25 Indoor Game Ideas

In the event of it being too cold to do much outside, what can you do inside with your kids and family? I had all sorts of fun coming up with this list of ideas from websites and books for my sis and brother in law. Of course, not having kids to practice this on myself, I have no idea if these would really work or be fun, and seeing the way my last couple classes went that I taught, most likely these might be flops, but here's hoping!

1) Indoor Camping

Flashlight
Indoor S'mores
Tent or sheet tent

2) Indoor picnic in a box
blanket
special picnic food

3) Glow-In-The-Dark hide and seek

Use glow in the dark bracelets found at the dollar store

4) ABC hunting in the house game

Make a list of common items that you could find around the house that start with letters of the alphabet. Have a "treasure" hunt to see if you can find them all

5) Make a cake

6) What's missing?

find small items - like a spoon, doll, shoe, timer, etc) and group them together. Take a good look at them, cover with a towel and take one item away. Then look again and see if you can tell which item is missing

7) Tightrope walking

8) Puppet shows

9) Indoor Obstacle Course

pillows
box
laundry basket
couch
taped lines on floor
quilt

10) Bowling
cardboard toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, or plastic bottles
small inflatable ball

11) Balloon Tennis
balloons
flyswatters
drying racks
paper plates with popsicle sticks stapled to it

12) Bean Bag Toss (into laundry basket)

13) Pillow Fight (make special little pillows for this event)

14) Letter writing

have a shoe box filled with envelopes, junk mail, stickers, colored pencils etc

15) Paper bag pinata - the little paper lunch sacks probably work best

16) Popcorn party

17) Bug Hunt

creative bug "nets" (could be anything from a plastic sack to a real net made with netting and a stick)
bug stickers or picture cards

18) Hide-The-Marbles (or milk caps or thimble)

19) Make a car out of a box

20) Gift wrapping game
wrapping paper or gift bags

play it where you find a gift from your house that you alread have and "re-gift" it, practicing saying thank you and something nice about what you recieved

21) Make a book

color pictures

cut out people pictures

make a book with you own photos

22) Treasure Map

use a floor plan of your own house to seek out a hidden treasure

23) Bake cinnamon rolls to give away

24) Sound Hide-and-Seek

hide a ticking clock and see if you can find it

25) Dance Night
Music
Colored scarves or streamers

26) Relay Race

And last of all, I found this book at our local library and it really has some neat ideas for making your own board games, and some fun snow games to play too!

A Christmas Poem

We used this poem to make a preschooler's Touch & Feel/Know Your Colors book last Sunday. But I really like the way it goes. :)

Black is the color of the dark, dark night
Where the moon and the stars were the only light.

White was the color of the many sheep,
Who stood in the field while the people sleep.

Yellow is the color that the shepherds saw
As the angels sang, they stood in awe.

Glory in the highest to the God above
A baby has been born, a gift of love.

Gray is the color of the cloth that kept
Baby Jesus warm, as he slept.

Green is the color of the grass that grew
As Jesus became a big boy too.

Purple is the color that kings do wear
And some wise men came, their gifts to share.

Blue is the color that the sky did cry,
As angry men wanted Jesus to die.

Red is the color of God's love true.
He has so much for me and you!

Pink is the color of the story's end:
Jesus died, and arose, and is coming again!

Aha!

I found this in a cookbook of all places the other day, and thought to myself, Aha! I will memorize this and it will help me when I am scared of the dark! :)

"Keep me, Lord, for darkness gathers

Round about the path I tread;

Keep me, Lord, and let my footsteps

Ever by Thy Word be led."

Cookie Exchange

We did a cookie exchange at work and it was lots of fun. I was in charge of sorting and organizing. I found these bags on Black Friday for pennies each.

I printed out the recipes and stamped snowflakes on them as well as personal name tags. I also got each a different cookie cutter, just for fun, that I found for a good price at Ben Franklin.

We all went home with 7 dozen different kinds of treats. Yum!

It's a Keeper

Here is an experimental recipe I tried the other week. We all declared it's a keeper! It's quick to prepare, simple, yet tasty and spicy. Easy to throw together for last minute company:)

Emily's Tortilla Wraps

• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1 serano pepper
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp pepper
• 3/4 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup pepper jack cheese
• 3 warm tortillas
• leftover jar of spinach dip :)

Fry the pork, peppers,  and onion till done and juicy. Drain off grease. Add salsa and cheese and warm through. Warm up the tortillas, fill with meat mixture and a couple spoonfuls of spinach dip, and roll up. Serve warm with corn (or other veggie), salad, and chocolate pudding cake :) Yum!

Winter Decorating

Reminder

"When God measures men He puts the tape around the heart, not the head."

~ Anonymous

Day Ten- Judah's Scepter

Target

Day Ten - Judah's Scepter

Text: Genesis 49:8-12

Key Verse:

"The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor." Genesis 49:10

Symbol: Seal, scepter, or jewel

To think about:

• What is a "scepter"?
• To "whom it belongs" has what? (obedience of the nations)
• The people of Israel are beginning to look forward to someone coming....a king, a ruler, who will reign forever.
• Where are the people in this passage? (Egypt)

Some thoughts on Bathrooms....

I know, we don't normally spend our thinking moments on bathrooms, and don't often bring the subject of them up in conversation, but I thought I might share a few tips on them anyway.

When company comes, it's a good idea to pay a little attention to our bathrooms. Now, I'm not one who has their's all fancied up with lace curtains and potporui and magazine racks, who has matching towels and painted cupboards. No, if you come to our house that's not my bathroom....you must've taken a wrong turn somewhere!

But, even if you don't have a designer home, there ARE a few things you can do to make your bathroom a nicer place in a jiffy:

1. Re-load the toilet paper holder (bonus - have an extra roll available in a handy place)
2. Change the garbage out
3. Make sure there is a clean towel to dry hands on
4. Wash the sink/counter

There you have it. You don't have to scrub the whole bathroom down if you're running short of time and high on stress....just a few touch ups like those above, make the bathroom nice and functional for you and your guests. (This is taking into account that a regular bathroom cleaning schedule is already in place :) )

One more thing I've noticed, if kids are coming over, is to leave the bathroom light on. We don't have windows in our bathroom, and it get's pretty dark and forboding at night when the hallway is dark. I've had much more success convincing a little kid to "try" if the light was on and they had a chance to "scope it out" (i.e. peek in while no-one was looking) first! :) I know this might be an electricity issue...but personally, I can deal with that more than other things ;) if it's only for a short time.

Day Nine - Review

Day Nine - Review

• Review the passages and stories read by looking at the ornaments hung on the tree.
• Practice a memory verse
• Sing a song

Day Eight - Jacob's Blessing

Pottery Barn

Day Eight - Jacob's Blessing

Text: Genesis 28:10-22

Key Verse:

"Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions - to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants." Genesis 28:14

Symbol: Angel or ladder

To think about:

• 
  
  Who is Jacob?
  
• 
  
  Do you remember reading about him in jesus' genealogy?
  
• 
  
  Do you see the promise of Someone in these verses?
  
• 
  
  What does "bless" mean?
  
• 
  
  How many children does Jacob end up having?
  
  
  

Read these verses as well:

• 
  
  Isaiah 9:6-7
  
• 
  
  John 3:16-17
  

Tip of the Day...

Tip of the Day:

 Wear a belt.

(trust me on this)

Day Seven - Abraham's Offspring

Christmas2Ornaments

Day Seven - Abraham's Offspring

Text: Genesis 15:1-6, Genesis 17:1-8, Genesis 21:1-6

Key Verse:

"I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you." Genesis 17:7

Symbol: Star

To think about:
Even long ago, God was making His plan come true for sending Jesus. Read the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter 1. What names do you recognize?

Read these verses as well:

• Matthew 1:2
• Romans 4

Day Six - A Promise

Unique Collection Glassware

Day Six - A Promise

Text: Genesis 8:1 - 9:17

Key Verse:

 "When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth." Genesis 9:16

Symbol: Rainbow (prism)

To think about:

• 
  
  What is the promise God makes?
  
• Has God made any other promises that you can think of?
  
• 
  
  Do you think you would look forward to the promise of Somone rescuing you from death?
  
  
  

Read these verses as well:

• 
  
  Matthew 28:20
  
  
  

Day Five - Noah's Ark

Christmas Gift Gallery

Day Five - Noah's Ark

Text: Genesis 6:1 - 7:24

Key Verse:

"The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke His heart." Genesis 6:5,6 (NLT)

Symbol: Boat or animals

Elephant

To think about:

• Do you remember what we talked about in our first lessons?
• Has God provided a Savior yet?
• Why did He destroy the world with a flood?

Read these verses as well:

• Micah 6:8
• Proverbs 6:16-19

Christmas Gift Gallery

How do you feel?

 "People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel." Make your guests feel welcome, accepted, and valuable. Then, no matter what else happens, your dinner party will be a success."

Maya Angelou

Some tips on making your guest feel welcome:

• Greet them by name
• Greet them at the door (if your soup is boiling over, do call a hello by name, manage your soup, and then stop what you are doing for a quick, face to face hello and then go back to your soup)
• Relax.
• Offer them something to drink
• Sit down with them. (Works well to have a team-thing, making sure at least one host is visiting with the guest while the other finishes tasks)
• Ask them questions. "How was work today?" or "How is your family?" or "What is new with you this week?"
  

How about you? What are some things you have enjoyed as a guest?

Day Four - Review

• Take time today to review the lessons and Bible verse done this week, by looking at the ornaments on the tree.
• Practice a memory verse
• Sing a song (Suggested song - Have Patience)

Day Three - More Sin

Sharonroses.blogspot

Day Three - More Sin

Text: Genesis 4:1-16 (with discretion)

Key Verse:

"You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master."

Genesis 4:7

To think about:
Here blood was shed. Anger was let to lead to sin. Our world was getting wrose.

• Why do you think God responded to Cain the way He did?
• What could've Cain done differently?
• Is there any patching-up and forgiving you need to do?
• How does this show us the world needed a Savior?

Read these verses as well:

• Matthew 18:21-35

Rememberance

I want you to know you are never forgotten;

That the old, old days hid in my memory sweet

Are still a part of my life that I cherish -

Without them so much would be incomplete.

And you are mixed up with so much I remember,

Your name so often I utter in prayer;

Never forgotten, on earth or in heaven,

Always the child of God's tenderest care.

I want you to know you are never forgotten,

That my thoughts and my prayers are folding you round.

Rest in His promises, go where He send you,

Do what He bids you, faithful be found.

Look up and trust Him, a new year is dawning,

Stretch out your hand and take His today;

Bought by Him, loved by Him, never forgotten,

Hid in His heart forever and aye.

~ Anonymous

Day Two - First Sin

Image from: The City Review

Day Two - First Sin

Text: Genesis 3:1-19

Key Verse:

"Then the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:14,15

Symbol: Snake or fruit

To think about:

In a beautiful, perfect world, sin enters. Even from this very beginning, God loved us past the sin, and made a plan for us. Part of His plan was to send His Son.

• 
  
  Can you see where it talks about this in these verses?
  
• Where is it pointing to Jesus?
  
• 
  
  What does it say Jesus will do?
  

Read these verses as well:

• 
  
  John 1:1
  
• 
  
  Isaiah 59:1-3
  

Good Housekeeping

Day One - Creation

Today I picked out my tree. It is, of course, a balasam....since I think they smell the best. This one needs a little space in the branches (not too thick) so the ornaments can hang nicely! (The nice thing about a virtual tree, is I can pick out whatever ornaments I want!) I'm excited to begin! Below are this week's lessons, Tuesday thru Friday.

Day One - Creation

Text: Genesis 1

Key Verse:

"In the beginning, God created the heaves and the earth." Genesis 1:1

Symbol for our tree: Lights!

To think about:

     In the beginning, God made everything. It all started out dark, but with a word, God said, Let there be light, and there was LIGHT! God's first week of creation was beautiful! As we start this Christmas season, you will see all sorts of beautiful lights decorting the town and houses. When you see the pretty lights, stop and think about the beginning of time. Who was there? (God was) Who is with us nowadays? (God still is) And in the end, when the world is destroyed, who will be there? (God still will) God was, and is, and is to come. He is ALWAYS. The lights can remind us of this.

Read these verses as well:

• Revelation 1:8
• Hebrews 1:10-12
• John 1:1-5

A Story Tree...

It was about this time last year that I stumbled upon something called The Jesse Tree here on the internet. I hadn't heard of it before, and as I read different pages on it, I became intrigued. It seems like such a great teaching tool!

I liked:

• The emphasis on those verses predicting Jesus' coming & the Messiah (I don't study those much)
• The use of those verses during Christmas season
• A tree (I have always loved Christmas lights on a tree in the dusk....)

I didn't like:

• That it all led up to December 25th and then stopped. Jesus was not born on Dec 25th
• That it only led up to Jesus' birth

So, the more I thought about it, the more I thought I'd like to adapt it to my own use, and since have had a wonderful time researching and studying out my own series of lessons. I have never done a tree like this yet, but this year, thought it might be fun to have my own "Virtual Christmas Tree." Perhaps you could use some of the ideas I have as well....feel free!

Here are some notes:

1. There are 23 lessons. One for each day Mon-Fri of December. (skipping the weekends)
2. I want it to emphasize, that from the beginning, God had a master plan for us, that He carried out/is carrying out to this day!
3. It is formatted for a once a day devotional style activity
4. I am actually working now, on condensing the lessons to possibly use in my Sunday morning kid's class. (we'll see how that works)

So, starting tomorrow, I'd like to share with you, my Virtual Christmas Tree. :)

Narcissus

These are my narcisuss bulbs. I read that you can "force" them to bloom in December. With these bulbs, you also don't need to grow them in dirt, rocks work fine. You set the bulbs on the rocks, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the bulb (you don't want the bulb sitting directly in water, they will rot).

Of course, I didn't have rocks. But, I did have a big jar of marbles!

We'll see how it works. :)

For more information about forcing bulbs, check out these links:

• UMN Extension - Forcing Bulbs
• The Garden Helper
• The Saavy Gardener
• PDF Forcing Bulbs

Reasons to be Hospitable...

Last week, I found this great list of reasons to be hospitable! Check it out here. Here are some I particualrly like:

• The host can practically prove his love.
• He can get to know new people.
• He can learn about other cultures without traveling.
• He can learn to understand others better.
• He can build trust
• He can communicate important truths to his children.
• He can accustom his children to the idea of loving all people.
• He can break himself and others of prejudices.
• He can learn to share and do without.

I still remember the great lesson I learned last year when 2 young mormon men stopped by, offering Bible studies.

I was shocked when I learned that Mathew had invited them in, had served them water, and agreed for them to come again! I was extremely uncomfortable with the whole idea. But the next week, I too was home when they stopped by. I followed my husbands lead, and offered them a cool drink and even some cookies I had just made. They were surprised. But I also know they could read my un-comfortableness all over my face too. Mathew easily conversed with them, listening kindly, and also directing them to verses, almost causually, during the conversation. He invited them back again. (His wife was fairly speechless)

After they left, Mathew and I began to discuss the whole situation. I voiced my concern. He warned me of fear. I told him it was silly. He said all things are possible with God. I said I was uncomfortable. He responded that we are called to love everyone. I said I didn't know what else to say. He said to pray about it. What could I do?

I did spend lots of time praying about it. I started reading a bunch more books too. I learned that I could lean heavily on God, trusting him for the right, gracious attitude, and for Mathew to have the right words. I can't tell you what a huge impact this had on me.

The next meeting, since we were running off to an appointment, Mathew casually asked them over for supper instead. What?! Thankfully I didn't shout out during the conversation! ha Goodness, this was taking my trust factor to a whole new level! But they agreed and set up a time. Sooner than later, I was making Taco Hotdish and cake and answering the doorbell to two people I never would have thought to have over. We enjoyed the meal together, learned about their families and their lifestyle, learned that they liked to play games...basically, I learned they were normal humans too!

Week after week, we deepend our friendship with these two boys through supper and board games. And through that friendship, we had many many deep discussions, flurries of questions from both sides, and a trust and understanding was built that otherwise would never have occured. I learned to practically put into practice the belief that God created all men equal. That God loves every one. That I can rely firmly on God's word. That I can love others, who are very different than me, finding out, they are not so different after all.

A couple months ago, the 2 young men had to move away to another assignment. We haven't heard from them since. But it amazes me still, how often their names and faces pop into my memory, and I say a quick prayer, wherever they are, whatever they're doing, that God will seek them out. And that someday, we will see them again.

A Tough Quote

"It's easy to lip-synch in the chorus of life, but each of us will have to sing solo before God." Ken Boa (from Conformed to His Image)

Are you doing what you do or saying what you say or living your life the way you do all because of what

• Other Christians do/say
• Other friends do/say
• Family does/says
• Spouse does/says
• Church does/says

Or are you living in tune with what God/Bible says to do?

Indian Breakfast

I was wanting to try making this Indian breakfast for a long time, but had convinced myself that it takes too long to do on a weekeday....but then I always forgot about it on the weekends. So finally, I determined that I should just try....and see how long it really does take!

Palapam

This is a mixture that sits overnight:

• 2 cups rice flour
• 1 tsp yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• Paste (made with one tsp rice flour with boiling water)
• 2+ cups water to make a loose mixture

In the morning, you mix 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1 egg white, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt in to the mixture. You ladel a spoonful into a dipped pan, and cook for about 3 minutes, until golden brown. (I struggled with getting it brown).

You eat is with chicken curry. But....I didn't have any chicken curry....so we ate it with vegetable stew.

It was okay for a beginner try...but I need to work on it a little bit more! :)

Thanksgiving Proclamation

If you get a chance, please do read Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation 1863....it really is great. Here is my favorite part:

"No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.


It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart andThere observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore if, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union."



There are more presidential proclamations to read here: Pilgrim Hall
And if you're insterested in more Thanksgiving facts and history, this is a nice site: History

I tried it!

The other day I posted about some neat centerpiece and arrangement ideas. I was hoping to try at least some of them, and I have! (One.... so far....) Here is my first project:

I do really like how it turned out. I was actually NOT going to do Christmas colors, but with what I had to work with , that worked best. :)

Mom had given me a bunch of pine cones (some of which were spray painted gold) and ribbon. I hot glued five ribbons to the bottom of five pine cones. Then I simple gathered them up at the top and tied a ribbon around it to hold it together. On the back, I glued a wire loop, so that it can hang on a nail etc. And then to finish, I wrote WELCOME with my caligraphy pen on some cream paper and backed it with dark green cardstock, and then glued that on the front.

I like it alot, and I have plans to try a different bunch with smaller pine cones and cream ribbon. We'll see...

Things to think about

I am reading a book from a friend, Wisdom Tales from Around the World, by Heather Forest. And in it, are some fun proverbs. Here are a few I liked:

• It is better to turn back than to get lost. (From Russia)
• Talk does not cook rice. (China)
• When the kettle boils over, it overflows its own sides. (Yiddish)
• Mistrust is an ax at the tree of love. (Russia)
• Not all that si black is charcoal. (Philippines)
• He that goes barefoot must not plant thorns. (England)
• A crooked branch has a crooked shadow. (Japan)
• It is one thing to cackle and another to lay an egg. (Ecuador)
• One dog barks because it sees something; a hundred dogs bark because they heard the first dog bark. (China)

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

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.

Food notes

Hmmm, here are some musings. In my quest for simpler meal preparation (I tend to over book my meal prep, so if I have some simple steps, that's good), I have checked out a large stack of "Make it ahead" type cookbooks. (AND, I read them all of course). I also have been browsing ideas online, of freezer meals and food tips and of course some yummy-looking-recipes-that-are-way-too-time-comsuming just for fun! :)

But back to my concise point, here are two things I've liked so far:
1) Freezing garlic. Remember all those 99cent bags of produce I keep looking for? Well, last week I found one full of growing garlic. So, instead of letting it go to waste in my fridge, I used my (handy-dandy) food processor and minced it all up. Then, I spooned it into my ice cube trays to freeze it in Tbl portions, ready to just pop out and use! (Needless to say, don't be asking for ice cubes at my house for a while!)

2) Mini muffins. This was a fun one. I made mini corn-meal muffins, bite size portions really, ready to just unthaw and serve with warm honey with a meal or as a snack. I'm not sure why, but I think the bite-size thing is a whole lot of fun, verses regular size muffins. Go figure?! But it works for me!

Here is an interesting give-a-way

I'm not usually that interested in give-a-ways....just seems like the chances are pretty low. But this one looked too interesting to pass up. And since my recent experiments with apple chips, I thought it would be worth a shot.

Give-a-way from Keeper of the home:

9 tray dehydrator

Check it out here, and comment there if you'd like to take your chances too! :)

Another fall project

Fall apples are in season (well, practically out of season now), and it was wonderful! This year, a couple friends has extra apples, so we got some. :) I decided to try something new, and make Apple Chips out of them.

Tada! A success! I think they are a quite delicious snack! Here is how I made them:

1. Borrow my mom's dehydrator
2. Wash, quarter and core about 7 apples
3. Use my handy-dandy food proceessor to zip through slicing them. (took about 3-5 minutes! ha!)
4. Lay them on the dehydrator racks and sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture over top
5. Dehydrate about 4 hours or overnight (depending on how many apple slices I fit in)
6. Store in an airtight bag and EAT!

I highly recommend this to any one who likes apples! :)

Amazing colors

In the 3 block walk between my house and work, I have seen an amazing selection of colors! All these pictures were taken on the same day! (I just wish it was sunnier, so they would turn out better) I think God has a pretty good eye for color :) Check it out....

Above we have lime green and yellow.

Or perhaps you prefer brown and key lime?

More color to your liking? Here we have orange and mustard.

Or orange and red.

We could go for more of a peach combination...

Or spotted.

A springlike effect perhaps?

Maybe it's time to look at something other than orange......pink hues more your tone?

Or maybe autum and burgendy?

Or even some of that bright color mixed in with maroon?

Maybe you prefer earthy tones...

Camoflauge.

A splash of yellow...

Or red, if you so desire.

Cool colors of wintergreen more soothing?

Or maybe a rich red and brown combination?

Maybe red was too much, we can just soften that same look here.

Perhaps solid colors are more to your liking.

Or solid, but brighter?

It just amazed me at the combinations I found this year. I don't know if it's because of the strange summer and fall weather we had, that we get bi and tri colored foliage, but I love it! hope you do too!