When Company Comes....

I sometimes draw a blank when it comes to something to post. So I thought, maybe it's time for me to do a series....something that constantly inspires me or I have to talk about (like there's only one, ha ha).

So to help me (and perhaps help those who read it), I begin "When Company Comes..." Every Friday, hopefully, I'll have something to share, whether it be a tip, a recipe, a link, a flop, a story....we'll see what comes and goes!

First of all....we love having company. We really do. M. is much better at hosting and inviting than I am, but I am thankful I can live and learn! I think it's been so GREAT having lots of different people, friends and guests and family, all visit in our home. I have so many great people as examples too....but I'll share those later :)

Today, to start, I think I'll just share a recipe. And a cookie recipe at that. Warm cookies, right out of the oven with cold milk.....what can beat that! I remember eating these almost every week. We really went through the cookies at our house! But best of all, this recipe makes a big batch! Big enough for lots of guests, or sharing with neighbors, or even freezing for later!

Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cup white sugar
• 4 eggs

Mix these together in big bowl. Then add:

• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/4 cup powdered milk (or if you don't have this, add 2 Tbl regular milk)
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp soda
• 2 tsp vanilla

Mix. Then add a bit at a time:

• 4 cups flour
• 1 bag chocolate chips

Bake at 400 degrees F. for 10 minutes.

Yield: 6 dozen

Tip: Serve these warm out of the oven on a sturdy plate while watching a movie with friends, or playing a board game. Make sure to have napkins around too, as the chocolate chips are still gooey!

And finally, a great verse to learn:

"Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay."

1 Peter 4:8-9

Pretty Tables

There is something so attractive to me about making table settings pretty and using fall beauty! Here are some favorites from 3 different sites:

This, in my opinion, is fantastic, but would definitely NOT go on a table! Maybe on the piano?:)

I like this chocolate bar idea! :)

Wishbones! How interesting!

This picture is for the pats of butter, cut out in cookie cutter leaf shapes!

And using edible name tags! Hmmm....

This one is just funky!

And I actually really like this, more than a wreath. :) I think I could do this!

And I wonder how this would look in our dining room???

And color....I just love bright colors.

Rocks. Plain and simple.

But individual arrangements? That's cute.

And a bouquet doesn't just have to be flowers....greenery works too!

For how to do any of these, as well as more pictures and ideas, check out these links:
Better Homes and Gardens

Martha Stewart

Country Living

Not Easily Offended

" [Love] is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily provoked, it keeps no record of wrongs."

1 Corinthians 13:5

I have been meditating on this verse recently....mulling and thinking and looking at my own attitudes and opinions. And I must admit, I do not feel like I am living out this verse at my best! I have found (just as recently as yesterday) that I can be so easily offended! And it's just little things.....things that really shouldn't get me riled up and defensive. But I find out that I have opinions on the randomest things :) *sigh*

And feeling offended, this verse will not leave my head! It's a good reminder to me that I shouldn't get all bent out of shape about things of no eternal significance. But I find I cannot bend my will as easily as I might like. That I really DO need to depend on Christ helping me....because my feelings are sticky....they stick and stick and stick to me...

Anyway, here are some interesting things to think about if you are feeling offended:

1. God does not want you to be easily offended or provoked. He wants to you learn self-control and gentleness. 1 Cor 13:5
2. Proverbs 18:19 says, "An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city." This is not something you want people to say you are! Work at being compatible and pleasant. Don't be difficult to get along with....the world does not revolve around you.
3. Proverbs 17:9 says, "He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends." Take these opportunities to thank God for His love and help. Thank Him that He wants to teach you to love and forgive, by giving you a difficult person to work with. And take the opportunity to tell God your grievances, not others....even if it means not griping to your close friends or spouse....respect the other person enough not to slander their name to others.
4. When you feel offended, ask yourself, "Is there any truth to this? Do I need to make some changes?"
5. Give yourself time! I have found about 1/2 day is the time I need to cool down from a topic or situation before I can think through it rationally and not emotionally! Oh boy.
6. Here is a quote from Keith Hester, "Love is not just how we act toward people, but how we receive them."
7. Aim for this: Proverbs 19:11 "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."
8. And this: James 3:17 " But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
9. Read this article : Don't Get Offended or this one Not Easily Offended

More Thoughtful Things

Here is a list of monthly goals or focuses, from the Inspired Room that I thought was worth considering. Basically, the author has chosen one word to focus on during the month in her quiet times and daily life. Below is a partial list. Check out the post here for the full details.

June: Healthy Living

April: Solitude (regular quiet times)

October: Hospitality

December: Giving

I'm considering how this would work, and what words I would choose. What about you?

Thoughtful Things

I have had a wonderful collection of books I've been reading through recently (and hopefully I can share more from them later), but here are some things to thoughtfully think about from the book, Conformed to His Image by Kenneth Boa:

"Spiritual life is a balance between radical dependence and responsible action; both grace and self-discipline are required for spiritual maturity."

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"Spiritual maturity is characterized by the ability to recognize and apply the principles of Scripture to daily experience."

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"Wisdom is a skill that is developed thru instruction and discipline."

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"We are stewards of our time, talent, treasure, and truth, as well as the relationships with which we have been entrusted. [We should] periodically review the ways we have been investing these assets."

Projects

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm hoping to get snow all weekend. I have a long stack of papers to get through....no, not grading or reading or cutting or pasting.....project ideas. Ideas out of cloth and ribbon and stuffing and googly eyes and color and zippers.

Along with projects of drizzle and almond and flours and pans and boxes and tissues.

And of course projects with paints and stamps and music and bobbles and writing things.

Maybe I should pray to be snowed in....

Oh dear.

Oh dear.

I just can't seem to help myself. I already have phone books bulging and things peeking out of stacked papers and piles.

But every time I walk, I see another beautiful one. Pink. Yellow. Burgendy. Brown. And I just can't help but lean down and scoop it up. Already this week I've had two passerby's stop, watch, and then smile as they see me walking home with twigs and pokes and color sticking everywhere out of my frozen fingers. My prizes. My joy. I beam as I walk home.

But now what to do with them?! I have to find some fall projects to use these with! I found a couple neat pictures of leafy wreaths, and some framed verse art, and some garlands.

But guess what is happening right now?

Yup. Snow.

All of a sudden, I'm ready to cut out snowflakes and sit down with hot chocolate and sewing projects! ha ha

Oh dear.