Experiments

Cute!  And my favorite theme - coffee!

I just saw this on a post on FB.  http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/apronevangelism.htm.  Do you mean that if I dress up like June Cleaver, my children will respond to me differently in a good way??  For $11.97, I can get a cute apron, potholder and dish towel at WalMart.  Where has this info been all my life??  Don't think that I'm not going to Wally World today and pick one up.  For $12.00 I can afford to experiment.  The comments on the FB post lead one to believe that it, does indeed, work.  I will definitely let you know the results! 

I am going to learn to write knitting patterns!  It is a direction I have been wanting to go in for awhile, but just no time.  Now that I have a renewed motivation for my shop, I think this is a good addition.  My hubby is also wanting to get back to weaving, so I will carry some of his creations also!  In the meantime, I am at 185 items in my shop!!!  15 more to go!!  Another experiment.  Once you have 200 listings, your traffic is supposed to really increase.  I will let you know about that also!  Here are a few new additions:


I am spinning some beautiful purple right now for my hubby to weave a clutch purse on the Knitter's Loom.  I can't wait!  I need to dye some emerald green to go with it.  Maybe today! 

I am going to drag out my frozen turkey today.  I discovered a fantastic way to prepare a frozen turkey thanks to my procrastination.  I was supposed to take turkey to our homeschool group Thanksgiving dinner.  Well, of course, I still had the turkey in the freezer the day before!  So, what to do?  I was going to have to carve it all on a platter to take to the group, which I hate carving.  So, the thought came to me to just stick the frozen turkey into my huge post and just boil it!  I did and the results were a very juicy turkey that just feel off the bone!  It was fantastic.  I pulled the big pieces apart and put them in a 9x13 casserole dish and covered it with it's juices.  It stayed so moist!  Love, love this.  It wouldn't work if you were going for the golden roasted look of the whole turkey on a platter, but if you are going for the practical side of things, this is a great way!  You can't get the organs out until it cooks a bit, but the bag they are in is in tact after an hour or so of boiling.  It takes around 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the turkey.  Try it, you may like it!

God Bless you on this cold Tuesday!
Kim
 

Loving This Winter!!

The view from my back porch this morning was stunningly beautiful!  I praise the Lord for the winter wonderland He provided.  They sun is out now and the temp. is going up,  but I am thankful for the sight, if just for awhile

.

I have been busy spinning, dyeing, and carding fiber!  I am trying to get 200 items listed in my shop.  Apparently when you get 200 listings, you get more traffic directed to your shop.  Each time I get past 160, I have big sales and it goes back down.  I AM NOT COMPLAINING!!!  I rejoice in each and every sale.  I just need to up production to keep up!  My son, Ben, made a rolag last night on the Ashford Blending Board.  He loves fiber and I love that he loves fiber!

I believe this is the perfect morning for a Maple Steamer.  My daughter, Jessica, and I were in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at exactly this time last year.  We were caught in a blizzard in the middle of nowhere - Chatham.  We were in a 4 room motel and there was a bar & grill, a general store (a real general store - they had everything) , an organic little restaurant, and a post office.  It was literally a stones throw away from the motel.  We went to the organic restaurant and I discovered the Maple Steamer!  It was great!  It is nothing more than maple syrup - about 2 tablespoons in a large mug and steamed milk.  I don't know if it is the taste or the bringing back of a close, shared time with my daughter, but I love this drink.  Definitely a comfort drink for me. 

Have a wonderful Saturday!!
Kim

Good Monday Morning!

Good Morning!!  The sun is shining and the temperature is perfect for a woman of many hot flashes!!  I am loving winter this year.  I have never truly embraced winter.  It has always been the prelude to one of my favorite seasons, Spring!  However, this year, I am really enjoying snuggling with my family by the fire, hot cocoa, sweaters, and the occasional dusting of snow.  I pray for more snow, but it is not up to me!  So, I am just enjoying the cold! 

I have been busy getting my shop rejuvenated!  I updated my Twitter, Ravelry, Facebook, this blog, Stumble Upon and have joined Tumblr.  Not even sure what Tumblr is, but I am part of it!! 
I have some fabulous art batts in the making and 1 really cool one ready to be listed today.  I carded some Romney wool with bamboo and then put it in my dyepot!  The plan was for the bamboo to not take up any of the dye and stay white.  It worked beautifully! 

I am really tempted to spin this.  I have some really great ribbons I could add as well as some sparkle. 



This morning's Good Morning Girls Bible Study has us in Exodus Chapter 11.  Here is my SOAK!

S: v.3. "Now the Lord had caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the people of Israel."

O: The Israelites needed to collect their wages of silver and gold from the Egyptians for work they had done. It seems.unlikely in the flesh, that the Egyptians would just hand over silver and gold to their slaves, but they did. Why? Because God gave the Israelites favor with the Egyptian people. I have experienced God's favor and it is definitely a "wow" moment. And the best thing is - we can walk there!

A: If I abide in the shelter of His wings, then I will walk in the favor of God. I put the caveat of abiding under His wings, because if I am indeed covered and abiding, then that means I am totally trusting God with everything. I am seeking Him for the everyday of my life. I am in obedience to Him. There are many rewards to living under His wings - not the least of which is protection from deadly disease, no evil will conquer me, no plague will come near my home, protection wherever I go - I won't even hurt my foot on a stone! I will be rescued from trouble! Talk about favor!! Check out Psalm 91! So my goal is to purpose to abide in the shelter of His wings for the next hour. Then I will, with the Holy Spirit's help, I will abide for another hour. I may have to repurpose every 30 minutes, or even 15! But I am feeling pretty good right now , before my day starts, with an hour.

K: Lord, thank You for this beautiful day! Father, let me praise You without ceasing for you are worthy of such praise. I want to abide in the shelter of Your wings all day long. I want to bring my children with me. Hold onto me tightly and give me a swat when I start to be restless and pull away. I do not want to leave you. I love You so much. Without You, I am nothing. Thank You in advance for giving us a glorious day! In Jesus' Name..

Have a wonderful day!

 

Busyness of Life

Good Morning!!  Good Cold Morning!!  I love the winter time!  Snuggling, hot cocoa, snow, and a definite quick fix to the hot flashes!  Gotta love it!

                                                                       
Speaking of winter, we have a rewards chart we use for discipline issues.  If, for instance, my kids are not unkind to each other, they get a reward.  My son's reward is a coffee drink.  So, I have looked up some coffee recipes and this one for Caramel Macchiato is great!

In our Good Morning Girls devotional today, we read Exodus 10.  Here is my SOAK!
S: v. 1...."I have made him and his officials stubborn so I can display my miraculous signs among them. 2. I've also done it so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them- and so you will know that I am the Lord."
O: This answers the question that has been bothering us -"Why did God harden Pharoah's heart?" The sad thing is, the immediate generation, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, did not respect God or His power. 
It is also interesting that the plague of locusts was related to the defeat, in the Egyptians mind of Osiris, the god of fertility and crops and the darkness was to show God's power of the sun god, Ra. 

A: God had a plan then and he has a plan now. In the midst of this chaotic mess of a world we live in, God is in control. Nothing that is happening is news to Him. We have to spend time in the Word and in developing a close, deep relationship with the Holy Spirit. We must put that first. The busyness of the day gets in the way of our developing that relationship. It is like "I will get with You in a little while. Have a seat." And we never show up! He has sat there all day and we never show up! Why is this so important? Because if we don't hear from the Holy Spirit, we are going to be seriously handicapped in this time of tribulation and persecution. Where do we go? Where does God need you today? Who does God have for you to witness to today? Do we stay where we are if we face persecution or do we sneak away? The Holy Spirit will direct our every move, but we cannot leave Him sitting in the chair all day! I challenge myself in this also. I cannot let the busyness of the day come between me and my Lord. He has to come first. The 15 minute praise breaks I posted about a few days ago have really helped to keep God at the forefront all day long. Everything goes better. My head is clearer, my day is brighter, my children are happier. 

K: My Lord! How I do love You. Today, create in me a pure hear and a clear mind. Fill me to overflow with Your Holy Spirit. May I be obedient to Your every word and may I not do or say anything that You do not tell me to do or say. Help me to be a blessing to You today and not a discipline problem child. I adore You! You, alone, are worthy of my praise and adoration. In Jesus' Name.

May God Bless You Richly Today!

Where is Your Quiet Place?

Good Morning!!  Today, in our Good Morning Girls devotion, we read Exodus 8.  Below are my SOAK thoughts:

S & O: In today's reading, one verse really stuck out to me and that is v. 10 - "Do it tomorrow..." This was in response to Moses' question to the Pharoah, "When do you want me to pray for you, your officials, and your people? Then you and your houses will be rid of the frogs". TOMORROW?? Really?? Why not right now? Crazy! Then when God sent the flies, Pharoah told Moses to "Hurry and pray for me." (v.28). I wonder why he didn't want rid of the frogs right now. Hmmmm. Verse 27 was a verse I can pick to apply to my life. "We must take a 3 day trip into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, just as He has commanded us."  

A: Today, we think we can live in the world and pray in the world. We need to get away and spend some quality time with God. Jesus would often go away and pray. He left all the people and the disciples and went away to pray to His Father. It's hard to have a good visit with anyone when there is chaos all around. We can't concentrate, or listen to what God has to say when we are in the midst of noise and cares of this world. We are in the world but we are not of the world. Get away, in the quiet, all alone, and let God minister to you. That is what I am going to do today! Now where will that place be?? Usually it is the shower for me. That is the place where I can hear from God the best. If I get so frustrated, I head to the showers. When I need desperately to reconnect to God, I head to the shower. I am a very clean person! lol  

K. Father God, I am so appreciative of Your patience! You love me and never give up working on me. Lord, help me to get away and visit with You, even when there are no problems in my life. Help me to come to You - just as desperately as I do in the bad times - in the good times. Bless the Good Morning Girls today as we go through our day. Speak loudly to us and pull as away to just spend time with You. I love You so much! In Jesus' Name.

Remember: S stands for Scripture, O stands for Observation, A stands for Application, and K stands for kneeling in prayer.

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Last night I finally got my Dye It Yourself Yarn Kit posted in my ETSY Shop!!! I love dyeing fiber and creating new and unique colorways. It is interesting sometimes to see how the colors bleed into each other, creating an altogether new color. Sometimes it is frustrating when they bleed together to make a new color! lol But when I spin it into yarn, it totally changes into a new and beautiful creation - well usually. I once spun some yarn from a beautiful roving. I loved the colors in the roving. Well, the yarn, I thought was horrible. It was the ugliest yarn ever. I don't have a pic to show you, but take my word for it. Well, I needed to make a baby gift, so I used this yarn to make a baby hat. Let me tell you, there has never been a more beautiful baby hat color wise. That ugly yarn knitted into a self striping fantastic hat! I could not believe it! Anyway, lesson being, looks can be deceiving - in people and yarn!

I am going to post an art batt I created last night. I will give you a sneak preview:

Until next time, have a blessed day!

15 Minute Praise Time Updates

The change in the atmosphere of our home this morning has been nothing short of miraculous!  The kids are getting along, our homeschool morning has run smoothly, all is as it should be.  Every 15 minutes the bell goes off and we all raise our hands and start praising the Lord!  We sang a couple of times, and just gave Him verbal praise other times.  It is so awesome!  I thought at first 15 minutes would be too often and would interrupt school too much.  But nooooooo!  It is perfect!!  

I would strongly encourage you to try this!  It is amazing!

Am I Really Like The Hebrews In Exodus????

Isn't it awesome that God's mercy is new every morning!?   Great is His faithfulness!!  This morning I read Exodus 7.  It is funny because the verse that stood out to me was one from the commentary - Psalm 106:7 "Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord's miraculous deeds.  THEY SOON FORGOT HIS MANY ACTS OF KINDNESS TO THEM."  WOW!!    You know, every time I read Exodus, I get so angry with the attitudes of these people!  What is it going to take for them to stop their complaining?  I can't believe that they could be so ridiculous when they are physically being led by a cloud during the day and fire by night!  How could they worship other gods when they have had a sea opened up and the land to be dry for them to cross??  Unreal, right?

Then....I look at my life.  What will it take for me to stop complaining?  After all the blessings God has bestowed upon my life and all of the miracles He has perforned for me, how can I ever leave the shelter of His wings?  How can I possibly put reading email and Facebook before I tell my Father good morning?  How can I??????  It goes on and on.  I have to get on my face before God and repent. I hear people say that God understands.  He understands but He does not approve!  He wants to be first in our lives.  Anything that is in that first place spot besides God is an idol.  It is true.  We don't like to look at it that way, but it is true.

Today, I will purpose to put God first in everything and praise Him all day long!  Right now, it is very quiet.  Hubby has left for work and the kids are still sleeping.  In a few minutes, I will awake my children for school and begin our day.  That is when the challenge starts.  Keep God first!  When I get frustrated, I will go to a private place and get with Him, BEFORE I express frustration to my children.  I will put Him first!  If you are like me, you will need to do recommit to this every 15 minutes.  I can't just say I will do this in the morning and expect that I will remember!  I must do this every 15 minutes.  I am going to set my timer on my oven for 15 minute intervals all day and when the bell goes off, I will praise the Lord and dedicate the next 15 minutes to Him.  I bet my day will be fantastic!  I will let you know!

The Lord Is Willing, But Am I?

Good Morning!  The sun is shining and it is, I'm guessing, single digits outside.  I love winter!!  Now, if it would only snow!

This morning, I read Exodus 6 using the color coding and SOAK method.

Scripture:  v. 12 "But Lord!" Moses objected.  "My own people won't listen to me anymore.  How can I expect Pharaoh to listen?  I'm such a clumsy speaker!"

Observation:  Once again Moses says "I can't" contrasted to verses 6-8 where the Lord says "I will" 7 times!  I will free you from your oppression;  I will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt;  I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment;  I will claim you as my own people;  I will be your God;  I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob;  I will give it to you as your very own possession.  I AM THE LORD!  Moses reacted from his feelings.  He was discouraged because not even his own people would listen to him.  He wanted out, but God kept persisting and the results speak for themselves.

Application:  How many times has God asked me to do something and I didn't FEEL like I could do it, or I was afraid of rejection, or what people would think.  But praise the Lord, He gave us the Holy Spirit to "twist our guts" when we even think about disobedience!  I love that!  God takes us out of our comfort zone and puts us in the power zone!  I need to not ever act on how I feel, but always rely on God to take me where I need to be.  He promises never to leave or forsake us.  We must trust Him!  I must trust Him!

Kneel in Prayer:  Father, I love you so much.  I am so sorry when I depend on my feelings and act on them instead of trusting you and listening and obeying what You tell me to do.  Mold me and make me into a vessel You can use.  Create in me a pure heart and mind - one that is always in tune with You.  Help me to only say and do what You tell me to say and do.  May I be a reflection of You while I am on this earth and none of me!  Empty me today of all the uck and fill me with Your Holy Spirit to the overflow!  In Jesus' name.

I would encourage all my readers to try this method with any chapter.  It is very rewarding.  After all, we must be doers of the Word and not hearers only, right?

Off to fix breakfast for my hungry family.  The cupboards are bare, so it is going to be an oatmeal morning - organic, of course!  Did you know if you put the oatmeal in the water at the beginning, it will be very creamy.  Just add butter and a little brown sugar and you have a very delicious, satisfying somewhat healthy breakfast!  I am trying to get away from sugar, but stevia just doesn't quite cut it in oatmeal - not like brown sugar!  Yum!

Take care and God Bless!
Kim

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Everyone!  I have missed blogging.  As it is the beginning of the new year, my intentions for blogging are at an all time high.  We will see if that sustains itself into February and beyond!  I have my blog address posted on my ETSY shop site.  I know I hate to click on a blog and the last entry is 2 years old!  So, that being said, I am going to make every effort to not let that happen - again!  lol

 I think I left you hanging on the organic food adventure.  We are still trying to eat as much unaltered and poisonous food as possible.  This process is expensive, but still doable.  I bought beans, rice, lentils and wheat berries in bulk from Cloverdale Bulk Foods in PA. This helped immensely with the budget. If you are blessed to have a Kroger near you, their Simply Truth brand is fantastic in the area of quality and price.  Plus, you get loads of coupons in the mail if you have a Kroger card for Simple Truth products.  Their meat is a bit expensive, but that is to be expected, I suppose.

I am going through a Bible Study right now with Good Morning Girls, headed by Courtney Joseph.  We are reading a chapter a day using the SOAK method - Scripture, Observation, Application, and Kneeling (Prayer).  Right now we are going through Exodus.  Check it out.  You can start anytime.  After you read the chapter, you can add your own comments to the Good Morning Girls FB page.
Today's reading was Exodus 4.

S; 4:12 - "Now go! I will be with you as you speak and I will instruct you in what to say."
O: 4:12 reminds me of Jesus' remarks in John 12:49 -" For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. ".
 A: I have challenged myself to move closer to this mark. To only speak what the Father wants me to speak - WOW! How awesome would that be?!! 
K: Lord, I praise You! You are so patient. The patience You showed Moses has not changed for me! I appreciate that! Please, Holy Spirit, lead me on the path of complete and total obedience. Empty me of myself and fill me with You. Get me to the place where I only say and do what my Father tells me to say and do! Use me mightily! In Jesus name!

I am really getting a lot out of this.  I have read Exodus 4 a bunch of time, but never using a process.  I am also using the color coding method that Courtney recommends.  My colors are a little different, but the idea is the same.  

In Simply Homespun News, I have learned to spin wire yarn!  It is awesome!  So much fun to fiddle with and make letters or sculpt something.  I sold some to a customer who is going to add it as a topper to hats she is making.  What a great idea!  It is florist wire, corespun with art batts.

I used it as a decoration on my Christmas Tree.  It really added a touch of whimsy!  

Onto a totally unrelated subject - Tomorrow morning's breakfast!  I saw it in a post on Facebook.  It looks yummy.  Actually, I may make it tonight so it is ready in the morning.  Although, hubby and my son are in the kitchen doing math.  The bread may not survive til morning.  I will just have to make 2!  

Amish Cinnamon Bread

No kneading, you just mix it up and bake it

Batter:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk or 2 cups milk plus 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda

Cinnamon/sugar mixture:
2/3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions
Cream together butter, 2 cups of sugar, and eggs. Add milk, flour, and baking soda. Put 1/2 of batter (or a little less) into greased loaf pans (1/4 in each pan). Mix in separate bowl the 2/3 c sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle 3/4 of cinnamon mixture on top of the 1/2 batter in each pan. Add remaining batter to pans; sprinkle with last of cinnamon topping. Swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 min. or until toothpick tester come clean.
Cool in pan for 20 minutes before removing from pan.

Until next time - God Bless!!!

Kim