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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

When Your Children Marry

Since the last of our six children recently married, I have had a couple of inquiries from women who are soon to become mothers-in-law for the first time, on how to be a good mother-in-law. While I'm certainly no expert on being a mother-in-law, and, seriously doubt that I would be classified as a good one, I am willing to type out and share with you what I have read, and re-read, each and every time one of my children married (and still read). It is Chapter 11 of The Spirit-Controlled Woman by Beverly LaHaye, and the chapter is titled When Your Children Marry.

Chapter 11 - When Your Children Marry

The Challenge of Being a Mother-in-law

The Spirit-filled woman will be a Spirit-filled mother-in-law. There is something about being a mother-in-law that exposes the real traits within a woman. If she is naturally a selfish and possessive person, that is the kind of mother-in-law she will be. If she is a loving, gracious, and kind woman, it will be easy for her to be a Spirit-filled mother-in-law.

A well-known marriage counselor states that most mother-in-law problems stem from the conflict of two women who are both in love with and interested in the same man. One of the most important factors in a mother-in-law's ability to accept her son's new wife is her own relationship to her husband. If she has a wholesome love relationship with her husband, then it is easy for her to welcome her son's wife into her family as a daughter. If, however, she has had a poor love relationship with her partner and, as is often the case, has developed an inordinate and overly possessive love relationship with her son, it is almost certain she will have difficulty accepting his bride. In the instance where the mother-in-law has lived without a husband for many years, it is quite possible that the son has been a "stand-in" companion for her to lean on for comfort and advice. It may then be difficult for her to fade into the background and allow the new wife to be his companion.

A mother with such a smothering love is not aware of the problem until she finds herself competing with another woman for the love of her son. Whenever such competition occurs, the mother-in-law should realistically face the fact that she is 100 percent wrong, because the Bible says:

   "For this cause [marriage] shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife" (Mark 10:7).

Many a mother fails to realize that once her son and daughter-in-law leave the church as husband and wife, her role in her son's life will never again be the same. Previous to this time she has likely been the most dominant female figure in her son's life. Now the best thing she can do is to entrust him to his bride and both of them into the hands of God, while she studiously becomes less and less of a present influence on him. In fact, she should be advised to use her mature, womanly talents to support and exalt this young wife to her son.

We have a beautiful picture of the unselfish mother-in-law's attitude in the life of John the Baptist. When he met Christ he said, "He must increase and I must decrease." Williams' translation interprets it, "He must grow greater and greater and I less and less." Since a husband and wife, according to Ephesians 5, are a symbol of Christ and the church, it reasonably follows that a mother-in-law corresponds with the "friend of the bridegroom." The attitude of a mother toward the new woman in her son's life should be, in the words of John, "She must grow greater and greater (in the eyes of the son) and I (his mother) less and less."

Admittedly, this is hard for a mother at first, but it pays big dividends in the love relationship she builds between herself and those two young people. This investment will repay her with a continuing relationship with her son and gain for her the love of a daughter.

To accept her child's choice of partner is very important for a mother, even when she may not have approved of the marriage. She must be willing to forgive and forget and then to love and accept them both.

"Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you" 
(Ephesians 4:32).

The mother-in-law can add to the happiness and contentment of the young couple by being understanding and not demanding. One of the greatest problems in this area is how and where to spend holidays. The mother can cause undue hardship and turmoil in this new home by planning the holidays according to her own desires with little or no consideration for the son and daughter. In doing this, she risks ruining a good relationship with both of them. How much better it would be to make the times when they are together so enjoyable that the couple would desire to spend part of their holidays as she wishes. The fellowship on a particular holiday is not worth losing the relationship of two young people for life. There are bound to be some pressures that cause parents to be left out of the couple's plans on certain holidays, but parents should make it easy on the young people by joyfully accepting whatever opportunities they can to be together.

Begin Early To Avoid In-law Problems

A good foundation can be laid long before the wedding takes place. Both families can be brought together during the dating days and before the engagement. Planning the events of the wedding with both families will help to establish a basic foundation on which the young couple can begin their married life. Parents can help the adjustment period for this young couple by being understanding and thoughtful.

Six Steps for Happy Mothers-in-law

(1) Be honest and be yourself - There is no need to put on any front or false pretense. Your own child will certainly see through it and will wonder what has happened to mother! If "being yourself" is not good enough, then you need to work on improving yourself when you are alone. The Bible says to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). If the truth is always spoken, then you will not need to be concerned with what you have said before; it will be loving truth. In fact, during the writing of this book there have been times when I have had to speak the truth in love and tell my married children that I was unable to babysit. This did not cause resentment; they appreciated the truth.

(2) Be considerate of their rights and don't impose on them - Remember that they are a family unit now. The man is the head of his household; it is their home. They deserve the right of privacy, whether it be in their home or yours. Particularly if they are recently married, the deserve a time to adjust and acquaint themselves with married life. You may, in good faith, think you are helping by offering your services, but most young couples want to do things themselves. be sensitive to their desires and do not impose yourself upon them.

(3) Be sure to treat both partners equally - Marriage unites a husband and wife as one, and that is the way you should respond to them. Letters, gifts, and remembrances should be equally distributed. One young wife told me that her mother-in-law always addressed her letters to her son. Such a mother stands the chance of separating her own child from her when she does not equally treat and accept the other partner. My daughter is blessed with a mother-in-law who is a talented seamstress and delights in sewing for her. My daughter wears these outfits proudly, and they represent to her that she is loved equally and accepted.

(4) Be careful not to criticize one partner to the other - Just good common sense tells you that this is unwise. One of the best ways to stop criticism is to reject it. Do not allow your son or daughter to criticize their partner to you. You should never negatively discuss one partner with the other. I overheard a mother-in-law criticize her daughter-in-law to her son regarding an unwise purchase she had made. She was planting a seed of discontent in the son's mind. In doing so, she was also driving a wedge between herself and her son.

(5) Be careful not to mind their business or give unsolicited advice - You may not like the way they spend their money or their time but do not tell them so. If it is serious, then discuss it with your Heavenly Father and leave it there! By no means should you advise them on how to raise their children. You have had your day; now give this couple their chance to instill their principles for living in their own offspring. If you have done a good job, then sit back and let them put into practice what you have taught them. Advice should only be given when it is specifically asked for, and then very carefully.

(6) Be sure that your attitude is controlled by the Holy Spirit - Your attitude toward them should be accepting them as one, loving them in the Spirit, and leaving them in the hands of the Lord. In doing this you will succeed in being a gracious, godly mother-in-law.

The Contentment of Being a Grandmother

The grandmother who lives a Christ-controlled life will be a gentle, loving, and gracious person who is able to accept the role of being a grandparent. The traditional picture of a grandmother is one who is wise and can do no wrong. For some reason, little children look to their grandparents as being special creatures who know everything about everything. One mother told me that whenever she ran into something that she wasn't sure about, her child would say, "Let's ask Grandma; she will know." Grandmothers are expected to be saintly women with a special straight line to Heaven. Now that I have become a grandmother, I realize that that just isn't so. I didn't suddenly become a super-wise woman with a special spiritual endowment on the day my first grandchild was born. I am today what I have been becoming, the product of Him who controls my life.

It is true that a grandmother can have a great influence on a child's early years. Many a child has been led to Christ at his grandmother's knee. Because she is not usually involved in the work and upkeep of a child, she is able to spend time talking, reading, and playing with him. Her influence can be toward spiritual things or just plain fun. When the grandchildren are left in her care, the secure and mature grandmother will have no problem with disciplining and training the children rather than spoiling them by letting wrong-doings go unnoticed. There is one area where I feel wiser as a grandmother than I did as a mother; I believe I was often too rigid, whereas now I am more relaxed in some areas. There are some things that are absolute "no-no's" for the good of the child's welfare and for the sake of others around him. But some things that I used to feel very strongly about, I now tolerate; a child needs a certain amount of freedom, provided he is not harmed and the rights of others are not imposed upon. It is very important to respect the rules and guidelines that your son and daughter have laid down for their children. When they say, "No candy before dinner, " then there should be no candy before dinner. The child needs to know that Grandma is in complete agreement with his parents When the mother or father disciplines the child, there is no need for Grandma to put in her "two-cents" worth" ; instead, it is better for her to fade into the woodwork.

The way sons or daughters raise their own family is a real test of how well the parents have trained them and instilled into their hearts the basic principles for living. This should be a challenge to young parents to train their children properly while they have the opportunity. The day will come when they will see their children training their grandchildren either with or without many of the same values and principles.

The contented grandmother will have much to praise the Lord for! Her attitudes toward life and her children will be Christ-controlled. She may have the privilege of seeing her children reproduce and then her grandchildren reproduce. The joy will come when she sees them all in the family of God and knows that it was the love which she and her husband shared with one another that started it all. Her children will rise up and call her blessed.

     Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her" (Proverbs 31:28).

(If anyone is interested in reading more of Mrs. LaHaye's book The Spirit-Controlled Woman, you can find it here on Amazon.)

I hope some of the advice that Mrs. LaHaye has offered here helps those of you who are becoming mothers-in-law for the first time, and for those of you that have been one for a while, but would like to be a better one, perhaps, there is something here for you, too.

And, while, Mrs. LaHaye focuses more on the relationship between a mother-in-law and her son, it has been our experience, that, sometimes, the son's mother-in-law (the wife's mother) can be just as jealous, possessive, controlling, and interfering...and, usually, this due to the fact that the mother-in-law herself is a product of her own environment, being raised in a home where the Bible was slack or missing completely, and a feministic worldview prevailed. I pray that the reading of this article would help some of those that seek a different direction to go, and gives those who have never thought about it, something to think on.

I would also like to add...that while some books offer good advice and practical ideas in the area of helps, THE BOOK (The Bible...God's Holy Word) should be the final authority on every subject. In its pages you will find even more good advice...THE best advice, in fact...on being a good and godly mother-in-law, mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, or whatever other role you might find yourself in. It is important to get into the Word and study it for yourself. Ask the Lord to open up it's pages to you, and allow the Spirit of Truth...the Holy Spirit...to lead you unto all truth.

God bless all here!

Love Always,
~Rebecca

Rebecca's HEARTH AND HOME Newsletter - June 26, 2013



 
 
Greetings, Dear Sisters!
 
It's been a long time since I've put together a regular edition of HEARTH AND HOME. There have been so many things going on here in recent months and years...things that, in the long run, have served as little more than distraction and discouragement to keep us away from where our focus should have been, leaving many things undone that should have been getting done all along and leaving them to fall along the wayside. This blog and newsletter have been two of the areas that have been victimized, but praise God! With His help, we're finding our way back, and we're regaining lost ground! Praise the name of the Lord!

I've got a lot to share with you today, so I'm not going to dilly dally! Grab a glass of something cool to drink and let's get right to it! Are you ready?

HOUSEHOLD TIPS -

* To clean a plastic shower curtain liner, throw it in the wash along with some towels. The towels act as "scrub brushes", whisking away accumulated grime. Your liner will look like new!

* Our daughter-in-law, Christy, recently shared this recipe for ant killer with me and it really works! Mix 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon of 20 Mule Team Borax together. Pour solution into old jar lids or other shallow containers and place where you've seen ants. At first they gather by the droves, but in just a few short days, no more ants!

* To freeze individual servings of uncooked meat or chicken, place the food on waxed paper-lined baking sheets, making sure pieces are not touching one another. Freeze the items, uncovered, until firm. Wrap frozen pieces in freezer paper or heavy-duty foil or transfer to freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Label each package and include the date. Properly packaged, most meats can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

* To keep fresh herbs fresh longer wrap in slightly dampened paper towels and sealed in a plastic bag. They should keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

* Keep lumps from forming in granulated sugar by putting a few unsalted crackers in the canister; they'll absorb any moisture.

* Keep your celery from going limp by wrapping it in aluminum foil before putting in the refrigerator. It will keep for weeks.

* To keep your outdoor garbage can smelling good, sprinkle a layer of fresh kitty litter in the bottom to absorb unpleasant odors.

* Before reaching for tweezers or a needle, put a piece of Scotch tape over the splinter and then pull the tape off. Most splinters come right out.
 
DOLLARS AND SENSE -

* To save money when traveling take your own snacks and bottled water. These items are very expensive when purchased at convenience stores and gas stations along the way.

* Order checks and deposit tickets from reputable, less-expensive third-party printers such as ChecksUnlimited.com or walmartchecks.com.

* Pay half your mortgage every two weeks. At the end of the year, you'll have made two extra payments.

* Inspect ductwork and pipes going in and out of your home. Seal any holes with insulation or weather stripping to lower cooling costs.

* To help lower energy costs in your home line the windows on the south and west-facing sides of your home with aluminum foil.

* Close the blinds at night to keep the heat out and the cool in.
 
IN THE GARDEN -
 
 
 
* When cutting or pruning roses, use an old pair of barbecue tongs to grasp the branches and keep hands and clothes thorn free.

* Harvest homegrown herbs before the plants begin to flower. Picking leaves regularly encourages herb plants to grow.

* To repel mosquitoes outdoors, tuck sprigs of mint under the rim of your garden hat.

* Nasturtiums, spearmint or radishes planted near squash plants will act as a natural insecticide.

* Old school backpacks make great garden helpers. Use one to hold gloves, trowels, shears, and other supplies. What you need will always be with you as you move through the garden. Plus, you'll
always know where your tools are.

* Use masking or duct tape to quickly and easily remove ticks. Just tear off a piece and dab the sticky side onto the little critter. This method quickly captures them.
 
SUMMER SKIN CARE -

* Increase circulation by tapping your face with two fingers.

* Put the brakes on oil overload by brushing your face with pure lemon juice (contains astringent and antiseptic properties) using a clean makeup brush. Let it set for 5 minutes, then rinse. It is better to
do this before bed since the citric acid may cause temporary redness.

* Banish breakouts by combining one part tea tree oil (available at health-food stores) with 10 parts bottled spring water. Dip a cotton ball into mixture and sweep over face after cleansing before bed.
(Tea tree oil kills bacteria and acts as an antiseptic.)

* To correct hidden dryness combine 1 egg (firms skin) with 1 tsp. honey (locks in moisture) and 2 tbs. Olive oil (to soften); smooth onto clean dry skin. Let set 10 minutes; remove with a warm washcloth.

* To deep clean skin and to help prevent and facilitate the removal of blackheads add 3 drops of an astringent essential oil such as lemon or peppermint to 4 cups boiling water. Pour into a bowl and tent a towel over your head, holding your face about 8 inches away from the bowl. Allow steam to penetrate 5 minutes.

* Soothe summer-sensitive skin by trying this at-home facial: Rub 2 cups plain, full-fat yogurt (cools and sooths) into skin. Let set 5 minutes; rinse with cool water. Fill an empty spray bottle with cooled chamomile tea (calms the skin and reduces redness) and mist face; let dry. Follow with an unscented, sensitive-skin moisturizer.
 
THE CHILDREN'S CORNER -
 
 
 
* SUMMER IS POPSICLE SEASON! Try some of these interesting, inexpensive, and oftentimes healthful ideas for creating homemade Popsicles…

- Left over Jell-O
- Plain yogurt with a little jam mixed in for flavor
- Apple, grape, orange, or any other juice
- Fruit and chocolate syrup
- Cranberry sauce
- Applesauce
- Kool-aide
- Pudding

* HOMEMADE BUBBLE SOLUTION-

(Note: The longer you store the bubble solution the better it works. You might want to prepare it weeks or even months in advance for a special event.)

9 parts water
1 part Joy dishwashing liquid
½ part glycerin


* GIANT BUBBLE MAKER-

Save coffee cans. Cut off tops and bottoms. Hammer the edges smooth. Dip cans in a pan of bubble solution and wave through the air. Have a contest for the biggest bubble, smallest bubble, and the bubble that floats the highest.

* FOR SOME SUMMERTIME NATURE FUN TRY SOME OF THESE IDEAS-

- Observe an anthill for 15 minutes. Draw what you observed.
- Grow a garden in a jar.
- Start a rock or a seashell collection.
- Visit a nature center with your family.
- Go on a bird hike. See how many different kinds of birds you can observe. Can you make their calls?
-Take a survey of the wildlife in your neighborhood or around your house. Look closely and note what plants are growing on walls, guttering, window ledges, and on the bark of trees. Look amongst
foliage for animal life, and put out traps and sticky jam jars half full of water to sample the insect life. Enter your findings in a notebook.
- Grow a sweet potato vine by taking a sweet potato, inserting 4 toothpicks into each side of it about half way round its middle, then put the bottom part of the potato in a jar of water and keep it filled. Soon your sweet potato will put on fine hair-like roots, and then it will be begin growing a lovely vine plant for your mother's kitchen window.
- Collect fireflies in a jar, observe them for a short time, and then release them.
- Cut a flower in half and observe its parts. Can you name them?
- Visit a beekeeper and find out how honey is made.
- Start a nature journal. Record all of the lovely things that you observe in God's creation.
- On warm summer evenings look for bats flying around your neighborhood.
- Observe insects hovering around a light at night. Record three different kinds of insects observed by drawing them in your nature journal or notebook.
- If you live near the beach explore a tide pool and see how many plants and animals you can find living in it. Can you identify them?
 
HURRAH FOR THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE!!! -
 
 
 
Celebrate America's greatness by trying some of the following ideas this 4th of July:

* Have a backyard barbecue and invite over your neighbors or extended family.

* Have a blast at your picnic by putting out table crackers, which look like giant firecrackers, but are actually tubes filled with treats. Save cardboard from paper towel rolls, and cover the tubes with red tissue paper. Before sealing both ends, fill with such things as printed out patriotic sayings, small red, white, and blue toys, foil-wrapped candies, or other treats (use your imagination). Seal ends, adding a piece of gold starred and glittered wire garland on top for fuse.

* Layer pre-made blueberry Jell-O, Cool Whip Topping, and strawberry Jell-O in clear Solo cups. Top with a dollop of Cool Whip. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

* Put a patriotic spin on party games. For example, pin the name of an American icon on the back of each guest's shirt. Choose important people, places, symbols…even quotes found throughout our country's early history. For example…Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Francis Scott Key, Paul Revere, Patrick Henry, Philadelphia, Boston, the Old North Church, Constitution Hall, the American eagle, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, "One if by land and two if by sea!", "Give me liberty or give me death!", "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.", etc. Get creative with your selections and have fun!

* Give small children large pieces of bubble wrap to stomp on. When they stomp…it sounds like firecrackers going off. The kids love it and…just think…no mess, no smell, and no danger!

* Plant red, white, and blue flowers in your flowerbeds and window boxes. Things like petunias, impatiens, salvia, alyssum, and ageratum work well. If you have enough space, and the ambition, plant them to resemble a flag!

* Fly your flag!

* Make Minuteman Ice Cream Sandwiches by spooning ½ cup vanilla ice cream between 2 chocolate wafer cookies. Roll edges in red, white, and blue sprinkles. Freeze until serving.

*Attend parades and local firework displays in your area.

* Make an American Berry No Bake Cheesecake.

AMERICAN BERRY NO BAKE CHEESECAKE

(Prep time 15 minutes plus refrigerating.)

2 packages (8 oz. Each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/3-cup sugar
2 Tbsp. Lemon juice
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping thawed, divided
1 graham cracker piecrust
strawberry halves and blueberries

Beat cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 2 cups of the whipped topping. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 3 hours or until set. Spread Cool Whip on top. Arrange berries in rows to resemble flag.

 
WATERMELON KNOW-HOW -
 

Photo Credit - The Simple Farm

 


*  When buying watermelon, check for ripeness by looking for a buttery yellow underside. Avoid melons with soft spots or bruises. Depending on the variety the color of the rind may vary from deep emerald green to grayish green to various shades of green with stripes

* Uncut watermelons can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

* Keep fresh-cut watermelon in an airtight container.

* Don't chop watermelon too finely or it will lose its texture and turn mushy.

 
 
 
 
 
RECIPES -
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MARGARITA PIZZA
 
Fresh from the garden and hot from the oven! One of our favorite summer time treats are Margarita pizzas (named after the queen of Spain for whom it was first made), and they're so easy to make!
 
Make crust (1 c. warm water, 1 pkg or 2 1/2 tsp. yeast, 1 t. sugar, 1 t. salt, 2 T. olive oil, 2 1/2 c. flour) and spread in a pizza pan that has been drizzled with olive oil.
 
Top with fresh, sliced meaty tomatoes, a handful of chopped, fresh basil leaves, and cheese (provolone slices or shredded mozzarella).
 
Bake in a 450 degree oven until cheese is brown and bubbly. Enjoy!
 
 
ITALIAN TURKEY BURGERS
(A family favorite!)

¼ cup canned crushed or diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1pound ground turkey
8 slices Italian bread, toasted in oven
4 slices mozzarella cheese
½ cup meatless spaghetti sauce, warmed

In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into four ¾-inch-thick oval-shaped patties. Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray before starting
the grill. Grill patties, uncovered, over medium heat (I use my indoor grill.) for 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until meat is no longer pink. Place each patty on a slice of bread; top with cheese slice and spaghetti sauce and another slice of bread. Makes 4 servings.

GRILLED MEAT AND VEGETABLE SHISH-KABOBS

1 cup soy sauce
1 cup packed brown sugar
1-teaspoon garlic powder
1-teaspoon ground ginger
Meat of choice (chicken, beef, or pork) cut into 1-inch pieces
Assortment of vegetables (green pepper, red pepper, mushrooms, pearl onions, etc) cut into 1-inch pieces
wooden skewers that have been soaked in water

Cut up meat and put into a gallon zip-lock freezer bag. Cut up vegetables and put into a separate zip-lock freezer bag. Mix together first 4 ingredients. Pour half of the marinade over meat; pour the
other half over vegetables. Seal freezer bags and refrigerate on sides for at least 4 hours, turning bags over occasionally. When ready to grill drain marinade, then thread meat and vegetables alternately on skewers. Grill on outdoor or indoor grill until meat is done and vegetables are tender.
 
SUMMERTIME FRUIT KABOBS

Assortment of fruit (grapes, cantaloupe, blueberries, red
raspberries, watermelon, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, etc) cut into
1-inch pieces
Wooden skewers

Thread fruit alternately on wooden skewers and chill until ready to serve. If you use bananas, be sure and dip slices into lemon juice before threading.

EASY CHEESEY ZUCCHINI

Slice zucchini into 1/8" slices; roll in flour and fry in olive or canola oil until brown on both sides and tender, season with salt and pepper. Layer cooked zucchini in casserole dish, alternating with slices of American or Mozzarella cheese slices…ending with cheese on top. Keep warm until ready to serve. Very good!
 
FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE
 
(My friend, Cathy, recently shared a piece of this delicious summertime pie...and her recipe (smile)...with me and, with her permission, I am passing her recipe along to you. Thanks, Cathy! <3)
 
1 baked pie shell
1 quart fresh strawberries, rinsed and hulled
1 1/2 c. water
3/4 c. sugar
3 T. cornstarch
1 small box strawberry Jell-O
 
Fill the pre-baked pie shell with the fresh strawberries. Mix water, sugar, cornstarch, and Jell-O together in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat, cool, and pour over strawberries. Chill pie until ready to serve. Top with Cool Whip, if desired.
 
S'MORES BARS

8 to 10 whole graham crackers
1 package fudge brownie mix
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1-cup semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup chopped peanuts

Arrange graham crackers in a single layer in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Prepare the brownie batter according to package directions. Spread over crackers. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30
minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with marshmallows, chocolate chips and peanuts. Bake 5 minutes longer or until marshmallows are slightly puffed and golden brown. Cool before cutting. Yield: 2 dozen.

 
  FOR NEXT TIME PEASE SEND IN YOUR FAVORITE…
 
 
 


 
…home canning tips and recipes! If you don't mind me sharing your tip or recipe in a future issue of HEARTH AND HOME just send it to me at: proverbs31heart@yahoo.com Please put "CANNING TIPS AND RECIPES" on the subject line. Thank you!
 
 
 
Well, dear friends, that's it for this month. I pray that you have a wonderful 4th of July and a fun and safe summer ahead. God bless you, your precious family, and your home. Until next time…

Love and Hugs,
~Rebecca

Homemade Noodles And A New Daughter-in-Love

My husband makes egg white omelets quite often, and this morning he had told me that there were enough egg yolks to make a double batch of noodles if I wanted them. Of course I wanted them! :)

 Our youngest son and his wife...our new daughter-in-love, Crissy...came over after he got off work this morning, and she was delighted to get in on the noodle-making process. Here are a few pictures of her doing so...


Crissy Making Her First Batch Of Noodles

Rolling Them Out
"Happiness in noodle form!" ~ Crissy Knox
Our Finished Product -Beautiful! :)

Here's my recipe for homemade noodles...

NOODLES

2 cups flour
3 egg yolks
1 egg
2 tsp. salt
1/4 to 1/2 cup water

Make a well in the center of flour. Add egg yolks, egg, and salt; mix well. Mix in water 1 tablespoon at a time. Roll thin rectangle  of dough around rolling pin or fold loosely into thirds and cut. (I use a hand-held noodle cutter.) Cook noodles until tender. Drain quickly, but thoroughly in colander.

We are using our noodles today in chicken and noodles. :)

Have a blessed day!
~Rebecca

Tuesday Morning Ramblings



Greetings, Dear Sisters!

Can you tell? I've been missing in action again. I just realized that it's been over a month and half since I've posted anything here. Life has been a whirlwind, indeed!

As you know, my Aunt Linda passed away on the 30th of April. On the 21st of May our youngest son and his wife were married. Then, my husband's mother passed away on the 3rd of June. Since then we've gone through a time of pulling in, regrouping, and refilling ourselves with the Word of God.

For far too long we had been off track. Beginning about eight...nine years ago...a series of events took place that shook our faith and changed our family forever. It's been a long, hard road, but praise God! He is opening His Word up to us afresh, and putting us in position to receive all that He's got for us! Praise the name of the Lord!

My husband and I feel like we're going through another one of those crash courses like we did shortly before our move to Liberal. We have been inundated with good materials, and with them has come a deeper level of understanding than ever before. In many ways we feel like we're just starting out again. God's Word is so amazing! It's more than a bunch of ink slapped on paper. It's a living, breathing Word that is just as relevant for us today as it was for those who were living it out before it was written. The authorized Word of God comes with power and authority over every situation and over every enemy! And, as layer after layer is peeled away, it's depth is amazing!

Well, I think I've rambled on long enough. I just thought I'd pop in and let you all know that I AM still here. I am seeking the Lord for wisdom and direction in many areas, and this blog is one of them. It is my heart's desire to get back to writing (cards, letters, this blog, regular issues of HEARTH AND HOME, etc.) very soon. If you would, please, pray for me in this area. My writing has always been a part of who I am...again...until all this shake up the past eight or nine years...and nothing...I mean NOTHING has been the same since. But it's a new day and I'm still me and that's my heart's desire. Pray for me that I will fully overcome in this area and that the Lord will give me new things to share in the days ahead!

Love and Blessings To All,
~Rebecca