I have really creative daughters, and since I birthed them, I like to lay claim on those talents!
When Whitney, aka, Come Home for Comfort was visiting me last weekend, my unorganized linen closet, and her wonderful ability to turn clutter to calm came to mind! After I whined told her about my mess, she happily agreed to give it her best and get things in order. Here’s a little (embarrassing) peek at the before…
When Whitney saw my disorganized space, her nice way of agreeing that it needed attention was to say, “Well, at least nothing is falling out on your head!” =) She was right – that was about the only positive thing about my closet!
She did her magic, and the results are so nice, I look for excuses to open those doors and stare inside! If you want to see how she transformed this area, continue reading by clicking here!
When you go to her blog, you’ll see how good she is and why I tap into her abilities! Thanks for stopping by for a peek! What do think of my closet space now?!
Our family loves to watch The Andy Griffith Show – it always make us laugh! The Barefoot Contessa cooking show is a favorite program on the Food Network; it always inspires me to get in the kitchen! There are a handful of old movies I have enjoyed and watched again and again. I say that first so you’ll understand that this is not a post bashing television entirely. It has its place when used wisely (like anything else!).
There was a young visitor in my home who frequents my house who recently asked, “Is your TV EVER on?” I told him that it is on occasionally, but that we don’t ever just leave it on. The television being left on for the majority of the day is, I believe, a common occurrence in many American households. I’ve been doing some thinking about the question from my young guest, and came up with the reasons why I don’t leave the television on. Again, I’m not saying a person should never watch television; I’m talking about having it on for the majority of the day.
A television babysits, entertains, fills a mind, teaches, occupies, and replaces our presence, but what can’t television do?
It cannot look a person in the eye. It’s impersonal, distant, removed.
It cannot have a conversation. It cannot ask or answer a question. It does all the talking.
It cannot provide a peaceful atmosphere in your home. Television is all about drama! Leaving it on creates noise and unrest rather than peace.
It cannot create a loving home. Creating anything takes a person’s mind, strength and love. A TV has none of these.
It cannot listen.
It cannot touch.
It cannot hold someone accountable. It won’t tell you how long you’ve been watching.
It cannot show emotion.
It cannot encourage creativity. It does all the creating while the watcher, well, watches!
It cannot pause to allow you to listen to God. It takes someone to turn off the set so that there is time to hear, listen and obey. That someone would be us!
Some encouragement about when you do watch:
Recording shows is a great way to use your time more effectively. Then you can fast forward through commercials!
If you have to watch a show “live,” mute the commercials, which are always very loud.
Set a time limit as to how long it will be on.
Make it a reward – not a babysitter.
Try to do something else while watching – Iron, fold clothes, knit, cut out coupons, etc.
Don’t watch any show where people are doing/saying anything you wouldn’t allow a guest in your home to do or say.
Don’t watch anything you wouldn’t ask the Lord to sit down and watch with you (He’s there!).
Just some food for thought. I’d be happy to hear your thoughts on this subject. Please, no anonymous comments. =) Thanks!
Cooking for two can sometimes be a challenge when you’re making a recipe that normally feeds six! I have made a yummy homemade Chicken Pot Pie for years. We LOVE it, but it is served in a pie plate that feeds a whole family, and in my opinion, pot pie is not a dish that reheats very well. So in the last couple of years, I cut the recipe in half and make it in individual ramekins. It’s a perfect size and there’s no leftovers! They’re also so pretty served like that!
Whether you make the whole recipe and put it in a pie plate, or you cut the recipe in half for only two or three people , this is a wonderful supper meal. It has all the comfort that supper should bring!
This is my recipe that I’ve tweaked over the years. I love it because the sauce in the pie is creamy and delicious, and unlike a most purchased pies, the homemade version has nice chunks of roasted chicken breast in it! You can also add whatever vegetables your family likes. We like it best with just peas, but you could add mixed veggies. You could also use turkey breast in place of the chicken.
Here’s a peek at the filling inside the crust!
Chicken Pot Pie – whole pie
2 Tbl. butter or marg.
2 Tbl. flour
1 cup milk
1 cup chicken stock
1 tsp. Thyme
salt & pepper, to taste
Cooked Chicken breast
Frozen peas
Melt butter in saucepan. Add flour and cook on low about a minute. Add milk slowly with whisk. Whisk in chicken stock. Cook until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. If it seems a little thick, add equal amounts of milk and stock to thin it out to your liking. Season with, thyme, salt and pepper. Add cooked Chicken breast and vegetables. Cook for a few minutes, or until frozen vegetables have just cooked. Pour into pie shell. Top with crust. Vent crust. Bake at 400 degrees until crust is golden (about 30 minutes).
To make individual pies: (Halving the recipe makes 3. If you don’t need all 3, pop one in the freezer, see below)
Cut pie crusts about an inch bigger than the ramekins. Pour filling into dish, then top with crust. Brush with egg wash to seal edges. Place ramekins on baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees until golden.
To roast chicken for pies:
Place boneless chicken breast on baking sheet. Brush with Olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast at 400 about 20 minutes or until meat juices run clear.
For a do-ahead meal, prepare as above, then cover with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze until needed. No need to thaw before baking. Just slide it into the oven and bake as instructed.
This makes such a hearty meal. I usually serve it with a green salad. This is one of my husband’s favorite meals at our house. I hope you’ll give it a try!
Homemade chicken stock makes recipes like this soooo much better! Do you ever make your own?
I’ve never been one to do certain chores on certain days. When I see something dirty, I clean it. But sometimes it helps to have a little reminder to clean something that you’ve neglected.
I recently found a site on Instagram that I’m enjoying following – it’s called Clean Mama. Every day she posts a suggestion of something in your home that you should clean. This past week her suggestions were:
Monday – Bathrooms from top to bottom, including the shower.
Tuesday – Dusting – Go over all surfaces and give them a good dusting.
Wednesday – Vacuuming – Vacuum the house from top to bottom, including tile, hardwood and carpet.
Thursday – Floor washing – wash all the floors, both tile and hardwood.
I enjoyed just using her suggestions as a reminder to check those areas off sometime this week. She also posted a March calendar that’s a free download complete with rotating tasks; things like vacuum baseboards or wash rugs. Continue reading “Freshen Up Friday”→
I spend a lot of time with my husband as he makes hospital calls. When I was a child, I dreamed of walking the hospital halls as a nurse. The Lord had other plans, and now for all these years, instead of being called “nurse,” He’s given me the title of “Pastor’s wife.” I get to stand alongside my husband as he enters room after room to comfort and encourage. I have learned to love these times at the hospital for so many different reasons. One of those is that we always go to be a blessing, but we always come away having received a far greater one.
Yesterday was one of those busy days visiting at the med center. One of our visits included the former pastor of our church; a dear man who loves the Lord, His Word and His work. As I stood at the foot of the bed and listened to my husband minister to this former pastor, the Lord revealed three important truths to me.
I thought about how at one time this patient was the one standing beside the bed giving the comfort. Now instead, he is listening, drinking in and receiving the encouragement from God’s Word.Time to serve God is short.
I sensed this man’s keen knowledge of God’s Word as, even in his weakened condition, he made a connection from the passage my husband read in the psalms to one in Revelation. Time in God’s Word is evident.
I thought about his wife, at home, unable to be at his side because of her own physical limitations. I’m sure she had ministered with him in years past, just as I was doing now. Is she wondering where he is? Is she calling for him when he cannot come? Time with our spouse is a privilege not to be taken for granted.
So while some folks loathe visiting the hospital, the Lord has given me a joy – not in other’s sickness – but in what they always teach me. What a wonderful privilege is mine to be called “The pastor’s wife.” I pray I will serve as faithfully as this dear man and his wife did. Then when the Lord sets me aside and I can no longer serve in this capacity, I pray that I will encourage others who visit with me as much as I was encouraged yesterday! If I take these lessons to heart that will be far more likely.
Of the three truths the Lord showed me, which one strikes a chord in your own heart? Listen to what the Lord wants to say to you through this faithful former pastor!
RefreshHer 