Thanks for a Messy House

March 3, 2015March 2, 2015 RefreshHer4 Comments

The weekend ended and school and work schedules returned. Yesterday when the last of your brood was out the door and you turned and looked behind you, it was as if the proverbial tornado had blown through your house. Fingerprints, footsteps, dirty dishes, soiled laundry and messy bathroom sinks were the casualties in the tornado’s wake.

You may have been tempted to complain or fuss about your mess, but one homemaker had a refreshing perspective on her disheveled house. Read on:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mess, soggy, grimy towels and the dirty lavatory; they are all so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly; it has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today; it has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing and lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard.

Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door. My kids are healthy and able to run and play. Many children cannot.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings… Thank you, Lord, that I can hear.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible…Thank you, Lord, that I can see.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising…Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic with socks that are lost, toast that is burned, tempers that are short, and my children that are so loud…Thank you, Lord, for my family.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times not balanced…Thank you, Lord, for the food we have.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous…Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest…Thank you, Lord, for life.

Author Unknown

A fresh perspective is good, isn’t it? Now, turn your glance upward to your home. What can you thank the Lord for right now that could easily turn to a complaint if you were’t purposefully looking to see the blessing in it? Give thanks instead.

Lovingly,

What’s Cookin’ in the Country?

March 2, 2015March 2, 2015 RefreshHer5 Comments

Remember Dr. Seuss? Here’s my likeness to his stories…

I love bread.
Sweet bread, crunchy bread, corn bread or French bread.
I love bread.
Homemade or Bakery bought,
High and low I have sought because
I love bread.

This was the reason I named my baking business I had for several years, Breads on Boone. I love baking, eating, learning about, and trying to make new breads! This weekend I even purchased a huge bowl because the recent bread recipes I’ve made are too much dough for my mixing bowl and it’s spilling out! Do you remember the I Love Lucy episode where her dough is rising all over her kitchen? Yeah, that’s kind of how I’ve felt recently! I can’t wait to test another recipe in the new big guy (bowl)!

I’m thankful for cookbooks like Cooking Light that allow me to indulge without as much guilt! I recently tried a new Banana Nut Muffin recipe from Cooking Light that was so moist and full of that wonderful Banana flavor! The Streusel topping adds a nice little sweetness and crunch. These are a great beginning to my bread-loving days! When I made them I knew I couldn’t keep this recipe to myself, that I needed to share it with you!

Banana Nut Muffins:

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 bananas)

3/4 cup 1% low-fat milk

3 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

STREUSEL:

6 tablespoons regular oats

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

To prepare the muffins, lightly spoon 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine banana and next 4 ingredients (through egg) in a bowl; stir well. Add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened; fold in walnuts. Place 12 muffin cup liners in muffin cups. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups.

To prepare streusel, combine oats and remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Blend with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle streusel over batter. Bake at 375° for 22 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

I paired my muffin with a bowl of oatmeal and it was a great breakfast!

I love to make up a batch of muffins and either share half with someone, or put half in the freezer for an easy breakfast in the days ahead. These freeze great, by the way!

Do you enjoy making breads? I hope you’ll try these! You could celebrate this new month of March by baking up a batch! I know I say to bake something for every holiday, event or day of the year, but why not? These are “light” and God gives us richly all things to enjoy! Sooo, Enjoy!

With love from my country kitchen,

Uncategorized

Freshen Up Friday

February 27, 2015February 26, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

During this week of all our wintry weather, I got an email from a store in our area ~ Gracious Designs. They were inviting customers to their store so they might turn their home and thoughts from winter to spring. My thoughts are definitely there! How about yours?

I guess it’s no surprise that we’re all anxious for some sunshine, warm temperatures, and flowers!

Even my chalkboard and mantle have spring fever!
I drew this the day before we got six more inches of snow!

As I suggested earlier this week, we can still think about spring, even if it will be a while before it arrives! I went to my Pinterest board for a little inspiritation for the inside of my house. I am hoping to make this adorable wreath for my Apricot-colored front door…

wreath

How cute is that?!

I’m also planning on doing this little craft from Better Homes and Gardens…

Use paint chips to create cute Easter art! See more Easter crafts that are perfect for kids: http://www.bhg.com/holidays/easter/crafts/easter-crafts-for-all-ages/?socsrc=bhgpin022313paintchipeggs=2

You use paint strips from the hardware store to make the eggs. I’ll be shopping for paint for my dining room, so I’ll use the colors I find for it, then it will also blend into the room’s decor! Ahhh, I can’t wait!

So along with my longing for spring, my shopping list is also growing. But when spring arrives, I’ll have several adorable projects under my belt!

What projects are you working on while you’re waiting for spring to arrive?

Stay refreshed! The best way to do that is to attend a Bible-preaching church on Sunday!

With prayers for a wonderful weekend,

Uncategorized

A Peek From My (Snowy) Porch

February 25, 2015March 13, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

This snowy scene was my view yesterday, and perhaps yours, too. It was a bit of a surprise! They had predicted snow flurries, but we got four inches after most of the previous snowfall had melted the day before. I love it, so I’m not complaining. However, I am dreaming and planning a bit for spring, as I’m sure many others are.

As I rested inside all warm and toasty, I enjoyed looking through my new March issue of Southern Living Magazine. I was delighted to see the articles about The Doors of Charleston. There were gorgeous pictures of the houses in this historic South Carolina city, whose homes boast front doors of many hues. This was one that caught my eye…

Do you know why? Because last summer I painted my front door.
Maybe you saw this picture I’d posted…

I went with an Apricot color, very similar to the Southern Living photo. I LOVE it! It sets the house off so nicely, rather than just blending in.

But I feel like the front door needs plants that will set it off. So while the snow is blowing around me, I’m looking at the topiaries and flowers they added to the Charleston house and making notes for springtime purchases.

The Southern Living containers boast of petunias and calibrachoas in peach and orange, which echo the door’s lovely color. I have made a note of this so when the snow melts and spring comes, I’ll be ready for the local nursery with list in hand!

MiniFamous™ Double Rose Chai Calibrachoa Annual Plant

So rather than pout while the winter weather stays around like an unwanted cold, why not do some planning for your yard and house?

What could you do to improve your patio?
Will you need new outdoor rugs? What color?
How’s the umbrella for your patio table? Will you need to replace it?
Do you need to add a nice fresh color and coat of paint to your front door? You could even do that while you wait for the white, fluffy stuff to melt!

Some shopping on Amazon won’t even require you to get outside!

What are you dreaming and planning for as the snow flies?

With love from my country porch,

Christian Life · friends

Show Yourself Friendly

February 24, 2015March 13, 2015 RefreshHer8 Comments

Our world teaches us how to be:

Budget-Friendly Pet-Friendly

Eco-Friendly Kid-Friendly

But the Bible teaches us to be People-friendly. In truth, it’s pretty easy to be Budget-friendly (spend wisely), Pet-friendly (create spaces Fido and Fluffy will love), Eco-friendly (treat the earth well) and Kid-friendly (give children foods they’ll eat). But sometimes coming up with ways to be just plain ol’ friendly to another human being stumps us!

In a world that drives up the driveway, pushes the garage door open, closes it quickly, and goes inside before anyone sees a real, live person getting out of the car, being friendly can be uncomfortable. However, if we love the Lord Jesus and desire to be like Him, we won’t avoid people; we’ll look for ways to minister to them.

Proverbs 18:24

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:

Not – Should, might, or maybe, but MUST shew himself friendly.

How could you and I show or prove our friendliness today?

Reach out – Make contact. Smile. Give a hug. Send a text. Make a call. Send a card. An unfriendly person will turn and go the other direction to avoid others.
Give out – Give of your time – make a visit. Give of your possessions – provide a need. An unfriendly person will only see their own needs. If they do see the needs of someone else, they’ll dismiss the thought of helping.
Speak out – Use your words to be a blessing. Give a greeting at church to the visitor you don’t know. Stop to chat and get acquainted. Speak with the stranger in the grocery store. Don’t be afraid to engage in conversation. An unfriendly person only speaks to people that makes them feel comfortable.

Now, you evaluate – are you friendly? What could you do to change that today? The Lord will help you! Philippians 4:13

Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how. ~Author Unknown

John 13:35 – By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Will others know by watching us that we are Christ’s followers? Open more than your garage door – open your heart’s door to someone today and show the love of Christ to them!

How has someone recently shown friendliness to you?

With love,