Home Sweet Simple Home

My, Mine

“My failure to be true even to my own accepted standards:
My self-deception in face of temptation:
My choosing of the worse when I know the better: O Lord, forgive.
My failure to apply to myself the standard of conduct I demand of others:
My complacence towards wrongs that do not touch my own case and my over-sensitiveness to those that do:
My slowness to see the good in my fellows and not see the evil in myself:
My hardness of heart towards my neighbors faults and my readiness to make allowance for my own… O Lord, forgive.”

-- Dr. John Baillie

Strongholds

I just started week 4 of an amazing Beth Moore Study- Breaking Free.
Whoa Mama, but that woman is all up in my business!
Lots and lots of nuggets to ponder and work thru. God is really moving me here.
Naming my strongholds has been easy, learning to deal with them hasn’t nearly been so.
She said in our video we watched this week that the 4^th week is the hardest in this study.
It is.
She spoke of giving God our “want to’s”- those things we want to do but that are strongholds for us. When we are tempted to give into our “want to” we are to cry out to God- Lord, change my want to! That sincerely spoke to me. Changing my “want to” is like cutting off a limb. It’s a struggle.
I am so thankful for all that led me here to this point- right here doing this study, God knew I needed it in my life right here, right now just as He knew that introducing it to me any sooner would have meant me failing the test- I wouldn’t have kept it up. He’s so amazing.
I have been eating up the scripture in our homework. Loving the fresh perspective I am being opened to. I wrote this down in the margin of my notes the other nite- “Don’t be scared what it’s going to cost you- be scared to miss what this wins you.”
I notice that I am saying how much I love this study- this does not mean that I like it all the time. I love how it is growing and stretching me and at the same time I dislike the pain the stretching is causing- but I know that good will come from it, like sweat equity. So I put myself totally in this, the entire mess that I am, knowing that God loves this mess that is me no matter what.
Good to know.
God can and will use the pain in my life for His gain.
Amen.

Spoken- wakes heart

This spoke to me- go here and read then come back.
Done? It was good wasn’t it? I needed the reminders.
And so I am praying with a sincere heart.
Direct Quote: Something many Christians do, myself included, when we are offended or someone has had a major negative experience is to throw a text out to them without having to do one thing to make the situation better. As if words alone show love and compassion.

And I love the line “… live more loving.”
Ah.
Heart action—filling every corner of my heart with kindness and mercy.
Help me to be so, Lord.
I am so thankful Your mercies are new every morning!

Foolish

“You know it is foolish to say, ‘Yes, I’ll give this up
for the Lord,’ and then want both the blessing
plus the thing you have handed over to Him.”
-Edith Schaeffer

Just in case

"Forget about what's happened;
don't keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present.
I'm about to do something brand-new.
It's bursting out! Don't you see it?"
- Isaiah 43:19 (The Message)

Discussing, thinking, pondering

Week 2 Menu- fresh ideas pulled from the home coffers

This week’s menu pulls mostly from the freezers & pantry. I’m pretty geeked about the pantry challenge I am on. Right now, I’m working on a meal plan that would pull from the pantry and freezers to feed a friend’s family who will be bringing their new baby home later this week. This is all causing me to be a bit more creative with my planning- a good thing. I was in a bit of a cooking slump this past fall- got creative around the holidays and want to keep that momentum going … I’m setting a conservative goal of trying 2 or 3 new recipes a month. This week I’ve included a new recipe; I’m making Baked Peach Oatmeal. I’ll let you know how it turns out …

The Yellow Farmhouse 2010: Week 2 Menu Plan
Monday
B: Oatmeal w/ blueberries, toast
L: Diner Dinner (leftovers)
D: One pot salsa beef skillet, cornbread & salad
Dessert: warm tapioca pudding (didn’t have last week)
Tuesday
B: Cereal and toast
L: Homeschool Group Potluck- Bringing: Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
D: Turkey loaf, mashed potatoes, biscuits, steamed veggies
Dessert: leftover cake from lunch
Wednesday
B: Baked Peach Oatmeal
L: Grilled cheese, chips & pickle spears
D: Fettuccini Alfredo, biscuits (frm last nite), pickle spears
Dessert: strawberry peach Jell-o
Thursday
B: leftover peach oatmeal
L: Hot dog octopuses, chips, cubed cheese
D: Daddy Donalds (burgers & fries)
Dessert: none
Friday
B: Eggs in a basket
L: Diner Dinner
D: pizza
Dessert: ice cream sundaes
Saturday
B: Oatmeal w/fruit
L: Ham sandwiches, chips, pickles, cookies
D: Leftover Smorgasbord
Sunday
B: Coco wheats, toast
L: Crockpot: Chicken in mushroom sauce, green beans
D: leftovers
Beverages for the week:
Milk (2.5 gal), Water, lemonade
Snacks for the week:
cheese & crackers, Oreos, fruit, popcorn, homemade bread & jam

Find more delectable menus at The Organized Junkie’s place.

Challenge: Eating from home stockpile

This year-- Constantly & Consistantly Abiding

Too Busy
Sometimes it flashes in my mind to have a word for the year … I’ve seen others do it and it inspires them …
I file it under “Good Intentions” and continue on with life as I know it …
However, looking back on the last 2 years, the 2 years I really thought about that Word for the Year … each year had it--
2008- The Year of BE STILL
2009- The Year of CHANGE
And now- here has rolled in a brand new year- fresh, crisp, new and mostly unmarred (it is the 6^th after all) …
What will your name be, 2010?
A word, a wonderful, fitting word that will encompass the year and be a focus also …
Its gotta be special and perfect …
Whew- this is nerve-wracking! What if the word I pick doesn’t fit?

Thinking- here’s a list of words, I’ve considered:
Confidence
Vision
Dream
Delight
Little is Much
Wait
Joy
Gladness
Strength and Courage
Trust
Tender Mercies
Abundance

---- All good but none really say, “Its me! I’m your word!”
Until, reading some treasured verses—this word came
Abiding

God is able to make all grace abound to you,
so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need,
You may abound in every good work.
-2 Corinthians 9:8

I am the vine and you are the branches:
If you abide in Me and I in you,
you will bring forth much fruit.
-John 15:5

Abide--- to stay; reside; continue firm or stable; to tolerate; bear; wait for
Abiding—lasting; enduring
Abound--  to be in great plenty; abounding – plentiful
Abundance--- ample sufficiency; great plenty; overflowing

Oh the possibilities- a year of abiding will bring.
Sounds like there will be good things, very good things, and yet- I know there will be struggles I will have to endure, pain I will have to bear, trouble I will have to tolerate.
I can do it.
I will Abide.

Yellow Farmhouse Weekly Menu #1 of 2010

  Show me another pleasure like dinner which
comes every day and lasts an hour.
–Charles Maurice De Talleyrand

I haven’t posted my menu plan in quite a long while. It has become increasingly difficult to maintain my super frugal thriftiness in the grocery store these past few months. I have updated my price book so much; I should have used white-out or written it in pencil. It’s a horrid mess and redoing it is on my very long list of things to do. I want to put up my weekly menu but haven’t because my price book being what it is and I wanted things to be just so- putting it out there with the most up-to-date prices with all truthfulness … and so it has remained undone.
These days when we go to the grocery store with our list, I’m no long sure of the costs. I put an * next to items that aren’t absolutely necessary and can be stricken from the list if costs are high.
And so I got to thinking that I really could post the weekly menu from the Yellow Farmhouse without the cost breakdown.
Without further ado …
The Yellow Farmhouse First Week of the New Year Menu Plan
Monday
B: Oatmeal w/ dried cherries, toast
L: Diner Dinner (leftovers)
D: Crescent chicken squares, steamed veggies
Dessert: warm tapioca pudding w/strawberry slices
Tuesday
B: Cereal and toast
L: Homeschool Group Potluck- Bringing: fresh veggies & ranch dip
D: Breakfast for Supper! Sausage gravy and biscuits
Dessert: warm spiced peaches and pears (or h’made applesauce)
Wednesday
B: Fruit smoothies, toast & jam
L: mac-n-cheese, veggies (from Mon.)
D: Corn Chowder and biscuits (leftover from yesterday supper)
Dessert: none
Thursday
B: French Toast, fruit
L: Chicken Noodle soup, bread & butter
D: Poor man’s steak, baked potatoes, steamed veggies
Dessert: ice cream sundaes
Friday
B: Choice of pancakes (from freezer)
L: Diner Dinner
D: Kids cook: Pigs in Blanket, chips
Dessert: none –popcorn (and a movie)
Saturday
B: Daddy Cook (eggs, bacon, toast etc)
L: Leftover Smorgasbord
D: Leftover Smorgasbord
Sunday
B: Coco wheats, toast
L: Family get-together-- Crockpot: Farmhouse Style Corn
D: Snicky-snacks: cheese, ham & crackers, fruit kabobs
Beverages for the week:
Milk (2.5 gal), Water, lemonade, eggnog
Snacks for the week:
Various Cookies, Oreos, fruit, string cheese, homemade bread & jam

Sideline: Check out more blogger menu ideas every Monday over at The Organizing Junkie’s blog.

Fresh and New

  Another fresh new year is here...
another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear;
to love and laugh and give!
-William Arthur Ward

And so we have closed out another year.
A time of pondering …
and reflection.
2009
What a year.
I am most thankful to see it drawing to a close.
I am also thankful that this year that started out so badly is ending so much better.
God has brought us through so very much this year.
Quitting my job and all the horror and pain that entailed.
Changing churches.
Finding our wonderful church family- right under our very noses.
Coming to terms with most of the hurt and pain the year started with.
Homeschooling all 3 of the kiddos.
Learning to wait.
To ask and seek.
And to wrap it all up with a sparkle- Someone I dearly love has gifted me with a very special hush-hush secret.  Shhhh.
2009 was not all wonderful and rosy- even right towards its end there was pain—
still is.
But this secret is so incredibly special that the darkness dims because of it.
Isn’t that wonderful!
God knew the “stuff” of 2009 would happen and He chose a year-end wrap-up to  my year in such a way that I can’t help but smile at the gloriousness of it all.
God is so great- so huge and all-encompassing
and yet …
He cares so much for me- knowing that I didn’t want the year to end with the pain and suffering of the previous year- that I didn’t want to carry that into 2010 like we had to in 2009.
Thank you Lord for the fresh fullness of this bright and shining new year.
I know there will be hurt and pains aplenty as well as unspeakable joys and thrilling cherished pieces of goldenness.
I am looking forward to it.

How precious it is, Lord, to realize
that you are thinking about me constantly!
-Psalm 139:17

Christmases Past- vivid, warm, cherish

 The most vivid memories of Christmases past
Are usually not of gifts given or received,
But of the spirit of love,
The special warmth of Christmas worship,
The cherished little habits of home.
–Lois Rand

And so another Christmas is past. As Christmases go, according the kiddos, it was “the best one EVER!”
Good. Because it was also one the most simplest ones ever.
To my great and everlasting relief.
Although- I must admit, the rush and push I was doing on Christmas Eve just about bah-hum-bugged me right out of any such good spirits …
One thing at a time, Amy … one thing at a time.
We had a beautiful, subdued, simplified and lovely Christmas Day.
Check.
Next year I will work on turning my ugly, hectic Christmas Eve day into the same.
One can hope and pray and plan at least.
Christmas Eve nite- not so bad.
The Christmas Eve Service at our new church home (which we absolutely all love and cherish, by the way) was smack-dab in the middle of Mr. Steady’s family party.
6 pm.
What’s a family to do?
Mr. Steady and I talked it over and over.
I made some smarmy comment about wanting “Some Jesus in my Christmas”.
Yes, it was smarmy. Yes, I received a “look”. Yes, I apologized.
And yes, it did lead to some good discussion.
Discussion about what we wanted the emphasis of our Christmas to be and just how much did it mean to go to church …
We went.
It was a beautiful communion service.
I’ve never been to a Christmas Eve Communion service.
It was sublime, subdued and simply wonderful.
I am sure it was that special service that carried us thru the rest of what is normally a hectic family get-together.
Even though the rest of the day had been far less than wonderful, the evening glowed with sparkling wonder.
The special warmth of Christmas Worship
Because we elected to stay home by ourselves on Christmas Day instead of having my extended family over for dinner ….
We slept in ‘til 9 am.
All of us- kids included.
We had to wake them up.
Plus: since we didn’t have to worry about time constraints—
We ate our special breakfast first.
We took turns opening gifts so that we could oooh and ahhh over each one.
The expressions on the kids’ faces … priceless.
As was the rest of the day—priceless beyond measure.
A spirit of love
Maiden and I baked together.
Mr. Steady and I cooked together.
We all played games together.
We had a special Christmas luncheon.
We spoke of Christmases Past.
My parents came over for Christmas dinner.
And watched Flywheel with us (one of Mr. Steady’s gifts).
We snuggled. We cuddled. We loved.
The cherished little habits of home.

photo: Mr. Conductor's animals visit the stable...

Today's menu board

It is part of my goal setting for 2010 to get back on track sharing my menus with you all. I probably won’t be sharing the price breakdowns right away as I am having to completely revamp my price book etc. and it’s really a chore and a half.
One I’ve been studiously avoiding.

Oooh- Another Recipe! Cranberry-Eggnog Waffles!

I looked at a few different eggnog pancake and waffle recipes online and then tweaked etc. until I came up with my own version for Christmasy goodness …
This could easily be doubled. And the price is excellent. I calculate that it cost me about $1.40 to make these. That figures out to approx. 28 cents per waffle.  

Cranberry-Eggnog Belgian Waffles

(makes about 5 waffles)
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp sugar
2 ½ tsp baking powder
1 ½ cups eggnog
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
¾ cup dried cranberries
1 cup whipped cream, to garnish (optional) 

Heat up waffle iron. Mix flour, sugar and baking powder together in a mixing bowl. Stir in 1 cup eggnog, butter and the egg until well blended. Add more eggnog if needed to make a pourable batter. Fold in cranberries. Lightly spray waffle iron with cooking spray then pour some batter into the preheated waffle iron, close top and cook until golden brown and crisp on both sides.
I estimate that is cost under $2.00 to make 5 waffles.

Precious Golden Moments

Each birthday is golden.
A treasure to be cherished.

Maiden’s  birthday was tremendously special. 13 on the 13^th …
Her Golden Birthday.

Oh, how she sparkled. We had 4 days of Birthday Fun and Madness. Friday nite she had her 2 besties over for a slumber party—spa time, movies and loads of laughs on Saturday. We also had a special time of bible study together. I wrote a short study on True Beauty and shared it with the girls. Awesome discussion- these girls are awesome. I am so thankful she has such like-minded friends with hearts for God.
Sunday was the big day- wakened by the family to a bed full of balloons and streamers. Presents while in pajamas. Special breakfast- a table set with gold. Her request- eggs in a basket, crisp bacon, mixed fruit salad and orange juice. Off to church- where she received an abundance of well wishes and a surprise- her Auntie and Uncle (my sis & hubby) came to church with us!
The extended family was coming for a birthday luncheon. Her Daddy touched her deeply by surprising her with a big bouquet … he told her, “Your first flowers should come from no other man than your Daddy.”

We accented the party with golden decore and the videos from her babyhood playing in the background. Luncheon menu: Daddy’s chili, Mama’s white chicken chili, corn chips and homemade cornbread, Aunt L’s special cheesy bacon dip and homemade bread, Uncle D’s Bacon Wrapped Goodness (Maiden’s name for bacon-wrapped mini sausages with brown sugar) and for birthday dessert:

Chocolate Sour Cream Cake with White Chocolate Sour Cream Icing topped with golden sprinkles.
And ice cream.
Needless to say- we ate very well.
The best part of all was the box of letters.

Six weeks before her birthday- I sent out missives to people who have been important in Maiden’s life, requesting that each write a special birthday letter to my daughter. I asked everyone to note the positive/godly traits each sees in her life, to share special meaningful scriptures, reminiscences and hopes for her future. As each letter came back to us, I put it in a special decorated photo box until, by her birthday, it was a stack of approx. 30 letters. One from the Sunday School teacher who led her to Christ, many from family members, one each from her new youth pastor and our senior pastor’s wives,  a MOPS mentor mom who has watched her grow, dear homeschool moms, mommas of her best friends, letters from best friends, past caravan teachers, a friend of her momma’s who has watched her grow from a sprout to a young lady who now babysits for her … some were funny, some were touching teary-ness, some were both … all were cherished …
what a lovely pile they all became.
Towards the end of her family party, we presented her with the box and I read aloud the letter I wrote my darling daughter. It was a joyful moment—an at least three Kleenex moment. She was stunned.
Later on, she sat next to me and read thru the whole stack. Alternating between laughing and crying. Her Grampy, my dad, known to be a man of few words, wrote her 2.5 pages from his heart. We both cried.
What a glorious and blessed day for her. And for us.
And to think that wasn’t all …
Monday was her annual Birthday Field Trip. Topped off by the fact that her Auntie Em and Uncle D came with us 5 to an awesome public museum about 90 minutes north of us. Not to be forgotten- her Daddy took the day off too- he hasn’t worked a single birthday for any of his kiddos- a tradition he started that I absolutely cherish, and so do they.
The museum was incredible! The draw was a special Leonardo Da Vinci “In Motion” exhibit that Maiden wanted to see (she studied Da Vinci 2 years ago in school).
What absolute birthday bliss!
and now … this momma is beat … tired but happy, thinking its gonna take the rest of the week to get things back to normal …
glad Christmas break is just around the corner.
Whenever that girl doubts herself, thinks that nobody loves her or cares … when she’s lower than low … she’ll open that box and read …
And be reminded.
And know.

Photos:
a table set for a golden breakfast
Thanks for the beautiful flowers Daddy!
The Cake!
Her box full of letters

Cold on the outside, toasty on the inside

  The morning was cold and disagreeable...
- Meriwether Lewis

Oh, my! It was brutally chill this morn. Snow, ice and blowing winds. Ick. It has warmed up a few degrees but when those degrees still keep it below zero with the wind chill- you just don’t feel any warmer. Thankfully we have no where we have to be today.
This is definitely soup weather … bean with bacon tonight along with some thick slices of homemade bread. We borrowed White Christmas from the library. Sounds like a great family evening.
In fact we were able to make last nite a good family nite as well …
In the striving for something different, yet meaningful --
we had supper by candle light last nite.
Mr. Conductor thought it was wonderful.
It was a bit hard to see what we were eating but the kids thought it was great fun.
A nice change of pace.
Better said- a much needed change of pace.
Maiden even did the supper dishes by candlelight.
After supper we decided to climb right into our jammies, grab pillows and blankets and make ourselves comfy and cozy to watch …
It’s a Wonderful Life.

And it is--- Oh yes it is!

Here's Hoping ...

  May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who loved us and by his grace gave us
eternal encouragement and good hope,
encourage your hearts and strengthen you in
every good deed and word.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Slightly Imperfect makes Practically Perfect? Perhaps.

 “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!”
– The Grinch

I feel like I’ve let so much of the season slip past me already.
I could continue with that feeling and just give up the thoughts and ideas of a simple and holy Advent … that it is too impossible to attain.
Or
I can let go of my worries and frets and let it flow.
I can let go of the need for perfection and accept the imperfect of this family in this season.
I can cast aside the Currier & Ives or Mitford type Christmas in the fantasy pictures of my mind and allow my eyes to open up to the beautiful season right here in my home right now.
Perhaps, just perhaps
this imperfect Christmas will be the most perfect one of all for me …

New Recipe! Cranberry Jumbles

C is for Cookie … That’s good enough for me …
- Cookie Monster

My choice for this year’s Christmas Cookie. Delicious. I took 3+ dozen to MOPS to for our cookie swap. We ate the other 2 dozen in no time.

 Cranberry Jumbles
(makes about 5 dozen)

1 cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs, room temp
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all- purpose flour
1 tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup dried cranberries

In large mixing bowl beat butter, sugar and brown sugar with electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
In a med. bowl stir together flour, salt and baking soda. Stir in white chocolate chips, walnuts and cranberries. Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
I estimate that is cost just under $5.00 for me to make 5 dozen cookies. Can’t beat $1/dozen! [I did not put walnuts in mine.]

Circumstances, pity parties, linoleum and JOY

… Joyful and glad in heart for all
The good things the LORD has done …

– 1 Kings 8:66

My word I didn’t realize it had been so long since I last posted. Computer time is not high up on my list these days …
I have been busy preparing for a very special 13^th Birthday for my oldest daughter. Not only is it her 13^th birthday but it is her Golden Birthday- so we are planning a very special day for her.
Besides birthday preparations, we’ve got the regular homeschool schedules, plus extra field trips, regular every day family life with all its quirks and mishaps and fun ….. Christmas planning, grocery shopping, cookie baking, gift making and on and on.
Not to mention that Mr. Steady was just diagnosed with Shingles. Stress can cause and aggravate Shingles and Mr. Steady is one of the steadiest, calmest men I know and yet …. He has it and I don’t. Of the two of us … we both would have thought this was something I was definitely more in danger of ….
So- it is obvious to me that I need to do my best to make a calm, stress-free home for my husband and that includes a calm, stress-free (as possible) Christmas season.
So far I haven’t accomplished much on the stress-free end. The last few days have definitely allowed for some coal to end up in my stocking … It had been awhile since a Mommy melt-down occurred here- up until Monday that is … I did apologize to everyone and then put myself in time out for a long while.
I have been letting my circumstances dictate my joy. For shame, for shame. I’ve been allowing life’s difficulties to dog me and press on me. Been wanting to just have one big ole’ pity party for myself.
When in truth- there is nothing pitying about it. I am so incredibly blessed.
As I was sweeping the kitchen floor today and was about to lament in my head about the 1970s linoleum flooring, with its grunge and pock-marks and scrapes and how I can’t afford new and how many other things seem in need of repair or replacing around here … and then, instead- I thought how sturdy my home is as the wind whips and blows today. The windows may rattle but they hold. The floor may be scarred but it is solid. My frustration began to melt as I thought to myself that most of those pock-marks and scars were made by my family through the every-dayness of life. This home is battered and scarred and weathered and worn but it holds treasures of life inside. It has sheltered, protected and provided haven for us.
I am blessed.
I may not have the best of everything but I can make the best of what I do have and remember…
I am blessed.
I stood there on that kitchen floor with broom in hand and right then and there decided that circumstances would not best me. My joy comes from the Lord, not from new flooring! Or any other “things” this earth can provide. I stood and prayed there in my kitchen, thanking the Lord for all He has given me and humbly asking him to forgive my wandering eye- I went looking elsewhere for what only He can provide.
I am not as stress-less or as joy-full as I wish to be but I’m better than I was yesterday or even earlier today. I still have my long to-do list that isn’t getting to-done in as quick a fashion as I would like but I won’t slip into the pitiful again. I will accomplish all that God has decided for me today and set the rest aside.

Last nite- after dinner, when the big snow flakes were flying … we let the kiddos throw on coats, gloves and boots and go out for a night time snowball fight. I loved the spontaneity of it and so enjoyed the sound of their laughter. I just had to catch them with a couple of photos.