Author Archives: Moderator3

Homestyle Lasagna

This lasagna tastes like authentic lasagna but is easy to make. Ok, as authentic as an American who has never tasted true Italian lasagna can make. It’s American yummy.

Ingredients:

Brown in skillet together:
1 pound Italian sausage
1 clove garlic minced (approx 1 teaspoon)
1 Tablespoon sweet basil, dried

Combine in food processor:
3 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons parsley flakes
2 eggs
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Additional ingredients needed:
2 large cans/jars spaghetti sauce
1 can diced Italian tomatoes or tomato sauce
1 box lasagna noodles (no need to pre-cook)
1 pound mozzarella cheese

Layer sauce, lasagna noodles, cheese filling, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Refrigerate or bake. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes if all ingredients are hot. If refrigerated, bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour covered. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

Stuffed Mushroom Bake

My family devours this Stuffed Mushroom Bake. I prefer the vegan version. Either way, this recipe will satisfy your cravings!

Ingredients:

1  8oz package sliced mushrooms
4 oz cream cheese, softened (vegan: use Tofutti vegan cream cheese)
1/4 cup butter, melted (vegan: use Smart Balance vegan margarine)
2 Tablespoons real bacon bits (vegan: use imitation bacon bits)
1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese (vegan: use Galaxy Foods vegan Parmesan cheese or omit)
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (vegan: use Go Veggie Cheddar Shreds)
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (vegan: use Go Veggie Mozzarella Shreds)

Place all in 8″ x 8″ glass dish in order listed. Top with 1 cup bread crumbs mixed with 1/4 cup melted butter (vegan: use Smart Balance vegan margarine.)

There are other vegan alternatives but the options listed are the ones that I like the best. Feel free to substitute whatever brand you like. 🙂

Bake at 350 degrees for 15- 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Italian Cheese Chicken Roll Ups

Italian Cheese Chicken Roll Ups are a good Italian alternative to spaghetti – in case you could possibly get tired of spaghetti. As if.

Ingredients:

2 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup Italian cheese blend, shredded
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4″ thickness
2 cups spaghetti sauce

Combine cream cheese, shredded cheese, spices and garlic salt. Shape into 4 logs. Roll chicken around logs and place in 9″ x 13″ dish, seam side down. Pour spaghetti sauce evenly over chicken. Cover dish with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove foil and sprinkle with additional shredded cheese. Bake 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serves 4.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball is wonderful for chocolate lovers! Especially served with chocolate graham crackers. Mmmmm …….

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Blend together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Fold in sugars. Add chocolate chips.

YUM!

Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas are easy and quick to make. They are milder than regular enchiladas and kids seem to like them.

Ingredients:

1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can mushrooms, pieces and stems
2 cans chicken, white meat
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or less to taste
1 cup sour cream
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Combine all ingredients and evenly divide onto 8 tortillas. Place tortillas seam side down in lightly greased 9″ x 13″ pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Chocolate Dipped Oreo Balls

These are highly addictive and loaded with sugar – just saying 🙂

Ingredients:

1 package of Oreo cookies
8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
2 16oz bags milk chocolate chips or white chips, melted

Crush Oreos super fine. Mix with cream cheese. Roll into bite-size balls. Dip into melted chocolate and place on waxed or parchment paper until set. Store in refrigerator, if they make it that far 🙂

p.s. Don’t feed these to children unless you don’t want them to eat anything else today. LOL

Pistachio Dessert aka “Layered Green Stuff”

This is a huge hit every year at our Thanksgiving and Christmas parties.

This can be made vegan with substitutions. I’m not saying it’s healthy, just vegan . . . 🙂

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts, your choice – I use walnuts
1/2 cup melted margarine or butter
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 cups Cool Whip
1 package pistachio instant pudding
1 package vanilla instant pudding
3 cups cold milk

Mix flour, nuts, and margarine. Press into 9″ x 13″ pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool.

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 cup Cool Whip. Spread over crust.

Mix pudding mixes and milk together. Let stand for 5 minutes until somewhat set up. Spread over cream cheese mixture. Spread remaining Cool Whip on top. Chill until ready to serve.

Best Pizza Dough

This is the best pizza dough I have ever had. A bread maker makes this recipe super easy!

Ingredients:

1 cup warm beer*
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2  3/4 cups flour
1 Tablespoon yeast, not rapid rising

Place all ingredients in bread maker in order listed. Use dough setting and approximately 1 1/2 lb setting. Once dough is ready, place in refrigerator and let rise until double.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Press dough into 2 lightly greased 12″ pizza pans. Brush lightly with oil. Add toppings and bake 15 – 25 minutes or until bottom of crust is crispy and edges lightly browned.

* I can’t stand the smell of beer, let alone the taste. However, the alcohol evaporates and leaves a nice “yeasty” flavor. Give it a try 🙂

Pumpkin Dip

This Pumpkin Dip is great served with mini graham crackers 🙂

Ingredients:

3  8oz packages of cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
scant 1/8 teaspoon cloves or less
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
8oz Cool Whip, thawed

Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together until well blended. Stir in all remaining ingredients, then gently fold in Cool Whip.

Yield: 2 1/2 cups.

Holiday Cheese Ball

This Holiday Cheese Ball is a favorite at Christmas! Serve with a variety of crackers and/or vegetables.

Ingredients:

2  8oz packages of cream cheese
4 oz dried beef, diced (find in the lunchmeat section)
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Combine all using heavy duty mixer. Form into ball, roll in chopped pecans if you like. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 8 hours before serving.

Chicken Casserole

This is one of my family’s favorite recipes. I hope your family will enjoy it too!

2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 soup can of milk
4 hard cooked eggs, cubed
4 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed (about 3/4 cup)
1 cup uncooked macaroni
2 large cans chicken

Stir all together. Pour into 11″ x 13″ baking dish.
Top with 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs mixed with 1/2 cup melted butter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serves 6.

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake & Icing

This is one of my family’s favorite cake recipes. You could make it vegan by substituting vegan mayo and almond milk. I haven’t tried this so if you are adventurous and try it, let me know how it comes out!

Mix dry ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 Tablespoons baking soda
4 Tablespoons baking cocoa

Add:

1 cup Miracle Whip – I know, the recipe says mayonnaise but we have always used Miracle Whip 🙂
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract

Pour into 9″ X 12″ greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Icing:
1 stick (1/2 cup) of margarine or butter
1 pound bag of powdered sugar
4 Tablespoons baking cocoa
1/3 cup buttermilk (I use regular milk)
1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract

Melt butter/margarine, add cocoa and buttermilk/milk. Blend in almond or vanilla extract. This will be very gooey, pour over cake.

Best Banana Bread or Muffiins

This wonderful recipe can be made into banana bread or muffins for a quick snack or take-along breakfast!

Mix together:
1/2 cup sugar (or dry sweetener of your choice)
2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Blend together:
2 cups flour (I like to use oat flour – ground dry oatmeal)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
shake or two of cinnamon

Combine ingredients and bake in oiled loaf pan for 1 hour at 350 degrees; two small loaf pans for 40 minutes; or 18 muffin cups for 23 minutes. Done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

ENJOY!!!

Relations: Good or Bad ??

How do you get along with your relatives? No time like the holidays to work on these relationships! 🙂

I know, this may not be what you want to think about right now with all the shopping and preparations and other stress going on. However, this is the best time to think about it. How you deal with other people is a true tell of your character. Your goal should be to be thoughtful, considerate and calm in all your dealings with others; whether they are your relations or complete strangers.

Our treatment of others can be hurtful and harmful. You never know when or if you will see those relatives again. Try to grow gentleness in your relationships.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and it itself set on fire by hell.”
James 3:5-6

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

At the end of conversations, the people you speak with should feel better, not worse. Think before you speak and give God control of your tongue. Just because you think something, doesn’t mean it has to come out of your mouth. Being silent is a lost art, let’s revive it. 🙂 If you absolutely can’t be silent, give compliments!

Here are some guidelines for what to say or not to say to others.

  1. If it isn’t TRUE, it is not beneficial. “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” Colossians 3:9
  2. If it is BOASTING, it is not beneficial. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Galatians 6:14
  3. If it is GOSSIP or SLANDER, it is not beneficial. “to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” Titus 3:2
  4. If it is said in ANGER, it is not beneficial. “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Proverbs 29:11
  5. If it lacks GRACE, it is not beneficial. “Let your conversations be always full of grace…” Colossians 4:6

    “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
    live at peace with everyone.”
    Romans 12:18

 

 

Happiness :)

  • Depression is the difference between reality and your perception of it.
  • Happiness is the difference between reality and your perception of it.

It’s all in how you look at things. It’s up to you to be happy. If you don’t feel like it, fake it ‘till you make it! Smile and be nice 🙂 Before long, you’ll feel happy and cheerful!

Things don’t make you happy. Just like money can’t buy you love, it can’t buy happiness either. We have everything we need in life to make us happy but we don’t realize it or appreciate it.  Look around and find the little things that bring a smile to your face. Happiness is a state of mind!

  • Don’t look for things that are out of your control to bring you happiness. Happiness comes from within.
  • Don’t wait for life’s circumstances to be perfect to be happy. Life is never going to be perfect but laugh and be happy anyway 🙂
  • Have an “attitude of gratitude.” Being thankful for what you have will make you happier.
  • Be forgiving, to everyone. I know it’s hard but you can do it! I have faith in you!
  • Don’t dwell on negative things. Think “happy thoughts.” Make the choice to be happy.
  • Talk to someone. That may sound silly, but you’ll feel better after some human interaction. I don’t mean texting, tweeting, or facebooking. I mean speaking out loud face to face with another person 🙂
  • Get busy! Do something! Be productive! Find something to do and do it. You’ll feel better and be happier.
  • Get enough sleep. It’s amazing the fresh outlook you’ll have on life after a good night’s rest.
  • Go outside! It’s God’s beautiful world out there for you to enjoy! Run around a little bit! Exercise will boost your mood and make you feel happier as well.

It’s not about you. It’s easy to forget that life isn’t all about you. Try thinking of yourself and your circumstances less and think about others more. Don’t worry so much about what you look like or your clothes or your hair or whatever you worry about. Relax!

No More Stress!

We all need a little stress reduction from time to time, or maybe all of the time! These tips will help you slow down and enjoy your days, rather than stress through them. 🙂

  • Simplify! Make life easier on yourself.
  • Identify things that you know cause you stress and look for ways around them.
  • Concentrate on one task at a time – finish one then move to the next task.
  • Don’t be late! Allow extra time to travel and get things done. You’ll be amazed how much stress this removes.
  • Learn to say “NO!” You don’t have to agree to every request from every body. You’ll still be a nice person 🙂
  • Live within your budget. Don’t use credit cards or have excessive loans. (More on budgeting later)
  • Don’t worry! Worry doesn’t change anything and it’s hard on you.
  • Weed out unnecessary trivia. Write down important things and don’t worry about the rest.
  • Live in the present. Enjoy today, it will be your yesterday tomorrow.
  • Take a walk! Get up and dance! Get away from your stress for a few minutes, it will help.
  • Every night, thank God for something. If it’s been a rough day, thank him for two (or ten) things!

Be Grateful To Your Husband

Here are a few more verses to help you show love to your husband. Tiny things make the difference in life. Don’t be discouraged if your husband doesn’t notice everything you do. He will notice eventually and he will love you all the more. 🙂

Be grateful to your husband by . . .

  • keeping your house clean (1 Corinthians 14:40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.)
    Notes: You’d be surprised how good a clean, organized, uncluttered house makes you feel. It makes your husband and children feel good as well.
  • keeping yourself attractive (1 Peter 3:1 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.)
    Notes: Being attractive actually doesn’t all rely on appearance. A big part of being attractive is your attitude. No matter how beautiful you are on the outside, if you are a nagging bitter grouch, you aren’t attractive. 🙁
  • being genuinely thankful for everything your husband does (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.)
    Notes: Fill your heart with gratitude and there won’t be room for much else! 🙂
  • encouraging your husband (1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.)
    Notes: Encouraging is prompting others with an uplifting, cheerful call to worthwhile accomplishment. Always be your husband’s #1 cheerleader!

All Bible references are from The NIV Study Bible, 1995, The Zondervan Corporation.

Love Your Husband

There are many verses in the Bible that teach wives to show love to their husbands. Your husband is the head of your household. This is important to remember, and easy to forget in life’s chaos. If your husband isn’t a believer in God, keep praying for him. Don’t give up.

Here are a few ways to show love to your husband.

  • Accept your husband as the leader of your family. (Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church)
    Notes: This is hard to do sometimes, especially in today’s society when people are taught the opposite.
  • Learn to be content with basic provisions that he can provide for you. (1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing our of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.)
    Notes: When it says “food and clothing” that doesn’t mean going out to eat every day and buying every item of clothing available. Moderation is the key here 🙂
  • Help your children build loyalty and respect to their dad by keeping a good attitude toward him when he’s home and during the time he’s at work. Don’t complain about things he hasn’t done or finished yet and don’t voice your worries about things that might happen or he might do.  Help your children honor you and their father. (Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.)
    Notes: Your children are never to young to learn respect. This is so important in the world we live in today!

 

All Bible references are from The NIV Study Bible, 1995, The Zondervan Corporation.

 

Christmas No Sew Fleece Blanket

Your Next Christmas Craft

I gave you a few weeks to work on your dishcloths! I’m sure you made so many of them, you are sick of yarn! (Is that even possible??? I love yarn . . . I dream yarn . . . anyway . . .)

Here is a quick project with no sewing involved. You can whip up one of these in an hour or two. You could make 100 of them by Christmas!!! 🙂

Thank you to Joann.com for this great project!
* By the way, you can find all sorts of projects at Joann.com in their Inspiration section.

Supplies & Tools:

  • Fleece – 2 yards each of two coordinating prints, or a print and a solid
  • Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
  • Ruler

Directions:

  1. Layer the two pieces of fleece and cut a 56″ x 70″ rectangle.
  2. Cut a 7″ square out of each corner of both pieces of fleece.
  3. Make fringe around all sides of both pieces by cutting 7″ into fleece at 1″ intervals.
  4. Place fleece rectangles wrong sides together.
  5. Knot fringe pieces together using one strand from the top fleece and one strand from the bottom to tie each know. Tie together along all four sides.

Download PDF Directions here.

And you’re done! See, wasn’t that easy? 🙂

Fresh Summer Salad

Fresh Summer Salad – Ahhhh . . .

1-2 cups green leafy lettuce, torn or chopped

1/2 cup chopped carrots or more (I really like carrots . . .)

1 small diced fresh tomato

1 medium chopped apple, any variety

1/2 cup halved sweet Bing cherries

1/4 cup chopped Walnuts

1/4 cup shredded soy cheese

2 tablespoons salad dressing of choice (I used Kraft Zesty Lime)

Arrange in your bowl however you like. You can add some chickpeas (garbonzo beans) for protein or maybe a Boca Spicy Chik’n Patty.

Keep in mind that you can adjust this recipe to your liking. If you don’t want soy cheese, use your favorite cheese. Use what you have. Add or remove anything to make this salad into your favorite salad!

The Ten Commandments

Of course you already know the Ten Commandments. But you might need a refresher 🙂 I know I do.

Exodus 20 (NKJV)

And God spoke all these words, saying:

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image —any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that isin them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

13 “You shall not murder.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Here is a picture of the Ten Commandments straight out of my Bible. (NKJV)

For a simple review, remember these:

  1. Put God first
  2. Worship Him only
  3. Don’t use the name of God in anger or joking
  4. Work 6 days, rest 1
  5. Obey your parents
  6. Harm no one
  7. Don’t cheat on your spouse or have sex outside of your marriage
  8. If it’s not yours, don’t take it
  9. Tell the truth, don’t lie
  10. Don’t be jealous of other people’s stuff

Simplify Your World

Helpful tips to simplify your life

Clear out clutter: bedrooms, closets, kitchen, bathroom, garage, basement, storage spaces

Simplify food: plan and prepare food ahead, eat lean, lose the weight

De-stress work life: lay out your clothes the night before, be on time, make a difference with your work

Finances: pay off debt, don’t be a slave to it – Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

Get rid of extra things – cars, clothing, shoes, storage buildings, hobby/craft things, electronics, books, junk. It’s rarely necessary to rent storage space (unless you are in the middle of a move or waiting on your house to be built) otherwise, clear it out and save that payment.

  • Giving sets us free, while hoarding entraps us
  • Giving changes the lives of others
  • Giving brings blessing back to us
  • Giving allows us to store up treasures in Heaven rather than on earth
  • Giving makes you feel good

Walk with Jesus through your home, work, emotions, relationships and let Him show you what you can let go of, get rid of, and what to keep.

Stop doing things that aren’t important and waste time, there are many things we think we must do that really are not worth doing.

Too much stuff can leave too little room for God. With all the time required to shop for, use, store, clean, maintain, organize, insure, and worry about our stuff, there can be little time left for reading God’s Word, prayer, ministry, church, and reaching out to others. Is it any wonder that the Bible encourages simple living?

Keep these things in mind:

  1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
  2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
  3. Develop a habit of giving things away.
  4. Refuse to be swayed by advertising.
  5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
  6. Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation.
  7. Look with a healthy skepticism at all “buy now, pay later” schemes.
  8. Obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech.
  9. Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others.
  10. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the Kingdom of God.

Align your life with your values and pursue what matters most to you. Your sense of worth and self-esteem should be increasingly based on values and not material things and possessions.

Good Plans for You

Jeremiah 29:11

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

Notes: Appearances to the contrary notwithstanding, the Lord has not forgotten his people. God is the ultimate source of prosperity. (The NIV Study Bible, 1995 The Zondervan Corporation)

 

Whatever you are going through, God has not forgotten you. He has big plans for you. Good plans. This is one of my favorite verses and helped me through some tough times. It will help you as well.

Life Tips 4

Try these. You’ll feel better for it. 🙂 ♥

  1. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
  2. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
  3. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
  4. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
  5. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
  6. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
  7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
  8. The best is yet to come.
  9. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
  10. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
  11. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
  12. Yield.
  13. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift..
  14. Gossip is talking about a situation with somebody who is neither a part of the solution nor a part of the problem.

Life Tips 3

Little helpful tips – I especially like the first one – quit worrying about what other people think! It really doesn’t matter anyway, right? 🙂

  1. What other people think of you is none of your business.
  2. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
  3. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
  4. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
  5. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
  6. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
  7. Always choose life.
  8. Forgive everyone everything.
  9. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
  10. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
  11. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
  12. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
  13. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
  14. Believe in miracles.
  15. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

    God bless my friend

Life Tips 2

Some more little gems for you . . .

1. Make peace with your past so it won’t mess up the present.
2. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
3. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
4. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
5. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
6. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living.
7. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
8. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
9. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
10. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

Life Tips

I can’t remember where I found this little list but these are things worth remembering.

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. love chocolate
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

Are you ready for Christmas???

Ok, so it’s only June. But, are you working on your Christmas gifts? No time like the present! present HaHaHa!!! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself 🙂

Anyway, if you have ten people on your list and you finish a gift every two weeks, you’ll be done by Christmas with time to spare!!!

Check out this sweet dishcloth that you could finish in an evening.

Thank you to Yarnspirations (www.yarnspirations.com) for this great project!two-tone dishcloth

You may download a PDF of the pattern here:

Bernat_HandicrafterCotton004_cr_dishcloth.en_US

 

Faith, Hope and Love

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Notes: These remain now and forever. Because God is love and has communicated his love to us and commands us to love one another. Love supersedes the gifts because it outlasts them all. Long after these sought-after [spiritual] gifts are no longer necessary, love will still be the governing principle that controls all that God and his redeemed people are and do. (The NIV Study Bible, 1995, The Zondervan Corporation)

Summertime Breakfast Smoothie

Summertime Breakfast Smoothie – YUM!

1 ripe banana

1 cup vanilla almond milk

1/4 cup natural peanut butter (no sugar added)

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon instant coffee

1 Tablespoon agave nectar (optional sweetener)

1 cup ice

Blend all together until smooth using Bullet blender or food processor. This smoothie provides the caffeine you need without having to taste the coffee. (yes!)

Remember this – recipes are guidelines or ideas. You can change anything about this recipe that you like. If you don’t like peanut butter, leave it out. If you love peanut butter, double it. It’s YOUR smoothie, so make it however you like! Enjoy!

Faith Without Sight

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Notes: The experiences and circumstances of this present life, often painful and perplexing, are what is visible to the Christian, but these are merely phenomena in the passing parade of our fallen age and are therefore temporary and fleeting. To fix our eyes on these visible things would cause us to lose heart. By contrast the unseen realities, which are no less real for being invisible are eternal and imperishable. Accordingly, we look up and away from the impermanent appearances of this present world scene. (The NIV Study Bible, 1995 The Zondervan Corporation.)

Faith, hope, and love are all unseen. We may not see them, but we feel them. We know they are there. Remember to dwell on the unseen, rather than worry about the things we see. 🙂Pink Tulip Flower-03