I LOVE MONDAYS .......MY SCHEDULE.......AND WAYS TO GET STARTED

I just love Mondays....they are one of my favorite things....Why?.............

. They come after Sunday where I heard a wonderful sermon on "Blessings" Sunday morning
and evening....It convicted and touched my heart along with beautiful music that lifted my
soul..........I love Sundays too!

. I love Mondays because they are the beginning of a new week for me...........A new start.

. I love Mondays because on Mondays I do my big cleaning for the week...Stripping the beds and
then fresh clean sheets put back on; cleaning ; dusting; sweeping each room; cleaning the bathrooms from top to bottom; tidying the front and back porch areas ; working in my garden
bringing in the tomatoes; peppers and such; and enjoying a clean fresh home at the end of the day..............

. I love Mondays because I can plan for the rest of the week in my planner. My menu for the week. My workload and things to get done for the week. Plans for others with special prayer or
cards or gifts to be put together.

. I love Mondays because they are given by God. I can read His love letter to me and walk with
Him the rest of the week...............as He directs my path..............
I never really know who is going to knock at that door..........but when He send them my way
I want to be ready for whomever He sends................

. Here are a few simple ways to get started on your Monday:

. Begin by thanking God for your day as you get up...........Even though its Monday...
shower; clean up; put on some pretty music; and eat a good breakfast.
This can be simply a hot or cold cereal or a yogurt and some fruit.

. Take time in your Bible. Read one Psalms or have a devotional book you can follow along.

. Clean your kitchen. Wipe counters. Take out trash. Take clutter to rooms where they go.

. Make all your beds. * If time; wash sheets; blankets and comforter.

. Run the sweeper or sweep areas needed....

. Pick up any clutter and place in the correct room. Maybe a basket may help in each room.

. Wipe down all bathrooms. * If time; clean thoroughly.

. Sit down with a hot or cool drink and rest......Make out a menu for the week. *You can use
this to make out a grocery list later.

. Check laundry. If you dont have much time make sure you have at least some clean towels;
clothes for each person to wear the next day.*** I do most of my ironing on another day.

* I try and make sure my husband has enough shirts and clean pants ready for the week as well as other clothes folded and put in place in his drawers for the week.
The same goes for my children. When they were younger I did this . As they grew older they
were able to help with making sure these things were done themselves.

. Take time out to rest or do something you enjoy....for a few. * I never used to say this when I was younger but its ok to stop and rest and renew yourself so you can be fresh for the rest of the day or early evening.

. Set out dinner to be prepared. Set table.

. Prepare dinner. * if you fill your sink or some items with hot sudsy water while working this may help on clean up. Clean up as you go.....

. Rest in the evening with your family. Prepare time for homework if needful with your children;
baths; bedtime Make a place for their backpacks; lunchboxes ; papers....
Perhaps a board with pegs to hang; a small cardboard stand with drawers tucked in a mudroom; lunch items placed in baskets in cabinets to be filled later...the list can go on and on..
Make a chart etc..and make it simple and fun . Can use stars; stickers; points....

Dont make evening a time to tell all your troubles and woes. Make it a restful time for a restful sleep. * a lady I know writes down on a list on the kitchen workplace things that need done or
need tending to so that way her husband could look and see what needed done and care for it
when needed. I liked that.

Perhaps your Mondays are not like mine. Maybe your husband works different shifts; you
may have added things to care for at home or elsewhere; but the idea is to make some simple
schedule to help bring abit of order to your days........and peace around you....

THE GARDEN IS OVERFLOWING...........WAYS TO USE YOUR TOMATOES AND VEGGIE GARDEN

Our garden is overflowing with tomatoes; sweet peppers and other veggies.....Each day I go
out and Gods blessings fill my basket.........our "sweetest girl" granddaughter stands among
the plants that tower over her little head and she quickly picks and fills the brown basket she
has in tote..............
We have made "dads salsa" many times; green fried tomatoes; had tomato slices alongside
a BLT and given our share away to others..........

We love fried green tomatoes..."Recipe on my sidebar"...........for a side or with a thin egg; pepperjack cheese sandwich for breakfast...........
I have made "dads salsa" (Recipe on my sidebar) many times......Its very easy and has such
a sweet flavor with baked chips or alongside a dinner..........

I plan on freezing some tomatoes; roasting some nice garlic flavored tomatoes; cutting them in half added some basil; bread crumbs; and a little cheese and broiling; trying out a few other
recipes as well....
I am glad when God gives me things to use. I want use what he gives me in wise ways.........
My husband always seems to enjoy it when I can make our money strength in various ways
( I do too)..........

BASIC TOMATO SALAD BEGINNINGS...............

* You may use this recipe and chop it up later and make salsa or use the
Dads Salsa recipe to the right..........

• 2 1/4 pounds mixed ripe tomatoes, different shapes and colors
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• A good pinch dried oregano

• Red wine or balsamic vinegar
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and grated
• 1 fresh red chile, seeded and chopped

I slice; chop these into a pretty bowl..........I then take my little jar ( make sure its a cute one like I got in the FREE box) and make the dressing............Shake it up and pour as much as needed
over the tomatoes... Enjoy!

RENEWING YOUR DAY ...PART TWO.......

Monday I was reminded of how great it is to have the privilege of a "new day" to begin again and again.............But first I realize we must be willing to walk through that door of WANT.....
and if you are feeling baffled or out of sorts at the time ...you may not WANT to walk through
that door of life..........it may be hard; it may bring pain; it may bring burdens that you dont WANT to bear........but God says in Proverbs 16:1 " The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord"
He has the answers for our needs.............
I shared a couple of things that we can do for ourselves and minds....But for our hearts we need
to sometimes sit alone and let Him speak to our hearts. Not dwell on the negative but spend time
just thanking Him for the breath we breathe; the shelter over our heads; the food we eat....
Sometimes I have had a tendency to run to things such as food or another person to hear my woes
and allow them to comfort me while all the time Jesus was my comforter and was sitting there
waiting for me to come...........
Get out and walk or exercise.........maybe take in a beautiful area or walk with a loved one
hand in hand.........the exercise does change things in our physical body and brings changes that
are good............I might add: Sometimes we need rest and our physical body also reaps it rewards from a good nights rest or a nap ..........I know when I had babies this was a must to help me
day by day and now that I am a grandmother there are times I stop and rest a few.........
Renewing.............isnt all about YOU or me! It is a known fact that if we "think of others" or do for others it helps bring us joy!..........Why cant my husband; friend; or other excuse do for me?
This isnt about all your pain..........its to help lift your load
Setting a pretty table for your
family is encouraging and will help you as you plan and do.........(You might think that they
would never appreciate such things) I say...........I did it out of LOVE and for me........
Your family needs this time......If you have things that need "help" maybe you can schedule
a time with an older wiser lady. Maybe you may need to ask for the help of someone to assist you with your workload etc.........Take time to learn and grow.....

Another idea in the area of Others : Bake something such as cookies or tea breads....tie with a pretty ribbon.
If you dont bake purchase a small gift card ; or send a nice card; or give away slightly used
items that they may enjoy......** I love when my sisters give me their things.....so much fun ...

Renewing your day.........step by step .........day by day............. HERE'S THE RECIPE I HAVE
FOUND THIS SUMMER FOR QUICK SHORTBREAD CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES......

CHOCOLATE CHIP SHORTBREAD COOKIES.............

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Cream the butter with sugar using a handheld mixer. Mix in the rosemary, salt, and flour, 1/4 cup at a time. Sprinkle in the chocolate chips, and stir by hand until well-distributed. Gather the dough into a ball. Cook's Note: If the dough begins to soften or feel greasy, chill the dough for 15 minutes.

Roll the dough out into a rectangle of 1/2-inch thickness and cut into rectangles about 1/2-inch by 2-inch. Place the dough on a cold ungreased baking sheet. Prick the top with a fork. Bake the shortbread for 25 minutes, or until the dough starts to turn a golden color. Remove the shortbread from the baking sheet and let cool completely on a rack.

A "SPA MOMENT"............SIMPLY DONE STEP BY STEP

It seems life has been busy cleaning; gardening; and organizing.... I could just see it in my
hands and feet...They needed some TLC.........and no time to run out and have it all done....
So I decided late in the afternoon when all was quiet that I would have a "Spa Moment"...
(notice I said moment because I didnt have hours) so I went to work setting up my
"Spa" in my room. ...............
I took out my small pink fluffy hand towel and a few small washcloths............I then took down
my "basket" from my shelf and took out my "small bag" filled with nail items. I also went to
a bath shelf and took my pumice stone ( these are very inexpensive at the dollar store);
some pretty smelling lotion; and some nice exfolliating scrub for my feet............I then picked out a nice "OPI nail polish"Sweetheart to apply.
I put on "beautiful music" ; filled a small tub with some hot/warm sudsy water and bits of lavender ( i had on hand)........It was so nice and relaxing!
After my "Spa" time I felt refreshed and my hands and feet looked tidy and soft...........

As I began to put things away I heard a knock on my bedroom door...it was my "sweetest girl" granddaughter .......I brought her in and sat her down and she soaked her little feet and giggled...
I then dried her little feet and painted her nails and toes in a soft OPI sweetheart pink.

Sometimes we need a "Spa moment" to take in the beauty God gives to us and sit and be
thankful for His love.............

RENEWING EACH DAY.................

"Tomorrow is always fresh.....there are no mistakes in it." Miss Stacey
-ANNE OF GREEN GABLES-


. With the coming of our newest granddaughter...change has come our way again...

I used to be the kind of woman who disliked change. I enjoyed the security of things staying
the same ways....but thats not life ; at least not my life and the one God has planned for me...

Change can be good........its what you do with change that determines if it can be for good.
Things like children beginning school for the first time; getting married; children leaving home; new job; losing a job or house; new baby; an illness ; prolonged stressful situations ; or the loss of someone you love.........
Always these things are part of life and have us take a Step back..........and STOP.........and do what is next............

My good friend; Julie told me this quote one time. I have used it several times on my blog but I think it is a good quote. "When you dont know what to do; just do the next thing........."

What if there is no money? What if someone has an illness for a length of time? What if someone
I love leaves; goes away; stops caring about me; or even passes away?

I love that we have "a new day" each day.............Isnt that a great promise in our lives??

But what if you dont feel like it? Your body and mind are STALE?

Here are a few ideas for your mind..........Thats were it begins...........

. Praise God and thank Him for the blessings you have..this may seem hard but one by one
you can begin.....

. Give it all to God.........All of it...He created this life for you and your purpose.

. Get a Bible and begin reading Psalms....write it down on a 3x5 card. Put it up on your mirror
in your bath; your wall beside your bed; get the Word in your mind and in your heart so when
that lie comes that says " You are worth nothing"; just look at the marriage you are in"; youll
never have any more money"....................KNOW it is a lie and look on the promises of God....
He will give you blessings upon blessings.........they may not be all financial but His ways are not
are ways.........and you will begin to see His care for you......Romans 8:28

. Get up and make yourself shower; fix your hair (get a haircut if needed); fix yourself up for
a good day. Someone may say "who are you expecting?" I am expecting "God to be here right with me.

. Put good things in your mind...put on good music (our church has a radio station now that you
can even get online. 90.5 the Key); good Christian books that encourage; happy things

Your home:

. Pick one room out and clean that room from top to bottom throwing things out that you do not need.........

. Some room that is depressing for you? Be creative. Take what you have and redecorate. Make your home shine.............Eve had the garden you have your home. * I have seen many a home
that was small or simple and it was warm and homey. You and your family deserve this.....

. Throw out clutter.....and bake something yummy!

Renew each day ...........and "Do the next thing"...............

AUNT JEANETTE'S BROCCOLI SLAW...SO GOOD....

The other day I meant a nice lady who was visiting someone else. We began to talk and she told me she was making a great salad to take along on a family picnic...I said I am always looking for more salad recipes and she gave me this one....I made it this week and we loved it!

I told her I would call it by what they called her: so here is Aunt Jeanette's Broccoli Slaw

1 package of Romain noodle soup (any flavor but I used chicken or oriental)
1/2 c oil
2T apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar or Splenda
1 c sliced almonds
1 16 oz package of broccoli slaw mix
1 onion chopped * I used 1 green onion
1 t salt and pepper

Mix dry-seasoning packet form soup ix with oil; sugar; apple vinegar
Crush romain noodles in little bag or by hand until small and mix with almonds.
Mix all together in bowl and refrigerate for about an hour or more. The longer it sits the better .
*You may have it right away but its better as it sits...

Thats it! * You may add diced tomatoes or chicken for a change