Can We Have A Simple Christmas?

My Christmas's have always been magical! Beautiful decorations, a big real, live tree, and of course, lots of presents under the tree. I feel happy and content when I think back on those magical childhood Christmas's. Mom and Dad watching us open our presents and hoping to see excitement on our faces when we opened each one! Of course, we were so excited!

We always recieved Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve from Mom and Dad and in the morning, there we were, my 5 brothers and me in coordinating Christmas pajamas, unwrapping paper that looked a lot like our pajamas! We had so much fun! It was like a scene out of....hmm....was it Good Housekeeping magazine, A Norman Rockwell painting? ....Or maybe it was simply a messed up living room with crazy-haired children in red and green pajamas!

Anyway, it seemed magical to me.

And when I think back, I barely remember what the presents were. It was the experience of it all and all the LOVE that went into Christmas!

Here we are~eight weeks to go before Christmas and with our first paycheck in quite awhile, I am thinking about how to keep Christmas magical and simple at the same time. I DO NOT want to forget the simple and sufficient way God has taken care of us during Lenny's unemployment. I DO NOT want to forget the blessings He has shown us. How easy it could be to start living high-on the-hog! From very little income to an actual 40 HOUR A WEEK PAYCHEK! WOW! We can live HIGH ON THE HOG NOW!

But I long for a simple Christmas. To remember that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did not even have a home to lay His head when He preached the gospel on this earth! He was born in a barn with the animals and died on the cross without a home to call His own and here I am already making out my Christmas shopping list with our first real paycheck arriving any minute now.

I never want to forget the only TRUE gift of Christmas!

I would love to hear your ideas for a simple Christmas and how magical it can be!

Please post a comment and I thank you in advance! And as I come up with my own ideas I will share them with you!

Love, Laura

Generation Rescue and 1 Halloween Idea

Generation Rescue is a website designed to help those struggling with Autism, ADHD, or other neurological disorders. There is a lot of very helpful information as well as testimonials, stories etc. If anyone is at all interested, visit their website at http://www.generationrescue.org/.



I also wanted to share a fun, more-healthy-than-usual treat for Halloween parties or treats for special Trick or Treaters. You stuff a medical glove with 5 candy corn and then homemade popcorn. The candy corn is supposed to look like the fingernails. It is very easy and fun to do with children. Tie a curling ribbon to close. You can get the gloves at the pharmacy section at most stores. Their are latex and powder-free versions. In the picture I have an opaque glove but at some stores you may be able to find the clear which I think look better. They look a little creepy! The kids LOVE them!

12 Ways To Get Happy!

1. Decide to BE happy! We have a choice, you know!

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Be thankful! Each day, write down 5 things that you are thankful for.

3. Know that you are special! God created all of us and His work is perfect! He gave each of us gifts! Take time and ask Him to show you what your gifts are and then use them!

4. Do something for someone else! Smile at your loved ones or a stranger. Pick up your neighbors trash cans, send a card to a lonely person. It doesn't have to be grand.

5. Do something fun with a child! Sing! Play outside in the sunshine! You can always sing this song:

I am so glad that our Father in heaven

Tells of His love in the book He has given.

Wonderful things in the bible I see.

This is the dearest that Jesus loves me!

I am so glad that Jesus loves me.

Jesus loves me! Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me.

Jesus loves even me!

We can't help but be happy singing that song, especially with a child!

6. Exercise

7. Practice yoga and deep breathing-brings oxygen to our cells, relaxing us and bringing on happy hormones.

8. Laugh every day! We might need a little help with this. Just look again to children for inspiration on this. They are always laughing! Have a laughing party: just start laughing even if you have to fake it. Soon you will be laughing because it all is so ridiculous! Laughter heals!

9. Enjoy the simple gift of nature! Just get outside and breathe in the air, shuffle your feet through the leaves, lay down on the grass and try to look for birds. Find shapes in the clouds. Walk by the water and just marvel at all of God's creation!

10. Find someone to love! Your spouse, your children, someone else's child. Call your brother or sister and talk about old times. Take your mom or dad or grandparents out to lunch. Really think about how to find that love again for all of the people in your life. Find others that need loving and share what overflows from your heart.

11. Learn to forgive and try hard to forget!

12. Know that you are loved! God wants us to be happy!

"We love him, because he first loved us!" I John 4:19

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall reeive, that your joy may be full." John 16:24

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Psalm 16:11

Autumn Apple Recipes

Just a few pics of my Fall decorating mentioned in an earlier post. Leaves are free (unless you have no trees then you must ask permission before cutting). I had so much fun flitting about the yard finding the best colors.

Here is a caramel apple recipe that doesn't use the commercial candy caramels. I haven't made them yet this year, but I am quite sure they turned out nicely when I made them last year. I tried to find a half-way healthy version and this is the closest I could get.

CARAMEL APPLES from http://www.familyfun.com/

1 1/2 T butter

1 1/2 c. lt. brown sugar

6 T water

8-10 apples

popsicle sticks (you can also use cinnamon sticks, clean twigs or even chopsticks)

Melt butter in a saucepan. All brown sugar and water. Stir until smooth. Bring to boil, then coner and simmer for 3 minutes, until pan's sides get steamy and the mixture is thin but sticky. Remove from heat. Pierce the center of each apple with popsicle sticks and swirl into caramel mixture. You can sprinkle chopped nuts, chocolate, granola, etc. Refrigerate 1-2 hours.

I may try to use Sucanat instead of brown sugar.

BAKED APPLES from American Wholefoods Cuisine

1 medium to large apple per serving (Rome, Northern Spy or other 'baking' varieties)

honey or maple syrup

raisins (optional)

crushed pineapple (optional)

chopped nuts (otional)

apple juice

Preheat oven to 350* to 375*

Remove core from apple, leaving bottom intact so that the hollow can be filled. Cut a thin slice from the top to flatten it. If desired, peel can be removed from top half, but this is not necessary.

Drizzle sweetener of choice into the hollow, allowing about 1 teaspoon per apple, Fill with optional ingredients as desired. place in a baking dish and surround with a little apple juice or water to a depth of about 1/2 inch to prevent scorching.

Bake for about 30 minutes. Probe with a fork or skewer to determine doneness. Apple
should be tender but not mushy when baking is completed. May take longer for some types.

Serve warm, at room temp, or chilled. If desired, apple can be garnished with a dollop of yogurt.

PS. Lenny went to work today and it wasn't on the golf course! He was hired by an auto company working on batteries. We will be getting a paycheck again! We are so thankful! Lenny says he will never worry about losing a job again because he knows that somehow we will make it! God provides!

Two Chickens and A Big Pot

With the economy not so great and flu season upon us, I thought I would share with you what I have been cooking quite a bit these days.
Go and get the best whole chickens you can find. Maybe you know someone raising chickens or you can buy organic chickens from the grocery store. My dear friend, Melissa, gave us whole chickens they raised out of the goodness of her heart during our unemployment. Other times I have bought them from her. When she doesn't have them, I buy them at Costco. It is well worth the extra money because I will tell you how to save a lot of money in the long run. Now, remember, we have 10 people in our house to feed and my hubby is still unemployed. I have been buying just the basic groceries and getting my veggies from the gardener down the road. So, here is what to do with 2 whole chickens:

1. Put both of them in a very large pot. I used my canning pot which is very large. Cover them with water, put in a whole bulb of garlic, peeled and separated. Garlic is excellent in warding off colds and flu! Put in your favorite seasonings-parsley, basil, oregano, black pepper and bring to boil, then simmer until the leg falls off when pulled gently. The house smells wonderful, too!

2. Take the chickens out and when the 'broth' is cooled slightly, you put it in the fridge. My pot was too high for my fridge so I transferred the broth to my large bread-baking bowl which was shorter. The fat will rise to the top by morning and you skim off the fat and then strain the broth with a strainer. Put the broth in freezer-proof containers and freeze. Keep some out for other meals for the week. I have 2 gallons of broth! I am not kidding! It is sitting on my counter right now! (I have to transfer still to freezer containers.) Never buy broth again! This is so much healthier and definitely more economical. And SO SIMPLE! Any leftover chicken can be chopped and put in the freezer for later use. Such a time-saver!

Here are some meal ideas to make with all your chicken.

1. The first night we had a chicken dinner with garlic smashed red potatoes and garden veggies. (More garlic for colds and flu.)
2. I am making chicken noodle soup tonight for dinner. Just sautee onion, celery, garlic, and carrots in a little bit of broth and season to taste. Add more broth, chicken and noodles. (Whole-grain is best.) The broth is SO GOOD, you may not need very much seasoning at all! And you know what they say about chicken noodle soup during cold season, don't you?
3. If you sort, rinse and soak some dry Great Northern beans the night before you need them, the next day you just rinse again, add fresh water and boil until soft. Then you can make super easy, super delicious White Chicken Chili. Just add chicken, cumin and salsa to the bean pot. Dinner is DONE and SO DELICIOUS and GOOD FOR YOU!
4. Add some brown rice to the scene and some different spices (check into middle eastern, greek, mexican etc.) and you have beans and rice with the option of chicken. I do vegetarian a few times a week! Garden veggies and pita bread is a great addition, as well as plain yogurt. I will add the whole-wheat pita bread recipe at the end. It takes a little time, but you can make them on a day when there is time and freeze them and then warm up when needed.
5. There is still some chicken left, so you can make chimichangas, or chicken lasagna or bean and rice soup or any other recipe that may only need a few additional ingredients!
I will include the Chimichanga recipe, too!

WHOLE WHEAT PITA OR POCKET BREAD
This recipe is from Whole Foods For The Whole Family-La Leche League International Cookbook
1 T yeast
1 T honey
2 1/2 t salt
1 T oil
6-7 C whole wheat flour

Dissolve yeast and honey in water. When bubbly, add salt, oil and 6 c flour. Knead 5-10 minutes, adding more flour if necessary. Let rise until doubled, about an hour. Punch down and divide into 12-20 equal pices, depending on how large you want the pitas. Roll each into a ball and roll out on a floured surface about 1/4 " thick. Place circles on greased cookie sheets and let rest 30-45 minutes. Heat oven to 450*. Just before baking, turn the pitas over. Bake 8-10 minutes, switching position of pans halfway through. The pitas should be puffed in the middle and only slightly browned. To keep them soft, place them inside of a paper bag to cool or eat them warm. Recipe may be halved or doubled.
These freeze well and are great to have on hand for quick meals or bag lunches. Freeze wrapped in foil and thaw, and warm in 450* oven in foil for 15 minutes.

MAKE-AHEAD CHIMICHANGAS
I found this recipe years ago in Better Homes and Garden magazine. Everyone loves it! It is great to pack on a trip! You can even eat it cold in a pinch!

1 lb. cooked beef, pork, or chicken
1- 16-oz jar of salsa (or homemade)
1- 16 oz can refried beans (Here is where your homemade beans come in. (Just mash and add a little olive oil and mozzarella)
1- 4-oz can diced green chili peppers
1-1 1/2 envelope taco seasoning mix (I just can't buy it so I add my own mexican spices-cumin, crushed red pepper, garlic, black pepper-whatever)
16- 8-inch flour tortillas (whole grain is best-homemade recipe at bottom)
16- Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, cut into 16 5x1/2-inch sticks (I also use mozzarella)

Using two forks, shred cooked meat or chicken. In a large pot combine meat or chicken, salsa, beans, undrained chili peppers, and seasoning mix. Cook and stir over medium heat till heated through.
In a skillet, heat tortilla, one at a time, over medium low heat about 30 seconds per side. For each chimichanga, place 1/3 C meat mixture atop a tortilla, near one edge. Top with a cheese stick. fold in sides; roll up, starting with cheese side. Put seam side down on a cookie sheet and bake in 350* oven for about 30 minutes.
You can freeze leftovers in freezer containers for up to 6 months. Thaw and bake.
Top with salsa, chopped lettuce and tomato and plain yogurt, if desired.

TORTILLAS
This recipe comes from Laurel's Kitchen-A Handbook For Vegetarian Cookery and Nutrition

1 C. stone-ground cornmeal
1 1/2 C water
3 T butter
1 1/4 C whole wheat flour
1 t salt

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add half the butter. Stir in cornmeal quickly; then immediately lower heat and cover pan. Let the cornmeal cook over very low heat for 5 minutes. Stir in remaining butter and set aside to cool.
Mix flour and salt. Stir in cooled cornmeal and knead, adding water, if necessary (or more flour) until a soft dough is formed. Pinch off 12 pieces and roll into 2 inch balls.
Flatten each ball between palms to form a flat circle. Roll with a rolling pin to 6-7 inches. Keep turning the circle to keep it round, and sprinkle board and rolling pin with cornmeal as needed to prevent sticking.
Cook on a got ungreased griddle for 1 1/2 minutes on each side, or until flecked with dark spots.
Line a basket or bowl with a large cloth. Stack the tortillas in bowl and keep covered with cloth.
They can be made long in advance, even a day or two before needed. Heating for a few seconds on each side makes them soft and pliable for handling again.
Makes 12 tortillas. Can be doubled.

I have made these recipes many times. They are fun to make and very nourishing!
Children love to help rolling the dough into little balls and flattening. It is a fun family activity.

I hope you try a few! Let me know if you have any questions about any of these!

Have fun being frugal! (And Healthy!)
~Laura

The Blessings of Keeping House-Part 2

Okay, now that we have housecleaning help (remember http://www.flylady.net/) and our sanity in check (remember our 15 minutes in the morning?-see earlier posts), we can get to the most important part of keeping house-Taking care of our loved ones!

It is very important to take care of our health and sanity by exercising, eating well and having a tiny bit of quiet time so that we can take care of the people that we love the most. Getting to bed at a decent hour, planning meals for the week and asking for help with laundry, cleaning and meals really does make it easier to lovingly take care of our spouses, children, parents, etc.
Sometimes we wonder, how can I do it ALL? Well, we don't HAVE to do it all! A little time at home getting grounded and organized and asking everyone to pitch in really makes it easier to get it all done.

Okay, I know someone is laughing right now because they know I do not always have my act together. I know that and just knowing it and not letting it bother me too much makes me healthier in the long run! Who are we trying to please, anyway? Sure, I want a clean house and I really DO try and it actually does get clean most of the time and it certainly goes much smoother when I plan a little ahead of time. You know the old saying 'Failure to plan is planning to fail.' Well, I wouldn't even call it 'failing'. I don't particularly like the word. I call it 'trying'. If we don't try, then ..well, anyway, we should at least 'try'!

Finding the blessings of keeping house really begins at home. I believe it means taking time to enjoy what we have been given and not always trying to keep up the neighbors or trying to do things the way our best friend does things (though it doesn't hurt to try a few things that work for her to see if they might work in your life, too) or even going out and getting more stuff!
Keeping house is really appreciating what God has given us, taking care of and truly being thankful for everything and everyone in it. Even finding joy in the little tasks in life-like laundry and scrubbing the bathroom (I struggle with that one!).

I will never forget one thing that my Mother-in-law said years ago: " We do these things (like helping others without expecting pay or doing our chores) because of what Jesus has done for us!" It sure puts things in perspective. I think of that so often and remind myself and the children when complaining seems to come onto the scene! Please, don't get me wrong! I struggle! A LOT! It just helps to remember it from time to time.

Now that we have our attitude adjusted (hee, hee), we can focus on taking care of our loved ones! Those of us that are married, that means our husbands first! Not the children first! What? Not the children first?! No, not the children but our husbands! We were CREATED to be a helper to our husbands, to please him, and to do everything we can to make life easier for him. Please don't freak out! If we think about it, we will remember our mothers and grandmothers talking about this very thing! Times change very quickly and it's easy to forget what our role is in this changing world!

Some ways to make life easier for our husbands is to try not to complain about every little thing. Believe it or not, there is a nice, subtle way to get our point across! It makes life a little bit easier for him!

Also, making our husband's lunch and sending him off with breakfast is another way to make him feel loved and less stressed.

Showing a little affection unexpectedly does wonders, too!

He will be a completely different man when these subtle changes start happening.

Now, please don't start thinking that I am a perfect wife that never complains or grumble under my breath about having to put his clothes away. There are many times where I have to take a deep breath and remind myself that I am doing this because it is the right thing for me to do, not because I always want to. I DO know how to act like a witch sometimes. But I recognize it now and try to think rationally about my behavior, even fight with myself about doing the right thing. And, you want to know what? My husband ends up being a better husband because of it! Don't for one minute think he is the tougher one! We know better!

So, on a lighter note, here is a cute idea that I got from a book by Emilie Barnes. She makes up a 'Love Basket' that she keeps on hand for certain times in life where hubby might need a little 'boost'. She finds a nice basket, adds cloth napkins, pretty plastic cups and maybe even a tablecloth and when a particular stressful event or even a celebration comes along, she puts in some comfort food and finds time to pull it out and enjoy it with her husband.

Oh great, you might be thinking, when am I going to find time to do all that? You just have to MAKE the time. Next time you are out, stop at the Salvation Army and find your supplies. It is actually fun when you make a specific point to search for these things. I have pulled out the basket only a few times, but it is always waiting for me in my closet, reminding me to stop and make time for more pleasant things. Now that I am thinking about it, I will plan to put something in it tonight and just enjoy a bit of quiet time with my husband. Maybe just some grapes, crackers, chocolate and sparkling juice. (You can make your own by putting 1/2 juice and 1/2 sparkling water.) It is a wonderful benefit for me, too, as I LOVE picnics. I think we will share our 'Love basket' when the kids are in bed right in our room or ,even better, in the living room with a fire going.

But who is going to cut the wood and haul it to the porch? Groan! I won't let it get me down. I will find a way! I have to at least try! I know I will be glad if I do and I know my hubby will be all the better because of it! The whole family benefits and we all live happily ever after!

More on this series later!
Have a wonderful day!

Homegrown Goodness

Being able to enjoy homegrown food is a wonderful gift! Food grown in your own garden or in a neighbors garden is the best kind of food you can get! My garden was mediocre this year, but I was still able to enjoy a few things. I garden using the Square Foot Gardening method which is perfect for anyone who wants to start a garden and even for those who have been gardening for years and want to minimize space and weeding. Check out http://www.squarefootgardening.com/ to get started on a very efficient way of gardening.

We were also able to get a wonderful bounty of homegrown goodness from the gardener and his wife down the road. Holmer has a beautiful garden and he shares his harvest for a tiny amount of money. Inge, his wife, washes up the beans and lettuce before we even get there. He seems to grow Everything!

This week and last I was able to pick grapes for free. They couldn't use them all so they were more than happy to share. I made grape jam that everyone in our house just loves. I had never made grape jam before and we were all pleasantly surprised how very tasty it was. It ended up jam instead of jelly because so much of the pulp remained after straining and I didn't want to strain again. I use Pomona's Universal Pectin that lets you use honey instead of sugar. It contains no sugar or preservatives in the pectin. I used a 1/2 cup of honey per batch. It leaves an all fruit taste and not a sugary taste. Our Country Life co-op sells it (http://www.clnf.org/) or you can visit their website at http://www.pomonapectin.com/.

I had some juice left over and I drink it with a little water. It is a perfect cleansing drink full of antioxidants and is great for energy, circulation and has a high amount of anti-aging properties.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_4793335_health-benefits-grape-juice.html

There are also little signs along the country roads advertising fresh eggs that is so worth it to stop or maybe you know someone selling eggs like I do. There really is nothing like fresh eggs!

O.K. now all my childhood friends and even those who know me now are not going to believe what I am going to say next! I WANT CHICKENS! Oh My Goodness! People still think of me as a City Slicker! Well, just because I wear a fancy dress now and then seems to throw people off when I say I would love to have chickens. I won't be cleaning the chicken coop in high heels, don't worry! So Barb said she would look out for a free chicken coop for me. Thanks, Barb!

How wonderful it is to find local food. Not only are we supporting the people and businesses around us, we are also healthier because of it!

Let's see if I can spell our favorite table grace that was also one of my Grandma and Grandpa Storm's favorite. It is in Finnish. Here goes.

Kiitos Taivallinen Isa, Kaikkista roukasa. Amen.

Thank you Heavenly Father, for all this food. Amen.

Tea Time (15 Minutes In The Morning)

Getting up just 15 minutes earlier in the morning will give you enough time to say a little prayer and do a little inspirational reading. I sip on my green or herbal tea and snuggle up in my favorite chair before the kids wake up and I am so much more prepared for my day!
Reading from the book of Psalms is so uplifting as it reminds us of how much we have to be thankful for. Of course, all the books of the bible have so many wonderful lessons and daily encouragement.

I have a pretty basket that I keep my morning essentials in: bible, planner, pen, tissue and watch (I could sit there for way too long if I don't keep my eye on the clock.) and I leave it near my chair. I, also, sometimes light a scented candle.

I have been doing this little ritual for quite a few years now and if I sleep in or get up in a rush and have to miss my "Tea Time" my day just doesn't go quite as smoothly.

My grandma Storm used to have a saying on a plaque on her wall that said:
"A day hemmed in prayer, rarely unravels." It had a woman in a rocking chair, knitting. I am sure all the cousins remember it! I find that to be so true!

I actually allow much longer than 15 minutes, but really that is all you need to have a peaceful day!

Try it and you will be pleasantly surprised at how much smoother your day goes!
Enjoy your day!

The Blessings of Keeping House-Part 1

Happy October! I love October! Everything just seems so much cozier! The sun goes down earlier and the day just seems to slow down a bit. I love feeling all cozy at home. I feel like I have more time to focus on homemaking. I love homemaking! I feel as if our house is the house that love built and that thought alone makes me happy to enjoy the blessings of keeping house!

I am so very thankful to have a safe and loving home! We are blessed!

Now you wouldn't think of me as a 'cleaner' or even an organized person by nature, but I do really enjoy doing all the things of keeping house if I make time for it and enjoy it in the process. Plus, I am not afraid of looking for help! (Check out the FlyLady at http://www.flylady.net/)

I grew up as a city girl, but I believe I am truly a country girl at heart. So now, here it is October and the homefire is burning in my heart! I am surrounded by my family, everyone is safe and sound and we have a world of blessings at our fingertips!

What can I bake, is what I was thinking last night, that would be special? I remembered I had a recipe for Beignets (pronounced ben-yays), a creole doughnut that Lenny and I enjoyed on our honeymoon in New Orleans 20 years ago. It is a nice whole-food recipe using whole wheat flour. They turned out very nice, the kids and Lenny loved them and they weren't overly sweet! Perfect! Of course, I will share the recipe with you. In New Orleans, they serve them at breakfast with orange juice. It is a wonderful treat for the family or for special company. If you want to get all romantic, serve them to your husband for a fun breakfast in bed! Try it and you might find a delivery boy at your door with a bouquet of flowers! You never know!


More on the blessings of Keeping House later!
Have a cozy October!