7/15/10
Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free
the lies.... His WORD.
3/21/10
Cooking Tip #1
This helps save TONS of time. If you didn't plan or stick to the plan you made, you can pull out the already cooked meat and quickly make a simple meal.
3/19/10
Menu Planning
Here is how I menu plan:
1. I make a list of all of our favorite meals:
spaghetti
tacos
chef salad
salad pizza
stuffed baked potatoes
BLT pizza
pasta salad
grilled shrimp
grilled chicken teriyaki
egg rolls
grilled hamburgers
pecan crusted tilapia
shrimp linguine
garlic shrimp
fajitas
chicken or beef enchiladas
taco salad
meatball subs
BBQ chicken salad
Italian Bread Salad
broccoli macaroni and cheese
homemade chicken nuggets
That is a list of 22 meals.
2. Then I take a blank calendar (our realtor sends us one every year that sticks on the side of our fridge) and I fill in the days of the month with this list. I take into account what days we have commitments near dinner time and I'll plan an easy to prepare meal or leftovers for that night. I look at any days where we might be going somewhere else for dinner and if there aren't any then I build in a few "take out nights" or frozen pizza nights or breakfast for dinner nights. I make sure to not eat any one food type several days in a row. I also try to space out the foods that my kids don't love.
Now I have a month of meals planned! It takes me an hour to write it all in and then write my first week's grocery list and I'm saving myself money, time and discouragement! YAY!
What are some of your family's favorite meals?
3/16/10
A word of encouragement
I just wanted to encourage all of you that have children in your home to teach them how to cook, clean, sew, garden, build, repair and all other skills that you know. It is hard to teach children sometimes. It requires patience and repeated practice before they master a skill that you mastered a long time ago and can do in your sleep. I can be tempted to think " I don't have time to teach that today, we're in a hurry" or " I just want some peace and quiet, I've taught all day, I just don't feel like teaching anything else today." Time flies by as you all well know, and before you know it that eager learner will have grown up and left your home. It will BLESS you beyond belief when your child takes over a task that you used to have to do and does it well. As I type, my 13 year old daughter is making cookies for a co op that I'm teaching tomorrow. It's late, I'm wiped out and I was going to scrap my cookie plans and do something else, when she eagerly offered to cook them because she LOVES to cook. I've spent years teaching her how to cook and how to clean up after herself and now I'm reaping what I've sown. Those early years of having her just pour in the flour or just stirring the batter progressed into teaching her "cooking language", reading recipes, planning menus and cooking the whole thing from start to finish and I don't even have to be in the room! What a blessing! So..... I encourage all of you to teach your children any life skills that you have mastered and also ask family members and friends to teach your children their skills/hobbies.
3/11/10
CALLED
I'm prone to take my salvation for granted, even though I was saved only 7 years ago. I'm prone to be grumpy at times, discontent (see other post on that subject) (and then this one) and frustrated/stressed. I love Jesus and I try to follow His paths for my life, I teach my kids about Him, I spend time with Him daily, (some days I'm praying for His grace minute by minute), but I don't live in the truth that without His love and calling I'd be wallowing in sin without hope! (Remember, just because we are saved doesn't mean we are without sin.... oh no, I have a fresh awareness of my sins daily!) I know what He saved me from, I know that He has been working in me, changing me from the inside out. I don't want to be back from where I came! So I should be joyful, grateful, exuberant! Yet I struggle......
I want to be GRATEFUL, I want to be JOYFUL, I want to be fully aware every day of what Jesus did for me. Why He died for me, why He loved me, why He called me.
If you are struggling, or if you are aware of but not living in the truth of Jesus' sacrificial love for you, or if you are discontent or joyless, I encourage you to open your Bible and read one of the least known books in it... Jude. For some excellent teaching on this, I found this podcast from the amazingly gifted speaker/author/pastor CJ Mahaney and it resonated deep in my heart and soul and has taught me some foundational truths. You may already know all of these, but I promise it will awaken your soul and make you newly grateful for your salvation.
*** once you click on my link to the podcast list, click on "CALLED". You can listen to it here on your computer or you can download it to your Ipod from Itunes for free. There is also a 2nd message in this series called "CONTEND" which is right above "CALLED".
3/8/10
Creative Easter Activities and Printables
It's ALIVE!!!!!
I went through my blog yesterday and erased all of the kids pictures and posts with the kids pictures and then this morning I see that everyone got an email from my blog. Interesting!
Several friends and my hubby suggested that I keep the blog going and just take the kids pics off. I'm still praying about it. So, you'll either start getting NEW posts from me or I'll just quietly disappear off the blog radar.
Have a blessed day!
2/14/10
Another Christian Radio Station
2/12/10
The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz
Mrs. Cote is a wonderful speaker and her love for Jesus and scriptures is evident in her writing and in her presentations. (She goes around the country promoting writing by giving writing workshops to children. We were blessed to attend one of these workshops last year.) She has a neat way of looking at Bible stories in a new way.... for instance in the first book The Ark, the Reed and the Firecloud she paints a picture of what the journey would have been like for all of the animals that boarded Noah's ark. How did God get them there? How did the polar bears survive on the ark for all that time away from their natural habitat of ice and snow? How did all of the animals co-exist for all that time? These are questions I've never thought to ask before and Mrs. Cote presents her ideas on those questions in humorous and very creative ways. This book kept us in giggles and her main characters (Max, a Scottish terrier and Liz, a black cat) became very dear to us in a very short time!
The second book The Dreamer, The Schemer and The Robe is about the life of Joseph with the multicolor robe. It takes place in Egypt and is teaching all of us more about faith and having an attitude of obedience to God no matter what the circumstances.
These books make the Bible stories come alive in new ways and I highly recommend them! Here is Jenny L. Cote's blog so you can learn about her and her upcoming books in this fantastic series!
2/8/10
One of my favorite homeschool blogs!
I have a great homeschool blog for you all...it's called Delightful Learning and it is full of great ideas! She has posts on nature journaling, survival / living off the land, tot school, challenges for your older kids where they create things using her rules and household items, and a new section called "Little Scientist " where she will post scientific experiments and directions to be used with lower elementary kids. She has all kinds of great stuff on there!!!
Check it out by clicking on the name above or by clicking on her button on my blog's sidebar.
2/7/10
Chicken Taco Soup
Chicken Taco Soup
1/2 lb. cooked chicken (cut into cubes or shredded)
28 oz. chicken broth
1 cup salsa
1 cup frozen corn
* I add black beans and sometimes cooked rice
Toppings:
1 cup cheddar cheese
tortilla chips (strips or crumbled)
sour cream
Mix all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil and then lower heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes (until corn is soft)
YIELD: 4 servings
2/6/10
Being Real
I need to remember that whenever I read somebody else's blog that I am only seeing what they have put out there for me to see. I don't see the hard days, the messes, the sin, the ugliness that happens in life sometimes, the REALITY.
I need to not compare my life to their life. This has to do with being content with my life, my children, my circumstances. God gave me my life, my home, my children, my marriage, my body etc. and I need to be content! When I start doubting the choices I make, or the abilities of my children or comparing myself to others, I am doomed! I only need to compare to God's standard for my life and God's truth...nothing else. But it is definitely a struggle!
So....what you see on MY blog is only what I want you to see.... you don't see the mess, the yuk, the majority of days when my toddler says "No, Mommy, No" when I pull out tot school stuff, when the only art my kids have done in a year is 2 paintings, when we are all wallowing in sinful disrespect, disobedience and selfishness and when my biscuits turn out like hockey pucks! I don't have all the answers, I'm not super mom, I don't have a clean house every day, I don't have perfect kids or a perfect husband (well, he is pretty darn close to perfect :) ).... I am struggling right along with everyone else, just trying to follow Jesus as closely as I can and seeking His guidance, because I trust HIM and love HIM and know that HE has all the answers, so I have faith in HIM, not myself.
Each day is one step at a time....I am thankful for my crazy, busy, imperfect life! I am thankful for my friends and family and mostly thankful for Jesus, for saving my ugly, sinful self and for creating a new Pam, better than before, and growing!
1/30/10
What is God calling you to do?
The most amazing times of my life have been when I sought God's will for my life and then OBEYED. It's not enough to just know what God wants you to do, you have to act on it! Those times have been SCARY, they have been HARD, they have been LONELY as I go against the world or against family or friends or against the "norm", but they have been AMAZING and God has used those times to bless me ABUNDANTLY!! Those times that I stepped out in faith are the times that I have grown the most and learned the most. When I am following God's plans for my life I feel so close to God and they are treasured times! So...what does God have planned for you? A new job, a new church, a surgery, quitting a job, having children, adopting a child, moving, homeschooling, starting a new ministry, befriending someone, or changing your life in some drastic way? God is in control and God is way bigger than whatever you are worried about! Step out in faith and trust HIM who knows the beginning, middle and end of your life story.
Listen to Life 101.9 online (Great Christian radio station)
1/27/10
Prepared Pantry
The recipe is easy to make.
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2. With a pastry knife, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it is granular in appearance.
3. Mix the sour cream, egg yolk, and extract together in a small bowl. Make a depression in the dry ingredients and add the liquid mixture and the cherries. Stir with a spatula until moistened. (Note: If the fruit was not completely drained, the dough may be too wet. If so, add more flour as needed.)
4. Dust the countertop with flour and turn the dough out. Pat the dough into a disk about 12 inches in diameter. Cut the disk into wedges and place them on an ungreased baking sheet with room around them to expand.
5. Bake for 12 minutes or until they are golden. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Drizzle with glaze. Serve while still warm.
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Milk
**I changed the almond extract in the batter to 1 tsp. and I used 3/4cup of wheat flour and 1 1/4 cup of white flour
***Also, if your cherries are chewy and the texture of raisins you don't need to soak them. (At least I don't!)
1/26/10
Beautiful Girlhood
1/21/10
2010 Winter Olympics SCIENCE videos
Here is the link http://www.nbclearn.com/portal/site/learn
Hope you enjoy!
1/19/10
2010 Winter Olympics Lapbooks
Here is the link to one of the Winter Olympics lapbooks: http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=33616&affiliate_id=39331&src=hblaplessolympic%20&it=1
1/18/10
One of My Favorite Blogs
She posted something the other day about priorities and how we moms can feel overwhelmed and try to do everything....here is the link to her blog and that specific post called "Plate Spinning"
http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/2010/01/plate-spinning-101.html
Just wanted to share it with you .....
Chocolate Chip Scones
Chocolate Chip Scones
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, diced
- 1 teaspoon (packed) grated lemon peel
- 3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup chilled buttermilk
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Milk (for glaze)
Preparation
Butter and flour baking sheet. Sift 2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into large bowl. Add butter and lemon peel; rub in with fingertips until butter is reduced to size of rice grains. Mix in chocolate chips. Whisk buttermilk, egg yolk and vanilla in small bowl to blend. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients; mix until dough comes together in moist clumps. Gather dough into ball. Press dough out on lightly floured surface to 8-inch round; cut round into 6 wedges. Transfer wedges to prepared baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Preheat oven to 400°. Brush scones lightly with milk; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake until scones are crusty on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Serve warm. Yield: 6 scones
1/17/10
One of My Favorite Blogs
The author has taught me all kinds of neat things to do with "B", how to organize school stuff, what "Tot Trays" are and she has some neat project packs and lapbooks on her site too. Of all the blogs that I have looked at so far, hers has inspired me and taught me the most! THANK YOU Carisa!
1/15/10
Fighting Discontentment Part 2
God is good all of the time. I don't know what God knows, I don't understand why I have or don't have certain things. I don't have to know; God knows. I just need to pray to see it! I need to pray to be content and rest in HIM in all circumstances . I need to pray to trust God and His love for me. I need to pray for the Truth of God's character to soak into my stubborn, prideful heart and brain!
I'm so grateful that God has mercy and grace and forgiveness for us!
Fighting Discontentment
I don't feel this way every day but any day is wrong. I am blessed beyond measure yet my sinful self absorbed self speaks lies into my heart and head. I want to be grateful, I want to be peaceful and I want to be CONTENT! One of the scriptures that I need to meditate on and pray every day is this... "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
And this is another of those life verses that I hang onto... "And we know, that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
I need to rest in this truth... that God is sovereign and He knows what is best for me at any and all times! He sees the big picture, the past, present and future and knows exactly what I need! So, if I don't have this or that, if I'm not invited to this or that or I'm asked to do something that I don't particularly want to do.... I need to trust in GOD and not in my self!
I saw this quote on a friend's Facebook page.... "Unerring wisdom ordained your lot and selected for you the safest and best condition. Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances. Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has ordained all things for your good." Charles Spurgeon
1/13/10
GO FISH
Click on this post's title (GO FISH) and it will take you to their website. You can also find them on YouTube and at Amazon and Itunes.
1/10/10
Christmas Cards
So, if you sent us a card this Christmas, you are and will be prayed for several times this year! And, if you are late and haven't sent your Christmas card yet, no worries, send a New Year's card and we'll pray for you! :)
1/9/10
SNOW
I have always loved snow. I remember when I was a little girl in first grade I got in trouble for getting out of my seat in class and running to the window to watch the snow coming down. I have a dear friend who went to NY at Christmas one time and brought me back some snow in a ziploc bag. (Of course by the time it got to me it was ice in a bag, but the thought was there!:) ) Snow is a rare occasion around here...but when we get it, watch out! I get really giddy inside!
The other day we had snow and "G" said, "Mom, look how clean and sparkly and fresh and white everything is!" "It's so pretty!"
She was right and that's how Jesus makes us! He takes our dirty, messy, sinful selves and washes us clean and makes us sparkly and pretty and new!
Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
THANK YOU JESUS!
Bulk Cooking
1/8/10
Great Turkey and Wild Rice Soup!
Ingredients
* 2/3 cup uncooked wild rice
* 2 cups water
*
* 6 tablespoons butter
* 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
* 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
* 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
* 4 cups turkey broth
* 1/3 cup shredded carrot
* 2 cups chopped cooked turkey
* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
* 1/4 cup chopped slivered almonds **** I left these out****
* 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
* 3/4 cup half-and-half cream
*** I added 2 tsp. of chicken bouillon
Directions
1. Bring the wild rice and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender but not mushy, 40 to 45 minutes. Drain off any excess liquid, fluff the rice with a fork, and cook uncovered 5 minutes more. Set the cooked rice aside.
2. Melt the butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion and celery until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, and cook until it turns a pale yellowish-brown color, 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in the turkey stock until no lumps of flour remain. Stir in the carrot. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook, whisking constantly, until the stock is thick and smooth and the carrot is tender, about 2 more minutes.
3. Stir in the wild rice, turkey, salt, pepper, and almonds. Return to a simmer, and cook 2 more minutes to heat the ingredients. Stir in the lemon juice and half-and-half; bring the soup almost to a boil, and serve hot.
Nutritional Information open nutritional information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 232 | Total Fat: 13.5g | Cholesterol: 61mg
Welcome!
So, I am going to try to blog as often as possible until God tells me it's time to quit!
I will warn you though...I really have no clue how to make my blog work as nicely as some of the others with signature lines and links etc. But I'm going to learn! Oh yeah, that's another benefit of this 4) I am trying desperately to learn technology so that I can stay "in tune" with my kids! They are leaving us behind, friends!
joy to you,
Pam
Blog Archive
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2010
(29)
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January
(17)
- What is God calling you to do?
- Listen to Life 101.9 online (Great Christian radi...
- Prepared Pantry
- Beautiful Girlhood
- 2010 Winter Olympics SCIENCE videos
- 2010 Winter Olympics Lapbooks
- One of My Favorite Blogs
- Chocolate Chip Scones
- One of My Favorite Blogs
- Fighting Discontentment Part 2
- Fighting Discontentment
- GO FISH
- Christmas Cards
- SNOW
- Bulk Cooking
- Great Turkey and Wild Rice Soup!
- Welcome!
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January
(17)
Curriculum We Use
- Picture This! (Bible curriculum)
- How Great Thou Art (Feed My Sheep)
- Vocabulary for the College Bound Student
- Wordly Wise (Grade 5)
- Easy Grammar (Grades 5-6)
- Story of the World Book 1: Ancients
- Notgrass World History
- Perplexors Logic Puzzles
- IEW
- Tell Me More Foreign Language (FRENCH)
- Spelling Power
- Apologia Exploring Creation Through Anatomy
- Apologia Exploring Creation Through Biology
- Saxon Math
- Horizons Math