Friday was a great day.  So many of you commented and wrote such encouraging words about this simple little blog.  I really wasn’t asking for pats on the back in your comments – just a “Hey, I love that National Peach Ice cream Day is coming up!  Think I’ll pull out the freezer and make some.”  You, know, just comments.  

But you know what?  Your encouraging words were a blessing to me.  As I stated in my comment on Friday, it does get lonely on this side of the computer sometimes.  I find myself wondering if there’s anyone out there really reading.  So I must say you thank you.  It’s good to know that you like the variety and are refreshed when you stop by here.

You know, encouraging words are something everyone needs to hear.  We all tend to wonder if what we’re doing is really useful.  Do you, Mom, ever wonder if you’re making a difference in the lives of your children?  We don’t expect them to come up and encourage us on the road of motherhood, but a word from an onlooker can go a long way to keep your spirits up, can’t it?  Think back to a time when someone encouraged you.  Hopefully it wasn’t too long ago, but even if it was, remember what it did for you.  Perhaps it gave you what you needed to keep doing right.  Maybe it kept you in your marriage.  Did it propel you into following God’s will – even though it seemed like a difficult calling?  In a time of sickness, those encouraging words may have reminded you that you’re not alone. 

I recently taught my Sunday school children about Barnabas.  His name was Joseph, but the disciples changed his name to Barnabas – son of encouragement.  All through the Scriptures we find Barnabas with that wonderful characteristic pouring out of his life.  He believed in Paul when the rest of the disciples were skeptical.  He came alongside John Mark when Paul preferred not travel with him.  What a blessing a person like Barnabas is!

We all appreciate encouragement from people like ol’ Barn, but are we encouragers too?  Some people are far better at being Eeyore’s.  You know – they carry the rain cloud over their head and are happy to share their stormy day with anyone who gets near them.  Let’s ask the Lord for someone with whom we could share encouragement today.  Don’t delay when the Lord shows you someone.  Do something for them now before the moment passes, before the burden subsides.  They need you, just like I did on Friday!  Do it, Barnabas!  Do it!

Thankful for each of you,

I’m excited to have another guest blogger and cook today!  Johanna Galyen is a young wife and mom of four.  She has lots on her plate, yet I often hear her talk about what she’s fixed for Sunday dinner.  This is a young woman who works as a nurse, home schools her two boys, cares for two busy little girls, attends church faithfully, and still manages to have dinner on the table on Sunday.  It can be done!  I recently read her Saturday night status on Facebook which said, “Got the Corn shucked, Sweet taters washed and wrapped, sweet tea is in in the fridge, The ham is ready to go. Now I just need someone to eat it!”  I’m sure those that gathered at her table were thankful for her hard work, and if I’m not mistaken, that was a Sunday that she fed not only her family, but also guests. 

She has learned to plan and prep ahead so that the meal is ready when they get home.  Smart girl! 

This past Sunday, I served the Ugly (but Tasty) Duckling. On Saturday night right before bed, I pulled the frozen whole chicken out of the freezer. I set it in the sink and ran some cold water over it for a couple of minutes (just to get the thawing process started). During the Sunday morning frenzy, I simply opened the now thawed chicken from it’s packaging and gave it a rinse and removed the giblets(we don’t eat those wretched things). I gently separated the skin from around the chicken breast area and put 1-2 tablespoons of butter and put about a tablespoons of the salt/pepper mix in and around the skin/breast area. Add some of the mix to the inside cavity and rub the rest on the legs/thigh area.

Add onions, carrots, and potatoes (you can peel the potatoes if you want, we just left them to save time). Add 3/4 cup water. Place lid, and cook on high for 4-5 hours.

When we got home, I simply drained the broth into a pan and cooked it till it was thick. I thickened it with 2 tablespoons cornstarch (mix in cold water before adding it). Carefully remove the bird and veges and place them on your serving platter.

My dinner rolls are delicious and SUPER easy. I buy the frozen dough balls (only Kroger stocks these) and place them in a buttered dish and set them in my empty microwave  This way, I know no bugs will attack

Salt/Pepper mixture — take a clean bowl and put 2 tablespoons of salt and 2 teaspoons of pepper. Mix it together.

Thanks, Johanna for sharing how to get it all together on Sunday – burnt sacrifice not withstanding!  =)  I will be trying this chicken…and I must buy some of those rolls!  Yum!

Tell me, what’s been cooking in your kitchen?

From my parsonage kitchen,

• Be creative!
• Use baskets and trays to corral like items

• Make a list of the activities you do every day in your kitchen and create stations to accomplish that task easily.  Keeping all the coffee items together will make the task of making coffee much simpler.

• Make a basket or tray of your baking supplies.  Put your most used spices out for easy access.  Add your measuring cups and pretty canisters for brown sugar and/or confectionery sugar.
• Use a basket to collect the mail

• Use baskets to store linens
• Get a 2-tiered stand for veggies and fruits

• Use wall space wisely – Use hooks for aprons, towels, or oven mitts.

• Add a bookshelf to your kitchen if you can.  If not, at least create a basket with your most frequently used books.  We all probably use the same ones over and over, so get those out where they’ll be at your fingertips.

• Soften surfaces with little touches
• Greenery in a vase
• Linens 
• Use cloth napkins for valances!
• Place mats
• tablecloths
• runners
• aprons
• Add lighting
• Battery operated candles
• light sticks
• sconces
• hospitality lights

• Add pieces with character

My dad made my stained glass years ago and got me started on my Rooster theme.

• Reading through the Bible in a year
• Memorizing a passage of Scripture
• Doing a Bible study with a group
• Attending a small group study
• Mentoring a younger woman
• Attending church services faithfully

1. Pray before committing to an obligation to seek God’s will. If He leads you to begin it, He will give strength to finish it.
2. Align other priorities around that responsibility.  If you’ve committed to attending a Thursday night study, don’t agree to babysit for a friend that night.  If you’ve committed to attend Sunday school faithfully and your family has planned a reunion for Sunday, tell them you’ll be there after the morning service.  Keep your priorities in line with what the Lord has led you to do.
3. Keep your other activities to a minimum around the time of the real duties.  For example, if you’re seeking to read through the Bible in a year and you’ve decided to read each morning, don’t also plan to meet a friend for coffee at 9:00.  You’ll feel rushed and either not get to it at all, or won’t get anything out of your reading.  If you’ve committed to attending a Bible study on Monday nights, don’t pack Monday full of errands and shopping that drain your energy.  With the energy will go your desire to follow through.  Be wise in planning.
4. Ask someone to make you accountable.  Knowing that you will give a report of your faithfulness to a friend will help you to stay faithful.