God's Amazing Love for Us All

Your love, GOD, is my song, and I'll sing it!

Psalm 89:1 (The MESSAGE)



God's love is not human. His love is not normal. His love sees your sin and loves you still.

Does he approve of your error? No. Do you need to repent? Yes. But do you repent for his sake or yours? Yours. His ego needs no apology. His love needs no bolstering.

And he could not love you more than he does right now.



From: Everyday Blessings

Copyright (J. Countryman, 2004)

Max Lucado

In Memory of my Dear Mother - Sweet Recipes for Life

In honor of my precious mom's birthday (Marie I. King would have been 88 on Sept. 18) I'm sharing these sweet thoughts.  Mom went to her Heavenly Home after developing blood clots in her lungs post-- knee replacement surgery.  She was only 64). Everyone in our family refers to her as a saint. She was one in a million for sure.

(And as a sidenote...I didn't mention my dad's recent birthday earlier this month.  We 4 siblings and families got together to help dad celebrate his 86th.  We are so thankful for his steadfast and unconditional love for his family and his Savior.  A good friend bought him this hat to wear while he opened gifts...too funny!)

Mom's Recipe for Love

Take a cup or two of laughter,
And a pinch of good advice.
Pour in patience by the bowlfull,
Then stir it once or twice.
Fold in lots of hugs and kisses,
And a mother's gentle care.
Cook until it's nice and warm,
And spread it everywhere.

~T. Speer

Recipe for life . . .

Ingredients:

1 part of knowing who you are
1 part of knowing who you aren't
1 part of knowing what you want
1 part of knowing who you wish to be
1 part of knowing what you already have
1 part of choosing wisely from what you have
1 part of loving & thanking for ALL you have

Instructions:

Combine ingredients together gently and carefully, using faith and vision. Mix together with strong belief of the outcome until finely blended. Use thoughts, words and actions for best results. Bake until Blessed.

Yield: Unlimited servings

~ Author Unknown

Pastor Chuck Swindoll says, "As significant as political, military, educational or religious figures may be, none compare to the impact made by mothers. Their words are never fully forgotten, their touch leaves an indelible impression… the memory of their presence lasts a lifetime. I ask you, who else has that kind of influence?"

Happy September Birthdays to my Mom & Dad!!

Look Forward to Celebrating!!

If we are going to gain some new perspectives, in order to lose some 'old' weight, we must have some goals in mind.

Every day that you eat wisely and move more, you're accomplishing something to be proud of. (And when you mess up - forgive yourself and start fresh again tomorrow...it's gonna happen now and then!)

DON'T WAIT TO CELEBRATE!

When you applaud yourself for all you're doing, and have done, it's so much easier to keep doing those things.

I enjoyed celebrating every 5# loss with....a (dark) chocolate candy bar that had been given to me..a new shirt, etc. as it was always good to keep that in mind while I was working hard to lose those few lbs. at a time.

Celebrating is very important, because it helps to inspire you to continue doing what you're doing.

Just keep on keeping on....it came on one lb. at a time, and it isn't going to drop any faster either. I really believe the slower you take it off, the easier it is to keep it off.

Tips for Money-Wise Meals - #1

December is here, and we are all busier than ever...I want to share some ideas to inspire you to help you with your food 'management'/meal planning.  I will be sharing some awesome recipes later this month too, but for now....

• 
  
  Coupon, coupon, coupon!  If you've followed my blog for long, you'll know I LOVE coupons, and often get to save 60%+ of the total price I spend, because I stick with purchasing sale items, and use coupons also.  Clip weekly from the newspaper (hint: some of the coupons in the file that I always carry in my purse - will be thrown out if I don't find the item on sale). Ask a friend who doesn't use coupons, if they'd be willing to share theirs with you.  It's a great way to save big $$.


• 
  
  Shop your pantry - use what you have.  If you stock up on weekly sales, you can learn to cook with what you already have.  Keep vegetables, soups, broths, beans, etc. on hand - and have a system in your pantry so everything doesn't get lost, and you don't know what you really have.  Ex: keep soups together with labels facing the front - use tubs to group some items and/or smaller items together.


• 
  
  Shop bulk sections - Go for grains, nuts, dried fruit, cereal and more - You can buy as much, or as little, as you want, and prices tend to be more reasonable because you're not having to pay for name brands or fancy packaging.  I love to buy powdered milk there, as it isn't something I use often, or much of, but it's so handy to have a little bit when I want it.


• 
  
  Make your own 100-calorie packs - It's so much more economical to make your own.  Separate chips, cookies, etc. into resealable plastic bags and you will save all the waste of the packaging too.

More ideas again next week...HAPPY SHOPPING & COOKING TOO!!!!

Clearance & Bargains & Sales - OH MY!

I just LOVE my sales and bargains - one of my biggest 'kicks' in having to spend $$. (Or is it having $$ to spend?=) Just wanted to share some extra special things God has blessed me with recently. 

I shop at my local grocery store weekly, and buy mostly sale items and stock up that way.  They have recently begun printing out, not only coupon savings, but the savings on sale items as well, so I've really been thrilled over my savings.

This is what they've looked like the last couple of weeks....

I paid out $19.23 & saved $12.20.

Last week I paid out $19.63 and saved $16.13!

MY OH MY!

I had a 'mental health' day last week and got to spend the day away with a dear friend.  We shopped til we dropped and got lots of great deals then too.

I love Kohl's stores - their clearance racks are sensational!  Since neither of us had a coupon to take in with us, I decided to open a charge account, because they were giving 15% off when you do.  I did all my shopping at the clearance racks - plus the new cashier 'accidently' gave me a double discount...another 15% senior discount.  (Only to be told AFTER she rang me up, that they don't double discount...but since she had already given them both to me...well, OK. -Thank you Lord!) 

My receipt says I spent $66 & saved $255!  IT DOESN'T GET TOO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT NOW DOES IT???



I praise the Lord for all the smiles & sunshine He sends my way - these last couple of weeks have been very trying for me, so these special deals are very meaningful and uplifting. No doubt - heavenly gifts to me at this time in my life.

Signs that make you Smile

Humor is always good for the body, and the soul.  Hope you enjoy these as much as I do....

SIGN IN LONDON DEPARTMENT STORE:

"Bargain Basement Upstairs"

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IN A PODIATRIST’S OFFICE:

“Time wounds all heels”

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ON A SEPTIC TANK TRUCK IN OREGON:

“Yesterday’s Meals on Wheels”

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(My personal favorite!)

ON A PROCTOLOGIST’S DOOR:

“To expedite your visit please back in”

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ON A PLUMBER’S TRUCK:

“Don’t sleep with a drip. Call your plumber”

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AT A TIRE SHOP IN MILWAUKEE:

“Invite us to your next blowout”

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AT A TOWING COMPANY:

“We don’t charge an arm and a leg. We want tows”

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IN A RESTROOM:

"Toilet out of order - please use floor below"

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IN A LAUNDROMAT:

"Automatic washing machines: Please remove all your clothes when the light goes out"

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SPOTTED IN A SAFARI PARK:

"Elephants please stay in your car"

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Out of the Mouths of Babes

I've been encouraged to share these silly stories that have given us some great laughs. Grandkids certainly DO make life GRAND!

 During the benefit for Caden last weekend, he found a Trivial Pursuit game in the huge toy display.  He sat on the ground throwing his dice, with the cards scattered all around him.  As I walked by, I saw him throw the dice, and keep his hand open.  I laughed to myself that he seemed to know what he was doing. 

It wasn't long and his big sister Charlie came into the garage where many of us were, laughing herself silly.  She told us that she saw Caden shaking the dice in his hand, and then say...

"C'mon Baby - Mama needs (holds the hand with the dice to his mouth and 'huffs' on them a couple of times) a new pair of shoes!'

 Oh my goodness - we have cracked up over that time and time again.  He loves repetition and definitely has watched some things too much on the tv!

Deb & Greg's oldest, Claira, who is 4 also, comes up with the craziest things from a child her age.  Not long ago - she put on a bathing suit and was twirling and 'modeling' it in their home.  She looked over her back at her mom and said

"Look mom...I've got a big butt like yours". 

Kids are just too hilarious sometimes huh?  Had to share the chuckles with ya'll!

HAPPY PATRIOTS DAY - 9/11

Click Here for your Patriots Day Message!

Tips to Help Manage Your Household

I have always enjoyed sharing tips to make life easier in your home.

Hope these help make an improved difference in your life...

My favorite tip has always been.... place a cup of water - along with about 2 T. lemon juice - in a glass cup and microwave for atleast 5 minutes.  Keep the door shut - the steam will moisten the splatters, and you should be able to easily wipe  it clean.   Your microwave will smell lemony fresh.

When using your hand mixer - place your bowl in the sink to mix.  The splatters in the sink are much easier to clean than to have them all over
your cupboard and counter.

Welcome to The Better Baker!

I’m thrilled to be able to connect with folks online - this is a new experience for me, and at this point, is rather overwhelming, but with my daughter’s assistance and expertise, I hope to make this an inviting place for you to visit often.

I really do enjoy cooking in general. My mom gave me freedom in the kitchen when I was growing up, I married a man who is willing to eat anything, and we both love hosting company, so my ‘career’ in the kitchen has snowballed over the years, and I’m excited about how my outreaches are being expanded.

I’ve had a few recipes published by the American Profile publication. I won $100 in 2006 for my Butternut Squash Casserole. It is one of two in the AP "Blue Ribbon Winners" cookbook. I also have five recipes in their "Hometown Recipes for the Holidays" cookbook. I truly do enjoy time in the kitchen.

I even like washing dishes.

I recently began typing up recipes to have my own cookbook published...it is a time consuming process, but it feels good to get the ball rolling toward making that lifetime goal a dream come true.

I’ve also had a short testimony of God’s provision for us in a needy time, published in "Christian Miracles". The format is similar to Chicken Soup for the Soul books, with many authors in one book. I enjoy opportunities to speak publicly.

But I have to say that I’m not a professional speaker - only a professional talker!!

After being recognized in our local newspaper for my national recipe ‘fame’ through American Profile, I have recently been asked by a local newspaper to write a monthly column...and include recipes. Appropriately - the column is entitled "The Better Baker".

I married my high school sweetie, Ron "Bean" Baker. We have endured some, but mostly enjoyed, our 41 years of wedded bliss. We have been blessed with 3 children, and 7 precious grandchildren. Being Nana and Papa are the biggest blessings in our lives....and we appreciate the thought...

GRANDKIDS MAKE LIFE GRAND!

Ron is 100% disabled from his exposure to Agent Orange - he served 3 tours in Vietnam as a proud Marine. He’s diabetic, so the last few years, I have leaned more toward healthier dishes, and low/no sugar recipes.

Something I’m fond of are quotes - some would call them ‘wall plaques’, but I appreciate them, and hope to share some with you often. One of my favorites is...

LIFE IS SHORT...EAT DESSERT FIRST.

P.S. - You can probably find new posts from me about once a week just to get warmed up.  Later, when I'm an "expert" at this, I'll be posting more often!  Thanks for visiting - and please feel free to leave comments and questions!