April 10, 2010

homemade options for pest control.

Things You"ll Need:
1 Teaspoon Boric Acid
1 Teaspoon Bleach
1 Teaspoon Ammonia or Window Cleaner
6 Tablespoons Sugar
2 Cups Super Hot Water
Cotton Balls
Resealable Disposable Type Container
Oatmeal or Grits

Boric Acid Solution - Combine a small amount of boric acid, sugar and hot water in a spray bottle and swirl mixing thoroughly. Boric Acid can be purchased at any discount retailer ,under the name Borax. Make sure to keep this away from pets or children as it is hazardous. This is a good option for long term control.

Bleach Solution - Combine a small amount of bleach with hot water in a spray bottle and swirl mixing thoroughly. Make sure to keep this away from pets or children as it is hazardous. This is a good option for long term control. Using the name brands, like Clorox, does not add any additional killing power.

Ammonia - Spray Window cleaner liberally and watch them stop in their tracks, dead. This is a good option for short term control. It will have to be reapplied to be effective as the ants appear.

Oatmeal or Grits - Leave a few pieces of instant oatmeal or grits (some sort of water absorbing food) out where the ants are appearing. Get it as close to the nest as possible. The ant will take it back to the nest and eat it. Once eaten the food expands essentially popping the bug. Nice visual huh? Cruel but effective and non toxic. This option has to be applied frequently.

Now, if you don't want to kill the ants, but just want to keep them away from a particular area like a garden etc place a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle and fill with water. Spray this generously around the area but try to avoid the plants themselves. Good luck.

April 9, 2010

CATECHISM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

We are using the Reformed Catechism to teach our children the basics of our faith and fill in "gaps" we may have missed. It is amazing how much of this they already know even our 4 year old was shouting out correct answers as we quizzed them "game show style" in the SUV on a recent road trip.

An Introduction to the Shorter Catechism
Q. 1. Who made you?
A. God.

Q. 2. What else did God make?
A. God made all things.

Q. 3. Why did God make you and all things ?
A. For his own glory.

Q. 4. How can you glorify God?
A. By loving him and doing what he commands.

Q. 5. Why ought you to glorify God?
A. Because he made me and takes care of me.

Q. 6. Are there more gods than one?
A. There is only one God.

Q. 7. In how many persons does this one God exist?
A. In three persons.

Q. 8. What are they?
A. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Q. 9. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, and has not a body like men.

Q. 10. Where is God?
A. God is everywhere.

Q. 11. Can you see God?
A. No; I cannot see God, but he always sees me.

Q. 12. Does God know all things?
A. Yes; nothing can be hid from God.

Q. 13. Can God do all things?
A. Yes; God can do all his holy will.

Q. 14. Where do you learn how to love and obey God?
A. In the Bible alone.

Q. 15. Who wrote the Bible?
A. Holy men who were taught by the Holy Spirit.

Q. 16. Who were our first parents?
A. Adam and Eve.

Q. 17. Of what were our first parents made?
A. God made the body of Adam out of the ground, and formed Eve from the body of Adam.

Q. 18. What did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies?
A. He gave them souls that could never die.

Q. 19. Have you a soul as well as a body?
A. Yes; I have a soul that can never die.

Q. 20. How do you know that you have a soul?
A. Because the Bible tells me so.

Q. 21. In what condition did God make Adam and Eve?
A. He made them holy and happy.

Q. 22. What is a covenant?
A. An agreement between two or more persons.

Q. 23. What covenant did God make with Adam?
A. The covenant of works.

Q. 24. What was Adam bound to do by the covenant of works?
A. To obey God perfectly.

Q. 25. What did God promise in the covenant of works?
A. To reward Adam with life if he obeyed him.

Q. 26. What did God threaten in the covenant of works?
A. To punish Adam with death if he disobeyed.

Q. 27. Did Adam keep the covenant of works?
A. No; he sinned against God.

Q. 28. What is Sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of the law of God.

Q. 29. What is meant by want of conformity?
A. Not being or doing what God requires.

Q. 30. What is meant by transgression?
A. Doing what God forbids.

Q. 31. What was the sin of our first parents?
A. Eating the forbidden fruit.

Q. 32. Who tempted them to this sin?
A. The devil tempted Eve, and she gave the fruit to Adam.

Q. 33. What befell our first parents when they had sinned?
A. Instead of being holy and happy, they became sinful and miserable.

Q. 34. Did Adam act for himself alone in the covenant of works?
A. No; he represented all his posterity.

Q. 35. What effect had the sin of Adam on all mankind?
A. All mankind are born in a state of sin and misery.

Q. 36. What is that sinful nature which we inherit from Adam called?
A. Original sin.

Q. 37. What does every sin deserve?
A. The wrath and curse of God.

Q. 38. Can any one go to heaven with this sinful nature?
A. No; our hearts must be changed before we can be fit for heaven.

Q. 39. What is a change of heart called?
A. Regeneration.

Q. 40. Who can change a sinner's heart?
A. The Holy Spirit alone.

Q. 41. Can any one be saved through the covenant of works?
A. None can be saved through the covenant of works.

Q. 42. Why can none be saved through the covenant of works?
A. Because all have broken it, and are condemned by it

Q. 43. With whom did God the Father make the covenant of grace?
A. With Christ, his eternal Son.

Q. 44. Whom did Christ represent in the covenant of grace?
A. His elect people.

Q. 45. What did Christ undertake in the covenant of grace?
A. To keep the whole law for his people, and to suffer the punishment due to their sins.

Q. 46. Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever commit the least sin?
A. No; he was holy, harmless, and undefiled.

Q. 47. How could the Son of God suffer?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man that he might obey and suffer in our nature.

Q. 48. What is meant by the Atonement?
A. Christ's satisfying divine justice, by his sufferings and death, in the place of sinners.

Q. 49. What did God the Father undertake in the covenant of grace?
A. To justify and sanctify those for whom Christ should die.

Q. 50. What is justification?
A. It is God's forgiving sinners, and treating them as if they had never sinned.

Q. 51. What is sanctification?
A. It is God's making sinners holy in heart and conduct.

Q. 52. For whom did Christ obey and suffer?
A. For those whom the Father had given him.

Q. 53. What kind of life did Christ live on earth?
A. A life of poverty and suffering.

Q. 54. What kind of death did Christ die?
A. The painful and shameful death of the cross.

Q. 55. Who will be saved?
A. Only those who repent of sin, believe in Christ, and lead holy lives.

Q. 56. What is it to repent?
A. To be sorry for sin, and to hate and forsake it because it is displeasing to God.

Q. 57. What is it to believe or have faith in Christ?
A. To trust in Christ alone for salvation.

Q. 58. Can you repent and believe in Christ by your own power?
A. No; I can do nothing good without the help of God's Holy Spirit.

Q. 59. How can you get the help of the Holy Spirit?
A. God has told us that we must pray to him for the Holy Spirit.

Q. 60. How long ago is it since Christ died?
A. More than nineteen hundred years.

Q. 61. How were pious persons saved before the coming of Christ?
A. By believing in a Savior to come.

Q. 62. How did they show their faith?
A. By offering sacrifices on God's altar.

Q. 63. What did these sacrifices represent?
A. Christ, the Lamb of God, who was to die for sinners.

Q. 64. What offices has Christ?
A. Christ has three offices.

Q. 65. What are they?
A. The offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king.

Q. 66. How is Christ a prophet?
A. Because he teaches us the will of God.

Q. 67. How is Christ a priest?
A. Because he died for our sins and pleads with God for us.

Q. 68. How is Christ a king?
A. Because he rules over us and defends us.

Q. 69. Why do you need Christ as a prophet?
A. Because I am ignorant.

Q. 70. Why do you need Christ as a priest?
A. Because I am guilty.

Q. 71. Why do you need Christ as a king?
A. Because I am weak and helpless.

Q. 72. How many commandments did God give on Mount Sinai?
A. Ten commandments.

Q. 73. What are the ten commandments sometimes called?
A. The Decalogue.

Q. 74. What do the first four commandments teach?
A. Our duty to God.

Q. 75. What do the last six commandments teach?
A. Our duty to our fellow men.

Q. 76. What is the sum of the ten commandments?
A. To love God with all my heart, and my neighbor as myself.

Q. 77. Who is your neighbor?A. All my fellow men are my neighbors.

Q. 78. Is God pleased with those who love and obey him?
A. Yes; he says, "I love them that love me."

Q. 79. Is God displeased with those who do not love and obey him?
A. Yes; "God is angry with the wicked every day."

Q. 80. What is the first commandment?
A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Q. 81. What does the first commandment teach us?
A. To worship God alone.

Q. 82. What is the second commandment?
A. The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any things that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Q. 83. What does the second commandment teach us?
A. To worship God in a proper manner, and to avoid idolatry.

Q. 84. What is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Q. 85. What does the third commandment teach me?
A. To reverence God's name, word, and works.

Q. 86. What is the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day, and hallowed it.

Q. 87. What does the fourth commandment teach us?
A. To keep the Sabbath holy.

Q. 88. What day of the week is the Christian Sabbath?
A. The first day of the week, called the Lord's day.

Q. 89. Why is it called the Lord's day?
A. Because on that day Christ rose from the dead.

Q. 90. How should the Sabbath be spent?
A. In prayer and praise, in hearing and reading God's Word, and in doing good to our fellow men.

Q. 91. What is the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Q. 92. What does the fifth commandment teach me?
A. To love and obey our parents and teachers.

Q. 93. What is the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.

Q. 94. What does the sixth commandment teach us?
A. To avoid angry passions.

Q. 95. What is the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Q. 96. What does the seventh commandment teach us?
A. To be pure in heart, language, and conduct.

Q. 97. What is the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

Q. 98. What does the eighth commandment teach us?
A. To be honest and industrious.

Q. 99. What is the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Q. 100. What does the ninth commandment teach us?
A. To tell the truth.

Q. 101. What is the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

Q. 102. What does the tenth commandment teach us?
A. To be content with our lot.

Q. 103. Can any man keep these ten commandments perfectly?
A. No mere man, since the fall of Adam, ever did or can keep the ten commandments perfectly.

Q. 104. Of what use are the ten commandments to us?
A. They teach us our duty, and show our need of a Savior.

Q. 105. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is asking God for things which he has promised to give.

Q. 106. In whose name should we pray?
A. Only in the name of Christ.

Q. 107. What has Christ given us to teach us how to pray?
A. The Lord's Prayer.

Q. 108. Repeat the Lord's Prayer.
A. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Q. 109. How many petitions are there in The Lord's Prayer?
A. Six.

Q. 110. What is the first petition?
A. "Hallowed be thy name."

Q. 111. What do we pray for in the first petition?
A. That God's name may be honored by us and all men.

Q. 112. What is the second petition?
A. "Thy kingdom come."

Q. 113. What do we pray for in the second petition?
A. That the gospel may be preached in all the world, and believed and obeyed by us and all men.

Q. 114. What is the third petition?
A. "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

Q. 115. What do we pray for in the third petition?
A. That men on earth may serve God as the angels do in heaven.

Q. 116. What is the fourth petition?
A. "Give us this day our daily bread."

Q. 117. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
A. That God would give us all things needful for our bodies and souls.

Q. 118. What is the fifth petition?
A. "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

Q. 119. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A. That God would pardon our sins for Christ's sake, and enable us to forgive those who have injured us.

Q. 120. What is the sixth petition?
A. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Q. 121. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A. That God would keep us from sin.

Q. 122. How many sacraments are there?
A. Two.

Q. 123. What are they?
A. Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Q. 124. Who appointed these sacraments?
A. The Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. 125. Why did Christ appoint these sacraments?
A. To distinguish his disciples from the world, and to comfort and strengthen them.

Q. 126. What sign is used in baptism?
A. The washing with water.

Q. 127. What does this signify?
A. That we are cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ.

Q. 128. In whose name are we baptized?
A. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Q. 129. Who are to be baptized?
A. Believers and their children.

Q. 130. Why should infants be baptized?
A. Because they have a sinful nature and need a Savior.

Q. 131. Does Christ care for little children?
A. Yes; for he says, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

Q. 132. To what does your baptism bind you?
A. To be a true follower of Christ.

Q. 133. What is the Lord's Supper?
A. The eating of bread and drinking of wine in remembrance of the sufferings and death of Christ.

Q. 134. What does the bread represent?
A. The body of Christ, broken for our sins.

Q. 135. What does the wine represent?
A. The blood of Christ, shed for our salvation.

Q. 136. Who should partake of the Lord's Supper?
A. Only those who repent of their sins, believe in Christ for salvation, and love their fellow men.

Q. 137. Did Christ remain in the tomb after his crucifixion?
A. No; he rose from the tomb on the third day after his death.

Q. 138. Where is Christ now?
A. In heaven, interceding for sinners.

Q. 139. Will he come again?
A. Yes; at the last day Christ will come to judge the world.

Q. 140. What becomes of men at death?
A. The body returns to dust, and the soul goes into the world of spirits.

Q. 141. Will the bodies of the dead be raised to life again?
A. Yes; "The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised."

Q. 142. What will become of the wicked in the day of judgment?
A. They shall be cast into hell.

Q. 143. What is hell?
A. A place of dreadful and endless torment.

Q. 144. What will become of the righteous?
A. They shall be taken to heaven.

Q. 145. What is heaven?
A. A glorious and happy place, where the righteous shall be forever with the Lord.


Copyright © 1996-2009,
Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics,
All Rights Reserved

5 Weeks To A Clean and Organized Home wk1

Day 5 of Week 1 ~ Just About Finished In The Kitchen!

 To finish out the week we will be working on the woodwork, windows and tiding up anything that was missed.  Wood work includes base molding, widow and door frames, crown moldings, bead-board and cabinets. I am also including washing the walls and getting any cobwebs from the ceiling corners.


Yesterday I scrubbed the pantry's walls, base molding, door and door casings with a Mr Clean Magic Eraser. I lurve those things! I didn't think it was *that* bad in there until the magic eraser turned BLACK and was falling apart when I was done! My pantry is also my laundry room so the washing machine and dryer got a sprucing up too. It looks so nice and bright in there now! Unfortunately now that things are clean and organized I can see "projects" that need done...like a coat of paint, patching some house settling cracks, new flooring to replace what the dog tore up, and more storage needs added so my bulk purchases at Costco are not just piled in like before.  Best talk to Hubby and make some budget adjustments... :)


We are taking today off from cleaning because my second daughter Princess is turning 9! Once everyone's school is finished we will figure out if it is buying a cake from the store or going for Marble Slab Creamery ice cream after her special birthday dinner at her favorite restaurant.  The Hubby and girls are also belt testing in karate tomorrow so planning and packing snacks, lunch and gear is on the to do list. As a special treat for earning their "orange belts" the girls are getting their nails done in a funky iridescent orange nail polish. Hubby and I will tackle the challenges I missed on Monday and Tuesday after church.

This will be a fun and busy weekend!

beef tacos

beef filling-
2 tbsp vegetable oil or corn oil
1 small onion, diced (2/3 cup)
3 medium cloves of garlic, minced (1 tbsp)
2tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
table salt
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp cider vinegar
ground black pepper

shells and toppings-
8 taco shells (warmed)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack
2 cups iceberg lettuce shredded
2 small tomatoes diced
1/2 cup sour cream
1 avocado, diced
1 small onion, chopped small
2 tbsp minced fresh cilantro leaves
hot pepper sauce such as Tabasco


heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat until hot and shimmering but not smoking, about 2 min; add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 min, add garlic, spices, and 1/2 tsp salt; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 min. add ground beef and cook, breaking meat up with a wooden spoon and scraping pan bottom to prevent scorching, until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes, add tomato sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, and vinegar,; bring to simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently and breaking meat up so that no chunks remain. serve in taco shells with toppings

April 8, 2010

chocolate chip and oat cookies

1 cup softened butter
1cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 cups oats
24 oz chocolate chips

preheat oven to 350 degrees
grease brownie pan
mix ingredients in order
spread dough into pan
bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min until brown
let cool then cut into squares

5 Weeks To A Clean and Organized Home wk1


Today's challenge from Christian HomeKeeper™ Network is the counter tops and small appliances.
Its time to clean the toaster oven, microwave, blender, food processor, and coffee maker. Did I miss anything? Once those are cleaned and OFF the counters it is time to give the counters a good scrubbing. Bleach out any stains (I use a Mr Clean magic eraser) and don't forget the junk that collects in the cracks and edges.
Now that the counters are clean put back the appliances in a nice neat way or see if they can move to another area to clear up counter clutter.

I did this yesterday while cleaning cabinets. I actually threw away so much STUFF that I could put my blenders (I have 3) and such in a cabinet. A good thing too as I have barely any counter space! I also put my knife racks in the cabinet over the microwave for more space and to keep Bub from having access to them. I hope one day to pare down the knives and get one of those magnets that holds them on the wall.


Now I am off to finish my cabinets and pantry!

UPDATE--
pantry just FILLED ANOTHER 50 gal trash can!
pantry shelves- clean, organized, cans and spices wiped clean
1st set of pantry cabinets- cleaned and organized. EWWWWW...
3 more sets of pantry cabinets to go. Then to clean the floor
kitchen cabinets are clean and mostly organized. mystery glob soaking.

can NOT walk in the kitchen area for all the extra junk we need to find homes for...or walk in the rabbit room for all the extra junk from pantry. man we are pack rats!!!!!

April 7, 2010

5 Weeks To A Clean and Organized Home wk1


The Christian HomeKeeper™ Network is having a 5 Weeks To A Clean and Organized Home event. She started her challenge on Monday. I started it today (Wednesday). Oops. I have some catching up to do!

Today is day 3- Cupboards and Storage Areas
The challenge...
Take everything out of the cabinet, repackage or throw away what needs to be thrown out.
Once everything is out of the cabinet, clean the shelves and any cans, jars, or containers that need it.
Once the cabinet prepared, its time to put things back.Nice and neat.

So far I have 2 cabinets done. I stopped to blog some recipes I found on paper that is nearly see through from age. My kitchen table is buried under a pile of stuff that shouldn't go in the plate cabinet and my counters are covered in cleaning products and paper towels. I have a 50 gallon trash can about 1/4 full of outdated medicines and herbs...how did I let that happen!?

I really don't like to clean but I do love the "after" so I will keep going...right after lunch.
I am going to enlist the ankle biters for the lower cabinets. I am sure I can find some way to link it to homeschooling hopefully not as a life science or biology project!


UPDATE-- got all the uppers done and FILLED that 50 gallon trash can! OY! Today (Thursday) I will finish the lower cabinets and drawers, quick tidy the pantry and do the current challenge!

Job 42

(New King James Version)

Job 42

Job’s Repentance and Restoration
 1 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 “I know that You can do everything,
      And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’
      Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
      Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
 4 Listen, please, and let me speak;
      You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’
 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
      But now my eye sees You.
 6 Therefore I abhor myself,
      And repent in dust and ashes.”
7 And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. 8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.
9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them; for the LORD had accepted Job. 10 And the LORD restored Job’s losses[a] when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold.
12 Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch. 15 In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers.
16 After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. 17 So Job died, old and full of days.
 ______

Last Saturday I was really struggling with the pain and heart ache of the ectopic pregnancy. I was talking to Hubby and saying how it isn't fair, why me, is it a punishment from God, and how much I wish I was still expecting. A real pity party! Hubby just held me and agreed with some of what I said and rebuked me for the other parts. I asked him to hand me the Bible thinking we should start reading a Proverb a day. Instead the Bible fell open to Job 42.


Oh my! Talk about a word from God! Here was poor Job having some of the same feelings I was and God talking him through them. The part that got me was once Job repented and stopped demanding for things to be as they were...THEN God was able to come in and restore him!


I don't have to understand WHY this happened. The Lord knows and it is not for me to question Him. God hears me. He understands my pain. He wants to heal my heart and give me good things. It is not a punishment it was to pull me closer to Him. Now that I have stepped out of His way I am seeing Him everywhere! Things are changing so much in my house! My Hubby is leading us in nightly Bible studies. The children are more peaceful. Hubby is going back to school and God is blessing that. I can't wait to see what else will come now that I am out of the way of God!


Yes, my heart still hurts, but it is not that raw aching pain. It is a fleeting thought tinged with sadness but quickly replaced with joy that my baby is in heaven and I will see it again!

April 6, 2010

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

6 Tbsp oil
6 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup chili powder
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp oregano
4 tsp sugar

Heat oil and cornstarch together for one minute. Add chili powder, cook for one minute. Stir in broth and whisk well. Add remaining ingredients and then lower heat to simmer. Simmer until thick, about 30 minutes.

5 Weeks To A Clean and Organized Home wk1


I missed doing the first 2 days of the challenge 
so I am just posting what SHOULD HAVE BEEN done.

Day 2 ~ Kitchen

The main task is to clean under the appliances and clean the floors, yes do this BEFORE the rest of the kitchen is cleaned so that at the end of the week a good sweep is all that is needed! Be sure to move the appliances out and get those nasty areas spotless also scrub the edges of the floors and any cracks

April 5, 2010

'why no one uses midhusbands'

5 Weeks To A Clean and Organized Home wk1


5 Weeks To A Clean And Organized Home ~ Week 1 Begins Today!

I missed the first 2 days of the challenge.
This is just to have all the challenges in one place on my blog.


Let’s start today with the Refrigerator, Freezer and Oven.

Here are some tips for cleaning the frig:
Clean out and throw away unusable or outdated food.
Re-wrap and package food that isn’t wrapped well.
Take everything out of the frig.
Make up a cleaning solution of either your favorite store-bought cleaner or, use a warm water-mild detergent mixture.
Be sure NOT to use hot water on refrigerator shelves or drawers that are glass. The sudden change in temperature can cause the glass to break!
Wipe down the insides of the refrigerator, clean out all the drawers and shelves and then replace the shelves and drawers.
Place a box or canister of baking soda in your clean refrigerator to absorb odors and excess moisture.
Wipe down all the contents of the refrigerator and replace them.
Be sure to gently clean the gasket or plastic seal around the door.


Cleaning the Freezer:
Most freezers are self defrosting or no-frost today. If yours needs to be defrosted go ahead and start the process.
Pull everything out of the freezer. If the food is not labeled, check the contents to see if it is still good and if it is, re-wrap and label.
Once everything is out of the freezer, and all the food has been sorted and re-wrapped if needed, place it all back in the freezer. Organize it as it goes in. Meat together, veggies together, etc.
Be sure to clean the gaskets or seals on the door.

Cleaning the Oven and Stove:
Most newer ovens are self cleaning. Follow your oven’s manufacturer’s instructions and get the process going.
If you have a Textured Oven or a Continuous Cleaning Oven, all you need to do is to wipe down the inside of the oven when it is cool.

I usually try to do a deep clean of the fridge and freezer the day before my Costco trip. It is nice since by that time it is just about empty and I don't have to worry about food spoiling while it is sitting out waiting for me to be done. So in this house that means ONCE A MONTH the fridge and freezer need done. (Do you hear that my children?!) My gas oven is only cleaned when I can open windows to let out the smoke created and it is not summer because here in TX it is too HOT to turn that puppy on "clean" and have the windows open letting the bought air out!

April 4, 2010

olive oil rubbed baked potatoes

*enough potatoes for your family (any kind- we have used baking potatoes, yukon gold, and new potatoes)

* olive oil

*coarse sea salt

Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Pierce freshly washed potatoes with a knife a few times
Rub olive oil on potatoes -cover completely with oil
Place on a cookie sheet and sprinkle lightly with salt
Bake 1 hour at 450 degrees or until center is soft when pierced with fork

(make extra cause these go fast!)

Roast Spatchcocked Turkey

Roast Spatchcocked Turkey

Roast Spatchcocked Turkey
For step-by-step instructions on carving a spatchcocked turkey, see our how-to.

Ingredients

Serves 8 to 10
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 whole fresh turkey (about 12 pounds)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Stir together oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Rinse inside and outside of turkey; pat dry with paper towels. Spatchcock turkey (see our how-to). Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet, breast side up. Let stand for 30 minutes.
  3. Brush or rub turkey all over with oil mixture. Roast, rotating sheet halfway through and basting twice, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 degrees, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Let stand for 20 minutes before carving (see our how-to).
From Martha Stewart Living, November 2009
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