Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods...

Pretty fall like.  I love it!!  Leaves are starting to change here.

Things that make me happy...

Time with family

Book I'm reading...

Bible

Few for review.

What I'm enjoying on TV...

Nothing.  We got rid of our satellite dish and are loving it.

On the menu for dinner...

We just returned from vacation so there really isn't much in the house.  We had Chinese!

On my To Do list...

Laundry

move some furniture around

New Recipe I tried or want to try...

German Cheese Cake

In the craft basket...

I'm going to make some cute hair bows I found on Pinterest.

Looking forward to this week...

No classes for me!!  I have a break from my college for a few weeks.

Tips and Tricks...

If you are trying to get rid of stuff and are not sure if you will use it again.  Place it in a box and put it either in the basement or attic.  Then in a year go back to it...if you haven't used it in a year...get rid of it. 

My favorite blog post this week...

We were on vacation...so I did not read any blogs or do blog posts of my own.

New discovered blog...

Over the Moon with Joy.

Favorite Picture...

Lesson learned the past few days...

God uses many things to shape us into the person He wants us to be.   Some are good and some are bad.  We need to embrace all the things that God brings our way because He cares enough about us to shape us.

On my mind...

Big changes coming to our family.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses...

Isaiah 12:2

"Behold, God is my salvation,

I will trust and not be afraid;

For YAH, the LORD, is my strength

and song;

He also has become my salvation."

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

Book Review~~Too Blessed to be Stressed

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In Too Blessed to be Stressed, you'll find simple, practicle steps for attaining the peace that you crave as you struggle with the stresses of finance, health, career, relationships, self-image, and family.  You'll discover healing, refreshment and revitilization for your own spirit, body and mind through heart changing real life stories, biblically based insights and short chapters for on the run conviences.

PURCHASE A COPY HERE.

MY THOUGHTS:

This book is a must read for every woman!  While reading this book I found myself crying, then laughing histerically on the next page.  I think my family thought I had finally lost it.  Us women try and do it all, therefore filling our schedules up...causing us stress.  Debora's writing is witty and also very inspiring.  You will laugh the stress right out of your life.  One thing that really stuck out for me about this book was when she asked about our To-Do lists.  Are we putting ourselves on it?  Hmm. No I do not give myself enough time....15 minutes...is that too much to ask?  I highly recommend this book!!

***As a part of LitFuse Publicity Group I recieved this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.***

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods...

Perfect!!  We are in the 70's today.  I love this weather.

Things that make me happy...

Spending time in fellowship with fellow Christians.

Books I'm reading...

Bible

Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

A few for review

What I'm enjoying on TV...

Nothing...today is the day we rid our home of junk!!  We are getting rid of our dish programming. 

On the menu for dinner...

Not really sure...I've been busy getting ready for vacation I forgot about today and tomorrow's meals...LOL!

On my To Do List...

Finish menu for vacation.

clean the house

laundry

pack

leave for vacation!!

New Recipe I tried or want to try...

Chicken with spicy raspberry sauce

In the craft basket...

Bookmarks for our ladies bible study kick off tonight!

Looking forward to this week...

Vacation...need I say more?

Tips and Tricks...

If your brakes go right to the floor...let off and pump them slowly.  It will give you enough pressure to stop.  It works...happened to us this weekend on our way to camp.  Brake line broke on our truck.  It explains why the guy behind us got upset with us and sped past us...we were spraying brake fluid on him....shouldn't be tailgating...just sayin'. 

My favorite blog post this week...

My hubby's post

New Discovered Blog...

Heartfelt Homemaking

Favorite Picture...

Lesson learned the past few days...

I had my daughter tell me yesterday that she hates me.  Ouch!  But my brother in law put it best, "Good job Jen. You are her mother not her little friend. If more parents took this stand there would be a lot less problems with our youth"  It all came about because she wanted to go to dinner with a "friend" of the opposite sex.  We said this young man needed to call us and talk to us.  After about 5 minutes into the conversation, we knew the answer was no.  This young man proceeded to tell my husband we were ignorant and keeping our daughter "hostage" by not letting her go to dinner.  My husband asked him...do you think talking to me like that is going to make me change our minds?!!  My husband was great at keeping his cool.  They went round and round for over an hour.  Finally my husband said this conversation is over!  Please pray for us.  Our daughter is at that delicate age where they think they know everything.

Praying about...

Parenting

family

church family

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses...

Proverbs 3: 5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding:

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths."

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

Happy Homemaker Monday

The Weather in my neck of the woods...

Much cooler...but I love it!

Things that make me happy...

Coming together as a family and studying God's Word.

Book I'm reading...

Bible thru in 90 Days!

Biblical Womanhood

Too Blessed to be Stressed

What I'm enjoying on TV...

Nothing...we are going through a TV purge!

On the menu for dinner...

Ham, rice, green beans (from the garden!!)

On my To Do list...

Lesson plans

Laundry

Blog posts

Make bread

Make cookies

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

Spasagna...No that's not a typo.

In the craft basket...

Bookmarks for our Ladies Bible study.

Looking forward to this week...

Putting the finishing touches up on preparations for our church's first ever ladies bible study!!

Tips and Tricks...

When you are stressed...hit your knees!  Give it all to God.  You will be surprised how you feel after.

My favorite blog post this week...

We were without internet a lot of the week.

New discovered blog...

My husband has started a blog!  I'm not surprised that he is a great writer!! 

Searching for the Truth

Favorite Photo...

Lesson learned the past few days...

When you are stressed you sometimes just need to step back and focus on family.  That is what we did last weekend.  We didn't go to camp because we had so much around here to get done.   We were having a wonderful relaxing weekend until someone decided to throw a wrench into it.  It really breaks my heart to be called a liar, because that is the furthest from who I am.  Sometimes we just expect way too much from people. 

On my mind...

Ladies Bible study

family

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses...

Psalm 25:17

"The troubles of my heart have enlarge;

Bring me out of my distresses!"

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

Summer Camp...

Last week Andrew went to Summer Sampler at the Genesee Country Village and Museum.  His program was called "School of the Soldier".  He was able to learn how a soldier in the Civil War lived during the war.  On the first day they had to dance with the girls in the program called "Civilian Life in Time of War".   The first thing he said to me when I picked him up on the first day was, "Dancing was NOT in the brochure!" LOL!  It cracked me up.  You can click on the picture to see a larger one of Andrew...he is at the end of the line with his hands on his head. 

They were able to participate in "battles" every day.  He SO enjoyed this camp that he is already talking about next year.  Each year they participate they are able to move up the ranks.  It was so hot last week his little face was all red.  But when i asked him if he was drinking enough water he gave me the look....you Mom's know it...the don't talk to me when I'm with my friends look.  :-)

On Friday we went to see what they had learned.  Unfortunately Andrew was one of the casualties.  It cracked me up because my Mom brought my nephews and niece.  My niece Emma was horrified when she saw Andrew fall during the battle.  Poor girl...she was screaming his name holding her hands over her mouth...LOL!  Until he looked at her and said, "I'm ok Emma I'm just pretending."  Then she was all better.

They marched through the village going from battle to battle.  They learned how to set up camp.  This was a great experience for him.

I have more pictures I'll add when blogger isn't giving me so much trouble.  Next week is Hannah's turn to attend the day camp at the museum.  She gets to learn what it would of been like as a pioneer.

Book Review~~52 Ways to WOW Your Husband

***Special thanks to Catherine Miller, Marketing Assistant, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***

Product Details:

List Price: $10.99
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736937803
ISBN-13: 978-0736937801

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Pam Farrel and her husband, Bill, are cofounders and codirectors of Masterful Living, an organization that provides practical insights for personal relationships. The Farrels are also regular relationship columnists. As coauthors their books include Men Are Like Waffles—Women Are Like Spaghetti, The 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make, and Red-Hot Monogamy. In addition Pam has written Fantastic After 40! and The 10 Best Decisions a Woman Can Make. The Farrels have been married more than 30 years and have three children and a daughter-in-law.

Visit their website HERE.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

With her trademark humor and godly wisdom, bestselling author Pam Farrel inspires women to add the wow-factor to their marriages and lives through 52 clever ideas for dates, meals, getaways, and daily expressions of love. A spark of fun and refreshment for newlyweds, married with kids, or empty nesters.

MY THOUGHTS:

Just like anything in life we get settled into a "normal" routine.  Sadly our marriages get into that same old routine.  This book is full of great ideas to keep your marriage fresh.  Satan will use anything and everything to drive a wedge between a husband and a wife. 

Each of the WOW chapters are broken up into 3 parts:

WOW Assignment:

These are very easy assignments.  That will help you make some changes in your life or even apply the concept of the week to your life.

WOW Wisdom:

This section teaches you to partner with God to get the insight needed to accomplish the WOW.

WOW Date:

This is a way to apply the idea of the week and put a smile on your husband's face.

The chapters are very short and did not take a lot of time to complete.  I can't wait to work through this book completely and bring that smile back to my husband's face.  This book is a must have for every wife!  No matter what your stage of life is.  We as wives need to stop thinking so much of ourselves and start WOWing our husbands.

Molly Saves in the closet~~Review

***Thank you Molly for giving me this issue free in exchange for my honest review!***

Molly has done it again!  When I first got this issue, Molly Saves in the Closet,  I thought...hmm closets...we don't have that many here.  Let alone one that needed to be organized.  Again, I was pleasantly surprised by Molly!!

My favorite article from this issue was the one describing how to turn your closet into a computer work space.  Since my husband and I are both full-time college students we have a ton of books here.  I'm going to work on making our closet just that.

Here is a sneak peak inside...

Each Molly issue is jammed packed with 50+ pages of frugal homemaking tips.  From very inexpensive home make over ideas to recipes and even printable forms.  Molly has it all!!  For only $4.95.

So grab a bowl of homemade ice cream....yes there is even a recipe for ice cream with out an ice cream maker.  This issue has something for everyone.  ENJOY!!

Molly also has a Member only section.  Where for only $3.95 a month you not only you can download the current months digest.  You also get member only downloads through out the month.  This is a dollar cheaper!!  I love being a member of Econobusters!!  Don't wait, go on over and sign up today.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Weather in my neck of the woods...

77 degrees but very humid.

Things that make me happy...

seeing Spiritual growth in my whole family.  Including me.

Book I'm reading...

Bible

Ministry Is... (school book)

Biology (school book)

52 Ways to WOW Your Husband

What I'm enjoying on TV...

Waltons

Little House on the Prairie...I never get tired of these shows.

On the menu for dinner...

Sandwiches

On my To Do List...

Laundry

Lesson plans

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

Honey Bun Cake

In the craft basket...

Bookmarks for our ladies Bible study.

Looking forward to this week...

Going to camp...found out my brother, his wife Heather and their kids, my sister and her husband with their daughter will all be at camp this weekend!  YEA! 

Tips and Tricks...

Simmer lemon peels on the stove with a little water for a nice refreshing scent.

My favorite blog post this week...

Nothing really

New discovered blog...

My husband has started a blog.  Go on over and check it out. 

 Searching for the Truth

Favorite picture...

We got a dog today.  His name is Charlie.  He is such a sweet little guy.  Not sure what breed he his but they said part shih tzu at least his lower half.  I think he looks like a miniature Benji!  He knows how to sit and will go to the door if we ask him if he needs to go potty.  LOL!

Lesson learned the past few days...

People do not always think before they speak.  Especially on Facebook.  I'm starting to think I want nothing to do with that anymore!  It's almost like people being aggressive behind the wheel of the car, on Facebook people take on different personalities....not many are good ones either.

Sandra had the right idea of just completely unplugging from all this for a while.  Although I can't do that, because of review items, I most certainly can limit my time on Facebook.

On my mind...

Homeschooling

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses...

Psalm 31:1-2

"In You, O Lord, I put my trust;

Let me never be ashamed;

Deliver me in Your righteousness.

Bow down Your ear to me,

Deliver me speedily;

Be my rock of refuge,

A fortress of defense to save me.

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

Watermelon Jelly

I have been on a jelly kick lately.  I usually stay away from it because it just takes too long.  I found this recipe a while ago.  If you like the taste of watermelon Jolly Rancher candies you will love this jelly!!  It is SO easy.

Watermelon Jelly

4 cups seeded, diced watermelon

3 1/2 cups sugar

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 of a 6 oz. package liquid fruit pectin (1 foil pouch)

Place watermelon in a blender and puree until smooth.  You should have 2 cups.

In a large pot combine first 3 ingredients.  Bring to full rolling boil and stir in pectin all at once and boil hard for one minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat, skim foam and ladle into jars leaving 1/4 inch head space.  Place 2 part seal on with ring.  Put in a Hot water bath canner and process for 5 minutes.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Weather in my neck of the woods...

Summer like!  It's about 91 with high humidity.  I can handle the temps but the humidity...YUK!

Things that make me happy...

Relaxing at the lake

Book I'm reading...

Bible

Textbooks

Canning Cookbooks

What I'm enjoying on TV...

Might watch the Waltons later.

On the menu for dinner...

We had a "garden" supper.  Everything was from our garden.  We had nice size salads.

On my To Do List...

Clean out my "craft" corner.  I'm trying to get my "stuff" under control and organized.

New Recipe I tried or want to try...

Zucchini Chowder

In the craft basket...

nothing

Looking forward to this week...

Our first week of homeschool!

Tips and Tricks...

Stop comparing your children to others.  I have been feeling a little "glum" regarding my children.  I know that sounds horrible...so hear me out.  I know God gave me my children and made NO mistake when creating them.  What I have trouble with is the way people talk to my daughter's.  I see the look on their faces when my daughter might say something random to them.  Sometimes people are down right RUDE!  Compassion is gone.  But that is how people are and I just needed to turn it over to God.  I often hear how great so and so's children are...what I don't hear is someone saying something nice about my children!  Why is this?  I love my children dearly.  I would not trade being their mother for anything.

My favorite blog post this week...

Did not get to many blogs this week.

Blog Hopping...

Read above

Favorite Picture...

Lesson learned the past few days...

Do not get SO busy in life you forget to have joy!  Lately everything in life has become a hurry up and get it done.  I found myself complaining about everything.  The joy had been take away from me because I was so worried about pleasing others.  When my biggest concern should be in pleasing God!

One of my favorite things about going to Odosagih is the wonderful Bible teaching we get while there.  I have really grown in my Christian walk this summer!

On my mind...

Homeschooling

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses...

Romans 15:13

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

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