31 Cups: gifts

Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up

Frugally Sustainable
Raising Homemakers
Far Above Rubies
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Wholehearted Home
Growing Home

No Ordinary Blog Hop

Frontline Moms Friday Fun
The Welcoming House

Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations

Courtship Connection
Living In the Shoe
Homemaking Linkup Weekend

Friday, February 8, 2013

Purple Fur and the Silver Moons

This morning on my way to drop Princess Peony off at school we passed this group of youngsters trudging through inches of snow on a not yet shoveled sidewalk. One of those boys was dressed in an extremely out-of-date snowsuit. I could almost see the silver belt buckle in front that screamed 'I was made in 1985!" My heart went out to that child. That old hand-me-down snowsuit or pair of boots can be cause for extreme, elementary school persecution.

I silently thanked God for Homeschool friends, Church Folk, Thrift Stores, and Clearance Sales.

My children proudly wear thrifted items. We almost never buy things full price. I have been blessed with left over clothes and hand-me-downed closets on many occasions. God has always provided. We often receive things that are nicer than what I would spend money on.

We do have a few standards with the used clothes. No underwear. No inappropriate tees even if it was free. If they really hate it, and I can find it elsewhere, we skip it. If not, they wear it and become a better adult through a tough lesson.

I think this stems from my year with the Purple Fur Coat and Silver Moon Boots.

My parents were very hard working folks. My dad sold seed corn and soybeans to farmers and as a result we moved from town to town as his job transferred him from area to area. I think often they had a lot to pay Peter and Paul was calling in his loan.

My mom could make a divine meal out of potatoes, WIC cheese slices, and a bunch of celery. I think she excelled at making us feel full, warm, and rich in all the important things. She taught me to cook down a chicken, knead bread dough, and make a pound of burger stretch a mile and three quarters. She taught me to grab eggs from under an ornery hen, stay out of the goats way, and love the rabbits a bit less because they would be for supper someday. She taught me the beauty of a Marigold was as important as the first ripe tomato in July.

I never really knew we were poor. I knew we were loved.

Then came the winter of my third grade year. I knew things were different in our family. It was my first realization of not having what others had. I did not have the cool jeans with rainbows on the back pocket. I did not have a polo shirt with a little embroidered horse on the left shoulder. I did not have pretty hair ties, or leg warmers, or Strawberry Shortcake erasers. My backpack was used and didn't have little beaded safety pins hanging from it. I didn't even have a friendship bracelet! My clothes were suddenly wrong even though they had always been okay.

The pinnacle of understanding my differentness came at the first snow. My coat didn't really fit. I remember standing in the local department store with my mother staring longingly at the beautiful ski jacket on display. It was one of those puffy jackets with the western style trim and pearly looking buttons. The top portion above the white piping was a darker blue and the bottom half lighter. It had a metal ring built in for your super cool ski gloves to hook on to. The jacket was shown with matching bib overall snowpants and a fun knit hat with a big fuzzy ball on the top.

Man, did I want that jacket. I instinctively knew that the blue ski jacket would make me fit within the confines of normal. I could blend in seamlessly with the rest of the class. Ah, what peace it would be. I just wanted to blend in. To be unseen.

I knew however, that it was not to be. I followed her out of the store still thinking about that jacket and about how my current coat was too short in the arms and the snow would get it and freeze up my wrists. My back peeked out if I bent over. My boots didn't fit and stunk like wet bread bags. With a 1/4 mile driveway to walk to the bus every morning that would start to be a problem awfully soon. Winter in Minnesota is merciless even in a mild year.

Mom had been given some bags of clothes for us kids from some kind soul. It was probably a neighbor or church friend who saw my exhausted parents shuffling into service every Sunday dragging twin babies, a preschooler, and me lagging behind. We were always taken care of but I remember her looking so sad so often. Poverty can be a weary place for your soul. Still, God provided for us through my mother's diligent prayers and trust.

I can see the purple fur jacket peeking out of the bag in my mind's eye. It was a pinkish, purple, fuzzy fur. The coat was like a navy pea jacket with the square of buttons in front. There were four of them colored a dull brass like an old used tea pot. I think they were suppose to look like coins with a Roman solider on them. The really horrible part however, was the white, faux fur, trim speckled with black dots. I believe the manufacturer was going for a queen's robe meets a Roman sailor on the good ship Lollypop look.

Oh, how I repelled inwardly. This was nothing like the sleek, shiny, blue ski jacket.

My mom held it up and judged the size. I knew it was mine.

So there was my winter coat. I was going to be the tail end of every joke the cool kids could come up with. My eyes filled but I did not show it. I knew I should be grateful to have a coat. The knot in my throat was so hard it hurt and I turned away.

"Look! Boots, too!"

With some apprehension I turned to see my new boots. Oh please could they not match the coat?!

Oh they didn't match the coat. Nope. They didn't match anything. They were shiny, silver moon boots. Boy moon boots. With huge, thick heals and silver laces. They went clear up to my knees and glowed like a bad sci-fi movie. They needed a ski jacket and a boy!

Really? Shall we just stick a Bull's Eye on my forehead?

"Thanks, mom."

I absolutely hated that jacket. I loathed the boots. However, I new it was the best my parents could give and I knew I shouldn't complain. (I am sure I did a bit....)

I wore them.

Grudgingly I admit, they were warm. I was teased. I was laughed at. It was embarrassing to be seen in. I stuck out like a huge purple, fuzzy, Ewok amidst the Sking Crowd. But, I sure was warm.

The lesson learned: Be thankful in all circumstances.

What a gift that is. What an amazing lesson! What a work the LORD has done in my life with a lesson began before I even knew who He was.

pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

So, sometimes, make them wear that ugly, old, out of date, piece of clothing. It builds character and thankfulness.

Always Blessed,
Gretchen :)

Possibly Linking With:

Cornerstone Confessions

Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up

Frugally Sustainable
Raising Homemakers
Far Above Rubies
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Wholehearted Home
Growing Home

No Ordinary Blog Hop

Frontline Moms Friday Fun
The Welcoming House

Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations

Courtship Connection
Living In the Shoe
Homemaking Linkup Weekend

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Tuesday's Gifts~ Wisdom Seeking

Wisdom. A goal to be reaching for.

A gift God gives.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

~ Proverbs 2:6

If I but ask for it.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

~ James 1:5

And a promise to cling to.

¹³Happy are those who find wisdom,
    and those who get understanding,
¹⁴for her income is better than silver,
    and her revenue better than gold.
¹⁵She is more precious than jewels,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶Long life is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
    and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
    those who hold her fast are called happy.

~ Proverbs 3: 13-18

Striving.

Seeking.

Sentinel.

Always Blessed,
Gretchen :)

All pictures are courtesy of my sister, Sara Rose Nissen.

Check out her artwork over at as seen through my eyes. :)

Possibly Linking With:

Cornerstone Confessions

Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up

Frugally Sustainable
Raising Homemakers
Far Above Rubies
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Wholehearted Home
Growing Home

No Ordinary Blog Hop

Frontline Moms Friday Fun
The Welcoming House

Domestic Randomness~ Friday Fascinations

Courtship Connection
Homemaking Linkup Weekend

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Tuesday's Gifts~ from my parents

Tuesday's Gifts ~
My parents instilled in us a love for Our LORD, gratitude for our freedoms and a respect and love for the old ways of things. What a gift.

Ichthus

Free

cellar

¹⁴It was at that time that the Lord commanded me to teach you his decrees and regulations so you would obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. ~Deuteronomy 4:14

Always Blessed,
Gretchen :)

All pictures are courtesy of my sister Sara Rose Nissen.
Check out her artwork over at as seen through my eyes.

Possibly Linking With:
Cornerstone Confessions

Wisdom Wednesdays and Link Up
No Ordinary Blog Hop
Frontline Moms Friday Fun
The Welcoming House

Frugally Sustainable
Artful Homemaking
Far Above Rubies
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Wholehearted Home
Growing Home

Thursday, December 13, 2012

The GingerMan Cookie *Recipe!

GingerMan Cookies!

My personal decorating abilities leave much to be desired.

Last week one evening we had a gingerbread party. It was full of ruckus and loud boisterous chatting amongst The Littles. Eggs were beat and flour sifted. Molasses was tasted and brown sugar measured. Raisins and mini M&Ms sprinkled my floor. We read two books and had Cookies With Supper! A good time was had by all!


The pans look like they have seen better days...

Soup, homemade bread, and cookies for supper!

He looks a bit like The Blob, but a GingerMan is hidden beneath that Maple Glaze exterior.

Find It Here!

They had been begging me to make 'GingerMan' cookies ever since we pulled out the Christmas Book Box and read through The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth and Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett. I have hesitated to make the little men the last few years because they never eat them! They like the idea of decorating little people but they don't like the richness and heartiness of gingerbread and so I end up eating them all. :/

Find it here!

This year, though, I caved and we pulled out all the ingredients and on a whim used the recipe from the back of the book. Mostly because Sir Bean really, really wanted to make the little yellow trousered, blue jacketed, GingerMan that stars in The Gingerbread Man and it came with a recipe. He gave me the eyes and upon looking at the recipe I decided it a worthy trial run cookie.

So Glad we did! It was perfect! They have emptied the Jar in one week! Perhaps their tastes are changing due to us eating less refined foods?! {Secretly Jumping For Joy!}


Oh So Empty!

And So with Full Credit given to Jim Aylesworth I give you:

The Best GingerMan Cookie

Sift into a big bowl and mix:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon gound cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Beat together in another bowl:

1 lg egg

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

2/3 cup dark molasses

6 Tablespoons softened butter

Add dry ingredients slowly to the wet mixture until well blended. Cover and refriderate for one hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Use flour on your rolling pin and cutting board to keep dough from sticking. Roll out a portion of the dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut out your GingerMen with a floured cookie cutter. Decorate with Raisins, M&Ms, chocolate chips and whatever else you can think of! Place 1 inch apart on a buttered cookie sheet and bake 8 minutes or until slightly firm to touch. Cool on pan one minute and then transfer to wire rack (if you have one :))

We did decorate some of our men with a simple Maple Glaze.

Maple Glaze

They smelled so good!

1 Cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon maple extract

water

In a small bowl add sugar and extract. Slowly add water a little bit at a time until you have a thick pasty glaze. Spread on cookies and let harden. Can add decorations to the glaze before it hardens. :)

No, they are not aliens or cyclops. They are GingerMen.

Try them and let me know what you think!

Always Blessed,
Gretchen :)

Possibly Linking With:
Cornerstone Confessions

Raising Arrows

Modest Mom Blog

Deep Roots At Home

The Better Mom Monday Link Up

Frugally Sustainable
Artful Homemaking
Far Above Rubies
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Wholehearted Home

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

~Simple Christmas~ DIY Gift Ideas:Food

Do It Yourself Gift Ideas!

I love doing all kinds of crafty whatnots.

I'm not especially precise or even all that creative when it comes to crafting... anything... but my heart sure is in the right place.

In an effort to keep costs down and put a bit more love into our Christmas

we are making some gifts!

I especially like the thought of getting the kids involved in making a gift instead of just buying something for the person they are giving Cheer to.

I have no problem buying gifts, but isn't it nice to receive a special something that someone made for you?

I remember getting the most beautiful book marker from a friend that she had hand crocheted.

I have received a beautifully wrapped box of cookies from a friend for quite a few years and the kids and I can hardly wait till she delivers it bearing smiles and a great visit! I so appreciate it!

Once, a teacher made us little ice skate ornaments out of paper clips!

These are the things people can connect with. It takes some thought. Shouldn't all gifting be like that?

Food!

A box of your homemade cookies would be a wonderful gift. Trust me!


Source

Here is a neat way to package those cookies in smaller batches.

We have made mix-in-jar gifts before. Easy to make. Fun to include the kids in and always appreciated by the recipient!

This site has both these recipes!

Check out Budget 101 for over 30 different mix in jar recipes.


These look like clean recyclables being used for storing mixes! Source

How about some of your canned goods from last summer's bounty? This could look pretty with a ribbon and bow.

Homemade salsa.

Fruit Basket Season! Don't buy one! Make one! For a quick and simple present pick some choice fruit and place in a pretty container, or basket, and throw in a few peppermint candies. Especially good for the elderly. You can tailor it for a large family or just a single couple.


source

I like how this one looks.

My other favorite is coffee, hot cocoa, and tea gifts. If you have a lover of one or all you can make a very inexpensive gift. Just remember (because I don't always) to go simple. You are giving a little sample taste of coffee or tea not and entire year's worth.

This is lovely! You can pick up mugs for a buck at the dollar store.

Minus the slightly cheesy sticker this looks yummy.