Kids or children?
29 Feb 2012 1 Comment
This was cute.
This morning while doing our usual Bible Time, Mr. M gave me a nice laugh.
We were reading about Jacob deceiving Isaac, his elderly and blind father, to receive his brother Esau’s blessing. In Genesis 27, Isaac instructs his favorite son, Esau, to hunt for venison, prepare the meat for him, and serve it to him, after which Isaac would pray a special blessing over Esau. Rebekah, Isaac’s wife, overhears these instructions and contrives a plan so that Jacob, her favorite son, will receive the special blessing. She tells Jacob to get a couple of kids (meaning young goats) from the field and dress them. (“Dress” means butcher and process them, but of course I neglected to explain this.) She then prepares the meat in the way her husband likes, and has Jacob dress in Esau’s clothing so that he can present the food to his father in a convincing manner. He comes to his father, and Isaac asks Jacob some questions to confirm that it truly is Esau. We left the scene when Isaac declares that “the voice is Jacob’s, but the hands are Esau’s.” More
Creamed Salmon on Salad
23 Feb 2012 1 Comment
in Nutrition Know-How, Radical Recipes
One of the goals I have in weekly menu planning is varying our protein sources for each evening meal. (Some of you may call that meal dinner. I usually call it supper. For the sake of unity and togetherness, I shall call it the evening meal.) I try to do a white meat, a red meat, fish, eggs or beans, and leave one night open for a leftover meat from a previous meal.
For budgetary reasons, fish night usually requires canned salmon or canned tuna, so I am always on the lookout for new ways to dress up the old faithful canned fish. While hunting on All Recipes one day, I came across a recipe for Creamed Salmon on Toast. It was really good, though I skipped the canned peas (ew!) and spiced it up with some garlic, onion, and seasonings. Last night I got the inspiration to serve it over salad, and I was so pleased with it that I thought I’d share. More
On second thought…
16 Feb 2012 2 Comments
in Consecrated Contemplations, I'll take Hodge-Podge for 200, Alex
Hello dear friends and readers!
Yesterday I wrote a post introducing a new category that I wanted to add cover the area of political ideas and happenings, with the goal of talking mainly about the Constitution as I learn about it. There was something I didn’t consider, though, and it was brought to my attention through a comment.
In Romans 14, the apostle Paul writes about never letting Christian liberty cause a brother or a sister to stumble. A reader sent a polite, but anonymous, comment that made me realize that writing about political topics could cause a brother, or more than likely for my readers, a sister to stumble. While I see my political thoughts as an overflow of my Christian faith and great respect for the founding principles of our country, others may misunderstand my purpose in writing about those views. So, I’ve thought better of having a political category for the sake of focusing on topics that are more likely to be edifying and encouraging to friends and fellow Christians alike. Some positive remarks on limited government may pop up from time to time, but for now, I’m going to leave Libertarian Leanings to chats with my handsome hubby, politically-interested friends, and my Facebook links. 
Stay tuned for an update on my No ‘Poo journey, and live coverage of the battle with baby weight! Coming at you next week… or whenever I get a chance.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Romans 14:19
Deciphering Seeds
02 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Fabulous Frugality, Green Gratification
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt like I should be planting peas this winter. This crazy weather has tricked me into feeling like Spring is just around the corner, even though Old Man Winter had only recently arrived.
While I have restrained myself enough to refrain from putting peas into the ground, I have been loosely planning my gardening endeavours for when Spring finally does show up. Yesterday brought me the delight of my first shipment of seeds which I ordered last month. Yes, I already have my garden seeds. While large stores like Target and Wal-Mart are now carrying a nice assortment of seeds (and now organic or heirloom varieties, too), I prefer to buy mine through seed catalogs that are shipped around the first of the year and contain a much wider selection than is offered at local stores. That wider selection also requires an expanded vocabulary: GMO, treated, untreated, hybrid, open-pollinated, heirloom, organic… what does it really mean, and which is best? More
Family Bible time
30 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Consecrated Contemplations, Parental Ponderings
Little Boy kneels at the foot of the bed,
Droops on the little hands little gold head.
Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares!
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.
God bless Mummy. I know that’s right.
Wasn’t it fun in the bath tonight?
The cold’s so cold, and the hot’s so hot.
Oh! God bless Daddy– I quite forgot.
-Vespers, When We Were Very Young, A.A. Milne More
2012 Reading Goals
21 Jan 2012 8 Comments
in Education Escapades, I'll take Hodge-Podge for 200, Alex
We just recently bought a larger bookcase for our living room, and I have to say that I gain a great deal of satisfaction out of having a growing family library. Since becoming a homeschooling family, our collection has grown exponentially, and so has my wish list.
Now the challenge with having a sizable collection of books is making sure that they actually get read at least once, and so I’ve picked out a few that I want to make sure to go through this year, as well as some classics that I want to get to during my read aloud times with the children. This of could of course take me much longer than the next eleven and a half months, but at least I’m making a goal. Most of my books serve some sort of practical, educational, spiritual, or thought-provoking purpose. I personally don’t do much reading for entertainment, though that is something I enjoy while reading aloud to the little people who live here. More
Who needs a necklace when you can wear a baby?
14 Jan 2012 1 Comment
in Fabulous Frugality, Parental Ponderings
It has become quite clear to me that blogging will be an inconsistent hobby for me for a while.
We are coming off of an extremely full two months. We’ve celebrated three birthdays (with one more on Monday… mine!), one birth, and three major holidays, traveled to two churches while my handsome hubby filled in for a couple of pastors, and enjoyed some family visits over the Christmas holiday. Mixed into the action, our Baby H went through a three-week colicky phase, but we thank the Lord Jesus that it ended quickly and didn’t drag on for longer. These last two weeks began our shift back to reality, and while it has been really nice to have our life start to settle back into a routine, what a full routine it is!
Homeschooling, meal planning and preparation, and striving to keep the house in order and laundry done makes for a big to-do list, and one thing that has been crucial in helping me manage has been baby wearing. Having Baby H snuggled up in my wrap carrier or sling while I get some needed tasks accomplished makes life so much easier! More
Oh, how I love cloth diapers.
29 Dec 2011 4 Comments
in Fabulous Frugality, Green Gratification, Parental Ponderings
I hope everyone had a grand Christmas! We’ve been a tad busy around the house lately with a baby, two birthdays, Christmas, and enjoying the hubby’s time off of work, so blogging has taken a backseat. Our Christmas continues this week as Baby H will have her first visit from many family members, but I’m hoping to finish up baby topics within the next couple of weeks and move on to something else.
Today’s post is one near and dear to my heart: the joys of cloth diapering! More
Want a chance to make homemade lipbalm?
15 Dec 2011 1 Comment
in Green Gratification, I'll take Hodge-Podge for 200, Alex
When I’ve blogged about herbs, essential oils, and homemade skin care, I’ve often mentioned Mountain Rose Herbs. They have been my source for the ingredients I need to make completely natural (and yes, dear readers, edible if you are so inclined to try) lip balm, skin creams, and salves. Everything is high quality, the prices are reasonable, the customer service is great, and they make sincere efforts to run their business in an environmentally-friendly way.
So why am I taking the time to write this?
Because they are doing huge giveaways these next four weeks, and I want a chance to win! You might, too. There are five ways to enter, and this week’s prize is quite impressive: all the oils, butters, beeswax, essential oils, and supplies to make 26 of your own lip balms! Head over to their blog and see for yourself.
http://mountainroseblog.com/recipes-year-giveaway/
Up next… cloth diapers and why I love them! Stay tuned…
Home sweet homebirth
09 Dec 2011 3 Comments
We’re getting back into the swing of things, little by little, and that includes the occasional moments to hop on the ole laptop and blog away. It’s been a great almost two weeks with our new little bundle, and she really is a treat. Everyone’s in love with her, and this has been the easiest transition for us compared to the times of adjustment with our other three. More on that another time!
Today I wanted to share a little bit about our personal decision to have our babies at home and outside of the usual hospital setting. More
