Where Does Your Money Go?

We are almost finished with Financial Peace University!  We have learned a lot.  I only wish we had taken a class like this 40 years ago.  When I think about how I have spent money it makes me sick.

Oh sure we educated two children through college (no subsidy) and they came out with no debt.  We don’t have any credit card debt.  We have paid off one house and then built one we are still paying for.  We only owe for the house and we are working hard on paying it off early. We pay tithe and we give offering.  That’s all good.

But, when I think of the silly stuff I have spent my money on I know I could have done better.  When I think of the places we have invested our money, I know we could have invested much more wisely.

You know and I know the Lord expects us to be good stewards, it is Biblical.  Please if you ever have a chance sign up for Financial Peace University, do it.  If you have adult or near adult children pay for them to attend,(without offending) it is worth  the money.

The Lost is Found

This is another saga on the relationship between US!  I know you are wondering  just who US is, aren’t you?  You should know by now I’m speaking about my man.  You know the one I have lived with for 42 years.

About 5 months ago we  went to Kansas to see our kids.  We drove the “new to us” car and we each carried our set of car keys.  When we arrived home my fella asked me if I had my keys and, of course, I couldn’t find them.  He has  naged  asked me many times since about finding  my keys.  The answer has been NO.

I had a friend visit several months ago and he was even nagging  asking me in front of her to the point that just a few days ago she asked me if I  ever found those keys.  Now I had two people checking on my keys.

I looked in all my purses, asked our daughter look at her house, looked in all my coat pockets–I looked everywhere twice.

Yesterday, HE asked for forgiveness.  This is how he said it–he wrapped his arms around me, and said, “will you forgive me?”  Now what would you think?  I wondered what I needed to forgive him for.  Then he said it, “I found the keys in my dresser drawer.”  Do you get it?  In his dresser drawer!!!

I must admit I am plenty capable of losing keys and he was forgiven.  I did have fun calling our daughter, son and friend to tell them to story, and I may have embellished it just a wee bit.  But, it made me think, we do seem to jump to conclusions about things and maybe it’s best to just not point fingers at anyone.

Once again we are still friends and I think he is pretty funny and he thinks I am . . .well I don’t know what he thinks. I think he thinks I am special–read into that what you want.

Frosting on the Cake

This recipe is a bit odd, but worth the trouble.  Especially since store bought frosting has partially dehydrated shortening in it.

If there’s ever a time to search out a high end cocoa powder, it’s before you dig in and make a batch of chocolate frosting.  Quick tip:  For a more milk chocolaty frosting, replace 2 TB  unsweetened cocoa with soymilk powder.  For a deep, rich chocolate sauce, add 2 TB agave nectar to the mix and store at room temperature instead of refrigerating.

Makes enough to frost 24 cupcakes

1 1/2 Cups unsweetened soy milk

1/2 Cup dry soy milk powder

1/4 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 TB coconut flour

1/4 Cup agave nectar

1 TB pure vanilla extract

1 Cup coconut oil

2 TB fresh lemon juice

In a blender or a food processor, combine the soy mile, soy powder, cocoa powder, coconut flour, agave nectar, and vanilla.  Blend the ingredients for 2 minutes.  With the machine running, slowly add the oil and lemon juice, alternating between the two until both are fully incorporated.  Pour the mixture into an airtight container and refrigerate for 6 hours or for up to 1 month.  (If you plan to use it as a sauce, store the mixture at room temperature for up to 1 week.)

from Babycakes vegan, gluten-free recipe book.

A Day Late. . .

Yesterday was another busy day.  Am I the only one who has busy days?  Silly question I know.  Have you ever noticed we all seem to be busy and really we all seem to think we are busier than anyone else?

Well, I have news for you!  I am busy!  Busy doing what is the question?  Am I about my father’s business or am I doing my narrow minded agenda?  Oh sure, I have been a nightly hostess at the evangelistic meetings and that does take time.  I have attended a couple of meetings at church and that for sure takes time.  Here’s the kicker, my Bible is still on the table where I left it several days ago unopened.  We haven’t even been reading our Three Cups of Tea book and we only have 2 chapters to go. (Have I told you I read aloud to my man when we go to bed?)

Stop this train, I want off!  Or, do I?  I love what I do. I love talking to my kids on the phone!  I love sewing!  I love spending time with my man!  I love Women’s Ministries!  I love my blog!  I love teaching piano!  I love finding bargains!  I love my life!  This week something is missing AGAIN, I can put my finger on it.  I have missed out on spending time with HIM again.  Again I say!  Again, again, again.

The good news, every day is a new day!  Every day I am washed clean because I ask for forgiveness.  Today I start over with a clean slate to begin my walk with him anew, AGAIN.

Women’s Ministries Idea

Good Morning!  Here is a fun little story about Women’s Ministries!  I love Mona’s idea and hope it give you some ideas too.

Last year we did Pancake Prayer Breakfast where the men cooked for us.  We had about 40 women there and since it was the 1st event that we had ever really done as a women’s ministry thing, we felt it was very successful.  The down side was, I spent  too much money.  lol 

After Mary and I attended the training conference at Glacier View, Mary wanted to have a “Tea.”  I knew a lady from England who had a little restaurant for “Tea’s” here in Black Hawk, CO (until she lost her visa) and so I had that experience but that was it.  I’m not sure where I got the idea for an “Irish Tea” but I decided that was what we would do, without any knowledge what so ever.   I got on the Internet and started my research and found so many cute little things and recipes that the idea came to me about making a little book with the recipes and information about “Teas” in it to give away at the Tea for a gift.  So, that was how that came about.  Then I decided we had to make the food items out of the book so people could taste different things.  So I thumbed through it and picked out some recipes (should have looked at them more closely though) to hand out for people to make.  2 weeks before the Tea we had a meeting and I handed out the recipes.  I found out only 2 people in our group could make yeast bread –  myself and a lady from Germany- ot oh. 

My Dad, who is a story in himself, donated all the beautiful glassware we used for the tables to decorate.  We had women bring cloth tablecloths and Mary set the tables up each one separately since none of the table cloths would match.  Friday before the Tea we went and bought fresh flowers and Mary wanted another small gift for each lady.  We looked and looked and couldn’t find anything that was affordable and would work, finally we settled on a Christmas ornament in the shape of a present. 

Several days before the Tea the devil attacked several of our women with illness, one had Bronchitis, another had pneumonia, another had Shingles.  Another had a family emergency which took 2 of our women out.  One of our women’s ministry leaders had a trip planned that was canceled twice before the Tea so she ended up having to travel away over the Tea and couldn’t be there.  Several ladies who were going to make dishes couldn’t, so we had to scramble and find someone to make them or I had to make them.  …. Sabbath, Mary and I had to go in a back room and pray since I was feeling oppressed by the enemy, yet, in my heart I knew the Tea would be wonderful.

Mary stained some wood boxes and lined them with felt and we put tea inside and gave them away as door prizes and we gave 1 2010 Devotional away.  I would have liked to have given more of them but at $20 we couldn’t afford more than 1. 

DeeAnn had a message about an Irish Washer Woman that fit in perfectly with the Irish Tea theme.  We had 55 women there and I haven’t really counted the list yet, but I’m guessing probably 25 were not from our church.  One lady came up to me afterwards and said, “Do I have to be a member of your church to be a part of your women’s ministries?”  Of course I told her she didn’t.

A Birthday to Remember

What a Party!

The Hostesses

Last evening we celebrated.  It was a birthday celebration for my friend, she is turning 80.  She doesn’t seem to mind the fact that we all know her age and why should she?  She has aged well.

Three Handsome Waiters!Do you love surprises? I do. I am rarely surprised but this was a surprise. Our waiters were inexperienced but they were fun and willing to do whatever the hostess asked of them.The food was lovely! We started the meal with three little soups in small cups. With lovely garnishes. We had potato, cream of asparagus and cantaloupe soup. All yummy. You cangetting ready to serve the first coursesee how lovely the presentation was.There were 14 of us and we had fun telling stories about our guest of honor. We laughed and enjoyed being together. That's how women are, we love a reason for a party. We thrive on each other's company. We need to get together for the sake of our well-being.The salads came next. We had lentil salad, green salad in wonton wrappers and tomato salad. Great Salads

I know what you are thinking!  You are thinking about my diet aren’t you?  Well, your right, this was not on my plan.  Here’s what I decided. I am eating everything!  That was simple, don’t you think?

There were 14 of us and we had fun telling stories about our friendship with our guest of honor.

 

Each person received a lovely box of sweets as our gift.  It  has had two different kinds of cookies, a piece of fudge and a caramel.  I ate it all that night.  Well, I thought if I am going to eat this I better do it all in one day and get back “on the wagon” the very next day.  I ate dessert and all.  There you have it.

Great Salads

 

Okay, next came the entrée!  The best Butternut Squash I have ever eaten drizzled with a reduced balsamic vinegar  with baked tofu in the center,  fingerling potatoes with caramelized onions.

don't let looks deceive you

My man has no clue as to what drizzle means, so you can see his thoughts were– more is better.  This food was soooooooooo good.

 

Isn’t it always fun to have someone cook a meal and invite you over?  I love eating someone else’s cooking.  It always seems so much better than mine.

 

Happy Birthday My Friend!

Dessert was a lovely cake, including ice cream and sorbet.

 

Why am I telling you this?  First of all I don’t know a woman who doesn’t like to hear about a successful party.  We love pretty things, good food and good company.  But that’s not the reason. 

 

I am thinking about the start and finishing of a live.  Not that at 80 my friend is finished.  It’s just that life is winding down for her.  Well, isn’t it for all of us?

 

I ask you and I ask my self how are you finishing, are you finishing well?  Have you become less critical, more accepting?  Have you tamed the gossip tiger who  lives within you?  Do you enjoy giving more than you enjoy receiving?  Do you complement your family, your spouse, your daughter in law, your children, your son in law,  your friend?  Have you put the jealous lion out of your life?  Can you celebrate others success, new car, new dress or new house?

 

Mark 12:30-31 reads: “Love the Lord your God with all your  heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

It’s a lot to think about but I want to finish well, don’t you?

PS–For me computers have a mind of their own and I know this post is a mess.  I can’t fix anything that is in the box under the picture so just go with it and know I continue to do this right.  I’m just not always successful.

 

 

Mexican Eggplant

I actually crave this yummy dish.  I know what your thinking, EGGPLANT!!  Trust me this is really yummy, I love it.

1 large Eggplant

1 Small can tomato sauce and 1 can drained diced tomatoes

1 can mild green chilis

1/4 Cup green onions

1/2 tsp ground cumin (I like a little more)

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 Cup Cheddar Cheese

6 olives Sliced

1 Cup Sour Cream (I skipped the sour cream)  We enjoyed cottage cheese along with the dish.

Peel and slice eggplant, spray with Pam, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the eggplant single layer on the sheet and bake 450 20 minutes.

Combine tomato sauce, chilis, green onion, cumin and garlic powder and simmer 10 minutes.  In 9 x 13 baking dish layer eggplant, sauce and cheese, top with sour cream and olives.  Bake uncovered 350 20 minutes.

 

 

One of Those Days. . .

Today is my day at school.  I start piano lessons at 8 am and finish at 4:30.  Now before you feel too sorry for me, I have to confess I have a break in the middle so that helps. 

Today I used my signal light and I wore my seat belt just in case I saw the motorcycle policeman again.

My students were “off” today.  Know what I mean?  They just were not sharp.  At one point I sorta, kinda wanted to get cranky but what good would that do.  Even my best students were not prepared for their lessons, too much going on.

Do you have too much going on?  I know I do and yet I don’t want to give up anything.  I like to do what I do.  I like to keep busy. I like to be rushed.  I like to have something waiting for me to get to it.  And yet I know somewhere there is a text that goes something like this, “Be still and know that I am God.”  Ouch, that hits home.  Be still and know. . .I want to know and I especially want to know God.

Oh my readers, we do need to simplify our lives.  Have any of you simplified your life?  I would love to know how and what you have done.

Monday, Monday. . .

Isn’t there a song like that, oh no I am showing my age.  Well there are other ways I am showing my age too.  My face is starting to looking like a road map and. . .well we won’t even go there.

But I feel so young.  How can it be, I look my age but I feel my daughter’s age.  Not that I would like to put forth the energy to raise 3 children again, I think that would age me beyond recognition.

The house is finally in order  semi-order.  Do you know what I mean?  On the outside it looks pretty good but on the inside it needs some attention.  The drawers need to be straightened, closets gone through, blinds dusted, mop boards dusted and windows cleaned on the inside.  That’s not all but I don’t want to bore you.

I have business to take care of like making The Little House on the Prairie outfit including bonnet, the Christmas surprises that I am sewing.  The Christmas decorations that I want up before the end of the week.

However, it is 11:07 am to be exact and I have not had my worship or taken a walk.  It is time for action I can’t really accomplish the best things in my life without putting some study time in my schedule.  I have told you, you all know I have trouble squeezing it all in.  Today I will gain the victory just for today, tomorrow there will be a whole new battle to be fought.  Satan is a busy body and he works hard to keep me from the Lord.

Be Sure Your Sins. . .

It’s  time for confession, and maybe a few smiles while I confess.  I know, you are wondering what my sin was.  Well maybe not a sin but for sure I tried to be deceitful.  Hummm is being deceitful a sin? 

Wednesday is my crazy busy day, I teach all day at school with a 2 hour break in the middle.  First mistake, my clock was off in my classroom so I messed up my break.  After finding myself 1 hour early for the afternoon lessons I decided to slip over to Hobby Lobby (their fabric is so cute). 

 As I am driving down 48th Street my cell phone rang and it was my little honey girl calling.  I was talking  to my girl and just eased around the corner on Van Dorn (without signaling)  and came literally eye to eye with a motorcycle cop.  He  whipped that bike around faster than greased lightning and pulled me over.  With a nervous smile I met his request of finding my drivers license, registration and insurance card.  He assured me he would be right back.  When he went back to his bike (here is the deceit) I eased the seat belt around me and buckled it tight.  He had not mentioned that I wasn’t wearing it and I assumed he didn’t notice.  When I came back he told me talking on a cell phone was impairing my driving in a safe manner and I agreed.  He gave me a warning and I was thankful I had clicked in that seatbelt. 

When I got to Hobby Lobby I had to go to the bathroom so bad I rushed into the stall and after I had done my job found I had no toilet paper.  Praise the Lord there was a lady next to me and I told her about my ticket, and now my problem of no TP–she had a very good laugh and handed me what I needed.

When I got back to my car, I read the ticket  and right there in black and white, my policeman had circled ” no seatbelt,” along with failing to signal when turning.  So there you are, it would have just been better if I had not tried to deceive my friend the cop.  He was merciful to me even when I was trying to help myself.  Does this remind you of anything?  The truth is when I try to take control,  my Heavenly Father has already been merciful and taken care of everything. Why is this lesson so hard to remember?

Dilly Bread

I use to make this all the time when I was  newlywed–

1 pkg yeast

1/4 Cup warm water

1 Cup cottage cheese

2 Tbs. Sugar

1 TB. finely minced onion

1 Tbs. butter, melted

1 tsp. dill seed

1 tsp dill weed

1 tsp salt

1 egg

1/4 tsp. soda

1 1/4–2 1/2 cups white flour

Mix and knead as regular bread.  Let rise 1 hour.  Knead and form into loaf and put into greased bread pan.  Let rise again.  Bake about 40 minutes at 350 degrees.