Saturday Smiles - Crazy Cats

Sometimes when you are down it's nice to have some funny pictures to perk you up and make your day.  Here are a few pictures that I hope will do just that. 

All photos courtesy of pinterest.com

Discovery Friday - Happy Birthday, Chip!

Photo Courtesy

It's Discovery Friday, but, it also happens to by my sister's birthday and so I decided to look up cool birthday stuff that I think Chip would like!  I hope you enjoy these as well!

Photo Courtesy

For those of you who don't know, Chip is an accordion player, and so, I found a picture of an accordion cake!  I wish I could actually make her one, but... We are trying to stick to healthy and not eat such things so a picture will have to do!

Chip LOOOOVES airstream trailers, and so, I found an adorable airstream cake! (With a teddy bear too!)

Photo Courtesy

Chip has a funny orange cat named Mogli and so I found her Mogli cupcakes in a cone!

Photo Courtesy

This... Well, I found this and though Chip isn't found of the cookie monster, she IS a cookie monster and so I thought it would fit the occasion perfectly! 

Have a marvelous birthday, Chippy!  

Photo Courtesy

Trusting Him ...and Gaining His Peace

Let’s face it….  We all have fears…  We all struggle with the issue of trust…  I know I do.  I worry about something happening to my husband and son.  More than I care to admit, actually.  I worry if my husband and I made the right decisions for our son’s well-being.  I worry when my husband goes to sea with the Coast Guard for several weeks, leaving our baby and myself home alone.  I worry that my husband is safe while doing his work at sea, and I worry about if something would happen to the baby and me while we are home.  You get the point…I worry a lot.  In other words, I have many fears.  And I struggle to trust Him with those fears.  The scary part is…I am not even THAT big of a worry-wart!  I still have a ways to go…but in comparison with some people, I am truly not that bad.

But it comes down to trusting Him.  And it comes down to having the peace that He gives us when we trust Him with everything.  Yes, everything…even the most important things.  And for me, that means my family – first, my husband and son…then my parents, siblings, best friends, in-laws, etc.  And it is not easy for me.  At all. 

Photo Courtesy

Yet in the midst of all of this, I am not supposed to worry.  I am supposed to trust Him and have His peace settle within me as a result of this.  Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) states: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Not an easy verse is it?  It is one thing to think it.  It is one thing to say it.  But it is a totally different thing to LIVE it.  It is a natural, human problem….but that doesn’t mean we just ignore it.  It means we need to confront it and get on top of it.  And encouraging one another to do so, is one way to diminish the problem.

I was reading some quotes the other day, and I found them very encouraging, as well as challenging, for this exact topic.  I hope you find them to be the same – and that you are encouraged that others do struggle with trusting Him and finding His peace…but in the end, He is always there for you.  He will take care of you and your loved ones.  And no matter what…He has a plan.  

Photo Courtesy

 “If our minds are stayed upon God, His peace will rule the affairs entertained by our minds.  If, on the other hand, we allow our minds to dwell on the cares of this world, God’s peace will be far from our thoughts.” – Woodrow Kroll

“Trust in yourself and you are doomed to disappointment; … but trust in God, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity.” – Dwight L. Moody

“The foundation of the Christian's peace is everlasting; it is what no time, no change can destroy. It will remain when the body dies; it will remain when the mountains depart and the hills shall be removed, and when the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. The fountain of His comfort shall never be diminished, and the stream shall never be dried. His comfort and joy is a living spring in the soul, a well of water springing up to everlasting life.” – Jonathan Edwards

“Only he who can say, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life’ can say, ‘Of whom shall I be afraid?’” – Alexander MacLaren

Photo Courtesy

Natural Remedies: Rosemary Oil

The newest oil I have been learning and research is Rosemary Oil. I want to begin getting it into my normal usage pattern of essential oils and it has so many uses! It is awesome.  So what can Rosemary Oil help with? 

• Anxiety
• Hair Care
• Indigestion
• Insect Repellant 
• Memory and Concentration
• Pain Relief
• Respiratory Problems
• Skin Care
•  ....and guess what? Much more!

Photo Courtesy

 Sounds like a good addition to an essential oil collection, doesn't it? So how are some ways that we can use this oil to treat some of the above issues?  Let's see!

• Massage 2-3 drops of rosemary oil into the scalp to prevent dandruff and balding.  Essentially, rosemary stimulates hair growth helping those who are dealing with hair loss.  It is also just an excellent routine to maintain healthy hair.  You could also put it on a hairbrush and proceed by brushing your hair.  Whatever works best for you!
• Inhale rosemary oil (as in sniff...I realized "inhale" sounds a lot more...drastic, for some reason - it may just be my current mood) to increase concentration or memory.  You could put a TINY (less than one drop) underneath your nose to keep the scent with you as one way to smell it.
• Rub a small amount of rosemary oil (preferably diluted with something like jojoba or olive oil) on your skin to repel insects.  You could also put rosemary oil on cotton balls around the house where insects are more likely to invade to fend them off.
• By mixing a small amount of rosemary oil with jojoba or olive oil and rubbing it on the skin, it helps to eliminate dryness and maintain healthy skin.
• Rubbing sore muscles, cramps, etc. (often diluted with some oil) you can increase blood circulation and decrease pain.  This is also useful for the treatment or arthritis.
• Smelling the scent of rosemary oil can also help decrease anxiety.  However, rosemary might not be quite as good for this as other oils such as lavender.  Experiment to see what works for you!

Photo Courtesy

This will definitely be the next addition to my essential oil collection.  I try to buy one a month so I don't buy too much (spend too much money).  I hope that it encourages you to find more uses for this awesome essential oil!  Happy researching!

PLEASE NOTE: These are only natural home remedies that no professional has reviewed or written.  This is not to take the place of professional medical advice, it is merely to aid you at home.  If you are concerned, it is best to call your doctor and follow instructions given by him/her.

Also, please pay particular attention during use of essential oils in regards to which oils are safe for pregnant women and children.  There are many that should not be used, although some are perfectly safe.  For other important information, please see my May 9th, 2012, post titled "Natural Remedies: Essential Oils."

Recipe Mondays: Deviled Chicken from Guest Writer, Esther

The best breaded chicken recipe in the world—at least, in my opinion! And it's also healthy for you. My cousin once smelled it cooking, and said that it “smelled like KFC”! I've never tasted KFC before, but I do know that this is really good. Here's the recipe (it came from Feasting Naturally, a GREAT cookbook!):

Photo Courtesy

Deviled Chicken

14-16 chicken thighs
1 c. unbleached flour
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
½ c. butter or margarine
2 tsp. prepared mustard
1 tbsp. instant onion
½ tsp. salt
2 c. chicken broth

Wash chicken thighs; mix flour, paprika, salt, and pepper and coat chicken in mixture. Brown in butter on both sides until golden and place in casserole dish. Stir 2 tablespoons flour mixture into remaining butter; add mustard, onion, salt and broth. Stir until thick and bubbly, then pour over chicken. Cover and bake 40-45 minutes at 350°F.

Preparation time: 1 hour               Yield: 6-8 servings

Yum... :) Hope you enjoy it.

--------------------------------------------

Esther is a young teenager living with her family in New Zealand, trying to be a light for Jesus in the small community where she lives. She is trying (with God's help) to learn what it means to be a joyful daughter, sister, friend, and (someday, hopefully!) a wife. She has a passion for writing, and among other things loves enjoying what God has given her: a wonderful family (she has six brothers, all of whom she loves), the beautiful nature surrounding her, and a zillion other things! She enjoys taking care of the family goats, biking, cooking and baking, crocheting and knitting, reading, and playing with her brothers when she doesn't have other things to do. You can find her at her blog, Joyful Maiden.

 

Saturday Smiles - Smile Watchers

Smile Watchers

“Excuse me?” A lady said from behind my sister as they waited in line to make their purchases.  “My husband and I have noticed you every time we see you in this store because you always seem to have a big smile on your face!  We watch people all the time and so few people ever seem to smile!  It’s so refreshing to actually see a smile for a change.”

Photo Courtesy

I agree so completely!  I myself like to watch people and to see someone who has a real, honest smile on their face, and it is quite rare!  Yes, life is hard.  Circumstances and relationships aren’t the way we would have them.  Finances are tight, the list goes on and on.  There are plenty of reasons not to smile, but there is an even greater reason to bring a smile to your face.  It’s the joy of the Lord!

Photo Courtesy

          “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.  GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:17-19  ESV

            The joy of the Lord IS our strength!  When everything is going wrong around us, we can find peace and JOY in knowing that He strength is shown the most powerful during our times of weakness.  Now that’s something to smile about. :D

~ Missy

Discovery Friday - Awesome Bunks!

Photo Courtesy

Do you want to have a big family someday?  I have no idea what the Lord has planned for me in that area, but whatever His plans I hope that they include a lot of kids - whether my own, or adopted!  Well, if I am blessed with such a home, the kids need somewhere to sleep!  I have recently found these awesome bunk beds that would be marvelous for kids!

<< This one is my favorite!!! (Probably just because of the colors though ;)  )

Photo Courtesy

What a fun nook huh?

Photo Courtesy

 Expensive to buy, but it would be awesome to be 

able to build something like this!

Photo Courtesy

I'm not very fond of the colors (probably great for a boys room)

but I love how big this room is!

Photo Courtesy

These aren't bunk beds but what a GREAT kids room! I adore the loft!

Do you have a heart for helping/working with kids?  Tell me about it!

~ Missy