Guess what I did with the trash can??

Not only is this a great way to use the cruddy, old trash can. It can be used annually for it. Year after year, remembering the great grace of our Lord as you reap the rewards of gardening. Include the whole family - after all it will take at least 3 of you to actually dump the can when the time comes!

If you read often, or have looked at my other blogs, you will notice I love to cook and garden. It's really something to grow stuff and then be able to eat it. I am in awe of this. So, when I saw this idea from Heavenly Homemakers, I knew I just had to do it. This is a container garden in a whole new direction---move over topsy- turvy hanging tomatoes!

You actually beat up your container a little more , add some holes, dirt, and seed potatoes and you've got mashed potatoes galore. (Yes, there is definitely another day's blog......)

Anyway, here are the complete directions: love to hear if anyone else tries it - I will include pictures as it grows!

Planting Potatoes in a Container

Lately the 3 blogs have been too much for me to handle so I am concentrating mainly on this one and adding whatever the Lord puts on my mind for that day. However, I will also still share recipes and garden on my other blog: Proverbs31 Cooking

May you be blessing in all you do today--T

How do you get rid of a trash can?

I was just sitting here thinking - how do you get rid of an old trash can? You can't just leave it by the curb - people will either put trash in it or think you're a slob.

Even if you put it out on trash day - if there's trash in it they'll take the trash and leave the can. If you don't put trash in it - they'll still leave it - come on, it's a "trash can."

Do you go to all the trouble of bagging it up. Buy one of those super, HUGE bags tie it up and disguise it as - "trash". Odds are your trash man is on to you by now and will leave it there just to mess with you - I would:)

I would probably go a step further...unwrap the bag and put it into the can as a liner. Like the owner didn't know how to set it up correctly...LOL, I do like to do things like that to people...it usually makes them laugh, and we can all use a good laugh now and again.

So now that I've messed with you my dear reader you are probably asking yourself, "What does this have to do with "dailystuff"? "

Well, after I looked at it a bit longer I decided I couldn't throw that old trash can away after all. Sure it had dents and a couple holes. It was a little rusty in spots where it was bent out of shape, it sagged to one side, and it had lost all of it's original shine. I thought maybe this is a reflection of me on some days. Sure I've had my super mom-perfect wife-good church girl-loving friend - Jesus glowing days. But I've also had my: do it yourself-you don't love me-who's going to miss me-are you sure she loves Jesus? bent-up, rusty, dented, dull, sagged-to-one-side days too.

Days when I should have been left out for the trash, days when it was probably would have been easier to leave me than love me.

Those were the days when I needed it the most but deserved it the least--

Those were the days when I received the most Grace.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

His grace is always enough.
So, today I give grace to that old trash can. My gracious God has given me new life and I will return that today by finding new life even for my old trash can that no one else wanted.
I am glad the Lord did not leave me at the curb for someone else to take away. I am so glad He wanted me.

Many blessing to all today.--T

Know that God wants you dearly. He is waiting for you to accept His invitation. It's that easy.

Upside-down-cake day

Did you ever wake up and your day starts out like an upside down cake?? I found this great recipe and immediately I said, "Hey, that's me today.!" Unfortunately, I didn't have time to actually make this yummy confection on my upside down day, but I plan to as soon as I can get right-side up. The only thing is I'm not sure I'll be in the mood for it then.... On these days my paths are not straight, the light is not on my path, kids are unorganized, school starts late, laundry is stacked and babies need feeding - can they eat upside down cake?

After wallowing in self-pity for a while, I decided to make the most of my upside-down day. Just because you're standing in sticky syrup doesn't mean you have to stay there. There are these great bananas to stand on...Cool:) You might still be in the sticky stuff, but you've got semi-stable foundation to coast on until you can pull yourself out. That's when I got to the spongy cake. Wow, maybe this wasn't so bad after all. Spongy cake was good. It was supportive, tasted good with the rest of the cake and made me feel like I had accomplished some stability in my less-than-stable day. I had tried all on my own to make this upside-down cake day into a beautiful 3-tier-whipped-white-frosting-with-tiny-crystallized-violets-cake (Oh, but that sounded so much better!)

I resigned myself to the fact that this day was not going to change and God would give me a brand new 24 hours tomorrow. When it hit me - sometimes you have to ask for the help. God's answer was simple, get over yourself...stop complaining and stop trying to turn your cake over. I later found that he made that day upside-down for a reason. I wasn't supposed to make it different, I was supposed to make the best use of what I was given.

As Christians, we spend a lot of time trying to turn our cakes. What we need to do is live the best we can through it so we can be a good testament to others-- believers or unbelievers. We need to keep walking and even though you might end up with sticky feet, they will be washed by the hands of God in the end.

We are so blessed that our Savior allows us to have our cake and eat it to:)

I hope you found this message encouraging. Meanwhile this cake really exists and is the fabulous creation of Closet cooking

Hugs and blessings-

In Praise

Let's Celebrate the National Day of Prayer today!

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me --Revelation 3:20

We are so blessed to be in a free country where we can pray publicly and privately!

Thank you Jesus!

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the Lord will deliver him out of them all...Psalm 34:19

I am in such awe of my Father today! My mom has just received the news that her second battle with cancer has ended and she is once again a wonderful miracle of God. I can't even describe the awe and wonder I am feeling!

Thanks be to God.

I would love to pray for you today. If you have a concern or need guidance as to God's will please respond with a post comment and I will pray for you. Remember He WILL deliver you out of whatever you are facing. He who promises is faithful! God loves you and He is so faithful. Believe Him, trust Him, honor Him, pray...Also, if you have not trusted Jesus as your Savior, today would be a really great day to do that! Just click on the big, red READY button- you'll be glad you did!

Lifting you up right now--E

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Top 10 things I never want to take for granted...

1. The blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus


2. Having parents who never divorced or abused me


3. Having my husband home and in my bed every night rather than out doing "his" thing


4. The emotional and physical health of my children


5. The freedom to worship my Savior 24/7--- publicly and privately


6. Homeschooling my kids all of their academic years


7. Intercessory prayer from Jesus and the saints - you ARE my rock! Also, my prayer team - You are my earthly rocks!


8. Learning something new every time I open the Bible....


9. Fresh, clean water, indoor plumbing, owning my own home (I guess that's really 3 but who's counting!)


10. Going to a grocery store and buying anything I want, whenever I want, and never feeling hungry...

There are really so many more I could add, I would love to hear what everyone else 'never wants to take for granted' too! We are so blessed. One thing about the information super highway is that you never have to wonder how other people live, what it's like in other countries, it's all right there. I really don't want to live anywhere else. Our darkest day is nothing compared to the brightest day in some other countries. Thank you Jesus...

Thanks for stopping by. I have taken a bit of a hiatus after buying our first home (at 42 years old)--this was a good exercise in patience-- and will be posting more often now. Thanks again for dropping by today. May you be blessed in all you do today.
Hugs and Blessings

Prayer needed

If anyone stops by today please pray for our friend Katelyn and her family. She is 8 years old and quite sick. All prayer would be appreciated. Thank you.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart!
I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Father,
It's easy to be positive and encouraging when everything is going our way, isn't it? We know every one is going to have obstacles to overcome in life. Problems have a purpose, and part of Your purpose for allowing us to face obstacles is to test our attitude. That's why we need to be positive even in negative situations. We know You want us to live life to the fullest. And You have provided a way for us to enjoy these lives, even when we're going through hard times.

In John 16:33. Jesus has just told us that we will face tribulation. But then He says, "Take heart!"

Thank you, God for telling us that we can choose to be joyful and positive no matter what happens in our lives. The reason we can do this is because Jesus has already won our battles, whatever they may be!

Please, Father, bless Pat and Gary to overcome their fears and anxieties during this hard time and help them to see the joy on the other side of it. Grant them calm hearts and minds. Guide the doctors with knowledge and a kind bed-side manner. Place your healing hand on Katelyn and use this situation as a way to bring more to your table. Bring us a miracle that others may see your awesome Glory and be amazed!

When this time passes let their hearts and lives be that much more full of Your love and grace. Strengthen them in this time of need with extra energy and extra faith to get through it. Comfort and keep them safe in this time and help them to make clear decisions according to Your will. Take heart!

All this we pray in You precious and Holy Name, AMEN

Reusable shopping bags

Are these reusable shopping bags really so "eco-friendly?"
Read this article and see what you think:


Reusable shopping bags

Maybe there should be an alternative bag that says: "Say no to fungus on my food!"

This really makes you think. I believe that if you can't wash it, don't use it

Are these reusable shopping bags really so "eco-friendly?"

Read this article and see what you think:

If you can't wash it, don't use it---

Here are my top 10 alternatives to using those bags:

1. 
   
   Reuse your paper bags --they hold boxed items and bread better anyway!


2. 
   
   Ask for paper in plastic. This makes a strong bag. When you're done fold them up still stuck together and bring along with you on each trip. You are reusing-yes?


3. 
   
   Never put raw meat in reusable bags. Some bags were made to be used only once!


4. 
   
   Always put produce in washable bags, launder at least every other week. Think of who and how many people have touch these precious vegies before you - ick. Note: always wash before eating.


5. 
   
   Always make sure bags are dry (from dairy or frozen food) before folding and storing - damp bags will breed fungus, mold and all sorts of yucky stuff.


6. 
   
   Use a plastic cooler for frozen or dairy. Wipe with a disinfecting cloth and dry after each use.


7. 
   
   Question why you're "buying" a shopping bag with the store logo on it?!? Make your own, there are lots of patterns on-line.


8. 
   
   Co-op and stores like PriceRite do not give you bags but are happy to give you stock boxes. Take the empty ones from the shelf and pack in those. They are nice and sturdy and can be easily recycled at home.


9. 
   
   Keep plastic bins in your trunk. Ask to have your groceries packed back into the cart. When you get to the car unpack the cart into the appropriate plastic bin - that way all the dairy, boxes, can, etc. are together. Note: Make sure you or your kids can lift a full bin! You will also need to clean these with disinfectant once a week.


10. 
    
    Don't use your grocery bags for anything else - this just exposes them to more bacteria.

Love to hear your ideas on this topic!