For several years now I’ve gotten the adorable Susan Branch Calendars to hang in my house.  This one was in my laundry room.  They’re so pretty and inspiring!  She gives recipes, suggestions of things to do that month and even decorating ideas.  When the year ends I always HATE throwing those pretty pictures in the trash.  But aside from framing them (and I have nowhere to hang them) I didn’t know what to do with them.

I’m considering moving my blog to another site!   Perhaps you’re saying, “Is that all?!”  Big deal.  I know.  But…

With a little more than 1,600  posts on this current site, I’m fearful about losing all those entries! I put myself, my very heart and many hours into those posts, and now here I am considering moving to another site.

There are a couple of issues that are pushing me to make this decision, but I’m fearful.  I’m asking myself what would happen if I lost all the posts I’ve written here.  I’m wondering if it will be hard to learn the process of posting on another site.  I’m afraid I won’t be happy with it.  I’m fearful it will cost more than I’d anticipated.  Yet, a decision needs to be made.  What to do?

Wait!  Why do I vacillate? Why am I worrying?  God cares about this little ministry that I do.  So I will pray.  I will ask the Lord’s guidance.  Then I will take the plunge towards whichever direction He leads.

Are you as guilty as I am about worrying?  We waste much time in deliberation when all we need to do is ask the Lord to step in and reveal His will, provide our needs or answer and do what only He can do.

My issue may seem small to you, but to me it’s large because it’s important to me.  Guess what?  That makes it important to God, as well!  What are you worrying about today?  To the Lord, it is also small ~ oh not insignificant and unimportant, but to an infinite God, it is small.  It’s not too hard for Him, nor is it too trivial with which to be bothered.

A (n)…
fear
child
parent
unsaved friend
lost item
financial need
decision
illness
longing
sorrow

all these matter to God!

Stop mulling it over in your mind and just talk to God about it.

Then you can move on in your day with the load lifted and an assurance that He is at work on your behalf!

Are you worried today?  I’d be happy to pray for you.  Leave your name and I’ll call it out to the Lord today! Oh, and I’ll keep you posted about the new site for my blog!  Pray with me that I’ll find the perfect spot to land!

With love,

If you could have seen me at around 9:30 – 10:00 p.m. a couple nights ago you’d have seen a furniture moving frenzy!  All it took was a browse through my new Southern Living Magazine to put me in the mood to do a little redecorating!  You see, I saw a picture of a desk in a living room and it was facing a window…

“Brilliant!  Why don’t I do that with my desk? It would be great to have the view of the backyard instead of a wall!” I thought to myself.  It sounded like a quick little turn of one piece of furniture.  An hour and half later I was done!

My new view from my desk!

 Of course after moving the desk, nearly everything else in the room had to be moved as well!  As a matter of fact, only my bookcase stayed where it was.  But I love the new look!  I had originally used the couch as a divider between the kitchen space and the living room area.  I decided to open it up so that each seat could enjoy the fireplace.

Click on picture to enlarge

I tried to add layers in the living room.  Accessorizing with a throw on the couch or ottoman, a runner on the coffee table and rugs on the floor adds a dimension of warmth to the room. If I had a wool scarf that matched, I’d tuck it onto the mantle.

Speaking of the mantle, it has also been changed for the winter season (I’m hoping for some snow!).

My husband likes the change, but said he’s afraid he’s doing to forget about the rearranged furniture and replay the Dick Van Dyke trick and trip over the ottoman or couch. (Do you remember how the show began?)  Poor guy, he’s doomed.  Now that I know how much fun it was to move this stuff around, he’d better not walk into this room without a light on!

Anyone else love to move the furniture around?

With love from my country porch,

When I create a new project I love seeing it on display.  My chalkboard drawings, freshly sewn curtains, a seasonal wreath or a homemade loaf of bread…it doesn’t matter.  It’s fun seeing it fulfill the purpose for which it was made.  I’d never dream of taking my new chalkboard and sliding it under the coach!  It sits on my fireplace mantle so it can embellish the rest of the living room!

If you’re a parent you have probably heard many, many times about the necessity to train your child. You’re creating a life that God wants to save and then use.  You must train them in God’s ways; you need to bring them up in with a biblical view.  There’s also the importance of teaching them how to act, respond and speak.  They need guidance about relationships, table manners, common courtesies, and decorum.  Decision-making is also huge.  Every single day as a parent you’re molding this life for the purpose for which they were created.

But you know what?

I think most Christian parents who attend a sound Bible-preaching church understand what they must be doing right now.

I believe the problem often comes when it’s time to release them and let them go.  Parents want to hang on…and on…and on.  Rather than letting them go and seeing them “on display,” if you will, for God’s glory, they’re full of fear and so they do all they can to keep them close.

Sadly, many mothers, especially, hang on.  I hear many moms mourning the loss of their “babies” (now in their 20’s or better).  I hear them talk more about their children than they do their husband.  I see them keeping the circle very tight, now allowing their grown adult children to soar into new adventures.   The reasons?  Perhaps…

Creamy potatoes, delectable pieces of ham, crunchy bread topping ~ these are all the makings of a LIGHTENED version of Scalloped Potatoes and Ham that I’ve been making for years.  I found the recipe in Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, Family Favorites Made Lighter.  

One reason I love this recipe is that the scalloped, milky part doesn’t curdle when you cook it, like some other recipes do!  The other reason I love this recipe is because it’s been lightened up in fat and sodium.  You won’t miss a thing, I promise.  Whenever I make this, my husband feels it necessary to “even out the lines left in the dish,” giving him another little helping, and another…  It’s that good!

Creamy and delicious!

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
1 Can lower sodium Cream of mushroom Soup
1/2 cup skim milk – I used 2%
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
1/8 to 1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 cups cubed, ham
1 cup chopped onion – 1 large
4 1/2 cups thinly sliced peeled potatoes – 4-5
2 Tbl. fine dry bread crumbs
1 tsp snipped parsley
1 tsp marg., melted

For sauce, in a medium mixing bowl stir together the soup, milk, marjoram, and pepper.  Set aside.  In a 2 quart casserole layer half of each of the ham, onion, potatoes and sauce.  Repeat layers.

Bake, covered in a 350 degree oven about 1 hour or till the potatoes are nearly tender.  In a small mixing bowl stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, and melted margarine.  Sprinkle atop casserole.  Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes or more till potatoes are tender.  Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.  Makes 4 servings

I served it with green beans and a light version of Angel biscuits.

Now you know how to use up that little bit of ham you froze after Christmas dinner was over!  It’s a great winter dish, full of comfort and no guilt!

What’s been cookin’ in your kitchen this week?

With love from my country kitchen,