Kitchen Tip Tuesday

Kids and Chores

We have a chore wheel at our house. One side has dinner chores--Help with dinner, set table, clear table, and help with dishes. The other side has various daily chores, such as clean a bathroom, vacuum a room, sweep a floor, etc. The chores are listed on the outside of the wheel and the kids names are on smaller wheel on each side in the middle of the larger one, held together with a brad, this allows me to turn the wheel so the chores rotate. If you use paper that coordinates with your kitchen, it can end up looking kind of nice on the fridge.

Chores can help your house run more smoothly and teach your kid responsibility. BE PATIENT with the kids, however. Realize up front that they are not going to complete tasks as well as you would. They are younger and less experienced than you. They also will probably take longer than you to complete the chore. When I first started having the kids do chores, I did not tell them they missed a spot, etc. As they have gotten older, I occassionally will add another step or ask them if they think that is how it should look. (If they are being lazy, I do address that-usually by asking them if they did their best.)

Last night, it was "Z's" turn to do the dishes. I had gone upstairs, when I came down, it was apparent that he had enjoyed using the sprayer on the sink A LOT!!! There was about 1/4 inch of water in my utensil holder that is about 18 in. away from the sink, my toaster and stove appeared to have gotten a shower, the cabinet above the sink was dripping with water, the counter had standing water on it and I noticed the pair of socks I had just put on were rather soggy!!! I mopped up the water--at least everything near the sink is now fairly clean from the shower! I did suggest to "Z" that he might want to keep the water turned on low before he uses the water sprayer in the future, but I really am grateful he did the dishes without complaining. He actually seemed to enjoy himself. :o) Oh, yeah, the front of him seemed to have gotten a shower too.

Another thing I've started doing, due to the rapid way that dish soap was disappearing, I keep an old bottle and add water half way up, then add dish soap the rest of the way up. If you add the water first, it decreases the sudsing! You can also get a pump type dispenser to help decrease how much soap they use.

I've been trying to remember the poem (couldn't find it) that goes something like this:

Be thankful for the dirty dishes, for you have food to eat.

Be thankful for the dirty clothes for you have clothes to wear.

Be thankful for the toys strewn about for you have children to fill your home, etc.

Looking for a way to be thankful for a mess/chore makes the chore much less burdensome and you may even find yourself smiling while you do it. :o)

Adventures with Kids

On Wednesday morning, the morning started off fairly well. We had been given a bean bag chair that Mike had just brought in from the trunk. The kids were pretty excited about it. "Z" decided to jump on it, but did not think about momentum and the rocking chair right in front of the bean bag chair!!! I heard crying and went to investigate. He was obviously hurt, so I picked him up and "K" said, "Look, there's blood!" Sure enough, he had cut his forehead pretty good. I wet a washcloth and had him hold it on his head with some ice and then went upstairs to get the butterfly bandages, but we were all out! I was not yet dressed and still had a towel around my hair. I told the kids to help him get his shoes on while I quick got dressed and ran a comb through my hair. We headed to Wal-Mart with the wash cloth and ice on his head. I bandaged his head with the butterfly bandages in the isle at Wal-mart. I let the curious clerk know I did plan on paying for the whole box! I was late for work--I told my boss due to adventure at home! "Z " is doing fine.

Sp"egg"tacular Kids!

On Wednesday when I got home from work, the kids told me the neighbor lady had gone to a place that was giving away free food. She had gotten a 30lb (yes, I mean pounds, NOT ounces!!!) box of frozen, already cooked scrambled eggs. She didn't have room in her freezer for them, so she thought of us! :o) The kids are quite proud of themselves for this WONDERFUL find!!! They put them in the refrigerator in the basement, because--surprise, surprise, they couldn't get them in the freezer. I would have liked to see them get that box down the stairs and into the 'fridge! I checked the dates on the box and the eggs are still fine, they were in a sealed box in plastic. I didn't know such a thing as frozen precooked scrambled eggs existed! Since I had church and couldn't deal with them at the moment, I turned the fridge all the way up and dealt with them later. To put the amount of eggs in perspective, they filled 10 gallon freezer bags!!! I am pretty sure we will NOT eat an entire bag of eggs for one meal!!!

Oh, yeah, the neighbor lady suggested to the kids that some of the other neighbors might want some, so last night they went door to door asking our neighbors if they wanted some of the eggs. Suprisingly, everyone said NO!!!!

Anyone out there want some frozen, precooked scrambled eggs??? I have thought of a list of ways to get rid of them:

1. Give them away as Christmas gifts.
2. Serve scrambled eggs every time I have company.
3. Every time someone comes over, sneak a bag into their trunk.
4. Every time I have company, serve scrambled eggs.
5. Cook lots of breakfast burritos.
6. Sneak them into parked cars along my street.
7. When I have someone over for a meal, serve scrambled eggs.
8. Beg people for recipes involving scrambled eggs.
9. When I take a meal to someone, use scrambled eggs.
10. Use them for art projects--just kidding!
11. When I ask someone over for a meal, serve scrambled eggs.
12. Take scrambled egg salad to the steak dinner at church.--the kids think this sounds gross.

Anyone want to come over to my house, I have a lovely menu planned!!!

I am thankful for my kids that are always looking for ways to save me money and for free food!!!

After eating all these eggs, we may turn into chickens--you'll know our family by the way we all walk in a nice row, clucking!!! Maybe Hubby will start waking us up with a cock-a-doodle-doo!!!

Think on These Things Thursday

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I was sent this in an e-mail and it has been an encouragement to me. It is so easy to get caught up in the ups and downs of life and to fall into the pattern of trying to do everything on our own and even think about everything negatively. God does not want anyone to live this way. He wants our life to be full of peace and joy. These can only come from leaning on Him and trusting His wisdom!

YOU SAY, GOD SAYS

You say: 'It's impossible'
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: 'I'm too tired'
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: 'Nobody really loves me'
God says: I love you (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: 'I can't go on'
God says: My grace is sufficient

(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: 'I can't figure things out'
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: 'I can't do it'
God says: You can do all things ( Philippians 4:13)

You say: 'I'm not able'
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: 'It's not worth it'
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )

You say: 'I can't forgive my self'
God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: 'I can't manage'
God says: I will supply all your needs ( Philippians 4:19)

You say: 'I'm afraid'
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: 'I'm not smart enough'
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: 'I feel all alone'
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

(Hebrews 13:5)

Out of Town

I was out of town for a conference for work. It was educational, but not really fun. The drive back was way more adventure than I like. I had to drive through St. Paul on my way back. I readily admit to being a country bumpkin and HATE driving in places I don't know really well and really dislike big cities. It was POURING rain AND everywhere I was driving they would put a tornado watch for that area until I was about an hour from home where good ole' Lake Superior calms the storm.

I keep hoping things will become more "normal" around here so I can get back into a routine. I hadn't realized how much I like a "boring" routine until it has been interrupted for over a month!!!

We had a nice weekend, busy but nice. We went to Duluth and spent some time at the Lakewalk. The kids played in the water while shivering. Duke liked to attack the waves as they rolled in, it was pretty hilarious to watch. Gotta wonder what he was thinking!

"T" informed me yesterday when I was teasing him about continuing to grow, even though I have told him repeatedly to stop that if he stopped growing he would have a lot of big clothes. :o) I tend to buy things like suits a size too big so he can get more wear out of it and the suit I bought him in March too big is fitting him pretty good now.

GROSS!!!

We have a small leak under our kitchen sink that comes and goes--for several weeks now. I told hubby about it and he is thinking of a way to fix it. (I am not going to comment further on this, but many of you wives understand. :o) Last I had checked, before going on vacation, it seemed to be gone. Last week with VBS, I had little time to clean, so we were busy cleaning yesterday and I went to get some cleaner from under the sink and noticed a rather ucky smell, I thought the leak was probably back and it had probably gotten a towel wet, and made a mental note to check it out later. Later, I came back and the smell seemed even worse--like something had died under there. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I rather bravely decided to investigate further--wish I hadn't!!! There was a vase of water from the leak that a mouse had fallen into and drowned!!!! UGH!!!!!!! Did I mention the vase was FULL of water? UGH!!!!!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!
Words can not express the grossness of this. Thankfully hubby was near and came to my rescue--after all the kids got to see it. No, the leak is still not fixed, but naughty kids got to clean out the underneath of the sink--with clothespins on their nose. (Yes they really did put clothes pins on their nose.) I think it will be some time before I can open the cabinet under the sink without feeling like I need to take a shower--IN BLEACH!!!

My view of Creation

This is in response to posts on another blog (mentioned yesterday), but also sums up my position on Creation.

I don’t have the time at the moment to address everything brought up. If after this post you still would like further discussion, you can find my e-mail at my blog. First, I would like to say that when I speak of evolution, I am talking about the theory that species evolved from DIFFERENT species over many years. I am not talking about adaptations/genetic changes within a species that leaves the species the same species. Many of the illnesses we see today are a result of these genetic changes that I believe are a result of the fall. However, those changes do not change one species into a different species. There are many different theories within evolution. I am mainly concerned with the theory that explains away a need for God; that everything happened by chance. This is what I think has done so much harm to our society. I do not believe in any type of evolution.
Some reasons for this are:
1. God saying that evening and morning were the first day, second day, etc. I don’t understand how this leaves room for millions of years. Also, God rested on the seventh day, which was an example for us. I believe this again points to Creation taking place in a week—6 days the work of Creation, the seventh for rest. Furthermore, if you study the geneologies in the Bible, you come up with an earth that is a little over 6,000 years old. 2. Over and over again God states “after his kind” in relation to both animals and plants. Meaning that a monkey produces a monkey, etc. I see no reference to things evolving over time into a different species. There would be no need, God saw it and said it was “good”.
3. If evolution took place shouldn’t many transitional forms have been found? Most “transitional forms” used to prove evolution have been discounted as mixtures of different species bones.
4. How did the transitional forms survive all those years in transition when their bodies would have been in disarray during the transition.

I also understand that DNA is made up of proteins, but they are arranged in certain order specific to that species. Species which God says produce after their kind.

While I respect the beliefs of those that add evolution into the Biblical account of creation and am happy that they believe God and most of the Bible, it still breaks my heart that so many people have decided they need to make the Bible fit into man’s ideas rather than taking God at His Word and trusting His account of creation. After the theory of evolution was introduced, people sought to find a way to fit it into the Bible, instead of taking God at His Word and continuing to believe His seven day explanation.

I enjoy science and all the wonderful things it has added to our lives: the things we can learn from it, the amazing things it has given to our world, the years it has added to many people’s lives. I am not trying to throw all of science out! However, when it contradicts the Bible, I choose the Bible over it and man’s reasoning. I also do not believe everything I am told in church. I examine it compared to Bible and will then agree/disagree with the teacher at the church. My biggest concern is that when you decide that creation is a parable, how do you decide what in the Bible is true? It quickly becomes a slippery slope.
There are many things I do not understand about the world and God. I will have to wait for eternity to completely understand many things. I believe that God has revealed to us the things that we need to know to live for Him. Just as I don’t tell my kids everything I know or have done in my life, God has chosen not to reveal everything to us. Can you imagine the size of the Bible if He had! I think that Satan and the angels fell shortly before the creation of the world. God has not chosen to give us an exact account of when He created the angels or when the angels fell and while it would appease my curiosity to know, it does not affect my Christian walk. As He so eloquently put it: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. ISAIAH 55:8-9
I am just thankful that God sees fit to care for me and made a way for salvation.
In regards to mainstream theology believing all sorts of strange things over the years, I have never considered myself to be a part of mainstream theology. I consider myself to be a Bible believer and would have probably been persecuted for it back as many who believed similarly were persecuted. I am thankful that I live in a country where we can all believe as we wish with little worry of real persecution. I am rather wary of “religion” and its many forms and try to look to the Bible for my beliefs and practices.

Think on These Things Thursday

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

My post is not on creation, but there is an interesting discussion going on over at Clothesline Alley if you want to weigh in. http://inclotheslinealley.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-poll.html

Now to my real post...

Our Pastor has been preaching on the Sermon on the Mount and I was struck by something that I had never noticed before. He preached on Matthew 6:25-33. This passage talks about not worrying about your needs being met because God takes care of the lilies of the field and the fowl of the air. If He cares about them and meets their needs; He will certainly take care of us! I noticed, though that in my Bible the paragraph actually start with verse 24--No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. and ends with: verses 33-34: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

I had never thought of this passage in relation to verse 24. God is telling us not to worry about money and our needs because He knows that we can not worry about money AND put Him first. If we are consumed with US, there is not room for HIM! I want to challenge you to leave your needs to God--He sees the big picture and will take care of us much better than we can on our own with our little "snap shot" of what we can see of our lives.

I'm Back

We returned from a very nice vacation on Saturday. I'll post all about it as time allows. We have Vacation Bible School at our church, so it may be a little while before I get it all done.

Vacation

Thursday

Hubby and I left here about 1pm. Before leaving, we cleaned out a bunch of junk/remodeling the bathroom debris from the house--it was amazing to see how full the dumpster ended up being! We even found a place for our sandbox--someone decided they wanted it AFTER we threw it in. :o) I had asked several people and they didn't want it. Glad it found a home. We also finished painting and cleaning the house.) We drove to Southern Wisconsin and stayed in a hotel. It was a bit disconcerting because the room had three different decors going on that did not coordinate, let alone match. Also you had to move the trashcan to close the bathroom door! It wasn't a low end motel either! Mike thought I was a bit weird to notice the decor!

Friday

We went to Illinois and spent several hours with some friends from college who are missionaries back on furlough. It was great to see them again and meet their kids. They were at our church sharing their ministry on the Sunday we were gone. We stayed in Kentucky at a cheaper hotel WITH matching decor and a bathroom door that closed WITHOUT moving the trash can!!!

Saturday

We drove the rest of the way to Tennessee and to the cabin we were to stay in. We stopped along the way for groceries and discovered that you DO NOT want to drive through the Sieverville/Pigeon Forge area on a Saturday unless you like to drive VERY slow and stop A LOT! I took us over an hour to go about 10 miles. The drive from the main road up to our cabin has the potential to strengthen or end friendships! It is about 3.5 miles on a rather narrow road with NO shoulder, some with a rather steep drop off on MY side and some rather tight turns and steep inclines. We also went to my brother and sister in laws and met our nephew who is seven weeks old. We played pass the baby and most of the time everyone played together nicely. :o) "E" and "K" really enjoyed holding him when they could get him away from their aunt. :o) The drive back up in the mountain in the dark was NOT good for the nerves.

Sunday

Church with the in-laws, then to their house 'til after church then back to the cabin. My father in law got the stomach flu, so I ended up sleeping in the basement with the girls. "K" is like sleeping with a flailing octupus!

Monday

We hung out at the cabin and relaxed. The kids enjoyed the hot tub. All the in-laws came. It was kind of nice to be able to just hang out and visit.

Tuesday

We took the kids tubing down the Little Pigeon River. It was a little difficult to keep the kids on track. They seemed to find places to get stuck and having to be rescued!

Wednesday

We went to the forbidden caverns under the Smoky Mountains. My brother-in-law's parents came over and went with us. It was a nice cool place and quite beautiful. Also educational for the kids.

Thursday

We went to the Smoky Mountain National Park. It was amazing to see the mountains and wonderful to be reminded of God's care in creation.

Friday/Saturday

Traveled back home.