'I used to make new years resolutions when I was younger and (of course) things fell apart or were forgotten after a few weeks. Years of doing that have made me not want to make resolutions the last few years. However, I realize I need to, and want to, make some changes and lately I've been thinking about making some resolutions. What it really comes down to is taking better care of my body - what I put in it and what I do to it - so that means eating better and finding and doing exercises that are gentle on my knees and back. After watching my husband do this last year and seeing how much better he felt and looked, I know I will have support and encouragement from him. What I need to do is give myself the support and encouragement to do this, and that comes from spending time in God's word and receiving support and encouragement there. And not only for taking care of my body, but for everything in life. The daily devotions on the Proverbs 31 site have been wonderful for me, and today's devotion was no exception. Wendy Blight talks about writing a new year's prayer - this is part of what she said:
Committing to a New Year’s Resolution will not necessarily bring profound lasting life change. Committing your heart to God…studying, learning, and praying His Word…that is what will bring eternal, lasting life transformation.
I invite you to join me this year in writing a New Year’s Prayer. To begin, examine your New Year’s Resolution and prayerfully ask the Lord to reveal the heart issue behind it. Ask Him to lead you through His Word to verses that directly address what you hear.
Listen to the power of God’s promise in our key verse today: “For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (Hebrews 4:12, NLT).
Once you have found your verses, take each one and personalize it. Then join them together, along with your own words to make a prayer. Copy your prayer into a journal or notebook.
Friend, Isaiah 55 is God’s PROMISE to you. If you pray His Word over your life…over your heart…over your home, He will be FAITHFUL to prosper it and make it bear fruit!
This really is nothing new to my ears. I've been told several times to do this, and I have done it....I need to do it more often. Like all the time. So, take the verses that God leads you to and write a prayer for yourself. Your very own personalized new year's prayer...I'm sure you will find it better than any resolution you will make.
Happy New Year!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Top 10 Favorite Recipes for 2010
One more day for 2010. How quickly the year has gone by...will someone please tell me where the time went?! I've thought about things I wanted to do this year and how many of them I accomplished....I've come to the realization that I'm a procrastinator. A big one. Actually, I already knew that, I was just putting off admitting it :) One thing I did do this year was try new foods and recipes and here is a list of my top 10 faves (in no particular order):
Stone Gable Granola - it's so, so good!
Picture courtesy of Stone Gable
XXL M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies (aka Muffin Top Cookies)
(If you eat too many of these, you'll be running around like George of the Jungle)
I hope you find a recipe here that might tempt your taste buds. Happy New Year!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Little Indiana Comes to Lowell
If you are just dying to see where I grew up, then you need to check out the Little Indiana blog. Jessica and her family visit small towns and blog about these little gems that make the state of Indiana what it is. It's kind of like Chuck Lofton on Channel 13 and his 1 tank getaways. Here are some of the more recent posts of Jessica's adventures to Lowell:
What small town do you think she should visit next? Send her an email and I'm sure she will be there soon and ready to blog about your little Indiana town.
- Spike's Railhead (all about trains). To read about Jessica's most recent post about Spike's Railhead and a giveaway she is hosting, click here.
- The old Lowell High School.
- Cornerstone Mansion.
- Gardens on the Prairie
- Indiana Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard Locations
- Athens Grill (yummy food!!)
- Tish's Antiques
What small town do you think she should visit next? Send her an email and I'm sure she will be there soon and ready to blog about your little Indiana town.
Happy Birthday to my Mom!!
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday dear mmooooommmm...
Happy birthday to you!!
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday dear mmooooommmm...
Happy birthday to you!!
We hope you have a wonderful birthday!!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Snow and Recipes
I love the first few snowfalls of the season...how it covers the ground, totally white, undisturbed and clean, and everything looks so peaceful.
We'll review this thought again in January.
To keep warm with this cold, snowy weather, I have two yummy, warm-your-tummy recipes to share. Sorry there's not much else unless you want to hear about basketball practices and games.....
Sunshine Chicken
From Gooseberry Patch Slow Cooker Recipes Cookbook
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 c. molasses
2 T. cider vinegar
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 T. orange juice
2 t. Dijon mustard
1/8 to 1/4 t. hot pepper sauce
Arrange chicken in a slow cooker, set aside. Combine remaining ingredients and brush over chicken. Cover and cook on low setting for 7 to 9 hours, or on high setting for 3 to 4 hours. Serves 6.
I also found a good granola recipe on Stone Gable blog. Lately I tend to look more for blogs that have recipes and crafty projects....I can tell my "tastes" are changing when looking for new blogs (I know, lame joke).
Stone Gable Granola
6 cups of oatmeal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 1/2 cups slivered almonds
2 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup coconut (flaked)
1/2 dark brown sugar
1/2 cup non flavored vegetable oil
1 tsp cinnamon
2 TBS vanilla
1-2 cups assorted dried fruit
1-2 cups of add-in (mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, cereals)
Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Mix all ingredients except dried fruit and add-ins in a large bowl. Mix well to coat evenly. Distribute on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Stir in dried fruit and add-ins.
We'll review this thought again in January.
To keep warm with this cold, snowy weather, I have two yummy, warm-your-tummy recipes to share. Sorry there's not much else unless you want to hear about basketball practices and games.....
Sunshine Chicken
From Gooseberry Patch Slow Cooker Recipes Cookbook
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 c. molasses
2 T. cider vinegar
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 T. orange juice
2 t. Dijon mustard
1/8 to 1/4 t. hot pepper sauce
Arrange chicken in a slow cooker, set aside. Combine remaining ingredients and brush over chicken. Cover and cook on low setting for 7 to 9 hours, or on high setting for 3 to 4 hours. Serves 6.
I also found a good granola recipe on Stone Gable blog. Lately I tend to look more for blogs that have recipes and crafty projects....I can tell my "tastes" are changing when looking for new blogs (I know, lame joke).
Stone Gable Granola
6 cups of oatmeal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 1/2 cups slivered almonds
2 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup coconut (flaked)
1/2 dark brown sugar
1/2 cup non flavored vegetable oil
1 tsp cinnamon
2 TBS vanilla
1-2 cups assorted dried fruit
1-2 cups of add-in (mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, cereals)
Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Mix all ingredients except dried fruit and add-ins in a large bowl. Mix well to coat evenly. Distribute on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Stir in dried fruit and add-ins.
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