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Trust, Food

I am reading The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. So often when I pray it is a burden because I am praying in the aura of evil forebodings and not in trust that EVERYTHING works together for good to those who love God.

I am consistently burdened for those in my life who are going through rough times, and I feel like if I am not there whenever they need me, that they won't be able to make it. I have the feeling of being the savior and I know that I am definitely in no way the one to deliver. Only the True Savior, Jesus, can do that. 

In both these areas, I need to be aware of His strength, the power of prayer (which I can go to any time, any where), and His all encompassing love for all creatures.

RECIPES FROM THIS WEEK:

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Strips

Cut chicken breasts into 3rds, coat with chili powder and garlic salt, wrap each strip in 1/2 to 1 strip of  bacon, lay chicken strips in casserole dish and cover with a light layer of brown sugar, bake at 350 - 400 until done, save drippings to make a soup

Taco Salad

1) Brown Ground Beef, half way through add a liberal amount of garlic salt/powder, chili powder, onion powder, cilantro flakes and some cumin (I like cumin but not too much), when done drain fat 2) slice onions and garlic and roast in olive oil in oven 3) cut up romaine hearts and tomatoes 4) serve with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream and salsa

Cowboy Coffee Cake ~ I love the name, it fits so well. This biscuit-like bread goes great with camp fire coffee on early morning cattle runs. My family devoured it!

MIX WELL:  2 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, 1/2 t. salt, 2 t. baking powder, 1/2 t. baking soda, 1 t. cinnamon, 1/2 t. nutmeg; ADD and MIX: 2/3 cup melted butter, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 eggs; POUR into 2 greased round cake pans and bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes. I plan to try this recipe with variations, like covering with Nutella and adding fruit to the mix

Home in Him

I was worshiping last night on my way home from visiting my little 5 year old kitty boy, Toby. I was listening to an old Cynthia Clawson CD. It was an awesome time of wailing my heart out. Two songs that really touched me were "Softly and Tenderly" and "I Heard About A Man." Both of these songs stress that Jesus is calling us to come home to Him and that he want to make His home with us.

My love of home, the safety, the comfortable-ness, the place where I can be completely true to who I am, this is the kind of life Jesus wants with us. He is crying from the portals for us to enter into a jolly and comfy, cozy relationship with Him ~ being in the freedom that we were originally made to live in.

He wants to have a deep conversation dinner with us over candlelight and wine. He wants to know our hearts and our struggles and to help us. His desire for us to not choose hurtful choices is not to control us but instead to free us to be hearty, healthy, and happy. 

Holiness is freedom. This is something that I have been thinking about a lot lately. Much deception has led us to believe that doing good is drab, boring. But, Jesus tells us to go and sin no more in order that we may regain our original power and Eden-joy that we were never meant to lose. Sin is the chains.

images from Pinterest

Home Life & Biscuits and Gravy

Home life has really been exciting me lately. Having my home smelling good for everyone who enters, whether it be a lemon candle, simmering cinnamon and nutmeg in water, or dinner cooking. I also try, no matter how discombobulated the home may be, to have sitting areas available and comfortable. I am not able to constantly have my home in pristine order. In fact, it is never in pristine order, but it is safe and snuggly ~ a haven. 

As I have been cooking out of my pantry the past couple of weeks, here is another have on hand dinner:

Biscuits, using Bisquick and water, Gravy - made with bacon grease about a 1/4 an inch in a skillet heated then mixed with flour enough to make it pasty, then add milk and heat until right consistency..it took enough milk to fill a big skillet completely full. Serve with Fried eggs. We had sausage on hand as well, but that is not a necessity.

Home, Homemaking and Quick Recipes from the Pantry

the Coziness of Colonial Homes

I am finally being able to settle back down and do some blogging. So, so much has been going on in our little corner of the world. We are remodeling our bathroom, some of our kitchen, and adding a walk way out front. This is so exciting for me, because it is in my own, married home - something I waited for 35 years for!!!  Our bathroom: multiple colors of gray in the tile accompanied by terracotta/blush paint on the walls and a white square sink. Our kitchen:  a new stainless steel sink with gray tile around it and a beautiful gray tiled backsplash. Pictures coming soon.

Another reason for the lack of blog posts, is that juggling four blogs has been too much and has taken away from my career. I am finally settled in the knowledge that  being a housewife is both a career and what my husband loves for me to do. I read a little snippet about how the home should be managed as a business and this gave me the dignity I needed to both be proud and take seriously the gentle art of homemaking and lovemaking. I will continue with Mrs. Wysiwyg, so stay tuned to this blog for updates on the Chandler's life.

I made two dinners this week that I wanted to share with you. We are trying to use up lots of our pantry food before we grocery shop again. These are things that I can always keep on hand and are great for impromptu dinner guests.  


1) Cream of Chicken Soup, add half cream/half water to make this rich and yummy with lots of garlic powder and some steak seasoning 2) Cheese Toast, 1/2 stick of butter on a cookie sheet in oven, lay 12 pieces of bread on the melted butter, broil til toasted, turn over, broil for a few seconds then sprinkle with grated cheese and melt under broiler.  3) Salad, I simply cut up romaine hearts and offer various dressings

1) Frito Pie, heat Wolf Brand Chili and serve over Fritos and top with grated cheese 2) Salad, I simply cut up romaine hearts and offer various dressings

Housewife as my Career

Been reveling in my home and my career as a happy housewife! Finally am feeling relieved, content, and guiltless in staying home and taking care of my family. Lots of energy lately! We are remolding our home, bit by bit. I have been cooking to my family's tummy's content. Scrubbing and tidying. Enjoying my husband. And, definitely being a cuddle mama to my kitties, who are endless in their need of daddy's and mama's presence.  

Food Pantry ~ my work

I've been given the right-up-my-alley position of librarian and food pantry organizer at my church. Yesterday was my first day. I was to do inventory on our food pantry items. It was easiest to do inventory by first organizing the food. So I made spots for these items:

Peanut Butter
Grape Jelly
Spaghetti Sauce
Spaghetti
Canned Tuna
Canned Chicken
Canned Soup
Ramen Noodles (Beef & Chicken flavored)
Rice
Pinto Beans
Canned Corn
Canned Green Beans
Mac and Cheese

I list these here because I think these are ideal for a package. I also want to add Chili (to have another meat item), Crackers (for people who don't have bread), Tuna & Chicken Lunch Kits, and those soups that are in their own bowl-like or mug-like container and just need boiling water poured over them. 

The items that could be given to truly homeless people, (those who don't have access to cook) are Tuna and Chicken Lunch Kits, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Crackers, Ramen Noodles, and the Soups that need only boiling water (I say these last 2 because if it just takes boiling water poured over, I am hopeful they could find access to that. Maybe even, the church could have heated water to share when they come get their food). 

Just ideas going on in my head. Anyone else had experience with a food pantry? I will say that it also gives me ideas for family living on survival level.

Linked at:
The Better Mom, Time Warp Wife, Growing Home, True Aim Education, We Are That Family, Women Living Well, lowercase letters, Passionate and Creative Homemaking, Consider the Lilies, Raising Homemakers 

image from here

Movie Club: Smart Cookies ~ Inspiration for My Work

I watched Smart Cookies on Hallmark last week and thought it was cute. I so often, when I see a movie that inspires me, want to jump in and do what they do. Ooooh, wouldn't it be fun to be a den mother in a girl scout troop?! I think. But, I am learning that I can't do everything that inspires me, but I can learn from everything and apply it to my life's work. 

I love my writing time. But things had gotten a little unbalanced in my life. I was not cooking and cleaning as much as I needed and it was wearing me down. The physical exertion in my home, although at times, overwhelming, is very rewarding as I work up a sweat, see the results, and hear the ooohs and ahhhs over yummy food!

So when I wake up in the mornings, I drink coffee while pinning, then I'm up, tidying, scrubbing and cooking. So much fun! I didn't realize how much I had missed my kitchen. I've condensed some of my networking time and I've personalized my writing more. 

Don't forget to Watch Jane Eyre on Ovation, Sept. 3 or 4!!!

image from here

Wordless Weekends with Mini Captions ~ Body Image

I have been on a diet and don't feel like I have lost hardly anything..I believe much of this is due to a medication I am and must be on..

having a husband who calls me "hot" is both a comfort & a shock, as before him, I thought the only thing I could possibly squeeze out of people was them calling me "cute"

and here is the perfect new doll for little girls!!!

Writing and the Call of Jesus to Bonnie

Writing..I watched The J.K. Rowling story on Lifetime the other day and was driven so deeply to write by both her struggle at survival and the satisfaction of her heart through writing. 

Writing terrifies me at times, so much so that I feel paralyzed and unable to think of anything to write about. But I have found that if I can summon one interesting thought in my mind and get a couple of sentences scratched out, then I am on a roll and it flows. 

Inspired to write cat-based chapter books for kids, I am about to start reading The Wind in the Willows and the Beatrix Potter books.

My life seems to be going from being streamlined to being stripped down so that I have time for my writing and my imagination. So often I will read a book or see a movie and want to jump in and do exactly what the characters or author was accomplishing in their story. I can't seem to just appreciate their story; I want to experience what they experienced. 

This unsettling is what deters me from my own personal calling of taking care of my husband, feeding my family & friends, writing, & managing the library and food pantry at my church. 

The call of Jesus to Bonnie is where my focus should be: no, it is not constantly trying to be like other heroic people..it is living my small life with value!

Linked at The Wellspring

image from here

Movie Club: How to Fall in Love..guest post from my husband

Check out my husband's other guest posts here & here

Movie Club: How to Fall in Love

Hi gang, this is Commodore: Mrs. Wysiwyg's husband and I want to take a minute talking about the movie How to Fall in Love and my reflections on it. For those of you who don't know, I'm about 8 years older that my lovely bride and 10 years advanced in school - mainly because I started early and then skipped a grade. As such, I grew up in the 70's and graduated in the early to mid 80's and had a completely different perspective of school. And on top of that, I -W-A-S- the nerd that everyone gawked at... well, those first couple years anyway.

When I was watching it, I was reminded of my own heartaches in high school. As Kurt Evans' character went thru his issues with Brooke D'Orsay's high school rejection, it reminded me of how many times I too felt that pang. Ok, I admit it: I had a thing for readheads and that one factor often led to disaster. But let's be honest here, and I want a show of hands, we all know that women can be difficult when they want to be, but there is something about a natural ginger that can escalate that difficulty into the stratosphere. Being a sandy-brown out of a family of red-locks, I truly believed that if ever there was someone in this world who could manage the circumstances of dating a red-haired little girl, it would be me. Yea, right... Heartbreak City. Don't get me wrong, they weren't mean or cruel about the rejections, just rejectful. And when you're 14, 15, 16 years old, that hurts a lot. Added to that, I was a chubby kid who was not good at sports and a brainiac that put most of my peers into the "help-me-with-my-homework-but-nothing-else-because-you're-so-smart-you-scare-me" mode. Either that or them using me as their own personal counselor as they talked about how their boyfriends treated them badly. So dates usually meant either books or boring. And like the young Kurt's character, I too went to the dances. Ugh! Don't even get em started on the full-scale level of rejection there!

But then one day, a friend/girl named Jackie said she wanted to help me. This shy little angel who was a great friend but nothing like I thought I wanted, was my age, in the grade below me, and was wanting to teach me how to relax around girls.  In exchange, she wanted me to be her chauffeur for the various things she did, like getting to her job at Sonic drive-in. She said that part of my problem was how I acted (tense) and that I tried too hard to be nice. She then started helping me to understand how I felt and reacted versus what was actually going on. She was my real-life dating coach, as it were, who did the kissing bit and all, just like the show. We told everyone that we were not a couple and spent the next crazy six months lying to everyone and especially, ourselves. Then, with only a couple days notice, she had to move away. In her absence, I realized just what she meant to me even if it was too late.

I saw her again a few years later... at her wedding! She had moved away only to fall in love with another guy. Was that a hard thing to sit through? Yeah, it was hard for me. But after the ceremony when she was introducing me to her new love, she did so by saying that I was the guy who taught her was real love was and what it meant to be loved. In an instant, I was humbled in my spirit by her and simultaneously being crushed by a hug from him. When I walked away from that church, I had a whole new perspective on life, love, and living.

It took many years and many more heartaches before I finally found my beloved wife, but I am still grateful to Jackie for her care and friendship. Would my story have made as good a movie? I highly doubt it because I think their version was much better, but I do feel my "dating coach" story means more to me.

And now I'm thankful for this cute movie and those who helped make it for reminding me of such a wonderful set of memories.

Linked at The Better Mom, Time Warp Wife, Growing Home, True Aim Education, We Are That Family, Women Living Well, lowercase letters, Passionate and Creative Homemaking, Consider the Lilies, Raising Homemakers 

Wordless Weekends with Mini Captions: Scenes from the movie It's Complicated

I just loved the couple time this scene evoked..thought fancies of the hot tub we want to put out on our back porch..to soak in, eat ice cream and gab to our hearts content..

And the girl time of hysterical laughing while they slurp down a bottle of wine..I had my first 2 glasses, in several months, of Chardonnay last night..really, really enjoyed the taste and how it slowed my racing mind down..

Tea Parties!!!

I did a wordless weekend post on tea rituals around the world. I just have to expand word-wise on this. Two books that stand out to me, probably for reasons they were never meant to, is Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. In both of these books the utter coziness of their tea times grabbed my heart and tummy. 

Oh the piping tea and the brunch-type goodies. Reminds me of a Norwegian breakfast I had at a friend's years ago. She served buttered whole grain toast, raspberry jam, sliced hard-boiled eggs, cheese, and fruit all with strawberry tea.The slight preparation and the simple deliciousness of these type foods makes me want to invite people over for tea and cards. Oh, the sweet heavens on earth!!!

Linked at The Better Mom, Time Warp Wife, Growing Home, True Aim Education, We Are That Family, Women Living Well, lowercase letters, Passionate and Creative Homemaking, Consider the Lilies, Raising Homemakers

image from here

Movie Club: The Music Teacher Review & NEW MOVIES!!!

Ok, so I watched The Music Teacher last night, and it did keep me entertained, but I must say, I was hoping for something as spectacular as Mr. Holland's Opus. This was akin to High School Musical and had all that drama, but the performers were grown adults..just didn't draw me in.

Ok, on to our next movies..just remember to check the channels for movie times in your own time zone..

I have considered being a brownie or girl scout leader and am excited to see Smart Cookies on Hallmark.

August 18

09:00 PM
11:00 PM

August 19

01:00 PM
09:00 PM

August 25

05:00 PM

If you ever get the chance to listen to the soundtrack to Jane Eyre, the Musical, lyrics by composer-lyricist Paul Gordon and book by John Caird, I think you will be impressed. I love it!!! The version of Jane Eyre we will be watching is on Ovation. I caught the tail end of it a few weeks ago and have been anxious for it to show again!!!

August 15

01:30PM

September 3
11:00

September 4

03:30PM

Grab some popcorn and a soda and join us!!!

Wordless Weekend ~ Tea Rituals around the World

Refining My Days

Forebear with me again, dear readers, as I once again share the ongoing schedule refinement for my days.

#1 Daily with Timing:

~ Up, Coffee, Write Daily Intention on facebook
~ Writing Book Half-Hour
~ Daily Home Tidy Half-Hour (idea caught from The Fly Lady's Weekly Home Blessing Hour)
~ Cook (M, Th, F), Simple Tuesdays, and Soup & Sandwich Sundays
~ Shower &  Pray
~ Weekly Projects: (Post: M, W, F) (Kids: Tu, Th) (Friends: W, F) (Linky Parties: Th) (Follow/Comment Sa, Su) (Catchup: Tu) & Write Counting Gifts on facebook
~ During Convo or TV - Body Stretches or Hand Work Scripture Pictures
~ Hubby Massage
~ Write End of Day Review on facebook
~ Before Bed Reading (Bible & Books)

#2 My New Office & My Bed

I have a favorite chair in the living room that is close to the television and helps me block out stuff around me and focus on movies, shows. I have decided to bring my laptop into my living room in the mornings for writing & coffee and during the afternoons that I blog or network. During my laptop time, I pop in a movie (a warm & cozy one that I know well and don't have to follow too intently to keep up) to keep me company.

Using my bed primarily for time cuddling with my husband, for reading, and sleeping will help, I think, provide more of a restful atmosphere in our bedroom. 

Linked at The Better Mom, Time Warp Wife, Growing Home, True Aim Education, We Are That Family, Women Living Well, lowercase letters, Passionate and Creative Homemaking

image from here

My Holster (fanny pack) & Gun (the glue kind)

This is just a silly, fun little post about 2 things that make my life function easier. 

I told my husband a few weeks ago that I needed a fanny pack as I always am concerned about someone taking my purse when I set it in the basket at the grocery store. Somehow, having a purse on my shoulder gets in the way or is always slipping off my shoulder. So, my sweetheart searched the internet and ordered me a nice one. Can I just say how great it is to lasso it around my waist and carry the essentials in it: I have my phone, my camera, pens, sticky notes, monetary & legal needs, toiletries, & my keys hooked on the side. Everything has a place & therefore it stays organized all the time. And to access it, I just unzip at my waist and everything is right there. For times when I want to carry it like a purse, i.e. when I am on a date with my hubby or going to church (something more dressy), I just carry in like a purse on my shoulder. 

I love glue guns. One of my goals is to always have something for my hands to do, say when I am watching a movie or visiting with a friend. Something that I can do and still focus on the convo or show. What I really want to do is make Scripture Pictures, using cut out pics from magazines & picture books bought at the thrift store, pieces of nature, fabric, paper, and printed out in a cool font, Bible verses. My glue gun in the perfect way to attach all these pieces to construction paper and then attach it the construction paper to cardstock or card board.

image from here

Movie Club, Nell

Reminiscent of  Mowgli & Tarzan is Nell. This movie was so cool. In her simplicity, she sways like a tree in the wind, taking on the characteristics of the nature around her. She stays clean through swims in the lake. And as the therapists observe and try and help her relate to the real world, she in full wisdom helps to bring out authenticity & true emotions in them ~ these well-schooled individuals..


Join me next Saturday or Sunday to watch The Music Teacher on Hallmark..

image from here

Careless & Callous

My daughter Kaylin is 21 and has moved out of our home and into a situation that does not seem for her best. I think about the way she was when she lived here which frustrated me so much at times, because she pretty much camped out and watched TV or was online for the majority of her days. But, I have to admit that I hold her up as an example to myself, not because I support her being lazy, but because I pretty much have to force myself to feel okay about relaxing, having an almost careless & callous attitude towards what I feel other people are trying to demand of me (and I say "what I feel" because I know some of these demands are just in my head). My Lord & my husband alone are my authorities. Doing unto others what I would like done to me are my marching orders. I have to balance this, though, not allowing guilt over unreasonable expectations of those I don't answer to.

linked at  The Better Mom, Time Warp Wife, Growing Home, True Aim Education, We Are That Family, Women Living Well, lowercase letters


image from here

Healthy Dieting & Holiday Baking

Ever since I met my husband, I have been gaining weight..and for a good cause, because me being plump is a result of my happiness. Yet, another reason is because I am on a medication that has a side effect of weight gain. Therefore, knowing that I am healthier because of joy than I have ever been, but wanting to shed some weight, I am cutting down on carbs and processed sugar. Meats, cheese, nuts & nut butter, and fruit are my main foods. I drink tea with lemon and sweet & low as my main beverage. The main difference is not eating breads (although I allow low calorie saltine crackers), pastas, rice, potatoes, and desserts.


I am glad because so often when I diet, I go to the extreme and can't stick to it. But I have been faithful for a week and a half so far. And this diet is a lifestyle change I want to continue.

I have decided to allow 2 weeks at Christmas time, 1 week at Valentines, and 1 week at Easter to go all out in baking and cooking savory and sweet treats and let myself indulge during these 4 weeks each year. Otherwise, I plan to stay on my low-carb diet.

image from here