First Impressions

You know what they say, "you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression" or something like that : )  Your front door, front porch, front entrance is the first thing people see when they approach your home.  For that reason you need to remember to keep it in tidy, clean and attractive condition.  This is an area I often forget as I go about my homekeeping tasks.  All of a sudden I look down at the welcome mat and it is covered in dust and dry leaves that have blown in from the great beyond.

 



So I make note to myself: check the front porch and take the broom with you!  You only get one chance to make a good impression : ) 

Truth and Wisdom

Proverbs 22:17    Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. * There are three prerequisites for learning truth and wisdom. And they are not listed in any college handbook. You must first humble yourself to admit you are ignorant; you must then stop thinking and talking, so you can be taught by those wiser than you; and then you must love and commit to what you are taught. This process guarantees learning!  * Good notes on this here.

Daily Bread on the Kitchen Counter

It has become a practice of late to keep one of my Bibles on my kitchen island.  It makes it so simple to read a verse here and there as I spend time in the kitchen.  I have read that Ruth Graham (Mrs. Billy Graham) did this when she was busy raising 5 young chlldren with her husband traveling much of the time.    With an empty nest my time is not limited like it was with Mrs. Graham but I simply like doing this and enjoying spiritual nourishment from my kitchen as I go about my day.

Each day I try to read one of the Proverbs (31 days - 31 Proverbs).  Some gems in today's reading:

Proverbs 21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Proverbs 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Proverbs 21:23 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. 
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. 

 

Table Top Tuesday Vignette

Again this week I am linking up with Marty at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com for her Table Top Tuesday Vignettes. 

My pictures are of an oak desk and book shelves that stands in my dining room next to my china hutch.  The desk was a find at our Salvation Army thrift store.  I had spotted the desk while out junking one afternoon and it caught my eye because the oak matches several other pieces I have and I liked the combo desk and shelves.  The next day while in the area with my Precious Husband I told him about the desk and he wanted to know why I didn't get it.  Two answers came quickly to mind - I don't need it and where would I put it anyway.  Precious Husband could tell I did want the desk so off to Salvation Army we went.  Oh, yes I forgot the good part of this story.  The price on the desk was $99 which is a good price for such a piece of furniture around our area.  But still I didn't need a desk and where would I put it?  So I stood in front of the desk at the store and hemmed and hawed.  Finally Precious Husband took the tag and went up to the desk to make the purchase knowing his wife as he does.  Would you believe, unbeknown to me everything was half-price that day and the desk went home with us for $49.50  Wahoooo!

I like the special woodwork detail on the front of the desk.  Precious Husband always answers my question of where would I put it? with, "I know you, if you want it you will find a place for it" and I did : )

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

 

http://free-stock-photos.com/

Linking up with Lisa for Tempt my Tummy Tuesday at  http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/  to share the most wonderful in the world marinade.  I found this recipe at the home of a delightful AZ blogger named Lylah.  Go here for the recipe.  I use it on steak and it is just wonderful.  I go heavy on the garlic cause we love the taste!  

Living in Arizona we grill nearly year round.  Grab a few ingredients and try this marinade -- you won't be disappointed.  Let me know what you think if you try it and I will pass along the yummy reviews to Lylah too.

One Man's Trash Another Man's Treasure

One of my to-do projects is to start a journal and in it write about the "things" around my home.  I often wonder when my kids are around if they look at things and wonder things like: what in the world, wonder why this is so important to Mom, and where did she come up with this?  So I thought in this journal I would just take time and tell what the attraction is about some of my treasures.

My father's rocking chair for instance has been in the family forever handed down from father to son several generations back.  My brother is not sentimental nor was he interested in the chair when Daddy died so Mom gave it to me.  Wish I had been smart enough as a young child to question my Grandmother about it and be able to tell my son just how far back it really goes.  My oldest son was the only grandchild when my Dad passed away.  Jason makes it clear that the chair is his someday.  So I guess in this case it will be handed down from mother to son.

The silverware we use daily has a story too.  When I was a very young girl my Mother's mother was visiting one day and came across a big box filled to over-flowing with Betty Crocker coupons.  Grandma turned to me and said, "Your Mom is never going to do anything with these so let's see about getting silverware for your hope chest."  That is how I came to have My Rose by Onieda silverware.  Now you know.

Maybe if I write things down in the journal the kids will at least read about the item and have a little more information before they pitch it all at the Goodwill when I am gone : ) 

Another benefit of my journal besides enlightening the children and grandchildren is that it is very heart warming to sit down and reminisce over paper all the memories behind the object that makes me smile.

I do need to move this intention closer to the top of my to-do list.

Another Daughter

In my short time as a new blogger you have heard me mention two daughters so far.  Well, there is another daughter that I would like to mention today.  This daughter was born in my heart instead of being carried under it.  When we are out together and she introduces me to someone she introduces me only as "my mom".  We get funny looks after the intro because you see Connie is black, she is African American and I am white with lots of brown polka dots.  She is also almost 4 years older than I am too.  With those two noticeable differences we do get funny looks but that is okay.  We both get a good laugh about it.  Connie truly is the daughter of my heart.

I met Connie about 15 years ago when I had the honor of teaching women in a discipleship program at Church on the Street (COTS) in Phoenix, AZ.  I was the first face she came into contact with when she arrived at the program and somehow we just clicked.  I am so glad we did.  Connie went on to marry a young man that went through the same program and they just celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary.  Together they are a very precious couple.  Connie ministers for the Lord in the work place as a CNA with one of our local hospice organizations and she is very good at what she does.  I am very proud of my daughter!  A week from next Monday is her birthday.   

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday dear Connie

Happy birthday to you!
(I love you lots and lots!)

The link to Church on the Street (COTS) seems to be down right now but in future blogs I want to share more about this amazing ministry and what a blessing it has been in my life.  So stay tuned as they say : )

(edited 4/19 COTS link is good now)

Light in the Window

For as long as I can remember I have had a light burning in my front window.  No one has ever asked about it.  The kids have never said anything nor even our very observant grandchildren.  Maybe they just know that Mémère's light burning in the window means there is lots of love and a warm greeting inside no matter the day or time.  I sure hope so.  More than anything I want our home to be a refuge to any and all.  I hope they know.

My Favorite Meal - Chicken Fingers

When I go out to eat with Precious Husband more than likely I will order Chicken Fingers -- they are just my all time favorites -- well, next to Mexican food at least.

Some time back I discovered Panko bread crumbs and now we have chicken fingers at home almost as good as Chili's (where they serve my very favorite).

Panko crumbs are Japanese bread crumbs and they just are the greatest thing since well, sliced bread of course.  I use them to make wonderful fried fish.  Everything I make comes out picture perfect with the crumbs.  I tell you they are just wonderful.  I have even been known to buy them and give to a friend with the recipe for chicken fingers.  Yep, the friend agreed they are a keeper.

Go pick up some Panko and see for yourself what wonderful chicken fingers you can make for your family.

Table Top Tuesday Vignette

Today I am linking to Marty at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com to join in her Table Top Tuesday feature.  I just recently found some Arizona blogging gals and Marty is one that I have since followed.  She has lots of pretties to see when you visit.

My table top is actually a cutout (one of three) in the wall of our family room.  I usually have a seasonal theme going on in this space and want to share pictures of my spring vignette here with you today.

The picture is not very good but the white ceramic plate with a cover is for serving bread (hidden behind it are a stack of small plates that match on an iron plate holder).  I found this serving piece at Home Goods and loved it.  Later I was visiting Mary and discovered in her pictures that there are several more pieces like this.  So now the hunt is on for the butter server.  Just the butter server and I will be a happy camper.  Not too much to ask is it?  Every so often I stop again at Home Goods in hopes that this piece may show up.  The thing about Home Goods is you never know what you will find.  The fun is definitely in the hunt!  Check out Mary's tea blog for wonderful posts and gorgeous eye candy.  Check here and you will see the object of my recent hunt.

The teapot and matching cup were found at Cracker Barrel several years ago.  I had two cups but one got broke and because it was a good break  : )  it is now part of our guest room decor shown below.

Hope you enjoyed my Table Top Tuesday vignette.  This is so much fun!
 

My Office - My Sanctuary

Self-discipline for me is getting up at 5:30 a.m. and taking my coffee straight to my little office each morning.  The day that starts this way is so much better and I am so much happier with myself when I do it.  Unfortunately this ritual does not take place as consistently as I would like it to.  I am just being honest here.  I do struggle with this particular discipline.

So much for true confession.  Now about my office - my personal sanctuary.  I found this quote today that expresses my feelings about my office perfectly, Jane Austen writes “Her plants, her books…her writing desk…were all within reach…she could scarcely see an object in that room which had not an interesting remembrance connected with it.”

Yes, my office is full of things that make me smile and cause me to reflect and remember and to be encouraged.  On the bookshelves are little things that others probably wonder what in the world? but to me they are very special.  They have a personal story.  My office is full of books.  Bibles and books about Christian living, family, and home.  Books that encourage me in my daily attempts at being a godly woman.  My text books for the career I have desired more than any other.  I am so thankful to be a full time wife and mother -- domestic engineer and domestic warrior of Precious Husband's and my home.

As a side note here, today's proverb I took note of was Proverb 12:4 and it says an excellent wife is a crown to her husband . . .  Yes, I desire to be a crown to my Precious Husband!

Well, I am rambling here I think so I better quit.  I hope you take some time today in your sanctuary and find refreshment for your heart.

Check This Out

Melissa wrote a great blog today at Resting Place. Go check it out -- great post!

http://melissaroddey.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-path-to-life-is-free.html

Joy

Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Nehemiah 8:10b says, “for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Take joy in the Lord. 

There is a difference between happiness and joy.  Happiness is based on what is happening in this moment of time.  Joy on the other hand is that abiding sense that God is in control and all is well or will in the end be well. I take great joy in the fact that my joy is based on God and Who He is and not on my personal circumstances or happenstance. 

Rejoicing is a commandment for the Christian not a choice.  Today I am choosing to obey God’s commandment and rejoice and take joy in the Lord.  

Special Granddaughter with Even More Special Parents

 

This picture is of our precious granddaughter, Ava Dorothy.  Unlike myself our daughter Michelle did not choose to be the mother of a special needs child but she and our special son-in-love, Dallas have handled the challenge with amazing love and grace.  Please go here and read the beautiful post Michelle wrote concerning being the mother of a special needs child.  I am so proud of her! 

Love His Smile!

Yesterday I took Anthony to the dentist.  He needed a couple small fillings and was in the chair more than an hour.  Poor guy, I kept thinking - having to hold your mouth open like that for such long periods of time is hard.  But when I went in to help him from the dentist chair back into his wheelchair he was all smiles and cutting up with the dentist.

The kid amazes me!  Everywhere he goes he wins friends and influences people and mainly it is with that smile and very happy outgoing personality.  Lots of people having a winning smile and lots of people have an outgoing happy personality but you see Anthony has cerebral palsy and what would appear in the natural as a lot of strikes against him.  He is non-ambulatory and non-verbal but that doesn't stop him making an impact on all those around him. 

When Anthony was in preschool I would come into class and meet a new therapist or someone and the first thing they would say to me was, "Oh, you are Anthony's mother!  He has the most beautiful smile in the world!"

Yes, I am Anthony's mother and he makes my heart smile!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Joining Lisa today at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday 
http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/ 

The following recipe I found when Jason was a toddler (we are talking 1972 here) and loved to watch Sesame Street on TV.  The recipe was called Sesame Seed Cookies but we renamed them Sesame Street Balls.  If you like peanut butter you should try these and they are fairly healthy too.

Sesame Street Balls

2/3 cup honey

2/3 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup powdered milk (dry)

1 cup raisins

1/3 cup sesame seed

1 cup chopped peanuts

3 cups bran flakes cereal

Blend honey, peanut butter, and milk together and then add other ingredients.  Form into balls and store in airtight container.

Monday Is A New Day

I know Sunday is the first day of the week but it always seems to me that Monday should be. Monday I start the routine again in my homekeeping and that is exacttly what I am doing today.

Nothing new really to share except maybe that we felt the earthquake yesterday. Precious Husband said he felt dizzy like and wonder what in the world? My clue was that our big grandfather clock began making strange noises (3:44 PM) and when I went over to see the pendulum was swinging front to back instead of side to side! It was clanging against the weights. Wow, weird.

Since I have nothing of value to write about I won't go further except to leave a link to a wonderful Easter blog at http://messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2010/04/good-friday.html

The picture above is of my Double Delight Roses - the first for the season.  They are just gorgeous and smell even better.  Look closely and you can see the precious little Easter eggs that I got on clearance at Michael's the other day.  When I showed them to Precious Husband with such delight he just laughed but it doesn't take much to make this kid happy!!

Have a blessed week.

Routines

I love having weekly consistent routines.  Friday when I get up I automatically know it’s Friday and I pull the sheets off the bed and remind Precious Husband he can throw the towel on the floor cause they are going in the laundry.  No thinking about what needs to be done.  It’s Friday I do the sheets and towels.  Just makes homekeeping easier somehow.

Grandkids will be here for Easter dinner so I have lists to make and things to do.  Looking forward to fun in the back yard looking for eggs and eating what else? Carrot cake : )

This special Friday the sheets and towels are in the laundry but more importantly the knowledge that this day is special and most important.  God gave His ultimate gift of love to me with the crucifixion of His son Jesus this day.  This focal point has been on our calendars a long time but for the Child of God it becomes more important every year as we grow in our love and knowledge of Who He is that gave His life that day.

I am off to continue my Friday routine and because I can do it without thought now it in turn frees this Child of God to put her thoughts on the One who died for me today.

Good Morning!

Good Morning!  It is a gorgeous day here in Arizona.  Went for a walk early this morning and the birds are singing and spring is definitely in full bloom everywhere you look.

As I walked the words to Nicole C. Mullen's song Redeemer kept playing in my mind.  She sings,
Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean you can only come this far?
And who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?

And then further into the song,
Well, I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives . . .

If you aren't familiar with her song look it up in Google and listen to the words.  Such an appropriate song for Easter and everyday!

Since I failed to send Easter cards out please go here for my Easter greeting to you and yours.

Have a blessed day.  And think about it - Who but the Lord God Almighty!

From To-Do to Ta-Da!

Ta-da!  Just rolls off your tongue doesn't it.  But in reality when you use ta-da in the context I am here it actually takes a little effort put out before you can say it.  Have I lost you?  Hang in here with me . . .

Yesterday (Monday) I was sick and actually stayed in bed for most of the day.  Monday you see is my major cleaning day after the weekend with hanging out with Precious Husband and church and all.  So Mondays I get in and hussle.

This morning that dog hair you hear about so often (in my short time of blogging) was really bad after 3 days of neglect!  So doing the floors was first on my to-do list. 

Glad to report that the floors are clean and the laundry is done.  Dinner is planned and some extra cleaning was done in my kitchen.  Yes, extra effort was put out but now I can say:

TA-DA

Oh, I just love saying that!

Monday Humor

When Aunt Jo lived with us we had hospice workers coming in during the week to help me with her shower and other needs.  All the hospice people were delightful and we came to view them practically as family.  

Leona was the chaplain that would come and sing for Aunt Jo and read the Word.  Leona was one of the workers that won my heart.  She was just always so chipper and we usually shared a good laugh before she left along with spiritual encouragement.

On one particular day she came and as we passed my bedroom door on our way to the loft where Aunt Jo was waiting Leona stopped.  She looked in my bedroom and asked me, "Do you make that bed?!"  Well, the question caught my funny bone and I started to laugh.  Well, of course I make the bed everyday I told her.  Then she laughed too and said, "Oh, no that's not what I really meant.  It's just all those pillows - do you make it and have to put all the pillows back on every day?"

Yes, our bed has 8 sleeping pillows covered with 10 bed pillows.  18 pillows is a bit much - but my Precious Husband likes his pillows.  Most mornings when I am making the bed now and putting on the 18 pillows I think of dear Leona and smile.

Best Friends

 

In less than a month I lost my two very best friends.  Friends that I fear will be irreplaceable.  Precious Husband of course is my true best friend but women tend to need that special bond that only comes from sharing with another woman.

I shared earlier about “Aunt Jo” the precious saint that shared our home for the last 8 months of her life.  She was a second mother to me for over 36 years and I miss her dearly.  In better times when she was still living at Sunshine Acres I knew that I could call her up when I had a need and she would always have a quick word of encouragement along with the promise that she would be praying for me. 

Aunt Jo and I shared a love for butterflies.  We agreed that butterflies reminded both of us of the verse in Corinthians that says old things have passed away and behold all things are new for the born again child of God.  When the hospital bed was removed from her room and I once again made the guest room very fru-fru in design I could not resist using lots of butterflies in the mix.  Many of the butterflies are mine but many of hers have been added and I smile when I go in and look around.

Aunt Jo passed away October 25 just days before her 98^th birthday on Halloween.  Two days later I received a call from MaryKay telling me her mother – my dear dear best friend Dolores was full of cancer and not expected to live.  With my Precious Husband’s blessing I boarded the next plane to Lubbock, Texas that afternoon and had the awesome blessing of sitting with Dolores at her bedside all through the night.  I flew back home in the morning because arrangements had to be made for Aunt Jo.

Dolores was 15 years my senior but we had the relationship of sisters.  Because she was older she shared so much wisdom with me concerning being a wife and mother.  Her godly example will forever be etched in my mind.  We laughed together like little girls and we cried together like old ladies with lots of shared burdens.  No one will ever know my heart like Dolores did.

When I arrived at her hospital bed the first thing she said was, “I knew you would come on the first plane when you got the call!”  How glad I am that I could go and sit those precious few hours with my friend.  Our visit was definitely more of a blessing to me that probably to her because that is just the way Dolores was.  She ministered to my heart that night and shared of her great joy in the knowledge that she would soon be with her Lord and Savior and with that knowledge how could she not be at peace she said.  She passed away about 3 weeks later. 

Many years ago when Dolores moved to Texas she asked me if I would like some of her teacups.  She didn’t know how I had just started into my Emilie Barnes teacup obsession and the timing of such a question was just special.  Her cups were the beginning of a wonderful collection for me that graces the walls and shelves in my home.  When she got to Texas she mailed me two metal blue speckled spoons that hang in my kitchen even now.  She said she had 2 more and she wanted us to both have them and when she saw hers she would think of me.  All these years since when I stand at my stove and see the blue spoons hanging on the wall there I think of my friend Dolores and now I miss her terribly.  Beyond a doubt Dolores was a woman that loved the Lord and maybe more importantly was a woman that knew the Lord loved her.

There no doubt will be many more posts about Dolores because there is so much more I want to tell about her.  Much more that needs to be told because by my telling you -- you too will be blessed I know! 

Truly some people leave footprints on our heart and we are never the same.

Out and About Town

Guess this is the week of accompanying others.  Tuesday I didn’t have time to blog because I had to go with Precious Husband for a medical procedure.  Today bright and early I left the house to accompany my friend Monica and her three delightful children to the Phoenix Zoo.  Tomorrow I head to the other side of town and accompany Anthony to the dentist.  For somebody that likes to be at home – this is a lot of going.  How could anyone think that because a woman doesn’t work outside the home she just sits around and eats bon-bons? 

While I am here for this quick post let me share a special verse of encouragement from Psalm 84:11-12: For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.  O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Yellow Bowls

What is up with all the yellow bowls you ask? Memories, sentiment and fun! First the fun. Saturday I got to go antiquing - my most favorite fun thing to do alone. For about three hours I lost myself amidst what some may consider clutter but my heart calls memories and sentiment. I love to see things and wonder what their history is and who it was that loved and cared for them. I love to get ideas to bring home and repurpose something I may already have in my cupboard. Precious Husband does not know how I can go out and come home so excited even when I have not purchased a thing.  Poor guy  just doesn't get it.

Back to the yellow bowls. When I was growing up in the (yikes) 50's and 60's my mother had the four nesting bowls made by Pyrex and she used the large yellow one to make chocolate chip cookies - my dad's favorite. I can still see that bowl heaped to the top with dough that was quite hard to mix by the time the chips and nuts were added. So that is where the memory comes in - remembering my own childhood and the yellow bowl. Now I have a set of those same Pyrex bowls and I too make chocolate chip cookies in the big yellow bowl for my kids and more recently for my grandkids. With Tristan my first grandson I would stand him on the little oak (child's) chair up to the counter and while we made cookies I would tell him about my mom making cookies in a bowl just like this one. When Tristan would come for a visit I would ask him if he wanted to get the yellow bowl out and make cookies. His answer was always the same, "Yes!  I'll go get my cookin' chair Mémère!"

For sentimental reasons and to add to the memories I decided to seek out more yellow Pyrex bowls so I could give each grandchild one of his or her own. Tristan, being the first born grandchild already has his bowl and we get it down and make chocolate chip cookies every time I go to Kentucky to visit.

A year or so ago I found one more bowl and then this weekend I found two more. So I am well on my way to having a bowl for each grandchild.

I have a tract published by the Tract League of Grand Rapids MI and I am showing you a couple of pictures here because it has the yellow bowl pictured on it. Looks just like the 50's doesn't it?  Let me share the recipe here with you too that is in the tract:

Recipe for Thanksgiving:
Two Teaspoons of Trust  (Matthew 11:28-30)
One Cup of Contentment (Philippians 4:11,12)
Three Tablespoons of Gratitude (Colossians 1:12-14)
One Teaspoon of Faith (John 3:16,17)

Good recipe to keep in the family cookbook for sure!

So yes, I had a wonderful time antiquing and adding to the memories, sentiment and fun!  Hope you had a good weekend too.

Fill My Cup, Lord

 

One of my all time favorite authors has to be Emilie Barnes.  (Side note is that she is the only author I have ever attempted to communicate with and I was so impressed when she responded with a hand written note.  How neat is that?)

I totally attribute to Emilie my special fondness for teacups and in a later post I want to share about my dearest friend Dolores who started my teacup collection.  Dolores is the epitome of what Emilie Barnes writes about in her books.

Today I want to share a portion of one of Emilie Barnes' books,  Fill My Cup, Lord. . . with the Peace of Your Presence.  This portion comes from chapter one entitled A Word For Thirsty Souls and is based on Psalm 23:1  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Whatever your circumstances, you, too, can hold up your cup and it will be filled.

If your cup is polished and dry hold it out for the Lord's plentiful pouring.

If your cup is full of the old and the unsatisfying, hold it up for the Lord's cleansing.

If your cup is cracked and broken, hold it up anyway, for the Lord's resources are plentiful and can keep even leaky cups replenished.

Come to him as you are, cup in hand, and hold it up to receive his blessings.

And then you will say, as I have said over and over again in wonder and amazement—

"Surely . . . my cup runneth over."

I need my cup filled everyday, some days certainly more than others.  May we lift our cups to the Lord today and join Emilie in saying, "Surely . . . my cup runneth over."

Later Today . . .

Wow, let there be light!  What a difference a little chasing of the dust bunnies makes.  Can't tell you how long I have looked at this chandelier and thought how badly it needed to have those glass chimneys taken down and washed.  And my beloved teacups make me smile even bigger now.

"To Do" to "Ta Da" feels very good : )

Dust Bunnies

My very very very least favorite homekeeping practice is dusting. Not sure why, maybe cause that dust will be right back by evening. But then the sink will have dirty dishes again tonight and the hamper will continue to fill with laundry - those things don't make me dislike doing dishes or laundry. Truth be told, I think I dislike dusting because I have so many little objects that make me smile in my home and it takes patience dusting them. Well, those objects are quite covered with dust and I told Precious Husband this morning that I just have to face it and "get 'er done".

So I have had some quiet time in my office reading the Word and enjoying another cup of coffee and now after writing this blog I must go face the dust bunnies : )

Before I quit I want to share a quote with you for the day:

"Remember we live life one day at a time...
yet we are living for eternity in that one day."

-- Elizabeth George

My Famous Muffins

When the Lord gave me my first son, Jason more than anything I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom.  Being a single woman I had to make a living for us though and the Lord made that possible by taking me to Sunshine Arcres Children's Home.  While there I adopted my second son, Anthony and two years later I met the man who would become my Precious Husband.

During my years at "The Acres" I would often invite some of the other single ladies and grandmas on the place over for coffee and muffins.  Today I am sharing a recipe that has been around for years but worth repeating here.  Grandma Merle was the grandmother of Judy Dingman who was the founders of "The Acres" daughter-in-law.  Are you still with me : )  Anyway, Grandma Merle would always say, "Oh boy, we get to go to Dorothy's for her famous muffins!"   Such special memories I have of all the people and especially the children of Sunshine Acres.

Dorothy's Famous Muffins

(Better known as 6 Week Muffins)

5 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups boiling water
2 cups All Bran Cereal
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
4 eggs, beaten well
1 quart buttermilk
4 cups All Bran Cereal
2 cups raisins

Mix 2 cups All Bran with boiling water and set aside.  In large bowl with lid mix margarine and sugar and add eggs, beating well.  Combine dry ingredients and mix in.  Add buttermilk and the other 4 cups All Bran along with wet All Bran.  Mix well and stir in raisins.  Bake 20 minutes in greased muffin tins at 400’.  This mix keeps in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.  Make as many or as few at a time as you want to.

Try this recipe out and invite a neighbor that needs a lift.  In no time people will be talking about your "famous muffins" too.

Channels of His Grace

We crawl into bed each night and inevitably the same question passes between us. "Whatcha' doin' tomorrow -- what part of the valley will you be in?" I ask Precious Husband. His answer is always the same, "Service calls" and I always come back with, "Where?" I pretty much know what he will do each day but I do like to know where he will be.

Then he asks the same question of me, "How about you, what are your plans?" I like to think I am doing service too but Precious Husband doesn't have to ask where. He knows I will be happily at home.

Often he asks if I don't get tired of the same old jobs everyday. I really don't because they represent my love and service to my family. I like what Anne Orlund has to say about what may appear as the mundane here in this quote:
"In all the little daily patterns of the home -- the laundry going into the same hamper, the sweaters going into the same drawer, the hair getting washed and the shoes polished on Saturday nights -- God is at work. He delights to glorify Himself in the commonplace . . . He made our little chores channels of His grace." -- Anne Ortlund

She watches over the affairs of her household and
does not eat the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 31:27

Follow this link for some great encouragement along this same line

http://www.incourage.me/2010/01/setting-the-stage.html

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I have read online several places about making my own laundry soap so I gave it a try several months ago and have not gone back to Tide since.  Because I am doing this blog with my daughters in mind thought I would post my recipe and how I go about making it.




I grate 3 bars of Kirk's Castile Soap with a cheese grater  then whirl it in the food processor till it becomes the size of rock salt (small as possible).  To this I add 1 1/2 cups of Borax and 3 cups of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (not baking soda).  All these products can be found at Fry's or Walmart.  Mix all together and store in container of choice.  You know me, I had to put mine in a cute little chippy vintage enamel pot with a lid.  I use 2 tablespoons per load of laundry.  When I do my whites I usually add some Oxyclean too.  My clothes are clean, fresh smelling and soft.  This recipe makes enough for about 51 loads.  Making my own laundry detergent is one of the things I enjoy doing as I watch over the affairs of my household