Making My Home A Haven is important to me. Sharing homemaking skills. Recipes and food. Bible Studies. This is a treasure chest of goodies. So take a seat. Have a glass of tea and enjoy. You will learn all about who I am.
We were suppose to have RAIN the last few days. Badly needed RAIN.
It never came.
Instead, it’s been DREARY. DEPRESSING. DAMP. Still too hot for me.
The SUN came out today. Blinding the computer screen.
Or at least I think it did.
It was gone as quickly as it came.
I am Thankful It came.
Sometimes, it IS THE LITTLE THINGS, that matter the most.
Love And Hugs,
Sarah
November 7, 2019 by betsydecruz
https://faithspillingover.com/2019/11/07/help-your-heart-feel-grateful/
“You’ve experienced it too. Little things go wrong in your day and zap the gratitude right out of your heart. Or big things may go wrong in your life. Maybe you experienced loss or went through trial this year, and you’re just not feeling the gratitude this November.
All the beautiful Thanksgiving images on social media can make a woman feel downright guilty if she doesn’t feel grateful. That woman may or may not be me, but the other day I woke up feeling more grumpy than grateful. I let a mini-disaster steal my gratitude. The night before, I went to pick up my son from work at 10 pm but … [Read More…]
Note: This is a re-edited version of a post that originally appeared on Abby McDonald’s blog.
If you’re struggling during this Season of Thanks, how about returning to a simple truth?“
“Now it’s your turn: When life zaps the gratitude out of your heart, what helps you feel grateful again?
From Sarah :
I really enjoy this blog. It’s filled with wonderful posts.
Please check it out.
https://faithspillingover.com/
Love And Hugs ,
Sarah
From Sarah :
Here’s praying that you have had a really good week.
Love And Hugs ,
Sarah
https://www.facebook.com/GoodMorningGirlsWLW/
https://womenlivingwell.org/2019/10/introducing-the-10th-annual-making-your-home-a-haven-bible-study/
“Welcome to the 10th Annual Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! 10 years ago, we began this series and never could I have imagined how much it would resonate with so many women around the world!
So many times we try to mask our struggles, pain, confusion or emptiness by keeping busy and distracted, eating food, going on vacations, seeking success or elevating certain relationships. While many of these are blessings from God, they are not good substitutes FOR God.
This Bible Study is going to help you slow down.
It is going to force you to pause every day and enter into the presence of our Almighty God through the 4 Spiritual Disciplines of gratitude, meditation, prayer and fasting.
God’s pace is much slower than this world’s pace.
We must slow down to catch up with God.
We must create calm moments in our day because it’s in the unhurried moments, that we can clearly see and hear the voice of God.”
The Above was written By Courtney : Women Living Well/ Good Morning Girls.
“What exactly does living a life of gratitude mean?
To live with gratitude means continuously counting your blessings. … As such, to live with gratitude means recognizing everything you have that is good. All these things are blessings that bring incredible joy and happiness to your life. Speaking of joy, to live with gratitude means to find joy in the smallest of things. “
https://blog.iqmatrix.com/living-with-gratitude
http://littlehouseontheprairie.com/cornbread-stuffing-inspired-by-laura-ingalls-wilder/
“
As we get ready for the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking about our holiday dinner menu. Will you serve a ham, wild turkey or a juicy game hen? Regardless of the meat, a good stuffing recipe is needed to accompany this feast. In Laura Ingalls Wilder’s These Happy Golden Years, (and mentioned in other books), cornbread stuffing plays a big role at dinner, especially since it’s topped with bacon…….
This recipe is part of Barbara Walker’s cookbook, The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Classic Stories.
We adapted the original recipe by adding a few more ingredients to it for color and flavor, such as red and green peppers and onion. The recipe also calls for adding seasoning and sage to the cornbread mixture after it’s baked. We decided to sprinkle the sage on top of the cornbread mixture before baking it.
Our adaptation of Laura Ingalls’ Cornbread Stuffing would pair well with our Christmas Country Ham. ”
From Sarah : I have this wonderful cookbook. I also have Melissa’s Gilbert’s “My Prairie Cookbook”. Little House On The Prairie was a favorite TV show. We watched it as a family. I had all of the book when I was a child. When my niece started reading , she got her own set.
From Sarah:
I was going to add some more photos but was having trouble uploading them.
Love And Hugs,
Sarah
Good Morning Girls!!! It’s Day 4 of Making Your Home a Haven! Light your candle and keep your gratitude list going. What is one thing you are thankful for today?
Today we are reading 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.
From Sarah:
I Am Thankful For:
Not arguing as much with Danny lately. This is huge. Before he was in the hospital in September and before he stopped drinking we were fighting all the time. Huge Arguments. I never knew what would set Danny off. No matter what I did or didn’t do, we’d end up arguing. Know matter what I said or didn’t say, we would argue about it. Much of the time , I wasn’t even sure what we were arguing about. He’s yell at me. I’d either cry. Usually walking away. Praying it would stop. I’d hear him continue his rants from where ever I was.
I would get into the car and drive through the park. Drive through Camp Mack and the surrounding areas. When I came back, he would act as if everything was ok. No “I’m Sorry’s.
Nothing.
It’s often way too quiet here. He stays in his computer room and I stay in the kitchen , where the laptop is right now.
So the only time we talk is when he comes in for a drink. Even then,we seldom talk.
I keep trying. He would rather do anything else. Always watching a documentary. Or texting.
What happened to both of us watching movies together?
But, at least we aren’t fighting and he’s not yelling.
He’s not drinking either.
I am thankful for all of it.
What are you thankful for today?
Love And Hugs,
Sarah
From Sarah: Whenever I do this series I always go deep. I search past posts and videos. I search other bloggers for similar posts.
Check out the past posts for this series here. There are many to choose from.
Revisiting past Making Your Home Challenges.
In 2010 I began a fall challenge that encouraged women all over the world to bless their homes as a start to the fall season.
I didn’t know it at the time but the Making Your Home a Haven Challenge would become a hallmark Women Living Well challenge that women look forward to every year.
And since then, 2017 is the only year I didn’t offer the Making Your Home a Haven challenge. Instead I offered Rest and Release.
Weekly Challenges and Resources for Rest and Release
It’s Time to Begin! Rest and Release Resources {Week 1}
Can’t Seem to Let Go? Here’s How.
Rest and Release Resources {Week 2}
How to Stop Worrying and Start Resting
Rest and Release Resources {Week 3}
Release Your Burdens Through Giving Thanks
The Power of Music and the Purpose of Your Pain
Rest and Release Resources {Week 4}
The 3 Qualities of a Woman Who Is Resting Well
The Making Your Home a Haven Challenge is a 4-week challenge.
Each week I give you a homework assignment paired with a blog post, encouraging you to make your home a beautiful and peaceful haven for your family.
Depending on what month you start, There are either 4 weeks or 5.
The Making Your Home a Haven Challenge looks like this:
Week 1 – Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home.
Week 2 – Play soft music everyday in your home. Choose worship, classical or another form of peaceful music that the family enjoys. Focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships. Remind your family to avoid seething anger, tattling, criticism or back talk. As the wife/mother, work on gentleness this week.
Week 3 – List a few of the spots in your home that make you visually stressed because of all the clutter. Now go buy something for that spot – like a basket to put it all in! Work on cleaning up clutter – throw things away and encourage the children and your hubby to do the same in their bedrooms or offices or work areas this week. While you’re at it – clean up some clutter in your spiritual life. What gets in the way of your peace spiritually?
Week 4 – Keep the candle going, the music playing, and add some tender moments with your family. Have a pillow party in the family room and get out every blanket and pillow in the house and be cozy with the kids or your hubby! Even if you live alone you can do this. Enjoy a cozy evening of hot cider and caramel corn. Give a 5 minute back rub to every single person in your house…and for a double challenge- try to give one every day to each family member! During your tender moment with the family, ask them how they feel about this challenge. Are they enjoying it? Is it helpful? Is there anything they would change. Give your family listening ears. I think you will be blessed by the positive feedback you will receive!
Week 5 – Focus on the kitchen, the heart of the home. Cook things with pleasant aromas. Pick a meal the family can cook together – include everyone in a task and take pictures so everyone can remember moments in the kitchen together – test tasting, being creative, laughing and loving. Remove discontentment with your home or family and give thanks to God for the home God has given you to in which to create a haven for your family.
2016 Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Blog Posts
Making Your Home a Haven 7th Annual Fall Challenge
How to Make Your Home Feel Cozy
Serve Some Lovin’ From the Oven
Lean In and Listen for a Heart Drop
Fling Open Your Doors and Let Others In!
2015 Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Blog Posts
Making Your Home a Haven 6th Annual Fall Challenge
The Key to Making Your Home a Haven
The Power of a Positive Woman in Her Home
Who We Are At Home Is Who We Really Are
The Kitchen Is Not Just For Cooking But For Connecting
2014 Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Blog Posts
Making Your Home a Haven Fall Challenge Is Back!
What Type of Environment Are You?
Making Your Home a Haven {Week 2 – Music}
Making Your Home a Haven – Week 3 {Family Fun Night}
Making Your Home a Haven {Week 4 – A Cozy Warm Kitchen}
2013 Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Blog Posts
Making Your Home a Haven Fall Challenge is Back with an iPad Mini Giveaway!
Making Your Home a Haven {Week 1} Plus a Year Supply of Yankee Candles Giveaway!
Making Your Home a Haven {Week 2} Plus a 1o-Pack of Games Giveaway
Making Your Home a Haven {Week 3} Plus a Kitchen Aid Mixer Giveaway
Making Your Home a Haven {Week 4} & A Pottery Barn Giveaway!
2012 Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Blog Posts
The 3rd Annual Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Is Back!
Making Your Home a Haven: Week 1
Making Your Home a Haven – Week 2 ~ Soft Music
Making Your Home a Haven – Week 3 ~ Cooking
Making Your Home a Haven – Week 4 ~ Decorating
2011 Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Blog Posts
Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Is Back!
Distant or Engaged? Making Your Home a Haven ~ Week 1
Sing, Dance, Smile, Swoon ~ Have Fun in Your Home!
An Unplanned Video of my Clutter – Making Your Home a Haven
Creating Family Nights – Making Your Home a Haven ~ Week 4
2010 Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Blog Posts
Making Your Home a Haven – Fall Challenge – Come and Link Up!
Are You Distracted and Distant or Making Your Home a Haven?
Give Your Children a Happy Childhood Filled With Tender Moments
HOW TO COOK A FROZEN TURKEY By A Modern Homestead
From Sarah :
I have to admit, I don’t worry about cooking a turkey or fixing a huge Thanksgiving Or Christmas Dinner. I never have.
I will admit that I always make sure that I defrost the turkey before I cook it. So, I have never cooked it this way before.
It’s so simple, I don’t know why it’s not more common.
Read On My Friends:
‘HOW TO COOK A FROZEN TURKEY
Learning how to cook a frozen turkey is a must have skill for any chef. You never know when you’re going to forget (or run out of time) to thaw the turkey before dinner. With this easy recipe, you will be able to cook a frozen turkey to perfection in no time at all!I’ll be honest, since I discovered how to cook a frozen chicken, I don’t even bother thawing my fowl before cooking it! That goes for the big turkey too!
Since I’m the one who normally makes Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, this is a great recipe for me as it allows me to save counter and fridge space for other holiday recipes, instead of requiring me to thaw the turkey for days in advance.
With this recipe for how to cook a frozen turkey, I can simply take the turkey out of the freezer and have it straight into the oven within just a few minutes!’
https://www.amodernhomestead.com/how-to-cook-a-frozen-turkey/
