Update on The Reading Corner

Over the week-end, I finished reading the 2nd book in this series- "Prophets and Kings". And I started book number 3 - "The Desire of Ages." I am only on about page 60 by now- but wow! This book is awesome!

Sorry for the blurriness of the photos. As you can probably tell by these photos it will take me longer than the month that it took me to read "Prophets and Kings." In the photo above you can see that there is so much more packed onto each page - and this book is over 800 pages. But I am sure it will be well worth the time to read it. As I read through these books - I am drawn into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. I am understanding more and more His love for us all. And at the same time I am also learning how badly Satan wants to destroy us.

"Through every age, through every hour, the love of God had been exercised toward the fallen race." DA 37

"Angels from the courts above will attend the steps of those who come and go at God's command." DA 48

Does It Really Save Money?

On my last thrifty post I was asked if I thought that it would be cheaper to use home made laundry detergent. In the long run - I really do think it will be cheaper. I ended up paying a bit over $3.00 for each of the washing soda and the borax. And with each batch of laundry detergent calling for just one cup of each of these - I think that the boxes will end up making at least 4-5 batches. And with the bar of soap - if you really want to save more money you can always invest in a multi pack of Ivory soap(I used a coupon when I bought my pack-even though I did not use Ivory soap with my first batch of soap-I bought a bar of the Fels naptha stuff.) So once you invest in this stuff it will be a good amount of time before you have to replace things. Also you are only using 1 - 2 Tablespoons of soap per load. So it really does last for a good amount of time.

I had an old Tupperware canister and I put my home made soap into it and put a spoon into the canister. So not only does it save money, it is easy to use. So Yes - I believe that it will save money in the end.

Home Made Laundry Detergent and Other Thing

I shared on Friday how I had bought most of the supplies to make homemade laundry detergent. Well I was able to find the Arm and Hammer Washing Soda and so I finished up my soap. On Friday when I did laundry I used my new home made soap and I have to say I was very pleased with it. I used a old large spoon - not a serving spoon but more like a tablespoon sized spoon - don't think it actually dips out a tablespoon of stuff though. I am using 2 of those spoons of the soap per load. I do have a front loader washer. I had read that it is good to use about 1 - 2 T. per load. And if it is a large load or heavily soiled you'd want to use the 2 T. or a bit more. The next time I do laundry I may use just one and see how that works. I just wanted to make sure that the clothes came out clean. And sure enough with using the 2 spoons of it worked good.
It is nice to find things that not only save money but that work really well too!

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Speaking of things to do in order to save money - I have mentioned how I had read about using the foam insulating things under the outlet covers on a previous post about saving money. I had read about these on the Budgeting with the Bushman's blog. Well I have looked at my local Lowes and Home Depot and have had no luck finding them. I have obviously not had any luck with anyone willing to help me either. I had wanted to find them in person so I could really look them over but it looks as if I will have to resort to looking on Amazon - which is what I think she said she did. Anyway - while at Lowes, I did pick up some caulking that I am going to use to go around some windows that seem like they are allowing some air in around them. I also got some caulking to use around the base of the back splash of my kitchen cabinets. Some of it is no longer there - so I will be working on that this week.

It Is Worth It

Job had surrendered his life to Jesus.

Satan accused him of only following God because of the blessings that God had blessed him with.
God said, "Behold all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person."

Satan unleashed all sorts of havoc in Jobs life. His oxen and camel were stolen, his servants killed, his sheep burnt and he lost all 10 of his children - ALL in one day.

Job was sad and was discouraged. He could not understand why all of this was happening to him. He even questioned God. But he held true to God.

"But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall
come forth as gold."
Job 23:10

Satan is still at work today. He is still trying to convince people that it is not worth it to surrender your life to Jesus and to live for Him.

Oh - but I forgot to share an important part of this story with you all - " Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning: for he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13. He also had 7 sons and 3 daughter. .... After this Job lived 14o years, and saw his children and his grandchildren for 4 generations."
Job 42:12-13,16

How amazing is that?!

When you are struggling through trials and temptations, just remember, "Be still, and know that I am God;" Psalms 46:10a

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3

We may go through trials and temptations but we have Hope.

"He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved." Psalms 62:6

Sabbath Praise

If you have never heard this song before - please take the time to listen to it. Even if you have heard it - You WILL be blessed! I know I was. :o)

Choosing to be More Thrifty

Well after reading about people making their own laundry detergent - I decided I would finally try it. About 6-8 months ago I had bought the Fels naptha soap and a box of borax. The store did not have any washing soda - so I waited. Well this past Friday when I went to the store - I looked for some washing soda- they were out. Shoot... Well I decided that I would at least start getting the soap ready -so I grated the bar of soap. I have a question for anyone who uses the Fels naptha - is it yellow? I had seen someones picture post about making soap and their soap flakes were white - I am guessing that they were using Ivory soap but I thought I would ask just in case my bar of soap might have just changed colors over the time period of sitting in my cabinet.
When I was grating the soap - I notice it was pretty hard soap -so my question is -is it normally hard or is this maybe another thing that happened while sitting in the cabinet?

Right now I have my soap grated in a bowl along with some borax. This week I will be buying the washing soda! I am looking forward to trying the soap and seeing how it works. I am also thankful to have options to be able to make my own and therefore save some money. Once your initial investment of the products - it actually will last a long time - since you just use one cup of borax and one cup of washing soda - and the boxes are pretty big for just about $3.00 per box.

I have also decided not to do laundry as often. I had gotten into the habit of washing my clothes too often. Not waiting till there was a good sized load. We have large capacity - well probably extra large capacity washer and dryer. So that is another change that I have decided to make around here. I don't think it is a good idea to wait all week long and have many, many loads on one day but I do think it is a good idea to wait till you have a good sized load before you do laundry.

Some people may prefer to wait and do all their laundry all on one day - and that is fine if it works for you. I just prefer not to. When I have done it that way, it is just a pain trying to match up all of the sock and such. I am thinking that it will work out that I will do my laundry 2 times a week. But we will see.

There is an important thing to remember having to do with your dryer. It is a good idea to clean your lint catcher(can't think of anything else to call it at the moment) the thing that you pull out of your dryer to take the lint off, after each load. I believe it will help the dryer to work a lot more efficiently and will also help prevent fires. Lots of stuff gets stuck in those little tiny holes and it is actually a good idea to wash them periodically. And also - just in case you haven't figured it out - it is also best to remove the lint after each use. I am sure you all know that but just wanted to add it - just in case.

Well that's about it for today. Looking forward to what other changes I can make around here. What ideas do you have? :o)

Grace - Is It a Free Pass?

I was so happy today when I heard a speaker on a Christian radio station say that he was not very happy with a new idea going around that basically says that since there is grace then we can do what ever we want. And it is just not like that. Well this is something that I have been NOT too pleased about hearing from some other speakers on the same radio station. It is way to close to the idea of ~if it feels good do it.

It's like people think that God has not expectations of His people. Have they not studied through the old testament? It does not take very long at all to realize that God asked His people to keep His commandments - yep - the same commandments that were written by the finger of God on stone tablets. That sounds pretty important and pretty permanent to me.

God asked His people to repent of their sins and to follow Him. And when they did this, they were blessed. There were battles after battles that were won because God fought for them. As the people surrendered their lives to God and made Him king in their lives He could bless them. But oh so sad were the many, many times that the people started to worship the idols of the heathen nations around them.

Back and forth the children of Israel went- serving God - being blessed - then they would fall into worshiping idols. And it seemed that each time they chose the idols over God it became easier and easier for them to be tempted. And finally God's mercy ran out - He had tried and tried so many time - over and over and over - and the people just would not listen. And because our God is a God of Justice - He had to allow the consequences of their actions. And God allowed their nation to be taken over by the Babylons.

So I don't know why we would be so foolish to think now - that God does not expect anything out of us. By the way - over and over in the New Testament he also said Keep My Commandments.

Here are just a few:
"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." John 15:10

"If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15

"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.4. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:3-4

"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:19

And one of my favorites:
"Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city." Revelations 22:14

Anyway I will get off of my soap box- I just don't want people to be fooled - Satan likes to use a little error with a lot of truth -that way he can fool people. Study your Bibles for yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern truth. May you be blessed as you study the Word of God! :O)

Growth - Even in Undesirable Circumstances

I have a friend who has golden retriever dogs. These dogs are like children to her and her husband. One of her dogs, Jenny, got very sick a couple of week ago- and the prognosis was not good. In the mean time, a couple were going through a really rough situation. The wife has cancer and has been being hospitalized more and more. This couple had a pure breed golden retriever, Amos is his name, who is about 1 1/2 years old and they wanted to find a good home for him - not just any home would do. They wanted someone who would love him as much as they did. And God worked it out that these two couples would cross each others path. And now Amos has a new home with my friend. About a week or so later Jenny died. This provision of God's was such a testament of how much he loves us.

Yesterday, as I was talking with my friend, I asked her if it was wrong of me to really want something like that to happen in my life. Lately I have been going through one of the valleys of life - it has been painful. Feeling rejection from those that are suppose to love you hurts. Anyway I was serious when I told her I wanted God to make His presence in my life real and tangible. She told me to pray and ask God for that and I did.

Yesterday afternoon, I was out in the backyard taking care of my chickens and filling up the bird feeders when I noticed something....

Before we get to that part of the story, I have to add a bit of back ground.

A lady at my husband's work had sent a bag of daffodil bulbs home with him. It was a large bag of them. I had been overwhelmed with lots going on and instead of going through the process in order to store them until it was time to plant them - I had just set the bag here and then it was in the way so I moved it out to the back porch.

Well today I noticed that there were green shoots coming out of the bulbs! Even in undesirable circumstances they were growing and as I thought of that I realized that I am too. God is working in my live - even through this valley in my life -He is working.

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1:6-9

Where I got the above photo!

Peace While Facing Giants

There are many people that I know that are facing giants right now. And when I say facing giants, I mean facing problems that seem like Giants. David faced a giant. He had faith in God. I need David's kind of faith right now.

David knew something that I am trying to learn and that is that the fight was not his fight but was God's.

"...for the battle is not yours, but God's." 2 Chronicles 20:15b

The battle is not ours. And truthfully half the time that real battle is not really the actual battle because the battle is really being fought behind the scenes.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

We get into trouble when we think that we can fight these Giants of battle on our own. We were never meant to do so. This is great news to me because a few years ago I figured out, and daily am reminded, that I can't do it on my own.

God tells us:
"Be still, and know that I am God;" Psalms 46:10a

This verse has been a comfort to me for a long time now. For me - to be still and KNOW that God is God is like peace in the mist of a storm.

"The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:14

David knew that the battle was the Lords. And he took courage and faced the giant in his life.

"Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth." 1 Samuel 17:49

We can have the courage and peace to face our giants. And that peace come from Jesus Christ. Are you in the middle of what feels like a losing battle? Do you feel overwhelmed? If so, Be still. Right now, just stop everything that you are doing - even take a break from reading this and just take a deep breath and close your eyes and feel God's presence. And if you don't feel it ask Him for the peace that only He can give us. Turn your battles over to Him. The battle is the Lords! He will fight for you! Be still and KNOW that HE is God. Have a blessed day! :o)

(This is a repost- but a very timely one since I and many that I know are facing giants right now)

Condiments - In the Kitchen

Cashew Mayonnaise

1 C raw cashews
1/2 - 3/4 C water
1 T onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
3 T lemon juice

Place all ingredients in blender, and blend for at least a minute until silky smooth.


Ketchup

1 small can tomato paste
1 can water
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp basil
1 T lemon juice
1 T honey

Stir together. Keeps in refrigerator 1 week. May freeze. Adjust to your taste.

A few more recipes. If you have better recipes for these things - please share. :o)

In the Sewing Room - Some Questions for You

I can't remember if I already shared a photo of these blocks - I am sure I did but just in case here there are. I finished these blocks well about 5-6 months ago. And I think I have finally decided how I am going to put them together. I have not bought the fabric for it yet but I did buy a fat quarter of the fabric that I think I am going to sash the quilt with:
The blocks are so bright already and busy that I knew that they would look best to just use a single color. And when I saw this awesome fabric with the flowers- I thought it was so cute. I bought this fat quarter for another project that I am working on but as I was looking a my finished blocks and then this fabric- it all clicked.

When I was showing my husband what I was thinking of doing - he seemed to think that maybe the blocks would get lost with such plain sashing. What do you think? Do I need color?

Well I took photos of two fabrics that I am trying to decide between for the border for this quilt.
This middle one:

And the white with different colored flowers. Or the green with different colored flowers.

What do ya'll think? Which fabric do you think would look the best with these blocks? Can't wait to hear what you think. :o)

Sabbath Praise

Be Doers of the WORD

This is a rerun - but it is something that I really think is important.

Have you ever been studying the Bible and as you study- you are checking out the references and such and realize - this was something very serious that God wants us to do? Well that is what happened this morning. I was studying in James 1:22-25.

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." James 1:22-25

It is very important for u not only to study the Bible but to put into practice that which we learn. I could try to write out what I have learned but I think the Bible does such a better job of stating the facts so here it goes- some great verses and great reminders.

"(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." Romans 2:13

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matt. 7:21

"Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous." 1 John 3:7

"Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:" Luke 6:47

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." John 13:17

So if any of us had any doubts about the value of the contents of the Bible and the relevancy that it has for us today, I don't think we have those doubts any more. As we spend time with Jesus in His Word - we become changed - and that is the best kind of changing to do. May God bless each of you in a very special way today. :o)

Choosing to be More Thrifty

As I was checking out blogs the other day- I came across a very interesting blog -it is called Budgeting with the Bushman's. This blog gives a lot of cool ideas of how to save money. As I was reading over some older posts - one of the post was talking about the top 5 energy users in the home - and the dishwasher was in that list. As I was thinking about my usage of my dishwasher, I realized that I had not been being thrifty. Too many times, I would run it before it was even full- just to get it done. Well I decided that day to stop using it so much - that was on February 9th. And since then I have not used it at all.

I did not like using a dish drainer so many year ago I got rid of ours. It actually seemed like it just added one more thing to clean and more clutter. So what I started doing was just to lay a towel in that area to lay the wet dishes on. This works great. And for clean up all you have to do it throw it into the washer and get another towel.

As I began on my journey of using the dishwasher less, I realized that my towel would not always give me enough room. Sometimes I just lay another towel out for more room. Then I realized that since my dishwasher is right next to the sink -all I really have to do is open my dishwasher and set the dishes in it to dry. What a great set up! And I have plenty of room. I still have my towel on the counter - that way I can put things on it that are not as easily put in the dishwasher.

I look forward to seeing our next electric bill.

And speaking of electric bills. This months electric bill was $100.00 less than this month last year. That tells you how much more mild of a winter we have had. Oh I am praying that our summer is much more milder than last year - last year summer was a tough one. Toughest one in a long, long time. I lost my favorite oak tree in my back yard. The one that I have several bird feeders on. And during the summer we lost so much grass. Well once we started getting some rain - guess what came up in the place of the grass - weeds - the big, ugly, prickly weeds.

Anyway - now I am trying to be more thrifty in other things as well. Waiting till I have a full load of laundry instead of just washing stuff just to get it done. Another great idea that I got from the link above is electrical outlet foam insulation. I am hoping to get some of these and install them. Every little bit helps.

What good ideas do you have for helping save money for your family? :o)

In God's Word

22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:22-26

Seasonings - In the Kitchen

Chicken Style Seasoning

1 1/3 C. yeast flakes (nutritional yeast)
3 T. onion powder
2 T. salt
1 1/2 . basil
1 T. garlic powder
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. turmeric, for color

Blend in bender and store in covered container. I like to save old seasoning bottles - like what my onion powder or garlic powder comes in - and I then I can use them to store other things in. I just remove the label and label with what ever is inside.

Non-irritating Curry Powder

3 T. cumin
2 tsp coriander
1 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp fenugreek
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cardamom

Mix or blend in blender all ingredients. Store in an airtight container.

Just a few more recipes that I got from the seminar put on by Wellness Secrets.

In the Kitchen

Flaxseed Bars OR Happy Bars

1 C. peanut butter
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C honey
1 T. vanilla
4 C. flax seeds

Blend 1 C. seeds at a time, to a fine consistency. Mix all items gradually, adding the ground seeds. Place onto 11x15 sprayed cookie sheet. Roll smooth or use hands to press. Score into 1 1/2 inch pieces. Bake at 300 for 20 minutes. Keep in fridge., can freeze.

This is one of the recipes that I got from the health seminar that I went to last week. I was very surprised at how good these were. And they are very good for you as well. Flax seed is good to help lower cholesterol.

Also I need to add this information - if you get flax seeds already ground then you will need like 7 cups. Apparently when you blend up the flax seeds they really expand.
Also if you do not want to make such a large amount of them - you can always cut the recipe in half, just use a smaller pan.

In the Sewing Room

Several years ago I found a great pattern/directions to make this great "Joy" banner. This one pictured is not finished - sorry but this is the only photo that I could find right now. Anyway you will just have to use your imagination of how pretty it is once it is finished.

Anyway so I have made this "Joy" Banner for some family members and also for some friends. Several months ago, I started thinking how cool it would be to use this same pattern to make a banner for Valentine's Day. I already had a lot of red and white fabric so I just needed to get busy. It was fun planning it and working out the details. And I am quite pleased with the results:
Now I want to figure out what fabrics and all I should use for a "Hope" banner! Any suggestions of color combinations?

Happy Valentine's Day

This is just a photo that has been floating around Facebook for the past week or so. I do not know where credit for this photo should go. But who ever put it together did a great job.

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day and remember that God loves you so very much - today and everyday! :o)

I'll be back....

Tomorrow! See ya then :o)

Sabbath Praise

Link to Healthy Information

This is a link to a site that has some awesome "Counseling Sheets" There is such a long list - you are sure to find something that you are interested in. To find the list - click on "List All" and it will take you to the long list. There are sheets on vitamins, diseases, cancer, herbs, and much more. I hope this is helpful. :O)

In The Sewing Room

Ever so often I like to take photo while working on my block of the month. And this month that is exactly what I did!
Last month was such a busy month that I ended up having to make the block the night before Block of the Month. I do not like to do that. I would much rather cut out the fabric and then put the block together at my leisure.

So this time I decided to start my block early this month. So this week-end I cut out the fabric.

I did not think about taking photos to blog about this block till I was cutting out my last fabric.

The next step that I always take is to lay the fabric down where they belong.
Then I start sewing the fabrics together in sections. It does not always work like this. So once the fabric is laid out where it belongs - it is a really good idea to take a few moment to figure out the best way to sew it together.

Here is the finished project:

Oh by the way~I have also worked on another project lately. If you did not notice - in the first two photos- the paper has been laid on top of the other project so you can have a sneak peak. I will be sharing about it later.

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Oh and I have not forgotten that I said I would share about my new cookbook. Except that I have kept forgetting to run a test - by cooking a pot a beans in my slow cooker to find out -what speed my slow cooker cooks at. Once I find that out, I will be able to start trying recipes and then I can share about the cookbook.

Help From the Kitchen

Today my church had some ladies from "Wellness Secrets" come and do a seminar for us. In fact, they will be there all week. Monday - Friday evenings we will have meetings from 7pm - 8:30pm. I look forward to all of the meetings.
Here are some of the notes that I took today. There is some really cool information. I hope it is helpful to you.


Cabbage ~good for peptic ulcers - juice a cabbage - drink about 1/2 cup a day till symptoms have calmed
good for arthritis pains - take a leaf - pound it to bring juices up and then place over area that is hurting and keep there for a bit till pain calms
it can also be used for dental abscesses- place the pounded cabbage leaf over jaw area that is painful

Potatoes ~excellent for burns - just cut a potato and place on burn site - it also will help it not to blister as bad
helps with swelling - you can either slice a potato and place on swelling or you can shred potato and use it that way on an area that is swollen

Ginger ~ upset stomach, morning sickness, motion sickness
use about 1 inch of ginger boiled in water about a cup or two and drink broth

Carrots ~ good for swelling
part of cancer regime - juicing carrots

Garlic ~ antibiotic, anti fungal, antiviral
Garlic tea - 1 clove of garlic 1 cup of water
For lung infections - add 1 tsp of Thyme to the garlic tea
and you can add 1 tsp of oregano - it is also an antibiotic
(dried herbs are fine to use)
A good use of garlic is to steam it in a metal steamer _ or what ever - to help with blood pressure problems

For earaches - garlic oil - dropping a drop in the ear - put a cotton ball and then place a warm water bottle over ear.
Another thing for ear aches - cut an onion in half and get it hot and place it over the ear

If a person has been sick and needs electrolytes - cook potato, onion, garlic, carrot, celery - have them drink broth - if they are feeling up to it you could blend this up and have them drink that

When someone has a fever - cut sliced onions on feet -even left on over night helps bring fever down.

For cough and congestion - put equal parts of lemon juice and honey - you can also include some grated onion into them.
OR - lemon/honey and a drop of peppermint oil or eucalyptus

Celery~ 3 -5 stalks - really help someone with high blood pressure - you can either eat them or juice them - they recommend the 3-5 every day

Great food for Diabetic - Cucumbers and string beans

Flaxseed ~ 1 T. a day - helps prevent constipations - lowers cholesterol- good for depression - to get the most benefits of flaxseed- it is best to buy flaxseeds and grind them in a coffee grinder daily. When not using store in the fridge or freezer - it goes rancid quickly.
when used in a poultice - it helps with swelling

Salt ~ Salt is good to use as a Salt friction - put salt, water and a bit of oil together to make it pliable enough to make a ball or something out of it - then put it on your skin and rub it around - then rinse off - this will leave your skin babies butt soft!

Cure for Deception...

There is one who would love to see you deceived- sad thing is- many are deceived and don't even know it... Here is help to protect yourself from being deceived! :o)
Today I have been blessed by seeing some great sermons! If you have Dish you can find the channel that I have been watching by going to channel 9393. Or you can go to 3ABN and go under "Media" you can watch it online. I have sure been blessed with a lot of the programs on this channel. I hope it blesses you as well. :o)

Encouraging Words

This morning I read a couple of chapters in Prophets and Kings ( the book I am on now) and I came across some awesome quotes that I wanted to share today. These chapters were awesome and if you have a chance - read the whole chapters they are so encouraging. "From Jezreel to Horeb" and "What Doest Thou Here?" Excellent chapters!

"Into the experience of all there come times of keen disappointment and utter discouragement_ days when sorrow is the portion, and it is hard to believe that God is still the kind benefactor of His earthborn children; days when troubles harass the soul, till death seems preferable to life. It is then that many lose their hold on God and are brought into slavery of doubt, the bondage of unbelief. Could we at such times discern with spiritual insight the meaning of Gods providences we should see angels seeking to save us from ourselves, striving to plant our feet upon a foundation more firm than the everlasting hills, and new faith, new life, would spring into being." PK 162

"Hope and courage are essential to perfect service for God. These are the fruit of faith. Despondency is sinful and unreasonable. God is able and willing "more abundantly"(Hebrews 6:17) to bestow upon His servants the strength they need for test and trial. The plans of the enemies of His work may seem to be well laid and firmly established, but God can overthrown the strongest of these. And this He does in His own time and way, when He sees that the faith of His servants has been sufficiently tested.
For the disheartened there is a sure remedy- faith, prayer, work. Faith and activity will impart assurance and satisfaction that will increase day by day. Are you tempted to give way to feelings of anxious foreboding or utter despondency? In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He knows your need. He has all power, His infinite love and compassion never weary. Fear not that He will fail of fulfilling His promise. He is eternal truth. Never will He change the covenant He has made with those who love Him. And He will bestow upon His faithful servants the measure of efficiency that their need demands. The apostle Paul has testified: "He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for these: for My strength is made perfect in weakness....Therefor I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9,10
Did God forsake Elijah in his hour of trial? Oh, no! He loved His servant no less when Elijah felt himself forsaken of God and man than when, in answer to his prayer fire flashed from heaven and illuminated the mountaintops...." PK 164-166

"Fellow Christian, Satan knows your weakness: therefore cling to Jesus. Abiding in God's love, you may stand every test. The righteousness of Christ alone can give you power to stem the tide of evil that is sweeping over the world. Bring faith into your experience. Faith lightens every burden, relieves every weariness. Providences that are now mysterious you may solve by continues trust in God. Walk by faith in the path He marks out. trials will come, but go forward. This will strengthen your faith and fit you for service. The records of history are written, not merely that we may read and wonder, but that the same faith which wrought in God's servants of old may work in us. In no less marked manner will the Lord work now, wherever there are hearts of faith to be channels of His power.
To us, as to Peter, the word is spoken, "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for these, that thy faith fail not." Luke 22:31 Christ will never abandon those for whom He has died...
Could our spiritual vision be quickened, we should see souls bowed under oppression and burdened with grief, pressed as a cart beneath sheaves, and ready to die in discouragement. We should see angels flying quickly to the aid of these tempted ones, forcing back the host of evil that encompass them, and placing their feet on the sure foundation. The battles waging between the two armies are as real as those fought by the armies of this world, and on the issue of the spiritual conflict eternal destinies depend." PK 175-176

"Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on God." PK 175

There was so much more- but what blessings these words were to my heart - I am hoping they are a blessing to your heart as well. :o)

In The Kitchen

Today our recipe comes from:

Cashew Nut Casserole

1/2 c. chopped onions
1/2 c. chopped celery
1 can mushroom soup
1 can water
2 c raw chopped cashews
3/4 large can dry chow mein noodle

Saute onions and celery. Mix mushroom soup and water. Lightly mix cashews with chow mein noodles. Add the sauteed vegetables and the mushroom soup to the cashew mixture and bend. Place in greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the rest of chow mein noodles on top. Bake at 350* for one hour.


I have actually made this several times now. It is very good. I love it. I hope you like it as well. :o)