Making the Home a Little Better - One Day at a Time

 

As most of you know, we live in northern Michigan on a small plot of land where the sun seldom shines - quite literally. Our house sits in a "valley" with a large hill covered in trees (the hill used to be part of the first ski club in the state) to the East and a tremendous amount of trees to the West. By the time the sun gets over the ski hill, the clock has turned to noon. My garden is on a small hill on the east side of the property and it gets as much sun as it can get anywhere close. The sunniest place is in our yard (facing south) and that is where I chose to put my greenhouse last spring. That turned out to be a good choice.

I have struggled over the years we have lived in the northern woodlands to make the most of what I have been given. I do not like snow and what do I get? An average of 136 inches a year, give or take. The cold season lingers and I swear that we only get winter and summer, with winter taking the larger portion of the year. I count myself fortunate in those years that summer lasts more than two months. 

This year I had the greenhouse and what a blessing that was! I was able to start plants in the house in April, then move them to the greenhouse early May. It was still cold outside (in the 50 degree Fahrenheit range) with snow still lingering over the garden bed. Take the gloom and doom of everyone shouting COVID, and it was not a very fun time.

But here is the blessing. I was laid off work since libraries were not considered to be "essential" in Michigan. I had time on my hands to do that which really matters to me. I was able to start numerous plants and work to keep them warm in the greenhouse with the occasional aid of an electric heater. I was able to place those young plants outside in the garden toward the end of May, when they should be planted.

I was able to bless others. I had so many tomato plants that grew suckers that I clipped them, placed them in water, and waited for sprouting to occur. And it did. I gave away close to twenty tomato plants that were all started from suckers. I was told later that those plants were strong, healthy, and provided their owners with a whole lot of beautiful tomatoes.

My husband and I raise wild species of waterfowl and pheasants on our farm. We also raise sheep and goats along with chickens. How blessed we were to be able to spend more time with those animals, creating better and healthier environments for them. My husband was able to raise quite a few baby ducks and pheasants, as well as some quail, that we took to swap meets around Michigan and Indiana. We did a fairly good business and hope for an even better next summer.

Mandarin Duck

So, how did we make our home a little better this year? I think that maybe the best thing we did was to work on our home business and the farm. I had such a huge success with the tomatoes in my new greenhouse that I canned a lot of them. We now have a good stock of salsa, tomatoes, and sauce on hand for the winter. I found lots of beans (black beans, navy beans, and pinto beans) at great prices at the bulk food store in Shipshewana, Indiana while on a trip to the swap meet with our birds. Guess what is canned and ready for meals this winter? You guessed it - beans! And not only that. I have canned salsa verde (tomatillo overload in the garden this year), many varieties of jam, vegetable broth, sauerkraut, sweet pickles and also dills, and even elderberry syrup (my dad's recipe). 

The freezer is full too. 

I had meant to do a lot of spring cleaning in the house, but that never happened. Now, my plan is to fall clean, which may turn into winter clean. I have already got a good start on the living room. 

I'm back to work and our library remains open. Nothing looks the same and sometimes I panic. I wonder why Jesus hasn't come back yet. The news never reports anything good anymore. 

One thing I can do is my job as a wife and a mother. I can do my job as a Christian, being sure that I am faithful to spread the Good News of Salvation. 

The Bible says that God does not operate on our time scale. He knows when the moment is right and that is when Jesus will come and take us home - in the twinkling of an eye. Until then, it is my job to make my home - my piece of the world - a little better, one day at a time. 

Let Us Not be Idle

The majority of us are in a "lockdown" state, meaning that we are supposed to stay home and away from others who are not in our own households. Right now, things might seem bleak and it can be difficult to look on the sunny side.

But believe me, there is a bright side. For me, the ability to stay home for a few weeks is something I have actually been craving. Do I want that at the expense of people being very ill? NO! I wish I could stay home just because we had enough money to make do without me working an outside job. Freelance writing has never brought in enough money to allow that. The years that I stayed home while homeschooling our children were very lean - too lean.

These days, I don't homeschool anymore as our youngest child graduated last May. We have started a home business (actually a farm) and we are living the homestead life while still working day jobs.

For the next three weeks, I am off work from the library. Hmmm, how to make the best use of my time? Will I become bored? 

The other day, I made homemade three bean soup with the canned goods I put up last fall. Black beans, navy beans, and cranberry (pinto) beans with celery, canned tomatoes, carrots, a quart of vegetable broth (also home canned), artichokes (ok, from the store - can't grow those up north too well), dehydrated kale crumbled in, black pepper, onion, and a bay leaf. That's all.

Yesterday, I baked a keto blueberry bread (cake) with almond flour for my husband following the diet. I also baked a gluten-free rye type bread (using caraway seeds, not rye flour) for me. Wowsa! That gluten-free bread is just like the expensive stuff I was buying for $5.99 a loaf at the store! I did not use the olives it called for, and I did not have superfine rice flour; just used the regular. I also subbed out oat flour for the sorghum flour. 

I made a large batch of sweet potato pancakes on Sunday to have on hand for quick breakfasts. 

Today, I made a vegan, gluten free batch of brownies for myself. Nobody else will touch them (because they have a vegan fear). I love the brownies because they are full of fiber, something we all need and probably don't get enough of.

Also today, I planted a 72 cell tray of plant starts - tomatoes, tomatillos, celery, watermelon, a golden melon, bee balm (lemon), and some Pampas and purple fountain grasses for Jeff's bird pens. In the coming weeks, I will begin other plant starts. If all goes to plan and we actually get a warm spring, I will be ready to get some things straight into the garden.

Keeping busy while confined to your own property can be challenging if you aren't used to it. But the alternative is anxiety and a breakdown of mental and spiritual health. It's important to stay positive even in times such as these. 

If you have a prayer request, feel free to leave me a comment. I have found that praying for others is one of the biggest stress relievers for me. Remember that God is ultimately in control. Nothing surprises Him and nothing can overcome Him.

Wishing you health and happiness - and productivity 🙋

Tackle it Tuesday - Catching Up

If you're trying to juggle both career and homemaking, you are not alone. In fact, the Proverbs 31 Woman did it - and she did it well.

These days, I am working a part-time job at the library, working part-time from home as a freelance writer, and - yes - working full-time as a homemaker. To tell you the truth, I'm struggling a little to balance it all out, or to at least balance it so it works smoothly.

This week I've made a vow to quit procrastinating in the area of writing. In the past couple of years, I found that my life was getting busier and busier, so I put off the easily put-off: my freelance career. The result was not more time but was, instead, a frustrated wife and mother who felt that her own desired career was put on hold in order to make everyone else happy and comfortable. You know what a bad thing that was. It made for a crabby wife and mom - one who was letting the seed of resentment creep in. No more, however, as I have been making an hour's writing time a day a priority. Mind you, an hour is not much, but the hours do add up and they come together in a decent finished product. I have had two unfinished novels on hold, both of which I have begun to dig into a bit deeper with a committment to finish them and get them out the door and into the hands of a publisher.

Yesterday, I made a batch of soap and got it "incubating." Tomorrow I will cut it into bars and let it cure for a month. I didn't have any essential oils but I did have a bottle of fragrance/flavor oil in orange cream. I used that in this batch of castille soap and it turned the soap a beautiful yellow with a luscious smell. When one must improvise, she often finds that what she was doing turns out wonderfully.

My garden is, I believe, the victim of cutworm. They have destroyed one tomato plant and one bell pepper plant. Tonight after work I will be collaring my plants with stiff cardboard.

Another project I am working on, and have almost completed, is a book bag to place for sale on Etsy. It's coming out beautifully, in pink and gray. I work on it while I watch a little tv with the family. I really don't watch, but listen while I knit. I guess I sit in the family room in order to spend a bit of time with my husband and children.

Time is time and it is manageable. You just have to make a list of priorities and work on down that list as you can. Don't ever say that you "don't have time" because you really have all of the time there is. The real issue is: How will you manage your time? Hopefully you can answer, "I will manage my time in a way that honors God and my family."

Crafting for Profit

I made the bag in the picture above last year using double strands of yarn and knitting in a reverse stitch. I have since "tested" this bag to see if it would be durable. It has become my Bible and devotional bag. Did it pass the durability test? Absolutely! I am now in the process of making a few more book (or other stuff) bags to put up on my Etsy shop.

Etsy is a good venue for those who want to sell their homemade products. My sister is my Etsy partner and she is currently listing rag rugs that she crochets/weaves together. My friend, Jenn, sells her handmade quilts and other quilting projects on Etsy.

Other crafty people have sold their wares on E-bay or Bidcorral. Others sell at Farmer's markets or craft shows.

Having a home business that specializes in something unique and useful is big right now. Doing one's best to keep busy is vital. Blessings on your own income-earning ventures.

Saturday Scripture Speaks

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." Proverbs 6:6-8 (KJV)

Money and the handling of it is an often talked about topic. We need money to survive in today's world. In Biblical times, people needed it too. The issue is not whether or not we really need currency but, rather, how do we obtain enough to meet our needs? And do we really want "just enough" or more than enough? Why do we want to have a lot of money? I am not lying when I say that I want to build wealth - but my reasons for doing so are honarable (I think). I desperately want to have financial peace AND be free to help others in need. As it stands now, we don't have anything to offer charities or hurting people other than our weekly tithe to the church. That's sad.

I think women have a responsibility to work hard and "earn" for the good of the family. Don't give up on this blog post yet! I'm definitely NOT saying that a wife should seek a job out of the home, though some have done that and it is not unBiblical to do so. What I AM saying is that laziness in the area of finance is bad. As the above Proverb illustrates, failing to work hard to provide for the individual and the family results in disaster.

You and your husband (if you are married) should absolutely make out a budget and firmly resolve to stick to it. Personally speaking, my husband and I are working up a budget plan and excpect to get ourselves out of all debt except for our mortgage within two years.

One way for wives and moms to contribute to the family's financial well-being is the obvious: Earn an income. Some women choose to work away from home full-time or part-time. If that is your choice, do not allow other moms make you feel guilty. On the flip side, you should never - I mean never - make another woman feel guilty because she chooses to stay at home to raise her children. I have been there and felt tremendous pain because other moms said things like, "Haven't you EVER worked before?" Well, duh, I worked harder than a lot of moms for many years as I raised five children, homeschooled all of them, and worked as a freelance writer (and, by the way, I AM published - and for real money too).

Another way women contribute to their family's finances is to do as I did - work from home doing whatever you can to earn extra moola. In the past, I have taken countless internet surveys to earn cash, Amazon.com gift cards, and other perks. They aren't big money makers, but they do add up. I have earned money with this blog by writing sponsored posts (which I only agree to do if the advertiser's product is relevant to my blog). If you go this route, you should only advertise that which does not conflict with your own personal belief system. In my case, that belief system is Christianity. I have been faithful to never accept advertising for something that caused me to cringe as a believer in Christ.

The most important way for the Proverbs 31 Woman to earn money is not really to earn it at all. She should be a great saver - don't spend needlessly. Use coupons as much as you can at the grocery store, but don't buy something you never would normally buy simply because you have, say, a coupon for $0.35 off an expensive brand of toothpaste. If that expensive brand is priced at $3.99, have you saved enough to make it worth it when you normally pay only $1.00 for that tube of Pepsodent? Wisdom is needed to go at couponing seriously. Some folks have gone to couponing classes or seminars. They recommend the classes highly.

Go to garage sales and auctions to find great deals. Dave Ramsey, in his Financial Peace seminars, says you should always bargain at garage sales and estate sales. As for auctions, be careful you don't overbid your firm "price." Again - wisdom. Utilize thrift stores like the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Oftentimes these stores will have half-price sales. Hunt out bargains as if you were a bloodhound.

One of the best ways to save or make money is to have a garden. Raise your own organic fruits and vegetables. Preserve them for winter use by canning, freezing, and dehydrating. The ant stores up for winter and so should you! Also, if you have far more produce than your family can possibly use, consider giving some away to the poor in your community. You can also make cash by selling it at your local farmer's market. A word of caution: Farmer's markets expect you to sell only that which is organic and that you have grown yourself. Follow the rules and you'll be surprised at how much cash you can earn in one summer. Then, if possible, place that money in a savings account - possibly for Christmas or birthday gifts? Perhaps you should just keep it for emergencies.

Keeping to the food theme, making a menu plan each week as well as a shopping list before visiting the grocery store can keep you from making unwise decisions later. A well-organized mom is a thrifty mom. You'd be surprised how much money you save when you're not browsing the stores for whatever sounds good at the time. Store circulars or websites are invaluable in making grocery lists. Match up sales with the coupons you have on hand.

Use Redbox or another rental kiosk for video rentals. Libraries are worth their weight in gold for borrowing books, movies, and books on cd or cassette. Go to the library when you need to use the internet if having internet in your home is not in your current budget. Trade books at Paperback Swap. If you have a blog, you can do book reviews for many publishers via Booksneeze, Net Galley, etc. Do a search for "book reviews for free books online. Many of them offer e-reader books as well as print copies. Amazon.com offers free Kindle downloads every now and then. Insprired Reads alerts people to Christian ones as they become available.

Each woman should prayerfully consider her role in area of family finances. Lift your head high with a smile on your face as you really understand your worth in the circle of loved ones we call family.

Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Oil Review & Giveaway

**This contest is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered. Please watch for other giveaways.**


Boy do I have a giveaway for all of you natural foods folks! Tropical Traditions sent me a quart jar of their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to try and today, I gave it a try. I made a batch of cold process soap and used some of this wonderful oil in the recipe.

Coconut oil is great in soaps because it is natural, vegan, and it causes the soap to lather very well. Because the oil has a lathering ability, I do not have to add any chemicals, such as sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, to do the job. 

When I compared my usual brand of coconut oil (using up the little I had left in the jar) with the Tropical Traditions oil, I was shocked. The spoonfuls I placed on top of my old brand were pure white - I mean sparkling like freshly fallen snow. Or virgin coconut oil. The old brand has a yellowish cast to it. Now, that's not to say that the oil I had been using is a bad one. It's just not a pure and organic oil as Tropical Traditions' oil is.

My soap is now hardening in the mold and it's looking to be great. I can't wait to try this oil in some gluten-free pie crust. I had not thought of using coconut oil in pie crust until I found this recipe. You can find a good deal of recipes using coconut oil on Tropical Traditions' recipes blog at: http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com.

After doing some research, I found that coconut oil is a lot more versatile than I had thought. It can be used in cooking, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, suntan products, body lotion, and more. One time I had asked a lady at our natural foods store for some sweet almond oil. She recommended I did not purchase it because of the extras put in the oil. Instead, she told me, "I always say to only place on your skin that which you can place inside your body." Needless to say, I've remembered that for a long time and use it as a rule of thumb whenever I ponder which oils to buy.

The following video features an interview with Tropical Traditions' CEO. In it, he explains how they discovered virgin coconut oil. 




Now, I suppose you're wondering about the giveaway. I don't blame you. This contest will run from now through next Monday night (November 29, 2010). On Tuesday morning, I will choose a winner via Random.org, who will receive a quart jar of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut oil to try and enjoy for themselves. This contest is open to entrants in the United States and Canada.


In order to enter you must:

• Tell my why you would like to win - do you use it for cooking? for soap making? something else?
• Additionally, you must subscribe to Tropical Traditions' e-newsletter here.  
• Let me know in your initial comment that you have subscribed.
• Please be sure I have your e-mail address (you can spell out "at" and "dot" to confuse spammers) in the comments. I will need that to notify you of your winning status should you be chosen as winner.

 For additional entries (please use separate comments for each entry):

1. Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter.
2. Follow this blog on Blogger.
3. Follow me on Twitter.
4. Blog about this contest.

If you'd like to receive a complimentary copy of The Virgin Coconut Oil Book, please enter "Referred by a friend" and ID# 6682368 when you click here. It's free with your first online order.

 Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Two More Opps

For those of you who are interested in making money online, here are couple that you might find of value.

This looks like an interesting opportunity for those of you who fill out surveys to earn a little extra cash and prizes.

Website Design Services

I have started a new feature on Following 31, showcasing women who follow the Proverbs 31 Woman "model" in one way or another. Among her many accomplishments is creating a home business. If the Proverbs 31 Woman of Biblical days had access to computers, she would surely have a website. Both of the women I've profiled for this feature thus far utilize the internet by making the best use of websites, either already established ones or their own.

One company, website design Ottawa, specializes in SEO and small business website design services. If you're looking for someone to help you create an eye catching, and functional, website at a good price, you may want to check them out.

Note: Joomia Bliss has compensated me for this blog post, but the opinions expressed are my own.

Blast Off into the Business World

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Allison Maslan, author of "Blast Off!". All opinions are 100% mine.

In the world of blogging I come across women, mostly homemakers, who are looking for ways to earn an income for themselves. Many, many women are scrambling from this idea to that one, hoping to find something that works for them. For me, the home business ideas I've had haven't panned out - other than my freelance writing career. And that hasn't been anything huge and life changing.

Last night I was skimming the internet and came across Blast Off!,by Allison Maslan. This is a new book that came out January 19 that I think might reach the bestseller lists, simply because everyone's looking for hope. This book gives hope - and assurance - that starting a successful business is within reach for anyone who is willing to give it a shot.

The people who will be benefit the most from Allison's coaching ability will be those who are just sick and tired of sitting in a dead-end profession, those who have NO profession and are longing to do SOMETHING with their lives, and those who are desperate to pay off all of the bills that have piled up during the recession. Allison says that she ties the dream of finding fulfilling professions with finding fulfilling relationships with other people - "soulmates."

If you're looking for reliable step-by-step advice from someone's who's been there and has proven that her methods work, you might want to check the book out. It's available at Borders, Barnes and Noble, and other major bookstores for $24.00. It's also available on Amazon, for less.

Earn Income with Sponsored Tweets

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Sponsored Tweets. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are lots of creative ways for women to supplement their families' incomes. Some women work outside of the home - part-time or full-time, others make crafty items for sale, and still others make their incomes by creative writing. Then there are those who make their extra cash solely with the internet.

You probably have read plenty of sponsored blog posts (and maybe written some), but did you know that you can now sign up for sponsored tweets? This program is similar to sponsored blogging, but it is done through Twitter. Since Twitter has become a huge craze, it's the perfect venue for advertisers to get the word out about their products or services.

It's easy to join - and to write the tweets and earn money.

You first join the program. Then you name your price, along with a category and some keywords. After that, you simply wait for your offers to arrive.



You don't have to accept any offers of which you don't approve. When you find that you want to write about an offer, accept it and then tweet about it. After 24 hours your account is credited. You are paid when your account reaches a threshold of $50.

Your Twitter account is still fully under your control and nothing is added in beyond what you have written. Keep in mind, also, that Sponsored Tweets adheres to a strict code of ethics.

If you're interested in another way to earn income from the internet, this is one you might like.

This is a sponsored post.

Choose Web Hosts Wisely

It's important to choose all of our products and services wisely, including web hosting. Why? Because it all costs hard-earned money and the Bible makes it clear that we are to use all of our resources - yes, our money too - to God's glory. The Proverbs 31 woman works hard to utilize all of the resources that she has available wisely. She makes clothes, she makes sure that her family is well-fed, and she buys fields and such when she finds good deals.

I am convinced that far too many people squander their earnings over the internet because they don't take the time to research one of the most important services a work-at-home person needs. I am guilty of that but not because I sinfully neglected to research first. I was simply ignorant about the whole process of owning a web site, beginning with how to choose hosting services.

Once you decide that your home business needs a web site, you absolutely must find the best options - at the best prices - to suit your business. Read web hosting reviews at Web Hosting Geeks and pray about your concerns and needs. Read articles like How to Invest in a Domain Name to avoid that ignorance I had. The idea is to make your business more lucrative, not a waste of time and money. It's so great just to have fun at what you do!

Web Hosting Options for Work-at-Home Moms

I've been thinking about all of those mommies and homemakers out there trying to help out with their families' budgets by making and selling products. I tried to make and market soap for a brief moment in time and decided, rather quickly, to forget that route because of a couple (or three) difficulties. I couldn't make it to farmer's markets or craft shows because we're a one car family and my hubby works weekends. Another difficulty was finding a good web host - face it, internet marketing is a huge factor in home businesses these days.

I chose a poor web host because I had limited funds to allot to such an expense. Surfing the internet and trying to research all of the different companies was tedious and I really had other things to do too. As a wife, mom, writer, and homeschool teacher, my time is always spread so thinly that I often just sit and nearly pull out my hair. I said nearly...

Now I know there is a place to turn when looking for good and affordable web hosting. The Web Hosting Geeks take the hard part out of searching for and then comparing services for you. All you need to do is look, compare, and choose the one that best fits your business and pocketbook.

It's so great to be able to sell products from home and accept payment right online, but it can be confusing to set up. Get some E-commerce advice before setting up your shopping cart.

Best wishes for your home business!

E-mail Privacy

E-mail privacy is a topic that I've been pondering lately. There are times when I get or send e-mails with personal information in them and I absolutely do not want that information shared with others. When the e-mails are sent, how easy is it to intercept them? Can others hack into my account and find things that I don't want anyone else to see?

At PrivacyHarbor.com you can get a free e-mail account that is truly private. Your e-mails are encrypted and others are prevented from seeing them as they transmit across the web. You don't have to worry about the company storing your information and tracking your online activity either. Does your current e-mail company respect your personal space?

Another great service to have with an e-mail account is the ability to block spam and viruses from ever reaching your inbox. Have you noticed the huge amount of internet viruses floating around there these days? Having e-mails without anti-virus protection is extremely risky. PrivacyHarbor.com offers anti-virus and anti-spam protection with every e-mail account.

Upgrades are available for as little as $4.95 a month. Choose the right account for your needs when you Get your Free Private Email now at PrivacyHarbor.com.

Green Soap

This soap is so pretty in real life that I wanted to give you a glimpse. The white part on the tops of the bars is usually shaved off; it's from a bit of air getting to the soap as it cools. It doesn't hurt anything. The scent is an orangy-pine scent and is wonderful! I'm hooked on real, homemade soap and don't think I'd go back to detergents unless I absolutely had no other choice. My skin agrees.

New Affiliate Opportunity

Here's exciting news for those interested in affiliate programs. I've just joined the Old Schoolhouse affiliate program (see the magazine cover to the right) and am really excited about the prospects for earning a bit of extra money promoting them. If you're interested in becoming an affiliate too, go here.

The Smell of Ginger & Other Interesting things

My bedroom smells like ginger. That's because I have a box of Ginger & Coriander Soap on top of my dresser. Jeff says the smell is strong and I agree, but it's a nice sort of strong. Hands down, this is the best soap I've made yet. I prefer it over the Apples & Oatmeal soap and that's hard to beat. This soap has bits of coarsely ground coriander, ground ginger, and ground calendula petals in it. I also added a bit of stearic acid and replaced some of the soybean oil with olive oil. The result is a hard bar that lasts, a spicy smell that lasts, and a bar with a scrubbing yet soothing effect. I love it. Nothing's better than using natural products on your skin as well as for food. If you can't eat it, don't put it on your body's largest organ.

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Speaking of skin and food products, I found a little bit of interesting info I thought I'd pass along. This is about ginger, no surprise there. It's been found to help ward off migraines and arthritis pain by blocking prostaglandins. I knew there was a reason I found the ginger soap to be so soothing!

I have mild psoriasis so anything related to that issue catches my eye. The summer sun aggravates my elbows, the area where I have the most problems. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, certain foods can aggravate psoriasis when sunlight is added to the equation. Fennel and celery are two of the most suspect. The herbs St. John's wort and masterwort are also bad at interacting with sunlight to worsen psoriasis symptoms and they also increase risk of sunburns. Now I rarely sunburn and neither do my children but that's not to say it doesn't happen at all. It's best to be informed and be careful.

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Christy has an interesting post concerning natural wart removal. You might want to check that out.

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Since the National Cherry Festival has been going on in Traverse City, I thought I'd share with you a few reasons to eat cherries:

1. Protect your heart
2. Combat cancer
3. End insomnia
4. Slow aging (I have young looking skin and want to keep it!)
5. Shield against Alzheimer's Disease (It's a huge concern in my family; my mom's youngest brother got Alzheimer's when he was still in his 50's)

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I want to share with you one last piece of info that a doctor related. "If all of my patients drank a glass of Metamucil each day, they could cure most of their ailments."

Lucy and Me

As a frugal stay-at-home mom, freelance writer, wanna-be entrepreneur, I found this video clip of an I Love Lucy episode hilarious. You might too. Click on Where's the Beef? on the sidebar.

What a Day

Well, I sure got a lot more accomplished today than I originally thought (or intended!) I'm not sure if it was accidental or not, but I'm pleased.

First off - I made another batch of cold process soap. This time I went with a different combination - slightly. I substituted some olive oil for soybean oil and it seems to be setting up really well already tonight. I bet by tomorrow it'll be a bit difficult to cut into bars. Besides the addition of olive oil, I tried a new spice combo - ground ginger, ground coriander & ground calendula. I also added about an ounce of gingerbread fragrance oil. Tonight the soap is a soft brown color and pretty firm. It's also still pretty warm to the touch.

I began weeding the garden earlier in the afternoon but my neighbor called and asked if I could watch two of her children for a while. I did that, but never got back to the weeding. I guess that's okay. In place of the weeding I got three batches of laundry washed and hung on the line. Later, I took them down and placed them in baskets. They are still in the baskets. Only half done there I guess.

I made homemade fettuccine with ham for supper. There's something about the thick homemade noodles that give a dish a better taste than when it's made with store bought noodles. Anyway, the supper took a little longer than I'd hoped.

In between all of that I counseled my son concerning his personal life. I never thought the day would come when he'd actually ask for my opinion and then really do as I said he should. Is that a sign that he's growing up? Maybe it's a sign that he's dependent on us and NOT growing up? Whatever it is, I was glad that he took my suggestions because I've spent a lot of time in prayer concerning this and I think he even has too.

This brings me to a lesson learned as a parent. It's our job to see that our children know the difference between right and wrong. It's our job to see that they make it to adulthood understanding what the Bible says. If we truly believe that the Bible is true and that God is the God of the Bible, we will want to see our kids learn all about God and what He says in the Bible. We can't expect them to just pick it up on their own through osmosis. We can't expect them to learn it elsewhere. We need to love our kids enough to tell them the truth.

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