Goodness and Mercy

Wednesday Weigh In

2012-02-15T13:58:00.000-08:00

This wasn't a good week...I weighed in at exactly the same down to the 1/10 lb. that I weighed last week...RevDr asked me several times if I wanted my favorite candy for Valentine's Day and with my best martyr voice I insisted that he should NOT TO BUY ME ANY CANDY...then I made a loaf of white artisan bread with sesame seeds...I just cut a thin slice...then another and another and I buttered, and buttered. Well RevDr bought me rose bushes...but I bought him candy...and guess who ate his candy? Ya,me.

Somehow the Rosemary makes it almost look harmless

A McDonald's Revelation

2012-02-11T18:34:00.000-08:00

I learned something AMAZING this week...a McDonald's ice cream come only has 140 calories and 3.5 grams of fat, a REAL cone not a kids size. This is BIG news to me as I'm allowed 1 sweet a day and this is well within My calorie range,but guess what... you know those McDonald's milkshakes 12 oz. vanilla 540 calories GULP or say a 32 oz. triple thick strawberry shake 1,110 calories double GULP... too bad I live so far from McDonalds.

Lean Cuisine- Cheddar Potatoes with Broccoli Review

2012-02-08T06:26:00.000-08:00

This morning was my Wednesday weigh in down 4.2 lbs!!! my biggest lose yet, however I did have some kind of flu thing Saturday and didn't feel much like eating for a day and was tummy sick...after it was over I weighed myself (I know naughty!) and I was down an extra 3 lbs. more then this weigh in. but no doubt that was a water weight loss. After not eating for a day (and not feeling like eating) I was tempted to splurge and eat whatever I wanted the next day...I mean I had all these extra calories to use! but I didn't.This weeks diet meal review of the week is Lean Cuisine's "Cheddar Potatoes with Broccoli". These are $1.98 at my store as they have no meat and I guess are cheaper to make. 210 calories and 4grams fat is really good, keep in mind however that 1 cup of broccoli florets has 30 calories as well as 1 small potato has about 100...this didn't contain that much broccoli, so most of this meals calories came from the cheese sauce. The sauce was really good,it need salt and pepper to make it to my taste but still good, what I couldn't figure out was why there was so little broccoli as it's so low cal I'm guessing because broccoli florets are a higher priced food item? Since there was plenty of cheese sauce I steamed another cup of frozen florets and added them to my meal still plenty of sauce to cover them and only brought up the total calories up to 240.

before

after I added my own broccoliIf I really wanted to do some work I could add a grilled chicken breast to this.

Little Rewards

2012-02-07T07:33:00.000-08:00

As some of you know I've been on a diet since the start of the year, I hate to use the word "diet" since I've come to the conclusion that If I will ever be slim and stay slim I will have to watch what I eat for the rest of my life. That's just the way it is. I am doing quiet well, my goal is 100 lbs. for the year. 33 lbs. by Easter, 50 lbs. by my birthday June 19th and 80 lbs. by Halloween. So 2-3 pounds per week is very doable. This first month I have really been trying to get my food under control, next month I will start my workouts more intensively. I 'm eating 1,600-1,800 calories a day as I lose weight I will either have to lower this number or increase activity but at this point it's working. I'll be honest in the 1st month I have only gone out to eat once, Matthew had a "Book It" coupon from school so I took him to Pizza Hut and got a medium thin and crispy pizza for myself, I ate 2 small slices and brought the rest home...I really wanted to eat more, was I hungry...not really I just wasn't full. I have eaten at Subway a few times getting the kids meal with baked chips, is the best option I have found and it leaves me again, not "hungry" but not really "full" either. I went out to Breakfast at McDonald's once and had an egg McMuffin (300 calories with a lot of protein). One of my acquaintances posted this on Facebook and I thought it was so good.

Because that's exactly what I do. Every week when I go grocery shopping I stop by the bakery and get a special reward to eat on the way home, sometimes it's an eclair and or a red velvet cupcake. Why am I rewarding myself with food for? Maybe it goes back to childhood when you got a lollipop for being "good" who knows, "Well you have been such a good girl this week, folded 15 loads of laundry, stayed up with a fussy baby you deserve to have this 600 calorie eclair". I am also trying not to reward my children with food I don't say they can't have a cookie, but no more "if you're good you can have a cookie", what nonsense is that! So I have been replacing my food "reward" with something else earrings, new nail polish or a small plant each week. Is it easy? No, last night I was so hungry for a sweet I thought about getting dressed at around 10 pm and driving into town (5 miles each way). Something I learned in Bible College is whenever you take away a bad habit to replace it with a good one. I have been weighing myself on Wednesdays, So I will update you on the end of my 4 week progress then.

More Then Enough

2012-01-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

So I'm on a diet...again, day #4. Counting calories is what I find is easiest and works best. I can eat whatever I want but just like a budget once the calories are "spent" that's it till the next day. I also bought a scale...I haven't weighed myself since my last baby was born...that baby is now 14 months old. Day #1 were hard...I mean I went to bed with a growling tummy, after that my appetite seemed to even out. I'm trying to eat nutrient dense food,with lots of fiber, and small portion sizes...I know my "snack trigger" is after the kids go to bed, say after 9 pm, so I try to save some calories for then, and I have 1 dessert everyday I try to "budget" 300 calories for that. 3/4 C of pasta with 1/2 Cup sauce (thats a "serving" per the package, is a pretty small serving. Yesterday everyone else had chips with lunch then cookies...I didn't have either. The only person I'm cheating is myself if I do eat junk food. My goal is to lose 33 lbs. by Easter,I think if I lose that much I can fit into one of my old favorite dresses. I'll keep you updated. Here is what I ate yesterdayBreakfast: 1 cup coffee with cream1/2 c. old fashioned oatmeal with a little milk and suagr free syrup1 boiled eggSnack: smmothie made with 1/2 c plain yougert,frozen small bannana,frozen "fresh" figs (from my trees)and a few strawberries,ice and a little water to get the consistance right, a splash of vanilla and a splash of lemon juice, the figs were super sweet but this still wasn't THAT sweet.Lunch: 1/2 Turkey Sandwich just turket and mustard), large dill pickle and 1/4 cup "vege sticks"Snack: spicey chick peas (made in oven, these taste like corn nuts)Dinner, baked chickens breast with mushroom brown rice and peas,2 Tablespoons stove top stuffing, isn't that just the saddest portion : )salad with balsamic vinegarAfter the kids went to bed, chocolate moosse with whiped topping and several marachino cherriesI realized I hadn't gotten my min, calories!!!! If you cut calories too low (below 1,500) you metobalism will shut down because your body think it's starving, so I ate a small slice of cheese and 3 crackers, yumThis is a 3/4 cup pasta and 1/2 cup sauce 2 oz. ground round,served on a dinner sized plate,very filling

That Time of Year

2011-12-17T07:57:00.000-08:00

It happens every 7 years, Christmas falls on a Sunday, which means Christmas Eve is Saturday night. We have just entered into our 7th year of marriage, last time it didn't matter. This time we have 3 kids! What to do , what to do. We have Christmas Eve Service at our church so we can't open gifts then. I figure our kids won't let us sleep that late anyway! I thought perhaps we could wait for gifts till we all got home from church as the regular Sunday morning is pretty busy...I don't think the kids will go for it. Since we have moved and it will be only 2 adults making a duck and a turkey seems silly, so I think I am making a duck and a chicken. RevDr's favorite around the holiday's is Goose Liver Pate...which no one sells in this area...suprise suprise.In other news Presbyboy turned 6,Presbybaby is now 1 and walking. I also have chicks inthe incubator that should hatch tomorrow, if the kidshaven't been to rough with them which is a high possibility!

Tuesday Afternoon Jesus

2011-12-07T07:50:00.001-08:00

The Tuesday Afternoon JesusAll of you know my husband, You know the man who stands before you on Sunday morning, the man who visits you if you're sick or comforts you at the grave side of your loved one. Some of you know him more intimately as a friend whom you laugh with at lunches or work on projects with, but none of you really know him as I do. He is my “bride groom” the man whom I consult with on many matters, raise children with when I am sick he takes over many of my duties, when I'm weak he carries me when I'm over reacting or full of nonsense he tells me, when I'm sad he consoles me and much sooner then we think we will grown old together and go from this earthly life. You know my Sunday morning husband, but I know my Tuesday afternoon husband,the two are the same the difference is the relationship. Everyone in this room knows Jesus,even if you've never been much of a church goer you know from the media that church is where people go to talk about Jesus and that Jesus is God's son, someone to cry out to when something bad happens. Maybe someone to blame when cruel life doesn't go as you wish it did. You think that Jesus lives in the beautiful church building the one you visit to get married, baptized or to say a final farewell to a loved one, but there's another Jesus, the Tuesday afternoon Jesus.Several years ago a very bad storm came through the town where I grew up, everyone's power was out for several days, it was bitterly cold and no one could really drive anywhere, not that there was any place to go. Suddenly in the space of a few days I began to know everyone on my street very well, the people who had fireplaces offered to let those who didn't come and sleep in their homes to stay warm, everyone pooled their food and we cooked it on a grill and entertained one another, playing board games and listening to a small radio. In those few days I got to know the people I had lived within just a few feet of most of my life very well, not because I particularly wanted to but because I needed to in order to survive.The funny thing that happened, was as soon as the power was restored and the danger over we all went back to our own homes,and we went right back to the relationships we had before of the casual nod and a slight wave. Almost as if we had forgot how much we had needed one another just a few days before. The discomfort and danger was over. We could rely on ourselves again .Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will commune with him, and he with me.There is a Tuesday afternoon Jesus that wants to speak to you every day not just on a Sunday. There's a Jesus that if you'll ask him will care if you ran out of gas on the way to work, lost your check book or don't know what to do with your rebellious teenager. Sometimes you hear Jesus knocking loudly on your heart's door, but much more often it's his slight, constant tap asking to be let in, maybe so quiet that you've learned to ignore it, yet he patiently stands outside your hearts door, you pass him everyday, like that next door neighbor casually giving him a nod or a wave, but never really going beyond an acquaintance. Maybe many years ago you knew him quiet well but now you only speak occasionally. But still he waits patiently for you to ask him in, to help you in your daily struggles and to comfort you in your Tuesday afternoon problems. Asking Jesus to come in is something so simple even a little child can understand it. Hell is still hot, the Devil is as real as you and me but Jesus' blood can still conquer them both.GO INTO ROMAN'S ROAD PLAN OF SALVATION.Praying and asking Jesus to come into your life isn't made up of magical words that save you it's the believing in your heart.Sample Prayer“Dear Jesus, I know I've done thing wrong in my life and that I need you desperately , not only to be my Savior but to be my friend and guide, thank you for shedding your blood on the cross to cover my sins and promising me a home in heaven someday. Amen.

Same Time Last Year

2011-11-30T06:13:00.001-08:00

I almost never read my old posts, maybe I should deleate them. Last year at this time was kind of a dark place, our severance from our old church would run out at Christmas as well as our health care. I had a new born and at that moment we thought we were going to be going to a church...then things feel through. Of course I didn't know that we would be going on more interviews and visits and that we would get the wonderful church we have now. Between Christmas and March we lived off our savings, ministers don't qualify for unemployment, RevDr got a VERY part time job and was doing some pulpit filling but was going on so many interviews to far away churches he had to have some freedom to travel. He couldn't find any employment in the legal world and he would have to wait months to take the bar again and to hear if he would even pass. He did get his Real Estate license during that time and we did get to enjoy having him home alot which was nice due to the new baby. I had a huge stockpile of goods from my couponing in my basement. I couponed mostly because it was fun to see how much stuff I could get for so little,when my shelves we're full I'd donate it to the food bank or homeless shelter and I felt good for being able to give. We trimmed all the "fat" from our budget and lived very simply. However we had lived pretty "simply" before this. We bought few gifts that Christmas but kids 0,2 and 5 enjoy pretty much opening everything and our extended family was generous. Something I remember from that time is eating Turkey, after the Holidays I had got a bunch of frozen,leftover Turkey's for .19 a lb. that combined with my coupon stockpile fed us. In January we went on two interviews in a two week time in far away states,I went along with the newborn too. We ended up being caught in a storm and stuck in the airport for a few days coming home. When we finally got home we had one day to unpack, repack and leave again. We got offers from both churches and ended up taking the one which was much less money but a much healthier church, one we felt God was leading us to. They said RevDr could start right away since they didn't have anyone...the day he left we had 1,000 left of our savings,we had credit cards but I wasn't going to use them. I thought maybe I should sell my wedding ring...I didn't. I stayed back home with the little ones and packed and got the house ready to sell then drove up when everything was finished. Driving 1,200 miles with a 4 month nursing baby, a 2 year old and a 5 year old is a whole story just in it's self. Our new little church has been such a blessing, they get along so well with each other, there are no fights, which may sound silly if you've never been in a disfunctual church. They are able to focus their stregnth in helping OTHERS and because of this they are able to do so much more then even a large church. They love us and we love them.Just a note, a year before this I had read the Dave Ramsey books on financial planning, if not for him we wouldn't have had enough sense to save money, I truly don't know what we would have done if we hadn't followed him and saved 3-6 months of living expenses.

Gardening Plans

2011-10-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

I'm still getting used to living here where there are several growing seasons, coming from a place where we were lucky to get one. This summer we had a drought, my Pecan Trees,Lemon Tree and grapes dropped their tiny fruit way too early. The Blueberries, Fig and Pear did better, in fact I am still getting figs every few days...I am kinda figed out. This winter I have a LOT of pruning work to be done, I would venture that most of these haven't been pruned in about 10 years. The bonus is that I have very mature trees in place. I have also been working on raised beds and building up the soil quality in a section where I plan to have traditional rows. So these are my plans for next year,right now all I have in the ground are sweet potatoes.Raised Beds with Herbs:Stevie, Parsley, Rosemary,Basil (for pesto)Raised Bed:Mescalin Lettuce and Romaine, this can be kept going in all but very hot months, with a cold frame can be kept through the winterTomato, peppers, mainly paste tomatoesI am going to add Mignonette strawberries as a border to garden beds, these are very small, heirloom berries that are grown from seed. It was hard to find a type that won't bake here and these are self sowing without sending out runners, I will have to plant these early as they don't like extreme heat.Row CropsHeirloom PopcornGreen BeansEgg PlantClimbing stuff:CantaloupeWatermelonCucumbersSummer squash and ZucchiniIn a small plotShallots, vidalla,garlic Fall Garden Beets, Kale,Rainbow Carrots,My fun item is a small plot of peanuts, which I'm told grow wonderfully around

Winter Projects

2011-10-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful link about worm compost binshttp://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/wormbins.htmI Hate to use the term "winter" now that I live in FL winter to me is feet of snow, here winter will mean nightly lowes in the high 30's maybe low 30's for a few weeks, then warm up to 60's during the day. Jan & Feb. are cold by the end of March most people have their garden in. I have a LOT of pruning to do, there are lots of scrub trees growing in my blueberry bushes, and the bushes themselves are a good 15 feet tall,pretty much everything needs pruned. There is also a 12 ft. tall pecan tree growing in the middle of my Hydrangeas...I love Hydrangeas and I love Pecans but we need a shade tree where it is, I'm thinking I will try to transplant the hydrangeas. I didn't order meat birds as I planned, we have an empty freezer but the power here goes out ALL THE TIME, I'm afraid all my expense in raising organic birds will go to waste, the power company claims they will be fixing things so maybe next year. In the spring I plan to hatch out chicks from my flock (for sale) as well as a few new pullets for me. I plan on getting a milk goat but I need to secure a fence around the barn for pasture which will be an expense, I will be looking for a pregnant Nubian, however goats don't like to be alone and may also consider getting a meat goat to raise with her till she gives birth. I could fit 4 goats in the barn section I plan on using. I am told that 100 lbs. of goat = 40 lbs. of meat so I will be getting a bigger goat, I won't be keeping a male as they are smelly and can make the milk smell which is the main reason I am getting the goat to begin with. I will be working a compost bin (made from pallets) ;and a worm compost bin, the chickens eat most of my kitchen scraps but worms will eat coffee and tea grounds. I am also leery of putting table scraps in a compost bin as it might attract roaches or rats. The whole point of compost is that the soil quality here is very poor, I am very afraid of using outside compost as it can contain herbicide, I know my chicken manure is fine etc.What are you "winter" projects?

Living for Today and Tomorrow

2011-10-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

I love my own mother dearly, she had me late in life and worked all but my infancy. My mother wasn't domestic,she liked to cook but wasn't good at it (she can decorate fancy cakes however...strange), shes not a very good housekeeper, but was a wonderful affection shower and supporter. I was raised by my grandmother mostly, I kind of got a 1950's upbringing in the 1990's. Someone once came to my house and commented that it looked just like my Grandma's and if they didn't know better they would think a 80 year old women lived there...ahh thanks,I think. As a result of all this I knew when it came time for me to have kids I would stay home with them and raise them myself! I knew this even before I got married and when I was dating seriously I made sure that my husband to be agreed with this. Is it easy? no, we have learned to live on one income which at times meant we only had one car so I was at home a lot when he was working (my sacrifice), vacations are not the trips to Europe that my husband enjoyed every year and they are few and far between (RevDr's sacrifice) our kids don't take dance or art classes (their sacrifice) we also don't eat out often (which we all love). You know something, when you almost never eat out when you do it's a real treat, my 5 year old gets more excited about Waffle House then I ever did about Red Lobster. We take more joy in the special things. Once a week I serve a really super dinner sometimes it's strip steak with shrimp. I can make two surf and turf dinners for about $8. You can but a lot of hot dogs for $8 but it helps in not feeling deprived. I also don't want to spend my retirement on take out, does that sound silly?? If I spend any "extra" money on take out and save none then that’s what I've done to MYSELF I shouldn't expect any government to help me. Do I have it "hard" absolutely not! Hard isn't using cloth diapers, it's having to beat those cloth diapers on a scrub board or put them through a wringer washer. Having my washing machine doing a few extra loads a week is very easy. Hard is sewing clothing yourself because you HAVE to, not shopping at consignment stores or accepting hand me downs. Our Grandmothers never had their own car, in the 1950's it was very unusual for a middle class family to own more then one car, it was also unusual for a mother of young kids to work. It's simple math (FYI I do have my own car now) and am very thankful for it. Anything in life you REALLY, REALLY want to do you can usually find a way to do.

Theres One in Every Group...

2011-10-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

This is Maria, the naughty, loud hen. Maria has discovered how to jump onto my windowsills, which is pretty impressive since they are a good 10 feet off the ground. Maria pecks the other hens, squawks when she's sitting on a nest then squawks and parades around the yard after she lays an egg...and pretty much squawks all day long. When the mail man comes in the gate she follows him to the front door and back just to make sure he's not up to any funny business. I noticed the other night that all the other chickens roost together, except for Maria. I used to tell people that we're interested in chickens that hens we're only as loud as a Guinea Pig...well most are, but not Maria . Maria does have cute qualities she runs quick as her little legs can carry her the second I open any door, shes there first wanting her treat, if I don't have a treat she will follow me around the yard reprimanding me till I usually give her some sun flower seeds out of the bird feeder. I thought about selling her, but she lays an egg every day and she's my biggest fan.

I'm A Christian, but I Never go to Church

2011-10-02T17:17:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of Christian friends. I grew up in Christian Schools and graduated from a Christian college. Something that saddens me is how many of them don't attend church anymore. I don't mean people who we're brought up in an ultra Fundamental Church and go to a more liberal one, I mean people who never darken the doorstep unless their visiting Grandma or going to a wedding or funeral, if you asked them they would of course say they we're saved and believed in God and Christ. They know hymns by heart and can find a scripture reference easily. They can spout off John 3:16 and quote Psalm 23, but it does them very little good. They are not giving their children the same knowledge they we're given, they will tell their child that" yes, of course we believe in God", they may read Noah's Ark and say bedtime prayers, but that child is never taken to Sunday School and never read the Bible that sits on so many shelves. Many of them are married to unbelievers, who may in fact be willing to believe if only they we're asked and educated about Christianity. Many have good intentions and plan that "soon we will visit that church around the corner", or if they've moved will eventually try to find a church, but Sunday after Sunday slips by and good intentions stay just that... intentions. Someone asked me recently what church they should go to, it's a rather personal question but I would say if you we're to pass away tomorrow who would do your funeral? That church would be a good starting place. Do you have a peer that you respect who attends church? That might be another good place. Some people like large congregation some small. I'm not trying to tell you what church to go to but to just GO! If you visit one and you don't care for it then visit another. If you work Sunday morning many churches have Friday or Saturday evening services or Wednesday night Bible Study. Maybe you don't want to go because your spouse won't go with you...then go by yourself, but GO! Perhaps there is another reason people don't go,they say "church is full of nothing but hypocrites", well my friend then go anyway because Heaven is full of the same sinners and you might was well get used to them. Sadly there are people who are believers but have been hurt by a church in the past, just as someone who's been through a divorce eventually you have to try again. Lasty there is a group of people a very LARGE group who "know whats right, but do whats wrong, because it's more fun", if they went back to church they would feel convicted of things in their life that they know they shouldn't be doing, if your worried about having to "give up" things like this in order to love and worship then my friends you may have never know the real Jesus to begin with?

My Perfect Self or The Perfect Pastor's Wife

2011-09-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

Our church ladies have been doing a Bible study on the book "Grace for the Good Girl" by Emily Freeman. One thing we did at our first meeting was to write a description of our "perfect selves". If we could have and meet every expectation or goal what would that look like? I thought I'd share mine.

My Perfect SelfI'm a size 8 , no make that a size 10 (I'm really tall) and I don't want to be TOO skinny.I thrive on 5 hours of sleep each night and awaken delightfully charming after sleeping in my perfectly color coordinated bed, perched high atop 7 throw pillows (that I made myself).I spend 1 hour studying the Bible and praying for others before awakening my children and serving them a hot, from scratch breakfast every morning (with cloth napkins of course).I grown my own organic vegetables, which I can , I haven’t had a diet Coke in 5 years. There are never dirty dishes in my sink and my laundry is folded the second the dryer beeps. I help the needy and often roam around looking for homeless people to invite to dinner. I make lovely care packages for college students all from my giant stockpile of items that I bought on sale...with a double coupon.I knit for orphans in Bulgaria, I call lonely widows on the phone and witness to the mail man daily.I teach my baby sign language, and make all my own clothes.I delight in pre treating laundry, cleaning up fur balls and balancing the checkbook.I can quote whole chapters of the Bible from memory and never need a song book as I know them all by heart.I make lovely, romantic dinners for my husband 5 nights a week after the children go to bed.I mow the lawn, change the oil and resided the house, not because I had to but because I like too.I floss after every meal.There are never month old McDonald's french fries on the floor of my minivan. I'm such a good person and wonderful Christian that I don't really need God's help, but he always needs mine.

$1 Thin Crust Pizza Recipe

2011-09-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night the RevDr doesn't ge

t home till late due to Bible Study and Choir practice, I usually make the kids dinner at 5 pm then will fix him something at 9 pm. Tonight it was thin crust cheese Pizza.Crust 1 1/2 cups flour1 teaspoon yeast1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon sugar 1/2 cup warm water2 teaspoons olive oilPut water, yeast and sugar in bowl and let "bloom' for 5 min. then add rest and using your hands or a dough hook kneed for 4 min. Let rest 10-15 min. and preheat oven to 425 degrees, yes, you MUST preheat and you MUST do it that hot, oil round pizza pan (if you double this it will do a cookie sheet) and pat dough out evenly (make sure the center isn't thick). Use a scant amount of pizza sauce and cover with cheese and toppings. Prick crust all over with fork or crust will get thick, bake for 12-14 min. longer if you used a cookie sheet, watch this close it can burn quickly.

Kraft Homestyle Mac N Cheese Review

2011-09-28T14:19:00.000-07:00

I'll be honest I never look at my blog stats. I only have 13 followers and don't get that many comments. Well I looked today...I get a lot of hits! mostly on my old funeral dinner posts. I guess I now know what people are really looking for. Anyway as you can tell by my title I thought I would do some product reviews. I bought this Mac N' Cheese it was $2 at my Wal Mart bnut I priced matched with a Publix ad and a coupon. It was really good, it has you cook the noodles, drain them and set aside then it has a little "flavor package" that you brown (it's really like making an old fashioned from scratch recipie with a rue) but it's pretty fast. It also comes with a crumb topping which my 5 year old didn't like. If you were to add some diced ham this could be a complete meal. It doesn't have a fake taste I give it 4/5 stars.

Huge Egg

2011-09-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

We got a huge egg today, I will crack it open for breakfast tomorrow, I wonder if it will be a double yoker

King Josiah

Can you see the little gecio hiding in my hydranga?

I've also been sprouting mung beans this week, a good "fresh food" crop when the garden isn't producing lettuce

Pretty

2011-09-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

Sadly Hibiscus blooms only last a day, both my bushes have multiple colors,not sure if that means they are a hybrid or natural.

Chicken to Door Service

2011-09-19T17:50:00.001-07:00

Fall...O, Wait I live in Florida Now

2011-09-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

So it's fall here, except it's still in the 80's-'90's, people are putting in fall gardens which ammuses me bacause we have always lived where you we're lucky to get one growing season much less have two! The chickens are doing well and it's still exciting finding brown eggs in the nests.

I have been working on raised beds for next year the soil here is pretty poor.

Our yard has been filled with butterflies the last two days, they all must have hatched.

First Egg

2011-09-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

We got our first egg this week from our Rhode Island Red girls,amazing how excited you get! The girls have made themselves a nest beside the front door...5 acres and they pick the front door! I even made a nice one with pleanty fo straw, o well! Chicken to door service.

The Girls

2011-08-16T11:34:00.000-07:00

Since school started it's just been me and the two girls 3 and 9 months.

Manse Update

2011-08-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

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Seems like we have a lot of PRETTY this week.

Baby #3 is almost 9 months and no longer wishes to be fed, she will fight of you for control of the spoon, she wants to feed herself...so I just give her bannana cut in half this morning and let her have at it, it's a huge mess! She ate a whole bannana, part of a roll and a cookie this morning she will also self feed mac n'cheese and chicken nuggets. She has 6 teeth and by golly she will use them, all my beautiful homemade, frozen baby food is just sitting... she only weighs 16 pounds, she'salso the bossiest baby yet.

A praying mantis trying to get at a cloth diaper of the same color.
My lemon tree has tiny green lemons forming, the last of the summer garden, time to start the fall garden.

The Chick is Leaving

2011-08-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

First day of kindergarden

Pretty, Funny, Happy, Real

2011-07-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

A sweet church lady brought me tomatoes and red onion, I bout the cilantro myself, so for .77 we will be eating a LOT of salsa.

Presbybaby aged 7 1/2 months wants to crawl EVRYWHERE if you put her in the play pen she pushes against the mesh trying to get out, very funny to the rest of us, frustrating to baby.

Ahh freedom, much happier!

Anyone want to guess whats for dinner? Too many roosters...I'm also now convinced whatever you pay for a butchered chicken in the store is not nearly enough.

Going's On

2011-07-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

I know a lot of you are Facebook friends so this may be a double and post,Presbybaby is 7 1/2 months and has her two bottom teeth and is crawling! I've never had a baby crawl that early. Presbygirl just turned 3. Presbyboy is going to summer preschool. The chickens are now 3 months old are some are getting BIG, they like to rob my bird feeder and the cardinals are none to happy! Blueberries are about done and we are now collecting fresh figs and pears, I've never had a fresh fig so this is new. Our church people are so kind even a lady from another Presby church brought me some produce and fresh canned figs.

Lost

2011-06-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

I have managed to lose 2 camera cards.. and of course the cord for my old school camera is long gone, I refuse to but another...I'm sure I will find one...I hope.

Manse Happenings

2011-05-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

Made our first blueberry muffins from our OWN berries, they we're delicious. Those of you who had the cookbook I edited this is from my basic recipe.
Everything is growing including the babies.
One thing about having the chickens is they made me realize how many food stuffs I was throwing away, I have a gallon bucket to save scraps for them and I fill it twice a day, today I discovered a box of Wheat Thins that had gone stale, to the chickens they went! The girls really love watermelon rind, they will peck at it all day.

I don't know much about hydrangeas but I've concluded that I must have two varieties, anyone know what they are?

Food Budget

2011-05-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

I have a confession, I LOVE potatoes! When we lived in PA we had potato fields everywhere and I was able to buy a 50# bag for $6 direct at the farm. I had endless recipes... German Potato Salad being the RevDr's favorite and potato pancakes being mine. I think we ate them everyday. It helped my budget, was a "real" food and so versatile. Then we moved to Florida...a 5lb. bag is 3.50 at the cheapest, they don't grow well around here and they are an expensive food to transport. Suddenly the meal plans I had used we're no longer cost efficient. Here people eat a whole lot more sweet potatoes, in PA you never see them unless it's at the holidays, here they are served in most restaurants and are much cheaper, people here also eat lots of rice and okra. Fish here is also fresh and often less expensive then ground beef. I'm in the process of having to relearn how to eat locally.

Born That Way?

2011-05-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

Before I had children I was under the impression that when you had a baby they we're handed to you as a blank canvas, O how wrong I was! From birth each child has had a distinct personality. Last night Presbygirl was sick, she threw up in her bed sometime during the night, only I didn't discover this till morning as she has the personality not to make the slightest fuss, the Presbyboy on the other hand would wake me up screeching if he so much as sneezed. Needless to say Presbygirl is who does most of the hitting and Presbyboy does all of the "telling", he is very good about never hitting her back.
I have decided that when they are teenagers Presbygirl is the type to sneak out her window in the middle of the night but Presbyboy is the type to go tell on her. Prebybaby is going to be a social butterfly, she so badly wants to play with the other two but all she can do is roll, so she will roll over to where they are playing and babble along with them.

Thoughts on Retirement

2011-05-22T11:14:00.001-07:00

Pretty soon I'll be 32, retirement seems years away but I know will be here sooner rather then later. One of the many lessons I learned with our time serving at a very much older congregation is how different people live out their last years. The decisions I make now I will one day have to live with the consequences. Do I want more children? When I'm, 40, 50 or 80 will I have wished I had more? What kind of home do I want to live in when we retire (my husband is 11 years older). Do I have a plan for in home care? Should I be saving for college or our own retirement? If I am a widow for 20 or more years what does that financially mean to me?
One thing I do think about is my retirement home I want to live in MY OWN HOME, if you think elder care is in a mess now just wait till "baby boomers" are in need of care. I recently read that the two fastest growing industries are at home elder care and tattoo removal...interesting...at least I don't need any tattoos removed.

A home on one floor, or at least with a bed and bath on the first floor, with doorways wide enough to get a wheel chair through and a shower stall able to have a sit down bench, 2 bedrooms one for me and one for a caregiver.A small amount of exterior maintenance and inexpensive.

Thursday

2011-05-19T20:02:00.000-07:00

These Chickens are growing amazingly fast!
There are so many gardenias in the back garden, not sure if they are wild or we're just planted long ago.

I also got a few ripe blueberries tonight off of the bushes, a week from now my freezer should be full of them!

God's Beauty

2011-05-15T14:27:00.001-07:00

"The Girls" are growing...and attracting snakes...

Guess What We Got?

2011-05-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

Matthew and I went today and picked up 10, 5 week old chicks, Rhode Island Reds and a black mix of something. I opted for the ones a little older much less care but still fun!
I got a few more then I had planned because with a true free range chicken you should expect other animals will eat a few. So far we have named them Jessica, Bill Gates and Chuck...other names pending.

Battered Perch

2011-05-06T10:40:00.001-07:00

I made battered perch for lunch mmm so good with homemade french fries...downside my house will smell like fish for the next 24 hours. The batter is only 1 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 salt, dash hot sauce and 1 cup milk...you could use 1 cup beer if you wanted beer batter...or are say a Lutheran.

Manse Garden

2011-05-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

Our new Manse is on 5 acres many of those are dense woods but there are also a lot of fruit/nut trees. I have always dreamed of having enough land to grow a lot of garden but figured being in the ministry that wouldn't happen till after retirement, well God answers the desires of our hearts. I also have a small barn, and while I don't really want a cow a few goats for milk and chickens would be very doable.
We have mature plants/trees including blueberries (about 15-20 bushes)Pecans, Fig,Grapes,Pear and Chinese Plum, also something with is either blackberry or raspberry and very overgrown... and I had to throw in our freshly baptized baby

Homemade Buns

2011-04-26T08:47:00.000-07:00

I've looked for a good recipe for hot dog and hamburger buns that didn't just taste like bread dough formed into a bun. I do recommend using the egg wash and sesame seeds if you have them, so tasty!

Daybook

2011-04-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

A Daybook for April
Outside my window... sand and beautiful cedar trees

I am thinking... if I should try chickens this year or wait till next

I am thankful for... my husband who has a new church since a church also equals a job for us.

From the kitchen...I took my stove apart and cleaned it last night...and would like it to stay clean

I am wearing... my Crabtree and Evelyn bath robe

I am creating... I can't even find my sewing machine yet

I am going... to buy some fresh seafood today

I am reading... Valerie Bertinelli biography

I am hoping... that the little boy's new bed comes today

I am hearing... the little boy talk to the stray cat that has shown up

Around the house... unpacking

One of my favorite things... we had the best BBQ last night

A few plans for the rest of the week: unpack

more daybooks can be found at the simple

I'm Back

2011-03-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

So I moved my blog...then we moved 1,200 miles across the country to a new church. So I decided to re-open this blog. My other was about very specific regional coupon deals and since I no longer have access to many of those stores but I'm still a Pastor's Wife we will go with this.

2010-09-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

I have moved my blog to
http://eeriedeals.blogspot.com

Finding My Way

2010-05-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

A question I get asked a lot is how did I went from being a Independent Fundamental Baptist to a Presbyterian. I was always on the "liberal" side in IFB circles, now I am considered an ultra, ultra conservative Presbyterian. I met my husband (who was already Pastoring ) the summer before my Sr. year in college. I went to a very conservative IFB college called Hyles-Anderson, some people assume that I must think that every thing I learned there was absolute nonsense,that is far from the truth. If I had to do it all over again I would still have gone.

1. I learned how to get along with other people, especially other Christians, which isn't always the easiest thing.

2. I learned how to run different church programs, efficiently and orderly.

3.I learned how to witness and share the gospel with people. One thing I do wish is that I had more training with middle class people, most of mine was in the inner city.
4. I experiences first hand the joy in not only leading someone to Christ but seeing them baptized and grow.

5. I learned how to memorize scripture, I mean really memorize.

6. I learned how to love people.

Even though I wear pants now some IFB parts of me remain, in Bible Study I read from my KJV Bible, because nothing sounds like Bible to me but that. I also think that it comes from memorizing in that version. I dislike Christian contemporary music and favor the old Hymns and Gospel songs. IFB isn't perfect the older I get the more I see the petty fighting and arguments, of course Presbyterianism has plenty of it's own problems, if we fight at least it's about really issues like gay clergy or or using the feminine term for God!

A Wedding and Many more Funerals...

2010-05-10T13:06:00.000-07:00

It hasn't felt like summer around here, I had to dig the kids jackets back out of the attic as it got down to 37 one evening this week. We also had a bad storm which knocked our neighbor's tree into our main power line and pulled the whole thing including the meter off our house..onto my van! 1,700 later and we have power but our deductible is 1k O well! We are still waiting for the insurance adjuster to come look at the van...I have been driving for 12 years and I have never had a ticket or an accident, no claim at all on my insurance and was rewarded last year with a $0 deductible , so every cloud has a silver lining. But on days like that I wished we still lived in a parsonage.

We are coming up on the season of graduation parties, we only have a few at church,mostly college people last year we had 8 high school seniors graduating! Wedding showers, and a few baby showers. We also seem to be getting funerals, usually winter is more a funeral time but they don't seem to be letting up. As some of you know my Mom broke her arm and will be starting therapy this week, 4 times a week for 4-5 months. The problem of course is that I must take her, and where I go the two kids must follow. She has applied to get a transport service but I have a feeling it is going to take some time before we know if she is approved.

I still have morning sickness, I think I am 16 weeks...is it horrible I'm not even sure??? without asking the midwife or figuring it out again. The closer we get to being able to know the gender the less I am wanting to "get a surprise"...I am so bad about keeping a secret.

A Christian Home

2010-05-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

Today we sang this hymm, I know I've sung it before but the word are really just fablous, reminding me what I should be expiring to.

The Christian Home

O give us homes built firm upon the Savior,
Where Christ is Head and Counselor and Guide;
Where every child is taught His love and favor
And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified:
How sweet to know that tho his footsteps waver
His faithful Lord is walking by his side!

O give us homes with godly fathers, mothers,
Who always place their hope and trust in Him;
Whose tender patience turmoil never bothers,
Whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim;
A home where each finds joy in serving others,
And love still shines, tho days be dark and grim.

O give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master,
The Bible read, the precious hymns still sung;
Where prayer comes first in peace or in disaster,
And praise is natural speech to every tongue;
Where mountains move before a faith that's vaster,
And Christ sufficient is for old and young.

O Lord, our God, our homes are Thine forever!
We trust to Thee their problems, toil, and care;
Their bonds of love no enemy can sever
If Thou art always Lord and Master there:
Be Thou the center of our least endeavor-
Be Thou our Guest, our hearts and homes to share

Mother's Day

2010-05-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Mother's Day I already know what I'm getting as I went with ReverendDr. to pick it out, beautiful dark purple geranium basket. I've never seen them that color and am very excited. I sent a card to my M-I-L which is my "step" as my real one died when my husband was a child. She never got to see her only child grow up let alone enjoy her grandchildren...when I think about that I am always a little sad. If her grave wasn't in NYC I would put flowers on it. I wonder if there is a service that put flowers on grave of loved ones in far off cities?

I bought my own Mom a color,cut and style , the grand kids bought her flowers and balloons though they did ask to play with the balloons about 3 minutes after they gave them to her ...I thanked the Lord that I still have my Mom though she does drive me C-R-A-Z-Y! I bought cards for a number of ladies, a few older ladies in our church that never had kids and are especially kind to ours. A special aunt and my high school teacher who though she never married or had children invested a lot of time in me, I want these people to know they are not forgotten and one of my very best friends who has been trying to become a mother for years and had another failed adoption this year. Like Christmas not every one celebrates Mother's Day with joy.

My Weekend

2010-04-29T08:43:00.001-07:00

So last weekend I went to Boston to visit my best friend, I had planned this and bought the ticket in January before I knew I was pregnant and before I knew Grandma would break her arm and not be able to babysit.I contemplated putting it off, but till when? I thought I better take my chances and go, I begged , bribed and paid people to help ReverendDr while I was away and I returned home to everyone alive though a very dirty house. Flying up I felt great not even sick on the plane, Bean (best friend) and I enjoyed pedicures, fancy lunches etc. we went out to dinner with her in laws at a nice seaside restaurant I felt great, no gagging even! Then Saturday night I awoke at about 2 am and threw up all I had eaten for dinner. Ya, so nice to be sick at a house that's not yours...I'm pretty sure her husband thought I was dying and I don't know if that will be encouraging them to have children....I made it though and got a child free weekend.

I Have a Plan

2010-04-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

I had a midwife appointment yesterday, those of you who know me know I had a home birth last time and am using the same midwife. She actually comes to my house for the appointments since she lives close to me and her office is a good 20 miles away as long as she can come when it's convenient to her. It's so nice Lillian was asleep I didn't have to get anyone all packed in the van etc. She just does the urine check, blood pressure, measures the uterus height and listens to the heartbeat with a travel doppler. The heartbeat was a little high in the 160's some people say that means it's a girl, which would be fine with me. Everything looked good.

I am going to be trying something new, I seem to feel the best between 7-10 pm. I am just going to do the same meals every day of the week. I love to bargain and coupon shop but am reserving that for drug store products and see how this goes. In the evening when I do feel good I will try to do as much food prep as possible. For breakfast the kids will be having cheerios and a banana or banana and raisin toast etc. ReverendDr can make this if I'm not up to it and they both love those type things. Lunch will be canned soup and sandwiches mac n cheese and fresh fruit since it's only me and the kids. I am going to try to have some PB&J already made up in the fridge in case I feel REALLY bad.

Beginning of the week made a big green salad and a pasta salad and maybe 1 desert.

Monday- Spaghetti, salad and Italian bread, I am going to make up the sauce and freeze it so all I have to do it throw it in the crock pot on low, and boil noodles.
Tuesday- Hot Dogs, baked beans, pickles and chips(very simple)
Wednesday- Grilled Chicken Breasts (or BBQ) baked potatoes and salad.
Thursday- Shrimp scampi (from frozen shrimp) linguini noodles and salad (oddly seafood smells don't bother me)
Friday- minute steaks, sweet potato and salad
Saturday- we usually go out
Sunday- Salmon, wild rice and salad

All very easy and basic things

Tough Decisions

2010-04-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

This pregnancy has been rough, I had hoped the morning sickness would be wearing off by now...but it's not. I have been contemplating if any more children are a good idea. In the sense that if I get morning sickness this bad again I don't know how well I can care for the others. the ReverendDr and I kind of had the philosophy with babies that we would just be open to when God sent them and take it as it came unless any big problems arose. I have had good births with both but morning sickness with all 3. Oddly they have been spaced 2 1/2 years apart, even though we didn't do that "on purpose".
I am able to keep the kids bathed, fed and clean, but my house is a disaster and I have hardly cooked at all for 3 1/2 months, many of you know my Mom has also been down and needing help since she feel and broke her arm, so my "life line" in Grandma is also gone. Which has been costly in the sense of lots of eating out or frozen convenience foods. I will have a good day (like yesterday) I made two beautiful meals and felt pretty good, then today I did good to get everyone fed and dressed. and Pretty much laid/sat here threw up etc. The ReverendDr is a huge help when he is home, giving baths etc. but the church is always busy and that is his JOB. My heart also is heavy because I am not able to do all the church work I would like. I try to remind myself that this is just a phase of life.

Purex 3in1 Sheets

2010-04-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

There have been so many free samples and great coupons for this product that I have ended up with quiet a bit...well after using them I know know why they are packaged in air tight plastic, the smell is truly overpowering. I like good smells but I think these also overpowered even my perfume and ReverendDr. said he could
smell it on his clothes all day long. I think these would be good for towels or sheets or maybe if you get really stinky at your job and want to smell fresh, have teenage boys etc. They are not for me however. How any of you tried them, do you like them?

Somethings Up...

2010-04-13T08:45:00.001-07:00

Ok, with all of my previous pregnancies thanks to all the morning sickness and weight loss I never wore maternity clothes with #1, with #2 I only wore them the last 6-8 weeks, today my waist band felt tight...on all 6 pairs of pants I tried to put on. Despite the fact that I have lost around 22 lbs in the last 3 months....I have come to the conclusion that I am either stretched out from so many pregnancies or that there is more then one baby...I hope I am just stretched out. Elastic waisted leggings here I come! Anyone else ever have this problem?

Raw Milk???

2010-04-11T17:15:00.001-07:00

I finally found a source of "USDA approved" raw dairy in this area. We drink between about 5 gallons of milk a week in this house, though lately i hasn't sounded good to me so we are down to 1 every 2 days. Raw milk is unpasteurized that's why it's so important that you get it from a good dairy, in my case I order it and go to the actual dairy, it's in glass bottles. (I return the bottles the next time I come)raw milk will have cream floating on top which you can skim off to use in your coffee or save and make a little of your own butter.
Does the idea of Raw milk sound odd to you please check out this short article.
http://www.raw-milk-facts.com/raw_milk_health_benefits.html

Affirmation

2010-04-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

If you ever need affirmation of your mothering abilities have your childless brother watch your 1 1/2 and 4 year old for a few hours...upon your return home you find a full poopy diaper and a child covered in milk from a not tightened sippy cup, he escapes as quickly as possible while muttering "I can't believe you do this all day", then suggesting he be paid $11 an hour for his services.

Pooped Out

2010-03-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

I am looking forward to morning sickness being gone, I have discovered something new, chewable Rolaids, they are the chewy kind like a gummy candy and they kid of make my tummy more "base" when I wake up. I also fear both Presbyboy and I have caught the cold my brother had...he will be thoroughly be punished.

This wasn't an exciting week I think I made dinner twice. I bought a quantity of microwavable burritos and pot pies, which I almost never buy because I am anti trans fat, (don't worry I'm very pro good fats) The kids have been eating frozen chicken nuggets and natural peanut butter sandwiches, I'm sure they could care less. I haven't been eating much of anything, I try to keep guzzling fluids but fruit and sour candy are about the only things that taste good, O and fruit and yogurt parfaits from McDonald's. This coming week is of course busy with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter services. I considered going out to eat for Easter but
the crowds will be bad, so I think I am just making Ham, in the crock pot and rolls, and cold salads w/ desert so we can eat as soon as we return from church. I am also cutting way back on candy, only a chocolate bunny for each and lot of little toys, cars, bubbles etc.

Gardening and Reality

2010-03-26T09:11:00.001-07:00

I am one of those women who always has about 10 projects going. I have a 4 year old a 1 1/2 year old plus morning sickness and do church work. Some days I think I'm wonder woman, but I'm not. I have several sewing projects and wallpaper half done around the house. Of course now it's warming up I think of all the outdoor projects I can do. We decided when we moved here that it would just be easier to hire a yard guy, he only charges $15 to mow and edge, ReverendDr. is usually too busy, I really can't take the kids out with me if I were to do it, so it's just one of those things we hire done.
I do however like to have some kind of garden, I love to can and cook and the kids think it's fun to pick stuff. Last year we did potatoes which I highly recommend they pretty much raise themselves and no tempting green fruit to pick. Tomatoes also do very well here, I think this year I will add some cucumbers, and of course lots of flowers. We also have a rhubarb and strawberry patch but they come up by themselves. What do you plant?

Is Lent Over Yet?

2010-03-16T17:30:00.001-07:00

I am sitting at my computer partially cross eyed typing, mostly because I'm waiting for the ReverendDr. to get home from the hospital which he was called for an emergency, for the second time today, but two different hospitals. I am so stinking tired I could drop over and not be found till morning. In a moment of craziness I let the baby sleep until she woke up instead of my regimented nap schedule, I figured let her sleep so I can sit here and only have to keep track of one child...she slept till 6 pm, she will no doubt be up all night doing a toddler dance and making raspberries with glee... she has started doing a cute baby thing, she toddles over to our wedding photo and says "dada", repeatedly and LOUDLY, no mention of me whatsoever....Meanwhile Presbyboy was send to sleep at a normal time, after painting sun-catchers and half my dinning room table for "craft time".

I will also be doing a funeral dinner Saturday, and a Lenten Lunch Thursday, but I am just a helper for the lunch for the funeral I am commander and chief and Presbyterian ladies don't generally like giving up a Saturday,but there is always a faithful remnant of willing napkin folders and gelatin salad makers, (these my friends are truly the dying breed of church lady), ask a women under 40 to make a gelatin salad and she will look at you like you have three heads, ask a competent Presbyterian women and she will give you a choice of her "Top 5" specialties! Tomorrow I will start calling to see what helpers I can round up. My chief potato peeler is on vacation (no doubt she had a premonition of having to do another 50 lbs. of spuds by herself).Until we meet again.

The Excitement 'Round Here

2010-03-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

I haven't been posting because I really don't have that much to say, I have zero energy. I had to hire people to help me come clean. (mostly because we are having people over this weekend). We have been getting a lot of takeout which is against both my frugal and nutritional well being. I did make dinner tonight of spaghetti and homemade bread sticks, and as you guessed it that meat sauce lasted about 2 minutes in my belly.
Pretty much my day goes that I have a strong craving for something say a Greek Dog or a fast food breakfast sandwich....I get so excited when I finally acquire the item then after a bite or two throw it up. I know the excitement never ends around here. I pretty much figure that as long as we have clean laundry and are fed and washed I am doing pretty well. I do seem to have an energy spurt around 6 pm till bed. That is when I'm getting a lot of things done. The ReverendDr. has had a lot of later meetings/hospital visits lately but that's fine, he does usually help me with baths if he gets home at a good hour. Have I ever told you how the Presbybaby is CRAZY over him. If he happens to come home good old Mom might as well be dirt. She's all about Daddy...however the Presbyboy still loves me best.

Working with What You Have

2010-03-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

When we moved into this house the down stairs bath had "Easter Bunny" wallpaper, there was no other name for it pastels of large cartoonish bunnies...and it was old and pealing, it also had tile that was cream and black...Anyway the first thing I did was strip that paper off. Then I went in search of other wallpaper that matched the tile, why not paint you say? well half the wall was plywood paneling...ya it gets worse then the bunnies, and the walls under the paper were 80+ years old, I was pregnant with Presbybaby at the time and plastering, sanding was not in my reptua of projects....I wallpapered everything but the part above the toilet because I then figured out that in order to to that one had to stand on the toilet with nothing to hold onto, Fast froward say 2 years to today...I was now ready and couldn't find the rest of the wallpaper roll,I primed and painted the paneling I went in search of it at Lowe's they no longer sold ANY wallpaper and I had no idea ever who manufactured it. Resigned to my fate of stripping the whole room and buying another wallpaper....then magic happened last night! I was browsing and I found my same paper!!!!Are the colors my first choice, no way but it goes so nicely with the tile I can't afford to replace!

Morning Sickness

2010-03-02T06:53:00.000-08:00

I am one of those lucky women who can tell shes pregnant by the morning sickness, it lasted about 7 months with baby #1, 5 with baby #2 maybe this time it will only be a few months, a girl can hope! I forget how completely drained I would feel , not to mention the usual 4 year old and toddler drain. For some reason I am more excited about this baby, I think pretty much any fears on birthing and rearing are gone, I know what I'm doing and I know what to expect. I do plan to have another home hippy birth (as my Aunt calls it). Assuming of course that I continue to have good health. We have been going back and forth as to find out the gender or be surprised since we have once of each, but it's so hard to wait to know!

The only sadness is that I did have to tell one of my very best friends about baby #3, she and her husband have been trying for almost 10 years. She would never begrudge me any happiness but I do know that any new baby announcement is only a reminder that she again wishes to make one of her own.

Presbybaby #3

2010-02-26T16:24:00.001-08:00

I made hamburger last week and got ill at the smell....sure enough Presbybaby #3 is coming Halloween 2010! This will make all 3 kids exactly 2 1/2 years apart, which would have been perfectly planned....if we had planned any of them!

Menu Plan Monday

2010-01-25T08:25:00.001-08:00

This is an odd week around here, ReverendDr. has gone to a conference and then this coming weekend we are going on vacation. Last night the kids, Grandma and I had French Toast and Sausage, unheard of since ReverendDr. doesn't touch french toast or anything else containing egg, cream, milk products or countless other foods with a 10foot poll. I am also using up odds and ends. If the kids don't like what I cook then they can always have a peanut butter sandwich. Those are the only two choices.

Monday- Tortellini Salad with FETA cheese

Tuesday- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with tomato soup

Wednesday- Quiche, ham and Spanish with more cheese

Thursday- egg rolls with homemade friend rice,

Friday- Homemade soup of some kind, maybe broccoli cheese with homemade bread

then Gone someone else will be cooking

ROKU Player Review: Update

2010-01-19T16:46:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we've had the ROKU player for a while now and it definitely was worth the money. I will be canceling the cable. We opted to use just the NETFLIX on it though there are supplemental channels you can buy. Anything that you see on Netflix that has an "add to instant que" on it you can play on the Roku. There are a lot of documentaries, tons of children's things, old movies etc. series etc. not everything is down loadable but Netflix is converting things quickly. It will also definitely save us money as it is just the 8.95 a month.

Let Me Tell You About My Snow-blower

2010-01-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

I live in the frozen north, at this moment in my backyard there is almost 2 feet of snow, it's going to snow for the next 4 days and it's not going to get above freezing for the 7 day forecast...O, I also live two blocks from one of the Great Lakes which is currently frozen so the wind is really wicked.

We have really great neighbor's who snow blowed us out the first year we moved here, then one summer I found a snow blower at a yard sale,( I was a few days overdue with Presbybaby at the time) the thing looked new but the lady said it didn't work, it was in the garage when they bought the house. Well I talked her down to $25 and hoisted the thing into my minivan and away we went. A $30 repair later and it works like a beauty (she didn't know you had to mix oil and gas together for the fuel). It glides through the snow banks like a dream, provides enough resistance for a good workout too. I kind of feel like the Lone Ranger, I put on my knee high boots, my leather lined work gloves and my un attractive coat (which now smells like a mix of gas and oil) and out into the frozen wasteland I go. I blow out us, the neighbors the guy stuck who parked on the street and the sidewalks on our side of the road. Of course when I return bright red and sweaty I make sure to play the snow blowing martyr to the ReverendDr., but secretly I am a little bit in love with it.

New Years Resolutions

2010-01-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't call these "Resolutions" rather areas of "Habits" I need to form and how do you form a habit? by doing it EVERYDAY for a month.

1. Get up at the same (early) time each day, and go to bed at the same time (which I hate doing), of course with having little kids is only but so doable.

2. Make a hot breakfast each day.

3. Live by budget, it was easy when we didn't have any money we had to plan and stick to our budget, now that we have less debt it's so easy to got out to eat more and throw extra things in the cart. I also realized we were spending close to $100 a month on milk....

4. Serve one raw food with each meal.

5. Work with Presbyboy on learning good habits, hes at the age where he wants to do and help with everything, I need to teach him while hes teachable even if it does take much longer.

6. Really make a point to have devotions with ReverendDr, having them TOGETHER as often as possible.

The Great Television Debate & Roku

2010-01-02T09:16:00.001-08:00

The great debate that the ReverendDr and I have been going back and forth about since the first Presbybaby came into this world is about TV, how much should we spend, what should we watch etc. First we had deluxe cable with "on demand" so we could put on the cute little shows and not be worried, then they started with commercials...then we moved and went down to the very "basic" about 12 station, so this left only PBS in the morning and DVDs...which had led to a huge DVD mess! borrowing them from the library and buying them, digging through to find which ones are theirs. I have tried different organizing systems and it's just not worked. So now we have "expanded basic cable" which has Playhouse Disney...and a whole lot of marketing to kids and a whole lot of rock music and other things that I don't want my babies exposed to. So what has high quality entertainment , is CHEAP and "clean". Well I think I've found the answer,a friend told me about something I didn't know existed. A ROKU player is a box you hook to your TV (same way as a DVD player) and it has a WIFI signal built in or you can hook an Ethernet cable into it. So you do have to have Internet service. You can get NETFLIX for 8.99 a month and put movies and shows into your "instant que" then watching them on your TV, I knew you could watch them on your computer but not on TV. A basic player is $79 so for the player and NETFLIX pretty good deal! We plan on getting rid of our TV since we don't watch sports and get most of our news form the Internet I think this will work for us, will let you know how well we like it.

So Good, you MUST buy this!

2010-01-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

I really try to stay away from prepackaged food, MSG etc. and most of it doesn't tempt me in the least, Hamburger Helper, ahh... no thank you ! Well I had a really good coupon for this so I bought it, you add your own chicken (I also added mushrooms), OMW it was absolutely fabulous!!! I can't believe how good it was! I served it with a hot, crusty baguette and a tossed salad. Bury the box deep in the kitchen trash and your husband will think hes married a gourmet cook.

2009-12-22T20:28:00.000-08:00

The stocking are stuffed (and hidden) the gifts are all wrapped and under the tree, we don't do Santa, I didn't grown up with him,(however, if you do I don't think your evil) it's just a choice. I've never said anything either way about him but Presbyboy seems to have gathered from a mix of Mickey Mouse clubhouse and the church nursery that there is a Santa that will bring him gifts, however since the mailman brings us boxes he seems to think that the postman will be bring him his gifts on Christmas Day and has mercifully left the gifts alone. He also knows that the mail man comes at noon and is usually waiting by the door for him...I will have some explaining to do on Christmas morning.

This is a busy week in clergy households but regular church work also goes on, people are dying, sick and often down. What is joy and wonder for children is often a reminder of the aged or lonely that they are alone again with no one to celebrate with. For the young couple who have been trying to have a baby for years , that again there is no third person in their family. Do you know someone who won't have a Christmas? Could you invite them to share yours? Christianity is a lot more then dropping off a gift in a collection box or throwing some coins in a kettle. It's almost always outside your comfort zone and it always has the highest rewards.

2009-12-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

I have been so bad about blogging, I LOVE to read blogs but lately getting inspired to write anything has been hard. We are encased in the snow castle again, ahh the joys of living on the US/CANADA border.
All the Christmas gifts are under the tree or in boxes waiting to be mailed. Grandpa ended up sending me a check to buy all his gifts so there are a LOT more then usual. I was going between maybe taking a weekend trip with the money or buying gifts and decided to go with the gifts. Presbyboy is outgrowing all his clothes he's going into size 5T I buy all the children's clothes at yard sales unless I need something particular but it seems that most high quality boy's clothing stops at this size, little boys are in sizes longer at this age and are very hard on pants so Presbyboy is getting brand new clothes for Christmas., along with his usual Train beginnings. Presbybaby is hard to shop for, she's not into dolls but of course wants brother's trains, well I'm not buying a 17 month old girl trains! I made her a quilt that I started a long time ago...like before her birth and a few Melissa and Doug toys.

People keep asking me what I want and the truth is not a thing! That's the trouble when you grow up and can buy yourself stuff. I don't really need another Yankee candle, though they are very nice, what I'd like most is my house cleaned by a person that not me and meraciously organized so that I know where everything is but I wasn't the person who organised everything to start with. Not sure thats going to happen!

Good Deals

2009-11-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

I have been looking for a small indoor trampoline, the size a 16 month old and an almost 4 year old could use during the winter, the Mc Donald's near us has one and they both love it, well,it was going to be their "big gift" I wanted one with a handle too, they all seemed to be $75-$150 plus shipping...sometimes "additional heavy item shipping" well I found one online at J.C.Penny for $29.99 that includes free shipping with the code JOY2UNME since I am spending at least $25!!! Sweet! At such a good price they may be getting more under the tree. It looks similar to this., (if you type in "trampoline" it shows up)

2009-11-25T18:53:00.000-08:00

Sunday it started with Presbybaby running a fever...then Monday Presbyboy and I woke up sneezing. Today I sent my Mom into Walgreen's to get some Sudafed, the real kind of Sudafed that works and comes in the little red pill, she not only had to sign something but also give them her ID, all for some cold medicine, yes, I do realize that people can make bad things out of it....then I started to wonder If I had sent her in for the morning after pill (which is now legal without a prescription in my state) would they have made as much of a fuss?

Christmas Photo Time

2009-11-19T12:43:00.001-08:00

(note: not a photo of ours)

Tomorrow is Christmas photo day, I got a flyer from the newest Photo taking place advertising a 9.99 package. I told them that I would most likely be buying just the package, they informed me that I need to bring 2 sets of clothes for each participant and plan on 1 1/2 hours....I again informed them that I will only be buying the advertised package and she said that they HAVE to take a certain amount of photos. I guess I will play along, usually one of the kids has a melt down and thus ends the photo trauma.

The Lilly of the Valley

2009-11-10T18:20:00.000-08:00

A Pastor's wife is like a Lilly
Some churches will pour fertilizer on her,
encouraging her to reach her full potential
other churches will treat her as a weed,

dousing her with insecticide and

clipping her plumage till only her roots remain,

regardless of what church shes in

she must learn to bloom where God plants her.

-MrsReveredDr

Living for Eternity but not for Today

2009-11-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

Things I have been pondering about lately...My Grandmas were both from HUGE families one from a family of 10 and one from a family of 16. Yet they both only had 2 children themselves. The Grandma I was closest to miscarried twins, she would often talk about getting to met them in heaven. She said that that experience had scared her and she was afraid to have anymore....in her 80's she often wished she had tried again. I think of my huge extended family and often wonder if birth control had been available and socially acceptable, would my Great Grannies have stopped at 2? I wouldn't be here, my Grandmas would have never been born etc. you get the idea.
Both my Great Grand parents were taken care of (into their 90's) by their children in their own homes, when you have 16 children the burden suddenly becomes a light load when there are so many to carry it. When you are a worn out young mother of many small children and you can call a sister or Grandma to help it makes a world of difference, most of the world today isn't set up in the "WALTONS" type of family dynamic. People are more isolated and have ALL of the responsibility on themselves, is this an improvement, were we meant to live within a large family structure? Are we better off then we were in the past?

Stop the World, I Wanna Get Off!

2009-10-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

It seems that the busy times in ministry and motherhood aren't stopping anytime soon, well actually January and February are USUALLY pretty slow unless there are a lot of funerals that is. Working outside the home isn't going to be working for our family at the time, the dentist agreed to let us make payments, they first suggested that I take out a dental loan after reviewing the terms I would never pay 14% interest on it, our credit cards are less then that! However we have worked hard to pay those and not run them up is dental work an EMERGENCY? I explained what we believed as far as debt and they agreed to let me make 4 payments interest free! So little Presbyboy will be all taken care of.

I am a person that LOVES schedule, the ministry is anti schedule and based a lot on need and Emergency visits at least in an older congregation. I was looking at the calendar for the next two months and every weekend seems so filled, all summer was jam packed. I guess I am a homebody at heart. I have been thinking of starting some kind of Pastor's wife meeting for our Presbytery, I have a few ideas running around in my head, do any of you attend a ministers wives fellowship? Any good ideas would be appreciated.

Lots of Change

2009-10-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

I haven't worked since DH and I got married, kids came pretty quickly and I could never earn enough to pay a baby sitter and make it worth my while plus I always wanted to be home anyway. However our church is unable to pay us more so either DH would have to get a second job as a chaplain etc. or I would...so I will be going back to the hotel where I worked 6 years ago,I called my old boss to see if I could list him as reference on my resume and he said he would hire me back. I will be working 2-12 hour shifts (his days off). which are DH's days off too hence why I won't need a baby sitter. If a funeral or something comes up Mom can watch them , but she really can't do it more then once in a awhile.

Presbyboy is in need of fillings, we don't have the denomination dental and even if we did they wouldn't pay for general anesthesia which all dentists seem to require in children younger then 5 years old, I never had a cavity till 21, but my brother had TONS and I think Presbyboy must have gotten that end of the gene pool. How much is general anesthesia for a 3 1/2 year old...1,000 yup! plus they have to give him a test to make sure he will tolerate it well, plus fillings. I hate to do all that for teeth that will fall out in a few years but if severe enough the cavities can go to the permanent teeth. I may not work forever but for this season I am.

A Beautiful Wedding on the Cheap- Part1

2009-10-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

As a ministers wife in a sizable church I attend a lot of weddings. I also attend a lot of funerals but that's another post altogether. I've seen a lot of great money saving ideas and a lot of "why did they do that" things. Don't have money for a wedding planner talk to a minister's wife of a big church most likely she will have some great ideas.

Building-First of all a problem we run into a lot is a couple is a member of a small church that can't hold all their guests or the couple isn't members of any church, finding a location that's an actual church sanctuary in the traditional sense of stained glass windows and a long center isle is the "picture" a lot of brides have for their wedding day. If you go looking for this type of church you can expect to pay a rental price, this is in addition to the Pastor's honorarium, keep in mind someone has to play the piano , run the sound system and clean up the pews after your ceremony, most large sanctuaries aren't cooled or heated to a comfortable temperature except during regular times so that is also an expense. Those things also have to be done for your rehearsal so for those people involved they will be giving up their Friday night and Saturday.

Decoration- Our church actually has beautiful candelabras, an arch and white pew bows and greenery most people don't even know the church has these and you can use them free of charge so they buy their own if your talking a hundred pews that a considerable savings. If you are investing in fresh church flowers make sure someone will transport them to the reception so they do double duty.

If your church doesn't have these there are party and banquet supply companies that rent them.Don't waste your money!

In this day and age so many women have tattoos, I mean big ones, if you have bridesmaids with these, please don't pick a dress that will show them off, nothings more distracting the looking at the tattoo on a bridesmaids back through the whole ceremony trying to figure out what the Chinese characters say.

Find out what flowers are in season and work around those. I got married around Halloween but had Lilies and pink roses, not in season! I ended up ordering 12 dozen of each from Sam's Club and doing my own flowers, yes, I saved a lot but I sure was tired. I probably should have had Autumn colors.

Kids

2009-09-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

It it stinking cold here! It's getting down to 43 tonight so I picked the end of the tomatoes and brought them in to ripen. Last night Presbyboy hit his head on the side of our stone fireplace and cut a nice gash, right in the middle of the back of the head he has never really had a bad cut before and we have only once taken him to the ER when he was 18 m and was having difficulty with breathing anyway...the cut was giving out an amazing amount of blood so we rushed him to the ER, after we were in the car he calmed down and was loving the attention, he didn't even cry when they cleaned his head and stapled him, yes my poor boy has a lovely staple in the back of his tiny, blond head! Hes such a sweet heart and was being extra adorable to the nurses. Poor Reverend Dr about had a heart attack at the sight of our bloody child be he too has recovered.

Bad, Bad Blogger

2009-09-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, I realize its been more then a month since I posted, I can tell by all the comments wondering where I was that I was sorely missed. Life is busy as usual our Siamese cat was in the process of dying, hes had congestive heart failure for 4 years and he' only 5 1/2 I thought for sure he would be going under soon, well I tweaked some of his medicine and he has rallied!!! I guess you can't kill a good cat that easily. However he really doesn't want to be engaged in play as much as the Presbykids would like him to be and I am wondering is we should get another cat. (in addition to Calvin) I hate the smell of dog, yes, even a clean dog and in this area it gets too cold to keep
them in the garage. I like the *idea* of a dog as a companion to a little boy, but I have come to the conclusion I just don't like the amount of poop removal involved either, I am responsible for enough little kid poop at the moment.

2009-08-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

This summer has gone by in a BLUR, there is so much going on and so much to do and attend my homebody nature is not adjusting well. The garden has taken on new dimensions I have a huge amount of yellow tomatoes and Roma tomatoes, the herbs are doing well and I will have enough red potatoes to feed the whole block. Presbyboy is still picking a few berries every day from the "ever bearing" strawberries. My squash is dead, not sure when or how it died but I went to water it day and it was withered! The broccoli right next too it was thriving so I am left to ponder...My glads are glorious too, I planted a bunch of different colors, however I seem to be getting a lot of colors that's I'm sure I didn't plant and vise versa.

I am already thinking about Christmas and more importantly planning the Presbytery meeting meal that will be held at our church in November. 150 attenders plus 25 helpers from our church for dinner. I have already decided on a turkey dinner, it will be cheap then and I know how to do it because that's the traditional funeral food, though most funerals aren't quiet as big as 175 people. Presbyboy isn't going to preschool this year he's 3 1/2 but thanks to a Christmas birthday can't go to kindergarten for 2 more school years, I was thinking of ordering some home school curriculum but I think hes doing pretty well with letter and numbers etc. I'm 30 and never went to preschool and I turned out just fine! Presbybaby is 13 months and so full of energy and climbing over the back of the sofa, they do play well together but the poor cat has taken to hiding from both of them most days.

Running Late for Christmas... in August

2009-08-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

It's 90 degrees today but in a few short months we will again be in case in snow and ice, last year our city was #2 for snow fall , lets hope we don't make it to #1 this year. I love to shop but I hate to shop in overcrowded stores and Christmas (if it's nice enough to drive) is definitely not my cup of tea, also December is one of the busiest months for a Pastor's family,once upon a time I used to buy gifts all year and put them in a storage cabinet...the Presbyboy figured that out and now checks the cabinet every day! So then I moved them to under our bed, but one day the Presbyboy crawled under the skirt and thought he discovered a treasure chest! So here it is August and I only have two presents purchased for next year! I have decided that I am just getting the kids each one big thing and I'm going to order it by mail and leave it in the box till Christmas Eve, with church members and grandparents they get plenty (o, and Presbyboy's 4th birthday is 9 day's before Christmas). Presbyboy is getting a huge Thomas track layout for his train table and Presbybaby is getting a play kitchen.

Traditions

2009-08-02T18:40:00.001-07:00

I recently read a book written by a former Methodist ministers daughter, even though she grew up in a parsonage a long time ago her words still ring true today. I especially liked the part about how her mother made each parsonage feel like "home" her father would often get moved every two years, but they had the same holiday traditions and in each house the same picture was hung above the same piano no matter where they went. They ate the same meals on each certain day of the week etc. it gave her that sense of security that I feel is especially important to each child (pastor's kid or not).

I was recently reviewing a list I had made at New Years on things I wanted to work on , one was having a family dinner around the table each night the ReverendDr. was able to be home with us. I am lucky if it gets done once or twice a week!

Potatoes

2009-07-27T13:10:00.001-07:00

I have been so busy and not very good as posting! The summer of a Pastor's life is filled with weddings, rehearsals, VBS and sadly funerals. Last night after returning from VBS I stepped on a Thomas Train right in the arch of my foot and it still isn't very happy today, one of those little Take Along Thomas ones that die cast metal and OUCH!

My potato plants are HUGE and are done flowering, I am just waiting fo them to die so I can dig them up the anticipation is nearly killing me! A few little red potatoes were poking up through the top pf the soil so I covered them again. My "early girl" tomatoes are all done and dead, I don't think I will grow those again as they each only did about 2-3 tomatoes per vine. I have some "Roma" ripening and there are easily 20-30 green ones still on each plant. Strawberries did well but the birds or little boys beat me to them. One thing that did get eaten by the japanese beetles was the zucchini so I may gladly accept those form the friendly neighbors. Brussel sprouts and broccoli have been drown by all the rain so we shall see what develops.

Prayers

2009-07-07T23:16:00.000-07:00

Could you all say a little prayer for my best friends Dad, he's only in his 50's and had a heart attack yesterday he is a transplant recipient so that further complicated things. Hes just a nice guy put three kids through Bible College and Christian school and was kind enough to me me a job in high school. His name is Larry

Menu Plan Monday

2009-06-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

With Family reunions, wedding and so many parties groceries have been rotting in my fridge! My number one most hated household duty is cleaning the fridge mostly because I have to throw away so much waste and waste = money. The menus this week are a little heavy considering how hot is it but they will be using up what I have.

Monday- Hamburgers with oven fries and fruit

Tuesday- Quiche , here is the recipe though I will be using ham not bacon, most of the recipes on this site are very practical using what a normal person would have on hand, pretty basic stuff.

http://mamasfixins.blogspot.com/2008/07/zucchini-bacon-quiche.html

Wednesday- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff with egg noodles and green beans.

Thursday- Ham Biscuits except made with homemade rolls (can you tell I have a lot of ham in the freezer). My favorite salad which is a bed of greens, with julienned beets, feta cheese, bacon bits and orange slices with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Friday-I am pretty sure we have a wedding rehearsal.

Saturday- Going out with high school friends that will be in town.

Sunday - Presby Baby's first birthday, have no idea what I'm serving but the ham rolls may make another appearance.

"Pastor's Wife" book reviews

2009-06-27T19:48:00.001-07:00

I have read a LOT of book geared toward ministers wives and honestly some give the impression of oppression or that ministers wife's should be so "professional" that she gives off the appearance of not being friendly or "touchable"whatsoever. Here are a few of my favorites.

"Life as Viewed from the Goldfish Bowl"- Beverly Hyles

This is actually my former Pastor's wife so I know she lives what she preaches. This has a lot of practical things in it.

"Married to a Pastor's Wife"- H.B. London Jr. & Neil Wiseman

This is of course written by men, it is also good a few things I disagree with, specifically when it talks about women being forced to work secular jobs to support a minister who's church can't afford to pay him, I have found this usually leads to a lot of resentment on the wife's part if it's on a permanent basis. Not bad, well written.

"First we have Coffee"- Margaret Jensen

This isn't written specifically about minister's wives but the author was a minister's daughter and shares wonderful stories and experiences on being part of a Pastor's family in "the good old days". This book always makes me cry, which is saying a lot because I am not easily moved by emotion.

What are some of your favorites?

I Need a Painting Genie

2009-06-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been tempted to throw away all your possessions and start afresh? When we moved here O about 1 1/2 years ago I had plans of going through the house with a fine tooth comb and discarding a lot of stuff since I knew this house was going to be about 800 sq. feet less...then morning sickness kicked in and I didn't feel like doing anything for the next 4 months, we threw things in boxes and moved. I also had grand plans of painting the interior of the house before our actual possessions came since NONE of the colors matched my color scheme at the previous houses...of course someone who can't stand the smell of hamburger or throws up at the scent of toast doesn't do to well painting either. What I have done is rip off 1/2 of the bedroom wallpaper, rip down and replace all but one difficult spot of the main bath wallpaper and strip the wallpaper off the living room walls, there was about 20 layers so that's actually much more of an accomplishment then it seems. I put one coat of primer on the living room but it needs more primer and actual paint. I still have way too many possessions then space. My goal till July is to THOW AWAY STUFF! Not store it in the garage for am imaginary yard sale or list it on Craig's list either into the trash or the Church Rummage Sale!

More of my Favorite Things

2009-06-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share a few favorite recipes and beauty products.

First the running joke in my family is my bar of Clinique Facial Soap, It's a large bar and I've used it twice a day for about 5 years now....and I'm still on my first bar! The funny part is that there is still about 2/3 of a bar left so it will probably last me another 10 years! The case is all cracked but the bar lives on...

When visiting some fancy shmancy hotel in Newport,RI last year they featured this lotion in their guest rooms, I just loved it, it too is a tad pricey to order but it has a good consistency and I like the scent, I dislike Bath and Body works type products as they make me sneeze. This doesn't but is scented and the scent lasts. Gilchrist & Soames Body Lotion

My favorite things to take to a summer picnic style "potluck", done take, potato salad, baked beans or deviled eggs because chances are that's what everyone else is bringing. Two of my favorites are :

"Buffalo Wing Dip"

Served in a small tureen dish or small crock pot is best with tortilla chips

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing

1/2 cup any flavor FRANK'S REDHOT Sauce

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cans (9.75 oz. each) SWANSON White Premium Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

DIRECTIONS:
Tips1.Microwave Directions: Prepare as above. Place in microwave-safe dish. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 5 min. until hot, stirring halfway through cooking. 2.Tips: You may substitute 2 cups shredded cooked chicken. 3.Slow Cooker Method: Combine ingredients as directed above. Place mixture into small slow cooker. Cover pot. Heat on HIGH setting for 1 1/2 hours until hot and bubbly or on LOW setting for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Stir. 4.Tailgating Tip: Prepare dip ahead and place in heavy disposable foil pan. Place pan on grill and heat dip until hot and bubbly.

I also like adding some actual crumbled blue cheese to the mix. Men seem to really like this.

Cast Iron Upside Down Cake

You really need a cast iron skillet to make this as it goes from stove to oven, if you have an ovenproof skillet you could try but the non stick abilities of a cast iron are best.

First 1/3 cup real butter and melt in skillet, next take 1/2 c. brown sugar and whisk it into the butter and let bubble, next arrange sliced peaches, pineapple rings pears etc. on bottom, you could toss in a few maraschino cherries if you wanted, mix up a yellow Jiffy cake mix according to directions and pour over the peach mixture, put cake into preheated oven according to Jiffy cake mix directions, when done DONOT wait for it to coll but invert over a cake stand, (hence the peach and caramel bottom is now the top and serve with whipped cream (if at home serve with vanilla ice cream).
* I also really like the taste with bananas but often the will over brown.

Where your Money there will your heart be also.

2009-06-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

The other day I was talking with a good friend about the upcoming birth of her second baby, she was bemoaning the fact that she didn't know how she could afford to stay home for the first few months as money was SO tight! This was all AFTER she had showed me her new cell phone and talked about how excited she was about the upcoming concert that was $75 a ticket that she was taking her hubby to for his birthday. Now this is a very good friend who then commented that she wished she could stay home like myself, so I told her plainly that I didn't have a fancy cell phone, I only had the lest expensive prepaid one and it was for EMERGENCIES, I didn't have cable, we live on a budget and that's how I afford to stay home. I could have all those things but then I would have to pay for them.

She said she just couldn't "live like that" WHAT! no cable and no cell phone result in a poor life??? Not only were we not raised with cell phones but she was raised in a denomination that didn't even believe in TV!

Would you be willing to give up "luxuries" in order to led the life you wanted?

Favorite Cleaning Products

2009-06-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

I wish I could say I was one of those people who cleaned with only vinegar and baking soda, but I'm not I can't even say that I love earth friendly cleaning products, I've tried a lot and this is what WORKS!

First of all get yourself a pair of rubber gloves, they make them in cute styles now or you can get a pair of inexpensive yellow ones like your Granny had, your hands are one of the first things to show age and the more protection between you and chemicals the better.

This is is best stuff for cleaning porcelain bath tubs or really stained toilets. Easy-Off Bam makes may products the one I like is the "Grime and Lime" cleaner. Its the only thing that cleaned out ancient tub when we moved here, you MUST wear gloves this is strong stuff.

The best toilet bowl cleaner for weekly use, it sticks to the bowl and the smell isn't overpowering.

I love this to soak baby clothes and food stains, it's an enzyme cleaner. I usually use 1/2 a scoop and 1/2 a scoop of detergent and let baby clothes soak overnight.

Greased Lightening is strong stuff , I'm not sure what ingredient makes it cut grease so well, maybe turpentine?, but I use this to clean my stove hood, simply remove your filter spray it down, let sit a few minutes , scrub with brush and rinse, it will take anyone that's stuck on a stove top off but again its really strong stuff. If you have a husband who a mechanic or into tinkering with oily things you can also use this as a clothing stain treater, I have also used this on my clothes but don't leave it on to long as it might discolor some dark fabrics.

This is the best dishwasher detergent hands down, this isn't those handy little cubes its just the plain powder, I usually run my dishwasher on the shortest cycle and on air dry and this does the best job its 100oz. of powder for about 3.88 at Wal Mart, I usually pour the powder into an old formula container and add I T. scoop per wash.

What are your favorite cleaners?

Life

2009-06-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Isn't that the cutest thing you ever saw! Its a counter top dishwasher that hooks up to the sink and washes cups, plates, bowls and silverware for 4! I am sending one to a dear friend who is a missionary but lives in a trailer where you can't have a dishwasher and she has so longed for one!

Life has so busy as of late! The ReverendDr. is out of town for the week at Princeton taking in a seminar, every weekend seems full of weddings, yard sales and graduation parties, gardening and two small children seem to make life very full.

Today alone I wrapped and mailed presents, wrote thanks you's,cards and bills. My 30th birthday is Friday , yup the big 30! My bestest friend in the world the "Liberal Lady Lawyer" is flying in from Boston this weekend to give me a party! Presbybaby's first birthday is coming up and today she received a diamond baby necklace in the mail from the Presbygrandpa, not the play kitchen or stroller that I said she would want, heck if it was up to me I would have said a few cases of diapers would be nice, but not all people share my un-fun ways. I can't decide on a princess theme or ladybug! I, know the hard choices in life!~

Pastor's Wives Question

2009-06-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

I have a question for all you wives, which "circle" meeting do you attend if you church has more then one? Do you go to all (or would that be all you did) none, or a particular one, has anyone else complained of "favoritism" for not going to them all?

A Very Full Life

2009-06-04T12:55:00.001-07:00

So much has been going on, from visitors to funeral dinners, weddings and graduations! I have been invited to two weddings on the same day! Both of the grooms were my friends from high school and they were both in my wedding, still trying to decide which to go to (both at 2 pm)they have mutual friends so I am wondering if they didn't talk to each other?

Presbybaby took her first steps at 11 mo. 2 days! Presbyboy walked exactly at 13 mo. so I guess girls are a little more advanced. This Sunday is graduate Sunday at our church and I have all my cards made out for each of the 7 high school graduates. we also have several in our family and friends that are graduating.

All of my garden is in, Presbyboy did "help" by digging up all the potatoes we planted, but he had fun planting them again!

Busy

2009-05-27T14:18:00.001-07:00

I've been busy again this week in addition to raising a baby and a preschooler I have company coming for the weekend and a funeral dinner on Saturday for 100 people. The days seem to whiz by except that I should be cleaning right now and I'm playing around of the Internet : ) as soon as the kids are asleep I am steam cleaning the dining and living room rugs. I know the fun never seems to end.

Presbyboy will be 4 in December so he is old enough for a 3 days a week preschool in the fall, I just can't decide which one and if I want to spend so much money. We make too much for the state sponsored ones not that I'm too thrilled with those anyway, but he so loves playing with other kids and really only gets to see them on Sunday.

This and That

2009-05-22T20:03:00.001-07:00

Not much going on around here, no one died this week, which I guess makes it a good week! I am cleaning and planting flowers and vegetables, I really should take some photos. A friend of my Mom's asked if I could come color her hair, afterward she said she really would love a perm but for long hair the salon wanted $85, well back in the day, and by "day" I mean the 90's I used to give perms but I don't think I had done one in about 10 years! So I guess I am now back in the perm business. I'm Looking forward to visitors next week and of course yard sales early tomorrow morning.

Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday which I never celebrated growing up, but Presbyterians do it up big and Presbybaby has her classic red and white dress already. Do any other churches wear red and white on that day?

Big Woops

2009-05-15T13:25:00.001-07:00

Our summer calendar is jam packed, weddings....many weddings, family reunion, church camp, VBS,presbytery meeting, parties, Mom's birthday day, my 3-0 birthday etc. Then today I suddenly remember something I didn't schedule Presbybabies first birthday! I don't know when first birthday parties became such a big deal??? Well I am thinking it's going to have to be on a weekday, and one that's not a Friday, or it could be on Friday as long as its over by 4 ish.Is a Saturday breakfast party permissible? Think Presbybaby would be permanently scared if we put it off till September?

Stolen Meme

2009-05-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

On my bedside table:
Lena
Life as Viewed from the Goldfish bowl
KJV Bible

On my TV:
I got the whole first season of "The Secret Life of the America Teenager" form the library for free and its a tad soap oprahish but I have enjoyed it.

On the menu for tonight:
I cooked a funeral lunch today so probably meatloaf form the freezer

On my To Do List:
I have another funeral dinner for tomorrow

New Recipe I tried last week:
I made meatballs, I almost always make meat sauce but I needed something different

In the craft basket:
Monogrammed pillowcases and a baby dress

Looking forward to:
My college roommate's visit and my 30 th birthday , yes ladies the big 3-0!

Homemaking Tip for this week:
the house has gone to pot since I have been gone at the funerals

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other): Crystal over at Money saving Mom had her baby!

Favorite photo from last week:

Not Sure

2009-05-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

Nothing more to say, we had more deaths. If fact we have a funeral at 11 am and a funeral at 2 pm on the same day which has NEVER happened before. Very busy.

2009-05-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

Another lady passed away today, this is turning into a very long week. I'm afraid that my volunteers are getting stretched thin, do I dare call some of the same people twice in a weeks time and ask for more deserts?

Plan #2

2009-05-06T16:14:00.000-07:00

Chiquita and family

So my order of chicken didn't come in, well it did but is somehow came in as only thighs and legs!!! No thanks, So I noticed that another store had turkey breasts on sale for .99 lb so the menu is now Turkey/stuffing/mashed potatoes/gravy/green beans/rolls and assorted salads and deserts. More work but o well !!!

I also got my potatoes in the ground today, they are late even for this area. I had my precious seed potatoes in a bag in the garage, well some critter must have also found them and made a snack! So I spaded up a trench and threw them in. They are red skin potatoes and I had a doozy of a time finding them. Now days a lot of commercial growers spray the potato with something that makes it not sprout "eyes" well you have to have "eyes" for the potato plant to grow. I really need to rent a rototiller and get in the rest of the stuff.
In two weeks my college roommate and her hubby/kids are coming for 4 days , they are home on furlough from serving as missionaries in the Marshall Islands and I haven't seen her in a few years so that will be fun! Needless to say they aren't PC(USA) missionaries. My Alma Mater is Fundamental Baptist so they serve with that type board.

The Circle of Life

2009-05-05T08:56:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was circle, our church has more then one. One thing I am grateful is that they don't use the denominations materials, at our previous church they always seemed so out of place the circle was made up of farmer's wives and teaching a lesson so full of feminism that just didn't apply to these women's lives. Anyway... circle was fun their we're about 13 ladies and I was the youngest by about 30 years which I don't mind. You can learn from your peers but how you really learn from are these wonderful older ladies, they have already raised successful children many have been through caring for and losing a spouse. They have the joy and experiences that comes from living long,full lives.

Today is the Presbybaby's check up, 10 month old already! She is pulling herself up on the furniture and giving her brother a run for who gets what toy. I have been recruiting funeral dinner helpers which are stretched a bit thin as their services usually aren't called upon so often in the same week. Tonight I have to go pick up a couple hundred pounds of chicken and go to a viewing. The garden needs attention but it will have to wait : )

A Three Funerals Kinda Week...

2009-05-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

So it looks like we are going to have a repeat of the other month with three funerals in one week. As far as me that means three funeral dinners to prepare in one week. I am pretty sure I am not going to make the stuffed Chicken breast and mashed potatoes that I have been, the kitchen has no a/c and huge pots of boiling potatoes make things very uncomfortable. I think I am going with the following menu, unless any of the families really prefer the stuffed chicken.

Cheese Ball and crackers
(Persons that don't wish to go to the cemetery can snack on these)
BBQ Chicken (breasts and thighs) prepared in roasters
Pasta Salad
Potato Salad (both homemade)
Chips
Jello and deserts (prepared by others)
Iced tea, lemonade and coffee

Rummage Week

2009-04-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is rummage week here at our church,I don't help much with the sale as I have two little ones but I do try to contribute quiet a bit to the bake sale portion. I really like to come up with things that are a little out of the norm but that can have a high price tag. Our Bake Sale earnings go to the Second Harvest Food Bank (our church runs a food bank also).
Last sale I made from scratch danish, they all sold however their shelf life is only a few days. Banana bread, cookies, brownies are things most other people seem to make. I make a very good homemade cream puff but their shelf life is even shorter and they really should be refrigerated....So I put my thinking cap on and I am making homemade pepperoni rolls which is your traditional yeast roll with sliced peperoni and cheese inside. I am packaging them in trays of 6. I though of making pies, but honestly I HATE making pie crust, well mostly I hate cleaning up my counter from making the crust. I thought of making some layer cakes but not sure how I'd package them??? So I am still trying to come up with another idea? Cinnamon rolls, more danish??? Any ideas ladies?