Happy Homemaker Monday

Thank you Sandra for hosting this.  Visit her blog HERE to read more.

The weather in my neck of the woods:

Cold!!  It was 0 this morning. But now a balmy 12 degrees.

Things that make me happy:

Reading the Bible! 

Book I'm reading:

Haiti:Past Present and Future

Made To Crave (again)

Many text books for my classes

What's on my TV today:

Nothing.

 
On the menu for dinner:

Breakfast for supper...bacon and eggs

On my To Do List:

Homework

laundry

clean

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:

I found a coconut pie recipe on Betty Crocker.com I want to try.

In the craft basket:

I'm going to work on my faithbook.  I'm hoping to post about it once I get a chance.

Looking forward to this week:

Working on our church building...we are so close to having our first service.

Tips and Tricks:

If you wait on God's timing it will be better than you had anticipated in the first place.

My favorite blog post this week:

Did not read many blogs this week.

 
Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):

No new blogs.  Perhaps that is what I'll do later. 

Favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share:

We started moving things into our church~~Charity Bible Church!!  We are painting the walls a light tan color.  Our logo will be on the back wall.  We are all so excited.  At our bible study Saturday night we had 12 adults and 10 children!! Praise the Lord.

Lesson learned the past few days:

Somethings are better left unsaid.  Even when confronting a fellow Christian about something...they WILL be offended. 

On my prayer list:

Charity Bible Church

Family

Children

God's direction for us

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Proverbs 6:16-19

"These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren."

Cooking Thursday~~Impossible Cheeseburger Pie

This is an old recipe but SO easy and quick. 

Picture from Betty Crocker.com

Impossible Cheeseburger Pie

1	lb ground beef or sausage
1	large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1/2	teaspoon salt
1	cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2	cup Original Bisquick® mix
1	cup milk
2	eggs

	Print these coupons...
	About Concordance™

Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.

In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in salt. Spread in pie plate. Sprinkle with cheese.

In small bowl, stir remaining ingredients with fork or wire whisk until blended. Pour into pie plate.

Bake about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

The Homeschool Expo and a GIVE A WAY!!

The Schoolhouse Expo will help you recharge your heart for homeschooling as you enjoy live sessions with an incredible array of speakers at our fantastic, online, five-day conference! Covering a vast amount of information, you’ll hear about ways to improve your homeschool and plan for the upcoming year, all from the comfort of your home.

While you are listening to the speaker online you can chat with other homeschooling parents.  I met some really great people through this.  Homeschool Mom's LOVE to chat!!  Many times we "froze" the screen with all the chattin' going on.  HA HA! 

Right NOW they are offering you a great deal on the ticket price it's ONLY $19.50.  But hurry this price won't last for long!!  This amazing price will go up on February 9 to $39.00.  Let me tell you first hand this is SO worth the money.  There is no crowds...unless you have a crowded house!!

NOW FOR THE GIVE A WAY~~~ I have been given the opportunity to give a way a ticket to one of my readers!!!  I'm SO over joyed about this.  I can not say enough good things about this EXPO.  The speakers are amazing.  The vendor hall has so many goodies in it.  They also give a way GREAT door prizes!!  Did I say right from the comforts of your OWN home??!!!

HERE is what you will receive:

1 Ticket to the Schoolhouse EXPO.

About $200 in FREE gifts!!

OK here is how you enter.....are you ready???  Set.....

Oh one more thing....these tickets sell out quickly!!

OK now how to enter....

EASY!! 

** Share with me what curriculum you are using. (we are searching for a new curriculum)

That's it!!  No running around in circles going here and there!!!

I MUST MUST MUST have your contact information.  Please leave me your email address!!  Even if you do not have a blog you can leave an anonymous comment.  Just please leave your name and email.

This contest will be open until Sunday, January 30, 2010 where I will use Random.org to draw the name. The winner will be given a code to then get their ticket. 

FIRST book review~~Jesus in the Present Tense

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the link. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a review . We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a review . We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a review . We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a review from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Warren Wiersbe

and the book:

 

Jesus in the Present Tense: The I AM Statements of Christ

David C. Cook (January 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Karen Davis, Assistant Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Warren Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher and the former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. For ten years he was associated with the Back to the Bible radio broadcast, first as Bible teacher and then as general director. Dr. Wiersbe has written more than 160 books, including the popular “Be” series of Bible commentaries, which has sold more than four million copies. He and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, NE.

BOOK DISCRIPTION:
As Warren Wiersbe writes, “My past may discourage me and my future may frighten me, but ‘the life I now live’ today can be enriching and encouraging because ‘Christ lives in me.’” In Jesus in the Present Tense, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe explores the “I AM” statements of God—from His burning bush conversation with Moses, to His powerful reassurances to the Israelites, to Jesus’ startling claim to be the Light of the World. Jesus in the Present Tense offers a fresh exploration of God—the I AM.

God doesn’t want us to ignore the past, but the past should be a rudder to guide us and not an anchor to hold us back. Nor does He want us to neglect planning for the future, so long as we say, “If it is the Lord’s will” (James 4:13-17). The better we understand our Lord’s I AM statements, and by faith apply them, the more our strength will equal our days (Deut. 33:25), and we will “run and not grow weary [and]…walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:31). We will abide in Christ and bear fruit for His glory today—now.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0781404878
ISBN-13: 978-0781404877

MY THOUGHTS:
I really enjoyed this book.  I have really grown to love Dr. Warren Wiersbe's books.  His teaching in the book is so profound.  I've said this before, I have always thought of Dr. Wiersbe's books to be over my head!  But they are not.  Jesus is the I AM not the I WAS! 

Download N Go~~Magnificent Moon

Our week looked something like this:

Day 1: What Exactly Is a Moon?
Day 2: Getting to Know the Moon
Day 3: The Story of the Moon
Day 4: Science Secrets of the Moon
Day 5: Cool Things About the Moon

This study came at a perfect time...since we had just had an eclipse.  It was fresh in the children's minds.  They were very eager to learn all about the moon.  We went right to the source of where the moon came from...Genesis 1!  Although the kids have read this a lot this year it can never be too much. 

I absolutely love the picture at the end of Day 1 with Genesis 1:14-15 on it.  I have printed it and put it on our wall.  It's a great reminder of God's power.

We pretended to be astronauts and what it would be like to be in space.  Andrew mentioned something I had not really thought about before....he compared the astronauts suits to a firefighters suit.  Both made to help keep the person safe.  Download N Go units are great for just that very thing...getting children to think outside the box.  Not just learn about something but experience it. 

Although Download N Go is designed for children in grades K-4 we find they fit very well into our family.  Our children are in grades 5, 7 and 10, but our 2 oldest have learning disabilities.  Download N Go builds your children's confidence in learning.  Our oldest has struggled in school all her life.  But with Download N Go she is able to sit down and do some self guided learning.  She has also taught her brother and sister.  I love the confidence it gives her with education.  Thank you Download N Go!!

For added fun, Magnificent Moon can be purchased as a part of our Cabin Fever Fun Pack.  Other titles in this bundle include: Winter Wonders, Expedition Canada, and Hoppin' Popcorn.  The regular price for this bundle is $28, but it can be yours for just $20 through 1/31/11!

But wait!  There's more...I've always wanted to say that.  Check the Download N Go blog on January 23 for an announcement about our awesome giveaway of two National Geographic Moon Maps! 

Thank you to Amanda Bennett and Download N Go for providing me this study to use free in exchange for my honest review.  If you are looking for a unit study to add to your school day Download N Go is just what you've been looking for. 

Hop on over to see what other review team members are saying.  The blog tour participants are listed below.

FIRST Book Review~~Daniel Fast Made Delicious

Today's Wild Card authors are:

John and Ann Marie Cavazos

and the book:

The Daniel Fast Made Delicious: The simple fruit and vegetable fast that will nourish you

Siloam (January 4, 2011)

***Special thanks to Anna Coelho Silva | Publicity Coordinator, Book Group | Strang Communications for sending me a review copy.***

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A cookbook on the topic of fasting may sound like an oxymoron, but this eating plan modeled in the biblical account of the life of Daniel, often called a Daniel Fast, is actually loaded with fresh, delicious, health-promoting foods. The Daniel Fast Made Delicious includes more than 175 recipes, many of which are 100 percent gluten free and dairy free. Filled with easy instructions, simple steps, spiritual inspirations, and interesting food facts and figures, these Daniel Fast recipes are as nourishing to the soul as they are to the body.

Product Details:

List Price: $17.99
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Siloam (January 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616381809
ISBN-13: 978-1616381806

MY THOUGHTS:

When I first read the information about this book I kind of did so with my head shaking.  I mean a Daniel Fast COOKBOOK!! LOL!  But the recipes in it are really tasty looking.  The recipes are loaded with fresh vegetables and wholesome ingredients.  I can not wait to try more of these.  The Broccoli Au Gratin, Spaghetti Squash Ceviche are just a couple I can not wait to try.  This book is completely vegetarian, gluten and dairy free.  These are very simple recipes.  I still chuckle a little when I read the title but don't let that deter you from buying this book!!  YUM!!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

John and Ann Marie Cavazos created these recipes while serving on the staff of their Central Florida church when they realized that people were simply starving on carrot sticks every time the church held a Daniel Fast, instead of enjoying the variety of delicious, healthy foods that were originally intended to be part of this ancient eating plan.

Women in the Word Wednesday

This is my first time doing this meme.  I thought it would be a perfect fit for my "Made to Crave" journey.  This weekly meme is hosted by Living on Love and Cents , My Slice of Sanity, One + One = Four and Flutterbys And Frogs.  Each week you can post about your time in the Word.  You do not have to post a devotional, you can simply post words of encouragement.  You can even post a link to a devotional or encouraging word that touched you this week.

Like I mentioned in my review of Made To Crave I said there were "personal reflection" questions at the end of the chapter.  These really make you dig deep and think about yourself and food.  In the chapter the author talks about your cravings taking on a type of form.  Like a well known weight loss company with the little orange monster.  We were asked to describe what our craving being might look like.  For me my cravings are huge...it would not look like a cute little pom pom...LOL!  It would be more like a drooling pile of creepy goo!! 

In 1 John 2: 15-16 it says:

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." 

Food cravings can be applied to this verse as well.  We crave what we think about all the time.  I could crave God the same way I crave food!!  Lysa says in the chapter, "We crave what we eat!"  If I eat more junk food I will crave it more.  If I eat more fruit and veggies I'll eventually want that.  I will have trained myself to want and like these.  I'm still digging deep to find out WHY I have a problem craving junk instead of what is good.  It's a lot like our Christian walk...It is very easy to slip into sin with just a small taste.  But it's just as easy to have that fellowship with God.  Perhaps I need to spend more time with just Him!!  It is difficult for me to take ME time.  I feel guilty if I tell my family not to bother me. 

She also mentions 1 Corinthians 10:23 that says:

"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify."

I am going to print this verse out and hang it all over the house.  Mainly the kitchen!!  I pray that you crave God instead of anything else!!

Book Review~Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst

This book is written by Lysa TerKeurst the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries. 

"Lysa wrote the book Made to Crave from the perspective of a woman who has never craved a carrot stick in her whole life. Having struggled with her weight her whole adult life, Lysa knows what it feels like to be in the vicious cycle of gaining and losing, but never feeling at peace in her struggle. Everything changed when Lysa decided to have her deepest desire met by God not food. Now, armed with the spiritual motivation she gained in her own journey, she is inspiring others to find lasting victory."

I have been hearing about this book for about a year now.  I tell you I was SO tickled pink when I found out I'd been chosen to get this book for review.  I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember.  I've also struggled with doing God's will in my life.  This book is a perfect fit for me.  I can not say enough good things about it!!  Now you must know this up front....it is NOT a diet book.  It will not tell you what to eat.  Many of us know what we should or not eat.  I've always done great for a while but never followed through.  That is why I loose weight and go right back up again.  I like it in the book when Lysa says, "Weakness is hard, but it doesn't have to mean defeat.  It is my opportunity to experience God's power firsthand." 

At the end of each chapter are "Personal Reflection" questions.  Let me tell you these REALLY get you thinking and praying!!  I'm participating in an online study of this book and plan on blogging about my journey through Made to Crave.  So please come back and check in often.  This is in no way shape or form an easy read...meaning you are going to have a lot of hard work ahead of you.  One by one you will be peeling off the layers....getting to the person God has created you to be.  It's time to put the excuses away for good!!  I highly recommend this book...even if you do not struggle with your weight.

Lysa has a number of fun things coming up during the next few weeks.

On the sidebar of my blog you will see the button to take you to the Kindle give a way.

Win a brand new KINDLE from Lysa TerKeurst during the Made To Crave KINDLE Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of Made to Crave and the MTC Small Group DVD Study Set, Lysa is giving away a KINDLE prize package worth over $175.00!

One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle with Wi-Fi & the New E Ink Pearl Screen
• KINDLE editions of Lysa’s Made to Crave and Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl

But, WAIT there is more!

Lysa will be announcing the winner of the Made to Crave KINDLE Giveaway on February 8th during the Made To Crave Party on Facebook!

During the party Lysa will chat with guests, host a trivia contest or two, and give away lots of other fun prizes (copies of Lysa’s other books and Amazon.com, iTunes & Starbucks gift certificates) – including a live Author Chat with Lysa for your small group!

Don’t miss the fun! Lysa is looking forward to learning more about you – so be sure to stop by Lysa's Facebook Author Page on February 8th at 5:00 PM PST (6 PM MST, 7 PM CST, & 8 PM EST).

**This book was sent to me free of charge in exchange for my honest review."

Happy Homemaker Monday

Weather in my neck of the woods...

Very cold...it was -4 this morning.

Things that make me happy...

just being home!!

Book I'm reading...

Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst (review tomorrow!!)

Bible through in a year

a couple Amish fiction books for review

What's on my TV today...

the kids are doing the Wii for gym class!

On the menu for dinner...

my Mom is bringing Chili over for us! YEA!!

Cinnamon Roll Bread

On my ToDo list...

light house cleaning

laundry

my schoolwork

kids schoolwork

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon...

Tortilla Soup

In the craft basket...

crochet

knitting

Looking forward to this week...

My classes start today!!  Old Testament Survey and Evangelism.

Tips and Tricks...

When teaching your children to cook, make sure you teach them proper clean up as well.

Favorite blog post of the week...

I'd have to say I did not read many blogs.  But the Made to Crave online Bible study has been very inspirational!  Go on over to Melissa Taylor's blog and read all about it.

Blog hopping (new blog I discovered)...

nothing new this week.

Favorite photo...

My "Girlie Cove" as my husband has named it.

Lesson learned the past few days...

When teaching your own children stop comparing them to other families.  God made your children in HIS own image.  We are struggling with our homeschooling, and are praying about switching curriculum's.

On my mind...

Our children and their education

My course work for college

Charity Bible Church (our church plant)

Devotionals, Scripture reading, Key Verses...

1 John 4:4

"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

To see other Happy Homemaker posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Review~~Molly's Money Saving Digest....January

When i first read the title I though this issue will not be for me...I do not have an office.  BOY was I wrong!  This issue is full of great information on so many things.  This first thing that caught my eye was the word COFFEE right on the front cover.  OH yeah, now that is something I can really get into.    But seriously, have you ever looked at any area in your house and just want to trash it all because it is SO cluttered?  This issue of Molly's digest is full of helpful tips on how to do just that.  One thing I'm working on now is making my own bulletin board.  Everything used to make this I have right here at home.

BUT you don't have to go and buy this issue.  For this month only if you sign up for Molly's newsletter HERE.  If you have been reading my blog for sometime now you know how much I love these digests.  Each month they are full of great tips and articles on saving money. 

Book Review~~The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher

About Book 3: Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision.   She couldn't have known how much her choice would impact so many.  Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past.

Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a flirty and curvaceous older girl.

Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.

My Thoughts:  I love Amish fiction.  This book was such an easy read.  I had a hard time putting it down.  The words just flowed easily.  I felt as if I was sitting with them at the table, enjoying good food and conversation.  Suzanne did a wonderful job of making me the reader feel exactly what the characters were reading.

I have not read the other books in the series...but I intend to.  You do not need to read them before this one.  It can be a stand alone book...but why would you want to.  These books are THAT good. 

Thanks to Amy from the Litfuse group for sending me this book free to review.  All opinions are my own.

Homeschooling children with learning disABILITIES.

Our daughter asked me the other day, "mommy why did God make me dumb?"  That question drove through me like a knife.  It completely took my breath away.  I was at a loss for words....not sure what to say or how to answer her.  What seemed like hours between the question and my answer was but a few seconds.  I quickly prayed for God to give me the wisdom to be able to answer her with grace.  I could of said oh honey your not dumb and left it at that.  But I could tell from the look on her face she was really troubled. 

Psalm 139:13-15 says,

For You formed my inward parts;
         You covered me in my mother’s womb.
  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

         Marvelous are Your works,
         And that my soul knows very well.
 My frame was not hidden from You,
         When I was made in secret,
         And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

God knew what he was doing when He made us.  BUT how do you tell a child that has learning disABILITIES that it's because God wanted them that way.  One who struggles each day to get through just the basic lessons.  One who's mind just doesn't work like a "normal" child's.  Someone who hears from people around her "why don't you get that?!!"  I don't believe these people are doing it to hurt...most people do not intentionally say things to hurt...they just don't think.

So how did I answer her?  I used myself as an example.  I struggled through school a lot.  I admit mostly it was because I'd rather be outside playing!!  But I still have to write everything down in order to learn it.  Including scripture!  Here is what I told her....there is nothing anywhere that says you have to learn a certain thing at a specific time.  Like learning geometry or algebra in 5th grade.  I don't think I ever really learned or understood algebra until my sophomore year in college.  Mostly it has to do with how it is taught. 

We are currently reevaluating our homeschool trying to tweek this and that.  Finding what will work.  We have learned that each of our children learn differently at different times of the day.  Katrina our oldest learns best late afternoon.  Hannah learns best in little bits through out the day.  Andrew learns best first thing in the morning.  This is why we homeschool!!  They would just be swallowed up in the public or even private school where they were made to fit inside a box that is just way too small for them!!  I am also teaching myself to STOP comparing ourselves to "that family".  I need to keep reminding myself we are THIS family not that one.

Book review~~God Gave Us The World

***Special thanks to Staci Carmichael, Marketing and Publicity Coordinator, Doubleday Religion / Waterbrook Multnomah / Divisions of Random House, Inc. for sending me a review copy.***

Product Details:

List Price: $10.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (January 11, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400074487
ISBN-13: 978-1400074488

Written by: Lisa Tawn Bergren

Illustrated by: Laura J. Bryant

God Gave Us The World

Great book with easy to understand text and vibrant pictures.  This book really holds your attention and the attention of children.  My daughter Hannah loves this book and has read it a number of times.  It will have a permant home on our book shelf for some time!!

Cooking Thursday~~Hamburger and Potato Soup

Hamburger & Potato Soup

1 1/2 lb. hamburger

1 lg. clove of garlic

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. thyme

6 med. potatoes

2 lg. onions

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/2 c. water

Cook beef and garlic in skillet until lightly browned. Stir in pepper and thyme. Peel and slice potatoes and onions. Put 1/2 potatoes and onions into buttered crock pot. Add browned beef and top with remaining potatoes and onions. Mix mushroom soup with water and spread over top of contents.  Cover. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

You can add so many extra things to this recipe.  Cheddar Cheese, bacon for a bacon cheeseburger soup.  Maybe some cheddar cheese and corn.  The possibilities are endless.

For more recipes visit Diary of a SAHM.

 

TOS Crew~~Virtual Nerd

As a part of TOS Homeschool Crew we were given about a month to try out a website called Virtual Nerd.  This is a website designed to help you along with teaching the upper math and science.  Course included are,

Pre-Algebra

Algebra I

Algebra II

Physics

I must first say that although our daughters are age appropriate they have learning disabilities that make it hard for them to learn.  So they are no where ready for this type of math or science.  We were given this because of the ages of our children.  The content was way over their heads.  BUT our oldest daughter did enjoy watching some of the physics videos.  She does like science and is pretty good at it.  It was really over joyed when she said to me "Mom I remember what kinetic energy is!!"  So I was glad to hear that they will be adding more content in the near future.  Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus as well as Physics with Trig, and Chemistry will be added next year. Biology sometime after that.

If you would like to try this before you buy it there is a free 2 hour trial.

Other options are:

$5 day pass

$19 weekly pass

$49 monthly fee

$129 three month subscription

They are still working at developing Virtual Nerd so more will be added in the future.  So It is defiantly something to keep watching as they progress along.  We will probably get the $5 day pass once Biology is on their website.  Like I said, our oldest daughter, Katrina, although she has learning disabilities, she loves science and how things work.

To see what other crew members are saying go on over to TOS Homeschool Crew's blog.

**As a part of TOS Homeschool Crew we were given free this curriculum to use in exchange for my honest review.  No money was given.**

My Quiet Time Space

Reading a post from Melissa Taylor today got me to thinking about my own space.  We have no extra space here let alone space just for me.  So instead of complaining I put my thinking cap on and got to work.    I started looking at every inch of the house.  All 900 square feet of it.....bedroom, no extra room in there.  Kitchen....nothing there either.  Bathroom...lets not even go there...LOL!  Downstairs...kids rooms.  Then it hit me.  We have an old computer desk in the dinning room that has doors on it that we used to shove things in when people come over.  YES!!!  I have my "girlie cove" as my  husband called it!! 

BEFORE...this drives me crazy to actually put this on my blog.  EEEK what a mess!!  But like I said it was a store all spot.

Since I'm starting classes on Monday I need a spot to study.  As well as do my quiet times with God.  My husband amazes me at how he can just lie on the couch or in bed and study.  I have to be sitting at a desk or table.  I have to be able to take notes and read.

So after about an hour of cleaning and organizing I finally finished my spot!!

Where the keyboard was pulls out.  It's great for writing on.  I'm SO excited.  I used scrapbook paper on the back part of it.  I also had the scripture sign for a while just waiting for a place for it.

Here is the back of my "girlie cove".  A close up of the Scripture sign.  I will be hanging up some more pictures and such as time goes on.  I really like the uncluttered look!!  I might just leave it like this.

31 Prayers for my Husband calendar.  I had this tucked in my Bible but I love having this right there for me to glance at each day.

I just can not leave out my pictures of Heinz Field.  This might turn into my Steelers wall...LOL!

I am participating in the Made to Crave online Bible Study starting next week.  This book is GREAT!!  I had hoped to have my review up today, but they have asked us to wait on it.  So this space will be getting a lot of use. 

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods...

25 degrees...brrrr!!

Things that make me happy...

watching my children learn new things

Book(s) I'm reading...

Bible

Jesus in the Present Tense by Warren Wiersbe

God is Good by Randy Alcorn

What's on my TV today...

nothing much.  Will be watching food network later tonight maybe.

On the menu...

Spaghetti and garlic bread

On my ToDo list...

Make my quiet time space (i'll be posting about this later)

gather all my supplies for my classes to start next Monday.

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon...

Skillet Bowtie lasagna

In the craft basket...

knitting and crochet....My parents went down to visit my grandmother a few weeks ago and came back with a suitcase FULL of yarn and knitting needles.  Upon opening this suitcase we found handwritten instructions from my grandmother of things she has made over the years.  I was instantly transported back to my childhood when my grandmother taught me how to crochet and knit.  See the picture below...the same knitting needles were in this case!  My grandmother is still with us...but has early dementia and has been forgetting a lot.  Getting this suitcase is such a treasure.  I'll be posting more about it later.

Looking forward to this week...

having coffee with a new friend

having supper with friends

homeschooling

Tips and Tricks...

Begin and end each day with prayer!!

My favorite blog post this week...

Sew4Home has these really cute retro kitchen curtains I'd love to make someday.

Blog hopping (new blog I found this week)...

Plans 4 You

Favorite photo (mine or others)...

Lesson learned the past few days...

Giving my struggles over to God really does make me feel better.  They will be taken care of in HIS time.  I just need to wait on Him.

On my mind...

Charity Bible Church...our church plant in our town.  We are very close to having our first service.  We are all so full of emotions.  Satan has really been working overtime on us.  Please pray for all of us!!

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, key verses...

Taken from Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotional for today.

Maybe we need to sit still for just a moment or two today. Quietly sit without the weight of condemnation or the swirl of trying to figure things out. Quiet, with nothing but the absolute assurance the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (Romans 8:26).

To see other Happy Homemaker Monday visit Diary of a SAHM.