How Often?

It has been a little slower around the house the past week.

My cold has drained me by the time I clean up from dinner,

and hubby is still adjusting to the new job and the faster pace at a busier shop.

And so, we have had more time to talk.

I LIKE that.

Reevaluating schedules, habits, spending, ...

Where are we?

Where do we want to be?

How will we get there?

Are we on the right path?

How often do you reevaluate?

Is it often enough?

Too often?

Turned Out Well

Well, I had a great aspirations for the church potluck.

It is always a new adventure to come up with g-f foods for a crowd.

We also try to meet the needs of others ...

dairy free, nothing out of a can, diabetic friendly ...

I did get the meatloaf cupcakes made.

Hubby suggested that I put them in wrappers,

which did help with the presentation.

He even got excited and iced them for me!

 I made a quinoa "pasta" salad.

The fresh dill and lemon juice were really tasty.

I also made some spicy peanut noodles.

I served them cold, but they were better warmed the next day.

Just simple fudge cookies for dessert,

and a white bean cake.

I don't think that I have posted the white bean cake recipe.

It is easy - and has fairly basic ingredients (if you have yummy coconut oil)

White Bean Cake

1 1/2 c white beans (cooked)

4 1/2 Tbsp coconut oil

1/2 c + 1 Tbsp honey

3 eggs

1 T vanilla

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

Blend all ingredients in blender.

Pour into greased 9" pan.

Bake 350* 35-40 min.

Ice with your choice of frosting or cool whip

or leave plain and top with strawberries.

Guess

Ginger-infused Tea

Apple cider vinegar and Honey

Vapo-rub

Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup

Any guesses at what I have been up to?

Spent most of the week sick with a terrible head cold.

Missed church Wednesday and piano lessons yesterday.

Finally slept well last night and am feeling more "up."

True Love

Proverbs 13:24 

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: 

but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

The Proverb for this week is not popular in society.

Modern teaching encourages parents to reason with their children.

Psychology warns that corporal punishment will bruise a child's psyche.

While I agree that abuse exists,

and that "the rod" can be used inappropriately,

I also see that it is an excuse to follow the Bible's clear command.

True love for children is shown by Biblical training. 

It is not a one time act.

There will be repeated correction and training.

Are you showing true love to your children?

Don't Forget

Psalm 103:2 

Bless the LORD, O my soul, 

and forget not all his benefits:

It is easy to get weighed down in the details of life.

It is easy to be tossed to and fro.

It is easy to get frazzled by the busy-ness of each day.

It is easy to forget.

The Psalmist reminded his soul to remember ...

and I must remind myself as well.

God has given us SO much!

God used two 4 church members to bless me this week.

One lent me a steam cleaner - 

saved me $35 dollars and it did a better job then a rental.

One lent a chain saw and a big truck - 

to remove a tree that fell in a storm so that I did not have to mow around it 

until the landlord had time to take care of it.

Two took all of the music responsibilities on Sunday - 

giving me a more ability to focus on the service.

ALL His benefits.

More Cupcakes for Dinner?

Isn't that adorable?

The church is having another after church "crunch and munch"

and I am thinking of trying these.  

Any meatloaf recipe and any potato recipe would work,

but I will probably follow this one closely for the gluten free - dairy free benefit.

I love the cherry tomato on top - Cute!

Strength in Weakness

 II Corinthians 12:10 

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, 

in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: 

for when I am weak, then am I strong.

God lets me experience the tough times to remind us how much I need Him.

I am nothing in myself, but have all strength in Him!

Accountability

Do you have a friend or family member who "holds your feet to the fire?"

I do.

In fact, I married him almost 11 years ago.

Hubby has some serious discipline regarding Bible memory.

It probably helps that it comes easier to him then to most,

but he is faithful to it none the less.

I have been working on the book of Galatians since January '12.

I have not been as faithful or disciplined as I should.

I finished the book this week.

I will spend another week reviewing it.

These are pictures of the paper I have been carrying on my walks.

They need to be reprinted or taped up.

I am so thankful for a husband who is not afraid to get tough with me.

I am full of excuses,

but he doesn't take them.

He just keeps encouraging me,

asking me how far I have come,

and reminding me that it is important.

I think I will review I Thessalonians next,

and then tackle Ephesians :)

I am also thankful for the sunshine.

I just couldn't wait until Saturday, the rest of the seeds went into the ground yesterday,

and the deck furniture was cleaned,

and the carpets are going to be deep cleaned this week.

What are You Leaving Behind?

Proverbs 13:22 

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: 

and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Often I am amazed at the things I carry over from childhood.

Habits, phrases, mannerisms, desires ...

Perhaps you have heard of the young bride preparing a meal in her new home.

She prepared a ham - just as her mother and grandmother had.

This included cutting 3" off before sticking it in the oven.

When asked why she did that, 

she simply said that she was following the teaching she had received.

Upon further investigation,

it was discovered that grandma cut 3" off of the ham

because her pan was too small.  :)

God may not give every parent the ability to leave monetary gifts to their children and grandchildren,

but I think that this verse conveys much more than a physical inheritance.

What legacy will you leave behind?

The statistics bear record that children generally follow in their parents' footsteps.

Are your children seeing a Christian life without hypocrisy in you?

Are you teaching your children to have a relationship with God?

Are your children seeing a godly marital relationship lived honestly before them?

Are your children learning fiscal responsibility?

Are your children learning to deny self?

Do your children have true gratitude for the kindness of others?

Big Day and Big Weekend Ahead

Just a quick note ...

Today I am helping with a luncheon at church,

then babysitting this afternoon into the evening.

The day should go quickly.

Spinach

Beets

Peas

 The garden is progressing.

This weekend many of the remaining seeds will go in.

Tomatoes, peppers, melons, pumpkins, squash, ...

Yummy!

Easier Chicken Pot Pie

I am helping with a luncheon for the older folks in our church tomorrow.

Though it does not need to be gluten free,

it would be helpful if hubby and I can eat the leftovers.

I made scalloped potatoes with ham - 

and easy swap of wheat based flour for gluten free flour.

I also decided to make a turkey pot pie.

Crust is a real hassle though.

Until I found this cobbler topping.

Gluten-free Cobbler Topping

2 c gluten free flour

1 tsp salt

2 tsp sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 c milk

Easy to stir up.

Pour over pie filling.

Bake 45-60 minutes.

Haven't tried it yet, but it sure looks good to me!

** It has now been tried ... and it was very good.
Unfortunately, I only had Bob's Red Mill flour which has a bean taste,
in my opinion, but next time I will make it with my own flour blend. **

Numbers Can Lie

A man with God is always in the majority. 

 ~John Knox

It is not popular opinion that determines right and wrong.
If I stand on God's side, even if I stand alone, I am in the majority.

Beauty

Today I am thankful for the spring beauty around me.

The Bradford pears have shed their snow-white blossoms,

but 

the tulips, 

the mountain pinks / creeping phlox,

the brilliant purple red bud tree, 

and the vibrant green grass

are a welcome sight.

The Company We Keep

Proverbs 13:20 

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: 

but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

You have seen it ...

the preteen girls who talk and dress like one another,

the siblings who look nothing alike, and yet you know they are related,

the husband and wife who start to look alike.

"We become like the company we keep."

While this proverb is not written solely to women,

I believe that women probably struggle the hardest with it.

Women typically desire many close friends.

Women generally have a hard time ending destructive friendships.

Women often have a harder time confronting sin.

But the principle is clear;

if I want to be wise (and I do),

I need to surround myself with wise women.

They will encourage,

rebuke,

challenge,

and keep me on the right path.

The alternative is not so promising.

If I am not discerning in my friendships,

I face destruction.

The task will not be easy.

Check out what Solomon saw:

 Ecclesiastes 7:28 

"...Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: 

one man among a thousand have I found; 

but a woman among all those have I not found."

Testing 1 - 2 - 3 ... Testing 1 - 2 - 3

The temperatures indicate summer today (80* +),

but the golden dust covering the cars tells us that it is indeed Spring.

And so the test begins ...

will the gluten-free diet help hubby's seasonal allergies?

So far, so good.

Break Out the Grill

Alright, we never really put our grill away here.

It always seems to be grilling weather.

But today?

Wow!

Spring is here.

 

The windows are ALL open wide.

The breeze is strong.

The trailer is up to 77* - perfect weather, in my opinion.

 

So for dinner,

Grilled Chicken and Veggies!

 

 

I just put chicken, yellow squash, zuccini,

mini sweet peppers and scallions in an Asian inspired marinade.

 

We will eat the grilled treat over brown rice.

Yummy!

 

Marinade

1/4 roasted sesame oil

1/2 c agave nectar

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp ground ginger

2 garlic cloves, minced

Worry or Dependence?

You can tell the size of your God 

by looking at the size of your worry list.  

The longer your list, the smaller your God.  

How big is your God today?
Can others see it?

Encouragement in Small Packages

On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for the encouragement

of a pint-sized 4 year old.

We spent Sunday afternoon with her and her family 

and then I spent Monday with her again.

The encouragement:

She was telling me about the brother that is expected in August ...

And then she sweetly added,

"We need to pray that God will put a baby in your belly."

The faith of a child ...

and encouragement,

and rebuke,

and reminder that with God all things are possible.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

When I read of the virtuous woman in Proverbs,

I often think of the Aesop's Fable about the Tortoise and the Hare.

It is not speed that is commended.

It is not big talk that is commended.

It is diligence and hard work and faithfulness to the task that God values.

Proverbs 12:11 

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: 

but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

The virtuous woman has the proper priorities:

work over play.

She knows that she has responsibilities at home 

which are more important than "playing" with "the girls."

Do you care for the needs within your home

or are you distracted by the need for entertainment and "me-time"?

Proverbs 12:24 

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: 

but the slothful shall be under tribute.

Do you have trouble controlling your home or those you are in charge of?

Perhaps you lack diligence. 

A position of leadership requires consistency and attention to details.

No one wants to follow a lazy, inconsistent leader.

Children especially know when you are lazy in your discipline.

If there is a chance that they can get away with sin, they will try it.

It is quite easy to tell if a parent is consistent with discipline:

her children respond to just a look, one word, their names, or  even a sound.

They know the boundaries are always the same 

(even when mommy is sick/tired,  or out in public, or has company) 

and stay within those lines.

Proverbs 12:27 

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: 

but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

The diligent woman values what she has and appreciates what she has been given.

I am easily upset by the welfare mentality. 

This mindset says that I deserve what I am given,

that I have earned a free ride.

This mindset also tends to waste - "because it cost me nothing."

I have seen this passed on to children.

Many children are allowed to destroy their toys, their clothes ...

Why?

"It was free, it was just a dollar, ..."

Do you waste food?

Do you allow your children to "trash" their clothes and toys?

These are not the characteristics of diligence.

Proverbs 13:4 

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: 

but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Diligence is rewarded - both here and in eternity.

I believe that the diligent woman will receive what she needs.

The diligent will also have greater contentment with what God has provided.

Proverbs 13:11 

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: 

but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

There is no easy, or quick way to wealth.

dil·i·gence    n.

1. Earnest and persistent application to an undertaking; steady effort; assiduity.

2. Attentive care; heedfulness.

3. steady and careful application

4. proper attention or care

5. constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken.

This Morning in NC

Psalm 100:4 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, 

and into his courts with praise: 

be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

I just have to be thankful for these beauties ... 

another token of Spring.

And these little seedlings join the peas.

Do you recognize them?

Also thankful for the promise of a new hot water tank to be installed tonight.

It appears to be DOUBLE the size!

WooHoo!  We can take more than an 8 minute shower!

Projects Completed

Hubby is back to work today ...

First day with his new employer.

He had last week off as he transitioned from one location to another.

He accomplished much ...

and by default, I accomplished very little.

He collected his tools and tool boxes from his former employer

and said goodbye to his friends there.

He put new brakes on the truck.

He repaired a college student's car.

He replaced the floor beneath my washer and dryer.

He built a new clothesline for me.

We found more stuff to Ebay.

There is still more on the "to-do" list ...

but much of it I can do myself ... 

steam-cleaning carpets ...

pressure washing back porch ...

pruning trees ...

Oh - and we found water in the closet again.

I think this time the landlord will have to the hot water heater.

I am not enjoy the state of disarray that this creates.

I am, however, enjoying the warm temps today. 

I spent the morning with 3 cutie kiddos.

We ate lunch outside and enjoyed the magnificent weather.