Marriage Moment-Date Night

Focus on the Family is sponsoring a “Date Night Challenge”.  The idea is to encourage married couples to, as frequently as possible, have a date night.  This is meant to strengthen marriages and in turn strengthen families.  I am all for this.  I know that the dates my husband and I have, thanks to our older children, have bonded is together in a strong and special way.  I think that our older children know this and that is why they offer to watch the little ones for us. 

 

Not everyone has such a large gap in their children’s ages in order to have built in babysitters.  When Allie and Zachary, our older two, were little we didn’t have that either  So, we had to create our own way of having a date.

 

 

One way that you can plan it, is to  have a “Day-t night”.  When our kids were small, up till about 7-8 years old, we would have a nap or rest time for them.  They would go into their rooms for 1- 1 1/2 hours and we would have our “Day-t”.  We would watch a movie, eat a meal together, or maybe even a Sunday afternoon nap.

 

Another idea is a “late night date night”.  Again, when the kids were small till they were about 10-11 years old, we would put them to bed by 8:00- 8:30pm and that would be our time together.

 

 

I hear so many parents say that they can’t get their children to nap or they can’t get then to bed before 10pm.  But I tell you it is so worth the struggle to really put forth the effort.  Once they realize that you expect it, then it just comes natural.  We always expected our children to follow those rules, yes for selfish reasons, but our children now have parents whose marriage is solid and has stood the test of time.  That is a cliché, but it is so true, time will test your marriage.   Marriages become dull and mundane when they aren’t revived and refreshed often, by that intimate time alone together to continue that memory of why you fell in love.

 

I heard something yesterday on the radio about marriage.  The strength of a marriage doesn’t come from big events, like marriage conferences or weekend getaways.  It comes from the daily and weekly moments that we set aside for each other. 

I hope that you can make time for a date with your hubby really soon.

 

Jeannie

 

Goodies made by Allie "Doughnut Muffins" and a Link up

These muffins were so good.  What a cool combination!  Doughnuts and Muffins!

She found these on Pinterest which lead her to DeliciouslyDeclassified

MUFFINS

• 1/4 cup butter, room temp
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk

GLAZE

• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 3/4 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp hot water

HOW TO MAKE IT

MUFFINS

• Lightly grease a standard muffin tin. Or line with 12 paper muffin cups, and grease the cups with non-stick vegetable oil spray; this will ensure that they peel off the muffins nicely
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the butter, vegetable oil, and sugars till smooth
• Add the eggs, beating to combine
• Stir in the baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla
• Stir the flour into the butter mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour and making sure everything is thoroughly combined
• Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pan, filling the cups nearly full
• I used an ice cream scooper, which helps you keep all the muffins the same size
• Bake the muffins at 425°F for 15 to 17 minutes, or until they’re a pale golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the middle of one of the center muffins comes out clean

GLAZE

• In a medium bowl, prepare the glaze by mixing together the melted butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and water
• Whisk until smooth
• When the muffins have cooled slightly, dip the muffin crown into the glaze and allow the glaze to harden. I strongly recommend going for another dip in the glaze – after all, this is the best part and the double dip ensures that you’ve got a good solid coat on there
• Serve warm, or cool on a rack and wrap airtight
• Muffins will keep at room temperature for about a day.

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Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. - 1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV)

Purposeful Parenting

Don’t you love how God puts things together.   A friend of mine told me something last night and then this morning I ran across a verse that confirmed or at least backed it up.

Psalm 1:1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked, or stands in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the mockers.

Last night a friend was telling me about a father she knows quite well.  The father has a son that is graduating High School and wants to go into the Marines.  The father told him he would fully support that if he would just wait.  The Father’s thinking is that right now his son is under the headship of godly council, his fathers.  If the son were to sign up for the Marines right now, he feels that he would be under the council of the wicked.  You see the man knows who the boys Commander and Chief would be and what that Commander and Chief, our President stands for.  The morals of the boys new headship would not at all line up with the morals of the father. 

This really made me start to think.  God has been working on me about becoming a more purposeful parent.  Things like what the Man told his son never occur to me.  I probably would never have put that together.  Just like in reading the 5 love languages with our small group.  Some of the things that we have come across have really made me think about what kind of mother I am and what kind of mother God and I want me to become.














All of this has made me stop and consider how I am going to parent from now on.  I want to become a more Purposeful Parent.

Jeannie

Healthy Lunch List

I just ran across a great list of lunch ideas, that are healthy and tasty for both adults and children.  I usually end up in a rut for lunches, making the same things week after week.  This list was great when I was menu planning today.  I found it over at a site that I have really started liking.  Heavenly Homemakers.com .



She has so many useful things to read, especially on food.  You can go Here to find the printable list.  I have it hanging in my kitchen so that I can get ideas in an instant.

This was one of my favorites from the list.


Sloppy Corn Muffins

Isn’t that creative!  I think my kids are going to love this.  I will let you know.

Jeannie

2Better Tuesday Link up #2 And Goodies by Allie- Peanut Butter Cake

I have another great recipe for you that my daughter Allie found and made.  This one, at first I thought was so strange, but I loved it.  She found this one at: Tastykitchen.com

Ingredients

• FOR THE SHEET CAKE:
• 2 cups Sugar
• 2 cups All-purpose Flour
• 2 whole Large Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• ⅔ cups Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1 cup Butter
• 1 cup Water
• FOR THE PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING:
• ½ cups Butter
• ⅔ cups Creamy Peanut Butter
• 6 Tablespoons Milk
• 2-½ cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 400ºF.
For the cake: In a bowl combine the sugar and flour. In a separate bowl (I used my mixer bowl) mix eggs, baking soda, and sour cream well. Set aside. In a small saucepan combine peanut butter, butter, and water. Bring to a boil. Stir the boiled peanut butter mixture into the flour mixture, then add to the sour cream mixture. Pour into an ungreased 15×10 inch sheet/jellyroll type pan. Bake 20 minutes or until done. Cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

For the frosting: Combine the butter, peanut butter, and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Add the powdered sugar and mix well. Let the frosting cool for a few minutes, then add vanilla. The frosting will be thick; mix well. Pour over cake while both are still warm. Let cool, then serve.

Allie did not make this as a sheet cake, it was made in a 9x13 pan.  It was so moist and believe it or not light tasting.  I think that is what I liked best about it, its lightness.  It was not a heavy, rich cake. 

I hope you enjoy!

Feel free to link up about our prayer challenge or with any recipes or inspiration that you have for this week.

Jeannie

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Marriage Moment- Why don’t we need a break?

The other day we were watching Little House on the Prairie, the episode was about The Olesons.  They were having marriage trouble.  Nels the husband was feeling taken for granted and from the looks of things I would agree with him.  So, Nels decided to start a business that involved travel to get a break from his ungrateful family.  While gone he stayed in the boarding house of a lovely young single woman and started to fall for her.  But then he was convicted and returned to his wife who then was missing him and acted more appreciative. 


(We are not in a bar, it is a bowling alley.  This was at Christmas)

During that show, Isabella said “how come you and Daddy don’t need a break”, meaning from each other.  I told her it was because Daddy and I take care of each other, we try not to take advantage of the other and we also try to make the other feel special. 

So, many marriages break apart because of selfishness.  If we are looking out for the others best interest in all that we do, we will not push each other away.  Instead, we will draw each other closer.  This is not just my idea, I can’t take credit for it.  I got this straight out of the Bible, Ephesians 5:21-33.  These verses say it all. 

Think of something special that you can do for your hubby today.  Make him feel appreciated.

Jeannie

Couponing Again

I have been an off and on Couponer for years.  For the last year I have just not wanted to do it.  I knew that I should but never felt like I have had the time. 
This last few weeks we have been running out of food before the 2 weeks is up.  So, I have decided to get back to it.  Last night I printed my coupons from Coupons.com and today I will take a look at the Target coupons.  Target is probably the store I got the best deals.  They have their coupons that you can stack with the Manufacturers coupons for extra savings. 


This time I think I am going to focus more on just getting the things that we actually need that week and not stockpiling 10 bottles of Ketchup that we will need 2 years to use up.  I know that some say that stockpiling is the way to go but it just didn’t work for our family.  I will keep you all updated on how this works, if it does.
 
By the way don’t you love these little carts.  We get one and Bella will push Jacob in it.  He sits funny in the back but, it keeps him out of the big cart and out of everyone’s way.  Sometimes they will just help me shop.  Jacob walks along and fills up the two carts, mine and theirs. 

Grocery shopping boredom buster for kids.  Have them count how many items you are buying.  For our 100th day of Homeschooling, we counted to make sure that we bought 100 things.  You would be surprised to see how fast that happens.

Jeannie

Goodies Made By Allie Series-Pancakes

I am starting a series of all of the goodies that my daughter Allie has been making lately.  We have all gained about 5 pounds but you know I have some great recipes to share with you. 

The first one is what I was served on Mother’s day morning.  Pancakes-not just any pancakes but they are called “The Best Pancakes Ever”.  I think I agree with that statement.  I have been making a recipe for years and I am going to switch it up. 

First, I want to tell you my Mother’s day morning story.  I would love to hear your too!  We have a tradition that on Mother’s and Father’s day the kids and the other parent wake up early and sneak down and make a fancy breakfast for that celebration parent.  This year Isabella, who is in the hand bell choir, was preforming at our church at 8:00am on Mother’s day.  So, of course we needed to be there even earlier than that.  I waited and waited up in my bed for them to come and get me until finally I got up and started to get ready for church,  the little ones finally came running to find there mom at the top of the stairs just waiting.  The reason I was waiting is because now we had 30 minutes until we had to have Bella to the church.

So, I had to scarf down these delicious pancakes that were accompanied by Cheesy eggs and muffins.

Next time we make these I will eat them slowly and enjoy them.

Here we go:

Allie found this recipe on Chewonthatblog.com


The Best Pancakes Ever
Looking for that pancake with the perfect texture and taste? Look no further! Not to mention, these have chocolate chips and strawberries in them!
Ingredients
3 C .flour
6 Tbs. sugar
6 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 lg. beaten eggs
6 Tbs. oil
milk – enough to make pourable – at least 2 1/4 C.
Mix ins:
chocolate chips
chopped strawberries
Directions
Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add wet ingredients. Mix in enough milk to make the batter pourable.
Heat oil or margarine on pancake griddle. Add a ladleful of pancake batter. Throw in toppings such as chocolate chips and chopped strawberries. Heat each pancake 1-2 minutes until golden brown, flip and let the other side become golden brown. Serve.

She did not use the mix ins that were suggested.  Also, a funny thing, Allie was explaining the recipe to me and said that she put in 6 teaspoons of baking soda.  I said, are you sure it was not powder and she was positive.  Sure enough she used baking soda.  But they turned out fine.  In fact they were the Best Ever.  Hope you enjoy!

Jeannie

2 Better Tuesday Link Up!!

Last Tuesday I presented a prayer challenge.  The challenge was to wake up 30 minutes early one morning a week and spend that time in silent prayer, just listening for the voice of God.

So, how did you do?

I also mentioned that I would have my very first link up starting today so that you can tell us all about your silent time.  This link up can also be used just to link up and say “hey!” as well. 



Welcome to 2 better Tuesdays!!

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Happy Mothers Day!!!

I hope you all have a fabulous Mother's Day.  I know I will, we are finishing my garden today.  I will show you pictures this week.   Enjoy your day and I will talk to you in a day or two.  Here are the four people who make me a very happy Mamma.

Jeannie

Prayer Challenge

A little over a week ago, I told you about the trip to a youth conference I attended with the youth from our church. 

I also mentioned that I would have a prayer challenge for us to do.  I wanted to make sure that I did it at least once before I presented the idea to you. 

So, here is the challenge:

To wake up 30 minutes earlier one day a week and spend that time, not in the bible, not reading a book, not doing laundry, but in total silence, waiting on the Lord.  Now, if you do not have a newborn this should be attainable for most of us.

In our family room, where there is no TV, we have a wall writing.  I love what it says!


Let us be silent that we may hear the whispers of God.

That is my challenge to you and to myself.  To get up at a time when no one in the house is awake and just be silent, waiting on God to speak to us.  I suggest to have a journal in hand just incase you like what he has to say and you want to write it down, or if he puts something on your heart to pray. 

I am going to do a linky party on this next Tuesday.  So, some on back here and link your post about the prayer challenge here.

Here is my button:

The rope in the button relates to the verse

In Ecclesiastes:“Two are better than one, because they have a good
return on their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

When we don’t have each other and God then we become as weak as the fraying rope above.

Jeannie

Review of the “DIY Citrus cleaner”

A few weeks ago, I posted a citrus cleaner that I found on The Prairie Homestead.  I told you that I would give it a try and let you know. 
 
This is what it looked like in the jar.  I think this is her picture, but mine looked just the same.  I let it sit for 3 weeks.  Then I did as the instructions told me.  I strained the peels out and diluted the liquid with an equal amount of water. 

I have to say that I like it.  I went around right that minute and tried it on our countertop and the wood around the house.  I really like the way it acts on wood.  The oils from the orange peels leave a nice shine on the wood.

We have wood windows in our house and we have always had trouble with them getting mold on them in the winter.  This cleaner was just the stuff to clean up the windows.  Just yesterday I went around to all of the upstairs windows, where it seems to be the worst, and cleaned them all up.  Here is a picture of my kitchen window after using it.






I give this one a thumbs up.  It was super easy to make and easy to use.  Thank you to The Prairie Homestead for the post.

Jeannie