CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY

He has risen from the dead...you will see Him - Matthew 28:7  NIV

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where O Death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O Grave? Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened Paradise, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Words:  Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

30 Fun (and Frugal) Family Activites

Having fun with your family doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg!  Although there are many family activities that cost more than an arm and a leg, like going to a movie for instance, there are lots of ways to have fun with your family without breaking the bank.  Try some of these..........

• Ride bicycles together.
• Take your children with you to work for the day.
• Collect aluminum cans and recycle them.
• Things to do on a rainy day...splash in a puddle, sing in the rain, read the story of Noah and the Ark, color a rainbow.
• Climb a tree.
• Choose a picture from a magazine or newspaper and write a one-page story about it.
• Play miniature golf.
• Read Psalm 119 and illustrate it.
• Tell stories of famous brothers and sisters in the Bible (Miriam, Aaron, Moses or Martha, Mary, Lazarus).  Share a story about brothers and sisters in your family.
• Play marbles outside.
• Fold paper planes and see whose plane goes the farthest.
• Find socks around the house that don't have a match.  Make sock puppets and create a funny story.
• Visit a local museum.
• Make a "stick family".  Each person in your family decorates a craft stick with markers, yarn, or paper so that it resembles him.  Glue the sticks to poster board and display it.
• Share the story of the resurrection of Jesus with your family.
• Go to the playground.  Join your children on the swings and down the slide.
• Visit the library with your children.  Get a library card for them if they don't already have one.
• Play with your pet (s).  If your family doesn't have one, visit a pet store.
• Devise an obstacle course.  Hold a race to see who can walk around the obstacles to the finish line the fastest.
• Color Easter eggs.
• Share riddles and knock-knock jokes around the dinner table.
• Draw a picture of your favorite bird.  Add beads, fabric, or feathers to the picture.
• Make a pretend banjo with a box and strings.  Sing "Oh Susanna".
• Volunteer as a family at a local homeless shelter, library, or your church.
• Use a shoebox to make an Easter scene.  Choose items such as a cross, a stone, and a folded cloth to represent different facts about Easter.
• Plant flowers around the house.
• Pick up trash at a park.
• Write a newspaper.  Include photos and articles about recent family activities.  Make copies and send to relatives.
• Go through your closets.  Choose at least five items from each closet to give away. 
• Sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and talk about its history.  Illustrate the song.
• Prepare a care package for someone in the military.  Thank them for their service.

What's For Dinner?

In order to help the evening run smoother I try to know what's for dinner no later than 10 a.m. each day.  In the best case scenario I have the week all planned out and I know what's for dinner well ahead of time.  This is ideal but does not happen every single week. Having a meal plan in place eliminates last minute runs for pizza or the blank stare into the pantry trying to come up with something at 6:30 p.m. when everyone is starving.  I have found meal planning to be my best weapon against over spending at the grocery store and against serving drive thru junk food.    

Here's what we're having tonight.....

White Beans with Bacon and Tomato Sauce

BEANS:
1 cup dried white beans
6 cups water plus water to cover beans while soaking
1 medium carrot, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons coarse salt

BACON AND TOMATO SAUCE:
4 slices bacon, diced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon coarse salt
2 (15 ounce) cans petite chopped tomatoes
2 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme (1 teaspoon dried)

To prepare the beans:  In a large saucepan place the beans, cover with 2 inches of water, and soak overnight.  Drain.  Add the beans back to the pan and add the 6 cups of water.  Bring the beans to a boil.  Add the carrot and onion.  Simmer over low heat partially covered for 45 minutes, until the beans are almost done.  Add the salt, continuing to cook for about 45 minutes until the beans are tender.  Drain the beans in a colander, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the bean liquid for the bacon and tomato sauce. 

To make the bacon and tomato sauce:  Cook the bacon in a heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring until crisp.  Add the olive oil and onion, stirring for 10 minutes.  Add the garlic and salt and continue to cook for 2 minutes.  Add the tomatoes and chopped thyme.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes or until the sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.  

Return the beans to the large saucepan.  Add the tomato sauce and the 1 1/2 cups of reserved bean juice.  Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.  

Makes 10 servings.

NOTE:  This can be made a day ahead and placed in refrigerator.  To reheat, place over low heat for 30 minutes.  Thin with water while reheating if necessary. 

Cheap MoonPies!

Remember the other day when I gave the link to a MoonPie coupon?  If not, click HERE .  If you haven't printed yet you might want to do so today.  Walmart has boxes of MoonPies for 88 cents.  The coupon says 55 cents off one box so you will be able to score some MoonPies for 33 cents a box!  You can print the coupon twice.  That's 2 boxes of  MoonPies for well under a dollar.  LOVE IT!

Developing Family Traditions

I am a big believer in family traditions.  It only takes a small gesture to bring your family closer.  Family traditions help you to connect and maintain family ties. 

Here are some family tradition suggestions from Emilie Barnes.  Select a few that interest you and try them on your family members.  It's never to late to start a new tradition!

• Double Desserts - Once a month, surprise your family by announcing double-dessert night.
• What's the Best Thing That Happened to You Today? - Ask this question during dinner each night.  We always do this and it is fun hearing what each person has to say.
• Mom's Canned Questions - Have a jar of 150 questions that are great for the family to answer during mealtime.  This can even be fun when friends come to visit. 
• Cooking Class - At least once a month set aside a special afternoon where the children are invited to the kitchen to prepare a meal or a portion of a meal.  Desserts are always a winner.  Bring out the aprons and chef hats!
• You Are Special Today - We have a special birthday plate, some families have the large red plate inscribed with "You are Special Today".  It's so much fun to honor a member of the family at dinner.  You can even take your special plate to restaurants, picnics, the beach, etc.  Go around the table and have each person tell the honored one why they think he or she is special.  It's amazing what can happen through this tradition.  
• Sharing a Secret - You can have a lot of fun by sharing a secret and then keeping up the suspense until Christmas or a birthday comes.  It's also good training to teach the children how to keep a secret.  
• Kid Fix - Request a "kid fix", a hefty hug and big kiss whenever you feel the need.  Let your youngsters know it makes you feel much better.  
• Ice Cream Run - During the summer when the kids don't have to get up to do school the next day, go into their rooms just before they fall asleep and announce an "ice cream run".  They will think you have flipped out, but they will always remember those special times when you got them out of bed and went to get some delightful ice cream.  

Here are some more family tradition suggestions from our family...

• Make special posters and signs on birthdays.  Hang them all over the house. 
• Put Valentines for each family member in a special mailbox.  Open during breakfast on Valentine's Day.
• Wrap up 25 little gifts and open one each day of December until Christmas.  (We rotate children each day since we have 5. One person opens each day.)
• Allow the birthday child to choose the breakfast, lunch and dinner menu on their special day. 
• The birthday child also chooses their birthday dessert each year.  Sometimes it is a birthday cake, sometimes it is a pie or some other dessert. 
• Pack a special picnic on the 4th of July and watch fireworks.
• Write special notes in birthday cards and pick a special bible verse for each child each year.
• Pop popcorn and make a thermos of hot chocolate and either attend a Christmas parade or ride around to look at Christmas lights.  (We don't run the heat in the van so it will be cold and we take blankets.)
• Read an Advent book during the Christmas season and light candles each night while reading.
• Make an all red dinner on Valentine's Day and an all green breakfast on St. Patrick's day.
• Make special posters on Thanksgiving covering every square inch of the poster with words and pictures telling what we are thankful for.
• Go see a movie on Thanksgiving night.  (a favorite tradition)
• Make a big event out of putting up the Christmas tree.  Make special treats to eat, play Christmas music and reminisce as each ornament is placed on the tree.  (Our tree is as much a memory tree as it is a Christmas tree.) 
• Make a special craft each Christmas to give out as a gift to neighbors, church friends and others.  (We've done hot chocolate mix, Christmas tree ornaments, etc.)
• Make Friday night Family Fun Night.  (We do yummy snacks and board games or we watch a movie.  The kids love Friday nights!)
• Make construction paper chains to "count down" to a special event. ( This has worked great with younger kids.  Instead of asking how long until...they can count the number of links left on their chain, tearing one off each day.  We've done this to count down to Christmas, birthdays and even to count down the days until we leave for vacation.)
• Read a special book aloud as a family each night.
• Give the birthday child the day off of school on their special day.
• Have special foods that you only eat on certain holidays, like sausage balls or fudge at Christmas. 

Anything you do with your family that is special and unique to your group will make wonderful lasting memories and draw your family members closer together.  Children love to say, "Our family always......fill in the blank".  Even the little things are special to kids, so let's start now!

Tennessee Hometown Cooking

A few tidbits from my Tennessee Hometown Cookbook......
(I love living in Tennessee and I love being a Tennessee cook!!)

Do you love MoonPies?  They are exceptionally well loved at our house.  Not so much by me, but SO much by the other members of my household.  Did you know the MoonPie was concocted in Chattanooga at the Chattanooga Bakery in the early 1900's? The reported inventor asked miners what they might enjoy as a snack.  In addition to being solid and filling, the other requirement was that the size be about as big as a man's hands framing the full moon in the sky.  These requirements were combined with the observation that workers at the bakery dipped graham crackers into marshmallow and laid in the window to harden.  A second graham cracker and a coat of chocolate were added to the recipe and samples were distributed to factory workers.  Samples were sent around routes with salespeople.  The response was so favorable that the MoonPie became a regular item for the bakery.  By the late 1950's the MoonPie had grown in popularity so much that the bakery did not have the resources to produce items other than the MoonPie.

Traditional Microwaved MoonPie

1 MoonPie
1 microwave
1 scoop of ice cream
1 Double Cola

Remove MoonPie from wrapper because this is going to get messy.  Place in a small bowl, microwave on high until the filling puffs up.  (Be careful, the inside filling gets hot.)  Top with ice cream and enjoy with a cold Double Cola. 

MoonPie Vanilla Pudding

6 MoonPies
2 boxes instant vanilla pudding
Chocolate or caramel chips

Break MoonPies into smaller pieces and spread evenly over the bottom of a glass baking dish.  Prepare pudding as directed on box and spread evenly over MoonPies.  Chill to set pudding.  Spoon equal amounts into serving bowls and sprinkle with chocolate or caramel chips. 

Check this out:  RC and MoonPie Festival

Want a coupon for MoonPies?  Click HERE

Whenever we start approaching the weekend our family starts talking about what dessert or chocolate goodness we can make.  So...if you are like us, here's one more recipe to try.  Sorry there is no bake time.  You just have to keep an eye on it and check for doneness.


Chattanooga Fudge Cake

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/3 cups sugar
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 cup cold water
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt

Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda.  Add mayonnaise, water, vanilla and salt.  Beat well and pour into greased Bundt pan.  Bake in 350 degree oven until done.

Looking Unto Jesus

He is so faithful and merciful and loving.  He is my Heavenly Father.  He knows.  He sees.  He understands.

Psalm 113 
Praise the Lord!
Praise, O Servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!
The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! 
Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?  He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.  He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.  Praise the Lord!

Doesn't it hurt to be hurt?  Oh sweet moms, does anything destroy your focus like emotional pain?  I want to focus on the work I have to do, my work at home.  My desire is to focus on my relationship with God, and loving my husband, and caring for my children.  But painful blows can send that plan into chaos.  I'm learning and I'm growing and I'm thankful that God is teaching me.  We just can't let anything remove our focus from the purpose we have been called to as workers at home. 

Here's what I'm learning -

You can't make someone love.  You can't make any person do anything.

Refusing to forgive will hurt you and possibly your family.  Forgive.  Move forward from there.

Moving on may really mean moving on.  It seems so difficult but it may be the best decision for you.

Pray, pray, pray, pray.  (I should have put this first)  Pray that God will help the hurt.  Pray that you will not sin.  Pray that God will help you to not say the wrong thing.  PRAY!

The Holy Spirit led me to these verses and I thought I would share them.

 James 3:17-18  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

Today it is my duty to make peace.  Real peace is found only in Jesus so I must look to Him.  I will look to Jesus, keeping my mind steadfast on Him. (And as the Psalmist said, I will rejoice in being the mother of children!)

We must make sure our focus stays on the Lord and that we are found faithful as workers at home.  We all have those hard times, we all deal with difficult people, but we must not allow our families to suffer neglect or our spirits to be pulled down.  Look up when life pulls you down and allow the peace of God to fill your heart and your home.  The work we do at home is the most important work on earth.

Frugal Feeding of the Family Reader Response

Sounds like everyone is looking for ways to save money on food!  Workers at home everywhere want to serve delicious, inexpensive meals to their families.  Here's what some of my dear readers had to say.....

Geneva at nevas-life.blogspot.com/ shared her recipe for Potato Soup.

Ingredients:
About 15 potatoes, peeled and cut into small, but not too small, pieces.
Salt
Chopped parsley
Pepper
4 cans of cream of something (potato, celery, chicken, mushroom.  All work!)
The How to's:
1.  Put peeled and chopped potatoes in pot, cover with water and boil 'til soft.
2.  Pour in cream of whatever.  Add salt, pepper, and parsley.
3.  Let simmer on low for a few minutes, 'til it is to your liking.
Ok, see?  Easy!  So, go try it!  It is wonderful!:)   12-15 servings. 

Jennifer shared her recipe for Tuna Melts.

One can of tuna made up into tuna salad with mayo makes 3 or 4 melts, depending on how thick you like your tuna.  You'll need 3 or 4 English Muffins, can of tuna, mayo to mix in your tuna, and American cheese.  Mix up your tuna with mayo, splitting your English muffin in half, spread tuna on halved muffins, place a slice or half slice of cheese, place in a 350 degree oven.  Bake until cheese is melted and a bit brown.  Serve warm.

Leila from All meant to shine suggests eating flavorful rice and beans.  See her comment on my original post, Frugal Feeding of the Family.  While you are there check out Stacie's comments and make sure to visit her at A Firefighter's Wife .  Stacie says she is serving soup once a week and replacing the noodles in her soup recipes and casserole recipes with rice.  She is also making homemade bread in her bread machine to save money and recommends gardening.

You can find April at countrymomto4.blogspot.com .  She recommends serving soup once a week and also rice and beans once a week.  She also says she cooks whole chickens often and gets at least 2 meals out of that.  Check out her posts on these ideas,  Here and Here and here .

Here's a frugal recipe you might want to try......

Southern Beans  (I love being a southern cook!) 

1-1/2 lbs. dry pinto beans
salt to taste
1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced
1 to 2 c. salsa, optional

Place beans in a stockpot and cover well with water.  Boil beans over medium-high heat for 30 minutes.  Drain and cover with fresh water.  Simmer, stirring occasionally and adding water if necessary.  Cook slowly for 4 to 6 hours.  Add salt to taste as beans become tender.  In a separate skillet, brown ground beef, onion and garlic.  Add to beans and continue cooking until beans are tender.  Add salsa if desired.  Good stuff!

 I'm posting this again since my dear friend Amy M. asked me to.......

 Macaroni and Cheese

Put in crock pot:

• 2 cups evaporated milk
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 1 egg beaten
• 2 cups cubed cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter

Stir well.  Cover and cook on high for one hour (or less).  Add 3 or 4 cups cooked macaroni, drained.  Cover and cook on low for 3-5 hours (or less).  Delicious!
My crock pot is NOT a "slow cooker".  It cooks things faster than I would like actually, so I have to watch it when I make this so that it does not burn and stick to the sides.  Also, I double this for our family and triple it when I bring it to church.

And one more......

Sloppy Joes

Brown 3 lbs ground beef in skillet.  Pour into colander and rinse well.  Put into crock pot and add 2 onions finely chopped, 1 green pepper seeded and chopped, 2 8oz cans tomato sauce, 1 8oz can water, 2 pkgs sloppy joe seasoning mix.  Cover and cook on low 4 to 6 hours. 
Note:  If too liquid, remove cover and set on high for 30 minutes.
Our family loves these and all you need to add to this are some hamburger buns and carrot sticks!  Yum!

Top Picks 3rd - 5th grade

Here are some more of our favorites.  Remember, this is not everything we used with every student for each of the grades, just some of the standouts that we really loved.

3RD GRADE

  Proverbs People by Rick and Marilyn Boyer

Language Arts:  Alpha Omega Life Pac Grade 3

Spectrum Phonics Grade 3

Math:  Saxon Math 3

    
  Pathway Readers

Explode the Code Series

A Reason for Handwriting Series

4TH GRADE

 Studying God's Word  Darrel A. Trulson

Language Arts:  Alpha Omega Life Pac Grade 4

Spectrum Phonics Grade 4

  Saxon Math 5/4

The History of Our United States  A Beka Book

Apples:  Daily Spelling Drills for Secondary Students

5TH GRADE

Big Truths for Young Hearts  Bruce A. Ware

Christian Character  by Gary Maldaner

Language Arts:  Alpha Omega Life Pac Grade 5

Spectrum Phonics Grade 5

  Saxon Math 6/5

Investigating God's World  A Beka Book Science Series

Some other Science books I like for 3rd - 5th grade:

And for History I love these

We've used this for Art and the kids really enjoyed it - Drawing Basics with Thomas KinKade - DVD Curriculum

Boyhood and Beyond:  Practical Wisdom for Becoming a Man

Fun Reading:

The Sugar Creek Gang

The Moody Family Series

There are many more books we have read and loved and I am sure I'm forgetting some.  I've stayed with Saxon for Math, and Alpha Omega for Language Arts each year.  The children also read The Little House on the Prairie Series, and The Chronicles of Narnia Series, The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Series, and a whole lot of other books.  Everyone loves to read here!  Our family reads aloud missionary stories too and we've all enjoyed Hero Tales.

  I certainly could keep this list going on and on but this will suffice as some of our top picks for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade.  Should you have any questions feel free to email me 7morans@comcast.net

Hope you do too!

Coming soon...Top Picks 6th -8th grade.  Stay tuned!