"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1 I am so thankful for all the experiences, things, and people God has placed in my life this week. At a Holy Experience and at Heavenly Homemakers we are counting these blessings God has placed in our lives. Won't you take a moment to join us?172. Getting asked to write an article for a dear friend, that I have not yet met. I was smiling the whole day.173. Our daughter's surgery going well.174. Talks with God.175. Our son's servant's heart.176. Having fun in my photography class.177. A doctor's wisdom.178. Words of encouragement from my brother.179. A surprise in the mail.180. Our daughter getting accepted into the National Honor Society.181. The sound of rain.182. Caring friends.183. Getting baptized in ... read more
Fishers of Men
This picture was taken last weekend after my husband took my son fishing. He was so proud of the fish he caught. He couldn't stop talking about it. Taking time with our children is so important. I love the following quote by Charles Swindoll, "Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. ". Create times with your children where memories are made and life lessons are taught. The most important thing you can teach them is to be a follower of Jesus, and to do His will. Teach them also to love, to serve, to be respectful, to be compassionate, to be strong in hard times, to be faithful. So much can be learned through everyday activities and special moments alike. Time goes by in the blink of an eye. We think we can always put it off till tomorrow. Yet, we are ... read more
In the Kitchen with my Man
I love to be anywhere my family is. One of my favorite places of all, is to be in the kitchen with my husband, (who is a very talented cook), cooking dinner. It's a great way to connect and talk about what happened during the day.A new recipe we tried out recently is Chicken Pizzaiola with Torn Basil and Capers, from the Weight Watchers Points Plus, Best Darn Food Ever Cookbook. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we did.Ingredients:4 (5 ounce) skinless boneless chicken breasts3/4 teaspoon dried oregano1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon black pepper2 teaspoons olive oil1 onion, thinly sliced1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced2 large garlic cloves, minced1 1/2 cups no-salt-added marinara sauce1 tablespoon nonpareil (tiny) capers, drained1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes8 fresh basil ... read more
The Family Dinner Table
One of our favorite family meals is turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole and rolls. However, it's not a meal that we get to eat very often. My husband and I decided to change this a few weeks ago , when decided to have Thanksgiving in February. Everyone took part in preparing the meal. It's very important to us that our children know how to cook, before they are out on their own. Our son even made the pumpkin pie the day before our feast.One of our favorite times of the day is when we can sit around the table, enjoying good food, and each others company. It can be taken for granted, and the easy way out can be taken by just eating wherever. Family meal time is something that has to be worked at and practiced daily. When your children are young start eating all ... read more
Feta-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
I am very fortunate to have a husband that not only loves to cook, but also makes very delicious meals. One of our recent favorite dishes is Feta-Stuffed Chicken Breasts. This recipe was taken from the Weight Watchers Ready, Set, Go! Cookbook.Ingredients:2 ounces fat-free feta cheese, crumbled2 moist-packed sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), finely chopped4 large fresh basil leaves, chopped1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon black pepper1/4 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)4 5 oz. skinless, boneless, chicken, breasts4 teaspoons fat free mayonnaiseDirections:1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray nonstick baking pan with nonstick spray.2. With fork, mix together feta, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until blended. Spread panko on sheet of waxed paper.3. With ... read more
Oh So Yummy!
One of my favorite things to do is bake, and one of my favorite things to bake are chocolate chip cookies. Henceforth, my favorite Sesame Street character is the Cookie Monster (smile). This recipe was previously posted a few years ago, but they are so yummy I wanted to share them with you again. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients:1/2 cup +3 Tablespoons butter (butter should be chilled) 3 Tablespoons butter flavored Crisco 1 cup golden brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons real vanilla 2 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon baking powder2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips Directions:Heat oven to 350*. Mix butter and Crisco in mixer on medium speed. Slowly add sugars. Mix together 3-4 minutes, ... read more
The Unspoken Love
The unspoken love of a child climbing onto your lap for no reason..... The unspoken love of a handmade card filled with XX's and OO's... The unspoken love of a child's laughter.... The unspoken love of a tiny hand grabbing your finger.... The unspoken love of an affectionate touch... The unspoken love of a knowing glance... The unspoken love of a soft caress ... The unspoken love of a tender kiss.... The unspoken love of walking hand in hand in a gentle spring rain... The unspoken love of silence, when no words need to be said... The unspoken love of dancing to no music... On this Valentine's Day, may you take a moment to celebrate the unspoken loves in your life.... Take a moment to be silent and still.... To capture these treasures around you....Embrace the love in the ... read more
Capture The Moments
From the first day of school....... To a ride on her favorite horse... To Christmas card pictures...... Soak up each and every second. Don't let the snapshots in time that you have with your children slip away. Make sure you treasure them and hold them dear to your heart. Say yes to the game of Clue, yes to, "Will you help me build a snowman?". Before you know it days turn into months and months years and then their gone. Yes, you have many jobs, wife, daughter, homemaker, homeschool teacher, blogger, writer, and some may work outside the home. All of these jobs are very important. However, one job that you should hold with the utmost importance is being a Mom. What an honor it is that God has entrusted us with our children, to ... read more
In Your Weakness Are You A Stumbling Block To Others?
Photo Credit At one point or another we each go through various trials in our lives. .... moments where we feel weakness. These times of weakness can come when we hear the diagnoses of cancer, the loss of a job, not having enough income, wondering how the next bill will get paid, a lack of peace within the family. When we go to through these trials we can get to a point where we feel as if there is no way out. We see people in the Bible from Joseph to Peter who suffered for the Lord's sake, so that a greater good might come. The Bible tells us that our faith will go through times of testing... "So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of ... read more
Tender is Love
Tender is a mother's love for her child as she looks at her newborn son and speaks word of love to him as he stops crying at the sound of her voice...Tender is the love in a daughter's eyes when she looks up at you with a gentle smile and says, "I love you mommy"...Tender is the love held in a man and wife's hands that hold each other and promise vows till death due us part...Tender is the grandmother's eyes that are filled with tears as she says goodbye to her love of almost 40 years..Tender is the love our Father has for us as he welcomes us into his outstretched arms....Today I am linking up with the Gypsy Mama's 5 Minute Friday. For 5 minutes you let words flow freely and just write whatever comes to your mind and heart. Write without worrying about the finished outcome, unscripted and ... read more