Home Living In The Evenings...

What are you doing in your evenings?

One thing that I think is so sad in our culture today is how we spend

our evenings!

 After long days of working and doing what needs to be done all day long.

Instead of winding down, we get more excited and over stimulated!

Video games

Suspenseful  shows

Rough housing

We have a culture where we have a motto for some cities;

Such as; where we never sleep!

24/7

365 days

Why do we have such a need for speed and adrenaline rush.

We were made for working and creating in the day.

But our nights were given to us to stop...

To unwind and to relax

If we are always in overdrive mode, we will become tired,

And we become burned out and find it hard to function.

We have trained ourselves and our children to never really shut off!

It is like everything is in a standby mode...

No rest for the weary...

Keep plodding on no matter how tired or exhausted you might feel!

Personally, I think God had a different plan for us in our evenings...

To stop and reflect and read or talk to our loved ones.

Maybe work on your projects that bring rest and comfort!

Quiet is what brings rest to weary, tired bodies!

We need to find some suggestions for ourselves and our families,

to help us to learn to wind down and relax.

Turning off the television

Family devotions

Reading a classic book as a family story time!

I would love to hear some suggestions from you!

I find myself crocheting a little each night

I also do a small devotion most evenings myself,

 I have it right next to my bed!

Having a card table up in an area with a puzzle on it and

Working on it in the evenings is very relaxing and good for the brain?

I hope you will consider this topic for your own lives!

Make your evenings a time to wind-down

Not wind up and over stimulate yourself!

Make a New start for this New Year...

How To Make God Happy...

 

How to make God happy...

What makes God happy?

We make God happy when we showcase Jesus in our lives.

As when we reflect to those around us any character or attribute qualities of Jesus!

When we as pure mortals by God's Grace through the Holy Spirit,

We remain patient in a trying situation.

And when we resist a temptation that comes into our hearts or lives.

God is happy when we offer a smile!

Even when we stop to bless a child!

(God loves the little children)

When you offer a word of encouraging word to someone!

Just sitting silent as if sitting at His feet.

Singing a hymn or a love song to Him as you go about your day!

Repeating scripture...

Giving praise to the Father

Sharing the Gospel message.

Feeding the starving

Helping a neighbor or a stranger in need.

(We are His hands and His feet)

Working faithfully in your home;

Washing, and cleaning in your home and making it lovely!

Feeding and cooking those who depend on you!

In these things we are making God happy!

How so you may ask?

Because we are doing what Jesus would do-

And that, my friend is displaying God's awesome glory and beauty.

I Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,

do all to the glory of God.

In the next 60 minutes you have the opportunity to showcase God's glory!

May the glory of the Lord endure forever.

~Psalms 104:31~

Staying Steady...

Staying Steady...

Steady as she goes is such a good word, as we have so many ups and downs,

As The World Turns

We all find ourselves smack dab in the middle at times!

But we have the choice to enjoy a bit of the very place we find ourselves in.

Remember the first falling snow we would see spreading out over,

The landscape first thing in the mornings?

New, fresh and white!

You could run out and plop down into it and make a snow angel!

You could build a snowman and know that feeling of make believe.

Also, having the thrill of flying down a hill squealing with glee!

Being steady in all seasons and situations is so wonderful!

Having the memories of certain things helps us all

 just knowing

That some things do not change...

We can still have fun and be able to have a fresh and new perspective.

But to stay steady allows you to be such a comfort to so many!

May the last days of this month and year bring you great anticipation,

Of what is to come...

New and fresh!!

Be Steady my dear ones!

Do not be tossed to and fro

Be that person that is steady in these strong winds of  adversary;

Million Dollar Fudge...

Million Dollar Fudge Recipe

My Dear Mother use to make this Fudge Recipe every Christmas!

This recipe has been around for years and so it is tried and true;

Sweet and smooth

 Creamy and tasty

I feel that if you mix the first 4 ingredients in the saucepan and warm it slightly

 Till butter melts, shut off the stove and let it sit for a little while,

Stirring it often it allows the sugar to dissolve a little.

(My little secret so the fudge is creamy and not grainy)!!

 Million Dollar Fudge

Put In Saucepan;

4 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 tsp. of salt

2 tablespoons butter

1- 12 ounce can evaporated milk

Put in a bowl;

1 bag- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels

2- 7ounce size Hershey Chocolate Bars (Giant Bar)

1 pint marshmallow cream (7oz size)

Add a few Walnuts if you like nuts or any kind is good. 1/2 cup or so..

In the large bowl Put chocolate chips and both chocolate bars broken into chunks
 Add the marshmallow cream and walnuts in a big bowl. (Set Aside)

Boil the sugar, salt, butter, evaporated milk together for six minutes.

Use your timer!

Pour the boiling syrup over the ingredients. Beat until chocolate is all melted, then pour
Into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Let stand a few hours before cutting.

Remember, it is better the second day. Store in tin box. And use wax paper on top and pop 

into your freezer.

 I leave a small tin in the refrigerator and the other one I freeze for New Years!

So far I have made two Pumpkins pies and one apple pie this morning!

The Pumpkin pies are for my Hubby, the apple is for me ;o)

I Have all the ingredients for my Fudge,

I enjoy making this because of all the sweet memories as a child!

A Million Memories I am sharing today with you all my sweet blogging friends...

This Fudge would just melt in your mouth! m-m-m good!

Remember, you can make all your Christmas cookies and freeze them!

Just use wax paper in between the layers,

 And you should check out the Dollar Tree Store as it has the cutest Christmas Tin cans

 to store your cookies and fudge in!

What Your Husband Really Wants For Christmas...

 

Growing in Grace...

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

"What your Husband really wants for Christmas"

For you to stay within your budget $$

Showing him Respect and Responding...

Having an attitude of Joy!

Adorning yourself with kindness = Gentle, quiet spirit

Giving him love and attention ;o)

A Clean and Tidy HOME

Clean Sheets and a Comfy Bedroom

For you to smell sweet!

*For you to look elegant and composed*

~Making meals that keep his tummy full~

Do what you say you are going to do...

Give him some peace and quiet every day when possible!

Tell him something that is lovely to hear...

He wants you to not act like a crazy person running

around trying to have a perfect Christmas!

He just wants peace and comfort and joy;

With his true love...

~Make this a holiday to remember~

Don't Be A Sucker...

 

Don't be a sucker

I have never much cared for that comment;

I have heard it spoken in such a way, that you knew

You never wanted to be a sucker...

We always have so many different situations going on at one time.

We have so many complex relationships that need attention!

"Usually all at once"

I desire to be more discerning in matters;

But, I also want to use discretion in matters!

I see a world that just divulges more information

 On private matters that is not necessary to repeat.

What ever happened to discretion?

News Flash

Don't believe everything you hear!

Don't believe everything you read!

Don't say everything that just pops into your pretty head!

Don't repeat what someone else has said if it will bring contention!

Discretion is being wise in such a way that brings truth into a lie!

Discretion uses words that bring things to light!

Discretion has a tone and timing that brings life!

Only when used in the right place at the right time...

We think it is okay to say anything we want to anyone in any place!

This is not using discretion...

A lady who is careful with her words will be considered wise.

I want to be careful in also what I believe and take to heart as to

What others might say to me!

Or what I say to others.

We need to be wise; not so trusting that we can be hoodwinked!

When in doubt of someones character;

Be a bit more cautious.

I have given this warning to younger women;

When you first meet someone, do not tell them all your

Interest or concerns to quickly.

It is better to give a small piece of your heart and;

 Then wait and see if they can be trusted!

There are many wolves parading around in sheep's clothing!

Be wise as serpents and gentle as doves...

Do you have any suggestions for us that will help us in becoming
More versed in using discretion?
We do want to share with others;
But what is too much information in your opinion?

A Dolly For Christmas...

 

When I was a little girl we played house!

All the time we played house!

Being the Mommy and having a baby to care for!

We were able to dress them and hold them.

Feed them and rock them to sleep!

Putting them to bed and tucking the blankets around them.

And having a stroller to push them around in was the supreme!

And having a baby crib was the best...

Having a little diaper bag filled with bottles and blankets!

Do we still have little girls asking for a new baby doll for Christmas?

Do we see little girls playing house?

Are little girls desiring to still be Mommies?

I never even see commercials that promote the new

"Real live looking babies"

Or a high quality doll that laughs and cries anymore.

We were little girls in training...

To be Mommies and wives and caregivers of babies!

We see an attachment disorder with so many young girls!

They have no desire to be "JUST" a mommy!

Yes, Women can have so much more in these days and culture,

But being a Mommy is priceless!

What Doll did you get when you were a little girl?

Didn't you just think it was the best gift ever?

We need to help this culture to foster the caring and nurturing

Of babies and the desire to be Mommies!

Leave me a comment on the name of your most favorite,

Baby Doll you ever had!

I pray the little girls will still be Mommies in training!

No matter what this world tells them!

Expectations...

The Present

Women who refuse to face reality when it comes to a marriage,

Or our children!

We all have dreams or fantasies and expectations about

Our marriages and our children.

But it is usually  quite different from reality.

This reality or as I like to say;

"This is the way it is"

God says what are you going to do about it?

If you wait for reality to be different,

You will fail to handle the problem!

What I mean is this;

You need to use your energy in prayer and love!

We must trust God...

 As only He knows and sees the end from the beginning!

We need to see that we are now in this place called

False expectations

Or

 Unmet expectations!

False expectations will keep you captivated and in a fantasy life!

Spending time grieving over what has not looked like

Your perfect marriage or relationships that meet your expectations.

Instead, start where you are!

Praise God for these people, because these are the very situations

That God will use to refine and grow you more into His character!

Use your energy praying and enjoying the simple gifts that are

at your door and that come into your life!

We must look at each day as a gift ( A Present)

Do not be ungrateful!

When you run life's race you will have trials!

All people are somewhere in the process or in

Complete rebellion...

God knows how you have been treated!

He is a God of Justice!

It is not are call...

But we do have a calling and we had better arise to it and enjoy

"The Present"

Cozy Evenings...

Oh When The Winter Evenings Set In...

What to do in those early evenings, when it is so cold out and gets dark so early!

Learning to have contentment, even when the nights are long.

I think it feels rather cozy most nights;

But, winter can be very long as we all well know.

But I think it is important to find a few interesting and fun things,

that we can do in the evenings.

Reading is always very mindful;

But most evenings I may find myself a bit too tired to read!

I always liked the idea of having a card table set up, to have a puzzle on it!

(So you can sit for a little while and work on the puzzle)

Having a basket filled with skeins of yarn next to your chair;

Allows you a bit of creativity for a few quiet times.

( I am working on Granny Squares and scarfs)

Also dishcloths are a quick project.

A bit of television is okay,

 Watching more than one movie a night is too much!

I like to stay active, but I need something that is easy and relaxing!

Reading from the word before bed is very soothing...

Immersing ourselves in the word helps us get a peaceful nights sleep!

Maybe in the early evening you might need to check to see what is on,

 For the next day's activities.

Sometimes I will even get my clothes out and ironed and ready if

I will be leaving out very early the next morning.

(Thank God that is not very often)

Take some time and write in your Blessing Book;

(That is a special book where you write down your blessing from that day)

Realize that it is very important to rest and relax;

So we can start fresh again in the morning!

Have you ever heard the saying?

Burning the candle at both ends...

God wants us to stop and enjoy peaceful moments throughout the day.

But He also wants us to enjoy quiet and peaceful evenings and

 At Home with our loved ones!

Making Deposits Or Withdrawals...

Life can be very taxing on our finances and our emotions!

On our health and our general well being.

That is why we have need of having a stash of saved up resources.

This is not just money; as we all know how fast that goes.

Scripture even says money has wings;

We need to have a heart filled with scripture and quotes and memories

That will help us get through the lean times.

Abundance of the heart is what we need!

Issues and trials are always just waiting to be introduced to us.

Every situation is either where we are making a deposit into our resources

Or

We are making a withdrawal from it.

We have a spiritual bank, just like we a natural bank

Monetary and spiritual...

We know how we get more funds in the natural bank;

We save and be frugal and we plan, We learn to make wise financial decisions.

We gather little by little!

Our spiritual bank is very much increased in the same way;

We inquire of the Lord for each day at hand,

To make time to deposit a word in season into our heart;

As our minds will roam to find a wise word from the living word!

We can only make a withdrawal from a deposit, we have previously made!

Or it may come from a deposit made years ago.

God's word will not return void!

His word will bring the greatest dividends, then all other resources.

Seeing so many trying to make withdrawals from empty accounts is very sad indeed.

But our God is so gracious and moves with grace He covers all of our

Overdrafts in our meager accounts!

But being a wise steward requires some action on our part!

Be not like the sluggard;

Gather while it is yet day!

Precept upon precept...

I just wanted to make a comment that even though I used this picture;
Of this, 1 Minute devotion from Charles Spurgeon
It will require more time than 1 minute a day...

Please take time every day to eat from the full Banquet that
Is just waiting for us to feast upon...
Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Remember to use what God has given you wisely;
Being frugal so you can bless someone or a ministry that God has
Put upon your heart!!

Making gifts and sometimes just taking a picture and framing it,
Is a wonderful way to give someone a treasure.

We all must give account as to how we used HIS resources...
The money and time is not yours
~You my dear are just the steward of it~

I just feel I need to add this last thought here
Are you still making an active investment in your marriage?
Sometimes we can forget that this relationship needs a deposit daily also!

We can get so busy and self absorbed that we often can forget that,
The marriage relationship is used in this world as a picture of
Christ and His Church!!

Being A Home Keeper IN My Own Little World...

 

In My Own Little World...

The world can seem really big or very small at times.

It really all depends on where you are at in a season of your life!

We have all run into someone we knew when we were far from our homes.

And we may say to them wow, imagine running into you way out here!

Other times someone can be away on a trip and we think gosh;

they are so far away!

I am learning to really take care of the sphere of influence

 the Lord has given me! 

I may be able to send some money to a far away place to help with,

Feeding or taking care of someone in a third world country.

I can also help with a local community soup kitchen!

I realize the Lord has given me my lot;

My boarders to live and grow and to take care of!

I will be held accountable for my part of this world!

"MY HOME"

Making a home and keeping it up is a High Calling...

Really, please look at it from this perspective.

God wants are Homes to be filled with light and love and protection!

And if you are never HOME how can you establish this order?

The enemy has been given so much territory, because the

Keepers

Of The Home are gone....

If you feel tired and worn out because you have been gone all day;

I suggest you look at your calendar and take a few things off the

~Places to be this month~

 and maybe forever...

Helping to clear the path for others to stay home!

My job feels like it might not be very important sometimes:

But after I look at what God has given me to do and say to another

Home Keeper;

He must think this calling is pretty important...

May I help this next generation find the path to staying HOME

Clearing our hearts and minds from worldly thinking

 that has become off kilter!

I realize some single Mothers have to work;

Some Women are asked to work from their Husbands;

I get it;

But when you are given a choice or when you're not working

You are still never home.

Help us make being a home maker a glorious calling.

Not one of drudgery.

Get your heart back in sync with the Father's heart!

May this be the sweetest month, of all;

Put on the spirit of meekness

(Controlled strength)

Create and bake love into everything!

May your home be welcoming to others!

Take every thought captive and do not allow the

Sorrows or ghost of Christmas past, rob you of this one!

JOY TO THE WORLD