May Daybook

 For Today, May 2, 2022

Looking out my window... Cloudy.  The month of April was cold, wet, snowy and windy with a few spring teasers thrown in there.  I am looking forward to the warmer weather coming later this week.  The grass is turning green and the buds on the chestnut tree are swelling and will burst open soon.

I am thinking... my dear friend Brenda who is celebrating her first birthday in heaven.  <3

I am praying for... the upcoming birth of a new little grandson due to arrive in the coming weeks.

I am thankful for... The good gifts of each of my grandchildren.  This weekend we celebrated our granddaughter's first birthday.  

Ella with Papa and Nana 💓

One of my favorite things... slower days at home with no plans to go out.

I am creating... a set of knit dishcloths to go along with a gift for a bridal shower and this afghan for a wedding present.  This is my favorite knit dishcloth pattern.  

I am wearing... pajama's (still).  😏

I am re-reading... What Do I Know about My God, by Mardi Collier.  On my Kindle I'm reading through, I Crossed Over, by Alice Moss.  

I am listening to... the tv in the background.

I am hoping... for warmer weather and to get the camper cleaned out and ready for the season.  Yay!  

In the kitchen... This week I am planning to get a few freezer meals prepped for my daughter in love.

Looking forward to... meeting our new grandson this month.  

A moment from my day... comfort food for chilly days.

A Snowy Daybook

 For Today, February 21, 2022

Looking out my window... currently it is overcast and windy. We are expecting a snowstorm over the next two days and while I'm ready for warmer weather I love a good snowstorm!  It will be nice to see our dirty black snow all covered white again.  We had a windstorm last week and a lot of the topsoil from the field blew in and covered all of our snow.

I am thinking... about the message from church yesterday on being careful and diligent to keep increasing and adding to our faith.  The mark of a transformed life is continual growth and fruit. 2 Peter 1:5-11

I am praying for... My dear friend and spiritual mama who has cancer.  There has been cognitive loss and our relationship is changing.  I am grieving the loss but am so thankful to God for all the years of friendship with her, many Bible study and prayer times.

I am thankful for... God's protection over my son and other drivers this last week when he and the car in front of him hit black ice.  Both cars ended up in the ditch.  I am praising God that there were no injuries and a good Samaritan pulled both cars out of the ditch.  I am also grateful to God for my husband's oral surgery and healing going well.

One of my favorite things... my granddaughter's smile and her one little dimple.

I am creating... a crocheted baby blanket for my great niece who is due in March with her first.  

My daughter in love and granddaughter also came over this last week and we worked on a new to me crochet project.  A reusable grocery bag made from plastic grocery bags that we cut and loop tied together.  We didn't get very far but we had fun and of course I had to give Cookie the hook.  It will be fun to teach her how to crochet when she is older.  I love the focused look on her face and her little tongue sticking out. ☺  Our church hosts a monthly "Scrap and Craft" event and this was one of the projects I brought along.  I didn't get very far though.  My progress and the rolled ball represents 21 bags.  I think I'm going to need A LOT of bags.  *smile*

I am wearing... Cozy comfy lounge clothes.  I'm not planning to leave the house during this snowstorm.

I am reading... In the Bible I am in the book of Deuteronomy.  I am also reading John 18 for this week's women's Bible study.  I am slowly making my way through Dark Clouds Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegrop.

I am listening to... these beautiful instrumental hymns throughout the day.

I am hoping... 

In the kitchen... I'll be prepping food this week for our "I Love You Day" celebration.  On the menu is spaghetti, garlic knots, salad and a cake. My daughter will bring a vegetable of some sort to add to the meal and others are brining snacks and drinks.  My mom is bringing a dessert salad.

Looking forward to... a phone visit with a friend across the country.

A moment from my day...

Birthday Week Daybook

 Outside my window...  A beautiful early fall day.  Yes, technically fall doesn't begin until Sept. 22 but for me, fall begins on September 1st.  The leaves on a couple of the trees in our yard are beginning to turn yellow.  The field corn and soybeans in the fields around our house will be ready for harvest soon.

I am thinking...  School planning.  We are behind schedule for school by about 3 weeks due to our family going through Covid.

I am thankful...  Another year of life.  I turned 50 years old yesterday!  I am thankful for healing/health.  Covid hit each of us a little differently.  I ended up with some pneumonia and had the longest recovery.

In the kitchen...  No cooking for me today.  It's my birthday and we went out for lunch after church.  Supper will be left overs from the week.

I am wearing...  Jean capri's and a tye-dye shirt.  Bare feet.  😄

I am creating...  I've been knitting dishcloths.  This coming weekend we have Scrap and Craft for the ladies at our church.  I am planning to bring my pictures from the last year to get them sorted and into an album.

I am going...  Shopping with my daughter later today.

I am wondering...  If I should take a nap before shopping.  

I am reading...  In Genesis and Romans in my Bible.  I am reading a book called Women Who Risk.

I am looking forward to... Lunch with my parents, sister and brother this week.

Around the house/yard...  I spent the day mowing the yard yesterday.  It took about 4 hours.  There are weeks to be pulled and some trees need to be trimmed.  I am working on new weekly home-keeping routines. 

A favorite Scripture for today...  Psalm 9:9-10

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,

    a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,
    for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

One of my favorite things...  Seeing my grandchildren!  Since the last time I updated this blog, a third grandchild was born.  Miss Ella is 4 months old now and so sweet.

A Year of Blessings

Two years have passed since I was last active on this blog and a lot has happened.  Some amazingly wonderful things and some very humbling health concerns for me and devastating hard losses of loved ones.  Through it all we have grown in our love for one another and in our faith in God's sovereignty.  We are learning to continually give thanks and to look to our good and gracious God for wisdom and guidance in all things.  💛

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  
1 Thessalonians 5:18

It would be too hard at this point to go back and try to chronicle in detail all that has happened, so I'll just pick up where we are right now.  It is my desire to begin to post updates for our family in the coming year, but there are no guarantees as to the regularity of them.  😀

Here is our most recent family photo ~

Scott and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this year. We've been together for 31 years though.  ❤  We took a 3 day trip to Duluth in November.  We don't often get away so it was special to have a few days with just the two of us.

Our daughter moved closer to us with her two boys.  Nana and Papa enjoy having them closer and being able to be a more regular part of their lives.  Warren turned 3 in September and Owen turned 2 in November.

 

Our first son Jonathan married his bride Mikayla in June of this year.

Second son, Christopher graduated from high school this Spring.

Andrew, our youngest turned 16 and is growing in height at amazing speeds this last year!

God's blessings to each of you as we close out 2018 and move into 2019.  We are abundantly blessed and my prayer is that each of will continue to seek the Lord in all things.  

Joyfully His,

Theresa

QUOTE of the day: 

 "There are lots of cars out today but no gorillas."

~Warren, 3 years old one day this last week when we were driving back to Nana's house.  He was watching all the traffic on the road.  I sure wish I knew the context of his sentence.  Nana was glad there weren't any gorillas on the road either. 😀

Photo credit for professional pictures goes to my sister, Amanda from Amanda Petersen Photography.  

Christmas Eve Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Monday, December 24th, 2018

❤💚 Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  ❤💚

 

Outside my window...  It's a beautiful day, sunny/partly sunny with a high temp of 27.  There are only a few patches of snow around our place after the warmer temps over the last week.  We hit 41 two days last week and upper 30's as well which resulted in a lot of snow melt.

I am thinking...  About our extended family Christmas gathering later today.

I am thankful...  For good traveling weather for the holiday weekend and to be with all of our family.

In the kitchen...  No cooking here today.  My brother is making a 30 pound roast and mashed potatoes.  Mom is making dinner rolls and scalloped corn.  Later in the day we'll have lots of snacks and Christmas cookies.

I am wearing...  A denim jean skirt, a navy snowman sweater from Christopher & Banks and an antler headband decked out with blinking Christmas lights.  😄

I am creating...  Nothing on the hook or needles right now.  I just finished a messy bun or ponytail hat for my niece and a large afghan for my sister in law.

I am going...  Home to Sleepy Eye, MN to my parent's house.

I am wondering...  If everyone will enjoy our family game time.  We are playing bingo this year.  Everyone has been collecting small white elephant type gifts from around their house to contribute to the prize bin.  My sister is also brining a new game this year called Scribble Head.

I am reading...  I have a few books going right now.  I'm re-reading The Imitation of Christ a little each night before bed on my Kindle.  In the mornings I am reading through Genesis and a book called, A Woman for God's Glory. 

I am looking forward to... 4 days away at my hermitage in a few weeks.

Around the house...  It's the day before Christmas... lots of boxes, bins, wrapping paper around.  😉  

A favorite Scripture for today...  "And this is the testimony; God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."  1 John 5:11 ~ We included this scripture on our Christmas picture this year.

One of my favorite things...  Hearing my grandsons say, "Love you, Nana." 💙💙  I don't think that will ever get old.  These two little darlings have been the best thing in my life these last 3 years.  They bring so much joy to all of us.  

A few plans for the rest of the week:  No Plans!  Woo Hoo!!!  

Have a lovely Christmas week

Spring Hello

Wow!  It's been quite a long time since I've been actively blogging.  I really do desire to get back to it in some form or other.

My little grandson will be 8 months old this week and he brings so much joy into our lives.  He doesn't have any teeth yet and isn't crawling either but I'm sure those things will be coming soon.  His smile melts my heart and I wonder how our life felt so normal and full before he arrived.  His Nanny, Papa Scott and uncles loves him so much.

  

  

In November we will welcome our 2nd grandchild into our lives.  I am so excited!!!!

In January of this year I joined a weight-loss Bible study called First Place for Health.  I have really been enjoying the studies and have lost a total of 32.7 pounds since starting.  My clothes are fitting better and I am feeling so much better too.  I still have quite a bit more to lose but I am not concerned with how long it will take.  Our Bible study group took a break from the First Place 4 Health studies in April and began a book called Taste for Truth which focuses on renewing our minds and allowing God to transform us as we abide in Him and renew our minds to His truth.  This book has been so foundational and about the only thing I haven't liked is how fast paced it moves.  There is so much good information, powerful questions and Scripture in it that I wish I had a bit more time to meditate on it.  I plan to go back through the book later this summer.

The boys are looking forward to summer and being outside.  Andrew will be participating in coach pitch baseball through the summer rec program and we got family passes to an amusement park.  Lots of fun for the boys and walking for mom.  :)  

I'm working on setting some goals in different areas of my life.  I came across another blogger who did this and I really liked these little mini goals and the accountability of sharing them.  Look for that post sometime next week.  Until then, God bless you.

Giving Your Home a Spiritual/Biblical Cleaning

Ideally I like to do a Spring and Fall cleaning around my home.  A time to dig deep into the corners and recesses of my home and tidy them up.   It doesn't always happen but that is the goal.  A time twice a year to open up windows, remove and wash the jams and screens.  I empty cupboards of pots and pans, dishes and pantry items and thoroughly scrub out any accumulated grim or crumbs.   In the Fall I usually take this time to freshen my linens by washing extra blankets and bedding so that they are ready to put on beds when the nights turn crisp.
 
As important as it is to be good stewards of our homes and belongings by seeing to their physical upkeep, it is equally important to give diligence to its Spiritual upkeep. 

Many years ago I found a blog post on cleaning house.  I felt it was a very important reminder and so I took the time to write it in the back of my Bible.  Unfortunately I did not make note of the author or blog where I found it and can no longer remember.  If anyone recognizes this please let me know so that I can give proper credit.  
 
Cleaning House

Every few months go through the house and examine it according to these Scriptures:
 

• Psalm 101:3
• 2 Corinthians 7:1
• Proverbs 3:33
• Philippians 4:8
• Deuteronomy 7:26
• 1 John 5:21
• Psalm 101:2
• Psalm 119:37

Clean out those things that are not pleasing to the Lord.  It is very easy for worldly distractions to creep into our home.  Look at:

 
* Books and magazines
* Art, personal pictures
* Videos and DVD's
* Music
* Toys
* Anything immodest or crude in speech, manner or suggestion
* Immodest clothing
* Miscellaneous things that the Lord might reveal to you.

(I would also add that you should examine your online and social media activities.  Are they pleasing to the Lord?)

Replace items with things that would inspire and draw you, your family and others to God.
Strive to make your home a safe place that honors the Lord by carefully discerning and guarding the things you allow into it.

 
** The Right Questions to Ask **

The following questions are ones that I wrote down from a women's Bible study I attended and I think they go beautifully with the context of Biblical Housekeeping.
 
1.  Will this strengthen my faith and help me love Jesus more?
2.  Will this advance me in warfare against sin?
3.  Will it help me be more resolved to pray?
4.  Will it embolden my faith and help me to share the gospel with others?
5.  Does this bring glory to God?

I hope this will be an encouragement to you as you think about doing your Fall cleaning.  God bless you as you work in your homes, may all you do there bring glory to the Lord and your family closer to Him.

Update

Greetings Friends ~

So much has been happening here in our little corner of the world.  In August my mother in law was placed in hospice at home where her 4 daughters lovingly cared for her each day until she passed into the arms of Jesus on September 27th.  God graciously allowed my husband and I many opportunities to minister, encourage and witness to many family members.  The prayers of years passed were answered and the gospel shared with each of his siblings and my father in law.  Join us in prayer for those sown seeds to break open and bring forth a harvest! 

 

{Samantha and Rose ~ at Samantha's graduation}

 

Rose and I share a birthday and we had a HUGE celebration with all of her family.  All of her children, their spouses and 13 of 16 grandchildren were there with many great grandchildren as well.  Rose came from a family of 15.  She has 9 sisters and 5 brothers.  Wow!  Such a wonderful day of honoring her and sharing our hearts of love with her.

 

 

On September 10th our daughter had our first grandchild.  Little Warren is so precious.   I am loving the Nana life and enjoy every opportunity I have to spend with them.  The first word my nieces and nephews heard from me was the name of Jesus whispered in their ear and so did Warren.  Each time I see him I tell Him how much I love Him and how much Jesus loves him.  I've enjoyed singing hymns to him and praying over him while rocking him.  Such an overwhelming and amazing experience to see the next generation and to pour out your heartfelt prayers to the Father for them at such a young age. 

 

Here are a few photos from their pregnancy photo shoot with my sister.

 

And Now!!! 

 

 

The Nana pictures commence. 

 

 

A few hours after birth. 

 

 

 

Nana or Nanny T and her sweetheart.

 

 

 

Papa Scott

 

  

  

 

Here are a couple preview pictures from his infant photo shoot with my sister.  I crocheted the Hungry Caterpillar cocoon and hat and knitted the multi-colored blanket used in the basket.  There will be more photos from this photo shoot I'm sure.  :)

 

 

And so now you know why its been so silent here.  All is well.  We are missing Rose but so thankful for the gift of Warren who brings us all so much joy.

 



First Snow of the Season - traditions

In our family we have a tradition to celebrate the first snowfall of the winter season and yesterday we had the first snow of the season - we bring our red and blue snowman cookie jar out from the cupboard storage and fill it with freshly baked cookies. 

Usually our first batch of cookies are Grandma Sue's soft sugar cookies (recipe to follow), but first a bit about the snow or lack thereof!  I thought we were going to have this big "snow event" and to be sure some areas did get snow.  Many of our friends got over a foot of snow but down here in the south (45 miles) we got just a trace.  Poor Andrew, the only one who was really looking forward to getting snow this early, walked down the stairs this morning with a disgusted look on his face, pointed out the window and said, "This!  This is NOT snow!"  Haha!

Now onto our favorite sugar cookie recipe! 

Soft Sugar Cookies

1 C. butter
1 C. shortening   (I use 2 cups of butter flavored Crisco)
1 C. sugar
1 C. powdered sugar
2 eggs
4 C. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. pure vanilla
1 tsp. cream of tartar

Cream butter, shortening, sugar and eggs.  Add vanilla, baking soda and cream of tartar and mix well.  Add in the flour by cupfulls, mixing well between each one.  Roll into balls and then roll in sugar.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  You want them to look not quite done but not too soft.  Cool on rack for two minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.  If you want the cookies to stay softer store them in a tupperware or rubber container - they will get a little harder being stored in a cookie jar.

Enjoy!  If you make these for your family, let me know how you like the recipe.

Blessings,
Theresa

Sunday Afternoon

Hello.  I am so glad that we are all tucked in for the day at our house as the temps outside are so very, very cold.  With wind-chill they are supposed to be close to -40! 

I'm spending my Sunday afternoon freshening up the learning room.  A beautiful piano cd is playing and I'm enjoying some hot tea.  I've just finished the lesson plans for the next week and am taking a little break.  The bookshelves still need straightening and my desk, which became a landing pad for every stray ornament, Christmas card, picture, scissors, tape, Christmas name tags, etc. over the last 2 weeks, is in need of some serious de-cluttering. 

It sounds all cozy and peaceful but every few minutes a loud shout or groan floats up the basement stairs where my "guys" are all watching the football game.  :o)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas time with your families.  We did and are so thankful to have spent it with so many of our loved ones. 

Have a blessed Sunday.

Sweet Potato Salad

Christopher and I made up this Sweet Potato Salad this afternoon.  It is my favorite holiday salad to bring and is a crowd pleaser with everyone; that is unless you tell them before they eat it that it has sweet potatoes.  :o)  

 

Below you see the main ingredients (sweet potato, pineapple, apple and raisins).

 

And mixed with the dressing and a few pecans crumbled on top.

 

 

Sweet Potato Salad

3 cups peeled and shredded sweet potato 

1 cup pineapple tidbits (fresh is best)

1 medium sweet apple, diced

1/4 cup raisins

Pecans (to top the completed salad)

** I don't really measure when making this salad but throw everything in and make it look even.  :o)  Three cups of sweet potatoes is not quite 2 normal sized sweet potatoes so I shred and use all of the sweet potatoe.  I added a bit more pineapple and raisns this time too.

 

Dressing:

1-2 Tbsp. raw unfiltered honey

1-2 Tbsp. lemon juice (I use only 1)

1/2 cup Veganaise

lemon zest

Top salad with chopped pecans.

 

** I had to let my honey soften up before mixing the dressing as it starts to solidify more this time of the year.  Mix the dressing in a separate bowl and when it is throughly mixed pour over salad and stir.  

This salad is great fresh but works well made the night before (I add the raisins and pecans before serving).  

 

I did enjoy a bowl right away.  Mmmm.  :o)