Our Simple Country Life

you my dear, are a rare jewel!

2012-02-22T08:07:00.001-06:00

Intentional Homemaking Series Part: 4 To start at the introduction of the series click here or read Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3. Last week in our Intentional Homemaking Series: “Homemaking Deeply Immersed” We discussed the importance of being completely immersed in the Word of God daily. And when we are unsure of something or find ourselves wrestling with our role as a Godly Homemaker, then we must be digging deeply in the Word to find the answer. “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10 We must be careful coming to “our own” conclusions, because our hearts can easily be deceived. "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately wicked; Who can...

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menu plan #19

2012-02-20T05:00:00.000-06:00

My Menu Plan for the Week {Sunday, February 19th - Saturday, February 25th} {Photo Credit} {Leftovers or some form of sandwich are normally served for lunches} Sunday Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls Lunch: Chicken & Vegetables in Herb Sauce {in crock}, Watergate Salad, & Rolls Supper: Leftover BBQ Chicken Pizza Monday Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Cinnamon Toast Dinner: Macaroni N’ Cheese Pizza, Tossed Salad Tuesday Breakfast: French Toast & Eggs Dinner: Spaghetti, Bread Sticks & Green Beans Wednesday Breakfast: Organic Cream of Wheat Dinner: Chicken Ritz Casserole, Green Beans, Apple Salad Thursday Breakfast:...

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hearts 4 home #29

2012-02-16T05:00:00.000-06:00

Hearts 4 Home, Thursdays: A link-up built on the foundation of Proverbs 31 & Titus 2. Will you join us? Every Wednesday of 2012 hop on board and join the Intentional Homemaking Series! If you are participating would you please do me the honor and share it with others? Grab the button at the bottom of my blog and help spread the word! As a godly woman how have you this week, lived out the Proverbs 31 or Titus 2 woman? Faith in Jesus - What have you learned this week? How have you grown? Marriage - How were you an encourager and helper to your husband this week? Singleness - How is God growing you? How do you honor God with your...

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homemaking deeply immersed

2012-02-15T06:38:00.005-06:00

Intentional Homemaking Series Part: 3 To start at the beginning of the series click here. or read Part 1 or Part 2. When it comes to Christian homemaking it takes every bit of energy we’ve got! {Often times it takes more energy than we have!} We NEED a foundation, a ground we can stand upon when our world starts to shake. Such a ground and foundation is the word of God and our relationship with Him! Such a relationship takes time. And time takes effort! If we truly desire to be deeply immersed in our relationship with the Lord, we MUST take time to build that relationship! Now, I understand as a wife and mother that there are demands of daily tasks. Many of those demands leave us with little time for "one more thing." But, we must...

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chocolate crepes & raspberry sauce

2012-02-14T06:42:00.000-06:00

My family and I just LOVE crepes! And because it's valentines day, and on this particular holiday chocolate and the color red seem to come into play often! So I just had to share a recipe I adapted some time ago. It's one of our family's favorite crepe recipes, and it's eaten all year round! Without further ado, a sweet breakfast treat for all my dear Valentines! Print Recipe by pushing the PRINT button below. Or "Pin It" by clicking the Pin It button. Chocolate Crepes 1 cup milk ½ cup evaporated milk 3 eggs 1 cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup plus 1/3 cup sugar divided ¼ cup baking cocoa ½ teaspoon salt 4 teaspoons cornstarch 1 cup water 4 cups fresh or frozen raspberries thawed, divided Other Fruit you may want to serve your...

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menu plan #18

2012-02-13T05:30:00.000-06:00

My Menu Plan for the Week {Sunday, February 12th - Saturday, February 18th} {Chocolate Dipped Strawberries Valentine’s Date 2011} Sunday Breakfast: Egg Burritos Lunch: Broccoli-Cheese Chicken in Crock, Rice, Tossed Salad, Applesauce Dinner: Ham & Cheese Crescent Rolls, Orange Slices Monday Breakfast: Oatmeal Dinner: Beef Stroganoff in Crock, Peas, Apple Salad, Blueberry Banana Oat Bread Tuesday {Valentine’s Day!} Breakfast: Chocolate Raspberry Muffins Valentine Dinner Date: Chicken Rollatini & Spinach alla Parmigiana, Tossed Lettuce Salad, Garlic Cheese Bread, Strawberry Cheese Cake, Dipped Strawberries, & Sparkling Juice Wednesday Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Cinnamon Toast Dinner: One Man’s...

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bountifully blessed

2012-02-10T05:00:00.000-06:00

I’m back to counting my blessings this year! "I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me." Psalm 13:6 {my sweet & simple gifts of gratitude this week.} 1. The blessings that flow from reading God’s word. 2. Being able to enjoy freshly painted nails…even if it only lasts for a few days. ;0) 3. Watching my man rock, cuddle & comfort our sleepless Isaac 4. Enjoying the simple pleasures of my every morning… {Pssst…have you tried Olay’s “Silk Whimsy” Products? They are absolutely divine!} 5. Viewing the beauty of God’s amazing winter-wonderland, just right outside our door. 6. Experiencing a growing belly once again – no matter how uncomfortable I may be. I am truly...

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hearts 4 home #28

2012-02-09T05:00:00.000-06:00

Hearts 4 Home, Thursdays: A link-up built on the foundation of Proverbs 31 & Titus 2. Will you join us? Every Wednesday of 2012 hop on board and join the Intentional Homemaking Series! We are working on some major "heart surgery," and learning how we can become intentional homemakers with a purpose and a passion, glorifying the Lord in ALL that we do. Yesterdays was our first day of the series. "Homemaking in Pears & Heels". If you are participating would you please do me the honor and share it with others? Grab the button at the bottom of my blog and help spread the word! Today I'm Featuring: Feminine Adventures shared with us last week her...

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don’t drink the watered down kool-aid!

2012-02-08T07:46:00.001-06:00

Intentional Homemaking Series Part: 2 To start at the beginning of the series click here. I struggled whether to actually post this post, or throw it out. I’ve prayed about it, and believe the Lord wants me to share on this “touchy subject.” I was afraid I'd offend some of you. But I truly believe the Lord wants me to share this. Before you read any further, I am not trying to downplay the hard work and contributions of women who have helped the women’s suffrage movement in our country or the women who are still fighting for the right to vote in countries around the world today. It’s hard not to be inspired by the Women’s Liberation movement of the 1960s. I’m also not putting down women who work outside the home. {If your family hasn’t yet come to this conviction...

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menu plan #17

2012-02-06T05:30:00.000-06:00

My Menu Plan for the Week {Sunday, February 5th - Saturday, February 11th} Sunday Breakfast: Cereal Lunch: Cubed Steaks & Gravy {in Crock Pot}, Mash Potatoes, Corn & Homemade Bread Supper: Buffalo Chicken Dip, Corn Chips, and Orange Slices Monday Breakfast: Homemade Granola Dinner: Spaghetti, Green Beans, Garlic Herb Bread Tuesday Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs & English Muffin Toast Dinner: Orange Chicken {in Crock Pot}, Fried Rice, Egg Rolls Wednesday Breakfast: Strawberry Coffee Cake Dinner: "Toads in a Hole" Casserole, Green Beans, Jello Salad {Kitchen Helpers choice.} Thursday Breakfast: 7 Grain Cereal Dinner: Pork Chop Dinner, Grandma's Corn Bake, Canned Pears ...

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hearts 4 home #27

2012-02-02T05:30:00.000-06:00

Hearts 4 Home, Thursdays: A link-up built on the foundation of Proverbs 31 & Titus 2. Will you join us? Every Wednesday of 2012 hop on board and join the Intentional Homemaking Series! We are working on some major "heart surgery," and learning how we can become intentional homemakers with a purpose and a passion, glorifying the Lord in ALL that we do. Yesterdays was our first day of the series. "Homemaking in Pears & Heels". If you are participating would you please do me the honor and share it with others? Grab the button at the bottom of my blog and help spread the word! Today I'm Featuring: Bambi from: Awhile ago I stumbled across Bambi's blog. I...

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homemaking in pearls & heels

2012-02-01T05:30:00.000-06:00

“Where do you work?” “I think you were born fifty years too late!” “Don’t you think you might be wasting your life staying at home?” “Why should YOU have to care for the kids and clean the house? Shouldn’t their be a 50/50 deal between your husband and you?” “Honey, you deserve a break!” “You’re “missing out” on life by just serving your family.” You’ve heard these messages more then once in your lifetime, I’m sure of it! These are the voices of feminism. These words of feminism permeate our society {and sadly, it is in our churches as well!},These voices undermine God’s high and noble calling of wives and mothers aka HOMEMAKERS. Feminism has taught us that it is not enough for a woman to be home. It is not enough to be helping our husbands by keeping his...

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time for dinner!…

2012-01-31T16:24:00.003-06:00

Are you ready? {Photo Credit: Cracker Barrel} It’s easy for us to be influenced by convenience when it comes to our food selections. I’ve seen already chopped peppers & onions in the freezer department! There are also complete lasagna’s ready to go, not to mention biscuits ready to pop in the oven at any whim! And we won’t even discuss the drive-thru's! Talk about an easy life! But, when we look carefully at those nutrition labels, I guarantee, you’ll try your hardest to steer far away from such isles in your super market. Every time I don’t plan ahead, I’m rushing around trying to get dinner ready before the hubby comes home. 4:30pm rolls around and I start to actually think about dinner. It is then my children seem to be on the crazy end of...

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menu plan #16

2012-01-30T06:30:00.000-06:00

{Photo Credit: Google Photo Search} My Menu Plan for the Week {Sunday, January 29th - Saturday, February 4th} Sunday Breakfast: Leftover Egg Bake & Poppy Seed Muffins Lunch: Rosemary Chicken & Beans, Amish White Bread, Strawberry-Banana Jello Salad Supper: Leftover Pizza Monday Breakfast: Oatmeal and Toast Dinner: Rustic Beef Stew, Amish White Bread Tuesday Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast, Scrambled Eggs Dinner: Italian Breaded Pork Chops, Potato Casserole, Tossed Salad, Grandma’s Bing Cherry Salad Wednesday Breakfast: Organic Cream of Wheat Dinner: Creamy Beef Enchiladas, Mexican Beans & Rice, Tossed Salad Thursday Breakfast: Feather Muffins Dinner: Chicken Manicotti, Green...

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hearts 4 home link-up #26

2012-01-26T05:30:00.000-06:00

Hearts 4 Home, Thursdays: A link-up built on the foundation of Proverbs 31 & Titus 2. Join me every Wednesday of 2012 for Intentional Homemaking! First day starts February 1st! Please join me, as I along side you, learn to make a change! A change to be an Intentional Homemaker - With a Purpose and a Passion to glorify the Lord in ALL that we do. {Button code available at bottom of blog.} Will you join us? As a godly woman how have you this week, lived out the Proverbs 31 or Titus 2 woman? Faith in Jesus - What have you learned this week? How have you grown? Marriage - How were you an encourager and helper to your husband...

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no waiting required

2012-01-25T06:42:00.001-06:00

Joining the "Intentional Homemaking" Challenge? Then link-up below! We’re living out the title of “homemaker,” we’ve been given a task to live our lives for Jesus. We're not required to be perfect. {It would be impossible, for we are human!} God only asks for our very best. He longs for our hearts, souls and minds to be completely His, in ALL that we do. We live our lives with excuses. Excuses of why we can’t serve our families, excuses of not having time to read God’s word, excuses for not having time to prepare a good meal for our families, and the list keeps going on. Day after day we struggle, as we trudge through life. Looking for encouragement, we forget the reasons why, we do what we do, and who we are doing it for. We loose the meaning and...

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menu plan #15

2012-01-23T14:37:00.000-06:00

{Photo Credit: Temp Files} My Menu Plan for the Week {Sunday, January 22nd - Saturday, January 28th} Sunday Breakfast: Cereal Lunch: Crock-Pot Pizza, Tossed Salad, Garlic Cheese Bread Supper: Popcorn, Meat Cheese & Crackers, Banana Slices & Grapes Monday Breakfast: Cream of Wheat Dinner: Chicken Pot Pie, Cottage Cheese & Fried Apples Tuesday Breakfast: Yogurt Parfaits with Granola Dinner: Beefy Shells and Cheese, Broccoli and Challah Wednesday Breakfast: Egg McMuffin Sandwhiches Dinner: Country Barbecued Chicken, Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, Apple Salad Thursday Breakfast: 7 Grain Cereal Dinner: Crowned Beef Casserole, Orange Fluff Friday Breakfast: Apple Cinnamon Rolls...

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3 year birthday bash | day 7

2012-01-21T09:04:00.000-06:00

Thank you, all so much for helping celebrate 3 wonderful years, here at Our Simple Country Life! The Lord has blessed this blog, beyond what I ever would have expected. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...." Eph. 3:20 This birthday bash would have NOT been possible, without the generous donations provided by these wonderful places. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all the sweet generosity and donations! WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!! Day 1 #25 Jacueline – 1 Month Free Blog Advertisement from OSCL {$10 value} #16 Denise – DaySpring Card Organizer from OSCL {$10 value} Day...

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3 year birthday bash | day 6

2012-01-20T06:30:00.000-06:00

Missed Days 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5? Don’t forget to link-up to the party here! You have until 5pm CST this evening, to enter all the giveaways! Giveaway of the Day: 1 Large Family Logistics Book {$18 value} Generously Donated by: I borrowed this book from my Mom, and let me tell you…I almost had to laugh hard when I saw it! This book was a lot bigger than I was expecting! It’s practically a manual! The subtitle: “The Art and Science of Managing a Large Family.” And boy is it packed full of practical wisdom for managing a large family. {Even though I don’t consider my family of 4 almost 5 children that “large” when compared to the 15 children in my family growing up!} You will find tips and tricks any mother can use, whether she has three kids or twenty! Growing up in a large...

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3 year birthday bash | day 5

2012-01-19T07:27:00.002-06:00

Due to the week long Birthday Bash..."Hearts 4 Home Thursdays" will not be taking place today. However, we'll be running as normal next Thursday! In the mean time, I invite you to please take part in helping celebrate our 3 Year Birthday Bash! {All giveaways can be entered up until tomorrow evening 5pm CST.} Missed Days 1, 2, 3 or 4? Don’t forget to link-up to the party here! I have a love for handmade soaps. I've dabbled in it a couple times. But, I don't know about you, some people just have "that knack" and can whip up batches of soap out beautifully. I'm excited to about today's giveaway! Giveaway of the Day: $15 Gift Certificate for Vintage Handmade Soaps "Milk Chocolate" "Bama Pride" "Tiger Fever" Generously Donated by: ...

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3 year birthday bash | day 4

2012-01-18T07:35:00.000-06:00

Missed Day 1, Day 2 or Day 3? Be sure to sign up for all the giveaways and link-up to the party on Day 1! Today, I am absolutely excited about this giveaway! Because I know for a fact that 2 very sweet homemakers, will be so blessed by this book. Giveaway of the Day: {2 Copies} of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God {$16 value ea.} {for two Godly Homemakers} Generously Donated by: I received this book from my Mom for my birthday a couple years ago. I read the title and I was in! If I could give one book {besides the Bible} to all the woman in my life, it would be THIS ONE. This book has truly changed my life, and has opened my heart to the truth of what a homemaker truly is and should be. This book was Written by two...

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3 year birthday bash | day 3

2012-01-17T07:03:00.003-06:00

Missed Day 1 or Day 2? Be sure to sign up for all the giveaways and link-up to the party on Day 1! Wow, we're already on DAY 3! I’m enjoying passing on some amazing giveaways to YOU! Today I’ve got 2 awesome giveaways, for 2 more lovely homemakers! Giveaway #1: 1 Free Year Subscription to Plan to Eat {$39 value} There are many features I could tell you about Plan to Eat, but I think you should try it out for yourself! ;0) Plan to Eat is truly a wonderful tool I think many, homemakers would find tremendously helpful and beneficial to them. In fact, I liked it so much, I completely switched my entire menu-planning system over to Plan to Eat. I’m exclusively using Plan to Eat, because I believe it has already...

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3 year birthday bash | day 2

2012-01-16T06:30:00.000-06:00

Missed Day 1? Click here, and enter the giveaways & link-up to the party! Today, I am very excited to share with you My husband and I’s business, Timeless Impressions LLC. We offer a unique array of premium custom laser engraving and handcrafted custom wood furniture. Every piece is created with every tiny detail in mind. Striving to provide our customers with high quality Timeless Impressions that can be passed down from generation to generation. Today, I have 2 awesome prizes, for 2 very lovely homemakers! Giveaways of the Day: 1. Lasered Vinyl Wall Decal Quote by Harold B. Lee {In Chocolate Brown Lettering.} {$35 value} 2. Custom Lasered 9x13 3qt Anchor Hocking Baking Dish with Lid {Personalized with winners name.} {$25...

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3 year birthday bash | day 1

2012-01-15T12:30:00.000-06:00

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY! It’s hard to believe, 3 years have actually gone by since this blog was started! In celebration of such an occasion, {January 15th} I’m having a week long “Birthday Bash!” Our Simple Country Life would not be possible without God’s blessing, nor the great abundance of FRIENDS like YOU! I have been amazed where the Lord has brought this blog. I am so humbled to have so many of you faithful readers, whom I can call friends. Becoming a Godly woman isn’t always a walk through the rose garden, and so often we may not have postcard picture perfect days, but the Lord gives us the strength we need, to walk down each valley and up each mountain triumphantly! Good uplifting Christian friends are a bonus we can enjoy, on...

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hearts 4 home #25

2012-01-12T04:30:00.000-06:00

*YOU’RE INVITED to the party NEXT WEEK! Don’t miss out! And invite a friend! {Click graphic for more details!} Hearts 4 Home, Thursdays: A link-up built on the foundation of Proverbs 31 & Titus 2. As a godly woman how have you this week, lived out the Proverbs 31 or Titus 2 woman? Faith in Jesus - What have you learned this week? How have you grown? Marriage - How were you an encourager and helper to your husband this week? Singleness - How is God growing you? How do you honor God with your singleness? Mothering - What ways did you nurture your children up in the Lord this week? What tips and tricks have you learned as a mother? Health - What foods did you prepare for your...

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