Laundry: Sorting

Sorting can be a difficult task for some and an easy task for others...depending upon your family size!  There are some homemakers who suggest washing it all based on lights/darks or other simple ways. However, to keep you clothes looking nice and lasting long there are certain "rules/guidelines" that must be followed.

Basic Beginnings:

1. Read the care instructions on the tags. Place all dryclean only items, handwash items, and other special care items into to piles of their own. 
2. DRYCLEAN Clothing: I don't take things to the cleaners unless they need a REAL hard pressing because the crease has worn away OR it is my husband's Military Dress Uniform. I use DRYEL for the regular dry cleaning.
3. REACH INTO EVERY POCKET! Don't settle for a simple pat down, you CAN miss something.
4. INSPECT: A) for repairs needed: ripped seems, loose or missing buttons, etc & B) STAINS
5. TURN items inside out that need it. Unless the instructions say to turn the item inside out it will wash just fine without turning inside out. BUT many housewives agree that turning items inside out prevents fading, wear from friction, snagging and piling.

Sorting:
You can either sort by color, clothing type, or family members

COLOR SORTING:        Sorting by color assure that colors won't fade on to lighter colors. Typical sorting of colors includes the following catergories-assuming the clothes have colorfastness! These may seem like alot of loads, but we don't wear something from every catagory everyday so it can take a while to build up a load of laundry.

• SOLID WHITES: These are all white items that are typically underwear, undershirts, socks, etc. These are the items that you can use pure bleach on.
• LIGHT WHITES: Light colored socks, underwear, undershirts. These may have other colors or prints on them.
• REDS: Reds are notrious for bleeding and turning other clothing pink. Reds can be mixed with BRIGHT oranges and pinks.
• PASTELS: These are typically the spring time colors or baby colors. As long as the item has colorfastness and they have the same washing care these colors can be mixed together.
• TOWELS: Because towels have so much lint, they always need to be washed seperately from the other types of clothing.
• SHEETS: Because of the size of sheets I recommend washing sheet sets as one small/medium load.
• BABY: Baby blankets, sheets, burp blothes, bibs and clothes can be washed together. I put baby items as one catagory because sometime these clothing needs special detergents, unless they are dark colors or reds
• BLACKS: Wash black together inside out to prevent fading and piling.
• MED-DARK BLUES: These include denims and dark purples.
• BRIGHT BLUES: These include bright purples too. (Light purples should be washed with pastels)
• DARKS: Some will combine ALL dark colors into one pile and this works well too.
• DIAPERS: For those who use cloth diapers and cloth wipes, these should always be washed seperately from other clothes.

CLOTHING TYPE SORTING:

• Towels & Lint Givers
• Sheets
• Jeans/Denim
• Khaki
• T-Shirts
• Dress Shirts/ Dressy Clothing
• Undergarmets
• Baby Clothing
• Heavy Weight Fabrics
• Light Weight Fabrics
• Uniforms

FAMILY MEMBER SORTING:
      Sorting according to each family member. Some prefer this method because it make putting away easier. It will work if all fabric is able to be washed and dried at the same temperature. I don't personally like this method.

The Way I Do It:
I use a mix of color sorting and fabric type. This way the fabrics won't wear each other out and the colors won't fade.

Laundry: Laundry Care Symbols

What are those symbols on the tags?

The symbols on the Tags are care instruction. Each symbol represents a special care instruction with variations of each one. These were created to help consumers in the North American Free Trade Agreement the ability to understand care instruction without having to write the instructions in written words.

More detailed list:

This is a more detailed list from TEXTILE INDUSTRY AFFAIRS. If you are new to the homemaking business print this out and place it in plastic page protectors and put in your laundry room. I prefer this chart.
GUIDE TO COMMON HOME LAUNDERING AND DRYCLEANING SYMBOLS (pdf)

Understanding these symbols and following their guidelines will ensure the quality and life-spam of your clothes.

Advice to Ladies about Valentines day & Other Gifts

So often I hear women complain "he didn't get me what I WANTED for Valentine's Day!" or "I gave him hints but he didn't get it"  And I hear from men "DON'T GIVE ME HINTS"...

MEN DON'T GET HINTS! THEY ARE NOT IGNORING YOU, THEY JUST DON'T COMPREHEND IT! Give them a break; if you want something tell them!

Ladies,


Don't drop hints to your husbands, boyfriends, fiances about Valentines day. Tell them what you would like. If you want it to be a surprise...give him a list of things that you would be happy to have. I tell my husband all the time "don't buy me flowers, they die, I want something that is useful and lasts".

I'm not against flowers, but I don't want him to spend alot of money on them. I would much rather have a $10 bouquet from Wal-Mart for a "just because" than to have him spend $50-$150 to get me roses on Valentines day.

Don't make it hard on the men, then be disappointed when you didn't get what you wanted! He's my list of general items that I would like to have for special occasions:

-Housework Coupon Book
-Gift Certificate for a message
-A personal message by hubby
-New houseplant
-New attachments for KitchenAid
-Dark Chocolate
-Coupon for a free morning to sleep in past 0500
-Coupon for a free afternoon
-Homemade by him Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

These may not be expensive things but are things that I like and would rather have than flowers that die.

Frugal (but appreciated) Valentines Day Gifts

Everyone lately is looking for ways to cut corners and save money where they can. Valentines Day is coming up soon and this is one area that you can save lots of $$$!

Flowers die with in days or a week if your lucky. Chocolate goes to the hips...or other places.  SO how can you stretch that dollar and still make your mother or wife feel loved?

1st STEP: LISTEN TO WHAT SHE IS SAYING... women usually give hints early! They will mention something they like or usually show you something. (This isn't fair to men, because men usually can't read the hints.) 

If you have to ask, then do it... It would better much better than her being disappointed. (hopefully, she won't get mad at you for reading her mind.) Or offer her this advice from another blog of mine:
Ladies,
Don't drop hints to your husbands, boyfriends, fiances about Valentines day. Tell them what you would like. If you want it to be a surprise...give him a list of things that you would be happy to have. I tell my husband all the time "don't buy me flowers, they die, I want something that is useful and lasts".

I'm not against flowers, but I don't want him to spend alot of money on them. I would much rather have a $10 bouquet from Wal-Mart for a "just because" than to have him spend $50-$150 to get me roses on Valentines day.

Don't make it hard on the men, then be disappointed when you didn't get what you wanted! He's my list of general items that I would like to have for special occasions:
-Housework Coupon Book
-Gift Certificate for a message
-A personal message by hubby
-New houseplant
-New attachments for KitchenAid
-Dark Chocolate
-Coupon for a free morning to sleep in past 0500
-Coupon for a free afternoon
-Homemade by him Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

These may not be expensive things but are things that I like and would rather have than flowers that die.

Here is a list of items that can be given to anyone. (the wording is towards women, but you can switch things around for men or children)

• Homemade coupons books: housework, favors, nights out
• Make Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries (or her preferred chocolate type)
• Make a homemade dinner WITHOUT her help!
• Personally written poem
• Handmade card
• Calendar with pictures through out the time married
• A day-off from housework and kids while everyone else does the work
• Homemade gift basket (see Gift Basket Blog)
• A Bubble Bath surrounded with candles
• Candles
• Her favorite drink and a new book
• If you have vacation time saved up, take the day off before or after Valentine's Day and spend extra time together.
• Make a cd or playlist on your MP3 player with just her favorite songs, spend the night dancing and serenading herr at home.
• Put together a shadow box of all the things that remind you of her or your special times together with a picture of you or both of you in the center.
• Make heart shaped cookies.
• Make your own candry wrappers with messages of love on them...use her favorite candy
• Give her gifts that pertain to her favorite hobby: scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, reading etc
• Lists! List why you love her, what you love about her, why you are glad you married
• Photo gifts...walmart and walgreens have inexpensive photo gifts that you can have made: posters, coffee mugs, throws, and more

Baby Food: Carrots & Carrot Juice for Baby

 Baby Food: Pureed Carrots
Ingredients:
Carrots (any amount-I use 3-4lbs because I make bulk quantities.)
Water

1. If you use regular carrots wash with veggie brush to remove ALL dirt or peel the carrots. Slice into sticks or if you have a food processor with a slicer slice the carrots
2. Put enough water over the carrots to barely cover the top.
3. Boil until tender-not mushy. They should still hold their shape but be soft.
4. Turn off heat and let cool 5 minutes.
5. Place into food processor or blender. Puree until you reach the consistancy that you desire.
6. Let cool.

Here you can either freeze "as is" or strain the juice.

To Freeze:
Cube Method:

1. Place pureed carrots from processor into ice cube trays and freeze.
2. Once frozen place in freezer bag and place bag in freezer.
3. Defrost the needed amount of cubes as necessary.

Jar Method:

1. Place in Freezer jars (use jars especially made for the freezer such as Ball/Kerr Blue Label canning jars). Using a wide mouth funnel helps prevent spills.
2. Leave HEAD SPACE of about 1-1/2 inches.
3. Place in freezer. Defrost 1 jar as needed. (To defrost jars move from freezer to refrigerator overnight.)

To get the CARROT JUICE:

1. BEFORE placing in jar use a mess strainer over a bowl and place 8 oz carrot in the strainer.
2. Press the carrots until the juice no longer comes out.
3. Move the carrots from the strainer to jars. Use a wide mouth strainer to prevent spilling the carrots.
4. Repeat this process until all carrots have been strained.
5. Take the strained juice and place in freezer jars using a wide mouth funnel.
6. Freeze

I use the carrot juice (and other juice from fruits & veggies) to make cereal instead of water or milk. All of my children loved homemade baby food and homemade juices.

Homemade Baby Wipes

Having more than one baby in diapers cost A LOT!!!!! I have been looking into ways to save money. Well I have given cloth diapers considerable thought, but I REALLY hate to do laundry so that just won't work for me. I have decided to save money by making my own baby wipes that contains soaps with lavender and tea tree oil.

Lavender has antispetic and antiinflammatory properties. Tea tree oil has antispetic and antifungal properties.

Please before using any essentials oils or soaps with essential oils in them, read for any precautions or warning labels. Some oils are completely safe on the skin but can be dangerous if swallowed.

To make 2 containers of wipes:
2 Plastic containers with lids (I use old huggies containers)
1 Roll Viva Paper Towels (Select-a-size type) (See Update)
2 TBS Avalon Lavendar Shower Gel (organic)
2 TBS Nature's Gate Tea Tree Liquid Soap (organic)
2 TBS Baby Oil
4 Cups Boiling Water (Allow to cool before using the wipes)

Prepare your paper towels by either cutting the roll in half and removing the cardboard from the center or tear each paper towel off.  {I cut the roll in half and then zig-zag fold it into the container.}

Boil your water get it to a good rolling boil. In a mixing bowl combine your soaps, oil, then add your water slowly 1 cup at a time. This will cause the ingredients to combine without making too many bubbles.

Next put 1/4 of your towel in the bottom of each containers. Add in 1 Cup of your liquid mixture. Give the towels a minute to soak it all up. Then place the remaining towel in the containers splitting them evenly. Add 1 cup of the liquid on the top of the towel.

Allow the towels to soak up the liquid. Now you have 230 wipes for the total cost of $2.72.

My initial investment was 4 rolls of Viva paper towels (I had a $1 off coupon when I buy 4) {$4.96/$1.25 each roll}; Avalon Organic Lavender Soap-12oz {$5.59/ $0.47 per oz}; Nature's Gate Tea Tree Liquid Soap-16oz {$4.29/ $0.27 per oz}; and the baby oil and wipes containers I had in my home. My initial investment is $14.84. However, I will be able to make 920 wipe out of these four rolls of paper towels. After using all the paper towels I will still have alot of soap left over to make more.

(Please note these prices are from DeCA-the military commissary. You may find coupons for these online to help cut cost. Also, health food stores may carry other organic brands at cheaper prices-but not always.)

I do recommend using only certified organic soaps in these so that you know for certain that only the highest quality products will be used on your precious baby.

***Please note that some people have reactions to lavendar oil and tea tree oil. Use precaution. All 3 kids and I have very sensitive skin and have never had a problem using essential oils.***

UPDATE: I HAVE FOUND BOUNTY WORKS BETTER (select a size). I bought my paper towels at Sam's this time. The price is a little less per roll. However, I knew I needed a large amount for Spring Cleaning.

Baby Food: Pear Juice & Pearsauce

Making baby food is cheaper than buying premade.

Price below are found using Google & Google Shopping:
Gerber Pear Juice 4oz @ Walgreens $1.19
Gerber Pear Juice 4-4oz Pack @ Walgreens $4.59
Gerber Pear Juice 32oz @ Fort Myers Grocery Delivery Service $3.29

Gerber Pears 2nd Foods 2-3.5 oz pack @ Walgreens $1.79
Gerber Pears 1st Foods 1-2.5 oz pack @ Walgreens $1.59

I bought 3 pears of each Barlett, D'Anjou, and Red pears for about $3.50 total. From this I made 40oz pearsauce and 41oz Pear Juice. There's no sugar added and I only added "Fresh Fruit" to keep the food from turning color while exposed to air.

How I make my Pear Baby Foods:

Pear Juice & Pear Sauce at the same time: (FREEZER METHOD of storing)

1. Peel, Seed, & Core all pears.
2. Slice into approx. 1/2 - 1 inch cubes. {*Tip* If the 'meat' of the fruit is soft it doesn't need to be cut into smaller pieces. If the 'meat' if firm it needs smaller pieces}
3. Place in to sauce pan/stock pot fill to just above the pear's level.
4. Add in "Fresh Fruit" or other natural perservative to keep fruit fresh tasting and from discoloring. Lemon juice works well or Citric Acid aka Vitamin C.
5. Bring to a boil SLOWLY!
6. Boil on the lowest possible setting, until the all the 'meat' is tender.
7. Use a cone stainer over a large bowl to strain the meat from the juice. As the strainer fills up, place the meat into a food processor or blender.
8. Continue to seperate the juice and meat until all has been seperated.
9. To get clearer juice with less pulp filter a second time with a coffee filter in the strainer
10. Let juice cool.
11. Now that the juice is cooling and all the 'meat' is in the blend/food processor. Simply hit puree or turn on your machine. I let mine run for about 30-60 seconds because my baby is at the 1st foods stage.
12. Once it is to the consistancy that you like turn off the machine and let it cool.
13. Prepare for freezer...
• Use either clean ice cube trays and freeze into small cubes to store in freezer bags or freezer jars.
• OR place into freezer jars (Like Kerr & Ball Blue Label) and freeze in large quanities for defrosting for a weeks' use.
14. To freeze the juice:
• Once cooled. Place in quart size freezer bags to about 1 -2 inches from the top. Place on a cookie sheet then place in freezer to set firm.
• OR OR place into freezer jars (Like Kerr & Ball Blue Label) 8 or 12 oz and freeze.

I use 12 oz freezer jars for juice and 8 oz freezer jars for baby food. I also keep the minor pulp in the juice instead of straining it with a coffee filter. Malachi is on a sippy cup already so it doesn't clog up as easy as a bottle. I use the Gerber Nuk stage 1 sippy/transition cups.  He has not been on a bottle since he was less than a month old. He has been strictly nursed until recently.

Bubble Paint

1/2 Cup Ivory Flakes
1/2 Cup Water
Food Coloring

1. Beat the ivory flakes and water until thick.
2. Pour small amounts into baby food jars and add a few drops of food coloring to each jar.
3. This can be used as finger paints.

Cinnamon/ Applesauce Ornaments

3/4 Cup Applesauce
1 Cup Ground Cinnamon or 4 oz Jar
1 TBS Ground Cloves
1 TBS Ground Nutmeg
2 TBS Glue

1. Mix all ingredients in a plastic bag.
2. Roll out and use cookie cutters to form shapes and put hole in top of ornament for hanging ornaments (use straw or coffee stirrers to make holes).
3. Let air dry.

Cornstarch Clay

1 Cup Cornstarch
2 Cups Baking Soda (1lb box)
1 1/4 Cups Water
Food Coloring

1. Mix ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Cook & stir over medium heat.
3. When thickened like dough, knead for 1-2 minutes.
4. Use cookie cutters to shape & let dry overnight.
5. You can also paint the shapes.

Crunchy Dough

1 Shredded Wheat Biscuit
2 TBS Glue
Food Coloring (optional)

1. Crumble the shredded wheat into a bowl.
2. Add the glue and food coloring and mix together until cereal is coated.
3. Shape into your design. Objects will air dry in 12 hours.

Crayon Chunks

Broken Crayons

1. Line each cup of a muffin tin with 3 paper cupcake liners (the aluminum ones work best).
2. Peel the wrapping off of the crayons and fill each of the cups halfway with the pieces. (You can sort them by color or mix several colors together for a rainbos effect.)
3. Place the muffin tin in a 250 degree oven for about 20 minutes until the crayons pieces have melted.
4. When cool, peel the liners from each crayon and you've got big new crayons.

Decorative Dye

You can color rice or pasta with this easy dye.

1 Container with Lid
1 TBS Rubbing Alcohol
Food Coloring

1. In a small tightly lidded container, put rubbing alcohol and 6 drops of food coloring.
2. Place items to be dyed in the mixture and secure lid.
3. Shake the container gently for 1 minute.
4. Spread the items on paper towels to dry.

"Gak" Like Stuff

1 Cup Glue
3/4 Cup Water
1/2 Tsp Borax
1/4 Cup Water
Food Coloring

1. Mix glue and 3/4 water until no longer sticky.
2. Separately dissolve borax in 1/4 cup water.
3. Add borax solution to glue solution.
4. You will get a thick clump of slime
5. Knead the mixture about 5-10 minutes.

Potpourri Molds

1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Salt
1 Cup Potpourri
1/3 to 1/2 Cup Water

1. Mix everything and refrigerate for about 5 minutes.
2. Then place in cookie cutters or molds to set and let dry.

Post Office Ink

1 Tsp Food Coloring
3 TBS Liquid Starch
1 TBS Water

1. Mix together.
2. Use in shallow tray with stamps or rollers

Starch Paint

Liquid Starch
Powered Tempera Paint
Water for Consistency

Mix together and start painting.

I don't have any measurements for this. I'm one of those cook/make without measurements.

Salt Paint

2 TBS Salt
1 TBS Liquid Starch
1 TBS Water
Few drops of liquid tempera

1. Mix in a small bowl.
2. This will be roughly textured.

Sand Sculptures

1 Cup Sand
1/2 Cup Cornstarch
3/4 Cup Liquid Starch
a few drops of food coloring

1. Cook over low heat about 1 minutes.
2. Use cookie cutters for molds and let set for a few hours.

Tattoo Paint

Shoe Paint
1 TBS Cold Cream
2 TBS Corn Starch
1 TBS Water
a few drops of food coloring

Mix everything and start painting.

Tree Ornaments

4 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt
1 1/2 Cup Water
Acrylic Paint
Shellac

1. Mix all ingredients and mix for five minutes.
2. Roll out very thin and cut out shapes.
3. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-60 minutes.
4. Ornaments are ready when they puff up and turn brown.
5. When cool, paint with acrylic and then shellac.

Crock Pot Pizza

One bag of wide egg noodles
1 or 2 lb ground beef-depending upon how much meat you like
2 cans pizza sauce or 1- 32oz canof spaghetti sauce   {halved}
3-4 cups mozzarella cheese or 2 bags Kraft Italian/Pizza Cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup, not watered down {halved}
Pizza ingredients (olives, Mushrooms, pepperoni whatever you like)

Crock Pot version: 3-4 hours
To make clean up easier spray crock pot with cooking oil before starting

1. Cook the egg noodles following bag directions.
2. Brown the hamburger.
3. Then layer the ingredients in the crock pot, mix the noodles with a half of sauce and cream of mushroom soup, next add in you ground beef top with the remainder of the sauce and soup, next add in your pizza toppings, and top with a little cheese.
4. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Oven version: 15-30 minutes

1. Cook the egg noodles following bag directions.
2. Brown the hamburger.
3. Then layer the ingredients in the crock pot, mix the noodles with a half of sauce and cream of mushroom soup, next add in you ground beef top with the remainder of the sauce and soup, next add in your pizza toppings, and top with a little cheese.
4. Cook on 350 until cheese is melted and slightly beginning to turn gold. Usually 15-30 minutes.

You can't be a Christian woman and a feminist too

Makes me wonder how "Christian" Women can be so liberal

THE FEMINIST AGENDA -- In their leaders’ own words:


1. "The simple fact is that every woman must be willing to be identified as a lesbian to be fully feminist." (National NOW Times, Jan.1988).

2. "Since marriage constitutes slavery for women, it is clear that the women's movement must concentrate on attacking this institution. Freedom for women cannot be won without the abolition of marriage." (radial
feminist leader Sheila Cronan).

3. "Being a housewife is an illegitimate profession... The choice to serve and be protected and plan towards being a family-maker is a choice that shouldn't be. The heart of radical feminism is to change that."
(Vivian Gornick, feminist author, University of Illinois, "The Daily Illini," April 25, 1981.

4. The most merciful thing a large family can do to one of its infant members is to kill it." (Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, in "Women and the New Rage," p.67.

5. "In order to raise children with equality, we must take them away from families and communally raise them." (Dr. Mary Jo Bane, feminist and assistant professor of education at Wellesley College and associate
director of the school's Center for Research on Woman).

6. "Marriage has existed for the benefit of men; and has been a legally sanctioned method of control over women... We must work to destroy it. The end of the institution of marriage is a necessary condition for the
liberation of women. Therefore it is important for us to encourage women to leave their husbands and not to live individually with men... All of history must be re-written in terms of oppression of women. We must go
back to ancient female religions like witchcraft." (from "The Declaration of Feminism," November 1971).

7. "Overthrowing capitalism is too small for us. We must overthrow the whole... patriarch!" (Gloria Steinhem, radical feminist leader, editor of 'MS' magazine).

8. In response to a question concerning China's policy of compulsory abortion after the first child, Molly Yard responded, "I consider the Chinese government's policy among the most intelligent in the world."
(Gary Bauer, "Abetting Coercion in China," The Washington Times", October 10, 1989).

9. "Let's forget about the mythical Jesus and look for encouragement, solace and inspiration from real women... Two thousand years of patriarchal rule under the shadow of the cross ought to be enough to turn
women toward the feminist 'salvation' of this world." (Annie Laurie Gaylor, "Feminist Salvation," "The Humanist", July/August 1988, p.37.

10. "By the year 2000 we will, I hope, raise our children to believe in human potential, not God." (Gloria Steinhem, editor of 'MS' magazine.)

Source: Center for Children's Justice in Denver, CO (Robert Muchnick - http://www.childrensjustice.org/ )

This is posted here since the feminist agenda has empowered women to be abusive to men. The Violence Against WOMEN Act does not have a dime in it to help men and we ALL need write to congress and tell them we want a DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT that is indeed gender neutral.

I would not want a violence against MEN act to take the place of this since women ARE being battered and if we do not address BOTH SIDES we will not help any.

God's Message To Women

God's Message to Women


taken from "Desired By the King" by Ruth Rieder (Harvey)

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being.When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.But you , woman, I fashioned. After I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are to delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.

Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.

From one bone I fashioned you, and I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you were meant to do. Around this one bone I shaped you, I modeled you.

I created you perfectly and beautifully.Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side to stand beside him and be held close to his side as you stand beside him.

I have caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I have held your heart close to Mine. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, and yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me but could only feel me. My presence. So I fashioned in you everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with Me: My holiness, My strength, My purity, My love, My protection and support.

You are special because you are the extension of me. Man represents my image - Woman, my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.

So man, treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile. In hurting her, you hurt me. What you do to her, you do to me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart. Woman, support man. In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle quietness show your strength. In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~

Did you know that woman was so special in God's eyes?

~Author Unknown~

Homemaking Is Profession

"The thing that is so important for us to keep before us is that if we choose not to do this very special job, it wll simply not get done. The mothering, the nurturing, the comforting and the caring that fills the committed homemaker's day will simply be lost, and society will be impoverish... ... See MoreWomen can give up their jobs as clerks, engineers, salespeople, doctors-other people will step in and the world will go on as smoothly as before... The groceries will still be sold, trucks loaded with merchandise will still roll across our highways, and Wall Street will carry on. Not with homemaking. We are special people into whose hands the homes of the country and the world have been entrusted. When we leave THIS job the world does not go on as before. It falters and begins to lose its way. We are homemakers are indispensible. HOMEMAKING IS MUCH MORE THAN A JOB....IT'S A PROFESSION: a profession which is venerable, honorable, and of the highest benefit to mankind. We must not forget this." ~Mary LaGrand Bouma-The Creative Homemaker

Bra Color....

Recently, women were posting single words post of colors...the colors of their bras to be exact. I was guilty of passing along the email privately to a few friends as I do with all forwards, however, I did not post my bra color. Why? BECAUSE THAT IS PRIVATE INFORMATION THAT SHOULD NOT BE TOLD WHERE EVERYONE AND ANYONE CAN SEE IT.


What's even more shocking some who were doing it? Girls, there's only 1 word to say that would be describe what you should have done... HUSH! Shame on we apostolics who did this and those who passed it on. Husbands, fathers, & ministers (male & female) ...There should have been some "talkin' to" going on. My husband would have died if I posted my bra color for everyone to see. My dad would have died of shame for me be such an exhibitionist. (exhibitionist - someone who deliberately behaves in such a way as to attract attention).

Let' REALLY think about this... Since everyone now knows the color of your undergarments... some even posted size and material (ie lace)... Men who you don't know very well can imagine you in your bra. Now ladies, men are VERY visual, you have given them the power to imagine you in your bra. How many people actually know who is on the sex offender list in their area? (I do and I look in my hometown too)

Now don't give me this "It was for breast cancer awareness"... This is the blame game...passing the blame off to something else. There is more that can be done for breast cancer awareness than exposing the color of your undergarments. Why not go ask 10 people for $10 for you to walk 2 miles while wearing all pink? That's $100 that can support breast cancer research. Ladies, if you have to wear a bra then more than likely you know about breast cancer and the health precautions we must take. Your doctor SHOULD be telling you that once a year at your annual exams.

The Bible tells us to be Holy, Separate, Discreet, Chaste, Modest, Pure, (Matt or Sister Cochran...what am I leaving out?) {quick side note: Sister Cochran Publicly condemned this - Good Job & Matt expressed his though on it at home in which it was very negative}

Here are the definitions of these words:

Holy:
1. Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
2. Regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered: a holy book.
3. Living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly
4. Specified or set apart for a religious purpose
5. Solemnly undertaken; sacrosanct
6. Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence

Seperate
1. Divided from another or others; disjoined; disconnected; separated
2. Unconnected; not united or associated; distinct
3. Disunited from the body; disembodied

Discreet:
1 : having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech
2 : unpretentious, modest
3 : unobtrusive, unnoticeable

Chaste:
1. not having experienced sexual intercourse; virginal
2. abstaining from unlawful or immoral sexual intercourse
3. (of conduct, speech, etc.) pure; decent; modest
4. (of style or taste) free from embellishment; simple; restrained

Modest:
1. Having or showing a moderate estimation of one's own talents, abilities, and value.
2. Having or proceeding from a disinclination to call attention to oneself; retiring or diffident.
3. Observing conventional proprieties in speech, behavior, or dress.
4. Free from showiness or ostentation; unpretentious.
5. Moderate or limited in size, quantity, or range; not extreme

Pure:
1. Having a homogeneous or uniform composition; not mixed
2. Free from adulterants or impurities
3. Free of dirt, defilement, or pollution
4. Free of foreign elements.
5. Containing nothing inappropriate or extraneous
6. Complete; utter
7. Having no faults; sinless
8. Chaste; virgin.
9. Of unmixed blood or ancestry.

By exposing our bra colors we have violated the Word of God and the example that we set as a Holy People.

One could even go as far as to say that those who have posted their bra color could have caused a man or young man to faulter in thought and make the man lust after them...thus creating a mindset for adultery (see Matthew 5:27-30). This is probably a rare case, but there are men out there who are obsessed with certain women and these are the fanatics who go into stalking, OCD, and even murder (the "If I can't have her, no one can"). Yes this is extreme, but shouldn't we take precautions to prevent the extreme.

Susan B Komen Foundation, even said this was a great way to raise breast cancer awareness. NOT EVEN. Ladies it would be better for us to pick a day and wear all pink that day than to have a tell all about our underwear. Shame on Susan B Komen Foundation. I would even say wearing a t-shirt with "Save the Tataas" is better than telling your bra color.

Well, I'm sure someone will get offended or say I'm too old fashioned. Or my favorite one - "Well Bridgette you used to be a feminist and ------- and you did this stuff too". Well people grow, mature, and realize that just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean it's right. Remember people can change in one prayer meeting with the help of God Almighty. (Last side note: In a private group of ladies talking about our bras and such is decent...to a point, we must watch ourselves. Lingerie parties are ok, in my opinion, as long as the attendants are married and such is kept appropriate and decent.)

Chili with Chocolate

I always double my recipes because I like to cook and freez half for my "I don't wanna do anything" days. For a single meal cut measurements in half. Read recipe through before beginning.

2.5 lbs grounds beef
2 cups chopped onion
4-6 cloves garlic, minced, divided

Step 2
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained (original recipe)
Or
1 can diced tomatoes and 1 can tomato sauce (my way)

2 cans chili beans in mild or spicy sauce (originial recipe)
or
2 cans beans (kindey, pinto, black, or mixed) and 1 package chili seasoning or add your own spices (I add my own)
{quick side note: I like to cook from my pantry so I learn to substitute and make good with what I have on hand}

4 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons grated semisweet baking chocolate (I use 54% cacao or higher I prefer 75% cacao)

Add last hour
3 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon talk
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (I use jalapeno sauce)

1) Brown & scramble beef, onion and 2 cloves garlic in large skillet. Drain fat.
2) Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker. DO NOT use spices listed under "Add last hour" here. Add tomatoes, beans, chili powder, chocolate and remaining garlic. (Add tomato sauce and other spices if you used a substitute in Step 2 ingredients.) Mix well.
3) Cook on Low 5-6 hours. (Or in a hurry on high for 2 hours and low for 1 hour)
4) During last hour add cumin, salt, pepper and hot sauce.

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese 3 Hr Recipe and a 30 minute Recipe

Copied from my facebook page

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese 3hr recipe & 30 min Recipe
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 8:02pm

Original from Paula Deen on Food Network (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/creamy-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html) Cooking time 3 hours. Full credit is given to Food Network and Paula Deen for this Recipe and the inspiration for the recipes below.

Paula Deen's Creamy Macaroni and Cheese- 3 Hour Time

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (an 8-ounce box isn't quite 2 cups)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stuck) butter, cut into pieces
2 1/2 cups (about 10 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Boil the macaroni in a 2 quart saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts. In a slow cooker, combine cheese/butter mixture and add the eggs, sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and stir well. Then add drained macaroni and stir again. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.


My Modified Version: Matt went nuts for this on Christmas Day!

Creamy Dreamy Cheesey Macaroni and Cheese: 30 Min Baking Time

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (an 8-ounce box isn't quite 2 cups)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stuck) butter, cut into pieces
3 cups (about 10 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar, Coldy, & Jack cheeses - 1/2 cup seperated (topping)
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

~Heat oven to 350F.

~Boil the macaroni in a 2 quart saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain. Place in oven safe casserole, set aside.

~In a mixer, beat the eggs,then add sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and mix well. Pour over macaroni, stir.

~In a medium saucepan, melt butter then add 2 1/2 cups of cheese. Stir until the cheese melts.

~Add cheese and butter mixture to macaroni mixture, combine well. Top with 1/2 cup cheese.

~Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbling.


My Over-The-Top-Cheese-Addiction version:

Made this tonight for Matt... Still waiting for his official comments but I will say half the pan is gone with just him and Matthias eating

~Use 11 different kinds of cheese from the pre-shredded Kraft bags: Five Cheese Italian, Swiss, Colby Jack, Cheddar, and Mexican Cheese (without the taco seasoning).

~Increase to 4 cups of cheese, and 5 tablespoons butter. Reserve 1 cup cheese for topping.

~To prevent burning in the bottom of the sauce pan since all these cheeses have different melting tempuratures add a splash of milk to the mixture.

~If the cheese absorbs all the milk before all cheeses have melted add a little more milk...just a splash.

Combine as above and bake until bubbling... 30-40 minutes.

The cooking times in my variations are for high altitude.

Household Planner-In Progress

I have begun my own household planner. I am working on it intensely, however, I do have to work around the needs of my family. But it is coming along nicely. I have many pages already complete from monthly through daily planners and chores list. I'm working on Homeschool Pages right now!

FlyLady Didn't Work for Me

I'm a stay-at-home-work-from-home-army-wife-homeschooler-mother-of-3 (all 4 and under). When it was just 3 people in our family it was easy to do the flylady system. But NOW with 5 of us. I just can't keep up with it all and the routines. So I am going to start my own blog and create a system that will suit me. I also tried the S.H.E method, which worked for a while, but I just couldn't get it going.

I'm a list-sticky note-cell phone reminder-date book-planner- person also known as absent minded. So I am thinking about what would work for me. I need my phone (Blackberry Curve). A notebook. Post it notes. Date Book/Planner. Hmmm.... The big calendar didn't work for me because I just didnt' like the format. I like having things in a time block format for each day. This is too many things to have out.

Let's put the post it notes by where we sit the most or buy our phone chargers. (BTW: I don't have a home phone, just my cell.) Cell phone, notebook and date planner.... that is what I will work with for right now. I'll see what I can come up with from here!

See you in a few!!!!