WB

wintertime Scripture & a Snapshot

2012-02-04T17:27:00.002-05:00

Traveling around the neighborhood last weekend, and stopped to see some friends along the way. The snow was sticking to all the trees and was so pretty! This is what a cherry orchard looks like in the winter!

This verse is chosen for the friend to whom this landscape belongs...she has gone through some losses recently, and it is so comforting that we can trust in a mighty God who is always good. (Canvas Love Stamped Love texture)

(And Then Some texture applied here)

Enjoying the slushy snow and sunny days!

This boy truly loves the out of doors! Can't get enough of this snow and playing! Especially snow this size, he can still move around in it. Earlier, it was too much for him to walk in and he didn't know what to do with it all! (above, used If Only texture; below used And Then Some texture)

I used textures to edit many of these pictures, using Kim Klassen Cafe's textures on the 1st, 3rd, 6th & 7th picture. Linking up with her "Texture Tuesday"

Front Porch Scripture & a Snapshot Sunday

2012-01-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

Pairing a beautiful photo with Scripture really speaks volumes! I just love when I can take the time to create this kind of art. My friends, the Vander Zwaag's, spent a few months this fall purchasing and remodeling an old farm house. When I took a tour of their house, I was taken away by the wonderous color and the accents she used for decorating it. {I can't wait to photograph the inside!} It looks perfect for their family of 8! Last weekend, the sun was shining, the snow had freshly fallen, so I stopped to take some photos on my way past their house. I like how they turned out...

Stacy did request that the next time I do this, would I please shut her garage door? {I already felt like a stalker! Guess I should help myself to the garage door opener, too!}

Riley's Christmas Pictures & Photo Shoot

2011-12-27T11:18:00.000-05:00

I had the great pleasure to try out my new camera with some friends in their family orchard! We finally were able to pick a day, and chose late afternoon to meet for the photos. The day started out nice and sunny, but by the time 4 pm came, it was quite cloudy and looked like rain wasn't too far off. While I'm pleased with these photos, I was hoping for more sunlight to work with.

Such a beautiful family! Baby Riley is expected in another month or so, so we got a few belly shots as well.

It's always great to practice on new faces!

2011-12-26T12:07:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

This was my Christmas photo card I designed this year~Merry CHRISTmas!

Here's some of my favorite pictures from this fall. I've been too busy homeschooling to get much up on my blog, but we managed to get a few photo opportunities in here and there.

Knights of Arrethtrae

2011-11-20T15:56:00.002-05:00

"We can strip the knight of his armor, to reveal that he looks exactly like us, or we can try on the armor ourselves to experience how it feels. Fiction provides an ideal opportunity to try on the armor"

C.S. Lewis

To say I love reading would be an understatement. Ever since I picked up my first Little House on the Prairie book at the age of 7, I have been reading, reading, reading. I have gone on magnificent adventures, meeting new friends and traveling all over the world and beyond. I have been transported back in time and experienced the ages of past, all within the boundaries of my imagination, through the gift of words and stories.

When I pick up a book that I have read previously, and begin to sift through the pages, it is like receiving an old friend into my home. It is almost like sitting down for tea with the character and rekindling our friendship. If you are a non-reader, this will not make any sense to you, but if you are an avid reader, then you will will understand this friendship that I'm talking about. A well-written piece of literature has the capabilities to capture our hearts and stir our affections like no other. Jesus, the Greatest Teacher, knew the power of a good story, especially the story with a purpose.

I have had the luxury the past few months to read the stories about the Knights of Arrethtrae. (Earth+Terra [Latin for earth] combined and spelled backwards). Below is book 1 in this series. While these books are aimed at youth, I found them both fascinating and compelling. They are allegorical in nature, and have been compared to a modern Pilgrim's Progress. It is the timeless story of good and evil, of the "King who ruled the Kingdom across the sea, along with His Son and their gallant and mighty force of Silent Warriors." The Prince was later sent to Arrethtrae to "train a force of commoners--for He was a true master of the sword. [The enemy], claiming to act in the great King's name, captured and killed His very own son...The King used the power of Life to raise His Son from the dead...and the Prince will come again to take all who believe in Him home to the Kingdom across the Sea."

These stories written are about the charge the Knights of the Prince take up: "those who love Him must travel to the far reaches of the kingdom of Arrethtrae, tell all people of Him and Him imminent return, and wage war against Lucius and his Shadow Warriors.

In this particular book, Sir Kendrick is a seasoned knight with a troubled past, and he takes along a younger knight, whom he mentors, on a journey to a far away castle. This castle is ruled be evil Lord Ra, who holds secret parties and festivals for all the young people of the land. He encourages the youth to rebel against their parents, and then he sucks them into his party life, or he locks them in a dungeon where they are never heard from again, or he turns them into one of his evil warriors to do his bidding. At the very least, these youth escape his evil clutches with a sense of apathy that evil should be tolerated. You will have to read it for yourself to find out what happens to Sir Kendrick's charge, Sir Duncan, and if the prisoners of the dungeon will be set free. But beware, there are ravenous wolves abounding in the forests around the Castle of Bel Lione. Each book focuses on a particular set of virtues and stongholds. This book looks at forgiveness and rebellion.

These books are so applicable to today's culture and I find the Spirit pressing down on my to share these books any way that I can. I have spoken to more friends who work with youth and prayed about this like I've done with few other books or experiences that I've had. I've shared bits of this story with teen girls, hoping to start a small group book study in the next few months. I believe stories are that powerful, and this story, moving with the authority of Jesus Christ, can have the power to remove strongholds such as rebellion, fear, apathy and escapism that are so prevalent in our culture.

In the book, Honey for a Teen's Heart, Gladys Hunt shares that "reading together provides opportunities for the discussions every family needs. Books are about someone else; that means we can look objectively at the characters' choices and actions and discuss them." Reading books together strengthen the family bond and allows for children and parents to share their thoughts and feelings and ideas about the world around them. Adolescents need to know their parents are real people and they need to know why of who they are. Sharing a book together is a sharing of yourself. Hunt goes on to say, "When people read together, they give each other a piece of their mind and a piece of their time, and that says a good deal about human worth." She quotes another author who says, "that next to being hugged, reading aloud together is probably the longest-lasting experience of childhood."

I urge you, buy this book for your family and read it together, if you have tweeners or teenagers in your home. Perhaps you struggle with doing family devotions together, but you know that you must talk of spiritual issues together. These books provide perfect opportunity to draw your children in and allow each family member to share their thoughts and feelings. At the back of each book, there is a chapter by chapter discussion questions and answers that are quite fantastic, and you will need your Bible handy to be able to answer these thoughtfully. They are engaging and provoking.

I chose to read these ahead of time by ordering them from the local library using inter-library loan, and then started buying a few from CBD. I cannot wait until I can place each of them on my bookshelves to read again and again with my family.

2011-10-17T09:43:00.000-04:00

I {Finally!}got some scrapbooking done! I got the girls' summer pages done, thanks to the use of some JIF pages from scrapgirls.com. I Love their products! I probably should've spent more time on the journaling, though. You may wonder why Hannah has so many more pages than Makenna...simple fact that Hannah likes to pose for photos, and Makenna makes faces and runs away! I'm hoping she grows out of that soon! She also inherited her father's bad habit of weird eyes when photographed--you know, eyes half closed or blinking or looking possessed. Most of her better photos are taken when she's not paying attention to me. She has these beautiful blue eyes and long lashes...

It's been so long since I've participated in Monday's Multitudes of Blessings, and I really, {Really} need to get back in the habit of writing down my list of gifts. Posting them here keeps me accountable.

#498-505
Colors of fall
For eyes to see depth of color
husband who makes plans for home improvements
burdens for ministry in the hearts of believers
God changes people
Heat that kicks on when its chilly
Neighbors to celebrate birthdays with
holding dark haired chubby baby girls with dark skin -(Mia, neighbors' granddaughter)

Texture Tuesday "Red" Barns

2011-10-11T18:59:00.000-04:00

Texture Tuesday's Theme is RED!
After my country drives last fall looking for barns, I had a few red choices. This first barn will always remind me of home. This is my parents' barn, where they have lived my entire life. We never moved growing up, and my first move was to college.

Rocking Horse Farm

On this picture, I did the following:

Coffeeshop action 20/20

KK's scripted edges at Difference blending mode 45%

KK's Yesteryear Overlay blending mode 65% and also duplicated at Multiply 65% with mask

This next barn was on our local Barn Tour Color Drive.

Red Barn

Coffeshop action 20/20

flattened and duplicated original; Hard Light blending mode

KK's Yesteryear Overlay blending mode 51%

KK's the ladder Linear Burn blending mode 13%

KK's Scripted Autumn Linear Burn blending mode 65% with mask

Scavenger Hunt October 9

2011-10-09T16:15:00.000-04:00

It's been quite a while since I've been able to find all 5 of the scavenger hunt items! I've been unsuccessfully trying the past few weeks, and I think I've achieved it this time!

Landscape

On the way to pick up my children from my parents last Monday, I stopped at many farms along the way to take a photo from the side of the road. {My apologies if you recognize your farm here}The bright blue sky is such a beautiful contrast to the horses and their Barn Red abode.

Color Wheel Complementary

I hunted for a scene that contained 2-3 colors from opposite sides of the color wheel. While I shot these apples just because they're juicy and sweet and hanging heavy ripe from the branches this time of year, it fits the prompt: red and green are from opposite sides of the color wheel.

Black & White

My beautiful First Born! She's really growing up. We spent the day yesterday doing a local Barn Tour. We visited 4 farms, sampled local apples and cheeses and took a hay ride. What beautiful weather~70s~and the colors are just gorgeous right now!

Food

My indoor food shots hardly ever turn out well...I need to work on my lighting and backdrops. We went to a local apple orchard where we could pick our own apples. The kids just loved it! {for a while, anyway}There's nothing like biting into a fresh, juicy apple.

White space

White space is blank space in a piece of art or photo. I took this photo while stopping on the side of the road to take photos of barns. American pride rings loud and clear in the Heartland.

Couponing and Meal Planning

2011-09-30T16:33:00.003-04:00

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.

She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:

Proverbs 31 msg

Common Cents Savings

How would the Proverbs 31 woman shop in today’s world? Would she coupon? Would she look for the best deals?

Stewardship: All that I have is the Lord’s and comes from Him as a gift. I am responsible to care for and handle these gifts well. This includes my finances and how I run my home. I am called to be a servant to my family...less of me, more of Him.

A penny saved is a penny earned. How I spend my family’s money is just as important as how my family earns its money. As the one who buys and prepares food, it is my “job” to get the best deals for the lowest amount of money and to prepare healthy, filling food. See this area of your life as "specialized career", not just something that has to be done.

We are living during a time when being frugal is hip and trendy…and necessary for many. Do you normally buy the majority of your items on sale? Do you use coupons? Do all of your food and health & beauty aids come from a grocery store? Why or why not?

You can do this!

I want you to come away with 1-3 new things you can implement into your home-making experience. Don’t think you have to do all of this next week. Create a game plan. I am not organized. I have wandered the grocery store aisle trying to decide what to buy. I have rushed to the store to pick up a much needed but forgotten item. I often stare at my cupboards at 5 pm and wonder what to feed my family. If I can do this, you can do this!

There are a lot of excuses for not using coupons. If you think clipping coupons isn't worth your time, think again. Just a few minutes spent each week clipping or clicking can lead to big savings. The average coupon-using family saves about $1,000 a year, according to Deerfield-based NCH Marketing. Perhaps it sounds like a lot of work, especially after you watch the TLC show Extreme Couponing! It does take a bit of extra time and preparation, but most worthwhile things do.

What I’m going to tell you is quite simple: match up your coupons with sale items and get what you need at the lowest possible price. The difficult part here is to keep track of it all! As a mom, my brain checks out more often than I wish it would, so I use a couponing service called Savings Angel. This is a monthly paid service ($20 a month, discounts available), and there are several blogs that will list the best deals each week at a variety of stores. Options here are available!

How to get started:

Buy your Sunday paper, people! Beg, borrow (but don’t steal) coupon inserts. For West Michigan, getting the GR Press is a must. Not all newspapers carry the same coupons. The quantity, value and variety of coupons will differ greatly. The Detroit paper is also a big carrier of coupons. Buy more than one paper. I regularly buy three papers for my family of 5. I’ll tell you why in a minute.

What to do with your paper: Most couponing sites will tell you not to cut your coupons until you need them. Instead, create a filing system and put your weekly inserts in a file, separating them by week. Write the date on the outside of the inserts with a black marker so it’s easy to identify. Coupon deals are listed by the date and name of the insert. Once a deal is posted that you are interested in, then you retrieve your coupon from the file and cut as many as you need/have. If a deal is a great deal, plan how many you’ll need until the next time it may go on sale. Most sales go in a 12-week cycle. Some sales are seasonal, so stock up.

coupon file box

Inserts and grocery list

STOCKPILE – Smart coupon shoppers stock up on products when they are at their lowest possible sales price (plus using a coupon), so they don’t have to run out and pay full price on items when they need them – and they buy enough to last them until the NEXT big sale (generally every 12 weeks). Stockpile basics such as cereal, meat, toiletries – whatever items your family uses the most.

HAVE A PLAN – This goes with shopping sales. You NEED a plan before you head to the store. Print out the best deals for your local store and build your menu plan for the week based on what items are on sale. Savings Angel will create a printable list with the sales and coupons you choose. Or create your own by copying and pasting deals into a Word document.

Remember, You Can Do This!

Have I convinced you that you can save money by couponing?
Decide to buy the Sunday paper this week! (send husband out tomorrow, there will be 4 inserts) Decide where and how many.
What stores are within shopping range that you can begin matching sales and coupons?

When you first start out gathering and collecting coupons, you may think you’re missing out on deals because you need past coupons. Be patient! Start with what you have, consistently buy the Sunday paper and print out more when you can by using on-line coupon sites.

1. Use coupon-matching websites. There are great sites out there that track store sales and give you printable coupons, including ones that you pay a monthly fee for: SavingsAngel, CouponMom and The Grocery Game. Make sure the site that you’re using will work for the area in which you live. I joined the Grocery game early in my “career” and was incredibly disappointed because the deals they listed weren’t available in my area and the coupons the site listed weren’t the same as the ones I bought. This is why I love Savings Angel—it is using local coupons and watching local deals.

2. Stack coupons. Combine manufacturer coupons with store-specific coupons -- that's when you really start saving money. I use Walgreens store coupons and Meijer Mealbox coupons along with manufacturers coupons.

3. Shop for lower prices rather than specific brands. There are some things I’m brand loyal on, like some toothpaste and deodorant, but on many things, I’d choose a lower-priced good deal that fits my needs. If you are brand-loyal, just stock up when it’s a good deal.

4. Local grocery stores offer better deals than big box stores. Really watch the front page ads of a store for the best the store has to offer. These “headers” get you into the store and the store often doesn’t make any money on these items. Don’t be afraid to just buy a few things and go to several stores to stock up on what you need. I used to shop only Walmart, now I rarely go in there for groceries.

5. Store brands aren't usually cheaper. The price of a store brand often doesn’t go on sale, so when the name brand goes on sale and is combined with a coupon, it can be much cheaper than the off-brand.

6. Coupons aren't only for groceries. Housewares, clothing and toys all go on sale in very predictable ways. For instance, January is the best time to shop for toys, the end of summer is the best time to shop for school and office supplies, and September is an optimal time to buy patio furniture. Use those department store $10 off any purchase deals to buy necessities. Menards can offer some good deals, so watch their ads. Watch on-line sales and coupon codes for gifts and necessities. Picking a few coupon blogs to subscribe to will keep you in the loop.

7. Watch seasonal sale cycles and stock up. Some of this is learned and some of this is common sense. This time of year, stock up on baking items, hot drink mixes, tea, coffee & creamer, canned & frozen foods. In January, stock up on health/diet foods.

Gather

After you have your shopping list together, start clipping your paper coupons and printing your on-line coupons. Many name brand products offer coupons to print from their websites after you sign up for their mailing list. There are also other kinds of on-line coupons, like Coupons.com, RedPlum, and Smartsource. Be honest, watch the expiration date, and only use the coupon with the item(s) it was intended for. Read the fine print on the coupon.

Organize

When I’m ready to go to the stores, I use letter binder to sort out my coupons by store and sometimes put them in order by the store layout. This helps me to have them all ready at the check-out line.

Shop

As you shop, you may find that the in-store deal differs from what you expected. You may be able to get a rain-check if the item is out of stock or you may be able to return to the store later in the week. This can be frustrating. Don’t give up! You can do this!

Check-Out

Have all the coupons that you are using in hand when the transaction is complete. Don’t forget to enter any card coupons, like Meijers Mperks. Don’t worry about how much time you’re taking during the transaction. People behind you can just deal with it...if they grumble, they’re just missing out. Honestly, I’ve never heard any complaints.

Print outs

If you receive any register rewards or catalinas at the check out, either spend them immediately or save them for your next visit. They will expire in a few weeks, generally. When I shop at Walgreens, I try to do several transactions at once and have no register rewards with me when I leave. This takes a bit of finagling! You can only use one register reward per transaction and you may not have more coupons than the number of products you are buying. For instance if I’m buying 2 products that have 2 of their own coupons plus using the RR from the previous transaction, I will need to add another non-coupon item to this transaction.

Remember, You Can Do This!

Are you going to be a coupon clipper or a filer?

Will you use an online site or blog to assist you?

Begin marking printable coupon sites on your computer.

This week, make your first list, using what coupons you can gather.

Start tracking your saving and spending

Make a goal of downsizing your grocery budget by a certain amount

Start shopping drugstores for health & beauty aids, even if you don’t want to buy many of the groceries that coupons can be used on. Use your savings here to buy the produce that you need.

Meal Planning

As you're planning your grocery trip, try to incorporate your shopping deals with your meals. Free items like mustard or BBQ sauce or great, but how will you use up 10 of them? Buy a reasonable amount that you will either use up or donate.

I hear over and over again that the key to cutting down your grocery budget is to plan your family’s meals. This will limit the number of trips to the grocery store because you’ll be shopping for the week’s menu (or 2 weeks or month) ahead of time.

Browse through your cook-books or check out some of the food blogs that I listed and start listing down some possible ideas for meals that your family might go for. Look for the recipes that are simple and require ingredients that you can easily obtain. Print out online recipes and make a binder of new recipes to try.

The biggest part of planning a menu is writing it down. To help you get started, print off a few of these menu planners and get to work filling them out. There are so many ways to keep track, but actually writing it down and posting the menu really works for us.

The further on this Common Cents Savings journey that I get, the more things I’m willing to try. As I try to prepare foods that are healthy, the more I see coupons and sales for “ready made” products that aren’t necessarily healthy. And the cost per serving is higher than I could make it for myself. I’m a natural DIY girl, and I’m no different in this area of my life. So here’s some things I’ve considered making and may or may not have attempted:

Yogurt

I followed this recipe after testing a few other recipes using the crock-pot unsuccessfully. This takes a bit of time and I had to buy a candy thermometer to get my temps just right. The end result is delicious! I like it better than what I buy in the store and often eat it with fruit for my evening snack. I haven’t gotten my kids totally hooked on it yet, but if I stop buying the store-bought containers, they’ll have to eat it, right?

My homemade yogurt

Breakfast

I still buy cereal, but in the cooler months, oatmeal, pancakes and muffins are such a healthy treat. I’ve made baked oatmeal a few times recently and it’s delicious and filling! I tried this recipe and it’s alternative with peanut butter. The kids didn’t so much like, but my husband and I did. If I make a big batch for breakfast, it will last a few days and reheats well with milk, I think. I also like a big batch of Old Fashioned Oatmeal on the stove.

Old Fashioned Oatmeal

Home Made Bread: Yummy treat that I make every week or two. I have a favorite recipe that I use with a bread machine on the dough cycle.

Honey Wheat Bread

Granola

I’ve tried several recipes that I really like, but beware of the ones containing lots of sugar or sweeteners. Granola can be loaded with calories and fat. Although my family isn’t gluten free, I made this recipe for a friend and it was so yummy, I made a batch for us.

I want you to consider where you get your food. Are there alternatives to buying from the grocery store that could be cheaper and/or healthier?

Gardening

We’ve been gardening for a few years, and every year we expand the size of our plot. I planted many (too many?) tomatoes this year, and have jars and jars of canned tomatoes—juice, soup, spaghetti sauce, salsa and more. I won’t have to buy any tomato products from the store this year. We also won’t be buying any potatoes. Or consider buying from Farmer’s Markets.

Learn how to can and preserve by asking older women around you or other friends who may know. Canning fruits like pears, peaches and applesauce are such a treat to eat in the winter months.

Instead of planting decorative plants in our yard, we began to plant berry plants. Yes, they are a lot of work, but {I hope} they will be rewarding year after year.

Bulk Food

I have a few options for buying things like flours and oats and dried beans and nuts. I order from Country Life Natural Foods as part of a co-op group here in Hart. I also travel to Fremont/Newaygo area to Amish stores where this is available in smaller quantities. There is a store similar to these in Scottsville. They are reasonably priced.

Spices bought in bulk

Quinoa, Couscous, beans, rice, barley and oats bought in bulk

Raise your own food

We have enjoyed eggs from our own chickens for the past year. They are supposedly the easiest pet to keep. Check with your local laws on raising chickens and see what you can do this spring. Spend the winter reading up on their care and what kind of shed they will require. The price of eggs is one of the things tracked during the last year to rise by $.30.

Hunting

My Mighty Hunter has already slain 2 deer this fall and is spending today duck hunting {what do I do with a duck?} Consider this as an option for filling your freezer with meat.

Cleaners

Jill Savage gives a laundry detergent recipe
Frugal Girls give a host of cleaners, like Fabric Softener, plus others here
Febreze recipes? Try here

Remember, You Can Do This!

Start with a weekly plan for dinners, even 4 dinners planned out will be a help if you haven't done this before.

Or plan out 2 weeks or a month ahead, making a grocery list as you go.

Bake or cook something that you would normally buy pre-made. Try something new!

Cook up large amounts of ground beef (fry) or chicken breast (boil or grill) and freeze them in 2 cup (1 lb) ziploc bags. Easy to pull out to throw into soups, chili, tacos & Mexican, spaghetti...

Meijer Mealbox
Meijer offers printable coupons that are good for one month. They add new coupons every Friday, and these items will generally go on sale once during this cycle.

Savingsangel matches up weekly ads with local and on-line coupons with many stores in West Michigan—Meijer, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Kmart, Aldies, Kroger, Dollar General, Family Dollar, D&W, Family Fair, Walmart, Target/Super Target, Staples, Plumbs, Pamida, Office Max, Office Depot, Hardings and Glens.

Saving Addiction is a fantastic site! It lists W MI stores' weekly sales on Meijer, Target, Family Fare, Walgreens and Rite Aid. Other deals and coupons are also posted. You can make a grocery list on this site and print it out. Rite Aid and Walgreen coupon usage and deals are also explained.

Sarahs deals seems like the best blogger for W. MI. lists many local chain stores and uses GR Press.

Couponingfor4 chicago area

hip2save posts all kinds of deals for on-line stores, grocery deals, etc. If you have an on-line buying addiction, beware!

Bargains to Bounty Detroit based blogger listing local deals and coupon match-ups

Glimpse of Sonshine West Michigan based blogger listing stores and coupon deals (doesn’t always seem up to date)

Centsable Momma specializes in Michigan, especially CVS sales and coupons. She matches up the best deals of the week with current on-line & newspaper coupons. Her Meijer’s deals are based out of Detroit, so deals and coupons may or may not be the same as here. This site also does Walgreens, Rite Aid and Wal-mart.

Once A Month Mom helps you fill your freezer by creating monthly menus using seasonal recipes. This site includes monthly menus for traditional foods, whole foods, diet-friendly foods, gluten free foods, vegetarian foods and some toddler foods. Each month has approximately 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 suppers. It also includes a grocery list and a spreadsheet to adjust the number of people you’re cooking for. I use this a lot!

5 dollar dinners she offers many quick and frugal dinner recipes.

Crockpot 365 the crockpot is my friend! Here are many practical, every day dishes to feed your family from the crock-pot. Outside of summertime, I use my crockpot frequently. It’s great for days that I’m away from home part or all day, and it’s great when I’m busy with the kids and don’t like to take energy in the afternoon to cook. Plus, the crockpot is economical:

1) Plan your meals. Seriously. Take the time on Sunday night to plan your meals out. Many people do red meat on Monday, chicken on Tuesday, leftovers Wednesday, vegetarian on Thursday, and fish on Friday
2) Use dried beans. They are filling, nutritious, freeze well, and are CHEAP.
3) Make your own yogurt. Yup, in the slow cooker. It totally works. (I found this doesn’t work)

4) Make your own granola. Granola is wickedly expensive, and can be laden with preservatives and artificial sweeteners.

5) Make your own baby food. This is so easy, and really makes a whole lot of sense. The little jars are bad for the environment and your wallet.
If you are concerned about the amount of energy consumed by using a crockpot (which is a very valid concern!) here is a pamphlet put out by First Energy Corp., in Ohio. The chart on page 5 says that acrockpot uses $0.02 power per hour.
Here's another energy usage list put out by the Northeast Utilities System, that says the monthly cost of using a slow cooker is $1.17.

Kitchen Stewardship
this site contains a lot of very healthy, frugal recipes and living ideas.

Passionate Homemaking
this site has many ideas for a godly woman, mama and wife. It’s from a conservative view point, and spans the range from cooking, homeschooling, ministry, health, frugal living and more.

In order to keep track of all these websites that post deals continually throughout the day, I “like” their facebook page and created a “great deals” list of them on my FB. I also use iGoogle to track my favorite blogs and websites. Sites like these will often post giveaways. Give it at try! Although it does take time, and you may decide not to, I will encourage you by saying in the past few years, I’ve won Unity tickets {maybe} 4 years in a row {I’ve lost track}, 2 iPod touches, DVDs, Books, CDs, and more! I’ve also NOT won a whole bunch, but you’ll never win if you don’t enter.

Coupon lingo

Just like any hobby, coupon shoppers have a language all of their own. At first all the acronyms might be overwhelming, but stick with it – it’s worth it.

$1/1, $1/2, etc. = One dollar off one item, one dollar off two items, etc.
2/$1, 3/$2, etc. = Two items for one dollar, three items for two dollars, etc.
BOGO or B1G1 = Buy one item get one item free
B2GO or B2G1 = Buy two items get one item free
Blinkies = Grocery/drugstore coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Cat = Catalina coupon, prints from a separate machine when your receipt prints
CRT = Cash register tape, usually used when referring to CVS coupons that print with receipt
FAR = Free after rebate
IPQ = Internet printable coupon
IVC = Instant Value Coupon, Walgreens’ store coupons found in ads and Walgreen’s coupon book
MFR = Manufacturer
MIR = Mail-in rebate
OYNO = On your next order
OOP = Out of pocket (the amount you pay out of pocket at the time)
Peelie = Peel-off coupon found on product packaging
PSA = Prices starting at
RRs = Register Rewards, Walgreens’ Catalina coupons
SCR = Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid monthly rebates program
UPC = Universal Product Code, bar code on a product
+UP Rewards = A promotion at Rite Aid. +Up Rewards print at the register and are triggered by items that you purchase. They are coupons to use on future purchases.
WYB = When you buy

Happy Shopping! Let me know of your successes!

Old Fashioned Oatmeal

2011-09-28T17:24:00.000-04:00

I started making oatmeal on the stove a few years ago, when I was limiting my sugar and wheat intake. It is very filling and nutritious. I have it most mornings in the cooler months. For taste, I also add 1 tsp Splenda and sugar-free vanilla creamer to my individual serving. I also add 2 tsp vanilla and a good sprinkle of cinnamon when I'm cooking it. I generally make a big batch such as this and then re-heat it for a few mornings for myself. Give it a try!

Love My Son with Texture Tuesday

2011-09-28T08:27:00.000-04:00

I just love this son of mine! After his nap, I grabbed his hat and jacket and toured the yard for places to take photos. Here's a few of the results:

I used combinations of Kim Klassen's textures, but I can't remember what I used! There were so many photos to edit, as I've gotten behind.

KK's Golden Texture

Coffeeshop actions only

KK's Golden Texture

No texture, Coffeeshop actions only

KK's Mayzee Texture

KK's Ugglove Texture and Thursday Texture

KK's Golden Texture

Honey Wheat Bread

2011-09-27T15:31:00.001-04:00

Here's my favorite bread recipe! I've made a few loaves since fall arrived. It goes great with a crock-pot full of soup or chili. My husband's not a big fan of soup, but I am, so make it especially for him when we have soup. The original recipe was double this, but it's too much for my bread machine. I have added less honey before (down to 1/4 cup) and it does change the texture and moistness of it, but I felt like it was adding too many calories. I have also made this into a pan of rolls, which is delicious. You may need to adjust to a lower cooking time if you do this.

I think this can be printed out if you double click on it.

Scripture & a Snapshot Sunday September 25

2011-09-25T20:30:00.000-04:00

Garden Harvest 2011

2011-09-25T15:52:00.000-04:00

We planted, watered & nurtured our garden all summer long, praying and hoping there would be a reward for our labors. We thank Jesus that we had an abundance of tomatoes and peppers, which I've been canning large batches weekly for the past 3 weeks. Currently, I have a picnic table loaded down with green ones. We'll see what becomes of them. I have a recipe for green tomato and apple relish.

We planted giant sunflowers at the ends of each of our garden rows. I would like to get a smaller variety that can actually support its own head! These are pretty, and we'll be saving some seeds for planting again next year. I should also save some for eating or even bird-seed.

Makenna & the Giant Sunflowers

Since I had so many green beans last year, I didn't plant any regular plants, but we did create a Teepee and planted climbing white beans and scarlet runner beans on it. I forgot to pick the beans, though, and they got too big and tough to eat. We'll save some for seeds next year. The scarlet runner beans climbed and had red blooms, but I can't tell if any actually grew beans. I think the pods would look different. I got the seeds from my sister-in-law.

The TeePee for climbing beans

I planted these zinnias at the front of a row in the garden, and I was surprised at how well they grew. I knew they would like it here, but the blooms have been out for a couple months, and they're so bright and long lasting! I'll plant more next year, for sure. I saved seeds from these by stripping the dead heads and placing in a bag. I left the bag open to air out and dry--hope they don't get moldy and they dry out quickly. Both girls helped me gather the seeds and we got quite a collection.

Bright Multi-colored Zinnias

These flowers are still blossoming and growing in my yard. I scattered a seed variety packet this spring, and these yellow flowers were a part of it, I think. They look like a black-eyed Susan/daisy type. The second flower here is a Glad. I planted many bulbs in my front yard and got quite a variety of colors. So pretty!

Gladiolas

The Butterfly Bush is on its second year, and did well. They really do attract butterflies! The second flower was from the variety seed packet, and I have no idea what it is, but it's so pretty and delicate.

Butterfly Bush and Pink Flower

This is what my son does when we're out to the garden. Our garden is past our backyard and across the ally-way. The previous owners of our house also own the vacant property across the ally and they are friends from church and still neighbors, so they allow us to garden on their property (no shade here, so perfect for a garden). Anyway, Maverick likes to lay in dirt piles, drive his trucks through dirt and just plain get dirty!

Maverick

We also planted a few types of potatoes and the girls think it's so much fun to help Daddy dig them up! We did have a potato bug problem this year, worse than last year, and so we didn't get quite as many potatoes this year. These tall plants you can see here by Tim are Jerusalem Artichokes. They grow like a potato and I guess you cook them up like a potato, even though they're gnarly like a ginger root. I've never had them, but I thought they'd be fun to try. We'll dig them up after the first frost. We also planted sweet potatoes, which will be dug up soon, too.

Digging up Potatoes

Cosmos

I planted Cosmos once, I think, and they've been re-seeding themselves the past few years. This year, I decided to collect seeds from the dead-heads and hope to have more of these bright, sweet, tall flowers.

Hannah is doing her nature study notebook. Most of the time we're so busy out in the garden picking and weeding and eating that she doesn't do much drawing, but I think the sketching is good practice for her. It trains her eyes to look at the details of an item and spend more time inspecting it instead of just racing to the next thing. She's studying the Milkweed here. We read a bit about it in our Handbook of Nature book and learned that it's called Milkweed because it seems to "bleed milk" when the skin is damaged in an attempt to heal itself. When we broke it open, it did indeed seem to bleed milk!

September Nature Study

2011-09-18T16:55:00.000-04:00

We have been having a great time as a family digging into God's nature at various times of the year! This month, we took special note of goldenrod, thistles, Queen Anne's Lace and more! While we were driving to Nana & Papa's house (to do more canning), we stopped along the way to pick flowers! What a beautiful bouquet! We are following some Nature Study this month as suggested by Handbook of Nature Study.

We noticed all the tiny details of this goldenrod, how the flowers look like stars all lined up in a row.

We looked at the milkweed a little here, and then observed it more later when we could open up the seed pods. For weeds, aren't these all glorious?

Here's the Queen Anne's Lace, all opened up and then all closed up.

There was even an old apple tree right here. The girls tried a bite of apple, but it was a bit sour.

Even a nasty thistle can look {slightly} pretty! We didn't try to touch this one! The girls are still quite fascinated with the cattail, pointing out all the places we stopped to look for them this spring and fall. They think it would be fun to try to eat the edible root. I haven't gotten that brave yet...

Last weekend, Daddy wanted to go check out his duck hunting spot. So we all took a walk out to the lake, called Horseshoe Lake. On the way, we saw this dragonfly. There were many of them. And we even spotted this little frog.

Here's a shot of the lake. You can see it's surrounded by brush and has all kinds of lily pads and growth on the top. It's very shallow, and out in the middle you can see that bottom is showing. Tim and his friend might set up a blind out there.

Here's our first glimpse of the lake. Maverick walked quite a ways to start with, but then was ready for the backpack. The girls did pretty good until we got to a spot with a lot of scratchy growth.

I'm not sure what kind of mushroom this is, but I've never see a red one before!

Our last find of the day was this little snapper! The kids really got a kick out of seeing this little guy.

http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com

Blessings & Bounty Fall Canning

2011-09-17T16:40:00.001-04:00

I look forward to fall-time to reap the benefits of all the work of summer & spring. But boy, is it exhausting! So glad to have my mom's help in all of this! We had OODDLES of tomatoes this year! We've canned tomato soup and salsa and juice, nearly 100 quarts, I'm sure. Of course, there's all the onions and peppers that go into it as well. I'm grateful for how well my pepper plants and tomato plants grew this year! And there's more to come!

We live in an area surrounded by orchards--apples, cherries, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, you name it! We've canned a bushel of pears and nectarines and I froze up a bushel of peaches. I hope that's enough--another friend with the same size family canned 5 bushels of peaches! That's a lot of work! Add to all this harvesting is trying to start school at home at the same time! By the end of the week, all was done, but boy was it busy! One night, my mom and I were in the kitchen still cooking away at 10 pm!

Some people don't like to mess with pears, but everybody in my house loves them! So juicy!

Along with all of this, I've been baking homemade bread and cooking up some Venison Barley Stew--just perfect on cool fall days! Homemade oatmeal, pancakes and muffins for breakfast (all from scratch) to see how I could prepare food more frugally & more healthfully for my family--too bad they're not all a hit with the youngsters! But I love it when I hear, "Mama, you're the best! You make the best pancakes ever!"

I've even been making my own yogurt, successfully, (after a few not so successful batches) and I think it tastes fabuloso!!! Not nearly as tangy/sour as the store's plain yogurt. I love eating it with some fresh fruit or homemade granola. Again, the kids don't think so much of it, but I think if I blend it with some of our frozen fruit, and add a little sweetener, they'll like it better.

The Pond Outdoor Hour Study

2011-08-22T17:02:00.001-04:00

I've been a reader of Handbook Of Nature Study for over a year now, and have wanted to participate, but don't usually have the study documented enough to post anything about. Science is a favorite of my girls, ages 6 & 4, because they like experiments and hands on learning. (I, on the other hand, think it's a lot more work!)

Living here in Michigan, we're never far from water, so doing a pond study sounded interesting and do-able. We could chose to study cattails, frogs, water-fowl or dragonflies this month at the pond. We hunted for cattails earlier this spring, and found few because it was too early, but we've seen so many since, so I knew this was a good place to start.

We headed a few miles down the road to Round Lake, which I've driven past but never stopped. It has a township public access, so we bumped along down the 2-track to the end where the boat launch was. The girls were very excited, and grabbed their glass jars to collect specimens on their race to the edge. I put 21 month Maverick in the stroller (very unsuitable for rough terrain) and we inspected the water's edge. We saw Lily-pads along the edges of the lake and plenty of cattails. We opened one up and checked out the seeds growing inside and compared it in memory to the one from the springtime that was leftover from last fall. We discussed where they grew and where we could find them.

Barb, from the Nature Study blog, cautioned parents to keep an eye on children, and I spent a great majority of my time keeping Maverick out of the water! We read a little bit in our book, Handbook of Nature Study, given to us by another homeschool friend. This has become a great book, and it goes hand in hand with the Nature Study blog. Makenna couldn't wait to take off her sandals and wade a little bit here.

After this, we went to another location to study pond life. Over by a channel into Lake Michigan, there is a little picnic area and a bridge with some paths. We walked along this area, but again, doing this with a toddler along is a little crazy! He enjoyed the study, and big sister Hannah saw a big fish, which she was very excited about! She drew these pictures:

Lily Pad with Flower

The fish she saw in the water

There's a really cool old book that's been put on-line for free viewing. It's all about how to draw creatures, and Hannah followed the instructions to get this fish. She was always frustrated about drawing fish, and this was her first try following these directions. I was impressed at how well it turned out!

Scavenger Hunt August 21

2011-08-21T18:28:00.000-04:00

Brushstrokes

The girls LOVED the chance to paint their own nails for the first time. They didn't do a half bad job! They always want their fingers painted and I really don't like to bother with it...I love this look of concentration on Kenna's face here!

On the Dotted Line

My husband's suggestion for the perfect shot for this prompt was to get a shot of roadkill on the yellow striped line...gross! I didn't get any other inspiration, so I just added a photo of my gladiolas to this ready-made sheet that had stitches and splatters that reminded me of the dotted line.

Hanging by a Thread

This was another result of my Chasing the Sunlight. It caught me by surprise and just knew it would make a great shot! When I see this, I praise my Creator, who designed even something like a spider to weave such an intricate web for the purpose of catching his prey...

Geometry

This is a nearby Bed and Breakfast that has such grand columns and strong structure. I love the round pillars with the curly-cues at the top and the rounded balcony.

Collage

I made this collage with one of my scrapbooking sets. I even used photos from this week! I saw a painted collage on a store front that would've been great, too, but couldn't get a shot of it without crashing or something like that!

In the Morning when I rise, Give me Jesus

2011-08-21T08:20:00.000-04:00

I kept thinking of this old Negro Spiritual song that's been resurrected by Fernando Ortega, Chris Rice and Jeremy Camp (and others, I'm sure) when I looked at these pictures. This past Friday morning, I looked out my window at the sunlight peeking through the fog and grabbed my camera and headed out the door. The grass was dewy, but I chased that sunlight across the yard and into (what I call) the Village Green. My husband looked confused when I told him "I chased the sunlight this morning", but you know what I mean, right? These shafts of light breaking down through the fog were simply amazing.

...Do I chase my Jesus like I chased the sunlight? Do I seek Him daily, early in the morning? Do I place my needs before Him and then WAIT? In a recent study, I learned that waiting isn't just sitting around, drumming my fingers on the table waiting for God to start working. It involves a longing...

The Lord is acting..."Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you!" Isaiah 30:18 Longing is the same word as waiting here, and this verse literally says "The LORD waits...blessed are all those who wait for Him" (ESV). There is something here worth waiting for, and the longing is part of the wait. I'm not just passing time here.

Scavenger Hunt for August 8

2011-08-10T09:41:00.000-04:00

Seeing Double

At the Rodeo for Ryan this week, these 2 little boys passed by, and I just knew I had to get their picture! So adorable!

Bright

Fruit heavy on the tree is a beautiful sight! Amidst the branches of green leaves, these apricots were hanging heavy and plentiful. We picked plenty for eating and for canning. My mom and I canned 18 quarts this week. Hopefully, they turned out great! We {I should say "mom" because she does all the processing} were having trouble with the pressure cooker. Mushy fruit isn't great, and they were already quite soft by the time we got to canning.

Space

Wide open spaces! My kids, even Maverick, love going to Nana and Papa's house to just be able to run around outside without many worries. The house is far from the road and there is little traffic. So many places to explore! This is the first year this oat field has been here, and it was harvested just a few days after this picture was taken.

Sweet

Sweet Treats! The bake sale of the rodeo was a sweet success! Everything was packaged so cute and looked yummy!

Whatever

Many of the tables at the rodeo were decorated with these mason jars and flowers. Looks simple, but adds so much! I should do this for my own table at home!

There is so much to be thankful for this week! This past week was filled with rodeo details, and most other things were pushed aside for the time being...
Gifts 464-477

The rodeo was a success
much help and support
many attendees--over 1000
Much generosity--over $50,000
Rain held off--it rained all around the ranch, but not at the ranch
Many donors gave many gifts to auction off
Free babysitters
Hannah going with grandparents to horse show
Little boy who loves to throw sand
cold water on a hot day
Baked potatoes in my fridge
Free unity tickets to use with my family and friends
Cooler weather
Cousins & campouts & picnics & pools

I Have to seek God Beauty

2011-07-31T19:57:00.000-04:00

"I have to seek God beauty.

Because isn't my internal circuitry wired to seek out something worthy of worship?

Every moment I live, I live bowed to something.

And if I don't see God, I'll bow down before something else."

Ann Voskamp

Before and After Photos

These sunset pictures were taken on our 11th anniversary date this weekend. We had dinner out and then walked the pier to the beach and watched the sunset over Lake Michigan. It seemed all the tourists made the evening trek out, something like a ritual, a worship of the sun-god. What I witnessed, though, brought me to worship before the Son. What a witness of God's glory!

We had a great time watching this sailboat get closer and closer, until the sun went down and all that was left was the sailboat on the horizon.

Walk on a Empty Street

We drove the big, black truck down an old railroad bed. Sorry it's blurry. I used the automatic timer and since the camera kept wanting to flash, I turned it off. Because we were moving, it turned out blurry.

Repeating pattern

Fingertips

Me and my sweetie holding hands, waiting for dinner...afterwards, wished we had gone somewhere else.

Floor

I've still been counting the gifts from the Great Giver, but haven't been posting them here. I'll just post this past week's list: #450-459

11 years ago today, I married the love of my life

Air conditioning

Random yard sale finds, like Pie Tins for the Rodeo for Ryan

Colaboration of friends and Christ followers produces God-Sized results

God is King and He is Glory and All creation Speaks his name. Let me have ears to hear.

Using my gifts for Him.

Great novels that help me understand humanity better

Flower gardens

Fresh picked cucumbers

Lazy summer days

Experiment!

2011-07-30T12:35:00.000-04:00

I've had a few friends tell me how much they enjoy looking at my photos and how they're "like a breath of fresh air". I want to let you in on a few secrets. Below is a shot of my front yard. This spring, I dug up the lawn and planted bulbs and sprinkled a box of mixed seed from the dollar store. I had no idea what was a weed or what was a flower and it got to be a jumbled mess. A similar thing happened in the back yard. The flowers are starting to look pretty and the weeds are slowly being identified and pulled as they were starting to get out of control. Here's just a random shot: While it looks OK, the Bachelor Buttons still look kinda weedy and not terribly spectacular.

The trick I discovered is to get up close and personal. Anybody with a camera can achieve this shot. I have an inexpensive Point and Shoot Kodak camera. I dream of something better, but for now, this is it. I use the setting on the camera that looks like a flower--it's for getting close-up shots. Let it focus in and then snap a picture. Try different angles, shooting from different heights, different lighting. I've just been experimenting and seeing what results I get. Some I like. Many I don't. Lot's are out of focus.

Here are those same Bachelor Buttons. When I use the "Flower" setting, it not only focuses well on the flower, but it also makes the background blur.

I have no idea what these little flowers are, but I have a lot of them and their kinda pretty. Delicate. Colorful.

Here's a shot with the morning sun facing me. I wanted to see what the light coming at me would do for the picture. I was always taught growing up, that the sun should be behind you. Sometimes that works. Sometimes it doesn't. I like how the lighting changes the colors of the petals. And, oh, wow, I just realized that I created "Bokeh" without meaning to! That's the little orbs of blurred background in the upper right side.

I have no idea what flower this is. It might have been an unidentified bulb that I planted or from that mixed flower packet. LOVE the depths of pinks here and the leading dark lines into the center of the flower. Did you know that flowers have those in order to lead bees into the center to achieve pollination? Yes, I learned that from my daughter's pre-school science book. Interesting, heh? God is so good in designing even a detail like that.

So, next time you're shooting pics outside, try the macro-setting on your camera and see what happens. Experiment!

Stop! and Consider...

2011-07-27T16:48:00.000-04:00

During the summer months, I drag my body out of bed before 6 am, lace up my running shoes and head out the door for an early morning 3.1 mile jog. If I could run later in the day, even an hour later, I would gladly do it. But this is what works. Only for a short part of the year, is the sun up at this time, allowing me to see where I'm going, making me feel safe. Because I am up so early, I have witnessed countless sunrises, testifying of my Creator's glory. This past week, my eyes drank in the hues of pinks and oranges and purples of a sunrise, and I was amazed at how quickly it passed, and became a normal, cloudy morning with little hint of a sun. I thought, "I would've missed this if I had slept in as late as I wanted to! I would've missed it if I'd been 10 minutes later!" It got me thinking, how often do I miss the Father's Glory because I'm not looking? Beyond sunrises missed, how much does the Father demonstrate and wait for my applause? Only, I missed it. My mind was asleep, focused on my own self. His glory is there to be seen, if my eyes are focused and my heart in tune.

What does it mean to live the Great Life?

2011-07-19T09:40:00.000-04:00

It's been way too long since I posted! The past few weeks have been filled with swimming lessons, beach days, hanging out with friends at the pool or the lake. I have not been spending much time inside on the computer! There were strawberries and raspberries to pick and put up, the garden is trying to be kept under control and is starting to produce, and always laundry to hang out. And, unfortunately, I've not been taking pictures of all of this! I'm currently unhappy with my camera. There seems to be something wrong with the light sensor. When I turn off the flash, the pics are often blurry, but when it's on automatic, it wants to flash, even in bright sunlight! Which makes for a dark picture unless I'm very close to the subject. It's just a Kodak point and shoot, and I'm, as always, dreaming of a DSLR. Maybe someday.

Here's my {almost} Scripture and a snapshot: the quote is taken from yesterday's Beth Moore study on Esther that I'm participating in. I'm reminded that for everyone "who embraces the glory of God as our purose will end up doing great things precisely because we do God-things." I need to work hard at being obedient to only what God has called me to do, to do THAT well for His Glory alone. For He is the Keeper of all Glory.

After cleaning it up, I used Kim Klassen's texture Aurora on Linear Burn blending mode.

Kiss Me & Kiss Me Again

2011-06-27T10:40:00.000-04:00

Windows & Doors

I really enjoy the architecture of the library in our small town. It was built only a few years ago and sits on the main road through our small town...did you know a block from here is the home of the only traffic light in the county that changes color? (as opposed to the ones that just blink) Yep, that's how small town we are. Home of the National Asparagus Festival.

Leaf Veins

I couldn't decide between these two...I had the one below prepared. My daughter had found this spiderweb with droplets on it sitting over the rocks, and I liked the veins of the helicopter. Then I saw this bush at a friend's house and thought the red leaves amongst the green were just so interesting!

Lashes

We know about eyelashes here...and looks like we'll someday know about tweezers! All 3 of my darlings have dark thick lashes framing their big, bright eyes.

Faceless Portrait

This friend one of those girls who looks so darn cute wearing a hat! I'm so excited that this mother of a 7 year old and 10 year old is expecting another in 2 months!

One of the big highlights of my month are the YAC (young adult couples) get-togethers. It's a guaranteed date night for Tim and I, and we get to hang around with our friends for a couple hours, have a sharing time where we grow deeper with each other in community as well as in God's Word. It's building marriages.
I used Kim Klassen's Portrait texture with a mask at soft light and multiply.

"When I realize that it is not God who is my debt, but it is I who am in His Great Debt,

then doesn't all become gift?" --Ann Voskamp

#393-407

Kisses in the evening

Kids swimming 'til bedtime

visiting old friends

Grandparents watching kids

Reading a good book "Adam and his lost kin"

Afternoons sitting at the patio table with a magazine

2 fastest 5k runs of the year this week

Heroes like Dave & Karen Nienhuis

Friends that are still in love

Gracious opening of home by Nancy

Weekends spent together

Weeding garden

Strawberry picking with Nana

Strawberry jam and shortcake and more in the freezer

All day rains

Humbled

2011-06-19T16:33:00.000-04:00

I added a verse to this photo that I shared earlier. I keep looking at this darling, angry face and know there is NO humbleness going on here. There is no brokenness, no contriteness. Only a demand of getting his own way and anger at being told no. The difference between being disciplined and crying in pain and being caught versus the cry of repentance. How often is this the face I'm making on the inside when God tells me no? It's not pretty. Or how about the adult that's been caught living in sin and promises not to take those actions again, but there is no repentance? and he'd make those same choices again if he could?

God is only pleased in confession when we express a broken and repentant heart before Him. A heart bowed down low, letting go of pride and saying, "I was wrong and I broke God's rules. I need God's help in being obedient and making choices that please Him" and then accept whatever discipline is necessary.

I struggle so much in not just to discipline my children, but to also, and more importantly, reach their hearts. For them to have a heart that wants to please Jesus, and not just exhibit right actions. After experiencing a particularly rough day with my 4 year old, she says, "Mama, I try so hard to do what Jesus wants me to do, but it's just so hard!"

I have learned so much about being a child of God by becoming a parent. That I too, would be repentant over my sins and accept the Father's loving discipline. That I, too, hurt the heart of God when I sin. I make the same mistakes over and over again, and His Love Endures Forever. He always forgives. So must I.

The Gifts the Father Lavished on me this week:
#358-
Studying Esther--God has a plan even when we don't see Him at work
Long bike rides
Rainy days and movies
Praying with friends
Reading books together under the tree
Riding bikes up and down the sidewalk
Clean sheets that smell like fresh air
Husband coming home after a long day
Squeals of "Da-Da" from Mav when Daddy comes home
Seeing Tim and Mav snuggled up together watching YouTube videos of trucks
Hannah diligently drawing birds and horses
Growing bodies from summer's fresh air
Divine appointments with a friend on FB
Reading the story of the Great Redemption with my girls
Luxury of study time
Fog condensing on my eye lashes during early morning runs
Friends who ask the hard questions
Ice cream dates
Windy walks on the pier
Babysitters who build outdoor forts and do real tea parties...because I never do
Scratches and bugbites earned hard at play
Watching my 4 year old flirt with another 4yo across the sanctuary during singing time at church
Prayer was given proper time of worship during offering today
Ryan teaching on integrity in Sunday school today
Jesus was a man's man, not passive or without godly authority, a real thinker
Newly mowed grass
Girls out on errands with daddy
Pool is up and without leaks

When Emotions Get the Best of Us

2011-06-19T15:58:00.000-04:00

Emotion

Texture: Kim Klassen's Subtly Yours (Darken blending mode) & Portrait 2x with layer mask ( Darken and Soft Light)

Does it get any better than this? This is the angry cry of a barefoot boy told not to continue into the deep grass. He's angry. Doesn't like to be told what to do. His sisters still make this face. I might still make this face. We don't like to be told what to do. Life-long lesson of submitting to the Great Authority. At least 2, nope, make that 3, of our children are expressing emotions that needs to be mastered under self control. It seems like when I'm just getting comfortable and relaxed in this parenting thing, something new comes along that we need to figure out how to discipline.

Natural Frame

We love to go biking down the rail trail, and I just love the trees arching over the trail. I obviously took this one last fall...the one's I've taken recently just don't compare!

Bliss

Makenna and Hannah have riding lessons every other week. Hannah's lesson is usually 55 minutes long, and Makenna gets to hop on at the end for a few trips around the arena. This time, though, she got to have a mini lesson, just like Hannah. She was so pleased to be telling the horse what to do with the reins and holding the riding crop. "I had to whip him to tell him to go!" Of course, it was just a little tap to make the horse pay attention to her.

Letters

Who sends letters these days, anyway? I didn't know what to do for this one until my daughter drew a picture for her grandma and sent it with her daddy to work. Right away, Grandma wrote one back and sent it home with her daddy in that same evening! How precious is this note!

From a Flowers Point of View

These 2 are for the same prompt. I took a few of these this week, and just wasn't happy with the trees and weeds and mess. Right now, this yarrow is one of 2 flowers I have blooming and it's just not really exciting. So, I decided to include the flowers in the photo to get a better perspective. In the first one, the background is in focus, and in the 2nd one, the flowers are more focused. This is our row of raspberry plants that you see, just planted last year.

The View Between the Fence Rails

2011-06-14T16:05:00.002-04:00

Ahh, love adding texture for Texture Tuesdays! Honestly, most of my photos have some kind of texture added in these days. {I think I'm addicted!} These shots are of my parents' Haflinger Horses, which we just love! The girls obsessively claim them as their own and are terribly disappointed if a visit to Nana & Papa's doesn't include a horse ride! Usually, the three horses are so friendly and eager for a treat, that I can't get far enough away from them to get a photo. That's why I took an up close and in your face shot down below. Later, they were turned out to the grass, and they were much happier eating than bugging me, even though I was holding Mav while taking these shots. I am pretty talented, huh?! {wink}

This photo was edited with Mayzee in overlay and Just Cause in Linear burn at 56%.

This photo was edited with Mayzee in soft light and Subtly yours with a layer mask in color burn.

All of the above photos used textures from Kim's Cafe, just click Texture Tuesday to learn more about these free downloads.

Consider the Path

2011-06-13T10:45:00.000-04:00

Childhood Memory

This is the path traveling from my childhood home to my grandparent's house...literally Through the Wood to Grandmother's house we go! Now, it's such a sweet delight to see my girls trekking through the woods all on their own to visit Grandma.

Green

So much green right now, although with a lack of rainfall, it's got a lot of yellow spots! Here's a field with and without texture...the 2nd shows a lot more of the green of the field.

And here's boy in green getting ready to be swallowed up in the green forest! His shirt perfectly matches the ferns, and they're nearly as tall as he is!

Shapes

I went with the circle theme here...wagon wheels and hay bales.

Fruit

No actual ripe fruit shown here, but it's the PROMISE of fruit to come!

We are looking forward to the bounty...

Share with me as we count the gifts of our Maker...
#341-
Beach days
Calling up friends at the last minute to play
Much needed connection with friends
Hauling laundry to my mom's to use her washing machine
Watching my kids splash and play in the frigid water
New washing machine
Clean clothes on the line
Ripening strawberries
Flowering berry bushes
Saturday night pizza
New library books
Used book sales
Visiting with grandma
Nana leading girls around on Sunny
Hunting for old barns
Spotting a new fawn at the edge of the woods
Getting up early for yard sales

Language is a Gift

2011-06-08T17:29:00.000-04:00

I've been reading Honey for a Child's Heart and Honey for a Teen's Heart, both by Gladys Hunt. Both of these books are about the importance of reading to your children and WITH your children. Reading together as a family creates a unique experience and precious memories. I recommend them both! But there was one particular passage that has been sticking with me, and that concerns the words we speak and hear and read.

Readers, Science, and more!

Hunt says: It is no small thing that we are able to take these shining symbols known as words and communicate with each other. We have this ability because we are made in the image of God. He created the world with His own speech...He communicates with us with language and allows us to speak to Him and to each other with words. This is a sacred trust. Just as God created a world for us to line in, so with our speech we also create a world for others to live in...Careless words are an affront to our Maker. What are we saying about ourselves, our view of God, and other people by our language?

School books for Hannah next year

There is so much we could say about words and speech and language, but I'd like to camp out on the words that we consume, that we invite into our lives and hearts and homes. As a lover of reading, I have chosen to surround our home with good books. I don't think I could ever truly have too many books (my husband may disagree!). But the issue here is "good" books. I want books that we can not only read together and think together over and discuss as pieces of literature, but that we can also filter Scripture Word through our reading. Literature is a great way to apply Truth and Grace and Obedience and begin to practice how all of "life must be seen through the framework of revealed Truth". Learning to read is about learning to think and learning to think Biblically.

Science and horses and more!

This is really difficult to post this mess! I have more books than I have shelves for and this is not even all of them. I have not read all of these yet, and I want to move past just being a book collector. But I think it is important for us each to have ready access to good reading, and we are looking forward to plunging in to this reading experience as a family.

Kids' Fun Reading

To Name a Thing is to Bless the Giver

2011-06-07T17:38:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Texture Tuesday in Words! I chose a quote from my much loved book by Ann Voskamp, "One Thousand Gifts". If you read my blog on Mondays, you'll see my growing list of named gifts that I recognize as coming from God.

I re-posted this flower from last week, which I processed with Kim Klassen's texture Sweettart in Soft light blending mode and also Love at color burn blending mode (using a layer mask).

Trust in the Lord and Do Good

2011-06-06T08:38:00.001-04:00

Trust in the LORD and do good.

Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

Take delight in the LORD,

and he will give you your heart's desire

Psalm 37:3-4

The Lord has been good to me and is faithful to keep his promises. I am safe. I am prospering. My heart is full.

For the beauty of the earth

For the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.

For the beauty of each hour,

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon, and stars of light.

For each perfect gift of Thine,

To our race so freely given,

Graces human and divine,

Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.

Jesus, You continue to Grace-gift me with abundant blessings...

#323-340

Celebrating home going of a believer, my grandpa

My brother, grandson and pastor, preached Gospel message

Cousin considering bringing family to church

My children by my side, quiet and still

Honor brought by serving in military

Husband who missed work for me

Marvel at the closeness of the dozen siblings of my grandpa's--only half remaining

Promise of God holding my hand

Baby Benjamin, 10 days old, meeting many family members

Blossoms on our fruit plants and bushes--promise of fruit to come

New Bible study--Bring on Esther

Working Colossians 2 into my mind and heart

My son can miss several days of naps and still be sweet--mostly

Hearing his squeals of delight over a dog

Hearing Hannah miss her sister

Makenna spending much needed time alone with Nana and Papa

Practicing seeing details and studying and drawing strawberry plants

Gardening together

2011-06-05T16:21:00.000-04:00

Front Page News

This is Front Page News for a few reasons...This past Monday, we honored our soldiers who served our country. Tuesday morning, my Grandpa, a Korean War Veteran, passed away. He was laid to rest on Friday with a 21 gun salute and with military honor. I read this passage this week and it struck me as never before. The LORD is holding my hand...do I believe that? As the Amplified Bible defines believing as "Adheres to, Trusts in, Relies on, Has faith in Me"? My prayer is for soldiers fighting around the world who are overwhelmed, know the Lord is GOOD and He's holding your hand.
That's old news...that's new news...that's the GOOD news!!

Chores

This chore seems never ending this time of year! Thankfully, I'm getting more help every year! You can see all the volunteer squash plants coming up there...they need to leave because they'll take over the garden like mad. Trust me, I know!

Form

This is a garden statue found at the greenhouse. I chose this as my subject because there's such great texture in this wooden carving, and the lighting here shows off the roundness of the figure. I really don't know how well this fits the challenge for form, but I wanted to show that she was 3-dimensional, with shadows and depth.

HOT! HOT! HOT!

Makenna looks so bedraggled! We were out biking and this bench was calling her to come and sit a spell. She's in full biking gear! Thankfully, this year, she can go 2-3 miles while I jog with the stroller and Maverick, and Hannah is flying way ahead of us.

Beads

I just love this necklace. My mother in law gave it to me last fall when we spent a weekend together at a convention with our husbands. I have some special and funny memories of that weekend!

2011-05-31T16:28:00.000-04:00

Today is Texture Tuesday and the theme is gardening. I had originally posted the picture for this yesterday, of the garden being rototilled up. Then I went to the Greenhouse yesterday and found some gorgeous flowers to photograph. I took Mav with me and bought 2 flats of veggies. When I set him on the ground when we got home, he immediately headed for the dirt, sat down and began to throw it around! What a dirty boy! Planting a garden with an 18-month-old is virtually impossible. He kept stealing my trowel, sitting on my tomato plants or howling! And that was when he wasn't trucking across the yard, going out of site or heading for the road! Lunch and naptime came early for him that day! The rest of us worked together and got the whole garden planted, each year it grows bigger. I'll share more about what we planted later.

I used only Kim's textures on each of these, including the Love texture on all 4. I added a second texture of hers, Sweet Tart on each of the flowers. I'm really pleased with them, especially the flowers, and they just might show up again soon with a Scripture on them!

He Loves Me More Than I Can Imagine

2011-05-31T08:33:00.000-04:00


Take a look at the mountains
Stretching a mile high
Far as your eye can see
Take a look at the ocean
And think of Me

Take a look at the desert
Do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever I am
Where you go is where I am

And I'm always thinking of you
Take a look around you
I'm spelling it out one by one

I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more

Just a face in the city
Just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to Me
I want you to know
That I'm not letting go
Even when you come undone

I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more 

(Chorus)
Than the sun
and the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you, yesterday and today
Through the joy and the pain
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more

And I see you
And I made you
And I love you more than you can imagine
More than you can fathom
I love you more than the sun
And you shine for me

Have you ever listened to a song or heard a verse and paid little attention to it...and then certain words and themes are on your radar screen? This song has been out for several years, but just this week I heard it for what seemed like the first time.

This is why I do it. Why I want to capture moments and gifts with words and photographs.

"Oh, how He loves me...let me count the ways!" (One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp)

He loves me...He LOVES me...He loves ME!

Numbering the gifts from Him #304-315

God's goodness to me...I have more than enough, my cup is overflowing

Cold, crisp mornings--clear air to draw into my lungs

Fresh dirt and more herbs planted

Rain for our dry, thirsty land

A pay raise

Swelling in cheek going down-courtesy of the pain numb-er for cavities

Friends who let my kids come play

Christ, who sent us the Advocate

Peace that comes only from Christ

Christ who overcame the world

I can present requests to God and He hears me and He loves me dearly because of Christ

Abundant joy-chara joy-

Rain {again} for growth

Plowed garden and hard working husband

Connecting with friends at YAC

Luisa's growth

Baby Ben, new nephew born!

The way blogging and writing makes me think and put thoughts to words and string words together

Freedom in Christ. My chains are gone.

Scavenger Hunt and the Old Gate

2011-05-29T17:16:00.000-04:00

My view from the floor

We are five and we have much and the house is small. Living is messy always. I have learned that mess happens when I expect them to play and be happy and be creative.

Lines

How about this old painted gait?

Can you feel the paint flakes under your fingers?
We are trying to build a community where the gate is always open and friends are always welcome and let's stop to visit when you drive by.

...speaking of which, here's a few more shots I took for the "Lines" theme...
This is the line of cars waiting to get on the sand dunes...and they all had to drive by my house to get there!
Here's the beginning of the line:

...and more than a mile down the road, here's where the line keeps wrapping around. "Flat-Landers" is what my husband always calls them. They are loud and annoying and I fear the traffic zooming by my home in what is supposed to be a 25 mph zone that the police make excuses why they can't enforce it. But it is good for the local economy and they spend their money in places who in turn bring in vehicles for my husband to fix (and then they actually have the money to pay their bills). It's a circuit that eventually blesses us.

You wonder what it's all about? Huge sand dunes to run big trucks and dune buggies and ATVs around on. This is what we go up on, my man's big black truck that we all love. Here's a secret, though: we only go up when all the crazy duners go home. We hear way to many sirens fly by to race to the scene of another accident...

Sunset on the dunes

Another line...

Self Portrait

Why so difficult to reveal myself here? To simply put a face to all these words I've been sharing? It is also intriguing that most of the pictures of me these past few years are the self-portraits...

Classic Still Life

Took this at a gathering of friends yesterday.

Dried Hydrangeas from another year left to grace us.

Fresh

Fresh dirt being plowed up to ready my garden...yes, it's Memorial Weekend and the garden's just now getting in. But, hey, there was a frost warning only a few days ago, so I don't think I've lost much growing time. I used a few of Kim's textures on this photo and am linking it to Texture Tuesday.

How Brave Are You?

2011-05-29T08:15:00.001-04:00

That question was posed to us at a gathering last night. Our friends, Ryan and Stacy had shared their adoption story of Luisa, and talked about books such as Radical, Crazy Love, and Reckless Faith. These books stir many to want to or feel like they need to sell all they have and work in 3rd world countries or help the orphans or something along those lines. I mean, that's Radical, right? But what about us...that are farmers and teachers and workers with our hands...who are drawn to Oceana County? Who have tried to leave and get pulled back into this country life? How do we live this life in a Radical, Reckless way that Jesus calls for? How have you been brave?

A few weeks ago, I felt anything other than brave. I felt inadequate, humbled, uncertain about this task in front of me. I had worked hard on this project...put time and effort and thought into it to make it my own. My sweet friend called me to say, "Jen, have you got your thick skin on? Because I think this needs a tweak here...a change there...reword this...add that..."

There I sat, unwilling. I hadn't wanted to hear those words. I didn't want to work on this project any longer. It was late and it was due the next morning. People were counting on me and I just wanted to cry. I thought, "Lord, I did this for you! Why isn't it good enough? I put my best into this!"

A slippery voice trickled up my spine and whispered in my ear, "It would just be easier to quit." I began to wonder why I do this to myself, why do I put myself in these situations where I am vulnerable and where I can fail in such obvious ways? It would be so much easier to wrap the covers of my life around me and let nobody peek into the real me. Where everything is in its place and I'm in full control. I mean, really...it would just be easier to quit.

Maybe it was pride that nudged me into working mode. Quitting has never been an option for me. It was all about, "Well, I'll show you!" Then, I quieted my soul, took my friend's words into consideration, and poured more of my blood, sweat and tears into this project. And yes, it was a much better final offering.

I shared this with another friend, and he asked what the response was. All I could say was, "Overwhelming!" And truly it was because few came up to me to say, "Well done". But I watched and I listened and I wondered. And God blessed me with the knowing that because I was brave and obedient, people's focus had changed for the better. The response was not my glory but His alone.

I thought more about this brave thing, and the birth of my second daughter came to mind. I had labored for several hours and the end was near. I was hitting transition stage and it was becoming more than I could bear. My thoughts were wild and unpredictable. Frantically, in my mind, I was looking for the "Easy Button." You know, the one that Staples advertises? Where was it now that I needed it? It was getting hard and I wanted out. I groaned, knowing I can't undo the beginnings of my child. And so, this baby that I had nurtured and grown inside of me, and had kept all to myself, needed to be born and shared with the world.

So it is with dreams. We hold them inside, cradle them, nurture them. But until we birth them, go through the painful process of sharing the dream with the world, does God give them life. God takes the seed of our willingness to expose ourselves, to lay ourselves low to the soil, and He breathes His love onto us. Maybe it's taking the plunge and sharing what following Christ looks like to your father-in-law. Maybe it's faithfully giving 10% to God in church. Or being OK with the elderly lady across the street that likes to come visit because she's lonely and welcoming her into our life.

Are you hitting the easy button? It would just be easier not to do whatever it is, to withdraw.
How brave are you?

The Word in Texture

2011-05-24T16:42:00.002-04:00

I posted the original of this picture on Monday, and here I added 3 layers of the same texture, Yesteryear, by Kim Klassen, all in different blending modes (Multiply, Soft Light and Darken). I love how the texture both ages and gives life to a photo.

My Lilacs

my Bluebells

Grace Adventure's barn at Paradise Ranch

The last 3 photos were taken this week, and I used a variety of textures, including Yesteryear, in each one. I love taking pictures of old barns and churches. I found this barn challenge I thought I'd try out since I'd already posted this photo~click on the badge to go to Barn Charm.

He attends to Me

2011-05-23T10:54:00.001-04:00

This passage continues on like this in the Msg: "What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving." That's what my life's been about these past few months. To stop thinking about what I don't have and what I want, and to simply respond to the abundance that God has lavished upon me.

My Passion
How to take a picture of my passion...of all the things I love and all that I spend time on...my God, my Husband, my children...reading, photography, running, cooking, homeschooling...friendships, family, church...I think that my blog represents all that I love fairly well. But God and His Love Letter to me is first.

Sound of Music

Isaac plays guitar and sings in our praise team at church. I really enjoy his music.

Ethereal

The only editing I did here was to clean it up a bit. This shaft of light is totally natural and totally unexpected here. It looks like a sword of light!

Sharp

After inspecting and weeding through some of our berry bushes, I know how sharp these babies can be! I'm so glad, though, that our raspberries, boysenberries and blackberries are all doing well after their 1st year in our home.

Beautiful on the inside

This is my friend, Shirley. She faithfully comes to the Ladies' Sunday School class, where I've gotten to know her in the past year. She is full of the Joy of the Lord, and it comes out in her words. I get the feeling that life has not been easy for her, but she is faithful to keep growing and walking with the Lord.

Bless the Giver, not the Gift

2011-05-23T08:01:00.001-04:00

>
Continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col 2:6-7

Blessings abounded yesterday in my Ladies' Sunday School Class. Every few weeks, I get the opportunity to teach, and a few weeks ago, I co-taught a lesson based on the book by Ann Voskamp, "One Thousand Gifts". Yesterday, another friend, Paula, revisited this topic in the class, and invited all to share some of the moments they had started to count as Grace Gifts. To hear Grandma Riley count Asparagus as a gift, Shirley count her great-grandson who comes to our Christian school, Colleen rejoice over progress made in young Andrew, Lee cry over Gabbi being able to read "Cat and the Hat", Eva share the ups and downs of her two children leaving the nest and how Sara saw a broken shoe as a blessing from the God of Everlasting Love had many of us in tears. My heart was humbled to hear these things and know that God had used me in a small part to make those lists begin in the hearts of my friends.

We focused on this word, "Grace" and how it fits with "Giving Thanks" and "Eucharisteo". I had been reading the story of Jesus and feeding the 5000 in my journey through the book of John. A few weeks ago, my focus was only on the prayer of thanksgiving by Jesus and then the miracle of the multiplied food--what Jesus gives is always enough--but a few verses after that, something surprised me. My NLT Bible says,

"Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the

Lord had blessed the bread..." (Jn 6:23)

Wait a minute! He didn't bless the bread, He gave thanks for the bread! What's going on here? After using My Bible Study Tools, I discovered the word is actually Eucharisteo--Gave Thanks! This is translated similarly in Matthew 14:19 and happens in a few different translations, including the NKJV. I believe this small shift of focus in the translation has had great ramifications in our American prayer life and habits.

Jewish people follow the verse in Deuteronomy very closely:

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the

LORD your God for the good land which He has given you" (8:10).

We are to bless the LORD, not the food. Thank the Giver, praise Him, acknowledge Him as the source of all blessing! Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, a book I recently read and then bought, says this:

the word for "bless" barakh, can also mean "to kneel".

It is as if you are momentarily "kneeling down" mentally and

humbly praising God for His goodness."

So, back to our dilemma with the blessing of the food: are we praying a blessing on the food as if to make it holy, or to express our gratitude to God as the Giver and Provider of the food? Why do we call praying over a meal, "saying Grace" or "Bless the food"? We ought to call the food a Grace Gift from the Giver and Bless the Giver of the bounty. This book of Rabbi Jesus says much about the Blessing Prayers offered up as thanksgiving that saturated Jewish culture. "Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth." This is the common prayer over a meal as the bread was being broken in a Jewish household.

Perhaps this is habit of prayer that Paul was referring to when he urges,

"Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances." (1 Thess 5:17-18)

Counting moments as Gifts changes our focus and attitude. Building a Habit of Gratitude, of continually blessing God teaches me to be ever mindful of how much God loves me and continually cares for me.

Nature Study of the Lilac Bush--trying out new art supplies

Gift List: #283-304

Girls riding horses out at Grace Paradise Ranch with friends

Mary, a new friend
No overnight frost
Last soccer practice
Wrapping up a big portion of homeschool today
Duties winding down with summer coming
Mornings out with friends
Chalk on sidewalk
Baby dolls strapped on backs

Dreaming over books to buy
Fridge works! Just blew a breaker
First Iris bloomed--surprise!
Mav's belly laugh during Hide N seek with Hannah

Ladies' class counting gifts and sharing them
Nurturing my children's relationships with each other
Early morning runs, quiet, birds chirping
Preparing lawn to grow flowers
A day full of yard sales and deals and fun
Time alone this morning, greeting the sunrise on my old jogging route--no dog sightings!
Quietness of nature's Dawn, hush, deer bounding through orchards
Dwarf Cherry trees planted around the yard

The Giver can be Trusted

2011-05-17T15:59:00.000-04:00

As I choose to focus on God's goodness and his love gifts to me, I find my faith in Him growing. I am learning to trust him in all things, not just the things that seem out of my control. I was reading John 6 in the Amplified version, and it describes belief as this: adheres to; trusts in; relies on; has faith in me. It's active, present tense, being practiced moment by moment. My God is Truth and I can Trust him always. Forever.

Tim's parents with all the grandchildren...yes, you counted right--7 girls and 1 boy all 6 years and under!

Makenna Rose

Maverick John

Hannah Grace

Oh how the days have been flying by! I've been busy being outside when it's nice, like the day I took this peach blossom in our friends' orchards. Our arms got some color, and we even wore short sleeves! The girls biked 2.5 miles and I jogged with Maverick. It was a glorious afternoon! Our weekend was filled with yardsaling for me and Mav and a soccer game for the girls and Tim. Of course, I missed our only win so far, and Hannah scored her first 3 goals!! We also got together with Tim's family and I got to meet new baby Chloe! Such a precious baby girl

Here's what I count as gifts from God this week:

#269-282

Yardsaling with family and good deals

sprouting herbs in pots

plant order arrived

Late nights for Tim and now truck's fixed

3 goals scored by Hannah at game...and I missed them

1st win of soccer game

Day spent with in-laws and new baby Chloe

Weeding flower beds

Blooming orchards

Growing asparagus

Fields being planted. Gardens plowed

Tulips! gorgeous!

checking curriculum for next year

Baking with last year's zucchini--chocolate cake!

Soul Food for Soul Hunger

2011-05-11T07:49:00.000-04:00

Ever since a friend pointed out John 6 to me in a text message at 6:45 am last Friday, I've been camped out in this passage. The "I AM" passages of John fascinate me, and this passage contains Jesus' statement:

"I AM the Bread of Life"

Christ claims deity calling himself the I AM. He is the new Manna given to the people who are needy and hungry. Soul food for Soul hunger. He doesn't just take the edge of the hunger until something more filling comes along.

He IS the filling.

Feast on the Giver of Life.

"Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,

so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives." Psalm 90:14

To be full, have in God's love and mercy and faithfulness excess and abundance now in our youth, so that even to the end joyful praise to Him will be on our lips.

"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink -- even if you have no money!

Come, take your choice of wine or milk -- it's all free!

Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?

Why pay for food that does you no good?

Listen, and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul!

"Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake.

Isaiah 55:1-3a

Spiritual Anorexia. Bulemia. Remember that post?

"We live by every word that comes out of God’s mouth.

God’s Word sanctifies us.

As the words that have been formed in God’s mouth are digested as the Bread of Life in us,

they begin to form our thinking, affections, and volitions in a wonderful way.

If that's true, then we have an eating disorder on our hands! I'm struggling with spiritual anorexia! Am I now on a binge? I hope that's not true...in the sense that I'm gorging myself with no real taste or ability to digest only to find myself in another anorexic binge. Maybe this analogy makes you laugh, but I am dead serious. Starving leads to body functions shutting down and doing without. Spiritual deprivation from the Bread of Life will lead to parts of our lives being neglected and shutting down."

I am in danger of starving myself. I spent a few weeks gorging on the WORD, and then I spend days only nibbling, thinking that I was OK. That I could go a few days without renewing my relationship with my Savior. Just as I need food daily, throughout the day, I am only fooling myself by not nourishing myself as often with the True Bread. When will I learn?

"Morning by morning he awakens me

and opens my understanding to his will" Isaiah 50:4

Texture Tuesday Bluebells

2011-05-10T15:59:00.000-04:00

I planted these last year as a perennial, and I think they're bluebells, but I'm really not sure at this point!

Here's the SOOC

To get this picture, I layered on some texture:

Kim Klassen's Love at Darken Blend Layer

KK's Silence at Color Burn

Almighty Gives Me Life

2011-05-09T08:45:00.002-04:00

For the Spirit of God has made me,

and the Breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4

Daily sustains, provides and restores life to me. To ME!
I am trusting God for He is good. His love endures forever.

This week I got off track and neglected several of my disciplines. I did not give thanks. I did not read much of the Word. I did not eat right. I was angry. I yelled. I hurt.

This week I am leaning hard into His arms of Grace for it is much needed.

Counting His Goodnesses to Me #258-268

New sound system at church to better communicate God's message
Color in bloom around us
Greeting Amish girls at grocery store
Mav playing in dirt with rocks
My mother. She continues to be an example of patience and selflessness
Jogging again.
Zumba with friends

Jessica and Colin's wedding

Seeing old friends

Celebrating new life

Finding beauty in the details around me

Scripture & a Snapshot Sunday with the Lilac Buds

2011-05-08T18:25:00.000-04:00

I love the idea that if we fail to praise God, that the rocks would cry out to the Creator. All of Creation is designed to praise the Creator and when I see the beauty surrounding me wherever I look, I want to consciously recognize God in this. It is not simply beauty or art or nature; it points to a loving Designer who has great purpose and plan for me. For you. For our nation. For this world we live in.

The LORD reigns.
He is sovereign.
He is in control.
Let us say among us that the LORD reigns.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday with the Cows

2011-05-08T18:07:00.000-04:00

1. SOOC (Straight Out of the Camera) This one was more difficult than I thought it would be, and I found I just couldn't put an unedited photo up! So here's a before and after shot of a cow in an Amish field where I bought some groceries and some baked goods this week. Yummy!

2. Sprouting: ok, this would really be more accurate to say "Budding", but I have nothing pretty that's "sprouting" up yet, only weeds! A few pots of herbs are coming around, but I'll start more planting in the next week or two. I do have a tiny pot of Rye grass the girls started in the kitchen window, though...

3. Isn't it Ironic? This one stumped me big time! This is as close as I could get, with Hannah running into the other team while the ball's off to the side.

4. Lazy! Again, I think of Springtime as WORK around here and Summer has more lazy moments, but Makenna thought the lid to the sandbox was a great spot to relax after blowing bubbles, and it's definitely a lazy moment.

5. Smells of Spring! Of course, I'm sure that most will put some pretty flowerish smell up for this one, but I was hunting for a manure spreader! I even saw an Amish man with a manure spreader nearby, but hesitated to get close enough for a shot. Sure wish I'd managed that, though! A few weeks ago, this NASTY smell assaulted our house due to our friend's turkey manure being spread nearby. We were thanking Jesus when a rain came shortly after and cleaned the air and our home of that awful smell.

Retro Gas Station

2011-05-04T16:25:00.000-04:00

It's Black & White Wednesday! Here's a few photos from last Friday's outing down by the beach. This retro gas station is literally in the middle of nowhere, and I don't even know if it's a functioning gas station, but there looked to be people there and lights on inside. There was also a outdoor wood stove smoking away off to the side of the building. There were a few old cars sitting around that looked pretty cool too. I was too chicken to do more than a drive by shooting here though!

This is my favorite lighthouse again, this time turned Black & White, with some birch trees in the foreground. I honestly think I like them better in color, but it's interesting to try something different.

But the LORD's plans stand firm forever

2011-05-04T08:02:00.001-04:00

Let the godly sing for joy to the LORD;
It is fitting for the pure to praise him...
For the word of the LORD holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth...
But the LORD's plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken...
He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do...
But the LORD watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love...
We put our hope in the LORD
He is our help and shield
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD.
for our hope is in you alone.
Ps 33 NLT

Today is a day that our church has set apart for fasting and prayer for our dear friends Kendra & Ryan and little Colton. Oh, how we love them and want this cancer inside Ryan to be defeated. When facing a life-taking disease, it seems there are so many aspects that need attention: obviously physical, spiritual, emotional, mental. I didn't know where to start, and turned to this next Psalm in my daily reading, and am comforted.

Loving Father, I pray:

Ryan & Kendra would sing to you with joy today
Ryan & Kendra would use their skills to praise you today
Ryan & Kendra would stand in awe of you today
Your plans would remain firm for Ryan & Kendra
Ryan & Kendra need your watch-care and unfailing love
Rescue Ryan from this cancerous death
Ryan & Kendra would put their hope in you alone
Ryan & Kendra would trust in your holy name
You would be their help and shield

Kendra posted this video on their blog, and it has become a favorite of mine:

Our God is Greater
Our God is stronger
Our God is higher than any other...

Our God is healer
Awesome in power

My Cup

2011-05-03T12:09:00.000-04:00

The challenge for this texture is to take a picture of a mug and add texture. This mug has been a favorite for about 8 years, since a fun-loving student of mine named Brady gave it to me. Besides being cute, it's a little bit bigger than my other mugs, so I love using it for coffee in the morning. I also added my beaded spoon, which I don't actually want to use and dirty up, but I liked it in the mug!

I thought I'd share what I did with this picture in photoshop elements 8.
Coffeeshop action 2020 to clean up
Coffee Shop Golden Vintage action with Vignette
then added:
Kim Klassen Warm Sun texture at Blend Layer darken 100% with masking
KK's texture Chamomile, darken, 64% with masking
You can see the before and after picture below, just to see the differences it made.
I also added a verse that I thought fit.

Learning Contentment

2011-05-02T08:47:00.001-04:00

If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisifed if it were doubled.—C.H. Spurgeon

Counting my gifts is teaching me contentment. Like Paul says,

"I have learned to be content..."

or might I say, "I am learning to be content".

"I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me"

Psalm 13:6

#230-257

Christ has overcome the world

Hope and Peace from God that surpasses all understanding

Pursuing Passions

Promise of Resurrection for Christ followers

Half-price Blue Hyacinths

Rain brings blessings

Giggles upstairs between sisters and brother

Teasing faces from Mav

Fresh grapes

Tasty supper enjoyed with father-in-law

Girls showing off rocks fresh from tumbler

Excited girls for horse riding lessons

Jump ropes turned into lassos

When Mechanic husband breaks down...thankful we weren't with him

he was close to home

rain momentarily stopped

his dad towed him to the shop

Tim has a a plan to fix it

Coffee ready for me when I got up

Ps 30 I will exalt you, LORD, for you rescued me...after a dog bite

Now I'll run better protected

Little boys were made to run and tumble

Crashing waves of beach

Majestic lighthouse

Lesson taught and was well received

I believe God is so good to me!

Nursery workers at church

Scavenger Hunt at the Beach

2011-05-01T16:41:00.000-04:00

I Love, Love, Love, Love going to the beach! We went for the first time this week, on the first sunny day and we had high temps in the 50s!!! I know, I know, let's rejoice in the small things! The girls actually waded in chilly Lake Michigan, and I got a few fun photos, even with several sets of dead batteries! Mav enjoyed the crashing sound of the waves and the gentle breeze on his face. Of course, he stayed nice and dry tucked into the back pack. I can only imagine the trouble he will get into on our real beach days!

Joining the Scavenger Hunt this week, this is my favorite piece of architecture. I have taken pictures of it in every season. I'm so glad to live only a few miles away. I actually feel guilty in the summer if we don't go to the beach at least once a week--it's really my responsibility to fulfill since I live so close, right?

This is a shot called "rimmed with light". I admit it's from a few years ago, as sunshine has been a precious limited quantity lately, and I haven't been able to catch it just right this week. This is from a Bed and Breakfast Tim and I stayed at called "The Shack". Very cute and quaint.

Here's to "Toes or Feet"! Makenna's are way cuter than mine...here they are buried in mud from the channel.

Here's to my "Favorite"...I decided to show you my favorite book of the year! God is using this book to change my life. Even the cover is beautiful!

Shade? Shades? Shadow? take your pick! Above is me with Mav and Makenna at the beach. Sportin' shades, as always in the sun. The sun bothers my eyes and headaches so much more now as an adult. If you were to look very closely, you could see a red ladybug on my hip. Just thought you might like to know.

Below, is a leaf floating in the channel out to sea (the Big Lake) and I found the shadow that followed it down the stream was so interesting.

Scripture & a Snapshot Sunday Expectant Waiting

2011-05-01T15:50:00.000-04:00

Continuing in this new challenge of combining Scripture and a Snapshot. This chair sits on my front porch, and it's totally juts for looks...we spend very little time on this porch as it's so close to the road. But I chose this verse to go with the photo because the chair is empty...it's waiting. It's waiting for the mornings when I go before the Lord with my day. So much about our relationship with the Lord is about Waiting...Resting...Trusting...Patience. But it is not a waiting without hope. It is Expectant!

A Bride, a Dirt Lover and a Horse Girl

2011-04-28T19:11:00.000-04:00

Today was a day for playing with photos from the weekend and adding texture. I've decided I really like this added touch.

Darling Makenna Rose, counting her Daffodils and saying she was going to save them for her wedding.

My Mav-Man, playing in the dirt. Throwing the dirt.

Trickling the dirt between his fingers and toes. What a boy.

Horse-Lover Hannah, having her first lesson. She's ridden for years on Sunny, a Haflinger Gelding belonging to Nana & Papa, and now she gets to try another horse. She's so pleased to be trotting, and testing her balance while holding her arms stretched wide. She's in her glory.

I posted this one the other day, but now it's in color with texture and some blurred background. I love the intensity and the brightness of it.

Practicing Easter: Can I get a Witness?

2011-04-27T14:45:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited to think about extending Easter...Living Easter.

By Divine Providence, our homeschool Bible reading landed us right on track to read the Passion week last week, perfectly aligning with Easter. And after that comes Acts. And it's been amazing.

The LORD Liveth!
And blessed be my Rock
And let the God of my Salvation be exalted.

"You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere!"

Good Ol' Peter, who is living un-Deny-ably after the resurrection. Testifying of the LORD. Proclaiming his witness to the Living Savior.

Am I a witness? Do I know this Living God-Man?

I want to know Christ Crucified.
To know Him and this Resurrection Power.
"I am the Resurrection and the Life and He who believes in me will live."
"I am crucified with Christ. It is not me who lives but Christ lives in me."

O Death, where is thy sting? Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory! When that trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. With Him. ( 1 Cor 15)

So now, dear sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (I Cor 15:58)

Can I get a witness?

Isaiah 43:10 says, "But you are my witnesses, O Israel! Says the LORD. You are my servant. You have been choses to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God--there never has been, and there never will be. I, yes, I, am the LORD, and there is no other Savior."

Can I get a witness?

Easter...a time for dressing up!

2011-04-27T14:12:00.000-04:00

Trying to get all 3 to look at me and be happy is quite a feat! The girls wore matching yellow dresses and Mav had on a yellow Polo. Sponge rollers the night before produced lovely, bouncy curls in the girls!

Hannah has finally gotten past the running away from the camera syndrome that plagued her the previous years of her life! Now she's into posing, and I end up with many more usable photos of her than the other 2. Poor Makenna also inherited her Daddy's un-photogenic-ness. All squinty eyed.

See the Sass and Sweet I have to deal with??
Hands on the hips is typical...4 going on 14!

The girls picked and picked all these Daffodils...to decorate their fort! I convinced them that we should bring them home, because the next time they visited Nana & Papa, the Daffodils would be sure to be dead.

Yes, that's dirt in the hair.

What's a boy to do the first time he hits the ground in the spring? Throw dirt, of course!!

Christ has Overcome

2011-04-26T17:24:00.002-04:00

Monday evening was spent getting some grocery shopping done with my little man. Tim had the girls at soccer practice. On the way home, I was cruising to some Jeremy Camp, playing his latest "We cry out! The worship project" on my ipod. My favorite is "Jesus Saves" after seeing him in concert the first time last summer at the Unity Festival. Listening to other songs, though, landed me on "Overcome". For the next 20 minutes, on the drive home, I kept hitting repeat. This song had me praising the Lord and I was glad there are few others on the road to see me!

John 16:33 NAS

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage ; I have overcome the world.

It reminds of a friend's encouragement, from Isaiah 53, "By his wounds, we are healed."

What does healing look like? What does overcoming feel like? It is of the soul & spirit and I know that no matter what happens to my friend in his cancer or other trials that will come upon me and my loved ones, I know that there is a peace that passes all understanding for Christ has conquered the grave and he promises resurrection for his followers as well. And this glorious peace comes after giving thanks. Giving thanks always comes first, then the miracle.

Seated above, enthroned in the Father's love
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God's only son perfect and spotless one
He never sinned, but suffered as if He did

All authority, every victory is Yours
All authority, every victory is Yours

CHORUS:
Savior, worthy of honor and glory, worthy of all our praise, You overcame

[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/overcome-lyrics-jeremy-camp.html ]

Jesus, awesome in power forever,awesome and great is Your name, You overcame

Power in hand speaking the Father's plan
You're sending us out, light in this broken land

We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
and the word of our testimony, everyone overcome

That is why I continue to count my gifts #206-229

Passover fortelling of Messiah
Holy Spirit presence
The father my husband is to my children
Girls retelling Scripture truths
Dad's birthday. Celebrate another year of life
Daffodils peeking out of the snow
Bringing a meal to celebrate new birth of Little Lauren
Answered prayer
Redemption and our Great Rescuer
I am a Chosen Child of God
Amazing creativity by other bloggers. I'm blown away by other believers out there who write and photograph and create life for His Glory
The world is all His, the King of Glory
I can come into His presence to worship
Kissing my husband good-bye this morning as he left for work
A week of being more on track with my time spent with God
A week of being at home
This day so many years ago God's Son chose to die for me
New life in Him
My God is bigger and mightier than the grave
Good Friday Celebration. He is the Resurrection and the Life. He who knew no sin became sin. He who is righteous can now call me righteous. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound. Love now flowing down. His hands and fee were nailed to the tree. His Grace flows down and covers me.
Girls attempting to work as a team in soccer for their 1st game. Hilarious.
BioDiesel. Tim's been a great oil collector and he's starting the process again of making.
More signs of life. Hyacinths. Daffodils. Tree buds.
Rain and mist. Not snow.

WB

wintertime Scripture & a Snapshot

Front Porch Scripture & a Snapshot Sunday

Riley's Christmas Pictures & Photo Shoot

Knights of Arrethtrae

Texture Tuesday "Red" Barns

Scavenger Hunt October 9

Couponing and Meal Planning

Common Cents Savings

You can do this!

How to get started:

Organize

Shop

Check-Out

Print outs

Remember, You Can Do This!

Meal Planning

Yogurt

Breakfast

Home Made Bread: Yummy treat that I make every week or two. I have a favorite recipe that I use with a bread machine on the dough cycle.

Granola

Gardening

Bulk Food

Raise your own food

Hunting

Cleaners

Remember, You Can Do This!

Saving Addiction is a fantastic site! It lists W MI stores' weekly sales on Meijer, Target, Family Fare, Walgreens and Rite Aid. Other deals and coupons are also posted. You can make a grocery list on this site and print it out. Rite Aid and Walgreen coupon usage and deals are also explained.

Kitchen Stewardshipthis site contains a lot of very healthy, frugal recipes and living ideas.

Passionate Homemakingthis site has many ideas for a godly woman, mama and wife. It’s from a conservative view point, and spans the range from cooking, homeschooling, ministry, health, frugal living and more.

Old Fashioned Oatmeal

Love My Son with Texture Tuesday

Honey Wheat Bread

Scripture & a Snapshot Sunday September 25

Garden Harvest 2011

September Nature Study

Blessings & Bounty Fall Canning

The Pond Outdoor Hour Study

Scavenger Hunt August 21

In the Morning when I rise, Give me Jesus

Scavenger Hunt for August 8

I Have to seek God Beauty

Experiment!

Stop! and Consider...

What does it mean to live the Great Life?

Kiss Me & Kiss Me Again

Humbled

When Emotions Get the Best of Us

The View Between the Fence Rails

Consider the Path

Language is a Gift

To Name a Thing is to Bless the Giver

Trust in the Lord and Do Good

He Loves Me More Than I Can Imagine

Scavenger Hunt and the Old Gate

How Brave Are You?

The Word in Texture

He attends to Me

Bless the Giver, not the Gift

The Giver can be Trusted

Soul Food for Soul Hunger

Texture Tuesday Bluebells

Almighty Gives Me Life

Scripture & a Snapshot Sunday with the Lilac Buds

Scavenger Hunt Sunday with the Cows

Retro Gas Station

But the LORD's plans stand firm forever

My Cup

Learning Contentment

Scavenger Hunt at the Beach

Scripture & a Snapshot Sunday Expectant Waiting

A Bride, a Dirt Lover and a Horse Girl

Practicing Easter: Can I get a Witness?

Easter...a time for dressing up!

Christ has Overcome

John 16:33 NAS

Kitchen Stewardship
this site contains a lot of very healthy, frugal recipes and living ideas.

Passionate Homemaking
this site has many ideas for a godly woman, mama and wife. It’s from a conservative view point, and spans the range from cooking, homeschooling, ministry, health, frugal living and more.