Unique, Inexpensive Gifts for Teacher

What to give the teacher for Christmas? is the question on many parents’ minds this time of year.  In an effort to avoid the usual trap of candles and bath products, I read various blogs and searched Pinterest for ideas.  I ended up making a gift box with several items.  This probably cost me less than $10. The Favorite Things Jar This was the least expensive (free, really) gift and also took the most effort.  My son helped me make a list of all the kids in his class.  I then went around asking the students, “What’s your favorite thing … Continue reading Unique, Inexpensive Gifts for Teacher

Panera’s French Onion Soup recipe

How to get something on Pinterest when it won’t pin…Copy and paste the text into your own blog.  Original post can be seen here: http://recipecircus.com/recipes/lindatn/SOUPSandSTEWS/Panera_BreadFrench_Onion_Soup.html 1/4 cup sweet cream butter 8 cups sliced yellow onions (4 to 5 med. onions) 2 14-ounce cans beef broth (I used Swanson) 3/4 cup chicken broth (Swanson again) 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups water 1 tablespoon ketchup 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder couple drops Tabasco pepper sauce Garnish croutons shaved asiago cheese Onions and croutons and cheese…oh, my. Recipe … Continue reading Panera’s French Onion Soup recipe

Crafty Kids Kitchen

This creative mom had so much fun making a cardboard kitchen for my 2-year-old daughter. A friend hooked me up with large boxes from her workplace; all the other items were objects found in my home (discarded colorful paper, gift boxes, paper grocery bags, toilet paper rolls, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, foil pan, empty pill bottles, CDs, and the plastic ring that holds two bottles of Costco dishwasher detergent together.)  My tools included a hot glue gun, box cutter, sharp kitchen knife, paper cutter, tape measure, self-healing mat, Scotch tape, packing tape, and permanent markers. The only money I spent … Continue reading Crafty Kids Kitchen

Deep and Wide

One of my friends has been asking me when I will write another entry in my blog.  I told her I would write when I had something else to say.  Here it is: I’ve seen several Facebook posts today that have really bummed me out.  Christians in positions of authority are misrepresenting Christ all over the place.  As I thumbed through our hymnal seeking inspiration for upcoming worship services, I came across this gem written by Frederick W. Faber in 1854. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea; There’s … Continue reading Deep and Wide

Biblical Marriage: It Ain’t for Chickens

It seemed like a ridiculous request.  Even when it was made in the gentlest tone, with the kindest words he could possibly find. “Next time, would you mind not slamming the car door so hard?” requested my easy-going husband, early in our relationship.  In his opinion, the force I routinely exerted when closing my car door was excessive and could lead to damage of the vehicle. I thought to myself, “This is the way I’ve been closing car doors all my life.  What difference does it make?” Well, it made a difference to him, and I love him so I … Continue reading Biblical Marriage: It Ain’t for Chickens