tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56413003286629654112024-03-13T03:45:43.100-05:0031 Cups...Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5
Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-85320716731935759552013-07-02T09:41:00.002-05:002013-07-02T09:41:48.153-05:00And I'm Back!<span style="font-size: large;">Hello Dear Friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What was an unintended mini hiatus has turned into two months away from my Blog-dom. Yikes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Between the packing, unpacking, settling, learning, searching, vacationing, adjusting, gardening and all the living that has been happening around here the Blog had to be put on that back burner for a bit. We also squished in a wedding, two family reunions, a visit with great grandma, multiple softball and baseball games, a bit of sewing, a whole lot of a homemaking, and an enormous amount of yardwork. We are very blessed to have found a beautiful rental farm house on the edge of a town the size of pig's eyelash and I couldn't be happier with it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">God is Good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the Time.</span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><i> <span class="text Ps-68-19" id="en-NRSV-14920">Blessed be the Lord,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-68-19">who daily bears us up;</span></span></i></span><span class="indent-1"><span style="color: #741b47;"><i><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></i></span><span class="text Ps-68-19"><i><span style="color: #741b47;">God is our salvation.</span><span class="selah"><span style="color: #741b47;"> Selah</span></span></i></span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-68-19"><i><span class="selah"><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></span></i></span></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-68-19"><i><span class="selah"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;">~Psalms 68:19</span></span></span></i></span></span></blockquote>
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Pictorial Time Line: (May through June, including our vacation that was pre-emegency-have-to-leave-your-home planned. :))<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></span><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bless the Lord, O my soul.</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i> O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty,</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i> You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use,to bring forth food from the earth, </i></span><br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;">~Psalms 104: 1,14</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Blessings, Gretchen :) </i></span></div>
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<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-49357415607278265912013-04-30T10:35:00.000-05:002013-04-30T10:35:55.986-05:00For the Bible Tells Me So<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">What I have been up to.................. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Packing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are moving to a beautiful rental farmhouse on the edge of a pretty little (and I mean little) town just a few miles down the road from our current home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had been looking for a new home for some time due to my husband's job which takes him out of town. The thought had been to find a home in a more <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">central</span> lo<span style="font-size: large;">c<span style="font-size: large;">ation. </span></span></span>With our blended family things like a move are never an easy decision. We weren't in a huge hurry but we had been discussing it. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfALQhfTteIVHL6A49BhvhSrC03hF4LQU1UWEVe3ReWWp6PXqquHRIdpSCoLUI4L5bxIei0dSJV5EavSop0__AghoGZoobA6HrtHxOA7-TxWTY2XkU5pFZz8IpM5fq_mN6igAe7eeZoiYl/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfALQhfTteIVHL6A49BhvhSrC03hF4LQU1UWEVe3ReWWp6PXqquHRIdpSCoLUI4L5bxIei0dSJV5EavSop0__AghoGZoobA6HrtHxOA7-TxWTY2XkU5pFZz8IpM5fq_mN6igAe7eeZoiYl/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have found ourselves in a bit of a pickle.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This move was not however to get us all that closer to The H<span style="font-size: large;">ubs</span> but instead to move us to a home that is more rural (which we wanted), puts both Pirate Rob and Princess Peony in the same high school (life will be easier), gives us a transition house while we decide what our next step is with his job (there is a possible promotion in a city even farther away than he is driving now), and most importantly because what we thought was a small fix-it problem in our house has turned out to be a HUGE hidden problem. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A problem we actually can not fix and must in fact leave our house so as to not potentially damage our bodies. We are leaving behind or throwing away many of our things. We are having to clean and vacuum everything that can leave with us. It has been a taxing, frustrating, humbling, exhausting, and emotionally wrenching experience. We are having to trust God, trust others, and ride out this storm to keep our family intact and healthy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Through it all, God is in control and we as a family will grow closer to Him and each other as we sort through the next few months. My mantra has been Philippians 4:13:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NRSV-29439">I can do all things through <span style="font-size: large;">H</span>im who strengthens me.</span></i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">and Matthew 19:26</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-19-26" id="en-NRSV-23787">But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”</span></span></i> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In my darkest moments when I was snot nosed crying out to God for a deliverance of this mess, when I was a swollen<span style="font-size: large;">, </span>red-eyed mess begging Him to wave His hand and make it all go away and disappear for me, I could not hear Him. My heart was so full of pain and anguish and frustration that I could not see a light at the end of this dark cave we are in. My pain, my hopelessness clouded my vision and deafened my ears. I was trying to fix it myself, to find anyway to keep us from having to give up our home, our things, and </span><span style="font-size: large;">all </span><span style="font-size: large;">the stuff. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was trying <span style="font-size: large;">t</span>o protect my pride. What will people say? What will they think? Is this mess my fault? Wh<span style="font-size: large;">y didn't I know? I can't let anyone know... It is <span style="font-size: large;">humiliating</span>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe what He was saying was simply... <i>Wait. Wait and let Me work. Wait and let me lead. Wait for I know what is best. I will keep your family together. I will get groceries on your table. I will find you furniture. I will find the funds you need.<span style="font-size: large;"> I will grow your love for me.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I Will. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My job is to obey. Though it seems crazy. Though it is painful. Though I can not know the end result or even hear His voice there is a knowing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A knowing that it will be okay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do I know? Because the Bible tells me so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Jesus loves me this I know </i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>For the Bible tells me so!</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Little Ones to Him belong;</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>They are weak</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>But He is strong. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yes, Jesus loves me!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yes, Jesus loves me!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yes, Jesus Loves me, </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Bible tells me so!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For He Will Take Care of Everything Be<span style="font-size: large;">cause He <span style="font-size: large;">Loves ME</span></span>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-6-25"><sup class="versenum">25 </sup>“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? </span> <span class="text Matt-6-26" id="en-NRSV-23309"><sup class="versenum">26 </sup>Look
at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more
value than they? </span> <span class="text Matt-6-27" id="en-NRSV-23310"><sup class="versenum">27 </sup>And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? </span> <span class="text Matt-6-28" id="en-NRSV-23311"><sup class="versenum">28 </sup>And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, </span> <span class="text Matt-6-29" id="en-NRSV-23312"><sup class="versenum">29 </sup>yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. </span> <span class="text Matt-6-30" id="en-NRSV-23313"><sup class="versenum">30 </sup>But
if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you
of little faith? </span> <span class="text Matt-6-31" id="en-NRSV-23314"><sup class="versenum">31 </sup>Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ </span> <span class="text Matt-6-32" id="en-NRSV-23315"><sup class="versenum">32 </sup>For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. </span> <span class="text Matt-6-33" id="en-NRSV-23316"><sup class="versenum">33 </sup>But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><i><span class="text Matt-6-34" id="en-NRSV-23317"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup class="versenum">34 </sup>“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. ~ Matthew 6:25-34</span></span></span></i></blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Surviving</span></td></tr>
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Always Blessed,</div>
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Gretchen :)</div>
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-48769407556595060482013-04-15T15:59:00.000-05:002013-04-15T15:59:23.519-05:00Muddled Marriage ~ The Marriage Pillow Journal<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaoQXpDXq36u8xKSkkdTLPKbnKfCGZTUc19LlKr5C_SwTgaPrFpTdDopuLk1ah9NXsUYDImLp9nGNT_tBOXuEBLT_rS0O0IuGI5zVy9qqQsq-C1Cpwoi0XdCjpey3XDiyb33dznfJ14uS/s1600/this+and+that+and+journal+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaoQXpDXq36u8xKSkkdTLPKbnKfCGZTUc19LlKr5C_SwTgaPrFpTdDopuLk1ah9NXsUYDImLp9nGNT_tBOXuEBLT_rS0O0IuGI5zVy9qqQsq-C1Cpwoi0XdCjpey3XDiyb33dznfJ14uS/s320/this+and+that+and+journal+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few months ago I came across a post about connecting with kids by using a Pillow Journal. For the life of me, I can not find that post to give credit for this amazing tool we have been using in our home. I think I will be writing soon about how the kids and I journal to each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This post though is about how The Hubs and I have begun using a <b>Marriage Pillow Journal</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My wonderful husband works about 2 hours away from us. He is gone more than half the week. We never expected our married life to be spent living in different zip codes most of the time. We did not expect to sleep in different beds. We did not expect to have to discuss discipline issues over the webcam. We never thought that we would spend so much time physically apart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, life has a way of sometimes throwing a curve ball and we are asked to adjust to the pitch. God is in control. My husband has work when many don't. My children are clothed and our bellies full. So for a time and in this season we live apart, often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This means that we have to get creative with our communication. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am a talker. I like to talk things out. <span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately</span>, <span style="font-size: large;">w</span>hen The Hubs is gone at work I <i>can not</i> call him 15 times a night to chat about all the 'stuff' that is going on in our family. I <i>can't</i> always call and vent to him. I also <i>don't</i> have the privilege of being able to talk it out and hand off an especially difficult child for discipline when he comes home from work. He might not be home for three more days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDrN8Mo2G103nPIeWqD07yak0j_ZaVS6x5h3MQYleV0zIL1_j9-rfmGSFHPbjI37H-g4Q9coDPi2PpzE96qmKI6kfZmug9L7l_BDc_zYnoNf4EMouh0Je8c9U-C0MF9vDwKgjaTzwRaa9/s1600/this+and+that+and+journal+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDrN8Mo2G103nPIeWqD07yak0j_ZaVS6x5h3MQYleV0zIL1_j9-rfmGSFHPbjI37H-g4Q9coDPi2PpzE96qmKI6kfZmug9L7l_BDc_zYnoNf4EMouh0Je8c9U-C0MF9vDwKgjaTzwRaa9/s320/this+and+that+and+journal+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Lord has blessed me with some talent and so I am a bit o<span style="font-size: large;">f a </span>writer. When life is exciting, busy, or feeling<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>out of control I may not be able to talk to my partner. But, I can write it down. I <i>can </i>write it out better, with more feeling, and often with more foresight and thought given to my words. I <i>can</i> vent in a more cohesive way and usually get to a solution by the end of my journal entry. If not, at least I have a record of my thoughts and feelings and any Biblical help on the subject that I have come across. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So enters the <b>Marriage Pillow Journal</b>. It is my way of keeping up with all the things that I should say to him, but can't fit into a 12 minute Skype session. The things I can't text to him. The daily or weekly or monthly life stuff that happens along and can get left in the dust in ou<span style="font-size: large;">r</span> short time spent together.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXnFwJgMlOgMx0xv4ANi7podDr9vHwhN_dzzCMGUN6TwDICKD_ToHWCn7uiyXjB8qjKsJutK7ZxVbJ0tX5y1fBYQtrOLmmafjn9Mx7-SOVjeiSfKIhmMJqGiCmONduEGYZ2VFr-hydysi/s1600/this+and+that+and+journal+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXnFwJgMlOgMx0xv4ANi7podDr9vHwhN_dzzCMGUN6TwDICKD_ToHWCn7uiyXjB8qjKsJutK7ZxVbJ0tX5y1fBYQtrOLmmafjn9Mx7-SOVjeiSfKIhmMJqGiCmONduEGYZ2VFr-hydysi/s320/this+and+that+and+journal+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can leave The Hubs long drawn out letters about how I am feeling about Prince Ray and his behavior, our day at homeschool group, or about how I am wishy-washy about a curriculum choice. I can write mushy love letters with notes about the awesome things he did for me that melted my heart the last time he was home. I can leave verses to mediate on. Amazing thoughts (well amaz<span style="font-size: large;">ing to me)</span> I had during the day. Silly quotes from movies or pri<span style="font-size: large;">vate jokes we share. </span>Ideas about our future, the kids, church life or when we should get vacation planned. When we are in a disagreement over something I can put my heart feelings to paper and apologize for my stubbornness or state my case. The go<span style="font-size: large;">al is to </span>get it off my chest and then rest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can write it down. Pray for us. And then place it under his pillow for when he returns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now here is the best part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those birthday card love notes, valentine flowers and anniversary dinners from The Hubs have got nothing on a pen scrawled notebook love note.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, I love those kind of thoughtful gifts. Who doesn't like a card and chocolate now and then? But, there is something so special about reading my lover's words. I can savor each one. Read it over and over. I am reminded of those first tender feelings we had for each other. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhzt7AAOU_Z4VV8IrXKjiuNYLlXFUjR_BMujjNR02EXIXeux8LtjkKdcOiJLG9wj8MOMvotxG9ZsVEks6peMumHVZjLY6Qmkwt4qJ2d8dcasJ1wKHzzNGdcSUs6Ag8cGJeAfZkIIsEcjF/s1600/this+and+that+and+journal+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhzt7AAOU_Z4VV8IrXKjiuNYLlXFUjR_BMujjNR02EXIXeux8LtjkKdcOiJLG9wj8MOMvotxG9ZsVEks6peMumHVZjLY6Qmkwt4qJ2d8dcasJ1wKHzzNGdcSUs6Ag8cGJeAfZkIIsEcjF/s320/this+and+that+and+journal+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can search in between the sentences for signs of need in my partner. Does he need more words of encouragement? Is he feeling stressed or concerned about work? Have I offended him and didn't know it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I then turn this around. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As much as I enjoy <span style="font-size: large;">receiving</span> a note ending in:<i> I thank God that He lead me to you!</i>, The Hubs enjoys a note giving him affirmation and thanks. Can I let him know how much I appreciate him? Can I empathize with his work stress and write a prayer for him? Can I apologize if I have hurt him? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My words are longer. My stories often more wordy. My handwriting terrible. But he has warmed to the idea and now enjoys reading my thoughts all put down on paper, <b>just for him</b>. A moment carved out of my time with intent to communicate numerous things to him. Simply because I love him and want to share with him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">His words are short and to the point. His sentences less decorative but so powerful. My heart gladdens when he writes to me because I know it comes less easy for him and therefore it means so much more. I love it when he writes to me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApTam-FaL-Hkwt5hziHurUSCAalqPJfOM0G-1hAPMxKDWPVcHLPzUZ3ARt1c0OvE2oHKyN-ht8ApwO9dEnHx4E7kmh8NjUtMx6YXmMKo4dXUhjyLLlwPJ0E408QFM7s48naPBU1lNJmft/s1600/this+and+that+and+journal+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApTam-FaL-Hkwt5hziHurUSCAalqPJfOM0G-1hAPMxKDWPVcHLPzUZ3ARt1c0OvE2oHKyN-ht8ApwO9dEnHx4E7kmh8NjUtMx6YXmMKo4dXUhjyLLlwPJ0E408QFM7s48naPBU1lNJmft/s320/this+and+that+and+journal+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the cost of a five subject spiral bound notebook you can have an enormously useful tool for keeping marriage connected... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">......and a bit less muddled. </span></div>
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Always Blessed,<br />
Gretchen :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Possibly Linking With: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/" target="_blank">Raising Arrows</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/" target="_blank">The Better Mom Monday Link Up</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/">Frugally Sustainable</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/" target="_blank">Far Above Rubies</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://judithwholeheartedhome.com/" target="_blank">Wholehearted Home</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://courtshipconnection.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtship Connection</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.amamasstory.com/" target="_blank">Mama Moments Mondays</a> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-70360783313460498032013-04-11T01:35:00.001-05:002013-04-11T14:11:03.256-05:00Hey Stepmom...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YCWIAfvSFGaWZdbepiHMhRU10MRJ4bmzhaBT5jr0Ou5YZ86v-lNqjJejwabFOKbJmAJeh67RNfUDjVLxdJ9AI7QoCnVWW_hDh9BGZY6FCgp8p7qBHKC2TwoS8JAL5X8QmJ9KTRK6QmkL/s1600/stepmom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YCWIAfvSFGaWZdbepiHMhRU10MRJ4bmzhaBT5jr0Ou5YZ86v-lNqjJejwabFOKbJmAJeh67RNfUDjVLxdJ9AI7QoCnVWW_hDh9BGZY6FCgp8p7qBHKC2TwoS8JAL5X8QmJ9KTRK6QmkL/s1600/stepmom2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stepmom.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A word that comes with such visuals I shudder to use it. In fact I never describe myself as a stepmom.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What comes to mind? Come on... you know.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Disney had a hook in which Stepmother was hung and it wasn't decorated with roses and pretty ivy. You can see her. Can't you?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAOXxYgmygTfJjt88ysAQO7mqA4nDavsAyg6zgr-iL5J-DaJ8Ftz_BIaNJfoi-sGyj8qVVVKVmIfPG-6hOiuIM6JyPfl_983_nyWPa2NlyzUKJoCsg_rvzujkZZkvJwsiiLD5xVXVmrKJ/s1600/stepmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAOXxYgmygTfJjt88ysAQO7mqA4nDavsAyg6zgr-iL5J-DaJ8Ftz_BIaNJfoi-sGyj8qVVVKVmIfPG-6hOiuIM6JyPfl_983_nyWPa2NlyzUKJoCsg_rvzujkZZkvJwsiiLD5xVXVmrKJ/s1600/stepmom.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.disneyvillains.net/LadyTremaine.php">source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then you remember all the women in your life that are a stepmom. You think about the young family at church, that troops in a number of different ages of children, sometimes all together and sometimes just one or two. You remember your cousin married a woman with a child. You think about an older couple in your Bible Study group with a blended family and the Grandparents that are raising their grandchildren.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is so commonplace nowadays that we tend to forget how many step parents there really are. Our mind often links to the wicked stepmother in Cinderella that is abusive and evil. We remember the Wicked Witch that hates her stepdaughter's beauty and is so envious of her she wishes her dead! Unfortunately<span style="font-size: large;">, now</span> we are <span style="font-size: large;">tain<span style="font-size: large;">ted in our thi<span style="font-size: large;">nking </span></span></span>of the word.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqxP8HpDmQU9D32MgnyHc7tC91yevsTS_isey-Wjgvz2OX_QPdKEWZKfgAy6j_YsVbGIxitA17wk8Gsuuuo2bbb2oktWijSGHOMCEENGB5-7hUOHbeVtHoGqWyzLDxvJnOx_Na1GmM-Fu/s1600/stepmomwoodcutters_family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqxP8HpDmQU9D32MgnyHc7tC91yevsTS_isey-Wjgvz2OX_QPdKEWZKfgAy6j_YsVbGIxitA17wk8Gsuuuo2bbb2oktWijSGHOMCEENGB5-7hUOHbeVtHoGqWyzLDxvJnOx_Na1GmM-Fu/s1600/stepmomwoodcutters_family.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.4to40.com/folktales/index.asp?p=Hansel_and_Gretel">source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Preacher Man and I have a blended family. We often joke we are like that old <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063829/">Lucille Ball movie </a>with a His, Mine, and Ours sort of lifestyle. The difference is we have other parents we have to deal with. We are not married secondly with children because of widow-dom. We were both married before. Married before we were Committed and Born-Again Christians.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So even with those past sins forgiven we soldier on in this world we had created before. We are an example of the New Nuclear Family. We have Mom and Dad, 2 of Mine, 1 of His, and 2 of Ours. We also have Step Parents, Step Siblings, Half Siblings, And a set of Grandparents acting as Step parents. You almost need a drop down menu to follow the family trees leading to and from Our Family.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We don't use titles such as Step Brother, or Half Sister. We say: Brother and Sister. We say: Mom and Dad. We have strove to provide a home that is without those titles that would seek to pull us apart or put walls in between our children. We have worked hard to make a united front in parenting, no matter what the other Parents say, we stand firm using God's Word as our guide. We act as a nuclear family as often as we can.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMI219ZxXrMCzWPbZFB7FyHonUWbteq7AVNzLdIHKXTsnWkFIhwcMmmdmL0i2LQqX_zJU-Zjm2WoxQLRvPSy1Zm2CU5uOkdlIgAEPkhCdRv3k6O4XoDbyCiQcC12pLj6nlqVeyZgvuUWm/s1600/young-mother-and-her-children.jpg!Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMI219ZxXrMCzWPbZFB7FyHonUWbteq7AVNzLdIHKXTsnWkFIhwcMmmdmL0i2LQqX_zJU-Zjm2WoxQLRvPSy1Zm2CU5uOkdlIgAEPkhCdRv3k6O4XoDbyCiQcC12pLj6nlqVeyZgvuUWm/s320/young-mother-and-her-children.jpg!Blog.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/paul-delaroche/young-mother-and-her-children">Young Mother and Her Children</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have known since the beginning that the odds are against us and that the 'norm' for families like ours are dysfunction and pain. Often this is found leading to a division of family that only exacerbates the problem and causes a cycle of building relationships, placing walls up, and then separating. As a couple entering into marriage with children from previous relationships we decided we would double and triple our efforts to place God as our centerpiece. We knew we would have to pray, and seek, and repent and then do it again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We have been optimistic in our approach. We have been honest with all of our children about details of our B.C. (Before Christ) Life and about some of our bumpy and rumply paths. We are a walking example of God's Unending Love and Grace. Of the possibility of a New Life as a New Creation in Christ. We are the Mess made Whole Through Christ. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are not however perfect. We goof up. We sometimes miss the mark. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBdM07wMnC0qmcxJQgOp0gC1LmDWkrpjfaqbO7nUk2QT3k7qPHfoGbKg1VPA_iBh9cybYZIHulLlr1SXzn4CSIDPeekj4PvXtDPitRiPqwh9I4MNrBvsm23gpoEusUomou14rUJkAHhJt/s1600/breakfast-in-bed-1897.jpg!Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBdM07wMnC0qmcxJQgOp0gC1LmDWkrpjfaqbO7nUk2QT3k7qPHfoGbKg1VPA_iBh9cybYZIHulLlr1SXzn4CSIDPeekj4PvXtDPitRiPqwh9I4MNrBvsm23gpoEusUomou14rUJkAHhJt/s320/breakfast-in-bed-1897.jpg!Blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/mary-cassatt/breakfast-in-bed-1897">Breakfast in Bed</a></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have some children who are living in between worlds. We have family dynamics that change depending on the weekend and who is home. Sometimes my youngest son is in the 'oldest' spot instead of his 'middler' or 'youngest boy' spot and he transitions well into and out of this space. My truly middle child is the oldest child at his 'other' home and that is a much bigger transition for him to bump back into when he is there. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are different belief systems in these other homes, none actively Christian, and that can lead to confusion and frustration. When one set of parents or guardians allows an act at their home but we do not it can be a thorn. When one set of children is told negative things about their siblings' nationality that can cause hurt and internal dilemma for that set of children. When what we say is Biblical Truth is contradicted by another set of parents we are left defending our choice. It can go on and on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In truth, I am not complaining. I am asking the Church to be understanding of a situation like ours. I am 100 % supportive of blended Christian Families. It is a ridiculously difficult path to tackle. We would have loved to be only married to each other, to have had a sacred honeymoon, and have all our children sharing the same last name and DNA. That would have been quite a wonderful thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That was not our path. Our path was scarred with life's trials and mistakes. With addictions and problems. There were bad choices and lots of painful results. We were broken pieces of clay waiting for the Master to search us out and place us together. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But there were three beautiful and amazing persons that came out of that B.C. Life. Three lives that are now committed to Christ. Three lives that we are raising, in the shared time we are given, to become strong doers and preachers of The Word. Three fantastically created children that have had one heck of a puzzle pieced childhood. They are resilient, strong in faith, discerning beyond their years, and all growing into the most hopeful of souls.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmoPY923CiSRVm_vcDlHIOLcO7WdA_PQs65yG0Dri4DMR1l7J0qoqMR8XOOO0gXe-rvWAnqOF38JP-U4GA_xF2Y1jBuQE0y2iLErgRxVdtcFCvUH-GfFnw3iCenRLA9weDPj8s1AsnYSY/s1600/in-giji-park-1837.jpg!Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmoPY923CiSRVm_vcDlHIOLcO7WdA_PQs65yG0Dri4DMR1l7J0qoqMR8XOOO0gXe-rvWAnqOF38JP-U4GA_xF2Y1jBuQE0y2iLErgRxVdtcFCvUH-GfFnw3iCenRLA9weDPj8s1AsnYSY/s320/in-giji-park-1837.jpg!Blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/mikhail-lebedev/in-giji-park-1837">In Giji Park</a></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So here we are. Carving a life out of that space in our Family Tree. Forming strong roots that dig deep for stability. Wrapping around the Rock of God's Word to keep us steady. We need to bend with the wind and storms. Bend and sway with those fights and personality disputes. Shake off the insults and the hurtful words from those 'other parents'. Drop leaves of regret and leaves of sorrow at all the things we can't live up to so we can look 'normal'. We let the bark grow thick over those spots where well intentioned Chritianese speaking folks have forgotten that we did live that Before Life and that we have no control over certain traits and things those 'other parents' bring to our children. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am not gonna lie. When I see families with mom, dad and the 4 kids deciding to go on vacation I am jealous of the ease in which that happens. When we plan vacation, I have to notify no less than four other people! We then have to schedule it in, by playing my favorite game: Which weekend is mine and will you trade so neither of us loses any time? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am envious of families that can Live together, Move together, Adventure together. My husband works hours away to provide for us, but we can not move to live with him because of custody arrangements. I lose children or force them to choose. What mother can do that?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am heartsick that I can not do daily devotions with all my kids, that our family worship is rarely as a whole family, that holidays are broken up into random dates circled on the calendar. I celebrate the days when we are all together and we can play a board game and eat popcorn and laugh like it is going out of style.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYq2hGoWuMoPhDGYIgV4FNkVjPcVZojUJ5ITk3u1LrQGECOM96K3uCoX0_aZOkq1PiuNx6YPsyH5OLbOC64zJsKwlunSLLq8WaazjmFO3Dp0O3zxX-HEoL0ICpYQAhgDcSQwZOaySzCr4/s1600/the-orphans-1871(1).jpg!Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYq2hGoWuMoPhDGYIgV4FNkVjPcVZojUJ5ITk3u1LrQGECOM96K3uCoX0_aZOkq1PiuNx6YPsyH5OLbOC64zJsKwlunSLLq8WaazjmFO3Dp0O3zxX-HEoL0ICpYQAhgDcSQwZOaySzCr4/s400/the-orphans-1871(1).jpg!Blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/nikolaos-gyzis/the-orphans-1871">The Orphans</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are striving to tear down stereotypes. We do not see ourselves as halves or steps but as wholes. And yet.....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am by definition a stepmom. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am also a mom. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And I am also a mom whose children have a stepmom. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am not evil. I am not hateful. I don't want to steal a child or make a child a slave. I do want them all to respect me. To love me. To see me as just mom. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian
mother in the molding of character in her children.</i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Billy Graham</b></i></span></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9BiA29wYWsCwWtuim5rpKM1tMhswxip8p7_lGo5ukdLHq-EvpfrlxW5SKUY7HfO9aNDN1m5z6ZVfMqhVG9wmm-jemSjNsIG5ISzSFZoogkei6Pk97QN-mhtM4QT2VGF-bZ_G1bhmX_oa/s1600/reine-lefebre-and-margot-before-a-window-1902.jpg!Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9BiA29wYWsCwWtuim5rpKM1tMhswxip8p7_lGo5ukdLHq-EvpfrlxW5SKUY7HfO9aNDN1m5z6ZVfMqhVG9wmm-jemSjNsIG5ISzSFZoogkei6Pk97QN-mhtM4QT2VGF-bZ_G1bhmX_oa/s320/reine-lefebre-and-margot-before-a-window-1902.jpg!Blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/mary-cassatt/reine-lefebre-and-margot-before-a-window-1902">Reine Lefebre and Margot before a Window</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>When your mother asks, 'Do you want a piece of advice?' it is
a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no.
You're going to get it anyway.</i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Erma Brombeck</b></i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> No one in the world can take the place of your mother. Right
or wrong, from her viewpoint you are always right. She may scold
you for little things, but never for the big ones.</i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Harry Truman</b></i></span></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxO_rxrl_nHPxbYh1PWzPWcDRq6UnQgqJTq1E0wvtrCif_M5UOBV3gXCMToRDzKN5NhkQ1fjAERDDm0c58C8aejvFoKzX_IhCajkuoOCDUhU-EiNNhNP__kUm5xzBcjVuDTs1-MAVeF2m/s1600/mother-and-child-1809.jpg!Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxO_rxrl_nHPxbYh1PWzPWcDRq6UnQgqJTq1E0wvtrCif_M5UOBV3gXCMToRDzKN5NhkQ1fjAERDDm0c58C8aejvFoKzX_IhCajkuoOCDUhU-EiNNhNP__kUm5xzBcjVuDTs1-MAVeF2m/s320/mother-and-child-1809.jpg!Blog.jpg" width="257" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/orest-kiprensky/mother-and-child-1809">Mother and Child</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed
me. They have clung to me all my life.<br />
<b>Abraham Lincoln</b></i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and
sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity;
when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us
when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us,
and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate
the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.</i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Washington Irving</b></i></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So to you who are the definition of Stepmom, I say, you are mom. You are raising, loving, providing, comforting, and breathing your daily walk into that child. Act like the mother you are. Forgive. Be patient. Lose the labels and titles. Build the bridge. All that mom really wants you to do is love her children like they lived under your heart for nine months as well. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For you who deal with a Stepmom in your child's life, I say, pray for her. It is a thankless job with little to no respect. Pray for her even when you don't want to. Pray that she is open to your suggestions. She knows she can't replace you, but she wants to make a great stand in. And she needs you to not bad mouth her in front of those children. She will earn the respect but she deserves the honor of parent if she is your stand in. She may even rise to the occasion.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Those who have the rare joy of being both<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> I know it is a tough job. I am living it. I know it is hard. But it is worth it. Pray. Pray for the Stepmom she is and pray for the Stepmom you are. And then be the best you can be in the situation you were placed in. God has given you a unique view of the world. Don't waste it being angry or petty. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Realize how blessed you are to be heart touched by that child and to have the privilege to help raise him. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Always Blessed,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Gretchen :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">All quotes from: <a href="http://www.allgreatquotes.com/mother_quotes.shtml">http://www.allgreatquotes.com/mother_quotes.shtml</a></span><br />
<br />
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<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-12411275844864257262013-04-06T11:24:00.005-05:002013-04-11T14:11:25.013-05:00A Psalm of Life ~ Longfellow<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvS7gdmKwLB_SllatWlyG0rq7f0ivqAc7e0n34VfW-ugJxseKu65lj1c1qyNbZPa2n3atlfYaCUvVDs02RzXoHwWRa3M2wpKypw9Ckz63B8p1n6sEk1few7HFWSPenAizwii_qrc1ypx0D/s1600/dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvS7gdmKwLB_SllatWlyG0rq7f0ivqAc7e0n34VfW-ugJxseKu65lj1c1qyNbZPa2n3atlfYaCUvVDs02RzXoHwWRa3M2wpKypw9Ckz63B8p1n6sEk1few7HFWSPenAizwii_qrc1ypx0D/s640/dandelion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Waiting to Sail</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A Psalm of Life<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></i></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow</span></span></i></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>What The Heart Of The Young Man Said To The Psalmist.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tell me not, in mournful numbers, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Life is but an empty dream! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For the soul is dead that slumbers, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And things are not what they seem. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Life is real! Life is earnest! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And the grave is not its goal; </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dust thou art, to dust returnest, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Was not spoken of the soul. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Is our destined end or way; </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But to act, that each to-morrow </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Find us farther than to-day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Art is long, and Time is fleeting, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And our hearts, though stout and brave, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still, like muffled drums, are beating </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Funeral marches to the grave. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the world’s broad field of battle, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> In the bivouac of Life, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be not like dumb, driven cattle! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Be a hero in the strife! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Let the dead Past bury its dead! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Act,— act in the living Present! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Heart within, and God o’erhead! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lives of great men all remind us </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We can make our lives sublime, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And, departing, leave behind us </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Footprints on the sands of time; </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Footprints, that perhaps another, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Seeing, shall take heart again. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let us, then, be up and doing, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> With a heart for any fate; </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still achieving, still pursuing, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Learn to labor and to wait.</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be <span style="font-size: large;">not S<span style="font-size: large;">l</span>umbering in restlessness or be <span style="font-size: large;">L</span>anguid in your thoughts. Instead seek to leave behind fo<span style="font-size: large;">otprints in the sandy, slippery life that may encourage another. </span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Labor not in vain. <span style="font-size: large;">Leave your trail to help another take heart.</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before me someone left footprints that <span style="font-size: large;">help t<span style="font-size: large;">o buoy my soul when <span style="font-size: large;">I am feelin<span style="font-size: large;">g los<span style="font-size: large;">t on that beach. S<span style="font-size: large;">ome other S<span style="font-size: large;">o</span>ul Labored in and out of the waves that seek to pull us down and I benefit</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> from their wisdom of jumping waves.. </i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So now I am Learning to <span style="font-size: large;">Labor in that muc<span style="font-size: large;">k </span>and to <span style="font-size: large;">W</span>ait........</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Always Blessed, </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Gretchen </i></span></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>All pictures are courtesy of my sister Sara Rose Nissen. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Check out her artwork over at <a href="http://sararosenissen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">as seen through my eyes</a>. </b></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Poetry found at <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173910">http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173910</a></b></span></h3>
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-45956953611081376832013-04-02T12:39:00.000-05:002013-04-05T01:49:59.221-05:00Sound the Retreat<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZibDSnPtc__g6QzCaTt38_9k64jPrEEKvJXgXqQFehWaseOuj18GZDBzxE_2zVWmdIQNs1t40EZCvdKf94WJk-jFx8dNhX2YtY3bc_HRtbQEi_ROgT_u-j3skCFa9q5-87SgoFAsUJWR/s1600/Guitar+strings+Wallpaper__yvt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZibDSnPtc__g6QzCaTt38_9k64jPrEEKvJXgXqQFehWaseOuj18GZDBzxE_2zVWmdIQNs1t40EZCvdKf94WJk-jFx8dNhX2YtY3bc_HRtbQEi_ROgT_u-j3skCFa9q5-87SgoFAsUJWR/s320/Guitar+strings+Wallpaper__yvt2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scenicreflections.com/download/529252/Guitar_strings_Wallpaper/" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sometimes I need to retreat. To pull back from the hurt and pain that comes with life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Retreat from the confusion of my own wants and desires. My weak attempt to make things work out.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sometimes I want to hide from everything. To cover up my head with my grandmother's quilt and not surface.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Usually this is after I have railed aloud at God, screamed at the top of my lungs for an answer to my needs, my wants</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">, and cried until I am spent</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then I take cover.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Retreat to the quiet of my head.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Which is never really quiet.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I fill it with audio versions of the Book of Psalms because I am too wea<span style="font-size: large;">k to even read</span>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I listen. I breathe<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span>I fill myself with the words of David:</span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Ps-4-1" id="en-NRSV-13967">Psalm 4</span></span></span></i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Ps-4-1">Confident Plea for Deliverance from Enemies</span></span></span></i></span></h3>
<h4 class="psalm-title" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Ps-4-1">To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.</span></span></span></i></span></h4>
<div class="poetry" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Ps-4-1"><sup class="versenum">1 </sup>Answer me when I call, O God of my right!</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-4-1">You gave me room when I was in distress.</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-4-1">Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Ps-4-2" id="en-NRSV-13968"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame?</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-4-2">How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?<span class="selah"> Selah</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-4-3" id="en-NRSV-13969"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>But know that the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has set apart the faithful for himself;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-4-3">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> hears when I call to him.</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Ps-4-4" id="en-NRSV-13970"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>When you are disturbed,<sup><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></sup>do not sin;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-4-4">ponder it on your beds, and be silent.<span class="selah"> Selah</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-4-5" id="en-NRSV-13971"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>Offer right sacrifices,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-4-5">and put your trust in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></span></span></span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Ps-4-6" id="en-NRSV-13972"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>There are many who say, “O that we might see some good!</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-4-6">Let the light of your face shine on us, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>!”</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-4-7" id="en-NRSV-13973"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>You have put gladness in my heart</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-4-7">more than when their grain and wine abound.</span></span></span></span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Ps-4-8" id="en-NRSV-13974"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>I will both lie down and sleep in peace;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-4-8">for you alone, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, make me lie down in safety.</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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</blockquote>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There are times when my enemy is myself. My own thoughts that seek to bring me down. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To be distraught and saddened beyond outside control is a mournful thing. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I sound the retreat.</span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When crying out appears to be met with deaf ears.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When Hope is a splendored thing that it seems is not meant for me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When life has brought you to the place of a tauntly stretched guitar string and all you can hear is that high-pitched whinning and vibrating sadness; It Can <i>Feel</i> Like Just Too Much.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Retreat to God's Word. </span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="passage version-NRSV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Ps-6-1" id="en-NRSV-13987">Psalm 6</span></i></span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Ps-6-1">Prayer for Recovery from Grave Illness</span></i></span></span></span></h3>
<h4 class="psalm-title" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Ps-6-1">To the leader: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.</span></i></span></span></span></h4>
<div class="poetry" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Ps-6-1"><sup class="versenum">1 </sup>O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, do not rebuke me in your anger,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-1">or discipline me in your wrath.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-6-2" id="en-NRSV-13988"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Be gracious to me, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, for I am languishing;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-2">O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-6-3" id="en-NRSV-13989"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>My soul also is struck with terror,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-3">while you, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>—how long?</span></span></i></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i></span></span><br />
<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Ps-6-4" id="en-NRSV-13990"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Turn, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, save my life;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-4">deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-6-5" id="en-NRSV-13991"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>For in death there is no remembrance of you;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-5">in Sheol who can give you praise?</span></span></i></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i></span></span><br />
<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Ps-6-6" id="en-NRSV-13992"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>I am weary with my moaning;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-6">every night I flood my bed with tears;</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-6">I drench my couch with my weeping.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-6-7" id="en-NRSV-13993"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>My eyes waste away because of grief;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-7">they grow weak because of all my foes.</span></span></i></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i></span></span><br />
<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Ps-6-8" id="en-NRSV-13994"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Depart from me, all you workers of evil,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-8">for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has heard the sound of my weeping.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-6-9" id="en-NRSV-13995"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has heard my supplication;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-9">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> accepts my prayer.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-6-10" id="en-NRSV-13996"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-6-10">they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame.</span></span></i></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Find Solace in another who has cried for help. Who has been brought low by life and it's circumstances.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It may <i>feel</i> like God doesn't hear you. It may <i>feel</i> like you are alone. It may <i>feel</i> like all hope is lost. It may <i>feel </i>like He isn't helping. It may <i>feel </i>like you are drowning in your tears and that your string is going to break. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Find peace in His Word.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> Psalm 17: 6-8, 15</i></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Ps-17-6" id="en-NRSV-14110"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-17-6">incline your ear to me, hear my words.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-17-7" id="en-NRSV-14111"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>Wondrously show your steadfast love,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-17-7">O savior of those who seek refuge</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-17-7">from their adversaries at your right hand.</span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i></span></span><br />
<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Ps-17-8" id="en-NRSV-14112"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Guard me as the apple of the eye;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-17-8">hide me in the shadow of your wings,</span></span><span class="text Ps-17-9" id="en-NRSV-14113"></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Ps-17-15" id="en-NRSV-14119"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-17-15">when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.</span></span></i></span></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Understand in your retreat, that He is still there. He still loves you. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When your guitar string breaks, and sometimes it will, that is when He can restring you with newness. He can lift you up and hold you in an embrace of such Father Love you are once again whole. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For it is in the Breaking that we are than able to start to heal. It is in our weakness, our sadness, our faulty attempts that He is made greater.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2 Corinthians 12: 8-10</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text 2Cor-12-8" id="en-NRSV-29015">Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, </span> <span class="text 2Cor-12-9" id="en-NRSV-29016"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power
is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of
my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. </span> <span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NRSV-29017"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>Therefore
I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and
calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am
strong.</span></i></span></span></blockquote>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sound the retreat. Heal. Thank Him. And Move <span style="font-size: large;">O</span>n. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I shall be in Retreat<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">for now.....</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Always Blessed,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Gretchen :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/" target="_blank">Raising Arrows</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/" target="_blank">Deep Roots At Home</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/" target="_blank">The Better Mom Monday Link Up</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Raising Homemakers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/" target="_blank">Far Above Rubies</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://judithwholeheartedhome.com/" target="_blank">Wholehearted Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank">Growing Home</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/" target="_blank">Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://noordinarybloghop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">No Ordinary Blog Hop</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.frontlinemoms.com/" target="_blank">Frontline Moms Friday Fun</a><br />
<a href="http://thewelcominghouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Welcoming House</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://courtshipconnection.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtship Connection</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.livingintheshoe.com/" target="_blank">Living In the Shoe</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/" target="_blank">Homemaking L<span style="font-size: xx-small;">i</span>nkup </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/" target="_blank">A Proverbs 31 Wife</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/" target="_blank">All Things With a Purpose</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.amamasstory.com/" target="_blank">Our Days Homeschool Link Up</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.amamasstory.com/" target="_blank">Mama Moments Mondays</a> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-52035531166848393682013-03-31T08:44:00.000-05:002013-03-31T08:44:08.162-05:00Easter Worship~ I See the Lord<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="chapter-1">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Isa-6-1"><span class="chapternum">6 </span>In
the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne,
high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. </span> <span class="text Isa-6-2" id="en-NRSV-17772"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Seraphs
were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered
their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they
flew. </span> <span class="text Isa-6-3" id="en-NRSV-17773"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>And one called to another and said:</span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="poetry">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Isa-6-3">“Holy, holy, holy is the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> of hosts;</span></i><span class="text Isa-6-3"><i>the whole earth is full of his glory.” ~Isaiah 6:1-3</i></span></span></span></div>
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</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Happy Resurrection Sunday!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now because the lyrics are amazing and I have an eclectic choice in music please check out 116 Clique as well. Even if it isn't your preference you can be blessed.</span></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cfiFW5L4QUY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">LYRICS:<br /><br />I See The Lord lyrics<br /><br />(feat. Sho)<br /><br />[Verse One]<br />Cast down my crown to worship you in spirit and truth<br />As I see You on the throne, I see Your train fills the roof<br />I'm on bended knees, hands extended closed eyes<br />Holy, Holy, Holy is Lord the Most High<br />Woe is me, I'm a man with unclean lips<br />And I live amongst a people whose on the same trip<br />That when one Seraphim flew to me with coal in his hands<br />He touch me on my lips, said I was a brand new man<br />As the foundation shook He's asking, who shall He send<br />I said, "Send me Lord, I commit to faithful men"<br />Sometimes Lord, I feel like I don't give you enough<br />The kind of pure joy to persevere when times get tough<br />So I keep a concentrated relationship fixed on you<br />I keep my eyes to the hills so I can have a right view<br />I stand in awe of You<br />How You measured the earth with the palm of Your hand<br />and yet, and still you want to be friends with such an unclean man<br />So like John I fall prostrate on this island of life<br />I worship You, recognizing you are power and might<br />Glory and light, eternal in sight, blameless and right<br />Creator of life, thief in the night, Jesus the Christ<br /><br />[Chorus]<br />I see the Lord, seated on the throne, exalted<br />And the train of His robe, fills the temple with glory<br />And the whole earth is filled, and the whole earth is filled<br />And the whole earth is filled, with His glory<br /><br />[Verse Two]<br />The sun suspends in the air<br />I can feel Your winds everywhere<br />You care to the grains of my hair<br />Divine works all around me<br />I can't get past the evidence<br />The fact that your invisible, to me, is irrelevant<br />I know your heaven sent, straight to the virgin birth<br /><br />Gave me a second chance even after man's curse<br />A third, a fourth, a fifth, and a sixth<br />You wore my crown of thorns, you took my licks as they spit<br />In ya face, off the cross a sinner you embraced<br />Now I understand whats the meaning of grace<br />I war against the flesh, can't wait till the day that you come<br />Cause everday I'm rewriting Psalm 51<br />From the weak to the dumb<br />You make us shine like Pearls<br />Got a new engagement, broke up with that girl named world<br />The relationship was unfruitful, I was Satan's pupil<br />They told me you was an unfair God, I believed those lies<br />I know the truth now, cuz you've been fair since creation<br />Man fell, and then you gave man emancipation<br />I know the saying one sin can make man fall<br />But with one drop of blood, he can save us all<br />I'm a living sacrifice, I lay my life upon the altar<br />I pray to have faith that don't forsake you, like a martyr<br />I have a desire, thats to know you more<br />I have no choice to live holy cuz I see the Lord<br /><br />[Chorus]<br /><br />[Isaiah 6]<br />For Whole earth is full of his glory<br />And the foundations of the threshold tremble<br />At the voice of him who called out<br />While the temple is filled with smoke<br />I said to myself Woe is me<br />For I am ruined<br />Because I'm a man with unclean lips<br />And I live amongst a people with unclean lips<br />For my eyes have seen the king, the Lord of Hosts<br />Then one seraphim flew to me<br />With burning coals in his hand<br />He touched me on my lips<br />Said my iniquity is taken away, and my sins forgiven<br />Then I heard the voice of the Lord say<br />Who shall I send?<br />Who will go for us<br />Then I said<br />Here I am, Send Me</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Always Blessed,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gretchen :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-68848505016142104692013-03-26T02:00:00.000-05:002013-03-30T00:54:35.554-05:00Tuesday's Gifts ~ Light<div class="heading passage-class-0">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Light.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here from the very Beginning of time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For our benefit. So we can become time keepers. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_4sz4Gf8RDKxTVDtujQuAV9XubIAd1NBI458elEL0SnrSCDSxlLHIbNAr78YNusow_qS3pfjXWPUil0cFFHLt0mZLSLIHkSO_mzLNK1lZqsaywV_JLpZ3paKBswtzcJ2gknCOvxpyJ6r/s1600/sunpanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_4sz4Gf8RDKxTVDtujQuAV9XubIAd1NBI458elEL0SnrSCDSxlLHIbNAr78YNusow_qS3pfjXWPUil0cFFHLt0mZLSLIHkSO_mzLNK1lZqsaywV_JLpZ3paKBswtzcJ2gknCOvxpyJ6r/s640/sunpanorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alpha and Omega</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h3>
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Gen-1-14" id="en-NRSV-14"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>And
God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the
day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for
days and years, </span> <span class="text Gen-1-15" id="en-NRSV-15"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. </span> <span class="text Gen-1-16" id="en-NRSV-16"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. </span> <span class="text Gen-1-17" id="en-NRSV-17"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, </span> <span class="text Gen-1-18" id="en-NRSV-18"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.</span> ~Genesis 1:14-18</span></span></span></i></h3>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So we remember His Power.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">His Protection. His Encompassing, Covering Love.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7RS8C2biJ512SIMW3mwUyWcDZtt25M_mVPlx6IMQxKDbzCzxKG4y0bov0SY7Hp-xlCKACcPp7abVovo6_e9pxDSLtg9YNf6CPxezT6OjTUOeOe2OmeCjjyiwFX3OxIWN86NFGjZakYKt/s1600/sunncabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7RS8C2biJ512SIMW3mwUyWcDZtt25M_mVPlx6IMQxKDbzCzxKG4y0bov0SY7Hp-xlCKACcPp7abVovo6_e9pxDSLtg9YNf6CPxezT6OjTUOeOe2OmeCjjyiwFX3OxIWN86NFGjZakYKt/s400/sunncabin.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Trinity Lights</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-74-16" id="en-NRSV-15065"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>Yours is the day, yours also the night;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-74-16">you established the luminaries<sup><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></sup>and the sun.</span></span> ~Psalm 74:16</span></span></i></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enduring forever. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sunrise, Sunset. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sunrise, Sunset.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVypCKCBAzl92IDRHZFKANYlqv6A_X68MhOTV4M_ImdDOB6pLtV21BBNKHRUBZ6rEqoyQlY_aMfJcCSiLcJ4mcoN4AU-pfx8-9jXksugIS4mXrY3u1FFsy_cjvF9EJLRUsM3vbLsqIXdrG/s1600/sunntruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVypCKCBAzl92IDRHZFKANYlqv6A_X68MhOTV4M_ImdDOB6pLtV21BBNKHRUBZ6rEqoyQlY_aMfJcCSiLcJ4mcoN4AU-pfx8-9jXksugIS4mXrY3u1FFsy_cjvF9EJLRUsM3vbLsqIXdrG/s400/sunntruck.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Warm Embrace</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h3>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="text Ps-136-7" id="en-NRSV-16204">7 who made the great lights,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-136-7">for his steadfast love endures forever;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-136-8" id="en-NRSV-16205"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>the sun to rule over the day,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-136-8">for his steadfast love endures forever;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-136-9" id="en-NRSV-16206"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>the moon and stars to rule over the night,</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></span><span class="text Ps-136-9"><span style="font-weight: normal;">for his steadfast love endures forever; </span></span></span></span></span></i></h3>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-136-9"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">~Psalm 136: 7-9</span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="heading passage-class-1">
<div class="txt-sm">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</span></span>
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<div class="poetry">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-74-16" id="en-NRSV-15065">In the End, we will Be Again. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-74-16" id="en-NRSV-15065"><span style="font-size: large;">We will then Shine like the <span style="font-size: large;">s</span>un. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="line">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpvjx9QyK_vR1H158OR-_EvziKp5QsNPvi2AHFhzjT0WLFLpE2xg8O6ACHRQKsPm2Z94wweKOE-0A6vp2FfVt8iM2sJjW5osMxtm9kWesqWGOul3pKwboQo0bEgoBx9fIhKOjzqDDAdVc/s1600/sunwindmill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpvjx9QyK_vR1H158OR-_EvziKp5QsNPvi2AHFhzjT0WLFLpE2xg8O6ACHRQKsPm2Z94wweKOE-0A6vp2FfVt8iM2sJjW5osMxtm9kWesqWGOul3pKwboQo0bEgoBx9fIhKOjzqDDAdVc/s400/sunwindmill.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">El Fin</span></span></td></tr>
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<div class="passage version-NRSV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-13-43" id="en-NRSV-23583"><sup class="versenum">43 </sup>Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears<sup><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></sup>listen!</span> ~Matthew 13:43</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And Our LORD will be all the Light we need.</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Rev-21-23" id="en-NRSV-31061"><sup class="versenum">23 </sup>And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. ~</span>Revelation 21:23</span></span></i></div>
</blockquote>
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</blockquote>
Always Blessed,<br />
Gretchen :) <br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>All pictures are courtesy of my sister Sara Rose Nissen. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Check out her artwork over at <a href="http://sararosenissen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">as seen through my eyes</a>. </b></span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Possibly Linking With: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/" target="_blank">Raising Arrows</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/" target="_blank">Deep Roots At Home</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/" target="_blank">The Better Mom Monday Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/">Frugally Sustainable</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Raising Homemakers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/" target="_blank">Far Above Rubies</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://wholehearted-home.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wholehearted Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank">Growing Home</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/" target="_blank">Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://noordinarybloghop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">No Ordinary Blog Hop</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.frontlinemoms.com/" target="_blank">Frontline Moms Friday Fun</a><br />
<a href="http://thewelcominghouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Welcoming House</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://courtshipconnection.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtship Connection</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.livingintheshoe.com/" target="_blank">Living In the Shoe</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/" target="_blank">Homemaking L<span style="font-size: xx-small;">i</span>nkup </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/" target="_blank">A Proverbs 31 Wife</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/" target="_blank">All Things With a Purpose</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.amamasstory.com/" target="_blank">Our Days Homeschool Link Up</a> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></h3>
</div>
<b></b>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-36760552065592060882013-03-25T19:04:00.001-05:002013-04-05T01:52:13.296-05:00Camping Oatmeal Mix <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uiD-j5XjGHhLuONYo5ATIf47bL9DJINgRyQ2g7MtwAcg4niXb8JZ_1dmcAcZUITvqYbdZ-5LVZh1ZpiXWAtX_F5MDOiuV4ZYK5IAQbzyTGYskAJ-eCtV-Bxn9dv1l-Vg5zy-GHMdnbLk/s1600/march2013+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uiD-j5XjGHhLuONYo5ATIf47bL9DJINgRyQ2g7MtwAcg4niXb8JZ_1dmcAcZUITvqYbdZ-5LVZh1ZpiXWAtX_F5MDOiuV4ZYK5IAQbzyTGYskAJ-eCtV-Bxn9dv1l-Vg5zy-GHMdnbLk/s320/march2013+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last June, my <a href="http://sararosenissen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">sister</a> and I took all of our combined kids camping. It was an adventure of no small magnitude and included extreme amounts of planning and organizing. Planning for the feeding of a small basketball team in the primitive campground area with water a half mile away is..... shall we say, interesting.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMdofq-Yb036cSdU-Tsprw4Sp3cf0si2V4n6s6OVKJBISfkcXbAddqmpB8_Wvx62k2mnosA1h6qc-9xfrX55w0JvCLNexYInBtpAT5sBeppt-SJ5i0631Pxr4p8mC03PBEyVByM2DntlO/s1600/campingtoast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMdofq-Yb036cSdU-Tsprw4Sp3cf0si2V4n6s6OVKJBISfkcXbAddqmpB8_Wvx62k2mnosA1h6qc-9xfrX55w0JvCLNexYInBtpAT5sBeppt-SJ5i0631Pxr4p8mC03PBEyVByM2DntlO/s320/campingtoast.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So everything is made with the idea that it be simple, filling, and that it taste good. The cook in me wants things to be better than hot dogs on the grill or cold cereal in the morning. So we planned and made amazing yumminess for most of the meals.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The biggest food hit with the troops was the Camping Oatmeal Mix. While I was <a href="http://pinterest.com/gretchencampos/campsite-eats/" target="_blank">pinning</a> camping recipes like a woman writing a book, I came across this <a href="http://www.quietjourney.com/recipes/index.html" target="_blank">site </a>and was instantly sold on the oatmeal <a href="http://www.quietjourney.com/recipes/bbreak.html" target="_blank">recipe</a>. I wasn't even sure we would use it but with all the hiking and swimming kids get hungry. Really Hungry. All. The. Time. So I thought maybe it would make a great quick snack.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We broke it out after a morning hike that became THE HIKE THAT NEVER ENDED and needed to instantly feed the ornery boys who were literally wasting away from possible starvation and crying toddlers that had been in a child carrier backpack for the last 3 and 1/2 hours. Not to mention, that after 3 and 1/2 hours of carrying a 25 lb toddler on your back, you may never be able to bend over again so having an easy meal in a no microwave zone is a good thing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whilst they were wolfing down warm and filling cooked oatmeal decorated with their choice of toppings and a drizzle of maple syrup, I decided we should eat this at home. All year round. Even if we have a microwave.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSirZwICe5AHJxi0dX2ab4C_ySZ_DsaUIBw-k6-akeDPLLCCiDZCXRFEm-QOokgKQYiF__p1iWzqmP1Txav58eCAgOwxYIOj4zTP6NPLroZfTAAEJQ-De_ONo2SWjt_Wq2-jb5j_s5Ess/s1600/march2013+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSirZwICe5AHJxi0dX2ab4C_ySZ_DsaUIBw-k6-akeDPLLCCiDZCXRFEm-QOokgKQYiF__p1iWzqmP1Txav58eCAgOwxYIOj4zTP6NPLroZfTAAEJQ-De_ONo2SWjt_Wq2-jb5j_s5Ess/s320/march2013+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Helping Mix.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAtkiEmo73NANgEYUE4vT5EDWviyM7OoKFJT-PxSU6iX3JTCtIIhzPuVcSzU-wm0qbpn9NoWDUbj5JR9B6FcQJVw8PuYDwmj9UmmjRVfwj4jK5INnpZAMZg42EobFmqiVNmH5fb3vAFo4/s1600/march2013+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAtkiEmo73NANgEYUE4vT5EDWviyM7OoKFJT-PxSU6iX3JTCtIIhzPuVcSzU-wm0qbpn9NoWDUbj5JR9B6FcQJVw8PuYDwmj9UmmjRVfwj4jK5INnpZAMZg42EobFmqiVNmH5fb3vAFo4/s320/march2013+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Peek.</span></span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS-Qr-BTIWDVOf7JVwXGuEhaWVPz85t-9gtuaijCM9pxWp3mlY2kyLntG8M3oWFcZL8_9mYbbJTSYsDrlG_NB3sT8hC_8Deyh7FPopNj26h3ayssrlTG77CzjQ3W1XvRklftGaW9CK5eR/s1600/march2013+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS-Qr-BTIWDVOf7JVwXGuEhaWVPz85t-9gtuaijCM9pxWp3mlY2kyLntG8M3oWFcZL8_9mYbbJTSYsDrlG_NB3sT8hC_8Deyh7FPopNj26h3ayssrlTG77CzjQ3W1XvRklftGaW9CK5eR/s320/march2013+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My tweaked version:</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Camping Oatmeal Mix</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">6-8 cups of quick cook oats</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3 cups powdered milk *</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">6 Tablespoon <a href="http://31cups.blogspot.com/2013/02/make-your-own-brown-sugar-recipe.html" target="_blank">brown sugar</a></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Optional</span> mix-ins </span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Place in a large seal-able container or ice cream pail with a lid. Place lid on top and shake it till it is thoroughly mixed.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Use 1 cup of oatmeal mix to 1/3 -1/2 cup of boiling water.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We offer toppings <span style="font-size: large;">separate</span> because there are too many taste buds in my crew to contend with. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Some <span style="font-size: large;"><i>topping </i></span>ideas</b>: Raisins, Coconut, Dried Cranberries, Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts, Chocolate Chips, Maple Syrup, etc.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are blessed with l<span style="font-size: large;">ess fussy taste buds</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">:)</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> then here are s<span style="font-size: large;">ome options for the mix<span style="font-size: large;">-ins <span style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Raisin <span style="font-size: large;">mi</span>x</b> </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 1/2 cups of <span style="font-size: large;">raisins</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1-<span style="font-size: large;">2 Tablespoons of <span style="font-size: large;">cinnamon</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mixed Nuts <span style="font-size: large;">mix</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 cup chopped mixed nuts</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bro<span style="font-size: large;">ther<span style="font-size: large;">hood mix</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup <span style="font-size: large;">peanuts chopped</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 c<span style="font-size: large;">up y<span style="font-size: large;">ogurt covered </span>raisins</span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">3/4 cup chocolate chips</span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Apple Pie m<span style="font-size: large;">ix</span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1<span style="font-size: large;"> cup dried apple slices, cho<span style="font-size: large;">pped</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 Tablespoon cinn<span style="font-size: large;">amon</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 teaspoon nutmeg</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">(serve<span style="font-size: large;"> cook<span style="font-size: large;">ed Apple Pi<span style="font-size: large;">e mix with milk<span style="font-size: large;"> or cream)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </i><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tropical Mix</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 cup dried tropical fruit mix</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup dried shaved coconut </span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">(serve cooked <span style="font-size: large;">T</span>ropical mix with a drizzle of coconut milk<span style="font-size: large;">)</span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span> </i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><b> </b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tell me how it goes!</span><i></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Always Blessed,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Gretchen :)</b></span><i></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Possibly Linking With: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/" target="_blank">Raising Arrows</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/" target="_blank">Deep Roots At Home</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/" target="_blank">The Better Mom Monday Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/">Frugally Sustainable</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Raising Homemakers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/" target="_blank">Far Above Rubies</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://judithwholeheartedhome.com/" target="_blank">Wholehearted Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank">Growing Home</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/" target="_blank">Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://noordinarybloghop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">No Ordinary Blog Hop</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.frontlinemoms.com/" target="_blank">Frontline Moms Friday Fun</a><br />
<a href="http://thewelcominghouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Welcoming House</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://courtshipconnection.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtship Connection</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.livingintheshoe.com/" target="_blank">Living In the Shoe</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/" target="_blank">Homemaking L<span style="font-size: xx-small;">i</span>nkup </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/" target="_blank">A Proverbs 31 Wife</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/" target="_blank">All Things With a Purpose</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></h3>
<br />
<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-24906127242037809222013-03-21T02:00:00.000-05:002013-03-31T22:42:42.511-05:00Homeschool~ Aesop's Fables<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdmbWYMZg2Eu_KcbVuOZ8bxDycM3CWsJeqfdT6FgrZxrrb_Wy-zrzGhyphenhyphenjzMGn4yi6KOJ80bHwD8oeT14WEAvmo8XRpPhgUFd4VC0TeJfdpHlWwDLVPJpIDIWZZyZaNxdGdrrXSkMu2jlB/s1600/aesopsfoxandgrapes+-+Copy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdmbWYMZg2Eu_KcbVuOZ8bxDycM3CWsJeqfdT6FgrZxrrb_Wy-zrzGhyphenhyphenjzMGn4yi6KOJ80bHwD8oeT14WEAvmo8XRpPhgUFd4VC0TeJfdpHlWwDLVPJpIDIWZZyZaNxdGdrrXSkMu2jlB/s320/aesopsfoxandgrapes+-+Copy.gif" width="191" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=winter&book=aesop&story=grapes" target="_blank">The Fox and the Grapes</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We love Aesop's Fables. These are short, quick little reads that teach morals and values through entertaining stories surrounding animals. Most of us have heard an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesop%27s_Fables" target="_blank">Aesop's Fable</a> at some point in our schooling but you may not have known it! <a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=winter&book=aesop&story=town" target="_blank">The Town Mouse and The Country Mouse</a> is an Aesop's Fable! So is <a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=winter&book=aesop&story=lion" target="_blank">The Lion and the Mouse</a>, a story of a kindness that is repaid.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How about this famous lesson on laziness:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h2 align="CENTER">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE ANTS AND THE GRASSHOPPER</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">ONE bright day in late autumn
a family of Ants were bustling
about in the warm sunshine, drying out the grain they had stored
up during the summer, when a
starving Grasshopper, his fiddle
under his arm, came up and
humbly begged for a bite to eat.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
"What!" cried the Ants in
surprise, "haven't you stored
anything away for the winter?
What in the world were you
doing all last summer?"
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
"I did n't have time to store
up any food," whined the Grasshopper; "I was so busy making
music that before I knew it the
summer was gone.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<br />
</span></span><br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="[Illustration]" height="194" hspace="5" src="http://www.mainlesson.com/books/winter/aesop/zpage034b.gif" vspace="5" width="200" /></span></span>
</center>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
The Ants shrugged their
shoulders in disgust.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
"Making music, were you?"
they cried. "Very well; now
dance!" And they turned their
backs on the Grasshopper and
went on with their work.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a time for work and a time for play. </i> </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~Milo Winter <i>The Aesop For Children</i> found at <a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=winter&book=aesop&story=_contents" target="_blank">The Baldwin Project</a></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0LK1yo1N5cgaALHPG8Gzvzwj3Op3jXwj2TXQl0UenF-VqjPtrqqneWspWjljf6oeSPE_Y_AwihZY8WRISawXxlL6luu11ceVCBG-kHx1UYjspLrnYUBIUROUzkdgdATh4MLLf6G8Lk4q/s1600/bites,+aesop,+and+bread+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0LK1yo1N5cgaALHPG8Gzvzwj3Op3jXwj2TXQl0UenF-VqjPtrqqneWspWjljf6oeSPE_Y_AwihZY8WRISawXxlL6luu11ceVCBG-kHx1UYjspLrnYUBIUROUzkdgdATh4MLLf6G8Lk4q/s320/bites,+aesop,+and+bread+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We most often use the Milo Winter version of Aesop's Fables. I found it on The Baldwin Project site and printed it off. I did a simple </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Copy</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Paste </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">onto a Word document. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkHLducXwQ2Js3VcA8hrjVRVqISBdbEwA8fQegrlD1ZF4d05hwTotY8mWWxwAsb_D7LRDOohcWwLwSMMmN2L-yR6RKfbhFg56GxDcgo3ieH5J4nujmTTGY7H-VVGwlfViBv6dgnVNj0-y/s1600/aesopscrowandpitcher+-+Copy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkHLducXwQ2Js3VcA8hrjVRVqISBdbEwA8fQegrlD1ZF4d05hwTotY8mWWxwAsb_D7LRDOohcWwLwSMMmN2L-yR6RKfbhFg56GxDcgo3ieH5J4nujmTTGY7H-VVGwlfViBv6dgnVNj0-y/s320/aesopscrowandpitcher+-+Copy.gif" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=winter&book=aesop&story=crow" target="_blank">The Crow and the Pitcher</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The drawings are so very beautiful. They may be <span style="font-size: large;">slightly</span> printer ink heavy but I shrunk them a bit so I could use less ink. Then I three ring paper punched them and placed them in a binder.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMXti9Dbawp069d1oLkUxb9SGEhk8CVIdfl98EDqPP4ZEL0NLfTpybkyf3r5pqUZxpDIKusRfaPgcUOyktT_lkddwlxiAfCuuXSK7GheKI7ngS6gLQq6SVtVSDUrSZ8r1pb87l7WsCcQ7/s1600/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMXti9Dbawp069d1oLkUxb9SGEhk8CVIdfl98EDqPP4ZEL0NLfTpybkyf3r5pqUZxpDIKusRfaPgcUOyktT_lkddwlxiAfCuuXSK7GheKI7ngS6gLQq6SVtVSDUrSZ8r1pb87l7WsCcQ7/s320/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are an Ambleside Online Year 1 reading but our whole family enjoys getting in on the Aesop fun. I usually read them myself because I enjoy reading these bits of gold with lots of enthusiasm. I will on occasion have Prince Ray read aloud for practice. The Milo Winter version has slightly challenging vocabulary so it is great for reading practice. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HPfNUFOiSwX4CpT1Hb1yW6tw2plwq5-90taOgfXfgdGVCeVHWkRhYDImiKs48NTv7VIwfi3bjEQxfM_BJ17ic9Iep4GUpJeO6N88ZWBTVp2eoQYp3QuLsNmZpVwI1efvli4T4Ev09x9G/s1600/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HPfNUFOiSwX4CpT1Hb1yW6tw2plwq5-90taOgfXfgdGVCeVHWkRhYDImiKs48NTv7VIwfi3bjEQxfM_BJ17ic9Iep4GUpJeO6N88ZWBTVp2eoQYp3QuLsNmZpVwI1efvli4T4Ev09x9G/s320/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have of course used <b>audio versions</b> sometimes simply because I don't have that extra set of hands or eyes I have wished for and there are times when school happens over supper or while I am doing dishes! <a href="http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/" target="_blank">Books Should Be Free</a> is one of my go-tos for free audio readings of classic books. So we have listened to an <a href="http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/book/aesops-fables-volume-1-fables-1-25" target="_blank">Aesop's Fable</a> while looking at the printed book artwork or even coloring a picture. It should be noted that these are not the Milo Winter versions of the fables. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkqu94aeOMZkvvab7jnBks6PEQ2DK_hzxY1E_Gu40vExR_Vdxcd42Z6NKaZsy48tWs0WN6rbMxgXK3XpoqIF3eJ1FEJjUbQHmkBTGbhN1DZfpJFPHGak7aKvbgWmLld1UuSMP1rByWK0Q/s1600/aesopsboysandfrogs+-+Copy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkqu94aeOMZkvvab7jnBks6PEQ2DK_hzxY1E_Gu40vExR_Vdxcd42Z6NKaZsy48tWs0WN6rbMxgXK3XpoqIF3eJ1FEJjUbQHmkBTGbhN1DZfpJFPHGak7aKvbgWmLld1UuSMP1rByWK0Q/s320/aesopsboysandfrogs+-+Copy.gif" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=winter&book=aesop&story=frogs2" target="_blank">The Boys and the Frogs</a></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some<b> resources</b> I have found in my internet wanderings that have helped or supplemented our Aesop's Fable readings.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FM4dPlUKRxz1kD6MkJU76u493C0nzjDOZpg5diDb6GqZ0d-jNV1y_7EKotCRtEbgM6VMgy-AfZCs0OBsotTOilqCGzS6q_zlWMzXdUmZxClrOh7-roTrkMtHKSm9SQAQT2DC8cKldJum/s1600/aesopslionandgnat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FM4dPlUKRxz1kD6MkJU76u493C0nzjDOZpg5diDb6GqZ0d-jNV1y_7EKotCRtEbgM6VMgy-AfZCs0OBsotTOilqCGzS6q_zlWMzXdUmZxClrOh7-roTrkMtHKSm9SQAQT2DC8cKldJum/s320/aesopslionandgnat.gif" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=winter&book=aesop&story=gnat2" target="_blank">The Lion and the Gnat</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For fun sometimes we will <b>watch a video </b>after reading. I might later that week for a change of pace or even as a reward put on a Youtube video clip from this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF0D93844B9ACCF31" target="_blank">site</a>. They are short, simple, and good renditions using very easy language. My kids like it when we watch the whole playlist. There are 23 videos to pick from.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are looking for a bit more this <a href="http://www.aesopfables.com/" target="_blank">site</a> has <b>lesson plans </b>and also audio versions available. They have over 600 fables to choose from! The <a href="http://www.aesopfables.com/aesopsel.html" target="_blank">Selected Fables</a> section is easily copy and pasted and has a handy chart for <b>'suggested morals'</b> you can build the study on.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The University of Massachusetts Amherst 1994 Art 271 cl<span style="font-size: large;">ass </span>has a whole site dedicated to Aesop's Fables. Many of the <a href="http://www.umass.edu/aesop/fables.php" target="_blank">Fables</a> were rewritten by the students into <b>modern English</b> along with original computer artwork. The <a href="http://www.umass.edu/aesop/history.php" target="_blank">History </a>section is good if you want to give your older kids (or yourself) a bit more information on this guy we all know the name of. He definitely had an interesting life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28" target="_blank">Project Gutenberg</a> has <b>free downloads</b> of the original Aesop's Fables. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last year I copied the reading of the week from <a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=winter&book=aesop&story=_contents" target="_blank">The Baldwin Project</a> and then used <a href="http://worksheetworks.com/">WorksheetWorks.com</a> to make copy sheets for <b>Handwriting Practice</b>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few <a href="http://www.thatresourcesite.com/printables_for_homeschoolers_colouring_aesop.htm" target="_blank">free coloring pages</a> online from That Resource Site. I wish they had more. When we do color pictures from Aesop's it is usually from their own imaginations. :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you have a preschooler sitting in on most of your classes like I do you are probably already familiar with <a href="http://dltk-teach.com/">DLTK-Teach.com</a>. This is a good size selection of <a href="http://www.dltk-teach.com/fables/color.htm" target="_blank">coloring sheets</a> and ideas for your little people so they can join in. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUaTddx3yPSiq6CgEttZaYjnpw3yrt5UNDrCB0avoj_vq46xq4FCbEy___KECqb1gFpLSGMGLTk-231I7R6AI9D9yVcAwMXNADDktuTWw1hDKHiO1SsCfuE1hblXHhlSLRVPoH0Ex27MR/s1600/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUaTddx3yPSiq6CgEttZaYjnpw3yrt5UNDrCB0avoj_vq46xq4FCbEy___KECqb1gFpLSGMGLTk-231I7R6AI9D9yVcAwMXNADDktuTWw1hDKHiO1SsCfuE1hblXHhlSLRVPoH0Ex27MR/s320/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=winter&book=aesop&story=dogshides" target="_blank">The Dogs and the Hides</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The way we really like to finish our Aesop's reading every week? </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJd5q5wg2TqEK1yMm6UhHOvOUiqBNwCK_e9X20mKEq0cPyuNgr3eJs5lGv8Z2XHceiFtYbQP1WW2jfFze0uxOBMKYk3LERl9BdvVr7J8Wv_yEQTxCUaTTdXwpdFmwj2tlu6cAFs-svJC9/s1600/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJd5q5wg2TqEK1yMm6UhHOvOUiqBNwCK_e9X20mKEq0cPyuNgr3eJs5lGv8Z2XHceiFtYbQP1WW2jfFze0uxOBMKYk3LERl9BdvVr7J8Wv_yEQTxCUaTTdXwpdFmwj2tlu6cAFs-svJC9/s320/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sir Bean working on staging.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Act it out!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are perfect for mini-drama sessions. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vPt8uCSoFr9t2MbZudiQ9LOQrnmh6lT907Re-cTMUuLs84O1mWJ8Oi8l2immt6oCyuMpuL9qDBLjk5jL8HhUaLFETWNMMaAbVPcO6pStTJPj6_a8kGDU-LZyMO6TYZ58ONQX6HV7_jhx/s1600/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vPt8uCSoFr9t2MbZudiQ9LOQrnmh6lT907Re-cTMUuLs84O1mWJ8Oi8l2immt6oCyuMpuL9qDBLjk5jL8HhUaLFETWNMMaAbVPcO6pStTJPj6_a8kGDU-LZyMO6TYZ58ONQX6HV7_jhx/s320/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The greedy dogs at the river trying to get to the hides....</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They get the practice of sharing ideas, playing pretend, learning to delegate acting parts, and of course having fun being silly.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnY8sI6yCWTO407biZuuDrwo3B8GuPAKyjmGgP43gNq-LdJlAxmrWf4O-sVtRHvjb6MuCDJsrEIa3d5D519vm4qTL-MAGhU6ef5eSWiVrYec07NgKNzqr6j2u4qerUPLMcDjpwEdcwu7E/s1600/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnY8sI6yCWTO407biZuuDrwo3B8GuPAKyjmGgP43gNq-LdJlAxmrWf4O-sVtRHvjb6MuCDJsrEIa3d5D519vm4qTL-MAGhU6ef5eSWiVrYec07NgKNzqr6j2u4qerUPLMcDjpwEdcwu7E/s320/bites%252C+aesop%252C+and+bread+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">...and they drank too much water!</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is an excellent narration time as well. ;) In<span style="font-size: large;"> warning, because I have<span style="font-size: large;"> rambunctious kids<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> it is only </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">fair </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">to say that there have been a couple unprofessional act<span style="font-size: large;">ing moment<span style="font-size: large;">s in ou<span style="font-size: large;">r past due to some of the <span style="font-size: large;">more aggressive<span style="font-size: large;"> scene<span style="font-size: large;">s. The actors were reprimanded and asked to be stage crew for the rest of the day. :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How do you study Aesop's Fables? </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Always Blessed,<br />
Gretchen :) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Possibly Linking With: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/" target="_blank">Raising Arrows</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/" target="_blank">Deep Roots At Home</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/" target="_blank">The Better Mom Monday Link Up</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/">Frugally Sustainable</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Raising Homemakers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/" target="_blank">Far Above Rubies</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://wholehearted-home.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wholehearted Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank">Growing Home</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/" target="_blank">Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://noordinarybloghop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">No Ordinary Blog Hop</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.frontlinemoms.com/" target="_blank">Frontline Moms Friday Fun</a><br />
<a href="http://thewelcominghouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Welcoming House</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://courtshipconnection.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtship Connection</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.livingintheshoe.com/" target="_blank">Living In the Shoe</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/" target="_blank">Homemaking L<span style="font-size: xx-small;">i</span>nkup </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/" target="_blank">A Proverbs 31 Wife</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/" target="_blank">All Things With a Purpose</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://nextgenhomeschool.com/" target="_blank">What's Working Wednesday</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-56903227237130736402013-03-19T02:00:00.000-05:002013-03-19T02:00:10.087-05:00Tuesday's Gift ~ Hope<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hope. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="text Ps-37-24" id="en-NKJV-14475"> </span><span class="text Ps-37-24" id="en-NKJV-14475"> </span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="text Ps-37-24" id="en-NKJV-14475">Hope in the Lifting Up.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-37-24" id="en-NKJV-14475"><br /></span></span></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Ps-37-24" id="en-NKJV-14475">Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-37-24">For the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> upholds him with His hand. ~Psalm 37:24</span></i></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizax9W3wL4nuykE6J4Hd0I_HMt3nfnwuulG3eWrqixgjd_PLjucnyDMLykFT9rDPxhqf4zQmZ1l6UOCzgZepWm-G8bh9j8GSqUlV9cS3EBEwLJSGn3UFWWnNmA6O0pErQWGszhLarRO8g5/s1600/grass+reaching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizax9W3wL4nuykE6J4Hd0I_HMt3nfnwuulG3eWrqixgjd_PLjucnyDMLykFT9rDPxhqf4zQmZ1l6UOCzgZepWm-G8bh9j8GSqUlV9cS3EBEwLJSGn3UFWWnNmA6O0pErQWGszhLarRO8g5/s640/grass+reaching.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Survive.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="text Ps-37-24">Hope in the Assurance of our God.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-37-24"> </span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Ps-42-11" id="en-NKJV-14567">Why are you cast down, O my soul?</span></i><br /><i><span class="text Ps-42-11">And why are you disquieted within me?</span></i><br /><i><span class="text Ps-42-11">Hope in God;</span></i><br /><i><span class="text Ps-42-11">For I shall yet praise Him,</span></i><br /><span class="text Ps-42-11"><i>The help of my countenance and my God. ~Psalm 42:11</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkRbveRzEcuRgq6O8Tylo97TidZxO0XtgPfrEuaZhK7HuXdzc80YIDwnnUcalkVVJeUw2O3tDVH7wrRhOOYOptTC-Mdfqk5AjZXHTpT6UOlfUN-7IXB6kONMzXSFVAmIQ5W0n3NLCWGBr/s1600/dandylion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkRbveRzEcuRgq6O8Tylo97TidZxO0XtgPfrEuaZhK7HuXdzc80YIDwnnUcalkVVJeUw2O3tDVH7wrRhOOYOptTC-Mdfqk5AjZXHTpT6UOlfUN-7IXB6kONMzXSFVAmIQ5W0n3NLCWGBr/s400/dandylion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Turn your face unto the LORD.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="text Ps-42-11">Hope in the LORD as my God and My Ultimate Help in all circumstances.<i> </i></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-42-11"><b><i> </i></b></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Ps-146-5" id="en-NRSV-16347">Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-146-5">whose hope is in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> their God,<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span>~ Psalm 146:5</span></span></i></span></span></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir51J-fIAkeV442EFSxSnqtvmmBXio9iauiZOeq_dntKUcX2nw53uIhEQAccPYJ7Bvqfq2lxbINaC4MS5Xvj2KXrX-nKBu9U5fEGEyX_YSjo6ixRL4NRLnC24EgdmAehlv9UXjU4Uo99LX/s1600/wheatnsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir51J-fIAkeV442EFSxSnqtvmmBXio9iauiZOeq_dntKUcX2nw53uIhEQAccPYJ7Bvqfq2lxbINaC4MS5Xvj2KXrX-nKBu9U5fEGEyX_YSjo6ixRL4NRLnC24EgdmAehlv9UXjU4Uo99LX/s400/wheatnsky.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stretch<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hope is a gift given by our LORD himself to encourage us on this journey called LIFE.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now
may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and
through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your
hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. ~ 2
Thessalonians 2: 16-17</span></span></i><br />
</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRGd5azlnBOgmPPgAAKjUV_mYyHa2BY4foeh4pgRHb8py9q-F68QfzFXBcr7naC-u42zVBT8Ijik-h8yKlYJ7LavHN01grPdXQjh_8Q1cg05bvSEUnn83jqsHsYMG5ePPXi_wT6Nbtyk9/s1600/droplet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRGd5azlnBOgmPPgAAKjUV_mYyHa2BY4foeh4pgRHb8py9q-F68QfzFXBcr7naC-u42zVBT8Ijik-h8yKlYJ7LavHN01grPdXQjh_8Q1cg05bvSEUnn83jqsHsYMG5ePPXi_wT6Nbtyk9/s400/droplet.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every Good Work</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>We </b><b>must </b><b>only Seize Hope as we accept Christ as our Savior...</b></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>...we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever...<span class="text Heb-6-20" id="en-NRSV-30048"> ~Hebrews 6: 18b-20a </span></i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUPCQZ_Qi1k3A3jn0swlT2gKcRu9oyQMVSJNzmvmsAzihv_i6ocFLiq43ukZpocb6s2CwSMO2V2PkRgIPA5gvCwrMLxayK16dBDiZv7fn_To9x87qH0TG6LZFOYwXYoLSHeNP-mZ5cEqC/s1600/eggingrass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUPCQZ_Qi1k3A3jn0swlT2gKcRu9oyQMVSJNzmvmsAzihv_i6ocFLiq43ukZpocb6s2CwSMO2V2PkRgIPA5gvCwrMLxayK16dBDiZv7fn_To9x87qH0TG6LZFOYwXYoLSHeNP-mZ5cEqC/s400/eggingrass.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anchored Safely</span><b><br /></b></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span class="text 2Thess-2-17" id="en-NRSV-29662"></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span class="text 2Thess-2-17" id="en-NRSV-29662"></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I am Thankful for the Gift of Hope, an anchor for my soul to rest upon.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="passage version-NRSV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<span class="text Matt-19-26" id="en-NRSV-23787"><br /></span>
<br />Always Blessed,<br />Gretchen :) <h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>All pictures are courtesy of my sister Sara Rose Nissen. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Check out her artwork over at <a href="http://sararosenissen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">as seen through my eyes</a>. </b></span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Possibly Linking With: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/" target="_blank">Raising Arrows</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/" target="_blank">Deep Roots At Home</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/" target="_blank">The Better Mom Monday Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/">Frugally Sustainable</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Raising Homemakers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/" target="_blank">Far Above Rubies</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://wholehearted-home.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wholehearted Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank">Growing Home</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/" target="_blank">Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://noordinarybloghop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">No Ordinary Blog Hop</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.frontlinemoms.com/" target="_blank">Frontline Moms Friday Fun</a><br />
<a href="http://thewelcominghouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Welcoming House</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://courtshipconnection.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtship Connection</span></a><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.livingintheshoe.com/" target="_blank">Living In the Shoe</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/" target="_blank">Homemaking L<span style="font-size: xx-small;">i</span>nkup </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/" target="_blank">A Proverbs 31 Wife</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/" target="_blank">All Things With a Purpose</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></h3>
</div>
Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-77005800875302151402013-03-18T17:15:00.001-05:002013-03-18T17:15:29.767-05:00Ham n' Bean Soup *Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLSoGDZgo51yuSGsWzThHWb-KGUBQo5kfplQvSSdcb5y5Mz8gaujUA8HdTWRDhGzwEaEj6Z2ukUksHo52hs4te_pgI_REn9EFuCSpuyjywiPk8mU3FYnzWXe-rDtRQMWm61lBcX8cwWhQ/s1600/march2013+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLSoGDZgo51yuSGsWzThHWb-KGUBQo5kfplQvSSdcb5y5Mz8gaujUA8HdTWRDhGzwEaEj6Z2ukUksHo52hs4te_pgI_REn9EFuCSpuyjywiPk8mU3FYnzWXe-rDtRQMWm61lBcX8cwWhQ/s320/march2013+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last week I wrote on how to make <a href="http://31cups.blogspot.com/2013/03/ham-bone-stock-bone-broth.html" target="_blank">Ham Stock (Bone Broth)</a>! </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX0V6Q37Im04L7LsXJze7YYxx4wCTNiKrzmrgWzij8XzIH_nkne26Sxor9iRu3_vgZ6WFYvNpcOdMwIU3B_vNnZokYkx5rUW1bGS1fLG20zGee5l2NR2gS7Ip7QRohXQQxYlYEiorB0uh/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX0V6Q37Im04L7LsXJze7YYxx4wCTNiKrzmrgWzij8XzIH_nkne26Sxor9iRu3_vgZ6WFYvNpcOdMwIU3B_vNnZokYkx5rUW1bGS1fLG20zGee5l2NR2gS7Ip7QRohXQQxYlYEiorB0uh/s200/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+007.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now let's make soup!</b></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05HVWIAf1Cew8aD8ZsM7XL7rnyn2yn_Xg2jjZ5zdLfz7deUGOVFGH4Q-4dsMMPTRwKv3zb-HJK6az5MgVDAkc_WYw6FkbFLmNE2OwH1mUd3FdJKKDPPkN3TxDXbiXp3XCHpgW6OgQA55g/s1600/march2013+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05HVWIAf1Cew8aD8ZsM7XL7rnyn2yn_Xg2jjZ5zdLfz7deUGOVFGH4Q-4dsMMPTRwKv3zb-HJK6az5MgVDAkc_WYw6FkbFLmNE2OwH1mUd3FdJKKDPPkN3TxDXbiXp3XCHpgW6OgQA55g/s320/march2013+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>Ham n' Bean Soup</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">4 to 5 qts of <a href="http://31cups.blogspot.com/2013/03/ham-bone-stock-bone-broth.html" target="_blank">Ham Stock</a> with meat from the bone</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">1 lb dry mixed (pinto, black, navy, kidney, even split peas or lentils) beans* ** (soaked, rinsed, and drained)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">1 onion, chopped</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">1 -2 cloves of garlic,minced </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">2 stalks of celery, chopped</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">2 carrots, chopped</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">1 -2 small potatoes, chopped</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">1 sweet medium potato, chopped</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">paprika, pepper, dried parsley, rosemary sprigs, and ground cloves to taste </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Stovetop:</b></i> Mix Ham Stock and beans together and simmer gently on stove for 2 hours. About a half hour before serving add veggies and spices. Cook until potatoes and carrots and done. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Crockpot: </b></i>Place Ham Stock and beans in crockpot and cook all day 8 to 10 hours on low. About 2 hours before serving add veggies and spices and cook on high until potatoes and carrots are done.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Bean Mix has Pintos, Navy Beans, Lentils, Split Peas, and Brown Rice.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">* <b>To soak beans</b> rinse with water and place in a large bowl. Cover the beans with warm water and about a tablespoon or so of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Leave it alone for about a day. (This is when I am cooking down my ham bone.) You could probably leave it for even longer. Some folks advise dumping the water after a day and adding new warm water and then continuing the soak for another day. I haven't done this. I usually cook them the next day. :) If there is a scum of bubbles that forms on top of the bowl, skim it off and discard. This will make the beans more "user and eater friendly". :) They should double in size. Before adding to your stock to cook, rinse and drain the beans.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">** Canned or pre-cooked beans can be used. Lessen your overall cooking time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><em>If I happen to have some bean soup, I
want to be able to locate, at pretty prompt intervals, some little
objects that look to me like beans. I don’t want a bowl of it where the
beans have just been driven through it at low tide. ~ Will Rogers</em></span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><em> July 17, 1927 </em></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>My sentiments exactly. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Always Blessed,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Gretchen</span></span></div>
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<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-19325562588649538102013-03-13T02:00:00.000-05:002013-03-18T19:19:27.602-05:00Muddled Love* Forgiving Your Spouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEYtaxUTDCRdigoudesjnQOULoDvG1Ix9GClRZF3hyphenhyphenmEJr28S2CsToZ5ZHxM1RmaRCFv1Y5GLgng1fA6xkq3ir7yJWGp9WG9rpbGjy_eQvC1jDIFsLmwUpFnoHQb0Un4ObcYkcsbmn9B1/s1600/lakeview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEYtaxUTDCRdigoudesjnQOULoDvG1Ix9GClRZF3hyphenhyphenmEJr28S2CsToZ5ZHxM1RmaRCFv1Y5GLgng1fA6xkq3ir7yJWGp9WG9rpbGjy_eQvC1jDIFsLmwUpFnoHQb0Un4ObcYkcsbmn9B1/s400/lakeview.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was going to write a post on my favorite place in this whole big wide world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRtRhva8RPrMhezt5ovqYYcVqSKCCRFjKBhgUkSkpXsYGlePfUqKR20ehKEZMQYzB0Vdy-kCbW-YvwMZE05bmNH16Q00p8p0K5dJpw9E0DK_P5WKN0O75de1Ok3qvh6g-PyMkTGsDP5jd/s1600/lakereeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRtRhva8RPrMhezt5ovqYYcVqSKCCRFjKBhgUkSkpXsYGlePfUqKR20ehKEZMQYzB0Vdy-kCbW-YvwMZE05bmNH16Q00p8p0K5dJpw9E0DK_P5WKN0O75de1Ok3qvh6g-PyMkTGsDP5jd/s320/lakereeds.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is so beautiful that my pictures don't even come close to showing how amazing a place it is. My sister's photographs come close but there is something tangible in the air up North that you can really only see it an<span style="font-size: large;">d feel it </span>when you are there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULAJyCc344KANKdNbTTu54Q3pMF0e4c_EJmCFiNJQeAzf27VLPFw-Y42tG_0Pjd19tkRVBXM6o1-r37JH9uyxtOLwIFU66Ey-d__SKwfgkS2TG31FT3IGpwEPv3bxXyJeuuTM3QkC0ZVE/s1600/lakeexplore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULAJyCc344KANKdNbTTu54Q3pMF0e4c_EJmCFiNJQeAzf27VLPFw-Y42tG_0Pjd19tkRVBXM6o1-r37JH9uyxtOLwIFU66Ey-d__SKwfgkS2TG31FT3IGpwEPv3bxXyJeuuTM3QkC0ZVE/s320/lakeexplore.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My grandparent's scrimped and saved and bought a small piece of land on a beau<span style="font-size: large;">tiful quiet lake<span style="font-size: large;">. My gran<span style="font-size: large;">dpa built a </span></span></span>cabin long before I was a thought in my mother's mind. She grew up in the Cities and spent her childhood summers heading up to the cabin on weekends with her parents and siblings. They hiked and swam and caught frogs and fished till they were bored and then did it all over again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The cabin stayed in the family and we got to spend a week or so every summer hiking and swimming and catching frogs and fishing... and then doing it all over again. We played in the water till our fingers wrinkled and scarfed down chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa every evening. We would read books late into the night and then wake early to the smell of coffee and pine sap. The hummingbirds whirred out the front window and water lapped at the grass shoreline teasing us with the promise of a morning swim. Mom would take us to town just to window shop and peek at all the tourist trinkets that we never bought because we were like the locals. This was her other home. She was accepted as a regular.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Somehow in all that regularness of our growing up, a love grew for this humble place. A feeling of Home. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is where I retreated so I could heal after my miscarriage. It is where I brought my babies and taught them to trust a life jacket. It is where I first tasted good coffee with my feet sunk up to ankle in cool, soft water. It is where I have cried out to God loudest because it echoes across the lake and<span style="font-size: large;"> sounds like a true declara<span style="font-size: large;">tion</span></span>. I dreamed of the lily pads floating gently on shimmery lake currents while in labor with my children. My husband fished badly with my siblings here and was accepted. Dear ones we have loved and lost were invited into this secret and safe place. The Hippie Chick became my sister here in this sun dappled world of thick pines and leafy oaks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hVuCol6OYE1H0kK_ZIES8mpeh6p_3P3SRo1Dh7BJl6irrCKyHBzBHPxoimhKXt6k5R0fnB7D12r6p_g_n_fdEoBr-LsVu_VhgT6gkG226jnAyRoZyCYyYZwNGC_ZkUzizGGPMbMDdEOi/s1600/lakefish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hVuCol6OYE1H0kK_ZIES8mpeh6p_3P3SRo1Dh7BJl6irrCKyHBzBHPxoimhKXt6k5R0fnB7D12r6p_g_n_fdEoBr-LsVu_VhgT6gkG226jnAyRoZyCYyYZwNGC_ZkUzizGGPMbMDdEOi/s320/lakefish.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My children have been enchanted by its sense of family. They feel the generations of feet walking the path from the front door to the dock. They respect the space and freely discuss topics that may have been left undisclosed. They have played board games, scarfed cookies and had cocoa for breakfast. They have hiked and swam till their fingers wrinkled. They have caught fish and found frogs. They have eaten marshmallows burnt off the stick and swatted mosquitoes. They have gladly shared air mattresses and sleeping bags all so we can vacation together. And then done it all over again, because they love this place. This Home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is above all, a feeling of family. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So that was going to be my post.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But then, as per my willingness last week to open my mouth about how I will <a href="http://31cups.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-hobbit-ness.html" target="_blank">write stuff </a>even when I don't want to I figure I better finish this. You see, I have been withholding a forgiveness. And it revolves around this place I call Home. This little cabin in the woods.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last year was a rough year. I wanted to pack my bags and Move to The Cabin last summer just so I could run away. I desperately needed a vacation. I needed someplace where I could eat and swim and run and allow my children to be dirty faced and happy for a week or so. I needed to be free from the everyday drag my life sometimes gets caught up in. I needed to be in place of quiet, with no electronic distraction and no sound of the garbage truck first thing in the morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am a stay at home, homeschooling mother with a Hubs that lives in a different town for his job more than half of the week and two teenagers in two separate high schools. I have a unique job description and it includes no time off, ever. There is no break from the daily grind. There is no relief from the pressure of motherhood. There is no back up. There is no one to throw my struggling teenager at when I need an instant answer. There is often no help when my toddler is teething, Sir Bean is acting out, and Prince Ray is lying to me. I never get a moment. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Unless, I am at the cabin. It is essential to my well-being. At least I can bring my crazy working life to a different atmosphere and things seem to be calmer there. They al<span style="font-size: large;">ways behave better wh<span style="font-size: large;">en they are out of their element.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But last year was going to be Epic. I was going to get to go for a whole weekend. With my sisters, and Princess Peony. I was literally in tears of excitement over the whole thing. Time for me. With the girls! We planned some Bible readings, some crafts and girly stuff. We figured out recipes we could make with things the little kids and menfolk won't eat. Seriously. So Happy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Hubs was going to take off work from a Thursday through a Sunday. The date set and planned months ahead of time. All was organized with the precision of an army planning for battle.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And then he changed jobs within his company. He couldn't take off. Not his fault. Just Life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was impossible to find a way around it... I wasn't going. My weekend was not happening. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I cried for days. I felt awful. Worse yet, nobody went. And I never got up there with my family or the kids either. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No break. No safe place. No going Home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I realized as I was writing about my favorite place in the whole world that I had not truly forgiven him. It was mostly out of his control. It was not an intentional hurt. I think he felt bad. There was a series of miscommunication. It was easier for him to work with the new position than try to get the weekend off. It was a measured decision based on his job and the need there. In the end, it was the right decision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, what I <i>felt</i> was that my most desperately needed weekend was less important to him. That <i>I</i> was less important to him. That my needs and wants came after his. That he didn't understand. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't think that is true. But, that is what I <i>felt</i> at the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Feelings, though are fickle aren't they? They can be true at the time but only to the beholder. Trusting in your feelings can be foolish.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Prov-1-22" id="en-NRSV-16423">How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?</span><br /><span class="text Prov-1-22">How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-1-22">and fools hate knowledge? ~Proverbs 1:2</span></span></i></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWwBRDMU27zMSkldUSLBS7uxHrIrLgnYrD-BHHlOuzVka8da8yrrJdl_QuxiZ-c5a-lCSbMDYp_0nwTtf9bA1OBBDhyfuUZaTd_wlrLFlmlskrjoxM8pwayTDnYBMFhUxeCJ2hBBX_ZQe/s1600/lakelights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWwBRDMU27zMSkldUSLBS7uxHrIrLgnYrD-BHHlOuzVka8da8yrrJdl_QuxiZ-c5a-lCSbMDYp_0nwTtf9bA1OBBDhyfuUZaTd_wlrLFlmlskrjoxM8pwayTDnYBMFhUxeCJ2hBBX_ZQe/s320/lakelights.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life is full of mishaps that step on toes, break hearts, crush spirits and damage feelings. We almost never mean to hurt the people we love. Not really. Life just happens.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-133-1"><i>How very good and pleasant it is</i></span><i><br /></i><span class="indent-1"><i><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></i><span class="text Ps-133-1"><i>when kindred live together in unity! ~Psalm 133:1</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">So on to that elusive thing called forgiveness.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I found numerous verses commanding forgiveness. They all apply to your spouse.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Forgive with loving and kindness</b>. That means no holding grudges. No halfsies on forgiving. Bury that hatchet and do not leave the handle out. Your husband does not need to hear about it over and over and over again.<span class="text Eph-4-32" id="en-NRSV-29288"><sup class="versenum"> </sup></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Eph-4-32" id="en-NRSV-29288"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><i>and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. ~ Ephesians 4:32</i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Forgive when you are bearing the complaint. Simply because the LORD forgave you. He is setting a high standard in which to follow. <b>You need to forgive even if the complaint is valid. </b>You need to forgive even if you are in the 'right'. Someday you will be in the wrong. You would want that some loving courtesy.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span class="text Col-3-13" id="en-NRSV-29514"><i>Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord<sup> </sup> has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ~Colossians 3:13</i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Forgive when your husband is repentant</b>. Even if it has hurt you to the core. You must forgive. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span class="text Luke-17-3" id="en-NRSV-25647"><i>Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. ~Luke 17:3</i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Forgive often. Forgive repeatedly. </b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i><span class="text Matt-18-21">Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” </span><span class="text Matt-18-22" id="en-NRSV-23748"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. ~Matthew 18:21-22</span></i></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So what good is it? How does this <b>motivate me to forgive</b> a wrong or even a perceived wrong? If I forgive and they sin against me again, <b>why do I need to forgive again?</b> The LORD has given us pretty clear instruction. <b>We need to forgive if we want to be forgiven.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Think about this in a marriage relationship. We need to forgive and forget all the time. I am human and a messy person. He is human and a messy person. Together, we are not a recipe for perfection. We are the definition of messy marriage. If I want to be forgiven when I have wronged or hurt him then I had better well forgive him when he fails or wrongs me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is going to happen sometimes. This is real marriage. This is not a princess story. This Chubby Princess has a stubborn heart and sarcastic tongue. The Knight in rusted armor is temperamental when tired and quick to anger. <b>Arrows on occasion are going to fly.</b> So, forgive.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-6-14" id="en-NRSV-23297">For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;~ Matthew 6:14 </span></i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are also told that <b>to foster friendship we need to forgive.</b> In marriage, our spouse should be our best friend. How do you be best friends if one of you is holding a grudge? In my case, I was pushing that feeling aside. Once that cabin post popped up, all I could think about was how upset I still was over not going! I thought I had dealt with it. I never forgave. It was still there. It wasn't hurting him. It was hurting me. Essentially it was causing a friction whenever we talked about the cabin. I need to forgive him, even if he hasn't asked for it. Even if he didn't realize how bad he offended. Because, <b>I don't want to alienate my best friend.</b> </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>One who <b>forgive</b>s an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend. ~Proverbs 17:9</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once more, to clarify. In a normal, healthy marriage. Where no one is getting hurt. Where no abuse is present. I would encourage you to pray for God's strength to forgive your spouse of any wrongdoings. Or perhaps even ask for forgiveness for your own wrongdoing. There should be no shame. We are all broken and damaged people. Asking for Forgiveness should be heartfelt but not demeaning. <b>We all have fallen short.</b> We are all asked to forgive.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To my sisters who bear a much greater burden. I will say the same thing. You must forgive. I don't believe you need to be in that space being abused to do that forgiving. The LORD wants us to preserve life. The life of your children. Your life. Get to a safe place. Seek shelter within a Christian community designed to help your situation. Pray. Seek wise counsel and encourage your spouse to do the same.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>"A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers."</i> -Ruth Bell Graham</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Always Blessed,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Gretchen :)</span><br />
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<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-43848167991844575602013-03-12T02:00:00.001-05:002013-03-15T13:10:45.027-05:00Tuesday's Gifts~ My Shepherd<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-23-1" id="en-NRSV-14237">Psalm 23</span></span></span></i></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-23-1">The Divine Shepherd</span></span></span></i></h3>
<h4 class="psalm-title" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-23-1">A Psalm of David.</span></span></span></i></h4>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-23-1"><sup class="versenum">1 </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is my shepherd, I shall not want.</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-23-2" id="en-NRSV-14238"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>He makes me lie down in green pastures;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-2">he leads me beside still waters;</span></span></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRPA9x-a26_bEC0kcpSiIJ01CNDyh0xbORuTX8GqAs9OPFqU73dPUYHMMVFj_UZrsEYbLzxrHSe3k9fn9uPZ109GeUhORER75zHdyJR2yqK-AsVCsO8kemjNP9QntSt25oiy-ILj0Z52d/s1600/green+pastures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRPA9x-a26_bEC0kcpSiIJ01CNDyh0xbORuTX8GqAs9OPFqU73dPUYHMMVFj_UZrsEYbLzxrHSe3k9fn9uPZ109GeUhORER75zHdyJR2yqK-AsVCsO8kemjNP9QntSt25oiy-ILj0Z52d/s400/green+pastures.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">verdant</span></sup></span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-23-2"> </span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-23-3" id="en-NRSV-14239"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>he restores my soul.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-3">He leads me in right paths</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-23-3">for his name’s sake.</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLgFpYroWK28qPlB25KK5QAk5lxDn-Mlp_CZjEOqtcDCnX5Z6pX88AP6fkg_Q3ursvYcHO_fZbf__HBzDlsdXf6_6ZwN1PCPxkxnyNbz0UXCcLZ1HbPX1Fjtua7GVqi3vcsbLMSKm7Gqm/s1600/highwayman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLgFpYroWK28qPlB25KK5QAk5lxDn-Mlp_CZjEOqtcDCnX5Z6pX88AP6fkg_Q3ursvYcHO_fZbf__HBzDlsdXf6_6ZwN1PCPxkxnyNbz0UXCcLZ1HbPX1Fjtua7GVqi3vcsbLMSKm7Gqm/s400/highwayman.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><sup><span style="color: #b01400;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">right of way</span></span><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></sup></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-23-4" id="en-NRSV-14240"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Even though I walk through the darkest valley,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-23-4">I fear no evil;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-4">for you are with me;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-23-4">your rod and your staff—</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-23-4">they comfort me.</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFF1-DI15iNIvmLKUr5tc0txTse3H3FjYwAWsr8xhfgQRck_Hu0MiaQHalXv2bL7GKBANgS63u8QRloLSKg0V2Lgnsnx6-i4P-P_C-0CWQD0Sw7CytxBjz6XSxBIngOiKGAlCTAjWPbHh/s1600/rock+valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFF1-DI15iNIvmLKUr5tc0txTse3H3FjYwAWsr8xhfgQRck_Hu0MiaQHalXv2bL7GKBANgS63u8QRloLSKg0V2Lgnsnx6-i4P-P_C-0CWQD0Sw7CytxBjz6XSxBIngOiKGAlCTAjWPbHh/s400/rock+valley.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">shadowed</span></sup></span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-23-5" id="en-NRSV-14241"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>You prepare a table before me</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-23-5">in the presence of my enemies;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-5">you anoint my head with oil;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-23-5">my cup overflows.</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzn5NLyp0J8nEdANZV270QPccwDh7xJDCRZYmcse9hp81rRAPRRO4RJ-FxA0cjLfTP_P7lokqk544PIm_-2cDypGz659LgeRWVLC9MA21A1_o0Q5eKMWPH6dtldwai98wVNrPHEqrOuuW/s1600/flowercup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzn5NLyp0J8nEdANZV270QPccwDh7xJDCRZYmcse9hp81rRAPRRO4RJ-FxA0cjLfTP_P7lokqk544PIm_-2cDypGz659LgeRWVLC9MA21A1_o0Q5eKMWPH6dtldwai98wVNrPHEqrOuuW/s400/flowercup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Overflow</span></sup></span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-23-5"> </span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-6" id="en-NRSV-14242"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-23-6">all the days of my life,</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-6">and I shall dwell in the house of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-23-6">my whole life long.</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-23-6"><sup><span style="font-size: large;">I am Thankful for My Shepherd.<span style="font-size: large;">....</span></span></sup></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"The metaphor of the king as the shepherd of his people goes back to
ancient Egypt. Perhaps the use of this particular convention is due to
the fact that, being stupid, affectionate, gregarious, and easily
stampeded, the societies formed by sheep are most like human ones."</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-size: large;">~</span>Northrop Frye </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">....</span> <b><span style="font-size: large;">because I am often a perfect<span style="font-size: large;">ly imperfect sheep.</span></span></b></span></span>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-23-6"><sup><span style="font-size: large;">Always Blessed,</span></sup></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-23-6"><sup><span style="font-size: large;">Gre<span style="font-size: large;">tchen :)</span></span></sup></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-23-6"><sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></sup></span></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>All pictures are courtesy of my sister<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>,</i></span> Sara Rose Nissen. </b><b> </b></span></div>
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<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em;">
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<b>Check out her artwork over at <a href="http://sararosenissen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">as seen through my eyes</a>. :)</b></span></div>
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<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Quote from: </span> <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/northropfr153378.html#mwSvA15Kt5VBGtGa.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/northropfr153378.html#mwSvA15Kt5VBGtGa.99</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span> </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-23-6"><sup><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></sup> </span></span></span></span></i></div>
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-68265832030121347342013-03-11T09:46:00.001-05:002013-03-18T17:16:38.892-05:00Ham Bone Stock (Bone Broth)<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h5>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stock to a cook is voice to a singer.<br />--Anon.</span></span></i></h5>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGti4357KQqHwMF2zPV9dcqad6fpyRb04wn-ULjiT6MnXdKi05NuKsy4nibJl4moLXQ0k_EHEb72noRkvb3ACY6JyIBmR9ljJ5I7rUmlktb29vNTQDcLX4DYQKPtOtRtEGu91Kghax4NmE/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGti4357KQqHwMF2zPV9dcqad6fpyRb04wn-ULjiT6MnXdKi05NuKsy4nibJl4moLXQ0k_EHEb72noRkvb3ACY6JyIBmR9ljJ5I7rUmlktb29vNTQDcLX4DYQKPtOtRtEGu91Kghax4NmE/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have saved vivid memories<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>from my growing years, of the<span style="font-size: large;"> W</span>elcome <span style="font-size: large;">H</span>ome after a long mid-winter's school day. The lengthy, cold bus ride home over jouncy, jutted gravel roads was finally over. Often I would pass the riding home t<span style="font-size: large;">im<span style="font-size: large;">e by </span></span>pressing my nose and mouth against the frozen and frost-nipped bus windows and breath<span style="font-size: large;">ing</span> warm air on them to make a melted spot just large enough to peek through. The barren Southern Minnesota farm fields fill up with snow so high that sometimes I could,
in my imagination, pretend I was somewhere warm, like the dessert,
staring at sand dunes instead of blowing, whisking snowflakes forming
hills and valleys all over the county. By the time that golden yellow bus pulled up to my driveway the sun was in full sun set mode, falling lower and lower on the horizon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was young enough my mom was still home with the little kids and it wasn't unusual to open the front door and be comforted by the warmth of the wood stove and the smell of fresh baked bread and soup simmering on the gas stove. It always made my mouth water to see that homemade bread all brown and glistening with fresh butter on the cutting board. The soup though is a thing of beauty all on its own. The big kettle three quarters full, steam twisting, curling, unfurling from the open pot like young ferns do in the spring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After stomping the snow off my boots and peeling off layers of outer wear I would hurry over and see what kind we were having. Thick and bubbly split pea with chunks of potato? Chicken with carrots and spaetzle? Hamburger with tomatoes and corn? Ham and Bean? Oh the possibilities were almost endless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That steam would warm me right up and to this day I crave warm filling soup on a cold day. It is frugal, versatile, healthy, and easy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was given a ham bone after a Christmas party way back at the end of December and threw it in the freezer. Last week I decided it was time to cook that bone down and make some soup. I do not profess to be and expert, just a cook with a bit of experience. So here is my basics for ham stock. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Day 1: </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpo1BF8Tzr14XcLQL_uem07HAU1gay-eerZhFMLEcMZPwe7gF10HeN_dGJv0-QYq-CUt7CenYAqV9JqAd09AdStDY_YX6h1yPNoNafDRMe3RKzDJtWh2pRa-YrFNUTkPBLsJgwtBUqJy_/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpo1BF8Tzr14XcLQL_uem07HAU1gay-eerZhFMLEcMZPwe7gF10HeN_dGJv0-QYq-CUt7CenYAqV9JqAd09AdStDY_YX6h1yPNoNafDRMe3RKzDJtWh2pRa-YrFNUTkPBLsJgwtBUqJy_/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stock Pot</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I like this stock pot. It holds about 8 to 10 quarts comfortably. You want one that is deep enough to hold a chicken carcass and cover it with a couple inches of water. This is a tutorial for ham bone broth but it could easily adjust for chicken or beef or even veggie broth. It was inexpensive for the amount it is used. On a side note I used it to water bath can some things last fall. It was a good investment. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzSvfnKAvH9_ecOexC_fqfpqw6s8OnN8ClhPccXvTwqZhc6hyphenhyphen4B9eErNTAIxkI6w2J1hFRlBQOBqERmI4NHRIUqnELofod2kkvE_YaHhJ-CmaHkiQHGUso_50AlSnkFd_fN5z18uiKa82/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzSvfnKAvH9_ecOexC_fqfpqw6s8OnN8ClhPccXvTwqZhc6hyphenhyphen4B9eErNTAIxkI6w2J1hFRlBQOBqERmI4NHRIUqnELofod2kkvE_YaHhJ-CmaHkiQHGUso_50AlSnkFd_fN5z18uiKa82/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Veggies and Bone</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I am trimming celery, or peeling carrots I will save those extras and bag them and put in my freezer for soup day. Instead of throwing out the bits of onion or garlic throw them in a bag and place in the freezer. When it comes time to make stock use those veggie bits and pieces instead of cutting up new ones. It is the ultimate in frugal cooking when you can use as much as possible and waste little . </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Notice, as well, that the ham bone is fairly meaty. You want a bone that isn't picked completely clean. Those are still usable but make a thinner broth. I will usually try to leave, on purpose, some meat in the bag or on the bone. You will be thankful on soup day that you did. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QCXLr3a4gQQTWyAMTZVmqfZQ33EvVdPFyxPlmiIJkdLA9ZuZamrBbURCdXFrF9WMJzUNb4nfLoWRgekqP44ljSjaIRPjJSYgDrJvtjBWYh6MztEGXAfNP5N4-AaRMmcNTbvwPpThX0oJ/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QCXLr3a4gQQTWyAMTZVmqfZQ33EvVdPFyxPlmiIJkdLA9ZuZamrBbURCdXFrF9WMJzUNb4nfLoWRgekqP44ljSjaIRPjJSYgDrJvtjBWYh6MztEGXAfNP5N4-AaRMmcNTbvwPpThX0oJ/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cloves, Allspice, Bayleaf</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Place all those veggie scraps, your meaty ham bone, and some spices in the stock pot. Cover with water. I would use good old fashioned tap water if it is good to drink. Cover those veggies and bone fully, about two inches or so over the top. They need to be fully submerged. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOhCSbqsgPxRKluf-WxTf5aIPW5JaWoG-v_VlEAu4YeXwd-MJt-Mi1j-MwVAwylkvLNURi1NNY_Ayo3LEtNHHu9-H_QfNaoy23JjAxPMg2-4d5Kd1xmGvpye_le0fkuASPp3rD7N2SMvT/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOhCSbqsgPxRKluf-WxTf5aIPW5JaWoG-v_VlEAu4YeXwd-MJt-Mi1j-MwVAwylkvLNURi1NNY_Ayo3LEtNHHu9-H_QfNaoy23JjAxPMg2-4d5Kd1xmGvpye_le0fkuASPp3rD7N2SMvT/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Apple Cider Vinegar</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I learned to add an acid of some sort. This will, so I am told, help to pull all that goodness out of the bones. I have used a lemon, vinegar, red wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar. A couple Tablesp<span style="font-size: large;">oons o<span style="font-size: large;">r a half a lemon should do it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now set that pot to simmer on a back burner, cover it up, and ignore it for the most part all day. I check every couple of hours to make sure it isn't dry or simmering too high. If you need to add water now and then, go for it. The idea is to slowly cook down that bone so that the meat will fall off and the marrow will leach out into the water, thus flavoring it. The longer you cook it down the better the broth. The meat and veggie should shrink down and the water should condense almost by half.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Please, do not rush this. Making good stock is an easy, basic, mostly hands off project. It does however take time. Give it the time it needs. A day is not an over estimate. I almost always cook for a day and then pick through the rest on day 2. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That being said, at the end of the day, I take the whole pot and put it in the fridge over night.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Day 2:</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTCdG7RXguanZb9phYLU9y9T7RM9gvUPEyfbeuABg74EFCwEHpK1vRfEDthwYD_gs_OoLjZBRxGWQ1XntjlbkmpaXMidgIH__yDhEbm3qXHmr7xTiyjMa-tTttgusVXe6D78YZwtUwjnh/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTCdG7RXguanZb9phYLU9y9T7RM9gvUPEyfbeuABg74EFCwEHpK1vRfEDthwYD_gs_OoLjZBRxGWQ1XntjlbkmpaXMidgIH__yDhEbm3qXHmr7xTiyjMa-tTttgusVXe6D78YZwtUwjnh/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fat</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Take that stock pot out of the fridge. The fat should have risen to the top. I skim the fat off and throw it. My dad would hate that. :) But I can't stomach it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmSErypm9e2cJia4oXvuRoecGef3IIu9KyXk2La7ZTNDfNexoxZ7JZ_jlh0Y52B2IhnTKUL1j7b-qAan4vVhKD-8Majg00IxFeifY5xVwdixsW7QgrDHIYXH6d9NB2Q_O4xa26NJdvvln/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmSErypm9e2cJia4oXvuRoecGef3IIu9KyXk2La7ZTNDfNexoxZ7JZ_jlh0Y52B2IhnTKUL1j7b-qAan4vVhKD-8Majg00IxFeifY5xVwdixsW7QgrDHIYXH6d9NB2Q_O4xa26NJdvvln/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Strain the broth through a large colander.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Using a large colander, strain the broth through the first time to catch all the veggies and meat and bone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBEc3MuDG_68a9yIa6EyTL-FnLZVPka-Tz6BNP0Z1SW4SsCb9Xy-jV9USZ42nq1aZfj7Uy2ZftFrZlP9srk7DkDq5SYc5Gzk8KgWGI__FyoFBDgpXW12YWARpb2NWOP4nGrqxkFrB5nKx/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBEc3MuDG_68a9yIa6EyTL-FnLZVPka-Tz6BNP0Z1SW4SsCb9Xy-jV9USZ42nq1aZfj7Uy2ZftFrZlP9srk7DkDq5SYc5Gzk8KgWGI__FyoFBDgpXW12YWARpb2NWOP4nGrqxkFrB5nKx/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Strainer.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I like to then use a fine sieve strainer to strain once more. This is preference and really not necessary.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHbsQ_DEPNT82LwVrPNvVg0J7wYzqVf6mcE6CXyhZQOC6KemTCk-GI_MlmAxsqSJ_L54hsrTcVUeeI7VhoMGR4M6G8UTkvRI4yEavv6cCszYRjP4RgcNCvRfb480NVFymq1VzC_l3D8fd/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHbsQ_DEPNT82LwVrPNvVg0J7wYzqVf6mcE6CXyhZQOC6KemTCk-GI_MlmAxsqSJ_L54hsrTcVUeeI7VhoMGR4M6G8UTkvRI4yEavv6cCszYRjP4RgcNCvRfb480NVFymq1VzC_l3D8fd/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+011.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stock for the Freezer.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This particular time I got enough stock for a batch of soup in the crock pot (5 quarts), and was able to freeze about 9 cups of leftover broth. The picture above shows them in 2 cup Parmesan cheese containers. I mark them and date them before putting in the freezer. This stock is good for cooking beans, for flavoring rice, or adding to stew or soup when it has gotten too thick. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSF5SKbIzZ01PuZoU5pG5o8qRMGjVzoFh5wcoFI6Q3pnb25w9gelaJ89atGeIUYpQltRbSma27Rwovnv6HYI6HeGlgoK87oThTPXK7g5TIWiOvdOANjyrRAcATxwVLlu4EpzterxCFdXtl/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSF5SKbIzZ01PuZoU5pG5o8qRMGjVzoFh5wcoFI6Q3pnb25w9gelaJ89atGeIUYpQltRbSma27Rwovnv6HYI6HeGlgoK87oThTPXK7g5TIWiOvdOANjyrRAcATxwVLlu4EpzterxCFdXtl/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pick through the colander.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now onto the messy part. Pick through that leftover veggie/meat/bone mess and save out the meat. If I had more critters I would probably share that leftover bone, but ou<span style="font-size: large;">r</span> Miss Ivy Kitty is a Diva Cat and refuses to eat anything but her Friskies. Therefore, I chuck all this leftover in the garbage at this time. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurb_hFiTvFN1bzTcvDunU4KGRMchn7m19reRhavNHkClsuK6Ypk5fNJrDJS4Cq8X_mO4FOfCpsegJSGlq5YqK_JN_hrUajVqknt41M3hia3La999WNB7I5eT0qhdwdv9UtJ2oac70UUcc/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurb_hFiTvFN1bzTcvDunU4KGRMchn7m19reRhavNHkClsuK6Ypk5fNJrDJS4Cq8X_mO4FOfCpsegJSGlq5YqK_JN_hrUajVqknt41M3hia3La999WNB7I5eT0qhdwdv9UtJ2oac70UUcc/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFU8JDtpmZ8CgXu8dXxPekWRoNoHYFJgs5e1mpkFNbg5zk7PBC9yyR6CUCSuiwLVyTmNFlrFPMMWpdB6Ule3ozuyW89INxpmI3CnX3VfB_j-77rwVOGGkd5wHkve4lrpLtSxD0HI5qAHD/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFU8JDtpmZ8CgXu8dXxPekWRoNoHYFJgs5e1mpkFNbg5zk7PBC9yyR6CUCSuiwLVyTmNFlrFPMMWpdB6Ule3ozuyW89INxpmI3CnX3VfB_j-77rwVOGGkd5wHkve4lrpLtSxD0HI5qAHD/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I ended up with about a cup or so of meat. Now this is plenty for us as we are having Ham and Bean soup. If you need more, add from another source. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1RDM59dN8MsDep2n1ecmnrljAe88_GbY_DsXULmGNuPse8HlvnsIEhFwi7D8pjCGZpRIbrKpmRRrDeCnUAnfcgefs6Ivi4mHsGb-LRij9RSSNaJlJX2YjH2xxZaw7xLfuTrf5CkwRrMQ/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1RDM59dN8MsDep2n1ecmnrljAe88_GbY_DsXULmGNuPse8HlvnsIEhFwi7D8pjCGZpRIbrKpmRRrDeCnUAnfcgefs6Ivi4mHsGb-LRij9RSSNaJlJX2YjH2xxZaw7xLfuTrf5CkwRrMQ/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Add that Ham to your soup stock.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At this point, your soup is ready for all the yumminess you can come up with. Add what your heart desires. Vegetables, beans, lentils, split peas, pasta. The possibilities with a good stock are almost endless.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://31cups.blogspot.com/2013/03/ham-n-bean-soup-recipe.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a> of this series will be my recipe for Ham <span style="font-size: large;">'n</span> Bean Soup. It is filling to the tummy and good for the soul. Stay Tuned!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Always Blessed,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Gretchen :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/" target="_blank">A Proverbs 31 Wife</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/" target="_blank">All Things With a Purpose</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span> <br />
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-50256459782509763022013-03-06T01:02:00.001-06:002013-04-13T12:28:57.192-05:00Homeschool~ Poetry Study<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY8Ri7NvP_c_DbIRFSQV1bpd9HfiK-EGLz52Tk8gm2gFmAcqdEmqY9pEmypSEYAQ3lKHB16dOhfk_GV71K6_2SEN5uoygWuPAU0AvEdw3NmazAJfe1Rp_e2uXI0t7ZauNAmMD-WxO5QRn/s1600/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+028+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY8Ri7NvP_c_DbIRFSQV1bpd9HfiK-EGLz52Tk8gm2gFmAcqdEmqY9pEmypSEYAQ3lKHB16dOhfk_GV71K6_2SEN5uoygWuPAU0AvEdw3NmazAJfe1Rp_e2uXI0t7ZauNAmMD-WxO5QRn/s320/ham+bone+soup+and+poetry+028+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Poetry.<br />
Does it make you feel a bit apprehensive?<br />
Are you convinced it is all full of thees and thous and incomprehensible language?<br />
Does the idea of reading poetry bring you to a place of eye rolling and high school style anguish?<br />
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It doesn't have to be like that! <br />
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Hear me out on this. (Well, read me out on this. :)) Poetry is a valid and wonderful addition to your homeschool. Poetry can build listening skills, reading comprehension, and can be used to explain certain grammar techniques and phonics skills. The trick is to find valid age appropriate poetry that will keep the attention of your student and teach some beautiful literary appreciation as well.<br />
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To be fair, I am biased. I love words. I love reading words. I love placing words together. I love word games. You get the idea. When I was sixteen I got my first thesaurus. I think it was for English class. We may have used it only once but I loved it. I found words to look up just to make my diary look more linguistic. I wrote all of my reports using that handy thesaurus. I sent notes to my grandma saying the same thing three different ways using creative wording. Words with hidden meanings and beautiful lettering can make a simple sentence become, well.... poetry.<br />
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Here's the thing about Poems.<br />
They come in more forms than:<br />
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<i>Little boy blue, </i></div>
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<i>Come blow your horn,</i></div>
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<i>The sheep are in the meadow,</i></div>
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<i>The cows are in the corn.</i></div>
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<i>~Mother Goose </i></div>
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Or the standard:<br />
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<i>How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
<br />I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
<br />My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight</i></div>
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<i>~Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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<b>Poetry can tell a story. </b><br />
<i>The Song of Hiawatha</i> by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a beautiful poem broken into twenty-two chapters. It is a story written in poetic form. It is beautiful and also informative. There is much to be learned about this culture and the territory. You can find it free online <a href="http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/LonHiaw.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<i>By the shores of Gitche Gumee, <br />By the shining Big-Sea-Water, <br />Stood the wigwam of Nokomis, <br />Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis. <br />Dark behind it rose the forest, <br />Rose the black and gloomy pine-trees, <br />Rose the firs with cones upon them; <br />Bright before it beat the water, <br />Beat the clear and sunny water, <br />Beat the shining Big-Sea-Water. </i></blockquote>
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<b>Can you see it?</b> I can almost smell the lake water and the pine sap.<i> Gitche Gumee</i> is the great Lake Superior. The <i>gloomy pine trees</i> are most likely the beautiful tall logging pines found in Northern Minnesota. Lovely descriptions. Here are the next lines:</div>
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<i>There the wrinkled old Nokomis <br />Nursed the little Hiawatha, <br />Rocked him in his linden cradle, <br />Bedded soft in moss and rushes, <br />Safely bound with reindeer sinews; <br />Stilled his fretful wail by saying, <br />"Hush! the Naked Bear will hear thee!" <br />Lulled him into slumber, singing, <br />"Ewa-yea! my little owlet! <br />Who is this, that lights the wigwam? <br />With his great eyes lights the wigwam? <br />Ewa-yea! my little owlet!" </i></blockquote>
~<i><b>Song of Hiawatha</b></i>, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow<br />
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It tells us a story. </div>
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<b>Poetry can be moving</b>. </div>
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It can set your heart to feel and your mind to think. It does not need to be picked and pulled apart, but instead appreciated as a whole. It can be a catalyst for great conversation and debate. It can be motivating on a personal level. </div>
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<i><b>If</b></i>
~ Rudyard Kipling<br />
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<i>If you can keep your head when all about you
<br />Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
<br />If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
<br />But make allowance for their doubting too;
<br />If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
<br />Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
<br />Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
<br />And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:</i><br />
<i>
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<i>If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
<br />If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
<br />If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
<br />And treat those two impostors just the same;
<br />If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
<br />Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
<br />Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
<br />And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: </i></blockquote>
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<i>If you can make one heap of all your winnings
<br />And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
<br />And lose, and start again at your beginnings
<br />And never breathe a word about your loss;
<br />If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
<br />To serve your turn long after they are gone,
<br />And so hold on when there is nothing in you
<br />Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'</i></blockquote>
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<i>If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
<br />' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
<br />if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
<br />If all men count with you, but none too much;
<br />If you can fill the unforgiving minute
<br />With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
<br />Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
<br />And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my so</i>n!
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There is some good discussion in there, I think.</div>
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<b>Poetry was created by our LORD</b>.<b> </b></div>
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<b>The Psalms </b>are the original organized poetry. All topics are covered. Lessons of morality are showcased. Commands and love notes are sung to us so sweetly. The Psalms are a favorite for many people for their fluid and graceful quality. The lines roll off the tongue fairly easily and pull on our heart strings.</div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-67-1"><sup class="versenum">1 </sup>May God be gracious to us and bless us</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-67-1">and make his face to shine upon us,<span class="selah"> Selah</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-67-2" id="en-NRSV-14896"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>that your way may be known upon earth,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-67-2">your saving power among all nations.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-67-3" id="en-NRSV-14897"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>Let the peoples praise you, O God;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-67-3">let all the peoples praise you.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-67-4" id="en-NRSV-14898"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-67-4">for you judge the peoples with equity</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-67-4">and guide the nations upon earth.<span class="selah"> Selah</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-67-5" id="en-NRSV-14899"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>Let the peoples praise you, O God;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-67-5">let all the peoples praise you.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-67-6" id="en-NRSV-14900"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>The earth has yielded its increase;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-67-6">God, our God, has blessed us.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-67-7" id="en-NRSV-14901"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>May God continue to bless us;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-67-7">let all the ends of the earth revere him.</span></span></i></div>
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~Psalm 67 <br />
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<b>Poetry can be a teaching tool.</b> </div>
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My children have thoroughly enjoyed reading Robert Louis Stevenson's <i>A Child's Garden of Verses</i> and A.A. Milne's <i>Now We Are Six</i>. These are timeless poems written for children. The poems are fanciful and full of childhood dreams and thoughts. The picture above is Sir Bean reading his favorite poem, <i>Forgiven</i> by A.A. Milne. </div>
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<b><i>Forgiven</i></b> by A.A. Milne <br />
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<i>I found a little beetle; so that Beetle was his name,<br />And I called him Alexander and he answered just the same.<br />I put him in a match-box, and I kept him all the day ...<br />And Nanny let my beetle out -<br />Yes, Nanny let my beetle out -<br />She went and let my beetle out -<br />And Beetle ran away.<br /><br />She said she didn't mean it, and I never said she did,<br />She said she wanted matches and she just took off the lid,<br />She said that she was sorry, but it's difficult to catch<br />An excited sort of beetle you've mistaken for a match.<br /><br />She said that she was sorry, and I really mustn't mind,<br />As there's lots and lots of beetles which she's certain we could find,<br />If we looked about the garden for the holes where beetles hid -<br />And we'd get another match-box and write BEETLE on the lid.<br /><br />We went to all the places which a beetle might be near,<br />And we made the sort of noises which a beetle likes to hear,<br />And I saw a kind of something, and I gave a sort of shout:<br />"A beetle-house and Alexander Beetle coming out!"<br /><br />It was Alexander Beetle I'm as certain as can be,<br />And he had a sort of look as if he thought it must be Me,<br />And he had a sort of look as if he thought he ought to say:<br />"I'm very very sorry that I tried to run away."<br /><br />And Nanny's very sorry too for you-know-what-she-did,<br />And she's writing ALEXANDER very blackly on the lid,<br />So Nan and Me are friends, because it's difficult to catch<br />An excited Alexander you've mistaken for a match.
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There is rhyming, punctuation, phonics practice and comprehension that can take this poem to a whole lesson if you wanted. Or you could just enjoy the wonder of children and read <i>Forgiven</i> for sheer love of the realness of it. </div>
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This is just the tip of the proverbial ice berg. There are numerous types, styles, and kinds of poetry. The idea is to <b>just get reading it</b>. Once there is an appreciation for poetry, a child can be led to write his own. When they are older, the works of Shakespeare or Geoffrey Chaucer's <i>Canterbury Tales</i> will still be challenging but at least familiarly written. Wonderful works like <i>Beowulf</i> will be more easily read and enjoyed if the groundwork is done now. </div>
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We don't do much other than read and enjoy the poems. There are grand discussions sometimes. Mostly though we sip tea and giggle or shed a tear. We compare to our own lives or compare against what The LORD says in His Word. We appreciate the beauty of the words.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDquAS4IYogK4johfAuGsHdg-aXFhxUz27NCiAGGKaHisPn0elSQ0_GKxx6UphJAWRwYi3Zptpjw-JgeVkwPv5RFqmvnYO-HzD_79b38IAW2PWysTLddNeqBb8wmC4URee9iSd5SsP-fU/s1600/poetry+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDquAS4IYogK4johfAuGsHdg-aXFhxUz27NCiAGGKaHisPn0elSQ0_GKxx6UphJAWRwYi3Zptpjw-JgeVkwPv5RFqmvnYO-HzD_79b38IAW2PWysTLddNeqBb8wmC4URee9iSd5SsP-fU/s320/poetry+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Always Blessed,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Gretchen :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Possibly Linking With: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/" target="_blank">Raising Arrows</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/" target="_blank">Deep Roots At Home</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/" target="_blank">The Better Mom Monday Link Up</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/">Frugally Sustainable</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Raising Homemakers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/" target="_blank">Far Above Rubies</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://wholehearted-home.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wholehearted Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank">Growing Home</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/" target="_blank">Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://noordinarybloghop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">No Ordinary Blog Hop</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.frontlinemoms.com/" target="_blank">Frontline Moms Friday Fun</a><br />
<a href="http://thewelcominghouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Welcoming House</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://courtshipconnection.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtship Connection</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.livingintheshoe.com/" target="_blank">Living In the Shoe</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/" target="_blank">Homemaking L<span style="font-size: xx-small;">i</span>nkup Weekend</a> </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.amamasstory.com/" target="_blank">Our Days Homeschool Link Up</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/" target="_blank">A Proverbs 31 Wife</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/" target="_blank">All Things With a Purpose</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-61707837717126269172013-03-05T00:30:00.001-06:002013-03-15T13:11:23.554-05:00Tuesday's Gifts ~ Heart Trusting<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am <b>Thankful</b> for the opportunity to <b>Believe</b>.</span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To <b>Believe</b> in God's <b>Provision</b> <span style="font-size: large;">in spi<span style="font-size: large;">te of my questioning <b><span style="font-size: large;">M</span>in<span style="font-size: large;">d</span></b></span></span>.</span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Job-38-41" id="en-NRSV-13835">Who provides for the raven its prey,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Job-38-41">when its young ones cry to God,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Job-38-41">and wander about for lack of food? ~Job 38:41</span></span></span></span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5g81UcRIQwK3ph9EHq32l0C9aZa4aZsjOXIZlFGj3JPciTYGYSrDyNxai98yrxDk-1GBMH4yfmiYgRtw_KigabE8GA5ZQJRscwLAvB9av6kx9Tph62V-3N8SQbVVKM0Zo2Y2CZxwGUaBO/s1600/birdiebabies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5g81UcRIQwK3ph9EHq32l0C9aZa4aZsjOXIZlFGj3JPciTYGYSrDyNxai98yrxDk-1GBMH4yfmiYgRtw_KigabE8GA5ZQJRscwLAvB9av6kx9Tph62V-3N8SQbVVKM0Zo2Y2CZxwGUaBO/s400/birdiebabies.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Job-38-41"><span class="text Ps-147-9" id="en-KJV-16361"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. ~Psalms 147:9</span></span></span></span></span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-vYACQivwZoSKdxWm3Kqz3wnwcN3sWDCZ6WPR1UmzOL2GQzghlQ6DQL5dzX0EPZTBbhKTU2HTZp9Sc2XDSdtMchcPx-4lbAoBOV2uckppNdYF17G-oZsk2w-NrqlsqgxkYTem34JknSG/s1600/birdiebabies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-vYACQivwZoSKdxWm3Kqz3wnwcN3sWDCZ6WPR1UmzOL2GQzghlQ6DQL5dzX0EPZTBbhKTU2HTZp9Sc2XDSdtMchcPx-4lbAoBOV2uckppNdYF17G-oZsk2w-NrqlsqgxkYTem34JknSG/s400/birdiebabies2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thankful for my growing <b>Faith</b><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">For Curbing my <b>Will</b> to His. </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span class="text Luke-12-24" id="en-NRSV-25476">Consider the ravens:
they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and
yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! ~Luke 12:24</span></span></span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhU3RuCaVgByV2GEC3k0mItEQCfJ3OIhCoBLX44J_MtS_VJ7LUrQZEY8oK4kszX63HrgSlgXEGH2YiNIOIMKOfhomMvzWT1ahfZJ44o9FLKBuF2KIGfey69DpqF2DB_iy0VbWQD9mOaGV/s1600/birdiebabies3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhU3RuCaVgByV2GEC3k0mItEQCfJ3OIhCoBLX44J_MtS_VJ7LUrQZEY8oK4kszX63HrgSlgXEGH2YiNIOIMKOfhomMvzWT1ahfZJ44o9FLKBuF2KIGfey69DpqF2DB_iy0VbWQD9mOaGV/s400/birdiebabies3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span class="text Ps-84-3" id="en-NRSV-15263">Even the sparrow finds a home,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-84-3">and the swallow a nest for herself,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-84-3">where she may lay her young,</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-84-3">at your altars, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> of hosts,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-84-3">my King and my God. ~Psalms 84:3</span></span></span></span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitR2Pn7Zq17xVwSCj-Jn-AxeSyRJUj9KN3XLRIxz_KGrNLGz0QorvAnhVJWRerLlFL0kA6V8v8LsUeqOF0uBXDmkHaMyrW2lG8E9Qe4bMpZDl970ZSj8Ploqirnu8c0QxjD18SkCR8z3mi/s1600/birdienest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitR2Pn7Zq17xVwSCj-Jn-AxeSyRJUj9KN3XLRIxz_KGrNLGz0QorvAnhVJWRerLlFL0kA6V8v8LsUeqOF0uBXDmkHaMyrW2lG8E9Qe4bMpZDl970ZSj8Ploqirnu8c0QxjD18SkCR8z3mi/s400/birdienest.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank<span style="font-size: large;">ing Him for His <b>patience</b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I <b>learn</b> to let my heart <b>Trust</b>.</span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-13-31"><sup class="versenum">31 </sup>He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; </span> <span class="text Matt-13-32" id="en-NRSV-23572"><sup class="versenum">32 </sup>it
is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the
greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come
and make nests in its branches.” ~Matthew 13: 31-32</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-13-32" id="en-NRSV-23572"><br /></span></span></span></i>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-13-32" id="en-NRSV-23572">Oh! that I would trust with my heart so that I may find rest! Home in th<span style="font-size: large;">ose</span> branches with the <span style="font-size: large;">warm sun-dapple<span style="font-size: large;">d light <span style="font-size: large;">peeking through those green leafy arms. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-13-32" id="en-NRSV-23572"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">What a promised gift to be thankful for.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Always Blessed,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Gretchen :)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>All pictures are courtesy of my sister<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>,</i></span> Sara Rose Nissen. </b><b> </b></span></div>
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<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
<b>Check out her artwork over at <a href="http://sararosenissen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">as seen through my eyes</a>. :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Possibly Linking With: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/" target="_blank">Raising Arrows</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/" target="_blank">Deep Roots At Home</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/" target="_blank">The Better Mom Monday Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/">Frugally Sustainable</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Raising Homemakers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/" target="_blank">Far Above Rubies</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://wholehearted-home.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wholehearted Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank">Growing Home</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/" target="_blank">Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://noordinarybloghop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">No Ordinary Blog Hop</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.frontlinemoms.com/" target="_blank">Frontline Moms Friday Fun</a><br />
<a href="http://thewelcominghouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Welcoming House</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://courtshipconnection.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtship Connection</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.livingintheshoe.com/" target="_blank">Living In the Shoe</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/" target="_blank">Homemaking L<span style="font-size: xx-small;">i</span>nkup Weekend</a> </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/" target="_blank">A Proverbs 31 Wife</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/" target="_blank">All Things With a Purpose</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span> <br />
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-32134705096265572032013-03-03T13:33:00.000-06:002013-03-15T13:11:41.244-05:00My Hobbit-ness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been W</span>aiting.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">F</span>or the words to c<span style="font-size: large;">ome...</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">so I can be a writer again.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">With something to say. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been a</span>voiding writing because...</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">then I may have to face some of the stuff that makes life hard...</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">and breakable...</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and <span style="font-size: large;">hurt<span style="font-size: large;">ful.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I started writing because I<span style="font-size: large;"> felt God wanted me t<span style="font-size: large;">o be honest and let my<span style="font-size: large;"> faulty life<span style="font-size: large;">, my slip-sliding walk with Him be on<span style="font-size: large;"> display. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not because it is comfortable. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not because I like sharing my stubborn wrongs. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not because I like looking like <span style="font-size: large;">I've failed more than I have s<span style="font-size: large;">ucceeded. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">But, instead, b</span>ecause He <span style="font-size: large;">wanted me to. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps in my messin<span style="font-size: large;">ess others can see that the Christian walk isn't perfect. My prayer is that my translucent life will be comforting to someone who is seeking God's truth. I am a walking <span style="font-size: large;">P</span>oster Girl for <span style="font-size: large;">the '</span>you don't have to be perfect to <span style="font-size: large;">become a Christ Follower' bit of truth you ha<span style="font-size: large;">ve heard preached to you</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">S<span style="font-size: large;">o now, back to writing. Or avoiding writing.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have found ourselves in a bit of a<span style="font-size: large;"> life</span> <span style="font-size: large;">dilemma</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">One of those 'one more things' that feels it may just break open a flood of tears that doesn't stop. It isn't a sudden surprise but instead a slowly creeping knowing. Not a knowing I wanted t<span style="font-size: large;">o have. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are praying God will give us a cle<span style="font-size: large;">ar<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>leading on our next step<span style="font-size: large;">. I am secretly hoping<span style="font-size: large;"> for a neon sign or a certified letter saying: DO THIS! The Preacher <span style="font-size: large;">Man has faith that would move hills but even he is feeling a bit <span style="font-size: large;">mystified.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a planning with provision kind of w<span style="font-size: large;">oman. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>things to be<span style="font-size: large;"> safe..<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> <span style="font-size: large;">and comfortable...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and repeti<span style="font-size: large;">tive<span style="font-size: large;">...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">and constant.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not okay with shifting sands under my feet and moving floor foundations. I get <span style="font-size: large;">nervous when there isn'<span style="font-size: large;">t a plan in place fo<span style="font-size: large;">r</span> our future. I am<span style="font-size: large;"> a creature who loves habit. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love my morning coffee and my fuzzy s<span style="font-size: large;">ocks. I like the quilt that<span style="font-size: large;"> my grandma made and my comfy spot on the couch. I <span style="font-size: large;">enjoy lunch with <span style="font-size: large;">R</span>aspberry <span style="font-size: large;">L</span>eaf <span style="font-size: large;">T</span>ea and <span style="font-size: large;">checking the mail at 1:30. I really like <span style="font-size: large;">it when my day runs in order.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I guess <span style="font-size: large;">you could say that </span>I'm sounding a bit like a H<span style="font-size: large;">obbit<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;">“Sorry! I don't want any adventures, thank you. Not Today. Good morning!
But please come to tea -any time you like! Why not tomorrow? Good bye!”
<br /> <span style="color: black;">―
J.R.R. Tolkien,
</span><span style="color: black;">
The Hobbit</span> </span></span>
</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Adventure is not <span style="font-size: large;">on my list of great wants. Take your El<span style="font-size: large;">ven<span style="font-size: large;"> chain m</span>ail and Orc sword and be gone with you. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet I think in some small (or big?) way God is going to be bringing us to a new adventure. I don<span style="font-size: large;">'t want to face it and would rather hi<span style="font-size: large;">de in my <span style="font-size: large;">H</span>obbit <span style="font-size: large;">H</span>ole <span style="font-size: large;">having a cup of te<span style="font-size: large;">a and a <span style="font-size: large;">biscuit. <span style="font-size: large;">With some chocolate.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;">'</span><span style="color: #274e13;">I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.' </span></i></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;">'</span><span style="color: #274e13;">I
should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no
use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late
for dinner!'
<br /> ―<span style="color: black;">
J.R.R. Tolkien,
The Hobbit</span></span></i></span></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKTLcYs3g4XYhRogD2mxsC0-xC96yUTe53cuYboDCXr1ctjY54lAPJ_UOJIlFGUTQnIgesgdn7totNO2u5f1nWgT9OgsCAdHr4RD-SZsYlrpF2D_Fe1l9tx9fRy5ndKT-AUcKW5bTWnS7/s1600/hobbit+hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKTLcYs3g4XYhRogD2mxsC0-xC96yUTe53cuYboDCXr1ctjY54lAPJ_UOJIlFGUTQnIgesgdn7totNO2u5f1nWgT9OgsCAdHr4RD-SZsYlrpF2D_Fe1l9tx9fRy5ndKT-AUcKW5bTWnS7/s400/hobbit+hole.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://freshome.com/2012/12/27/10-bewitching-hobbit-houses-seemengly-inspired-by-tolkiens-fantasy-novels/" target="_blank">Hobbit Hole</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The L<span style="font-size: large;">ORD<span style="font-size: large;"> has a plan though. It <span style="font-size: large;">most likely does include making me late for dinner once or twice. It also includes so much more than that<span style="font-size: large;">. It is a chance to put my belief, faith, and trust into action. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the <span style="font-size: large;">book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Why-Trusting-When-Dont-Understand/dp/0849908450" target="_blank"><i>Why?</i></a> by Anne Graham Lotz<i><span style="font-size: large;">,</span></i> she describes it this way:<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(emphasis mine)</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"Because while <b>belief</b> is the consent of the mind and <b>faith</b> is a choice of the will, <b>trust</b> is a commitment of the heart."</span> </i></span> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So<span style="font-size: large;"> my heart better get to tru<span style="font-size: large;">sting. <span style="font-size: large;">Not that it is easy. Not knowing what will h<span style="font-size: large;">appen. Not knowing if we will fall or <span style="font-size: large;">rise. If it will be harder before it gets easier.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">“It was at this point that Bilbo stopped. Going on from there was the
bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous things that happened
afterward were as nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in
the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait.”
<br /> ―
<span style="color: black;"> J.R.R. Tolkien,
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
The Hobbit</span></span></span></span>
</i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So I think we will begin with the Going On. <span style="font-size: large;">The taking of a step forward in Blind Obedience. Against what others <span style="font-size: large;">may think or may say. Against what I would think or say. Does not God show time and again that those that trust <span style="font-size: large;">Him do not go <span style="font-size: large;">without His blessings<span style="font-size: large;">?</span> It is necessary though, to rem<span style="font-size: large;">ember His blessings are not necessarily our wants.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">“Where there's life there's hope, and need of vittles.”
<br /> ―
<span style="color: black;"> J.R.R. Tolkien,
</span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">
The Lord of the Rings</span>
</i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">His <span style="font-size: large;">blessings are there for us if we but wade through our shallow whys and why<span style="font-size: large;">-nots. </span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>“The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places.<br />But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now<br />mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater.”
<br /> ―<span style="color: black;">
J.R.R. Tolkien,
The Lord of the Rings</span></i></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> <span style="font-size: large;">We are going to step into the tunnel and see what the LORD has in His plan for us. Not my plan.</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;">“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You
certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always
quite the something you were after.”
<br /> ―
<span style="color: black;">J.R.R. Tolkien,
</span></span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
The Hobbit</span></span>
</i><i>
</i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The best part of the personal pep talk? You have all shared in it with me! So no more not writing because I don't have the words. No more being ashamed of my humanness. You are going to get a bare soul sharing of my inadequacies and on top of it I'll <span style="font-size: large;">occasionally</span> throw in a reci<span style="font-size: large;">pe or a tip. A beautiful picture and a way t<span style="font-size: large;">o be <span style="font-size: large;">healthier. God will get the glory because it is all because of Him!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="passage version-NRSV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<div class="poetry" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Isa-55-8" id="en-NRSV-18749"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>For my thoughts are not your thoughts,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-8">nor are your ways my ways, says the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-55-9" id="en-NRSV-18750"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>For as the heavens are higher than the earth,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-9">so are my ways higher than your ways</span></span></span></span></span></i><span class="indent-1"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></span></span></span></i><span class="text Isa-55-9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">and my thoughts than your thoughts.</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"> ~Isaiah 55:8-9</span></span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Always Blessed,</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Gretchen :) </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i>Quotes found at: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1540236-the-hobbit-or-there-and-back-again" target="_blank">Good Reads</a> and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3462456-the-lord-of-the-rings" target="_blank">Good Reads</a></i> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/" target="_blank">Deep Roots At Home</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/" target="_blank">All Things With a Purpose</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span> <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span> </span> </span></span></span> Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-70879930536416640902013-02-21T02:00:00.000-06:002013-03-15T13:12:01.055-05:00Goin' Crunchy~ Disinfectant Towels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7LoJuXlapsiNQFBCwqq6aLZyfEP76-SmvWu5vszsqFHJ_VAyCaPZCY6-bjYQXzYvaBpu-rFylsoPBZLmDeB2Mr5rZTrc70v768o5mhFzm6K6IsNLWtCj8Jjgthc9WbQYA9ZXllVw2diH/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7LoJuXlapsiNQFBCwqq6aLZyfEP76-SmvWu5vszsqFHJ_VAyCaPZCY6-bjYQXzYvaBpu-rFylsoPBZLmDeB2Mr5rZTrc70v768o5mhFzm6K6IsNLWtCj8Jjgthc9WbQYA9ZXllVw2diH/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are you familiar with those disposable, disinfectant towelettes (yes that is a real word...) that come in the cylinder shaped containers. The very convenient, snap tight lid, pull the towelette through the perfect shaped space on top to use anywhere, anytime, for almost any cleaning emergency wonder invention? I love those things!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I used to have one in the bathroom, one in each vehicle, one in the kitchen.... I was a disinfectant towelette (yep still a word, feels weird typing it..) kinda gal. By now if you have read anything in my Goin' Crunchy section you know that I love a clean house. I also love fun cleaning supplies. I just enjoy the <span style="font-size: large;">satisfaction</span> and it was pretty much bred into me so it isn't going away anytime soon.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been, for about a year, searching out ways to clean without the chemicals, and without the cost. Enter in my love for instant cleaning towels (oh so much better..) and a want to get back to natural items and what you get is my version of the Disinfectant Towel!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I searched the internet last summer and never really came up with what I wanted that would work for us. I pieced together a few different recipes from <a href="http://www.liverenewed.com/2012/10/31-days-to-green-clean-homemade-disinfecting-wipes-updated.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://hecate-horus.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Make-Your-Own-Disinfectant-Wipes" target="_blank">here</a> and then made it work for us!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Disinfectant Towels</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7LoJuXlapsiNQFBCwqq6aLZyfEP76-SmvWu5vszsqFHJ_VAyCaPZCY6-bjYQXzYvaBpu-rFylsoPBZLmDeB2Mr5rZTrc70v768o5mhFzm6K6IsNLWtCj8Jjgthc9WbQYA9ZXllVw2diH/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7LoJuXlapsiNQFBCwqq6aLZyfEP76-SmvWu5vszsqFHJ_VAyCaPZCY6-bjYQXzYvaBpu-rFylsoPBZLmDeB2Mr5rZTrc70v768o5mhFzm6K6IsNLWtCj8Jjgthc9WbQYA9ZXllVw2diH/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">White Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil, Lavend<span style="font-size: large;">e</span>r Oil, Water</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN4gZKPDeLn0DOJz3TwQGicM39oWGuOKLzb-QOVeG2nYYUe8MRRXoWdTqNugm6-xQbkg9czeZCBb9XYyppyvVDEC5y7pj5OIWN2bq56x-_oAF5iL-PFa-x2xtCo-OFHzc8sR2G_nM3QR2/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN4gZKPDeLn0DOJz3TwQGicM39oWGuOKLzb-QOVeG2nYYUe8MRRXoWdTqNugm6-xQbkg9czeZCBb9XYyppyvVDEC5y7pj5OIWN2bq56x-_oAF5iL-PFa-x2xtCo-OFHzc8sR2G_nM3QR2/s320/025.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bucket of Rags</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwJl3dvUTfCDCEju50bujETgXoaCAKa2_oZQm0MJ8eKT2UCky2k9-05UneWilqSRoHhG3XBa8eCYiD0qDlbyT7JSOdrKzIsr1ZyNDWF-GU0vg1GZo6lV7TqfsCaQLlQFHnoYN7WjVOPfX/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwJl3dvUTfCDCEju50bujETgXoaCAKa2_oZQm0MJ8eKT2UCky2k9-05UneWilqSRoHhG3XBa8eCYiD0qDlbyT7JSOdrKzIsr1ZyNDWF-GU0vg1GZo6lV7TqfsCaQLlQFHnoYN7WjVOPfX/s320/026.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Water and Oils</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEqRptXuBU5OnghHGgxaRuR4eZCA6512S3VPONuxv0psj8ManrZlPUawxG9VXbTOvQflY6LHKZYVDKB5uJKSyfGeLv15lS7I34_8DYCcb6y6Yy1odyAXuPH2KKGphdZDnkFuC7s_nA1MW/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEqRptXuBU5OnghHGgxaRuR4eZCA6512S3VPONuxv0psj8ManrZlPUawxG9VXbTOvQflY6LHKZYVDKB5uJKSyfGeLv15lS7I34_8DYCcb6y6Yy1odyAXuPH2KKGphdZDnkFuC7s_nA1MW/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pouring</span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Disinfectant Towels</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>2-3 Cups of distilled water*</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>2-3 cups of vinegar</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>20 drops of Tea Tree Essential oil</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>20 drops of Lavender Essential oil</i> (you could use Lemon, Grapefruit, Peppermint...) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Large Bucket with a seal tight lid.</i> We use an old gallon size ice cream pail.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Assorted rags.</i> We have old mismatched socks, cut up bath towels, several torn up ancient t-shirts and apparently according to that picture someone's old Hanes boxers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Start by cleaning your utensils and bucket in hot, soapy water. *To make distilled water bring filtered water to a boil and then cool. Mix together the water, vinegar and oils. In the large bucket place your assorted rags. I started this process by folding them all and placing them nice and neat in the bucket. After the third time I decided they would get just as wet all crumpled up and so now they just get thrown in. :) Pour your vinegar/water/oil mixture over it and seal it up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Use as needed and then throw the soiled rags in the laundry and when your bucket is empty start all over again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We use these everywhere and go through them quite quickly. If you don't have a potty training child that misses the toilet on occasion or any boys that miss the toilet daily you may need less. Last summer I carried a smaller version to my daughter's softball games to scrub yuck off of dirty fingers and dusty bleachers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me know how it goes!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Always Blessed,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gretchen :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Possibly Linking With: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/" target="_blank">Far Above Rubies</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/" target="_blank">Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://noordinarybloghop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">No Ordinary Blog Hop</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.frontlinemoms.com/" target="_blank">Frontline Moms Friday Fun</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/" target="_blank">Homemaking L<span style="font-size: xx-small;">i</span>nkup Weekend</a> </span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-67278275060848673112013-02-20T02:00:00.000-06:002013-04-03T16:14:21.295-05:00Granola Bar *Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwiQ_0GzuL_wa7YezcqdGG99REEEQwjhTrnIA6LZpPxx10ONHMF3qt6LLbpiO2lZiJOLk8phImKgSJPtNRq6bFQbijtcF2CJ-MiEPTH9IFp0-_38TuKyqbMvgjvaCZVr3qdb_ASE-n2Y2/s1600/IMG_8967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwiQ_0GzuL_wa7YezcqdGG99REEEQwjhTrnIA6LZpPxx10ONHMF3qt6LLbpiO2lZiJOLk8phImKgSJPtNRq6bFQbijtcF2CJ-MiEPTH9IFp0-_38TuKyqbMvgjvaCZVr3qdb_ASE-n2Y2/s320/IMG_8967.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are <i><b>the most yummy </b></i><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>homemade</b></i> </span>snack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was hesitant to try a gran<span style="font-size: large;">ola <span style="font-size: large;">bar thinking t<span style="font-size: large;">hat my kids would probably snub them. They are gr<span style="font-size: large;">ano<span style="font-size: large;">la bar <span style="font-size: large;">connoisseurs</span>. When I <span style="font-size: large;">quit buying p<span style="font-size: large;">retty much <span style="font-size: large;">all processed food snacks, gr<span style="font-size: large;">anola bars </span>were the last<span style="font-size: large;"> to go. They seemed so<span style="font-size: large;">.... healthy. So the kid<span style="font-size: large;">lets</span> got an unhealthy taste for them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">O<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">n a family camping trip, my sister brought along her homemade gran<span style="font-size: large;">ola bars.<span style="font-size: large;"> The kids snarfed them down like the<span style="font-size: large;">y were sn<span style="font-size: large;">eaking Easter <span style="font-size: large;">candy. She was onto<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>something. I th<span style="font-size: large;">ought though that they may be too much work. I don't really put time intensive snack<span style="font-size: large;"> making on my list of to-dos everyday so the<span style="font-size: large;">y just di<span style="font-size: large;">dn't get made.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">L<span style="font-size: large;">ast week my S<span style="font-size: large;">ara</span> ca<span style="font-size: large;">me over and showed me how to make them so I could bring them to a <span style="font-size: large;">homeschool group <span style="font-size: large;">Valentine <span style="font-size: large;">party. They are so easy! <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>he took all the pics and then blogged about it. My turn!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The original recipe c<span style="font-size: large;">a</span>me from <span style="font-size: large;">a cookbook<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i><span style="font-size: large;">entitle<span style="font-size: large;">d</span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Miserly Meals</i></span> .</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is my version!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTflQkdrGtxtnSVymzbPn8mTMw1AGvcuE5oFK0XkOiTbKrwQtdHlBbx8RRK3K9SOOktaA1H2rWoG1WNIIqj95lkywJr95XZdZeT9CVk8E9SL84Aol_-2u9AvqwXxalaI8id2bMf5O0VZf9/s1600/IMG_8920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTflQkdrGtxtnSVymzbPn8mTMw1AGvcuE5oFK0XkOiTbKrwQtdHlBbx8RRK3K9SOOktaA1H2rWoG1WNIIqj95lkywJr95XZdZeT9CVk8E9SL84Aol_-2u9AvqwXxalaI8id2bMf5O0VZf9/s400/IMG_8920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oiling the Pans</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUEBtbQNTT3uK4VWnv_jNeQueVs169aEqg8UNyAyD72AU_cZt5QD3eWp1tA751OBg9PGdeMuRjrSDbJYxqZpi4m7qHpkeqKqQxTzFdfwlvbdxzf_rb4dqbeBlrZg0cdWxQAlQQzycuV8E/s1600/IMG_8931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUEBtbQNTT3uK4VWnv_jNeQueVs169aEqg8UNyAyD72AU_cZt5QD3eWp1tA751OBg9PGdeMuRjrSDbJYxqZpi4m7qHpkeqKqQxTzFdfwlvbdxzf_rb4dqbeBlrZg0cdWxQAlQQzycuV8E/s400/IMG_8931.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Optional Yumminess</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTb9HBcKJEbe6eLnYHG8JpBUmF8p8RnIxirdnGNJ7FsLCAoJtpV77sVeXqtuiWaXVXy_cTDkaXMOtoBqvHZqO4La59ZSNYmHbDKPlD50DDSq2PxEdwu8yh_WLazAnoJiJXPoVNIpzcZ4s/s1600/IMG_8926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTb9HBcKJEbe6eLnYHG8JpBUmF8p8RnIxirdnGNJ7FsLCAoJtpV77sVeXqtuiWaXVXy_cTDkaXMOtoBqvHZqO4La59ZSNYmHbDKPlD50DDSq2PxEdwu8yh_WLazAnoJiJXPoVNIpzcZ4s/s400/IMG_8926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0f3mY-Ur7-FXwQg9sKiFEe-ok_9rzDiuDwFD938dnHyD9jd75Vl4LjE53UHDWYwxtpqcVaQDtu8vCT4K_4Asf79tBezQa3OjRYx4aT0-mIpGuGhxNGHuPWJ6bklCwv2c82mRAl_m2Pxo/s1600/IMG_8932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0f3mY-Ur7-FXwQg9sKiFEe-ok_9rzDiuDwFD938dnHyD9jd75Vl4LjE53UHDWYwxtpqcVaQDtu8vCT4K_4Asf79tBezQa3OjRYx4aT0-mIpGuGhxNGHuPWJ6bklCwv2c82mRAl_m2Pxo/s400/IMG_8932.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Press in pan and Bake</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwiQ_0GzuL_wa7YezcqdGG99REEEQwjhTrnIA6LZpPxx10ONHMF3qt6LLbpiO2lZiJOLk8phImKgSJPtNRq6bFQbijtcF2CJ-MiEPTH9IFp0-_38TuKyqbMvgjvaCZVr3qdb_ASE-n2Y2/s1600/IMG_8967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwiQ_0GzuL_wa7YezcqdGG99REEEQwjhTrnIA6LZpPxx10ONHMF3qt6LLbpiO2lZiJOLk8phImKgSJPtNRq6bFQbijtcF2CJ-MiEPTH9IFp0-_38TuKyqbMvgjvaCZVr3qdb_ASE-n2Y2/s320/IMG_8967.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snacky Goodness</td></tr>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gran<span style="font-size: large;">ola Bars</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 cup<span style="font-size: large;">s rolled oats</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 cup whole wheat flour (could su<span style="font-size: large;">bstitute if you can't do wheat)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 cup <a href="http://31cups.blogspot.com/search/label/brown%20sugar" target="_blank">brown sugar </a> (check out my substitute)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 teaspoon baking powder</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 teaspoon cinnamon</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 teaspoon nutmeg</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 teaspoon sea salt</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup molasses</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2-3/4 cup of <span style="font-size: large;">h<span style="font-size: large;">oney</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>*optional ingredi<span style="font-size: large;">en<span style="font-size: large;">ts</span></span></i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Combin<span style="font-size: large;">e the dry <span style="font-size: large;">ingredients</span>. Then add molasses, honey, and vanilla.</span></span> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Use your hands to get it good and mixed up. (Perhaps you have helper for this job?) I<span style="font-size: large;">t should stick together, like you could roll it in<span style="font-size: large;">to</span> a ball<span style="font-size: large;">. If it is too dry add a bit more honey. I<span style="font-size: large;">f</span> it is too sticky add a bit more flour.</span></span></span></span> Press into a <span style="font-size: large;">9x12 pan that has been greased with coconut oil. Bake at 325 degree<span style="font-size: large;">s for 15-18 minutes<span style="font-size: large;"> or until golden brown. Cool completely and then cu<span style="font-size: large;">t into ba<span style="font-size: large;">rs. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">*OPTIONAL Yumminess can be added with the honey and <span style="font-size: large;">molasses. Add 1 cup of any of the following: dried fruit (we did <span style="font-size: large;">golden raisins</span>, raisins<span style="font-size: large;">, and dried cranberries), chocolate chips<span style="font-size: large;">, coconut, sunflower seeds, or chopped nuts. Go and get <span style="font-size: large;">your </span>creative thinking cap on<span style="font-size: large;">.</span> These are so versatile!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">These bars were crunchy and very satisfying. <span style="font-size: large;">T</span>hey <span style="font-size: large;"><strike>would</strike> <span style="font-size: large;">did </span>make a lovely break<span style="font-size: large;">fast and snack<span style="font-size: large;">time treat. Enjoy!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Always Bless<span style="font-size: large;">ed, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gretc<span style="font-size: large;">hen</span></span> </span></span></span>:)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Possibly Linking With: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/" target="_blank">Raising Arrows</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/" target="_blank">Deep Roots At Home</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/" target="_blank">The Better Mom Monday Link Up</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://thewelcominghouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Welcoming House</a></span></div>
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<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-32540608480782548082013-02-19T02:00:00.000-06:002013-03-11T22:34:22.226-05:00Tuesday's Gifts~ Old Things<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Gift of Old Things. </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLBY7dH-ohft4p-osRO8w1u-oHsr8RUUy1Se4iNsTBq4o-Sv9bC5Zg_I-TmDZJ8TaJ_QCYlI9u0seKO7Hpeit4V_DJu0FwcaKGrYuSDtsGWG-SZlQ40bw4kzONU2w3QNuqlw8_TrCVPnW/s1600/dusty+jugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLBY7dH-ohft4p-osRO8w1u-oHsr8RUUy1Se4iNsTBq4o-Sv9bC5Zg_I-TmDZJ8TaJ_QCYlI9u0seKO7Hpeit4V_DJu0FwcaKGrYuSDtsGWG-SZlQ40bw4kzONU2w3QNuqlw8_TrCVPnW/s400/dusty+jugs.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unto to Dust</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Old Experiences.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1R05Y9FvfxgQTVnxreFJjEoS1yAQTH8mZdl1chgxGzsyStTCaPxErE-2ZDI0qu9l8HaJWe8e8Ok9Ui9hwJx-vfIu4PA8YKF8STR8ZE9vC80WD73BhRGtfoghn-xvyJHa_MY1tXl6JaFG/s1600/rusty+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1R05Y9FvfxgQTVnxreFJjEoS1yAQTH8mZdl1chgxGzsyStTCaPxErE-2ZDI0qu9l8HaJWe8e8Ok9Ui9hwJx-vfIu4PA8YKF8STR8ZE9vC80WD73BhRGtfoghn-xvyJHa_MY1tXl6JaFG/s400/rusty+car.jpg" width="296" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No More Weeping</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Old Beliefs.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklBRTWeniG-NVxbbkA-O4KilEoD3jgCtl9q3-8LSPUfnkmFTsbFt17qUaEFVKAKQXtkqn1i5a6uG0y-wSZpmz4EDaWNest8ElYJtKlbq2iwGsRZ4tBAOTROKFsRvZ69aYVNIziWw5AP3l/s1600/rusty+clappers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklBRTWeniG-NVxbbkA-O4KilEoD3jgCtl9q3-8LSPUfnkmFTsbFt17qUaEFVKAKQXtkqn1i5a6uG0y-wSZpmz4EDaWNest8ElYJtKlbq2iwGsRZ4tBAOTROKFsRvZ69aYVNIziWw5AP3l/s400/rusty+clappers.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Doctrine</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Blessing of the Old Testament Laws. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln4iO_IZ51OaITOPU-a58NQLS-xz31YztACfzaBj7bbVdNfvbfiYZNEgGHsFflVNCpZ7Jk4K2MquZ_lxMoGjmkbXUIF7EDw8s6bUmnbIa9sEwDawuBN_BPaSSl_s5podNC_UDZCpUVsaA/s1600/rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln4iO_IZ51OaITOPU-a58NQLS-xz31YztACfzaBj7bbVdNfvbfiYZNEgGHsFflVNCpZ7Jk4K2MquZ_lxMoGjmkbXUIF7EDw8s6bUmnbIa9sEwDawuBN_BPaSSl_s5podNC_UDZCpUVsaA/s400/rocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Foundation</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <i><span class="text Matt-13-51"><sup class="versenum">51 </sup>“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” </span> <span class="text Matt-13-52" id="en-NRSV-23592"><sup class="versenum">52 </sup>And
he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the
kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of
his treasure what is new and what is old.”</span></i><span class="text Matt-13-53" id="en-NRSV-23593"><i>~ Matthew 13:51-52</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And the Blessing of New Testament Grace.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOgWCZhyphenhyphenGJbDajrDst-ZEdn-E-J9omZA9w6GTL6cZjva1axlHxfXg6WVBCRIwfcn8Rmu5ozr0y2ZnSVNJo2sK0849SF1c-hT7BVF14LSZBMyN98j8Pgw1bQJnNeJzuulnLVgw0wk_5UtO/s1600/barn+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOgWCZhyphenhyphenGJbDajrDst-ZEdn-E-J9omZA9w6GTL6cZjva1axlHxfXg6WVBCRIwfcn8Rmu5ozr0y2ZnSVNJo2sK0849SF1c-hT7BVF14LSZBMyN98j8Pgw1bQJnNeJzuulnLVgw0wk_5UtO/s400/barn+door.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Knock.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Always Blessed,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Gretchen :)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>All pictures are courtesy of my sister<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>,</i></span> Sara Rose Nissen. </b><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Check out her artwork over at <a href="http://sararosenissen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">as seen through my eyes</a>. :)</b></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Possibly Linking With: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions</a></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/" target="_blank">Raising Arrows</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/" target="_blank">Deep Roots At Home</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/" target="_blank">The Better Mom Monday Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/">Frugally Sustainable</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Raising Homemakers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/" target="_blank">Far Above Rubies</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://wholehearted-home.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wholehearted Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank">Growing Home</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/" target="_blank">Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://noordinarybloghop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">No Ordinary Blog Hop</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.frontlinemoms.com/" target="_blank">Frontline Moms Friday Fun</a><br />
<a href="http://thewelcominghouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Welcoming House</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://courtshipconnection.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtship Connection</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.livingintheshoe.com/" target="_blank">Living In the Shoe</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/" target="_blank">Homemaking L<span style="font-size: xx-small;">i</span>nkup Weekend</a> </span> </span></div>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-22693933985915870502013-02-18T15:22:00.002-06:002013-02-19T00:01:28.896-06:00Any Husband or Wife<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbdCIOy0nHdriazy0059T53BoCxSGRiCDtYwImrQnQMShzjatXfX-2TESG3WwqFYzWK1LmRI0JoOHW9UgfURSdbloMij2iiDA06gdQ4829fNCA-1zJ2bAgIFrdFN0HC9A3ieI20jxtDA3/s1600/JssOntheVeranda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbdCIOy0nHdriazy0059T53BoCxSGRiCDtYwImrQnQMShzjatXfX-2TESG3WwqFYzWK1LmRI0JoOHW9UgfURSdbloMij2iiDA06gdQ4829fNCA-1zJ2bAgIFrdFN0HC9A3ieI20jxtDA3/s400/JssOntheVeranda.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>On The Veranda</i>~ John Singer Sargent</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Any Husband or Wife<br />by Carol Haynes</span></span></h3>
<div data-iceapw="28" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let us be guests in one another's <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">house</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With deferential "no" and courteous "yes";</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let us take care to hide our foolish moods</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Behind a certain show of cheerfulness.</span></span></div>
<div data-iceapw="32" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE42k8PgmsbD7c86SRKHkHAKAtitdIfNqnMbGc6Qb-65vgaE_MRQUYU-f62EbllNCdKuOXPzL4Alwl4gmzlZz-ckW8jqYdp_EKis-6za85V4puq7DzDR_Q_TmJZyYZO3suZfo7a_MCnJ-F/s1600/the-angelus-1859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE42k8PgmsbD7c86SRKHkHAKAtitdIfNqnMbGc6Qb-65vgaE_MRQUYU-f62EbllNCdKuOXPzL4Alwl4gmzlZz-ckW8jqYdp_EKis-6za85V4puq7DzDR_Q_TmJZyYZO3suZfo7a_MCnJ-F/s400/the-angelus-1859.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Angelus</i>~ Jean-Francois Millet</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div data-iceapw="32" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let us avoid all sullen silences;</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We should find fresh and sprightly things to say;</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I must be fearful lest you find me dull,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And you must dread to bore me anyway.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPuR4WO9kPFAHh7-rCb2I4ZK9rNSMwjgcJLrXUsqkH3kakzfLAYgDo9J7oDVWtbtmWBU7UXcq1Suq_WsgqP8RidVA0Q0FMfRVRI-TjIY9J4v9ipzgoztP1xKu3cWUHNhd7b4le3GYLz7x/s1600/JssRobertLouis+Stevenson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPuR4WO9kPFAHh7-rCb2I4ZK9rNSMwjgcJLrXUsqkH3kakzfLAYgDo9J7oDVWtbtmWBU7UXcq1Suq_WsgqP8RidVA0Q0FMfRVRI-TjIY9J4v9ipzgoztP1xKu3cWUHNhd7b4le3GYLz7x/s400/JssRobertLouis+Stevenson.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Robert Louis Stevenson and His Wife~ John Singer Sargent</span></i></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div data-iceapw="30" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let us knock gently at each other's heart,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Glad of a chance to look within–and yet,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let us remember that to force one's way</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Is the unpardoned breach of etiquette.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyMf_vbMhiQd6sfcLz28DFGKPxnOl1dcijE5hT0o4lrloqXgzEkXrGXowANG8kXMOeWHMRs3cj0gtbpa6xvCM_hjvtgpKmNrPaqmmnokkFt85f9FpTskxjRiZQ6h7smmJZV95Cyyr7-r0/s1600/sunday+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyMf_vbMhiQd6sfcLz28DFGKPxnOl1dcijE5hT0o4lrloqXgzEkXrGXowANG8kXMOeWHMRs3cj0gtbpa6xvCM_hjvtgpKmNrPaqmmnokkFt85f9FpTskxjRiZQ6h7smmJZV95Cyyr7-r0/s400/sunday+walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><pre><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sunday Afternoon</i> ~ </span><span style="font-size: small;">Leopold Karl Walter Graf von Kalkreuth</span></span></pre>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, shall I be host–you, the hostess,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Until all need for entertainment ends;</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We shall be lovers when the last door shuts</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But what is better still–we shall be friends.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcTOwQrI-K_nhZvwn5vxDkeeoweuzr9qAIXhQbaLHlBhXUma4XLrWQlIbt6QXwrWRWEG8ptWyXiEJr0tHHoF_aW4dtHJbfG6S9NQcL2HxjWSYEDEfge-_auKO68DjJa7ZIFvk-Ux1NyRb/s1600/the-home-of-the-red-white-and-blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcTOwQrI-K_nhZvwn5vxDkeeoweuzr9qAIXhQbaLHlBhXUma4XLrWQlIbt6QXwrWRWEG8ptWyXiEJr0tHHoF_aW4dtHJbfG6S9NQcL2HxjWSYEDEfge-_auKO68DjJa7ZIFvk-Ux1NyRb/s400/the-home-of-the-red-white-and-blue.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>The Home of the Red, White, and Blue</i>~ Lilly Martin Spencer</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wise Counsel comes in many forms. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Always Blessed,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Gretchen :) </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Paintings found:</b> <a href="http://www.jssgallery.org/">http://www.jssgallery.org/</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/es/jean-francois-millet/the-angelus-1859#close" target="_blank"> http://www.wikipaintings.org/es/jean-francois-millet/the-angelus-1859#close</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/painting_198548/Leopold-Karl-Walter-von-Kalckreuth/Sunday-Afternoon">http://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/painting_198548/Leopold-Karl-Walter-von-Kalckreuth/Sunday-Afternoon</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-62452496015353373582013-02-15T00:30:00.000-06:002013-02-16T16:03:57.551-06:00Hot Cocoa Mix *Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFihKLSJJPMWFwWMvMx3Mio8WFk6YkgMOrfLDt3lUiTrU1Xaq2O1EwmcLpu9KOmQ5iqRdQEjw7AGUJ3L7jA1k3qeC097koVmdiPhyphenhyphenVSQeCV8KfaN98mn2hKPZdV0Spf-3VwLmMizquOv1Y/s1600/cocoa+024+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFihKLSJJPMWFwWMvMx3Mio8WFk6YkgMOrfLDt3lUiTrU1Xaq2O1EwmcLpu9KOmQ5iqRdQEjw7AGUJ3L7jA1k3qeC097koVmdiPhyphenhyphenVSQeCV8KfaN98mn2hKPZdV0Spf-3VwLmMizquOv1Y/s320/cocoa+024+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am sharing the most<span style="font-size: large;"> amazing</span></span> Hot <span style="font-size: large;">C</span>ocoa<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://raisingolives.com/2012/02/homemade-hot-cocoa-mix/" target="_blank">recipe</a>. It is my all time favorite<span style="font-size: large;">!</span></span></span></sup><br />
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<sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have <span style="font-size: large;">some </span>very bad memories of hot co<span style="font-size: large;">co<span style="font-size: large;">a mixes my mom made when we were k<span style="font-size: large;">ids. They always seemed kind of<span style="font-size: large;">.... thin and unchocolately. It <span style="font-size: large;">tasted like watered down chocolate pudding made with pow<span style="font-size: large;">dered milk. Nasty. <span style="font-size: large;">Tho<span style="font-size: large;">se bad coc<span style="font-size: large;">oa consumptions </span></span></span>left a bad taste in my mouth (bahahaha<span style="font-size: large;">) when it c<span style="font-size: large;">ame to hot cocoa mixes and I became a cocoa snob. Gasp! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
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<sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">As <span style="font-size: large;">we <span style="font-size: large;">began to <span style="font-size: large;">create</span> 'make <span style="font-size: large;">it yourself' items in our k<span style="font-size: large;">itchen one of the fi<span style="font-size: large;">rst things I tackled was a homemade cocoa recipe. I did not want a 'just okay' cocoa. I wanted a childhood toasty toes by the<span style="font-size: large;"> heater while drinking some <span style="font-size: large;">warm marshmallowed c<span style="font-size: large;">ocoa after playing outside in the snow kind of memory in a cup. </span></span></span>I search<span style="font-size: large;">ed everywhere! W<span style="font-size: large;">i</span>th milk and without. <span style="font-size: large;">I a</span>dded shaved chocolate (what a mess) and chocolate chips (impossible to clean out of <span style="font-size: large;">tall coffee cup)</span>. There were organic versions<span style="font-size: large;"> and carob versions. </span>I tried probably 10 different <span style="font-size: large;">variations of cocoa mix before settling on this <a href="http://raisingolives.com/2012/02/homemade-hot-cocoa-mix/" target="_blank">one</a>!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
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<sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have some very big cocoa drinkers here and although it isn'<span style="font-size: large;">t the pure<span style="font-size: large;">st and most 'green' recipe it is far better then the preservative la<span style="font-size: large;">den name brand cocoa mi<span style="font-size: large;">x. It is easy. It is inexpensive and I <span style="font-size: large;">generally</span> have everything I need right here. It passes the Princess Petunia (not too sugary) and the <span style="font-size: large;">Prince<span style="font-size: large;">ss Peony (very <span style="font-size: large;">chocolaty</span>) test. </span></span>The best part of all is that it makes a huge recipe thanks to <span style="font-size: large;">Kimberly, </span>a mom of many over at <a href="http://raisingolives.com/" target="_blank">Raising Olives</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
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<sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Princess P<span style="font-size: large;">etunia loves her Cocoa and I don't feel so bad offering it before bed or as a snack in the afternoon. I have even been known to offer it as milk when we have run out.(Does anyone else run out of milk?) It does have powdered milk in it so that has to count, right?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
<sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup>
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<sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazing Hot Cocoa</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup></div>
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<i><b><sup><span style="font-size: large;">Amazing Hot Cocoa</span></sup></b></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="font-size: large;">4 cups powdered sugar</span></sup></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="font-size: large;">5 <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">to </span>6</span> cups powdered milk </span></sup></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="font-size: large;">2 cups of baking cocoa</span></sup></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="font-size: large;">2 scant teaspoons sea salt</span></sup></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="font-size: large;">4 teaspoons of corn starch* </span></sup></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 pinches of ground cayenne pepper<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></span></sup></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mix all together in a large mixing bowl. I al<span style="font-size: large;">so like to use my hand blender to pulverize the powdered milk. Just cover the bowl with a d<span style="font-size: large;">r</span>ying towel and then b<span style="font-size: large;">len<span style="font-size: large;">d away. Please don<span style="font-size: large;">'t skip this. Use a blen<span style="font-size: large;">der or a<span style="font-size: large;"> food processor if you can. It is important for the smoothness of the cocoa. Place in a glass storage container. I had <span style="font-size: large;">cocoa mix </span>enough <span style="font-size: large;">for a <span style="font-size: large;">2 quart jar and half of a o<span style="font-size: large;">ne quart jar. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></sup></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></b></span></span></sup></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">T<span style="font-size: large;">o serve: </span>Mix 1<span style="font-size: large;">/4 t<span style="font-size: large;">o 1/3 cup of mix to hot <span style="font-size: large;">water. Stir we<span style="font-size: large;">ll a<span style="font-size: large;">nd</span> enjoy</span></span></span></span> </span></b></span></span></sup></i></div>
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<sup><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">*</span>arrowroot powder would probably work</span></sup></div>
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<sup><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Bit of <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">C</span>ocoa with a dollop of coconut milk.</span></b></i></span></span></sup></div>
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Always Blessed, </div>
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Gretchen</div>
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-15603853891665283522013-02-14T13:58:00.003-06:002013-03-18T19:19:27.598-05:00The Pillow of Selfishness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPOZws-d-sj9j6O8MANqplM08Gqnp1n4cJhRzop_gW3tH1alnbgM8pRR3sqIaSV9NCm6abMzQkCkRgoj5n9kOwlFrQtWJYApX1S6MSMjUa7TXoLIV0OUafADCYmdb4o_Zsib-NIwS5X3G/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPOZws-d-sj9j6O8MANqplM08Gqnp1n4cJhRzop_gW3tH1alnbgM8pRR3sqIaSV9NCm6abMzQkCkRgoj5n9kOwlFrQtWJYApX1S6MSMjUa7TXoLIV0OUafADCYmdb4o_Zsib-NIwS5X3G/s320/IMG_1259.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Preacher Man and Sir Bean</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That is my pillow. See it? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All soft and squishy and perfectly broken in. It is huge. An oversized, snuggly, down filled beauty of a sleep aid. I don't sleep well, ever, and this is my one favorite thing to help me count down to the Land of Sleep.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Problem is, it is everyone's favorite pillow. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is borrowed, misplaced, hidden and used by the kidlets and by the Preacher Man.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am apt to let this happen. I am not unreasonable...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">until bedtime. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I need my pillow. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without it my neck will hurt. My head will ache. My shoulders will be all out of whack.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seriously, I will physically pay for it if I use the old, flat, hard pillow.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now I know what some of you are thinking. <i>Get over it girl! It is a pillow! </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of you though, some of you will understand. <i>I can not sleep without my pillow!</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You know it wasn't always this way. As a child I could sleep about anywhere. Floors, couches, the car, and everywhere in between. Then came adulthood and children and I just stopped sleeping well. Who sleeps well with babies and toddlers in the house anyway? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I got older and had more neck and shoulder issues I started sleeping badly for the portion of the night I did sleep. I had to find the right pillow style. I promise you, it isn't in my head, the pillow works. :)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So last night the Hubs <i>borrowed</i> my pillow to sit up in bed. I'm a giving kind of gal (most of the time) so in the spirit of Love and Respect I said nothing. I figured I could sneak it out from under him before I laid my head down for the night. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He crashed having come off a night shift with his daytime and nighttime hours all goofy. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No worries. He has four pillows now... I'll just sneak <i>my</i> pillow out from under his sleepy head and I will be in the business of resting.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It did not happen. I couldn't budge him. I couldn't wake him. (He literally could sleep through a tornado.) And if truth be told he hugged that pillow tighter in his sleep.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">From somewhere inside me rose up this pure frustration-laced anger. It literally bubbled up inside like an erupting volcano. I wanted to wake him up from his effortless sleep and scream:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Give Me My Pillow!</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is mine. I have almost nothing that is mine. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everything is shared. Nothing is truly mine. My time, my creativity, my love. It is all shared. My kitchen is my homeschool room. My bedroom is the hangout. My pencils are used. My scissors get lost. I share gum, and kleenex, and my lunch. I share the Wii remote, and the chair I am sitting on. I even share the bathroom, almost every time I use it, with my potty training toddler. I can't shower without a <span style="font-size: large;">little someone</span> needing to brush their teeth. I can not go anywhere without a tribe coming along. My clothes are shared. My shoes are shared. My Bible time is even shared. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't I deserve one little thing that is mine? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What a Pillow of Selfishness. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This wonderful man I married did not know that he set off in me a feeling of such utter selfishness that I was brought to tears by my shame. He slept calmly on. He did not overstep or offend intentionally. He would never have willingly took my pillow for the entire night. It was an accident.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It sure brought to the surface very raw emotions in myself though, didn't it? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So where is that all really coming from? Why can something so silly cause me such a rush of anger and ungodly like thoughts? Why in the world would this bring up such toddleresque type temper tantruming behavior?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Short answer: Because I am human. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Rom-3-23" id="en-NIV-28015">for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<sup> </sup></span></i>~ Romans<sup><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></sup>3:23</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because people are inherently selfish. <br /><br /><i>People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,</i> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ 2 Timothy 3:2<i><sup> </sup></i></span></span></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
so easily fall into that place. Even with the gift of Grace we choose to cling
to what we can hold on to. What we can foolishly place our hands on.We are
selfish with our things, our money, our time, and our love. We think we are
good. That we are deserving of more than what we have. <br />
<br />
<i>“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only <b>One</b>
who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”</i> ~ Matthew
19: 17</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
are not good. We fail. We fall easily back into sin.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
This is why the Lord has to command us to love. To give. To be unselfish. To
respect. To be submissive. <br />
<br />
If it was natural He wouldn't have to command us to do it. These are not
suggestions. These are orders. These are things He tells us to do. <br />
<br />
Not out of a need to push us down or keep us under His rule. No! These are
rules of LOVE. The greatest LOVE that there is. He LOVES us enough to tell to
us in His Word how to avoid the pain that comes with jealousy. The hurt that
comes with pride. The sting of a hateful word. The guilt of an unreasonable and
pride filled heart.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Love Others. </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Be
devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.<sup> </sup></i>~Romans 12:10<i><sup><br />
<br />
</sup></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>We
who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please
ourselves. <sup> </sup>Each of us should please our neighbors for their
good, to build them up.</i><sup>
</sup>~Romans 15:1-2<sup><br />
<br />
</sup></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>No
one should seek their own good, but the good of others.<sup> </sup> </i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>~</i>1 Corinthians 10:24<br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Love Unselfishly.</b><br />
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Follow
God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children <sup> </sup>and walk in
the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a
fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.</i>
~ Ephesians 5:1-2<br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Love Because He loves us.</b><br />
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Submit
to one another out of reverence for Christ.</i>~
Ephesians 5:21</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Hos-2-16" id="en-NIV-22122">“In that day,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Hos-2-16">“you will call me ‘my husband’;</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Hos-2-16">you will no longer call me ‘my master.’</span></span><span class="text Hos-2-17" id="en-NIV-22123"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Hos-2-17">no longer will their names be invoked.</span></span><span class="text Hos-2-18" id="en-NIV-22124"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>In that day I will make a covenant for them</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Hos-2-18">with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Hos-2-18">and the creatures that move along the ground.</span></span><br /><span class="text Hos-2-18">Bow and sword and battle</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Hos-2-18">I will abolish from the land,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Hos-2-18">so that all may lie down in safety.</span></span><span class="text Hos-2-19" id="en-NIV-22125"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>I will betroth you to me forever;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Hos-2-19">I will betroth you in<sup> </sup>righteousness and justice,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Hos-2-19">in<sup> </sup>love and compassion.</span></span><span class="text Hos-2-20" id="en-NIV-22126"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>I will betroth you in faithfulness,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Hos-2-20">and you will acknowledge the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.<sup> </sup></span></span></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I will plant her for myself in the land;<br /> I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.<br />I will say to those called ‘Not my people, ‘You are my people’;<br /> and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”</i>~ Hosea 2:16-20, 23 </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wives, Love By RESPECT</b> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Wives,
submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. <sup> </sup>For
the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his
body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also
wives should submit to their husbands in everything.</i> ~ Ephesians 5 :22-24<br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Husbands, Love By CARING for her and LOVING her as you love yourself.</b><br />
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Husbands,
love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her <sup>
</sup>to make her holy, cleansing<sup> </sup>her by the washing with water
through the word, <sup> </sup>and to present her to himself as a radiant
church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. <sup>
</sup>In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself. <sup> </sup>After all, no one ever
hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ
does the church</i> ~Ephesians 5:25-29<br />
<br />
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let us strive to love like the LORD commands. Let us fail miserably and then apologize and get back up on that old worn out horse and keep keeping on. Let us recognize those moments of sin weakness for what they are. A reminder to keep trusting the LORD and to keep holding onto HIM. </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">S<span style="font-size: large;">o I will keep trusting the L<span style="font-size: large;">ORD and </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">I'll</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">go</span><b> </b></span></span>get <span style="font-size: large;">my</span>self another pillow. </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Always Blessed,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gretchen :)</span></span> </b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
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<sup><br /></sup>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01945064438064932259noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641300328662965411.post-56709631052771379912013-02-14T01:28:00.002-06:002013-02-16T16:03:38.508-06:00Easy-Peasy Homemade Greek Yogurt *Recipe<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbq7Tq6I0qD-ilUzKLchBRKb5BQFLookEORYiO16bfqiFp2lvV2SjLqp9F1x-90RK9cQrSGe8fChvxuBg3LrB9fZabzH-_7-Wg_u9zZV6xEpnxvkLSdZPbJKIGuiFFizwE2ATFJ-rnBoA/s1600/feb13+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbq7Tq6I0qD-ilUzKLchBRKb5BQFLookEORYiO16bfqiFp2lvV2SjLqp9F1x-90RK9cQrSGe8fChvxuBg3LrB9fZabzH-_7-Wg_u9zZV6xEpnxvkLSdZPbJKIGuiFFizwE2ATFJ-rnBoA/s400/feb13+017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homemade Greek Yogurt</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Warning:</b> Picture Ladden Blog Tutorial!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why:</b> Because <i>I </i>learn better with pictures and because I have done this wrong more times than I'd like to admit. Pictures help you do it right!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2nd Warning:</b> You will love your own yogurt so much you will never waste money on store bought again. Unless of course you run out during the summer because the kids eat it like ice cream. :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can be a slow learner. Gulp. Tough to admit but true nonetheless. So when I first decided to make yogurt I scoured the internet. I pinned on Pinterest. I searched cookbooks and photocopied recipes from the 7<span style="font-size: large;">0's</span>. Everyone had the best idea and way to do it. They were all similar, and yet the steps were sometimes different. After wading through the helpful Blogosphere and checking on all types of milk and yogurts to culture with (did you know you can buy just the culture through the internet?) I came up with a pretty solid plan. I have now been successfully making yogurt for almost a year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Easy-Peasy with these directions. I'll be sure to let you in on the whoopsies I had along the way and hopefully you can avoid them. :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><b>Easy-Peasy Greek Yogurt</b></i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrTUbp8xSQuTW7vo0jTLnP2j2jD9MgJ1Cn1wlJDNxDSZd_VKGUPzEOgjTe8mDxTFFjsNiZAA0t0k7enwP4l2UrR67Hw5S_5LzIUaFmUfa9u7ohtriec-2lRcA9xBRESgrDAxHl1_rxukG/s1600/valentines%252C+yogurt+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrTUbp8xSQuTW7vo0jTLnP2j2jD9MgJ1Cn1wlJDNxDSZd_VKGUPzEOgjTe8mDxTFFjsNiZAA0t0k7enwP4l2UrR67Hw5S_5LzIUaFmUfa9u7ohtriec-2lRcA9xBRESgrDAxHl1_rxukG/s320/valentines%252C+yogurt+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Start with about one gallon of milk.</b></i> We have tried whole, 2%, and skim. I like the skim milk yogurt because it has more 'bite' to it. I have also tried organic and there was no noticeable difference. I have a friend that uses raw milk and she says it is divine. <b><i>Heat this milk till it is warm</i></b> enough to be uncomfortable if you dip your pinky in for more than 20 seconds. Totally scientific, huh? If it is too hot it will kill the yogurt culture. Too cold and it won't grow properly. I usually stick it in the Crockpot on low for about an hour or so. Stir occasionally. (Do not be embarrassed to set a timer to remember to stir it. I would forget to change clothes out of the dryer if I didn't set the timer.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzO4Y9sK_Rl2NsnY_-zopiyT7I1Wxa2VHky3nuQJfTIYiVP1_kJdidWwBKkwziap1sm4w0MxfIKI29Oto2HdPJfXyECb8yrfQt28D2CGUY9P3YmL3hfuS3-9wM9Cycm6HNwlmwjYj9gIV/s1600/valentines%252C+yogurt+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzO4Y9sK_Rl2NsnY_-zopiyT7I1Wxa2VHky3nuQJfTIYiVP1_kJdidWwBKkwziap1sm4w0MxfIKI29Oto2HdPJfXyECb8yrfQt28D2CGUY9P3YmL3hfuS3-9wM9Cycm6HNwlmwjYj9gIV/s320/valentines%252C+yogurt+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>You will need a 1/4 -1/2 cup of a yogurt culture</b></i> to start your batch. I use a plain Greek yogurt. The plain regular style yogurt will work as well but I have had better and more consistent results with a Greek style thick yogurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55i5pJ9byR3N6-s2aDyKx4cup1k_2BjV2Q8Jl8Oq0JbILt6OSsPeUV-cVuGzNWYH8eRBAS05tPhmowxoRYvnjAsQFYcsaxiFvbmq9gIGLlfUVEoqoFLhFBFc-KZ7P9oD5cBtoVn4Rozmr/s1600/valentines%252C+yogurt+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55i5pJ9byR3N6-s2aDyKx4cup1k_2BjV2Q8Jl8Oq0JbILt6OSsPeUV-cVuGzNWYH8eRBAS05tPhmowxoRYvnjAsQFYcsaxiFvbmq9gIGLlfUVEoqoFLhFBFc-KZ7P9oD5cBtoVn4Rozmr/s320/valentines%252C+yogurt+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the <i><b>milk is warm take about 1 cup of it and place in a bowl with 1/4-to 1/2 cups of the store-bought yogurt</b></i>. This is a <i><b>tempering process</b></i>. You want to slowly incorporate the yogurt to the milk in the Crockpot and keep the temperature fairly even. By adding a small amount of milk to your yogurt and then mixing it you have a thinner yogurt culture and a similar temperature to place back into Crockpot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrMgdnFPZaiBRr392VKXgxaxl8-0EsuTLLfkb-FMzt6Cu_XCDugcy8r1V5qO1KYnSNr6z1nhQ09fHCTlIBjFeAROaAG5pWiKraCvDbmGYQBXfArQWa3o104HgDlA9Wj9l1dqGE_Tgv4P5/s1600/valentines%252C+yogurt+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrMgdnFPZaiBRr392VKXgxaxl8-0EsuTLLfkb-FMzt6Cu_XCDugcy8r1V5qO1KYnSNr6z1nhQ09fHCTlIBjFeAROaAG5pWiKraCvDbmGYQBXfArQWa3o104HgDlA9Wj9l1dqGE_Tgv4P5/s320/valentines%252C+yogurt+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once the yogurt and 1 cup of milk are mixed it looks like this. <b><i>Pour this mixture back into the Crockpot.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RsFOrGgC5AjRRfvFLE3qHJeIL9ajKsGWipCUIXW25RiDkJmAGEPK6Izu6MNxP75WhTRtO-lm3mxysjAFbfu24PBKbImi62ye9HQuLRy03tZH1xxIRSQUO82N_1-Xv8VdWJFDWybxlkAB/s1600/valentines%252C+yogurt+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RsFOrGgC5AjRRfvFLE3qHJeIL9ajKsGWipCUIXW25RiDkJmAGEPK6Izu6MNxP75WhTRtO-lm3mxysjAFbfu24PBKbImi62ye9HQuLRy03tZH1xxIRSQUO82N_1-Xv8VdWJFDWybxlkAB/s320/valentines%252C+yogurt+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pour it slowly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL8QI-j_kzahOhgGn06SjBxL3vNfsJqD6DM7bddMx8fZqr44WoNeeG5F1YiRWUDt6LIRnIrhOGghXoWQnhKM67qJNIqd2oBxRkPy7ILtDgJZxVehr2eMBdQgDT55DEzVZt5EbydFwyqpq/s1600/valentines%252C+yogurt+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL8QI-j_kzahOhgGn06SjBxL3vNfsJqD6DM7bddMx8fZqr44WoNeeG5F1YiRWUDt6LIRnIrhOGghXoWQnhKM67qJNIqd2oBxRkPy7ILtDgJZxVehr2eMBdQgDT55DEzVZt5EbydFwyqpq/s320/valentines%252C+yogurt+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Give it a <i><b>gentle stir</b></i> to incorporate your tempered yogurt mixture into the warm milk in the Crockpot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhS_5F6iccp_3e6pHAUwOdqGOCRVD-WoI2A2e6TAStyjnq1bXm30q60H7pK7_dsHoCat361yAwg_8Il_abB1WkC7ktl9s8kfeScHX9_VQzF6MCaCXX9g865-68kYgwiBTDV4icBi4p2wQ/s1600/valentines%252C+yogurt+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhS_5F6iccp_3e6pHAUwOdqGOCRVD-WoI2A2e6TAStyjnq1bXm30q60H7pK7_dsHoCat361yAwg_8Il_abB1WkC7ktl9s8kfeScHX9_VQzF6MCaCXX9g865-68kYgwiBTDV4icBi4p2wQ/s320/valentines%252C+yogurt+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Unplug it!</b></i> (Please don't forget this while you are answering the phone<i> and </i>a question about fractions while sending your toddler to take a potty break.) <b><i>Place a lid on it.</i></b> I like to flip the lid upside down so it sits tighter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqTbuJceD5-IcDvmPhnnOPo4X26k3Or8TYuYz4yqxeM96d7K4S2UpQEL4zJFj6oscabbzRSPwRF1GeZe45OkcQ8dBiKcUuxKiEZY0jcRtkX3o3nSeWC71za5C_pmkEiZxYyJLgXi0Q-3B/s1600/valentines%252C+yogurt+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqTbuJceD5-IcDvmPhnnOPo4X26k3Or8TYuYz4yqxeM96d7K4S2UpQEL4zJFj6oscabbzRSPwRF1GeZe45OkcQ8dBiKcUuxKiEZY0jcRtkX3o3nSeWC71za5C_pmkEiZxYyJLgXi0Q-3B/s320/valentines%252C+yogurt+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I usually <i><b>cover the Crockpot in numerous bath towels</b></i> and leave it covered on the counter for about <i><b>10 hours or overnight</b></i>. The towels act as an incubator to keep the heat in and help the yogurt to form within the Crock. This works so surprisingly well! However, if you don't have a lot of counter space.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7dFm0HXo4oIMffh-zMVNDXfsVvG318nUi7J5qv_hTrdHwJIDIG4I5cTGhF-LdzWiTNKOCm8xkwJrHMV-2ueuqY9ZrTVNfUulSxJI-Cd8hiBkuurxr1t6UCAYqSx_dkIiVT6QEnMjl5Cb/s1600/valentines%252C+yogurt+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7dFm0HXo4oIMffh-zMVNDXfsVvG318nUi7J5qv_hTrdHwJIDIG4I5cTGhF-LdzWiTNKOCm8xkwJrHMV-2ueuqY9ZrTVNfUulSxJI-Cd8hiBkuurxr1t6UCAYqSx_dkIiVT6QEnMjl5Cb/s320/valentines%252C+yogurt+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">... you can <i><b>place it in your empty, cold oven wrapped in towels overnight and up to 12 hours</b></i>. From personal experience and a melted Crockpot I will insist you find some way to remember that you have a Crockpot and a bunch of flammable towels <b>In Your Oven</b>. I use a sticky note that resides on my 'Bake On' button the moment I place that yogurt in the oven. Trust me when I tell you melted Crockpot electric cord and singed towels stinks up your house and causes your 9 year old to consider calling 911. Use the Sticky Note. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl03Da4nRG1Gl9awzi0uz_B6AM-PexpsLRAjzPRPL9nMjgE20fxvSnolFMyVdT-le0xIbdZK4fw2cYkUe4VhppaZzX_zo4qxYI2Ml0hyQWSanByEF4Eq2sAv3rFa06mw4ENuu1jyEog_4/s1600/feb13+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl03Da4nRG1Gl9awzi0uz_B6AM-PexpsLRAjzPRPL9nMjgE20fxvSnolFMyVdT-le0xIbdZK4fw2cYkUe4VhppaZzX_zo4qxYI2Ml0hyQWSanByEF4Eq2sAv3rFa06mw4ENuu1jyEog_4/s320/feb13+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay! It has been 10 hours! This is a properly set yogurt. It is firm and jiggly; a bit like jello. There is some liquid around it. That is whey. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Line a large colander with some cheesecloth. This is a double layer because I cut it too short in my it is the beginning of the day<span style="font-size: large;"> and I am half asleep so where in the world is my coffee stupor</span>. Usually I use a single layer. Place that lined colander over a mixing bowl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfsxoIyUxMF3VIEEqIDK5eFbJoMwtiOiI3KzuNeWx_heJXHtz0EBq4VSiKstDxcZ0EnMfRrj9rmFoho1cv1kLvM39KPNx7Hx4xaRjbVAgf_C-c44fIb2M9iQO69d_OzjpOTfkrCvHlmOJ/s1600/feb13+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfsxoIyUxMF3VIEEqIDK5eFbJoMwtiOiI3KzuNeWx_heJXHtz0EBq4VSiKstDxcZ0EnMfRrj9rmFoho1cv1kLvM39KPNx7Hx4xaRjbVAgf_C-c44fIb2M9iQO69d_OzjpOTfkrCvHlmOJ/s320/feb13+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pour the yogurt into the colander. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you want a regular style yogurt after this initial straining you are done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Place in the fridge and eat up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl35dlPGilUaQJLZWAE0Az3r9NmwEjDfne0FCHJyQBeJyAm53oOMSB1_E36V7BpkjoBKl_4ZNQ4IOgXCUV2fM04KZY71puSD5UsAkGbO98n_2QN7Fou3vO6pAjZ6l_AhLPSVB_haAKzR0C/s1600/feb13+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl35dlPGilUaQJLZWAE0Az3r9NmwEjDfne0FCHJyQBeJyAm53oOMSB1_E36V7BpkjoBKl_4ZNQ4IOgXCUV2fM04KZY71puSD5UsAkGbO98n_2QN7Fou3vO6pAjZ6l_AhLPSVB_haAKzR0C/s320/feb13+007.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are looking for <i><b>Greek yogurt</b></i> then fold the cheesecloth over the yogurt and place in fridge. <b><i>Let it strain. Anywhere from 3 hours till 6</i></b>. Let it go too long and you will have a Ricotta style soft cheese.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5a4zSGwUh703rXifKO_F9VanfsLdbF6OSIsUmYunjcTCXBIJXSh8ROVY-mk7Ohrxo2sZ_fUklH5p6NgLHy2sgBmWyKaYLMGcQ5_wN0lJmBgEmqAGEnvarzOpvJewU7EJ4boX7xNCodh4/s1600/feb13+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5a4zSGwUh703rXifKO_F9VanfsLdbF6OSIsUmYunjcTCXBIJXSh8ROVY-mk7Ohrxo2sZ_fUklH5p6NgLHy2sgBmWyKaYLMGcQ5_wN0lJmBgEmqAGEnvarzOpvJewU7EJ4boX7xNCodh4/s320/feb13+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The yogurt will be very firm and creamy. Usually there is a slight indentation of the cheesecloth on the yogurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdacTGuuOl2gw2u3tpJ09XFmKGB0Uam-GOIYwEftHaYYUy4gFlFWXQqtQeoEVyzgDcDkK3Pmqxb3hfDdZ6slvqNB-Qu3e8_DVMQwktq2xghwy7L5c_US71eKyiSPmBLfwt7fpt-ig13EhN/s1600/feb13+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdacTGuuOl2gw2u3tpJ09XFmKGB0Uam-GOIYwEftHaYYUy4gFlFWXQqtQeoEVyzgDcDkK3Pmqxb3hfDdZ6slvqNB-Qu3e8_DVMQwktq2xghwy7L5c_US71eKyiSPmBLfwt7fpt-ig13EhN/s320/feb13+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Pull the cheesecloth off and place your Greek Yogurt into a storage container.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YtXrGlEW7bxF1qAdf5tcnHxH9IQV-9WUZn0E7UBYg4gOWopYmuxQIG9BznT1Bp-o3DocVXSg1Hz9rN_ckbh_ehlO0t-8lIZ2WofPAuaHzCdPYqkylTrQ6vd5FiNTO6a4qGFI3Kbs_1YQ/s1600/feb13+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YtXrGlEW7bxF1qAdf5tcnHxH9IQV-9WUZn0E7UBYg4gOWopYmuxQIG9BznT1Bp-o3DocVXSg1Hz9rN_ckbh_ehlO0t-8lIZ2WofPAuaHzCdPYqkylTrQ6vd5FiNTO6a4qGFI3Kbs_1YQ/s320/feb13+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There it is! I store mine in a small Rubbermaid container. This one has a 4 cup capacity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5R7oY6fxDgPdTZv-DLDR1BO1-vtNM7CQfjkssUexeAvzCADai1C9EM4Knv3P_Q6HEQXl1HzhQP1IRuNykj_fNrhO-GIKU7M_fn2aFv9ZFbacrmxxcWskJeRiYK1TIdtcmyUbvdH2l66i/s1600/feb13+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5R7oY6fxDgPdTZv-DLDR1BO1-vtNM7CQfjkssUexeAvzCADai1C9EM4Knv3P_Q6HEQXl1HzhQP1IRuNykj_fNrhO-GIKU7M_fn2aFv9ZFbacrmxxcWskJeRiYK1TIdtcmyUbvdH2l66i/s320/feb13+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Don't throw out the whey </b></i>that has strained out of the yogurt. It can be used in place of milk in most any baking item or for cooking. I have used it in homemade bread, pancakes, and homemade hamburger hotdish. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Store in the fridge in another container. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Please don't put it in a juice pitcher </b></i>because some unsuspecting teenager or husband may think it is lemonade and have a very large swig. It does<i><b> not</b></i> taste like lemonade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbq7Tq6I0qD-ilUzKLchBRKb5BQFLookEORYiO16bfqiFp2lvV2SjLqp9F1x-90RK9cQrSGe8fChvxuBg3LrB9fZabzH-_7-Wg_u9zZV6xEpnxvkLSdZPbJKIGuiFFizwE2ATFJ-rnBoA/s1600/feb13+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbq7Tq6I0qD-ilUzKLchBRKb5BQFLookEORYiO16bfqiFp2lvV2SjLqp9F1x-90RK9cQrSGe8fChvxuBg3LrB9fZabzH-_7-Wg_u9zZV6xEpnxvkLSdZPbJKIGuiFFizwE2ATFJ-rnBoA/s320/feb13+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i><b>Serve with honey or homemade preserves and some granola.</b></i> Yumm-o!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We also use Greek Yogurt in place of sour cream, for recipes asking for mayo and in any dips I make. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">ENJOY!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Always Blessed,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Gretchen :)</div>
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