Welcome Dearest Friends to Little Glorieta

Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes! I am back somewhat in the saddle so to speak. I still slow down for naps. But seem to be about healed. I will have at least one more month of antibiotics. This is the part I hate!! Literally! I am such a natural herb gal, the Lord had to really break me to submit to taking something besides what was in my arsenol for illness. Still don't know exactly what happened but some kind of a bacterial infection within my system that presented itself via the lymph glands. It was not contagious, Praise the Lord to anyone. So all are well here. Just me that's been puny! :)

We have begun our new school year, still in the beginning organizational part. I have never previously had everything planned throughout the Spring and Summer for the Fall, fall through. Though it has been allot of lessons in patience, I am glad we are beginning to see the light at the end of the confusing and humbling tunnel! :) God is good and He has such wonderful plans for us if we just submit....yes again submit! And that my friend can be the tough one! Don't we think we know best.....HA! I am here to say, I know nothing and He knows all and to that I find great joy and comfort in my walk with the Lord!

Well, I better get going....I woke up 1 1/2 hours early for our very busy Wednesday. This is our day of Chess all day, groups and lessons! The rest of the week is nose to the grindstone! And today we will also take a fieldtrip to a Kosher Grocery! This should be fun!

We will listen to our tapes of Missionary stories. I am so looking forward to these stories, we bought them through YWAM and then the children will work through workbooks as well. Homeschool...anywhere! Days like this though they cause me to have to give in that it isn't a "typical" learning situation....it is a blessing! And the Lord teaches me to be flexible to His plans!

Today Gladys Aylward!!! I love her and her stories. She is a blessing of commitment and a true servant's heart! She served the people of China, the people I have so grown to love...please remember our dear Saints serving the Lord in China this day! May the Lord guide them and protect them. May He bless their works and that they be pleasing to Him...Amen. Praise the Lord for this faithful woman who served our Lord so well!

All the maps are printed, bags are packed and off we go! May the Lord bless our steps this day and let it be His day! Amen.

I will probably rest tomorrow....and that is alright....I get a bit over anxious to be back on the busy schedule.The Lord keeps me humble and again...I submit glady to His will.

Good morning

I am finally writing. I am so sorry to be so long. I did log in around a week ago and tried to read for a short while.

I had another relapse with the lymph illness and the second time was much worse than the first....lots of learning this time. :)

Though the fever is gone PTL, I am still weak and tire easily. During this time my husband has been switching jobs and I did not go to the dr.

Prayerfully as he started yesterday, I will go in the next week or two. Once we are surely established insurance wise.

I was so thankful to see under his new insurance we could go to my old dr. God is good and meets our needs.

Thank you so for encouragement and prayer!

It seems it had something to do with my lymphatic system and as I had just recovered from shingles. I had just gotten over the shingles and then this. So though I am not completely back to normal, I am so thankful to not be where I was. And the Lord is so gracious as this is not contagious to my family.

The Lord's timing is His and perfect and I am learning more and more to just submit with a cheerful heart and ask Him for wisdom.

I pray all of you are doing well and thank you again for such wonderful encouragements and tips!

PS-The weight gain, which is truly on the side of things going on is gone. It will probably continue to go down more with complete healing.....Lord willing. It is amazing how the Lord made our bodies to do certain things in illness to protect and heal us. God is truly an awesome God! I am humbled.

Sorry to not write

I am sorry to not get back to all messages and write. I have been sick with some kind of infection that has affected my lymphatic system. I have swollen knots in my lymph glands in various places on my body. I have been on a low dose antibiotic I had here at the house. It is taking a long time to take affect. And all my joints have been in serious pain. I am waiting a couple more days....and if not better I will go see the dr. I talked to the nurse yesterday. And I am just really tired. So Lord willing, rest today and good healthy veggies and fruit and this may help all heal. I have noticed a variation in weight gain of 2-5 lbs. I have a little fever....I wondered if the weight gain was the result of the infection? Any thoughts would be appreciated as I have not gotten off my diet.

Shrimp Stir-Fried Rice

Moo Shu Beef Lettuce Cups

Chicken and Chinese Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients

1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
1 1/2 pound uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, tenders (about 12 tenders)
2 tsp canola oil
1 cup bamboo shoots
1 cup water chestnuts, sliced
1 1/2 cup carrot(s), sliced
1 1/2 cup Chinese cabbage, shredded
2 cup snow peas

Instructions

Place teriyaki sauce, ginger and garlic in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken, seal bag and shake until well combined; marinate at least 20 minutes.
Heat oil in wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering (very hot). Add vegetables and stir-fry 5 minutes. Remove vegetables from wok, cover to keep warm and set aside.
Add chicken and marinade to wok; stir-fry until chicken is no longer pink in center, about 8 minutes.
Add vegetables back to wok and stir until well combined; serve hot. Yields about 3 chicken tenders and 1 1/2 cups of vegetables per serving.

Notes

Save time by purchasing two 12 oz bags of ready-to-eat fresh Asian vegetables.

Chicken Fried Rice

Here's a list of stains and what will remove them......

Strawberry-Kiwi Banana Cream Pie

Here's some tips for those that are just starting out or those that want

1. Create an herb rack or make cupboard space for spices and herbs. Get started with: salt and pepper, chili powder, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, cumin, curry powder, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon. Some shops sell ready-made herb racks with a selection of jarred seasonings.

2. Keep baking supplies handy, such as flour, brown and white sugar, baking powder or soda, cornstarch and vanilla extract. In addition to baking, you'll use these for creating and thickening sauces and sweetening beverages.

3. Stock your refrigerator and cupboards with condiments. You can always find uses for mayonnaise, ketchup, mustards, jams and other spreads. Good black olives, pickles, capers and other salty, tangy bites can jazz up your meals as well.

5. Keep nuts and seeds around. They're great in cookies and cakes, pastas and salads and for snacking and guests.

6. Buy a few kinds of good cheese - at least one grating cheese, like parmesan - for instant tasty protein.

7. Store dried pastas, rice, cereals, potatoes and other durable grains. Their value is limitless and you'll never go hungry.

8. Always, always, always have garlic and onions available. Almost every type of known cuisine calls for these two items.

9. Keep oils for frying (canola and olive, at minimum) and salad dressings; store vinegars (red wine, white wine, balsamic, or all three, plus plain) for vinaigrettes and whenever a little acidity is needed.

10. Have one bottle of dry white wine and one bottle of red wine, for both cooking and drinking.

11. Buy canned and jarred staples for when you're in a pinch. Tuna, canned beans and sauces can start off any kitchen creation. Canned tomatoes are indispensible for quick pasta sauces.

Here's some cheap cleaners and their uses:

Ammonia-good grease cutter, wax stripper, and window cleaner. NEVER MIX WITH BLEACH!!!

Bleach-great for whitening anything, removing molds and mildews, and general cleaning. Best used diluted with water. DO NOT MIX BLEACH WITH VINEGAR, TOILET BOWL CLEANER, OR AMMONIA. The combination of bleach with any of these substances produces a toxic gas which can be hazardous. We want to save money without jeopardizing our lives!

Baking Soda- Extremely versatile, baking soda is an all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner. It cleans, deodorizes, scours, polishes and removes stains. There are entire books out about the zillions of uses of baking soda, and the best thing about it is that it's cheap!

Borax:(sodium borate) It deodorizes, removes stains and boosts the cleaning power of soap. It also
prevents mold and odors. Great alternative for those who do not want to use bleach.

Cornstarch: cleans and deodorizes carpets and rugs, you can use this to replace expensive "baby powders" also.

Ketchup-great for cleaning copper

Lemon juice-great for whitening items, but vinegar is cheaper . It also cuts through grease and stains on aluminum and porcelain

Pure Soap: cleans just about anything and is mild

Salt: believe it or not, regular table salt makes an abrasive, but gentle, scouring powder. Who would have known?

Washing Soda:(sodium carbonate) Cuts grease and disinfects. It will also increase the cleaning power
of soap.

White Vinegar -very cheap and versatile, great for whitening, also fantastic for cleaning hard surfaces, windows and shining up metal surfaces. Removes mildew, stains, grease and wax buildup. This is another natural cleaner that whole books have been written on!

All Purpose Cleaner (From Rodale's Book of Practical Formulas)

2 cups rubbing alcohol (70% isoprophyl)
1 tablespoon mild dishwashing liquid (for handwashing dishes, NOT dishwasher detergent-it contains bleach!)
1 tablespoon ammonia
2 quarts water

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl. Fill a CLEAN spray bottle (not recycled one) with cleaner and store the rest tightly sealed in a large bottle. Use with a cloth or sponge to clean the bathroom fixtures, kitchen fixtures, appliances, chrome, plastic countertops, and painted surfaces. Rinse with a clean cloth or sponge after cleaning.

Here are some more cheap basic cleaner recipes...

1. Scouring Powder - use straight baking soda.

2. Soft Scrubber - combine 1/4 cup baking soda and enough detergent to make a frosting texture.

3. Window Cleaner - 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 cups water, and 1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent in a spray bottle.

4. Oven Cleaner - Cover bottom of stove with 1/4 inch of baking soda. Sprinkle or spray water over the baking soda to keep it moist. Let it sit overnight and then clean out with a sponge.

5. Furniture Cleaner - 1/4 cup of vinegar in a bowl and then add a 3-5 drops of vegetable oil.

6. Drain Cleaner - 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 3 cups of boiling water.

7. All Purpose Cleaner - 1/2 teaspoon of washing soda with 2 cups of hot water in a spray bottle.

8. Antibacterial Spray - 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.

9. Laundry Detergent - Chop or flake a bar of soap (your choice) into a saucepan with enough water to cover the soap. Heat (not boil) the soap until it's completely dissolved

into liquid. Add that to 3 gallons of water. Mix well and then add 1 cup of washing

soda (not baking soda or washing powders). Mix well again and then let cool.

http://groups.msn.com/FrugalLiving/frugalcleaners.msnw

This Morning

This morning the Lord woke me early only after a few hours of sleep. We needed our time together to go over the events in my life. For me to listen to the Lord. To get perspective and things in check. To guide me in coming events. Though I wish I could always say I am obedient to His guidings, but I pray I am learning. This world has so much in it that I sometimes feel as if I just landed from Mars.

The Lord has blessed us with our little farm, our critters...which are multiplying so quickly I cannot keep up! And our sweet family...which is growing so quickly my head is spinning. My babies are now taller than I am except one. They are brighter and work harder. They are lovely to be with. They have wonderful interests and hobbies. But most importantly they strive to walk closer and closer with the Lord. Even if I don't be all the example as Mom as I should be. They encourage their Mommy daily....and for that I am truly humbled.

I am not persay(sp?) a morning person, but as my family grows older they become night owls. Ironic...the one thing I have been all my life and am becoming less of they are becoming. Even my Dear husband who fussed at me for years for staying up too late! He is now up later than me most times!! But as time goes on, living on a farm I love the still quietness of morning. Only the occassional wriggle of our little pup Princess laying next to my chair. As she can't decide whether to go ahead and wake up or just sleep till my youngest daughter gets up. My youngest has declared she is Princess' mother and I am her grandmother!! How did I become such a young Grandmother!! Well at least that's my story and I am sticking to it!

Today has begun early, but it is a blessing to be up early with the Lord. It keeps me in check and remembering He is in control. Not the obstacles or people that seem to not want the best in my life or my family's lives. That He needs my time and my attention to teach me His lessons. That He is trying to help me and prepare me for this day and the days to come. That He loves us and has a plan for our lives. What a great God we serve! He knows our needs way before we do! Amen!

Have a wonderful day in the Lord and try to find a moment for a still quiet talk with the Lord....He's waiting just for you and He loves you so,

Grilled Stuffed Pears

MMMMmmmmm this looks so good!!! Even my GF child can have this!! Yum!!! Healthy and only 3 points!!!

True Faith Must Influence Our Daily Living

True Faith Must Influence Our Daily Living

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me. Galatians 2:20

"Things have come to a pretty pass," said a famous Englishman testily, "when
religion is permitted to interfere with our private lives."

To which we may reply that things have come to a worse pass when an
intelligent man living in a Protestant country could make such a remark. Had
this man never read the New Testament? Had he never heard of Stephen? or
Paul? or Peter? Had he never thought about the millions who followed Christ
cheerfully to violent death, sudden or lingering, because they did allow
their religion to interfere with their private lives?

But we must leave this man to his conscience and his Judge and look into our
own hearts. Maybe he but expressed openly what some of us feel secretly.
Just how radically has our religion interfered with the neat pattern of our
own lives? Perhaps we had better answer that question first.

One picture of a Christian is a man carrying a cross: "If any man will come
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

The man with the cross no longer controls his destiny; he lost control when
he picked up his cross. That cross immediately became to him an
all-absorbing interest, an overwhelming interference. There is but one thing
he can do; that is, move on toward the place of crucifixion!

A. W. Tozer
From: Renewed Day by Day, Volume One

Cookies and Cream Freezer Cake