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Friday, November 29, 2013

Building the Home: Laying Bricks of Protection

Image used with permission per CC Attribution License.
Copyright Tami Traylor "Traylorillo." Editing by Reviving Homemaking
     “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down” (Proverbs 14:1). As I examine this verse once more, I note how responsibility and continuity are demonstrated by both women, though each does so in an opposing manner. Due to their contrasting approaches, the interaction between the wise and foolish woman is often hostile and counter-productive. Ultimately, if the wise woman is to choose to continue to build her home then she must do so with the bricks of protection against harmful or foolish influences.

 Continue reading at The Focused Homemaker
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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Etsy Shop Black Friday Sale!


Are you a Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopper? Be sure to add the Reviving Homemaking Etsy shop to your list! Receive 15% off your purchase from November 29th through December 2nd! This is a great opportunity to get a lovely handmade gift for someone (or yourself!).

Printables Do you have a New Year's Resolution of getting organized already in mind? Interested in starting or maintaining a blog? What about finally tackling all those projects that are piling up? These printables are perfect for keeping you organized and on task!

Cloth Napkins Cloth napkins are a fantastic way to add some pizzazz to the dinner table! They're also a great money saver by eliminating the need to constantly buy and throw away paper towels. These sets would make a beautiful gift this Christmas season, not to mention a great addition to your own dinner table!

Fall Cloth Napkins The season may be past, but as we all know the after-holiday time is a great opportunity to purchase items at a discounted price for next year! Just imagine your next fall or Thanksgiving table decor with the finishing touch of these fun and festive napkins!


 Thank you to everyone who shares and/or purchases from the Reviving Homemaking Etsy shop! I enjoy getting to make and share these creations with you, and appreciate your support! :)

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Happy Thanksgiving 2013!


 Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here at Reviving Homemaking! 
     
     I posted at the beginning of the Thanksgiving season last year some ideas for not just making gratitude statements but also putting it in action. If you are a follower on the Reviving Homemaking Facebook page, then you will have seen them posted there as well. Today we will acknowledge something for which we're thankful, and "family" will likely be on the list. So, as we gather around a delicious meal put a gratitude for family in action by staying long after the meal is finished, talk with those who are present with you and focus on them more than you. Enjoy the time you have together!

     My husband and I celebrated Thanksgiving on Sunday. Due to his job schedule and how far we live away from our hometowns, we aren't able to spend the holidays with either family. My wonderful in-laws made the lengthy trip once again to visit and join us for a little Thanksgiving celebration. I'm still blown away by the fact that they drove three days (which included a hotel stay along the way) to stay only two days. The trip back took them 16 hours! That's dedication to preserve family connections and closeness! I think we all had a good time together. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing more family when we make the trip to their home next month. 

     Since we've already had our Thanksgiving meal, hubby and I will simply focus today on having quality time together. We'll enjoy some homemade apple cider, apple pie and then some Thanksgiving leftovers. The best aspect of the day is just spending some time together and living out our gratitude for our little family of us. Of course, that "us" has now expanded to the three of us!

     I'm also grateful for all of you who have subscribed or simply visit Reviving Homemaking! Having such a tremendous amount of support and encouragement from you for homemaking is such a blessing to me! My continuous prayer is that you are able to be equally blessed by the site. Thank you!

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Pregnancy Update: 26 Weeks

This baby deep inside of me, ever so small, is a child of God. A child that God gave to me to take care of whether for a day or for years. That care began at conception. Whether he or she lives or dies each day I am with him or her is a gift and has a purpose with eternal consequences. My baby is now a part of my life, my testimony. -Brenda Rodgers, "New Rules for Announcing a Pregnancy"
How far along: 26 weeks! Only 14 more to go! Wow!

"this week, her eyes, which until now were developing under fused eyelids, start to open. Of course, there's not much to see in there, but if your baby spots a bright light (or hears a loud noise) near your belly, you may notice an increase in fetal activity. ... What accounts for that response? Her brain is more developed and sophisticated." -What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

Baby size:  "now weighs a full two pounds and measures nine-plus inches." -What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition 

Gender: We'll find out when he/she arrives in March!

Belly: I love this little baby belly! Some days I get up in the mornings to what appears to be a belly that has grown overnight! It's amazing. It still cracks me up to look down to see the interesting formations my belly takes as he/she moves. He/she usually likes to stick to one side which gives the belly a rather wop-sided appearance. On occasion, he/she will lay perfectly sideways and my belly looks just like I swallowed a dumb-bell! haha!
 
Sleep: Sleep is ... well, it is what it is. I'm so thankful for the ability to rest or nap during the day when needed! 

Clothes: This baby and belly are growing fast! Maternity clothes are ideal, but I have continued to try to make a couple of my non-maternity sweaters fit. I will probably wear out the few that still fit before long. I love cozy sweaters in the winter! (Too bad the vast majority of maternity clothes are thin or knit material, which doesn't do much in the winter). I'm considering doing a little online Black Friday shopping for some warmer pieces and/or coat. I have a giant coat that I've only worn once because it's so big. Well, not any longer! The zipper and velcro tabs barely close now! Oh my

Movement: I'm still trying to incorporate the Bradley Method exercises or walking at the gym into my daily routine. I've got a lot more improvement to do in the discipline area of exercise, but little by little it's going to happen. I know how valuable the benefits are now and will be later for the baby and I.  

Baby Movement- This baby is quite an active one! He/she wiggles and kicks constantly. It's amazing how such a little being can kick so hard sometimes! I rather wonder what he/she is doing in there. I can tell that he/she is definitely getting higher in my belly. On occasion, he/she will snuggle up close to my ribs. It's still incredible to feel. Of course, that is unless I'm trying to eat because then it becomes a battle for space between food and baby. haha!  Somehow all those kicks are still hit or miss for David to feel. He's so funny in that he'll lay his hand to my belly and say, "high five!" He cracks me up! 

Food aversions: I don't think there are any anymore. Anything and everything sounds and tastes fantastic. 

Food cravings: Any kind of citrus fruit! Mmmm! Fortunately, it's a good source of vitamin C for the winter time! 

What I'm excited about: I love looking down this growing baby belly and feeling him/her there! It still astonishes me that we will have a little child in only a few months. I am still just so excited to watch him/her grow and discover the person he/she will be. The weeks are going by so fast, and we're beginning to really tackle all the projects we've had in mind. We've finally begun reorganizing our second bedroom. It's pretty exciting to see the room cleared and ready for a new purpose! David is painting a dresser set we have and he'll make one of the surfaces a changing area. I have a handful of patterns that I'd love to sew for the baby. The list goes on, but it will be fun to accomplish. 

Comparison posts/pictures: 


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Monday, November 25, 2013

Guest Post: Essential Oils in the Bible


Not very long ago I was blessed to experience the Bible stories in a way that I’ve never considered before. I find myself going back through the Bible and delving into many passages that I have read time & time again throughout the years, but this time the perspective has shifted. As a person who loves to study history, science, cultures and language I am in complete awe at just how many times God can continue to reveal Himself in new & mysterious ways in our lives. I’d like to share with you two verses:

“Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the door frame. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning.” Exodus 12:22

“A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips.” John 19:29

The parallels in the Passover and the Crucifixion are not only in the marking of a sacrificial lamb’s blood (literal lamb in the Old Testament and metaphorical “lamb” – Christ – in the New Testament) nor only the symbolism of a wooden door frame in the Old Testament and wooden crucifix in the New Testament, but also in the specific commanded use of hyssop for Passover and the traditional use of hyssop as a “tool” to hold sponge for soaking and the guard having offered it to the lips of our lamb upon the wooden crucifix.

How many times have I read these stories, these passages and never thought about hyssop. It was just a word that I skipped over, presuming there was no significance. Oh, but God always has a purpose! Hyssop was widely used for centuries to heal any ailments affecting the lungs and as a cleansing herb to ward off the Plague and other diseases.  How appropriate, then, that hyssop was the chosen plant to aid in protection of those barricaded in their homes waiting for death to pass them over. How appropriate, then, that hyssop was the chosen plant to have offered up to Jesus – the plant that wards off death and disease in this earthly realm.

The next verse in John says, “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Fascinating!

There are many more passages in the Bible just like this that mention various plants, flowers, herbs and oils; over 200 mentions, in fact. When God created us, He thought of everything including how to sustain our life AND our health.
“Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river …The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing."  Ezekiel  47:12

About the author:
Kelly is a wife, mother, church volunteer, has a background in pregnancy care, natural childbirth & lactation and has a passion for family health. She shares about the amazing healing qualities and purpose that God created in essential oils, regularly at www.facebook.com/wisewellness.





Note: The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and may not necessarily represent those of Reviving Homemaking. Accuracy of information should always be verified by the reader. 

Would you like to share on Reviving Homemaking? Visit the Guest Post page for more information!

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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Menu Plan: Fall (Nov. 17-23)




      There is now a photo album on the RH Facebook page just for food photos. If you like to see a photo of a dish to judge whether you want to try it or not, then follow the link to view the album. (I tend to like recipes & cookbooks that include lots of photos). Let's be honest, some dishes are just too pretty to not take a picture! ;) 

      I've also started pinning lots of recipes we use onto a "Food" Pinterest board. Many of the recipes listed below can be found there as well. 

Strategies

  • We began by reviewing several of our previous fall menu plans for ideas. I like to keep my menu plans because they provide a great resource for meal ideas that are seasonal and cost-effective. In the front section of my recipe notebook, I have a section labeled "planning" and this is where all my previous menu plans are stored. Keep it simple! 
  • We're utilizing leftover meals this week. This week may be a bit busy, and so I wanted to keep meal prep. simple. I also didn't need leftovers over the weekend like we normally have. Leftover meals also help keep grocery costs down. 
  • I bought several pie pumpkins from a nearby market. Now is the time to stock up on them! I'll cook, puree and then freeze them for later use. Although the pumpkin season extends later into fall, most stores are clearing them out soon after Halloween to make way for Christmas items. I've learned that if you want pumpkins to make fresh puree, then you have to get them early. Fortunately, they'll keep quite a while in a cool location. I keep ours in our basement with the rest of our canned foods. 
  • Every couple of weeks we host our small group for a meal and book study. We try to keep the meals we serve rather simple and cost-effective. We may serve up to twelve people, but have yet to break the budget to do so. It's all about the types of meals selected. This week we chose to do three types of quiche. Any leftover quiche will go in the freezer to be enjoyed another day. 


OUR MENU PLAN FOR THIS WEEK

*Note: I include links to the recipes if they are available online. Some recipes are from cookbooks we have at home, and while I can't share the recipe I can direct you to the source. Other dishes or meals are created by myself or my husband, and we can do our best to explain how to recreate it. If you'd like additional information on any of the meals or our menu planning, then please feel free to contact me. :) 

Breakfasts
- French toast, orange 
- Granola cereal with milk, grapefruit
- Cottage cheese parfait (cottage cheese, mixed berries, granola)
- Apple-cinnamon oatmeal (oatmeal cooked with diced apples, topped with cinnamon and toasted chopped walnuts)
- Granola cereal, yogurt with bananas and blueberries
- Eggs, bacon, biscuit/toast

Lunches
-  Mustard greens and bulgur
- Black bean soup
- Tuna salad wraps (with homemade tortillas), kale chips
- Repeat beans & rice
- Repeat quiche
- Leftovers

Dinners
- Sausage, red beans & rice
- Pork fried rice
- Steak, baked sweet potato, sauteed spinach
- Repeat soup
- Quiches: ham & spinach, sausage & potato, three cheese. (We're having several friends over this evening. Any leftover quiche will go in the freezer.)
- Chicken pesto pizza
- Dining out with family at one of our favorite local restaurants

Snacks
- apple & peanut butter
- cheese slices & whole wheat crackers (still determining a recipe for ww crackers)
- carrot & celery sticks with hummus
- hummus and ww crackers
- hardboiled egg & pickle (my weirdo pregnancy snack)
- cheese slices and ww crackers


*Note: Reviving Homemaking is not affiliated with any of the sites or companies included in the links, and was not asked to include or recommend them or their recipes in this post. (I simply like what they have to offer!)

What's on your family's menu plan this week?

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Thursday, November 14, 2013

Pregnancy Update: Week 24

This baby deep inside of me, ever so small, is a child of God. A child that God gave to me to take care of whether for a day or for years. That care began at conception. Whether he or she lives or dies each day I am with him or her is a gift and has a purpose with eternal consequences. My baby is now a part of my life, my testimony. -Brenda Rodgers, "New Rules for Announcing a Pregnancy"
How far along: 24 weeks! Only 16 more to go! Wow!

"Much of [baby's] weight comes from accumulating baby fat, as well as from growing organs, bones, and muscle. Those little ears of hers are getting sharper and can hear very loud sounds, from a yapping dog to a jackhammer. Also by now, that fabulous face is almost fully formed, complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. Is your baby a brunette, a blonde, or a redhead? Actually, right now her locks are white since there's no pigment yet." -What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

Baby size:  "Your baby is about eight and a half inches long and weighs one and a half pounds, gaining steadily at a rate of six ounces per week." -What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

Gender: We'll find out when he/she arrives in March!

Belly: I love this little baby belly! Although I was writing in my lap one day and the belly got in the way when the paper shifted resulting in a belly paper cut. From stained shirts to paper cuts, instances such as these have become are rather amusing. Haha
 
Sleep: Sleep is ... well, it is what it is. I'm so thankful for the ability to rest or nap during the day when needed! 

Clothes: This baby and belly are growing fast! Maternity clothes are now a necessity. I tried getting away with one of my previous shirts, but it didn't quite cover sufficiently (see paper cut story above). Oh well. 

 I've done about as much shopping as this non-shopper can handle for the time being. Just overlook the fact that I wear the exact same seven pieces every single week. I do wash them! Haha! 

Movement: I'm still trying to incorporate the Bradley Method exercises or walking at the gym into my daily routine. I've got a lot more improvement to do in the discipline area of exercise, but little by little it's going to happen. I know how valuable the benefits are now and will be later for the baby and I.  

Baby Movement- This baby is quite an active one! He/she wiggles and kicks constantly. It's amazing how such a little being can kick so hard sometimes! I rather wonder what he/she is doing in there. Somehow all those kicks are still hit or miss for David to feel. He's so funny in that he'll lay his hand to my belly and say, "high five!" He cracks me up!

Food aversions: I don't think there are any anymore. Anything and everything sounds and tastes fantastic. 

Food cravings: Any kind of citrus fruit! Mmmm! 

What I'm excited about: I love looking down this growing baby belly and feeling him/her there! It still astonishes me that we will have a little child in only a few months. I am still just so excited to watch him/her grow and discover the person he/she will be. 
    Although not pregnancy related, I'm pretty excited about the upcoming holidays. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! I'm really looking forward to spending time with family and, of course, that delicious Thanksgiving meal! I really enjoy how we've come to celebrate our Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. We've formed our own family traditions, and it will be neat for them to become even more special as our family grows.
Comparison posts/pictures: 


*Note: Some of the products listed above contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. Reviving Homemaking is an affiliate of Amazon.com, and as such receives compensation for each purchase made through the links.  
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