Supply Beauty and Add Sparkle

I was going through my papers yesterday and I came across some notes I took from a book I read.

This particular idea struck me as something I thought would be good to focus on right now.

There is no time like the present, right?

This is what I wrote in my notes that I am assuming was taken directly from the book:
"Supply beauty in the lives of your husband and children, light up the home with sparkle no matter what!"

So I proceeded to ask the children that happened to be around me at the moment how we can add more 'sparkle' into our days.

The 3 year old daughter whispered in my ear, " I know what we can do, get some diamonds."

"That's a fabulous idea," I said. "We can hang them from the lampshades and windows!"

"Still, we better come up with a few more ideas as that one may be long in coming!"

So various childen thought of putting sparkles all over the wall, playing games, having picnics and going to the local indoor water slide.

Of course, the first thing I thought of was having a sparkling clean house!

I have been thinking about this now, and look forward to what hubby and each child comes up with as I am sure each one will be surprisingly different.

I will continue to think of simple ways to add sparkle and beauty into the lives of my loved ones.
I look forward to the challenge and know for certain it will bring a more happy and peaceful ambience to our home. And a fun challenge for me.

Some ideas I thought of so far are:
1. Using some fancy vocabulary words, like panache and chagrin and vivid and stupendous.
2. Using the fancy stemmed goblets for fresh-spueezed juice.
3. Neatly folding hubby's socks and underwear in his drawer. (We struggle with that one. He will absolutely love it!)
4. Displaying a child's artwork front and center on the mantel, framed and all.
5. Of course, having picnics even if it is on the front porch or backyard.

So, do you want to take on the challenge with me?

And please, if you read this post, can you please reply with your ideas? I would love to hear about what you thought of to supply your loved ones with beauty and lighting up the home with sparkle.

Thank you so much!
And thanks for taking the time to read this!

May love and beauty and sparkle be with you always!

P.S Anyone who really knows me, knows that I can't resist a little "sparkle" here and there!
I'm thinking of crystal chandeliers and sparkly jewelry and and even a 'romantic spark' from the dear husband! :)

The Day Before Easter

What do you do on the day before Easter?

Lenny and I had some nice poached eggs on toast this morning (fresh eggs from wonderful neighbors).
I put a pan of Pannukkaku in the oven along with a pan of Baked Oatmeal to feed all of the extra kids that happened to spend the night last night.
I am going to run to Target as soon as I get off of this computer to pick up a few last minute treats.
And then to Kroger for some aluminum pie tins for the pies I will bring to church tomorrow.

Bake the pies.
Strawberry-rhubarb for church, banana cream pie for home.

Last minute sewing.
Happens every year.
I sew for the little girls and our 3 teenage daughters sew for themselves.
A little hemming, maybe a zipper to help with.
We always say we will get them done earlier this year, but, alas, the same 'ol story!

I made a big pot of chili last night so dinner is done for today.
Lay out the clothes, hair stuff, etc. for morning church.

I will force myself to boil a cup of tea and enjoy it on the front porch so I can reflect on this beautiful time and just take in this lovely weather!

Plan on going to church services tonight and leaving the younger children home so they can get to bed early.


I better get going!
Have a great day!

Joyous Easter

Easter is my favorite holiday!

A time of love and hope,

Believing that all our sins are forgiven in Jesus' name and precious blood!

He died on the cross for all!

Oh, how our hearts are full of thankfulness!

Here are but just a few precious words from a few of my favorite hymns:

"Easter is our day of great festivity,

When the Lamb was offered for our sins to free

Through His precious blood which flowed on Calvary,

Clothing us with righteousness and purity.

Dearest Jesus, Praises

sing my tongue and soul to Thee,

Sing, Hosanna, Amen."

"My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine,

For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;

My gracious Redeemer, My Saviour art Thou,

If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus 'tis now.

I Love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,

And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I'll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,

And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;

And say when the death-dew lies cold on my brow.

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,

I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;

I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now."

~May you all have a blessed Easter, knowing our Dear Saviour, Jesus Christ died for you and that all sins are forgiven in His Name and Precious Blood!

Oh, what a joyous time!

Things To Do This Spring

It's exciting to have a new season, especially one that is getting warmer and brighter after a long, dark winter.

Here are some simple things to do to make Spring fun and special.

1. Read "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. One of the best books I have ever read. It is wonderful to read it a little at a time to children, but just as good reading on your own.

It is a story about hope and friendship and when you are finished reading it, you will want a 'bit of earth' of your own.

2. Plant a garden. If you have never planted a garden, do not be afraid to start one this Spring! "The Square Foot Gardening" book by Mel Bartholomew is absolutely for everyone, whether you are a beginner or an ol' pro! You can visit the website at http://www.squarefootgardening.com/
I was overwhelmed just thinking about a garden, though I always wanted one, and this was the book that set me free.

We have 8-4 feet by 4 feet squares-1 for each of the children and the point was to have each take care of their own square.
You can make as many squares as you need.
You can have a square full of wonderful food even if you have limited space.

3. Go Fishing! We have a young fisherman in the family so we always make a point to get to Kensington Metropark to go fishing!

4. Make or buy a Spring wreath for your door. I've done both, but last year I found a beautiful one from Wal-Mart!

5. Buy a Bird's nest and use it in your decorating. We have a real one that was abandoned last fall, but you can get one from the local craft store.
Buy a little fake bird and some eggs to put in it and then find a green sprig from your own
yard and stick it into the nest, too.
It makes a beautiful centerpiece or decoration for a shelf, mantel or a bedside table.

6. Put some lemons and limes in a clear glass bowl and leave on the counter to use for your water, tea and for cooking.

7. Buy new kites and fly them with a loved one.

8. Find some good Middle-Eastern recipes, like tabouli, falafels, non-leavened bread, etc and have someone special over for Palm Sunday, which is this coming Sunday.

9. Make a terrarium. See www.bhg.com/terrariums.

10. Visit the local public gardens and butterfly house. Usually the Universities have these.

11. Go on a picnic.

12. Visit the farm to see the baby animals.

Have fun!

Spring

We are so excited that Spring is here.

We saw 1 week old baby lambs at the farm the other day and knew Spring HAD to be here!

God's own sign to us that indeed it is SPRING!

A time of renewal!

A time of refreshment!

A time of hope!

Here, again, is another poem that my sweet mother found for me!

Though she is a poet herself, she did not write this one.

We do not even have a title for it.

Here it is:

In the heart of a bulb

Is a promise of Spring.

In a little blue egg

There's a bird that will sing.

In the soul of a seed

Is a hope of the sod.

In the heart of a child

Is the Kingdom of God.

~Anonymous

Enjoy your Spring!

PS. The artwork is from Allposters.com and is called Spring Flowers c. 1851 by George Smith

Smile

Really quick, I want to tell you what me and my 4 youngest children learned in our Sanchin Ryu karate class last week!

Our number one weapon to use against a bully is:

SMILE!

They will surely wonder what we know that they don't know!

LOVE IT!

This one little tip was well worth the price of the class!

And we all know

that we all come across bullies no matter what our age!

And if that number one rule should ever fail?

We go to the number 2 rule:

Ishi-punch with the first 2 top knuckles right into the solar plexus!

LOVE IT!

Carol's Carrot Muffins

My Dear neighbor, Carol, brought over these DELICIOUS whole-grain agave-sweetened carrot muffins and EVERYONE loved them!

Even the pickiest eaters!

Of course, I HAD to get the recipe!

Here it is:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 t cinnamon

1 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

4+ carrots

2 large eggs

1/3 cup sucanat (natural sweetener from health food section)

1 t vanilla

1/2 c agave syrup (natural low-glycemic sweetener from health food section plus Costco is carrying it now at a great price!)

1/3 cup olive oil

Heat the oven to 375*F. Line or grease muffin cups and set aside.

Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Grate the carrots and stir together with the remaining ingredients. Stir the carrot mixture into the flour mixture. Divide the batter between the baking cups and bake until a skewer inserted into muffin center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Immediately remove muffins from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

12-16 muffins

163 calories, 5 grams of fat

Perfect for anytime of the day!

Very moist and tasty!