"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

Hide it in your Heart Week of November 2

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

"Always be prepared to give an answer

to everyone who asks you to give the reason

for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect."

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

"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

The Spirit of Christmas

My mom had a special treat for me at her last visit.

Some books that she no longer wanted to keep,

but knew that I would love to have.

Leisure Arts Presents "The Spirit of Christmas"

Creative Holiday Ideas Books

Thirteen books in all, full of

~crafting~

~baking~

~cooking~

and
~decorating~

Perfect for planning Christmas.
And I always start on November 1st! :-)

Supper Menus
November 2nd-7th

Monday
chicken sandwiches, french fries, baked beans, coleslaw
Tuesday
jalapeno chicken enchiladas, mexicorn, pinto beans
Wednesday
tortellini with pasta sauce, salad
Thursday
saucy chicken sandwiches, potato chips, pickle spears
Friday
out for supper
Saturday
savory beef sandwiches

Sunday Songs

~Give Me the Bible~

Give me the Bible, star of gladness gleaming,
To cheer the wand’rer lone and tempest tossed;
No storm can hide that radiance peaceful beaming,
Since Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

Refrain
Give me the Bible, holy message shining;
Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way;
Precept and promise, law and love combining,
Till night shall vanish in eternal day.

Give me the Bible, when my heart is broken,
When sin and grief have filled my soul with fear;
Give me the precious words by Jesus spoken,
Hold up faith’s lamp to show my Savior near.

Refrain

Give me the Bible, all my steps enlighten,
Teach me the danger of these realms below;
That lamp of safety o’er the gloom shall brighten,
That light alone the path of peace can show.

Refrain

Give me the Bible, lamp of life immortal,
Hold up that splendor by the open grave;
Show me the light from Heaven’s shining portal,
Show me the glory gilding Jordan’s wave.

Refrain

1883
Words by Priscilla J. Owens
Music by Edmund. S. Lorenz

This is one of my very, very favorites.

November!

November

"November comes

And November goes,

With the last red berries

And the first white snows.

With night coming early,

And dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket

And frost by the gate.

The fires burn

And the kettles sing,

And earth sinks to rest

Until next spring."

~ Clyde Watson

Scenes from a Halloween kitchen

Hope your Halloween was full of fun! :-)

Other posts you might enjoy...

Boo! Halloween 2008

Our favorite popcorn balls

It's caramel apple time!

Creative Halloween costume!

This year my son was a "stick figure" for Halloween!

He wore all black - a ski mask, sweatshirt, sweatpants,

gloves, socks and tennis shoes.

Then, using bracelet size glow sticks, tie wraps and safety pins,

he and Mr. H. created a "walking" stick figure.

He really looked neat trick or treating and cars could see us

from a mile away - we all felt safe!

Supper Menus
October 26th-31st

Monday
super easy super cheesy lasagna, focaccia bread, caesar salad, italian biscotti
Tuesday
leftovers
Wednesday
out for sandwiches
Thursday
cheese enchiladas, refried beans, spanish rice
Friday
spicy crock pot spaghetti, focaccia bread, olive garden salad, chocolate marble cheesecake pie, heavenly chocolate chunk cookies
Saturday
texas chili, johnny cakes, caramel apples, popcorn balls

Sunday Songs

~Sing to Me of Heaven~

Sing to me of Heaven, sing that song of peace,

From the toils that bind me it will bring release;
Burdens will be lifted that are pressing so,
Showers of great blessing o’er my heart will flow.

Refrain
Sing to me of Heaven, let me fondly dream,
Of its golden glory, of its pearly gleam;
Sing to me when shadows of the evening fall,
Sing to me of heaven, sweetest song of all.

Sing to me of Heaven, as I walk alone,
Dreaming of the comrades that so long have gone;
In a fairer region ’mong the angel throng,
They are happy as they sing that old, sweet song.

Refrain

Sing to me of Heaven, tenderly and low,
Till the shadows o’er me rise and swiftly go;
When my heart is weary, when the day is long,
Sing to me of Heaven, sing that old, sweet song.

Refrain

1914
Words by Ada Powell
Music by B. B. Beall

Mr. H.'s Elk Hunt

Mr. H. has been gone this week elk hunting.

He was in beautiful Colorado.

He packed in about 8 miles up a mountain.


He didn't get anything this year, though.

There is always next time.

I love my hunter.

Heavenly Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Heavenly Chocolate Chunk Cookies

1 1/2 dozen

3/4 cup butter

2 tablespoons instant coffee granules

2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 package semisweet chocolate chunks

1 cup walnut halves, toasted

Combine butter and coffee in a small saucepan. Cook over medium low heat until butter melts and coffee dissolves, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Combine butter mixture, sugars, egg and egg yolk. Beat at medium speed until blended. Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in chocolate chunks and walnuts. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 325° for 12 to 14 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from baking sheets. Remove from wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy!

We first tasted these cookies at the house of a dear friend who is an excellent cook. Mr. H. immediately fell in love with them! She shared the recipe with me so I could have some fresh out of the oven when Mr. H. returned this evening from a week long hunting trip. Thank you Mrs. T! :-)

What the Bible says Wednesday

What the Bible says about...
husbands

"A husband must not divorce his wife."
I Corinthians 7:11

"For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."
Ephesians 5:23

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
Ephesians 5:25

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
I Peter 3:7

Tuesday Tips

To keep the garbage disposal clean and deodorized ~

weekly
grind citrus fruit (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit) rinds
grind ice cubes made from 1 part water 1 part vinegar

monthly
pour 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar into disposal, let sit for about 5 minutes, flush with warm water

Things to never put down a disposal ~

fibrous material, such as corn husks, onion peels, artichokes, or celery stalks
potato peels
meat bones
grease

Hot water on a regular basis should be avoided. Run cold water before, during, and after the disposal's operation.

Pomegranates

I've never had a fresh pomegranate before,

so I had to learn how to seed one.

It was easy, but very messy!

cut off the crown

slice into sections, break apart

and remove seeds from membranes over a bowl of water
(do not wear a white shirt!)
the seeds will sink to the bottom and the membranes will float to the top

remove the membranes from the bowl and drain off the water

Enjoy!

Apple Pie Muffins

Apple Pie Muffins

12 servings

2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 cups diced apples
for topping
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin or line with paper muffin cups. Stir together 2 1/4 cups flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. Mix together egg, buttermilk, 1/2 cup melted butter, vanilla and 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar until sugar has dissolved. Pour into the flour mixture and add diced apples. Stir just until everything is blended. Spoon into the prepared muffin tin, filling the cups to the top. Stir together 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup flour and cinnamon. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of melted butter while tossing with a fork until well blended. Sprinkle this over the tops of the muffins. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly pressed. Enjoy!

Hide it in your Heart Week of October 19

~"Hide it in your Heart"~

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

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus

and believe in your heart

that God has raised Him from the dead,

you will be saved."

Romans 10:9 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

Supper Menus
October 19th-24th

Monday
hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans
Tuesday
tortilla soup
Wednesday
saucy chicken sandwiches, pretzels, apple slices
Thursday
beef stew, cheese and crackers, heavenly chocolate chunk cookies
Friday
autumn chowder, country cornbread muffins, apple dumplings
Saturday
leftovers

Please visit Menu Plan Monday!