Soup Stock

To make the stock you first have to put your left over bones, skin and meat from a turkey or chicken in a large pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and let it simmer about 4 to 6 hours.

Then strain the stock from the bones. I pick what meat is left and put it in a bag in the fridge until I'm ready for it. I then put the stock in the fridge over night to harden the fat so it is easier to separate it from the stock. After I separate, I then put it back on the stove add the meat and the Trinity (onions, carrots, and celery)....And if you like potatoes in your soup now would be the time to add them. Along with your seasonings.

I'm slowly enhancing and changing the way we eat. I've always made things from scratch but, now  that I have been educating myself on "real food" it has made me research things that have no m.s.g's and artificial flavorings and preservatives. I use a garlic salt that contains no m.s.g's for flavoring. I have yet to come across a bullion that is chemical free....But when making your own stock it's not really necessary.

Now I know with some of you it may be a time factor....But when you think about it, it really is easy and most of the time that it takes to make it, is when it is simmering on the stove. I put mine on the stove yesterday afternoon and let it simmer while I was making supper. After supper I strained and removed the bones. Then put it in the fridge. Today I will finish it and we will have it for supper tonight.

It is really worth the time and the effort put in. Very healthy for your family. And you can rest assured knowing that there are no chemicals going into there precious vessels!

Hands and Feet

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going......Ecclesiastes 9:10

We are here for His purpose. His Glory. We are His creation. The work of His hands. And shouldn't we be thankful to the one who gave us life. A gift that can't be out given........Reminding myself often that idle hands are the devil's captives. Reminding myself that what ever I do I am to do with all my might. It is Him I want to serve....Him I want to please.............Because of Him these hands are washed in GRACE........

I watch her feet and her hands as she moves and I want to tell her, I want to show her......

How Beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation. Isaiah 52:7

And this is what I want her to see in my life. I want her to see that I wasn't afraid. I didn't hold back. I worked with these hands in JOY and in LOVE. I served with a glad heart. I walked upon Mountains singing praises of good news.......

And when they find me in the valleys of this life, they find me on my knees looking up. I want them to see my strength wasn't my strength at all, But His........

I am the clay, He is the potter.........I am the work of thy hand.........

Thanksgiving

Psalm 7:17
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.


Psalm 30:12
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 35:18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.

Psalm 75:1
We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 118:19
Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

Psalm 118:21
I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.

Being Humble When Your Thankful

As we come that much closer to this day of Giving Thanks I am reminded that Thankfulness and being Humble go hand in hand......

As long as I can remember I've wanted to fix the broken, heal the hurt. My sister and I would play hospital for hours. I fear being broken but, then again sometimes broken is what He wants you to be for that moment. and it's hard for me to leave things alone.........

To leave the broken where they are. But Being broken is when you look up. It's when you look to Him for the healing. He wants to heal you.....

Humble: To make humble or lowly in mind; to abase the pride of; to reduce arrogance or self dependence; to make meek and submissive to the divine will.

What I have learned is that as much as I want to "fix things", Things are not truly fixed when God is not involved. When you don't allow Him to do the healing. And boasting myself up in thinking I'm the one to help Him, means too much pride on my part! 

I also know that hearing a voice and seeing words typed can have two different meanings. How you meant it, and how they received it.........

I'm a afraid I hurts some hearts with my words once again........

But I come in humble prayer to let you know I was wrong in trying to handle this with out the Father.  Even at the age of 41 there are the hard lessons to learn......

I am thankful he is teaching me humility.

A New Mile Stone

He asked me to take pictures. My heart skips a beat as I grab my camera. If he only knew how much I miss him already. This little man of mine. And today I've been walking around all melancholy. I can't stop thinking about this  blonde, curly headed little boy that use to grace my lap and snuggle under my chin for hours it seems......

And Lord, I'm not ready for this. It seems your closing too many doors all at once. And my days are all twirling about....the past getting mixed up with the present. I often hear other Mamas say "I can't wait for this stage to be over."  I wanna plead with them, Oh please take that back. Your gonna regret ever saying those words.

I've been asked what I think about this new mile stone....My answer? I didn't have one. I can't seem to talk about it with out tearing up. So I'll do what I do best when I can't communicate in person.

I'll let you know that the wonderful two's, they don't last forever.....enjoy them while your in the midst of it all. And that little child your rocking now, will be 6' 2 tomorrow.......forget the dirty house and the mountain of laundry down the hall. They need you now...You need them now. And I have to tell you, I can barely see the keys to type what I feel. I've already had to pause and gain my composure 6 times now........

And Mama take the time, sit down and play on the floor as much as you can. You say you don't know what to do because he/she is just too busy....All the time getting in to things. Grab a moment, your camera, walk out side, twirl around, dance and snap pictures. Play in the dirt. Be a kid, tire them out and then bring them back in. Snuggle on the couch. Put the Classic "Whinne the Pooh" movie in. Eat popcorn. And give them love sniffles....They will remember moments like this....you'll remember moments like this......I remember this.

And I know right now your thinking you need more time to yourself......That's just not true. Right now it's just not about you, it's about them. One day soon you will want more time with them and the tables will turn. It's funny how the tables turn.

Please hear me when I say this time of raising your children goes by way too quickly. Don't get wrapped up in the small insignificant stuff. Let go of yourself and give in to being their Mama. Enjoy them, even when you think they are at their worst......Tomorrow you will look back and you will know it wasn't their worst at all.

This is like a dream I can't wake up from. Time is not on my side.  I smile as I'm snapping moments but, inside a little piece of me is dying......I love seeing him this happy...this proud. He worked hard, saved his money....For a long time. Searched and looked for just the right one. We told him to be patient, the right one would come along.

Tonight before I go to bed I will make my journey out to that brand new mile stone sitting in the drive. I'll open the door, get in and lay my hands in prayer all over that steering wheel. I'll pray that this first truck will serve him well. And God please, always place your hand of protection over my baby boy.............

Angry Words and Fragile Hearts

I often wonder why I can't speak eloquently in front of people.....Why, when I'm confronted with every day issues I can't convey what I'm thinking?  Put a pen and paper in my hand, or a key board and soft music in the back ground and the words somehow seem to flow like a river........But then again confrontation was never my strong suit. It seemed to be a suit that was always too large, one that I was never meant to wear. I'm more apt to back down and turn away because I'm afraid of the words I might say out of hurt and frustration....yes that's me.

Don't get me wrong, there have also been some times where I have spoken and should of kept quiet........I still have moments when my tongue wags.

I guess it's easy to tap keys without an audience. No one here but Him and I in silence. I always ask, I always run it by Him before I share. It's not easy to do when your in confrontation, the heat of the moment. To stop and ask for advise I mean......But isn't it better to take the time, to pause a little, take a deep breath and walk out of the room. To stop and ask for help when you know your headed in a no win situation fast.

There was a moment a couple of years ago that I didn't take the time. I did not pause and breathe deep. Instead I spewed hurtful words across the room and scared my family. Believe me when I say my intentions were not to harm their hearts. I was just as shocked as they were when I had ran in the room and slammed the door. And at the time I was begging for a do over. I wanted to take it all back. but I couldn't.....I can't. And they still remember. I've said my sorries asked for their forgiveness, tried to explain away the daggers still piercing their hearts. I chalked it up to being pregnant and told them that sometimes that happens, hormones raging out of control. In reality, there was no excuse for my behavior.

I tell you this story to let you know that I may be encouraging as I sit behind my computer and I take the time to make sure my words are just right but,  sometimes I say things that hurt and cut deep. And although they all have forgiven me.....I know they still remember the moment. I can't take the words back. I can only hope they know how deeply sorry I am. How much they are all truly loved by me. And that my heart still breaks at the memory of it all.

I tell you this story to let you know how deeply words wound and destroy and if we don't take the time to pause we may spew a fatal blow, a piercing dagger right through a fragile heart of a loved one.

Today I felt a little hurt, a little gained up on. But I paused, breathed deep and walked away.......And no angry words were said. And fragile hearts were kept in tact.

17 Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 19 Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, 20 for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. 
James 1:17-20

Prepare me to be a Sanctuary

In all that I do.....In all that I say......In all that floods my mind, May it be holy and pleasing to God.

Have you ever heard God speak?  Sometimes He speaks in small quiet ways. And other times He raises His voice so I not only hear but, that I understand what He is saying and that it is meant for me. Lately His voice has been louder than usual...........

I'm learning that the more I am still, the more I seek wisdom and gain knowledge. The more I focus on Him, the more I see others. When He consumes my mind I am no longer in charge but I find I'm following his lead........

And after this mornings post, He led me here tonight.


Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:1-2

Lord prepare me, to be a Sanctuary.........

Would You be so Kind?

I've been wrong more times than I can count. I've raised my voice way too often. I've gossiped about people I know, when I should of just kept my mouth shut........

I surely never said "I am perfect." Oh but I can always strive to be better!

I've only listened to one side without asking for the other, And then all too quickly made my harsh judgement! I've looked at people different than I and assumed I had them all figured out.

I really don't remember saying "I am perfect." But I'm trying to be better........

I've thought of myself all too often, stayed behind the computer screen and have neglected my duties as his  Wife and their Mama.

I've been bitter in the past and held on to hurt until it ate me up inside......

Did I really ever think I was perfect?

And this is hard for me to tap  these failures out for all to see......

I've  grumbled and complained when I didn't feel like serving and served with an ungrateful heart...Why serve at all?

I'm surely not perfect.........

And the times I should of spoke up and never did. The times I knew someone needed a hug, an ear and I turned away........

The countless times He told me to go.........And I never moved.

I'm so far from perfect.......

The times I've went too far and said things that should of never left my mouth.....The times I hurt people and never knew it.

When I had given advise and thought I knew it all and boasted about it.

I cringe at ever thinking I could ever come close to being perfect!

I want to take this moment, this post and apologize to any one that I might of hurt in any of these actions. And to let you know I'm far from being perfect. But I know the Perfect One. The Holy One. And He has been working on my heart for 20 years now. And little by little He has chiseled away the gossip,the ungratefulness, the judgement, All the things that bury His light inside my heart. And yes there are still those times I slip and fall but, I ask that you would be so kind as to forgive me.........As He has forgiven me.

You see Because, One day Heaven and I will climb up into my Father's lap and all of the ugly things I have done will not be what He sees in me. When He looks at me He will see the light of His SON. That's what I strive for. Oh I will never be perfect this side of heaven but, I can surely strive to be more like Him. That's my heart, that's what I long for. That's what I'm most passionate about!!!

"Knowing What's Best."

Words hurt so.....One look, one glance and we think we have people figured out. And we are quick to give advise and unwanted opinions, Because we know what's best. I've been down that road all too often. I'm guilty of "knowing what's best." And I cringe at the times I all too often judged when I have no right being a judge at all!

Through the years my soul has warmed up to those that are different. Those that we see as not normal. What is normal anyway? And if we were to compare ourselves to the Perfect One, The Holy One......Wouldn't we see how abnormal we are, how imperfect we all are?

As I watch on T.V. and across the web how a couple is having their 20th blessing. The myriad of ugly words and judgement sling across the screen of my computer. Hurtful words, words that destroy hearts and crack souls. And who are we to judge? 20 may not be right for you and I, but who is to say it is wrong for them when they are walking in the light of the Lord. And why does it bother us so any way? It is not us who have to walk in their foot steps.

Why is it that this world views our children as a curse, a hardship? Something that we should put a limit on. That two or three is the perfect number to have and no more! Who sets that rule? I can tell you who didn't....."Blessed is he who has a quiver full of them."

And it's not only the judgement of how many we should have, but why a child acts the way they do. We automatically assume we know the reason. And our opinions fly and our hurtful words sting. I have a sweet friend who has a beautiful little girl, who has had that same harsh judgement placed upon her. You will find Sophia's Story Here.

I guess what I am trying to do by writing this post is to challenge you and I, not to be so quick to sling harsh judgement upon others. Wouldn't this world be a better place if we all laid down our arrows filled with the poison of "knowing what's best"  And instead open our hearts to those that we view as different or abnormal? We may learn a thing or two.......

He is always In Your Midst

When ever your in doubt and your feeling all alone ......The lord your God is in your midst,
When ever you feel you have fallen from His GRACE...... The Mighty One will save,
When ever you walk in the light of His path..... He will rejoice over you with gladness,
When your life gets loud and you can't seem to get one thought straight...... He will quiet you with His LOVE,
And when you realize you can't live this life with out HIM....... He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

You can take all the love of this world and it still wouldn't be GREATER, It never will compare, to the LOVE He has GIVEN.....His SON.

I Choose to be a Pretty Ribbon

I sit here this morning trying to wipe the sleep from my eyes. And there are those times when life grabs hold and gives that jolt....wakes you up from your sleepy slumber. Reminds you how you need to LIVE. As the status' pop up on my feed, two of them stand out from all the rest.......

" My brother will be in heaven soon. I'm thinking he'll be dancing with Jesus real soon! And what a reunion with Dad."

" Today I am thankful for one more day with my sister Wanda and for being able to take her daughter down memory lane of all the laughter, love and fun she brought into my life. Oh and the few but whipping's I endured for following along in my big Sis's fun steps."

And suddenly the little things that have been gnawing my days away are not taunting me any more. The worries that entangle my tomorrows have some how loosened their grip. And it's the here and now that consumes my mind. In my days I need to create more moments, the ones that wrap you up in pretty ribbon and hug you the rest of the way home to heaven.

There is a beautiful voice in my head.....telling me to be that moment for someone today. Be a pretty ribbon and hug someone today.

Because what you do makes a difference...The words you say have power...choose them wisely. Your actions they tend to speak so much louder.....Choose to take action more often.

And aren't we all here for a purpose? Does He not have a plan for you ....for me? While we are here this side of heaven shouldn't we have more JOY in our days? It's up to us how we handle today's struggles. It so matters for our tomorrows.......For someone Else's tomorrow.

What we do now matters...Whether good or bad it effects who we are. It effects those around us. And I would so much rather make someone smile than to make them frown.

So today I choose to be a ribbon, all pretty and shinning from the SON. And I'm gonna wrap myself around those I love....Maybe even give a little bit of ribbon to someone I don't know........

Live For Today....Because your not guaranteed tomorrow.

Our Version of Fish and Chips

I love Pinterest and this is where I found this lovely idea......

I really don't know why I haven't thought of doing potatoes this way before. All you do is slice your "chips" really thin and arrange them in a baking dish. Take 1 part olive oil and 1 part melted butter and brush your potatoes with the mixture. Season with sea salt, pepper, and basil. You can season with what ever you like. Those are the three I decided to go with. Cover and bake at 375 for about an hour and twenty minutes. The last 10 minutes I pulled the tin foil off and drizzled more melted butter on them and turned the oven on broil.

Don't they look yummy? And since we have been studying England I decided to do our version of their "Fish and Chips" Which is Deep fried fish and large potato fries.

Battered fried fish with fresh corn on the cob from my father in-love's field! The plate is not the prettiest....My family was in a hurry to eat so I couldn't get the prettiest piece of fish to show you all a lovely plate of food!

Batter for the fish:
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
dash of cayenne pepper
Garlic Salt to taste

Mix all ingredients. Dip your fish in and put in the fry pan. A few minutes on each side. Till golden brown.

It was really good! I have to tell you that my man caught the fish going deep sea fishing a while back. Best tasting fish EVER!

A Tour of the United Kingdom

We have been touring the United Kingdom these last few weeks and we are coming to the end of our journey. This week we are wrapping up our tour with Bangers and Mash. (It's a meal that the English enjoy.) Puzzle piecing and the Great Peregrine Falcon.

We then move on to Ireland where we will learn how to make Irish Soda Farl.

Then on to Scotland where we will meet Sherlock Holmes and a fascinating Sea Bird called the Puffin...

We also will be trying our hand at this game!

There is so much information in the Amanda Bennett Unit Studies I only touched on a snippet of all that there is to discover!  And the price is really reasonable! The virtual Tours that are included are wonderful! If your looking for a detour away from the daily grind of work books, this is a must!

After we wrap up our tour of Europe we are moving onto the Thanks Giving Unit Study by Amanda Bennett. We already started reading this book and the kids were intrigued with in the first couple of pages. Helen Taylor took John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and simplified it for young readers. It is wonderful! Little man begged for more......but I always leave them wanting more, until tomorrow!