Loving What God Loves

January 9, 2011

Each of us, as individuals, has many things and many people we love. To us, there are varying degrees of love. For instance, we have a romantic love for our spouse. We have a love for our children, for our relatives, for our friends, for our pets, and for things – Read the Rest…


California Casserole

January 3, 2011

A delicious casserole that is a meal in itself. Great for a make-ahead dish on those busy days, or for your next potluck!


Homemade Noodles

January 3, 2011

These homemade noodles are thicker, chewier noodles than those you buy in the grocery store. Best made in a richer broth from a turkey or chicken, my mom’s homemade noodle dish are a requirement at holidays and always a favourite!


Mandarin Orange Almond Crunch Salad

January 3, 2011

The perfect salad when you want to impress everyone. Everything can be done ahead of time, so is perfect for the occasions when you are serving dinner in courses.  Everyone will ask for the recipe! The almonds are caramelized and add a sweet crunch to the salad, the mandarin oranges – Read the Rest…


Baked Potato Soup

January 3, 2011

This creamy potato soup has just the right hint of hot Mexican cheese. Topped with crumbled bacon and diced garden onions or chives, it is sure to please any soup-lover!


Monkey Bread

January 3, 2011

This sticky, gooey pastry is a favorite of many. Sometimes referred to as Sticky Bread, this delicious treat can be served hot or cold–either way, if your house is anything like mine, it won’t last long!


Perked Hot Apple Cider

January 3, 2011

Hot apple cider perked in the coffee pot fills the entire house with the scents of the holiday seasons. In addition to the wonderful hot cider, the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg puts everyone in the holiday spirit, and brings back all those warm fuzzy memories of special family times enjoyed together!


Polenta Wedges & Cantaloupe Bites

January 3, 2011

Enjoy this delicious appetizer using polenta, cantaloupe bites, kiwi and cheese slices. Sure to be a favorite among family and friends!


Ready to Lose Weight? Jumpstart to a Healthier You

December 28, 2010

Is summer right around the corner? Is there a special event approaching? Reunion? Wedding? Or, perhaps you have finally reached the point of wanting to lose a few pound and regain some self-confidence. Whatever the motivation behind your desire to lose a few pounds, it is not always to jumpstart the process. If you’re anything like me, giving up ice cream and my favorite (unhealthy) treats makes…


Parenting One Day at a Time

December 20, 2010

“Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone – Read the Rest…


Stop Spending Money When There are Free Alternatives

December 19, 2010

U.S. News online recently published an article entitled “15 Things You Shouldn’t be Paying For.” After reading this article, I started thinking about some of the ways we really do waste our money because we don’t take the time to think about alternatives or, perhaps, choose not to spend some – Read the Rest…


Dealing with those “Gray Days” after a Breakup

December 19, 2010

At some time, most experience the classic break-up feelings after a relationship ends. I did this year, the end of which was unexpected and quite painful. It was certainly not the ending for which both of us had, at one time, desired; and, it was certainly not how I expected it to end – Read the Rest…


Where to Start For a Thinner and Healthier You

December 19, 2010

Most individuals have, at one time or another, found themselves in the scenario of needing to lose a few pounds. Whether you have a special event approaching or just want to lose a few pounds, you have decided you are ready to make some changes to a healthier and thinner lifestyle. – Read the Rest…


Clean Eating: Why All the Hype?

December 19, 2010

Clean Eating. Eating Clean. Have you heard these lately? Chances are that you have. The health industry is promoting this more and more with books and magazines raving about its benefits. But, do you really know what it is? What are it’s benefits? How do I get started? Well, let’s – Read the Rest…


No Time? Staying Active with a Busy Schedule

December 19, 2010

  If we were to take a poll of reasons people do not exercise, I imagine “no time” would be the most common answer. In fact, I’m sure surveys have been conducted with this as the result. There are some individuals who actually love to exercise and find it relaxing, – Read the Rest…


Every Storm (by Lori Wick)

December 11, 2010

  New from Lori Wick, this stand–alonestory shows how unexpected changes can set the perfect course for love. 1945, WWII—When Lieutenant Donovan Riggs experiences trouble with his PT boat, the sailors of Every Storm make an unscheduled stop…and a surprising discovery.   Lorraine Archer is an American teacher living and – Read the Rest…


Leaving Your Kids at Home: Are they old enough?

December 10, 2010

One of the most common questions among parents of teens and/or pre-teens is when it is okay to leave them home alone. Perhaps a situation has arisen recently, such as a snow day, failed childcare or after-school time before a parent arrives home from work. Or, maybe your children are – Read the Rest…


What To Do On a Friday Night

December 10, 2010

Okay, let’s take a moment to really get real. What does a good Christian single gal do on a Friday night when everyone else is either otherwise engaged or on a date? I’m serious. After years of not having any one consistent person to hang out with every weekend, I – Read the Rest…


6 Ways You May be Wasting Money

December 10, 2010

    As it does, life gets busy and we may turn into survival mode. For me, my survival instincts from a hectic schedule have in the past resulted in my becoming less aware of my budget and saving goals, more willing to delegate tasks to others for a “small – Read the Rest…


Maintaining Clear Boundaries

December 9, 2010

  You know the story. Girl meets guy. Guy woos girl….says stuff like, “You’re just so beautiful,” and “I can’t believe how wonderful you are,” and “Other guys were fools not to see how much you ____,” and so on. Guy is not exactly the ideal of godliness, and he – Read the Rest…


Beauty in Humility

December 9, 2010

“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” I Peter 3:3-4 I want to take a – Read the Rest…


The Obsession to Control

December 9, 2010

You know, some people are never satisfied, no matter how successful they become. The book of Esther tells the tale of such a tragedy. For if ever there was a man who was the epitome of success it was Haman. Haman was Prime Minister, second only to the King. He – Read the Rest…


Resting in the Goodness of God

December 9, 2010

When you hear talk about “the good life,” what comes to mind? A new car every two years? A spacious home in a well-to-do neighborhood? Fortunately for us, God’s definition of the good life is much better than that. It’s something we all can have—something we already have, whether we – Read the Rest…


Making Time for God

December 9, 2010

On a scale of one to ten, how’s your spiritual hunger level? Do you often find your spirit rumbling because your last spiritual nibble didn’t fill the bill? Does your relationship with God feel less like a hearty breakfast and more like a quick cup of coffee to go? Unfortunately – Read the Rest…


Being Content–Even when Life is Not Fair

December 9, 2010

For many years, I was able to think of contentment only in terms of material possessions. During that time, if you asked me why people are not content, my automatic answer was, “Because they want more and more stuff without appreciating what they already have.” Unfortunately, my canned response didn’t – Read the Rest…


From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life from the Inside Out

December 9, 2010

When most people think of simplifying, the first thing they think of is getting rid of clutter around the home or office. Cleaning out closets and drawers is definitely a part of simplifying, but true simplification goes far deeper than that. Clutter is much more than old magazines, outdated clothes, – Read the Rest…


His Image In Us

December 9, 2010

There’s a story of a lady who was part of a women’s Bible Study group that was studying in the book of Malachi. The women wondered exactly what Malachi 3:3 meant and how it was related to God. The verse says, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of – Read the Rest…


God is About to Open Your Eyes

December 9, 2010

It was getting late, near my bedtime. The phone rang. It was Debbie. At that time she was working third shift. “Jerry, can you look on the table and see if I left my wedding ring there?” Of course I would. With phone in hand I turned on the dining – Read the Rest…


God’s Powerful Presence

December 9, 2010

Have you ever been in a room all by yourself and suddenly get the feeling that someone else is there? I think most of us have experienced that at one time or another. It happens a lot in the movies. How often have we watched as someone walks into a – Read the Rest…


If Our Money Could Talk

December 6, 2010

  Health and wellness has become quite a popular topic today. Easily accessible are hundreds of magazines, books and articles about making lifestyle changes to enhance your health and wellness. We read about transforming our diet to include healthier food choices, increasing our physical activity and learning to better manage – Read the Rest…


Thanksgiving: How Much Food Do I Need?

November 22, 2010

    Whether you are cooking your first “thanksgiving meal” or prepare one every year, one of the most commonly asked questions revolves around how much food you need. The last thing you want is for family and friends to rave about your delicious meal, but find that they are – Read the Rest…


Be Selective When Dining from Life’s Buffet

November 13, 2010

Someone once remarked that time was like a self-serve buffet table from which we make choices. To extend this thought, I would also suggest that we choose carefully from this smorgasbord of activities on life’s table. After all, we only have room for so much. Here are five suggestions to – Read the Rest…


Four Things God Does

August 9, 2010

I am a very systematic person. Really I’m probably too systematic. For instance, when I empty my pockets at the end of the day each item I carry goes in a certain place. Now there is a reason for this. You see, for a good many years I was always – Read the Rest…