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Thursday, August 29, 2013

Thursday's Thoughts - His invisible attributes

Have you read Romans 1 recently?  We're studying it for our women's Bible Study.  I'm excited about that because I've memorized a few chapters in Romans.  I'm hoping to start memorizing more of it.

One thing I noticed yesterday is in Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." 

I have often noticed that "they are without excuse".  But what I've never really seen is "His invisible attributes are clearly seen".   How can something invisible be clearly seen?  It seems an interesting way of saying it and that maybe God has a reason for saying it like this.  So I'm gonna have to do some digging.

Keep pressing on.
Steph

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Wednesday's Household - Time stealer

I have something in my house that steals my time.  In some ways it's a necessary tool, I use it for a lot of different things.  I use it every day.  But once I start using the tool, I find ways to play with it.  It's an area where I have trouble with discipline.  It's an escape of sorts.   I'm tired, so I spend even more time with this tool.

What I don't realize is, that if I would get up and move, I would feel more energized.  And at the end of the day, less discouraged.

You probably know that the tool is my computer.  I enjoy blogging and connecting with friends on facebook and in general, using it to encourage and be encouraged.

So now, I need to find a way to challenge myself not to be sucked into the trap.  Not even sure how that will be, and I almost feel defeated before I even start. 

One good thing is that family will be here, this next week.  So I'll finish writing my posts for the week, and then just not even open it, except for a quick check in the evening. 

These are boundaries that I have set and abided by in the past.  So boundaries seem to work for me as long as I don't overstep them.   Maybe the computer isn't your addiction, but it would surprise me if you don't have any.  We all struggle with things.  I encourage you to find a way to use your tools for the glory of God and not be trapped by them.

Keep pressing on,
Steph

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Cooking Tuesday - a salsa recipe that my husband likes

7 cups of tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced
2 cups of cucumbers, peeled, seeded and diced
2 cups of hot peppers (I don't know what they were!), peeled, seeded and diced
1 cup of onion
1 T of cilantro
3 T of minced garlic
1 t of marjoram
1 t salt
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 T lime juice

Combine all ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Ladle the hot mixture into jars, leave 1/4 inch headspace
Place rings and lids on jars.  Process 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner. 

I don't have a boiling-water canner, so I thought that I would check to see if there is a way to do this with a pressure cooker.  And I found something on pinterest.  Of course, I found something.   I love Pinterest for this.  Side note: I rarely ever visit Pinterest, except when I have a situation like this. So it's not an addiction for me.

While peeling, seeding and chopping, put enough water in your pressure cooker to cover the jars by one inch.  Not sure how to figure that out without full jars, because I was already finished filling jars when I got to this point. 

Pre-heat the water, while you are working on your salsa.  Then, using tongs, place the finished jars in the water. 

Place the lid of the pressure cooker on the pan, but do not lock it and leave the vent open.  When the pressure cooker starts hissing, start timing for 15 minutes.

Keep pressing on,
Steph

Monday, August 26, 2013

Project Monday - a bear collection

Remember this?


My dresser in my room covered with bears.

But I wanted them higher up, where maybe I wouldn't feel like I had to clean them so often or dust under them. 

So....

And this week, we lost our second first tooth for the month.  Both of my babies lost teeth this last week, thankfully the older one lost hers first.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Thursday's Thoughts

Today, we start our women's Bible study in town.  I'm kind of excited for that.  We'll be studying Romans which has become very special to me since I memorized Romans 1, 8 and 12.  I think I'd like to start memorizing the rest of Romans.

On a completely different note, we opened our Baby Core from Timberdoodle.  All of my kids are away at school, so this homeschooling mom still has to homeschool someone - babies will do.  There are a couple of books, but it's mostly toys.

In some homes, it's called Box Day.  And we had a blast.  I even recruited an assistant teacher.  :)









Looking at these super-easy puzzles, Tractorman said "I am so going to help them learn these."


 "A box in a box."  So funny to my little man.


And so we are excited for tomorrow, when we can start!  Today, of course, is Bible Study.  These toys will be special toys for an exclusive time of the day.  Something to look forward to.  I love the magnetics - the box in the box.

Keep on keeping on,
Steph

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Cooking Tuesday and Wednesday's household - can you tell I'm having trouble getting back from vacation?

For cooking Tuesday:  I must say I am terribly grateful to my pastor's wife/kids' schoolteacher for clueing me in to this wonderful thing.    Tomatoes do not have to be canned to be put up for use in the winter.  Nope. 

They can be washed and cored and thrown in a freezer bag, and straight to the freezer.  This allows me the possibility of working with them when things slow down a bit - harvest-wise.  I am hoping to try making salsa with them after they're frozen to see how that works.

One down-side is they take up a lot of freezer space.  So you may have to freeze them and then the next day take them out and peel them and use them as you wish - in sauces or salsa.

For Wednesday's Household:  I must say I am working still on being consistent and helping our kids stay focused.  But they are away at school, so we mostly work on it in the morning with the goal of being done with dishes, room, animal-care and piano.  When everyone is done, we get to watch something while we wait for the van to leave for school.

I hate being the mean one, and I want them to take some responsibility, but ignoring it has not been working.  So we're stepping up our game.  And Daddy has noticed and is on board and helping with discipline in the evenings.  (He's not even home in the mornings, except for breakfast.) 

What I must remember though is that the discipline will be beneficial to all and our family will be much happier.

Keep pressing on,
Steph

More pics from our vacation below:

My sister's family with my parents


Getting set up for the big family picture - my parents and my dad's kids


I wonder where everyone is.  It would appear that some of my family were missing.


O.k. go find so-and-so.


Still waiting....


Ahh, and now we are all here.  My brother, sister and I were all here with our kids.  It was fun to be together.  So far, I believe since my wedding, we haven't been all together with my stepmom's kids and families.


Now, it's all of my grandpa's and grandma's great-grandkids


My dad and stepmom and some of their grandkids.  They are missing five.


The three of us and Dad and Mom, with some extras. :)

Monday, August 19, 2013

Creation Museum

We're back from vacation and a couple of extra weeks off due to computer problems and school starting.  This will be our first week of a new "normal".

I thought I would share some vacation pics, because if you ever get a chance to go to the Creation Museum in Kentucky, you should go.  It's a wonderful place with things for all ages.

 We are so thankful that Jeff's parents came from Wisconsin, just to meet us here and go to the museum with us.



  
The outdoor gardens were gorgeous and we had fun following all the trails.





And meeting some ducks?  out there



Inside we had a lot of fun following the Creation to Christ path and then the path of C's that ended with a movie called the "Last Adam".


The kids loved this spot.  All kinds of insects and such to look at inside, and Dr. Crawley answering a few questions.


The petting zoo was great too.


And we even got to see some wild animals up close.


Two went ziplining and loved it.  Jones and Waterman went flying through the sky above our heads.


It was a wonderful time.

Steph