Urbanhomemaker

A Bull Moose Runs Through Our Neighborhood

My daughter Mary received these pictures from her friend Jesse who lives around the corner. The pictures were taken by Jesse’s younger brother and emailed to Mary. I thought it might be fun for you to see how brown in gets in Colorado in the late Fall along with the “wildlife” shot of the bull moose.

Off he goes over the fence and up a nearby hillside.

Encouraging Thanksgiving During the Thanksgiving Season

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and will be a bittersweet celebration for my family this year. Although I usually look forward to the opportunity to take a couple days off before Thanksgiving to focus on making my favorite Thanksgiving foods with my children, this year will be different. My daughter Laura will be getting married January 3, and is making final preparations to not only get married but move to Clarksville, TN to be with her husband-to-be, Brandon. They will be stationed at Ft Campbell. As most of you already know, this will be our family's first Thanksgiving and holiday season without my late husband Duane who passed on to glory in April of this year.

I have decided that instead of focusing on the busyness of the holidays and a wedding, that I want to focus on Thanksgiving, I mean all the ways, large and small, God has met me in this difficult year. I'll be honest, there have been some very rugged challenges and I continue to struggle my way through denial, anger, and grief on a regular basis. I'm determined to begin a "Thanksgiving Journal" to record God's faithfulness through this year and through the holiday season.

Monday, I wrestled with worry and anxiety about some computer/business issues as well as wedding concerns and I really wondered if I was going to get through the day. By Tuesday morning, I realized all three things I worried and fretted over all day Monday had positive outcomes as of Tuesday morning, (yesterday). I knew I needed to record these small victories before I forget.

Just recently I learned that 40% of what we worry about never happens, 30% of our worries is over the past, 12% is over matters of which we have no control, and 8% are legitimate concerns. Well, I may not have the percentages exactly right, but Tuesday morning (yesterday) I realized I worried needlessly and I needed to focus on thankfulness.

I suspect you and I are a bit like the Israelites who quickly forgot all the miraculous things God did for them to get them to the promised land alone! Well, it just seems like the month of November is the time to focus on Thanksgiving more and the food preparations less. Perhaps you will be challenged to join me and begin a little prayer notebook filled with things to be thankful for, answered prayers to unnecessary worries and scriptural promises that we can cling to and claim during difficulties.

Here are two scriptures that have been getting me through:
Phil 4:6-7- "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Psalm 34:8,19 "O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusteth in him...Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

I know I am not the only one who had some serious setbacks in 2008, I would love to hear from others of you and ask that you share the scriptures with me and others that have helped you through trial after trial this past year. Please post your comments or email me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com with the scriptures that get you through trials. Let's encourage one-another during this Thanksgiving season.

A Little Grace and Charm

$34.95 

A Little Grace and Charm

$34.95 

Sally Fallon Speaking Engagement

Dear Friends,

As you know I have strongly advocated the principles of Nourishing Traditions and a Nutrient Dense Diet (scroll way down) for several years. Today, I'm delighted to tell you about the Deidre Currie Festival which has great guest speakers, including Sally Fallon, lined up to teach more about traditional foods and nutrition on Sept 13.

My friend, Kelly the Kitchen Kop, www.kellythekitchenkop.com, who has frequently helped me with phone seminar transcripts, wanted all Nourishing Traditions enthusiasts to know about this upcoming Sally Fallon speaking engagement.

Kelly writes:

"Last fall, my friend Kathy spoke at a Weston A. Price conference near Detroit, organized by a woman named Deidre Currie. At the time, Deidre was pregnant with she & Archie's first child. Sadly, it wasn't long after the conference that Deidre passed away, just after giving birth to their baby boy, Jack.

This fall, her husband is organizing the Deidre Currie Festival in Ann Arbor, Michigan on September 13th, 2008, to honor her memory. He has some great speakers lined up to teach us more about traditional foods and nutrition, which Deidre was passionate about."

I wanted you all to know about this Festival, because as a recent widow myself, my heart goes out to Deidre's husband Archie, a single dad of their infant son.

Here is the Speaker line-up:

---Sally Fallon, President of the Weston A. Price Foundation, Author of Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats

---Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, author of Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Depression, Schizophrenia (watch for a post about all this coming out soon)

---Jerry Brunetti, one of nation’s foremost experts on food, farming and health

---Karen Lubbers, Michigan farmer, teacher, environmentalist

Also, I hope you will consider:

1. Reading Archie & Deidre's story

2.Register for the Festival at this link, say you heard about it through me, Marilyn Moll. OR

You Can Win 2 FREE TICKETS TO THE DEIDRE CURRIE FESTIVAL! HERE'S HOW:

• Tell all your friends!
• Have them register online BEFORE 11:59 pm on September 1st, 2008
• When they register, be sure they put your name in the "Referred by" box, so we know who wins the free tickets.

3. Consider making a donation to Archie, a single dad. Here is more information:

• Being a single Dad, Archie works quite a bit to make ends meet, and he's hoping to move he and Jack back to New Zealand after the conference so that Jack can grow up around Deidre's family, but moving is costly. If you'd like to send a donation, send it to: Archie Welch, P.O. Box 690, Clarkston, MI 48347.
• If you do sign up for the conference or make a donation, please say you heard about it through Marilyn Moll, The Urban Homemaker.

My Daughter Laura's Engagement Story!

Last week I was invited to the home of local Paonia residents Joan and Ron Beers, grandparents to my daughter's boyfriend Brandon Coble, for a family dinner. Brandon's parents, sisters, sister's boyfriend, sister's husband, uncle and aunt were there as well. (Stephen and Mary were out of town.)

Brandon has been serving our country in Baghdad for the past 8 months and has been home for an 18 day leave before returning to Iraq for another five months. Laura and Brandon have been friends for the past three years and have been dating long distance for the past 5 months. ( With Duane's permission.)

After dinner I was busy visiting with Uncle Rick and Grandpa Ron, and Mom Karen, while the grown children were enjoying a spirited word game called Probe. Apparently this game requires each contestant to spell out one word, and everyone takes turns guessing one letter, and as in Wheel of Fortune, if the letter is there, then the card is overturned and you can take a guess at the word.

All of a sudden Grandma Joan, comes into the room and says, "Marilyn I really think you need to see what's going on with this game."

My reply was, "I don't do word games." But Grandma Joan insisted, "Marilyn! I REALLY THINK YOU NEED TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS GAME IN THE KITCHEN!"

Meanwhile, my daughter Laura is calling, "MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY!" At this point, I realized I better get up and see what the commotion was all about. As I entered the kitchen I saw a sparkly ring upon Laura's ring finger.

It turns out Brandon's 15 letter "word" was really a phrase "Willumarryme". Look at the above picture carefully.

No one was getting Brandon's word, until Laura's turn, when she called out "l" and "m". Her startled and nervous response to the word/phrase was "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" At which point, Brandon got down on his knee in front of Laura and his family, and asked "Will You Marry me?" and Laura said "yes!" This is the point at which I discovered what all the commotion was about and that my daughter had just become engaged!

So, I am a very excited mom this week , although sad to not share the happy event with Duane. Duane had already decided before his death that he would give his approval to a winter wedding.

So shouting from the roof tops, I am pleased to announce my daughter, Laura's, engagement to Brandon Coble for a January 3, 2009 wedding. More details and pictures will be at my blog, marilynmollcom as soon as I get to it.

Now, I'll admit I shouldn't have been too surprised because Brandon had asked for my permission to marry Laura before Laura received the ring. Nevertheless, I really didn't know when, where and how this special event would happen, nor did I expect to get to participate in the excitement! God has been so good t o us.

Please be sure to be praying for Brandon and the thousands of other troops deployed in Baghdad and around the world.

Walking by Faith

His Journey's Just Begun

Grieving through Mother's Day

Many of you know my husband Duane, age 56, died suddenly and unexpectedly on April 14.  I am now a widow and single mom of three.  My youngest daughter Mary is 14 and still at home.  Together with my children we are trying to pick up the pieces and keep Duane's vision for our family business, The Urban Homemaker, going. A friend has urged me to share some thoughts and memories on my blog.

This year, Mother's Day will be most bittersweet for me.  It will be the first Mother's Day in nearly 25 years that my husband won't be making me breakfast in bed, one of my most favorite family traditions.  My first Mother's Day was also bittersweet in another way because I was very pregnant, in fact, two week overdue in delivering my first baby girl, Laura Christine.

My girls, Laura and Mary, and I have planned my first Mother's  Day, as a widow and a single mom,  to focus our energies and thoughts positively on memories of good times with Duane.  We are going to be pulling together pictures from my “archives” of pictures and gathering mementos of Duane for a Memorial Album.  Yesterday, I stumbled on some cards he gave me during our engagement.  In one card he wrote a little poem, a portion of which follows:

Marilyn, you're good for me,
 and I thank God the more.
Together we'll join lives as one,
 and live life evermore.

This ring I give to you,
 a symbol and a trust.
And pray it will endure,
 as God knows it must.

I love you, I do.
No truer words, can I give to you.

My husband was not perfect, but I thank God for his love and faithfulness for nearly 25 years of marriage.

As I mentioned last week, I have received literally hundreds of cards and emails sending sympathies and condolences.  Many of you have taken time to write about your memories of Duane and encouragement for moving through the grieving process. Ultimately, I think the outpouring of love that I and my family have received will be the foundation of a future book on hospitality.

One memorable card quoted Saint Francis of Assisi who said:  “Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary use words.”  I love this simple quotation because Duane was a quiet and gentle person, and I had no idea how many lives he touched.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite comments.

Linda of North Caroline writes:

    “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory, no one can steal.”  Linda encourages me to “let the tears come, let them water my soul.” 

Karen writes:

“Your husband is not far from you.  Heaven is very near, nearer than we imagine.  He is now in possession of the mansion that is prepared for him, a glorious inheritance.  We pray God will provide you with peace and strength to get through the valley and we know he will.”

Mrs. H from Illinois writes:

“Duane has always been thoughtful and helpful with our orders.  We will miss him, and know the loss for you is irreplaceable.”

Becky of Colorado writes:

“I can't tell you how much I have appreciated the work you and Duane and the girls have done, and I have loved watching your business grow and develop into a truly needed company and ministry over the years.  I'm sure thousands of hearts have been touched and blessed by you all.”

These precious cards and emails continue to strengthen me and encourage me,  “ For you have need of endurance,  so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised.” Hebrews 10:35

I struggle with the fact  that there is no more earthly husband made of flesh and blood to cuddle with or embrace.  That day, my lifelong friend Connie Wilson's card came in the mail with a sentiment written by Donna Fargo, a country music singer.  The sentiment says in part:

“What if the spirit of your loved one has not left you, but has moved inside your heart to live, never to be forgotten?  Once we love someone, that person becomes a part of us and remains with us for as long as our memory of them lasts.  Treasure your memories now.  Try to focus on the time you did have.  Let the blessings that you shared bathe you with love, encourage you with comfort, and inspire you to go on.”

Thank you Karen, Mrs. H, Becky, Connie and hundreds of others who took time to write beautiful and encouraging notes of sympathy and encouragement to myself and my family.  Again, I emphasize that each note is read, cherished, and saved.

When life literally vanishes in seconds before your very eyes I believe one can choose to count your many blessings or not which reminds me of an old hymn called “Count Your Blessings”, written by Johnson Oatman, Jr..    I have clung to these wonderful words through other trials over the years as well.  The first stanza goes like this:

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings name them one by one,
and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. 
Count your blessings, name them one by one and so on.

Duane and I go out for a big night on the town to celebrate in January 2000.

This Mother's Day I have many blessings to count. I am so thankful for my three healthy and wonderful children, food in my pantry and freezer, and most importantly a mighty, most loving Heavenly Father and Husband. Here is a small collection of verses from Psalms that I have clung to these last few weeks:

“He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

“The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.” (Psalm 145:9)

“Who is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”  (Psalm 34:17-18)

“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  And those who know thy name put their trust in thee, for thou, O Lord, has not forsaken those who seek thee.” (Psalm 9:9-10)

A Tribute to my late husband Duane E Moll

Ed Note: The eulogy read by Gary Moll at the Memorial Service on April 19th, 2008 at Paonia Friends Church

Duane Edward Moll was born to Edward Carl and Anne Elaine Moll on January 4^th, 1952 in the Roxborough area of Philadelphia, PA.  He was named after a dentist and a friend.  He was their first born son and was followed by four brothers, Ricky, Gary, Edward Jr., and Robbie Moll.  Ricky passed away in 1960, possibly from cancer. 

            Duane grew up in Roxborough and spent his time involved with school, church, band, and hanging out with his brothers.  His mother is quoted as saying “I don’t care what you boys do, just don’t tell me about it.”  His Uncle Les taught him clarinet and Duane played in the high school band as well as in his Uncle Les’ band.  He showed great talent towards music.

            Duane graduated from Roxborough High School in 1969 and went on to Penn State University.  He studied forestry and graduated in 1974.  He had a variety of jobs in Philadelphia including carpet installation, City of Philadelphia, and Keystone Lawn Care.

            In 1973 Duane, and two of Duane’s good friends, Richie Blinn, and Matthew Cooper, took a cross country trip to Colorado where they explored places like the Monument, and Rocky Mountain National Park, and camped in Chief Hosa.  His love for the mountains and the wilderness was awakened during this trip.  In 1981 he took a rafting trip on the Snake River in Idaho and decided to move out west.  In January of 1982 he moved to Denver and tried to find a job in forestry and found a job working for the City of Lakewood. 

            On February 14^th, 1982 he met Marilyn June Mitton during a Valentine’s Day dinner at Corona Presbyterian Church in Denver.  Duane liked to retell the story by saying “I saw an angel come wafting down the ramp and she sat next to me.”  Marilyn and Duane spent time together as friends and officially started dating in September of 1982.  Some of their favorite activities were bike riding, Bible studies, and retreats with their church. 

            On Thanksgiving of 1982 Duane proposed and the two were engaged.  On Christmas Eve of that year he presented her with a ring and they made the announcement to their families.  Marilyn met Duane’s family that Christmas as well and after her proper New England upbringing, it was quite a shock to meet the rowdy Moll family. 

            On June 4^th, 1983 Duane and Marilyn were married in Corona Presbyterian Church.  They honeymooned in Florida and returned to Denver where Duane was working for Wilhelm Lawn Care.  Just 11 months later Duane became a first time father with the birth of his daughter Laura Christine Moll.  He was convinced that his first born would be a son and the first words out of his mouth were “look at him, honey, look at him.”  However, he was still pleasantly surprised to find that his son was really a precious little girl.

            In 1988 Duane became a father once again with the birth of Stephen Matthew Moll on July 14^th and again on August 9^th, 1993 with the birth of another daughter, Mary Elizabeth Moll. 

            Duane always wanted to have his own business and started Horticultural Concepts in 1990.  Since 1986 Marilyn had been baking her own bread with a mill and mixer that Duane had bought for her.  She began teaching bread baking classes and selling mills and mixers as a hobby business.  Duane named her hobby The Urban Homemaker and in 1993 her business had grown so much that Duane quit his job and the two of them ran The Urban Homemaker as a family business.  Duane loved that their business was run out of their home so that he was able to be closer to his wife and kids.

            Duane and Marilyn had desired to move out of Denver and live in the country for many years.  In 2000, customers of their business, Lloyd and Jodie Wright, invited Duane and his family to visit their home in Paonia.  Duane was planning on moving his family to Pennsylvania to be closer to his ailing mother in December of 2000 but in November of 2000 the Molls visited Paonia and as they left Duane said “Gee, if we weren’t moving to Pennsylvania, I’d sure consider Paonia.”

            After living in Pennsylvania for a year, Duane’s mother passed away and he began to pray that God would provide a place for his family to live.  In 2002 Duane and Marilyn purchased their home on Lamborn Mesa in Paonia and felt that this home was a perfect place for their family and business.  They moved from Pennsylvania to Paonia in September 2002. 

            In August of 2003 Duane took his family to a physical and spiritual health conference in called Be In Health.  This conference was significant to Duane’s spiritual walk as it brought him to a deeper understanding of God’s desire to bring His people to physical, spiritual, and emotional freedom.  Duane desired to lead his family to greater depths of spiritual healing and wholeness. 

            In 2003 Duane began leading Bible studies in his home and they studied the books of James and Deuteronomy, spiritual healing, and Disappointment with God.  Duane was also involved with Gideon’s and loved being able to make Gideon’s presentations at local churches as well as giving sermons in his church.  Many people said that Duane should have been a pastor, and while Duane was passionate about teaching and discipling his family and friends, he desired to be a light in the business world.

            Duane loved exploring and discovering the beauty of western Colorado.  He took his family camping every year and made sure to take his children on father-daughter and father-son trips.  He was devoted to his wife.  On Valentine’s Day Duane gave Marilyn a card in which he said “Nothing means more than my marriage to you.”  Duane and Marilyn would have celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary this June and since September of 2007 Duane had been planning and praying about how to give his wife a beautiful and memorable anniversary trip to Hawaii.

His spiritual understanding and relationship with God inspired and touched many people.  Duane had a vision for 15 years for the creation of "The Christian Home and Family Institute" that would teach people that the gospel was not just for fire insurance but that it was for all aspects of life as well as practical living skills.  Duane was an exceptionally godly man and was dedicated to helping his family, friends, and church come to greater spiritual realizations of God and God’s love for his people.

View the most recent family picture here:  (Scroll down)

I hope to upload the Powerpoint video presentation shown during the sharing time of Duane's memorial service as soon as I have technological helps.

Fondly,

Marilyn Moll, Duane's widow at age 56.

In Memory of my husband Duane E. Moll

Ready to Try Narration?

Moms Mentoring Moms

Life is Fragile - Please pray

Cooking Less Expensive Foods like Grains, Beans, and Less Tender Meats

Eating well on a limited budget!

Dr. Denmark Said It -Tonight- Continuing Education for Moms

Madia Bowman, mother of eleven, wrote Dr Denmark Said It endorsed by Dr, Denmark to accurately reflect Dr Denmark's  realistic, down-to-earth philosophy and medical recommendations.  Contact information for this free seminar follows below.

Drinking Water Challenges

Living on a Dime - Resources for stretching your dollars

Hot Cross Buns - Good Friday Tradition

Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns!
One a penny two a penny - Hot cross buns
If you have no daughters, give them to your sons
One a penny two a penny - Hot cross buns

Hot cross buns were sold in the street to the cry of "Hot cross buns!" around the period in English history dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth century.

A hot cross bun is a type of sweet spiced bun made with currants and leavened with yeast. It has a cross on the top which might be made in a variety of ways. Using confectioner's frosting, is the most common way.

According to one source, hot cross buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of Christ and the resurrection. Have fun with the children and enjoy the process of being together in the kitchen. Here's my recipe for the buns:

Hot Cross Buns

2/3 cup dried currants
3-1/2 to 4 cups whole wheat flour (or half bread flour and half whole wheat
2 TB yeast
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup cooking oil
1/3 cup sugar or honey
1 tsp salt
3 eggs
1 slightly beaten egg white
Frosting (recipe follows)

Cover currants with very hot water. Let stand about 10 minutes or up to one hour at room temperature. Drain well. In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups flour, yeast, and cinnamon. Heat milk, oil, sugar or honey, and salt until warm (115 to 120�). Add to the dry mixture. Allow to sponge for about 15 minutes if time allows. Add eggs, one at a time. By hand or mixer, stir in currants and enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead until the gluten is developed by mixer or on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 6-10 minutes.

Shape into ball. Place in greased bowl. Turn once to grease top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1-1/2 hours. Punch down. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.

Divide into 18 pieces. Form smooth balls. Place on greased baking sheet 1-1/2 inches apart. Cover; let rise until double, 30 to 45 minutes. Cut shallow cross in each. Brush tops with egg white. Bake in preheated 375� oven 12 -15 minutes. Remove from baking sheet. Use confectioner's Frosting to make a "cross" on the bun.

Confectioner's Frosting:

2 TB milk
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Combine these ingredients together and add milk or water as needed to get a good pouring consistency for the frosting. Place the frosting in a small zip-lock sandwich baggie, clip the corner and use the baggie to squeeze the frosting over the cooled buns in a cross shape. Small children will enjoy this process even if it gets a little messy!

A Beginner's Guide  to Baking Bread  ebook by Marilyn Moll offers step-by-step instructions for getting started with baking yeast breads.

Click Here to purchase this instantly downloadable ebook for $9.95.

Learn how to:

* How to Select Ingredients
* Selecting a Grain Mill
* Selecting A Mixer
* Step-by-Step Mixing Instructions
* How to Develop the Gluten
* Tips for the Best Bread
* Lots of Bread and Roll Recipes
* Troubleshooting Guide
* The Two-Stage Process
 Item #6059    $9.95