I LOVE MONDAYS....WHAT AM I SAYING IN MY WORDS?

WHAT AM I SAYING THROUGH MY WORDS.....

I just love pretty stationary. Its one of my favorite things! I also enjoy making my own cards and adding that special touch. A few years ago I was given me a huge kit of all sorts of stickers; papers; and ribbon to work with in my home made cards. It was a nice blessing!

I am once again reorganizing my work area to keep my notes; papers ect in a place that is the best way for me to be able to do this. My table was turned into "holiday paper" area..............
so I must renew it once again for everyday use.

I enjoy words and those that have meaning. A letter or a note can sometimes mean the world to you. Gods words teach me; lift my spirit and encourage my soul. I thought........What does my walk say each and everyday?

My Walk
. Do I walk in a way that is pleasing to God? Do I keep myself up? Do I work hard with what I have? Do I continue to learn? Do I keep going or just sit and say I DONT feel like doing this or that?

My Talk
. Do I say words that are hurtful? Do I say words that discourage? Do I let my feelings just blurt out without any thought? Do I walk by someone and just say or do nothing as if they dont even
exist?

A letter or a note can be beautiful on the outside. It can come in colors; prints; pictures; or even special quotes. Inside that letter can be words that encourage; bring joy; make you laugh; make you feel loved.

My Walk
. People look on the outside of a card. They are enticed by its cover.........
What do I portray? I am a child of the King. What crowns do I wear?

My Talk
. People hear our words. Sometimes even saying nothing they can hear loudly. I want to speak
to encourage; teach; care; and show His love. This isnt easy ; its a daily thing that I must work on day after day.


I have some very cherished notes from my husband; friends and others....but one note I received last year
was a "Love Letter" written by my dad to my mother 60 years ago. The outside envelope is now yellowing and thin but the words written on that old worn paper inside speak such Love within.

As I grow older.............I want to be as that old worn paper and fill my life with His love.

SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO LAUGH.........

A few weeks ago I was able to put all the Christmas items in their boxes and back in their place in the basement.......EXCEPT.........for one holiday Deer!

My husband and I were out shopping during the beginning of the holiday and he found this little lit deer he and I loved...so it came home.......and when we began assembling it our granddaughter stood by with awe just gazing at it coming together.....Time got away from us and
we ended up setting the "deer" in the corner of my front room...........Time still went by and I said " When are we going to put out the deer in the front yard?".............There it stood!

My granddaughter fell in love with the deer. Each time she would come into my front room
she asked that it be plugged in and its head would move back and forth....So it became a permanent fixture for the holidays inside! Then............came the boxes and the turnover into
winter things and Valentines day except for the "deer"..........YES ........it has stayed! Why?
Because my husband thought it was cute for our granddaughter....The other day I looked and
it had slippers sitting in front of its feet........a scarf wrapped around it.........and a pink bow on its antlers! We all laugh at the "little deer".........

I thought; why do we always have to be so worried about things looking perfect in our homes.
Now I love to decorate and make things pretty and cozy but sometimes its time to relax and have fun..........I remember when our children were young I would get a blanket and throw it over the kitchen table for hours of fun of them playing house or fort!

A house is a house but a home is filled with LOVE!
Here's few ideas I have seen or done over the years to have fun in the home........

. Bought a small refrigerator for our bedroom for my husband to have his snacks and cold ice tea on hand...He loved it for a time....

. Decorate the tables for holidays

. Bring out a game table ; leave a puzzle ready to go.

. Pop popcorn and snuggle under throws and enjoy a good old fashion movie or football game

. Make a special dinner and let the children help plan such as Italian; Chinese; Football; birthday; best dad in the world; you are special dinner........the list can go on and on.............

These are just a few I have mentioned......so many to have and enjoy.............

EVERYDAY SCHEDULE ...2011 Part 2

I love taking care of a home....my mom used to tell me how she would wear an apron to cook back in the 1940's.........and I loved her caring for our home. I can remember the smell of fresh coffee and bacon cooking early in the mornings before school....and the kitchen table set with
a fresh tablecloth and pretty dishes and the most delicious meals.........

So with that Part 2 of my Everyday Schedule..........Simple tasks.....*dont get me wrong the tasks can be hard work but isnt that part of life.....

Midmorning I try and make sure I am cleaned up for the day. I take care of my skin; hair
and clothes. It makes me feel better about myself..... I do this again in the late afternoon knowing my hubby may be coming in from work.......*note there are times I have not looked perfect and far from it; but he still thinks I am cute. he says....Who knew?
I usually put a load of laundry in each day. Some people like to choose one day a week but for
me this seems to work............I sort the colors...usually wash most on cold except towels.
I dry towels on hot, my husbands shirts and other permanent press; I dry on medium. I also hang
dry anything that may be 100% cotton; delicate.......
I dont know why ....but I am never bored.....( my mom wasnt either) ...there are always so many tasks to work on; or
other things I would like to get done....

Mondays- I do Full cleaning
change sheets; sweep; dust; clean and straighten each room; clean scrub bathrooms; laundry in;
folded; grocery list and menu for the week....

Tuesdays- Finish laundry; grocery shopping * 2 x a month ladies meeting

Wednesdays- Ironing; desk work; correspondence; rest for church PM

Thursdays- Errands (if possible) desk work.....bills ; cards; things I am working on

Fridays- Cleaning- sweep; wipe down baths; laundry; personal things I am working on

Saturdays and Sundays....time with family and Church on Sundays
After my afternoon of work......I try and rest for about 30 minutes. This doesnt always happen for sure but I was listening to a lady speak at our conference this year and she rest each day.
I thought to myself ( Im over 50 now so this may be a help to me) Even if I dont sleep per say
I take the time to read or relax.......

Around ......4-5 pm.... I began preparations on supper. Table set. Dinner going .....( sometimes my husband comes home around 5 but it can be 6-10 pm......I dont get in a tizzy about it I just
make dinner and warm it up when he gets home.....This helps my body to keep on a good schedule and means alot to him to come home and find a warm meal..........

Kitchen is cleaned and coffee maker ready for the next morning.........


Evenings are a time to relax......( in the summer we spend more time outside)........I enjoy
reading or when my husbands home watching the History channel with him ( I have learned so much ).........

Thats it!.........Yours may be quit different with children at home etc........I can remember days of baseball; basketball; youth activities; homework and their schedule .........Whatever your
schedule demands........BE FLEXIBLE ............its just there to help you in your days............

Keep things simple! Remember its about the people you live with not about the things that live with you! .......................

* I will try and post some simple meal ideas or money saving ideas soon.

EVERDAY SCHEDULE.....2011

I love a schedule. It helps me to keep on track everyday.....There are ; of course; many times
things do not go according to the schedule but its good to have one in place for something to fall back on each day so you dont go about stumbling through your day....( I have had days like that)
I remember years ago as a young wife trying to fit into so many others schedules....Books; charts and even talks about scheduling through me through a tailspin.........

I talked with a wise friend and told her my husband schedule was in and out of the house; my children were growing and involved in various things. I ended up working with our own business
at different times where I would be needed to do extra tasks...How could I have a schedule?

She simply said......Make a set schedule of the dailys in life to have everyday. Then do what you can.....

That has worked through the rest of my many years.....My schedule may be different than yours. You may have young children; children in school;a retired husband; someone that is in need of care giving; or may work out of the home. Whatever it is...........there are still things to be done........Even if someone cleans your home.........Things need to be done..

Each day.....I hop ( or try to hop) out of bed and say Good morning to my Lord....I then yield
my day and day to Him.... * If no one is up I grab my Bible and read a devotional given out through my church...pray and ..............

I go to the coffeemaker and start my coffee and then my husbands....We sit and chat quietly
and enjoy the morning together....*In the Spring we like to sit on our front porch at listen to the birds..........


Then...........its the thought of breakfast.....( * I try and take my shower and needs in the evening
so I can be ready to go this seems to help me through the years).......My hubby gets ready and
I fix either a hot bowl of oatmeal with the fixins; or a couple eggs whites and wheat toast (maybe some turkey bacon or a slice of ham and thin swiss cheese on a English Muffin......

Everyones ready to go........Kisses goodby are a must!I love you's too.................
Next............
I make my bed!........I love to put on fresh sheets on Mondays and when I make it I tuck it all in on the sides and smooth it all out just right. I then add some pretty pillows . Sometimes I have a nice smelling spray I may spray the linens with........

.Sometimes I get to this earlier while my husband is getting ready but
if not I quickly make my bed.........It makes the day get going....A room neat and clean and ready to use.....I have a desk and workspace in my room; so this makes it so nice to do work when I need to..............

Back to the kitchen where dishes are loaded; counters wiped down; floor swept; mopped if needed and "frozen dinner meal " lays out on the counter to thaw..........

My daughter bought me a "Planner" from Vera Bradley again this Christmas so I keep my life in this little planner. I write down things needful for the rest of that day ; and it reminds me on the calendar of everything else going or bills due for that month.... I then go from there...........
and will share more later..............

....... THE BRUNCH

....... THE BRUNCH

I thought I would share a post from the past........."A Brunch with a purpose can be a "brightener" for a snowy winter day.........

IT BEGAN SNOWING AT MIDNIGHT AND FILLED THE AREA.............

I HAD MY CROCK FILLED WITH THE AROMAS OF APPLES; CINNAMON; CLOVES AND ORANGES..
THE TABLES WERE SET...AND I HAD THE HASH BROWN CASSEROLE AND HAM BISCUITS WARMING IN THE OVEN............. THE CANDLES TOOK ON A GLOW AMIDST THE DARK SNOWY SKY'S........ WOULD ANYONE MAKE IT?....THE DOORBELL RANG AND FOOD FILLED THE TABLES

I awoke at 5:15 am. As I looked out my favorite round window I saw the sidewalks filled with snow and huge flakes falling from the sky........I said to God....Its your time......I prepared and I thought this little brunch might be canceled....

I called my friend who is in charge and would run this meeting. She quickly said" I am getting ready and on my way........I thought of this friend and how faithful she had been to many years of our meetings. How faithful she is to her family. How faithful she is to God. How faithful she is to our church and others there. How she has bought many new people to visit our church and made them a part of her life and thus they becoming a part of hers. How faithful she was to a friendship and how she brought me a huge basket filled with snacks for two days when my husband had his heart surgery. And now.....even though it would take her over an hour to get to my house and the snow all around her she was faithful to do her part..........

I fed my family and they went on their ways ....I dressed; drank some coffee and began to get ready for those to come to the brunch. But........I almost forgot and sat down to read Psalm 109 in my Bible. I almost forgot to invite God to our brunch that morning! I told God if only one person came I would be happy and share and have alot of fun leftovers........

I warmed the ham biscuits ; hash brown casserole; and large fluffy biscuits to serve with some special jam ( a blessing from a friend and God the day before). I lit the candles; put on some pretty Christian music; and the doorbell rang............One came; then another; then another and by the time it was done I had the living room full to capacity!!

We ate; my friend shared letters of our missionaries; we listen to a lady from a mission field; and prayed and laughed. I thought of the other ladies that came that morning and how faithful they were also to their God. They could have stayed home in their warm homes; or thought it too much a bother to bring a dish but the ones that came; came because they were faithful to a cause............

I am thankful today for many things........For faithfulness; for friendships; for freedom to pray and attend church; and even for the snow.......I am thankful.........

LETTING GO...............

Last week I spent a few days organizing and cleaning out all my bedroom drawers; nightstands; my closet and my desk and files.....

I dont have a problem with ridding out things to make things neat and in order but on this day.... I struggled with some things I needed to just let go and give away.....
I did that and everything seemed to fall into order and just breathe freshness! I have heard this "term" before from the ladies conference I listened to back in October....but this time I thought of how God had allowed me to see the many times I have "let go"....and "Let God " bring newness in my life...

Sometimes we need to "let go" of our "dreams"...
..I dont mean we cannot have dreams ...( I have many new dreams) but dreams such as " I thought life was going to be this way or that way" and it wasnt what you thought so you are dissapointed Well ......"LET GO"

. Sometimes we need to "let go" of our feelings........well they treat me like this or that; or they dont make me feel..........."LET GO" .

Sometimes we need to "let go" of our wants and desires......I want this ; I want that; This is the way it is and if they dont like it..........." LET GO"

. Sometimes we need to " let go" of past hurts...........I will never forgive them for this or that... (sometimes your hurting yourself more than the other)........" LET GO"..... ..........

.Its easy to think about what "we" deserve and our needs......Its much harder to say " God what should I do about this? " .........or to "let go" of what we want and see what you can do for someone else..........

. This isnt an easy lesson for me to live ; but its a lesson I have had to do over and over and want to keep learning....... "Letting Go"and allowing God to teach you wisdom is a peaceful freeing position to be in...
Maybe sometime I will share some of the lessons I went through ; But for now and today I can say

I am glad I went through them all for I can see "Gold Glittering " through it all!

HEALTHY MEAL...........APRICOT BAKED PORK CHOPS;........

Like so many others I have tried to get back to eating healthier............My husband is a heart patient and I have my own set of health issues so it will help us both to eat better.....
The thing is; we both enjoy grew up with the Mayberry "Aunt Bea" kind of food.........You know where you sit at a pretty table and eat good food and enjoy each other..........Now that we are in our 50's our bodies need different fuels...

I know the foods I should eat .......but needed more help....I called my sis in law......and she spent over an hour with me teaching me so many good things.....She is a wife; mother and used to be a nurse. She takes good care of herself and her family......She knows a man doesnt need a tiny piece of chicken and a carrot stick with greens to be full.......I will share more later........

I also need to do this within a budget ......so First thing was I went to the grocery and found a
great sale on Chicken Breast....I came home and cut them in half lengthwise and grilled them on
my George Forman grill..........( I got this for $2 during the summer at a tag sale) I placed them in
ziplock baggies and labeled the quantity.........

My husband loves pork chops.......we found these boneless chops at a great price and I decided
to bake these and use this recipe. I dont know where I saw it I just put it together and he seems to love it.......and isnt that what its all about ........having him enjoy his meals! I dont think eating
healthy or inexpensive has to be a cardboard pizza from the store......(that may ok in a pinch)
but it should be an enjoyable time for yourself and your tummy!

Apricot Baked Porkchops

Serves 6
6-8 lean porkchops
Smuckers Sugar Free Apricot Preserves
salt and pepper
1 onion sliced in rings.....
1-2 T olive oil

. Season Chops Then Brown the chops on both sides
. Place in a 9 x 13 ( may need two if you have several)
. Add 1/2 cup water in bottom on dish
. Place rings of onions on top of chops....makes the house smell great!

Bake 350.......for about an hour.....

** May serve with baked sweet potatoes and fresh green beans sauteed in little olive oil....