Buying & Organizing Gifts Ahead of time

August 7, 2015August 6, 2015 RefreshHer10 Comments

We may hate it when Cracker Barrel starts putting their Christmas decor up in August, but you know, they might be doing you a favor! If you buy your gifts that early, you’ll be far less stressed when the holidays arrive!

I actually try to buy most every gift months ahead of time. I want great stuff marked down, so every time I’m out shopping, I have my eyes open for a bargain. I try to have all my Christmas shopping done by October or November.

I even purchase random baby shower and wedding shower gifts, as well as hostess gifts for that invitation that catches me off-guard.

The names and gifts are blurred to keep the receivers guessing!

Once the gifts have been purchased, I write down what I bought under the receiver’s name. I use the maker board pictured on this post, but you could also use a simple notebook. I keep the board hanging in the closet where I ~~hide~~ keep the gifts. That way I know exactly what I’ve already purchased and what gifts I still need to be shopping for.

If you haven’t started buying for the holidays, now is a good time to start! There can be some really great sales in August. Make your purchase, then write it down so you’ll know what you have stashed away!

Anyone else have tips for buying early and keeping it organized?

Stay refreshed!

Is Your Child’s Education Your Idol?

August 6, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHer4 Comments

In my recent Bible club with my little students next door, I taught them the second commandment –

You shall not make unto thee any graven image.

In other words – Don’t worship idols! But I needed to establish in their hearts what an idol is. I used this definition that I heard on a radio message –

“An idol is anything I love, trust, serve or fear more than God.”

Now, if you’re a mom with children in school, will you look at the definition above and ask yourself if your child’s education has become an idol to you? We gasp and say, “But education IS important! If my child fails, he’ll never make anything of himself! How will he ever have a career? I HAVE to push him and make sure he gets good grades!” Please hear me – I’m not suggesting that you allow your child to be lazy or flunk out of fifth grade because he’d rather play baseball! But I’d like for us to consider five ways you make your child’s education more than just important, but an idol in your life:

It becomes the first priority in your home. In other words, your church attendance and participation, your schedule and extra-curricular activities all revolve around school. If there’s a test to study for, or homework to do, it comes first. You will skip church to make time for them to work on school. It’s an idol.
You talk to your child more about his grades, homework and lessons more than you talk to him about God and His Word. It’s an idol.
You fear what will happen if he fails or does poorly more than you fear him not doing the will of God for his life. It’s an idol.
You’re devoted to him getting good grades so he can make a good living, rather than him loving God and seeking His will – whatever that may be. It’s an idol.
You talk to others about your child’s achievements in their education more than you talk about their obedience to God’s Word and ways. It’s an idol.

So, how are you doing? Did these questions reveal any truth about an idol in your heart regarding education? You can trust God with your child’s education and with their future! Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you! Matthew 6:33

Lovingly,

Uncategorized

Missed posting!

August 5, 2015August 5, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

Hello friends! I missed posting today, but will be back tomorrow!

children

Beginning the School Year Well

August 4, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHer4 Comments

Most schools in our area start their fall semester this week. I won’t go on my rant about how short the children’s summer is when they start so soon, or how much better it is to wait until after Labor day, but will choose instead to offer some encouragement for both the moms and the children as the new year of education is in front of you!

I thought I’d share some great ideas I’ve found while perusing the Internet. Sharpen your pencils and sit up straight – these are some cute ideas!

I think it’s so important to connect with you child at their lunch break by fixing a great lunch for them, and/or tucking a note inside to encourage them in the middle of their day. The Huffington post had this smart idea to paint the inside lid of their lunch box with chalkboard paint so you can leave a note for them! Love this!
Photo by http://www.babble.com/style/
Here’s a yummy looking “sandwich” that will have all the kids wishing that was their lunch!
Photo by http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
Another take on PB&J
Photo by Welch’s
Google “Creative children’s lunches” and you’ll get cute ideas like these:
If you have an older daughter who is learning to sew, you could make this fun bag together for her pens, or even for an emergency kit for her backpack. Or Mom could sew and she could do the embroidery!
Make the effort to spend one-on-one time with your children to remind them they are never alone at school. Perhaps a Gospel Wordless book bracelet would remind them that the Lord Jesus is with them, and will also remind them to be a witness to their friends at school.
A simple version for an elementary child is here.
Here’s a version for older girls that you could make or buy.
Spend time praying with your child before the new year begins.
Pray for:
- Their teachers to be a right influence
- Them to have friends that will help them to stand for what is right
- Your child to have courage to stand for biblical truths
- Your child to be a testimony and witness to the lost students
- Your child’s protection
Also pray with your child every morning before they leave.

Even if you’re a homeschooling mom, you can also make lunch a special time to rest from their studies and provide some “down time” with outside activities after they eat. You have the advantage of correcting attitudes right on the spot, but be sure to start each day praying for your child’s day to be Christ honoring and productive.

Remind your students that every subject has value; even Algebra is profitable! Why? (My girls know where this is going! They heard it many times in our home!) Because God says so:

In all labor there is profit. Proverbs 14:23a

Here’s to a great school year!

Lovingly,

Bakingg · Bread

Baking Bread in the Crockpot

August 3, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

We’ve all used the crock pot for that great Chili recipe or to cook a Roast, but have you done much baking in that little crock? Me either…until I found this great recipe for an Artisan Loaf of bread that is baked inside the crock pot, and then made golden under the broiler for just a few minutes! Here’s the result of my recent experiment:

I love this recipe because you mix up a dough and then refrigerate it. The mixing up takes less than ten minutes. Then it goes in the fridge overnight. The next day you can pull off a pound loaf and bake it, or wait up to two weeks to bake it. The dough will take on a Sour dough type flavor the longer it’s refrigerated. The dough will make four Artisan loaves.

Here’s the dough in my container that has been in the refrigerator:

The recipe tells you that the dough is easier to handle after refrigeration. So simplify your life and do that step! The site has a video to show you how to form a loaf, if you’re not sure what to do with the dough after you pull off what you need. It’s super easy, and fast!

Here’s my loaf in the crock pot. I didn’t have Parchment paper, so I used my Silpat mat. It worked fine.

All crock pots will vary the time the loaf needs to bake. Mine took about 90 minutes to get firm and not squishy on top. I took it out and put it under the broiler a few minutes to brown the outside. The hardest part is waiting until it’s cooled to slice into it!

Here is their recipe for the dough, and you can also find the videos to help if you have any questions.

Of course you can also bake this bread in the oven, but on a hot summer day, or a day when your oven is being used for something else, this is a great way to bake up a delicious loaf of homemade bread! Hope you’ll try it!

Have you done any baking in your crock pot?

With love from my country kitchen,