I had several requests for this soup recipe mentioned in last week's newsletter. This recipe is courtesy of my friend Belinda who said use some of this and some of that. I have done my best to write down what I actually did. It turned out great. My husband said, "You can make this again!"
Cream of Chicken Soup
1 cup finely chopped carrot – 2 medium
1 cup finely chopped celery – 2 medium
1 cup finely chopped onion
¼ Cup butter
1-2 tsp fines herbs
2 large chicken breasts or 4 small cut in bite sized pieces
6 cups chicken broth (real if possible)
2 cups heavy cream
½ cup butter
2/3 cup flour
1 can artichoke hearts, water packed
salt and pepper to taste
Saute carrots, celery, and onion (mira poix) in butter in a large stock pot for a couple minutes and add cut up chicken breast.
Stir over medium high heat and add fine herbes and continue sauteing the veggies and chicken mixture for several minutes until chicken is no longer pink. Add broth. (The above pictures is when it is time to add the broth.) Simmer about 10 minutes or until veggies are soft. While veggies and chicken are simmering, melt ½ cup butter and stir in the flour in a separate small saucepan and stir for about one minute. Set aside.
Add the cream to the soup, bring soup mixture to boiling, and while soup is boiling rapidly, gradually stir in the butter/flour mixture while whisking very quickly to thicken the soup. Drain artichoke hearts, dice the hearts into fourths or smaller pieces as desired, add to soup. Adjust seasonings by adding salt and pepper to taste. Add more milk or chicken broth if a thinner soup is desired. Enjoy with French Bread.
lunes, 24 de diciembre de 2007
miércoles, 19 de diciembre de 2007
Enstrom's Style Toffee
This recipe was given to my daughter by an employee where she works in Grand Junction. Enstrom's toffee is world renowned for being the best and manufactured in Grand Junction and shipped around the world. We are honored to have this recipe and share it with you!It will cost you about $7.50 for butter, sugar, chocolate and almonds to make this recipe. The finished recipe makes about three pounds of toffee, enough for several generous gifts.
Enstrom's Style Toffee
2 3/4 Cup sugar
1 pound salted butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup slivered almonds
1 - 12 oz pkg milk chocolate chip
3/4 cup whole almonds, chopped very, very finely in a blender- almost a powder
Melt butter in a medium sized sauce pan - about 3 quart size over medium to medium high heat. Add the salt. When the butter is almost melted, add the sugar in quickly. Stir slowly, using a figure 8 motion with a wooden spoon. The sugar will not immediately dissolve or mix in, this is normal.
When the sugar absorbs into the butter the mixture will look more homogeneous and smooth. This takes 5-10 minutes. Then add the slivered almonds. This is what it will look like when you add the almonds. A would call this the blonde stage.
Continue to slowly stir the mixture in the saucepan for about another 10-15 minutes until the mixture reaches the hard crack stage. This is 290 ° F on a thermometer. (I use the instant read thermometer with a probe which I also use for bread.) You will notice that the sugar mixture is turning a darker more caramel color and it is almost starting to smell like burnt sugar. You can also drop a small amount of the mixture into iced water to test for the hard crack stage. Do not under cook. This picture shows how much darker the mixture becomes.
If the mixture has reached 290 or hard crack, pour the mixture onto a large cookie sheet and allow it to spread out. Place the cookie sheet on a cooling rack NOT ON A COUNTER because the mixture is so hot it could warp your counter.
After the toffee hardens, about 30 minutes, melt half the chocolate chips in a double boiler and spread over the toffee in a thin layer. Sprinkle with finely diced almonds. When this is cooled, flip the toffee over and repeat. Spread the other half of the chocolate chips, melted over the toffee and sprinkle with finely chopped almonds. When it is totally cooled, put portions into cellophane bags tied with a ribbon to use for gifts.
Enstrom's Style Toffee
2 3/4 Cup sugar
1 pound salted butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup slivered almonds
1 - 12 oz pkg milk chocolate chip
3/4 cup whole almonds, chopped very, very finely in a blender- almost a powder
Melt butter in a medium sized sauce pan - about 3 quart size over medium to medium high heat. Add the salt. When the butter is almost melted, add the sugar in quickly. Stir slowly, using a figure 8 motion with a wooden spoon. The sugar will not immediately dissolve or mix in, this is normal.
When the sugar absorbs into the butter the mixture will look more homogeneous and smooth. This takes 5-10 minutes. Then add the slivered almonds. This is what it will look like when you add the almonds. A would call this the blonde stage.
Continue to slowly stir the mixture in the saucepan for about another 10-15 minutes until the mixture reaches the hard crack stage. This is 290 ° F on a thermometer. (I use the instant read thermometer with a probe which I also use for bread.) You will notice that the sugar mixture is turning a darker more caramel color and it is almost starting to smell like burnt sugar. You can also drop a small amount of the mixture into iced water to test for the hard crack stage. Do not under cook. This picture shows how much darker the mixture becomes.
If the mixture has reached 290 or hard crack, pour the mixture onto a large cookie sheet and allow it to spread out. Place the cookie sheet on a cooling rack NOT ON A COUNTER because the mixture is so hot it could warp your counter.
After the toffee hardens, about 30 minutes, melt half the chocolate chips in a double boiler and spread over the toffee in a thin layer. Sprinkle with finely diced almonds. When this is cooled, flip the toffee over and repeat. Spread the other half of the chocolate chips, melted over the toffee and sprinkle with finely chopped almonds. When it is totally cooled, put portions into cellophane bags tied with a ribbon to use for gifts.
martes, 18 de diciembre de 2007
Mrs America's Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies - 1956
This post and recipe is for lovers of anything vintage. Last year, our local paper carried a story about a vintage Nebraska Cookie Cutter purchased in an antique shop that included Mrs. Carl Dietemeyer's Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookie recipe tucked inside the box. Apparently Mrs. Dietemeyer was crowned Mrs. America 1956, after her husband and son entered her into the local contest sponsored by the American Gas Association. After winning the local competition, she then moved on to the national competition held in Daytona Beach.
According to this fascinating article, "Mrs America credits her husband's writing ability with her winning the award for the best dinner menu. For example her roast beef dinner became "Cornhusker Roasted Beef accompanied by Seaside Ambrosia" and so on.
After being crowned Mrs America 1956, her other prizes included a complete set of state-of-the art kitchen and laundry appliances, a new car, and a six-week trip to Europe with her husband to meet with European housewives and discuss domestic arts.
We made this recipe last year and found this sugar cookie recipe was superior to our tried and true sugar cookie recipe and MUCH EASIER to roll out. If you need something fun to do with your children, bake Mrs. Dietemeyer's cookies.
Ingredients:
3 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, well-beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 Tbsp sour cream
Preheat oven to 400. Sift flour and salt together. Cream butter; add sugar gradually. Add eggs and flavorings; mix thoroughly.
Dissolve baking soda in sour cream; add alternately with dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Chill dough for two hours. Roll 1/8-inch thick on lightly floured board and cut with a floured cokie cutter. Place on lightly greased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake 7 minutes.
This recipe was Mrs America's mother's recipe. It is very vintage and very good.
According to this fascinating article, "Mrs America credits her husband's writing ability with her winning the award for the best dinner menu. For example her roast beef dinner became "Cornhusker Roasted Beef accompanied by Seaside Ambrosia" and so on.
After being crowned Mrs America 1956, her other prizes included a complete set of state-of-the art kitchen and laundry appliances, a new car, and a six-week trip to Europe with her husband to meet with European housewives and discuss domestic arts.
We made this recipe last year and found this sugar cookie recipe was superior to our tried and true sugar cookie recipe and MUCH EASIER to roll out. If you need something fun to do with your children, bake Mrs. Dietemeyer's cookies.
Ingredients:
3 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, well-beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 Tbsp sour cream
Preheat oven to 400. Sift flour and salt together. Cream butter; add sugar gradually. Add eggs and flavorings; mix thoroughly.
Dissolve baking soda in sour cream; add alternately with dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Chill dough for two hours. Roll 1/8-inch thick on lightly floured board and cut with a floured cokie cutter. Place on lightly greased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake 7 minutes.
This recipe was Mrs America's mother's recipe. It is very vintage and very good.
Fantastic Whole Wheat Rolls - Pictorial
You might like to try this recipe for Fantastic Whole Wheat Rolls with a step-by-step pictorial tutorial. The recipe comes from my book Fast and Healthy Menus for Busy Moms.
The roll-making tutorial was posted by Melody who says "I also want to add- this was only the second time I made rolls in my whole life- it is EASY anyone can do it!"
Here is the recipe:
Fantastic Whole Wheat Rolls
2 1/2 cups warm water
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup dry powdered milk
2 Tbsp yeast
2 eggs
1 cup unbleached bread flour (optional- can use all whole wheat)
1/4 cup gluten
6-7 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup melted butter or olive oil
Fast and Healthy Menus for Busy Moms is also available as an instantly downloadable ebook.
The roll-making tutorial was posted by Melody who says "I also want to add- this was only the second time I made rolls in my whole life- it is EASY anyone can do it!"
Here is the recipe:
Fantastic Whole Wheat Rolls
2 1/2 cups warm water
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup dry powdered milk
2 Tbsp yeast
2 eggs
1 cup unbleached bread flour (optional- can use all whole wheat)
1/4 cup gluten
6-7 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup melted butter or olive oil
Fast and Healthy Menus for Busy Moms is also available as an instantly downloadable ebook.
miércoles, 12 de diciembre de 2007
10 Fun and Frugal Things to Do Before Christmas
1. Read one Christmas, holiday, or winter-themed book each day for the week leading up to Christmas. You could wrap the books up, in tissue and have one child unwrap one book per day starting around December 17th. The same books can be re-wrapped from year to year. This tradition can be expanded by borrowing library books or purchasing Christmas books at thrift stores.
Our favorite Christmas stories are The Night Before Christmas, The Legend of the Candy Cane, The Story of Holly & Ivy, The Real 12 Days of Christmas- The story behind the Song and A Little House Christmas Volume 11 which contains the Christmas stories from the original books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. My favorite Little House Picture Books with wintery and Christmas Themes are Christmas in the Big Woods, Sugar Snow, and Winter Days in the Big Woods. I think any of these books are available in the library.
2. Pray for friends, neighbors, or relatives you have received Christmas Cards from or whom you will be sending cards to. A good time to do this is during devotions or Jesse Tree Devotions.
3. Attend a Christmas Cantata, Parades of Lights, or Christmas Eve Service in your community. Check your local paper for details. Then drive around the neighborhoods to view Christmas lights and well decorated homes on your way home. In our area, the addresses of the best lit homes are organized by neighborhoods and listed in the newspaper. When you get home have hot chocolate and home made cookies.
4. Have a family slumber party or movie marathon in the family room or living room. Pull out sleeping bags. blankets, afghans, pillows. Turn out the lights except for Christmas lights or candles. Enjoy popcorn or a snack with a Bible story, book or Christmas movie. Our favorite Christmas movies are The Nativity Story, Christmas with the Kranks, and The Christmas Story.
5. Make package opening time special by allowing only one gift to be opened at a time. Start by having the children give out their gifts first.
6. Set up a card table or coffee table to do a jigsaw puzzle together during the holidays. Work at it every now and then with family, relatives or neighbors until it's done. Do a different puzzle every year. Inexpensive puzzles can be found in thrift stores.
7. Bake rolled out sugar cookies cut into Christmas shapes and decorate. My children, now older, still enjoy making sugar cookies together every year without my help. OR make candy. Our favorites are fudge, peanut brittle, and toffee. OR make a Gingerbread House. Kits are inexpensive in craft stores. I usually buy one in the after Christmas sales for the next year.
8. Cut your own Christmas tree. In Colorado you can buy a permit to go to a designated place in the forest to cut a tree for $8.00. My children absolutely insist on having a real, live tree preferably one they cut themselves with Dad every year. The oldest is now 23!
9. With small children you can make a paper chain with colored construction paper to count the days until Christmas. Alternate green and red construction paper. Take a link off the chain each night before bed time.
10. Hold a Holiday Open House or invite some friends or family over for dinner. My favorite company recipe is Beef Burgundy. Your event can be simple and casual. Have everyone bring a dish or appetizer to share. Enjoy the company and tell about favorite family traditions or memories.
I think my favorite memory was the year we gave the two younger children a trampoline and rolled it down the road Christmas Eve from the neighbor's house to our yard. The expressions of surprise and excitement from the children are priceless memories for the whole family.
BONUS IDEA: Make a special Christmas breakfast with homemade Pecan Sticky Cinnamon Rolls. You won't even need to get up early to do it. All the Christmas breakfast recipes and stress free instructions are complimentary.
Remember to slow down, enjoy the season, take lots of pictures and enjoy the memories.
New Contest: I would love for you to post some of your family's most favorite holiday traditions or memories at my blog to encourage other families to build up memories and traditions. Three winners will get a copy of The Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision and three winners will get a copy of Continuing Education for Moms- Volume 1 which contains over 12 hours of listening. If your favorite tradition or memory revolves around a recipe, be sure to include the recipe to be considered in the judging!
You must also leave an email contact to be considered in this contest.
Announcing the contest winners: 1-7-08
The following ladies won a copy of Continuing Education for Moms – Volume 1 - Tina in Alabama, Lydi, Lora, and Michelle Johnson.
The following ladies won A Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision by Doug Phillips: Amanda Robinson, Donna Jackson and Debbie Sifford.
Our favorite Christmas stories are The Night Before Christmas, The Legend of the Candy Cane, The Story of Holly & Ivy, The Real 12 Days of Christmas- The story behind the Song and A Little House Christmas Volume 11 which contains the Christmas stories from the original books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. My favorite Little House Picture Books with wintery and Christmas Themes are Christmas in the Big Woods, Sugar Snow, and Winter Days in the Big Woods. I think any of these books are available in the library.
2. Pray for friends, neighbors, or relatives you have received Christmas Cards from or whom you will be sending cards to. A good time to do this is during devotions or Jesse Tree Devotions.
3. Attend a Christmas Cantata, Parades of Lights, or Christmas Eve Service in your community. Check your local paper for details. Then drive around the neighborhoods to view Christmas lights and well decorated homes on your way home. In our area, the addresses of the best lit homes are organized by neighborhoods and listed in the newspaper. When you get home have hot chocolate and home made cookies.
4. Have a family slumber party or movie marathon in the family room or living room. Pull out sleeping bags. blankets, afghans, pillows. Turn out the lights except for Christmas lights or candles. Enjoy popcorn or a snack with a Bible story, book or Christmas movie. Our favorite Christmas movies are The Nativity Story, Christmas with the Kranks, and The Christmas Story.
5. Make package opening time special by allowing only one gift to be opened at a time. Start by having the children give out their gifts first.
6. Set up a card table or coffee table to do a jigsaw puzzle together during the holidays. Work at it every now and then with family, relatives or neighbors until it's done. Do a different puzzle every year. Inexpensive puzzles can be found in thrift stores.
7. Bake rolled out sugar cookies cut into Christmas shapes and decorate. My children, now older, still enjoy making sugar cookies together every year without my help. OR make candy. Our favorites are fudge, peanut brittle, and toffee. OR make a Gingerbread House. Kits are inexpensive in craft stores. I usually buy one in the after Christmas sales for the next year.
8. Cut your own Christmas tree. In Colorado you can buy a permit to go to a designated place in the forest to cut a tree for $8.00. My children absolutely insist on having a real, live tree preferably one they cut themselves with Dad every year. The oldest is now 23!
9. With small children you can make a paper chain with colored construction paper to count the days until Christmas. Alternate green and red construction paper. Take a link off the chain each night before bed time.
10. Hold a Holiday Open House or invite some friends or family over for dinner. My favorite company recipe is Beef Burgundy. Your event can be simple and casual. Have everyone bring a dish or appetizer to share. Enjoy the company and tell about favorite family traditions or memories.
I think my favorite memory was the year we gave the two younger children a trampoline and rolled it down the road Christmas Eve from the neighbor's house to our yard. The expressions of surprise and excitement from the children are priceless memories for the whole family.
BONUS IDEA: Make a special Christmas breakfast with homemade Pecan Sticky Cinnamon Rolls. You won't even need to get up early to do it. All the Christmas breakfast recipes and stress free instructions are complimentary.
Remember to slow down, enjoy the season, take lots of pictures and enjoy the memories.
New Contest: I would love for you to post some of your family's most favorite holiday traditions or memories at my blog to encourage other families to build up memories and traditions. Three winners will get a copy of The Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision and three winners will get a copy of Continuing Education for Moms- Volume 1 which contains over 12 hours of listening. If your favorite tradition or memory revolves around a recipe, be sure to include the recipe to be considered in the judging!
You must also leave an email contact to be considered in this contest.
Announcing the contest winners: 1-7-08
The following ladies won a copy of Continuing Education for Moms – Volume 1 - Tina in Alabama, Lydi, Lora, and Michelle Johnson.
The following ladies won A Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision by Doug Phillips: Amanda Robinson, Donna Jackson and Debbie Sifford.
miércoles, 5 de diciembre de 2007
The Meaning of the Christmas Wreath
"A Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." Luke 2: 11
Every Christmas wreath is more than just a decoration...it's a special reminder of Jesus, the reason for our celebration. The circle of a Christmas wreath is a never-ending ring, a reminder of eternal love from our Lord and King. The Christmas wreath is a sign of welcome, inviting all to enter in...a reminder of Christ's invitation for all to come to Him. The middle of a Christmas wreath is a bare and empty space, a reminder of what life would be without Christ's love and grace. So each time you see a Christmas wreath hanging from a door, may your heart rejoice in the One that Christmas is truly for!
CLICK HERE For instructions for making a simple Christmas wreath.
Every Christmas wreath is more than just a decoration...it's a special reminder of Jesus, the reason for our celebration. The circle of a Christmas wreath is a never-ending ring, a reminder of eternal love from our Lord and King. The Christmas wreath is a sign of welcome, inviting all to enter in...a reminder of Christ's invitation for all to come to Him. The middle of a Christmas wreath is a bare and empty space, a reminder of what life would be without Christ's love and grace. So each time you see a Christmas wreath hanging from a door, may your heart rejoice in the One that Christmas is truly for!
CLICK HERE For instructions for making a simple Christmas wreath.
martes, 4 de diciembre de 2007
It was the Month Before Christmas and all through the land...
One of my favorite Christmas stories is the poem written around 1840 called The Night Before Christmas and all through the House... Well here is an updated version with quite a bit of sad truth in it. Read on:
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas;
it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your
'Dream Tree' Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas;
it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your
'Dream Tree' Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !
miércoles, 28 de noviembre de 2007
Life is Fragile, Count your blessings...
I was reminded about how fragile life can be again this morning. I received an email from a friend telling me about a homeschool mom of seven, a friend I had lost touch with, who suddenly had a heart attack and died two weeks after the birth of her 7th child. This dear momma has left a huge hole in the hearts of a family in Brighton, Colorado. I know her church family is there for her family, but my heart is broken, thinking about a newborn baby girl who will never know her momma.
In our small church congregation this past Sunday, a young mom of three (4 year old twin boys and a 2 year old) tearfully announced that she had just gained guardianship of her two nephews. This dear mom and her sexually abused nephews lost her brother and their dad to drug abuse and a lengthy prison sentence. Her family has been permanently broken by a different type of tragedy as well.
As she and her husband became parents of five boys overnight, they are desperately and humbly aware of their need for the wisdom of God and help from the body of Christ. I could not hold back the tears as I listened to her tragic story.
These two tragedies not only underline just how fragile life can be, but highlight the many blessings we often take for granted. With the Christmas holiday about three weeks away, I hope you and your family will continue to focus on your many blessings apart from material gifts.
I also hope and pray you will take time to look around you and see where you can serve your friends, neighbors, relatives and those in difficult circumstances. We serve an awesome and mighty God who is fully aware of how these events are tragedies to us.
I won't lie, getting a meal for seven ready to take to our church family tonight is a sacrifice for me, but how can I complain? I have taken many, many meals to those in need this past year from our very small church family, and often somewhat resentfully. God has shown me that one of my ministries and services to him, is the humble ministry of cooking for others.
Perhaps you who are reading this message are in need of someone to care enough to encourage you in a tangible way. Or maybe you are wondering what act of service you and your family could even supply. I pray for the Lord Almighty to open all our hearts to recognize the many needs around us and enable us to do our small part to help those in need.
If you can post a comment with a story about how you and your family have met the needs of someone in need in the last month or two, I would like to share a complimentary copy of The Power Of Motherhood by Nancy Campbell. (A $20.00 value) You must include your name and mailing address so I know where to send the gifts. I have three copies to share with winners.
In our small church congregation this past Sunday, a young mom of three (4 year old twin boys and a 2 year old) tearfully announced that she had just gained guardianship of her two nephews. This dear mom and her sexually abused nephews lost her brother and their dad to drug abuse and a lengthy prison sentence. Her family has been permanently broken by a different type of tragedy as well.
As she and her husband became parents of five boys overnight, they are desperately and humbly aware of their need for the wisdom of God and help from the body of Christ. I could not hold back the tears as I listened to her tragic story.
These two tragedies not only underline just how fragile life can be, but highlight the many blessings we often take for granted. With the Christmas holiday about three weeks away, I hope you and your family will continue to focus on your many blessings apart from material gifts.
I also hope and pray you will take time to look around you and see where you can serve your friends, neighbors, relatives and those in difficult circumstances. We serve an awesome and mighty God who is fully aware of how these events are tragedies to us.
I won't lie, getting a meal for seven ready to take to our church family tonight is a sacrifice for me, but how can I complain? I have taken many, many meals to those in need this past year from our very small church family, and often somewhat resentfully. God has shown me that one of my ministries and services to him, is the humble ministry of cooking for others.
Perhaps you who are reading this message are in need of someone to care enough to encourage you in a tangible way. Or maybe you are wondering what act of service you and your family could even supply. I pray for the Lord Almighty to open all our hearts to recognize the many needs around us and enable us to do our small part to help those in need.
If you can post a comment with a story about how you and your family have met the needs of someone in need in the last month or two, I would like to share a complimentary copy of The Power Of Motherhood by Nancy Campbell. (A $20.00 value) You must include your name and mailing address so I know where to send the gifts. I have three copies to share with winners.
martes, 20 de noviembre de 2007
Jesse Tree Devotionals
The Jesse Tree Devotional is different than advent as it tells the whole story of the coming of the Savior starting in the book of Genesis. Start the Jesse Tree Devotional readings by Ann Voskamp 30 days before Christmas. The devotional includes 30 readings culminating with the birth of Christ. When you purchase you will get all the devotionals plus the beautiful, colored ornaments designed to be hung on a branch or a tree included. The ornaments are a terrific, hands-on way for the children to remember each bible story leading up to the birth of Christ.
lunes, 19 de noviembre de 2007
Mama's Apron
I've completed a vintage fabric apron using the pattern found in The Apron Book. I was inspired by both the book and the poem Mama's Apron reprinted below. This poem captures the essence of a home and family centered life.
National TIE ONE ON DAY, the brainchild of EllynAnne Geisel, author of The Apron Book, makes its debut on Wednesday, November 21, 2007--the day before Thanksgiving, when "women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal."
EllynAnne, says tomark the new holiday by wrapping a loaf of bread in an apron, along with a written prayer or an encouraging note, and deliver the bundle to someone who needs spiritual or physical sustenance. "No matter which way you turn out your own front door, someone who is deserving of a hug is very close by, she says.
A picture of my recently completed vintage apron followed by the poem Mama's Apron:
Mama's Apron by Author Unknown
An Apron played a big part in mama's life. As common to wear as being a housewife. She used it to gather eggs at the end of the day, To gather vegetables to can and put away, To feed the family on a rainy day...
She used it to pick up chips, To start a fire in the old wood stove. To cook the daily bread, For her main concern was to keep her family fed.
She folded it around her hands, When at the Table the blessing was said, And wore it in the rain to cover her graying head, She wrapped it around the baby's legs when it was cold. And Sometimes used it to wipe his lil' nose.
It was a faithful servant through sad and lonely years, She even used it to dry away her tears. When the children were tucked in and their prayers were said...She laid out a clean one at the foot of her bed.
Their job is over now, they did their best. Mama and her apron have been laid to rest. If all is true about Heaven I've been told, Mama is now weaving an apron of spun gold...
Have a great Thanksgiving! If you have time to wrap some bread in an apron to share with someone in need, will you please drop me a note about your experience?
National TIE ONE ON DAY, the brainchild of EllynAnne Geisel, author of The Apron Book, makes its debut on Wednesday, November 21, 2007--the day before Thanksgiving, when "women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal."
EllynAnne, says tomark the new holiday by wrapping a loaf of bread in an apron, along with a written prayer or an encouraging note, and deliver the bundle to someone who needs spiritual or physical sustenance. "No matter which way you turn out your own front door, someone who is deserving of a hug is very close by, she says.
A picture of my recently completed vintage apron followed by the poem Mama's Apron:
Mama's Apron by Author Unknown
An Apron played a big part in mama's life. As common to wear as being a housewife. She used it to gather eggs at the end of the day, To gather vegetables to can and put away, To feed the family on a rainy day...
She used it to pick up chips, To start a fire in the old wood stove. To cook the daily bread, For her main concern was to keep her family fed.
She folded it around her hands, When at the Table the blessing was said, And wore it in the rain to cover her graying head, She wrapped it around the baby's legs when it was cold. And Sometimes used it to wipe his lil' nose.
It was a faithful servant through sad and lonely years, She even used it to dry away her tears. When the children were tucked in and their prayers were said...She laid out a clean one at the foot of her bed.
Their job is over now, they did their best. Mama and her apron have been laid to rest. If all is true about Heaven I've been told, Mama is now weaving an apron of spun gold...
Have a great Thanksgiving! If you have time to wrap some bread in an apron to share with someone in need, will you please drop me a note about your experience?
viernes, 16 de noviembre de 2007
Organic or Frozen, Which Turkey is Best?
My state newspaper, The Denver Post, published an article about Organic, natural birds versus the standard frozen turkeys found in our local grocery stores including the famed Butterball. Which turkey won the judges vote? Is it a no-brainer?
"The big surprise", writes food editor Kristen Browning-Blas, "is that the organic and natural birds fared so poorly against the rest of the frozen flock." I guess enhanced frozen turkey with salt, stock and other flavorings also known as a pre-brined bird, impressed the panel of judges including a food editor and her family, food writers, Denver Post Dining critic, students, business writers and a few others.
The turkeys tested included Butterball, Jennie-O Oven Ready, King Sopers Private Selection, Honeysuckle White, and Heidi's Hens and Diestel. They had culinary students at Johnson and Wales University cook all the birds to 170 °F. The turkeys were rated for looks, flavor, texture, and moistness of meat by the esteemed panel of judges.
Butterball won first place followed by Honeysuckle White, and third place went to King Soopers Private Selection. The judges said the natural and Organic turkeys were dry and stringy.
So if you haven't already bought a bird, you can save a bundle, by purchasing an $8.00 bird rather than a $50 -60 Organic/Natural bird. Or you can brine your own natural bird yourself to get moisture and flavor inside the meat. Note, Butterball has a 7 percent solution of salt and "natural flavors". I believe natural flavors is another word for MSG. According to the article, Honeysuckle White has no MSG.
I am cooking two huge birds this week end to get a head start on Thanksgiving. We have our all-church Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, and I'm bringing turkey and gravy. I'm cooking my other turkey ahead so all I have to do is reheat on Thursday.
My turkeys are King Soopers Private Selection. I'll let you know how these $8.00 birds fare next week.
"The big surprise", writes food editor Kristen Browning-Blas, "is that the organic and natural birds fared so poorly against the rest of the frozen flock." I guess enhanced frozen turkey with salt, stock and other flavorings also known as a pre-brined bird, impressed the panel of judges including a food editor and her family, food writers, Denver Post Dining critic, students, business writers and a few others.
The turkeys tested included Butterball, Jennie-O Oven Ready, King Sopers Private Selection, Honeysuckle White, and Heidi's Hens and Diestel. They had culinary students at Johnson and Wales University cook all the birds to 170 °F. The turkeys were rated for looks, flavor, texture, and moistness of meat by the esteemed panel of judges.
Butterball won first place followed by Honeysuckle White, and third place went to King Soopers Private Selection. The judges said the natural and Organic turkeys were dry and stringy.
So if you haven't already bought a bird, you can save a bundle, by purchasing an $8.00 bird rather than a $50 -60 Organic/Natural bird. Or you can brine your own natural bird yourself to get moisture and flavor inside the meat. Note, Butterball has a 7 percent solution of salt and "natural flavors". I believe natural flavors is another word for MSG. According to the article, Honeysuckle White has no MSG.
I am cooking two huge birds this week end to get a head start on Thanksgiving. We have our all-church Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, and I'm bringing turkey and gravy. I'm cooking my other turkey ahead so all I have to do is reheat on Thursday.
My turkeys are King Soopers Private Selection. I'll let you know how these $8.00 birds fare next week.
Do the Next Thing
I learned years ago from Elisabeth Elliot, that when you are tired, discouraged, exhausted, confused, whatever, to do the next thing. This simple advise has carried me through many a trial and many difficulties.
I just learned this phrase is based on a poem by an author unknown. I found the poem reprinted in Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. Here it is:
DO THE NEXT THING
At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
There came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
That, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
Like a low inspiration, do the next thing.
Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.
Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.
Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance, be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons, do the next thing.
If you have not learned this wise counsel previously, I pray do the next thing is just what you need. If you need encouragement or a vision of what God has for Christian Women, read Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.
I just learned this phrase is based on a poem by an author unknown. I found the poem reprinted in Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. Here it is:
DO THE NEXT THING
At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
There came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
That, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
Like a low inspiration, do the next thing.
Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.
Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.
Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance, be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons, do the next thing.
If you have not learned this wise counsel previously, I pray do the next thing is just what you need. If you need encouragement or a vision of what God has for Christian Women, read Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.
Thanksgiving Day Count Down
Here is a suggested Thanksgiving Timeline:
By Saturday: Have your menu selected. Get your turkey purchased. The experts suggest you allow four to five days for thawing in the refrigerator. I think it takes longer depending on the size of the bird. Plan and make the centerpiece. Order fresh flowers ahead since florists are busy!
On Sunday - prepare a shopping list to purchase last minute items and non-perishables on Monday or Tuesday.
Monday and Tuesday - prepare pie crust, cranberry sauce, homemade stuffing can be started by setting out the bread to stale. Start rolls to finish in the morning.
Make sure all the dishes, flatware and serving pieces are ready. Press tablecloths and napkins so everything is ready.
Wednesday - Complete baking rolls, pies and desserts, prepare vegetables, salads and side dishes to be baked today and reheated tomorrow, or to be baked tomorrow; stock for giblet gravy and set the table after dinner.
By Saturday: Have your menu selected. Get your turkey purchased. The experts suggest you allow four to five days for thawing in the refrigerator. I think it takes longer depending on the size of the bird. Plan and make the centerpiece. Order fresh flowers ahead since florists are busy!
On Sunday - prepare a shopping list to purchase last minute items and non-perishables on Monday or Tuesday.
Monday and Tuesday - prepare pie crust, cranberry sauce, homemade stuffing can be started by setting out the bread to stale. Start rolls to finish in the morning.
Make sure all the dishes, flatware and serving pieces are ready. Press tablecloths and napkins so everything is ready.
Wednesday - Complete baking rolls, pies and desserts, prepare vegetables, salads and side dishes to be baked today and reheated tomorrow, or to be baked tomorrow; stock for giblet gravy and set the table after dinner.
lunes, 12 de noviembre de 2007
Cleaning without Chemicals - Update
I just learned that fabric softener (which I don't use) has many toxic chemicals in it. Here is a list of just some of the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets:
Benzyl acetate: linked to pancreatic cancer
Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
Ethanol: On the environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) hazardous waste
list and can cause central nervous system disorders
Limonene: Known carcinogen
A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems
Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's hazardous waste list
Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
Pentane: a chemical known to be harmful if inhaled
So how could products with pretty names like Soft Ocean Mist, Summer
Orchard and April Fresh be so dangerous?
The chemicals in fabric softeners are pungent and strong smelling--so
strong that they require the use of these heavy fragrances (think 50
times as much fragrance) just to cover up the smells!!!
Fabric softeners are made to stay in your clothing for long periods of
time. As such, chemicals are slowly released either into the air for
you to inhale or onto your skin for you to absorb.
Dryer sheets are particularly noxious because they are heated in the dryer and the
chemicals are released through dryer vents and out into the
environment. Health effects of fabric softener use include headaches,
nausea, dizziness, irritation of skin, mucus membranes and respiratory
tract.
Here are some effective alternatives: Static Eliminator.
We also recommend T-Wave Laundry Capsules .
I have used all these products with great success.
Benzyl acetate: linked to pancreatic cancer
Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
Ethanol: On the environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) hazardous waste
list and can cause central nervous system disorders
Limonene: Known carcinogen
A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems
Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's hazardous waste list
Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
Pentane: a chemical known to be harmful if inhaled
So how could products with pretty names like Soft Ocean Mist, Summer
Orchard and April Fresh be so dangerous?
The chemicals in fabric softeners are pungent and strong smelling--so
strong that they require the use of these heavy fragrances (think 50
times as much fragrance) just to cover up the smells!!!
Fabric softeners are made to stay in your clothing for long periods of
time. As such, chemicals are slowly released either into the air for
you to inhale or onto your skin for you to absorb.
Dryer sheets are particularly noxious because they are heated in the dryer and the
chemicals are released through dryer vents and out into the
environment. Health effects of fabric softener use include headaches,
nausea, dizziness, irritation of skin, mucus membranes and respiratory
tract.
Here are some effective alternatives: Static Eliminator.
We also recommend T-Wave Laundry Capsules .
I have used all these products with great success.
martes, 6 de noviembre de 2007
Project Laundry List advocates the humble clothes line
Apparently, 88 million dryers in the USA account for 6 percent of electricity consumed in US households, in fact they are the second biggest household consumer of power after, you guessed it, refrigerators.
That is, according to a story in the October 28, 2007 issue of the Denver Post. Writer, Nancy Lofholm, filed a story entitled "Hanging Tough - Humble clotheslines' simplicity blows past technology in energy-conscious era." I was surprised by how little energy in dollars that represents. The article claims the average household spends $80.00 on dryer energy annually.
So what are the benefits of hanging the clothes outside besides the delightful smell and the miracle of sunshine to deoderize and disinfect? I'll admit, I love those few moments of outside time in the sunshine. Where I live, the surrouding scenery is spectacular, but even in a suburban setting I would hang clothes outside.
I'll also admit that I'm a fair-weather outside clothesline advocate. When its freezing cold and the sun doesn't hit my clothesline until noon, I opt for the dryer. Ditto if it is snowing or some other inclement weather excuse.
In the 50's and 60's when I grew up, everyone in my neighborhood had a clothesline that was accessed from the back porch year around. During the era before dryers became common household appliances, the clotheslines ran on a pully system to a big tree far back in the yard to hold several loads of wash at once in my neighborhood.
Where I live, I don't have back porch convenience, but as an advocate of "old fashioned skills for contemporary people", I hope you will consider using your humble clothesline, enjoy the outdoor time, as well as the energy savings.
Interestingly, back to Project laundry List, the organization's motto is taken from good old Benjamin Franklin.
"We must all hang together or most assuredly we will all hang separately."
Of course I don't think Ben was referring to laundry when he wrote this motto. This emerging trend is part of the recycle, reduce energy consumption crowd and has come head to head with many homeowner associations with covenants prohibiting or discouraging outdoor clotheslines.
Yes, in our modern litigous society, both homeowners and home owner's associations and even municipalities have run lawsuits against each other over the lowly clothesline. Apparently a few forward thinking states have banned anti-clothesline rules.
The biggest problem with my clothesline is keeping track of the pins! I just discovered a great pattern to make a clothespin holder in The Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills. If you love vintage, you love the old-fashioned art of homekeeping and need some gift ideas, consider investing in this Treasure of a book. This $29.95 book is free with an order of $200.00 or more, $15.00 with an order of $100 or more at urbanhomemaker.com. It makes a terrific gift for a young lady, a wedding gift, new mom, anyone who cares about the art of keeping a home.
That is, according to a story in the October 28, 2007 issue of the Denver Post. Writer, Nancy Lofholm, filed a story entitled "Hanging Tough - Humble clotheslines' simplicity blows past technology in energy-conscious era." I was surprised by how little energy in dollars that represents. The article claims the average household spends $80.00 on dryer energy annually.
So what are the benefits of hanging the clothes outside besides the delightful smell and the miracle of sunshine to deoderize and disinfect? I'll admit, I love those few moments of outside time in the sunshine. Where I live, the surrouding scenery is spectacular, but even in a suburban setting I would hang clothes outside.
I'll also admit that I'm a fair-weather outside clothesline advocate. When its freezing cold and the sun doesn't hit my clothesline until noon, I opt for the dryer. Ditto if it is snowing or some other inclement weather excuse.
In the 50's and 60's when I grew up, everyone in my neighborhood had a clothesline that was accessed from the back porch year around. During the era before dryers became common household appliances, the clotheslines ran on a pully system to a big tree far back in the yard to hold several loads of wash at once in my neighborhood.
Where I live, I don't have back porch convenience, but as an advocate of "old fashioned skills for contemporary people", I hope you will consider using your humble clothesline, enjoy the outdoor time, as well as the energy savings.
Interestingly, back to Project laundry List, the organization's motto is taken from good old Benjamin Franklin.
"We must all hang together or most assuredly we will all hang separately."
Of course I don't think Ben was referring to laundry when he wrote this motto. This emerging trend is part of the recycle, reduce energy consumption crowd and has come head to head with many homeowner associations with covenants prohibiting or discouraging outdoor clotheslines.
Yes, in our modern litigous society, both homeowners and home owner's associations and even municipalities have run lawsuits against each other over the lowly clothesline. Apparently a few forward thinking states have banned anti-clothesline rules.
The biggest problem with my clothesline is keeping track of the pins! I just discovered a great pattern to make a clothespin holder in The Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills. If you love vintage, you love the old-fashioned art of homekeeping and need some gift ideas, consider investing in this Treasure of a book. This $29.95 book is free with an order of $200.00 or more, $15.00 with an order of $100 or more at urbanhomemaker.com. It makes a terrific gift for a young lady, a wedding gift, new mom, anyone who cares about the art of keeping a home.
lunes, 5 de noviembre de 2007
A Job or a Ministry? That is the question.
Recently I attended a luncheon for a Christian organization where the speaker asked us if we were performing a ministry or a job? She said that Charles Spurgeon, famous 19th Century pastor wrote:
"A job is a choice; a ministry is at Christ's call.”
As I pondered her thoughts, I quickly realized her questions apply to our role as wife and mother. When I became a wife, I did not realize I was signing up for the ministry of being a wife and mother. Ponder these thoughts today and consider all the routine and tedious work of a homemaker as a ministry unto the Lord.
Our ministry in the home depends on God's strength working through us. Are we depending and trusting him today?
A JOB OR A MINISTRY?
In a job, you expect to receive; in a ministry, you expect to give.
In a job, you give something to get something; in a ministry, you return something that has already been given to you.
A job depends on your abilities; a ministry depends on your availability to God.
A job done well brings you praise; a ministry done well brings honor to Christ."
Are you so focused on planning details that you have lost sight of why you do it?
Are you enthusiastic about what you do?
Remember, God has chosen you. Although you may not understand why, believing it to be so is powerfully motivating.
Will you take a few moments now to come before Him in silent submission? Ask Him to fill you with a deep desire to answer His calling-whatever it may be-and to give you His joy in performing it. Will you pray, "Lord, I believe You have chosen me to serve You, and I commit myself to your will. I want to do everything for your honor and glory."
"A job is a choice; a ministry is at Christ's call.”
As I pondered her thoughts, I quickly realized her questions apply to our role as wife and mother. When I became a wife, I did not realize I was signing up for the ministry of being a wife and mother. Ponder these thoughts today and consider all the routine and tedious work of a homemaker as a ministry unto the Lord.
Our ministry in the home depends on God's strength working through us. Are we depending and trusting him today?
A JOB OR A MINISTRY?
In a job, you expect to receive; in a ministry, you expect to give.
In a job, you give something to get something; in a ministry, you return something that has already been given to you.
A job depends on your abilities; a ministry depends on your availability to God.
A job done well brings you praise; a ministry done well brings honor to Christ."
Are you so focused on planning details that you have lost sight of why you do it?
Are you enthusiastic about what you do?
Remember, God has chosen you. Although you may not understand why, believing it to be so is powerfully motivating.
Will you take a few moments now to come before Him in silent submission? Ask Him to fill you with a deep desire to answer His calling-whatever it may be-and to give you His joy in performing it. Will you pray, "Lord, I believe You have chosen me to serve You, and I commit myself to your will. I want to do everything for your honor and glory."
sábado, 3 de noviembre de 2007
Pumpkin Pie Cake Dessert
Our church has an annual Thanksgiving Dinner Potluck the Sunday before Thanksgiving. One year we catered a more elegant dinner for the whole church instead. This elegant, memorable Pumpkin Cake Dessert was served and I never forgot it. I finally obtained the recipe this year and discovered it is very easy. I hope you will try it!
PUMPKIN PIE CAKE DESSERT
This is a very easy and delicious dessert for a crowd
1 – 2 9 oz can pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon
3 large eggs
1 large can Evaporated milk (Not sweetened condensed)
1 Yellow Cake Mix
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup butter, melted
Combine the above ingredients and place in a 9 X 13 – inch baking dish. Sprinkle one box dry yellow cake mix over the pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top of the pumpkin mixture and dribble the melted butter over the top.
Bake for 50-60 minutes. Serve with real whipped cream.
Click Here For lots more Pumpkin Recipes!
PUMPKIN PIE CAKE DESSERT
This is a very easy and delicious dessert for a crowd
1 – 2 9 oz can pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon
3 large eggs
1 large can Evaporated milk (Not sweetened condensed)
1 Yellow Cake Mix
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup butter, melted
Combine the above ingredients and place in a 9 X 13 – inch baking dish. Sprinkle one box dry yellow cake mix over the pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top of the pumpkin mixture and dribble the melted butter over the top.
Bake for 50-60 minutes. Serve with real whipped cream.
Click Here For lots more Pumpkin Recipes!
miércoles, 31 de octubre de 2007
Passionate Housewives Desperate for God
As a young first time mother, I was already 32 years old! I worked as a career woman until my young daughter was about 14 months old. It took me over a year to realize I couldn't do it all and I didn't want to anyway. I was a young believer who longed to be home with my baby, but finances, I thought, would not permit.
One sleepless night as I agonized and wrestled with God about wanting to be a stay-at-home mom, I asked the Lord, "What spirit is compelling me to quit my job?" The gentle and quiet answer I heard said, "The spirit of peace and of rest." After prayer, I concluded this was the Lord speaking to me, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't rely on your own insight."
You see, financially it was not feasible to make ends meet on paper, but after I took the leap of faith to quit my job we were able to some how make ends meet. It wasn't easy, but God was faithful.
Have you struggled to reconcile God's vision of virtuous womanhood with worldly myths that marginalize, mock and minimize the role of the homemaker? Twenty-two years later I sometimes feel like Elijah, the only one left with a heart for home.
Cultural messages often demean the high calling of homemaking and shout the message that a wife, woman, and mother has little worth compared to the successful career woman who out earns even her husband.
Modern media, culture, and the feminist agenda all lie to woman saying that you can have it all. Twenty some years ago I discovered that I had bought into this lie as I tried in vain to "do it all". Fortunately God gently delivered me from the bondage of the lie I had bought into and has since helped myself and my family with the mission to exalt, encourage and uphold traditional homemaking.
At last, in a delightfully fresh and honest way, a book addressing these issues head-on by talented, articulate authors Stacy and Jennie to prepare a book which provides a fresh vision for the hopeful homemaker. In Passionate Housewives, a former "Christian" feminist shares how she went from a die-hard homemaker-in-training to a dedicated career woman and then back again - after God gripped her heart. You will see the hollow counterfeit of whitewashed feminism and "me-ology" destroyed. But more importantly you will read a beautiful and captivating picture painted through Scripture of what the truly fulfilled homemaker who glories in the hopeful calling God has created for her.
This book will encourage and affirm all women who may struggle with their role of homemaking and mother, it is must-have reading for aspiring homemakers as well. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Discover what it means to be a passionate housewife "desperate" for God alone!
Download the preface to the book here.
Since you have visited my blog, please post why you would like to win a free copy of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God, and link your blog into my blog, you will then be entered into the contest to win one of five copies of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God to be given away Saturday Nov 3.
To be eligible, you must be sure to leave an email contact so I can award the prizes!
One sleepless night as I agonized and wrestled with God about wanting to be a stay-at-home mom, I asked the Lord, "What spirit is compelling me to quit my job?" The gentle and quiet answer I heard said, "The spirit of peace and of rest." After prayer, I concluded this was the Lord speaking to me, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't rely on your own insight."
You see, financially it was not feasible to make ends meet on paper, but after I took the leap of faith to quit my job we were able to some how make ends meet. It wasn't easy, but God was faithful.
Have you struggled to reconcile God's vision of virtuous womanhood with worldly myths that marginalize, mock and minimize the role of the homemaker? Twenty-two years later I sometimes feel like Elijah, the only one left with a heart for home.
Cultural messages often demean the high calling of homemaking and shout the message that a wife, woman, and mother has little worth compared to the successful career woman who out earns even her husband.
Modern media, culture, and the feminist agenda all lie to woman saying that you can have it all. Twenty some years ago I discovered that I had bought into this lie as I tried in vain to "do it all". Fortunately God gently delivered me from the bondage of the lie I had bought into and has since helped myself and my family with the mission to exalt, encourage and uphold traditional homemaking.
At last, in a delightfully fresh and honest way, a book addressing these issues head-on by talented, articulate authors Stacy and Jennie to prepare a book which provides a fresh vision for the hopeful homemaker. In Passionate Housewives, a former "Christian" feminist shares how she went from a die-hard homemaker-in-training to a dedicated career woman and then back again - after God gripped her heart. You will see the hollow counterfeit of whitewashed feminism and "me-ology" destroyed. But more importantly you will read a beautiful and captivating picture painted through Scripture of what the truly fulfilled homemaker who glories in the hopeful calling God has created for her.
This book will encourage and affirm all women who may struggle with their role of homemaking and mother, it is must-have reading for aspiring homemakers as well. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Discover what it means to be a passionate housewife "desperate" for God alone!
Download the preface to the book here.
Since you have visited my blog, please post why you would like to win a free copy of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God, and link your blog into my blog, you will then be entered into the contest to win one of five copies of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God to be given away Saturday Nov 3.
To be eligible, you must be sure to leave an email contact so I can award the prizes!
viernes, 26 de octubre de 2007
News from a Southern California Fire Survivor
I just received the following email from a friend whose home was spared from the fires in southern California. Let's not forget to pray for those who have lost everything.
Dear Marilyn,
I just wanted you to know that we have returned to our home after being evacuated Monday morning. God is good and spared our home.
We had a brief warning that we would be evacuated, so I started packing immediately. I grabbed our adoption papers, our legal documents, my mill, my Bosch, a giant bucket of hard red wheat, my yeast, some vital gluten, and then I started thinking about clothes. J
It turns out it was good that I brought my bread supplies, as we were able to bake bread for the family who took us in and they loved the bread so much that they may start milling as well! They'll be checking out your website soon, I'm sure.
Please continue to pray for the families who have lost everything out here in Southern Cal. It's devastating to say the least. I've never felt more helpless in my life, but prayer and making bread helped more than you'll ever know.
Praying kept me focused on Him, while making bread gave me the opportunity to bless those who took us in. I always pray as I make the bread-from the time I start pouring wheat into the hopper until it comes out of the oven, I pray that the bread will be a blessing to those who eat it and that it will honor God in the process.
Reese Johnson
Take time today to count your blessings and keep on praying. Marilyn Moll
Dear Marilyn,
I just wanted you to know that we have returned to our home after being evacuated Monday morning. God is good and spared our home.
We had a brief warning that we would be evacuated, so I started packing immediately. I grabbed our adoption papers, our legal documents, my mill, my Bosch, a giant bucket of hard red wheat, my yeast, some vital gluten, and then I started thinking about clothes. J
It turns out it was good that I brought my bread supplies, as we were able to bake bread for the family who took us in and they loved the bread so much that they may start milling as well! They'll be checking out your website soon, I'm sure.
Please continue to pray for the families who have lost everything out here in Southern Cal. It's devastating to say the least. I've never felt more helpless in my life, but prayer and making bread helped more than you'll ever know.
Praying kept me focused on Him, while making bread gave me the opportunity to bless those who took us in. I always pray as I make the bread-from the time I start pouring wheat into the hopper until it comes out of the oven, I pray that the bread will be a blessing to those who eat it and that it will honor God in the process.
Reese Johnson
Take time today to count your blessings and keep on praying. Marilyn Moll
miércoles, 24 de octubre de 2007
Menu Planning with Special Dietary Needs
Awhile ago, I told you about a great Menu Planning Service that is a Quick
and Easy Way To Get Dinner On The Table and Enjoy More Quality Time With
Your Family... I told you about the free report that you can pick up where you'll find
out the details, Plus:
--> Why not planning your meals ahead of time can cost you hundreds of
dollars and precious hours not spent with family and friends.
--> How a regular family dinner can result in a more loving relationship
with your kids, less trouble at home and even a reduced risk of school
dropout and teen pregnancy.
Click Here and you can still pick up your free report.
But, the owner of Menu Planning Central just made her service even better.
After you sign up for the free report, you'll get a chance to learn more
about what she offers. She now has a system where you can eliminate the
foods that your family is allergic to or doesn't necessarily like.
--> Dad doesn't like onions? No problem!--> Need meat-free meals for Lent? Easy to handle.
--> Allergic to dairy? Don't worry a bit.
Pick up your free report and find out more about how Menu Planning Just Got Even Easier.
and Easy Way To Get Dinner On The Table and Enjoy More Quality Time With
Your Family... I told you about the free report that you can pick up where you'll find
out the details, Plus:
--> Why not planning your meals ahead of time can cost you hundreds of
dollars and precious hours not spent with family and friends.
--> How a regular family dinner can result in a more loving relationship
with your kids, less trouble at home and even a reduced risk of school
dropout and teen pregnancy.
Click Here and you can still pick up your free report.
But, the owner of Menu Planning Central just made her service even better.
After you sign up for the free report, you'll get a chance to learn more
about what she offers. She now has a system where you can eliminate the
foods that your family is allergic to or doesn't necessarily like.
--> Dad doesn't like onions? No problem!--> Need meat-free meals for Lent? Easy to handle.
--> Allergic to dairy? Don't worry a bit.
Pick up your free report and find out more about how Menu Planning Just Got Even Easier.
martes, 23 de octubre de 2007
Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
"I love baking and bread is a favorite. I happened upon your recipe one day and have been hooked ever since. It is fabulous! There is no other bread that can even come close. Wow! My kids are in heaven every time I make it. As well as being delicious, it is the easiest yeast bread that I have ever made!
My mother-in-law told me that it was the best bread she had ever tasted. My Dad tells everyone that I make the best bread in the world. I am thrilled that it is healthy: whole grain and no powdered or evaporated milk. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful recipe." Lisa Reeves
Lisa's Favorite recipe is Marilyn's Famous Whole Wheat Bread
If you have never tried my recipe before, and you try baking it this week and send me a comment of how your family enjoyed this bread recipe, I will send you a complimentary copy of my new ebook A Beginner's Guide to Baking Bread.
This offer expires October 29, 2007. Email your comments to marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.
My mother-in-law told me that it was the best bread she had ever tasted. My Dad tells everyone that I make the best bread in the world. I am thrilled that it is healthy: whole grain and no powdered or evaporated milk. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful recipe." Lisa Reeves
Lisa's Favorite recipe is Marilyn's Famous Whole Wheat Bread
If you have never tried my recipe before, and you try baking it this week and send me a comment of how your family enjoyed this bread recipe, I will send you a complimentary copy of my new ebook A Beginner's Guide to Baking Bread.
This offer expires October 29, 2007. Email your comments to marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.
Beat Boredom with Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. You see, I am a morning person, and I love the ease of preparing breakfast. By dinner time, I'm spent, not ready to start another meal preparation if I don't have to.
I recently received a phone inquiry asking, “What can I serve for breakfast besides eggs and cereal?” That question was just the impetus I needed to explain the nutritional benefits of kicking the breakfast cereal habit, for good and assembling a breakfast recipe assortment of tried and true, quick and easy recipes .
Here are a few suggestions for breaking up the monotony of having the same thing every day and making it healthy too!
Breakfast Burritos
Smoothies
French Toast Casserole
German Puff Pancake
Zesty Baked Eggs
Here is my favorite Breakfast burrito filling. Make it ahead, and just warm it up in the morning.
Breakfast Burritos
I make this in bulk and freeze the filling in meal sized portions.
1 medium potato - cooked (leftover baked potato works easily)
1 pound bulk breakfast sausage
1 small onon, chopped
1 tsp chili powder
dash cayenne
2-4 eggs, beaten
6 flour tortilla’s
1 cup Montery Jack or Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Optional Garnishes:
Salsa
Sour Cream
Chopped cilantro
Cube the potato when cooled enough. Brown sausage in large fry pan with chopped onion. When meat is browned and onion wilted, add chili powder and cayenne. Cook 10 minutes over low heat, and covered stirring often to soften the onion. Drain the fat. Add potato. Add beaten eggs, Stir until eggs are set. Spoon 1/3 cup portions or so into a warm tortilla, top with 1 1/2 TB shredded cheese, a teaspoon of salsa and sour c ream if desired and roll-up. Serve with fruit or juice.
I recently received a phone inquiry asking, “What can I serve for breakfast besides eggs and cereal?” That question was just the impetus I needed to explain the nutritional benefits of kicking the breakfast cereal habit, for good and assembling a breakfast recipe assortment of tried and true, quick and easy recipes .
Here are a few suggestions for breaking up the monotony of having the same thing every day and making it healthy too!
Breakfast Burritos
Smoothies
French Toast Casserole
German Puff Pancake
Zesty Baked Eggs
Here is my favorite Breakfast burrito filling. Make it ahead, and just warm it up in the morning.
Breakfast Burritos
I make this in bulk and freeze the filling in meal sized portions.
1 medium potato - cooked (leftover baked potato works easily)
1 pound bulk breakfast sausage
1 small onon, chopped
1 tsp chili powder
dash cayenne
2-4 eggs, beaten
6 flour tortilla’s
1 cup Montery Jack or Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Optional Garnishes:
Salsa
Sour Cream
Chopped cilantro
Cube the potato when cooled enough. Brown sausage in large fry pan with chopped onion. When meat is browned and onion wilted, add chili powder and cayenne. Cook 10 minutes over low heat, and covered stirring often to soften the onion. Drain the fat. Add potato. Add beaten eggs, Stir until eggs are set. Spoon 1/3 cup portions or so into a warm tortilla, top with 1 1/2 TB shredded cheese, a teaspoon of salsa and sour c ream if desired and roll-up. Serve with fruit or juice.
A Food Foundation for Healthy Families
Last week my 14 year-old daughter, Mary, and I did some market research for boxed cereals. Our project entailed checking price per serving and reading the ingredients lists.
Surprisingly, the Instant Oatmeal package that claimed to be heart healthy and caught the eye of my daughter, had the longest list of unrecognizeable ingredients. It seems our modern convenience foods are often pricey, and not as healthy as the box and labeling imply. Wise moms must learn to be nutritionists.
In the 1930's a doctor by the name of Weston A. Price traveled the world to study the effects of the "modern" diet on dental health compared to more traditional diets. In doing so he found that modern diets played havoc with teeth. But he also found many more benefits to traditional diets other than healthy teeth. The differences between people who had eaten their ancestral diet from birth and people who had feasted on sugar, white flour products, and soft drinks were mind-boggling.
Dr. Price found that the traditional wholesome diets produced wide faces with jaws wide enough to accommodate all the teeth with proper spacing, few or no cavities, and wide heads to house their brains. They had happy demeanors and vibrant health. The more "civilized" diet contributed to narrow jaws with crowded teeth, cavities, and narrow foreheads.
Disease set in at early ages, and mental dysfunction was common. Dr Price wrote his research findings with hundreds of pictures in a classic 500 page book called Nutrition and Physical Degeneration.
Dr Price’s book is highly readable and designed to preserve Dr. Price's worldwide investigation of the deleterious effects of processed foods and synthetic farming methods on human health, and the promise of regeneration through sound nutrition.
This bestseller contains guidelines for approaching optimum health and reproduction, now and through future generations. Dr. Price has been widely accepted as one of the foremost authorities in the development of degenerative illnesses as a result of the addition of processed foods to our diet. According to Dr. Price’s research there are common factors found in traditional diets.
Traditional diets include:
Nutrient-rich proteins from meats and organ meats from pastured animals
Raw dairy products from pastured animals.
Eggs from pastured hens
Traditional fats - butter, olive oil, lard, coconut oil
Chemical-free produce - fruits, vegetables and grains
Properly prepared grains, legumes, nuts and seeds
Bone broths
Lacto-fermented condiments and beverages
If all this information about traditional diets and sound health intrigues you, I hope you will join our seminar on Thursday.
Jen Albritton, CN, a very busy mom who has been researching, writing, and presenting on all topics of nutrition since 1996, is author of the Growing Wise Kids series for the Weston A. Price Foundation quarterly journal, and most importantly has a passion to teach moms the best way to feed their children and families, starting with the basics.
She has also agreed to be my guest this Thursday afternoon for a naptime Continuing Education For Moms Seminar at 3 pm EDT, and she will help us sort out the why’s and how’s of traditional diets. Jen will be explaining more about how to lay a foundation of health for your family economically. She will be available to answer questions, or you may email me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com ahead of time.
JOIN OUR FREE MINI-MOMMY Seminar:
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2007
Scheduled Start Time: 3:00 PM EDT, 2:00 CDT, 1:00 PM MDT, 12:00 PDT (Adjust for your time zone, please.
Dial-in Number: 1-605-475-4150
Participant Access Code: 754074
If you have never participated in a phone seminar before, here is how it works:
1. You dial in the phone number below to the seminar. (You pay only for the phone call.)
2. Key in the seminar access code.
3. Introduce yourself, it you wish.
4. Bring a notebook to take notes, a cup of tea, and have your questions ready.
5. Don't worry about background noise, we will mute that out!
If you would like to listen to the seminar with Jen but the timing of the seminar does not fit into your schedule you may listen to an MP3 recording of this seminar by CLICKING HERE. The recording should be available by Monday October, 29, 2007.
Surprisingly, the Instant Oatmeal package that claimed to be heart healthy and caught the eye of my daughter, had the longest list of unrecognizeable ingredients. It seems our modern convenience foods are often pricey, and not as healthy as the box and labeling imply. Wise moms must learn to be nutritionists.
In the 1930's a doctor by the name of Weston A. Price traveled the world to study the effects of the "modern" diet on dental health compared to more traditional diets. In doing so he found that modern diets played havoc with teeth. But he also found many more benefits to traditional diets other than healthy teeth. The differences between people who had eaten their ancestral diet from birth and people who had feasted on sugar, white flour products, and soft drinks were mind-boggling.
Dr. Price found that the traditional wholesome diets produced wide faces with jaws wide enough to accommodate all the teeth with proper spacing, few or no cavities, and wide heads to house their brains. They had happy demeanors and vibrant health. The more "civilized" diet contributed to narrow jaws with crowded teeth, cavities, and narrow foreheads.
Disease set in at early ages, and mental dysfunction was common. Dr Price wrote his research findings with hundreds of pictures in a classic 500 page book called Nutrition and Physical Degeneration.
Dr Price’s book is highly readable and designed to preserve Dr. Price's worldwide investigation of the deleterious effects of processed foods and synthetic farming methods on human health, and the promise of regeneration through sound nutrition.
This bestseller contains guidelines for approaching optimum health and reproduction, now and through future generations. Dr. Price has been widely accepted as one of the foremost authorities in the development of degenerative illnesses as a result of the addition of processed foods to our diet. According to Dr. Price’s research there are common factors found in traditional diets.
Traditional diets include:
Nutrient-rich proteins from meats and organ meats from pastured animals
Raw dairy products from pastured animals.
Eggs from pastured hens
Traditional fats - butter, olive oil, lard, coconut oil
Chemical-free produce - fruits, vegetables and grains
Properly prepared grains, legumes, nuts and seeds
Bone broths
Lacto-fermented condiments and beverages
If all this information about traditional diets and sound health intrigues you, I hope you will join our seminar on Thursday.
Jen Albritton, CN, a very busy mom who has been researching, writing, and presenting on all topics of nutrition since 1996, is author of the Growing Wise Kids series for the Weston A. Price Foundation quarterly journal, and most importantly has a passion to teach moms the best way to feed their children and families, starting with the basics.
She has also agreed to be my guest this Thursday afternoon for a naptime Continuing Education For Moms Seminar at 3 pm EDT, and she will help us sort out the why’s and how’s of traditional diets. Jen will be explaining more about how to lay a foundation of health for your family economically. She will be available to answer questions, or you may email me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com ahead of time.
JOIN OUR FREE MINI-MOMMY Seminar:
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2007
Scheduled Start Time: 3:00 PM EDT, 2:00 CDT, 1:00 PM MDT, 12:00 PDT (Adjust for your time zone, please.
Dial-in Number: 1-605-475-4150
Participant Access Code: 754074
If you have never participated in a phone seminar before, here is how it works:
1. You dial in the phone number below to the seminar. (You pay only for the phone call.)
2. Key in the seminar access code.
3. Introduce yourself, it you wish.
4. Bring a notebook to take notes, a cup of tea, and have your questions ready.
5. Don't worry about background noise, we will mute that out!
If you would like to listen to the seminar with Jen but the timing of the seminar does not fit into your schedule you may listen to an MP3 recording of this seminar by CLICKING HERE. The recording should be available by Monday October, 29, 2007.
Grain Mill Comparisons
Blustery, cold Fall weather has arrived in Colorado. For my family and I, there is nothing better than hot, nutty, fragrant whole grain bread fresh from the oven. After making most of our family’s bread for over 20 years, I never tire of the smell or the taste.
Although a grain mill is NOT a pre-requisite for mastering bread baking,, one of the questions I am most often asked is, “Which grain mill is the best mill?” With Christmas fast approaching, I know many of you are gathering comparative information to make the best grain mill choice for your family.
Grain Mill Comparisons:
Micronizing Grain Mills
Micronizing mills are exclusively powered by electricity and utilize technology that originally was developed for the pharmaceutical industry to derive fine, uniform powders. Modified for milling grains, micronizers are fast and capable of milling grains into very fine, powdery flour at low temperatures. My personal preference and baking experience has been exclusively with micronizing grain mills.
KITCHEN MILL Advantages - Large flour catch pan - holds 21-23 cups flour, strong reliability record, stores very compactly (if storage space is at a premium at your house you will appreciate this), produces high quality fine flour, mills all grains and dry beans, lifetime warranty on milling system/5 yr. warranty on the motor, mfg. in the USA. This grain mill was my first mill and my husband's favorite.
Disadvantages: Smaller grain hopper, noisier than certain other mills.
NUTRIMILL- Advantages - Large flour canister - holds 21 cups of flour, life-time warranty, large grain hopper, slightly quieter than K-tec but has the same milling system, slide out drawer contains flour mills most grains and dry beans.
Disadvantages: higher price, takes a large amount of storage space, mfg. in Korea.
Wondermill - Advantages - Formerly known as the Whisper Mill, slightly quieter than The Kitchen Mill, large hopper capacity, six year warranty, high quality flour, grain feeds well into milling mechanism, produces flour quickly. My personal favorite grain mill. New models have a larger, more reliable motor. This grain mill is my personal preference.
Disadvantages - Smaller capacity flour canister (12 cup), does not crack grain, must turn on mill before adding grain so the mill will not jam.
Steel-Cone Burr Mill
This type of grain mill also can be operated by both hand or electric power and offers the ability to adjust the fineness of the flour from fine to cracked. Generally, the steel-cone burr will produce flour at a slower speed, but the electric version is also relatively quiet to run. Steel cone burr mills can make fine flours suitable for breads, muffins, pastries, etc, but the flour may not be as fine as stone or micronizing mills. These grain mills can also mill most whole grains and beans, but larger grains such as corn and beans will need to be cracked first, and then run through again on a fine setting if you want flour.
FAMILY GRAIN MILL - Advantages - versatile; available with handbase and other food processing attachments, adjustable fine to course mechanism so mill will crack grain, can be used with Bosch Universal with an adaptor or with K-Tec Kitchenetics without an adaptor, German made, quietest mill we sell, takes minimal storage space, very economical.
Disadvantage - flour may not be quite as fine as Nutrimill, Wondermill or Kitchen Mill, slower production of flour than high speed mills.
The above information is excerpted from A Beginner's Guide to Baking Bread by Marilyn Moll.
Click Here to purchase this ebook for $9.95.
This ebook Includes:
* How to Select Ingredients
* Selecting a Grain Mill
* Selecting A Mixer
* Step-by-Step Mixing Instructions
* How to Develop the Gluten
* Tips for the Best Bread
* Lots of Bread and Roll Recipes
* Troubleshooting Guide
* The Two-Stage Process
Item #6059 $9.95
Although a grain mill is NOT a pre-requisite for mastering bread baking,, one of the questions I am most often asked is, “Which grain mill is the best mill?” With Christmas fast approaching, I know many of you are gathering comparative information to make the best grain mill choice for your family.
Grain Mill Comparisons:
Micronizing Grain Mills
Micronizing mills are exclusively powered by electricity and utilize technology that originally was developed for the pharmaceutical industry to derive fine, uniform powders. Modified for milling grains, micronizers are fast and capable of milling grains into very fine, powdery flour at low temperatures. My personal preference and baking experience has been exclusively with micronizing grain mills.
KITCHEN MILL Advantages - Large flour catch pan - holds 21-23 cups flour, strong reliability record, stores very compactly (if storage space is at a premium at your house you will appreciate this), produces high quality fine flour, mills all grains and dry beans, lifetime warranty on milling system/5 yr. warranty on the motor, mfg. in the USA. This grain mill was my first mill and my husband's favorite.
Disadvantages: Smaller grain hopper, noisier than certain other mills.
NUTRIMILL- Advantages - Large flour canister - holds 21 cups of flour, life-time warranty, large grain hopper, slightly quieter than K-tec but has the same milling system, slide out drawer contains flour mills most grains and dry beans.
Disadvantages: higher price, takes a large amount of storage space, mfg. in Korea.
Wondermill - Advantages - Formerly known as the Whisper Mill, slightly quieter than The Kitchen Mill, large hopper capacity, six year warranty, high quality flour, grain feeds well into milling mechanism, produces flour quickly. My personal favorite grain mill. New models have a larger, more reliable motor. This grain mill is my personal preference.
Disadvantages - Smaller capacity flour canister (12 cup), does not crack grain, must turn on mill before adding grain so the mill will not jam.
Steel-Cone Burr Mill
This type of grain mill also can be operated by both hand or electric power and offers the ability to adjust the fineness of the flour from fine to cracked. Generally, the steel-cone burr will produce flour at a slower speed, but the electric version is also relatively quiet to run. Steel cone burr mills can make fine flours suitable for breads, muffins, pastries, etc, but the flour may not be as fine as stone or micronizing mills. These grain mills can also mill most whole grains and beans, but larger grains such as corn and beans will need to be cracked first, and then run through again on a fine setting if you want flour.
FAMILY GRAIN MILL - Advantages - versatile; available with handbase and other food processing attachments, adjustable fine to course mechanism so mill will crack grain, can be used with Bosch Universal with an adaptor or with K-Tec Kitchenetics without an adaptor, German made, quietest mill we sell, takes minimal storage space, very economical.
Disadvantage - flour may not be quite as fine as Nutrimill, Wondermill or Kitchen Mill, slower production of flour than high speed mills.
The above information is excerpted from A Beginner's Guide to Baking Bread by Marilyn Moll.
Click Here to purchase this ebook for $9.95.
This ebook Includes:
* How to Select Ingredients
* Selecting a Grain Mill
* Selecting A Mixer
* Step-by-Step Mixing Instructions
* How to Develop the Gluten
* Tips for the Best Bread
* Lots of Bread and Roll Recipes
* Troubleshooting Guide
* The Two-Stage Process
Item #6059 $9.95
Applesauce Making Marathon
The weather has turned a bit like Fall. Blustery, windy, and colorful leaves blowing around the yard. Most of the leaves on the walnut tree dropped in a couple days and are awaiting being racked up. That means it must be a good time to get busy in the kitchen preserving the harvest and preparing for the winter ahead.
My older daughter came home from college this week-end just so we could do an applesauce making marathon. We loaded up the stock pots and the Nutri-Steamer with chopped apples, steamed them until they were soft, ran them through the food mill, added a bit of sugar and cinnamon and into the canner they go!
Sounds easy, but it is a bit of work! We have 14 quarts and 8 pints for a half day's work. The smells are heavenly, the memories priceless and the work is worth it. Here is Laura with my younger daughter Mary.
My older daughter came home from college this week-end just so we could do an applesauce making marathon. We loaded up the stock pots and the Nutri-Steamer with chopped apples, steamed them until they were soft, ran them through the food mill, added a bit of sugar and cinnamon and into the canner they go!
Sounds easy, but it is a bit of work! We have 14 quarts and 8 pints for a half day's work. The smells are heavenly, the memories priceless and the work is worth it. Here is Laura with my younger daughter Mary.
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR BUSY MOMS
Several years ago, a listener wrote to say she considered a phone seminar "continuing education for moms!” Whatever age or season of life you are in, we are never too old for continuing education, are we?
Hence we began to see the need to record our phone seminars as many of you either can’t join us on Thursday nights, or just enjoy listening to a seminar on your Ipod or computer at a time more convenient for you.
Here is what a listener wrote after listening to Sue Gregg talk last year:
“I joined the Sue Gregg Seminar last night for the first time ever. I really enjoyed it!! Thank-You so much for helping all of us to learn to eat healthier.” J. Spangler
After Reb Bradley talked about Child Training Tips last year, another listener wrote:
“Thank you so much! Mr. Bradley is so interesting and insightful; I was blessed by his wisdom. I look forward to more of these phone seminars.” Tracy S.
One of my favorite listener comments:
“It is always so nice to sit down at the end of a busy day with a cup of hot tea and indulge myself with a free seminar. It's like a mini-vacation and conference all in one! Thanks so much for ministering to us moms that are trying to, in turn, minister to our families."
At last, we have now compiled twelve of our most popular phone seminars into one album called Continuing Education for Moms - Volume 1 for one low price. This is your opportunity to listen an learn from all those live seminars!
If you have been too busy to call and listen to our Phone Seminars on Thursday nights and would enjoy Godly encouragement at a time that is convenient for you, we have prepared this Phone Seminar Collection compilation with you in mind!
This album of Phone Seminars includes the original recording of the following seminars.
1. Encouragement For Moms with Lorrie Flem, June 4, 2007.
2. Health Begins in the Kitchen with Marilyn Moll, May 3, 2007.
3. The Two-Stage Process with Sue Gregg, October 2006.
4. Healthy Water with Diane Carson, April 2007.
5. Cook Your Way to Wellness with Maria Atwood, February, 2007.
6. Future Christian Homemakers with Laurie Latour, March 2006.
7. 12 Week Holiday Planner with Sheri Graham and Ann Voskamp, October 2006.
8. Cleaning Without Chemicals with Sandy Tuin March 3, 2007.
9. Child Training Tips with Reb Bradley, September 2006
10. Canning Seminar with Lisa Vitello, July 2007.
11. The Hope Chest Society with Ruth Sundeen and Rebekah Wilson, January 2007.
12. Kick the Cold Cereal Habit, and Making Bread by Hand- February 2007.
Over 12 hours of listening and learning pleasure and encouragement. Available either as a download or on MP3-CD. Normally each individual phone seminar recording costs $5.00.
But this compilation of Continuing Education for Moms CD- Volume 1 - a $60 value, is available for substantial savings for a limited time.
Click Here for a Downloadable Collection for $15.97
Click Here for a MP3 CD recording for $19.95.
Hence we began to see the need to record our phone seminars as many of you either can’t join us on Thursday nights, or just enjoy listening to a seminar on your Ipod or computer at a time more convenient for you.
Here is what a listener wrote after listening to Sue Gregg talk last year:
“I joined the Sue Gregg Seminar last night for the first time ever. I really enjoyed it!! Thank-You so much for helping all of us to learn to eat healthier.” J. Spangler
After Reb Bradley talked about Child Training Tips last year, another listener wrote:
“Thank you so much! Mr. Bradley is so interesting and insightful; I was blessed by his wisdom. I look forward to more of these phone seminars.” Tracy S.
One of my favorite listener comments:
“It is always so nice to sit down at the end of a busy day with a cup of hot tea and indulge myself with a free seminar. It's like a mini-vacation and conference all in one! Thanks so much for ministering to us moms that are trying to, in turn, minister to our families."
At last, we have now compiled twelve of our most popular phone seminars into one album called Continuing Education for Moms - Volume 1 for one low price. This is your opportunity to listen an learn from all those live seminars!
If you have been too busy to call and listen to our Phone Seminars on Thursday nights and would enjoy Godly encouragement at a time that is convenient for you, we have prepared this Phone Seminar Collection compilation with you in mind!
This album of Phone Seminars includes the original recording of the following seminars.
1. Encouragement For Moms with Lorrie Flem, June 4, 2007.
2. Health Begins in the Kitchen with Marilyn Moll, May 3, 2007.
3. The Two-Stage Process with Sue Gregg, October 2006.
4. Healthy Water with Diane Carson, April 2007.
5. Cook Your Way to Wellness with Maria Atwood, February, 2007.
6. Future Christian Homemakers with Laurie Latour, March 2006.
7. 12 Week Holiday Planner with Sheri Graham and Ann Voskamp, October 2006.
8. Cleaning Without Chemicals with Sandy Tuin March 3, 2007.
9. Child Training Tips with Reb Bradley, September 2006
10. Canning Seminar with Lisa Vitello, July 2007.
11. The Hope Chest Society with Ruth Sundeen and Rebekah Wilson, January 2007.
12. Kick the Cold Cereal Habit, and Making Bread by Hand- February 2007.
Over 12 hours of listening and learning pleasure and encouragement. Available either as a download or on MP3-CD. Normally each individual phone seminar recording costs $5.00.
But this compilation of Continuing Education for Moms CD- Volume 1 - a $60 value, is available for substantial savings for a limited time.
Click Here for a Downloadable Collection for $15.97
Click Here for a MP3 CD recording for $19.95.
Homemaking Helps for Busy Moms
The Urban Homemaker -64 page Magazine/Catalog filled with hundreds of resources, recipes, homemaking tips, and encouragement for busy moms has just been published. One reader wrote:
"I received the new catalog today and I really like the new format.
You, and your business, are such a blessing to me and my family.
Thank you for your commitment to providing great products and wonderful advice." Mrs. Lynne Kerr
CLICK HERE to see a copy of our completely new and re-designed 64-page catalog of Resources for Homemakers to Encourage and Strengthen Families!
The downloadable catalog is complimentary.
If you are a new subscriber and purchase our paper catalog for $3.47, you will get:
1. A coupon for $5.00 off a purchase plus
2. A complimentary copy of my ebook entitled Fast and Healthy Menus for Busy Moms.
In all this is a $15.00 value.
"I received the new catalog today and I really like the new format.
You, and your business, are such a blessing to me and my family.
Thank you for your commitment to providing great products and wonderful advice." Mrs. Lynne Kerr
CLICK HERE to see a copy of our completely new and re-designed 64-page catalog of Resources for Homemakers to Encourage and Strengthen Families!
The downloadable catalog is complimentary.
If you are a new subscriber and purchase our paper catalog for $3.47, you will get:
1. A coupon for $5.00 off a purchase plus
2. A complimentary copy of my ebook entitled Fast and Healthy Menus for Busy Moms.
In all this is a $15.00 value.
domingo, 14 de octubre de 2007
Attitude is Everything, right?
I have heard it said, “Attitude is everything.” I have not understood that phrase very well over the years, although God has faithfully taken me through some difficult wilderness experiences where my attitude was anything but edifying.
In fact, several months ago, Lorrie Flem, Publisher of TEACH magazine was my phone seminar guest and was talking about 13 Easy Things to Make Your Day More Productive and the subject of Child Training Sessions and Attitude adjustments came up but we simply did not have time to develop this important area.
Lorrie teased us a bit by explaining about how at her house , the training session isn’t considered successful or completed until “sparkly eyes” reflecting, a repentant and transformed heart, are evident.
She says, "Training our children's attitude is how we teach our children to learn to obey God, cheerfully and then we will be happy." So this Thursday night we are returning to this important topic of “attitude” and pleasing God.
We will be talking about how she first became interested in this topic of attitudes and why attitudes matter so much. If you know Lorrie, she is an expert in practical topics and will be giving us examples from the Bible where attitudes worked for good and for evil.
Most importantly, we will brainstorm practical ways to get out of bad attitudes and of course take time for audience questions. If you would like to ask Lorrie a question, please email your questions to marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.
Phone Seminar Contact Information:
Date: Thursday, October 18, 2007
Scheduled Start Time: 9:00 PM EDT, 8:00 CDT, 7:00 PM MDT, 6:00 PDT (Adjust for your time zone, please.
Dial-in Number: 1-712-432-2455
Participant Access Code: 754074
If you have never participated in a phone seminar before, here is how it works:
1. You dial in the phone number below to the seminar. (You pay only for the phone call.)
2. Key in the seminar access code.
3. Introduce yourself, it you wish.
4. Bring a notebook to take notes, a cup of tea, and have your questions ready.
5. Don't worry about background noise, we will mute that out!
Think of the phone seminars as "continuing education" for moms!
NOTE:
If you visit my Blog between now and Thursday and leave a comment, you will have a chance to win a free copy of more than 12 hours of listening with our downloadable Continuing Education for Moms Collection. This is a $60.00 value!
If you post a comment stating what you have enjoyed about the phone seminars or suggestions for future phone seminars you will get two entries into the contest.
I will be giving away 10 copies of Continuing Education for Moms - Volume 1!
In fact, several months ago, Lorrie Flem, Publisher of TEACH magazine was my phone seminar guest and was talking about 13 Easy Things to Make Your Day More Productive and the subject of Child Training Sessions and Attitude adjustments came up but we simply did not have time to develop this important area.
Lorrie teased us a bit by explaining about how at her house , the training session isn’t considered successful or completed until “sparkly eyes” reflecting, a repentant and transformed heart, are evident.
She says, "Training our children's attitude is how we teach our children to learn to obey God, cheerfully and then we will be happy." So this Thursday night we are returning to this important topic of “attitude” and pleasing God.
We will be talking about how she first became interested in this topic of attitudes and why attitudes matter so much. If you know Lorrie, she is an expert in practical topics and will be giving us examples from the Bible where attitudes worked for good and for evil.
Most importantly, we will brainstorm practical ways to get out of bad attitudes and of course take time for audience questions. If you would like to ask Lorrie a question, please email your questions to marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.
Phone Seminar Contact Information:
Date: Thursday, October 18, 2007
Scheduled Start Time: 9:00 PM EDT, 8:00 CDT, 7:00 PM MDT, 6:00 PDT (Adjust for your time zone, please.
Dial-in Number: 1-712-432-2455
Participant Access Code: 754074
If you have never participated in a phone seminar before, here is how it works:
1. You dial in the phone number below to the seminar. (You pay only for the phone call.)
2. Key in the seminar access code.
3. Introduce yourself, it you wish.
4. Bring a notebook to take notes, a cup of tea, and have your questions ready.
5. Don't worry about background noise, we will mute that out!
Think of the phone seminars as "continuing education" for moms!
NOTE:
If you visit my Blog between now and Thursday and leave a comment, you will have a chance to win a free copy of more than 12 hours of listening with our downloadable Continuing Education for Moms Collection. This is a $60.00 value!
If you post a comment stating what you have enjoyed about the phone seminars or suggestions for future phone seminars you will get two entries into the contest.
I will be giving away 10 copies of Continuing Education for Moms - Volume 1!
jueves, 11 de octubre de 2007
Pesto Lasagna-Great way to use tomatoes and basil
If your garden is producing more tomatoes than you can handle, here is a flavor packed way to use them up that my whole family loved. PESTO LASAGNA
Although this is a vegetarian dish, you could easily add some ground meat or sausage to the ricotta cheese mixture. Here is the recipe link.
articles.urbanhomemaker.com/index.php?article=413
Although this is a vegetarian dish, you could easily add some ground meat or sausage to the ricotta cheese mixture. Here is the recipe link.
articles.urbanhomemaker.com/index.php?article=413
Too busy to cook?
A few weeks ago my oldest daughter was scanning the help-wanted classified ads and found a listing for a Personal Chef. She responded to the listed phone number and was among several finalists interviewed for the job. To her credit, she did not claim to be a professional chef, just a girl who can enjoys cooking and has mastered some basics.
Yes, she got the job. It turns out Grandma did the screening/hiring process for busy daughter, mother of twins. After meeting the family and a tour of the kitchen, mom had trouble locating her cookware and other kitchen items. You see, this family has been eating out seven days a week for years.
So far, they love Laura's menus and cooking. The first week she relied on my Week One menu from Fast and Healthy Menus for Busy Moms Book. I was afraid she wouldn't be cooking gourmet enough for them.
Would you believe it, today's Business section of our local paper featured an article on the growing profession of Personal Chef's who can earn a good living! I am so glad I taught her to cook, but never dreamed she could make money doing it!
Do you know anyone using a Personal Chef?
Marilyn Moll
The Heart of Homemaking
Yes, she got the job. It turns out Grandma did the screening/hiring process for busy daughter, mother of twins. After meeting the family and a tour of the kitchen, mom had trouble locating her cookware and other kitchen items. You see, this family has been eating out seven days a week for years.
So far, they love Laura's menus and cooking. The first week she relied on my Week One menu from Fast and Healthy Menus for Busy Moms Book. I was afraid she wouldn't be cooking gourmet enough for them.
Would you believe it, today's Business section of our local paper featured an article on the growing profession of Personal Chef's who can earn a good living! I am so glad I taught her to cook, but never dreamed she could make money doing it!
Do you know anyone using a Personal Chef?
Marilyn Moll
The Heart of Homemaking
lunes, 8 de octubre de 2007
What a Mom Says in 24 Hrs condensed to 3 minutes
This video done to the tune of the William Tell Overture is a must listen to if you need a laugh!
Click Here to listen to the William Tell Mom Sayings
Love it!
Marilyn Moll
urbanhomemaker.com
Click Here to listen to the William Tell Mom Sayings
Love it!
Marilyn Moll
urbanhomemaker.com
viernes, 5 de octubre de 2007
Skunk in the Garage
Last night, after dark, my daughter and I got ready to take a walk up the road. Fortunately we leashed up our huge dog inside. As we headed out the door through the garage, Sadie (an 85 pound lab/Rhodesian Ridgeback) pulled hard on the leash towards the back of the garage instead of out the driveway like she usually does.
Well t hat immediately alerted me to trouble and as I looked up, I saw a small black animal move across the back wall of the garage.
My quick instincts said, "that's a skunk!", and fortunately, before Sadie caused the skunk to do what skunks do, we were back in the house safely. That is no easy feat with a strong and powerful dog like Sadie.
When we came home, my daughter Mary accidentally let her into the garage and again saw the skunk and I thought we would definitely have a smelly encounter in the garage between dog and skunk.
God was on our side! We opened the garage door and called Sadie through another door and all was well.
That put me onto the internet searching for natural skunk deterrents. What we settled on was leaving the door open, the light on, and leaving a radio playing loudly, all night. It worked!
Ohhhh.... such is life for a city girl in the country! Can you relate?
Marilyn
Well t hat immediately alerted me to trouble and as I looked up, I saw a small black animal move across the back wall of the garage.
My quick instincts said, "that's a skunk!", and fortunately, before Sadie caused the skunk to do what skunks do, we were back in the house safely. That is no easy feat with a strong and powerful dog like Sadie.
When we came home, my daughter Mary accidentally let her into the garage and again saw the skunk and I thought we would definitely have a smelly encounter in the garage between dog and skunk.
God was on our side! We opened the garage door and called Sadie through another door and all was well.
That put me onto the internet searching for natural skunk deterrents. What we settled on was leaving the door open, the light on, and leaving a radio playing loudly, all night. It worked!
Ohhhh.... such is life for a city girl in the country! Can you relate?
Marilyn
miércoles, 3 de octubre de 2007
Free Child Training Seminar with Pam Forster of Doorposts Tonight
October 4, 2007
I want to invite you to a Child Training and Character Building Seminar with Pam Forster of Doorposts, tonight! It's free.
Pam and her family started Doorposts 1990, with the If-Then and Blessing Charts. They were originally designed for their own family’s use, but friends kept telling them that they needed to share them with others!
Pam and I will be talking about the importance of establishing a scriptural foundation for developing the character in your children, and explaining how to use many of the tools she has created.
We also will be taking time to answer your questions about character development and child training. You can email your questions to me ahead of time at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.
I hope you will join us for an evening of encouragement, information, and insight this Thursday Night.
The contact information is below.
===============================================================
For Instructions in Righteousness By Pam Forster Combo Offer
===============================================================
Purchase For Instructions and Righteousness, The If-Then Chart and Blessing Chart and receive a Complimentary copy of Fast and Healthy Menus for Busy Moms Spiral Bound Cookbook, a $12.95 value!
Hurry, this is a limited time offer and will expire Tuesday, October 9, 2007. Both books and charts make great gifts!
Phone Seminar Contact Information:
Date: Thursday, October 4, 2007
Scheduled Start Time: 9:00 PM EDT, 8:00 CDT, 7:00 PM MDT, 6:00 PDT (Adjust for your time zone, please.
Dial-in Number: 1-605-475-4150
Participant Access Code: 754074
If you have never participated in a phone seminar before, here is how it works:
1. You dial in the phone number below to the seminar. (You pay only for the phone call.)
2. Key in the seminar access code.
3. Introduce yourself, it you wish.
4. Bring a notebook to take notes, a cup of tea, and have your questions ready.
5. Don't worry about background noise, we will mute that out!
Think of the phone seminars as "continuing education" for moms! Here is what one listener wrote:
It is always so nice to sit down at the end of a busy day with a cup of hot tea and indulge myself with a free seminar. It's like a mini-vacation and conference all in one! Thanks so much for ministering to us moms that are trying to, in turn, minister to our families.
Fondly,
Marilyn Moll
The Urban Homemaker
I want to invite you to a Child Training and Character Building Seminar with Pam Forster of Doorposts, tonight! It's free.
Pam and her family started Doorposts 1990, with the If-Then and Blessing Charts. They were originally designed for their own family’s use, but friends kept telling them that they needed to share them with others!
Pam and I will be talking about the importance of establishing a scriptural foundation for developing the character in your children, and explaining how to use many of the tools she has created.
We also will be taking time to answer your questions about character development and child training. You can email your questions to me ahead of time at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.
I hope you will join us for an evening of encouragement, information, and insight this Thursday Night.
The contact information is below.
===============================================================
For Instructions in Righteousness By Pam Forster Combo Offer
===============================================================
Purchase For Instructions and Righteousness, The If-Then Chart and Blessing Chart and receive a Complimentary copy of Fast and Healthy Menus for Busy Moms Spiral Bound Cookbook, a $12.95 value!
Hurry, this is a limited time offer and will expire Tuesday, October 9, 2007. Both books and charts make great gifts!
Phone Seminar Contact Information:
Date: Thursday, October 4, 2007
Scheduled Start Time: 9:00 PM EDT, 8:00 CDT, 7:00 PM MDT, 6:00 PDT (Adjust for your time zone, please.
Dial-in Number: 1-605-475-4150
Participant Access Code: 754074
If you have never participated in a phone seminar before, here is how it works:
1. You dial in the phone number below to the seminar. (You pay only for the phone call.)
2. Key in the seminar access code.
3. Introduce yourself, it you wish.
4. Bring a notebook to take notes, a cup of tea, and have your questions ready.
5. Don't worry about background noise, we will mute that out!
Think of the phone seminars as "continuing education" for moms! Here is what one listener wrote:
It is always so nice to sit down at the end of a busy day with a cup of hot tea and indulge myself with a free seminar. It's like a mini-vacation and conference all in one! Thanks so much for ministering to us moms that are trying to, in turn, minister to our families.
Fondly,
Marilyn Moll
The Urban Homemaker
Convection vs Microwave Oven, what do you prefer?
October 4, 2007
On a discussion list I follow, many posters have been saying they have replaced
their microwaves with small toaster ovens that also have a convection feature.
The people sound quite delighted.
I had a gas/convection combo oven at one house and didn't really find it advantageous for baking bread.
However, I received this email today from someone inquiring about convection ovens:
"I am looking at ways to be able to have good home cooked
meals. During the spring (our busiest season) we will be working 12-14 hour days and we live 15-20 minutes from our business.
My family enjoys 'some' crockpot meals. I have been looking at the roaster ovens for making casseroles and then cooking them at the greenhouse while we are there to have them ready. I was wondering about the convection ovens (I found one on sale)."
What has been your experience with convection ovens and what would you suggest?
Marilyn
On a discussion list I follow, many posters have been saying they have replaced
their microwaves with small toaster ovens that also have a convection feature.
The people sound quite delighted.
I had a gas/convection combo oven at one house and didn't really find it advantageous for baking bread.
However, I received this email today from someone inquiring about convection ovens:
"I am looking at ways to be able to have good home cooked
meals. During the spring (our busiest season) we will be working 12-14 hour days and we live 15-20 minutes from our business.
My family enjoys 'some' crockpot meals. I have been looking at the roaster ovens for making casseroles and then cooking them at the greenhouse while we are there to have them ready. I was wondering about the convection ovens (I found one on sale)."
What has been your experience with convection ovens and what would you suggest?
Marilyn
martes, 2 de octubre de 2007
What is happenning with wheat prices?
Last week, I noticed the bread I occasionally buy when I run out of my yummy homemade, had gone up 50 cents a loaf, a whopping 25% increase on bread since August! In my most recent newsletter, I wrote about how my wheat supplier had had to raise prices about 25% recently.
Yesterday, another grain supplier wrote to us saying:
"Wheat prices are very unstable and are climbing daily. We have no choice but to raise our prices. This also affects the price of flour-which in a few weeks will affect the price of our baking mixes. It's is a merry-go-round. "
If ever there was a good time to start baking your own bread, now is the time. The cost of the grain is only a small portion of the cost of bread and baked goods purchased in the store.
Commercial bread and baked items include the cost of the plastic disposable packaging, the bakery’s overhead for producing the bread, the transportation costs to ship the bread from the bakery to the store, the bakery manager's salary, and other costs of purchasing ready-made breads.
If you are able to save just $10.00 a week on commercial breads and baked goods by making them yourself, you will have a $520.00 nest egg, more than enough to justify an investment in a grain mill.
How are you handling these large price increases on bread and cereal products?
Yesterday, another grain supplier wrote to us saying:
"Wheat prices are very unstable and are climbing daily. We have no choice but to raise our prices. This also affects the price of flour-which in a few weeks will affect the price of our baking mixes. It's is a merry-go-round. "
If ever there was a good time to start baking your own bread, now is the time. The cost of the grain is only a small portion of the cost of bread and baked goods purchased in the store.
Commercial bread and baked items include the cost of the plastic disposable packaging, the bakery’s overhead for producing the bread, the transportation costs to ship the bread from the bakery to the store, the bakery manager's salary, and other costs of purchasing ready-made breads.
If you are able to save just $10.00 a week on commercial breads and baked goods by making them yourself, you will have a $520.00 nest egg, more than enough to justify an investment in a grain mill.
How are you handling these large price increases on bread and cereal products?
lunes, 1 de octubre de 2007
Prize winning KEY LIME PIE Recipe
I won second place in a pie baking contest this week-end during our Mountain Harvest Festival.
This recipe is so easy and delicious you really should try it if you need a quick dessert.
3 egg yolks (no white)
1 - 14 oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 Cup Key Lime Juice
1 - 9" Graham Cracker Crumb Pie Shell (commercial or homemade)
Whipped Cream or 1 Cup heavy whipping cream
Stir the egg yolks and lime juice into the sweetened condenses milk in a medium sized mixing
bowl. Pour the mixture into a prepared graham cracker crust. Bake at 350°F oven for 15 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes. Refrigerate to chill.
When ready to serve make whipped cream with 1 cup heavy whipping cream, sweeten slightly with
powdered sugar if desired and top the Pie. Garnish with lime slices if desired.
Serve. Makes eight servings.
This is really easy and I have received MANY compliments for this easy recipe. Try it!
This recipe is so easy and delicious you really should try it if you need a quick dessert.
3 egg yolks (no white)
1 - 14 oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 Cup Key Lime Juice
1 - 9" Graham Cracker Crumb Pie Shell (commercial or homemade)
Whipped Cream or 1 Cup heavy whipping cream
Stir the egg yolks and lime juice into the sweetened condenses milk in a medium sized mixing
bowl. Pour the mixture into a prepared graham cracker crust. Bake at 350°F oven for 15 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes. Refrigerate to chill.
When ready to serve make whipped cream with 1 cup heavy whipping cream, sweeten slightly with
powdered sugar if desired and top the Pie. Garnish with lime slices if desired.
Serve. Makes eight servings.
This is really easy and I have received MANY compliments for this easy recipe. Try it!
jueves, 27 de septiembre de 2007
Supermarket Savings 101
Last Friday morning I went grocery shopping as I was expecting my two out-of-town sisters for the week end. Have you noticed that in the last couple weeks that the costs of milk and dairy items, grain products such as bread and cereal, and related baked goods are shooting through the roof?
For example, my favorite whole milk yogurt just went up about 50 cents for one quart! I calculate that as about a 20% increase.
My wheat supplier said that grain prices are going up about 25% any day, fortunately, my grain sale customers bought grain just in time! Can you imagine what a 25% increase in grain prices will do to the cost of bread and bakery items?
I don\'t know about you, but my grocery budget just can\'t withstand an overnight increase of 20% or so. Now, I know tthat not everything has gone up that much in just a few weeks, but huge price spikes in basic foods reminds me that the best protection from rapidly increasing grocery prices is learning to buy in bulk and making your own.
If you have ever wished you could significantly cut your grocery bill but had no idea where to start I have a simple, economical solution.
My friend, Crystal Paine, is the queen of frugality and has taught dozens of moms how to save hundreds of dollars on groceries each month.
She has managed with about $35.00 a week for her small family for quite some time.
About 15 years ago, one of the most popular books I sold was The $30 a Week Grocery Budget written by a mom of four feeding a family of six. I learned a lot from her, but that book is now out-of-print.
However, after many requests, Crystal just released a very helpful step-by-step online course detailing how to reduce your grocery spending without sacrificing quality to do so. Her exhaustive course, Supermarket Savings 101
, includes a large course handbook, six audio lessons, access to a private members-only message forum, and six money-saving ebooks.
For the next 48 hours only, she is offering a very special deal to all of us that I am sure you would want to know about if you are serious about saving money in the grocery store. You can get her entire course at the incredible deal of only $8.97!
It\'s a no-brainer. Buy the course while you can at this steal-of-a-deal price and your wallet will thank you for the rest of your life!
This course has a money back guarantee!
Click Here to order it today:
Remember, the special price of $8.97 is only good for 48 hours. Don\'t miss out!
For example, my favorite whole milk yogurt just went up about 50 cents for one quart! I calculate that as about a 20% increase.
My wheat supplier said that grain prices are going up about 25% any day, fortunately, my grain sale customers bought grain just in time! Can you imagine what a 25% increase in grain prices will do to the cost of bread and bakery items?
I don\'t know about you, but my grocery budget just can\'t withstand an overnight increase of 20% or so. Now, I know tthat not everything has gone up that much in just a few weeks, but huge price spikes in basic foods reminds me that the best protection from rapidly increasing grocery prices is learning to buy in bulk and making your own.
If you have ever wished you could significantly cut your grocery bill but had no idea where to start I have a simple, economical solution.
My friend, Crystal Paine, is the queen of frugality and has taught dozens of moms how to save hundreds of dollars on groceries each month.
She has managed with about $35.00 a week for her small family for quite some time.
About 15 years ago, one of the most popular books I sold was The $30 a Week Grocery Budget written by a mom of four feeding a family of six. I learned a lot from her, but that book is now out-of-print.
However, after many requests, Crystal just released a very helpful step-by-step online course detailing how to reduce your grocery spending without sacrificing quality to do so. Her exhaustive course, Supermarket Savings 101
, includes a large course handbook, six audio lessons, access to a private members-only message forum, and six money-saving ebooks.
For the next 48 hours only, she is offering a very special deal to all of us that I am sure you would want to know about if you are serious about saving money in the grocery store. You can get her entire course at the incredible deal of only $8.97!
It\'s a no-brainer. Buy the course while you can at this steal-of-a-deal price and your wallet will thank you for the rest of your life!
This course has a money back guarantee!
Click Here to order it today:
Remember, the special price of $8.97 is only good for 48 hours. Don\'t miss out!
miércoles, 26 de septiembre de 2007
Our Garden is Brimming!
We nearly had a frost two nights ago, there was snow at the higher elevations. We took precautions this year, covered the tomatoes and they were fine. Last year we had an early, unexpected frost and that was it! I was out of town Monday night and my husband picked all the tomatoes and even started drying them for me!!! The tomatoes are in the middle, dying corn in behind, cucumbers etc in front. We use raised beds made of cinderblocks. We have had our best luck with this type of garden.
The back row in the picture below is our grape arbor that we inherited with this property. They will be ready to harvest soon. I usually make about 40 quarts using a steam extraction method, saves so much time!
The back row in the picture below is our grape arbor that we inherited with this property. They will be ready to harvest soon. I usually make about 40 quarts using a steam extraction method, saves so much time!
martes, 18 de septiembre de 2007
Fall Centerpiece Ideas
Making a Fall Centerpiece is very easy and inexpensive. My talented friend, Sandy Tuin has taken an inexpensive cloth napkin with Fall colors. On top she has used two small silk pumpkins (real ones are fine) that she bought last year at 90% off at Hobby Lobby. Combined with a few pieces of mini-Indian corn (her's is from the garden) and two or three picks in Fall colors. This basic plan could be changed seasonally for Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, etc with a little creativity. Sandy says it is quite easy and can be VERY economical if you plan ahead.Here is how I adapted Sandy's basic centerpiece with stuff I had sitting in storage from years past:
How have you decorated your table for Fall?
How have you decorated your table for Fall?
viernes, 14 de septiembre de 2007
Pictures from the Beautiful Oregon Coast
My husband and youngest daughter Mary and I were able to sneak away for a 10 day trip to the Oregon Coast and Columbia River Gorge at the end of August, our first, well deserved, vacation in over a year. I thought it would be fun to share a few pictures so you can catch a glimpse inside our Urban Homemaker family. We camped a few nights in the Hood River Region near the Columbia. This area is known for fruit farming, primarily Pears. The view of Mt Hood is spectacular. It is a little over 11,300 feet tall and still has snow on it. In contrast, Mt Lamborn, near our home is a similar elevation but has no snow.
The next day we traveled along the historical highway along the Columbia. We were so shocked at the lack of development along the river, it is still beautiful and unspoiled for the generations to come. One stop was the Bonneville Dam, built during the depression, and the first dam on the Columbia.
From the Hood River area we drove to the Oregon Coast. This was Mary's first time to the Pacific Ocean, and my first visit to the famed Oregon Coast. We were not disappointed. We camped at Nehalem Bay State Park, just east of the dunes separating us from the Pacific Ocean. The next day we took a hike to Cape Falcon about 15 miles from where we camped. This picture looks South along the coast towards the state park. I just wish the water was warm enough to swim in.
While headquartered at this state park, we visited Ft Clatsop, the place the Corps of Discover (Lewis and Clark Expedition) spent the winter. This ranger dressed in period costume explained why the Corps ate
primarily elk and deer meat while they spent the miserably rainy winter of 1805--1806.
Our last stop was at the Golden Spike Historical Park in Utah where the Central Pacific and Union Pacific rail lines met in 1869. We just "happened" to arrive minutes before the May 10, 1869 ceremony was re-enacted by costumed actors. To be authentic, they actually had a pastor open in prayer and he closed the prayer in Jesus Name. We were blessed.
The next day we traveled along the historical highway along the Columbia. We were so shocked at the lack of development along the river, it is still beautiful and unspoiled for the generations to come. One stop was the Bonneville Dam, built during the depression, and the first dam on the Columbia.
From the Hood River area we drove to the Oregon Coast. This was Mary's first time to the Pacific Ocean, and my first visit to the famed Oregon Coast. We were not disappointed. We camped at Nehalem Bay State Park, just east of the dunes separating us from the Pacific Ocean. The next day we took a hike to Cape Falcon about 15 miles from where we camped. This picture looks South along the coast towards the state park. I just wish the water was warm enough to swim in.
While headquartered at this state park, we visited Ft Clatsop, the place the Corps of Discover (Lewis and Clark Expedition) spent the winter. This ranger dressed in period costume explained why the Corps ate
primarily elk and deer meat while they spent the miserably rainy winter of 1805--1806.
Our last stop was at the Golden Spike Historical Park in Utah where the Central Pacific and Union Pacific rail lines met in 1869. We just "happened" to arrive minutes before the May 10, 1869 ceremony was re-enacted by costumed actors. To be authentic, they actually had a pastor open in prayer and he closed the prayer in Jesus Name. We were blessed.
jueves, 13 de septiembre de 2007
How are you supporting your local farmers?
One topic I talk a lot about is buy fruits and vegetables locally and seasonally.
When we visited Oregon last month we enjoyed shopping at a family farm. This sign
posted at the end of the parking lot caught my eye.
Here is a picture of the old packing shed where we bought some fresh fruits locally in the Hood Oregon
region.
I loved the old-fashioned atmosphere of this fruit stand and meeting the owner!
Have you heard of or shopped at the "Fruit Loop" of family owned fruit farms and orchards in the Hood River, Oregon area? Tell me about your local orchards, farmer's markets and homegrown vegetable stands! I will publish pictures at my website if you want to share.
When we visited Oregon last month we enjoyed shopping at a family farm. This sign
posted at the end of the parking lot caught my eye.
Here is a picture of the old packing shed where we bought some fresh fruits locally in the Hood Oregon
region.
I loved the old-fashioned atmosphere of this fruit stand and meeting the owner!
Have you heard of or shopped at the "Fruit Loop" of family owned fruit farms and orchards in the Hood River, Oregon area? Tell me about your local orchards, farmer's markets and homegrown vegetable stands! I will publish pictures at my website if you want to share.
miércoles, 12 de septiembre de 2007
What kind of oil do you use in bread
How would you answer this question?
<<<Could you please tell me what type of oil I should use in making my bread. I normally use canola oil but was reading that it is very bad for one. Olive oil would have a strong taste. What do you use, sesame oil? If you could help me with this I would greatly appreciate it. >>>
Here is my answer:
<<<You could use coconut oil, or safflower oil if it is expeller pressed. I think the sesame oil as long as it is refined (not strongly flavored) but expeller pressed or you could even use butter.>>>
What healthy oil do you use?
<<<Could you please tell me what type of oil I should use in making my bread. I normally use canola oil but was reading that it is very bad for one. Olive oil would have a strong taste. What do you use, sesame oil? If you could help me with this I would greatly appreciate it. >>>
Here is my answer:
<<<You could use coconut oil, or safflower oil if it is expeller pressed. I think the sesame oil as long as it is refined (not strongly flavored) but expeller pressed or you could even use butter.>>>
What healthy oil do you use?
miércoles, 5 de septiembre de 2007
Questions and Answers from my mailbox
The following is a sample of questions I have been receiving lately regarding bread baking problems and other topics of interest to homemakers.
Dear Marilyn,
Besides eating bread faster, how can I keep my homemade bread from going moldy? Thanks. Nancie
Dear Nancie,
I have four strategies for keeping bread from going moldy. First, I use dough enhancer.
2. I use honey which promotes shelf life.
3. I freeze all bread loaves, sliced and bagged until I am ready to use it. It takes bread
about 3 hours to completely thaw.
4. I use the 2 Stage Process. This soaking process has extended the shelf life
of my home made bread up to a week.
Dear Marilyn,
I am new to grinding wheat. I was given an old mill - electric with 2 stones. No directions. I had to experiment and ground the wheat this neighbor gave me. It came out too course, the bread was a little crumbly. I did use dough enhancer. Can this flour be ground again? finer?? Or is it possible to soak the flour first
Dear Carol,
I would say it is unlikely the flour can be made finer in the mill, but I would say experiment a bit and see if you can. Old stone mills really don't produce good quality flour for high rising yeast bread. My recommendation is to use 2 Tbsp vital gluten per Cup of water used in your recipe, plus master the two stage process. A high speed grain mill will produce finer flour which will do a lot for eliminating crumbly bread. Higher quality wheat will also help. Keep in mind whole grain bread will never be quite as high rising as white flour because the bran is included.
Dear Marilyn,
I have been looking forward to your seminars but have not seen any
posted in a long time. Will you be doing these again anytime soon? I
really enjoyed them. Kristin M
Kristin,
Thanks for asking and encouraging me to get back to the seminars. I plan to resume
seminars this Fall and will announce a tentative schedule soon.
Dear Marilyn,
I want to sprout the grain and then mill it rather that use the two stage process. I've searced your sight and cannot find a conversion of this method for use with the zo machine. I know that the kneading time needs to be changed. Do you have zo machine settings for your whole wheat bread recipe using milled grain already sprouted?
Thank you,
Amy P
Dear Amy,
If you have sprouted the grain, use my basic Zo settings.
articles.urbanhomemaker.com/index.php?article=564
Let me know if it works out ok.
Amy wrote back that the dough was still very gooey. Here are my additional suggestions:
No, I haven't had anyone contact me regarding the Zo and sprouted wheat bread settings. Hopefully someone who has mastered this process with sprouted wheat will send their tips and I will get back to you. In the meantime here are some other suggestions:
I think basic principles should still apply. If it is a gooey mess, it tells me either there wasn't enough flour, did you check for a nice round dough ball and make adjustments in the beginning of the kneading cycle? If so, and it was gooey inside after baking, it tells me the bread wasn't baked long enough, and you will need to increase the baking time by at least 10 minutes using the programmable feature.
IF the dough is gooey from over kneading, that tells me to cut the kneading time again using the programmable feature. I would try 8-10 minutes kneading time in that case.
Keep me posted with your results so if you get it, I can tell others and give you the credit! Marilyn
Hi, Marilyn,
Lately, on the Mercola and Debra Lynn Dadd websites, I've been reading about plastics and potential estrogen effects. Plastic water bottles, even the heavy-duty ones on coolers, are cited as a major source.
We have two Multi-Pure filters in our kitchen, and, as you know, they have plastic tubing to the spigot.
So, my question is, has the plastic used in the Multi-Pure system been tested for potential leaching of toxins, including estrogen mimickers? How about in the pot-filler application we have, to the pot-filler? Thanks!
Helen in SpokaneDear Helen,
Thanks for asking a really timely question. Fortunately I have a great answer.
This is the reply I received from Multi-Pure:
>>>The plastic that we use is FDA Pharmaceutical grade and has
been tested by NSF to ensure that there is no leaching
of the materials into the water.
One of the great things about NSF certification is that they
test every nut, bolt, fitting, piece of tubing etc to make sure that
the item is not adding anything to the water supply. This is called
the Leach Test. So your customers should be assured that the water
they are drinking from their Multi-Pure is safe. We start with the best materials
and certify their performance.>>>
Hope this helps.
Marilyn
Do you have a question, comment or suggestion that others might benefit from?
Please email me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.
Dear Marilyn,
Besides eating bread faster, how can I keep my homemade bread from going moldy? Thanks. Nancie
Dear Nancie,
I have four strategies for keeping bread from going moldy. First, I use dough enhancer.
2. I use honey which promotes shelf life.
3. I freeze all bread loaves, sliced and bagged until I am ready to use it. It takes bread
about 3 hours to completely thaw.
4. I use the 2 Stage Process. This soaking process has extended the shelf life
of my home made bread up to a week.
Dear Marilyn,
I am new to grinding wheat. I was given an old mill - electric with 2 stones. No directions. I had to experiment and ground the wheat this neighbor gave me. It came out too course, the bread was a little crumbly. I did use dough enhancer. Can this flour be ground again? finer?? Or is it possible to soak the flour first
Dear Carol,
I would say it is unlikely the flour can be made finer in the mill, but I would say experiment a bit and see if you can. Old stone mills really don't produce good quality flour for high rising yeast bread. My recommendation is to use 2 Tbsp vital gluten per Cup of water used in your recipe, plus master the two stage process. A high speed grain mill will produce finer flour which will do a lot for eliminating crumbly bread. Higher quality wheat will also help. Keep in mind whole grain bread will never be quite as high rising as white flour because the bran is included.
Dear Marilyn,
I have been looking forward to your seminars but have not seen any
posted in a long time. Will you be doing these again anytime soon? I
really enjoyed them. Kristin M
Kristin,
Thanks for asking and encouraging me to get back to the seminars. I plan to resume
seminars this Fall and will announce a tentative schedule soon.
Dear Marilyn,
I want to sprout the grain and then mill it rather that use the two stage process. I've searced your sight and cannot find a conversion of this method for use with the zo machine. I know that the kneading time needs to be changed. Do you have zo machine settings for your whole wheat bread recipe using milled grain already sprouted?
Thank you,
Amy P
Dear Amy,
If you have sprouted the grain, use my basic Zo settings.
articles.urbanhomemaker.com/index.php?article=564
Let me know if it works out ok.
Amy wrote back that the dough was still very gooey. Here are my additional suggestions:
No, I haven't had anyone contact me regarding the Zo and sprouted wheat bread settings. Hopefully someone who has mastered this process with sprouted wheat will send their tips and I will get back to you. In the meantime here are some other suggestions:
I think basic principles should still apply. If it is a gooey mess, it tells me either there wasn't enough flour, did you check for a nice round dough ball and make adjustments in the beginning of the kneading cycle? If so, and it was gooey inside after baking, it tells me the bread wasn't baked long enough, and you will need to increase the baking time by at least 10 minutes using the programmable feature.
IF the dough is gooey from over kneading, that tells me to cut the kneading time again using the programmable feature. I would try 8-10 minutes kneading time in that case.
Keep me posted with your results so if you get it, I can tell others and give you the credit! Marilyn
Hi, Marilyn,
Lately, on the Mercola and Debra Lynn Dadd websites, I've been reading about plastics and potential estrogen effects. Plastic water bottles, even the heavy-duty ones on coolers, are cited as a major source.
We have two Multi-Pure filters in our kitchen, and, as you know, they have plastic tubing to the spigot.
So, my question is, has the plastic used in the Multi-Pure system been tested for potential leaching of toxins, including estrogen mimickers? How about in the pot-filler application we have, to the pot-filler? Thanks!
Helen in SpokaneDear Helen,
Thanks for asking a really timely question. Fortunately I have a great answer.
This is the reply I received from Multi-Pure:
>>>The plastic that we use is FDA Pharmaceutical grade and has
been tested by NSF to ensure that there is no leaching
of the materials into the water.
One of the great things about NSF certification is that they
test every nut, bolt, fitting, piece of tubing etc to make sure that
the item is not adding anything to the water supply. This is called
the Leach Test. So your customers should be assured that the water
they are drinking from their Multi-Pure is safe. We start with the best materials
and certify their performance.>>>
Hope this helps.
Marilyn
Do you have a question, comment or suggestion that others might benefit from?
Please email me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.
jueves, 26 de julio de 2007
Not being wise in my own eyes.
In the last few weeks, my 19 year old son Stephen, myself and Duane, have been talking to an Army recruiter about the possibility of Stephen enlisting. Neither my husband nor myself have had any experience with a military lifestyle or commitment so we were a bit surprised when he came to us with this aspiration.
Those of you who have sons or daughters may relate to the anxieties of a mom when she contemplates the realities of what military enrollment represents today. I would say it has been a bit stressful for me as mom.
Yes, there are obviously many benefits to enlistment, but my emotions have been almost like a roller coaster as I entrust Stephen to his heavenly Father’s direction!
Fortunately, Stephen’s overwhelming desire is to be in God’s will. But as you all know, recognizing God’s will and direction isn’t always black or white, or clear and obvious. On the one hand, he wants to complete the Associate’s degree program he started last September. On the other hand, enlistment fits in with many of his longer term goals and the Army pays for all college education while you are enlisted. Oh, how I wish these life changing decisions were more plain and simple.
A particular scripture has been giving me much comfort however. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, don’t rely on your own insight, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:5-7A) This last portion about not being wise in my own eyes has been speaking loud volumes to me lately in many areas.
I want to share with you a personal testimony from a friend who had to apply these same principles about trusting and not being wise in her own eyes as well.
You asked me to share how I came to be a Norwex consultant. I have to confess, it was not my plan; in fact, it took me quite by surprise since it was nowhere on my radar scope! Yet I know that this is what God has planned for me, and therefore it is very good!
Being a home school mother of five very active children whom I involve in the cleaning responsibilities of the home, I have been interested in finding a way to safely and effectively clean my home. I never really felt at peace when I would arm them with rubber gloves and send them off to do their daily chores. I quickly found out that cleaning with just a damp cloth did little, if anything, to remove the dust and the dirt.
Needless to say, I was extremely interested when you announced your chemical free cleaning phone seminar featuring the Norwex Microfiber Cloths. As I listened while you and Sandy discussed the cloths and how well they actually CLEANED surfaces, I became SO excited!
While listening, I browsed Norwex's web site and my excitement grew even more. By the time I got off the phone I told my husband that I was so excited over these cloths that I could see myself selling them to others! That was quite a shocking statement for me - I hate selling things! More shocking is my fear of public speaking! But there was no denying my excitement. My wise husband then counseled me to pray about it and try the cloths for a while. If I was still excited about the Norwex cloths after I had used them, then we could discuss it. I took his advice and eagerly waited for my cloths to arrive..
I was so excited that I told my husband I wanted to bring these amazing cleaning cloths to everyone so they, too, could have a safe and effective way to clean their homes and keep their families healthy. He and I prayed about it, and then with his support and encouragement I faxed in my application to become a consultant. Then reality set in.
At two o'clock the next morning I woke up in a panic attack - what had I just done?!?!......
Read the rest of Heather’s Amazing Story at this link:
If you are unable to access the story, email me privately and I will make sure you get the whole story.
Those of you who have sons or daughters may relate to the anxieties of a mom when she contemplates the realities of what military enrollment represents today. I would say it has been a bit stressful for me as mom.
Yes, there are obviously many benefits to enlistment, but my emotions have been almost like a roller coaster as I entrust Stephen to his heavenly Father’s direction!
Fortunately, Stephen’s overwhelming desire is to be in God’s will. But as you all know, recognizing God’s will and direction isn’t always black or white, or clear and obvious. On the one hand, he wants to complete the Associate’s degree program he started last September. On the other hand, enlistment fits in with many of his longer term goals and the Army pays for all college education while you are enlisted. Oh, how I wish these life changing decisions were more plain and simple.
A particular scripture has been giving me much comfort however. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, don’t rely on your own insight, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:5-7A) This last portion about not being wise in my own eyes has been speaking loud volumes to me lately in many areas.
I want to share with you a personal testimony from a friend who had to apply these same principles about trusting and not being wise in her own eyes as well.
You asked me to share how I came to be a Norwex consultant. I have to confess, it was not my plan; in fact, it took me quite by surprise since it was nowhere on my radar scope! Yet I know that this is what God has planned for me, and therefore it is very good!
Being a home school mother of five very active children whom I involve in the cleaning responsibilities of the home, I have been interested in finding a way to safely and effectively clean my home. I never really felt at peace when I would arm them with rubber gloves and send them off to do their daily chores. I quickly found out that cleaning with just a damp cloth did little, if anything, to remove the dust and the dirt.
Needless to say, I was extremely interested when you announced your chemical free cleaning phone seminar featuring the Norwex Microfiber Cloths. As I listened while you and Sandy discussed the cloths and how well they actually CLEANED surfaces, I became SO excited!
While listening, I browsed Norwex's web site and my excitement grew even more. By the time I got off the phone I told my husband that I was so excited over these cloths that I could see myself selling them to others! That was quite a shocking statement for me - I hate selling things! More shocking is my fear of public speaking! But there was no denying my excitement. My wise husband then counseled me to pray about it and try the cloths for a while. If I was still excited about the Norwex cloths after I had used them, then we could discuss it. I took his advice and eagerly waited for my cloths to arrive..
I was so excited that I told my husband I wanted to bring these amazing cleaning cloths to everyone so they, too, could have a safe and effective way to clean their homes and keep their families healthy. He and I prayed about it, and then with his support and encouragement I faxed in my application to become a consultant. Then reality set in.
At two o'clock the next morning I woke up in a panic attack - what had I just done?!?!......
Read the rest of Heather’s Amazing Story at this link:
If you are unable to access the story, email me privately and I will make sure you get the whole story.
viernes, 20 de julio de 2007
It's too hot to cook! Suggestions....
When a gorgeous shade tree died, that helped cool our house, I knew I
needed a summer strategy for getting dinner to the table without cooking.
So I started gathering up salad recipes into a complimentary 50 page ebook.
If it is too hot to cook at your house, download Sensational Summer Salads ebook for FREE!
After you read this book, please email me your comments and suggestions to
marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.
Here is what my friend Rachelle said after reading this book:
"I just wanted to let you know how excited I was about your new cookbook, Sensational Summer Salads. I have to honestly say, I thought I wouldn't get much out of it, but I was so impressed with the number of new and innovative salad ideas! I feel like a kid in the candy store...I can't decide which recipe to try first! Thanks for sharing your recipes with us!" God Bless, Rachelle TriayHave a GREAT weekend!
needed a summer strategy for getting dinner to the table without cooking.
So I started gathering up salad recipes into a complimentary 50 page ebook.
If it is too hot to cook at your house, download Sensational Summer Salads ebook for FREE!
After you read this book, please email me your comments and suggestions to
marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.
Here is what my friend Rachelle said after reading this book:
"I just wanted to let you know how excited I was about your new cookbook, Sensational Summer Salads. I have to honestly say, I thought I wouldn't get much out of it, but I was so impressed with the number of new and innovative salad ideas! I feel like a kid in the candy store...I can't decide which recipe to try first! Thanks for sharing your recipes with us!" God Bless, Rachelle TriayHave a GREAT weekend!
miércoles, 11 de julio de 2007
Wasting Food
Yesterday's paper had an article about rapidly rising grocery prices for certain items.
They mentioned that it is estimated that 30% of food purchased is thrown out.
YIKES, I'd be broke if I wasted that much food. What do you think?
Marilyn
They mentioned that it is estimated that 30% of food purchased is thrown out.
YIKES, I'd be broke if I wasted that much food. What do you think?
Marilyn
martes, 10 de julio de 2007
Food Production is Energy Intensive.
"Food production is energy intensive, says the article in today's paper, from the natural gas used to make fertilizer, to the fuel used to harvest and transport crops, to the plastic wrap used to package items."
The more we buy food with less processing such as chicken, but not pre-cooked/marinated chicken
the better the price. I'm buying eggs from a friend at $2.50 a dozen, hope she doesn't have to raise
her prices any time soon.
I normally buy very little that is processed, but the increasing prices are making it hard to reduce expenses.
Maybe we should start eating more beans.
What do you do?
The more we buy food with less processing such as chicken, but not pre-cooked/marinated chicken
the better the price. I'm buying eggs from a friend at $2.50 a dozen, hope she doesn't have to raise
her prices any time soon.
I normally buy very little that is processed, but the increasing prices are making it hard to reduce expenses.
Maybe we should start eating more beans.
What do you do?
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