a nurse (or not) and are looking for cheap scrubs, take a peek at Blue Sky Scrubs to see if they might work for you.

New Giveaway - Stacks of Books!

2011-08-03T15:19:00.000-04:00

**Giveaway is now closed.**

Over the course of the past several months, I have accumulated quite a lot of good books - mostly as a result of some book reviews I've done. I'm literally running out of bookshelf space! I would like to extend to my readers some of these great books - for the most part, the books are overtly Christian. Most of the books have just been read once and then plopped onto a bookshelf. Some of the titles are: Lost Boy by Greg Laurie, Max on Life by Max Lucado, and my most recent read, Life Support by Robert Whitlow.

As time goes on, I'll have more to give away at another time. I'll see how popular this particular giveaway becomes :)

If you would like to win a stack of FIVE to SIX good books, just leave a comment below telling me the title and author of one of your favorite books. On August 20, I'll choose TWO winners to each receive a stack of real, physical books. Sorry, I don't have electronic copies of books. I prefer to feel and smell a good book. The mustier, the better.

If you'd like to have more chances to win, do one or all of the following:

Follow me on Twitter. Leave a separate comment with your twitter ID.
Blog about this giveaway and give me the URL in a separate comment.
Tweet about the giveaway and leave the tweet URL in a separate comment.
Follow this blog and let me know you did so in another comment.
Subscribe to this blog and let me know you did so in a separate comment.

Winners will be chosen via Random.org. No special treatment is given for friends or family, so everyone can feel free to enter - just be sure that you live in the United States (48 lower states), please.

Wordless Wednesday - Horse Lover

2011-08-03T11:10:00.000-04:00

Book Review - Life Support by Robert Whitlow

2011-08-02T22:12:00.000-04:00

If you haven't read Life Support by Robert Whitlow (Thomas Nelson Publishers) yet, you might want to. Until recently, I had only briefly noticed the novel's name from somewhere. I definitely didn't think it would be something that I would enjoy reading.

I was wrong. This novel is suspenseful yet filled with a whole lot of legal information that made me feel like I was learning something while being immensely entertained. It has a tad bit of romance too - for you lovers of Christian romance novels. Robert Whitlow's expertise as a lawyer himself is likely the reason behind his expert legal storytelling.

Here's what Life Support is about:

Alexia Lindale is a young lawyer who represents divorce clients. Rena Richardson is a rich young woman who decides, in a strange twisted way, to kill her husband, Baxter Richardson, and then explain it away as an accident. Through some interesting turns of event, Alexia ends up representing Rena - not knowing that this crazed woman is a murderer. She has to make some tough decisions while trying to be a friend and someone who can be trusted with the truth - or what she's told is the truth.

I found myself reading this book whenever I had a few moments to spare and when I had large blocks of time available. I just felt completely drawn into the story. I found characters for which to root and others to hate - or simply to feel sympathy for their hopeful demise.

This is a real page turner. The end will surprise you and completely keep you hanging until you read the concluding title. I'm about to look for it on Amazon or my library.

**I received a copy of Life Support in exchange for my honest review.**

Menu Plan Monday - August 1

2011-07-31T22:54:00.000-04:00

Organizing Junkie hosts Menu Plan Monday each week.

What a week! I have canned 7 jars of dill pickles and hope to do many more.

I've lost a total of 13 pounds and I hope to lose a little more before I can say all is well. I can't believe how much better I feel.

Here is our plan for the week:

Monday

BLT's

Cole Slaw

Baked Potatoes

Tuesday

Beef and Noodles (GF noodles)

Green Beans

Wednesday

Ham & Potato Soup

Salads

Thursday

Italian Frittata

Waffles

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Marinated Chicken Breasts & veggies grilled in foil packets

Sunday

On Your Own

Straight Talk - Mobile Service for Half the Cost

2011-07-30T10:01:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As you might have guessed by now, cell phones and the cost of them have been an "interest" of mine for a while. A lot of people fall for expensive plans hook, line and sinker, but honestly, do we really have to pay through our teeth for good cell coverage? I don't think so.

Just when I thought that I'd heard of every mobile phone carrier out there, a different one appears. This one is called Straight Talk and, from what I can see, that is pretty much what it is. There are no surprises, just everything you need in a good plan. Unlimited monthly service is just $45 for calls, text and picture messaging, and web service. An even better deal is yearly service for $499.

Want all of the newest and greatest phones from the best manufacturers? Don't worry. They carry LG, Nokia, Motorola and other national brands.

And when you need to just call a friend, coverage is great - nationwide.

My favorite thing about Straight Talk is not the phone - or even the coverage. You see, I am beyond frugal. I pinch pennies like you wouldn't believe. The fact that I can get virtually the same phone plans as the other guys yet pay only about half the price is the most valuable thing to me. Check out Straight Talk and see if you don't agree. Yeah, mom knows best.

Saturday Scripture Speaks

2011-07-28T22:43:00.000-04:00

So Jehoram went out with his full army and all his chariots. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but he went out at night and attacked them under cover of darkness. Even so, Edom has been independent from Judah to this day. The town of Libnah also revolted about that same time. All this happened because Jehoram had abandoned the Lord, the God of his ancestors. He had built pagan shrines in the hill country of Judah and had led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to give themselves to pagan gods and to go astray. 2 Chronicles 21:9-11 (NLT)

This was in my Bible reading for today and it hit me funny. Jehoram had married a daugher of King Ahab (remember him?) and had become throughly wicked as a result. (2 Chronicles chapter 21). As a result of his turning from the LORD, Judah suffered - a whole lot of people followed the example of their wicked king. If you continue reading about Jehoram, you'll find that the LORD inflicted him with a serious bowel disease. This disease was horrible enough to cause them to "spill out" upon the ground. I can only imagine the king's agony and pain.

But he deserved the agony and pain. He didn't turn to God in repentance and thus, he suffered the consequences of his decisions.

Jehoram's troubles began when he married a wicked woman from a wicked family - who eventually led him completely from the LORD. We have to remember that, although he was greatly influenced by Ahab's family, Jehoram made his own decisions. He could have avoided even spending a moment's time with his future wife. There are a whole lot of "could have's" that he might have done, but the fact remains that he allowed other people to create his legacy.

Also in today's passages was this passage:

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. Proverbs 20:7 (NLT)

Jehoram's wife, Athaliah, had everyone in the family line killed after her son, Ahaziah, died. (Remember that Ahaziah took his father's throne after he had died from the bowel disease.) She missed her grandson, Joash, however, when the child's mother rushed him away to the temple to be hidden.

God reigns and it is true that the godly have blessed children. It is also true that the ungodly bestow a lot of pain and suffering upon their children by failing to teach them to love and live for God.

There's a lot that we parents can learn from this - but we need to put our faith in action. May you be blessed as you raise children who will be blessed by your godly example.

Belated Wordless Wednesday - Elodie Lillies

2011-07-27T22:09:00.000-04:00