Flip flops...and I'm not talking about shoes!

Newt Gingrich claims to be a conservative republican candidate for President....conservative ...hhhmmmm......




Conservative?  Seriously?
Evidently many of those who hold office or are running for office need a dictionary....so they can look up what conservative means...or maybe they should do something new, something unique....like listen to the people you claim to represent or follow the Constitution you took an oath to uphold.

Who is the only TRUE conservative, the only one who truly understands our Constitution, the only one who has...FOR THEIR ENTIRE POLITICAL CAREER consistently voted to uphold our Constitution?

Anyone know?

<--stepping down off my political soapbox now

Where is winter?

I've hardly had the heat on at all this winter.  We have only had about 5 days that were truly cold. Today, my windows are open, it smells like spring, the birds are singing and robins dot my lawn....what a beautiful picture except it's the end of January!

Does this mean snow in March?  April?  Where has winter gone this year?

Anyone else experiencing a strange winter?

New Beginnings!

I love the start of a new year - so much to look forward too!  January is a wonderful month to indulge in introspection.  Changes to make, plans to implement....it brings an excitement to life! It's a wonderful time to assess our lives and relationships...both with each other and with our Father.

Seeds are ordered now and that always leaves me with the desire to get started in the greenhouse.  However, since it is January, I think I'd better hold off!  As my son and I planned the garden this year and began making the list of seeds that we needed, I found my mouth watering as I remembered how things tasted.  Do any of y'all do that?

Cherokee tomatoes, black cherry tomatoes, the firsts...first summer squash, first watermelon, first cantaloupe and of course the first ear of corn! There now...I'm doing it again! I still need to order potatoes this next week...and I need to remember to pick up sweet potato slips when they arrive at the feed store.

My son has our garden plans on paper...and in his head....which beds to till first and get ready.  I'm glad that he carries that responsibility.  I work in the greenhouse and the beds are always ready to go when the plants are ready to be put in.....teamwork! We pray for another bountiful year!

Have y'all been planning your garden yet?  This is the time - so that you aren't trying to organize things while you plant.  If you need help figuring out what to do in your garden (and when to do it), you might want to have a look at my Perpetual Garden Calendar!  It's also a wonderful help for those beginning gardeners.  Just think of it as me holding your hand through the gardening season!  You don't even have to wait - just download and get started!

I've been making some plans for new things at my website too!  I'm very excited about it but can't really reveal anything yet.  I will say that I'm working on some new recipes and making soap as often as I can to prepare.  I'm excited....really excited!


Friday I made another batch of Pumpkin soap - I can hardly keep it on the shelves - in fact I ran out during the holidays!  It's the hardest soap to make because it ALWAYS seizes in the pan...but this time, even though it seized,  it turned out beautifully...and my house smells like fresh pumpkin pie!

Don't you just want to pick up a piece and taste it?  My desk is right next to the soap and I'm tempted to snack!

Here it is curing on the rack! It will be ready in February!

Do you know what all of those bowls mean?

More soap balls to toss into orders so you can try new things before you buy!

I have a son getting read to graduate this June.  I'm looking forward to that in a bittersweet way.  He's looking forward to working and moving on with his plans for the future.  He attained Eagle Scout last year so he has a lot of opportunities available to him.  I'm looking forward to seeing where our Father leads this young man!

And my youngest...my B.A.B.Y.! will be starting high school next fall!  Seriously?  I'm sure it was just a few months ago that I taught him to read! He loves studying science, he's great at math, and he loves nature.  He's so smart it's scary!  He reads things for fun that makes his older brothers' heads spin!  Mine too. He likes to be challenged, which keeps me on my toes as his teacher.  I'm excited to see what plans our Father is going to reveal for him!

What things are y'all looking forward to this year?

Blessings,

His Endless Gifts!

Today, I count the 1,000th gift that my gracious Father has bestowed upon me.  But how can I stop...for I know that He will not stop. It only requires that I slow...take time...have eyes to see the good things that constantly flow from His hand....


#995 - #1015

the sight and sound of a thousand birds moving in unison


men from church guiding and molding my sons


this slow season of winter


the soft glow of candles


phone calls that turn burdens into blessings from His hand


the robin pulling worms in my yard yesterday


His response to my obedience


our first snowfall - so lovely!


our circle of friends - always encouraging


women who pray with me at the drop of a hat


the young adults at my church - what a blessing


daily memories of my grandparents


Mom doing well at 85!


the protectiveness of my sons


the ESV


men willing to preach and teach


communion 


the promise of spring


the flicker of firelight


board games till midnight


a Sabbath rest




As I watch my Father's provision for my family in all things, He leaves me breathless...

Making changes!

Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do!

We had such a wonderful December that I'd like to share it with you.  We attended several Christmas parties at the homes of friends. We did some special things as a family during our time off from school. We had a lovely worship service on Christmas Eve - baptisms, communion and lots of worship.  It was wonderful!

We did some things differently this year.  Please understand that what I'm about to share is how we see the Father leading us.  Our Father leads us all a bit differently so there is no suggestion here that you should do the same and no condemnation to those who disagree.

Several years ago, my boys began studying the roots of the traditional American holidays.  We were surprised to find so much paganism.  We knew about some of the holidays but we were surprised by others.

Year before last, my boys wanted to stop celebrating "Christmas" and celebrate Chanukah instead.  For many reasons, I didn't allow them to do so that year. But, I also assured them that we could do so the next year if they were still convicted.  They were...so this year we put aside our normal traditions and began some new ones by celebrating the Festival of Lights.  We all enjoyed it!

We lit a new candle on the Menorah each night...

We filled our home with light....

We played with the traditional Dreidal....

 and wagered Gelt!

The last night before Chanukah, our whole family joined us for our traditional Snicky Snack night. We

ate our favorite foods and also some foods that we only have once a year (not so healthy!)...

Hot wings!

Holiday Cheese Dip!

Carmel Pecan Silk Supreme Pie!

And many other goodies the boys and I baked during the week!

It was a table filled with good food in a room full of people we love!

We filled our plates and enjoyed a family movie together!

The next day, we celebrated with a traditional turkey dinner (thank you Sue!)....

and once again, our home was filled with family and laughter.  Things were different this year...but they were wonderful too!  The boys are already making plans for next year!

I hope your holidays were filled with family, love and laughter!

Blessings,

Do you doubt?

Haven't we all experienced doubt at some time?  Worship Him who sees you as worth dying for!

Blessings!

My Gift to You....

You, my wonderful readers, bless me all year with orders, kind comments, prayer and encouraging notes that fill my in box and my mail box! I hope to bless y'all this season with the ability to save a little money! I hope this will bless you and your family now and for many years to come!

I have decided to put both of my e-books and my calendar (PDF version) on sale at the same time at the lowerst price ever! Everything is 50% off! I don't think I've ever placed them all on sale at the same time before...or at prices this low!


Do you have a desire to garden but don't know where to start?  Not sure what to plant...or when? Want to know exactly what to do each month of the year in your garden?  Perhaps you need my Perpetual Garden Calendar! This calendar is filled with tips on seeding, planting, transplanting and harvesting. You'll also find some of my favorite family recipes for your garden bounty.  You'll find a list of my favorite seed and garden suppliers too. Don't throw this calendar away at the end of the year...it's printed on 80 lb. cardstock and is meant to be saved and used year after year! This calendar is normally $16.00 but is on sale now for $8!

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make a healing salve?  Would you like to know how to make an effective cough syrup?  Want to brew a cup of healing tea?  Does the word tincture scare you.....bewilder you?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, perhaps my e-book Herbal Medicine Made Simple would make a wonderful Christmas gift for you or for someone you love! Normally this course is $20 but you'll find it on sale now for $10!

Or perhaps you would you like to learn how to make your own pure, natural, herbal soaps? Find out what the "soap" in the stores is really made with!  Learn how to create natural, healthy soap in your own kitchen in an easy, simple to follow, step-by-step method in my e-book Soapmaking Made Simple! Find out how to prevent disasters, salvage mistakes and where to purchase supplies inexpensively! This course is $20 but you'll find it on sale now for $10!

Have you ever wanted to take one of my classes but live to far away? This is your opportunity to take my classes and allow me to mentor you, long distance!

Or perhaps these e-books would make wonderful presents for someone you love!

This sale will begin today and end at midnight on January 15th!  Normally, with the purchase of either, or both, Soapmaking and Herbal Medicine books you also receive 30 days of mentoring by email. But during this sale, I will extend the mentoring until the end of February!  Double the normal amount of time if you purchase now!  This will allow you to get through the busyness of the holidays and begin your studies when life calms down a bit! I'll help you walk through these courses until you are confident in your own abilities. Ask as many questions as you need to and I'll answer them quickly!

If you've taken one of my classes and would like to share your experience, please feel free to leave a comment!

May this season be a blessing to you and your family!