Season of Friends

I am blessed with dear friends. I had a Christmas lunch with my dear friend, Ellen, from school days. Wish we could see each other more often . . . but life happens.

Love you, El.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#75~ Christmas...the Weary World Rejoices

"O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; 
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining;
Till He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, 
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!" ~O Holy Night; Dwight and Adam

"Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice . . . Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns!' Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Them the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD . . . " ~I Chron. 15:10, 31-33

"'I tell you,' He replied, 'if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'" ~Luke 19:40

To say the least, I am not a "tree-hugger," although I do enjoy God's wonderful creation. I grew up camping, hiking, learning Indian lore from my grandpa, learning about the signs for weather or an animal's disposition from clues that they will give . . . 

Did you know if you see a "ring" around the moon it will rain or snow within 24 hours? Did you know that when doves coo it will rain within 24 hours? Did you know that you can count the chirps of crickets and get an accurate temperature*? The Lord has not only written Himself into nature, but He used it to illustrate many Biblical lessons.

But to realize those lessons, you have to be looking to see. And 2,000 years ago, there was little band of shepherds who were looking. 

They lived in a time of great national unrest while performing a job that required them to be aware of both creation and the nature of animals.  They lived in a time when when everyday could bring the long-expected Messiah and everyone was looking for a sign. Those lowly, weary shepherds had no idea that they would be the ones to be the first to see.

While watching the sky for weather signs and listening to the sounds of the night to make sure predators were not after their sheep ~ they saw! They heard! An angel of the Lord told them that the time they had waited for had arrived and God's creation would lead the way!

Those weary shepherds and their lowly flock, the stars looking down from the sky and the animals who shared a humble stable with a frightened young couple, were the first to see . . . 

. . . And the weary world rejoices. 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><  

*Count the cricket's chirps for 15 seconds, add 39. EX: 30 chirps + 39 = 69 degrees 

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#172~ 12/3/12

For Today . . . 

Outside my window . . . cool, grey, the sun struggling to peek out.

I am thinking . . . that this day has flown by.

I am thankful . . . for my testimony. I wouldn't want to relive most of it, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, & His grace to me was not w/out effect" ~I Cor. 15:10

From the kitchen . . . hamburger. Simple lunch.

I am wearing . . . jeans, red hoodie.

I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home.

I am going . . . to work; the late shift. Just as the rest of the family comes home. :-/

I am wondering . . . what is in store.

I am hoping . . . that the new year will more than simply surviving.

I am reading . . . "A Patriot's History of the United States."

I am looking forward to . . . Wednesday.

I am learning . . . to trust myself.

Around the house . . . general pick-up; putting up Christmas decorations.

One of my favorite things . . . church.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, Christmas preparation, church.

A favorite quote for the day . . . "1) Life is not fair. 2) People are crazy. 3) No matter how unfair life is or how crazy people are, love must be the bottom line." ~Advice from an elder pastor to a young pastor. Notes from my Sunday sermon.

Scripture thought . . . "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." ~Colossians 3:14

A picture thought for you . . . 

Our great-nephews, Bayle & Chayse Wolf (our nephew's sons), are now on the Ohio State Div. IV football champions!!! They play for Clinton-Massie High School. Bayle (#15) ran for 220 yards & made 5 touchdowns! They are both, stellar young men ~ we love them & are very proud of them. Congratulations, boys!

^

Bayle

Read 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><     

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

OK . . . as much as I have enjoyed using my gel-type laundry detergent over the years, I'm often asked if I have a recipe for a liquid laundry detergent. And I have to admit, I'm interested in trying it, myself.

Well, my friend, sweet Nanny Dearest, was the one who pushed me over the edge & caused me to research an easy-to-make, easy-to-use, EFFECTIVE liquid detergent recipe. And I believe I have found it . . . with, as always, a little tweaking of my own. lol ~ you KNOW I have to. O:-)

***This recipe makes 2 gallons, it's VERY EASY to cut in 1/2 if you only want to make 1 gallon.

You will need:

~3/4 c. LIQUID castile soap ~I always use Dr. Bronner's because it's a product that I trust for quality & effectiveness. If using "green" products is important to you, this is the one for you, too. I also usually buy the UNscented/Baby soap. These products are available at health food stores & many major grocery stores that are adding "healthy" areas (like Kroger) now carry them.
~1/2 c. Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT baking soda!!!)
~1/2 c. 20 Mule Team Borax
~25-50 drops of your favorite essential oil. I usually use Lavender b/c it is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal & it smells lovely. If you would like some ideas of other essential oils for the laundry check out this post.
~2 gallon bucket, dedicated only to making soaps & laundry products. Be sure to LABEL it so that no one in your family accidentally uses it for cooking. 
~HOT water
~Measuring cup for liquids
~Large-mouth Funnel
~large spoon or whisk
~2 empty gallon jugs or old liquid laundry bottles OR 1 if you are using the 1/2 recipe. 

Directions:

1) In the bucket, mix the 2 powdered products WELL. Whisking blends a little better than using a spoon.
2) Add enough HOT water to cover the dry products. Whisk or stir until the powders are COMPLETELY dissolved.
3) Slowly add the Castile soap; if you add it too fast it will suds. Using a large spoon, stir to mix completely.
4) Using HOT water, slowly fill to the 2 gallon mark OR 1 gallon mark for 1/2 recipe.
5) Add your favorite essential oil & mix well, using the spoon.
6) Use the measuring cup & funnel to fill your container. As these photos (from Google Images) shows, you can use nearly anything that hold liquid & has a good cap/lid for your detergent. :-)

 To show you what you can use, this is what I used to keep my gel-type detergent in. It would work for the liquid, too.

To Use:
1) Shake well before each use.
2) Use approximately 1/3 c for each load. 2 gallons is good for about 90-100 loads!!  

I will up-date this next week w/my own photos. :-) 

Let me know how you LOVE this!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><