Thankful Cards

November 20th, 2012

thankful-card

Why not write thankful cards to each member of your family this year, and hand them out at the Thanksgiving table? You can tell each person what you enjoy about them and why you are thankful for having them in your life.

My kids created some thankful cards by gluing pieces of textured paper, scrapbook paper or cloth onto a folded piece of card stock paper. Make sure you have envelopes that fit the card size. For me, it was easy to cut a card stock paper in half, creating two cards with each piece of paper. This fits the bulk envelopes I bought years ago for regular-sized cards. Then we arranged different shapes on the card. Make sure the colors go together—I used autumn-colored paper and cloth samples. We glued them to the card with white school glue.

thankfulness-card

For family members not coming for Thanksgiving, you can put the cards in the mailbox. Imagine the surprise people will get when they open the card to find how precious they are to you, and why they are important in your life. It reminds me of those old Hallmark greeting card ads on television, you know, the tear-jerker ones that made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Yes, those…

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Posted in Fun Autumn Activities | 4 Comments »

10 Fun Facts About Myself

November 18th, 2012

My new bloggy friends were asking me to list 10 fun facts about myself, to get to know me before we meet at a cafe in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait to meet these godly women who love blogging as much as I do. Okay, here goes:

  1. I grew up as a missionary kid in Guatemala.
  2. I lived in England for 3 years as an adult (one year as an exchange student, two years as a teacher).
  3. God has healed me from a brutal rape, although it affected my marriage for years.
  4. I’m married to the most patient man on the face of the earth, and I am truly one with him.
  5. I have a passion to see godly marriages. My husband and I have done a couple of marriage webinars online, and we went through training to be biblical counselors.
  6. The reason I started my website is that our family was about to go bankrupt. I have a homeschool business based on hands-on learning, and I enjoy speaking at homeschool conferences.
  7. I have about 100 costumes at my house which I collected for $1-$5 at yard sales over the years. I started the collection before I was married. (I was the drama director at the school in London.) My pirate costume in my profile picture was $5 for the complete outfit.
  8. I sometimes get in trouble for speaking the truth.
  9. People think I’m funny, but I got my sense of humor from my husband. He makes me laugh, even in the middle of horrendous sorrow.
  10. I don’t want my life to be wasted. I want my children to follow the Lord. I want to bring glory to God with every breath I take.

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Extend Grace in Strained Relationships

November 16th, 2012

If you have strained relationships with people in your extended family, I challenge you to extend grace to them. Forgive the wrongs they’ve done. Reach upward and ask God for the strength to show genuine love to that person. I know it’s impossible. But with God all things are possible. Open your heart God-wards, and God will love that person through you.

I have deep, beautiful relationships with people today that a decade ago I could have never imagined being close to. God is the great Healer. God changed the way I reacted to the person that I felt wounded by. As a result of my changed countenance, the other person saw God’s grace in my life, and God was glorified through me. Healing happened.

Our lives on this earth are too short to be fighting with people we’re supposed to love. If you only had three days to live, would you still fight? This life is like a vapor; it really is a metaphorical three days. Who cares if the other person is wrong? Give up your rights. Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Even though I don’t normally like western music, I love this song because it encourages us to forgive freely and live life to its fullest. No, you don’t have to go sky diving, but I see that as a metaphor for taking a risk to love the way God has commanded us to love.

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Turkey and Rice Casserole

November 15th, 2012

what-to-do-with-leftover-turkey

Do any of us know what to do with leftover turkey the day after Thanksgiving? This yummy turkey and rice casserole is hands-down the best recipe that uses up some of the extra turkey. This recipe was given to me by my best friend’s mom. The crunch of the celery, Corn Flakes, and almond slivers juxtaposes against the soft boiled egg, chicken, and rice. Miracle Whip and lemon juice add additional depth of flavor. This will be the best turkey and rice casserole you will ever taste.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chopped cooked turkey
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 3/4 cup Miracle Whip (mayonnaise would probably work)
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup rice cooked in 2 cups of chicken (or turkey) broth
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon grated onion
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Topping:

  • 3 tablespoons of real butter
  • 1 cup of crushed Corn Flakes
  • 1/2 cup of almond slivers

Make sure the turkey, rice, and hard-boiled eggs are cooked. Then throw all the ingredients together in a large bowl, and stir it. Pour it into a large casserole dish. Melt the butter in the microwave, and mix with crushed Corn Flakes. Sprinkle over the casserole. Then sprinkle with almond slivers.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Enjoy!

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Posted in Cooking and Baking, Fun Autumn Activities | 8 Comments »

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