2/26/10

Scripture Time

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:22-24






He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Proverbs 28:18-20



Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
John 6:26-28




Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
John 6:28-30


Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
Colossians 3:22-24

2/25/10

Swagbucks

Check this out! This is great. I'm going to be lazy and link up to Sarah who has a great post all written out! Thanks Sarah!

More...

I've been spending more time researching plastics and options, probably too much time! I came across this blog over the weekend. I think Beth has some good ideas and info. One thing I was curious about was bread storage, well she had a post all about it. I was sure I was going to have to buy a breadbox for $35-50, (or more) and that still didn't take care of my freezing problem. After reading this post I realized that I just have to find a few popcorn tins. Of course, I'm not sure how easy this will be.... =) (She suggests looking at thrift stores!)
I was reading through the comments and came across this post on bread bags. I'm planning on trying this out too. I will keep you posted if I am able to try it.

*Thanks Sarah and Shannon for all your ideas! I know this is a journey and with all journeys you have to make some decisions. I think in the past few months I've already made a lot of strides in this journey, but still have a lot I can do! I love hearing what others do, because for me it helps me brainstorm. I personally feel like with stores...less is more. The more I can make the less I buy! Which I think is (normally) healthier too!

Scratch....

Sarah is hosting a "from scratch" segment. What do you make from scratch? If you've never tried it, I encourage you too. It's easy and it tastes so much better.
I've been baking my own bread for around 7 years. I had no clue what I was doing when I started, but I have come a LONG way. If I can do it, so can you!
This week I made this pie from scratch. It was yummy! I also made this bread. (I changed it to whole wheat) I think this will now be our bread recipe! It was awesome!
I think my favorite thing I made this week were these rolls. Oh my they were....... PERFECT! I will be making them again!






Go visit Sarah and share what you made from scratch this week!

2/24/10

Food...

Sarah has a great post about the cost of food and stocking up. Gardening season is right around the corner. She has some good ideas for us, go check it out!

Scripture Time

John 13:34
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.





Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.




1 John 4:19-21

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.



Hebrews 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

2/23/10

Oops

I just found out that some of my text is not coming through. I found out some of the words are black and you can't see them. Different computers are seeing different things. =) All of my text is white on mine, so I'm going to work on it. If anyone has any helpful hints I'd appreciate it, cause I'm clueless!
Sorry for any inconvenience!

I'm so excited!

My family is looking into getting honey this spring. I think we are all really excited. We have been doing some experimenting with cooking with honey, so far we are very pleased with what we've found.


I made this , using honey! I think we all thought it was very good!
Here is how I did it.....
This is my pie crust, I used 100% whole wheat flour. (and yes I know my crust skilz could use some work, I'm teachable!)



I took 3/4 cup honey,6 Tbl. cornstarch, and between 1-1.5 cups of water. I followed the directions here and let it get thick and bubbly. I continued to follow the directions. Here are some changes I made.... I added only 2 Tbl. of butter, 1 tsp. vinegar and no lemon extract. I kept the lemon juice the same.

The next time I make this I will use 1/2 cup of honey, and add a little more lemon juice.

Meringue recipe: 3 egg whites, 2 Tbl. sugar, 1tsp. vanilla

Scripture Time

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58


All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved
Matthew 10:22


Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
Philippians 1:26-28


So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
2 Thessalonians 2:14-16


But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:12-14

2/22/10

Plastic....To use or not to use, that is the question?


I've been reading up on plastic. I would love to stop using it all together, or at the very least cut it WAY back. I have a few questions that I'm hoping some of you wise folks can help me with.


We have some food items that I don't see how to get around using plastic for. We buy cheese in bulk (because it's cheaper) and then shred it. Once it's shredded we put it in plastic bags and freeze it. I'm wondering could I put it in pint or quart jars? Does anyone know? That would at least cut the plastic way down.

We also eat meat. (a lot of the people I've read about doing this don't eat meat or not much at all.) We buy around 50 lbs of beef a few times a year. It comes packed in plastic and then wrapped in paper. Do I have an option to avoid the plastic?

I make my own breads, I put my baked breads into plastic bags..........


Do you all see where I'm going?????? I'm wondering if for me this has to be a situation that I try to cut back when and where I can.......I'm hoping you will all have some great advice for me! Let me hear it!

Memory Monday



Proverbs 15:9
The LORD detests the way of the wicked
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

2/18/10

Self-sufficient

I've had the desire to be self sufficient for years. I have one main problem.....I live in a subdivision. It's difficult, but I do try. I am lucky that my parents have 7 acres. They along w/ my brother and sil are wanting to be more self sufficient. Because of that I'm able help them out when/where I can and still reap the benefits.
For anyone who wants to be self sufficient I strongly recommend reading this blog. I've found them very inspiring. Tell me what you think.....


I know I've been missing all week, I'm working on a new look for my blog. I'm hoping to have it up soon!

2/14/10

Memory Monday



This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10

2/12/10

I Love how this turned out.......

This idea was inspired by this blog. (which I just love by the way!) I'm very happy with how it turned out! If you want to know how it was made let me know. Thanks Shawn and Dad for making it! (and the chalkboard too!!)


I'm working on matching magnets, or strips of magnetic adhesive, or something.......

Scripture Time

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31: 11-12


Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth
for your love is more delightful than wine

Song of Solomon 1:2

My lover is mine and I am his;
Song of Solomon 2:16a

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a


I decided to share some verses on LOVE........Ahhhhh, love.! I'm so thankful that I have Mark. I'm thankful that God created marriage and love. I'm thankful that God put us together. We don't have a perfect relationship, we have ups and downs. But in our 10 years of marriage we've grown separately and more importantly we've grown together. I can't imagine my life with out him. He is my mate for life, he brings me so much joy. Thank you for loving me completely even though I'm imperfect! I love you Mark!
Thanks Jeanne for the picture!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentines Day!

2/10/10

Pretzels

Here is the recipe I used. The only change I made was I added 1.5 cups whole wheat flour. I didn't add the kosher salt either. When I got mine out of the oven I put them on a cooling rack. I had 2 Tbl. melted butter I lightly brushed on. (I put my cookie sheet under the rack, that way any excess could run off.)



12 pieces of dough soon to become pretzels.


Here's a little video of Zeke making them. (So easy a 5 year old can do it!)

*hint* The thinner and longer the rope the prettier they will turn out.

video





Ready to go in the oven.

When the pretzels came out of the oven we used these yummy dips to dip into. (You could also make cinnamon sugar pretzels.)

Does this all make sense? If you have any questions please ask! I feel like my brain is only in partial working order today!

This has nothing to do w/ pretzels, but I just loved his "outfit"! He was ready to go in the snow 1st thing this morning!

Lunch....



Recipe and tutorial coming soon......

Scripture Time

For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

1 Peter 3:10-12

2/9/10

Do you want to be LOVED??????????????????

I can make that happen!!!!!!! Do you believe me?? You should, you know! (I hardly ever lie)


Are you ready to find out how??? It's really simple!



Here is all you need to be loved, these 4 simple things:
Cinnamon Butter
Here is how to make it.
This is the original recipe. For us the honey was too strong so......
I made some adjustments, here is my recipe:
1/4 cup butter (half stick)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/8 cup honey*
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
You want the butter to be room temperature/softened. Just mix everything together. I do mine in a bowl with a fork.
*I don't have an 1/8 cup measuring cup, so what I did was squeezed my honey out for 7 seconds. (yes I know I'm weird!!) I think it's probably less than 1/8 cup. So you may want to use less and then add a little more if you need/want it. Enjoy all the LOVE, you deserve it!!
Obviously you can adjust the quantity of the recipe to make more.
I use real butter, cause I think it's healthier than margarine.
Slathered on a fresh piece of bread!
Someone inhaling it! They all came back for seconds!

Scripture Time

Then Job replied to the LORD :
"I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.

You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.

"You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.'

My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.

Job 42:1-5

2/8/10

Stay tuned for some YUMMY recipes, coming soon! You won't regret it!

Memory Monday






Be joyful always
1 Thessalonians 5:16

2/3/10

Stromboli

Dough:
1 Tbl. yeast
1 1/3 warm water
1/4 oil
1/2 tsp. salt
4-5 cups flour.
Mix together til a soft dough forms. Let rise for about 45 minutes. Divide the dough in half.
Filling:
3 Tbl. mustard
12 slices American cheese
12 slices hard salami
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef (browned and drained)
1/2 pound thin sliced cooked ham
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
oil
oregano to taste
Bake @ 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool before cutting into thin slices. According to recipe these freeze well!


Here is our dough

Here it is after I rolled it out on the counter, on the cookie sheet.

Here it is AFTER I reread the directions! (yeah, I'm that kind of cook!) =) You will need 2 cookie sheets!


Here is where we change the filling. My kiddos do not like mustard so we use pizza sauce. I didn't measure 3 tablespoons I just spread some down the middle.




Next comes the toppings: we use pepperoni instead of salami, we also used ground sausage instead of beef. (and ham too)




Next comes cheese. I used mozzarella and cheddar.
I personally love getting my kids involved in the kitchen. Yeah it might make a little more mess, but I think it's fun for all of us. At this house often times they start getting the crankies around supper, this generally helps! They feel useful, they are learning cooking basics, and having fun.
Next step is a fun one!!! You cut slits down both sides.
Option: The recipe tells you to spread dough into a 15x12 rectangle. Load up one side of the dough with toppings and fold over the remaining dough, then seal the edges.
When my mom made Stromboli growing up she always cut the slits, that is why I do it this way, plus I think it looks so much prettier!
Then you start overlapping the slits you cut.
Here it is all done.
Optional: Spread oil over the top and sprinkle with oregano
Here it is fresh from the oven!
Yummmm.............. Can you taste it?????
*If you choose to do the fold over, your toppings will go on the left or right side instead of in the middle!

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