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No resolutions...just better decisions in 2025!
Happy New Year!
Until next time...
~Rebecca
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Happy Mother's Day 2024
Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful and amazing moms out there! From those that are well-seasoned to those that are preparing to become mamas for the very first time and to everyone in between. To all the grandmothers and other special ladies (be you friend, aunt, or some other relation) who have been there, filled in, helped out, or have been a second mom to someone else in their hour of need. No matter who you are...if you have invested (or are investing) time, energy, resources, and talents into the future of a child...be not weary in doing so! You are so special! Don't ever allow people or circumstances to make you feel less-than, because what you're doing is important work. In fact, it's the most important work there is! May many blessings be yours today and always! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Until next time...
~Rebecca
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Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Celebrating the 'Reason for the Season' - Advent Scripture Chain
I found this terrific free printable for an 'Advent Scripture Chain' over at the Flanders Family Home Life blog.
I printed off several sets to give away and, of course, one for myself. I thought you might enjoy printing one off, too!
There are two printing choices to choose from...to print on one- or two-colors of paper or to print on three-colors. I chose to print on three colors...red, yellow, and green. I think blue and white would be pretty, too!
After printing, I pinned the cover sheet to the curtains next to the Christmas tree in the kitchen. That way it is handy, but up high enough that little hands can't reach the paper strips.
I coiled the end of the chain up on top of and around the top two levels of my three-tiered tea tray where I display my vintage cookie cutters. They won't be concealed for long, as the Christmas season will pass all too quickly.
I hope you enjoy this pretty printable that helps us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus!
Until next time...
~Rebecca
(#82 in today's lineup over at Grammy's Grid's 'Unlimited Link Party #140' and featured at 'Grammy's Grid's 'Unlimited Link Party #141')
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Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Thanksgiving Eve
It's Thanksgiving Eve and I've been working in the kitchen since getting out of bed this morning and, I must say, I've enjoyed every single moment of it!
Since I'm notorious for losing stray hairs here, there, and yonder, first thing I did (and in true lunch-lady fashion!) I pinned my hair up and put on a hair net. That is something I've never done before when working in my own kitchen, but I'm glad I did! I didn't have to worry about it after that. The whole time, though, I kept thinking, "What if someone shows up unexpectedly?" I looked liked a peeled and netted onion!!! Ha-ha! BUT...no one did, and now it's off, so all is well! 😆
At this point, I've baked two loaves of French bread, made two pumpkin rolls, have two pies baked, two pies in the oven, and three pies waiting to be baked. The 'Heavenly Corn' is put together in the crockpot and is waiting in the fridge to be set out and turned on low first thing in the morning. The turkey is out of the fridge and sitting in a sink of cold water to finish thawing before being popped in the oven just before going to bed tonight.
Now it's time to grab a bite of lunch, then sit back and rest while waiting for company to arrive from Kansas City.
What about you? How are you spending your Thanksgiving? Are you cooking? Or are traveling? What are most thankful for today?
Until next time...
~Rebecca
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Thursday, November 16, 2023
An Improptu Trip To Branson
As part of an upcoming wedding celebration the kids were invited to meet friends from Arkansas for supper in Branson last night. Details weren't ironed out until yesterday morning and I was invited to ride along and hang out if I wanted to.
Of course I wanted to! I love Branson and hadn't visited since John and I made our last trip together in 2018, but I had a couple of things that needed to be rescheduled in order to go. Well, I swung into full gear, got things rearranged in a hurry, and off I went!
While in Branson we stopped at the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area and walked the Dewey Bald Trail. The kids climbed the 40-foot viewing tower that is located at the top.
We drove the 76 Strip...
...caught the sunset over Table Rock...
...enjoyed supper at Cracker Barrel with a whole host of lovely young people (who chose to 'dress up' just for fun!)...
...and, afterwards, before leaving town, decided to drive Shepherd of the Hill's 'Trail of Lights'. It was all so lovely and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
We did all that and still managed to get home at a reasonable hour. What a totally fun and unexpected mid-week trip!
Until next time...
~Rebecca
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Thursday, November 2, 2023
Thanksgiving Planner
It's hard to believe that the holidays are upon us already and that Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
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Are you thinking about Thanksgiving yet? Do you know where you'll be spending the holiday and what you'll be making?
I've shared this Thanksgiving planner based on my own past experiences before and, although it isn't all encompassing, it is a good guide to help you think things out as you make your way through the days and weeks ahead leading up to the big day!
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This photo was taken at our youngest daughter's Thanksgiving
2020. If you look closely, you can see my husband lurking in
the background. I sure miss him...especially with the holidays approaching.
WEEK ONE OF NOVEMBER:
- Begin holiday organization.
- Invite your guests for Thanksgiving dinner. A cheery phone invitation or a written invitation is always welcome.
- If you’re ordering a fresh turkey, do it now; if you’re buying a frozen turkey you have time, but don’t wait until the last minute. Start watching those sale ads now.
WEEK TWO OF NOVEMBER:
- Make up Thanksgiving dinner menu; at the same time compile your grocery list. You can pick up the dry goods and staples for your meal now. It’s easier on the budget and makes shopping faster later. Check off items on the marketing list as you purchase them.
- Plan your Thanksgiving table setting and centerpiece early. Check your silverware, plates, and serving dishes to be sure you have enough for the number of guests you are inviting.
- Name cards can also be completed ahead of time. As a family sit down and find verses with a thanksgiving theme. Take a blank 3” x 5” index card, fold it in half, and stand it on the table. On the front write the name of the person who will sit at that place and inside write a Thanksgiving scripture. When everyone is seated, each person then reads his or her verse.
WEEK THREE OF NOVEMBER:
- Make any last-minute arrangements for Thanksgiving. If you’ll be going out of town, ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers. If you are cooking, finalize your menu and entertainment plans.
WEEK FOUR OF NOVEMBER:
- Special holiday events will be happening Thanksgiving week. Decide which event you want to attend as a family, then schedule one special event for each child individually.
FOUR DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING:
- Start defrosting a large (15 to 20 lbs.) frozen turkey in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
- Name cards can also be completed ahead of time. As a family sit down and find verses with a thanksgiving theme. Take a blank 3” x 5” index card, fold it in half, and stand it on the table. On the front write the name of the person who will sit at that place and inside write a Thanksgiving scripture. When everyone is seated, each person then reads his or her verse.
WEEK THREE OF NOVEMBER:
- Make any last-minute arrangements for Thanksgiving. If you’ll be going out of town, ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers. If you are cooking, finalize your menu and entertainment plans.
WEEK FOUR OF NOVEMBER:
- Special holiday events will be happening Thanksgiving week. Decide which event you want to attend as a family, then schedule one special event for each child individually.
FOUR DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING:
- Start defrosting a large (15 to 20 lbs.) frozen turkey in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
TWO DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING:
- Prepare the serving pieces, plates, flatware, glasses, etc.
- If using cloth napkins or tablecloths, iron them now.
- Make the cranberry sauce; a couple of days in the refrigerator will give the flavors time to develop.
- Cut and cube bread for the stuffing now, and set the cubes out in a single layer on a baking sheet to dry.
ONE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING:
- Pick up the fresh turkey and purchase perishables.
- Prepare the stuffing. Refrigerate overnight.
- Make the giblet stock for gravy.
- Assemble and bake pies.
- Peel the potatoes; refrigerate in a pot of cold water.
- Make side dishes that require baking and reheat them tomorrow; or assemble them today and cook them right before dinner tomorrow.
- Set the table tonight or first thing in the morning.
THANKSGIVING DAY:
- Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and cook as desired. (Some people...like me...even prefer to slow cook the turkey overnight.)
- Make mashed potatoes and bake or reheat side dishes.
- Prepare coffee, but do not brew until about twenty minutes before it is to be served.
- Prepare iced tea and other beverages early and refrigerate.
Until next time...
~Rebecca
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Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Halloween and Reformation - Reprint From October 31, 2017 and a 2023 Update
Reprint from October 31, 2017...
Here we are! October 31st! The last day of October! Today marks the the final day of Crystal Stine's Write 31 Days writing challenge, and this will be the final post in my 31 Days of the Joys of Autumn series.
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It is also Halloween. |
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And it is also Reformation Day. In fact, today marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. It was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther nailed the 95 Thesis to the door of the church at Wittenberg, sparking the Reformation and forever changing the course of church history. |
I grew up celebrating Halloween. My dad wasn't real keen on it and his mother, my grandmother, Maudie, was totally against it, but, my mother always interceded on my behalf and made sure that I didn't miss out on the fun of dressing up, attending Halloween parties, and going trick-or-treating with my friends. Halloween was one of my favorite holidays.
As a teenager, I would come up with elaborate costumes, attend more sophisticated Halloween parties, and tour haunted houses with friends.
When I was 18, being on the rebound from someone else, I met and married a satanic priest. I didn't know that he was a satanic priest when I married him, but I did find out shortly afterwards, and that's when the dark side of the spirit world became very real and very scary. That marriage didn't last long, but, with a little more caution than before (and being a lot more aware of the dark side of things than I was before), I still continued to choose to participate in and celebrate Halloween.
In fact, as a family, we celebrated Halloween whole-heartedly until 1988. That was the last year that we embraced and celebrated Halloween. By that point the Lord was really dealing with us about it and when, after the biggest and most elaborate Halloween party that we had ever had, when our children said, "Do we HAVE to do this???" That's when my husband and I knew that it was time to stop. We said, "No, we don't have to do this!" And we didn't from that time forward.
After that we went through a series of other things though. The truth is, we didn't know how to deal with October 31st at all. For the first two or three years out we focused on having a backyard autumn festival of sorts for the children with fun activities that didn't revolve around anything even remotely connected to Halloween.
Later on, when my husband and I became active in our church, we decided to turn the front porch light on and use Halloween as an opportunity for ministry. We handed out gospel tracts, along with the candy that we gave to trick-or-treaters. We enjoyed doing this very much!
Then, we learned about the Protestant Reformation...which was a wonderful thing! Up to that point only the hierarchy of the Catholic Church was allowed to read and study the Holy Scriptures. Then they would interpret and relate it to the people however they chose (or chose not) to. The Protestant Reformation resulted in the Bible being translated into many languages and being put into the hands of the common people to read and study for themselves. What a wonderful, wonderful privilege it is to have the Bible...God's Holy Word...written in our own language...being able to hold it in our own hands...free to read and study it for ourselves. Can you imagine living in a time when that was not allowed? If caught doing so, the penalty was often death.
So...okay...we learned about the Reformation and off went the porch light again. Instead of spreading light on the darkest night of the year, we chose, instead, to turn in to ourselves and study the great reformers...which in and of itself is not a bad thing at all...but there was no balance. We would spend weeks learning about a specific reformer and, then, on October 31st, we would gather together with others to celebrate Reformation Day...which, again...is NOT a bad thing AT ALL! In fact, more Christians should take the time to study and learn about church history (it's soooo important!)...BUT...just because we were learning about the Reformation didn't mean that we had to ignore the opportunity to be a light in the darkness.
So...now...here we are...October 31, 2017. I can, in no way, embrace or celebrate Halloween. I know way too much about it to do so in good conscience. BUT I can't ignore it, either. It's out there. And I'd be lying if I told you that it no longer had a pull on me, because it does. I have way too much Celtic (and most likely Druid) blood in me for it not to. But it's a great time to continue moving forward in overcoming the flesh and it's a great time to minister to and share with others, which is exactly how we plan to spend our evening.
And, despite the fact that we've gone from ditch-to-ditch (and every where in between) in trying to find the Lord's will in all of this, this time of year continues to be a personal challenge and one of the many joys of autumn for me, individually, and for us, as a family.
********************
2023 Update...
To be honest, for the past several years (since COVID), there have been very few, if any, trick-or-treaters on this side of town. I think most of them go to area trunk-or-treat events or to events taking place in bigger towns. I will have gospel tracts and candy available tonight, but will focus on finishing up our six-week Reformation study with food, fellowship, and a viewing of Luther with Joseph Fiennes.
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How will you and your family be spending the last evening of October 2023?
Until next time...~Rebecca
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5).
Recent and related posts that you might enjoy reading...
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5).
Recent and related posts that you might enjoy reading...
Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - October 30, 2023
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Happy Independece Day!!!
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The American Flag at Work
At the Eagle Tree
I kind of got tickled yesterday because in my Monday post I stated that, since I had gone grocery shopping the day before, I wouldn't have to go to the store again for a long time. I had no more posted that when Amber called to invite me to go to Sam's with them in Joplin...which I did!
Amber was shopping for the holiday and an upcoming birthday; I didn't really need anything, but I rode along and had a great time! I hadn't been in a Sam's store in years! I picked up a few items that I run through pretty regularly , so saved quite a bit in the long run on those items and I, also, picked up a great big beautiful box of lucious, red, bing cherries. They are so good!
Big Cherries
Anyway, it was a fun outing and I greatly enjoyed it! (I obviously don't get out much! Can you tell?) 😉
The Grandlittles at Sam's
After I got home I got the turkey burger that I bought on Sunday divided, repackaged, and frozen, made turkey breakfast sausage, and got the red, white, and blue jello put together. This is something that I've done every year since my children were little.
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Red, White, and Blue Jello
This morning I am enjoying the morning by listening to patriotic music and sermons on VCY America. Later I will join family for lunch and, most likely, will end up in Rich Hill tonight for their city fireworks display.
Have a great day and a Happy Fourth!
Until next time...
~Rebecca
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Sunday, May 14, 2023
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful and amazing moms out there! From those that are well-seasoned to those that are preparing to become mamas for the very first time and to everyone in between!
To all the grandmothers and other special ladies (be you friend, aunt, or some other relation) who have been there, filled in, helped out, or have been a second mom to someone else in their hour of need.
No matter who you are...if you have invested (or are investing) time, energy, resources, and talents into the future of a child...be not weary in doing so!
You are so special! Don't ever allow people, society, or circumstances make you feel less-than, because what you're doing is important work. In fact, it is THE most important work there is!
May many blessings be yours today and beyond! Happy Mother's Day! 💗
Until next time...
~Rebecca
(Entry#82 @ Grammy's Grid Unlimited Link Party #111)
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