Welcome 2014~ Need A Fresh Start?




Today in my devotions I read this story~ paraphrased in my own words.

It tells about a man who was driving in a car~ that was on it's last leg. He was driving down a desolate road when his engine died. He rolled to the side of the road and another driver stopped to assist him. The man opened the hood and begin to work on the car. He signaled for the owner of the car to start the car. It started to his amazement. He thanked the man and told him he was sure it was down for the last time.

The man who stopped to help told him that every car has at least one more start if only you can get it to spark.

30 years later the man who was stranded is a chaplain in a large prison who often tells others the story and how those words remind him time and time again about a fresh start.

We all need a fresh start from time to time. The Word of God is the spark that we need to get moving and on fire for God in this brand New Year!

As we welcome in 2014~ we have a blank new page.  2013 was a year of many losses but so many more gains. We can choose to focus on the loses or we can choose to focus on the goodness and great blessings in our lives. I want to focus on God's Amazing Grace in my life and the lives of those I love. 

Remember as long as their is a spark ~ we can make a fresh start!

Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 KJV

Have a safe and happy
 New Year's Eve.  

Welcome 2014!

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Merry Christmas~





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Say Goodbye To Scrooge This Christmas~








Are you good and stressed about right now? As women it seems inevitable ~ doesn’t it? I mean the list goes on and on with things that need be done before December 25Th.  We are responsible for that special day.  With Thanksgiving falling late this year~ I never did catch up. I enjoy this time of year so much so I am a little sad it went by so quickly!

Just thinking about it makes me want to take a bubble bath. Maybe that is a good idea but right now I am driving across the state of Kansas with my family and our little Pippa Lou the Corgi. (Who just happens to be on her first road trip ever.)



Taking a bubble bath is what I do when I am stressed. But honestly~ I don’t think Jesus wants us to be stressed about His birthday.  Do you?

 How can we keep our joy and celebrate JESUS today~ on this very Christmas Eve?

Say Goodbye to Scrooge~

If we are so focused on our list of never ending task we get grumpy! Maybe it is better to buy sugar cookies from the baker instead of being grouchy to our husband and family.  Lets focus on the Saviour and make a vow to not be a Scrooge this Christmas by letting some things go~ taking time to focus on the reason for the season. It is here now ~ so what didn’t get done can be done next year.

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Don’t Listen To the Spirit of Christmas Past~

We all have loved ones that are not with us for many different reasons. We all have disappointments that seem to pull at our heart strings this time of year when it is all suppose to be holly and jolly. But we can’t let a history of past Christmases ruin the present Christmas. By the grace of God~ we can allow this Christmas to be filled with God’s goodness and grace.  The choice is ours how we behave! Let’s not act like Scrooge!

Philippians 3:13-14
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.

Don’t Forget The Spirit of Christmas Future~

Christmas is the day that the world rejoices to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour. He is not a baby in a manger.  He is God’s only Begotten Son who came as a baby but left this earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He came to take away the sin of fallen man. He came to take away my sin and yours! Wow~ that is reason alone to celebrate this Christmas like never before. Let’s not make it about Santa~ shopping, the stressful to-do list or even warm fuzzy feelings. Baking cookies~ making fudge and giving gifts to those we love is not wrong if we remember that it is all about Jesus!

Lets vow to remember the Son of God will one day return to rule this earth. He will one day may the wrongs ~ right.  As we read the Christmas story ~ we must remember that He is alive and He is longing to have a relationship with us today and for all eternity.


When we place our faith and trust in the God of the manger ~this is what we have to celebrate in our future.



For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “
 “plans to prosper you and not harm you, 
plans to give you a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11


May you  have a Christ centered Christmas!



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The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe Ever~




The best sugar cookie recipe ever~ Angie's (my sister) Recipe.

Angie's Sugar Cookie Recipe
2 cups sugar
1 cup Crisco
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cream of tartar
5 cups of flour
scant of salt

* Cream sugar and Crisco together until light and fluffy.

* Beat in eggs.

* Add milk and vanilla.

* Add in sifted flour cream of tartar, baking soda and baking powder ~ slowly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Do not over bake. Take from oven when just lightly golden.

Frosting~

2 pounds powdered sugar
2 Tbs. Butter
2 tsp. almond flavoring
evaporated milk to desired texture


Yummy~ now just serve with ice cold milk. They are sure to be Santa's favorite cookie in my house anyways!


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Christmas Eve Soup~

 101 Christmas Recipes

Just gotta love Gooseberry Patch recipes!
Christmas Eve Soup~
2 c. potatoes, peeled and diced
1/2 c. carrot, peeled and diced
1/2 c. celery, chopped
1/4 c. onion, chopped
2 c. water
1-1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1 c. cooked ham, cubed
1/4 c. margarine
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. milk
8-oz. pkg. shredded Cheddar cheese


Combine vegetables, water, salt and pepper in a large soup pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until vegetables are tender. Stir in ham; set aside. In a separate saucepan, melt margarine; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes, until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted; add to vegetable mixture and heat through. Serves 8.

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Are You Stuck In The Past?



There was a 16th-century Venetian painter named Titian. He was famous for one of his paintings~ "An Allegory of Prudence." It already sounds interesting to me. His painting portrayed a man with three heads. ( I could use that! ) One head is the face of a young man facing the future. One head is a mature man eying the present and the last is a wise old man gazing back at the past. Over the heads is the phrase written in Latin which means~ "From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as to not imperil the future." Wow!

Oh~ that we could have enough wisdom to overcome the quilt of past failures and the courage to not repeat them~ resulting in the happiness of living life today full of peace and joy . I so work at it. We all have a story to tell. Some of it wonderful and grand and some of it not so. Yet ~ God allows us to live and learn and love above it all. 

We need the wisdom of the man with three heads. I have seen people who never enjoy this moment from reliving the past over and over. I am excited that time heals all wounds and God gives us the hope of the future~ here and one day in Heaven. That excites me. 

My mind always goes back to Paul ~ he was the apostle who killed Christians before he met Jesus. Now that is a past hard to forget. 

Philippians 3:13-14

King James Version (KJV)
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


I am sure Paul never forgot his past but God had forgiven him and he chose not to live in it. He went on and did great things for the Lord. We too~ can go forward and do great things for God. 

As 2013 draws to an end ~ lets be reminded to not dwell in the past. We can learn from it but move forward and live life to the fullest as we continue to do great things for God in the brand New Year. 



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Oreo Truffles~ Oh So Easy and Oh So Good!




These are Heavenly!

 Ingredients

8 ounces softened cream cheese 

18 ounces package of Oreo cookies~ (crushed in a food processor)


Combine and make into small balls.

 Dip in melted Vanilla Almond Bark.
.


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Christmas Hot Pepper Jelly




Christmas Hot Pepper Jelly~
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
6-8 Jalapeno peppers
7 cups of sugar
1 1.2 c. vinegar
1  box~ Sure Jell


*Seed the peppers and grid them in the blender with vinegar.
* Boil pepper/ vinegar mixture in a pot and add sugar; boil for 5 minutes.
* Add Sure Jell and bring to a full boil.
* Stir for 2 minutes.

Makes 6 jelly size containers.

Pour over cream cheese and serve with crackers.



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Hard Candy Christmas~




A few Christmases ago the kids and I were off to the event of the year~ The Homeschool Christmas Party.  On this morning we were running behind and since we were going to be out~ as usual ~I thought we would make the trip count. We had our annual teeth cleaning before the party. I got in the car and realized we needed gas. We were in a festive mood~listening to a radio station playing continuous Christmas music. As I was in a hurry and pulling away from the gas station there was a small patch of ice.

 Long story short I snagged my door on one of those concrete poles that keep people from hitting the gas pump and blowing up everything for miles around. I tried to open my door but couldn't~ no kidding! All the while thinking my husband is going to kill me~ the kids saying, "Mom you are in trouble"~ I hear Dolly Parton blasting~ "Hard Candy Christmas" from the radio.


 It did turn out to be so~ that $500.00 deductible at Christmas did put a damper on the gift giving budget that year. My dental record still reads, "Patient very upset she wrecked her car and fears her husband will kill her."  I am telling the truth! He loved me enough not to kill me for wrecking our only brand new car we ever bought in our married life.


To tell you the truth ~ the picture of the candy brings sweet memories of my Grandmother. Each Christmas she would fill pretty glass containers with hard Christmas candy.


 The silly song brings smiles to our faces now.  God takes the bad things in life to grow us as a Christian. That song has become a family joke.


Hallelujah! Even in the valley God is good. Sometimes in the heat of the moment as we are going through tough times we loose sight that God will bring us through. He has always brought me through and one day He will take me home to live with Him in Heaven. Until then I can trust that He will hold my hand and keep my feet on solid ground.


When David was facing the giant~ he recalled how God had delivered him from the paw of a lion and the teeth of a bear. He knew God would also deliver him from the Philistine's hand too.



 Samuel 17:37

King James Version (KJV)

 37David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

God delivered David from all his battles and ultimately delivered him to his eternal Home. We serve the same God! No matter what you may be facing or how big the giant you are facing~ God is still with you. Strengthen yourself in the Lord ~ because even in the valley God is good.



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Christmas Candy Apple Jelly~





4 c. apple juice
1/2 c. red hot candies
1 (1-3/4-oz.) pkg. powdered pectin
4-1/2 c. sugar

In a heavy saucepan combine apple juice, red hots and pectin. Stir until pectin is dissolved. Heat over high heat until candies are melted and mixture comes to a full boil. Stir consistently. Once mixture comes to a boil, add in sugar. continue to stir and bring to a boil. Let boil for 2 full minutes.

Remove from heat and skim any foam. If there have been any candy pieces that did not melt completely, remove them at this time. Ladle hot jelly into hot sterile half-pint jelly jars, leaving a 1/4" headspace. Wipe rims clean of any spillage. Top each jar with seal and band. Tighten to fingertip tight. Place filled jars into water bath canner and bring to a full rolling boil. Allow to process for 5 minutes after it comes to a boil. Once time has elapsed, remove from canner and allow to cool. Listen for the "ping" sound to ensure that jars have sealed properly. Jelly will be liquid in consistency until it cools completely and sets up.


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I Have NOT Been Keeping Christ In Christmas~



Are you getting it all done? All those list? I have been making my list and checking it twice. How about you? I usually do better ~ but this year with selling of our home and buying a new one I just feel behind.  I handled the next thing on the list this entire year. And now Christmas is the next thing on the list.

My decorations just didn't fit right in my new house~not enough greenery. My kids are not coming home for Christmas …….Sigh***  This new house needs some memories so I need my kids to come home and help me make some! I know that is silly!

 Each day I wake up and think to myself~ Count your blessings instead of the things that are just not right. I mean after all Christmas is not about ME!  RIGHT!

But when I stopped and listened to the talk around town~ while out checking off my list~ this is what I heard this past weekend.  I noted the conversations and they went like this~ "I will be glad when it's all over."- "There is never enough money."- "I am not ready for this." - "No one gets along anymore."- "The kids never like what I get them."- "It is so much work."- "It just makes me exhausted."  Not one person mentioned JESUS! 

I went home a little depressed myself and I am not a person who likes to get in that pit! I sat down this morning and had a little talk with Jesus.  I needed to ask his forgiveness for once again making it about Me. Sometimes I am just a little guilty of doing that.

Even if the decorations are not right this year~ even if my kids don't come home for Christmas ~ even if the chocolate fudge turned out gritty~ I can still have real joy this Christmas.

Psalm 16:11

 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.


You see we are all real good at saying we keep Christ in Christmas but when we climb in that pit of depression and sadness because of the disappointments ~ we are not keeping Christ in Christmas. When we fail to talk about Jesus at Kirklands~ we are not keeping Christ in Christmas. When we complain about the work of it all ~ we are not keeping Christ in Christmas.  When we are so busy checking off our list and checking it twice~ we are not keeping Christ in Christmas. 

So this morning this girl confessed to God ~ because here lately I have not been keeping CHRIST in Christmas!


Isaiah 9:6

 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

******~And that is reason enough to celebrate today!~******

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Crock Pot Peanut Clusters~ Oh So Good!






Cast of Characters~

2 pounds almond bark
1 bag of milk chocolate chips ~ (or which flavor you prefer)
1 Jar of salted roasted peanuts


Place all into a crock pot. Set on low. Watch closely. Set a timer and stir every 15 minutes until melted. Mine took 45 minutes but all pots are different and it will scorch easily. Drop by the teaspoons onto wax paper until firm. Place in an airtight container. Enjoy! 



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Scents Of The Seasons~ Frugal Christmas Idea

"Main Street with Christmas Lights at Night, Leavenworth, Washington, USA" Photographic Print
 Homemade Christmas Bath and Body Recipes

Christmas Tree Bath Salts~
 1 cup Epsom Salt
12 drops of pine tree essential oil
green food coloring~ 8 drops

Mix ingredients in small bowl until blended.
Use 1/4 cup per bath.

Candy Cane Bath Salts
1 Cup Epsom Salt
12 drops of peppermint essential oil
red drops~ 8 drops

Mix ingredients in small bowl until blended.
Mix 1/4 cup per bath.

Gingerbread Body Scrub
1 tsp. cocoa powder
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 drops gingerbread essential oil
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp. ginger

Combine all ingredients in small bowl. 

*I buy all my essential oils from Natures Garden Candles.*

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How To Make Christmas Fudge~




YUM~I love fudge! When Christmas comes I have visions of fudge dancing in my head. Nothing speaks to me like Christmas fudge and an iced cold glass of milk. It is really easy to make. The secret is making sure you boil it to soft ball stage. 

You know it is at soft ball stage when you drop a little of the boiling goodness in a cup of cold water and you can form a soft little ball out of it with your hands. It is at the soft ball stage. 




  • CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

  • 4 cups white sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
  • 1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
  • 1 (16 ounce) jar peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

  • * Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

  • *In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, brown sugar, butter and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and boil for 7 minutes. (Check for soft ball stage.)Remove from heat; stir in marshmallow creme until well incorporated and melted. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth; spread in prepared pan. Let cool before cutting into squares.

BUTTERSCOTCH FUDGE





3 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter
1 (5 1/2 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 (12 oz.) pkg. butterscotch pieces
1 (7 1/2 oz.) marshmallow creme
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp. vanilla




  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, butter and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and boil for 7 minutes and check if it is at  a soft ball stage. Remove from heat; stir in marshmallow creme until well incorporated and melted. Stir in butter scotch chips and vanilla until smooth; spread in prepared pan. Let cool before cutting into squares.

MY FAVORITE ~CHOCOLATE FUDGE


2/3 cups butter
3 cups sugar
2/3 cups evaporated milk
1 pkg. semi sweet chocolate
7 oz marshmallow cream
1 tsp vanilla




  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, butter and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and boil for 7 minutes or to a soft ball stage. Remove from heat~ pour in chocolate chips, marshmallow cream and vanilla until smooth; spread in prepared pan. Let cool before cutting into squares.
    I put mine in the fridge to cool!



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A Cold Chat From My Farmhouse Porch~



I am watching the Winter Storm this morning~ as we all are I am sure. Don't throw  snowballs at me but I am ready for some snow! It is just what I need to get me in the "Christmas Spirit." I am still boo hoo-ing over leaving my kids but it was a great Thanksgiving in Washington. We had a great time ~ playing games and enjoying great food with people we love so very much. Here are a few pictures.






Here are the questions we are answering today on my cold front porch. Wish you could share a cup of hot coffee with this morning. 

  1. Please tell me the three most valuable things you learned as a child or young person.   No matter what others may do to you ~ forgive and turn it over to God to handle. Makes for a restful night and keeps one from becoming mean and bitter. I want to grow sweeter as I get older ~ how about you?
  2. Did you participate in Black Friday or Cyber Monday?   I love to go black Friday shopping but spent the day in airports and a four hour flight~ so I missed it. I have done most all my shopping so far on Cyber Monday and Cyber Week. I have been couponing and shopping from my recliner. It has been great!
  3. Do you pray?  Oh my stars~ all day long. I couldn't get through a single day with talking to my Heavenly Father. Yes~ Yes ~ and Yes!
  4. Have you been invited to any parties to celebrate Christmas or New Year? Nope~ not yet but had the Freezer Meal Club over yesterday to swap meals and sip Christmas Wassail. It was fun!
  5. Have you ever owned cowboy boots or a cowboy hat? (A cowboy? Tee-hee :) Just had to throw that one in for fun!)  Ha~I have to say no but I would like to have a pair of cowboy boots.
Would you like to answer the questions on your porch too? Click here!

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Freezer Meal Swap~





It gets so busy in the month of December. So when asked to take part in a Freezer Meal Swap~ I jumped at the chance. I am game to try anything once. It sounded great to have a no-cook month. It was a group of 7 ladies and we each made two recipes X's 7 at our home. We cooked meals to serve 6-7 people. Then we froze them and met at my home for the swap. I now have 14 different freezer meals ready to go.  If we all decide to stick with it~ we will take turns hosting the swap. I served Iced Tea, Christmas Wassail and cookies. 

I was not prepared how much work that would be. Planning~ shopping and cooking. I will not lie~ it was intense to cook 14 meals at one time. But it sure looks worth it now.

It is suppose to save time and money. We shall see!  Here is my freezer full of the meals minus my two ~ they wouldn't fit. They are in another freezer.

I am excited to see how it pans out and I am excited to have meals ready to thaw and bake during this Christmas season.  Stay tuned on the Freezer Meal Swap results. For now~ I am excited that my freezer is full of meals and it will be a no-cook month. 

Here are the two recipes I made~


Million Dollar Casserole


Cast of Characters~

1 lb. of Ground Beef 
1 jar of Spaghetti Sauce 
8 oz Cream Cheese
1/4 cup Sour Cream
8 oz.  Cottage Cheese
1/4 cup of Butter
8 oz. of  firm Noodles 
1 cup of Cheddar Cheese


  • Boil a pot full of water. Add your noodles as directed on the package.
  •  Mix together the cream cheese, sour cream and cottage cheese.  
  • Brown meat in a skillet and cook ~ drain it.

  • Pour your spaghetti sauce over the meat and mix well.
  • Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. 
  • Layer half of the noodles in the bottom of the dish. 
  • Pour the creamy mixture on top of the noodles and spread it all over.
  • Next~ add the rest of your noodles and put a few slices of butter on top of those noodles. 
  • Lastly~ pour the red sauce and meat on top and again spread it all over. 
  • Cover with shredded cheese.



 Freeze and Label with directions to thaw and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until warm.

Burrito Pie

Cast of Characters~

         2 pounds ground beef
         1 onion, chopped
         2 teaspoons minced garlic
         1 (2 ounce) can black olives, sliced
         1 (4 ounce) can diced green chili peppers
         1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
         1 (16 ounce) jar taco sauce
         2 (16 ounce) cans refried beans
         12 (8 inch) flour tortillas
           8 ounces shredded Colby cheese


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the ground beef for 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, and saute for 5 more minutes. Drain any excess fat, if desired. Mix in the olives, green chile peppers, tomatoes with green chile peppers, taco sauce and refried beans. Stir mixture thoroughly, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture in the bottom of a 4 quart casserole dish. Cover with a layer of tortillas followed by more meat mixture, then a layer of cheese. Repeat tortilla, meat, cheese pattern until all the tortillas are used, topping off with a layer of meat mixture and cheese.
Freeze and Label to thaw and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes are until warm.

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