Eggnog

Proverbs 20: 1
" Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. "  ESV


Well, you won't be "led astray" by this nog.  I really enjoy eggnog this time of the year. My grandfather had an "adult" version that was the best ever. Around my house, the "adult" version won't cut it. I need something kid friendly and mother approved. I recently found a quart on at my local grocery store that I hadn't tried before. It was a brand that I usually don't purchase because of the price. It's organic and this particular egg nog was lowfat. What!? Lowfat!? Well, I have to confess, I really liked it. I actually found it a bit more "refreshing" (can you say that about eggnog?) than regular eggnog.  I will definitely buy it again.

Here's a pic of my grandfather last Thanksgiving surrounded by his great-grandchildren.
I know we're all going to be a little sad this year without him.

Here's my new fave family friendly eggnog!
Click on this link for their website and sign up for coupons

I even made some French toast with this eggnog last week and it was delicious. 

Eggnog French Toast 

2 large eggs

1/4 cup Horizon Organic lowfat Eggnog

1 tbsp of cinnamon-sugar (I make a bunch and keep it in a container in my pantry)

a dash of nutmeg

4 slices of honey wheat bread (you can use your favorite bread)

Whip eggs and eggnog together with a whisk or fork in a small baking dish until combined. Add in cinnamon-sugar and nutmeg.  

Heat a skillet or griddle and melt a pat of butter to grease pan. Dip both sides of bread into egg mixture and heat until golden brown on each side. Serve with more butter and warm syrup. 

Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.

This week as we look to towards the things that we are most thankful for, I pray we remember those that are gone; remembering the joy, laughter and and the blessings they brought to our lives, letting go of hurts and mistakes. I pray we look to those that are still with us, finding the good and looking past the bad. I pray we will be most gracious and thankful for new beginnings; for new loves , for new life, for fresh starts; always holding on to love and letting go of hate. Lord, we thank you for all of these blessings, past, present and future and sometimes even the blessings in disguise. Lord in all these things we give thanks. Amen. 

7

Matthew 18: 21-22
" Then Peter came and said to Him, ' Lord how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? '  Jesus said to him, ' I do not say to you, up to seven times, but seventy times seven. ' "

Thankfully, 490 "forgives" may cover the times I mess up daily! Conversely, I am convicted. Am I just as forgiving? Uh oh, maybe not so much. Forgive me (again), Lord. While I am quick to have my brother forgive me, I may need to work on extending that same blessing to my brother (Mom, I don't actually mean my "brother",  I mean my "brother in Christ"!). Lord, help me today not only to be more forgiven but more importantly more forgiving. Amen!

Now I have the number 7 in my head, so your are now going to read about the 7 things that I have been up to or thinking about for the last few days. Lucky you!

Michelle's Lucky 7 List

1.  Soup-
Oh my goodness, this is perfect! I made this soup for my family on Sunday. Thank you Pioneer Woman for another tasty recipe!

7-Can Soup- Pioneer Woman

2.   Christmas movies-
Hallmark Channel- Countdown to Christmas!! Sorry if you don't like to rush Christmas, but I'm already hooked on these wonderfully sappy movies!

3.  Golden Bough Tea-
I used to go to a church in a little town in Maryland that had an annual Christmas Bazaar, and they always serve this tea in their designated, complimentary "Golden Bough" tea room. I've been thinking that it would make a terrific hostess gift for the Christmas season. Here's another recipe.

 Golden Bough Tea
3/4 cup Lipton Instant Tea with Lemon
1/2 cup Tang Breakfast Drink
1 2/3 cup Country Time Lemonade Mix
1 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix ingredients. Store in jar with a tight fitting lid. Use 2 rounded teaspoons for each 8os. cup. 
Yield 11 cups. 

4.  Flannel shirts-
Loving the comfort and warmth and of course fashion of flannel shirts this season. Here are a couple of my faves from Talbots.

Buffalo-Check & Snowflake Shirt- Talbots

Brushed Twill Festive Plaid Shirt-Talbots

4.  Fair Isle-

Love fair isle anything. Here are some cute pj's from Victoria's Secret that make me happy!

Fireside Long Jane Pajama-Victoria's Secret

5.  Gingerbread cookies-
 For whatever reason, I don't bake them (it seems like a lot of work!). Here's what I usually eat.

When I had #7 (how appropriate!) I craved these! So delicious.
Gingerman-Pepperidge Farm

When you want to bake something easy with the kids, here it is.
I just roll out the dough and use my own cookie cutters and sugar sprinkles.
Gingerbread Cookies- Pillsbury

Guilty pleasure! These are a soft cookie individually wrapped. Great for lunch boxes and stockings.
Little Debbie- Christmas Gingerbread Soft Cookies

6.  Nail wraps-

I just had some Jamberry nail wraps on for over a week, and they still looked good. I really want to get these babies next...

The red plaid is Friday Flannel.
The black and white wraps are Into the Woods.
Both can be found on this Jamberry link- Jamberry

7.  Pioneer Woman (again!)-

My salt shaker broke last week and my husband replaced my set for me. I'm currently obsessed with The Pioneer Woman collection at Walmart. I got this salt and pepper shaker, and now I'm hoping to update my everyday dinnerware. 

Love them!
The Pioneer Woman Flea Market Salt & Pepper Shaker- Walmart

Well that's it. 7 Things that I can't get enough of right now. I hope you take a minute and click on the links and check them out. What's on your mind? I'd love to hear about it. Please take a moment and make a comment below.

I pray you have 70 x 7 reasons to be joyous today!

R'oad to joy

Romans 15: 13
" May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. "

This is good stuff! I think this is going to be my verse throughout the Christmas season this year. Joy has been an underlying theme for me this year. Not just happiness, not just laughter, or mirth or fun: J-O-Y. Look it up in the dictionary. It's better than happy. I pray that each one of you experiences pure joy in this season of thankfulness and into the new year.

This year Christmas decor in my house is going to be minimal, natural (ish), and homemade (for the most part). I want my home to be comfortable and welcoming, but in an effort to pare down things in the storage areas of our home,over the summer, most of my Christmas decorations were moved to a storage unit (long story), and if I bring them back home it would defeat its intended purpose. I don't want to replace them all (that also defeats the purpose) but, I still want a festive home.

Here are a few things I'm considering that are affordable and will help to fill my home with the joy and warmth of the season.

So fun, and the reds and browns will be perfect in my living room.
Car Applique and Embroidery Pillow- Target

I love this burlap pillow from Walmart and what a great price!
Burlap Pillow with Pinecone Detail- Walmart

I love this banner I found on Etsy.

This pretty much sums it up for me!
Burlap Banner form RagsandBerries- Etsy

Now this says warmth!
Threshold Throw Novelty- Target

I love that most of these items can be part of my everyday decor throughout the winter season. And too, that they are all under $20! Win, win! Now if that doesn't at least start to make you happy, I'm not sure what will.

I pray your weekend brings you ...JOY!

Torn

Matthew 27 :51
"At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split "


This verse comes right after our Lord and Savior calls out his last. The symbolism of the curtain in the temple being torn in two, is that the curtain separated the "Holy of Holies, the part of the temple where the spirit of God was, from the part of the temple that the people would worship and pray. Thus separating God from man. When Jesus took his last breath, He took away that separation, giving us access to our Father. Jesus paid the price for our sin, through His death and resurrection. As we prepare for the upcoming Christmas season, remember God with us, Emmanuel, is truly the reason for the season. Amen.

I'm feeling a bit "torn" today. I don't want to rush the Christmas season, I want to enjoy fall and Thanksgiving; but I want to be prepared for all of the joy of Christmas. Torn (just a little). So today, I'm going to at least get some lists together. Gift lists, Menus, decorating and activities. I'm also going to need my calendar to make sure I have scheduled my time. I may even put on some Christmas music to put me in the mood. While I don't want to rush away the abundance and thankfulness of this season, I certainly don't want to miss out on the peace and joy of the next.

Here's a link from one of my favorite blogs, StoneGable to help you get started.

Love, love this blog!

And here's a pic to help motivate me to get going on those lists!

This was truly a home-made Christmas from 2013.
All of the decorations on the tree were handmade by all of my children (all 7 of them!) over the years.
And... I made all of the stockings, too, with felt and scraps of fabric (it's really super easy).

I hope you've found a a little inspiration and a few good tips. What are you doing to prepare for the upcoming holidays? Please comment below (click on the comment link) and share, I'd love to hear from you.

 I pray today you enjoy the present, but look towards the future.

Led by the Spirit

Romans 8: 14
" For those that are led by the Spirit of God, are children of God. "


When I started writing this blog on January 1st  of this year, I didn't really know what to expect. I do know that it was a lesson in courage, in failure, in triumph, in spirit. A lesson of faith. I want you to know that I have no agenda. I write what I feel led to write. I pray, I read, I write. It's just that simple. What I have been convicted of is that I am to lead off each post with scripture. Some days I have no idea what I am to write about, some days I don't write that well, some days I think, "why did I write that?!", and then I get a word from a friend or family member and know why. Conversely some days I think I've "hit a homerun" in my writing, Pulitzer Prize winning stuff, and it just falls flat. Nothing!
It takes some amount of courage to put your thoughts and feelings and beliefs in writing and then show them to all of your friends and followers on facebook and twitter, etc. Some of these people have only known you as a child, or a teen, a daughter, a niece, a wife, a mother, a friend from work. Showing them an intimate, personal, faithful person is tough. I'm not perfect (most definitely), I mess up a whole lot and I'm not the person I once was. I'm still me, but I've grown and matured in my faith. I also might even miss the mark sometimes on what I try to convey about my faith. You might not agree with me. I may not be the theologian you were looking for (please look somewhere else if you're looking for that!), but I feel called/led to share my personal experiences so that you might seek to know the perfect One, who challenges us and leads us all.
I pray today that you do continue to seek and know our loving Father, our Lord, our Savior, our Mighty God. Amen!

My dear friend started her own blog this week. Please take a moment to read it and follow her posts as she writes them. She is a wonderful example of a Christian wife, mother and friend. She is a faithful woman of God and (bonus!) she's my "Jiminy Cricket", when it comes to fitness. Check out FitFaith.

I'll leave you with  these lyrics from a song by Raffi today (I've got it stuck in my head, lol!).

You Gotta Sing

You gotta sing when your spirit says sing,
You gotta sing when your spirit says sing,
When your spirit says sing,
You gotta sing right along,
You gotta sing when your spirit says sing.

You gotta shout when your spirit says shout,
You gotta shout when your spirit says shout,
When your spirit says shout,
You gotta shout right out loud,
You gotta shout when your spirit says shout.

You gotta wiggle when your spirit says wiggle,
You gotta wiggle when your spirit says wiggle,
When your spirit says wiggle,
You gotta wiggle like a worm,
You gotta wiggle when your spirit says wiggle.

You gotta shake when your spirit says shake,
You gotta shake when your spirit says shake,
When your spirit says shake,
You gotta shake like a snake,
You gotta shake when your spirit says shake.

You gotta dance when your spirit says dance,
You gotta dance when your spirit says dance,
When your spirit says dance,
You gotta dance right along,
You gotta dance when your spirit says dance.

Read more: Raffi - You Gotta Sing Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Pumpkin Spice Everything!

Proverbs 31: 6

"Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; " ESV


I can surely get behind this scripture. Amen! I can't function in the morning without my coffee, it often feels like perishing. In the afternoon, not so much perishing, but languishing would be a better word, so every now and then I brew a second pot of coffee. Yesterday was one of those days for sure. So after I spied this recipe in my inbox from kraftrecipies.com, I had to try it out. Be sure to stir the coffee after it is brewed, I was so anxious for a cup I skipped that step and it really is necessary to blend the milk and sugar. 

MAXWELL HOUSE Pumpkin Spice Latte

Prep Time

10min.

Total Time

10min.

Servings

4 servings, 1 cup each

ADD TO RECIPE BOX

What You Need

• 1/2 cup MAXWELL HOUSE Ground Coffee 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 qt. (4 cups) water

Recipe found on kraftrecipe.com.

I pray that your day is filled to the brim with the one who gives you life eternal!

Make It

• Place coffee and spices in filter in brew basket of coffee maker.
• Add milk and sugar to empty pot of coffee maker.
• Add water to coffee maker; brew. When brewing is complete, stir until blended.

Blah, blah, blah!

1 Corinthians 14: 8
" For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? " NKJV


Let me clear this up for you, so you are certain. I don't want my trumpet to make an uncertain sound. "...Jesus Christ is Lord,... "Philippians 2:11, "... No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6  Are we clear? Good.

I am not feeling very clear today, or for the past week. I've had a lingering cold. Cough, congestion, all the fun, yucky stuff. I'm feeling...blah! I tried to perk myself up, put on a little make-up, put on something cute. Didn't work. I want to stay in my sweats and just sleep for a few days, with a hot cup of tea and some chicken soup. Am I clear now? Good. Unfortunately, that's not an option. Blah.

On Friday, I was looking forward to the holiday's (see this post). I can't get one image out of my mind (click here for link), and on a day when I'm feeling so blah, I would love to have a setup like this in my house.

This hot cocoa bar seems so inviting. I would love to see tea and coffee here, too.
(Image found on this link)

Having vignettes like this around your house makes it feel warm and cozy. I am inspired to put up a small table and try something like this in my own home (I know the perfect spot!). 

I pray your week is not...blah. And, I pray that you find comfort and peace and clarity in your day!

Anticipation...

Philippians 3: 13
" Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken ahold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, "


The title of these last few paragraphs in Paul's letter to the Philippians is " Press on Toward the Goal ".  I love it! Yes, we suffer setbacks all of the time (in my case nearly everyday, lol!), but we press on, " forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead". I love it that even Paul doesn't feel he is perfect (I know he isn't truly perfect, that distinction is saved for Christ).  Press on my friends, forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead: the call, the promise, the prize of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of months. I have Thanksgiving, Birthdays, my 15th Anniversary, Christmas and then another New Year!! I love the anticipation of the holiday's. They hold for me hope of family, togetherness, home, and of peace and comfort and joy. Here are some things that I really want to do in my own home this holiday season.

1. Host a family meal...for all of us (if at all possible...)

(photo source)

2. Have an anniversary date night with my hubby!

Holiday lights and a gourmet coffee would be heaven!
Image found on Pinterest

3. A day at the spa for my birthday, aaahhh.....

Image found on Pinterest

4. Christmas jammies for the crew! 

I found similar jammies at Target.com for the whole farmily. Click here.
Image found on Pinterest

5.Simple homemade decorations and gifts. I found a couple of links for this, so many great ideas and preferences.

Click here for link.
Image found on Pinterest.

Click here for link
Image found on Pinterest

6. And here's another link for a family friendly New Year's celebration.

Click here for link
Image found on Pinterest

I pray you are full of anticipation for things yet to come, through the holidays and even throughout your day!

Just enough

Matthew 6:11
" Give us this day our daily bread. "


Yup, it's really in the Bible. It's not just something we say in church or at bedtime. Actually, the Lord's prayer is in the Bible a couple of times: in Matthew and in Luke. Good things bear repeating.  The Lord's prayer is actually a wonderful outline of how to pray. So if you are not sure how to start praying you need look no further than your Teacher, your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

I hate to admit it, but I am often running on fumes paycheck to paycheck. I am always amazed at how the Lord provides. Sometimes He uses others to help out, like an odd job or an unexpected gift. Sometimes it's just as simple as going through the checkout in the grocery store, and finding you have just the right amount to purchase your bread and milk. Thank you, Lord, for providing for us all that we need.

On Saturday, I had to bring a dish to share to the Halloween party (not just me, everyone!). So, I went to a favorite fall dessert recipe. I found it last year on Pinterest and have taken it to game day parties and even to Mom's Thanksgiving meal for dessert (trust me, one of many desserts on Thanksgiving). It is a "dump" cake recipe, but it tastes more like an upside-down pumpkin pie. Delicious!

Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake

Ingredients:

1 can (15 0z.) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)

1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk

3 large eggs

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 box Spice Cake Mix

1 cup butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon until well-combined. It will be very liquid-y.

Pour this pumpkin mixture into a baking dish.

Sprinkle dry cake mix on top of pumpkin mixture.

Now take melted butter and drizzle all over the top.

Bake for about 55-60 minutes.

It might still be just a bit jiggly in the middle when done. It will continue to set up as it cools.

Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Be sure to refrigerate any leftovers.

I like to heat each piece up in the microwave for a few seconds before serving since I enjoy eating it warm.

Dollop each serving with a bit of whipped cream.

Enjoy!

www.thecountrycook.net

Copyright 2012

I hope you give it a try. Of course, I also enjoy the leftovers for breakfast with my coffee!! I prefer to reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds, but it's delicious right out of the fridge, too.

I pray today that you have everything you need, and that you are blessed to know that you have

so much more!!

All saints

1 Corinthians 14: 33
" For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. "

I Sing a Song of the Saints of God

They loved their Lord so dear, so dear, 

and his love made them strong; 

and they followed the right for Jesus' sake 

the whole of their good lives long. 

And one was a soldier, and one was a priest, 

and one was slain by a fierce wild beast; 

and there's not any reason, no, not the least, 

why I shouldn't be one too. 

They lived not only in ages past; 
there are hundreds of thousands still. 
The world is bright with the joyous saints 
who love to do Jesus' will. 
You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store, 
in church, by the sea, in the house next door; 
they are saints of God, whether rich or poor, 
and I mean to be one too. 

Just to clear things up, for you...a saint is someone who loves the Lord and one who follows God. I love this old Hymn, I Sing a Song of the Saints of God. Here in verses 2 and 3 it clears things up for you if you were confused.  So as we honor the saints on "All Saints Day" who have passed before us, we can be assured, if we have family and friends that loved the Lord, we should honor them as saints. "And there's not any reason, no, not in the least, why I shouldn't be one too."!! Lord, help me to be one too!

We are bursting at the seems with candy here. We had such a fun weekend. My husband ended up dressing nicely for the party, and I ended up with my "true blue" police costume. We're going to be better prepared next year. My children were very creative and just precious (if I do say so myself!). I've added a few pics from the weekend.

We had a great time at the party. The hostess had a "photo booth" set up.
 So fun for the children and adults!!

Pre-trick or treating at my mom and dad's house.
Ninja, Tigger and Aladdin.

My 12yr old (on the left) and her "bestie". Sponge Bob and Patrick!

I pray your week is a good one. And, as you meet others in school, on the street, in the store, in church, by the sea, or in the house next door; show them the love of God, that you may be counted among the saints too!!