PERSONAL CARE......SUMMER READING

PERSONAL CARE....SUMMER READING

In keeping with my "summer theme" another idea I have on my list is to read more good things to "fill my mind". I read my Bible each day. In fact, I hope to try and purchase a new Bible this summer as mine is losing pages and such.

I also read my copy of Christian Womanhood magazine. My church puts this out and I began reading this 25 years ago and enjoy the new fresh ideas that come each month.

I have a couple of books I am finishing and one to start. I love to read along with my books the book "First We Have Coffee" by Margaret Jensen. Its a true story with alot of wisdom about a lady and her family and life set back in the early 1900's.

I go to the library and gather assorted books on cooking; decorating; gardening and such.

I have one big giant puzzle book I love to circle and find the hidden words.

I don't spend hours reading. I don't have the time. But...when I get the chance I keep these books nearby so I can enjoy them for the time I have.

Enjoy reading this summer! What books are you reading this summer?

PS I always set a time aside with my children each week during the summer for library day! We would have a load of books to take home and enjoy!

THE HOME...........SUMMER LUNCHES

THE HOME.........SUMMER LUNCHES
A PRETTY APRON TO WEAR

SOME NICE ROMAINE LETTUCE CUT UP AND WASHED

A SIMPLE SALAD OF ROMAINE; BEETS; VEGGIES; CROUTONS AND WHITE CHEESE

I enjoy a quick simple lunch! I admit that if a large burger with cheese; onion; cheese; pickle; tomato was sitting there I would jump at it! But...I know deep down in my heart that I need to try and be "heart healthy". Sometimes I purchase the salad in a bag ready to go when they are on a special sale but my daughter Ruthie showed me that buy purchasing the "romaine" lettuce it can be fairly simple. I take all three out of bag; cut the bad parts off; cut it in small pieces ( we like it like that) then dump it all in a colander. Rinse.........then either lie it all out on a tea towel to dry and roll up that towel to be really quick and dispose of the water. If not in a hurry I even let it dry out in the colander.

I then make my salad. Add the toppings . Sometimes add protein such as chicken or tuna and that's it. I take the leftover salad and put it in a sealed plastic bowl ready for the next time.

I am the kind of person who has to eat 3 times a day and sometimes 2 snacks! Can you believe it?? ha But I like to somewhat have a "plan" what to eat each day. I try to have things in my pantry or the fridge ready to go.

This is not exactly on "decorating" today but it is part of our days and part of our homes.

I hope this helps in keeping our kitchen pantries stocked with good foods we need.

THOUGHTS...........FILLING MY MIND

THOUGHTS....................FILLING MY MIND

I remember when my children were young and how important it was that I would fill their little minds with "good things". I would read the Bible to them when they were in my tummy.

I would sing and read to them as they were babies. I would sing little songs ; play "Patch the Pirate tapes as we would drive along in the car. I would gaurd them against things that I thought their little minds would not need to see or hear. As a mom; I tried my best.

As I have gotten older and now have a granddaughter I see my daughter doing the same thing.

Playing the Bible as she sleeps quietly; Patch the Pirate tapes; singing little songs to her as she begins to grow.

I also am reminded of "my mind" and what I fill it with. I know I constantly need to "fill" my mind each day with good things as I am ( like anyone) bombarded with negative things each day.

I need to "fill" my mind and soul with the Bible each day. I always love the Psalms so I read one

chapter each day. I then read another chapter in my daily devotion booklet.

Life comes to each of us in different ways. Some are more difficult than others. But in each life as the rains come and then the sunshine we need to fill our hearts and souls and minds with whatsoever is good.....

Here are some ideas on helping how to "fill our minds"

. Read the Bible

. Keep good Christian music on around your home

. Read good Christian books or Christian Ladies Magazine

. Dont let negative thoughts invade your life.

. Dont say things like " I am stupid; I am poor; I am sad; I am ugly ect......

. Dont listen to negative things on tv. Turn them off and find something else to do.

. Laugh

. Get involved in a ministry at your church that helps others. Do what you can in it.

. Write a note of encouragement to others even if you are not "fixed" in your life

. Get a notebook and make goals for yourself.

. Listen to good tapes or CD's from your church

. Use your "blogging " for learning good things to help you.

. Feed your physical body good things. It helps!

. Look for the "gold glittering in others". Look for the good in others.

. Dont always think about yourself

These are just a few things. What good things "fill" your days?

I pray you have a wonderful week!!

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise; think on these things.

RECIPES.........EASY SUMMER CHICKEN AND VEGGIE DINNER

EASY SUMMER CHICKEN AND VEGGIE DINNER

This was not a formal recipe but one I tried this past week before our baseball game.

It was easy and good and my husband loved it!

Ingredients:

3-4 ( more if needed) chicken breasts

1 bottle of Paul Newmans Own Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

1 package Green Giant California Blend Cheddar Cheese Sauce low-fat

Directions

Place chicken in 9 x 13 Pyrex Dish

Cover with Dressing ( about half a bottle or less)

Bake at 350 for about an hour 15 mins or until no longer pink

Veggies: Place veggies in glass dish and cover. Place in Microwave to directions. or

Steam in small amount of water atop stove.

* That's it! You may make extra ( I did) for next day lunch.

We loved the moist chicken and flavor this gave.

* May add potatoes to oven same time and serve with baked potatoes.

You may want to serve a summer salad instead of veggies.

SUMMER DAYS..............

MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBERING
MY GRANDDAUGHTER ELLA

TIME WITH GRANDPA

SUMMER BACKYARD

A LONG DAY

As the days grow warmer ( I hope so soon here 44 degrees the other evening).....I can see more and more the evidence of Summer to come. I wander out to the garden and see the tomato plants just beginning to get stronger. I see the ducks and their little ones now wandering their ways across the pond. I hear the sounds of lawnmowers; airplanes and birds filling the air.

I drive down the road and see the once empty baseball fields now filled with fans uniforms cheering them on.

I am thankful to God for so many things. I am thankful for a husband who is getting well and works so very hard. I am thankful for daughters who care for each other and willing to work hard if needed. I am thankful for a son-in-law who loves my daughter and granddaughter and helps his father-in-law whenever he can. I am thankful for a son and daughter-in-law that moved far away yet continue to serve the youth and play music for their church and love the people there and love us.

I am thankful for my sister who cares for my mother everyday. I am thankful for my mom and that she is still living and working her hardest to walk and stand again. I am thankful for my sisters and brother who live far but love each other.

I am thankful for quiet nights to sit on my porch with a lantern listening to the frogs in the pond beside my husband. I am thankful to sit on a bench and watch my husband umpire the little league. I am thankful for things such as fresh sheets; clean laundry and a washer and dryer to make them that way. I am thankful for walking shoes and an exercise bike to help me to remember to take care of my heart. I am thankful for pretty soft skirts and nice tops that my husband bought for me. I am thankful for the nice furniture given by my mom for me to use.

I am thankful for simple things like holding hands with my husband after a game. Listening to my granddaughter make sounds and trying to crawl. My flowers baskets. My garden . The rain. Burgers; turkey hot dogs; potato salad; salads; ice cold lemonade; game of Yahtzee; Phase Ten;

pink flowers; pink trees; old houses; library visits; bikes; going without a coat; a smile; laughing;

Youth Conference; ice cream social; watermelon; church day. There is so many things to be thankful for.

Enjoy your summer days! What are you thankful for?

PERSONAL CARE....SUMMER SCHEDULE

SUMMER MORNINGS

MAKING BREAKFAST/PLAN SUPPER

DOING LAUNDRY

I told in my last blog about my "Summer Schedule". I also told of how I do my Bible devotions time each day. This time I will share about my everyday schedule.

Because it is summertime it does not mean dishes will not get dirty; laundry will be put on hold; floors have the dust and dirt just blow away out the door or everyone just leaves and goes on vacation! Wouldn't that be great? But.......... starting when my children were young we would get up early and everyone would have their chores and make it fun and clean up as fast as we could to be able to enjoy the outdoor summer sun!

Now that they are grown I keep that idea by getting up early; and doing my regular schedule everyday. Up; dressed; make breakfast for my husband and I; devotions; make bed; wipe down bathroom; put load of laundry in; plan dinner and maybe even set out; and tidy up anything else that is needed. I also make a "small list" of things ( I would forget) such as water flowers; water garden; make phone call; or do whatever needs tended to that day.

But........what if you are ill; or someone in your home falls ill; or you have to go help your husband; or your child needs run to an activity and so on and so on. BE FLEXIBLE! A dear friend of mine told me once that "you have a schedule set to follow each day" but learn to be flexible and yield to Gods plan for that day.

Summer is a fun time. Sunshine; picnics; baseball games; or cookouts. But that also can mean more work; later hours; housework that gets behind; and more in our 24 hour day. Having a daily schedule keeps us on track no matter what else comes into our lives. Don't be discouraged if your days are diverted for a while into other important things. Having a "summer plan" helps me to at least look ahead and have ideas.

In my daily schedule I try and plan a dinner each night. I keep it upon the fridge. It helps me to not worry about what to eat. But then on baseball night ; I plan a b"dinner in a Basket" ( my sister Barbara taught me); or my husband may change his mind and we grab a bite afterward.

Enjoy your "summer days"! If you (like me) feel things are running round and round, go back to your schedule and "just do the next thing". I have to keep in mind "Gods ways are not always my ways".

OTHERS....I WANT TO GIVE TO SO MANY!!!!!

OTHERS...........I WANT TO GIVE TO SO MANY!!!!!



The older I get the more and more needs I see in this world! I dont know about you but my heart wants to give and give. I have my immediate family; my husband and grown children and our granddaughter. I have my extended family such as my sweet mom; my sisters and brother.

I have friends who are dear. I have others that are sick or hurting. I even feel for those that have been in disasters such as earthquakes.



I have a prayer list and use it everyday. If someone asks me to pray for them I must write it down and I have a great desire to pray for them but if I do not write it down I have learned to pray for that need immediately.



This desire of my heart is a good thing but can turn into a bad thing if not properly used the right way. I have learned I cannot meet everyone needs that is why God uses so many people.

I have also learned to ASK the Lord of whom He would like me to encourage and give of His time. I have learned to pray that the Lord would put His loving arms around that person or persons and care for them.



He gives us all a purpose and place He wants us to be. There are many times when my children were young I felt I should be caring for this or that area and he would show me He needed me to care for my husband; children and home first. Sometimes that would be all I could do that day. I then would be able to maybe bake some cookies and the girls and I go together to care for someone who is ill.



I have also learned that my cup must be filled with His Word each and every day in order to give to others. I cannot fill my cup with nothing and have anything left to give.



My husband umpires a game sometimes 3 times a week now. He and I love it! I am getting older and the benches get tiring and the games get long but you know what; its what he loves and I love it too! I ask God to help me encourage some lady or child at the game each time.

I used to be young too and sometimes alone. But I don't just sit and not smile or turn a head.

I am friendly and smile and look for someone who seems alone. I am not perfect by any means but you know the Lord seems to bring someone each and every game.



I want to be what I need to be for others. I will fail because I am not perfect. I am a sinner only saved by His grace. This is a daily task for me each day as I yield to Him. But........I don't want to leave this world thinking only of what I am . I will walk in His shoes at the grocery; at the hospital; at the baseball games; and in my home trying to do His way............