Wintery Wednesday!

This is one of the first days in I can't even remember how long that we haven't been able to go out for our walk. Making use of umbrellas on rainy days, a plastic cover on the stroller and bundling up we are able to go out for our walk in almost any weather. Today is just too nasty! It is snowing and we have had a flash freeze warning as well as a wind warning. It is gusting to 100 km. an hour and my hubby already had to fetch my big stroller out of the bushes as I usually leave it on the porch. He was unable to make it to work today and almost all the schools in our area are closed and no buses are running. The wind chill is -25. Brrrrrr! Growing up in northern towns I am pretty hardy when it comes to the cold but it is awfully chilly out there!

So today with 4 wild and crazy monkeys who aren't able to go outside we have made a cloud/wind craft, colored, did mazes, had homemade cinnamon rolls for snack and now I have set them up at the table in the kitchen to play playdough.

I have been able to bake two loaves of bread, do some laundry and tidy up the kitchen. Other than that not much is getting done, but refereeing and keeping monkeys busy!

I hope you are keeping warm where you are!

Blessings,
Liisa

Happy Birthday!

My little boy is 17 today! As a matter of fact he will turn 17 at 2 minutes to 2 this afternoon. I can't believe that it has already been 17 years! I am pretty sure he was just three years old and then I blinked and he's 17. I am so proud of him and the man he is becoming.

Happy Birthday Andy! I love you very much!

I am quite happy that I have the day off today as I will be baking a birthday cake and going out for lunch with my birthday boy. We will be taking him to a nearby city to the music store there to choose a gift on Saturday. My hubby felt it would be better for him to choose his own gift this year as he is very into guitar but may want to branch out into drums or a keyboard (This music store allows you to rent instruments or equipment and then if you choose to buy it at some point a portion of that comes off your purchase price so we plan to rent what he would like for 6 monthes as his gift so he can decide if he likes it or not then if he wants to buy it a portion is covered for him if not we can just return it.)or he may choose something else. The music store is like a big toy shop for him...and my hubby too!

Blessings,
Liisa

Put on a Happy Face

The last couple of days I have been feeling a bit out of sorts. I am tired of feeling that way when there is so much to be happy about! God is good! He is alive and working in my life! The sun is shining. I am blessed to have three little monkeys here this morning. I am also able to have the day off tomorrow to take my son out for lunch for his birthday just the two of us as my hubby has to work. I have a home full of love and a wonderful family, so what is there to be gloomy about? As the song says.....Put on a happy face!


Put On A Happy Face

Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!
Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!
And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!
Put on a happy face
Put on a happy face
And if you're feeling cross and bitterish
Don't sit and whine
Think of banana split and licorice
And you'll feel fine
I knew a girl so gloomy
She'd never laugh or sing
She wouldn't listen to me
Now she's a mean old thing
So spread sunshine all over the place
Just put on a happy face
So, put on a happy face


Happy Monday!

Blessings,
Liisa

Back To Bite Me On The Bum

Repeatedly in God's Word He warns about our tongues, about the things we say and how we act. I can vouch for how valuable that advice is. Have you ever had something you've said or done "come back to bite you on the bum?" Pardon the phrase, it is one of my Nanny's that has been popping into my mind alot lately as I have been experiencing alot of this. It is all over one incident 3 months ago when I spoke and acted without thought, based purely on the emotion of the moment. I apologized to the one I may have offended and repeatedly apologized to my Hubby for my actions. Unfortunately it seems some gossips have gotten a hold of this and blew it all completely out of proportion and it keeps coming back relentlessly to bite me on the bum!

How I wish I had kept my mouth shut and walked away no matter how hurt and upset I was at the time. Hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it?

Here is some of what God tells us about this.

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

Blessings,
Liisa

A Great Night

Last night was our first Titus Women meeting and it turned out great! We didn't have as many women as had signed up but it was still a lot of fun and a lot of wonderful tips and ideas were shared. We also were able to answer several questions and offer advice on some issues so it was a success as that is what we were hoping to accomplish with these meetings. That the older women would be able to teach and help the younger women and that we would all be able to learn from each other.

Some of the ideas shared were.....

To add a prayer section to your binder. In this section you could keep your prayer list and a list of answered prayers which can be very encouraging to look back on and see how the Lord has been working in your life.

To use one of the photo albums with the pockets for pictures to hold all your recipe cards.

To gather your children before dessert and have a "20 minute time bomb" which is where you all work as fast and as best as you can on a job like weeding the garden etc. for 20 minutes. When the timer goes off it's time for dessert. She also suggested that you could do this before snack time etc.

To clean as you go when you cook. My mother in law always has a sink full of hot soapy water when she cooks or bakes this saves so much time as things are dirty in they go so she never has to deal with dried on foods and when she has a minute she washes them up so by the time she is done cooking her kitchen is already clean.

To always put things away as soon as you are done using them.

To let your children do things for themselves and not try and be "super mom" and do every little thing for them so that when they grow up they will know how to do things for themselves.

To use a plastic sheet protector over your to do list page as well as planner sheets, menus etc. and use a dry erase marker to write on it then you can just wipe it off and reuse it over and over again.

To "go European" and not use a top sheet or blankets and just use a duvet with a cover. This is one I shared. I married a German and we use just the duvet with a cover on it and it saves so much time! You just straighten your pillows pull up the duvet and you are done. I also put a quilt over that as a bedspread but it is so much quicker and easier than making the bed the other way. Our pastor's wife said that she also enjoyed this when visiting their son and his wife in Germany.

To buy things when they are on sale. One of the ladies had three cans of soup with her and asked if anyone could tell the difference between the one can on the left and the two cans on the right. The difference was that the one on the left cost 99 cents and the two on the left cost $1.00 for both. The lesson - wait for sales and stock up.

I shared that when I worked at a creamery where they make salad dressing often the label changed but the recipe stayed the same. I also learned that only the least expensive brand of cucumber dressing to buy had actual cucumber in it! So sometimes it really is better to save the money and buy the less expensive brand.

I am looking forward already to next month's meeting where a wonderful lady from our church will be teaching us to make homemade soups!

Here are some pictures from the evening.....

The tables all set up and ready.


Supplies and Printouts.


Closer view of the binder etc. Sorry about the glare!


Next Month's Meeting.

Blessings,
Liisa

Titus Women Tonight!

Tonight is night! It is our first meeting of Titus Women. I am quite excited. We are making home management binders. Last night my friend and I went to the church and made hundreds of photo copies and set up the tables and supplies. I will try and remember to take some pictures to share tomorrow. I thought today I would share some of the section ideas that could be included in the binders.

Section Ideas
Calendar - Year at a glance and monthly. Use to plan ahead. Write all important dates, appointments etc. on the calendar for each month. Can also include in this section a weekly planner if you like. Printable ones are available at many sites online.

Schedules and Routines - Master daily schedule or routine.

Menus and Recipes - Menu planning, most used recipes, recipes to try, shopping lists, pantry and freezer lists.

Cleaning - Daily, weekly, monthly, semi annual and annual chore lists.
- Cleaning checklists for each room.
- Project list of big cleaning projects to get to. eg. cleaning the attic etc.

School Related - School papers, schedules, forms etc.

Child Related - One section for each child. Put in everything related to that child. List of friends, their phone numbers, addresses and parents names. also include a recent photograph so you can grab it quickly in an emergency. Could also include gift / wish lists etc.

Budget and Money Matters - Yearly, Monthly, Weekly. List of all bills. Numbers to call if cards are stolen, bank contact info. Frugal Living notes.

Projects, Craft and Decor Ideas - Put in any craft instructions, project ideas or thoughts for decorating your home. Could also have in here a selection of paint and fabric swatches. Magazine clippings etc.

Home - A running list of things you need or would like to have for your home, paint swatches of colors in your home, fabric swatches of your furniture and drapes. Measurements of your windows, doors, spot you would like to put a painting or furniture etc. so you will know when you shop if something will fit or match in an area of your home. Instructions for turning off the water and gas.
Numbers of your repair men, contractors, plumbers and electricians.

Exercise and Diet Records - Exercise schedule, diet plan, weekly loss/gain chart, measurements etc.

Bible Study - Bible reading schedule, notes, scriptures to remember etc.

Gifts - Who to buy for and when. Ideas. List of what you have given to each person so you don't buy them the same thing again by mistake.

Addresses and Phone Numbers

Misc. Notes

Herbs and Natural Remedies

Favorite Websites - You never know when your computer may die and you will lose your favorites list.

Books I'd Like to Read and Movies I Would Like to See

Notes to Remember
Outreach / Church Related

Emergencies - CPR guide, First aid notes, Emergency numbers, List of medications you take, In the event of your death notes - where the will is, lawyer information, etc.

Storage Notes - Where things are. Sometimes you put away things so well you can't find them again!

Seasonal Checklists

Hospitality Notes - I used to keep a note taped inside one of my cupboards that listed guests and what they took in their coffee or tea. After they visited the first time I never had to ask them again what they took. This would be an ideal place for such notes. Eunice also shared with me about a woman who had this section in her binder and used to write down guests and what she served for dinner so she didn't repeat it the next time. She also wrote down food preferences, allergies etc. You could also use this section to write down ideas you would like to do in the future for guests etc. like have a basket of snacks and treats in the guest room so if your company wants a late night snack etc. they don't have to worry about asking you for it. (Also nice to have bottled water and a glass at the bedside and you could also provide a basket of toiletries they may need but have forgotten)

Scratch Paper Use clips to attach some scratch paper inside your binder for quick notes, messages etc. tie a pen to your clip and you will be all set!


I'll share more about this tomorrow hopefully with some pictures from the event. Now I better get busy and bake the chocolate chip bars I will be taking for coffee time afterwards.

Blessings,
Liisa

Abortion

Since it has been 35 years since Roe vs. Wade there are many posts being written about abortion in the U.S. I thought I would post about abortion in Canada.

Canada has no legal restrictions on abortion.

Over 110,000 abortions are performed in Canada every year.

That is 30 abortions to every 100 live births.

The number of newborns placed into adoption each year is believed to be in the hundreds.

My heart breaks, it absolutely breaks to know that 110,000 babies are being murdered every year in our country alone. 110,000. So very sad.

It is also sad to know that so many loving couples would do anything to have a child of their own and are not able to. Many choose to adopt but waiting lists are very long. I would like to plead with women who are thinking of making the choice to kill their babies to please stop. There are so many wonderful couples that would love to raise that baby as their own, to love and care for them. Please let them.

Blessings,
Liisa