Category Archives: Recipes

Resurrection Eggs; Teach Your Children the Meaning of Easter

23 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by in Crafts, Easter, Fun and Easy ways to Celebrate, Holiday, Holy Bible, last minute meals, Recipes

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Yes, I’ll admit it. I am together putting these eggs at the last minute because Easter caught me by surprise. I just wasn’t paying attention to the calendar….but, isn’t the motto of every mother,”Better late than never?”

After talking to my seven year old several days ago, I realized that he really doesn’t know the Easter story so these eggs may remedy that a bit. I am shamelessly taking advantage of our eleven year old and using her natural “take charge” attitude to put these together. As she collects the items, copies the verses and stuffs the eggs, she’ll be reviewing the Easter story at the same time.

We’ll be doubling up on the eggs and doing two per day (instead of one per day) because I’m starting five days before Easter. Although my goal is to get through them all by Sunday, it’s not the end of the world if we are still hiding and finding Resurrection eggs a week or two from now. When I remember that my goal is to talk about Jesus and His victory on the cross, I feel less pressure to complete them in within a certain time frame. If these take a while, we’re just extending the blessing!

I’m also just using items around the house and substituting as necessary.

Young children just love these eggs! I have found Dollar stores to be the best place to get them.

First Egg (which I will skip since we just had Palm Sunday and reviewed what it was all about)
Message: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm branches.
Passage: Matthew 21:1-11
Item:piece of palm branch or anything that resembles a small palm branch leaf

Second Egg:
Message: Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet.
Passage: John 12:2-8
Item: small perfume sample, cloth with perfume, or a piece of cotton with cologne on it

Third Egg:
Message: Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
Passage: Matthew 26:17-19
Item: piece of Chex cereal; or take clay and make a small bread-like shape

Fourth Egg:
Message: Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Passage: Matthew 27:3
Item: 3 dimes or plastic “silver” money

Fifth Egg:
Message: Jesus carried His own cross.
Passage: John 19:17
Item: small plastic cross or use toothpicks/popsicle sticks cut and glued in a cross form

Sixth Egg:
Message: Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head.
Passage: John 19:2
Item: small thorny branch or a large thorn all by itself

Seventh Egg:
Message: Soldiers parted Jesus’ garments and cast lots for His coat.
Passage: John 19:23
Item: swatch of burlap and a nail (or miniature dice)
Item: 7 or 8 whole cloves, or other whole spices

Eighth Egg:
Message: Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.
Passage: John 19:18,37 & John 20:25-29
Item: a nail

Nineth Egg:
Message: They gave Jesus vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink.
Passage: Matthew 27:34
Item: a small sponge

Tenth Egg:
Message: Spices to prepare Jesus for burial.
Passage: John 19:40

Eleventh Egg:
Message: The stone covering Jesus’ tomb was rolled away.
Passage: John 20:1
Item: a small rock

Twelveth Egg:
Message: The napkin around Jesus’ head was lying separately from His linen cloths. He was not there. He has
risen!
Passage: John 20:6-7
Item: a scrap of linen-type fabric

Celebrate Easter with these simple ideas as well!

Do you do anything to make Easter special? Please share your ideas with us!

Hannah Jane’s Fresh Apple Salsa

27 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by in healthy and quick recipes, Homemaking, last minute meals, Practical Help, Recipes

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I can remember when salsa meant a tomato-based, chili enriched, onion and cilantro-adorned accompaniment to a Mexican meal. My husband and I are from the great state of New Mexico (and, yes, it is a state…check the map) and he actually hails from the chili capital of the world; the Hatch valley. So there!

Given our background, you may understand our aversion to the plagiarism of the word “salsa” for any kind of chopped, mixed fresh fruit or vegetable. This is a California-chefy trend and out in the wilds of New Mexico we used to shoot people for that sort of thing.

Time, however, marches on and I have resigned myself to the fact that foodies have misappropriated the term salsa and that we are never going to be able to restore it to its rightful place amidst the chili and bean fields of the Southwest.P1010883

The other night, our nineteen year old created an enchilada casserole with some leftover chili and beans from our recent speech and debate tournament. The casserole was good but the simple apple salsa that she created to go with it was fabulous. Hannah is someone who craves fresh fruits and vegetables and this particular dish added a wonderful light flair to a heavy dish.

Hannah Jane’s Fresh Apple Salsa

1 red apple ( all diced)
1/2 red onion
1/2 cucumber
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 yellow bell pepper
1 carrot

1/2 orange
1/2 lime
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper

cilantro (optional)
(this served seven)

As I reached for the dish for a second time I heard my own voice asking for the apple salsa and (I’ll admit) I didn’t even have a twinge of conscience….it’s that good.

The picture is a bit dim so don’t be fooled. This salsa is the perfect cheerer-upper on a gray January evening.

Last Minute Meal Ideas

13 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by in healthy and quick recipes, Humor, last minute meals, Practical Help, Recipes

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Time is short, the days are dark (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) and our energy is often low.

I’m reposting my ideas for some quick and, mostly, nutritious meal ideas. I think they’re way better than driving to a fast food place which can take longer than making a simple meal and may involve maneuvering small children in and out of car seats which always wears me out.

We all have those days, where we look at the clock and realize we have nothing planned for dinner and the family is hungry. Here are a few ideas that may help you fill some tummies without running out for budget-busting fast food.

Oatmeal (if your children will eat it with some nutbutter and honey stirred in, it counts as a health food!)
Baked Potato Bar (microwave the potatoes for part of the time to speed up the process-serve with grated cheese, chopped hot dogs and other toppings)
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (with or without Tomato Soup)
Quesadillas (buttered tortillas with cheese and spices, grilled)
Rice with any type of leftover meat and diced veggies stirred in.
Scrambled eggs and toast
Tuna Salad on toast or lettuce leaves
Refried Beans and chips or tortillas with cheese (salsa makes everything better).

If I really have my act together, I have my ingredients for several last minute meals purchased ahead of time. I like to keep cans of refried beans and jars of salsa along with tortilla chips in the pantry for emergencies because I know that my family loves that combination.

My freezer also holds several containers of homemade soup but, to make them convenient, I freeze them in small containers so they can thaw quickly.

There’s nothing wrong with having a few bags of frozen fish sticks or a couple of pizzas stashed in the oven but a family will not be well-nourished when we moms rely on those types of meals. If we want calm, healthy children and husbands who aren’t cranky and out-of-sorts, we need to make an effort to plan regular, well-balanced meals made from whole foods.

If you don’t like my list of last minute meals, sit down and write up a few of your own or consider using my list of 31 Days of Healthy Snacks that also double as quick meals. Buy the ingredients for several of the meals on your next grocery shopping trip.

Do you have a favorite “emergency meal”? Share it with us in the comment section!

 

Ideas for the Advent (large family style)

08 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by in Crafts, Fun and Easy ways to Celebrate, Gifts to Make, not-to-do list, Practical Help, Recipes, Rest and Refreshment, Sharing Jesus, Thomas Nelson

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Yes, I know it is day eight of Advent but, perhaps, time has gotten away from you and that’s all right!images ornaments

The primary purpose of Advent is to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus and the secondary purpose of Advent is to keep little children busy and engaged and happy and, as the mother of many, I am here to help on both accounts!

Here are some ideas for simple things you can do each day starting now!

I discovered a creative mother who has posted 25 projects using LEGOS during Advent! If you are starting late (as I am) it won’t matter to your children, especially if you introduce the projects with enthusiasm! I know our seven year old will be thrilled (as will the older boys in the household although they may not admit it).

Tommy Nelson publishers has some wonderful free coloring pages, simple advent ideas and, even, videos to watch! Free is always good :-) .

Here are a few of my last minute gift ideas from Christmas 2011. Children love the thrill of being on the giving end of Christmas so include them as you prepare and give simple treats.images.jpg mESSY CHRISTMAS

Remember, the mothers of old kept things simple during Advent. They lit a candle each day, gathered the children around, sang a carol and read a Bible verse. They may have had the children draw a picture of a tree and each day they colored another ornament onto the tree to mark off the days until Christmas (young children, especially, need a little help understanding how many days it is until Christmas).

So, mothers of young ones, don’t get overwhelmed. Take time to cuddle with your family (don’t forget your husband!) and enjoy the season.

 

Easy Peasy Crockpot Beef

12 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by in becoming a stay at home mom, Changing the next generation, Easy, healthy and quick recipes, last minute meals, Practical Help, Recipes

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I’m a great believer in family meal times. They are often the only family time our busy family gets during the week.
Studies done in the 1990′s on National Merit Scholarship Finalists revealed that all of these high achieving high school students came from families who ate meals together regularly! Other studies reveal the importance of meal times in developing secure, family-oriented (as opposed to peer-oriented) teens.

It takes a huge commitment to carve out time to eat together as a family, especially if you have children who have enough independence to be out of the home and involved in activities elsewhere.

It doesn’t take much to actually make basic good food ahead of time (although the studies say that it didn’t matter if you ordered out and ate in, what mattered was the time spent together). We strive to eat together often and, although we do it imperfectly, we keep on striving!

Here is a favorite way to prepare a beef roast and it works best with a cheap cut of meat!
Take a frozen beef roast and place it in the crockpot 12 hours before you plan to eat it. Pour a half cup of white wine over it (cheap wine is fine). Put the lid on the crock pot and turn on low.

When done, sprinkle with salt and pepper and enjoy. Beef done this way especially lends itself to beef burritos so pull out tortillas, sour cream, salsa and cheddar cheese and enjoy!

Starting a New Year of Homeschooling…for the Twenty-Third Time!

21 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Cleaning, Decluttering, healthy and quick recipes, Home Education, Homemaking, Humor, Inspirational Mama, last minute meals, Practical Help, Recipes

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Yes, we are starting our twenty-third year of home education and no, I don’t know it all nor am I an organizational expert! I’ve gotten more relaxed as the years have flown by, partly because I’ve realized that my children learn in spite of me and, partly, because life keeps getting fuller!

When we lived in the South where the summers kept us near the air conditioning, we schooled year ’round with frequent breaks.

We still take frequent breaks but don’t school year ’round! Somehow, my children are very literate, love to learn and, eventually, find their niche in the world. I stand in awe of God for His goodness to our family. He will be just as faithful to keep His promises for you.

Our family motto for homeschooling is “Keep the Home in Homeschooling.”
We want our children to grow up and have happy memories of their home; good meals and conversation around the dinner table, special birthday and holiday celebrations and lots of home-centered joy.

We don’t particularly care if they grow up and rave to us about their memories of their school curriculum!

I love it when my grown children call me to urge me to read a book they have discovered! Our eldest son will go so far as to mail me the books just to make sure I read them. I rejoice that we have raised life-long learners who enthusiastically keep reading and learning and seeking both knowledge and wisdom. All glory goes to God.

So, besides pulling out our curriculum (we use Sonlight for a core curriculum) and realizing for the umpteenth time that I waited a bit late to order additional books(it’s my tradition; ordering late!), a great deal of my fall prep work is organizational in nature.

Since meals and laundry continue to be my biggest challenges in my home, I try to plan ahead. I love to riffle through the freezer and make sure I have the fixin’s for a bunch of meals! Nothing makes me feel more like a failure than to have a good day of studying with the kids only to look at the clock and realize it is almost dinner time and I have no earthly idea what we have to eat. I hate to spend the time to grocery shop because I want our day to end with some family time.

The same goes for waking up in the morning and having to make a healthy breakfast from scratch and then, starting the day with a messy kitchen. Our entire schedule seems to be thrown off for the day.

So, here are some ideas for you in the area of meal prep.

One of our absolute favorite ways to cook meat is to buy a cheap roast, put it in the crock pot frozen, pour a half cup of white wine over it, turn it on low and let it cook for 12 hours. It will be falling-apart tender by dinner time! Yes, this means if you want to eat at six p.m. you’d better remember to get that thing into the pot by 6 a.m! Add a quick salad and you’ve got a great meal.

Another trick I love is using the rice cooker for oatmeal in the morning. I presoak the oatmeal(to get the enzymes going), pour the oats and water into the rice cooker in the morning(and perhaps some cinnamon and a dash of salt), turn it on and walk away! It doesn’t burn and it’s a healthy breakfast!

I also make a lot of breakfast parfaits for the freezer. Actually, on the days we eat oatmeal, we get hungry mid-morning and a parfait is the perfect treat!

Homeschool Prep 101:

1. I declutter; ruthlessly. Thrift store drop-off bins are my friends!

2. I make ten to fifteen casseroles for the freezer. Because my husband is not really a casserole lover, I spread these out over two to three months. They’re nice to have on busy days. I make five lasagnas, five chicken enchiladas and five macaroni and cheese casseroles.

4. For breakfast I make muffins to freeze, morning tortilla wraps (scrambled eggs, salsa and grated cheddar cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla and frozen in a ziploc bag) and parfaits…as many as possible. I alternate these with oatmeal, fried eggs,yogurt and, yes, the inevitable cold cereal.

5. I stock up on healthy snacks (see my 31 days of healthy snacks). If I lose control of the day at least I’ll know that my children snacked on nutritious foods.

6.I pray. God has a plan for your family and mine and His plan is good. Our days will be filled with the ordinary which leads to our sanctification as we give it all to Him.

7. Finally, I strive very hard to keep a sense of humor. It really is funny when I have laboriously explained to my three year old how God created the ant only to see her solemnly stomp on it at the end of my dissertation. A home where the family can chuckle together over ridiculous things is a home where memories are made…even if you forget to get that frozen roast in the crock pot on time!

Basil Mint Lemonade Tutorial

10 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in healthy and quick recipes, Practical Help, Recipes, Recipes, Rest and Refreshment

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I’ll be the first to admit I lean toward lazy when it comes to cooking. I would not have made this recipe but my talented culinary daughter, Lorna, was not intimidated by the amount of lemons that needed zesting and dove right in.

This is a fresh minty lemonade with a wonderful basil taste. I recommend preparing double batches ahead of time and freezing it undiluted in ice trays so you have it on hand at all times to enjoy!

Ingredients needed to make the simple syrup:

2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water
30 strips of lemon zest
4 stems mint- the more, the better I say!
20 basil leaves-(about two bunches)

To make the simple syrup:
Using a vegetable peeler, peel strips of zest off of lemons until you have 30 strips, making sure to only get the yellow part. Add the zest along with the sugar, water, basil and mint into a med pot and bring to a simmer (all this lemon zesting is pretty much where this recipe lost me.

These are not my hands. All credit for the actual zesting and the photos goes to Lorna! Good thing I had so many children so I could enjoy yummy recipes without all the hard work :-) ).

Take the syrup off the heat and let the flavors get all infused together for about an hour (make sure you use that word infuse…it sounds more exotic, doesn’t it?). It was at this stage in the preparations that I snuck into the kitchen and nabbed several tablespoonfuls to add to my iced tea. Yum! I recommend it!


The next step in the lemonade adventure is to find a man with strong hands or use a lemon juicer to squeeze all of the many lemons and limes you need!

For the lemonade:
4 cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice-approx 20-25 lemons
3 limes-juiced
16 cups cold water (1 gallon)

Last but not least – combine all ingredients, add water and garnish with sliced lemons, limes and mint leaves. Don’t forget to share your new delectable recipe with the piranhas/siblings that have been hovering over you as they smell the minty/basily/lemony freshness!

This makes a little less than 2 gallons. It won’t last long!

Wordy Wednesdays Cookbook Review

18 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Book Review, Books, healthy and quick recipes, Recipes, Recipes, Thomas Nelson

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We had the joy of experiencing Southern cooking first-hand when we lived in Waxhaw North Carolina many years ago. I became a huge fan of crusty cornbread, fried chicken and, even, Hoppin’ John! Traditional Southern cooking is not known for being health food, however, and it is easy to err on the side of fat, sugar and lack of fresh ingredients.

Tammy Algood (a food personality on Nashvilles ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates) has created recipes which use farm-fresh ingredients yet remain faithful to tradition.

Farm Fresh Southern Cooking Straight from the Garden to the Dinner Table is a delicious way to enjoy traditional southern cooking with a nice,fresh twist.

Recipe Sections include Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Sides, Breads, Entrees, Desserts, Breakfast and Brunch as well as Canning Instructions. The cookbook is paperback and printed on high quality paper with gorgeous photographs. Recipes such as Fresh Peach Salsa, Mixed Pepper Turnips, Dried Pear Bacon Bread and Citrus Zest Waffles will inspire you to try something deliciously different.

The cookbook is also sprinkled with the names and addresses of Southern suppliers of catfish farms, pecan orchards and farmers markets. This cookbook is delightfully different. I highly recommend it!

Lighter-Than-Air Peach Mousse:

Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons cold water
2 Teaspoons unflavored gelatin
1 8 ounce package cream cheese
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/2 cup peach preserves, melted
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 Cups heavy whipping cream
1 Tablespoon sugar
Fresh peach slices for garnish

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the water and gelatin. Let stand 1 minute; then microwave on high power 1 minute. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the cheese, confectioners’ sugar, preserves and butter. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat the cream and sugar until soft peaks form. Beat in the reserved dissolved gelatin until stiff peaks form. Fold into the cheese mixture until well combined. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Garnish individual servings with fresh peach slices.

I received this cookbook free of charge from Thomas Nelson/Booksneeze for review.

Easter Recipes and Ideas

05 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in Crafts, Easter, Fun and Easy ways to Celebrate, Gifts to Make, healthy and quick recipes, Holy Bible, Homemaking, Practical Help, Recipes, Sharing Jesus

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I’ve been enjoying doing a little Spring cleaning this week so I can relax and enjoy some Easter cooking in a more organized kitchen. An easy and delicious bread to make at Easter is the traditional Jewish Challah bread. It’s easy because it is made with yeast and eggs which makes it very light. It makes a beautiful centerpiece or a nice Easter gift. I have even made it with colored eggs tucked into the braid and then baked. It was beautiful that way.

Another wonderful cookie recipe that teaches the Easter story is a recipe for Resurrection Cookies(scroll down) or Empty Tomb Cookies.
These are really very simple meringue cookies that are put in the hot oven on Saturday night and then left in the oven after you turn the heat off. When the family wakes up on Easter and checks on the cookies, they find that they are hollow inside! Very fun (and a delicious bit of sugar to start your morning off with a zing!).

And to throw in an Easter activity that also counts as a history lesson, why not make eggs colored with onion skins? They really are beautiful and it is such fun to tell the children that great-grandma may (possibly) have colored her eggs this way! These would also make a sweet little gift to a shut-in or elderly friend, perhaps in a little basket?

When the kids were all much younger, my primary goal was to get the house clean and to read several books on the Easter story throughout the week. If we got some eggs colored or a special cake baked, it was a bonus. I was usually nursing a baby in those years so I did what I could with the time I had. Every season of life is different and we all have different challenges and priorities but Easter is such a wonderful world-changing event that impacted history forever, it is certainly worth a little extra effort!

Alleluia, Christ is Risen! How are you shouting His praises this Easter week?

The Organized Woman

30 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by in Cleaning, Decluttering, Goal Setting, goals, Home Education, Homemaking, not-to-do list, Practical Help, Recipes

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It looks good, doesn’t it, that title up there for all the world to see; The Organized Woman?

One of the questions I am asked by women who have less children than I do and are feeling overwhelmed is, “How do you do it all?” The answer, of course, is that I don’t do it “all” (see my Not-To-Do List).

We all have different families, schedules, health challenges, energy levels, income and living spaces. Who am I to tell you how to organize your life? I can, however, share with you some things that have worked for me.

Access to a Full Year of Lists to Help Put Your World in Order


I’ve tried different planners and home schooling binders. I usually buy one in the heat of summer just because it motivates me as I begin another year of homeschooling…I flip through the pages and feel important and official and special ;-) (I’ve been homeschooling for 22 years-I need all the motivation I can get!).

I’ve finally realized that planners and binders are too bulky for me to carry around which is why they eventually end up all by their lonely selves on a shelf. So how do I remember what I am supposed to be doing with myself?

I like those small pocket-sized calenders that I can keep in my purse where I am less likely to loose them and I like lists! They are the personal secretary I wish I had to remind myself of the details of life.

Access to a Full Year of Lists to Help Put Your World in Order

When I go out the door to speak at an event I usually leave in the wee hours of the morning. I need a list! One for what I need to do for the family who is remaining at home and one that tells me what I need to take with me (I give away books, I display resource materials, I hand out business cards, I show off a picture of my beautiful family.I have so much fun!).

“ListPlanIt” is a mom owned business that has grown from 200 lists and planning pages when it first launched in May 2007 to more than 500. Its membership is more than 3,000 listmakers strong. It is a place where those who simply love lists and those in need of a little assistance in mental organization can both find what they need”.

Jennifer Tankersley of ListPlanIt has put together so many different lists for you and I so that we don’t have to. I think of ListPlanIt as my own personal assistant. My brain doesn’t work in a methodical careful way but, apparently Jennifer’s does because, wow, she has compiled some wonderful resources for the busy woman.

I like the fact that I can print what I need when I need it. I like the fact that ListPlanIt is open to new ideas for more lists and at 20.00 a year (!!)for the downloadable option…it is a bargain for anyone who wants to be more organized.

*I am an affiliate with ListPlanIt so I do get a small percentage of each sale that is generated through this blog. All proceeds generated through this blog help me continue to encourage and teach those who hold the next generation on their laps.

Check out ListPlanIt! Hundreds of Lists to Put Your World in Order

Access to a Full Year of Lists to Help Put Your World in Order