A Letter to my Children about Marriage @ Generation Cedar was a fantastic post. Some great stuff including some incredible reminders to us who are already married.

Changing Lives One Laundry Load at a Time @ Small Notebook. We’re not taking care of stuff, we’re taking care of people!

Woman: Creative Despot @ Feminine Adventures said, "The idea of homemaking being the freeing “career” is refreshing and radical and TRUE.  Within our homes we can decorate and teach, organize and cook with a creative freedom that doctors and lawyers can’t hope to match." It made me once again, thank the Lord for His amazing design and the husband he gave me who supports it!

In the season of rain, pray for rain by Lisa-Jo was a really good reminder. She said, "I pray for what I want, but rarely for what I have." and that struck a cord with me!

The Baby IS the Lesson @ Love to Learn had a lot of great points. While homeschooling was the context, I think it is a great read for everyone!

Pipe Cleaner People @ se7en is a craft we are definitely going to do at some point. Chloe would love them!

20 Tips for Finding Routine with Your Kids @ Simple Mom was chock full of ideas to help you (and me!) on the way to a better, more functional routine with littles!

The Family That Plays Together @ Simple Homeschool had some great ideas for implementing fun and bonding times.

Tots to Teens: The Truth, Way & Life @ Totally Tots had this fantastic bell that goes hand in hand with a bible study I am working on. I loved it. Take a moment to read it today.

Middle of the road dining @ eBabble shared some interesting thoughts as well. I would rather have more quality less quantity over quantity without quality.

Grace…Heap it On Yourself @ Simple Mom has a link to a little survey. Take it to determine your stress level. She also reminds us that at times we need to give ourselves grace.

Bubble Gum Machine Cake Pops @ Happy Housewife look really really neat. A bit labor-intensive but not hard. I bet Chloe would just LOVE them!

Bullet Test

• Bullet One
• Bullet Two

Number test

1. Number 1
2. Number 2

In 2009 I read:

• Small portions of scripture each day most days
• Little House in the Big Woods with the Chloe (I’d love to get the set; Chloe loved them and so did I!!)
• Passionate Housewives Desperate for God (Which was an incredible blessing! Highly recommended!!)
• The Love Dare (only part of it)
• The Unfinished Gift and The Christmas Dog
• Many wonderful blogs!

Wish List for 2010:

Books I Have and Hope to Read:

• Living Life on Purpose by Lisa TerKeurst
• The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace (I am super excited to read this one though my knees are shaking at the prospect. This is one comprehensive looking book that came highly recommended!)
• Youniquely Woman by Kay Arthur, Emilie Barnes & Donna Otto
• Biblical Womanhood in the Home by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
• Habits of a Child’s Heart by Valerie Hess and Mari Watson
• With All Their Heart by Christine Yount

Refresher Reads (Previously read, would like to read again someday!)

• Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George
• Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George
• Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
• To Train Up a Child by Michael & Debi Pear

• Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook
• The Early Years: A Charlotte Mason Preschool Handbook
• I don’t know why the above two books have a strike-out through them and it is frustrating me to no end! **grrr**
• The Early Years: A Charlotte Mason Preschool Handbook
• Steady Days by Jamie Martin (I read her blog Steady Mom and enjoy it greatly! This is her first book and it officially comes out in a few days!)
• No Greater Joy by Michael & Debi Pearl

Now I have a serious love for self-improvement books (my "self help" books as DH calls them) and I have to watch myself! I love books that give me fresh ideas for home-making or organization, or books the provide encouragment and motivation to a higher plain in my walk with the Lord, in my marriage or as a mother. I enjoy books that give me new ideas in teaching my tots about the Lord, life, crafts and education. And you know, I have to admit that reading blogs fills a good portion of these catagories but you know what is missing? Reading a nice story just for fun. My favorite kinds? Historical Christian Romance with a happy ending. My goal? Getting one of these in during the coming year!

• This post links to Life as Mom

I have a lovely wood sideboard that contains beautiful hand painted dishes with gold edges that were hand crafted and brought back from African carefully, piece by piece. They were a gift from my mother-in-law to my DH long before I arrived on the scene. He had them displayed in a glass china cabinet but since we replaced that with solid wood Mennonite furniture, there really isn’t anywhere to display them. Since they are far too precious to use with two little tots right now, I decided to pack them up into Rubbermaid totes and store them. This frees up the sideboard for board games and Chloe’s learning material; a completely logical choice since both of those activities generally happen at the big dining room table. This has been something that I have been putting of and finally did. Let me tell you, it feels great! It didn’t take long at all but with that little tune-up completed, a weight has been lifted. Hurray!

View Full Album

I also had some spots on the carpet that were driving me crazy. We built our home before having littles and despite my mother’s cautionary tales, we put in light colored carpet. Anyway, after what seemed like a gazillion trips to the hardware store to rent a rug cleaner, DH bought me one. I’ve had it for a month or so and it has been such a blessing. John is delighted with it too!

Is there something small that you can do this week that will give you satisfaction once you can cross it off that to-do list?

———————————————————————————-

What is Tune-Up Tuesday? Find out more HERE!

Do you have a tune-up you are working on or completed? Link up (directly to your post) or share a comment! If you could mention TUT and link back so others can join in too, that would be appreciated!

I don’t think Chloe remembers snow from last year. It wasn’t even 8:00am and she was dressed and outside exploring the frost and exclaiming, “Snow! Snow!” She was so excited

Shortly there after she was back inside informing me that she was, “So Freezing!” Some breakfast and a blanket worked wonders.

Thank you Lord, for frosty days and warm fireplaces!

And John just stayed inside and entertained himself.

• This post is linked to Gratituesday @ Heavenly Homemakers  and it definitely took less than 30 minutes to write. Join the 30 Minute Challenge here.

Growing up in a small town in Northern Ontario where a pizza cost a fortune, we made our own. I loved it because it was so fun “decorating” the pizza and mom always let us drink the pineapple juice. Here is the recipe from my childhood. It is even better eaten cold the next day. My DH doesn’t like the recipe as it is a very bready crust and not traditional at all but I just love it. We made it a few weeks ago when DH wasn’t going to be home for dinner. I invited my parents over. What a fun time. I’m thankful for good food and good memories of growing up!

Easy & Delicious Pizza

• Sugar
• Yeast
• Water
• Flour
• Salt
• Onion Salt
• Pizza Sauce
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Toppings (onions, pepperoni, pineapple, mushrooms)

1. 1 tsp sugar and 1 pkg of yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water – Dissolve and let stand for 10 minutes.
2. Mix in 2 TBSP large, 2 TBSP sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp onion salt and 3/4 cups lukewarm water.
3. Then add in 3 cups flour.
4. Let rise for 30 minutes covered and away from draft.
5. Knead a few times, shape into ball and cut in half. Spread each out on a cookie sheet creased with lard.
6. Put on sauce and toppings. (We use pepperoni, onion, canned mushrooms and pineapple. Up north produce was expensive and we grew up only using canned mushrooms for the pizza. Living in southern Ontario now, we have an abundance of fresh produce but I still loved canned mushrooms on this pizza! I also like diced, not sliced pepperoni. Blame it all on my mother!)
7. Bake at 400 deg F for 15-20 Minutes (could take longer depending on your pan and oven)
8. Remove and add Mozzarella cheese and bake another 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted nicely.

We finished off the night with a story. I actually have a much better picture but mom is in it and I think she’s a bit camera shy so I thought I’d just put dad up instead. He won’t mind!

This post links to Gratituesday, Mouthwatering Mondays, Tasty Tuesday,and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday since it seems to go with them all.

Photo by Zellaby

Years ago, when our family was experiencing some dramatic changes, my mother wrote this poem. As a young adult, almost out of my teens, I had dismissed it just mom’s ramblings (sorry mom!). But having come across it last week in my recipe box, I read it again; this time through the eyes of a grown daughter with children of my own and it suddenly had meaning for me.

In the beginning things were done, as we thought they ought to be.

Repeated twice they became, a part of our history.

Each year some change would  along, often very slight.

Another year we’d try a change, but it just wasn’t quite right.

Some changes did occur,that really caused a struggle.

At those times we’d weight the cost, to justify the trouble.

Often things could not be helped; the change had to be embraced.

Accept the change, repeat it twice, tradition now replaced.

Sometimes the change seemed threatening, uncomfortable at start.

Tradition roots run deep within; those memories of the heart.

Times in our lives we had to let go and tearfully move on,

Cherishing those special memories of times that are now gone.

Memories remembered, are added to the new,

For they are part of who we are and what we say or do.

Looking through the years of time tradition inevitably changes,

Yet history in the family continues through the ages.

Searching through the history to find what is the same,

Knowing it is precious; trying to find the name.

So many memories to ponder, and lovingly restore:

Good food, fun times and blessings so many times before.

The answer so apparent: it’s the Love of Christ you see!

Bigger than all traditions, He’s the bond in family!

 

This year we have several things that will be different. With my grandfather passing, my grandmother’s health, changes in relationships with siblings (especially since Keith is now in Australia!); there are so many things that won’t be done “like we always do it!” I don’t like change! But if I am to have joy, I need to embrace inevitable changes. Praise the Lord that HE never changes!

The Challenge? Embrace new traditions this year! What changes have you been resisting for the sake of tradition? Is there something that you need to stop resisting and embrace?

——————————————————————-

What is Tune-Up Tuesday? Find out more HERE!

Do you have a tune-up you are working on or completed? Link up (directly to your post) or share a comment! If you could mention TUT and link back so others can join in too, that would be appreciated!

Source

I am excited to announce that the talented April of April Showers Blog Design is working on my site. The preview I saw is awesome and I am so happy {insert happy dance here}. I wasn’t sure exactly what look I wanted but when the preview arrived in my inbox – it was just what I didn’t know I wanted! Whoo Hoo!

Please be patient while I get things set up just so

Photo by Denis Collette

The Real Joy Secret @ (in)Courage was an incredible reminder that we are not alone in our feelings of failure, unworthiness and despair that most of us experience from time to time.

One Brief Moment in Time @ By His Grace really spoke to my heart and convicted me about immediate obedience to Him. A must-read for sure!

Front-Porch Mentoring @ Homemaker’s Cottage calls us to make a difference in the small area where we are.

The Balancing Act @ Steady Mom was very well said. It is something that most of us struggle with and each day is a new opportunity to balance again!

The Power of Seeking Our Children’s Forgiveness @ Simple Kids was simple and to the point. Our actions are their greatest teachers!

Children-Natural Minimizers @ Amy’s Finer Things sort of hit home. I mentioned before that I had trouble with buying too much clothing. I have a little girl. She’s beautiful and there are so many adorable outfits…but you know, she needs just a few and she’s beautiful regardless of what she wears.

Help for the Hurting Marriage@ A High and Noble Calling was something I really needed to read. You should read it too!

Isaiah 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Last December I stumbled upon the idea of a Jesse Tree at Biblical Womanhood and knew I wanted to incorporate it into our own family traditions. A great opportunity to learn about key events and the lineage of Christ that brought us the birth of the Savior. A perfect way to help keep HIM front and center amidst all the other activities that we are involved in. Often Christians get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorations, entertaining and we forget that CHRIST is what Christmas is really all about.

Now we do have many holiday traditions that have nothing to do with our faith and there isn’t anything wrong with that. We do baking, caroling, gift-giving, stockings, parties and dinners. And of course, we have the chocolate advent calendars. Growing up it was always a tradition to finish dinner and then dart down the hall to dig out that chocolate. I’m all grown up with a young family of my own now. We’re certainly keeping that chocolate tradition (mommy included!), but we’ll add a new one too: The Jesse Tree! When daddy gets home, we’ll read our scripture, put up our ornament and then move on to the chocolate.

Since I’ve been busy, I didn’t do a whole lot of advance planning (*sigh*). This year we’re not creating our own fabulous ornaments as some do (great job Stephanie!). We’re making paper ornaments, mounted on construction paper then laminated. I’ve printed the scripture reference (KJV) on the front and the key verse on the back. I’m using the templates here: Advent Reflections and Printable Ornaments. I also found a scripture guideline here and here. Both of these links were helpful but I would just like to say that I am not endorsing either of these sites beliefs’. I didn’t spend any time checking out either of their doctrinal beliefs, I am simply using their Jesse Tree information for reference. I had originally planned to just put our paper ornaments on a poster board paper tree hung on the wall (trying to be frugal), however, I found this little tree at Lowe’s for $4.98 and thought it would suit our needs just perfect!

If you able to make the investment, this book looks really interesting and I love the look of these premade ornaments but since we’re trying to watch our spending, my plan will suit us just fine! After all, the focus is Christ right?

The Challenge? Enjoy the season with Christ as our focus!

How can you (or do you!) keep Christ front and center this Christmas?

——————————————————————-

What is Tune-Up Tuesday? Find out more HERE!

Do you have a tune-up you are working on or completed? Link up (directly to your post) or share a comment! If you could mention TUT and link back so others can join in too, that would be appreciated!