Apparently the early bird does not get the worm, at least not this time. I put all the names in a cup and let my son pick it out, just to prevent any favoritism since I know all of you. ;)
The winner of my drawing is Janna. Congratulation Janna, I will bring you your package on Wednesday if that's okay.
Photo Credit #ILoveLakeMac My little spot in the world...Lake McConaughy. This is where we live work and play. The people here are solid gold, couldn't ask for any better.
Monday, November 16
Sunday, November 15
Saturday, November 14
How Would You Rate Your Prayer Life?
This was the question posed at our bible study the other night. I missed it because someone had to stay home with the boys and since I've been working so much I opted to stay home. But the question was how would you rate your prayer life? Apparently these kinds of questions stir up guilt and other emotions. My husband said that it was quite the discussion.
I think it's important for us as Christians to quit comparing ourselves with others but rather ask God what he wants us to do. We can't compare ourselves to the men who wrote about closing themselves up for hours every morning to pray. Was that what God called them to do? Apparently so. But God gave me children who wake up at the first sound in the morning begging to be fed. Then I need to teach them. And I need to find time to do my housework and plan and cook meals. What am I to do?
As I was thinking about the conversation that my husband described to me I remembered writing this a few years ago.
"These are just a few of the things that I am praying for daily. As the mother of two young and active boys it's hard to find a time of dedicated quiet so I have learned to take the verse about praying without ceasing literally. I pray as I'm driving my van, as I'm folding clothes, as I'm in the shower or lying in bed before I fall asleep. I pray as I'm working in my yard or cleaning my house. I utter words of prayer whenever I think of it.
I may not be able to pray for our hours as Hudson Taylor did, but I think that God will honor my prayers that I send up as I can. If anyone can understand how busy and hard my days are it's God and I believe that He understands I'm doing what I can. And I thank God everyday that I am able to converse with Him at any time."
I think it's important for us as Christians to quit comparing ourselves with others but rather ask God what he wants us to do. We can't compare ourselves to the men who wrote about closing themselves up for hours every morning to pray. Was that what God called them to do? Apparently so. But God gave me children who wake up at the first sound in the morning begging to be fed. Then I need to teach them. And I need to find time to do my housework and plan and cook meals. What am I to do?
As I was thinking about the conversation that my husband described to me I remembered writing this a few years ago.
"These are just a few of the things that I am praying for daily. As the mother of two young and active boys it's hard to find a time of dedicated quiet so I have learned to take the verse about praying without ceasing literally. I pray as I'm driving my van, as I'm folding clothes, as I'm in the shower or lying in bed before I fall asleep. I pray as I'm working in my yard or cleaning my house. I utter words of prayer whenever I think of it.
I may not be able to pray for our hours as Hudson Taylor did, but I think that God will honor my prayers that I send up as I can. If anyone can understand how busy and hard my days are it's God and I believe that He understands I'm doing what I can. And I thank God everyday that I am able to converse with Him at any time."
Well, those are my thoughts on the subject. Oh wait, one last thought. There is a verse that says it is better to obey God rather than men. So if someone is making you feel guilty because you aren't living a holy enough life stop and evaluate...are you doing things the way that you feel God is leading you or your pastor, bible study leader, best friend, etc?
Friday, November 13
Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes
The other night I was in the mood for scalloped potatoes. I looked at the recipe in my old trusty Better Homes and Garden cookbook and although it looked okay, I thought maybe I could improve on it. Here is what I did:
Peel and slice thinly 6-8 medium potatoes.
Melt 1/4 cup butter and add 1 finely diced onion. Cook until onions are soft. Add 1/3 cup of flour and let brown slightly. (you want to get the flour taste cooked out) Add 2 cups of milk, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, cook until it's slightly thickened. Add 1/2 of the potatoes to a 3 quart casserole and cover with 1/2 the milk mixture. Add the rest of the potatoes and the rest of the milk mixture. Cover and cook in the oven for 1 1/4 hours at 350 degrees, take the lid off and cook an additional 15 minutes.
It's really a very simple dish but oh so tasty. Give it a try!
Peel and slice thinly 6-8 medium potatoes.
Melt 1/4 cup butter and add 1 finely diced onion. Cook until onions are soft. Add 1/3 cup of flour and let brown slightly. (you want to get the flour taste cooked out) Add 2 cups of milk, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, cook until it's slightly thickened. Add 1/2 of the potatoes to a 3 quart casserole and cover with 1/2 the milk mixture. Add the rest of the potatoes and the rest of the milk mixture. Cover and cook in the oven for 1 1/4 hours at 350 degrees, take the lid off and cook an additional 15 minutes.
It's really a very simple dish but oh so tasty. Give it a try!
Thursday, November 12
Homemade Chai Latte and a Contest
I love a good chai latte but it's not so convenient for me to get downtown to buy one. Last month we started selling Twinings Chai at work so I bought a box. This morning I mixed up a pretty yummy chai tea latte at home.
Here is how I did it:
Take two tea bags and steep in boiling water for 6 minutes. Add 1/4 cup warmed milk and 2 pumps of Starbucks vanilla syrup. The only thing that would have been better is if I had a way to make the milk foamy.
So good and and a nice change from my morning coffee and I bought a whole box of tea for the price of one latte downtown so that's a win for the pocketbook too!
This is the 350th post I've written. I have no grandiose ideas of becoming a famous blogger but I enjoy sharing. To celebrate this momentous event I am giving away a little package of goodies. To enter all you have to do is comment on this post and on the 15th I will draw a name. Good luck!
This is the 350th post I've written. I have no grandiose ideas of becoming a famous blogger but I enjoy sharing. To celebrate this momentous event I am giving away a little package of goodies. To enter all you have to do is comment on this post and on the 15th I will draw a name. Good luck!
Friday, November 6
Book Review- Evil Obsession
The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil. Anne Cook would have been a perfect example of how greed can make you evil. She did despicable things all to gain a few more dollars with the goal of someday buying a coveted piece of land including making a prostitute of her daughter when she was 13 and abusing family and poor people to the point of death.
This book made me sick to think that one person could be so evil but even more I was saddened to see how many people in her life looked the other way when they suspected or knew what was going on. I was astonished that her husband was so weak. I kept wondering how different life might have turned out for them and their family if he would have been more of a leader in his family. I wept for the people in her family who were abused and not one person stepped up to help them.
For me this book was impossible to put down. I felt haunted by it, thinking that this woman was no different than the Nazis. But I was also extremely convicted. When I see evil or the potential of evil, do I step up? Or do I look the other way and hope someone else does the right thing?
This book made me sick to think that one person could be so evil but even more I was saddened to see how many people in her life looked the other way when they suspected or knew what was going on. I was astonished that her husband was so weak. I kept wondering how different life might have turned out for them and their family if he would have been more of a leader in his family. I wept for the people in her family who were abused and not one person stepped up to help them.
For me this book was impossible to put down. I felt haunted by it, thinking that this woman was no different than the Nazis. But I was also extremely convicted. When I see evil or the potential of evil, do I step up? Or do I look the other way and hope someone else does the right thing?
My Favorite Things Giveaway
This is not my giveaway but I love this gals' blog so I am giving her and her friends a big thumbs up and suggest you pop over and sign up.
I have been friends with Leigh Anne for a long time. Oh wait, we're not friends. In fact I don't even know her. But I love her blog and I feel like we could be friends, if I was a little more classy. (smile)
Seriously though, she writes a wonderful blog at www.yourhomebasedmom.com.
I also discovered a new blogger through this giveaway and if you like to find great ideas for sewing, crafting, gift giving or cooking go check out http://crazylittleprojects.com/
I have been friends with Leigh Anne for a long time. Oh wait, we're not friends. In fact I don't even know her. But I love her blog and I feel like we could be friends, if I was a little more classy. (smile)
Seriously though, she writes a wonderful blog at www.yourhomebasedmom.com.
I also discovered a new blogger through this giveaway and if you like to find great ideas for sewing, crafting, gift giving or cooking go check out http://crazylittleprojects.com/
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