Have you packed your kilt?

We’re heading for the early Ferry to Scotland in the morning.  JP’s planning to take the laptop this year as the forecast isn’t so good and at least we can watch DVD’s on it.  

That can be read as if we have an internet connection in our tent we will be in contact, I’m sure it will be plain and clear if we have no connection too, or are much to busy enjoying our holiday and each others company to blog.

It’s been a long day of packing so if you are looking for details we are basically heading to the same area as last year, go search in the archives…….

That can be read as - I’m way too tired for this.….

Blessings………

 

Elaine

24 hour Salad…

The Vegetable patch has started production, granted it’s mostly lettuce, spring onions and the odd strawberry at this stage.

I’m a little concerned that the blackcurrant bushes are going to be ripe for the picking during  the time period of our holiday so I’m dithering whether to go ahead and start picking now.  I’m hoping to use the advice I found online, “for jam just freeze them in a bag, it won’t matter that they turn into a big lump“!

I also want to freeze some whole “free flowing like a bag of peas” as it said on one site.  I’m hoping to pick each bunch, freeze on a tray as a bunch for an hour and then pick each individual currant off and bag and freeze.  Seemingly they are easier to pick this way!

In the meantime I spied this recipe for 24 hour salad in my friends charity recipe book.  I was glad of something a little different to help use up my lettuce.  

1 Medium lettuce - (I just used a big bunch of mixed leaves from the garden).

1 cup chopped celery.

4 hard boiled eggs - they aren’t in the picture as they were boiling at the time!

1 cup of diced pepper.  (I just used frozen mixed pepper as our fresh ones are getting as dear as the fuel)

10ozs peas

1 diced onion or 4-5 scallions

2 cups mayo

4oz grated cheese

2 tablespoons sugar.

8 slices bacon, cooked & chopped (optional)  

 

Layer in order.  If using bacon, layer after the onion.  Add sugar to the mayonnaise.  Cover and refridgerate for 8-48 hours.

 

I used bacon and scallions and this ended up being a great salad, ideal for when you are feeding more than normal and need a few extra side dishes.

What do you do to use up a glut of lettuce leaves?

 

 

 

 

 

Prize Night/Open night/New Books!

Our recent prize night at church went very well, rather than just having a focus on the Sunday School we advertised the evening as an open night.  Everyone helped to set up a number of display boards and information tables for many of the ‘works’ our church is involved in.  Invitations were given to family and friends to attend and the Word was preached to many unbelievers who gathered in.

As usual the children of the Sunday School were rewarded for their attendance by receiving books from the Church.

The books which found their way to our house were

 

Wait Until Then.

This tear-jerker authored by Randy Alcron helps children understand what the Bible says about Heaven and the New Earth yet to come.  

Nathan has spina bifida and is very interested in Baseball, his Granda teaches him that there are more important things than Baseball by dwelling on the promises of God.

This book could successfully be used to open up the subjects of death and heaven to young children as well as salvation and God’s plan for our lives.  The pictures are excellent, my seven year old son was able to read it himself but also the younger kids enjoyed having it read to them.

 

 

 

A little Girl after God’s own Heart.

 

 

 

Our  5 year old daughter was presented with Elizabeth George’s book A Little Girl after God’s own heart.

This book which has many little girly pictures takes the reader through each of the Fruit of the Spirit explaining the importance of each through verse.

an example is from the page on Kindness and Goodness.

Oh, to be kind and to always do good, 

To say words that help and do what you should!

To quit being mean and making folks sad,

To be really sweet so they will be glad.

Lord, help me bring cheer to those who are down,

To kids who are troubled and wearing a frown.

Let me share comfort, show mercy, and serve,

And give more to others than they may deserve.

We could all learn a lot from this book!

This is the type of book you treasure as a keep-sake, hope your daughter learns much from and passes on to the next generation.

 

The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes.

 

This book was presented to our 3 year old.  A colourful little book it  boasts 382 pages, each page has the story on one side with a corresponding picture on the other.  The Bible stories are brief no more than 10 or 12 sentances with three or four probing questions to make the little ones think more.  

What I really like about this Bible story book is that it doesn’t just deal with the more popular Bible stories you normally find in a children’s book (Noah, Moses, Joseph and Christ) but also many of the stories often omitted in children’s books are included here.

 

Have you got any good kids books recently?

Elaine

 

 

Fighting your own battles.

I’ve been following the sad news to-day of the death of a female Corporal in the British Army.  The first female from the British Forces to lose their life in Afghanistan.

Even the BBC bring to the fore the question of females serving in the British army.

From a Christian perspective Pastor Chanski has an excellent Sunday School session on Sermon Audio which deals Biblically with the issue.

My purpose isn’t to debate on whether females should be there or not.

I found this article from the BBC very interesting, as I really felt they could be describing a Homemakers/Mothers role just as easily as a Soldier.

“The Ministry of Defence describes the contribution of all women as “essential”, and says recent awards of medals for gallantry to women during operational deployments show they are serving in more demanding circumstances than ever before”.

The Bible also describes the contribution of  women as homemakers as “essential”, and says that those who are faithful will receive Eternal Life.  Surely the current climate of our nation shows us we are also serving in more demanding circumstances than ever before.

An MoD spokesman said women do take on many key - and crucially, frontline - roles.

Of course they do, as do homemakers, “Raising Children in the fear and admonition of the Lord” - Key, Crucial and Frontline I’d say.

“Women can be employed anywhere and are involved in every operation currently going on,” a spokesman said.

Ditto.

“What we often see is a misconception that women can’t do frontline roles. They can.

What the Bible teaches is that the Proverbs 31 woman HAS a frontline role, so we agree on that.

“What they can’t do, and it’s a military phrase, is any specialisation where ‘the primary duty is to close with or kill the enemy’.

Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ladies we may never be hailed as heroes but our role is described in terms indistinguishable from those who are prepared to give their lives for their country.

We all have our own battles, some are scrutinized by the media, others never leave our own hearts and consciences, there are no heroes in some battles just contenders.

Elaine

While I’m in ‘really short posts’ mode…..

Did you see who won a 9 marks T-Shirt?

Don’t forget if you want to be the proud owner of a Carla designed T-shirt or Sweatshirt just click the graphic. Carla is giving away an item from her store to her 40,000th visitor to the website.  Go check out the details.

 

 

Which would you choose?

 

Elaine

 

 

Still here honest……

Not sick, not dead, not pregnant     ….. just busy.

Did you know……

 

This makes me feel so much better

 

 

Getting all geared up for our churchs Open Night on Friday night coming.

People to invite, posters to print and Pecan Tassies to bake (and eat).

If you’re from Norn Iron count yourself invited

If you want to be involved feel free to pray that our many invitations will bring those looking for a church home or looking for a Saviour to our special Night.

If you’re just dropping by to see if I have saved up any good links, be sure I will be linking soon.  In the mean time check out this list that Jess made out, it always makes for good reading.

Elaine

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading Roundabout….help!!!

** This posted has been up-dated due to more recommendations coming in and there are many more suggestions in the comments - Thanks - Keep them coming!! **

 

I’ve blogged plenty about our church’s Reading Roundabout.

The concept is a number of ladies, a number of months and a number of books.

The books we are reading in the current year are listed here.

It appears I’m going to have more ladies involved for the next years reading and so I’m going to need 15 books.

I’m trying to come up with some books for the next year which although doesn’t start until October, will no doubt be upon me quickly.  

I was wondering if any of you could advise me on your top few books which come into the Reformed Christian category.

This is only our third year of the Reading Roundabout and while I do use the church library and our own books we also buy a few copies each year.

The list so far which is open to change is something like this,

 

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges.

Overcoming the World by Joel Beeke.

The Nine Day Queen of England Lady Jane Grey by Faith Cook

Is God past his sell-by date?  by John Blanchard

A path through suffering by Elisabeth Elliot

Shopping for Time by Carolyn Mahanney

 

other possibilities which I won’t buy all off,  are…..

Stepping into the Shadows by Rosemary Sookhdeo  (I’m not familiar with this book but it was recommended by one of our deacons, you can read about it here).

Heaven at Home by Ginger Plowman

A Chance to die The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael  by Elisabeth Elliot

In my Father’s House by Corrie Ten Boom

Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper

 

So can you offer any suggestions?  I normally like a variety of Theology, Biography, Practical Christianity.   

I’d appreciate any help you can give.

 

 

(Note to our own ladies:  If you have any suggestions or own any of these books please let me know.  It really would be a pity to use our funds to buy books which are sitting on shelves  Thanks)

 

** updated to add **  A few suggestions came via private e-mail, I’m adding them here to keep them together.  Mrs B in Sacramento recommended Humility by CJ Mahanney.  Mrs J in GR recommended Lost in the Middle by Paul D Tripp, Free Grace and Dying love by Susannah Spurgeon and Too wise to be mistaken, too Good to be Unkind by Cathy Steere.

**updated 30th May to add,

Humility by Andrew Murray, The rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by J Burroughs (good one) and War of Worlds by Paul David Tripp were all suggested by contacts on facebook.

Mrs J in the Grand Rapids church who incidentally started the Reading Roundabout concept has suggested a few more, she has just finished Love your Muselim Neighbour by Edward Challen and also suggests God Knows My Size by Silvia Tarniceriu and also The Peacemaker books by Ken Sande.**

Any more?

 

Elaine

 

Not just yet then…..

I’ve just finished reading Elyse Fitzpatrick’s book The Afternoon of Life (Finding purpose and Joy in Midlife).  This is the first book by Fitzpatrick that I have read.  It comes recommended by Martha Peace and Elizabeth George.  

This book is part of our reading roundabout at church which is why I’m reading a book aimed at women in the 46-60 age group or as another excuse - to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

This book surely deals with some of the hardest issues we as women/wives/mothers go through.  And while I’m at the stage of having days when it’s easy to wish the kids were older and more mature, with their maturing comes independance and of course ultimately their leaving and cleaving.

Fitzpatrick not only deals with issues concerning the children leaving but also the possibility of them moving back in.  Some of the advice in this section was very practical and helpful.  

Drawing from the experiences of a number of “afternoon” ladies, she opens up helpful topics with a Biblical mindset, the menopause and other physical changes, unbelieving children, ministries suitable for the afternoon ladies, as well as the changes which occur in our marriages at this stage of life and advice on older women instructing the younger.

Each chapter ends with a few probing questions for further study and that along with the fact that it’s an easy ready makes this book suitable for all especially for those entering this stage of life.

I would describe this book as very practical and very Biblical with just a few points where I would disagree with Ms Fitzpatrick.  (Fitzpatrick is of the opinion that there is Biblical warrant for female deacons, admittedly she does go on to say that it doesn’t matter to her whether we’re given the title or not).  Although I would disagree on this point this book has so much practical advice for a group of ladies who can sometimes spend to much time searching for their area of service instead of getting on with serving.

Ladies we have much to learn….

 

Mummymac

 

 

 

 

 

iplayer…

I’ve been watching the BBC Young Musician of the Year on iplayer.

There’s only a few more days left to watch it if you’re interested.

The Keyboard section has a young man from round here taking part.

The official web-site is here.

My husband told me who won before I had watched the final.

I won’t spoil it for you

Mummymac

 

The simple woman…

 

I clicked to the simple woman’s blog to-day through Kelli’s blog.

If there is one way I could be described it’s surely simple

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I decided to join in with the Daybook today to-night.

Outside My Window… our seedlings are peeking through on the vegetable patch.

I am thinking… it’s getting dark, it must be bed time soon.

I am thankful for… Redemption.

From the kitchen… Summer Fruit Pudding.

I am wearing... combats and my working top!

I am creating… space for my husband to work from home.

I am going… to a floral and cooking demo tomorrow.

I am reading… too many books at once.

I am hoping…someone else will clean my windows.

I am hearing... silence and it’s golden.

Around the house… everyone who is awake is using a computer.

One of my favorite things… seeing contentment in those around me.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Tuesday Bake, Wednesday Church, Friday Youth Club.

Here is picture thought I am sharing…

Check out the recipe here.

Mummymac.