Saturday, July 30, 2005

Christmas In July

Today was our annual Christmas In July craft day! Sometime, years ago, I read in a magazine about a lady who had a craft day at her home every July for working on Christmas projects and crafts. I loved the idea and have done it several years.

There were ten of us, sitting in our air conditioned dining room wearing shorts and sweating from the nearly 100 degree weather outside. But, we were inside! Listening to Christmas music, eating vanilla ice cream snowmen, talking about snowflakes and crafting Christmas goodies! It was such a fun time! Thank you to all who came and made it a fun and memorable day of friends and fun!

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Jesus King of Angels

I just heard this song on the radio for the first time - so beautiful and great lyrics! By Fernando Ortega:

Jesus King of angels heaven's light
Shine Your face upon this house tonight
Let no evil come into my dreams
Light of heaven keep me in Your peace

Remind me how You made dark spirits flee
And spoke Your power to the raging sea
And spoke Your mercy to a sinful man
Remind me Jesus this is what I am

CHORUS:
The universe is vast beyond the stars
But You are mindful when the sparrow falls
And mindful of the anxious thoughts
That find me, surround me and bind me

With all my heart I love You Sovereign Lord
Tomorrow let me love You even more
And rise to speak the goodness of Your name
Until I close my eyes and sleep again

CHORUS

Jesus King of angels heaven's light
Hold my hand and keep me through this night

Pure and Sweet Innocence

I love this photo of Emily and Brianna playing together! Brianna is the daughter of my good friend, Grace. So adorable!

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Helpful Info

When we first got our home phone number, we were getting tons of sales calls. I followed the directions here and have received only a handful over the last year and a half. It really does work if you are tired of telemarketers calling you. The calls we have gotten have been ministry related or local things that probably do not use the national list. Anyway, just wanted to pass this info on.

Tips?

Two women came to my door yesterday asking me a few questions about the last days and the Bible. At the end of the conversation, they asked if they could leave a booklet with me and come back in a few days to ask me what I thought about it. I said that would be fine. So, now these two will be coming back and they are Jehovah Witnesses.

I've been reading the booklet, just for the sake of understanding where they are coming from. I seem to remember someone saying to suggest that I listen to them uninterrupted for ten minutes and then ask them to listen to me for ten minutes.

I don't want to get into an argument or debate with them and think that the most important thing is for them to really hear the Gospel. So, I was thinking I'd walk through the Bridge diagram. Any other suggestions on this?

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Worth Your Time

This is a great article to read if you have about 10 minutes and want to be encouraged. It is a challenge to women to be who God wants us to be whether single or married (though her experience is married). This is written by our pastors wife, Audrey Broggi.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Mary Jane's Farm

I received my September Country Home magazine yesterday and was immediately drawn to an article about a lady who runs an organic farm in Idaho. Have a look at this web site! It is so inspiring and tugs at my creativity! A woman who likes to garden, cook, sew, do crafts, canning, etc... I am interested to check out her own magazine now! And, I would absolutely love to attend her Organic Home Economics classes! If you look it up, let me know what you thought!

Monday, July 18, 2005

Creamy Lemonade Cups

I made this new recipe this weekend and it was really yummy! I always ask David to rate new recipes on a scale from 1-10. 1 being never make it again and 10 being it is a new favorite! He gave it a 7.5. One thing I'd improve next time is to make it a little farther ahead - it is better when fully chilled! Enjoy!

1 1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs (about 20 squares)
1/4 c. butter or margarine, melted
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 c. finely chopped nuts
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
3/4 c. lemonade concentrate
1 carton (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

In a bowl, combine the crumbs, butter and sugar. Stir in the nuts. Set aside 1/4 c. for topping; press the remaining mixture onto the bottom of eight dessert dishes. In another bowl, combine the milk and lemonade concentrate; fold in the whipped topping. Spoon into prepared dishes. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Chill until serving. Yield: 8 servings.

Note: I did not have any lemonade concentrate, so substituted 1/2 c. lemon juice and 1/4 c. sugar mixture. It was yummy!

Recipe from: Country Magazine

Friday, July 15, 2005

Pattern Anyone?

Does anyone know where I can get a *cheap or free* pattern for one of these? I saw a pattern at Wal-Mart, but it was $8 which makes me think I should just buy the product instead of making it. Thanks for any help or info you have!

A Simple Pleasure of Home...

I washed my sheets and quilt in SA8 (from Amway) with lavendar and sage essential oils today, and the smell is so wonderful! It smells great while they are washing and I can't wait to lay down in bed and smell the clean herb smell again! (Ok, so it doesn't take a lot to make me happy!)

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

They're Married!

I don't have any pictures to share yet - but want to post Congratulations to my sister and her new husband! Now enjoying their honeymoon in Hawaii, the newlyweds planned a great wedding weekend full of fellowship and fun! David, Emily and I enjoyed our trip to Orange City and especially the time with family. Congratulations!

Monday, July 04, 2005

Patriotic Baby

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Hydrangeas!


Is it true that it is now so easy to upload pictures? Here is a test photo - some hydrangeas from our yard! So pretty ~

Let me know if you can see this photo, so I'll know if it is working! Yeah - I am excited to add photos to my blogging experience!

A Prayer for Our Country

"Almighty God, You have given us this great land as our heritage. We humbly pray that we may always remember Your generosity and faithfully do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education and an honorable way of life. Defend our liberties and strengthen the resolve of the people who have come from throughout the world to make America their home. Lead us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Help us to appreciate the opportunities that are ours as we struggle to bring harmony to an unsettled world. May we balance our concern for justice with a willingness to display mercy, and may our concern for security be tempered with a willingness to take risks which will produce worthwhile change for the good of all people. O Lord, we pray for Your guidance as we work together for the best interest of our communities, our nation, our world, and the ultimate goal of peace. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful and in troubled times may our deepest trust be in You. Amen."

~ Chaplains' Service Book of Prayers

Saturday, July 02, 2005

Psalm 32

After reading this Psalm, I realized that the theme is how the godly person should live. I put this here as a reminder to myself.

vs. 3-5: in repentance, confessing and acknowledging sin and receiving His forgiveness
vs. 6: pray
vs. 7: go to God for protection
vs. 8: listen to God's instruction and follow His leading
vs. 9: follow God cheerfully and willingly
vs. 10: trust Him
vs. 11: praise Him!

Friday, July 01, 2005

4th of July!

I absolutely love the Fourth of July holiday! I love decorating in red, white, and blue and making things look really festive!

Our neighborhood has started having a parade on the morning of July 4th. This year is the second annual parade where everyone decorates bike, stroller, wagon, dog, etc... and we just parade through the neighborhood. We end up at the house across from ours for refreshments. I hope Emily enjoys her first parade!

I've invited people for dinner that evening. I made red, white, and blue paper lanterns and hung them from the ceiling in our dining room - they look great! So fun.

Does anyone else have any Fourth of July ideas, foods, events they enjoy? I'd love to hear about them!

Saucy BBQ Pork Chop Skillet

Prep: 5 min. Total: 25 min.

4 center cut, bone-in pork chops (about 1 lb.)
1 tsp. vegetable oil
2 slices onion
1/4. cup or less diced green pepper
1/2 c. BBQ sauce (I think it would be good to even water this down a little)

Brown chops in oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium heat 5 minutes on each side. Remove from skillet; keep warm.

Add onion and pepper to skillet; cook and stir 5 minutes. Add BBQ sauce.

Bring to a simmer. Return chops to skillet; spoon sauce over top. Simmer 3-5 minutes or until heated through, turning once.

Makes 4 servings: 1 chop and 1/4 cup sauce mixture each.

We really liked this and the meat had great flavor. I got this recipe from Kraft, but made some changes. Enjoy!