Monday, January 31, 2011

Recipe Monday

This is my mom's AMAZING meatloaf recipe. She got it from my paternal grandmother. The meatloaf IS good. I made it for some company this weekend and they all said they liked (they may have been being nice, but I liked it).

Its super easy. The amount of ingredients is set for 6 people, but you can make more for a bigger crowd. Just remember its basically 1/4 lb of ground beef per person.

Mom's Meatloaf


3 lb ground beef
1 cup ish Italian bread crumbs
2 eggs
½ cup ketchup (plus some more for the top of the ketchup)

Mix ground beef, Italian bread crumbs, eggs, ketchup. Mix with hands and pour in 8 x 10 dish.
Cook for about an 40 minutes (not raw in middle). Pour ketchup over meatloaf and cook for 10 minutes.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Blog I'm Loving: Ladies Against Feminism

I haven't done this before but I wanted to post about a blog I'm just really loving. I found it the other day and the more I read, the more I love. Its a group of women who are committed to being different. They are against modern feminism. They want to raise their children. They want to serve their husbands. They want to be modest. I could go on and on. Basically everything I want. I just wanted to tell everyone about this. I hope it encourages some of you women as it did me.

Sometimes it feels like we are outnumbered. Those of us who want to not work, raise a family, have children and  not work. I know some of you reading do not agree with me, and that's ok. I don't expect you to. And God does not call everyone to that. I'm not saying its for everyone and its the only way to be. I'm just saying its what God has called me to.

But this blog is great. I do not agree with everything on there, but I will let you explore and find out what you like and what you do not agree with. I will say that its been very encouraging to me in my quest to be a Godly lady.

Here' s the link. You can also find it under the buttons of the blogs I'm reading. I only put buttons of very well loved blogs that I would recommend to anyone.

I hope you enjoy this and get as much out of it as I am.

Friday, January 28, 2011

10 Things...


Yesterday one of my best friends sent me a text yesterday that really made sense. She said that we, especially as girls, always think about we don't like about ourselves, especially physically. I can think about 10,000 things I don't like about myself, but when she asked me to list 10 things I like about myself, physically, I had a really, really hard time. God made me beautiful in His eyes, so why can't I see the beauty?

So I thought that I would list 10 things on my blog I like about my physical body. God made me beautiful.

Here goes:

1. the color of my eyes - I have really deep brown eyes. Isaiah says they change shades of brown depending             on what mood I'm in.

2. my lips - I love my lips. I know its silly. But I am thankful God gave them to me.

3. my smile - I got my mom's smile. Its very hereditary on my mom's side. We all have the same smile. But I like my smile.

4. my hair - I have very long (I don't cut my hair) dark brown hair. For years I hated it. I wanted blonde hair, like my mom and brother. But now I love it. Isaiah helped me realize that its beautiful because its not cookie cutter. Its dark and wavy and long, totally not the style. But I like it and Isaiah loves it. And God gave it to me.

5. the shape of my eyes - I have large eyes. I like it. :)

6. my tiny feet - I have size 6 1/2 feet. I like my feet. Its another thing I hated, but then I prayed about it and God showed me its a nice thing.

7. my height - growing up I always told God I would be fine if He did anything to me but made me short. Then at 12 I stopped growing. I'm 5'2". Yeah God got ahold of me. But I have to say I really like it now. I am just the right height to be hugged by Isaiah. And I like being short. God really did make me just the right height.

wow this is hard......

8. my ears - they lay flat and are little. It seems silly but I like it.

9. my weird thumbs - I have weird thumbs. They look like they are cut off in the middle. I used to be very embarrassed about my weird thumbs. But they make me special. God knew just how to make me feel special.

almost done, finally...

10. my nose scrunch - when I'm really happy I scrunch my nose. Isaiah's brother once told me that some man would fall in love with it. And Isaiah did. Its different, but I like it.

So there is my 10 things. I hope I don't sound selfish or conceited. I try hard not to be conceited or selfish. I know that its only because God blessed me with these physical attributes that I can like them. I really do want to give the glory to God for how I look. He sees me as beautiful. And He created me.

So I challenge you to make 10 things that God blessed you with physically. Its harder than you think.                              

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Sharing Burdens




          

Bearing other's burdens. It goes so against everything we as human thinks about. We want to selfishly hide in a hole and only think about our own problems. But when there is some problem we want someone else to carry us. Its a need humans have to need someone to help us through difficult times.

I think women really need this sharing of burdens. Not all women are as sharing, but I think God put in inherent need in women to want to share our burdens with other people. We need a community around us to share things with.

As women, we cannot handle things on our own. that is how God made us. God made us to be weak on our own. There is no way to handle life on our own. We have to lean on others, but more importantly God to get us through.

I always thought that we as Christians had to be tough. Nothing could harm us. We had to act like there was nothing wrong and not let other people see us hurt because good Christians are tough. HA

Shortly after I got married I went through a time where I had a huge burden. I needed people to see and help me share it, but I did not let people see my pain and burden. I ended up falling apart and coming to the darkest point in my life. But God let the people in my life see what was happening and they came along side me.

I wish I would have let them see my burden. I wish I would have said that I was struggling and that I needed help instead of just trying to push through it.

I see a need for Christian women to come together and really share each other's burdens. We need that sense of community and love in order to survive. Thankfully, for some of us, God gave that to us in our husbands, but we all need other Christian women to be sharing with.

Thankfully, the God of the universe wants to take our burdens also. He wants to take our burden and carry it for us. Isn't that exciting? God wants to carry our burdens for us. How exciting.

I want to add this challenge. Lets try to make a community where we share burdens. Find another Christian woman who you can share with. Maybe find a younger one you can mentor, or an older one who can mentor you. But lets start sharing each other's burdens.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

No Recipe Tuesday

So tonight I realized that my list of recipes I make is limited. I grew up cooking and making things, but it was always recipes my mom had, and have in her cookbooks. And it was just a few basics. But now I am on my own. NOT GOOD!!!!!!

Isaiah ended up staying home tonight because there were really bad storms all around us when he would be in school. I was so excited and wanted to make something special for him but didn't want to make the same things I always make. I started looking in my all of 2 cookbooks and found nothing. Then I looked online. I couldn't find anything that would work with what we have and we would like. I fell apart. All I wanted was to make a nice dinner for my husband, but yeah that didn't work.

This was after having a rough day at school and I was exhausted. Then as I'm trying to figure something out, I resprain my ankle. Its all swollen and not pretty. And after falling apart and crying my eyes out, my dear amazing husband offered to go get McDonald's.

Honestly, I feel like a failure as a wife. My mom would always have something awesome cooked for my dad when he got home. And she always had lots of delicious recipes. I honestly feel like I'm not a good wife and that's a struggle.

I also have a question for you, my few readers. Could anyone give me a recipe that is easy and they love?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Bring the Rain



One of my all time favorite verses has always been. Isaiah 6:8

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me

I would read that and prayed that God would use me, wherever, however, whenever. I was His to use. I meant it. I wanted Him to do whatever He wanted. I wanted my life to bring Him glory. I have said on here before that my goal in life is to glorify God and show Him to others.

I know that God will take the life of His chosen and use it. He knows where are our lives are going. He has plans for us. Another favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

God has a plan for His chosen's lives. He knows where they are going. He will lead them to Him and perform His works in their lives. 

That sounds great, and cosy, and exciting, but something God has been really showing me is that sometimes that plan God has for me is not fun. Its miserable. The trials are rough.

God promises that for His called it will work together for good in Romans 8:28.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose"

But when you are in the middle of the rough times its hard to see that God has a plan. In all the trials, its hard to say, "God here I am. Do Your amazing will." We want to say, "Please stop!" but honestly is that what we want. 

Do we really not want the trials? During the rough times, its easy to say yes. But honestly, think about it. Would we really want no rough times? 

I think through my trials and know that they made me who I am. It was always during the trials that I knew God better. Even in the times when I turned away from Him, He still used the times to grow me. He used those times in mighty ways. I would never be the person I am had I not gone through those times. 

Also, I look back and see how my trials have been used in other people's lives to show them Him. I can also see how seeing other's struggles has shown me God and His love.

During the trials don't we want to say, "God I know this is Your will, but I think I know better."? Maybe its just me, but I have thought things like that. I have told God I know better than He does. Surely this struggle or trial is not the best thing for me. 

 But I'm not God! And looking back, the trials have been terrible, but during those times I have had to lean on God. I have grown so much in Him, and learned so much. And if thats what it takes to bring Him glory, well thats what I want. I want my life to bring Him glory. That is far more important than my comfort.

Something my mom would always tell me is that God doesn't care about how comfortable we are, He cares about our relationship with Him and His glory. Its so true. He will bring us through those rough times because He cares about His glory and our relationship with Him.

A song that started me thinking about all this is the song, Bring the Rain. Its talks about how circumstances don't dictate how we trust God. And we pray that God brings us anything the brings Him glory, even when its the rain. 

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty


Monday, January 17, 2011

Recipe Monday

I have a confession. I didn't try a new recipe to post on here. I got so busy with school, then getting sick that I didn't. So I am posting a recipe that Isaiah makes and I love. You may be surprise, but my husband is a very good cook. This recipe is his and its passed down from his mom (so you know its good)

Goulash

1 lb ground beef
1 cup uncooked macaroni
a dash of Worcestershire sauce 
a pinch of oregano
1 small can Huntz tomato sauce

Brown the meat. Drain and put back in pan. Pour tomato sauce in and stir. Next mix in Worcestershire sauce and oregano. Put on medium heat and let simmer.

Boil noodles and drain. Add to sauce. Simmer for roughly 30 minutes or to taste.

I like to put some Parmesan cheese on top of mine. Isaiah likes to put a piece of American cheese on his. Or you can eat it plain and its delicious. Enjoy.

Love



 So I've started this post like maybe 3 times. But for some reason God just doesn't let me finish it. Finally I can finish it now. Love is such a big topic. There are so many different kinds of love. The one I'm talking about is more the love a man and woman have for each other. The love Isaiah and I have for each other. Ok yeah I agree, that sounds cheesy.

Love is that magical thing that everyone wants. No matter the person, they want someone that loves them above everyone else. They want that thing that makes people commit for a lifetime. That feeling that the world is right and your heart overflows with love for another person.

Wow, I just start talking about love and I sound cheese. But what is love? How do you know when you've found it? Have you found when you are "facebook official"? Have you said it when you get warm fuzzies inside for a person? Can you fall in and out love?

So many questions about love. Its so complicated. I think for the definition of love I will look to God, the Author of love, and Who has so much love for us that Jesus died. (in the King James Version, love is called charity)

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things" 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7


God defines love in such a mind boggling way. To love you have to seek their interest. You can't be puffed up. You are kind. You don't get jealous or envy that person. Its such a selfless act. Its about putting the other person first and never thinking about yourself. All you want is to see them succeed.

Now, I don't know about you, but I don't do selfless very well. I like to think about myself. I like when I'm the spotlight and I'm the best. But I have to say that I was amazed when I wanted Isaiah to be first. I wanted him to succeed over me. I wanted his interest first. I love him and want him to do best.

I don't always feel that way. I have to say, I am still very selfish. I look out for me, over Isaiah. My wonderful husband is so loving and selfless that he lets me get away with it way too often. He puts me first and wants me to succeed. He is amazing. I don't know how he could be so selfless.

Its like Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 

One of the biggest questions I've had from single people is, "how did you know when he was the one?" or "how did you know you were in love?" I think it was when I realized that I wanted to serve him for the rest of my life. I wanted to give my life serving him and loving him. I knew I was in love when I wanted to put him first.

That sounds all sweet and rosy, but another thing I say is you don't fully know you are in love until you have had your first BIG fight. I'm not talking about a little tiff, I'm talking a huge knock out fight. Its when you realize that you are both selfish people who have differences and you work through them that you know its love. Its when you don't just want to give up. You want to work through it and make things better.

I think the world's version of love is one of fluffy feelings and romance. But look at the rate of divorce. Look at the so called hollywood marriages. They don't last. But if you are truly loving someone you want to work things out. You want to make it work. You realize that God made marriage. He loves marriage. He hates divorce. You want to get to make it work.

I know this too well. I come from divorced parents. Its miserable. People are not supposed to be like this. Marriages are not supposed to end like my parents did. God did not design marriages to end.

So I guess that makes you wonder, can you really fall out of love? I would say no. Love is not a feeling. Love is an action.The feelings will come and go. I can say that when I'm fighting with Isaiah (yes it happens), I don't have warm fluffy feelings. But I still love him. We make it a point when we are fighting to say, "I still love you. That will never change." We make sure the other knows the love isn't gone, we are just mad at each other.

When Isaiah and I are going through a rough time I listen to the song Love is Not a Fight. Its so true. Its about how love is not something that comes and goes. Its about fighting for it. I am putting it here. I hope its helps someone like it helps



Having someone that loves you is wonderful. Its so much better than going it alone. You have someone to depend on. You have someone that helps you through so much. You know that at the end of a rough day you can go home to that person's arms and love and they will help you through it. Its the peace that when the world falls apart you know that person will be there for you. I could go on and on, but its we would be here all day.  Love is tough, but so worth it.

I would sum up that love is amazing. It is the warm romance, and fluffy feelings, but more than that its serving the other person. Its wanting to put them first. Its making the decision to put yourself last and them first. Its not natural. But I know that love is worth it

Friday, January 14, 2011

School



So I started school this week.  So I know not all of my readers are in school but I'm sure everyone can remember the feeling of going back to school. The scared feeling of wondering how your professors or teachers will be. The excitement of learning something new. The worry that homework will overtake your life. Wow I could go on and on, but I will spare you. Basically starting school is scary. At any time of your life. Whether you are 5 or 25 (neither of which I am, but you get the picture) starting another semester or year of school is a whole grab bag of feelings.

This time starting school is totally different than any other starting school however. Last year when I was in college it was so different. I was at a tiny Christian college with less than 500 students and I was not married. Then I took the semester off. Now I am married, and at a large community college.

So now I'm going to school and being a housewife. I know it doesn't sound like a lot but right now, it feels very overwhelming. I have some housework and yet I am also taking 5 classes.

I should probably say what my plans are and why I'm in school. After I get my AA from SPC in education. Then transfer to USF for my bachelors in social studies education. After that, I'm not sure. I want to start having kids after that and raising them, but I also want to teach history or civics in underprivileged high schools. That is a few years off so we will see where God leads then.

Another thing you should know about me is that this is the first time I've been in a large, secular setting for school. I was home schooled from kindergarten through high school. Then I started college at a small Christian school. So this is a huge transition. That is part of the scary part. Its so far out of my comfort zone. I've always been taught by people who basically believe the same things I do. I have never been taught by anyone who doesn't share my beliefs. Now I am.

So now I am taking 4 classes at a secular college. I am taking astronomy, technology in education, ethics, government and humanities. Technology in education and ethics are online, while the other three are in class. The neat thing is I take government with an old friend (we planned it that way). But when I showed up to humanities I saw an old friend I hadn't seen in years. We are taking the class together, which makes it much more interesting.

 I love all the classes but government. Which is ridiculous because I love government and politics. But this professor basically makes it miserable. The professor hates democracy, Republicans, Christians, any kind of government and most of all God. Its obvious he does not want to be teaching us. To top it off, he has a lot of historical and government facts wrong. I just don't like the class, but oh well.

I'm already overwhelmed with trying to juggle everything. This week I failed. I didn't get the laundry done or the house cleaned. I feel like its going to be hard to try to balance homework, school, taking care of the house and being a good wife to my husband. I tend to overcompensate on one thing. I'm not great at balancing things. Thankfully I have a husband who can help. He is great at helping me learn to balance life.

So I guess I am overwhelmed right now. I think I really enjoy being in school and having a schedule and all. I am looking forward to it. I think I just am worried I will fall apart and school work will fall and housework will fall and I'm concerned. I have high expectations for myself, especially when it comes to school. I just want to be able to balance things and do well. We will see.

Monday, January 10, 2011

My Best Friend

So something really great happened this weekend (ok a lot of really great things happened this weekend, but that's for later).... my best friend got engaged. :) :) :) :)

Jaquelyn and I have been best friends with her for a while. We became best friends when we were 16. We were a part of the same ministry for many reasons, and at their summer training camp we became best friends. It was random for a girl from north Florida and a girl from St. Petersburg to become best friends, and stay that way, but we did it. We were close for so long. She helped me get a through a lot during this time. She was always ready to listen and help me.

Her and her "special friend" have been together for 4 years. WOW. They knew they were going to get married, but were not sure when. She has been ready for a while. She will be an amazing wife. She is already 100 times better as a homemaker than I am. 

Her man, Hayden, is pretty great too. They are perfect for each other. He is extroverted and outgoing, where she is quite and shy. They both are very sweet and kind people. 

Jaquelyn knows me inside and out. Besides Isaiah and my mom, she knows me better than anyone. She always knows exactly what I'm thinking and what to say. She really tries to seek God and know Him to the best of her abilities. She is such an encouragement to me to read my Bible and get closer to Him.

She has her own store on Etsy. The stuff she makes is amazing, beautiful. I would love to have a lot more of it. I would definitely encourage everyone to look at it. Here's the link.

She was my made of honor at the wedding, and did an amazing job. She supported me through everything, and added a nice touch so many things in the wedding.

But the exciting thing about her right now is that she got engaged Saturday..... YAY YAY YAY. I have known for a while and had such a hard time not telling her. UGH its been rough. I saw her Thursday and had a hard time knowing it was coming. 

But Saturday was the day. I saw her Sunday night (we went straight from church to go see her; I couldn't wait any longer). She is so excited. Her ring looks like it was made for her hand. Its beautiful.

I'm so excited for her. :) Congratulations Jaquelyn. I love you.

Her and Hayden

The ring

Recipe Monday

So my best friend pointed out last weekend that I've done only dessert recipes (I love making desserts) so I thought I would do a different kind of food today. So today I am doing one of my favorite casseroles. Its pizza casserole! I love it. Isaiah's mom makes it and I tried it at their house and fell in love with it. Its one of those amazing everything in one dish thing (unless you actually want something healthy). I halfed the recipe and put it into a 8x11 pan because there is only two of us. It was a little too much for the two of us, but the size of this recipe would be perfect for a family. Or a couple and then to freeze some for another supper.

Pizza Casserole

16 oz pkg shaghetti
4 Tbsp butter or margarine
2/3 cup grated Parmeson cheese
4 eggs, well beaten
2 lb ground beef
2 small chopped onions (I didn't use because Isaiah hates onion, but you can use it)
2 - 32 oz spaghetti sauce
3-4 cups mozzarella cheese
2 pkg pepperoni

Cook noodles and rain. Combine with margarine, Parmesan cheese and eggs. Spoon into greased 9x13 inch pan. Brown ground beef with onion and drain. Spoon over spaghetti mixture. Pour sauce over all and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Arrange pepperoni over top. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes in 350 degree oven. Remove foil and bake 15 minutes longer.

Enjoy!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

A Soupy Pie, Cardboard Meat and Epic Meltdown

So after the last few posts I've felt like I had to bring great spiritual inspiration to every post. And I felt like to put anything besides pure awesome spiritual inspiration or something great would be a failure on my part. But today has been all about feeling like I'm a failure. Its been one of those days that everything seemed to go wrong and everything I tried to do just seemed to be a failure. And then God, through something my husband said, taught me a great lesson.

It started this morning. I woke up and went to the living room. Then I started getting super frustrated with Isaiah because our living is a wreck and its cluttered and I just looked out and started not being a good wife. I started talking to a dear sister from my church and realized that I had given it to God. Why was I taking it back?

Then I had a HUGE list of things I wanted to do today. My best friend was coming over in the afternoon and I wanted to get a lot done before she came over. But then I got so tired and bad cramps and I just wanted to lay down and not move. I had this whole day planned of stuff to get done and then a really nice supper I wanted to make.

So I didn't get my huge list done. And I felt like a total failure. I felt really bad. But I was honestly hoping the nice supper would redeem me. I totally felt like I was failing as a wife.

I made the supper and I was so excited to have made a nice supper for my husband. I started to make this casserole, and pulled it out of the oven and it looked TERRIBLE!!! I was hoping that the pie I made would salvage the dinner. Then I made rice.

While all this is cooking, I am miserable and tired and my stomach aches like no tomorrow. We sit down to supper. The rice is way way too wet, the meat looks like a weird cardboard, but the saving thing is still the pie right. Well the meat tasted worse than it looked.

My wonderful husband ate it dutifully and said it wasn't too bad. I was very close to just falling apart at this point. But I still had the pie. I went to cut it and it was basically soup. No, it was more liquid than soup.

I have to admit that I totally fell apart. I broke down crying. It was bad. I felt like a total loser and failure at life at this point. I felt like I am a terrible wife. Ever felt like that? Like you are just a total failure.

This is when my husband's amazing wisdom comes in. He holds me as I sob and blather on about how I failed at everything. Once I start to calm down he tells me that I'm not a failure. He tells me that I'm not failing. My standards are too high. I want to be superwoman.No, I want to be as amazing as our mother's are. And I can't. God doesn't expect me to be superwoman. He just expects me to be the best He made me to be.

I don't have to be superwoman. I don't have to be our mother. As Isaiah tells me, they have many years of experience over me. And another thing he tells me is that I have a different view of our mothers than is how they are. I see them as amazing and perfect. And guess what? I don't have to be them. And I don't have to be superwoman.

So I guess this day taught me, I can only do what God enables me to do. Sometimes that means that things don't turn out how I expect them to. But God will teach me through it. As I tell myself all the time, God doesn't care about our comfort; He cares about our relationship with Him.

Monday, January 3, 2011

The Role of Wife

Today I have been married for 6 months. I wanted to write a blog about being married or something like that and then in church yesterday my pastor preached about how the church is the bride of Christ and how God is the Husband to the church. He talked about our role as the bride of Christ and how we are to act and serve God and it made me think about my role as a wife to Isaiah and as part of the bride of Christ.

I used to think that being a wife meant giving up your identity, your mind and everything about you. I thought it meant becoming a smiling wife who did nothing more than cook, grocery shop and clean (all things I thought were very boring and hated doing). I know the difference now.

When we were first married I till struggled with feeling like that. I wondered if I was losing my identity. Was I stil Katie or was I just Mrs. Tamblingson? I realized I was both. I am still me. That will never change. But now I have the added honor and privilege of being Mrs. Tamblingson. Was I good for nothing more than laundry and cleaning? How was I serving God when all I did was cook and clean?

Then I struggled with I'm not being a good enough wife because my house is not as spotless as my mom keeps her house. And sometimes I got behind on the laundry. My tiny apartment is over cluttered and I was embarrassed. I refused to have people over. I felt terrible. I compared myself to other wifes I knew who had perfect houses and the laundry was always done etc etc etc. I would cry all the time because I wasn't living up  to other people.

But then I had to take a step back. I started asking myself, what does it mean to be a wife? What really is the role of a wife? I talked to my mom (the best wife I know) and reading my Bible. I realized that how good of a wife you are is not decided by if the laundry is done or if the house is spotless. No where in the Bible does it define womanhood or being a wife like that. It puts a totally different spin on it.

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord." Colossians 3:18


"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." Ephesians 5: 22 - 33



"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." Proverbs 31:10-31



This just showed me that God doesn't talk about being a wife in how my house is, or how people think my house looks; He cares that I submit to my husband,that I serve my husband and uplift him and that my marriage shows everyone around me how He is with His bride, the church. Then I realized that in serving my husband I am serving God. Its the way I serve God. And through my example and marriage maybe I am serving others. I can show them God and His love for them.

Its then that cleaning and cooking started feeling like an honor. With all Isaiah does for me, its an honor to serve him through keeping his jeans clean and his meals cooked. And in doing that for my husband I am serving my God, who has done so much for me.

I am finally fully starting to understand what it means to be a helpmate. I am Isaiah's helpmate. My job and purpose from God for my life is to love my husband and make him better. My purpose should not be to uplift myself, but to uplift my husband and his goals.

I will say I am not always perfect with submitting and uplifiting Isaiah. There are days when I don't want to. I want to do things my way. Or I think I know best. But that is not how God designed marriage. I am not just some robot that has to submit and stop thinking, that is not a real relationship. I am a part of the relationship. But when it comes down to it, Isaiah is my head and my job to raise him up.

Isn't that how we are supposed to as the bride of Christ also? Our goals should be to uplift Him and His goals. We are to submit to His headship and his direction. Our whole life should be about raising Him up and showing Him to everyone around us.

You know, I almost feel sorry for men. They don't get the everyday job of submitting to their husbands, like we do. We can already know what it means to lay ourselves down out of love and serve. Its our job. We are very blessed.

I will say that I am very thankful for a husband who encourages me to fulfill my potential and does not just want me to be a robot to him. He is understanding and loving. He wants my input in our relationship and life and wants my thoughts. I am so thankful for him.

I am so thankful I get to be a wife. God has blessed me with this job. Though people may not understand it, I am glad I get the honor of submitting to my husband. I am thankful for the job of serving him in my every day life. It is my purpose and my role in life. What an honor.

Recipe Monday

Happy Monday. Today's recipe is shortbread. I love shortbread. My mom would always make it when she was craving something sweet and had hardly any ingredients in the house. I was wanting something sweet and decided to try this recipe. One thing I like about this recipe is that it talks about the history of shortbread and variations. It tastes amazing too. Its just the perfect blend of butter and sugar. I did do something different in that I pressed the dough into a greased pie pan instead of making it into cookies, just like my mom used to. The though is to cut it into triangles like a pie kind of. It did not come out of the pan very well, so I want to work on that, but it tastes so well.

On the actual website there are links to variations of the basic recipe which look good, though I've never tried it. The link is on the bottom.



Shortbread Cookie Recipe



It's 3 parts flour, 2 parts butter and one part sugar. This recipe is for a small batch of cookies and the one I use for experimenting but it doubles or triples with no troubles. Just maintain the ratio.


3/4 cup flour, sifted
1/4 cup superfine sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup room temperature unsalted butter (I used salted and it was fine)


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the flour, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Work in the butter with a fork or pastry cutter until the dough has the consistency of short crust.
Pulsing in a food processor will work also.
Sprinkle a board or your counter top lightly with flour. Turn the dough onto the board and knead until it's smooth. Refrigerate the dough for a couple of hours or overnight.
You should have approximately 8 ounces of dough. Divide the dough into four equal portions for large cookies or eight equal portions for small cookies and shape into rounds.
For consistency you might want to pull out your kitchen scales.
Place each round on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and flatten them with the bottom of a glass to about 1/4 inch thickness. Prick with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 to 30 minutes, until the cookies begin to brown slightly. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet.

About The Butter

Butter is the only flavoring in this cookie. You get sweetness from the sugar and the flour gives it body but it's the butter that supplies the taste.
All true shortbread cookie recipes should include butter. Not lard, not butter flavored shortening and definitely not margarine but honest to goodness butter.
It should also be the freshest butter you can find. Since butter is the only flavoring you certainly don't want to use old tasting butter.
I've seen shortbread cookie recipes that say to use European style butter. I've tried it and for my taste it's not worth the additional expense. I'll just stick to my good old standby Land 'O Lakes.
The primary difference in American butter and European style butter is the butterfat content.
The American standard is that butter is 80% butterfat. European style butter is anywhere from 83% to 86% butterfat.
Try the European if you like but be prepared to take out a second mortgage on your house to buy it.

Shortbread History

Shortbread cookies are ancient. They started in Scotland way back when cooking, compared to today's standards, was crude at best. Of course they have evolved over time to what we know today.
The original shortbread cookie recipe probably included oat flour but when the English adopted it they substituted wheat flour. In Tudor England oats were considered animal food.
Traditional shortbread is baked in a round and then cut into wedges.
The story has it that the ancient Scots baked shortbread in the winter months and put cuts in the shortbread rounds to represent the suns rays. I suppose this was some sort of ritual to persuade the sun to return and do away with the cold winter.
The wintertime tradition holds on though because shortbread cookie recipes are among the most popular Christmas time cookie recipes.

Shortbread Pans and Shortbread Molds

If you would like to stick to the traditional round shortbread any round cake pan will do. Just press the dough in the pan and smooth out by pressing with any flat surface.
However if you really want to get fancy go for some of the shortbread pans or shortbread molds that are available.
You can probably find some interesting ones in your local cooking supply store but if not they're definitely available on the Internet.
I've even found the traditional round handmade wooden molds notched at the edges to signify the sun's rays. I've also found ceramic molds in all sizes, shapes and decorations.
Using a mold for your shortbread cookie recipe is not difficult. Just be sure to dust it with powdered sugar before filling and refrigerate for a time before baking.
The powdered sugar dusting will ensure an easy release from the mold and the refrigeration will help the dough maintain its design during baking.



Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year


Well its 2011. 2010 was a very crazy year. It was definitely a roller coaster. The highs were very high and the lows were very low. But its over. And now we look forward to a new year. So it made me think about what I want to do this year. What are my new years resolutions I guess you could see. Its more about just what I want to do this year to be a better person.

#1 I want to read my Bible more. Not just more but I want to read through it this year. Isaiah has a one year Bible and I want to do it. I decided that I will read the Old Testament portion in the morning to start my day out right, and then the other portions at night before bed. I think it will be good for me. I've never read through the entire Bible and I tend to give up when I try. But I wanted to do something to really grow my relationship with God and grow my knowledge in Him. I would say this is the most important resolution.

#2 I want to put myself last and God then others first. I know this is ambiguous but I want to consciously work on that. I need to show God to everyone around me. I don't do very well in that. I feel like I hide my faith far too much. I don't want to brow beat people with it so they turn away from my Lord, but I want to show how wonderful it is to worship and serve God. I want to serve others more also. That will come from serving God and just out of that service I will serve others. The person I want to serve more for sure is my husband. I tend to be selfish towards Isaiah and not thinking of him, but thinking of myself first. This is not what marriage is about. I need to serve him and think of him first.

#3 Finally, I want to work on my weight. I want to work on it in two ways. First of all, I want to be happy with my body. I have always hated my body and how I look. I come from families of naturally larger people. I'm not trying to use that as an excuse. Its true though. I don't want to constantly be hating myself for how I look and how much I weigh. I want to be happy about myself, and the body God blessed me with. Then I want to go on a diet and lose weight. I'm thinking about kick starting it with the slim fast diet. Then work on just living healthier. I want to eat much healthier, and start working out. I need to get fit.

So there we go. I've put out there my failures and struggles and what I want to do. I was brutally honest here, and that is hard. But its all true. This is what I want to do this year. Its not all I want to do but its what I am resolving to work on. I tend to give up easily and I'm worried that I'll give up. I want accountability and for people to help me on these goals.

So happy new year. Lets hope its great.