Fruitful Vine

Tips for Wives - Listen Well

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Listening takes time but it yields wonderful dividends when it comes to the marriage relationship (or any relationship for that matter).

...watching a couple talk (from a distance). They were constantly interrupting each other. Neither of them felt heard and as a result neither was willing to listen. It was a very sad cycle.

The moral of this story is that, in difficult situations, someone has to start listening. I'm asking y'all to be the first to listen. I know it is not easy when you feel unheard or misunderstood, but if you can listen, you may be able to start a new and better trend. When your husband feels heard, he will be more likely to listen and then you have the beginning of communication.

If you usually communicate well, it never hurts to practice the skill of listening, perhaps ask a few questions. Listening deeply says you care about him and you want to hear his heart.

To listen well is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well.

John Marshall

Be generous! Lori

Bible In One Year Edition 2 - #21

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Today's Bible Reading is Acts 15 - 16.

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For those reading this via your mobile phone, I've inserted this Bible Gateway lookup form to make it easier for you to read the scripture from your phone.

I would love it if you would add your insights and whatever the Lord ministers to you as you read the bible passage. You can do that in the comments section of this post. God speaks to us in so many ways and what you share here may just be the word that I or someone else who reads it needs for the day and situation.

Tips for Wives - Plan

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Traditions are the stuff that memories are made of. Let's make some good ones.

How are your dating plans coming along? One thing that is a bit fun is to start a tradition. It might be sharing a meal at a certain restaurant, exchanging love letters or dancing to "your" song.

Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart.

Author Unknown

Blessings, Lori
Copyright © 2001-2009 Lori J. Byerly
All Rights Reserved
http://www.the-generous-wife.com

Bible In One Year Edition 2 - #20

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Today's Bible Reading is 2 Chronicles 6 - 10.

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Tips for Wives - Tetrazini

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

This tip is an excellent way to help ourselves in busy times and also make sure our hubbies are fed.

Fix up several servings of his favorite foods and put them in the freezer. Then when you're sick, busy, or out and about, he can easily fix up his favorite foods.

Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.

Author Unknown

Be generous! Lori
Copyright © 2001-2009 Lori J. Byerly
All Rights Reserved
http://www.the-generous-wife.com

Bible In One Year Edition 2 - #19

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Today's Bible Reading is Ezekiel 43 - 48.

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Tips for Wives - Your Opinion Please

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Asking our husband's opinions speaks volumes about how much we value them.

Ask your husband to help you find a new blouse (or other article of clothing). One, he'll appreciate having his likes taken into account and, two, he'll appreciate it when you wear the blouse on dates or other just-for-the-two-of-you times. If he's not a shopper at all (some men shudder at the thought of shopping malls), ask your husband for pre-shopping input, such as what color he thinks you would look good in or if he likes a given style. Even if he doesn't have a particularly articulate answer, you have asked and valued his opinion about something that you wear. Be sure to model the new garment and give him a chance to enjoy the view.

Happy opinions are the wine of the heart.

Leigh Hunt

Be generous! Lori
Copyright © 2001-2009 Lori J. Byerly
All Rights Reserved
http://www.the-generous-wife.com

Bible In One Year Edition 2 - #18

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Today's Bible Reading is Leviticus 1 - 3.

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Bible In One Year Edition 2 - #17

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Today's Bible Reading is Job 31 - 32.

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Potato Leftover Casserole

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:30:00 +0000

I am a fan of leftovers. I don't like to waste good food. So for today's recipe I used some leftover things I had in the fridge. This post will be a bit different because I am including pictures of the process for a little more detail. This first picture is of the finished product:

Potato Leftover Casserole

Frozen potatoes (the kind used for fries)
Salmon (canned, crushed)
Vegetarian baked beans
1 cup shredded coconut
1 onion (coarsely grated)
5 cloves garlic (finely grated)
Celery (chopped)
Parsley (chopped)
Curry
Sea salt
Apple cider vinegar (1/2 tsp)
1 cup water

Method

Grease casserole dish. Place frozen potatoes at the bottom of the casserole dish. Set aside. In a separate bowl mix all remaining ingredients. Add 1 cup water. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Spread mixture over potatoes. Cover with foil and bake in 475 degree oven for 20 minutes. Uncover and leave for another 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve and enjoy!

Now for pictures of part of the process:

Frozen potatoes:

Leftover salmon:

Leftover vegetarian baked beans:

Shredded coconut (leftover from making coconut oil):

Celery (both leaves and stalk):

Parsley:

Garlic:

Chives:

The mixture:

Layered on top of the potatoes:

The finished product:

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Let me know if you tried it how it turned out.

Tips for Wives - Encourage Him

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

This tip speaks the love language - Words of Affirmation.

Ask your husband, "What do I do or say that encourages you the most?"

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another ...

1 Thessalonians 5:11a NAS

Be generous! Lori
Copyright © 2001-2009 Lori J. Byerly
All Rights Reserved
http://www.the-generous-wife.com

Bible In One Year Edition 2 - #16

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Today's Bible Reading is Romans 15 - 16.

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Raw Food Recipe - Banana Green Smoothie

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:30:00 +0000

I've added a leaf or two of lettuce to our smoothies before but decided to take the leap and make a green smoothie of my own. My hubby and the boys enjoyed it and that made me feel good. I don't like to have bits of leaves in my mouth so I blended it for quite a few minutes to ensure that the leaves were broken down really well.

Banana Green Smoothie

6 large lettuce leaves
6 bananas
handful of parsley
handful of celery
vanilla essence
almond essence
sweetener

Method
Place all ingredients in the blender. Blend well for a few minutes to get the greens really broken down and serve. It can be served with ice or without.

Tips for Wives - Plan A Special Delivery

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

If your husband's love language is Gifts then this tip will go right to his heart.

Have a gift delivered to your husband. It can be candies, a personal gift, or even flowers (some guys really do like flowers). You can use a professional delivery service or have a friend do the delivery.

May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness, and tied with love. L.O. Baird

Be generous! Lori
Copyright © 2001-2009 Lori J. Byerly
All Rights Reserved
http://www.the-generous-wife.com

Bible In One Year Edition 2 - #15

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Today's Bible Reading is Psalms 1 - 2.

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Lentil Sweet Potato Soup

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:30:00 +0000

I love soups and this one came out tasting fantastic (thinking about it - is there a food I don't like? LOL!).

Lentil Sweet Potato Soup

Lentils
Sweet potatoes
Tania(yucca)
Cabbage
Sea salt (to taste)
Onions
Garlic
Plantains

Method
Bring lentils to a boil and let simmer until partially cooked. Add rest of food except garlic and let boil until foods are soft. Add garlic and turn off the stove. Mix garlic in and let sit for about 2 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

The amounts are not included because I used whatever I had on hand.

Tips for Wives - A Hug and A Prayer

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

That's so neat what Lori's husband does. Read on. It's a wonderful example.

My(Lori) husband grabs me for a hug and a prayer whenever he senses that I(Lori) am getting a bit stressed. It's nice that he is aware of me and it's a great encouragement to know that he wants to pray for me. I've been trying to do the same for him and it's really become an exercise in awareness and intentionality.

I encourage y'all to do similarly. Keep an eye on your husband and hug and pray as it seems appropriate.

A hug is two hearts wrapped in arms.

Author Unknown

Bible In One Year Edition 2 - #14

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Today's Bible Reading is Zechariah 1 - 7.

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Two Free Christian Audiobooks for March!

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:43:00 +0000

Every month Christianaudio.com gives away a free audiobook download. This month they are giving away not one but TWO audiobooks. Yep, two of them. Awesome stuff! Each free download for the month of March must be "purchased" separately, in two different orders, for the coupon codes to work and for you to receive them for FREE.

This month's downloads are the unabridged version of The Cost of Discipleship and the also unabridged version of Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die.

From the Christianaudio.com site about The Cost of Discipleship - Viewed against the background of Nazi Germany, Bonhoeffer's book is striking enough. At the same time, it shares with many great Christian classics a quality of timelessness, so that it has spoken, and continues to speak powerfully, to the varied concerns of the contemporary world.

Also from the Christianaudio.com site about Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came To Die - The most important questions anyone can ask are: Why was Jesus Christ crucified? Why did he suffer so much? What has this to do with me? Finally, who sent him to his death? The answer to the last question is that God did. Jesus was God's Son. The suffering was unsurpassed, but the whole message of the Bible leads to this answer.

Click on the image of the books above or any of the links to get your free downloads. If you don't have an account with them all you need to do is sign up for one. There is no obligation to purchase and it is free to sign up. After you complete the purchase by putting in the free code in the box provided you are given 12 attempts to download the books for a whole year. Now that's incredible. So there is no time pressure or anything. If your computer malfunctions you can just go back and access the audiobooks again up to 12 times.

Remember, each free download for the month of March must be "purchased" separately, in two different orders, for the coupon codes to work and for you to receive them for FREE.

We need to be fed with spiritual food that draws us into closer relationship with God. Go get your free Christian audiobooks.

Raw Food Recipe - Almond Drink

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:30:00 +0000

I have been having quite a bit of fun making up and experimenting with different raw food recipes. This drink is a delicious one and will definitely be done again. Our son Judah helped to make this one by operating the blender.

Almond Drink

1 cup almonds (soaked and peeled)
3 cups water
1 tsp almond essence
sweetener
ice cubes

Method
Blend almonds and 2 cups of the water on high in the blender for a couple minutes ensuring that the almonds are well broken down. Strain with a fine cloth or nut milk bag and return liquid to blender reserving the pulp for future raw food recipes. Add remaining water, ice cubes, essence and sweetener. Blend for a few more seconds. Serve immediately.

Here's another view of the glass of almond drink and another picture showing what it looked like in the blender:

Delicious is what I say and again very simple. I love simple.

Tips for Wives - Continue To Grow and Learn

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Excellent recommendations by Lori today. These books are definitely on my wish list.

I'm a big one for continuing education. I think it's very important to continue to grow and learn. If you stop learning, you tend to loose ground. So, consider reading a good book about married sexuality (if your husband is willing, read it with him). Sheet Music by Dr. Kevin Leman is at the top of my list of books to recommend. Intimate Issues and Intimacy Ignited by Dillow and Pintus are also good.

The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.

Flora Whittermore

Bible In One Year Edition 2 - #13

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Today's Bible Reading is Numbers 19 - 21.

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Baking Powder Bread

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:30:00 +0000

I've been baking a lot lately but those who have been long time readers of my blog know that my hubby is the one who regularly bakes our bread. He is a master at it, I must say. Here's another of my bread experiments I did last week:

Baking Powder Bread

2 cups whole wheat flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 cup milk; about
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt

Method
Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add milk (or non-dairy substitute) and mix well. When smooth, turn into a greased pan. Cover with another pan inverted and let stand for about 5 - 10 minutes. Bake about 45 minutes in an oven that's not too hot.

I found the recipe here and since we don't do dairy I used plain water instead. It was really good. I've been used to yeast breads so this was a bit out of the norm but I liked the results.

Tips for Wives - Find Common Ground

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Couple time is very important.

The book shown here has some simple and wonderful ideas. Depending on whether you get it used or new, the price ranges from one cent to $2.95. Now onto today's tip.

Take a piece of scratch paper and write down as many things as you can think of that you and your husband have in common. Do you like the same kinds of food? Common interests or hobbies? Do you both like travel or quiet nights at home? Do you like movies, reading, or tennis?

Plan some couple time around what you both like. (If you can't think of much, then consider trying something new in hopes of finding additional areas of common interest.)

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives...

Annie Dillard

Bible In One Year Edition 2 - #12

jenniferjv2004@yahoo.com (Fruitful Vine2) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Today's Bible Reading is Proverbs 14 - 15.