Know what season it is at the Cunningham’s?  Culling season.  Webster defines “Culling” this way –  to choose; select; pick.  I’ve found that if I’m not regularly culling the things that enter the doors of our home, we would be candidates for the hoarders television show!   Here’s what I try to cull through:

• I try at the beginning of each season to go through my magazines and decide which ones need to be kept or given away, and which ones need to be torn apart for the recipes and articles and then thrown away. 
• My seasonal clothes require culling to decide which ones I will actually wear next year.  As I remove the summer clothes from my drawers and closet, I decide if it is an article I will need next year based on its fit and wear.  If it looks old, or if I hate the way it feels when I have it on, it’s gone.
• I’m also in the process of culling decor.  I’ve gotten the feeling recently of having too much out.  I’m desiring a sleeker look.  I’ve made my way through the kitchen, removing some pictures and accessories in order to streamline and make it easier on the eye.  It’s easy to let things get out of control and feel like I’m drowning!  I could have my counters covered with appliances and gadgets if I’m not careful.  I’m keeping out only the things that are used regularly.
• My basement storage area is on my list too.  Ugh.  (Do you have a space like that?)

After I’ve made my selections of the things that stay and the things that must go, I put it in one of two areas:  throw away or give away.  I then load it up in a garbage bag and take it off. Then I don’t look back!  It’s more than just choosing what I like and what I’m tired of.  What I’m really choosing is orderliness, calm, and contentment.  When the discarded items are gone, it’s a great feeling, my rooms, closets and drawers are organized and I feel lighter too!

Do you need to do some culling?  Set the timer for 15 minutes and tackle areas of your house a little at a time. I’ll bet you won’t miss one thing you get rid of, but will love the feeling the culling process brings!

From the parsonage windows,

It starts with a meal out at a restaurant.  Most people go to be served; my husband goes to serve.  He usually always asks our waitress, “When we pray for our meal in a minute, I’d like to include you in my prayer.  How can I pray for you?”  Most servers are shocked by this question.  Some answer,
 “Wow.  I’ve never had anyone ask me that before.  Let me think…” 
Then they proceed to think through their list of needs.  More often than not, they will conclude,
“Everything’s good right now. I can’t think of anything I need.” 
Some will say,
“Just pray my family will be healthy” or “I could use some money.” 

I love what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 43:4a:

He understood that God wasn’t merely like genie in a bottle who bestowed joy on people.  He IS our joy!  He doesn’t dole out nice loving feelings; He is love!  He is the beginning of all that is good and perfect.  One good prayer request we could all pray would be to ask to be keenly aware of how precious a gift our God is to us.  Ponder all that He has done for you and your heart will be full and overflowing!

What starts out with a meal and a simple question, leads to an opportunity to share the Gift with our server.  You and I must first realize what a wonderful possession we have in Christ so that we are ready to share Him with others.  Let me ask you, What is He to you? 

How can I pray for you today?

With love,

I love those traditional Sunday dinners, but because we were away on Saturday, I had little prep time.  So, this meant it was time to pull out a new recipe that was fast and easy!  I made Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili that I found here.   Another good thing about this recipe is that it’s low in fat!

This is a great dish for a busy day, because you literally just dump everything into the crock pot and go!  With beef chili, you have to take the time to brown the hamburger, but with this chicken chili, the raw chicken is placed on top of the beans, so even that step is eliminated!

Here’s the recipe with my spin:

Directions:
Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours (it took my crock pot 5 hours on low because it cooks pretty fast) or on high for 6 hours. Half an hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Top with fresh cilantro. The recipe suggests serving it with rice.  That was very good with it!  Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream.

It made a crock pot full, so now we have a nice meal for lunches this week!

What was cooking in your kitchen this weekend?

From my parsonage kitchen,

Opie: Paw? What happened? You didn’t want to sing before and I didn’t want to talk … what happened?
Andy: There’s a woman in the house.
Opie: That’s all there is to it?
Andy: That’s all there is to it.
 
They found out what a difference it makes to have a woman step into their home in Aunt Bea’s absence.  Peggy lit candles and created an atmosphere that Andy called, “gracious living.”  That is indeed what a feminine touch can do – it can bring about a gracious setting and gracious things into the lives of those with whom we live.

It can be tempting in the busyness of our every day lives to let the gracious things slip by, but if we realize the brevity of our lives and the preciousness of the relationships of our family, we need to put some special thought into what we can do to add little pieces of “gracious living” into our homes.  Even if you live alone, doing little things can make every day something special.  Need some suggestions?

• Be like Peg and light some candles at the dinner table.  If you have little ones, they will love it!

• Create a centerpiece on your table.  Grab a branch of colored leaves from your yard and put them in a pretty vase.  Another kind of centerpiece could be made using small pumpkins or gourds. 

• Use pretty napkins on the table.
• Cook a themed dinner – For example, create the meal around a favorite book, or a favorite missionary family’s place of service
• Slow down the pace of dinner.  Stay seated at the table when everyone is finished and read a chapter of a book together  (how about the Proverb for the day?).
• Teach little ones manners by your own.  Remind them to pass food.  Teach them to think of others before themselves.  Let them ask to be excused when they’re finished, and to thank mom for the meal.
• Make sure you’re looking great when your family comes home – especially your husband!  Freshen up.  Put on something he would love to see you wearing.  Add a little makeup.  Comb your hair.  Let him know you’re glad he’s home!

This isn’t being fussy – this is being gracious.  Why not refresh your family with a good dose of it?  They may wonder what you’re up to, but they’ll be glad you’re there to add your feminine touch.

What do you do to add some “gracious living” to your home?  I’d love to hear!

See you in church Sunday!

Be refreshed,

Are you freezing? I’m not talking about your body temperature…I’m talking about your meals. Are you using your freezer to help you save time and money? I’ve learned from my mom the invaluable asset that my freezer can be. I have a busy few weeks ahead of me, and to keep me from falling into $5 pizza land, I have a batch of meatballs, a meatloaf, chicken enchiladas and pizza bites all waiting for me in the freezer. It’s a great feeling!

Part of my current freezer stash! Click to enlarge.

Here are my favorite things to make ahead and freeze. I’m sure there are lots of other great things you can freeze, but here are the exact recipes I have frozen and can guarantee they freeze well. =)

Breakfast
Mini Hashbrown Casseroles 
Banana Bread
Strawberry Pecan Bread
Blueberry Muffins


Lunchbox Lunches 
Mini Baked Corn Dogs 
Stuffed Pizza Bites – I usually make these with canned biscuits….cheaper than pizza dough!
These have a world of options, all based on what you have in your fridge. Here are the combos I’ve tried:

• Ham and Cheddar Cheese 
• Turkey and Cheese
• Pepperoni and mozzarella cheese
• Cocktail Smokies (pigs in a blanket)

Suppers (really just lots of meatballs….)
BBQ Meatballs
Regular Meatballs – Freeze baked or unbaked, I use them for meatball subs, spaghetti and meatballs or just plain meatballs with marinara sauce.
My favorite meatloaf recipe (if you don’t have one, let me know and I’ll share mine!)
Chicken Enchiladas – Freeze without the sauce, add that right before you bake them

Dessert!
Cookie Dough – unbaked but rolled into balls and frozen for snacking  easy baking
Lemonade Pie 

Have you experienced success with making meals ahead and freezing them? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments or on the Facebook page!

Whitney