TRY-IT TUESDAYS

We are on our second "Try-It Tuesday" and this week I made Italian Breadsticks.

I actually made the dough and kneaded it. Now don't think I'm little miss Suzie Homemaker, but it felt so good to make something from scratch that tasted so good. I love getting old-fashioned every now and then. However, I love the convenience of Pillsbury's rolls in a tube too!

But that's what Try-It Tuesdays are about: to try something new or long forgotten. Hmmm.. next week we're going to have to "try" something artsy. See you soon!

Try-it Tuesdays

This year I am focusing more on being a good housewife and mother. So much of those go hand in hand. For example, cleaning the bathrooms. I can gripe and complain about wiping the toilet, while I'm scrubbing the bathtub or cleaning the floors while my little ears listen. I'm setting a bad example. OR I can bring them alongside me and show them how to clean, scrub and wipe the bathroom and doing it with a happy heart. Doing anything together is deposit in your child's memory bank that will last forever. This is teaching and mothering while getting the housework done. It does seem easier said than done. I literally have to put up a 3 x 5 card on my bulletin board to remind me everyday!





So back to my point, this year I'm going to bake more, cook more, knit more, sew more, and TRY some new things with my children by doing TRY-IT TUESDAYS.





So we started last Tuesday. I made homemade chili and found a recipe in a book called Family Feasts for $75 a week. We made cheesy garlic biscuits. They were so yummy!!! I made two batches. The kids just had cheese and my husband and I had the cheese & garlic.


Amanda's Buttery Garlic- Cheese Biscuits
2 C. all-purpose flour
2 T. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1 Teas. salt
1 C. milk
1/4 C. shredded Cheddar cheese
3 T. melted butter
3 cloves garlic minced

1. Preheat oven to 375. Grease muffin tin.
2. In a large bowl , mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add milk and cheese; stir just until combined. Divide batter among 12 muffin cups.
3. Mix melted butter and garlic; drizzle over biscuits. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve hot!

I'll be posting what we've decided to do here on our TRY-IT TUESDAYS. Who knows? Next week it could be a craft, gardening, etc. I don't have it all planned out yet. Please reply if you're going to join me!!

New Year, New You

The new year is upon us and if you're like me you have made some goals and resolutions. I've decided to pick the word "CONSISTENCY" as my theme this year. I will be working on "CONSISTENCY" in all areas in my life. (My second word is PATIENCE which will have to be helped simultaneously.)


This year I will put effort into being consistent with:

• daily Bible/quiet time
• working out
• drinking my water
• keeping my house clean and organized
• disciplining the children
• bedtimes (mine included)
• staying on schedule
• reading every night to the children
• being an example for my children

These are in no particular order, but all in much needed effort. I thought I have put in lots of effort in years past but I was relying on my own strength. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phil.4:13

How funny we try to accomplish things on our own and waste so much time. You see, that's where the impatience comes bursting in. I AM IMPATIENT. But, I remember how PATIENT the Lord is with me and I remember everything is in good timing.

I'd love to hear some of your goals or resolutions for the year and how you will plan to meet them.

Blessings,

Sofie

Christmas Past, Present and Future

As we approach Christmas in less than two weeks a way, I'm remembering my childhood Christmases. Every year the children from our neighborhood would go caroling and end up at a neighbor's house for hot chocolate and cookies. I remember some when there were few presents, some with many presents. I remember when my parents had to wait until Christmas Eve one year to shop for our presents. One year my father gave me his leather jacket from the military. I was reminded by one of my sisters that one year we were ungrateful brats about our gifts.


Looking back, it really didn't matter what we got. We were always reminded of what Christmas was all about. Sure, we came together as a family and had great feasts with our extended family.


But my parents never let us forget the significance of that day. We were given the greatest gift of all, a SAVIOR.


As I bring up my own children I try to teach them "the way they should go" and remind them about what our Lord has given us each day, not just during the holidays. I have started our own traditions. We always sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and make a birthday cake. We let a different child each year be Santa and pass out the gifts to each person. We alternate who gets to put the star on as well. These are just small things ,but these are the memories my children will have when they leave my nest.



I hope you make some traditions, whether you have children or not. Make them last and never forget why we celebrate December 25th. You have been given a gift!

November

Now that it's November, it's getting pretty chilly. Yesterday I made beef stew with homemade bread on the side. It was a perfect way to end the day. Today I'm making chili in the crock pot and cornbread. I'll even add some Frito chips for the kids. We've just begun our second Unit in Tapestry of Grace exploring the Renaissance period. This week we are discovering Da Vinci and Michelangelo. The kids are going to pick one painting and try to copy it. This should be fun! We are also getting our house ready for Thanksgiving. We always make decorations, centerpieces and a "Thanksgiving Tree". Pictures to follow!!

Falling for Fall

Well the weather has finally begun to change here in the Central Valley of California. I know fall has not officially begun. However, we can turn off the a/c, Friday night football is in the air, (I can literally hear the game from my house), Saturday pee-wee football all day, NFL games, it gets a little darker a little earlier, the nights are very cool with a big sky so clear we can see the stars and count them, the stores have their Halloween AND Christmas decor on sale, and we have just past Labor Day. Ah...This is my second favorite time of year. The first, of course is December (pre-Christmas).

So with school in session now, Cub scouts, Brownie Girl Scouts, practices, games and the everyday shuttling I've decided to focus this fall in making things as simple as I can for myself. This will include crock-pot meals. Mmmm... hot hearty meals with little effort. I love it! As far as school goes; we will do most of our work after lunch and leave the mornings for trips to the park and field trips. The weather is just too nice at 10:00 am to be inside. As we move along through September I'll hope to be posting some thought or ideas to share this fall. Enjoy the season!

WFMW-Coupon Organization

WFMW-Coupon Organization

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Here is a great site for those of use who need a little help in resourcefulness! Molly does a great job in providing all the tools and resources you'll need to make the most of your dollar! Check out this amazing Couponizer!

Time....where did it go?

I has been so long since I've update this blog. I though that the summer season would allow more "time" to get to the things I really wanted to "get to" while school was in session. I have sewing projects, knitting projects, crocheting projects, suncatcher projects, and a whole host of "gonna get to" projects when I have the time. Today, for example, I had it in my head to take out my sewing machine and make some progress on new patterns I had purchased last year! However, this morning began with a phone call which lasted more than 45 minutes, then there was the email, and finally the kids chores. They were not completed all the way or done half-fast. So naturally I made them "do it over". Oh and had to take time out to feed them :). So here I am, it's almost five o'clock and now it's time to start dinner. Oh what an unaccomplished day! I am missing out on the moments because I think the "momments" have to be planned, organized, printed out and discussed. But all is not lost, we still have dinner prep and maybe we'll get a little RockBand in tonight. There is never enough time, we have to make it! So if you'll excuse me, I have to go and make a memory with my kids.

Busy as a Bee and FLYING

Wow! It has been awhile since I've been to my blog. So sorry. Every year the month of May seems to be so busy! From weddings to sports, end of year banquets and the last stretch of school. I found that been so busy really takes away from the important things like family conversations at the dinner table, movie nights in the living room, being rested enough to go play outside with the kids and so much more! I have made a very special effort to bless myself by taking good care of myself so in turn I can bless my home and my family. I recently stumbled across the FlyLady! This is the most helpful,encouraging web site I have found. The FlyLady teaches you that it's okay to Love Yourself, hence the acronym FLY (Finally Loving Yourself). Don't be mistaken, this is not a self-centered, self-pleasing, me me me attitude. Rather one of helping yourself to help others. After all isn't that what we women do whether we have children or just a spouse? I hope you take time to visit this site, you will be blessed!

YOU Have Been Chosen

"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." (Isaiah 40:11)

What a positive , encouraging word the Lord has given us mothers. He again and again gives us promise that He will be there for us in every situation. All mothers face challenges, struggles and frustrations at some point, whether it be bad behavior with the children or your own unwillingly attitude. Howver, never forget, He has chosen YOU to be your children's' mother. Remember this and let go of the feelings and thoughts of inadequacy and incompetence. God has chosen YOU and He knows what He's doing!