I found this pin today online and really liked it so I thought I would share it on my blog.
I have been going through a rough time lately and maybe between trusting God and adding in some humor it will perk me up some! 
Anyway, since this made me laugh I am on the look out for more things that will make me laugh so I can pull myself up with God's help out of my feeling just down and blue.

I am trying to learn how to do different things on my blog.  Today I found a website that has different sidebars for blogs.  I was able to put the sunflower sidebar up my blog today!  Here's the website:  http://shabbyblogs.com/?page_id=108

Spiritual Retreat

This summer has been a very stressful summer.  It seems to have had one bad thing after another and I was just tired.    We were getting ready to leave on vacation and I wasn't even sure if we would be able to go because of different things that were going on, car trouble and our parents having health problems.  But Roger insisted that we needed a break so we continued on and I am so glad that we did.  A couple of days before we left I was listening to 106.9 radio station (my favorite station) and they mentioned having a spiritual retreat at the Billy Graham place in North Carolina.  I knew that was impossible for me, but then I realized I could have my own spiritual retreat.  I downloaded lots of great uplifting podcasts and I just took the time while we were gone to recharge my life.  I also realized that I can continue doing this at home.  (I know you would think that was obvious, but I was a little slow realizing it!) 

James 1: 1-18

Today in Sunday School we will be starting our study in one of my favorite books of the Bible.  James is such a nice practical book for Christians.

Who wrote the book of James?  We think it is one of Jesus' brothers.  There are actually 4 different James' mentioned in the Bible but most people agree that it was probably Jesus' brother.   At first he did not believe in Jesus which I can completely understand.  I'm sure he could see that Jesus was different but he had grown up with him and I'm sure it was hard to think of him as his savior. 

Verses 1 -4

In these verses we find out who is writing this letter and who he is writing it to.  James is writing it to all of the believers in Israel. 
We also find out that trials produce patience.  Patience is one of the fruits of the spirit we talked about a few weeks ago.  Patience comes through suffering and testing.
Verses 5 - 8
Wisdom is just the practical use of knowledge.  If you lack wisdom oh how to deal with a problem you have then you need to go to Jesus.  In verse 6 it points out we need to believe Jesus will take care of a problem for us.  So many times when we have a problem we try to solve it on our own when we should just turn our problems over to God.  That should be how we start our day everyday.  Does this mean that we will never have problems?  Of course not because as we learned earlier our faith will grow more as we lean on Jesus.
Verses 9 - 11
We may think sometimes that we don't have much, but think of all the things we do have.  No, we may not have millions of dollars in the bank but we can have the peace from God that only He can give when we do have trouble.   So, with Jesus in our heart, we have everything!
Verses 12-18
When we go through trials, it is very hard.  At a time of testing we will either draw closer to God or we will blame God and move away from Him.  I want to always draw closer to God because I can't imagine facing my troubles alone.  I know with God I am never alone.

Is there no other way open, God
except through sorrow, pain and loss,
To stamp Christ's likeness on my soul ---
No other way except the cross?

And then a voice stills all my soul
As still as the waves of Galilee
"Can'st thou not bear the furnace heat
If midst the flames I walk with thee?
I bore the cross, I know it's weight.
I drank the cup I hold for thee.
Can'st thou not follow where I lead?
I'll give thee strength.  Lean hard on me."
-- Author Unknown

School

We started school on August 1, 2011 and so far it is going great.  I am now using Homeschool Tracker to make up the assignment sheets.  After I print off the week then I put the assignment sheet with whatever books and handouts she will need in a basket and Abbie knows what she has to do.  We try to start school at 10:00 but sometimes that is hard for us to accomplish since Abbie is a night owl. 

My bargains!

I love using coupons and shopping at thrift stores.  Today I had a great time and found some really good bargains.  I bought one pair of jeans, two yards of material, paperback American Girl book and one hard back American Girl book that has several books in one book, a Clemson tiger paw charm, box of Rice Krispies, Apple Newton cookies and six packages of Ramen Noodles all for only  $4.19  !!!!!!

Zucchini Bread

Last week I checked out a book from the library called Baking Boot Camp  by The Culinary Institute of America and Darra Goldstein.  I have enjoyed reading this book this past week and I have learned so many nice little tips.  At the end of the book they include some recipes.  Today, I decided to try zucchini bread and it is so good.

Zucchini Bread

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 cups grated zucchini
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour two 9 inch loaf pans.

Sift together 2 cups of the all purpose flour with the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Combine the sugar, brown sugar, oil and eggs and mix on medium speed using a paddle attachment until blended, about two minutes.  Add the sifted dry ingredients and mix until just combined, about 30 seconds.

 Toss the grated zucchini with the remaining flour and the whole wheat flour.  Blend the zucchini and the pecans into the batter.

Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.  Bake for about 1 hour and 25 or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean and the loaves spring back when lightly pressed.

A while back I decided that I wanted to add something to our dining room.  I found a quote that I really liked and then I painted it on our dining room wall.

This quote makes me stop and think about whatever trials I am going through Jesus is with me and He can use me as a witness. 

Abbie's Tote Bag

Almost eight weeks ago we bought the material at Hancock Fabrics for Abbie to make a reversible tote bag.  That same night my daddy fell and broke his hip so this project had to be put on hold.  My daddy is now out of the hospital and doing better so we were finally able to work on the bag.

Poor Man's Steak

Today I made a recipe that I have made many times and it is now one of my favorites!

1 can mushroom soup
2 onions
1 lb. ground beef
4 potatoes
Alternate sliced potatoes and onions in a 1 1/2 qt. casserole dish.  Mix soup with one can of water and pour over potatoes and onions.  Top with cooked ground beef.  Cover casserole with foil and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

This is such an easy meal that can be made on a busy day.  I like to serve it over some fresh homemade yeast rolls.

Encouraging Websites for Homeschoolers

This is a list of encouraging websites that I like to look at occasionally as I am on this homeschooling journey:

Scripture for Homeschooling

Homeschool FAQ's

Mom's Corner

Lately things have been so overwhelming for me that I have become very stressed.  Last week was my birthday and Roger was so sweet to take me on a short little vacation to our favorite spot in North Carolina.  We enjoyed looking at the Fine Arts Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway and many antique stores.  It was also a nice time to just relax and enjoy each others company.   We really had a great time and I was so relaxed by the time we got home.  But, by Wednesday when I went back to work I started getting stressed again.  Of course, I did because none of my problems had disappeared while I was gone.  I still had a job that to me is very stressful at times and my daddy is still not doing well.  Sometimes I feel like a rat in an exercise wheel.  I keep running around in circles but I'm not getting anywhere.  Yesterday it hit me that I need to learn to turn all of my problems over to God.  Of course, I should have already known that, but it is so hard for me to do this.  I need to make sure I am putting Him first and then the rest of my day will fall into place.  Sure, I will still have stressful days at work and sure my loved ones will be hurting but I can rest in Jesus knowing that He is in control.Here is a verse that really spoke to me today:
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."

Psalm 63:1

WMU Luncheon

Yesterday we had our ladies luncheon at church.   Edna Ellison was our guest speaker and we all had a great time.  Please enjoy our pictures from the day:

WMU Luncheon

I am going to start trying new cake recipes and will eventually start working on decorating cakes.  (For some reason I think I can teach myself how to do this!  LOL)  Anyway, today was my first day and I plan on taking these to my kids at church tonight to give them a try.  I know they will give me their honest opinions.  

Here's the recipe I tried and a picture to follow:

Basic Yellow Cake

1/2 cup shortening
1  1/2 cup sugar
Mix together
2 cups self rising flour
1 cup milk
1 tsp. orange flavoring
2 eggs

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

 

I used a star tip to make a simple decoration on top of the cupcake.

Our Chickens!