We have come to the Science Fair time of the school year. Both boys used the chickens in their research.
Nathan was excited to earn an Honorable Mention for his project.
The result? His chickens like to lay eggs best in silence. :)
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Phil 4:8 Focus #4 - Whatever is Pure
We all want things pure, right? Pure clean water, pure white snow, pure hearts . . . .
There are so many different ways we could think about Whatever is Pure this week (and you are certainly welcome to take a different approach), but I wanted to take a more practical approach to this one--adding purity to our homes through house cleaning.
I used to buy all sorts of cleaners for my home--window cleaners, bathroom cleaners, floor cleaners, all sorts of potentially harmful chemical cleaners. It has been awhile now--probably 10 years at least--that I left behind the chemical cleaners and started taking a more natural approach to housecleaning.
The first thing I started instead was using vinegar. Vinegar and water makes a great floor or counter cleaner. I still put cleaning vinegar in every rinse cycle of my laundry to deodorize and kill germs. Cleaning vinegar is slightly stronger and not meant to be consumed. I buy mine at my local Running's, because as my Dad says, "You can find everything at Runnings!"
At some point, I discovered Norwex and the ability to clean with microfiber and water only. It took me awhile to clean with JUST water, and sometimes (thanks to my discovery of essential oils,) I still use something else with my microfiber just to make things smell good--naturally.
I found this recipe for a natural cleaning spray and tweaked it a bit, as I do with most recipes. Its active germ-killing ingredient is not vinegar, but vodka! If you choose to mix your leftover vodka with some orange or cranberry juice after you are done cleaning, I will not judge!
Natural Cleaner
1/2 cup vodka
1 1/2 cups water
30 drops of essential oils of your choice (I like Lemon and Lavender, Thieves/OnGuard, Pine . . . whatever you prefer!)
Mix together and pour into a glass spray bottle. (Essential oils break down plastic.) This spray can also be used to freshen linens.
Phil 4:8 Focus # 4 -- Try this recipe in place of your normal counter or floor cleaner, or look for other ways to eliminate chemicals from your housecleaning routine to add PURITY to your home. :)
There are so many different ways we could think about Whatever is Pure this week (and you are certainly welcome to take a different approach), but I wanted to take a more practical approach to this one--adding purity to our homes through house cleaning.
I used to buy all sorts of cleaners for my home--window cleaners, bathroom cleaners, floor cleaners, all sorts of potentially harmful chemical cleaners. It has been awhile now--probably 10 years at least--that I left behind the chemical cleaners and started taking a more natural approach to housecleaning.
The first thing I started instead was using vinegar. Vinegar and water makes a great floor or counter cleaner. I still put cleaning vinegar in every rinse cycle of my laundry to deodorize and kill germs. Cleaning vinegar is slightly stronger and not meant to be consumed. I buy mine at my local Running's, because as my Dad says, "You can find everything at Runnings!"
At some point, I discovered Norwex and the ability to clean with microfiber and water only. It took me awhile to clean with JUST water, and sometimes (thanks to my discovery of essential oils,) I still use something else with my microfiber just to make things smell good--naturally.
I found this recipe for a natural cleaning spray and tweaked it a bit, as I do with most recipes. Its active germ-killing ingredient is not vinegar, but vodka! If you choose to mix your leftover vodka with some orange or cranberry juice after you are done cleaning, I will not judge!
Natural Cleaner
1/2 cup vodka
1 1/2 cups water
30 drops of essential oils of your choice (I like Lemon and Lavender, Thieves/OnGuard, Pine . . . whatever you prefer!)
Mix together and pour into a glass spray bottle. (Essential oils break down plastic.) This spray can also be used to freshen linens.
Phil 4:8 Focus # 4 -- Try this recipe in place of your normal counter or floor cleaner, or look for other ways to eliminate chemicals from your housecleaning routine to add PURITY to your home. :)
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Food in the bathroom
David overheard this conversation last night and said I had to share it . . .
Rachel and I were in the bathroom and I was attempting to trim her bangs a bit before bedtime.
(Last time her bangs got too long, she told me, "I look like a TRUMP!")
So there we were, preventing my 6 year old from looking like "a Trump" and she said, "We can't have food in the bathroom," (A rule of mine because, well, food in the bathroom is just gross.)
"but," she continued, "I can have my boogers in the bathroom and boogers are food!"
Oh, my Rachel!
Saturday, February 24, 2018
6th grade basketball
The 6th graders completed their Y season! They were fun to watch and see them improve all season long. . . these years are going by quickly! :)
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Phil 4:8 Focus #3--Whatever is Admirable
Each year, our school's FBLA chapter holds "Sucker Sales" over Valentine's Day.
Parents, staff and students can buy Blow Pops for other students and include a message for their recipient. Each sucker costs 25 cents, and judging by the number just my kids bring home, it is a lucrative fundraiser.
Last year, Nathan received a sucker from a senior that he really admired--especially from watching him play basketball. It meant so much to him that this older student even knew who he was AND sent him a sucker!
This year, my girls were also recipients of surprise suckers from older girls, who they look up to in church and sports. It is amazing what a 25 cent sucker can do for someone's day . . . and it reaches even farther than that. (Landen doesn't share who sends him suckers anymore, but I know he receives them, too.) :)
And so, as this time of year reminds me of whom my children admire, for this week's Phil 4:8 Focus, I am thinking about Whatever is Admirable.
Parents, staff and students can buy Blow Pops for other students and include a message for their recipient. Each sucker costs 25 cents, and judging by the number just my kids bring home, it is a lucrative fundraiser.
Last year, Nathan received a sucker from a senior that he really admired--especially from watching him play basketball. It meant so much to him that this older student even knew who he was AND sent him a sucker!
This year, my girls were also recipients of surprise suckers from older girls, who they look up to in church and sports. It is amazing what a 25 cent sucker can do for someone's day . . . and it reaches even farther than that. (Landen doesn't share who sends him suckers anymore, but I know he receives them, too.) :)
And so, as this time of year reminds me of whom my children admire, for this week's Phil 4:8 Focus, I am thinking about Whatever is Admirable.
Who do you admire and why do you admire them? There are several people in my life whom I admire and all for different reasons, be it their strength, faith, sense of humor, and the list goes on. Believe it or not, there are no doubt several people who admire YOU as well!
There are many different ways to approach this week's focus. . .
Thank someone in person, or in a note, for their qualities you admire.
Thank someone whom your children admire for setting a good example for them to follow. It doesn't have to be elaborate--just a sentence is good! We all know it is not easy to set a good example and to let a student or adult know you appreciate their efforts can make a real difference in their lives, too.
Think about a quality you admire and pass it along to someone else. For example, do you admire generosity? You could volunteer an hour or two at your local school, senior center or nursing home. Or, you could send a $5 gift card to someone who isn't expecting it. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can keep it anonymous!
Let's thank those whom we ADMIRE and be ADMIRABLE this week. :)
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Phil 4:8 Focus #2--Excellence
Just in time for the Olympics, it is time to focus on EXCELLENCE.
Even though I was not a natural-born athlete, I have always loved the Olympics and the Winter Olympics have always been my favorite. I especially like the skating--both speed skating and figure skating. A couple of weeks ago, Rachel saw what was obviously her first figure skating competition on TV. "Is this real?" she asked. "Yes, it is!" I answered. "Is that on this planet??" she still wondered. There's no way anyone on this planet could possibly do that on ice skates! She is going to be AMAZED in these next couple of weeks.
What has always fascinated me about Olympic athletes, and really, anyone who has reached a level of excellence in his or her profession, is the level these people have achieved through perseverance, determination, hard work, and more sacrifice than we can imagine. We don't see the journey--we just see the result. But the journey is where it all happens--and it happens in a series of small steps.
We are all on a journey toward excellence. Where do you want to reach a higher level of excellence?
Phil 4:8 Focus #2
Think about something you have tried that you would like to improve upon--cooking, gardening, photography, sewing, knitting, playing an instrument, trying a sport, etc.
THIS WEEK, TAKE A STEP TOWARD EXCELLENCE IN THAT AREA.
Finish that half-completed scarf.
Watch a tutorial on Pinterest.
Try a more challenging recipe.
Go to an exercise class.
Keep moving forward!
Even though I was not a natural-born athlete, I have always loved the Olympics and the Winter Olympics have always been my favorite. I especially like the skating--both speed skating and figure skating. A couple of weeks ago, Rachel saw what was obviously her first figure skating competition on TV. "Is this real?" she asked. "Yes, it is!" I answered. "Is that on this planet??" she still wondered. There's no way anyone on this planet could possibly do that on ice skates! She is going to be AMAZED in these next couple of weeks.
What has always fascinated me about Olympic athletes, and really, anyone who has reached a level of excellence in his or her profession, is the level these people have achieved through perseverance, determination, hard work, and more sacrifice than we can imagine. We don't see the journey--we just see the result. But the journey is where it all happens--and it happens in a series of small steps.
We are all on a journey toward excellence. Where do you want to reach a higher level of excellence?
Phil 4:8 Focus #2
Think about something you have tried that you would like to improve upon--cooking, gardening, photography, sewing, knitting, playing an instrument, trying a sport, etc.
THIS WEEK, TAKE A STEP TOWARD EXCELLENCE IN THAT AREA.
Finish that half-completed scarf.
Watch a tutorial on Pinterest.
Try a more challenging recipe.
Go to an exercise class.
Keep moving forward!
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Phil 4:8 Focus #1 - What is Lovely in Your Life?
Guess whose birthday it is!!
(Oh, how I love to ask my husband that question each February 7. The look of panic on his face is always priceless! This year, just for fun, I asked him a few days ago whose birthday was coming up just for my entertainment.) :)
That's right--Garth Brooks is 56 today! Wohoo!
Well, if that didn't make your day--or meant about as much to you as it does to my husband, and I suppose, the general population--I have something else exciting to share that I am launching on my little blog today.
Even though I am not isolated nearly as much as I used to be in the winter (I've watched 9 basketball games and 1 volleyball match since Saturday, because I wanted to--not because I had to), I acknowledge the cold days can get old quickly.
I was thinking . . . what if I added something a little different to my week to spice it up a bit? Just a little something positive to plan, think about, or simply do that could either make a small difference in someone else's life or my own?
In Philippians 4:8, St. Paul says, "Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy, think about these things." I find when I am anxious, crabby, depressed, or not feeling well, my thoughts are often far from these good things and it is necessary to regain my focus.
And, so, I have decided to call this Phil 4:8 Focus.
Each Wednesday I will post a Phil 4:8 Focus--just a little something that I will do to regain my focus on what is good. I hope you will join me, too! If you do, and wish to share what you chose to do, you can comment below, send me an email at wifeandmomblog@gmail.com or comment on the Facebook link on my page.
A few rules--
1.) It will include something that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.
2. ) It will not take a lot of time (as little or as much as you want).
3.) It will cost $5 or less (and probably nothing!)
Here is Week #1.
What is something that makes your life lovely?
TAKE A PHOTO (OR FIND A PHOTO) OF SOMETHING LOVELY IN YOUR LIFE AND PUT IT IN A PLACE THAT YOU WILL SEE IT MANY TIMES EACH DAY.
It doesn't have to be your favorite photo--just something lovely to you!
Of course, the photo above of Garth is one of my absolute favorites, and my phone's wallpaper, but here is another. :)
I received this lily after my Grandma Kallas's funeral and it just started blooming a few days ago--exactly a month after her funeral. It reminds me of her and the beautiful memories I have of our times together.
Now it's your turn! I can't wait to see what is LOVELY in your life!
Friday, February 2, 2018
Chocolate Fix
OK, so maybe sour cream and raisins aren't your thing.
How about chocolate?
I posted this recipe several years back, but it really needs to be repeated.
I've learned there are two types of people in this world--those who like their sugar straight up (Skittles, Mike & Ikes, Sour Patch Kids) and those who like their sugar best in their chocolate (M&Ms, Snickers, and BROWNIES)!
I am in that camp.
These are very good for being (pretty) good for you, too.
No-Guilt Brownies
3 egg whites
3/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled (OR you may substitute
9 T. baking cocoa with 3 T. oil)
2 tsp powdered sugar
Place the egg whites, cottage cheese and vanilla in a blender or food processor; cover and process until smooth. Combine the sugar, flour, baking powder and salt; add to cottage cheese mixture. Cover and process for about 30 seconds. Add chocolate OR cocoa/oil; cover and process just until blended, about 15 seconds.
Spread into a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack. Dust with sugar and cut into bars.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)