The Busy Bee Mama

Tuesday

It Was A Good Day

Making Pizza and Bread With Pictures

The past few weeks have been really busy here.  A good busy I must say.  Easter here was filled with three different egg hunts.  The first was at my Mom and Dad's on Good Friday.  The second was in a nearby town with a friend of Brooke's.  The last was here on the mountain.  I put the pictures in order so you can follow along.  It is so enjoyable to watch children hunt for eggs.  Jason and I hid a $5 bill inside a silver plastic egg and hid it in the Squirrel's House.  I was hoping he wouldn't steal it before the kids found it. 

Let's see what else.  Oh, yes, I am once again on the mission of decluttering and organizing and I have to say that for the first time in a long time I am not bothered at the thought of letting go of our things.  Before if an item had any monetary value I kept it I'm sorry to say.  Something in my brain said, "But it's quality".  It really hindered me from unloading the junk.  I've been praying for help in that area and it has been easier this time.  I'm also working on a bigger project, which is to declutter my mind and organize my thoughts.  So often I carry so many burdens of my own and of others that at night my head is swimming.  I've finally grasped the concept of organizing my thoughts into two categories, the one's I can handle and the ones I have to give over to God.  I am a worrier by nature and tend to fret over little things.  I fret over the things other people share with me too.  Please don't misunderstand I enjoy it when other's share their burdens with me.  It gives me an opportunity to serve God by loving others.  Just like our cluttered up homes our brains can get packed with stuff.  In order to start categorizing your thoughts you must have complete trust in our Father.  You must trust and have faith that he knows what he's doing.  You must adopt the idea that their is a bigger picture than the hear and now and leave it at that.  It is a peaceful feeling to release the worries of everyday life to the Lord.  I thought I would share that with you and now that is one less thing floating around.

I have tried a new recipe in my bread baking journey.  It is a whole wheat bread recipe that uses molasses and honey.  It was delicious.  I have included pictures.  Jason is a fan of whole wheat bread.  For work he takes two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to work on Brownberry Health Nut Bread.  It is nice bread but my it is expensive.  Hopefully we will be able to substitute in this new recipe instead of store bought.  My Mimi (my grandma's nickname I gave her when I was 3) has not bought store bread since the 60's I bet.  Every Friday she makes dozens of buns and loaves for the week.  As a child I can remember smelling the dough, watching the rising, and finally enjoying a hot bun right out of the oven.  She had these miniature loaf pans and she would let us make our own loaf.  What a treat!  She recently gave me her collection of aprons.  I told Jason they are worth more to me than any piece of jewelry or money.  I've taken the pictures of my bread for her.  What a guiding force she has been in my life.  She is such an excellent homemaker.  She would let us come for "vacation" at her house in the summer for a whole week.  One grandchild at a time and there were ten of us!  Coming from a family of 6 it was so cool for me to have undivided attention.  My Pappy is now gone but I can go back to those times so vividly.  How blessed I am to have both my Grandmothers still living.  What good memories I have!  Well, I guess that is all for now.  I am off to make my to do list for today.  How is everyone doing?  I pray you have a wonderful day! 

At my Mom and Dad's Jason snapped this of Brooke on a recent trip to home.  She was soothing her baby.  Too cute!

The silver egg! For Mimi!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

• There's A Huge Hole In My Ceiling

    

  Well good news first.  The snow is melting and I've been able to drive up and down the driveway the last two days.  Bad news is that there is a huge hole in my ceiling.  As I sat on the couch two nights ago I noticed a sag in the living room ceiling.  I pointed it out to Jason and he knew immediately that something was drastically wrong.  He moved the t.v. and positioned the ladder.  Next he lightly touched and said, "Oh, No!"  That's right folks, water from none other than the nasty toilet.  I watched in horror as the small hole turned into a now 4' x 4' hole in my living room ceiling.  To make a long story short it is day two of the fix and we have no upstairs toilet or shower.  I was naive to think that my pioneer living was nearly over.  Now we are really roughing it with no showers or baths.  I washed the kids out of the kitchen sink.  Needless to say I'm using a lot of bleach.  I'm against harsh smells and chemicals, but drastic times call for drastic measures.  Jason was able to take two days of vacation to take care of this situation.  What a trooper he is!  He even has a good attitude about the whole thing.  Our neighbor and one of Jason's coworkers are here working too. He prayed for help and God gave him not one but two helpers. They have been a real blessing. 

    We had a nice weekend.  A friend of mine, her husband, and their two children came up Saturday for some sledriding.  We had so much fun!  I got to do some hostessing too, which I love!  My bf, Nancy and her daughter Bethany came up and stayed three days with us.  We really enjoyed their visit.  They aren't really like guests.  They pitch in and wash clothes, clean and bake.  They made us homemade apple dumplings and Beth made a cake.  She's only twelve.  What a responsible young lady she has turned out to be.  She started helping me with my twins when they were 2.  She was only 9 years old then.  My girls just adore her.  They love Aunt Nancy too!  Nancy is such a special friend to me.  She met me at a yard sale I was having.  She noticed all the young children I had and said, "Do you have much help?"  I told her, "No, not really."  Two months later I invited her over to help me.  Little did I know how much she would really help me.  Her presence in my life has been an answered prayer.  Her example led me back to having a right relationship with God. 

    The men just finished installing the plumbing and are testing the water upstairs.  It's working!  Yeah!  Now Jason can put new flooring down and install the toilet!  It's the best gift when God sends you helpers!  Folks, if you don't know by now, life is much easier when you share your burdens with others.  I don't mean every small problem you encounter.  I mean the things that make you low in spirit.  Pray and ask for help.  You might be suprised to see who comes as an answered prayer.  Have a great evening.  I'm off to take a nice hot shower and then to read a letter left for me from Nancy.

  

    

   

   

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Just Another Manic Monday

Creamy Chicken and Tortillas (Crock Pot Meal)

  I enjoy using my crockpot for meals.  I enjoy smelling it as it cooks knowing I'm ahead of dinner.  I found this recipe on the Duggar's website.  (www.duggarfamily.com).    I am intrigued by the Duggar's.  They have seventeen children and are still sane and thriving.   This recipe was a big hit here.  I've considered the many ways it can be served.  It can be served on it's own as the main course.  We put it in soft flour tacos.  The next day I used it as a filling for quesadilla's.  I also thought it would be great served over egg noodles.  Here is their recipe.

CREAMY CHICKEN & TORTILLAS
4 c. cooked chicken, diced
1 dozen corn tortillas, each cut into 6-8 triangles
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 8 oz. jar salsa
1 c. sour cream
1/2-1 c. cheddar cheese
Combine the soups, salsa, and sour cream in a bowl and blend well. Grease the crockpot and make 2-3 layers of chicken, tortillas, and sauce. Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours. Add the cheese 15 min. before eating. Serve with salad and warm tortillas. Enjoy!
Serves 8

Dance, Dance, Dance and Working With Children

Before I get grief about working my kids to death let me clarify their part in all this.  They helped wash down the walls and tidy up.  Then as I was moving boxes around I found a whole box of National Geographic Magazines(Kid's Editions) from the eighties.  I cleaned an area for them and laid out a blanket.  They spent hours looking through the magazines.  We also have a v-smile video game system I set up for them.  To make a long story short we transformed that attic in just one day.  The best part is that I didn't tell Jason I was doing it.  When he came home the kids told him they had a suprise for him.  He was completely shocked and said that maybe we should make it our room. 

Before our guests arrived I made some nice extra touches to the room.  I filled a little potpourri crock and let it simmer away.  Also I made a welcome basket with clean towels, wash cloths, trial size bottles of deodorant, shampoo, disposable razors, two bottled waters, and some Hershey's kisses.  We also placed a Hershey's kiss on their pillows.  Another great find in the attic was a huge tote of pictures.  The kids thought it would be nice to display some pictures of our guests so they could really feel like they were at home.  Even though my guests had never been here before they could see the effort we put into their special room. 

It was a great lesson on hospitality for the children.  You can get even big jobs completed with your little helpers.  You just have to be realistic and realize that you must include them.  As I said earlier kids want to feel as though you need them and not that they are a hinderance.  Give them a rag.  Let them pitch in.  Ask for their ideas.  I never would have thought about displaying pictures of our guests.  That idea was from Madie who is 5.  I do believe the old saying, "more is caught than taught".  Not only did the kids learn that day but we really had a good time together.  I was silly with them and loved on them throughout the day.  I told them how blessed I was to have such good helpers.  I am finding some new tricks  along this parenting journey.  One thing that would make me long for alone time was all the questions I was asked by the kids throughout the day.  Some days I know I have answered over a thousand questions.  Not easy questions either.    Right now I feel like Webster's Dictionary.  "Mama, what does word package mean?"  To eliminate the question asking firing squad I now offer more explanations and ask them more questions.  "Molly, do you like these curtains?" "Madie, what color would you paint this room?"  It really does help and it makes them feel good too. 

What am I supposed to be writing about again?  Oh yes, dance, dance, revolution.  Jason's coworkers told him about this game.  I was as always skeptical about this.  I am always concerned with negatively influencing my kids.  I have to say though that with proper monitoring of the songs this is a fun family game.  For those of you that don't know about it don't feel bad.  I hadn't heard of it either until last week.  Let me see if I can explain.  There is a dance pad with arrows (N, S, E, W).  You pick a song and then the beat of that song is displayed on the screen with arrows.  You use your feet to hit the correct arrow that matches the beat of the song.  Ummm......... does that make sense?  Anyways it really is fun.  Jason and I had a little friendly competition going on.  The game we bought has numerous songs from the eighties.  Did I ever mention that I like eighties music?  Well, I do!!!!!!LOL.  I captured some pictures of my husband and Brooke dancing.  I will take a picture of our finished room later and post it.  Keep in mind I didn't buy anything for the room.  I used whatever we had here to decorate.  The kids are still sleeping and I don't want to wake them.  Have a great day!  Love, Jess

Ill have to write about my recipe later.  I need some coffee!

Jason's brother and Brooke dancing.

Jason dancing. 

Homemade Laundry Detergent and Living On A Budget

We are seeing the fruits of our labor and want to encourage you that it is never too late to make some changes.  I'm not saying that you have to make homemade laundry detergent.  I'm saying to be very cautious of how you spend your money. 

1. Make a meal plan for the week.  Jason and I sat down and thought of all the meals I make.  Then I put those meals into a two week menu.  Then make a shopping list of the items for one week.  Grocery shopping for one week makes sense for us.  If you can handle two weeks go for it!  Our goal is $100 a week.  If you can spend less than $100 whatever is left use for a special treat.  It has turned into almost a game seeing how thrifty I can be with the groceries. 
2. Don't spend money that is not necessary for living.  If you don't need it don't buy it.  Every once in a while it is okay to buy something for yourself.  Consider it though before you buy.  Proverbs 31:16 says, "She considereth a field, and buyeth it: " Discuss big purchases with each other.  Ask for an allowance for small purchases.  We have a friend who is an excellent budgeter.  Whatever she saves by clipping coupons or for buying groceries on sale she goes to the thrift store and buys clothes or whatever treasure she finds. 
3. Watch your usage with your utilities.  You would be surprised how much electricity you use with your water heater.  Jason bought and attached a timer to ours.  We have cut our electric bill by over a third by being cautious.  I also try to only run the dishwasher once a day if possible. 

That's all for now.  There is peace in living a frugal life I assure you.  Isn't Brooke cute stirring the laundry detergent? 

Love, Jess

My Home In The Mountains

Where Do Peanuts Come From, Mama?

Where Do Peanuts Come From, Mama?

   This is the question Madie asked me a few days ago.  Did you know they grow underground?  I guess I thought they grew on a tree like almonds.  We like all varieties of nuts here.  The other day I bought some pistacchio's.  My Mom always bought those for my Dad as his special treat.  They had a pink shell that always got all over your fingers.  For us kids that was a bonus!  Pistachio shells get pink when the nut dries out.  The ones we buy are the result of artificial coloring sorry to say.  Getting back to peanuts.  The peanut is actually closer related to peas than nuts.  Hence the name!  I need some coffee.  Okay, what is your favorite nut?  Have a great day!

Snowed In With Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today is Valentines Day.  Happy Valentines Day to you!  God has made a way for us all to be together today through a snow storm that started two days ago.  This morning I am making cookies for later.  I am making chocolate chip cookies and adding in some mini M&M's.  My children are young and love the M&M's added in.  Come to think of it so does my dear Hubby.  I really enjoy cooking and baking for my family.  They know by all the little extra touches I put in that they are loved.  It does my heart good to see them excited about meals and special treats I make for  them.  God has really done a work on me over the years.  I used to focus on the mess and time involved in cooking and was missing the whole gift of ministering from my kitchen.  As I go to my devotions this morning I am just so thankful  to have a stocked pantry during this snow storm and a family to cook for.  Thank you Father for never giving up on me and always providing me with physical and spiritual needs!  This is my Mom's chocolate chip cookie recipe I will be using this morning.  These cookies are different as they raise.  They are very popular among our community.  I hope you will try them too!  God Bless You Today, Jessica

This recipe will make about 4 dozen cookies

Cream together, 2 cups Crisco, 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar and 1 1/2 cups white sugar.  To that add in 4 eggs and 2 tsp. vanilla.  Top that with 41/2 cups flour, 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. baking soda.  Mix together with a spoon.  Lastly add in 1 bag of chococate chips or M&M's.  Today I will be adding both.  Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.  Let sit for 1 minute and then transfer to a cooling rack.  Enjoy!

P.S.  If you could include my Molly in prayer today I would greatly appreciate it.  She is five and a twin to Madilyn.  She has been battling the flu and has an earache. 

A Healthy, Happy Heart

\A few months ago I was devastated to find that my cholesterol levels were at a bad level.  Also, my blood sugar was elevated which puts me at risk for Type II Diabetes.  What a shock that was to me!  Even though there was evidence to back this report all up I still denied the truth for a while.  For the last few years I have given very little thought to the damage I was doing to my poor heart.  Meals of fast food, meats, processed foods and very few fresh vegetable and fruit choices was my diet.  I had so many excuses for this, which lucky for you I will not be going into today.  Today I am happy to report I am taking a proactive approach to my diet.  I believe God was giving me a little wake up call about my diet and I am thankful for this awakening.  Processes cannot be changed overnight for me.  That's just not the way I am wired.  Baby steps are more my speed.  The first step I've taken is to take two Fish Oil soft gel tablets daily.  They contain in each 70% pure Omega-3 and 1000mg purified fish oil.  If you are unfamiliar of the benefits of fish oil you will be surprised at it's results.  Research proves  that fish oil, specifically, omega-3 fatty fish oil reduces the risk of heart attacks and stroke.  Also, it improves heart health in general.  Some more benefits are that it improves memory and brain efficiency, helps to ward off Diabetes, boosts immune function, prevents or can decrease Rheumatoid Arthritis, and lastly prevents and treats depression.  One place you can receive the benefits of Omega-3 fish oil is by consuming albacore.  Albacore is a white meat tuna.  There are reports of tuna containing mercury.  After doing some research I learned that canned tuna does contain mercury but at low levels. You can read a portion of a recent report below.  Being satisfied that I'm not putting my family or myself at risk I will share with you my recipe for delicious tuna salad spread.  It's a tasty way to give your body some Omega-3 fish oil.  I'd like to thank my photographers, Molly and Madilyn Judy.  Well done, girls!!!

I hope you will try my recipe or by some supplements.  The name brand I buy is Nordic Naturals, which I buy at the health food stores.  It can also be purchased online.  Here's to a healthy, happy heart for me and for you my friends!  God Bless. 

****Washington, D.C. () Underscoring the safety of canned tuna for all Americans, new findings from the government's food safety agency -- the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -- confirm that canned tuna contains mercury levels that are very low and are considerably less than what the federal government allows, the United States Tuna Foundation (USTF) announced today.

Tuna Salad Recipe

3 cans white albacore tuna

1/2 cup Miracle Whip(I use Aldi brand)

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

2 green onions

First drain your tuna well and place into a mixing bowl.  Chop onions and add to bowl.  Add remaining ingredients and stir.  Put mixture on a good whole grain bread with some leaf lettuce and tomato slice.  What a treat!  Enjoy!

A Help Meet To Our Husbands

Good Morning!  With Valentines Day being tomorrow I thought I would talk about a great gift you can give that won't cost you one dollar.  It's a gift that will actually improve your marriage.  It really works.  I've witnessed the miracle in my own marriage and that's why I want to share my little secret with you.  Last year I read the book by Debi Pearl entitled, Created To Be His Help Meet.  Each chapter gives you more ideas on how to be the wife God created you to be for your husband.  I am reading it for the second time and am enjoying it even more this time.  Order a copy today!  I want you to have some of that wisdom today so this Valentine's Day can be one your husband will always remember as the day you became his Help Meet.  In order to explain I will need to get Biblical here.  All of my references are from the King James Bible. 
     It all started with Adam and Eve, the first couple on Earth.   In Genesis 2:18 we read, "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him."  We are to be helpers to our husbands in all that they do.  We are to realize that they have authority over us and we are to be obedient helpers to them.  What they ask of us should be met with a smile and willingness.  If you are disobedient to your husbands you are being disobedient to God as well.  Last week my husband was digging a ditch outside in the cold.  I had many chores to complete at that time.  As I looked at him out there hard at work I wondered if he would like some company.  I instructed the kids to stay inside and I went out.  He was so delighted to see me.  I didn't say much.  I just stood there for the most part.  He was very pleased with that gesture.  He needed a little recognition of the hard work he was doing, which I gave.  It was a very good use of twenty minutes. 
   You see we were created for man, specifically our husbands.  God didn't want Adam to be alone.  Thus Eve became Adam's friend.  Are you your husband's friend?  Are you the person he wants to talk to?  Are you a good friend to your girlfriends but not a good friend to your husband?  Think about those questions for a moment.  If you are your husband's best friend that is wonderful!  If so you can still improve your relationship and make that friendship even stronger.  If you are not your husband's friend it is not too late.  You can start being his friend again today.  Yesterday, I heard a radio program about infidelities within a marriage.  The gentleman speaking had carried on an affair for three years.  He said that what lured him into the affair was how the woman hung onto his every word.  YIKES!!!!!  How many of us tune out our spouse?  I know I have been guilty there from time to time.  He also said she made eye contact with him regularly, smiled, complimented him, and being that they worked together she helped him.  Last on the list was her physical attractiveness.  Surprised?  I was.  Physical attractiveness is important to men but not the most important quality he looks for in a mate.  Recently my husband made mention of a woman we know and said, "She is pretty on the outside but ugly on the inside."  Sometimes we confuse the notion that men only care about physical attraction.  Don't misunderstand me here, we should care about how we look for our husbands.  Think about how you looked when you first started to date.  Did you wear baggy clothing, no makeup, a bad hairdo?  I didn't.  Two women I know schedule in time everyday to "pretty up" for their husbands.  Guess what?  They have excellent marriages too!  Coincidence?  I don't think so.  Did your husband get a prize when he married you?  Yes He Did! It only takes a few moments to "pretty up". 
    Let's get back to scripture here.  Scripture gives us many instructions on how we are to Godly Wives for our husbands.  I would like you to read these verses and really put some thought into what God is telling us.  As you read these think of that man I spoke of earlier and what he said intrigued him into an extramarital affair. 
Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are as honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones."
Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loveth at all times."
Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart doeth good like medicine but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
Proverbs 31:12 "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."
Proverbs 31:26 "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
Proverbs 31:30 "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."
  The Valentines Day gift I spoke of earlier can be wrapped up into one sentence I think. LOL!!!  Give your mate the gift of a beautiful smile, attentiveness, a merry heart, goodness, pleasant words, a nice appearance, and real friendship.  What follows may surprise you.  That will be your Valentines Day gift! LOL!!!  
Happy Valentines Day from my heart to yours!
 If you have not visited my blog take a moment to do so.  The address is www.xanga.com/busybeemama
You can leave me comments about the articles I write.  Just click on add comments.  It is my on-line diary that I am printing out for the girls.  Have a great day!