The Mary Poppins of our Christian Home

Since my husband was relocated for his job and is now in Florida we went for a visit. I can tell you that there is nothing like sitting on the dock watching the sun rise and set or the dolphins play in the bay. We are trying to do our fall bucket list and one was star gazing. Where better to do that than on the beach? We were walking searching for shells, crabs, and taking time to look at the stars. I can tell you that watching the waves come crashing on the shore and wiping the days fun away to leave a smooth clean shore was a great reminder of what our God does for us every day He wakes us up. No matter what has gone on today, if we give it to God before bed, He will give us a clean slate for the next day. Watching the footprints disappear once the waves were drawn back into the ocean was a great reminder that there is nothing that God can make new. We simply have to let it go. Do the small things with family...make those memories! In a blink of an eye they will be grown an...

This afternoon, we started our Fall Cleaning. I love to do a deep clean before the busy holiday season starts. I'm a little behind, this is usually done before the first of September so fall decorations can be put up. In our Fall cleaning, we do deep cleaning and clear out closets. If there are clothes that weren't worn at all during the Spring/Summer-they need to go. Everything should be done tomorrow and then decorations will go up. So what does the fall cleaning list look like? At least in the house.... *Clean Windows *Clean Baseboards *Move rooms around (I usually do this often) *Deep clean floors and wax them *Clean out closets and get rid of excess So, what do you do for your Fall cleaning?

It has been a long time since I paid attention to blogging. Life just got in the way. So to restart I would like to share what has been happening. In 2016, my daughter started with headaches and as the mom I tried to find reasons for it. Contributed it to a hectic schedule with school, dance, band, long hours not enough sleep, not eating right, and needing her eyes checked. We went for an eye appointment and it turned out she did need glasses. Her headaches were better but never really went away, but on the same hand she still had a very busy schedule. She had headaches but they were never more than one a week and went away with headache medicine. Fast forward to Thanksgiving break 2017, we were in New York for the Macy's Day Parade where her dance studio was going to be part of the Spirit of America dance team. My daughter developed a horrible headache on Thanksgiving Day, again I contributed it to up early, breakfast on the go, excitement of the event, a busy & hectic s...

“But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV) Are you anxious with Thanksgiving right around the corner? Don't be! Make your list of things that need to be done and do them in a timely manner so that you aren't stressed over Thanksgiving. This is especially important if you are preparing for a large number of family members. Here are some tips to add to your list to make things go smoother. Turkey tips: If buying a whole turkey you need 1 pound per person. For a boneless breast plan 1/2 LB per person. Thawing: Frozen turkey needs 1 day in the fridge for every 4 pounds....so refrigerate a 12 LB turkey for 3 days. Basting: It can help the turkey brown evenly but the opening of the oven door can prolong baking time. A better way to keep it juicy is to pour some warmed broth over the carved slices. Bread: Make the dough for your bread or rolls at the first part of the week. Allow the dough to rise fully once, shape it,...

Well, that is what a friend told me this week. She asked me how I did all that I did and make it look so easy. Some days, I think, "It is anything but easy", but I did share some tips with her that seem to help out. I look at staying at home, my job. And just like any job you have hours that you work, tasks that have to be done, and projects that need to be seen to. My job just happens to be taking care of a house, husband, & 3 children. Everything that needs to be tended to gets put on my calendar, if it isn't on my calendar it is not a high priority. When school starts, I take my calendar and put the school year on it. Because I am VP of our Elementary PTO, those meetings & events are added, so is Dance, Piano, Guitar, & any other child function that comes up. Yes, I even have a day set aside for our date night... If I didn't it would get overlooked & let's face it, we need to keep an intimate relationship with our husbands. They need t...

Just a few ideas for your upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner. Or any event this month! SPICE PUMPKIN CUPCAKES WITH FROSTING Makes 24 cupcakes. 1 tsp grated orange zest 3 cups powdered sugar 15 oz can pure pumpkin 1 cup sugar 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp ground ginger 1/2 cup sour cream, room temp 1/2 cup molasses 3 large eggs 1 cup + 6 tbs unsalted butter, room temp 1/2 tsp kosher salt 2 tsp baking powder 3 cups all purpose flour HEAT oven to 350°. Line two 12 cup muffin tins with paper liners. In a bowl, whisk together ginger, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cloves and salt. Beat 1 cup butter and sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Beat in pumpkin and molasses. ADD flour mixture, mixing until incorporated. Divide batter among muffin cups and bake until done, 25 min. Let cool 5 min. in pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. MAKE FROSTING---Beat powdered sugar, sour cream and remaining butter in a bowl until smooth. Increa...

I love this time of year~the decorating, the cooking, the baking, the smells of the season; but most of all the family time. Keeping to my schedule is important this time of year so that it doesn't become overwhelming. November is filled with decorations of Pumpkins, Scarecrows, fall leaves, pinecones, & Sunflowers; not to mention fall scented candles. Time to get the fireplace ready for the cool nights to enjoy home-made hot chocolate with marshmellows while having family night. The kids will have a week off for Thanksgiving which means that we will have time set aside to keep up with their reading level but most of the time home will be spent preparing for Thanksgiving & out of town family arriving. The house will be filled with smells of fall, football, men hunting, & children laughing. Many times Thanksgiving is the only time of year that many think about what they are Thankful for. I try to emphisis to our kids that Thanksgiving is everyday of the year. So ...