"Things turn out best

for those that make the best

of the way things turn out."

~Art Linkletter

Thank you D. :-)

Coffee Cake Muffins

Coffee Cake Muffins

(from Taste of Home magazine)

12 servings

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup canola oil
for glaze
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon; set aside. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Combine egg, milk and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Spoon 1 tablespoon of batter into paper-lined muffin cups. Top each with 1 teaspoon nut mixture and about 2 tablespoons batter. Sprinkle with the remaining nut mixture. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Combine glaze ingredients; spoon over muffins. Serve warm and enjoy!

Hide it in your Heart Week of November 16

~"Hide it in your Heart"~
"Your word I have hidden in my heart" Psalm 119:11 NKJV

"And we know that all things work together

for good to them that love God."

Romans 8:28 KJV

"This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom

but in words taught by the Spirit,

expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words."

I Corinthians 2:13 NIV

Supper Menus
November 15th-20th

Monday
out for wings (end of season soccer party for daughter)
Tuesday
out for burgers (end of season soccer party for son)
Wednesday
spaghetti and meatballs, rosemary bread, olive garden salad
Thursday
chicken tenders, french fries, buttered corn, green beans, dinner rolls
Friday
vegetable soup, cheese, crackers
Saturday
out for pizza after the Aggie game

Sunday Songs

~Living by Faith~

I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,
And all of my worries are vain.

Refrain
Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

Though tempests may blow and the storm clouds arise,
Obscuring the brightness of life,
I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies—
The Master looks on at the strife.

Refrain

I know that He safely will carry me through,
No matter what evils betide;
Why should I then care though the tempest may blow,
If Jesus walks close to my side.

Refrain

Our Lord will return for His loved ones some day,
Our troubles will then all be o’er;
The Master so gently will lead us away,
Beyond that blest heavenly shore.

Refrain

1918
Words by James Wells
Music by J. L. Heath

Sweet Saturday...

...on the soccer field!

Our daughter's team

and our son's team

won first place in their age divisions at the soccer tournament!

Mr. H. is the coach for our son's team.

And, I think he's the best coach ever! :-)

I just love cheering for my family
while they play their hearts out!

And I take LOTS of pictures of them! :-)

Easy Bible Class Song Visuals

After starting a new congregation of the Lord's church 3 1/2 years ago, I taught children's Bible class where I was needed. At first, that meant teaching a group of children with ages spanning babies to teen. As our church body grew, and we added additional children and teachers, we were able to separate the children into more age appropriate classes - a babies to 5 years class, an elementary class, and a jr. high to high school class. I taught for a time in each age level. But, just recently we've been able to add my favorite class - ages 3 to 5! Preschoolers!!! :-) Love them. :-)

I've been working on songs for the past few weeks and thought I'd share how I make some very simple and useful visuals.

All you need is some colorful poster board, typing paper, a computer, scissors and a glue stick.

The children recognize the song we're about to sing when they see the little picture "clues" I put on the front.

I put the words on the back for me.

We sing a song about the memory verse
(or "Bible words" as I say with the little ones)
that we are learning.

I made this song poster with an opening,
so I can change out the memory verse
each month or each quarter.


And, again, the words are on the back.

As I think of songs that I want to have in my collection, I add them.


The money spent to have them laminated is worth every penny,
since they will last through years and years of use!

We also have songs to help with memory work,
like learning the books of the Bible
and the names of the twelve apostles.

A picture clue on the front for the children.

And the words to the songs on the back.


It's nice to have songs to review lessons, too.
I put a picture that the children will recognize from the story
on the front and singing the song
helps them to remember details from the story.




A little time spent on these visuals now
provides years of enjoyment.
It's also really nice to have these songs ready to go when
asking someone to teach for you during an absence!

What the Bible says Wednesday

What the Bible says about...
studying God's word

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates..."
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 NIV

"...his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night."
Psalm 1:2 KJV

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Psalm 119:11 KJV

"Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction."
Proverbs 10:14 NKJV

"Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge; For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them all be fixed upon your lips."
Proverbs 22:17-18 NKJV

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Romans 1:2 NIV

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
II Timothy 2:15 KJV

Veteran's Day

"We often take for granted

the very things

that most deserve our gratitude."

~Cynthia Ozicke

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Heading Home" by Thomas Kinkade

Tuesday Tips

Get creative with the Halloween candy!

~ fun ideas for using up the leftover treats ~

stir M&M's into cookie dough

chop butterfingers, baby ruths, twix & reeses peanut butter cups

for choose your own "ice cream blend-ins"

fold chopped snickers into brownie batter

use chopped heath bars on top of iced cakes

add your favorite candy bar to a milk shake

Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti

6-8 servings

12 ounces uncooked ziti or small tube pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 jar (28 ounces) spaghetti sauce
2 eggs
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Drain pasta; add to cheese mixture and toss to coat. Spoon a third of the meat sauce into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; top with half of the pasta mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining meat sauce. Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

"Become a possibilitarian.
No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are,
raise your sights and see possibilities -
always see them, for they're always there."

~ Norman Vincent Peale

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com
"Autumn Trail" by Tan Chun

Cubscouts

"I promise to do my best

To do my duty

to God and my country,

To help other people, and

to obey the Law of the Pack."

Cub Scout Promise

photo courtesy of Mr. H.

Hide it in your Heart Week of November 9

~"Hide it in your Heart"~

"Your word I have hidden in my heart" Psalm 119:11 NKJV

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven,

preach any other gospel to you

than what we have preached to you,

let him be accursed.

As we have said before, so now I say again,

if anyone preaches any other gospel to you

than what you have received,

let him be accursed."

Galatians 1:8-9 NKJV

"This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom
but in words taught by the Spirit,
expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words."
I Corinthians 2:13 NIV

Apple Cinnamon Scones

Apple Cinnamon Scones

12 servings

2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, chilled
2 apples - peeled, cored and shredded
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add shredded apple and milk. Stir to form a soft dough. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently 8 to 10 times. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Brush tops with milk, and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes, or until browned and risen. Serve warm with butter and enjoy!

Linked to Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop #77

Supper Menus
November 9th-14th

Monday
out for sandwiches
Tuesday
baked ziti, garlic bread sticks, ceasar salad
Wednesday
chicken and biscuits, lettuce and tomato salad
Thursday
bacon cheeseburger buns, french fries
Friday
leftovers
Saturday
out for burgers

Sunday Songs

~Farther Along~

Tempted and tried, we're oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long,
While there are others living about us,
Never molested, though in the wrong.

Refrain
Farther along we'll know all about it,
Farther along we'll understand why;
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine,
We'll understand it all by and by.

When death has come and taken our loved ones,
It leaves our home so lonely and drear,
Then do we wonder why others prosper
Living so wicked year after year.

Refrain

Faithful til death, said our loving Master
A few more days to labor and wait,
Toils of the road will then seem as nothing
As we sweep through the beautiful gate.

Refrain

When we see Jesus, coming in glory,
When He comes from His home in the sky,
Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,
We'll understand it all by and by.

Refrain

1937
Words and Music by W. B. Stephens

"No spring nor summer beauty

hath such grace

As I have seen

in one autumnal face."

~John Donne

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Autumn Harvest" by Kevin Daniels

What the Bible says Wednesday

What the Bible says about...
sleeping and rising

"How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest -
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man."
Proverbs 6:9-11

"Lazy hands make a man poor,
put diligent hands bring wealth."
Proverbs 10:4

"He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son."
Proverbs 10:5

"Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare."
Proverbs 20:13

"A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest -
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man."
Proverbs 24:33, 34

"As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed."
Proverbs 26:14

"This is the day that the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

Some verses to inspire me to rise earlier. :-)

Tuesday Tips

I thought this was a really neat idea. It comes from "101 Ways to Cut Out the Clutter" by Emilie Barnes. I am forever making lists of projects to tackle when I have bits of time, but this way just sounds like so much more fun. Instead of going to a boring list and just doing what is next, you get to be surprised at what you are going to accomplish! ;-)

The Idea Jar

"If you can't decide what to do next to make your home better organized, try this. Cut some paper into strips and write down the various projects that need to be done on each of those strips. Place them in a jar - mix them up. When you need to decide what comes next, place your hand in the jar and select one slip of paper. If it reads, "de-clutter the pantry," that's what you do next. When you need another task go back to the jar and reach in. Bam! You have your next project! As new projects come to mind, write them down an another slip of paper and then drop them into the jar."

~from "101 Ways to Cut Out the Clutter" by Emilie Barnes