Seeing Our Own Shadow

February 2, 2012 By Holly Leave a Comment

Wouldn't it be nice if we had our own shadow-prediction, indicating whether the weather in life will be wintry or spring-like? These are thoughts that wash my brain, as I consider that today is Groundhog day. It is a day, where at precisely "7:20 February 2nd at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania he (Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog) will observe the weather conditions and look for his shadow he will then make his prediction for the remainder of winter." You can read more here for the history of Groundhog day. And it's all fine and good--fun even, unless you are caught in a cyclical day like this one. But what I really want to know is a predictor of life, as we live it. Will is be rainy or sunny, wintry or … Read More...

Establishing a Routine

January 30, 2012 By Deborah 1 Comment

Researches say that it takes 21 days to establish a habit. So, here we are in the final days of January, after many of us committed to some new habits and lifestyle changes for the new year, and I wonder.... How are you doing? Are you on track or are you already behind in your efforts, close to giving up completely? As you might remember, I committed to two things this year, reading through my Bible and writing letters to my family. I just finished up the book of Genesis and I've sent out 4 letters. But now comes the rough part....the next 21 days. Genesis was fairly easy to read since most of the stories were familiar, basic Sunday School lessons that I've read many times before. The letter writing was pretty easy since … Read More...

Redeeming Your Minutes (Part 1)

January 23, 2012 By Kim Uden 2 Comments

Over the past few months I have been leading a group of women through Jennie Allen's newest Bible study, "Stuck". I could write an entire article about this wonderful study, and how the Lord has used it to help our whole group draw closer to Him. However, today I just want to write about one simple statement Jennie said during one of her video teaching sessions. Her words were "How we spend our minutes... it turns out to be how we spend our life." That statement really resonated with me, and I wanted to do something about it. I don't want to waste my life. So I had to ask myself the question; "How do I spend my minutes?" I would like to think that a good portion of my minutes are spent on things in life that are … Read More...

Great Lengths

January 20, 2012 By Holly 2 Comments

When I was a little girl, my favorite Bible story was about the paralytic man whose friends or perhaps even family took him up to the roof of the house and lowered him down, so Jesus could heal him. They were desperate to help this man! I really didn't grow up knowing a lot of Bible stories, but perhaps this one came from Vacation Bible School, and it set my young mind to picture who Jesus is. First, I wondered why Jesus was so popular that they couldn't go straight in. Then I wondered what He thought of a man slowly descending on a mat from the ceiling. Did He smile because of their confidence in Him? Did He have a knowing look of the pain this man endured? Then I wondered what kind of friend or person this man was that they'd take such … Read More...

Grilled Stuffed Bantams

January 20, 2012 By Holly Leave a Comment

8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (flattened in a butterfly shape) 1 1/2 t. salt, separated 1/2 t. MSG (opt.) 1 egg, beaten 1 c. Stove Top stuffing mix 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can crab meat, drained 1/2 c. canola oil 1 t. Kitchen Bouquet 1/4 c. green pepper, chopped 1 T. lemon juice 2 t. Worcestershire sauce 1 t. prepared mustard 1/2 medium onion, very finely chopped 1/8 t. ground black pepper Sprinkle inside of chicken breasts with 1 1/4 t. salt and MSG In a large bowl mix together 1 egg, 1 c. Stove Top stuffing mix, 1/2 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 can crab meat,1/4 c. green pepper, 1 T. lemon juice, 2 t. Worcestershire sauce,1 t. prepared mustard and 1/4 t. salt. Top half of each breast with 1/8 of the filling … Read More...

Grilled Tomatoes

January 20, 2012 By Holly Leave a Comment

10 large firm ripe tomatoes 4 c. finely grated dry French bread crumbs 4-6 T butter, melted 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 green onions, minced 2 t. dried oregano, crushed 1 t. salt 1/8 t. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese Cut tops off tomatoes and scoop out pulp, save for another recipe (like this hot sauce recipe!). Combine remaining ingredients. Fill the tomato shells and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Sprinkle Parmesan evenly on top of each and then place under broiler just until golden on top. Serves 10. From "Lone Star Legacy" … Read More...

Morton’s Favorite Green Beans

January 20, 2012 By Holly Leave a Comment

2 cans green beans (Italian style is our favorite) 2 pieces bacon cooked and crumbled, reserving bacon grease 2 T. bacon grease 4 T. minced onions 1 garlic clove minced 4 T. teriyaki sauce 1/2 t. salt 1/8 t. pepper In a medium sauce pan, add beans, bacon grease, onions, garlic, teriyaki, salt and pepper. Cover and cook over medium low heat for 10 minutes until mixture is simmering. Serve in a casserole dish with bacon crumbles on top. … Read More...

Spiced Carrots Polynesian

January 20, 2012 By Holly Leave a Comment

2 T. butter 1/2 c. pineapple juice 1 T. brown sugar 1/2 t. ground nutmeg 1/4 t. salt 1/8 t. white pepper 4 c. sliced carrots 1 medium onion, sliced in rings 2 T. fresh parsley Melt butter in stock pot over medium heat. Add juice, brown sugar, nutmeg, salt, pepper, onions and carrots. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. When boiling, reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer for 12 minutes longer. Transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with parsley. … Read More...

When Plans Change

January 19, 2012 By Heather 3 Comments

Yesterday didn't go the way I had planned. I had planned to "get organized", get done those items that didn't get done before I left for Houston to help with my new niece, get done the organization and plans to start school back today with the kids after way too long off for Christmas break. As I sat at the table yesterday afternoon, fretting over what to keep doing school-wise, what to let go, what each child needs and how in the world am I going to get it done - the stress beginning to fill me, the tension in my shoulders bearing down, my husband came in and wordlessly, handed me his iPad to read. In a moment, everything I had planned, everything I was fretting over, everything I thought was important was rendered … Read More...

Grumble Grumble Grumble

January 19, 2012 By Margo Leave a Comment

When one of my kids starts complaining, I often hear the other say to them, "Grumble grumble grumble." It's their way of reminding each other (and themselves) that no one likes to listen to other people's complaining and griping all the time. Recently I have been the one who is grumble grumble grumbling. I'm finding it very easy to grumble about many things in my life. My grumbling comes from a discontented heart. It's a heart problem. Knowing I'm grumbling a lot, and that it comes from a discontented heart, should make it easy enough to change, right? Honestly, not so much. I've fallen into the habit of complaining about all of the hard stuff rather than rejoicing. I find when my heart is discontent it's much easier to see the … Read More...

Balloon Release

January 15, 2012 By Holly 4 Comments

Imagine yourself sitting in the most peaceful, reflective, restorative, beautiful place of which you know and close your eyes for a moment. Hear the sounds of the birds, perhaps some water trickling down a brook or pounding into the shore. Smell the air--woodsy, sweet, salty or spicy. Now, if you will, imagine with me a bench--any kind of bench that will fit two people, you and Jesus. He walks up intently, with the swish of robes, smelling of aromatic spices, and He sits down close beside you. His Presence envelops the space and His arm wraps engagingly 'round about you. Then He asks you in a gentle and loving, imploring even, voice: "What is it you want, Beloved?" How might you respond? What things might you say, while holding … Read More...

Salisbury Steak

January 12, 2012 By Holly Leave a Comment

1 lb. hamburger, I prefer ground chuck 1 T. milk 1 t. salt 1/8 t. pepper 1/4 c. crushed saltines 1 egg white 1/2 c. Vidalia onion, chopped finely 1 jar Heinz Homestyle Savory Beef gravy 4 T. canola oil Mix together uncooked hamburger, milk, salt, pepper, saltines, egg white and onions. Blend thoroughly. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. While the oil heats, make small patties about 2-3 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. Place patties about 4 at a time, until brown on both sides. Placed browned patties singly on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Pour gravy over the top. Place uncovered dish in preheated oven at 350 degrees for one hour. … Read More...

Foyer

Let THIS be the YEAR

And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. 2 Corinthians 8:10-12 (NKJV) I have been trying to think of a smooth way to introduce … Read more...

Study

Happy New Year!

Today is the first day of 2011! It's a day traditionally spent reviewing the year that has passed, and planning for the new year ahead. A Martha Heart's goal is to encourage and inspire women to spend time at Jesus' feet, find joy in His presence every day, and make plans for their family and home in an intentional manner. We believe prayer is an essential part of this goal. Jesus spent much time in prayer with the Father (see Mark 14:36, Matthew 26:39; 26:42, Luke 22:42 and John 17: 1-26), … Read more...

Family Room

A Puzzled Perspective

I love games and puzzles. Even more, I love observing others, as they play games or puzzles. There is something about it that tells me more of the core of a person--not the outer layers of every day. It helps me to understand them--and love them as the person that they are, not the outer shell. You can be sure, if we have ever played a game or worked a puzzle together, I was observing you. So it should come as no surprise that when my Chris and I had the opportunity to work with the youth … Read more...

Office

Redeeming Your Minutes (Part 1)

Attic

Letters to My Family

I’m making a list…I’m checking it twice….. No…I’m not going to find out who’s been naughty or nice. I am, however, going to make a commitment to the people on that list. A commitment to pray for them in 2012. My list has 34 names on it. Some of them I see every day, once a week, once a year, or never. It is a list of my family members (immediate and extended). I’ve listed my husband, my children, my son-in-law, my father, my brothers, their families, my … Read More...

Laundry Room

Grumble Grumble Grumble

Powder Room

Joy and Peace

I love this photo. Two of my favorite people are in it. In the foreground is Reyna, the beautiful redhead. Reyna is one of those amazing young women who doesn't really know how truly incredible she is. Reyna is now in college, majoring in interior design. I've known Reyna since she was 7 years old, and I've watched her grow and change in many ways. Most of all, she has grown in her love for Jesus. She is a beautiful young woman on the outside, but it's the inside love of Jesus that shines so … Read more...

Backyard

Oobleck~What is That Runny Stuff?

To me, this stuff looks like a gobbly, goopy mess. But to kids. . . it is the divine and fun way to play! It basically starts out all runny, but when you apply pressure to it, it turns into a hard solid ball. Once pressure is released, it automatically turns into a runny, gloopy mess again. Apply pressure and it starts all over again. The kids played with this stuff for over an hour. Eventually the liquid dehydrates from it and it just starts to crumble, but for a while it is … Read More...

Time Away

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dotMOM

Driving away from a coffee date, which God planned at the end of May with a new friend, I felt distinctly and heard clearly that I was to attend this parenting conference for moms in Birmingham, AL. Thinking of our finances, I laughed at the crazy thought. How in the world, LORD? How would I pay for it? How will the logistics come together? Well God made a way. I don't know why I was surprised. He set up Divine appointments/ meetings just for me during this time I just spent in … Read more...