Wearing skirts and keeping warm....is it possible??

If you enjoy wearing skirts but don't like to be cold, then you and I are in the same boat! I wear skirts about 80% of the time in the summer, but in the cold months not as much.... till now!! (I am a modest dresser, but not skirt only... I have a lot of respect for anyone that chooses to be skirts only. I do not wear shorts but do wear capris and do have some favorite jeans.) Over the weekend my hubby purchased a pair of terramar thermal pants for me to wear deer hunting (and for skirt wearing). I have one thing to say after wearing them all day yesterday (I did have to go outside on several occasions and it was WINDY and COLD).... WARM!! WARM!! In fact, warmer than if I had on my favorite pair of jeans!!! Amazing! It is a two layered pant... the inner layer is fleece and the outer layer is made to be a wind barrier! It works!!!!!! I know I will stay warmer while deer hunting and now I can wear my favorite long skirts all winter without freezing every time I step outside. The fit is great and look like tights... they don't look like long jons!

Walmart also carries a wide selections of "leggings" now that leggings are back in fashion. I have NO intention of wearing them as fashion dictates, but they will work great under my long skirts. I picked up a black pair and a ribbed brown pair for $7. These won't be as warm as the terramar ones, but they will work for days I am mostly inside. Being cold is torture in my book.... anything to stay warm!

How do you deal with skirts in the cold weather?? Also, what kinds of shoes do you wear with your skirts in the winter.... summer is easy: sandals... but winter is still a bit confusing to me!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Winter Comfort Food

Soups and stews simmering on the wood stove to serve for supper is a common thing here in these COLD months. Soups and stews are comforting and warm up our middles! Serving bread with a bowl of soup is always welcomed. We had this quick oatmeal bread with our vegetable beef soup (fast track meat from "Efficient Cooking") for supper tonight. It was VERY easy and was gobbled up. In fact I mixed up the dry ingredients in the morning so all I had to do this afternoon was add the remaining ingredients and pour the batter into the pan! SIMPLE!!! The dry ingredients could also be prepared ahead of time and packaged up for using later.....(this is a plan of mine for some Christmas baskets I am putting together). Having a few of these "mixes" ready in the pantry would make this a snap to prepare for any meal.

Quick (no yeast) Oatmeal Bread
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup molasses, honey or brown sugar
2 T oil
1 2/3 cup buttermilk or sour milk (to make sour milk put 1 TBL lemon juice or vinegar in measuring cup and then add milk to measure 1 2/3 cup)

Directions:
Mix together the dry ingredients. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pour batter into a well greased 9x5" loaf pan. Let stand for 20 minutes and then bake for 60 minutes at 325 degrees. Remove from pan while still hot. ENJOY!

We have been having unseasonably COLD weather..... I just don't want to admit winter is really here. I guess the sooner I face it the sooner we can get back to summer! LOL!! One good thing about winter is all the baking.... warms up the house and makes it smell so good.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Itlaian Flat Bread

Need an EASY bread to accompany your meal?? Give this SIMPLE one a try. We love it cut in strips like bread sticks and then dipped in cheese sauce.

Italian Flat Bread
Ingredients:
2 cups baking mix (like bisquick)
1/2 cup hot water
2 TBL margarine, melted
1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
parsley flakes
garlic powder to taste (optional)

Directions:
1) Mix together the baking mix and hot water until a stiff dough forms. Let stand 10 minutes (rest) Then either kneed by hand on a floured surface 60 times or kneed in a mixer for 1 minute.
2) Pat dough into an un-greased cookie sheet. Spread melted butter on dough. Mix remaining ingredients together and sprinkle on top. (I often just sprinkle on parsley flakes and garlic powder)
3) Bake 10-12 minutes at 450 degrees or until edges are light golden brown. Cut with a pizza cutter and serve. Refrigerate any left overs (if you used cheese). ENJOY!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

"Whatever happened to the family supper??"

As you may know, I have a passion for supper time! As our Children grow older and and are involved in extra curricular activities making supper time a priority has taken more determination, but is worth it! Read this great article here on Christian Woman.

For help to make supper time easier, visit my website: www.simplefamilysupper.com
Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

search your way to earn some gift cards

Want to earn some free gift cards by doing your normal searching online??
I just signed up... every little bit counts!

You can also earn more points (that means more gift cards to places like Amazon and Starbucks) by referring others.
What are you waiting for.... They don't ask for a credit card or your address, just your name and email! EASY!! Click HERE to check it out.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Updates and Efficient Cooking....

Updates.... The parenting class I teach twice a month went GREAT! We had a wonderful discussion about building positives into our children's lives. We have had good attendance and new parents. I feel "in my element" when I am teaching. My husband and I had a good talk on Friday evening.... I really LOVED my part time job running the parent education program for pregnant high risk women and teens. I also really LOVE teaching the parenting class for the pregnancy center. I was complaining that I can't make any money doing those things that I love (and believe God has gifted me it). I admit I was feeling down... My husband gently reminded me that it isn't all about money and that making a difference is more important than any amount of money... he also reminded me to have an ETERNITY focus, not looking at the "money reward" we want to earn on earth. GOOD REMINDER! Here I am reading books on being Eternity minded and I slip into a "feel sorry for myself" attitude, because I am not able to earn money doing what I love to do... teach (Isn't that just how it is... we are growing in the knowledge of God and the enemy comes with an attack....) I am glad that God gave me a wise husband that loves me through a "feel sorry for me" session, but brings me out re-focused on what really matters... Serving God and others with our strengths and talents. God has me where I am supposed to be... at home nurturing up our children and tending to the home. I can serve others on a volunteer basis just like I have been doing. My skills are not being "wasted", but rather strengthened and developed as I use them teaching my children and managing our home.

Ok... On to "EFFICIENT COOKING" (Which is a skill God has helped me develop as I strive to become a wise manager of our home). I have posted about how I brown ground meat in an effient way to save time and mess. Over the weekend I cooked a large roast (along with potatoes) in the crock pot. EASY and yummy. After we ate our dinner we had plenty of roast left for me to shred and freeze for using later. When I use it later I call it "FAST TRACK" cooking. I will use it in something like vegetable beef soup, beef and noodles or bbq. It is wonderful knowing it is in the freezer so it makes for a FAST supper. Who needs frozen chicken nuggets, corn dogs or other frozen (expensive and unhealthy) meals in the freezer when you have "Fast Track" meat ready and waiting. With "Fast Track" browned ground meat I can have Tacos on the table in 10 minutes... can't bake a froze pizza that fast! Using "Efficient and Fast Track" cooking has saved me so much time, money and junk in our bodies! I teach this process and use "Efficient and Fast track" cooking in the menus I plan for Simple Family Supper. (Simple Family Supper does use my love of teaching and my love of cooking and I do earn money from it.. I have a lot to be thankful for!) Save Time, save mess, save money! Give this roast recipe a try:

EASY crock pot Roast
1 large roast.. BEEF, PORK or VENISON (size depends on how much you want to freeze for later) (I usually cook a 3-4 lb roast)
1 pkt dry Italian salad dressing mix
3/4 cup water

Put the meat in the crock pot (you can also arrange carrots and potatoes around the meat). Mix together the seasoning mix and water, pour on top of roast. Cover and cook on LOW 8-12 hours or on HIGH 5-7 hours until meat is tender. (when I make it this way the meat is so tender it just falls apart... YUMMY!)
Shred and freeze remaining meat in labeled freezer bags! ENJOY!

A friend of mine emailed me for an easy roast recipe.. I gave her this one and another one... she said it was EASY and they loved it. Have a great day!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Building Positives!

Twice a month I facilitate a parenting program for a local Pregnancy Center. In my "old life" I ran a pregnancy/parenting program for at risk women and teens. I LOVED my job, I enjoy teaching and encouraging. God brought me home (5 years ago) to focus on my family and I have learned to LOVE my job here with my family. However, I have the opportunity to serve with this parenting class. Tonight we are going to be talking about how powerful "labels" are... how destructive negative ones can be and how empowering positive ones can be. We can ALL remember a negative remark made about us... it hits hard and sticks deep. Hopefully you can also remember a time someone said something positive about you... it builds you up and encourages you to do it again.

Parents attending the parenting class have the opportunity to do "home work" to earn more baby bucks" to spend at the Pregnancy Center's store (diapers, clothes, equipment, etc). The following is the worksheet I created to use with the group tonight. I have also printed off four copies to use myself... I am going to fill one out for each of my children and give it to them... something to hold on to and read about the positives I believe for them! I need to be reminded of this as much as the next parent... our words hold so much power... for good or bad! (I apologize for the font size.. for some reason it is showing up SO BIG! It isn't this big on the worksheet.)

Building Positives into our Children!

Human nature naturally falls to the negative, it takes an act of will to focus on the positive. Positives BUILD, Negatives TEAR DOW!! Choose to BUILD up with POSITIVES!

In the boxes below fill out at least THREE positive things you want for your child (or positive character traits you want for your child) in each of the following areas. Focusing on the positives will overcome the negatives. Don’t label a child with a negative trait or it will stick and tear them down…. Build your child up with positive comments/ labels and it will build them up!

Growth and Development: (example: enjoys learning new things)	Sleep: (example: has a schedule)	Health and Nutrition: (example: tries new foods)	Behavior: (example: shares toys)
Faith/Belief in God: (Example: Believe in God)	Friendships: (Example: is kind)	School/learning: (Example: Desires to learn)	Interests/Hobbies: (example: loves to read)
Work Ethic: (Example: picks up toys)	Attitude: (example: cheerful)	Personality: (example: smiles a lot)	Long Term Future: (example: complete schooling)

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

I will admit that Christmas has never been a favorite of mine... don't get me wrong, I am in awe, reverence and am eternally grateful for our Savior.... I just find all the expectations and work of modern Christmas to be exhausting. It never seems like enough... we are constantly bombarded with the "stuff" of Christmas. From the perfect tree, the gifts, the parties, the cards, the decorations, on and on... it is stressful! NOT this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am glad that ValleyGirl is hosting this! Thank you, Tammi!

This year is going to be a SIMPLE celebration of our Savior... for without him I would be eternally lost! Because of HIS grace, I have an eternity in heaven to look forward to! I am in awe of HIS love for me and I want this to be expressed in Christmas.

We are going simple: home made gifts from the heart, simple things I have picked up throughout the year and time spent together, making memories not stress! Letting go of perfection and enjoying each moment for what it is, not some preconceived notion of what it was supposed to be like. How often does that happen?? Measure a moment by some ideal in my head for what it was supposed to be like...... rather than celebrate and enjoy life for what it is? Setting myself up for disappointment with unrealistic expectations????

Yesterday I put together this year's Christmas Control Binder (Flylady has one ready for you to print off). Flylady also has wonderful ideas for clutter free gifts. Having a Christmas control binder is something I started doing 3 years ago... it REALY helps!!! Knowledge is power and knowing what I am going to do is half the battle. Also, having the spending plan down on paper is great. I now have the plan.... what I am making/giving to each one on our list. Keeping things simple and doing something each day so that it isn't a last minute rush.

I already have many gifts that I have collected through the year as I have found them. Today I am going to pick up wraping paper and wrap up some gifts. Wrapping is something that I used to wait till last minute to do.... the past couple of years I would start wrapping EARLY and it was a HUGE stress reducer. Usually I buy wrapping paper after Christmas when it is marked down... I don't know why, but for some reason I didn't pick any up last year... boy am I going to hate paying full price!

In all honesty, it is a heart issue. Today, in this moment, I am choosing to be simple! Choosing to be content and not longing for the preconceived perfect! Enjoying this season, building memories, focusing on the Grace we have been given by accepting Jesus as our Savior! Having an eternity perspective!! Blessing others in a way that builds up the kingdom of God, not just falling prey to the worlds way of Christmas. Enjoying and yet being sepparate... From Presents to Presence!!!!


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Choosing Simplicity... homemade Christmas

Sewing nightgowns! My daughter (pictured) and my niece are going to get matching night gowns for Christmas. I am also going to make matching night gowns for their dolls. It will be an ultra frugal project as well because I am using a king size flannel sheet set I got at a yard sale for $3 to make it all!!! (They are SO soft, and in perfect condition!)

I spent yesterday afternoon learning how to make a basic peasant top and then I expanded the length to make this (pictured) night gown for my daughter. I made it out of a sheet I had picked up at goodwill. It turned out great for my first one! If you have any sewing skills (and let me reassure you, mine are not much) you can do this. I used this tutorial, but DON'T cut out anything for the neck... only cut out for the arms! I made that mistake with my practice shirt.

I got my inspiration for this from Eyes of Wonder. If you have never visited her blog you are in for a treat!!!

For more wonderful homemade Christmas ideas visit Proverbs 31 Living and ValleyGirl.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Choosing Simplicity with "Thanksmas"

"Thanksmas"??
My wise Grandmother (pictured here with my sister) created a family tradition MANY years ago... Choosing Simplicity means you do what works for the family. (Click here to see the "tour Tuesday" post I did about her for her 84th birthday) She (and Grandpa when he was living) travel to Texas for the winter. She hated missing Thanksgiving and Christmas so she combined the two and we celebrate the first Saturday in November. Thanksgiving food and Christmas gifts. She decorates the tables for Thanksgiving, but always has some Christmas deco out, too! This year my Aunt brought a little silver tree with lights (from Hallmark).
If anyone left hungry it was there own fault! There was enough food for an army! Grandma has always been a wonderful cook!

We had a wonderful day at her Condo yesterday.... It was COLD out so they parked her car outside and set up the garage for a place for the kids to play... they had a blast!

In the other picture you can see my Grandmother looking on with a smile as some of her Great-Grands open her gifts. (left to right: my Ethan, my sister's Kenna, my Robyn and my sister's Wyatt)

So, Happy Thanksmas!!!
Choosing Simplicity means celebrating in a way that works for your family, not in the way "everyone" does!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Choosing simplicity.... cloth pull ups!

Potty training and pull-ups seem to go hand in hand... but they cost a fortune! It seemed that my youngest two had day time down about 6 months before they were consistently dry over night. I hated using disposable pull ups so I ordered some cloth ones from my friend, Brook. Brook is an excellent seamstress and sews cloth diapers and other baby things for her 5 children and as a home based business. Her quality is excellent and her prices are reasonable! Using the cloth pull ups at night meant that I NEVER had to buy disposable again. They were easy to use, easy to wash. I more than made up the cost of the cloth diapers and saved the landfills from another stash of pull-ups! Choosing Simplicity meant no more disposables and meant supporting mom owned home business.
For other frugal Friday ideas, please visit Biblical Womanhood.


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Choosing Simplicity... enjoying a busy day!

Do you see that sign??? Wow, do I LOVE that!!! I took that picture yesterday afternoon. I had filled up earlier for $2.16 and could fill up the van for $30!! YEAH!

"The Boys" (our youngest two) and I had a busy day.... Nate had to have a filling at the dentist at 8:30 and then they each had 30 minutes of speech from 10:30-11:30. Nate did GREAT at the dentist and we went to the park and PLAYED till time for speech.

It was a beautiful day and I knew that a front was going to move in later in the afternoon, so we spent some more time playing in the leaves after speech! FUN!!

Nate and Ethan LOVE to climb trees. They are such great friends for each other. God has blessed us with a family full of "friends".
We have told our children that they are each others "Best Friends" from the moment of birth. My sister and I are best friends and I pray that my children are able to have such life long friendships!

The last picture in the leaves before we headed for the grocery store.

Choosing Simplicity means enjoying the moment. ENJOYING, soaking it up!
We soaked up the sunshine and the WARM temperatures.... today it is much cooler and wet outside.



Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Choosing simplicity... one moment at time!

One Moment at at time! Living IN each moment and being sure of what I am doing. Focusing on the task and moment at hand. Choosing what I am doing for a purpose. For example: Fixing supper because I want to provide my family with good nutrition and family time around the table. Another example is taking time to just SIT in the quiet and just BE... to "gather my thoughts" as Grandma on the Walton's says. Being purposeful about what I am doing and focusing on the moment... the task at hand, not living in the NEXT moment or hour or day! Choosing Simplicity!

Taking the time to nurture and develop friendships. Slowing down life enough to ENJOY a relaxed visit with a friend. I am reminded of all the time Jesus spent WITH people, in fellowship with others. Today I was blessed to have my friend, Brook, and her children come over for a visit. Brook has been such a long term blessing in my life. We have very different personalities and strengths and I think that is one thing that makes our friendship strong... we bring different things to the table. We also have some other very important commonalities: we both love Jesus, love our families, and are both striving for a simple "old- fashioned" life. She is an excellent seamstress and makes HIGH quality cloth diapers, slings and other baby things! We used "cloth pull-ups" she made with our last two during potty training. If I could do it all over again I would cloth diaper my children. I didn't because I was able to get diapers virtually free through my sister. Visiting with her always is an encouragement to me.... isn't that why God encourages us to choose our company wisely?? We build one another up!

Today I made Depression Era Spice cake. This recipe was very popular during the depression years because it does not require eggs or milk! Brook and I enjoyed it with a cup of decaf hazelnut coffee and my husband enjoyed a piece, with whipped cream on top, when he got home from work. I have potatoes cooked to "barely tender" ready to be fried up for hash for supper. I have some "fast track" pork in the freezer from when I cooked a pork roast a few weeks ago. I will add that to the meat.... I fry it all up in just a little canola oil. I don't make this very often, but it is one of the family favorites... Here is the recipe for the spice cake:

Depression Era Spice Cake
Ingredients:
2 cups packed brown sugar
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp nutmeg
2 cups water
1/3 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla
2 TBL white vinegar

Direcctions:
Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl combine the water, oil, vanilla and vinegar. Mix the water mixture into the dry ingredients. Bake in a greased 9x13 baking pan @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean. ENJOY!

Well, I am off to enjoy the WARM weather this afternoon. We have had temps in the 7o's the last couple of days, but we have to enjoy it... the weekend highs are in the mid 40's! I am going to wash and clean out our "spare" car and put it up for sale... it would go a long way to paying for the braces our oldest is getting in 2 weeks.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

ONE, does count!!!
As seen on Biblical Womanhood
Please exercise your right, your privilege!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Its my fall tradition.....

Every Fall I have taken pictures of my kids in the leaves. It has become a fun childhood tradition in our family. Here are the pictures from this year. It hasn't been the most beautiful fall... to warm and dry (you won't hear me complaining about the warmth)! The past few days we have had highs in the the 60s! Yeah!

Above is Ethan (5 1/2), below is Robyn (9 1/2).

Now below, for our oldest, Wesley. He turned 11 in June and is already 5ft 4 in... taking after his DAD! (Chris is 6ft, 6in)

Now for my baby, Nate... FOUR years old! Where does the time go??!! He had a lot of fun this year taking pictures.. he can be such the ham!

Fall pictures is my favorite fall tradition.... Thanksgiving food is my second favorite. I know that these years of pictures will be favorites of ours to look back on. Plus I can only imagine how much money I have saved over the years taking these pictures. My youngest has NEVER even been to a photo studio... (Thanks, Chris, for the great camera!)

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather