A Vessel God Can Use
Christmas Tags for LESS!Tags for Christmas packages can be fairly costly, but it is important to label each package properly so each recipient gets their intended gift, right? Well, I have a few tips on how to keep the cost of these items to a minimum.
Happy Gifting! These are my thoughts. Leslie Valeska ~Contributing Writer~
Christmas Ornament RecipeChristmas Ornament Recipetasteofhome. cookie cutters. 1 C corn starch 2 C baking soda (1-lb pkg) 1-1/2 C water In medium saucepan stir together corn starch and baking soda. Add water all at once and stir until smooth. Add coloring if desired. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches the consistency of slightly dry mashed potatoes. (mixture will come to a boil, then start to thicken first in lumps and then in a thick mass: it should hold it's shape.) Turn out onto a plate and cover with a damp cloth: cool. When cool enough to handle, knead thoroughly on corn starch dusted surface until smooth and pliable. If not to be used immediately, store completely cooled clay in tightly closed plastic bag or container with tight fitting cover: clay may be kept in a cool place up to two weeks. Knead stored clay thoroughly before using. One half recipe of clay is enough for about 20 small ornaments. With rolling pin roll out clay to about 1/4 thickness: cut with cutters. With wooden pick or end of straw make a small hole near top edge of ornament: Set shapes aside to dry, turning occasionally. When dry, glue on decorations or paint: add ribbon or string for necklace or package hang tags. For napkin rings do not make a hole. Roll a small amount of dough into rope. Form into circle and press ends together. Dampen clay at seam before pressing together. Dry around a wax paper covered cardboard tube. (toilet paper roll) Be sure to dry rings thoroughly, when dry glue on desired shapes. Christmas Magnets - Press dough into clean, dry molds. Tap out & let dry. Paint w/acrylic paint. Attach magnet w/glue. TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- This is greatTODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/--\/------------------------------------------------------------------ December 2, 2008 VERSE: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. -- Romans 12:2 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+12:2&translation=kjv THOUGHT: Sooner or later we all have to make a decision: Will I be a nonconformist? Will I refuse to be squeezed into the mold of the world? (J.B. Phillips terminology.) Will I be part of a Christian counter-culture? (John R.W. Stott terminology.) Will I be God's own person, an alien and an exile in the world, put here to have a redemptive influence? (The apostle Peter's terminology.) Jesus simply calls us his disciples. Bottom line: until we are really ready to cross the line and live totally for the Lord, we're not going to be able to fully recognize God's will for us. There are no arm-chair quarterback Christians. There are no sideline disciples. There are no back-seat driver Christians. We either chose the Lordship of Jesus, or else we reject it. So what's your decision? PRAYER: Holy God, I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. I believe that he came to earth as a human, lived an exemplary life of grace and power, and died for my sins so I could live for you, and with you, forever. Please forgive me, O God, for the times that I have hedged on my commitment to you and flirted with the darkness. I want to live for you with passion, joy, and fulfillment. I want to be transformed to be like Christ. In his name, Jesus the Lord, I pray. Amen. http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20081202&ver=kjv Barren - Not Me! Infertility Has No Place Here.Scripture: Luke 1:5-17
Barrenness, whether physical or spiritual, can lead to bitterness in some of God's people. It can develop in the heart of a disappointed couple who cannot have a child. It can also occur when people serve God and see no results. ::found online:: Doll Babies Look So RealFrom my old blog:
I posted this because these are doll babies. There was a show that featured these dolls. I just had to post this. I saw a show on BBC about "FAKE BABY'S" They are really life-like. Some women in the UK have bought them and taken them as thier own.
back of the head
Out with the bad, in with the good...I have been pondering and praying over today's post all day, I mean for real! Here it is almost 4 pm and I still have not posted, very unusual for me. :)I have had something pretty heavy on my mind. What I have decided is that I am going to rid myself of a few things... things that have been weighing my spirit down... things that are of a constant bother to me. I have a life to lead, I have a family to care for, a husband to serve and Savior to worship. And that is what I am going to do. :) May your light so shine for HIM! :) Truly, My Cup Runneth Over... Father of the Bride IIFavorite Movie
I really need to add this to the list. I love it not so much just for "frahnk", but because I really love Dianne Keaton. Also that they were an older couple. George just seems so much like my husband too. And their baby room was so beautiful! I know that the world believes that you have a time limit, but it aint over til God says it's over. And like I've said before, if I go to my grave without having babies, I'll still love Him. God IS faithful. Doing my best to make the devil mad! TTC Baby Blog Now OpenHoping for Baby Blog
Please come over and visit my TTC blog. It's still new, but please come and say hello when you get a chance! In all things I give glory to my Father. Desparate to please Him. http://www.homesteadblogger.com/faithfulbaby Fixing Up The Little ThingsBaby Blog in the making
Just putting on the last little chanages. I guess I'll be updating everyday. But it's a start. Raina Pictures, Pictures and more PicturesNothing special about the pictures...just things around the homestead lately :o) Enjoy!Some of the property over the weekend. This is the back clearing where we want to build. If we don't build here, I want to put our schoolhouse up back here anyway (just to the right of that center pine tree...that's where the trail heads back to the pond. The next is the logging road they used a few years back to get to the neighbors property...and where they come up with the 4-wheelers. The bottom of that range there is the end of our property. Next two are of the pond, coming in from that logging road, through the trees. It's just seasonal and lately, that has meant no real water to speak of. The first year it had maybe 2 foot of water. This year, maybe the same. The 2 years in the middle, it was just about bone dry and useless with the drought. We'd like to dig it out more and shore it up to try to keep water in it. We know there's a decent aquifer running through this part of the mountain, down about 150 here at the house end of the property. Would be nice to have some water for the animals if nothing else.     Thanksgiving weekend work on the homestead...Finally getting the holes dug out for the posts for the back porch area. Most likely, it will never make it as a porch and will be enclosed for living space...maybe that outdoor kitchen ;o) I tried to get the holes started but it's all clay...and really thick nasty stuff at that. I just can't do it. I'm a wimp. I admit it. So, as Drew was over for dinner, we put him to work with Dewey :o) The goofy pup there is the beagles basset mutt mix we have...brains of a stuffed animal, but lovable. He chases rabbits and such all night. Pinned a coyote down in the timber last year so we could shoot it. He's a good dog...just goofy. Notice Miss Abigail's bare feet...this was the day after Thanksgiving. Sure wouldn't be out running the countryside like that back North this time of year!    Thanksgiving fixins' on the homestead...We spent all day Wednesday baking...2 pecan pies, 2 apple, 2 chocolate (that's the empty crust with the tin foil in it) and 2 9x13 pumpkin cobblers. And the yummiest yeast rolls :o) It's a mix we do up and keep in the pantry --delicious. And, yes, I'll add the recipe soon! The full menu ended up looking like this...deep-fried turkey, a huge (h-u-g-e) smoked ham from the butcher (stupid me didn't ask about size, just got the one that looked so good...it didn't fit inside the 18qt Nesco roaster we have...had to sit cockeyed until it cooked down some and slide into the pan the right way!). Dressing, green bean casserole, baked corn, potatoes/gravy, sweet potatoes, then the list of desserts. We made honey nut crunch and ranch/dill crackers for snacking all weekend. This was the first year our eldest wasn't at the table. He rode up with Dewey to pick up Hope's car and drive it back. He wanted it to be their first Thanksgiving, and he was frying his first turkey solo...    The 20 quart mixer...yes, that's a make-do kitchen sink set up there. We pulled out the cupboard a while back. I have a very nice, new countertop sitting out in the building, but until I know for sure what we are doing (building or simply remodelling) I don't want to use it yet ;o) And, yes, those are cinder blocks under the mixer -- it sits too low to the floor for comfortable use. I know it looks rather hillbilly-ish, but it works ;o)   The meat, part 1/Day 1...still partially frozen, even after 2 days of thawing in the cooler bag. Guess that cooler bag works far better than I thought it did! We cut up most of the chunks to more suitable pieces and readied them for the canning jars.   
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Leslie Valeska is the lucky wife of Thomas. With children ranging in ages from 4-16, she has had a lot of time to learn and experience much of the fine art of homemaking. She is a writer, speaker, and vintage seamstress. For FREE daily tips and a FREE E-zine on simple and frugal living visit her blog 
