Homemade Shampoo ~ Dry Hair

Since I gear so much of my homemade face & body care toward those of us with oily-to-normal skin & hair, I've been asked if I have a good shampoo recipe for drier hair-types. Why...yes, I do! '-)

You will need:

~1 c. water

~1 TB. dried chamomile

~1 TB. dried comfrey root

~1 TB. dried rosemary

~1 egg, beaten

~1/3 c. milk; whole or as close to raw as you can...skim will not work!

~2/3 c. mild baby shampoo; Burt's Bees, Waleda or some other organic brand works well

~medium pot

~strainer

~1 empty new or used shampoo bottle or squeeze honey bottle, etc.

Directions:

1) In the pot, boil the herbs in the 1 c. of water; then remove from heat & let steep for 20-30 minutes

2) Strain the herbs from the water

3) Mix the herb water w/the egg, milk & shampoo; gently, so as not to make a lather

4) Pour into your clean bottle, cap tightly & store in a cool place.

Because of the baby shampoo, this shampoo should be mild enough to use, not only on dry hair, but for those w/perms & color treated hair.

Enjoy!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#20~ 2/23/11

PASSAGE: II Timothy 4:2-5 ~ "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." [emphasis mine~KW<><]

LESSON LEARNED: The Boy Scout motto is: Be Prepared! The Scouts want to be 'prepared for life;' to be prepared for accidents, emergencies & life saving.

As Christians, we are instructed to 'be prepared' to share the truth of the Gospel, we are also put where we are in life for the purpose of 'life saving.' Eternal life saving.

When we see someone turning aside to those who tell them what their itching ears want to hear, we are to lovingly come along side of them & point them toward the Truth of God's Word. But be careful! Keep your head or you, too, may be sucked in by those fine sounding arguments. The devil will always weave a fine, beautiful thread of truth into his lie so that it sounds so right, so convincing. That's why so many go astray. But you, you must be prepared...in season & out of season...to know how to instruct others, how to convince others, to share your story, to plant seeds that will grow by the work of the Holy Spirit & how to endure the hardship that Scripture says is to come.

The best part of this? You will get more than a badge. YOU will receive a crown! (Rev. 2:10)

Come & join Nancy of A Country Mom & I, if you are not already participating! Each Wednesday, we dig into the Word of God & share what we are learning. All you have to do is share a passage you have read in your devotions, share the lesson learned as the Lord has led you & then connect with others who are doing the same & comment on their blogs. Let's learn from the Lord & each other!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

God's Grace

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak....

"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage.. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.

"I stopped the lad and asked, 'What do you have there, son?'

"'Just some old birds,' came the reply.

"'What are you going to do with them?' I asked.

"'Take 'em home and have fun with 'em,' he answered. 'I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time.'

"'But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?'

"'Oh, I got some cats,' said the little boy. 'They like birds. I'll take 'em to them.'"

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

"Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister.

They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!"

"How much?" the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story:

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught a world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you are done with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.

"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!"

"How much?" He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."

Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage and walked from the pulpit.

{Author Unknown}

New Blog Font!!!

Ooooo! I'm so excited! Linda, at Prairie Flower Farm, has a daughter who was kind enough to put up a video tutorial on her mama's blog to help those of us who are tech-challenged change our blog fonts!! I'm so excited!! . . . Did I say that? :-)

Like it? I do.

If you change yours, let me know. I'd love to see it.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#111~ 2/22/11

For Today...

Outside my window...new ice covered by a dusting of snow. After work last night, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to pry my frozen, ice-covered car door open. Had to run the defroster for 15 minutes just to be able to remove the ice from the car windows w/o breaking them. Then a scary drive home.

I am thinking...of how so much seems to be 'up in the air' right now. In our personal future (DH's job hunt, personal hopes & dreams...)...the country...& the world. BUT...I know Someone Who does & I am safely in His hands.

I am thankful for...living in a history-rich period of time. A little scary, a little exciting...all in God's capable hands.

From the kitchen...a freshly baked loaf of flaxseed bread; got some of my favorite GoRaw apple-cinnamon granola & Greek yogurt from work last night...I'll be having that for lunch. I am hooked on Greek yogurt & granola.

I am wearing I am remembering...to to remember...to make sure that I thank the Lord when I recognize answered prayer, even ~ & especially ~ in the little things.

I am going...to copy my sermon notes into my sermon journal, go to work later this afternoon. And then look over the list of new Sunday Schools that will begin the 1st Sunday in March & decide which 1 I want to take. :-)

I am reading...Bible ~ doing a little 'back-&-forth' studying in I & II Timothy.

I am hoping...for continued answered prayer. Hoping that my dreams & goals are in God's plan.

I am creating...a peaceful, Christ-centered home; a haven of love & rest for my family & a safe place to land for my friends.

I am hearing...radio, typing fingers.

I am noticing...that my mom's mind is failing quickly. When my brother returns from his vacation, we are going to have to do some serious talking about what's next.

Around the house...general picking up (my 'heavy' housework days are Monday & Friday), a little blogging...but 1st, more coffee!

One of my favorite things...running into relatives or old friends when I least expect it.

Plans for the week...family time, work, worship practice, Sunday worship w/the saints!!

Pondering these words..."To follow Christ...you must put your whole life into it." ~Augusten; 4th Century historian.

Scripture thought...I Timothy 1:12-17 ~ "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service. Even though I was once a blasphemer & a persecutor & a violent [wo]man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance & unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ~ of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." [emphasis mine ~ KW<><]

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

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

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Essential Oil Chart for Laundry

In her book "The Naturally Clean Home," Karyn Siegel-Maier has a great list of suggested essential oils for our homemade laundry detergents ~ gel or dry. I usually use 30 drops of Lavender per gallon b/c it is "just enough" fragrance & it is antibacterial.

Here's her list of suggested essential oils with their benefits:

~Cedar: adds a clean, woodsy scent
~Chamomile: soothing
~Eucalyptus: excellent for colds & sinus trouble
~Lavender: relaxing & antibacterial
~Lemon: stimulating, helps whiten laundry
~Peppermint: good for colds & sinus trouble
~Rose geranium: adds a romantic scent
~Rosemary: calming - but often stimulating on its own [**NOT suitable for wool, silk or satin]
~Sweet orange: helps remove stains & whiten laundry
~Tea tree: antibacterial & antifungal

Here's an idea: make the laundry detergent, as usual, but do not add the essential oil & then, for EACH load, add your desired scent to the softener dispenser of your washing machine. This would be especially good for adding eucalyptus or peppermint for colds or for adding chamomile or lavender for babies or someone undergoing some sort of stress.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Green Clay Mask

Unfortunately, we are family who have all suffered with acne; everything from deep cystic acne to white & blackheads. Over the last several years I have done a lot of research & trial & error to make my own skin care ~ most of my skin/body care recipes are already here on Marmee's Pantry. I have OFTEN said to our friends & family...on this blog...& to customers where I work that if I had known in my teen & early 20's what I know now about skin care, I could have saved my parents, literally, THOUSANDS of dollars in dermatologist bills. For years, I was on just about every type of topical & oral acne med you could think of (although, after learning the side-effects of Accutane, I turned it down. And gladly so).

So, after I had such great success w/my face wash (& it's SO incredibly simple!), I wanted to find a mask recipe that our help w/the acne & w/removing some of the toxins & impurities that tend to build up in our bodies & come out in our skin. And, being an old Clinique girl (I worked for them from '79-82), I love a good exfoliator!

Once you start researching homemade skin care & home care products, it is truly amazing how simple ~ yet effective ~ they are! We don't need all those chemicals & preservatives...& all those things that we can't even pronounce, much less know what in the world they do!

If you have oily/acne-prone skin, THIS is the mask for you!

You will need:

~1 TB French green clay; you can buy this in bulk at your local health food store or at many bulk food stores or packaged

~aloe vera juice; as pure as possible. Purity rating is usually on the tube or bottle

~2-3 drops of German chamomile essential oil

1) In a bowl, use a whisk to mix together the clay & enough aloe vera to make a good, spreadable, pasty mask.

2) Stir in the essential oil.

3) Spread the mask all over your face & down onto your neck, avoiding your eyes & lips. It will take up to 30 minutes to dry completely. You may even want to lay down w/some lovely music & treat as your own little 'spa day'!

4) Rinse off w/cool water & do a final splash w/cold water.

But wait! There's more! :-D

In case you didn't know it, a clay mask also makes a great zit zapper! Before you go to bed, mix up just a very little bit of the clay/aloe vera/chamomile mixture (even less than a ts-full) &, taking a Q-Tip, dab a little bit of mask on any blemish you have ~ especially the deep, cystic kind ~ & keep it on all night. In the morning, wipe off any that remains & a wet washcloth. (FYI...another zit zapping trick is to do the same thing w/EITHER honey OR tea tree essential oil; cover w/a small Band-aide till morning ~ the zit may very well even be GONE by morning!)

If you have ever suffered w/acne, I know EXACTLY how you feel, I was in my late 40's ~ STILL suffering w/acne ~ until I started making my own face care & my skin looks the best it has ever looked in my whole life. Please give my recipes a try, you will not regret it.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Think on These Things...

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, what ever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable ~ if anything is excellent or praiseworthy ~ think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me ~ put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

~Philippians 4:8-9

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today..."

~Hebrews 3:13

Encouragement & blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#19~ 2/16/11

PASSAGE: Joshua 10:12-14 ~ "On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:

'O sun, stand still over Gibeon,
O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.'
So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped,
till the nation avenged itself on its
enemies,

as it is written in the Book of Jashar.

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!"

LESSON LEARNED: My sweet friend, Connie, referenced this Scripture in her Simple Woman's Daybook, yesterday, and it got me to thinking about how much I needed to hear that.

We serve such a big God! THE God. And this same mighty God Who loved Joshua so much that He answered his incredible prayer loves us, too. Joshua was a man who fully loved and trusted the Lord; he knew that God is God and there is no other. God loves us the same way. And in His love for us, He has graciously given us talents and desires that are meant to be used.

In his book, Just Like Jesus, Max Lucado says, "The longings of your heart are not incidental, they are critical messages. The desires of your heart are not be ignored, they are to be consulted. As the wind turns the weather vane, so God uses your passions to turn your life. God is too gracious to ask you to do something you hate."

What talents and desires has God put into your heart? What passions? They are there for a purpose. The same God Who prepared Joshua to be such a man of faith that he prayed to God to stop the sun in the sky, is the same God Who has been preparing us to bring those passions to fruition. Have you thought about what those desires are preparing you for?

Life has a way of 'getting away with us,' so if you haven't thought about it for a while, then reading this is no accident! He's already promised that if we ask, seek and knock that the door will be opened for us (Matt. 7:7-8)...so ask...seek...knock! And when the Lord confirms the direction for you to use your talents and desires, then do it.

He's waiting for your prayer and He'll move heaven and earth...and maybe even the sun...to see that you accomplish His purpose!

Come and Join Nancy of A Country Mom and I if you are not already participating! We are digging into the Word and sharing what we are learning each Wednesday! All you have to do is share the passage you have read that morning, share your heart on what He is teaching you, follow others who are doing the same and comment on their blog:) Let's learn from the Lord and each other!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#110~ 2/15/11

For Today...

Outside my window...pretty sunshine; warms up through the day enough to melt a little snow, then it refreezes during the night & makes walking across the driveway & the whole back yard a lesson in taking your life in your hands when we take Maggie out for a potty-walk.

I am thinking...that I have a good day ahead of me.

I am thankful for...the trust of our grown girls; that they still confide in me & share funny things that happen to them, plans & dreams they have...love my girls!

From the kitchen...yesterday, I made my strawberry-pretzel pie for my Sweetheart for Valentine's Day. I laid out the strawberry slices in a heart. :-)

I am wearing...jeans & a pink shirt w/horses on it.

I am remembering...a local landmark that I spent many, many hours at in my youth & teen years. A movie theater & shopping center burned to the ground yesterday. Grew up going to the theater &, from the ages of 18-20 I was engaged to the asst manager so, b/c of him, my best friend, Robin, & I saw 100's of movies over & over & over again.

I am going...to take DD#2 to work & then take a friend of mine on her 1st trip to the farm stores! She'll love it & her kids will be able to see a real working farm & the horse & buggy the Old Order owners use! They'll LOVE it.

I am reading...Bible; STILL waiting on my book to come it. :-/

I am hoping...that some prayerful plans come together.

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

I am hearing...radio, DD#2 getting ready for work, coffee maker...

I am noticing...how much our DDs like to do things together.

Around the house...general pick-up, laundry, baking bread IF I have the time before work. If not...it can wait 'til tomorrow.

One of my favorite things...living in a rural county & seeing wildlife as I drive from here to there.

Plans for the week...family time, work, some time w/friends.

Pondering these words...I am blessed far more than I deserve...reason to rejoice!

Scripture thought...Phil. 4:8-9 ~ "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

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

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Happy Valentine's Day

Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.
~Song of Songs 2:2



My lover is mine & I am his...
~Song of Songs 2:16


Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
~Song of Songs 8:6-7



Happy Valentine's Day to my Valentines & to you!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Homemade Luxury Body Powder

[Jessica McClintock powder set]

As women, sometimes we just want that little extra-added-something that makes us feel soft & special. I find that I like to use body powder at polar opposite times of the year ~ either when it's incredibly hot & sticky OR during those cold, cold, cold winter months. Of course, you can use body powder any ol' time of year.

[This is my homemade deodorant in a Rubber-Maid bowl w/lid]

This recipe is a little similar to my homemade deodorant, but since there is an extra ingredient & you actually put it through a sifter, it ends up extra-fine & feels far more luxuriant. This recipe is also great for a baby powder!

Here's what you need:

~a sifter

~a clean, dry, med-sized blowl

~a wide-mouthed funnel

~1/2 c. baking soda

~3/4 c. corn starch

~3/4 c. tapioca starch

~10-15 drops of essential oil. Lavender is great because it not only smells lovely but it is anit-bacterial. If you use this for a baby powder you may want to use 10 drops of lavender & 3-5 drops of tea tree.

~a clean, dry container. You can use an air-tight container like a wide-mouthed Rubber-Maid bowl w/a lid (like I use for my deodorant), a pretty antique powder jar or one you've had before that was just too pretty to throw away once it was emtpy, a wide-mouth jar w/a gasket lid or a pretty shaker jar like those you use for Parmesan cheese or for sugar.

1) Combine all ingredients in the sifter & sift into your bowl. This will make it very, very fine & it will feel so soft.

2) Using the wide-mouth funnel, carefully pour the powder into your container or shaker jar. If you use a wide-mouthed bowl/jar option, you will want to apply it w/a dusting puff; you can get those at most drug stores & even some craft stores.

Enjoy!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Homemade Healing Salve

This recipe is great for chapped skin, minor cuts & scrapes, diaper rash, skin w/winter itch, cuticle cream...so many things. Very easy to make, although it takes a little time to 'cure', but if you are used to making soap & other such things, that won't be an issue.

You can put this in so many different little containers: Altoids tins, glass cream jars, containers from other salves you've had, small Brighton jewelry tins...experiment. (For locals ~ we have glass jars w/screw-on lids at Healthy Alternatives that are great for this!)

You will LOVE this!!


[Full Disclosure: these are not my photos but greatly resemble my preparations. As soon as I figure out how to get my PC to accept my up-loads from my camera, I'll post my own. It doesn't seem to want to work w/our new Linux system. :-/ ALSO: the inspiration for this recipe came from "Herbal Remedies for Children's Health ~ Rosemary Gladstar.]

You will need:

1 part comfrey leaf
1 part comfrey root
1 part St. John's-wort flower
1 part calendula flower
olive oil
grated beeswax (for later)

~In a clear glass air-tight container, combine all the herbs. Pour in 1 pint of olive oil & let it sit in the sun like 'sun tea' for 2 weeks.

~After 2 weeks, warm the mixture in a double boiler, on VERY low heat, for 1 hour. Strain it through a colander w/very small holes.

~You will end up w/about 2 cups; add 1/4 cup of grated beeswax. Warming the oil a little helps to melt the wax.

~Once it's melted, pour into your containers & let it 'set up.'

~Store in a cool area. Lasts 'forever'!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

HSLDA: Mandatory Tolerance vs. A Prior Right to Choose

Whether you homeschool or not ~ this is for ANY parent or grandparent. Here is a transcript of today's "Homeschool Heartbeat" radio broadcast:

Daily Transcript

Program Audio--Click here to Listen Online.

Mandatory Tolerance vs. A Prior Right to Choose

Can the UN dictate what you teach to your children? Some of the liberal elite argue that it can—and should. Today on Home School Heartbeat, Mike Farris explains why they’re wrong.

Mike Farris:
Article 29 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child mandates certain values that must be taught to all children. This mandate applies to public schools, private schools, homeschools, Sunday schools, parents talking to their own kids at dinner, and even the content of television programs.

The American Bar Association argued years ago that Article 29 effectively prohibits you from teaching your own children that Jesus is the only way to God.

Let me explain by quoting Professor Kimberly Yuracko of Northwestern University. She says that “parental control over children’s basic education flows from the state . . .. States delegate power over children’s . . . education to parents” and not the other way around.¹

While these self-appointed advocates of children’s rights love to wrap themselves in the mantle of international human rights, they actually ignore the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948 by the UN General Assembly. Considered to be the grand foundation of all international human rights documents, Article 26 of this Declaration contains this provision that was written in direct response to the educational brainwashing of Hitler’s Nazi Germany. And I quote: “Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.”²

Parents should get the right to choose the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own conviction. Even fundamentalist Christians are included in this declaration.

I’m Mike Farris.

Footnotes

¹Kimberly A. Yuracko, “Education Off the Grid: Constitutional Constraints on Homeschooling,” California Law Review 96 (February 2008): 132.

²UN General Assembly, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/.

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#18~ 2/9/11

YOU are Jesus' Valentine

PASSAGE: Selected verses from Song of Songs ~
"My lover is mine & I am his..."
"All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you..."
"You have stolen my heart...you have stolen my heart..."
"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away..."

LESSON LEARNED: Jesus: Lover of my soul! Do you know how much Jesus loves you? Do you know that once you accepted Jesus as your Savior that you were washed clean of your sins & YOU are the Bride of Christ?

"Let us rejoice & be glad & give Him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
& His bride has made herself ready."
~Rev. 19:7

And because you have accepted the free love gift of Christ, bought with His own blood, you now stand before God - and especially on That Great Day - sinless, flawless & washed clean.

"All beautiful you are, my darling;
there is no flaw in you..."
~Song of Songs 4:7

He sees & remembers your sin no more.

"...He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities...
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our
transgressions from us."
~Ps. 103:10, 12

He pursues us & loves us as no One else ever has or ever will.

"See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands..."
~Is. 49:16

We are His valentine. You know why?

"Since you are precious & honored in My sight,
& because I love you."
~Is. 43:4

Rejoice in this Good News this Valentine's Day!

{Be sure to leave a link to YOUR Word-Filled Wednesday!!}

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#109~ 2/8/11

For today...

Outside my window...woke up to new snow this morning. Grrreeeat...just what we needed. :-/

I am thinking...that I hope DD#2 feels better soon.

I am thankful for...being able to be w/my mom for her 81st birthday. I got her out of the house; we went out to eat & I took her to the health food store I work at, she has never been there. I'm hoping that this will not be the last birthday she remembers.

From the kitchen...lots of tea, chicken broth & soup for DD#2. Personally, I could go for a Whopper (sigh).

I am wearing...jeans, fuchsia thermal shirt, light brown hoodie, warm socks.

I am remembering...lists, lists, lists...I'm a list & calendar person or it simply doesn't get done.

I am going...to take DD#2 to work (hoping that she makes it through the whole day), run errands, go to work tonight.

I am reading...Bible; new issue of Country Sampler.

I am hoping...that DD#2 feels better, I do SO hate to see my kids being sick...no matter how old they are; & I'm hoping for answered prayer.

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

I am hearing...radio, Maggie's little feet trotting over the kitchen floor, DD#2 getting ready for work.

I am noticing...how brave & selfless our DD#2 is. <3

Around the house...nothing much today, which is good. :-)

One of my favorite things...serving a living Savior Who loves me enough to pay the ransom for my many, many sins.

Plans for this week...family time, work, worship practice, Sunday worship w/the saints!

Pondering these words..."Every sin can be traced back to the belief in a lie." ~from The Truth Project.

Scripture thought...John 18:37 ~ "Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me." [emphasis mine ~KW<><]

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

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

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><