You are here: Home / 2011 / Archives for November 2011

What Do We Really Deserve?

November 30, 2011
 
I'm thinking of Mary today.

How, just a few days before Christ's birth, she must have been feeling stretched and sore, not only from being so heavy with child, but from her time of distant travels.

How I might have felt, in her place, after such a journey.

How, in my humanity and utter imperfectness, I would have felt when my husband could not find an inn with room for us.

No room? In any inn? Can they not see that I am in desperate need of a warm room, midwife assistance, a soothing hot drink? My child is coming. How could you not make room for me? For my little one? Sir, what about you, would you give us your room, if even for one night?

My flesh cringes. I'm ashamed. Any ounce of righteousness I think I have is truly... filthy rags. They cling to me, and I want to rip them off.

Oh, who am I to think I would deserve such things, such luxuries, such compassion?

And yet sometimes we go about life that way.

        ...Read the rest of this post from last year here.

 

Join our conversations on Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter or via email updates

Filed Under: Contentment, Frugal Living, Homekeeping, Simple Pleasures Leave a Comment

Meaningful, Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas (for those of us who aren’t very crafty)

November 29, 2011


Do you remember my DaySpring giveaway earlier this month?  I love their home decor, cards, Live Life to the Full collection, and just about everything else in their store.  So does my mother --- when we visited her at Thanksgiving, I was tickled when the UPS man came to her door carrying DaySpring boxes.  What can I say?   They are beautiful, useful, and make great gifts; just keep your eyes open for a big sale!

I was browsing through their clearance section today and thought you might be interested in a few Christmas items that would make beautiful, meaningful, inexpensive gifts.

This "Jesus is the gift" apron is adorable, and 50% off, making it only $9.99:

The matching potholder set is reduced to $4.99:

And these gift tags, printed with John 3:16, would make a wonderful finishing touch to any gift, especially something simple and homemade (perhaps my blueberry jam?)...

 

Click here to visit the DaySpring store, then shop through their links marked "sale" and "clearance."  Try entering the code SUPER30 to get an additional 30% off your order!

 

Join our conversations on Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

 

This post includes my referral link.  Read my disclosure policy here.

Filed Under: Deal Alerts, Frugal Living Leave a Comment

How to Make a Simple Roux for Soups and Stews

November 28, 2011
195s

I love soups and stews this time of year.

When my pastor's wife shared her gumbo recipe with me awhile back, I tucked it into my recipe binder and have referred to it many times since.  Her gumbo recipe calls for a basic roux, and I've also enjoyed using this roux not only in gumbo, but also in good, old-fashioned chicken soup.  It adds a wonderful flavor and depth to ordinary soups; I think I'll try it in a soup with shredded leftover turkey this year, too.

Here's how easy it is to make a simple roux:

Add equal parts white flour and oil to a pan (I use 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup oil).  Set on medium heat.  Using a wooden spatula, stir to combine.

As the mixture warms, you'll need to be careful --- it must be stirred constantly.  It can burn quickly, and burnt roux doesn't taste very good!  Don't ask me how I know :)

I keep stirring, and stirring, and stirring...

After thirty minutes or so, I have a rich, thick, dark roux that looks like this:

Set the pan aside and allow to cool just a bit, then you can slowly add it to your soup, stew, or gumbo.  You may want to adjust how much you add; your family might only like a light taste of roux.  You can always add more as you go for a deeper flavor. 
If you have extra roux, you can store it in an airtight container and tuck it into your refrigerator for a couple of weeks.  I use a small jelly jar.

Have you made your own roux before?

Join our conversations on Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter or via email updates

 

also shared at Homestead Revival and Domestically Divine

Filed Under: Kitchen Tips, Recipes 7 Comments

Meal Plan, Week of 11/27

November 27, 2011
233s

During our transition these past few months, I've struggled to make weekly meal plans.  Our schedule changes at a moment's notice and it seems like meal planning has been on the back burner as we adjust to a new home, church, community, and daily routine.  Most weeks, menu planning seems like a distant memory.  We've been eating out more often (not for convenience sake, but for fellowship purposes -- that's good!) and consuming less "real" food.  I'm even craving soft drinks again, so you know I'm way off track!  I'm hoping to get us back to normal, beginning with this week.

I'm excited about Azure Standard creating a drop point in our new city.  In the months ahead, I'll share my experiences with them and some of the foods we order.  I've heard great things about the quality of their products as well as their prices on natural, wholesome foods. 

I just ordered quinoa with some credits at Vitacost, which should be arriving any day now.   We've been out of quinoa for the last month or two, so I'm looking forward to using it in our meal plan this week.

Here's what we're planning:

Lunches

Dinners

  • Seasoned quinoa patties (similar to these), broccoli crowns with melted cheese, small salad
  • Chuck pot roast, wild rice blend, buttered corn
  • Simple chicken and sausage gumbo over brown rice
  • Curry chicken stir fry
  • African groundnut stew over basmati rice

What are you having this week?  Are you trying out any new recipes?

 

Join our conversations on Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

 

also shared at orgjunkie's menu plan monday

Filed Under: Meal Plans 1 Comment

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2011
thanks

 

Join our conversations on Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter or via email updates

 

top image: country living

bottom image: my chicken pot pie

Filed Under: Homekeeping, Hospitality, Simple Pleasures 1 Comment

Organic Quinoa, Coconut Oil, and more

November 23, 2011

 

Last week, I posted about the online store Vitacost.  Did you sign up yet?  It's free, and you can get some great deals right now.

If you are new to Vitacost, you will get a $10 coupon code if you sign up right now, and then get additional $10 codes for referring friends to sign-up, too. All the details are listed on their site.  They sell a wide range of products, including healthy snacks (Kashi, too!), baby items, household items, Burt's Bees, and more.   

***If you are looking for items to add to your pantry, they have Arrowhead Mills Organic Quinoa for $4.61, Nutiva Coconut Oil for $8.64, and Mrs. Meyers geranium or basil pump hand soaps for only $3.94.***

Use your $10 credit and get these products at little or no cost to you other than reasonable shipping charges, if applicable.  Refer your friends and get more credits to shop with.  I think this is a great way to stock up on pantry items or Christmas gifts!

Click here to get your $10 credit, refer friends, and shop.

(FYI:  Shipping is a flat rate of $4.99 in the continental U.S. regardless of what you purchase.  If you happen to spend more than $49, your order ships free.  Details are on their site.)

 

Join our conversations on Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

 This post includes my referral link.  Read my disclosure policy here.

Filed Under: Deal Alerts, Frugal Living Leave a Comment