FlyLady and Friends - Best of Winter 12/01 by FlyLady | Blog Talk Radio

FlyLady and Friends - Best of Winter 12/01 by FlyLady | Blog Talk Radio

New Years's Eve 2010

We were so happy to have all the kids home for the Holidays this year. With Ruth home from Japan for a couple of weeks and an overwhelming consciousness to enjoy all the togetherness we could since Jack will still be at "Basic Training" with the Marines come this time next year.
It was such a wonderful sense of all being right while she was home. All longings laid to rest knowing she was sleeping in the next room. Being able to touch her skin, hear her voice sing, laugh speak next to my ear or be silent in a room together is a sweet balm to my heart recall the memory.
There are so many deep feeling to parenting that cannot be expressed no matter the language I presume. Presuming since there may be a language that is able to express that deep ache in the middle of your throat that jerks tears clear out of your eyes with little to no control at the mere thought of that child so many miles away.
I am ready to sell my home and all earthly possessions in order to have plenty of monies to go see my dear ones. To be close to them for another day. To build on the relationship to have memories to share. Memories that come with being together.
How will my heart survive two gone at the same time.

Our Japan Trip From the Beginning

Our trip... not sure where to start. Maybe from the beginning, but then it may be interesting to us and very ho hum to you.

To say the least my first trip abroad will not be my last if I have anything to do with it. Not sure I can say the same for Rod. He is trying to find a kinder word than miserable to define his experience.

After a short flight to Toronto via Canada Air we boarded the biggest plan I had ever been inside of in my life. Our girls told us that they were actually on a double decked plan. Incredible. Ours was not. Rod was disappointed that, although I had chosen a window seat at his request, his "window" seat did not actually have a window. Our seat was in the emergency exit isle. This would prove to be a fantastic seat however at first it was a disappointment. No window, computer screen or tray. After take off and the seat belt sign was turned off the gentleman next to us pulled up a computer screen and a tray from inside his seat. Oh! Now he was happy. For the window nearest us we got up occasionally to look out. Not much out there. We were flying high above the clouds. They actually wanted us to keep the window shades closed since it would be "daylight" the entire 12+ hour flight. Just opening one shade brought a lot of light into the cabin. People needed to sleep. At any rate, Rod was now happy.

The pilot's voice broke over the intercom to share a few stats. The usual, how high we were flying the temperature and so forth... the interesting thing to me was that he shared all the times they would be feeding us. Our first meal would be dinner followed by a snack then a sandwich then a breakfast two hours before we landed. The stewards would come by hourly between meals to offer water. Twelve hours is a long time to sit, no matter what you choose to do while sitting. I think the idea was to keep us full and sleepy in hopes that we would do just that, sleep.

They also have a service aboard called "Duty Free Shopping" should you be a shop shopaholic or simply forgot to get that gift your promised, no worries, just shop away... the items are actually stored aboard and are brought to you. There was a variety to choose from including watches, jewelry, chocolates, knickknacks, coffees and so forth. Fascinating.

I am one of those persons that have ear troubles when flying. Research proved to be a sweet reward for me. Taking the advice of other bloggers I was able to have an almost pain free trip. I used a product called ear-planes, these are small earplug looking devices that a person can screw into the ear. It is rubber. This opens up the ear tubes a little. I used a nasal spray beginning about five minutes before the plane took off and until we were up to a fairly high altitude. I prefer eating something gummy such as liquorish rather than chewing gum. I think the swallowing helps. I also took a decongestant about thirty minutes before the plane took off. Some advise taking a sleeping agent. I did not.

We passed the time ... reading, knitting, watching a movie, listening to music and dozing.

Page Five

I can't believe my eyes... the last post was September 2009. What is wrong with me. It looks like I had good intentions when I uploaded that picture of my sons graduation. May 2010. Even so, nothing about it? Maybe I should leave it at "a picture paints a thousand words...". sounds good.

My husband and I are in the middle of finalizing our Japan trip. We leave on Thursday. We have shopped, called the daughter living in Japan, then shopped some more. I really doubt we will get everything into those bags.

Friends and family alike are expecting lots of pictures and some journalism. Obviously I Have a terrible time with both. A friend suggested I start on page 5 so as to avoid an introduction and perfectionism.

Page 5:
We thought we were finished with shopping but alas we need to make another return. One entire suitcase is filled with snacks to share along with a few gifts for some special people in my daughters life.

The trip will be filled with several first time events for us. We have never flown together. Never stayed in a Hostel. Never been to Japan. Never been away from home at the same time for more than a week. Never left a teen home alone. Never been around people that spoke a language we could not understand. So many strange sounds, sights and experiences await us. One thing I know for sure God will be our guide and our strength. It will be a joy to know that he knows where we are and where we want to go and how to get us there.

We are excited about seeing our daughter. Meeting her new friends and those that have been a help to her. She has lived in Japan now for 21 months. She has experienced so much and learned so much more. I am especially thankful to the people that have befriended her and made her feel welcome and safe. It will be a joy to finally meet them.

Scones

Over the years I have found great pleasure in the book If Tea Cups Could Talk by Emilie Barnes. It is from the pages of this book I found inspiration to host teas for the simplest reasons. Treasured friends, a comforting tea for a hurting child, a milestone tea, or even a bribe tea. When one of my daughters was considering going off to college I often made her tea and scones. I'd say something to the effect, "if you go to college close to home, I'll make you tea and scones". She did and I often made her tea and her favorite scones for her study time. She chose a University close enough to home to commute for other reasons than my tea and scones but, it was fun to bride her and we do have that special memory. She is far from home now. Japan. We are looking forward to tea and scones together at Christmas. O the joy!

A simple cup of tea can bring comfort or celebration. I have found beauty in fixing up a tray with china cup and saucer, the tiniest spoon that can be found, cute little containers to hold sugar and milk, a tiny sprig of flower a folded cloth napkin and a stemmed glass with fruit. Usually things that I already have on hand. It is amazing what you can add to that little tray when your imagination takes over. Maybe a note card with a verse or poem or even a funny cartoon. It is most always met with big eyes and an exclamation "For me?". (shh ... boys like them too)

Thrift stores, auctions and yard sales are wonderful places to find treasures for your tea tray. Often people get rid of beautiful sets that have missing pieces or there is only one piece of something beautiful and that will be the piece that you treasure. You will be pleased at how it will add to your collection.

I found my silver tea service at an auction for twenty dollars. Full, with two tea pots, or is one a coffee pot?, sugar and creamer and a beautiful large tray with comfy big handles. Those odd little pieces of stemware were so cheap the price has escaped me. I like using that miniature teacup and saucer my Aunt Carol gave me to hold sugar or as you can see here sugar packets. I would even put a treasure in there, like mints, a favorite candy or nuts if it were going on a tea tray. I might use the stemware for jam or butter. I would enjoy hearing how you set up your Tea Tray. Following is the scone recipe that I use. It is from the Emilie Barnes Book. Tell me what you think.

Plain Scones
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup buttermilk
Lightly beaten eggs

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in 6 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Make a well in center and pour in buttermilk. If you don't have buttermilk use regular milk. Mix until dough clings together and is a bit sticky--do not over-mix. Turn out dough onto a floured surface and shape into a 6-8 inch round 1 1/2 inches thick. (do this by hand not with a roller) Quickly cut into pie wedges. The secret of tender scones is a minimum of handling. Place on un-greased cookie sheet, being sure sides do not touch each other. Brush with egg for a shiny, beautiful brown scone. Bake at 425 for 10-20 minutes or until light brown. Of course you can add to your plains scones. Chocolate chips, blueberries, nuts, cinnamon, apples, currents, ginger, orange or cranberries. I have even glazed scones for the sweet tooth lover.
Enjoy!

"Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."
Psalm 37:5 NKJV

Tea

Tea at my house.

After helping to form and serving on the leadership team of a local homeschool group for several years I "moved on". These ladies honored my husband and I with a very special gift, I wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Knowing how much these ladies like to get together for reasons other than "meetings", and rarely do, I decided to host a Tea in their honor.

They asked that I post the recipes, and pictures. I will post a recipe each day starting with the last on the menu, the dessert. I will even share with you what I put in their gift bags. Can you guess? My hope is that you make some of these dishes and serve them up to your family in your best dishes with a flower sprig or a lighted candle. Truly your family is your best investment.

"Never tire of loyalty and kindness.
Hold these virtues tightly.
Write them deep within your heart."
Proverbs 3:3

Following is the menu.

Menu
Poached Peaches with Cottage Cheese
Field of Green Strawberry Bow-tie Salad
Wild Rice Chicken
Scones
Lemon Curd and Blackberry Preserves
Tea/Coffee/Punch
Chrysanthemum Chocolate Mousse Cake
Chocolates

Chocolate Mousse Cake
Ingredients:2 c. boiling water,1 c unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 3/4 c all-purpose flour, 2 t baking soda, 1/2 t baking powder, 1/2 t salt, 1 c butter, 2 1/4 c white sugar, 4 eggs 1 1/2 t vanilla.
Directions: preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 3- 9 inch round cake pans. In medium bowl, poor boiling water over cocoa, and whisk until smooth. Let mixture cool. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture. Spread evenly between the 3 prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes. allow to cool. (allrecipes.com)
Mousse: Purchase your favorite mousse mix. Prepare according to package directions. Line 2 9 inch round cake pans with wax paper. Spread evenly between the 2 pans. Freeze until ready to assemble the cake.
Frosting: 2 3/4 confection sugar, 6 T cocoa powder, 6 T butter, 5 T evaporated milk, 1 t vanilla. Mix until smooth. Assembly: Place 1 layer of cake on a serving plate then 1 layer of mousse, anther layer of cake then mousse end with a layer of cake. Frost. Decorate. I used chrysanthemums for my cake.

Teaching Myself to Knit

I've been teaching myself to knit. A body can find a lot of help on youtube. These wash clothes are some of my first projects. I have been knitting like my life depended on it. I've made a neck scarf and a pair of fingerless gloves as well. Can you guess what people will be getting from me this Christmas? Right, something knitted! I am looking forward to making a wash clothe for each person on my list. I learned to knit in mid-August and am having so much fun. I love it!
If you "google" knitting patterns you can find many projects. I am looking forward to making a rug for my "new" laundry room. I might try my hand at "felting". It looks so easy. The computer can be put to such good use. Hope you are enjoying yours.
Thanks for looking.
Becky

Pillows Covers

I've wanted to make pillows for my back yard for some time. Being the one that usually doubts her abilities I took the plunge. Finding material to give it a try would be my first challenge. I did not want to pay much for fabric. Knowing that outdoor fabric can be costly, I decided that I would not be picky when it came to color choices. I did have a couple of stipulations. The material had to be a remnant from the clearance section and machine washable. What do ya know, there were only two pieces of outdoor fabric to choose from, both happen to be blue with strips; one was machine washable the other was dry clean only. I do have a few blue lawn ornaments and the hammock is near the pond. Decision made. Boy that was fast. Isn't it nice when it all comes together like that.The total cost $3.32. Not bad. I already had the thread and buttons so I think I did pretty well with this project. I am curious to know how much these little pillows would have cost had I purchased them. I am truly inspired to tackle some bigger projects now.

I did use ideas from http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/freepatterns/pillows.html. The pillow with the buttons was my idea and made up pattern although I'm sure someone has a real pattern out there for a pillow cover with buttons.






This picture shows both pillows. The button pillow is basically a pillow case idea with the buttons added for interest and to keep the little pillow securely in place. The other pillow is an envelope style pillow case using a pattern from the website mentioned above. Years ago I purchased travel pillows for our family. They are now inside the new cases.


My son.

Pizza

Crust:
1 pkg yeast
1 c. water
3 Tbsp. sugar or to taste
2 Tbsp oil
1 egg
4 c. flour
Mix water and yeast; add sugar, egg and oil. Stir and knead in flour. Place in oiled bowl and let rest for 1 hour. Roll crust our and add saue and your favorite toppings. Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes.

Sauce:
12 oz. can tomato paste
1 1/2 cans water
1/4 c. sugar or to taste
2 tsp. oregano or to taste
salt and pepper
Mix all ingredients and stir thoroughly. Heat on top of stove or in microwave for 3-5 minutes.

Sweetness of Life

Often things just happen in life that make you, well, appreciate life. My brother, the youngest of twelve children, married for the first time this month at the age of 33. He will agree that his Jenny was worth the wait.

It is my mother, however, that I keep seeing in my minds eye when I review the time spent together with family for his wedding. What a pleasure it was just to see the joy on her face as she witnessed the marriage of her youngest son. This, through the Grace of God. You see, a year and a half ago she had cancer.
I am grateful to my dear husband for capturing the above photo.

My sister married when she was 40 of course thinking the time for children was passed for her. Today at 47 she is the mother of baby Isaac. When she was a younger woman the a doctor told her that it would be best if she waited to have children since she had curvature of the spine. God's timing is perfect.

"As for God, his way is perfect..." Psalm 18:30a

Recipe for Poppy-Seed Muffins

This post includes the recipe of the poppy-seed muffins shown in the previous post.

If you haven't already done so get yourself one of those cheap photo albums that you can find at a dollar store or hundred yen store, if your shopping in Japan like one of my sweeties. Just cut the recipe out and pop it into a sleeve and there you have it. You will be glad you did. Don't try to get all perfect and cute, it will lead to a slim recipe collection. I have found comfort in mine for many years.

The album with "Cookies" across the front was from a church Christmas Cookie exchange. Everyone sent their recipes in ahead of time and a gal took time to put each recipe in this little photo album turned Cookie recipe book. Fun.

Some of the recipes in my book are hand printed while others were simply cut from the back of something.

Interestingly, the bread and pancakes recipes that I always use are securely taped to the inside of one of my cabinet doors. Hmm... I'd love to hear how you organize your recipes.

Poppy-seed Muffins

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
  
• 1 1/8 cups vegetable oil
  
• 1 1/2 cups milk
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy-seed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 3 cups flour
  

Glaze

• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 teaspoons butter (melted)

Directions:
Beat together eggs, sugar,oil. Add milk, salt, baking powder, poppy-seeds, vanilla, almond and flour. Mix well.
Bake in muffin cups filled 3/4 full or use loaf pans. Bake in a 350 F degree oven (17 degree C) 15 - 20 minutes for the muffins or 50-60 minutes for the loaves. Tops should be golden brown and tooth pick inserted should be clean.
While still warm dip into the glaze. Pour over loaf.

To make glaze: In saucepan combine glaze ingredients warm until dissolved. Dip or brush onto room temperature muffins and loaf pans.

Poppy-Seed Muffins

These muffins are a big hit at our house. I found them at a website called All Recipes . I try to keep a batch of them in the freezer so that I can pop them into my husbands lunch. He enjoys a sweet snack about mid-morning with a cup of coffee, why not something from home. He saves a dollar every time he finds a treat from home in his lunch box.



Do you see that this picture has jumbo size as well as the regular muffin size? I have brownies in the freezer for this week. I think I'll get to it and make a batch of these as well. Variety is nice.


Gavin helping himself to a muffin.

Happy Birthday

What a fine day
for tea
Lady Katherine!

I do
hope your
birthday was special

Every Day Chili

I know most of us are looking for lighter meals as Spring and Summer approach. However, this recipe was a special request. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Keep Sweet,
Becky

Chili Recipe

2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium onion (diced)
2 pounds ground beef (80/20 or better)
1 large can tomato juice
2 cans Mexican or chili beans
4 tablespoons chili powder
1 green pepper (diced)
Salt and Pepper to taste

• Saute together in oil the green pepper, and onion
• Add ground beef break up and brown evenly. Drain grease and discard properly. Transfer this mixture to a large pot.
• Add tomato juice, beans, seasonings and optional jalapeno pepper.
• Simmer 2 hours.
• Optional serving accompaniments; cheddar cheese, onions, corn chips, grilled cheese, corn bread.
  

Spring for the mantle

I decided to try my hand at decoupaging an egg to add to my spring decorations. This is not my own idea. I found it somewhere along the way.

I started by blowing out three eggs. I poked a hole in both sides of each egg. I used a tack. The kind you might use on a bulletin board. Notice, there is a small hole on one side and a slightly bigger hole on the other. You will blow through the small hole and the contents of the egg will come out of the larger hole. I did add a little bleach to disinfect the egg and let it set out over night to air dry. You can google "Egg Blowing" to get instructions on how to do this if you have never done it before.

I gathered the supplies that I would use. Do you see the stamps? Yeah... I thouht that since stamps were the right size I could use them for this project. Maybe I'll try it again sometime, however I was not getting the look I wanted for this spring project. The ink ran and well it just looked a mess. The ribbon turned out looking nicer. The ink did not run and the wrapping paper was a little more pliable.
I took time to cut out the bows from this wrapping paper. I chose this paper because Iwanted to use supplies I already had on hand.
Instead of using the brush I found it easier to use my finger to apply the mod podge and "ribbon". After squirting a little mod podge onto the foam tray I dipped my finger in and rubbed it onto the egg. Then put the "ribbon" on top of that adding more mod podge on top of the "ribbon". The nice thing is that I can store these eggs and get them out agian next year for some more decorating fun. After covering the egg with the paper I stategically placed different colored "ribbon" around the egg for visual effect.

Here is a picture of where the egg ended up. Do you see the other two eggs? I did something different with them. One was traditionally dyed the other tea dyed.
Since I already had the supplies on my craft shelf this project only cost me a little time.

Friday Project Party

I am excited about my first blog party. Everyone was invited over to the Sugar Plum Cottage for a Party.
If you would like to see what others have been busy doing today then hop on over to http:sugarplumcottage.blogspot.com


As you can see I have been busy putting a little spring in my home. This is one side of the armoire that is in our family room. Although pink and blue are not the colors that I use in that room these plates just say Spring. They are the plates that I have used for years on Easter Sunday morning for our breakfast.

We have enjoyed this ostrich egg for several years. It was given to my daughter at a farm tour. Do you like the letters that I found on my craft shelf. I know it is a little hard to see, it spells out spring.






Isn't that little birdie cute. A thoughtful friend gave it to me, she loves to give gifts and this one is especially sweet. This birdie reminds her of a funny story that I shared with her that happened to me in my early married years. Maybe I'll share it with you one day.





As you can see I like to use the lamb for Easter decorating. It is truly symbolic to us of the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world for each of our sins.






I did some other projects today that I will share at another time. Now it is date night and I am looking forward to sharing a wonderful evening with my husband just catching up on the day.

Have a wonderful evening and as always,
Keep Sweet,
Becky

Ramblings

My kids seem to be all grown and wanting to fly from the nest. I suppose that is the plan and I am going along with it most days. One daughter has spread her wings and flown around the world and is making a little nest of her own in Japan. My eldest daughter is recouping in her old nest after being on a cruise ship for a year and a half serving vacationers. Then there is my boy finishing up school and letting us know in his own way that he is ready to make his way in this world.

Are you there yet? People often ask "What are you going to do now that your nest is emptying out"? Honestly, there is so much more to the nest. It is truly an ongoing quest in making a home a place of peace and beauty. There is a lot of inspiration out there in blog world from those that are gifted home decorators, frugal shoppers and just happy home makers.

I do have little ones that comes to my home now and then. The little guy in the above picture comes over most days of the week. His momma needed a helping hand. He has filled our home with love and laughter. As you can see he loves to get into my pantry. He gets a box, any box, and empty's the contents. Of course he shares this treat with our dog. My husband has since helped me out by securing that door with a lock. Thank you Mr. Fix-it. Less messes for me to clean up.

Investing in little ones is like storing up heavenly treasurer. I like to think that I am blessing their momma and giving that little one a little nugget of hope and faith to take through life. Not that their own parents are not doing the same.

Do you like the little bags one of my little friends made for her family? She told her mom that they can put them in their underwear drawer. She was excited to make these little bags filled with potpourri and popcorn mixed with refreshing oil. Simple you say. Yes, I know, but, that did not matter to her. She was very pleased with her accomplishment. It does not have to take much time or money to make a little person happy.

These little hands and feet make life all the sweeter. At times a grown-ups life can be filled with too much "stuff", you decide what that is. Taking time to share life with little ones can put perspective right back where it belongs. They likely will listen to your stories and help with tasks. They will make your heart light as your ears ring with the sound of laughter, only to realize that it is you laughing your head off. Who ends of really help whom?

So, although I am enjoying this new phase of our life, the emptying nest. It is a wonderful adventure rediscovering my man. I really like the maturer version of him. Grey hair and beard to boot. It is rewarding to share what we have with others even if the others are little ones that take the energy right out of ya.

The mission field is not always so far away. Do you agree?

Keep Sweet, Becky

Chicken Enchiladas

My youngest daughter, Ruth, teaches English Second Language in a private school in Japan. She misses good 'ol American cooking and often request recipes from home. I thought I would share them here so that she can have a quick reference and a love note from home. I have to confess that I also thought that I might make a few friends out there in blog world as well.
Do you mark your recipes with a smiley face like I do? It is something I started doing years ago. Those little smiles sure come in handy when I just don't know what to put on my menues for the week. Chicken Enchiladas is a family favorite, a recipe with a smile.

Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken, boiled and de-boned
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 (8 oz) bottle of taco sauce
1 (8 oz) container sour cream
1 pkg, cheddar cheese, grated
1 pkg Monterey Jack cheese, grated
2 pkg (8 oz) flour or wheat tortillas

Put 2-3 cups of small pieces of chicken in a large bowl. (freeze the rest for another recipe) canned chicken would be fine for this recipe. Add 1 can soup, taco sauce, sour cream and 1/2 of both cheeses and mix well. Spoon 2 tablespoons or more in flour or wheat tortillas and roll. Place folded side down in pan sprayed with Pam. Spread other can of soup on top and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Freezes well. I use a 9x13 inch pan for this recipe.

Welcome

I have recently been inspired by many homemaking and decorating blogs. Wishing to be a contributor and not a taker I created this blog.