BFS #120- You Deserve A Break Today

Introduction: You Deserve a Break Today (McDonalds) –After all this crazy weather, the economy ups and downs and now a new President for the United States you all do deserve a break today. I want to give everyone a ‘break today’ and have the ANNUAL SHOPPING SPREE!!!

Assignment: I’d like to stick with a theme for the spree though. The marriage bedroom! I’m also being a little selfish on this one because my husband and I are getting ready to demolish our room, my office, and our ‘guest’ room and make ourselves a master suite. I need some great ideas on linen, wall colors, curtains, pictures…anything that would help me to decorate our new room. I do want a soft and sanctuary type theme. Are you willing to help me? Your budget is $1500! I gave you a raise from last year…since the economy is so bad right now…LOL. Make sure you use the banner and code on the right side of this page to show us your assignments!

I read about this assignment last week and haven't found the time to go "shopping". It's been on my mind and then I realized that I could just share our bedroom. So, maybe it's cheating a little...or a lot, but we have recently gone shopping and changed our bedroom. It's not finished, yet....and I am looking to make it more of a sanctuary, too.

Here is the view when you look in the bedroom. We painted our walls....ORANGE!! Yes, that's right...it's orange. It happens to be one of my favorite colors and Mike actually likes it. (mostly!) It's all warm and relaxing in there in the evenings. Our carpet is a medium blue. We bought new furniture and a new bed. I love the metal headboard here. Our bedding is from Bed, Bath and Beyond. It's chocolate brown and then I went and got an extra set of blue pillowcases for our extra pillows. Someday, I would like to get some decorated throw pillows. For now, this has to do.

On a frugal note, shop at home before you go buying. This piece of artwork (which I love) had been displaced after a bigger remodeling project. It works perfect in here! Our furniture is the Attic Heirlooms Collection from Broyhill and we purchased it from Black Lion. If you live anywhere on the east coast and you need to purchase furniture, check out the Black Lion! We searched the furniture stores around here and no one could beat their price. They delivered, set it up and we even got the extended warranty and they will come in your home to fix it! :)

A key to making your bedroom a sanctuary is clearing up clutter. This dresser top is getting a little cluttered...but the big frame there is not going to stay there. I am working on getting the photos in it and I plan to hang it on the wall. Looks like I need to go clean a mirror, too!!

Here is a little homemade touch from our daughter. She made this leaf imprint in art and painted it after it dried. I usually keep my lip gloss on it.

Here's another frugal thing. Mike got this lamp as a gift from his company. It works really well with the colors. I was a little jealous about not having the light on my side of the bed, so.....

...I was really excited to find this at a yard sale on my street. It was just a few bucks and definitely fit the budget...and makes reading a whole lot easier!!

Here's one of the areas that is not quite finished. The wall on this side of the room and over our bed. I did get this beautiful candle holder for Christmas, so that is a start. It came from Bed, Bath and Beyond. Don't forget to save your coupons to Bed, Bath and Beyond. Did you know you can use the expired ones and that you can use as many coupons as items that you are purchasing!!

Assignment #118 - All You Add Is Love (Purina Dog Chow)

Memory Verse: Psalms 127:3 (New Living Translation)
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Intro: This week we continue with shaking things up a bit. Children are often so pure in what they say. There is no sugar coating it, they just say it as they see it. Their thoughts can make us laugh, touch our hearts and open our eyes.

Assignment: This week are going to do an “Interview With Mom” and post it to your blog. There are a list of questions below to interview your children with. You will then ask your children the questions and post the answers that they give you.

WHAT DOES MOM ALWAYS SAY TO YOU?

Empty the dishwasher.

WHAT MAKES MOM HAPPY?

Fudge

WHAT MAKES MOM SAD?

When someone gets hurt.

HOW DOES MOM MAKE YOU LAUGH?

She shows me funny pictures.

HOW OLD IS MOM?

44

HOW TALL IS MOM?
5 and a half feet.... which is close.

WHAT DOES MOM LIKE TO DO?
Work on her blog.

WHAT IS MOM’S JOB?
taking care of me

WHAT IS MOM’S FAVORITE FOOD?
Thai Spring Rolls.... well, they are pretty good!

HOW DO YOU KNOW MOM LOVES YOU?

Because she takes care of me and she says she loves me. I can tell in her eyes. ;o)

BFS #117 - Say It In Signs!

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:14 (King James Version)
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.

Intro: This week the other Teachers and I want to shake things up a bit! We wanted for everyone to have some fun and have an assignment that would be easy and enjoyable too. This is a creative blogging assignment but hopefully it will offer help to some newer bloggers still trying to learn “how” to add pictures to their blogs and also help learn your classmates names to easily identify them…and it’s just FUN!

Assignment: This week you are to use your Blog Name (or your own pen/real name) and create signs.

This was fun! I didn't have time to get creative, but I did make a few signs using my Blog Name. I'll go back later and play around some more later this week. :) If you want to make some signs or banners check out here . If you want to see what creative signs others came up with for this assignment, check here .

Assignment #113 - Finger Lickin’ Good (KFC)

Memory Verse: Matthew 14:19…Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.

Assignment: Although I am not able to produce miracles, it sometimes feels like I need to when it comes to meal time. There are times when money is tight, groceries are few and I have to feed my family. During the holiday season, you might have so much going on that you need to make a meal quickly with as few ingredients as possible. This week post your favorite recipes that require six (6) ingredients or less. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Oh, Yummy! This is going to be a fun assignment to read. :) Here is a favorite dish using fish. (I'm a poet!)

Lemon Parmesan Tilapia
2-1/2 lbs. Tilapia fillets
2-4 tsp. butter or margarine, softened
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Lemon-Parmesan Sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tbl. fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Rinse the tilapia fillets in cold water and drain thoroughly.
Top with butter or margarine and lemon juice.
Broil about 4 inches from the source of heat for approximately 5 to 6 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Top each portion with 1-2 tbl. of Lemon-Parmesan Sauce; broil 2-3 minutes or until sauce puffs and turns golden brown.
Place fillets on serving plate. You can garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsley if you want.
Serves: 6

BFS #112 - America’s Favorite Dessert: J-E-L-L-O

Assignment: Write about your favorite ‘faith food’. Tell about the books of the Bible that you read that help to build your faith. Nurture the seeds of faith inside you.

Every time I finish reading a book in the Bible I think to myself, "That it is my favorite book." :) How can you not just love them all? Exodus, Joshua, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, Oh...I should just stop. I am glancing through my Bible now and I just want to name them all! ;o) There is so much there that just speaks to you in whatever situation you are in. There are times that one Book, one Chapter, even one verse may speak the loudest and clearest and hit me right in the heart. When I know that that verse was for me to read at that moment. I love those total ah-ha moments, when you have read something 20 times and suddenly it takes on a whole new, REAL meaning. One where you can almost hear God speaking to you. Yep, I love those moments.

However, they don't always happen on a regularly scheduled program...at least not for me. I can only just keep turning to the Word and praying that I see, hear and understand what is meant for me. I always come away better then when I started reading, but maybe not with a major eye-opening.

There is one book in particular that I just LOVE! Yes, I said I love them all and I do...but one that just was one after another full of Ah-Ha moments. Every single verse was just so full of truth and conviction. I re-read it often and meditate on these verses. They are definitely worth keeping them tucked in your heart!

Here are just a few....it was impossible to pick out all my favorites, because I really would just be copying the whole book.

James 1:22-25

22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

James 2:14-19

14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is such a fun holiday. I tend to love all holidays that are centered around family getting together. :) Throw in all the great food and that "love" factor jumps up a notch. This is the holiday where everyone here pitches in and makes some of their favorite recipes and we get together not once, but twice to eat everything! How's that? Well, our family has a tradition we call "Repeat Friday". After Thanksgiving dinner the last thing you really want to do is sort out leftovers and split them up for families to take with them. So, we started just gathering Friday afternoon and reheating everything, adding some nice bread for sandwiches and enjoying another meal. The best part about this is it comes without HOURS of cooking beforehand. It's also a good way to relax and help put a dent in the leftovers. Then if there is anything still around at that point, we divide it up. I am so thankful for my wonderful family!!

I'd like to wish all my friends, family, followers, and BFS members a Blessed Happy Thanksgiving!!

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart,I will enter His courts with praise,I will say this is the day that the Lord has made,I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

BFS Assignment #109 We Bring Good Things To Life (GE)

Memory Verse: Philippians 4:8
In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy.

The passion to sing, the passion to draw, the passion to build, the passion to ride, the passion for reading, the passion for nature… the list is endless. Some children exhibit their passion from day one, others need an experience to spark that passion.

Assignment: Share a field trip/lifestyle learning experience where you really felt you were bringing good things to life for your children, where something came alive for them, or ignited a passion.

Our daughter is now 9 years old and I believe we saw her passion for animals before she was even 3 years old. You could sit her on the couch with a big animal reference book and she would sit still for over a half hour turning the pages one at a time and studying all the pictures! There is little doubt that animals will play a part in her life. She will either work with them, farm with them, play with them or who knows what. It is something special though to see her around animals. Her blue eyes just sparkle!

Knowing this about her, we do try to center some of our activities around animals. One of her favorite trips is going to Florida. Sea World is always a big hit and this last time we went we to Florida we included a trip to Gator Land.

Just being able to cater field trips and extra learning opportunities to fit her interests is one of the beauties of being a homeschool family. We did the same for older brothers, of course!! (just don't have digital pictures from back when they were little!LOL)

Here are some of our Florida pictures with some of her favorite creatures...

She spent quite a bit of time talking to this guy and his friends. He paid attention to her, but that might have had more to do with the fish in her hands!

This one also liked the fish and posed quite a bit for us and even let her pet him.


There really isn't a better way to make friends with an animal then feeding it. Here she is feeding the sting rays.


I think dogs rank up in her top 5 favorites and she was happy to meet this one.

It was really nice of this trainer to take some time to pose with her. She has this picture enlarged ready to hang in her room.

Here he is at work.

Again....food is a great way to meet animals. A few minutes later she had more then a dozen on her!

This python was heavy!!


She was thrilled that they had a little gator for her to pet.



At Gator Land they had many, many beautiful birds and I made a point to take lots of pictures. I knew we were going to be working on Zoology 1. :)


His mouth is taped and yes, he is real!!



Now one last picture of one of her favorite Florida Creatures.......

BFS #108 - Quality is Job #1

Memory Verse: I Timothy 4:12-13 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Assignment: My family and I rarely do anything apart from each other. We don’t really have quality time together because all our time is together. We feel like the more special moments are when we have dinner together or when we worship God together. For this assignment, tell how you and your family spend QUALITY time together.

We love to spend time together. My boys are now 25(almost), 22 and 19. They grew up very close and for the most part (hehe) enjoyed each other. It is great to see them now as great friends. Nine years ago we had a daughter. She is a wonderful girl and she loves her brothers' company as much as we do. Spending time together has always been a priority to us. It is even more important now that son #1 is married and son #3 is also out of the house.

Everyone gets so busy and days can slip by without actually having a chance to check in with each other. Son #1 runs a Chick-fil-a and since they are always closed on Sundays, that is the day that seems to work best for us. So, on many Sundays we will get together for family dinner at our house. The special ladies in my boys' lives are also invited. Often times we include my parents for dinner, as well. Sometimes we will play a game afterward or watch a movie or just hang out. That means there is up to 11 of us for dinner. I really do look forward to those times.

This fall and winter season I am planning on trying many homemade soups for Sunday dinners. It seemed like a frugal way of making enough for everyone and also having leftovers. The plan is to make two pots of soup each week, with some bread and a salad to round the meal out. So far, we have only had one soup meal together. One Sunday was a birthday celebration so we had a special dinner and this past Sunday we went to a new to us restaurant for pizza. We had seen the restaurant on the Food Network.

My plan is to share the recipes and the critics' reviews after each meal. If anyone has a great recipe, please share!! :) I'd like to make one with meat and one without each time.

Here's a family photo from the wedding.

BFS Assignment #107 - When There is No Tomorrow.....

Memory Verse: Ecclesiastes 1:13-14
I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Assignment: We only have today. Should God take you today, have you accomplished everything that you wanted to, needed to. Have you said all the things that needed to be said? Let’s have no regrets, let’s make sure we get to those things, so that when we’re standing before the Lord, the only thing we need to do is to worship him.. and not regret not getting to that thing on our to do list.

Honestly, I try to live without regrets. Does that mean I get everything done that I want to get done? Nope. Does it mean I get all those things that I feel God wants me to get done? Well, unfortunately, nope. However, I do try to focus more on what I feel God is saying to me. I make sure to listen for God's whispers. I pray for strength to carry out what I am called to do. Is it always easy? Um...no! I cannot accomplish these things in my own strength.


The one thing that I feel could ever be a regret for me is wondering if I could have done more to reach out to others. I have many unsaved family members and I often wonder if I have been the witness God wants? I don't know. Have I missed an opportunity along the way? I bet I have. However, I do pray that God provides many more opportunities for me to plant seeds. If I continue to seek His face and follow His lead then this will not be a regret for me. :)

BFS #106 - Have It Your Way....

Memory Verse: Isaiah 40: 1- Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Assignment: Tell us all about how your have “your” relaxing time, more especially how during the cooler months you take time to curl up with your favorite movie, book, Bible study, and what your favorite warm drink would be.

A few years ago we removed our fireplace! Yep, that's right. We tore it down, hauled it out, patched some holes and called it a day. I miss that fireplace. I love watching fires burn, hearing the crackling sounds and feeling the warm, toasty heat as I sit close by. However, I do not miss what it does to my nose and eyes!LOL So, we wound up remodeling and the fireplace was kicked out of the house. I tell you that just so you know I HAD a fireplace once. I know how relaxing that can be.

However, now I just have to relax in other ways. :) There are days....often on a Saturday, sometimes even on a weekday.....where I find myself taking a "me" day. You have to have some of that special "me" time every once in a while to charge your batteries. I know when it is a MUST! In fact, everyone around me probably knows it is needed!! hehe So, what do I do for my relaxing time?

First off, a nice hot bath or shower is a good idea. One where I can actually shave my legs, deep condition my hair and give myself a facial. Ahhh...that is sounding so good to me, right now! ;o)

After I dry off and put on some comfy clothes, I love to light some candles around the house. They are so soothing. (Probably deep down reminds me of the fireplace!!)

Then, I like to curl up on the couch with my soft, snuggly blankie. It's especially good if I am sitting by windows and can see outside. It's even better if there is a good pot of soup or a stew cooking in the kitchen or perhaps a nice big pan of lasagna baking in the oven. This helps warm up the house and turns the "house" into a "home".

Reading would be my relaxing activity of choice. Although, I can go for a TV marathon, if the right show or movie happens to be playing. Sometimes watching old tv shows that take you back to when you were little are just the thing needed to unwind and relax the brain. Or, for me, even watching "True Lies" for the twentieth time is soothing.

Hot Chocolate or Hot Tea is a must have if I am truly trying to relax. Funny thing is, though, as much as I love it I have to then have something cold to drink. I am not sure why...but after every cup of hot beverage I have to follow it up with an ice cold drink. I am sure somewhere out there someone else has that same quirk. Someone....somewhere..... Anyone??

Make it a point to give yourself a little downtime. It's like a little hug to yourself. :)

I've shared this cozy spot before, but it's a perfect example of what I love! (a spot by the window with lots of warm, fuzzy blankies) :o)

BFS Assignment #105 - M'm M'm Good

Memory Verse: Psalms 13:6 NIV I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.

Intro: M’m M’m Good (Campbell’s Soup)The fall is such a wonderful time of year. The beautiful foliage and cool, crisp morning air is such a wonderful change from the hot summer. I also love the M’m M’m good smell of fall cooking and baking. The wonderful fall veggies, fruits and Thanksgiving foods.

Assignment: Post your favorite fall recipe/recipes to share. I love trying new recipes, do you? It can be baking, main dishes, veggies, dessert or anything else you can think of. There are no limits. Mmmmmm..I can’t wait to take a look at some of those recipes.

Ok, first I will share a previous post from yesterday that has not one, but TWO soup recipes. Now, what says FALL like soup does?? Click right HERE.

Now for another fall favorite....

Cream Cheese Crockpot Chicken:

1 frying chicken, cut up

2 tbsp melted butter

salt and pepper to taste

1 package of dry Italian (good seasons) dressing mix

1 can cream of chicken soup

1-8 oz brick of cream cheese, cut up in cubes

1/2 C chicken broth

1 large onion

crushed garlic to taste

Brush chicken with butter and sprinkle with the dry Italian dressing mix (I did two layers in my crockpot to make sure that the Italian seasoning got on all the chicken and not just those pieces on top.) Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours. About 45 minutes before done, brown the onion in the butter and then add the cream cheese, soup, and chicken broth to the saucepan. Add the crushed garlic and stir all ingredients until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour sauce mixture over chicken in crockpot and cook an additional 30-45 minutes. Remove chicken to platter and stir sauce before putting in gravy boat.

Now...if you ever read a recipe I post on my blog you will most likely notice that I follow it up with comments on what I did!! hehe I have a hard time following a recipe. I think what I do makes it better, but you decide for yourself. Do not be afraid to experiment and make the recipe fit your family.

Ok, first off, I use 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts. Then when I am making the sauce I use the broth that has already gathered in the crockpot. If that does not measure out to be enough, then I will add some additional chicken broth. But in my mind, why add even more broth and water down the sauce. That flavor is just right in the broth that is already in the crockpot. Works wonderfully! I also spoil my family and quickly cut the cooked chicken breast up before I pour the sauce over it. The kids LOVE this recipe. We serve it all over noodles and Parmesan is put on the table for those that want it.

Preview Alert: The following picture is just the beginning of a fun project! Stay tuned for details.

BFS #104 Never Leave Home Without It

Memory Verse: Matthew 28: 20 - Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.

Intro: Never Leave Home Without It (Marketing Credit: American Express) Diapers, bottles, wipes, bibs, pacifiers, extra clothing, cell phone, PDA, ipod, iphone, credit or debit cards … what would you never leave home without?

Assignment: In the memory verse Jesus tells us that He will never leave us, not even at the end of the world. He assures us in this verse that He will be with us and that means through everything we go through in life. I thought it would be interesting to write about the things we would never leave home without. For some it might be baby needs, others it might be a gym bag and bottle of water, and for some it might be your Bible and a notepad or small journal, maybe even your son or daughters favorite blankie! I’d like for you to write about something that you would never leave home without.

Well, I have to give this some serious thought. We are past the baby stage and kid #4 isn't involved in a bunch of sports that keep me sitting on the sidelines like when the boys were younger. Back then I had a list of things that always went with me.

I guess right now, life is pretty simple. Things I never leave home without all fit in my purse. Sure, there are times I take water, books, paper, coupons, or even a snack....but those times are not the norm. However, my purse pretty much follows me everywhere. (although, there have been a few recent instances when I decided to live on the edge and left my purse at home!!! Hubby was driving.) Now, what is in my purse that I feel I MUST have? My cell phone and sun glasses are the two biggies. I just have the need to feel that I can be reached if someone needs me (like a kid). I also like to know I can reach someone if I need them. I don't know HOW I lived before I had a cell phone! hehe....ok, so you think I have fallen into the marketing trap of believing I NEED the phone. Seriously, I could leave it at home. Really, I could.....just don't make me prove it to you, OKAY? As for the glasses, I have sensitive eyes. Just a little light makes me squint, then before I know it I have a raging headache. Wimpy, I know! But those are the two biggies for me. My purse also has band aids for kid's boo-boos and that has come in handy for more then just my kidlet. Let's see...in my purse I also carry my inhaler, that I really only need if I am around cats. My wallet with ID and debit cards is pretty important, too.

Since my purse goes everywhere with me, I decided to splurge on my birthday. Well, I let my parents splurge and spoil me for my birthday is more like it. You see, they were wondering what I wanted and I was trying hard to think of something practical to use around the house. Then it hit me.... I wanted one, I've wanted one for years! So, I called up my mom and told her what it was I wanted. We went shopping the next day and NOW I have a purse I love.

My very own Vera Bradley bag! :)

BFS Assignment #104

This is WACKY WEEK here at Blogger Friend School! Everything is wacky fun! This week YOU, the student, get to share something of your choice that is little “Wacky”!!!
Have you done something crazy in your homeschool? Do you fingerpaint with your toes? Do you let your children do your hair? Do you wear your pajamas during homeschool? Oh, the list is endless, but it’s up to you and how much fun you want to have.

Oh my goodness, we are definitely a wacky homeschool family. This was fun to reminisce over the past 15+ years of homeschooling. Back when the boys were young, I didn't have a digital camera and I wasn't really one to stop the fun and take a picture anyway. I still forget to take pictures!! We just like to be silly and have fun. There was the time I used a washable marker and wrote the name of the bones on all the boys, so they would remember them. (it really worked, too!) Then, there was the time we had a huge "Thankful Tree" on our foyer wall and everyday each of us added a paper leaf with something we were thankful for written on it. We've had forts and teepees, dinner on the floor without utensils, dropping eggs off the fort in various packing material just to see what worked best, and so on. All those pictures are on "old fashioned" paper and I don't have the time to hunt for them and scan them.

So, we will have to just look at some wacky moments with kid #4. She likes to have fun, too. (and we laugh and laugh almost every single day over something silly)

To us, homeschooling is something that occurs anytime, anywhere. It really is just a way of life. We don't always learn sitting at a table and looking at books.

We like to dress up!!

We love learning about animals!

Even our snowmen have a sense of humor. These two were smiling with their little yarn smiles. Then it started to rain and look what their little smiles did!

We love art, even silly art. This picture was done with all sorts of things added to the paints.....like crushed egg shells, salt, flour, etc.

Silly faces are common in this house!

Having fun cooking and decorating is a big part of our school!

Pets are included in celebrations!

Where else, but in a homeschool room will you find a monkey sitting on top of the world and the student still learning.

Well, that was just a little look of life here. I really must start carrying that camera around more!! The point is....have fun and remember learning is an ongoing process. Every minute they are taking something in and processing it. Make sure it includes silly moments that have nothing to do with reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic!!