A Picture To Inspire Me...

White and simple and so pretty...

Sugar and Cream

Sugar and spice and all things nice

I can truly say that having a few lovely pictures in my files can inspire me!

I think being inspired to write or cook or decorate come often through,

A timely word or a picture or a recipe that makes my mouth water.

I love simple and clean and for things to scream;

Sugar and Cream

Even a plain cup of coffee can become a liquid treat.

We all have another week filled with opportunities before us!

I try to treat each day as a new clean slate;

Spiritually and in the natural!

We can create a masterpiece...

I plan on making a new large batch of granola.

I plan on cleaning the very messy plastic Tupperware cupboard.

All the furniture needs a good dusting with a lemon oil.

My kitchen floor needs a mopping or

 A good scrub on my hands and knees.

I have some lovely Barn photos that need to be cropped;

For a future gift idea.

I can feel the shifting of the sun upon my days.

Sometimes in the late afternoons, I can sit at my kitchen table

And feel the sun beat upon my back.

I need the warmth and the deep feeling of contentment.

We as women long for the deep peace and strength;

That only a heart changed by the Lord!

A HOME that says I am loved!

Children that have been given to us to love and nurture!

A creative heart that loves to create!

God gave us rainbows and a sun;

Blue skies and clouds.

Take the moments of each day this week and

Give thanks for what you have in your hand...

In reading this blog or others you might visit this day or week;

Do you find yourself more inspired to be a better wife, or Mother?

Do you feel a creative heart to cook and clean?

Do you feel you wasted your time?

I remind myself of this;

"Your days are numbered"

May I live them well...

So may I add the sugar and cream please...

Ribbons and Lace...

Ribbons and Lace And Natural Decor...

 

Edmund Blair Leighton, Ribbons and Lace

Those little extra touches...

 Homemakers and Home keepers have really been given

The secret touch for creating a cozy home!

It is found in those little touches we add to each room.

A lovely picture centered on the wall can pull a room together!

A mirror placed on a short wall can make the room appear larger.

A pretty green plant looks alive,

A vase of dried flowers can perk up a corner.

Window coverings make a room feel safe and cozy.

Now, Some ladies enjoy frills and ribbons

Others enjoy a more natural setting.

I have used pine cones in a basket with a candle in the center.

Natural earth colors to match wood floors.

We can use things we find in nature to make a centerpiece

for a table or on our mantels.

We do not have to spend a ton of money to find lovely

treasures that can make your home special.

Do you think of your HOME as your haven?

Is it the place where your heart takes great pleasure,

loving and taking care of those you love?

I urge you to make the time to change things around,

in your home and to decorate it in a way that brings an

 atmosphere of comfort and peace.

We can never underestimate the benefits of

 keeping your home clean,

And free from clutter.

We always think of Spring cleaning;

But I have always tried to incorporate a fall cleaning also!

We are all about to get busy with fall and winter holidays.

And during the winter months our windows are closed up tight!

So before the real cold weather sets in,

Let the fall crisp air come in and freshen the air.

 And maybe try to change your rooms around,

Try changing a picture on a wall.

 Wash your throw blankets!

Purchase a new throw rug for a room.

Try to spray paint something to give it a refreshed finish.

Enjoy your home and let it be a place of pleasure,

To your senses and to your eyes.

Home is where your heart is...

Different Shades Of Blue, Baby Blues, Seasonal Blues...

 

Alas, another one down and a new one has begun!

Seeing the huge lake before us can seem all the same.

But I can assure you each different wave has a different angle.

The different shades of blue can change with the wind directions.

Blue is such a lovely color, soft , soothing and refreshing!

But there is a blue feeling that can come with changes;

We have all been aware of that feeling!

It is real and can take the wind right out of one's sail...

We are not boats dear ones,

But rather real lives with ups and downs.

Changes and circumstances will come!

I want to bring an awareness to a couple different

 Blue Feelings one might experience.

Firstly, I want to mention what a women might experience,

After a birth of a child!

THE BABY BLUES

Now this is a form of a hormonal change in the body.

It can make you feel like crying and no energy.

This is a very real physical situation!

We must deal with it on the spiritual level;

Through prayer and Bible study

This can help immensely!

But this is a medical condition!

Please contact your Doctor and get help!

Do not just try to work this out on your own.

Yes, you can give it a few days, but if the symptoms

Are getting worst, get HELP...

The other BLUES is a life change!

A death of a spouse or a child or a friend!

Also a location move for yourself or a loved one!

Also lets not forget a Womens change in life!

This is an emotional change or shock to our hearts.

We can nosedive with this one rather quickly.

Talk with someone, ask them for support!

Pray and ask for prayer.

These are burdens we are not meant to carry.

Sometimes people who have never taken any kind of

Medication, may need something!

God made doctors and discovery of medicines.

I hope and pray we have debunked the myth that you are

weak if you depend on something that will help!

I think we as women are called to love and support each other.

And we must remember we are spirit and soul

(Mind, will and emotions)

Jesus came that we might be whole.

So be aware of those around you!

Be a help to them and pray.

Give wise counsel

Tell them to go to a Doctor or a Godly counselor!

This world has brought much fear and sin upon itself and we

ALL will be affected by it!

But we can walk these things out personally and to help others!

( I am not having a problem myself,

 But, I see and hear about sisters in the Body of Christ)

Am I my Brother's keeper?

Feeding Your Man...

 

A Man Needs A Good Meal

So many men are just plain hungry...

If you want your Hubby to want to come home quickly,

Then you have the very thing to use daily to ensure that they

Do come HOME soon after work or running errands.

I love having my hubby home,

 I love the fact He wants to come HOME

I think one thing I have done very early on in my marriage was this;

FEED MY HUSBAND

Everyday...

He does not have to run out and get a sandwich or a burger

With friends or with the guys he works with.

I have seen way too many men, just plain hungry!

Now, I know many Men like to cook!

I think that is wonderful!

But I am also glad that my Husband wants and loves my cooking!

He prefers my breakfast specials,

He loves my hamburgers with green chilies on them.

He loves anything that is made from our kitchen.

This is called HOME COOKING...

I am not a gourmet cook, I cook and serve Home style meals.

Call me old fashion;

A man needs to know and can count on an evening meal for sure.

Some men need a big breakfast!

Some need a hearty lunch!

If you want to keep a Hubby happy feed him ladies!

I would hope that making a satisfying meal for him

 would also give you pleasure.

This is a test;

Cook some potatoes,

Now this week I want you to make at least one of these up!

Fried potatoes

Boiled potatoes 

Mashed potatoes

Baked potatoes

Serve with another meat or salad!

And a side dish of  veggies, applesauce or biscuits.

You will have a very Happy Hubby!

I think the potato is a homemakers best friend

Besides the crock-pot.

You can buy potatoes so cheap, and they can be very nutritious!

Please Feed Your Man!!

What is a food item that is a staple in your cooking?

Share how you might like to cook your potatoes!

Prayer Closet...

Prayer Closet

We have such an amazing privilege as women,

And as believer's in Jesus Christ

We have been invited to a special place!

"Our Prayer Closet"

We are called to be living epistles;
This is where our lives should resemble a character that has substance.
It is the love that is shed abroad within our hearts.
A love and truth that change a heart...

I am ever so grateful for those who have prayed for me!
We have been given a great honor and privilege.
We can come along someone and pray for those who need
Strength or wisdom or provision!

We can be the one who God will use to lift a need to the Alpha And Omega.
He knows every need, but He desires to hear our prayers;
For ourselves and others.

I love to be just driving down the street and see a situation that
just leads me to pray!
Being sensitive and tender hearted to pray for the needs of others!

Our prayer closet can be an actual place where we can meet with the Lord!
our prayer closet can be in our car, and even in our daily living.

We must be ready to pray at all times!
Prayer and a quick decision is what these days require.
If you are praying, you are communicating with the one who
can help!

He may not answer in the way you think is best, but He alone
Knows the end from the beginning!
He is the only wise King!

We always will say to just trust Him;
Yes, TRUST HIM
But please remember He has asked for obedience also.

Are we living in a way that pleases Him?
Have you given your heart to Him?
Do you put Him first in your day?
Is the Holy Bible used for your resource for living?
Do you ask for wisdom to know the truth?

There are so many resources and books,
So many teaching what they believe to be true;
This can be dangerous!
Be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove!

Let us look up!
Love will cover a multitude of sins!

I always ask the Lord keep me from deception.
May, I not believe everything that comes down the pike.
He has warned us there will be false doctrines;
If even an angel preaches any other Gospel.
Turn away from him!

At this critical hour in which we live, the Lord is calling His people apart to truly pray.

This world may be beginning to realize that the glitter and charisma,

And look at me ministries are beginning to fade!

The Lord has said the road to destruction is wide;

And we are called to walk the narrow road!

It is time to open the door to our prayer closet,

In some cases we need to open it wider in other cases,

We need to just open it!

We need to desire more;

Are you hungry for more quality time in prayer?

Or do we need to just begin a prayer life?

Are we even willing to pray?

"But you, when you pray, enter into your closet,

 and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret:

 and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly."

 Matthew 6:6

There Are No Shortcuts

Prayer is more than telling the Lord what we think He should do

 and all the wonderful things that would happen if only He would "do as we ask"

 Real prayer begins when we enter into such communion with Jesus,

 that the Holy Spirit can pray the will of the Father through us.

PRAYER means spending quality time with the Lord.

May we come to the understanding of the value of having

a set apart time of prayer and communion with Him.

How Using Your Provisions Wisely Saves You Money...

 

If I had to live off the land I would learn very quickly to appreciate the harvest!

We tend to forget all the hard work that

Goes into putting food on our tables.

We live in a country where we take so much for granted!

Very few people truly really go hungry, 

Because of State provisions,

Food Stamps and such!

Soup kitchens can be found and utilized in most cities.

Even in the Public Schools they provide breakfast programs.

We have all seen the dramatic rise in food cost in the last few years!

So my thoughts have been leaning toward, how well are we using

Our food resources?

How many morsels of food are being wasted at every meal?

Our we cooking the right portion size,

 so we do not have so much wasted food.

Are we freezing the portions we can use for a later time?

My daughter once told me that she uses this thought when

purchasing her food or household items.

"She asks herself how many hours did my Husband have

to work to pay for these things?"

This may help us put it into a real perspective of the actual cost!

If I were to have to rely solely on my own food production,

We would be very shocked by our lack of choices!

We know longer are very well equipped to even do this!

I have always enjoyed the magazines that teach the

 How Too of living off the land.

I think God has given us a deep desire to work and provide food,

For ourselves and those we love!

So I think it is time to ask ourselves these questions;

Have you learned the art of canning?

Can you make jelly?

Can you make bread from scratch?

Do you have a resource of books put away for knowledge

that might be needed on How to...

We are to be wise stewards of our time, talent and resources...

He alone is the Lord of the Harvest!

Fresh Green Beans...

I believe we will be a wise woman if we learn to be proficient

in keeping our shelves stocked and knowing how to cook!

We can learn to cut our food cost by learning to plan meals.

Watch for sales on food items in your grocery stores!

Learn to freeze some of these foods that you buy on sale!

Ask another woman who knows how to can, to teach you!

Take a class from your county extension office

 For how to preserve your foods.

(I just learned last year you can make a large batch of rice and freeze it!

You just make a double batch,

Then allow it to cool only slightly; then put the amount

You will need for a dinner serving and freeze in a plastic bag.)

This works great for a quick side dish;

Or just open up some beans and you have a perfect protein.

I also always cook a large amount of dried beans and freeze them!

How To Stop The Micro Manager Mode...

Feisty

The Manager And The Micro Manager

Micro Manager sounds out of place in the context of working along

side of my Husband...

But this is what I find myself doing with all of our

 Home improvement projects!

I am very concerned with my feisty intent!

(That is what my Husband calls me)

REALLY...

Okay, after years of working along side my Husband in our

Many Home improvement endeavors.

I am still always trying to control how we should do this project

 step by step!

I am tired of hearing myself trying to tell him, how we

should be doing things.

Just for the record, my Husband is a Boss or Foremen of the

A facility, he works in.

 So he has had much experience in this skill.

So I guess he would recognize a micro- manager when he hears one.

Will I ever learn to be completely quiet

 in my assessments in our projects?

I am seriously doubting it at my age!

He says he likes it when I get feisty sometimes,

But other times he tells me to settle down.

Now, I want to explain that even though I am a very good painter;
And I am a good at caulking gaps
(You can either caulk or you cannot)
So, I do all the caulking that needs to be done.
I also work very hard to help my Hubby!
So WHY do I turn every project into;
The Mico- Manager mode?
(Code for Bossy)

I have found myself apologizing to him for
being so bossy!

But he has finally told me on this last project;
Honey, I do everything for you
You're the reason I do them...
And I do not mind that you get a little feisty once in a while!

I just didn't want you all to think that this little lady
Didn't have a bit of fire at times!

We were painting my spare room (sewing room)
A KISS of pink
And a Mint green
A white chair rail trim
A light taupe carpet color

So I used the name of the color of the paint as my humor
For being feisty
Every time I get into my Micro-Manager Mode =  BOSSY
I would KISS him and say
"A Kiss Of Pink Sweetie"
And I would KISS him...

The room looks great!
We survived another remodel project.
And I learned he is not even phased by my Micro-Manager disposition
(ONCE in a while)

He told me he loved my creative ideas
 and my willing to work hard beside him!
I think he likes me...

Are You a Micro Manager?
We need to be very careful that this character trait does not,
overflow into all areas. As then we become contentious.
And controlling (Bossy)

Keeping your communication open;
Looking at your motive!
Being a good co-worker is a great way to build a strong
Marriage in your home endeavors.

We are always building up our HOMES
Or tearing them down...

Working well alongside my Man...

You Have HOW Many Children...

Artist Jim Daly

YOU Have how many children?

You may have no children;

You may have only one child,

Or perhaps two or more...

Maybe 10 babies if you could afford!

We have all heard someone ask other women this very

Question, in this very way.

"You have how many children"

"What they're all yours?"

What were YOU thinking!

Very rude in so many matters concerning this question or response!

Some women have grieved over being infertile.

Others may have only been able to have one child.

Others have been blessed and love children and have had many.

We act like children are such a burden in this world!

Well, having children is a blessing!

God tells us this in His word!

I remember as a child, I loved and so wanted to be a part of

A really large family!

(And I was a child of a family of five)

I still think others that had more brothers or sisters were lucky!

The show the Waltons has always made me feel that same way,

That being a part of a large family was somehow very special!

Even as a child, I felt this way!

 A HOME where you are loved and cherished!

And there are enough of you to feel like a party is going on,

No matter what you are doing!

Someone to play or talk with at all times!

I just wanted to help us to be more aware of how we might voice,

Our responses to those women who may have many children.

Having children is a gift and we also must realize many families have

strong convictions in having children!

Others only want small families, or are unable to have children!

We are called to encourage all Mothers to their callings.

There will always be movements that come and go;

But the Lord has a desire to see us bring our children up in 

The ways of the Lord...

I was so happy to see so many large families come to

A Fall function at our home this last weekend!

It was a delight to see so many happy children running around!

We must say yes to life and to tender hearts!

You go Mommas!

Being a good Mother that Loves the Lord and teaches,

Her children right from wrong!

That is what will make a happy world!

And a Home that loves and cherishes each child,

"Is a woman of great worth!"