Unplugged

August 1, 2016July 31, 2016 RefreshHer8 Comments

It was a typical Apples of Gold morning – I was getting dressed while listening to my Bible app on my phone. I was also receiving texts from friends who were praying for our upcoming mentoring class that would happen in a couple of hours. Just as I was sending a message my phone STOPPED in mid-sentence. It wouldn’t type or go back to the home screen. Then it went black. The sickening feeling in my heart lived out to be true – my phone (less than a year old) died.

The kind Verizon rep at the store told me later that afternoon that there was some glitch in the phone and they would replace it, but my replacement wouldn’t be here until at least two or three days from now. I became UNPLUGGED.

It’s ironic that it happened when it did, because in another area of my life, as of today, I’m becoming “unplugged.” It’s ministry. You see, my husband and I have been given an extraordinary gift from our church – a 31-day sabbatical!

Sabbatical is just a period of absence. The goal for ours is to rest, refocus and reload – those are my terms. This is what I’m praying these 31 days will accomplish in my life:

Rest – This is pretty obvious. We have had an exteremely busy spring and summer. Our minds and bodies are tired. We need to shut down and rest. Sleep, leisure and a slower pace is our goal.
Refocus – It’s easy to be so busy doing that you lose the sight of where you’re headed – of what you really want to accomplish and why. I long to take a step back and consider the days ahead carefully and then make plans that support those choices.
Reload – I need some time to fill up. Time to pray, study and be alone with the Lord. More than anything I’m praying this will be a spiritual retreat for us both.

That being said, I’m not really sure what my blog will look like in these 31 days. I’m not planning on abandoning it, but maybe to just cool it a bit. I might just write to give you a look into our sabbatical. It might just be a picture or a quote – I’ll let the Lord dictate the content, as I do every day.

So, here we go – 31 days of being UNPLUGGED.

With love,

Denise Signature 150 px

Getting Over Hump Day

July 27, 2016July 26, 2016 RefreshHer2 Comments

Sometimes weeks roll by, each day the same, boring by nature. We get to Wednesday, “Hump Day” and we are told if we can just get past it, we’ll roll right into the weekend and we will have survived another week.

Is survival the best way to face a week or each day? I don’t think so. Scripture reminds us that we should number our days and apply our hearts to wisdom. If you find yourself just limping through this week, why not change things up a bit and add some fun, some life and some interest to even today? Here are some suggestions:

Drive to work on a different route, if you can. Take the country roads, if possible.
Pull the sun roof back a little, or roll down a window and get some fresh air.
Ask the Lord to show you someone with whom you could stop and pray today.
Do something different at lunch. Take your lunch and eat it at the lake, a park or outside at the restaurant.
Go out for ice cream at a drive-in after dark. Splurge on the sundae.
Take time to sit on the front porch and just be still. Watch the traffic or read a magazine or book you’ve wanted to start.
Search ideas for a new hair style. Change the way you fix your hair – even if it’s just parting it differently or adding some curl.
Go to bed early and sit in bed and read a passage of Scripture with your mate before you turn off the lights.
Go out for breakfast somewhere you’ve been wanting to try – that bagel place, the local pancake house or Cracker Barrel!
Have your Bible reading outside early in the morning.
Pray for the neighbors as you walk past each house in the neighborhood.
Get a new color of fingernail polish and paint your fingernails.
Find an interesting You Tube video and watch it while you do your hair in the morning.
Make a sweet bread or muffins to take and deliver to someone who needs encouragement.
Go through the drive-through restaurant and “pay it forward.” (Pay for the person’s order in line behind you.)
Make plans to have someone over on Friday night. Make up a fun menu – grilled pizzas, or S’mores. Make it easy, but plan for fun.
Watch a movie outside after dark on your lap top or tablet.
Write a note to someone and tell them how much you appreciate them. Send it in the mail.
Journal about the best part of the day.

The possibilities are endless. The point is, don’t just endure the week. Make every day count, because they each do!

Refresh your week,

Christian Life · Uncategorized

Why I Posted a Fashion Video

July 26, 2016July 29, 2016 RefreshHer3 Comments

The purpose of my blog is to refresh women in their hearts, homes and lives. I desire to give encouragement, inspiration and biblical insights in those areas. Why, then, would I post a video last week that included outfits? Let me explain:

Dressing and putting outfits together is something we all do every single day – it’s a regular part of our lives , so I would like to remind us that putting an outfit together can refresh yourself. What we wear tells others what’s in our hearts before we even open our mouths. They see, they notice, they make judgments. Our clothes are part of our testimony.
I desire to teach that our outfits can bless or disgrace. So many women just throw clothes on, giving little thought to what it looks like on them. I think it’s because often there’s an attitude of “So What?! I want to be comfortable! I don’t care! Big deal!” That kind of attitude says so much. Scripture tells us to dress modestly. We can do that and also be neat, stylish and looking our best. As I shared little tips about how to keep a top in place, or show how to wear summer clothes that are cool, but still cover, I desire to show that others can be blessed, rather than embarrassed by our attire.
I desire to remind us that putting outfits together doesn’t have to be a drudgery, neither does it have to be something we make an idol. Buying certain staple pieces and switching them around can give many different outfits. Have fun and add pieces of jewelry or a scarf and make it look completely different! On the other hand, we don’t need to be consumed with clothes and shopping every minute of every day. Give it some forethought and make wise purchases of good items that will last a long time.
I also want to remind us that we don’t have to spend a fortune to have nice clothes. Bargain shopping, Goodwill stores, and clearance racks can be our friends when it comes to buying what we need for our wardrobe. I’ve seen some Instagram accounts that make me wonder if shopping is all they ever accomplish. We should never make clothes an idol, and there are ways to dress nicely without being consumed with fashion – that is not my goal, nor is it something I want to be known for!

The bottom line is that I want my testimony to be one that would exalt Christ, and my outfits shouldn’t distract from that. I believe it is possible, and it’s with that heart that I posted the video, and would post another one perhaps in the future. My God is El Roi – The God Who sees; He knows my heart. Others only see the outside. My outfits should reflect what’s inside in a gracious, lovely way.

Whether therefore ye eat or drink, do all to the glory of God. I Cor. 10:31

I really desire to be on the alert about my clothes and what they say to others. Therefore, I’m always looking for new ways to do that, and then to pass along to you what I’ve learned. Thank you to so many of you who encouraged me after the video. Thanks for understanding my heart. May the Lord be glorified each day we walk out wearing yet another outfit!

Lovingly,

Denise Signature 100 px

Uncategorized

A Look Through My Lens

July 15, 2016July 14, 2016 RefreshHer8 Comments

I’m only including a collage today, because I’ve uploaded a short video with a question I hope you’ll answer!

These pictures were taken on my three-mile walk yesterday morning. This beautiful view is what gets me out the door to exercise each morning. I can see in my mind the beauty of the country roads, the fields, the sun rise, the cows and the sky. I can’t wait to hit the road and talk to the Lord as I walk. Just look through my lens:

Now here’s my question:

Thanks again for your comments!

Side dish · summertime · Uncategorized

Summer Luncheon ~ Salmon Croquettes

July 11, 2016July 10, 2016 RefreshHer4 Comments

A couple weeks ago while visiting my family in Kentucky, my sister had my parents and me over for a summery lunch. Everything was so delicious, and I promised I would get her recipe for the Salmon Croquettes for you all. Today’s the day!

This is a great meal – it’s healthy, it’s economical, and it’s so yummy! These are all things you could keep on hand for a busy night when you need supper in a hurry. I chop up fresh red peppers and keep them in the freezer for recipes like this. Why not plan on making this one night this week?

salmon 2

Salmon Croquettes & Mayo/Herb Topping

WHAT YOU NEED:

15 oz skinless, boneless pink salmon (I used Kirkland brand from Costco)

½ cup panko crumbs

½ cup finely chopped red sweet pepper

½ cup finely chopped green onions

1 egg, slightly beaten

2 TBL mayo

1 TBL yellow mustard

Topping:

½ cup mayo

3 TBL finely chopped fresh parsley

1 TBL fresh lemon juice

1 tsp bottled hot pepper sauce

Mix topping ingredients. Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
In a medium bowl combine salmon, bread crumbs, sweet pepper, green onions, egg, 2 TBL mayo, and mustard. Shape into eight 2 ½ inch patties. (about 1/3 cup each)
Coat a large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Add patties, cook 4-5 minutes or until browned. Spray the tops with cooking spray before flipping. Continue cooking 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. (160 degrees F)
Place patties on a platter with a dollop of the mayo topping.

Her potato Salad tasted like something purchased in a nice deli! This was a great addition to the Salmon!

POTATO SALAD

8 medium red potatoes

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

¼ cup chopped green onion tops

1 cup chopped celery

3 hard boiled eggs, chopped

¼ cup diced pimento

1 TBL Dijon mustard

1 cup mayo

¼ cup sour cream

salt and pepper to taste.

1 TBL seasoned salt

Wash and cube potatoes, leaving skin on. Boil potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in a large mixing bowl. Mix the remaining ingredients and gently fold into potato mixture.

Now, let me end this post with a fun and delicious way to have the taste of S’mores but with a little twist! Pictured below is what we call Waffle Cone S’Mores:

Take all the ingredients you would like to melt and roast together, add it to the inside of sugar cone or waffle cone. We have found that a good combination is chocolate, marshmallows and strawberries. Fruit really adds the “over-the-top” edge! The mini Reeses cups makes the perfect little cap at the top of the cone, and when it melts…wow!

Pack it deep inside the cone, wrap in foil and set it on the grate over a fire or grill. Try to wait patiently for everything to melt together – about 10 minutes. Unwrap and enjoy!

These are the kinds of treats summer was intended for! Plus you have the fun of the fire, everyone standing around making their own dessert, laughing, munching and enjoying the summer evening. What fun!

I hope you’ll put some part of this on your menu soon. What a great recipe for your family, and one special enough for entertaining with as well!

With love from my country kitchen,