Works for Me Wednesday: Smoothie Cubes

A couple of months ago, I attended a wellness seminar. I have always considered myself someone who really cares about eating properly, but this seminar was an excellent reminder of the importance of raw fruits and vegetables in our diet. I determined to find ways to integrate those phytonutrient-rich foods into my diet. One of my favorite ways is the smoothie. No matter how you make it, they almost always turn out yummy! (except for the time I decided to throw in some bell pepper that I had lying around. That smoothie went down the drain! Yuck! What was I thinking.)

Smoothies are better than juicing because juicing does not include the fiber from the fruit or vegetable. Therefore, you are missing out on the fiber and having a higher concentration of sugar.

Typically, I just put in the blender whatever fruit I have around at the time. Basically, anything goes. Sometimes, I put in some vegetables, like carrots. (but beware the bell pepper!) Usually I can't taste the vegetables at all. I put the fruit, some milk (soy milk would be great too) sometimes some juice, sometimes some honey if I have put in cranberries or lemon, and sometimes some cinnamon or something like that. Mmm!

However, keeping a ton of fresh fruit around is not always very convenient. So, what works for me is to make Smoothie Cubes. When I have a really good smoothie being made with a lot of different ingredients, I make it as highly-concentrated as possible (just enough liquid to make the blender work) and pour it into the ice cube trays. When it is frozen, I put the new smoothie cubes into a Ziploc bag. Then, when I want a smoothie but do not have a large variety of fruit in the fruit basket, I pop as many of these into the smoothie instead.

When I want to make more smoothie cubes, I put some of the previously-made cubes into the mix again. That way, when I have a smoothie, I am getting a large variety of stuff in there.

There are many other possible uses for these cubes, too. Just now, I had a bowl of yogurt with some thawed smoothie cubes mixed in. I also love putting them in when I am making hot oatmeal. It makes the oatmeal a pretty color and gives it a delicious richness of flavor, not to mention added nutrition and sweetness without sugar. It works for me!

For more Works for Me Wednesday, click here.

I'll be gone for a while - See you in August!

Tomorrow morning, I will be flying out with a group of people to go on a missions trip. We will be gone a little over a month. I would really appreciate your prayers while we are there. Here are some things you could pray for:

1. Safety flying and while over there
2. Flexibility (without going into detail, this is a major request.)
3. Opportunities for ministry and witnessing. We are going there to do a specific job, but of course we are praying that the Holy Spirit brings us opportunities to really share His Word.
4. That we would do a good job with the task we are there to do
5. Health. We will be eating very different foods and will be exposed to very different health risks than we are in the US. (there were many vaccines to get!)
6. Encouragement. It is always hard to be away from home for so long, especially in a place that is nothing at all like where we live.
7. Unity as a group
8. Discernment

For different reasons, I think it would not be best to go into a lot of detail describing our trip on this blog, but I am both nervous and very excited! Even though I am very excited, I am feeling sad to leave home. I have enjoyed spending my days in the house. When we get back, it will almost be time to go to work again. Oh, well. Such is life. At least I am blessed with a wonderful job!

We might have web access where we are, but I probably will not be posting here until I get back. Please come and visit here again in the beginning of August!

Farewell until August, my blog friends!

Love,
LeanNot

Have a beautiful weekend!

A couple of weeks ago, Mom and I went on a short 2-hour cruise for her birthday. It was so much fun, and the views were lovely.

Isn't the area where I live beautiful? This is only about 20 minutes away from my house.

Enjoy the pictures!

My trip

Just to let you know that early next week I will be leaving the country to go on a month-long missions trip. I don't think that I will be able to post while I am there. Please be in prayer for me! Thank you.

I will put up a reminder post right before I leave.

Wordless Wednesday: From the garden

I picked this squash and zucchini from a friend's garden. I have never seen such a large piece of food! It is like a baseball bat! And the zucchini is enormous. I put the banana in the picture for size reference.

For more Wordless Wednesday, click here.

Wonderful Blueberries

Recently, we went blueberry picking at a farm nearby. We like to do this at least once every summer. I think that this was the best crop we have seen yet! The blueberries were just enormous, about the size of grapes, and they are absolutely delicious. In just a little over an hour, Mom and I picked over 12 pounds! The neat part is that the people who own the farm only charge fifty cents per pound, and they don't mind if you eat as you pick. (which I do, of course. Who could resist?)

We would have picked more, but it was pouring rain for most of the time we were there. Considering how hot it is outside right now, this is hard to believe, but we were freezing! Finally I found a plastic bag in the trunk to use as an interesting-looking poncho, :) but by that time I was just soaked. But it was worth it!

We already froze the smaller and medium-sized ones, and we have been eating the rest. But we also wanted to give some of our treasure away, which means that we must go and get more! :) So we went out again a couple of days later and picked about 10 1/2 pounds.

I tried making this pie, and it turned out really well. It is a combination of two recipes. It has a really delicious nut crust (you can use a regular pre-made crust if you don't have time, but this crust is really good!), a cream cheese mixture, blueberry filling, and Cool Whip on top.

My favorite part is that there is always extra of the cream cheese mixture, and I could eat just that and be happy!

Note: Next time, I think I would like to cut back a little bit on the amount of sugar in the blueberry portion.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
½ cup nuts, chopped fine
1 cup flour
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
2 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 small carton Cool Whip (I never actually use up the whole carton.)
3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 tablespoons quick cooking tapioca
1/4 cup water


Instructions:

To make the crust, mix butter, nuts, and flour together and press into pie plate. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool. (Sometimes, I add a little sugar into the crust mixture, too.)

Blend cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and a little less than ½ carton Cool Whip. Spread on bottom of cool pie shell. (Keep in mind that you still have 2 layers to put on -- don't make this too thick, or you won't have enough room in the crust. However, it is the best part; so don't make it too thin either!) :)

Mix blueberries, 1 1/4 cups sugar, tapioca, and water in saucepan. Cook until thickened. Cool. Spread on top of the cream cheese mixture.

Spread remaining Cool Whip on top, and sprinkle with extra blueberries for garnish. Enjoy!

Here's an idea: I adapted this recipe to use the blueberries, but I usually make it with pudding instead. Instead of the blueberry layer, put a layer of any pudding you like. My favorite is butterscotch. The flavor of the butterscotch goes really well with the creaminess of the cream cheese and Cool Whip. I also like it with chocolate pudding.

This guy is incredible!

I saw Diane Sawyer talking about this on Good Morning America the other day, and I just had to find the link and share it with you.

This man, Paul Potts, is an average, quiet cell phone salesman from England who was a contestant on the British show Britain's Got Talent. He has a gift, but he is humble and lacks confidence. When he got up to sing the opera song "Nessun Dorma," it was amazing! The crowd went crazy, and the judges were shocked.

I have heard the song "Nessun Dorma" countless times by many fabulous singers. But when this man sang it, I was spellbound. He sings with such feeling and musicality: he is singing with his heart. I actually cried a little bit (which I NEVER do!) while watching it for the second time. It is so touching that he is such a normal, sweet, quiet guy who achieved such success by being vulnerable and brave and by doing what he loves. I can only imagine how much it meant to him to receive such affirmation.

Enjoy the video!

Note: I do NOT recommend clicking on the other video options that come up after this one is over. I wish that I could have found this clip somewhere other than YouTube; but if you don't click on the others, it should be fine.

Reality

How do they know about me?
I'll try to do a little better than this!

So far, I have been getting caught up in books

that were NOT on my list.

Wordless Wednesday: Tea

I cleaned out my pantry the other day, and this is a certain section of it AFTER I did some MAJOR consolidation, stuffing these boxes full! Any guess what my favorite beverage is? :)

For more Wordless Wednesday, click here.

Basil mystery solved

Thank you for your help with my basil plant. You were right: now, I can see that it obviously is a flower. As instructed, I cut it off (and cut the whole plant back while I was at it) and threw it away. Much better now! :)

Collecting Satisfactions

Emma has asked on her blog that we list people/things that bring joy and satisfaction to our lives.

1. My mom, who is such a good friend of mine and whom I look up to a great deal

2. My friends, whom the Lord has provided to me at just the right times

3. My church. I just came from the last night of our church's VBS, and as I drove home I was really rejoicing at the way our church pitches in and works together. It really is exciting to serve the Lord with these excellent people! What a joy to see God work.

4. A wonderful cup of tea! I enjoy this at least once every day. I like black tea (usually just drink plain Lipton's, but recently I have also been drinking Twinings Irish Breakfast and English breakfast) with 1 tsp. of sugar and some skim milk. Just last week, I discovered how much better my tea is with distilled water instead of tap!

5. Food. I just love food.

6. Hugging a child

7. I love where I live. There is a pond next to my house, and I could just stand next to my dining room window and watch the ducks all day! :) They are so cute.
(this is a picture of "our" ducks)

8. It is satisfying when I have thoroughly straightened my hair! :) And that straightness lasts . . . a couple of minutes, until I walk outside. :)

9. Is it necessary for me to say that I find a good book satisfying? (well, maybe satisfying isn't the right word, since it leaves me wanting more until I finish the book, and then I'm sad that it is over!)

10. It is really satisfying to see one of my students work hard and then succeed in my class. Sometimes I think I get more excited than the student does!

11. Sitting in a freshly-cleaned room

12. Seeing a child who is well behaved. Someday I hope to have the satisfaction of having one of my own!

13. Sleeping after a day of working hard

14. Having time off (albeit temporarily) to be a keeper at home

15. Learning from godly ladies who encourage me to grow in the Lord

16. It is satisfying to praise and thank the Lord for all of the joys He blesses me with!!! :-D

Does anybody know what this is?

My basil plant has recently developed this thing on the end of one of its "branches." What is it? It's hard to get a good picture of it because it is so small, but it looks like a ton of leaves scrunched together. Is it just a really strange configuration of the leaves, or is it some sort of flower? It has never done this before.

Be careful in the sun!

Even though I presently live in a part of the country where people find it very easy to get a good tan, I am very careful about avoiding sun exposure. I know that it is unusual to not want a tan, but it seems to me that it should be an obvious choice.

Does a tan look nice? Yes, it does. I do not like to look like a ghost, either. But honestly, how much better do we really look with our skin just a tad darker? We don't really look that different, anyway. A tan will not transform a homely girl into a beautiful model. But that beautiful model will not look the same with a face full of wrinkles when she is still young!

Skin cancer is certainly a big risk. However, people seem to have a hard time focusing on that. Perhaps it is because we do not see that consequence for many years. Perhaps it is because we do not see tons of people with skin cancer all of the time, and therefore we do not think that it will happen to us. But we must consider whether what we are doing right now might possibly prevent us from living a long life, putting ourselves and our families through misery that could have been easily avoided.

But wrinkles and tough, leathery skin are consequences that people all seem to really fear. Tanning is done for the sake of beauty, but that purpose is surely defeated!

This article New Wrinkle for Tanning Junkies discusses that. I found it interesting.

We really need to be careful not to become obsessed with tanning. What is better: to be a little darker right now, which only lasts for a couple of weeks, or to preserve our complexions for the rest of our lives?

Some things that we can work on:
1. Avoid spending more time in the sun than necessary when the rays are most harmful.
2. Wear good sunscreen. I would like to find a good foundation that contains sunblock, because that would ensure protection on my face every day, all year. I frequently forget or do not bother to put sunblock on my face on a daily basis, partially because I do not like the way it feels.
3. Wear clothing that protects the skin, such as a hat.
4. Remember to do the same for your children!

Someday, I want somebody to look at me and say to my grandchild, "What? She's your grandma?" ;-D

Article about singleness

Hello all,

I recently came across this article, Seven Myths Single Women Believe. As a single woman, I found it interesting. People surely do like to give us advice! Which advice are we supposed to listen to?

One interesting thing is that I have seen several articles in recent months (both by Christians and by non-Christians) which sort of blast women for not "wanting" to get married younger. These authors argue against this problem: that women are determined to climb the ladder of success, dating around until they are professionally established, having the dim notion that once they reach the top of their field, they will then decide that it is time to get married to the world's most perfect man, who has just been sitting around waiting for her, and have a family right then. OK, yes, that does sound rather silly.

But this is not the problem with me or with the girls that I know. From my point of view, the women in my social sphere would love to get married if only the right opportunity would come along.

I am genuinely curious: what do people think that single women are supposed to be doing? They are getting blamed for being single because they have jobs. Maybe they have those jobs because they are single. (?)

Does having a job prevent a woman from ever becoming a homemaker? True, there are some women who are too career-focused to shift that focus to having a family. But what can the others do to avoid appearing like that is their focus?

This article seems to come closer to being helpful than some things I have seen, but I'm not sure that it comes to any strong conclusions. Any thoughts?

Great quotations from Ronald Reagan

Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose.

The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.

Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S was too strong.

I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.

I've laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting.

Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.

No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.

If we forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.

My desk

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Young Girl Reading, 1776 by Jean-Honore Fragonard

from www.allposters.com

Fashion Meme

Here is a meme (now I know that it is pronounced so that it rhymes with dream) that I got from Emma's blog:

What accessories do you wear every day? I almost always wear a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings. I think that my face looks odd without earrings. It does to me, anyway.

What was the last item of clothing (for yourself) that you purchased? I bought several things from Chadwick's. I was delighted to find some skirts that were 39 inches long. My favorite length! (unless I could find a 40-inch. That would be perfect!)

Do you use a dresser, closet, or both? I mostly use the closet, but there are some things that I put in drawers. I just recently began keeping sweaters in drawers instead of in the closet. But I am having trouble keeping them from getting wrinkled. If you have any suggestions, they would be welcome!

What type of earrings are in your ears right now? Red dangly teardrops.

What type of figure do you have? I am tall and on the thin side. I am working toward getting closer to the thin side!

Do you wear glasses? Only when my contacts are hurting me. I would much rather wear contacts.

What type of handbag do you carry? I have a little black purse, and I carry a black bag for my work supplies.

What is your ideal style? I love anything really classic. I do not follow trends, except for the fact that I try not to be actually out of style. I like things that go with many other pieces in my wardrobe. Therefore, I tend to go for solids and basic colors, and it does get a bit monotonous sometimes. Oh well. It works for me.

What jewelry are you wearing right now? The red earrings described above, a gold heart necklace with red stones, a bracelet with red stones, and a ring.

Do you wear knee-hi stockings? NEVER. I think that they are so tacky. I hate it when I can see the top of someone's knee-hi. Gross.

Do you wear makeup? If yes, what products do you use? A little. I use Clinique foundation and a variety of cheap brands for other stuff.

What outerwear do you put on when going out on a typical winters day? I usually don't need very much where I live. But I do have some light coats, and I wear gloves, a hat, and a scarf if it's really cold.

What is your favorite perfume? I still haven't committed to that one yet. I do like perfume, but I know too many people who are allergic to it -- I don't want to make them sneeze. Therefore, I haven't had much opportunity to experiment with it.

Is your motto "quality over quantity" when it comes to clothing and accessories? Definitely. I would rather have a small wardrobe of things that actually look good on me (and good together!) than a closet full of clothes I don't really like. People are going to notice what you look like today, not admire how long it's been since you've worn something.

Do you wear rain boots? No. Where I live, the rain comes too unexpectedly to plan that far ahead!

Do you wear socks or slippers when your feet get cold? Yes. :)

Do you have a set of travel luggage? Yes.

What is your daily uniform? I usually wear a suit to teach in.

If you are married, did you wear a veil with your wedding dress? Not married. But if I ever did get married (wishful thinking) I would wear a veil.

Do you wear a watch? Absolutely. In fact, I left it behind yesterday and could barely concentrate until I was wearing it again.

What item of clothing always makes you feel eXtremely beautiful? I would pay good money for an item of clothing like that! :)

Do you prefer zippers or buttons? I guess it depends on where they are.

What is your favorite type of yarn? I like thick, fuzzy yarn to knit with. However, right now I am knitting with three different pieces of thin yarn together. I like the way it's turning out.

If only life were like a computer

You know what else I would like? An Undo button for everything! Things I do, things I say an instantly regret -- wouldn't it be nice to hit ctrl-Z and undo? ;-D

No wonder

Look at the following article:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-03-01-american-tv_x.htm?csp=24

No wonder people from these countries despise Americans. Their only view of our day-to-day lives is what they see on these vile TV shows! I knew that they watched American TV, but I didn't realize it was such a huge industry over there. If I thought that an entire country was like the people on Desperate Housewives or Friends, I would not like that country, either!

We need to realize that their view of us is warped because of what they are basing it on.

So what can we do about it?

First of all and most importantly, we need to be praying about what is going on in the world. Surely the Lord would bless the efforts of our military more if His people were on their knees, consistently praying about it. Have we forgotten prayer in this issue? I am among solid Christians all the time, and yet I almost never hear anyone praying about our country's foreign relations. We pray for the safety of the troops, which is great, but there is more to it than just that.

Also, perhaps we can try doing something about giving them a good opinion of Americans. After all, the average American is not nearly as bad as the people on these shows. To start, we need to make sure that we are not supporting these shows ourselves! How can we stand watching something that goes so directly against the Word of God and makes a mockery of His perfect plan? If these shows were not popular right here in America, they would not have been able to achieve such popularity overseas.

We should strive to be a good example ourselves. Okay, so I'm not really sure what I can do myself to directly be a good example to the Iraqis, but they do watch our country. If they see evidence of Christians living righteously, the Lord can use that. If we are working to influence our own country for the cause of Christ, it will have an effect. Remember the principle of sowing and reaping: you do reap more than you sow. Let's sow seeds of righteous whenever we get the chance.

It grieves me to see my testimony as an American being demeaned because I am associated with these programs. These people do not need to watch examples of sin: they need the light of God's Word. It is our job to get it to them. Let's not assume that someone else will take care of it. Find a way to be a light to that area of the world, and go for it! Jesus is Victor!

What is an American?

The following is an excerpt from Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur's Letters from an American Farmer. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur came to America from France right around the time when our country was emerging. This selection is where we get the idea of America being a melting pot. Right before this selection, he is pointing out that Americans do not have an ethnic bond like other countries have. He explains what does constitute a true American, and he celebrates the American dream that immigrants were able to enjoy when they came here. I think that this will warm your heart about what America is all about:

What then is the American, this new man? . . . He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds. He becomes an American by being received in the broad lap of our great Alma Mater.

Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world. . . . The Americans were once scattered all over Europe; here they are incorporated into one of the finest systems of population which has ever appeared, and which will hereafter become distinct by the power of the different climates they inhabit.

The American ought therefore to love this country much better than that wherein either he or his forefathers were born. Here the rewards of his industry follow with equal steps the progress of his labour; his labour is founded on the basis of nature. Self-interest: can it want a stronger allurement? Wives and children, who before in vain demanded of him a morsel of bread, now, fat and frolicsome, gladly help their father to clear those fields whence exuberant crops are to arise to feed and to clothe them all; without any part being claimed, either by a despotic prince, a rich abbot, or a mighty lord. Here religion demands but little of him; a small voluntary salary to the minister, and gratitude to God; can he refuse these?

The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions. From involuntary idleness, servile dependence, penury, and useless labour, he has passed to toils of a very different nature, rewarded by ample subsistence.--This is an American.

The modesty survey is available

The modesty survey results are in. Let's go see what the men have to say! I haven't looked at it yet, but I'm about to. Let me know what you think.

How depressing!

Ha ha! Listen to what my fortune cookie said:

"Your One True Love will knock on your door in precisely 2 months, 8 days, and 14 hours; unfortunately, you will be out."

Isn't it lovely to know that God, not luck, is in control!

(still, it's pretty funny!) :)

Using the best words for His glory 2

Okay, I realize that you have probably assumed (or maybe hoped!) that I had forgotten all about my acclaimed grammar/usage series, which I started in this previous post.

But alas, I have not forgotten! Here is the second installment of the series. Aren't you excited? Aren't you? anybody?? Well, either way, I am an English teacher, and this is what English teachers do. :) Get ready to learn something. ;-D

Today's lesson is about the difference between compare to and compare with. The following quoted paragraph is taken directly from Theodore Bernstein's book The Careful Writer.

"The choice of to or with to follow compare is not a matter of indifference. When the purpose is to liken two things or to put them in the same category, use to. When the purpose is to place one thing side by side with another, to examine their differences or their similarities, use with. The choice of the preposition was erroneous in each of the following examples: 'The economy can be compared with [to] a runner who is coasting to get his second wind for another sprint'; 'Compared to [with] the $4,900,000,000 the Administration has proposed for foreign aid, the cost of the overseas reactor program will be small.' Since compare to is most often involved in figurative constructions, whereas compare with is the more literal, everyday phrase, the uses calling for with far outnumber those calling for to."

I had to look this up this evening while I was writing comments on papers I was grading. On one paper, I was trying to tell a student that he had not followed the example given on the assignment sheet, and I was trying to tell him to compare them. I thought, I'm the English teacher. Is it compare to or compare with? Hmm. I'd better look that one up, lest I be embarrassed.

I was happy to learn the difference, but I would be even happier if the majority of the students' papers could be compared to the assignment sheet instead of compared with it! :-D LOL

Here's the bottom line: if you saying that the two compared items are similar, use compare to. But usually, when we are comparing in order to point out differences, we should say compare with.

Super Bowl Sunday (and dip)

Some of our friends are coming over to see the game, and it should be a fun time. We got a football cake, and I also thought I would share the recipe for my favorite dip that I made for our game-watching enjoyment. It is so incredibly easy:

Ingredients:

~1 jar salsa con queso (we use Tostitos brand)
~1 can chili (we prefer the mild kind, because the dip ends up spicy anyway)
~If you prefer it less spicy and more cheesy, you can also mix in some Velveeta or some Cheez Whiz.

(Whenever guys are around, they tend to like the heat kicked way up. I don't mind if they add a bunch of jalapeno sauce to their own individual bowls, but keep it out of mine! I am not in a macho contest! Personally, I like it best just with the chili and the salsa con queso.)

Mix it all up and heat. Serve with chips. We like Tostitos Scoops.

The dip ends up kind of funny looking, but believe me you won't care because it is really good! I have made this super-simple dip for years, (basically any time we have a large group of people over) and we always run out. It just couldn't be better or easier, in my opinion. It is hard to stop eating it!

Scary article about Pelosi

Read this article about what Nancy Pelosi wants to do in our churches. This is not what our founding fathers would have intended!! She must not be permitted to do this!

Homemaking Meme

Here is a meme (what does that stand for, and how do you pronounce it??) that I got from Emma's blog.

Aprons – Yes or No? If Yes, what does your favorite look like?
Yes! I have two that I like to wear. I used to wear the one that I made in high school home ec, but now I wear the one that I wore when I was a server at a restaurant. It is really durable and has great pockets.

Baking – Favorite thing to bake
Cookies or turtle brownies.


Clothesline – Yes or No?
No; we use a dryer.


Doughnuts – Have you ever made them?
No, but I sure could go for a fresh, hot Krispy Kreme right now!

Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day
I try to keep my desk at work neat.


Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freezer?
No; that is a dream of mine. Someday I would love to have one.


Garbage Disposal – Yes or No?
Yes

Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource?
the Betty Crocker cookbook


Ironing – Love it or hate it? Or hate it but love the results?
I don't mind it. I like making everything look crisp and fresh. I wish things would stay that way!

Junk drawer – Yes or No? Where is it?
Yes: one in the kitchen, a couple in my bedroom filled with memorabilia that I just can't get rid of yet.

Love – What is your favorite part of homemaking?
I'll let you know when I get to do it consistently. :) I really love cooking, though.

Mop – Yes or No?
Yes

Oven – Do you use the window or open the oven to check?
Well, we have a cheap oven with no window. So I must peek. :)


Pizza – What do you put on yours?
At a normal pizza place, cheese and pepperoni. I also like spinach.


Quiet – What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
I never get a quiet moment during the day because I am at work! :) But aside from that, I like to read or just space out :) If I get a quiet moment at work, I get ready for my next responsibility. That way I don't have to do that on the weekend or in the evenings.


Recipe card box – Yes or No? What does it look like?
I type them up in a document on the computer. It is incredibly convenient b/c I can easily make copies or print out a recipe when I want to use it. Then I put it in a sheet protector on the counter. If it's one I use a lot, I keep it in a notebook as well.


Style of house – What style is your house?
Traditional brick. Very traditional inside and out. Pretty!


Tablecloths and napkins – Yes or No?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on the season and what we have that goes with that season. Usually, we just use placemats -- our table is pretty on its own.


Under the kitchen sink – Organized or toxic wasteland?
Pretty good right now.


Vacuum – How many times per week?
Per week, are you serious?


Wash – How many loads of laundry do you do per week?
One or two.


X’s – Do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?
I frequently do.


Zzz’s – What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Hang up whatever I was wearing :)

The Rebelution Modesty Survey

This is really neat -- you should check this out!

Alex and Brett Harris (little brothers of Joshua Harris who wrote I Kissed Dating Goodbye) have a web site, the Rebelution. On their web site, they have made the best modesty survey that I have ever seen. They are trying to get 1,000 Christian guys to answer this survey so that we ladies can know how guys really feel about the way that we dress and present ourselves. Only guys can answer the survey, but girls can read the questions. Now that I have read the questions, I am extremely curious to find out what the answers are!

They will post the results of the survey when 1,000 men take the survey. So far, it is going really well for them; but if any of you know men who would like to help their Christian sisters out, send them to this link.

I was amazed to see some of the questions that are being asked. I have always considered myself an extremely modest dresser, but I have never even thought of some of the things that the survey is asking about! It will be very valuable to see what the answers turn out to be.

Just like in the books we love

Some time ago, I came across the neatest catalog, the Victorian Trading Company. It is full of beautiful things that look just like they came out of a Jane Austen novel or from the turn of the century. (The time period is a little broader than just the Victorian era.) The catalog will make you feel like you are in a different century -- they sell clothes, cookbooks, home decorations, toys, whatever you can think of from those times gone by.

It is so much fun to look through! I love the visual reminder of all the elegance that used to be expected. Back then, women were LADIES and were proud to be feminine. Looking through this catalog inspires me to try recapturing some of that refinement in my own life.

The one problem is that a great deal of these items are quite expensive. I have never actually bought anything from this catalog (I just dream about it) because I don't feel that I can afford it. But sometime, I think it would be fun to buy a few select items and use them to dress everything else up.

They do have some exquisite clothing. Most of it would probably look a little unusual if you just wore it around like normal clothes, (they would make great costumes, though, if you could afford it) but some of their things would be a really neat addition to the wardrobe. Although I'm not sure why, but some of their dresses do not seem to abide by the Victorian standards of modesty. I wish that that part were a little more authentic. But much of their clothing really is beautiful.

I can only imagine how much a little girl would love growing up with some of these things around the house! What a dream! I see these items as a lesson in the true history of women -- women who were not oppressed or stifled by their femininity, but rather women who gloried in it.

You can request a free catalog on their web site (which also has some other fun activities such as some charming Victorian e-cards). I guarantee that when you look through your catalog, you will be delighted to see things that before you only read about. :)

The Reading, circa 1890-95 by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

from http://www.allposters.com

Take Time to be Holy

As we go throughout our busy day, why don't we reflect on the truths of one of my favorite hymns. If you would like to hear the tune, click here.

Take time to be holy,
speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in him always,
and feed on his word.
Make friends of God's children,
help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing
his blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy,
the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret
with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus,
like him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct
his likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy,
let him be thy guide,
and run not before him,
whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow,
still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus,
still trust in his word.

Take time to be holy,
be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive
beneath his control.
Thus led by his spirit
to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted
for service above.

This year, I resolve

Happy new year! I am not one that makes a big deal of new year's resolutions, but a commitment that I would like to make just happened to occur to me on New Year's Eve. So now, I get to join the crowds of resolvers. :)

I have decided to make a specific point to let the Lord strengthen my faith by seeing Him work. I tend to try to be self-sufficient much of the time, but that robs God of the opportunity to show Himself strong on my behalf and robs me of the joy of seeing Him work. I think that my problem is that I simply am not conscious enough of His active presence in my daily activities. Many times, it does not even occur to me to ask God to meet a need Himself before I go out on my own and finagle some inferior way to work out what I think needs to happen. What might I be missing out on?

I know that I am missing out on the sweetness that we could have in our relationship if I were thinking about His power and love and learning what He can do.

Jeremiah 9:23,24 says, "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD."

By leaving things in God's hands, I can fully give Him the glory for anything that happens: I am not the one who did it; instead, I will learn about what God can do.

The next time I am trying to figure out how to achieve something, whether it be solving a problem, acquiring something, or whatever, I commit to stop and pray about it for a while and see whether God would like to take care of it without my "brilliant" plans. Like the above verses say, I need to have a lower opinion of my own wisdom, might, and riches and instead glory in God's lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness.

By the end of the year, I would like to have a list of testimonies of how God has clearly worked; and along with that list, I would like to have a more mature faith. Since my father died when I was young, Mom and I have seen countless examples of how God can work miracles on a daily basis. I would love to see even more! I can't wait to see what my mighty God is going to do.

I would love to hear testimonies any time of what God has been doing for you, too. Let us praise Him together!