2/07/2010

Weekly Wrap Up












From the Heart: I recieved the greatest gift this week. It was a late christmas gift from my sister. A round trip ticket to visit her!!!! I am so excited! We only found eachother a few years ago and have only visited in person one time. A short visit. I am so looking forward to a visit with her!!! We are planning the visit around the time of the fair in her area since we both love going to the fair.


I also found ( through my sister above) a first cousin on Facebook. My sister had already met her ( and most of the family on my moms side) several years ago. I am looking forward to getting to know her.


As I get older family is becoming so important. I do not really know my 13 siblings well  but want to put together some sort of family photo tree for future generations.


On the Missionary Field: We work with people right here in our city: homeless, poor, less desirable folks. Is it a missionary field or evangalism....we get ask this a lot! I think what we do is a missionary field. This quote is from urbana.org


The essence of being a missionary is that we are "sent ones." Location is not the primary consideration. Being obedient to the call of God is. As the Lord of the Church, Jesus wants us to love our neighbors across the street or across the world. In this sense, ministering on campus is just as much missionary work as serving in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. To be obedient to Jesus Christ is to be a Christian. And to be a Christian is to be a "sent one."


They are talking about ministering on campus because that is what they do but it applies to anyone who ministers in their neighborhood or on the job ect.


You can read the whole article here: http://www.urbana.org/articles/what-is-a-missionary-anyway  


Around the House: Its so muddy due to the snow and thaw. Lots to get cleaned up. The fireplace needs to be cleaned out and the hearth scrubbed. ( sounds like Cinderella) We have a small fireplace so clean out has to happen often ( it was a coal fireplace).Its messy and the ash dust goes everywhere no matter how careful you are. Overall I really just need to spend 15 minutes each day doing some deep cleaning. Its time to start spring cleaning the fly lady way. I am noticing cobwebs and so much more! I think I will start with the Hot Spot Fire Drill. http://www.flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Decluttertips.asp Just sitting here I can see several "hot spots". Then on to the 27 fling boogie! I enjoy doing this! Stuff just accumulates over the winter.  It will be refreshing to reach these goals by the end of next week! I will let you know if I did indeed reach the goal!



In the School Room: To stay focused! We have had snow...nothing unusual unless you live where there is never any snow. So the public schools were closed 3 days this week. I did not see the value is closing our school as the kids still got to play in the snow and have fun. Our heat works great, the commute is very short and not dangerous ( reasons why the public schools were closed).  Boy did my kids whine! But I know when spring finally arrives they will want to do fieldtrips and have time off to enjoy the much needed sun shine. So we stuck to school. We survived! And the gals built a beautiful snow fort to boot. Should have snapped a photo of it....the rain has all but washed it away.


On the bookshelf: Reading Answering the Call to Evangelism by Jack W Hayford, Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado ( this is our cell group bible study) Loving this book.


In the Kitchen: It was a crockpot easy meal type of week. Did my best to put a great meal on the table even though I was not feeling well. I am using up all the stuff in the freezers. When getting to the bottom of the big one we found many pork roast that had been "lost". When all the meat is gone we will defrost and clean the freezer and start with fresh meat. I really need to work on a better rotation system so stuff does not get "lost".


Creamy Crockpot Roast Beef, Oh so simple! Use a less fatty roast. Place in the bottom of your crockpot. Put 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup on top. Add 1/2 can of water. Put the lid on and do not disturb ( open the lid or add liquid) for 5 hours. It is wonderful! Kids like this on baked potatoes.


Tortilleni, I use pre made. It comes right out of the freezer and is done in 7 minutes.


Sweet and Sour Crockpot Pork Roast, Our twist on Stephanies recipe http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2009/12/supuer-simple-cranberry-roast-beef-or.html If you have not been treated to Crockpot 365 I encourage you to visit!  Our twist on her wonderful recipe: We used jelled cranberry as that is what was in the pantry, added 2 tablespoons of orange juice, 1 tsp garlic powder and 1 tsp ginger ( for an asian twist). We served ours over rice.


Burrito Bar, All the fixins for a burrito your way. We like taco meat, shredded chicken, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoe, onion, cheese, sour cream and salsa. I do this using my 3 crock crockpot. The meats can be cooked ahead. We generally do large batches of mexican hamburger and mexican chicken. It freezes well and does great in the crockpot once warmed.


Spaghetti Just your basic spaghetti dinner.


Leftovers  We are trying to cut back on having leftovers. So only one leftover meal this week. We do eat most of the leftovers for lunch. We like to joke that our school lunch program has the best hot lunches in town!


Crockpot Pantry Chili Another very easy and quick meal. I use 1lb browned  hamburger, 2 15 oz cans ranch beans, 1 15oz can tomatoes and chilis, 1 tsp chilli powder, salt, pepper. Put all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for 3 hours, Serve over cornbread.


Creamy Tortilla Roll Ups: We serve these everytime we have Bible study at our home. They seem to be a hit. Mix cream cheese ( softened) with one shredded cucumber. Spread on large tortilla all the way to the edges. Roll tortilla tightly. Cut 1/2 inch rounds and put on serving platter. Variations: There are great flavored cream cheeses out them. We love the roasted tomatoe and basil one and the vegetable one. Kids like cream cheese and cinnamon sugar. I imagin if you like the pimento cheese that that would work also. Three large torillias fills a platter. Its quick, easy, and looks pretty on the table!


On the Creative Side: Finished two more handmade gifts! Did not like the way one turned out so tore it out and started over. Ever done that when you were 90 percent done? ( crochet). Just did not like the way it looked! Spring is on its way and I am sure inside time will be limited soon. But I am happy to get so much done now while it is cold.




Thrifty Finds:


We did not go out this week nor did we find any curb treasure but I have been looking on line for free resources and reusing stuff for crafts. For example I found this cool idea for bag handles. I already have a lot of this tubing left over from another project. So this project will be free! http://jezzeblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/handles_22.html  And this idea: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/47777/roundup-swiffer-cover I do not use a swiffer however I do use a sponge mop. I think this just might work! I have lots of leftover bits of yarn so this would also be a free project. Since Shani http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/CelticMom   is making aprons I looked up one of my favorite pattern site for aprons. http://craftstew.com/sewing/38-free-apron-patterns  Its free. Lots of cool ideas. Shani's is very pretty too so check it out!



 Christmas and Birthday Boxes: Two more gifts in the box!


Sisters: Fudgy and Abigale


Sisters!


 



4 comments:

  1. It was strange to hear you mention 13 siblings, as my mother was adopted when she was 3-4 along wih her brother who was around 2. I found out as a teenager that my mother was one of 13 children and has all of these other siblings. One contacted her, years ago, but she was resistant to it and has never contacted them. I hope to one day know the other side of my family as well!


    I love the FlyLady! She is the best. I have a lot of spring cleaning to do too.


    Have a blessed week,


    Sherry


    My homeschool blog: http://educatingemme.blogspot.com

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  2. We've been in constant mud here too lately (IL). All you meals sound tempting!


    Janet W

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  3. DD and I like to do the fling-boogie thing too! It really does make you feel better to get rid of stuff, doesn't it?


    I have been cleaning out books, hs books, etc. Though I haven't gotten rid of them, I am preparing to do so by selling them on Ebay.

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  4. How exciting for you to receive that gift of a trip to visit your sister! When will you go?

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Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalms 143:8