Churches, Reception venues, Wedding dresses, Shoes, Hair ‘n’ Makeup, Flowers, Favours, Caterers and menu’s, Invitations, Colour schemes…
Mid August is the desired date. Many people are saying that it can’t be done in such a short time… but we are pretty resourceful around here. Plus, it is off peak time. I don’t think it could be done in 10 weeks during spring or summer but in Autumn/Winter – yeah, we can do it.
This is all so exciting!
For 23 years I have been attempting to get quick, tasty yet nutritionally balanced meals on the table each night. I’ll keep you updated as to when I achieve that goal because I have not reached it yet. However I have a goal and a plan of how to achieve it. Here’s the plan along with my areas of focus:
I could eat grilled chicken and hokkien noodles every night. But I shouldn’t. Of course I have the perfect weekly meal plan and whilst it doesn’t always stay on schedule, just looking at it helps me to look further afield than grilled chicken.
Some people I know like to think of their weekly menu plan in themes, which can also makes for a great learning activity.
This is a good plan and obviously works well for some…I prefer to focus on protein as my main ingredient and then I cook from that depending upon what I have on hand. As an example:
I always cook a little extra so that John can take it for his lunch the following day. When I cook rice, pasta or beans I try to cook a little more so that the remainder can be used for lunches. I have organised my cookbook (printouts placed in plastic sheets in a 4 ring binder) according to the above types: chicken, fish, pasta/rice, beef/roo, eggs, legumes, salads, casseroles, soups, etc.
I’m able to tweak this plan depending upon the needs of the family. Tuesday and Wednesday meals are quick and easy night because we are out, taking boys to cadets and eating at all odd times of the night.
We try to have lots of fresh salad and/or veggies with each meal.
Wow, I sounds organised, don’t I? Believe me, the reality is much different. 😉
There used to be a day when housewives would cook a meat and three veg dish. I grew up on that. It’s just not the way that my brain thinks although I don’t know why. I like to ensure that we are getting a balance of lean protein, low starch veg, healthy fat and a starchy veggie, in that order.
Along with my weekly menu plan I try to buy seasonal. I also try to buy fresh produce at the organic produce shop but it is a few kilometre’s away and I don’t always get there (I have been car-less for several months) so I shop at the local green grocer’s where possible. Buying seasonal is often cheaper and there might be slightly less nasties (pesticides and other gunky sprays) on the produce. Not only that, but I believe God created foods to be grown and harvested in their own season. I’m no nutritionist nor a scientist but I think He might have been on to something with that whole design/creation thing. 😉
Do you have a weekly menu plan based around nutrition or do you just make it up as you go along? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
The happy couple
Further details will be announced as plans are made.
We could not be happier and are delighted about the upcoming marriage.
*C’mon, you know I don’t use names here.
Having a weekly menu plan is all well and good but some times it just doesn’t work. Well, not in my house anyway! This week is going to be one of those weeks where it doesn’t work. It is our ‘off pay’ week and we’re pretty stretched financially. I am not good at menu planning or cooking on a tight budget but I don’t have any choice in the matter. I can plan for it or eat bread and butter for the week. This type of week is where we Eat-Out-The Pantry or the Fridge. Basically the menu plans goes down the drain and I simply use everything from the fridge and pantry. Ah, the benefits of having a well stocked freezer!
Stocking the freezer is my strong point. I like to buy produce, especially meats, and put them in the freezer for later.
Problem: I do not like going into the freezer and defrosting meat.
Solution: Sadly I had to ask John to help me. He went through the freezer, told me what was there so I devised the menu plan. He even took some of it out for use early on in the week and then placed the meats for mid week closer to the front. We would obviously go hungry if he didn’t help me.
So what does our menu plan this week look like?
I make nutritious soups which are warm and filling and not too expensive so a bit of broccoli and zucchini will be all I need to buy at shops to get me through. I also have a packet of Aussie Soup Mix in the cupboard so can do something with that.
But what I really need is a quick, easy and tasty recipe using Turkey Sausages. Anyone?
Mix all filling ingredients together.
Mix cream, salt, pepper, nutmeg together. Spoon 2-4 TB of it onto base of lasagne dish. Cover with a layer of lasagne sheets. Spread half the filling over the lasagne sheets. Top with half the remaining cream mix, then sprinkle over some cheese.
Put another layer of lasagne on top, spread with remaining filling, then cream, then remaining cheese.
Bake in a moderate oven for 50 minutes.
Serve with a salad and crusty bread.
or
It’s a good question. Why am I am facebook? My husband despises FB… even that is an understatement. However it is important to not get caught up in social trends rather to know WHY I do the things I do. It’s important that I be deliberate and intentional in the online world.
I first joined many years ago… couldn’t figure it out so left it. Then I went back to give it another go. Being that little more familiar with it the second time around allowed me to understand how it works and see its potential. But that doesn’t tell you WHY I joined. I could see it was going to be all the rage. If it’s going to be the ‘in thing’ then chances are that one of my children will want to use it… therefore I wanted to know what it is all about- just like I know a little about tumblr, formspring, myspace, linkedin, bebo and all those other social networking sites. As a parent who allows their children onto the WWW, it is my duty to know where they hang out. I want to be realistic. The Internet is not going away, it’s here to stay. Like it or not. Same with facebook. If it’s not FB it will be some other site.
Yes, I spy on my children. I stalk them. And the point is…? Why wouldn’t I? I’m careful about their ‘real’ life and their online life is an extension of that so of course I would pay attention to it.
My family are getting sick of hearing this but facebook is not evil. It is a tool that can be used for good or evil. It can’t make me lazy but I can become lazy by avoiding work and being on FB. Is that FB’s fault or my fault? I actually find FB to be a lot like a mirror- it reveals things about people. And about me. Many people who only know me from softball may be surprised when they see me on FB, talking about faith, the Bible, natural health, homemaking and current events. But that is me- it is who I am.
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
~Hebrews 3:13
Nobody really wants nor needs to know that I plucked my eyebrows or burnt my new saucepan. And I think that kind of sharing is not only superficial but truly time wasting. Despite what others do and the media may tell you, FB is not only for uploading embarrassing photos and doing stupid things. I try to use it by encouraging fellow believers of the promises and the character of God. Sure they ‘know’ it but being reminded is never a negative thing.
“I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have”
2 Peter 1:12
Friends know that I am a questioner. I want to know why. One of my favourite sayings is “know why we do what we do”. So at times, I ask questions. Sometimes these questions aren’t ones that I am struggling with- sometimes they are designed to see how or WHY others do things the way they do. I like to know if other people understand WHY they celebrate Christmas in the way that they do… or WHY they spend money on the things that they do… or WHY they eat healthy food when it’s hard work.I know it challenges people… but it challenges myself even more.
I’ve found it to be helpful and effective for relating with my distant relatives. Why? Because it is neutral territory. They are free to be themselves and not put up a facade. My extended family has a long history of h*mos*xuality and drugs running right through it. God worked in the life of my mum to break this cycle and she was the first believer in her family… my dad and myself followed. Therefore I am ‘friends’ with some fairly *colourful* people on fb, as in real life. I know this has shocked a few people but FB is one neutral venue where some of them might actually listen/read my posts. I do not live as a separatist… my faith is not isolated and my life has many non believers in it. Yes, I live in the world but am not of the world. I know that many fellow believers do not agree and I’m fine with that. That is their life and God may have called them to it. Most of my fairly think I am a religious, goody-two-shoes nutter. But they still visit my profile 😉 I have had some fantastic, deep, gospel-filled discussions with colourful people on FB… discussions that I wouldn’t have had at church or in the street.
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
~1 Thessalonians 5:11
I’ve also shared (given and received) health information, homeschool information, photography tips, Internet security advise, homemaking tips and recipes on FB.
Sure, technology should not replace real life contact and relationships but really, isn’t that obvious? There are negatives to FB and other sites… but to adamantly avoid FB whilst spending hours perusing other blogs and loitering in forums is no better. Common sense is needed. Always. There is a lot be wary of and to be careful of with FB and any other social networking site or blog…. we should always use our common sense and realise that nothing that is anywhere on the Internet is ever truly private. There are still guidelines and netiquette to be observed. I would not want to hear of a major idea or event from my children through FB; a quick phone call is much better.
All in all I use FB as a way to encourage others, to receive encouragement, to learn about others so that I can love and care for them. Now if we’re talking Twitter, that’s a whole ‘nother story. I just can’t seem to get into it yet I know that others are blessed by it. Maybe I’m just too verbose for tweeting? 140 characters? Come on! That is just unreasonable. 😉
Blogging is great and there are loads of benefits but it isn’t always the right time in one’s life to get into blogging. Same with online forums… or FB. This chapter of my life sees me with older children so life is much different than when the children were younger. Honestly, I don’t know how some mums of younger children do it! I used to get sucked into forums- they were like a black hole that just gnawing away at my personal time. I became a mum where the *lights were on but no one was home*. You can read about it here… If this sounds like you, let me encourage you to stop your online activity and ask the Lord to renew your heart. He can and He will. I know.
Mind you whilst it might appear like I have ‘it altogether’ with this FB issue, I don’t. There have been times when I have deactivated my account and taken a FB sabbatical. I periodically cull my ‘friends’ list. I will ‘drop off’ the online planet for days or weeks at a time. Because real life and relationships come first for me.
If you do use FB or have decided to give it a go, head over here to Albert Mohler’s blog and look over his advice for social networkers.
Facebook is a tool … it can be used in a responsible way and give glory to God. How about you? Why do you use Facebook?
In the cooler months there is nothing better to warm cold bodies than a nutritious soup before the main meal or for lunch. I’ve also found that a healthy soup before the main meal tends to fill us up more thus we don’t eat quite as much, which is a positive. This dish is a favourite in our home. It is high in Vitamin C and even those that don’t like broccoli will love it.
Yield: 8 x1 cup serves
Time: 20 min
Bring water and stock cubes/powder to the boil in a large saucepan. Add broccoli, onion, garlic, sweet basil and pepper.
Return to the boil and simmer for 10 min.
When cool enough, puree in blender (or stick blender) and adjust the liquid until it equals 8 cups.
Reheat and add lemon juice and grated rind.
Serve with a slice of lemon on top.
Calories: 45
Protein: 2g
Fat: 1g
Carb: 7g
Fibre: 3g
I love quotes. Can you tell? I have them everywhere – in the home, posted on facebook, at the end of posts and on my phone. I never realised that quotes actually annoy some people. But they do! So if my posting quotes annoys you then maybe you can just ignore them. O:-)
Having said that I am a little fussy with quotes. One does have to be careful, you know. Not everyone is equally quotable. Some theologians and authors are more quotable than others. J.C. Ryle is very quotable as is R.C. Sproul but Geoffrey Bingham is not so. Yet each man states the truth in a unique, clear and definitive way. Some people just speak or write in a more quotable way than others. I wonder if more pastors will try to become ‘quotable’ in this modern era of sound bytes and tweets?
I’m not in favour of posting many Bible verses as it is too easy to ‘name and claim’ particular verses and take them out of context. Many times, especially when reading the Old Testament we need to read the entire book and know the 5W’s and a H about it – Who wrote it, to whom is was written, when was it written , why was it written, in what time and culture it was written and what was or should have been the response.
When I am reading a book, there will be a sentence or passage that really speaks to or encapsulates an entire thought in an articulate way. Those who know me well understand that I have always struggled with [not] being articulate so this is probably why I love quotes. Short and to the point without loads of waffle.
Another reason I post quotes is for my own encouragement and that of others. I love logging on to Facebook and seeing words of wisdom or snippets of truth pointing to God. This is truly a daily encouragement and builds up my faith. Yes it is a challenge to use social networking responsibly but isn’t that just a natural extension of our responsibility as a follower of Christ?
I am sorry to those few who think that I don’t post anything original but when other people have gone before me and said great truths so succinctly and carefully then they are worth quoting. Besides that, do you really want or need to know what I had for breakfast or that I washed my hair that day. Really? I wouldn’t find that very encouraging or edifying at all.
* See related download – Observation Sheet (using the 5 W’s and a H) and various ways to use it.
The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they are genuine.
~Abraham Lincoln
| Christian Internet Code of Ethics As a Christian who is active on the internet,
I hold myself to certain standards of conduct. They are:
For more information visit the Christian Internet Code of Ethics home page. |
Just a quick post to let you know that kerugma’s post updates are now available via facebook. You can click the kerugma/HomeGrownKids page or use the widget on the right hand side.
In the meantime, I updated the site to WordPress 3.1.2 and now a few things have gone haywire. Gotta love websites!
Were Adam and Eve sent to the Naughty Corner?
A Garden of Grace
If you’ve been reading your Bible for a few years I’m sure you’ll nod along in agreement when I ask if you have ever read a passage many times and yet one day, a point just jumps out and smacks you in the face. That happened to me again recently. I don’t know the amount of times we have read Genesis. We’ve read it, copied selected passages, read a few commentaries and read other works that tie in with it.
I’ve always known that God showed great grace in the garden of Eden. But this passage blew me away when I read it. I rushed to share it with my children the next morning.
The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.
Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”– therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 3: 21 – 24
I’ve always seen that God made the first sacrifice. Sin brings about death. We know that Adam and Eve deserved an instant death yet God slaughtered the substitute (which he provided) and covered the sinner’s shame. (Atonement)
But awhile ago, the Holy Spirit showed me something further of God’s grace. I’m sure it’s not new to you… and you might think it shouldn’t have been new for me having been a believer for over 20 years but this just slapped me in the face as I read it.
… Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever“– therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden…
The world yearns for eternal life… and that promise is for the believer in Christ Jesus- those who have salvation by His name. But can you imagine eternity in that fallen, depraved state? Imagine eternity with no hope of deliverance, filled with sin, removed from right relationship with God? Ugh! So God sent them out from the garden. He didn’t banish them as a punishment (He’s not SuperNanny sending us to the Naughty Corner) rather He was extending grace and mercy to them again. Banishing them from the garden was an act of merciful grace – thereby preventing them from being sustained forever (in their depraved, fallen state) by the Tree of Life. God the Provider. God the Protector.
And that is my life story too. Fallen, wicked, depraved and sinful was I, till He drew me unto Himself. He revealed Himself to me, leaving me with little choice but to believe and repent. (I could have seen the revelation of Him and tried to run but He is patient and gentle and brings things about in His right time) He provided me with a covering cloak through the atoning work of Jesus Christ- a substitute on my behalf.
I could write more and more about God’s merciful grace… but I’d rather you read the chapter again and dig into it anew, looking for God’s merciful grace in the beginning. And when you find it, please share with me.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
~Jude 1:24-25
I wanted to quit. Pack up my blog and stow it away in the cupboard. I feel like the proverbial square peg in a round hole. I’m not a homeschool blogger anymore. I’m not into crafts. I’m not a foodie blog nor a photography blog, nor a theological blog. I mainly just share our weekly life which is more like a family journal- quite boring if you’re not part of that family, I assume. I don’t fit into a blogging niche. Once upon a time I did, but that chapter is closed.
This site started very natural- as a natural extension of my participation on forums. I simply copied and pasted my replies here rather than rewrite them everytime a question was asked. So primarily, I blogged for me. And I’m happy for that. I don’t try to teach anyone… I just wanted to share. I don’t want to get into theological debates nor lead people astray with any wishy-washy or incorrect theology, so I simply stopped sharing what was on my heart. Yes, I do need to be careful with my words, but to allow that to prevent me from sharing is also questionable. I think I had become more concerned about appearing correct than actually sharing my walk despite the fact that I had previously written how I do not have all my theological ducks in a row.
I wanted to dig a hole and bury the site. And while John would respect my decision if I decided to go ahead with it, he really doesn’t want me to do that. I think he knows that I am the greatest beneficiary from my blog. He wants me to continue. He wants to see me write more. So I shall. I will share some of the things that I learn. They may not be 100% doctrinally correct but be patient with me, please.
I guess I’m back.