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Decision Making Made Easy

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It was a simple little task ~ go through the line at the local fresh Mexican food restaurant and order a salad for my lunch.  I told the lady at the beginning of the “assembly” line I’d like a salad.

“What kind of bowl would you like?  Fried shell or plastic bowl?”
“Plastic, please.”
“What kind of lettuce?  Spinach, Bibb, Romaine or a mix of all three?”
“All three would be great.”
“Beans and rice?”
“No, thanks.”
The questions continued with the next person who served up my salad.  I was asked about:
Salsa
Cheeses
Peppers
Onions
Cilantro
Sour cream
Dressing
Beverage

I about needed a nap after I paid!  Okay, maybe, just maybe that’s a little extreme, but it is pretty comical to hear all the decisions one has to make just order food!  Those were easy decisions.  All I had to do was choose what I like.

In making harder decisions, it’s not such a simple ordeal, is it?  If I want God’s best, I know that I need to seek His face about each issue.  It really doesn’t matter what I like in matters of my life.  I have a God who knows what is best for me, so I must take these issues to Him.

Elizabeth George suggests making a list of four questions for hard decisions.  These questions will reveal your motive:

  1. Why would I do this?
  2. Why wouldn’t I do this?
  3. Why should I do this?
  4. Why shouldn’t I do this?
Let’s say it’s a job offer you’re praying about.
  1. Why would I do this? – I need a job!  It’s in a good location.  This is the only offer I’ve had in months.
  2. Why wouldn’t I do this?  It will keep me away from home when my children get in from school.  The pay isn’t terrific.  I don’t particularly love what I’d be doing.  I would love to work with children somewhere.
  3. Why should I do this?  We could use the money.
  4. Why shouldn’t I do this?  My kids would be on their own for two hours after school.
If you’re married, the next move would be to slide up to your husband and ask what he thinks you should do.  That may end your decision making right there.  He may say,”Go for it!” or perhaps he’ll say, “I don’t think that’s the best idea.”  Whichever way, submit to his guidance.

If you’re not married, get the counsel of your pastor or a godly woman.  They may see things you do not.

Some other tips:
  1. Keep praying about it.  Talk out the four questions with God.  Sit and listen to His Spirit whispering to you.  Don’t make a decision until you have peace from Him.
  2. Connect the things that happen next after you pray!
I was recently praying about whether or not the Lord would have me accept an invitation to go speak somewhere.  My flesh was mixed about it.  Knowing the long preparations for speaking, I sighed.  Thinking of the joy of ministering to ladies, I smiled.  What was I to do?

After praying, I opened up my prayer journal and was putting some pages away.  Tucked inside the notebook, I came across a sheet of paper where I had written, “Blessings of Trip.”  I wondered what this was.  I pulled out the piece of paper.  Here was a page full of blessings I’d recorded the last time I’d gone to this very place to speak!  My heart flooded over as I recounted all that God had done that weekend.  Was it an accident or coincidental that I came across that piece of paper right after praying about that very place?  No.  I made the connection with my prayer.  I had peace from the Lord.  My husband also has peace about it. Decision made.  I’m going.

Decision-making made easy is simply taking it to God in prayer, then waiting for Him to answer and direct.  D.L. Moody said,“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”   There’s no fear in making a decision when you remember that God knows what is ahead and will direct you to make the right choice!  But when it comes to ordering at the restaurant, take an energy-boosting vitamin before you go, and then just get what you like!

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A Peek From My Porch

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A Peek Into My Life This Past Week

Last week was a great week – it included my birthday, which is always fun. That celebration pretty much consumed the week. I love spreading it out over several days! If we’re going to get older, we might as well have fun doing it!

Breakfast in bed – a family tradition!

In our family any birthday always starts with breakfast in bed. My husband made my favorite breakfast ~ French Toast. He served it up with bacon and coffee on my prettiest dishes. It was sooo yummy! (Why does food cooked by someone else always taste better?!)

The rest of the day was special with calls, texts, messages and cards. Who doesn’t love getting a real card in the mail?  I saved all my cards that I’d gotten earlier and opened them at breakfast. It made my heart smile!

My husband always knows how to make my birthday special. Not only was there breakfast, but he got me roses and a book I’d hinted come right out and asked for! I love Jan Karon’s Mitford series, and this is her newest book. I’m loving it!

I got to go to KY to celebrate with my family the day after. My parents made homemade ice cream and served it with a delicious chocolate cake. What a combo! It was so good! It was a sweet time visiting with my sisters, brothers-in-law and my parents. There was reminiscing and laughter all evening.

That’s not all that happened, but that’s enough about my birthday. Let me show you a project that got finished last week!

I mentioned my new door color a couple weeks ago. To pull that color out onto the porch, I made slip covers for my rocking chair pillows.

Those were marked to $10 for the pair on clearance. They were pillow shams, so I cut them down to fit the chair pillows and then sewed them up. I love the addition of the coral color against the black chair. I’m still working on my fall display out there, but at least the color part is finished!

I’ll give you one last peek from last week…

I didn’t know Liza Jane was a Jan Karon fan, but evidently she is. =^..^=

What’s going on in your world this week? Is anyone else a September girl?

With love from my country porch,

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Showing Hospitality

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True Southerners are known for their Sweet Tea and  their hospitality.  The words Southern and hospitality go together like bees at a picnic.

The dictionary defines Hospitality as the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way. 

Hospitality goes beyond simply a glass of tea.  Let’s ask the who, what and how’s of showing this generous spirit.

Who?  While Southerners are pretty much expected to be hospitable, Christians are especially encouraged to “Show hospitality without grudging.”  That is, we’re to do it without grumbling.  No whispers under out breath, no sighs or the rolling of the eyes.

What? What do we give?  We give our heart first.  The giving of anything, a glass of tea or a kind word, starts with my heart.  I do it because the love of Christ constrains me.   In other words, it pushes me forward, it motivates me to do what I do.  Maybe this is why us Southerners say, “Bless your heart.”  =)  That is the foundation  of being hospitable.  Ask the Lord to open your heart to others, and then out of love for Christ, and that person, show them Christ’s love.

How?  How will that look in every day living?

  • Be warm in greeting others in your home, in the store, or at church.
    • Speak warmly to guests at church!  Introduce yourself.  Ask them to sit with you.  Show them where the restrooms are, the nursery or their Sunday school class. Invite them to go out to dinner with you, or be prepare ahead of time to invite folks home (the ultimate in hospitality!).
    • Remember you need to be the greatest servant, even to someone who serves you at the restaurant.  They aren’t to be treated like you are better than they are.  Be kind.  Be patient.  “Bless their heart” when your meal is slow in coming!  Well, you know what I mean, right?  Don’t give them grief!  Be generous with your time and your spirit.
    • Make others feel the way you’d want to be treated in that situation.  If they’re visiting your home, invite them in.  Offer them a chair and a beverage.  Think about their needs, not how inconvenienced you are at the timing of their visit.
    • If you’re in a line at the store, allow someone older to go ahead of you. Offer to take their cart to the corral if you’re going there too.
  • Be giving.
    • Give your ear to listen.  Sometimes this is the greatest way we can show we care.
    • Give to a person’s needs.  A meal, a snack or a bed to rest – whatever they need at the time.
    • Offer a meal to someone who is sick and can’t come to your house.  Call and tell them you’re bringing supper, then deliver it to them at mealtime.
  • Be friendly and loving.
    • A pat on the shoulder or a squeeze of the hand when someone shares their heart is certainly acceptable.  Show you care by your gestures.
    • Look people in the eye and say “Thank you.”  Thank you for your service, your gift, your help, your kindness.
    • Pray for others that are hurting.  Pray with them.  Ask them how you can pray specifically for them that day.
    • Share the Gospel.  This is the best way to show you care!  Give the Gospel so they’ll know your Savior and have a relationship with Him!
You might not be southern, but you can show as much hospitality as a Tennessean at a Family reunion by practicing these simple principles.
Now, how about a glass of sweet tea, y’all?
With love,

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What’s Cookin’ in the Country?

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After this lovely fall weather we experienced this past weekend, I’m sure most of us cooks are dreaming about some of our favorite fall recipes.  There are certain foods that are associated with cooler temps, right?  

For me one of those is Stuffed Green Peppers.  Don’t run!  If the thought of stuffed peppers conjures up memories of limp, overcooked peppers and dry meat sauce, you must try this recipe!  The peppers are slightly crisp, the meat sauce has chunks of tomatoes, rather than tomato sauce, and a yummy addition of basil and Worcestershire sauce.  A little Cheddar cheese is added to finish it all off.   In short, this is a real keeper.  The extra meat sauce is spooned into the dish and the little peppers are nestled in to keep everything moist and delicious!

Stuffed Green Peppers
2 Large green peppers
8 oz. lean ground beef
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and cut (or canned tomatoes, drained)
1/2 cup long grain rice, cooked
1/2 cup water
 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dried basil, crushed
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Halve peppers lengthwise and remove stem ends, seeds and membranes.  Immerse peppers into boiling water for 3 minutes.  Invert onto paper towels to drain well.

In a large skillet cook meat and onion till meat is brown and onion is tender.  Drain fat.  Stir in tomatoes, cooked rice, water, Worcestershire sauce, basil and pepper.  Bring to boiling; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes.  Stir in half the cheese.  Spoon meat mixture into peppers.  Place peppers in 8x8x2 in baking dish.  Spoon any remaining meat into baking dish.

Bake, uncovered, at 375 for about 15 minutes or till heated through.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese.  let stand for one to two minutes or till the cheese melts.  Makes 4 servings.

How about ending that great meal with a little pumpkin dessert; another favorite flavor in the fall. This recipe for Pumpkin Bars makes TWO 9×13 pans!  They whip up really quickly, too.  After cooling, they’re topped with a cream cheese icing.  Moist and fantastic! This is a great dessert for a crowd!  I introduce to you the delightful Pumpkin Bar…


Pumpkin Bars
2 Cups flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs
2 cups pumpkin
1 cup nuts, chopped
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice or 1/4 tsp each, cinnamon, allspice, cloves and nutmeg

Frosting:
6 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
2 Tb. cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients for bars.  Pour into two greased and floured 9 x 13 pans and bake at 350 degrees 20-25 minutes.

To make frosting, mix cream cheese and butter.  Combine with other ingredients and mix well.  Frost cooled bars.

I hope you’ll try these two recipes.  I have serious doubts you’ll be disappointed!  If you are, call me and I’ll come pick up the leftovers!  =)

Have you made any fall favorites yet?  

With love from my country kitchen,



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Freshen Up Friday

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I love to freshen up the elements that are a part of the tasks I do each day.  It makes the tasks have an element of enjoyment that would be missing otherwise.  Let’s take for instance, baking and cooking.  How many times do you and I reach for the salt box to add a teaspoon to our recipes?  LOTS, right?  Why not do something to simplify and embellish that part of the chore?

For years I’ve had a little red dish to pour salt into.  It had a plastic lid to cover it and it sat right on my counter and was at my disposal.  It worked great, but I recently got a gift from a friend – some vintage Fiesta wear that she found at an antique store.  Part of the collection was a darling yellow creamer.  Inside the box was also a random blue lid.  Bingo!  I knew how I’d use that little guy!

Isn’t that adorable?  It just makes me happy to see it sitting on my counter!  It’s now filled with my salt and is ready every time I’m baking or cooking.  I just pop the lid off and scoop out what I need.

If you have your salt in the box it was sold in, I’d suggest that you freshen up your kitchen chores by finding something pretty to put it in.  It’ll make your cooking one step easier with not having to open the cupboard and get the salt box out.  Plus you’ll smile every time you see that pretty dish you choose!  Maybe you have a sugar bowl just stuck away in your china cabinet that you could use for your salt (inform your family that it’s not sugar – unless you do it close to April Fool’s day!).  Get creative and see what cute dish you can find!

Do you already use a dish for salt?  What is it store in?

See you in church!

Stay refreshed,