Wednesday Lunch

Since my lunch today is getting such rave reviews on FB. I thought I'd post it over here too.

E and I went to Sam's to check on which Women of Faith Bible Studies they had available for my ladies group and saw these gorgeous portabello mushrooms. Since Jason isn't a fan of them as the main dish and E LOVES mushrooms, I figured it would be yummy for today.

I grilled Portabello mushroom with balsamic vinegar in a skillet and then topped it with sauteed spinach and garlic. Then I sprinkled some panko bread crumbs on top and sliced the basil pesto goat cheese on top, sprinkled a few more panko crumbs on top and into the toaster oven to broil for about 3 minutes or so. I served it with some artisan multigrain bread I picked up also. It was excellent!

Taming Our Household

So I decided that I'm going to participate in Joyful Mothering's 31 Days to Clean Challenge. I heard about it a few weeks ago, but didn't think anything of it. Now it's come across my radar again so I decided maybe this is just what I need to give me the support I need to get my house clean and make it a HOME! After signing up Jason said he'd like to participate with me too! I'm very excited that this will be a joint effort. I'll be thankful even if the effort he puts forth is to take E out of the house while I work on different rooms. :-) Although I'm pretty sure he'll be doing some cleaning too. So be on the look out for posts not just from me, but from him also on how our 31 Days to Clean is going each week.

If you're interested in this challenge also click on the button on the right and it will take you there.

Or click here: 31 Days to Clean Challenge
You can also find it on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/31DaysToClean

Gently Being Lead

I was on Facebook tonight, no big surprise there, but I saw a post from Cravings. I linked over and read through Amy's post about peace. I was so thankful for her sharing her story as she touched upon a verse I don't think I have ever paid much attention to.

I, like her, feel as though sometimes I do not give the needed attention to either the ministries I am working in or to Jason and Evalyn. I feel as though there are times when I don't have time for God, but I know that isn't true. Even now in my weekly Bible Study with 6 other ladies I am working on making sure that I schedule some time in each day to read God's Word and work on my homework for the study. (More on this during another post.)

The verse that surprised me the most was Isaiah 40:11.

Isaiah 40:11 (New International Version, ©2011)

¹¹ He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

I've always known that God is compared to a shepherd in the way he cares for us. As have I known that I'm usually the one straying away from Him. The part that surprised me was the last line of "...he gently leads those that have young." Wait..what.."he gently leads those that have young." (Emphasis mine.) Wait, that's me! I have young now! I have a rambunctious, darling daughter! This verse is saying that there is provision for mothers! Not only will he tend to all of us, he will lead me gently and keep my child close to his heart.

Wow! What tranquility that brings to my mind. God knows exactly what I need as a mother. I need someone that understands that sometimes I only have 10 minutes to myself and I need to just breathe and close my eyes for that time. He will gently guide me as I guide Evalyn too. I'm so very thankful He carries Evalyn "close to his heart" because I know there are times she is on my last nerve and she's not very close to my heart at that instance. But God will guide me back to Him and her also. Love covers all, if only we let it.

Here's another version of that verse:

"... He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young." Isaiah 40:11, New Living Translation

Thank you God for gently leading me with my little lamb. I'm so grateful that there is someone else leading .... now just help me stay on that path right behind you and not stray....

What about you? Are you being gently lead?

Verses looked up on www.biblegateway.com

Cravings

I want to tell you a bit about a new product that will launch in August 2011. It's called Cravings. They are daily devotional cards to help moms "in the midst of motherhood." Carey Bailey knows how hard it is as a mom to carve out that special one on one time with God. She wanted a way to help it be easier, but not any less meaningful.



You can find more info about them here at the website: Cravings

She's currently hosting a giveaway also for a book by Sarah Mae, 31 Days to Clean: Having a Martha House the Mary Way - all you have to do is "like" the Cravings facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/CravingsOnline

For more information go HERE.

I hope you'll join me in putting a reminder on your calendar to be on the lookout for Cravings in August. You can also subscribe to her blog. Right now she has a great post about Easter and being intentional with planning traditions with your kids.

And the best news of all...Carey has told me she will send me a set when they release to raffle off at one of our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Meetings when we start in the fall!! Thanks Carey!

If you have a moment, check out her personal blog too, it's fun of tutorials and other neat stuff.
With Joy

Bun in the Oven

Nooo...not that kind of bun in the oven! :-D


I have really been enjoying making homemade bread. (Even if it's in the bread machine. But that is a different post.)

But what we really like is our No Wait to Rise Bread. I found the recipe here at Crafty Kin's blog and have really loved the simplicity and it turns out wonderful each time!

I make the recipe in full usually and split it into smaller buns and also 1 LARGE round loaf or 2 smaller ones. Next time, I'm going to try with some whole wheat flour, instead of just regular unbleached, all-purpose flour.

Here's a few pictures to tempt you.....wish you could smell the house when these are baking....mmmm!



Round 1 - March 6th
Only 2 of the probably 8-10 buns I made first time around. The rest were yummy! Ask Jason....

2 smaller round loaves Close up of one of the loaves.

Round 2 - April 6th



This is the my large round stone that is 15" across.
It's probably almost 3" tall.

And this is how they came to be.


That's E working on her heart shaped bun you see in the above picture.