Rebecca's Hearth and Home

Celebrating Our 24th Wedding Anniversary

2012-02-15T18:03:00.000-06:00

The celebration actually started over the weekend when our children got together and hosted a

wonderful spaghetti dinner for us, but yesterday, on Valentine's Day, John and I celebrated our

24th wedding anniversary, and what a beautiful day it was!

It started early with this beautiful flower delivery from our youngest daughter and her husband.

In the afternoon John and I went bowling. As usual he beat me best two out of three games,

then we went to dinner at the nationally famous Chicken Mary's.

On the way home I rescued these beauties out of the middle of the road. I think someone

had a fight and pitched them into the roadway. I rescued all that hadn't been run over

and gave them a home with me.

We received many beautiful cards and 'Happy Anniversary' messages on Facebook. Each

one helped to make our day special and all are much appreciated!

Happy Anniversary, Baby! Lord willing, here's to the next 24!

As the card says, "When you kiss a girl...she stays kissed!"

Five Minute Friday - TRUST

2012-02-13T09:36:00.000-06:00

As you can see...it's Monday...NOT Friday...but, to be honest, this is the first opportunity I've had since Friday to sit down and really work on anything. For those of you who are wondering what 'Five Minute Friday' is and don't know...well...as our hostess, and inspiration, The Gypsy Mama, puts it, it's a time in which we write "For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not."

If you'd like to find out more or are interested in joining us for the next 'Five Minute Friday', then be sure and visit The Gypsy Mama today!

Now...for today's assignment...

Go!

Trust. I think we all probably have trust issues or, at least, have had trust issues in the past. Like it or not, the people we love the most seem to be the ones who know how to hurt us the most and, before we know it, we find ourselves fearful and hurting...unable to trust them like we used to...and, if we're not careful...after getting hurt over and over again...we find it hard to trust anyone. Hard as it is...the truth is...people are people. They're fallible and they make mistakes. They can be very hurtful...especially if they don't know the Lord and are operating outside of Biblical authority and, given enough time, they will fail you. That is to be expected. But there is One! Oh! There is One! One that will never leave you...never forsake you...never fail you...and His name is Jesus! If you're going to put your trust in someone...put your trust in Him!

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Stop!

Living On A Dime - Simple Ways To Save $7,000

2012-02-13T08:55:00.000-06:00

Simple Ways to Save $7,000
by Tawra Kellam
http://www.LivingOnADime.com

Many of us often feel overwhelmed by debt and don't know how to start climbing out of it. For others it's a misconception that the more money you earn the easier it is to save. Tawra and Michael Kellam paid off $20,000 of credit card debt and medical bills in 5 years when their average income was $22,000 a year.
Here is how you can save over $7,000 in just one year cutting a few things from your grocery bill. They are painless, simple and add up over time. If you don't think that cutting out one bag of potato chips or one soda will make a difference, look at the numbers at the end of a year.
If you're trying to save so you can stay home with your kids, put a down payment on a house, pay off some credit card debt or just have some emergency money, here are 10 ways to do it without depriving yourself. The total annual savings (in parentheses) will amaze you! You can start with these tips from www.LivingOnADime.com.
By eliminating:

One $2.00 bag of potato chips (You don't have to cut out all chips, just 1 bag) from your grocery bill each week you can save $104.00 per year.
Cut a weekly $4.00 box of cereal and it puts $208 in your pocket each year.
If you eat out one less time each week at $30 a meal, you can save $1,560 annually.
Ordering one less delivered pizza at $20, can save you $1040 per year.
Daily gourmet coffee at $2.50 per cup ($910)
A daily liter of soda ($365)
Snack cakes ($455)
One less bottled water per day ($455)
One cup less juice per person in a family of four ($546)
3 lbs. less red meat a week ($390)
Bringing your lunch instead of buying saves $4.00 a day or $1040 a year.

By themselves, these efforts may seem small--but they add up to over $7,000 in savings in just one year.

Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com , sign up for our free Living On A Dime Newsletter and learn to save more!

Beyond Your Limit?

2012-02-13T08:47:00.000-06:00

"Beyond my limit!" "Beyond all hope!" How many of us feel this way?

As my husband often reminds us in his sermons (he did this just yesterday, in fact)...the devil's three greatest tools that he uses against us are depression, distraction, and discouragement. He wants to push us beyond our limits and made us feel that we're all alone...that all hope is lost. But it isn't!

You see...there is fact! And there is TRUTH!

'Fact' is what we see right in front of us...the bad report from the doctor, the bad marriage, the bad financial situation, the bad 'whatever' you happen to be facing today. But the 'TRUTH' is what God has to say about those situations in His precious and Holy Word!

If you've reached your limit in a certain situation...if you feel that you're beyond all hope...it's not too late! Because God...the Creator of your body, soul, and spirit...the One Who fashioned you after His very likeness...God sees beyond that situation that you're facing today and He's already got the answer!

Dig into His Word! By faith, reach beyond those limits that the enemy of your soul has set up within your heart and mind and stand on God's promises today! He is there for you! And He will never leave you, nor forsake you!

Words of Wisdom From My Mother

2012-02-08T11:15:00.000-06:00

Had she still been here, today would have been my mother's 71st birthday. For me, her birthday is always a time to focus on good times together and to go back and re-glean from her valuable wisdom. In going back through old posts on my Proverbs 31 Woman Group I came across these words of wisdom from my mother concerning the importance of the personal study of God's Word. Apparently, we were going through 1 Peter on the group at the time. Here's what she had to say...

<<<<I would like to point out something here that verifies our very need
to do Bible studies like this. We are living in a very dangerous time
as far as spiritual knowledge is concerned. We have so much
information available to us today, and in general we have a tendency
to accept whatever we hear. Jesus warned that in the 'later times'
there would be wolves coming among the sheep (false teachers coming
into the Christian community) with the express intent of teaching
false doctrine in order to lead the unsuspecting (unlearned) away
from Christ. The reason I bring that up in relation to this study is
the way Peter introduced himself. He verified quickly who he was and
what his doctrine was. We find that many of the New Testament books
began in similar fashion. Today, there are so many who go about
preaching a 'form of godliness, but denying the power thereof' that
it becomes necessary for each of us to be able to discern the 'true'
from the 'false'. Hence, the need for individual Bible study. The
best way for us to know the Truth is to study it for ourselves. If we
know the Truth of the Bible in our hearts and minds, AND learn to
rely on God to nudge us to follow His teachings, we will be much less
likely to fall for the untruths that assail us from every side.
Marge>>>>

Gee, I miss my mom! She was the one that I could always depend on to pull me back to center when I was headed for the ditch...which happens on a regular basis!

11 Tips For Frugal Living

2012-02-06T14:04:00.000-06:00

11 Tips for Frugal Living
by Tawra Kellam
http://www.LivingOnADime.com

Frugal living is all about making the most with what you already have. Here are 11 tips from LivingOnADime.com to help you get started:

Barter for services when possible. For example, we exchanged lawn mower repair from our neighbor for a table (garage sale find) that he was looking for.
Learn to fix things for yourself. These days, with the Internet making information so easily available, you can fix most things yourself. We do 95% of the repairs around our house and we aren't that handy. We just keep looking for the information about how to do it and keep working until we get it fixed!
Stop eating out. I know you hear it all the time but STOP!!! The "average" family spends $300-$500 a month just eating out! Eating out truly is one of the biggest causes of debt! I am always amazed how someone can be "totally broke" and can't pay their bills but are still able to go to the drive-thru of their favorite restaurant.
Study nutrition information and find out what you need to eat to have a healthy and balanced diet. Then stop eating the junk and eat healthy inexpensive meals at home. We have a lot of menu ideas here at LivingOnADime.com that can help you get started.
If something breaks and you don't have the money to fix or if you are out of something and you don't have the money to buy more, figure out a way to live without it. If the lawn mower breaks, can you borrow a friend's lawn mower? If your washer breaks, go to the laundromat. If you break your tea kettle, use a saucepan to heat water. In most instances, you can find a way to make do or do without something until you have the cash saved up.
Do things for free. Go to the library, have a picnic or read a book. Kids are just as happy playing with mom and dad in the backyard as they are going to the zoo. If you can't pay cash for the "fun stuff" you can always have fun at home.
Buy items used. We buy 90% of the items for ourselves used. Going to yard sales and thrift stores does not take any longer than going to a retail store but you can save 90% off the retail price!
Just say no...to your kids. Let kids buy their own toys and extras! Our kids pay for all their own soda, candy, treats like nail polish, their own computers and extras. You are not the Bank of Mom so just say no!
Find a cheaper way to do things. Go to a beauty school to get your hair colored (or don't have your hair colored at all it isn't something you need to survive). Go to a mechanic school to get your car fixed. Hire a kid instead of a lawn service to mow your yard (only if you can't do it yourself for medical reasons. :-) Paint your own house instead of hiring someone, cut the cable and the cell phone (gasp!), and have birthday parties at your house. There is almost always a cheaper way to do things so try to find the cheapest way and save some money!
Cut kids' activities. Most kids are in way too many activities and they're often expensive. I know families who pay $175 a month for gymnastics lessons but can't pay the mortgage. There is a problem with this kind of thinking! Kids won't die if you don't give them all the lessons and activities you can't afford.
Get it for free. When the landscapers were laying sod in our new neighborhood, I asked for the scraps and we were almost able to put in our entire backyard for free. When they were building houses, I asked for the 2x4's that were going into the dumpster and got enough wood for our shed. When they were pouring concrete patios, I asked for the leftover concrete and they just poured our entire cement pad for our shed for free!! If friends have kids older than your kids, ask if you can have their hand me downs when they are done.

Get as much as you can for free and you can save thousands of dollars!
-Tawra

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com , sign up for our free Living On A Dime Newsletter and learn to save more!

Choosing The Better Part

2012-02-06T09:54:00.000-06:00

Website For This Image

Luke 10:38-42 tells us the story of two sisters, Martha and Mary. The passage tells us that, as Jesus was passing through a certain village, Martha welcomed Him into her home. While Martha was busy cooking and serving dinner, we're told that Mary had slipped out of her sister's kitchen and was sitting at the Master's feet...listening intently to every word He said. After a time Martha interrupted Jesus...complaining...wanting to know if He didn't care that Mary had left her to the work alone. Jesus answered this way:

"...Martha, Martha, thou art careful [worried] and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her"

(Luke 38:41-42).

My questions are...

How many of us are like Martha? What kind of person was she? Anxious? Always busy? How many of us are more like Mary? What type of person was she? Calmer? More focused on what was really important in her life? What heart-qualities made them different? If Jesus came to your house today...would He have to gently rebuke you as He did Martha? Or would He commend you as He did Mary? Which of these two sister's qualities would you rather possess? What qualities do we need to cultivate in our own lives in order to achieve that goal?

May each woman reading here today follow Mary in example. Lord, teach us to choose "the better part."

Five Minute Friday - REAL

2012-02-03T18:27:00.000-06:00

It's FRIDAY! That means it's time for another 'Five Minute Friday' where as, our hostess, and inspiration, The Gypsy Mama, puts it, we write "For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not."

Want to join us? Then be sure and visit The Gypsy Mama today!

Now...for today's assignment...

Go!

I'm afraid I'm opening my inner self up a little too much here...but here goes...

Real. Sometimes...I'm not sure that I even know what the word means. I can remember asking people over the years if they ever felt like they weren't real...because that's how I feel most of the time...like I'm not even real...and they look at me like I'm crazy. All but one has said, "No"...they've never felt that way and they can't understand. (after looking up the definition online) "Real" - "Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed." It's strange. So many times in my life I've felt that every one and every thing around me is real...but not me. Does anyone else here ever feel like that?

Stop!

Living On A Dime - Valentine's Day On A Dime

2012-01-29T15:28:00.001-06:00

Valentine's Day On A Dime
by Tawra Kellam
http://www.LivingOnADime.com

Using a little imagination, you can make your Valentine's day a little more fun and a lot less expensive. If you want to add a little personalized romance or if you don't have the time or money to buy all the pre-made things in the store, here are some ideas to help you make the day special.

For The Kids:

My mom always made a great but inexpensive Valentine's Day treat for us. She would take construction paper and cut a big heart out of it. (About 8x10 inches). She would staple the edges together and write our names and an I love you on the outside. Then she would fill the heart with candy, purchased on clearance after Christmas. It was very inexpensive but we loved it!
Have a Valentine's Day treasure hunt. Leave little notes around with the last one leading back to the kitchen table with a heart full of candy.
Leave sticks of red gum in their Valentine's Day cards.

For The Lunches

Make heart shaped Valentine's cookies. Cut the kids (or hubby's) sandwiches with a heart shaped cookie cutter. Add a few Valentine's chocolates and put a note in red with a big heart on their napkin.
Serve anything red for the day. Serve red Jello, red pudding, red apples, toast with strawberry jelly, tomato soup, red applesauce, red Kool-aid, strawberry milk, or red frosted cookies. Use powered food coloring from the cake store to get the deepest shade of red. Serving all red things at a meal will really have wow factor even if it is something as inexpensive as red jello and tomato soup.
Make red heart shaped cupcakes. Make cupcakes as usual but place a marble down the side of the muffin tin between the muffin tin and each cupcake cup. This will make heart shaped cupcakes.
Make hearts out of chocolate chips in each of your pancakes.

Things To Do With Or For Your Honey

Mail your pre-addressed and stamped Valentines to Loveland, Colorado and they will postmark them and mail them for you. Send them to: Postmaster, Valentine Re-mailing, 446 E. 29th St., Loveland, CO 80538
Make a treasure hunt for your spouse. Start by mailing or e-mailing him the first clue. Then leave clues all over the house, yard, car or his office telling him where to find the next clue. End the hunt by making a picnic in the back yard or going to a park for a picnic. Use your imagination and have fun. The simple things are the ones people remember.
Go to a bookstore together and enjoy the silence and browse. Get a cup of coffee and make a date of it.
Celebrate Valentine's Day AFTER Valentine's day. Everything is half off.
Mail a love letter to your hubby's work.
Send your spouse a sexy email message.
Leave "Why I love you" message all over the house. Buy a package of the cheap Valentines. Leave a message on each one and hide them all over the house for your honey. They will get to enjoy the gift for months!
Use lipstick to make hearts and love notes on the rear view mirror, car windows, bathroom mirror or windows of the house. Leave a kiss on his napkin for lunch or dinner.
Make a bunch of hearts out of construction paper. Put a love note on each one. Paste them all over the front door or car before your hubby or kids come home from work.
If you don't have money to go out, have a picnic on the floor. Use some candles and lay a soft blanket on the floor. Put on some soft music and have a romantic Valentine's dinner on the floor. Use some white Christmas lights for additional romantic lighting!

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt, by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com

Today's The Day!

2012-01-29T14:52:00.000-06:00

"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come..." (Song of Solomon 2:1)

It's an annual event at our house...waiting for the first tiny, little, purple crocus to pop its head up out of the ground in anticipation of the soon to arrive spring...and today's the day...January 29, 2012! I went out first thing this morning (which I do quite often come warmer, sunny days...be it January, February, or March when they come) and discovered these little beauties standing up tall and proud all along the south side of our property. As always, I picked one to put in water on my desk and left the others to dot the south lawn in an array of purple glory. The grandchildren delight in this annual event, as well, and, after church today, were they ever surprised to find that it had already happened! It's not quite spring, yet, but the promise of it has burst forth from the ground, and I, for one, am happy to know that it's on its way! Thank You, Lord, for your lovingkindness and unfailing promises! I love You, Lord!

Five Minute Friday - TENDER

2012-01-27T14:47:00.000-06:00

Want to join us? Then be sure and visit The Gypsy Mama today!

Now...for today's assignment...

Go!

I don't have a lot of time today, but, when I saw today's assigned word, I didn't want to not take time to do today's Five Minute Friday assignment.

When I saw the word 'tender' I immediately thought of Psalm 40, in which David declares in verses 8-10, "I delight to do they will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindess and thy truth from the great congregation."

Then, in verse 11, David petitions the Lord, "Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me."

May it be the same with us today. May those who are reading this now never cease to delight in doing God's will in their lives, holding His Word and His righteousness in their heart, refrain not their lips from declaring His faithfulness, salvation, and truth, and may the Lord, in turn, withhold not His tender mercies from us. May His lovingkindness and truth continually preserve us.

In Jesus' name...Amen!

Stop!

Celebrating Burn's Night/Scottish Recipes

2012-01-26T00:08:00.000-06:00


Our Beautiful Crockpot Haggis

As home educators our family has always enjoyed celebrations of all kinds...especially ones that celebrate our Italian and/or Scots-Irish heritage. Well, today we celebrated a new holiday for the first time. One that, in truth, we didn't even know existed until late last night!

Last night I was on Facebook and something was posted on one of the Scottish groups that I'm on about Burn's Night (an annual celebration in Scotland commemorating the life of bard, Robert Burns, who was born on January 23, 1759). After doing a little research, I decided that, while it might not be completely traditional, we were going to celebrate Burn's Night anyway!

In researching I discovered that the traditional Burn's Night supper consists of haggis, tatties, and neeps. Now...how was I going to pull that off? I mean...haggis? Cooked in a sheep's stomach? Uh-uh! Not happening here! I looked around and, after a while, found a recipe for haggis made in a crockpot. I tweaked it a bit and made it my own. Here is a link to the original story and recipe which I enjoyed reading very much!

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-haggis-recipe.html

(I will share the recipe I made in just a moment.)

I also made the traditional tatties (mashed potatoes) and neeps (mashed turnips), and added my own favorite version of Scottish Oatcakes (recipes included). It all made for a delicious meal! One that I will definitely make again and again! (Probably every January 25th!)

To make it even lovelier and more special we were joined for supper by our daughter-in-law and three of our grandchildren. It was fun to share a new experience with them!

We ended our celebration by listening to two of Robert Burns works...Auld Lang Syne and Address To A Haggis (which I absolutely delight in!).

Here are those recipes as promised...

CROCKPOT HAGGIS

1 pound lean ground turkey
1 chopped red onion
1 cup whole oats
a pinch each of nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/2 cup chicken broth

In a large mixing bowl, mix all of the ingredients, minus the broth, the same way you'd make a meatloaf. Plop it into your crockpot that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Press meat down to form in the shape of the crockpot. Pour broth over top. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for about 4. This is cooked fully when it has browned on the edges and is beginning to brown on top. Don't overcook and risk drying out. Using a large spatula, carefully remove from crockpot and place on cutting board (I loosened ours by running a table knife around the edges first and it came out beautifully). (Save broth to serve over top.) Let rest for 30 minutes before slicing.

TATTIES AND NEEPS

1¼ lb. potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
1¼ lb. turnips, peeled, roughly chopped
A generous pinch of grated nutmeg
4 tbsp milk
4 tbsp butter
Sea salt and pepper

Tatties - Place the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, cover the pan with a lid. Bring the potatoes to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until tender (approx 20 mins). Drain the potatoes and keep to one side. Add half of the butter and half the milk to the pan the potatoes were cooked in. Melt the butter and warm the milk, add the cooked potatoes and mash. Add the nutmeg and stir well to create a smooth, creamy mash.

Neeps - Place the turnips in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, cover the pan with a lid. Bring the turnips to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until tender (approx 20 mins). Drain the turnips and keep to one side. Add half of the butter and half the milk to the pan the turnips were cooked in. Melt the butter and warm the milk, add the cooked turnips and mash.

SCOTTISH OATCAKES

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 c. light butter
1/2 c. water, or more if needed

In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal. With a fork, stir in the water. Dough should just cling together. Divide into 3 portions.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion as thin as possible. Cut into triangles. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Oatcakes should not be brown but be still quite blonde when done.

Happy Burns Night!

~Rebecca

And The Winners Are!

2012-01-20T10:12:00.000-06:00

It's Friday! And it's time to announce the winners of Darlene Schact's new The Good Wife's Guide e-book (there are three)!

For those of you who are wondering how I selected the winners, I did it the old-fashioned way. I put all the entrants' names (individually, of course) on the backs of old business cards, folded them over, put them in a big bowl, and while my husband held the bowl over my head, I reached in, and pulled out the winners.

And they are...

1) Melissa Nassraway - hkittycrzy@aol.com

2) Sandy Holtgrewe - (Sandy, I need an e-mail address to send to Darlene so she can get that out to you.)

3) Carla Beatty Evans - carlaevans_2000@yahoo.com

Congratulations, Ladies! And enjoy! You are going to LOVE this new e-book! Guaranteed!

God bless and have a beautiful day!

All My Love,
~Rebecca

P.S. - Darlene, thanks, again, for allowing me the opportunity to share this lovely e-book with my readers. It is much appreciated, my friend! God bless! <3

Five Minute Friday - VIVID

2012-01-20T09:37:00.003-06:00

Want to join us? Then be sure and visit The Gypsy Mama today!

Now...for today's assignment...

Go!

Today's word is VIVID, and, again, it's a timely word chosen from Gypsy Mama's repertoire of beautiful and lovely life words!

Last night my husband, John, and I were talking and he said something romantic to me...something to the effect of, "My eyes were created to look at you...my hands to touch you." At that moment vivid memories flashed through my mind's eye. John and I's dads were best friends and they spent a lot of time together. Four to five times a week our families were together so our dads could play guitars and, since John and I were both only children, that meant that we spent a lot of time entertaining each other as we, literally, grew up together (he was 8 years older than me though...I remind him all the time...he will always be older than me! LOL). Anyway, when I was little (ages 5 on up into my early teens) John and I would spend a lot of time together at his piano. He would play and I would listen and watch him play...for hours! I loved it! And the most vivid memory that I have of us growing up is just what he said...his eyes and his hands...his eyes when he would turn to the side to look at me and smile as he played, and his hands as they moved beautifully up and down the keyboard of that piano. Beautiful, vivid memories! Thank you, God!

Stop!

That boy...and those eyes...

...that piano and those hands (that's me to the left).

Giveaway!

2012-01-15T18:12:00.001-06:00

I'm excited to announce that tomorrow (Monday, January 16th, 2012) Darlene Schacht of Time Warp Wife will be releasing her new e-book...

Find it on Amazon here

Book Description:

In The Good Wife's Guide author Darlene Schacht encourages women to joyfully serve their families. In doing so she offers reasons for achieving a well-managed home backed by scripture and gleaned from experience. As well she provides readers with detailed cleaning and organizing schedules for practical application.

The Good Wife's Guide encourages women to make faith and family their first priorities from a place of sacrificial love. It reminds women that they were created with a specific purpose in mind, which is that of being a help meet. In supporting our husbands and living in unity we reflect God's blueprint for marriage.

About the Author:

Darlene Schacht is an ordinary mom, living an extraordinary life, because of who she is through Jesus Christ. As help-meet to her husband Michael, she guides and nurtures their four children, leading them toward a deeper walk of faith.

Her work has been published in anthologies by Thomas Nelson, Tyndale Publishing and Adams Media. As well she has co-authored a book with actress Candace Cameron Bure, the award-winning and New York Times Best-Seller, Reshaping it All: Motivation for Spiritual and Physical Fitness.

Forward by Candace Cameron Bure.

Here's an excerpt from the book:

"Stop right where
you are and consider this thought: where you are
today does not dictate where you will be tomorrow. You
have the ability to get your surroundings under
control, to manage your home well, and find time to
relax. My goal is to teach you how." -Darlene Schacht

Darlene has given me the privilege of giving away 3 copies of the book.

Here's how to enter:

1. Comment on this post with your email and name.
2. Visit Rebecca's Hearth and Home on Facebook, find the giveaway post and comment there also, make sure the name is the same as you commented with here.

You will get one entry for each of those that you do. I will pick the winners on Friday, January 20th. The winners will be announced here and on Facebook.

National De-Lurking Day

2012-01-14T09:16:00.001-06:00

Today is National De-Lurking Day in the blogging world!

Which means, if you've been hanging out with me here at Rebecca's Heart and Home and don't comment often, today is your day! I'd like to invite each and every one of you to delurk and share one thing that you like about Hearth and Home.

My favorite thing about you is that you've taken the time to stop in for a visit and/or have chosen to come share in my life on a regular basis through the pages of this blog. And I absolutely love it when you leave encouraging comments or share sage advice!

Okay...now it's your turn! De-lurk and leave a comment! And, for those of you who are reading by e-mail, click here to come on over and join us!

Five Minute Friday - AWAKE

2012-01-13T12:23:00.000-06:00

Want to join us? Then be sure and visit The Gypsy Mama today!

Now...for today's assignment...

GO!

Awake! What an appropriate word for today as I a m now finally and fully AWAKE! It's been a long week and there's been a lot going on...doctor appointments with loved ones, painful procedures, stressful situations, and not much down time. I thought that after the holidays were over things would slow down and that January would be calm and quiet. Not so!

Long story short, today was the first day in a long time that I had nothing scheduled on the calendar and things just happened to work out where I was able to sleep in...that is...until the phone woke me up at 9:00. But 9:00! Wow! Almost unheard of now days! The beauty part is...I awoke feeling good, rested, restored, and fully awake! I am thankful! Feeling rested and fully awake...and not having to hit the floor with my feet running this morning is definitely a blessing! Thank you, Lord! I love You! <3

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep:

for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" (Romans 13:11).

STOP!

Afternoon Journal - Monday, January 9, 2012/RECIPE: EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA

2012-01-09T16:19:00.000-06:00

~ What Time It Is...

... 3:48 p.m.

~ What I'm Doing...

... taking a late afternoon tea break after a long day in the kitchen.

~ I Am Praising The LORD For...

... the Truth of His Word and for His faithfulness to, through that Word, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, to lead us unto all Truth.

~ Something Beautiful...

... warm weather and sunshine! Most days lately have been in the 50's and 60's. Every day that we have like this puts us one day closer to spring! (And I can't wait!)

~ Something That Made Me Smile Today...

... my family.

~ What I've Done So Far Today...

... made the bed, exercised, cleaned out the fridge, made a food inventory and menu plan based on items that need used up right away, made supper, and a loaf of French bread.

~ What I Have Left To Do...

... a load of laundry, supper dishes, write a couple of letters to friends.

~ What's For Supper...

... Eggplant Parmigiana (recipe below)

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA

(NOTE: This recipe was taken from the original Kansas City Knights of Columbus wives' cookbook and it makes a HUGE casserole. For just the three of us, I quartered the recipe, but am sharing it as given.)

4 cups basic tomato sauce
4 medium eggplants
1 (10 oz.) pkg. sliced Mozzarella cheese
8 oz. grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
2 medium size onions, thinly slices
2-3 cups bread crumbs
3-4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 c. fresh or dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for frying

Peel and slice eggplant; make round slices about 1/4 inch thick; soak eggplant 1/2 hour in salted water. Drain well; press out excess water with paper toweling; salt and pepper slices to taste. Dip slices in slightly beaten eggs and then into bread crumbs. Fry eggplant in oil until crisp. Drain on paper toweling. Using a large casserole, begin with a layer of sauce, then eggplant, then Mozzarella cheese, onion rings, sweet basil, and grated cheese; top with sauce. Continue layers until all ingredients are used, ending with sauce and grated cheese on top. Cover; bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Serves 10 to 14.

Five Minute Friday - ROAR

2012-01-06T17:16:00.000-06:00

Want to join us? Then be sure and visit The Gypsy Mama today!

Now...for today's assignment...

Go!

When I saw the word "roar" I immediately thought of two verses from God's Holy Word...the Bible...

1) "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring" (Luke 21:25).

...and...

2) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

Well, we are definitely in a time of great distress among the nations with perplexity. I mean...who seems to have the answers to the problems that plague our own nation, as well as those around the world? Nobody, it seems. (Nobody except God, of course! But who wants to listen to Him? He's too archaic...too old-fashioned...too out-of-date! We're contemporary! Modern! Too intelligent to fall for all that Bible stuff like our ancestors did! Our leaders roar out "CHANGE!" And change is what they'll get!)

And, then, there's the weather! Conditions...some of which...that have never before been recorded...and they're happening around the globe simultaneously...which is what Jesus warned us would be happening as one of the signs of His soon return!

I truly believe that we are in the last days. And what an exciting time it is to be alive! And, of course, as the Church Age winds down, and as Satan's time grows short, he, in an agitated state, is in, indeed, roaming the earth...roaring...seeking whom he may devour. A threat? Yes! But through our faith in the blood of Jesus, spiritual warfare through the power of the Holy Spirit, and our prayers to the Father, we are fully equipped to defeat Satan's schemes against us and to stand firm in the faith...no matter what the days ahead may bring!

Stay the course, my fellow Christian brothers and sisters! The end is not yet! There is still work to do! And as the winds roar, as the seas roar, as the devil roars...stand strong! Stay in the Word and rely fully and completely on our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit which will lead you unto all truth!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T16:00:00.000-06:00

I'm running a bit late on wishing you a Happy New Year. The week after Christmas was spent cleaning, reorganizing, and recuperating after the holidays...then the birthdays began! Saturday evening was spent at our next-to-the-oldest son and daughter-in-law's celebrating New Year's Eve, as well as our son's January 1st birthday. Most of the family was there as we played games, enjoyed supper and ate birthday cake together. New Year's Day morning was spent at church, then we we went to our next-to-the-youngest son and daughter-in-law's to celebrate our youngest granddaughter's belated first birthday party. Again...a good time was enjoyed by all that were there. Tomorrow is another one of our grandchildrens' birthday and the day after that is one of our daughter-in-law's birthday. Next week is our youngest daughter's birthday. My goodness! What a lot of birthdays crammed into a such a small calendar space!

Speaking of grandchildren, I'm babysitting two of them right now and need to cut this post short. I really just wanted to drop in and wish each of you a Happy New Year before it got away from me. I pray that 2012 is your best year yet. A year filled with health, happiness, and a closer walk with the Lord than anything you've experienced thus far. Praise be unto the Lord for His blessings are many...His mercy endureth forever! God bless all here!

All My Love,
~Rebecca

Five Minute Friday - OPEN

2011-12-30T17:09:00.000-06:00

It's FRIDAY! And that means it's time for another 'Five Minute Friday'. 'Five Minute Friday' is where as, our hostess, and inspiration, The Gypsy Mama, says, we write "For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not."

Want to join us? Then be sure and visit The Gypsy Mama today!

Now...for today's assignment...

GO!

Open...

I used to be a very open person. I still am to some degree, but not like I used to be. Dealing with negative people and negative situations has made me close my heart at times and put up walls that I thought would never be built. As we go into a New Year, my prayer is that God will give me all that I need to make me open again...open-hearted and open-handed when it comes to dealing with others...eyes wide open as, along side my husband, we seek His will for all that He has for us in 2012...spiritually, physically, and financially.

Stop!

Living On A Dime - 10 Ways To Lose Weight and Gain Money

2011-12-30T16:41:00.000-06:00

10 Ways to Lose Weight and Gain Money
by Jill Cooper
http://www.LivingOnADime.com

Eat smaller portions. The less food you eat, the less food you have to buy which means you spend less money on food.
Walk more. I have a grocery store 2 1/2 blocks from me. Shame on me for driving there, especially when I only need one or two items. I can't even use being in a hurry as an excuse because it takes me the same amount of time to walk as to drive. Stop complaining about gas prices and start walking.
Stop paying someone else to do your work. Start doing your own yard work and housecleaning. You don't think you have time to clean? Use that hour you would have worked out at the gym each morning to do your house work or yard work. Not only do you save the money you are paying someone to do these things, but you don't have to pay to go to the gym. Don't think you can lose weight cleaning your house? Trust me. If you are doing these things properly you will lose weight. You can clean and organize in five minutes.
Stop going out to eat as much. Not only does it cost so much less to eat at home but you can control how much you eat and what you are eating better. How often do you eat everything they give you in a restaurant just because you don't want to waste money? Make easy meals at home and save money.
Take the kids to the park instead of the movies. It doesn't cost a thing to go to the park and you get exercise. Plus there is the added benefit of actually talking and playing with you kids instead sitting staring at a movie.
Drink water and not pop (or sodas). We all know it. Pop is just empty calories with no benefit. Why spend the money or pack on the extra weight?
That goes for Lattes too. It costs much less to just have a regular cup of coffee from home and is much less fattening. Save the lattes for a special treat or dessert.
Reduce excess scheduled activities. Many of us are just too busy with things that are often not really that important because we think that's the way it should be. Eliminating some of your excess commitments will save on gas and will reduce stress, which will make it less tempting to eat or spend as a stress reliever.
You don't need to bring out the fatted calf to entertain or impress people. Have simple cake and punch at your child's birthday party instead of going to Chucky Cheese's. It's funny how the expensive flashy things are rarely the things the kids remember fondly when they grow up.
If you're having people over for dinner, keep the food simple. You don't need a 10 course meal that includes everything from lobster to an expensive cheesecake. There are very few people who wouldn't enjoy roast chicken with fresh fruit for dessert just as much, especially if the company is good.
Stop shopping and start exercising. When under stress there are two things at the top of the list that people do. Shopping and eating. Have a plan of attack so that when you start feeling stressed instead of grabbing your purse (or wallet) and heading for the mall you hit the yoga mat, hop on your bike or just start walking.
Do you know how much money you would save if you exercised instead of shopping? Not to mention you probably would rid yourself of a lot of your stress. If you don't have as many money problems from over spending you wouldn't feel the need to go shopping or over eat and you would eventually break the cycle.
Drive quickly by fast food joints. Don't even drive by them. Don't drive on the same street where they are. If you have a big problem with this, don't drive in the section of town where they are. And if you have any in your town then move to another town! (This was my favorite son-in-law's idea. Guess where his weakness lies! HA! HA!)

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com , sign up for our free Living On A Dime Newsletter and learn to save more!

Living On A Dime - How To Save Money On Groceries

2011-12-30T16:35:00.000-06:00

How To Save Money On Groceries
by Jill Cooper
http://www.LivingOnADime.com
If I said I would give you $150 extra a month to help you pay off your credit cards, lose weight and help your family become healthier, would you accept it? Does it sound too good to be true? The average American family spends 1/4-1/3 of their monthly grocery bill on things to drink but can't find any extra money to pay off their credit cards.
Do you buy sodas, coffee, tea, juice and milk, plus all the things that go into these drinks like creamer, flavorings and sugar? Do you grab a glass of soda, juice or milk instead of a cold glass of water? You may even argue that juice and milk are good for your children but fertilizer (food for you grass) is good for your lawn.
We all know that too much fertilizer will kill it and if you don't water it, it will die. I'm beginning to wonder if most of us are more concerned about making sure our yards are watered then our children. Of course they need some milk but like everything else do it in moderation.

Here are few tips to cut the costs of the drinks in your home and find some extra money to pay of your credit cards:

Find out how much milk is actually needed for your child. The USDA recommends that children under 5 get three to four servings of dairy per day. That is 2 cups of milk OR one serving equals one slice of cheese OR 1/2 container of yogurt. Don't forget milk added to cereal.
Juice is just sugar water. Eat the whole fruit instead and give one glass of juice as a treat for breakfast or snack.
Limit the number of glasses of milk or juice given a day. After the allotted amount they get nothing else but water. If they are used to drinking it for meals, either give them one glass (1/2 cup) and when it's gone they drink water or have them drink water first and then milk after they finish their meal.
Use small juice glasses. They give the appearance of more.
Don't fill their sippy cups with juice or milk. Give them water instead.
If you put some milk in a cup and they don't drink it all, put it in the fridge until later.
Limit sodas to a treat once or twice a week.
Don't dilute your juice with extra water. Not only does this not taste very well but by "stretching" the juice you teach your kids bad eating habits by giving into their demands for juice instead of giving them water.
Keep water in the fridge. After water has set, the chlorine evaporates and the water tastes better cold.
Add a small amount of lemon juice to your water if you don't like the taste.
Be careful to shop wisely. Sometimes buying name brand flavored or specialty coffees on sale costs less than making your own.
Use powdered milk instead of creamer in coffee or tea or try mixing your creamer half and half with dry milk.
After making coffee save the coffee filter and the coffee grounds in the maker. Add your coffee for the next day on top of the old grounds. This way you can use each filter 2 or 3 times. Buy a reusable coffee filter. They last for years.
If you run out of coffee filters use a paper towel until you can get to the store to buy more.
You don't always have to make a full pot of coffee. Just make one or 2 cups at time.
Save extra coffee in a thermos instead of making a new batch or buy a smaller coffee maker.
To make flavored tea, add a package of flavored drink mix to each pot of tea.
For leftover soda - Combine 2 cups of flat soda with 1 package of unflavored or same flavored gelatin to make a rich flavored gelatin. This is particularly good with root beer, orange and grape sodas.

Creamy Orange Shake (like Orange Julius)
1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup milk
5-6 ice cubes
1/4 cup sugar
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup water (optional)
Combine ingredients in blender until smooth. Can be kept in the refrigerator 1 day. Serves 4.

Cafe Vienna
1/2 cup instant coffee
2/3 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. dried orange peel
2/3 cup nonfat dry milk (optional)
Stir ingredients together. Process in a blender until powdered. Makes 1 1/3 cups mix.
*Attach this note to the jar if making a jar mix:
Use 2 teaspoons to 1 cup of hot water.

Swiss Mocha
1/2 cup instant coffee
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 cup nonfat dry milk
Stir ingredients together. Process in a blender until powdered. Makes 2 cups mix.
*Attach this note to the jar if making a jar mix:
Use 1 cup of hot water and 2 tablespoons of coffee mix for each cup of coffee.

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com , sign up for our free Living On A Dime Newsletter and learn to save more!

Monday Afternoon And That Leftover Turkey Carcass

2011-12-26T13:58:00.001-06:00

Good Afternoon, Dear Ladies!

Christmas is over and oh! What a lovely Christmas season it's been! We haven't had a lot of money and we certainly weren't able to give like we would like to have given (in fact...most of our money in December went towards fixing plumbing problems...roots in our sewer pipes...not so lovely!)...but, regardless...we've had a beautiful Christmas season spending special time with family, friends, and loved ones.

Our family Christmas (the one spent with all of our children and grandchildren) was the 10th of December. Christmas Eve was spent with our oldest daughter and her family; Christmas Day (after church) was spent at our oldest son and daughter-in-law's with two of our children and their families. Afterwards we visited with old friends from back home, then John and I spent Christmas evening together unwinding after a busy week of holiday and church activity.

To be honest...Christmas night a dark depression fell upon me, but after a good cry, a long talk with the Lord, and scripture reading I was able to rise above it. By this morning I was back on top and ready to go!

So far today I've straighten house, did dishes, two loads of laundry, and have deboned the leftover turkey, and am now cooking down the carcass for broth. In doing a search I found this great article on what to do with that leftover turkey carcass and it includes a whole host of recipes...

Save That Turkey Carcass and Your Leftover Turkey And Turn It Into Turkey Soup!

Next, I'm getting ready to plan my menus out for the next week or two.

I pray that you and yours had a beautiful Christmas, as well, and I wish each and every one of you a bright, prosperous, and happy New Year! God bless all here!

All My Love,
~Rebecca

Old Paths Ladies' Christmas Tea - 12/23/11/Tea-Time Recipes

2011-12-23T15:46:00.002-06:00

What a busy week it's been! I've barely had time to catch my breath and oh! How I've missed visiting with you! I thought I'd take a quick minute to share a little bit about our annual Ladies' Christmas Tea that was held this morning. I served Mini Cream Cheese Sandwiches On Rye, Double Orange Scones, Cherry Bonbons (recipes included and I can't believe that I didn't even take one photo of the food!), thin mints, and three kinds of loose-leaf tea...Angel's Dreams, Blueberry Vanilla Cream, and Rhubarb Cream. I shared a devotional based on Isaiah 9:6...

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Not all of our ladies were able to join us, but I think that the ladies that did attend had a good time and I know I did!

Now...for those recipes!

MINI CREAM CHEESE SANDWICHES ON RYE

1/4 cup Miracle Whip
1-8 oz. package cream cheese
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 package (2 1/2 oz.) thinly sliced cooked corned beef, chopped
2 tablespoons grated red onion
3/4 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound thinly sliced seedless rye bread

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, Miracle Whip, and mustard. Add corned beef, onion, dill, and salt; mix well. Spread 2 tablespoons of filling over half of the bread; top with remaining bread. Makes about 16 sandwiches.

DOUBLE ORANGE SCONES

2 cups flour
3 T. sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. grated orange peel
1/3 c. margerine
1/2 c. manderine oranges, drained
1/4 c. milk
1 egg

Mix all ingredients together. Flatten dough into a disk in the middle of a cookie sheet. Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of sugar over the top and, using a floured knife, cut disk into eighths. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with Orange Butter (recipe below). Make 8 scones.

Orange Butter

1/2 c. margerine
2 T. orange marmalade

Mix together until well blended. Serve on warm scones.

CHERRY BONBONS

Maraschino cherries with stems
Semisweet chocolate chips

Take the cherries out of the jar they come in and put them on paper towels so the liquid can drain off. Then, fill a small deep container (like a coffee cup) with chocolate chips and place in microwave. To melt the chocolate, heat it on high for 20 seconds, stir, then heat again for 20 seconds. Repeat until chocolate is just melted. Then, holding the cherries by their stems, dip them in chocolate. Set the dipped cherries on wax paper. Chill in the refrigerator.

Next it's time to get ready for tonight's Candlelight Service. Have a blessed evening and a wonderful weekend as, together in heart and spirit, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!

All My Love,
~Rebecca