Great Deal and one of my favorites for the Fall.

Fred Meyer has Oregon Chai on sale right now buy 1 get one free and it was on sale as well.It normally retails for $4.99-$5.99 for 1.I had a $1.00 off coupon as well making it $ 3.49 for both.                       

                                              

Nothing like a cup of hot chocolate before bed.

          Here's some spiritual food for you.
      
Looking to Jesus,

2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
How do we get the God of love and peace? That was my question as I read my Bible just recently. This verse says BE PERFECT, BE OF GOOD COMFORT, BE OF ONE MIND AND LIVE IN PEACE, Let's us explore the following:



BE YE PERFECT:
The Bible says in Lu 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
Our Master (the Lord Jesus) is long suffering, especially to the brethren (NOT easily offended)
Jesus delights in mercy -- He is Understanding!!! Are we impatient with others?
He was a servant! Now I know we don't practice washing feet - so I'm just using it as an example here -- are we doing what that example set forth in our lives towards others? Are we willing to be THAT giving?
Now remember we are still looking at "Be ye perfect" here so lets look at:
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
This is our common bond, it is CHARITY..If we don't have and practice this then all of the above means nothing. Charity to me is something that costs us something.. sometimes money, it could be time.. etc. I think a good definition of Charity would be : Someone benefits and it costs YOU. ;-)
And lastly in regards to perfection:
1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
We see here that perfection is PRECEDED by suffering. In Verse 8 of the same chapter we find: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" -- we see here that satan brings it -- and God allows it. He is working in us perfection with trials.



Let's move on to BE OF GOOD COMFORT:
This is a command! Why is this so important I asked myself, in seeking the Scriptures I found my answer, (isn't it a blessing to find how the WHOLE Word of God works together ;-)
It is commanded so we don't give up. So we will have the right attitude for service also to be a testimony to this world. So that we don't just rely on the fruits of our own labors.
1. Considering the rapture:
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. We see here we should be talking of it with each other! Taking comfort that even in hard times we have reason to be comforted.... comforting each other in reminding each other the promises of God.
2. Comfort with the Holy Ghost:
Ac 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Being in fellowship with the Holy Ghost brings comfort.
3. The BIBLE brings comfort:
Ro 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and
4. Preaching brings comfort:
1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Let' go on now to BE OF ONE MIND:
The verse we are concentrating on here is still 2 Cor. 13:11, being of one mind here is meant to say ALL OF US a collective group of born again believers? Why? SO THOSE OUTSIDE OF THE GROUP WILL WANT WHAT WE HAVE!!.
1Co 1:10-12 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
We must be steadfast! (not our own opinions - but what does God say?) Division comes from not being of one mind. Do we have problems with brothers and sisters in Christ? We need to do one of two things if we do.
1. confront and settle it 2. FORGET it. (really forget it! - as if it never happened, otherwise there will be bitterness in your heart)
Those are the only two choices OR you have a DIVISION:
Ro 5:5-6 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Php 2:1-2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Why do we need to be of ONE MIND? it says in the two verses above that it is because it FULFILLS THE LORD'S JOY!!! What better reason? We shoud be ready to praise in song - in giving - in service!
And finally lets look at this verse:
Ro 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Living in peace is more than 'not fighting' we can all for appearance look good BUT not be in harmony. To be 'in peace' means HARMONY.
Websters 1828 says:
H`ARMONY, n. [L. harmonia; Gr. a setting together, a closure or seam, agreement, concert, to fit or adapt, to square.]
The just adaptation of parts to each other, in any system or composition of things, intended to form a connected whole; as the harmony of the universe.
Concord or agreement in views, sentiments or manners, interests, &c., good correspondence; peace and friendship.



Back to the beginning, I had to ask myself why at times I don't sense the peace of God like i should...... ??
Is my relationship with the brethren right? Seems to all stem back to that. Am I striving to be perfect (like Jesus?) Am I seeking comfort in his Word? Am I striving to be of ONE MIND with the believers? Steadfast? WE must all face these questions if we want the God of love and peace to work in our lives ;-)

This is not mine it comes from a wonderful lady named Chris at http://www.momof9splace.com

Luscious Lemon Bars.

From The Taste of Home Baking Book.
1 cup all purpose flour
                1/2 cup butter,softened
                1/4 confectioners sugar
                Filling
               2 eggs
               1 cup sugar
               2 tbsp AP flour
               1/2 tsp baking powder
               2 tbsp lemon juice
              1 tsp grated lemon peel
              additional confectioners sugar


1.In a bowl combine flour,butter and confectioners sugar.pat into an ungreased 8 in square pan bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

2.For filling ,in a small bowl beat eggs.Add the sugar,flour,baking powder,lemon juice,and peel;beat until frothy.Pour over crust.Bake 25 minutes longer or until light golden brown.
Dust with confectioners sugar and cut into bars when cool.

                                            Enjoy!    

Chicken,broccoli & cheese casserole.

I didn't stay with my menu plan today,because I was missing a few ingredients,so I made this yummy and hearty casserole instead.

To start I had frozen chicken tenders in the freezer I used ,but you can use baked fresh chicken torn apart as well.I started by boiling my chicken.

  When the chicken is done I shred it season it with garlic salt and pepper and put it in a bowl.

 Then I boiled my broccoli I used frozen,but you can also use fresh,as I often do.  
Then you mix together 1 can of cream of chicken soup and 1 can of cream of celery soup with 1/2 cup of mayonnaise.  

                                                                                            

Mix all these ingredients together and add shredded cheese on top.Then I mix bread crumbs with butter and sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes until golden brown.   

Serve over noodles,rice or potatoes.I served mine over rice with hot rolls,salad and green beans.   

                              Enjoy!                                                                              

Couponing 101

Since several people have asked me about couponing and just getting started I thought I'd give you all a few tips.
I've only been doing this since June ,but my savings have been tremendous.

The first thing to do is to buy some baseball card holders and a binder.I usually get a box of 36 pages for $5.00 at Walmart.

Then get yourself a binder,very important to get one that zips,otherwise your coupons will fall out.  

 I also bought page dividers.You can divide your binder any way you want,but this is the way mine is divided  

                                                  

Beverages,breakfast,cereal,condiments,meat & cheese,dairy,refrigerated,Bread,PB & J,baking,mixes and boxed,non food(like pet food,toothpaste and such) fruit & veggies and then it goes to each individual store like Fredmeyer,Target,Albertsons,You can put in whatever stores you frequent.
                            
Now lets start filling your binder.I get a lot of my coupons from the Sunday paper inserts.I buy them for $1.00 there.I will buy 4-5,unless there are doublers then I will buy more.Some of you are fortunate and have stores that automatically double manufacturer coupons.We don't have that here.

You can also find coupons online or in products at times.Once you start looking for them it's amazing how many you will find.                                  

Now gather your store adds and look for sales.                        

 Now look at your coupons or Catalinas,that's the long slip coupon you get at the registers and see if you have matches for that sale,like right here is a cereal sale if I buy 5 boxes I get them for $1.88,then add it with my coupon for $1.00 off of 3 and I will most likely buy 6 boxes of cereal and use 2 coupons and doublers,so I will pay a bit over $7.00 for 6 boxes.That's about $1.32 per box and I will most likely look for better coupons ones for $1.00 off each box that I can use a doubler on. That would make them free. 


I also make sure I sign up for any rewards program a store offers.I've gotten a lot of things for free that way.



I won't lie it is time consuming  and you will have to find somehwere to put the old papers.We will use them for fire starts,but you can take them to recycling.

                                      
                                        
                                 Happy couponing!                                                                                    

Sausage gravy & biscuits.

             

                                                  
This is one of our family favorites.A very quick and easy breakfast.

This morning I just whipped up some biscuits with biscuit mix.I make homemade as well,but I was looking for quick this morning.


Start by crumbling sausage in a pan.I always buy those large Jimmy Dean rolls from Costco they seem to be the most economical.                        

  
Cook on medium until c0mpletely brown.                                 

  Do not drain the grease this is what is going to be used to flavor the gravy. 

Now mix about 1 and a half cups of milk with 3 heaping tbsp of flour.Whisk it together until smooth.
                                                                   

          Pour onto the sausage and cook on medium until thick and bubbly.If it bubbles too much turn your heat down. I just season with a shake or two of seasoning salt and pepper. 

      

                                                 
 When it coats the  the back of a spoon it's done. 

   
 Serve over hot bicuits.
                                     

                            

                                                                        

                                          Enjoy!                                           

Scooping up wishes!

                                       

Well we are back from the Make A Wish ice cream social.It was so much fun we just had a blast.Thank you Cold Stone in Silverdale you always make things so much fun.

    Ariel and Michael had a blast decorating cupcakes and making giant Oreo cookies.They also had a lot of fun with the crew especially Nick who was teaching them Cold Stone 
jingles to sing for customers.

    They also did an awesome job scooping ice cream behind the counter for customers.We all left with some ice cream of our choice,the Make A Wish jar full and plenty of wonderful memories.                                                

Cleaning,organizing and a week in meals.

                                                  

Hello friends,Well I've been spending the last few days,first getting over a stomach bug I've picked up somewhere and cleaning and organizing.I don't know how my house gets to be such a mess at times.I imagine it's because having 6 people here all the time clutter just sort of collects.

Anyway we are busy cleaning and organizing and getting ready to put up our Fall decorations.

                                        
I love Fall.I love the crispness in the air,drinking hot apple cider,watching the leaves turn colors and going to pumpkin farms to pick out the perfect one.
So we have been busy,along with cleaning and organizing I really like to have a menu with my meals prepared for the week.It's just so much nicer to know what you're going to make ahead of time.

Monday: Tacos,spanish rice and beans.

Tuesday:Chili with cheese and sour cream,cornbread with butter and honey and tortilla chips.

Wednesday: Corn chowder,rolls and salad.     

Thursday:Chicken Fettucini Alfredo,salad and garlic bread.

Friday:Pizza night.

Saturday: Meatloaf,AuGratin  potatoes, green beans and rolls.

Sunday:BLT's,sweet potato fries,salad and fruit.

   Tonight we will be scooping up ice cream for The Make A Wish ice cream social.The kids love working at the Cold Stone in Silverdale.They always make it so much fun for us.

Come out if you can, even a dollar will benefit a child with a life threatening illness,so they can have their dreams come true.Like Daniel and Ariel did.

                                 

Graphics provided by country clipart

My very first blog post.

Hello friends,Welcome to my new little home on the web.I'm fairly new to all this,so bare with me while I learn the ropes and figure out how to do things.I've been on Caringbridge writing about our kids struggles with medical issues for quite some time.It's becoming quite difficult,because we have three kids with Epilepsy and each ones life and stories are so complex they could fill a book.

I also wanted somewhere to come and  talk about other things besides just medical.We go through a lot of medical issues,but that is not all that our lives are about.Our lives are about serving God and making the most of each day that God has given us.Living life to the fullest and just getting tremendous joy out of even the smallest things that life has to offer.

We live out in the country  in the Puget Sound area of Washington State on a beautiful two and a half acres surrounded by woods.Our house is barn red with white trim and we have six fruit trees on our property as well as a bunch of chickens and dogs,turtles and a cat.

We have homeschooled our kids for the past fifteen years and really enjoy the closeness that it has given us.

I love old fashioned country,Victorian and simple type things.I love nothing more than to cook and bake in the rain,curling up on the couch with hot cider or tea and watching an old movie.

Recently since my huband retired I started couponing to help make the ends meet.I'm amazed at how much I'm able to get and how much farther our grocery dollar stretches.I'm no Extreme couponer,but we've all  been pretty happy with the results thus far.

I look forward to getting to know more fellow bloggers and learning the ropes and getting better at this.
God bless,Linn