Christmas Naan and Flexible Traditions
Submitted by kim on Wed, 12/25/2013 - 21:27 in Homemaking, Recipes
It seems we've always had to cope with our children being away from home on Christmas.
Kneading Language and Making Pretzels
Submitted by kim on Mon, 07/22/2013 - 06:17 in Character Building, Recipes
She couldn't concentrate on the work and smile for the camera at the same time. Sunday night pretzels. An Uncle Rich tradition for 20 years and tonight Ellie was assigned the responsibility of helping to make dinner for everyone attending the family reunion.
They mixed yeast and water and flour in an old pot because the cottage lacked mixing bowls. She learned to improvise when given a new set of circumstances.
She may have kneaded dough in the past, but this was new. Every adult uses slightly different words to describe the texture of their dough. She listened attentively. He waited patiently while she learned their new shared language for the task. Sometimes there were no words at all. Just time. And texture. And working together.
Everyday Dinner - Super Stuffed Tortillas
Submitted by kim on Wed, 08/08/2012 - 18:16 in Recipes
One of my biggest struggles is eating healthy when I live with a lot of guys who prefer meat and potatoes, bread and butter.
It wasn't always like this. When my father moved in three years ago, one of the most dramatic changes that took place in our home was our meal time. His preference for comfort food with lots of butter and my weakness of being a people pleaser resulted in some changes in our family eating. I started serving a lot more meat than we had eaten in the past. A lot more big meals. And a lot more desserts. The net outcome hasn't been good for my waistline.
Feeding the Five Men - August 2012
Submitted by kim on Tue, 08/07/2012 - 16:21 in Homemaking, Recipes
I wish I were more Christ-like. Especially when when all the men are hungry.
Can you image? Just five loaves of bread, two fish, one prayer, and all the men are satisfied? I want to go to that cooking school!
Unfortunately, it doesn't happen like that here.
My guys help me a ton around the house and will fix meals when I ask for help. But the bottom line is that everyone is happier when I make the plan, do the shopping, and get the meals on the table. My Christ-likeness is going to have to come through serving cheerfully.
Sugar Cookie Ice Cream Bowls
Submitted by kim on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 08:58 in Homemaking, Recipes
One of my goals over Memorial Day weekend was to make menus for the next two weeks and get the grocery shopping accomplished. With the chaos of finishing my college classes and out of town company at the house for celebrations, it felt great to plan for some normal days. I love party days, but I also like normal days, and making normal days feel like a party.
I've seen posts on Pinterest for chocolate ice cream bowls.
Side note - Are you on Pinterest? I am addicted! Follow me here.
Those chocolate bowls gave me an idea. I decided to try making cookie bowls this weekend.
Sunday Dinner: Cherry Cake Pudding
Submitted by kim on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 21:47 in Recipes
This is not a cooking blog. Nor will it ever become one, because quite simply, I don't really enjoy cooking. In fact, at one point this last week, I seriously considered making my Facebook status be "I HATE COOKING!" But my father once told me hate is too strong of a word to use, and I thought the men of the house might read my status and put a big HELP sign in the front yard.
I don't always enjoy it, but I do cook.
And I do try to make it somewhat appealing, especially on Sundays.
Baking Thankfulness
Submitted by kim on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 12:51 in Recipes
I wanted to get two additional blog posts up on the theme of thankfulness, but the weekend was just too busy to get them written. Saturday morning started quiet and I decided to bake something pumpkin-ish to get into the thankfulness spirit. By the way, have you tried the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks - oh my, yummy!
Peggy's Beef Sandwiches
Submitted by kim on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 14:14 in Recipes
It is interesting how the Lord brings people together. For a many years, Rich and I threw a large New Year's Eve party. One year, a friend called the day before and asked if she could bring another family. "You are going to love the mom!" was her comment. I did. And that evening was not only the beginning of a new year, but a new friendship that has held blessings for both of us.
Hospitality
Submitted by kim on Wed, 06/16/2010 - 09:22 in Homemaking, Recipes
If you read just one book on opening your home to others, read Practicing Hospitality, The Joy of Serving Others by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock. You won't just want to read it, you will come back to it again and again. While Rich and I have always been convicted that our home should be a center of ministry, this book gave me the "how to" of hospitality in many practical ways.
