The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#163~ 8/20/12

For Today . . . 

Outside my window . . . a lovely, sunny day. A few clouds but sunshine & pleasant temperatures to be enjoyed.

I am thinking . . . for my sweet husband. He has problems w/his legs, but he took me to a local country fair yesterday & walked around until he simply needed to sit for a while. Just for me. God bless him abundantly.

I am thankful . . . for a great family weekend. DD#1 came over Saturday night for pizza & an old movie; Sunday was great worship, great sermon, yummy fair food for lunch & another old movie w/the the family that night. It went by far too fast.

From the kitchen . . . comfort food ~ chicken noodle soup.

I am wearing . . . jeans, black tank w/a black drapey.

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

I am going . . . to work the late shift at the health food store.

I am wondering . . . how the Lord will bring Himself glory in a particular situation.

I am hoping . . . that it is soon.

I am reading . . . Bible ~ Ezekiel.

I am looking forward to . . . Wednesday.

I am learning . . . that the Lord loves to amaze me.

Around the house . . . not a whole lot of picking up today, had 2 homeschool assessments come over this morning.

One of my favorite things . . . the homeschool community.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, attending a convention for work; I will miss my family while I'm away.

A favorite quote for the day . . . "Christianity is both PERSONAL & PUBLIC; & though my faith is PERSONAL, it is NEVER to remain PRIVATE." ~from Sunday's sermon.

Scripture thought . . . "'Is not this the kind of fasting I [God] have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter ~ when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?'" ~Isaiah 58:6-7

A picture thought for you . . . 

DD#1 & her fiance'

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

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Horse Chestnut ~ For Vein Health & So Much More

 Horse Chestnuts

I love learning about new home remedies. One of the best I've found, since working in the health food industry, has been Horse Chestnut. This little bud & it's properties are used quite often in Europe & the UK but are often over-looked in America.

It is best known for it's ability to help with varicose veins & general circulation issues, including hemorrhoids. Horse Chestnut can be taken orally ~ in capsule form, as the seeds are toxic ~ & is widely used in a cream.

To help even more, you can use the cream AND take the capsule form, together. I often recommend that, if possible, to attack a problem from the inside-out ~ such as with Arnica Montana (a homeopathic remedy) ~ if you can battle an issue two ways, your healing time will be cut down & your comfort level will increase.

Natural cosmetic companies are catching on & are including Horse Chestnut in many of there "mature" skin products. Because it helps with vein health, helping to repair & prevent vein & capillary fragility, it can offer anit-aging benefits.

Whether by capsule or in a cream or both, be sure to check it out next time you visit a health food store. It's amazing what a little dab'll do ya.

Horse Chestnut Tree

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#68~ Does the Condition of Your Bible Reflect Your Life?

"Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like abundant rain on tender plants" ~Deut. 32:2

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless . . . " ~2 Samuel 22:31(a)

"A person whose Bible is falling apart, usually isn't" ~Frank A. Clark

My old Bible ~ I used this one for 14 years ~ pages falling out, notes abound

 

Today, I have a few questions for you: What is the condition of your Bible? What does it "say" about you? If someone broke into your home, what would the condition of your Bible tell them about you?

~ Is it easily found?
~ Is it out where anyone could see it?
~ Do you leave it open to the last place you were reading? 
~ Do you underline and high-light?
~ Are the pages torn or falling out?

 Held together with masking tape

~ Is your well-used Bible's binder held together with duct or masking tape . . . yet?
~ Is it stuffed with markers, important papers and old sermon notes?

OR

~ Is it dusty?
~ Is it even left out or available?
~ Do you even know where your Bible is?

I'm not asking these questions to shame anyone ~ I'm as flawed as they come ~ but simply to make us think. There are so many in our world who are forbidden to own a Bible and to worship the One True God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We are blessed more than we deserve by being "allowed" to hold God's Word in our hands. To be able to let it mold and shape us. Let the condition of your Bible reflect your life.

Let's not waste the opportunity.

 I hope my newer Bible (2 years old) will someday be as worn as my old Bible

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#162~ 8/13/12

For Today . . . 

Outside my window . . .partly sunny morning giving way to clouds & over-cast skies before the storms roll in.

I am thinking . . . of the next step I need to take . . .

I am thankful . . . more and more everyday for my sweet little family that loves me.

From the kitchen . . . steeping some thyme leaves in the process of making my Tea Tree and Thyme Healing Tonic. I use is as a toner for my oily-acne-prone skin (yes . . . even at 53).

I am wearing . . . jeans, lime green shirt, black drapie.

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

I am going . . . to set out a "fleece" in answer to a prayer.

I am wondering . . . what the answer to my fleece will be?

I am hoping . . . that I will have courage to act when I get my answer to prayer. (I pray with great expectations.)

I am reading . . . a brand new magazine: American Dream Cottages. Lovely. I look forward to seeing more.

I am looking forward to . . . a dream made reality.

I am learning . . . all that I don't know. :-?

Around the house . . . general pick-up, making the Tea Tree & Thyme Tonic, another batch of laundry detergent & tonight I will make another batch of Chamomile Healing Salve so that it can cure over-night.

One of my favorite things . . . making my own skin care, health care, home remedies & home care products that really work & passing those recipes on to you. :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, a few more homeschool assessments, worship practice, Sunday worship with the saints.

A favorite quote for the day . . . "DO NOT settle for second-best . . . God doesn't" ~From Sunday's sermon.

Scripture thought . . ."He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." ~Micah 6:8

A picture thought for you . . . 

 I'm stuck in a rut of Irish Cottages. But at least it's a pretty rut '-)

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

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Homemade Foot Detox Recipe

I am on my feet walking, walking, walking all day at my job at the health food store. Some days I wish I had a pedometer on so that I could see how far I walk each day. And with the still fresh memory of how my mom suffered to the point of death with her feet circulation issues (brought on by 40+ years of wearing high heels at her job at a high-end department store) & then compounded by circulation problems associated with Alzheimer's Desease, all still fresh in my mind; I am determined to include the care of my feet with the rest of my over-all personal health care.

One way that we can all take better care of our feet AND help our entire body feel it's best is to do an occasional foot detox. Some will say to do it once a week, twice a month, once a month . . . you get the picture. I simply say to do it when you feel that you are noticeably run down either physically or mentally, you are recovering from a cold, flu or other illness, you've had poison ivy, oak or if like me, you are on your feet a lot.

Foot detoxing is a great way to reduce aches, pains, over-all tiredness and even headaches.

You will need:

1 pan large enough to fit both of your feet covered with water
hot water enough to cover your feet up to your ankles
1 c. sea salt
1 c. Epsom salts (great source of magnesium and sulper)
2 c. baking soda
1 TB fresh, grated ginger root
2 TB dried sage (great for foot and body odor)
5-10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil 
1 towel or blanket 
a handful of clean, smooth creek rocks (**optional**)
a jar with a good lid

Directions:

~ Mix all ingredients EXCEPT eucalyptus essential oil and fresh grated ginger root & the rocks.

To use:

~ Pour the hot water into the pan & add 1/4 c. of the detox salt mix 
~ Add the eucalyptus essential oil & fresh grated ginger root ONLY at the time of use
~ Carefully submerge your feet in the hot water ~ please DO NOT scald yourself. If you need to pour in a cup or two of cold water, do it.
~ If you like, put in a handful of clean, smooth creek rocks to give your little piggies a something to do while they soak. :-)
~ Cover pan & feet with a large towel or blanket to hold in some of that relaxing heat
~ Let soak for about 30 minutes
~ Dry your feet & liberally apply your favorite lotion or my Very Simple Chamomile Healing Salve.
~ Keep the left-over detox salt mix in a jar with a good lid for your next use.

Leave me some love by way of a comment & let me know how you LOVE this when you try it.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Snicker Surprise Dessert

Just this weekend, my lovely DD#2 reminded me that I hadn't made one of our family's favorite desserts for quite a while ~ Snicker Surprise.

We started calling it "surprise" because 1) it is surprisingly mmm, mmm, good & 2) it's one of those fun desserts that you can serve at a carry-in, not tell anyone what is in it & see the look of "surprise" on their faces as they taste buds go on a yummy ingredient tour.

You will need:

~1 16oz (large) container of Kool Whip
~1 apple of your choice (Red Delicious for those who like sweet; Granny Smith for those who like tart), cored & chopped w/skin on
~1-2 bananas, sliced
~1 15 oz can of Mandarin oranges, drained
~2 large Snickers bars OR 1 6-bar slip of fun sized Snickers bars, sliced

Directions:

1) Combine all ingredients in a large decorative mixing bowl or serving bowl.
2) If you are not serving it immediately, cover with plastic wrap & store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Let me know how you LOVE it!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Just Had to Show You . . .

I just had to show you this incredible kitchen that hit my Facebook. Oh . . . my . . . goodness!

Yes, yes, I could SO live here.

Click on the photo to see a larger view.

Just sayin'. '-)


Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Homemade Creamy, Dreamy Flax Oil Salad Dressing

I am a big believer in the benefits of flaxseed & their oil & meal. So, I always enjoy finder new ways to use the oil, seeds or meal for my family's benefit.


Here is a completely YUMMY salad dressing using flaxseed oil.

You will need:

2 TB flax oil
2 TB balsamic vinegar
2-3 TB grapefruit juice OR the juice of 1 fresh grapefruit
2 TB Barlean's Berry Greens

Directions:

~Simply mix all ingredients well & pour over your salad
~Enjoy!


Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

God Bless America . . . Again

I am so proud of my fellow Christian countrymen & women & how we stood up to those who try to bully us, our businesses & our 1st Amendment rights. Thank you, Gov. Huckabee & Chick-Fil-A for giving us a venue to show the world & those who work to subvert our country from the inside how many & how strong we are.


This song rang through my head while I was in line for 1 hour & 45 minutes to get our family's Chick-Fil-A dinner & it's been ringing in my mind ever since. 

I'm feeling very red, white & blue today.

GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!!

God bless America

Land that I love

Stand be her

And guide her

Through the night

With the light

From above . . .

From the mountains . . .

To the prairies . . .

To the oceans

white with foam . . .

God bless America ~

My home Sweet Home !

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#67~ When You Feel Alone, Look Around You

"When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. 'Oh, my lord, what shall we do?' the servant asked.

"'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'

"And Elisha prayed, 'O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and the he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.'" ~II Kings 6:15-17 [emphasis, mine]

It seems that I have always been a person who will stand alone. Whether it brings me shame and ridicule (like being the only kid in 3rd grade to raise my hand and admit that I still believed in Santa) or when my standing will encourage others to stand ~ that just seems to be the way the Lord made me. I know many of your are the same way.

And when you stand, some don't like it. It can seem as if you stick out like an island in the midst of the sea raging all around you. Funny thing about islands in the midst of storms ~ they can save your life. 

People all around us, whether they admit it or not, are looking for spiritual safety but they are spiritually blinded in their unbelief. 

The Lord has put us in this time and place "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). We are the ones He has put here to be His people of refuge, who are those who pray for the eyes of unbelievers to be opened and see God's hand at work; who, in times of trouble and doubt, point to God's mighty angels in chariots of fire all around us, fighting our battles for God's glory.

And when you are weary in doing good, look around you, you are not alone.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><